The UN Security Council will discuss the North Korea nuclear crisis on April 9th, the US ambassador to the United Nations said tonight.
Mr John Negroponte, speaking after closed door talks on the council's programme for April, indicated that no firm decision should be expected from next week's meeting.
"There was nothing discussed today about an outcome of these consultations or any prejudgment of any outcome," Mr Negroponte told reporters.
"We agreed to hold consultations on April 9 and you will have to await the outcome of this consultation."
Since the United States said last October that the North had admitted pursuing nuclear weapons, North Korea has ramped up pressure by expelling UN inspectors, firing up a reactor at its mothballed Yongbyon nuclear plant, withdrawing from the Non-Proliferation Treaty and testing anti-ship missiles into the Sea of Japan.
All have been seen as moves to force the United States to agree to direct talks.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) executive board decided in February to refer North Korea's nuclear activities to the UN Security Council, which is the only body able to impose international sanctions against the isolated Stalinist state.
The North has said that any sanctions would be taken as a declaration of war.
According to diplomats, China had doubts about holding a Security Council session devoted to the North's nuclear weapons.
Russia warned last month that it would be counter-productive to hold such talks.
The United States has refused one-to-one talks with the North, insisting that the North Korea crisis be solved through diplomatic efforts under an international framework.
AFP