Clinton warns North Korea over potential rocket launch

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned North Korea that a move to fire arocket for any purpose would be viewed as a "provocative action" that could trigger consequences in six-party talks aimed at disarming but also aiding the impoverished communist nation.

North Korea has signalled it will launch a communications satellite between April 4 and 8, but Japan, South Korea and the United States believe Pyongyang's account is a cover for a missile launch, since missiles and satellites have very similar launch systems.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to Mexico City, Clinton said such amove would be in violation ofaUnited NationsSecurity Council resolution and could trigger sanctions.

A 2006 Security Council resolution prohibits North Korea from engaging in ballistic activity, which Washington and its allies say includes firing a long-range missile or using a rocket to send a satellite into space.

"We have made it very clear that the North Koreans pursue this pathway at a cost and with consequences to the six-party talks, which we would like to see revived and moving forward as quickly as possible,"Clinton said.

"This provocative action... will not go unnoticed, and there will be consequences."

Undera broad accord struck in 2005 between the six nations North Korea, South Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the United States Pyongyang agreed to abandon all nuclear programs in exchange for potential economic and diplomatic benefits.

In 2007, theNorth agreed to disable its main nuclear facilities in return for the equivalent ofabout900,000 tonnes of energy aid and other benefits.

But talks have stalled since last year over a disagreement with Washingtonon how to verify the North's past atomic activities.

North asserts right to launch

On Tuesday, the North's Foreign Ministry reasserted its right to peaceful development of its space program.

"The countries which find fault with [North Korea's] satellite launch, including the U.S. and Japan, launched satellites before it," saida statement, according to the country's official Korean Central News Agency. The stance proves their "their hostility toward us," it said.

Reuters on Wednesday quoted a U.S. counter-proliferation official as saying Pyongyang had appeared to position the rocket on a launch pad.

The impending launch has raised tensions in the region.

South Korea's chief nuclear envoy, Wi Sung-lac, said Wednesday after returning from talks with his Beijing counterparts that a launch would trigger a response.

"If North Korea launches a rocket, certain countermeasures are unavoidable," he said. He refused to elaborate, saying the measures, including any sanctions, would be discussed among UN Security Council member nations.

Japan has also suggested it may deploy two destroyers equipped with missile interceptors to the Sea of Japan to shoot down the launch, but it is uncertainwhether the country will follow through on that assertion.