From http://twitter.com/betterthansteve
“KBS reports training began at 230 KST. Reports that US Forces Korea is monitoring situation closely. half a minute ago via web “
What’s everyone’s thought on the supposed Richardson deal? will it keep the north from firing back?
What's that deal again? The NORKS agree to not attack AND ship all their spent rods out of the country?
I think the supposed deal was the NORKS would ship the rods out IF SK agreed to not hold the exercises.
Richardson should have discussed this with SK first. This does not look good right now. SK MUST go forward with the exercise and the NORKS MUST retaliate.
NK offered up MIA’s, fuel rods, inspectors in, new talks with all parties, are confirming for the first time that they built Stonehenge. What’s not to believe?
a) Richardson has no business being a US government negotiator unless specifically and legally charged with that position and diplomatically charged in that specific capacity by the Obama Administration and openly indicated as such, otherwise he is in violation of the Logan Act; and b) since any North Korean deal will not be adhered to, such as if they promised to ship out fuel rods, you know they would keep a certain number in the country or produce at other hidden locations, essentially the so called "deal" is a DEAD DUCK (unless Chris Hill is waiting in the wings to "save" things with his sign pen). I don't think Obama is that suicidal to accept it, such an abject farce so typical of North Korean brinksmanship, crisis-contrived "concessions" at the last moment, these worthless carrots after weeks of sticks...We will still get sticks, either outright sticks, or sticks disguised as carrots.
I also think that if the North Koreans lose face, the unpredictable zombies that they are with a prediliction to do all kinds of crazy things that most rational Western minds would be shocked at, they could well take Richardson, Blitzer and the others hostage in Pyongyang, and state that it is for their own "safety".
Reports that SK fighter jets are on combat air patrol over the islands.