Nevertheless, a resolution was circulated in the UN Security Council that called for sanctions to be placed on the North and — as expected — it was met with strong opposition from none other than Russia and China.
In closed consultations Wednesday, Russia and China made clear their distaste for a resolution, which could be legally enforceable.
While China's distaste for a resolution against the North is readily understood — China is after all the North's number one trading partner — what exactly was Russia's excuse?
Russia secretly offered to sell North Korea technology that could help the rogue state protect nuclear stockpiles and safeguard weapons secrets from international scrutiny . . . (Washington Times, July 9)
Yeah. That makes sense.
Japan, meanwhile, decided to air a military threat of their own earlier today:
Japan said Monday it was considering whether a pre-emptive strike on North Korea's missile bases would violate its constitution, signaling a hardening stance ahead of a possible Security Council vote.
Japan's constitution precludes the country from using military force to settle international disputes. Of course, Japan lacks the military capability to carry out the threat so it doesn't much matter:
A Defense Agency spokeswoman . . . said Japan has no offensive weapons such as ballistic missiles that could reach North Korea.
Japanese fighter jets and pilots are not capable of carrying out such an attack, a military analyst said.
"Japan's air force is top class in defending the nation's airspace, but attacking another country is almost impossible," said analyst Kazuhisa Ogawa. "Japan has no capacity to wage war."
Actually, Japan can carry out the attack, but their pilots wouldn't be able to return to Japan. In other words, it would be a suicide mission, which the country's constitution would surely frown upon.
If anything, Japan's empty threat undermines the international community's efforts — and those of the US in particular — at reigning in the North. After all, Kim Jong Il will surely recognize that Japan's threat was the product of frustration rather than careful planning. More importantly, it alerts the North to the fact that the United States and Japan are not presently engaged in bilateral discussions on a potential military strike on the North's weapons facilities.
The Western world faces a major handicap in its dealings with the North. Democratic nations tend to be excessively transparent. The North, by contrast, is exceptionally secretive and is far more deserving of Winston Churchill's quip, "Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma," than Russia ever was.
Article comments
1 - JP
If this is the first thing that "leaves me to question his ability to lead our nation," join the club.
2 - JustOneMan
So Dr...do you think the military should have a section in the NYT that would give a daily update on our "covert" and secret actions?
I have to belive if this was a REAL threat we would have blown it upo while still in the launch pad...
Dont let your anti-Bush view of the world get in the way of reality....remember its another cold war...
3 - Bliffle
Bush blew his wad on the unnecessary and useless war in Iraq. How stupid.
4 - Peter J
It doesn't matter if the launch was an idle threat. Bush caught his little dick in his zipper again with one of his 'Bring it on' stances.
Only a fool issues a warning he's not willing to back up.
5 - JustOneMan
You 2 guys Barfle and Pud...are pathetic...if he did blow it up you would be whining that he is a war monger...
Keep spiting up more nonsense from Howard Deans DNC playbook...it does sound pretty pathetic
6 - Ray Ellis
Ever notice how JustOneMan spits and sputters a great deal, but never says anything?
7 - Peter J
Ignore him, He'll go away
8 - Maurice
"Ironically, President Bush's new-found respect for multilateral negotiations could not have come at a worst time. Rather than take the action needed to neutralize the North's ever more threatening posture, the president has appealed to the United Nations in order to diffuse the crisis. Apparently, the president overlooked the fact that passing a legitimate resolution in the UN is like passing a kidney stone " it's slow, painful and generally unsuccessful."
Great writing. You haven't plagiarized I hope.
9 - Dr Politico
Maurice,
"Great writing. You haven't plagiarized I hope."
Thanks and never.
10 - Bliffle
This situation illustrates the failing of a strong president (or dictator): Every decision MUST go thru him, even relatively small decisions. He is The Decider. Any Pretenders to Decidership are punished and consequently initiative dies in a CYA environment. But The Decider has neither bandwidth nor knowledge adequate to handle all the inputs he has and all the decisions he MUST make. Ultimately, chaos develops.
11 - Peter J
If Bush keeps drawing lines in the sand we're going to wind up in the ocean.
It's embarrassing to acknowledge his office.
12 - JR
Ironically, President Bush's new-found respect for multilateral negotiations could not have come at a worst time.
Shouldn't that be "worse"?
13 - Dr Politico
JR,
"Shouldn't that be "worse"?"
Actually, "worst" functions as an adjective as well as a noun and adverb.
Still, I meant to use "worse," but oversights will occur during proofreading. I hope I haven't offended you too much.
14 - JustOneMan
WARNING WARNING
Editor...just because you dont agree with someones response or defense of a position allows you to edit amd or eliminate their posts
So how much is the DNC paying you guys? hmmmm Based upon the level of posters in here they are not getting their monies worth...in addition your supposed to make the left louie Dems looks smart and enlightend...based upon what I am reading in the above posts you are allowing them to sound like the bunch of pathetic Dumbocrats who throw stones but offer no solutions...thats no way to win elections...
keep up the good work!