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Carter, Jimmy (American president)

Crisis Averted: Former President Jimmy Carter Returns from North Korea with a Deal

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Former President Jimmy Carter has returned from his trip to North Korea, declaring that the crisis is over and an international confrontation is no longer threatened. Carter briefed White House officials for two hours and held a half-hour telephone conversation with President Clinton, before speaking to reporters. He stated that North Korean President Kim Il-sung wants to ensure the crisis is over and that he personally believes the situation is no longer on a path to war.

Key Takeaways:

  • Carter briefed White House officials for two hours and held a half-hour telephone conversation with President Clinton before speaking to reporters.
  • Carter stated that he personally believes the crisis is over and that North Korean President Kim Il-sung wants to ensure the crisis is over.
  • Carter confirmed that invitations to him extended in past years were still open, and then conferred with Vice President Al Gore before making the trip.
  • Carter said that if Clinton had asked him not to go, he doubted that he would have gone, but nevertheless was willing to go beyond "the normal proprieties" to help avoid a threatened war.
  • Carter met with Clinton's National Security Adviser Anthony Lake and the Assistant Secretary of State Robert Gallucci, who described the talks as "very useful" and "constructive."
  • The administration is still pursuing consultations at the United Nations on sanctions against North Korea, but will suspend the pursuit once it is confirmed that the North has changed its position and that a third round of talks with North Korea can be arranged.
  • Carter will communicate with Kim Il-sung in writing and then have the agreements confirmed through diplomatic channels.
  • Carter expects the third round of talks with North Korea to be arranged within the next few weeks, and that confirmation of the latest agreements through diplomatic channels could get underway as soon as this week.

Statistics:

  • The crisis lasted for approximately one year (exact dates not provided).
  • The North Korean president previously asked to have U.S. troops removed from South Korea.
  • The sanctions against North Korea were "held in abeyance but not withdrawn" during Carter's trip.
  • The agreement between Carter and Kim Il-sung was that the international campaign for sanctions would be held back for the time being to see if there really were new agreements.
  • Carter has been invited to North Korea 4 times since 1991 (standing invitations).

Sources:

  • Former President Jimmy Carter
  • The White House
  • President Clinton
  • Anthony Lake, National Security Adviser
  • Robert Gallucci, Assistant Secretary of State
  • United Press International
  • CNN

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