Posted on 10/26/2007 5:27:52 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
US envoy questioned on disarming N.Korea
By FOSTER KLUG, Associated Press Writer
Thu Oct 25, 6:26 PM ET
Republicans and Democrats alike criticized the Bush administration on Thursday for its nuclear disarmament accord with North Korea, saying a rush to achieve a foreign policy success could lead to a bad deal.
At a House hearing, the lead envoy to six-nation nuclear talks defended a U.S. pledge to take North Korea off a list of countries that sponsor terrorism, despite suspicions the communist nation may be helping Syria develop a nuclear program.
But Christopher Hill, an assistant secretary of state, frustrated lawmakers by refusing to discuss a Sept. 6 incident in which Israeli warplanes struck a target in Syria. Western news media have quoted unidentified U.S. officials as saying the strike hit some sort of nuclear facility linked to North Korea. Syria has said an unused military building was hit.
Instead, Hill provided general assurances about the U.S. commitment to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.
"We cannot be reaching a nuclear agreement with North Korea if at the same time they're proliferating. It is not acceptable," Hill said. "We are not playing `trust me' in this negotiation. We are doing things in a very verifiable way."
Still, members of a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee lawmakers pushed for more details about the Syria incident.
Rep. Dan Burton, R-Ind., said that if the administration wanted cooperation on paying for aid shipments to North Korea and other matters, it should tell lawmakers what it knows.
"You guys over there at State can't keep this from Congress. You've got to tell us what's going on," Burton said. "We need to know if they're dealing honorably with us."
Lawmakers also expressed doubts about the February agreement in which North Korea promised to abandon its nuclear ambitions in return for 1 million tons of oil as well as political concessions.
"The administration is somewhat desperate for a foreign policy success," said Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., mentioning what he called failed efforts in Iraq and Iran. "When it comes to a shining foreign policy success for the Bush years, Secretary Hill, you're it."
Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., said the U.S. "should be cracking down on this regime's illegal activity ... not easing up." He and said he was worried "that this process has us putting up carrots and putting down sticks."
North Korea provides missile technology to Syria but has strongly denied accusations that it spreads its nuclear expertise beyond its borders. Syria also has denied receiving any North Korean nuclear help or embarking on any nuclear program.
Ping!
Must not have happened.
this is a national security issue and on this issue, I stand behind the House. what happened must be disclosed. If North Korea proliferated then we must arm South Korea and Japan with tactical nuclear weapons and get our troops out of the upcoming fray. We can help our allies from the air.
Just damnnn what going on with Chia Pet beside he been roaney lately
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