Tuesday, December 7, 2010

WIKILEAKS: Chinese Communist Government link to North Korean arms flights

From: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/WIKILEAKS+Chinese+link+North+Korean+arms+flights/3902053/story.html

By Holly Watt, The Daily Telegraph November 29, 2010

North Korea has been secretly assisting Iran develop a weapons program under the auspices of the Chinese Communist government, American officials believe.

The U.S. government has repeatedly asked the Chinese to stop shipments between the rogue states passing through Beijing airport, according to memos sent by both the U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and her predecessor, Condoleezza Rice.

Documents released by Wikileaks show that the Americans provided Chinese officials with details of the exact times and planes on which supplies were being sent from North Korea to Iran.

The website is understood to be preparing to release more detailed documents setting out the American government's view of North Korea - and the country's relationship with both China and Iran.

The Americans had particular concerns about jet engine parts being sent from North Korea to Iran on board the national airlines Air Koryo and Iran Air on at least 10 occasions.

Another memo written by the Secretary of State in 2008 lists the countries that North Korean planes must fly over to reach Iran, and officials in the embassies are told how to deal with these countries.