The pressure mounts on Bush as Asia frets over a nuclear future

[cal04]

21 leaders fail to agree Korean text
Doubts grow over America's policy
The biggest diplomatic gathering in the Asia-Pacific region ended in confusion yesterday, as the leaders of 21 countries, including China, Japan, Russia and the United States, failed to agree on a statement condemning North Korea’s nuclear test.

After two days of meetings by heads of government the most that the leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) forum could agree on was a verbal statement expressing “strong concern” about the graduation to nuclear status of one of the world’s most isolated states.

The results of the summit, in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, represent a bad omen as the great powers in Asia prepare for what many regard as their last chance to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons programme.

(snip)
Pressure is growing on President Bush to deal directly with Pyongyang, especially among US Democrats, invigorated by their success in midterm elections. South Korea insists that engagement is the only way to bring Kim Jong Il, the North Korean leader, out of isolation. The inconclusive results of the Apec talks suggest that other Asian nations share their doubts about US policy.


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,25689-2461972,00.html

[whistle]

1. The Asian leaders all got a good look at Dubya in action...

...and collectively barfed
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[lyonn]

2. The Asians are confused?

We Liberals understand perfectly about confusion and bush's statements.

[babylonsister]

3. What US Democrat is pressuring this admin about N. Korea?

Seriously, what am I missing?

[cal04]

4. maybe this is what he's talking about

Democrats Blast Bush Policy on N. Korea

The Bush administration came under fierce attack yesterday from Democrats for its North Korea policy, with the incoming chairman of the House International Relations Committee saying that change is "long overdue" and that the United States should allow its chief nuclear arms negotiator to visit Pyongyang, North Korea's capital.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/15/AR2006111501360.html

[babylonsister]

5. Thanks. It sounded like the Dems were encouraging * , and I

hoped no one would encourage him to do anything at this point.
We need to get rid of him and get someone in there who knows what's going on.
I think the world needs to take a deep breath and not ask the US to do anything
now; we'd all be better off.