Solving the Korean Stalemate, One Step at a Time

The New York Times ^ | October 11, 2006 | Jimmy Carter

[PolishProud]

Responding to an invitation from President Kim Il-sung of North Korea, and with the approval of President Bill Clinton, I went to Pyongyang and negotiated an agreement under which North Korea would cease its nuclear program at Yongbyon and permit inspectors from the atomic agency to return to the site to assure that the spent fuel was not reprocessed. It was also agreed that direct talks would be held between the two Koreas.

The spent fuel (estimated to be adequate for a half-dozen bombs) continued to be monitored, and extensive bilateral discussions were held. The United States assured the North Koreans that there would be no military threat to them, that it would supply fuel oil to replace the lost nuclear power and that it would help build two modern atomic power plants, with their fuel rods and operation to be monitored by international inspectors. The summit talks resulted in South Korean President Kim Dae-jung earning the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize for his successful efforts to ease tensions on the peninsula.

But beginning in 2002, the United States branded North Korea as part of an axis of evil, threatened military action, ended the shipments of fuel oil and the construction of nuclear power plants and refused to consider further bilateral talks. In their discussions with me at this time, North Korean spokesmen seemed convinced that the American positions posed a serious danger to their country and to its political regime.

Responding in its ill-advised but predictable way, Pyongyang withdrew from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, expelled atomic energy agency inspectors, resumed processing fuel rods and began developing nuclear explosive devices. (my emphasis)

[PolishProud]

Jimma, ever the revisionist, spins the time line of NK's nuclear development. After Bush referred to NK as part of the "axis of evil," he claims, "responding in its ill-advised but predictable way,...began developing nuclear explosive devices."

Jimma has no credibility, none. Even Madeline Halfbright confessed that NK cheated on their agreement. And Jimma's reference to NK's fear of the US is bogus. If they so feared the US, would they have continued nuclear development? After all the vaunted CIA might find them out. But to them Clinton was the face of the US and he was an appeaser as represented by Halfbright. And his interest was reducing the US military, the CIA and getting a BJ.

[Joe 6-pack]

MacArthur had a perfectly viable solution back in 1951. The democrats screwed it up then, too.

[badpacifist]

bahwawawaawa bahahahawawa... Carters only good idea was supporting Habitat for Humanity. Even a blind hog finds an acorn once in a while.

[Gay State Conservative]

Jimmah,I can't say it better than your own mother...

"When I look at my four children sometimes I say to myself, Lillian, you should have stayed a virgin."

[Sundog]

1951 -- That the democrats screwed that up too is a fact thoroughally lost in revisionist history.

(I've not heard that truth repeated here in ages.)

[avital2]

i believe it was Jimmmy who said that NK would never go nuclear.?????

[Bean Counter]

Good God! I always thought Jimmah was deluded, but this is proof positive! He completely absolves himself of any responsibility for North Korea, and paints them as a poor pathetic victim of the mean old USA.

This is so wrong in so many places, it's hard to find a starting point to critique it!

This is exactly what Bill Clinton is trying to do with his responsibility for 9/11; absolve himself of any responsibility, and attempt to shore up his collapsing Presidential legacy.

[catpuppy]

What must be avoided is to leave a beleaguered nuclear nation (AMERICA) convinced that it is permanently excluded from the international community, its existence threatened (BY A TRULY GOOFY PRESIDENT), its people suffering horrible deprivation (JIMMY'S 20% INTEREST RATES AND LONG GAS LINES) and its hard liners in total control of military and political policy (AMY, WHAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT NUKES?).

Which is why we threw you out after one truly horrendous term.