UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. Ambassador John Bolton has taken North Korea's threat to test one of its nuclear weapons to the U.N. Security Council for consideration.
A hurried response, however, is not expected as the panel of 15 is expected to discuss the issue Wednesday.
Bolton said he wanted to test the council's ability at "preventative diplomacy," eschewing a statement either read out to reporters, a more formal one read out in the council and becoming a document of the panel or, at least for the moment, even the toughest reaction, a resolution which could carry the weight of international law.
Washington's envoy told reporters Tuesday, hours after Pyongyang said it was taking the action because of threats from the United States, he did not want a "knee jerk" reaction to the threat but a more considered response.
"Let's get out of the process here and into the strategy," he said. "I want to have a discussion where we might actually think through an entire coherent strategy on about how to approach this threat."
Bolton said the council will have a "brainstorming session to see if we can come up with something."
Asked if he thought North Korea and Iran were encouraging each other on testing the United Nations over nuclear issues, Bolton said, "That's why they were two thirds of the 'axis of evil.'"
The panel passed a resolution July 15 calling on Pyongyang to stop its nuclear weapon development, show restraint and return to six-party talks, with China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States, which have been stalled for more than one year.
China's Ambassador Wang Guangya said he thought the best channel to address the question was through the six-party talks.
