China pressures N Korean leader
By Xiao Ping,WNS China Senior Correspondent
BEIJING - A Chinese envoy has met North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong-il as tensions mount over the North's nuclear test, according to Chinese officials. The envoy, former Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, was believed to be carrying a message from China's President Hu Jintao calling for restraint. The meeting came as a North Korean official hinted at another test.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned of "further measures" if the North tested again. China's Foreign Ministry warned on Thursday against "wilfully" expanding UN sanctions against North Korea. "Sanctions are a signal, not a goal," spokesman Liu Jianchao told a news conference. Ms Rice is in South Korea on the second leg of an Asian tour to rally opposition to North Korea's nuclear testing. Her trip will also take her to China.
It follows a UN Security Council vote backing sanctions in response to North Korea's 9 October test. A North Korean official gave the country's first indication it may be preparing a second nuclear test. The deputy head of North Korea's foreign ministry, Li Gun, speaking on ABC TV in the US, said a second test would be "natural" and that the US should not be surprised if one were carried out. President George W Bush said North Korea would face "grave consequences" if it tried to transfer nuclear weapons to third parties such as Iran or al-Qaeda.
posted by wnsworld @ 9:22 AM
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