western motel club

Kofi Annan proves the U.N. is toothless when dealing with dictators. Again.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan appealed for funds Monday to “avert a major humanitarian crisis” in North Korea and create better conditions to peacefully resolve the nuclear standoff.

Surprised?

The United States has said it would consider food and other economic aid if North Korea dismantles its nuclear programs. North Korea has rejected the offer as a precondition for talks and has said the United States is insincere.

Well, if you give a little, you get a lot. I hope Bush stands by his pledge in the SOTU address.

America is working with the countries of the region — South Korea, Japan, China, and Russia — to find a peaceful solution, and to show the North Korean government that nuclear weapons will bring only isolation, economic stagnation, and continued hardship. The North Korean regime will find respect in the world and revival for its people only when it turns away from its nuclear ambitions.

The crisis can be averted. Ya just gotta say please.

UPDATE: “On second thought…” This one kinda dampened my mood.