Two Korean leaders

It is perhaps one of the most historical days in a modern Korean history. Two Korean leaders are meeting in Pyongyang for a summit. The Korean peninsula divided by a heavily fortified DMZ (Demilitarised-Zone), the 38 parallel, has been at war since 1950s.

There are both optimistic and sceptic views on this Korean summit. Optimists argue that this will lead to few steps towards eventual reunification of the peninsula, whereas critics say this will bring another “pocket money” into the dictator’s account.

Although this summit should be welcomed by the international community, President Roh of South Korea must be warned that making any naïve concession or emotional approach towards the North would be catastrophic.

 

Burma

The Burmese military regime incites fear, yet they live with fear. Those autocrats such as the Burmese regime, the North Korean and the Zimbabwean etc. fear power of people, hence brutal oppressions. They may or may not know that dictatorship is incompatible with human progress. Perhaps, they know it, yet do not want to admit it. So they act with brutal forces.

I always wonder if there is anyway the international community could intervene into the situation. Yes, national sovereignty does matter a lot. But what about humanity? If the international community built based on universal principles of democracy (human rights, civil liberty, justice, indivisible freedom) doesn’t act, what will prevail? Intervention might sometime be necessary rather than option.

 

Clinton on the World

Clinton Q&A on today’s world : METRO Newspaper August 17, 2007

1.         What is the fundamental nature of the 21st century world?

A.        Nature of the 21st century is “Interdependence“. “Globalisation“ has an exclusive economic connotation.

2.         Is it a good or bad thing?

A.        “Good and Bad” Interdependence offers ambivalence.

3.         How would you like to change it?

A.        Characteristic of downside of interdependent world can probably be categorised into three. First, inequality. Second, instability. Third, unsustainability. You need to do something on those three area.

4.         What steps are necessary to change it?

A.        We should move the world which is unequal, unstable and unsustainable to communities, locally nationally and globally. Every truly successful community has three things in common: Shared opportunity to participate; A genuine sense of shared responsibility for the community’s success; and a sense of belonging. So, how do we move from interdependence to community? First, you have to have security policy. Second you also have to have a more vigorous diplomatic effort. Third, you have to have a policy to fill the world with more friends and fewer enemies.

5.         Who's supposed to take those steps?

A. Governments and organisations like the UN have to take the lead in security and diplomacy. But Active involvement of ordinary citizens is vital and necessary.

Clinton argues that every single fundamental problem of the world come is rooted in an imperfect sense of identity.  He said “ Do we really believe that our difference are more important than our common humanity?”

 

From Bill Clinton: 5 questions

 

(From Metro Newspaper on August 17, 2007)

Former US President Clinton asks public these 5 questions:

1. What is the fundamental nature of the 21st century world?
2. Is it a good or bad thing?
3. How would you like to change it?
4. What steps are necessary to change it?
5. Who's supposed to take those nsteps?

-TO BE CONTINUED-

The Korean Summit

On Wednesday August 8, the governments of North and South Korea announced the 2nd time historical joint-summit in Pyongyang. At the end of this month, the South Korean President, Roh Moo-hyun, will fly into Pyongyang for a meeting with the North's leader Kim Jong Il. For the North, this summit is:1.  to ensure more financial and material aid from the South.2.  to make good gestures with the soft-approaching South administration. It will likely be troubling for the North if the opposition party of South Korea, seen to be a hardliner, wins the December national election in the South.3.  to strengthen relations with its neighboring and attempt to marginalize Japan within the six-party system.------------------------------For the South, President Roh's party is desperate to win the December national election as his party is increasingly getting unpopular in the country. He hopes it to be a boost for the upcoming election. We should not rule out positive results of the Korean summit. But this will perhaps not become any more than the great gesture. When it comes to North Korea, you have no reason to be optimistic.

Personal Note: Coming home...

In three weeks..I'm coming home in Iceland. Just getting back to normal.

Japan's Abe

This is obviously not the best time for Japan's PM Abe as his party was utterly defeated in the Sunday's upper house election. "It was a severe result. We accept the people's judgement seriously and sincerely...However, it is my responsibility to continue with my mission in building a new nation and pushing for reform." Abe said. Now, majority of Japanese public are demanding his resignation, even though he is not obliged to do so as he was elected by the Lower House which functions as a main national legislative organ of the country.Abe has now pleaded to reshuffle his cabinet members.Right after Abe took over Tokyo office after the charismatic Mr Koizumi, he immediately came up with the slogan "Beautiful Japan".The reasons for this electoral defeat for Mr Abe were rather clear: 1. Pension fund problem. 2. Repeated unprofessionalism of His ministerial colleagues. 3. Emphasis on an ambiguous slogan "beautiful Japan" 4. lacking clear leadership. Among many others.Mr Abe insists he will not resign, yet intensive pressure is only growing even from inside his own party. This is clearly not his best time. Neither is it his worst time. His worst time is yet to come unless he succeeds to achieve what he has promised to achieve and to select a well-functioning and professional cabinet members.

 

Alan Johnston of the BBC paid a visit to the Amnesty.

 

 Alan Johnston of the BBC and AI’s Secretary General, Irene Khan. Photos taken by my colleague Cheehee An of AI's East Asia team. 

 

Putin of Russia

The UK expelled four Russian diplomats yesterday in response to Moscow's refusal to extradite Lugovi, the prime suspect in the murder of Litvinenko. There is also a tension between the US and Russia over US's plan to build missile defense systems in the East Europe. Now, is this a beginning of a new Cold War? How will the relation between the West and Russia be from now?I would not believe it will result in immediate deterioration of a bilateral relation between the UK and Russia. What I would believe however is that it would make process of solving some of international problems, such as Kosovo's independence, Israel-Palestine peace settlement, Sudan crisis etc...more difficult as Russia is one of the strongest political influences in the world.This is surely not the best time of the history of the West-Russia relation.

North Korea and its nukes 2

My colleagues have accused me of being too skeptic over the North Korea's denuclearisation process. YES. UN inspectors have verified that North Korea has shut down its Yongbyon reactor. YET, it would be extremely premature to assume that North Korea's dear leader is ready to give up his nuclear weapons. No way.Shutting down the reactor is only the very beginning of the process. For now, at least we have a way forward, which is more possible than no way at all. The February agreement seems diplomatic triumph for the international community. And yet it only put the difficult issues down the road. It doesn't even state anything to touch very sensitive issues such as the nuclear weapons themselves. Do remember! North Korea does possess the nuclear weapons! Not one but quite few!Again, let me say this. “The Dear Leader” will NEVER give up the nuclear weapons. That’s very certain.  The international community must come up with different tactic.