Beirut airport bombing puts Lebanese economy, Mideast aviation in disarray
By JIM KRANE
AP Worldstream; Jul 13, 2006
Hundreds of travellers were left stranded and Lebanon faced losses of
millions of dollars a day after Israeli airstrikes smashed runways at
Beirut airport, forcing the closure of the country’s only air outlet
to the world.
Airlines around the region quickly increased their flights to
neighboring Syria, now the only way in and out of Lebanon. Thousands
of people took to the Beirut-Damascus highway, most heading out to
catch flights in the Syrian capital.
Some stranded travellers, however were looking for a way in.
Imad Hajjar was on his way from Paris to Lebanon for his wedding,
scheduled for July 29, when his flight was diverted to Cyprus, where
three Beirut-bound flights landed after Israel’s early morning strike.
At Larnaca’s Flamingo hotel, the 32-year-old Hajjar was following
the news on his laptop, trying to decide what to do.
“Everything is booked and ready for the wedding. We’ve been planning
it for a year now,” said Hajjar, whose fiancee was supposed to fly
out from France to join him on Friday.
“Do I stay here, or go to Syria?” Hajjar said.
Even Lebanon’s foreign minister, Fawzi Salloukh, was affected. He
had to work his way home by land through Syria from a trip to Armenia.
Saad Hariri, the head of the anti-Syrian bloc in Lebanon’s parliament,
ended up in Cyprus, returning from China, so he took the opportunity
to perform some diplomacy, heading to Egypt and Jordan to meet with
those countries’ leaders.
The closure of Rafik Hariri International Airport _ named after Saad’s
slain father, the former prime minister _ will cost Lebanon millions
of dollars a day in lost tourism revenue, said Amr Abdel-Ghaffar of
the U.N. World Tourism Organization in Madrid.
“The longer the airport stays closed, the bigger the impact is,”
he said.
Lebanon is a top summer vacation spot for Saudis, Emiratis, Kuwaitis
and others, as well as for the huge Lebanese community in the Gulf.
Five empty planes of Lebanon’s national carrier, Middle East
Airlines, flew to Cyprus to spare them from possible damage in any
new airstrikes, said the director of civil aviation on the east
Mediterranean island, Leonidas Leonidou. Three more were expected
Friday, he said.
Tourism accounts for 12 to 15 percent of Lebanon’s US$23.7 billion
(euro18.7 billion) GDP, said Abdel-Ghaffar. Arrivals in 2006 were 49
percent above those of 2005, when the assassination of former Prime
Minister Hariri in February kept many visitors away, Abdel-Ghaffar
said.
“It’s been a spectacular recovery,” he said. “The Lebanese are
preparing for the high summer season and were expecting a significantly
increased number of tourists, especially from the Gulf region.”
“Unfortunately this will have a direct affect on the tourism economy,”
he said.
Many Gulf Arabs stopped vacationing in the West, especially in the
United States, after the Sept. 11 attacks, and Lebanon has been
a beneficiary.
The World Tourism Organization plans to hold an International
Conference on Safety and Security in Tourism in Beirut in late
October. Abdel-Ghaffar said the conference may have to be shifted
elsewhere, depending on how events unfold.
In Dubai, the Mideast’s largest air hub, six flights to Beirut on
four carriers were canceled Thursday.
Emirates airline said it was accommodating stranded travelers in
hotels. “We’re monitoring the situation. It’s not under our control,”
an Emirates executive said, speaking on condition of anonymity because
she was not permitted to speak to the press.
In Dubai’s neighboring emirate of Sharjah, budget carrier Air Arabia
allowed vacationers to exchange Beirut-bound tickets for last-minute
flights to Egypt, Turkey and elsewhere at no extra cost.
Carriers in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other countries quickly doubled
their flights to Damacus, now unable to fly to Beirut.
The Israeli strike blasted holes in all three of Beirut airport’s
runways. Lebanese Public Works Minister Mohammed Safadi inspected the
airport and said the damage would take up to 48 hours to repair. But
the reopening of the airport would be a Cabinet decision, he added.
____
Associated Press writer George Psyllides in Nicosia and correspondents
in the Mideast contributed to this report.
Author: Kanayan Tamar
Refugees Form Azerbaijan Urge Ilham Aliyev To Recognize Independence
REFUGEES FORM AZERBAIJAN URGE ILHAM ALIYEV TO RECOGNIZE INDEPENDENCE
OF NAGORNY KARABAKH FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF PEACE IN REGION
Yerevan, July 13. ArmInfo. A network of a civil society “Refugees
and International Law” presenting the interests of 500,000 Armenian
refugees from Azerbaijani SSR and Nakhijevan appealed to the President
of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for recognition of the independence of
Nagorny Karabakh.
In their appeal, the refugees, in particular, say that in response to
the political issues raised by the Armenian population, the authorities
of the Azerbaijani SSR applied force, organizing pogroms, murders
and deportation of Armenians from Sumgait, Kirovabad, Gazakh, Tovuz,
Baku and other towns having large Armenian population.
However, local Armenians could not defend themselves. Afterwards,
a second stage-expulsion of the autonomous Armenian population from
the villages of Karabakh started. Then, the Azerbaijani authorities
initiated large scale military actions against the Nagorny Karabakh
Republic that declared independence basing on the will of the
population of Nagorny Karabakh Autonomous Region, Shahumyan region
and Getashen sub-region. Then, NKR was in a full blockade due to its
enclave geographical position. The Azerbaijani Republic was defeated.
The borders of NKR and AR were changed as well. The Constitutional
Act on the state independence of Azerbaijani SSR dated 18 October
1991 contains a refusal of Azerbaijan from legal succession of the
Azerbaijan SSR. It not only means that Armenians expelled from the
Azerbaijani SSR cannot rely on the AR authorities in protection of
their rights, but also that AR can claim only part of the territories
of Azerbaijani SSR, created as “union of Armenians and Muslims.”
The atmosphere of armenophobia in AR, the memory of the tragic past
makes impossible the return of Armenians refugees to Azerbaijani
SSR and Nakhijevan. Taking into account the given realities,
Armenian refugees recognize NKR as the only legal successor of
Azerbaijani SSR, the refugees say. In their statement dated June 30,
the refugees applied to NKR authorities for relevant conditions for
their resettlement in the territories under the jurisdiction of NKR and
transfer of these territories to them on the private property rights.
It will partially cover their direct material losses. As regards
indirect losses, the refugees connect them with the privatization in
Azerbaijani Republic. They were illegally deprived of participation
in this process. The refugees believe it fair if Azerbaijani
authorities propose acceptable and adequate mechanisms of providing
Armenian refugees with a share from the profits from recovery,
processing, transportation and sale of oil and gas. And about the
most important. Of course, we are for durable peace based on mutual
protection and respect of interests. Recognition of NKR’s independence
by Azerbaijan will be the best guarantee of peace and prosperity in
the region, the refugees say.
Euro Armenian Federation welcomes Euro Parliament members’ initiativ
EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION WELCOMES EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT MEMBERS’
INITIATIVE ON ADDING ISSUE OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE FACT ADMISSION BY
TURKEY TO THE ISSUES UNDER EU-TURKEY NEGOTIATIONS
Arka News Agency, Armenia
July 12 2006
YEREVAN, July 12. /ARKA/. European Armenian Federation, EAF,
welcomes European Parliament members’ initiative on including the
issue of Armenian Genocide fact admission by Turkey in the agenda of
negotiations on the latter’s possible EU membership, EAF Chair Hilda
Tchoboian said.
She said the Federation urges European Parliament Foreign Affairs
Commission to keep heading this road and to put the issue on the
negotiations agenda.
Otherwise, she said, every step forward in the Turkey EU membership
negotiation process will mean digression from European values, because
Turkey remains stuck to its policy of denying the genocide fact.
The Commission will consider “Turkey’s progress on its way to the EU”
on Wednesday.
European MPs will hear the report by Dutch lawmaker Camiel Eurlings,
after which draft resolution on Turkey aspiration to join European
Union will be voted.
On Tuesday, the EU key political groups’ representatives welcomed
the genocide-related issue in the agenda.
Parliamentarians seek the genocide fact admission by Ankara. They
also want Turkey to comply with their demand to lift blockade of
Armenia without any preconditions.
European Parliament demands Turkey to recognize Cyprus, to solve Curd
problem and to ensure ethnic minorities’ right for freedom of speech.
M.V. -0–
Foreigners Adopt Children
FOREIGNERS ADOPT CHILDREN
Lragir.am
11 July 06
The minister of justice Davit Harutiunyan told the news agency ARKA
that 44 Armenian children were adopted by foreigners in 2005. In the
first half of 2006 four children were adopted by families from foreign
countries. According to the minister, foreign families annually adopt
50-60 children from Armenia.
Davit Harutiunyan also informed that 75 percent of families adopting
children from Armenia are Armenians living abroad or families of
Armenian origin.
The majority of these families live in the United States, Russia,
France and other countries with Armenian communities.
BAKU: Ilham Aliyev: "Armenia as well as MG co-chairs know that NK wi
Ilham Aliyev: “Armenia as well as MG co-chairs know that Nagorno Garabagh will never be granted status of independence”
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 10 2006
[ 10 Jul. 2006 20:41 ]
“Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan is efficient project from economic and all
viewpoints. We worked and implemented this jumbo project together.
This will enable us to deliver the Caspian Sea oil to the world
market. This pipeline, of course, is of great importance for other
countries and companies. Kazakhstan’s joining this project proved
this fact once more. Some resisting forces said that this project
is economically groundless and inefficient,” Azerbaijani president
Ilham Aliyev told Turkish Cumhuriyyet newspaper, APA reports.
Touching on Armenian lobbies’ impeding implementation of
Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway project, he said that Armenian
lobbies are in animosity against Azerbaijan and Turkey.
“It is reality and truth. Look, Armenian lobby was actively against BTC
project and even sent letters to and exerted pressure on international
organizations financing this project. But Azerbaijan’s and Turkey’s
will and Georgia’s activity didn’t allow them to achieve their
goals. I am sure that we will implement Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku
railway project too despite their efforts. They can exert pressure
on the foreign financial organizations but now we don’t need these
organizations. Azerbaijan is and will be much stronger and have strong
position in the region.
Armenia is and will be isolated from the international projects and
their condition will go from bad to worse”.
Touching on recent proposals of OSCE Minsk Group’s statement, Mr.
Aliytev said that the proposals belong to the MG.
“We haven’t come to agreement. We are far from agreement. Only there
are some certain proposals. We don’t object to OSCE MG’s publicizing
the proposals as we never were in favor of confidentiality in the
talks. We agreed to confidentiality taking the opposite side’s offer
into account”.
Saying territorial integrity of Azerbaijan has to be restored, Mr.
Aliyev noted that no compromise can be made in this issue.
“the occupied lands have to be liberated, eliminated from the
occupier forces, Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs have to return to
their homelands. As to the future status of Garabagh, opinion of
Azerbaijani and Armenian communities living in Garabagh can be taken
into consideration. Before the war, Azerbaijanis and Armenians lived in
Garabagh. Azerbaijanis’ returning to Nagorno Garabagh is a stipulation,
they have to be settled there and after that the communities and
Azerbaijan can solve the problem on the status of N.
Garabagh as it is integral part of Azerbaijan. The future will show
how much time the talks will take.
We will not allow violation of Azerbaijan’s territorial wholeness,
decision on separation of Garabagh from Azerbaijan. MG co-chairs
and Armenian leadership knows that. Simply, Armenian side brings up
points not corresponding with the reality. Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity is not an issue to discuss and the status of independence
will never be granted to Nagorno Garabagh”.
Saying international community recognizes N. Garabagh as a part of
Azerbaijan, he noted that the UNO and others recognize territorial
wholeness with Garabagh is a part of it.
“In this case, independence can’t be discussed. There is practice
of minorities’ living norms. Authority exists in some countries of
Europe. Why does N.Garabagh differ? Why the territory in which national
minorities live should be separated from Azerbaijan and declared
independent? We will never allow this, nobody, no organization no
country will ever recognize Nagorno Garabagh’s independence”. /APA/
AGBU Press Office: New Spanish Edition Of George Bournoutian’s "A Co
AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
NEW SPANISH EDITION OF GEORGE BOURNOUTIAN’S “A CONCISE HISTORY OF
THE ARMENIAN PEOPLE” FUNDED BY AGBU
Renowned scholar and Armenian historian, Dr. George A. Bournoutian,
visited Argentina’s capital city of Buenos Aires from May 5-8, 2006
to present the newly translated Spanish edition of his seminal book,
“A Concise History of the Armenian People.” Funding for the book’s
translation was generously provided by an AGBU donor.
Dr. Bournoutian’s stay in Buenos Aires was filled with activities,
lectures and other events to celebrate the launch of the Spanish
edition of his publication. Upon his arrival on May 5, the author
met with Argentina’s Ambassador to Armenia, His Excellency, Vladimir
Karmirshalyan. Later that same day, AGBU’s Buenos Aires Chapter
held a press conference to emphasize the importance of the book’s
translation and also to commend the translator, Marite de Margossian,
for her contribution to the project. After the press conference,
Dr. Bournoutian gave a lecture and answered questions from the audience
about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, drawing on the expertise he gained
while writing one of his past publications, “The History of Karabakh.”
A presentation of “A Concise History of the Armenian People” was
held the next day at the 32nd Annual Buenos Aires International
Book Fair, which was attended by thousands of Armenians and
non-Armenians alike. Professor Nelida Boulgourdjian-Toufeksian
introduced Dr. Bournoutian with a summary of his work as a writer,
educational historian and lecturer. The guest of honor discussed his
publication and answered questions from the public regarding his book
as well as general facts about Armenian history.
On the last day of his visit to Argentina, Dr. Bournoutian met with
students from the advanced classes at the AGBU Marie Manoogian and
St. Gregory the Illuminator Institutes, where he related some of
the fascinating aspects of his historical volume. Dr. Bournoutian
strongly encouraged the students to continue their interest in
Armenian culture and history, and to become better acquainted with
the Armenian homeland.
Established in 1911, AGBU Buenos Aires is committed to preserving
and promoting the Armenian heritage and culture through educational,
cultural and humanitarian programs. For more information, please
visit
For more information on AGBU and its youth programs, please visit
New U.S. Ambassador To Arrive In Yerevan In Two Weeks
NEW U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ARRIVE IN YEREVAN IN TWO WEEKS
PanARMENIAN.Net
05.07.2006 12:57 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Richard Hoagland will arrive in Yerevan immediately
after the formal appointment, that is in some two weeks, U.S. Co-chair
of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza told Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper.
“Hoagland is a very attentive person and he is perfectly aware of
the history of the Caucasus. As for incumbent Ambassador Evans,
he is an excellent personality and Ambassador. It’s not true to sat
that he is recalled and even removed from diplomatic service,” Bryza
said. “Ambassadors serve the President and they are obliged to follow
his policy. President’s Bush policy as regards the mass killings of
Armenians is precise and he mentions it in his annual statement.
Certainly if somebody doesn’t agree with the president’s policy,
he can take his own decisions, however they should not be announced
publicly. We all serve the President and our job is to contribute to
his policy. We should also give him advice but when matter concerns
public statements we should support the President’s policy,”
Bryza said.
To note, Amb. Evans’ recall is said to be caused by his statement
on the Armenian Genocide. February 19, 2005, during his public
presentation at the University of California, Berkeley, hosted by
Armenian Studies Program Executive Director, Prof. Stephan Astourian,
Evans announced, “I will today call it the Armenian Genocide.” The
Ambassador, who has studied Russian History at Yale and Columbia
universities and Ottoman History at the Kennan Institute, argued that,
“we, the US government, owe you, our fellow citizens a more frank
and honest way of discussing this problem.
Today, as someone who’s studied it… There’s no doubt in my mind
what happened.”
Next 3rd All Armenian Festival "One Nation, One Culture" To Be Held
NEXT 3RD ALL ARMENIAN FESTIVAL “ONE NATION, ONE CULTURE” TO BE HELD IN 2008
Yerevan, July 1. ArmInfo. The ceremonial closing of the 2nd All
Armenian Cultural Festival “One Nation. One Culture” took place Friday
evening in the Republic Square in Yerevan. The ceremony was followed
by a concert program and fireworks.
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan addressed the participants
and organizers of the festival: “The festival once more proved that
the centuries- long history, culture and art of Armenia are great
forces uniting Armenians world wide. If this unity is concentrated
in Armenia, specifically, in Yerevan, it is quite another level,
another force,” he said. On behalf of President Robert Kocharyan,
who patronizes the festival, Vardan Oskanyan announced the festival
completed. In his turn, the interpreter, poet Avet Barseghyan said
the next 3rd festival will take place in Armenia in 2008.
Azerbaijan Should Not Set Hope on Turkey in Karabakh Issue
PanARMENIAN.Net
Azerbaijan Should Not Set Hope on Turkey in Karabakh Issue
30.06.2006 17:47 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The statement by the OSCE Minsk Group proves that
the preceding statement by U.S. Co-chair Matthew Bryza was not
accidental, ARF Bureau’s Hay Dat and Political Office Director Kiro
Manoian stated in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net. In his words
this statement gave an impulse to the public discussion of the
problem, especially in Azerbaijan. `However, there is no confidence
that these discussions may convey an impulse to new talks,’ Manoian
said.
As for the pressure exerted upon the Presidents, he considers that
greater pressure is exerted on Ilham Aliyev than on Robert
Kocharian. `However, this pressure cannot be assessed as positive. In
this case, oil serves as restraining factor for Aliyev. Though he will
hardly sign any document, since he will lose power in this
case. Destabilization in Azerbaijan will do no good to the whole
region. I think during the G8 summit in Saint Petersburg Aliyev will
be asked a precise question and he will have to give a precise
answer,’ Manoian underscored.
At that he remarked that Azerbaijan should not set great hopes for
Turkey in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh problem. `If Turkey
takes a neutral stand on the matter Azerbaijan will lose. Presently
the West should convince Turkey that its position on Armenia is not
fruitful and should be changed if Turkey really wishes to become a
regional power,’ Kiro Manoian said.
Nairobi: Raju: How I brought the `Arturs’ to Kenya
The Standard, Kenya
July 1 2006
Raju: How I brought the `Arturs’ to Kenya
By Patrick Mathangani and Biketi Kikechi
A friend of businessman Kamlesh Pattni who invited the so-called
Artur brothers to Kenya and ensured they lived like kings yesterday
narrated to the Kiruki Commission the story of their grand arrival
and stay.
Mr Raju Rajendra Sanghani narrated how he met the bogus brothers,
invited them to Kenya, booked them in a five-star hotel – linked to
Pattni – and later secured them a posh home.
He also generously spoke about how he hooked them onto the right
connections, including memorable sessions with former Foreign
minister Kalonzo Musyoka, who they wanted to use as the gateway for
their “businesses” in the region.
The emergence of Sanghani’s face in the latest saga, added to the
fact that Pattni was pictured dining and wining with the
gold-bedecked impostors at their Runda home, gave a fresh spin to the
latest nightmare for President Kibaki’s Government. (Pattni later
said that he had gone to see the alleged brothers in order to solicit
funds for his children’s home.)
In political circles, the dramatic entry of the bogus brothers into
Kenya, the curious manner in which they were deported despite arrest
with illegal guns and fake passports, and the general manner
high-ranking public officials kid-gloved them, is being seen as
having inflicted on the Kibaki administration more political wounds
than Anglo Leasing scandals.
The man fondly referred to as Raju in business circles, and who has
spent time in the Kenyan jail for assaul , said he first met the
impostors in Dubai. At the first introduction, the burly bearded
“younger brother” went by the name James while the clean-shaven
elder “brother” was Arthur.
Sanghani – who was in 2002 jailed with his brother for ordering
guards to beat up men sent by a solicitor to list the goods they
owned – downed several glasses of water as he fielded questions on
the foreigners for whom he rolled the red carpet, ostensibly on
behalf of a mutual rich friend he met in India.
Raju said he was mesmerised by the “brothers” when they poured
half-a-million US dollars (Sh37 million) in cash onto the table in
Dubai for him to carry to Kenya.
For the second time, the name of little-known Mohamed Zakir Oomer
featured, this time not just as a co-director with the Artur’s in
Brotherlink International Ltd Company, but as the big-time player at
whose behest Sanghani rolled the red carpet for the bogus brothers.
Raju, a man with a silvery hair patch at the front of his head, said
he hoped to make a windfall in business with the so-called Armenians.
Raju’s side of the story was that he accidentally met Oomer, an old
pal, in Mumbai in May 2005 and they agreed to discuss investment in
Kenya.
Although the deal wasn’t sealed they agreed to try property
development in Kenya and Oomer called five months later to say he was
travelling to Kenya with some investors.
They were allegedly looking for an investment worth about $5 million
(Sh365 million) and wanted Raju’s assistance during their stay in
Kenya.
Oomer arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with two other
people who were introduced him as Arthur and James. “These people who
are commonly referred to as “Artur Brothers” were also introduced as
members of the Armenian royal family,” said Raju.
He booked them at Grand Regency and it was during the period, that he
also introduced them to Kalonzo at Serena Hotel after they
accidentally met in the corridor.
Sanghani said they requested to meet Kalonzo again because as a
former Minister, he would help them establish business connections in
neighbouring states.
The main session was held at the Grand Regency where the Mwingi MP
met with a different group later in the evening.
The three impostors left the country on November 15, 2005 most
probably impressed with the hospitality of the local people and how
easily they could get connected to people in high places.
Sanghani travelled to Dubai where he met the brothers two weeks later
. They attempted to give him the thousands of dollars to purchase
property for them in Kenya.
He declined because it was not the “proper manner” of transacting
business and transferring money. A few days later, Oomer and the
brothers arrived in Nairobi, and informed Sanghani that they had
received other offers from people he didn’t know.
A month later they requested for a house that was leased to them in
Runda through Sanghani’s real estate agency. They also allegedly
requested for cars from Sanghani and he offered them three Toyota
Harriers from the six he had purchased for sale in Uganda.
Sanghani claimed that he was assured that the cars would be used in
Uganda and they agreed to follow the right procedures by paying the
relevant duties. He gave them three luxurious cars, all Toyota
Harriers, with a verbal sale agreement that was never honoured.
He is now pleading that the vehicles, now in the hands of the police,
be returned to him because they were worthy Sh7.5 million and the
Armenians handed him a measly Sh1.8 million without documentation.
Sanghani who guzzled several glasses of water, and appeared to be
navigating strange waters, was shocked when he was told he should
take responsibility of the “Armenians brothers” presence in Kenya.
“Although you say you didn’t bring them, I believe you did and you
should take that responsibility,” said assisting counsel Ms Dorcas
Oduor.
She told Sanghani that he invited them to the country, sent his
people to the airport and booked them at Grand Regency Hotel.
Sanghani told the Commission that he later took the bogus brothers
around Nairobi up-market estates in search of a house.
He said whatever happened to the two masqueraders before and during
their deportation was unfortunate. “Because you invited them and now
that they have been deported, what can you say to this Commission?”
asked Oduor. “It is just unfortunate. I don’t know what to say,”
replied Sanghani.
>From Sanghani’s testimony it turned out that the Armenians were
masters in undercover money-deals. All their payments were always in
six-figure digits and were made in cash despite the risk involved.
“Why did you let them handle transactions in cash when there is too
much risk in the world of business?” Asked Oduor. Sanghani’s response
was as those to earlier questions.
He said: “I believed them in good faith and remember they had put $
500,000 on the table in Dubai.”
Following is the verbatim exchange between Oduor and Sanghani on his
role in their coming to Kenya:
Dorcas: Although you are saying that you did not bring these people
into this country, I believe you did bring them from what you have
explained. If our documentation shows that the November 10 is when
they first came into this country, then they were coming to do
business with you and you were their host.
Sanghani: Can I just say something. Zakir had been visiting this
country many times before 10th November. He is the one who said he
must organise them to come and do business here and if you read my
statement, I have said he told me if I can assist him, meaning Zakir
knew many other people besides me. They were not full time with me…
Dorcas: But on this particular day at least we can safely say that
you communicated that they were coming . You went for them at the
airport; you arranged for them to be booked at the Grand Regency
Hotel…
Sanghani: Ok, I can say that, but…yeah, ok…I mean it depends on how
you look at it.
He revealed they have been communicating since they were deported and
that they have called either twice or thrice. “They are normal calls
because they were trying to get a copy of the lease agreement.”
Evidence provided by Immigration officers showed that Oomer first
came to Kenya last November contrary to Sanghani’s evidence that they
first came eight years ago.
Sanghani said he introduced them to many significant people
especially in the business world.
He admitted that he visited their home in Runda several times and
that at one point two other people stayed in that house.