Chinese Aide Says U.S. Is Obstacle in Korean Talks

NYTIMES ^ | 09/02/03 | JOSEPH KAHN

[Pikamax]

September 2, 2003 Chinese Aide Says U.S. Is Obstacle in Korean Talks By JOSEPH KAHN

EIJING, Sept. 1 — The Chinese official who played host to six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program said today that the United States was the "main problem" in reaching a diplomatic solution to the crisis, echoing the North's bitter assessment about why the talks had ended in acrimony.

Asked about the obstacles that had arisen during the talks in Beijing last week, Wang Yi, a vice foreign minister who was China's chief delegate at the negotiations, replied, "America's policy toward the D.P.R.K. — that is the main problem we are facing." North Korea's formal name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Mr. Wang made the comment to reporters during a conference he was attending in Manila, and it was not immediately clear if he spoke for China's Foreign Ministry, which has sought to maintain a neutral position while urging both parties to continue negotiating.

But the remark may reflect frustration that the United States offered no concessions to North Korea during the talks, which were organized after extensive diplomacy by Chinese officials.

[UnBlinkingEye]

The doctrine of preemptive attack is only valid for those nations that have little or no ability to attack the United States.

[John from Manhattan]

Well golly-gee, I guess they are upset that we are not going to just roll-over and give them what they want like Clinton/Carter.

[RightWhale]

the United States offered no concessions to North Korea

What did N Kor offer, or China for that matter?

[cwb]

"China's Foreign Ministry, which has sought to maintain a neutral position while urging both parties to continue negotiating."

I think China better drop the "neutral" position and realize that they may have a lot more to lose than the US. If NK continues to go nuclear, it'll be countries like Japan and Taiwan who might follow, creating an Asian arms race that would be to the detriment of China.

[RobbyS]

As if North Korea were not a satellite of the PRC.

[pgkdan]

But the remark may reflect frustration that the United States offered no concessions to North Korea during the talks, which were organized after extensive diplomacy by Chinese officials.

Well...we haven't blown the little psychos to Kingdon Come yet...doesn't that count?

[thinktwice]

Amongst communist dictatorships, nothing is better than communist dictatorships.

[Williams]

sounds like we're doing something right. Who do they think they're kidding? There was that little matteer of NK announcing it was going to test nukes, no matter what. I do hope we have a military option ready.

[RJL]

The Chinese official who played host to six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program said today that the United States was the "main problem" in reaching a diplomatic solution to the crisis

If the US is the problem, I think we should withdraw forthwith and leave china and the rest to arrive at a solution.

By the way, China, if crazy Kim sends a nuke our way, who will be downwind of the huge US nuclear reply?

[Phsstpok]

The doctrine of preemptive attack is only valid for those nations that have little or no ability to attack the United States.

So, you are in favor of starting WW4? Or are you saying that Saddam really wasn't a threat to us when he was clearly supporting the asymetric warfare being waged against us and our allies by the islamists? Also, how do you know that we're not waiting for the right time? There were 12 years of active diplomatic effort before we invaded Iraq. Counting the Clinton stumblebums farce as if it were diplomacy there's only been 6 years of talks with North Korea on this particular issue. Bush is doing due diligence. Doesn't mean the policy doesn't apply.

[Libertina]

What happened to WW3?

[UnBlinkingEye]

The policy of preemptive attack is a disgrace, much like the neocom lies in the build up to the attack on Iraq. Iraq was never a threat to the United States, never attacked the United States and was supported by the United States throughout their war with Iran.

[gaspar]

It is neocon, not neocom. You might confuse someone, if they aren't already confused by your comment. Regarding the policy of preemptive attack, which you call a "disgrace": The United States, or at least George Bush, will suffer only one 9/11. How about you?

[UnBlinkingEye]

Actually they are neocoms, supporters of Trotsky(sp), globalist united in opposition to the United States Constitution.

[Phsstpok]

The policy of preemptive attack is a disgrace, much like the neocom lies in the build up to the attack on Iraq.

Oh get over it. Iraq was part of the infrastructure that made 9/11 possible. Just because most of it is directed at Jews doesn't mean they don't want to kill us too. Terrorist networks are fungible, just like money.

Iraq was never a threat to the United States, never attacked the United States

Most observers, left and right, agree that Saddam was behind WTC 1. There is credible evidence that he helped put together the Oklahoma City bombing. Thousands of terrorists trained in camps he built or funded. Millions of dollars went from his coffers to fund organizations that target and kill Americans, among others.

and was supported by the United States throughout their war with Iran.

OK, piece of info for ya. William Kuntsler and Ramsey Clarke are not reliable sources of geo-political information. We provided satellite intelligence to the Iraqi's in order to keep Iran from overwhelming them at a time when Iran was a worse threat to our interests than Iraq. Check it out. No Iraqi military unit uses any American weapon systems. Iran flew old F14s bought by the Shah.

[John Lenin]

Good, let the Chines bail out the N Koreans and if they continue with the nuke program we anihilate them.

[Digger]

Anything that the NY Slimes says is bogus. They hate GW sooo much anything goes. Again I say, the enemy is within.

[Phsstpok]

What happened to WW3?

I figure that the cold war was WW3. Jerry Pournelle actually refers to it as the 70 years war, meaning it overlapped WW1 and WW2, from the Russian Revolution to the fall of Berlin Wall, I guess. That makes the Greek Civil War, the Korean War, Vietnam, etc. all battles in WW3.

[UnBlinkingEye]

Iraq was part of the infrastructure that made 9/11 possible.

I don't think 'infrastructure' caused terrorist attacks on the United States, it was the result of U.S. foreign policy.