The An Yue Jiang is in Angola - and so is Emmerson Mnangagwa
Thanks to all the comments left on this blog for the alerts:
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, state news agency Angop reported overnight.
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 said. (link)
Is it really a concidence that Emmerson Mnangagwa just happens to be there at the same time? Accompanied by someone in the Defence sector? I don’t think so:
The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Robert Gabriel Mugabe sent this Friday to the Angolan capital, Luanda, his minister of Rural Housing and Social Amenities, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who arrived in the country this Friday morning, in the capacity of special envoy of that African Head of State.
ANGOP learnt at “4 de Fevereiro” International Airport, moments after his arrival, that the envoy is the bearer of a message of President Mugabe to his Angolan counterpart, José Eduardo dos Santos.
Minister Emmerson Munangagwa, who came to Angola accompanied by his colleague of the Defence sector, Sydney Sevc-Gramany, will return to his country late this Friday afternoon. (link)
It’s disgusting.
Update:
Here are the Angolan addresses registered on the contact database. A mixture of ports, government and media:
dnmmp@netangola.ao;
geral@mirex.gov.ao;
angola@angola.org;
assembleianacional@parlamento.ebonet.net;
emagalhaes@rna.ao;
dgeral@rna.ao;
alourenco@rna.ao;
jmendonca@rna.ao;
bmorias@minplan.gov.ao;
learao13@yahoo.com;
jornaldeangola@nexus.ao
The Portuguese letter is here.
April 25th, 2008 22:27
Here are the Angolan addresses registered on the contact database. A mixture of ports, government and media:
dnmmp@netangola.ao;
geral@mirex.gov.ao;
angola@angola.org;
assembleianacional@parlamento.ebonet.net;
emagalhaes@rna.ao;
dgeral@rna.ao;
alourenco@rna.ao;
jmendonca@rna.ao;
bmorias@minplan.gov.ao;
learao13@yahoo.com;
jornaldeangola@nexus.ao
The Portuguese letter is here.
April 25th, 2008 23:48
Future press release from Angolan Port Authorities -
“So sorry chaps…must have been offloaded by the night shift. Rest assured we are doing what we can to locate the missing containers.”
April 26th, 2008 11:06
Yesterday a press report linked a UK cargo company, Avient Limited, to a possible “plan B” for transporting the weapons. On the face of it this seems unlikely but when it comes Zimbabwe the unlikely or frankly unbelievable seems to be commonplace!!
Here’s their URL: http://www.avient.aero/contactus.htm
Their Zimbabwe office is on the corner of Enterprise and Drew Road, Chisipite.
UK (head office) address is Unit 7, Minton Distribution Park, London Road, Amesbury, Wiltshire SP4 7RT.
Let’s try to get them to make a public statement that they will not help the Zim “illegal” government.
April 26th, 2008 11:51
Let’s not forget that when it comes to arms deals all forms of ethics and social responsibility go oiut the window.
What is distressing is the lack of covergae in the mainstream media (CNN, BBC, SKY) - the only coverage I am seeing in on Al-Jazeera.
Lets all make a concerted effort to get this story back in the headlines. The more it is covered the less the chance of the ship being offloaded.
Let’s petition Avient immediately.
April 26th, 2008 11:57
Friday, 25 April 2008 12:59 UK
Civil society’s triumph on Zimbabwe
By Peter Greste
BBC News, Johannesburg
It has been reported that China has finally recalled the An Yue Jiang, the ship allegedly loaded with arms for Zimbabwe.
Demonstrators against the arms shipment
Church groups in South Africa demonstrated against the shipment
Rights groups hailed the move as a major victory, a triumph of public opinion over political cynicism.
It seems civil society is taking the lead, well ahead of national leaders, on the question of Zimbabwe.
The An Yue Jiang is a container ship owned by China’s state-run shipping company COSCO, reported to be carrying millions of rounds of assault rifle, ammunition, mortar rounds and rocket-propelled grenades.
When the ship anchored off the South African port of Durban, a local news magazine revealed that it was about to off-load the weapons, and public opinion reacted with outrage.
Newspaper editorials condemned the shipment, callers rang radio talk shows complaining that the weapons could be used by the Zimbabwean government against its own people.
The South African government’s response was blunt. “So what?” they said.
————————————–
So this ship is on its way back to China. Fair enough, but note the arrogant ill considered and indifferent response of the ANC. This just about sums up their whole attitude to human rights.
April 26th, 2008 12:02
Avient Management People
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Andrew Smith - Managing Director
Samantha Smith - Commercial Director
James House - Commercial Manager - Charters
Julie Hedge - Reservations Supervisor
Phone: +44 (0)1980 676010
Lewis Kling
Phone; +263 4 497208
Fax: 00 263 4 497136
E mail: lewis@avient.co.zw
Address: 191 Enterprise Road, Cnr. Drew Road, Chisipite, Harare
SITA: HREAVCR
Fax: +44 (0)1980 626634
Address: Unit 7, Minton Distribution Park, London Road, Amesbury, Wiltshire SP4 7RT
E-Mail: infoavient.aero
April 26th, 2008 12:15
The press are worryingly quiet on this.
Can people contact the media in their parts of the world and alert them to the fact the ship is in Angola, but - more importantly - so was Manangagwa.
April 26th, 2008 12:43
Angolan press statements say it will allow unloading of only ‘good destined for Angola’… wondering if Munangagwa ’sold’ the arms to Angola for unloading then ‘re-sale’ to Mugabe?
We need someone at the docks…
April 26th, 2008 12:52
Phoned Avient UK, spoke to an operator… there is a director there but she was busy ‘arranging’ a flight’… and they say she will call me back! Let’s see!
April 26th, 2008 12:53
Sally D, where did you see the report that Avient might be involved?
April 26th, 2008 13:08
the email for Avient UK is: ops@avient.aero
April 26th, 2008 13:11
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.
via Fingaz - Sally D emailed us the info as well.
BM - can you let us know what they say.
Can I please encourage people to ensure that the press in their part of the world are onto this story.
April 26th, 2008 13:20
Yes Sokwanele - the MAINSTREAM MEDIA have a crucial role here. Lets rally CNN, SKY and BBC to get this story back in the headlines.
April 26th, 2008 13:25
Got it to the BBC… let’s see what happens.
April 26th, 2008 13:34
I’ve emailed SKY, CNN and BBCWORLD
Lets all do the same.
April 26th, 2008 13:52
Okay, on Avient we are on a false trail. I just spoke to the Avient director and they do not ever transport arms. The company is run by ex-Zimbabweans and they still have family in Zim. Their plane in the region is currently transporting stuff from South Africa to Zambia. So the answer on this one is no, Avient are not in any way involved.
April 26th, 2008 13:53
I’ve also just emailed Avient in the UK and asked them if this is true. If not, I have asked that they issue a statement immediately as this would certainly have SEVERE consequenses on Avient Limited as a business. Let’s see. I agree that the media coverage (Sky, CNN, etc) has gone way too quiet about this. Has anyone contacted Sky and CNN about this Avient rumour?
April 26th, 2008 14:13
Also … does anyone know what has happened about the 2nd shipment of arms that was due to be flown into Zimbabwe from Beijing sometime soon?
April 26th, 2008 14:23
THE BBC site says that China has recalled the ship. We need to verify this.
If it is true then congratulations to Sokwanele and all activists.
We must keep this effort up. I am worried that if the ship returns to China they will try and airfreight the cargo to Harare. The 77 Tonnes of cargo on the ship could be airfrighted in approx 5 Flights (depending on size of plane).
This would cost Zim plenty -over Usd 1,000,000 extra. Info on timing: By sea from off Namibian coast to say Shanghai: 3 weeks, then about 8 days to unload and transport to airstrip so earliest this cargo could be airfreighted from China is: 24th May.
April 26th, 2008 14:26
Something fishy is going on with this former president of ours and his counter part, Jose Eduardo Dos Santos. Unless we get the so called mainstream media to highlight the presence of the murderous,ruthless,inhuman & corrupt Mnangagwa , Mugabe will take advantage of the silence and smuggle the arms…
April 26th, 2008 15:03
MEANWHILE…
ZANU PF Has again lost majority in Parliament.. I hope they should release the remaining “dead rubber” results for the recount so that we have president for the first time in 4 weeks.
April 26th, 2008 15:11
Sent to the New York Times foreign desk, but then I found the story on Reuters
It looks like Angolan President Dos Santos sent a letter back to Mugabe. I wonder if they’re agreeing to terms for a swap?
Also sent to the Anglican Archbishop of South Africa, as church activists have been involved in the court cases and across borders. Sunday is a world day of prayer for Zimbabwe.
Sent also to the New York Times reporter whose byline appears most often on Zimbabwe news items, Cecilia Duggar. A webform for contacting her is here.
April 26th, 2008 16:37
I sent off the portugese letter and alerted media in Germany. Let’s go on together!
April 26th, 2008 17:55
Comment just in by email from Avient Lmited - 6pm South Africa :
The suggestion that we are linked to such a scheme is highly inaccurate.
The article actually reads Quote
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. Unquote
There has been no contact with any member of this company to request any form of assistance to move the suggested cargo.
Avient has a clear international policy that we do not carry any arms and ammunition for anyone.
Please advise who the so termed administrators/activists are with their addressees and email addresses so that the matter can be cleared immediately. Many people their families and dependants rely on Avient for their livelihood and many people throughout the continent of Africa are serviced by us carrying commercial cargo on a daily basis.
Andrew R H Smith
Managing Director
AVIENT LIMITED
The Barn Cottage,
Brigmerston, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 8HX
UNITED KINGDOM.
Tel: 00 44 (0) 1980 676010
Fax:00 44(0) 1980 654954
Sita : HDQOOXH
http://www.avient.aero
Thank you for clearing this up for us.
April 26th, 2008 18:02
These airlines in Angola has or make use cargo planes:
1) Air Gemini
Direcção Comercial
Tel.:+244 222 351 249
Fax: +244 222 351 205
e-mail: comercial@airgemini.ebonet.net
Air Gemini Carga
Tel.: +244 222 356669
Office at Huambo
Paccitur
Aeroporto Albano Machado
Agência: Rua Principal - Casa n.o5557
924 111172
2) TAAG Angola Airlines
Cargo:
Terminal de Carga
Aeroporto Internacional 4 de Fevereiro
Luanda - Angola
Tel.: (+244) 222 352 608
Fax.: (+244) 222 350 111
SITA Code: LADFKDT
E-mail: carga-chefia@taag.aero ou
dir.carga@taag.aero
Call Center: Tel.: +244 222 359226
3) Transafrik International
Luanda
Physical & Postal Address
Transafrik International Ltd.
4th of February International Airport
Luanda
Angola
Telephone
Tel : (+244) 222 353 714
Tel : (+244) 222 352 141
Fax : (+244) 222 354 183
Sales Enquiries sales@transafrik.com
April 26th, 2008 18:12
BeeSA: That made me laugh. Ooops.
And it showed me too that all your emails have an effect. Thank you.
April 26th, 2008 18:22
This may also be of use:
APM Terminals: (also in Angola)
APM Terminals is a multinational container terminal operating company headquartered in the Netherlands. It is the world’s second largest terminal operator with a global network of more than 50 terminals in 31 countries, with another 14 more in development or construction. (They operate in Angola)
e-mail: cenapmtcom@apmterminals.com
CONTACT:APM TERMINALS CORPORATE
Tel: +31 70 304 3100
April 26th, 2008 18:41
mmmm. . not to defame anyone but Wiltshire is the military area of UK … of course they do other things there too, shop, go to the movies. .
Good work!
I find myself rather tired. How does anyone have the energy to argue with the lurkers?
I don’t see anything in the news about the boat but a master mariner who shall remain nameless is watching her movements via the Lloyds site for us. As far as I could tell, she didn’t tell them she was popping in to Luanda for a beer!
April 26th, 2008 18:50
The just published article by Celia Dugger in the NY Times made reference to side by side photos of the Chinese ship and of Fraser with Dos Santos so MAYBE the shipment of arms will not be offloaded….
be offloaded?
April 26th, 2008 21:33
“Wiltshire is the military area of UK” - not sure that this is accurate. The UK has major military installations all over the place. Obviously Salisbury is a big one but they’re pretty much everywhere!
As to the ship, is the general feeling that Angola will try to trick everyone and actually unload these arms? What are the dock unions like in Angola?
April 26th, 2008 22:06
To Scotchcart….The Address for Sita Unit 7, Minton Distribution Park, London Road, Amesbury, Wiltshire SP4 7RT is a small unit and NOT connected to the military…I live very close to it..If they are involved..the foreign Office will be calling them later today or early tomorrow..Trust me.!!!!
Dave
April 26th, 2008 23:04
You guys are all amazing Please remember this
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 StumblesChancellor, Anglican Diocese of Harare.19.04.2008.
April 30th, 2008 13:52
Re: A.Smith, Avient Aviation denial of involvement. The cited policy is questionable and the man himself is/was under investigation of war crimes for his and Avient’s involvement in DRC and Rwanda.
Thus the denied involvement may not be easily believable. On the other hand, the rumour is/was that it is a Netherlands-based air cargo company.
Publicly available press reports of the history of Avient & Andrew Smith, the managing director.
See:
http://216.180.252.4/archives/index.php?mnu=details&id=1143959980&catid=14
and
http://216.180.252.4/archives/index.php?mnu=details&id=1143960023&catid=14
copy also at
http://www.zwnews.com/issuefull.cfm?ArticleID=15369
from Oct-2006, ref Avient’s involvement in DRC and Rwanda conflicts
… “Mr Graham Pelham [working as undercover investigator for the UN], a former manager with the airline, Avient Aviation crews were hired to help with logistics. However, they also took part in blanket bombing raids and crewed aircraft involved in other attacks. ”
and the Sunday Times article ref’d in above, which is far more graphic & which mentions Mr.Smith of Wiltshire, UK being investigated for war crimes:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article634255.ece
copy also at:
http://www.zwnews.com/issuefull.cfm?ArticleID=15368
“Avient’s role was supposed to be logistical but Pelham says he was put in charge of helicopter gunships and civilian aircraft that had been converted to drop bombs and were being flown by Avient crews.”
April 30th, 2008 14:02
Looking ahead to any possible future shipments of arms by air direct China-Zim, Avient Aviation has a possible route:
“Avient’s DC 10 flies [from VATRY airfield in Paris] to Shanghai via Almaty, in southeastern
Kazakhstan, transporting all manner of freight.”
Not that I’m saying Avient Aviation would do this, since Mr. Smith has publicly stated, “Avient has a clear international policy that we do not carry any arms and ammunition for anyone.”
April 30th, 2008 16:03
oh dear oh dear,
following another lead there are also reports that Avient was involved with the BAe arms to South Africa corruption deal, that its possibly involved in the transfer of arms into Sudan via UAE’s Sharhaj airport…
Also, according to the Guardian Observer (UK) in 2002 that it was contracted to fly “cargo” from the Oryx diamond mine (part owned at least at one time by ZANU-PF military, maybe Mr.President too and which is still under investigation by UN security counsel, though they’ve yet to publish their investigation).
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2002/oct/27/theobserver.observerbusiness12
The carat and the UN’s stick
It’s a dark tale that links arms, Africa, smuggling, gems - and billions of dollars
# Jamie Doward
# The Observer,
# Sunday October 27 2002
I’m getting in touch with the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office to clarify current EU sanctions conditions that may apply to any EU company that may get involved.
April 30th, 2008 16:37
OK, called the UK’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Zimbabwe Desk (+44 (0)20 7008 2902) and asked
“If a company is registered in or has significant representation in an EU country but uses a non-EU subsidiary to transfer arms to Zimbabwe — not via the EU — would that be in breach of the current EU sanctions against arms transfer to Zimbabwe?”
The person I spoke to was quite helpful and felt that the response would be YES. However has passed the query to their Sanctions Team for full clarification.
She said that all EU companies wanting to transfer arms to Zim — including brokering where no arms pass through the EU — must be applied for IN ADVANCE of the shipment. She said that that gov’t would have to investigate if this law were violated.
Why is this important? Because if the air cargo company being considered for this shipment is EU-based (e.g. UK or Netherlands) then this could be a breach of sanctions.
In which case, if the arms haven’t flown, there’s a small glimmer of hope that the investigation can be triggered before they’re transfered. A very small glimmer of hope, I have to stress.
May 2nd, 2008 11:05
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!
May 7th, 2008 04:29
[...] Mozambique also refused to offload the shipment, and China, after a lot of international pressure, seemed to agree that the arms would be returned to the country of origin. But the ship had cement to be delivered in Angola, so the ship proceeded to Angola [...]