Posted on 07/06/2009 7:54:17 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
In 1999, I negotiated a telecommunications agreement with the DPRK, during a charm offensive by Pyongyang following a visit by former President Jimmy Carter. Pyongyang's charm soon faded and my company stood down, leaving memories of what seemed to be a fusion of kabuki theatre and Mad magazine.
An old friend and business associate, Jim Zumwalt, a retired USMC Lt. Colonel and former State Department advisor on humanitarian affairs had paid numerous visits to Pyongyang. He agreed to take me in. In the spirit of friendship, Jim grudgingly agreed to also get me out.
We visited a mysterious outfit called the VIP Trading Company in Beijing where a North Korean named Kim Hyon-il presented himself as general manager. Dressed in an Armani suit, affecting GQ personae and speaking the Queen's English, he arranged a flight from Beijing to Pyongyang on the North's Air Koryo. When we arrived at Pyongyang airport, security forces put cell-phones and portable radios into lock boxes to ensure no unauthorized communication, later surprising us by returning them upon departure.
Driven to a florist, we were told to buy red roses ($40 a pop). Separated into two cars, Jim and I were whisked at top speed down desolate boulevards, allowing just glimpses of downcast pedestrians and bicyclists. We arrived at the "Juche Tower," where we were told to place our flowers before an eight-story statue of the Great Leader.
In our presidential villa, we jogged among immaculate gardens. Given the physique of "gardeners" who were also in the gardens, their hands showing no evidence of working the earth, made it likely they weren't there to trim hedges.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
Every American who has visited North Korea describes it as the strangest experience of their lives, almost like something out of “The Twilight Zone.”
It seems that with Obama, the same can be said of the US.
A good post. You cannot “play nice” with North Korea.
What is America if not a cult in the making?
Explain the media and Obama.
Explain the population and Michael Jackson.
Many Americans no longer think for themselves but follow the herd, the trends and pop culture.
Super strange article —I would have expected anything written by a former Foreign Service Officer to chalk up perceptions of DPRK nuttiness to some unfortunate misunderstanding.
And that the mess could be cleaned up with some really great documentation.
You ready for the first annual Michael Jackson memorial LA riots tomorrow. Care to predict which speaker blames "White America" for his death. Sharpton came very close the other day but this will be the big forum.
PS sorry about the HiJack.
ping
MANNNN it is TZ like obsolate man which is if you don’t follow the rules you end up like that guy
Or visiting a Slick Willard worship thread. ;-)
Creepy...very creepy.
If I were Tony Das, I wouldn’t be making vacation plans to Japan or South Korea any time soon.
http://marcnorthkorea.blogspot.com/2007/05/traffic-in-north-korea-pyongyang.html
where are all the people?
I think they have food in the Twilight Zone. And electricity except on Maple Street. Unlike NK.
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