Xi urges Trump to avoid exacerbating N. Korea tensions
BEIJING, Aug 12 (AFP) - Chinese leader Xi Jinping urged US President Donald Trump on Saturday to avoid rhetoric that could inflame tensions with North Korea as an escalating war of words raised global alarm. Xi made the plea in a phone call hours after Trump ramped up his warnings to Pyongyang, saying the regime would “truly regret” taking hostile action against the US.
The White House said in a statement that the two leaders “agreed North Korea must stop provocative and escalatory behaviour” and that they are both committed to the denuclearisation of the peninsula. But the Chinese foreign ministry said Xi urged Trump to avoid “words and deeds” that would “exacerbate” the
WASHINGTON, Aug 12 (AFP) - President Donald Trump on Saturday reassured Guam it was secure amid mounting regional tensions, vowing that American military forces “stand ready” to safeguard the US Pacific island territory against a belligerent North Korea. The North has threatened to fire ballistic missiles over Japan toward the tourism-dependent idyllic island, as Pyongyang and Washington ratchet up their war of words. already-tense situation, exercise restraint and seek a political settlement. Trump has been engaged all week in verbal sparring with the North over its weapons and missile programmes, as US media reported Pyongyang has successfully miniaturised a nuclear warhead. The Republican billionaire has progressively ramped up the tone throughout the week and on Friday declared that the US military is “locked and loaded.” In a call with Guam Governor Eddie Calvo on Friday, Trump said the US military is prepared to “ensure the safety and security of the people of Guam” in response to Pyongyang's plans to launch missiles towards the Pacific territory.
Japanese media said Tokyo was
With Guam's safety in the balance, Trump assured the territory's Governor Eddie Calvo: “We are with you 1000 percent, you are safe.” If North Korea does launch a missile strike, there is a public warning system in place and a 14-minute window to react, Guam Homeland Security said. On Friday, it posted guidelines on its website about measures to take in the event of a nuclear attack. “Expect to stay inside for at least 24 hours unless otherwise told by authorities,” the advisory warned. If caught outside, do not look at the flash or fireball -- It can blind you. Take cover behind anything that might offer protection. Lie flat on the ground and cover your head.” It also offered advice on removing radioactive fallout, telling residents to “take a shower with lots of soap and water,” use shampoo but avoid conditioner “because it will bind radioactive material to your hair.” deploying its Patriot missile defence system following Pyongyang's threat to fire ballistic missiles over the country towards Guam. In another move that could further fan the flames, satellite photos posted by defence expert Joseph Bermudez suggested that North Korea could be preparing for fresh submarine-based ballistic missile tests.
Trump had earlier brandished a threat of unleashing “fire and fury” on Pyongyang, then noted Thursday maybe that statement “wasn't tough enough.” China, North Korea's biggest ally and trade partner, has been voicing concern at the mounting exchanges and a state-run newspaper suggested that Beijing should stay neutral if Pyongyang struck the US first. Previously accused by Trump of not doing enough to rein in the authoritarian regime, China voted in favour of a series of wide-sweeping UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea last weekend. According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Trump told Xi over the phone that he “fully understands China's role in the nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula.”
The North's KCNA news service in an editorial blamed Trump for “driving the situation on the Korean peninsula to the brink of a nuclear war,” calling the US “the heinous nuclear war fanatic.” The sabre- rattling has sparked worldwide concerns that a miscalculation by either side could trigger a catastrophic conflict on the Korean Peninsula.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow was “very alarmed” at Trump's tough talk, and said Washington should take the first step toward cooling tensions. The UN Security Council unanimously passed fresh sanctions against Pyongyang over its weapons programme, including export bans, a new punishment that could cost North Korea $1bn a year.
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis appeared intent on easing the tension, describing the prospect of war as “catastrophic” and saying diplomacy remained the priority.
North Korea raised hackles in the US when it announced a detailed plan to send four missiles over Japan and towards Guam, an island territory of some 165,000 people, where some 6,000 US soldiers are based.