Russia condemns NKorean nuclear test

MOSCOW, Oct 9 (Reuters) Russia today condemned North Korea's nuclear test but urged countries involved in negotiations on Pyongyang's atomic programme to show restraint in their reaction.

''Russia unconditionally condemns tests conducted by North Korea,'' Putin was shown on national television telling his top ministers gathered for a traditional weekly meeting.

''It's not only about Korea, it's about the huge damage which has been done to the process of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.'' Putin's remarks followed a milder statement by the foreign ministry, which demanded that North Korea immediately return to nuclear non-proliferation regime and restart international talks on its atomic programme.

''The Russian Foreign Ministry urges all governments involved in the current difficult situation to show restraint and patience,'' the ministry statement said.

Putin ordered the foreign ministry to start consultations on the North Korean test in the UN Security Council.

Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov, who attended the meeting with Putin, said the North Korean nuclear test ranged between 5 and 15 kilotons.

''There is no doubt it was an underground explosion,'' he said. ''We know its location precisely.'' Russia, along with the United States, China, South Korea and Japan, is involved in international efforts to persuade Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons programme.

Moscow has resisted Western calls to penalise North Korea for its nuclear ambitions. But last week Russia's foreign ministry described as ''unacceptable'' Pyongyang's plans to conduct a nuclear test.

Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed diplomatic source in Moscow as saying North Korea informed Russia two hours in advance about the test but this report could not immediately be confirmed.

''The Russian ambassador in Pyongyang Andrei Karlov was summoned to the North Korean foreign ministry where he was handed a note about the forthcoming nuclear test,'' Interfax said.

''The Russian ambassador was informed about the planned nuclear test two hours in advance,'' it added.

A U S official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said earlier today that North Korea gave its key ally China only a 20-minute warning of the nuclear test.

North Korea's ambassador to Moscow had been summoned to the foreign ministry over the nuclear test.

''In the course of the conversation, Deputy Foreign Minister Aexander Alexeyev expressed Russia's deep regret and serious concern,'' the ministry statement said.

REUTERS PDM HT1625