US stands with Panama in North Korean vessel issue

US State Department Spokesman Patrick Ventrell said the US "strongly supports" Panama's sovereign decision to inspect the North Korean flagged vessel. Speaking at a daily press briefing, Ventrell said the US stood ready to cooperate with Panama, should it request assistance regarding the North Korean ship stopped while attempting to pass through the Panama Canal with suspected missile parts. Stating that the US would remain in touch with the Panamanians, Ventrell added "In terms of UN Security Council resolutions, if indeed there was a shipment of arms on board of this vessel, any shipment of arms or related material would violate UN Security Council Resolutions 1718, 1874, and 2094." Panama's president, Ricardo Martinelli, said Monday authorities stopped a North Korean flagged ship on suspicion it was carrying drugs, but instead found what is claimed to be "sophisticated missile equipment."  Martinelli said the ship was coming from Cuba.