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N Korea warned over nuclear test N Korea warned over nuclear test
(about 2 hours later)
North Korea would be reckless to go ahead with its threat to conduct a nuclear test, the US has said, adding that it is raising the issue at the UN. A North Korean nuclear test would be a "provocative act", US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said.
A test would pose an "unacceptable threat to peace and stability" and the US would work with allies to discourage it, the state department said. Speaking in Cairo, she said the US would have to assess its options should North Korea's threat be carried out.
North Korea said its planned test would bolster its national security in the face of US military hostility. North Korea did not give a date for its test, which was announced on state TV, but said it would boost security in the face of US military hostility.
No timeframe was given for the test, which was announced on state TV. Japan, South Korea and Russia, who have been involved in six-party talks with Pyongyang, have also expressed concern.
Japan, South Korea and Russia, which along with the US and China are members of the six-nation talks on the North's nuclear programme, have also expressed concern. The US and China have also been part of the talks, which have been stalled for a year.
No reaction to the news was immediately available from China, one of North Korea's few allies.
It would be a threat to peace that is absolutely unforgivable Taro AsoJapanese Foreign Minister In quotes: World reactionIt would be a threat to peace that is absolutely unforgivable Taro AsoJapanese Foreign Minister In quotes: World reaction
No reaction to the news was immediately available from China, one of the North's few allies.
The Chinese have, like the South Koreans, been advocating quiet diplomacy in efforts to get Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear programme, but both countries joined in condemning ballistic missile tests it conducted in the Sea of Japan earlier this year.The Chinese have, like the South Koreans, been advocating quiet diplomacy in efforts to get Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear programme, but both countries joined in condemning ballistic missile tests it conducted in the Sea of Japan earlier this year.
The latest announcement from Pyongyang is bound to put both Beijing and Seoul under renewed pressure to take a tougher line, BBC East Asia regional editor Clare Harkey says.The latest announcement from Pyongyang is bound to put both Beijing and Seoul under renewed pressure to take a tougher line, BBC East Asia regional editor Clare Harkey says.
She adds that a nuclear test by North Korea, with its crumbling infrastructure and struggling economy, would also raise fears on safety grounds.She adds that a nuclear test by North Korea, with its crumbling infrastructure and struggling economy, would also raise fears on safety grounds.
'Grave threat''Grave threat'
The US ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, said he would be raising the possible test in the Security Council on Tuesday and hoped for a strong response similar to the one following missile tests. The US ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, said he would be raising the nuclear issue with the Security Council and hoped for a strong response similar to the one following missile tests.
KOREAN NUCLEAR CRISIS Sept 2005: Hailed as an historic breakthrough, North Korea agrees to give up nuclear activitiesNext day, N Korea says it will not scrap its activities unless it gets a civilian nuclear reactorUS imposes financial sanctions on N Korea businessesJuly 2006: N Korea test-fires seven missilesUN Security Council votes to impose sanctions over the testsOct 2006: N Korea threatens nuclear test N Korean statement on test N Korea nuclear timelineKOREAN NUCLEAR CRISIS Sept 2005: Hailed as an historic breakthrough, North Korea agrees to give up nuclear activitiesNext day, N Korea says it will not scrap its activities unless it gets a civilian nuclear reactorUS imposes financial sanctions on N Korea businessesJuly 2006: N Korea test-fires seven missilesUN Security Council votes to impose sanctions over the testsOct 2006: N Korea threatens nuclear test N Korean statement on test N Korea nuclear timeline
"Given the very strong action by the council in July in condemning the North Korean ballistic missile tests, I think it's important that we're prepared to follow up here," he said."Given the very strong action by the council in July in condemning the North Korean ballistic missile tests, I think it's important that we're prepared to follow up here," he said.
"Obviously the ballistic missiles, if mated with nuclear weapons, would be a very grave threat to international peace and security."
Echoing the state department, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the North's announcement was "troubling" and would further isolate North Korea from the rest of the world.
US President George W Bush was "seeking a peaceful, diplomatic solution", he added.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the nuclear test plans were unacceptable and would be met "harshly".Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the nuclear test plans were unacceptable and would be met "harshly".
South Korea's government went into emergency security talks, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for restraint and a diplomatic solution. South Korea's government held emergency security talks, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for restraint and a diplomatic solution.
In London, Foreign Office officials warned of "serious consequences" to what would be regarded as "a highly provocative act".In London, Foreign Office officials warned of "serious consequences" to what would be regarded as "a highly provocative act".
Arms race fears HAVE YOUR SAY It is of concern to the whole world that North Korea should want to test nuclear weapons Steve, Chippenham href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4077&edition=2&ttl=20061003163317" class="">Send us your comments North Korea is thought to have developed a handful of warheads but never before announced it would test one.
North Korea is thought to have developed a handful of warheads but never before announced it would test one.
US and South Korean reports suggest the North has at least one underground test site.US and South Korean reports suggest the North has at least one underground test site.
HAVE YOUR SAY It is of concern to the whole world that North Korea should want to test nuclear weapons Steve, Chippenham Send us your comments The announcement comes with the six-nation talks stalled for a year, and correspondents say a successful nuclear test would signal the end of international negotiations and threaten a dangerous arms race in East Asia.
The North appears increasingly angry at sanctions imposed by the US and other countries on North Korean businesses accused of arms sales and illegal activities.The North appears increasingly angry at sanctions imposed by the US and other countries on North Korean businesses accused of arms sales and illegal activities.
In 2002, it restarted its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon and forced two UN nuclear monitors to leave the country.In 2002, it restarted its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon and forced two UN nuclear monitors to leave the country.
It is unclear how far work has progressed at the plant since then.It is unclear how far work has progressed at the plant since then.