LOC23:37
20:37 GMT
UNITED NATIONS, April 11 (KUNA) -- UN Security Council's five permanent
members approved a presidential draft statement condemning North Korea's
recent rocket launch, but its approval by the full council is scheduled for
Monday afternoon, the council president Claude Heller of Mexico told reporters
following a council informal meeting on Saturday.
The P5 - US, UK, France, China and Russia - along with Japan, which feels
"most threatened" by such launch, met earlier in the day and approved the
draft text. No agreement was reached on a draft resolution because of Chinese
and Russian opposition.
While a council resolution is binding, a statement read out by the council
president in an open meeting or to the press outside the council chamber are
not ending.
Japanese UN envoy Yukio Takasu admitted that his delegation had no choice
but to accept the draft presidential statement and not not push for a draft
resoslution because "equally important is unity of the council," adding that
he is "grateful" to the Chinese delegation for showing flexibility in
accepting this "strong message (statement)."
The council would condemn in the draft statement when it meets next Monday
North Korea's launch last Sunday of a rocket "in contravention" of council
resolution 1718, reminding the country that it "must fully comply with its
obligations" under that resolution and demanding that it no longer conduct any
launch.
The draft also threatens North Korea to "adjust" the sanctions already
imposed on Pyongyang in 2006 by designating more entities and goods for
sanctions by April 30.
Expressing its support to the six-party talks, among the two Koreas, Japan,
China, Russia and the US, the council would also express its desire for a
peaceful and diplomatic solution to the situation and welcome efforts by
members states to facilitate a solution through dialogue.
US UN envoy Susan Rice told reporters following the informal meeting that
the draft statement she presented to the other council's 10 non permanent
members for consideration sends a "clear message" to North Korea that its
launch of the rocket will not be treated "with impunity and will have
consequences."
She added that the whole council supported the draft but have to get back
to their capitals, expressing hope that they will send the same message to
Pyongyang when the council meets on Monday for "swift action."
Heller also described the draft statement as an "excellent basis" for
consensus and contains "good elements" and sends a "clear and strong message,"
insisting that it is "important that the council acts in a "unified manner."
(end)
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