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US To Designate N Korea A State Terror Sponsor? |
| By
Stephen Lendman |
| The only significant state sponsors of terrorism are America, NATO, Israel
and their rogue allies - not North Korea, Iran, Syria, Russia, Lebanon’s
Hezbollah or Hamas, Palestine’s legitimate government. Ahead of Trump’s departure on an 11-day Asian trip to five countries, including South Korea, Japan, China, Vietnam and the Philippines, National Security Advisor HR McMaster held a White House briefing. North Korea could again be designated a state sponsor of terrorism, despite no evidence justifying it. “You’ll hear more about that soon,” he said, citing the killing of Kim Jong-un’s half brother in Malaysia. On February 13, Kim Jong-nam was reportedly killed by a VX nerve agent when two women attacked him at Kuala Lumpur’s airport. No evidence links the incident to Pyongyang, despite accusations made. North Korean ambassador to Malaysis Kang Chol accused the country of collaborating with DPRK enemies, calling them responsible for Kim’s death. In March, Kang was declared persona non grata, ordered to leave in 24 hours. Pyongyang responded by expelling Malaysia’s ambassador. Washington may use Kim’s killing as a pretext for re-designating North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism, or other pretexts easily invented. In 2008, its earlier designation was removed. Washington considers Pyongyang guilty of any US accusation made, credible evidence unneeded. McMaster repeated the accusation, saying “(a) regime who murders someone in a public airport using nerve agent and a despotic leader who murders his brother in that manner, I mean, that’s clearly an act of terrorism that fits in with a range of other actions.” Washington is the world’s leading sponsor of state terrorism, responsible for millions of casualties post-9/11 alone, many more inflicted daily. Its officials remain unaccountable for their high crimes. On Thursday, Rex Tillerson said he continues “evaluat(ing) whether or not to designate the DPRK as a state sponsor of terror.” “The Department has informed Members of Congress that he expects to conclude his review and announce a decision within the month.” McMaster said Trump won’t moderate his rhetoric in Asia. He’ll “use whatever language he wants to use.” He’ll call a denuclearized Korean peninsula the only acceptable outcome. Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs are nonnegotiable, essential deterrents against feared US aggression. Designating the country a state sponsor of terrorism won’t accomplish a thing other than further blackening America’s image. McMaster also issued a warning, saying Trump “recognizes that we’re running out of time” to end Pyongyang’s nuclear program, adding: “We’re out of time because approaches in the past have not delivered.” China isn’t doing enough “until we achieve denuclearization.” New sanctions on the DPRK were the “end of the beginning” of Washington’s hostile agenda. Trump intends waiting “a few months (to see) what adjustments we might need to” make. “(T)he United States will respond with all capabilities available to respond to North Korean aggression.” None exists, he failed to say. Endless US aggression continues in multiple theaters. Is North Korea Trump’s next target for more? Is he willing to risk catastrophic nuclear war? Will he risk the lives of millions of Asia-Pacific people and US regional forces? America’s rage for endless wars of aggression is humanity’s greatest threat. North Korea threatens no one. VISIT MY NEW WEB SITE: stephenlendman.org (Home - Stephen Lendman). Contact at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. My newest book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html |