Beckett says North Korea Nuclear Test a 'Threat to International Security'

British Foreign Secretary, Margaret Beckett has said that North Korea's nuclear test posed a "clear threat to international peace and security".

|PIC1|Following Monday's announcement from North Korea that it had carried out a "successful" nuclear test underground, the UN Security Council has called an emergency meeting to consider a draft resolution proposing wide ranging financial and trade sanctions against the country.

In response to the tests, Beckett addressed the House of Commons Tuesday 10 October 2006 urging that a tough approach be taken by the international community.

However, Beckett was quick to rebut any suggestions that the latest development was the result of a lack of diplomacy in the region.

She said, "This is a course of action they [North Korea] have been pursuing for their own reasons for a long time indeed.

She also added, "The world has been united in its condemnation of North Korea's action, which was carried out in direct defiance of the will of the international community. The UK will be pushing for a robust response given the clear threat posed to international peace and security by the test."

Conservative William Hague has also said that a greater effort must be seen by the international community to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

Hague said the first goal must be to get North Korea to return to its obligations and negotiations, but he added that there was a need to strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. He said that the international community had to deal strictly with countries that breach it, such as North Korea and Iran.

He declared to MPs: "There is clearly a growing perception in the world that the price of stealing one's way into the nuclear club is bearable. This is a perception we cannot afford to allow to continue."

Meanwhile, China, usually a strong ally of North Korea has called for "appropriate" UN action.

Beijing has said it had not ruled out UN sanctions but did state that military action was "unimaginable".

The US ambassador to the UN reported that while the US would not rule out using force, it was seeking a diplomatic solution.

The South Korean Prime Minister, Han Myung-sook, said Seoul would not support a resolution including a threat of military force.

However, the response of China is seen by many commentators to be at the core of moving the crisis forward. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said: "This will no doubt have a negative impact on China and North Korea's relations."

He added that the UN should take "appropriate action" but stated that China was still considering the nature of that action.