What Did The U.S. Give To The North Korean's For The Release Of Two U.S. Journalists?

Kim Jong Il (right) poses with Bill Clinton. Photo AFP

O's North Korea Giveaways -- New York Post

LAST week, I speculated about what "ransom" the Obama administration may have had ex-President Bill Clinton promise to win the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee from the North Korean regime.

It didn't take long to learn at least the first concession. President Obama has broken with past US policy to agree to bilateral talks with North Korea -- a diplomatic plum that Kim Jong Il has sought for years, and a major coup in his attempt to nail down the succession of his 26-year-old son, Kim Jong Un.

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My Comment: Putting aside the 6-party talks is a major set back in international attempts to get North Korea to give up on their nuclear program. North Korea always felt uncomfortable being opposite from the table of both China and Russia. Both countries (Russia and China) are the only countries that have any serious leverage on the leaders of the North. Removing them from the table will remove the biggest threat against the North, and permits both Russia and China to now say that they are off the hook and are not bound by any agreement (or disagreement) between the U.S. and North Korea.

More News On North Korea

US Treasury Announces Sanctions On North Korea Bank -- Wall Street Journal
U.S. sanctions North Korea bank on weapons concerns -- Reuters
U.S. Calls Again for North Korea to Rejoin Nuclear Talks -- Global Security Newswire
Indians Fire On North Korean Ship -- Strategy Page
What Did US Offer to North Korea? -- Korea Times
North Korea, Iran, and John Bolton - -Foreign Policy