The following Press Release is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On 6 November 2006

PRESS RELEASE

A North Korean cargo vessel named M.V BONG HOAFAN, under the stewardship of Captain Ho Dong Sok, with 32 crew members, has made a distress call on 4 November 2006 to the Myanmar Port authorities and requested for an emergency port call to replenish food and water for its crew members and fuel for the vessel. The Myanmar Port authorities made necessary inspection on board the vessel and found neither suspicious cargo nor military
equipment on the ship.        

Therefore, based on humanitarian grounds in an emergency situation, the Myanmar Port authorities have given permission to the vessel to call at Thilawa Port (MITT) at 1300 hours on 4 November 2006 and allowed the ship to replenish required food, water and fuel.

The vessel sailed off from Thilawa Port-at 2400 hours on 5 November 2006 and left Myanmar waters at 0350 hours on 6 November 2006 and finally headed for the high-sea.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Nay Pyi Taw.

Dated: 6 November 2006.