Australia, UK first nations to condemn N. Korea over Cheonan sinking

Melbourne, May 20: Australia and the United Kingdom have become the first Western nations to condemn North Korea for sinking the South Korean warship "Cheonan" on march 26 this year.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said: "The key findings of the investigation are deeply disturbing."

According to The Australian, Rudd further said that Australian Navy specialists who were part of the international inquiry panel, found fragments of a North Korean-made torpedo lying on the ocean floor near the sunken corvette.

"The Joint Investigation Group gathered conclusive evidence that the Cheonan was sunk by a torpedo manufactured in North Korea, fragments of which were found on the sea floor at the site of the incident. This hostile and unprovoked act represents a flagrant violation by North Korea of the United Nations Charter and the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement.he international community cannot let this act pass without an appropriate response," Rudd said.

British Foreign Sceretary William Hague said: "The attack demonstrates a total indifference to human life and a blatant disregard of international obligations.

The DPRK's actions will deepen the international community's mistrust."

ANI