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Letter to Ms Barbara Demick, the Beijing Bureau Chief of Los Angeles Times
By Solomon Passy, January 20th 2012
To Ms Barbara Demick
Beijing Bureau Chief
Los Angeles Times
Dear Ms Demick:
I have recently read the Bulgarian edition of your book Nothing to Envy. I was really impressed by the in depth analysis of the tragedy of the North Korean society, offered to the reader in such a brilliant manner.
My personal involvement with North Korea started in the Spring of 2007 when I was preparing my official visit there in my capacity as a Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee of the Bulgarian Parliament. I was also asked by the U.S. Government to pass a message to North Korean leaders, which I did and eventually some progress was made like the destruction of the Yongbyon cooling tower. You could find some of my memories published in NewEurope in Brussels (http://www.neurope.eu/blog/post-congress-outreach-north-korea-making-eu-global) and in The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2011/04/171_75996.html)
I have recently read the Bulgarian edition of your book Nothing to Envy. I was really impressed by the in depth analysis of the tragedy of the North Korean society, offered to the reader in such a brilliant manner.
My personal involvement with North Korea started in the Spring of 2007 when I was preparing my official visit there in my capacity as a Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee of the Bulgarian Parliament. I was also asked by the U.S. Government to pass a message to North Korean leaders, which I did and eventually some progress was made like the destruction of the Yongbyon cooling tower. You could find some of my memories published in NewEurope in Brussels (http://www.neurope.eu/blog/post-congress-outreach-north-korea-making-eu-global) and in The Korea Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2011/04/171_75996.html)
Since this visit I have continuously tried to urge the European Union to get involved in the process of democratisation of NK, an experience which 10 new EU members obviously have and could share with NK society and authorities. Let me mention that a number of NK officials have been educated in Bulgaria, speak fluent Bulgarian and still trust our country more than any member of the 6-Party talks.
This asset could be used to negotiate with NK authorities the import to NK of information or bearers of information, like cell phones and other IT gadgets that I will eventually facilitate an NK Spring, similar to the Arab one.
Therefore, I would highly appreciate to see your articles on NK published in Brussels and other EU capitals, urging EU leaders to bear their responsibilities as global actors, as the Lisbon Treaty prescribes.
In the end, let me asure you that we shall be very happy to host you as a keynote speaker at an Atlantic Club of Bulgaria (www.Atlantic-Club.org) conference or other public event here in Sofia or in Berlin via our partner Institute for Cultural Diplomacy ( www.culturaldiplomacy.org ).
Sincerely yours,
Solomon Passy
www.SolomonPassy.com
--
Dr Solomon Passy
President & Founder / Atlantic Club Bulgaria
Minister of Foreign Affairs (2001-2005)
Chairman of the UN Security Council (2002, 2003)
OSCE Chairman in Office (2004)
Chairman of Parliamentary Defence / Foreign Affairs Committee and MP (1990-1991, 2001-2009)
Solomon Passy
www.SolomonPassy.com
--
Dr Solomon Passy
President & Founder / Atlantic Club Bulgaria
Minister of Foreign Affairs (2001-2005)
Chairman of the UN Security Council (2002, 2003)
OSCE Chairman in Office (2004)
Chairman of Parliamentary Defence / Foreign Affairs Committee and MP (1990-1991, 2001-2009)
