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N Korea warned over second test Rice to rally Asians on N Korea
(about 7 hours later)
North Korea has been warned against conducting a second test of a nuclear weapon, as the US said expectations of a new test happening were "reasonable". US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is due to arrive in Japan at the start of an Asian tour to discuss the new UN sanctions against North Korea.
"It would not be a good thing for them, but it certainly would not be out of character," the White House said. Her trip is likely to put pressure on Asian countries, especially China, to enforce these measures.
France said it would demand an even stronger response than the UN sanctions imposed after the first 9 October blast if the North carried out a new test. Ms Rice said Washington had no desire to see the crisis escalate, but added that the US would protect its allies in the face of a North Korean threat.
North Korea has dubbed those sanctions a declaration of war, state media says. Concerns remain that the North might conduct another nuclear test.
Pyongyang also warned of "merciless" blows against any country infringing on its sovereignty, the official KCNA news agency reported. Renewed activity has been reported at last week's test site, and both South Korea and Japan say they have intelligence of possible preparation for a second test.
On Monday, US intelligence officials confirmed for the first time that last week's underground explosion had been nuclear. The North itself is showing no signs of backing down in the face of international pressure.
On Tuesday night it staged a huge sound and light show to mark the 80th anniversary of the party which was precursor to the current rulers, the Communist Workers Party.
Warm welcome
Ms Rice's trip will take her to Japan, South Korea, China and Russia.
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 N Korea's mercurial leader
She will get a warm welcome in Japan, according to the BBC correspondent in Tokyo, Chris Hogg.
The US-Japan security alliance is strong, and Japan has been protected by the American nuclear umbrella for 50 years.
Both countries are eager to implement the tough new UN sanctions on North Korea that were agreed by the Security Council over the weekend - including plans to stop and search North Korean vessels suspected of carrying cargo that breaches the sanctions.
Even though Japan is constricted by the limitations of its pacifist constitution, it hopes to provide American naval forces with logistical support.
During Ms Rice's visit to Tokyo, she is expected to reaffirm Washington's commitment to protect the Japanese, in the light of the new threats from Pyongyang.
She will take the same message to Seoul - another stop on her hastily-arranged Asian tour.
But according to the US ambassador to South Korea, Alexander Vershbow, Ms Rice will also ask Seoul to expand its role in inspecting ships going to and from the North, to check for weapons of mass destruction.
We want peace but do not fear war N Korea's foreign ministry Full text of statement Send us your commentsWe want peace but do not fear war N Korea's foreign ministry Full text of statement Send us your comments
There are now reports of new activity at last week's test site, and South Korea and Japan say they have intelligence of a possible second test being prepared. South Korea has been reluctant to take part in this US-led Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) - which was introduced in 2003, but has been expanded as a result of the new sanctions - for fear it could spark a sea clash with the North.
According to White House spokesman Tony Snow, North Korea is likely to try to carry out a second blast to test the will of United Nations, the UN Security Council and the countries involved in the six-nation talks. South Korea, and to a greater extent China, are still thought to have concerns over the implementation of some parts of the new UN sanctions.
"The North Koreans have made no secret of their desire to be provocative. The first test, while nuclear, did have a low yield and perhaps it would not be unreasonable to expect that the North Koreans would like to try to something again," Mr Snow said. One of Ms Rice's biggest challenges on this trip will be to get firm assurances that they will participate fully, analysts say.
China pressure Another reason for the trip is Washington's concern that the crisis on the Korean peninsula could encourage other Asian nations to develop their own nuclear weapons programmes.
In the past, North Korea is thought to have staged activity at nuclear and missile sites to attract attention and step up diplomatic pressure, the BBC's Charles Scanlon in Seoul says. During her discussions, Ms Rice will try to lessen that temptation by reassuring Asian leaders of continuing US support.
But analysts in Seoul say North Korea will need to conduct further tests in order to develop a credible nuclear deterrent, he adds. Satellite data
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/1907197.stm" class="">N Korea's mercurial leader China has appealed to Pyongyang not to escalate tensions, urging its key ally to resolve the issue "through dialogue and consultation". Concerns are growing over a possible second nuclear test in North Korea.
A commentary in the overseas edition of the official China People's Daily said that if North Korea did not stop its actions it could result in not only the implementation of stricter UN sanctions, but that "China is also likely to stop providing petroleum and grain to North Korea". NEW UN SANCTIONS Bans sale to, or export from, N Korea of military hardwareBans sale or export of nuclear and missile related itemsBans sale of luxury goodsFreezes finances and bans travel of anyone involved in nuclear, missile programmesAllows inspection of cargo to and from N KoreaStresses new resolution needed for further action href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6043610.stm" class="">Who stands where
France's foreign ministry spokesman, Jean-Baptiste Mattei, said that although he had no confirmation that North Korea was indeed preparing a second test, Paris was "following very closely". The fears stem partly from new satellite data showing increased activity around at least two potential test sites.
"A new test would constitute an exceptional act of irresponsibility... which would demand an adequate response from the international community." In the past, North Korea is thought to have staged activity at nuclear and missile sites purely to attract attention and step up diplomatic pressure, the BBC's Charles Scanlon in Seoul says.
North Korean reaction But analysts in Seoul say Pyongyang will need to conduct further tests in order to develop a credible nuclear deterrent, he adds.
The UN Security Council unanimously voted on Saturday to impose sanctions, targeting Pyongyang's weapons and missile programmes as well as luxury goods. China - the closest country North Korea has to an ally - has appealed to Pyongyang not to escalate tensions still further, urging it to resolve the issue "through dialogue and consultation".
NEW UN SANCTIONS Bans sale to, or export from, N Korea of military hardwareBans sale or export of nuclear and missile related itemsBans sale of luxury goodsFreezes finances and bans travel of anyone involved in nuclear, missile programmesAllows inspection of cargo to and from N KoreaStresses new resolution needed for further action href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6043610.stm" class="">Who stands where In its first official statement since the vote, North Korea's foreign ministry on Tuesday said it "vehemently denounced" the resolution and called it a "product of US hostile policy" towards the country. But on Tuesday the North Korean state media dubbed the new UN sanctions against it a "declaration of war", and warned that Pyongyang would deliver "merciless blows without hesitation to whoever tries to breach our sovereignty".
"The resolution cannot be construed otherwise than a declaration of a war" against the North, the statement from the foreign ministry said.
The statement repeated North Korea's previous claim that it wanted peace and a de-nuclearised Korean peninsula.
But it warned that Pyongyang would deliver "merciless blows without hesitation to whoever tries to breach our sovereignty and right to survive under the excuse of carrying out the UN Security Council resolution".