Major powers close to deal on N. Korea sanctions

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 13 (Reuters) The U.N. Security Council is expected to vote tomorrow on a draft resolution imposing financial and weapons sanctions against North Korea, although China still has reservations on one key point.

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton and Japan's U.N. Ambassador Kenzo Oshima, the current council president, told reporters today that a vote would be called the following day.

''The council has agreed basically ... that we will vote tomorrow,'' Bolton told reporters but said further changes may be made to the text.

Beijing still has problems with one of the most controversial parts of the resolution -- authorisation for nations to inspect cargo leaving and arriving in North Korea in a search for nuclear materials or ballistic missiles.

France's U.N. Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere told reporters he was ''confident that we will find a solution,'' and said that the cargo inspection provision was the last outstanding issue for China.

In an effort to meet objections from China and Russia, the latest draft resolution, circulated to the U.N. Security Council yesterday evening, makes clear the measures do not include military force.

It eliminates a blanket arms embargo on conventional weapons contained in an earlier version, but still bans weapons of mass destruction.

The draft would also prohibit any transfer or development of weapons of mass destruction and ban sale of luxury goods to North Korea. And it would freeze funds overseas of people or businesses connected with Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Reuters KD DB2224