NORTH KOREAN MISSILE TEST A FAILURE
Randy L. Harrington
July 05, 2006
WASHINGTON—The test launch of North Korea's Intercontinental Ballistic Missile was a failure as the missile ended up in the Sea of Japan 42 seconds after launch.
North Korea launched 6 test missiles, over a period of four hours. Intelligence officials focused mainly on North Korea's intercontinental missle—the Taepodong 2, which the United States has been watching on its launching pad for more than a month.
The Taepodong 2 was designed to be capable of reaching Alaska, and intelligence officials believe the West Coast of the United States. Intelligence officials monitoring the launch said that the Taepodong fell into the Sea of Japan before the first stage had burnt out—approximately 42 seconds after launch.
White House National Security Advisor told reporters in a Tuesday night phone call that “The Taepodong obviously was a failure—that tells you something about capabilities.” The intelligence officials point out that the launch did provide useful information to North Korea, because it will help them diagnose what went wrong with the Taepodong 2 missile.
The White House released a written statement Tuesday night that said that the United States “remains committed to a peaceful diplomatic solution.” The United States has sought implementation of a joint statement on de-nuclearization after a meeting with the North Korean government in September. The White House said that “the North Korean regime's actions and unwillingness to return to the talks appears to indicate that the North has not yet made the strategic decision to give up their nuclear program.” The White House is committed to continued action in that they have said “We will continue to take all necessary measures to protect ourselves and our allies.”
The North Korea's have already declared that it possesses nuclear weapons. Intelligence officials have briefed the President, and it is their belief that North Korea has produced enough fuel for maybe six or more weapons, but that it is not clear to them whether they have actually used the fuel to make nuclear devices.
Intelligence analysts feel that North Korea has yet to develop a warhead that is small enough to be placed atop one of its missiles, and there is no indication that North Korea has conducted a nuclear test.
The other 5 missiles fired by North Korea were believed to be Scud missiles, and intermediate range missiles—the Rodong. These are the type that North Korea has sold to Iran, and Pakistan. The other five missiles also landed in the Sea of Japan. It is believes that the other five missiles were fired only as a demonstrated defiance of the warnings given to North Korea by the U.S, and so that if the Taepodong 2 missile failed, that North Korea would at least have a successful missile launch with the other missiles.
North Korea didn't announce the launchings, and waited until the Space Shuttle had lifted off from Florida. It is believed that the North Koreans were watching Space Shuttle coverage on television, and the launch was actually planned to test United States intelligence, and detection systems.
North Korea's test was a defiance of the United States. However, North Korea's act of defiance may have negatively affected relations with China, and South Korea—two countries that provide it aid.
China - who has made diplomatic efforts in the past, has tried to get all parties to come back to the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program. North Korea had walked away from the talks last September when it accused the United States of trying to close its friendly banks overseas—a move that would hamper the financial ability of North Korea to fund future military, and weapons operations.
North Korea has spurned, and ignored China's invitation. United States diplomatic experts feel that China is working to avert embarrassment by North Korea who they once considered a close ally.
American and Japanese officials have condemned the launchings. But, Japan is the only government that said it would take immediate “severe actions” against North Korea. Japans actions might include interrupting ferry services to North Korea, and other actions to interrupt the flow of cash from North Korea to Japanese Banks. South Korea may withhold aid, and investment, which the United States has not been happy about anyway.
The lat time that North Korea tested an intercontinental missile was in 1998 when it fired the Taepodong 1 over Japan. After the 1998 test firing Japan strengthened its militia, and its alliance with the United States, a move that North Korea didn't expect. It's not clear whether this test firing will result in Japan's call to add to its militia, and possibly a stronger strategic defense alliance with the United States.
North Korea's tests will most likely anger China, who has made considerable diplomatic efforts to bring North Korea to the bargaining table. The Peoples Daily, a Chinese Newspaper didn't make mention of the launches, and Chinese officials have indicated that they have no comment as of today regarding the launches.
Intelligence reports, and satellite photographs captured the Taepodong 2 missile at a launching pad in North Korea in mid-June. Data showed that North Korea was fueling the missile, but the missile sat on its launching pad until Wednesday. Officials speculate that North Korea's launching might have been planned to coincide with Fourth of July celebrations in the United States, or with the launching of the Space Shuttle as some specious message to the United States.
The United States in past weeks has indicated that if American interests were threatened by the Tepodong 2 missile launching that we might use the missile defense shield developed to shoot down the North Korean missile in mid-air.
SOURCES/CONTRIBUTORS: REUTERS; UPI
Copyright 2006 Randy L. Harrington. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
North Korea launched 6 test missiles, over a period of four hours. Intelligence officials focused mainly on North Korea's intercontinental missle—the Taepodong 2, which the United States has been watching on its launching pad for more than a month.
The Taepodong 2 was designed to be capable of reaching Alaska, and intelligence officials believe the West Coast of the United States. Intelligence officials monitoring the launch said that the Taepodong fell into the Sea of Japan before the first stage had burnt out—approximately 42 seconds after launch.
White House National Security Advisor told reporters in a Tuesday night phone call that “The Taepodong obviously was a failure—that tells you something about capabilities.” The intelligence officials point out that the launch did provide useful information to North Korea, because it will help them diagnose what went wrong with the Taepodong 2 missile.
The White House released a written statement Tuesday night that said that the United States “remains committed to a peaceful diplomatic solution.” The United States has sought implementation of a joint statement on de-nuclearization after a meeting with the North Korean government in September. The White House said that “the North Korean regime's actions and unwillingness to return to the talks appears to indicate that the North has not yet made the strategic decision to give up their nuclear program.” The White House is committed to continued action in that they have said “We will continue to take all necessary measures to protect ourselves and our allies.”
The North Korea's have already declared that it possesses nuclear weapons. Intelligence officials have briefed the President, and it is their belief that North Korea has produced enough fuel for maybe six or more weapons, but that it is not clear to them whether they have actually used the fuel to make nuclear devices.
Intelligence analysts feel that North Korea has yet to develop a warhead that is small enough to be placed atop one of its missiles, and there is no indication that North Korea has conducted a nuclear test.
The other 5 missiles fired by North Korea were believed to be Scud missiles, and intermediate range missiles—the Rodong. These are the type that North Korea has sold to Iran, and Pakistan. The other five missiles also landed in the Sea of Japan. It is believes that the other five missiles were fired only as a demonstrated defiance of the warnings given to North Korea by the U.S, and so that if the Taepodong 2 missile failed, that North Korea would at least have a successful missile launch with the other missiles.
North Korea didn't announce the launchings, and waited until the Space Shuttle had lifted off from Florida. It is believed that the North Koreans were watching Space Shuttle coverage on television, and the launch was actually planned to test United States intelligence, and detection systems.
North Korea's test was a defiance of the United States. However, North Korea's act of defiance may have negatively affected relations with China, and South Korea—two countries that provide it aid.
China - who has made diplomatic efforts in the past, has tried to get all parties to come back to the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program. North Korea had walked away from the talks last September when it accused the United States of trying to close its friendly banks overseas—a move that would hamper the financial ability of North Korea to fund future military, and weapons operations.
North Korea has spurned, and ignored China's invitation. United States diplomatic experts feel that China is working to avert embarrassment by North Korea who they once considered a close ally.
American and Japanese officials have condemned the launchings. But, Japan is the only government that said it would take immediate “severe actions” against North Korea. Japans actions might include interrupting ferry services to North Korea, and other actions to interrupt the flow of cash from North Korea to Japanese Banks. South Korea may withhold aid, and investment, which the United States has not been happy about anyway.
The lat time that North Korea tested an intercontinental missile was in 1998 when it fired the Taepodong 1 over Japan. After the 1998 test firing Japan strengthened its militia, and its alliance with the United States, a move that North Korea didn't expect. It's not clear whether this test firing will result in Japan's call to add to its militia, and possibly a stronger strategic defense alliance with the United States.
North Korea's tests will most likely anger China, who has made considerable diplomatic efforts to bring North Korea to the bargaining table. The Peoples Daily, a Chinese Newspaper didn't make mention of the launches, and Chinese officials have indicated that they have no comment as of today regarding the launches.
Intelligence reports, and satellite photographs captured the Taepodong 2 missile at a launching pad in North Korea in mid-June. Data showed that North Korea was fueling the missile, but the missile sat on its launching pad until Wednesday. Officials speculate that North Korea's launching might have been planned to coincide with Fourth of July celebrations in the United States, or with the launching of the Space Shuttle as some specious message to the United States.
The United States in past weeks has indicated that if American interests were threatened by the Tepodong 2 missile launching that we might use the missile defense shield developed to shoot down the North Korean missile in mid-air.
SOURCES/CONTRIBUTORS: REUTERS; UPI
Copyright 2006 Randy L. Harrington. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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