for clarification, the Americans received routine assurances that they would be kept fully informed when and if any developments occurred.

**THE RISE OF CHINESE INFLUENCE**

When Chinese premier Wen Jiabao's airplane landed under the high blue autumn sky at Pyongyang's airport on October 4, 2009, there was an unusually important guest on hand to meet him. Workers Party General Secretary, Chairman of the National Defense Commission, and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army Kim Jong Il did not normally come out to the airport to meet people below his station.* He did for Wen, and as the premier's special Air China 747 taxied to a stop in front of the terminal, Kim was at the bottom of the stairs, waiting to give the Chinese guest a welcoming hug.

On AugustNixon graduated from Duke University with a BS in 1952 and from North Carolina State College with an MS in 1954.[2] Both degrees were in geology. He served in the United States Navy until 1962[3] as a naval aviator and helicopter flight instructor.[4] Nixon served on his brother's presidential campaigns, including as co-chairman in 1972.[1] He was an expert on global energy use and spent much of his professional life studying how people use natural resources. He was an advisor to companies on these issues.[4]

In 1974, Nixon was the first witness for the defense in the Maurice Stans and John N. Mitchell conspiracy trial.[5] He contradicted the testimony of two of the government's chief witnesses. Later that year, the staff of the Senate Watergate committee disclosed additional information