News Reports: US vs. North Korea
“All I know is what I read in the papers.” Will Rogers
As North Korea flexes its political muscles with threats and fear tactics, it is difficult to predict exactly what the motive and outcome for the U.S. will be. How did we arrive at a position in the world where a tiny communist country would be able to manipulate the most powerful nation on earth, with a response of non-response? Here are some of the historic steps America has taken to enable our current crisis as reported in the press:
1994: North Korea agreed to freeze its production of plutonium in return for $40 million per year in fuel oil from the U.S., and the construction of two power plants.
November 14, 1994. The Wall Street Journal. A Dangerous Capitulation. South Koreans have watched in horror as the Clinton administration, which in June was threatening to confront North Korea if it continued to bar inspections of its nuclear facilities, abruptly signed a deal that no only forgoes inspections for years but also leaves in place 8,000 fuel rods with enough plutonium for four more bombs. The same deal promises Pyongyang two new light-water reactors that will produce even more plutonium than the three reactors they are to replace. Plutonium, of course, is the fissile material used to make bombs, and US intelligence estimates that North Korea already has sufficient plutonium to make at least two nuclear bombs. The very best that can be said of its capitulation is that it’s a calculated gamble that somehow North Korea will collapse of its own economic mismanagement before it can build too many more bombs.
December 10, 1994. Washington Times. A senior State Department official warned yesterday that any tampering by the new Republican congressional majority with the US-North Korea nuclear accord could destroy it. Republicans have criticized the accord for allowing North Korea to continue concealing parts of its nuclear program while offering it $4 billion in nuclear reactors and fuel oil.
September 4, 1995. The New American. While the forces arrayed in Korea did undeniably serve under command of the United Nations, the truth is that the UN, aided by the leaders of our own nation, betrayed them and denied them the victory they so clearly could have gained. Responding to a UN resolution (not to any congressional authorization), President Truman sent US troops to defend South Korea. Knowing that he had circumvented Congress’ singular constitutional grant of power to declar war, he chose to refer to the struggle as a “police action.” When Congress later held hearings about the war, our top generals—Clar, Van Fleet, Stratemeyer, and MacArthur—supplied complete details about how they were restricted in their efforts to gain victory in Korea. Lin Piao, the Chinese General fighting MacArthur stated, “I would never have made the attack and risked my men and military reputation if I had not been assured that Washington would restrain General MacArthur.” When General MacArthur came home in 1951, he told the Congress and the nation, “In war, indeed, there can be no substitute for victory.” Asking anyone to put his life on the line for anything less is a monstrous betrayal. Our troops and our entire nation were betrayed during the Korean War.”
August 4, 1997. Reuters. In a goodwill gesture on the eve of landmark four-nation talks, North Korea on Monday handed over the remains of four US soldiers killed during the 1950-1953 Korean war. Seoul officials said the handover reflected Pyongyang’s desire to improve relations with Washington in order to encourage foreign investment in the impoverished North.
August 6, 1997. The Washington Times. “North Korea appears ready to start the long march toward a permanent peace on the tense Korean Peninsula.” North Korea asked for unconditional food aid to ease North Korea’s devastating famine.
Sept. 18, 1999. The New York Times reports that President Clinton ordered far-reaching easing of economic sanctions, including imports, exports, and travel, against North Korea in order to induce them to permanently abandon the missile and nuclear programs that threaten Northeast Asia. This action required no congressional approval. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright called the move “a road that holds out the possibility of long term stability and even eventual reconciliation on the Korean peninsula.”
For the past 70 years, the US has waffled in its position against communism and nuclear proliferation in North Korea. The 1950 war solidified its alliance with China, and degraded America’s leadership in the world by fighting an undeclared war with orders not to obtain a clear victory. Furthermore, it was a major step in conditioning the American People to accept the authority of the United Nations over our national sovereignty.
Over the decades, America’s lack of resolve has brought us to this place where North Korea threatens to aim nuclear weapons at American soil. Ignoring danger and giving concessions and aid has not halted their nuclear intentions, and is the result of 70 years of military indecision.
