In response to Thursday’s letter, “Bush’s belligerence provoked situation”:
The writer expresses outrage that President Bush “pushed Kim Jong Il to build North Korea’s first nuclear bomb.” Perhaps it escapes the writer that North Korea has not kept its nuclear weapons agreements during the past 15 years. Perhaps it escapes him that North Korea was supplied with light-water nuclear reactors, billions of dollars worth of oil, and every concession known to man under the Clinton foreign policy scheme of the 1990s. And all this was done with little or no inspection of his nuclear facilities. Hmm, I wonder where North Korea got nuclear weapons capability?
Given North Korea’s track record on keeping agreements, it is astounding the writer thinks it reasonable to believe Kim Jong Il will abandon his nuclear weapons programs if he’s assured that the U.S. will not launch a pre-emptive attack. Given all we know about North Korea, it is astounding that he believes “this issue could have been easily resolved through normal diplomacy.” If it’s so easy, then why didn’t Clinton resolve it 10 years ago?
The writer feels it’s belligerent that Bush included North Korea in the “axis of evil.” I’m not sure what the problem is; Reagan had the guts to call the Soviet Union the “evil empire,” and look what happened. Maybe we should use more such phrases when describing our enemies – they apparently implode when you do.
Bush isn’t going to take pre-emptive action. But if he’s smart, he will ensure there is a strong defensive posture by America and its allies in the region. This is the best and only hope for security and nuclear deterrence in East Asia.
Scott Passey
Edmonds
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
