Action: Stop the An Yue Jiang from delivering Chinese weapons to Zimbabwe
Latest information on the An Yue Jiang
[Please check the comments as well for information updates]
24-04-08 ~ 19.35 pm:
News everywhere is that the ship has been recalled to China, but an article posted a lunch time today in South Africa has a different view:
The ship An Yue Jiang, loaded with weapons for Zimbabwe, is expected to dock in Lobito, Angola at midday on Friday, where activists hope it will meet the same fate as it did in Durban last week.
International Transport Workers Federation’s spokesperson Sam Dawson said on Wednesday that they were “extremely confident” that the Chinese container ship was on its way to Lobito. Preparations would be made to prevent its cargo from being off-loaded by dock workers there.
The Chinese ship had been spotted off the western coast of Africa, he said, but declined identify the ITFs sources, since they would be in danger of being exposed. He said the ship was sailing at 11 knots and would, by ITF calculations, be outside Lobito on Friday.
Union preparations were continuing to block attempts to unload and transport the cargo “and any attempt to do so will be met by the strongest possible trade union response”.
Earlier updates archived here
Updated Action Information
A new Avaaz petition to sign
Avaaz have another petition. This one is to SADC leaders and governments around the world:
Petition to SADC leaders and governments throughout Africa and the world: We, the undersigned, call for your support preventing any weapons shipments from reaching Zimbabwe until the crisis is resolved. We believe that, if delivered, these weapons would likely be used to violate the human rights of Zimbabweans, and we support the efforts of ordinary citizens and African trade unionists to prevent their transit through neighbouring countries. This shipment highlights the urgent need for a strong international arms trade treaty, and the continuing violence demands that all regional and global leaders act to protect human rights.
- Please sign it
- Please ensure you forward details to as many people as you know via the function on their website
- Thank you!
Emails to send
Use this email to send to Portuguese speaking recipients. We’ve kept the wording non-specific, so you can send it to any type of organisation. Feel free to add a English comment underneath if you would like to do so. Big thanks are due to CC for the translation.
Estimado Senhor ou Senhora,
Eu estou muito preocupado sobre relatórios que um navio chinês, “An Yue Jiangâ€, carregando as armas com destino Zimbabue, pôde dirigir para seu paÃs.
Eu apelo-lhe para fazer tudo em seu poder parar estas armas de ser entregado a Zimbabue. Zimbabue não é um paÃs na guerra e o resultado das eleições democráticas prendidas no 2ø Março 2008 tem ser anunciado ainda. Seria errado enviar armas a um paÃs no aperto de um impasse polÃtico.
Eu vi retratos terrÃveis das vÃtimas da tortura, e eu li relatórios dos povos que foram batidos e brutalisados em Zimbabue. Milhares de cidadãos de Zimbabue estiveram deslocados de seus repousos nas áreas rurais, e ameaçados com a morte se retornassem. Estas vÃtimas são cidadãos que não fizeram nada mais do que exercitar a direita democratia votar livremente para um representante de sua escolha.
Muitos gentes em torno do mundo estão seguindo a história da transição difÃcil de Zimbabue à democracia. Nós somos imprimidos pelo fato que os povos de Zimbabue remanesceram non-violentos apesar do circunstâncias incrivel. Nós queriamos um futuro positivo para todos em Zimbabue.
Eu sou incentivado muito e orgulhoso da bondade e dos esforços dos cidadãos do Africa do Sul que trabalham juntos para proteger os povos de Zimbabue duma violência adicional. Eu apelo-lhe para fazer o mesmo em seu paÃs.
Eu agradeço-o lendo esta mensagem.
(Sign your name here)
In English, the message reads:
Dear Sir or Madam
I am very concerned about reports that a Chinese ship, “An Yue Jiang”, bearing weapons that are destined for Zimbabwe, might be heading towards your country.
I appeal to you to do everything in your power to stop these weapons from being delivered to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is not a country at war and the outcome of the democratic elections held on the 29th March 2008 has yet to be announced. It would be wrong to send weapons to a country in the grip of such a political impasse.
I have seen terrible pictures of victims of torture, and I have read reports of people who have been beaten and brutalised in Zimbabwe. Thousands of Zimbabwe civilians have been displaced from their homes in the rural areas, and have been threatened with death if they return. These victims are civilians who have done nothing more than exercise their democractic right to freely associate and to vote for a representative of their choice.
Many people around the world are closely following the story of Zimbabwe’s difficult transition to democracy. We are impressed by the fact that the Zimbabwean people have remained non-violent despite incredible provocation. We are praying for the people of Zimbabwe and we are all hoping to witness a positive future for all Zimbabweans.
I am very encouraged and proud of the kindness and efforts the world witnessed when South Africans rallied to protect the Zimbabwean people from further violence. I appeal to you to do the same in your country.
I thank you for reading this message.
Yours sincerely
A Petition to Sign
The International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) is the global movement against gun violence - a network of 800 civil society organisations working in 120 countries to stop the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons (SALW).
They have set up a ‘Stop The Zimbabwe Arms Shipment’ petition here. Please sign it and spread word of it widely.
How this consolidated post will work
This post provides a summary of articles posted so far and synthesises comments and ideas left by supporters in the comments. Please link to this post from your blogs so we have one consolidated post for all ideas in relation to taking action against Chinese weapons arriving in Zimbabwe. Please keep all comments on this post specifically focussed on action and action ideas.
Use this button to alert others to the action
To use this button and link back to this Action Alert post, please copy the code in the box below and paste it where you would like the button to appear on your website. (Refresh this page to view the button’s animations). Thank you for your support.
Previous posts on the Chinese weapons story
- The An Yue Jiang could be in Angola by midday tomorrow
- Pictures of the An Yue Jiang
- Send a Portuguese email to stop the ‘An Yue Jiang’
- Petition on arms heading for Zimbabwe (set up by IANSA)
- The An Yue Jiang, its cargo, and a context of rapidly escalating violence in Zimbabwe
- We call them guns; Mugabe calls them ‘campaign materials’
- We “will not unload this cargo†says Satawu
- ‘Media frenzy’ over the arms heading for Zimbabwe
- Are the weapons about to be offloaded and sent on their way to Zimbabwe?
- Chinese vessel carrying weapons destined for Zimbabwe
- Chinese soldiers seen in Mutare
April 19th, 2008 19:42
Lets not totally buy the idea of the ship going to Mozambique. This is Mugabe we’re dealing with. He has e record of misleading people. Lets make sure we just we just close all the possibilities. You never know with these Mozambican officials, they might be like “Judas Iscariot” Mbeki. I dont believe them. We no longer trust SADC.. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE… Any Angolan contacts available? Do they at all use English for communication?
April 19th, 2008 20:09
Thanks Sokwanele for giving us the opportunity to help this tyranny… I can see that a lot of people are angry but do not know what to do about the situation… Ordinary Zimbabweans have a lot that they can do or refuse to do to help stop these guys. This is the message that we must pass on to everyone we talk to. I know there are a lot of people in the diaspora reading this. Here is some action they could do. Download the file at the following link http://mihd.net/qj2dzht it will give them a clearer picture of what to tell the folks at home the next time they are sending money home. The file is small enough that you could email it to other friends in the diaspora. You could also email the link so that those that are feeling angry can have their anger directed in the right direction
April 19th, 2008 21:05
There is a good article at: http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/mystery-of-ship-bearing-arms-for-mugabe-regime/2008/04/19/1208025562719.html
but so far no word on where it is going? This article says it would be illegal for any other country to deliver to Zimbabwe. Sadly Angola has just kicked the UN Human Rights Organisation out of Angola.
April 19th, 2008 21:10
Well done to the South African trade unionists taking action into their own hands and thereby forcing the ship to move on. Hopefully international pressure will build on Mozambique (a Commonwealth member) and Angola to send this ship back to China.
Surely the time has come for southern African leaders to move beyond the “post colonial” phase and accept and demand common democratic standards and values.
April 19th, 2008 21:26
Thank you this blog is so awesome! We have told all of our contacts to write our senator, congressmen and the white house. We will keep forwarding your updates. We must make this stop. Thank you for your work!!
Mire
http://www.napafrica.org
http://www.nonprofitshoppingmall.com
April 19th, 2008 22:36
Copied from BM’s earlier post..
Human rights emails of Commonwealth, Mauritius, Malawi, Tanzania:
hru@commonwealth.int, avery@business-humanrights.org, mhrcdbs@intnet.mu, info@malawihrc.org, chragg@chragg.org, mjemmas@chragg.org ,
and Mozambique e-mails
info@frelimo.org.mz, armando.guebuza@frelimo.org.mz, mobilizacaoepropaganda@frelimo.org.mz, edson.macuacua@frelimo.org.mz, ines.moiane@frelimo.org.mz, comissaopolitica@frelimo.org.mz
http://www.frelimo.org.mz/
and
e-mail The Elders
info@theelders.org
SADC members, toothless tigers though they appear to be:
johnmu@nkwazi.gov.zm,
differmu@nkwazi.gov.zm,
tmothae@sadc.int,
registry@sadc.in,
thandi@po.gov.za,
mukoni@po.gov.za,
embzambia@aol.com,
tnwinfo@plancom.go.tz,
Ubalozi@tanzaniaembassy-us.org,
webmaster@malawi.gov.mw,
angola@angola.org,
webmaster@uem.mz,
embamoc@aol.com,
sps@palace.org.ls,
hpohamba@op.gov.na,
snujoma@op.gov.na,
nangula@opm.gov.na,
lamathila@opm.gov.na,
info@namibianembassyusa.org,
primeminister@mail.gov.mu,
MAURITIUS.EMBASSY@prodigy.net,
acpresse@gmail.com,
malagasy@embassy.org,
webmaster@ict.gov.sc,
churchl@tegris.com,
seychelles@un.int,
hwgreen@msn.com,
info@saembassy.org,
sandra@po.gov.za,
llekoa@gov.bw,
smautle@gov.bw,
jtherego@gov.bw,
ekuhlmann@gov.bw,
mmoleleke@gov.bw,
gchebanne@gov.bw,
hluke@gov.bw,
lsebogiso@gov.bw,
cratsiripe@gov.bw,
ikhama@gov.bw,
April 19th, 2008 22:39
And just in case the ship is headed to Angola…
Embassy of Angola in Washington DC
angola@angola.org
Embassy of Angola in London
embassy@angola.org.uk
National Assembly
assembleianacional@parlamento.ebonet.net.
Director Radio Angola
emagalhaes@rna.ao
April 19th, 2008 23:12
On the 18th I went out onto the street and gave out slips of paper with the ipetition address I got a good response but with the UN HR being chucked out of Angola by the 6th May what can we do if it land in Angola? Where will thay enter into Zimbabwe from Angola? can we get a blockade up before it gets that far? I can’t bare the thought of this all perhaps some of the western mining companies established in Angola could help?
April 20th, 2008 02:31
Tell the SADC countries not to allow these weapons to pass through their land or airspace.
April 20th, 2008 03:25
Here is the weapons manufactures email address Bomb them with How the world views there Evil NOW
info@norinco.com.cn
This is a good oppertunaty for the ROYAL UK NAVY USA NAVY JAPAN NAVY to escort CHINA weapons delivery BACK HOME
April 20th, 2008 04:41
Whether it be the port of Durban, Maputo, Beira, Luanda, Matadi, Tanga, Dar, or wherever, the communist Chinese want “IN” on the Afrikan continent
Beware of Mugabe, TMbeki, The ANC or any other subversive contributing to the red tide of communism entering the continent.
April 20th, 2008 05:11
The workers of SA know who is concerned with the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe, and that it is not the Govs of SA or Zim.
I seems that there has been one revolution to rid the people of one tyrannical govt and now there is need of another.
Or that the Workers of Zim should vote for a govt that protects poor black people, instead of shipping arms to their oppressors.
Since the oppressed people of Zim cant vote themselves for a govt that listens to their voice.
Up the workers! And vote and strike for what you believe in.
April 20th, 2008 05:33
I applaud the actions of the trade unions in South Africa and the Gevernement of Mozambique for not letting offloading the arms cargo of the An Yue Jiang.True courage!!! On the other hand, from what I read on the NewZimbabwe website, Mr. Mugabe’s exit might be constrained by the head of the Zimbabwe Defnse Forces Mr. Constantine Chiwenga, who has vowed that the armed forces will remain loyal to Mr. Mugabe. according to the article, the ere could be a coup if he “loses” the election. How does the role of the military factor into this? Looks like a very complicated situation.
April 20th, 2008 06:17
Unfortunately I can’t read Portugese so it is difficult to gather much information. Have not had much luck in contacting the embassy in Washington either, though I doubt it would be much help. The only trade organization in Angola not affiliated or part of the government is Central Geral de Sindicatos Independentes e Livres de Angola (cgsiladis@netangola.com ; +244-222395539 ; have not verified either yet). Angola doesn’t actually share a border with Zim does it? I believe anything going to Zim via Luanda would have to pass through Namibia or Zambia?
April 20th, 2008 06:45
ship is going to mozambique as confirmed by one of it’s ministers
http://propagandapress.wordpress.com/2008/04/20/an-yue-jiang-headed-to-mozambique-minister-paulo-zucula
[Sokwanele (Hope): I think kim meant to say Angola..?]
April 20th, 2008 08:38
The trip from Angola to zimbabwe via Zambia is a very long and ardious overland journey.
Biera is a much more logical choice. I suggent that sombody start calling their buddies down there and to keep their eye on that port for this ship.
BTW anybody have a picture of this chinese Ship? Please post it so that it may be ID if it does enter the port of Biera.
Anybody know of a web cam in the port of Biera?
YM
April 20th, 2008 09:58
I just picked this up on the Lloyd’s site.
It seemed to have received a report by a vessel called An Yue Jiang off East Africa 17 hours ago. It is 0800 GMT Sunday now. So that was 1500GMT Sunday, or 1300CAT Sunday. Is my arithmetic correct?
Does any one have a subscription to Lloyd’s. Call your friends in shipping?
http://www.lloydsmiu.com/lmiu/vessels/index.htm
April 20th, 2008 10:01
Thank you for this information. We have to take a stand against weapons entering into Africa, PERIOD !!!The people in Africa needs food, love and restoration. It is time all African leaders become pro active and do the right things at the right time.We have now reached a “Dangerous situation” and surely Africa has seen enough bloodshed. Let our voices be heard by starting to email all the people we know that can help and stop this now.I only hope we can stay calm as Mugabe would love to see all of us go over into violence, the very thing he is an expert at.May the Lord keep his hand firmly on Zim and let this evil flee so we can all come home.
April 20th, 2008 11:16
stop angola from off loading arms
April 20th, 2008 11:52
4th chimurenga… hi at Durban docks! can you speak to the Satawu guys and ask them how we can track where the ship is going… there must be shipping logs or something… and also if they have contacts with transport workers unions in Beira, Maputo, Luanda etc who can be contacted.
April 20th, 2008 12:53
@ 4th chimurenga
Do you know anyone with access to the Lloyds Vessel Casualty register.
The public page has changed. Another report about the An Yue Jiang came in 2 hours ago.
We need someone who can check for us. A shipping agent, insurers, the harbour master, people in shipping companies?
April 20th, 2008 13:20
The An Yue Jiang was marked as a caualty by Lloyds 2 hours ago. I’ve registered for a free trial with the Lloyds web-site to try and access more information - waiting for them to get back to me. Interesting that the casualty is registered off the “East” African coast, which means either that it has not rounded the Cape of Good Hope (more than 24 hours after it sailed from Durban), or that it was headed in the opposite direction towards Mozambique.
April 20th, 2008 14:03
Hi Guys
First, thank you to all the Satawu workers for having the boldness to stand up for whats right. Secondly, please can anyone give us an idea of a body we can petition or someone we can talk to, to stop the arms shipment going through.
I am positive I could get a lot of people to petition in no time at all.
Thanks
April 20th, 2008 14:06
I have tried to enquirer about where the ship is heading to but it seems no one has a clear answer at the harbour. I had been initially informed that the vessel was heading for Mozambique but only learnt from the media that it’s heading for Angola. I don’t. This was after officials from Mozambique denied the allegations that they are expecting it in Maputo. Nothing has been said from Angola. The ship left before a court order to vacate Durban. Remember also that the ship never really arrived at the harbour as it was still sailing in free waters because according to SA laws it would have been confiscated.
April 20th, 2008 14:14
all anyone can do is pray hard that the ship cannot unload at any port and return to communist china
April 20th, 2008 14:37
Hi,
If you need Portuguese speakers to talk to people in Angola, I’d be happy to help.
April 20th, 2008 14:42
The legal precedent created by the Durban High Court should be able to provide enough evidence and human rights issues for the Angolan legal authorities to impound the weapons when/if they land there, and to hold them under their court’s jurisdiction.
April 20th, 2008 14:50
The ship is going to Luanda, Angola. It must be stopped.
The ship must NOT unload in Luanda, Angola. I ask the Union dock workers not to unload it!
I ask the UN and the USA to speak to Angola urgently and persuade them not to let the ship dock.I ask the transport unions not to move the cargo. Please can all decent peoples around the world lobby their governments and get this shipped STOPPED. China is a terrible state - first Darfur, then Tibet and now Zimbabwe. Boycott the Olympics! Action now please please - HELP ZIMBABWE!!
April 20th, 2008 15:03
CC: Thank you! We will definitely contact you by email for help in translating emails that we can post here that people can send - to either Angola or Mozambique, if it turns out that is where the ship is headed. It still seems a bit inconclusive to me. Your offer is very much appreciated.
Hope
April 20th, 2008 15:12
The Justice Alliance of South Africa are working hard. See: http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=752421
April 20th, 2008 15:22
Glad you are giving a major call to action on this. You are doing a brilliant job with this blog keep up the good work!!!
April 20th, 2008 15:48
My prayer is that all these comments can make some difference.I have read about the Elders, please can they put their very wise heads together and do something about the Zim situation. The An yue Jiang is the least of the Zim peoples worries. Mugabe has done enough damage with his bare hands and he needs to be stopped NOW.
April 20th, 2008 15:56
yep made a mistake above
Angola it is!!
April 20th, 2008 17:20
On the BBC website, Albrecht Jander of Corvallis, Oregon notes that the An Yue Jiang is operated by a company called COSCO (China Ocean Shipping Company). On their website they claim to be a socially responsible company. You can write a message to them on their webpage (Feedbacks and Complaints at the bottom of the page) to let them know that transporting rocket launchers and ammunition to Zimbabwe at this volatile time is hardly socially responsible. Transporting Chinese weapons to anywhere in Africa at any time is not socially responsible! COSCO has a huge fleet - I hate to think of what other evils they are in the business of transporting.
April 20th, 2008 18:23
As an ex-Zimbabwean I have found the recent blog campaigns by so many concerned people to be truly inspiring. But I have a number of unanswered questions that are leaving me increasingly uneasy and hope you can clear them up for me.
Why didn’t the An Yue Jiang head for Mozambique in the first place? Instead it went direct to SA where it was likely to cause a stir due the sheer number of aware and connected (via internet) citizens of South Africa and Zimbabwe. Is this a decoy to divert attention, albeit expensive? And divert attention from what?
What other shipments have already docked in Mozambique and are in Zimbabwe already? Can anyone with shipping company / dock contacts in Biera/Maputo verify?
Why would Mugabe have left it this late to order a shipment from China knowing it would take several weeks to reach Zimbabwe, and certainly wasn’t in time for the immediate post election campaign of violence?
Mugabe doesn’t need arms to unleash violence on Zimbabweans – fists, wood, fire and machetes have been proven to do the job.
Why have Chinese soldiers been seen in Mutare as has been stated in some reports? I can’t believe they have been brought in purely to protect Chinese investors’ assets.
In the early eighties, Mugabe brought in North Korean soldiers to train up his own – the Fifth Brigade were a frightening killing machine dispatching of thousands of Zimbabweans who opposed Mugabe’s regime. Is he using Chinese soldiers to do his dirty work a second time? British soldiers based in Zimbabwe during the Fifth Brigade operation knew exactly what was going on but chose to overlook the massacres. Is this going to happen again? Ten MDC members have already been killed, is this the start?
When is Nelson Mandela going to be brought in to talk with Robert Mugabe? There are vague mentions of it on a few blogs but wouldn’t this have been the right thing to do weeks ago? Barring illness or incapacity. Something to do with SA politics? Mbeki losing face?
When does the UN send in peacekeeping troops? When a ‘war’ is actually declared?
April 20th, 2008 18:24
So this ship is going to Angola. Can anyone contact freinds and officials in Angola Government to explain the desperatation that every decent person in the world feels for Zim. China must learn that in this new century it will not be tolerated by decent people.
The people of Zim need to know we are all thinking of them. Also our prayers are for those under repression in Tibet.
The era of Olypic Games is at and end and London should be ashamed of failing to support the people of Zim in a time of great need.
Go Zim Go! Let’s try ad track this ship back to China!
April 20th, 2008 18:29
Surely the South African navy and/or airforce could do with some target practise !!!
April 20th, 2008 19:02
the shipping company (cosco) has offices in jhb
their contact details ph 011 6166896 fax 011 6166561
April 20th, 2008 19:27
Maybe the arms should be siezed and given to Mugabe’s enemies, equality is a beautiful thing.
April 20th, 2008 20:00
Sorry everyone Luanda Angola may not be correct. It could be a trick. On the West coast the most logical ports are Walvis Bay or Swakopmund in Namibia. From these ports the roads to Zim are OK. The ship left Durban Friday night so my Monday night it could be at Walvis bay! So I want all effort to block this ship on Monday. It must be stopped.It must NOT unload in Walvis Bay. I ask the Union dock workers not to unload it! I ask the UN,the USA, & EU to speak to Namibia urgently and persuade them not to let the ship dock.I ask the transport unions not to move the cargo. Please can all decent peoples around the world lobby their governments and get this shipped STOPPED. please please - HELP ZIMBABWE!!
Also ask ZUMA the new head of the ANC in RSA to help. Come on my fellow Zimbabweans we must stop this cargo! Take action!Take courage! We can win! Use all your contact in Namibia - contact them now.
April 20th, 2008 20:39
Tomorrow I will use my contacts in the shipping industry to get an accurate fix on the wherabouts of the ship and let you know.
Anon
April 20th, 2008 21:20
Having been in the maritime industry myself for 30 plus years, the international channel for ships in communications with coast guard is channel 16. this is done world wide.
perhaps someone can monitor this channel (VHS) and find out what the ship’s movements are.
I prayed at mass today that this ship from communist china will be forced to return to its origin point without unloading arms for Mugabe et al to continue his rampage
April 20th, 2008 22:03
Vincent and Anon’s suggestions and actions are great. For sure we all need to do something and I was wondering if we could find out the marine call sign for this ship.
Maybe with the ship’s call sign we could make the crew realise that they have been rumbbled with their deadly cargo.
Walvis or Swokopmund are two good possibilities so come on everyone let’s get networking for the same of those in Zim!
April 20th, 2008 22:12
@ Vincent
Can you tell us what “casualty” means? The An Yue Jiang has reported itself twice to Lloyds as a casualty.
Also someone said that leaving a port without clearanace is a strict no-no and makes the vessel an outlaw. From what you have read, did they leave without clearance, and if they had clearance, how come the harbour master was going out to deliver the HC order?
We need your expertise badly!
Guys, the response to this is great. It is a concrete issue the world-at-large can understand. Let’s continue to pool our expertise and let the world know. It is sad that the world responds to action-movie scripts, but that’s the way it goes. I believe the ship is a decoy but we can attract attention to Zimbabwe’s plight as people watch the action unfold. Let people know! Keep their eye on the Zimbabwe ball!
Hurrah! this may be the blunder of all time! Thanks again to SATAWU - you will be forever in Zimbabwe’s heart!
April 20th, 2008 22:19
I have received this plea for help and forwarded it to the Oppposition Leader in the UK Mr Cameron. The English Prime Minister Brown will do nothing so we need to take action NOW before it is to late again in Africa
Dear World,
I am a 16 year old person living in Zimbabwe. I think the time has come for a more direct
appeal, and so I am writing to you, the world.
Maybe, just maybe, there might be someone out there who can help us..
It’s tough here now. The inflation rate is so high that if you don’t change money within 6 hours you could get half the amount of foreign currency that you would have originally received.
We’re starving now; people die around us. In the last year alone at least ten people associated personally with my family have died despite the fact that they were only middle-aged. Other people don’t make it to middle age. They don’t even make it past childhood.
Our once-proud nation is on it’s knees. We flee or die. This beautiful, bountiful once-rich land has become a living hell. We have dealt with it until now; we have made a plan. That was the Zimbabwean motto: “MAKE A PLAN”.
But now we can’t make a plan. We’re too tired, too broken, too bankrupt. We can’t afford life, and life does not cost much, not really. We cannot afford to eat, we cannot afford to drink, and we cannot afford to make mistakes, because if we do we die. We don’t have the capital to support ourselves, and those few who do, have to deal with the horror of watching their friends and family fall into absolute poverty as they cannot afford to help them.
We’re waiting desperately for a great hand to pick us up out of the dirt because at the moment we are outnumbered by Fate herself, and so we close our eyes and pray. We have fought for too long, and have been brought to breaking point. We simply stand, heads down, and bear it. Our spirit has gone; we are defeated. After a valiant struggle of over fifteen years, we have been broken.
There is no will left, no spirit. Like a horse that has been beaten until it cannot fight anymore; we are the same, and, like that horse, we stand dusty, scarred and alone, with dried blood on our sides and lash marks along our flanks. Our ribs too stand out; our hide is also dull.
Our eyes are glazed, our throats are parched, and our knees struggle to support us so that we stand with splayed legs to bear the brunt of the next beating, too dejected even to whimper…
This is my plea. The thought of picking ourselves up again is sickening; one can only take so many blows before oblivion is reached, and we are teetering on the rim of the bottomless void. One more push will be the end of us all…
There must be someone out there who can do something. There must be someone out there who cares! We are a destroyed nation, and the world sits back and watches, pretending they cannot hear our cries. I appeal to you all..
April 20th, 2008 22:23
To all fighting Mugabe and communism.
besides monitoring (VHS) channel 16 the vessel is owned by COSCO shipping in Communist China.
The steamshipline owner’s web site is http://www.cosco.com
It would do you no good to email the shipping company nor the government of communist china. your protests will be ignored.
spend your energies on emailing the governments of S.Afrika, Namibia, Portugal, Mozambique, the united nations and anyone else you can think of
You must stop the red tide of communism entering Afrika.
anywone needs help email me at awbplg@comcast.net
April 20th, 2008 22:56
I agree with SEG comment above: although we need to make sure the weapons don’t get through, we are being distracted from the violence happening inside Zimbabwe. We need factual details, names, locations and photos if possible… the western media tend to ignore ’simple’ injuries and especially if only general figures are given like in the MDC press conference Sunday in Joburg.
April 20th, 2008 23:00
To all,
The united States has longshoremen who will join the protest.
They should be flooded via email with your requests as many COSCO vessels berth here in the united states.
contact the longshoremen of the United states and ask them to join in this protest to stop further slaughter.
their email address is:
info@ilwu.org
April 21st, 2008 00:44
Sequence of events can be deceptive but it does look like the An Yue Jiang weapons shipment was ordered after the election and that Mugabe & Co have been stalling for time until their shipment arrives in order to exterminate their opposition.
The An Yue Jiang must be stopped, but how? Any direct military action by any nation gives Mugabe a priceless propaganda tool. [...]
[... some content deleted by Sokwanele]
April 21st, 2008 01:03
It does not make sense that the ship would head south if it had to refuel. The casualty report needs clarification. If “something” happened to the ship at this time, it would be too convenient / too strange. There is a real danger that the confusion can create a smokescreen. Suggest that we continue to enlist support in Mozambique and Angola, but also other SADC countries. Will need an appeal in portuguese, so that we can forward it to contacts.
April 21st, 2008 01:20
scotchcart and all,
if a ship is listed in lloyds as a “casualty” here in the usa, it means the ship was in some sort of accident, i.e. running aground, collision etc
for saidia, getting the call sign is like getting a license plate off of a car. you can call the vessel and asking for their call sign, but I would feel the captain of the vessel is under strict instructions not to reply. as for leaving a port …so long as they were cleared originally to go, you cant stop them unless they were in territorial waters and the country’s coast guard goes after them.
we all repeat ALL want to stop the arrival of guns to kill more innocents. don’t waste your time emailing COSCO nor trying to get a hold of the ship by radio.
IMMEDIATELY get the governments of Angola, Zambia, S.Afrika, & Mozambique by emailing your protest.
again, if you want POWERFUL protests, then email the longshoremen here in the united states. again, I repeat the email address of the ILWU here on the West Coast of the USA
info@ILWU.org
I have to wait while my post is approved and you have to wait to see it. anyone needs immediate help email me directly
awbplg@comcast.net
i will help all I can. that vessel HAS to be stopped. start emailing the ILWU here in the USA
April 21st, 2008 02:43
There is also numbers etc and an appeal written in Portugese here….
http://kickmugabeout.blogspot.com/
April 21st, 2008 05:40
to all, I am in California USA. presently we are GMT (Z) MINUS 7. 2040 local time now. shortly will retire. will get up early n check emails.
want to help stop this ship. email me your queries at
awbplg@comcast.net
please also remember to email the longshoremen in the usa they are powerful and must boycott any COSCO ship here in the usa west coast.
remember to email the longshoremen in the usa and their email address is: info@ilwu.org
keep praying also.
best
vincent
April 21st, 2008 05:45
Prayer still works. After the shipment is off loaded, it can only be transported to Zimbabwe by road, are there any other means??. This is where ordinary pple will have to intervene, they need to take those arms and go to war. Food for thought, God still reigns and he hears and sees all these posts, and he will surely make a way where there seems to be no way. The Geriatric will succumb to pressure from the world. Mandela where are you, we need you at this eleventh hour. Those who still have some strength left, please continue to hold the fort of prayer…..we shall overcome…One Love and Peace to all Zimbabwean children all over the world
April 21st, 2008 07:07
I have e-mailed a representative of the ILWU about this. I have tried to get the word out to more people in the US via the most widely read political blog, daily kos: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/20/213044/324/401/498940
Since we can’t seem to get through to SATAWU via e-mail, does anyone know if they are working directly with unions in Namibia, Mozambique, and Angola on this?
The Southern African Litigation Center was said by the BBC reports to be working on the Mozambique angle. Are they extending their efforts to other possible ports, and the relevant groups and governments? I e-mailed them as well asking for suggestions for what international concerned people could do, but have received no reply.
April 21st, 2008 07:28
For those on the social networking site Facebook, there is a cause in support of the Take Action campaign to stop weapons reaching Zimbabwe:
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/causes/show/81453
You can join the cause and invite your friends to join. It is a place where people on facebook can discuss the issue and what action to take.
April 21st, 2008 08:00
The BBC has video of the ship here - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7354428.stm
April 21st, 2008 09:22
Has anybody seen this?
http://www.24.com/news/?p=tsa&i=895576
Short summary of above:
1) Generals of Zimbabwe had emergency meeting
on Sunday re shipment of arms.
2) Ms Nicole Fritz of the Africa Litigation
Centre says that they have contacted the
Open Society Initiative to ask them to take
legal action should the ship dock in Angola.
3) The governments of Mozambique and Tanzania
refused the ship entry into their docks.
4) Speed of ship is approx. 30 km/ ph and it
will keep to international waters to
prevent cargo from being seized.
5) Lack of fuel will hamper progress. Should
reach Luanda by tomorrow evening at the
earliest. But, it may dock at harbours
south of Luanda, such as Namibe or Lobito.
6) Lack of rail connections could further
hamper delivery and cargo will have to be
transported with IL 76 cargo plane.
April 21st, 2008 11:09
Has anyone had any further information regarding the location of the ship today?
Here are two more links that you can contact for support to stop the arms getting to Zim;
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/
http://www.avaaz.org/en/
Well done Vincent for the contact of USA Longshoremen. We should all spend some time today thinking about innovative means of locating and stopping this arms shippment.
In the meantime our thoughts and payers are with the people of Zim today as they face another day of Hell.
April 21st, 2008 11:55
If the weapons reach the vampire in Harare, they will no doubt be used to murder innocent, mostly MDC supporters. And just like Hitler, Mugabe will go down as he had started out - in violence. The bullet, not the ballot, is his way of maintaining power, as it was with The Fuhrer, Stalin, Pinochet, Saddam, Mao and others. Remember, autocrats live by the sword and will ultimately die by the sword. And Bob is no different. Only one bullet is actually all it will take to end the misery of Zimbabwe…
Ten out of ten to COSATU in South Africa for refusing to offload the ship if she had in fact docked at Durban.
April 21st, 2008 12:18
http://www.sabcnews.com/africa/southern_africa/0,2172,168051,00.html
Satawu mobilises support against China arms vessel
April 21, 2008, 08:15
South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) says it will call on its counterparts around the world to help stop a Chinese ship carrying arms destined for Zimbabwe to enter the harbour of Angola. It has been reported that the ship is carrying millions of rounds of bullets, 69 rocket propelled grenades, as well as mortar bombs and tubes.’
I may add that the Secretary-general of Satawu has made an appeal to individuals and orginisations, from Africa and the world to continue to support the action against the shipment of arms to Zimbabwe.
More news about international unions lending their support:
http://www.24.com/news/?p=afa&i=895725
“Zim ship “must be stopped”
Vincent perhaps your contact would be interested in this?
E-mail from inside Zimbabwe might be a risky business, not so guys?
April 21st, 2008 13:09
Anon #42 may be right, the ship may be heading for Namibia. The president of that country has defended Thabo Mbeki as ‘mediator’ on Zimbabwe. Anyone have contact details for Namibia? Can’t find one above.
The IANSA website (where the petition is) shows the ship as being off the southern coast of Africa near Port Elizabeth. Wonder if the ‘casualty’ status couldn’t have been a decoy to make everyone think the ship was stranded so that ports would no longer be on the lookout for it?
Zimbabwe needs much prayer for God’s intervention to deliver it from evil and to bring healing to that broken country. Let’s pray for a miracle in Zimbabwe!!
April 21st, 2008 13:43
That would have to be Walvis Bay - Swakopmund cannot cope with this size ship.
http://www.namport.com/content/show.php?m=4
Head Office: Namport
No 17 13th Road
P O Box 361
Walvis Bay, Namibia
Tel: (+264 64) 208 2207
Fax: (+264 64) 208 2323
e-mail: jerome@Namport.com.na
Manager: Marketing & Strategic Business Development: Mr Jerome Mouton
Port of Lüderitz
Hafen Street
P O Box 836
Lüderitz, Namibia
Tel: (+264 63)20 0217
Fax: (+264 63) 20 0218
e-mail: widux@namport com.na
Manager: Port Operations: Mr. Widux Mutwa
April 21st, 2008 13:47
Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union
(NATAU)
Date established: 5 June 1988
http://www.nunw.org.na/natau.htm
P.O.Box 7516 , Katutura
Head office address: NUNW Centre, Mungunda Street,
Katutura
Tel:+264 61 217244 / 218154
Fax:+264 61 263767
Email:natau@mweb.com.na
April 21st, 2008 15:13
Spoken to Cosco - this is not one of their vessels , this is a China Shipping charter vessel - so no commercial cargo on board and could go to any port or they could sell the cargo on the water as it is full of ammunition etc - I have phoned China shipping and there is a news black-out they will not even discuss about the vessel other than that this is a charted ship within the China Shipping Group, the only people that could tell us where the vessel is LLoyds when it divulges their position which it has to due to the nature of the cargo , but Lloyds will not tell me either as we are not members of the Baltic
I will keep trying though and see what I can glean through other contacts.
Anon
April 21st, 2008 15:52
Also had another idea. We could also find out any other businesses that charter this comapny’s vessels and target our campaign to these. China does a lot of business in the West and it is likely that businesses might not want to be associated with a vessel company that ships arms. I will get my Chinesses contacts to do research on this ship and any of its past or present clients.
April 21st, 2008 16:08
i hope this activism & enthusiasm continues and carries on to all the crimes and criminals who’re operating and have operated in Africa
time will tell
April 21st, 2008 16:29
The agents for China Shipping seem to be Seaclad Maritime (Pty) Ltd
Address: 62 Bay Terrace, Durban, 4001
Mail To: P O Box 5752, Durban, 4000
Tel: (27) (31) 327 9400
Fax: (27) (31) 337 2986
There are many contact nos at
http://www.cscl.com.cn/info/agent23.jsp#04
April 21st, 2008 17:08
To all,
I am trying to help stop the unloading. Everyone should
a. monitor (VHS) ch 16 ship radio
b. Even if the vessel is chartered, like renting a bus, it is still owned and operated by COSCO.
c Again, I urge all to email the ILWU in San Francisco. previously gave their email address. look it up on the postings i sent in already. email them, they will support this good effort to stop this ship from unloading
regards
April 21st, 2008 17:14
I went on to the COSCO website and found out that the An Yue Jiang is registered with the COSCO group under Fleet: General Cargo Multi-purpose see:
http://www.cosco.com/en/fleet/BoatList.jsp?parCatName=General%20Cargo&leftnav=/7/4
Name AN YUE JIANG Built Year 1986 Length(m) 149.7 Beam(m) 21.8 Speed(knots) 14.5 DWT 14913 Flag CHINA
Now why should Cosco have lied to Anon #67?
The press also confirms Cosco as being the owner of the ship:
From International Transport Workers’ Federation Press area
ITF: South African dockers act against Zimbabwe arms shipment
18 April 2008
April 18, 2008. For immediate release
“SATAWU, a member of the COSATU trade union national centre says the An Yue Jiang, which is owned by Chinese shipping giant COSCO, must return to China with the arms on board, and a peaceful solution must be sought to the political instability in Zimbabwe.â€
For full press release see: http://www.itfglobal.org/press-area/index.cfm/pressdetail/1915
From The Guardian.co.uk
18 April 2008
“Copies of the documentation for the Chinese ship, the An Yue Jiang, show that the weapons were sent from Beijing to the ministry of defence in Harare. Headed “Dangerous goods description and container packing certificate”, the document was issued on April 1, three days after Zimbabwe’s election. It lists the consignment as including 3.5m rounds of ammunition for AK47 assault rifles and for small arms, 1,500 40mm rockets, 2,500 mortar shells of 60mm and 81mm calibre, as well as 93 cases of mortar tubes.
The carrier is listed as the Cosco shipping company in China.â€
For full article see: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/18/china.armstrade
April 21st, 2008 17:16
Reported from CAJ News on http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/
Angola to bar Zim bound weapons of “mass destruction”
Monday, 21 April 2008 13:46
HUAMBO, Angola, -CHINESE ship carrying well over 3 000 tonnes of lethal weapons and other military equipment to Zimbabwe has been roundly condemned in Angola with the world’s labour body of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) insisting they would call for its immediate ban upon arrival in Luanda.
Gomez Mendes, a trade unionist based in Huambo told CAJ News Agency on Monday that the Angola labour body would do all possible within their means to have the ship returned where it came from with the “weapons of mass destruction”.
The international labour body also issued a statement in the capital, Angola that it is lobbying with other African member states not to allow the Chinese ship, An Yue Jiang to dock at their ports for the ship was carrying weapons to suppress the country’s citizens of their democratic right to food, human rights, health, freedom of association, among other issues, the withholding of the presidential election.
April 21st, 2008 17:35
Well done Vincent for keeping us focused.
1. It you are near a port, monitor channel 16.
2. Work with the Unions and longshoremen. They care and have proved it.
AND
If you are near a port
Talk to the medics who do the quarantine checks
Talk to cleaners and clerks in at ports, railways, freight companies, shipping companies
They may have heard something.
And anyone in Beira do the same. It is still unexplained why they tried to use Durban. We need to know what went through Beira this year. The total amount of weapons that have been bought will shock the world.
Thanks Sokwanele for keeping us up to speed and making this space for us.
April 21st, 2008 17:37
Hi all.
Any need of general info on the maritime side together with solicitations for translations english-portuguses-english can be directed to:
dino_jkt@yahoo.dk
The leaders of this movement should put pressure on the ILO to mmake a worldwide ban on loading and discharging of COSCO vessels until this matter has been settled.
As to Lloyds Casualty report. It doesn’t mean anything. COSCO has probably themselves reported the vessel sunk to get out of the spotlight.
IF the vessel really was a casualty all SAR organisations in the area, South Africa as an example would have picked up automated distress signals from the vessels EPIRB which releases itself from the vessel automatically via a hydrostatic lock and, when in the water, starts transmitting emergency signals immediately. If SA has nothing noted about such a signal there is no casualty!!!!
So that’s just a hoach.
There seem to be some confusion as to the port clearance. There is one for arrival and a new one must be issued before the vessel is allowed to depart legally. If the An Yue Jiang was “only” on the anchorage she might not have cleared IN yet but normally the anchorage area is a clearing area, so I would assume the incoming clearance WAS issued. Perhaps the the outgoing clearance was requested and given at the same time. This is known to happen in situations with very short port stays and would have been a backdoor for the An Yue Jiang should she encounter problems.
April 21st, 2008 17:43
Everybody with access to a maritime VHF should monitor CH 16 (156,6 MHz) as prime calling channel plus channels 6 and 12.
Anyone with nhalf an ear can hear when an asiatic tries to speak english or portuguese. Hear that and you’ve got him.
April 21st, 2008 17:56
All:
It might be useful to keep an eye periodically also on the International Maritime Organisation’s tracker site:
http://www.vesseltracker.com/
The An Yue Jiang’s IMO number is 8414946, which you can enter in a box near the top.
Note that this depends on them turning on their transponder, which doesn’t appear to be on just at the moment.
If someone has access to a paying membership, the ship’s docking history can be accessed. Also, with an account Google Earth can be used to locate the ship’s real-time position.
anyone out there with this sort of access?
April 21st, 2008 18:25
On ships and bob’s ship going down.
Thank the dockworkers. They may be preventing a genocide and are real heroes.
It’s clear that Rigger Robber Mugabe’s thug cops ordered weapons to return and fight in the bush after deposed. Mortars would land in downtown Harare. They have really lost it. The strategy for a military coup is unveiled and, one hopes, spoiled. THE WEAPONS SIMPLY MUST NOT BE UNLOADED AND MUST NOT REACH ZIMBABWE.
The rogue ship pulled anchor and fled South Africa’s court order, turning its transponder off. This is in itself an international scandal deserving censure, block the company’s other ships, and refusing unloading. Good work, unions.
The ship’s vulnerable point is that its fuel is low. Easier than blocking port and discharge might be blocking refueling. Let the iron ship cast about and its crew call for rescue. This would end the arms episode straight away. Imagine the conversations that crew and company are having right about now. This has to be full on stress, and they may likely fail. Look, such a rogue firm has not attracted the best, most principled crew and captain. This turn of events is NOT in their contact, and they will probably not get paid overtime for it. A bunch of unemployable opportunists seeking a quick buck. The ship and its crew are vulnerable.
Mugabe’s ill-conceived plan hinges on the work of 20 opportunists riding dangerous seas on low fuel. Good luck with that one, Bob. Gee, you’re not as smart and powerful as people have figured, Bob.
Hey, why did people ever think you were so powerful when you are in fact a doddering old fool? You really have no idea what you are doing, do you? you’re making it up as you go along, generals moving about scraping for forex to buy what you can not win legitimately. And you have no hard currency to keep your nasty game afloat.
Now is the time to stop your militias, you’re only making things worse for yourself. Militia leaders will be named, shamed, charged, and tried when your ship sinks. Chain of command responsibility is proven in crimes against humanity. There is time to stop before it gets to that scale, Bob.
April 21st, 2008 18:26
Oh and…
from various international maritime organisation listings that this ship is definitely owned by COSCO of china. Throwing dust in the air by saying that some other organisation hired it out doesn’t change the ownership (as someone else pointed out).
I’ve also discovered there are no fewer than 38 maritime-listed COSCO companies in China… no doubt all/many are government -controlled/-owned.
There are close to 85 ships registered with the International Maritime Organisation as owned by COSCO Shipping Co., Ltd. at the moment.
I’d suggest that trying to chase these 80-something ships around the world and/or calling for a worldwide embargo on doing business with COSCO may fall flat. Unless the dockers in many countries can resist working with these ships, which would be a really big thing to ask of folks who aren’t well-paid in the first place.
I’m thinking we’re wanting to keep our eyes on this ship AND the armed Chinese officials who popped up in Mutare. As someone else very wisely point out much earlier, their presence could signal the restart of outside aid with terror training. Are there any groups we can get through to in Mutare?
April 21st, 2008 18:29
Just a follow-up to the comment from JS - several comments earlier asked for the ship’s callsign. The site JS listed in their post gives the following info:
IMO Number: 8414946 Country: China
MMSI Number: 412027000 Length: 149.0m
Callsign: BOAS Beam: 22.0m
Hope this helps!
April 21st, 2008 18:52
Somebody just mentioned the vessel’s probably being low on fuel. This is excellent. It has just made the trip from China and was probably aiming for refuelling in SA.
In that case she IS low, very low, on fuel and must seek port within e relative short time.
April 21st, 2008 18:56
O.K. guys, I’m up with a support post over at Jewels in the Jungle. The Chinese government wants to play war games with the people of Zimbabwe and Darfur by feeding arms into these countries, then let’s play games. By the time we’re finished with the regime in Beijing and the COSCO freighter ‘An Yue Jiang’ the crew will be dumping the arms and munitions overboard because the Seven Seas will be on fire everywhere they go.
Good luck with the “Stop the An Yue Jiang” Campaign. I think it just might work.
April 21st, 2008 18:57
I just put a post onto the google earth forum to ask for help tracking the An Yue Jiang IMO number 8414946… it is being moderated. Let’s hope someone takes it up.
April 21st, 2008 18:57
Where does the information on the An Yue Jiang’s fuel shortage come from? There’s been so much misdirection about the itinerary of the ship after it left Durban. I wonder if it is necessarily so low on fuel as people are assuming, or if it might make it to Mozambique, or even all the way around to Namibia before refueling. I can’t imagine anyone got clear data on this, with all the clouds of obfuscation.
April 21st, 2008 19:10
To JS
The vessel tracker system only works if you have a satcom hooked up to your AIS transponder.
I’ve just checked a bunch of vessels known to me as being High Sea Class and none of them had this feature installed.
Anyway, even if she HAD this system (which is quite expensive to maintain) she would immediately have switched it off.
There is, though, the slight possibility that she has her ordinary VHF range AIS transponder switched on. This would enable identification when coming close to port.
Who knows, the captain just might have forgotten the password necessary to switch off the AIS…
Hope so!
April 21st, 2008 19:18
To Elmer Fudd: BBC reported that the ship had switched off its transponder as it left Durban harbour Saturday evening. This was one of the first indications they were going to start hiding their movements. Between that and the presumably obfuscatory “casualty” report, they’re doing all they can to keep their movements secret.
BTW, the fact that the casualty listing says East of the Cape need mean nothing at all about their actual location, if it’s all hot air anyway.
April 21st, 2008 19:21
Everyone,
I’ve been involved in activism for the Zimbabwean people for a fair number of years now, and have never seen as much energy and effort going into an Zimbabwean issue via the internet as I have in the past few days. I am moved and overwhelmed and grateful. Thank you so much.
It’s a good time to see so much action and interest. A lot of activists are very tired, thinly stretched, under resourced and under huge pressure.
Your efforts are energising, encouraging and gives us hope. Swinging by this post to catch up on the discussions gives renewed energy to us all for the battle for democracy.
By the way - when we’ve all stopped the An Yue Jiang - I hope you’ll be geared up for the next round … !!
On behalf of all Zimbabweans - thank you with all my heart!
Hope
April 21st, 2008 19:22
rcbowman
The low fuel is a clear ASSUMPTION only!!
This kind of vessel is of the low budget type. No decent, planning shipping company does this kind of deals anymore.
It is therefore assumable that she left China with enough fuel to reach her destination only, plus whatever her owner deems necessary for safety/bad weather etc. This does not mean that she will become a sitting duck with empty tanks somewhere, but it WOULD mean that the fuel stock can be an issue that the captain has to consider when deciding where to go.
April 21st, 2008 19:29
No word from Chinese cargo ship: Namibian govt
April 21, 2008, 18:00
Namibian authorities say there has been no request by a Chinese ship carrying arms and ammunition destined for Zimbabwe to dock in either of Namibia’s two ports.
The South African defence ministry says the Defence Force is updated on a regular basis with regard to the ship’s movements. However, it will not say where the ship is located. The ship was situated off the west coast of South Africa earlier today.
http://www.sabcnews.com/
SADF/Mbeki/Mugabe?? let’s hope not!
April 21st, 2008 19:36
If I remember correctly a spokesperson of Satawu said that the vessel was low on fuel and that it had left without refuelling.
Secondly I heard on the news that some think that the ship will head to one of two harbours south of Luanda, but they think it will be Lobito. I assume that this might be because of the fuel? Perhaps one of you know something of this port?
April 21st, 2008 19:54
To all,
I live in the most powerful country …the USA. Afrika has had troubles in the past, and now all repeat all of us must focus on creating a world awareness of this vessel from Communist China in Afrikan Waters.
All MUST, repeat MUST create such an uproar that this ship will have to leave and never return without unloading its cargoes of death.
It is owned and operated, by COSCO shipping in communist china, whether it is chartered or not.
the only VIABLE solution that ALL of us have is to start emailing the Longshoremen’s union here in San Francisco.
again, repeat again, I ask ALL OF YOU INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT to email the ILWU AND LODGE YOUR PROTEST IMMEDIATELY!!!!!
Their email address again is
info@ilwu.org
please email me and let me know that you have done this. this union is powerful and have stopped ships working here in the USA.
My email address is awbplg@comcast.net
PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!! email the ilwu
regards
Vincent
April 21st, 2008 20:27
Wikipedia says Lobito is a deep water port, so probably it can service the vessel without a problem. I don’t know about its rail connections overland to Zimbabwe; Luanda may have better ones. But if Satawu and international organizations, and letter-writers like us, are putting enough pressure on, the principal consideration may be which port they can get the least unfriendly dockworkers at.
77tonnes of arms - does anyone know how many containers we’re talking about? Can this reasonably be going by truck/lorry rather than rail once it’s ashore, if it gets ashore? Or would it take a large convoy? It might make a difference to where they try to dock.
April 21st, 2008 20:33
Wordwright got some information from Lloyds.
Casualty means it seems that the cargo was not delivered. There were three casuality reports.
Read wordwright here
http://www.iblog.co.za/wp-comments-post.php
You can see two of the casualty reports on the pubic map.
http://www.lloydsmiu.co/lmiu/casualties/index.htm
Fantastic everyone!
April 21st, 2008 20:58
From what I understand of Lloyd and their casualty listing, it ONLY means that the ship has not managed to off load it cargo as expected. Apparently, this type of information is used by insurers and other clients of Lloyds who find this information useful - it UNFORTUNATELY does not mean that the ship is a casualy itself or that there is anything wrong with the ship or it’s level of fuel. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news on that front. The good news however is that Mocambique seems to be taking a firm line in as much as it indicates that the ship will not be allowed to dock there either.
Mozambique’s Transport and Communications Minister Paulo Zucula told Reuters that Mozambique has been monitoring the movements of the ship since it lifted anchor and left South Africa.
‘We know that it registered its next destination as Luanda because here we wouldn’t allow it into Mozambican waters without prior arrangements’, he said.
April 21st, 2008 21:05
rcbowman
Responder issue.
Not even a hotshot bigtime company as Maersk Line have the satellite transponder mounted on their Panmax container vessels (which actually surprised me).
I just checked over 10 of them and none of them are “within reach” of the Seatracker.
So I am really really doubtful as to the assumption that the An Yue Jiang is equipped with that kind of expensive high tech equipment
.
When the BBC talks about shutting down the transponder, I would assume that local correspondents have picked up comments locally that the vessel disappeared from the other vessels transponders on the anchorage and the port authority receiver, meaning that we would be talking about the lowcost ISPS obrigatory AIS transponder, hooked up only to the VHF.
Take a look at any chinese ship. They are all a bunch of rustbunks without anything sophisticated. Why should this one be different?
Anyway, let’s not get hot about this. Whatever she has, it’s turned off and that’s the end of it.
April 21st, 2008 21:25
rcbowman
77 tonnes would be something like 3 40′ containers.
With the right size (big) truck you’ll need 3 of them to transport the goods.
This all depends, however, on the sizes of the equipment. Guns, rifles and bullets would probably be safe, spacewise but if there are big items we maybe talking about larger quantities of containers. Or maybe loaded seperately.
How is the structure in that area?
Are container trucks available at all?
Can we assume that the goods are packed in containers at all?
April 21st, 2008 22:33
Maybe some of you transport whizzes can look at the port of Luanda’s site. It has a lot of information. Would it not be great if the buzz there was, DON’T TOUCH IT. I sent the Portugese language email to one of the shipping company executives, let’s all hunt a few emails and do the same.
There are contacts in Luanda Port at
http://portfocus.com/angola/luanda/index.html
Administracao do Porto de Luanda
Avenida Largo 4 de Fevereiro, CP 1229
Luanda, Angola
Tel: +244 2 335975
Chamber of Commerce Associaco Comercial de Luanda
Câmara de Comércio e Indústria de Angola Largo do Kinaxixi
14, No. 1 andar,
CP 92, Luanda
Tel: (+244) 344-506 /25
Fax: (+244) 370-804/344-629
Administracao do Porto de Luanda Avenida Largo
4 de Fevereiro,
CP 1229 Luanda,
Tel: (+244) 222 335975
Commercial and Industrial Association of Angola ACOMIL - Associacão Comercial e Industrial Angolana
Rua Ngola Kiluangi Luanda Tel: (+244) 380-041/1466
News Sites
Angola Press – English/Portuguese http://www.angolapress-angop.ao/
Jornal de Angola online - Portuguese [Angola Journal] http://www.jornaldeangola.com/
There was a story that said there are 4 containers. Angola does not have roll-on roll-off capability. It appears they would use cranes to unload the containers from the ship. They do have rail capability right there, although I read in another post that the links are not good to Zimbabwe. NY Times said last year Chinese are hard at work on the rail in Angola.
April 21st, 2008 22:37
All:
great work everyone, trying to track down this ship’s actual current whereabout.
Re elmer fudd’s “…ISPS obrigatory AIS transponder, hooked up only to the VHF…”
In the various quotes published in news articles, the s.a. officials never said anything about which kind of transponder got turned off, only that it had.
so, yes its probably only this low-tech, obligatory VHF one.
Which means we need to make friends quickly with the shortwave radio folks who have ears everywhere.
Let’s ask around our networks, for instance, the “Radio for Peace International” crew, etc.
On the issue of finding this darn ship:
A 24-hour delayed watch of ships in Walvis bay, Namibia based on their AIS transponder broadcast is here:
http://www.vesseltracker.com/en/walfishbay/AreaMap.html
There is a tab for moored and for moving vessels. And as of this moment the An Yue Jiang isn’t listed.
Someone asked for a way to find a list of ports? Look here for the most comprehensive list I’ve found:
http://www.e-ships.net/ports.php
In addition to Namibia’s Walvis Bay there’s Luderitz a bit to the south. In Angola there are a number of ports listed.
I’m off to try to revive long-lost contacts in the shortwave radio community…
April 21st, 2008 22:51
All our efforts are starting to work, I have made contact with a colleague who runs a deep sea fishing operation in Cape Town and the word from his crew is that it is going to Namibia either Walvis Bay or Luderitz as the roads are good and there are large lorries available in Namibia.
The fuel shortage may be a red herring as some of these rust buckets that travel the world with weapons have special fuel tanks to deal with situations such as this.
Many of the comments already indicate that the crew will be a bunch of junk just like the ship.
Maybe we could contact the safari operators in Namibia who use light arcraft to carry passengers between safari camps. They often travel up and down the skeleton coast and would love to take up the challenge. Wilderness Safaris in Namibia have some good ex military pilots who would be up for this if we know of anyone that can make contact?
This is inspirational action and we must be thinking of new ways to get this ship back to the evil country of origin
April 21st, 2008 22:56
Here is a link to a photo of the vessel
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article3772113.ece
April 21st, 2008 23:02
A couple of useful links
http://www.itu.int/cgi-bin/htsh/mars/ship_detail.sh?lng=en&23172&AN+YUE+JIANG
http://www.itu.int/cgi-bin/htsh/mars/ship_search.sh#start
April 21st, 2008 23:11
js
talking about high versus lowtech gadgets on board.
Rest assured that the vessel WILL have at least an Inmarsat-C installation on board. That is obrigatory for all ships of that size for safety purposes. Vessels cant be classed without it.
This means that telexes, faxes and e-mails can be sent to and from the vessel via satellite and are thereby untracable.
So you probably won’t hear much from the vessel on the HF bands. She will most surely avoid that kind of communication, especially in this situation.
April 21st, 2008 23:16
Anybody thought about road conditions?
If we’re talking about, say 3 40 foot containers each about 26 tonnes plus the truck, a muddy dirt road probably wouldn’t stand for it.
Is a train option more likely?
Or mayby opening the containers and trying to transport in a larger amount of smaller and more anonymous lorries?
April 21st, 2008 23:17
A little bit more news update
The main safari pilots work out of Windhoek in Namibia and are well worth us all sending emails to. Who knows they might be inspired to assist or pass on our request to some of those crazy bush pilots that operate along the sekeleton coast and Angola.
Contact Information SEFOFANE AIR PTY, LTD. P.O.BOX 6850 WINDHOEK, Namibia Tel: 264 61-255735 • Fax: 264 61-255735 Email: info@sefofane.com.na
I’ll keep you posted if I get any more news during the night from the SA deep sea fishing crews.
April 21st, 2008 23:56
Besides Angola, another country that the ship could try to unload at is DR Congo, the govt of which owes Mugabe a favour for giving it major military assistance in the civil wars, but neither DRC nor Angola have a common border with Zim, which means even if the cargo is unloaded there, it will have to pass through another country, probably Zambia, before reaching Zim. If you google Mwanawasa Mugabe you will see that those two aren’t the best of friends, and the Zambian army is currently on alert and deployed to the Zim border, so i can’t see Zambia allowing the arms through.
April 22nd, 2008 00:03
I like the idea of pilots and the ‘make a plan’ spirit.
The earlier we locate the ship, the more time we will have to petition the relevant authorities and people whom they respect.
Also follow Vincent’s lead and get a reaction in the States. It would be good if it costs COSCO more to deliver than to turn around and go home. Note COSCO CEO is on a Harvard University advisory council. Any Harvard alumni out there? Worth dropping a line to Harvard’s President asking him if he knows what is happening? How about a line to Barack Obama?
Poly Technologies supplied the weapons but I haven’t found anything on them.
This is magnificent. Guns go home!
April 22nd, 2008 00:05
I assume we’re leaving contact with dockers in Namibia and Angola up to our trade unuions colleagues…
I’ve posted a pleading letter off to Radio for Peace International. I’ve also posted it on a small handful of ham radio operator support groups. In my experience these folks are very resourceful and may turn up something.
Elmer: container numbers have varied between three and six in the online reports.
Everyone: Hauling all this mess from Walvis Bay (Namibia) or somewhere in Angola may well involve going thru Botswana or Namibia. I’m thinking that our IANSA friends in the region will keep up the pressure on the respective governments to stop the shipment. However there is the Namibia/Zim crossing at Victoria Falls (a long way from Walvis Bay!) or going back via South Africa.
Time to call in pressure also onto the various border officials?
Great idea to call in the bush pilots!!!
April 22nd, 2008 00:10
i forgot…
as of now the ship is still listed on the Lloyd’s Casualties list, though as we now know it is only there because according to Lloyd’s it didn’t discharge its cargo as expected.
Read more on:
http://www.thewordwright.iblog.co.za/2008/04/21/the-an-yue-jiang-lloyds-miu-responds/
April 22nd, 2008 00:19
This ship did not expect to have to make a run for it. It can’t dock at any of the South African harbours or it’s cargo will be confiscated. (Remember there is also a second court-order)It was denied entry into the Mozambican harbours. It is plausible that it might have a fuel problem. So let’s hope it had to limit itself to an “economic” speed.
Namibia should be not be ignored.
There is a big Chinese presence in Angola, with many projects. It might be easier to arrange for transport of the arms shipment without drawing too much attention. There are several big construction and other companies and they will have the trucks to transport the containers.
The Benguela railway is not finished, as far as I know. But, if they have access to cargo planes, wouldn’t that be the choice? It would be the quickest way and perhaps less risky for them. If they are going to use cargo planes, there is little time left to stop this ship.
April 22nd, 2008 00:24
Final info for the night…Info on Port Authorities contacts for “harmful substances” reports. Can we report this ship as carrying harmful substances??
Info below is from the Int’l Maritime Organisation’s database “of national operational contact points responsible for the receipt, transmission and processing of urgent reports on incidents involving harmful substances, including oil from ships to coastal states.”
http://gisis.imo.org/Public
Authority: Angola
Organization: Ministry of Transport
Address: Maritime Institute of Ports of Angola (IMPA)
Rua: Rainha Ginga, 74 4th Floor
City: Luanda
Postcode:
Country: Angola
Tel/Fax/Email/Telex
Telephone: +244 222 390034
Fax: + 244 222 311582
Email: dnmmp@netangola.ao
Namibia
Organization: The Directorate Maritime Affairs
Address: Private Bag 12005
Ausspannplatz
Windhoek
Tel/Fax/Email/Telex
Telephone: +264 61 208 8025/6 +264 61 208 8037
Fax: +264 61 240024
Email: mmnangolo@mwtc.gov.na
Organization: Namibian Ports Authority
Address: PO Box 361
Walvis Bay
Tel/Fax/Email/Telex
Telephone: +264 61 208 2263
Fax: +264 61 208 2325
Email: portcontrol@namport.com.na
Organization: Namibian Ports Authority
Address: PO Box 836
Lüderitz
Tel/Fax/Email/Telex
Telephone: +264 63 200 2007
Fax: +264 63 200 2004
Email: portl@namport.com.na
April 22nd, 2008 00:54
If America That is George Bush and company ,dont step in to stop this weapons sale and Delivery Then i am ashamed to say I am an american ,,Bush and his Iron Fist Cia ,Fbi , Army should supply ground arms to SA a flow of ground to air guided missels to intercept this plane befor it lands .
China is running out of resources for there Shops at home .I belive Africa is going to be the new China slave town ,,,,,China must be STOPPeD George BUSH NOW
April 22nd, 2008 01:07
Luderitz is in the diamond area, strictly off-limits to civilians and no-fly zone so, given permission from the Namibian government, it would make sense to bring the ship in there. That said, the roads are pretty bad, at least as far north as Mariental, they’d have to break it up into lots of smaller shipments. At least 1 1/2 days drive to Zim I’d say 18hrs+ straight.
At Walvis, they only have to take the Trans-Kalahari Highway to Windhoek and then up to the Caprivi Strip.
April 22nd, 2008 02:40
Lusaka Times reports that President Levy Mwanawaa of Zambia, one of Mugabe’s most outspoken critics amongst SADC leaders, has spoken out about the arms shipment, saying he is glad that SA and MOZ refused to unload it, and saying that there is no need to escalate the conflict in Zim by the use of firearms, and dialogue is the only answer.
http://www.lusakatimes.com/?p=2641
This is significant since Zambia lies between Angola / DR Congo, and Zimbabwe. It suggests that even if the weapons are unloaded in one of those countries, the Zambian may try not to allow them through Zambia to reach Zim.
April 22nd, 2008 07:41
its amazing the south african defence force has spent billions on hi - tech naval warships but cannot trace or apprehend a fishing vessel.
is their not the earlier blog concern sandf/mugabe/mbeki - collusion makes sense
April 22nd, 2008 09:19
Well at least the Angolans are on it:
http://ww1.rtp.pt/noticias/index.php?article=341200&visual=26&rss=0
From the same article: (google’s automated translation works OK I think…)
“unloading of the vessel in Luanda, the trip to Zimbabwe would mean crossing the entire Angolan territory, about 2000 km, via Malange, Saurimo, in Lunda Sul, Luena (Moxico) and then enter in Zambia by the High Zambese near Cazondo, or, further south, via Luvuei and Ninda.
From here, already in territory of Zambia and using the shortest route, the load would the city of Mongu and then to the border with Zimbabwe, for Livingstone.
Taking into account the poor condition of much of the ways in Angola and the rainfall season, which leaves some of these sections virtually impassable, only to arrive at the border with Zambia, in the province of Moxico, the trucks with containers might need two weeks travel.”
Zambia seems to have taken a stand
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7360002.stm
So, Namibia it is?
April 22nd, 2008 09:29
Friends: How do we stop them flying weapons in by air … as per this?
April 22nd, 2008 10:28
Flying the new consignment - the only option seems to be persuade the Chinese workers not to load it on the planes?
International Transport Workers Union? TUC and others. Here are some email addresses to write to:
press@icftu.org, ihlo@hkctu.org.hk, cosatu@wn.apc.org, info@nactu.org.za, fedusa@fedusa.org.za, info@tuc.org.uk, IRelations@unison.co.uk, internetpo@icftu.org, sburrow@actu.asn.au, michael.sommer@bundesvorstand.dgb.de, press@icftu.org, wkgroup@ilo.org, icftuny@igc.org, bainbridge_john@itf.org.uk
April 22nd, 2008 11:04
Has anyone got the email adresses of Namibia’s politicians, Tourist Boards, and military Comand?
I know that Namibia is becoming a world centre for tourism and is one of the key economies of this country.
If we can send emails from all the different countries we come from to Namibian torism, politicians and military saying we will persuade our friends and coleagues from coming to Namibia on holiday it they allow this ship to dock.
Air Freight is always the most difficult to trace but often airtraffic controlllers can give good information on flight plans. Is there any special requirements for flight shipments involving weapons?
April 22nd, 2008 11:16
Luderitz makes the most sense. Protected diamond territory, big airport (by Namibian standards). Other candidates might be
-Rooikop airport, Walvis Bay; Swakopmund airport; Terrace Bay airport.
My daddy was one of those bush pilots. (By the way, you can land a plane in a lot of places in the Namib desert. Not with cargo though.)
I can try to find some of his friends, but what, exactly, are we asking them to do?
The An Yue Jiang and the other air freight are turning into one and the same problem: With so little info, it’s down to figuring out how to monitor air traffic in all countries surrounding Zimbwabwe which might be politically ambiguous - Namibia, Mozambique, Tanzania airspace.
My heart is sinking.
April 22nd, 2008 11:35
This article at this link here has info provided by Lloyds. I will be adding this as an update to this page, but please, for now, factor in the following:
1/ Cargo can be transferred from one ship to another while at sea
2/ There are 311 ships in the areas capable of receiving the cargo - two of which are owned by COSCO (so we need to find out the names of those ships).
3/ This appears to not be the only consignment of weapons — more are apparently due to be sent in by air
4/ The war in Zimbabwe has started in earnest. Militia are torturing civilians in coordinated widescale attacks
5/ Info received today suggests youngsters are being armed.
My feeling is that we need to assume that the Chinese are determined to send Zimbabwe weapons, and Zimbabwe is determined to receive them.
The way to stop these weapons is to hit the ‘enablers’ where it hurts. Our main power is through the media and alerting them to what is going on and shaming China pre-Olympics. Second, to ensure African nations are aware the world is watching to see how they react.
To focus this down a bit:
May I suggest that everyone, in their parts of the world, research and share contact details for key newspapers in their area. If you can provide direct contacts (names of editors, plus proper email addresses, all the better). We need to lobby the media to take this issue right into the mainstream…
Second, does anyone have any idea how to contact the Olympic Committee people? We need to make them aware they have yet anpother looming PR problem on their ahnds and get them to step in to put pressure on China too.
Third, are there other groups out there already lobbying the Olymipc Committe on issues like Tibet that we can join up with? People are people - we’re all human and their pain is our pain and vice versa. If we can join hands with them too maybe we can do more together.
What do others think?
My anger at China last night, when I read of the flights and this morning when I received the pictures I posted today, knows no bounds. Completely unacceptable behaviour.
Hope
April 22nd, 2008 11:43
p.s.
Yesterday’s report also suggested that the consignment coming in by air is more spohisticated:
My belief that one of the biggest threats facing Mugabe and his regime is freedom of information: we need to consider that it may not just be weapons but could also be equipment used to block comms with the outside world. For example, jamming SWRadio Africa’s signals into the country; preventing people like us from emailing images and getting blogs out.
They have to be stopped.
Hope
April 22nd, 2008 12:03
Reports coming in from the BBC this second that the An Yue Jiang may be on its way back to China after being turned aways from SA and Mozambique. Nothing on the website yet.
April 22nd, 2008 12:05
@ CC
Southern Africans like to make a plan so don’t worry about telling them what needs to be done. The objective is this
Find the An Yue Jiang or more precisely the 77 tonnes of munitions and stop them being landed in Africa.
Listen out for any other weapons that might be coming in to Africa and we will stop them too.
Coordination is being done on this site.
We are not into violence of any sort. We want to stop these weapons using information, brains, solidarity, wit, cunning, good humor.
They will love it.
April 22nd, 2008 12:17
Retraction: [Sorry, it was a blip and they seem to have retracted that. Now just positive news about the unions in Luanda.]
April 22nd, 2008 12:20
So the pressure to try and find the ship has made Bob consider air has it? Well there are some long haul air freighters Russian built that easily flew to Uganda and back to supply the rebels in the north.
It is time for the oppresed Zims people to take some action. As Sctchcart suggests the Chinese military in Zim need food, clothes etc right! So get your ears to the ground and potion in their meals. It is hard to make good decisions when you have to spend all day on the toilet Eh!
Let’s try and make contact with the bush pilots they often pick up good news. I know that Tanzania has refueled miltary planes before for Bob’s tin pot army.
Keep up the pressure and email the world everyone, I am sure something will come out of this bad sitation with God’s help.
April 22nd, 2008 12:31
It works so well, doesn’t it?
One person tells another, people contribute, and the word gets out. People take heart and do some more. We never know what will be contributed next. It arrives unbidden! Fantastics and fantastic that is is from all over the world.
I am optimistic that China will back off when she sees the strength of public opinion. And I stress, when she sees the strength of public opinion. There are other ways of securing a foothold in Africa and they know it. First though, we must make it clear that we are as proud of our sovereignty and territorial integrity as they are - and they are very proud . The unity of China is very important to them. Freedom and self-determination are important to us. We will trade with them happily but will not submit to an invasion directly or by proxy.
Sokwanele, you are doing a fantastic job! Now to find some aviators. Shippers, we want to find that cargo. If the projections are right it is off Nambia possibly heading for Angola and it might be giving its cargo to another vessel. Which other COSCO ships are in those waters?
If you aren’t a shipper or an aviator or an internet whiz, then petition like mad. Raise awareness with decision makers. Get newspapers to ask the right questions (comment on line - tell them the questions!). Comment on blogs.
And let the ENABLERS know we understand exactly who they are and what they are enabling. Get the information into the public domain. It spreads like wild fire.
Agreed! Information not violence wins countries!
April 22nd, 2008 12:36
Here’s some breaking news from the States that may warm your hearts over in Zimbabwe:
Associated Press - April 22, 2008
US seeks to block Zimbabwe-bound Chinese arms
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Bush administration is intervening with governments in southern Africa to prevent a Chinese ship carrying weapons for Zimbabwe’s security forces from unloading its cargo, The Associated Press has learned.
At the same time, the State Department’s top Africa hand, Jendayi Frazer, plans to visit the region this week to underscore U.S. concerns about the shipment. Frazer also will try to persuade Zimbabwe’s neighbors to step up pressure on President Robert Mugabe’s government to publish results from a disputed election that the opposition claims to have won, administration officials said Monday.
U.S. intelligence agencies are tracking the vessel, the An Yue Jiang, and American diplomats have been instructed to press authorities in at least four nations — South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia and Angola — not to allow it to dock, the officials told The Associated Press. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss delicate diplomatic talks.
The ship, which is laden with large amounts of weapons and ammunition, already has been turned away from South Africa and Mozambique, and is now believed to be headed for Angola, possibly with a refueling stop in Namibia. The freighter left South Africa after a judge on Friday barred the arms from transiting South Africa and it was not immediately clear if U.S. lobbying had influenced authorities in Mozambique who stopped it from docking over the weekend.
Two officials said Washington’s effort to block the ship from unloading its cargo was now concentrated on Namibia and Angola and that both countries were being told that allowing the An Yue Jiang to dock could harm their relations with the United States.
Read more at the Google News/AP website:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ihSRBcOjtpvTU3O-yRn5t7wRa89QD906Q2NO3
That’s it. No bombs for Bob. Reuters SA is reporting that Beijing is thinking very seriously about recalling the shipment of arms to Zimbabwe due to a slip-up in the paperwork.
April 22nd, 2008 13:21
Good, it is working. Let’s finish the job. Let’s make sure those guns go home and stay home. And that no more come sneaking out in the night.
April 22nd, 2008 13:30
Here are some email addresses for Human Rights organisations related to China.: Human Rights Watch, Amnesty and Human Rights in China:
hrwnyc@hrw.org, hrwuk@hrw.org, hrwpress@hrw.org, activism@amnesty.org.uk, hrichina@hrichina.org, hrichk@hrichina.org, hriceu@hrichina.org,
Have also alerted a protest for Free Tibet blog…
April 22nd, 2008 14:04
Nice to read that US Intelligence Agencies know where this ship is but a shame they can’t tell us. It seems that our plans and pressures are working worldwide and that is just as it should be without resorting to the word of the GUN.
On another issue I had heard from various sources today that the Chinese Government is starting to impose restrictions on visas for any spectators to the Olypics! This was always on the cards and shame on the authorities for allowing the games in China in the first place.
So now if you thought you will be able to go and watch the Olympics as a spectator think again! Not only is China supressing its own people and the poor communities in Tibet but they are also supressing you and your fredom. So - what are you going to do about it?
In the meantime let’s keep our focus on the arms shipment by air or ship to Zim. Sokwanele, you must tell whoever you can in Zim to do their bit and hang on
April 22nd, 2008 14:25
When is South Africa going to show some balls? Mbeki’s hands are tied…of course, to his beloved Robert. Mbeki = Neville Chamberlain.
April 22nd, 2008 14:54
China may recall Zimbabwe weapons
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7360438.stm
The ship carrying weapons to Zimbabwe may return to China after being prevented from unloading in South Africa, a Chinese official has said.
April 22nd, 2008 14:57
The Democratic Alliance in SA have written a protest to the Chinese Embassy about both sea and air arms shipments. See: http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Let’s write in protest to other Chinese embassies in Africa and beyond
April 22nd, 2008 15:34
A response from Angola:
http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=africa&item=080421192007.fe3jj4q4.php
“This ship has not sought request to enter Angolan territorial waters and it’s not authorised to enter Angolan ports,” Filomeno Mendonca, director of the Institute of Angolan Ports, told Luanda Radio LAC.
and further on:
“We have warned our ports that this ship does not have authorisation to enter in Angola and therefore will not be assisted in Angola,” he said.
“I’m waiting for a message from South Africa, giving me the name of the ship and the situation so I can control the situation better.”
(Going to look for Radio Lac’s email address)
April 22nd, 2008 15:56
Reports that the ship MAY turn back to China w/out offloading the weapons are now spreading
Int’l Herald Tribune:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/22/africa/AF-POL-Zimbabwe-Elections.php
The Earth Times:
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/200591,chinese-arms-for-zimbabwe-ship-to-return-home-reports–summary.html
Polity Org, S.A.
http://www.polity.org.za/article.php?a_id=131842
All stress “the company involved is now considering shipping the cargo back to China.”
And we know that the company involved is deeply connected to the chinese state-owned banks, undoubtedly to the chinese state itself. Keep going after those embassies and the local offices of COSCO!
April 22nd, 2008 16:03
Ah, a contact of COSCO who has spoken:
Wang Kun Hui, deputy managing director for Cosren, the shipping agency handling the An Yue Jiang, of their Durban office.
Their contact:
Cosren Shipping Agency(Pty) Ltd.
Tel: +27 31 3073092
Fax: +27 31 3016222
Durban 4000
29th Floor, Old Mutual Centre
303 West Street
Durban 4001
April 22nd, 2008 16:19
Sorry all, a flood of info.
Worryingly a new report is emerging of a new shipment of weapons scheduled to be flown direct into Harare:
http://www.znbc.co.zm/media/news/viewnews.cgi?category=4&id=1208866189
How in the world are we to follow this up as real or not?????
April 22nd, 2008 17:00
Forwarding info from what the Control Arms coalition are up to:
– There are rumours that cargo may have been transferred (see info below)
– Yesterday mid-day GMT they estimated whereabouts to be somewhere near the ports of Luderitz and Walvis Bay off Namibian waters heading north.
– They are fearing the ship goes north to DRC (possibly Matadi) for air-delivery onwards.
– They are also wary that the ship could go back east to madagascar, mauritius, even singapore.
– They are in contact w/the ship’s Norwegian insurers.
– They confirm need to support Germany’s “Africa Office” who are encouraging Namibian contacts to do the right thing and seize the cargo.
– They are maintaining good connections w/civil society in Angola & Namibia, including trades unions, church bishops, etc.
– They are establishing connections w/civil society in countries where torch is heading, asking them to mention the ship in upcoming torch visits.
– They confirm Namibian civil legal society trying to explore legal action to detain shipment if it docks.
INFO on two other COSCO ships in the area:
FENG SHUN SHAN, in harbour @ Durban
LE SHAN no current location and may be on the move, having transhipped the An Yue Jiang cargo “over the horizon” at sea.
We need to contact Mozambiquan, Namibian & Angolan gov’ts to warn them and ensure no weapons transported to Zim off either of these ships!
(Imagine, even now the Director of Angolan Ports claims to not know the name of the vessel and is waiting for a message from S.A.!? Somebody send him an email, quick!)
April 22nd, 2008 17:39
Just read this have we won this battle?
http://www.sabcnews.com/africa/southern_africa/0,2172,168164,00.html
April 22nd, 2008 17:49
In the UK Parliament, an Early Day Motion has been laid down by Graham Brady MP (Conservative) praising the initiative and calling on the UK gov’t to do more.
edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=35594&SESSION=891
Anyone in the UK: contact your MP and encourage them to sign & support this motion.
April 22nd, 2008 18:39
Finally a definite sighting of the ship (though no attribution as to who saw it) on Lloyd’s list:
“THE Cosco ship said to be carrying arms bound for Zimbabwe reappeared on maritime tracking systems yesterday, after apparently switching off its transponder over the weekend.
At 1420 hrs An Yue Jiang was reportedly 57 nm off the Cape of Good Hope, possibly bound for Dar es Salaam before heading back to China. ”
Mama: We don’t know if we’ve “won” yet. Anyway we may have to be putting up a whole new network to operate in the mid-term.
The problem is that this ship could be going backward to offload cargo elsewhere to fly in (from Madagascar, Mauritius, Singapore for example). OR it could have used its onboard cranes to transfer the weapons to one of the other COSCO ships in the immediate area. OR it could be continuing on up on the west coast of Africa to the DRC or further. OR the Chinese gov’t could be preparing to airlift direct to Harare a substitute shipment.
Why I say we may have to have a mid-term effort? Because the Chinese aren’t stupid. They may be hoping that if they withdraw the An Yue Jiang and return later with this shipment, no one will notice. Possibly with further shipments.
In other words: because the governments of this world are too frightened to put an arms embargo onto Zimbabwe, the citizens are not. As long as we keep watching and the trades unions and activists work together.
We need to get the word out to the ports to be on the watch for the other ships, particularly the LE SHAN which suspiciously was not transmitting its whereabouts.
THANKS Sokwanele for the letter in Portugese and English. Anyone sending it may wish to add the names of these other two ships, just in case.
April 22nd, 2008 18:54
js, I have already forwarded this link to David Cameron the Opposition Leader in UK and asked him to treat this as urgent. He has acknlowledged the call!
Some comments above mention that the ship may now be returning to China. Come on now you surely aren’t that easily tricked and gullible to believe that the Chinese would admit failure!
I am more concerned with the details of the other two COSCO ships in the area. What if they manage to discharge their legal cargo and then go back out to sea and carry out a ship to ship transfer of these weapons and try again to land with them in Namibia. It seems the Namibians (bless them) are still supid enough to have relations with Bully Boy Bob in Zim.
I think the ship returning to China is a smoke screen and I salute all of you for your innovation and determination to tracking these arms down.
What I would also like to know from Sokwanele is how pro active can the people in Zim be right now given all the check points and controls? I mean is there any way that we can learn directly what the current situation is? Do people in Zim still have access to emails etc?
I have a colleague who’s family are in Zim in the North West and normally use satelite broadband but they have not been in contact for two weeks which is a concern.
Has our short wave blogger heard anything? You must all keep working on this and also keep the information between us flowing. Remember knowledge is power and by all the accounts I have seen on this site you certainly have the Power Right Now!
So my message is ‘Use it before you lose it!’
April 22nd, 2008 19:00
Mama, sadly no. the German bank did not get hold of the shipment and are horrified to find out it is arms… they just want their money back that Mugabe owes them from long back. No, the shipment is still out there on the sea. I think the news that it “may return” to China is a decoy. I also came across this just now but posted this morning!!! on: http://www.namibian.com.na/
Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - Web posted at 7:37:08 GMT
Zim arms ship due in Walvis Bay today
CHRISTOF MALETSKY
A CHINESE ship carrying six containers of ammunition for Zimbabwe has applied to take on fuel at Walvis Bay this morning.
April 22nd, 2008 20:11
I am also concerned about the other two ships. It will also do no harm to look at the possibility of Mauritius or Madagascar.
It seems that there are independant radiostations broadcasting in Angola:
Radio Ecclesia - ecclesia@snet.co.ao
Radio LAC Luanda - (can’t find e-mail)
Does anybody know if they are still broadcasting in Angola?
April 22nd, 2008 20:15
The Namibian article is recommended to all as a good summary of the situation.
It also gives us a feeling that the Namibian Government need a lot of our encouragement to do the right thing.
While our Namibian Legal Assistance Centre colleagues prepare a court case, let us email and/or Sokwanele’s letter (remembering to add a note about the two additional ships) to all and sundry in Namibia. Below is a list to begin with.
Good luck all!
========================================
* Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Minister Marco Hausiku
* Minister of Information & Communication Technology, Joel Kaapanda
* Directorate – Maritime Affairs, Matthy Matheus Nangolo
* Minister of Environment & Tourism, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
========================================
* Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Minister Marco Hausiku
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag 13347
Windhoek, Namibia
Telephone: + 264 61 282 9111
Fax : + 264 61 223937
Email : headquarters@mfa.gov.na
* Minister of Information & Communication Technology, Joel Kaapanda
2ndFloor,
Government Offices
Private Bag 13344
Windhoek
Tel: 2839111
Fax: 222343 / 243826
Email: none available!?!
* Directorate – Maritime Affairs, Matthy Matheus Nangolo
Responsible for national maritime safety and security laws
Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication,
Private Bag 13341
6719 Bell Street
Synman Circle
Windhoek
Namibia
Telephone: + 264 61 2088025/6
Fax: + 264 61 240024
Mobile: + 264 811220599
Email: mmnangolo@mwtc.gov.na
* Minister of Environment & Tourism, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
2nd Floor FGI House, Post Street Mall
Private Bag 13346
Windhoek
Tel.: +264-61-284 2111
Fax.: +264-61-284 2216
Email: amieze@met.gov.na
Deputy Minister: Hon. Leon Jooste
Permanent Secretary: Dr. Kalumbi Shangula
Deputy Permanent Secretary: Ms E. Akuenje
Designation Name Phone Number E-Mail
Permanent Secretary
Dr. Kalumbi Shangula 0811246812 kshangula@met.gov.na
Deputy Permanent Secretary Ms E. Akuenje 0811283721 eakuenje@met.gov.na
Director:Administration and Support Services
Ms. S Shidute 0811277332 sshidite@met.gov.na
Deputy Director:Administration and Support Services Vacant
Director: Parks & Wildlife Management
MR.B. Beytell +264 06 284 2751 b.beytell@met.gov.na
Director Environmental Affairs Mr. T.Nghitila +264 06 284 2751 nghitila@dea.met.gov.na
Deputy Director: Parks Management
Mr. U Boois +264 06 1284 2521 u.boois@mweb.com.na
Deputy Director: Wildlife Management
Mr. C. Sikopo 081 2474074 csikopo@hotmail.com
Director Scientific Services Dr. F. Demas +264 061 284 2553 fdemas@mweb.com.na
Deputy Director: Scientific Services Vacant
Deputy Director: Scientific Services
Ms. L. Mupetami +264 061 284 2544 lmupetami@mweb.com.na
Director Tourisum Vacant
Namibia Tourism Board
NTB is joint venture between the public and private sector responsible for marketing and promoting Namibia as Tourist Destination.
Chief Executive Officer
Email: gideons@namibiatourism.com.na
Postal Address:
Private Bag 13244
Windhoek
Tel: + 264 61 2906000
Fax: +264 61 254848
Namibia Wildlife Resort
NWR was established by Government as an idea of the Ministry to commercialize its Resorts by setting up a parastatal, therefore allowing the resorts to be managed and operated on business principles.
Email: reservations@nwr.com.na
Web: http://www.namibiawildliferesorts.com
Postal Address:
Private Bag 13378
Windhoek
5th floor, Winco Court, Stuble Street
Tel: + 264 61 285700 Fax: +264 61 256 715
Tel for Reservation Office: + 264 61 236975/6/7/8
Fax: +264 61 2249000
April 22nd, 2008 20:37
The An Yue Jiang is back the casualty list as of 14.30 CAT!
The response here is incredible. I think Nyasha is right. Zimbabweans in particular need to send thank you letters. Would someone draft some?
People with IT skills are needed now. Can we organize petition-like set-ups so people can click on the petitions they want to send?
Yes, to CC and the German Guy, we could do with letters in German. Can someone who is eloquent draft them? I suggest very short letters with a clear header. People only glance at them and at the address.
I also think the weapons are still somewhere around Africa. The Lloyds statement suggest they are pretty suspicious themselves. Nothing like getting insurers interested! Well done people - we are doing good.
April 22nd, 2008 22:05
Please note that Namibia had a government re-shuffle on 12 April 2008 and so not all the Ministers have email in their new posts.
In particular, I could find no email ref for the new Minister of Information & Communication Technology, Joel Kaapanda (quoted in the Namibian newspaper).
Further, I found that the email address for the new Minister of Environment & Tourism, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (amieze@met.gov.na) bounced back.
Mr. Kaapanda was previously Minister of Works, Transport and Communications and Ms. Nandi-Ndaitwah was Minister of Information & Broadcasting.
There are phone numbers for their offices and fax machines, which hopefully will work.
Otherwise I’ve sent off my letters encouraging them all to do the right thing — offloading and impounding the shipment (as called for now by the trades unions, Control Arms, etc.)
The former
April 22nd, 2008 22:44
My contact in SA with the deep sea fisheries has sent me this info
‘The International Transport Workers’ Federation said on Monday it is mobilising against a ship carrying arms from China destined for Zimbabwe from offloading in any African harbour.
“Our objective is to mobilise and organise unions in Africa to take a firm stand and try to stop the ship from offloading these dangerous weapons which could be used to kill Zimbabweans,” ITF spokesperson in Durban, Sprite Zungu told AFP.
The South African Transport Workers’ Union is affiliated to the London-based ITF, a federation of more than 650 unions representing 4.5 million transport workers in 148 countries across the world.
“I am not sure of exactly where the ship is headed. I am still seeking tangible information on the destination of the ship. As soon as I get the exact information today or tomorrow, I will travel to the country and ensure I mobilise workers not to offload it,” Zungu said.
The Chinese ship, An Yue Jiang, left South Africa on Friday after a court barred its cargo from being transported to the border.
The vessel, anchored off the South African port of Durban, sailed to an unknown destination.
Headed for Angola?
“We have heard some information that the ship might berth either in Mozambique or Angola. We are following up, even up to Nigeria,” Zungu said.
The high court in Durban had ruled earlier on Friday that the ship could be offloaded in Durban but barred its cargo from being transported to the border with landlocked Zimbabwe.
The court ruling came after the South African Litigation Centre, a legal group focusing on human rights issues, filed an urgent application to block a conveyance permit allowing the arms to be offloaded and transported.
Three million rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 1500 rocket-propelled grenades and more than 3000 mortar rounds and mortar tubes are among the cargo on the Chinese ship, according to copies of the inventory published by a South African newspaper.’
I think it would be a useful excercise now for someone who is the facilitator for this site to collate all the information so far and give us all between 20 or so key emails that we can all send off.
Scotchcart has a good idea for getting petition type letters in various languages including German, Portugese etc so that we can copy and paste then across the globe.
Some information coming from short wave radio stations including Al Jazerha suggests this ship could travel all the way up to Nigeria to meet up with sister ships.
Bob’s tin pot army will be getting frustrated now and I know myself from personal experience this is a dangerous time as he is likely to do ANYTHING just like a rat in a corner.
If we keep up the pressure I’m sure we will get some success and help our fellows in Zim.
April 22nd, 2008 22:50
So, that Namibian article was quite some time ago. What’s up? Does anyone know if the ship has been granted permission to refuel? Has come into port already? Has left?
I would be worried that, if they do come into port, they’ll have arranged to get the ship unloaded there, even if they say they’re coming only for fuel. What is the status of the dockworkers in Walvis Bay? Are they on the alert?
April 22nd, 2008 23:39
It is unlikely that this shipment of weapons is the end of the struggle. Keeping in mind that the Chinese appear to be providing military support (in the form of personnel in our country) we need to do more to alert the world to China’s complicity in the struggle.
We need to collect contacts and information that will be useful in that regard. I offer these as a starting point.
Any other suggestions? Should we divide these tasks between ourselves and add what we can?
Hope - Sokwanele
April 22nd, 2008 23:40
To view and to Email the China weapons Manufacture go to
http://www.norinco.com/c800/index.html
April 23rd, 2008 03:36
Hi
The amazing thing about this shipment episode is that there has been NO mention in any Australian news of any kind.
Fremantle in Wesern Australia is not all that far from South Africa and could be ‘Taken by supprice’ for unloading
The Olympic Torch is due to be displayed in Canberra Australia Tomorrow Thursday 24-4-08.
Is there to late to get the story in the Australian news TODAY before the torch relay?
April 23rd, 2008 03:55
Guess what? South African Foreign Minister arrives for official visit - IN CHINA - 21 April 2008
‘South African Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma arrived in Beijing on Saturday evening to start his eight-day official visit to China.
During his stay, Zuma will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern.
He will also address a seminar on South Africa’s role in Africa’s rejuvenation and development, and attend a reception celebrating the South African Freedom Day.
Besides Beijing, Zuma will also visit Shanghai.’
http://www.focac.org/eng/zxxx/t427393.htm
Now can we get ANC, ZUMA, MBEKI to do something do you think?
It comes from the China-Africa Forum: fzs_ltb@mfa.gov.cn
April 23rd, 2008 04:11
Human Rights in China (HRIC) offices in US, Hongkong, EU: hrichina@hrichina.org, hrichk@hrichina.org, hriceu@hrichina.org,
Chinese embassies in UK, SA, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Hongkong and US:
maritime@chinese-embassy.org.uk, press@chinese-embassy.org.uk, culturaloffice@chinese-embassy.org.uk, reception@chinese-embassy.org.za,
chinaemb_ke@mfa.gov.cn, chinaemb_zw@mfa.gov.cn, fmco_hk@mfa.gov.cn,
chinaembassy_us@fmprc.gov.cn,
China-Africa Forum: fzs_ltb@mfa.gov.cn
Chinese Olympics offices:
General Office mishubu@beijing2008.cn,
International Relations international@beijing2008.cn’
Media & Communications xuanchuan@beijing2008.cn,
Marketing marketing@beijing2008.cn,
Legal Affairs legal@beijing2008.cn,
Cultural Activities wenhua@beijing2008.cn,
Media Operations mediaoperations@beijing2008.cn
China Newspapers:
Beijing Review contact@bjreview.com.cn
Others mostly have contact pages:
People’s Daily Online http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/
China Daily http://www.chinadaily.com.cn
China Central T.V. http://www.cctv.com
Contact page: http://www.cctv.com/english/special/application/contact/index.shtml
April 23rd, 2008 04:22
Don’t know if this helps but here is my current list for SADC emails:
tmothae@sadc.int, differmu@nkwazi.gov.zm, johnmu@nkwazi.gov.zm, president@anc.org.za, thandi@po.gov.za, embzambia@aol.com, tnwinfo@plancom.go.tz, mukoni@po.gov.za, ubalozi@tanzaniaembassy-us.org, webmaster@malawi.gov.mw, webmaster@uem.mz, embamoc@aol.com, sps@palace.org.ls, hpohamba@op.gov.na, snujoma@op.gov.na, nangula@opm.gov.na, lamathila@opm.gov.na, info@namibianembassyusa.org, primeminister@mail.gov.mu, acpresse@gmail.com, churchl@tegris.com, hwgreen@msn.com, sandra@po.gov.za, llekoa@gov.bw, smautle@gov.bw, jtherego@gov.bw, ekuhlmann@gov.bw, mmoleleke@gov.bw, gchebanne@gov.bw, lsebogiso@gov.bw, cratsiripe@gov.bw, contact@thetidenews.com, ddusoruth@mail.gov.mu, pmohamudally@mail.gov.mu, dasadc@minec.gov.mz, duartej@foreign.gov.za, madumanem@foreign.gov.za, mamabolol@foreign.gov.za, mcusis@yahoo.com, zjmasanja@yahoo.com, foreignlsk@zamtel.zm, registry@sadc.int,
and some African newspapers:
accmail@africaonline.com.gh, editor@bftghanaonline.com, chronicl@africaonline.com.gh, statesman_gh@yahoo.com, info@myjoyonline.com, info@telediaspora.net, contact@thetidenews.com
and Deutsche Welle which I emailed about Mugabe’s bank-note paper suppliers:
info@dw-world.de
April 23rd, 2008 04:35
Free Tibet Campaign
28 Charles Square
London N1 6HT
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7324 4605
Fax: +44 (0)20 7324 4606
Email: mail@freetibet.org
The Office of Tibet
P.O. Box 16812
Lyttelton 0140, Pretoria
SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: (27) 12-664 1194; Fax: (27) 12-664 1193
e-mail: otsa@officeoftibet.com
Representative: Mr. Sonam Tenzin
Secretary: Mrs. Dorjee Dolma
other Tibet offices at: http://www.tibet.com/Address/oot.html
donotforgettibet@tibet-vigil.org.uk
Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy: office@tchrd.org
Editor, TibetNet
Department of Information & International Relations (DIIR)
Central Tibetan Adminstration
Dharamshala - 176215
H.P., India
Tel: +91-1892-222457, 222510
Fax: +91-1892-224957
Email: tneditor@gov.tibet.net
Tibet TV Online: tibetonlinetv@gov.tibet.net
April 23rd, 2008 04:43
Good resumé here: http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=195702
though it still only says the shipment MIGHT be sent back to China.
April 23rd, 2008 06:00
Are you sure the manufacturer is Norinco? There are quite a few weapons manufacturers in China. eg: http://kj.poly.com.cn/zba.html
Another thing you we need to think about is what’s in it for the Chinese. The cold war is over, their interest in Africa is not ideological, it’s commercial.
China is investing massively in African countries because it wants their raw materials for it’s industry. They want to be liked by Africans. If selling arms to Zim makes them unpopular with African countries, it is likely to be worth their while not to do that.
Their business interests in Zambia, SA, and other places are probably worth more to them than whatever profit they get from selling arms to a basket case economy like Zimbabwe. If several African countries let China know that they don’t like Chinese weapons going to Zim right now, maybe they will listen.
Also, they can do without another international scandal in the run up to the olympics.
Problem is, even if China does not sell arms to Zim, the arms can always be bought from black market sources and smuggled in disguised as other stuff. After all, how do all the guerilla movements all over the world get their AK-47 bullets and RPG rounds?
There is no way to completely stop arms getting in to Zim, but at least it can be made more difficult. Here’s how:
Get a UN/SADC arms embargo on Zim until peace and stability is restored there. This is people all over the world (especially in UN security council countries or SADC countries) can help by writing to their politicians.
Since Zim is landlocked, it is easier to enforce such an embargo on it. The customs authorities in countries around Zim can check lorry and train cargo going into Zim. They probably can’t stop people sending bullets by air mail, but that is of course more expensive and they can’t get as much that way.
Regarding the latest report about a new arms shipment to be sent by air, i would take that with a pinch of salt if i were you. The sources are not named and it could just be rumours. There are a lot of rumours going around in Zim as you know. Unless we get more details about it, we should be cautious about accepting it as a fact.
April 23rd, 2008 06:09
Another factor the Chinese need to think about is who is going to be the next Zim government. Signs are that Mugabe is on the way out. If Mugabe loses the election and MDC wins, and China supports Mugabe by sending him arms, China may lose future influence and business in Zim by making an enemy of the next government.
Is there any advantage to China in trying to keep Mugabe in power? Like has he given China some very good mining contracts that MDC are likely to revoke or something?
April 23rd, 2008 06:31
China recalls arms ship after pressure from African countries?
http://www.swradioafrica.com/news220408/chinacalls220408.htm
Chinese manufacturer is Poly, not Norinco.
African countries do have a lot of influence on China, because China needs to do business with them.
“The arms deal has been a public relations disaster for the Chinese. The country is hosting the Olympic games this year and the negative coverage may have convinced government officials the transaction is not worth the hassle.”
April 23rd, 2008 06:51
RE: Teaming up with Tibet groups etc. I would suggest that this is not a good idea.
It is better to deal with China as a friend than an enemy.
Put yourself in their shoes. Are you more likely to listen to people who talk to you in a friendly and respectful way, or to people who gang up with your enemies and make threats and speak harshly? Or are you more likely to listen to people who speak politely and give you friendly advice?
I would urge folks who are writing to the Chinese embassy etc to be polite and respectful. Point out to China the disadvantages to China of arming Mugabe, and point out the advantages to China’s prestige and international standing, of being seen to be behaving in a responsible way, and helping to avoid greater bloodshed in Zimbabwe.
April 23rd, 2008 07:01
Another thing to say if you are writing to the Chinese embassy, is to thank China for the respectful way in which it deals with African governments. Western governments often talk down to African leaders in a paternalistic way which many Africans find distasteful because it evokes memories of White supremist apartheid regiemes and exploitation by European colonial powers. In contrast, China treats Africans respectfully, as equals, and does not preach at them. Thank them for this.
Then remind them that because of their own policy of non interference in the internal affairs of other countries, they should refrain from sending shipments of arms to Zimbabwe at the moment, because to do so would be interfering. The electiion results are being disputed and it is not clear who is the rightful government of Zimbabwe right now. To supply one side with weapons which it may use against the other side in the dispute, is interfering in the affairs of another country. Even if the contracts were signed last year, well before the election, in light of the current situation, deliveries of arms should be suspended until there is a properly elected government in the country.
April 23rd, 2008 09:48
Australia:
Um… A Google search of “arms ship .au” (without the quotes) got me tons of hits in the Australian media: The Age, The Australian, SBS, SMH, ABC…
April 23rd, 2008 09:52
Sokwanele moderators: Is there any chance you can find someone to be a moderator in a different time zone, so you can work in shifts, and not have a long wait time for new posts when Africa is asleep?
April 23rd, 2008 10:25
Some may want to have a look at this and start a communication going with the Chinese bloggers…
http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2008/04/23/china-netizens-defend-zimbabwe-arms-sales/
April 23rd, 2008 11:25
There is a lot of email exchanging going on about this shipment but nothing much in the UK media other than the story about the arms shipment being recalled,
If you are going to make an impact you have to focus on current problems in China and link this story to it.
So unlike your other blogger I suggest you DO make reference to Tibet and the human rights atrocities.
Today on this blog I have read a lot about what Sokwanele and others should do but NOTHING about what bloggers have done. Let’s hear about who we have contacted or emailed and try and get more organised.
It might be useful to concentrate on sending emails today to key media contacts and individuals. On UK TV this is already yesterdays story so if you want to keep the heat on Get Back in the Kitchen!
April 23rd, 2008 11:35
I agree with beng, respectful correspondence (but not grovelling) is far more likely to have a positive impact. According to the media reports the weapons on board the ship were manufactured by Poly Technologies, which has a close relationship with CITIC and COSCO. The shipping line doesn’t have a squeaky clean record: “For example, the fully automatic AK-47 machine guns from Poly Technologies that were confiscated in the 1996 U.S. Customs sting operation were found onboard a COSCO ship.â€
For full article see: http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/3/5/162452.shtml
All the best to you Sokwanele and all involved in this valiant effort to save Zimbabwe.
May God guide you in your campaign. Please continue to pray fervently that God will stop the weapons from reaching Zimbabwe!
April 23rd, 2008 13:47
Cape Times 23 April reports:
On Tuesday the container ship was spotted off Cape Town and by
mid-afternoon it had apparently abandoned its attempt to dock in Namibia or Angola, and turned around to head back around the South African coast.
Where to now?
April 23rd, 2008 14:58
Just had a good look ’round & there doesn’t appear to be any new and up-dated news. Only the repeated line that “the ship and cargo MAY/MIGHT return to China”.
Please see Defend International’s open letter to the Norwegian maritime insurance company, who insure the ship (they probably aren’t aware of the cargo).
http://www.defendinternational.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=183&Itemid=126
The company’s contact info is there, should you wish to send a letter of your own.
As to reports of the ship’s whereabouts, there just don’t seem to be any. In addition BOTH sister ships that are in the area have also dropped off the map (the Le Shan IMO: 9183752 and the Feng Shun Shan IMO: 8400622). Yesterday the Feng Shun Shan was firmly docked in Durban whilst the Le Shan was off the map. That means there are now three COSCO ships capable of handling this cargo that are in the area and unaccounted for.
It would be good to redouble efforts to physically locate these ships and begin tracking them once again. U.S. military and S.A. military says they know (but will not tell).
on a related subject: my thoughts are with all those being attacked in the new round of crackdowns in Zim, as the gov’t magics up a new seat. Especially reports of MDC officials being denied bail and reporters disappearing.
April 23rd, 2008 15:09
Letter to President of China:
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/04/22/china18618.htm
April 23rd, 2008 15:22
SORRY LONG POSTING WARNING, trying to reply to overnight postings…
Scotchcart: For me, thanks from zimbabweans is not needed. Human2human there is so little we can do normally.
Cc/german guy: german letter in the pipeline?
We could use a French one too — for DRC, eventually Mauritius, Madagascar…any volunteers?
Scotchcart, sokwanele, etc…I.T. skills: let us all ask our friends until we find some folks!
Sokwanele: Should we split the effort? Its a fine idea, so that folks who have limited time to dedicate, can focus on action they’re most comfortable with. Did you want to create separate blog pages here?
As long as the contact info, etc., keeps getting put into blog pages, I’m happy firing off emails & such to as many outlets as I can. (currently umemployed, so too much time on my hands!)
NICE LIST of suggested contacts to cultivate, by the way.
IOC: Working on it.
Tibet groups: (posted by BM, plus HR in China contacts)
Media contacts: (Chinese contacts posted by BM, plus some African ones)
SADC & reg’l leaders: (posted by BM)
Chinese embassies: (posted by BM)
Saida:
So, I’m actually assuming that each of us is acting on info as/when we are capable as well as sharing info that we find.
As to actions rather than just info, If I posted all that I am doing, in addition to the info that I find along the way, you’d all really hate me (even more, that is)!
Personally I am also trying to focus on angles where we will add to existing efforts, as individuals. Because I know that IANSA/Control Arms networks are working overtime with media and legal angles, plus connecting up w/Tibet groups, etc.
But if you feel that this needs a kick-start in the UK media: go for it. It cannot hurt.
Beng:
Contact chinese reps: great idea! Can’t hurt, might not help. See already-posted contacts for COSCO/Cosren plus for Chinese embassies if you want to follow this up.
Re: Has Mugabe “given China some very good mining contracts that MDC are likely to revoke or something?” GOOD QUESTION. Here is where we need someone who can investigate. I am not sure where to begin but this would be very good to know.
BM: Zuma in China? Huh that was kept fairly quiet! So we keep sending letters to the S.A. gov’t, encouraging them to use the visit to China to talk about doing the right thing here.
And thanks for all the contact info!! Off to do a bunch of emailing.
Durbs: Interesting info but not surprising, as COSCO conglomerate is referred to everywhere as a “para-statal” — meaning more or less owned and operated (even if at arm’s length) by the gov’t. Thus it isn’t too surprising to learn that this para-statal is being used to ship around the products (arms) produced by another, Poly, and occasionally getting caught doing it wrong.
—————————
I went and read what Chinese people are saying on the Netizen website. Obviously I don’t know how this story was “spun” in the Chinese state media but it doesn’t look good. I also read about Poly Industries, which is the government’s weapons manufacturer, which includes,
“Western complaints to China’s Foreign Ministry about arms deals are unlikely to impress this company, which in some respects is more powerful than the Foreign Ministry itself.”
Ah, great. So I’m not inclined to spend too much of my own time contacting the Foreign Ministry!
To not allay w/other protest groups, so as to not offend the chinese gov’t any further: in my opinion it isn’t a question of either or. One allies with like-minded struggles. HOWEVER one speaks out about moral wrongdoing with honesty and respect to the perpetrators.
The Chinese Government line that this is “business” and must not be “politicised” is nonsense, is Orwellian Doublespeak and at least some of us outside China know how riduculous the gov’t reps appear when they use and re-use this lie. They know its a lie too. They know that EVERYTHING is political at the best of times. I can only imagine that for the people of Zimbabwe at this moment, this is especially true.
Therefore just as we should deal respectfully with the Chinese Government, it must learn to deal with this outside world where the arms trade is not just business and where the Olympics is not just innocent sports personalities tramping around a field and where everything is political.
I think compromising the power of gathering together, out of a mis-placed concern that we might “embarrass” another party, is simply to defeat ourselves before we get started. We must be honest, open and respectful to all parties. We must state clearly and simply what we want done and by whom. If one party loses face or is embarrassed, so be it.
Yeah, we all know that there are a million other ways that China can get arms to Zim that we may not know about. However that doesn’t absolve us of the moral duty to stop what we DO know about. A rare opportunity indeed to stop this 3m rounds of ammo before they’re locked and loaded and aimed.
On embargos: There is an E.U. embargo.
In SADC there are a number of angles which apply here. Some nat’l Constitutions obligate the States to promote international co-operation, peace and security and foster respect for international law and treaty obligations. This is the case in Namibia.
Also most/all SADC gov’ts are signatories to several other international treaties, such as SADC Firearms Protocol, Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security, and the UN Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, which would all be violated if it allowed arms to enter Zimbabwe.
UN Sec Council embargo was previously attempted I believe. Someone can double-check this. However there’s no doubt its time to try again, even if/when Chinese Gov’t exercises its veto. And there’s a report today that Gordon Brown (Prime Minister, UK) would support it. Now that’s truly a good thing, as the UK gov’t has been too afraid to get involved on the Zim issue until recently.
See BBC report on this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7362912.stm
Again if you’re in the UK or have friends there: everyone should contact their local elected MP plus the Prime Minister’s office (go to http://www.theyworkforyou.com to find your MP & contact her/him). PM contact page is here: http://www.number-10.gov.uk/OUTPUT/Page3.asp
Add’tl info to gather then:
- IOC and Nat’l/Reg’l Olympic Committee contacts
- Org of African Unity
- U.N. ambassadors (current sec council makeup?)
- EU foreign office
- more COSCO contacts
April 23rd, 2008 15:34
The PolyTech is manufactured by PolyTech Arms Corp in association with Norinco Norino is china Arms manufacture company NOY POLYTECH ,I was an arms Dealer for 25 years ,Norinco is the Chinese Government Corp owned China supplier ,Sorry to burst your bubble….. PolyTech was like Norencos limo rifle with upper end Blueing And milled recivers not stamped ,,Do your home work
April 23rd, 2008 16:33
America: Go see wikipedia re: poly technologies, including, “The Poly Technologies (Chinese: ä¿åˆ©ç§‘技有é™å…¬å¸; pinyin: BÇŽolì KÄ“jì YÇ’uxià ngÅngsÄ«), a subsidiary of China Poly Group Corporation, is a defense manufacturing company with headquarters in Beijing, China. The company deals with missiles and other military products. The company was founded by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in order to provide competition to China North Industries Corporation (Norinco).”
Bottom line: it doesn’t matter which Chinese-owned/controlled company produced the weapons. Weapons are weapons. Guns kill, many times over and 3m bullets are a lot of dead/injured folks. Not to mention the rockets, mortars, etc.
Mugabe’s govt is wrong to order the weapons and the Chinese govt is wrong to fulfill the order. That is the point.
April 23rd, 2008 17:02
Tara:
That HR Watch letter you pointed at was VERY useful. In particular HRW states:
“China has an official code of conduct for the export of arms to other countries which states that the following principles shall be observed in exporting arms: (1) conduciveness to the capability for just self-defense of the recipient country; (2) no injury to the peace, security and stability of the region concerned and the world as a whole; (3) no interference in the internal affairs of the recipient country.1″
[1]Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Administration of Arms Export, Decree No. 234 of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China and the Central Military Commission of the People’s Republic of China, adopted October 22, 1997, revised in 2002, http://www.gov.cn/english/laws/2005-07/25/content_16975.htm (accessed April 22, 2008). ”
I have just sent the whole letter, repeating this quote, to the Deputy Managing Director of CosRen’s Durban office by way of encouragement to do the right thing. I have asked for confirmation that no COSCO ship is going to unload this cargo for transhipment to Zim and for confirmation that the cargo is going back to China for the moment, so as not to cause interference in Zim’s present situation.
Don’t expect to get a reply but what the hey.
April 23rd, 2008 18:37
China Poly Group Corp. is a large enterprise group formed on the basis of the Poly Technologies, Inc.And norinco , in February 1993 with the approval of the State Council. With registered capital of 1.5 billion yuan RMB, it was listed as an enterprise group incorporated into the State plan in the same year. In March 2000, the group company was put under the leadership of the Central Commission of Enterprises Affairs. It has now become one of the more than 60 large enterprises with an asset of 10 billion yuan under the management of the state. In March 2003, after the reshuffle of the State Council ministries and commissions, it has been put under the leadership of the State Property Supervisory and Management Commission.
April 23rd, 2008 19:11
OK (JS ) in laymens terms heres how the weapons sale is playing
(1) money from Bank AL QAEDA pays for arms shipment ,Because Africa is an easy delivery point ,At least it was not now.
(2) Mugabe makes the deal with Norinco inc cnina ,Order is made arms are on there way .
(3) Al Qaeda pays Mugabe a shipper and buyers fee for smugling weapons in to there service ,makeing Mugabe and china Terrorest opt support Group .
And that my dear friends is the CHATTER
April 23rd, 2008 20:55
Does anybody know if it is true that the weapons ship has been recalled back to China? I read the following statement today posted on the CCTV.com website:
In reply to a reporter’s question at a routine press conference (Tuesday) Foreign Minister spokeswoman Jiang Yu…added that COSCO, the Chinese shipping company involved was forced to give up the original plan to unload the waepons there (Durban) and ship the cargo back to China due to Zimbabwe’s ability to receive the goods.
http://www.cctv.com/english/20080423/103713.shtml
April 23rd, 2008 21:21
That should read: due to Zimbabwe’s inability to receive the goods.
April 24th, 2008 10:47
Received this by e-mail this morning:
VITALLY IMPORTANT CALLING ALL INTERCESSORS & PRAYER WARRIORS.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR ZIMBABWE ON SUNDAY 27TH April, 2008.
A desperate cry from the hearts of Zimbabwe screams across the world. It calls upon all Christians of every denomination in every nation to focus their prayers, in churches, halls, homes or elsewhere, on Sunday 27th April, 2008 on the critical situation in Zimbabwe, a nation in dire distress and
teetering on the brink of human disaster. Let the cry for help touch your heart and mind. Let it move you to do what you can immediately, to ensure this DAY OF PRAYER takes place in your country and neighbourhood.
Please pass on this message right now to all the churches and Christian organisations known to you and to the media as well as to everyone anxious to rescue Zimbabwe from violence, the concealing and juggling of election results, deceit, oppression and corruption, and to bring about righteousness, joy, peace, compassion, honesty, justice, democracy and freedom from fear and want.
May a continual strong stream of prayer and supplication flow up to the Lord. On behalf of all the people on this DAY OF PRAYER, exhorting His divine intervention throughout the nation.
“It is by making the truth publicly known that we recommend ourselves to the honest judgment of mankind in the sight of God.” ( 2 Corinthians 4:2)
SOME ADVICE TO ZIMBABWEANS
“Who so putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)
“Stand fast, and do not let yourselves be caught again in the yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)
“Make no mistake, you cannot cheat God.” (Galatians 6:7)
“Do not be overcome by evil but overcame evil with good” (Romans 12:21)
Bob Stumbles
9325 Coleherne Court
Alpharetta, GA, 30022-7151
Home: 770-441-5583
Mobile: 404-271-1518
April 24th, 2008 11:01
Apparently, China’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the ship will return to China.
Perhaps they could inform everybody what the ship was doing whilst its transponder was awitched off. Transferring 6 crates, perhaps?
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1104ap_china_zimbabwe.html
April 24th, 2008 11:55
Hi everyone
We have set up an ‘Action Contact Database’, based initially on the suggestions in this thread.
You can now submit contact suggestions for campigns to the database via this form here.
The database can be viewed at this link here on our main website. There will be further development as time goes by to both pages.
I feel with this tool we are really geared up to get things going much faster and to preempt activities.
The ship has disappeared, but don;t let out of sight be out of mind.
Mugabe is determined to get weapons - he needs them - we need to think laterally on how to stop him.
Can I direct you back to my comment here, ask you to visit the database, and then perhaps help fill in the missing bits of information we need.
I am dreaming now of a full arms embargo against Zimbabwe. I think it might be hard to achieve, but we need it.
April 24th, 2008 12:07
I think we have learned heaps from this: we’ve learned about shipping, we’ve learned about each other and we’ve learned we can win using the tools of democracy.
But we have also learned we much never let down our guard or be lazy about cultivating alliances. People have been key here! It really has restored my trust in humanity.
We must keep the pressure on Lloyds. They have a vested interest in this shipment and their attention has already been aroused.
And we must keep a watch on the ports and airports. This shipment or others - we don’t really care - we don’t want any of them!
April 24th, 2008 13:20
A Chinese ship that sparked international condemnation for attempting to transport weapons to Zimbabwe is being brought back to China, a government official said Thursday.
“To my knowledge, the Chinese company has decided to bring back the boat,” Jiang Yu, a foreign ministry spokeswoman, told reporters.
=======================
Jiang Yu An Yue Jiang
Co-incidence???
April 24th, 2008 13:49
Yup! Don’t know my Yu’s from my Jiang’s anymore. Maybe they’re doing it on purpose so that everybody can get thoroughly confused.
I am wondering, who has cargo planes in the SADC region, everybody or just some countries?
April 24th, 2008 13:56
But we know there is another arms shipment, of more sophisticated weapons, that China plans to send by air to Zimbabwe.
We need to do something about this. We can use the HRW quote:
“China has an official code of conduct for the export of arms to other countries which states that the following principles shall be observed in exporting arms: (1) conduciveness to the capability for just self-defense of the recipient country; (2) no injury to the peace, security and stability of the region concerned and the world as a whole; (3) no interference in the internal affairs of the recipient country.1″
[1]Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Administration of Arms Export, Decree No. 234 of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China and the Central Military Commission of the People’s Republic of China, adopted October 22, 1997, revised in 2002, http://www.gov.cn/english/laws/2005-07/25/content_16975.htm (accessed April 22, 2008). â€
Arms to Zimbabwe at this time clearly contravene this.
We need to act now, before it is loaded.
How? Who do we call on? SATAWU contacts in China? HRIC?
April 24th, 2008 14:50
I think one of the groups to contact would be the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) - mail@itf.org.uk. They have supported this campaign and are in contact with unions all over the world.
We may also need to consider what position Mauritius would take and if it would allow freight to be airlifted from its territory. It is close enough and has not been in the spotlight.
April 24th, 2008 14:59
!! Andrew !!
April 24th, 2008 15:01
I meant MADAGASCAR!
April 24th, 2008 15:51
Ok ,,now is the time for the UN inspectors to be waiting in CHIA at the port to inspect the ship for the return of the Arms to china ,
April 24th, 2008 18:46
Re: BM and more weapoms coming by air. Air Zimbabwe has to refuel in Singapore or some other place. Lobby airport workers in these countries and refuse to refuel it????
April 24th, 2008 23:15
Consider how this whole thing started - I mean how was it revealed that there were weapons in that ship?? My guess is someone from a shipping line - probably in a clerical position blew the whistle.
We need to take the campaign to a new level - ask people in the shipping/air frieght business all over the world to be vigilant and get in touch with HRW with any suspicious info.
Is there a way of getting the serial number of those 6 containers? Were they on the manifest? These can be tagged at the various ports of entry in case they somehow get loaded onto another ship and brought in under the radar - ie: without the world media on the case. The SA Government certainly wont stop it.
April 24th, 2008 23:55
@ Andrew, brilliant! Noseweek in Durban have this information. They have copies of the documentation.
I am about to go to bed - Could someone in another time zone pick this up? Noseweek are the newspaper who broke the story.
@ 4th chimurenga on another thread. You are right. Perhaps you don’t know. The Anglican church top bishops in the UK have joined with the SA Anglican Archbishop and Sunday is a prayer day for Zimbabwe - world wide. The US have also dispatched a special envoy to southern Africa.
The stumbling blocks are actually China and India who can veto anything at the Security Council and have done before. Their trade deals with various countries in Africa makes it hard for those countries to join in the pressure. They won’t be praying on Sunday. How can we mobilize support from different parts of their societies? How can we make it easier for SADC countries, C and I, to join in the growing flood of support?
Brains needed. I need to sleep - up late last night too!
Thanks everyone!
April 25th, 2008 01:34
Perhaps the wood is getting lost in the trees. And to progress the metaphor further I may also be barking up the wrong tree here. I would assume the ship uses some sort of satnav or global satelite positioning system, which means it has to transmit its own signal for triangulation. This system obviously cannot be switched off. I would guess that some government agencies have some jurisdiction or ability to intercept that signal, even if Chinese vessels use Chinese satellites for navigation. Given the interest that the US is currently expressing on this vessel, perhaps they are utilising their tracking systems. I may be way of the mark here, but I find it hard to believe that NO ONE knows where this vessel is. What I would suggest is that those in the US contributing comments on this blog should perhaps petition their local senators, mayors and other prominent politcal persons and seek feedback or action that might be a little more informed, or at least be assuring that the ship has not apparently slipped under the radar. Then the obvious enthusiasm and energy displayed in this blog would better equiped.
The same could be tried in the UK, but I have little faith in British MPs being as interactive as their American counterparts are reputed to be. British MPs are so PC that they can hardly express an outright opinion and tend to limit their focus to post offices and fly-tipping.
April 25th, 2008 11:09
Noseweek can be contacted on the website:
http://www.noseweek.co.za/contact.php
Editor Martin Welz uncovered the ship’s motives in Durban and apparently has copies of the shipment documentation as Scotchcart mentioned.
April 25th, 2008 17:53
This just in. Sounds like the shipment was needed. Thank you all for helping!
Locals defend themselves against Mugabe’s militia and killers identified
HARARE - Reports from the rest of the provinces paint a bloodcurdling picture. Army barracks across the country are issuing war veterans and former military/police officers with weapons (AK 47 assault rifles). The official line is that they need to protect themselves against anticipated attacks by the MDC and its foreign supporters, particularly on former white-owned farms. But the real intention is to use the weapons against opposition supporters in the rural areas. The issuing of weapons began 24 April.
Meanwhile, the killers of MDC supporter Tapiwa Mbwanda in Hurungwe East have been identified as ZNA Private Madamombe and one Jawet Kazangarare, a Zanu (PF) militiaman. It is suspected that the police are reluctant to take action against the two.
MDC supporters in Masvingo and Mashonaland East provinces have organised themselves into local defence units to fight back violence and intimidation by war veterans, military personnel and Zanu (PF) militia. Yesterday, 24 April, there were fierce battles in the village of Makaha in Mutoko/Mudzi, Mashonaland East as MDC supporters repelled an attack by Zanu. Reports are still coming in but indications are that Zanu militiamen were badly mauled.
Wilf Mbanga
The Zimbabwean
P O Box 248 Hythe SO45 4WX, UK
Tel/fax +44 (0)2380 845 271
Mobile - +44 (0)7963963547
email: mbanga@thezimbabwean.co.uk
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
April 25th, 2008 21:11
25/04/2008 18:54 LUANDA, April 25 (AFP)
Chinese arms ship allowed to dock in Angola: report
Angola has given authorisation for a Chinese ship loaded with arms destined for Zimbabwe to dock but it will not be allowed to unload the weapons, the state news agency Angop reported on Friday.
The ship, the An Yue Jiang, has been authorised to dock in the capital Luanda but can only unload “merchandise destined for Angola,” Angop said, citing a government statement.
“The weaponry that the ship brings destined for Zimbabwe is not authorised to be unloaded on national territory,” the statement was quoted as saying.
It was not immediately clear if the ship had already docked in Luanda.
http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=africa&item=080425185453.u3tfnjmc.php
April 25th, 2008 21:26
Reuters just in:
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Angola has authorized a Chinese ship carrying arms that were destined for Zimbabwe to offload goods, Angola’s state-run news agency ANGOP said on Friday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSL2535601420080425
previous comment that Munangagwa is in Luanda Friday today seems not to have appeared…
April 26th, 2008 00:01
OK - lesson learned - the Chinese Foreign Minister cannot be believed. Earlier today she reported that the ship was recalled. Now it’s cleared to dock in Angola.
I don’t buy that line of BS at all - the Angolan govt is very tight with mad Bob. So I guess it’s up to the dock-workers again.
Please let’s step up the pressure on the Angolan trade union’s not to unload any piece of cargo from that ship - regardless. Better still don’t refuel it. Let it sit in port indefinately for all I care.
======
Malcolm - agree 100% with you - it is IMPOSSIBLE in this day and age that NO-ONE knows where the ship is.
April 26th, 2008 00:14
The ship, the An Yue Jiang, has been authorised to dock in the capital Luanda but can only unload “merchandise destined for Angola,” Angop said, citing a government statement.
“The weaponry that the ship brings destined for Zimbabwe is not authorised to be unloaded on national territory,” the statement was quoted as saying.
++++++++++++++
Don’t believe a word of it people. It is very easy to convince the workers to unload only ‘unoffensive cargo’ and slip the weapons off. That is why the container serial numbers are important - if someone has these please publish them on the site as well as any identifying logos etc on the containers (20′ 40′ etc).
Better still - don’t offload it at all. Angolan Unions take note!! Mugabe has stepped up his game today - the guys there are taking a vicious beating as we speak.
April 26th, 2008 05:06
This company in china thinks that this never happened and its a pile of American propaganda aganst the olympics ,,Would evryone please be so kind as to advis this lost soul the truth Thanks America Email her and her boss at
wfhuijie@yahoo.cn
April 26th, 2008 07:20
Here is what china people think of Americans we wined the Vietnam war, and we support Vietnam, transport guns and grains to kill all the invaders!,,From 2003 to 2007, the weapons volume of exportation from America, UK, France, Germany,and Russia to the underdevelopped countries, reached 89%, only America alone, reached 30%, while for China, only 2% !we are suppised that why your intelligence is so lower!1!! you take up the weapen with your self and stand aroud your country, is it meaningful? what you think indeed is to stand other countries to commit the invade event!No one would be died if you wouldnot invade into other country,,We are the part of the UN,you are not the top of the world.we never attended this kind of war, the dead died of M16 and M4 reached thousands of people! all of this are caused by your guns! all the dead people are caused by your original invade intention foundamentally!North Korea war , we had successfully wined, Vietnam war, we also participated, and got the good achievement, is it for us to bit you positively, all in all, all the invaders will have the bad result, like riot!!!By the way How many perple you die in the Iraq war?Our People’s Liberation Army are waiting for your coming! then we will absolutely kill all the invaders! since you think the end of China, you are just like the ghost to affect the peace of the whole world!Like the Vietna wars,Iraq wars,you never win.
and the Pearl Harbor event you win
You are the devil that end your life
9.11 will hapeen again and againWe have meet 9.11 eventYou are shit
failure is your endfor a sperate dominion country of Iraq, why your country occupy and purposely utter the war? with your own weapens to slave other nations, what’s reason? for your soldiers of killing thousands of Iraq people, how to explaine to the worldã€
This is the reaction of the Arms VS America in China reaction ,,Please email her and her group at wfhuijie@yahoo.cn
April 26th, 2008 08:37
Another china proverb
I am so pity to the child’s death,but you can see,not the weapon cause to the death,It is the people who use the weapon to kill the child.The people with weapon is guilty,not the weapon.Why are you hostile to us?We are the buisiness man,not the guilty man
April 27th, 2008 01:03
Arms ship exposes Robert Mugabe’s link to Chinese firm
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article3822568.ece
April 28th, 2008 01:32
Keep inmind .Poly Technologies and the Norinco are built side by side in the same factory and both companies are Ran and owned but the China Government totally Along with Agracultur ,, The Poly Technologies and Norinco company bare the same ingrave stamp on the AK 47 and ammo ,,Both companies have been dealing with Bob and reciving funds with AL Qaeda ,,,Mugabe has bankrupted his country and Norinco and Poly Technologies are reciving payment in resources such as Diamonds Iron ore and gold Mined by Mugabes youg inslaved prople ,,
April 28th, 2008 01:34
An Yue Jiang is docked in Luanda and the unload operation has started on Saturday, said the Portuguese broadcaster, LUSA (http://www.agencialusa.com.br/index.php?iden=15654).
The information was given to LUSA by the Secretary of the Council for Human Rights Coordination (CCDH) in Angola and was originally transmitted by the Angolan Dockers Union (SIMA). According to SIMA, there is any information in the unloaded containers about the merchandise that goes inside and they can’t say what has been unloaded. Therefore, they don’t know if the cargo contains Mugabe’s weapons or the “merchadise meant to Angola”, which existence was announced by Luanda just two days ago, after the visit of Mugabe’s representant. Luanda had previously announced when the ship’s destination was unknowed that they didn’t have any information about the ship cargo and destination.
So, what now?
(sorry for my english)
April 28th, 2008 21:54
@Bruno - Thanks for the info
This doesn’t sound right to me. Don’t they have to declare the contents before offloading? No information at all regarding the contents of the cargo sounds too suspicious.
April 29th, 2008 12:11
Check the new posting on this blog about new Malawi involvement… 29 April … action needed.
April 29th, 2008 13:27
BM: if you’re awake now, where *is* the latest posting?
i’ve heard that the arms were unloaded over the weekend & that a netherlands-based air cargo company was contracted to fly the shipment all in one go to zim using one of its larger cargo planes.
April 29th, 2008 13:44
Apparently plans are afoot to get to Zim via Malawi - posted on the front page today. My apologies I should have kept this post updated too.
The link is here.
April 29th, 2008 14:30
Thanks Sokwanele!
I fear that the shipment is now on its way… I also fear that we’re a long way behind now as we may not have many portugese speakers/writers here to help us. I know my portugese is non-existent
It looks like the international transport workers federeation has dropped the story (last posting: 24 Apr). Does anyone have any connections with airport workers in Angola?
Does anyone have capacity to confirm the netherlands-based air cargo company so we can try to get response from them?
April 29th, 2008 16:04
How can I be of service? Portuguese crew on standby
- hmm we need to
a) phone Angola unions and just ask if they know anything further about the directions of this boat.
b) Draft emails to Angola alerting to the importance of the ship’s destination after leaving Angola and further information on this.
Sound about right?
*Feedback and advice on action appreciated right away as I’m preparing to do this now.*
Alright, am on the case.
[Oh yes, also, any Angolan or European Portuguesers your help is always appreciated]
April 29th, 2008 16:45
I came across this report, “The Arms Fixers”, which someone may find helpful.
For full report see: http://www.nisat.org/publications/armsfixers/Preface.html
“This study seeks to cast light on some recent cases of arms brokering and trafficking via third countries to regions of violent conflict and serious human rights abuse. We want to describe the activities of arms brokers and trafficking or transport agents (also known as shipping agents or brokers) and their associated sub-contractors, in order to examine what measures governments can take to prevent such activities from contributing to serious violations of international law. We also propose an agenda for change which includes a package of interdependent recommendations for priority action by governments.”
If Cosco is acting as an arms trafficking agent in this case, the press may be happy to help out.
April 29th, 2008 16:56
I’m sorry I mean shipment not ship…
April 29th, 2008 18:06
CC — looks about right, a good plan. m
April 29th, 2008 18:08
CC if you can afford it, pick up the phone and call. Offices are probably shut now - 6pm there I think.
I introduced myself as a blogger. I gave my real name and number too. I just asked if they could confirm what was in the news - and told them what was in the news.
In this case, you would be thanking the IFTW and the local union for everything they have done. It means so much to us and the world is admiring their courage and integrity. You are phoning to so say thank you and to ask - are they able confirm the weapons have left and if there is some way of confirming to the world. A picture. Something? Do they have any ideas?
Sometimes they can’t do anything but it starts the conversation and ideas.
April 29th, 2008 18:25
CC: we’re all grateful that you’re portugese capable.
Please let us know anything that you can find out on the issue from portugese sources and/or press.
Do we have any eyes on the ground — e.g. at the port where supposedly only non-Zim goods are being unloaded? At the airport, on the lookout for large cargo plane.
With plane spotters, who are really good at providing info on what registration the purported cargo plane will be…
April 29th, 2008 18:42
scotchcart and CC — I took your suggestion and called the dockworkers union that I could find, that is the International Longshoreman and Warehouse Union (ILWU) in Sand Francisco.
It was an opportunity to THANK DOCKWORKERS for standing up for what’s right. They immediately picked up the call and gave me 10 minutes.
The ILWU gave all the credit to the South African dockworkers. I made them aware of Malawi’s devious efforts, and let them know that the longshoremen will be remembered as those who put the WAY OUT in Robert Mugabe Way. It did not have a direct effect on today’s situation, yet making calls is one way to keep the issue alive while in time finding the right people.
April 29th, 2008 19:23
OK I’ve posted progress, on the Malawi thread (the newest thread) thoughts appreciated
We need more emails to go out to Angolan Press and unions, my temporary Zim account now thinks I’m a spammer and hasn’t let many of my emails through!! (Umm, any advice on how to avoid this in the future?)
April 29th, 2008 19:59
good picture of the ship of shame, to add to the gallery
http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/ship-of-shame.jpg
and the New York Times story that the above text points to is at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/world/africa/27zimbabwe.html
BUT that is two days old now.
Have made a few postings now on plane spotters networks in hopes they might be able to respond.
Does this mean that we know for a fact the ship has docked at Luanda, not Lobito??
Hopefully the local dockers have wisened up and the S.A. folks have gotten the dangerous goods documentation to them by now!
April 29th, 2008 21:09
cc: please post URL of the malawi thread here. can’t find it.
April 29th, 2008 22:20
Air cargo carrier perhaps Avient Aviation?
http://www.fingaz.co.zw/story.aspx?stid=2660
“An airlift would require at least two flights on the Russian-made cargo plane, an Illyushin II-76, which has a payload of 44 tonnes.
The Air Force of Zimbabwe has an Illyushin, but the cost could be prohibitive.
Military officials have also discussed the possibility of hiring a private operator, Avient Aviation, a British cargo charter airline that has previously flown into Zimbabwe. However, this is unlikely, a source said.”
April 30th, 2008 13:38
see the thread here for more discussion re: Avient Aviation, where the managing director of the company has issued a denial of involvement. This is the same director who, according to the Sunday Times, is/was being investigated for war crimes.
http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/910
April 30th, 2008 17:44
see also new comments on
http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/924
May 2nd, 2008 11:01
Hi friends, a new article on this story has been added to the blog today.
I am going to close comments on this thread and ask if you would mind leaving them on the latest post instead. It’s very difficult to browse through all these comments on slower connections.
May I ask you to summarise, in one comment on the new thread, the main points of any ongoing conversations here so everything is consolidated again.
Many thanks!
April 19th, 2008 20:57
Chinese Arms Latest…
Rather than repeat what others have already dug up about the Chinese arms shipment, here’s a link to Sokwanele’s consolidated post on the issue - it has details of the current situation and will be regularly updated with news as the get it….
April 20th, 2008 15:37
[...] Electricity is priceless. Energy Activism in Nigeria from Africa Unchained. This is Zimbabwe reports on efforts to prevent the Chinese shipping guns to Zimbabwe. Erik at White African comments on Internet Connectivity on the [...]
April 21st, 2008 20:57
[...] was disabled. But whatever, in the absence of other information, the map is kind of cool. Finally, This is Zimbabwe has a button that you can link to, to inform others about action alerts and the [...]
April 21st, 2008 23:11
Zimbabwe: An Yue Jiang Lost, Stolen, or Strayed?…
The An Yue Jiang, the Chinese ship that’s supposed to be carrying tons of arms for Zimbabwe left Durban for port or ports unknown; some thought it was headed for nearby Mozambique, but the Mozambicans pulled an Amy Winehouse and denied it access …
April 28th, 2008 14:55
[...] Stop the An Yue Jiang from delivering Chinese weapons to Zimbabwe. [...]