Vienna, September 08, SPA -- The United States pressed allnations today to enforce toughened U.N. sanctions againstNorth Korea, saying this was vital for any chance of getting itback onto the road towards nuclear disarmament, Reuters reported. The U.S. call reflected concern that North Korea'sneighbours, especially China and South Korea, may be hesitant toapply sanctions rigorously for fear of causing internal collapsethat could trigger a refugee exodus or even armed conflict. A U.S. official charged with enforcing sanctions on NorthKorea sought South Korea's further support in talks two weeksago as Pyongyang was making conciliatory gestures towards Seoulafter months of military grandstanding. China, Stalinist North Korea's biggest benefactor and theclosest thing it could claim as a real ally, has been loath topush any punishment that could destabilise Pyongyang's mercurialleadership and stir anarchy along its border. "Effective implementation of these (U.N. sanctions)resolutions is imperative to convince North Korea that its onlyviable option is a return to diplomacy and denuclearization,"said Glyn Davies, U.S. ambassador to the U.N. nuclear watchdog. Addressing a meeting of the International Atomic EnergyAgency's governing body, he urged all nations to fully implementrelevant resolutions and to "be vigilant and transparent" intheir dealings with North Korea. Davies said international resolve to rein in North Korea wasvital to peace and security as well as the credibility andviability of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The sanctions, aimed at stamping out North Korea's shadowyarms trade vital to its sagging coffers, were passed by the U.N. Security Council after Pyongyang's long-range rocket launch inApril and second test of a nuclear device in May. "Our policy remains the same. We will not accept North Koreaas a nuclear weapon state. We remain committed to the goals ofthe (six-party process towards denuclearization)," Davies said.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/698922