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2009-05-26 China-Japan-Koreas

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Posted by tu3031 2009-05-26 11:11|| || Front Page|| [4 views ] Top

#1 NORTH KOREA'S NUCLEAR THREAT / U.S. 'didn't give Japan advance N-test intel'

Extracts from The Yomiuri Shimbun

"This is the first time we've had no advance information from the U.S. military regarding North Korea's missile or nuclear [programs]," a dismayed senior Self-Defense Forces official said following a meeting at the Defense Ministry on Monday afternoon.

Japan relies on the United States and South Korea for information on North Korea.

But the senior SDF official believes Japan may have been passed over in the flow of information regarding earlier signs of North Korea's latest test.

"It's believed South Korea picked up signs of a nuclear test several days before it was conducted," the official said. "I can't seriously believe South Korea wouldn't have informed the U.S. military of this activity. It's possible Japan was left out of the South Korea-United States-Japan route."

The nuclear test came less than a month after Japan and the United States had collaborated closely with regard to the April 5 missile firing.

However, another senior SDF official felt the United States might have known of the test in advance and did not pass on that information to Japan. "The U.S. military has various information-gathering methods and I can't believe they couldn't obtain information before [the test]," the official said.

This situation, in which Washington may have failed to provide information to Tokyo, could be said to have exposed the parlous nature of the U.S.-Japan alliance.

The latest test, which came on the back of last month's ballistic missile launch, could rekindle domestic debate on whether Japan should possess the ability to strike enemy bases within the scope of its defense-only policy.

However, North Korea would not be the only country to oppose a Japan with a strong offensive capability. Countries such as China, Russia and South Korea also would surely protest if Japan took a more aggressive military stance.

The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama remains indecisive about what kind of policy it should adopt toward North Korea. Under the circumstances, will the Unites States back Japan in its effort to deal with North Korea? To put that anxiety to rest, it is essential to maintain the Japan-U.S. alliance as a strong bond of bilateral security.
(May. 27, 2009)

Posted by Willy 2009-05-26 21:10|| 2009-05-26 21:10|| Front Page Top

#2 Assuming they're NOT criminally stupid, it's apparent they WANT to be attacked and invaded, there's no other easy way to eliminate excess population, and gain world sympathy (And cash, never forget cash) they're looking at other American conquered territories, Japan for example, and have decided it's better to lose to Americans, than starve and actually work at making a living, We Americans can be foolishly generous to defeated (former) Enemies.

Posted by Redneck Jim 2009-05-26 22:28|| 2009-05-26 22:28|| Front Page Top

#3 The Mouse That Roared?

Posted by trailing wife 2009-05-26 22:31|| 2009-05-26 22:31|| Front Page Top

#4 IIRC FREEREPUBLIC > seems the NOKOR's MISSLE TEST COUNT is now up to SIX???

OTOH, TOPIX > US ADMIRAL [Mullen]: IRAN THREE YEARS AWAY FROM NUCLEAR BOMB???

Posted by JosephMendiola 2009-05-26 23:58|| 2009-05-26 23:58|| Front Page Top

23:58 JosephMendiola
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