Posted on 07/06/2006 5:02:58 PM PDT by SandRat
WASHINGTON, July 6, 2006 – As the international community unites and sends a clear message to North Korea demanding disarmament, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il will become less of a threat, President Bush said here today. "We want to solve this problem diplomatically, and the best way to solve the problem diplomatically is for all of us to be working in concert and to send one message, and that is to Kim Jong Il that ... 'We expect you to adhere to international norms, and we expect you to keep your word,'" Bush said at a joint news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
U.S. officials don't know what the North Korean government's intentions were when test firing seven ballistic missiles July 4 and yesterday, but the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, brought home the importance of taking every threat seriously, Bush said.
"That's one of the lessons of September the 11th, is that what takes place in other parts of the world can come home to hurt the American people," he said. "It used to be that it's okay if something were happening from afar; oceans could protect us. ... The lesson of September the 11th is that we're vulnerable, and therefore we (have) to deal with each threat."
The U.S. is also working with other countries, including Canada, on a proliferation security initiative to ensure that weapons of mass destruction don't get into the hands of terrorists, Bush said. It is hard to know what the North Korean government would do with nuclear weapons, because the society there is closed to all outside contact, he said.
"I think we've got to plan for the worst and hope for the best, and planning for the worst means to make sure that we continue to work with friends and allies, as well as those who've agreed to be a part of the Six-Party Talks, to continue to send a unified message," he said.
Harper and Bush agreed that a missile launched toward the U.S. could also be a threat to Canada, so it is important for the two countries to work together on common security initiatives.
Bush thanked the Canadians for their contributions in Afghanistan and for their disruption of a terrorist plot in Ontario in June, leading to the arrests of 17 people. "That just goes to show how safe Canada is," he said. "When you've got a government that's active and a police force that's capable, people ought to ... rest assured that Canada is on top of any plots."
Canada has 2,300 troops on the ground in Afghanistan who are playing an important role in security and development to protect national interests, rebuild Afghanistan and ensure it never becomes again a safe haven for terrorists, Harper said.
I know this is out of character for me but, BLAH-BLAH-BLAH!
OK "W" - define 'diplomacy.'
....and when you don't, we convene the U.N. Security Coucil to condemn you. Oooooohhhhh. I understand this is mostly a dog and pony show with the diplomacy. Everyone with any sense has to know negotiation is not the final goal of N. Korea or Iran. It is a bit funny, however, to watch the Left flail about and complain we need action when they were so critical of the 'rush to war' in Iraq. Hypocritical idiots.
Weak, wimpy and unpersuasive. In other words, the usual politically correct yap-yap, signifying weakness and a lack of resolve.
I hear this stuff from the media but it's not always what was really said or meant.
Negotiation is always the first method or choice. Having said that, other options are available if and when they are needed. I doubt President Bush said this is the only option.;
Exactly. NK is testing and improving. Diplomacy will not stop them.
I think (okay, I hope) that he's giving it lip service. The only diplomacy that will work is a show of superior strength.
Wing collar diplomacy.
I'm getting tired of the childish garbage.
Be willing to do something, or shut up.
".....we continue to work with friends and allies, as well as those who've agreed to be a part of the Six-Party Talks...."
I'm hoping he intended the subtle distinction and that it is directed at Russia and China......
He's playing poker. Let him play the hand.
UPU) - Dateline 2016
The White House expressed it's belief today that North Korea's announced plans to test a 40 megaton nuclear bomb in it's Southwest region was unacceptable. Calling on Japan, China, Russia, South Korea and Taiwan, the president stated that it's time to get tough with this regime.
The U.N. announced it will hold talks, but China and Russia stated just last week that diplomacy is the way to go.
- - -
The more we fart around on this issue, the higher the stakes are going to get. We might not want to face what it will take to end this today, but we damn sure aren't going to want to face it ten more years down the road.
Do it now!
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock.
You have to look at the whole picture. We have been in S Korea since 1953, and Bush campaigned he wanted to bring the troops home. They have announced some draw down and they are moving out of Japan and pulling back to Okinawa, In the meantime, the purpose of the 6 party talks is to resolve regional issues and to get those people to step upto the plate and address their own problems, including defense. This is not our problem, necessarily. Why should we pay to defend Asia while Japan buys our debt? Lets sell them SDI and get out of there.
Now that W wants diplomacy, how long until Nancy Pelosi comes out and wonders why we aren't bombing?
It's time for some "THIS IS WHAT WE'LL GIVE YOU IF YOU DON'T!"
This is America for crying out loud, why do we have to appease pissants?
Diplomacy? Nuts to diplomacy. If this story of NK launching that missile at Hawaii is true I want the president to show teeth.
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