(Ally) Japan's Prime Minister Aso Has Just Slammed The Bush/Rice Deal on N. Korea On Live TV

Sankei Shimbun News, Japan (Original in Japanese) ^ | 14 October 2008 | Sankei Shimbun, link to Japanese

[AmericanInTokyo]

just this afternoon on Japanese TV and in the press...

[AmericanInTokyo]

Before a live session of the Japanese lower house, in question/answer session. States disappointment with the deal to just remove North Korea from the list of terrorist countries by the United States. He also stated Japan will not participate with other five countries in Six Party talks when it comes to supplying power to Kim Jong il regime. I consider this as a considerable split from Washington, despite Japan trying to put a brave face on it and smooth things over.

Thanks Mr. Bush and Madame Rice.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Nothing short of crazy. What is the reaction over in ROK?

People here are livid and say out in the clear the USA got rolled out of desperation, but good, on this one, by the Chia Pet.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

How do you say “Thank You” ?,,,

Olly Gato(sp?)...:0/

[AmericanInTokyo]

Foreign Minister Nakasone (yes, son of THAT Prime Minister) is now demanding the specifics of the North Korean agreement obligated of the DPRK, be carried out--no funny business!).

[AmericanInTokyo]

In this case, coming from the Chia Head in Pyongyang to Bush, Condi and State, it would be komappsumnidda

[Nextrush]

The United States looks weak and impotent in this situation.

Japan of course knows NK are a bunch of liars who have missiles aimed at them and have kidnapped Japanese citizens.

Sad situtation that the next president will carry on with in who knows what fashion.

It may get worse.

[bethtopaz]

I don’t understand why this happened? Please explain it to me. Why would we do this?

[thecabal]

I don’t blame him, we just threw his country under the bus. Don’t worry Prime Minister, we American citizens are feeling butt hurt as well by the multiple screwings that we just took.

[Anti-Hillary]

The Japanese and the Koreans HATE each other. When I lived there I remember when a Korean girl that posed as Japanese was part of a plot that blew up a S. Korean plane. She then spilled the beans on the kidnapping of Japanese girls and taking them to N. Korea to turn them into spies.

I have lost all respect for GW. What happened to him??? I used to think he was even twice the man his father was. Turns out he was not even half of what his father was. It is SO sad!!!!

[AmericanInTokyo]

It is a lonnnnng story.

It is well archived on FR for the last three years. You will find a lot of stuff under "TigerLikesRooster", and "Jet Jaguar", and "SevenOfNine", and also apopletic ravings of yours truly from Tokyo as well, "AmericanInTokyo".

You will find a lot of level headed stuff by Ambassador John Bolton as well on FR. Good luck on coming up to speed, give a shout out if there is anything re: this idiocy that any one of us can try to explain.

[bruinbirdman]

"What is the reaction over in ROK?"

Seoul Likely to Give N. Korea 3,000 Tons of Steel Products

"South Korea will likely send 3,000 tons of steel products to North Korea late this month as the communist state pledged to resume work to disable its nuclear programs, the Yonhap news agency said Monday, quoting multiple unnamed sources.

The assistance was agreed upon during the six-party denuclearization talks in return for the disablement of the nuclear facilities.

The Ministry of Unification refused to detail the exact schedule. The ministry's spokesman, Kim Ho-nyoun, only said the ministry is reviewing the assistance plan.

Seoul was to ship the material between September and October but delayed since the reclusive state tried to restore its plutonium-producing Yongbyon nuclear complex in retaliation for U.S. tardiness in removing it from the list of states sponsoring terrorism.

Earlier, Unification Vice Minister Hong Yang-ho told foreign correspondents here that the ministry would likely make a decision on the aid by October when the production of steel products is expected to be complete."

yitbos

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Roger Dat!!!,,,

Please tell the folks you know that “I Apologize”,,,

For havin’ such Fools in charge of the Gubmint,,,

Lil’Kim et al have played them like a fiddle...

[AmericanInTokyo]

Think how the mother of Megumi Yokota (kidnapped from Japan, spirited to North Korea at age 14 I believe) now 43 years old and languishing, if alive, still in North Korea. Bush met the mother of this girl in the White House and told the mother, with all the cameras rolling, that she touched his heart and that he would never let her down.

Liar. Bush. Disgusting. I am ashamed of him and all of this. Ms. Yokota will probably never get her daughter back from North Korea.

(I am waiting for the brilliant wisecracker or two to catch up on this thread and de-facto stick up for North Korean kidnappings of Japanese in postwar years, all because of Imperial Japan's cruel behavior in the past toward Korea--and in an effort to protect Bush on this major FUBAR. Not to you, Anti-Hillary, but this is addressed to them: No linkeage! If lurking, and thinking of such idiocy, don't even try it).

[Mila]

"Olly Gato(sp?)...:0/"

Domo arigato

[randomhero97]

No disagreement here. I’m surprised we still have allies left.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Japan Nixes North Korea Aid Despite U.S. Delisting

Japan will uphold a ban on economic aid to North Korea despite the North's removal from a U.S. list of terrorist states, until there is progress in a dispute over the fate of Japanese citizens abducted by Pyongyang decades ago, Prime Minister Taro Aso said on Tuesday.

His comments underline the divide between Tokyo, which remains focused on the abductions, and other parties to six-way talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear program, including South Korea, which has urged Japan to help provide energy aid for the North.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Unification Ministry has been around for at least 10-15 years, as far as I know.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

LOL,,,TANKS a Bunch,Mila,,,(wipin’ egg off face)...;0)

[TigerLikesRooster]

S. Korean conservatives is either 1) in disbelief or 2) angry or 3) betrayed.

Pinkos and commies are snickering at conservatives being backstabbed by "conservative" Bush.

While the government decides to go along with U.S., grass-root is not. They don't understand why U.S. got so stupid. They are reexamining their view of Bush.

With almost-certain problems with Chia Head, this development and ongoing world economic crisis pushed up level of uncertainly and volatility, driving up people's anxiety.

Some people on the right wanted to reassess relationship with U.S.. That is, should SK just follow U.S. or chart its own course.?

[TigerLikesRooster]

By the way, there is a split in government just like U.S. Unification Ministry is still for appeasement, but other branch does not.

[Mila]

You had the idea. The only reason I remember it is that in 1982, the year my daughter was born, there was a song on the radio by Styx called Mr.Roboto. An oft repeated phrase in it was “Domo arrigato, Mr.Roboto (or something like that) and then they sang, “Thank you very much, Mr.Roboto”. I used to sing, “Domo arrigato, baby roboto” to my daughter as I fed and changed her in the wee hours of the morning. For some reason it seemed to quiet and calm her. Strange how I remember that. Or maybe I’m just strange overall. LOL!

[Caipirabob]

and also apopletic ravings of yours truly from Tokyo as well, "AmericanInTokyo".

Wouldn't be the same FR without it - lol! ; )

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Awwww,,,What a Sweet story,,,;0)

Mama’s singing always seems to calm the little ones,,,

I just rocked him in the chair and played the radio...

(Dad can’t sing)...;0)

[MaxMax]

South Korea will likely send 3,000 tons of steel products to North Korea

Yummy, Steel Egg-Rolls.
Good through the teeth, and out the back of the neck.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Cholminao!

[ONEBYEONE]

Wait a minute. I live here too and specifically remember for years all the Japanese politicians, i.e Mrs Doi tried to appease N. Korea. And with all this Bush bashing, what has the U.N done? Nothing....

[Joe Boucher]

Cause Bush lost his moxie, He’s working on his peaceful legacy.
I’m so very very disappointed in G.W. at this point.
Elected with lots of dedication by conservatives who he has crapped on far too many times.

[wny]

Here’s an idea: shut-up, step up and defend yourself. We need to chuck some of the hobos off the American gravy train.

[Spktyr]

.....

You *really* think the remilitarization of Japan is a *good* thing?

ARE YOU NUTS??????

[neb52]

Bookmark.....

[Pan_Yan]

You *really* think the remilitarization of Japan is a *good* thing?

ARE YOU NUTS??????

Yes.

No.

[struggle]

Good. When I lived in Japan, NK was always lobbing missiles towards Japan just to see what would happen. The abductions and drug/gun trade that they do also needs to be punished.

And remilitarize Japan. Give those freeters something to live for.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Japanese Budget for U.S. Military in Japan(+-)
1978 $60million
1979 $260 million
1980 $360 million
1985 $750 million
1990 $1.4 billion
1995 $2.5 billion
2000 $2.3 billion
2001 $2.3 billion
2002 $2.2 billion
2003 $2.1 billion
2004 $2.1 billion
2005 $2.0 billion
2006 $2.0 billion

[neb52]

Are those numbers the amount they “pay” us to house our military there?

[AmericanInTokyo]

"Here’s an idea: shut-up, step up and defend yourself. We need to chuck some of the hobos off the American gravy train."

Here's an idea. With all due respect, you haven't a CLUE as to what you are talking about.

"U.S. Forces are dispersed among 91 facilities located on Honshu, Kyushu, and Okinawa. Total acreage of U.S. bases is approximately 78,000 acres. The annual cost of stationing U.S. Forces in Japan in 1995 was approximately $7.6B. Of this amount, the Government of Japan paid $4.25B of the cost. "

[Eyes Unclouded]

ehh... careful. Japan with a blue water navy and a strong air force not really anyone’s cup of tea. Co-prosperity Sphere anyone?

[Guenevere]

I continue to pray for mercy..

....but goodness knows... corporately, as a nation... we are mired in mud.

[Guenevere]

MSM accused Sarah Palin of not knowing what the 'Bush Doctrine' is...

...BUSH doesn't even remember what his so called doctrine is!

[AmericanInTokyo]

He is a total disappointment, isnt he??

He did a complete 180 didnt he? (Remember "Axis of Evil"?)

This is the essence of what Margaret Thatcher would have called "going wobbly".

I am of the mind to start a GOOD RIDDENCE PRESIDENT BUSH thread on FR starting around 19 January next year, where we can all sound off on all the things he has done to disgrace the United States and Conservatism. To counter the *PRAY FOR* and *DAY IN THE LIFE* cult threads on their last day.

[Soeharto]

Hai, so desu ka? Watashi wa Soeharto desu. Gominase, Nihongo O hanishi masen. Domo arigato gosimesta.

[Mila]

Okay, I’m quite impressed. I only wish I could speak another language, let alone one that seems as complicated as Japanese. I’m very curious as to the translation of what you posted.

[Guenevere]

Untenable!...He has put us in an untenable position!

It is so hard to defend 'the Republican cause' when precinct walking....

Everyone I met who is angry with Bush decisions & articulated their thoughts so well...made it very hard for me to defend!!!

I stayed positive...for Sarah's sake...but Bush has made this very very hard for us!!!...and yes, I'm angry!

My county will probably go McCain/Palin...(I hope!)...as we're conservative, military...

..but there is a LOT of anger out there.

Many feel absolutely used by the Bush administration.....Used and discarded....Used only to push us further and further towards socialism.

[The Bishop]

The legacy of poor personnel policy continues. Christopher Hill strikes again.

[Teacher317]

I don’t understand why this happened? Please explain it to me. Why would we do this?

It's nothing new. The game that's been played for well over a decade now (with Clinton as well as Bush) is simply cycling once again.

Step 1: Kim Il Jung acts out, shows his "manliness", and preens for his subjugated people. His reputation increases in the eyes of idiots (and there's no global shortage, in case someone hasn't noticed). Bush stand up, looks strong, and issues proclamations about how we'll monitor them with the UN.
Step 2: A few months later, once the West's tiny memory span has expired, Kim tones down the rhetoric, the US president sends a few thousand tons of grains and foodstuffs, and a few thousand fewer North Koreans have to watch their children starve that month. Kim is the hero again, and the President looks good for opening up the channels for peace.
Step 3: A few more months pass, a few more shipments arrive, and the West goes one step further, and stops monitoring the nuclear program for a while, or oversteps the "peace process" in some other way (like Bush just did).
Step 4: Wait about 3 weeks, and Kim will do another test-firing of a missile, and claim the US is about to invade (yet again).

It's as predictable as the sun rising, my FRiend.

Personally, I'm not sure Kim wastes much money on the program at all. I wouldn't be at all surprised if more money was spent monitoring the program than is actually spent on it. Kim probably just gets old Russian equipment on the cheap, and claim his scientists developed it. IMHO.

[Teacher317]

You *really* think the remilitarization of Japan is a *good* thing? ARE YOU NUTS??????

I do, too. First, it allows the US military to allocate assets elsewhere, Second, Japan today is not like it was in the 1930's. I can still see intense nationalistic pride rising up, but not nearly as many people ready to give up their lives so readily to defend their government. Third, it would be very good to have a strong and motivated military with common purposes in the region, considering the rise of China as a global power. I trust Japan's government far more that I trust China's.

[SevenofNine]

Thanks for the props so he actually did slam Bush adminsation Bush adminiastiion classic

You know W is not going like this he don’t like to be challenge

[AmericanInTokyo]

They, the DPRK, know we are such abject saps, our negotiators and our leaders, and they play us for every bit of it as they can. How foolish!! Even the Japanese talk now about how the US got essentially nothing in return except good press for Bush. Maybe a peace award for Condi. Something like that.

[bethtopaz]

Thanks!

[bethtopaz]

Thanks! Where are the real leaders?!

[bethtopaz]

Thanks for the explanation (N.Korea).

Hey, I’m a Hoosier, too, now exiled in CA and hoping to go home soon (in a year or so).