Rice: North Should Follow Libya’s Lead

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on North Korea to “follow Libya’s model” in a statement on Monday.

In the statement, Rice also announced that the United States will restore diplomatic relations with Libya with the country’s decision of abandoning weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in 2003.

Rice said, “Just as 2003 marked a turning point for the Libyan people, so too could 2006 mark turning points for the people of Iran and North Korea."

She added, “Libya is an important model as nations around the world press for changes in behavior by the Iranian and North Korean regimes - changes that could be vital to international peace and security.”

Rice urged the Iranian and North Korean leadership to make "strategic decisions" similar to Libya`s to benefit their citizens.

Soon-Taek Kwon maypole@donga.com