To Reach Pact With N. Korea, Bush Adopted an Approach He Had Criticized (Kerry's approach)

[ProSense]

To Reach Pact With N. Korea, Bush Adopted an Approach He Had Criticized

By Glenn Kessler
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 4, 2007; Page A17

Three years ago this month, President Bush met Democratic challenger John F. Kerry in a debate and declared that Kerry's answer on negotiations with North Korea "made me want to scowl."

Bush said that Kerry was advocating a "naive and dangerous" policy of offering to conduct bilateral negotiations with Pyongyang in parallel with the six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear ambitions. "That's what President Clinton did," Bush asserted, saying Kerry's idea would undermine the six-party talks. Clinton "had bilateral talks with the North Korean, and guess what happened: He didn't honor the agreement."

If there was any doubt, yesterday's announcement in Beijing of a new agreement with North Korea demonstrates how much Bush has adopted the approach he once condemned. The agreement was reached after bilateral negotiations between the United States and North Korea, held in parallel with the six-nation talks, just as Kerry had suggested.

Under the deal, North Korea is to begin disabling its core nuclear facilities at Yongbyon and provide a "complete and correct declaration" of all of its nuclear programs by Dec. 31. In exchange, the United States and North Korea will begin cultural exchanges and move toward a "full diplomatic relationship."

Citing the results of bilateral talks held between Pyongyang and Washington last month in Geneva, the six-party agreement strongly suggests that the United States will begin to remove the designation of North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism and end sanctions under the 1917 Trading With the Enemy Act by the end of the year "in parallel with" North Korean actions.

more

Bush admin's arrogance on North Korea; Kerry nails Bolton, SFRC hearings

South Korea says North committed to peace

If North Korea, Why Not Iran?

[whometense]

1. When I heard this story on the radio

yesterday morning, the first thought (after "good!") was exactly this: Kerry was right. Again.

And three cheers for Christopher Hill, who did the actual negotiating.

http://www.nysun.com/article/23314

[ProSense]

2. There was also an editorial:

Korean turnabout

October 5, 2007

During the 2004 presidential election, Democratic candidate John Kerry proposed that the United States engage in bilateral negotiations with the North Koreans over their worrisome nuclear program, but his opponent, President Bush, denounced the idea.

Well, times change and even Bush, usually so steadfast in his beliefs, eventually agreed to exactly what Kerry had suggested. As a result, this week the president's notorious "axis of evil" was further modified and the world at least appears to be a somewhat safer place.

"If there was any doubt, yesterday's announcement in Beijing of a new agreement with North Korea demonstrates how much Bush has adopted the approach he once condemned," The Washington Post reported Thursday. "The agreement was reached after bilateral negotiations between the United States and North Korea, held in parallel with the six-nation talks, just as Kerry had suggested."

<...>

American officials insist that pressure from China altered the negotiations, but Asian diplomats argue it was Bush's surprise shift that resulted in the agreement. One Chinese official said his nation's contribution was small when compared with Washington's belated decision to engage in bilateral talks.

So, President Bush winds up with a feather in his cap, but one that wins him no admiration from his political base. After all, who among them would want to concede that John Kerry was right after all?

[MH1]

5. "John Kerry was right"

A phrase applicable in more and more instances lately. Not that the media will usually tell us about it.

[Democrafty]

3. Thanks for this, ProSense!!!

And thanks to the WaPo for actually crediting JK with the idea - that's pretty rare!

[_dynamicdems]

4. Was right. Still is.

K&R for intelligent design, the kind we need more of.

[sandnsea]

6. He should be the candidate

Anybody who says they aren't led by the media, but repeats the garbage against Kerry, needs some serious time in front of the mirror.

[karynnj]

13. you said it

The Pygmies are getting smaller as the election approaches.

[MH1]

7. ..

:dem:

[politicasista]

8. K&R

:kick:

[beachmom]

9. K & R. Yep, Kerry is right. Again. n/t

[ginnyinWI]

10. K&R

Glad to see JK getting some credit.

[wisteria]

11. What a better place our country and the world would be in now if Kerry were president.

What are we up to on the count of "Kerry was right"?

[karynnj]

12. Nice that the Washington Post starts the article this way

Of all the topics, in that amazing first debate, this was one I think most people least understood. The situation was complicated, it had been hidden behind the Afghanistan and Iraq issues. Kerry had 2 minutes - in retrospect, he used them brilliantly.

I suspect years from now, any scholar looking at that first debate will be completely mystified that the election was not a landslide.

thanks for this incredible post.

I loved how Kerry got that little jab in on this in the grilling of the state department guy on the Burma hearing you posted about. (It was also cool to see Kerry willing to rub it in a bit.)

[MBS]

14. oh, yeah, totally

thanks for this post, prosense. . and for everyone's comments (at least so far :))
As to count of "Kerry was right" moments, I'm guessing: 100? 200?
Sigh