Clashing Agendas Threaten Start of North Korea Talks

American leadership in the world is being tested in Asia. A Wednesday meeting between the US, China, and North Korea is still on schedule, but it's not clear what – if anything – will come of it. The US wants Pyongyang to give up its nuclear program and re-submit to UN inspections, but observers say that's unlikely unless the US gives something in exchange to North Korea. Within the Bush administration, however, conservatives pushing for zero compromises with Kim Jung Il's regime are in conflict with Colin Powell's more conciliatory approach to the issue – a conflict which could mean a stalemate in Washington and nothing to be gained by opening talks this week. Other countries in the region, including China and Japan, want to be included as negotiation partners, although observers across the region concede that the US must first take the lead. – YaleGlobal