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'Saturday' UN vote on North Korea No 'extreme sanctions' on N Korea
(30 minutes later)
US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton says he expects the Security Council to approve on Saturday a resolution calling for sanctions on North Korea. Moscow and Beijing are both opposed to "extreme sanctions" on North Korea, Russia's foreign minister says.
The move follows Pyongyang's statement that it has tested a nuclear bomb. "We with China have a common position in the need... not to be emotional," Sergei Lavrov told reporters in Moscow.
The United Nations Security Council is expected to vote on Saturday on a US-sponsored draft resolution calling for sanctions on Pyongyang.
The move follows Monday's announcement by the North that it had tested a nuclear weapon.
The US has revised a draft resolution to remove the threat of imminent military action, in a effort to allay Chinese and Russian concerns.The US has revised a draft resolution to remove the threat of imminent military action, in a effort to allay Chinese and Russian concerns.
Meanwhile the US says it has so far not established that the North's test last week had reached the nuclear threshold. US ambassador to John Bolton said he expected the vote to be held on Saturday.
This does not mean that the explosion was not nuclear - just that the tests the US have run thus far cannot definitely conclude that this was the case, officials told the BBC. "There may some additional changes to the text, but we do have unanimous agreement," he said.
At UN headquarters in New York, Mr Bolton said there was "unanimous agreement" on a resolution providing for sanctions, and that a vote was scheduled for Saturday.
This was confirmed by Japanese envoy Kenzo Oshima, the current council president.This was confirmed by Japanese envoy Kenzo Oshima, the current council president.
LATEST DRAFT RESOLUTION Bans sale of tanks, helicopters and missiles, as well as nuclear and missile technologyAllows inspection of ships going to or from N KoreaBans sale of luxury goodsBans travel by those working on weapons and missile programmesAny further action needs new UN resolution In pictures: Sanctions bite Who stands where LATEST DRAFT RESOLUTION Bans sale of tanks, helicopters and missiles, as well as nuclear and missile technologyAllows inspection of ships going to or from N KoreaBans sale of luxury goodsBans travel by those working on weapons and missile programmesAny further action needs new UN resolution In pictures: Sanctions bite Who stands where "All council members are asked to come back tomorrow [Saturday]," he said.
"All council members are asked to come back tomorrow [Saturday]," he said. Mr Lavrov - after meeting with a senior Chinese envoy in Moscow - said the two countries believed the response should not "give way to emotions" and avoid "extreme sanctions".
In Beijing, the Chinese and South Korean leaders agreed the UN must take "necessary and appropriate" action. The new US draft resolution restricts sanctions to non-military actions and limits arms sanctions to heavy weapons only, but retains a controversial provision allowing nations to inspect cargo moving in and out of North Korea in pursuit of non-conventional weapons.
The new US draft resolution restricts sanctions to non-military actions and limits arms sanctions to heavy weapons only, but retains a controversial provision allowing nations to inspect cargo moving in and out of North Korea in pursuit of unconventional weapons.
The resolution urges Pyongyang to implement a September 2005 agreement in which it pledged to give up its nuclear programme in exchange for aid and security guarantees.The resolution urges Pyongyang to implement a September 2005 agreement in which it pledged to give up its nuclear programme in exchange for aid and security guarantees.
Japan's cabinet has confirmed it is imposing unilateral sanctions. Negotiations to resolve outstanding issues are continuing.
'Countermeasures''Countermeasures'
The Japanese measures, first announced on Wednesday, include trade and travel bans, barring North Korean ships from Japan's ports, and freezing imports and visits by North Korean officials. Meanwhile, new Japanese sanctions against North Korea have already come into force.
The measures, first announced on Wednesday, include trade and travel bans, barring North Korean ships from Japan's ports, and freezing imports and visits by North Korean officials.
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 Underground nuclear testing Press examines optionsN 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 Underground nuclear testing Press examines options
Pyongyang has promised "strong countermeasures" against any sanctions.Pyongyang has promised "strong countermeasures" against any sanctions.
North Korean vessels deliver crabs, clams or prized matsutake mushrooms to Japan, returning with used bicycles, used cars, motorcycles or old household appliances.North Korean vessels deliver crabs, clams or prized matsutake mushrooms to Japan, returning with used bicycles, used cars, motorcycles or old household appliances.
Ships have been loading up in Japanese ports ahead of a Friday midnight (1500 GMT) deadline. Ships have been loading up in Japanese ports ahead of the Friday midnight (1500 GMT) deadline.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is reportedly planning to tour China, Japan and South Korea next week in an attempt to galvanise support for a strong stance against Pyongyang.US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is reportedly planning to tour China, Japan and South Korea next week in an attempt to galvanise support for a strong stance against Pyongyang.
Diplomatic push
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has held talks in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, on how to respond to North Korea's claimed test.South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has held talks in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, on how to respond to North Korea's claimed test.
A top South Korean official said the two men did not discuss the details of the draft resolution but agreed in general principle to support UN action.A top South Korean official said the two men did not discuss the details of the draft resolution but agreed in general principle to support UN action.
North Korean ships are rushing to beat Japan's deadlineNorth Korean ships are rushing to beat Japan's deadline
"The two leaders agreed to support appropriate and necessary counter-measures by the UN Security Council against North Korea," Song Min-soon, Mr Roh's National Security Adviser, said."The two leaders agreed to support appropriate and necessary counter-measures by the UN Security Council against North Korea," Song Min-soon, Mr Roh's National Security Adviser, said.
Mr Roh is facing increasing pressure at home to reverse his so-called "sunshine policy" of engagement with the North.Mr Roh is facing increasing pressure at home to reverse his so-called "sunshine policy" of engagement with the North.
As many as 3,000 protesters gathered outside Seoul city hall to demand the government cut off aid and investment.As many as 3,000 protesters gathered outside Seoul city hall to demand the government cut off aid and investment.
Monday's announcement by North Korea that it had carried out a successful test of a nuclear weapon has sent political shock waves around the region.
HAVE YOUR SAY If the US, UK and other governments wish to stop other countries having nuclear weapons then they should lead by example Alastair Mooney, Leicester, UK Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY If the US, UK and other governments wish to stop other countries having nuclear weapons then they should lead by example Alastair Mooney, Leicester, UK Send us your comments
But there has been some speculation that the test was unsuccessful, based on the relatively small size of the blast.But there has been some speculation that the test was unsuccessful, based on the relatively small size of the blast.
The US said on Friday that it has so far not established that the North's test had reached the nuclear threshold.
This does not mean that the explosion was not nuclear - just that the tests the US have run thus far cannot definitely conclude that this was the case, officials told the BBC.
Both South Korean and Chinese scientists said they had detected no evidence of radioactivity in air, soil and rainwater tests.Both South Korean and Chinese scientists said they had detected no evidence of radioactivity in air, soil and rainwater tests.
But Yoo Bong-jin, an official with South Korea's ministry of science and technology, warned that the findings were not proof that a nuclear test had failed.But Yoo Bong-jin, an official with South Korea's ministry of science and technology, warned that the findings were not proof that a nuclear test had failed.