Sunday, January 6, 2013

Why Google chief s North Korea visit irks US

Google chief Eric Schmidt's plan to visit North Korea has put the Obama administration in the awkward position of opposing a champion of Internet freedom engaging with one of the most intensely censored countries.

But the Obama administration is wary for a reason: It fears Schmidt's trip could give a boost to North Korea's young leader, Kim Jong Un, just when Washington is trying to pressure him.

North Korea in December launched a long-range rocket in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, and the US and its allies are seeking tighter sanctions. That's proving difficult because of resistance from permanent council member China, which likely fears its troublesome ally could respond to punishment by conducting a nuclear test.
US officials are also concerned that the high-profile visit could confuse partners in Asia and suggest a shift in US policy as the administration prepares to install a new secretary of state to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton. The nominee is Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate in 2004.

An imminent change of government in South Korea is already raising questions about whether Washington and close ally Seoul can remain in lockstep in their dealings with Pyongyang. Newly elected leader Park Geun-hyeis expected to seek a more conciliatory approach toward rival North Korea after she takes up the presidency in February.

This helps to explain why the State Department, which has been a vigorous advocate of social media freedoms around the world, particularly last year during the Arab Spring, made clear it was displeased by the planned "private, humanitarian'' visit by Schmidt and former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, expected this month.

"We don't think the timing of the visit is helpful and they are well aware of our views,'' State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told a news briefing Thursday.

Richardson, a seasoned envoy and a former US ambassador to the United Nations, said Friday that the State Department should not be nervous. In interviews with CBS and CNN, Richardson said they had been planning to visit in December but postponed the trip at the department's request because of the presidential election that month in South Korea.

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