Cheney ‘Not Enthusiastic’ About Bush’s North Korea Policies: ‘We Clearly Have Not Achieved Our Objective’
Cheney ‘Not Enthusiastic’ About Bush’s North Korea Policies: ‘We Clearly Have Not Achieved Our Objective’
Vice President Cheney has long hinted at objections to the Bush administration’s diplomatic engagement with North Korea. If Cheney had his way, “we wouldn’t have had the six party talks,” said former Cheney aide Aaron Friedberg. When the administration decided to take North Korea off the list of state sponsors of terrorism, Cheney hinted at his disapproval, telling Steve Clemons, “I’m not going to be the one to announce this decision.”
In an interview with his biographer Stephen Hayes, Cheney went a step further, indicating his opposition to Bush’s North Korea policy. Asked whether he “celebrates” the administration’s attempt to secure a commitment to end the country’s nuclear weapons program (North Korea is still resisting full nuclear verification), Cheney dodged, “shaking his head” and looking at the floor. “I think I’m going to take a pass,” he said.
Cheney kept resisting. When asked if Bush’s policies were “preemptive capitulation,” he hedged, “Steve, you’ve put me in a difficult position here.” “I’m trying to avoid your question,” Cheney said. Finally, Cheney relented and admitted that he was “not enthusiastic” about Bush’s decision to de-list North Korea:
Q: Was it appropriate to go to them and say, hey, we’ll take you off of this list, given the whole range of their activities that you just outlined?
CHENEY: Well–Lea Anne [Foster, the vice-presidential spokesman] is over there saying, what’s he going to say? (Laughter.)
Q: I’m just thinking of the history books here.
CHENEY: Yes. It’s not a decision that I was enthusiastic about. I don’t make those decisions. I’ve been involved, obviously, in that ongoing debate, but I think the North Koreans have not lived up to their obligations.
Cheney had harsh words for the outcome of Bush’s North Korea policies. “We clearly have not achieved our objective with North Korea, primarily because…they did not give us a full and complete disclosure of their nuclear program as they promised they would,” he stated.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice — who has battled with Cheney on engaging North Korea — seems to be more sanguine about Bush’s East Asia legacy. Rice said recently that Bush is leaving Obama with “a pretty good framework” for future engagement with the nuclear power.
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So which one is Mr Pink?
January 12th, 2009 at 7:48 pmWe clearly have not achieved our objective, you are not in jail were you belong.
January 12th, 2009 at 7:48 pmIf Cheney had his way, “we wouldn’t have … talks,” said former Cheney aide Aaron Friedberg.
Fixed.
Of course Cheney’s objectives in NK haven’t been achieved. The North Koreans are still alive.
January 12th, 2009 at 7:55 pmYeah, Cheney isn’t thrilled since he can’t scrape up the remains of the North Korean regime off the ground with a pancake spatula for a keepsake.
January 12th, 2009 at 7:59 pmThe dictator of North Korea is so crazy, it is almost impossible to deal with him. But Cheney’s way with dealing with everyone is death.
The only reason Bush and Cheney did not bomb N.Korea is because they have a nuclear weapon they would use.
January 12th, 2009 at 8:06 pmWhatever you may think about G.W. Bush, one thing is for sure – Five Deferment Dick is ANOTHER self-serving back stabbing mf’er!
January 12th, 2009 at 8:09 pmHey DIck.what’s the weather like in Wyoming?…that should be your major concern now…
January 12th, 2009 at 8:11 pmYou mean North Korea is not a sheet of glass?
January 12th, 2009 at 8:17 pmDid Cheney just throw W under the bus?
January 12th, 2009 at 8:18 pmcurious Says:
The dictator of North Korea is so crazy, it is almost impossible to deal with him. But Cheney’s way with dealing with everyone is death.
Kim Il Jong’s way, too.
The only reason Bush and Cheney did not bomb N.Korea is because they have a nuclear weapon they would use.
Nah. It is the thousands of artillery pieces they have in range of Seoul and the backing of China that stopped any military action. There was never a real military option for us there. If we attacked, they would counter-attack and the only way we could stop them would be with tactical nukes, which are not a viable option. If N. Korea wants a nuke, China is the only one who can really stop them, and China likes the whole controversey because it takes attention away from their own human rights abuses.
January 12th, 2009 at 8:23 pmThose are harsh words from dc? I didn’t see the f-word anywhere in there.
You mean they all totally agreed on everything else? Heaven forbid there might be a slight hint of disagreement. What do you think this is, a free country?
January 12th, 2009 at 8:30 pmThey might have been much farther along if they hadn’t sent the arrogant idiot, Bolton, to negotiate early on!!!!
January 12th, 2009 at 8:34 pmcaption…
“Ohh, we’re off to see the wizard…”
January 12th, 2009 at 8:35 pm(or)
“Follow the yellow cake road!”
January 12th, 2009 at 8:36 pmNevar, Atleast it seems others get your caption references. Mine struck me immediately but may be a bit obscure…
January 12th, 2009 at 8:40 pmIt triggered nothing in my mass hoard of trivia, will you please illumine us?
January 12th, 2009 at 8:45 pmCheney was the biggest player in this disastrous administration. Now he has to snake his way out the backdoor to a waiting Leer jet. He has a lot of skin to shed and may very well get away with collectively shot gunning all of our faces.
January 12th, 2009 at 8:54 pmCheney has had plans laid within plans for decades. I would not be surprised to see him skipping the country soon after the inauguration.
January 12th, 2009 at 8:59 pmThe objective Cheney speaks of is billion dollar contracts to his defense industry cronies for a missile defense system. Wasn’t his buddy Donald Rumsfeld the head of a company that sold North Korea weapons technology in the 90’s?
January 12th, 2009 at 9:15 pmI googled it, dbadass, very apropo!
January 12th, 2009 at 9:17 pmIt is just something about that pic that brings to mind that crews intro walk. I suppose they were just “Doing it my way”
January 12th, 2009 at 9:19 pmdbadass Says:
Nevar, Atleast it seems others get your caption references. Mine struck me immediately but may be a bit obscure…
_____________
“Have you guys been listening to K-BILLY’s super sounds of the seventies weekend?”
January 12th, 2009 at 9:20 pmThanks The Republic of Stupidity.
Maybe it is just me but that was the first thing that came to my mind and it was immediate upon seeing that picture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzMpH9jjo4w&feature=related
January 12th, 2009 at 9:24 pmBBBBennie and the Jets…..
January 12th, 2009 at 9:25 pmMust have thought they were going to steal BILLIONS AND BILLIONS like in Iraq. Poor little dicky…
January 12th, 2009 at 9:32 pmdbadass Says:
Thanks The Republic of Stupidity.
Maybe it is just me but that was the first thing that came to my mind and it was immediate upon seeing that picture
__________
Thasss all right. Yer welcome.
I personally have only watched “Pulp Fiction” about 20 – 25 times.
“What’s the matter? Oh, you were finished. Well then, allow me to retort. …”
January 12th, 2009 at 9:33 pmAnd don’t forget “True Romance”…
“If there’s one thing this last week has taught me, it’s better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it.”
January 12th, 2009 at 9:36 pmTRoS,
“I don’t remember asking you a goddamn thing!” ;)
(Love that movie; dbadass’s, too. I gave his first comment a recommend.) Back on topic…
You know, if Bush hadn’t named North Korea as a founding member of the Axis of Evil, maybe they would have been just the tiniest bit more cooperative?
January 12th, 2009 at 10:00 pmAuntie M! Auntie M! I had the most horrible dream!
The Scarecrow was President, the Tin Man was Vice President, and the Cowardly Lion was Secretary of State!
January 12th, 2009 at 10:15 pmAnd Flying Monkeys controlled both houses of Congress!
January 12th, 2009 at 10:15 pmshoeless,
“It was a dream of extraordinary magnitude!” (suddenly has to hide arm with flame-thrower attachment that crept into view)
January 12th, 2009 at 10:17 pmI shouldn’t have fallen asleep in that poppy field in Afghanistan. Tell me. Did the Wicked Wahabi of the MidEast get away?
January 12th, 2009 at 10:25 pmClinton left Bush with a pretty good framework and what did he do with it? He provoked N. Korea into some provocative missile test and restarting nuclear testing. The framework Rice is talking about is a reversion back to something similar to what Clinon gave Bush. What we really have is a wasted 8 years.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:25 pmIf only Rumsfield or someone like that was in there. Oh and if all four had horses…
January 12th, 2009 at 10:49 pmRe: The Tarantino references — here are some visions way more disturbing than anything QT has come up with so far.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:59 pmCheney’s objective was to restart the Korean War.
January 12th, 2009 at 11:09 pmYes, Mr. Obama deserves his position. He has the qualities, especially the patience for the long run campaign. Also, he has the sympathy of the people. There’s no wonder for him to won. With payday loan reform going on in New Hampshire, it seems the nation’s finances are on everyone’s mind. Barack Obama gave his economic address today, and Republican leaders had a few things to say about their ideas regarding the plan. Luckily, everyone agrees that we need a stimulus package, and fast. Too many Americans need a payday loan nowadays just to make ends meet. Not surprisingly, though, House Minority Leader John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell agreed that the plan, as proposed, was too expensive. Boehner called for balance, and McConnell suggested that money given to states should be loans instead of grants. To read more about their thoughts on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, payday loan.
January 12th, 2009 at 11:36 pmThis is the Tarantino reference I got out of the pic above.
Also:
Uncle Fester Lurks Says:
The objective Cheney speaks of is billion dollar contracts to his defense industry cronies for a missile defense system. Wasn’t his buddy Donald Rumsfeld the head of a company that sold North Korea weapons technology in the 90’s?
Also, this totally wins the “HOLY SHIT, I’M DUSTING OFF MY TINFOIL HAT FOR THIS ONE!!!” prize of the day. Remember when NK shot up that bottle rocket and we just HAD to have a satellite ICBM shield or they’d be able to hit Anchorage on a clear day? Yeah… that.
January 12th, 2009 at 11:41 pmElBruce Says:
Also:
Uncle Fester Lurks Says:
Also, this totally wins the “HOLY SHIT, I’M DUSTING OFF MY TINFOIL HAT FOR THIS ONE!!!” prize of the day. Remember when NK shot up that bottle rocket and we just HAD to have a satellite ICBM shield or they’d be able to hit Anchorage on a clear day? Yeah… that.
““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““`
Wow I can’t tell if you don’t know how to read or what? “Dusting off my tinfoil hat for this one!
Not sure where you are going with this, you either misunderstood my comment or you are an idiot who believes those ‘bottle rockets’ actually pose a threat to us?
You know…just like the reason the Bush State department spokesman gave as to why we need to sell those missile defense systems to Poland…So that they can defend themselves against future missile attacks from North Korea and Iran!
Bah ha ha…Poland has to worry about future missile attacks from Iran and North Korea…now that my friends is funny.
January 13th, 2009 at 12:00 amBut your 18% are clearly still enthusiastic, huh Dick.
January 13th, 2009 at 4:44 amOne week from today, and America’s long national nightmare will finally be OVER.
I feel almost giddy, like a child before Christmas, at the thought of seeing the last of the vice-failure.
January 13th, 2009 at 7:20 amCheck that.
More like an injured emergency-room patient, who’s been sitting in the waiting room for eight years.
January 13th, 2009 at 7:51 amThe Cheney school of diplomacy…if it opens its mouth, shoot it. If it does it again, shoot it. Then pay somebody to wipe up the mess.
January 13th, 2009 at 9:26 amSsohbeto many Americans need a payday loan nowadcetays just to make ends meet.There was never a real military option for us there.bedava mp3 indirBush’s policies were “preemptive capitulation,” he hedged, “Steve, you’ve put me in a difficult position here.
March 1st, 2009 at 11:36 am