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Real Diplomatic Solution US Administration Should Heed Congressional Advice | |||
Amid prolonged tension over North Korea's preparations for a missile test-fire, U.S. Congressional leaders are raising their voices for a dialogue. The bipartisan atmosphere at the Capitol Hill seems to emphasize the need for bilateral talks with Pyongyang while calling for restraint and no overreaction. This is a desirable twist in the diplomatic conflict, which the U.S. administration should pay keen attention to. And it means Washington should no longer stick to the existing six-nation talks to discuss the new issue. U.S. President George W. Bush urged Pyongyang Monday to explain its intention behind the attempts for a missile launch. Actually, however, North Korea's intent is _ and has always been _ clear and simple: strike a deal with Washington on security guarantees, economic aid, and diplomatic normalization. Bush also demanded an explanation as to what would be mounted at the tip of the rocket. Would it be rational for a country to test a satellite with its people starving and economy bankrupt, however? Behind a diplomatic facade, Pyongyang is just continuing to pursue what it has always done _ and Washington knows it, too. Last September, the six countries almost resolved the nuclear issue through diplomacy, but have yet to enact any of the agreements due to differences over the provision of a light-water nuclear reactor. Pyongyang said it was a precondition, while Washington thought it a future reward. Then America imposed financial sanctions, and the missile crisis is the North's answer. The ongoing diplomatic tit-for-tat only reconfirms how deep the mutual distrust is between the two countries. Washington regards Pyongyang with some reason as an unreliable dialogue partner, while the North suspects that the world's sole superpower ultimately wants to change its regime. This situation has existed since the abandoned Agreed Framework of 1994. That accord became a scrap of paper as both sides reneged on it, while pointing at each other for breaking promises first. The North has done nothing right, but at least it appears ready for a dialogue. It is the U.S. that is refusing a one-on-one talk, while adhering to multilateral talks, which are an ineffective way to deal with such bilateral issues as financial sanctions and the ongoing missile crisis. It is self-contradictory, anyway, for Washington to say it prefers a diplomatic solution while rejecting offers for talks. Now is an opportunity for the U.S. to break the vicious circle of distrust, ending a confrontation of arrogance versus pride. President Bush should accept the Congressional advice for resuming a dialogue by sending an envoy. It would be easy if Washington belatedly accepted Pyongyang's invitation for Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill. All this would be valid, of course, on condition that the North does not fire the missile. Pyongyang should take into account all possible ramifications of any reckless adventure by misjudgment. |