The U.N. statement, issued eight days after the launch, was weaker than the resolution Japan and the United States had pursued but still drew an angry response from Pyongyang, which called it "unjust" and a violation of international law.
North Korea claims it sent a communications satellite into space as part of a peaceful bid to develop its space program.
The U.S. and others call the launch an illicit test of the technology used to fire an intercontinental ballistic missile, even one eventually destined for the U.S.
Hah. A strongly worded statement. President Bush couldn't have gotten this from the sainted international community!
Hmm, I think may hope and change buzz is at risk:
A Security Council resolution passed in 2006, days after North Korea carried out an underground nuclear test, prohibits Pyongyang from engaging in any ballistic missile-related activity — including launching rockets that use the same delivery technology as missiles mounted with warheads, Washington and other nations say.
Bush got the real deal? An actual resolution without a Chinese or Russian veto? And Obama just got a statement? Well. That is slightly inconvenient for the hope and change line.
Still:
The council on Monday demanded an end to the rocket launches and said it will expand sanctions against the communist nation. The council also called for quick resumption of disarmament talks."
Actually, I'll not mock that part. Squeezing North Korea even a little more is a far cry from the North's attempt to squeeze more goodies from us.
North Korea is dying. And their claim that they'll quit the talks for good is empty talk.
Let them walk. Their war option is less likely to save them than hoping we'll break open the check book, at this point.
But I've got to say, I'm not feeling the global love with a Security Council statement rather than a resolution.
