対「北」制裁強化 安保理決議の実効性を高めよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jan. 25, 2013)
Sanctions on North Korea meaningless if not effective
対「北」制裁強化　安保理決議の実効性を高めよ（1月24日付・読売社説）

It is crucial for the international community to make continuous efforts to pressure North Korea and improve the effectiveness of sanctions against the country.
　北朝鮮への圧力の手を緩めず、実効性を高めることが重要だ。

On Tuesday, the U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2087, which boosts sanctions against North Korea.
　国連の安全保障理事会が、北朝鮮への制裁を強化する決議２０８７を全会一致で採択した。

The resolution condemned Pyongyang's December launch of a long-range ballistic missile, which North Korea claimed sent a satellite into orbit. The Security Council also expressed its "determination to take significant action" if the country launches another missile or conducts a new nuclear test.
　決議は、北朝鮮が「人工衛星打ち上げ」と称して昨年１２月、安保理決議に違反する長距離弾道ミサイル発射を強行したことを非難した。新たなミサイル発射や核実験を行う場合、安保理が「重大な行動を取る」とも警告している。

It took time for the Security Council to arrange the details of the sanctions. However, the new resolution means that members of the international community have joined hands to make a tough response to North Korea's provocative actions. This deserves praise.
　制裁内容の調整に時間を要したが、新たな決議採択は、国際社会が結束して北朝鮮の挑発に厳しく対応したものと評価できる。

The latest resolution was a product of compromise between the United States and China, both of whom are permanent members of the Security Council.
　決議は、常任理事国である米国と中国の妥協の結果でもある。

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Resolution not best, but better

The United States tried to heighten punitive actions against North Korea by adding new sanctions with the help of Japan and South Korea. However, China reportedly opposed this idea and insisted the Security Council should issue a presidential statement--which is not legally binding--instead of a resolution.
　米国は、日本や韓国と連携しながら、制裁の枠組みを広げ、強化することを目指した。これに対し中国は当初、新たな制裁には否定的で、法的拘束力のない議長声明とするよう主張したという。

In the end, the Security Council decided to adopt a resolution but refrained from imposing new sanctions on North Korea. Instead, the Security Council has beefed up existing sanctions stipulated in previous resolutions, such as adding new entities to its travel ban and freeze on assets.
　最終的に決議採択に落ち着く代わりに、中身は、資産凍結や海外渡航禁止措置の対象追加など、既存の決議に基づく制裁強化にとどまった。

The resolution could have been better if it imposed new sanctions, such as obligating member countries to inspect North Korean cargos. However, this is clear progress compared to the Security's Council's response to North Korea's previous missile launch in April.
貨物検査の義務づけなど新規制裁に踏み込まなかった点で物足りなさは残る。
　それでも、昨年４月に北朝鮮がミサイルを発射した際、中国の反対で安保理が北朝鮮を非難する議長声明しか出せなかったのに比べると前進だ。

At that time the Security Council only managed to issue a presidential statement condemning North Korea, due to protests from China. It is clear that the Security Council's lukewarm response has inflated Pyongyang's ego, and is one reason the nation decided to launch another missile in December.
当時の甘い対応が北朝鮮を増長させ、再度の発射を許す一因となったのは明らかだ。

The Security Council's new resolution has drawn an angry response from North Korea. The nation said it will take countermeasures against the resolution and "bolster its military capabilities for self-defense, including nuclear deterrence." This could be interpreted as expressing Pyongyang's intention to conduct a fresh nuclear test.
　北朝鮮は、安保理決議に強く反発し、「核抑止力を含む自衛的な軍事力」を強化する「対応措置」を講じると宣言した。核実験の予告とも受け取れる。

North Korea has twice conducted nuclear tests, both of which took place in response to the Security Council's condemnation of Pyongyang's missile launches. If the international community fails to prevent Pyongyang from conducting a third test, the horror of a nuclear-armed North Korea will become more imminent, further exacerbating regional tensions.
　北朝鮮は、安保理にミサイル発射を非難されたのに対抗して、２回の核実験を強行した。３回目を許せば、核ミサイルの脅威が高まり、地域は一層緊張しよう。

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China must act

As a permanent member of the Security Council and a regional neighbor, China should strongly urge North Korea to stop threatening the international community.
　中国は、安保理常任理事国として、隣国の北朝鮮に挑発をやめるよう厳しく迫るべきだ。

The underlying reason why China agreed to adopting a U.N. resolution is its strained relationship with the United States over Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea and to the Senkaku Islands. We believe China judged it would be an additional burden on the country if it also clashed with the United States over North Korea.
　中国が制裁強化決議に同意した背景には、南シナ海の領有権問題や尖閣諸島を巡って米国とのあつれきを深める中、北朝鮮問題でも対立する事態は重荷となるため、避けたいとの判断もあろう。

Efforts to boost sanctions against North Korea will be meaningless if they fail to produce tangible results. China, which accounts for about 70 percent of North Korea's trade, has a heavy responsibility to strictly comply with and strengthen the sanctions, such as an embargo on commodities related to weapons of mass destruction and luxury goods.
　制裁を強化しても、効果が上がらなければ意味はない。北朝鮮の貿易額の７割を占める中国には、大量破壊兵器関連物資や贅沢(ぜいたく)品の禁輸などの制裁を順守、徹底し、強化する重い責任がある。

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has said the government plans to take independent action against North Korea, such as beefing up Japan's sanctions against the country. We urge the government to come up with ideas that will effectively discourage North Korea's provocations.
　菅官房長官は、日本も独自の制裁を強化する考えを示した。効果的な策を検討してもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 24, 2013)
（2013年1月24日01時07分  読売新聞）