Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


          Vote on New UN Sanctions on North Korea Expected Within Days

   by Margaret Besheer

   The U.N. Security Council is considering tough, unprecedented sanctions
   against North Korea in response to its January nuclear test and
   February rocket launch.

   The two events violated four sets of international sanctions imposed on
   Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile program.

   The United States drafted the resolution over the past seven weeks in
   close cooperation with China.

   U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power circulated the 22-page document to the
   full 15-member council Thursday. A vote is expected in the coming days.

   ''"These sanctions, if adopted, would send an unambiguous and
   unyielding message to the DPRK regime: The world will not accept your
   proliferation. There will be consequences for your actions. And we will
   work relentlessly and collectively to stop your nuclear program," Power
   told reporters after discussing the draft with council members.

   Weapons, fuel trade

   One new measure is an embargo on all arms -- conventional and otherwise
   -- in and out of North Korea.

   "In addition to being destabilizing, we know it is the conventional
   arms program that also generates revenue through exports for
   Pyongyang's illicit programs," a U.S. official familiar with the draft
   said.

   The resolution also seeks to impose a mandatory inspection of all
   cargo, even food, going into or out of the rogue nation, whether it
   moves by land, sea or air. The official said this move was
   "unprecedented."

   The official said the resolution also targets North Korea's shadowy
   underground nuclear proliferation networks. Measures in the draft would
   require states to expel North Korean diplomats involved in illicit
   activities, as well as to close the offices and kick out the
   representatives of big DPRK companies that are involved in activities
   subject to U.N. sanctions.

   For the first time, there would also be sanctions banning the supply or
   transfer of aviation fuel -- a specialized, highly refined
   petroleum-based fuel used for both civilian planes and rockets.

   The U.S. official said there would be no exemption to that ban for
   civil aviation.

   North Korea operates a national airline, Air Koryo, and the fuel
   sanctions could affect its ability to fly.

   Power said the resolution would also impose restrictions "limiting --
   and in some instances banning outright -- exports from the DPRK of
   coal, iron, gold, titanium and rare earth minerals."

   Banks, luxury goods

   North Korea has been under tough financial sanctions for some time, but
   the new resolution would seek to tighten those measures, requiring
   states to close North Korean bank accounts in their financial
   institutions and prohibiting engagement with North Korean banks.

   DPRK leader Kim Jong Un's fondness for luxury goods is well-known.
   Previous council resolutions have cracked down on the import of
   expensive cars, liquor and other items to North Korea, but enforcement
   has been difficult.

   The new resolution seeks to clarify what a "luxury" item is, and fancy
   watches, lead crystal, personal watercraft and snowmobiles valued at
   more than $2,000 dollars reportedly would be prohibited.

   Power said that if adopted, these sanctions "would break new ground and
   represent the strongest set of sanctions imposed by the Security
   Council in more than two decades."

   ''Resistance unlikely

   The resolution is unlikely to meet any significant resistance in the
   council since China, Pyongyang's closest ally, has agreed to the
   language.

   "I am very pleased that we have come to this stage. I hope all the
   members of the Security Council will agree with the text," said Japan's
   U.N. ambassador, Motohide Yoshikawa.

   French Ambassador François Delattre told reporters the new sanctions
   were needed "to break the irresponsible behavior" of Pyongyang and
   "bring them back to the negotiation table."

   According to diplomats, the resolution does have language reaffirming
   the importance of resuming the six-party talks, which are aimed at
   ending Pyongyang's nuclear program through diplomatic negotiations.
   China, Japan, North Korea, Russia, South Korea and the United States
   are the participants in the talks.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/vote-united-nations-sanctions-north-k
   orea-expected-within-days/3208380.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/vote-united-nations-sanctions-north-korea-expected-within-days/3208380.html