Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave a similarly non-committal answer on the chances of talks with North Korea as the North Korean leadership did, refusing to rule it out, but suggesting it was very unlikely in the near-term.
Early on Wednesday, Pompeo appeared to dismiss the idea of a new Trump-Kim summit, saying that he didn’t see it likely with the US elections nearing, and Trump only wanted talks if real progress was likely.
Later, however, Pompeo expressed hope for high level talks “soon” with North Korea. It seems this wouldn’t be a Trump-Kim summit, but could be other high ranking officials meeting to try to get the progress going again.
Trump and Kim have made progress when they meet, but the situation has worsened, with no new meetings in many months, and a lot of pessimism about the process resuming.
I am certain that the North Koreans have already said that they will have nothing to do with the imbecile know as Pompeo. He is one of the most unpleasant characters in Trump’s line up of crooks and fools.
Pompeo is the last person the North Koreans would want to talk to……he and Bolton sacked the previous talks.
“and Trump only wanted talks if real progress was likely”
And by progress, Trump meant anything that could possibly help him win the election.
To send “senior diplomat” pompass to any, say again, any diplomatic meeting would be akin to sending a convicted arsonist to a fire dept for talks on how to start more fires.
To refer to this clown as a diplomat really is beyond the pale.
Recent statements coming from North Korea suggest they want to be left “alone.”
I would suggest to Washington that within that simple word is another message. It may be election-related.
The North Koreans have no reasonable expectation the sanctions will ever be rescinded nor US troops will be removed from South Korea. The latter would pave an uncertain path toward reunification.
Pompeo has not yet been told that the engagement rings have been returned.