North Korea Coming Back to Six-Party Talks
by Richardson ~ October 31st, 2006. Filed under: Six-Party Talks.The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced today that North Korea will return to the Six-Party Talks. The agreement was reached during an informal meeting in Beijing between the U.S., China, and North Korea.
However, I find this to be the problem area: “The three parties agreed to resume the six-party talks at the earliest convenient time.” (emphasis added) Like the key phrase – “at an appropriate time” (DOC) – in the 19 September 2005 joint statement from the Six-Party Talks (in the context of when to discuss LWR for North Korea), “the earliest convenient time” is wide open to interpretation.
More on this at the Chosun Ilbo, and a closer look at the 19 September agreement. Bottom line: it’s too soon to celebrate, and besides, it’s sort of pathetic to consider just getting North Korea to the table as something wonderful.
October 31st, 2006 at 10:58 am
I would have to agree with your assessment. The earliest time available to them leaves the door open and gives them more flexibility in the sanctions implementation. The agreement to return to the six party talks could put pressure on the US to back down from strict enforcement of S/RES/1718 (2006).
October 31st, 2006 at 3:07 pm
You don’t say!
Pelagius, I have to give you some credit. You are not completely divorced from reality as most Clintonistas are.
October 31st, 2006 at 3:16 pm
Sorry for the order of posts there - I just changed the blog time to reflect EST daylight savings time.
October 31st, 2006 at 3:58 pm
The Magic Eight Ball Says: North Korea reneges on this agreement the moment one of their ships is stopped, boarded, and inspected.
October 31st, 2006 at 4:01 pm
Back to the Talks!…
North Korea now says that it’s willing to come back to the six-party talks. This comes only three weeks after it stuck its thumb in the eye of the international community by blowing up some sort of radiological device. The fact that they’re act…