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Some info on Kish Island

http://www.kishtpc.com/Kish%20Over%20Photos1.htm

http://www.floweroftheeast.de/main.php?bw=low

http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp?NewsCode=45076&NewsKind=Current%20Affairs

"Fortuna Oilrig sneaks out of Iran waters at night

Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - ©2005 IranMania.com
LONDON, August 16 (IranMania) - Fortuna Oilrig was taken out of Iranian waters by illegal means.

According to MNA, the owner, Romanian GSP, has done so in collaboration with an Iranian marine company and a foreign firm in violation of international and security regulations, managing director of PetroIran Development Company Seyyed Mostafa Khoyi announced.

The vessel in charge of carting off the drilling rig to Fujaireh port at UAE, initially received the permit to leave Bandar Abbas for the port by the assistance of Boyeh Sabz of Iran, appearing as the Iranian representative, and the backing of a firm from UAE. ..."

"An Iranian official said Romania's Grup Servicii Petroliere, or GSP, had failed to follow contractual procedures."

This is typical of the Iranians. Find an "problem", push it to the limit, wait to see what happens, then if there is no affirmative response, push some more.

These are the people who invented backgammon. If taken in isolation and blown off as a "business dispute" you can bet there will be another and another and another...

"According to MNA, the owner, Romanian GSP, has done so in collaboration with an Iranian marine company and a foreign firm in violation of international and security regulations, managing director of PetroIran Development Company Seyyed Mostafa Khoyi announced. "

Which begs the question. Why would the owner of a drilling rig have to sneak their rig away from Iran? Perhaps they were afraid it would be held hostage by Iran?

Wonder what "international and security regulations" they violated by moving the oil rig? You think they are as serious as the "international and security regulations" against piracy and kidnapping that Iran committed by firing on and hijacking the rig?

If Iranian claims were true, they could easily sue the company and recover damages in a UAE court. They don't have to hijack the oil rig. This is how I know that the Iranians are lying.

If the Romanian company's claims are true however, they are out of luck as an Iranian court will never rule against the Iranian government. They could sue in UAE court but since Iran is a sovereign nation, it would be impossible to enforce collection.