MOSCOW (Agencies)
Russia has information on North Korean plans to launch a ballistic missile but does not know when it will take place, Interfax news agency quoted a senior Russian military source as saying on Wednesday.
"We have certain information about the type and characteristics of the missile. However, we do not have accurate data on the timing of its launch," the source in Russia's General Staff said.
He added that Russia would be monitoring the launch. It was unclear whether he was referring to a short- or long-range missile.
Separately, the ITAR-TASS news agency quoted a source in the Russian foreign ministry as saying: "Judging by everything, a launch will take place. There are signs that preparations for this are underway."
" We have certain information about the type and characteristics of the missile. However, we do not have accurate data on the timing of its launch " Russian military official North Korea has angered many in the international community with missile launches, threats to attack South Korea and a May 25 nuclear test, after which it launched a series of short-range missiles and renounced the truce that ended the Korean War in 1953.
The United States and South Korean officials said there are signs that the reclusive Communist state may also be preparing to test-fire a long-range missile, so they have raised a military alert on the peninsula to one of its highest levels since the 1950-53 Korean War.
At the United Nations on Tuesday, world powers edged towards an agreement on a resolution expanding sanctions on North Korea because of its nuclear test and weapons program, but were unable to close the deal, diplomats said.
The U.S. and Japan have pushed for strong sanctions to punish North Korea for its nuclear test, but China and Russia have been cautious about provoking Pyongyang by imposing more embargoes. |
 |
"No plans to invade NKorea" " We have no intention to invade North Korea or change its regime through force " U.S. special envoy, Stephen Bosworth Washington's special envoy, Stephen Bosworth, said on Tuesday that the U.S. will do what is necessary for the security of its allies but has no plans to invade North Korea or overthrow its government by force.
Speaking at the annual dinner of the Korea Society in New York, Bosworth said North Korea's recent missile and nuclear tests were provocative and undermined its own security.
He said North Korea's actions "require that we expand our consideration of new responses, including our force posture and extended deterrence options," but he rejected North Korea's assertion that it was reacting to U.S. hostility.
"We have no intention to invade North Korea or change its regime through force," Bosworth said, urging Pyongyang to return to six-party talks with Washington, China, Japan, Russia and South Korea. Those five countries have been trying for years to persuade the impoverished North to give up its efforts to build a nuclear arsenal in return for massive aid.
Bosworth said Washington was also open to bilateral dialogue to achieve the goal of a denuclearized Korean Peninsula and the normalization of relations with Pyongyang. |
