North Korea condemns UN "gangsters"
The UN has ruled out military action against Kim Jong-il
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Sunday, 15, Oct 2006 08:08
North Korea has accused the UN security council of losing its impartiality following the unanimous decision to impose economic and transport sanctions against the country following last week's underground nuclear test.
Resolution 1718 demands that North Korea cease its nuclear activities immediately and return to the nuclear proliferation treaty.
The sale or transfer of supplies connected to the reclusive communist state's weapons programme have been blocked, while overseas funds of individuals involved in its research have been frozen. Luxury imports have also been banned.
In addition, cargo going to and from the country can be searched, despite earlier Chinese fears that this could lead to a "provocation of conflict".
However, the US-drafted resolution explicitly rules out the prospect of military action.
North Korea's UN representative, Pak Gil-yon, stormed out of the assembly after telling the council that Pyongyang "totally rejected" the sanctions.
"It is gangster-like of the security council to have adopted today a coercive resolution while neglecting the nuclear threat and moves for sanctions and pressure of the US against [North Korea].
"This clearly testifies that the security council has completely lost its impartiality and still persists in applying double standards in its work," he said.
He said that the October 9th nuclear test was "entirely activated by the US nuclear threat, sanctions and pressure".
The representative said that if the US continues to pressurise his country, Kim Jong-il's regime would consider this as a "declaration of war".
Despite the resolution being passed unanimously, China and Russia, have emphasised that the sanctions are not permanent, with concerns that the cargo searching stipulations could lead to stand-offs with North Korean ships.
However, both countries are in agreement that North Korea should return to six-nation talks with the US, South Korea and Japan.
Commenting on the resolution, US president George Bush said that a "clear message" had been sent to Kim Jong-il.
"This action by the UN, which was swift and tough, says that we are united in our determination to see to it that the Korea peninsula is nuclear weapons free," he said.
Mr Bush added: "I have said all along there is a better way forward for North Korea. There's a better way forward for the people of North Korea. If the leader of North Korea were to verifiably end his weapons programs, the US and other nations would be willing to help the nation recover economically.
"The message today, however, says to the leader of North Korea that the world is united in our opposition to his nuclear weapons plans."
Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has welcomed the sanctions, explaining that his country was planning further measures of its own, while South Korea has also urged its northern rival to return to six-nation talks.