Gawain 0 #1 July 13, 2007 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070713/ap_on_re_as/nkorea_us_military QuoteIt appeared the North's latest request went beyond simple administrative talks on the cease-fire, as it noted it was ready to meet at "any place and at any time." I really don't know what to make of it. DPRK uses about 30-35% of its GDP on its military, I wonder if there are new cracks forming in the foundation of the north. (?)So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #2 July 13, 2007 Quotehttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070713/ap_on_re_as/nkorea_us_military QuoteIt appeared the North's latest request went beyond simple administrative talks on the cease-fire, as it noted it was ready to meet at "any place and at any time." I really don't know what to make of it. DPRK uses about 30-35% of its GDP on its military, I wonder if there are new cracks forming in the foundation of the north. (?) It would probably be a good idea to hear them out, whatever it is they have to say. They are usually so confrontational that it's hard to imagine that it would be easy for them to mislead on something like this. My guess is Bush will miss the opportunity, if he even knows the offer was made. -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pirana 0 #3 July 13, 2007 Political euphemisms drive me nuts. I wonder what "studying the statement" really means?" . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #4 July 13, 2007 QuotePolitical euphemisms drive me nuts. I wonder what "studying the statement" really means? Funny you should mention that, but in a purely political realm, so many different things can be construed.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #5 July 13, 2007 This is not new. A similar demand has held things up before under GWB and Clinton. Japan and South Korea are, understandably, not enthused to be left on the sidelines during discussions that the lives of their citizens may depend. I don't think the US want to give Jong Il the prestige of one on one "summits" like the Soviets and Chinese got during the cold war. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #6 July 14, 2007 Quotehttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070713/ap_on_re_as/nkorea_us_military QuoteIt appeared the North's latest request went beyond simple administrative talks on the cease-fire, as it noted it was ready to meet at "any place and at any time." I really don't know what to make of it. DPRK uses about 30-35% of its GDP on its military, I wonder if there are new cracks forming in the foundation of the north. (?) It shouldn't be replied to, as it will give the Glorious Leader (tm) street cred that he doesn't deserve. And yes, DPRK is in its death throes. After decades of keeping the country in the dark and feeding them BS, the people are finding out just how much better life is in China, and in the South. The North Koreans have just about had it with the regime, and that's being felt in the military itself. They had it good for a long time, but things are different now. All the luxury items and food they got while everybody else did without or just starved to death have gone away, and they don't like it one bit. The Glorious Leader (tm) is getting nervous (he should be), and wants to have a summit so that he can put an ugly face on the evil Americans. The administration is smart not to be used that way. When will people understand that "peace talks" with the DPRK are nothing but a waste of time? When will they realize that communists are no goddamned good? The Clinton administration made nice with the Glorious Leader (tm), and he kept building nukes anyway. Edit to add: Update from the Strategy Page-- Why The South No Longer Fears the North July 2, 2007: A major reason for North Korean desperation is the disappearance of its support from Japan. The Korean community in Japan, descendents of slave laborers stranded there after World War II, are prosperous and, until the 1990s, about half of them supported North Korea (mainly because North Korea was more vehemently anti-Japanese.) At its peak, in the 1990s, the pro-north Japanese-Koreans were sending about half a billion dollars worth of cash and goods to North Korea each year. But the famines, and lunatic economic policies of the north have turned off many of these supporters. So now, 90 percent of the aid from Japan is gone, and this is a major problem. The lost aid is most acutely felt by the million or so North Koreans who run the country, and depend on foreign cash to buy the goodies that keeps them loyal. The North Korean ruling class is not as well looked after as they were a decade ago, and that has led to more corruption, less discipline and murky loyalties. July 1, 2007: The north continues to pour money into missile research, trying to build more reliable solid fuel missiles, equipped with more capable guidance systems. These are seen more as export products, than something that will help defend North Korea from enemies. June 28, 2007: Five months late, North Korea is now ready to begin shutting down its nuclear weapons research reactor. In return, South Korea is resuming food and fuel shipments, and a Chinese bank has released $25 million in dirty money that the U.S. had put a freeze on. June 23, 2007: In the north, there is a crackdown on the gangs that assist people to get out of the country. Four of the "people smugglers" have been arrested, convicted and executed. Some of the executions were public, with the secret police observing the crowd, looking for those who appear sad about the proceedings. These might be other members of the gang. This is typical of police procedures in the north. Meanwhile, law abiding North Koreans are rushing to learn English. This is largely unofficial, as the U.S. is still a major enemy of the state. But people believe they see the future, and it speaks English. June 21, 2007: The South Korean military admitted, when pressed by parliament, that they monitor many North Korean military activities in real time, using a combination of technology and agents. The growing corruption in the north has been a major assist to South Korean military intelligence. The reliability of the spies can be checked via air reconnaissance, spy satellites and other sensors, making the South Koreans confident they know what's going on up north. The South Koreans are less and less impressed with North Korean military power, which is slowly eroding because of money shortages and declining morale and discipline. mh ."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ErricoMalatesta 0 #7 July 15, 2007 QuoteWhen will people understand that "peace talks" with the DPRK are nothing but a waste of time? When will they realize that communists are no goddamned good? The Clinton administration made nice with the Glorious Leader (tm), and he kept building nukes anyway. They are a waste of time when the US renig on agreed plans and continuously take backward steps by increasing hostilities Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #8 July 15, 2007 Quote Quote When will people understand that "peace talks" with the DPRK are nothing but a waste of time? When will they realize that communists are no goddamned good? The Clinton administration made nice with the Glorious Leader (tm), and he kept building nukes anyway. They are a waste of time when the US renig on agreed plans and continuously take backward steps by increasing hostilities Yeah, sure...that's what happened... Do you know what the "Agreed Framework" was?So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
