NK caught red-handed

[konradv]

In contravention to international sanctions the NKs have been caught trying to move weapons through the Panama Canal. The crew resisted arrest and the captain attempted suicide.

In a side note, it's a good example of how seriously the Panamanians take their job of overseeing the functioning and security of the canal.

'Violent' confrontation on North Korean ship - CNN.com

 

[R.C. Christian]

The boat should have been sent to the bottom. Better yet, let the Panamanians take the loot and put in their stockpiles.

 

[TemplarKormac]

Busted.

 

[Jarlaxle]

I'm just glad the captain didn't have Aces and Eights...that would have been a disaster.

 

[waltky]

Panama asks for American help dealin' with No. Korean ship...

Panama asks U.S. for help with North Korean ship
July 17th, 2013 > Panama has formally asked the United States for technical help to inspect Cuban weapons found on board a North Korean freighter it seized.

"The government of Panama has requested our assistance, and we intend to provide it," Marie Harf, a State Department spokeswoman, said. "Generally speaking, the types of technical assistance we could provide include things like identifying the material on board, as well as providing personnel who are familiar with these types of inspections," she said.

Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli (L) is seen aboard of North Korean vessel Chong Chong Gang at Manzanillo harbour in Colon.

The Panamanians asked for imaging equipment and technicians to fully examine and determine what is on board, according to a U.S. official. The official declined to be identified because the person is not authorized to speak publicly. Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli has publicly said he wants international inspectors to survey the ship's cargo.

A second official told CNN an initial assessment found that Cuba was sending aging weapons - including a radar, aircraft and missile parts - to North Korea for repair and upgrade as Havana has claimed. The U.S. assessment also found that Cuba may be trying to further its arms relationship with North Korea due to Russian disinterest in performing the upgrade work.

Panama asks U.S. for help with North Korean ship ? CNN Security Clearance - CNN.com Blogs

 

[depotoo]

yep, saw this yesterday at this Miami station link-
Cuba: Weapons sent to North Korea for repair | News - Home

 

[JoeBlam]

The story they're telling is the zipperheads were to "repair" the systems (which included 2 MIG 21s) for the castro boys and return them. It seems NK has replaced the Ivans as cuba's pal....what an odd alliance.

 

[depotoo]

The story they're telling is the zipperheads were to "repair" the systems (which included 2 MIG 21s) for the castro boys and return them. It seems NK has replaced the Ivans as cuba's pal....what an odd alliance.

I don't see it as an odd one. If you really study it, all those countries that have dictators, even if supposedly democratically elected, have a common theme - they wish to take down the US and will cooperate with one another in any fashion they can, up to a certain point.

 

[JoeBlam]

The story they're telling is the zipperheads were to "repair" the systems (which included 2 MIG 21s) for the castro boys and return them. It seems NK has replaced the Ivans as cuba's pal....what an odd alliance.

I don't see it as an odd one. If you really study it, all those countries that have dictators, even if supposedly democratically elected, have a common theme - they wish to take down the US and will cooperate with one another in any fashion they can, up to a certain point.

"really study" this.....the two cultures have ZERO in common...no cultural, language, historical ties whatsoever. And neither have any intention of "taking down the US"...that's for domestic consumption....without us being around to be portrayed as the enemy, their own people would butcher them.

 

[depotoo]

The story they're telling is the zipperheads were to "repair" the systems (which included 2 MIG 21s) for the castro boys and return them. It seems NK has replaced the Ivans as cuba's pal....what an odd alliance.

I don't see it as an odd one. If you really study it, all those countries that have dictators, even if supposedly democratically elected, have a common theme - they wish to take down the US and will cooperate with one another in any fashion they can, up to a certain point.

"really study" this.....the two cultures have ZERO in common...no cultural, language, historical ties whatsoever. And neither have any intention of "taking down the US"...that's for domestic consumption....without us being around to be portrayed as the enemy, their own people would butcher them.

Seriously, you must be young, and I don't mean that to be offensive. It is just with age and having lived through certain periods of history and truly studying them one can come to realize and understand these things. And no, it is not just for consumption. If they had any way of acquiring what is necessary, to do just that, they would in a heart beat. Same as Russia and Iran that have nothing in common, yet they are in a sense, partners, each offers the other something of value, and have a common enemy. Look at Russia and their partnership with Cuba. Look at China and Cuba's partnership. On the surface they each seem to have no common grounds but look deeply enough and you will find them. China and Cuba's relationship is also a cornerstone within Cuba and North Korea's partnership in this manner as well. I should also add, look at Russia's relationship with China as well. See all the trifecta going on here?

 

[JoeBlam]

I don't see it as an odd one. If you really study it, all those countries that have dictators, even if supposedly democratically elected, have a common theme - they wish to take down the US and will cooperate with one another in any fashion they can, up to a certain point.

"really study" this.....the two cultures have ZERO in common...no cultural, language, historical ties whatsoever. And neither have any intention of "taking down the US"...that's for domestic consumption....without us being around to be portrayed as the enemy, their own people would butcher them.

Seriously, you must be young, and I don't mean that to be offensive. It is just with age and having lived through certain periods of history and truly studying them one can come to realize and understand these things. And no, it is not just for consumption. If they had any way of acquiring what is necessary, to do just that, they would in a heart beat. Same as Russia and Iran that have nothing in common, yet they are in a sense, partners, each offers the other something of value, and have a common enemy. Look at Russia and their partnership with Cuba. Look at China and Cuba's partnership. On the surface they each seem to have no common grounds but look deeply enough and you will find them. China and Cuba's relationship is also a cornerstone within Cuba and North Korea's partnership in this manner as well. I should also add, look at Russia's relationship with China as well. See all the trifecta going on here?

I'm almost 66, a Viet Combat Vet non-com intel officer, and was a trainer at Langley for CIA operations in SEATO....you were saying?

 

[depotoo]

"really study" this.....the two cultures have ZERO in common...no cultural, language, historical ties whatsoever. And neither have any intention of "taking down the US"...that's for domestic consumption....without us being around to be portrayed as the enemy, their own people would butcher them.

Seriously, you must be young, and I don't mean that to be offensive. It is just with age and having lived through certain periods of history and truly studying them one can come to realize and understand these things. And no, it is not just for consumption. If they had any way of acquiring what is necessary, to do just that, they would in a heart beat. Same as Russia and Iran that have nothing in common, yet they are in a sense, partners, each offers the other something of value, and have a common enemy. Look at Russia and their partnership with Cuba. Look at China and Cuba's partnership. On the surface they each seem to have no common grounds but look deeply enough and you will find them. China and Cuba's relationship is also a cornerstone within Cuba and North Korea's partnership in this manner as well. I should also add, look at Russia's relationship with China as well. See all the trifecta going on here?

I'm almost 66, a Viet Combat Vet non-com intel officer, and was a trainer at Langley for CIA operations in SEATO....you were saying?

Boy! Did I get that wroong! Anyway, I guess we will have to agree to disagree then. That is my opinion and I am sticking to it!

 

[JoeBlam]

Seriously, you must be young, and I don't mean that to be offensive. It is just with age and having lived through certain periods of history and truly studying them one can come to realize and understand these things. And no, it is not just for consumption. If they had any way of acquiring what is necessary, to do just that, they would in a heart beat. Same as Russia and Iran that have nothing in common, yet they are in a sense, partners, each offers the other something of value, and have a common enemy. Look at Russia and their partnership with Cuba. Look at China and Cuba's partnership. On the surface they each seem to have no common grounds but look deeply enough and you will find them. China and Cuba's relationship is also a cornerstone within Cuba and North Korea's partnership in this manner as well. I should also add, look at Russia's relationship with China as well. See all the trifecta going on here?

I'm almost 66, a Viet Combat Vet non-com intel officer, and was a trainer at Langley for CIA operations in SEATO....you were saying?

Boy! Did I get that wroong! Anyway, I guess we will have to agree to disagree then. That is my opinion and I am sticking to it!

no harm, no foul.

 

[depotoo]

I'm almost 66, a Viet Combat Vet non-com intel officer, and was a trainer at Langley for CIA operations in SEATO....you were saying?

Boy! Did I get that wroong! Anyway, I guess we will have to agree to disagree then. That is my opinion and I am sticking to it!

no harm, no foul.

With your history I am reather shocked though that you don't realize many countries would give their eye tooth to have the clout of the US within the world.

And today there are even territorial disputes that go on between Russia and Japan, Russia and the US today over frivolous islands, et al.

 

[JoeBlam]

Boy! Did I get that wroong! Anyway, I guess we will have to agree to disagree then. That is my opinion and I am sticking to it!

no harm, no foul.

With your history I am reather shocked though that you don't realize many countries would give their eye tooth to have the clout of the US within the world.

And today there are even territorial disputes that go on between Russia and Japan, Russia and the US today over frivolous islands, et al.

Who says I don't "realize" other countries would like to be the USA? Listen, little has changed in the world-view of us over the years....we're the one nation the world counts on to be both an enemy and a friend. Our role is to see to it the pendulum never swings too far in either direction. FYI...the country most responsible for industrial espionage in the US isn't china....it's France. In fact, I can't think of another country who owes us so much and appreciates us so little then the frogs....but then they are little more than arabs with a speech-impediment. Our national debt is the greatest threat to our continued leadership in the world.....you can't boss around your creditors. Events like this NK/Cuba deal are meaningless if not seen in context.....two desperate countries trying to find a few dollars in loose change.....

 

[waltky]

Lil Kim lookin' to shoot down U-2's...

Cuban Missiles Headed for N. Korea Similar to Ones That Shot Down U-2s in 1960s
July 17, 2013 -– The Cuban government said late Tuesday that weaponry found aboard a North Korean-flagged ship detained in the Panama Canal after leaving Cuba was “obsolete” material being sent to North Korea for repair.

Cuba’s foreign ministry did not explain why the missile and aircraft equipment was – according to Panamanian officials – was undeclared and hidden in a shipment of Cuban sugar. Nor did it say why it was destined for repair in North Korea rather than Russia, where it originated. And despite the ministry’s assertion that Havana respects international law, the shipping of any missile-related items to North Korea violates at least three U.N. Security Council resolutions, passed in response to North Korean nuclear tests in 2006, 2009 and early this year. The Cuban statement said that the ship, the MV Chong Chon Gang, had been “mainly loaded with 10,000 tons of sugar” but also carried “240 metric tons of obsolete defensive weapons.”

These comprised Volga and Pechora anti-aircraft missile systems, nine missiles “in parts and spares,” two Mig-21 bis fighters and 15 engines for the planes, it said, “all of it manufactured in the mid-twentieth century.” The ministry said the equipment was being shipped to North Korea to be repaired before being returned to Cuba, and that this was being done in line with “the need to maintain our defensive capacity in order to preserve national sovereignty.” It concluded by declaring that Cuba “reiterates its firm and unwavering commitment with peace, disarmament, including nuclear disarmament, and respect for international law.”

The Volga is a variant of the S-75 Dvina (NATO designation: SA-2 Guideline), the Soviet-made surface-to-air missile that was used to shoot down Gary Powers’ U-2 spy plane over the Soviet Union in 1960. An S-75 was also used to down a U-2 plane over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, resulting in the death of Major Rudolf Anderson. According to military historian Steven Zaloga’s 2007 book, Red SAM: The SA-2 Guideline Anti-Aircraft Missile, when the Soviets removed the ballistic missiles whose deployment in Cuba had triggered the nuclear crisis, they also withdrew most of the S-75 surface-to-air missiles – but agreed to leave behind 24 S-75 combat launchers and another six training launchers. The Pechora (S-125) is also a Soviet-made surface-to-air missile, but with a shorter range and lower-altitude capability than the S-75.

North Korea and Cuba, both communist-ruled nations hostile to the U.S., have long had close relations. Panama’s announcement of the seizure of the Chong Chon Gang came just a fortnight after Cuban President Raul Castro hosted a North Korean military delegation headed by the army chief of staff, Kim Kyok Sik. Cuba’s state news agency at the time quoted Kim as saying the visit had “allowed him to corroborate the island’s success in the defense of socialism in the face of U.S. aggressions.”

- See more at: Cuban Missiles Headed for N. Korea Similar to Ones That Shot Down U-2s in 1960s | CNS News

See also:

Panama charges crew of seized North Korean ship
July 18, 2013 -- Panama has filed charges against the crew of a North Korean ship seized as it tried to pass through the Panama Canal while carrying obsolete weaponry from Cuba hidden under bags of sugar, possibly in violation of U.N. sanctions.

Ramon Lopez, operations director for Panama's National Aeronautics Service, said authorities decided to stop the ship after getting intelligence from the United States and other countries about a suspicious North Korean vessel. "There was a lot of tension and strong resistance during the inspection," said Lopez, adding that the inspection lasted for three days. Panama's top prosecutor, Javier Caraballo, said the captain and 35 crew members have been charged with "attempts against Panama's security" and "illegally transporting undeclared military equipment."

The North Korean Foreign Ministry had urged Panama to let the crew go, but Caraballo said late Wednesday that the charges will force the crew to remain while authorities search the ship further. Investigators were still unloading sacks of raw brown Cuban sugar Thursday. Caraballo said the North Korean sailors could face four to six years in prison if convicted on the "attempts against Panama's security" charge alone. "According to the ship's manifesto, this boat only had 220,000 quintals of sugar. It never declared the military weapons, and obviously this in itself is a violation of the rules and it puts in grave danger all who transit through the Panama Canal," he said.

The captain and crew members have refused to speak to authorities, Caraballo said. Caraballo also said shipping the weapons through the canal likely violated U.N. resolutions that ban North Korea from buying and selling missiles and other heavy arms. Cuba has said it was sending the weapons, including missiles, two jet fighters and radar equipment, for repair in North Korea. Panama's government announced Wednesday night that visas issued by the Panamanian Embassy in Cuba's capital to two North Korean officials based there were not valid because they were not authorized by prosecutors.

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