North Korea using front companies, couriers with cash and other "secret" means to avoid international sanctions. China, seen as a key ally of the country, wanted to block the publication of the report ready last May.

New York (AsiaNews / Agencies) - According to a UN report published yesterday North Korea is providing nuclear and ballistic materials to Iran, Syria and Myanmar by "secret means " to avoid international sanctions. China had blocked the publication of the report, for six months.

The experts who compiled the report say that North Korea "uses a wide range of techniques to mask their transactions: the use of foreign companies, front companies, informal transfer mechanisms, couriers with cash and bartering."

Four cases “not in compliance with the law, involving the exports of arms" have come to light, since the latest sanctions imposed in June 2009.

The report gives no further details but maintains that North Korea uses "masking techniques" containers with false declaration of contents; ships with false routes and destinations, "multiple layers of middlemen, front companies and financial institutions."

The North uses foreign ships more and more as well as modern planes for freight, which can easily reach the main airports in the Middle East from North Korea, without refuelling and thus avoid detection.

North Korea is involved in talks on its nuclear program with China, U.S., Russia, Japan and South Korea. But the most recent meetings date back to 2008. Since then the North has continued its nuclear programs and ballistic experiments.

Diplomats say that China is the main ally of North Korea on the international stage and until now had blocked the report ready in May this year.

• North
• korea
• china
• Iran
• Myanmar
• nuclear
• ballistic
• materials
• smuggling
• sanctions
• un