U.N. demands enforcement of North Korea sanctions

By Louis Charbonneau

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The Security Council on Monday unanimously condemned North Korea's long-range rocket launch nearly two weeks ago as contravening a U.N. ban, and demanded enforcement of existing sanctions against Pyongyang.

The U.S.-authored statement, agreed on Saturday by the five permanent council members and Japan, ordered a U.N. sanctions committee to begin activating financial sanctions and an arms and limited trade embargo laid down in a resolution passed two and a half years ago.

"The Security Council condemns the 5 April 2009 launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which is in contravention of Security Council resolution 1718 of 2006," the statement said.

Some analysts say the passage of the council statement will be largely symbolic and is unlikely to result in a strict enforcement of sanctions against Pyongyang. They say much will depend on China's willingness to enforce the measures.

Britain's U.N. ambassador, John Sawers, was one of those who disagreed with this view. "We are tightening the sanctions screw a notch against North Korea," he said.

Referring to the measures outlined in resolution 1718, U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice told reporters the statement "allows for the substantial strengthening and augmentation of that (sanctions) regime."

Rice and her Japanese counterpart, Yukio Takasu, said their countries would soon submit proposed lists of North Korean companies to be placed on a U.N. blacklist of firms aiding Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programs.

ACTIVATING SANCTIONS