-Caveat Lector- Japan's secret study on air raid at N. Korea unveiled TOKYO, July 13 (Kyodo) -- Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) conducted a secret study on launching an air raid against a missile base in North Korea following Pyongyang's test-firing in 1993 of an intermediate-range ballistic missile, defense sources said Monday. The study concluded that an air raid by four F-4EJ Kai aircraft, which are normally used as fighter-interceptors, at North Korea would be theoretically possible, but that its effectiveness would be doubtful, the sources said. In the past, the government expressed its belief that attacks on enemies' missile and other bases fall under the category of self-defense and can therefore be carried out if no other defense measures are possible. That view was submitted to the Diet in 1956. It was expressed again in the wake of what Japan said a test-launching in August last year by North Korea of a ballistic missile. The study was concluded early last year by the ASDF's Western Air Defense Force headquarters in Kasuga, Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan. It was then informally reported to Air Defense Command in Fuchu, Tokyo, the sources said. The study assumed that the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) would mount the raid without support from U.S. forces in Japan. The action would target the North Korean missile base in Rodong in the country's eastern coastal area, from where the country test-launched the Rodong-1 missile with a range of 1,000 kilometers in May 1993, the sources said. The report assumed that North Korean radar would not detect the F-4EJ Kai aircraft as they entered the country's airspace, carried out the attacks and returned home. Support by F-15 fighters and airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft would not be necessary, it said. In the scenario, the F-4EJ Kai aircraft would leave the SDF Komatsu base in Ishikawa Prefecture and fly on a direct and low-altitude path to their target. Once there, they would drop 16 500-pound bombs before returning home at a higher-than-usual altitude to save fuel, the sources said. After completing the attack and returning home, each of the aircraft would have some 600 liters of fuel remaining, according to the sources. If the aircraft were to return at a normal altitude, their low supply of fuel would force them to make emergency landings, they said. When F-2 fighters, currently under development, are deployed, the ASDF will study using those aircraft in the scenario, the sources said. According to the study's conclusion, it is doubtful that the envisioned air raids would be effective because the ASDF does not own air tankers, the latest electronic warfare-capable aircraft nor detailed information on the North Korean missile base. On Aug. 31, 1998, North Korea is said to have experimentally fired a Taepodong missile which flew over Japan and splashed into the Pacific. Pyongyang said the missile was to launch a satellite. -0- News provided by COMTEX. [!ASIA_PACIFIC] [!GLOBAL+NEWS] [!INTERNATIONAL] [!WORLD+AFFAIRS] [DEFENSE] [GOVERNMENT] [JAPAN] [KOREA] [KYO] [NEWS] [NEWSGRID] [NORTH+KOREA] [POUND] [SATELLITE] [TOKYO] [USA] -- ----------------------- NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ----------------------- DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
