Iraqis target Prince Andrew at arms fair
Rich | 18.10.2002 09:27
I particularly like the bit where the Prince heroically "looks the other way". Why didn't he try and sell them some guns?
Iraqis target Prince Andrew at arms fair
Staff and agencies
Thursday October 17, 2002
Prince Andrew had an embarrassing encounter with an Iraqi delegation in Jordan yesterday while attending an arms fair to promote British exports.
A group of 10 Iraqi representatives carried out what Radio 4's Today programme described as a "strategic jostle" into the Prince's party, forcing him to look away.
An aide of the prince told him: "It's the Iraqis, Sir." Prince Andrew's response was: "God, the Iraqis," and quickly looked in the opposite direction.
The prince, along with the defence minister, Lord Bach, was attending the Special Operations Forces Exhibition (Sofex) in Amman this week to support British companies.
Prince Andrew's equerry, Major Rob Olney, today said today that he was not at the fair to meet the Iraqi delegation. "He's here to promote British investment and trade in the Middle East," Major Olney said.
The British army and British arms companies are at the fair to showcase a range of weapons, including landmines, tanks and fighter jets. The countries there to buy arms include Syria, Sudan, Libya and Iran.
Lord Bach said British sellers at the fair were not targeting Iraqi delegates. "Anyone can come and look, but I think looking won't help them very much. There is a United Nations resolution that embargoes defence exports to Iraq.
"We have close relations with many of the Arab states and I am delighted that we do. They are a force for stability in this troubled region. Many of them are moving towards democracy in their own way, in their own time."
Staff and agencies
Thursday October 17, 2002
Prince Andrew had an embarrassing encounter with an Iraqi delegation in Jordan yesterday while attending an arms fair to promote British exports.
A group of 10 Iraqi representatives carried out what Radio 4's Today programme described as a "strategic jostle" into the Prince's party, forcing him to look away.
An aide of the prince told him: "It's the Iraqis, Sir." Prince Andrew's response was: "God, the Iraqis," and quickly looked in the opposite direction.
The prince, along with the defence minister, Lord Bach, was attending the Special Operations Forces Exhibition (Sofex) in Amman this week to support British companies.
Prince Andrew's equerry, Major Rob Olney, today said today that he was not at the fair to meet the Iraqi delegation. "He's here to promote British investment and trade in the Middle East," Major Olney said.
The British army and British arms companies are at the fair to showcase a range of weapons, including landmines, tanks and fighter jets. The countries there to buy arms include Syria, Sudan, Libya and Iran.
Lord Bach said British sellers at the fair were not targeting Iraqi delegates. "Anyone can come and look, but I think looking won't help them very much. There is a United Nations resolution that embargoes defence exports to Iraq.
"We have close relations with many of the Arab states and I am delighted that we do. They are a force for stability in this troubled region. Many of them are moving towards democracy in their own way, in their own time."
Rich
Homepage:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/armstrade/story/0,10674,813569,00.html
Comments
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Hypocrisy galore
18.10.2002 10:55
"We have close relations with many of the Arab states and I am delighted that we do. They are a force for stability in this troubled region. Many of them are moving towards democracy in their own way, in their own time."
The interviewer asked "Which ones are moving toward democracy?"
Lord Bach was silent for a moment, then sputtered "I dont want to comment on that at this point"
If the government wants us to believe its puppets, they really ought to prepare them to answer questions about their statements and platitudes.
Pity the interviewer didnt have the balls to press for an answer.
Nick
Landmines are illegal in this country..
18.10.2002 15:20
Mick2
the company rep
18.10.2002 20:56
He is in Jordan overseeing his investments.....in a death peddling firm....THE FIRM.
what about the other shareholders in carlysle? the queen, the bushes and the bin ladens!
I wonder if bush will want his business pardner in other maerican companies to join in this happy family? Did you know that sadam has shares and businesses in the USA? What about Chicago airport?
have a look at this link:
or for his home page and loads of great articles, try this one:
scary reading!!!!!
anna