US says it, Japan still want UN N.Korea resolution

TOKYO, July 12 (Reuters) US ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer said today that both Japan and the United States were still in favour of passing a UN Security Council resolution over North Korea's missile tests.

Japan, backed by Washington and Britain, has pushed a draft resolution that would force countries to withhold all funds, material and technology that could be used for North Korea's missile programme.

''We still believe a resolution is the important thing to do and the path that would lead to the best result,'' Schieffer told reporters after meeting Japan's top government spokesman Shinzo Abe.

''We're hoping that China can influence North Korea to come back to the six-party talks,'' Schieffer said.

''Absent that, we talked about taking the matter to the United Nations Security Council. We both believe it is important that the international community try to speak with one voice in this matter,'' he said.

Asked whether sanctions should be imposed on North Korea, Schieffer said the wording of the resolution should be decided in New York.

REUTERS SHB PM1605