Topic: Foreign Policy
The North Korea "Problem"? by Christine Smith
(Libertarian)
Sunday, June 29, 2008
George W. Bush by executive order declared a "national emergency" with regard to North Korea on June 26, 2008 to "deal with that threat," :
"I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, find that the current existence and risk of the proliferation of weapons-usable fissile material on the Korean Peninsula constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, and I hereby declare a national emergency to deal with that threat"
Then from the Press Secretary on the same day (just prior to Bush's Rose Garden appearance): "The United States will respond to North Korea's actions by lifting the provisions of the Trading with the Enemy Act as well as announcing our intent to rescind North Korea's designation as a State Sponsor of Terror in 45 days. During this period, the United States will carefully assess North Korea's actions particularly with regard to verification"
So Bush permits certain restrictions to remain, while lifting sanctions enacted under The Trading with the Enemy Act and declaring removal of North Korea from his list of state sponsors of terrorism. Has the U.S. empire's latest "national emergency" de-escalated so quickly?
All who think rationally and logically realize there is no actual state of national emergency regarding North Korea. I don't think very many Americans feel threatened by North Korea. After all, North Korean uranium enrichment activities, possession/development of nuclear weapons (crude nuclear devices), is relevant only to their region. But the continued imposition of sanctions hinders peaceful coexistence. And therein, in my opinion, lies the US government agenda: sowing continued seeds of conflict, while trying to get the label as "diplomatic."
Where is the threat? A nuclear device/missile does not threaten Americans in America, only U.S. troops stationed in Korea. But those troops shouldn't even be there, as we should end our military presence in South Korea - it serves no purpose. North Korea has no military capability to invade America - it's only threat would be to U.S. bases in parts of the world they have no business being in. So remove (not just reduce) all the troops and no Americans are threatened.
This executive order is a solemn and grim reminder of just what Bush can during his remaining term in officehe can do much harm and make much more provocation worldwide, while trying to appear to the media as someone who is making progress in international affairs. North Korea's potential weapon manufacturing or current weaponry pose no threat to America. Thus it is no business of the U.S. government, but again this government make it their business. And they have the audacity to call this "diplomacy." Leave it to South Korea, China, Japan, Russia relate to North Korea, but the U.S. government should stay out of it.
The fact is there is no North Korea "problem" or "situation." There is only a U.S. government problem.
Why then does North Korea become an issue in the presidential race? Everyone is asking what each of the candidates' position on North Korea would be (a loaded question again assuming there's a legitimate role of the U.S. government in the region). And again presidential contenders Obama and McCain offer no change - just meaningless rhetoric all of which shows that whomever takes the White House will continue the U.S. presence in parts of the world we should leave alone. Talking to them, verification, and all the other "solutions" politicians discuss assume a false premise that the United States should even have a voice in the matter. What North Korea develops (or the nations it decides to help) impact America not one iota - that is if the United States government were making decisions based on the best interests of Americans.
There is no "national emergency" in regards to North Korea - it exists only on paper in that executive order from Bush, his gang, and every politician who validates U.S. empire building by even considering it a problem.
The solution to North Korea and all the other foreign policy issues: withdrawal of all US troops from the over 700 military bases in over 100 countries posing no threat to America. Closing these overseas bases, combined with an immediate end to foreign aid/economic incentives, as well as the ending of the arrogant and cruel use of sanctions and embargoes by the US government, is the only way to create a prosperous and peaceful America. It is time to end the continued building of the U.S. military empire before its existence continues to harms Americans (security-wise and economically) even more. Only by ending the decades of empire building and imperialism (and the suffering and death it causes worldwide) will America hope to ever again flourish in peace, harmony and liberty. But you won't hear Bush or Obama or McCain propose the real solution - it doesn't serve their interventionist political agendas although it would most certainly serve the best interest of Americans.
Christine Smith is a writer and political activist from Colorado. You may visit her website: [link edited for length]
Did you like this article? If you did, Thumb It! 15 thumbs so far
The views expressed in this
article are those of Christine Smith only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Christine Smith is
solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an
employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
Have you missed the point that "little starving North Korea" is busy promoting and exporting this technology to all the worst places and people . This will all end with crying.
Spot on, Christine! I hadn't heard about the Emergency Declaration, but it's really odd when juxtaposed with the lifting of certain sanctions. Talk about a brain-bending double take!
Good Article Christine. I really wish you would of had more national exposure.
It's amazing how many of us find out that we are libertarians the "make sense" party.
Would you consider running as an independant?
I got to hear you speak on C-SPAN during the Libertarian Convention and was quite impressed with your views and share your concerns about Bob Barr as well. But as things go he seem to be the only canidate out there for now.
Want to comment on this
article? Leave your comment here. Your email address is
required to track your comment. However, we will neither
publish your email address nor distribute it to other
organizations or persons. The only reason we might use
it would be if we needed to contact you regarding your
comment. All comments are subject to our
terms of use policy.
