Russia insists UN chief send special envoy for talks on Korean Peninsula

Xinhua, English.news.cn   2010-12-20 08:35:30

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Russian UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said here Sunday his delegation still pursues the idea that the UN secretary-general immediately sends a special representative to Pyongyang and Seoul to calm down the mounting tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The Russian ambassador made the statement to reporters after a Security Council emergency meeting at the request of his delegation on Saturday.

"That idea of the secretary-general appointing an envoy did receive considerable support, strong support I could say from a number of members of the Security Council. So I hope that idea can still be pursued," he said. "Because now we have a situation of very serious political tension and no game plan on the diplomatic side."

The Security Council members on Sunday began their meeting behind closed doors shortly after 11 a.m. EST and heard a briefing from Lynn Pascoe, the UN under-secretary-general for political affairs, on the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Churkin said on Saturday the situation on the Korean Peninsula "directly affects the national security interests of the Russian Federation." Russia shares border with the DPRK. ' "We are seriously concerned about possible further escalation of tension on the Korean Peninsula," Churkin said. "We believe that the Security Council must send a restraining signal" to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and South Korea.

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China says situation on Korean Peninsula precarious, calling for talks

BEIJING, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun said Saturday that China is deeply worried about the situation on the Korean Peninsula, which is extremely precarious, highly complicated and sensitive.

Zhang made the remarks in a statement on China's stance on the situation.    Full story

UNSC still meeting over rising tensions on Korean Peninsula

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council is still meeting behind closed doors on Sunday afternoon after five hours of consultations on the mounting tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The Security Council members began their meeting behind closed doors shortly after 11 a.m. EST on Sunday and heard a briefing from Lynn Pascoe, the UN under-secretary-general for political affairs, on the situation on the Korean Peninsula.   (Xinhua)

Editor: Xiong Tong