N. Korea renews nuclear threats (and Wolfowitz hits them back)

CNN ^ | 06/19/03

[TigerLikesRooster]

In a commentary carried on KCNA -- the official government news service -- Pyongyang said the United States was trying to force North Korea to disarm ahead of a military attack.

"The Iraqi war proved that disarmament leads to a war. Therefore, it is quite clear that the DPRK (North Korea) can never accept the U.S. demand that it scrap its nuclear weapons program first," the signed government statement said.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

"The Iraqi war proved that disarmament leads to a war. Therefore, it is quite clear that the DPRK (North Korea) can never accept the U.S. demand that it scrap its nuclear weapons program first,"

If these dog-eating dimwits had free access to the news, they would know that not disarming WMDs led to war in Iraq.

They got their facts turned around.......

As it is in all dictatorships!

[Lazamataz]

The NK's are yammering so much, I believe we will fight them before the decade is out.

[Lazamataz]

the United States and its allies have the military capabilities to defeat North Korea, using all of the means at our disposal."

[WL-law]

The NK's are yammering so much, I believe we will fight them before the decade is out.

As presently constituted, their economy consists of (a) blackmailing the west/US for funds, and (b) selling nuclear and missile technology to enemies of the US.

So it follows if they give in to our demands, then they are finished economically, at least in their present form of government. They will have no "economy", i.e., exports or source of foreign revenue.

Therefore it follows that they either have to democratize and change their economic system (like the chinese) or else face war with the west. There are no other options -- the status quo cannot be maintained.

[backhoe]

-The Atomic Genie- what we know about North Korea's Nuclear program--

[Tai_Chung]

• Reconvening of talks with North Korea
• A non-aggression pact between Pyongyang and Washington
• Renouncement of a pre-emptive attack
• The negotiation of a peace treaty
• Establishment of liaison offices between the United States and North Korea
• Immediate action to address the humanitarian needs of the North Korean people.

I believe this is exactly the wrong approach for the United States. North Korea would continue making and exporting weapons of mass destruction and the United States would not have the military trump card.

[AmericanInTokyo]

My hope is that the Communist DPRK would fall internally before any of that is necessary.

Not you, per se, but sometimes I think in the back of some people's minds here on FR, they actually WANT a fight, and yet they do not grasp that while we will win, it is going to be extremely costly in terms of Korean, Japanese and yes, American casulties as North Korea will be quite a different enemy than Iraq.

I'd prefer things do not develop into the state of affairs that we find out actually how costly it will be.

Let's first hope for an assassination/regime change, coup 'd' etat, revolution, whatever.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Correct. We can have NONE of that!

[Redbob]

"'We've been strongly concerned that the foreign policy of this country has moved from diplomacy to pre-emptive strike,' said Bob Edgar... with the National Council of Churches"

Perhaps we should have had a pre-emptive strike or two BEFORE Sept. 11 - and not on aspirin factories!

[boris]

"If these dog-eating dimwits..."

They used up all the dogs, cats, goats, rats, mice, grasshoppers, and other visible sources of protein long ago.

In the villages they are eating grass and the bark from trees, and sometimes each other.

Ah, the fruits of Communism!

--Boris

[Bon mots]

North Korea cannot possibly have nukes. Bill Clinton made sure. He even sent Madeline Albright.

Doesn't that Clinton legacy leave you feeling safe?

[gulfcoast6]

Speaking of 'no other options', they had better remember Clinton ain't president anymore.

[TigerLikesRooster]

RE #7

Yep. Agreeing to those items will make N. Korea Mafia of E. Asia, shaking down its neighbors without having to do any serious reform.

It will still develop WMDs and ditate the terms anytime it wants something more. It will continue to intimidate its neighbors, especially S. Korea.

By the way, have you been around? I have not seen you for a long time.:)

[denydenydeny]

It calls for the prompt reconvening of talks with North Korea; the conclusion of a non-aggression pact between Pyongyang and Washington; renouncement of a pre-emptive attack; and the negotiation of a peace treaty that replaces the present Armistice Treaty of 1953, which ended the Korean War. The document also calls for the establishment of liaison offices between the United States and North Korea as a sign of good faith, and immediate action to address the humanitarian needs of the North Korean people.

All American obligations, no North Korean obligations. Can't we at least sneak one no-threatening-to-incinerate-your-neighbors clause in there? One no-kidnaping-Japanese-actresses clause?

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #13

They are painfully aware of it now.:) They can commiserate with mullahs in Iran.

[Tai_Chung]

By the way, have you been around? I have not seen you for a long time.:)

I switched jobs and decreased my posting signifcantly. Nevertheless, I always read FreeRepublic everyday. There is no better source for news on the internet. Freerepublic is really 1000 sources of news plus commentary. What more could you ask for?

[gcruse]

"the United States and its allies have the military capabilities to defeat North Korea, using all of the means at our disposal."

Well, duh.  The same could have been said regarding Vietnam.
The fact that we didn't use what means we had and bailed out
instead needs to be kept in mind.