Oil for nukes?

by Robert Koehler on February 4, 2007

Quoting former U.S. State Department Joel Wit, the Asahi Shimbun reports that North Korea is ready to freeze Yongbyon and accept IAEA inspections—although the reactor itself would remain off-limits, as would the October nuclear test site—in return for over 500,000 tons of crude oil a year and steps to lift financial sanctions on North Korean assets in Macau. The North will also demand it be taken off the State Department list of terrorism-sponsoring states. I hope Washington passes on the offer… if there was such an offer.

{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

1 michael February 5, 2007 at 9:33 am: The U.S. should only promise not to turn Pyongyang into the world’s biggest glass ashtray if it denuclearizes.
2 virtual wonderer February 6, 2007 at 7:44 am: Very very interesting. Have you noticed that Dr. Lankov’s been writing less columns and been extremely busy at RFA and FreeNK radio?

DailyNK reports:

1. Mass political prisoners escaping…
2. Roh followers joining Open Radio…
3. KJN heir to the throne of Jucheism, reports at odds with KJI… (only if it’s true!)

They say that a 2nd famine will probably not pan out. But who knows? We shall find out in 3 months time. If it hits, it’s all over for you who live in artillery range. If it doesn’t, they’ll wobble for another year’s time until Beijing Olympics seals their coffin. I’m looking forward to Beijing Olympics. It’ll be a wonderful opportunity to watch North Korean refugees do a 100 meter dash towards freedom jumping over chinese policemen hurdles. The wave of Chinese euphoria is bound to have an effect in North Korea. DPRK will probably receive an enormous amount of economic aid from China before the olympics and they probably will do a complete sealing of the border for the time being. Will it work this time? Not anymore.
3 snow February 6, 2007 at 12:40 pm: Yes, what will the US actually get in return if they give these generous benefits? The ‘promise’ to give up nukes and to allow inspections? Whoop-de-shit. Yet another sucker deal.