*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - June 19, 2009: Reacting to reports that North Korea may be preparing to test-fire a missile toward Hawaii, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said today that he had ordered that defense of the islands be shored up.
South Korean kindergartners play near displays of models of North Korea's mock Scud-B missile, right, and South Korea's other mock missiles at Korea War Memorial Museum in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, June 18, 2009. North Korea may fire a long-range ballistic missile toward Hawaii in early July, a Japanese news report said Thursday, as Russia and China urged the regime to return to international disarmament talks on its rogue nuclear program.
Gates ordered deployment of a powerful sea-based radar system that can help closely track the path of intercontinental ballistic missiles and also sent terminal-phase missile interceptors to Hawaii.
The comments may be meant to deter North Korea from attempting another long-range missile launch and to reassure allies that the United States is willing to act to prevent a successful test by Pyongyang.
According to reports in Japanese media, the North Koreans appear to be preparing for their next long-range test for around July 4. Experts believe that because the last long-range missile test failed, Pyongyang has more to prove and may see another test as necessary.
Although Gates did not explicitly say the United States would try to shoot down a test missile aimed in the direction of Hawaii, he noted that interceptor missiles in California and Alaska were ready.
“The ground-based interceptors are clearly in a position to take action,” Gates said. “So without telegraphing what we will do, I would just say, I think we are in a good position, should it become necessary to protect American territory.”
Victor Cha, a scholar at the Center for International and Strategic Studies, said Gates’ comments could be meant as a deterrent.
“It is probably to let the North Koreans and the world know we are going to prepare a response if they are going to continue to launch missiles, particularly if they are going to launch it in the direction of Hawaii,” said Cha, who was President George W. Bush’s top adviser on North Korea.
This week, Marine Gen. James Cartwright, the vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that he was “90% plus” confident the United States could shoot down a North Korean missile.
Cha said Gates’ more assertive language shows a deeper confidence by the military and government in the missile defense system.
“We are just more capable now,” Cha said. “We are much more willing to say we are preparing missile defenses if we are confident we would be able to take something out either in the boost phase or on a ballistic path.”
The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, missiles that Gates deployed to Hawaii are meant to shoot down missiles minutes before they strike their target. Meant for short-range missiles, they have not yet been tested on long-range rockets.
The sea-based radar, known as the SBX, had been docked in Hawaii for maintenance and repairs and was not deployed when the North Koreans shot a Taepodong 2 rocket in April.
The SBX was due to deploy anyway to participate in planned missile defense tests this summer. But by linking the deployment to the prospect of another North Korean test, Gates appeared to be sending a signal that the United States might try to shoot down Pyongyang’s missile.
Today, he said the Defense Department was watching the North Korean situation and missile preparations closely.
“We do have some concerns, if they were to launch a missile to the west, in the direction of Hawaii,” Gates said.
Military officials are also tracking a North Korean ship that has been involved in transporting weapons in the past. The Kang Nam left North Korea on Wednesday.
A new United Nations resolution allows other nations to ask permission to search North Korean ships or inspect them when they make port calls to refuel if they are suspected of smuggling arms or nuclear material.
At a news conference, Adm. Michael Mullen wouldn’t provide details about the Kang Nam, but said if such a vessel refuses a search it would be directed to a port. “We expect compliance,” Mullen said.
Mullen said with the resolution the international community had made a commitment to halt North Korean weapon proliferation.
“It’s not just the United States. It’s a lot of other countries as well,” Mullen said. “And the North taking steps to further isolate itself, to further non-comply with international guidance and regulations, in the long-run, puts them in a more difficult position.”
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