U.S. says UN is divided on action against N Korea

By Evelyn Leopold
October 4, 2006
The Washington Post 
Original Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/04/AR2006100401348.html
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Japan on Wednesday sought to secure a U.N. Security Council warning to North Korea that there would be consequences if it conducted a nuclear test.
But U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said members were divided on how to respond to Pyongyang's threat and that North Korea had its protectors on the 15-nation council.
North Korea announced on Tuesday it planned its first underground nuclear test, saying its hand had been forced by a U.S. threat of nuclear war and sanctions.
Japan's U.N. Ambassador Kenzo Oshima, this month's council president, sought backing from the 15 members for a statement that if North Korea went ahead the council would undertake further action, though it did not specify what that should be.
I think it is important for the international community, through the council, let North Korea understand that noncompliance would involve some consequences, Oshima said.
The Japanese draft expressed deep concern over North Korea's threat and said a nuclear test would jeopardize peace, stability and security in the region and beyond.
It said North Korea should abandon all nuclear weapons programs and resume six-party talks on the issue with China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States.
Two rounds of these talks have been held but North Korea walked out of them a year ago and refuses to return until Washington ended a crackdown on what it considers illegal financial activities by Pyongyang.
Bolton said that while Japan, Britain and France made clear a strong statement was needed, he was not certain what North Korea's protectors on the council are going to do.
At this stage I think there is division, Bolton said. We think its going to be quite important for the council to speak very firmly, very resolutely on this and not just in a knee jerk reaction with another piece of paper.
I'm not sure everyone on the council shares that view.
In response, China's U.N. Ambassador Wang Guangya said. I'm not sure which country he is referring to, but I think that for bad behavior in this world no one is going to protect them (North Korea).
During closed-door consultations, Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin suggested that the United States talk to North Korea as part of Bolton's proposal for a long-term strategy.
His comments drew a fierce objection from Bolton, two participants at the meeting said. Washington refuses to hold direct talks with North Korea.
We shouldn't look for divisions where they don't exist, Churkin told reporters, adding, it is not a good time to make precipitous statements.
China's Wang said if there were less mistrust between the United States and North Korea certainly it could lead to good results.
Wang said on Tuesday and Wednesday that the six party talks and not the council should be the main venue in addressing this sensitive issue and noted members agreed Pyongyang's should return to the talks.
(Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols)