DPRK FM Spokesman Urges Panamanian Authorities Let Apprehended Crewmen, Ship of DPRK Leave

  Pyongyang, July 17 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA on Wednesday as regards the case of the DPRK trading ship Chongchongang apprehended in Panama:
     There occurred an abnormal case in which the DPRK trading ship Chongchongang was apprehended by the Panamanian investigation authorities on suspicion of "drug transport," a fiction, before passing through Panama canal after leaving Havana Port recently.
     The Panamanian investigation authorities rashly attacked and detained the captain and crewmen of the ship on the plea of "drug investigation" and searched its cargo but did not discover any drug. Yet, they are justifying their violent action, taking issue with other kind of cargo aboard the ship.
     This cargo is nothing but aging weapons which are to send back to Cuba after overhauling them according to a legitimate contract.
     The Panamanian authorities should take a step to let the apprehended crewmen and ship leave without delay. -0-