N. Korea Warns Conducting Nuke Test

[Curiosity]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20061003-125517-8394r.htm

North Korea warns of coming nuke test
By Bo-mi Lim
ASSOCIATED PRESS
October 3, 2006
12:54 p.m.
SEOUL -- North Korea said today it will conduct a nuclear test in the face of what it claimed was "the U.S. extreme threat of a nuclear war," ratcheting up tensions amid international pressure to return to negotiations on its atomic program.
The United States warned a North Korean nuclear test "would pose an unacceptable threat to peace and stability." South Korea raised its security level, and Japan promised a severe response if the threat was carried out.
The statement from Pyongyang gave no precise date for a test, but the prospect that North Korea could soon take a major step forward in its nuclear weapons development triggered alarm and condemnation in foreign capitals, including Russia and the European Union. North Korea has a recent history of making provocative statements while refraining from an all-out confrontation with its chief enemy, the United States.
"The U.S. extreme threat of a nuclear war and sanctions and pressure compel [North Korea] to conduct a nuclear test, an essential process for bolstering nuclear deterrent, as a self-defense measure in response," the North's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The Bush administration, which has denied it has any intention of attacking the communist nation, denounced the threat.
A nuclear test "would pose an unacceptable threat to peace and stability in Asia and the world," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack, who was traveling with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in the Middle East.
"A provocative action of this nature would only further isolate the North Korean regime and deny the people of the North the benefits they so rightly deserve," Mr. McCormack said.
South Korea "has begun discussions with related countries," the country's presidential office said. Yoon Tae-young, a presidential spokesman, said the increased security level would mean "intensifying, among other things, the monitoring system to detect signs of North Korea's nuclear testing."
The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, said he was urging Security Council members to consult with their capitals on the next steps.
"I think it's important that if we embark on something here that we do it seriously and not simply issue statements for the sake of issuing statements," he told reporters before the council met for closed discussions.
Pyongyang has said it has nuclear weapons, but has not conducted any known test to prove its claim. South Korea's spy agency has said the North could test a nuclear bomb at any time.
China, North Korea's neighbor, ally and chief benefactor, had no immediate comment.
Multilateral talks on North Korea's nuclear program have been stalled for almost a year, with Pyongyang boycotting the six-nation talks in protest over U.S. financial restrictions imposed for its purported illegal activity, including money laundering and counterfeiting.
Efforts to bring the North back to negotiations have taken on added urgency after the communist nation test-fired seven missiles in July, including one believed to be capable of reaching the United States.

This is way too close for comfort - I hope Canada is prepared on the west coast

 

[Zzarchov]

They are testing a nuke, not launching one.

It is possible he is just being rationale you know? We don't like to admit it , but he is being quite logical.

He is a tinpot Dictator. *We all agree on this.

The US eventually topples tinpot dictators, either overtly or covertly. *This is also true.

You cannot win a war with the USA as a tinpot dictatorship, infact you cannot even harm the nation of america itself, only its overseas interests. *Check three.

America is unused to attacks on its nation proper, and deathly afraid of them (no leader will be re-elected after letting the mainland be hit after being untouched for 150 years for all intents and purposes). * Still good.

If you can hit the american mainland, even though you would still lose the war, the USA will be Amazingly far less likely to risk starting one. How? own a nuke.

even though it leaves a sour taste in our mouth, it is the only logical way for a tinpot dictator to avoid us intervention.

 

[Curiosity]

Zzarchov

Thank you - I see what you mean - you think he is playing cat and mouse?

But hasn't N. Korea already tested some missiles - seems to me they did last spring.

I hope you are right and he is just sending out threats but after 9/11 the nation takes nothing for granted any more.

 

[Gonzo]

They tested missiles over Japan. It's funny how America invaded a country that didn't have weapons of mass destruction and ignored North Korea. Maybe it's because North Korea is a real threat. This sends a bad message to the world. If you don't have WMD America will invade for your resources. If you do have WMD you're okay.

 

[#juan]

Invariably, the first nuclear devices made by any country, are large, proof of concept devices that cannot be delivered unless you happen to have a B-29 or two laying around. What I'm saying, is thar building a nuclear device, and building a deliverable nuclear device, are two different things. What has Korea got in the way of a rocket, or an aircraft, that could carry a ten thousand pound warhead anywhere? Zip, nada.. It will take another ten years to build something they can deliver

 

[Zzarchov]

Its not really that hard to build a long range missile when you don't care really about accuracy nor cost.

To pretend that no one in North Korea has a 12th grade education is a bit daft.

If their only goal is to be able to hit the North American Continent with a nuke, and they already have the nuke, then they will have it.

Don't get me wrong, A nuke hitting upstate New York isn't really going to do much in actual damage, sure as hell won't be worth its cost in a real military war,

But in a war of public opinion, you better bet its worth its cost in preventing a war.

 

[Johnny Utah]

North Korea's Nuclear Tests are Inevitabre!

 

[#juan]

I would bet that there are several dedicated satilites keepng a very close watch on North Korea right now. If, by some miracle, N.K. managed to cobble together a nuclear device with some kind of a rocket that would carry it to North America where it may, or may not hit anything important. Setting a nuclear divice off on American soil is a priveledge the Americans jealously keep for themselves. Quite justifiable in my estimation. The retaliation would be swift. I don't know how N.Korea could survive something like that

 

[MikeyDB]

It's all part of the same sordid story I'm afraid...

Claws to clubs bronze to steel and no evolution of any kind when it comes to politics and human thought.

I don't really care about when I die, what I'm interested in is in keeping the world around long enough so those who do care have an option....

You can't have the imbalance in wealth and power we're seeing in the world today. It's a recipe for disaster and our history illustrates this lesson time and time again....

We simply choose to ignore it......

 

[MattUK]

I have a feeling that most developed countries are constantly watching for missiles being launched towards them. I once heard that if someone fired a Nuke at the States, they would have noticed and be firing back within about 30 seconds.

Cant prove that though.

 

[MikeyDB]

I have a feeling that most developed countries are constantly watching for missiles being launched towards them. I once heard that if someone fired a Nuke at the States, they would have noticed and be firing back within about 30 seconds.

Cant prove that though.

Ask Canadian and British forces in Afghanistan and Iraq and any number of other places around the world and they'll be happy to tell you that America bombs its friends and allies with nearly the same frequency as they bomb suffering starving men women and children in any number of places around the planet.

I'm sure all those testosterone junkies in the Republican party have one of their guys manning the launch key...button...whatever...

 

[Gonzo]

Which nation in the world is the only nation to drop an atomic bomb on another country? Which country in the world illegally invaded another country, killing innocent women and children? And which country tortures its prisoners; wire taps its civilians, detains prisoners without trial, lies to its citizens, and deports innocent people to countries to be tortured? The United States. Who are they to tell other countries not to have nuclear weapons, since they backed out of the non-proliferation agreement.

 

[Zzarchov]

**1**Which nation in the world is the only nation to drop an atomic bomb on another country? **2**Which country in the world illegally invaded another country, killing innocent women and children? **3**And which country tortures its prisoners; wire taps its civilians, detains prisoners without trial, lies to its citizens, and deports innocent people to countries to be tortured? The United States. **4**Who are they to tell other countries not to have nuclear weapons, since they backed out of the non-proliferation agreement.

1.) The USA, against an aggressor with its own highly advanced nuclear program (Far more so than even the Germans),

2.) Oh boy is this one a long list, or rather a short one, as there is no governing body which can dictate laws to another country. If you think the UN is a governing body think again, no country has ever agreed to be run by a Kabal of Britain the Impotent, France the Ally Bomber, America the Destructive, Invadey McSoviets and Totalitarian China. This list can include the answers to no3.

3.) China, Iran, North Korea, Tajikstan, Uzbekistan, Khazakstan, Belarus, Chad, CAR, Congo, DR. Congo, Angola, Romania, Yemen, Turkey, France, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Haiti, Indonesia, Thailand..
The list goes on to about 3/4s the worlds nations.


4.) They are the Big dog. If you wanna build a nuke go for it, law of the jungle.

Prepare to eat nukes. Its like asking what right a gunman has to tell you not to pick up a gun and point it at him. He's got a gun in his hands, deal with it.

 

[catman]

I'm calling their bluff. The Russians and Chinese doubt that N.Korea has the capability yet.

Plus, Kim Jong-Il just wants attention(and more concessions). The world press has been ignoring him lately.