U.S. urges China to enforce sanctions

Washington - One day after passage of a U.N. Security Council resolution punishing North Korea for its apparent test of a nuclear weapon, senior U.S. diplomats said Sunday that China must help enforce it and use economic leverage to compel Pyong yang to return to disarmament talks.

The resolution, passed unanimously, calls on states to prevent North Korea from selling or buying certain banned weapons and technology. But China said Saturday that Beijing would not inspect cargo entering or leaving North Korea, for fear of raising tensions in the region.

China's unwillingness to act against its longtime ally raises the stakes for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's diplomatic mission to Asia this week. Ever since the current nuclear crisis with North Korea began in 2002, the Bush administration has relied heavily on China to use its influence with North Korea's leaders. But Beijing's caution has frequently disappointed U.S. officials.

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