Posted on 01/13/2011 10:58:02 PM PST by TigerLikesRooster
(3rd LD) Gates says diplomatic engagement with N. Korea 'possible'
By Kim Deok-hyun
SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday diplomatic engagement with North Korea is "possible," but Pyongyang must first stop its "dangerous provocations and take concrete steps" to meet its international obligations.
Gates made the remarks as he started talks in Seoul with South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin to discuss concerns over the increasingly belligerent North and ways to further strengthen their deterrence against the communist state.
"With regard to next steps on North Korea, diplomatic engagement is possible, starting with direct engagement between DPRK and the South," Gates told Kim. DPRK stands for Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name.
"When or if North Korea's action shows a cause to believe that negotiations can be productive and conducted in good faith, then we could see a return to the six-party talks," Gates said.
During his earlier stops in Beijing and Tokyo this week, Gates said North Korea can prove its sincerity by declaring a moratorium on nuclear and missile tests.
Then, don't be surprised to see bunch of S. Koreans marching in downtown Seoul demanding nuclear S. Korea, once spring comes around. The same people who had huge pro-U.S. demonstration back in Roh Moo-hyun days are now fed up. They now have general support of public, especially young people, unlike a few years ago. They are now seriously talking about arming with nukes.
SK gov has to answer for its people first, just to U.S. and China, or America's ruling Democratic Party. SK people now set up the red line: no talk until NK admits their responsibility for Cheonan's sinking and Yeonpyeong shelling. OR (SK's own) nukes. It seems like the repeat of Carter admin.
P!
Bump
I predict that, if he steps in, Ambassador John Bolton will be the first. But Palin could fly there as well, first, and I could be wrong. For either of them, a) such a major speech denouncing Kim Jong il/Kim Jong un and Appeasement; and b) a trip to the DMZ to support front line ROK and US troops, would go very far.
Any campaign assistants/advisors/brain trusts out there listening!!?????
Like Michael Savage said , Obama is the Neville Chamberlain of our time .
He is looking at SK's Defense Minister as if he were having conversation, but he sounded more like reading out pre-scripted talking points, as if to make sure every word is delivered right. So this is not a talk slipped out while they are doing some freewheeling conversation. This was deliberate "premeditated" comment. On the other hand, SK Defense Minister reiterated demand for NK's apology on Cheonan's sinking and Yeonpyeong shelling. That helped a bit, but not by much.
On Internet, the commies are already out in force jeering SK gov for not budging.
North Korea can set their watches to it, for petes sake.
While Gates’ comments are disheartening, I don’t think all is lost just yet. A couple comments from the One Free Korea blog that ring true with me:
Another thing worth pointing out is that a subtle difference of opinion is emerging between South Korea and the US, something that the North will likely be keen to take advantage of.
During Gates’ meeting with Kim Gwan-jin today, both sides stressed that the Six-Party Talks can only resume when South-North dialogue begins and when the North demonstrates that it is willing to negotiate in good faith, but Gates said nothing about South Korea’s preconditions for South-North talks which include the North taking responsibility for the Cheonan and Yeonpyeong Island attacks, ceasing all further provocations, and demonstrating their sincerity towards denuclearization. Gates, on the other hand, said that the North need only formally swear off provocations and the much more nebulous “fulfill its international obligations.”
The North could exploit this difference easily. The North could butter up to the US easily by taking superficial measures that feign sincerity towards denuclearization, perhaps by calling up the IAEA and formally inviting inspectors back to Yeonpyeong or rejoining the NPT. Then the dialogue fetishists in Washington will get the Obama administration to pressure the South to drop its own preconditions allowing the North to get away scot-free with two unprovoked attacks while wrangling Seoul into providing generous economic assistance and clearing a path to the even more lucrative Six-Party Revolving Door Talks.
The US government should reaffirm our commitment to our ally by publically supporting the South’s preconditions.
On the other hand couldn’t we say that by making North-South dialogue a precondition for 6-partys, Gates is effectively endorsing — “baking in” — the South’s preconditions on the Cheonnan and Yeonpyong?
While I can’t stand Chris Hill (may feces be upon him), he probably has better intel available to him than we do. If he is saying there is a succession crisis, then there may very well be -
Fmr. US envoy to 6-party talks, Chris Hill, says “succession crisis” in #DPRK & it’ll be very difficult for KJU to take reigns of power.
about 3 hours ago via TweetDeck
Fmr. Amb. Hill made the remark in a speech this afternoon in Seoul.
about 3 hours ago via TweetDeck
One news even claimed that some new deployed NK units along the border have Manpads.
This shows some sort of desperation. Walls are closing on them. A harsh measure is taken, but only makes things worse, which in turn makes KJI counter it with even tougher measure, yet it also fails. At least that is the way I see it.
“One news even claimed that some new deployed NK units along the border have Manpads.”
Is that recent news? I don’t recall seeing that.
Pardon me, but what are Manpads?
Thanks.
In short, shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles and its launcher.
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