Invitation to Pyongyang

摘要

Cold, dark and still going hungry despite millions of dollars' worth of food aid, North Korea is an unattractive destination to all but Bill Clinton, as he searches for the ultimate photo-opportunity to round off eight years in the world's spotlight. Mr Clinton has let it be known that he is keen to visit this final frontier of Stalinism. Having failed to win ratification of the test-ban treaty, or to negotiate an amis-cutting agreement with Russia, he would like to pull off a deal to limit the missile threat from North Korea. Will he go? Time is short. January 7th has been pencilled in as the last possible date for a visit. Insiders in Washington and close outsiders say that the broad shape of a deal emerged from the talks America's secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, had with North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Il, in October. More bits were inked in at follow-up talks last month.