http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6356481.stm

Quote :

"North Korea has agreed to take the first steps towards nuclear disarmament, as part of a deal reached during six-nation talks in Beijing. Under the agreement, Pyongyang has promised to shut down its main nuclear reactor in return for fuel aid."

I'm really interested in seeing how people are going to spin this as something different from the agreement made under Clinton.


Here's what will happen: Both sides will drag their feet on completing the terms of the agreement and the deal will fall apart during a change of president -- just like last time! NK will also use this time to develop ballistic missiles that might be worth a damn.

[Edited on February 13, 2007 at 9:42 AM. Reason : jjl]

2/13/2007 9:39:57 AM

Carrots and sticks, yo. Every President uses them. It's not like Clinton patented the method.

The key to disarmament is enforcement. That is where these deals always fall apart.

2/13/2007 10:19:46 AM

Didnt we go to war for less than this?

2/13/2007 12:08:49 PM

we went to war for nothing, so.... yes.

2/13/2007 12:27:21 PM

Quote :

"Didnt we go to war for less than this?"

In a sense, but the casualties you saw over the last four years in Iraq for both civilians and military would probably have been exceeded by the end of the first day of fighting with North Korea.

I think this is probably the best option that people have at this point as long as they hold the North to it. We'll see what happens.

2/13/2007 1:59:53 PM

Unfortunately when war does start with the North most of South Korea and Northern Japan will be in danger of being wiped out instantly.

2/13/2007 2:04:36 PM

doubtful.

North Korea doesn't have the capabilities to deliver a nuclear warhead to Japan. Their Taepo-Dong tests this past summer were a failure.

2/13/2007 2:17:55 PM

ok, so now some of you want us to fight a war?

2/13/2007 2:40:04 PM

Quote :

"North Korea doesn't have the capabilities to deliver a nuclear warhead to Japan. Their Taepo-Dong tests this past summer were a failure."

No, but they do have one of the largest stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons in the world, and those will fit on their more reliable regional missiles. They won't be able to nuke Japan, but they will be able to drop mustard gas and anthrax into the middle of Tokyo.

2/13/2007 2:55:54 PM

2/13/2007 3:21:43 PM

Quote :

"they do have one of the largest stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons in the world"

Says who, the CIA?

2/13/2007 9:26:49 PM

The South Koreans for one, who probably would have the best idea outside of the North Koreans themselves (and would have the most to lose if the North Koreans have a large stockpile). Mind you, given the sheer amount of damage they can do without them makes these weapons' existence merely an added "bonus" for the North.

2/14/2007 10:22:39 AM