Korea to be reported to UN over nuclear programme

Britain today backed a decision to report North Korea to the United Nations Security Council over moves to restart its banned nuclear weapons programme.

The board of the International Atomic Energy Agency - the UN's nuclear watchdog - agreed today in Vienna to a report to the Security Council.

Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell said that the North Koreans must now dismantle their nuclear weapons programme.

However, he stopped short of calling for immediate sanctions which the North Koreans have warned would be a course for war.

"It is clear that the whole of the international community is speaking with one voice. It is clear that they have to dismantle their nuclear weapons in a visible and verifiable manner," he said.

Mr Rammell added that he did not believe the North Koreans were "hell bent" on confrontation but were simply engaged in a "crude" attempt to gain economic aid.

"We believe at some stage they will ratchet down and they will get back into compliance," he said.

"We have to ensure that we put all the pressure on to ensure that happens."

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