President George Bush gave a press conference yesterday, laying out the partial agreement, reached with one of the countries, listed among the President's list of axis' of evil. North Korea turned over a supposed, full accounting of its nuclear program and, activities to China. The North Koreans, are also, to destroy the cooling plant, used in the preparation of plutonium, used in making nuclear weapons. Based on the things that the North Koreans are agreeing to, the United States, has agreed to remove North Korea from the list of countries, who support terrorism. The Bush administration deserves credit, for encouraging the six party talks, between North Korea, Japan, South Korea, Russia, China and the United States, which resulted in this agreement. American Diplomat, Chris Hill spoke for the United States, and gave serious input to the negotiations. The President is still concerned with the North Koreans, testing of ballistic missiles.
The North Koreans, will also receive food and fuel, the country is dark at night, from lack of electricity and there have been millions of North Koreans who have died from lack of food. This multi-level negotiation has been going on for seven years. The country has to agree to inspections to verify that specific actions have been accomplished. The North Koreans handed over a declaration, of their nuclear programs and activities to China. China was very instrumental in the negotiations, one main reason that the Chinese were so involved, was reported to be, the resistance, to the possibility of millions of refugees, coming into China, from North Korea, which would adversely, impact the country of China. The United States put pressure on North Korea through isolation, and squeezing its banking system.
The North Koreans, seemingly decided, eventually, that it would be in their best interest, to submit to the requests from the international community. The Bush administration, is well deserving of taking a bow, for this accomplishment, although there is criticism, that the United States gave too much. Let us all hope, that the North Koreans will follow through with the requirements, within the agreements. This is not the first agreement the North Koreans have been a party to, and not kept its word, let us try to believe that this time will be different, for the sake of the North Korean people and all the people of the world community, who desire less nuclear weapons, not more.
