'Russia selling nuke parts to North Korea, Iran'

WASHINGTON, JUNE 30. Russia is selling missile technology and components to North Korea and nuclear weapon components to Iran, The Washington Times reported today.

Quoting U.S. Intelligence officials who wished to remain anonymous, the paper said a report by the national security agency stated that missile component companies in Russia and Uzbekistan were cooperating to sell missile parts to North Korea.

The parts included a special aluminium alloy, laser gyroscopes used in missile guidance and connectors, and relays used in missile electronics, the officials said.

The security agency also reported that Russia was collaborating with a North Korean missile company in sending Scud B missile components to Yemen.

Officials said the gyroscopes for Scud B missiles were first sold to North Korea's Changgwang Sinyong company in Kazakhstan and then resold to Yemen.

Lifting some sanctions against North Korea earlier this month, the U.S. had said that Changgwang Sinyong company would remain subject to restrictions.

The U.S. imposed sanctions against the company in April for its missile proliferation activities like its role in sending missiles to Iran.

The agency, in a separate report on June 8, said that Russia was sending tritium gas to a nuclear weapons research centre in Teheran.

The gas is used to enhance the explosive power of nuclear warheads.

However, Russia says that it is only helping Iran to build a nuclear power plant under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.

A senate aide who specialises in weapons proliferation is quoted by daily as saying, ``this is one more example of the Russian Government's failure to control missile technology and nuclear exports. Whether the Government is incapable or uninterested in controlling its borders is immaterial.''

The Republican Congressman, Mr. Curt Waldon, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, said, ``Russian arms proliferation shows the complete breakdown of the Clinton administration arms control policies.''

- PTI

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Section  : International
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