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| China-Japan-Koreas | |
| Japan, Australia & USA warn N.Korea on missile test | |
| 2006-06-19 | |
Japan, Australia and the United States have united in saying that any test-launching of an intercontinental missile by North Korea would result in serious and stern consequences. Reports say Pyongyang has completed fueling a missile with the range to reach the United States, increasing the chances a launch might occur soon.
Since word of a possible test-firing emerged last week, Japan and the United States have expressed growing concern. A short time ago, Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer echoed their condemnation, warning the North Korean ambassador that "serious consequences would follow such a firing." "Such action would be highly provocative and would further isolate the DPRK," Downer said in a statement issued early Monday. While North Korea has not commented on any potential missile launch, the official KCNA news agency said in a statement Saturday that alleged sightings of U.S. military surveillance aircraft over the country were creating "an imminent danger of military clash in the sky above those waters." Some U.S. officials said North Korean leader Kim Jong Il could be bluffing to gain leverage in stalled six-party talks aimed at curbing Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions. The talks include the two Koreas, Russia, the United States, Japan, and China. | |
| Posted by:Oztralian |
| #4 Hell no, we'll watch long enough to determine trajectory, then either let it go (If a benign flight path) or shoot it down (If headed for Japan or the American Coast) Either way the NORKS will claim a great victory and sabre rattle enough to breal their microphones. I still think the very best thing to do is Laser it a few feet off the launch pad, lasers leave no debris to be swept up and propagandise around the world. (Not that it matters, the NORKS are good at "Inventing" evidence to suit.) |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2006-06-19 14:26 |
| #3 Will refer to the UNSC for sanction? That strikes me as a very weak -- not to mention slow -- response. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2006-06-19 11:52 |
| #2 Washington said Friday it will not sit idle. “We, of course, will take necessary preparatory steps to track any potential activities and to protect ourselves,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. Such “protective steps” are presumed to include intercepting the missile at an early stage with Aegis destroyers in the East Sea. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso warned if the missile is dropped on Japan, “it will be regarded as an attack." Tokyo says it will refer the matter to the UN Security Council for sanction. |
| Posted by: Steve 2006-06-19 08:33 |
| #1 The irony here is that these Missles + WOT may be the only real opportunity any pro-democracy/ Western NK elements may have to de facto escape, or at minima initiate de-linkage, from Commie China's control. It'll be too late once China begins to militarily exert herself for Asian-Pacific hegemony. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2006-06-19 01:49 |