EDITORIAL
The decision by North Korea to stop its nuclear weapons programme with a bang is encouraging. Blowing up the five-megawatt reactors at Yongbyon was a dramatic line separating the old, secret hermit and - one hopes - the new, outward-looking country.
That doesn't mean that Pyongyang has met its full responsibilities of being a full member of the world community. But by turning over some details of its nuclear programme and destroying the cooling tower on live TV, North Korea took a giant step in the right direction.
Just two countries have ever reversed a secret nuclear programme. North Korea could soon join South Africa and Libya in an international effort to stop proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. If Pyongyang truly wants to turn away from nuclear weapons, it will find support in the region, and around the world.
It is essential that North Korea continue to prove its nuclear disarmament. It must allow and encourage international inspection. From today on, it is a prime task of leader Kim Jong-Il to ensure that his country not merely continues to move away from terrible weapons, but allows the world to witness it. "Trust but verify" is a necessary part of international relations.
Access to all levels of the North Korean defence planning is necessary if Pyongyang is serious about rejoining the world.
It also must be noted that North Korea still has odious policies. First and foremost is the refusal to help Thailand, Japan and other countries find information about citizens almost certainly kidnapped and perhaps worse by Pyongyang agents. It is a black stain on Mr Kim and his intelligence service that such violence took place. He must be encouraged and pressed to give up all that he knows about the abduction of Anocha Panjoy of Chiang Mai and dozens of other such cases. In a short time, one also should expect to see a forthright explanation by North Korea of any involvement in the Burma nuclear programme.
US President George W. Bush might say that the Pyongyang deal means that two members of the axis of evil are gone, one to go - meaning Iran. In truth, the violent overthrow of Saddam Hussein and the quiet, successful diplomacy with North Korea say something collectively about Teheran. They prove that the end is more important than the means.
The Iranian nuclear programme must worry any thinking person for two reasons. First is the terrible threat that a new nuclear power will cause in the Middle East. But the more important concern is Iran's refusal to be candid about its plans. An open, credible regime lives in peace with its neighbours, in a civilised world community. A secretive and confrontational government such as Iran can establish credibility only if it opens up its nuclear programme and ambitions to outside scrutiny.
The Iraq government of today is a credible regime. The North Koreans appear committed to come in from the cold. They can join the rest of us in trying to better this imperfect world. Pyongyang has taken many of the steps needed to establish its intention of becoming a more open member of the world of nations.
By declaring its intentions, and by taking steps to wipe out its secretive and untrustworthy nuclear past, North Korea will help to further world peace and to ease tensions throughout East Asia. So long as it moves forwards in its programme of openness and verification, the Pyongyang regime deserves the support of neighbours and the rest of the world.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Next
