Political Crossfire Forums

[The Comrade]

Quote: UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- The U.N. Security Council on Saturday voted unanimously to impose sanctions against North Korea in response to the country's claimed nuclear test.

The 15-0 vote for Resolution 1718 sent a "clear and strong message" to North Korea, said U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton.

"We are pleased that the Security Council is united in condemning the actions by the regime and Pyongyang and taking clear, firm and punitive action in passing this resolution," he said.

The passage of the resolution proves to "North Korea and others that the Security Council is prepared to meet threats to international security with swift resolve," Bolton added.

The vote was scheduled soon after negotiators agreed on the sticking point of cargo inspections, the language over which China had expressed some concerns earlier.

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 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."

Earlier Saturday, Chinese Ambassador to the U.N. Wang Guangya expressed concerns about the draft's stop and search provisions.

"... This interception idea, once they put it in operation, it could easily lead by one side or the other to a provocation of conflict which would have serious implications for the region, for the countries," Wang said.

One Western diplomat described Chinese and Russian concerns as differences over procedural matters, not deal breakers. Russian and Chinese diplomats have met with North Korea this week and could be getting input from Pyongyang.

President Bush on Saturday urged the adoption of a "strong" U.N. Security Council resolution, saying "peace and security in northeast Asia and a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula" are the goals. (Watch as Bush demands a clear message be sent to North Korea -- 4:08)

"We will do what is necessary to achieve these goals. We will support our allies in the region. We will work with the United Nations, and together we will ensure that North Korea faces real consequences if it continues down its current path," Bush said in his weekly radio address.

He said the United States will increase its defense alliances with Japan and South Korea, including cooperation on ballistic missile defense and the prevention of North Korea from importing and exporting nuclear or missile technologies.

On Friday the Japanese Cabinet approved wide-ranging sanctions against North Korea. (Full story)

North Korea claimed Monday it had tested a nuclear weapon, although the claim has not yet been verified. Some analysts have questioned whether the test was successful.

A preliminary analysis of air samples from North Korea shows "radioactive debris consistent with a North Korea nuclear test," according to a statement sent to U.S. lawmakers Friday from the office of Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte. (Watch for the first evidence that Pyongyang did test a nuke -- 1:23 )

If the evidence is confirmed, the United States would be in a position to say the North Korean test was nuclear, a U.S. official told CNN Friday.

Two U.S. government officials with access to classified information earlier told CNN that an initial air sampling showed no indication of radioactive debris.

Pyongyang's claim sparked international condemnation.

To build support for the resolution, the United States has agreed to some changes. They include dropping a ban on North Korean imports and exempting money intended for purchases of food and medicine from a freeze on North Korean assets. Language encouraging further diplomatic efforts also was added to the latest version.

However, the U.S. proposal still calls for an arms embargo and a ban on materials that could be used in nuclear or missiles programs. The proposal also seeks a ban on travel by North Korean officials, an embargo on luxury goods and inspections of cargo imports and exports.

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.

Versions of the draft resolution late Friday ruled out military action against North Korea, in response to pressure from China and Russia, the AP reported.

Rice mission
As the council members met in New York, word came that North Korea may consider resuming six-nation talks aimed at resolving the nuclear dispute.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alexeyev and North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Gye-gwan "discussed opportunities to resume the six-nation process and the settlement of the problem of a full denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula by peaceful and diplomatic means," Russia's Foreign Ministry said on its Web site.

The Bush administration has insisted any negotiations with Pyongyang be conducted within the framework of six-party talks among North Korea, the United States, Russia, China, South Korea and Japan. The latest draft of the Security Council resolution calls on North Korea to return to those talks without precondition.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is to visit Asia next week to shore up alliances and discuss the North Korean crisis.

Rice is scheduled to be in Tokyo, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; and Beijing from Tuesday through October 22, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Friday.

"She's going to be talking about how to go about actually implementing" the expected U.N. resolution, McCormack said.



http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/10/14/nkorea.sanctions/index.html

well it's finally happened. sanctions have been placed on north korea.

although this could open up a whole new can of worms. i believe kim said he would take sanctions as an act of war, so there is now the possibility of a second korean war.

[Kane]

Sanctions won't work. He's lived off the backs of his own people since birth hence our previous shipments of aid (See Starvation).

He simply doesn't care. As for military action...I find it doubtful. Luxury goods are called that for a reason...it's not a necessity. It's laughable to even think that he doesn't have some massive storage of said items.

[Richard Owl Mirror]

Nothing new posted @ http://www.un.org/News/

Since KIM hasn't cared about the welfare of the People of North Korea,
I would guess he will take this action as an act of War and strike out in some manner.

Wouldn't it funny if he sent his One Million Man Army into South Korea
and they all left their weapons at the gate :lol:

A mass defection of the entire military would deliver a most devastating blow to his Ego.

[agentkgb]

Fantastic. The people of North Korea (who pressured Kim into building a nuke even though he didn't really want to) will change their minds and allow him to dismantle their nuclear program just as he wants to do anyway.

[Kane]

Richard Owl Mirror wrote: Nothing new posted @ http://www.un.org/News/

Since KIM hasn't cared about the welfare of the People of North Korea,
I would guess he will take this action as an act of War and strike out in some manner.

Wouldn't it funny if he sent his One Million Man Army into South Korea
and they all left their weapons at the gate :lol:

A mass defection of the entire military would deliver a most devastating blow to his Ego.

It's unfortunate that they're all brain washed... :(

[Snake]

lol, sanctions :rofl:

[MoscowMatt]

The Comrade wrote: Quote: UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- The U.N. Security Council on Saturday voted unanimously to impose sanctions against North Korea in response to the country's claimed nuclear test.

The 15-0 vote for Resolution 1718 sent a "clear and strong message" to North Korea, said U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton.

"We are pleased that the Security Council is united in condemning the actions by the regime and Pyongyang and taking clear, firm and punitive action in passing this resolution," he said.

The passage of the resolution proves to "North Korea and others that the Security Council is prepared to meet threats to international security with swift resolve," Bolton added.

The vote was scheduled soon after negotiators agreed on the sticking point of cargo inspections, the language over which China had expressed some concerns earlier.

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 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."

Earlier Saturday, Chinese Ambassador to the U.N. Wang Guangya expressed concerns about the draft's stop and search provisions.

"... This interception idea, once they put it in operation, it could easily lead by one side or the other to a provocation of conflict which would have serious implications for the region, for the countries," Wang said.

One Western diplomat described Chinese and Russian concerns as differences over procedural matters, not deal breakers. Russian and Chinese diplomats have met with North Korea this week and could be getting input from Pyongyang.

President Bush on Saturday urged the adoption of a "strong" U.N. Security Council resolution, saying "peace and security in northeast Asia and a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula" are the goals. (Watch as Bush demands a clear message be sent to North Korea -- 4:08)

"We will do what is necessary to achieve these goals. We will support our allies in the region. We will work with the United Nations, and together we will ensure that North Korea faces real consequences if it continues down its current path," Bush said in his weekly radio address.

He said the United States will increase its defense alliances with Japan and South Korea, including cooperation on ballistic missile defense and the prevention of North Korea from importing and exporting nuclear or missile technologies.

On Friday the Japanese Cabinet approved wide-ranging sanctions against North Korea. (Full story)

North Korea claimed Monday it had tested a nuclear weapon, although the claim has not yet been verified. Some analysts have questioned whether the test was successful.

A preliminary analysis of air samples from North Korea shows "radioactive debris consistent with a North Korea nuclear test," according to a statement sent to U.S. lawmakers Friday from the office of Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte. (Watch for the first evidence that Pyongyang did test a nuke -- 1:23 )

If the evidence is confirmed, the United States would be in a position to say the North Korean test was nuclear, a U.S. official told CNN Friday.

Two U.S. government officials with access to classified information earlier told CNN that an initial air sampling showed no indication of radioactive debris.

Pyongyang's claim sparked international condemnation.

To build support for the resolution, the United States has agreed to some changes. They include dropping a ban on North Korean imports and exempting money intended for purchases of food and medicine from a freeze on North Korean assets. Language encouraging further diplomatic efforts also was added to the latest version.

However, the U.S. proposal still calls for an arms embargo and a ban on materials that could be used in nuclear or missiles programs. The proposal also seeks a ban on travel by North Korean officials, an embargo on luxury goods and inspections of cargo imports and exports.

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.

Versions of the draft resolution late Friday ruled out military action against North Korea, in response to pressure from China and Russia, the AP reported.

Rice mission
As the council members met in New York, word came that North Korea may consider resuming six-nation talks aimed at resolving the nuclear dispute.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alexeyev and North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Gye-gwan "discussed opportunities to resume the six-nation process and the settlement of the problem of a full denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula by peaceful and diplomatic means," Russia's Foreign Ministry said on its Web site.

The Bush administration has insisted any negotiations with Pyongyang be conducted within the framework of six-party talks among North Korea, the United States, Russia, China, South Korea and Japan. The latest draft of the Security Council resolution calls on North Korea to return to those talks without precondition.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is to visit Asia next week to shore up alliances and discuss the North Korean crisis.

Rice is scheduled to be in Tokyo, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; and Beijing from Tuesday through October 22, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Friday.

"She's going to be talking about how to go about actually implementing" the expected U.N. resolution, McCormack said.



http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/10/14/nkorea.sanctions/index.html

well it's finally happened. sanctions have been placed on north korea.

although this could open up a whole new can of worms. i believe kim said he would take sanctions as an act of war, so there is now the possibility of a second korean war.


A total waste of time. A ban on luxury items!!!! Most North Koreans don't even know what a luxury item is!!! :lol: :lol:

Nothing will change for the average North Korean. All these sanctions mean is a few NK generals will find it harder to get hold of their Cuban cigars!! :lol:

Yet again the UN has been shown to be a toothless organisation because there are too many divisions within it. Iran must be taking great heart from this!

[statement]

Quote:
A total waste of time. A ban on luxury items!!!! Most North Koreans don't even know what a luxury item is!!! :lol: :lol:

Nothing will change for the average North Korean. All these sanctions mean is a few NK generals will find it harder to get hold of their Cuban cigars!! :lol:

Yet again the UN has been shown to be a toothless organisation because there are too many divisions within it. Iran must be taking great heart from this!

Isn't that what it was meant to be, a hit to the elites and higher ups, not the average north korean?

[sfcwoodret]

WOW,Now they won't get toilet paper so I guess they are in a messy situation after-all.

[MoscowMatt]

statement wrote: Quote:
A total waste of time. A ban on luxury items!!!! Most North Koreans don't even know what a luxury item is!!! :lol: :lol:

Nothing will change for the average North Korean. All these sanctions mean is a few NK generals will find it harder to get hold of their Cuban cigars!! :lol:

Yet again the UN has been shown to be a toothless organisation because there are too many divisions within it. Iran must be taking great heart from this!

Isn't that what it was meant to be, a hit to the elites and higher ups, not the average north korean?

You need to 'hit' the average North Korean otherwise the regime inside NK will never change. The Elite will use this to their advantage they will say look we are suufering for our country but you the normal people still have the same and the brainwashed masses will lap it up!!

[Kane]

MoscowMatt wrote: statement wrote: Quote:
A total waste of time. A ban on luxury items!!!! Most North Koreans don't even know what a luxury item is!!! :lol: :lol:

Nothing will change for the average North Korean. All these sanctions mean is a few NK generals will find it harder to get hold of their Cuban cigars!! :lol:

Yet again the UN has been shown to be a toothless organisation because there are too many divisions within it. Iran must be taking great heart from this!

Isn't that what it was meant to be, a hit to the elites and higher ups, not the average north korean?

You need to 'hit' the average North Korean otherwise the regime inside NK will never change. The Elite will use this to their advantage they will say look we are suufering for our country but you the normal people still have the same and the brainwashed masses will lap it up!!

Dude...the average North Korean is already starving. They're starving because of their leaders already despotic rule...sanctions will only bring greater harm to the average North Korean as something will now have to be replaced at their cost...in favor of those that will still retain power. His people have been starving to death...by the millions...for the past ten years...sanctions will change his mind or something? :-|

We're talking about the one state closest to the ideals of 1984 with little chance of uprising. Brainwashed.

[Snake]

Oh yeah, sanctions, man, I'm still chuckling at this one. Just another bs move to make the UN look like it's doing something. :lol:

But seriously, I feel sorry for the poor people that have to live in that sh*t hole of a country. If they try to leave, and are caught by the NKA, they're shot, if they're caught by the SKA, they're shot, if they're caught by the Chinese, they're sent back and shot. The average North Korean civilian is worthless the Kim Jong, and are treated accordingry