Together the two men embark on a scheme that involves incapacitating the ship's skipper, changing the vessel's identity at sea, and sailing from San Francisco to Panama City to the west African coast in search of a port where, in return for cash, no questions are asked.

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As the ship left South Africa in search of another port, the United States had urged other southern African countries not to allow it to dock.

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Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday that the United States would not forcibly board a North Korean ship but, in accordance with a recent U.N. resolution, would request permission to search the ship or press any port the ship docks in to inspect it for illegal materials.

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