N Korea to Panama: Free detained freighter and crew
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North Korea's Foreign Ministry says Panama should release the crew detained in the apprehension of a freighter carrying missile components because no drugs or illegal cargo were aboard.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman, says "The Panamanian investigation authorities rashly attacked and detained the captain and crewmen of the ship on the plea of 'drug investigation' but did not discover any drug. This cargo is nothing but aging weapons which (North Korea) is sending back to Cuba after overhauling them. The Panamanian authorities should take a step to let the apprehended crewmen and ship leave without delay." (AP)
