Carter Offers to Mediate US-N. Korea Talks

Voice of America ^ | 1/16/03

[Heartlander2]

Former President Jimmy Carter says he is willing to mediate talks between the United States and North Korea if the Bush administration asks him to do so.

In an interview with The New York Times Thursday, the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize winner says it is not too late for direct talks over the nuclear standoff.

Mr. Carter says a peaceful resolution needs a more comprehensive agreement than the 1994 deal. In that arrangement, the United States promised North Korea fuel oil and help building two nuclear power plants incapable of generating fuel for nuclear arms, if North Korea shut down its nuclear weapons program.

Mr. Carter said the agreement was important at the time, but failed to constrain North Korea's ability to develop nuclear arms.

Mr. Carter's visit to North Korea in 1994 opened the door to negotiations between Pyongyang and the former Clinton White House.

Mr. Carter told The New York Times that any new agreement must give international inspectors the right to verify that North Korea has ended its nuclear weapons development program. He also told the Times that he believes Pyongyang is not considering a nuclear attack, but is making threats in the hope for forcing establishment of diplomatic and trade relations with the United States.

[Heartlander2]

I know, I know... but try to keep the laughter down to a low roar.

[Wphile]

Good GAWD! The man is sooooo delusional!

[MozartLover]

Okay, but it's going to be tough.:^D

[FreeTheHostages]

exactly

[habs4ever]

No can do! Gotta love Jimmah's generous offer,being the mensch he is, and a Peacemaker, but pros will do the heavy lifting from here on out.

It's hard to imagine a world without Jimmah, but I'll try ;-)

[battlecry]

That ought to do it.

[gundog]

... but is making threats in the hope for forcing establishment of diplomatic and trade relations with the United States.

Let's start by trading them Carter for a goat. No, two goats; that gives us room to negotiate.

[steveo]

Jimmy Carter = peanut brain

[happygrl]

"Mr. Carter said the agreement was important at the time, but failed to constrain North Korea's ability to develop nuclear arms.... "

I know, I know... but try to keep the laughter down to a low roar.

ROTFLMAOQ

[Chairman Fred]

The White Jesse Jackson, without the sex appeal.

[caa26]

He needs to go back to Habitat for Humanity or grow some peanuts. Jimmy you are part of f***ing reason we are in this mess with North Korea!

[per loin]

Give Jimmie three boards, eight nails, and a hammer. That'll keep him busy for a week.

[tet68]

Carter to mediate Korea talks.

Now what the hell are the North Koreans going to do with the Panama Canal?.

[Utah Girl]

I'm speechless.

[DoughtyOne]

I guess I'd be laughing my arse off if it weren't for the fact that Jimma got us where we are right now. This is no laughing matter.

[RightWhale]

making threats in the hope for forcing establishment of diplomatic and trade relations with the United States

What do they have to trade? Scuds? Minisubmarines? Sawdust bread?

[Spruce]

Un-Friggin-believable.

[mombonn]

No laughter here, just shieks of rage at the peanut farmer.

[MozartLover]

"Former President Jimmy Carter says he is willing to mediate talks between the United States and North Korea if the Bush administration asks him to do so. "

[Alpha One]

Since Carter effectively gave the Panama Canal to the Chinese to appease them, one might wonder what will he offer North Korea? Alaska maybe?