A 'misunderstanding'?
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki is describing the discovery of 13 cases of weapons from Iran in a Nigerian port as a 'misunderstanding' that his been resolved. If that's true, someone forgot to tell the Nigerians. Mottaki did not elaborate on the nature of the misunderstanding or how it was resolved. His statement was the highest-level Iranian comment so far on the case. In late October, Iran's then-ambassador to Nigeria, Hussein Abdullahi, said there was no clear evidence linking his country to the shipment.The Nigerians claim that the weapons were destined for Nigerian politicians intending violence if they lose in upcoming elections.
There was no immediate reaction from Nigerian officials to Mottaki's claim the case had been resolved. But in a sign that tensions continued between the two countries, Nigeria postponed a soccer match between the two country's national teams scheduled for Wednesday in Teheran.
Musa Amadu, the Nigerian federation's acting secretary general, told The Associated Press on Monday that the match was postponed "due to the non-availability of our key players." But he didn't a deny a connection with the political events, saying "it's for you to speculate."
An international shipping company based in France CMA CGM said it had picked up the containers in which the weapons were hidden in the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. The shipment stopped in Mumbai, India, before heading to Lagos. On Friday, Nigerian Foreign Minister Odein Ajumogobi said Iranian officials confirmed the consignment originated in Iran.
During his visit, Mottaki cleared the way for Nigerian security officials to interview one of two Iranians who Nigeria says organized the shipment, Ajumogobia said. The Nigerians say the two have taken refuge in the Iranian Embassy.
The interception of the weapons had drawn sharp criticism of Iran from Nigeria.
Israel Radio reported at 1:00 am that Iran is now claiming that the weapons were headed for an unnamed African country. Sounds like the Iranians have a little 'splainin' to do.
Labels: Iran, Manouchehr Mottaki, Nigeria, weapons shipment
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:27 AM
1 Comments:
There are misunderstandings and then there are misunderstandings.
Iran's attempts to find a new transit route for weapons destined for Hamas isn't one of them.
They aren't very good liars.
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