What could go wrong because of a “bad” deal with Iran? Ask Ambassador
Robert Gallucci. A former career diplomat, he cemented the 1994 nuclear
agreement with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Gallucci was hailed
for diffusing the world’s greatest nuclear proliferation threat of his time.
Compared to what appears to be on the table at the P5+1
talks however, North Korea gave up far more than their Persian counterparts
ever will. Pyongyang agreed to shut down three nuclear reactors along with strict
inspections by the UN International Atomic Energy Agency. North Korea also
reaffirmed its membership in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and agreed to
be a party of the 1992 Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean
Peninsula.
Following a successful charm offensive by the late Kim
Jong-Il, the “Agreed Framework” ensured that DPRK received generous
international aid in return. This included 500,000 tons of heating oil
annually, the building of two new Light Water Reactors and numerous other
material incentives, all courtesy of the international community and, in
particular, the American taxpayer.
Sadly, the Agreement was the perfect ruse for DPRK nuclear
scientists. To be sure, North Korea received its annual shipments of oil and
South Korea started construction of two 1,000 MW reactors. Former Secretary of
State Madeleine Albright even feted Kim with gifts, including autographed NBA memorabilia.
Fast-forward to 2003 and North Korea withdrew from the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty. Then on October 9, 2006, DPRK detonated its first
atomic bomb.
Given the pathetic state of North Korea’s economy, the world
wonders why the Kims have sacrificed so much in pursuit of their nuclear
ambitions. One reason may be that their hatred of their South Korean neighbors
– along with the U.S. and Japan – outweighs their love of their own people.
The Obama Administration and the Europeans certainly harbor
the hope of achieving peace in our time. But a real peace? That depends on
whether we can trust Iran’s leaders to uphold their word. Even more
importantly, it also depends on whether Ayatollah Khamenei loves his people
more than he hates Israel, the U.S. and the Infidels of the western world.
What could go wrong? Just ask Ambassador Gallucci.
