US aircraft carrier in S.Korea amid missile crisis http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-07-18T101235Z_01_SEO308483_RTRUKOC_0_US-KOREA-NORTH-CARRIER.xml
Mon Jul 17, 2006
PUSAN, South Korea (Reuters) - A U.S. aircraft carrier group arrived in South Korea on Tuesday amid heightened regional tension brought about by North Korea's test-launch of missiles two weeks ago.
The group led by the nuclear-powered carrier USS Enterprise, and including a guided missile cruiser, attack submarine and other ships, arrived for a previously planned port call at the southeastern city of Pusan, the U.S. Navy said in a statement.
"The Norfolk, Virginia-based carrier's deployment to the Western Pacific was planned months in advance and is not in response to any current or recent events," the statement said.
U.S. military officials would not say how long the naval strike group would be in Pusan, but local media said it would stay for four days. North Korea defied international warnings and test-fired seven missiles on July 5, including the long-range Taepodong-2 which some experts say could possibly hit parts of the United States.
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