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Millions stolen from another Iraqi embassy
Armed robbers broke into Iraqâs embassy building in Moscow overnight and stole $US3m ($4.54m) in cash from its safe, Russian media reported. An embassy official called police early today to report that three men with stockings masking their faces had broken into the embassy late last night, NTV television reported. Interfax news agency said the men were carrying guns. They tied up the only security guard patrolling the site and stole his key to the safe, running away with $US3m ($4.54m) and 114,000 euro ($198,192), an unnamed Iraqi diplomat interviewed by telephone told the channel.Problem #1: How many security guards get keys to embassy safes? Police officers guarding the site noticed nothing suspicious and the robbers broke into the back of the building, Interfax quoted a police source as saying. Problem #2: Cops outside didnât see three guys with stocking masks and guns running to a getaway car? And how many embassies in Moscow donât have cops front and back? The report quoted an unnamed Iraqi diplomat as saying that all of the robbers had spoken Russian, prompting Iraqi officials to rule out that embassy staff were involved. Problem #3: Unnamed Iraqi diplomats/officials seem to be your only source. Abbas Khalaf, the ambassador to Moscow under Saddam Hussein, returned to Baghdad in June, less than three months after US-led forces toppled Saddamâs regime and took control of Iraq. Humm, where were you and what were you doing, Abbas? The Iraqi diplomat told Interfax that Khalaf had quit state service but would likely return to Moscow eventually as a civilian. Howâs that retirement pay? The embassy continued to be staffed by lower-level diplomats but NTV reported that it was due to shut down all operations by August 1. OK, just before the embassy is shut down (and people lose their jobs), three mystery gunmen show up, know where the money is and where to find the key, disapear without a trace and itâs not a inside job? Oh, and by the way, isnât this the third Iraqi embassy to be robbed this month? Posted by: Steve 2003-07-29 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=17053 |