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| US issues revised N Korea draft | US issues revised N Korea draft |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The US has issued a revised draft of a UN Security Council resolution, which only envisages non-military sanctions over its reported nuclear test. | |
| In what is seen as an attempt to address Russian and Chinese concerns, the latest draft says that any military action would require a new resolution. | In what is seen as an attempt to address Russian and Chinese concerns, the latest draft says that any military action would require a new resolution. |
| Diplomats at the UN hope to produce a final text later in the day, which can then be put to a vote on Saturday. | Diplomats at the UN hope to produce a final text later in the day, which can then be put to a vote on Saturday. |
| Earlier, the Japanese Cabinet imposed unilateral sanctions on North Korea. | Earlier, the Japanese Cabinet imposed unilateral sanctions on North Korea. |
| The measures include trade and travel bans, barring North Korean ships from Japan's ports, and freezing imports and visits by North Korean officials. | The measures include trade and travel bans, barring North Korean ships from Japan's ports, and freezing imports and visits by North Korean officials. |
| Pyongyang earlier promised a "strong" reaction to any sanctions. | Pyongyang earlier promised a "strong" reaction to any sanctions. |
| 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 comments | 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 comments |
| North Korean vessels deliver crabs, clams or prized matsutake mushrooms to Japan, then return home filled with used bicycles, used cars, motorcycles or old household appliances - items which can be sold in the impoverished North. | North Korean vessels deliver crabs, clams or prized matsutake mushrooms to Japan, then return home filled with used bicycles, used cars, motorcycles or old household appliances - items which can be sold in the impoverished North. |
| North Korean ships are currently loading up in Japanese ports ahead of a Friday midnight (1500 GMT) deadline. | North Korean ships are currently loading up in Japanese ports ahead of a Friday midnight (1500 GMT) deadline. |
| Resolution takes shape | Resolution takes shape |
| The new US draft resolution restricts sanctions to non-military actions, limits arms sanctions to heavy weapons only, but retains a controversial provision allowing nations to inspect cargo moving in and out of North Korea in pursuit of unconventional weapons. | The new US draft resolution restricts sanctions to non-military actions, limits arms sanctions to heavy weapons only, but retains a controversial provision allowing nations to inspect cargo moving in and out of North Korea in pursuit of unconventional weapons. |
| 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 |
| The resolution urges North Korea to implement a September 2005 agreement in which it pledged to give up its nuclear programme in exchange for aid and security guarantees. | The resolution urges North Korea to implement a September 2005 agreement in which it pledged to give up its nuclear programme in exchange for aid and security guarantees. |
| A vote on this new draft is not expected before Saturday. | A vote on this new draft is not expected before Saturday. |
| "We have made very substantial progress," US envoy John Bolton said after meeting with the other four veto-holding UN Security Council members - Russia, China, Britain and Japan. | "We have made very substantial progress," US envoy John Bolton said after meeting with the other four veto-holding UN Security Council members - Russia, China, Britain and Japan. |
| "I don't want to say we've reached agreement yet, but many, many of the significant differences have been closed, very much to our satisfaction," he said. | "I don't want to say we've reached agreement yet, but many, many of the significant differences have been closed, very much to our satisfaction," he said. |
| Diplomatic push | Diplomatic push |
| The move came as South Korea's President Roh Moo-hyun arrived in Beijing for talks with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, on how to respond to North Korea's claimed test. | The move came as South Korea's President Roh Moo-hyun arrived in Beijing for talks with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, on how to respond to North Korea's claimed test. |
| US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is also expected to tour China, Japan and South Korea next week as part of the diplomatic drive to reach a deal. | US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is also expected to tour China, Japan and South Korea next week as part of the diplomatic drive to reach a deal. |
| China is to send a top envoy to discuss the matter with US President George W Bush. | China is to send a top envoy to discuss the matter with US President George W Bush. |
| The envoy is also expected to travel to Moscow on Saturday for further talks. | The envoy is also expected to travel to Moscow on Saturday for further talks. |
| Western diplomats believe China's support for the draft resolution is essential if tough action is to be taken against North Korea, says the BBC's UN correspondent, Laura Trevelyan. | Western diplomats believe China's support for the draft resolution is essential if tough action is to be taken against North Korea, says the BBC's UN correspondent, Laura Trevelyan. |
| North Korea's underground test reportedly took place at 1036 (0136 GMT) on Monday in Gilju in north-east Hamgyong province. | North Korea's 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. |
| South Korea said on Thursday that it had not detected any abnormal radioactivity levels on its soil after its northern neighbour's alleged nuclear test. | South Korea said on Thursday that it had not detected any abnormal radioactivity levels on its soil after its northern neighbour's alleged nuclear test. |