Text Fw:US to launch secret 'space warplane'

*Image source: same as the link
An artist's conception of the X-37B

* Forwarded by Bruce Gagnon on April 21, 2010

US to launch secret 'space warplane'
Mon, 19 Apr 2010
Press TV

The United States Air Force has announced that it will launch a secret space plane that has sparked speculation about the militarization of space.

The Pentagon has set April 21 [delayed until April 22] as the date for the launch of the robotic space plane known as the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), which is a reusable unmanned plane capable of long outer space missions at low orbits.

Since the nature of the project is shrouded in mystery, defense analysts allege that the US military is building the first generation of US 'space Predator drones' that will build up the United States' space armada, the Christian Science Monitor wrote in a recent article.

Military experts argue that the US Department of Defense would not have saved NASA's costly X-37B project, which had been scrapped, if it did not have a military application.

They say the US wants to maintain a leading role in space via the development of the new 'space weapon' at a time when other countries like China are expanding their space programs.

However, US military officials maintain that the X-37B will only be used for transporting payloads and facilitating space experiments.

The OTV is capable of supporting a range of tests, the Air Force spokesperson for the project said earlier at the 26th National Space Symposium.

"The first mission will emphasize proving technologies necessary for long duration reusable space vehicles with autonomous reentry and landing capabilities," Angie Blair added.

She went on to say that the "specific details of the OTV capabilities, limitations and vulnerabilities" remain classified.

The X-37B can stay at an orbit between 200 and 800 kilometers for around 270 days before landing automatically at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, reports say.

The location of the mission control center for the Boeing-made space vehicle is also a classified secret, but Blair says that Air Force Space Command's 3rd Space Experimentation Squadron (AFSPC) will run the operation.

Military space specialist Professor Roger Handberg, who is the chair of the Department of Political Science at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, told Space.com that the X-37B project may signify continued U.S. Air Force interest in a rapid response vehicle along the lines of the long-proposed space maneuver vehicle.

He added that the project could be viewed "as the logical extension of the push into unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) where vehicles used for observation have moved into weapon carriers and various other missions, many classified."

"From the perspective of international observers, especially in space-aspiring states such as China, the X-37B program just reinforces their view that the U.S. is pushing to gain first mover advantage in rapid response, including possible weaponization of space using this vehicle or a derivative," Handberg noted.

Political analysts say that the X-37B project could be interpreted as a violation of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 if the space plane is used for military purposes.

The Outer Space Treaty of 1967, officially known as the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, states that the exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries and shall be the province of all mankind; states shall not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space in any other manner; the Moon and other celestial bodies shall be used exclusively for peaceful purposes; astronauts shall be regarded as the envoys of mankind; states shall be liable for damage caused by their space objects; and states shall avoid harmful contamination of space and celestial bodies.

Article IX of the Outer Space Treaty states: "A State Party to the Treaty which has reason to believe that an activity or experiment planned by another State Party in outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, would cause potentially harmful interference with activities in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, may request consultation concerning the activity or experiment."

In addition, a proposal has been put forward for a Space Preservation Treaty that would ban all space weapons, but no country has signed the treaty so far.

Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
PO Box 652
Brunswick, ME 04011
(207) 443-9502
globalnet@mindspring.com
www.space4peace.org
http://space4peace.blogspot.com/ (blog)

Text Fwd: Action Item for Space Week - Space Treaty

*Bruce Gagnon on Oct. 5, 2009

"Dear friends:

Below please find a letter to Congress that the Global Network and other concerned organizations are requesting that you send to your members of Congress during our current Keep Space for Peace Week.

This letter calls on them to urge the Obama administration to seriously negotiate a treaty at the UN to prevent an arms race in space.

If you are not sure about how to contact your member of Congress just go to this link for details:

http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/index.html

Thanks for your help with this important effort.

Bruce K. Gagnon
Coordinator
Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
PO Box 652
Brunswick, ME 04011
(207) 443-9502
http://www.space4peace.org
globalnet@mindspring.com
http://space4peace.blogspot.com (Blog)




Dear Member of Congress,

With the United Nations about to resume discussions on preventing an arms race in outer space, we ask that you to convey to the Obama Administration the need for the U.S. to actively pursue the negotiation of a new treaty to preserve space for peace.

Since the mid-1980s, the United Nations General Assembly has annually voted on a resolution for the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS).

For nearly a quarter of century, this resolution—calling merely for the negotiation of a new treaty to prevent the weaponization of outer space—has had the backing of virtually all the nations of the earth…

Except for the United States, which has essentially stood alone in refusing to support the PAROS resolution.

This obstructionist stance by the world’s leading space-faring power has effectively undercut any meaningful efforts to halt the militarization of space. During George W. Bush’s presidency, international discussions regarding space reached their lowest point ever, with the administration arguing in 2006 that “There is no — repeat, no —problem in outer space for arms control to solve” and that a proposed treaty submitted by Russia and China in February 2008 was “a diplomatic ploy by the two nations to gain a military advantage.”

We believe this view is short-sighted and risky in the extreme.

From the Chinese shooting down their own weather satellite and creating a dangerous debris cloud… to North Korea and Iran test-firing missiles… to the recent showdown between Russia and the U.S. over ‘missile defense’ bases in Eastern Europe… to the United States using that self-same ‘missile defense’ system as an anti-satellite weapon to shoot down a falling satellite… space is daily becoming more militarized.

The political course the U.S. government has followed—in opposing any new treaties governing space—is guaranteed to foster a space arms race and to make both the earth and the heavens more unsafe.

Although American policy in the United Nations has long been the prerogative of the executive branch, we urge you—as members of Congress—to publicly communicate to the Obama Administration the need for a new space treaty. With more and more nations seeking to become space powers (Iran is just the latest example), the need for a more comprehensive regime of space law has never been greater.

An international accord on PAROS could complement the 1967 “Outer Space Treaty” for the peaceful uses of space (the only significant space agreement left since the Bush/Cheney Administration abrogated the ABM Treaty). By establishing appropriate and effective verification mechanisms to prevent an arms race in outer space, and by prohibiting space weaponization and programs such as ‘missile defense,’ satellite-guided weapons launched from earth, and spy satellites collecting and using data for aggressive military purposes, a PAROS treaty could help us preserve this final frontier for the benefit of all life on earth.

With the annual PAROS discussions poised to resume in the United Nations, we are requesting that you send a message to the President urging the administration to actively negotiate a new treaty. Such a statement by members of Congress would alert the White House of your concern on this critical matter (as well as help set the stage for future legislative initiatives).

The Obama Administration has an unprecedented opportunity to break with the past and demonstrate to the world that it is again committed to participating in the community of nations. We urge you to make sure this opportunity is not lost.

Additional information about PAROS can be found at the Reaching Critical Will website:

http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/legal/paros/wgroup.html

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

Sincerely,

(Your Name and Address)

Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom

Nuclear Age Peace Foundation

Nebraskans for Peace "

Text Fwd: [DPRK Statement] DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman Clarifies Its Stand on UNSC’s Increasing Threat

http://tongilkorea.net/?p=1642#more-1642
DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesman Clarifies Its Stand on UNSC’s Increasing Threat
May 29, 2009

Pyongyang, May 29 (KCNA) — A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Friday as regards the UNSC’s threat to put additional sanctions against the DPRK, terming its successful nuclear test a violation of the UNSC Resolution 1718.

Over the past several decades, the DPRK has made every possible effort for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but the U.S., instead of seeking a substantial removal of nuclear threats, has steadily increased the level of pressure upon the DPRK and it has eventually brought even the six-party talks to collapse in wanton violation of the principles of respect for the sovereignty and sovereign equality, the underlying spirits of the September 19 Joint Statement, over the DPRK’s launch of satellite, the universally recognized right of each state, the statement noted, and said:

At present, some countries were shocked at the news of the DPRK’s second nuclear test. But an exceptional act has its exceptional reason.

The recent nuclear test conducted by the DPRK is the 2054th one on the earth.

The five permanent members of the UNSC have conducted 99.99 percent of all the nuclear tests.

Those countries have posed the biggest nuclear threats to the world. But they took issue with our first nuclear test, which was conducted in October 2006 as a self-defensive measure to cope with increased nuclear threats by the U.S., terming it a “threat to the international peace” and adopted the sanctions resolution against the DPRK. This is exactly the UNSC Resolution 1718.

This resolution fabricated by the hypocrites has immediately invited a total rejection by the DPRK and we still do not recognize such resolution.

The UNSC with such a record produced the “presidential statement” on April 14 putting in question only the satellite launched by the DPRK for the peaceful purpose and put into force the sanctions under its Resolution 1718 on April 24 only to cause an unbearable insult to the dignity of our people and gravely infringe upon the sovereignty of the DPRK.

The DPRK is neither a signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty nor to the Missile Technology Control Regime or MTCR. Such being the case, it has a right to conduct as many nuclear tests or missile launches as it wants in the event that the supreme interests of the state are infringed upon. Such self-defensive measures do not run counter to any other international law.

The UNSC has committed such unprecedented crime as the wanton infringement upon the right of a sovereign state to explore outer space for peaceful purposes and, instead of repenting of it, it is proactive in its outcry to cover up its crime. Under these circumstances, the DPRK, at this point, would like to draw a clear line of confrontation which will help clearly state who is to blame for the future unpredictable development of the situation.

First, the UNSC is involved in its high-handed act which will never be tolerated and it is the part of the self-defensive measures of the DPRK to respond to this with its own nuclear test which we had already made public to the world. There is a limit to our patience.

It is none other than the U.S. and other forces courting the U.S. favor who should be held entirely responsible for driving the situation to such a pass as they took the DPRK’s peaceful satellite launch to the UN to launch a condemnation campaign.

It is what they said to the DPRK that a satellite launch belongs to an independent right of a sovereign state. But, after our actual satellite launch, they took sides with the U.S. in its move to condemn the DPRK.

Those countries remained silent when the large scale nuclear war exercises such as Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises took place in the depth of the Korean peninsula. But, When the DPRK was compelled to conduct a nuclear test as a self-defensive measure, they are united in their voice, condemning it as “a threat to the regional peace and stability”.

It means that they do not like the DPRK to possess what they had already put in place. In the final analysis, they mean small countries should obey big countries. The DPRK, though small in its territory and population, has self-confidence and grit that it is a politically and militarily strong country.

Second, we solemnly demanded that the UNSC make an apology for its crime of having seriously encroached upon the sovereignty of a sovereign state in gross violation of the Space Treaty and that it withdraw all its previously-crafted, unfair resolutions and decisions. Such a demand still remains in force.

As long as the Permanent Five alone invested with veto power and nuclear weapons have the mandate to identify what constitutes a “threat to international peace and security”, the UNSC is not supposed to bring their own acts of intimidation into question indefinitely.

As long as the UNSC fails to respond to the DPRK’s just demand, the DPRK will not recognize any resolution and decision of the UNSC in the future, too.

Third, if the UNSC will make further provocative actions, this will inevitably lead to the DPRK’s approach towards adopting stronger self-defensive counter-measures.

The end of the Cold War worldwide works only between big powers, but a Cold War still persists on the Korean Peninsula.

The UNSC-crafted UN Command itself is a signatory to the Korean Armistice Agreement.

Any hostile act by the UNSC immediately means the abrogation of the Armistice Agreement.

The world will soon find out how the army and people of the DPRK will stand up against the high-handed and get-it-alone approach of the UNSC in defending its dignity and sovereignty.

The U.S. is keen on using a catchphrase “Carrot and stick.”

It would be better for the “Donkey” of the U.S. Democratic Party to lick the carrot.

KCNA
Tongil Korea Net © 2007 - 2009 All Rights Reserved.


* Related Korean article
http://www.tongilnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=84573
북 외무성 "유엔 안보리 적대행위는 정전협정 파기"
<추가> 대변인 담화 "핵시험 99.99% 안보리 5개국이 진행" (전문)

Against the Move for the U.N. Security Council Sanction against the North Korea: Revealing Obama’s manipulation

It is such an international news that the North Korea launched the communicative satellite (or in the Washington Post’s April 5, headline title, “missile”) in the morning of April 5. The North Korea became the 10th country who launched the satellite in the world.

In the Prague where the people in the Czech Republic are protesting against the US radar, part of the U.S. missile offense system, president Obama’s position is clear in the White House Statement:

“The launch today of a Taepo-dong 2 missile was a clear violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, which expressly prohibits North Korea from conducting ballistic missile-related activities of any kind.”

“We will immediately consult with our allies in the region, including Japan and the Republic of Korea, and members of the U.N. Security Council to bring this matter before the Council. I urge North Korea to abide fully by the resolutions of the U.N. Security Council and to refrain from further provocative actions.”

The United States Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair has already announced in March that he thought the object North Korea was planning to launch was in fact a satellite. And even the mainstream media have been saying the word, “satellite” with the word, “missile” in the laughable and manipulating manners.

Thus, it is really strange that Obama asserts so clearly the phrase of “The launch today of a Taepo-dong 2 missile”. But we soon know that it is for the falsely justifying of the next phrases of “a clear violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718” and “bring this matter before the [U.N. Security Council]

How a sovereign act of a small, hungry country, whose act is totally legal according to Outer Space Treaty, in 1967 could become such a “threat” in that distorting manner, pulling into the issue of the possible sanction by the United Security Council? And also such a “Top Headline” news?

If it happened in the South Korea, the same thing would happen? But in the South Korea, a colony of the United Stated, the right of satellite launch itself has been not surprisingly tied by the United States. Miserable South Korea!

Principally, there had been nothing to “problem-atize”. But the U.S., Japan and the spineless South Korean government made it as if it was a big “threat”. Neither the U.S. military nor the Japanese government could actually practice the MD as their original saying in the beginning. They knew not only that shooting the legal satellite would be illegal but that with the current MD technology, shooting the target would be just unrealistic and would vehemently embarrass them with a total failure. So their ballooned out talks in the beginning (or Japan’s case, by the last time) proved to have only served the interests of their governments’ or the profits of the military industrial complex.

Now, upon the successful launch of the N.K’s satellite launch, the issue of MD SEEMED to disappear from their words. The changed issue is about the possibility of the sanction by the U.N. Security Council. Resolution 1718 is what we hear. So, the North Korea continues to be a “threat” for the dominant imperial powers expressed in the mainstream media.

The Resolution 1718 was done on October 14, 2006, upon the North Korea’s nuclear weapon test on October 9, 2006. The infamous JOHN BOLTON was the prominent figure at the time.

According to the Korean statement of the Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea, the article 5 of the U.N. Security Council only says that:

“5. Decides that the DPRK shall suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile programme and in this context re-establish its pre-existing commitments to a moratorium on missile launching;"

The SPARK says there is no article that the UN Security Council 1718 said that the N.K must not launch the satellite. See the resolution if you want.

We may ask: why the North Korea had to develop the nuclear weapon at the time? Let’s try to hear the DPRK’s position even once. In the record of the resolution;

“PAK GIL YON (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) … The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had clarified more than once that it would have no need for even a single nuclear weapon as long as the United States dropped its hostile policies towards his country, and as long as confidence was built between the two countries. Instead, the United States had manipulated the Security Council into adopting a resolution pressurizing Pyongyang.”

It was after the Nuclear Posture Review in 2002 in which the Bush administration aimed the preemptive nuclear attack against the seven countries including China, Russia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lybia and North Korea. The invasion of Iraq broke our in March next year, following the neo-con’s scenario, with the excuse of 9.11.

The paradoxical thing is that the U. S. had to sit down with the North Korea for the success of the six party talks any way since then.

According the Associated Press, Obama continuously decried in the Prague.

“Addressing another potential nuclear foe, Obama said the U.S. will present Iran with "a clear choice" to join the community of nations by ceasing its nuclear and ballistic missile activity or face increased isolation and a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.”

“He said the U.S. will proceed with development of a missile defense system in Europe as long as there is an Iranian threat of developing nuclear weapons. If that threat is removed, he said, "The driving force for missile defense in Europe will be removed."

By clearly manipulating the facts, gaming the words of “threat” applied to the North Korea and Iran, he clarified his position that the development of the Missile Defense will be continuously funded in the United Stats.

Sung-hee Choi
Artist and a member of the Korean Organizing Committee (http://space4peace.tistory.com/)
For the International Conference against the Asia Pacific Missile Defense and for the End of Arms Race, Seoul, South Korea
April 16-18, 2009


* Realted Blogs*

http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/04/video-and-text-fwd.html
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Video and Text fwd: CZECH MESSAGE TO OBAMA

http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/04/international-joint-action-against-war.html
Saturday, April 4, 2009
International Joint Action against the war on April 4

http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/03/text-fwd-for-warm-solidarity-with.html
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Text fwd: For warm solidarity with the friends in the Czech and against the propaganda against the North Korea


* Related articles*

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/04/AR2009040403239.html?hpid=topnews
Defiant N. Korea Launches Missile
Neighbors Express Dismay; U.S. Decries 'Provocative Act'
By Blaine Harden
Washington Post Foreign Service
Sunday, April 5, 2009; Page A01

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/05/AR2009040500024.html?hpid=topnews
White House Statement, April 5, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009; 1:48 AM

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/05/AR2009040500260.html?hpid=topnews
Obama launches effort to reduce nuclear arms
By MARK S. SMITH
The Associated Press
Sunday, April 5, 2009; 5:58 AM

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/06/world/asia/06korea.html?hp
Defying World, North Koreans Launch Rocket
By CHOE SANG-HUN and DAVID E. SANGER
Published: April 5, 2009

http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/04/text-fed-obama-arrives-in-prague-amid.html
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Text Fwd: Obama Arrives in Prague Amid Shield Protests

http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/04/text-fwd-north-korea-rocket-launch.html
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Text Fwd: North Korea: Rocket launch imminent


* Related documents*

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8853.doc.htm
14 October 2006 Security Council
SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS NUCLEAR TEST BY DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA, UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1718 (2006)

http://www.fas.org/sgp/news/2002/01/npr-foreword.html
Nuclear Posture Review Report

http://www.fas.org/nuke/control/ost/text/space1.htm
TREATY ON PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE ACTIVITIES OF STATES IN THE EXPLORATION AND USE OF OUTER SPACE, INCLUDING THE MOON AND OTHER CELESTIAL BODIES
Signed at Washington, London, Moscow, January 27, 1967


* Related Korean Statement*
http://www.spark946.org/bugsboard/index.php?BBS=s_news3&action=viewForm&uid=1048
Solidarity for Peace And Reunification Statement upon the N.K launch of the satellite and the Lee, Myung Park government’s move for the U.N. Security Council sanction on April 5, 2009

http://blog.peoplepower21.org/Peace/30788
People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy statement
2009/04/05

http://www.peacekorea.org/main/board/view.php?id=webzine&no=157
Peace Network Statement 2009-04-05


* More related articles*

The articles below informed in StopNATO

http://www.russiatoday.com/Top_News/2009-04-05/_Iran_threat_still_persists__so_missile_system_continues__-_Obama.html/print
http://www.russiatoday.com/Top_News/2009-04-05/Czechs_say__no_to_radar__during_Obama_visit.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/05/barack-obama-missile-shield

Text fwd: For warm solidarity with the friends in the Czech and against the propaganda against the North Korea

Text fwd on March 28, 2009

Dear friends,

We all congratulate our friends in the Czech Republic for the government of the Czech being fallen largely due to the determined and persistent struggles of the people in the Czech against the US radar base, part of the US missile defense system.

It is truly inspiring to the Korean peace activists as well who have been against the U.S. Star wars system. It is grateful that the activists in the Czech showed us the example of how seemingly difficult task could be solved by our persistent efforts. We all hope the day of April 5, the friends in the Czech preparing upon the visit of president Obama turns out to be another great event representing the decision of people in the world against the Missile Offense system and NATO. We all send you our warmest wishes and stand with you for solidarity.

http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/03/text-fwd-great-news-czech-government.html

There is also growing concern regarding the satellite launch of the North Korea. I, as one of the Korean peace activists emphasize, it is a “Satellite” not “Missile “ as the International mainstream media distort the facts as to influence us. According to an article on March 12.

“United States Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair became the first high-ranking official in the United States to announce that he thought the object North Korea is planning to launch is in fact a satellite”

See

http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/03/text-fwdus-national-intelligence.html

It is a satellite, “Kwangmyung No 2. that would be launched as early on April 4. It is not missile “Daepodong No. 2”. In 1998, it was a satellite, “Kwangmyung No. 1” It was not missile Daepodong No. 1. It is every country’s right to use space for peaceful purpose as practiced by many countries.

The US, Japan have done lots of not only satellite launch but missile launches and their tests. The current right wing government of the South Korea has increasingly blocked the hopes of peaceful reunification of Korea and has drum-beat the war exercise with the U.S. and some U.N. countries against the North Korea from March 9 to March 20. The South Korean government is also considering to join the partnership of the NATO and PSI (Proliferation Security Initiative). The three countries above are within Top 10 regarding the military budget in the world. Why discrimination against the North Korea! Why make the North Korea a scapegoat?!

Still there are disgusting discussion of the possible U.N. security council’s sanction against N. K. upon launch of the satellite(or in their words, missile) As in the Iraq war and against the Iran’s nuclear plant. It has no legal basis. Remember! Any sanctions against so called rogue states have been the pre-steps for war! Remember, Iraq!

There is another disgusting discussion that because the technology of satellite and the long range missile is same that even though it would be satellite, it has to be dealt on the table of the U.N. security council. Quoting an article, “it is like saying a kitchen knife is same with a bayonet” Then all the satellite launched by many countries have to be on the table of the U.N. Security Council?

I hope the peace activists in the world don’t be played out by the mainstream media. Please remember! It is a satellite that the NK is launching on April 4. TOTALLY LEGAL according to Outer Space Treaty in 1967.


* For more reference*

http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/03/text-fwd-n-korea-may-launch-its.html
Friday, March 27, 2009
Text fwd: N. Korea may launch its “satellite” on April 4


http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/03/text-fwd-mdaa-news-compelling-case-for.html
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Text Fwd: [Korean translated MDAA News] The Compelling Case for Missile Defense


http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/03/text-fwd-missile-defense-and-korean.html
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Text Fwd: Missile Defense and the Korean Peninsula-What Is the Problem?


http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/03/who-is-afraid-of-activists-against-war.html
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Who is afraid of the activists against the war exercise?


http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/03/text-fwd-north-koreas-satellite-versus.html
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Text fwd: North Korea’s Satellite versus US-ROK Joint Military Exercise


http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/03/text-fwdus-national-intelligence.html
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Text Fwd: U.S. National Intelligence director affirms North’s space launch



Sung-Hee Choi
Artist and a member of the Korean Organizing Committee (http://space4peace.tistory.com/)
For the International Conference against the Asia Pacific Missile Defense and for the End of Arms Race, Seoul, South Korea
April 16-18, 2009



* The article above was thankfully translated in Japanese by Makiko Sato.

http://www.anatakara.com/petition/nobasestories-20090327-message.html


* The article above was thankfully loaded on *

StopNATO
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato/message/38281
Forward From South Korea's No To Bases

Non Violence in the Czech Republic
http://www.nenasili.cz/en/3334_seoul-congratulations-to-the-movement-in-the-czech-republic
Seoul: congratulations to the Movement in the Czech Republic
28.3.2009

AfterDowningStreet
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/41176
North Korea Prepares to Launch a Satellite, Not A Missile
March 29, 2009

Europe for Peace
http://www.europeforpeace.eu/news.php?id=1071&country=
Seoul: congratulations to the Movement in the Czech Republic
March, 2009



* Thanks to Comments *

“You did a great job. I totally agree with your articles. I support Czech people and North Korea as well because I am against war. Hope your message delivered to more innocent men and women who don't know the facts and eventually to policy makers.” ( Soobok Kim)

“Thanks for this clarification. You are right, the media here in the US has painted an entirely different picture. I am very concerned about the continued posturing of the US military system – and the funding that even the new administration continues to pour into perpetuating hostility.” (Jo McIntire)

“I confess, not being as informed as I should be due to my need to focus on the problems related to media here in Omaha. The monopoly that controls our bandwidth is about to get another contract with the city, and it could be the end of a lot of opportunities for open communication around here. So I am up to my ears with that.

But I still love to hear the news from folks on the front and I still help where I can. Frank did an action a couple of weeks ago that I was involved in.” (Frances Mendenhall)


* Related blog*

http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/03/text-fwd-korea-in-some-context.html
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Text Fwd: KOREA IN SOME CONTEXT


* Related article*

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato/message/38278
Korea: US Aegis Destoyers 'Ready For Any Contingency'
Sat. March 28, 2009

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato/message/38279
Japan Deploys Interceptor Missile Ships Near Korea, Russia
Sat. March 28, 2009

Informed in StopNATO
http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=42672&cid=219&p=26.03.2009
US Deploys Aegis Warships For North Korean Satellite Launch
Thu Mar 26, 2009 6:23 am (PDT)

Text Fwd: UNA-USA NATIONAL CONFERENCE

* Text informed by Tim Rinne Nebraska Division, UNA-USA, on March 18, 2009*

UNA-USA NATIONAL CONFERENCE RESOLUTION

Educate UNA about the Threat US Strategic Command
Poses to the Peacemaking Goals of the United Nations

WHEREAS, the UN General Assembly annually reaffirms its desire to preserve space for peaceful purposes by a near-unanimous vote for the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) resolution, and

WHEREAS, as a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the US has legally obligated itself to disarm its nuclear weapons stockpiles and to forego developing and producing new generations of these weapons of mass destruction, and

WHEREAS, except under the most constrained conditions (where the danger must be imminent and the response not exceed the scale of the threat), the Charter of the United Nations prohibits preemptive attacks without Security Council authorization, and

WHEREAS, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the executive branch of United States government commissioned US Strategic Command (StratCom) with securing the military domination of outer space, and

WHEREAS, under the auspices of StratCom, the US is not only maintaining an arsenal of thousands of nuclear warheads and seeking to develop more, but has now adopted a strategic posture for the offensive use of nuclear weapons, and

WHEREAS, StratCom is now charged with preemptively attacking (with either conventional or nuclear weapons) any place on earth within one hour that the executive branch unilaterally deems a threat to the US or its interests, and

WHEREAS, UNA-USA chapters and divisions—through their networks—can educate the world about the newly enhanced military threat StratCom now represents to the peacemaking goals of the United Nations:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the UNA-USA commit to educating its member chapters, divisions and international affiliates about how StratCom’s expanded role in the execution of US military policy constitutes an increased threat to peacemaking goals of the UN; and

That the UNA-USA Board develop a statement addressing this destabilizing new threat, submit it to the United Nations, and distribute it to local UNA chapters, divisions and international affiliates; and

That the UNA-USA urge the incoming US Administration to seek ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and meet all of its obligations as a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty; and

That the UNA-USA urge the US Administration to abandon the October 2006 National Space Policy objective of the domination of outer space; and

That the US Administration finally support the annual UN resolution for the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) and promptly undertake negotiations—under the auspices of the United Nations—to negotiate a new treaty respecting the peaceful uses of outer space.


Jointly submitted by the UNA-USA Nebraska Division, Montana Chapter, Monterey Bay CA Chapter, Albuquerque NM Chapter, Pike’s Peak CO Chapter, Northern Colorado Chapter and Seattle WA Chapter.

RESOLUTION DOCUMENTATION

WHEREAS, the UN General Assembly annually reaffirms its desire to preserve space for peaceful purposes by a near-unanimous vote for the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) resolution.

Documentation: Intended to complement to the 1967 “Outer Space Treaty” (banning weapons of mass destruction in space and preserving the Moon and celestial bodies for peace), the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) resolution would prohibit the deployment of conventional space weapons. For over twenty years, the PAROS resolution has annually garnered the support of virtually every member state of the United Nations except the US, which has never once voted for adoption. (The 2008 PAROS vote, in instance, was 177 for, 1 against, with Israel abstaining.) Without the support of the world’s premier space-faring nation, the Conference on Disarmament has been crippled in its efforts to craft additional treaty law around the principle of preserving space for peaceful purposes.


WHEREAS, as a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the US has legally obligated itself to disarm its nuclear weapons stockpiles and to forego developing and producing new generations of these weapons of mass destruction.

Documentation: Not only does Article VI of the 1970 Non-Proliferation Treaty legally bind the US to disarm itself of nuclear weapons, the International Court of Justice ruled in July 1996 that, “There exists an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to disarmament in all aspects under strict and effective international control.”


WHEREAS, except under the most constrained conditions (where the danger must be imminent and the response not exceed the scale of the threat), the Charter of the United Nations prohibits preemptive attacks without Security Council authorization.

Documentation: Article 2, Section 4 of the UN Charter prohibiting “the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state” is routinely contrasted with Article 51 governing the right of self-defense. While ‘preemptive attacks’ are not in every instance illegal under international law, to be justified, the danger must be imminent, allowing no alternative recourse, with the response not exceeding the level of the threat. The US invasion of Iraq accordingly was, in the view of former UN Secretary Kofi Annan, “not in conformity with the UN Charter” and therefore “illegal.” (9/15/04)


WHEREAS, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the executive branch of United States government commissioned US Strategic Command (StratCom) with securing the military domination of outer space.

Documentation: In October 2002, the US Space Command was moved under the direct control of US Strategic Command, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Four years later in October 2006, the White House issued its revised “National Space Policy,” which openly calls for US military space dominance and asserts that the US has the unilateral right to “dissuade or deter… and deny, if necessary, adversaries the use of space capabilities hostile to US interests.” The policy further rejects future arms control agreements that might “impair” the asymmetric advantage the US now possesses in space.


WHEREAS, under the auspices of StratCom, the US is not only maintaining an arsenal of thousands of nuclear warheads and seeking to develop more, but has now adopted a strategic posture for the offensive use of nuclear weapons.

Documentation: According to the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists (2008), the US has 4,075 active warheads in its nuclear arsenal. This sizable stockpile, however, has not prevented the Pentagon and StratCom from promoting the research, develop-ment and production of new generations of nuclear weapons like the ‘bunker buster’ mini-nuke and the “Reliable Replacement Warhead.” The Bush/Cheney Administration, in turn, paired this technological quest for new and better armaments with an accompanying change in nuclear policy. Upending the US’s longstanding doctrine of strategic deterrence, the 2002 “Nuclear Posture Review” for the first time called for the offensive, ‘first strike’ use of nuclear weapons.


WHEREAS, StratCom is now charged with preemptively attacking (with either conventional or nuclear weapons) any place on earth within one hour that the executive branch unilaterally deems a threat to the US or its interests.

Documentation: The Bush/Cheney Administration’s “doctrine of preemption” was first unveiled in the 2002 “National Security Strategy,” one year to the month after 9/11. As outlined in the strategy, the US arrogates to itself the authority to unilaterally attack another nation on the mere suspicion of a threat to the US’s national interests. Under CONPLAN (Contingency Plan) 8022-02, StratCom was directed by the executive branch to develop a ‘global strike division’ that could turn the administration’s new preemption policy into an operational reality. “In December 2002, Adm. James O. Ellis Jr., then StratCom’s head, told an Omaha business group that his command had been charged with developing the capability to strike anywhere in the world within minutes of detecting a target.” (William Arkin, Washington Post, 5/14/05)


* Related blogs*

http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/03/text-fed-nebraska-division-una-usa.html
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Text Fed: Nebraska Division UNA-USA Resolution Get Response


http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/03/text-fwd-una-usa-cover-letter-wfuna.html
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Text Fwd: UNA-USA cover letter (WFUNA)

http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/03/text-fwd-una-resolution-on-stratcom.html
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Text Fwd: UNA Resolution on StratCom (Appeal letter)


*For more info. on the StratCom, go to *

http://www.nebraskansforpeace.org/nepeace/stratcom/index.php

Text Fwd:U.S. National Intelligence director affirms North’s space launch

*Image Source* as in the original article below

'National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on March 10 before the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on worldwide threats. AP Photo.'

http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/343718.html

U.S. National Intelligence director affirms North’s space launch
: But N. Korea’s launch of a ‘space-launch vehicle’ could still incur sanctions because U.S. policy equates satellites with missiles

Posted on : Mar.12,2009 10:24 KST Modified on : Mar.12,2009 11:18 KST

U.S. National Intelligence director affirms North’s space launch
But N. Korea’s launch of a ‘space-launch vehicle’ could still incur sanctions because U.S. policy equates satellites with missiles

United States Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair became the first high-ranking official in the United States to announce that he thought the object North Korea is planning to launch is in fact a satellite.

At the Annual Threat Assessment briefing for the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, Blair said, “The North Koreans announced that they were going to do a space launch, and I believe that that’s what they intend.” He added, “I could be wrong, but that would be my estimate.”

With the public acknowledgement by Blair, who oversees 16 intelligence organizations in the United States, that North Korea’s launch vehicle is a satellite, some are interpreting this as meaning that the possibilities of an interception by the U.S. have decreased proportionally.

But in the briefing, Blair confirmed once again that he equates a satellite with a missile. With the U.S. administration sticking to the position that the technology is the same for a satellite launch rocket and an intercontinental ballistic missile, the possibility remains that the United States will pursue sanctions even if North Korea launches a satellite, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 forbidding the launching of a ballistic missile by North Korea.

In response to Blair’s statement, a Cheong Wa Dae official said, “It was not a remark conclusively stating that it is a satellite.” The official added, “Right now, it’s difficult to predict whether it will be a missile or a satellite.”

Another Cheong Wa Dae official noted that Blair used the expression “space-launch vehicle” rather than “satellite” in his response. “It could be a missile or a satellite, depending on whether you load a warhead or a satellite on the space-launch vehicle,” the official noted. This means that a space-launch vehicle does not mean a satellite and is simply an objective expression for a transporter.

Japanese media reported that there is no legal basis for sanctions and no possibility of a successful interception in the event that North Korea launches a long-range missile or satellite. The Yomiuri Shimbun commented Tuesday that the legal basis does not exist if North Korea launches a ballistic missile with range extending far beyond the territorial land and waters of Japan. Asai Motofumi, director of the Hiroshima Peace Institute at Hiroshima City University and a former Japanese foreign ministry official, wrote in the “Comments” section of the Tuesday edition of the Mainichi Daily News that according to the Outer Space Treaty, which states that all nations can explore and use outer space freely and without any discrimination, it is self-evident that North Korea too can exercise these rights.

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