North Korea (DPRK): Clear Is Our Message to US (12.06.2020)

Opinion: North Korea warns the US again!

This is not the first time the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or the North Korea fires some salvoes the way of the United States of America Administration. Especially the Trump Administration and their diplomats.

Just last year, the DPRK said this about the US: “The U.S. is fatally mistaken if it went to the extent of regarding that the DPRK would be compelled to accept, out of its patience, the demands reflecting its gangster-like mindset. A shorter way to denuclearization on the Korean peninsula is to remove deep-rooted mistrust and build up trust between the DPRK and the U.S” (KCNA: Foreign Ministry Spokesman on DPRK-U.S. High-level Talks, 07.07.2018).

So the North Koreans are tired of the gangsters in Washington DC. It is again another salvo from Pyongyang, This is not new, but this shows that the diplomatic relations are strained. What is happening is not reassuring. As the meetings, the supposed grand-deal or anything else haven’t changed anything. Only paid Kim Jong-Un for a few international trips and hotel service on the outside of North Korea.

“The DPRK-U.S. relations that could have been derailed and fallen apart several times due to such hostile acts and wrong habitual practices on the part of the U.S. are still maintained. It goes to the credit of the close personal relations between Chairman of the State Affairs Commission Kim Jong Un and President Trump. But there is a limit to everything. The close personal relations can never be kept aloof from the public mindset and they are never a guarantee for preventing the DPRK-U.S. relations from getting aggravated or for making up for. The U.S. trumpets the crucial measures taken by the DPRK for confidence-building as its own “diplomatic gains” but no substantial progress has been made in the DPRK-U.S. relations and belligerent relations still persists that there can be the exchange of fire any moment. The U.S. is seriously mistaken if it is of the idea of passing off in peace the end of this year, by exploiting the close personal relations between its president and the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK for the delaying tactics” (Kim Yong Chol – ‘Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, (KAPPC) made public a statement on Oct. 27’, 27.10.2019).

If the Trump Administration want to be serious. There need to be more love-letters and maybe not the tough-guy letter to Erdogan. That is a bad look and not showing class. Neither the tact between two parties. There is time for Washington to get in the ones whose not gangsters and whose diplomats to actually act diplomatic. That is if they are serious about making the Korean Peninsula a peaceful and non-nuclear.

However, the non-action and the threats are not the thing to sustain this one. The fragile relationship seems like it needs some reassuring messages. Needs some love and care, just like flowers needs water and sun to stay alive. This is why the Trump Administration needs to do something. That is if they they care about their allies in South Korea and Japan. Since, they all need a peaceful DPRK. They don’t need missiles hitting vessels in South Korea or closer to Japan. That is not helping anyone.

Except getting the DPRK again in the headlines, just like missile testing and showing the brilliance of the industrial actions of the weapons program. Instead of finding a middle ground and some sort of arrangement that the DPRK and the US combined seems to win with. That is not happening right now. Just more hawkish activity or non-action. Both not making anything positive.

This got to change. That is if the US administration or the DPRK want this to work. Peace.

Opinion: Jaguar MP bite over more than he can chew!

“The other day we saw Matiang’i claiming he had only deported six Chinese nationals yet we have hundreds in here. We are giving the government 24-hour ultimatum to deport them failure to which I will lead the locals in storming their shops and ejecting them. We are not talking about six Chinese nationals. We are talking of hundreds of foreigners who work here (Kenya). I give the government 24 hours to evict these foreigners lest I, being a representative of this area, go into their shops, beat them and send them all the way to the airport” (Charles Njagua Kanyi MP in a viral video on the 25.06.2019)

The singer turned MP, Charles Njagua Kanyi MP aka Jaguar stated these words yesterday. Not as a clever wordsmith nor a brilliant politician, this is just cheap gimmicks to win the hopeful of the Republic. The sort of populist approach that will gain in the short term, but hurt in the long run.

If Jaguar MP thought this was wise, well, it wasn’t, first the Tanzanian representatives and ambassadors reacted, the government had to dismiss it in a statement and government spokesman Cyrus Oguna had to come out denouncing the whole thing. There are no victor here, except for the ones who gets hope out of these utterings.

There is nothing good coming out of this, neither for Kenya, for Jaguar MP or for the East African Community. The MP is only putting more fire into dry grass and hoping it doesn’t burn the whole savannah. Certainly, the aftermath is not going according to schedule. I don’t know if the Jaguar MP thought this was winning formula. How to get new comrades and get new followers in the midst of turmoil and lack of positive legislations. However, his shown ignorance and lack of courtesy.

The MP could have found other ways to address unemployment, as the state is the ones that opens the borders, wants free-trade and wants to expand. It is the result of years of trade and transfer of goods, that leads to this. The troubles he was addressing.

That Jaguar MP got arrested today on the steps of Parliament. Shows more the disgression of the state, that they are trying to cover the issues and also show loyalty to foreign partners like the Chinese. However, that might not win them many favours by the unemployed in Nairobi, but the elite of Nairobi. That is who they represent anyway.

Alas, here is the real dilemma, the way Jaguar MP addressed this wasn’t right, he uses a narrative, very common all-over the world. Nevertheless, it doesn’t make it right. The state isn’t right with arresting him either, it just amplifies what he says to some parts of society. What is needed to address the lack of safety-net and work for several parts of society, while the foreign importers makes jobs for themselves and their kin. This is a common a practice, but becomes more hostile, when the locals cannot eat of the spoils. That is what Jaguar MP is casting his net and hoping to gain popularity from, by the bias and by that crowd of people.

This is nothing new, it is ancient on the political scene. Its been used and steadily being used by politicians all-over the globe. That doesn’t make it right, but they do and they get voters by doing so. We could laugh or condemn it, but then we give him power. We give resonance to his ideas and his belief, that deportations and xenophobia is the way to go. Instead of showing the true reality. That if there is no movement of goods, people and trade, there will be no development too. Than, the ones you wish to get hired and get these jobs in the shops will not exists, because there are no products to trade. That is the irony in it. Isn’t it?

Jaguar MP might not get it or understand it, he has most likely never considered it. Just like the one of the biggest trade is because of movement in Kenya. Tourism is key to many and hires a lot of people in various sectors of society. I wonder if these foreigners are a problem to Jaguar MP or if they are dandy?

Well, that is a discussion for another day. Jaguar MP and his fellow men better think straight. They not making the Republic nor Kenya greater by this, only making it for the one-track minded. This will not make it better for him, unless there is a lot undying support for this. Which would seem strange, as it is not a sign of strength deporting people. That is a sign of weakness and also of lack of tolerance. Something that no one wins anything by doing. Peace.

Opinion: The Chinese claims the loans to developing countries is not to trap them – I beg to differ!

Today, there was an interesting thing coming through my feed that captured my eye. It was a headline from the Philippines News Agency. It was claiming that the Chinese was not making developing countries in debt slaves or putting them into debt traps by taking up huge loans for extensive spending on infrastructure projects. Now in March 2019, the Chinese are claiming that they are just giving viable loans and not to much.

However, I will beg to differ, but before I do so. Let see what the Chines spokesperson said. Which I have to say is not true.

“Guo Weimin, spokesperson of the second session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said extending Chinese loans to developing countries aims to facilitate infrastructure projects that are expected to bring development and boost the economic growth of these nations. “Chinese investments only account for a very small share to their total debt. And our projects are mostly infrastructure, which can support the long-term development of those countries,” Guo said. “Yet some say, this is a great debt trap. But this doesn’t make sense,” he added” (Kris Chrismundo – ‘No debt trap for developing countries: CN political advisory body’ 02.03.2019, link: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1063438).

Let’s me just take the first victim of the debt trap made by the Chinese is in Sri Lanka where the Chinese has taken over and lease the Hambantota Port for 99 years in 2018. While in Zambia, the Chinese has taken over ZESCO, the state electricity company, majority ownership of the Zambian National Broadcasting Company, and if the Republic fails more on their debt. The Zambian state might loose the ownership of Kenneth Kaunda International Airport as well.

In Kenya, the government have loaned massive funds for the Standard Gauge Railway Part 1 and 2. Now, they are on the limb and its speculated that the Port of Mombasa can be taken as collateral for the possible failing loans.

There are warning signs of the total loans given to Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Maldives, Ghana, Liberia Philippines and so on. They are clearly strategic about it. There should also be worrying about the loans given to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Tanzania and so on. The Chinese has loaned for massive projects and not small-pocketed money. Which the Chinese would like to have back paid.

This is just small examples of what that is coming. Because the states are taking up gigantic loans, which they can possibly default with. That is why the Chinese has been smart enough to sign for collateral, which usually is important parts of infrastructure or mobility. So, that the Chinese can trade and also control vital parts of the economy. They are not joking around and seemingly taken a soft approach to neo-colonize the developing countries. Because they can and have the ability to do so.

We can wonder if there will be more like this. There are also the battle happening in Djibouti over the Doraleh Port, who went from DP World Port Company to a Chinese Company. That was because of the debt that the Republic of Djibouti had. Just like the port in Sri Lanka went to them as well. Both very strategic and important ports in their regions. Therefore, the Chinese has gotten good infrastructure and possible revenue streams in these Republic for their defaulting loans.

There will be more to come out of this. That is why I don’t believe the Chinese, saying the developing countries can manage the amount of loans, as the Chinese are planning to takeover something to get repaid for their services. Peace.

USA: Rep. Engel and Rep. Smith letter to President Trump on North Korea (21.02.2019)

Statement by H.E. Ri Yong Ho, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at the General Debate of the 73rd Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (29.09.2018)

Trump Administration acts gangster-like towards the DPRK [and it is not working]

“DON CORLEONE: Remember my new Consigliere, a lawyer with his briefcase can steal more than a hundred men with guns” (The Godfather, 1972).

In June 2018, President Trump and President Jong-Un signed a new agreement, which wasn’t particular special. There was no promise or change from the 1994 agreement. Therefore, the sudden rush of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to arrive in Pyongyang is showing, how misunderstood the Trump Administration has off it all. They have misunderstood the agreement and the diplomatic measures. Not that Trump has the wits to understand the trick the North Koreans has pulled-off. But they signed an agreement without technicalities and without measures securing denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Because on the 12^th June 2018, they signed to: “ the DPRK commits to work toward” and that is not stating when or how. That is a vague statement, that could mean starting tomorrow or next century. Therefore, the Trump Administration haven’t gotten anywhere closer, than they were in 1994. Even if the Administration and the President itself thinks so.

What is why Secretary Pompeo suddenly continued on the “progress” as he thought he could ambush the Party and the dictatorship. They have already a clear statement and also shown the world, they are not ready to played by Washington D.C. leadership at this point. That Pompeo thought he could play this one easily out, than the previous administrations would have done the same. However, that has not worked.

DPRK have answered to Pompeo:

“The U.S. is fatally mistaken if it went to the extent of regarding that the DPRK would be compelled to accept, out of its patience, the demands reflecting its gangster-like mindset. A shorter way to denuclearization on the Korean peninsula is to remove deep-rooted mistrust and build up trust between the DPRK and the U.S. For this, both sides should be bold enough to be free from old ways which had only recorded failures and resolve the problem in a fresh manner which is never bound by the existing ways. A shortcut to it is also to take a step-by-step approach and follow the principle of simultaneous actions in resolving what is feasible one by one while giving priority to creating trust. But, if the U.S., being captivated in a fidget, tries to force upon us the old ways claimed by the previous administrations, this will get us nowhere” (KCNA: Foreign Ministry Spokesman on DPRK-U.S. High-level Talks, 07.07.2018).

If the Trump Administration thought this would be a straight forward easy game, than they are wrong. As the United States isn’t the most interesting partner for North Korea, that is China and South Korea. They are more cordial with diplomatic missions, but that is not the way of this United States. The erratic and unstable administration, who works on any whim of the President, instead of trying to figure the world out. They are blasting into the dry-wall and hoping nothing hits back.

The DPRK are not to be fooled and have calculated the efforts, all their efforts and thanks for the Singapore Summit in June, the President has gotten more respect is less lonesome in Pyongyang. He has more respect and more places to go than Beijing and Seoul. The North Korean leadership has more leverage and United States has given away theirs for a signature drive in Asia. What a waste of skin and possibility.

That is why “walking towards” can means a lot, but with no time-lines, not mechanisms or anything considering monitoring any level of progress, the North Koreans could do whatever, as the symbolic agreements is as worthless as the pen used by the Presidents.

Pompeo should have known this, but his attitude and arrogance, combined with the lack of tact, is the reason for the gangster-like ways. They are trying to ambush and change the ways of the DPRK without offering anything. That will not work, but than again, the US has lost their leverage and given way for the conference in June.

They just haven’t understood it yet. Because the Trump Administrations isn’t that educated or wise.

“Ted: Say what you will, but it’s a law of nature.

Marshall: Lawyered!… of nature” (How I Met Your Mother – The Playbook – Season 5, Episode 8, 2009).

Trump and his administration have been lawyered! Peace.

Trump goes back into the future with the North Koreans: 1994 Versus 2018!

Today, Donald J. Trump might thinks in his mind, that he with this signature has done a masterstroke. Just like William Clinton thought in October 1994. That he was the master chief and the key statesman who gotten peace on the Korean Peninsula. However, there aren’t much difference in today’s agreement from 12^th June 2018 and the 21^st October 1994. Especially not the ball-park. Dennis Rodman might be new feature in diplomatic circles, but the agreement is like rehashing old ideas and putting some paint on it.

First the key part of the 21^st October 1994:

“Both sides will work together for peace and security on a nuclear-free Korean peninsula.

1. The U.S. will provide formal assurances to the DPRK, against the threat or use of nuclear weapons by the U.S.

2. The DPRK will consistently take steps to implement the North-South Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

3. The DPRK will engage in North-South dialogue, as this Agreed Framework will help create an atmosphere that promotes such dialogue” (US-DPRK AGREED FRAMEWORK / SIX-PARTY TALKS, 21.10.1994).

Second the key part of the 12^th June 2018:

“Convinced that the establishment of new U.S.-DPRK relations will contribute to the peace and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula and of the world, and recognizing that mutual confidence building can promote the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un state the following:

1. The United States and the DPRK commit to establish new U.S.-DPRK relations in accordance with the desire of the peoples of the two countries for peace and prosperity.

2. The United States and the DPRK will join their efforts to build a lasting and stable peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.

3. Reaffirming the April 27, 2018 Panmunjom Declaration, the DPRK commits to work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

4. The United States and the DPRK commit to recovering POW/MIA remains, including the immediate repatriation of those already identified” (Joint Statement of President Donald J. Trump of the United States of America and Chairman Kim Jong Un of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at the Singapore Summit, 12.06.2018).

You either get taken by hook or the crook. But I am not eating it. This is like Kim Jong-Ill walked in the flesh and became more tolerable, the same has Kim Jong-Un now done. Both of them got the bargain for committing to do something, while not really doing it. The same can happen now. The regime in Pyonyang can do as they please anyway. Trump got a photo-op and actually a token of peace, without really co-signing anything. If he will commit to it, time will tell, because he has torn every other deal apart. But genius in deal-making he is not, than he has to give credit to Clinton. Who practically did the same in 1990s and I doubt Trump will share credit.

Because to to me, “take steps towards” and “commits to work toward” is really mediocre in language sense. There is no timeline, there is no scheduled affairs and nothing that would stop the DPRK from not continuing. This is like writing a letter of intent, but not ratifying it into law. So they don’t have to do it, they might consider to do it, I suppose, but nothing other than with intent.

There more hold in the NDA Micheal Cohen have crafted to Stormy Daniels to silence her, than what they agreed upon to stop the North Koreans from continuing their path to nuclear warheads. That says something. Peace.

President Donald J. Trump letter to Chairman Kim Jong Un cancelling American-Korean Summit in June (24.05.2018)

Has the Chinese hit President Duterte in the gut?

What is up with President Rodrigo Duterte?

First it was the Benham Rise, where the Philippines won’t send the army or the field researchers on it. As the Chinese have named the area and several government leaders are we’re at one point saying that the Republic wasn’t sovereign to have control over it. Therefore, they have already shown deep weakness towards Beijing. They have accepted to muffled and tussled with by Xi Jinping and his brigades, as the Philippines are less powerful, than the Chinese.

Secondly, Duterte has again shown that he is this weak, as the war-planes and war-ships are put into the South China Sea, as the administration will not react or make a diplomatic spat with them. Even if this is military movement in the nearby area or anything else. Its like he has lost the power of sovereign nation and become a groveling poor uncle to the grandest family member in Beijing. Rodrigo just have to bow his knees and kiss the ring. Accept to be violated and played with, instead of standing ground on the principals of his state. That is not going to war, but questioning the motive of Beijing. Since, they are putting a lot of force close to its borders. That should worry him as the President of his Republic.

“The Philippines said it is “closely monitoring developments” in the area, but diplomatic actions against China’s intrusive behavior will not be publicized. “It is not our policy to publicize every action taken by the Philippine government whenever there are reported developments taking place in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The department noted the improved relations between China and the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte and said it will avoid steps that could undermine the situation. “Moving forward, we are taking a different approach to avoid any drawbacks and challenges,” the department said. Duterte on Saturday said he cannot do anything to oppose China’s militarization of the islands and that he would not risk deploying forces in the South China Sea. However, he said he will eventually bring up the dispute later in his term” (Mikhail Flores – ‘Philippines stops short of condemning China over bombers’ 21.05.2018, Asia Nikkei).

This here shows how careful the Philippines are with their powerful neighbor. They might do something later, they accept to kicked in the guts by the Chinese and trying to keep cool. Usually, Duterte is a hot-head who speak his mind first and begs for forgiveness. Therefore, this is a bit weird coming from him and his administration. He has no trouble getting rid of enemies and people who questioning his powers. However, the Chinese can power-play and mock him even, in his backyard with their military force.

You can wonder if the promised Chinese investments deals and aid agreements are the reasons for this carefulness, as well as the lack of territorial integrity on Benham Rise and now with the militarization of the South China Sea. It is like the Chinese are not as friendly as it seems, more like they want to show their strength and not play on others people’s terms, but their own. If they are toying around with the Philippines and showing whose the boss.

It must hurt the pride of Duterte, who likes to be the strong-man, the big-man, the ones whose words matters and decrees are honored. Now, he is played around by Beijing and has to anticipate his next actions. That is not typical Duterte, not at all.

A humiliation doesn’t fit him or his republic well, it is weird. Peace.