U.S. set to down Korean missile
By Stephen Dinan
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
June 23, 2006
BUDAPEST -- Senior Bush administration officials said publicly for the first time yesterday that the United States is set to shoot down any North Korean missile launch that threatens the United States.
National Security Adviser Stephen J. Hadley, briefing reporters during President Bush's brief visit here, said the United States has a missile defense system with "limited operational capability" that could be used to try to shoot down an incoming North Korean missile, but he added that U.S. officials were vigorously pursuing a diplomatic push to head off a test launch by Pyongyang.
"The purpose, of course, of that missile defense system is to defend the territory of the United States from attack," Mr. Hadley said when asked if the United States would deploy the system should North Korea attack.
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told reporters in Washington that Mr. Bush has the power to order a shootdown, using one of 11 ground-based interceptors now located in Alaska and California.
"And the president would make a decision with respect to the nature of the launch, whether it was threatening to the territory of the United States or not, and the likely threat that it would pose," Mr. Rumsfeld told reporters at the Pentagon.
Mr. Rumsfeld said intelligence reports suggest the North Koreans are "making preparations" for the launch of a new version of its Taepodong missile, efforts that have been under way for several days. "There's a lot we know, and a lot we don't know. So, we'll just have to see."
The new missile is thought to have the range to hit U.S. territory, prompting an outcry from the United States and key Asian nations who say such a test would violate a moratorium North Korea has observed since 1998.
In Moscow, Russia's foreign ministry summoned the North Korean ambassador to warn against "undesirable steps" that could increase tensions on the divided Korean Peninsula. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso told the Reuters news agency that Tokyo was prepared to take "harsh measures" if the missile test went forward.
North Korea indicated Wednesday it was ready to put the launch on hold while offering dialogue with the United States. South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted the North Korean envoy at the United Nations, Han Song-ryol, as saying: "The United States says it is concerned about our missile test launch. Our position is, 'OK then, let's talk about it.'?"
China, the North's principal economic and military ally, appealed to both Pyongyang and Washington for restraint.
"We hope that the related parties will resolve this problem through negotiations and dialogue," Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei said in an interview with South Korea's Maeil Business Newspaper.
Vice President Dick Cheney, in an interview with CNN, rejected a suggestion by William Perry, defense secretary under President Clinton, that the United States destroy the North Korean launch site with a pre-emptive cruise missile attack rather than rely on the unproven missile defense shield.
Full Version: U.s. Set To Down Korean Missile
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/printpage...9551435,00.html
Bush under attack at EU Summit
President Bush, eager to discuss the perceived threats of Iran and North Korea, instead found himself passionately defending his country against suggestions that the United State threatens world security with its own foreign policies.
"That's absurd," Bush said at a news conference on Thursday morning (AEST) at Vienna's historic Hofburg Palace where European reporters pressed the president about declining European public opinion towards the US.
"We'll defend ourselves, but at the same time we're actively working with our partners to spread peace and democracy," Bush said.
During a three-day tour of Europe, the president is intent on encouraging European allies to maintain a united front against Iran over its pursuit of nuclear technology and to make good on a continental commitment to pay for the rebuilding of war-torn Iraq.
Though publicly he received support from European leaders, in private meetings some European leaders appeared as interested in pressing Bush on the closing of the US-run detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and other issues that call into question US commitment to human rights. Bush raised the issue on his own and pledged again that he will eventually close the camp.
Bush under attack at EU Summit
President Bush, eager to discuss the perceived threats of Iran and North Korea, instead found himself passionately defending his country against suggestions that the United State threatens world security with its own foreign policies.
"That's absurd," Bush said at a news conference on Thursday morning (AEST) at Vienna's historic Hofburg Palace where European reporters pressed the president about declining European public opinion towards the US.
"We'll defend ourselves, but at the same time we're actively working with our partners to spread peace and democracy," Bush said.
During a three-day tour of Europe, the president is intent on encouraging European allies to maintain a united front against Iran over its pursuit of nuclear technology and to make good on a continental commitment to pay for the rebuilding of war-torn Iraq.
Though publicly he received support from European leaders, in private meetings some European leaders appeared as interested in pressing Bush on the closing of the US-run detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and other issues that call into question US commitment to human rights. Bush raised the issue on his own and pledged again that he will eventually close the camp.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid...ticle%2FPrinter
North Korea warns of clash with US spy planes
North Korea warns of clash with US spy planes
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Associated Press, THE JERUSALEM POST Jun. 22, 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Korea has issued repeated complaints in recent weeks about alleged American spy flights, including in skies off the coast where a missile test facility is located. On Thursday, the North admonished Washington again.
"Military provocations by US warmongers against (North Korea) are reaching their extreme," the North's Korean Central News Agency said in a report. "The series of illegal infiltrations and spying by reconnaissance planes of US aggression forces is creating a danger of military clash in the skies" over the area.
The US has sent ships off the Korean coast that would be capable of detecting and tracking a missile launch, a Pentagon official said Wednesday.
North Korea warns of clash with US spy planes
North Korea warns of clash with US spy planes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Associated Press, THE JERUSALEM POST Jun. 22, 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Korea has issued repeated complaints in recent weeks about alleged American spy flights, including in skies off the coast where a missile test facility is located. On Thursday, the North admonished Washington again.
"Military provocations by US warmongers against (North Korea) are reaching their extreme," the North's Korean Central News Agency said in a report. "The series of illegal infiltrations and spying by reconnaissance planes of US aggression forces is creating a danger of military clash in the skies" over the area.
The US has sent ships off the Korean coast that would be capable of detecting and tracking a missile launch, a Pentagon official said Wednesday.
www.edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/06/22/nkorea.missile/
Cheney plays down NK strike calls
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. Vice-President thingy Cheney has played down calls for a pre-emptive military strike to destroy a potential North Korean missile launch site.
Fears have grown in recent weeks following reports of activity at a site in northeastern North Korea where U.S. officials say a Taepodong-2 missile -- believed capable of reaching parts of the United States -- is possibly being fueled.
An op-ed piece in Thursday's Washington Post by William Perry, secretary of defense under former President Bill Clinton, and Ashton Carter, Clinton's assistant secretary of defense, advocates a pre-emptive strike to destroy the missile.
"The United States should immediately make clear its intention to strike and destroy the North Korean Taepodong missile before it can be launched," it said.
Cheney, however, told CNN that, while "I appreciate Bill's advice," such an action could worsen the situation.
"I think, at this stage, we are addressing the issue in the proper fashion ... obviously, if you are going to launch strikes at another nation, you better be prepared to not fire just one shot. The fact of the matter is, I think, the issue is being addressed appropriately."
Washington has urged China -- North Korea's last major ally and benefactor -- to press North Korea to abandon any possible missile test. U.S. President George W. Bush praised China on Wednesday for "taking responsibility in dealing with North Korea."
China said Thursday all parties should try to reach a peaceful solution to the issue and urged a return to diplomacy.
"We are very concerned about the current situation," The Associated Press reported Jiang Yu, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, as saying on Thursday.
"We hope all parties can do more in the interest of regional peace and stability," he said, adding that China would also "continue to make constructive efforts."
North Korea has complained about alleged recent U.S. spy flights, including some near the area where the missile test facility is located. On Thursday, the North slammed Washington again.
"The U.S. imperialist warmongers have been intensifying military provocations against" the North, the country's official Korean Central News Agency said, according to AP.
"The ceaseless illegal intrusion of the planes has created a grave danger of military conflict in the air above the region."
A North Korean official on Wednesday said Pyongyang had a right to test its missiles and was seeking to resolve any concerns through direct talks with the United States.
But Washington has repeatedly refused to hold direct talks with North Korea, saying any discussions should involve the nation's neighbors. This was a point reiterated again on Wednesday.
"You don't normally engage in conversations by threatening to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles," AP quoted U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton as saying on Wednesday in New York.
Some U.S. officials have said North Korean leader Kim Jong Il may be using the missile test threat to gain diplomatic leverage amid efforts to restart six-nation talks aimed at curbing Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.
The talks have stalled after Pyongyang refused to return, angry over an American crackdown on its alleged illicit financial activity.
The two Koreas, Japan, China, Russia and the U.S. are part of those talks.
Bush warned North Korea on Wednesday it would face further isolation if it violated agreements by test launching the missile.
"The North Koreans have made agreements with us in the past, and we expect them to keep their agreements," Bush said during a news conference at the end of a European Union summit.
"It should make people nervous when non-transparent regimes, that have announced that they've got nuclear warheads, fire missiles," Bush said.
"This is not the way you conduct business in the world. This is not the way that peaceful nations conduct their affairs."
Bush said the U.S. was reaching out to other nations to send the message to North Korea that "in order to be an accepted nation, a non-isolated nation, there are certain international norms that you must live by, and we expect them to live by those norms."
Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, standing next to Bush, said he "couldn't agree more" with the United States position.
"If this happens, there will be a strong statement, a strong answer from the international community and Europe will be part of it," he said.
North Korea has sometimes engaged in surprise behavior to attract international attention when it felt it was being ignored, and it might feel slighted over Washington's current focus on resolving the nuclear issue with Iran, U.S. officials have said.
While cloud cover has been obscuring the North Korean launching site where the missile is reportedly sitting, U.S. ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer said Wednesday that Washington believed "steps have been taken for a real test" and all options were available for an American response.
"We have greater technical measures of tracking than in the past, and we have options that we have not had in the past, and all these options are on the table," Schieffer said Wednesday, responding to reporters' questions about how the United States would react to such a test.
Officials said the Pentagon could try to use its missile defense system to shoot down the North Korean missile. The military has nine interceptor missiles based in Alaska and two in California. (Watch how the Pentagon could respond to a North Korean missile launch -- 2:02
Visit canceled
Meanwhile, former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung's planned trip next week to North Korea has been postponed, in part because of the possible missile test by Pyongyang, an aide organizing the trip said Wednesday. (Full story)
South Korea's current unification minister, Lee Jong-seok, said humanitarian aid Seoul supplies to the North, such as rice and fertilizer, could be affected if a missile is tested, according to the AP.
Japan, South Korea, the United States and Australia have united in saying that any test-launching would result in serious consequences, seeing such a move as a provocation.
A test of a Taepodong-2 missile would be North Korea's first long-range missile test since 1998, when Pyongyang surprised the world and sparked an international crisis by firing an intermediate-range missile over Japan.
North Korea has observed a self-declared moratorium on long-range missile testing since 1999, and a 2005 pledge that calls on it and its neighbors, as well as the United States, to maintain peace and security in northeast Asia.
But North Korea has said that the moratorium stands only when the country is in dialogue with the United States.
"Some say our missile test launch is a violation of the moratorium, but this is not true," said Han Suk-Ryul, the North Korean representative at the United Nations, in a phone interview with Yonhap.
Cheney plays down NK strike calls
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. Vice-President thingy Cheney has played down calls for a pre-emptive military strike to destroy a potential North Korean missile launch site.
Fears have grown in recent weeks following reports of activity at a site in northeastern North Korea where U.S. officials say a Taepodong-2 missile -- believed capable of reaching parts of the United States -- is possibly being fueled.
An op-ed piece in Thursday's Washington Post by William Perry, secretary of defense under former President Bill Clinton, and Ashton Carter, Clinton's assistant secretary of defense, advocates a pre-emptive strike to destroy the missile.
"The United States should immediately make clear its intention to strike and destroy the North Korean Taepodong missile before it can be launched," it said.
Cheney, however, told CNN that, while "I appreciate Bill's advice," such an action could worsen the situation.
"I think, at this stage, we are addressing the issue in the proper fashion ... obviously, if you are going to launch strikes at another nation, you better be prepared to not fire just one shot. The fact of the matter is, I think, the issue is being addressed appropriately."
Washington has urged China -- North Korea's last major ally and benefactor -- to press North Korea to abandon any possible missile test. U.S. President George W. Bush praised China on Wednesday for "taking responsibility in dealing with North Korea."
China said Thursday all parties should try to reach a peaceful solution to the issue and urged a return to diplomacy.
"We are very concerned about the current situation," The Associated Press reported Jiang Yu, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, as saying on Thursday.
"We hope all parties can do more in the interest of regional peace and stability," he said, adding that China would also "continue to make constructive efforts."
North Korea has complained about alleged recent U.S. spy flights, including some near the area where the missile test facility is located. On Thursday, the North slammed Washington again.
"The U.S. imperialist warmongers have been intensifying military provocations against" the North, the country's official Korean Central News Agency said, according to AP.
"The ceaseless illegal intrusion of the planes has created a grave danger of military conflict in the air above the region."
A North Korean official on Wednesday said Pyongyang had a right to test its missiles and was seeking to resolve any concerns through direct talks with the United States.
But Washington has repeatedly refused to hold direct talks with North Korea, saying any discussions should involve the nation's neighbors. This was a point reiterated again on Wednesday.
"You don't normally engage in conversations by threatening to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles," AP quoted U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton as saying on Wednesday in New York.
Some U.S. officials have said North Korean leader Kim Jong Il may be using the missile test threat to gain diplomatic leverage amid efforts to restart six-nation talks aimed at curbing Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.
The talks have stalled after Pyongyang refused to return, angry over an American crackdown on its alleged illicit financial activity.
The two Koreas, Japan, China, Russia and the U.S. are part of those talks.
Bush warned North Korea on Wednesday it would face further isolation if it violated agreements by test launching the missile.
"The North Koreans have made agreements with us in the past, and we expect them to keep their agreements," Bush said during a news conference at the end of a European Union summit.
"It should make people nervous when non-transparent regimes, that have announced that they've got nuclear warheads, fire missiles," Bush said.
"This is not the way you conduct business in the world. This is not the way that peaceful nations conduct their affairs."
Bush said the U.S. was reaching out to other nations to send the message to North Korea that "in order to be an accepted nation, a non-isolated nation, there are certain international norms that you must live by, and we expect them to live by those norms."
Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, standing next to Bush, said he "couldn't agree more" with the United States position.
"If this happens, there will be a strong statement, a strong answer from the international community and Europe will be part of it," he said.
North Korea has sometimes engaged in surprise behavior to attract international attention when it felt it was being ignored, and it might feel slighted over Washington's current focus on resolving the nuclear issue with Iran, U.S. officials have said.
While cloud cover has been obscuring the North Korean launching site where the missile is reportedly sitting, U.S. ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer said Wednesday that Washington believed "steps have been taken for a real test" and all options were available for an American response.
"We have greater technical measures of tracking than in the past, and we have options that we have not had in the past, and all these options are on the table," Schieffer said Wednesday, responding to reporters' questions about how the United States would react to such a test.
Officials said the Pentagon could try to use its missile defense system to shoot down the North Korean missile. The military has nine interceptor missiles based in Alaska and two in California. (Watch how the Pentagon could respond to a North Korean missile launch -- 2:02
Visit canceled
Meanwhile, former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung's planned trip next week to North Korea has been postponed, in part because of the possible missile test by Pyongyang, an aide organizing the trip said Wednesday. (Full story)
South Korea's current unification minister, Lee Jong-seok, said humanitarian aid Seoul supplies to the North, such as rice and fertilizer, could be affected if a missile is tested, according to the AP.
Japan, South Korea, the United States and Australia have united in saying that any test-launching would result in serious consequences, seeing such a move as a provocation.
A test of a Taepodong-2 missile would be North Korea's first long-range missile test since 1998, when Pyongyang surprised the world and sparked an international crisis by firing an intermediate-range missile over Japan.
North Korea has observed a self-declared moratorium on long-range missile testing since 1999, and a 2005 pledge that calls on it and its neighbors, as well as the United States, to maintain peace and security in northeast Asia.
But North Korea has said that the moratorium stands only when the country is in dialogue with the United States.
"Some say our missile test launch is a violation of the moratorium, but this is not true," said Han Suk-Ryul, the North Korean representative at the United Nations, in a phone interview with Yonhap.
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/st...765877d&k=63357
Japan sends ships and planes to monitor possible NKorea missile launch
Burt Herman
Canadian Press
Thursday, June 22, 2006
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Japan has sent ships and planes to monitor North Korea amid regional jitters about a possible long-range missile launch, officials said Thursday, but played down the communist country's capacity to possibly load a nuclear warhead atop its rockets.
The moves come after Washington rejected a North Korean offer for talks on its concerns over a potential missile test-firing, and U.S. President George W. Bush said a launch would only further isolate Pyongyang.
Worries over a potential launch have grown in recent weeks after reports of activity at the North's launch site on its northeastern coast where U.S. officials say a Taepodong-2 missile - believed capable of reaching parts of the United States - is possibly being fuelled.
The North has also this week asserted its right to launch a satellite, which it claimed to do after its last long-range launch in August 1998.
Japan's Defence Agency chief Fukushiro Nukaga confirmed in Tokyo on Thursday that naval ships and patrol planes have been deployed to monitor developments in North Korea. Nukaga did not elaborate on the monitoring effort, but Japanese media said his agency has sent a destroyer with advanced reconnaissance equipment and an attack aircraft loaded with radar-jamming electronics.
"We have deployed naval ships and patrol planes to maximize our information gathering effort," Nukaga said. "But we do not have accurate information, including details of its technology."
The North has claimed to have a nuclear weapon, but isn't thought to have an advanced design that could be placed on a warhead - a belief backed at the same hearing by Senior Vice Foreign Minister Yasuhisa Shiozaki.
"At this point, we have encountered no information that indicates North Korea has the technology," he said. "It requires tremendous technology to miniaturize an atomic weapon in order to load into a missile warhead."
Weather remained cloudy over the launch site early Thursday, which could potentially complicate a test launch. More clouds and a shower was likely later Thursday, said Lee Chun-shik of the Korea Meteorological Administration.
Meanwhile, about 1,000 people including army veterans and activists staged an anti-North Korea rally in Seoul, condemning the North's missile threat and denouncing now-cancelled plans by former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung to visit Pyongyang.
Some activists set a North Korean flag on fire and displayed several replicas of a North Korean missile, including one with crossed-out photos of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and the country's flag.
The Debka File
June 23, 2006, 8:57 AM (GMT+02:00)
Over the Pacific, a US warship successfully shot down a target missile warhead in a test for which a Japanese destroyer performed surveillance, the first time a US ally has taken part in a US missile defense intercept test.
The US test came as North Korea was preparing to test-fire a multi-stage Taepodong-2 ballistic missile with a range of 4,200 miles which American officials said Pyongyang would carry out “to its cost.”
National Security Adviser Stephen J. Hadley said the United States has a missile defense system with "limited operational capability" that could be used to try to shoot down an incoming North Korean missile. But he added that U.S. officials were vigorously pursuing a diplomatic push to head off a test launch by Pyongyang.
Defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the President would make the decision on the nature of any launch.
The mock warhead was launched over the Pacific atop a medium range missile and destroyed in a direct hit six minutes later with an SM-3 missile fired by the Aegis cruiser USS Shiloh, the US Missile Defense Agency said.
"The missile successfully intercepted the target warhead outside the earth’s atmosphere more than 100 miles above the Pacific Ocean and 250 miles northwest of Kauai."
http://www.debka.com/index.php
June 23, 2006, 8:57 AM (GMT+02:00)
Over the Pacific, a US warship successfully shot down a target missile warhead in a test for which a Japanese destroyer performed surveillance, the first time a US ally has taken part in a US missile defense intercept test.
The US test came as North Korea was preparing to test-fire a multi-stage Taepodong-2 ballistic missile with a range of 4,200 miles which American officials said Pyongyang would carry out “to its cost.”
National Security Adviser Stephen J. Hadley said the United States has a missile defense system with "limited operational capability" that could be used to try to shoot down an incoming North Korean missile. But he added that U.S. officials were vigorously pursuing a diplomatic push to head off a test launch by Pyongyang.
Defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the President would make the decision on the nature of any launch.
The mock warhead was launched over the Pacific atop a medium range missile and destroyed in a direct hit six minutes later with an SM-3 missile fired by the Aegis cruiser USS Shiloh, the US Missile Defense Agency said.
"The missile successfully intercepted the target warhead outside the earth’s atmosphere more than 100 miles above the Pacific Ocean and 250 miles northwest of Kauai."
http://www.debka.com/index.php
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/a...ack=1&cset=true
Russia Voices Alarm to N. Korea
China also expresses its concern about a possible missile launch by the Pyongyang regime. But Seoul attempts to play down the tension.
From the Associated Press
June 23, 2006
SEOUL — Russia summoned North Korea's ambassador Thursday to express alarm that the regime in Pyongyang might launch a long-range missile, and the isolated nation's other major ally, China, issued its strongest statement of concern to date over the standoff.
South Korea played down the growing tensions, even as the U.S. national security advisor said launch preparations were "very far along."
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"It is our judgment that a launch is not imminent," Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung said.
In an unusual step, Russia's Foreign Ministry called in North Korean Ambassador Pak Ui Chun to say it was alarmed by reports of the planned launch and warn him of Moscow's opposition to any steps that would destabilize the region.
"In particular, the undesirability was stressed of any actions that could negatively affect regional stability and complicate the search for a settlement to the Korean peninsula's nuclear problem," a statement by the ministry said.
At a briefing in Beijing, Jiang Yu, a Chinese Foreign Ministry official, said: "We are very concerned about the current situation…. We hope all parties can do more in the interest of regional peace and stability."
Concern about a possible North Korean launch has grown since activity was reported at the country's launch site on its east coast, where U.S. officials say a Taepodong 2 missile — believed capable of reaching the U.S. territory of Guam and perhaps Alaska or Hawaii — is possibly being fueled.
Japan and the United States have issued strong statements of concern and have sent ships and planes to monitor the situation.
The following is a news item posted on CBC NEWS ONLINEat http://www.cbc.ca/news
____________________________________________________
TENSIONS HIGH AFTER NORTH KOREA PLANE CRASH REPORT
WebPosted Thu, 22 Jun 2006 05:52:24
---A report that a U.S. military plane had crashed in North Korea
Thursday has been denied by officials from several countries, but raised
tensions in the region.
The report appeared to affect foreign exchange markets, as the Japanese
yen fell sharply against the U.S. dollar.
U.S. military spokesmen in South Korea said they had not heard of a
crash, a comment echoed by defence ministry spokesmen in South Korea and
Japan, according to a Reuters report.
Meanwhile, the North Korean government stepped up its rhetoric regarding
U.S. reconnaissance flights over its territory.
The official Korean Centre News Agency said in a report that the chances
of an aerial confrontation with the United States have increased because
of American spy flights over the secretive country.
Pyongyang has been irritated by the likelihood that spy planes have flown
over the country's northeast coast near North Korea's missile test
facility in Musudan-ri.
Last week, U.S. officials said intelligence reports indicated that North
Korea was getting ready to launch a long-range ballistic missile,
leading to condemnation from UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and other
world leaders.
China, considered an ally of North Korea, has also indicated they are
concerned about the reports.
South Korea's defence minister told a parliamentary committee on Thursday
that they did not believe a launch was imminent.
North Korea agreed to a missile-testing moratorium in 1999, one year
after it launched a missile that flew over Japan and landed in the
Pacific Ocean.
Copyright © 2006 CBC. All rights reserved.
I have this little caveman in my head that wants to beat his chest and pee on a tree, and he wants me to add my $0.02, but the nice Ian in my heart says, don't overreact to the whole situation and keep your mouth shut, stupid.
I'll leave it at this, the NK situation is scary, and if you drive the lawn mower over a yellow jacket nest, you'll be stung. Only difference is, these yellow jacket's stingers only work about half of the time.
I'll leave it at this, the NK situation is scary, and if you drive the lawn mower over a yellow jacket nest, you'll be stung. Only difference is, these yellow jacket's stingers only work about half of the time.
Jun 23, 2006 6:56 pm US/Pacific
Signs Suggest N. Korea Readying Launch
(CBS News) WASHINGTON American satellites remained keyed on a launch pad in North Korea where it appeared a missile was being prepared for launch Friday.
The North Koreans were silent as to what was going on. Other nations have warned them not to launch the missile and the United States has threatened to shoot it down in the unlikely event it is launched and heads toward U.S. soil.
CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports the weather is supposed to be good enough for a launch by Saturday night North Korean time, which is Saturday morning on the East Coast. But before they can launch, they still have to clear the area around the launch pad.
Martin reports that government officials currently believe the missile is carrying a satellite. If that is correct, it should not come close to U.S. territory.
The missile would be traveling 15,000 mph, leaving only a few minutes after its path is determined to make the decision to shoot it down. The president has already delegated authority to issue the shoot-down order to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Also on Friday, Air Force Lt. Gen. Henry A. Obering III, director of the Missile Defense Agency, told reporters he has little doubt that the interceptor system would work, even though it has never been used in a real emergency and even though the U.S. government knows relatively little about how the North Korean missile would perform.
Obering refused to say whether the U.S. missile defense system is ready now for a possible intercept mission, but noted that it has been designed specifically to defend U.S. territory against known missile threats from North Korea.
"(From) what I have seen and what I know about the system and its capabilities, I am very confident," he said when asked at a news conference about the likelihood that one of the 11 missile interceptors based in Alaska and California would succeed against North Korea's long-range Taepodong 2 missile.
Obering refused to discuss more specifically the level of his confidence.
He also would not say whether the missile defense system, which includes missile-tracking radars and a communications system linked to the interceptors in underground silos, is currently in an "operational" status. He said it is shifted from a test mode to an operational mode frequently. "We do it all the time," he said.
The system is not ready at all times for actual use in an emergency because it is often preparing for or conducting tests.
Noting that North Korea has not conducted a test flight of a ballistic missile since 1998, Obering said that means the Pentagon has a limited amount of information about how a long-range Korean missile would function.
"It's very, very difficult to understand what they may have, how it may perform," he said, adding that any long-range ballistic missile would have to follow known trajectories in order to reach U.S. territory.
The Taepodong 2 missile is a newer version that has never been flight tested.
The North Korean missile program is especially troubling to the United States, Japan and other countries potentially within missile range because of North Korea's declared — but unproven — possession of nuclear weapons.
Alan Romberg, an Asia policy expert and former State Department official, said in an interview Friday that he believes it is likely that North Korea has managed to fashion a number of weapons from its nuclear materials, but he finds it questionable to conclude that they have one that could be carried atop a long-range missile.
http://cbs2.com/topstories/topstories_story_174212431.html
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Asian News
North Korea Gives No Hint on Missile Test
Saturday, June 24, 2006 4:36:44 AM
By BURT HERMAN
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea gave no hint of whether it will fire a long-range missile as widely feared, a New Zealand diplomat who visited Pyongyang said Saturday. A top U.S. defense official expressed confidence the United States could intercept a missile from the North.
New Zealand's ambassador to both Koreas, Jane Coombs, said she conveyed her country's "grave concern" to North Korean officials during a four-day trip, but was given no clue about Pyongyang's plans for the launch.
"They did not confirm that such a test was imminent ... nor did they deny that such a test was imminent," Coombs said in Beijing.
Coombs, who visited Pyongyang to present her credentials for her new post, met with North Korea's No. 2 leader, Kim Yong Nam, and Vice Foreign Minister Kim Yong Il.
North Korea has made recent moves that would enable it to launch a long-range missile, U.S. and Asian officials have said. Intelligence reports say fuel tanks have been seen around a missile at the North's launch site on its northeastern coast, but officials say it's difficult to determine if the rocket is actually being fueled by looking at satellite photos.
In Washington, the Pentagon's missile defense chief said he has little doubt that U.S. interceptor rockets could hit and destroy a long-range North Korean missile if President Bush gave the order to attack it on a path to U.S. territory.
Air Force Lt. Gen. Henry A. Obering III, director of the Missile Defense Agency, refused to say whether the U.S. missile defense system is on alert for a possible intercept mission, but noted that it has been designed specifically to defend U.S. territory against known missile threats from North Korea.
"(From) what I have seen and what I know about the system and its capabilities, I am very confident," he said at a news conference.
However, U.S. National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley said earlier this week that the U.S. missile defense system had "limited operational capability" to intercept and destroy such a missile.
The North's reported plans to fire the missile have stoked widespread international concern, with its main allies China and Russia warning against it.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said he was "very encouraged" by China and Russia's concern. He said the U.S. approached the North Koreans last weekend "and told them that we thought the idea of a launch was a very bad idea."
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan reiterated his concern, saying a missile launch "in a region like the Korean Peninsula, at a time when we have lots of difficult issues ... is not a wise thing to do and North Korea must listen to what the international community is telling it."
The North has said it is willing to talk to Washington about its missile concerns, repeating its long-held desire for direct meetings with the Americans. Washington insists it will only meet the North amid six-nation talks aimed at ridding Pyongyang of its nuclear weapons program.
On Friday, U.S. forces wrapped up massive Pacific war games in a show of military might. The five days of exercises — the largest in the Pacific since the Vietnam War — brought together three aircraft carriers along with 22,000 troops and 280 warplanes off the island of Guam in the western Pacific.
The U.S. will launch similar war games with seven other countries off Hawaii next week. The monthlong exercises, known as RIMPAC, will bring together forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Japan, South Korea, Britain and the U.S.
North Korea called the biennial drills a rehearsal for invasion, saying Friday night that it would "react against the reckless provocations of the aggressors with strong measures for self-defense."
Japan and the United States, meanwhile, signed an agreement to expand cooperation on ballistic missile defense development. Japan's Defense Agency also said a high-resolution radar that can detect a ballistic missile had been deployed at a base in northern Japan.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/China-...1174257401.html
China warns US against N Korean strike June 28, 2006 - 4:14PM
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has warned the United States against launching a preemptive strike on a suspected North Korean missile launch site.
Some commentators inside the US have urged the Bush administration to take the site out before North Korea can test fire a long range ballistic missile.
There is also speculation the US is preparing an interception strike if a missile is fired.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has asked Mr Wen to persuade North Korea not to act provocatively.
After their talks, Mr Wen urged all sides to maintain calm.
"We follow closely the information showing that there might be a possible testing launch of a missile in (the People's Republic of Korea) PRK and we are following the situation very closely," Mr Wen said through a translator.
"We hope that the various parties will proceed from the greater interest of maintaining stability on the Korean peninsula and refrain from taking measures that might worsen the situation on the peninsula."
Mr Wen said China still believed the six party talks - involving North Korea, South Korea, Japan, the United States, Russia and China - was the best way to resolve the issue.
"We still believe that the six party talks is the only way to peacefully settle the situation on the Korean peninsula," he said.
"Therefore China will work actively on the various party concerns on this matter, so we can resume negotiations as soon as possible."
Mr Wen and Mr Howard discussed the North Korean situation and Iran's nuclear program during almost an hour of private talks in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen.
Mr Howard refused to speculate on whether the US would use interception against any missile: "Except to note that all countries are entitled to look after their own position."
"No country in the world has a greater influence on North Korea than China has and I'll be encouraging the Chinese leadership to encourage the North Koreans to pull back and not to behave in a provocative fashion," Mr Howard told reporters.
China warns US against N Korean strike June 28, 2006 - 4:14PM
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has warned the United States against launching a preemptive strike on a suspected North Korean missile launch site.
Some commentators inside the US have urged the Bush administration to take the site out before North Korea can test fire a long range ballistic missile.
There is also speculation the US is preparing an interception strike if a missile is fired.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has asked Mr Wen to persuade North Korea not to act provocatively.
After their talks, Mr Wen urged all sides to maintain calm.
"We follow closely the information showing that there might be a possible testing launch of a missile in (the People's Republic of Korea) PRK and we are following the situation very closely," Mr Wen said through a translator.
"We hope that the various parties will proceed from the greater interest of maintaining stability on the Korean peninsula and refrain from taking measures that might worsen the situation on the peninsula."
Mr Wen said China still believed the six party talks - involving North Korea, South Korea, Japan, the United States, Russia and China - was the best way to resolve the issue.
"We still believe that the six party talks is the only way to peacefully settle the situation on the Korean peninsula," he said.
"Therefore China will work actively on the various party concerns on this matter, so we can resume negotiations as soon as possible."
Mr Wen and Mr Howard discussed the North Korean situation and Iran's nuclear program during almost an hour of private talks in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen.
Mr Howard refused to speculate on whether the US would use interception against any missile: "Except to note that all countries are entitled to look after their own position."
"No country in the world has a greater influence on North Korea than China has and I'll be encouraging the Chinese leadership to encourage the North Koreans to pull back and not to behave in a provocative fashion," Mr Howard told reporters.
QUOTE(LoisFaith2000 @ Jun 29 2006, 04:29 AM)
http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/China-...1174257401.html
China warns US against N Korean strike June 28, 2006 - 4:14PM
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has warned the United States against launching a preemptive strike on a suspected North Korean missile launch site.
Some commentators inside the US have urged the Bush administration to take the site out before North Korea can test fire a long range ballistic missile.
There is also speculation the US is preparing an interception strike if a missile is fired.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has asked Mr Wen to persuade North Korea not to act provocatively.
After their talks, Mr Wen urged all sides to maintain calm.
"We follow closely the information showing that there might be a possible testing launch of a missile in (the People's Republic of Korea) PRK and we are following the situation very closely," Mr Wen said through a translator.
"We hope that the various parties will proceed from the greater interest of maintaining stability on the Korean peninsula and refrain from taking measures that might worsen the situation on the peninsula."
Mr Wen said China still believed the six party talks - involving North Korea, South Korea, Japan, the United States, Russia and China - was the best way to resolve the issue.
"We still believe that the six party talks is the only way to peacefully settle the situation on the Korean peninsula," he said.
"Therefore China will work actively on the various party concerns on this matter, so we can resume negotiations as soon as possible."
Mr Wen and Mr Howard discussed the North Korean situation and Iran's nuclear program during almost an hour of private talks in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen.
Mr Howard refused to speculate on whether the US would use interception against any missile: "Except to note that all countries are entitled to look after their own position."
"No country in the world has a greater influence on North Korea than China has and I'll be encouraging the Chinese leadership to encourage the North Koreans to pull back and not to behave in a provocative fashion," Mr Howard told reporters.
[right][snapback]69568[/snapback][/right]
China warns US against N Korean strike June 28, 2006 - 4:14PM
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has warned the United States against launching a preemptive strike on a suspected North Korean missile launch site.
Some commentators inside the US have urged the Bush administration to take the site out before North Korea can test fire a long range ballistic missile.
There is also speculation the US is preparing an interception strike if a missile is fired.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has asked Mr Wen to persuade North Korea not to act provocatively.
After their talks, Mr Wen urged all sides to maintain calm.
"We follow closely the information showing that there might be a possible testing launch of a missile in (the People's Republic of Korea) PRK and we are following the situation very closely," Mr Wen said through a translator.
"We hope that the various parties will proceed from the greater interest of maintaining stability on the Korean peninsula and refrain from taking measures that might worsen the situation on the peninsula."
Mr Wen said China still believed the six party talks - involving North Korea, South Korea, Japan, the United States, Russia and China - was the best way to resolve the issue.
"We still believe that the six party talks is the only way to peacefully settle the situation on the Korean peninsula," he said.
"Therefore China will work actively on the various party concerns on this matter, so we can resume negotiations as soon as possible."
Mr Wen and Mr Howard discussed the North Korean situation and Iran's nuclear program during almost an hour of private talks in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen.
Mr Howard refused to speculate on whether the US would use interception against any missile: "Except to note that all countries are entitled to look after their own position."
"No country in the world has a greater influence on North Korea than China has and I'll be encouraging the Chinese leadership to encourage the North Koreans to pull back and not to behave in a provocative fashion," Mr Howard told reporters.
[right][snapback]69568[/snapback][/right]
Ah great. The war in gaza has started already. Let us see what happens to iran next.
North Korea says it’s fully prepared to counter US
« on: July 2nd, 2006, 2:38am »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle...?xfile=data/the world/2006/July/theworld_July8.xml§ion=theworld
North Korea says it’s fully prepared to counter US aggression
1 July 2006
SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea accused the United States of driving the situation on the Korean Peninsula “to the brink of war,” and said it is fully prepared to counter any US aggression.
The North’s latest burst of its routine anti-US rhetoric came as Washington increases scrutiny and pressure on the communist nation over concern it may test-launch a long-range missile believed capable of hitting American territory.
“Today’s grave situation in which the US ... is driving the situation on the Korean Peninsula to the brink of war proves once again that peace has been able to be maintained ... only because we have a strong war deterrent,” said the North’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland in a statement issued Friday night.
“Our military and the people are fully prepared to cope with any US provocations and challenges,” said the statement, carried by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency.
The statement blasted the recent US deployment of a U-2 spy plane in South Korea to monitor the North, claiming that it was part of US preparations to invade.
The deployment comes amid intelligence reports that North Korea placed a long-range Taepodong-2 missile on a pad in preparation to test-fire it. Experts say the missile may be able to reach as far as the US mainland.
North Korea has long accused Washington of being hostile toward it and looking for a chance to attack. The US denies the claim.
The two countries have also been in a standoff over the North’s nuclear weapons program since 2002.
« on: July 2nd, 2006, 2:38am »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle...?xfile=data/the world/2006/July/theworld_July8.xml§ion=theworld
North Korea says it’s fully prepared to counter US aggression
1 July 2006
SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea accused the United States of driving the situation on the Korean Peninsula “to the brink of war,” and said it is fully prepared to counter any US aggression.
The North’s latest burst of its routine anti-US rhetoric came as Washington increases scrutiny and pressure on the communist nation over concern it may test-launch a long-range missile believed capable of hitting American territory.
“Today’s grave situation in which the US ... is driving the situation on the Korean Peninsula to the brink of war proves once again that peace has been able to be maintained ... only because we have a strong war deterrent,” said the North’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland in a statement issued Friday night.
“Our military and the people are fully prepared to cope with any US provocations and challenges,” said the statement, carried by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency.
The statement blasted the recent US deployment of a U-2 spy plane in South Korea to monitor the North, claiming that it was part of US preparations to invade.
The deployment comes amid intelligence reports that North Korea placed a long-range Taepodong-2 missile on a pad in preparation to test-fire it. Experts say the missile may be able to reach as far as the US mainland.
North Korea has long accused Washington of being hostile toward it and looking for a chance to attack. The US denies the claim.
The two countries have also been in a standoff over the North’s nuclear weapons program since 2002.
Wars and Rumors of War
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOMELAND INSECURITY
NORAD air base on heightened alert
No reason given for 'Bravo-Plus' security level
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: July 3, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
As the U.S. continues to express concern about the possibility of a North Korean missile test directed toward American territory and the rest of the world holds its breath over a close encounter with an asteroid, several U.S. air bases are on heightened alert.
But no one is talking about why.
The Cheyenne Mountain Air Station, which houses NORAD – charged with monitoring the North Korea situation – is now at "Bravo-Plus."
Other air bases in Colorado, California and Florida are also on heightened alert status.
There are five levels of alert: normal, Alpha (low), Bravo (medium), Charlie (high) and Delta (critical). "Bravo-Plus" is slightly higher than a medium threat level.
The Bush administration has urged North Korea to abandon its plans to test a long range missile. The Pentagon believes the missile is capable of reaching the United States.
NORAD and the U.S. Northern Command in Colorado would play a big role in both detecting and responding to a missile launch if it ever occurred.
The U.S. missile defense system is only a few years old, but could be tested if North Korea chooses to act.
Meanwhile, in a development that may or may not be related to the heightened security alert, an asteroid up to half a mile wide is due to brush past the Earth early today.
Scientists who have been tracking asteroid 2004 XP14 say it will approach almost as close as the Moon, traveling at 10.5 miles per second.
It has been classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA), along with 782 known others.
Initially there were concerns that the asteroid might collide with the Earth later this century. However, further analysis of its orbit has ruled this out - at least for the foreseeable future.
If XP14 did hit the Earth the effects would be devastating.
"It would probably be big enough to wipe out a small country," said Dr David Asher, from the Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This near earth object already passed earth by very early this morning...kind of like a fly by...only instead of F15's buzzing nearby, God warns the Earth by hurdling a giant rock nearby.... 
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North Korea Warns of 'Annihilating Strike and a Nuclear War' if U.S. Attacks
Monday , July 03, 2006
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea would respond to a pre-emptive U.S. military attack with an "annihilating strike and a nuclear war," the state-run media said Monday, heightening anti-U.S. rhetoric amid close scrutiny of its missile program.
The Korean Central News Agency, citing an unidentified Rodong Sinmun newspaper "analyst," accused the United States of increasing military pressure on the isolated communist state and basing new spy planes on the Korean Peninsula.
The North Korean threat of retaliation, which is often voiced by its state-controlled media, comes amid U.S. official reports that Pyongyang has shown signs of preparing for a test of a long-range missile. North Korea claims it has the right to such a launch.
On Friday, Pyongyang accused the United States of driving the situation on the Korean Peninsula "to the brink of war," and said it is fully prepared to counter any U.S. aggression.
full story: http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_st...,201906,00.html
North Korea Warns of 'Annihilating Strike and a Nuclear War' if U.S. Attacks
Monday , July 03, 2006
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea would respond to a pre-emptive U.S. military attack with an "annihilating strike and a nuclear war," the state-run media said Monday, heightening anti-U.S. rhetoric amid close scrutiny of its missile program.
The Korean Central News Agency, citing an unidentified Rodong Sinmun newspaper "analyst," accused the United States of increasing military pressure on the isolated communist state and basing new spy planes on the Korean Peninsula.
The North Korean threat of retaliation, which is often voiced by its state-controlled media, comes amid U.S. official reports that Pyongyang has shown signs of preparing for a test of a long-range missile. North Korea claims it has the right to such a launch.
On Friday, Pyongyang accused the United States of driving the situation on the Korean Peninsula "to the brink of war," and said it is fully prepared to counter any U.S. aggression.
full story: http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_st...,201906,00.html
N. Korea threatens U.S. with 'nuclear war'
Monday, July 3, 2006; Posted: 11:09 p.m. EDT (03:09 GMT)
Protesters make their feelings about North Korea's leader Kim Jong Il clear during a rally in Seoul last month. WATCH Browse/Search
The latest war of words from North Korea (2:04)
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Manage Alerts | What Is This? SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- North Korea would respond to a pre-emptive U.S. military attack with an "annihilating strike and a nuclear war," the state-run media has said, heightening anti-U.S. rhetoric amid close scrutiny of its missile program.
The Korean Central News Agency, citing an unidentified Rodong Sinmun newspaper "analyst" on Monday, accused the United States of increasing military pressure on the isolated communist state and basing new spy planes on the Korean Peninsula.
The North Korean threat of retaliation, which is often voiced by its state-controlled media, comes amid U.S. official reports that Pyongyang has shown signs of preparing for a test of a long-range missile. North Korea claims it has the right to such a launch. (Watch Kim Jong Il's latest war of words -- 2:04)
On Friday, Pyongyang accused the United States of driving the situation on the Korean Peninsula "to the brink of war," and said it is fully prepared to counter any U.S. aggression.
Monday's report accused Washington of escalating military pressure on the country with war exercises, a massive arms buildup and aerial espionage by basing new spy planes in South Korea.
"This is a grave military provocation and blackmail to the DPRK, being an indication that the U.S. is rapidly pushing ahead in various fields with the extremely dangerous war moves," the dispatch said.
"The army and people of the DPRK are now in full preparedness to answer a pre-emptive attack with a relentless annihilating strike and a nuclear war with a mighty nuclear deterrent," the report said.
DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
White House spokesman Tony Snow refused to respond to what he called "a hypothetical situation."
"It is a statement about what may happen if something that hasn't happened happened, if you follow my drift," he said.
North Korea routinely accuses the U.S. of aerial espionage, issuing a tally of such flights at the end of every month. The U.S. military doesn't comment, although it acknowledges monitoring North Korean military activity.
Washington and Japan have said in recent weeks that spy satellite images show North Korea has taken steps to prepare a long-range Taepodong-2 missile for a test-launch.
Estimates for the range of the missile vary widely, but at least one U.S. study said it could be able to reach parts of the United States with a light payload.
Speculation that Pyongyang could fire the missile has waned in recent days since the country's top ally and a major source of its energy supplies, China, reportedly urged North Korea not to go ahead with the test.
Meanwhile, a South Korean government official said Seoul is considering buying U.S. shipborne SM-2 missiles to bolster its missile-defense system.
The move is the latest by South Korea and Japan to strengthen their defenses amid signs of the North Korean missile test. Seoul announced last week the purchase of Patriot interceptor missiles from Germany.
SM-2 missiles, however, are reportedly effective against cruise missiles and at striking aircraft but would not be able to hit a long-range missile.
"I understand that we have requested information" on the missiles for purchase, said Park Sung-soo, an official at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, without elaborating.
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale last week, according to its Web site. The order would be for 48 SM-2 Block IIIB tactical standard missiles and associated equipment and training.
The agency estimated the cost at $111 million
Doesn't it seem like the fishing boats are about to go out again...
QUOTE(Miki @ Jul 4 2006, 09:37 AM)
Doesn't it seem like the fishing boats are about to go out again...
[right][snapback]70500[/snapback][/right]
I got ya Miki...
They might have sent those out a few days ago. That is why Kim is saying what he is about a pre-emptive strike. Actually, it would be good if Kim went ahead and fired that thing and we got the chance to test our defense shield.
Well, here's your 4th of July Fireworks.....
U.S. officials: North Korea tests long-range missile
Tuesday, July 4, 2006; Posted: 6:11 p.m. EDT (22:11 GMT)
North Korea tested a long-range missile and at least two smaller missiles, U.S. sources told CNN.
WATCH Browse/Search
The latest war of words from North Korea (2:04)
As N. Korea plans missile test, eyes turn to U.S. interceptors (1:18)
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• N. Korea threatens 'nuclear war'
• China tries to jumpstart talks
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• Shockwaves after nuclear claim
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Manage Alerts | What Is This? WASHINGTON (CNN) -- North Korea test-launched a Taepodong-2 missile early Wednesday along with two short-range rockets, but the long-range missile apparently failed, U.S. officials said.
North Korea's preparations for a long-range missile test have been closely monitored for weeks. A senior State Department official told CNN the Taepodong-2, which some U.S. analysts fear could hit the western United States, appears to have failed in flight.
Military officials told CNN the long-range missile appeared to have failed less than a minute after launch.
Two smaller North Korean missiles were fired from a different site shortly before the larger missile was tested, U.S. intelligence and State Department officials said.
U.S. military sources said those two missiles landed in the Sea of Japan, one closer to Russia and the other closer to Japan.
A senior State Department official said the launches were timed to coincide with the launch of the space shuttle Discovery from Florida, calling it "a provocative act designed to get attention."
Analysts said the tests appeared to have been intended to draw international attention back to North Korea -- and to the stalled talks aimed at convincing Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
North Korea is believed to have the capability to produce several nuclear weapons but has never tested one.
"They are trying to send quite a signal not only to the United States but to the rest of the world that they should be taken quite seriously," said Wendy Sherman, a former State Department official who held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il during the Clinton administration.
Washington and North Korea's Asian neighbors -- South Korea, China, Russia and Japan -- have been trying to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear program since 2002, but those talks have stalled in recent months.
Jim Walsh, a national security analyst at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said the intent of the test appeared to be aimed at drawing attention back to North Korean demands in the six-party talks. But Walsh said the tests "do not represent an immediate military threat to the United States."
"It's very difficult technology. They very clearly have not mastered it," he said. "Most estimates are they will not master it for another 10 years."
The United States, Japan and other countries have warned North Korea against a long-range missile test. The North Koreans fired a Taepodong-1 missile over Japan in 1998, but declared a moratorium on future tests in 1999.
There was no official response to Wednesday's tests from either the White House or from Japan, which had threatened to seek economic sanctions against already-impoverished North Korea if it conducted a missile test.
"One would expect from any administration for there to be sanctions, for there to be a tough response to this," Sherman said.
On Monday, North Korea's state-run media accused the United States of harassing it and vowed to respond to any pre-emptive attack "with a relentless annihilating strike and a nuclear war with a mighty nuclear deterrent." (Watch why North Korea is talking about annihilating the U.S. -- 2:04)
The White House has dismissed that threat as "hypothetical." (Full story)
But the U.S. Northern Command increased security measures at its Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station in Colorado Springs, Colorado, a few weeks ago, a military official confirmed Tuesday.
The base is the seat of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, and some of its command-and-control operations might be used if the United States attempted to use its ballistic missile interceptors to shoot down a Taepodong-2 test.
But a Pentagon official said the missile appears to have failed on its own, without any American effort to knock it down.
In other planning measures instituted in the past several days, Northern Command, along with the Federal Aviation Administration, has put standby commercial flight restrictions into place over Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and Fort Greely, Alaska, where U.S. interceptor missiles are based.
President Bush warned last week that the isolated Stalinist state would face even further isolation if it launched the Taepodong-2, which U.S. analysts fear is capable of reaching the western United States. (Full story)
"The North Koreans have made agreements with us in the past, and we expect them to keep their agreements," Bush said last month at the end of a European Union summit.
"It should make people nervous when nontransparent regimes, that have announced that they've got nuclear warheads, fire missiles," Bush said. "This is not the way you conduct business in the world. This is not the way that peaceful nations conduct their affairs."
U.S. officials: North Korea tests long-range missile
Tuesday, July 4, 2006; Posted: 6:11 p.m. EDT (22:11 GMT)
North Korea tested a long-range missile and at least two smaller missiles, U.S. sources told CNN.
WATCH Browse/Search
The latest war of words from North Korea (2:04)
As N. Korea plans missile test, eyes turn to U.S. interceptors (1:18)
RELATED
• N. Korea threatens 'nuclear war'
• China tries to jumpstart talks
SPECIAL REPORT
• Shockwaves after nuclear claim
• Timeline: Nuclear development
• Facts about North Korea
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Manage Alerts | What Is This? WASHINGTON (CNN) -- North Korea test-launched a Taepodong-2 missile early Wednesday along with two short-range rockets, but the long-range missile apparently failed, U.S. officials said.
North Korea's preparations for a long-range missile test have been closely monitored for weeks. A senior State Department official told CNN the Taepodong-2, which some U.S. analysts fear could hit the western United States, appears to have failed in flight.
Military officials told CNN the long-range missile appeared to have failed less than a minute after launch.
Two smaller North Korean missiles were fired from a different site shortly before the larger missile was tested, U.S. intelligence and State Department officials said.
U.S. military sources said those two missiles landed in the Sea of Japan, one closer to Russia and the other closer to Japan.
A senior State Department official said the launches were timed to coincide with the launch of the space shuttle Discovery from Florida, calling it "a provocative act designed to get attention."
Analysts said the tests appeared to have been intended to draw international attention back to North Korea -- and to the stalled talks aimed at convincing Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
North Korea is believed to have the capability to produce several nuclear weapons but has never tested one.
"They are trying to send quite a signal not only to the United States but to the rest of the world that they should be taken quite seriously," said Wendy Sherman, a former State Department official who held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il during the Clinton administration.
Washington and North Korea's Asian neighbors -- South Korea, China, Russia and Japan -- have been trying to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear program since 2002, but those talks have stalled in recent months.
Jim Walsh, a national security analyst at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said the intent of the test appeared to be aimed at drawing attention back to North Korean demands in the six-party talks. But Walsh said the tests "do not represent an immediate military threat to the United States."
"It's very difficult technology. They very clearly have not mastered it," he said. "Most estimates are they will not master it for another 10 years."
The United States, Japan and other countries have warned North Korea against a long-range missile test. The North Koreans fired a Taepodong-1 missile over Japan in 1998, but declared a moratorium on future tests in 1999.
There was no official response to Wednesday's tests from either the White House or from Japan, which had threatened to seek economic sanctions against already-impoverished North Korea if it conducted a missile test.
"One would expect from any administration for there to be sanctions, for there to be a tough response to this," Sherman said.
On Monday, North Korea's state-run media accused the United States of harassing it and vowed to respond to any pre-emptive attack "with a relentless annihilating strike and a nuclear war with a mighty nuclear deterrent." (Watch why North Korea is talking about annihilating the U.S. -- 2:04)
The White House has dismissed that threat as "hypothetical." (Full story)
But the U.S. Northern Command increased security measures at its Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station in Colorado Springs, Colorado, a few weeks ago, a military official confirmed Tuesday.
The base is the seat of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, and some of its command-and-control operations might be used if the United States attempted to use its ballistic missile interceptors to shoot down a Taepodong-2 test.
But a Pentagon official said the missile appears to have failed on its own, without any American effort to knock it down.
In other planning measures instituted in the past several days, Northern Command, along with the Federal Aviation Administration, has put standby commercial flight restrictions into place over Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and Fort Greely, Alaska, where U.S. interceptor missiles are based.
President Bush warned last week that the isolated Stalinist state would face even further isolation if it launched the Taepodong-2, which U.S. analysts fear is capable of reaching the western United States. (Full story)
"The North Koreans have made agreements with us in the past, and we expect them to keep their agreements," Bush said last month at the end of a European Union summit.
"It should make people nervous when nontransparent regimes, that have announced that they've got nuclear warheads, fire missiles," Bush said. "This is not the way you conduct business in the world. This is not the way that peaceful nations conduct their affairs."
-- North Korea test-fires at least three missiles, one of them a long-range weapon that the U.S. has been monitoring, U.S. sources say.
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Watch this one. If Dumitri Duduman's prophecy is right, this is a PLOY. They are in league with China and Russia. If I remember right, they want us to focus on North Korea then...what do you think????
.......
N.Korea launched 10 missiles: Russian armed forces 1 hour, 30 minutes ago
MOSCOW (Reuters) - North Korea launched a total of 10 missiles, the head of Russia's General Staff was quoted as saying on Wednesday, but he could not confirm how many of them were intercontinental weapons.
"Our control systems can confirm that the rockets were launched," General Yuri Baluevsky told reporters in the town of Chita, near the Mongolian border, Interfax news agency reported.
"Ten rockets were launched. According to one set of data, they were rockets of different classes. According to another set of data, they were all intercontinental. I can only say what class they were after receiving the technical data."
Russia shares a short border with North Korea, which launched its rockets despite calls from countries around the world that it should not increase tensions over its nuclear weapons program.
Earlier on Wednesday, Russia's foreign ministry joined the chorus of condemnation of the communist state's missile launches, saying the step was provocative and would harm attempts to build trust in the region.
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Watch this one. If Dumitri Duduman's prophecy is right, this is a PLOY. They are in league with China and Russia. If I remember right, they want us to focus on North Korea then...what do you think????
.......
N.Korea launched 10 missiles: Russian armed forces 1 hour, 30 minutes ago
MOSCOW (Reuters) - North Korea launched a total of 10 missiles, the head of Russia's General Staff was quoted as saying on Wednesday, but he could not confirm how many of them were intercontinental weapons.
"Our control systems can confirm that the rockets were launched," General Yuri Baluevsky told reporters in the town of Chita, near the Mongolian border, Interfax news agency reported.
"Ten rockets were launched. According to one set of data, they were rockets of different classes. According to another set of data, they were all intercontinental. I can only say what class they were after receiving the technical data."
Russia shares a short border with North Korea, which launched its rockets despite calls from countries around the world that it should not increase tensions over its nuclear weapons program.
Earlier on Wednesday, Russia's foreign ministry joined the chorus of condemnation of the communist state's missile launches, saying the step was provocative and would harm attempts to build trust in the region.
This prophetic WORD was released by Kim Clement on 2/11/03. Some of you may be familiar with Kim's prophetic ministry and some may not. However, i thought this may encourage some who may be in question about the coming days that lie ahead when it comes to this situation that seems to be now at hand.
Shalom,
"Korea! What is this little beast that would stand and strike its finger up the nose of those that have brought praise to My heart? God says, would they say, 'Come, you do it, we shall strike you?' But it shall be a mistake and they shall desperately stand in fear and say, why did we do it? Why did we strike at the giant? Did we not know better?' Did Japan not know better when it did that at Pearl Harbor? But the Spirit of the Lord says they will do and try the same thing. But watch this, watch this! God says, My generals and My men that I placed in high places are men of prayer and are men of life, and therefore, God says, I will not allow it to even touch one person or even scar one of your soldiers because of the hand of the Lord that is upon you, says God." Feb 11, 2003 - Kim Clement
><><><><><><><><><><><
I woke up early this morning around 3:00AM from a dream about this country , I sensed the Lord telling me they were playing poker with the world and not to play their game or listen to their threats , They were flooding the U.S. with counterfeit money and that has been halted so their funding has virtually dried up ! They are working in fear and hunger through greed and control , the antichrist is so evident here and all the trappings , I urge you to lift this country to the Lord this very day ! I rarely have dreams and news to match the same day as below !!!
(AP) North Korea suggested Tuesday it had the ability to launch a pre-emptive attack on the United States, according to the North's official news agency.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman said the North had built atomic weapons to counter the U.S. nuclear threat.
"As we declared, our strong revolutionary might put in place all measures to counter possible U.S. pre-emptive strike," the spokesman said, according to the Korean Central News Agency. "Pre-emptive strike is not the monopoly of the United States."
The United States urged North Korea to return to international nuclear negotiations instead of making inflammatory statements. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the United States has no plans to invade or attack North Korea.
Last week, the communist country warned that it had the right to launch a pre-emptive strike, saying it would strengthen its war footing before joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises scheduled for this weekend.
The North's spokesman said it would be a "wise" step for the United States to cooperate on nuclear issues with North Korea in the same way it does with India.
Earlier this month, President Bush signed an accord in India that would open some of its atomic reactors to international inspections in exchange for U.S. nuclear know-how and atomic fuel.
The accord was reached even though New Delhi has not signed the international Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. North Korea has withdrawn from the treaty and condemned the United States for giving India "preferential" treatment. BY jk
Shalom,
"Korea! What is this little beast that would stand and strike its finger up the nose of those that have brought praise to My heart? God says, would they say, 'Come, you do it, we shall strike you?' But it shall be a mistake and they shall desperately stand in fear and say, why did we do it? Why did we strike at the giant? Did we not know better?' Did Japan not know better when it did that at Pearl Harbor? But the Spirit of the Lord says they will do and try the same thing. But watch this, watch this! God says, My generals and My men that I placed in high places are men of prayer and are men of life, and therefore, God says, I will not allow it to even touch one person or even scar one of your soldiers because of the hand of the Lord that is upon you, says God." Feb 11, 2003 - Kim Clement
><><><><><><><><><><><
I woke up early this morning around 3:00AM from a dream about this country , I sensed the Lord telling me they were playing poker with the world and not to play their game or listen to their threats , They were flooding the U.S. with counterfeit money and that has been halted so their funding has virtually dried up ! They are working in fear and hunger through greed and control , the antichrist is so evident here and all the trappings , I urge you to lift this country to the Lord this very day ! I rarely have dreams and news to match the same day as below !!!
(AP) North Korea suggested Tuesday it had the ability to launch a pre-emptive attack on the United States, according to the North's official news agency.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman said the North had built atomic weapons to counter the U.S. nuclear threat.
"As we declared, our strong revolutionary might put in place all measures to counter possible U.S. pre-emptive strike," the spokesman said, according to the Korean Central News Agency. "Pre-emptive strike is not the monopoly of the United States."
The United States urged North Korea to return to international nuclear negotiations instead of making inflammatory statements. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the United States has no plans to invade or attack North Korea.
Last week, the communist country warned that it had the right to launch a pre-emptive strike, saying it would strengthen its war footing before joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises scheduled for this weekend.
The North's spokesman said it would be a "wise" step for the United States to cooperate on nuclear issues with North Korea in the same way it does with India.
Earlier this month, President Bush signed an accord in India that would open some of its atomic reactors to international inspections in exchange for U.S. nuclear know-how and atomic fuel.
The accord was reached even though New Delhi has not signed the international Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. North Korea has withdrawn from the treaty and condemned the United States for giving India "preferential" treatment. BY jk
North Korean missile test to go unpunished after UN split
From James Bone in New York
CHINA and Russia moved yesterday to block attempts to impose UN sanctions on North Korea as the reclusive communist nation fired a seventh ballistic missile.
Britain and the US backed the Japanese call for a mandatory Security Council resolution demanding a halt to testing as well as sanctions on funding, parts and technology for Pyongyang’s missile programme. The three countries’ ambassadors also appeared shoulder-to-shoulder outside the council chamber to send a united message.
“We hope the response of the Security Council will be swift, strong and resolute,” Kenzo Oshima, the Japanese representative to the UN, said.
President Bush called on North Korea last night to “verifiably abandon” its weapons programmes. He said that the apparent failure of the long-range Taepodong 2 missile, which fizzled 42 seconds after lift-off, did not diminish the urgency of pushing North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons programme.
“One thing we have learnt is that the rocket didn’t stay up for very long,” he said. “It tumbled into the sea. It doesn’t diminish my desire to solve this problem.” He said that top US officials were working with other nations to coax Pyongyang back to the multinational talks.
Japan’s proposal, invoking the “enforcement provisions” of Chapter VII of the UN Charter, would require that North Korea, “immediately cease the development, testing, deployment and proliferation of ballistic missiles”. The draft resolution would outlaw “the transfer of financial resources, items, materials, goods and technology to end users that could contribute to [North Korea’s] missile and other weapons of mass destruction programs”.
The text would also call for North Korea to return to the six-party talks, which it has been boycotting in protest at an American crackdown on counterfeiting and other alleged financial crimes.
But China and Russia, which hold veto power on the 15- nation council, quickly signalled their opposition to sanctions and called for action to be limited to a non-binding statement, rather than a resolution.
“Thirteen delegations were in favour of a resolution and two delegations have recommended that a presidential statement would be more appropriate,” Jean-Marc de La Sablière, the French ambassador who holds the council presidency, said.
Vitali Churkin, Russia’s UN envoy, suggested that his Government, while particularly concerned by information that some missile fragments may have fallen near Russian territory, did not envisage any punitive measures. “The goal should be the resumption of the six-party talks and the ultimate diplomatic solution.”
Wang Guangya, the Chinese ambassador, cited the precedent of the Security Council’s response to North Korea’s 1998 test-firing of a Taepodong 1 missile that flew over Japan. Then the council issued a statement expressing “regret” over the missile launch, which “poses harm to the fishing and shipping activities in the region”.
North Korea remained defiant. “Maintenance of peace in our country is entirely made possible by our strong war deterrent,” a commentator on the state-run Korean Central Broadcasting Station said.
Posted: 07/06/2006 at 6:43am | IP Logged
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Stephen Hanson 7/6
(I thought it might be good to send out some prophetic words that were
given to me a few years back. They talk about North Korea and how our
focus on Iraq will change to that of North Korea. These are strategic
times that we live in as we see these things develop before us around
the world. We know, however, that God is in control and that his ways
are not our ways. Follow the links below to go to the complete
message.)
Thank you,
Stephen Hanson
"I tell you that a wind is blowing upon North Korea. It will blow upon
their army and propel them into maneuvers. Many of the peoples of the
east will get caught up in these maneuvers. The wind has blown upon
Iraq but it will shift. It is as one big chess game with the various
players within it."
"CAN YOU DISCERN THE WIND?"
Aug. 2, 2003
http://www.angelfire.com/in/HisTruth/section38.html
"I tell you that North Korea is building an arsenal, and they are also
in league with China. The war on terrorism is not a war that one can
win as easily as one might think. It involves the entire world."
"THE WAR IN IRAQ WILL CHANGE INTO ANOTHER WAR"
Oct. 9. 2004
http://www.angelfire.com/in/HisTruth/section44.html
"I tell you that dark forces have been at work in parts of China and
North Korea and Russia. They have been working their schemes to cause
those in high places to build up their arsenals. For there is a league
and an underground effort that is going on."
"THE BATTLE RAGES ON FOR THE WORLD AND ITS DOMINION"
July 2, 2005
http://www.angelfire.com/in/HisTruth/section47.html
tseyigai@yahoo.com
http://www.angelfire.com/in/HisTruth
1824 E. San Rafael St.
Colorado Spgs, CO. 80909
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen Hanson 7/6
(I thought it might be good to send out some prophetic words that were
given to me a few years back. They talk about North Korea and how our
focus on Iraq will change to that of North Korea. These are strategic
times that we live in as we see these things develop before us around
the world. We know, however, that God is in control and that his ways
are not our ways. Follow the links below to go to the complete
message.)
Thank you,
Stephen Hanson
"I tell you that a wind is blowing upon North Korea. It will blow upon
their army and propel them into maneuvers. Many of the peoples of the
east will get caught up in these maneuvers. The wind has blown upon
Iraq but it will shift. It is as one big chess game with the various
players within it."
"CAN YOU DISCERN THE WIND?"
Aug. 2, 2003
http://www.angelfire.com/in/HisTruth/section38.html
"I tell you that North Korea is building an arsenal, and they are also
in league with China. The war on terrorism is not a war that one can
win as easily as one might think. It involves the entire world."
"THE WAR IN IRAQ WILL CHANGE INTO ANOTHER WAR"
Oct. 9. 2004
http://www.angelfire.com/in/HisTruth/section44.html
"I tell you that dark forces have been at work in parts of China and
North Korea and Russia. They have been working their schemes to cause
those in high places to build up their arsenals. For there is a league
and an underground effort that is going on."
"THE BATTLE RAGES ON FOR THE WORLD AND ITS DOMINION"
July 2, 2005
http://www.angelfire.com/in/HisTruth/section47.html
tseyigai@yahoo.com
http://www.angelfire.com/in/HisTruth
1824 E. San Rafael St.
Colorado Spgs, CO. 80909
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