Doug Bereuter: “there was a range of interesting reactions to the Bush administration's statements last week that they were willing to…”

“there was a range of interesting reactions to the Bush administration's statements last week that they were willing to resume talks with the government of North Korea, the DPRK, some suggesting this was a reversal of policy, perhaps a return to the North Korean foreign policy of the Clinton administration. Rather, the last 4- to 5-month period should be recognized as an appropriate pause in our intensive contacts with North Korea to reexamine the goals, tactics, achievements, and failures of American policy toward North Korea. During the last few years, there have been substantial and growing congressional concerns, especially among Republicans, over the Clinton administration's North Korea policy. North Korea is arguably the most dangerous and erratic nation in Asia, perhaps the world, with a ruling clique that is intent on surviving even at any cost to its people. Indeed, their policies have killed huge numbers of their people through starvation. I believe it remains the place where there is the greatest chance of U.S. troops becoming militarily engaged in a terrible conflict. The DPRK continues to forward-deploy a 1.2 million-man army. While finally agreeing to an indefinitely defined moratorium on missile flight tests, North Korea continues to develop and produce ballistic missiles, some of which are now capable of reaching the United States. In addition, there are certain indications that the DPRK may be maintaining a covert nuclear program.”