'We will not be blackmailed'

The failure of recent talks between the United States and North Korea has been a disappointing early step in the avoidance of a military conflict on the Korean peninsula. According to Secretary of State Colin Powell, no real progress was made in ending the Korean nuclear program. During his testimony before the Foreign Relations Committee, Powell explained that the administration is "studying" the North Korean proposal that would require huge economic concessions in order for them to end their nuclear program. But he was also careful to remind his listeners that America will not be intimidated by threats.\nAccording to CNN.com, in a recent commentary given by Pyongyang's official Korean News Agency, the United States was threatened with war if it continues its aggressive policy toward their country or if it tries to bring economic sanctions via the United Nations. These days, it isn't often that we hear about countries threatening war on us, but considering their belief that they have a "self-defensive capacity and physical deterrent force strong enough to wipe out any aggressors at a single stroke," this big talk isn't so surprising.\nBut where does this leave us? A war with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is a prospect that's a little more unsettling than just chasing a tyrant out of Baghdad. However, it seems that avoiding a war at this point would necessitate giving in to the demands of a rogue state because they've made themselves a nuclear power. If we were to do this, how would countries like Iran view a policy that equates to negotiating with terrorism?\nThe U.S. stance may sound overly firm, and it may be easy for doves to complain that the administration is being too rigid for peace to be possible. However, Bush remembers that in 1994 the North Koreans agreed to shut down the nuclear program if the U.S. would provide it with aid to help meet its energy needs. We did our part, but the government in Pyongyang went ahead with their quest for nuclear weapons.\nThe United States is not in a position to avoid war without help. Most would tell you that threats from a madman like Kim Jong-Il are not hollow. So in order for us to avoid a devastating fight, we're going to need China's help. China has the ear of the communist dictator and could be a key to figuring out a peaceful solution. According to the Washington Quarterly, China has serious interests in North Korean regime survival and regime reform. Kim Jung-Il has made several trips to China in the last few years, and he has appeared to be quite interested in some of China's suggestions. Any progress made in peacefully changing North Korea would be thrown away if we had no choice but to take the country by force.\nThe Bush administration, for its part, has been acting as it should. We've stated our position and we will not be blackmailed into giving Kim Jung-Il more aid just so he can build an even larger army and missile stockpile. The DPRK has announced that it is not afraid to sell weapons to anyone who can come up with the cash. This creates a clear and present danger to the United States and unless countries like South Korea and China can talk some sense into the dictator in Pyongyang, the prospect of war seems inevitable. Nonetheless, the Bush administration should not deviate from its policy. If we start giving in to demands every time someone gets their hands on a nuke, this is going to be a long century for the United States.