Trump pens passive-aggressive letter to Kim cancelling talks

WASHINGTON: The note from US President Donald Trump to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, cancelling plans for a high-stakes summit was unexpected in its existence and its appearance just hours after the American president got part of what he wanted – the demolition of a nuclear test site in the North.

The three-paragraph letter was a stylistic play of the openly spoken and the implied – at turns tough-talking screed, respectful exchange and subtle hint at a possible way forward. Embedded in it, too, was a recurring tone that felt almost intimate in its wording – not to mention its sometimes un-Trumpian voice.

Twitter immediately and predictably had a field day calling it a breakup letter (“the clingiest,” one tweet said).

Here’s the letter in its entirety. Dear Mr Chairman:

We greatly appreciate your time, patience, and effort with respect to our recent negotiations and discussions relative to a summit long sought by both parties, which was scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore.

We were informed that the meeting was requested by North Korea, but that to us is totally irrelevant. I was very much looking forward to being there with you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this longplanned meeting. Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place. You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used.

I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only the dialogue that matters. Some day, I look very much forward to meeting you. In the meantime, I want to thank you for the release of the hostages who are now home with their families. That was a beautiful gesture and was very much appreciated.

If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth. This missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history. Sincerely yours,

Donald J. Trump President of the United States of America. — AP

— AFP Dear Kim: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pulling out a copy of Trump’s letter to Kim before testifying to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC.