First Libya now North Korea?

[ditch]

North Korea has offered somewhat of an olive branch to the US in the form of an offer of a freeze on its nuclear weapons program. In return they want the resumption of some forms of aid and a lifting of trade sanction.

A freeze on the weapons program probably wont be enough to satisfy and get what they ask for in return, but its a start and offering more in this first instance would have been startling.

The US is taking this seriously enough to send a delegation of North Korean experts to Pyongyang. They are not however classified as an official government which is significant.


Some detail here. (http://www.optusnet.com.au/news/story/abc/20040106/16/international/1021153.inp)

[Advocat]

What North Korea has wanted all along was "direct talks" with the US... in other words, trade agreements for shutting down their program. But they were a little too obvious about it before, and they US couldn't agree without looking like they'd been outmanouvered. Now maybe enough time has passed under the bridge for everyone to get together without losing face.

[ditch]

What North Korea has wanted all along was "direct talks" with the US... in other words, trade agreements for shutting down their program. But they were a little too obvious about it before, and they US couldn't agree without looking like they'd been outmanouvered. Now maybe enough time has passed under the bridge for everyone to get together without losing face.

Well the fact that the group going to tthe US is not governnment but experts maybe points to the fact that Korea still has some convincing to do.

I'm sure too that strong supporters of Bush's foreign policy will be encouraged with NK's new attitude being seen, atleast partly, as a result of an aggressive approach to the rogues.