Washington ? Japan asked the U.N. Security Council on Friday to ban international sales of North Korean missiles as part of a response to provocative missile tests by the reclusive Stalinist regime.

The ban was contained in a draft resolution that was tougher than a version that circulated immediately after North Korea fired seven missiles, including a long-range rocket that exploded after liftoff, in defiance of demands to desist.

The United States, Britain and France – all permanent members of the Security Council – back the resolution.

The two other permanent members, Russia and China, are opposed. All five permanent members have veto power in the council.

The United States has pushed intensive diplomatic efforts, including calls by President Bush this week to President Hu Jintao of China and President Vladimir Putin of Russia, to try to gain support for a united response.

“It’s best for all of us to go to the U.N. Security Council and say loud and clear, ‘Here are some red lines.’ And that’s what we’re in the process of doing,” Bush said during a news conference in Chicago. “What matters most of all is for (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Il to see the world speak with one voice.”

U.S. envoy Christopher Hill today rejected North Korea’s demand that Washington lift financial measures against the regime as a condition for returning to the six-party talks.

“This is not a time for so-called gestures of that kind,” Hill said when asked for reaction to the North Korean demand.

“We have a country that has fired off missiles in a truly reckless way that affects : regional security.”

Hill spoke after a meeting with Chun Young-woo, South Korea’s top negotiator in international nuclear talks. He is on a tour of the region to coordinate the response to North Korea’s test of seven missiles on Wednesday.

Hill “hasn’t gained much out there other than to get everyone on the same page of condemning the launches,” said a U.S. official who closely follows North Korea and who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the diplomacy.