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Cuba confirms arms bound for North Korea on ship seized in Panama

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Not when it's being supplied to a paper tiger who has gone well beyond pathetic. I don't believe there's a word in the English language that can even come close to accurately describing how pitiful they are. They're just getting old garbage in the mail now, like "hang in there, buddy" but everyone knows it's over. I'd say North Korea is beating a dead horse, but it decomposed a long time ago, and they're just sitting around playing with the bones.

Right, the worrisome thing is that they beat the War Drums and it costs everyone else money, as well, I threw the "rational actor" card out on Jung-un when he threatened a preemptive nuclear attack on us. I am glad though, that we and the South (particularly the South) pretty much said, "No more of this bull****."
 
Right, the worrisome thing is that they beat the War Drums and it costs everyone else money, as well, I threw the "rational actor" card out on Jung-un when he threatened a preemptive nuclear attack on us. I am glad though, that we and the South (particularly the South) pretty much said, "No more of this bull****."

There desperately needs to come a time when we enforce this "no more bull****" policy. Starve them out, force them into a conflict, and completely destroy them, erasing their history from the face of the earth. Enough is enough. They've had over 60 years to get their **** together, but they keep playing the same ole song and dance. They've made threats, they've violated the cease fire numerous times, killing South Koreans and allied forces. They have even gone so far as to manufacture nuclear arms. If it weren't for the high possibility of devastating casualties in South Korea, I'd be all for total destruction of the North Korean way of life. Swift and brutal violence of action, resulting in a clean slate, and then reduce that slate to ash to ensure that this **** never happens again.

This isn't something I would normally advocate, but the North Koreans have effectively removed every other option from the table. There is no peaceful resolution to this conflict.
 
I feel the same. Seoul is way too close though and would suffer enormous casualties if the operation wasn't conducted properly. But, NK needs to go.
 
I feel the same. Seoul is way too close though and would suffer enormous casualties if the operation wasn't conducted properly. But, NK needs to go.

That's my primary concern. I don't see an effective way to contain such an assault onto northern soil. Even if we strike their southernmost artillery placements, there's no guarantee that we'll get them all. One missile slipping through would be a disaster, so would a small slip in plans due to unforeseen events, which are guaranteed in warfare. China would be another concern. There's no way they'd allow such an invasion right on their doorstep. Especially an American invasion.
 
It depends on the missile that got through. But I think that if South Koreans in Seoul had shelters or a place to evacuate to, that a missile hitting a building or two wouldn't be such a big deal. Though, I wouldn't try to give NK a chance to get a shot off. Between the air forces of the U.S., South Korea, Japan and hopefully the British, French, and why not Israelis (since they owe us a couple), the mission would likely be a success.

As to China - **** them. They're a threat to us and others too. They want to get involved, then they'd be next on the bombing list. We might as well take 'em both out while we still can.
 
Let see, a regime deputy foreign minister was rush to Panama to lie his way out of the legal troubles with regard to the contents on the ship. The regimen in Havana after the initial statement had remained silence. This time they will not be able to pull this off.

It will not be a surprise if in the remaining four cargo holds the Panamanians authorities find crates of AK-47 bound for the Colombia Marxists guerillas through Ecuador.
 
It is amazing that those that comment about the Castroit regime weapon smuggling operation don’t seem to understand that their arguments in defense of the operation have little to do with the real thing. Their politically distorted interpretation and justification of the smuggling of weapons are ridiculous. They keep distorting repeatedly the real facts without regard for the truth.
 
Note: The article shows 26 photos
Panama discovers MORE fighter jet engines and military vehicles on the seized boat taking obsolete weapons from Cuba to North Korea
Panama discovers more fighter jet engines and military vehicles on the seized boat taking obsolete weapons from Cuba to the secretive state of North Korea | Mail Online

• More military hardware has been discovered on the boat intercepted by
Panama on its way from Cuba to North Korea
• The Chong Chon Gang was stopped on July 15
• North Korea says it was to repair the equipment and return it to Cuba
• Cargo includes missile systems, two MiG-21 jet fighters, military vehicles and 12 spare engines, all hidden under bags of brown sugar

By Daily Mail Reporters and Reuters Reporter
PUBLISHED: 23:16 EST, 30 July 2013 | UPDATED: 00:47 EST, 31 July 2013

Panamanian investigators unloading the cargo of a seized North Korean ship carrying arms from Cuba under sacks of brown sugar found yet more military hardware on Tuesday.

The authorities discovered 12 engines for MiG-21 fighter jets and five military vehicles that officials said resembled missile control centers.

Investigators earlier in July had found two MiG-21 fighters and two missile radar systems on board the Chong Chon Gang, which was bound for secretive North Korea when it was stopped by officials.
article-2381728-1B12E301000005DC-995_634x393.jpg
Massive haul: A Panamanian naval police officer stands in front of a container carrying a Russian-made fighter engine which was on its way to North Korea before being intercepted.

article-2381728-1B12DC5D000005DC-703_634x414.jpg
Hardware: This seized vehicle is thought to be a military missile control center
You have to versions to pick from:
A. All the military hardware, left to rust and decay, was used as ballast for the ship.
B. An art project, the North Korean version of Picasso's "Guernica." Many people just don't get modern art.

The Castroit regime has once again been exposed as a cynical and deceitful. Its loss of prestige has accelerated before the evidence of this felony committed in collusion with another of the most cruel dictatorship in the world, the North Korean dynasty.
 
Fidel Castro in a video against the nuclear war on October 15, 2010, said: Let us have the courage to proclaim that all nuclear or conventional weapons, everything that is used to make war, must disappear.”

The Castroit tyrannical regime is trading brown sugar weapons of destruction with the North Korean government, a state sponsor of terrorism. This is a perfect match and a very dangerous alliance for the rest of the world.

If North Korea used those weapons the appropriate response would have been to attack Cuba.... If China or Russia had anything say about that I would tell them they're lucky we don't destroy North Korea....

That or tell China to take those weapons away or we will attack Cuba......

Thank God those weapons were seized - without question they were to be used against South Korea....
 
Experts say the story doesn't add up. Weapons repairs are normally made by ordering parts and flying in technicians. Furthermore, since everything was made in the Soviet Union, sending it to North Korea doesn't make sense.
 
When the Cuban people find out that the regime is a “paper tiger”, the demonstration on the streets, which belong to the people, will start and the regimen forces, even with the use of brute force, will not be able to stop it. If they open fire on the people on the streets, the end will come quickly for the Castroit tyrannical regime and a bloodbath will take place.
 
Panama finds undeclared munitions aboard N. Korea-bound ship from Cuba
Panama finds undeclared munitions aboard N. Korea-bound ship from Cuba | Fox News

Associated Press

PANAMA CITY – Panama says it has unloaded live munitions from a ship seized in the canal as it headed from Cuba to North Korea.

Drug prosecutor Javier Carballo says ammunition for grenade launchers and another unidentified type were found.
Carballo told reporters Friday that boxes of munitions, though he didn't say how many, were found with the help of explosive-sniffing dogs.

The manifest said the Chong Chon Gang was carrying only sugar when it was stopped July 15 in the Panama Canal. Cuban military equipment was found beneath the sacks.

Cuba later said it was sending obsolete planes and missiles to be repaired in North Korea, but did not mention live munitions.

Cuban officials couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

Panama has filed charges against the crew for transporting undeclared military equipment.
It will be very interesting to see how the Castroit regime explain how the munitions and rocket propelled grenade launchers that just have been discovered on the ship hidden under tons of sugar are "obsolete" as well.

The explanation will no doubt be about as credible as the ones they tell us about Cuba not being a State Sponsor of Terrorism
 
Great, Sandokan's shown up. This thread might as well be closed. Who's ready for five pages of Sandokan talking to himself?
 
The press reports that explosives, live munitions and heavy artillery, bound for North Korea, that were uncovered provides further evidence that the Castroit regime remains an active and a dangerous instigator on the world stage.
 
The Obama Administration should take into consideration that when it sits down with the regime representatives and offers concessions, it is appeasing a terrorist state that remains as dangerous and firmly opposed to U.S. interests as ever. This is a good reason for the Administration to keep the sanctions in place and stop the flow of dollars to the Castroit tyrannical regime.
 
Panama ending search of N Korean ship from Cuba
PANAMA CITY: Panama ending search of N. Korean ship from Cuba - Americas - MiamiHerald.com

The Associated Press
Posted 08/11/2013

PANAMA CITY -- Panamanian officials say they're ending their search of a North Korean ship that was detained as it carried weapons from Cuba.

Public Security Minister Jose Raul Mulino tells The Associated Press that Panama removed the ship's last unopened container, which was buried under sacks of sugar, and found it held equipment for launching missiles.

Panama has unloaded and searched 25 containers, finding a variety of weapons systems and parts. Cuba says it was not violating sanctions meant to halt sophisticated arms sales to North Korea because the ship contained obsolete weapons being sent back for repair.

But some of the containers were loaded with undeclared live munitions, and United Nations experts will be in Panama in the coming days to prepare a report on whether the shipment violated sanctions.
Panamanian inspectors, using explosive-sniffing dogs, found rocket-propelled grenades when they opened one of five containers on the North Korean ship, and equipment for launching missiles when they opened the last container.
 
A team of experts of the U.N. Security Council arrived in Panama to examine the weapons and live ammunition carried by the North Korean ship. After their inspection they will write a report with regard to the violation of the U.N. ban on arms transfers to North Korea due to its nuclear weapons and missile development programs.
 
Panama: UN probes North Korea arms shipment
BBC News - Panama: UN probes North Korea arms shipment

BBC News
13 Augusts, 2013

_69270627_018723824-1.jpg
One of two Soviet-made fighter planes found inside the North Korean vessel

UN officials have begun inspecting an arms shipment found on a North Korean ship, Panama's security minister says.
The Chong Chon Gang was seized last month on the Panama Canal. Inspectors looking for drugs found Cuban arms and two Soviet-made MiG-21 fighter jets.

Cuba says the weapons were being sent to North Korea for refurbishment.

UN experts will prepare a report for the UN Security Council, which must decide whether the shipment violates a ban on arms transfers to North Korea.

The UN team will spend four days interviewing the 35 North Korean crew, anti-drug prosecutor Javier Caraballo told the Associated Press news agency.

Heading the inspection team is David Martin Uden, who used to be Britain's ambassador to South Korea.

Weapons systems including anti-aircraft and guidance systems, missiles, explosives and command-and-control vehicles were found buried under a cargo of sugar.

The Chong Chon Gang left Russia's far east on 12 April and travelled across the Pacific Ocean before entering the canal at the start of June, with Cuba as its stated destination.

The ship disappeared from satellite tracking systems after it left the Caribbean side of the canal, resurfacing on 11 July.
Experts say this may indicate that the crew switched off the system that automatically communicates details of their location.

It was stopped near Manzanillo on the Atlantic side of the canal on 15 July.
The fire control radar system found aboard the North Korean ship is a key component in guiding missiles to targets. North Korea, if the ship had reached its destination, would have obtained a key component for its nuclear artillery program. Nuclear artillery could be used to attack South Korea. Eventually the investigation will reveal the true reason of the weapons smuggling.
 
UN experts expect to travel to Havana to clarify North Korean ship issue
UNITED NATIONS: UN experts expect to travel to Havana to clarify North Korean ship issue - Cuba - MiamiHerald.com

By Eva Font
Special to El Nuevo Herald
Posted on Friday, 08/23/2013

UNITED NATIONS -- United Nations experts who inspected the North Korean boat that was detained by Panamanian authorities for carrying undeclared Cuban weapons submitted a preliminary confidential report to the Security Council Friday and are awaiting an invitation from Cuba to visit the island.

The experts hope Cuba will not take long to give a response since Panama is dependent on a U.N. decision before taking any action on the future of the boat and its crew of 35 who are under Panamanian custody.

The experts returned Aug. 16 from Panama, where they inspected the boat for three days and spoke to the crew.

After inspecting the boat, the next step would be to ask Cuba a series of questions about the case — hopefully in person in Havana — before issuing a final report on North Korea’s possible violation of the U.N.’s arms embargo.

The report would include conclusions and possible recommendations to the U.N. sanctions-monitoring committee that oversees sanctions against North Korea. All 15 members of the Security Council are part of this committee.
Hopefully, they will get to the bottom of this very troubling scandal. It is amazing that no matter how illegal and evil this is it, the apologist of the Castroit regime will excuse it and laud it. The Castroit tyrannical military regime has no credibility. It is a fact that trough the years the regime has lied, denying the real facts and the real proof, making bogus excuses.
 
Report: Cuban weapons in North Korean ship violated U.N. sanctions http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/08/28/3590027/report-cuban-weapons-in-north.html

By Juan O. Tamayo
jtamayo@ElNuevoHerald.com
Posted 08/28/2013

Cuban weapons found in a freighter bound for North Korea “without a doubt” violate U.N. sanctions and some of it seemed intended for Pyongyang’s own use, not for repair and return as Havana claims, according to a report Tuesday.

The weapons shipment hidden in deliberately modified sections of the ship also was much larger than previously reported, and included anti-tank cannon and night vision equipment, said the report in 38 North, a U.S.-based Web page on North Korean issues.

Taken together, the evidence makes clear “that contrary to both the North Korean shipping declaration and Cuban government statements the shipment was without a doubt a violation of United Nations sanctions on North Korea,” it said.
Cuban Air Force Chief Killed in Car Crash. This was the general in charge of the shipment of weapons to North Korea that just happen to dies in a car “accident.” As a matter of fact, the team of UN experts doing the investigation had requested permission to question the general. Another convenient death by the Castroit regime just in time to avoid the questioning.
 
It doesn’t matter how high they are in the hierarchy of the Castroit military regime. The higher they rise, the harder they fall, and they could end up dead. It is a common side effect for those working for the ruthless Castroit tyrannical military regime.
 
It doesn’t matter how high they are in the hierarchy of the Castroit military regime. The higher they rise, the harder they fall, and they could end up dead. It is a common side effect for those working for the ruthless Castroit tyrannical military regime.
 
The Castroit tyrannical regime is State Sponsor of Terrorism, as demonstrated by the report of the UN expert investigation. The regime had in the past and continuous to supply weapons to a tyrannical regime like North Korea.

Mr. Griffiths, who tracks North Korea’s trafficking in banned weapons, suspects that the Panamanian discovery was merely “the tip of the iceberg” of illicit North Korean weapons shipments. According to the report, “The various rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and conventional artillery ammunition, many in mint condition, were unused and much of it was in original packing cases. They clearly were not “to be repaired and returned to Cuba.” Rather, these items were intended simply for delivery to North Korea for its own use.” Read the full report here: Full Disclosure: Contents of North Korean Smuggling Ship Revealed | 38 North: Informed Analysis of North Korea
 
Interesting. Who knew that countries we put trade embargos on would trade with each other?
 
It doesn’t matter how high they are in the hierarchy of the Castroit military regime. The higher they rise, the harder they fall, and they could end up dead. It is a common side effect for those working for the ruthless Castroit tyrannical military regime.

Kinda reminds me of the "accidental" death of Michael Hastings, eh? :cool:
 
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