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US presses for N Korea sanctions US presses for N Korea sanctions
(about 3 hours later)
US diplomats are circulating a new draft of a United Nations resolution calling for sanctions on North Korea in response to its claimed nuclear test.US diplomats are circulating a new draft of a United Nations resolution calling for sanctions on North Korea in response to its claimed nuclear test.
US envoy John Bolton said he hoped the new draft, which is due to be tabled later, would pass by the weekend.US envoy John Bolton said he hoped the new draft, which is due to be tabled later, would pass by the weekend.
The draft targets the North's missile and nuclear programmes and invokes the UN's Chapter Seven, which could eventually involve the use of force. The draft targets the North's missile and nuclear programmes and invokes the UN's Chapter Seven, which could eventually allow the use of force.
But divisions remain among key nations, with China unhappy with the new draft.But divisions remain among key nations, with China unhappy with the new draft.
The underground test reportedly took place at 1036 (0136 GMT) on Monday in Gilju in north-east Hamgyong province.The underground test reportedly took place at 1036 (0136 GMT) on Monday in Gilju in north-east Hamgyong province.
Russia is the only country to have confirmed that it was a nuclear explosion, amid speculation the test was not wholly successful.Russia is the only country to have confirmed that it was a nuclear explosion, amid speculation the test was not wholly successful.
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 href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6039970.stm" class="">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 href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6043610.stm" class="">Who stands where In pictures: Joy and anger
North Korea has said it will take "strong countermeasures" against Japan if it goes ahead with new sanctions against the country, a senior North Korean diplomat was quoted as saying on Thursday.North Korea has said it will take "strong countermeasures" against Japan if it goes ahead with new sanctions against the country, a senior North Korean diplomat was quoted as saying on Thursday.
"The specific contents will become clear if you keep watching. We never speak empty words," Song Il-Ho, the North's ambassador in charge of normalising relations with Tokyo, told Japan's Kyodo news agency."The specific contents will become clear if you keep watching. We never speak empty words," Song Il-Ho, the North's ambassador in charge of normalising relations with Tokyo, told Japan's Kyodo news agency.
North Korea's threats are part of a campaign to make the world think twice about its response to the nuclear test, says the BBC's Charles Scanlon in the South Korean capital, Seoul.North Korea's threats are part of a campaign to make the world think twice about its response to the nuclear test, says the BBC's Charles Scanlon in the South Korean capital, Seoul.
On Wednesday, Japan imposed its own tough new sanctions on North Korea, including banning all imports from the country. The sanctions are expected to be approved by the Japanese cabinet on Friday.On Wednesday, Japan imposed its own tough new sanctions on North Korea, including banning all imports from the country. The sanctions are expected to be approved by the Japanese cabinet on Friday.
On Thursday, South Korea said it had not detected any abnormal radioactivity levels in its country after the alleged North Korea nuclear test.On Thursday, South Korea said it had not detected any abnormal radioactivity levels in its country after the alleged North Korea nuclear test.
'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 these should be.There is agreement in the UN Security Council that North Korea should face punitive measures, but countries are divided over how tough these should be.
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.
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 testingN 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
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.
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, our correspondent adds.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, our correspondent adds.
The new draft retains the call for cargo inspections but is reported to soften language in some key areas of the document.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.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 testsThreat 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.
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".
HAVE YOUR SAY If the US, UK and other governments wish to stop other countries having nuclear weapons then they should lead by example Alastair Mooney, Leicester, UK Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY If the US, UK and other governments wish to stop other countries having nuclear weapons then they should lead by example Alastair Mooney, Leicester, UK Send us your comments
But North Korea appeared unwilling to make any concessions. The country's number two leader, Kim Yong-nam, has threatened more tests if the US remained "hostile".But North Korea appeared unwilling to make any concessions. The country's number two leader, Kim Yong-nam, has 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 Tehran following its failure to stop enriching uranium, our correspondent adds.Next week, the Security Council is due to consider what action to take against Tehran following its failure to stop enriching uranium, our correspondent adds.