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Rice launches Korea crisis tour Rice launches Korea crisis tour
(about 1 hour later)
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has arrived in Japan at the start of an Asian tour to discuss the new UN sanctions against North Korea. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has arrived in Japan on the first leg of an Asian tour to discuss the new UN sanctions against North Korea.
Her trip is likely to put pressure on Asian countries, especially China, to enforce these measures.Her trip is likely to put pressure on Asian countries, especially China, to enforce these measures.
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.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.
Concerns remain that the North might conduct another nuclear test.Concerns remain that the North might conduct another nuclear test.
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.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.
The North itself is showing no signs of backing down in the face of international pressure.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.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 Security alliances
Ms Rice's trip takes her to Japan, South Korea, China and Russia. Ms Rice's trip is aimed at rallying support to implement sanctions fully in line with the UN resolution passed last week.
"It is extremely important to recognise that this is a set of obligations under 1718 that I think all states are determined to carry out, " Ms Rice said on her flight to Tokyo.
She is also to visit 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 leaderN 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. She said she would use her talks in Tokyo and Seoul to reaffirm Washington's commitment to the military defence of the two countries.
The US-Japan security alliance is strong, and Japan has been protected by the American nuclear umbrella for 50 years. "The way to deal with the security threat (North Korea) poses it to draw on the very strong alliances that we have with South Korea and Japan on which they can fully rely for their security from this specific threat," she said.
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. Japan and the US are eager to implement the tough new UN sanctions on North Korea that were agreed by the Security Council - 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. Japan is constricted by the limitations of its pacifist constitution but 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. The US ambassador to South Korea, Alexander Vershbow, says Ms Rice will ask Seoul to expand its role in inspecting ships going to and from the North, to check for weapons of mass destruction.
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
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. South Korea has been reluctant to do this for fear it could spark a sea clash with the North.
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.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.
One of Ms Rice's biggest challenges on this trip will be to get firm assurances that they will participate fully, analysts say.One of Ms Rice's biggest challenges on this trip will be to get firm assurances that they will participate fully, analysts say.
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.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.
During her discussions, Ms Rice will try to lessen that temptation by reassuring Asian leaders of continuing US support. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso has said there should be a discussion in Japan about whether the country should build its own nuclear arsenal, although he has stressed the government had no plans to possess or develop nuclear weapons.
Satellite dataSatellite data
Concerns are growing over a possible second nuclear test in North Korea.Concerns are growing over a possible second nuclear test in 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 Who stands whereNEW 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 Who stands where
The fears stem partly from new satellite data showing increased activity around at least two potential test sites.The fears stem partly from new satellite data showing increased activity around at least two potential test sites.
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.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.
But analysts in Seoul say Pyongyang will need to conduct further tests in order to develop a credible nuclear deterrent, he adds.But analysts in Seoul say Pyongyang will need to conduct further tests in order to develop a credible nuclear deterrent, he adds.
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".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".
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".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".