A deadline agreed upon two months ago for North Korea to shut its nuclear reactor in Yongbyon has slipped today. The U.S. is – surprise, surprise – of course blaming the People's Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK).
"We don't have a lot of momentum right now. That is for sure," U.S. assistant secretary of state Christopher Hill told reporters in Beijing before meeting his Chinese counterpart, Wu Dawei. The U.S. blocked USD25 million in accounts at the Banco Delta Asia in Macao and the DPRK wants its money back before implementing the nuclear deal. The 25 million was blocked, unblocked, free to pick up, too hot to handle...
Former U.S. deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage said North Korea was “using the excuse that the haven't actually gone to Macao to pick up the money yet”. First of all, Armitage should shut up. According to U.S. laws he is a criminal for leaking the identity of covert CIA agent Valerie Plame. Second, not even the Bank of China dares to handle the money out of fear for U.S. retribution. No longer a “communist” bank, the Bank of China's shares on the New York Stock Exchange may suffer if the White House farts. Third, if Washington really wants to put some momentum in solving North Korea's nuclear conundrum, why doesn't it put 25 million dollar in the pockets (or suitcase if his pockets aren't deep enough) of Bill Richardson who visited Pyongyang this week?
The U.S. is spending 12 million dollar every HOUR on the war in Iraq. The price of two hours and a couple of minutes of Iraq warfare could put some “momentum” in the North Korean process. Doesn't this prove that the U.S. simply doesn't want a peaceful solution to the North Korean stand-off?
Washington failed to resolve the bank issue within 30 days as promised. Why should the DPRK keep its end of the bargain?
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