U.N. widens sanctions on North Korea, China joins in

By Louis Charbonneau and Claudia Parsons
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council on Friday unanimously approved expanded sanctions against North Korea over its May 25 nuclear test, a move close ally China said showed firm opposition to Pyongyang's atomic ambitions.
The sanctions resolution bans all weapons exports from North Korea and most arms imports into the Communist state. It authorizes U.N. member states to inspect North Korean sea, air and land cargo, requiring them to seize and destroy any goods transported in violation of the sanctions.
Both China and Russia, which had been reluctant to support punitive measures against North Korea in the past, supported the U.S.-drafted resolution, which is now binding under international law.
China's U.N. ambassador, Zhang Yesui, said the resolution showed the "firm opposition" of the international community to North Korea's nuclear ambitions, but he urged countries to exercise caution when inspecting North Korean cargo.
"Under no circumstances should there be use or threat of the use of force," Zhang said, adding that the inspections should be done in accordance with domestic and international law.
Council diplomats said on condition of anonymity that it was not clear whether China, which is the closest its neighbor, North Korea, has to a major ally, was prepared to actively implement the new sanctions resolution.
Beijing had ignored an earlier round of sanctions against Pyongyang passed after North Korea's first nuclear test in October 2006.
U.S. envoy Rosemary DiCarlo told the 15-nation Security Council that the resolution created "markedly stronger sanctions" against Pyongyang to persuade it to abandon its atomic weapons ambitions.
"North Korea chose a path of provocation," she said. "This resolution will give us new tools to impair North Korea's ability to proliferate and threaten international stability.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the sanctions resolution was an "appropriate" and "balanced" response to Pyongyang's nuclear test, which he said "jeopardizes security and stability in the region."
The new resolution broadens the arms embargo against North Korea to ban the sale of all arms -- heavy and small -- by Pyongyang but allows it to keep purchasing small arms. Diplomats said it was the Chinese who argued against the banning the sale of small arms to Pyongyang.
The resolution also urges North Korea to return to the six-nation aid-for-disarmament talks with the United States, China, Russia, Japan and South Korea and offers the possibility of suspending the sanctions if North Korea alters its course.
(Editing by Paul Simao)

Source: Reuters