Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil//news/newsarticle.aspx?id=54990
News
American Forces Press Service
North Korean Missile Launch Not Unexpected, Official Says
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 2, 2009 North Koreas launch of four short-range missiles yesterday didnt surprise Defense Department officials, a Pentagon spokesman said today.
Whats fair to say is that North Korea, [and its] behavior, continues to be unpredictable, Bryan Whitman said, noting the activity was not unexpected.
Whitman said he doesnt know of any specific violations of a June 12 United Nations Security Council nonproliferation resolution on North Korea associated with the launch.
North Korea has been the subject of near-universal condemnation since conducting a nuclear test in April. It also has tested intercontinental and intermediate-range missile technology.
A defense official, speaking on background, said he sees the reason for the launches as two-fold. The first is increased capability due to the improvement of North Koreas missile systems. The second is that the country is using the actions to improve its position when dealing with the international community, which by all indications, he said, is having the reverse effect.
While this hypothesis isnt unfounded, he said, it doesnt negate the fact that the act should be cause for concern.
I think that North Korea is looking for attention, and this is one of the ways that they seek to get attention, the defense official said. I dont want to give the sense that there isnt concern. Theres great concern about this unpredictable and dangerous activity thats taking place.
In fact, the countrys development of its nuclear program, as well as its continual improvement, testing, and exercising of ballistic missile capabilities and its proliferation activities, should be cause for concern, the official said.
Its the combination of all of these things, he said. Its the direction in which North Korea continues to head that should cause not only the United States, but [also] the international community at large, some concern.
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“Burma, North Korea Said To Expand Military Ties (No.3 man’s secret visit to NK last Nov )”
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Previously...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2278989/posts
“N. KOREA “HELPING BURMA WITH WMD” (TOP STORY!)”
Chosun Ilbo News, Seoul ^ | 25 June 2009 (59th anniversary of start of Korean War) | Chosun Ilbo, Seoul, S. Korea (English)
Posted on June 25, 2009 12:55:56 AM PDT by AmericanInTokyo