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Ear to the Ground

North Korea Agrees to Discuss Nukes if U.S. Eases Policy

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Posted on Feb 7, 2007
Kim Kye Gwan
AP Photo / Greg Baker

North Korean negotiator Kim Kye Gwan speaks at a December press conference in Beijing after the closing of six-party talks on North Korea’s nuclear program.  Kim announced on Thursday that Pyongyang might consider ending its nuclear weapons program.

North Korea’s nuclear envoy announced on Thursday that his government is prepared to discuss nuclear disarmament, provided the United States softens its approach: “We are going to make a judgment based on whether the United States will give up its hostile policy and come out toward peaceful coexistence.”

As a first step, Pyongyang would probably shut down its main reactor and welcome international inspectors in exchange for energy assistance.

The envoy said the U.S. is “well aware” of what it has to do to make the deal work.

AP:

Media reports have suggested the North may agree to freeze its main nuclear reactor and allow international inspectors in exchange for energy aid as a starting step to disarm.

But Kim said any moves by North Korea would be determined by the United States’ attitude.

“We are going to make a judgment based on whether the United States will give up its hostile policy and come out toward peaceful coexistence,” he said, adding that Washington was “well-aware” of what it had to do.

The North has twice boycotted the talks for more than a year, claiming various U.S. policies show Washington’s thinly veiled desire to topple the Pyongyang regime.

“I’m not either optimistic or pessimistic because there are still many points of confrontation to resolve,” Kim said.

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By Dr. Knowitall, PhD, PhD, February 9, 2007 at 7:55 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

#52495 Porzitsku, life’s experience has taught me not to buy into US propaganda re: what foreign leaders are deranged.  North Koreans don’t seem to think Kim Jong Il is wacko.  They believe, as a nation, that the US is planning to blow them away.  Now, why do you suppose they think that?  We know it’s unlikely anyone is going to blow us away and we live accordingly.  What would you think and how would you live if you were a North Korean?  Keep in mind they’re human beings, contrary to what our government would like us to think Evil Axis inhabitants are.

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By Porzitsku, February 8, 2007 at 11:52 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

North Korea continues to stall and fabricate excuses, and we (that is, this administration) continue to eat up their lies, desperate for any sign of any kind of success.
There is no success in dealing with this mad man, any more than there is success in dealing with the crazy men of Iraq. 
God help us.

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By RAE, February 8, 2007 at 9:56 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

I wouldn’t believe the leadership of North Korea any more than the leadership of the USA, Britain, Canada or any other country on this, or any other issue.

Today’s “leaders” don’t know truth from lies… they’ll all say whatever it takes to get an upper hand in the gamesmanship that is international politics. They get to PLAY… we get to PAY. And that’s the way it is.

They all make me puke.

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By Quy Tran, February 8, 2007 at 9:24 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

There’re absolutely no PEACE between Kim’s and Bush/Cheney’s criminal administrations because PEACE will never coexist in Devils’ dynasties.

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By Dr. Knowitall, PhD, PhD, February 8, 2007 at 6:29 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

Diplomacy is a sign of weakness.  America is not weak.  I say, “Cut to the chase!” We have an agenda and WMD.  Let’s freekin’ execute it without all this hullaballo.  Anyone standing in our way gets blown away, like Japan in ‘45.  Korea, the middle East (except our friend, Isreal), China, Africa, half of Europe, and keep our eye on Canada.  The problematical “Islamo-fascist Muslim Extremeists” will be annihilated in the fray and we can get on with our pseudo-christian lives.  The UN wouldn’t care. We can live out our decadent life-style until rapture.  What could be better?  We might even be able to dissolve the pentagon and dept. of homeland security in the process.  Tell me one thing wrong with all that! “ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS!”

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By Jon B, February 7, 2007 at 10:04 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Having witness the destruction of Iraq which has no nuclear weapon and was defenseless, what would you do if you are Kim of north korea?

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By Chaseme, February 7, 2007 at 9:59 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

cheney’s response to North Korea’s proposal.

cheney: Sorry Kim Kye Gwan, or whatever your name is, we speak English in this country, nowhere in my vocabulary or any reference material I have did I find the word “Peace.” And, because my associates and me can’t follow you and your use of this word, we need to move on to an area of discussion where I am most comfortable...WAR!

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