China, Russia thwart UN resolution on North Korea

Dharam Shourie

UNITED NATIONS: China and Russia have thwarted the US-backed attempt by Japan to adopt a binding resolution banning transfer of funds and technology that could be used to produce missiles or weapons of mass destruction to North Korea in the UN Security Council.

Instead of adopting a resolution under chapter seven of the charter which would make it binding on all nations, Beijing and Moscow, both with veto powers, suggested that the Council issue a weaker Presidential statement without threat of sanctions to give diplomacy a chance.

The diplomatic efforts come even as some reports suggest that North Korea might be preparing to test fire more missiles.

Though Beijing, which has strong influence on North Korea, and Russia criticised Pyongyang for conducting the tests, they said the believe that the objective of stopping it from developing nuclear weapons and rocket technology could be achieved through diplomatic channels.

After an Ambassadorial-level meeting lasting for about two hours on Wednesday, experts, who are lower level diplomats, took over. They met for about 90 minutes. They are scheduled to meet again on Thursday evening.