The UN group will determine if the weapons fall under the restrictions imposed by the UN Security Council to North Korea.
The weapons found on the vessel include two anti-air defence systems, missile components, two MiG-21 aircraft and 15 engines. The weapons were hidden in a shipment of 203,000 quintals of sugar and were being taken to North Korea for refurbishing according to declarations from Cuban officials.
The shipment allegedly violated UN sanctions against North Korea, which prohibits such shipments from entering North Korea. Cuba said that the weapons are outdated and would be returned to Cuba after they were repaired.
Panama’s Public Security Ministry reported in a statement that the experts: "issued no statements regarding their work before or during or after performing and in due time the Ministry of Public Security and Drug First Prosecutor will provide any information permissible arising on this issue”.
The UN mission covering an agenda from 13 – 16 August, will submit a report of the inspection to the 1718 Sanctions Committee, created in 2006 by the Security Council of the UN to ensure compliance of an embargo on North Korea in retaliation for their nuclear weapons programme.
The agenda of the group is defined by its members and not by local authorities said the Public Security Minister, Jose Raul Mulino. The mission is expected to visit the ship, which remains anchored in the Atlantic port of Manzanillo-Panama and Sherman naval base where the 35 crew members are being held. The future of the military equipment, the seafarers and the vessel depend on the report of the investigation.
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