President Bush Issues Statement on North Korea Freedom Week
Laura and I send greetings to all those observing North Korea Freedom Week. I am deeply concerned about the grave human rights conditions in North Korea, especially the denial of universal freedoms of speech, press, religion, assembly, and association, and restrictions on freedom of movement and workers’ rights. I have met in the Oval Office with some of the brave individuals who have escaped from that country. I am deeply concerned by the stories of divided families, harsh conditions, and suffering. The United States stands with the North Korean people in their call for freedom. We believe it is every person’s basic right to live in freedom and dignity. We will continue to support the North Korean people as they strive to achieve the rights and freedoms to which they are entitled as human beings. We look forward to the moment when we can celebrate the blessings of liberty with the North Korean people. [White House Statement]
Probably drafted by an intern in her early 20’s, taking a break between college and law school. While this may be better than no statement at all, the point is debatable. This is so transparently insincere and inconsistent with Bush’s complete silence and inaction on human rights that not even KCNA is likely to care.
Hat tip to a reader.
The fact that Congress was able to pass a NKHR Act with all the conflicting thoughts and politics and members and power-sharing in that group —- but Bush’s White House refuses to push its State Department into implementing that Act —- says it all. He is the chief executive and has more power to move on such things. And he has not.
Did a quick check of CNN searching with the words North Korea Freedom Week. Zip. Nada. Zilch. Zero. Nothing.