VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0654/01 1881142
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 071142Z JUL 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6856
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL IMMEDIATE 1153
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000654 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PHUM ETTC MCAP KN UNSC
SUBJECT: DPRK: COUNCIL RESPONDS TO JULY 4 MISSILE LAUNCHES 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On July 6, the Security Council discussed 
how best to respond to the July 4 launch of short- and 
medium-range ballistic missiles by the Democratic People's 
Republic of Korea (DPRK).  Most Council members supported a 
Japanese proposal that the Council President (currently 
Ugandan Perm Rep Rugunda) summarize the Council discussion 
for the press, including members' condemnation of the 
launches as violations of resolutions 1718 and 1874.  China 
initially opposed this approach, arguing that simply 
convening the meeting was a sufficient response and that the 
Council should not "react to each and every move by the 
DPRK."  All Council members expressed concern about the 
launches, with most members characterizing them as clear 
violations of Security Council resolutions.  Council members 
also generally agreed that the focus should be on 
implementing resolution 1874, with many members mentioning 
explicitly the tasking to the DPRK Sanctions Committee to 
make new sanctions designations by July 12.  After lengthy 
discussions, China agreed "not to oppose" the Council 
President making remarks to the press.  The Council President 
read the agreed points to the press (see para 9).  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (SBU) On July 6, the Security Council discussed in closed 
consultations how best to respond to the July 4 launch of a 
series of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles by the 
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).  Japanese Perm 
Rep Takasu characterized the launches as clear violations of 
Security Council resolutions 1695, 1718 and 1874.  While 
emphasizing that the Council's focus should now be on 
implementing fully resolution 1874, he proposed that the 
Council President (currently Ugandan Perm Rep Rugunda) make 
remarks to the press condemning the launches and urging 
implementation of relevant resolutions. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Chinese Deputy Perm Rep Liu advocated against the 
Council reacting to "each and every move" by the DPRK, saying 
that it would disrupt the regular work of the Council and 
that any reaction should be conducive to diplomatic efforts. 
China, he said, was not opposed to convening meetings of the 
Security Council to discuss missile launches, but the Council 
should not respond in any written manner. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) France Perm Rep Ripert supported the Japanese 
proposal.  Ambassador Rice called the launches clear and 
unequivocal violations of resolutions 1718 and 1874, both 
resolutions that broadly demanded the DPRK not conduct any 
further launches.  Noting that the Council had shown 
restraint and not called for consultations when the DPRK 
launched a different (non-ballistic) type of missile the 
previous week, she asserted that "it is now incumbent on us 
to defend the integrity of the Council's resolutions."  She 
said that resolution 1874 provides a framework for responding 
to this violation, as well as mitigating the threat posed by 
the DPRK's proliferation activities.  Rice also emphasized 
the need for the 1718 Committee to make new designations by 
July 12, i.e., the deadline established in resolution 1874. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Russia Perm Rep Churkin noted that Moscow had 
characterized the launches as a violation of resolution 1874. 
 UK charge Parham supported the idea of press remarks from 
the Council President, adding that not reacting would 
jeopardize the authority of the Council.  Vietnam Deputy Perm 
Rep Hoang said the launches aggravated tension and called on 
the DPRK not to conduct any further launches.  Mexico Perm 
Rep Heller expressed concern over the increase in regional 
tension resulting as a "clear act of provocation." 
 
¶6. (SBU) Austria Perm Rep Mayr-Harting asserted that the 
launches were in violation of 1874 and proposed press remarks 
to condemn the launches, call for a return to the political 
process and support full implementation of relevant 
resolutions.  Turkey charge Corman called for a "firm and 
measured response" from the Council.  Croatia charge Skracic 
expressed support for press remarks.  Libya Deputy Perm Rep 
Dabbashi said that it was not appropriate for the Security 
Council to meet every time the DPRK launched a missile, but 
added that the DPRK must abide by resolution 1874.  Costa 
Rica Perm Rep Urbina characterized the launches a clear 
violation and that once the Council met it would be 
impossible not to say something about the launches.  Burkina 
Faso counselor also called the launches a violation of 
resolution 1718 and 1874 and supported the idea of press 
remarks.  Uganda Perm Rep Rugunda (in his national capacity) 
also supported press remarks. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) The Council president shared with the Council some 
points he had distilled from the discussion for his possible 
use with the press.  Liu again raised concerns with this 
approach, saying that there was no value in the Council 
discussing whether the launches violated Security Council 
resolutions.  Amb. Rice asserted that the Council would not 
succeed in giving diplomacy a chance if it chose to sweep 
under the rug such violations.  She urged the Council to 
"call a spade a spade" and to do so in a "calm, 
non-hyperbolic manner." 
 
¶8. (SBU) After a twenty minute break for consultations, Liu 
said China would not oppose the proposal to have the 
President offer oral remarks.  He said, however, that China 
had serious concern with some elements of the President's 
remarks and hoped that the President could reflect in his 
remarks the different opinions of Council members.  Other 
Council members subsequently proposed minor changes to the 
President remarks. 
 
¶9. (SBU) After the meeting adjourned, the Council President 
read out the following remarks to the press (checked against 
delivery): 
 
-- The members of the Security Council discussed and 
exchanged views following the launch of ballistic missiles by 
the DPRK on the Fourth of July this year. 
 
-- The members of the Security Council condemn and express 
grave concerns at the launches which constitute a violation 
of UN Security Council resolutions and pose a threat to 
regional and international security. 
 
-- The members of the Security Council reiterated that he 
DPRK must comply fully with its obligations and relevant 
resolutions, including Security Council resolutions 1718 and 
¶1874. 
 
-- The members of the Security Council appeal to all parties 
to refrain from any action that could aggravate the security 
situation in the region. 
 
-- The members of the Security Council emphasize the 
importance of concluding the work of the 1718 Committee 
provided for in resolution 1874. 
 
-- The members of the Security Council expressed their 
commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution 
to the situation. 
 
-- The members of the Security Council agreed that the 
Council will continue to closely monitor the situation and 
act as appropriate in accordance with the UN Charter. 
RICE