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Comments on North Korean Missile Launches
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| July 11th, 2006 |
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Congressman Jeff Miller of Florida
North Korean Missile Launch
Tuesday July 11, 2006
Mr. Speaker,
On America’s birthday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il thought it wise to fire 6 ballistic missiles. The international community condemned these launches and Kim Jong Il responded by firing an additional missile on the 5th of July.
Having been to North Korea in 2003, I can tell you that their government does nothing for its people and uses blackmail as its primary foreign policy tool. Kim Jong Il and some of our opponents on the other side of the aisle believe that if North Korea fires missiles it should be rewarded with direct talks and various forms of assistance.
I do not believe in blackmail or rewarding bad behavior. As President Bush recently said about Kim Jong Il: “He can verifiably get rid of his weapons programs and stop testing rockets, and there’s a way forward to help his people. The choice is his to make.”
Our military and intelligence professionals, along with our allies in the region, will continue to keep a close watch on North Korea and I have confidence in their abilities. Let us not forget the nearly 37,000 U.S. Service Members and their families currently stationed in South Korea. I thank them for what they do and wish them continued safety in such close proximity to a despotic and unstable self-appointed leader.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
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11th - current Floor Speeches
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