Radioactivity from N Korea test 'found'

UNITED NATIONS - Evidence of radiation from North Korea's claimed nuclear test has been found, a United States offical says.

A preliminary US intelligence analysis has shown radioactivity in air samples collected near the suspected test site.

The official said: "That's right, though this is only a first look. People have been saying all along that the working assumption is it was a nuke."

Previously experts had said they might be running out of time to find conclusive proof.

If radioactive material had not shown up in tests by as early as the middle of next week, the chances of confirming a nuclear test were beginning to diminish sharply, they said.

Earlier today the UN Security Council announced it was to vote on a resolution imposing economic and arms sanctions on North Korea for its reported nuclear weapons test.

US Ambassador John Bolton and other Security Council members said they expected some changes proposed by China and Russia before the vote, scheduled for Saturday morning local time (Sunday NZT).

Bolton spoke to reporters today after consultations among the 15 Security Council members, saying broad agreement by the council in the same week as North Korea's announcement was "a sign of the determination of the council in the face of this threat to move quickly."

Seeking to meet objections from China and Russia, the latest version of the US-drafted resolution makes clear the measures do not include military force under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter. The resolution has never threatened force but China wanted to make sure the measure would not be used to justify military action against North Korea.

China, which is North Korea's closest ally, has strongly condemned Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions and approved many of the sanctions.

On Friday, its UN ambassador voiced reservations about a provision authorising nations to search cargo going to and from North Korea for nuclear materials or ballistic missiles.

Softened

China wants the wording softened to make interdiction less mandatory in the resolution, while Russia has criticised other parts of the text.

The draft UN resolution would prohibit the transfer or development of weapons of mass destruction and ban sales of luxury goods to North Korea. It would freeze funds overseas of people or businesses connected with Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

It also imposes an arms embargo on heavy conventional weapons. It allows a travel ban on individuals connected with North Korea's dangerous weapons programmes, and their families, if a council sanctions committee approves the names.

North Korea remained unrepentant and blamed the United States for the international condemnation.

Washington's "hostile policy ... has gone beyond the tolerance limit and a dangerous atmosphere of confrontation reminiscent of that on the eve of war is now prevailing on the Korean Peninsula," North Korea's state news agency, KCNA, said.

As the council was negotiating, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alexyev reported from Pyongyang that North Korea favored returning to the six-party talks among the two Koreas, the United States, China, Russia and Japan, according to the ITAR-Tass news agency.

North Korea walked out of the talks, aimed at ridding Pyongyang of nuclear arms in exchange for economic incentives, to protest financial sanctions by the United States. The talks have been on hold for almost a year.

- REUTERS