New Mexico Gov Bill Richardson to visit North Korea

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N13682053.htm

WASHINGTON, Oct 13 (Reuters) - New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will soon visit North Korea as preparations intensify for what could be a crucial round of six-country talks on reining in Pyongyang's nuclear program, current and former U.S. officials said on Thursday.

Richardson, a Democrat who served as energy secretary and U.N. ambassador under President Bill Clinton and is mentioned as a possible contender for his party's 2008 presidential nomination, is expected to make the trip "very soon," a former official told Reuters.

The trip has been under discussion for some time and has privately drawn mixed reactions from U.S. officials and experts. Only recently has Assistant Secretary of State Chris Hill, the chief U.S. negotiator with the North, agreed that Richardson could make the journey, several U.S. sources said.

Richardson, who had been invited by the North Koreans and has maintained contacts with them for some years, "asked Chris Hill to go. He wanted to go. Chris Hill finally obliged him," the former official said.

Five years later and Bush finally starts bringing in the adults. Better late than never.

Richardson's the last best hope for unclogging that unnecessary mess. As you observe, "The adults are in charge."

The North Koreans obviously like Richardson so I'm glad he's going over to talk w/ them...

Better than having Bolton or Rice or someone take care of this... :scared:

They'd just mess it all up so I'm glad it's him too.

This is the first I've heard of this trip.