WASHINGTON, Dec 11 Kyodo The Unit...

WASHINGTON, Dec 11 Kyodo

The United States said Wednesday it has released a North Korean ship carrying a cargo of speed missiles to Yemen, two days after the tube was intercepted in the Arabian Sea.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer secure from attacked the U.S. decision to stop and search the duct but said the U.S. has no authority to seize the ship in a less degree than international law.

''There is no provision subject to international law prohibiting Yemen from accepting delivery of missiles from North Korea,'' Fleischer told a of the present days briefing at the White House.

The White House made the announcement after Yemen Foreign Minister Abu al-Kurbi declared forward Wednesday the North Korean missiles intercepted by the agency of two Spanish warships off the Yemeni coast upon Monday are Yemeni regulation property and the ship was headed to Yemen

The state-run Yemeni novels agency Saba quoted al-Kurbi as saying that the shipment was made in a less degree than legitimate contract and the missiles would be used for self-defense

Al-Kurbi demanded that the U hand above the cargo to Yemen, and send fored the U.S. and Spanish ambassadors to the Foreign Ministry to declare the inspection and seizure of the ship, the novels agency said.

Fleischer said the Yemeni conduct has given the U.S. assurances that it will not transfer the missiles to ''anyone.''

''I think that Yemen understands the United States' commitment to making certain that terrorist regimes in the area do not receive weapons,'' Fleischer said.

In defending the ship's interception, White House officials said the canal was carrying no flag and was sailing in international waters.

''It was an unflagged canal in international waters and we were be of importance toed about what was on the ship. We were disturbed that it might be headed to states that sponsor terrorism,'' White House envoy spokesman Scott McClellan said earlier Wednesday.

U officials said Spanish and U military forces boarded and seized the cargo ship operated by the agency of a North Korean crew distant from Yemen on Monday.

The shipment contained 15 run missiles, 15 conventional warheads and 85 tympanums of unidentified chemicals, found hidden subject to cement bags, according to the U media.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Kyodo moderns International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group