Written by: Beck

Didn't the Clinton administration attempt something like this? I seem to recall it being a spectacular failure. Of course, if Korea accepts the multilateral proposal, weapons inspectors will be involved. And we all know how effective weapons inspectors are at, you know, keeping track of weapons and whatnot.

Under the plan, U.S. officials said, North Korea would provide a full declaration of its nuclear activities and stop all of them; secure any fissile material that could be used to produce a nuclear bomb; disable any dangerous materials, and allow inspectors to return.

In exchange, the other countries in the talks -- China, South Korea, Japan and Russia -- would provide Pyongyang with badly needed heavy fuel oil and the United States would offer a "provisional" guarantee not to attack North Korea, the officials said.

Of course, since we essentially lack the capacity to launch an all-out war against North Korea right now, guaranteeing not to attack them is a pretty decent negotiating ploy. Now why am I getting a strange feeling that North Korea's response is likely to involve hearty laughter?