VARIOUS: North Korea's neighbours welcome U.N. sanctions/European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso worries that North Korea may sell nuclear technology

Japan and South Korea welcomed on Sunday (October 15, 2006) a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) vote to impose financial and arms sanctions on North Korea. The U.S.-drafted U.N. Security Council resolution bars trade with North Korea in dangerous weapons. It also imposes bans on heavy conventional weapons and luxury goods and asks nations to freeze funds connected with North Korea's non-conventional arms programmes. "Based on what has been decided, Japan, along with the international community will strive to stop North Korea from possessing nuclear weapons and take measures to stop proliferation," said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, speaking with reporters in Tokyo. Japan had already approved fresh sanctions against North Korea on Friday (October 13), including a six-month ban on North Korean ships from Japanese ports, a ban on all imports and a prohibition on the entry of North Korean nationals except those living in Japan. It is also likely to impose a ban on exports of luxury goods and tighten a de facto freeze on remittances and the transfer of funds from Japan by groups suspected of links to the North's weapons of mass destruction or missile programmes, and on trade in related weapons-related goods through third countries. "We are already studying (additional measures) and I want to make a final decision," Abe added. The resolution also allows nations to stop cargo going to and from North Korea to check for weapons of mass destruction or related supplies. South Korea has urged North Korea to return to Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty. On the streets of Seoul, citizens had mixed feelings about taking a tough stance, even though the reclusive nation announced last Monday (October 9) that it had successfully tested a nuclear device. "I want our government to follow the United Nations Security Council's resolution," said taxi driver Kwon Jung-kil "Super powers, even if they are strong, had better not push the North too strongly," added 43-year-old Kang Jong-oh. At the UN, North Korea's ambassador, Pak Gil Yon, walked out of the security council meeting warning that Pyongyang considered any further U.S. pressure a "declaration of war". Russia's chief negotiator for six-party talks aiming at resolving North Korea's nuclear programmes met with his South Korean counterpart on Sunday (October 15). Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alexeyev and top nuclear envoy Chun Yung-woo were to discuss the nuclear issues over dinner at a Seoul hotel restaurant. Responding to a journalist's question about how he expected North Korea to react, Chun said: "I am not going to speculate on North Korea's response at this stage." Alexeyev did not respond to questions by the media as both negotiators entered a restaurant at Seoul's Hilton Hotel. However, he had said on Friday (October 13) North Korea was ready to return to six-party talks. In London, European Commission (EC) President Jose Manuel Barroso said Pyongyang's claimed nuclear test was "very dangerous" and that the international community must "stand firm" against the North Korean regime. Russia's chief negotiator for six-party talks met with his South Korea counterpart on Sunday (October 15). Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alexeyev arrived in Seoul and had dinner with South Korea's top nuclear envoy Chun Yung-woo to discuss the nuclear issues at a Seoul restaurant. After the dinner both negotiators were surrounded by media. Alexeyev told reporters that North Korea wanted to rejoin talks. "I was repeatedly told in Pyongyang that they are for the continuation of the process. They are for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula on the basis of the joint statement, on the main fundamental point of this joint statement, words for words, and deeds for deeds," said Alexeyev. He was referring to an agreement in principle among the six parties reached in September 2005 where the North agreed to scrap its nuclear weapons programme in exchange for aid and pledges not to attack it. Alexeyev had discussions in Pyongyang on Friday (October 13) with Kim Kye-gwan, North Korea's top negotiator at the talks in which the United States, China, South Korea, Japan and Russia deal jointly with North Korea. When asked about North Korea's willingness to return to the talks, he said "From my point of view, we feel different signs of their willingness to return," said Alexeyev. Alexeyev added that he and his South Korean counterpart had agreed to work together in diplomatic ways. "We both agreed upon that we should continue to work for diplomatic solution that six-party process should be revived," he said.

ITN Source | October 16, 2006

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