US, Japan press for unity to punish N Korea

‘‘We had very good discussions with the Chinese and made very clear our very deep concerns about what is going on in the DPRK, and I called upon the Chinese to understand that we will be much more effective if we speak with one voice,’’ Hill said at the start of talks in Seoul.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso was more blunt, pledging not to give in to Russia and China which hold veto power on the Security Council — a privilege Tokyo has long sought in vain.

‘‘We may amend the draft but we are firm on the binding resolution that includes sanctions,’’ Aso said in a speech in the western city of Osaka. ‘‘Japan will not compromise. We will go all the way…It is unreasonable if the moods of the veto powers dominate diplomacy,’’ Aso said. A UN draft resolution backed by the US and Japan would block the transfer of items to North Korea that could be used in missile and weapons of mass destruction programmes.

US President George Bush, however, did not publicly pitch for sanctions in a press conference yesterday, calling only for unity to rebuke the North.

Earlier today a US Navy guided missile destroyer equipped with the navy’s most advanced Aegis combat weapon system arrived at the navy’s Yokosuka base in Japan, a US Navy spokeswoman said. With a crew of 300 sailors and equipped with missile tracking and engaging systems, the 9,200-ton USS Mustin, will be permanently deployed at Yokosuka, she added.

Japan also banned a North Korean ferry, the only regular direct link between the two countries, from entering its ports for six months as part of a package of initial sanctions. A poll published today found that four-fifths of Japanese think their country should step up economic sanctions against North Korea in response to the missile launches.

A total of 80.7 per cent favoured stronger sanctions such as blocking money remittances or curbing trade with Pyongyang, according to a survey of 1,011 people conducted on Friday and Saturday by Kyodo news service.