Posted on 11/15/2006 5:06:35 PM PST by MadIvan
Iran tried to obtain uranium from Somalia in return for supplying weapons to the anarchic country's Islamist movement, according to the United Nations.
A report given to the Security Council today finds that Iran is one of seven countries breaking a UN arms embargo by providing weapons to the Islamic radicals who control most of southern and central Somalia, including the capital, Mogadishu.
Three illegal arms shipments from Teheran are detailed in the 86-page report. One consignment which reached Somalia in July included 1,000 machine guns, 45 surface-to-air missiles, M-79 rocket launchers and land mines.
After the arrival of this shipment, the UN says that Iran promised the Islamists further weapons – but only in return for uranium, presumably for use in Teheran's nuclear programme.
Two Iranians were sent to Mogadishu in order to negotiate this deal. Somalia's recoverable uranium deposits are modest, totalling about 6,600 tonnes, compared with 326,000 tonnes in Canada, the world's biggest producer.
But Somalia collapsed into anarchy 15 years ago when its central government was destroyed. The Islamist movement, styling itself the Supreme Council of Islamic Courts, is now believed to control the areas where uranium is present.
Iran appears to be trying to win the right to exploit these deposits, which could then be shipped to Teheran through Mogadishu's large port.
The Islamists captured the city in June and have extended their hold over southern Somalia. Their only rival is the country's ramshackle official government, based in the ruined town of Baidoa.
Eritrea is the biggest supplier of weapons to the Islamists, according to the UN. Although Eritrea is not a Muslim country, it is locked in confrontation with Ethiopia over a disputed border. Eritrea hopes to place pressure on its larger neighbour by building the Islamists into a major regional power.
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
ping
Okay, Ivan.
We have it documented that Iran DID send reps to Somalia for uranium, should the dems dispute a reason for us to go against Iran.
Glad we learned one thing from the Iraq War...to look for, and document "clues" ...
bump
Quick, send Jihad Joe Wilson to Somalia!! I'm sure he will be able to discredit this report and "prove" to the satisfaction of the left that not only did Iran not seek uranium in Africa, but they never woulda, coulda, shoulda....... and if we're really lucky, Joe Wilson will STAY in Somalia....
Somebody send the Wilsons to check it out.
Joe Wilson?
Didn't he say "What happens in Somalia, stays in Somalia"
well that explains all the excitement over there
One of these days, we will no longer be sitting around in our comfortable homes. Instead, we will be suffering and fighting for our very existence, and all because because the dims and other traitors in our country sat on their rears and did nothing.
Another relevant question is why hasn't someone bombed the Hell out of Iran's nuclear facilities?
After slandering various government figures, Little Joe has retired to Santa Fe.
We should send Joe Wilson to check it out.
Did they let Joe Wilson in on it?
Ledeen is well-respected when it comes to the issue of Iran.
http://www.nationalreview.com/ledeen/ledeen200601180843.asp
ON THE NET...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1730468/posts?page=790#790
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1730468/posts?page=791#791
Do you not recall what happened the last time we visited Somalia? Black hawk down ring any bells?
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