Political Quotes

“Suppose it is 3 or 4 years from now and the North Koreans have a missile which has enough range now to finally hit the continental United States or even, Mr. President, Alaska or Hawaii-- maybe even just Japan, although presumably they are already there. North Korea clearly could get into Japan at this point. But suppose they had a missile that could get to Hawaii or Alaska, and they decide that they have had it with Taiwan, that they have threatened Taiwan long enough and it is time for them to incorporate Taiwan into China, not only in a rhetorical and political sense, but in an actual and military sense; therefore, they are going to threaten Taiwan with obliteration if it does not agree to become an effective part of the Chinese Government--they call themselves a state now, but they are not subject to the government in Beijing--suppose that China begins rattling its sword and says, ``We are now going to do this,'' and Taiwan has to go along. And the United States says, ``No. We have a treaty obligation, or we have obligations, in any event, if not rising to the level of a treaty, which have commitments to Taiwan to protect them in the event you attack.'' And the North Koreans say, or the Chinese, either one, says, ``Well, we have weapons that we know can reach Alaska and Hawaii, and you know that, too.…”