Germany intercepts (30 tonnes) chemicals (may be used to make nerve gas) for N Korea

Daily Times (Pakistan) ^ | May 19, 2003 | AFP/Reuters

[FairOpinion]

BERLIN: The German government has intercepted a cargo of 30 tonnes of sodium cyanide, which can be used in the manufacture of chemical weapons, at the request of Washington which believes the shipment was bound for North Korea, according to the German weekly Der Spiegel.

The substance, commonly used in the treatment of metals, can also be in the manufacture of the deadly nerve gas Tabun.

The cargo was officially being shipped by a German company to a warehouse in Singapore.

Meanwhile, a North Korean trade official cast doubt on Sunday on a news report that a close aide to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has defected to the United States, Yonhap news agency said.

Yonhap said in dispatches on Saturday and Sunday that Kil Jae-Gyong, vice director of Kim’s secretariat, and Han Myong-Chol, first secretary of the North Korean trade representative’s office in Macau, were seeking asylum in the United States. The agency, however, carried a separate telephone interview with Han later refuting the reports of his alleged defection.

“Kil has already died,” the official said, accusing South Korean intelligence officials of leaking wrong information about the aide.

The reported defection came as Washington seeks to step up its crackdown on the North’s drug trafficking and missile exports.

South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun called on Sunday for a realistic approach to handling North Korea’s nuclear ambitions in response to criticism here of his recent pro-US statements.

Roh said in a speech in Gwangju that a rift between Seoul and Washington could heighten tension on the Korean peninsula and dampen efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis.

“You may have something to criticize and complain about the United States but reality required me to forge friendly ties between South Korea and the United States,” Roh said.

But pro-US remarks during his weeklong American visit to meet George Bush have Roh’s supporters questioning his loyalties.

Before his US trip, Roh urged Washington to engage in direct talks with Pyongyang, ruffling the feathers of US officials who seek to muster international pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions. —AFP/Reuters

[FairOpinion]

Of course N. Korea wouldn't never make nerve gas. Just as Saddam didn't, it's all made up by the Bush administration. (/sarcasm)

[FairOpinion]

It's also in WND:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=32640

Nerve-gas chemicals
'bound for N. Korea'
Germany snags transport of 30 tons used in manufacture of deadly agent

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Posted: May 18, 2003
5:54 p.m. Eastern



© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com

At the request of the U.S., Germany has intercepted a shipment of chemicals which can be used to make chemical weapons, reports the German weekly Der Spiegel.

Some 30 tons of sodium cyanide were officially being shipped by a German company to a Singapore warehouse, but Washington believes the material was headed for North Korea.

Sodium cyanide, commonly used in the treatment of metals, is also a key ingredient in the manufacture of the deadly nerve gas Tabun (dimethylphosphoramido-cyanidate).

In its issue which hits newsstands tomorrow, Der Spiegel says Germany's intelligence service issued a warning last week about attempts by North Korea to get a hold of banned material under cover of businesses based in China and Singapore, according to an Agence France-Presse summary.

European news agencies say Berlin last month intercepted a shipment of German-made aluminum tubes likely destined for use in North Korea's nuclear program.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

What will they do with it?

[Paleo Conservative]

Interesting how anytime a country wants to develop chemical weapons, they buy chemicals or chemical processing equipment from Germany.

[Poohbah]

They have a track record of being quite competent at it--nearly 100 years of better killing through chemistry.

[FairOpinion]

"What will they do with it? "

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They'll probably sell it to Iran or Syria.

[FairOpinion]

I did a search on Tabun, and found a brief description, but the news item (from FoxNews), dated Jan 28, 2003, also mentioned this:


"There are unconfirmed reports of sheltered Scud missiles with sarin or tabun nerve gas warheads deployed in caves and shelters near Damascus, Syria. Iraq has maintained it has large stockpiles of mustard gas, sarin and tabun."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,76864,00.html

[Libertina]

Interesting how anytime a country wants to develop chemical weapons, they buy chemicals or chemical processing equipment from Germany.
...to be stored inside a country which doesn't even like chewing gum...

[FairOpinion]

The second article said that it was going to be diverted to N. Korea, Singapore was the official destination, but it was probably never going to get there. But probable even German customs wouldn't have let the shipment go, if they actually listed N. Korea as the destination.

"Some 30 tons of sodium cyanide were officially being shipped by a German company to a Singapore warehouse, but Washington believes the material was headed for North Korea. "

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

What will they do with it?

I recommend voluntary euthenasia.

[Libertina]

Your reply is strong evidence for paying a bit more attention to our ports, isn't it?

[RJayneJ]

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