US TO SHARE INFO ON UN SANCTIONS AGAINST NORTH KOREA

KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) -- The United States (US) will share
information with other countries on any abuse of the international banking
system particularly with regard to the United Nation sanctions against North
Korea.

Philip Goldberg who is US State Department's envoy on coordinating
implementation of sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear test on May 25,
said it was important to share information and make sure that whatever trade and
financial activities that take place are legal and do not violate UN Security
Council Resolution 1874.

"These are not the things that give us great pleasure but they are
necessary to return to a meaningful process on denuclearisation and
non-proliferation," said Goldberg who is here for talks with Malaysian
officials.

He said the US delegation had a very good meeting Monday at Central Bank of
Malaysia with Malaysian officials.

According to reports, Goldberg's visit focused on claims that a Malaysian
bank was involved in a payment transaction for arms sold by North Korea to
Myanmar.

Foreign Minister Anifah Aman was reported to have said that Malaysia
does not condone money laundering and willing to cooperate, and had asked for
the US to share information so that Malaysia could act on it.

At the press conference, Goldberg said he came to Malaysia for several
reasons and among them was the growing partnership between the US and Malaysia
which includes the non-proliferation issue, pointing to the telephone
conversation between Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and US President
Barack Obama last week.

"Malaysia plays an important role in the region and we really want to touch
base," he said. He said Malaysia also has expertise in the financial sector and
experiences that the US hopes to tap with regard to the implementation of the UN
resolution.

"What I would say is that we are sharing information. I was referring to one
particular matter," he said when pressed to confirm about the involvement of
the Malaysian bank.

He said the US received good response from countries in the region including
Malaysia on the sanctions and was sharing information to make sure that the
whole international banking system is safe and secure.

"It is the responsibility of every government and we will share information
as and when it will become available," he said.

He said there is a strong willingness from Malaysia and other countries to
do their part but he acknowledged that enforcing the sanctions in the financial
sector is a complicated matter.

-- BERNAMA