ID :
95612
Fri, 12/18/2009 - 13:13
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/95612
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Thailand needs more time to decide on seized North Korean weapons: Deputy PM
BANGKOK, Dec 18 (TNA) - More time is needed for the Thai government to decide how to deal with the military weapons from North Korea seized last weekend at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport, to destroy all of them under the terms of the active United Nations resolution or to only destroy a portion of them, according to Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Suthep Thaugsuban who oversees national security.
Mr Suthep said that until now there has been no clear decision whether to destroy them all or keep some for military use in the armed forces.
He said more time is needed to inspect the weapons, to catagorise and to consider the terms of the UN resolution.
United Nations Security Council resolution number 1874 (2009) banning North Korea from exporting any weapons was imposed in June after the reclusive communist regime conducted a nuclear test and test-fired missiles.
As for the report that Thailand's National Security Council would request the United Nations to help finance the cost of the transportation and destruction of the weapons, Mr Suthep said the government must further study the regulations and the previous practices of countries that have shared similar incidents.
Thailand's relevant officials are gathering information and summarising the case, he said, adding that the procedures should not be rushed as it is a sensitive issue.
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 denied being aware of 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 cargo for a refuelling stop, then continued on to North Korean capital of Pyongyang.
Leaving North Korea after taking on caro in Pyongyang, the aircraft returned to Bangkok on Saturday for a scheduled refuelling before flying on to Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister Abhisit said earlier 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 possible arms smuggling incident. (TNA)
Mr Suthep said that until now there has been no clear decision whether to destroy them all or keep some for military use in the armed forces.
He said more time is needed to inspect the weapons, to catagorise and to consider the terms of the UN resolution.
United Nations Security Council resolution number 1874 (2009) banning North Korea from exporting any weapons was imposed in June after the reclusive communist regime conducted a nuclear test and test-fired missiles.
As for the report that Thailand's National Security Council would request the United Nations to help finance the cost of the transportation and destruction of the weapons, Mr Suthep said the government must further study the regulations and the previous practices of countries that have shared similar incidents.
Thailand's relevant officials are gathering information and summarising the case, he said, adding that the procedures should not be rushed as it is a sensitive issue.
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 denied being aware of 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 cargo for a refuelling stop, then continued on to North Korean capital of Pyongyang.
Leaving North Korea after taking on caro in Pyongyang, the aircraft returned to Bangkok on Saturday for a scheduled refuelling before flying on to Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister Abhisit said earlier 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 possible arms smuggling incident. (TNA)
