UPDATE 1-UN council discusses response to North Korea launch

(For full coverage of the North Korea story [nSP469853])

* Security Council emergency session begins

* US wants strong response; China and Russia urge caution

* US, Japan to seek stricter enforcement of existing curbs (Adds U.S., French ambassadors, start of meeting)

By Louis Charbonneau

UNITED NATIONS, April 5 (Reuters) - Diplomats on the U.N. Security Council met on Sunday to respond to North Korea's rocket launch, with Washington calling for "strong" action and China and Russia appealing for calm.

The 15-nation council began emergency closed-door consultations shortly after 3 p.m. EDT/1900 GMT to discuss North Korea's firing of a long-range rocket on Sunday. [nSEO021090]

The United States, Japan and South Korea say the launch violated council resolutions banning the firing of ballistic missiles by Pyongyang, which has tested a nuclear device and is in stalled six-party talks about ending its nuclear program.

"The United States' view is this is serious, it's a violation and it merits an appropriately strong United Nations response," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice told the ABC program "This Week with George Stephanopoulos."