House Missile Defense Caucus Remarks on North Korean Missile Launch
Monday, 06 April 2009 08:49
WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Representative John Campbell (CA-48) today released the following statement in conjunction with Members of the House Missile Defense Caucus regarding North Korea’s launch of a long-range ballistic missile:
“North Korea’s recent launch is indicative of its habitual saber–rattling, designed at promoting instability in the region and among the major powers of the world. But this launch should not go unnoticed and should serve as a wake-up call for the Obama administration. Missile defense must be made a priority and accordingly the administration needs to take the necessary steps to ensure America’s national defense initiatives aligns with its priorities. America has the technology to make missile defense operationally viable and we need to continue to allocate resources to bring a robust, layered, and reliable defense network to bear against this emerging threat.” -- Rep. John Campbell (CA-48)
Chairman of the House Missile Defense Caucus Trent Franks (AZ-02) issued the following statement:
"North Korea's launch of a long-range ballistic missile should be a clarion wake-up call to the whole world that this is not the time to diminish our missile defense budget as proposed by the Obama Administration. Rather, it is a moment to strengthen our resolve and our military capability to defend ourselves and our allies, and to work to prevent North Korea's dangerous missile and nuclear proliferation from arming our enemies across the world. Reports that Iranian missile experts were present for the launch compounds the threat. As dangerous as North Korea's missile capability is becoming, it should be noted that Iran's missile technology is far advanced than that of North Korea; and if Iran should also gain the nuclear capability now possessed by North Korea, the entire paradigm of world peace would be jeopardized. The Obama administration must take action to enforce concrete economic sanctions to further isolate North Korea, and should be neither seduced by pressure from Russia, nor intimidated by China's economic influence. This is a time for us to be strong and committed for the sake of this and future generations." -- Rep. Trent Franks (AZ-02)
The Missile Defense Caucus stresses the urgency of building and modernizing a robust missile defense and to address the threats posed by terrorists and rogue nations developing greater ballistic missile capabilities.
