'Strong message' heading NKorea's way, US top envoy says

The top US negotiator on North Korea has reported no progress in Chinese efforts to defuse a crisis over Pyongyang's missile tests, saying the regime could now expect a "very strong" message. "I have talked as much as I can with the Chinese to see what's going on with their mission in Pyongyang. From what I understand, we don't have any breakthroughs in Pyongyang," Christopher Hill told reporters in Beijing Thursday. "So far (the North Koreans) don't seem interested in listening, much less in doing anything to address the situation." Hill headed back to Washington Thursday after consulting with China on the progress of diplomatic efforts by Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu and Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, who have been in the North for four days. Despite objections from China and Russia to a Japan-sponsored United Nations resolution, which orders missile-related sanctions against Pyongyang, Hill said the world body would issue a strong response to Pyongyang's test last week of seven missiles. "I'm confident there will be a very strong, very clear message for the DPRK (North Korea)," Hill said.