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UN Council Draft Condemns Sinking of South Korean Ship

   VOA News 09 July 2010

Photo: UN

   UN Security Council (file photo)

   The United Nations Security Council is expected to approve a statement
   Friday  condemning  the sinking of a South Korean warship earlier this
   year. Â
   The  statement, drafted by the United States, expresses "deep concern"
   at  the  findings of an international investigation that concluded the
   warship was attacked by a North Korean submarine.  But it stops short
   of directly blaming Pyongyang for the incident.
   The  U.S.  announced  Thursday  that all five permanent members of the
   Security  Council - Russia, China, Britain, France and the U.S. - plus
   South  Korea  and Japan, have agreed on the statement.  It circulated
   the document to all 15 members of the council during a closed meeting.
   The  U.S.  ambassador  to  the  United  Nations,  Susan Rice, says the
   statement,  if  approved  by  the  full  Security Council, will send a
   unified message about the sinking.
   The March 26 sinking of the Cheonan killed 46 sailors.
   A  South  Korean-led investigation blamed North Korea for the attack.Â
   The  North  has  denied  it  was  involved  and has threatened to take
   military  action  if it faces any punitive action by the international
   community.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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