US says Friday UN vote on N Korea sanctions

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 12: The United States wants a vote on North Korea by tomorrow despite opposition from China to some of the economic and weapons sanctions aimed at punishing Pyongyang for its reported nuclear weapons test.

A new draft resolution, obtained by Reuters, is expected to be formally introduced to the 15-member UN Security Council today by US Ambassador John Bolton, leaving members the usual minimum of 24 hours to consult before a vote.

China has used forceful language to condemn North Korea since it announced it had conducted a nuclear weapons test on Monday, a change of tack toward Pyongyang.

Beijing has agreed to some punitive measures against its Communist ally. But the new US-drafted resolution changes few provisions China opposed earlier, possibly delaying the UN timetable for a vote without further revisions.

''We do recognize, acknowledge that they have made some effort, but in our view, we would have to ask them to make further efforts,'' Japan's UN Ambassador Kenzo Oshima said of China after another round of talks yesterday.

The resolution would impose an arms embargo, a ban on any transfer or development of weapons of mass destruction as well as a ban on the sale of luxury goods to North Korea. It would freeze funds overseas of people or businesses connected with North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

And it adds a proposal by Japan that would allow, but not require, nations to bar the entry of individuals and their families connected to or supporting the North's policies on weapons of mass destruction.

REUTERS

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