6.21.2006
US Activates Missile Defence Amid North Korea Dispute (NZHerald.co.,nz)
1.00pm Wednesday June 21, 2006
WASHINGTON - The United States has activated its ground-based interceptor missile-defence system amid concerns over an expected North Korean missile launch, a US defence official has said.
Pentagon officials declined to say whether they would try to shoot down any missile launched by the reclusive communist state, but other US officials have said that is unlikely, assuming the launch is aimed at open water.
Many US experts say Pyongyang has a legal right to test and there are questions about the accuracy of US missile defences.
Pyongyang had no immediate comment, but a North Korean official said earlier the country does not feel bound by pledges to halt test firings of long-range missiles.
A US defence official confirmed a Washington Times report that the Pentagon had switched its multibillion-dollar missile-defence system from test mode to operational.
(More ... US activates missile defence amid North Korea dispute - 21 Jun 2006 - World News) ¶ 22:30
WASHINGTON - The United States has activated its ground-based interceptor missile-defence system amid concerns over an expected North Korean missile launch, a US defence official has said.
Pentagon officials declined to say whether they would try to shoot down any missile launched by the reclusive communist state, but other US officials have said that is unlikely, assuming the launch is aimed at open water.
Many US experts say Pyongyang has a legal right to test and there are questions about the accuracy of US missile defences.
Pyongyang had no immediate comment, but a North Korean official said earlier the country does not feel bound by pledges to halt test firings of long-range missiles.
A US defence official confirmed a Washington Times report that the Pentagon had switched its multibillion-dollar missile-defence system from test mode to operational.
(More ... US activates missile defence amid North Korea dispute - 21 Jun 2006 - World News) ¶ 22:30
