Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vitali Churkin,
called on Wednesday for a resumption of the six-party talks on the
Korean peninsula nuclear Issue.
Churkin made the remarks after an emergency meeting of the UN
Security Council discussed the reported missile launch by North
Korea.
He stressed that while "a strong and clear message is needed,
the goal should be a resumption of the six-party talks, suspended
since September, and a diplomatic solution."
"I frankly do not expect anybody would be proposing any
sanctions," Churkin observed, obviously referring to a draft
resolution being proposed by Japan.
The draft text, according to a diplomat who spoke on the
condition of anonymity, demands the international community prevent
the transfer of financial resources, items, materials, goods and
technology to end users that could contribute to missile and other
weapons of mass destruction programs.
It also calls on North Korea to immediately cease "the
development, testing, deployment and proliferation of ballistic
missiles."
"In my mind, we could consider the format of a presidential
statement," the Russian ambassador said. "I would caution you
against whipping up emotions too much."
Meanwhile, French Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere, who holds
the Council presidency for the month of July, told reporters
following the consultations that all members have expressed deep
concern after the test-launching of missiles by North Korea.
He admitted some member states believed a presidential statement
instead of a resolution would be more appropriate at this
stage.
"It's too early to say at this moment what the outcome will be
except to say that there is an agreement in the council to act
swiftly and firmly," the French ambassador said.
Finland, which holds the rotating European Union (EU)
presidency, issued on Wednesday a declaration on behalf of the
EU.
"The EU strongly condemns the provocative missile test-launches
performed by the government of North Korea. These tests, which also
included long-range missile systems that can be used to deliver
weapons of mass destruction, place additional strains on regional
stability at a time when the unresolved nuclear issue on the Korean
Peninsula requires mutual confidence building," the declaration
said.
"The tests run counter to the spirit of the Joint Declaration
adopted in the Six-Party talks in September 2005," it added.
The EU urged North Korea to return to the talks without
preconditions and to cooperate fully in implementing the Joint
Declaration.
Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana strongly
condemned the tests and said they ran "contrary to earlier
commitments."
He added, "I appeal to North Korea government not to repeat this
provocation and to return to the six-party talks."
Also on Wednesday, many countries expressed deep concern about
the Korean nuclear issue, considering the move detrimental to
regional peace and stability.
Britain described North Korea missile tests as "provocative" and
said they would raise tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.
The South Korean government issued a statement expressing "deep
regret" over the launching of the missiles, including the
long-range Taepodong-2 missile and the Rodong missiles.
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun called an emergency meeting
of security ministers.
Japan lodged a stern protest, considering as provocative the
launch of the missiles, which all fell on the Sea of Japan.
In reaction, Japan's cabinet decided on Wednesday to impose a
set of sanctions against North Korea, including banning North
Korean ferry Mangyongbong-92, the only direct passenger link
between the two countries, from calling at Japanese ports for six
months.
Among the most stern responses, the White House strongly
condemned the test-firing of the missiles, including a long-range
one capable of reaching US soil, but said they did not pose a
danger to America.
"We do consider it provocative behavior," US national security
adviser Stephen Hadley said.
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France strongly condemned Wednesday the missile tests, expressing
the worry that "such missiles could carry weapons of mass
destruction."
Also in Paris, Visiting Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid
Kasuri said Wednesday that the missile tests carried out by North
Korea was a very unfortunate development.
"It's a very unfortunate development...We know that
proliferation is a major international concern," Kasuri told
reporters in Paris.
Southeastern Asian countries also voiced their worries about the
missile tests.
The Philippines called on Pyongyang to stop.
"We hope that Pyongyang will not pursue this and that the
powerful countries and the United Nations will be in a position to
stop this," presidential spokesman Eduardo Ermita told reporters at
the presidential palace.
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on
Wednesday that the city state deeply regretted the test-launch of
several missiles by North Korea.
"This will have serious repercussions on regional peace and
stability. Singapore urges Pyongyang to cease such provocative
actions and return to the six-party talks," the brief statement
said.
In a more direct approach, Indonesia sent a presidential envoy
to Pyongyang on Wednesday afternoon, in an attempt to ease
tensions.
The chief of the Indonesian House of Parliament's Commission I,
Theo Sambuaga, called on North Korea Wednesday to stop its missile
test firings to avoid suspicions and retaliation by countries
feeling threatened by the action.
(Xinhua News Agency July 6, 2006)
