Source: http://www.un.int/usa/06_161.htm http://www.un.int/usa/06_161.htm
Date: July 12, 2006
United States Mission to the United Nations


USUN PRESS RELEASE # 161 (06)                                           July 12, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Remarks by Ambassador John R. Bolton, U.S. Representative to the United Nations, on Iran and North Korea, at the Security Council Stakeout, July 12, 2006

Ambassador Bolton:  Good Morning, I just wanted to mention two things.  First in the case of the DPRK, we do not anticipate bringing the resolution to a vote this morning.  However, we will be watching the situation during the day and making a decision later after further consultations.  We have not heard any news from the high-level Chinese mission to Pyongyang, one way or the other, but that certainly means no positive developments on that front.  On Iran, obviously the foreign ministers of the Perm Five plus Germany are meeting in Paris today.  And as far as we're concerned here in New York, we await the outcome of that meeting.  We're at the ready to proceed depending on what the foreign ministers decide.  And hopefully we'll know something on that score by around lunchtime.  And depending obviously on what our instructions are from foreign ministers, assuming they reach agreement, we'll be in a position to know what events will follow on Iran once their meeting in Paris concludes. So I'll just take a couple questions here and then I have to get in.

Reporter:  You mentioned yesterday that the Chinese had circulated a third version of a Presidential Statement.  Is that still on the table?  Is that something that you the sponsors of the resolution are looking at as a possible alternative?

Ambassador Bolton:  No, I don't see any point in a presidential statement.  This threat to international peace and security caused by the North Korean missile launches requires a strong Council response, we believe, in the form of a resolution.  I have been told, although I haven't heard myself directly, I have been told that the Chinese are now prepared to offer their own alternative resolution, so I think that's another step forward.  The Chinese started, as you may recall, with the 1998 response, which was a press statement.  They subsequently moved to the idea of a stronger Presidential Statement, and if now they're accepting that the Council needs to act through a resolution, that would be continued progress, but obviously we haven't seen a draft yet.

Reporter:  Ambassador Wang said yesterday that he was willing to submit a resolution that did not include chapter seven nor would include the determination of threats to international peace and security.  Would that be something the U.S. would be willing to look at if it did still included a bid on sanctions?

Ambassador Bolton:  I would certainly look at whatever Ambassador Wang submitted, but right now our text is in blue and ready to go.  I said earlier, we're not going to push for a vote this morning and that remains the case.  If the Chinese or if the Russians or if anybody else has alternative texts, now's the time to put it forward.

Reporter:  Mr. Ambassador, Ambassador Wang has already said and told the Council that threatened to veto the resolution that's on the table.  Why would the supporters want to go ahead and risk a vote, which would be vetoed?  What kind of a message would that send to the North Koreans? And also could you comment on the latest moves on Iran?  There seems to be some discussions going on today about possibly bringing the resolution back.

Ambassador Bolton:  Well, on the North Korea situation, obviously our hope is that China and Russia would support the text that the eight co-sponsors put in blue on Friday.  And I've said throughout this week that if China or Russia or either one have further changes that we'd be prepared to consider them, but there comes a point where we have to see if the Council is prepared to act.  We have now waited two days; we're prepared to wait at least through lunch now to see what might come out of the high level (audio ends).