Russia & China resume familiar role at UN… Block any sanctions against North Korea

July 6, 2006 in China, Japan, North Korea, Russia, UN

The world’s big powers appeared divided on Wednesday over whether to respond to North Korea’s provocative missile tests with United Nations financial sanctions – with Russia and China resisting calls by the US and Japan for tough action.

Had to figure that Russia and China would block any efforts that would require them to make a firm stand or even issue a strong statement condeming Kim Jong Il’s nuclear weapons program.

The tests of seven missiles, which came as the US celebrated Independence day, intensified tensions in north-east Asia in spite of the failure of a previously untested long-range missile. The Taepodong-2, which could theoretically hit the continental US, fell into the Sea of Japan within a minute of launch.

The failure of the Taepodong-2, can only be seen as an embarassment to the backwards stalinist regime. By launching a test that failed as badly as it did North Korea worsened its position in any negotiations. A unified Security Council would have had the oppertunity to compel North Korea to the bargaining table in a greater position of weakness. With Russia and China Blocking anything togher than language permitted in a “G” movie allows North Korea to exploit divisions in the Security Council and further delay ending their weapons program.

Meanwhile, Tokyo would consider imposing a wide range of sanctions on North Korea, including freezing remittances and clamping down on travel between the two countries. Tokyo immediately stopped visits by a North Korean ferry.

Japan has already imposed sanctions by barring North Korean ships from its ports and imposing a travel ban on North Korean officials.

Full Article here

Trackbacked to bRight & Early