Obama appeals to Australia on North Korea sanctions

By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, June 24 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Wednesday called
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to discuss ways to sanction North Korea
under a U.N. resolution adopted after North Korea's nuclear test last month, the
White House said.
"They discussed the North Korea nuclear issue, including ways in which the United
States and Australia can work together to ensure full implementation of U.N.
Security Council Resolution 1874," spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement.
Obama and Rudd also discussed their trip next month to Italy, "where they will
see each other at the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, and discussed
ways to cooperate on the forum's issues," the spokesman said.
Obama's call to Rudd comes amid reports that North Korea is preparing for another
ballistic missile launch in defiance of the U.N. Security Council's sanctions for
its nuclear test on May 25, the second since 2006. Secretary of Defense Robert
Gates said last week that he had directed the deployment of interceptors to
Hawaii and Alaska.
"The president and the Pentagon have done and are doing everything humanly
possible to ensure the safety of all Americans should the North Koreans decide to
test fire another missile," Gibbs said Tuesday.
The Security Council adopted Resolution 1874 after the May 25 nuclear test,
imposing an overall arms embargo and tougher financial sanctions than those under
previous resolutions in 2006.
Resolution 1874, however, does not allow the use of force to implement the
sanctions, leaving a major loophole -- as did previous resolutions, due mainly to
a strong opposition from China, North Korea's closest ally.
In an apparent effort to implement the resolution, the U.S. military has been
shadowing a North Korean vessel, the Kang Nam, believed to be carrying weapons of
mass destruction, since its departure from a North Korean port early last week.
Reports said that the vessel is heading for Myanmar and that the U.S. may ask
Southeast Asian countries to refuse refuel and insist on an inspection if the
ship docks at one of their ports.
It is illegal under international law to inspect cargo on the high seas unless
the flag state consents.
Obama said Monday that his administration is prepared for any contingencies
regarding North Korea, but fell short of threatening a military response.
"This administration and our military is fully prepared for any contingencies,"
Obama said.
Asked if that remark was a warning of a military response, Obama said, "No, it's
just we are prepared for any contingencies. I don't want to speculate on
hypotheticals."
hdh@yna.co.kr
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