Impressive Diplomatic Efforts - North Korea

The current situation involving North Korea is not as simple as many on both sides of the political fence would argue.

First of all, many on the left call the Bush administration's refusal of one-on-one talks with Pyongyang a stubborn and flawed diplomatic policy. In truth, last week's missile tests seem to be little more than an attempt at blackmail, which is the North Korean modis operandi.

During the Clinton Administration, Kim Jong-Il's government succeeded in its attempt to get the U.S. to the table - and we paid dearly for it. Hundreds of millions of dollars in aid, oil, and a nuclear reactor were given to the North Koreans in exchange for a promise to suspend its nuclear weapons program. Jimmy Carter, Clinton's appointed envoy, came back from the North Korean capitol triumphantly declaring that he had saved the world from a nuclear crisis.

BUT, the administration had flawed oversight provisions. The aid money was spent developing a more sophisticated ballistic missile program, Pyongyang has continued it's nuclear program, and the U.S. lost face in the global community. That is what happens when you succumb to blackmail at the hands of a mentally insane dictator, and that is why the Bush administration is exactly right in refusing to give in on its position. We are still part of six-party talks, but we will not be bullied into the madman's games. This firm diplomacy is necessary.

The Security Council will never approve sanctions against the nation because China is a communist ally, and Putin and Russia, bless their little hearts, have a nasty communist hangover. If we will not have two party talks with Jong-Il, and the Security Council will not act - then how do we proceed?

It is no secret that China wishes to be the sole superpower in Asia. They are not aggressively seeking to convert neighbors into communism like the U.S.S.R, but they certainly would not mind having powerful satellite-nations in the region over which they could exert control. Ultimately, they want to control their corner of the globe. These people think in terms of centuries, so they are patient enough to wait for the right opportunities, and they will pounce when the time is right. The last thing they want is to force a democratic nation into an arms race that could rival their influence over the region.

Last week, Asst. Secretary of State Christopher Hill went to Bei Jing to discuss this situation, and he more than likely informed China that the more of a threat they allow North Korea to become to the region, the more the Japanese would be forced into increasing its military strength. He probably could have suggested that the U.S., being such a close ally, could be forced into helping Japan develop its military might in an attempt to balance the power in the region ("balance of power" - you all heard it in your 6th grade history class. It is a real and very important concept still today in regards to diplomacy and foreign relations.).

The arming of the Japanese, or threatening to assist them in such an endeavor, should be a good enough reason for the Chinese to reign in Pyongyang through the six-party talks. I have been impressed by the United States' diplomatic efforts being led by Condi Rice and the State Dept., and fully expect that history will judge this administration of handling North Korea much better than the preceeding one.