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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Gates: US Won't Tolerate a Nuclear North Korea

Gates warns N Korea as satellites spot missile being moved

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(Newser) – Defense Secretary Robert Gates has warned that the US will not accept a nuclear-armed North Korea, Reuters reports. Gates said any transfer of nuclear material from North Korea to another country or group would be considered "a grave threat." "We will not stand idly by as North Korea builds the capability to wreak destruction on any target in the region or on us," he said.

Speaking at a regional security conference in Singapore, Gates said the choice was clear for North Korea: "To continue as a destitute, international pariah, or chart a new course.” US spy satellites have spotted an intercontinental ballistic missile being moved from a factory near Pyongyang to a launch site on the country's east coast, according to South Korean media quoting a source in Washington.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, left, meets with South Korea's Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee during their bilateral meeting in Singapore yesterday.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, left, meets with South Korea's Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee during their bilateral meeting in Singapore yesterday.   (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
South Korean Army soldiers carry a TOW missile system during a military exercise near the border village of Panmunjom that separates the two Koreas, north of Seoul, South Korea yesterday.
South Korean Army soldiers carry a TOW missile system during a military exercise near the border village of Panmunjom that separates the two Koreas, north of Seoul, South Korea yesterday.   (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)
Visitors walk by a mock North Korean Scud-B missile, right, and other South Korea missiles at the Korea War Memorial Museum in Seoul, South Korea.
Visitors walk by a mock North Korean Scud-B missile, right, and other South Korea missiles at the Korea War Memorial Museum in Seoul, South Korea.   (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
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US satellite imagery spots "vehicle activity" at a North Korean ballistic missile site.   (CNN Video)

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President Obama has offered an open hand to tyrannies that unclench their fists. He is hopeful, but he is not naïve. Likewise, the United States and our allies are open to dialogue, but we will not bend to pressure or provocation.
- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates

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9 comments
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shonangreg
May 30, 09 3:42 AM CDT
The US is drawing a line in the sand for North Korea for the first time that I can remember. It is the line that must be drawn too. We have tolerated North Korea's bellicosity and attacks only because they could do so much worse. Only there is no greater transgression than proliferating nukes. ...................... I can only hope that Kim Jong Il, or whoever is running that country, can see the inevitability of a strong, resolute stance now -- and de-escalate or just give up and be guaranteed "asylum" and retirement in their current palaces . . . Reply
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oldgoat
May 30, 09 5:12 AM CDT
I don't really beileve that it is a line in the sand. We've talked tough before and not done anything and it isn't just Obama, but every president since probably Carter. NK knows that it is in the situation where we can't do much as long as China and Russia still backs it. We have troops tied up in Afghanistan and Iraq now so there really isn't any real force left to throw against NK. Reply
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Mr.C
May 31, 09 7:16 PM CDT
If there is a line in the sand it sounds like, "Don't give the nukes away once you get them" is the line. -We have a lot of troops in SK and I know SK's troops would be thirsty to join in.
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IN RESPONSE:
Robert_Dada
May 30, 09 11:00 PM CDT
What an unintelligent racist you are.
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
Rob
May 31, 09 9:48 AM CDT
What the hell are you talking about? You think this kind of asinine racism is helpful?
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