Posted on 07/07/2006 4:25:59 PM PDT by blam
S Korea suspends North food aid
Pyongyang tested seven missiles
South Korea is to suspend food aid to the North because of its controversial missile tests, reports said. Shipments of rice and fertiliser would be shelved until the missile "problem" was resolved, South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted a top official as saying.
The move came as Japan presented the UN Security Council with a binding draft resolution calling for sanctions against North Korea.
Pyongyang has threatened more launches if it is subjected to foreign pressure.
The resolution, which urges North Korea to immediately stop developing, deploying and testing ballistic missiles and to return to talks on its nuclear programme, was presented by Japan's UN ambassador, Kenzo Oshima.
Swift action
"We hope that it will be adopted when it is put to a vote with the broad unanimity of the council," Mr Oshima told reporters following the meeting.
It was crucial that the Security Council act "firmly, robustly and speedily", he stressed.
Japan wants swift action on the resolution, and has pushed for a vote as early as Saturday.
The full 15-member council was due to debate the resolution later on Friday, following a morning meeting of the permanent five members.
The draft is backed by the US and the UK, but opposed by two other permanent Council members, China and Russia, both of whom want a non-binding statement without the threat of sanctions.
"What matters most of all is for (North Korean leader) Kim Jong-il to see the world speak with one voice," US President George W Bush said during a press conference in Chicago.
"All of us said: 'Don't fire that rocket.' He not only fired one, he fired seven.
"Now that he has made that defiance, it's best for all of us to go to the UN Security Council and to say, loud and clear: 'Here are some red lines', and that's what we're in the process of doing."
Reckless behaviour
US envoy Christopher Hill has meanwhile arrived in the South Korean capital, Seoul, for talks on the international response to the crisis.
"We should not have business as usual with a country that is firing missiles like this in this rather reckless way," Mr Hill told reporters as he arrived in Seoul after talks in Beijing.
Who stands where?
S Koreans fear more missiles
Diplomacy enters new phase
South Korea is the North's biggest food aid donor, helping the impoverished North feed its people.
"We promised to ship 100,000 tonnes of fertiliser aid to the North but we will shelve it.
"We will also put off 500,000 tonnes of rice aid until any breakthrough is made in the missile issue," the AFP news agency quoted a South Korean official as saying.
But South Korea did say it intended to go ahead with cabinet-level talks next week.
Earlier, South Korean Defence Minister Yoon Kwang-ung played down reports the North was preparing to launch a second long-range missile.
The North tested seven missiles on Wednesday, one of which was a long-range Taepodong-2, believed to be capable of hitting Alaska.
Pyongyang described the tests as successful, despite the apparent failure of the Taepodong-2. All seven missiles landed in the Sea of Japan.
Map of North Korean missile ranges Mr Yoon was quoted by Yonhap as saying the North may have moved two Taepodong-2 missiles to its launch site in Musudan-ri, one of which was tested.
NORTH KOREAN MISSILE MOVES
* 1998: Tests long-range Taepodong-1 over Japan
* 1999: Agrees to moratorium on long-range tests
* 2003: Six-nation talks begin on N Korea's nuclear programme
* 2005: Six-nation talks stall
* July 2006: N Korea launches seven missiles,
including long-range Taepodong-2, which fails
N Korea's missile programme
But he said Japanese media reports that another missile was being prepared for launch were inaccurate, as the second missile was not yet assembled.
In Beijing, Mr Hill met Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing as well as senior envoy Wu Dawei.
Mr Hill said some consensus had been reached.
"There is broad agreement on the fact that what (North Korea) did is really a provocative act, and that we all need to speak with one voice," Reuters news agency quoted him as saying.
North Korea has meanwhile demanded Japan immediately revoke measures it has already imposed in reaction to the missile launches - such as a six-month ban on a ferry service that provides a vital economic link for Pyongyang.
Good start.
All that food aid goes straight to the NK military so it's not like it's doing any good to the NK people.
The more pressure applied to the NK regime the faster the NK people will apply Romanian Term Limits to the 'Dear Leader' and his pals.
L
One well placed cruise missile would resolve this issue and be done with the Ill Kim.
Shhhh......
Don't give it away....
;-)
Good to see Japan upset about North Korea. Japan has been one of the major sources of money for them. The Japanese gambling industry sends billions to North Korea. If they shut that down along with South Korea's aid maybe the NK idiots would have to face reality.
I like it - the Ceausescu solution.
"The Japanese gambling industry sends billions to North Korea."
Why? I must have missed this. Can you give the Cliff's Notes version? Thanks.
Nobody is going to suspend food to N.K. because it would be politically incorrect.</p>
It's far more important that we "appear" proper, than we actually do the correct thing.</p>
I wish an F-118 would deliver an appropriate message to these clowns.
They are engaged in several industries. Counterfeiting, illegal drug traffic, and ballistic missiles are the big three. They are heavily involved in the Japanese pachinko industry as well.
It is so bad that some N Korean embassies have been known to generate operating cash through illegal drug trafficking.
This is great. The 6 party talks are bearing fruit. I don't wish American missles or bombers would do anything but back off. It is time for the people of the region to handle their own affairs. They are stepping up to the plate, and that is good.
I am Shocked the SK's did this, in a Good Way........., Next up Japan
LMAO! Do More, Do More!
HAHA
Just got around to reading my e-mail but better late than never. Do a search on "North Korea Pachinko" and you will get plenty of details on how the Japanese money gets to NK.
Thanks. Pretty wild. Not sure why the Yakuza would let that much money slip away.
They're afraid NK will keep the aid trains like they did with the Chinese ones...
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