Mail & Guardian Online , South Africa
Aug 26 2004

Armenians ‘had nothing to do’ with coup plot

Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

Six Armenian air crew members accused of helping to plot to oust
Equatorial Guinea’s long-time leader Teodoro Obiang Nguema told a
court in Malabo on Thursday that they had nothing to do with the
alleged plot.

Samuel Darbinyan (41), a co-pilot of the aircraft leased by a company
belonging to Gerhard Eugen Merz of Germany — one of 15 alleged
mercenaries arrested in March and accused of fomenting a putsch in
the tiny, oil-rich country — said he does not know why he has been
held in prison since March along with five other Armenian crew
members and eight South Africans.

Merz, who was arrested along with the others, died in detention,
officially of cerebral malaria, but with rights groups saying he was
tortured to death.

All the Armenian crew members, including captain Ashot Kerapetyan,
told the court that they were unaware on what charges they were being
held until a few days before hearings began on Monday.

The Armenians arrived in Equatorial Guinea in January this year.

Their Antonov-12 aircraft was hired the following month by Nick du
Toit, the South African soldier-turned-businessman who risks the
death penalty for allegedly leading the coup plot.

>From the time they arrived in the tiny Central African country, the
Armenians flew out of Equatorial Guinea once on board the Antonov,
bound for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where they were to
deliver cargo picked up at N’Dola in Zambia, they told the court.

Merz had given them the instructions for that trip, they said in
separate testimonies.

The flight crew said the shipment was never delivered to the DRC
because the airport they were bound for there was closed. They said
they returned to Malabo with nothing in the hold.

Du Toit told the court on Monday that the Antonov was to have picked
up ammunition for security agents at mines in the DRC. The crew
members said they were unaware of what their payload was to have
been.

The Armenians are on trial alongside eight South Africans and four
Equato-Guineans, all accused of complicity in a plot to topple
Obiang, who has been in power since 1979.

Obiang announced their arrests on March 9, saying: “A group of
mercenaries entered the country and was studying plans to carry out a
coup d’état.”

Without going into details, Obiang said interrogation of the suspects
revealed they were financed by multinational companies and “countries
that do not like us”.

The arrests came days before 70 men were detained when their plane
stopped off in Zimbabwe, allegedly en route to Equatorial Guinea for
the coup.

The group arrested in Zimbabwe has consistently said it was on its
way to the DRC to protect diamond mines.

Du Toit is so far the only one of the 18 defendants on trial in
Equatorial Guinea to admit any involvement in a coup plot.

Verdict expected in Zimbabwe
Meanwhile, a Zimbabwe magistrate is expected to hand down verdicts on
Friday when the trial resumes of the 70 suspected mercenaries held on
charges of plotting the coup in Equatorial Guinea.

The men, who include Briton Simon Mann, are accused of being at the
heart of a conspiracy that allegedly also includes Mark Thatcher, son
of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

Thatcher, a friend and neighbour of Mann’s, was arrested at his Cape
Town home on Wednesday and charged under South Africa’s Foreign
Military Assistance Act, which bars mercenary activity, for allegedly
bankrolling the coup plot.

He denied the charges and was released on bail.

On Thursday, the elite Scorpions unit said it arrested Thatcher
because he was planning to move to the United States next week.

“I can confirm he was planning to leave the country,” said
spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi.

“He claims he was planning to relocate his family. He was supposed to
leave for the US next week,” Nkosi added. — Sapa-AFP, Sapa

BBC Sport, UK
Aug 26 2004

Ibrahim strikes Greco gold

Latest wrestling results

Karam Ibrahim won Egypt’s first Olympic gold medal since 1948 when he
thrashed Georgian Ramaz Nozadze to take gold in the Greco-Roman
wrestling 96kg class.
The powerful 24-year-old secured the title after only three minutes,
22 seconds of the bout, winning 12-1.

Ibrahim’s winning margin equalled the scoreline in the semi-final in
which he beat Mehmet Ozal of Turkey.

Ozal held on to beat Iranian Masoud Hashemzadeh in a close contest
for the bronze medal.

South Korea’s Jung Ji-hyun won gold in the 60kg category with a 3-0
overtime victory over Cuban Roberto Monzon Gonzalez.

Jung took an early 2-0 lead which he held for most of the bout but
was unable to get the third point required for a win in the mandatory
six minutes.

Jung (red) won the 60kg class
He finally registered the decisive point after toppling Monzon from a
clinch position early in extra-time.

Bulgarian Armen Nazarian beat Russian Alexey Shevtsov 4-3 to win the
bronze.

Nazarian, who won gold in Atlanta in 1996 as an Armenian before
winning another gold in Sydney for Bulgaria, overturned a 2-0 deficit
against Shevtsov.

Shevtsov had earlier lost 6-3 to Monzon Gonzalez in one semi-final,
while Jung progressed to the gold medal bout with a 3-1 win over
Nazarian.

In the 74kg division, Alexandr Dokturishivili of Uzbekistan took the
gold medal, beating Finland’s Marko Yli-Hannuksela 3-1 on points.

Russia’s Varteres Samourgachev beat Switzerland’s Reto Bucher to take
the bronze medal, winning by great superiority.

Novinite, Bulgaria
Aug 26 2004

WHO’S WHO: Armen Nazarian

Armenia-born Armen Nazaryan continued his medal-sweeping career in
greco-roman wrestling winning the Bronze in Athens. Photo by
Internet.

Armen Nazarian was born March 9, 1974 in Armenia’s city of Masis.

He began to wrestle in 1983, but achieved his first game in 1996
while competing for Armenia in the 52kg class. Four years later he
claimed a second at 58kg for Bulgaria.

At 60kg this time, he is the second Greco-Roman wrestler to claim
Gold medals in three weight classes.

Nazarian’s 1996 title gave his birth country its only Olympic gold
medal. Atlanta was the first Games that Armenia, a former Soviet
republic, competed independently. But after those Games, Nazarian
left for Sofia, Bulgaria. He was one of many Armenian wrestlers who
sought greener pastures because of the lack of funds in their
homeland.

Armen Nazarian initially wanted to compete for France, but the French
said they didn’t have the money to take him. He chose Bulgaria partly
because his girlfriend lived there, but mainly because of an offer
from the Slavia Litex wrestling club, where six of the eight members
of the 1999 Worlds team trained.

His achievements include:

— junior:

world champion in 1993;
European champion in 1994;

— men’s:

two-time Olympic champion – Atlanta 1996, and Sydney 2000;

one bronze medal from Olympic Games – Athens 2004;

two-time world champion – Moscow 2002, and Creteil (France)
2003;

two silver medals from world championships – Stockholm 1993, and
Prague 1995;

three bronze medals from world championships – Wroclaw (Poland) 1997,
Gavle (Sweden) 1998, and Athens 1999;

six-time European champion – Athens 1994, Besancon (France)
1995, Minsk 1998, Sofia 1999, Seinajoki (Finland) 2002, and
Belgrade 2003;

two silver medals from European championships – Budapest 1996, and
Moscow 2000;

named World’s Best Greco-Roman Wrestler in 1998 and in 2003;

six-time champion of Armenia;

six-time champion of Bulgaria.

RIA Novosti, Russia
Aug 26 2004

ARMENIAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TO RESUME WORK AFTER CAPITAL REPAIRS

YEREVAN, August 26 (RIA Novosti’s Gamlet Matevosyan) – The Armenian
nuclear power plant, its work suspended for capital repairs, will be
switched on on October 4. Capital repairs are carried out once in
four years while a planned repair is staged every year.

This time the fourth turbine is to be repaired and the state of the
reactor’s metallic frame is to be fully checked. Besides, additional
security measures and the re-fueling process will be introduced.

The process of closing the nuclear plant for capital repairs and
re-fueling started in the early hours of July 30, 2004, a week after
the delivery of the new nuclear fuel consignment worth $12 million
had been accomplished.

The Armenian nuclear plant was commissioned in 1980 and closed in
March 1989. It resumed its work in November 1995, following the acute
energy crisis in the republic.

Equipped with the Russian reactor VVEP-400 of the first generation,
the plant’s second module generates the average of 30-40 percent of
the republic’s electricity. The station can function until 2016,
according to experts.

In September 2003, the Armenian nuclear plant was passed for five
years under trusteeship of the company INTER RAO UES, a subsidiary of
the Unified Energy Systems of Russia and the Rosenergoatom concern.

The European Union has pledged to allocate 100 million euros for the
conservation of the Armenian nuclear plant. But Armenian experts say
that almost a million euros is required to set up alternative
capacities in Armenia.

RIA Novosti, Russia
Aug 27 2004

IRAN GIVES ARMENIA LOAN TO BUILD IRAN-ARMENIA PIPELINE

YEREVAN, August 26 (RIA Novosti’s Gamlet Matevosyan) – Armenian
Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan said that Iran would loan Armenia $30
million for the construction of the Armenian part of an
Iranian-Armenian gas pipeline.

According to him, the money will be used to construct the first
section of the Armenian part of the Agarak-Kadzharan gas pipeline to
connect it with the Iranian pipeline.

Mr. Movsisyan said that Iran had already started constructing its
part of the pipeline and that construction of the Armenian part of
the pipeline would begin this year.

The loan will be given for 7.5 years at 5% of interest per annum.

A treaty on the construction of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline was
signed in Yerevan on May 13. Under it, 36 billion cubic meters of
Iranian gas will be delivered to Armenia over 20 years. The
construction of the gas pipeline has been planned to be completed at
the end of 2006.

Earlier, deputy chairman of Gazprom Alexander Ryazanov said that, as
had been calculated by his company’s experts, the cost of the
Armenian part of the gas pipeline would be $140 million, and that the
project would recoup its cost in nine years.

Mr. Ryazanov has not ruled out Gazprom helping finance the
construction of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.

ArmenPress
Aug 26 2004

KARABAKH CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN FOCUS OF GERMAN TALKS WITH ILHAM
ALIEV

YEREVAN, AUGUST 26, ARMENPRESS: Azeri president Ilham Aliev
discussed bilateral cooperation with German president Horst Koehler
and chancellor Gerhard Schroder during his Wednesday meeting in
Berlin. Ilham Aliev arrived in Berlin on an official visit on
Tuesday.
Interfax cites a delegation source accompanying Ilham Aliev saying
that Aliev discussed bilateral cooperation with German authorities as
well as regional issues. The sides paid particular attention to
Karabakh conflict resolution.
In a press conference called on the occasion of Aliev talks,
German chancellor Gerhard Schroder stated that it is necessary to
resolve the conflict based on territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,
Interfax sources say.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
Aug 26 2004

AZERI MEDIA OUTLETS CLAIM WASHINGTON AND MOSCOW FEARFUL OF LOSING
INFLUENCE IN SOUTH CAUCASUS

BAKU, AUGUST 26, ARMENPRESS. During the meeting of Azeri president
Ilham Aliyev in Germany, Chancellor Schroder noted that Baku wants to
take part in strengthening of European Union. Writing on this, Azeri
media outlets mentioned that Washington and Moscow understand that if
EU strengthens its positions in South Caucasus they will totally lose
their control over the region.
It is not accidental, Azeri Zerkalo writes, that Russian president
Vladimir Putin had called Ilham Aliyev before his departure to
Germany to discuss development of Russian-Azeri ties.
It is again not accidental that after the meeting of Heidar Aliyev
and Robert Kocharian in Paris Washington organized the meeting of the
two presidents in Key West.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BBC News, UK
Aug 25 2004

Q&A: Equatorial Guinea coup plot

Two trials have been taking place in Africa of suspected foreign
mercenaries accused of plotting a coup against the president of the
oil rich country of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

BBC News Online looks at what is known about the coup bid.

How was the plot discovered?

In March, Zimbabwean police in Harare impounded a plane which flew in
from South Africa with 64 alleged mercenaries on board.

Simon Mann (second right) was the alleged leader of the plotters
The group said they were providing security for a mine in Democratic
Republic of Congo, but a couple of days later an Equatorial Guinean
minister said they had detained 15 more men who were the advance
party for the group captured in Zimbabwe.

Nick du Toit, the leader of the group of South Africans and Armenians
in Equatorial Guinea, confirmed at his trial in Equatorial Guinea
this week that he was playing a limited role in the bid.

He told the court he was recruited by Simon Mann, the alleged leader
of the group held in Zimbabwe, and that he was helping with
recruitment, acquiring weapons and logistics for the attempt. He says
he was told they were trying to install an exiled opposition
politician, Severo Moto, as head.

Mr Mann has only admitted to breaking arms regulations in Zimbabwe.

Why organise a coup?

The former Spanish colony has been ruled by President Obiang since he
seized power himself from his uncle in a coup in 1979. His government
has been accused of widespread human rights abuses and of ruthlessly
suppressing political opposition.

Yet the discovery of oil several years ago has meant huge wealth and
massive investment flowing into this poor country of just 500,000
people.

Not much of this has trickled down to ordinary people. The United
States Senate is currently investigating the discovery of millions of
dollars in US bank accounts belonging to the family of President
Obiang.

And it is these massive oil revenues which could lend some credence
to President Obiang’s accusation that multinationals and foreign
powers were involved in the plot.

Both trials have begun amid complaints of abuse and unfair treatment
from relatives of those being held.

One of the suspects, a German, died in prison in Equatorial Guinea
after what Amnesty International said was suspected torture.

So who is behind the plot?

So far it remains unclear who was backing the mercenaries on trial,
although the list of suspects is growing.

Sir Mark has denied any involvement
Simon Mann, the old Etonian and founder of the mercenary firm
Executive Outcomes, has not been talking, although President Obiang
has.

He has accused the Spanish government and the son of the former UK
prime minister, Mark Thatcher, amongst others of being behind the
plot.

The South African authorities, who arrested Mark Thatcher on
Wednesday in Cape Town, now seem to believe he is involved, despite a
denial from his lawyer.

What is known is that Mark Thatcher has admitted to being a good
friend of Simon Mann.

Others, President Obiang alleges are involved, are a former British
cabinet minister, whom he refuses to name, an oil tycoon, Eli Calil,
and the exiled politician Severo Moto, who lives in Spain – both of
whom have strongly denied involvement.

The BBC’s Newsnight television programme saw the financial records of
Simon Mann’s companies showing large payments to Nick du Toit and
also some $2m coming in – though the source of this funding they say
is untraceable.

What is South Africa’s role?

Mercenary activities were banned in South Africa several years ago
after complaints about security organisations like Executive
Outcomes.

The majority of the alleged mercenaries on trial in Zimbabwe and
Equatorial Guinea are based in South Africa, with many being former
members of the apartheid-era security forces.

South Africa will be determined to be seen to be acting tough against
any attempt to destabilise another country.

However, it also will want to protect its nationals, and has vowed to
intervene if any of the alleged mercenaries are sentenced to death.

Judgements in the two cases are expected be given within the next
week.

Patna Daily, India
Aug 25 2004

Adding More Masala…
by Avishek Suman

I must thank Mr. Rakesh Chaubey for his recent article titled
“Politically Speaking… Thoughts to Mull Over” wherein he presented
a snapshot of American politics in the wake of coming election in US.

This article of mine will try to add more spice to the American
election.

A peep into Dick Cheney’s antecedent tells us that before assuming
the post of Vice president of US, he was the CEO of a company called
Halliburton. He served Halliburton from 1995 to 2000. Halliburton is
a company that has always been in controversy. The company was first
criticized for doing business with Libya, Azerbaijan and Burma
despite the fact that US government had banned any trade with these
countries. (US ban on Libya was for bombing a German disco in 1986
wherein two US soldiers died, Azerbaijan for ‘ethnic cleansing’ of
Armenians and Burma for curbing democracy).

Cheney’s tenure in Halliburton also witnessed several unethical
practices by the company. As a matter of fact unethical practices
peaked during his time. The company allegedly altered its accounting
policy in 1998 for which it is still investigated by SEC (US
counterpart of SEBI). When Cheney left Halliburton to join the Vice
president office he was awarded with the compensation package of $20
million.

Then as we all know in March 2003, Iraq war II happened. For all
logistic support for the war US government awarded several contracts
to Halliburton. The work involved erecting camps for soldiers,
feeding US army, extinguishing oil wells in Iraq and supplying Iraq
with the required oil. There were two interesting features of the
contracts. Firstly, these were “no bid contracts”, that is government
had awarded Halliburton without considering any other company.
Secondly, these were “cost plus contracts” that is whatever the cost
the company incurs plus its margin will be paid by the government to
the company. A lot of people started raising their voices that
Halliburton was a corrupt company and contracts were given to it only
because of its ties with Cheney.

In August, 2003 Pentagon complained that the meals that the company
was serving to the troops were unhygienic, as they were prepared in
most dirty conditions with blood all around. Pentagon asked the
company to “clean up”. But the company failed to do so.

In December 2003 Pentagon alleged that the company had overcharged to
the extent of $61 million for oil it imported from Iraq and charged
$186 millions for food that was never delivered. This brought the
company under sever criticism. The strongest voice of course came
from the Democrats.

To make the matter worse for Halliburton and Cheney, two employees of
the company met Henry Waxman (a Democrat from California) and told
him that the company had wasted millions of dollars of US tax-payers
because the company did not mind the cost (the contracts were all
cost plus!). They gave many examples of wasteful activities, which
included abandoning of trucks worth $85,000 because of flat tires and
minor problems.

Mr. Kerry now says “Halliburton is guilty of shameful
war-profiteering, and they need to be held accountable” whereas the
company says it has become the target of “Political profiteering” and
Cheney has been keeping mum.

While Pentagon investigates the “over-billing issue”, democrats have
got enough masala for the election campaign.

Nazarian (Bulgaria) on track for third gold

Men’s Greco-Roman 60kg

Athens2004.com
25 August 2004

ATHENS, 25 August – After two elimination pools, reigning Olympic
champion Armen NAZARIAN (BUL) is looking good to repeat his earlier
successes in the Men’s Greco-Roman 60kg.

Also the Olympic flyweight (55kg) gold medallist in Atlanta, the
Bulgarian guaranteed his passage to the next round with two wins over
Ashraf ELGHARABLY (EGY) and Olexandr KHVOSHCH (UKR).

Akaki CHACHUA (GEO), third in Sydney in the discontinued 63kg class,
easily accounted for Italy’s Paolo FUCILE and will likely progress to
the next round.

Wlodzimierz ZAWADSKI (POL), gold medallist in the 63kg class in Atlanta,
has surpisingly lost twice.

In Pool 2, Eusebiu Iancu DIACONU (ROM) and James GRUENWALD
(USA) share first place with four points apiece and will wrestle for the
top spot.

Competition continues this evening at the Ano Liossia Olympic Hall.

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