North Korea Caves on Talks
North Korea agreed last week to six-way talks regarding its nuclear program. The US, apparently, offered bilateral talks, as the nightmare state had demanded, under the framework of the hexa-lateral negotiations. Some may read this as the US giving in on a matter of substance while securing a point of appearance, but that is inaccurate. Rather, the North Koreans have over-played their hand and are trying to find a way to climb down. The US merely offered to hold the ladder.
North Korea depends heavily on the People's Republic of China for diplomatic and economic support, and the latest decline in Pyongyang's relations with Washington set off alarm bells in Beijing. Moreover, Washington has decided that the Chinese have been allowed to play games in the Straits of Taiwan for too long. A new report by the Americans says the Beijing regime is placing 75 short-range missiles a year within firing-range of Taipei. The Chinese complain that this is merely an attempt to get more American weapons into Taiwanese hands. It is nice to see that the Chinese understand American diplomatic language.
As a renegade province, the Chinese are anxious to re-absorb Taiwan into the Chinese nation-state. America plays along with this legal fiction (Taiwan has been de facto independent since 1949) when it wants to make the Chinese happy. But the leverage is clear. When North Korea steps out of line too far, Taiwan is Washington's counterweight.
Many observers point out that Taiwan's military may have a hard time using even more American weapons. That is not the point. The threat of a Red Chinese attack on Free Taiwan requires America to back its ally -- and if the Chinese want to prove they are not a threat, they can do something about the North Koreans.
The time, date, location and seating arrangements still have to be determined for the hexa-lateral discussions, but the first victory has gone to the US. The way to deal with Pyongyang, as the Kensington Review has said before, it through Beijing. And nothing gets the attention of the People's Republic faster than dealing with Taipei. Someone in the Bush administration is doing his job particularly well.