[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONDEMNING LAST WEEK'S LAUNCH OF A MULTISTAGE ROCKET BY THE NORTH 
                            KOREAN MILITARY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2012

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn last week's 
launch of a multistage rocket by the North Korean military. 
Fortunately, the launch failed and the missile disintegrated within a 
couple of minutes.
  However, that does not mean a future experiment like this by the 
North Korean government could not succeed, given that the rocket--which 
was ostensibly carrying a ``weather satellite''--could just as easily 
deliver nuclear or chemical weapons over a long distance, threatening 
the peace and security of Northeast Asia and the Western Pacific.
  The words of the Security Council's statement in response to the 
launch deserve repetition, and I request that the full text--which was 
read out by the United States Permanent Representative to the United 
Nations, Ambassador Susan Rice--be inserted into the Congressional 
Record:
  ``The Security Council strongly condemns the 13 April 2012 (local 
time) launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK.
  ``The Security Council underscores that this satellite launch, as 
well as any launch that uses ballistic missile technology, even if 
characterized as a satellite launch or space launch vehicle, is a 
serious violation of Security Council resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 
(2009).
  ``The Security Council deplores that such a launch has caused grave 
security concerns in the region.
  ``The Security Council demands that the DPRK not proceed with any 
further launches using ballistic missile technology and comply with 
resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009) by suspending all activities 
related to its ballistic missile programme and in this context re-
establish its pre-existing commitments to a moratorium on missile 
launches.
  ``The Security Council agrees to adjust the measures imposed by 
paragraph 8 of resolution 1718 (2006), as modified by resolution 1874 
(2009). The Security Council directs the Committee established pursuant 
to resolution 1718 (2006) to undertake the following tasks and to 
report to the Security Council within 15 days:
  (a) Designate additional entities and items;
  (b) Update the information contained on the Committee's list of 
individuals, entities, and items, S/2009/205 and INFCIRC/254/Rev.9/
Part.1, and update on an annual basis thereafter;
  (c) Update the Committee's annual work plan.
  ``The Security Council further agrees that, if the Committee has not 
acted pursuant to the paragraph above within 15 days, then the Security 
Council will complete action to adjust these measures within an 
additional five days.
  ``The Security Council demands that the DPRK immediately comply fully 
with its obligations under Security Council resolutions 1718 (2006) and 
1874 (2009), including that it: abandon all nuclear weapons and 
existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible 
manner; immediately cease all related activities; and not conduct any 
further launches that use ballistic missile technology, nuclear tests 
or any further provocation.
  ``The Security Council calls upon all Member States to implement 
fully their obligations pursuant to resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 
(2009).
  ``The Security Council expresses its determination to take action 
accordingly in the event of a further DPRK launch or nuclear test.''
  In contrast to the behavior of the North Korean regime, the strong 
alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea has been a 
pivotal relationship in world affairs since we fought side by side in 
the Korean War six decades ago. Out of that conflict was born one of 
the most significant dividing lines of the Cold War, a demilitarized 
zone that splits the Korean Peninsula and marks the divide between 
communist and democratic Asia. The partnership between the U.S. and the 
Republic of Korea has held this line for more than six decades.
  So, in light of North Korea's provocative actions, it is particularly 
important that we acknowledge our deep and abiding friendship with 
South Korea. As a key member of the Six-Party Talks to denuclearize 
North Korea, the Republic of Korea shares an important responsibility 
for broader security in Northeast Asia.
  We share this responsibility, and this is why I urge my colleagues to 
join me in condemning the North Korean missile launch and in compelling 
the North Korea regime to eliminate its nuclear program.

                          ____________________