The North Korean/Syrian Axis

The CIA briefed U.S. lawmakers on Capitol Hill this morning concerning videotaped evidence of a nuclear facility in Syria that would have been capable of making plutononium and that Syria got a great deal of help from the North Koreans. The facility is said to be nearly identical to one built by the North Koreans in Yonbyon. The reactor had been built without the knowledge of the International Atomic Energy Agency, a violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. This facility was destroyed by Israel last September. (www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,352382,00.html)

Last fall, North Korea agreed to provide the United States, Japan, South Korea, China and Russia a full account of its nuclear programs in exchange for carrots and no sticks. A deal Bugs Bunny would love. North Korea has been getting fuel and other aid but apparently forgot to mention this Syrian reactor. If the North Koreans didn't stick to the agreement Jimmy Carter negotiated in 1994 why would they stick to this agreement? Their word isn't worth anything. If the North Koreans didn't disclose the reactor in Syria a reasonable person can conclude there are others they haven't disclosed either. So much for trust but verify.

As for Syria, I know Olmert is prepared to return the Golan Heights but isn't this rewarding bad behavior? They build a nuclear reactor, Israel destroys it. That should be the end of it. But no!!! Olmert is prepared to compensate them for it by giving back the Golan Heights. The Syrians will probably thank Israel by building another reactor on the Golan Heights. Syria hasn't done anything to warrant any kind of discussion concerning the Golan Heights. If they were really serious about it they would have expelled Khaled Meshaal before Jimmy Carter could have a chance to talk with him.