Officials: US tracking suspicious ship from NKorea
By ANNE GEARAN and PAULINE JELINEK, Associated Press Writers 14 mins ago
WASHINGTON – The U.S. military is tracking a ship from North Korea that may be carrying illicit weapons, the first vessel monitored under tougher new United Nations rules meant to rein in and punish the communist government following a nuclear test, officials said Thursday. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he has ordered additional protections for Hawaii just in case North Korea launches a long-range missile over the Pacific Ocean. The suspect ship could become a test case for interception of the North's ships at sea, something the North has said it would consider an act of war. Officials said the U.S. is monitoring the voyage of the North Korean-flagged Kang Nam, which left port in North Korea on Wednesday. On Thursday, it was traveling in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of China, two officials said on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence. What the Kang Nam was carrying was not known, but the ship has been involved in weapons proliferation, one of the officials said. The ship is among a group that is watched regularly but is the only one believed to have cargo that could potentially violate the U.N. resolution, the official said. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen did not specifically confirm that the U.S. was monitoring the ship when he was asked about it at a Pentagon news conference Thursday. "We intend to vigorously enforce the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874 to include options, to include, certainly, hail and query," Mullen said. "If a vessel like this is queried and doesn't allow a permissive search," he noted, it can be directed into port................>>>>..................>>>>..............http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090618/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_us_nkorea
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
US navy prepares to intercept North Korean ship Kang Nam vessel suspected of transporting weapons, a violation of UN sanctions imposed last week Ewen MacAskill in Washington guardian.co.uk, Friday 19 June 2009 18.28 BST
Tension was growing in the Pacific today as the US navy prepared to intercept a North Korean cargo ship suspected of carrying weapons in defiance of a United Nations ban.
The US navy has been tracking the Kang Nam since its left a North Korean port on Wednesday.
It would be the first ship to be intercepted since the UN last week imposed sanctions on North Korea as punishment for conducting an underground nuclear test last month. The sanctions ban the import and export of nuclear material, missiles and all other weapons other than small arms.
A USS destroyer, the John McCain (named after the father of the Republican senator, who was an admiral), was awaiting orders to intercept the ship off the Chinese coast.
The UN sanctions only allow the US to hail a North Korean ship and demand to be allowed to conduct a search, but not forcibly board it. North Korea has said a forcible search would be regarded as an act of war.
Reflecting heightened tension, the US today began moving radar systems and ground-to-air missiles to Hawaii. The Pentagon said it fears that Pyongyang could test-fire an intercontinental missile in the direction of Hawaii over the next few weeks in retaliation for the UN sanctions.
US officials designated the Kang Nam as being of "special interest" soon after it left port.
If the North Koreans refuse to allow a US crew to search the ship, the US could order it into the nearest port. Failing that, the USS John McCain could closely follow the ship until it reaches a port. The US would then be entitled to demand, under the UN sanctions agreement, that that country inspect the ship.
Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, told reporters at the Pentagon yesterday: "Without going into specific details, clearly we intend to vigorously enforce the United Nations security council resolution."
Hawaii braces for N. Korea missile launch BY MARK NIESSE The Associated Press
HONOLULU — Comforted by the U.S. military’s missile defense systems, Hawaii residents doubt a North Korean missile would light up the clear island sky like fireworks on the Fourth of July. But that doesn’t mean the islands’ laid-back beachgoers aren’t worried that a long-range missile could be launched in the direction of Hawaii’s emerald mountains and white sand beaches around Independence Day. “The North Koreans are unbalanced and could try anything,” said Dan Gleason while walking his Jack Russell mix dog in downtown Honolulu. “If they do hit Honolulu, I hope it’s a good shot because I don’t want to go through the aftermath.” Japanese media have reported that the North Koreans appear to be preparing for a long-range test near July 4. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has ordered additional protections for Hawaii in case a missile is launched over the Pacific Ocean. But only one concerned person with a Hawaii trip planned has called the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau seeking information, state tourism liaison Marsha Wienert said on Friday. With Hawaii’s huge military presence, no one should be afraid to travel to the islands, she said. “We believe that this is a very safe destination,” she said. Retiree Mae Dong, a Honolulu resident of more than 50 years, said the United States must remain resolute in the face of any North Korean aggression. “It’s disturbing,” she said Friday. “We cannot run. We have to fight them.” ............>>>>.........................>>>>...................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar00202
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