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UN vote backs N Korea sanctions UN vote backs N Korea sanctions
(30 minutes later)
The UN Security Council has voted unanimously in favour of a resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea over its claimed nuclear test.The UN Security Council has voted unanimously in favour of a resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea over its claimed nuclear test.
Resolution 1718 includes a ban on imports on many military items and imposes financial sanctions, but is not backed by the threat of military force. Resolution 1718 imposes weapons and financial sanctions but is not backed by the threat of military force.
The vote had been delayed because of concerns raised by China and Russia about the US-proposed draft text. The vote followed hours of intensive talks aimed at allaying concerns raised by China and Russia about the US-proposed draft text.
North Korea claimed to have tested a nuclear bomb last Monday.North Korea claimed to have tested a nuclear bomb last Monday.
Before the vote, British UN envoy Sir Emyr Jones Parry described the agreed text as a "very, very robust response". The resolution:
US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton told reporters the US was "very pleased" that the text of the resolution had been agreed.
  • Demands North Korea eliminate all its nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.
    • China's UN envoy Wang Guangya described the resolution as a "strong, forceful, appropriate response".
  • Requires all countries to prevent the sale or transfer of materials related to Pyongyang's unconventional weapons programmes, as well as large-sized military items such as tanks, missiles and helicopters.
    • Negotiators have struggled to agree a resolution text acceptable to China and Russia, both permanent Security Council members with strong ties to North Korea.
  • Demands nations freeze funds overseas of people or businesses connected with North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
    • 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 resolutionUnder Article 41 of Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, meaning it cannot be enforced by military means 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
  • Allows nations to inspect cargo moving in and out of North Korea in pursuit of non-conventional weapons.
    • Earlier, Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said the resolution "should not carry even a hint at use of force and mustn't be directed against the North Korean people".
  • Is not backed up by the threat of military force.
    • He also said that any measures against Pyongyang should not be indefinite.
  • Calls on Pyongyang to return "without precondition" to stalled six-nation talks on its nuclear programme.
    • And US President George W Bush, in his weekly radio address, called for tough sanctions, saying Pyongyang must face "real consequences". US ambassador to the UN John Bolton said the claimed missile test posed "one of the gravest threats to international peace and security that this council has ever had to confront".
    His comments came after US officials said initial tests had detected radioactive gas consistent with a nuclear explosion near the site of North Korea's claimed nuclear test last Monday. 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 href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2340405.stm" class="">Q&A: Nuclear crisis href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6033893.stm" class="">Underground nuclear testing href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6047596.stm" class="">Press examines options He said the resolution sent "a strong and clear message to North Korea and other would-be proliferators that there will be serious repercussions in continuing to pursue weapons of mass destruction".
    Revised resolution China backed the resolution, but UN envoy Wang Guangya told the Security Council that China had "reservations" about cargo inspections.
    The US has revised its draft resolution to remove the threat of imminent military action in an effort to allay Chinese and Russian concerns.
    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 It has also reduced the total embargo on military equipment it initially wanted to a ban on imports of specific items such as tanks, helicopters and missiles.
    A controversial element under discussion has been a provision allowing nations to inspect cargo moving in and out of North Korea in pursuit of non-conventional weapons.
    China and Russia have been concerned such checks could spark naval confrontations with North Korean boats.China and Russia have been concerned such checks could spark naval confrontations with North Korean boats.
    Sir Jones Parry said the agreed text "ultimately provides for inspection of goods to and from North Korea, if necessary, to support compliance with this resolution". Mr Wang called on UN member states to refrain from "provocative steps" with respect to the inspections.
    Negotiators have struggled to agree a resolution text acceptable to China and Russia, both permanent Security Council members with strong ties to North Korea.
    The US proposed the initial draft resolution, but revised it to remove the threat of imminent military action in an effort to allay Chinese and Russian concerns.
    It also reduced the total embargo on military equipment it initially wanted to a ban on imports of specific items such as tanks, helicopters and missiles.
    'Fizzle' theory'Fizzle' theory
    The vote came after US officials said initial tests had detected radioactive gas consistent with a nuclear explosion near the site of North Korea's claimed nuclear test last Monday.
    Throughout the week there has been uncertainty about whether North Korea carried out a nuclear test, tried to but failed, or made a false claim.Throughout the week there has been uncertainty about whether North Korea carried out a nuclear test, tried to but failed, or made a false claim.
    US scientists found that there were traces of radioactive gas in the air near the site of the alleged nuclear test.US scientists found that there were traces of radioactive gas in the air near the site of the 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.
    But the US authorities stress that more tests are needed to reach a conclusion.But the US authorities stress that more tests are needed to reach a conclusion.
    Japan said on Saturday that its latest survey of radiation levels in the air showed no irregularities. South Korean and Chinese scientists said earlier they had detected no evidence of radioactivity in air, soil and rainwater.Japan said on Saturday that its latest survey of radiation levels in the air showed no irregularities. South Korean and Chinese scientists said earlier they had detected no evidence of radioactivity in air, soil and rainwater.
    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.