Senate group warns China faces test over N. Korea(we will make you pay)

Reuters ^ | 05/20/05 | Carol Giacomo

[TigerLikesRooster]

Senate group warns China faces test over N. Korea

By Carol Giacomo, Diplomatic Correspondent

Fri May 20, 2:58 AM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A North Korean nuclear test can still be averted but China must agree to join the United States and other Asian nations in a quarantine of the isolated communist state, according to an analysis by the Bush administration's U.S. Senate allies.

A South Korean man sits in front of a banner against North Korean leader Kim Jong-il at a rally against North Korea's nuclear ambition in Seoul May 20, 2005. A North Korean nuclear test can still be averted but China must agree to join the United States and other Asian nations in a quarantine of the isolated communist state, according to an analysis by the Bush administration's U.S. Senate allies. The paper, released on May 19, 2005 to key staff aides by the Republican Policy Committee that advises the U.S. Senate, predicted that a threatened North Korean nuclear weapons test would have sweeping security ramifications and said resolving this crisis peacefully is a 'clear test for China.' (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters)

The paper, released on Thursday to key staff aides by the Republican Policy Committee that advises the U.S. Senate, predicted that a threatened North Korean nuclear weapons test would have sweeping security ramifications and said resolving this crisis peacefully is a "clear test for China."

The paper also anticipated possible regional reactions to a test, including accelerated missile defense cooperation between the United States and its Asian allies and the permanent stationing of additional U.S. forces at sea and on land in the region.

The analysis said U.S. ally South Korea might mobilize its forces to defend itself against the North and purchase more advanced U.S.-made arms.

But it also suggested Seoul, fearing war, might form "some kind of confederation with the North" and ask U.S. troops to leave.

The analysis, with its predominant emphasis on China, is the latest reflection of growing dissatisfaction with Beijing, at least in the U.S. Congress.

Rep. James Leach, chairman of the House of Representatives International Relations subcommittee on Asia, warned on Tuesday there could be a backlash if China does not put more pressure on Pyongyang to end its nuclear ambitions and join another round of six-party talks.

Adding to tensions is a two-year-old Bush administration campaign for China to modify its pegged currency regime.

TEST CONCERNS

U.S. officials in repeated comments this week acknowledged China could do more on North Korea.

But they put most emphasis on Beijing's cooperation with Washington.

North Korea announced last week it had removed fuel rods from its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, a potential precursor to building more weapons or testing one.

In response, top U.S. officials warned that conducting a nuclear test would force Washington and its regional partners to consider new punitive steps against Pyongyang.

Since last fall, U.S. intelligence has seen signs of test preparations. But on Thursday, two senior U.S. officials said Pyongyang's intention -- testing or causing another crisis -- remained unclear. One official told Reuters suspicious activity had leveled off.

The Republican paper, written by Dan Fata, the policy committee's director for national security and trade, said: "It is not too late to avert a North Korean nuclear test."

But he said Washington "must demand that (China) make a choice -- either help out or face the possibility of other nuclear neighbors."

"Helping the United States would include participating fully in the quarantine of North Korea; tolerating Japanese, South Korean and Taiwanese missile defense programs and doing nothing to pressure the South Koreans to agree to a confederation with North Korea," the paper said.

It argued any North Korean test would raise the question of why China let it happen. "The answer would be either because it couldn't stop North Korea or because it wouldn't stop North Korea. Either answer would result in a strain in (Sino-American) relations," it added.

China is North Korea's main ally and benefactor.

For the past 10 months, Pyongyang has boycotted China-hosted six-party negotiations aimed at persuading the North to abandon its nuclear programs, which may have produced more than eight weapons.

The United States and its partners are pushing Pyongyang to return to the six-party talks, which also includes South Korea, Japan and Russia.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Rep. James Leach, chairman of the House of Representatives International Relations subcommittee on Asia, warned on Tuesday there could be a backlash if China does not put more pressure on Pyongyang to end its nuclear ambitions and join another round of six-party talks.

An ominous phrase.

Adding to tensions is a two-year-old Bush administration campaign for China to modify its pegged currency regime.

Yeah, the currency peg and trade imbalance have become more than economic issues now. What a timing!

"Helping the United States would include participating fully in the quarantine of North Korea; tolerating Japanese, South Korean and Taiwanese missile defense programs and doing nothing to pressure the South Koreans to agree to a confederation with North Korea," the paper said.

Chines will turn blue after reading this paragraph. These guys are really hitting hard.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping!

[OpusatFR]

Yeah. Do what we say now and you can continue buying our Treasury Notes. Don't do what we say and you can continue buying our Treasury Notes.

[superiorslots]

I believe it when I see it. The corporate lobbying groups will persude Bush to back down of course. Can't get rid of that cheap labor supply.

[tallhappy]

I'd hope so but there's not going to be any backlash.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

If they take a closer look, the PRC will discover Jim Leach is a RINO wimp who hasn't stood for anything in his entire 20 years in the House.

[OpusatFR]

What do you use, Bablefish?

[superiorslots]

huh??

[SevenofNine]

OH OH China in bind

Hey Tiger I like Chia Pet Regime is in trouble I think that what Dubya count on

If China really isloate the Chia Pet do you think there be overthrow OH YEAH I THINK SO