On Sun, Mar 10, 2002 at 02:06:06PM -0800, Ronaldo Carpio wrote: > Has all that aid since 1995 affected the NK government?
Yes. Now, when North Korea wants some help, they go to Europe to ask for it. And the Europeans are putting conditions on the aid. Here are some of the things this aid accomplished: - It kept a dialogue going, and allowed the Europeans to have some amount of influence in the region - It fed many hungry people, and perhaps gave some hope that they have not been forgotten - Could possibly be used to open some channels for surveillance or covert communication with any possible opposition to the current government - It shows the North Korean people that good things can come from freedom and democracy while their government cannot even supply food for them. - It provides an opening for the North Korean government to begin to reform without completely losing face. It is always a good idea to leave the door open, however unlikely you think it is anyone will step through. - It sets the precedent that the Europeans care about the North Korean people, lest anyone mistake opposition to a totalitarian regime for hatred of the North Korean people. This is important in and of itself, and becomes even more important if force must be used in the future. -- "Erik Reuter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.erikreuter.com/
