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SLUG: 2-299185 Pentagon / Korea (L-O)
DATE: NOTE NUMBER: |
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DATE=2/3/03 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=PENTAGON/KOREA (L-ONLY) NUMBER=2-299185 BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA DATELINE=PENTAGON CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: The Pentagon is considering new moves to bolster U-S defenses in the Pacific, as a warning to North Korea not to escalate tensions at a time when American forces are mobilizing for a possible war with Iraq. More from V-O-A Defense Correspondent Alex Belida at the Pentagon. TEXT: A senior Pentagon official says the commander of U-S forces in the Pacific could soon order an undetermined number of American F-16 fighter jets from their base in Japan to South Korea. Two combat-ready squadrons totaling 48 F-16's are deployed at Misawa Air Base in Japan. The Air Force calls these aircraft "the point of the tip of the spear," and says they are ready to move quickly to take on a variety of missions, including strategic attack. In addition, the senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, says 12 B-52 and 12 B-One bombers have been placed on standby for possible deployment to Guam as a precautionary measure. From Guam, they could be called upon to deploy to the Korean Peninsula. Defense officials say the message being sent to North Korea by such moves is not to underestimate U-S capabilities at a time when the Pentagon is generally focused on a possible war with Iraq. At the same time, however, a Pentagon spokesman stresses the Bush administration remains committed to seeking a diplomatic solution to the current crisis over North Korea's nuclear program. Because of this, the spokesman says, any effort by the United States to bolster its defenses in the Pacific will be carried out in what is termed "a balanced way," so as not to escalate the situation into a military crisis. U-S intelligence recently detected suspicious activities at North Korea's main nuclear facility that could indicate preparations to reprocess spent nuclear fuel into weapons-grade material. Analysts view the activity as an effort by Pyongyang to force Washington into a new round of negotiations, while the administration seems preoccupied with Iraq. (Signed) NEB/BEL/SB/TW |
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