Fed: Aust urges "robust" UN response to North Korean missile

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2009
Fed: Aust urges "robust" UN response to North Korean missile

By Sandra O'Malley, Diplomatic Correspondent

CANBERRA, April 6 AAP - Australia is urging a "robust" response from the United Nations
Security Council to North Korea's rogue launch of a long-range missile.

The Security Council is at a stalemate after hours of talks on how to deal with Pyongyang's
launch on Sunday of a three-stage Taepodong-2 missile, which some believe could potentially
reach northern Australia with its estimated range of 6,700 kilometres.

Australia has joined the United States and Japan in describing the North Korean move
as a provocative act in breach of UN resolutions.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith reiterated Australia's condemnation of Pyongyang's rocket launch.

"It was a provocative act that was in breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1718,"

a spokeswoman for the minister said.

"Australia urges the UN Security Council to respond robustly to the launch.

"Australia is consulting closely with other countries, including the United States,
Japan and the ROK (South Korea), on the international community's response to the launch."

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop warned the launch had the potential
to destabilise the region.

"The launch has the potential to destabilise the region and undermines recent international
negotiations with the North Korean regime," she said in a statement.

"The Australian government must work with the international community to continue to
pressure the regime into abandoning its missile development and nuclear weapons programs.

"Three of Australia's most important trading and strategic partners are in the region
and it is vital for Australia that stability is maintained."

Neighbouring South Korea and Japan have signalled a strong response to the North Korean action.

Seoul has vowed a "stern response" and Japan has threatened new sanctions.

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