At UN, Don threatens to ‘destroy North Korea’

United Nations, Sept. 19: In his maiden UN speech on Tuesday, President Donald Trump threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea if it targets the US or its allies, adding “Rocket Man” Kim Jong-un is on a “suicide mission”.

In his thunderous 41minute address, Mr Trump said that “the United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally

If (the US) is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea

— Donald Trump, US Prez

destroy North Korea”. But hopefully this will not be necessary,” he added.

Mr Trump’s remarks rattled the leaders gathered at the UN General Assembly hall, where minutes earlier UN secretary general Antonio Guterres had appealed for statesmanship. Mr Trump boasted of America’s military strength, signalled he was ready to rip up a nuclear accord with the “murderous regime” in Tehran, and berated US foes in Pyongyang, Venezuela, Syria and Cuba.

Who doesn’t love a parade? To a city that already offers many, President Donald Trump wants to add one that showcases US military might. It would take place on July 4 in Washington with, as Mr Trump envisions it, tanks and planes rolling down and streaking above Pennsylvania Avenue.

Mr Trump talked up the idea on Monday as he sat down with French President Emmanuel Macron, who hosted the President and First Lady Melania Trump for France’s military parade in the centre of Paris on Bastille Day in July.

Mr Trump said the twohour procession was a “tremendous thing for France and for the spirit of France” and suggested he wants the same for Americans.

In typical Trump fashion, the President said he wants the parade to be bigger and better than the one he saw in France. “It was one of the greatest parades I have ever seen,” Mr Trump said. “It was two hours on the button, and was military might, and I think a tremendous thing for France and the spirit of France.”

“And to a large extent, because of what I witnessed, we may do something like that on July 4th in Washington, down Pennsylvania Avenue,” Mr Trump said. “We’re going to have to try and top it.” He noted that France’s parade featured representatives from different wars and armed forces wearing different uniforms. “It was really so well done,” he said.

“So, we’re actually thinking about 4th of July, Pennsylvania Avenue, having a really great parade to show our military strength,” Mr Trump added.