N Korea 'facing tough measures'
By Raymond Lim,WNS South Korea Bureau Chief
SEOUL - North Korea faces tough international measures and further isolation over its claim to have tested a nuclear bomb, diplomats have said. Pyongyang's closest ally China has refused to rule out the possibility of UN sanctions, but described the chance of military action as "unimaginable". The US has described the reported test as a "provocative act". The UN Security Council is considering a draft resolution that proposes strict financial and trade sanctions.
The response of China - the country that holds the most influence over the isolated regime - is seen by many analysts to be key in moving the crisis forward. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said: "This will no doubt have a negative impact on China and North Korea's relations." He said the UN should take "appropriate action" but added that China was still considering the nature of that action. However, when asked what China thought of the possibility of military action, Mr Liu told a news conference: "I think this is an unimaginable way." North Korea's neighbours remain tense in the wake of Monday's announcement. China has reportedly cancelled leave for troops along part of its border with the North, and South Korean forces have been ordered to stay alert. South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun feared the move could "spark a nuclear arms build-up in other countries" but Japan, the only nation to suffer atomic attack, has pledged that it will not develop nuclear weapons in response. New Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the Japanese parliament: "Possession of nuclear arms is not an option at all for our country." Meeting in New York, the UN Security Council has strongly condemned North Korea over its claimed test.
On Tuesday the Security Council will continue to weigh up options for punitive action, and is considering a 13-point draft resolution proposed by the US, seeking targeted sanctions. The proposals include: Halting trade in material that could be used to make weapons of mass destruction; Inspections of cargo going in and out of North Korea; The ending of financial transactions used to support nuclear proliferation; A ban on the import of luxury goods.
US ambassador to the UN John Bolton said that while the US would never rule out the use of force, they were seeking a diplomatic solution to the crisis through the UN. The US wants to see the sanctions brought under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter, which means they would be mandatory and ultimately enforceable by military means. In his first public statement since the reported test, US President Bush said the North Korean claim "constitutes a threat to international peace and security." Only Iran, which also faces Security Council action over its failure to suspend its uranium enrichment programme - has voiced support for North Korea.
posted by wnsworld @ 9:17 AM
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