Panama: Weapons in NKorean Ship Are Operational

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Panama: Weapons in NKorean Ship Are Operational

PANAMA CITY October 12, 2013 (AP)
By JUAN ZAMORANO Associated Press

Two Cuban fighter jets seized from a North Korean ship in July were in perfect condition to operate and the 15 plane engines that were found along with them were relatively new and could be used as replacements, a Panamanian official said Friday.

The comments by Belsio Gonzalez, director of Panama's National Aeronautics and Ocean Administration, appear to contradict the explanation of the cargo given by Cuban authorities.

The ship, Chong Chon Gang, was intercepted July 15 in the Panama Canal with 25 containers of Cuban military equipment found beneath the 10,000 tons of sugar. The equipment was not listed on the ship's manifest. The ship's captain and 35 crew members remain in custody in Panama.

After the seizure, Cuba said the cargo included "obsolete defensive weapons" including two MiG-21 fighter jets and 15 motors, nine missiles in parts, and two anti-aircraft systems that were being shipped to North Korea "to be repaired and returned."

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Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/panama-weapons-nkorean-ship-operational-20548897

[ehcross]

1. The Castros have their secret plans blown. $200 million go up in flames?

Fidel Castro and his brother Raúl thought they could get away with $200 million in prohibited military cargo buried beneath 10,000 tons of sugar inside the cargo hold of a derelict freighter passing through the Panama Canal.


The freight included 25 containers of Cuban military equipment, two MiG-21 fighter jets, 15 fighter jet engines, nine missiles in parts, two anti-aircraft systems, all of which was going to North Korea to be repaired and returned.

The transport of firearms and military equipment through the Panama Canal requires a formal declaration and thorough inspection.

The Panama Canal Authority prohibits the transport of all kinds of arms and military equipment through the Canal without declaration.

No wonder they are considered the scum of the Caribbean.