| Submit your comments on this article |
| Africa Subsaharan |
| US Pushing for Recall of Chinese Arms Shipment to Zimbabwe |
| 2008-04-23 |
| State Department officials acknowledge there is nothing illegal about China's arms sales to Zimbabwe, a long-time recipient of Chinese military hardware. But they say that given the volatile situation in Zimbabwe, where some instances of post-election violence have been reported, this is not the time to be increasing the number of weapons and armaments available in that country. In a talk with reporters, State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey said the United States has raised the issue of the Chinese ship with the Beijing government, and countries in the region where the weapons might be off-loaded for shipment to land-locked Zimbabwe - including South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia and Angola. The Chinese ship had to leave the South African port of Durban late last week after union dockworkers refused to unload it, and Spokesman Casey said U.S. officials are pleased by the broader response in the region to appeals to keep additional armaments out of Zimbabwe. |
| Posted by:Fred |