US: North Korea loading rocket on launch pad

Dantheman62 · 03-25-2009, 08:33 PM

WASHINGTON – U.S. officials have confirmed that North Korea is loading a Taepo Dong rocket on its east coast launch pad for the expected launch of a communications satellite early next month.

U.S. counterproliferation and intelligence officials confirmed Japanese news reports of the expected launch between April 4 and 8.

North Korea announced its intention to launch the satellite in February. Regional powers worry the claim is a cover for the launch of a long-range missile capable of reaching Alaska. National Intellgience Director Dennis Blair said earlier this month that all indications suggest North Korea will actually launch a satellite.

North Korea faked a satellite launch in 1998 to cloak a missile development test. In 2006, it launched a Taepo Dong-2 that blew up less than a minute into flight.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090325/...nkorea_missile

Dantheman62 · 03-25-2009, 08:48 PM

blastawaycas · 03-25-2009, 08:53 PM

THAT GAVE ME A HUGE SMILE DANTHEMAN...........I LIKE IT

:roll1 :
KINDEST REGARDS DAVE CASTER

Swanny · 03-25-2009, 08:56 PM

Hehe nice one mate

Orion11 · 03-25-2009, 09:52 PM

hahahahahaha, funny pic!!!!

Dantheman62 · 03-25-2009, 09:53 PM

Yeah I thought you guys might like that! LOL

judykott · 03-26-2009, 01:01 AM

Dan you are so funny

Dantheman62 · 03-26-2009, 02:07 AM

Antaletriangle · 03-27-2009, 10:55 AM

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...h-missile.html

US deploys warships as North Korea prepares to launch missile

The US has deployed two warships with anti-missile capabilities in the waters off Japan as tensions mount over North Korea's plans to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile capable of striking Alaska.

By Peter Foster in Beijing
Last Updated: 3:56PM GMT 26 Mar 2009

USS Chafee:The US Navy spokesman said the two destroyers, the USS McCain and USS Chafee, had left Sasebo port in southwestern Japan Photo: AP
The deployment comes as America, Japan and South Korea threaten North Korea with 'serious consequences' if it proceeds with plans to conduct the missile test in defiance of a 2006 UN resolution.

North Korea, which has informed international agencies of its plan to fire the missile between April 4 and 8, says the launch is a "satellite test" which it is entitled to make under international law.

Japan has threatened to shoot down the missile if it crosses over Japanese territory, a move which Pyongyang has already said it would consider an "act of war".

Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, has warned any launch would threaten to end the six-party talks over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme. The talks have been stalled since December in a dispute over how to verify its disarmament.

"This provocative action, in violation of the United Nations mandate, will not go unnoticed and there will be consequences," she said while on a visit to Mexico, warning that the US would put the issue before the UN Security Council for additional sanctions.

It is unclear if China, Pyongyang's only major ally which has held talks with senior figures from both North and South Korea in the last week, would support a US move to deepen sanctions.

North Korea also continues to hold two Korean-American journalists who it arrested over a week ago after they strayed across North Korea's border with China while on a reporting assignment.

The US Navy spokesman said the two destroyers – the USS McCain and USS Chafee – equipped with Aegis technology capable of tracking and destroying missiles had left Sasebo port in southwestern Japan. "I would say we are ready for any contingencies," he added.

The approach launch is typical of the brinkmanship of North Korean diplomacy, analysts say, however relations on the Korean Peninsular now said to be at their lowest ebb for a decade.

A successful satellite launch would be both a blow to South Korea, which hopes to launch its own satellite later this year, and a huge fillip for Kim Jong-il, the North's ailing dictator who was reported to have a had a stroke last year.

"A successful launch, coupled with international recognition of its nuclear capabilities, would also help secure the survival of the regime," added Koh Yu-hwan, Dongguk University professor of North Korea studies in Seoul.

03-25-2009, 08:33 PM	#1
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	US: North Korea loading rocket on launch pad WASHINGTON – U.S. officials have confirmed that North Korea is loading a Taepo Dong rocket on its east coast launch pad for the expected launch of a communications satellite early next month. U.S. counterproliferation and intelligence officials confirmed Japanese news reports of the expected launch between April 4 and 8. North Korea announced its intention to launch the satellite in February. Regional powers worry the claim is a cover for the launch of a long-range missile capable of reaching Alaska. National Intellgience Director Dennis Blair said earlier this month that all indications suggest North Korea will actually launch a satellite. North Korea faked a satellite launch in 1998 to cloak a missile development test. In 2006, it launched a Taepo Dong-2 that blew up less than a minute into flight. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090325/...nkorea_missile

03-25-2009, 08:48 PM	#2
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	Re: US: North Korea loading rocket on launch pad

03-25-2009, 08:53 PM	#3
blastawaycas Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Middlesbrough United Kingdom Posts: 229	Re: US: North Korea loading rocket on launch pad THAT GAVE ME A HUGE SMILE DANTHEMAN...........I LIKE IT:roll1 : KINDEST REGARDS DAVE CASTER

03-25-2009, 08:56 PM	#4
Swanny I dont need a label ! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Shire of Wilt Posts: 2,889	Re: US: North Korea loading rocket on launch pad Hehe nice one mate

03-25-2009, 09:52 PM	#5
Orion11 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,098	Re: US: North Korea loading rocket on launch pad hahahahahaha, funny pic!!!!

03-25-2009, 09:53 PM	#6
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	Re: US: North Korea loading rocket on launch pad Yeah I thought you guys might like that! LOL

03-26-2009, 01:01 AM	#7
judykott Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 711	Re: US: North Korea loading rocket on launch pad Dan you are so funny

03-26-2009, 02:07 AM	#8
Dantheman62 Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So. Cal. U.S. Posts: 4,205	Re: US: North Korea loading rocket on launch pad

03-27-2009, 10:55 AM	#9
Antaletriangle Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.K. Posts: 3,380	Re: US: North Korea loading rocket on launch pad http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...h-missile.html US deploys warships as North Korea prepares to launch missile The US has deployed two warships with anti-missile capabilities in the waters off Japan as tensions mount over North Korea's plans to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile capable of striking Alaska. By Peter Foster in Beijing Last Updated: 3:56PM GMT 26 Mar 2009 USS Chafee:The US Navy spokesman said the two destroyers, the USS McCain and USS Chafee, had left Sasebo port in southwestern Japan Photo: AP The deployment comes as America, Japan and South Korea threaten North Korea with 'serious consequences' if it proceeds with plans to conduct the missile test in defiance of a 2006 UN resolution. North Korea, which has informed international agencies of its plan to fire the missile between April 4 and 8, says the launch is a "satellite test" which it is entitled to make under international law. Japan has threatened to shoot down the missile if it crosses over Japanese territory, a move which Pyongyang has already said it would consider an "act of war". Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, has warned any launch would threaten to end the six-party talks over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme. The talks have been stalled since December in a dispute over how to verify its disarmament. "This provocative action, in violation of the United Nations mandate, will not go unnoticed and there will be consequences," she said while on a visit to Mexico, warning that the US would put the issue before the UN Security Council for additional sanctions. It is unclear if China, Pyongyang's only major ally which has held talks with senior figures from both North and South Korea in the last week, would support a US move to deepen sanctions. North Korea also continues to hold two Korean-American journalists who it arrested over a week ago after they strayed across North Korea's border with China while on a reporting assignment. The US Navy spokesman said the two destroyers – the USS McCain and USS Chafee – equipped with Aegis technology capable of tracking and destroying missiles had left Sasebo port in southwestern Japan. "I would say we are ready for any contingencies," he added. The approach launch is typical of the brinkmanship of North Korean diplomacy, analysts say, however relations on the Korean Peninsular now said to be at their lowest ebb for a decade. A successful satellite launch would be both a blow to South Korea, which hopes to launch its own satellite later this year, and a huge fillip for Kim Jong-il, the North's ailing dictator who was reported to have a had a stroke last year. "A successful launch, coupled with international recognition of its nuclear capabilities, would also help secure the survival of the regime," added Koh Yu-hwan, Dongguk University professor of North Korea studies in Seoul.