M A I N   N E W S

Dozen Scud missiles found in ship

Spanish marine special forces board the North Korean ship So San, as it is intercepted at dawn in the Arabian Sea on December 9, 2002. Spanish Defence Minister Federico Trillo said the So San was found to be carrying 15 Scud missiles and 15 conventional warheads as well as about 85 drums of chemicals and was bound for a Middle East port when it was intercepted.  Spanish sailors fire at the ship, as it is intercepted. — Reuters photos

Washington, December 11
In the first concrete evidence of Pyongyang’s continuing missile proliferation, a dozen Scud missiles were found hidden in a ship originating from North Korea and believed to be heading for Yemen, identified by the USA as a nation that harbours terrorists.

Yemen said on Wednesday Scud missiles found on the ship were destined for its army, and issued formal protests over the vessel's seizure to the USA and Spain, the official news agency Saba said.

According to a report 20 containers were found concealed under 40,000 sacks of cement. They were said to be full of missiles, warheads, rocket motors and fuel cells.

The vessel, So San, had been under surveillance by the US intelligence since it left North Korea during the middle of last month, a US official said.

The Spanish frigate and an accompanying support ship called on the cargo ship to stop its engines and fired warning shot when it refused.

“It was boarded early yesterday south-east of Yemen far out to sea and so unquestionably in international waters”, the official said.

The decision to take over the ship was approved “at the highest levels of the administration”, he said, adding that American experts were examining the seizure.

When the Spanish officials boarded it, they found that the captain was a North Korean and alerted a US ship in the area which sent out inspectors. PTI

Spanish Defence Ministry handout photo shows a cargo of cement bags on top of the Scud missile containers in the ship. — Reuters photo