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Test 'may confirm' N Korea claim US test 'confirms' N Korea claim
(about 2 hours later)
Preliminary results of scientific tests appear to confirm that North Korea did carry out a nuclear test last Monday as it claimed, US officials have said.Preliminary results of scientific tests appear to confirm that North Korea did carry out a nuclear test last Monday as it claimed, US officials have said.
But the US stresses the results are provisional, and not definitive.But the US stresses the results are provisional, and not definitive.
The United Nations Security Council is expected to vote on Saturday on a US-sponsored draft resolution calling for sanctions on Pyongyang. A vote on sanctions at the United Nations Security Council is expected on Saturday but Russia and China are still querying the US-drafted resolution.
Ban Ki-Moon, who will be the new UN secretary-general, called for a "clear and strong" resolution to be adopted.Ban Ki-Moon, who will be the new UN secretary-general, called for a "clear and strong" resolution to be adopted.
US scientists found that there were traces of radioactivity in the air near the site of last Monday's alleged nuclear test. Mr Ban was formally elected by the UN General Assembly on Friday to replace Kofi Annan at the end of the year.
However, White House officials cautioned that this result alone did not confirm a successful test but it could mean that a nuclear test was attempted. Throughout the week there has been uncertainty about whether North Korea carried out a nuclear test, tried to but failed, or merely made a false claim, the BBC's Nick Miles reports from Washington.
The apparent confirmation that Pyongyang did carry out a nuclear test could make the passing of the UN resolution more likely, our correspondent says.
Fizzle theory
US scientists found that there were traces of radioactive gas in the air near the site of last Monday's alleged nuclear test.
White House officials cautioned that this result alone did not confirm a successful test but it could mean that a nuclear test had been attempted.
One official quoted by the Associated Press said the results could indicate a "nuclear fizzle", rather than a full test.One official quoted by the Associated Press said the results could indicate a "nuclear fizzle", rather than a full test.
The agency also quoted an unnamed official as saying the sample had been collected above Qunggye, near the area of the claimed nuclear test.
Both South Korean and Chinese scientists said earlier they had detected no evidence of radioactivity in air, soil and rainwater tests.Both South Korean and Chinese scientists said earlier they had detected no evidence of radioactivity in air, soil and rainwater tests.
Vote expected 'Clarification needed'
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 an effort to allay Chinese and Russian concerns.
US ambassador to the UN John Bolton said he expected the vote to be held on Saturday. 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 href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6048150.stm" class="">In pictures: Sanctions bite href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6043610.stm" class="">Who stands where href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4191&edition=2&ttl=20061009081648" class="">Send us your comments
"There may some additional changes to the text, but we do have unanimous agreement," he said. The US envoy to the UN, John Bolton, said he expected the vote to be held on Saturday but it depended on Russia and China's stance.
This was confirmed by Japanese envoy Kenzo Oshima, the current council president. "I thought we had agreed - we had agreed this morning that we were going to vote tomorrow morning." he said on Friday.
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 href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6048150.stm" class="">In pictures: Sanctions bite href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6043610.stm" class="">Who stands where "All council members are asked to come back tomorrow [Saturday]," he said. But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking after meeting Chinese envoy Tang Jiaxuan in Moscow, said the current draft still had "elements that should be discussed and clarified".
Russia's ambassador Sergey Lavrov - after meeting a senior Chinese envoy in Moscow - said the two countries believed the Security Council response should not "give way to emotions" and avoid "extreme sanctions". The US draft 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 non-conventional weapons. It 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. Clouds gather
Negotiations to resolve outstanding issues are continuing. New Japanese sanctions against North Korea have already come into force.
'Countermeasures'
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. The measures include trade and travel bans, barring North Korean ships from Japan's ports, and freezing imports and visits by North Korean officials.
North Korean vessels deliver crabs, clams or prized matsutake mushrooms to Japan, returning with used bicycles, used cars, motorcycles or old household appliances. South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has held talks in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is due to tour China, Japan and South Korea next week in an attempt to galvanise support for a strong stance against Pyongyang.
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.
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 comments
"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.