Beijing has won a diplomatic victory over Washington in its political game over North Korea. North Korean leader Kim Jong-il confirmed the country’s readiness to resume six-party talks on its nuclear programme. However, the Barack Obama Administration responded to the move by expanding sanctions against Pyongyang.
The U.S. froze assets of another three state-run companies of North Korea to punish for its alleged involvement in the death of 46 South Korean sailors on board a patrol ship Cheonan after a blast rocked the vessel. In fact, despite strong pressure by Washington and Seoul, the UN Security Council saw no grounds to accuse Pyongyang of being involved in the incident. Meanwhile, the U.S. Administration needs to show its tough attitude towards North Korea ahead of the U.S. midterm elections where it will have to defend its shaky position in the Congress. Consequently, it has to provide any arguments in favour of the successful policy pursued by Barack Obama. In fact, the U.S. President has nothing to impress in his policy towards North Korea. Here is an opinion from an expert at the Institute of Russian Far East, Konstantin Asmolov.
“The anti-North Korean lobby in the U.S. is very strong since North Korea has long been demonized,” says Konstantin Asmolov. Some Protestant clergy even agreed on declaring Kim Jong-il anti-Christ. In these circumstances, agreeing to resume talks with North Korea means to go against American public opinion, which believes that America should finish “evil” off rather than agreeing to talk with it. Moreover, North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and does not behave as a subdued country that is ready to capitulate before the U.S. Consequently, a politician who agrees to hold negotiations with Pyongyang risks losing his rating. This is unacceptable for any politician and especially, for Barack Obama,” Konstantin Asmolov says.
At a time when the White House is trying to play the North Korean card by clearly aggravating the situation on the Korean Peninsula, China made a strong diplomatic move. Chinese President Hu Jintao invited Kim Jong-il to China for the second time in four months and offered him an opportunity to confirm its readiness to resume negotiations involving China, the U.S., Russia, Japan and North and South Koreas. This is a clear cut indication that North Korea is determined to break off the international isolation with China’s assistance despite attempts by Seoul, Tokyo and Washington to corner Pyongyang by imposing new sanctions or by provoking it to make ill-considered moves.
Clearly, the statement by the leaders of China and North Korea in favour of resuming six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear issue provides an opportunity to solve problems on the peninsula. This means China’s diplomatic victory over the U.S. will follow success in easing tension in North-East Asia.
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