Gov. Richardson meets North Koreans in Santa Fe (1 Viewer)

[jujuman13]

The simple point that people like TOT and NAVY PRIDE seem to forget is that oratory is far preferable to war.
They simply cannot understand how by talking with various Nations, that have Governments that are diametrically opposed to the democratic ideal, can bring about any conclusion to what upsets and causes apprehension in other Nations, primarily the US & Japan.
The corollary applies equally to Syria and Iran, with regard to the situation in Iraq, as well as with the PLA and Hamas with respect to Israel.
Link
Photo Slideshow | Reuters.com

 

[jujuman13]

The simple point that people like TOT and NAVY PRIDE seem to forget is that oratory is far preferable to war.
They simply cannot understand how by talking with various Nations, that have Governments that are diametrically opposed to the democratic ideal, can bring about any conclusion to what upsets and causes apprehension in other Nations, primarily the US / Japan.
The corollary applies equally to Syria and Iran, with regard to the situation in Iraq, as well as with the PLA and Hamas with respect to Israel, as well as between Venezuela and the US.
The days when any nation can simply walk into another nation without first talking are long since past, likewise the notion that we (US) can simply bomb our way out of any particular situation is now almost laughable.
Regretfully the link no longer works.
The story was about Gov. Richardson of NM meeting with 2 Ministers from N. Korea in Santa Fe, evidently with the blessing of the US State Dept.

Link
Photo Slideshow | Reuters.com

 

[jujuman13]

Gov. Richardson meets North Koreans in Santa Fe
Fri Dec 15, 2006 1:51pm ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson planned to meet two top North Korean diplomats on Friday in a session blessed by the White House before talks resume next week on North Korea's nuclear programs.

Officials at Richardson's office in Sante Fe, New Mexico, said the governor would meet with Minister Kim Myong Gil and First Secretary Song Se Il of the North Korean mission to the United Nations.

They were granted permission by the State Department to make the visit to Santa Fe.

Envoys from the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States will resume talks on Monday that have been stalled for more than one year, with the aim of getting Pyongyang to scrap its nuclear weapons program in exchange for aid, greater diplomatic standing and pledges it will not be attacked.



The top news, photos, and videos of 2006. Full Coverage

Richardson said he would press the North Koreans to start dismantling their nuclear weapons. The North Koreans detonated a nuclear test in October.

Richardson has dealt extensively with North Korea as a member of Congress, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and energy secretary. He has traveled to North Korea five times, most recently last October.

White House spokesman Tony Snow said Richardson could play a "constructive role" by reminding North Korea of the benefits it could receive by forswearing nuclear weapons and urging them to adhere to terms of a September 2005 agreement.

"He's not doing official work for us. but if you take a look at his record, it would be likely that he would be encouraging the North Koreans to abide by the agreement in the six-party talks and return in good faith," Snow said.

Snow was quick to strike a difference between Richardson's meeting and a visit to Syria by Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. The White House called Nelson's visit unhelpful.

This was the second North Korean delegation to travel to Santa Fe to meet Richardson, a potential 2008 candidate for the Democratic nomination for president. The first visit was shortly after he became governor in January 2003.


© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.

 

[WI Crippler]

The simple point that people like TOT and NAVY PRIDE seem to forget is that oratory is far preferable to war.
They simply cannot understand how by talking with various Nations, that have Governments that are diametrically opposed to the democratic ideal, can bring about any conclusion to what upsets and causes apprehension in other Nations, primarily the US / Japan.
The corollary applies equally to Syria and Iran, with regard to the situation in Iraq, as well as with the PLA and Hamas with respect to Israel, as well as between Venezuela and the US.
The days when any nation can simply walk into another nation without first talking are long since past, likewise the notion that we (US) can simply bomb our way out of any particular situation is now almost laughable.
Regretfully the link no longer works.
The story was about Gov. Richardson of NM meeting with 2 Ministers from N. Korea in Santa Fe, evidently with the blessing of the US State Dept.

Link
Photo Slideshow | Reuters.com

The dynamics of whats involved in N. Korea is far different than the dynamics that are involved in the middle east. Two completly different situations that require different action.

Plus this dialogue was supported by the state department, a little different than a senator or representative going behind the scenes to meet with governments that sponsor, and harbor terrorists.

But then again, look at how far dialogue with N. Korea has gotten us. nowhere.

 

[Kandahar]

Bill Richardson is awesome. His foreign policy experience would be great for a bid for the White House. Hint, hint.

 

[jujuman13]

Quote
(But then again, look at how far dialogue with N. Korea has gotten us. nowhere.)

So the above is a reason to stop trying?

If talks do not take place, what do you think will happen?
Bush cannot go to war with N. Korea as the US has insufficient troops for this plus Iraq + Afghanistan + all the other area's where US troops are stationed.
Additionally Congress will not authorize the expenditure for such a war, so do tell, what do you think the alternative is?
I suppose you could side with the likes of TOT and NAVY PRIDE who are in favour of nuking N. Korea, totally disregarding the fact that both Russia and China are allied to N. Korea and should we nuke NK, we risk starting a nuke war with both China and Russia.

Hey you have another way, come on do let us into your secret as to how we defuse this situation?

 

[FierceEnigma12z]

They've said that before? Well that wouldn't help considereing WW3 could start and we'd have this many allies nuking NK for no reason...0.Nuking them is about the worst thing we cna do right now. imposing sanctions and such yes, nuke them, not smart at all.It goes against the reason we are so against NK in the first place.If we did thay'd have to strike us first...but judging by their recent missile tests...that wont be too soon, still they are a threatening nation.

 

[Harshaw]

Hmmm.

States are explicitly forbidden by the Constitution from pursuing an independent foreign policy.

 

[Kandahar]

Hmmm.

States are explicitly forbidden by the Constitution from pursuing an independent foreign policy.

Richardson's actions have the approval of the US Department of State. He has the right to talk to whomever he wants within the confines of federal law. Also, this isn't a state pursuing a foreign policy, as his actions have nothing to do with New Mexico. Richardson's role in this matter has nothing to do with the fact that he's a governor; he's also a former ambassador.

 

[Harshaw]

Sorry; I misread. And probably had the Governator's compact with the UK in mind while doing so.