President Trump says he would be ‘honored’ to meet with North Korean dictator

[CPUd]

President Trump says he would be ‘honored’ to meet with North Korean dictator

President Trump said Monday he would be “honored” to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “under the right circumstances.”

Trump's comments came amid heightened tensions with North Korea, whose nuclear weapons program has sparked deep concerns in the international community, and just a day after Trump said he would not rule out military action against North Korea.

[Trump is not ruling out military action against North Korea]

“If it would be appropriate for me to meet with him, I would absolutely, I would be honored to do it,” Trump told Bloomberg News in a Monday interview. “If it’s under the, again, under the right circumstances. But I would do that.”

The president acknowledged that his willingness to meet with a dictator known for oppressing his people — comments that are sure to spark an outcry from everyone from diplomats to the human rights community — was more than a little unconventional.

“Most political people would never say that,” Trump said in the Bloomberg News interview, “but I’m telling you under the right circumstances I would meet with him. We have breaking news.”

In his daily news briefing Monday, White House press secretary Sean Spicer stressed that Trump said he would only meet with Kim “under the right circumstances.”

“We've got to see their provocative behavior ratchet down immediately,” Spicer said. “There's a lot of conditions that I think would have to happen with respect to its behavior and to show signs of good faith. Clearly, conditions are not there right now.”

On Saturday, Trump invited Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to visit the White House, despite the leader's controversial war on drugs that has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Filipinos. And Spicer also tried to explain that visit in the broader context of the situation with North Korea.

Asked about the extrajudicial killings of drug users, many of them poor, on Duterte's watch, Spicer said, “There's a human rights component that goes into all of this,” but added, “This isn't a simple yes-or-no kind of situation.”

“You've got a country, in North Korea, that possesses a nuclear weapon and is looking for the appropriate delivery system to potentially do harm,” he said. “I think the president recognizes that the number one priority is the protection of our people, the safety of our people and the safety of the people in the region, and so it's not just a question of either-or. It's a question of priorities and balance.”

While the White House may not always provide a readout of Trump's private meetings that are critical of world leaders, Spicer added, the conversations he has and the relationships he builds in private may strike a different tenor, part of the president's effort to build “an effective coalition” around the globe.

The president has a history of praising, and even seeming to admire, the strongmen dictators who more typically earn international condemnation than grudging respect. His relationship with and seeming fondness for Russian President Vladimir Putin dogged his campaign and now continues to distract in his administration.

And Trump hosted Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi at the White House last month, despite Sissi being barred from the White House under President Barack Obama, after coming to power through a military takeover.

Asked in the daily briefing about the administration's perspective on a possible meeting with Duterte, Spicer cast it as a strategic move to help deal with the escalating situation in North Korea.

“I think it is an opportunity for us to work with countries in that region that can help play a role in diplomatically and economically isolating North Korea,” Spicer said. “And, frankly, the national interests of the United States, the safety of our people and the safety of people in the region, are the number one priorities of the president.”

Spicer did add, however, that Trump was likely aware of the controversy surrounding Duterte and his abysmal record on human rights, when he extended an invitation to visit the White House. “The president gets fully briefed on the leaders that he's speaking to, obviously,” he said. “But the number one concern of this president is to make sure we do everything we can to protect our people, and specifically to economically and diplomatically isolate North Korea.”

For all the talk Monday on isolating North Korea, the president has also praised Kim before. In an interview with CBS's “Face the Nation” on Sunday, Trump said Kim was “a pretty smart cookie” because “at a very young age, he was able to assume power.”

“A lot of people, I'm sure, tried to take that power away, whether it was his uncle or anybody else,” Trump said on the Sunday show. “And he was able to do it. So obviously, he's a pretty smart cookie.”

Kim had his uncle executed in 2013. He is also widely believed to have had his half-brother assassinated in February.

[Kim Jong Un is a top suspect in his half brother’s death. But questions abound.]

Spicer defended Trump's “smart cookie” comment Monday, echoing the president's praise for Kim's ability to fend off threats to his totalitarian regime.

“He assumed power at a young age when his father passed away, and there was a lot of potential threats that could have come his way, and he's obviously managed to lead a country forward despite the obvious concerns that we and so many other people have,” Spicer said. “You know, he is a young person to be leading a country with nuclear weapons.”

During the campaign, Trump also expressed a willingness to meet with Kim should he visit the United States, saying, “What the hell is wrong with speaking?”

“I wouldn't go there, that I can tell you,” Trump said at a campaign rally in June. “If he came here, I'd accept him. But I wouldn't give him a state dinner like we do for China and all these other people that rip us off.”

...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/05/01/trump-says-hed-be-honored-to-meet-with-north-korean-dictator/

[FSP-Rebel]

I'm totally not surprised you're taking this seriously. Nice source btw.

[enhanced_deficit]

President Trump is probably conflicted in case of NK's leader, but there is a troubling pattern emerging with reports of very controversial foreign leaders that Trump is happy to meet. Just today media had reported that Philippines Prez was invited to Trump White House even after he had used crude language about Obama (he used W-word (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?504969-Did-Trump-cross-the-line-by-inviting-a-foreign-leader-who-called-Obama-quot-son-of-a-whore-quot-twice&p=6460715&viewfull=1#post6460715)) and NK leader that Trump will be honored to meet had also crude language about Obama (M-word (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?465497-N-Korea-Calls-Obama-Monkey-in-Hacking-Row&)).
These is going to big controversy if these meetings took place.


Related

Ted Nugent’s repeated calls for Obama’s death didn’t stop Trump from hosting him at the White (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?510113-Ted-Nugent%E2%80%99s-repeated-calls-for-Obama%E2%80%99s-death-didn%E2%80%99t-stop-Trump-from-hosting-him-at-the-White&)
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/04/21/15/3F6CFDB100000578-0-Red_white_and_blue_Nugent_braks_out_his_most_patri otic_guitar_du-a-49_1492785915937.jpg

[donnay]

Trump is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

You guys want more war?

[William Tell]

Trump is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

You guys want more war?
Valid point. Diplomacy is a good thing.

[timosman]

Valid point. Diplomacy is a good thing.

Where is our attaché? Dennis Rodman?

[UWDude]

Oh no, diplomacy with the people we are told are our enemies. This is bad. We need to heed the warnings of our MSM mind minders.

[donnay]

Where is our attaché? Dennis Rodman?

Eating pistachios.

[r3volution 3.0]

Kim Il-Whatever Whatever-San is substantially more competent than the average reality TV character.

Evil? Obviously. But competent. That's why Trump looks up to him (Trump would have accidentally blown himself up with ack-ack guns by now).

[UWDude]

Evil? Obviously.

the hermit kingdom, nobody really knows what goes on in there....


.....BUT IT'S OBVIOUSLY REALLY EVIL!

[William Tell]

the hermit kingdom, nobody really knows what goes on in there....


.....BUT IT'S OBVIOUSLY REALLY EVIL!
Dude. It is evil. Plenty of people have escaped it and told the same story. Maybe you don't know what goes on there but some of us do.

[oyarde]

Trump should send McCain , both senators from Cal to NK to meet him . Hopefully he holds them for ransom and we do not pay .

[r3volution 3.0]

the hermit kingdom, nobody really knows what goes on in there....

.....BUT IT'S OBVIOUSLY REALLY EVIL!

Well, it's either somewhat evil or very evil.

...and I didn't go to evil medical school for nothing.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jZiKFLL6MI

[UWDude]

Dude. It is evil. Plenty of people have escaped it and told the same story. Maybe you don't know what goes on there but some of us do.

"Plenty of people" are usually South Korean intelligence agents and propaganda pieces.
Sounds like you got a case of the propaganditis.
Because lots of people have escaped, AND WANTED TO GO BACK.

Three is lots of stories and propaganda, most of the time it is debunked months later, after the damage is done. People still believe he fed an ex-girlfriend to wolves for being in porn, had his uncle killed by being shot off of anti-aircraft guns, and of course the sinking of the Cheonan, which they furiously denied, and after an investigation by the west, the West decided they would not name who sank the Cheonan, to save embarrassment of the nation that did.

[UWDude]

Well, it's either somewhat evil or very evil.


Somewhat evil like Saudi Arabia, or very evil like the united States?

[Origanalist]

Trump is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

You guys want more war?

I see no good reason not to try talking with the guy, some communication is better than no communication. The drums of war are beating, on both sides.

[r3volution 3.0]

Somewhat evil like Saudi Arabia, or very evil like the united States?

Tough call. I don't want that action.

...I enjoy not being kidnapped and taken to Pakistan to be tortured to death.

[Origanalist]

"Plenty of people" are usually South Korean intelligence agents and propaganda pieces.
Sounds like you got a case of the propaganditis.
Because lots of people have escaped, AND WANTED TO GO BACK.
[snip]


Lot's of people wanted to go back? I guess all those bright lights and food was too much for them?

[UWDude]

Lot's of people wanted to go back? I guess all those bright lights and food was too much for them?

They said was that life in South Korea felt empty, and they wanted to go back home and to their families.

And hundreds, if not thousands of soldiers defected to North Korea during the Korean War as well. (A war in which the UN and UNited States bombed 19 of the top 22 cities to rubble, to stop a democratic vote).

1/3 of South Koreans see the United States as the greatest enemy of Korea, another 1/3 see North Korea as the greatest enemy.

Yeah yeah yeah, North Korea is starving and has no lights, say the propaganda machine.
Just like when your hometown propaganda machine shows Iran, or Syria, or Iraq, it's always barren desert hovels. For Korea its always run down concrete buildings in the snow.

[timosman]

Dude. It is evil. Plenty of people have escaped it and told the same story. Maybe you don't know what goes on there but some of us do.

The worst thing is people are openly allowed to not give a fuck about their jobs as they also have no mortgage to pay off. Nothing we couldn't fix. :cool:

[Origanalist]

They said was that life in South Korea felt empty, and they wanted to go back home and to their families.

And hundreds, if not thousands of soldiers defected to North Korea during the Korean War as well. (A war in which the UN and UNited States bombed 19 of the top 22 cities to rubble, to stop a democratic vote).

1/3 of South Koreans see the United States as the greatest enemy of Korea, another 1/3 see North Korea as the greatest enemy.

Yeah yeah yeah, North Korea is starving and has no lights, say the propaganda machine.
Just like when your hometown propaganda machine shows Iran, or Syria, or Iraq, it's always barren desert hovels. For Korea its always run down concrete buildings in the snow.
That seems about right. Too bad the whole fucking conflict couldn't just end and the DMZ disappear like the Berlin wall. But China isn't about to collapse Soviet Union stye anytime soon and the US isn't going to leave.

[donnay]

I see no good reason not to try talking with the guy, some communication is better than no communication. The drums of war are beating, on both sides.

Agreed.

[Origanalist]

They said was that life in South Korea felt empty, and they wanted to go back home and to their families.

And hundreds, if not thousands of soldiers defected to North Korea during the Korean War as well. (A war in which the UN and UNited States bombed 19 of the top 22 cities to rubble, to stop a democratic vote).

1/3 of South Koreans see the United States as the greatest enemy of Korea, another 1/3 see North Korea as the greatest enemy.

Yeah yeah yeah, North Korea is starving and has no lights, say the propaganda machine.
Just like when your hometown propaganda machine shows Iran, or Syria, or Iraq, it's always barren desert hovels. For Korea its always run down concrete buildings in the snow.

So, UWDude, were you out in the May Day protests today?

[UWDude]

So, UWDude, were you out in the May Day protests today?

Were you? Protesting the rising Trump fascist police state? Or do you figure bitching on the internet is enough to stop the world ending crisis we all face?

[Danke]

They said was that life in South Korea felt empty, and they wanted to go back home and to their families.

And hundreds, if not thousands of soldiers defected to North Korea during the Korean War as well. (A war in which the UN and UNited States bombed 19 of the top 22 cities to rubble, to stop a democratic vote).

1/3 of South Koreans see the United States as the greatest enemy of Korea, another 1/3 see North Korea as the greatest enemy.

Yeah yeah yeah, North Korea is starving and has no lights, say the propaganda machine.
Just like when your hometown propaganda machine shows Iran, or Syria, or Iraq, it's always barren desert hovels. For Korea its always run down concrete buildings in the snow.


http://www.ronpaulforums.com/webkit-fake-url://2ca256bd-11cb-411e-8429-07b94fd5377a/imagepng

[Origanalist]

Were you? Protesting the rising Trump fascist police state? Or do you figure bitching on the internet is enough to stop the world ending crisis we all face?

Lol, nice non answer. I take it they wouldn't let you out.

[Jamesiv1]

I'm totally not surprised you're taking this seriously. Nice source btw.Don't forget that CPUd is fair and balanced, and holds no opinions of her own.

All she does is post the news, and let the reader decide.

Anybody that thinks there is something wrong with that can get the hell out.

[CPUd]

North Korea says U.S. bomber flights push peninsula to brink of nuclear war


By Ju-min Park and Ben Blanchard | SEOUL/BEIJING


North Korea accused the United States on Tuesday of pushing the Korean peninsula to the brink of nuclear war after a pair of strategic U.S. bombers flew training drills with the South Korean and Japanese air forces in another show of strength.

The two supersonic B-1B Lancer bombers were deployed amid rising tensions over North Korea's pursuit of its nuclear and missile programs in defiance of U.N. sanctions and pressure from the United States.

The flight of the two bombers on Monday came as U.S. President Donald Trump said he would be "honored" to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the right circumstances, and as his CIA director landed in South Korea for talks.

South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun told a briefing in Seoul that Monday's joint drill was conducted to deter provocations by the North.

North Korea said the bombers conducted "a nuclear bomb dropping drill against major objects" in its territory at a time when Trump and "other U.S. warmongers are crying out for making a preemptive nuclear strike" on the North.

"The reckless military provocation is pushing the situation on the Korean peninsula closer to the brink of nuclear war," the North's official KCNA news agency said on Tuesday.

Tensions on the Korean peninsula have been high for weeks, driven by concerns that the North might conduct its sixth nuclear test in defiance of pressure from the United States and Pyongyang's sole major ally, China.

The U.S. military's THAAD anti-missile defense system has reached initial operational capacity in South Korea, U.S. officials told Reuters, although they cautioned that it would not be fully operational for some months.

China has repeatedly expressed its opposition to the system, whose powerful radar it fears could reach inside Chinese territory. Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang again denounced THAAD on Tuesday.

"We will resolutely take necessary measures to defend our interests," Geng said, without elaborating.

Asked about Trump's suggestion he could meet Kim, Geng said China had noted U.S. comments that it wanted to use peaceful means to resolve the issue. Trump has been recently been full of praise of Chinese President Xi Jinping's efforts to rein in its neighbor.

"China has always believed that using peaceful means via dialogue and consultation to resolve the peninsula's nuclear issue is the only realistic, feasible means to achieve denuclearisation of the peninsula and maintain peace and stability there, and is the only correct choice," Geng told a daily news briefing.

It was widely feared North Korea could conduct its sixth nuclear test on or around April 15 to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the North's founding leader, Kim Il Sung, or on April 25 to coincide with the 85th anniversary of the foundation of its Korean People's Army.

The North has conducted such tests or missile launches to mark significant events in the past.

Instead, North Korea conducted an annual military parade, featuring a display of missiles on April 15 and then a large, live-fire artillery drill 10 days later.

"VIGILANCE, READINESS"

Acting South Korean president Hwang Kyo-ahn called for stronger vigilance because of continuing provocation by North Korea and for countries such as China to increase pressure on the North.

Soon after Hwang spoke, a U.S. Embassy spokesman in Seoul said the director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, Mike Pompeo, was in South Korea for meetings with the embassy and U.S. Forces in Korea.

Trump drew criticism in Washington on Monday when he said he would be "honored" to meet North Korea's young leader.

"If it would be appropriate for me to meet with him, I would absolutely, I would be honored to do it," Trump told Bloomberg News.

Trump did not say what conditions would be needed for such a meeting to occur or when it could happen.

"Clearly conditions are not there right now," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said.

Trump warned in an interview with Reuters on Thursday that a "major, major conflict" with North Korea was possible, while China said last week the situation on the Korean peninsula could escalate or slip out of control.

In a show of force, the United States has already sent an aircraft carrier strike group, led by the USS Carl Vinson, to waters off the Korean peninsula to conduct drills with South Korea and Japan.

North Korea test-launched a missile on Saturday that appeared to have failed within minutes, its fourth successive failed launch since March. It has conducted two nuclear tests and a series of missile-related activities at an unprecedented pace since the beginning of last year.

The North is technically still at war with the South after their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a treaty, and regularly threatens to destroy the United States, Japan and South Korea.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa-idUSKBN17W04T

[AZJoe]

“If it would be appropriate for me to meet with him, I would absolutely. I would be honored to do it (https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-05-01/trump-says-he-d-meet-with-north-korea-s-kim-if-situation-s-right),”

Can find no fault with that statement. It is actually a praiseworthy comment for a change. It is a statement of rational thought in favor of diplomacy for a change.
Far, far better than threatening to blow up the Korean Peninsula, or exercising more mock invasions.

The MSM is completely schizoid. They cheer and promote Trump when he expresses warmongering, or launches illegal bombing raids against sovereign nations, but oh my look out if he actually makes a level headed statement in favor of diplomacy. Chance for diplomacy, Oh no its time for M(IC)Stream Media spastic conniption fits.

Even the king of drone murders himself, Barack Obama's statements supports such. "I would [meet with Kim Jung Un, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela and others] (http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2008/may/21/next-defining-campaign-issue/). ... The notion that not talking to countries is somehow punishment ... is ridiculous." Too bad BO did not follow such wisdom more closely.

[shakey1]

We must make an effort to settle our differences.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NRRmm0d7VcA/hqdefault.jpg

[Wooden Indian]

Hey, if you're willing to drop bombs on someone you should also be willing to meet with them to avoid it. I have no beef with Trump saying this.

I have little doubt that Kim is a murderous evil bastard, just like our leaders right here in the good 'ol U.S.A.

[Suzanimal]

Skip talking to them, go straight to bombing them.


John McCain: Trump's praise for dictators and strongmen is 'disturbing'

...
McCain said on MSNBC that Trump's praise for strongmen and dictators goes against everything the Republican Party, as shaped by Ronald Reagan, stands for.

"It's very disturbing … because we are proud Republicans and we stand for human rights," he said.

...

McCain said Trump has done some good things in office, such as the missile strike ordered at a Syrian air base and the assembly of his national security team, but he can't abide by Trump's praise for men like Kim, Duterte, el-Sissi and Putin.

"The statements and the comments obviously fly in the face of everything I stood for and I've believed in all my life," he said.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/john-mccain-trumps-praise-for-dictators-and-strongmen-is-disturbing/article/2621844

[timosman]

"The statements and the comments obviously fly in the face of everything I stood for and I've believed in all my life," he said


Sorry grandpa, but to tell you the truth, nobody gives a fuck.:cool:

[oyarde]

Skip talking to them, go straight to bombing them.



http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/john-mccain-trumps-praise-for-dictators-and-strongmen-is-disturbing/article/2621844
Trumpsters hero dem andrew jackson would have kidnapped Kim and made him work as a NCAA basketball mascot .

[UWDude]

Lol, nice non answer.

stupid non-question gets stupid non-answer

[Danke]

Trumpsters hero dem andrew jackson would have kidnapped Kim and made him work as a NCAA basketball mascot .


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRPexgUnMxE

[Dr.3D]

Dude. It is evil. Plenty of people have escaped it and told the same story. Maybe you don't know what goes on there but some of us do.


I see no good reason not to try talking with the guy, some communication is better than no communication. The drums of war are beating, on both sides.


Hey, if you're willing to drop bombs on someone you should also be willing to meet with them to avoid it. I have no beef with Trump saying this.

I have little doubt that Kim is a murderous evil bastard, just like our leaders right here in the good 'ol U.S.A.
I agree. It's always better to try to talk peace than to go ahead and break a truce that's been active for a long time.

[oyarde]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRPexgUnMxE

I never got complaints about my tradecraft in the old days .

[Zippyjuan]

1) North Korea wants some type of aid. Food, energy, whatever.
2) North Korea conducts missile and/ or nuclear tests and makes threats.
3) Countries say if North Korea stops they will provide aid. Negotiate.
4) North Korea agrees to be nice, gets aid.
5) Repeat a year or two later.

[timosman]

1) North Korea wants some type of aid. Food, energy, whatever.
2) North Korea conducts missile and/ or nuclear tests and makes threats.
3) Countries say if North Korea stops they will provide aid. Negotiate.
4) North Korea agrees to be nice, gets aid.
5) Repeat a year or two later.

Is this what they teach you in the propaganda class?:cool:

[AZJoe]

1) North Korea wants some type of aid. Food, energy, whatever.
2) North Korea conducts missile and/ or nuclear tests and makes threats.
3) Countries say if North Korea stops they will provide aid. Negotiate.
4) North Korea agrees to be nice, gets aid.
5) Repeat a year or two later.


Ah, The simplistic tunnel vision analysis that requires only ignoring of history, actual events, facts and no thought.
Only requires ignoring the Korean War and devastation wreaked on the North, the war crimes, the decades of perpetual sanctions and blocking trade with the North, the direct obstruction of any reconciliation measures between north and south, the annual war games mocking a total massive invasion of NK every year by the largest military machine ever to exist on the planet, the sabotaging of the Sunshine Policy - is that what is supposed to be the "aid" they have been getting?
But hey, why let actual facts, history and reality interfere with simple minded justifications to perpetuate conflict and the MIC money train.

[Jamesiv1]

Ah, The simplistic tunnel vision analysis that requires only ignoring of history, actual events, facts and no thought.
Only requires ignoring the Korean War and devastation wreaked on the North, the war crimes, the decades of perpetual sanctions and blocking trade with the North, the direct obstruction of any reconciliation measures between north and south, the annual war games mocking a total massive invasion of NK every year by the largest military machine ever to exist on the planet, the sabotaging of the Sunshine Policy - is that what is supposed to be the "aid" they have been getting?
But hey, why let actual facts, history and reality interfere with simple minded justifications to perpetuate conflict and the MIC money train.Well-posted.

[William Tell]

Weirdness bump

[shakey1]

Weirdness bump

https://timemilitary.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/picture-16.png