US URGES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY UNITY OVER NORTH KOREA MISSILE TESTS
Randy L. Harrington
July 10, 2006
WASHINGTON-- US Envoy to North Korea Christopher Hill has urged international unity in response to North Korea's missile tests.
Hill is holding talks in Tokyo among growing regional divisions on how to react to North Korea's missile tests. Hill said “We need to speak with one voice” adding that North Korea must return to the multilateral six-party talks on its nuclear weapons programs.
Japan is asking the UN Security Council to approve its draft resolution that demands sanctions against North Korea. China, Russia, and South Korea are the only ones that oppose the resolution, and don't want sanctions imposed.
A senior Chinese delegation went to North Korea on Monday to try to stop the growing crisis. China is most likely embarrassed over their inability to have any control or influence over North Korea. China is North Korea's greatest allies, and is seen by the international community as having the greatest leverage over North Korea.
The US has been urging China to increase their pressure on North Korea to return to the six-party talks, but Chinese Vice Premier Hui Lingyu has not said whether the delegation will even bring up the possibility of North Korea's return to the six-party settlement talks.
US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said on Sunday that “China now has an opportunity to put its best foot forward, to send the North Koreans a direct message that these missile tests cannot be tolerated.” Burns said that that North Korea had to somehow be persuaded to return to multilateral six-party talks that have been suspended for a year.
Mr. Hill was meeting in Japan with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso Monday morning as he continues his tour of the region. South Korea criticized Tokyo over it's UN Resolution asking for sanctions. South Korea's President Roh Moo-Hyun's office said that “There is no reason to fuss over this from the break of dawn like Japan, but every reason to do the opposite.”
A UN vote on Japan's Resolution could come sometime Monday, however, China and Russia both have the power to veto the Resolution in the Security Council.
North Korea in a commentary quoted leader Kim Jong-ill as saying that North Korea would not give any ground to United Sates aggressors, and has promised strong counter-measures if any sanctions are imposed against North Korea.
SOURCES/CONTRIBUTORS: ABC NEWS; REUTERS; AP WIRE
Copyright 2006 Randy L. Harrington. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Hill is holding talks in Tokyo among growing regional divisions on how to react to North Korea's missile tests. Hill said “We need to speak with one voice” adding that North Korea must return to the multilateral six-party talks on its nuclear weapons programs.
Japan is asking the UN Security Council to approve its draft resolution that demands sanctions against North Korea. China, Russia, and South Korea are the only ones that oppose the resolution, and don't want sanctions imposed.
A senior Chinese delegation went to North Korea on Monday to try to stop the growing crisis. China is most likely embarrassed over their inability to have any control or influence over North Korea. China is North Korea's greatest allies, and is seen by the international community as having the greatest leverage over North Korea.
The US has been urging China to increase their pressure on North Korea to return to the six-party talks, but Chinese Vice Premier Hui Lingyu has not said whether the delegation will even bring up the possibility of North Korea's return to the six-party settlement talks.
US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said on Sunday that “China now has an opportunity to put its best foot forward, to send the North Koreans a direct message that these missile tests cannot be tolerated.” Burns said that that North Korea had to somehow be persuaded to return to multilateral six-party talks that have been suspended for a year.
Mr. Hill was meeting in Japan with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso Monday morning as he continues his tour of the region. South Korea criticized Tokyo over it's UN Resolution asking for sanctions. South Korea's President Roh Moo-Hyun's office said that “There is no reason to fuss over this from the break of dawn like Japan, but every reason to do the opposite.”
A UN vote on Japan's Resolution could come sometime Monday, however, China and Russia both have the power to veto the Resolution in the Security Council.
North Korea in a commentary quoted leader Kim Jong-ill as saying that North Korea would not give any ground to United Sates aggressors, and has promised strong counter-measures if any sanctions are imposed against North Korea.
SOURCES/CONTRIBUTORS: ABC NEWS; REUTERS; AP WIRE
Copyright 2006 Randy L. Harrington. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.