Britannia Radio

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

 

CNPC Eyes Petro-Canada's Syrian, Libyan Holdings

Petro-Canada yesterday denied rumors that the company has received an approach from China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) concerning the Canadian firm's oil and gas assets in Libya and Syria.

That may be technically true. But China Confidential has learned that the company that is acquiring Petro-Canada, Suncor Energy, is aware of CNPC's serious interest in buying Petro-Canada's natural gas properties in Syria and offshore oil holdings in Libya.

CNPC is China's largest integrated oil and gas company.

# posted by Confidential Reporter @ 10:22 PM links to this post 

 

North Korea Threatens Uranium Enrichment

North Korea announced today that it is starting a second nuclear project--a uranium enrichment program--unless the United Nations apologizes for and lifts the sanctions against North Korea. 

The Stalinist/Kimist state also threatened to test more ballistic missiles and another nuclear device. 

China Confidential analysts say the uranium threat is meant to mask the fact that Pyongyang has already been pursuing a covert uranium-based nuclear program in parallel to its known plutonium-based program. 

The next nuclear test could come as early as July 4--the North may attempt to overshadow U.S. Independence Day celebrations.

# posted by Confidential Reporter @ 9:37 PM links to this post 

 

US Observes North Korea Freedom Week

The U.S. State Department today issued the following statement:

This week is North Korea Freedom Week, a time to welcome refugees from North Korea who are gathering in Washington to share their stories and advocate on behalf of their friends and families still living there. These brave souls help us all remember the importance of improving the human rights situation of the North Korean people. The United States welcomes to Washington the United Nations Special Rapporteur for North Korean Human Rights, Vitit Muntabhorn, who is an important international voice for the needs of the North Korean people. 

The State Department’s Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices notes that conditions in North Korea are dire. North Korea continues to restrict religious and political freedom, control information and its citizens’ freedom of movement, exert widespread social controls, and allow trafficking in women and girls. The United States cares deeply about the plight of North Koreans who flee their homeland and will continue to work with international organizations and foreign governments to ensure their protection, including through resettlement in the United States.