Japan, Korea, and the United Nations
Japan Praised for Stance on North Korea
(CNSNews.com)
"As the U.N. Security Council moves towards voting on a resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea for its recent missile tests, hopes for a unified international response appear to be fading fast.
Not only are China and Russia (North Korea's closest allies, both with veto powers) sticking to their opposition to a legally binding council resolution, but a gap between U.S. allies Japan and South Korea over how to handle the threat is widening.
Political scholar Ralph Cossa argued that last week's launch of seven long, medium and short-range missiles was a test not only of the weaponry, but also a test of neighboring countries' and the international community's willingness to stare down North Korea.
Shrugging off North Korea's threats of "stronger measures" and "devastating consequences," Japan is pushing for a resolution. China and Russia are pressing for the council to adopt a non-binding presidential statement instead of the resolution.
Like Japan and the U.S., China, Russia and South Korea had earlier also appealed to the Kim Jong-il regime not to go ahead with the launches, but have since been equivocating.
"Thus far Beijing has all-too-predictably tried to have it both ways, criticizing the missile launches but also standing in the way of harsh UNSC action while hoping that 'all sides will maintain calm and restraint,' " said Cossa, president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Pacific Forum.
"Like the Chinese, the Russians are also back-peddling, opposing sanctions in favor of a 'diplomatic solution.' "
Cossa noted that there was a time when Security Council action, including the threat or actual imposition of sanctions, was considered a "diplomatic solution."
Asked about the stance of China and Russia, Cossa said China had still not made the transition from its professed role as "protector of the Third World," to one that is being promoted by Washington -- that of a "responsible stakeholder" in the global system.
In Moscow's case, "Russia is making itself irrelevant or digging itself into a deeper hole with Washington."
The two countries' position "does not serve their long-term interests; nor does it bode well for the UNSC's future relevance," he said.
According to Carnegie Endowment senior associate Robert Kagan, Russia and China are trying to "resist the encroachments of liberalism" -- an approach seen in their blocking of Western sanctions against Sudan and Iran, and their embracing of dictators in Belarus, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe and Burma."
FAIR USE
(CNSNews.com)
"As the U.N. Security Council moves towards voting on a resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea for its recent missile tests, hopes for a unified international response appear to be fading fast.
Not only are China and Russia (North Korea's closest allies, both with veto powers) sticking to their opposition to a legally binding council resolution, but a gap between U.S. allies Japan and South Korea over how to handle the threat is widening.
Political scholar Ralph Cossa argued that last week's launch of seven long, medium and short-range missiles was a test not only of the weaponry, but also a test of neighboring countries' and the international community's willingness to stare down North Korea.
Shrugging off North Korea's threats of "stronger measures" and "devastating consequences," Japan is pushing for a resolution. China and Russia are pressing for the council to adopt a non-binding presidential statement instead of the resolution.
Like Japan and the U.S., China, Russia and South Korea had earlier also appealed to the Kim Jong-il regime not to go ahead with the launches, but have since been equivocating.
"Thus far Beijing has all-too-predictably tried to have it both ways, criticizing the missile launches but also standing in the way of harsh UNSC action while hoping that 'all sides will maintain calm and restraint,' " said Cossa, president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Pacific Forum.
"Like the Chinese, the Russians are also back-peddling, opposing sanctions in favor of a 'diplomatic solution.' "
Cossa noted that there was a time when Security Council action, including the threat or actual imposition of sanctions, was considered a "diplomatic solution."
Asked about the stance of China and Russia, Cossa said China had still not made the transition from its professed role as "protector of the Third World," to one that is being promoted by Washington -- that of a "responsible stakeholder" in the global system.
In Moscow's case, "Russia is making itself irrelevant or digging itself into a deeper hole with Washington."
The two countries' position "does not serve their long-term interests; nor does it bode well for the UNSC's future relevance," he said.
According to Carnegie Endowment senior associate Robert Kagan, Russia and China are trying to "resist the encroachments of liberalism" -- an approach seen in their blocking of Western sanctions against Sudan and Iran, and their embracing of dictators in Belarus, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe and Burma."
FAIR USE
posted by HeavyHanded at
9:10 PM
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