NY Times: "The Bush administration on Sunday warned North Korea for the first time that if it conducted a nuclear test, the United States and several Pacific powers would take punitive action . . . ."
It is for times like these that you hope you've got the right kind of President in the Oval Office. The NY Times talks of the Bush administration drawing a "red line" over North Korea conducting a nuclear test, whatever "red line" means.
The US can do nothing to "red line" North Korea without the support of China. Is this the time China negotiates for what it has wanted since 1948? Taiwan? Or more precisely, back off Taiwan and we'll give your words against North Korea real meaning?
Whatever, the days ahead may well eclipse all else that is currently happening in the Bush-world of diplomacy. Hope George doesn't overreact.
The link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/16/politics/16nuke.html?hp&ex=1116216000&en=179eeb5d38c5a3ee&
amp;ei=5094&partner=homepage