Posted on 06/19/2009 6:08:19 PM PDT by Steelfish
Pictured: The massive floating destroyer the Americans are sending to keep North Korean missiles at bay
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER 19th June 2009
USS John McCain: The destroyer has been deployed to intercept a North Korean vessel suspected of carrying illicit weapons
The U.S. military is planning to intercept a North Korean ship suspected of carrying illicit nuclear materials and missiles.
Navy destroyer the USS John McCain has been deployed to intercept the Kang Nam as it leaves the coast of China, according to a senior US defence official.
The ship, which left a port in North Korea on Wednesday, appears to be heading towards Singapore.
Its suspected cargo is in violation of a UN Security Council resolution passed last Friday, and it is now being constantly monitored by air.
The Kang Nam is the first ship the U.S. has tracked from North Korea since the UN imposed sanctions following the country's recent nuclear test.
The resolution bans North Korea from exporting a wide range of weaponry - but does not allow the US to forcibly board the vessel.
Instead, they would have to ask for permission - which, in all likelihood, would not be granted.
North Korea has already stated that any attempt to board its ships without permisson would be viewed as an act of war.
It promised '100- or 1,000-fold' retaliation if provoked.
The latest tension follows a recent report in Japan's Yomiuri newspaper that North Korea may fire a long-range ballistic missile toward Hawaii in early July.
The Taepodong-2 missile has a range of 4,000 miles, but even though Hawaii is 4500 miles away, the US has already deployed anti-missile defences around the state.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
My headline:
“Obama sends McCain to deal with NK threat”
As opposed to a non-floating destroyer?
Big sounding story, but according to the fine print, we aren’t going to do anything.
“Big sounding story, but according to the fine print, we arent going to do anything.”
Just like the senator nothing good will be done!
USS John McCain
Well it is massive, so that it floats may shock some. The headline makes it sound like it isn't even under power.
Sunny beaches! It FLOATS! I am stuneded.
Since when is a Destroyer a “massive” ship. They are used as life boats for Air Craft carriers.
GO USNA!
It promised ‘100- or 1,000-fold’ retaliation if provoked.
**********
If so,we could give them a 5 megaton retaliation.
Remember last week or so. This is the same ship that caught a Chinese sub in its towed array.
LOL
LMAO. Right it's just floating. Like my rubber duckie.
Massive? Destroyers have a nickname, Tin Can for a reason. Massive is the Ronald Reagan or any CVN ship. 5000 sailors in one ship. Small city on the move.
Awesome pic! Thanks
“The resolution bans North Korea from exporting a wide range of weaponry - but does not allow the US to forcibly board the vessel.
Instead, they would have to ask for permission - which, in all likelihood, would not be granted. “
So...we ask to inspect the ship...NK refuses and then that’s it? Welcome to the Era of Useless Diplomacy..
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