UN reaches tentative agreement on N Korea text

United Nations, Oct 6: UN Security Council members reached a tentative agreement on a Japanese-drafted statement that warns North Korea of unspecified consequences if it conducts a nuclear test.

The text, obtained by Reuters, is similar to the original, and was negotiated by junior diplomats of the 15 council members. It is being sent to governments for possible changes before further discussions today.

The statement urges Pyongyang to cancel its planned nuclear test and return immediately to six-party talks aimed at persuading the reclusive Communist nation to abandon its atomic arms program. It warns North Korea that a nuclear test would lead to further unspecified council action.

North Korea announced on Tuesday it planned its first underground nuclear test, saying its hand had been forced to do so by a US ''threat of nuclear war and sanctions.''

Reuters

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