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http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=7&id=251613 Japan Today March 6, 2003 Bush mentions military option to settle N Korea issue -Citing U.S. efforts to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions, Bush said, "If they don't work diplomatically, they'll have to work militarily." WASHINGTON — The White House on Tuesday sought to play down President George Bush's warning that the United States would have to deal with the North Korean nuclear issue militarily if diplomacy fails. Bush mentioned the possibility of using military force against North Korea for the first time in an interview on Monday with the Baltimore Sun and 13 other U.S. newspapers. Citing U.S. efforts to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions, Bush said, "If they don't work diplomatically, they'll have to work militarily." White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said Bush's remarks were a "restatement" of U.S. policy. "The president continues to believe that this matter can be handled through diplomacy," Fleischer said. In the interview, Bush said "military option is our last choice" and reiterated he believes the North Korean nuclear issue can be resolved through diplomacy. This is the first time Bush specifically mentioned a "military" solution to North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Previously, he said, "All options are on the table." Openly declaring its right to possess nuclear weapons, North Korea has recently reactivated its nuclear program and test-fired a cruise missile on the eve of the inauguration of South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun. North Korea intercepted a U.S. reconnaissance plane over the Sea of Japan on Sunday. Fleischer called North Korea's move a "reckless" behavior. "This kind of reckless behavior by North Korea will only lead to further international isolation of North Korea," he said. Fleischer said the U.S. is in consultation with Japan and South Korea on how they should lodge a protest with Pyongyang. (Kyodo News) __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes.yahoo.com/ --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bdn7KI.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] TOPICA - Start your own email discussion group. FREE! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/create/index2.html ==^================================================================
