World News N. Korean unclear crisis referred to UNSC

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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.

北朝鮮核問題、安保理へ

国際原子力機関は12日、北朝鮮（朝鮮民主主 義人民共和国）の核開発問題を討議する緊急理事会を開いた。決議内容は国連安保理に報告され、北朝鮮の核開発問題は国連安保理に付託された。　

Shukan ST: Feb. 21, 2003

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