August 19, 2005
Billy Graham and North Korea
[09:34] Scott: Gift to Kim Jong Il from U.S. Religionists
Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Leader Kim Jong Il received a gift from U.S. religious leader Rev. Billy Graham and his son, Rev. Franklin Graham. It was handed over to DPRK Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun on Thursday by the special assistant to Franklin Graham on a visit to Korea.
[09:34] Kady: you know, he gives the general a ton of crap
[09:34] Kady: at least according to the nkpr
[09:34] Scott: billy graham?
[09:34] Kady: if you search for graham, there are all kinds of similar releases
[09:34] Kady: yeah
[09:34] Scott: huh
[09:34] Kady: i have absolutely no good explanation for it
[09:34] Scott: well, that's real interesting
[09:34] Kady: but it's interesting
[09:34] Kady: yes
[09:35] Kady: it drives me crazy that they never say WHAT these gifts are
[09:35] Scott: what good would buying influence there be?
[09:35] Kady: well, if he's under the illusion that it might lead to an invitation to hold one of his revival camp shows
[09:35] Scott: i understand for other heads of state, or potential heads
[09:35] Kady: which it never, ever will
[09:35] Scott: yeah, perhaps it's purely delusional
[09:36] Kady: that's honestly the only reason i can think of
[09:36] Scott: perhaps it's aid for the starving people
[09:36] Scott: being misconstrued as gifts for the general
[09:36] Kady: that could be it, yes
[09:37] Kady: The Grahams' Involvement
North Korea was significant to the Grahams for a couple of reasons. First, Ruth Bell Graham attended high school in Pyongyang in 1933, nearly 20 years before the Communist takeover of North Korea. Second, Reverend Graham had a special interest in speaking there, primarily to attempt to bring some reconciliation between North and South Koreans, many of whom were families split apart by the hostilities between sides. After several attempts to discretely plan a trip there, including an unsuccessful attempt by Pope John Paul II to arrange a visit, Billy enlisted the help of Dr. Stephen Linton, a scholar at Columbia University's Center for Korean Research. Dr. Linton arranged for him to meet North Korean's ambassador, Ho Jung, and Billy and Ned Graham later had a special and unprecedented meeting with President Kim II Sung, founder of North Korea and the US's primary adversary during the war. Billy's visit there may have paved the way for former President Jimmy Carter's 1994 meeting with President Kim, who by that time was eager to mend relations with his former enemies. In addition, Billy's visit preceded President Kim's invitation of the leaders of the Protestant and Catholic associations to his annual New Year reception, the first time he had ever recognized those associations at all.
[09:40] Scott: i'd say that points to influence buying
[09:40] Scott: rather than starve-aid
[09:40] Kady: yeah
[09:40] Kady: but to what end?
[09:40] Scott: delusional ends
[09:41] Kady: i mean, unless this is an effort to gain brownie points with the US administration
[09:41] Kady: as a trusted third party
[09:41] Kady: that could deal with nk
[09:41] Scott: remember though, christians think in long term
[09:41] Scott: if nk fell, who would be best placed to replace doctrine?
[09:41] Kady: yeah .. it would be billy's time to shine!
[09:41] Kady: and he has feelers out already, and knows the people
posted by scott pilutik at August 19, 2005 09:45 AM