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North Korea Defies Obama
Nuclear Tests Undermines US President’s Ability To Control Rogue Nations
By JOE MURRAY, The Bulletin
For the second time during Barack Obama’s short tenure as president, North Korea has defied Washington and raised doubts over the president’s ability to contain threats created by rogue nations.
Nuclear and ballistic missile tests conducted yesterday sent shock waves through the international community as North Korea ambitiously pursued its quest to develop nuclear weaponry. The nuclear test is the second in three years to earn international condemnation.
“North Korea said that it has conducted a nuclear test in violation of international law. It appears to also have attempted a short range missile launch,” Mr. Obama said in a prepared statement. “These actions, while not a surprise given its statements and actions to date, are a matter of grave concern to all nations.”
The president blasted the reclusive nation and said Pyongyang’s quest to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles constituted a “threat to international peace and security.”
“North Korea’s behavior increases tensions and undermines stability in Northeast Asia,” Mr. Obama continued.
“Such provocations will only serve to deepen North Korea’s isolation. It will not find international acceptance unless it abandons its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.”
In the wake of the blast, world leaders scurried into closed door cabinet meetings and the U.N. Security Council tried to create a response that would at least show the international community had the resolve to stand up against rogue defiance.
“On the basis that North Korea has conducted a nuclear underground explosion, they deserve and get nothing other than our absolute condemnation, and that condemnation should be echoed around our region and the globe,” Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told Parliament.
Moments after the blast, which had the power of a 4.5 earthquake, erupted, North Korean media hailed the test as a success. A statement was issued on North Korean radio that said the test was “successfully conducted ... as part of measures to enhance the republic’s self-defensive nuclear deterrent in all directions.”
North Korea’s nuclear test, which the Russian defense ministry said was on par with the explosion at Hiroshima, occurred at the same location of the nation’s previous nuclear test. Reports claim Pyongyang gave Washington less than an hour’s notice before the test and issued no demands.
The Obama administration, however, said it was not surprised by the test because of recent statements made by North Korean officials indicating they were moving forward regardless of the U.S.’s wishes.
“We weren’t surprised because of recent statements by North Korean leadership that they intended to do this,” Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told CNN’s “American Morning.” “As you know, they also recently … unsuccessfully launched potentially an intercontinental ballistic missile.”
Adm. Mullen continued by describing North Korea as becoming “increasingly belligerent” and said the international community, including China, has lined up against the test.
“The Chinese side vehemently demands North Korea abides by its denuclearization promises, stop any actions which may worsen the situation and return to the six-party talks process,” China said in a statement. “The Chinese government calls on all sides to calmly and appropriately deal (with the situation).”
But the impact the test has on Mr. Obama’s credibility in handling rogue nations was self-evident. The two punch ballistic missiles plus nuclear tests came just three weeks after the Obama administration announced a new diplomatic effort address North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.
During the presidential primaries, critics often charged Mr. Obama would not have the political will to sufficiently condemn rogue nations that act contrary to international law and U.S. interests. It was charged the president would not command the respect of rogue leaders because his policies and close friends often resembled “blame-America first” characteristics.
And just a few months into his presidency, many are saying the president’s record speaks for itself.
“A series of actions taken by the Obama administration have created an impression in Iran, the ‘Af-Pak’ region, China and North Korea that Obama does not have the political will to retaliate decisively to acts that are detrimental to U.S. interests, and to international peace and security,” Bahukutumbi Raman wrote in Monday’s edition of Forbes magazine.
“Among such actions, one could cite: the soft policy toward Iran: the reluctance to articulate strongly U.S. determination to support the security interests of Israel; the ambivalent attitude toward Pakistan despite its continued support to anti-India terrorist groups and its ineffective action against the sanctuaries of al-Qaida and the Taliban in Pakistani territory; its silence on the question of the violation of the human rights of the Burmese people and the continued illegal detention of Aung San Suu Kyi by the military regime in Myanmar; and its silence on the Tibetan issue.”
Mr. Obama was also criticized earlier in the year for laughing and smiling when meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Mr. Chavez has called for the end of the American empire and repeatedly sought to undermine U.S. interests.
Joe Murray can be reached at jmurray@thebulletin.us
Nuclear and ballistic missile tests conducted yesterday sent shock waves through the international community as North Korea ambitiously pursued its quest to develop nuclear weaponry. The nuclear test is the second in three years to earn international condemnation.
“North Korea said that it has conducted a nuclear test in violation of international law. It appears to also have attempted a short range missile launch,” Mr. Obama said in a prepared statement. “These actions, while not a surprise given its statements and actions to date, are a matter of grave concern to all nations.”
The president blasted the reclusive nation and said Pyongyang’s quest to develop nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles constituted a “threat to international peace and security.”
“North Korea’s behavior increases tensions and undermines stability in Northeast Asia,” Mr. Obama continued.
“Such provocations will only serve to deepen North Korea’s isolation. It will not find international acceptance unless it abandons its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.”
In the wake of the blast, world leaders scurried into closed door cabinet meetings and the U.N. Security Council tried to create a response that would at least show the international community had the resolve to stand up against rogue defiance.
“On the basis that North Korea has conducted a nuclear underground explosion, they deserve and get nothing other than our absolute condemnation, and that condemnation should be echoed around our region and the globe,” Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told Parliament.
Moments after the blast, which had the power of a 4.5 earthquake, erupted, North Korean media hailed the test as a success. A statement was issued on North Korean radio that said the test was “successfully conducted ... as part of measures to enhance the republic’s self-defensive nuclear deterrent in all directions.”
North Korea’s nuclear test, which the Russian defense ministry said was on par with the explosion at Hiroshima, occurred at the same location of the nation’s previous nuclear test. Reports claim Pyongyang gave Washington less than an hour’s notice before the test and issued no demands.
The Obama administration, however, said it was not surprised by the test because of recent statements made by North Korean officials indicating they were moving forward regardless of the U.S.’s wishes.
“We weren’t surprised because of recent statements by North Korean leadership that they intended to do this,” Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told CNN’s “American Morning.” “As you know, they also recently … unsuccessfully launched potentially an intercontinental ballistic missile.”
Adm. Mullen continued by describing North Korea as becoming “increasingly belligerent” and said the international community, including China, has lined up against the test.
“The Chinese side vehemently demands North Korea abides by its denuclearization promises, stop any actions which may worsen the situation and return to the six-party talks process,” China said in a statement. “The Chinese government calls on all sides to calmly and appropriately deal (with the situation).”
But the impact the test has on Mr. Obama’s credibility in handling rogue nations was self-evident. The two punch ballistic missiles plus nuclear tests came just three weeks after the Obama administration announced a new diplomatic effort address North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.
During the presidential primaries, critics often charged Mr. Obama would not have the political will to sufficiently condemn rogue nations that act contrary to international law and U.S. interests. It was charged the president would not command the respect of rogue leaders because his policies and close friends often resembled “blame-America first” characteristics.
And just a few months into his presidency, many are saying the president’s record speaks for itself.
“A series of actions taken by the Obama administration have created an impression in Iran, the ‘Af-Pak’ region, China and North Korea that Obama does not have the political will to retaliate decisively to acts that are detrimental to U.S. interests, and to international peace and security,” Bahukutumbi Raman wrote in Monday’s edition of Forbes magazine.
“Among such actions, one could cite: the soft policy toward Iran: the reluctance to articulate strongly U.S. determination to support the security interests of Israel; the ambivalent attitude toward Pakistan despite its continued support to anti-India terrorist groups and its ineffective action against the sanctuaries of al-Qaida and the Taliban in Pakistani territory; its silence on the question of the violation of the human rights of the Burmese people and the continued illegal detention of Aung San Suu Kyi by the military regime in Myanmar; and its silence on the Tibetan issue.”
Mr. Obama was also criticized earlier in the year for laughing and smiling when meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Mr. Chavez has called for the end of the American empire and repeatedly sought to undermine U.S. interests.
Joe Murray can be reached at jmurray@thebulletin.us
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