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U.S. is tracking a number of North Korean vessels
The United States said it was monitoring multiple North Korean ships suspected of carrying weapons and that it would discuss with its allies what to do with one suspect vessel it is tracking. While the United States has been tracking the Kang Nam since last week, the Pentagon said it is closely monitoring several other North Korean ships allegedly carrying weapons. We have been interested in this one ship [the Kang Nam], but weve been interested in, frankly, multiple ships, Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874 calls upon member states to inspect all cargo to and from North Korea provided there are reasonable grounds to believe the cargo contains prohibited items. Also, members may inspect vessels on the high seas with the consent of the ships flag state. Without that consent, the resolution decides that the flag nation shall direct the vessel to an appropriate and convenient port for the required inspection. The resolution doesnt authorize the use of military force. Morrell said U.S. authorities were monitoring North Korean ships even before the UN Security Council resolution and were doing so under the Proliferation Security Initiative. Created in 2003, the PSI is a multinational regime designed to halt the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by interdicting and inspecting suspect cargo in territorial waters of 95 PSI members. Under PSI, we had obligations to and an interest in tracking ships to make sure there was no proliferation of any banned goods, Morrell said. We obviously, under [Resolution] 1874, have additional responsibilities and authorities, and we appreciate that. The spokesman added no decision has yet been reached on whether to hail the Kang Nam for inspection and said the United States will discuss the matter with its allies. Morrell declined to elaborate where the Kang Nam was headed, saying, I dont think its productive for us to discuss it. The ship was reportedly bound for Myanmar via Singapore, but Myanmars state media and Singapores maritime and port authority both said they had no information about a North Korean vessel being tracked by the U.S. Navy. The New Light of Myanmar reported that the country was expecting the arrival of a North Korean ship carrying rice, but otherwise had no information about this Kang Nam cargo ship. Also, despite reports that the Kang Nam would dock in Singapore to refuel, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said it has not received any information about the North Korean ship. But the city-states Foreign Ministry said last week it would take necessary action if the Kang Nam arrived with banned materials. Singapore takes seriously the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and related materials, the ministry said. If the allegation is true, Singapore will act appropriately. Posted by: Steve White 2009-06-27 |
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