Posted on 08/18/2006 5:54:55 PM PDT by garbageseeker
CAMP DAVID, United States (AFP) - US President George W. Bush warned North Korea against nuclear testing but would not say whether he had information confirming that preparations for such a test were under way.
"It's a hypothetical question," Bush told reporters. "And you're asking me to divulge intelligence information I have. I'm not going to do that, as you know."
But he added: "If North Korea were to conduct a test, it's just a constant reminder for people in the neighborhood, in particular, that North Korea poses a threat."
The US television network ABC reported on Thursday that North Korea may be preparing to conduct an underground test of a nuclear bomb.
"It is the view of the intelligence community that a test is real possibility," the network quoted a senior US State Department official as saying.
A senior military official told ABC that an unidentified US intelligence agency had recently observed "suspicious vehicle movement" at a suspected North Korean test site.
The activity included the unloading of large reels of cable outside an underground facility called Pungyee-yok in northeast North Korea, it said.
ABC said cables can be used in nuclear testing to connect an underground test site to observation equipment.
It said the intelligence had been brought to the attention of the White House last week but cautioned that it was "not conclusive."
An imminent nuclear test was predicted in North Korea last year but no test occurred.
ABC said underground nuclear tests are "notoriously difficult" to detect ahead of time and noted that the United States had failed to predict nuclear tests by India and Pakistan in 1998.
North Korea claims to have built nuclear weapons and sparked international alarm last month by test-firing seven ballistic missiles.
In Huntsville, Alabama on Tuesday the head of the US missile defense agency said he expects to make recommendations in a matter of months on where to position interceptor missiles and radar in Europe to best protect against the threat of Iranian missiles.
The European site would be the first expansion outside of the United States of an unproven US missile defense system that currently is aimed at thwarting a limited long-range missile attack by North Korea.
"We are facing a real threat," General Henry Obering said in a speech in Huntsville. "It is one that is growing. It is one that I consider to be one of the preeminent threats we'll face in the 21st century."
Obering's comments came just weeks after North Korea test fired a long-range Taepo-dong 2 missile and six shorter range Nodong and Scud-type missiles.
Although the long-range missile test failed early in flight, the others were successful.
"And so we have to be careful that we don't jump to the wrong conclusions about it. Even though they had a failure in a long range test does not mean they don't have capability," Obering said.
Pres Bush picks up the phone and calls up Kim. "Did you all test a missile the other day" ask the pres.
"Yep" replied Kim.
"Did you also test a nuke"...
"Did that too", Kim said.
"Did you figure out how to attach the nuke to the missile"? continued the pres.
"You got me" replied Kim.
Bush finally asked."Was it you that shot the nuke at NY and blew it up"?
"Yeah, that would be me that did it" said Kim.
The pres got red in the face, shook his finger at the phone, and said in a real loud voice "Well....you better watch that shit"
map courtesy of stratfor.com
I say that far too often these days. LOL I think Kim Jung-is-ill will be saying that if he tries to test a nuke.
I'm sure Russia and China will keep N. Korea in line. If that needs a sarcasm tag, I'll eat my hat.
I'm guessing they already are.
Would we or anyone else necessarily know if a test had been attempted last year but that it was a dud?? I don't know the answer but I recall at one point, such a test was said to be imminent.
ohhhhh No we Warn North Korea now if Kim is good little boy we will buy him a happy meal.
It was more of a subcritical nuclear test.
Yea, o.k.
I believe they will test it. In my opinion, Kimmy thinks that the anti war / anti Bush movement in this country will protect him from any retaliation.
If so, he's crazier than we could have possibly imagined. President Bush is STILL President, and it would be unwise of Kim to underestimate the man.
I like the way Savage pronounced his name....A-mad-jihad.
OR WHAT?
More empty threats? Perhaps a warning from the United Nations? LOL
I agree. The UN will do nothing.
"(I swear I'll never be able to pronounce that name..LOL) "
try this
ah......ma.......dinny.......jad
Hooked on phonics works for me!
but if you said "Allformyjihad" we'll know what you mean. LOL
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