Posted on 01/06/2008 6:58:59 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
Nuclear Credulity
By Carolyn Leddy
Sunday, January 6, 2008; B07
Paying off terrorists doesn't work; it only encourages more terrorism. The same is true with nuclear proliferators. They tend to take the bribe and hide the program, and the next thing you know, they're testing nuclear weapons. That was why so many nonproliferation experts welcomed the Bush administration's repudiation of the 1994 "agreed framework" with North Korea. It is also why, after nearly five years of working on nonproliferation issues in the Bush administration, I chose to leave government.
Dec. 31 was the deadline for North Korea to disable its Yongbyon nuclear facility and to provide a full declaration of all its nuclear programs and facilities. A muted news release from the State Department lamented the missed deadline as "unfortunate." White House statements were similarly tepid.
It's well known that most of the administration's nonproliferation experts were unhappy with the agreement reached with North Korea last February. Nonproliferation analysts and experts throughout the administration have been marginalized on national security issues for years. The nuclear agreement with India was negotiated largely absent senior participation from our ranks; the dialogue with allies regarding Iran's nuclear program has been conducted almost exclusively on a political level.
Given that history, few were surprised that the North Korea deal was reached so easily by political and regional officials. But we were assured that President Bush had a personal desire to seek, through the six-party process, an end to North Korea's nuclear weapons program.
To support the president, we labored to define nebulous terminology -- "nuclear programs," say, and "disablement" -- crafted by the negotiators. Nonproliferation experts and verification specialists endured accusations of disloyalty to the administration and of political and international naivete.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Yep. When Rep. Ros-Lehtien urged Admin to disclose the whole truth about Israeli raid on Syrian site, some turned up at FR accusing her of a pro-illegal immigrant liberal. Or being a traitor for divulging top secret information. Despicable shills. I am sure they are more generous on Kim Jong-il.
Ping!
Yes, that's why it has been so disappointing to me that the Bush administration has now decided to try a "Agreed Framework II" strategy.
Actually, S. Korea's new government will be in the pocket of these guys as well. There were warm reception by President-elect Lee Myung-bak for representatives from these organizations.
In the local media, they are described as "pragmatic" experts on N. Korea, but they are all members of this organization. Lee's government have members of these organization as well.
They all want "status quo" on N. Korean affairs, according to local press.
So much for the human rights of the North Korean people.
Soon they’ll be so close to extinction, the only protections available will be under endangered species laws.
A shameful chapter and a stain on American honor.
Rep. Ros-Lehiten and Amb Bolton both got it right. Rice is a disaster at State. The careerists at State with their appeasement, sell out mentality are running the show.
Thank you for pinging me.
Ping.
It is ugly.
It is true.
And it is happening right during a Republican Administration.
They have us jumping through all kinds of frikkin hoops. It is reprehensible.
And why this is not brought up in the GOP debates? I think I can guess.
Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, yesterday sent an important letter to President George Bush calling for immediate programmatic additions to U.S. missile defenses. Such systems, he stated, should be “capable of addressing the full range of North Korean missile-based threats to the United States, our deployed forces, and our allies.” First and foremost, the U.S. must “accelerate further the schedule for fielding Aegis ballistic missile defense capabilities,” either solely Standard Missile-3 interceptors or an appropriate combination of both SM-2 and SM-3 interceptors. Second, the U.S. must “maintain an optimal air defense capability on the peninsula” by deploying sufficient numbers of ground-based Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) systems. Third, the U.S. must “accelerate the deployment of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities,” focusing on Northeast Asia. Congressman Hunter offered to serve as an advocate in Congress for any reprogramming requests submitted by the White House to carry out these critical national security objectives.
The Congressman’s recommendations are similar to those put forth by the Independent Working Group in its recent report, Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century, which strongly advocates the expansion of sea-based missile defenses, as well as the strengthening of missile defense collaboration with vital allies such as Japan.
Full text of Duncan Hunter letter to President Bush:
October 9, 2006
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
The recent statements that the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) has successfully conducted its first nuclear test have proven deeply disturbing to the international community, especially when viewed in concert with North Korea’s July 4 missile launches. I understand that the United States can and should work with our partners in the United Nations and the Six Party Talks to take a strong stand on these provocative actions. I also believe that the United States must take immediate steps to develop and deploy systems that are capable of addressing the full range of North Korean missile-based threats to the United States, our deployed forces, and our allies.
First and foremost, we must accelerate the U.S. ability to rapidly field and deploy a sea-based picket capability to protect against future North Korean ballistic missile launches. In the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, the conferees added $100.0 million for Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense SM-3 interceptor procurement and Aegis system development. That is a start, but we need to accelerate further the schedule for fielding Aegis ballistic missile defense capabilities, whether solely SM-3 interceptors or an appropriate combination of both SM-2 and SM-3 interceptors. I recommend strongly that the executive branch submit to the Congress both a proposal that states what steps are necessary to accomplish such acceleration and a request to reprogram the necessary funds.
Second, North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile tests underscore the importance of the PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) deployment on the Korean peninsula. The United States must maintain an optimal air defense capability on the peninsula. I understand that United States Forces Korea has two full PAC-3 battalions - or 8 firing batteries - located in the Republic of Korea. I want to make certain that this presence is sufficient to protect the security interests of both the United States and our allies in the region.
Third, we must also enhance and, where appropriate, accelerate the deployment of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities focused on key regions, including Northeast Asia. I urge you to review the current and planned deployment of such ISR capabilities and make the adjustments necessary to ensure that the U.S. Government has the best available information to prevent conflict and, if that proves impossible, to defend our homeland, our deployed forces, and our allies.
It is crucial that our government protect U.S. national security interests and honor the full range of U.S. deterrent and security commitments, including through the development and deployment of ISR and missile defense capabilities. I will gladly serve as an advocate in the Congress for any reprogramming requests submitted by the executive branch to carry out these critical national security objectives.
With best wishes.
Sincerely,
Duncan Hunter
Chairman
bttt
12
Me too, bump!
Thanks Derv’, spot on.
BIG DITTO.
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