LIBYA/MIKE PENCE/NORTH KOREA/SINGAPORE/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Trump has notified Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, that he has canceled their much-anticipated meeting to discuss steps toward denuclearization and peace because of recent ‘tremendous anger and open hostility’ by Pyongyang toward members of his administration. In a letter dated Thursday [5-24-18] to Mr. Kim, the American president left open the possibility that the two could meet in the future. But hours later, Mr. Trump warned that the United States and its allies are prepared to respond should ‘foolish or reckless acts be taken by North Korea…’ Mr. Trump’s reference to anger and hostility followed comments from a North Korean official who described Vice President Mike Pence as ‘ignorant and stupid.’ Mr. Pence had said that relations with North Korea ‘will only end like the Libyan model ended if Kim Jong-un doesn’t make a deal.’ He made the comments in an interview on Monday [5-21-18] with Fox News. Mr. Pence was referencing the fate of the government of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, the former Libyan dictator. Colonel Qaddafi gave up his nuclear program in 2003 in the hope of negotiating with the West, but was killed by rebels in a 2011 uprising after his government was weakened during military action from the United States and its European allies.”
–Eileen Sullivan, “Trump Pulls Out of North Korea Summit Meeting with Kim Jong-un,” The New York Times online, May 24, 2018