Radioactivity has been detected from a nuclear test by North
Korea, said a US government official on Friday.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a
preliminary US intelligence analysis has shown radioactivity in air
samples collected near a suspected nuclear test site of North
Korea.
But the Bush government has not made a definitive conclusion
about the nature of the blast which North Korea defined as its
first nuclear test, he said.
Earlier Friday, the US government said that it still does not
have a definite answer on whether North Korea conducted a nuclear
test.
Also on Friday, the UN Security Council (UNSC) President for
October Japanese UN Ambassador Kenzo Oshima said UNSC is set to
vote today on a resolution sponsored by the United States and other
nations.
"The relevant provision is going to say measures will be taken
in accordance with national legislation and measures consistent
with international law," Oshima said.
Council members and experts have held intensive consultations
over the past few days on the resolution, which has been amended
several times. The five permanent members have been meeting
together with Japan.
Oshima noted that although all members strongly condemned North
Korea's nuclear test in consultations, a major focus was whether to
invoke Chapter 7 of the UN Charter that allows for sanctions and
the use of force in the case of a threat to or breach of peace.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stressed the urgent need for
North Korea to return to the six-party talks that have been seeking
to resolve the issue of its nuclear program.
(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2006 )
