UN ambassador: US closely monitoring NKorean ship

WASHINGTON — The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says the U.S. is keeping close tabs on a suspected North Korea arms ship.

An American destroyer has been tracking the North Korean freighter sailing off China’s coast, possibly on its way to Myanmar.

Ambassador Susan Rice says the U.S. is pursuing and following the ship’s progress closely. But she is not saying what the U.S. actually might do on the high seas — such as whether to contact and request inspection.

It is the first ship to be monitored under a U.N. resolution that bans North Korea from selling a range of arms and weapons-related materiel. The resolution allows other countries to request boarding and inspection of such ships, but the ships don’t have to give permission.

Rice spoke on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”