Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

The Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice discussed the United States’ policy towards Asia at the Heritage Foundation. Rice talked about the rise of Asia and how it is reshaping the world today. She explained that the United States is actually in a stronger position in Asia now than at any other time in the past.

Rice explained that the U.S. has been able to create good relations with both Japan and South Korea, and is continuing to work to establish good relations with both China and Russia by resting on common interests. The U.S. is trying to establish mutually beneficial cooperation rather than competition and at this present time has better relations with Northeast Asia than the countries in that region have with each other. Rice also said that the Korean Peninsula is the greatest source of conflict in Northeast Asia.

In order to solve the problem in North Korea, Rice explained that using the six party policy would be best. Each of the six parties has the same goal, ensuring the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Rice also explained that the six party policy has three different phases, the third phase ending with the abandonment and dismantlement of all weapons and nuclear facilities. The parties will not just trust North Korea, they will attain verification at each step therefore making it as hard as possible for North Korea to cheat.

Rice explained that though this policy is not perfect, it is the best among all other alternatives. She said that by working together and replacing “old patterns of conflict with new patterns of cooperation,” the six parties have the best chance of success.