Thursday, December 08, 2005

Good Cop, Bad Cop

*Author's note: This was supposed to go up yesterday, but I typed the wrong email address...again.

It looks like we're back at the old (not-so) Merry-go-Round.

Yesterday the AP reporting that the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea reiterated it's assertion that North Korea is a "Criminal Regime," and using that assertion as a means to refuse lifting sanctions against the North.

I was starting to bristle at yet another political SNAFU by the present administration, but then there was rapid comment by South Korea's chief negotiator to the six party talks, "It's not desirable to publicly characterize the other side."

Now I feel OK because I'm pretty sure it's a means of applying pressure on North Korea as the talks continue... but doing it in a way that is face-losing and shame causing (not necessarily good things).

What makes me think so? If the Ambassador is making a statement that bold and direct, it was language that went through channels to the Secretary of State, and was likely cleared by the President. Whatever we think of the Administration, they are good at coordinating message. The sec-state likely bounced the idea off of Christopher Hill, the lead U.S. negotiator at the talks.

My guess is this is a case of the U.S. and South Korea playing "good cop, bad cop" on North Korea.

At least I hope so.

No comments: