US to Release Ship with Missiles for Yemen

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 12, 2002

US to Release Ship with Missiles for Yemen

The United States said on Wednesday it will release a seized ship carrying a dozen Scud missiles after Yemen confirmed the missiles were bound for its army.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

The United States said on Wednesday it will release a seized ship carrying a dozen Scud missiles after Yemen confirmed the missiles were bound for its army.

"There is no provision under international law prohibiting Yemen from accepting delivery of missiles from North Korea," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer told reporters.

"While there is authority to stop and search, in this instance there is no clear authority to seize a shipment of Scud missiles from North Korea to Yemen and therefore the merchant vessel is being released," Fleischer said.

The decision came after Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh discussed the incident with US Vice President Dick Cheney and assured the United States the missiles would be used only for the defense of his country.

The ship was intercepted on Monday about 600 miles off the coast southeast of Yemen. It was seized by a Spanish frigate acting on information from US authorities.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Ship Carrying Missiles Intercepted in Arabian Sea: US Officials

Yemen Demands Return of Intercepted Scud Missiles from US

China Issues White Paper on National Defense ( 11 Messages)

Archaeologists Revise Age of China's Civilization ( 4 Messages)

Top Planner on Main Economic Tasks for 1st 20 Years in New Century ( 4 Messages)

China Adopts Domestic Water Saving Devices National Wide ( 3 Messages)

Chinese Economy to Enjoy Bright Future ( 5 Messages)

Japan Covets Southeast Asia, Diplomatically and Militarily: News Analysis ( 9 Messages)