Trump-Kim deal: Mike Pompeo key to making Singapore promises a reality
The ex-CIA man will need all his experience to deal with the North Koreans who have been dodgy when it comes to nuclear issues.
Wednesday 13 June 2018 20:56, UK
It has been a fascinating week to observe Donald Trump's unorthodox style of international diplomacy.聽
Picking a fight with long-standing and trusted allies one day, then flying across the world to glad-hand, flatter and put his faith in the leader of the world's most repressive and untrustworthy regime, the next.
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And the Korea summit was typical Trump.
The grand gesture, the TV spectacular and the flashlit flourish of signatures on a hurriedly concocted deal to trumpet to the world.
The whole event was historic, sure enough, but the deal certainly was not. In fact there was so little new in the agreement that critics were circling before the ink was dry.
And this is where the Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, comes in. He is clearly portraying himself as the man detailed to do the detail.
Pompeo has been quick to say he's confident that North Korea "understands there will be in-depth verification of disarmament".
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He hopes that real talks could get under way within a week and that the world could see major disarmament in North Korea within two years, conveniently in time for the 2020 general election when Trump will no doubt be standing for a second term.
It is an optimistic timeline to say the least.
But Pompeo also said lots of other understandings were reached with North Korea that were not included in the final document.
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Well that begs a number of questions.
What understandings in what areas? Were they understandings or commitments? And why weren't the understandings in the document? Were the North Koreans unwilling to put them in? Or did the Americans simply not insist?
Donald Trump works on instinct and gut-feeling, he says. He clearly believes that his force of personality and his deal-making skills will get this thing done.
The truth is rather different. Trump's relationship with Kim Jong Un will be key, certainly. But the real test of whether an agreement that matters can be reached, will be the talks overseen by Mike Pompeo.
The former CIA man will need all his experience to deal with the North Koreans, who have established themselves over the years as duplicitous, double-dealing and downright dodgy when it comes to all things nuclear.
He'll have his work cut out.