U.S. should separate diplomatic pressures on N. Korea from humanitarian assistance, provide food aid

Apr 17 2012

A Seattle Times editorial says a "radical response" to North Korea's rocket launch would be to "[k]eep diplomatic channels open with the 240,000 tons of food aid planned before" the launch. "Providing food aid is wholly apart from maintaining political and economic pressure on the country," the editorial says, adding, "Sending food does not preclude international sanctions to deny North Korea access to electronic technology and military hardware." The editorial suggests "[s]end[ing] the food aid with an insurance policy of sorts. Use the connections and credibility of nongovernmental organizations, including Mercy Corps and World Vision, to track the deliveries. ... Get the United Nations involved as well." The editorial concludes, "Keep diplomatic channels open. Move beyond the provocations and deliver basic food relief" to the more than one-quarter of North Koreans in need (4/15).