Bush Presses UN To Act On North Korea

(CBS/AP)  President Bush urged the U.N. Security Council to pass a resolution Saturday that would clamp nonmilitary sanctions on North Korea for the nuclear test it claims to have conducted earlier this week.

"By passing such a resolution, we will send a clear message to the North Korean regime that its actions will not be tolerated," Mr. Bush said Saturday in his weekly radio address.

Uncertainty remains about whether North Korea actually detonated a nuclear device. So far, no trace of radioactive material has been found in air samplings conducted by the United States, China and Japan.

Either way, Mr. Bush called the underground explosion a threat to international peace and stability. He is dispatching Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to China, South Korea and Japan next week to assess the security situation in the region.

"With its actions this week, the North Korean regime has once again broken its word, provoked an international crisis and denied its people the opportunity for a better life," Mr. Bush said. "We are working for a resolution to this crisis."

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Listen: The President's Weekly Radio Address

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Listen: Congressional candidate Patrick Murphy Gives The Democrat's Weekly Radio Address

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Critics of Mr. Bush's foreign policy say the apparent nuclear test is evidence that the administration's approach to North Korea has failed. Democrats say that since Mr. Bush became president, both North Korea and Iran have bolstered their nuclear weapons capabilities.

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[long_rider]

The chimp was rattling his saber at North Korea not to long ago; maybe he realizes that Americans would not support another war.

As for generals holding political office, I think it is a good idea, especially Sec. of Defense. Leaders who put troops in harms way have to be compassionate, and inspire the troops with plans of action that provide direction, goals, and hope.

This administration lacks all of the necessary leadership qualities, and has demonstrated that political considerations are more important than the spilling of American blood. Case in point, Donnie rumsfeld! This man has not, and cannot, provide experience, leadership, or direction to the troops he is responsible for. But, the chimp %u201Cstill has confidence in him%u201D. The chimp will not take any action that has the potential to disrupt the Republican Party power structure, troops be damned. Donnie should have been fired long ago.

I do not believe that a general would leave Donnie in office, because of his natural compassion for his men, besides a general would not get himself in this position to begin with. No general, worth his salt, would lie to get into a war in the first place.

If the Democratic party gains power in both House and Senate %u2013 the real war will begin.

[pakaal]

bluestardad, nothing - absolutely nothing - is less correct than the statement that if a person hasn't served in the military, their credibility is suspect. The idea that some Americans are better than others because of what they do for a living is reprehensible, and goes against everything America stands for. I have nothing but respect for my father, grandfather, one brother and three uncles who have served in wars from WWI through to Desert storm, two of whom didn't return. I myself applied and was turned away. But I am appalled to hear that you consider anyone who hasn't served (BTW that includes our current VP, most if all of the cabinet, and most of our Republican dominated Congress) to be less credible than those who did serve. If you prefer a military-led country, you can always move to Thailand, Pakistan, Burma, Somalia or any number of other countries now under military rule.

[pakaal]

Great to see Bush doing something to make America safer - but if this is really about making us safer, I'd love to know why the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Peter Hoekstra (R-MI), has been meeting with representatives for Iranian arms dealer and Iran-Contra scandal figure Fereidoun Mahdavi.

Remember, these guys helped sell the US lies about Iraq having enriched uranium - why are our congressional leaders meeting with people the CIA has already told us are liars?

And I really can't resist this - why hasn't CBS picked this one up? Another example of the Conservative media silencing stories that focus on Republicans? ;-)

[rbird8728]

I agree with the previous writer. We need some generals running this war and the so-called Secretary of Defense should take an early retirement. By the way, where did he get the expertise to run a war ...or anything else! Deliver us from the hands of the politicans.

[drgoodwin12]

To bluestardad I agree 100%.I served my time during Vietnam.Unfortunately we do not have any ex generals running for office.The multiple crisis we face N.Korea,Iran,Iraq,Afghanistan and terrorist require a former general to lead this nation.So how about Colin Powell and Wesley Clark as a team in 08?

[bluestardad]

If you have never registered for the draft nor served in the military your credibility is suspect. Those who support this administration and its war policies the loudest have done neither. For those of us that have served, lost family members making our country great, and who%u2019s children have served in these bungled military campaigns deserve more than party line spin from people who don%u2019t even have the courage to step up to the plate when their country calls.