1994

On October 21, 1994, the United States and North Korea signed an agreement-the Agreed Framework-calling upon Pyongyang to freeze operation and construction of nuclear reactors suspected of being part of a covert nuclear weapons program in exchange for two proliferation-resistant nuclear power reactors. The agreement also called upon the United States to supply North Korea with fuel oil pending construction of the reactors.

2007

North Korea agreed today to close its main nuclear reactor in exchange for a package of food, fuel and other aid from the United States, China, South Korea and Russia. The breakthrough, announced by the Chinese government after intense negotiations, came four months after North Korea tested a nuclear bomb.

The partner nations agreed to provide roughly $400 million in various kinds of aid in return for the North starting a permanent disabling of its nuclear facilities and allowing inspectors into the country.

Perhaps equally important, the United States and Japan agreed to discuss normalizing relations with Pyongyang. The United States will begin the process of removing North Korea from its designation as a terror-sponsoring state and also on ending U.S. trade and financial sanctions.

Just assume the standard commentary about George Bush being an idiot, not having any basis for suspending the 1994 agreement, causing the Kim Dae Jung government to fail, ensuring the North Korean nuclear tests, etc. Oh, and could you assume that my commentary was really witty? To be honest, there's just so many words in the English language, and with the Bush Administration breaking new ground in stupidity every day I'm finding it hard to keep everything fresh.

Thanks.

Update: To be clear, I see this development as a good thing, albeit one that shows how pitifully the Bush Admin has pursued its foreign policy goals.

The most important thing to understand about these talks and the agreement, however, is the role of the Chinese government. China - and to a lesser extent, Japan - brought everyone to the table, China led the talks and China produced the document to which the US has agreed - along with everyone else except for North Korea so far. I'm agnostic as to whether China's increased influence in Asia is a good or bad thing, but it's clear that it's rising power is at the expense of the USA's reputation and influence among Asian and Pacific governments.

While the Iraq War is necessarily dominating our national discourse and will be The Problem for the first few years of our next presidency, China's developing role in Asia especially and the rest of the world will have more lasting consequences for the USA and its place in the family of nations.

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