TURKEY TURNS AROUND ARMS SHIPMENT BOUND FOR ARMENIA
By M. Alkhazashvili, translated by Diana Dundua
The Messenger, Georgia
July 27 2007
Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha said that Turkish authorities
blocked a shipment of Albanian weapons and ammunition bound for
Armenia, reports the news agency Regnum.
"They forced an Albanian ship to sail back with its cargo. One of our
naval vessels, loaded with containers full of weapons, mainly heavy
artillery and ammunition, was berthed at Durres port. The ship had
sailed from Durres to Istanbul, loaded with 60 containers of heavy
artillery and shells, destined for Armenia," explained Berisha.
Turkey and Armenia do not have formal diplomatic relations.
The director of MEIKO, the company responsible for fulfilling the arms
order, said Albania has no interest in getting in between Turkey and
Armenia. The company is now looking for alternative shipping routes.
According to the company director, the Armenian Defense Ministry
placed a large weapons order with its Albanian counterpart, asking
for a variety of arms, including heavy artillery
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress