Bush’s new faith-based North Korean nuclear proliferation policy

By see-dubya  •  April 17, 2008 08:30 PM

I’m all for faith-based initiatives. But…not for nuclear proliferation:

The White House this morning said their requirements for a full declaration from North Korea on nuclear weapon activities no longer includes proliferation activities, one day before President Bush meets with the South Korean president at Camp David.

North Korea is suspected of helping Syria build a nuclear facility for the purpose of building a weapon, and Israel’s top-secret aerial bombing raid into Syria last year is thought to have been aimed at this facility.

But this morning, Mr. Wilder said that proliferation is “being handled in a different manner” than the main declaration, which led him to pronounce himself optimistic about a full declaration.

“We have every indication that the North will comply with its obligations,” Mr. Wilder said.

John Bolton is quoted there as well, justifiably outraged at what he says is an administration in “full retreat”. He saw this coming a few days ago, and called out his former boss in a must-read op-ed in the WSJ:

In dealing with the Soviet Union on arms control, Reagan was famous for repeating the Russian phrase, “Doveryai, no proveryai” (trust, but verify). Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev reportedly once complained to Reagan, “You use that phrase every time we meet.” To which Reagan smilingly replied, “That’s because I like it so much.”

This administration appears to have forgotten that concept altogether.

…the U.S. will be expected to accept on faith, literally, North Korean assertions that it has not engaged in significant uranium enrichment, and that it has not proliferated nuclear technology or materials to countries like Syria and Iran.

J-Bo lays out the international security consequences of this quite starkly. It’s terrifically damaging to the U.S. credibility to enter a pact like this based on a transparent and obvious lie. The story about the Israeli strike was that North Korea had given Syria nuclear technology. If they didn’t, who did?

And to be petty and political for a second–what a stinky little political football to punt in an election year. If I were a Democratic strategist I’d be raising hell about this (while not mentioning the Agreed Framework and trying to ignore the fact that this is exactly what their candidates would do.) This undoes any goodwill and confidence the new WMD retaliation policy might have established.

Well, I guess we can say this about Bush: he’s certainly not obsessing over his legacy during his final year, that’s for sure.

Allah-style exit question: Did anyone happen to find that missing North Korean freighter yet? If you see it, you might tell somebody. I trust it had nothing to do with proliferation, of course…but we might want to verify.

_________________
ADDENDUM: As I wrote this, look what hit the wires: Condi doing damage control.

Rice is promising that any admission Pyongyang makes will be rigorously verified, and that there would be consequences later if North Korean cheating is discovered.

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Comments

  1. #1
    On April 17th, 2008 at 8:37 pm, brooklyn red said:

    requirements for a full declaration from North Korea on nuclear weapon activities no longer includes proliferation activities,…

    Translation: Too late for that, but we know who & where… so you asked for it.

  2. #2
    On April 17th, 2008 at 8:42 pm, rooster said:

    How much longer do we have daddy Bush?

  3. #3
    On April 17th, 2008 at 8:45 pm, RedDog said:

    No more RINOs…. ever… please… in any office!!! Excuse me while I find a butter knife to stab myself with.

  4. #4
    On April 17th, 2008 at 8:45 pm, GaMidnightRider said:

    Where have all our strong leaders went? Did they pass with the late great Ronald Regan? I wish just one man would stand up and act like a leader who has a pair.

  5. #5
    On April 17th, 2008 at 8:47 pm, secondsight said:

    There’s still time to draft Bolton for President.

    Add a phrase to your blog posts today.

  6. #6
    On April 17th, 2008 at 9:08 pm, love2rumba said:

    Consequences?….What consequences? Ms. Rice, Mr. Bush, Juan McCain?

    Is National Security just a “talking point” in search of a “focus Group”?

  7. #7
    On April 17th, 2008 at 9:13 pm, simcoe said:

    Only at the end am I able to release myself from the blinders of holding out hope. This president too is a PC coward on pretty much all fronts. And on many of those fronts he has, with impunity, ignored the voices and betrayed the trust and hopes of the citizens of his country who put him in office.

  8. #8
    On April 17th, 2008 at 9:16 pm, Mortis said:

    Great pic of Bolton, who should still be sitting at the U.N. IMO

  9. #9
    On April 17th, 2008 at 9:20 pm, Boomer said:

    Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! What the hell is going on with Bush? Has he gone totally insane by drinking the water over at Foggy Bottom? The current world situation is scary enough and who ever inherits these problems will have enough headaches, but this is like handing off a live grenade with the pin pulled to the next Administration. I wonder how the Japanese are taking this news. After all North Korea has been test firing their missiles over their airspace for quit a while now.

  10. #10
    On April 17th, 2008 at 9:29 pm, Buckaroo said:

    “There’s still time to draft Bolton for President”

    um, no, there isn’t since he won’t run …

    y’know, i’ve been registered on mm.com for less than a week, and i of course knew going in the w-hatred re: all things border-related, but folks, smearing the man every time he uses the carrot instead of the stick anywhere across the globe for any issue is **really** counterproductive. the man makes his choices, and yeah some of ‘em are wrong, but excoriating him publically does no good whatsoever. invariably, [e.g. condi's addendum on this very post] he quickly refines some of the bad stuff. sometimes even, what he’s actually doing isn’t so bad at all — it’s simply the lll networks have distorted it beyond recognition.

    /still proud of my president
    //and proud supporter [in the general, not the primaries] of JSM

  11. #11
    On April 17th, 2008 at 9:32 pm, Gabe said:

    Rice is promising that any admission Pyongyang makes will be rigorously verified, and that there would be consequences later if North Korean cheating is discovered.

    Really, Condi? What consequences?

    John Bolton gave a great speech about this topic at CPAC. Also, his recent book shows just how inept both Powell and Rice have been.

  12. #12
    On April 17th, 2008 at 9:33 pm, WORK949 said:

    Rice is promising that any admission Pyongyang makes will be rigorously verified, and that there would be consequences later if North Korean cheating is discovered.

    Like what? Harsh language?

  13. #13
    On April 17th, 2008 at 9:35 pm, zorro said:

    The world is still a very dangerous place. Public pronouncements like this send shivers up everyone’s spine. But they may have a purpose. What that might be, who knows!

    As I wrote this, look what hit the wires: Condi doing damage control.

    That didn’t take long. Condi must be a Michelle fan. Great post see-dubya.

  14. #14
    On April 17th, 2008 at 9:49 pm, Speakup said:

    I blame the continued expansion or our government for its incompetence.

  15. #15
    On April 17th, 2008 at 10:11 pm, RobM1981 said:

    I’m cool with this. I’m sure that John McCain has all the tools needed to deal with this. He’s cool, he’s stable, and he’s ready to deal with things like this. No problemo.

    Worst case? Obama will heal their Seouls.

    Again, don’t worry. I’m sure the USA will work great with Rochester, NY as our capital, after all of the East Coast is pulverized, one city at a time…

    What an unbelievable mess.

    Thanks George. If there’s anything we can ever do for you again, please don’t ask.

    The word “disappointment” doesn’t even come close to what I feel for our “Commander in Name.”

  16. #16
    On April 17th, 2008 at 10:13 pm, Jaded said:

    Why couldn’t Bolten run for President…I laughed my arse off when I saw that picture….good stuff.

  17. #17
    On April 17th, 2008 at 10:18 pm, Dan Lee said:

    Let Isreal have at them.. (6 day war)

    Then I can write a million best seller called:

    “Suicide of the Seoul”
    ~ Dan Lee

  18. #18
    On April 17th, 2008 at 10:28 pm, rightisright said:

    More soft touch by Bush and Condi…What happened to “you either with us or against us”? or did that only relate to 911?

  19. #19
    On April 17th, 2008 at 10:31 pm, rightisright said:

    whoops…”your…” sorry

  20. #20
    On April 17th, 2008 at 10:47 pm, Newts Wally said:

    I’m Shocked. My Eyebrows Are on Top of My Forehead!. By Now - We Should Know that the “Compassionate Conservative” is a New World Order Globalist Fixed on Reducing the United States of America to a 2nd rate nation Like Europe. That’s All.

    Oh - You Want Examples? Here’s One. Why aren’t we drilling for Oil in Alaska or the Gulf? “Environment”? No. Become Dependent on Other nations So we Are All One Big happy Global Family - With No One Stronger Than Another. [sigh].

    So “Accepting” Syria & North Korea No Matter What is “Okay” for the Globalist New World Order.

    China Backs North Korea. Someday (probably too late) a Majority of Americans will realize one simple Fact -CHINA IS OUR ENEMY! (Not Our Trading Partner)

    Iran isn’t playing along so they may get “punished” by the world.

  21. #21
    On April 17th, 2008 at 11:08 pm, Buckaroo said:

    “Why couldn’t Bolten run for President”

    it’s not that he couldn’t — it’s that he has given absolutely no indication that he would ever commit the wierd sort of public masochism that running for federal public office entails these days …

  22. #22
    On April 17th, 2008 at 11:10 pm, Buckaroo said:

    “I’m sure the USA will work great with Rochester, NY as our capital, after all of the East Coast is pulverized, one city at a time”

    um, do you really think the norks could pull this off, even if they someday did garner enough working warheads?

    /sheesh, hands sore from all that wringing?

  23. #23
    On April 18th, 2008 at 2:19 am, Christian Soldier said:

    Are we - the tax paying US citizens - still giving N. Korea “aid”?

    OK - Let’s hear it from the “lesser of two evils” crowd.

    The slippery slope keeps getting slicker.

  24. #24
    On April 18th, 2008 at 2:21 am, Little Ma said:

    Oh good grief! Spineless George is morphing into another Jimmy!

    Yes, John Bolton should still be at the UN, but the wimps in Washington were afraid of him. They’re afraid of anyone who’s strong enough to say what he means, and mean what he says. We’re all the poorer for having lost him.

    I wish he would run for president. Betcha no one would ever call him Juan!

  25. #25
    On April 18th, 2008 at 7:12 am, TMoney said:

    #10 Buckaroo said, “excoriating him publically does no good whatsoever.

    Buck? If we don’t do it publicly, we can’t do it at all, because we peons are not allowed to knock on the White House door and do it in private. ergo, I’ll smear his idiocy whenever it raises its RINO head.
    However, if he does something right, I’ll praise him just as fervently in the face of my liberal friends.

  26. #26
    On April 18th, 2008 at 8:24 am, tre said:

    What the…..! Did GWB just hire Bill Clinton and Madeline Albright as consultants or something?

    If he sent the Marines in to verify North Koreas nuclear program, I would support that. But not taking their word for it.

  27. #27
    On April 18th, 2008 at 9:16 am, Bob69 said:

    This may be a precursor to our administrations actions with respect to Iran…..NO WMD there.

  28. #28
    On April 18th, 2008 at 10:09 am, Silkyinfamous said:

    Ok. Ask a liar who lied before then tested a nuclear missile if they have nuclear missiles. Chris Hill. What happened?

    “Now Kim, tell the truth are you enriching Uranium and giving it to your friends?”

    “No, Mom its ah for a friend.”

  29. #29
    On April 18th, 2008 at 10:15 am, Silkyinfamous said:

    My last statement wasn’t suppose to make sense before I get slammed for it.

  30. #30
    On April 18th, 2008 at 10:33 am, secondsight said:

    Bolton - Barry Debate

    I’d buy that for a dollar!

  31. #31
    On April 18th, 2008 at 11:15 am, Chuck said:

    How did Clinton and Madeleine Halfbright get back in the White House? This is deja vu all over again. (apologies to Yogi)

  32. #32
    On April 18th, 2008 at 11:21 am, Cosmo said:

    If Bolton were at the UN today, it’d be with a flamethrower in hand ready to torch the place. Bolton is old English for “has a pair of brass ones.”

    On the other hand, “Schumer” who was so anti-Bolton, is North German for “vagabond” and “good-for-nothing”…awesome.

  33. #33
    On April 18th, 2008 at 11:41 am, MNUSMCDavid said:

    Here’s my dream, never to be realized I’m sure: John Bolton President 2012.

  34. #34
    On April 18th, 2008 at 12:48 pm, jtex said:

    What a gigantic load of male, bovine feces…

    Playing patty cake with the N.K.’s is gonna get us all killed.

    Are there any sane people left in this administration?

    Lord help us because our Gov. certainly isn’t…

    .

  35. #35
    On April 18th, 2008 at 1:11 pm, Concerned Citizen said:

    On April 17th, 2008 at 9:33 pm, WORK949 said:
    Rice is promising that any admission Pyongyang makes will be rigorously verified, and that there would be consequences later if North Korean cheating is discovered.

    Like what? Harsh language?

    Yes, in the form of a good stern talking to or maybe even a strongly worded letter!

    McCain/Bolton?

  36. #36
    On April 18th, 2008 at 1:16 pm, see-dubya said:

    Bolton for President? Ah, yes, the dreams of my youth

  37. #37
    On April 18th, 2008 at 1:33 pm, Buckaroo said:

    “McCain/Bolton”

    hm, now i do suppose that’s a possibility, but i still don’t see JB warming to it …

    /can u imagine the nutroots blood pressure spike?
    //now, if JSM did appoint him, say, SecState [see above points once more] would he maintain his tough attitude or would he go the colin/condi waffle route?

  38. #38
    On April 18th, 2008 at 3:22 pm, MNUSMCDavid said:

    see-dubya

    Whoa! Now that’s a ticket I could support!!!!

  39. #39
    On April 18th, 2008 at 4:05 pm, Lilycat said:

    As someone who voted for Bush twice because I didn’t like my other options, I have been continually disappointed and dismayed by his actions and lack of actions. I can’t even imagine what is wrong with the man. Does he just not care anymore? Does he just want everyone to like him? Is he afraid to rock the boat because he’s being held in so much contempt over Iraq? What IS it!!???

  40. #40
    On April 18th, 2008 at 8:30 pm, beenthere said:

    Yes, Bush wants everyone to love him, because love is what makes the world go round and round — what a ditz. The man is daft, crazy, looney-toons, in his dotage, incompetent, as utterly unsuited for the job as . . . well, the current crop of clown-in-chief wannabees.

    There are times in which I honestly think it would have been better if Gore had been elected. Bush always has this look on his face of a retarded two-year old who just wet his pants and wants to tell his nanny how proud he is of his achievement. It’s not that he doesn’t get it; it’s that he will never get it. I guarantee that within a year he will be joining Carter for a traveling road show, kind of a Loser Brothers for Peace. The two really are two peas in a pod; two evangelicals who not only believe in Jesus but seem to actually believe that they are Jesus.

    Note: There is always someone on these threads who calls out for term-limits. Sadly, another great idea that won’t happen — that moment has passed. But I am increasingly persuaded that a single six year term for president is also a good idea. That might be worth a try.

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