China in tight spot at UN on Korea

China in tight spot as UN set to vote on NKorea sanctions 07-09-2006, 00h10 AFP
UNITED NATIONS (AFP - link)
The crisis over North Korea's missile tests hurtles toward a climax here this week with China under intense pressure to allow binding UN sanctions against its recalcitrant ally Pyongyang.

The Security Council was set to decide Monday when to schedule a vote on a draft resolution that would slap sanctions against the reclusive state after it test-fired seven missiles last week, including a new long-range Taepodong-2, which could theoretically reach US soil.

Friday, Japan called for an early vote on its binding text which would block the transfer of items to North Korea that could be used in missile and weapons of mass destruction programs.

Pyongyang, which is pushing for direct talks with Washington, has warned that adoption of UN sanctions would be seen as an "act of war."

As in other crises over Iran's nuclear program or Sudan's Darfur conflict, China and Russia, two veto-wielding members of the council, have made clear their distaste for punitive action to resolve sensitive diplomatic issues.

The two countries are cool to any use of Chapter Seven of the UN charter which can authorize sanctions or even military action in cases of threats to international peace and security.

They oppose the Japanese draft, co-sponsored by the United States and all other Western members of the council, and are instead pressing for a milder, non-binding statement that would censure North Korea for its tests but would not threaten sanctions.

Beijing and Moscow argue that the document, which invokes Chapter Seven, risks inflaming tension in the volatile northeast Asian region and could further set back prospects for resuming six-party talks on ending Pyongyang's nuclear program.

China has been the most vocal in resisting punitive action against its impoverished neighbor, which it supplies with vital energy and economic aid.

"If this resolution is put to vote, there will be no unity in the Security Council," Chinese Ambassador Wang Guangya warned Friday. Asked whether he might use China's veto, Wang replied: "all possibilities are open."

His Russian counterpart Vitaly Churkin made no comment after Friday's frantic Security Council consultations to seek a consensus.

Diplomats said Moscow was taking a lower profile in the crisis so as not to jeopardize its hosting of the Group of Eight summit in Saint Petersburg July 15-17.

In order to pass, a resolution needs the support of at least nine of the council's 15 members and no veto from any of the five permanent members: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

The push for an early vote appeared to be a bid to dare China to veto the text, but Western diplomats said they were hopeful Beijing would not do so.

Asked whether he expected such a move, French ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere, the president of the council for July, said: "I hope not."

China last used its veto in 1999 to block the extension of the mandate of a UN force in the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia.

Beijing could also abstain, which would allow the resolution to stand but deprive it of much of its impact.

Washington meanwhile led frantic diplomatic efforts to head off a Chinese veto and ensure that the world's major powers remain united in dealing with Pyongyang.

US envoy Christopher Hill, on a whirlwind tour after the missile launches, pressed China to close ranks with Washington after receiving a lukewarm response in Beijing Friday.

"We had very good discussions with the Chinese and made very clear our very deep concerns about what is going on in the DPRK, and I called upon the Chinese to understand that we will be much more effective if we speak with one voice," Hill told reporters Saturday during talks in Seoul, his second stop.

The United States also reached out to North Korea, saying it was ready to sit down one-on-one if the Pyonynag agreed to return to the six-party talks on its nuclear and missile programs.

Japan, which is aspiring to become a permanent Security Council member, however vowed not to give in to China and Russia on the issue of sanctions.

"We may amend the draft but we are firm on the binding resolution that includes sanctions," Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said in a speech in the western city of Osaka Saturday. "Japan will not compromise. We will go all the way."

The draft urges member states to stop procurement of missile-related goods and technology from North Korea and to block financial transfers to suppliers of Pyongyang's missile or weapons programs.

It also calls on North Korea to immediately stop developing, deploying and testing ballistic missiles and to return to six-party talks -- with China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States -- on its nuclear program.

Pyongyang said it was ready to return to the six-way talks if Washington lifts sanctions on a bank in Macau accused of money laundering and counterfeiting on behalf of Pyongyang.