Obama writes letter to NKorean leader

[babylonsister]

AP source: Obama writes letter to NKorean leader

By MATTHEW LEE
Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama has written a personal letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il as part of an intense effort to draw the reclusive nation back to nuclear disarmament talks, a senior State Department official said Tuesday.

The letter was delivered to North Korean officials last week by Obama's special envoy for North Korea, Stephen Bosworth, during a visit to Pyongyang aimed at restarting the stalled negotiations, the official said.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the diplomacy, would not describe the contents of the letter but said they fit with Bosworth's general message.

"The North Koreans have a choice: continued and further isolation or benefits for returning to the six-party talks and dismantling their nuclear weapons program," the official said.

snip//

Clinton wrote to Kim in October 1994, promising to organize financing for a $4 billion nuclear plant to replace equipment suspected of making plutonium for nuclear weapons if the North kept its new agreement to give up the equipment. Then-Ambassador-at-Large Robert Gallucci told reporters the letter was addressed "To The Supreme Leader of the DPRK" - the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The Post said efforts early in Bush's term to send a letter were stymied by an intense debate over whether to use an honorific such as "his excellency" to address Kim. :wtf:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBAMA_NORTH_KOREA?SITE=CONGRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[davidpdx]

1. Well I think he has to do what he can to bring them to the table

The regime can be unpredictable and uncooperative, but doing everything to stop them from building more nuclear weapons is important. Japan has expressed an interest in offensive weapons and has debated it. China, India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons. South Korea probably has the technological capability along with Japan and will want to if other countries had the technology. It could set off an arms race in Asia that would be very ugly. We already wasted too much time under Bush.

[AngryAmish]

2. A letter. THat changes everything.

[babylonsister]

5. It's a start. The previous admin couldn't even decide what to call him.

And what do you suggest as an alternative?

[Cha]

6. No, it'd part of the process..I would think you would know that.

[Clio the Leo]

3. THIS is the man I voted for!

(but of course so was the guy at the press statement yesterday)

[Kdillard]

4. It is a start and we will see where it leads.

[Cha]

7. It's only the smart thing to do..

bush calling them one of the "axes of evil" was stupid.. but they wanted war.

[Popular Front]

8. Good job

Maybe finally we can have some peace. Thanks Mr. President!