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UN debates action over N Korea UN ponders North Korea sanctions
(about 4 hours later)
The UN Security Council is debating action against North Korea over claims it carried out nuclear tests, with China and Russia urging sanctions. Diplomats have not yet agreed on the sanctions North Korea should face, two days after the country reportedly carried out a nuclear test.
China, North Korea's traditional ally, has called for punitive action against the country but - like Russia - it is against the use of military force. The UN Security Council is considering a US proposal which would impose a range of tough measures on Pyongyang.
Japan has also urged sanctions, while South Korea said its military was remaining on high alert. But China and Russia are arguing against any sanctions that would be backed by military force.
The security council is discussing a US proposal to impose strict sanctions. Earlier, reports of a second apparent nuclear test were dismissed by senior officials in South Korea and the US.
The US ambassador to the UN said while the US would not rule out using force, it was seeking a diplomatic solution. A Japanese TV channel had said Tokyo officials were investigating reports of a further test following earth tremors in the area.
A South Korean seismologist has warned that North Korea could repeat a nuclear test in order to ensure the accuracy of its results. The nuclear test... marks a historic event... It will contribute to defending peace and stability North Korean statement href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6033893.stm" class="">Underground nuclear testing href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6036595.stm" class="">China's 'nightmare scenario'
And a Japanese TV channel reported that Tokyo officials were investigating reports of a further nuclear test following earth tremors in the area. But US and South Korean officials said they had detected no seismic activity in that area.
The nuclear test... marks a historic event... It will contribute to defending peace and stability North Korean statement Underground nuclear testing China's 'nightmare scenario' 'Nuclear test' worries press
But South Korean experts said they had detected no seismic activity.
The US has proposed a 13-point draft resolution and 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.The US has proposed a 13-point draft resolution and 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.
BBC correspondent Laura Trevelyan, who is at the UN headquarters in New York, said there appeared to be some disagreement on the scope of the measures. The American Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, has warned North Korea that it faces sanctions unlike any it has experienced before, because it had crossed "an important line" when it claimed it launched a nuclear test.
The diplomats say they want a resolution quickly, but at this stage it appears one will be reached closer to the end of the week rather than in the next 24 hours. The US has suggested there should be a ban on military trade with North Korea and stringent inspections of cargo going into and out of the country.
But the Japanese want a complete ban on planes or ships from North Korea crossing their territory.
'Colossal blow''Colossal blow'
Earlier, the South Korean Prime Minister, Han Myung-sook, said Seoul would not support a resolution including a threat of military force. Japan's ambassador to the UN, Kenzo Oshima, said negotiations on the draft resolution have become quite specific.
Russia has described the reported nuclear test as a "colossal blow" but stressed the solution was not military force. "Obviously we still have some difference of views and opinion with respect to some specifics that we'd like to see included," he said.
BBC correspondent Laura Trevelyan, who is at the UN headquarters in New York, said diplomats hoped to reach agreement by the end of the week.
HAVE YOUR SAY What is the world coming to? Mankind should be so much more civilized than this Jessica Cogswell, USA Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY What is the world coming to? Mankind should be so much more civilized than this Jessica Cogswell, USA Send us your comments
Russia, which like China has resisted sanctions in the past, has said it is "ready to take part in joint efforts of the interested parties to arrive at a peaceful, diplomatic settlement of the situation".Russia, which like China has resisted sanctions in the past, has said it is "ready to take part in joint efforts of the interested parties to arrive at a peaceful, diplomatic settlement of the situation".
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.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.
China's UN ambassador, Wang Guangya, has said North Korea must face "some punitive actions" for conducting a nuclear test.China's UN ambassador, Wang Guangya, has said North Korea must face "some punitive actions" for conducting a nuclear test.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said: "This will no doubt have a negative impact on China and North Korea's relations."Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said: "This will no doubt have a negative impact on China and North Korea's relations."
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 N Korea's mercurial leader Reaction to nuclear test N Korea's home-made bomb
North Korea's neighbours remain tense in the wake of Monday's announcement.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."
India, which carried out nuclear tests in 1998, condemned the test, and British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said it "posed a clear 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.Only Iran, which also faces Security Council action over its failure to suspend its uranium enrichment programme - has voiced support for North Korea.
The underground test reportedly took place in Gilju in Hamgyong province at 1036 (0136 GMT) on Monday morning.The underground test reportedly took place in Gilju in Hamgyong province at 1036 (0136 GMT) on Monday morning.
Confirmation of the bomb has not been made, and a White House spokesman said there was a "remote possibility that we'll never know" the size of it.
The lack of information over the blast has cast some doubts over North Korea's claim, with suggestions that the blast may have been produced by conventional explosives as part of a ruse.
But if confirmed, the test will give North Korea a place as a nuclear power alongside the US, Russia, Britain, France, India, Pakistan and China. Israel is also widely believed to have nuclear capabilities.