Opinion split over N. Korean nukes

Re “World Condemns North Korea,” Oct. 10

Some suggest that with better diplomacy, especially by the U.S., North Korea would not have developed nuclear weapons. Are we that naive to believe that if we just talk nice, rogue nations will fall in line? I’m sure the mere mention of sanctions made Kim Jong Il tremble. Maybe the U.N. will put North Korea on double-secret probation.

How long before North Korea’s missiles can hit the U.S.? I’m sure Iran, Syria and other such nations will be sending “cultural attaches” to Pyongyang when that happens.

So many pundits are crowing about the failure of the six-party talks. Considering all the history of the failure of appeasement, we must be the dumbest generation ever.

PHIL LOUGH

La Habra Heights

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North Korea’s nascent nuclear weapons program is another step in the inevitable development of nuclear capability by less-than-friendly countries. Such proliferation will be an ongoing challenge for the world. I believe that the threat can best be kept under control by a combination of diplomacy and technology implemented and enforced by the United Nations, with U.S. leadership and worldwide cooperation.

Good thing for us at this critical time that the new U.N. secretary-general-elect is a neutral party, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. is a skilled diplomat and our current administration has a proven record of successful diplomacy in difficult situations. Oh, wait ...

ROGER BROWN

Lake Forest

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That North Korea has continued on its path to possessing nuclear weapons may have been inevitable, but President Bush has done little to prevent it. His refusal to engage in one-on-one talks has resulted in an unabated progression in its weapons program. When you demonize a nation, claiming it’s part of an “axis of evil,” you make it nearly impossible to negotiate. This is an abject failure by Bush but is consistent with other aspects of his tenure in office.

JACK WOLF

Westwood