Homes damaged as part of Meethotamulla garbage dump collapses

 


April 14, 2017

A section of the Meethotamulla garbage dump has reportedly collapsed, completely destroying several nearby houses and damaging others in the vicinity.

   At least 6 persons were reportedly admitted to the National Hospital following the incident which had occurred at around 3.00pm today (14). 

President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed the tri-forces and the Disaster Management Minister to take all possible action to help the people affected by the incident. 

 The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) says that a Bell 212 helicopter with Bambi bucket has been deployed to assist in fighting the fire which has broken out at the Meethotamulla garbage dump.  

  Meanwhile the Government requests the public not to visit the Meethotamulla garbage dump area as such visits are a disturbance to the ongoing eleif efforts. 

 The Ministry of Power and Energy says that the electricity supply to the area affected by the collapsed garbage has been disconnected and that the people in the area will be provided electricity via generators. 

Should Visual Media Turning Negative Be Checked ?

N.S Venkataraman-April 13, 2016

Most of the television media in India are owned by political parties or politically affiliated groups or business men. This is so in the case of English TV media as well as regional media in various languages.

In the choice of the news and visual scenes that are telecast, the priority is for violence , rape and molestation, murder , corruption, dacoity and the abusive statements of politicians and religious and social extremists. Apart from these groups, the cinema actors also get high priority and they are often asked to give their views on various subjects even relating to complicated social themes and matters relating to science and technology ,though most of the actors have no worthwhile qualification in such fields .

The main focus of Indian TV media is to enlarge their viewership at any cost and the promoters of TV media seem to think that they can do so only by highlighting negative matters. Obviously, they lack better and progressive ideas.

In a country of around 1300 million people, if a child abuse activity takes place in a remote corner , TV media rushes to telecast as if it is a matter of national priority and telecast it as priority news ( breaking news) and main theme , inviting detailed discussions. It is not the case that media should refrain from publicizing such news but it has to be done as a passing news , condemning it openly and not projecting it as an event that has become order of the day. In the process , by making it look like frequent occurrence and by giving high and disproportional publicity ,media gives negative ideas to vulnerable youth in the formative age group.

Since the ownership of the TV media are not in the hands of people with scholarly attributes , the media end up serving the interests of political parties or business groups or so called activists , who may even be the owners of the media. Paid telecasting is often suspected.

Most of the discussions and debates have become noisy with everyone shouting at each other and the anchor trying to out shout all the participants. Most of the anchors lack adequate knowledge of various subjects that they take up for discussion ,leaving the discussions poorly organized and not serving the purpose of knowledge dissemination.

It has become almost impossible now for the ideas and thoughts of well educated people with experience , vision and understanding in various disciplines to get their views telecast and publicized, as the media do not seem to be interested in them.

The negative trend of the visual media is directly encouraging mob fury , as the agitators know that if they would indulge in violence or obscene acts , visual media would immediately provide priority and focus on them. This perhaps, explains as to why the agitating Tamil Nadu farmers are indulging themselves in unusual and ugly acts including undressing themselves in public in New Delhi to get media attention.

The visual media often highlights some agitation by 50 or 100 people as if it is a nation wide agitation and in the process encourage others to involve themselves in such activities. This is how several agitations spread with great vigour.

As the negative role of the visual media is affecting the fibre and fabric of India and is spreading unrest, the government has to seriously examine the need to put visual media under scanner and monitor it’s activities.

While the media has the liberty , it should know that liberty cannot remain unconditional and give way for abuse of freedom, spreading false information and exaggerating the events, thus affecting the social and economic stability of the country.

N.S.Venkataraman

Nandini Voice For The Deprived

nandinivoice.com

‘Chemical Attack’ in Syria and America’s Continued Military Campaign

War and hunger due to poverty are two scourges that haunts the present world otherwise boasted about globalization, neo-liberalism and innovative technology. One advantage of technology however is the difficulty of the powers that be to hide the facts for too long although information is still distorted or presented in biased manner.

by Laksiri Fernando-Apr 14, 2017

( April 14, 2017, Sydney, Sri Lanka Guardian) The images emerged from Khan Sheikhoun in Syria and some unconfirmed reports indicate to possible chemical weapon use or sarin gas disposal in the alleged attacks on 4 April in the rebel held area in Idlib, North Western Syria. The images were most gruesome, babies and young children dying suffocated and in immense pain and suffering. The death toll is counted as 80 altogether. This was among hundreds and thousands of people who have died in this gruesome war in the Middle East. The images were similar to what have been emerging from the drought stricken Somalia and elsewhere in Africa where children were dying of hunger and sickness. There were no obviously direct ‘attacks or responsibilities’ other than the drought. The death toll however was counted in hundreds or even thousands throughout years without any national or international solution.

War and hunger due to poverty are two scourges that haunts the present world otherwise boasted about globalization, neo-liberalism and innovative technology. One advantage of technology however is the difficulty of the powers that be to hide the facts for too long although information is still distorted or presented in biased manner.

Suspects and Accusations

Bashar al-Assad and his brutal regime in Syria are the natural suspects for the recent chemical attack. Admittedly the regime indulged in such attacks in 2013 and even after agreeing for independent international monitoring and investigation, there are three reported cases of some chemical use in the ongoing civil war. Therefore, the Syrian regime can be the first suspect.

However, the opposition groups are not innocent spectators. The former Australian PM, Tony Abbot, once characterized the civil war as a ‘war between baddies and baddies.’ Apart from Russia supporting the Assad regime, quite openly, there are several opposition groups directly and indirectly supported by America and several Western countries or their affiliates. They only have an agreement (yet unclear) to fight against the ISIS. The Army of Conquest that controls the Idlib area is supported by Saudi Arabia. There is no secret about it. Like the Assad regime, Saudi Arabia is also playing a brutal role in the Syrian civil war.

In the above context, the American President, Donald Trump’s reaction to the Shekhoun chemical attack cannot be considered completely humanitarian or guided by his conscience alone. Even if he had firm information that the attack was conducted by Assad’s orders, which is overwhelmingly doubtful, he should not have ordered immediate missile strikes, without going before the UN Security Council first, which could have been called within hours. His excuse can be similar to America launching the Iraq war on the claim that Saddam Hussein was holding weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

What is the point in having the Security Council, if a super power, however powerful it is, could take unilateral decisions on matters that do not directly affect its own security?

If Assad has attacked America, it is completely a different story. The timing of his missile strike is also politically significant. It was during the ever important visit of the Chinese President, Xi Jinping to America and having dinner with the President himself. It was a symbol of coercion. Although it was reported that the President Jinping expressed that he understands the situation, that is a Chinese or an Asian way of biting the bullet.

Now America has dropped a GBU-43 bomb in Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border in the Nangarhar province, quite unrelated to any of the incidents and only to show its military might. This is considered ‘the mother of all bombs’ only second to a nuclear bomb. Still the civilian casualties are not known. It is speculated that symbolic message this time is against North Korea or even China.

President Bashar al-Assad has personally denied any chemical weapon use in Sheikhoun at a AFP interview, claiming it could be a 100 percent fabrication. His view cannot easily be ignored, although he can be the first accused. When the Western powers (America, UK, France) moved a resolution in the Security Council on the issue, even after a missile punishment, purpose was to denounce the alleged chemical use and not to independently investigate the alleged incident. This is the kind of international justice that is emerging in the new Trump era. It is now revealed that Trump’s missile attack has accidently killed 18 rebels!

Policy Summersaults    

In the whole drama, the most intriguing is President Trump’s policy summersaults. It is still continuing. Given his stout character and his past, it is difficult to imagine that he is so fond of other people’s babies, although he is a family man. He never expressed such emotions for dying babies and children in Africa. He didn’t have compassion for children and those who flee the countries in conflict to save their lives when he banned travel from those countries including Syria. He has said that he can change. Is he going to change the travel ban is the question now, if he is so compassionate of other people? Otherwise, his expressed sentiments appear crocodile tears.

There are so many aspects to his about turn. During his election campaign, he mercilessly criticised his predecessor, Barack Obama, for his involvement in the Syrian conflict. He almost approved Assad’s regime and declared a policy of non-involvement, except fighting against the ISIS and radical Islam. A regime change was not within his policy orbit. More generally, he distanced himself from neo-liberal policy of ‘nation building’ in other countries.

Trump first appeared focusing inwardly on economic matters and wanting to build America First, at least before becoming the world’s policemen perhaps later. Now his priorities have changed. Now he wants to be the policeman first and the businessmen next. Or is there a hidden connection between the two, even unknown to him before? It is possible. He has almost forgotten about building the Mexican Wall now! It is possible that the American military establishment is overtaking him.

A Possible Saudi Connection?

It is well known that America’s military spending is exorbitant. America spends around 600 billion dollars annually, nearly 35 percent of the total military expenditure in the world. It is almost ‘overstretched.’ That is a recipe for a ‘fall of a great power’ according to Paul Kennedy (Rise and Fall of Great Powers). When Trump assumed duties, he complained about American contributions to even NATO and called the outfit ‘obsolete.’ He also asked his allies in Japan and South Korea to be self-reliant. Now he is mincing his words. There can be a secret behind this summersault. There can be someone financing or promising to finance his military budget, at least partially. After all, he is a businessman notorious for dubious business deals.

The second largest spender on military is China. But it is only around 215 billion dollars and more importantly, less than 2 percent of its GDP. Russia is the fourth, spending only 66 billion. These are 2016 figures. Who comes the third is Saudi Arabia spending around 87 billion, but it is the highest compared to its GDP (13 percent). Its capacity and indirect spending are more and there can be a connection between Trump’s about turn in Syria and Saudi Arabia’s military and political ambitions in the region.

Most intriguing about Trump’s volte-farce is the dumping of Vladimir Putin. There were accusations during the election campaign that Trump was aided by Putin or Russia through cyber-attacks and election manipulation. Whether true or not, Trump had occasion to openly praise Putin. Then why is he unceremoniously dumped? The only rational reason that could be given is that perhaps Putin was taking an unnecessary upper hand, after lending some support to Trump, and Trump is now reacting to this situation. However, that is not a reason to attack Syria. All these characters are not reliable, whether it is Trump, Assad, Putin or Kim Jung-un. They appear to be ‘gang or mafia leaders’ operating in dubious circles.

As many have argued, while the chemical attack is a war crime, a missile attack on a sovereign country is equally a violation of international law. Unfortunately, international law currently is overwhelmingly manipulated by theses gangs for their own power purposes.

Afghan Bombing and Beyond   

Now Trump is turning his guns in other directions. It is reported that the symbolic threat of the GBU-43 bomb dropped in Afghanistan is North Korea and/or even China.  This view is also similar to what is expressed by former Afghan President Hamid Karzai who immediately denounced the bombing as ‘experimenting of American arsenal in other people’s territories.’ The 59 tomahawk droppings in Syria also could be such an experimentation. Karzai has been a consistent ally of democratic Western efforts in fighting against Taliban and Islamic fundamentalism. He is reliable in his statement and expressed outrage.

What is now emerging after Trump’s ascendency is more of a fascist or an authoritarian type of reactions against all enemies, real and imagined. It is perhaps not by accident that Trump’s Press Secretary, Sean Spicer, whitewashed Adolf Hitler by saying that even Hitler didn’t use chemical weapons against his people. But the fact of the matter is that thousands and thousands of people died in gas chambers under Hitler. Although Spicer has retracted his statement under protest later, that is the type of thinking visible among Trump’s team. It is also noteworthy to mention that the use of Atomic Bombs came from America in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, even at the verge of Japanese surrender quite unnecessarily, rather as an experimentation.

During the election campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly accused China as a currency manipulator, right or wrong. He also clearly expressed misgivings about China’s economic ascendency even threatening to impose unprecedented 45 percent tariff for Chinese goods. That is the type of ‘free trade’ and ‘neo-liberalism’ that he is following. Here, there is a clear economic competition or jealousy. Perhaps military action might be more effective, in his present thinking, than economic measures. Trump might not attack China directly, but pre-emptive strike against North Korea is all possible. What might prove finally is John Pilger’s prophecy ‘The Coming War on China’ (a documentary). He has also expressed these views in the New Internationalist.

North Korea is planning to celebrate its founder, Kim Il-Sung’s 105th birth anniversary (Day of the Sun) from the 15th April for a week. All these are truly farcical. However, there are no instant solutions to change the situations in countries like North Korea or Syria. There is a possibility that North Korea also stage a nuclear experiment during these celebrations. If America’s rumoured intended pre-emptive strike is reliable, even there is no need for a nuclear experiment on the part of North Korea, to strike. This is the danger. Trump can call North Korea and/or Kim Jong-un ‘Evil’ or any other name, and strike on the self-claimed God’s given mandate. Obviously, Trump is a Christian fundamentalist. There is no much difference between Islamic fundamentalism and any other religious/ideological fundamentalism.

In my humble opinion, either Donald Trump is mad or he is a ‘new fascist’ who has managed to come to power, instill a democratic country. There is no much difference between people like Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump. What might be necessary urgently is a strong anti-war movement in all countries to unite people and work towards disarmament and peace in the world. China has proposed negotiations and peaceful resolution to the situation in the impending catastrophe in the Korean peninsula. I hope China would call an immediate session of the Security Council to possibly avert an emerging disaster.

Ten killed in Ein al-Hilweh fighting

A Palestinian fighter with the Fatah faction in Ein al-Hilweh camp on 10 April.Ali HashishoReuters

Maureen Clare Murphy-14 April 2017

A neighborhood in Ein al-Hilweh refugee camp in southern Lebanon is now under the control of a Palestinian joint force after the routing of Islamist militants from the area.

Ten people are believed to have been killed and another 100 injured after fighting in the Tiri neighborhood erupted on Friday. The latest episode of violence in the camp comes after rounds of fighting left three dead in March and two dead in February.

Dozens of homes and shops were destroyed or damaged, and UNRWA, the United Nations Agency for Palestine refugees, suspended services in the camp.

Photos and video circulated on social media show some of the destruction in Ein al-Hilweh:

Other photos showed streets littered with bullet shells and fighters armed with rifles and grenade launchers:

More than two dozen families fled Ein al-Hilweh and took shelter in Mieh Mieh, another Palestinian camp in southern Lebanon, The Daily Star reported.

Schools and universities in the nearby city of Sidon were closed “due to the security situation,” the paper added. A hospital in the city was reportedly hit by a rocket.

The expelled fighters are followers of Bilal Badr, a wanted hardline militant who was living in the area and remains at large.

The fighters were pushed out by a force representing different Palestinian factions in the camp late Wednesday.

Wanted

Badr is among a handful of militants wanted by the Lebanese government who have holed up in Ein al-Hilweh, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in the country, in recent years. Badr is reported to have fled to another area of the camp.

Fatah, a Palestinian faction, has vowed to arrest Badr and turn him over to the Lebanese army.

The Palestinian factions in the densely populated and impoverished Ein al-Hilweh are under pressure to turn over to Lebanese security forces wanted Islamists who are hiding out in the camp. The camp is off-limits to Lebanese forces, who operate checkpoints to control movement in and out of Ein al-Hilweh.

There are persistent fears that Ein al-Hilweh may suffer the same fate as Nahr al-Bared, a Palestinian camp in the north of Lebanon that was systematically destroyed in 2007 following fighting between the Lebanese army and Islamist groups that had infiltrated the camp.

Palestinian refugees from Syria

The population of Ein al-Hilweh and other camps in Lebanon has surged in recent years with an estimated 31,000 Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria to the country.

Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, who numbered approximately 450,000 before the influx of their counterparts from Syria, live on the margins, as they are effectively barred from practicing most professions.

Palestinians who come from Syria are in an even more precarious position as the Lebanese government has stopped renewing their visas. Lack of legal status means that many do not venture out of the refugee camps in which they are staying.

It was reported this week that fighters with a Jabhat al-Nusra offshoot in Yarmouk refugee camp, south of Damascus, reached an agreement with the Syrian government to evacuate to Idlib province in the north of the country.

Jabhat al-Nusra – al-Qaida’s affiliate in Syria – had infiltrated the camp after it became an arena of conflict when the Syrian government bombed it in late 2012.

The camp, which has been under siege by Syrian government forces and allied groups since July 2013, is now largely under the control of the Islamic State.

Gazans stare into the abyss after West Bank imposes pay cuts

Palestinian Authority cuts salaries of almost 58,000 employees, leaving Gaza in economic and political crisis

Mousa Tawfiq-Friday 14 April 2017

Gaza City - Moshtaha Mosallem remembers the shock of opening his last pay packet. "When I went to the bank to get my salary for March, I found minus seven shekels," said the 48-year-old Gazan health worker.

The 48-year-old health worker's 3,600 shekel a month salary, the equivalent of $980, had been cut by almost half with almost no warning, leaving him in arrears and with no money to feed his five children. 

Last Saturday, he joined tens of thousands of employees of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, to protest against the decision to cut the salaries of 58,000 people by up to 30 percent. West Bank employees, however, were unaffected.

Mosallem said even the 30 percent figure was wrong. "I took a loan last year to help my son in his marriage. After cutting 42 percent of my salary, and paying electricity bills and loan payments, I found nothing in my bank account," he said.

Moshtaha Mosallem found his bank account was empty (MEE/Mohammed Asad)

"They didn't warn us. They took the decision a day before the salaries were sent to banks. We couldn't prepare."

Yousif al-Mahmoud, the spokesman of the Palestinian government, said the decision was taken after the EU reduced its foreign aid contributions. 

Mosallam is having none of that. "There is no justification for cutting the salaries of those employees in Gaza and leaving the salaries of their peers in the West Bank. It's just discrimination," he told Middle East Eye.

"The decision is unfair. Those employees obeyed the orders of the president Mahmoud Abbas in 2007, when he told them to stay at their homes after Hamas had taken control over Gaza. And now they are being punished for that?"

There is no justification - the decision is unfair

- Moshtaha Mosallem 

"Even the salaries of workers in the education and health sectors, who had never stopped working, were cut," he says.

The response in Gaza was an outpouring of anger. Protesters gathered in al-Saraya square in Gaza City last week, calling on the PA's prime minister, Rami Hamdallah, and his finance minister Shukri Bishara to resign: "Leave! Leave, Hamdallah! Don't fight us with the food of our children."

"We lost our sons in the first intifada. We stayed at home and obeyed after the division. If it's an economic crisis, why are we the only victims?"

Protests were not limited to men, as thousands of women and children participated and called for their rights.

Mohammed al-Reefy says his dad has nothing to feed his family (MEE/Mohammed Asad)

Mohammed al-Reefy, 12, came to the protest after finishing school. After bills and loan payments, his father had 150 shekels in the bank for the month.

"My father pays loan instalments. I heard him telling my mother that the following days would be difficult."

"But we are better than my uncle, who was 100 shekels overdrawn."

Soha Abu Mualiq, 42, an educational guide, protested with her colleagues after she suffered a 1,200 shekel cut. "I've never stayed at home. I love my work and I do it diligently. I feel oppressed."

The supermarket owner needs his money and I don't have money. 

- Soha Abu Mualiq

Mualiq said the cut meant her four sons would not go to university - she can't afford it any more.

"I'm afraid to go home. The supermarket owner needs his money and I don't have money. I pay 400 shekels each month for a marriage planning company, because I helped my son to get married. How will I deal with all those responsibilities?"

For Gaza employees, even if the decision is cancelled, they will live in danger and fear. "We feel weak. With time, such decisions will be easier, and we won't have any choice but to adapt," Abu Mualiq added.

Soha Abu Mualiq suffered a 1,200 shekel pay cut (MEE/Mohammed Asad)

Danger and fear

Khalil Shaheen, a political analyst based in Ramallah, thinks that the PA aims at getting rid of the majority of its employees.

"This may be the first step. West Bank employees won't be protected from similar decisions in the future."

Shaheen pointed to the indifference of the PA over Gaza.

"Gaza's needs are a heavy burden on the PA," he said. "They prefer to put those responsibilities on the shoulders of Hamas." 

Samir Abumodalalla, an associate professor of economics at al-Azhar University in Gaza, said the PA decision was illegal, according to the Basic Palestinian Law of 2003.

"Employee salaries shouldn't be affected by any circumstances. If there is an economic crisis, the PA should have reduced its other expenses without affecting employees."

Read more ►

Gaza workers protest over pay cuts

Abumodalalla said the decision was political and would affect the whole of Gazan society and deepen Palestinian divisions.

"Gaza's taxes and revenue are nearly $900m," he said. "This amount of money is enough to cover salaries. I don't think that it's an economic decision. It's political.

"Since 2007, the PA hasn't employed new Gazans. But the salary budget rose from $1.3bn to $1.96bn. The added $660m is for West Bank employees. Gaza is not the reason for any economic crisis."

Abumodalalla described the decision as "a real crime against Gazans".

"Some employees lost 65 percent of their salaries," he said. "This money runs the wheel of Gaza's economy and trade. And 70 percent of university students don't pay their fees - that figure will rise, causing a new challenge for universities in Gaza."

A life disrupted

Adli Abu Ouda at his vegetable store in Gaza (MEE/Mohammed Asad)

The pay cuts have already had visible knock-on effects, as a short walk through any market in the Gaza Strip shows.

For Adli Abu Ouda, 40, who has a vegetable store at al-Zawya market, the situation is dangerous and complicated.

"People are shocked. The cuts decision has negatively affected every Gazan. I haven't seen any customers today. I'm a father for six children and I don't know what to do in these circumstances."

His neighbour, Ahmed Habeeb, 50, adds: "I have a chicken shop. It's known that Friday is the day of chicken in Gaza, but last Friday, I barely sold half of my usual amount." 

Ameen al-Jerjawy, 29, a butcher, says the first days of the month are often they busiest as people spend their pay.

Friday is the day of chicken in Gaza. I barely sold half of my usual amount."

- Ahmed Habeeb

"We wait eagerly for this time of the month," he says. "But as you see, even after reducing the prices of the meat, it isn't sold.

"Four families live from this shop. Our destiny is unknown."

Mohammed al-Hwaity, 34, who runs a clothes shop, has a similar tale of woe. His new spring and summer collections lay unsold. 

"The last 10 years were catastrophic. The siege, lack of resources, lack of national factories, and reliance on import are all reasons for our current situation," he said.

"The only thing I want is to have my shop full customers every morning. It's a simple and normal dream."

U.S. May Launch Strike if North Korea Reaches for Nuclear Trigger

 Exclusive: US Considers Possible Strike to Stop North Korea Nuke Test 2:54

by WILLIAM M. ARKIN, CYNTHIA MCFADDEN and KENZI ABOU-SABE-APR 13 2017,

The U.S. is prepared to launch a preemptive strike with conventional weapons against North Korea should officials become convinced that North Korea is about to follow through with a nuclear weapons test, multiple senior U.S. intelligence officials told NBC News.

North Korea has warned that a "big event" is near, and U.S. officials say signs point to a nuclear test that could come as early as this weekend.

The intelligence officials told NBC News that the U.S. has positioned two destroyers capable of shooting Tomahawk cruise missiles in the region, one just 300 miles from the North Korean nuclear test site.

American heavy bombers are also positioned in Guam to attack North Korea should it be necessary, and earlier this week, the Pentagon announced that the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier strike group was being diverted to the area.

Related: Trump's Options for North Korea Include Placing Nukes in South Korea

The U.S. strike could include missiles and bombs, cyber and special operations on the ground.

The danger of such an attack by the U.S. is that it could provoke the volatile and unpredictable North Korean regime to launch its own blistering attack on its southern neighbor.

"The leadership in North Korea has shown absolutely no sign or interest in diplomacy or dialogue with any of the countries involved in this issue," Victor Cha, the Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies told NBC News Thursday.


 Exclusive: NSC Presents Pres. Trump With Military Options on North Korea 2:54

On Wednesday, North Korea said it would "hit the U.S. first" with a nuclear weapon should there be any signs of U.S. strikes.

On Thursday, North Korea warned of a "merciless retaliatory strike" should the U.S. take any action.

Related: North Korea Warns It Would Use Nuclear Weapons First If Threatened

"By relentlessly bringing in a number of strategic nuclear assets to the Korean peninsula, the U.S. is gravely threatening the peace and safety and driving the situation to the brink of a nuclear war," said North Korea's statement.

North Korea is not believed to have a deliverable long-range nuclear weapon, according to U.S. experts, nor does it yet possess an intercontinental missile.

PHOTOS: North Korea Prepares for Holiday as Tensions Escalate

South Korea's top diplomat said today that the U.S. would consult with Seoul before taking any serious measures. "U.S. officials, mindful of such concerns here, repeatedly reaffirmed that (the U.S.) will closely discuss with South Korea its North Korea-related measures," Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se told a special parliamentary meeting. "In fact, the U.S. is working to reassure us that it will not, just in case that we might hold such concerns."

U.S. Officials Are Aware of the Risk

"Two things are coming together this weekend," said retired Adm. James Stavridis, former commander of NATO and an NBC analyst. "One is the distinct possibility of a sixth North Korean nuclear weapons detonation and the other is an American carrier strike group, a great deal of firepower headed right at the Korean Peninsula."

The U.S. is aware that simply preparing an attack, even if it will only be launched if there is an "imminent" North Korean action, increases the danger of provoking a large conflict, multiple sources told NBC News.

"It's high stakes," a senior intelligence official directly involved in the planning told NBC News. "We are trying to communicate our level of concern and the existence of many military options to dissuade the North first."

"It's a feat that we've never achieved before but there is a new sense of resolve here," the official said, referring to the White House.

Related: China Proposes Deal To Ease Tensions Over North Korean Missiles

The threat of a preemptive strike comes on the same day the U.S. announced the use of its MOAB — or Mother of All Bombs — in Afghanistan, attacking underground facilities, and on the heels of U.S. missile strikes on a Syrian airbase last week, a strike that took place while President Trump was meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago.

North Korean soldiers look towards Kim Jong Un at a parade in Pyongyang in 2013 marking the 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice. Wong Maye-E / AP file

Multiple government officials familiar with the situation say President Trump has talked to Chinese president Xi twice about North Korea since their Florida summit.

China has since sent its top nuclear negotiators to Pyongyang to communicate the gravity of the situation to the North, officials say. On Wednesday, President Xi called for a peaceful resolution to the escalating tensions.

Moscow has weighed in as well: "We are gravely concerned about Washington's plans regarding North Korea, considering hints about the unilateral use of a military scenario" the Putin government said in a press release issued on Tuesday.

South Korea Must Sign Off

Implementation of the preemptive U.S. plans, according to multiple U.S. officials, depends centrally on consent of the South Korean government. The sources stress that Seoul has got to be persuaded that action is worth the risk, as there is universal concern that any military move might provoke a North Korean attack, even a conventional attack across the DMZ.

Tensions have escalated on the Korean Peninsula, as this Saturday marks the anniversary of the birth of the nation's founder — Kim il-Sung, grandfather of the current leader, Kim Jong-un. At the highest levels in South Korea and the U.S., sources told NBC News, there are fears North Korea could mark the "Day of the Sun" by testing a nuclear device.

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"North Korea in the past has used these major national holidays to celebrate the strengths of the regime and to reinforce the national narrative of their independence," says Cha.

According to multiple sources, the U.S. intelligence community has reported with "moderate confidence" that North Korea is preparing for its sixth underground nuclear test, though the U.S. is also in the dark regarding the specific timing.

Related: Could North Korea Hit Japan With Sarin Nerve Gas Missiles?

The Trump administration, emboldened by their punishing strike on Syria, and by a successful meeting with the Chinese leader, hopes that the Chinese will use their considerable leverage to dissuade Kim Jong UN and his government from moving ahead with their nuclear program.

President Trump has said he thinks Xi "wants to help us with North Korea," He credited China during Thursday's White House news conference with Xi with taking a "big step" by turning back boats of coal that North Korea sells to China.

A man mows grass under portraits of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, left, and his son, Kim Jong Il, as people rehearse for an upcoming parade Kim Il Sung Square in central Pyongyang on April 12. Damir Sagolj / Reuters

"I think that is what President Trump is getting trying to get the Chinese to do," said Cha. "[It] would impose real pain and force real choices on North Korea — whether the costs are worth it for them to continue to pursue this program if they no longer have any sustenance."

In addition to the coal ships, the Chinese made an important gesture at the UN Thursday: A surprising abstention on a Security Council resolution condemning a Syrian chemical weapons attack. China didn't stand with the Russians on Syria, as it has in the past.

The president also made clear that if the Chinese were unable to defuse the situation, the U.S. would go to alone. On Thursday, he tweeted: "I have great confidence that China will properly deal with North Korea. If they are unable to do so, the U.S., and its allies will!"