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| Push comes to shove: North Korea, US both back down |
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Push comes to shove: North Korea, US both back down Judy Stillson | 9/19/05
In promising, positive developments in the six-nation talks surrounding North Korea's development of nuclear weapons, the Pyongyang government pledged today to suspend all nuclear weapons development in exchange for energy assistance and recognition in diplomatic areas.
The talks, being held in the Chinese capitol of Beijing, have been ongoing for two years, and this is the first real optimistic progression. These same talks broke down last year when North Korea walked out in protest of alleged United States' disrespect.
When the parties finally began to speak on reasonable terms, both Korea and the US backed off from previously-held hard line positions.
The North Koreans had purportedly developed nuclear weapons - though there was never any proof of their claims - and the United States steadfastly maintained a cold, uncompromising position against the nation, roundly labeling them a "rogue" nation and part of the "Axis of Evil."
With this unprecedented development, President George Bush's "Axis of Evil" - North Korea, Iran and Iraq - position that these countries posed serious terrorist and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) threats after 9/11, begins to look even more like a complete fabrication and failed policy.
There have been no Iranian, Iraqi or North Korean terrorists killed or captured anywhere in the world and of the three, only North Korea had ever come close to developing nuclear weapons. No WMDs were found in Iraq even though the US invaded and searched in 2003 - and still remains and occupying force today.
Iran continues to develop a peaceful nuclear power program despite continued allegations from the US that they are planning to enrich uranium for bombs.
North Korea has agreed to abide by International Atomic Energy Agency standards and will return to agreement of the nuclear nonproliferation treaty while continuing to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
North Korea will also seek cooperation with the other five nations in trade and investment.
The nations participating in the six-nation talks are the United States, North and South Korea, China, Japan and Russia.
Now that this issue has been settled to a legitimate degree of international satisfaction, Iran should be next to be rewelcomed into the partnership of nations and US sanctions and trade restrictions lifted. In the meantime, our military adventure in Iraq - widely believed to be a colossal failure - needs to be wound down and put into the hands of a more international peace force. Iraq never posed a threat and the US needs to make reparations.
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