I say we let the area police themselves until our "allies" learn a few manners. I include Japan in the mix.
Posted on 02/07/2003 10:15:35 AM PST by conservativecorner
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush on Friday pressured China to help diffuse a nuclear standoff with North Korea, and said "all options are on the table" as the United States seeks a solution to the crisis.
Bush repeated that he believed the situation can still be resolved peacefully but notably ratcheted up the U.S. position by raising the suggestion of the use of a military strike.
Bush's comments come a day after North Korea warned that any attack on its nuclear facilities would trigger a "total war."
Concerns about North Korea's nuclear program grew this week when the country announced it had placed its nuclear facilities on "normal footing" after they had been frozen for almost a decade. That could mean that it will soon produce nuclear weapons.
Speaking of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, Bush said, "he must conform with the world's demands."
Bush said he called Chinese President Jiang Zemin Friday morning and "reminded him that we have a joint responsibility to uphold the goal ... of a nuclear weapons-free peninsula."
The president said he had also raised the matter in recent days with the leaders of Japan and Russia.
"We will continue to work diplomatically to make it very clear to Kim Jong Il that should he expect any kind of aid and help for his people that he must comply with the world's demands that he not develop a nuclear weapon," Bush said.
However, he added. "All options are on the table of course."
By citing "all options," Bush was reminding North Korea that the United States has not ruled out the use of military force.
U.S. officials have spoken before about their ability to respond to any potential hostile action by North Korea, in part to dispel any hopes Pyongyang may have about taking advantage of Bush's focus on Iraq. The nuclear standoff with North Korea, which intensified last fall, has complicated Bush's efforts to rally the nation and skeptical world leaders behind his bid to disarm Saddam Hussein.
On Thursday, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said the United States has "robust plans for any contingencies" involving North Korea, including military action.
Bush deflected suggestions by Democrats that he is playing down the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear program because of his focus on Iraq. Some Democrats have called for immediate direct negotiations.
Administration officials said they believe problems with North Korea will be resolved through diplomacy, but do not want to start talks yet because they don't want to submit to North Korean threats.
North Korea is considered a potent military threat because it is believed to possess one or two nuclear bombs, and has missiles that can reach Japan and is developing others that could reach Hawaii and Alaska. It has one of the world's largest armies, posing great danger to South Korea, where 38,000 U.S. soldiers are based.
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Bush, implied - "We hear you, North Korea. We'll even let you run at the mouth, if that's what you want to do. We're busy in Iraq, but we'll be there to deal with you soon enough.
We'll also smash your army like a box of eggs under a sledgehammer if you try anything funny in the meantime. That is all."
IMHO nukes will be used...
I say we let the area police themselves until our "allies" learn a few manners. I include Japan in the mix.
That would lessen the chance of an attack from them with WMD.
Anyway, I have to sleep at night and this is my fantasy! ;^)
A friend told me a chilling think yesterday. There isn't any need for wheelchairs in North Korea.
If we ask the Kennedys to intervene with Uncle Ted, what would the consequences be if the Kennedys refused?
If we ask the Chineese to intervene with N.K., what would the consequences be if the Chineese refuse?
The answers to the above two questions are different. We have more leverage with the Chineese than we do with Shmeneddys.
Wow! That's sobering, huh?
That would mean more prime front row parking spots in the local NK-Mart parking lot.
"Clinton Bankrolled North Korea's Nuke Program"
http://www.newsmax.com/showinsidecover.shtml?a=2002/10/17/80959
"Clinton Deal Gave N. Korea 100-Nuke-Per-Year Capacity"
http://www.newsmax.com/showinsidecover.shtml?a=2002/10/19/114657
That is the best line I've read all day!
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