Gates: 'No Alternatives' to US-Japan Security Accord
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"We in President Obama's administration understand what it is like to go through a transition period. And, as your government exercises its new responsibilities, I want you to know the United States stands with you and we are committed to advancing and implementing our agreed alliance transformation agenda," he said.
Earlier, on board his aircraft flying to Tokyo, Secretary Gates was more direct.
"We need to progress with the agreement that was negotiated. This has been a negotiation in the works for 15 years,"he stated. "All of the elements of it are interlocking. And, so it is important to continue with it. There really, as far as we're concerned, are no alternatives to the arrangement that was negotiated."
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Such strong words.. It seems that the United States will clearly not negotiate on relocating the simple military facility at all but instead it will stand firm on keeping the military facility in Okinawa whether the Okinawans are unhappy about it or not, they could less. This also means that.. Even though the majority of the Okinawans do not desire to be protected by the local military base yet they will do so anyways as long as the sympathy budget continues. Wait a second, I thought the United States was an ally of mutual trust and strong bilateral relation.. I must had got the wrong impression because this clearly indicates otherwise.
South Korea 'Worried' About North's Uranium Program
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North Korea announced last month it has entered the final stage of enriching uranium. That would give Pyongyang a second way to make nuclear bombs, in addition to its plutonium-based program.
North Korea has signaled it is ready to return to international talks on its nuclear weapons program, if it gets to talk one-on-one with the United States.
South Korea's foreign minister expressed skepticism about North Korea's motives. He said there are no real grounds to believe the softening stance indicates a fundamental change in Pyongyang's position.
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Considering that North Korea recently fired 5 long-ranged missiles which could possibly be a regular military training drill obviously causes distrust as that it occurred only a few days after North Korea agreed to return to six-party talks. Perhaps, the cargo bills should be passed yet at the same time, the six nations should still welcome North Korea back to the six-party talks. If they can fire missiles, then people can continue sanctions along with other trivial movements.