Former president Jimmy Carter is in North Korea, along with three other former heads of state, to discuss stalled nuclear disarmament talks and human rights. Carter also hopes to meet with N. Korean leader Kim Jong II, who snubbed Carter during his visit last August. Carter was there to pick up American Aijalon Mahli Gomes, a Christian being held for illegally entering the country. Boston University international relations professor William Keylor, author of “A World of Nations: The International Order Since 1945” offers the following comment:
“This type of personal diplomacy by out-of-office politicians rarely has a beneficial effect. Washington needs to work closely with Beijing and the other participants in the stalled six-party talks to revive them. Government-to-government negotiations hold the only hope for a breakthrough on the nuclear issue.”
Contact William Keylor, 617-358-0197, wrkeylor@bu.edu
