PM 'very concerned' about test reports
AAP
AUSTRALIA would be very concerned if reports of a second nuclear test by North Korea turned out to be true, Prime Minister John Howard said today.
"I would be very concerned, I have heard the reports, they are still too fragmentary and incomplete there has been a second test but all of our authorities including Geoscience Australia are monitoring the situation," he told reporters.
"It would only further emphasise our concern and the concern of the world."
Australia has condemned the rogue state's first test this week and yesterday hauled in North Korea's ambassador to voice its displeasure.
Mr Howard said if the reports turned out to be true, there would be even greater pressure on the United Nations to take strong action against North Korea.
"It would only further increase our concern and the concern of the world and re-emphasise the critical importance of the United Nations acting with one voice," he said.
"This is a very difficult situation, the options for the world are few .... the best response of the world is to act in unison and even an outlaw rogue state such as North Korea will take notice of the rest of the world, including countries like China, to whom North Korea has been so close over the years.
"This is a huge test for collective international action."
The UN Security Council condemned Pyongyang's declaration that it had carried out a first nuclear test, a claim backed by seismological evidence.
It is expected to be a few days, however, before the Security Council votes on action proposed by the United States, including financial and trade sanctions, and international inspections of all cargo entering and leaving North Korea.
Mr Howard was speaking after a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen.
He said they were united in their condemnation of North Korea's nuclear test.
The Cambodian leader, who is in Canberra today for meetings with the Australian Government, said he stood with Mr Howard in backing strong action against the rogue regime.
"We are united in our condemnation and both Australia and Cambodia look to strong action by the United Nations," Mr Howard said.
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley said the reports of a second test were deeply disturbing.
"It indicates an absolute determination on their part for mischief," Mr Beazley said today. "And quite frankly they deserve the condemnation again.
"They are creating an unstable environment in the north of Asia – very dangerous.
"And they should heed the word of the international community to cease and desist with their plan."
Japan's meteorological agency said today it had not detected any seismic activity in North Korea, and South Korea had denied the report from Japanese public broadcasters NHK and Nihon Television.
"I would be very concerned, I have heard the reports, they are still too fragmentary and incomplete there has been a second test but all of our authorities including Geoscience Australia are monitoring the situation," he told reporters.
"It would only further emphasise our concern and the concern of the world."
Australia has condemned the rogue state's first test this week and yesterday hauled in North Korea's ambassador to voice its displeasure.
Mr Howard said if the reports turned out to be true, there would be even greater pressure on the United Nations to take strong action against North Korea.
"It would only further increase our concern and the concern of the world and re-emphasise the critical importance of the United Nations acting with one voice," he said.
"This is a very difficult situation, the options for the world are few .... the best response of the world is to act in unison and even an outlaw rogue state such as North Korea will take notice of the rest of the world, including countries like China, to whom North Korea has been so close over the years.
"This is a huge test for collective international action."
The UN Security Council condemned Pyongyang's declaration that it had carried out a first nuclear test, a claim backed by seismological evidence.
It is expected to be a few days, however, before the Security Council votes on action proposed by the United States, including financial and trade sanctions, and international inspections of all cargo entering and leaving North Korea.
Mr Howard was speaking after a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen.
He said they were united in their condemnation of North Korea's nuclear test.
The Cambodian leader, who is in Canberra today for meetings with the Australian Government, said he stood with Mr Howard in backing strong action against the rogue regime.
"We are united in our condemnation and both Australia and Cambodia look to strong action by the United Nations," Mr Howard said.
Opposition Leader Kim Beazley said the reports of a second test were deeply disturbing.
"It indicates an absolute determination on their part for mischief," Mr Beazley said today. "And quite frankly they deserve the condemnation again.
"They are creating an unstable environment in the north of Asia – very dangerous.
"And they should heed the word of the international community to cease and desist with their plan."
Japan's meteorological agency said today it had not detected any seismic activity in North Korea, and South Korea had denied the report from Japanese public broadcasters NHK and Nihon Television.
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