Key UN nations agree to condemn North Korean rocket launch, toughen sanctions

[babylonsister]

Key UN nations agree to condemn North Korean rocket launch, toughen sanctions

By EDITH M. LEDERER | Associated Press | Apr 11, 09 4:11 PM CDT in US


Key Security Council nations reached agreement Saturday on a statement that would condemn North Korea's rocket launch and toughen U.N. sanctions against the reclusive communist nation.

The five permanent veto-wielding members _ the U.S., China, Russia, Britain and France _ and Japan reached agreement after Tokyo backed down from a demand that the Security Council adopt a new resolution, the strongest response the U.N.'s most powerful body can give.

They distributed the text of the proposed presidential statement to the nine other council members, who must now consult their capitals. Libya's deputy U.N. ambassador Ibrahim Dabbashi said he expects the council to meet again Monday.

A presidential statement is considered a weaker reaction by the council, and while the U.S. insists it is legally binding, others do not.

Nonetheless, the current draft contains stronger language and demands than many observers predicted.


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http://www.newser.com/article/d97ggf280/key-un-nations-agree-to-condemn-north-korean-rocket-launch-toughen-sanctions.html