Thursday, February 17, 2005

This?

     For a fuller discussion of John Negroponte see the link, from SourceWatch (formerly Disinfopedia).  Includes this most telling of tidbits

[F]rom 1971 to 1973, Negroponte was the officer-in-charge for Vietnam at the National Security Council (NSC) under Henry Kissinger

     Meanwhile, ever stalwart ally Britain claims to have lost 30 kilograms (66 pounds) of Plutonium.  British officials declare nothing's wrong and that "This is an accounting exercise."  Perhaps next time they can do accounting exercises with pencils and paper.
UPDATE: David Corn, at The Nation, has another article on John.

     Meanwhile, in East Asia...

     Now, the Remain Calm "Orange Team" (this naming pre-dates Yuschenko's efforts) in China/Taiwan, (4th or 5th in prominence, after Red, Blue and Green teams), believes China has no right to Taiwan (despites PRC's claim) and Taiwan has no right to China (despite Kuomintang claim's).  The US is (no surprise) being complete idiots now. 

  • US criticizes China for increasing military.  US claims this upsets Taiwan/China balance.  I believe China plans to take advantage of the US extension of forces (Iraq, Afghanistan, perhaps waiting for one more) to invade Taiwan.  I believe it is a rational strategy.
  • US criticizes Japan for engaging in trade talks with North Korea.
  • US Ambassador to Japan, former Senate Majority Leader, Howard Baker, III, critcizes North Korea, calling it an "irresponsible regime" and "a deadly threat.

     NOTE: Bush has placed hopes for a resolution to the crisis in North Korea on six-party talks, those six parties include, China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Russia and America.

     NEW NOTE: Bush has replaced the old guy for the six-party talks, and put in Christopher Hill.  This, actually, might be a good thing.  After a little more research, here and here, it looks like Mr. Hill isn't any sort of hero, take this exchange

Q: I have met some Korean officials who have said that the U.S. seems to be limiting its information sharing with South Korea regarding the North. For example, the Yanggang-do explosion last September. Because the U.S. did not provide timely information, South Koreans had a difficult time analyzing the situation. Could you provide your comments?
Hill: I don't want to sound too much like a diplomat, but let me just say, we don't discuss specific intelligence issues. But, generally, and I must say including that incident, we have an excellent, excellent intelligence relationship, and an excellent relationship in sharing. I've worked with a lot of countries, I've never seen a better one.

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