Bolton urges UN Council to react to N Korea threat

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 3 (Reuters) US Ambassador John Bolton urged the UN Security Council on Tuesday to respond to North Korea's threat to conduct a nuclear test, saying it would be a grave threat to international peace and security.

''Obviously the ballistic missiles, if mated with nuclear weapons, would be a very grave threat to international peace and security,'' Bolton said shortly before consultations among the 15 council members.

''Given the very strong action by the council in July condemning the North Korean ballistic missile tests, I think it's important we're prepared to follow up here,'' Bolton said.

North Korea's foreign ministry released a statement today saying Pyongyang would conduct its first-ever nuclear test, blaming a United States' ''threat of nuclear war and sanctions'' for forcing its hand.

The Security Council adopted a resolution to impose weapons-related sanctions on North Korea in response to its flurry of missile tests in July.

That resolution demands that North Korea suspend ''all activities'' on its ballistic missile programs and bans imports from or exports to North Korea of missile-related items.

Bolton said the council could consider what ''preventive diplomacy'' it could take to stop the North Koreans from conducting a test of a nuclear device.'' ''I don't know what the rationale in Pyongyang is, but I think it is a test of the Security Council. I think it's a test of how the council responds,'' Bolton said.

Reuters SP GC2043