[asia-apec 1683] Measuring Progress with North Korea

[Interhemispheric Resource Center]

Dear Colleagues,

The following links to a new Foreign Policy In Focus
policy brief discussing the current political climate
on the Korean peninsula, and the role of the United States
can play in promoting stronger diplomatic ties between
the North and South.  Please feel free to submit comments
to: infocus at irc-online.org
Comments, with permission, may be published in the
Progressive Response, the projects e-journal on U.S. foreign
policy and global affairs.

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FOREIGN POLICY IN FOCUS
http://www.foreignpolicy-infocus.org/
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Measuring Progress on the Korean Peninsula
by John Feffer
http://www.foreignpolicy-infocus.org/briefs/vol5/v5n41korea.html

U.S. policy toward North Korea continues to chart a hesitant course.
President Clinton plans a trip to Pyongyang, then cancels it. The U.S.
promises to lift economic sanctions, then insists that North Korea jump
through more hoops to get off the "terrorism list." The U.S. clears the way
for North Korean diplomats to participate in the UN's Millennium Forum, but
doesn't make the extra effort to prevent an embarrassing body search of  at
Frankfurt airport. And the U.S.-negotiated project to build two light-water
nuclear reactors in North Korea is hamstrung by delays and, more recently,
the announced withdrawal of a key supplier, General Electric.

The on-again, off-again approach of the Clinton administration is partly a
result of opposition to U.S. rapprochement with North Korea from key
congressional leaders and defense industry lobbyists. For its part, a
cautious North Korea has also conducted its own hard bargaining.

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best regards,
Tim McGivern

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Tim McGivern
tim at irc-online.org
Foreign Policy in Focus
http://www.foreignpolicy-infocus.org