The United States has blocked a request from the International Olympic Committee to allow sports equipment to be sent to North Korea to help athletes prepare for the Olympics, diplomats said Thursday.
The United States has blocked a request from the International Olympic Committee to allow sports equipment to be sent to North Korea to help athletes prepare for the Olympics, diplomats said Thursday.
IOC president Thomas Bach asked a UN sanctions committee on July 3 to allow deliveries of sports equipment « in order to assist the DPRK athletes to prepare for, qualify and effectively participate at the Olympic Games, » according to a letter from the committee chair seen by AFP.
« The United States objects to this proposed transfer, » the US mission to the United Nations told Security Council members in a brief response sent Wednesday.
North Korea has come under strict United Nations sanctions over its missile and nuclear programs, barring exports of raw commodities and severely restricting oil deliveries.
North Korea is also banned from importing luxury goods under UN resolutions that may apply to sports equipment.
