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UN North Korea vote 'very close' UN 'agrees' North Korea sanctions
(10 minutes later)
Agreement on a UN Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea is "very close," the US's UN ambassador John Bolton has said. The UN Security Council has agreed a resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea over its claimed nuclear test and will vote shortly, diplomats say.
"We're not there yet... We hope to wrap it up, essentially within a few hours," he told reporters. British UN envoy Sir Emyr Jones Parry said a "very, very robust response" had been agreed in an informal meeting. He said he expected a unanimous vote.
There is broad agreement that North Korea should be censured for its claimed nuclear bomb test last Monday. The vote had been delayed because of concerns raised by China and Russia about the US-proposed draft text.
But the vote has been delayed because of concerns raised by China and Russia about the US-proposed draft text. North Korea claimed to have tested a nuclear bomb last Monday.
Mr Bolton said that a meeting of the permanent five security council members - the US, UK, France, Russia and China - with Japan had finished. "We are very pleased at this outcome and look forward to the council's imminent adoption of the resolution, co-sponsored by all 15 council members," US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton told reporters.
"Technical changes" to the text would then be presented to the full Security Council, which would "go to a vote imminently", he said. Negotiators have struggled to agree a resolution text acceptable to China and Russia, both permanent Security Council members with strong ties to North Korea.
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 In pictures: Sanctions bite Nuclear test - failure of fake? Send us your comments
Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said on Saturday that any sanctions imposed "should not carry even a hint at use of force and mustn't be directed against the North Korean people".Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said on Saturday that any sanctions imposed "should not carry even a hint at use of force and mustn't be directed against the North Korean people".
He also said that any measures against Pyongyang should not be indefinite. 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 He also said that any measures against Pyongyang should not be indefinite.
US President George W Bush called for tough sanctions, saying Pyongyang must face "real consequences".US President George W Bush called for tough sanctions, saying Pyongyang must face "real consequences".
"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 programmes," he said in his weekly radio address."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 programmes," he said in his weekly radio address.
But Mr Bush also reiterated that he wanted to use diplomatic means to solve the North Korean crisis.But Mr Bush also reiterated that he wanted to use diplomatic means to solve the North Korean crisis.
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.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.
Revised resolutionRevised resolution
Negotiators have struggled to agree a resolution text acceptable to China and Russia, both permanent Security Council members with strong ties to North Korea. The US has revised its draft resolution to remove the threat of imminent military action in an effort to allay Chinese and Russian concerns.
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 options The US has revised its draft resolution to remove the threat of imminent military action in an effort to allay Chinese and Russian concerns. 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 options 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.
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.
The proposed UN resolution under discussion is understood to retain a controversial provision allowing nations to inspect cargo moving in and out of North Korea in pursuit of non-conventional weapons.The proposed UN resolution under discussion is understood to retain a controversial provision allowing nations to inspect cargo moving in and out of North Korea in pursuit of non-conventional weapons.
China and Russia are concerned such checks could spark naval confrontations with North Korean boats.China and Russia are concerned such checks could spark naval confrontations with North Korean boats.
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.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.
'Fizzle' theory'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.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.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.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.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.