UN action on North Korea ''swift and tough''

Washington, Oct 15: President George W Bush said a new United Nations Security Council resolution on North Korea was strong and showed broad disapproval of Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.

''This action by the United Nations, which was swift and tough, says that we are united in our determination to see to it that the Korea Peninsula is nuclear weapons free,'' Bush told reporters.

The UN Security Council voted 15-0 to impose financial and arms sanctions on North Korea to punish the reclusive Communist nation for its reported nuclear weapon test.

While welcoming the Security Council's move, Bush again raised the possibility of economic assistance to North Korea if it were to abandon its nuclear weapons.

''If the leader of North Korea were to verifiably end his weapons programs, the United States and other nations would be willing to help the nation recover economically,'' he said.

Washington has been urging Pyongyang to returned to stalled six-party talks involving China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, North Korea and the United States.

Bush in his weekly radio address earlier scolded North Korea for provoking ''an international crisis.'' But he reiterated that he wanted to use diplomatic means to solve the North Korean issue. U.S.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice plans to travel to China, Japan and South Korea next week.

REUTERS

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