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US Pacific commander wants more forces to deter N Korea
Washington, Feb 01: The commander of US Forces in the Pacific has asked The Pentagon for more troops, aircraft and warships to deter any adventure by North Korea if the United States goes to war against Iraq, US officials said.
Washington, Feb 01: The commander of US Forces in the Pacific has asked The Pentagon for more troops, aircraft and warships to deter any adventure by North Korea if the United States goes to war against Iraq, US officials said.
US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has made no decision on the request by ADM. Thomas Fargo, based in Hawaii as commander of all American forces in Asia and the Pacific Rim, said the officials,
adding that the additional forces could include several thousand troops, bombers and perhaps an aircraft carrier.
''The admiral wants to be sure that the North Koreans don't launch any adventure to take advantage of what they might see as preoccupation with Iraq,'' said one of the officials. ''He feels it would be a prudent step.'' The officials said the request had been pending for weeks but that President George W Bush had stated that Washington wanted to peacefully settle a crisis over Pyongyang's resumption of its nuclear program and was moving carefully.
Bureau Report
''The admiral wants to be sure that the North Koreans don't launch any adventure to take advantage of what they might see as preoccupation with Iraq,'' said one of the officials. ''He feels it would be a prudent step.'' The officials said the request had been pending for weeks but that President George W Bush had stated that Washington wanted to peacefully settle a crisis over Pyongyang's resumption of its nuclear program and was moving carefully.
Bureau Report