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Posted by Daniel Workman Nov 30, 2006 |
As we reported back in July, Japan was first to slap trade sanctions after Jong-il's ballistic missile tests.
But the more recent trade restrictions appear to include a blatant message for the North Korean leader. Some journalists believe that some banned luxury items were deliberately chosen to personally annoy Jong-il.
UN members have some flexibility in deciding what luxury items to block from trade with North Korea. Canada has chosen lobsters, furs, cigarettes, cigars and cognac as well as many items also specified by the U.S. The American list includes luxury automobiles and electric scooters. Kim Jong-il's tastes include expensive whiskey and high-end cars.
Both Canada and the U.S. have outlawed perfume, jewellery, gems, precious metals, alcoholic beverages, watches and sporting goods as eligible exports to North Korea. The American list also includes musical instruments, large TVs, laptop computers and artwork.
These penalties result from North Korea's nuclear missile test on October 9, 2006.
There can be no doubt that the international ban is intended to be a slap in Jong-il's face, and to perhaps galvanize the masses. As reported by the Associated Press, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez commented "While North Korea's people continue to starve and suffer, there is simply no excuse for the regime to be splurging on cognac and cigars."