Posted on 05/24/2010 7:43:27 AM PDT by jhpigott
Clinton: Koreas security situation 'precarious'
By MATTHEW LEE (AP)
BEIJING — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday that North Korea's sinking of a South Korean warship has created a "highly precarious" security situation in the region and that the Obama administration is working to prevent an escalation of tension that could lead to conflict.
Speaking to reporters in Beijing shortly after the White House issued a statement offering Washington's full and unequivocal support for Seoul, Clinton said all of North Korea's neighbors, including its chief ally China, understand the seriousness of the matter and want to "contain" it.
"We are working hard to avoid an escalation of belligerence and provocation," Clinton said. "This is a highly precarious situation that the North Koreans have caused in the region."
The U.S. will work with other nations to see that North Korea feels the consequences of its actions and changes its behavior to avoid "the kind of escalation that would be very regrettable," she said.
Clinton would not discuss the details of what the United States might do but noted that President Barack Obama had ordered U.S. military commanders to "to ensure readiness and to deter future aggression" from North Korea. The United States has 28,500 troops in South Korea.
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It’s absurd, but no satire - as they say - “Only Nixon could go to China” - and - “Only Roger could go to NorKo”
If we were sure of that, then we should call their bluff and expect them to surrender or their army fall apart..
Hillary sounds strangely like Madeline Halfbright.
Kinda funny how we all knew here on FR that it was an NK torpedo and it took this long for the truth to come out.... who pressured SK to keep it hidden?
She has a keen sense of the bleeding obvious, doesn’t she?
Its interesting that the only people BO will be ‘firm’ with is American citizens. Mostly those right wing bible thumpers of course.
Don’t forget those gun owners.
What type of military measures are the U.S. planning???
It's easy to beat on people that won't, or can't, fight back. It makes any pussy look tough. This $#!t bag sends 30,000 additonal troops to Afghanistan and commands them not to shoot anyone unless they shoot first, are clear of all civilians and pass legal muster of definitively being the enemy. It's like giving our troops a death sentence. We've had bad Presidents before but never have we had an enemy of America in the WH, who goes around the world badmouthing the U.S. and applauds a corrupt nation like Mexico when it attacks one of our states, Arizona. I've never seen anything like this in my life. He believes it's a virtue to condemn America, and he believes it's a political strength to weaken us.
True, and not to mention South Korea’s Military is freaking immense compared to the Norths. The economy of the south is something like 45 times as large. The North is good for a spectacular arty and rocket barrage, but they have no capability for Logistics and no supplies to deliver in the first place.
Their air force would vanish in a week. Unless China joins in, the Norks can make life miserable for a short while, but are doomed to certain defeat.
Only an Obama could screw it up.
I just don’t see how the world is going to make it another 2 1/2 years without a major war.
Yes, weapon supplies are saturating market share, need big war to create demand for product.
I agree. A draft during times of emergency is one thing. A draft due to the stupidity of our government is something else. I also agree with pulling out of Europe. You can always go back in if necessary. It’s time for Europe to stand on their own.
The N. Koreans have made these political calculations many times and determined (correctly) that the western world is not going to wage war against them. As I wrote, the sabre rattling actually helps the leadership maintain control over the proles.
This is a winning strategy for the leadership. They have access to black market goods. They don’t suffer the same deprivation as the proles, and the constant state of near war justifies all manner of oppression. The proles, who are heavily propagandize from birth, won’t know the truth.
I’m just guessing, but I think the torpedo attack was meant to shore up the leadership. It’s unusually strident (in recent history), but similar in nature to shooting missiles over Japan. Perhaps it indicates a weakened government?
You got that right.
The sad part is, our youngsters will pay the price. We will also pay the price but not with our lives and bodies. We need our troops home and regroup and warn the world that we can be at full strength in no time at all and will defend ourselves beyond their wildest dreams.
Exactly. And they can’t count on China either. China ghot involved last time because it was a year after their red revolution and they were worried it would turn into a continuing war to unseat them. Also in 1950, China had no ties to us economically.
Now if China went to war against the USA, they could kiss a few trillion goodbye. Our debts to them would be erased, along with their biggest export market.
The Norks are playing the extortion game,,, act belligerent to get aid and cash. ANd the external enemies, ready to invade at each moment are what it takes to justify the intense internal repression.
Last, the south feels a little bad for them and doesn’t really want a war. They think they can ride it out until someday, they wind up like Germany. The lucky new owners of a backwards, poverty sticken nation that must be brought into the mainstream.
This attack was probably designed to shore up leadership for KIY and his son. However, I think President Lee’s response is probably a little tougher than the NORKs thought. Sounds like SK is going to cut off the majority of trade with NK and shut down its shipping lanes to NORK traffic. I have also heard the Lee is floating some tougher measures (strict enforcment of PSI and maybe restarting the over border loudspeaker propoganda).
KIY may over play his hand if he is not careful. I would be shocked if we did not see more provactions, particularly with the S. Koreans hosting the G-20 summit later this year.
/sarc
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