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Unclear if North Korea fueling rocket: US official
Washington (AFP) April 2, 2009 US defense officials have detected "propellant activity" at a North Korea rocket, but said it is uncertain that Pyongyang has begun fueling ahead of its planned launch, which could take place as early as this weekend. A US defense official speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP "it's ambiguous" if North Korea has begun fueling the rocket, which Pyongyang has said it plans to launch sometime between April 4-8. To take advantage of promising weather conditions forecast for April 4, Pyongyang would need to start fueling the rocket now, according to US officials and arms experts. Otherwise, the regime might have to postpone the launch until the weather improves towards the end of the launch window around April 8, they said. In 2006, a North Korean missile sat on the launch pad for about 20 days before being launched. CNN television reported on Wednesday that fueling had begun, citing an unnamed US defense official. Independent analysts using commercial satellite pictures have said the North Korean regime was moving ahead with preparations to launch since March 22. North Korea says the rocket is carrying a satellite, but the United States, South Korea and Japan suspect the launch, which is set to cross northern Japan, is a cover for testing a long-range ballistic missile that could -- in theory -- reach Alaska. The rounded shape of the rocket's nose suggested it was a satellite, as North Korea has announced, and not a dummy warhead, analysts said. Japan has deployed land- and sea-based defense systems with guided missiles to destroy the rocket, or its debris, if it deviates from its expected course and threatens to fall on Japanese territory. US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Sunday that the launch appeared imminent, but that the United States would not shoot the rocket down. "I think if we had a missile that was heading for Hawaii, that looked like it was headed for Hawaii or something like that, we might consider it. I don't think we have any plans to do anything like that at this point," Gates said. Top US military officers have said North Korea may launch several other short- or medium-range missiles at the same time as the rocket launch, as it has during previous missile tests. Share This Article With Planet Earth
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S.Korea, US vow 'stern' response to N.Korea missile launch
London (AFP) April 2, 2009US President Barack Obama and South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-Bak on Thursday promised a firm and "stern" response to any North Korean rocket launch after a fresh fiery outburst from Pyongyang. |
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