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North Korea Watch: North Korea Launches Taepodong-2 at Area off Hawaii
Reuters: N. Korea missile aimed at area off Hawaii – report
A North Korean missile launched on Wednesday was aimed at an area of the ocean close to Hawaii, a Japanese newspaper reported on Friday.
Experts estimated the Taepodong-2 ballistic missile to have a range of up to 6,000 km, putting Alaska within its reach. Wednesday’s launch apparently failed shortly after take-off and the missile landed in the sea between the Korean peninsula and Japan, a few hundred kilometres from the launch pad.
If the flight of this missile had been longer would the U.S. and Japanese Aegis missile defense destroyers had the orders to intercept? And what about the ground based interceptors in Fort Greely, Alaska?
But data from U.S. and Japanese Aegis radar-equipped destroyers and surveillance aircraft on the missile’s angle of take-off and altitude indicated that it was heading for waters near Hawaii, the Sankei Shimbun reported, citing multiple sources in the United States and Japan.
North Korea may have targeted Hawaii to show the United States that it was capable of landing a missile there, or because it is home to the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific fleet, the paper said.
An alternative explanation might be that a missile could accidentally hit land if fired towards Alaska, the report said.
A separate report in the Mainichi Shimbun daily cited U.S. and Japanese government officials as saying a piece of the Taepodong-2 missile fell off immediately after take-off, strengthening the view that the launch was a failure.
But, does North Korea have any additional long-range ballistic missiles and if they do will President Bush be justified in pre-emptively destroying them?
The Bush Administration has been taking a stern but diplomatic approach to involve the international community in further isolating North Korea. However, there may come a time where military action may be required to protect America.
In the meantime, North Korea today MOCKED the world for its missile launches.
North Korea angrily mocked international criticism of its multiple missile tests, threatening on Thursday to fire off more rockets. In the face of nearly unanimous world condemnation of the seven missile tests on Wednesday, Pyongyang’s foreign minister released a blustery statement declaring that it had the right to develop and test its weapons — and vowing unspecified retaliation against anyone who tries to stop it.
“Our military will continue with missile launch drills in the future as part of efforts to strengthen self-defense deterrent,” said the statement, carried in state-run media.
“If anyone intends to dispute or add pressure about this, we will have to take stronger physical actions in other forms.”
The statement did not specify what actions North Korea would take.
More bluster and threatening behavior from North Korea does not reassure the world that negotiations are possible with such a regime.
As the diplomats talk, the United States and its allies better prepare for an armed intervention.
The aggressive stance from Pyongyang coincided with intense diplomatic activity in world capitals to formulate a response to the tests. Washington and its allies — particularly Japan — clamored for sanctions against the North, but struggled against resistance by China and Russia.
The United Nations Security Council will not vote for any type of punitive sanctions. Russia and China love Kim Jong-Il sticking a finger in the eye of the United States.
America must DETER North Korea much as it did during the Cold War with the old and failed Soviet Union.
The United States can bargain from a position of strength and let Kim Jong-Il know that should another provocative action occur towards the United States that there will be swift and deadly retaliation.
Stay tuned……
Picture released on June 16 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il.Captain Ed has AP: North Korea Targeted Hawaiian WatersÂ
We have waited to see what analysis could be made by defense experts from the limited telemetry available about the intended target. If this proves correct, it will increase pressure on the White House to pursue a tougher line on Pyongyang and its missile tests — perhaps even pushing us towards the risky policy of hitting the launch sites before any more ICBMs fly.
It also makes it a little tougher for us to settle for a “presidential statement” from the UN Security Council as well. That shows that the North Koreans represent a direct threat to our territory. We need to present a tough and united front to face down Kim. If the UNSC can’t find it in themselves to do that while Kim fires missiles at Hawaii, then perhaps we can find some other use for Turtle Bay.
A “presidential statement” from the United Nations is unacceptable. Deterrence is the ONLY solution now.
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North Korea Watch: North Korea Test Launches 7th Missile
North Korea Watch: United States Accuses North Korea of Trying to “Intimidate Other Statesâ€
Technorati Tags: NorthKorea, KimJongIl, MissileDefenseAgency
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Senator Joe Lieberman Watch: Senator John Kerry REFUSES to Endorse Lieberman in Democrat Primary election
Incumbent U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., with his wife, Hadassah, left, left, greet supporters and he announced outside the state Capitol in Hartford, Conn., Monday, July 3, 2006, that if he should lose the upcoming Democratic primary against challenger Ned Lamont, he will collect signatures for an independent campaign.The Boston Globe: Unlike some peers, Kerry not endorsing Lieberman in primary
Senator John F. Kerry announced yesterday that he will support whoever wins next month’s Democratic Senate primary in Connecticut, despite the decision by incumbent Senator Joseph I. Lieberman to run as an independent candidate if he loses the primary.
The announcement was made a day after a similar declaration by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, who, like Kerry, is considering a presidential run in 2008.
These are such bold moves by Kerry and Clinton……
NOT
Of course, they will support the winner of their own Democrat Party’s primary elections – DUH.
However, what is not been said in these statements is that they are appeasing the far Democrat Left in quasi supporting anti-Iraq War candidates, like Ned Lamont in Connecticut.
But unlike Clinton, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee — all of whom pledged to support Lieberman in the primary — Kerry is declining to choose between Lieberman and his Democratic challenger Ned Lamont, said Amy Brundage , a spokesman for Kerry’s political operation.
Further evidence of a split between mainstream Democrat leaders and the netroots politics of the Democrat LEFT typified by Markos Moulitsas “Screw Them†Zuniga and his blog, The Daily Kos.
And what is Kerry’s rationale for not supporting a neighbor incumbent Senator?
Lieberman is NOT a veteran.
Kerry is endorsing only candidates in contested primaries who are veterans.
`Since Kerry has made his personal mission for 2006 electing veterans to the House and Senate, he’s likewise only taken sides in Democratic primaries to back candidates who are veterans,” she said. “Connecticut will choose the Democratic Senate nominee, and John Kerry will support him.”
What loyalty but then again Kerry has demonstrated his disloyal nature in selling out the Swift Boat Veterans, hasn’t he?
The Democrat Left will be burning many bridges with the moderate wing of the party.
This will only help the GOP in the Fall.
Ned Lamont, left, who is challenging incumbent Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, talks to Walter Chambers, right, of Storrs, Conn., while Lamont’s wife Annie looks on at the Boom Box Parade in Willimantic, Conn., Tuesday, July 4, 2006Flap would love to hear the Senate cloakroom conversation when Senator Lieberman confronts Senator Kerry for Kerry’s lack of cojones to endorse him for re-election.
More bad blood in Democrat primary elections means easier races for the GOP in November.
Stay tuned…….
Previous:
Senator Joe Lieberman Watch: Lieberman Will Run as an Independent if He Loses Democrat Primary
Senator Joe Lieberman Watch: Independent Candidacy this Fall?
Senator Joe Lieberman Watch: MoveOn.org Endorses Challenger Ned Lamont
Technorati Tags: JoeLieberman, NedLamont, MarkosMoulitsasZuniga, HillaryClinton
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North Korea Watch: Russia and China Resisting United Nations Sanctions Against North Korea Missile Launches
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton (L) listens to Japanese Ambassador to the U.N. Kenzo Oshima after a meeting of the U.N. Security Council at the United Nations in New York, July 5, 2006.
AP: China, Russia resist North Korea sanctions
China and Russia resisted an attempt in the U.N. Security Council to impose sanctions against North Korea for its missile launches Wednesday, saying only diplomacy could halt the isolated regime’s nuclear and rocket development programs.
Does this sound familiar? Does the Iran nuclear debate ring a bell?
Will Russia and China EVER support sanctions that the United States and its allies favor
Probably not – they simply love to put a finger in the eye of America.
Japan, backed by the U.S. and Britain, circulated a resolution that would ban any country from transferring funds, material and technology that could be used in North Korea’s missile and weapons of mass destruction programs.
China, the North’s closest ally, and Russia, which has been trying to re-establish Soviet-era ties with Pyongyang, countered that they favor a weaker council statement without any threat of sanctions. Both countries hold veto power in the council, making sanctions unlikely.
But, John Bolton, the U.K. and Japan should force Russia and China to VETO the Japanese resolution. A weaker Presidential statement is unacceptable.
The United States should NOT allow a threat of a veto deter it placing resolutions for a vote. The same applies to the Iran debate.
North Korea, which has proclaimed itself a nuclear weapons state, has said sanctions would amount to a declaration of war. China and Russia are clearly concerned that a U.N. demand for such measures would only make the current situation worse and delay a return to six-party talks. China and Russia are part of the talks along with North and South Korea, the United States and Japan.
An appeasement laden Presidential statement ONLY condemning North Korea will be viewed as a sign of weakness. This will be destabilizing since North Korea will feel emboldened to launch more missiles.
The United Nations Security Council is preparing in a few minutes to meet for a second day.
Stay tuned…….
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton (R) speaks to members of the media as he is flanked by Japanese Ambassador to the U.N. Kenzo Oshima (L) and British Ambassador to the U.N. Emyr Jones Parry after a meeting of the U.N. Security Council in New York, July 5, 2006.
Previous:
North Korea Watch: Missile Defense Agency Ready for North Korea Missile LaunchesÂ
North Korea Watch: North Korea Test Launches 7th Missile
North Korea Watch: United States Accuses North Korea of Trying to “Intimidate Other Statesâ€
North Korea Watch: United States Responds to North Korea Threat of Nuclear War
North Korea Watch:North Korea Warns of Nuclear War
North Korea Watch: Bush WARNS North Korea Not To Test Missile
North Korea Watch: United States Warns North Korea About Talks “BLUFFâ€
North Korea Watch: President Bush – North Korea Should Tell World of Their INTENT
Technorati Tags: NorthKorea, KimJongIl, MissileDefenseAgency
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Day By Day by Chris Muir July 6, 2006
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