To the editor:

North Korea exploding a nuclear device renews basic questions as to Bush administration foreign policy. When the Clinton administration went out of office, there were direct talks with North Korea on stopping atomic weapon development in exchange for assurances and aid from the United States. The Bush administration immediately called off all talks and later labeled North Korea part of the “axis of evil.” North Korea understandably has considered the United States a major threat to justify resuming a nuclear program.

Rewriting history, one hears that the United States now has more justification for mistrust. A more thoughtful perspective would make clear how this nuclear test also is our diplomatic failure. Intimidation by the world’s military superpower is most likely to result in angry and resentful compliance. However, another predictable response is outward defiance and direct challenge, as we see with both North Korea and Iran. While a punitive stance may temporarily quell our anxiety, we can expect longer-term escalation of anger and finally direct conflict.

Negotiating differences does not mean reduced security for the United States or “rewarding bad behavior.” An analogy might be an irrational gunman sequestered in his house threatening others. What police force would refuse to talk to the gunman directly as one effort to de-escalate the standoff? Is this administration and Congress unable to even consider their part in a less safe world? A thoughtful choice when we vote in November may make a difference not just for ourselves but for the world.

Jim Hasselle,

Lawrence