ID :
53767
Sat, 04/04/2009 - 08:47
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/53767
The shortlink copeid
China does not oppose taking N. Korean rocket to U.N. Security Council: source
LONDON, April 3 (Yonhap) -- Chinese officials have not ruled out referring North Korea to the U.N Security Council "at least for discussions" if Pyongyang launches a rocket as planned, although its relationship with the communist state prevents it from publicly saying so, an informed source said Friday.
"The Chinese have never opposed the idea of referring North Korea to the U.N.
Security Council throughout working-level negotiations in the lead-up to the
summit," the source told Yonhap News Agency, referring to a bilateral meeting
between South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Chinese President Hu Jintao
earlier in the day.
"The two heads of state noted North Korea's firing of a long-range rocket will
have a negative impact on the peace and stability of Northeast Asia and agreed on
the need for related countries to discuss the issue if North Korea fires the
rocket," South Korea's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said of the meeting.
The source said this did not mean the Chinese have agreed to push for a U.N.
Security Council resolution or U.N. sanctions condemning North Korea. Even so,
the development marks a significant change in stance by North Korea's closest
ally.
Hu was quoted as saying in the summit that China has been trying to persuade
North Korea against going ahead with the launch and will continue to do so.
Pyongyang earlier said it will launch a rocket to orbit a communications
satellite between Saturday and Wednesday. Seoul and Washington suspect the launch
is cover for a test by the North of its long-range missile technology.
Reports have said the North has begun fueling the rocket, a clear sign a launch
is imminent.
The Chinese president held a bilateral summit with U.S. President Barack Obama
here earlier this week, but he did not state his position on referring Pyongyang
to the Security Council.
"The Chinese have not said what they are going to do, have not said that they
will block action. I think what the Chinese will do is still to be seen," a
senior U.S. official said of the Obama-Hu meeting Wednesday, according to the
transcript of a background press briefing posted on the Web site of the U.S.
Embassy in London.
The South Korean president earlier noted the need to secure the support of China
and Russia, both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and close allies
of North Korea, if any meaningful action is to be taken through the Security
Council.
Beijing and Moscow voted in favor of a 2006 Security Council resolution that
condemned North Korea for its first-ever nuclear test earlier that year.
The same resolution prohibits Pyongyang from any missile-related activities.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
"The Chinese have never opposed the idea of referring North Korea to the U.N.
Security Council throughout working-level negotiations in the lead-up to the
summit," the source told Yonhap News Agency, referring to a bilateral meeting
between South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Chinese President Hu Jintao
earlier in the day.
"The two heads of state noted North Korea's firing of a long-range rocket will
have a negative impact on the peace and stability of Northeast Asia and agreed on
the need for related countries to discuss the issue if North Korea fires the
rocket," South Korea's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said of the meeting.
The source said this did not mean the Chinese have agreed to push for a U.N.
Security Council resolution or U.N. sanctions condemning North Korea. Even so,
the development marks a significant change in stance by North Korea's closest
ally.
Hu was quoted as saying in the summit that China has been trying to persuade
North Korea against going ahead with the launch and will continue to do so.
Pyongyang earlier said it will launch a rocket to orbit a communications
satellite between Saturday and Wednesday. Seoul and Washington suspect the launch
is cover for a test by the North of its long-range missile technology.
Reports have said the North has begun fueling the rocket, a clear sign a launch
is imminent.
The Chinese president held a bilateral summit with U.S. President Barack Obama
here earlier this week, but he did not state his position on referring Pyongyang
to the Security Council.
"The Chinese have not said what they are going to do, have not said that they
will block action. I think what the Chinese will do is still to be seen," a
senior U.S. official said of the Obama-Hu meeting Wednesday, according to the
transcript of a background press briefing posted on the Web site of the U.S.
Embassy in London.
The South Korean president earlier noted the need to secure the support of China
and Russia, both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and close allies
of North Korea, if any meaningful action is to be taken through the Security
Council.
Beijing and Moscow voted in favor of a 2006 Security Council resolution that
condemned North Korea for its first-ever nuclear test earlier that year.
The same resolution prohibits Pyongyang from any missile-related activities.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
