Why was North Korea treated differently from Iraq according to Wolfowitz?

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In summary, the deputy defence minister was asked about the different treatment of North Korea and Iraq in regards to nuclear power and weapons of mass destruction. He explained that the main difference was economic, as Iraq had no other options due to its oil reserves while North Korea was on the brink of economic collapse. He also mentioned that military situations in both countries were different and required tailored solutions. The conversation also clarified a misquoted statement from another official.
  • #1
Dissident Dan
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Asked why a nuclear power such as North Korea was being treated differently from Iraq, where hardly any weapons of mass destruction had been found, the deputy defence minister said: "Let's look at it simply. The most important difference between North Korea and Iraq is that economically, we just had no choice in Iraq. The country swims on a sea of oil."

Excerpt from:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,970331,00.html [Broken]

It comes out at last...
 
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  • #2
Umm, no. This is what happens when you play 'telephone.' Rumsfeld's original remarks are at http://dod.mil/transcripts/2003/tr20030531-depsecdef0246.html [Broken] ; Die Welt ran a story at http://www.welt.de/data/2003/06/02/105924.html?search=wolfowitz&searchHILI=1 ; and the Guardian (mis)translated the quote back to English to get that. What Rumsefeld actually said:
Look, the primarily difference -- to put it a little too simply -- between North Korea and Iraq is that we had virtually no economic options with Iraq because the country floats on a sea of oil. In the case of North Korea, the country is teetering on the edge of economic collapse and that I believe is a major point of leverage whereas the military picture with North Korea is very different from that with Iraq. The problems in both cases have some similarities but the solutions have got to be tailored to the circumstances which are very different.
In other words, economic pressure against Iraq is useless, but might be effective with NK.
 
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  • #3
Well dammit, damgo, that's just too inconvenient.
 
  • #4
You mean Wolfowitz's remarks, not Rumsfeld's.

Wow, that is some bad translation. That completely changes everything. I am glad that you cleared that up, damgo.
 

What does Wolfowitz say about oil?

Wolfowitz has made various statements about oil in the past, but one of the most notable is his belief that controlling the world's oil supply is essential for maintaining America's dominance in the global political and economic landscape.

Why does Wolfowitz talk about oil?

As a former Deputy Secretary of Defense and President of the World Bank, Wolfowitz has a long history of involvement in foreign policy and economic affairs. His interest in oil likely stems from his belief in its strategic importance and its impact on global power dynamics.

What is Wolfowitz's stance on oil dependence?

Wolfowitz has been a vocal advocate for reducing America's dependence on foreign oil, citing national security concerns and the desire for energy independence. He has also expressed support for alternative energy sources, such as nuclear and renewable energy.

Does Wolfowitz believe in the concept of peak oil?

While Wolfowitz has not explicitly stated his stance on peak oil, he has made statements in the past that suggest he believes in the concept. He has warned about the consequences of limited oil resources and the need for the US to secure its access to oil reserves.

How does Wolfowitz's stance on oil impact policy decisions?

During his time in government, Wolfowitz's beliefs about oil have likely influenced policy decisions related to foreign relations, energy, and national security. However, it is important to note that he is no longer in a position of power and his views may not reflect current policy decisions.

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