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Peace, not tough talk needed
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David Lee
RELATIONS between Washington and Pyongyang thawed somewhat during the last months of the Clinton administration, culminating in October last year with a visit to Pyongyang by former Secretary of State Albright.
However, signs of strain have emerged since George W Bush came into power in January. It seems that the Bush administration will adopt a much tougher policy toward the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Bush is keeping his distance from the "step by step" engagement policy of his predecessor. He said that he would not go ahead with further negotiations with Pyongyang, for he was sceptical at the ability of the DPRC to fully abide by the agreement with the United States in 1994 for freezing its nuclear tests and nuclear proliferation in return for two Western-built light-water reactors. The Bush administration is busy debating whether it should revise the agreement.
Furthermore, Bush's insistence on promoting the national missile defence (NMD) plan that may incorporate Seoul has drawn strong opposition from Pyongyang.
Other senior US political and military officials indicated that the US should continue to "contain" the DPRC, and distanced themselves from the soft line implemented by the former Clinton administration. US Secretary of State Powell urged Pyongyang to reduce its conventional weapons as well as its military forces. Meanwhile Dennis C Blair, the commander of US Pacific forces, has called Pyongyang the "Number 1 enemy" of the United States, claiming that the DPRC continued to develop its missile technology and posed a direct threat to US allies in Asia.
The aggressive US stance has angered Pyongyang, which adamantly rejected any accusation that it is building up its military and alleged nuclear arsenal. Faced with growing pressure from the United States, Pyongyang has suggested it would end its freeze on long-range missile testing and restore its nuclear weapons programme, giving an apparent warning to the hard-liners in the Bush administration.
However, any resumption of nuclear testing would plunge the entire region into another security crisis. Bush's hawkish position has prompted Pyongyang to cancel a round of cabinet-level security talks with Seoul, an act which escalated tensions on the divided Korean peninsula. It is inexcusable for the US to toughen its stance at a time when both Koreas are making attempts for a peaceful reunification.
Bush stressed that the United State was reviewing its policy towards Pyongyang, and he had no imminent plans to renew talks. The American retreat from further negotiations with the DPRK was rated as a dangerous step, for Washington has planted "a time bomb" in its fragile relations with Pyongyang. A former US arms control negotiator said Bush made one of the most serious diplomatic blunders of the post-Cold War era by halting talks on Pyongyang's missile programme.
The Bush administration's tough policy towards Pyongyang betrays its Cold War nostalgia. Many politicians believe that Pyongyang's primitive missile progress poses no threat to the US mainland. Washington has been touting a stronger Washington-Seoul relationship as an impregnable aegis against Pyongyang's potential threat. Bush has said his firm commitment to strengthening ties with Seoul and Tokyo is meant to ensure a unified and forceful engagement in this region. Robust, deterrent and close co-ordination between the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea remains the top priority in dealing with Pyongyang for the Bush administration. This can be seen in the fact that the United States maintains 37,000 troops in the Republic of Korea.
Although some of US allies are adjusting their policy towards Pyongyang to meet the tough new US position, EU leaders signalled that they would be willing serve as mediators to support the peace efforts between Pyongyang and Seoul, giving a discordant voice within the US allies.
More and more observers in the international community are pressing for a peaceful solution in the Korean peninsula. Pyongyang has already pointed out that diplomacy is the best choice and has called for talks. Washington should prepared to respond to Pyongyang's positive posture for a peaceful negotiation, and continue its efforts by initiating a comprehensive security plan and resume negotiations with Pyongyang. Any US provocation could bring about serious damage to the security situation and make life in the region more uncertain.
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