Aso, Kawamura reaffirm aim for new U.N. resolution on N. Korea+

TOKYO, April 8 Kyodo - Prime Minister Taro Aso and Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura reaffirmed Wednesday Japan's intention to seek a new U.N. Security Council resolution in response to North Korea's weekend rocket launch, Japanese government officials
said.

The development came after Kawamura earlier in the day suggested a possibility
that Japan may compromise and accept a nonbinding presidential statement
instead of a binding U.N. resolution if members of the Security Council cannot
reach an agreement.
''Whether it is a presidential statement or whatever, it will be a global
message if it is arranged in a way which utilizes Resolution 1718,'' which bans
Pyongyang from all activities related to its ballistic missile program,
Kawamura had told a news conference.
A senior government official expressed a view to reporters that it is better to
have a firm Security Council presidential statement rather than a
non-substantial resolution.
Japan and China are at odds over Tokyo's proposal for the U.N. Security Council
to adopt a resolution for stricter enforcement of existing economic sanctions
against North Korea in response to the rocket launch, according to diplomatic
sources at the world body.
As a compromise between the two countries, Britain, France and the United
States are now considering proposing a presidential statement, while China and
Russia have proposed a nonbinding press statement, the sources said.
A presidential statement requires unanimous agreement by the 15 Security
Council members and is read inside the body's chamber, while a press statement
is read out only to the press by the Security Council president.
A resolution can be voted down by a veto from any of the five permanent members
-- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.
''I have heard that China's response is stiff,'' Kawamura said earlier
Wednesday. ''We are negotiating with the United States to aim for a new
resolution... It is important for the U.N. Security Council to send a united,
strong message swiftly.''
But the top Japanese spokesman added, ''It is true that we are exploring a way
in which the global community can make a united response.''
Meanwhile, Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone and South Korean Foreign
Affairs and Trade Minister Yu Myung Hwan held telephone talks Wednesday and
reaffirmed their countries' plan to seek a new resolution by closely
cooperating with United States, Japanese Foreign Ministry officials said.
The two countries also agreed on the importance of calling on China and Russia
to agree on adopting a new resolution, the officials said.
The diplomatic sources said the United States has refrained from taking a
strong attitude toward Beijing at the Security Council meeting given that China
is the largest holder of U.S. Treasury debt.
Washington, relying heavily on funds it receives from China's U.S. debt
purchases to finance its huge economic package, apparently fears a change in
Beijing's economic policy toward the United States, the sources said.
Kawamura said Aso is likely to discuss the matter with Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao when they attend meetings related to the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations this weekend in Thailand.
According to the sources, Japan and the United States stressed the necessity to
adopt a new resolution as the rocket launch clearly violates Resolution 1718
adopted in October 2006 following North Korea's nuclear test.
The two countries briefed the others during Security Council discussions on an
outline of a new resolution which includes effectively strengthening sanctions
adopted by Resolution 1718, but China said it cannot accept a resolution which
may negatively affect the six-party talks on ending its nuclear weapons
program, the sources said.
The six-way talks involve North and South Korea, the United States, China,
Japan and Russia.
==Kyodo