Thursday, October 12, 2006
VOA: US Likely to Accept Nuclear North Korea
Words matter.Voice of America published an article Thursday that supports speculation by China Confidential and other observers that the United States is softening its stance toward North Korea.
According to VOA, US policy and pronouncements are likely to change in the wake of Pyongyang's nuclear weapon test. Whereas the official US government line, articulated by Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill before the explosion, was that Washington would never accept a nuclear North Korea, the revised rhetoric will reflect a new reality--de-facto acceptance of a nuclear North Korea.
"This shift was apparent in comments President Bush made on North Korea, at the White House Wednesday," VOA reports. "Mr. Bush indicated that one of his main concerns now is not whether North Korea will go nuclear, but that Pyongyang could transfer nuclear technology to others, including terrorists and rogue states."
The VOA article quotes a former State Department official as praising Washington's decision to draw a "red line" at proliferation activities.
VOA, which began broadcasting on radio in 1942, is a multimedia news and information service funded by the US government.
