Senators Challenge White House on N. Korea

[maddezmom]

By GEORGE GEDDA, Associated Press Writer
13 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - Bush administration efforts to achieve nuclear disarmament in North Korea are not working and should be reconsidered, Senate Foreign Relations Committee members said Tuesday.

"The administration policy has been a failure," said Sen. Joseph R. Biden (news, bio, voting record) Jr. of Delaware, the ranking Democrat.

"Obviously, we've not seen progress here," said Sen. Chuck Hagel (news, bio, voting record), R-Neb. "Something is not working."

Responding to the criticisms at a committee hearing, Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said the administration believes that the six-party disarmament negotiation "is the way to go."

Because of a North Korean boycott, there have been no negotiations for the past year. But North Korea, in meetings with U.S. diplomats on June 3, said they were willing to resume the discussions.

~snip~
more: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050614/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_north_korea_1

[AValdoux]

1. Bolton's Job, right?

When I asked my boss (retired marine) what he thought of Bolton, he said the only bad things he's heard were about his management style. I then asked him what Bolton's job has been the last five years? He said he didn't know. I then told him Nuclear Non-proliferation ie Iran & North Korea. Silence. This should be the reason used against Bolton, he hasn't done his current job. Most people think the opposition his just against his personality.

He's not a Bush fan but he voted for him this time. Refused to vote for Kerry. He said he was dodging bullets when Kerry was testifying.

AValdoux

[neverforget]

2. ...and Bush was getting drunk in Texas.

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. Bolton's job has been to start wars, apparently a job he knows how to do.

Not very many human beings would be so morally bankrupt to do it, he has a good track record and so far is actually doing quite a job with Iran and North Korea. It's a gift, and the US government recognises his gift.

[cliss]

3. Well, they don't seem concerned enough

to do something about it.

While this administration baffles me 24/7, I have noticed that there is some connection to reality. There is actually some semblance of action-reaction (hardly ever action-proact).

So in the case of N. Korea, there has been lots of posturing (think of two roosters in the chicken coop), but that's all it is....just posturing. Nothing of substance.

They ARE capable of acting, when they feel it's necessary.

[AndyTiedye]

6. ** Doesn't Care if Some West Coast Blue States Get Nuked

and NK's missiles can't hit any red states yet.

[swag]

4. Senators and Administration Spar Over North Korea Policy

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/14/politics/14cnd-policy.html?hp&ex=1118808000&en=121be87233de6d41&ei=5094&partner=homepage\

. . .

Mr. Lugar and Mr. Biden indicated that their criticism reflected frustration and division within the administration over how to proceed with efforts to stop North Korea's nuclear program at a time when Pyongyang had stayed away from the six-party talks for a year. While North Korea said last week that it would return to the talks, which include China, Japan, Russia and South Korea, as well as the United States and North Korea, it did not agree to a date.

Mr. Lugar, generally restrained in his criticisms, suggested that Bush administration officials appeared so divided on North Korea as to be at cross purposes.

"Although I understand that there may be a need for some ambiguity in United States policy toward North Korea," he said, "it is not evident this ambiguity has been constructive or even intentional."

. . .

"If our policy is to be effective," Mr. Lugar said, "our ultimate course must be internal consistency."

Moreover, Mr. Lugar said, United States efforts to persuade China to intensify pressure on North Korea had been undercut when a report was leaked about confidential United States-Chinese talks.

. . .