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'Strong message' heading NKorea's way, US top envoy says
By Cindy Sui
AFP
BEIJING
Petroleumworld.com 07 13 06
The top US negotiator on North Korea Thursday reported no progress in Chinese efforts to defuse a crisis over Pyongyang's missile tests, saying the regime could now expect a "very strong" message from the United Nations.
"I have talked as much as I can with the Chinese to see what's going on with their mission in Pyongyang. From what I understand, we don't have any breakthroughs in Pyongyang," Christopher Hill told reporters in Beijing.
"So far (the North Koreans) don't seem interested in listening, much less in doing anything to address the situation."
Hill said he was heading back to Washington later Thursday after spending two days consulting with the Chinese government on the progress of diplomatic efforts by Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu and Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, who have been in the North for four days.
Despite objections from China and Russia to a Japan-sponsored United Nations resolution, Hill said the world body would issue a strong response to North Korea's test last week of seven missiles.
"I'm confident there will be a very strong, very clear message for the DPRK (North Korea)," Hill said, when asked about the chances of the UN Security Council passing the Japanese resolution which orders missile-related sanctions against Pyongyang.
"Nobody is supporting the North Korean (position) ... that they have a right to do this ... that it's their legal right."
The United Nations had put off a vote at the Security Council on the resolution, supported by the United States and European powers, pending the outcome of the Chinese mission to Pyongyang.
China and Russia Wednesday fielded an alternative resolution, widely seen as a watered-down version that would not make sanctions mandatory.
But Japan said the Chinese-Russian proposal had "very serious gaps" and vowed Thursday it would not back down from its resolution.
Hill said he was confident that what the Security Council would eventually adopt would be "very clear," adding that China and Russia were frustrated with Pyongyang.
"The North Koreans take Chinese assistance much more readily than they take Chinese advice," Hill said. "The Chinese expect a little more cooperation from the North Koreans."
Regarding Russia's attitude, he added: "Some of the missile fragments landed closer to Russia than any other country, so they were clearly not happy with the DPRK."
China is considered the country with the most leverage on the North's communist regime due to its shared political ideologies and considerable food and fuel aid.
Hill said Washington had wanted to give diplomacy a chance by coming to China. He held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and other officials.
But Hill said: "The Chinese are as baffled as we are... China has done so much for that country. That country seems intent on taking all of that generosity and giving nothing back."
Meanwhile, China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu vehemently criticized Japan for contemplating a preemptive strike on North Korea, saying that would intensify the already tense situation.
"As the international community is going all out to seek a peaceful solution, some Japanese politicians are talking about a preemptive strike," Jiang said, according to the China Daily. "This is like pouring oil on fire."
Japanese government ministers including Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe had suggested there should be debate about whether to develop such a capability.
Tokyo, however, quickly toned down those comments.
"I have to stress that no one has said Japan should attack preemptively," said Abe, the government's top spokesman, insisting neighboring countries had misunderstood its position.
AFP 13 0637 GMT 07 06
Copyright ©2006 AFP. All Rights Reserved.
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