NKorea threatens US; world anticipates missile

[Japher]

No MSG

[Felch]

I find it hard to believe you need unanimous GA approval. That would be practically impossible to work out. The Korean War was authorized by the Security Council, wasn't it?

Was AC trolling?

[SlowwHand]

Another example of why the UN is useless.

Exactly correct.

[Alinestra Covelia]

I find it hard to believe you need unanimous GA approval. That would be practically impossible to work out. The Korean War was authorized by the Security Council, wasn't it?

Was AC trolling?

I could be right or wrong about this, but this time I assure you I'm not trolling. There was an AP news item on this that may be helpful, which I quote below. As I understand it, specific to this case, the Sec Council ruled that unanimous GA approval was needed to authorize a UN search.

Edit: No it doesn't. It calls on all members to carry out searches, but requires NK approval first. Which is marginally better but still not likely to help.

The U.N. sanctions, which toughen an earlier arms embargo against North Korea, ban the country from exporting all weapons and weapons-related material, meaning any weapons shipment to Myanmar would violate the resolution.

The Security Council resolution calls on all 192 U.N. member states to inspect North Korean vessels on the high seas "if they have information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that the cargo" contains banned weapons or material to make them. But that requires approval from the North.

If the North refuses to give approval, it must direct the vessel "to an appropriate and convenient port for the required inspection by the local authorities."

North Korea, however, is unlikely to allow any inspection of its cargo, making an interception unlikely, said Hong Hyun-ik, an analyst at the Sejong Institute think tank outside Seoul.

Link to the Yahoo News reprint of the AP story.

[Felch]

My reading of that is that all member states are called upon to inspect the ships if they have a chance. I'm not an international law type though. I've got no patience for that nonsense.

[Dis]

they seem to want to provoke us into war. I just hope we don't have any trigger happy military types over in that part of the war that accidently (or deliberately) start another war. Things will be okay as long as neither side does anything stupid. Let them rant and rave like a 3 year old, we don't care.

[Dis]

I find it hard to believe you need unanimous GA approval. That would be practically impossible to work out. The Korean War was authorized by the Security Council, wasn't it?

Was AC trolling?

Soviets were boycotting security cancel, and communist china wasn't in.

those were the days. We had it made.

But then the commies came back in.

[Wezil]

In other words we will continue to talk tough but in reality do jack **** when it comes to NK.

File this under Swine Flu as manufactured hysteria.

[Alinestra Covelia]

Well, they do have two US journalists. Obama's in a tough spot. If things get even worse for those two women, he'll have egg on his face. But NK wants to call the shots too.

I wonder how ripe the time is for some Cold War-esque "police action" by China in NK...

[Wezil]

Seal the borders. Discontinue aid.

[Japher]

LINK

North Korean state media have condemned a recent U.S. pledge to provide nuclear defense to South Korea, saying the move bolsters Pyongyang's reasons for having atomic bombs.

What?! You stupid nutter! The need for defense is because of your bombs! OMG this guy should have a reality tv show!

[rah]

Why is anyone providing aid to this blackmailer. (I know the people are starving, but at some point you just have to call their bluff and say no more aid for you )

[Patroklos]

Problem is, he could still flatten Seoul.

If you are refering to NK artillery, this is a myth. Just look at a map, and more importantly one with population densities.

So how long does it take to stop 1 NK ship? I heard about this a couple days ago. Can they not find it?

For most of it's journey thus far it has been staying within Chinese territorial waters.

[Wezil]

How long is the trip from NK to Myanmar (by boat)?

edit - And do you think anyone will stop and inspect this boat when it leaves Chinese waters?

[DinoDoc]

Why is anyone providing aid to this blackmailer. (I know the people are starving, but at some point you just have to call their bluff and say no more aid for you )

Because China doesn't want to and South Korea is too enamored with its idiotic Sunshine Policy to insist on reciprocity.