Thursday, July 6 2006 11:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

United Nations: China and Russia have thwarted the US-backed attempt by Japan to adopt a binding resolution banning transfer of funds and technology that could be used to produce missiles or weapons of mass destruction to North Korea in the UN Security Council.

Instead of adopting a resolution under chapter seven of the charter which would make it binding on all nations, Beijing and Moscow, both with veto powers, suggested that the Council issue a weaker Presidential statement without threat of sanctions to give diplomacy a chance.

The diplomatic efforts come even as some reports suggest that North Korea might be preparing to test fire more missiles.

Though Beijing, which has strong influence on North Korea, and Russia criticized Pyongyang for conducting the tests, they said the believe that the objective of stopping it from developing nuclear weapons and rocket technology couldbe achieved through diplomatic channels especially the six-member ongoing talks which includes the two besides the United States, Japan and South Korea.

After an Ambassadorial-level meeting lasting for about two hours yesterday, experts, who are lower level diplomats, took over. They met for about 90 minutes yesterday and were expected again this evening.

The Ambassadors are also likely to discuss the issue later today as they hold consultations on unrelated subjects but diplomats said the serious negotiations have now shifted to the capitals where the final decision would be taken.

They also said the indications were that the United States and Japan would go along with China and Russia who have veto power along with America, Britain and France.

Analysts say that the milder than expected tone of President George Bush's reaction showed that he is under intense international pressure to avoid a major confrontation with North Korea and hence he might settle on the Council issuing a presidential statement at least initially.

Bush only said that the tests further isolated NorthKorea and called on the international community to continue to work together to convince the North Korean leader to give up any weapons programme.

North Korea had declared itself nuclear power and warned that sanctions would amount of declaration of war and that, diplomats say, is acting as a damper to a strong action.

Briefing reporters after yesterday's Council meeting, France's UN Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere, the current council president, said all 15 member expressed 'deep concern' at the missile tests.

"Thirteen delegations were in favour of a resolution, and two delegations thought a presidential statement would be more appropriate," he said.

The draft resolution circulated by Japan would demand North Korea immediately halt development, testing, deployment and proliferation of ballistic missiles and reconfirm moratorium on missile launching.