Text fwd: U.S. Destroyers Deployed Forward to Waters Near DPRK

Fwd from Stop NATO

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/12/content_11000108.htm
U.S. Destroyers Deployed Forward to Waters Near DPRK
Xinhua News Agency
March 12, 2009

-Earlier reports said the United States and Japan might attempt an interception
no matter whether the DPRK launches a missile or a rocket.
The DPRK warned on Monday that any interception of its carrier rocket will lead
to a war.

SEOUL - U.S. destroyers loaded with missiles capable of intercepting flying
missiles or rockets were deployed forward to waters near the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK), South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported on Thursday.

The report came after DPRK's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported early on
the day that its government has informed international organizations of its
launching plan of a satellite.

According to Yonhap, at least six U.S. navy ships participating in a joint
military drill between South Korea and the United States were deployed around
South Korea. Among the six destroyers, the USS Chafee and the USS Stetham are
operating near South Korea's Donghae Harbor about 130 km south of the
inter-Korean border.

Yonhap quoted experts as saying that the 9,200-ton Aegis guided USS Chefee
normally carries SM-3 missile interceptors and Tomahawks.

U.S. Lieutenant Commander Choi Hee-dong, chief of the Aegis-guided USS Chafee,
told Yonhap on Thursday that the Chafee was deployed for the military drill, but
there was also a contingency such as a missile launch that could force "a subtle
change of plan."

"We've been instructed on various scenarios before arriving here," Choi said.

Earlier reports said the United States and Japan might attempt an interception
no matter whether the DPRK launches a missile or a rocket.

The DPRK warned on Monday that any interception of its carrier rocket will lead
to a war.

Chafee and a fleet of U.S. navy ships, including the USS nuclear-powered
aircraft carrier Stennis, are participating in a massive joint military drill
with South Korea from Monday to next Friday. About 26,000 U.S. troops join the
exercise.
===========================
Stop NATO

* Related article *

http://www.tongilnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=83307
The Danger of the Aegis Destroyer, by Lee, Si-Woo, March 13, 2009
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2009년 03월 13일 (금) 14:34:30 이시우 전문기자 tongil@togilnews.com