The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously on sanctions against North Korea in response to the country's nuclear test.
Rather than mandating stop and search operations, "the resolution will say to countries to inspect as necessary all goods going in and out of North Korea," CNN's Richard Roth reported. The aim is to stop materials and technology that could be used for nuclear weapons production from going to or from North Korea.
Diplomats from the five permanent council members plus Japan gathered in closed-door meetings Saturday morning to reach agreement.
While details of the draft resolution were incomplete, diplomats said it could prevent materials for weapons programs and luxury goods from being sold to North Korea.
The language is directed at North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, who has a long, documented record of living a life of luxury while his people wasted away in famine. On Friday U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton said, "The North Korean population's been losing average height and weight over the years, and maybe this will be a little diet for Kim Jong Il."
China has expressed concern that because the proposed sanctions fall under Section 7 of the U.N. Charter, which makes them binding on all member states, they could lead to a blockade or even military action to enforce them.
[CNN]
No comments:
Post a Comment