U.S. Reminds North Korea Of Its Pacific Military Might

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reminded North Korea the United States has extensive military might in the Pacific after a suspected North Korean missile test over the weekend. "I don't think anyone is confused about the ability of the United States to deter -- both on behalf of itself and on behalf of its allies -- North Korean nuclear ambitions or gains on the (Korean) Peninsula," Rice told reporters. "The United States maintains significant -- and I want to underline 'significant' -- deterrent capability of all kinds in the Asia-Pacific region so I don't think there should be doubt about our ability to deter whatever the North Koreans are up to," she said. The United States no longer stores nuclear weapons on the volatile Korean peninsula, but has long-range missiles and other weapons within striking distance of the North. The U.S. Air Force rotates heavy bombers -- among them radar-avoiding B-2s -- onto its large base on the island of Guam in the western Pacific and maintains F-15E and other attack jets in Japan and South Korea. An American aircraft carrier is based in Japan and the Navy has made clear it can move others into the region on short notice. Asian officials played down North Korea's suspected missile test, saying it appeared to be a short-range weapon unable to carry a nuclear warhead. But they acknowledged it would strain efforts to resume six-party talks on ending Pyongyang's nuclear programs. The suspected test appeared to jangle nerves after North Korea's claims that it has nuclear weapons and its refusal to resume talks with the China, the United States, Russia, Japan and South Korea on its nuclear ambitions. Speaking at a news conference with French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier, Rice urged North Korea to come back to the negotiating table and said its missile programs would have to be discussed at some point. It was not clear whether she meant they would have to be dealt with in the six-party talks. The six nations have met for three rounds of talks since 2003. A fourth round has not materialized after North Korea demanded an end to what it calls the United States' hostile policy. The United States has repeatedly called for North Korea to resume talks and has dangled the prospect of U.S. security guarantees, improved relations and aid from other nations if North Korea abandons its suspected pursuit of nuclear arms. There have been signs lately that U.S. patience with the six-party process may be wearing thin. Washington has said if Pyongyang refuses to come back to the table, it would consider taking the matter to the U.N. Security Council, where North Korea could face sanctions. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice