ID :
95545
Thu, 12/17/2009 - 20:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/95545
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Weapons impounded from mystery aircraft at Don Mueang airport will be destroyed
BANGKOK, Dec 17 (TNA) - All the military weapons from North Korea seized last weekend at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport will be destroyed under the terms of a United Nations resolution, according to Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya.
Mr Kasit told reporters after meeting with deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban that the heavy weapons found on board the plane and subsequently seized would be destroyed, as it was not appropriate for the kingdom to use them in its armed forces.
He said Thailand should show that the kingdom is a good member of the United Nations and strictly observed its resolution.
The United Nations Security Council resolution number 1874 (2009) banned North Korea from exporting any weapons was imposed in June after the reclusive communist regime conducted a nuclear test and test-fired missiles.
Thai police impounded the Russian-built Georgian Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft Saturday and discovered 35 tonnes of explosives, rocket-propelled grenades and components for surface-to-air missiles in its cargo hold.
The plane's five crew members, a Belarussian pilot and four Kazakh crew, have been charged in Thailand with possessing war weapons. However, they deny knowing what they were transporting, according to the police.
Initial reports said the plane was flown from the United Arab Emirates to Don Mueang airport in the Thai capital last Wednesday and landed without any cargo for a refuelling stop, then continued on to North Korean capital of Pyongyang.
It left for the North Korean capital and returned to Bangkok again on Saturday for a scheduled refuelling before flying on to Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister Abhisit earlier conceded that the seller and buyer of the weapons remains unknown, and there is no evidence to prove that Russian arms dealer Victor Bout (now being held in Thailand) is involved in the arms smuggling.
Mr Kasit said that for its next step, the government will inform the United Nations through Thailand's Permanent Representative of Thailand in New York. (TNA)
Mr Kasit told reporters after meeting with deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban that the heavy weapons found on board the plane and subsequently seized would be destroyed, as it was not appropriate for the kingdom to use them in its armed forces.
He said Thailand should show that the kingdom is a good member of the United Nations and strictly observed its resolution.
The United Nations Security Council resolution number 1874 (2009) banned North Korea from exporting any weapons was imposed in June after the reclusive communist regime conducted a nuclear test and test-fired missiles.
Thai police impounded the Russian-built Georgian Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft Saturday and discovered 35 tonnes of explosives, rocket-propelled grenades and components for surface-to-air missiles in its cargo hold.
The plane's five crew members, a Belarussian pilot and four Kazakh crew, have been charged in Thailand with possessing war weapons. However, they deny knowing what they were transporting, according to the police.
Initial reports said the plane was flown from the United Arab Emirates to Don Mueang airport in the Thai capital last Wednesday and landed without any cargo for a refuelling stop, then continued on to North Korean capital of Pyongyang.
It left for the North Korean capital and returned to Bangkok again on Saturday for a scheduled refuelling before flying on to Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister Abhisit earlier conceded that the seller and buyer of the weapons remains unknown, and there is no evidence to prove that Russian arms dealer Victor Bout (now being held in Thailand) is involved in the arms smuggling.
Mr Kasit said that for its next step, the government will inform the United Nations through Thailand's Permanent Representative of Thailand in New York. (TNA)
