NK to Dismantle Nuclear Program

Posted on 9/2/2007 by Chirol

Just in:

U.S.: NKorea to Declare Nuclear Programs

GENEVA (AP) – North Korea agreed Sunday to account for and disable its atomic programs by the end of the year, offering its first timeline for a process long sought by nuclear negotiators, the chief U.S. envoy said. Kim Gye Gwan, head of the North Korean delegation, said separately his country’s willingness to cooperate was clear—in return for “political and economic compensation”—but he mentioned no dates.

Hill, a U.S. assistant secretary of state, said two days of talks between the United States and North Korea in Geneva had been “very good and very substantive” and would help improve chances of a successful meeting later this month with Japan, Russia, South Korea and China in six-nation talks aimed at ending the North’s nuclear weapons program and improving relations between North Korea and other countries.

“One thing that we agreed on is that the DPRK will provide a full declaration of all of their nuclear programs and will disable their nuclear programs by the end of this year, 2007,” Hill told reporters, using the initials for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

A stunning headline indeed, but is there more than meets the eye? What could the US have offered? Will NK honor the agreement? Is this Bush trying for one major foreign policy achievement before he leaves? Let’s see how this develops.

About Chirol

Sir Ignatius Valentine Chirol (1852 - 1929) was a journalist, prolific author, world historian, and British diplomat. He began his career as a foreign correspondent and later became editor of the London Times. After two decades as a journalist he joined Her Majesty's Foreign Ministry as a diplomat and was subsequently knighted for his distinguished service as a foreign affairs advisor. Additionally, he wrote a dozen books on foreign affairs including The Far Eastern Question (1896), Serbia and the Serbs (1914), The End of the Ottoman Empire (1920) and The Egyptian Problem (1921). He is generally credited with popularizing "Middle East" in reference to the Arabian Peninsula with his book The Middle Eastern Question (1903). "Chirol" is a US citizen and graduate student studying Defense and Strategic Studies and government contractor. As with the historical Chirol, he has traveled to over two dozen countries and lived abroad for many years. Chirol speaks English and German fluently with basic knowledge of manyl of others.
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7 Responses to NK to Dismantle Nuclear Program

  1. Mihnea Dumitru says:
    9/2/2007 at 10:30 pm

    To quote FARK, that was Bush can concentrate on Iran. As for incentives, there’s probably little else than what has already been talked about: normalization of relations, fuel, and South Korea’s continuation of the sunshine policy. At best, an extra side-deal with China for whatever economic help they might have wanted. Oh, and the renewal of Kim’s Blockbuster subscription :)

  2. Brent Grace says:
    9/2/2007 at 11:39 pm

    I’m not sure the question is “What did the U.S. promise them? But instead “What did China threaten them with?”

  3. subadei says:
    9/3/2007 at 3:53 am

    Good news no doubt (assuming it’s not 1994 redux) but a bit of a shutting the barn door after the horse is loose situation.

  4. Curzon says:
    9/3/2007 at 4:19 am

    I’ll believe it when I see it.

  5. Arcane says:
    9/3/2007 at 5:36 am

    I’m with Curzon on this one. If there’s one thing for sure about the DPRK, it’s that they simply cannot be trusted.

  6. Aceface says:
    9/3/2007 at 6:43 am

    “What did the U.S promised them?”

    Severed head of Shinzo Abe on a silver platter and a promise that everything KJI wants would be paid in Yen….

  7. feeblemind says:
    9/3/2007 at 5:07 pm

    Chirol and Brent Grace ask excellent questions. I agree with Curzon. I will believe it when I see it. My guess is there is less here than meets the eye.