Some very good news. It's being reported the Bush Administration will ask Congress tomorrow to remove North Korea from the "terrorist watch list".
While North Korea's behavior continues to be erratic and often troubling, the Bush administration's decision will be considered a major victory for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Deputy Secretary John Negroponte, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and others -- but the real winner is Department of State Asst. Secretary for East Asia Affairs Christopher Hill -- who has been under almost constant assault from John Bolton and others opposed to deal-making with North Korea. (Link)
Removing North Korea from the list is, no doubt, a negotiating point reached during discussions with the Koreans. It comes, as no coincidence, on the same day North Korea is to make declarations regarding the status of their nuclear programs.
North Korea has begun dismantling its Yongbyon atomic reactor as part of a deal reached at the talks in which it agreed to give up its nuclear programmes in exchange for improved diplomatic ties and economic aid, mostly in the form of energy. (Link)
One might presume, given the great success they've had defusing the North Korean threat, the Bush Administration would apply these learnings to dealing with a similar set of issues with Iran. Instead, the Administration's public Iran strategy is one of schoolyard bravado and obstinance.
In any event, congratulations to those folks in the Administration with the maturity and good sense to see negotiation as, in some cases, the course of strength.
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