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Tuesday 2 May 2017
With unusual praise, Trump says he could meet Kim Jung Un

JOSH LEDERMAN Obama’s “strategic pa- grams. smart cookie,” Trump told had “managed to lead a
Associated Press tience” with North Korea On one point, at least, CBS’ “Face the Nation” in country forward” from a
WASHINGTON (AP) — a total failure, Trump and Trump and his team have an interview that aired Sun- young age. Spicer didn’t
President Donald Trump his aides say they’re tak- been consistently clear: A day. mention that under Kim,
opened the door Monday ing a more aggressive ap- solution requires China, the Tasked with explaining North Korea’s government
to a future meeting with remains strictly authoritar-
North Korea’s Kim Jong ian and dissent isn’t toler-
Un, offering unusual praise ated. Much of the country
for the globally ostracized is impoverished and mal-
leader at a time of surging nourished.
nuclear tensions. The U.S. maintains no dip-
Although the White House lomatic relations with North
played down near-term Korea and the two coun-
prospects for such a meet- tries are technically at
ing, Trump’s conciliatory war, as the 1950-1953 Ko-
comments marked a de- rean conflict ended with-
parture from his more un-
forgiving tone toward the out a peace treaty. The
North in recent days. It North makes no secret of
marked the latest fluctua- its intention to develop a
tion as Trump’s administra- nuclear weapons system
tion struggles to articulate capable of striking the U.S.
its policy for addressing the mainland. In recent weeks,
growing threat from North North Korea has conduct-
Korea’s nuclear program. ed major military drills, test-
“If it would be appropriate fired missiles in violation of
for me to meet with him, I U.N. resolutions and taken
would absolutely, I would preparatory steps toward a
be honored to do it,” Trump fifth nuclear test, steps that
told Bloomberg News. President Donald Trump speaks in the Kennedy Garden of the White House in Washington, Mon- have fueled growing U.S.
Clearly aware of the power day, May 1, 2017, to the Independent Community Bankers Association. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) concerns and prompted
of his declaration, he add- Trump to send an aircraft
ed: “We have breaking proach, at times warning of North’s biggest economic Trump’s flattery, White carrier to the area.
news.” potential military confron- partner. Trump is hoping House spokesman Sean Trump’s musings about
As a presidential candi- tation if the North doesn’t China can pressure the Spicer said there would be a potential meeting with
date, Trump suggested he change course. The U.S. North into a peaceful de- no meeting with the secre- Kim came as his CIA direc-
was open to meeting Kim, has even raised the possi- nuclearization. The Obama tive North Korean leader tor, Mike Pompeo, was in
but hadn’t repeated the bility of a pre-emptive strike administration unsuccess- until circumstances were South Korea, where tens
line since taking office. if Pyongyang conducts an- fully sought the same ob- right and numerous con- of millions of people live
Fresh missile tests by the other nuclear test. jective for years. ditions met. He said Kim within artillery range of the
North and its progress to- Yet on other occasions, Trump’s suggestion of ad- should have to alter his northern border. Secretary
ward developing a nuclear Trump’s administration has miration for Kim, however, government’s behavior of State Rex Tillerson last
weapon capable of hit- dangled carrots. It has is something entirely new. and “show signs of good
ting the United States have spoken of restarting nego- He noted that Kim assumed faith.” week chaired a U.N. Secu-
made the isolated com- tiations with the North and office in his 20s and has “Clearly, conditions are rity Council meeting and
munist dictatorship one of even suggested resuming held power despite efforts not there right now,” Spicer urged countries to ramp up
America’s top national se- food aid to North Korea by “a lot of people” to take said. sanctions and suspend dip-
curity concerns. once it starts dismantling it away. But echoing Trump’s gen- lomatic ties with the North
Deeming President Barack its nuclear and missile pro- “So obviously, he’s a pretty tler tone, Spicer said Kim to increase pressure.q

Watchdog to Trump: Accountability not red carpet for Duterte

JIM GOMEZ firmed America’s alliance is facing a complaint for al- istration does not back ex- said Trump’s calls and invi-
Associated Press and friendship with the Phil- leged mass murder before trajudicial killings, although tations to several Asian al-
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — ippines and its president, the International Criminal he has repeatedly threat- lies including Duterte were
A U.S.-based human rights who has maintained an an- Court. Trump will cut a “bad ened drug suspects with aimed at discussing the
group says President Don- tagonistic stance toward deal” for the American and death and violence in na- crisis over North Korea’s nu-
ald Trump should not roll U.S. security policies. Filipino people if he fetes tionally televised speeches. clear threats. In his phone
out the White House red The U.S. and other coun- Duterte with a White House Duterte’s spokesman, Ernie conversation with Trump,
carpet for Philippine leader tries close to the Philippines reception without assessing Abella, did not immedi- Duterte said he relayed
Rodrigo Duterte, whom it “have an obligation to the implications “of host- ately reply to a request for the region’s alarm over the
accused of being a “mas- urge accountability for the ing and toasting a foreign comment Monday. North Korean standoff.
termind” of mass murder victims of Duterte’s abusive leader whose links to possi- Duterte said he has not ac- “I said Mr. President, I do
because of his anti-drug drug war, rather than offer ble crimes against human- cepted the invitation be- not think that you can
crackdown in which thou- to roll out the red carpet ity for instigating and incit- cause of scheduled trips scare (North Korean lead-
sands have died. for official state visits with its ing extrajudicial killings has to Russia, Israel and other er) Kim Jung Un with fire
Human Rights Watch and mastermind,” said Phelim already prompted warn- countries. power,” Duterte said. “Our
other critics reacted with Kine, HRW’s deputy direc- ings from the Office of the “I’m tied up,” he told re- greatest chance there of
alarm Monday at Trump’s tor for Asia. Kine said Trump Prosecutor of the Interna- porters Monday in southern getting some dialogue with
invitation to Duterte to visit may damage human rights tional Criminal Court,” Kine Davao city. “I cannot make America and North Korea
the White House. In a tele- by making overly friendly said in an email. any definite promise.” would be through the inter-
phone call, Trump also af- overtures to Duterte, who Duterte has said his admin- U.S. and Philippine officials cession of China.”q