Mattis calls N. Korea’s failed missile launch ‘reckless’ provocation
Defense chief says U.S., China working to contain threat
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Tuesday that North Korea “recklessly” tried to provoke a response with its latest missile launch.
Mattis, who landed Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, said the missile that blew up shortly after launch Saturday was not an intercontinental ballistic type capable of reaching the United States.
U.S. officials fear that North Korea is on a path to developing such a missile with a nuclear warhead. Vice President Pence went to Seoul and said Monday that the U.S. commitment to South Korea remains firm.
Mattis said the nature of the North Korean threat shows why the United States and China are working closely to “get this under control.”
Meanwhile, the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria have had contacts with Russian military officials to avoid midair accidents, the Defense secretary said.
Concern about collisions rose after the U.S. Navy attacked the Syrian airfield this month after a chemical weapon attack on Syrian civilians. The Tomahawk cruise missile strike destroyed planes and buildings at the facility but not the runways.
Russia backs Bashar Assad’s Syrian regime. And Pentagon offi-
The nature of the North Korean threat shows why the United States and China are joining forces to “get this under control.” Defense Secretary Jim Mattis
cials have said that at minimum the Russians failed to control their ally, whose suspected attack with sarin nerve agent killed more than 80 people.
The Russian talks are limited to preventing accidents, Mattis said, and there is no coordination with the Russians in the fight against the Islamic State, or ISIS.
Mattis is meeting with Saudi leaders to hear their concerns about security. He also plans visits with defense officials throughout the Middle East.