I’m going to close comments on this post and ask you to take the discussion to the latest entry on the story.

Hope

So far I have not heard from the contacts on the Malawian end. I hope to hear something soon though and will keep you all posted on developments.

JS – can we expect the cargo to be flown on Dutch registered aircraft? I do not understand the figures not being mathemetically inclined. Please let us know because perhaps I can alert some colleagues I know and perhaps they can take some action on this front.

Thank-you. Your encouragement meant a lot to me.

We are going to be meeting with Senator Jack Reed from Rhode Island. You can look him up online. He is friends with our pastor who was very involved in US black civil rights activism in the 60s. We are getting quite a bit of help from our pastor and local religious orgs. However, it is Jack we are aiming for. I will give everyone a heads-up when we are about to meet with him.

I think it was buried somewhere in Zimbabwesituation site, but congress took an informal vote for Mugabe to step down. Sen. John Kerry from Mass. is leading the way on this. I think it is significant. If I can get to these senators over here we may get some real help AKA peacekeeping/monitoring intervention.

I think at this point I should be posting somewhere else on this site since I have veered from the arms ship topic. Where should I do that?

Most recent info indicates the arms may likely have already flown. In the event they haven’t and you know any dockers at ports: Luanda, Lobito (where there is a military airbase), or Namibe (where there is also a remote airport) or Matadi (DRC), or Malaba, (Eq. Guinea)…

Container Number, Seal Number
CRXU2189?978 004301
HJGU8718191 004302
CRXU2616357 004303
CRXU2691229 004?04
HNCU451208 004305
HPGU3801507 004306

Plane spotters have said:
– Netherlands registered aircraft would have a registration starting with “PH-”
– Dutch air cargo carrier operating several legs inside the African continent is Martinair (MP/MPH), with MD-11 aircraft.

Info on Avient & MartinAir Cargo planes:
Avient fleet: (also operating “TopAir?” thru “Avient solutions”)
DC-10: Z-ALT, Z-AVT,N372BC, Z-ARL
IL76T: EW-263TH, Z-WTV
B727F
AN12
Flights named: SMJxxx or NFSxxx
Callsign: AVAVIA

MartinAir Cargo:
Safe handling of goods classed as “dangerous” is another service offered by Martinair Cargo.
* 4 Boeing 747-400BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter)
* 6 Boeing 767-300ER
* 4 McDonnell Douglas MD-11CF
* 3 McDonnell Douglas MD-11F

A320-233 EI-TAF (operated by TACA Airlines, El Salvador, for MartinAir)
B747-412(SCD) PH-MPP
B747-412(SCD) PH-MPQ
B747-412(BCF) PH-MPR
B747-412(BCF) PH-MPS
B767-31A(ER) PH-MCG
B767-31A(ER) PH-MCH
B767-31A(ER) PH-MCI
B767-33A(ER) PH-MCJ
B767-31A(ER) PH-MCL
B767-31A(ER) PH-MCM
F70 PH-KBX (operated for Govt of Netherlands, by MartinAir)
MD-11CF(AH) PH-MCP
MD-11CF(AH) PH-MCR
MD-11CF(AH) PH-MCS
MD-11CF(AH) PH-MCT
MD-11F(AH) PH-MCU
MD-11F(AH) PH-MCW
MD-11F(AH) PH-MCY

Flights named: MP0 (“zero”, not a big “oh”)
Callsign: MARTINAIR

In other good news…I emailed a Washington based organisation, Refugees International, and yesterday – to my amazement – a guy called Patrick phoned me at home. They have many contact details for organisations, and also for Congress and State Department, which I had been struggling to get by my own efforts. Now for posting these on the database…

You are right, people do care and have not forgotten Zimbabwe. I want to take my kids back to Zimbabwe one day soon, to visit the country that four generations of their family on my side have loved and served. Not Mugabe’s Maoist nightmare but the true heart of Africa!

As for the Chinese, you are so right Scotchcart. Poly Technologies who shipped those arms has been exposed as an enterprise of China’s ruling clan, its head is a close relation of Deng Xao-Ping. It is not a truly competitive firm but a thinly disguised front for the ruling party. Such people (like the ones responsible for the dog food scandal and other abuses) bring disgrace on their nation and harm the good image of Chinese business, an interface which many have worked hard to build up in recent years. I’ve tried emailing some of these trade representatives and Chinese companies to make that point but it’s difficult to get contacts – if anyone has a better idea please share it!

You are meeting with a state senator? Like Barack … cheers, that’s ‘lekker’, ’sweet as’, cool … makorokote, amaholpe! That’s really cool. Well done!

The issue’s are big, man. I think the key is disentangling everyone’s interests. But to keep us on the agenda – that’s so good! Thanks.

Actually, ‘Ektuly’, the issues are finding what we have in common. The young generation in the US, as I read it, are really in tune with the spirit of the age. They know that the imperative facing the US is re-negotiating the relationship between the US and the rest of the world. I take my hat off to them. From the Golden Age of post-WW II – to now.

Well we are (part of) the rest of the world. We want a balanced relationship with US and China – to keep it simple. And the way the US responds to this crisis signals its willingness to engage with the emerging realities. Gen Y rocks! I believe that Gen Y + USA + China can bring us to a place in world civilization that 50 years ago no one could have ever imagined.

The AYJ ‘p. … ‘ me off ‘big time’ but the truth is I have had plenty of Chinese colleagues. They are good people. Ni hao and xie xie. What will make this century great (or miserable) is to get our heads around our challenges and take our people somewhere.

Let’s leave behind a legacy our children and grandchildren can be proud of.

(I am older than you!)

Muk, well done! Good luck and keep us informed!

Muk

i am trying to get an update from some groups here w/more info on exact situation today. Will post later tonight or tomorrow a.m.

website:http://www.sdnp.org.mw/

They also have this useful tool on their site, a government directory of all publicaly listed numbers.

I also think its a good idea to keep copies of all correspondence we have sent on this issue (if we are not doing so already), this will be useful in future if there is a need to seek redress on this issue

I have just started to send the letter to the Angolan journalist and politics and I realized that there wasn’t any suggestion of subject in porguese for the letter.

It may be useful to include these suggestion of subject in the top of the letter:

“Maláui age para liberar as armas para o Zimbábue”

OR

“Maláui em Angola para liberar as armas para o Zimbábue”

http://www.nyasatimes.com/opinion/130.html

Malawi Mission to Angola: Aiding and Abetting A Tyrant?

‘Reminiscent of the movie “Blood Diamonds”; the Malawi Government has decided to meddle in Zimbabwean internal affairs by sending its intelligence officials to clear on Mugabe’s behalf the contraband from China, in Luanda-Angola, despite the international calls not to allow the ship carrying the arms to offload anywhere in the world except in China.’ etc.

A little quote for some who need it:
“First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win.”
Mahatma Gandhi

If they are verifying the story then we need to push harderd.

Also, as soon as I’ve cleared a bit of work to do today I’m going to try and contact the press, but I am limited to email.

Can those who can phone journalists do so and post feedback here. I think if you can actually find a jounro-name to call and phone them directly then that’s the way to go. Refer them back to this thread for all the details.

If the Malawi story is correct, the Press are still not onto it.

I have sent them links to the Nyasa Times article, and emphasised the humanitarian implications of those arms being channelled through Malawi to Zimbabwe.

I just heard word from SDNP whom I mentioned yesterday.

It seems the first few sources they got in contact with on the Malawi end have confirmed the story. However, they are still waiting for further verification from Offices of the President, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cabinet. All these offices have already been written to but have not responded.

They have requested that we add our voices to their request.

I am getting a sinking feeling and I really think that we should all communicate with these offices perhaps modify the letter for the Angolan officials and direct it to the above Malawian authorities.

UNSC went as expected – blocked by SA, China, Russia, Libya, Vietnam. Next week the Presidency rotates to UK and the debate is expected to be in an open not closed session. We go on.

The good news. Zimbabwe came 4th at the short course swimming championships – behind USA, Australia and Netherlands.
Of course, Kirsty did everything! 4 golds, 1 bronze and 3 world records.
Well done! She is also amazing diplomatic. Way to go girl! Keep the flag flying. Success reminds people that all Zimbabweans are worth supporting.

As for me, I am not Kirsty – can’t swim fast, can’t do anything spectacular, but I can keep the pressure up one email/phone call at a time.

I want to know that every young Zimbabwean can dream, strive, and in turn help the next generation dream, strive, hope, laugh . .