N Korea threatens US with nuclear strike
North Korea threatened
a "pre-emptive" nuclear strike against the United States and any
other aggressors on Thursday as the UN Security Council prepared to vote on new
sanctions against the isolated state.A foreign ministry spokesperson also
warned that a second Korean war was "unavoidable," with both the
United States and South Korea refusing Pyongyang's demands to cancel a
large-scale joint military exercise next week."Now that the US is set to
light a fuse for a nuclear war, our revolutionary armed forces... will
exercise the right to a pre-emptive nuclear attack to destroy the strongholds
of the aggressors," the spokesperson said in a statement carried by the
Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).In the past, the North has threatened attacks
on US forces in South Korea and also claims to possess long-range missiles
capable of carrying a nuclear warhead to the continental United States.The
latest threat came two days after the North Korean military announced it would
rip up the 1953 armistice agreement ending the Korean War - a move that would
theoretically pave the way for a resumption of hostilities.Tensions have
escalated sharply on the Korean peninsula in recent days, ahead of the UN
Security Council vote and the annual US-South Korean military exercise
scheduled to begin on Monday.The Security Council is expected to adopt a
resolution tightening the UN sanctions screws on North Korea after its widely
condemned nuclear bomb test last month.Amounting to one of the toughest
sanctions regimes ever ordered by the United Nations, the resolution also
threatens "further significant measures" if the North stages a new
nuclear test or rocket launch.
New sanctions a punishment for N Korea
The UN Security
Council voted unanimously on Thursday for tough new sanctions to punish North Korea for its latest nuclear test, a move that sparked a furious Pyongyang to threaten a nuclear
strike against the US. The vote by the UN's
most powerful body on a resolution drafted by North Korea's closest ally,
China, and the US sends a powerful message that the international community
condemns the ballistic missile and nuclear tests - and repeated violation of
Security Council resolutions.Immediately before the vote, an unidentified
spokesperson for Pyongyang's foreign ministry said the North will exercise its
right for "a pre-emptive nuclear attack to destroy the strongholds of the
aggressors" because Washington is pushing to start a nuclear war against
the North.It appeared to be the most specific open threat of a nuclear strike
by any country against another.Although North Korea boasts of nuclear bombs and
pre-emptive strikes, it is not thought to have mastered the ability to produce
a warhead small enough to put on a missile capable of reaching the US. It is
believed to have enough nuclear fuel, however, for several crude nuclear
devices.The new sanctions are aimed at reining in North Korea's nuclear and
missile programmes by making it more difficult for Pyongyang to finance and
obtain material for these programmes, tracking illegal diplomatic activity and
intensifying inspections of cargo to and from the country. In a measure
targeted at the reclusive nation's ruling elite, the resolution bans all
nations from exporting expensive jewellery, yachts, luxury automobiles and
racing cars to the North.After the 15-0 vote, US Ambassador Susan Rice told
reporters, that "taken together, these sanctions will bite and bite
hard”.Responding to Pyongyang's nuclear strike threat, she said, "North
Korea will achieve nothing by continued threats and provocation."She urged
North Korea's leaders to heed President Barack Obama's call to follow the path of
peace. If it doesn't, she said, the Security Council is committed in the
resolution to take further measures.China's UN Ambassador Li Bao Dong said the
top priority now is to "bring down the heat" and focus on diplomacy
and restarting the six-party talks aimed at denuclearizing the Korean
peninsula.In North Korea, Army General Kang Pyo Yong told a crowd of tens of
thousands that North Korea is ready to fire long-range nuclear-armed missiles
at Washington."Intercontinental ballistic missiles and various other
missiles, which have already set their striking targets, are now armed with
lighter, smaller and diversified nuclear warheads and are placed on a standby
status," Kang said. "When we shell [the missiles], Washington, which is the
stronghold of evils.... will be engulfed in a sea of fire."AccusationsThe statement by the North
Korean foreign ministry spokesperson was carried by the North's official Korean
Central News Agency.It accused the US of leading efforts to
slap sanctions on North Korea. The statement said the new sanctions would only advance the timing for
North Korea to fulfil previous vows to take "powerful second and third
countermeasures" against its enemies. It hasn't elaborated on those
measures.The statement said North Korea "strongly warns the UN Security Council not to make another big
blunder like the one in the past when it earned the inveterate grudge of the
Korean nation by acting as a war servant for the US in 1950."North
Korea demanded the Security Council immediately dismantle the American-led UN
Command that's based in Seoul and move to end the state of war that exists on
the Korean Peninsula, which continues six decades after fighting stopped
because an armistice, not a peace treaty, ended the war.In anticipation of the
resolution's adoption, North Korea earlier in the week threatened to cancel the
1953 cease-fire that ended the Korean War.ThreatsNorth Korean threats have become more common as tensions
have escalated following a rocket launch by Pyongyang in December and its third
nuclear test on 12 February. Both acts defied three Security Council
resolutions that bar North Korea from testing or using nuclear or ballistic
missile technology and from importing or exporting material for these
programmes.The US and other nations worry that North Korea's third nuclear test
pushed it closer to its goal of gaining nuclear missiles that can reach the US.
The international community has condemned the regime's nuclear and missile
efforts as threats to regional security and a drain on the resources that could
go to North Korea's largely destitute people.The UN resolution identifies three
individuals, one corporation and one organization that will be added to the UN
sanctions list. The targets include top officials at a company that is the
country's primary arms dealer and main exporter of ballistic missile-related
equipment, and a national organisation responsible for research and development
of missiles and probably nuclear weapons.The success of a new round of
sanctions could depend on enforcement by China, where most of the companies and
banks that North Korea is believed to work with are based.Nuclear test condemnedThe UN
resolution condemns the latest nuclear test "in the strongest terms"
for violating and flagrantly disregarding council resolutions, bans further
ballistic missile launches, nuclear tests "or any other provocation,"
and demands that North Korea return to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. It
also condemns all of North Korea's ongoing nuclear activities, including its
uranium enrichment.But the resolution stresses the council's commitment
"to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution" and urged a
resumption of six-party talks.According to the resolution, all countries would
now be required to freeze financial transactions or services that could
contribute to North Korea's nuclear or missile programmes.To get around
financial sanctions, North Koreans have been carrying around large suitcases
filled with cash to move illicit funds. The resolution expresses concern that
these bulk cash transfers may be used to evade sanctions. It clarifies that the
freeze on financial transactions and services that could violate sanctions
applies to all cash transfers as well as the cash couriers.The resolution also
bans all countries from providing public financial support for trade deals,
such as granting export credits, guarantees or insurance, if the assistance
could contribute to the North's nuclear or missile programmes.It includes what
a senior diplomat called unprecedented new travel sanctions that would require
countries to expel agents working for sanctioned North Korean companies.The
resolution also requires states to inspect suspect cargo on their territory and
prevent any vessel that refuses an inspection from entering their ports.And a
new aviation measure calls on states to deny aircraft permission to take off,
land or fly over their territory if illicit cargo is suspected to be aboard.
US gun safety measures face first votes
President Barack Obama's prospects for winning near-universal background
checks for gun purchases seemed shaky on Thursday as Congress faced its first
votes on curbing firearms since December's deadly shootings at a Connecticut
school. The shootings of 20 children ages 6 and 7 turned gun safety into a
leading national issue, though many of Obama's proposals are opposed by the
National Rifle Association (NRA) and many Republicans who point to the
Constitutional guarantee of the right to bear firearms.The Democratic-led
Senate Judiciary Committee had four bills on its agenda on Thursday.Besides
expanding background checks, the measures would ban assault weapons and
ammunition magazines carrying more than 10 rounds, make gun trafficking and the
purchase of firearms for people barred from owning them federal crimes, and
provide more money for schools to buy video cameras and other safety
equipment.All four measures were expected to pass the committee. But their fate
when the full Senate considers them, probably in April, was less certain.In
addition, gun safety supporters say the Senate will have to approve legislation
with strong bipartisan support to boost their chances of success in the
Republican-led House of Representatives. Republican leaders there have said
they won't act until the Senate produces legislation.Expanding background
checks is the cornerstone and most popular part of Obama's effort to rein gun
violence. They are now mandated only for sales by the nation's 55 000 federally
licensed gun dealers, not for private sales between individuals, like those at
gun shows or online.An AP -GfK poll in January found 84% favoured requiring
background checks at gun shows. Other proposed gun curbs were supported by just
over half the public.
13-hour speech doesn't stop CIA vote
He spoke for 13 hours
straight, but a Republican senator's attempt to block confirmation of President
Barack Obama's nominee to lead the CIA over questions about the possible use of
unmanned drones against US citizens, ended early on Thursday. Senator Rand
Paul, a son of former Libertarian presidential candidate Ron Paul and a
possible candidate himself in 2016, started just before midday on Wednesday by
demanding that Obama or his attorney general issue a statement assuring that
drones would not be used in the US to kill terrorism suspects who are
citizens.His marathon performance energised his colleagues, who stepped up to
support him by reading tweets and Shakespeare. But Paul finally ceded the floor
shortly after midnight.A confirmation vote on
the CIA pick, John Brennan, had been pushed for Wednesday before Paul started
speaking. Brennan now serves as Obama's top counter-terrorism adviser in the
White House.The vote on Brennan is now possible later this week.Paul said he
recognised that he can't stop Brennan from being confirmed. But he said the
nomination was the right vehicle for a debate over the government's ability to
conduct lethal operations against suspected terrorists. Drones have become the
centrepiece of the Obama administration's campaign against al-Qaeda
suspects."No president has the right to say he is judge, jury and
executioner," Paul said.The filibuster, as the rarely used delaying tactic
is known, is the latest challenge to Obama's cabinet picks that need
confirmation by the Democrat-controlled chamber. So far, only Senator John
Kerry's nomination for secretary of state was approved without problem.Not all
Republicans were enthusiastic about Paul's performance. Senator Lindsey Graham
said the prospect of drones being used to kill people in the US was
"ridiculous”.Congressman Mike Rogers, the chairperson of the House
Intelligence Committee, said it is unconstitutional for the US military or
intelligence agencies to conduct lethal counter-terrorism operations in the US against citizens.
Suggesting they can or might, Rogers said, "provokes
needless fear and detracts attention from the real threats facing the country”.Expanded use of dronesPaul read from
notebooks filled with articles about the expanded use of drones. Senate rules
say a senator has to remain on the floor to continue to hold it, even though he
can yield to another senator for a question.Paul snacked on candy at the dinner
hour while continuing to speak. Well-wishers with privileges to be on the
Senate floor shook his hand when he temporarily turned the speaking over to his
colleagues.Republican Senator Ted Cruz read Twitter messages from people eager
to "Stand With Rand”. As the night went on, Cruz an insurgent Republican with strong
backing from the conservative tea party movement, read passages from
Shakespeare's "Henry V" and lines from the 1970 movie
"Patton," starring George C Scott.The record for the longest
individual speech on the Senate floor belongs to former Senator Strom Thurmond,
who protested for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of
1957.Paul ended his lengthy speech by saying he was tempted to try to break
Thurmond's record, but he needed to use the bathroom."I discovered that
there are some limits to filibustering, and I'm going to have to go and take
care of one of those in a few minutes," Paul said.Lethal force inappropriateAttorney General Eric Holder, the
country's top lawyer, came close to making the statement Paul wanted earlier in
the day during an exchange with Cruz at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing,
according to Paul.Cruz asked Holder if the Constitution allowed the federal
government to kill a US citizen on US soil who doesn't pose an imminent threat.
Holder said the situation was hypothetical, but he did not think that in that
situation the use of a drone or lethal force would be appropriate.Cruz
criticised Holder for not simply saying "no" in response.In a letter
sent on Tuesday to Paul, Brennan said the CIA does not have authority to
conduct lethal operations inside the US.Holder told Paul in a 4 March letter
that the federal government has not conducted such operations and has no
intention of doing so. But Holder also wrote that he supposed it was possible
under an "extraordinary circumstance" that the president would have
no choice but to authorise the military to use lethal force inside US borders.
Holder cited the attacks at Pearl Harbour in 1941 and on 11 September 2001, as examples.If confirmed, Brennan would replace Michael Morell, the
CIA's deputy director who has been acting director since David Petraeus
resigned in November after acknowledging an affair with his biographer.
Cuba gives Chavez hero's send-off
Cuba's leaders gave Hugo
Chavez a send-off fit for one of their own on Thursday, with huge crowds
turning out to pay homage to the late Venezuelan leader in the Revolution Plaza in Havana and Santiago. Cuban President Raul
Castro, dressed in military uniform, placed a wreath before an image of Chavez,
who died on Tuesday after a long struggle with cancer, in the ceremony in Santiago,
900km southeast of Havana.Cuba's new number two, Miguel Diaz-Canel, led another
mass turnout at Havana's vast Revolution Plaza, the iconic public square from
which revolutionary leader Fidel Castro used to address the Cuban people.Other
events memorialising Chavez were to take place in plazas across Cuba on
Thursday, an honour typically reserved for only historic leaders of the Cuban
revolution.In this case, tradition was set aside to remember a crucial oil-rich
ally whose largesse has kept the communist-ruled island economically afloat
during his 14-year-rule.During his illness, Chavez was treated almost
exclusively in Cuba where his cancer was first detected in June 2011. He
underwent four rounds of surgery, chemo and radiation therapy before returning
home for the last time 18 February.After his death in Caracas, the Cuban
government declared that "Chavez is also Cuban" and was hailed as a
"true son" of Fidel Castro.Cuban flags were lowered to half mast over
the colonial fortresses of Morro and La Cabana overlooking Havana's harbour,
and the government ordered three days of mourning.On Friday, when Chavez is
buried in Venezuela, his passing will be marked here with a 21-gun salute.
Berlusconi sentenced to year in jail
An Italian court on
Thursday sentenced former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi to a year in prison
over the publication of leaked transcripts from a police wiretap in a newspaper
that he owns.Berlusconi, who faces two more verdicts this month for tax fraud
and having sex with an underage prostitute, can appeal the conviction which
would suspend the sentence under Italian law.Italian sentencing guidelines
indicate that people aged over 75 and with sentences of less than two years do
not have to actually go to prison.Berlusconi, a billionaire media tycoon, is
aged 76."I am disappointed and concerned because I am convinced that the
proof was insufficient, contradictory or missing," Berlusconi's lawyer
Piero Longo told reporters after the hearing."I was not expecting a
conviction," he said.Demonstration
plannedFabrizio Cicchitto, a leading member of Berlusconi's People of
Freedom party, said: "The plan to eliminate Silvio Berlusconi through the
justice system is now so obvious that it is dangerous for
democracy.""We will our voices heard loud and strong on democracy and
the need for justice that is fair and worthy of a civilised country," he
said.The party is preparing a demonstration later this month against a justice
system that Berlusconi frequently portrays as left-wing and biased.Berlusconi
stood accused of violating secrecy laws after his Il Giornale daily published
transcripts in 2005 that were widely seen as an attempt to discredit a senior
member of the centre-left Democratic Party ahead of elections in 2006.The leaks
were about the attempted takeover of BNL bank by insurance giant
Unipol.Berlusconi's brother Paolo, editor of Il Giornale, was sentenced to two
years and three months.Verdict expectedBerlusconi
also faces a verdict possibly as early as 18 March in a trial in which he is
accused of having sex with a then 17-year-old prostitute when he was prime
minister and then abusing the power of his office by putting pressure on police
to release her from custody.A verdict in his appeal trial against a tax fraud
conviction from last year in which he was also sentenced to a year in prison is
also expected around 23 March.Italian court dates are often changed at the last
minute and Berlusconi's lawyers have tried to slow down all the trials,
invoking "legitimate impediment" because of his duties as an MP.
