Palin to Obama: Stand Up to North Korea

Governor Sarah Palin called on Obama to protect our country from North Korea's nuclear threat. Obama has proven to be weak on defense, to the potential jeopardy of our country. With its greater proximity to North Korea than the Lower 48, Alaska is not only the most at risk of all the states but the most strategically placed for missle interception. Below is the Governor's press release.

Governor Urges President to Stand FirmAgainst North Korea Rogue Nation’s Capability

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 09-136 Governor Urges President to Stand Firm Against North Korea Rogue nation’s capability to attack Alaska and Hawaii cannot be ignored

May 29, 2009, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin called on President Barack Obama to take a firm stand against North Korea and defend the states and territories of the United States of America and American allies on the Korean peninsula.

This morning, North Korea launched its sixth short-range missile since Monday’s nuclear test. North Korea has also stated that it is no longer bound by the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War. Further, President Obama has proposed a $1.4 billion reduction of the Missile Defense Agency’s budget.

“The United Nations sanctions have failed to stop North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons, and the Obama Administration cannot afford to be playing catch-up to an irrational dictator like Kim Jong-Il,” said Governor Palin. “Missile Defense Agency funding must be fully restored in the federal budget to guarantee our protective measures remain the best in the world. Fort Greely plays a crucial role in the nation’s security.”

Alaska is home to the largest ground-based mid-course defense missile shield in North America. Because of its geographical position and proximity to potential targets, Alaska plays a critical role in national security and in the defense of American allies.

Ground missile defense is the cornerstone of the Missile Defense Agency’s multi-layered architecture. It is designed to detect, track, discriminate, intercept and destroy long- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during the mid-course phase of flight. The weapons system consists of land-, sea- and space-based sensors, command and control operations, and silo-based interceptors that are located at Vandenberg AFB, California and Fort Greely.

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1871#tcot