Arms cargo link to illegal ivory trade: Report
SABC

May 06, 2008, 08:45

By Manelisi Dubase
A cache of arms that was being transported to Zimbabwe was paid for with
eight tons of ivory poached from elephants in Zimbabwe. This came out during
the release of a report by international conservation groups on the illegal
ivory trade.

Care for the Wild International, the Humane Society Institute and Save the
Elephants say the bulk of the ivory that ends up in the United States (US)
is coming from Africa through illegal means.

Some conservation groups say that at one point, the African elephant
population was halved by poachers, and identify the Chinese as the main
culprits.

Martin Rowlings of the Human Society Institute says: "It’s very clear to us
that we need to do something about this. We would like to see Congress
taking action to make the sale of ivory much tougher if not illegal
altogether. We would like to see consumers developing an understanding that
by buying ivory they are contributing to the potential decimation of
elephant herds in Africa."

Buyers in the US purchase ivory from China, for use in items like pistol
grips, expensive jewellery and other high-value goods. According to
conservationists, this ivory comes mainly from central African countries
such as the DRC, Kenya and Cameroon.

Who would have thought.

The Chinese accepting ivory as payment for bullets.

What is it going to mean for the planet over the next 100 years to have a wealthy and industrious country as large as they are... with no moral compass.

The Chinese are ½ of the equation - they need a country willing to participate. It looks like they found one all too willing . . . It seems there is always an African country all too willing.

What finally did happen to that boat load of gernades and stuff??

http://allafrica.com/stories/200805061078.html

SW Radio Africa (London)
6 May 2008
Posted to the web 6 May 2008

Zimbabwe: Minister Claims Controversial Chinese Arms Now in Country

Lance Guma

Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga on Sunday claimed that the controversial shipment of arms from China, initially blocked by South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia, was now in Zimbabwe.

Responding to criticism of the shipment during a panel discussion on Iranian sponsored 'Press TV' Matonga is said to have derisively retorted, 'in any case that shipment is already in Zimbabwe.'

Press TV's 'Four Corners' programme hosted a debate between Matonga, Briggs Bomba from Africa Action, Zanu PF apologist George Shire and an unnamed journalist. Bomba spoke to Newsreel Tuesday and expressed his disappointment at how Angola, contrary to its official position, might have helped Mugabe's regime get their hands on the deadly cargo.

The Chinese ship 'An Yue Jiang' was carrying 3 million rounds of ammunition for AK-47's, 1500 rocket propelled grenades and 3000 mortar rounds and tubes. Pressure from trade unions and civil society groups in the SADC region ensured the ship spent weeks failing to get permission to offload. Emerson Mnangagwa, the man in charge of Zimbabwe's terror campaign through the Joint Operations Command, is said to have travelled to Angola and met President Eduardo dos Santos last week, in an effort to have the shipment allowed through.

Angola officially declined to authorise the offloading of the Zimbabwean arms shipment, but no one knows if they kept their word. The picture continues to get to murkier with other reports suggesting the Angolan President's jet, a Falcon 900, was sighted in Zimbabwe Tuesday evening. No further details were available. Malawi's Nyasa Times newspaper added to the speculation by claiming intelligence agents from Malawi had travelled to Angola to help clear the shipment on behalf of the Zimbabwean regime.

Is anyone surprised by this?

The Angolans are big buddies with Mugabe. Back in 2007 he had 1000 Angolan para military visit for some hands on the population training.
stu

The CIA was tracking that boat and shipment. They know exactly where it's at.

So, 1/2 of Zim's elephants have been poached? That sounds like a reputable statement.

quote:

The CIA was tracking that boat and shipment. They know exactly where it's at.

It's somewhere north, south, east or west of Harare and it's either hidden in country or some other country, or it's dead....

Apparently, you're familiar with our intelligence agencies.

Just to add something to Sue's first reply and a bit off topic.

China isn't 1/2 the problem. They're more like 1/3. You have to add the United States to that equation because our politicians and industrialists and retailers are willing to feed China's industrial machine.

They use lead paint on our kids' toys, send us contaminated grain to make pet/animal feed with and we keep buying from them. With as many Americans as there are out of work right now and as many farmers that are going belly-up, America needs to learn to take care of it's own instead of feeding China.

Humbly stepping down from my soapbox now. Thanks for your time,

And now back to your regularly scheduled topic,

David

Zim has managed to keep stockpiles of ivory that was confiscated from illegal poaching. The powers that be kept it for "safe keeping." It was kept safe alright, right into Chinese hands. As for the CIA, they only track this sort of weaponry to be able to watch the fireworks from live satellite. Anyone wanna ticket?
LDK