US delays UN approval of North Korean aid requests

UNITED NATIONS: The United States is delaying approval of several requests for sanctions exemptions to deliver tractors, spare parts and other goods needed for humanitarian relief in North Korea, according to documents seen by AFP on Thursday (Nov 8). North Korea is under crippling sanctions imposed for carrying out nuclear and ballistic missile tests, but UN resolutions specify that these should not affect humanitarian aid. (AFP/STR) Russia asked the Security Council to discuss the delays during a meeting held behind closed doors on Thursday. North Korea is under crippling sanctions imposed for carrying out nuclear and ballistic missile tests, but UN resolutions specify that these should not affect humanitarian aid. The exemptions would allow deliveries of plumbing parts needed to repair North Korean health facilities, farm equipment such as tractors and other goods needed for humanitarian projects, according to documents seen by AFP. US Ambassador Nikki Haley said the United States “is going to take our time” to review the requests to ensure that they are not diverted to Pyongyang instead of reaching those in need. Haley accused Russia of seeking to score “brownie points” with North Korea by raising the sanctions issue at the Security Council. The United States has rebuffed calls from China and Russia to ease sanctions to reward leader Kim Jong Un for halting missile tests and opening up a dialogue with the United States. President Donald Trump’s administration maintains that maximum pressure from sanctions must be maintained to compel Kim to follow through on his… [Read full story]