ID :
94860
Mon, 12/14/2009 - 20:41
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http://m.oananews.org//node/94860
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No link between seized North Korean arms and transnational terrorism: NSC
BANGKOK, Dec 14 (TNA) - The initial report by the Thai security concerned officials concluded that there was no linkage between the cargo plane loaded with North Korean weapons seized by Thai authorities and transnational terrorism and no reward for arrest was set up for this case, according to Thailand's National Security Council (NSC).
Thai authorities reportedly acted on a tip from their American counterparts when they impounded the Russian-built Georgian aircraft Ilyushin IL-76 transport plane Saturday and discovered 35 tons of explosives, rocket-propelled grenades and components for surface-to-air missiles.
Members of the crew, one from Belarus and four from Kazakhstan, were charged Sunday with illegal arms possession. The court on Monday approved an initial request for a 12-day extension.
Thawin Pleansi, NSC Secretary-General told reporters after meeting of security concerned agencies that the initial investigation found that the weapons did not involve with Thailand and have no information on the linkage with the foreign terrorism including Sri Lankan Tamil Tiger Elam or al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
He also confirmed that there was no any reward for arrest involved with the case as claimed by Jatuporn Prompan, a member of parliament from the Opposition Puea Thai Party.
Mr Jatuporn earlier said that there was US$7 million reward for arrest for the case and urged the government to give the details who would manage the reward.
Mr Thawin denied to confirm whether the weapons were belonged to North Korea, saying that the five foreigner arrested on board said the plane was heading to Sri Lanka.
He said the information needed to be verified and authorities should be careful in giving details as it was involved with the third countries.
The arrest was the result of the cooperation among many agencies, he added.
According to the report, the plane was flown from the United Arab Emirates to at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok on Wednesday and it had landed without any cargo for a refueling stop and continued on to North Korean capital of Pyongyang. It left for the North Korean and returned to Bangkok on Saturday for a scheduled refueling before it was due to fly to Sri Lanka.
The cache was transported in military trucks to a depot in Nakhon Sawan province and the Thai security concerned agencies would inspect the weapons on Tuesday.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government was ready to give all details of the case but after the concerned officials had completed the investigation. He added that the process need time as it was a sensitive issue and involved with many countries.
He said the government would comply with the United Nations' resolution.
The United Nations Security Council resolution number 1874(2009) banned North Korea from exporting any arms or weapons was imposed in June after the reclusive communist regime conducted a nuclear test and test-fired missiles. (TNA)
Thai authorities reportedly acted on a tip from their American counterparts when they impounded the Russian-built Georgian aircraft Ilyushin IL-76 transport plane Saturday and discovered 35 tons of explosives, rocket-propelled grenades and components for surface-to-air missiles.
Members of the crew, one from Belarus and four from Kazakhstan, were charged Sunday with illegal arms possession. The court on Monday approved an initial request for a 12-day extension.
Thawin Pleansi, NSC Secretary-General told reporters after meeting of security concerned agencies that the initial investigation found that the weapons did not involve with Thailand and have no information on the linkage with the foreign terrorism including Sri Lankan Tamil Tiger Elam or al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
He also confirmed that there was no any reward for arrest involved with the case as claimed by Jatuporn Prompan, a member of parliament from the Opposition Puea Thai Party.
Mr Jatuporn earlier said that there was US$7 million reward for arrest for the case and urged the government to give the details who would manage the reward.
Mr Thawin denied to confirm whether the weapons were belonged to North Korea, saying that the five foreigner arrested on board said the plane was heading to Sri Lanka.
He said the information needed to be verified and authorities should be careful in giving details as it was involved with the third countries.
The arrest was the result of the cooperation among many agencies, he added.
According to the report, the plane was flown from the United Arab Emirates to at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok on Wednesday and it had landed without any cargo for a refueling stop and continued on to North Korean capital of Pyongyang. It left for the North Korean and returned to Bangkok on Saturday for a scheduled refueling before it was due to fly to Sri Lanka.
The cache was transported in military trucks to a depot in Nakhon Sawan province and the Thai security concerned agencies would inspect the weapons on Tuesday.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government was ready to give all details of the case but after the concerned officials had completed the investigation. He added that the process need time as it was a sensitive issue and involved with many countries.
He said the government would comply with the United Nations' resolution.
The United Nations Security Council resolution number 1874(2009) banned North Korea from exporting any arms or weapons was imposed in June after the reclusive communist regime conducted a nuclear test and test-fired missiles. (TNA)
