Clueless Bush on North Korean Nukes: Video

Clueless Bush on North Korean Nukes

North Korea Less "Evil" Than Iran and Iraq?

In July 2006, President George W. Bush was asked about the spectre of North Korea's increasing nuclear weapons arsenal. His reaction— dismissive, condescending, skeptical, defensive— reveals the striking difference in U.S. policy toward the Asian country compared with its fellow "Axis of Evil" amigos. Note Bush's body language, mannerisms, and comparatively non-aggressive tone as he significantly downplays the North Korean threat. Compare this with Bush's many self-assured statements about "Iran's nuclear weapons program", and his past claims about Iraq's supposed ties with Al-Qayda and non-existent "weapons of mass destruction".

Just four months after this testy exchange with reporter Suzanne Malveaux, North Korea created shockwaves worldwide after conducting a successful nuclear test in defiance of the United Nations. The massive explosion sparked international condemnation and an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council. President Bush called the test a "provocative act" and said it represented a "grave threat" to America and the world. Yet he wasted no time in associating the threat with his true target, Iran: "The North Korean regime remains one of the world's leading proliferator of missile technology, including transfers to Iran and Syria."

President Bush's Statement on North Korea Nuclear Test
October 9, 2006 - Diplomatic Reception Room

Last night the government of North Korea proclaimed to the world that it had conducted a nuclear test. We're working to confirm North Korea's claim. Nonetheless, such a claim itself constitutes a threat to international peace and security. The United States condemns this provocative act. Once again North Korea has defied the will of the international community, and the international community will respond.

This was confirmed this morning in conversations I had with leaders of China, and South Korea, Russia, and Japan. We reaffirmed our commitment to a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, and all of us agreed that the proclaimed actions taken by North Korea are unacceptable and deserve an immediate response by the United Nations Security Council.

The North Korean regime remains one of the world's leading proliferator of missile technology, including transfers to Iran and Syria. The transfer of nuclear weapons or material by North Korea to states or non-state entities would be considered a grave threat to the United States, and we would hold North Korea fully accountable of the consequences of such action.

The United States remains committed to diplomacy, and we will continue to protect ourselves and our interests. I reaffirmed to our allies in the region, including South Korea and Japan, that the United States will meet the full range of our deterrent and security commitments.

Threats will not lead to a brighter future for the North Korean people, nor weaken the resolve of the United States and our allies to achieve the de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Today's claim by North Korea serves only to raise tensions, while depriving the North Korean people of the increased prosperity and better relations with the world offered by the implementation of the joint statement of the six-party talks. The oppressed and impoverished people of North Korea deserve that brighter future.

Thank you.