North Korea Warns of 'Nuclear Disasters'

Associated Press ^

[RCW2001]

North Korea Warns of 'Nuclear Disasters' if U.S. Tries to Boost Military Force in Area

The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea Feb. 7 —

Any U.S. moves to build up its military force on the Korean Peninsula could lead to "horrible nuclear disasters," the communist state warned Friday.

The North Korean statement, the latest in a series of warnings, came a day after the White House said it had "robust plans for any contingencies," including military action.

The United States has 37,000 troops in South Korea, and has maintained a force there since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, leaving the North and South technically still at war.

"If the U.S. moves to bolster aggression troops are unchecked, the whole land of Korea will be reduced to ashes and the Koreans will not escape horrible nuclear disasters," North Korea's official news agency, KCNA, said.

In Washington, President Bush on Friday said "all options are on the table" to solve the nuclear standoff with North Korea.

But he repeated that 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.

The nuclear dispute with North Korea began in October when U.S. officials said North Korea had admitted having a nuclear program in violation of a 1994 agreement.

Washington and its allies suspended oil shipments to North Korea which in turn expelled U.N. nuclear inspectors and pulled out of a global nuclear arms control treaty.

On Wednesday, North Korea said it was putting the operation of its nuclear facilities on a "normal footing," triggering fears it was about to produce weapons materials.

North Korea said in December it planned to reactivate its nuclear facilities to generate badly needed electricity. U.S. officials say the amount of electricity that can be generated by the North's facilities is negligible.

In Vienna, Austria, the International Atomic Energy Agency had no comment on the North's claims and said it would not respond before next Wednesday's emergency session of the IAEA board of governors.

The 35-nation board is expected to refer the dispute to the Security Council, which could lead to economic sanctions or other punitive measures against the North.

North Korea's statement Friday was issued by the Committee for Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, a government agency in charge of relations with South Korea.

In line with the North's strategy to drive a wedge between the United States and its ally South Korea, the statement urged the South Koreans to frustrate alleged U.S. plans for a military buildup.

"The grave situation where there is the real danger of a new war created by the U.S. imperialists on the Korean Peninsula goes to more clearly prove that there exists on the peninsula only confrontation between the Korean nation and the United States," it said.

North Korean soldiers are holding rallies at their bases, vowing to wage "a life-and-death battle" against the U.S. "imperialists," KCNA said Friday.

The report repeated Pyongyang's position that the nuclear issue can be resolved only through direct negotiations with the United States. It rejected a multilateral approach to the dispute.

The North froze its nuclear facilities in a 1994 energy deal with the United States, but the agreement unraveled when U.S. officials said in October that North Korea had admitted embarking on a second, clandestine nuclear program.

[gregwest]

GWB ought to lay down the cards and call NK's bluff now, he may have a pair of deuces, but our straight flush of 10,000 ICBMs ought to deter him unless he's totally whacked. If he decides to go against us and push the button, he'll have about 18 minutes to regret the decision before we rock his world.

GW

[DannyTN]

I think you are right and it explains the low key response from our officials.

They have an internal crisis.
They are about to lose one of the few and best customers for their only export (missle technology) and thus probably a key source of oil, which will further their internal crisis.

So they are trying to distract their own populace by trying to create an external threat.
They are also trying to play a shell game of who's the baddest dictator with the US, hoping that the US will shift focus from Iraq to NK and back enough times that the US tires from the expense and time and loses resolve.

They would be absolutely stupid to nuke us, there would be nothing left and they know it. Therefore the only thing that is not talk is that they may really be able to refine the nuclear material.

Having more nukes in their hands is clearly not something the US wants. So the choice is:

A)to change directions from Iraq which has clearly been supporting international terrorism to NK, which till now has not been strongly linked to terrorism, at a critical time or

B) stay the course with Iraq. Hope NK isn't stupid enough to do anything really rash and nuke the H out of them if they do. If they don't do anything with Iraq gone we can put even more pressure on them without ever firing a shot. And if they do anything, they become the most recent civilization to dissappear from the planet.


It's a lose or lose BIG situation for them. It's a win, or win after taking a nuke hit situation for us.

I don't see where the US really has an alternative. We can't appease them, that would just lead to every two bit dictator making demands. If we can get other countries or the UN to take out NK nuke ability, and keep the US out of it, it would be better. They would be hard pressed to nuke or blame the US if someone else is removing their capability.

[DAnconia55]

I WANT to be obvious. I want everyone saying "Don't p*ss off Dubya, he's a stone crazy mofo!"

Agree. The barbarians of the world do not fear us enough.

Their fear needs to surpass their hatred of us.

[Vigilantcitizen]

"I WANT to be obvious. I want everyone saying "Don't p*ss off Dubya, he's a stone crazy mofo!"

Or, as we say in the country, slap shot out.

I believe this warrants occasion for Blue Lancer's well composed rant.

[ruready4eternity]

Hehehehe . Just lovely SInce they are not as advanced in technology, A surprise balloon effect, light up the sky at night .. Amaze them and lights out. This war could last one night of B52's and the bunker busters and thats it. Lights out Literally for Ping Pong. lol

[ruready4eternity]

Yes the korea Issue would have come up anyhow. Korea-Iraqi connection. Bomb Bagdad=stop supplies back and forth from Ping pong and Iraq, that 's also why they are frustrated. The States stopped a whack of trade back and forth , thats why also they are upset, let alone now they will be starved to death.

[tet68]

The North froze its nuclear facilities in a 1994 energy deal with the United States, but the agreement unraveled when U.S. officials said in October that North Korea had admitted embarking on a second, clandestine nuclear program.


I'm sorry, I have to take issue with this.

The deal unraveled because North Korea embarked on a second,
clandestine nuclear program !!!!! NOT because the US. reported that North Korea admitted it.

Grrrrrrrrr.

[kanawa]

Dear Bonehead friend, Please consider your words before posting. As a good neighbour show some respect.

[TigersEye]

I WANT to be obvious. I want everyone saying "Don't p*ss off Dubya, he's a stone crazy mofo!"

Amen to that!

Comedian Dennis Miller (of all people) had it right. He said we should turn Iraq into a glass palace and then turn to Kim Jong Il and ask "OK, m effer, you want a little of that?" It should work as well the other way too; turn Pyongyang into a glowing hole and then ask Saddam "so you say you don't have any WMD's at all, is that right?"

It's time to make a statement that puts a hush on the crowd.

[BlueLancer]

Ask and ye shall receive ...

200 years from now, I want their children's children's children's children
to cower and cringe in fear whenever they hear the sounds of jet engines overhead
because their legends tell of fire from the sky.

I want them to hide in dark caves and holes in the earth,
shivering with terror whenever they hear the roar of diesel engines
because the tales of their ancestors talk about metal monsters
crawling over the earth, spitting death and destruction.

I want their mothers to be able to admonish them with
"If you don't behave, the Pale Destroyers will come for you",
and that will be enough to reduce them to quivering obesience.

I want the annihilation to be so complete that their mythology
will tell them of the day of judgment when the stern gods from across the sea
.. the powerful 'Mericans .. destroyed their forefathers' wickedness.

(Original created by BlueLancer ... 13 September 2001)
(Thanks to HiJinx for the accompanying pictures)

Kill them all ... nits make lice.
(COL Chivington, Sand Creek)
-------------------------------------------------
"Over the Hills and Far Away" - modern version;
(from SHARPE'S EAGLE)

Four thousand dollars on the drum,
For those who’ll volunteer to come
And enlist to fight the foe today,
Over the hills and far away.

O’er the hills, we will attack
Afghanistan and then Iraq;
George Bush commands and we obey,
Over the hills and far away.

When duty calls me, I must go
To stand and face another foe;
But part of me will always stray
Over the hills and far away.

O’er the hills, from sea to land,
Iraq, and then on to Iran;
George Bush commands and we obey,
Over the hills and far away.

If I should fall to fight no more,
As many comrades did before,
Then ask the pipes and drums to play
"Over the hills and far away".

O’er the hills, pro patria,
Iran and then Arabia;
George Bush commands and we obey,
Over the hills and far away.

Then fall in, lads, behind the drum,
With colours blazing like the sun,
Along the road to come what may,
Over the hills and far away.

O’er the hills we will advance,
Through Belgium, Germany, and France;
George Bush commands and we obey,
Over the hills and far away."