International community welcomes UN resolution
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-10-15 13:30
The International community welcomed the resolution unanimously adopted on
Saturday by the United Nations (UN) Security Council on imposing sanctions
against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for its recent nuclear
test.
In Washington, U.S. President George W. Bush told reporters he
welcomed the resolution, calling it "swift and tough" which showed that "we are
united in our determination to see to it that the Korean Peninsula is
nuclear-weapons free."
In Tokyo, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso in a
statement also welcomed the UN move, saying it "sends out a resolute message of
the international community condemning this act.
He strongly urged the
DPRK to "sincerely implement" the resolution and "seriously take to heart
international concerns and take the necessary measure to resolve the issue."
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Sunday that Japan will
contemplate slapping additional sanctions on the DPRK in line with the
resolution.
In Seoul, the South Korean government said on Sunday that it
would take appropriate measures in line with a resolution adopted by the UN
Security Council(UNSC) over the nuclear test by DPRK.
South Korea
"welcomes and supports the U.N. Security Council resolution over the North's
(DPRK) nuclear test and will implement it in good faith," said a statement by
the South Korean Foreign Ministry.
The North "should clearly acknowledge
the international community's steady standpoint (over the nuclear issue) through
the UNSC resolution," the statement said.
In Ottawa, the Canadian
government expressed its strong support for the resolution. Foreign Minister
Peter Mackay said in a statement that the vote "demonstrates that the
international community is united" in demanding the DPRK's abandonment of its
nuclear programs.
He also urged the DPRK to return to the six-party
talks without conditions.
The Australian government also welcomed the
resolution, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told Network-10 television, noting
his government may take further individual actions against Pyongyang such as a
ban on all visits by DPRK ships.
Resolution adopted
The resolution, co-sponsored by the U.S. and eight other nations,
condemns the nuclear test proclaimed by the DPRK, demands the DPRK eliminate its
nuclear weapons and nuclear programs and imposes sanctions on the DPRK in
spheres related to its nuclear, ballistic missiles and weapons of mass
destruction.
The resolution, adopted on Saturday, also welcomes and
encourages further efforts by all states concerned to intensify their diplomatic
efforts, refrain from any actions that might aggravate tension and facilitate
the early resumption of the six-party talks.
Explaining China's position
after the vote, Wang Guangya, Chinese Permanent Representative to the UN, said
China supports the Security Council in making a firm and appropriate response,
and that China believes the act of the council should both indicate the firm
position of the international community and help create enabling conditions for
the final peaceful solution to the issues through dialogue.
But he
stressed that the sanction itself is not the end, noting that the resolution
makes it clear that the council will suspend or lift sanctions against the DPRK
if it complies with the relevant requests of the resolution.
He also
voiced China's reservations over the practice of inspecting cargo to and from
the DPRK.
China strongly urges the countries concerned to adopt a
prudent and responsible attitude in this regard and refrain from taking any
provocative steps that may intensify the tension, he added.
Despite some
negative developments regarding the DPRK's nuclear test, China's policies on the
issue remain unchanged, he said.
U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said the
DPRK's nuclear test "poses one of the gravest threats to international peace and
security" and that the resolution has sent "a strong and clear message."
Japanese UN ambassador Kenzo Oshima said the DPRK's nuclear test is an
unacceptable behavior, which should be met not only with strong admonishment but
with necessary measures prescribed in Chapter 7 of the UN Charter.
Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Moscow got what it wanted,
namely, a strong resolution but one that is also aimed at "prevention of a
further escalation of tension."
Speaking after the vote, the DPRK's UN
ambassador Pak Gil Yon said his country "totally rejects" the resolution,
criticizing the council for adopting "a coercive resolution while neglecting the
nuclear threat and moves for sanctions and pressure of the United States against
DPRK."
He said the DPRK is ready for both dialogue and confrontation.
"If the United States increases pressure upon the DPRK persistently, the DPRK
will continue to take physical countermeasures, considering it as a declaration
of a war," he said.
The resolution came after intensive consultations
over the past few days aimed at seeking consensus on the international
community's response.
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