US tones down North Korea resolution ahead of UN vote

United Nations, September 12
The US has submitted a new North Korean sanctions resolution to the UN Security Council, toning down its demands less than 24 hours before a vote, diplomats say, as it sought to bring China and Russia on board.
Washington has led the international drive to punish the rogue state after it detonated a nuclear device this month. The US had originally pushed for a strict oil embargo, as well as a freeze on the assets of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. But late Sunday, diplomats said the asset freeze had been dropped from the draft, and it now foresaw a progressive tightening of the oil taps, instead of something sudden and complete.
Among other concessions the new text also softens proposed restrictions on North Koreans working overseas, and on the inspection by force of ships suspected of carrying cargo prohibited by the UN.
Of five key original measures, a ban on textile exports from North Korea remained.
Britain and France — permanent Security Council members along with the US, China and Russia — have given Washington their unequivocal backing. Francois Delattre, the French ambassador to the UN, said: “Maximum pressure today in the form of sanctions is our best hope for promoting a political settlement tomorrow and the best antidote to risks of confrontation.” His British counterpart Matthew Rycroft added: “To give a chance for diplomacy to end this crisis, we need DPRK to change course now. That means the maximum possible pressure.” The sticking point will be opposition from Russia and China, the North’s backers, who are wary of anything that might force the collapse of the regime and the resulting exodus of refugees.