●英字新聞社ジャパンタイムズによる英語学習サイト。英語のニュース、英語教材、TOEIC、リスニング、英語の発音、ことわざ、などのコンテンツを無料で提供。
英語学習サイト ジャパンタイムズ 週刊STオンライン
 
プリント 脚注を印刷   メイン 吹き出し表示   フレーム フレーム表示

World News

N. Korean unclear crisis referred to UNSC

The governing board of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency passed a resolution Feb. 12 declaring North Korea in breach of U.N. safeguards and sent the issue to the U.N. Security Council, a diplomat said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) 35-nation governing board said Pyongyang was in "noncompliance," a diplomatic code word that brings the issue to the Security Council. The Security Council has the power to take steps against North Korea, including economic sanctions.

Russia and Cuba abstained from the vote. Earlier, Russia said it does not want North Korea's nuclear violations referred to the Security Council.

"In the current crisis situation on the Korean Peninsula, this would be counterproductive and can only provoke Pyongyang's negative reaction," said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukoa.

"Our position remains the same: It is essential to settle the issue of the nuclear program by political and diplomatic means," he said.

The IAEA governing board does not grant members veto rights but diplomats want a consensus decision on taking North Korea to the Security Council, even though the resolution is already supported by the required majority.

"Speaking with one voice is better for a diplomatic solution," a senior Western diplomat said.

Britain, meanwhile, responded coolly Feb. 12 to a North Korean request to mediate with the United States over its protracted nuclear crisis, saying London is not neutral and that Pyongyang should focus on multinational talks.


Shukan ST: Feb. 21, 2003

(C) All rights reserved