U.N. Slaps Tough New Sanctions On N. Korea

U.S. Says Resolution That Restricts Nation's Weapons Exports And Financial Dealings Are "Unprecedented"

(CBS/ AP)  Last updated at 6:30 p.m. EDT

The U.N. Security Council on Friday punished North Korea for its second nuclear test, imposing tough new sanctions, expanding an arms embargo and authorizing ship searches on the high seas, with the goal of derailing the isolated nation's nuclear and missile programs.

In a sign of growing global anger at Pyongyang's pursuit of nuclear weapons in defiance of the council, the North's closest allies Russia and China joined Western powers and nations from every region in unanimously approving the sanctions resolution.

The resolution seeks to deprive North Korea of financing and material for its weapons program and bans the country's lucrative arms exports, especially missiles. It does not ban normal trade, but does call on international financial institutions not to provide the North with grants, aid or loans except for humanitarian, development and denuclearization programs.

U.S. Deputy Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo said the resolution provided "a strong and united international response" to North Korea's test in defiance of a ban imposed after its first underground atomic blast in October 2006 by imposing "unprecedented" measures.

"The message of this resolution is clear: North Korea's behavior is unacceptable to the international community and the international community is determined to respond," DiCarlo said. "North Korea should return without conditions to a process of peaceful dialogue."

Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., told reporters in the White House briefing room Friday that "we're very pleased" with the sanctions, calling the new resolution an "unprecedented" position by the body.

China's U.N. Ambassador Zhang Yesui said the nuclear test had affected regional peace and security. He strongly urged Pyongyang to promote the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and return quickly to Beijing-hosted six-party talks aimed at dismantling North Korea's nuclear program.

He said the resolution demonstrates the international community's "firm opposition" to the atomic blast, "but also sends a positive signal" by showing the council's determination to resolve the issue "peacefully through dialogue and negotiations."

North Korea signaled strong opposition to new sanctions before the vote, but its diplomats were nowhere to be seen on Friday.

That was in stark contrast to the vote in October 2006 when the North Korean ambassador immediately rejected the first sanctions resolution, accused council members of "gangster-like" action, and walked out of the council chamber.

North Korea reiterated Monday in its main newspaper that the country will consider any sanctions a declaration of war and will respond with "due corresponding self-defense measures." On Tuesday, the North said it would use nuclear weapons in a "merciless offensive" if provoked.

The provision most likely to anger the North Koreans calls on countries to inspect all suspect cargo heading to or from North Korea - and to stop ships carrying suspect material if the country whose flag the vessel is flying gives approval.

If the country refuses to give approval, it must direct the vessel "to an appropriate and convenient port for the required inspection by the local authorities."

"The hope of the Security Council is that North Korea will return to the Six Party Talks and freeze its nuclear program, but that - in addition to securing the return of the two American journalists - will take a lot more back channel negotiations," said CBS News foreign affairs analyst Pamela Falk.

The resolution does not authorize the use of force. But if a flag country refuses an inspection at sea - and refuses to direct the vessel to a port for inspection, a report must be made to the Security Council which could take action against the country, including sanctions.

The resolution is not clear what would happen if North Korea refuses to direct a vessel to a port, reports CBS News correspondent David Martin.

CBS News consultant Juan Zarate told Martin that the U.S. and North Korea are entering uncharted waters.

"This is a volatile time where it's very unclear how far the North Koreans are willing to go," Zarate said.

China's Zhang stressed that "countries have to act prudently in strict accordance with domestic and international laws and under the precondition of reasonable grounds and sufficient evidence."

"Under no circumstances should there be use or threat of the use of force," he said, a view echoed by Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin.

The resolution is likely to lead to different interpretations on what constitutes "reasonable grounds" for inspecting cargo.

Britain's deputy U.N. ambassador Philip Parham called on all countries to implement the new sanctions, "including the new inspections regione, fully and without delay."

The resolution condemns "in the strongest terms" the North's May 25 nuclear test "in violation and flagrant disregard" of the 2006 sanctions resolution.

It demands a halt to any further nuclear tests or missile launches and reiterates the council's demand that the North abandon all nuclear weapons, return to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, allow U.N. nuclear inspections, and rejoin six-party talks.

The 2006 resolution imposed an arms embargo on heavy weapons, a ban on material that could be used in missiles or weapons of mass destruction and a ban on luxury goods favored by North Korea's ruling elite. It also ordered an asset freeze and travel ban on companies and individuals involved in the country's nuclear and weapons programs.

The resolution calls on the 192 U.N. member states to implement these measures and asks the council committee monitoring sanctions to designate additional companies and individuals within 30 days that could face an asset freeze and travel ban.

It also expands the arms embargo, banning North Korea from exporting all weapons - which would eliminate a significant source of revenue for the country - and banning the import of all arms except light weapons.

The resolution also calls on all countries to prevent financial institutions or individuals in their countries from providing financing or resources that could contribute to North Korea's "nuclear-related, ballistic missile-related, or other weapons of mass destruction-related programs or activities."

[souljam76]

Well I was for John McCain & I sure wished President Bush was allowed a 3rd term. I felt safe with President Bush. American can't forget what happened on 9-11. We need to keep fighting Al Qeida. But I think we should've also gone to War with North Korea as well. Now North Korea is more damgerous than Al Quida is. We need to pull troops out of Iraq & Afghanistan & send them all To North Korea. The war will be more difficult but it must be done

hummmm!! I wonder about all you nobamas out there. Do you prefer fighting another war? Wake up neocons!! America can only do so much. It has to do what it can to preserve peace thoughout the world, but everyone needs to remember that the u.n. is here to work as a unified entity that helps protect all nations around the world. We ha ve given certain countries around the world the right to dictate what we all truly believe will be peace. Though these countries may not always agree as to how to solve certain problems such as the n.k. situation, all have agreed to increasing sactions against n.k. what more can you expect? ! As much as many of you may percieve America as the police of the world, they are not!!{even though america may think it is in the name of democracy} Many argue that the u.n. is an institution that holds no power, but it does. It unifies the rights of all, and unifies the countries around the world against countries that go against the rules of security for all nations. There is only so much that America can do. This is not the warmongering world of the Bush/Cheney regime, where you go against the rule of law. Especially the constitutional laws of a country such as America that prides itself as a law abiding entity around the world. If the u.n. create new sanctions, so be it. It's a start. Yes i agree n.k. continues to hold the world to a state of a negotiating seige, and it's time to have everyone step up to the plate and say enough is enough. If the u.n. is going to continue this, n.k. will continue to rape the ideology of the free world as it has for decades now. Posted by maghop at 2:58 AM : Jun 13, 2009

[ToolMangler1]

Looks like CBS might be shutting down the comment section,
none of the new articles have comment lines in them

[Illuminated1]

The resolution seeks to deprive North Korea of financing and material for its weapons program and bans the country's lucrative arms exports, especially missiles. It does not ban normal trade, but does call on international financial institutions not to provide the North with grants, aid or loans except for humanitarian, development and denuclearization programs.

What a weak resolution.
I have to agree, total isolation is called for...no trade period.
The U.N is an ineffective entity as we have seen that members of the security council have been replaced by different governments.......
The security council comprised of the primary Allied forces in WW2.
U.S, France, England, China, U.S.S.R.
The only governments that exist since is the US and England.
The Chinese representatives should be from Taipei not Beijing..
The U.S.S.R. is non existant...so why does Russia maintain membership?
France experienced changes in Government that make it a different representative than they were when the U.N was established.

I don't understand why they have been allowed to remain members. They are not the same members they were when formed.

[jls3769]

"North Korea signaled strong opposition to new sanctions before the vote, but its diplomats were nowhere to be seen on Friday. "

TYPICAL COWARDICE!!!!

[quapawsix]

He is about as scary as a bunny rabbit.
I was thinking more like a care bear.

[maghop]

hummmm!! I wonder about all you nobamas out there. Do you prefer fighting another war? Wake up neocons!! America can only do so much. It has to do what it can to preserve peace thoughout the world, but everyone needs to remember that the u.n. is here to work as a unified entity that helps protect all nations around the world. We ha ve given certain countries around the world the right to dictate what we all truly believe will be peace. Though these countries may not always agree as to how to solve certain problems such as the n.k. situation, all have agreed to increasing sactions against n.k. what more can you expect? ! As much as many of you may percieve America as the police of the world, they are not!!{even though america may think it is in the name of democracy} Many argue that the u.n. is an institution that holds no power, but it does. It unifies the rights of all, and unifies the countries around the world against countries that go against the rules of security for all nations. There is only so much that America can do. This is not the warmongering world of the Bush/Cheney regime, where you go against the rule of law. Especially the constitutional laws of a country such as America that prides itself as a law abiding entity around the world. If the u.n. create new sanctions, so be it. It's a start. Yes i agree n.k. continues to hold the world to a state of a negotiating seige, and it's time to have everyone step up to the plate and say enough is enough. If the u.n. is going to continue this, n.k. will continue to rape the ideology of the free world as it has for decades now.

[harpoot]

I'll betcha Kim messed his shorts when he heard that. LOL

[gravyboat3000]

And while this act of war takes place (kim said searching his ships on the high seas was an act of war) Our illustrious president Nobama is sight seeing in Paris! What an aiss you put in the white house.
Posted by thgdriver

You call honoring our war dead from WWII,"sight seeing"?

NeoCon lemming.

[rwsmith29456]

And this is supposed to change the way N.K. is acting??

[thgdriver]

And while this act of war takes place (kim said searching his ships on the high seas was an act of war) Our illustrious president Nobama is sight seeing in Paris! What an aiss you put in the white house.