A United Nations resolution on the North Korean nuclear tests has been delayed till Saturday with the US failing to persuade China and Russia to agree to the tough sanctions proposed by it.
The US had circulated the resolution proposing punitive measures, including invoking Chapter 7 of the UN charter mandating the use of force, in the Security Council on Thursday.
Diplomats expect Washington to circulate the third version of the resolution and if it meets the concerns of Beijing and Moscow, the vote could come on Saturday. Otherwise, it could be pushed to next week.
Differences still existed on some key provisions of the resolution with Beijing and Moscow opposing the provisions which, in their opinion, would push North Korea into a corner, a development, the two feel, could lead to destabilisation of the region, diplomats participating in the discussions said.
Japan strongly supports the American effort to put tough sanctions and negotiations now mainly taking place in the capitals with the diplomats at the United Nations having exhausted all options.
Even as Japan was advocating strong measures, North Korea warned it with unspecified "counter measures" if it imposed tough bilateral sanctions.
Both Russia and China oppose invocation of Chapter 7 of the resolution.
Moscow and Beijing also oppose inspections of all incoming and outgoing cargo, which amount to naval blockade and want to limit the sanction to only weapons of mass destruction.
An attempt to inspect ships might lead to military confrontation, they fear, according to diplomats.
They do not support the tough economic and financial sanctions and China also opposed travel ban on its top officials.
American UN Ambassador John Bolton, who circulated the latest draft, has been stressing for quick action but his Russian and Chinese counterparts favour more talks which, they say, would allow the Security Council to send a strong and united message to Pyongyang.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said he would prefer the council taking a few more days if it can send a strong and united, but cool headed message to North Korea.
In the new draft, the United States has slightly modified the provision on inspections, but that did not meet the objections raised by Moscow and Beijing.
The original draft had called for inspection of all incoming and outgoing cargo but in its new version, the resolution would allow states to carry out inspections of the cargo "as necessary" with the aim of ensuring that it does not carry any materials related to weapons of mass destruction.
