Post by oldmike on Apr 11, 2007 13:22:07 GMT 7
Macao frees North Korean funds frozen at bank
The Associated PressPublished: April 10, 2007
HONG KONG: Macau's Monetary Authority said Wednesday that holders of North Korean accounts frozen at a bank blacklisted by the United States can withdraw or transfer their money.
The funds at the small Macau lender Banco Delta Asia have become a key sticking point in six-party negotiations to close North Korea's nuclear programs. The money was to be released last month, but disputes over the accounts have stalled the process.
Wendy Au, a spokeswoman at Macau's Monetary Authority, told The Associated Press that the money was ready to be handed over to the owners of the accounts.
"The account holders, as long as they are authorized, can proceed to the bank to withdraw or transfer the money," she said, without commenting further.
In a deal struck in February, North Korea pledged to shut down its main nuclear reactor by Saturday in exchange for energy aid and political concessions.
The Associated PressPublished: April 10, 2007
HONG KONG: Macau's Monetary Authority said Wednesday that holders of North Korean accounts frozen at a bank blacklisted by the United States can withdraw or transfer their money.
The funds at the small Macau lender Banco Delta Asia have become a key sticking point in six-party negotiations to close North Korea's nuclear programs. The money was to be released last month, but disputes over the accounts have stalled the process.
Wendy Au, a spokeswoman at Macau's Monetary Authority, told The Associated Press that the money was ready to be handed over to the owners of the accounts.
"The account holders, as long as they are authorized, can proceed to the bank to withdraw or transfer the money," she said, without commenting further.
In a deal struck in February, North Korea pledged to shut down its main nuclear reactor by Saturday in exchange for energy aid and political concessions.
