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Monday, October 09, 2006

U.S. proposes sanctions against N. Korea


Well there are some proposals on the table at the Security Council, now lets see if they are prepared to step up to the plate and actually enforce something. I am not holding my breath, but I am ever the optimist, so who knows.


The document says that the United States wants the resolution to fall under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which deals explicitly with threats to international peace and security, as well as acts of aggression. Chapter 7 grants the council the authority to impose a range of measures that include breaking diplomatic ties and imposing economic and military sanctions to taking military action.

Among the proposals we have:

Prohibit trade in materials that could be used to make or deliver weapons of mass destruction.

Require states to make sure that North Korea not use their territory or entities for proliferation or illicit activities. Financial transactions that North Korea could use to support those programs would also be banned.

Require states to freeze all assets related to North Korea's weapons and missile programs, as well as any other illicit activities it conducts.

Authorize inspection of all cargo to and from North Korea to limit proliferation.

Ban trade with North Korea in luxury goods and military items

Bolton's comments:

"No one defended it, no one even came close to defending it," Bolton said of the reported test. "I was very impressed by the unanimity of the council ... on the need for a strong and swift answer to what everyone agreed amounted to a threat to international peace and security."

We shall see.

More condemnation from World Powers.