The new U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has been on a "round-the-world tour" designed to push U.S. interests abroad. Everywhere she goes, the hooliganism of U.S. diplomacy is clearly evident. Following talks in Seoul, the news agencies quote Albright saying that "the success of Korean peace talks depends on how badly the North Koreans are hurting." Referring to food shortages reported in the People's Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK), Albright said that the DPRK "can't expect help until it engages in peace talks." Using the request of the DPRK for humanitarian aid to blackmail the north Koreans is typical of U.S. foreign policy. The food shortages in the DPRK are the result of severe damage caused to agriculture as a result of tremendous rains and massive flooding. Rather than sympathizing with the people of the DPRK, the U.S., which claims to be the greatest champion of human rights, sees this tragedy for the people as a boon. While in south Korea, Albright also visited U.S. troops in the Demilitarized Zone. Even though it is the U.S. army which is occupying south Korea, Albright is reported to have "cautioned North Korea that the U.S. won't be divided from its ally, South Korea, in peace negotiations or on other issues." Shawgi Tell University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education [EMAIL PROTECTED]