China calls for punitive actions on N Korea

China calls for punitive actions on N Korea
By FT Reporters
Published: October 10 2006 09:50 | Last updated: October 11 2006 10:57
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2006


China said on Tuesday that North Korea should suffer “punitive actions” for its claimed nuclear test, in an apparent retreat from Beijing’s long-standing opposition to international sanctions against Pyongyang.

The extent of the sanctions favoured was still unclear but Wang Guangya, China’s ambassador to the United Nations, said a 13-point US proposal – which included inspections of cargo ships to and from North Korea – provided a “good basis for working”. He added: “There has to be some punitive actions, but these actions have to be appropriate.”

Ambassadors from the five permanent Security Council members plus Japan emerged from closed-door talks on Tuesday night without agreement. Diplomats indicated a deal would take longer than originally hoped.

John Bolton, US ambassador, claimed “convergence on many issues” but acknowledged “we don’t have complete agreement”.

Emyr Jones Parry, UK envoy, talked of a resolution “hopefully by the end of this week”.

Mr Wang suggested he was not happy with basing a resolution on the UN’s full Chapter 7 powers, which can be used to authorise sanctions or military action.

A US draft resolution circulating earlier on Tuesday would compel governments to prevent the transfer of arms, missiles or nuclear items – or luxury goods – to or from North Korea. Additional proposals from Japan, which chairs the Security Council, would bar North Korean ships and aircraft, and high-ranking officials, from member states.

Mr Bolton said after meeting Mr Wang: “There were substantial areas of agreement. There is a strong view to move as quickly as we can . . . a strong resolution and a swift response.”

The Russian position was unclear, since the delegation had no instructions from Moscow. Sergei Ivanov, Russian defence minister, said the reported test was a “colossal blow” but any UN resolution would not involve the use of force.

China’s reaction is critical to the passage of an effective resolution and its policing. Pyongyang’s decision to carry out missile and nuclear bomb tests in spite of strong Chinese opposition has been seen in China as a demonstration of the failure of Beijing’s strategy of playing a moderating role.

In Seoul, the “sunshine policy” of economic engagement with North Korea is being questioned. “The government sees it is unavoidable to make certain changes to its policies, as we are in a situation where adjustments to inter-Korean relations are inevitable,” said Lee Jong-seok, South Korea’s unification minister.

Tony Snow, White House spokesman, said the US had less ability to influence Pyongyang than countries in the region.

By Mark Turner at the United Nations, David Pilling and Anna Fifield in Seoul, Richard McGregor in Beijing, Caroline Daniel in Washington and Stephen Fidler in London

• Japan does not have information indicating that North Korea had conducted a second nuclear test, Shinzo Abe, the prime ninister, told a parliamentary panel on Wednesday, Reuters reports.

Taro Aso, foreign minister, told the same panel that Japan had had information that the reclusive communist state might conduct a second test on Wednesday but that it had not been confirmed.

He said Japan did not have data showing seismic waves that might indicate a nuclear test had been conducted.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported on Wednesday that Norrth Korea appeared to have conducted another nuclear test.

NHK said Japanese government sources had information that there was a tremor in North Korea on Wednesday morning and they were checking on the possibility of a nuclear test.