N. Korea chemical weapons suits seized

Greek authorities seized anti-chemical weapons suits from a North Korean ship that could have been headed for Syria, diplomats said yesterday.

The seizure was reported to the UN Security Council which discussed the monitoring of nuclear sanctions against the isolated nation at a meeting yesterday, diplomats said.

The Greek operation was carried out in September, a UN diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.

“The Greek report to the council did not mention Syria but it seems the shipment was headed for Lattakia in Syria,” the diplomat added. The report of the seizure was confirmed by a second diplomat.

The UN Security Council ordered tough sanctions against North Korea after it staged nuclear weapons tests in 2006 and 2009.

The North pulled out of nuclear talks with China, the United States, Japan, Russia and South Korea in 2009 and efforts to kick start negotiations are struggling with the United States and its allies saying that North Korea is not serious about disarmament.

In a comment sent on an official Twitter account, a British diplomat said it was “clear that North Korea (is) still violating” Security Council resolutions.

“Strong concerns in council about the ongoing proliferation efforts,” added a German diplomat. Neither mentioned the seizure of the anti-chemical weapons suits.