DIA: N. Korea Can Arm Missile With Nuke

[pengman]

DIA: N. Korea Can Arm Missile With Nuke

By JOHN J. LUMPKIN

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Defense Intelligence Agency chief says North Korea is able to arm a missile with a nuclear weapon, but hasn't said whether it has done so or if such a missile could reach the United States.

Still, the assessment presented by Vice Adm. Lowell Jacoby to a Senate panel Thursday would mark a significant step forward in the communist state's capabilities.

The DIA, however, said in a statement later that Jacoby was only reiterating a statement he made to the panel on March 17 that North Korea's missiles were capable of carrying a nuclear warhead - but not that they had actually developed such a warhead.

The March statement, however, did not address whether North Korea could actually mount a nuclear warhead on its missile: Jacoby only said that North Korea's Taepo Dong 2 missile might be ready for testing and ``could deliver a nuclear warhead to parts of the United States.''

Friday, Apr. 29

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Nuclear Weapons Database: Nuclear Issues [CDI]


U.S., S. Korea Discuss N. Korea's Nukes [Netscape News]


What Is the Political Climate of North Korea? [All Refer]


Visit the Official Page of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea [DPR]




North Korea is believed to have made at least one nuclear weapon, according to public intelligence estimates. But combining that weapon with the Taepo Dong 2 into a nuclear missile is a greater technical challenge, defense officials said.


After Jacoby spoke, two defense officials said U.S. intelligence analysts believe North Korea is several years from being able to mount a nuclear warhead on a missile that is capable of reaching the United States from Korea.


The defense officials, discussing intelligence assessments on the condition of anonymity, said analysts believe North Korea has not solved all the problems of turning a nuclear device into a small warhead for an intercontinental ballistic missile, so the meaning of Jacoby's statement remained somewhat ambiguous.


Jacoby discussed North Korea's capabilities during questioning by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.


Clinton asked if ``North Korea has the ability to arm a missile with a nuclear device?''


Jacoby answered, ``My assessment is that they have the capability to do that.''


Clinton then asked, ``And do you assess that North Korea has the ability to deploy a two-stage intercontinental nuclear missile that could successfully hit U.S. territory?''


Jacoby responded, ``Yes, the assessment on a two-stage missile would give capability to reach portions of U.S. territory and the projection on a three-stage missile would be that it would be able to reach most of the continental United States. That still is a theoretical capability in a sense that those missiles have not been tested.''


U.S. intelligence believes a two-stage Taepo Dong 2 could hit Alaska, Hawaii and perhaps parts of the West Coast. North Korea also has shorter-range missiles which, some officials have said, may be able to carry a nuclear warhead as far as Japan.


Clinton said Jacoby's testimony was ``troubling beyond words.''


Later Thursday, Clinton and Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, the top Democrat on the panel, sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that read, ``Admiral Jacoby's assessment that North Korea has the ability to arm a missile with a nuclear device is, we believe, the first such public assessment by an Administration official.''


They called on the Bush administration to pursue direct talks with Pyongyong, something the administration has declined to do in favor of six-party talks that also include China, Japan, Russia and South Korea.


But President Bush, at a White House news conference Thursday night, said that ``the best way to deal with this issue diplomatically is to have four other nations beside ourself dealing with him. And we'll continue to do so.''


Bush also said the threat from North Korea was a chief reason for his insistence on going ahead with development of a missile defense system. ``Perhaps (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Il has got the capacity to launch a weapon; wouldn't it be nice to be able to shoot it down?'' Bush said.


The six-nation nuclear talks have been stalled since June. Washington's top envoy on the issue, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, said Thursday in South Korea that the North's refusal to talk is a problem but they are the best way to resolve matters.

Bush also said the threat from North Korea was a chief reason for his insistence on going ahead with development of a missile defense system. ``Perhaps (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Il has got the capacity to launch a weapon; wouldn't it be nice to be able to shoot it down?'' Bush said.

I have a question: Are North Korea closer to making nuclear weapons than the U.S are developing a missile defense system?

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

It is etimated that North Korea has 5 nukes.
We have 5000+.
Kil Il Sung should do the math....

[DennisTheMenace]

Originally posted by CaptainGonzo
It is etimated that North Korea has 5 nukes.
We have 5000+.
Kil Il Sung should do the math....

I am sure he has, a little MAD, much more on his part then ours.

[blueeighty88]

Perhaps I should take my Victoreen Rad Meter off ebay and invest in those KI pills the government gave us?

I'd feel much better if they didn't tell us any of this.

[DaSharkie]

Just remember where Kim Il Song got that nuclear material from.

He is scary, but his country has little money, no infrastrcuture, and all resources go to the military.

Scary country man. Very scary little twirp running it too. His father was not quite as maniacal, but still had his own issues.

Look into the things that have happened long the DMZ since the cease fire was signed in 1953. Every one of them are acts of war too.

[PattyV]

I think we need Team America to come and save the day!

Its a great movie that one, though im not quite sure whether its insulting America or praising it
(though it definetaly insults all the other countries like 'Durkadurkastan'