Text Fwd: U.S. pleased to see N. Korean weapons seizure in Thailand: Clinton

Yonhap News
2009/12/15 05:46 KST
(LEAD) U.S. pleased to see N. Korean weapons seizure in Thailand: Clinton
By Hwang Doo-hyong

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday that the U.S. welcomes Thailand's seizure of North Korean weapons on their way to a third country in violation of a U.N. arms embargo.

"We were very pleased to see the strong action taken by the Thais," Clinton said in a joint press availability with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos. "I think the actions by the Thai government to detain the plane that is apparently carrying significant amounts of weapons demonstrates the importance of international solidarity behind the sanctions that were adopted at the United Nations earlier this year."

Thai authorities seized 35 tons of explosives, rocket-propelled grenades and missile parts on a Georgia-registered flight Saturday when the plane landed in Bangkok for refueling.

Thai authorities reportedly said that they were tipped off by the U.S.

They said they confiscated the North Korean arms under U.N. resolutions adopted after North Korea's nuclear and missile tests earlier this year.

The resolutions call for an overall arms embargo and financial sanctions and interdiction of cargo on the high seas to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, missiles, other weapons of mass destruction and conventional arms.

Arms sales are one of the major sources of revenue for North Korea, which has long been under international financial sanctions led by the U.S.

"I don't think anyone should be surprised that North Korea is continuing to attempt to evade the sanctions and export around the world, because that is their principal source of foreign currency," Clinton said. "They have a need to continue to sell the one thing that they can export."

North Korea is suspected of being behind nuclear and missile proliferation in Syria, Iran, Pakistan and several other countries in the Middle East.

The United Arab Emirates in July seized a Bahamian-flagged ship carrying North Korean rocket-propelled grenades and other conventional weapons labeled as machine parts, the first seizure of its kind since the Security Council adopted Resolution 1874 in June after North Korea's nuclear test in May.

India seized a North Korean ship off its coast in early August only to find no weapons aboard.

In late June, a North Korean cargo ship, possibly on its way to Myanmar, returned home after being closely tracked by U.S. Navy vessels.

At a daily news briefing, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said the U.S. does not know the intended destination of the most recent North Korean shipment.

"The investigation of the incident is ongoing," he said. "And part of that investigation is to determine where exactly the shipment was headed."

Another State Department official, asking anonymity, said, "It's not unreasonable to suspect it is going to a neighboring country," apparently referring to Myanmar, a suspected North Korean client and a short hop from Thailand.

Kelly commended the Thai officials "for their swift and efficient action" in implementing U.N. resolutions.

"The next step here will be to report this incident to the U.N.'s North Korea Sanctions Committee, the so-called 1718 committee, which has a mandate to investigate and take appropriate action in response to incidents like this," he said.

The seizure comes as the United States has broken diplomatic ice with North Korea.

Stephen Bosworth, special representative for North Korea policy, made his first visit to Pyongyang last week to persuade North Korea to come back to six-party talks on ending the North's denuclearization.

Bosworth said that he failed to obtain the North's commitment to return to the six-party talks, but added the sides have "identified some common understandings" on the need to restart the six-party talks. The talks involving the two Koreas, the United States, China, Russia and Japan have been deadlocked since the U.N. sanctions.

A 2005 six-party deal calls for the North's nuclear dismantlement in return for massive economic aid, the normalization of ties between the North and the U.S. and Japan, and the establishment of a peace regime to replace the armistice signed at the end of Korean War in 1953.

Clinton last week described Bosworth's meeting, the first since the inauguration of President Barack Obama in January, as "quite positive," stressing the need for "strategic patience" in dealing with the reclusive communist state.

Philip Crowley, assistant secretary of state for public affairs, said last week Washington is ready to have another high-level meeting with North Korea toward reopening the six-party talks.

Crowley also said that the U.S. will continue sanctions, and expressed confidence Pyongyang will eventually return to the six-party talks "because, otherwise, the alternative is we will continue to aggressively enforce sanctions through continued consultations with the other partners in the six-party process."

Asked on the possible impact on the North Korean weapons seizure on the international efforts to revive the six-party talks, a State Department official, asking anonymity, said, "We are going to robustly implement 1874. At the same time, we want North Korea to return to six-party talks to discuss this real priority of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula."

On the reports that the U.S. has agreed to have four-party talks, which also includes South Korea and China, to forge a peace treaty to replace the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War, the anonymous official said, "We can look at a number of different ways of engaging with them on non-nuclear issues within the context of the six-party talks."

"Once we get the six-party talks going again, there is a mechanism to have bilateral talks," he said. "However, we are not going to go to step two before we get to step one."

hdh@yna.co.kr

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.


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http://www.tongilnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=84573
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Text Fwd: UN divided on N Korea rocket launch

* Text informed in the Informationclearing House*

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2009/04/20094601758486829.html
UN divided on N Korea rocket launch
North Korea says its satellite is now in space but other countries dispute that [Reuters]
Updated on Monday, April 06, 2009
11:11 Mecca time, 08:11 GMT

The UN Security Council has ended a three-hour long emergency session over North Korea's rocket launch with little more than a commitment to "continue consultations".

Japan, South Korea, the US and the EU had accused Pyongyang of breaching UN resolutions with the rocket launch, but Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN, admitted there were differences of opinion, with China saying that any UN action must be "cautious and proportionate".

Rice, who said before the meeting that "strong collective action" was needed on the rocket launch, said after the adjournment that Washington would press for a new resolution.

"The United States expressed its strong view that the launch … constituted a clear-cut violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 and it is our view that this action merits a clear and strong response from United Nations Security Council," she said on Sunday.

Council split

Al Jazeera's Kristen Saloomy, reporting from the UN, said there was definitely a split at the council, with China and Russia calling for a cautious response, and the US, Japan, South Korea and EU countries urging a strong, unified response.

In depth

There was even disagreement over whether North Korea had violated Resolution 1718 which was adopted in 2006 after Pyongyang's missile launch on July 5 and nuclear test on October 9 the same year.

It demands that the country refrain from any further nuclear testing or another ballistic missile launch.

Barack Obama, the US president, called the rocket launch a "provocation" that required a strong international response by the security council, during a speech in Prague on Sunday.

"Rules must be binding, violations must be punished, words must mean something," he said.

But Yang Jiechi, the Chinese foreign minister, responding to calls for condemnation on the ministry's website on Sunday, said that "relevant parties must ... avoid taking actions that could make the situation even more tense".

Russia also urged restraint while a report said Moscow was studying whether Pyongyang had in fact broken any UN Security Council resolutions.

Rocket launch

At the request of the US and Japanese governments, the security council meeting was called after North Korea launched what is believed to be a three-stage Taepodong-2 missile, with an estimated range of 6,700km.

N Korea's 'space programme'

North Korea says it launched its first satellite, Kwangmyongsong-1 (right), into orbit aboard a Taepodong 1 rocket in 1998

It says the satellite launch was successful, beaming a looped recording of the Song of General Kim Il Sung back to Earth

US space command said at the time it was unable to find any North Korean satellite in orbit

North Korea says it has now launched the Kwangmyongsong-2 satellite on top of what it has called an Unha-2 rocket

Yukio Takasu, the Japanese ambassador to the UN, said: "Thank God nothing fell on Japan. But it doesn't change the situation. It is a clear sign of intention and a threat to international peace and security."

Sunday's launch sparked alarm because North Korea has acknowledged it has nuclear weapons.

For several tense minutes on Sunday, North Korea's rocket flew through Japan's airspace, which had given its military the authority to shoot down any threat - something Pyongyang had warned would be seen as an act of war.

North Korean state media reported that Pyongyang had sent a satellite into space at 00:29GMT on Sunday and that it was now circling the earth.

But Japan said the booster rockets fell harmlessly into the water, while the United States and Seoul said the launch had failed to get its payload, a satellite, into orbit.

South Korea called the launch "reckless".

"The government cannot but express disappointment and regret over North Korea's reckless act of firing a long-range rocket, which poses a serious threat to security on the Korean peninsula and the world," Lee Dong-kwan, a spokesman for South Korea's president, said.

"The government will deal firmly and resolutely with North Korea's provocative act."

Strengthening North's hand

State media said North Korean leader Kim Jong-il oversaw the launch [EPA]
Balbina Hwang, a former adviser to Christopher Hill, the chief US negotiator to six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear programme, told Al Jazeera that no one should have been surprised at the rocket launch because Pyongyang had been methodical about conveying its intentions.

Saying that "sabre rattling" was the North's form of foreign policy, she said the launch "draws into very serious doubt the future of the six-party talks in terms of being able to accomplish its stated goal which is the full and verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula".

"The ability to test a satellite is within the purview of any sovereign nation," she said.

"The problem is that most satellite launches are done on equipment or missile-rockets that are in fact ballistic-missile capable," which is against the UN resolution.

But she added that the parties to the talks have said they wish to continue negotiations and the rocket launch puts Pyongyang in a stronger position if it does return to the table.
Source: Al Jazeera and agencies

Photos Fwd: Korean activists resist! Stop the PSI! Stop the Sanction against the N.K. !

* Image Source*
Same as below

http://www.spark946.org/bugsboard/index.php?BBS=s_news&action=viewForm&uid=2171&page=1
Korean activists resist! Stop the PSI! Stop the Sanction against the N.K. !
The activists of the Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea (SPARK) had a press interview in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 9:30am, April 6, 2009


[Translated]

‘There is no article of the prohibition of the satellite in the U.N. Resolution 1718!

It is every county’s right to use the space for the peaceful purpose. If the N.K.’s satellite is problem-atized, South Koreans’ in July would be sanctioned, as well?

Stop the consideration of the total participation to the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) which would draw the Korean peninsula into the war!

Stop Sanctions! Start Negotiations!’



* Related Korean Articles *

http://www.spark946.org/bugsboard/index.php?BBS=s_news3&action=viewForm&uid=1049&page=1
SPARK Press interview: United States, Japan, and the South Korean government! Do Not Make the N.K. Satellite Launch as an Excuse of the Sanction against the North Korea!, April 6, 2009

http://www.peacekorea.org/main/board/view.php?id=jws&no=250
Peace Network article Why is it dangerous to totally participate in the PSI? Written by Wooksik Cheong, Peace Network, April 6, 2009

http://blog.peoplepower21.org/Peace/30788
Statement from the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy: Sanctions against the North Korea, Military Response are not solution! Negotiate!
Written by Park, Jung-Eun, April 5, 2009

Text Fwd: S. Korea announces, “N. Korea failed to launch their satellite into orbit”

* Image Source/ Caption*
Same as the article below

'The above graph indicates the path of North Korea‘s satellite, launched on April 5. The graph below shows three projectiles that North Korea has launched since 1998 from left to right: the latest projectile, a projectile launched in 2006, a projectile launched in 1998.'

http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/348220.html
S. Korea announces, “N. Korea failed to launch their satellite into orbit” UN Security Council convenings discuss joint responses to North Korea

The above graph indicates the path of North Korea‘s satellite, launched on April 5. The graph below shows three projectiles that North Korea has launched since 1998 from left to right: the latest projectile, a projectile launched in 2006, a projectile launched in 1998.

North Korea carried out the launch of its previously announced experimental communications satellite Kwangmyongsong-2 on board the carrier rocket Unha-2, a Taepodong-2[Such a wrong description!] , at 11:20 am Sunday from a launch site in Musudan-ri, Hwadae-gun, North Hamgyeong Province. North Korea‘s state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Sunday afternoon that the Kwangmyongsong-2 entered orbit successfully nine minutes and two seconds after its launch, and transmitted melodies and measured information at 470 MHz.

The governments of South Korea, the United States and Japan announced that the rocket launch took place 15 seconds after 11:30 am, but they said that North Korea failed to carry its satellite to the orbit. South Korea Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee presented to the National Assembly on April 5 a report that North Korea’s launch was unsuccessful.

North Korea‘s first three-stage satellite launch vehicle, the Paektusan-1, had failed to put the Kwangmyongsong-1 satellite into orbit in August 1998. Both the United States and Japan confirmed that they considered this rocket launch a violation of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1718, which was adopted following North Korea’s 2006 nuclear test, and forbids North Korea from engaging in any activities related to ballistic missiles testing. The two nations have emphasized the need for a concerted response from the UN Security Council. Japan, which is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, requested an emergency meeting of the body 35 minutes following the launch.

Representatives of the 15 member nations of the UN Security Council, including the United States, China and Russia, were expected to convene Sunday afternoon (Monday morning in South Korea) and discuss whether the launch represents a violation of Resolution 1718. Sources have indicated that the U.S. and Japanese governments plan to present a new resolution demanding complete compliance with Resolution 1718.

In a statement issued on behalf of China‘s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spokeswoman Jiang Yu expressed its hope that “related parties stay calm and exercise restraint, appropriately deal with the matter, and together maintain peace and stability in this region.” The statement also said that China “is willing to continue to play a constructive role” towards peace and stability in the region. China and Russia have not clearly stated whether they consider the launch a violation of Resolution 1718, and they have expressed negative positions toward the adoption of another UN Security Council resolution.

Pyongyang previously expressed objections to having this launch being referred to as a UN Security Council-level discussion matter, and warned it would take “strong measures” in response if it deemed necessary. Some are concerned if an additional resolution is adopted, North Korea will issue a hard-line response, such as: refusing to participate in the six-party talk process or halting the process of disabling its Yongbyon nuclear facilities,

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]

Text Fwd: Ban regrets DPR Korea rocket launch, calls for dialogue

*Image Source*
Same as article belwo
[Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon]

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=30399&Cr=dprk&Cr1=
Ban regrets DPR Korea rocket launch, calls for dialogue

5 April 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed his regret that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has, against strong international appeals, proceeded with its planned rocket launch, urging the resumption of diplomatic talks.

According to media reports, the East Asian nation carried out its launch this morning, and the Security Council held an emergency meeting today, at Japan's request, on the issue.

“Given the volatility in the region, as well as a stalemate in interaction among the concerned parties, such a launch is not conducive to efforts to promote dialogue, regional peace and stability,” Mr. Ban said in a statement issued by his spokesperson.

He urged the DPRK to comply with Security Council resolutions, such as resolution 1718, which demanded that the country “not conduct any further nuclear test or launch of a ballistic missile,” following its claims to have conducted a nuclear test in October 2006.

The Secretary-General also appealed to all concerned countries to “focus on ways to build confidence and restore dialogue, including the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks,” referring to the discussions involving DPRK, Republic of Korea, Japan, China, Russia and the United States.

During today's closed-door meeting to address the “serious” situation, Security Council members agreed to “consultations on the appropriate reaction by the Council in accordance with its responsibilities given the urgency of the matter,” said Ambassador Claude Heller of Mexico, which holds the 15-member body's rotating presidency this month.

Consultations are expected to continue, and Mr. Heller noted that among members, there is a “consensus saying that the Security Council regretted that the Government of the DPRK disregarded the calls by the international community to suspend” its launch.

http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3772
New York/Paris, 5 April 2009 - Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the DPRK

The Secretary-General regrets that, against strong international appeal, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) went ahead with its planned launch. Given the volatility in the region, as well as a stalemate in interaction among the concerned parties, such a launch is not conducive to efforts to promote dialogue, regional peace and stability. The Secretary-General urges DPRK to comply with relevant Security Council resolutions, and all countries concerned to focus on ways to build confidence and restore dialogue, including the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks. The Secretary-General will lend his full support to these efforts.

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


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Neighbors Express Dismay; U.S. Decries 'Provocative Act'
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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: Lee and Obama agree to a “united” response to N. Korea launch issue

* Image Source/ caption*
Same article as below
"The US President Barack Obama whisper to South Korea President Lee Myung-bak, right during their summit in London on April 2."

http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/347775.html
Lee and Obama agree to a “united” response to N. Korea launch issue : In their first summit, leaders exchange bilateral concerns and make little progress on South Korea-U.S. FTA Posted on : Apr.3,2009 10:09 KST Modified on : Apr.3,2009 10:16 KST


"the US President Barack Obama whisper to South Korea President Lee Myung-bak, right during their summit in London on April 2."

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and United States President Barack Obama held their first summit Thursday (on the sidelines of the G-20 summit) in London. While the imminent North Korean rocket launch remains a pressing issue, this brief meeting was characterized by rather basic diplomatic rhetoric such as “close cooperation,” “sympathies” and “reconfirm.”

Some analysts are also asking whether too little of substance was gained through this meeting, lasting only 30 minutes. While they may not be apt comparisons, the U.S.-China summit Wednesday saw the launching of a new channel for dialogue that represents a step up from the existing strategic discussion between the two countries, and the U.S.-Russia summit saw progress on an agreement on nuclear arms reduction and discussions to replace the current Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START-I), which expires in December.

In contrast, the South Korea-U.S. meeting saw an exchange of opinions on a broad range of topics, including: the rocket launch, the North Korean nuclear issue, the strengthening of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, plans for cooperation to overcome the global economic crisis, climate change, and support for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Analysts reviewing the proceedings of the first summit suggest the two leaders did not appear to offer any differences of opinion on the South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, which has recently been the most contentious issue between the two countries, nor any points of agreement either.


Any agreement on another major issue, the North Korean rocket launch, was condensed into statements about the need for the international community to participate in a “stern, united response.” Analysts also　suggest the choice of the term “stern” reflects an intention to take measures based on a shared understanding that any launch by North Korea would represent a violation of United National Security Council Resolution 1718.

But the reference to a “united response,” while demonstrating coordination between South Korea and the U.S., was also somewhat carefully chosen. Some experts suggest that it may indicate an intention to show consideration for the positions of China and Russia, which have responded negatively to the idea of adopting UN　Security Council resolutions, such as sanctions against North Korea. Indeed, the U.S. has repeatedly stated that the doors are open for discussion. Judging from the positions recently　taken by China and Russia, analysts are expecting discussions to proceed　within a larger framework following the rocket launch, even if the matter goes to the UN Security Council.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]
© 2006 The Hankyoreh Media Company.

Text Fwd: S. Korea-U.S.-Japan step up their joint response against N. Korea’s imminent “satellite” launch

* Image Source*
Same as article below

"Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force‘s (JMSDF) ballistic missile defense ships Chokai (R) and Kongou leave from a port of JMSDF Sasebo Base in Sasebo, southwestern Japan, March 28, 2009. Japan ordered its military on Friday to prepare to intercept any dangerous debris that might fall on its territory if a missile launch planned by North Korea goes wrong. (REUTERS/Kyodo)"

http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/346942.html
S. Korea-U.S.-Japan step up their joint response against N. Korea’s imminent “satellite” launch:
However, with China and Russia opposing sanctions against Pyongyang, coordinated responses to North Korea are in question
Posted on : Mar.30,2009 12:42 KST Modified on : Mar.30,2009 16:53 KST

With North Korea‘s “satellite” launch imminent, South Korea, the U.S. and Japan are stepping up their efforts to determine a joint response to what they suspect is a cover to test-fire a long-range missile. However experts worry differences in opinion with China and Russia indicates that the five powers face hurdles in developing a coordinated strategy.

Emerging from a two-hour long meeting with Stephen Bosworth, U.S. special envoy to North Korea, and his assistant Sung Kim on March 27 (local time), South Korea’s top negotiator Wi Sung-lac said, “We discussed the issues of referring (the launch) to the (U.N.) Security Council and resuming the six-party talks.” He added, “A satellite launch by North Korea would be found in violation of the 1718 U.N. resolution, and we will respond accordingly.”

On the same day, Akitaka Saiki, Japan‘s chief delegate for the six-party talks, held a bilateral meeting with his U.S counterparts. “(If the North goes ahead with the launch), we will immediately refer it to the U.N. Security Council. I believe there is no discord (among the three nations) on this matter.”

These remarks by the top negotiators from South Korea, Japan and the U.S. offer no more than a reconfirmation of earlier statements. A coordinated front on countermeasures proves difficult, however, as China and Russia remain lukewarm regarding deploying sanctions. Meanwhile both China and Russia have tried to dissuade the North from proceeding with the satellite launch.

Indeed, the Russian government reportedly concluded that it would not violate the 1718 resolution if the North launches a satellite. The Chinese foreign ministry has called for Japan to remain calm in relation to Pyongyang’s move to launch a rocket, according to the Mainichi Shinbun newspaper. China reportedly says that they agree to issue an U.N. chairman’s statement in response to North Korea’s launch and opposes taking any action beyond that.

Meanwhile, Pyongyang and Washington are busy seeing who can maintain the upper hand. Bosworth told the Washington Post on March 28 that he wishes to meet North Korean National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il, during the six-party talks, he will focus to develop more comprehensive policies regarding disarmament, that include bilateral talks with Pyongyang.

However, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently told Fox News that it will be tough for North Korea to receive energy and food aid if it goes ahead with the missile launch.

The North remains recalcitrant. On March 26, a North Korean foreign ministry spokesman said, “There will be no six-party talks should this matter (of the launch) be referred to the U.N. Security Council.” Two days later, the Chosun Shinbo, a newspaper published by the General Association of North Korean Residents in Japan, reiterated that Pyongyang is aiming to launch a “satellite” for peaceful space-development purposes.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]

© 2006 The Hankyoreh Media Company.

* Related article*

StopNATO
Russian General: West Practices Double Standards On N. Korea, Iran
March 28, 2009

* Related blog*

http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2009/03/text-fwd-solidarity-email-from-japan_29.html
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Text Fwd: Solidarity Email from Japan & an Appeal for Peace

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

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

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



* This blog thankfully loaded on StopNATO
No Bases:S. Korea-US-Japan Step Up Joint Response To N. Korea Launch,
March 30, 2009