Security Council agrees to condemn North Korea rocket launch

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
UN diplomats say all 15 Security Council nations have agreed to a statement that would condemn North Korea's rocket launch and toughen UN sanctions against the reclusive communist nation. The agreement paves the way for the formal adoption of the statement at a Security Council meeting Monday afternoon. The five permanent veto-wielding members - the US, China, Russia, Britain and France - and Japan reached agreement on the text on Saturday and then distributed it to the nine other council members who had to consult their capitals. The council set a noon EDT (1600 GMT) deadline on Monday for objections. Marco Morales, spokesman for Mexico's UN Ambassador Claude Heller, the current council president, said no objections were received.