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UN vote backs N Korea sanctions UN vote backs N Korea sanctions
(20 minutes later)
The UN Security Council has voted unanimously in favour of a resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea over its claimed nuclear test.The UN Security Council has voted unanimously in favour of a resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea over its claimed nuclear test.
Resolution 1718 imposes weapons and financial sanctions but is not backed by the threat of military force.Resolution 1718 imposes weapons and financial sanctions but is not backed by the threat of military force.
The vote followed hours of intensive talks aimed at allaying concerns raised by China and Russia about the US-proposed draft text. The North Korean envoy walked out after the vote, which followed hours of intensive talks aimed at allaying concerns raised by China and Russia.
North Korea claimed to have tested a nuclear bomb last Monday.North Korea claimed to have tested a nuclear bomb last Monday.
The resolution:The resolution:
  • Demands North Korea eliminate all its nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.
  • Demands North Korea eliminate all its nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.
  • Requires all countries to prevent the sale or transfer of materials related to Pyongyang's unconventional weapons programmes, as well as large-sized military items such as tanks, missiles and helicopters.
  • Requires all countries to prevent the sale or transfer of materials related to Pyongyang's unconventional weapons programmes, as well as large-sized military items such as tanks, missiles and helicopters.
  • Demands nations freeze funds overseas of people or businesses connected with North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
  • Demands nations freeze funds overseas of people or businesses connected with North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
  • Allows nations to inspect cargo moving in and out of North Korea in pursuit of non-conventional weapons.
  • Allows nations to inspect cargo moving in and out of North Korea in pursuit of non-conventional weapons.
  • Is not backed up by the threat of military force.
  • Is not backed up by the threat of military force.
  • Calls on Pyongyang to return "without precondition" to stalled six-nation talks on its nuclear programme.
  • Calls on Pyongyang to return "without precondition" to stalled six-nation talks on its nuclear programme.
    • US ambassador to the UN John Bolton said the claimed missile test posed "one of the gravest threats to international peace and security that this council has ever had to confront".US ambassador to the UN John Bolton said the claimed missile test posed "one of the gravest threats to international peace and security that this council has ever had to confront".
    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 He said the resolution sent "a strong and clear message to North Korea and other would-be proliferators that there will be serious repercussions in continuing to pursue weapons of mass destruction".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 He said the resolution sent "a strong and clear message to North Korea and other would-be proliferators that there will be serious repercussions in continuing to pursue weapons of mass destruction".
    China backed the resolution, but UN envoy Wang Guangya told the Security Council that China had "reservations" about cargo inspections.China backed the resolution, but UN envoy Wang Guangya told the Security Council that China had "reservations" about cargo inspections.
    China and Russia have been concerned such checks could spark naval confrontations with North Korean boats.China and Russia have been concerned such checks could spark naval confrontations with North Korean boats.
    Mr Wang called on UN member states to refrain from "provocative steps" with respect to the inspections.Mr Wang called on UN member states to refrain from "provocative steps" with respect to the inspections.
    North Korea's UN envoy Pak Gil Yon walked out of the chamber after saying Pyongyang "totally rejects" the "unjustifiable" resolution.
    He said it was "gangster-like" for the Security Council to have adopted a "coercive resolution" while neglecting US pressure on North Korea.
    "If the United States increases pressure on the Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea, the DPRK will continue to take physical countermeasures considering it as a declaration of war," he said.
    Revised 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.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 proposed the initial draft resolution, but revised it to remove the threat of imminent military action in an effort to allay Chinese and Russian concerns.The US proposed the initial draft resolution, but revised it to remove the threat of imminent military action in an effort to allay Chinese and Russian concerns.
    It 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 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 vote 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.
    'Fizzle' theory
    The vote 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 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.
    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.