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Well, I suppose the headline should really read:
North Korea attacks the decision by Japan to launch a spy satelite. ;)
bad Merrion... bad bad MerrionQuote:
Originally posted by MerrionComputin
Well, I suppose the headline should really read:
North Korea attacks the decision by Japan to launch a spy satelite. ;)
Got that Friday feelin' !
Hmm - the North Korea endgame is getting pretty complicated.
They have agreed to talks to be held in China with the US representatives. This means that the US can say the talks are multilateral whereas the Noreth Koreans can claim they are face to face with the Chinese government as facilitators.
Meanwhile the Chinese have been exerting diplomatic pressure on Pyonyang which is something they have been conspicuously failing to do until now. Officials are said to be worried about the "stability" of the worlds most secretive regime. At the same time they have been sharing intelligence with the US that suggests that North Korea has been receiving help with its nuclear programme from Pakistan, even post "axis of evil" speech. Whether this is misinformation to cover up China's role is subject to interpretation.
However just sitting this out may not be an option. With a major famine raging through the country the populous (up to 1/4 of which are in the military) are becoming restless. Facing regime change from within (a coup d'etat maybe?) Kim Jong-Il is talking up the threat of US attack as a distraction from domestic affairs. Whether he himself believes there is such a threat is not known.
There seem to be two options: Firstly call his bluff by threatening a massive response to any aggression or secondly shore up the regime to prevent it going (any more) ballistic.
Option 1 is very risky. It is unlikely that the Korean leadership will be alive in 10 years time anyway and I think they know as much. They are known to have a number of nuclear weapons and delivery systems that could reach Japan and this threat is having a serious effect on the already crippled Japanese economy...any more war talk could sink it altogether and that would put the US economy back into recession.
Option 2 is politically very risky. Having made the "axis of evil" speech, Bush is now associated with a hard line on "rogue states" (except Pakistan for reasons that I can't fathom) and any seemingly opposite actions would not be tolerated by middle America.
So - is there a third way to play this endgame? Please send your thoughts to Mr G. Bush (Jnr) c/o the white house...
Dear Mr George W Bush,
Sub: How to deal with N. Korea
We are in receipt of your request for assitance on the subject. We admit, we are pleasantly surprised that your esteemed self has asked for advice. It is unprecedented and totally unexpected.
However, we are more than willing to help you resolve your issues. N. Korea, as you may be aware, is a Communist Nation. And they are now in the process of acquiring Weapons Grade Nuclear Capability. Kindly clarify as to what you would like us to help you with.
1) Ensure that the Commies be burnt on the stake
2) Prevent their acquiring Weapons Grade Nuclear Capability
3) Keep you busy
Our thoughts on the above are as follows:
1) Not worth it. They'll burn anyway in Hell
2) Just shut up. You will find that a third of the world's nuclear weapons will no longer be a threat to you. The remaining two thirds are, as we are sure you would realize, with you.
3) Manufacture Shoes, Hydrogen Powered Motor Cars, Hamburgers, Aerated Beverages. Serve Food and Beverage, Bank Account Statements, Life Insurance Policies. Grow wheat, maize, corn. Lay roads, bridges, airports. Or you could just play Pong.
We trust the above would provide with clear and practical guidelines in your quest to resolve the current issue. we wish all the very best.
With kind regards
..