Centre strongly denies allegations of training N.Korean scientists
The Centre strongly denied allegations that Dehradun-based CSSTEAP violated UN Sanctions by training North Koreans and conducting nuclear-related, mass destruction-related courses. It was reported that a UN report stated trained N.Koreans played key roles in N.Korea's secretive nuclear weapon and military programs. Centre said the courses are very basic, and a UN-Office for Outer Space Affairs' representative permanently oversees CSSTEAP and its advisory committee.
CSSTEAP: An Introduction
Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP), Dehradun was established on 1 November 1995. A United Nations' team declared India as the host nation for the Centre following a UNGA Resolution of 11 December 1990. The UNGA Resolution had endorsed the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs' recommendations, envisaging the establishment of such Centers in developing nations.
Centre affiliated to the UN
CSSTEAP was established under an agreement signed initially by ten member nations of Asia-Pacific. The primary objective behind setting up CSSTEAP was to ensure that "in years to come, no country in the region (Asia-Pacific) will have to look abroad for expertise in space science technology application." It is affiliated to the UN, which develops its system as a standardised curriculum.
Signatory countries of the CSSTEAP agreement
The signatories of the CSSTEAP agreement initially were India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan , Kazakhstan, Nepal, Nauru, Mongolia, Sri Lanka , Republic of Korea, and Uzbekistan. Later, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Myanmar also signed the agreement. There are 15 signatories currently.
NK: CSSTEAP was crucial in nuclear development
Hong Yong-il, North Korean Embassy's First Secretary to India, in an interview with Al Jazeera indicated that CSSTEAP played a "key role" in North Korea's nuclear development program. Hong was one of the first North Koreans sent to CSSTEAP; he studied Remote Sensing Technology course in 1996. He said the course at the Centre was very informative, and the teachers were extremely good.
North Korea sent people even after 2006
It was reported that about 30 North Koreans were sent to the Centre for training since 1995. One of the two students currently at CSSTEAP was affiliated with N.Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration, which played a significant role in nuclear development. N.Korea sent space-employees/scientists even after 2006 when the UN issued first nuclear sanctions and prohibited member nations from providing technical training to N.Korea.
CSSTEAP admitted N.Koreans despite UN sanctions
The UN Security Council approved the following sanctions against N.Korea: UNSCR-2087 (2013), UNSCR-1985 (2011), UNSCR-1874 (2009), UNSCR-1718 (2006), UNSCR-1718 (2006), UNSCR-1695 (2006), UNSCR-1540 (2004), and UNSCR-0825 (1993). The lapse on CSSTEAP's part was exposed in a UN Security Council annual report in Mar'16. Analysts indicated that "repeated applications" by N.Korea showed the relevance of CSSTEAP's courses to its ballistic missile and nuclear weapon development.
Some course modules violated sanctions
CSSTEAP courses might have violated the UN Sanctions' provisions. One course provided instructions for "designing and testing a launch vehicle using ballistic missile technology, such as those on launch vehicles, attitude control, telemetry, tracking, command and data-handling systems."
Centre strongly denies allegations of training N.Korean scientists
The Centre strongly denied allegations that Dehradun-based CSSTEAP violated UN Sanctions by training North Koreans and conducting nuclear-related, mass destruction-related courses. It was reported that a UN report stated trained N.Koreans played key roles in N.Korea's secretive nuclear weapon and military programs. Centre said the courses are very basic, and a UN-Office for Outer Space Affairs' representative permanently oversees CSSTEAP and its advisory committee.
Baseless, without any merit: External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson
Vikas Swarup - MEA Spokesperson stated: "We have come across the article. The insinuation regarding India's assistance to North Korea's UN proscribed activities is baseless and without any merit. The UN report was result of subjective and limited understanding of the experts who authored it."
