So the world is, quite understandably, having a shitfit about the recent tests of sever guided missiles launched by North Korea. In theory, the madman running that country now has the ability to hit targets as far away as America's west coast (i.e. Los Angeles, San Francisco, etc.)
THe UN security council, in an uncommon act of competence, has decided that this cannot be allowed to continue. North Korea is a danger to the world, and something must be done.
Japan, understandably nervous about having a well-armed nutjob with a historic vendetta against the island nation in their backyard, has declared that North Korea must be punished via economic sanctions. (http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/07/08/korea.missile.japan.ap/index.html)
The three "West" powers on the UNSC (USA, France, UK) have supported Japan's hard line.
China has taken a much more common-sense approach to the situation. They have absolutely nothing to gain by North Korea's current situation, and feel a huge obligation to see that their "sphere of influence" remains stable and free from rogue states like this. (China also has a historic relationship with Korea spanning thousands of years, in which the penninsular nation was something of a "little brother" to China). Economic sanctions will do absolutely nothing to deter North Korea's missile and nuclear programs. They will just cause further suffering among the common people of that country who have no say over government policy anyway. It will only serve to further complicate the situation and give Kim Jong Il an excuse to further tighten his grip on the country.
As the 5th member of te UNSC with veto power, Russia is in a difficult position. I believe, deep down, they want to see North Korea disarmed and opened, if only for the gaurentee of stability in the region. Joining China in vetoing the sanctions would certainly do a lot to strengthen the less-than-sunny relations between the two nuclear powers. On the other hand, Russia cannot risk the economic wrath of "hawks" in Europe and the USA.
Forget Iraq, this is the issue which will determine the geopolitical climate of the world for rest of the decade.
THe UN security council, in an uncommon act of competence, has decided that this cannot be allowed to continue. North Korea is a danger to the world, and something must be done.
Japan, understandably nervous about having a well-armed nutjob with a historic vendetta against the island nation in their backyard, has declared that North Korea must be punished via economic sanctions. (http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/07/08/korea.missile.japan.ap/index.html)
The three "West" powers on the UNSC (USA, France, UK) have supported Japan's hard line.
China has taken a much more common-sense approach to the situation. They have absolutely nothing to gain by North Korea's current situation, and feel a huge obligation to see that their "sphere of influence" remains stable and free from rogue states like this. (China also has a historic relationship with Korea spanning thousands of years, in which the penninsular nation was something of a "little brother" to China). Economic sanctions will do absolutely nothing to deter North Korea's missile and nuclear programs. They will just cause further suffering among the common people of that country who have no say over government policy anyway. It will only serve to further complicate the situation and give Kim Jong Il an excuse to further tighten his grip on the country.
As the 5th member of te UNSC with veto power, Russia is in a difficult position. I believe, deep down, they want to see North Korea disarmed and opened, if only for the gaurentee of stability in the region. Joining China in vetoing the sanctions would certainly do a lot to strengthen the less-than-sunny relations between the two nuclear powers. On the other hand, Russia cannot risk the economic wrath of "hawks" in Europe and the USA.
Forget Iraq, this is the issue which will determine the geopolitical climate of the world for rest of the decade.