China blames US for the impasse in talks with N Korea

Taipei Times ^ | 090203

[Dr. Marten]

China blames US for the impasse in talks with N Korea
AFP
Tuesday, Sep 02, 2003,Page 6

China said yesterday US policy on North Korea was the biggest obstacle to resolving the nuclear crisis on the Korean peninsula, but expressed confidence the North wanted to work for a peaceful solution.

Asked by reporters what he thought was the main obstacle to progress, China's Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅), said: "The American policy towards DPRK -- this is the main problem we are facing."

North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), had said its expectations at last week's talks also involving China, Japan, Russia and South Korea had been "betrayed" by "hostile" US policy.

North Korea also described the discussions as "pointless" and threw into doubt its participation at the next round of talks.

Wang, the chief Chinese delegate at the talks in Beijing last week, is accompanying China's number two leader Wu Bangguo (吳邦國) to an Asian parliamentary meeting in Manila.

Washington has reportedly rejected Pyongyang's demand for a non-aggression pact and other concessions as a precondition to dismantling its nuclear programs.

Wang indicated yesterday that Washington might have to make its position on North Korea more clear.

"We want the US to make clear about its position," he said when asked to elaborate his view that Washington and Pyongyang could still finally resolve their differences through compromise.

"We hope each party, including the US and DPRK, move together so we can find the final solution," he said.

Wang said North Korea might be dissatisfied with the discussions in Beijing but that it was keen to resolve the dispute through peaceful means.

"They may not be so satisfied but they also want to continue the peace process," he said. "So what we are going to do is see how we can narrow the difference and how we can enlarge our common consensus, common ground."

Asked to comment on what one journalist described as Washington's "hardline" position, Wang said: "This is the first round of talks. So, I don't think this is the final position of each side.

"The purpose of the first round of negotiations is to know each other, know each other's basic position."

He said last week's talks were "just the beginning" of what "might be a long, long" process.

Washington has been adamant that the Stalinist state's nuclear program must be dismantled before it will consider economic assistance and diplomatic normalization for the bankrupt country.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Of course its our fault.

[skeeter]

Couldn't possibly be because any agreement with N Korea's name on it isn't worth a steaming pile of dog squeeze.

[epluribus_2]

our position is that if they harm us or any of our allies in the region, they get anhililated and we won't we blackmailed. I'm surprised Kofi Annan has not denounced such crass imperialism.

[dyed_in_the_wool]

If China's not happy now, wait until we GUARANTEE that the Korean peninsula is never going to be 'nuclear' free.
I can't believe the Maoists are really this dumb.
Oh, well...

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Couldn't possibly be because the last time, the NKs played Jimmy Carter like a violin.

[Digger]

Better yet, just tell China that we want no more imports from the Chi-Coms until this issue is settled to our 100% satisfaction. (What a dreamer I am) Remember we true conservatives get a small bone thrown to us every so often but the big things always more toward the liberal agenda. Wonder what Reagan would have already done if he we in charge.

[babyface00]

I can't believe the Maoists are really this dumb.

Anyone who buys that communist/socialist cr@p can't be all that bright. You could give them a pass in the last century, before the bankruptcy of those ideas was demonstrated time after time after time. Anyone who still clings to that ideology in this century is an idiot.

[cake_crumb]

Translation: China has been unsuccessful at brokering a deal with DPRNK while also saving face. It's just more convenient (and face saving) to blame the US.

[Gunslingr3]

If China's not happy now, wait until we GUARANTEE that the Korean peninsula is never going to be 'nuclear' free. I can't believe the Maoists are really this dumb. Oh, well...

You're aware that GHWB pulled the last of our nukes out of South Korea, right?

[Gunslingr3]

Better yet, just tell China that we want no more imports from the Chi-Coms until this issue is settled to our 100% satisfaction.

Yeah, punishing Americans with higher prices and lower standards of living will show them! Right?!

[y2k_free_radical]

YOU DIRTY RATS

[dyed_in_the_wool]

You're aware that GHWB pulled the last of our nukes out of South Korea, right?

Common sense would dictate that we would provide South Korea, Taiwan and Japan with the ability to defend themselves.
After all, they're affording North Korea that ability.

[DoctorMichael]

Monkeys in Suits.

[Poohbah]

You're aware that GHWB pulled the last of our nukes out of South Korea, right?

Uh-huh.

Does a redeployment back INTO Korea require a public announcement?

[tet68]

"We hope each party, including the US and DPRK, move together so we can find the final solution," he said.


I'm sure that translated well in the Berliner Zeitung or
Die Welt.

[maui_hawaii]

Why do we need land based nukes in Korea when we can drive 'em up to their front door, a five minute flight off the coast,and toast their asses if need be?

[Poohbah]

Why do we need land based nukes in Korea when we can drive 'em up to their front door, a five minute flight off the coast,and toast their asses if need be?

Why do we have to drive up that close? We can lob a Trident from MIDPAC, or fly it in via B-2 from Whiteman AFB, and do the deed nicely.

[maui_hawaii]

I was thinking that 5 minutes was enough time for everyone to say goodbye without too much public chaos. (Either that or those b@stards would be able to run away with such short notice).

We don't want a love fest going on when they are kissing their own, and their neighbor's asses goodbye.