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China pressures N Korean leader China pressures N Korean leader
(about 1 hour later)
A Chinese envoy has met North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong-il as tensions mount over the North's nuclear test, according to Chinese officials. A Chinese envoy has met North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong-il, according to Chinese officials, as tensions mount over the North's nuclear test.
The envoy, former Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, was believed to be carrying a message from China's President Hu Jintao calling for restraint.The envoy, former Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, was believed to be carrying a message from China's President Hu Jintao calling for restraint.
The meeting came as a North Korean official hinted at another test.The meeting came as a North Korean official hinted at another test.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned of "further measures" if the North tested again. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has warned of "more grave consequences" if a second test is carried out.
China's Foreign Ministry warned on Thursday against "wilfully" expanding UN sanctions against North Korea.China's Foreign Ministry warned on Thursday against "wilfully" expanding UN sanctions against North Korea.
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 N Korea's mercurial leaderN 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 N Korea's mercurial leader
"Sanctions are a signal, not a goal," spokesman Liu Jianchao told a news conference."Sanctions are a signal, not a goal," spokesman Liu Jianchao told a news conference.
Ms Rice is in South Korea on the second leg of an Asian tour to rally opposition to North Korea's nuclear testing. Her trip will also take her to China. Ms Rice, who is in South Korea on the second leg of an Asian tour to rally opposition to North Korea's nuclear testing, said she hoped China's envoy had sent a "strong message" to Pyongyang.
It follows a UN Security Council vote backing sanctions in response to North Korea's 9 October test. Her visit follows a UN Security Council vote backing sanctions in response to North Korea's 9 October test.
A North Korean official gave the country's first indication it may be preparing a second nuclear test.A North Korean official gave the country's first indication it may be preparing a second nuclear test.
The deputy head of North Korea's foreign ministry, Li Gun, speaking on ABC TV in the US, said a second test would be "natural" and that the US should not be surprised if one were carried out.The deputy head of North Korea's foreign ministry, Li Gun, speaking on ABC TV in the US, said a second test would be "natural" and that the US should not be surprised if one were carried out.
President George W Bush said North Korea would face "grave consequences" if it tried to transfer nuclear weapons to third parties such as Iran or al-Qaeda.President George W Bush said North Korea would face "grave consequences" if it tried to transfer nuclear weapons to third parties such as Iran or al-Qaeda.
'Wary reception' Conflict fears
The BBC's Charles Scanlon in Seoul says Ms Rice can expect a wary reception from the South, which is pushing for a less confrontational approach and still favours a policy of reconciliation and economic engagement. Following what she called "fruitful" talks with South Korea's president and foreign minister, Ms Rice said they had discussed ways of preventing the trafficking of nuclear material by North Korea.
South Korea is still considering whether to join the US-led Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), which was set up in 2003 to inspect ships suspected of carrying materials that could be used for weapons of mass destruction.
NEW UN SANCTIONS Bans sale to, or export from, N Korea of military hardwareBans sale or export of nuclear and missile related itemsBans sale of luxury goodsFreezes finances and bans travel of anyone involved in nuclear, missile programmesAllows inspection of cargo to and from N KoreaStresses new resolution needed for further action Who stands where Discord over ship searchesNEW UN SANCTIONS Bans sale to, or export from, N Korea of military hardwareBans sale or export of nuclear and missile related itemsBans sale of luxury goodsFreezes finances and bans travel of anyone involved in nuclear, missile programmesAllows inspection of cargo to and from N KoreaStresses new resolution needed for further action Who stands where Discord over ship searches
A US diplomat said Ms Rice will again press the South on the US-led Proliferation Security Initiative which was set up in 2003 to inspect ships suspected of carrying materials that could be used for weapons of mass destruction. Ms Rice said reports of US plans for the inspection of cargo involving blockades and quarantines had been exaggerated.
South Korean Yonhap news agency said Seoul was preparing to bolster the inspection of cargo heading to the North and to block subsidies to a joint tourism project there. "It is the intention of the resolution to have all states act on their obligation to prevent this trafficking and I think there is much that we can do co-operatively in order to do so," she said.
The South has been reluctant to join for fear of sparking conflict with the North. The South has been reluctant to join PSI for fear of sparking conflict with the North.
Ms Rice began her Asian tour in Japan on Wednesday, meeting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. Ms Rice began her Asian tour in Japan on Wednesday, meeting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. She is due to travel on to China.
Amid concern in Washington that the crisis could encourage other Asian nations to develop their own nuclear weapons programmes, Ms Rice stressed that the US was ready to act on its defence commitments to Japan.
Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Aso said Tokyo was "absolutely not considering a need to be armed by nuclear weapons".
Japan's Kyodo news agency said the US and Japan had agreed to examine the role of the military in searching North Korean cargo ships.