UN strongly condemns North Korea nuclear test
In emergency meeting following N. Korea's reports it has conducted underground nuclear test, Security Council slams country, expected to discuss sanctions against it. Meanwhile, N. Korean ambassador to UN says his country should be 'congratulated'
Members of the UN Security Council condemned North Korea's claim of a nuclear test Monday, demanding during an emergency meeting that it return to six-party talks on its weapons program, UN ambassadors said.
Security Council experts planned to meet later in the day to discuss proposals submitted by the US for a draft resolution on North Korea's nuclear test, the ambassadors said.
"No one defended it, no one even came close to defending it," US Ambassador John Bolton said. "I was very impressed by the unanimity of the council ... On the need for a strong and swift answer to what everyone agreed amounted to a threat to international peace and security."
North Korea remained defiant. Its ambassador, Pak Gil Yon, said the U.N. Security Council should congratulate North Korea for its nuclear test instead of passing "useless" resolutions or statements, Pak Gil Yon told reporters he was proud of the North Koreans who conducted the test, and said the Security Council ought to be, too. Asked if the North planned any more tests, Pak said: "That will be enough. You don't think so?"
"It will be better for the Security Council of the United Nations to congratulate the DPRK scientists and researchers instead of doing such notorious, useless and rigorous resolutions or whatever," Pak said, referring to the North by its formal name, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea.
US President George W. Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed in a phone call Monday to take "Decisive action" Against North Korea at the Security Council, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.
Japan and the United States are expected to press for tough sanctions, which might involve economic measures, breaking diplomatic ties and banning the import or export of military equipment or even a naval blockade.
The French and British ambassadors to the UN said the Security Council should pass a resolution on North Korea under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which includes the threat of sanctions and is militarily enforceable. The diplomats said the council must follow up on the
warning it made Friday urging North Korea not to go ahead with it.
"The council has warned North Korea last week, so the council has to be up to its responsibility," France's U.N. Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere said, adding that the "time has come" for a Chapter 7 resolution. Before turning to North Korea, the council nominated South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon as the next secretary-general. Diplomats said the council would
probably issue a statement condemning the test, and discuss following up with a resolution.
"We've already said that were there to be a nuclear test it would be a threat to international peace and security," Britain's UN Ambassador Emyr Jones-Parry said. "I think it follows that action under Chapter 7 is what is appropriate. We'll have to look at what sort of measures can be agreed by the council but certainly the United Kingdom would support proposals put down to that effect."
