Friday - July 07, 2006

Respect My Authority!

_{Gary Varvel - The Indianapolis Star-News}

The “Dear Leader’s” Quest for Recognition
_{July 6, 2006}

Despite worldwide protests North Korea says it wants to test more missiles. By demonstrating its military strength, Kim Jong-Il’s regime appears to want to force the United States into direct negotiations. The international community remains undecided about how it should react.

There aren’t many cars on the roads of insular North Korea these days; there isn’t enough petrol or diesel. Nevertheless, the country is aiming for the skies: After launching seven medium- and long-range missiles on July 5, the North Korean Foreign Ministry announced it would carry out further tests. “Our military will continue with missile launch drills in the future as part of efforts to strengthen its self-defense deterrent,” said a spokesman.

This statement seems to confirm the findings of South Korean secret service personnel who anticipate further short- and medium-range missile tests. Still, it seems the North Korean military is less inclined to fire any more long-range Taepodong-2 missiles.

The first test launch of the missile, which has a range of 6,700 kilometers and can carry a payload weighing up to 1,000 kilograms, ended after just 40 seconds in the Sea of Japan—a complete failure, which Pyongyang nevertheless managed to herald a “success”.

Nobody knows what is driving the “Dear Leader” towards the “provocation of the international community,” as United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice described it. Presumably he wishes to show the world that he is still a force to be reckoned with, despite the dire state of the North Korean economy.

It’s possible that he is also convinced that he can force the Americans into direct negotiations through a demonstration of strength and thereby demand concessions. Kim has always considered it a great dishonor that Washington will only deal with North Korea through six-party talks based in Beijing.

The goal of the North Korean regime is not just American economic assistance but also full recognition by Washington. That doesn’t appear impossible: an increasing number of members of the US Congress are calling on the US government to take a more direct and serious line with North Korea.

- More on this story at Spiegel Online ...

Posted by The Skipper     on 07/07/2006 at 10:19 AM   
Filed Under: • North-Korea •  
• Comments (10) • Trackbacks(0)  Permalink •  

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Not that very many people ever read this far down, but this blog was the creation of Allan Kelly and his friend Vilmar. Vilmar moved on to his own blog some time ago, and Allan ran this place alone until his sudden and unexpected death partway through 2006. We all miss him. A lot. Even though he is gone this site will always still be more than a little bit his. We who are left to carry on the BMEWS tradition owe him a great debt of gratitude, and we hope to be able to pay that back by following his last advice to us all:

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It's been a long strange trip without you Skipper, but thanks for pointing us in the right direction and giving us a swift kick in the behind to get us going. Keep lookin' down on us, will ya? Thanks.

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