Posted on 09/09/2013 9:42:17 PM PDT by TexGrill
The United States said on Friday that Iran and North Korea were trying to obtain high-tech materials linked to their nuclear programs in violation of UN sanctions.
Iran was also sending weapons and ammunition to Syrian government forces despite a ban, said Thomas Countryman, Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation.
"Both Iran and North Korea have developed channels that enable them to continue to export and continue to procure the items they need for their weapons industry,'' he told a news briefing in Geneva.
In comments to Reuters, he made clear he was referring to high-tech materials related to nuclear and other programs, including conventional weapons.
Iran and North Korea are under UN sanctions banning sales of nuclear, missile and related high-tech material to them as well as the export of any military material, Countryman said. There was a determined international effort to enforce the UN sanctions and prevent such trade, he said.
Regarding Iran's alleged efforts, he said: "Certain Iranian procuring agents in high-tech places like China push very hard.'' Asked about any cooperation between Iran and North Korea in nuclear matters, a U.S. official, speaking on condition of not being identified, said: "They have contacts. We are watching it."
Western experts say the two countries have cooperated on ballistic missile development and there is concern that cooperation may extend to the nuclear field, though no such link has been proven.
North Korea, which conducted a third nuclear test in February, continues development of nuclear technology and long-range ballistic missiles that will move it closer to its stated goal of being able to hit the United States with an atomic weapon, a Pentagon report said on Thursday.
(Excerpt) Read more at english.chosun.com ...
2ndDivisionVet calls for free prime rib, premium beer and Scotch and rent-free mansions. Guess who’ll get their wish first?
Bump
Dennis Rodman is a secret agent.
Or else what?
He put ricin in the Young Leader’s blow when he wasn’t looking
U.S. Calls for Shutting Down American Citizen Arms Networks
So after Syria has left all the headlines, does brown clown start bombing Iran and N.Korea ?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.