All with out a shot being fired.

Think for myself · 06-27-2008, 10:05 AM

Does diplomacy and international pressuere work? Sure seemed to in this case.

North Korea destroys cooling tower at nuclear plant - International Herald Tribune

In a gesture demonstrating its commitment to halt its nuclear weapons program, North Korea blew up the most prominent symbol of its plutonium production Friday.
The 60 foot, or 18meter, cooling tower at North Korea's main nuclear power plant collapsed in a heap of shattered concrete and twisted steel, filmed by international and regional television broadcasters invited to witness the event.
The destruction of the tower, the most visible element of the nuclear complex at Yongbyon, about 100 kilometers, or 60 miles north of Pyongyang, bore witness to the incremental progress that has been made in U.S.-led multilateral efforts to end North Korea's nuclear weapons programs.
"As you all saw, the cooling tower is no longer there," Sung Kim, a senior U.S. State Department official who witnessed the blast from a hill, told South Korean television. "It's a very significant disablement step."

michaelr · 06-27-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Think for myself

Does diplomacy and international pressuere work? Sure seemed to in this case.

North Korea destroys cooling tower at nuclear plant - International Herald Tribune

In a gesture demonstrating its commitment to halt its nuclear weapons program, North Korea blew up the most prominent symbol of its plutonium production Friday.
The 60 foot, or 18meter, cooling tower at North Korea's main nuclear power plant collapsed in a heap of shattered concrete and twisted steel, filmed by international and regional television broadcasters invited to witness the event.
The destruction of the tower, the most visible element of the nuclear complex at Yongbyon, about 100 kilometers, or 60 miles north of Pyongyang, bore witness to the incremental progress that has been made in U.S.-led multilateral efforts to end North Korea's nuclear weapons programs.
"As you all saw, the cooling tower is no longer there," Sung Kim, a senior U.S. State Department official who witnessed the blast from a hill, told South Korean television. "It's a very significant disablement step."

Well ya we starved them into submission.

Think for myself · 06-27-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelr

Well ya we starved them into submission.

I disagree Mike.

They starved themselves. 45 of the total population is active military. That would be like us have a 12 million member active military. Not cheap. Couple that with the usual misguided micro management by so called communists, and you end up with North Korea.

michaelr · 06-27-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Think for myself

I disagree Mike.

They starved themselves. 45 of the total population is active military. That would be like us have a 12 million member active military. Not cheap. Couple that with the usual misguided micro management by so called communists, and you end up with North Korea.

Ok Think, we never had an embargo. It was there fault for wanting to defend themselves.

Think for myself · 06-27-2008, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelr

Ok Think, we never had an embargo. It was there fault for wanting to defend themselves.

Mike, they are a Chinese ally.
Aside from keeping the Chinese from overtaking Korea, what are we currently doing that would qualify as an embargo?

michaelr · 06-27-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Think for myself

Mike, they are a Chinese ally.
Aside from keeping the Chinese from overtaking Korea, what are we currently doing that would qualify as an embargo?

Sorry embargo was a bit harsh, sanctions is what I should have used. It looks like Bush is going to lift them, it is about time. Sanctions are an act of war and we should be very careful before we slap countries with them. I am happy that the N. Koreans gave up their nuclear ambitions.

Think for myself · 06-27-2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelr

Sorry embargo was a bit harsh, sanctions is what I should have used. It looks like Bush is going to lift them, it is about time. Sanctions are an act of war and we should be very careful before we slap countries with them. I am happy that the N. Koreans gave up their nuclear ambitions.

I agree that we should be careful about who we slap the sanctions on, and I am glad that this little problem is over.

Merantes · 06-27-2008, 01:50 PM

I hope you're right, TFM. This is the most promising thing I have seen out of NK in maybe 15-20 years, but we have been burned by them before.

freckles · 06-27-2008, 02:43 PM

Thank god. We so would have lost that fight.

Think for myself · 06-27-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merantes

I hope you're right, TFM. This is the most promising thing I have seen out of NK in maybe 15-20 years, but we have been burned by them before.

Maybe this is a ruse, but I am hopeful.