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| US 'prepared' for N Korea missile | US 'prepared' for N Korea missile |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The US is "in a good position" to protect its territory from a potential North Korean missile strike, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said. | The US is "in a good position" to protect its territory from a potential North Korean missile strike, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said. |
| His comments came in response to a report that North Korea was considering launching a missile towards Hawaii. | His comments came in response to a report that North Korea was considering launching a missile towards Hawaii. |
| "We do have some concerns if they were to launch a missile to the west in the direction of Hawaii," Mr Gates said. | "We do have some concerns if they were to launch a missile to the west in the direction of Hawaii," Mr Gates said. |
| The US has approved the deployment of missiles and radar to "provide support" in the event of an attack, he added. | The US has approved the deployment of missiles and radar to "provide support" in the event of an attack, he added. |
| Bank warning | |
| North Korea's nuclear ambitions have long been the focus of international concern. | North Korea's nuclear ambitions have long been the focus of international concern. |
| After a period in which the country appeared to be willing to suspend its programme, North Korea has recently begun to increase its sabre-rattling, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington. | |
| On 25 May, North Korea conducted an underground nuclear test and has subsequently test-fired a number of short-range missiles. | |
| Our correspondent says the Pentagon is also tracking the movement of a North Korean ship to ensure that it does not break UN sanctions. | |
| And he says that in a separate move, the Obama administration has issued a warning to all US banks that North Korea may try to avoid financial sanctions by engaging in deceptive practices. | |
| The UN Security Council passed tough new sanctions in response to North Korea's nuclear tests, and Russian and China - the country's traditional allies - on Thursday called for North Korea to return to the negotiating table. |