All we need is another interfering demorat sticking his nose into the nation's affairs to undercut the Bush administration. When will Bush do something about this "unlikely to travel as an official U.S. envoy" crap from Richardson? I keep hearing about the "Imperial Presidency". Take a trip to NM to see an "Imperial Governorship" in action!
Why is the governor of New Mexico involved with anything BUT New Mexico???
Once a Toon butt-boy, always a Toon butt-boy...
Hope he defects.
Ex-Clinton official may go to North Korea: rumors say trade will include North Korea's first pick in next year's despot draft and an unspecified amount of wheat flour.
Ping
Richardson critized (shock!!) the Bush administration during a radio adress in July and said US needed to talk with the North. This must be a follow up.
One things for sure: Mr. Richardson isn't going to North Korea for the food!
ping
Looks like he has done it before:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/asia/july-dec05/nkorea_10-24.html
Excerpt:
NORTH KOREA'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM
October 24, 2005
Bill Richardson
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who recently returned to the United States from an unofficial visit to Pyongyang, discusses the North Korea's pledge on Monday to continue with six-party negotiations over its nuclear weapons program.
Richardson should bring Jimmy Carter & Ms. Albright with him... They did a bang up job during their last negotiations in 1993 and there on, which of course, led to North Korea creating their own Nuclear weapons. Nice job by the Clinton Admin.
If we can send ONE Ex-Klintoon Official to North Korea, why can't we send them ALL? ;)
North Korean visas are required for entry. The U.S. Government does not issue letters to private Americans seeking North Korean visas, even though in the past such letters have sometimes been requested by DPRK Embassies. As most travelers enter North Korea from China, prospective travelers must also obtain a two-entry visa for China. A valid Chinese visa is essential for departing from North Korea at the conclusion of a visit or in an emergency.
While the Republic of Korea government is attempting to open direct travel routes to the DPRK, routine travel from the Republic of Korea to the DPRK is currently prohibited. Travel across the demilitarized zone is allowed only infrequently for official and government-authorized cultural and economic exchanges. There are no regularly operating direct commercial flights from South to North Korea at this time.
U.S. citizens who arrive in North Korea without a valid U.S. passport and North Korean visa may be detained, arrested, fined or denied entry. Individuals traveling to North Korea report that fees for local travel costs (taxi, tolls, permits and the cost for security personnel assigned to escort foreigner visitors) can be high and arbitrary.
Where to obtain a North Korean visa:
There is no DPRK embassy in the United States. U.S. citizens and residents planning travel to North Korea must obtain DPRK visas in third countries. For information about entry requirements and restricted areas, contact the DPRK Mission to the United Nations in New York.
U.S. citizens traveling to North Korea usually obtain their visas at the DPRK Embassy in Beijing, China, which will issue visas only after receiving authorization from the DPRK Foreign Ministry in Pyongyang.
Prior to traveling to the region, travelers may wish to confirm that authorization to issue their visa has been received from Pyongyang.
A better question: how can our current administration and government allow this to happen?
Beyond the ridiclous political VP posturing by the Friend of Bubba, there are two legitimate possible explanations for this trip:
1) Richardson has a few more Los Alamos secretes to sell/give away that the Chinese did not need.
or
2) Dear Leader wants to know how to date Monica.
Those are the two areas where Bill Richardson actually has useful experience to contribute.
Wait this is a Reuter's story. Surely there are pictures showing that Bill Richardson already visited NK as an honored guest last month for the missle launch.
ping
WE are about to get screwed again. And somewhere down the road we will pay in blood for the screwing.