China holds the oil, North Korea squeaks

North Korea is headed back to the negotiating table on its nuclear program. China gets all the credit for rekindling the stalled six-party talks with skilled diplomacy. Oh, and for turning off the spigot that provides the Pyongyang government with 90 percent of its oil.

President Bush applauded Beijing for its work with North Korea, which included a quiet but effective willingness to play hardball with its communist neighbor. Sleuthing by the Reuters news agency turned up the fact that China had pinched off the supply line in September after North Korea tested a missile in July. Chinese officials warned Kim Jong Il's regime not to follow up with an announced test of a nuclear device, but North Korea did so on Oct. 9.

The episode created an uproar around the world, but especially on the Korean peninsula and in East Asia. Regional sanctions were invoked, Japan and South Korea muttered about a nuclear deterrence. China supported sanctions against North Korea via the United Nations.

The biggest mistake of all was embarrassing China after it had counseled its economic ward to back away from a nuclear test.

If the oil spigot was turned off in September, one can only imagine what was done or coldly threatened after the October blast. Kim may only be scurrying back to the table to forestall tough international sanctions. Or, more likely, China quietly and clearly laid down the law to Pyongyang.

Via self-interest or raw intimidation, the talks are on again.