NationStates Jolt Archive

Senator demands North Koreans return US warship USS Pueblo, offers flag in exchange
Thursday, April 19, 2007

WASHINGTON - A senator sees it as a fair trade: a Korean battle flag captured in the 19th century for the USS Pueblo, taken in 1968.
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The Pueblo is the only active-duty U.S. warship in the hands of a foreign power. It was taken Jan. 23, 1968, after being sent defenseless on an intelligence-gathering mission off the North Korean coast.
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The Pueblo "belongs to the United States Navy and we should pursue all possible options to return her to a rightful resting place," Allard said.
Navy records show the Pueblo was in international waters when it was captured, though the North Koreans insist it was inside the Korean coastal zone. One person was killed in an explosion during the attack, and 10 of the 82 surviving crewmen were wounded. All 82 were held 11 months before being sent to South Korea on Christmas Eve.

11 months..
I guess Iran is a better place to be captured..

flag, ship, flag, ship no we keep the ship

Just about anything's better then captivity in Kimtopia.

11 months..
I guess Iran is a better place to be captured..Unless you're captured at an embassy....;)

A couple .50 cals classifies you as a warship? :confused:Ma deuce doesn't ride on pleasure boats.;)

A couple .50 cals classifies you as a warship? :confused:

Why do we want to get a ship that was captured in 1968 returned?

This is just a stunt.

Just about anything's better then captivity in Kimtopia.
Actually, wasn't there one US POW who liked it so much that he only came back a few years ago?

Hmm...

...vote that Senator off real quick, is my suggestion.

It seems that if he had to choose between something of use (a ship) and something emotional (a flag) he would choose the flag.

After all, he wouldn't expect the North Koreans to accept the deal if he didn't think that way himself :p or it's unlikely.

Point is, if the tables were turned, he'd make the wrong decision.

I'd try to educate myself about the USS Pueblo, honestly. What happened there was a travesty; the US government and the US Navy pretty much left a lightly armed recon ship in international waters without any backup whatsoever and didn't bother to try to stop the North Koreans from forcing them into Korean waters and capturing them.

In some symbolic way, I suppose, this senator is trying to right that abandonment; hell, the UK did loads more just recently to secure the return of some of their sailors accused of being in Iranian waters.

As for thinking the Senator is a fool for offering an exchange of a flag for the ship -- come now. They've had the ship nearly 40 years. You don't think the ship itself is worthwhile only as a symbol with technology they've no doubt thoroughly examined/cannibalized and that out of date?!

Actually, wasn't there one US POW who liked it so much that he only came back a few years ago?

No, that guy had defected into North Korea. There's still one American defector living there. The British have made a film about him (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/19/movies/19cros.html?ex=1318914000&en=8484c36224b54ee9&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss).

As for thinking the Senator is a fool for offering an exchange of a flag for the ship -- come now. They've had the ship nearly 40 years. You don't think the ship itself is worthwhile only as a symbol with technology they've no doubt thoroughly examined/cannibalized and that out of date?!

Oh no, he's very smart for doing that, but even if I had the choice between a ship and a flag, I would choose the ship, because as scrap metal, it's worth more than the flag.

And the problem is that I see no evidence that he wouldn't accept a reverse deal where North Korea has the flag and the US has the ship.

Why do we want to get a ship that was captured in 1968 returned?

Pride.

And also media atention.

Maybe also a way to boost relations with N. Korea.

I'd try to educate myself about the USS Pueblo, honestly. What happened there was a travesty; the US government and the US Navy pretty much left a lightly armed recon ship in international waters without any backup whatsoever and didn't bother to try to stop the North Koreans from forcing them into Korean waters and capturing them.

In some symbolic way, I suppose, this senator is trying to right that abandonment; hell, the UK did loads more just recently to secure the return of some of their sailors accused of being in Iranian waters.

As for thinking the Senator is a fool for offering an exchange of a flag for the ship -- come now. They've had the ship nearly 40 years. You don't think the ship itself is worthwhile only as a symbol with technology they've no doubt thoroughly examined/cannibalized and that out of date?!

oh they use the ship as a museum.

when the US delegation (headed by bill richardson) went there 2 weeks ago to retrieve some remains of US servicemen killed in the korean war, they were "treated" to a tour of the ship.

they aint giving it back.

11 months..
I guess Iran is a better place to be captured..

Iran held Americans 444 days. Then Ronnie Reagan and Ollie North thought it was a "neat idea" to sell them arms. They both became heroes to the right for committing treason by selling arms to the enemy. Ollie makes millions by giving speeches as a national hero.