Monday, April 14, 2003

Axis of Evil update

Hmmm…methinks the quick war in Iraq has gained the attention of the other Axis members:

Iran may consider resuming ties with U.S.

TEHRAN, Iran, April 12 (UPI) -- Iran on Saturday hinted at ways the Shiite Muslim country could resume ties with the United States, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

In an interview with the Rahbord (Strategy) periodical, published by the Center for Strategic Studies, Iran's powerful former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said the two decade-long freeze on relations between Iran and the United States could be resolved either through a popular vote or a decision by Iran's arbitration body, the Expediency Council.

And, on the other side of the globe, North Korea willing to talk to 'a sincere US'

North Korea has made a significant move towards dialogue with the US after an apparently successful attempt by China to break the deadlock between Washington and Pyongyang.

The North Korean foreign ministry said at the weekend that it would accept "any form of dialogue" if the US was willing to "change its policy".

Until now, Pyongyang had refused to discuss its nuclear programme with the United States unless Washington accepted bilateral talks, and had argued that the US was bent on war against North Korea.

Why the softening in North Korea’s position?

While Pyongyang has blown hot and cold in the past, it has now made a significant concession, which previously it had rejected. Analysts in the South Korean capital, Seoul, believe the North Koreans are seriously concerned that they may be next on President Bush's war list.

So, war really is the continuation of politics by other means.

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