“I know there are those who deride our vision, who say that ours is an impossible goal"

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excerpt from remarks of President Obama at Hankuk University, Seoul - Monday, 26 March 2012


REUTERS/Larry Downing


"To all the students here today, this is the Korea your generation will inherit. And I believe there is no limit to what our two nations achieve together. For like your parents and grandparents before you, you know that the future is what we make it . . ."

"American leadership has been essential to progress in a second area—taking concrete steps toward a world without nuclear weapons. As a party to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, this is our obligation, and it’s one I take very seriously. But I believe the United States has a unique responsibility to act—indeed, a moral obligation. I say this as President of the only nation ever to use nuclear weapons. I say it as a Commander in Chief who knows that our nuclear codes are never far from my side. And I say it as a father, who wants my two young daughters to grow up in a world where everything they know and love can’t be wiped out in a horrible instant . . ."

"When we enhance nuclear security, we’re in a stronger position to harness safe, clean nuclear energy. When we develop new, safer approaches to nuclear energy, we reduce the risk of nuclear terrorism and proliferation. When nations, including the United States, fulfill our responsibilities, it strengthens our ability to ensure that other nations fulfill their responsibilities. And step by step we come closer to the security and peace of a world without nuclear weapons."

read: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1203/S00584/remarks-of-president-barack-obama-hankuk-university-seoul.htm



(AFP)


“I know there are those who deride our vision, who say that ours is an impossible goal that will be forever out of reach. But to anyone who doubts that great progress is possible, I say come to Korea. Come to this country, which rose from the ashes of war, turning rubble into gleaming cities. Stand where I stood yesterday, along a border that is the world’s clearest contrast between a country committed to progress and its people and one that starves its own citizens.

“Come to this great university, where a new generation is taking its place in the world, creating opportunities that your parents and grandparents could only imagine. Come and see some of the courageous individuals who join us today—men and women, young and old, born in the North, but who left all they knew behind and risked their lives to find freedom and opportunity here in the South. In your life stories we see the truth—Koreans are one people. And if just given the chance, if given their freedom, Koreans in the North are capable of great progress, too.

“Looking out across the DMZ yesterday, looking into your eyes today, I’m reminded of another country’s experience that speaks to the change that’s possible in our world. After a terrible war, a proud people was divided. Across a fortified border armies massed, ready for war. For decades, it was hard to imagine a different future. But the forces of history and the hopes of man could not be denied. And today, the people of Germany are whole again—united and free.

“No two places follow the same path. But this much is true. The currents of history cannot be held back forever. The deep longing for freedom and dignity will not go away. So too on this divided peninsula. The day all Koreans yearn for will not come easily or without great sacrifice. But make no mistake, it will come. And when it does, change will unfold that once seemed impossible. Checkpoints will open. Watchtowers will stand empty. Families long separated will finally be reunited. The Korean people, at long last, will be whole and free.”

Like our vision of a world without nuclear weapons, our vision of a Korea that stands as one may not be reached quickly. But from this day until then, and all the days that follow, we take comfort in knowing that the security we seek, the peace we want, is closer at hand because of the great alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea, and because we stand for the dignity and freedom of all Koreans. And no matter the test, no matter the trial, we stand together, we work together, we go together. Katchi kapshida!



(AP)

full remarks of President Obama: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1203/S00584/remarks-of-president-barack-obama-hankuk-university-seoul.htm

[zipplewrath]

1. A stealth campaign

Obama, even before his presidency, got on board the anti-proliferation train, and has continued to ride it into his presidency. I don't think alot of people are paying attention, and he isn't calling alot of attention to it. But he seems to be moving towards a truly massively reduced arsenal, both here and in Russia. It would appear he is trying to eliminated the ability of either country to truly "destroy" the other. Each will assuredly maintain SOME capacity, but he seems to be quietly removing the capacity for the two countries to even consider "fighting" much less winning a war of "mutually assured destruction".

The GOP is focuses on Iran, but Obama appears to be attempting to move beyond that simple conflict over nuclear weapons to a larger one of all countries reducing, or eliminating their nuclear capability. His actions with respect to Iran appear to me to be in the large context of trying to make sure that Iran is the last to try. He wants to leave a tradition and international structure which can be repeated when ANYONE in the future tries to move down this path.

I wish him luck, I don't know how successful he can be, but if his ONLY accomplishment is to reduce Russian and US arsenals down to minimal levels that could never seriously be used against each other in an offensive plan, it will be seen in the future as one of the greatest achievements of the early 21st century. And they will wonder how he pulled it off so quietly.

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2. his work ethic on this issue

. . . has been outstanding. He's been diligent and moderately successful. I attribute all of the progress to his personal involvement and negotiating style. He has a knack for this and a passion which serves the effort well.




President Barack Obama (L) speaks to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in a bilateral meeting before attending the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul March 26, 2012. REUTERS/Larry Downing

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3. I have a feeling we'll be looking back at this address

. . . in the context of the dawn of historical change in NK.

[opihimoimoi]

4. KnR We need this precious man more than ever in this weird world of ours...he is priceless