Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : India Coffee House -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: JPR who wrote (5265)	7/26/1999 8:39:00 AM
From: Mohan Marette	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 12475

Customs seize 'Pakistan nuclear parts' - BBC reports. JPR: Here is an interesting development,I heard that the Bombay customs also has impounded a North Korean ship few weeks ago as the ship was bound for Karachi with machinery or parts for making missiles. ============================== The UK has pledged to monitor the export of nuclear materials By South Asia analyst Alastair Lawson British customs officials have confirmed they have intercepted material which they believe could have been used towards the development of nuclear weapons in Pakistan. A senior customs official told the BBC that the cargo included a substantial quantity of high grade aluminium which is commonly used in making nuclear weapons. The official said the cargo has been impounded because the ship carrying it did not have the proper licence. While it is difficult to prove conclusively that the impounded cargo was intended to develop nuclear weapons, customs officials say it is a possibility. There were fears the cargo was destined for Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme. They say the crew did not have the correct paperwork for the cargo of 20 tons of aluminium and other components. Britain is one of several western countries that has pledged to monitor the export of high grade aluminium. This high-tensile material can be used for making missile casings and as a component in solid missile fuel. Customs officials said their suspicions were aroused because the cargo was of such a high grade that it was likely to have been for military rather than commercial use. They said the cargo was tracked from the United States to the south-east of England in May. A ship was then due to take the components to the Middle East, but the cargo was confiscated before it could set sail. Customs sources say they suspect the final destination of the cargo was the Pakistani port of Karachi. Three men of Pakistani origin were arrested in connection with the incident last week but have since been released on bail. The confiscation of the cargo took place at a sensitive time, when tension between India and Pakistan was high in the Kashmir dispute. Both countries successfully tested nuclear weapons last year. news.bbc.co.uk