UNANIMOUS VOTE FOR NORTH KOREAN SANCTIONS::::Pyongyang rejects resolution, promises more missile tests

Unanimous Vote for N. Korean Sanctions
Pyongyang rejects resolution, promises more missile tests

Amin George Forji (amingeorge)

Published 2006-07-16 15:38 (KST)



The U.N. Security Council has at last passed a resolution on North Korea. The draft document presented to the 15 council members was produced by Japan, who earlier this week called for "maximum sanctions" or the authorization to launch pre-emptive strikes.

All 15 members on Saturday unanimously condemned North Korea and voted to adopt weapons-related sanctions. The resolution calls on all states to prevent North Korea from acquiring dangerous weapons. It also demands that Pyongyang immediately halts its ballistic missile program.

Unanimity was assured after the final draft of the resolution carefully shied away from mentioning Chapter 7 of the U.N. charter, which could have triggered calls for military action. China and Russia were bound to veto any resolution founded on this chapter. Dropping it from the final draft resulted in the two countries accepting a resolution with stronger language than had been in initial proposals.

The resolution calls on North Korea "to show restraint" and "refrain from any action that might aggravate tension," and requires all nations to prevent the import or export of funds, or any weapons or materials of mass destruction to North Korea.

The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., John Bolton, interpreted the resolution thus:

"The resolution demands … that North Korea suspend all activity relating to its ballistic missile program. It requires all member states not to supply North Korea's missile -- or any other weapons of mass destruction -- programs, and it requires that all member states refrain from purchasing anything relating to North Korea's missile -- or weapons of mass destruction -- programs."

Bolton emphasized that the resolution was legally binding and not an object of negotiation, and that the council would not hesitate to take further action if Pyongyang failed to abide by it.

Japan, who considers itself the potential target of the missiles, praised the council for acting swiftly.

North Korea was quick to reject the new measures. Describing the vote as "unjustifiable and gangster-like," North Korea's ambassador to the U.N., Pak Gil-yon, defiantly told the council that North Korea would continue to test missiles in the interest of its own self-defense. He was so angry about the resolution that he walked out of the council chamber immediately after his speech.

South Korea, while welcoming the resolution against its communist neighbor, urged North Korea to consider the concerns and refrain from aggravating the situation.



My 2¢: Amazingly, Bolton pulled this one out of his hat!!!!