North Korean keeps “popping off” – 7th missile launched

The North Koreans evidently wanted to help the United States celebrate the 230th anniversary of our independence, as they fired off numerous rockets, one of which was reportedly launched within minutes of the lift-off time of Space Shuttle Discovery. All of the missiles fell into the Japan Sea, and the one which was believed to be the Taepodong-2 long-range multi-stage missile failed less than a minute after launch.

North Korean officials have been barred from Japan under a raft of sanctions imposed Wednesday in response to Pyongyang’s missile tests, a top government spokesman said.

The Japanese government also banned a North Korean trading boat from entering its territorial waters for six months and has shut off all chartered flights from its isolated neighbor, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said.

Nuclear-armed North Korea on Wednesday test-launched six missiles, including a long-range Taepodong-2 believed capable of reaching the United States. None of the missiles made it as far as Japan, all crashing into the Sea of Japan that separates the island nation from the Korean Peninsula, officials said.

Outraged over the predawn test-firing of six missiles by its isolated, communist neighbor, Japan also urged the UN Security Council to take up the matter and has also warned that it might impose economic sanctions of its own.

“We must take strict measures in response to North Korea’s missile firing,” Abe said, adding that the sanctions are necessary to “express our view that the missile firing is a threat to the security of Japan and the region.”

All North Korean government officials and ship crews are now banned from entering Japan, and Japanese are discouraged from traveling to the communist country, Abe said.

Since this article was published, the North Koreans have launched a 7th missile after the Japanese imposed sanctions, and the leaders of nations around the world condemned the actions of Kim Jong Il, asking that the North Koreans return to the 6 party talks.

North Korea has launched a seventh missile, a news report said Wednesday, citing Japanese government sources.

North Korea fired the latest missile at 5:22 p.m., Kyodo News agency reported. The missile landed six minutes later, the report said.

Defense officials could not immediately confirm the report. It was unclear what type of missile was launched or where it landed.

And the world waits with bated breath to see what conclusive actions the UNSC will create as punishment for Il, and the rest of the North Koreans.

(end sarcasm)

As The Needle Bends

Technorati Tags: Life and Ramblings, North Korea, Missiles, Taepodong 2, Scud, Japan, Kim Jong Il, Japan Sea, UN Security Council

 

Celebrate Our Country’s Independence Day By Remembering Those Who Fight To Keep Us Free!

HAPPY 230th BIRTHDAY

to

the United States of America!!!!!!

Please click here to enjoy a wonderful tribute to our precious America

One Nation Under God,

Indivisible,

With Liberty and Justice

FOR ALL!!!!!

Soldiers Celebrate Fourth

of July as

New U.S. Citizens

BAGRAM, Afghanistan

They were soldiers from 21 different countries. But at the end of a short ceremony Tuesday at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, they pledged allegiance to only one: America. Raising their right hands, 26 young soldiers took an oath and became new American citizens during a naturalization ceremony held at the main U.S. military base north of Kabul. “It is so fitting that today on the Fourth of July, when we celebrate our nation’s birthday, that we would take the time … and have 26 fellow soldiers join us as fellow American soldiers,” said Maj. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, the U.S. operational commander in Afghanistan, who attended the ceremony.

About 7,000 soldiers have become citizens under the fast-track program, according to the immigration service.

On this day, there were soldiers from countries across the globe – Mexico, Kenya, Zambia, Bosnia-Herzogovina, Kenya, Zambia, and even Afghanistan.

Specialist Ahmad John, 27, originally from Kabul but now hailing from Los Angeles, California, said he has been dreaming of this day for years.

"I feel great. I will be an American citizen. Since I was 10 years old, I had a dream that one day in America, I would be a citizen," he said.

John, a military linguist who speaks Dari, Pashto and Arabic, said he believes his skills are serving two nations.

"I’m a citizen of America but I’m Afghanistan-born. I come back and I serve my motherland country and protect my homeland," he said.

What a wonderful birthday present this is for our country. Congratulations, my new fellow Americans. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

As The Needle Bends

Technorati Tags: Life and Ramblings, Fourth of July, Independence Day, Happy Birthday America, 230th Anniversary of America’s Independence, Afghanistan, Soldiers, Citizens

Tensions mount in Gaza as kidnappers’ deadline passes

Deadline passes for captured Israeli soldier in Gaza

Mon Jul 3, 2006 11:50pm ET (Reuters)

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

The smallest of the three groups, the previously unknown Islamic Army, said there would be no further information on Corporal Gilad Shalit, 19, after Israel refused to meet the deadline. Shalit was seized in a cross-border raid on June 25.

“Whether he will be killed or not killed, we will not disclose any information about the fate of the soldier,” said spokesman Abu al-Muthana.

“Discussion is closed.”

I’m not sure what this means; but I’m praying that it is not as dire as it sounds. Please, keep praying.

---

 Tensions mount in Gaza as kidnappers issue ultimatum

After a night which was punctuated by rocket fire, arrests of people approaching checkpoints with knives, and the elimination of 3 terrorists who ran at a checkpoint with automatic weapons, and suicide vests (reports differ as to whether one terrorist actually detonated his vest), the following ultimatum was issued, around 9am Israel time,by the 3 Palestinian terror groups who claim control over the kidnapped Israeli soldier, Corporal Gilad Shalit:

The announcement was signed by the Hamas-affiliated Popular Resistance Committees, the Izaddin Al-Kassam Brigades, and the Islamic Army.

“If our demands are not met by 6 AM Tuesday,” the declaration states, “we will view this stage of our operation as being over, and the Zionist enemy will be the one to bear the responsibility for the consequences.”

The story goes on to report that Israeli forces, which had gathered on the northern Gaza border since last Wednesday although activities had been limited to southern Gaza, have moved into northern Gaza, albeit on a limited basis:

IDF forces entered northern Gaza in several places this morning, after having been deployed on the border since Wednesday night. The stated goal of the operation, which is still described as "limited," is to find underground tunnels and enemy-planted explosive devices. As of now, the forces – tanks, armed personnel carriers and bulldozers – are not going further than several hundred meters into Gaza. One bulldozer cleared away concrete barriers from one of the roads.

After Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s rejection of the conditions, saying that Israel will not negotiate with terrorists for the release of kidnapped Israelis, the Justice Minister issued the following statement:

Justice Minister Haim Ramon on Monday warned of a harsh military response in the Gaza Strip if an abducted Israeli is harmed by his Palestinian captors.

Justice Minister Haim Ramon made the threat after the militants holding Israel Defense Forces Corporal Gilad Shalit implied the soldier would be killed if Israel does not begin releasing Palestinian soldiers by Tuesday morning. “If God forbid, they should hurt the soldier, our operations will be far far worse,” Ramon told Channel 2 TV.

“Summer Rain” not soothing – “No sleep in Gaza tonight!”

As I have been following the events in Israel over the past week or so, with kidnappings of at least one soldier and a teenager who was murdered shortly after being taken, I have been struck by what has to be frustration on the part of the Israeli officials. The words of the Israeli Prime Minister leads me to believe that there will be more “fireworks” in the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in Sunday’s cabinet meeting that “these are difficult days for Israel, but we won’t give in to terror.”

“We can’t accept that our communities in the south are living in perpetual fear; I’ve given orders that no one sleep tonight in Gaza, either,” the prime minister declared.

“Giving into terror today means more blackmail in the future,” Olmert continued.