Powers near deal on NK sanctions

By Maggie Farley

Los Angeles Times

UNITED NATIONS — The Security Council edged closer to agreement late Thursday on a draft sanctions resolution designed to strangle North Korea's missile and nuclear programs and their funding in response to the country's announced nuclear test.

For full storey click here

After high-level negotiations in Washington, Beijing and Moscow, diplomats at the United Nations worked out a compromise specifying that the resolution could not be used as a basis for military action.

Good to know were not jumping into to war just yet.

[edit on 13-10-2006 by reaper2]

They did it today. It passed 15-0. NK ambassador gave NK's response, then he walked out!!! Also said it amounted to an actof war. Now everyone is watching.

I think the US played this one well. They kept China & Russia happy by keeping the military option out, but at the same time managed to get the naval spot-checks included. This gives them a fairly easy means of sparking a conflict if they wish - and China knows it. China had to agree to the package once the military card was removed or the Security Council would look incredibly ineffective by not acting quickly on this. You can clearly see China are worried and even said they had misgivings about the spot-checks.....which says a lot.

It will be interesting to see what happens next. Was there any news on how the spot-checks will be carried out? Or can the US park a carrier group off the NK coast under the flag of the UNSC?

I certainly predict a quick response from NK - probably in the form of another nuke test or long range missile test. Could get interesting now.