This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6042920.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| US to introduce new N Korea draft | US to introduce new N Korea draft |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| US diplomats are circulating a new draft of a United Nations resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea in response to its claimed nuclear test. | US diplomats are circulating a new draft of a United Nations resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea in response to its claimed nuclear test. |
| US envoy John Bolton said he hoped the new draft, which the US will formally introduce on Thursday, would pass by the end of the week. | US envoy John Bolton said he hoped the new draft, which the US will formally introduce on Thursday, would pass by the end of the week. |
| The document calls for punitive sanctions targeting Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programmes. | The document calls for punitive sanctions targeting Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programmes. |
| But divisions remain among key nations, with China unhappy with the draft. | But divisions remain among key nations, with China unhappy with the draft. |
| The underground test reportedly took place at 1036 (0136 GMT) on Monday in Gilju in Hamgyong province. | The underground test reportedly took place at 1036 (0136 GMT) on Monday in Gilju in Hamgyong province. |
| Russia is the only country to have confirmed that it was a nuclear explosion. | Russia is the only country to have confirmed that it was a nuclear explosion. |
| 'Swift response' | 'Swift response' |
| There is agreement in the UN Security Council that North Korea should face punitive measures, but countries are divided over how tough the measures should be. | There is agreement in the UN Security Council that North Korea should face punitive measures, but countries are divided over how tough the measures should be. |
| US SANCTIONS PROPOSAL Halting trade in material that could be used to make weapons of mass destruction Inspections of cargo going in and out of North Korea The ending of financial transactions used to support nuclear proliferation A ban on the import of luxury goods Press split on sanctions In pictures: Joy and anger | US SANCTIONS PROPOSAL Halting trade in material that could be used to make weapons of mass destruction Inspections of cargo going in and out of North Korea The ending of financial transactions used to support nuclear proliferation A ban on the import of luxury goods Press split on sanctions In pictures: Joy and anger |
| The US wants the sanctions - which would also target luxury goods - to be brought under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter. This means they would be mandatory and ultimately enforceable by military means. | The US wants the sanctions - which would also target luxury goods - to be brought under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter. This means they would be mandatory and ultimately enforceable by military means. |
| But China, Russia and South Korea have expressed varying degrees of opposition to such a resolution. | But China, Russia and South Korea have expressed varying degrees of opposition to such a resolution. |
| China is also reported to be unhappy about authorising inspections of cargo vessels moving in and out of North Korea in order to find weapons-related material. | China is also reported to be unhappy about authorising inspections of cargo vessels moving in and out of North Korea in order to find weapons-related material. |
| The BBC's Charles Scanlon in Seoul says both China and South Korea are worried that such inspections could provoke military action from North Korea - a risk neither country is willing to take. | The BBC's Charles Scanlon in Seoul says both China and South Korea are worried that such inspections could provoke military action from North Korea - a risk neither country is willing to take. |
| The new draft retains the call for cargo inspections but is reported to soften language in some key areas of the document. | |
| It also includes a clause allowing nations to ban the entry or transit of people believed to support Pyongyang's weapons programme, reports say. | |
| Mr Bolton said he hoped for a vote on Friday. | Mr Bolton said he hoped for a vote on Friday. |
| "There are still a lot of comments that have been made, and areas of disagreement, but as we've said repeatedly, we think this requires a strong and swift response," he said. | "There are still a lot of comments that have been made, and areas of disagreement, but as we've said repeatedly, we think this requires a strong and swift response," he said. |
| Threat of new tests | Threat of new tests |
| On Wednesday US President George W Bush said North Korea would face "serious repercussions" over its nuclear test claim. | On Wednesday US President George W Bush said North Korea would face "serious repercussions" over its nuclear test claim. |
| 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 Q&A: Nuclear crisis Underground nuclear testing | 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 Q&A: Nuclear crisis Underground nuclear testing |
| He told reporters that Washington remained committed to diplomacy, but stressed that the US reserved "all options to defend our friends in the region". | He told reporters that Washington remained committed to diplomacy, but stressed that the US reserved "all options to defend our friends in the region". |
| His comments came as Japan imposed its own tough new sanctions on North Korea, including banning all imports from the country. | His comments came as Japan imposed its own tough new sanctions on North Korea, including banning all imports from the country. |
| But North Korea appeared unwilling to make any concessions. On Wednesday the country's number two leader, Kim Yong-nam, threatened more tests if the US remained "hostile". | But North Korea appeared unwilling to make any concessions. On Wednesday the country's number two leader, Kim Yong-nam, threatened more tests if the US remained "hostile". |
| And a statement from a foreign ministry spokesman said that North Korea was ready "for both dialogue and confrontation". | And a statement from a foreign ministry spokesman said that North Korea was ready "for both dialogue and confrontation". |
| "If the US increases pressure upon the DPRK, persistently doing harm to it, it will continue to take physical countermeasures, considering it as a declaration of a war," the statement carried by state news agency KCNA said. | "If the US increases pressure upon the DPRK, persistently doing harm to it, it will continue to take physical countermeasures, considering it as a declaration of a war," the statement carried by state news agency KCNA said. |
| The BBC's Laura Trevelyan at the UN says that diplomats want to act swiftly in response to North Korea's nuclear test. | The BBC's Laura Trevelyan at the UN says that diplomats want to act swiftly in response to North Korea's nuclear test. |
| They know that Iran is watching closely from the sidelines to see how North Korea is dealt with. | They know that Iran is watching closely from the sidelines to see how North Korea is dealt with. |
| Next week, the Security Council is due to consider what action to take against Teheran following its failure to stop enriching uranium, our correspondent adds. | Next week, the Security Council is due to consider what action to take against Teheran following its failure to stop enriching uranium, our correspondent adds. |