Bob
1st December 2006, 01:24
George Bush is trying a new tactic to get the attention of North Korea's dictator, Kim Jong Il… by stopping him owning a Harley!
The US government is trying out the new tactic of using trade sanctions – co-ordinated under the United Nations - to personally aggravate a foreign leader. To this end, they are applying sanctions on items believed to be favoured by Mr Kim, or given as gifts. Amongst the list of items like cognac, Rolex watches, cigarettes, artwork, expensive cars, Segway scooters and personal watercraft, such as jet skis, is Harley Davidson.
"It's a new concept; it's kind of creative," said William Reinsch, a former commerce department official who oversaw trade restrictions with North Korea during Bill Clinton's presidency. Previously trade sanctions of this kind would be related to goods associated with military stockpiling or weapons designs.
The US government is trying out the new tactic of using trade sanctions – co-ordinated under the United Nations - to personally aggravate a foreign leader. To this end, they are applying sanctions on items believed to be favoured by Mr Kim, or given as gifts. Amongst the list of items like cognac, Rolex watches, cigarettes, artwork, expensive cars, Segway scooters and personal watercraft, such as jet skis, is Harley Davidson.
"It's a new concept; it's kind of creative," said William Reinsch, a former commerce department official who oversaw trade restrictions with North Korea during Bill Clinton's presidency. Previously trade sanctions of this kind would be related to goods associated with military stockpiling or weapons designs.