Congresswoman Bordallo Comments on Apparent North Korea Nuclear Testing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—October 9, 2006—Washington, DC—

Regarding news reports that North Korea may have conducted an underground nuclear test earlier tonight, Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo issued the following statement:

“I join the leaders of our region and of the world in outrage over the apparent underground test of a nuclear weapon by North Korea,” Congresswoman Bordallo said. “This apparent test, one that is entirely unacceptable, will have serious ramifications for security in the Pacific and underscores the need for vigilance in our region in order to protect ourselves and our allies. While North Korea’s state run Korean Central News Agency has called this test ‘a great leap forward’ for North Korea, all in the civilized world know a nuclear test by the North Korea is in fact a great leap backward. I expect a strong and quick response from the U.S. government and the global community including action by the United Nations Security Council.”

“I remain engaged with U.S. policymakers regarding American policy on North Korea and will continue to call for increased Congressional oversight of North Korea’s activities, their ramifications and U.S. policy toward the communist state. Our country’s commitment to the Six Party Talks will need to be evaluated both to determine why that process has failed to deter North Korean activities like the July 4 testing of ICBMs and this underground nuclear test and whether the talks remain the best way to move forward with negotiations with the North Koreans,” Bordallo continued. “I do note that the President has long said that the proper solution for North Korea does not include the use of military force and I do not believe this test, no matter how provocative, changes that determination.”

“Prior to this test I received information that an underground nuclear test is highly unlikely to lead to environmental impacts that could affect our island or our people. While we must give the appropriate time for analysts to determine what has happened and what its effects may be, environmental risks to areas beyond the immediate test location are generally considered negligible in instances of controlled underground nuclear tests,” Bordallo added. “There is no reason to believe that our island is at risk of an environmental impact from this test.”

Congresswoman Bordallo supported the recent passage of S. 3728, the North Korea Proliferation Act of 2006. This legislation extends the ability of the United States to place sanctions on North Korea and those who support the North Korean regime with regard to nuclear weapons testing and proliferation.  The legislation amends the Iran and Syria Nonproliferation Act to extend the provisions of the Act to North Korea, thereby enabling the United States to utilize a greater number and variety of sanctions to penalize North Korea and countries that support North Korean proliferation efforts. The threat of sanctions also serves as a strong deterrent.

H.R. 5122 and S. 3728 will now be sent to the White House for the President’s consideration. The President is expected to sign both bills into law.

Congresswoman Bordallo introduced a resolution in the House earlier this year, H.Con.Res. 432, which calls on the North Korean government to cease all production of weapons of mass destruction and proliferation of ballistic missiles, to return to international diplomatic negotiations and the Six Party talks, and to abandon its development of the Taepodong II missile. Additionally, Congresswoman Bordallo has joined with her colleagues in requesting that the House Armed Services Committee hold hearings on U.S. policy on North Korea.

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Contact: Joseph E. Duenas in Washington, D.C. at 202-225-1188 or Joy James at

671-477-4272/4.

joseph.duenas@mail.house.gov or joy.james@mail.house.gov

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www.house.gov/bordallo

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