Paying for weapons in NKorea: Is a M'sian bank involved?-malaysiamirror.com
Tuesday, 07 July 2009 09:57
KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia has called on the United States to produce evidence on media allegations that a Malaysian bank is involved in weapons payments to North Korea.
Reports from South Korea have said that North Korea sought payment through an unnamed Malaysian bank for a suspected shipment of weapons bound for Myanmar, which was being tracked by the US Navy.
As a US envoy on sanctions against North Korea flew into Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said the government "does not condone" money laundering and was willing to cooperate to prevent illegal payments.
Anifah: Give us the info
"If America has any information that is available to them, then I think they should give it to us so we can act upon it," he told a news conference when asked about the allegations on North Korean payments.
"We are not going to act on every accusation that is being levelled at us because that is virtually impossible. If they have evidence we will be most willing to work together to solve the problem."
Anifah's comments came as Philip Goldberg, the US State Department's envoy on coordinating implementation of sanctions against North Korea over its May nuclear test, held talks with Malaysian banking and government officials.
"We are sharing information," Goldberg told a press conference when asked whether he could confirm or reject the allegations involving Malaysia in the South Korean media.
"We want to make sure the whole international banking system is safe and secure," he said.
"There is a very strong willingness from Malaysia and other countries to do their part."
South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on the weekend that Goldberg's visit would focus on ways to block payment for the suspected weapons cargo on board the North Korean freighter.
Still with Malaysian bank?
Quoting unidentified sources, it said that North Korea had received an initial payment for the shipment but that the majority owed was still with the Malaysian bank.
The Kang Nam 1 freighter, which left North Korea on June 17, was expected to return home later Monday after aborting its voyage, South Korea's defence ministry said.
It was the first North Korean ship to be tracked under new UN sanctions imposed on the hardline communist country on June 12 following the nuclear test in May. - AFP
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak reportedly denied any involvement by Malaysian banks in the North Korean weapons trade.
"No, we don't indulge in illicit arms trading," he said, according to the Star, when asked to comment on reports that Goldberg was discussing the matter with officials here.
Tuesday, 07 July 2009 09:57
KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia has called on the United States to produce evidence on media allegations that a Malaysian bank is involved in weapons payments to North Korea.
Reports from South Korea have said that North Korea sought payment through an unnamed Malaysian bank for a suspected shipment of weapons bound for Myanmar, which was being tracked by the US Navy.
As a US envoy on sanctions against North Korea flew into Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said the government "does not condone" money laundering and was willing to cooperate to prevent illegal payments.
Anifah: Give us the info
"If America has any information that is available to them, then I think they should give it to us so we can act upon it," he told a news conference when asked about the allegations on North Korean payments.
"We are not going to act on every accusation that is being levelled at us because that is virtually impossible. If they have evidence we will be most willing to work together to solve the problem."
Anifah's comments came as Philip Goldberg, the US State Department's envoy on coordinating implementation of sanctions against North Korea over its May nuclear test, held talks with Malaysian banking and government officials.
"We are sharing information," Goldberg told a press conference when asked whether he could confirm or reject the allegations involving Malaysia in the South Korean media.
"We want to make sure the whole international banking system is safe and secure," he said.
"There is a very strong willingness from Malaysia and other countries to do their part."
South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on the weekend that Goldberg's visit would focus on ways to block payment for the suspected weapons cargo on board the North Korean freighter.
Still with Malaysian bank?
Quoting unidentified sources, it said that North Korea had received an initial payment for the shipment but that the majority owed was still with the Malaysian bank.
The Kang Nam 1 freighter, which left North Korea on June 17, was expected to return home later Monday after aborting its voyage, South Korea's defence ministry said.
It was the first North Korean ship to be tracked under new UN sanctions imposed on the hardline communist country on June 12 following the nuclear test in May. - AFP
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak reportedly denied any involvement by Malaysian banks in the North Korean weapons trade.
"No, we don't indulge in illicit arms trading," he said, according to the Star, when asked to comment on reports that Goldberg was discussing the matter with officials here.
Sumber berita: Malaysiamirror.com
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