U.S. Military Finds Small Ally to Watch North Korea's Kim Jong Un With Big Radars
Tom O’Connor, Newsweek 4 hours ago (Posted here 8:20 P.M., 24 August 2017)
"The U.S. has found a new ally in its quest to undermine North Korea's Kim Jong Un, whose nuclear and ballistic weapons arsenal has increasingly frustrated Washington.
The tiny Pacific archipelago nation of Palau and the U.S. Embassy in Koror released a statement Monday announcing the two were preparing to install U.S. radar towers that will give the Pentagon a more expansive look across the Asia-Pacific. While the statement said the plan was devised prior to North Korea's recent threats against the nearby U.S. island territory of Guam, the proposal reportedly came days after North Korea tested its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and days prior to its second test.
"The radar systems will provide Palau enhanced maritime law enforcement capability in its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, while also providing the United States with greater air domain awareness for aviation safety and security," according to the statement shared by the Office of the President of the Palau Republic's. (A tad bit over 800 miles South West from Guam).
"This project is essential to the well-being of the Republic of Palau’s air and maritime domains, as well as to the ability of the United States to maintain its defense of the Republic of Palau," it added.
Unlike Guam, Palau is a sovereign country (Population: 22,000). It has maintained no military of its own since gaining independence from the U.S. in 1994 and relies on the U.S. for defense. A number of U.S. allies in the region have grown concerned over the intensity of the war of words between President Donald Trump and nuclear North Korea, which earlier this month threatened Guam in a detailed attack plan that was disclosed shortly after Trump said he would unleash on North Korea "fire and fury like the world has never seen."
Palauan President Tommy Remengesau Jr.'s statement said his government received the U.S. proposal to install the Air and Maritime Domain Awareness Radar Systems on July 18. Officials from both countries reportedly met on August 16 so Palau could "relay all issues and concerns expressed" by stakeholders, which reportedly include the country's parliament, executive branch, state governors and speakers, traditional leaders and landowners, among others.
The next day, representatives of both sides met again to discuss matters in more depth and, since then, "have narrowed down the scope of the necessary remaining details, which, due to their sensitive nature cannot be disclosed at this time," according to the statement.
Over the years, control of Palau has been passed among a number of colonizers, including the Philippines, Spain, Germany, Japan and, finally, the U.S., which seized the island from the Japanese Empire in 1944 as the two forces clashed amid World War II.
The U.S.'s expulsion of Japanese imperial forces from the Korean Peninsula set the stage for the current crisis in the region. After a three-year bloody war between the communist North, backed by China and the Soviet Union, and the right-wing South, backed by the U.S. and other U.N. forces, the two sides signed an armistice in 1953, but they have technically remained at war ever since".
Seems we have been without an "Animal Warden" for sometime? Was said "we had talked about that before", but my notes did not reflect that? But I have said before that some meetings appear to be ended, but the City Staff does not leave? Maybe that came up in one of the "Dark Meetings"? What was interesting is that the City supposedly has about 10- 12 calls a month on animal issues. With the local Humane Society stilled closed due to Canine Distemper issues, there is no place to house an animal if it needed to be contained.
Has a large white dog pop up behind my back fence Friday morning that I had never seen before. Luckily, I had just brought mine in but could explain some of there barking earlier? Have been watching to see if it belongs to the neighbor up the street, as they are the type who just turn their dogs loose to do their business.
Was one huge kumbaya meeting Thursday night as part of the show and tell on Johns Manville. All the old steel is supposedly sold off? Still think Mr. Rapp desperate to get money coming in from anything at the site?
One has to listen very carefully to what Mr. Rapp, Mr. Skogstad and now Mr. Leach say. A tiny bit of what is said will be true, that is a forever and forever. But than comes what could be the deceptions, deceit, misinformation, misdirection and if a chance presents the lie(s)?
Mr. Rapp made a big todo over the air quality and no environmental/ contamination at the site. Possibly true but when shown with all the pictures of the lower park area gives one the idea the whole site is without environmental/ contamination issues. That is what I addressed above and need be watched. The lower acreage is contaminated and for sure has environmental issues that need addressing. Mr. Leach in what appeared to be what I call the dark meeting after the open meeting noted that the lower site would "have some restrictions". Now that is Lawyer talk for a need to do remediation. What should have been done before Mr. Rapp pumped your 700 kids down there to practice/ play soccer in past years. The use of the property IF and WHEN contamination (which Mr. Rapp denied last year among other lies he was so adept at putting out), is handled properly. It should not be much of a surprise on why Mr. Leach is seated at the far left on the City Council?
Will not be any changes in local Police Pension Fund. It is so fat with earnings that it is now about 80% fully funded. Still needs another $2.3 million or so to be fully flush. Better hope that the various Markets continue to excel?
It is being said that Hurricane Harvey may be like Katrina? If so, God help those folks, even those who are refusing to evacuate. 'nuff said'.