Posted on 12/11/2002 5:41:45 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
Edited on 04/13/2004 2:41:30 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
05:35 PST CAIRO, Egypt (AP) -- The missiles and other sophisticated military equipment found on a North Korean ship off the tip of the Arabian peninsula belong to the Yemeni government, the pan-Arab television station Al-Jazeera reported Wednesday.
Al-Jazeera did not name its sources, but attributed the claim to Yemeni government officials. Yemen and North Korea completed a deal for the equipment several months ago, the station said.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
[snip]
"The shipment is part of contracts signed some time ago. It belongs to the Yemeni government and its army and meant for defensive purposes," Saba quoted Foreign Minister Abubakr al-Qirbi as saying on Wednesday. It said Qirbi summoned the U.S. ambassador to Sanaa to lodge a formal protest.
"The foreign minister stressed the importance of the return of the shipment to the Yemeni government," it said, adding that Sanaa has also protested to Spain, whose warships intercepted the North Korean vessel.
I say let's accomodate them...
He he he he he...
They should be VERY careful of what they wish for :)
Three cheers for Spain!
The media focuses so much on France and statements from European leaders that oppose the war on terror it is easy to think that all of Europe opposes us. The truth is there are a lot of countries and people in Europe that support what we are doing.
US berates N Korea over Scud exports
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has condemned North Korea over its apparent attempt to deliver a shipment of Scud missiles to Yemen.
Acting on American intelligence, the Spanish Navy intercepted and boarded the freighter So San in the Arabian Sea on Monday.
They continue to be the largest proliferator of missiles and ballistic missile technology on the face of the Earth.
US naval forces then conducted a search of the vessel and discovered 15 Scud missiles and warheads hidden under a cargo of cement, along with a quantity of chemicals.
Yemen has now confirmed that it ordered the missiles, and has protested to the US and Spain over the ships's seizure.
While the Yemeni Government is not regarded as an enemy by the US, there are fears that such military hardware could fall into the hands of radical Islamic groups operating in the country.
Mr Rumsfeld said: "North Korea doesn't like to hear me say it, but they continue to be the largest proliferator of missiles and ballistic missile technology on the face of the Earth.
"They are putting in the hands of many countries technology and capabilities which have the potential for destroying hundreds of thousands of people."
Legal questions
Mr Rumsfeld declined to comment on whether the missile shipment constituted a violation of international law, but said there were legal issues surrounding efforts to conceal the weapons.
Questions about the legality of the seizure have already been raised.
US naval forces have taken charge of the ship and are escorting it to Diego Garcia island.
The current US administration has branded North Korea part of an "axis of evil", along with Iraq and Iran.
Inquiring minds want to know. The Yemeni government wants Scud missiles in their defense from WHOM? What threat to the Yemeni government would require the purchase of this type of military hardware?
Their answers / platitudes / excuses should be most enlightening.
Are you with us or against us...
jriemer
According to Yemeni Foreign Minister Abubakr al-Qirbi;
“The shipment is part of contracts signed some time ago. It belongs to the Yemeni government and its army and is meant for defensive purposes.”
Sure, right Abub. The rest of the world is stupid.
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