If Necessary, Strike and Destroy (Clinton Defense Secretary Says Take down N. Korea Missile)

Washington Post ^ | June 22, 2006 | Ashton B. Carter and William J. Perry

[RWR8189]

North Korean technicians are reportedly in the final stages of fueling a long-range ballistic missile that some experts estimate can deliver a deadly payload to the United States. The last time North Korea tested such a missile, in 1998, it sent a shock wave around the world, but especially to the United States and Japan, both of which North Korea regards as archenemies. They recognized immediately that a missile of this type makes no sense as a weapon unless it is intended for delivery of a nuclear warhead.

A year later North Korea agreed to a moratorium on further launches, which it upheld -- until now. But there is a critical difference between now and 1998. Today North Korea openly boasts of its nuclear deterrent, has obtained six to eight bombs' worth of plutonium since 2003 and is plunging ahead to make more in its Yongbyon reactor. The six-party talks aimed at containing North Korea's weapons of mass destruction have collapsed.

Should the United States allow a country openly hostile to it and armed with nuclear weapons to perfect an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of delivering nuclear weapons to U.S. soil? We believe not. The Bush administration has unwisely ballyhooed the doctrine of "preemption," which all previous presidents have sustained as an option rather than a dogma. It has applied the doctrine to Iraq, where the intelligence pointed to a threat from weapons of mass destruction that was much smaller than the risk North Korea poses. (The actual threat from Saddam Hussein was, we now know, even smaller than believed at the time of the invasion.) But intervening before mortal threats to U.S. security can develop is surely a prudent policy.

Therefore, if North Korea persists in its launch preparations, the United States should immediately make clear its intention to

[glorgau]

They recognized immediately that a missile of this type makes no sense as a weapon unless it is intended for delivery of a nuclear warhead.

Yeah, then what's all this stupid talk lately about retro fitting ICBMs with conventional warheads. That argument will surely be used against the idea of hitting the North Koreans.

[doug from upland]

"Therefore, if North Korea persists in its launch preparations, the United States should immediately make clear its intention to strike and destroy the North Korean Taepodong missile before it can be launched. This could be accomplished, for example, by a cruise missile launched from a submarine carrying a high-explosive warhead. The blast would be similar to the one that killed terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq. But the effect on the Taepodong would be devastating."

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So these people who did little to protect our country while they were in charge, now want to launch a pre-emptive strike before North Korea has done anything. That's interesting.

[Dallas59]

Will there be protests against Clintons racist, war mongering, imperialistic statement?

[jpsb]

"That's interesting"

and once the shoting starts in Korea they will be the first to condemn "the war" and advocate surrender.

[Pukin Dog]

No Doug. That aint it.

They don't want Bush launching from our Missile Defense assets. If he did, it would be disastrous for the Democrats if we succeeded in knocking down the Korean missile.

If Missile Defense proves to work (it already has), every nation will want it. Which means that these nations would have to work with Bush to get it.

Also, it would give the nation a real shot in the arm, and help Republicans in the fall elections, as they remind the nation of which party it was that always voted AGAINST missile defense.

[ncountylee]

When did Perry get a set? Does he stand to pee now too?

[Lunatic Fringe]

The United States should emphasize that the strike, if mounted, would not be an attack on the entire country, or even its military, but only on the missile that North Korea pledged not to launch

"We have nothing wrong with you as a country, you see. It's just your missile."

MacArthur must be rolling in his grave.

[Pukin Dog]

Note the spellbinding hypocrisy in the talk of preemption after all the Liberal crap we have heard for the past 5 years. Dems only want to appear tough.

[RobbyS]

BTAIM, I agree with them. Warn them, and give them a chance to publish where the bird is going. If they refuse, take it out.

[Cobra64]

and help Republicans in the fall elections, as they remind the nation of which party it was that always voted AGAINST missile defense.

We don't do that. It's not nice for the NRC to tell the truth. The libs might get upset.

[Nickey]

"They don't want Bush launching from our Missile Defense assets. If he did, it would be disastrous for the Democrats if we succeeded in knocking down the Korean missile."

There are other reasons for not wishing to tip our Missile Defense hand.

[Eccl 10:2]

Remember how the Left laughed at the notion of the "Axis of Evil - Iran, Iraq, North Korea".

How right was GWB??

[ThomasThomas]

If we shoot their missile out of the air showing the world it works when it's not a controlled test, it would change how were viewed around the world. Countries like China wait and watch how react and measure or resolve to defend ourselves. Fear of outcome leads to peace.

[hsalaw]

But intervening before mortal threats to U.S. security can develop is surely a prudent policy.

Oh, that's rich, coming from a bunch of "but Saddam wasn't trying to buy yellowcake" Clintonistas.

[lentulusgracchus]

Yeah, really, they ought to sell that line to the "Bush lied us into war!" crowd.

They'd be lynched by their own Demon-crats.

[james500]

I'm thinking that Dear Leader is having some anxiety as well.
If he fires his A#1 Top Notch nuke delivery system and it gets shot down by the Americans, not only does he look foolish but
I bet his missile export business takes a bit of a hit.

[BJClinton]

"Therefore, if North Korea persists in its launch preparations, the United States should immediately make clear its intention to strike and destroy the North Korean Taepodong missile before it can be launched. This could be accomplished, for example, by a cruise missile launched from a submarine carrying a high-explosive warhead. The blast would be similar to the one that killed terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq. But the effect on the Taepodong would be devastating."

Nah. This is an excellent opportunity to test our missile defense systems.

[JSteff]

I keep thinking there are wheels within wheels here. China and Russia may be putting NK up to this to get telemetry info on the interceptor. Maybe they even gave them a counter measure that the will test with the NK test.

This has been too obvious. Something else is up.