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N Korea 'nuclear test' condemned N Korea 'nuclear test' condemned
(30 minutes later)
The UN Security Council has strongly condemned North Korea's claim to have tested a nuclear weapon underground.The UN Security Council has strongly condemned North Korea's claim to have tested a nuclear weapon underground.
The emergency meeting will also debate what further steps should be taken, including binding sanctions. It will also consider what steps to take next, including sanctions that could be mandatory and enforceable.
President George W Bush said the US is working to confirm the test claim. He branded it a "provocative" act threatening peace and stability.President George W Bush said the US is working to confirm the test claim. He branded it a "provocative" act threatening peace and stability.
He said he and regional leaders agreed North Korea's actions were unacceptable and deserved an immediate UN response.He said he and regional leaders agreed North Korea's actions were unacceptable and deserved an immediate UN response.
Japan's UN ambassador, Kenzo Oshima, urged North Korea to refrain from further testing and to return to six-party talks. Current Security Council President Kenzo Oshima of Japan urged North Korea to refrain from further testing and return to six-party talks.
He said the Security Council would now begin work on a resolution being drafted by the United States. The session comes three days after the council agreed a formal statement urging North Korea to cancel any planned nuclear test.
The session comes three days after the council agreed a formal statement urging North Korea to cancel any planned nuclear test and return to disarmament talks.
The nuclear test... marks a historic event... It will contribute to defending peace and stability North Korean statement Underground nuclear testing Full text: N Korea statementThe nuclear test... marks a historic event... It will contribute to defending peace and stability North Korean statement Underground nuclear testing Full text: N Korea statement
BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says a tough resolution condemning North Korea's actions is expected, but more time may be needed to draft a text. The Americans have circulated a 13-point draft resolution seeking targeted sanctions. They include:
Our correspondent adds that the key question is how any threat of sanctions will be framed; whether this will be a Chapter Seven resolution - one recognising that North Korea's action represents a threat to peace that would make sanctions mandatory.
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  • Halting trade in material that could be used to make weapons of mass destruction
Resolutions brought under this chapter the UN Charter are legally binding and can also authorise military action.
  • Inspections of cargo going in and out of North Korea
    • UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said the UK would be "pushing for a robust response" under Chapter Seven.
  • The ending of financial transactions used to support nuclear proliferation
    • "Put simply, this means we shall be pushing for sanctions against North Korea," she said. The US also wants to see the sanctions brought under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter, which means they would be mandatory and ultimately enforceable by military means.
    UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett also said the UK would be "pushing for a robust response" under Chapter Seven.
    US ambassador to the UN John Bolton said that although responses were preliminary, he was "very impressed by the unanimity of the Council on the need for a strong and swift answer".US ambassador to the UN John Bolton said that although responses were preliminary, he was "very impressed by the unanimity of the Council on the need for a strong and swift answer".
    "I didn't see any protectors of North Korea in that room," he said."I didn't see any protectors of North Korea in that room," he said.
    But North Korea's ambassador, Pak Gil Yon, said the Security Council should congratulate Pyongyang instead of issuing "useless" resolutions.But North Korea's ambassador, Pak Gil Yon, said the Security Council should congratulate Pyongyang instead of issuing "useless" resolutions.
    'Unpardonable''Unpardonable'
    In his first public statement, the US president said the North Korean claim "constitutes a threat to international peace and security."In his first public statement, the US president said the North Korean claim "constitutes a threat to international peace and security."
    He said he had telephoned Chinese, Japanese, Russian and South Korean leaders, who had all reaffirmed their commitment to a nuclear-free Korean peninsula.He said he had telephoned Chinese, Japanese, Russian and South Korean leaders, who had all reaffirmed their commitment to a nuclear-free Korean peninsula.
    "Once again, North Korea has defied the will of the international community, and the international community," he said."Once again, North Korea has defied the will of the international community, and the international community," he said.
    N KOREA NUCLEAR PROGRAMME Believed to have 'handful' of nuclear weaponsBut not thought to have any small enough to put in a missileCould try dropping from plane, though world watching closely N Korea's mercurial leader Reaction to nuclear test Send us your commentsN KOREA NUCLEAR PROGRAMME Believed to have 'handful' of nuclear weaponsBut not thought to have any small enough to put in a missileCould try dropping from plane, though world watching closely N Korea's mercurial leader Reaction to nuclear test Send us your comments
    "The North Korea regime remains one of the world's leading proliferators of missile technology including transfers to Iran and Syria.""The North Korea regime remains one of the world's leading proliferators of missile technology including transfers to Iran and Syria."
    Mr Bush added that the development would not help North Korea's "oppressed and impoverished" people, who deserved a better future.Mr Bush added that the development would not help North Korea's "oppressed and impoverished" people, who deserved a better future.
    Earlier Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe - visiting Seoul - called the claimed test "unpardonable".Earlier Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe - visiting Seoul - called the claimed test "unpardonable".
    He warned the region was "entering a new, dangerous nuclear age".He warned the region was "entering a new, dangerous nuclear age".
    South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun feared the move could "spark a nuclear arms build-up in other countries".South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun feared the move could "spark a nuclear arms build-up in other countries".
    In an unusually strong statement against its ally, China said the claimed test "defied the universal opposition of international society".In an unusually strong statement against its ally, China said the claimed test "defied the universal opposition of international society".
    Meanwhile, the head of the South's intelligence service said it had detected more movement at another North Korean test site and he could not rule out further nuclear tests.Meanwhile, the head of the South's intelligence service said it had detected more movement at another North Korean test site and he could not rule out further nuclear tests.
    'No radiation leak''No radiation leak'
    South Korean media said the test took place in Gilju in Hamgyong province at 1036 (0136 GMT).South Korean media said the test took place in Gilju in Hamgyong province at 1036 (0136 GMT).
    The size of the bomb is uncertain, with estimates varying from 550 tons of destructive power to as much as 15 kilotons. The 1945 Hiroshima bomb was 12.5-15 kilotons.The size of the bomb is uncertain, with estimates varying from 550 tons of destructive power to as much as 15 kilotons. The 1945 Hiroshima bomb was 12.5-15 kilotons.
    But our correspondent points out the claimed test does not necessarily mean North Korea has a fully-fledged nuclear bomb or warhead that it can deliver to a target. But correspondents say the claimed test does not necessarily mean North Korea has a fully-fledged nuclear bomb or warhead that it can deliver to a target.
    North Korea's KCNA news agency described the test as an "historic event that brought happiness to our military and people".North Korea's KCNA news agency described the test as an "historic event that brought happiness to our military and people".
    It said the test would maintain "peace and stability" in the region and was "a great leap forward in the building of a great prosperous, powerful socialist nation". There was no radiation leak, it said.It said the test would maintain "peace and stability" in the region and was "a great leap forward in the building of a great prosperous, powerful socialist nation". There was no radiation leak, it said.
    Pyongyang pulled out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2003 and has refused for a year to attend talks aimed at ending its nuclear ambitions.Pyongyang pulled out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2003 and has refused for a year to attend talks aimed at ending its nuclear ambitions.