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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Key nations 'agree N Korea draft' | Key nations 'agree N Korea draft' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Key UN countries have agreed a draft statement condemning North Korea's rocket launch, diplomats say. | Key UN countries have agreed a draft statement condemning North Korea's rocket launch, diplomats say. |
| Officials said the Security Council's five permanent members and Japan had agreed on the text of a presidential statement on the 5 April launch. | Officials said the Security Council's five permanent members and Japan had agreed on the text of a presidential statement on the 5 April launch. |
| The statement is considered a weaker response than the resolution initially sought by Japan and the US. | The statement is considered a weaker response than the resolution initially sought by Japan and the US. |
| China and Russia had rejected that idea, calling on the international community to act with restraint. | China and Russia had rejected that idea, calling on the international community to act with restraint. |
| They fear that a strong response could harm prospects for resuming six-party talks. | |
| North Korea says the purpose of its rocket launch was to put a satellite into orbit as part of its peaceful development of space. | North Korea says the purpose of its rocket launch was to put a satellite into orbit as part of its peaceful development of space. |
| But its neighbours say it was testing long-range missile technology - something that violates a UN resolution banning Pyongyang from carrying out ballistic missile activity. | But its neighbours say it was testing long-range missile technology - something that violates a UN resolution banning Pyongyang from carrying out ballistic missile activity. |
| 'Clear message' | 'Clear message' |
| The Security Council met earlier in the week but failed to agree a unanimous response. | The Security Council met earlier in the week but failed to agree a unanimous response. |
| The apparent agreement came after envoys from permanent members the US, France, China, Russia and UK - plus Japan - held two-hour talks in New York. | The apparent agreement came after envoys from permanent members the US, France, China, Russia and UK - plus Japan - held two-hour talks in New York. |
| US Ambassador Susan Rice gave no details of the statement, but said that it would send a "clear message" to North Korea. | US Ambassador Susan Rice gave no details of the statement, but said that it would send a "clear message" to North Korea. |
| However, according to Reuters news agency the draft said the launch contravened a previous council resolution banning ballistic missile and nuclear tests by Pyongyang. | |
| It also called on the UN sanctions committee to enforce existing sanctions against North Korea. | |
| The statement is being presented to a closed-door meeting of the full 15-member Security Council, but the council is not expected to vote on it until next week. | |
| Presidential statements are formal statements of the Security Council's position read out by the council's president. They require the approval of all council members. |