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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| N Korea 'preparing rocket launch' | N Korea 'preparing rocket launch' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| North Korea is reported to be pressing ahead with final preparations for its planned satellite launch, despite stern warnings from the US and its allies. | North Korea is reported to be pressing ahead with final preparations for its planned satellite launch, despite stern warnings from the US and its allies. |
| A US defence official said there were indications the North was fuelling the rocket in a final step to the launch. | A US defence official said there were indications the North was fuelling the rocket in a final step to the launch. |
| US President Barack Obama said Pyongyang should halt the expected launch, calling the move "provocative". | US President Barack Obama said Pyongyang should halt the expected launch, calling the move "provocative". |
| North Korea said it would launch a satellite between 4-8 April, but critics suspect it is a missile test. | North Korea said it would launch a satellite between 4-8 April, but critics suspect it is a missile test. |
| At a news conference on Friday, Mr Obama said the threatened launch had put "enormous strains" on international talks over Pyongyang's disputed nuclear activities. | At a news conference on Friday, Mr Obama said the threatened launch had put "enormous strains" on international talks over Pyongyang's disputed nuclear activities. |
| He said that the North's "unhelpful" response only added to its international isolation. He said North Korea could not threaten the "safety and security of other countries with impunity". | He said that the North's "unhelpful" response only added to its international isolation. He said North Korea could not threaten the "safety and security of other countries with impunity". |
| See satellite images of North Korea's launch pad | |
| Before Mr Obama made his comments, the North had threatened immediate retaliation over any intervention. | Before Mr Obama made his comments, the North had threatened immediate retaliation over any intervention. |
| Pyongyang had also warned that any attempts to impose UN sanctions would be seen as a hostile act. | Pyongyang had also warned that any attempts to impose UN sanctions would be seen as a hostile act. |
| Favourable weather | Favourable weather |
| Last month North Korea said it had told the International Civil Aviation Organisation that it would launch the rocket only between 0200GMT and 0700GMT during the five-day launch window. | Last month North Korea said it had told the International Civil Aviation Organisation that it would launch the rocket only between 0200GMT and 0700GMT during the five-day launch window. |
| Observers say North Korea will very likely stick to this commitment, firing the rocket at the first sign of good weather conditions during the given times. | Observers say North Korea will very likely stick to this commitment, firing the rocket at the first sign of good weather conditions during the given times. |
| North Korea's missile programme | North Korea's missile programme |
| According to South Korean media, the forecast for Saturday is partially cloudy, but considered reasonably favourable at the moment. | According to South Korean media, the forecast for Saturday is partially cloudy, but considered reasonably favourable at the moment. |
| Seoul's defence ministry says it has stepped up surveillance ahead of the launch. | Seoul's defence ministry says it has stepped up surveillance ahead of the launch. |
| The unification ministry, which deals with cross-border relations, urged groups and individuals to avoid travelling to a joint industrial zone in the North from Saturday. | The unification ministry, which deals with cross-border relations, urged groups and individuals to avoid travelling to a joint industrial zone in the North from Saturday. |
| On Thursday, the US president and his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak said a "stern, united response" would follow any rocket launch by North Korea. | On Thursday, the US president and his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak said a "stern, united response" would follow any rocket launch by North Korea. |
| South Korea and Japan also affirmed their intention to refer Pyongyang to the UN Security Council for sanctions if a launch was carried out - a move backed by the US. | South Korea and Japan also affirmed their intention to refer Pyongyang to the UN Security Council for sanctions if a launch was carried out - a move backed by the US. |
| President Lee said they should also try to convince China and Russia, security council members with veto power, to "join in a strong response". | President Lee said they should also try to convince China and Russia, security council members with veto power, to "join in a strong response". |
| Japan has said it will shoot down the rocket if it misfires and endangers Japanese territory. | Japan has said it will shoot down the rocket if it misfires and endangers Japanese territory. |
| North Korea's military has threatened immediate retaliation if "even the slightest effort" is made to intercept its rocket. | North Korea's military has threatened immediate retaliation if "even the slightest effort" is made to intercept its rocket. |
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