World>Terrorism & Security
posted March 23, 2005, updated 12:30 p.m.

Rice trip message on N. Korea, Taiwan

But Sec. of State doesn't pass up the chance to champion democratic principles in Pakistan and China.

By Jim Bencivenga | csmonitor.com

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice continues to rack up the diplomatic equivalent of frequent flyer miles.

Last month it was an extensive tour of European capitals.. Her mission: repair relations with leading European powers damaged by the Iraq war, as well as thank countries that support the US war effort.

This month, Ms. Rice just concluded a six-nation visit to Asia. Her mission: generate momentum for a highly ambitious and complex set of foreign policy initiatives in a region of the world that prior to 9/11, President Bush considered the central concern of US foreign policy.

•Break the gridlock on the dicey standoff with North Korea over nuclear weapons.

•Carefully raise US concerns over the anti-secessionist law recently passed by China proclaiming its rights to invade Taiwan should Taiwan, in China's view, be seen as becoming too independent.

•Float the notion of possible expansion of Japan's military role in the region.

•Make clear to India the reasons for US objections to an Iranian pipeline running through Pakistan to supply energy to India.

•Put on hold the eventual sale of F-16 jets to both India and Pakistan.

And opportunistically, while in Pakistan and China, Rice used public appearances to paint with a broad brush the reasons why democratic principles must be be allowed to flourish.


03/22/05 Gitmo abuse allegations linger 03/21/05 Turkey, US relations hit new rough spot 03/18/05 Security at center of North American summit

Sign up to be notified daily: Find out more.

Much of Rice's efforts in East Asia were "directed toward getting some resolution of the North Korean nuclear problem," reports the National Business Review (NBR).

Her strategy was to present the matter as a regional crisis, not just the US vs. the rogue-state-of-North Korea.

Rice argued the US position that "a nuclear-armed North Korea is a problem for the region, not just the US," says NBR.

North Korea withdrew from the six-party (the US, South Korea, Japan, Russia and China) talks last June. On February 10, the North announced that it had nuclear weapons.

The US believes China has the ability, if it is so inclined, to bring North Korea back to the bargaining table. The argument is that China is the main provider of North Korea's needs and this should give China a lever to persuade the North Koreans. Dr Rice pressed China, which has been the host of talks, to put pressure on North Korea to return.

But absent pressure from China there isn't much the US can do, writes Jasper S. Kim, in a column for the Korea Herald.

China can cut off food, fuel and agricultural supplies; but no UN sanctions are likely to happen since China wields a Security Council veto. There's nothing internally that can force North Korea to do anything and the US isn't likely to take unilateral military action.

On her arrival in South Korea Rice visited a bunker, "Camp Tango," which will become the command center for Korean and US forces in the event of war with N. Korea. She did this during a joint semi-annual exercise between US and Korean troops, including 17,000 flown in from US bases – " just as a reminder that we have deterrent capability," a US official said, according to the Korea Herald.

Her second South Korean public event was held at an online roundtable with Internet-based journalists in Seoul, writes the Korea Herald in an editorial. South Koreans enjoy the world's highest per capita broadband connection to the Internet.

In her roundtable with Internet-based journalists in Seoul, Rice set forth democratic values as the goal of US foreign policy.
US Embassy officials who arranged the roundtable might have thought that the on-line journalists represent Korea's liberal voice that is generally skeptical about the future of the South Korea-US alliance. That she wanted to speak to the audience which can be reached via the Internet press indicated she had some apprehension about the status of bilateral relations with South Korea despite her expressed confidence in the alliance.

In China, in addition to the issue of a nuclear North Korea, Rice shifted the diplomatic focus to control of the Taiwan Straits. She agreed to disagree with China over its recently passed anti-secessionist legislation.

Before her arrival in the region she added a major regional wrinkle on Taiwan, reports the Times of London. She signed a new defense pact with Japan, which included for the first time an explicit reference to the mutual interest in the security of the Taiwan Straits and the free passage of shipping.

Rice told Japan that it would have US backing for a permanent seat on the Security Council and she was approving of the fact that Japan appears to be moving toward "a bigger military role in the northeast Asian region and possibly further afield," writes Mr. Kim in the Korea Herald.

Even more, the United States may then condone Japanese efforts to amend article 9 of its constitution. Such a constitutional amendment would allow Japan to take a more active military role in the region, creating a post-1945 renewed military self-awareness, which could also have a notable impact on the stability of the region.

Rice did not miss the opportunity to use her public venues to send a message, in this instance on religious freedom, reports the Chicago Tribune. She attended Palm Sunday services at the Gangwashi Christian church.

Her attendance was rich in symbolism and it came as the United States and China are engaged in delicate negotiations over issues ranging from North Korea's nuclear program to human rights and China's growing military prowess.
Rice sat in the front row of the church - also once visited by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright - which was so crowded that many worshippers had to listen on loudspeakers outside. She listened to a translation of the service wearing headphones that she removed to sing hymns she knew by heart. In keeping with local custom, she was welcomed as 'Sister Rice.' In the guest book at the state-sanctioned church, she wrote, 'Yours in Christ.'

She emphasized in China a theme she had raised in Pakistan, just a few days before. "Even China must embrace some form of open representative government if it is to reap the benefits and meet the challenges of a globalising world." reports NBR.

Khaleej Times columnist A. Masroor, favorably commented on how Rice made democracy the centerpiece of her public statements in Pakistan.

Rice appeared to be making a conscious effort to dispel the impression that the people of Pakistan do not count for anything in the eyes of the US, that Washington was beholden to Musharraf alone and that given a choice between an uniformed Musharraf and democracy President Bush would put his weight behind the General. And unlike her predecessor [Colin Powell] she talked more about Pakistan and its people and very rarely did she mention Musharraf by name or title when characterising the growing bilateral links between the US and Pakistan.

Her efforts were noted as a way to "absolve the US from the charge of being hypocritical on the issue of democracy in the case of Pakistan," writes Mr. Masroor.