 BEIJING (AP) - A U.S. Treasury envoy who on Wednesday wrapped up two days of talks with North Korean officials said his agency's suspicions of illegal financial activity involving bank accounts linked to the communist nation were accurate. Deputy Assistant Treasury Secretary Daniel Glaser said that he went over bank information of 50 account holders from the Macao-based Banco Delta Asia with his North Korean counterparts in Beijing, adding that U.S. concerns that the bank was being used for money-laundering purposes had "been vindicated" by the discussions.
"I think we are now in a position after a very lengthy investigation ... to start moving forward and trying to bring some resolution to this matter," Glaser said. He did not elaborate.
The financial talks are linked to continuing talks between North Korea and five other nations aimed at getting Pyongyang to dismantle its nuclear programs. Glaser said the two sides planned to meet again to talk further about U.S. financial restrictions imposed due to Pyongyang's alleged smuggling and counterfeiting, but no date had been set.
Washington took action against the Banco Delta Asia in 2005, accusing the bank of complicity in North Korea's alleged illegal financial activity such as counterfeiting and money-laundering. The move has caused other banks to steer clear of North Korean business for fear of losing access to the U.S. market, hampering the North's access to the international financial system.
The North says the restrictions are evidence of U.S. hostility.
| Counterfeiting is evidence of NKor hostility. |
U.S. officials have indicated that North Korea is demanding the financial issues be dealt with before progress can be made on the nuclear talks, involving the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan and Russia.
Pyongyang wants Washington to first end the financial isolation campaign, and to lift a freeze on $24 million in accounts at Banco Delta Asia.
| Um, no. Provide us adequate assurances that you won't do any more counterfeiting. If there's anything that could be adequate. |
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