Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice apparently fumbled her words in an appearance last week at the Council on Foreign Relations when she said only an "idiot" would trust North Korea, which is why the United States is insisting on a way to check its nuclear claims.

Dismissing criticism from U.S. conservatives who believe the Bush administration has been too trusting of Pyongyang in recent years, Rice said "Nobody was trusting of the North Koreans. I mean, who trusts the North Koreans? You'd have to be an idiot to trust the North Koreans," prompting laughter.

Rice said that there was still a chance to persuade Pyongyang to carry out the six-party accord struck in 2005 by the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States and did not appear disheartened by the current impasse.

While it is not yet clear what effect Rice's undiplomatic words will have, sources close to negotiations with North Korea are nervous. Considering the insular psyche of the North Korean, those working on nuclear disarmament knew the doors of diplomacy would only be open for short periods of time.  Some fear Rice's remarks will slam that door closed and the substantial progress that has been made will be reversed.

In June of 2008, North Korea destroyed the most visible symbol of its nuclear weapons program in a sign of its commitment to stop making plutonium for atomic bombs.

Unfortunately, it appears Secretary Rice skipped the day of diplomacy 101 when you learn that adding insult adds to injury.  Her supposition that there is a chance to persuade Pyongyang may have worked if she followed the teachings of Sun Tzu.

知彼知己，百戰不殆；不知彼而知己，一勝一負；不知彼，不知己，每戰必敗

"It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle."

Or she could rent The Godfather Part II (1974), and pay special attention to the scene where "Michael Corleone" says, "My father taught me many things here - he taught me in this room. He taught me - keep your friends close but your enemies closer."