Envoys from six nations are trying to agree on steps to implement a September 2005 deal in which North Korea pledged to disarm in exchange for aid and security guarantees. The 2005 deal — the only one to emerge since negotiations began in 2003 — was a broad statement of principles that did not outline any concrete steps for dismantling North Korea's nuclear program.
I have no doubt we can sign an agreement with North Korea. The question is whether North Korea will obey it.
And since I hope our strategy in regard to North Korea is to squeeze them until they collapse rather than help that gulag with a UN seat to survive, I worry that a deal will save the northern regime.
But this is just a first step and I don't assume that the North Koreans will agree to anything that will satisfy us or the Japanese.
Quite honestly, Kim Jong-Il could sign his name incorrectly on any document and it would satisfy the South Koreans, Chinese, and Russians. So only our opinion and Japan's opinion really matters.
So don't break out the champagne yet.
UPDATE: Indeed, the Japanese aren't too impressed:
Kenichiro Sasae, Japan's top nuclear envoy, said he did not think there would be an agreement, after a day spent discussing the Chinese proposal for a set of reciprocal steps aimed at implementing a 2005 deal that calls for North Korea to disarm in exchange for security guarantees and aid.
So don't celebrate yet.
