US and North Korean officials discuss Trump-Kim summit
By
Peter Symonds
14 April 2018
Behind-the-scenes talks are underway between US and North Korean officials over a possible summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The talks about talks have been taking place as Trump instals two militarists—Mike Pompeo and John Bolton—as secretary of state and national security adviser, respectively.
During his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, Pompeo re-affirmed his support for military action to end the so-called North Korean nuclear threat. He said he was “not optimistic,” based on past record, that the Pyongyang regime would agree to dismantle its nuclear program. Pompeo insisted that the US would not “provide rewards” before “we get that outcome permanently, irreversibly.” He was “hopeful that President Trump can achieve that through sound diplomacy.”
The US is effectively demanding that North Korea destroy its nuclear arsenal and dismantle its nuclear facilities ahead of any easing of crippling sanctions or moves to end decades of US-led diplomatic isolation and military threats. Previous denuclearisation deals with North Korea in 1994 and 2007 were sabotaged, not by Pyongyang, but by Washington—leading to deep suspicion in North Korea.
While claiming he did not support “regime-change” in Pyongyang, Pompeo made clear that the US would attack North Korea if it did not bow to Washington’s demands. He said Trump would not allow North Korea to have “an arsenal of nuclear weapons capable of striking the United States of America,” adding that Defence Secretary James Mattis “has been directed to present to the president a set of [military] options,” should diplomatic efforts fail.
Asked if he would envisage a scenario…