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Bush Urges Decisive Response to North Korea Test

President Bush calls for a decisive United Nations response to North Korea's claims of a nuclear test. Madeleine Brand speaks with Michele Keleman about the reaction to reports of the test and the next steps at the United Nations.

Bush said he spoke with the leaders of China, South Korea, Russia and Japan, fellow members on the U.N. Security Council, about the need to reaffirm the commitment to a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

Bush also warned North Korea against proliferation of nuclear technology.

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"The transfer of nuclear weapons or material by North Korea to states or non-state entities would be considered a grave threat to the United States, and we would hold North Korea fully accountable of the consequences of such action," Bush said.

China's ambassador to the United Nations said the test posed a serious threat to peace and security, language that could hint at tough sanctions against North Korea.

Also on Monday, the United Nations nominated South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon to succeed Kofi Annan as U.N. secretary-general. U.S. Ambassador John Bolton called the decision an "appropriate juxtaposition," coming on the same day as the North Korean nuclear crisis.

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