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US test 'confirms' N Korea claim | US test 'confirms' N Korea claim |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Preliminary results of scientific tests appear to confirm that North Korea did carry out a nuclear test last Monday as it claimed, US officials have said. | Preliminary results of scientific tests appear to confirm that North Korea did carry out a nuclear test last Monday as it claimed, US officials have said. |
But they stressed that more tests were needed to reach a conclusion. | |
A vote on sanctions is expected later in the day at the UN Security Council but Russia and China are still querying the US-drafted resolution. | |
Ban Ki-moon, who will be the new UN secretary-general, called for a "clear and strong" resolution to be adopted. | |
Mr Ban was formally elected by the UN General Assembly on Friday to replace Kofi Annan at the end of the year. | Mr Ban was formally elected by the UN General Assembly on Friday to replace Kofi Annan at the end of the year. |
Throughout the week there has been uncertainty about whether North Korea carried out a nuclear test, tried to but failed, or merely made a false claim, the BBC's Nick Miles reports from Washington. | Throughout the week there has been uncertainty about whether North Korea carried out a nuclear test, tried to but failed, or merely made a false claim, the BBC's Nick Miles reports from Washington. |
The apparent confirmation that Pyongyang did carry out a nuclear test could make the passing of the UN resolution more likely, our correspondent says. | The apparent confirmation that Pyongyang did carry out a nuclear test could make the passing of the UN resolution more likely, our correspondent says. |
Fizzle theory | Fizzle theory |
US scientists found that there were traces of radioactive gas in the air near the site of last Monday's alleged nuclear test. | US scientists found that there were traces of radioactive gas in the air near the site of last Monday's alleged nuclear test. |
White House officials cautioned that this result alone did not confirm a successful test but it could mean that a nuclear test had been attempted. | White House officials cautioned that this result alone did not confirm a successful test but it could mean that a nuclear test had been attempted. |
One official quoted by the Associated Press said the results could indicate a "nuclear fizzle", rather than a full test. | One official quoted by the Associated Press said the results could indicate a "nuclear fizzle", rather than a full test. |
LATEST DRAFT RESOLUTION Bans sale of tanks, helicopters and missiles, as well as nuclear and missile technologyAllows inspection of ships going to or from N KoreaBans sale of luxury goodsBans travel by those working on weapons and missile programmesAny further action needs new UN resolution href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6048150.stm" class="">In pictures: Sanctions bite href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6040494.stm" class="">Nuclear test - failure of fake? href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4191&edition=2&ttl=20061009081648" class="">Send us your comments The agency also quoted an unnamed official as saying the sample had been collected above Qunggye, near the area of the claimed nuclear test. | |
Both South Korean and Chinese scientists said earlier they had detected no evidence of radioactivity in air, soil and rainwater tests. | Both South Korean and Chinese scientists said earlier they had detected no evidence of radioactivity in air, soil and rainwater tests. |
The US has revised a draft resolution to remove the threat of imminent military action in an effort to allay Chinese and Russian concerns. | The US has revised a draft resolution to remove the threat of imminent military action in an effort to allay Chinese and Russian concerns. |
The US envoy to the UN, John Bolton, said he expected the vote to be held on Saturday but it depended on Russia and China's stance. | The US envoy to the UN, John Bolton, said he expected the vote to be held on Saturday but it depended on Russia and China's stance. |
But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the current draft still had "elements that should be discussed and clarified". | |
The US draft retains a controversial provision allowing nations to inspect cargo moving in and out of North Korea in pursuit of non-conventional weapons. | The US draft retains a controversial provision allowing nations to inspect cargo moving in and out of North Korea in pursuit of non-conventional weapons. |
Clouds gather | Clouds gather |
It urges Pyongyang to implement a September 2005 agreement in which it pledged to give up its nuclear programme in exchange for aid and security guarantees. | |
A Russian envoy who has just visited North Korea said he urged the Pyongyang authorities to return to six-nation disarmament talks. | |
Alexander Alexeyev said his meetings were "useful" but did not say how the North Koreans had responded to his appeal, the Associated Press reported. | |
New Japanese sanctions against North Korea have already come into force. | New Japanese sanctions against North Korea have already come into force. |
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 Press examines options | 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 Press examines options |
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. |
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has held talks in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao. | South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has held talks in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao. |
A top South Korean official said the two men did not discuss the details of the draft resolution but agreed in general principle to support UN action. | A top South Korean official said the two men did not discuss the details of the draft resolution but agreed in general principle to support UN action. |
Mr Roh is facing increasing pressure at home to reverse his so-called "sunshine policy" of engagement with the North. | Mr Roh is facing increasing pressure at home to reverse his so-called "sunshine policy" of engagement with the North. |
As many as 3,000 protesters gathered outside Seoul city hall to demand the government cut off aid and investment. | As many as 3,000 protesters gathered outside Seoul city hall to demand the government cut off aid and investment. |