Monday, July 16, 2007
Success In North Korea Argues Against Iraq War
I and others pointed out years ago that the way to control Iraq was through deterrence and negotiation. The President, however, declared after 9/11 that countries were either for us or against us. He used this justification, plus the threat of the use of chemical weapons by Saddam Hussein, as the reason to go to war.
But those of us on the other side of this argument wondered why the same reasoning did not apply to North Korea, especially since it was known that this country was developing nuclear weapons.
Today we have evidence that negotiating with the enemy can result in achieving our aims. International inspectors have confirmed that North Korea has shut down its only nuclear reactor in exchange for oil. As this country receives more fuel it will take further steps to terminate its atomic weapons program.
I sincerely wish we would have tried similar diplomacy with Iraq.
But those of us on the other side of this argument wondered why the same reasoning did not apply to North Korea, especially since it was known that this country was developing nuclear weapons.
Today we have evidence that negotiating with the enemy can result in achieving our aims. International inspectors have confirmed that North Korea has shut down its only nuclear reactor in exchange for oil. As this country receives more fuel it will take further steps to terminate its atomic weapons program.
I sincerely wish we would have tried similar diplomacy with Iraq.