Posted on 06/27/2006 7:41:54 AM PDT by CedarDave
WASHINGTON— Gov. Bill Richardson said Monday the U.S. should not take out North Korea's test missile before it is launched, arguing that diplomacy would be more effective and less risky.
"I believe a pre-emptive strike is ill-advised... What needs to happen is direct talks, as I've always urged, between the United States and North Korea."
Richardson, who has negotiated with the North Koreans on several occasions, is staking out a different course than the one proposed by several other prominent Democrats in recent days.
He said he disagreed with a Washington Post opinion column last week by former Defense Secretary William Perry and former Assistant Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, who both served under President Clinton... Former Vice President Walter Mondale, who served under President Jimmy Carter, also weighed in last week, saying he supported a pre-emptive U.S. strike.
Richardson... said a pre-emptive strike could have grave consequences for South Korea and U.S. military installations in the Pacific Ocean. "The fallout could be pretty severe... North Korea has thousands of missiles and rockets aimed at South Korea and at U.S. bases in the western Pacific. They (the North Koreans) are unstable and irrational enough that you want to be careful."
Richardson said Monday the North Koreans desperately want to be treated with respect and would make major concessions on their nuclear program in exchange for something in return. That could include energy assistance and a pledge from the U.S. that it won't attack North Korea.
"The time has come to stop dancing around the major differences and hold negotiations," Richardson said... "What they want, in my judgment, is to be treated as a major power," Richardson added. "And by dealing with the United States directly, they would get that. They don't want to go through other channels like the six-party countries."
(Excerpt) Read more at abqjournal.com ...
It cracks me up how Richardson is considered a sage by the media where NK is concerned.
I'd like to thank the Governor of New Mexico for opening his pie-hole and reminding us all, why the democrats cannot have the reins.
Basically, Richardson's approach is that North Korea is just a whiny child that needs attention, which he believes we should give it. Others believe it needs a strong spanking and a time-out in the corner. I'm on the side of those who favor giving a spanking. Whiny kids usually grow up to be bullys if they aren't taught manners and respect as children.
North Korea is Richardson's FRIEND!!
That's for sure. "In 2002, the North Koreans came to Santa Fe to talk to Richardson. Those talks were dubbed 'Green Chile Diplomacy'."
Richardson has his nose out of joint because the Bush administration hasn't sent him to "negotiate" again with his old buddies. Don't they know he is the final authority on North Korea?
I had even forgot that North Korea came to Santa Fe!!! I just remember when he was in Clinton's admin!!
How would Bill Richardson feel if North Korea had a missle aimed at Taos?
I presume you read the rest of the article where Richardson found he had a captive audience when he and the President were seated together on the helicopter on the way to Artesia a couple of weeks ago. Richardson bent W's ear on the issue and now complains publicly his suggestions are not being followed. The President's take is that this would "reward bad behavior".
I have to confess I did not read the whole article, as my tolerance for press about Richardson is extremely low, especially when it looks like a puff piece. Just seeing his fat face on the front page of the Journal makes me turn the page quickly.
Well, be prepared to hit the TV remote, because I just saw his first campaign ad last night on how he's reduced or eliminated taxes (while not mentioning those he has raised). Of course, he wouldn't be able to do that without the booming oil and natural gas sector, which his environmental friends and regulators are busy trying to curtail or shut down.
How about securing your borders first Gov. You sure couldn't protect our nuclear secrets so perhaps you should show us you can do anything right before spouting off on things you really should let the adults handle.
...and explain to me why we should give a flying cr@p what this democrat, minority rollout, thinks?
I totally agree. We need the target practice.
Go eat donuts and learn spanish you phoney Richardson!
"I'd like to thank the Governor of New Mexico for opening his pie-hole and reminding us all, why the democrats cannot have the reins."
AGREED! What is it with all of these fat, bloviating RATs (Kennedy, Murtha, Richardson) that they can't keep their big mouths shut? All of that hot air wanting to escape, I guess!
Huh? In case you have a hard time understanding, if that is the case, this would be a great time to test the missile defense system. NK would be foolish to aim this test at any Country and would probably be designed to splash in the Pacific or self destruct over the ocean.
Richardsons original deal got us in this spot. Why anyone would look to him for judgement is beyond me.
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