Secretary Pompeo Urges North Korea to Follow Vietnam's Example in Overcoming Hostilities With U.S.

Time Magazine ^ | July 8, 2018 | The Associated Press

[2ndDivisionVet]

HANOI, Vietnam — Undeterred by a blistering rebuke of his efforts to forge a denuclearization deal with North Korea, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday appealed for North Korea’s leadership to follow Vietnam’s path in overcoming past hostilities with the United States.

Pompeo called on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to replicate Vietnam’s “miracle” of economic growth by improving ties with the U.S., vowing that America keeps its promises with former foes.

Speaking to members of the U.S.-Vietnamese business community in Hanoi, Pompeo said Vietnam’s experience since the normalization of relations with the U.S. in 1995 should be proof for North Korea that prosperity and partnership with the U.S. is possible after decades of conflict and mistrust. “We know it is a real possibility because we see how Vietnam has traveled this remarkable path,” Pompeo said....

[dynoman]

Later article, Mattis, “Not a capable threat.” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa-pentagon/mattis-says-north-korean-icbm-not-yet-a-capable-threat-against-u-s-idUSKBN1E92QA

[dynoman]

What would you do differently from what Trump is doing?

[grania]

However it happened, VN is doing pretty well now as a united country and has good relations with the US.

[Impy]

It happened with the blood of Vietnamese Patriots being spilled by communist swine, I’d have preferred it the other way around.

But sure it’s doing as well a communist dictatorship could I guess, yippy.

Korea won’t be uniting under Rocket Man.

[cba123]

I agree.

I am in Vietnam now. I was almost shocked at how pro-western the people are here, I have lived in China, in Taiwan, and have travelled to a number of countries.

NOWHERE have I encountered a nation so completely free of anti-western feeling.

I think about a year ago, I ran into a guy who was. On a motorcycle stopped at a light outside of Ho Chi Minh City. Pretty obviously he had some sort of issue though. And I found the local police up north checked out my passport very carefully when I was there, visiting my girlfriend’s parents.

But I have been quite pleasantly surprized.

Vietnam is not anti-American. The war is long, long over.

One thing, they do seem to be somewhat anti-Chinese. But they really are quite good about westerners.

Do wish there were more Americans here, but there are plenty of Europeans, some places in Ho Chi Minh.

One thing, you need to always keep valuables out of sight, out going around on the street.

But that goes for everyone.

[John Locke]

Thank you, Vet. I agree.

N Korea did not build her WMD arsenal as weapons of war; they know that any use would be instant suicide. They built them for national pride - for "face".

And when you ask an asian to relinquish what gives him face, you had better be prepared to offer a credible substitute. That's what the US negotiators failed to do, with their "complete denucleraisation" rhetoric - the negotiating stance of a thug, not a partner.

And the crazy thing is, we have on the table an offer that would almost certainly work - a complete and comprehensive peace treaty between N Korea and the US, S Korea, and Japan. The last two would jump at the chance.

But this puts President Trump in a hard place. If such a treaty is delayed beyond the midterms, its fate in a hostile Senate full of haters and wreckers is desperately uncertain. It must at all costs be submitted before the midterms, when those impelled to vote it down know that they will facte disaster at the polls.

On that firm foundation, I beleive a lasting peace, and reunification of the Koreas, can be achieved.