PEOPLE FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

 FRI 9MAR 2018

PEOPLE FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

HUMAN SURVIVAL PROJECT

www.pndnsw.org.au



TRUMP/KIM MEETING A SEISMIC EVENT:

LETS NOT WASTE THIS OPPORTUNITY WITH UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

LETS PUT US/DPRK RELATIONS ON A STABLE BASIS



A meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, now seemingly suddenly on the agenda, would be a truly seismic event – no matter whether hamburgers or kimchi are consumed. It has the potential to completely transform relationships, and thus to transform the geopolitics of northeast Asia. It would also unfortunately go horribly wrong, and the risk does not come from Kim but from Donald.



It would be a tragedy and more than a tragedy, because it would be extremely dangerous, to blow this opportunity and return the a dynamics of escalation and confrontation that could turn into nuclear war.



A few things are absolutely necessary in order to minimize the all too real risk of this happening.



The US should be prepared to engage in open-ended talks without preconditions. Whatever has been said it seems unlikely in the short to medium term at least, that Kim will let go of his painfully acquired nuclear arsenal, and insisting he does so still seems like the quickest way to derail the current mood of detente.



Kim should be ASKED (without promising anything specific at least not immediately, but on the understanding that he be taken absolutely seriously), what steps could be taken to diminish tension on a long term basis.



Further sanctions and confrontational rhetoric must be absolutely avoided.



Military and other provocations by either side must be absolutely avoided.



Expectations should be kept as low as possible, with a focus on whatever it will take to diminish tension and build trust.



And, to repeat, preconditions – any preconditions – must be thrown out of the window.



John Hallam

61-411-854-612

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