UN Council to Vote Thursday on Tougher N.Korea Sanctions

FILE PHOTO: Members of the United Nations Security Council gather during a meeting about the situation in Venezuela, in New York, US, February 26, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
FILE PHOTO: Members of the United Nations Security Council gather during a meeting about the situation in Venezuela, in New York, US, February 26, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
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UN Council to Vote Thursday on Tougher N.Korea Sanctions

FILE PHOTO: Members of the United Nations Security Council gather during a meeting about the situation in Venezuela, in New York, US, February 26, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
FILE PHOTO: Members of the United Nations Security Council gather during a meeting about the situation in Venezuela, in New York, US, February 26, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

The United Nations Security Council will vote Thursday, at the request of the United States, on a resolution aimed at toughening sanctions on North Korea after it fired an intercontinental ballistic missile, diplomats said Wednesday.

The United States, which holds the rotating Security Council presidency for May, has scheduled the vote for the late afternoon, two diplomats told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Earlier, a senior US official said the resolution would notably look at curbing oil imports, although diplomats say Russia and China could exercise their veto power.

The official noted that Security Council Resolution 2397, adopted unanimously in 2017, called for further consequences in the event of another ICBM launch.

"That was a provision of that resolution. That's precisely what happened and so we feel it's now time to take action," the official said on condition of anonymity.

The official declined to comment on whether Russia and China would veto the text but said, "We think that this resolution will have strong support because this is an issue that's of profound importance to us, obviously, (and) of profound importance to our allies Japan and South Korea."

According to a diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity, Beijing could be willing to adopt new sanctions in the event of nuclear testing, but not over missile launches.

A spokesperson for the Chinese mission meanwhile told AFP that "We don't think a resolution as proposed by the US can solve any problem."

Beijing said it had proposed its own statement on North Korea but it "fell on deaf ears of the US."

The US draft resolution up for vote Thursday calls for a reduction in the amount of oil that North Korea can legally import each year for civilian purposes from four million to three million barrels (525,000 to 393,750 tons).

It would similarly cut imports of refined petroleum from 500,000 to 375,000 barrels.

The resolution would also impose further sanctions on North Korean exports including of clocks, watches and mineral fuels.

The United States and South Korea say that North Korea fired three missiles, including possibly its largest ICBM, hours after President Joe Biden closed a visit to the region.

One UN envoy whose country is on the Security Council, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the "huge threat" posed by North Korea's actions, but indicated the US decision to push for a quick vote could still backfire.

"A division of the Security Council on this crisis would be bad," the envoy said, noting the high stakes on the nuclear proliferation issue.

"If the draft is rejected, I'm afraid it will just be good news for the young leader of the DPRK," the ambassador said, adding that such a rift on the council would make it more difficult to "increase the pressure" on Pyongyang.



Iran Considers Talks with US to Ensure ‘Peaceful’ Nature of its Nuclear Program

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
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Iran Considers Talks with US to Ensure ‘Peaceful’ Nature of its Nuclear Program

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian

Iran would consider negotiations with the US if the aim of the talks was to address concerns regarding any potential militarization of its nuclear program, Iran's UN mission said on Sunday.
At the same time, Iran rejected any attempts aimed to dismantle its “peaceful” nuclear program.
In a post on X the mission said: “If the objective of negotiations is to address concerns vis-à-vis any potential militarization of Iran’s nuclear program, such discussions may be subject to consideration.”
“However, should the aim be the dismantlement of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program ... such negotiations will never take place,” the post added.
Also on Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country’s principled policy is centered on de-escalation and fostering unity, adding that Iran has never sought to acquire nuclear weapons, citing the decree issued by the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In a phone conversation with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, the President said Iran considers tensions, unrest, and conflicts as harmful to itself, the region and the world.
This is the first public contact between an Iranian president and a Western official since US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he wanted to negotiate with Iran on its nuclear file and had sent a letter to the Iranian leadership on Thursday.

“Iran has always advocated for peace, stability, and security in the region, striving to prevent war and confrontation whenever possible,” Pezeshkian said.
He then rejected western attempts to portray Iran’s “peaceful nuclear activities” as a source of insecurity, noting that the regime is the root cause of tension and crisis through its initiation of war and genocide against the oppressed Palestinian people.
The Iranian presidential website then quoted Store as calling for the continuation of discussions and meetings between officials of both countries. He also underscored Norway's commitment to a peaceful resolution of regional issues and expressed readiness to assist in this process.