N. Korea vows to continue missile tests
(AP)
Updated: 2006-07-06 16:07
The draft resolution proposed by Japan and obtained by The Associated Press
would condemn North Korea's ballistic missile launches and deplore its role as
"the world's leading proliferator of ballistic missiles and related technology."
It would demand that Pyongyang immediately halt "the development, testing,
deployment and proliferation of ballistic missiles and reconfirm its moratorium
on missile launching."
If approved, the council would strongly urge North Korea to return
immediately to the six-party talks "without precondition" and stop all
nuclear-related activities with the aim of completely dismantling its nuclear
programs, including both plutonium reprocessing and uranium enrichment.
China's U.N. Ambassador Wang Guangya and Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly
Churkin both noted that after North Korea shocked Japan in August 1998 by
blasting a Taepodong-1 missile over its territory and into the Pacific Ocean,
the Security Council reacted merely with a press statement.
Japan's U.N. Ambassador Kenzo Oshima called Wednesday's launches "far more
serious."
North Korea's "possible combination of nuclear weapons with missile
development and testing" is unacceptable and requires "quick, strong action" by
the Security Council, he said.
Churkin said that while "a strong and clear message is needed to North
Korea," the goal should be a resumption of six-party talks, which have been
suspended since last September, and a diplomatic solution.
U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said the council must send a "strong and
unanimous signal" that North Korea's missile test-launch was unacceptable.
The initial council discussion "was very interesting because no member
defended what the North Koreans have done," he said. "I think there is support
for sending a clear signal to Pyongyang."
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