Bush meets Chinese envoy on N Korea

Washington, Oct 13: Senior Chinese envoy Tang Jiaxuan told US President George W Bush and his senior aides that Beijing supports tough measures against North Korea following the latter's claim of a nuclear test on Monday.

However, it is not clear whether China will support the sanctions proposed by the United States against Pyongyang in the United Nations' Security Council.

Earlier yesterday, Mr Tang met US National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the White House. Later, the three met President Bush. Their meeting underlined shared US - Chinese concern over the North Korean nuclear test.

Later, Deputy National Security Adviser J D Crouch told reporters the Chinese envoy conveyed a message that Beijing agreeed with the United States on the need for some strong measures to compel North Korea to return to the six-party talks on its nuclear program.

Ms Rice said the meeting with the Chinese envoy was excellent and she forecast approval of a UN resolution on North Korea that will demonstrate international resolve.

"I think they clearly understand the gravity of the situation.

They clearly understand that the North Koreans, in doing this, have made the environment much less stable, much less secure. And they're working very hard in New York, but I believe we'll get a very good resolution that will demonstrate to the North Koreans that the international community is very much united in its condemnation of this test that was carried out a couple of days ago," she remarked..

Ms Rice said she did not know if the resolution would be approved today.

The draft co-sponsored by the United States, France, Japan and Slovakia would authorise international inspections of all cargo moving in and out of North Korea. It will also impose an arms embargo and ban the sale of luxury goods to North Korea.

Chinese envoy at the UN Wang Guangya said he was unsure of a vote today in the Council. While there was considerable common ground on the proposed resolution there were also some disagreements, he added.

Last night, the US circulated a new mild draft resolution among the Security Council members calling only for non-military sanctions against North Korea and to accommodate main Chinese demand, it says would require a new UN resolution for any further action against North Korea It urges North Korea to speedily implement a September 2005 agreement in which it promised to give up its nuclear program in exchange for aid and security guarantees.

UNI

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