| Submit your comments on this article |
| Axis of Evil |
| US to move more military forces into Pacific |
| 2003-02-04 |
| The United States is considering new military deployments in the Pacific Ocean to back up its forces in South Korea. The Defence Department in Washington said the reinforcements would act as a deterrent against any North Korean aggression, in the event that the US goes to war on Iraq. Among the possible moves are the deployment of additional bombers to the island of Guam and fighter planes to Japan. American officials denied any direct link to the confrontation with North Korea over its nuclear activities, which they said was being handled diplomatically. The BBC Pentagon correspondent says the aim is to send a clear signal to North Korea not to take advantage of any conflict between Washington and Baghdad. Tension between Washington and Pyongyang over North Korea's nuclear programme has been rising since October last year. The United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is to meet on 12 February to consider asking the UN Security Council to act against North Korea. "I've exhausted all possibilities within my power to bring North Korea into compliance," IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei said on Monday. I could comment, but ElBaradei sometimes seems like he's actually trying. Besides, it's like pulling wings off flies. Also on Monday, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said President George W Bush still believed the North Korean standoff could be resolved peacefully. "That doesn't mean the United States won't have contingencies and make certain those contingencies are viable," Mr Fleischer told reporters. We're good little Boy Scouts, always prepared. Pentagon officials insist that no decisions have been made. But moves reportedly being considered include: Giving the US aircraft carrier already based in the Pacific, the USS Kitty Hawk, a more visible presence; and replacing it with another carrier, probably the USS Carl Vinson, should the Kitty Hawk be ordered to the Gulf, as widely expected. Sending B-1 and B-52 bombers, and F-16 fighter jets, to the region. Dispatching extra intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance units. The United States has 37,000 troops in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War. US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld held talks on Monday in Washington with a visiting South Korean presidential envoy, Roh Moo-hyun. A US spokesman said the 45-minute meeting had dealt with the future of US forces stationed in the South. The envoy is also due to meet Secretary of State Colin Powell. They're planning and planning. Good, and let's hope the NKors get the message. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #7 Getting back to Freds Famous Doggie Analogy....If China keeps the NK doggie on a leash, we will probably leave it alone. If the doggie slips off the leash and starts to bite, we will shoot the doggie. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-02-04 17:34:02 |
| #6 I could easily forsee a(nother) miscalculation on the NKors' part where they shoot another |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-02-04 16:42:16 |
| #5 I have a number of friends in China. The majority of younger chinese feel they did the wrong thing in NKor. The third generation is unlikely to send the PLA on a short drive across the Yalu, but the fourth might. It would certainly allow them to define themselves. It would also give them a platform to declare "a leading role for China within the World Hegemony." |
| Posted by: Dishman 2003-02-04 12:34:05 |
| #4 I also can't see the PRCs standing idle while we, for instance, level the NK nuke facility. I'd love to know what's going on in the US<->PRC diplomatic back channel right now... |
| Posted by: jrosevear 2003-02-04 12:10:16 |
| #3 So does anyone think that China might put a muzzle on its little doggie if it gets too frisky? I can't see China standing back and letting NK implode on its own. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-02-04 10:48:21 |
| #2 the 45-minute meeting had dealt with the future of US forces stationed in the South
|
| Posted by: Chuck 2003-02-04 07:28:57 |
| #1 Bush isn't ready to kill off the UN because I believe he thinks it may still prove of some use in the NKor situation, if only to serve as a plausible reason to delay action: Den Beste says time is on our side and NOT on the NKor's, and I agree. If you notice, NKor insists on dealing directly with the United States and doesn't want the situation internationalized, which means it'll be talked to death. They NEED ACTION, and they know who to call if they want action... |
| Posted by: Ptah 2003-02-04 03:29:55 |