U.S. VS. NORTH KOREA . . . WIELDING THE LITTLE STICK

The U.S. officially began the drive today for sanctions against North Korea, proposing an arms embargo in the United Nations. But the move stopped well short of using the biggest sticks against Pyongyang. Not included in the sanctions: shutting off oil exports to the country, as well as halting the flow of funds from Korean expatriates living in Japan, a major source of Pyongyang's foreign currency. Even as the U.S. initiated the lengthy process of imposing an international reprimand, North Korea suddenly appeared more accommodating. The Communist regime feted former President Jimmy Carter in the capital. And at least two U.N. nuclear facility inspectors were allowed to continue their work. The current standoff resulted, of course, from the North Koreans' refusing those inspectors access to nuclear plants.