Around the Water Cooler: Journalists in North Korea
Jun 12, 2009
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
"Should the United States negotiate with North Korea for the release of the two journalists sentenced to 12 years of hard labor?"
Yes: 7
No: 4
■ Karen Anderson: "Perhaps. It may come to that. But first, Al Gore needs to take the lead with his friend Bill Richardson."
■ Bert Berson: "No. I like the 'humanitaran' angle."
■ Chris Bryant: "They knew the risks when they entered North Korea. If negotiations are conducted then costs should be borne by the news agency that sent them."
■ David Cohen: "No. The United States should make clear to the North Koreans that detaining the two reporters is wrong and they should be freed. But I do not believe that the United States should negotiate (in the classic sense of the word) with North Korea."
■ Dennis Kennedy: "Yes! Perhaps this discussion could lead to more discussion leading to reduced tensions and hostilities." n Linda McNulty: "Yes, we should negotiate but also defer the substance of the negotiations with the assistance of China."
■ Julian Mancias: "No. The journalists knew that they would be arrested by the Korean government if they got caught inside of their country. Anyway, 12 years will go by fast."
■ Henry Miller: "Of course. Every United States citizen should receive the full support of our government when in a difficult situation."
■ Lisa Pampuch: "Yes, they should negotiate, but of course negotiators must keep the national security interests of the United States as their top priority."
■ John Quick: "Yes, we should be negotiating with North Korea. We should also be willing to use a few cruise missiles to take out their nuclear weapons capability if they are unresponsive in negotiations."
■ Emily Shem-Tov: "Yes, the United States should engage through diplomatic channels to try to secure their release."
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