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RIA Novosti
The bill under which the United States can take special control of the Russian ports of Vladivostok, Nakhodka and Vanino, violates many norms of international law and threatens with complication of the situation in the Korean Peninsula, told RIA Novosti on Friday, Director of the center for the study of international relations in the Asia-Pacific region Valery Timoshenko.
On Thursday, the house of representatives of the United States Congress passed a bill which contains a provision according to which Washington may take special control of the Russian ports of Vladivostok, Nakhodka and Vanino in the context of the implementation of sanctions against the DPRK. The bill must be approved by the Senate and transmitted to the President of the country.
“This practice violates many norms of international law. It is unclear how it will try to apply. The seizure of any ship, according to international rules, even for inspection, even stopping for inspection in international waters is a violation of international law of the sea. It threatens to very serious complications up to military action. To go to the ports to approach the territorial waters of another country also have no right”, — said Tymoshenko.
According to him, the us can send queries regarding the cargo and ships coming from Russia to North Korea and back, but to respond to them Russian ports are not required.
NEW CARIBBEAN CRISIS?
According to the expert, similar attempts have been made United States in 1962 with respect to ships of the Soviet Union, which went to Cuba.
“Remember the Cuban missile crisis, when the Americans tried to watch and to block our ships that went to Cuba. And how it ended? A little nuclear war broke out,” — said the expert.
INCREASED TENSION IN THE REGION
With regard to the blockade of the ports of North Korea, it is, according to experts, would have serious consequences for the entire region.
“Any blockade of North Korean ports will lead to military action, and the North Korean army is ready for combat. They have a 1.3 million man army, and during the day they will put under the gun for another 10 million people. The North Koreans, the motivation is not money, and the Motherland. They have a very strong Patriotic education, serve in the army and women and men. Any American ABOUT this Armada will not save”, — concluded Tymoshenko.
The expert believes that to stabilize the situation in the Korean Peninsula should North Korea “to leave alone, and give them the opportunity to live as they want.”
The main purpose of the American bill claimed the provision of monitoring the implementation of UN security Council resolutions, which restrict the trade of the DPRK with other countries and ban the supply to a country of weapons, aircraft, missile, nuclear and other technologies.
In accordance with the document, the President of the United States shall, within 180 days after entry into force of the law, and then annually for five years to provide to Congress a report on ports and airports, which violate UN security Council resolution against the DPRK. In addition to the Russian port of Nakhodka, Vanino and Vladivostok the document mentions ports in China, Iran, Syria (Tratus and Latakia). The document is an amendment to the adopted last year act on sanctions against the DPRK.
The bill passed amid efforts by the US administration on the settlement of the DPRK nuclear issue. In particular, the President, Donald trump is actively trying to use China to pressure the DPRK and at the same time increases military pressure on North Korea.
Tensions around the Korean Peninsula has increased notably in recent months in connection with a number of missile tests of the DPRK. The US says they did not rule out a military option against the DPRK, but will focus on the economic pressure on Pyongyang through sanctions.