Bush Stresses “Enhanced Cooperation with Allies in Addressing the North’s Challenge”

U.S. President George W. Bush stated on December 1 (local time) that even though he supports multilateral cooperation, he would not rule out the option for action in order to prevent “lawless regimes” from developing WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction) and handing these over to terrorists. President Bush on this day said in his joint speech following the summit meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin in Halifax, Canada, “The new era has changed the threat we are facing, but this does not change our task.”

He cited three major purposes of the U.S.’ foreign policy: the establishment of multilateral cooperation for security and freedom, the war against terrorism, and the spread of free democracy in the Middle East.

He particularly stressed, “The United States will strengthen cooperation with allies in response to the challenge of North Korea and Iran.”

Young-Sik Kim Seung-Ryun Kim spear@donga.com srkim@donga.com