Posted by
arandomguy on Friday, October 13, 2006 12:11:39 AM
Russia and China collectively announced today that they oppose the tough sanctions the US has called for in dealing with a nuclear North Korea. Furthermore, they say they want time to work out more "moderate" responses to NK's nuclear grandstanding.
China, of course, opposes any mention of Chapter 7, which can be used to authorize economic sanctions, military actions, and naval blockades. China and Russia would rather see sanctions designed to halt North Korea's weapons programs, specifically their nuclear weapons programs.
They further object to the wide range of economic sanctions imposed on North Korea, as well as a provision authorizing (but not requiring) the inspection of all imports and exports to and from North Korea. They are concerned that this would lead to military responses by the North - something they don't want.
US Ambassador to the UN, John Bolton got it right: "We're certainly in favor of keeping all the diplomatic channels open, but we also want swift action, and we shouldn't allow meetings, and more meetings to be an excuse for inaction," he said earlier today.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin had this to say: "The international community will easily understand if on the matter of this gravity and importance, the Security Council will take a few more days to have a reasoned and united response to the challenge we face from this explosion in North Korea."
I'm sorry Mr. Ambassador - but I'd rather see a response now. The "international community" doesn't have time to waste here with worthless meetings that amount to nothing. Haven't we had enough of that with Iran already? Do we need to have endless, worthless discussions with North Korea too? Didn't the lessons of Iraq and Iran teach you anything? Like, that rogue dictators will do what they want, and that they don't care at all about your dumb sanctions!?
Of course Churkin has to attack the US too, criticizing our characterization of North Korea as part of the Axis of Evil. Take this item: "And we know that in this problem, in this part of the world, some strong statements made by others than the Security Council have hurt the entire thing and have aggravated matters. So we do not want to repeat this on the level of the Security Council."
The "High level of the security council?" A dead toad has a higher level of diplomatic integrity than the Security Council does. North Korea is part of the Axis of Evil, and the fact that they are a rogue regime with nuclear weapons proves it. They are evil - and they have nukes. Now is not the time to stand around discussing angry letters that we can send to North Korea. Action must be taken, and it must be done now before it is too late (if it isn't too late already).