[UPDATE] DNI REPORT SHOWS NK DID PERFORM NUCLEAR TEST. PDF FILE FROM DNI HERE.
Despite reports of China balking at inspecting North Korea's cargo trucks, they seem to be implementing the UN's resolution. ( Resolution 1718 can be found here. )
SEOUL, South Korea - China inspected cargo trucks bound for
North Korea on Monday as Australia banned the North's ships from its ports and Japan considered more sanctions to punish the reclusive nation for its proclaimed nuclear test.
The Chinese inspections at a border crossing with the North came amid concerns that Beijing would ignore a call under new U.N. sanctions for nations to check cargo leaving and arriving from North Korea.
Japan has taken one of the hardest lines against the North. Last Friday, the Cabinet approved closing ports to North Korean ships and banning trade with the North.
On Monday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters that his country may impose more sanctions depending on how other countries respond to the U.N. measures.
Australia announced that it would go beyond the U.N. resolution by banning the North's ships from entering its ports except in dire emergencies.
"I think that will help Australia make a quite clear contribution to the
United Nations sanctions regime," Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.
China — North Korea's biggest trading partner — has balked at the cargo inspections, saying they would increase tensions.
But on Monday, customs inspectors examined cargo trucks bound for North Korea in the border city of Dandong. The officers opened the back of each truck but didn't open individual boxes or bags.
Last week, reporters who visited the border post didn't see inspectors open any trucks.
The New York Times article "Questions Grow Over UN's Curbs on North Korea" states:
China, which shares a 870-mile porous border with North Korea and is perhaps its most critical economic gateway to the outside world, said Saturday that it had no intention of stopping and inspecting cross-border shipments, as called for, but not specifically required, in the resolution.
Again, the latest news shows China IS stopping and inspecting cargo trucks. About time.
I am glad Japan and Australia are separately imposing harsher measures than what is specified in the UN's resolution, and can only hope more countries follow suit. The UN showed a united front in a 15-0 vote, but China, South Korea and Russia must now step to the plate as Japan and Australia have. These countries need to remember, Iran is watching. Time for China and Russia to STOP beingthe UN's weakest links.
How about that fence China is building alongNorth Korea's Border?
Though the fence-building appears to have picked up in the days following North Korea's claimed nuclear test last week, experts said the project was approved in 2003. Experts and a local Hushan official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the project, said the military was in charge of the building.
I am sure there will be updates on this in the following days and weeks.
Others writing about this: Decision `08, Freedom Eden, Sister Toldjah, Hot Air, Gun Toting Liberal, Flopping Aces, Bill's Bites, Right Truth, Moosetracks open Trackbacks.
