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North Korea Watch: Missile Defense Agency Ready for North Korea Missile Launches
Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) – Aegis Ship-Based BMDReuters: US interceptors were ready for NKorean missile
The United States placed its interceptor missiles in Alaska and California on alert for the long-range North Korean missile that failed less than a minute after being launched, U.S. officials said on Wednesday.
The launch of Pyongyang’s intercontinental Taepodong 2 missile, and at least five shorter-range missiles, marked the first time the fledgling U.S. anti-missile shield has been officially reported to have been primed in response to a specific event.
Flap would not call the Missile Defense Agency fledgling and it is my understanding that the missile defense shield has been operational a number of times on and off over the past two years.
The U.S. Northern Command, which operates the interceptors in Alaska and California as part of its homeland defense mission, said it was “able to determine quickly the missiles posed no threat to (the) United States or its territories.”
The Northern Command said its personnel detected the launches immediately after North Korea’s first series of test-firings.
Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman, told reporters, “What I will tell you is that each and every launch was detected and monitored and that the interceptors were operational during the missile launches that took place.”
In the case of the Taepodong 2, which fell harmlessly into the Sea of Japan about 40 seconds after launch, there was “far too little time to make a decision on whether to shoot it down,” said Victoria Samson, an expert on missile defense at the private Center for Defense Information.
Flap handicaps a first use scenario of missile defense (although important to shield the United States) may first be tested when North Korea fires a missile at Japan or South Korea.
Stay tuned…..
Previous:
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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North Korea Watch: North Korea Appears to be Making Preparations to Launch Another Long-Range Taepodong-2 Missile
Reuters: N.Korea appears to be preparing new Taepodong launch: NBC
North Korea appears to be making preparations to launch another long-range Taepodong-2 missile but the missile is not yet on the launch pad, NBC News reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed U.S. officials.
NBC said the missile was nonetheless in its final assembly stage.
North Korea launched at least six missiles early on Wednesday and a seventh some 12 hours later, officials in Japan and South Korea said.
Fox News is reporting at 22:46 EDT that South Korean news sources are reporting that North Korea is preparing to launch 3 short to mid-range missiles and that the missiles are on launch pads ready for launch.
South Koreans walk by displays of models of mock North Korea’s Scud-B missile, right, and other South Korean missile at Korea War Memorial Museum in Seoul, Wednesday, July 5, 2006.
Stay tuned……
A U.S Army soldier uses a radio near a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile system at a Korean military air base in Suwon, south of Seoul, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003. Tokyo and Washington will deploy advanced Patriot interceptor missiles in Japan for the first time, officials said Monday, June 26, 2006 amid concerns North Korea may be preparing to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile.
Previous:
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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European Air Fares “To Double” As a Result of Green Tax
Timesonline: Air fares ‘to double’ as Europe votes for green tax
AIR passengers will be charged up to £40 extra for a return ticket within Europe to pay for the environmental impact of their journeys, under plans approved by the European Parliament yesterday.
MEPs voted in favour of the “immediate introduction†of a tax on jet fuel for flights within the 25 member states of the EU. The charge would double the cost of millions of budget airline flights.
The MEPs said that the scheme should cover all flights arriving at or departing from EU airports rather than just intra-EU flights, as had been proposed by BA. But the scheme is likely to be limited to flights within Europe in the early years to avoid legal challenges from the United States and other countries. MEPs also accepted the proposal for a separate environmental tax to cover the impact of nitrogen oxides and condensation trails emitted by aircraft.
The Europeans sure know how to kill their tourism business.
Oh well, better business for the United States and certainly for Boeing.
Technorati Tags: Europeanairfares, airfares, Europe, BritishAirways
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Senator Joe Lieberman Watch: Senator Hillary Clinton Won’t Back Lieberman If He Loses Democrat Primary
July 3: Incumbent U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., with his wife, Hadassah, by his side, laughs while announcing outside the state Capitol in Hartford, Conn., that if he should lose the upcoming Democratic primary against challenger Ned Lamont, he will collect signatures for an independent campaign.
AP: Clinton Draws Line on Backing Lieberman
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a longtime supporter of Sen. Joseph Lieberman, said Tuesday she will not back the Connecticut Democrat’s bid for re-election if he loses their party’s primary.
“I’ve known Joe Lieberman for more than thirty years. I have been pleased to support him in his campaign for re-election, and hope that he is our party’s nominee,” the former first lady said in a statement issued by aides.
“But I want to be clear that I will support the nominee chosen by Connecticut Democrats in their primary,” the New York Democrat added. “I believe in the Democratic Party, and I believe we must honor the decisions made by Democratic primary voters.”
There was no immediate comment from Lieberman.
Facing a stronger-than-expected Democratic primary challenge from millionaire businessman Ned Lamont and sagging poll numbers because of his support of the Iraq war, Lieberman said Monday he’ll collect signatures to assure an independent ballot spot for the November election if he loses the Aug. 8 primary.
Hillary caves to the netroots who hate her anyway. Good Hillary! You are so loyal to a fellow Democrat Senator who has voted more liberally this past year than your minority leader Harry Reid.
And do you think Markos Moulitsas “Screw Them†Zuniga and the other lefties who hate you for your supposed support of the Iraq War will be there for you when Al Gore announces his candidacy?
NOPE
MAYBE (if Hillary kisses Kos’s ass)
The Democrat Senatorial Campaign Committee chaired by Senator Chuckie Shumer from New York will have to devout some resources to defend Senator Lieberman. What a wonderful way to squander leftie Dim money……
Democrats hoping to win back the Senate have been looking to win seats in states such as Pennsylvania, Montana, Missouri, Virginia and Tennessee, and Lieberman’s decision to begin collecting the 7,500 signatures needed to assure a separate spot on the November ballot could complicate things.
Both Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said they are backing Lieberman in the primary.
Flap would love to see Hillary meet up with Joe in the Senate cloakroom and hear that conversation.
Stay tuned……
Blogosphere:
Hillary Clinton, no doubt properly prodded by new hire Peter Daou, has made it clear that despite making common cause with Lieberman on the war, this is about an entirely different issue. It is about respecting the party and its voters.
Incumbents have too many advantages, and it’s their safe seats that allow them to become so corrupt once in office. Allowing incumbents to bypass the will of their primary voters if they lose a primary should be forbidden. Make incumbents choose the path to reelection — via their party’s primary or as an independent. Doing both shouldn’t be allowed.
And read the comments where the Kossaks refer to Lieberman as “the weasel” – NICE!
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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Illegal Immigration Watch: House Hearings on Border Security Begin Today
Members of the Arizona National Guard monitor the border via video from the Yuma Station Communictions Center Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at the Border Patrol headquarters in Yuma, Ariz.
AP: GOP to focus on immigration at unusual nationwide hearingsA Republican-led House panel planned to kick off a series of unusual hearings about immigration Wednesday, a blow to President Bush’s proposed election-year overhaul that includes a guest worker program and legal status for some who are in the country illegally.
A House subcommittee will meet at a San Diego Border Patrol station to discuss the vulnerability of the nation’s borders to terrorists. Meanwhile, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., will host a hearing in Philadelphia about a need for foreign workers.
House GOP leaders called the unusual hearings last month after the Senate in May passed an immigration reform bill, backed by Specter, that includes a guest worker program and a path to citizenship for millions in the country illegally. A separate House-approved bill focuses only on enforcement.
President Bush today is visiting a Dunkin Donuts and extolling his guest worker and path to citizenship plans. He says he supports enforcement of the employment laws and is babbling on about the Senate bill. But……
Mr. President, listen to the House GOP – Secure the Borders First!
Democrats initially considered boycotting the hearings, but will treat them as a platform to assail an enforcement-only approach to immigration reform, said Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks.
“If they want to have a dog-and-pony show, that’s fine,” said Sherman, the ranking Democrat on the International Relations subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation, which will host the San Diego hearing. “They have really ugly dogs and really mangy ponies.”
Coongressman Brad Sherman represents part of the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles where communities have been converted into Mexican third world barrios. Does he pander for the Latino vote? Or for cheap labor for his wealthy Westside constituents?
You betcha….
But, Sherman and the Democrats have a losing position – so please continue with your remarks.
The San Diego hearing – and another by the same panel Friday in Laredo, Texas, another border city – will likely be laden with references to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida leaders.
“My mission is to investigate our border security shortcomings post-9/11,” said Rep. Ed Royce, R-Fullerton, the panel’s chairman. “The problem is that border security has become national security.”
Republicans on the panel include Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado, a leading voice for a crackdown on illegal immigration, and Rep. Peter King of New York, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, who broke with the White House on immigration.
The government hasn’t said whether terrorists have entered the United States through Mexico, but Royce said there are troubling signs. In February 2005, James Loy, former deputy secretary of Homeland Security, said “several al-Qaida leaders believe operatives can pay their way into the country through Mexico and also believe illegal entry is more advantageous than legal entry.”
In a test last year of security at points of entry, undercover investigators slipped enough radioactive material to make two small “dirty bombs” across U.S. borders in Texas and Washington state.
Royce invited seven witnesses to speak Wednesday, including two border sheriffs, a Border Patrol official and the head of a civilian border watch group. Sherman invited Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca.
Republican-led House committees will hold hearings outside Washington in mid-July on making English the nation’s official language, and how enforcement of immigration laws affects American workers.
A hearing the week of Aug. 14 in Arizona will focus on costs to local and state governments “caused by an unsecured border.”
Stay tuned…….
Discuss this blog post and MORE…. at the FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blogs, My Dental Forum
A US Border Patrol officer patrols the fence at the US-Mexico border near Nogales, Arizona.
Previous:
Illegal Immigration Watch: Only 483 National Guard Troops on Mexican BorderÂ
Illegal Immigration Watch: Senator Arlen Specter Supports “Borders First†Immigration Policy?
Illegal Immigration Watch: GOP Congressional Leaders – Pathway to Citizenship Bill is DEAD
Technorati Tags: illegalimmigration, illegalaliens
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North Korea Watch: North Korea Test Launches 7th Missile
Kim Jong-Il
AP: North Korea tests 7th missile amid furor
North Korea test-fired another missile Wednesday, intensifying the furor ignited when the reclusive regime launched at least six missiles, including a long-range Taepodong, earlier in the day.
The missiles apparently fell harmlessly into the Sea of Japan, and U.S. officials said the long-range Taepodong-2 failed shortly after take-off, calling into question the technological capability of North Korea’s feared ballistic missile program. Pyongyang last fired a long-range missile in 1998.
But the audacious military exercise drew immediate attention and condemnation. The North American Aerospace Defense Command monitored the launches as they progressed but soon determined they were not a threat to the United States, a spokesman said.
The United Nations Security Council is meeting as this is posted. A severe economic sanction resolution written by Britain and Japan is on the table.
North Korea remained defiant. A North Korea foreign ministry official told Japanese journalists in Pyongyang that the regime there has an undeniable right to test missiles.
“The missile launch is an issue that is entirely within our sovereignty. No one has the right to dispute it,” Ri Pyong Dok, a researcher on Japanese affairs at the North’s Foreign Ministry, said on footage aired by TBS. “On the missile launch, we are not bound by any agreement.”
And North Korea boasts it can “COPE” with provocation.
North Korea was prepared to cope with any provocation by the United States, the communist nation’s state-run media said Wednesday in remarks that followed a series of missile tests.
The announcer on the Korean Central Broadcasting Station did not mention the missile tests earlier in the day.
He also said North Korea’s “strong war deterrent” has kept the country at peace. The state-run media often accuses Washington of planning an attack on Pyongyang.
Flap discussed three options to deal with the future/potential test-launch of North Korea’s long range missile, Taepodong-2.
The Bush Administration has played its hand wisely. A pre-emptive strike would have been provocative and the Taepodong-2 failed anyway. Inerception would have been possible but the missile failed and North Korea employed Scud missiles as counter-measures (albeit who knows if the counter-measures would have prevented interception).
The diplomatic approach has been the correct course. North Korea’s missile escapade further isolates itself from the world community and will undergo such extreme economic sanctions that North Koreans will be praying for regime change. The stranglehold on Kim Jung-Il has only begun.
A good lesson to be observed by Iran.
Captain Ed has North Korea Tests Seventh Missile
The UN Security Council meets this morning to discuss the situation based on a request from Japan. The UNSC may be forced to take some action as the provocation here is too overt to ignore. Japan and the US would like to see even tougher economic sanctions on the Kim regime, but up to now Russia and China have balked. Even with this provocation, I doubt they will be budged from their position.
This discussion at the UNSC will certainly be a test – for North Korea and Iran.
Stay tuned……
Previous:
North Korea Watch: United States Accuses North Korea of Trying to “Intimidate Other Statesâ€
North Korea Watch: North Korea Test Launches SCUD Missiles – Taepodong 2 Missile Is Launched But Fails in Flight – White House Says No Immediate Threat to United States – Six Missiles Have Been Launched – Updated Now to Ten (10) Missiles
North Korea Watch: United States Responds to North Korea Threat of Nuclear WarNorth 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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North Korea Watch: United States Accuses North Korea of Trying to “Intimidate Other States”
South Koreans walk by displays of models of mock North Korea’s Scud-B missile, right, and other South Korean missile at Korea War Memorial Museum in Seoul, Wednesday, July 5, 2006. North Korea test-launched six missiles including a long-range Taepodong in an early morning barrage Wednesday, violating its own seven-year moratorium on such launches and defying stern international warnings of retaliation.
AP: U.S. chides N. Korea on missile testing
The Bush administration accused North Korea of trying to “intimidate other states” by firing a series or missiles Tuesday, but said the action only further isolates the regime.
“The United States strongly condemns these missile launches and North Korea’s unwillingness to heed calls for restraint from the international community,” said White House press secretary Tony Snow in a statement issued late Tuesday.
The administration quickly launched a diplomatic counter offensive to the six missile shots, which included one capable of reaching U.S. soil, but made it clear that its response would not involve military action.
The long-range missile test failed 35 seconds after it was fired, according to U.S. officials. The missiles fell into the Sea of Japan.
“We urge North Korea to refrain from further provocative acts,” said Snow. He said the United States “remains committed to a peaceful diplomatic solution” to the dispute with North Korea, but also “will take all necessary measures to protect ourselves and our allies’.”
The United Nations Security Council will meet in a few hours. Economic sanctions will be the least of Kim Song-Il’s problems. North Korea will be increasingly isolated internationally and regime change will be “openly” discussed.
Stay tuned…..
Previous:
North Korea Watch: North Korea Test Launches SCUD Missiles – Taepodong 2 Missile Is Launched But Fails in Flight – White House Says No Immediate Threat to United States – Six Missiles Have Been Launched – Updated Now to Ten (10) Missiles
North Korea Watch: United States Responds to North Korea Threat of Nuclear WarNorth 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 5, 2006
Discuss this blog post and MORE…. at the FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blogs, My Dental Forum
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Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Rejects China and Russia Calls for a Quick Response to P-5-plus-1 Proposal
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, adjusts his headphone as he attends in a news conference with Qatars First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani, in Tehran, Iran Tuesday July, 4, 2006.
AP: Iran rejects calls for quick nuke answer
Iran rejected Russia’s and China’s calls for a quick response to incentives to suspend its nuclear program, indicating Tuesday that it wanted to negotiate the terms of the offer.
Reuters: China urges Iran to respond to nuclear package
China urged Iran on Tuesday to respond to a package of incentives to stop enriching uranium and called on G8 powers to show patience, saying the standoff over Iran’s nuclear plans had entered a crucial phase. Iran’s nuclear ambitions are expected to dominate the Group of Eight summit in Moscow this week as members wait for Tehran to formally respond to a proposal backed by the five permanent members of the U.N Security Council and Germany.
AP: Russia’s Putin urges Iran to accept international nuclear proposals
Russian President Vladimir Putin today urged Iran to accept an international package of incentives aimed at defusing a standoff over Tehran’s nuclear program.
“We would really like Iran to accept the proposals of the partners,†said Putin, referring to a package put forward by the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.
Tomorrow, senior EU envoy Javier Solana will urge top Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani that Iran must accept the terms of the package by July 12, when foreign ministers of the five permanent Security Council nations and Germany consult in Paris, diplomats said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki restated Iran’s position that its response to the offer — from the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany — will come in mid-August.
“The August date announced by Iran was based on the necessity for a comprehensive and accurate study of the package and is unalterable,” the official Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Mottaki as saying.
Mottaki indicated that Tehran hoped to negotiate the terms of the package before responding to demands that include an Iranian freeze of uranium enrichment during any negotiations.
“What can happen until that date (mid-August) is talks between Iran, the European Union and other countries that contributed in drawing up the package,” he said.
This Iranian manipulation of the Western Media cycle is ludicrous. Now, Iran wants to negotiate about the time they will begin to negotiate the terms of an offer that has been established for many years – Iran MUST halt uranium enrichment.
Iran has not been able to work out a solution to Condoleezza Rice’s gambit and will therefore STALL. In the meantime, the uranium enrichment centrifuges in Natanz continue to spin.
Later today, senior EU envoy Javier Solana will present to Iran the July 12 deadline. Iran will simply decline and say it requires an additional thirty days – like Iran said the first time. Will the P-5, plus 1 have the cojones to refer Iran to the United Nations Security Council?
Doubtful.
France or Germany will probably cave and Iran will have until mid-August – like Iran said the first time.
Russia’s President Putin will have to deal with Iran nuclear discussions controlling the G-8 summit in St. Petersburg mid-July.
Iran’s answer is NO. The P-5-plus-1 should immediately refer to Iran to the United Nations Security Council. Make Russia and China either abstain or vote against Iranian economic sanctions, so the United States and Israel can really deal with Iran’s nuclear program. Further negotiations with Iran regarding the P-5-plus-1 proposal are a complete waste of time.
Discuss this blog post and MORE…. at the FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blogs, My Dental Forum.
Previous:
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iranian Nuclear Officials Dismiss Demand that Iran Suspend Uranium Enrichment
Iran Nuclear Watch: Big Six Powers Set July 12 Deadline for Iran
Iran Nuclear Watch: The Military’s Problem with the President’s Iran Policy
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran AGAIN Rejects Deadline for Response to P-5-plus-1 Proposal
Iran Nuclear Watch: United States Rejects Iran’s STALL in Response to P-5-plus-1 Proposal
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Brushes Aside G-8 Deadline on P-5-plus-1 Proposal
Iran Nuclear Watch: G- 8 Tells Iran To Reply Next Week to P-5-plus-1 Proposal
The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.
Technorati Tags: Iran, MahmoudAhmadinejad