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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| US and Israel Bust Business Selling US Missile Parts to Iran |
| 2004-03-22 |
| A months-long, clandestine joint operation with the American Department of Homeland Security has led Israel Police to the discovery of a warehouse in Binyamina -- a small town south of Haifa -- containing missile parts apparently destined for Iran. Equipped with photos that were supplied by the American authorities, police raided the warehouse Thursday. They identified crated pipes that were found there as spare parts for the radar systems of American-made Hawk anti-aircraft missiles, which were supplied to the Shah’s Iran (and to Israel) by the US decades ago. The parts’ final destination is suspected to be Iran. Simultaneously, businessman Eli Cohen, whose company owns the warehouse, was arrested. Under interrogation, he denied that the merchandise was destined for Iran -- and also claimed it had been sent to his company by mistake. After questioning he was released on bail, under limitations. The investigation began when the US Department of Homeland Security suspected a 70-year old American businessman named Leib Cohen of purchasing spare parts for Hawk missiles and F-4 Phantom jet fighters (which were also sold by the US both to Iran and to Israel). Cohen allegedly transferred the parts to the Israeli companies PAD and VSR, which are owned by Eli Cohen and his brother-in-law, Avihai Weinstein, who is also being questioned by police. The parts were then allegedly transshipped to Iran. more |
| Posted by:Mike Sylwester |
| #1 Eli Cohen The Iranians are my friends. Oh sure, they want all Jews dead. But I am their friend. |
| Posted by: B 2004-3-23 7:40:00 AM |