U.S.: Macau unblocks frozen DPRK funds

Source: Xinhuanet | 04-11-2007 10:01

A security guard is seen closing the door at Banco Delta Asia in Macau in March 16, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

WASHINGTON, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The United States said Tuesday that the Macanese authorities have unblocked the DPRK funds frozen at the Banco Delta Asia and authorized account holders can withdraw their money from the bank.

"I will let the Macanese authorities speak to how they want to put it but the bottom line is that they have unblocked these accounts and the account holders can -- authorized account holder can -- withdraw the funds from those accounts," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

Earlier Tuesday, the U.S. Treasury Department said the United States supports the Macanese authorities to unblock all DPRK-related accounts currently frozen in the Banco Delta Asia.

"Based on previous discussions with Chinese, Macanese, and DPRK officials, as well as understandings reached with the DPRK on the use of these funds, the United States would support a decision by the Macanese authorities to unblock the accounts in question," the Treasury Department said in a statement.

The DPRK funds were frozen after the United States blacklisted the Macanese bank for allegedly helping Pyongyang launder money. However, the bank has denied any wrongdoing.

The dispute over the frozen funds has put a gloomy prospect over whether the DPRK can meet a deadline of beginning to shut down its nuclear program as stipulated in the Feb. 13 nuclear agreement.

Editor:Du Xiaodan