Wednesday, August 25, 2004

One for the bookmarks: Conservatives, oil & coups..

link

Sir Mark Thatcher, the son of former British prime minister Lady Thatcher, was arrested today over claims that he was involved in a plot to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea. ...

South African prosecuting authority spokesman Makhosini Nkosi said: "We are currently conducting a search and seizure operation at the house of a Cape Town man who is a British citizen."

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We are investigating the possibility that he has been involved in the funding of logistical support to the people who are involved in the alleged coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea. This man is under arrest but he has not appeared in court." ...

Pumping 350,000 barrels of oil a day, Equatorial Guinea has become Africa's third-largest oil producer since offshore development began in the mid-1990s.

The country has accused British and South African oil broker Ely Calil and other foreign financiers of funding the alleged coup attempt. Mr Calil has denied any involvement.

President Obiang has ruled the isolated nation with an iron fist since executing the former dictator - his uncle - in 1979.



Nothing to see here, folks, move right along...

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