The United Nations Security Council's unanimous vote on Saturday
is a necessary response to the missile tests North Korea launched
on July 5.
The council decided to impose limited sanctions on North Korea
and demand the suspension of its ballistic missile program.
According to the resolution, no UN members are allowed to sell
materials or technology for missiles or weapons of mass destruction
to North Korea, and they are prohibited from receiving missiles,
banned weapons or technology from the country.
The Six-Party Talks are the forum that has been established to
solve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and should be
maintained to work towards this goal.
Security Council members went through a lot of hard bargaining
in the past couple of days in order to respond appropriately to the
event.
Wars and conflicts already tear apart this world, such as the
new crisis between Israel and Lebanon. An inappropriate reaction
from the UN Security Council to the North Korea's missile tests
would be tantamount to pouring oil on the fire of this dispute.
This is definitely not what the world wants.
The statement signed by the six parties at the last round of
their talks in September 2005 should be honored. All the parties
should create favorable conditions to return to the talks at an
early date.
China had called for a responsible attitude from the council and
has worked painstakingly and constructively in this regard. A
responsible attitude means one that will not complicate or
aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in East
Asia.
China has always supported a "prudent and proper" response from
the UN Security Council to prevent the escalation of tension. Even
though the resolution is in place, diplomatic work should continue
to ensure an early resumption of the Six-Party Talks.
A quagmire left from the Cold War, many of the issues on the
Korean Peninsula need attention and efforts from the parties
concerned, namely six at present North Korea, the Republic of
Korea, China, the United States, Russia and Japan.
The action the UN has taken should be conducive to enhancing the
solidarity of the Security Council, maintaining peace and stability
in the region and working for the resumption of the Six-Party
Talks.
The six countries should continue their diplomatic efforts in
order to lift the Six-Party Talks out of the impasse.
(China Daily July 17, 2006)
