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Russia warns on N Korea sanctions Russia warns on N Korea sanctions
(10 minutes later)
Russia's defence minister has said that any UN sanctions imposed in response to North Korea's claimed nuclear test should not even hint at using force.Russia's defence minister has said that any UN sanctions imposed in response to North Korea's claimed nuclear test should not even hint at using force.
Sergei Ivanov also said that any measures against Pyongyang should not be indefinite.Sergei Ivanov also said that any measures against Pyongyang should not be indefinite.
His comments came hours ahead of an expected UN Security Council vote on a US-drafted resolution. His comments came as talks continued at the UN Security Council, ahead of an expected vote on a US draft resolution.
Initial tests detected radioactive gas consistent with a nuclear explosion, US officials have said. US President George W Bush called for tough sanctions, saying Pyongyang must face "real consequences".
These results would appear to confirm that North Korea did carry out a nuclear test last Monday as it claimed, but the US authorities stress that more tests are needed to reach a conclusion. "Nations around the world... agree on the need for a strong United Nations Security Council resolution that will require North Korea to dismantle its nuclear programs," he said in his weekly radio address.
Japan said on Saturday that its latest survey of radiation levels in the air show no irregularities. South Korean and Chinese scientists said earlier they had detected no evidence of radioactivity in air, soil and rainwater. But Mr Bush also reiterated that he wanted to use diplomatic means to solve the North Korean crisis.
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/6040494.stm" class="">Nuclear test - failure of fake? href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4191&edition=2&ttl=20061009081648" class="">Send us your comments His comments came after US officials said initial tests had detected radioactive gas consistent with a nuclear explosion near the site of North Korea's claimed nuclear test last Monday.
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. Revised resolution
The apparent confirmation that Pyongyang carried out a nuclear test could make the passing of the UN resolution more likely, correspondents say. Diplomats at the UN Security Council meeting in New York say a vote is expected by the end of Saturday on a resolution bringing sanctions against North Korea.
The US has revised its draft resolution before the Security Council to remove the threat of imminent military action in an effort to allay Chinese and Russian concerns. The vote has already been delayed as negotiators struggle to agree a resolution text acceptable to China and Russia, both permanent Security Council members with strong ties to North Korea.
However, as always, the devil is in the detail and Russia appears to seeking clarification, the BBC's Emma Simpson reports from Moscow. 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 resolutionUnder Article 41 of Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, meaning it cannot be enforced by military means href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6048150.stm" class="">In pictures: Sanctions bite href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6040494.stm" class="">Nuclear test - failure of fake? href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4191&edition=2&ttl=20061009081648" class="">Send us your comments The BBC's Laura Trevelyan at the UN says the council is now trying to agree the fine tuning of the text.
Mr Ivanov, speaking after meeting a top Chinese official in the Russian capital, said both countries agreed on the need for peaceful, diplomatic means to resolve the crisis. The US has revised its draft resolution to remove the threat of imminent military action in an effort to allay Chinese and Russian concerns.
It has also reduced the total embargo on military equipment it initially wanted to a ban on imports of specific items such as tanks, helicopters and missiles.
Mr Ivanov's comments came as he and Russian President Vladimir Putin both held meetings with a top Chinese official in Moscow.
Mr Ivanov said both countries agreed on the need for peaceful, diplomatic means to resolve the crisis.
"Sanctions should not carry even a hint at use of force and mustn't be directed against the North Korean people," he said."Sanctions should not carry even a hint at use of force and mustn't be directed against the North Korean people," he said.
"For Russia and China, which border on North Korea, this issue is of primary importance.""For Russia and China, which border on North Korea, this issue is of primary importance."
Mr Ivanov said the two countries agreed that any measures against Pyongyang must be aimed at encouraging the North Koreans to return to stalled six-party negotiations about their nuclear programme. 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 href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2340405.stm" class="">Q&A: Nuclear crisis href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6033893.stm" class="">Underground nuclear testing href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6047596.stm" class="">Press examines options Mr Ivanov said the two countries agreed that any measures against Pyongyang must be aimed at encouraging the North Koreans to return to stalled six-party negotiations about their nuclear programme.
Fizzle theory In televised comments, Mr Putin spoke about the importance of Russia and China agreeing positions on international problems including North Korea.
The draft expected to be voted on later on Saturday retains a controversial provision allowing nations to inspect cargo moving in and out of North Korea in pursuit of non-conventional weapons. The draft UN resolution retains a controversial provision allowing nations to inspect cargo moving in and out of North Korea in pursuit of non-conventional weapons.
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 href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2340405.stm" class="">Q&A: Nuclear crisis href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6033893.stm" class="">Underground nuclear testing href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6047596.stm" class="">Press examines options China and Russia are concerned such checks could spark naval confrontations with North Korean boats.
It also 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 also 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.
US scientists found that there were traces of radioactive gas in the air near the site of last Monday's alleged nuclear test. 'Fizzle' theory
Throughout the week there has been uncertainty about whether North Korea carried out a nuclear test, tried to but failed, or made a false claim.
US scientists found that there were traces of radioactive gas in the air near the site of the 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.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.
But the US authorities stress that more tests are needed to reach a conclusion.
Japan said on Saturday that its latest survey of radiation levels in the air showed no irregularities. South Korean and Chinese scientists said earlier they had detected no evidence of radioactivity in air, soil and rainwater.
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.