China says Japan over-reacts with UN resolution
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-07-12 10:57 TALKS IN PYONGYANG
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei was still in North Korea, the
spokeswoman said, contradicting earlier Korean media reports that he had
returned home. Vice Premier Hui Liangyu flew to North Korea on Monday for a
six-day visit.
"The problems cannot be resolved in one or two trips and solely through
diplomatic efforts by the Chinese side," the spokeswoman said.
A U.S. State Department official said on Sunday Washington believed it had
the backing in the 15-member council for the resolution to pass. Veto-wielding
China opposes sanctions.
Hill rushed to northeast Asia late last week, visiting Beijing, Seoul and
Tokyo in an effort to forge a unified response to Wednesday's multiple missile
launches, which have ratcheted up tension and exposed fault lines in responses
by regional powers.
China, backed by Russia, submitted its own draft of a U.N. Security Council
statement on Monday, fearing that a binding resolution imposing sanctions might
be used to lay the groundwork for future military action. South Korea also
opposes sanctions.
The United States, Britain and Japan, however, disagreed with China's
proposed statement.
Tokyo reiterated on Tuesday it intended to call for a vote on the binding
resolution eventually. "There is no change in our basic stance," Prime Minister
Junichiro Koizumi told reporters.
Foreign Minister Taro Aso said separately that Japan wanted to see a decision
on the resolution before the July 15-17 Group of Eight summit in St. Petersburg,
and that the minimum content would be a ban on providing missile technology to
North Korea.
China's draft contains nearly all the elements of Japan's rival resolution
but is not legally binding.
The Japanese resolution invokes Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which makes it
mandatory for all U.N. members and in certain circumstances lays the groundwork
for military force.
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