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Russia fury as Sudan seizes helicopter
A diplomatic row has blown up between Moscow and Khartoum over the detention of a Russian helicopter and its crew in the Sudanese capital. Sudanese troops seized the private helicopter a week ago in the western city of Al-Fasher. Since there is little work in Russia, you can find Russian aircraft and crews working all over the world. Just make sure your life insurance is paid up. Russian media said a Sudanese senior diplomat in Moscow was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to explain the incident. Moscow has said the flight was part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uh huh. Russia expressed bewilderment over the arrest and demanded the immediate release of the crew as well as an official explanation. "Russia has... made it clear that if this unacceptable situation persists, Moscow will have to draw certain conclusions, which will not benefit bilateral relations between Russia and Sudan," said a Foreign Ministry statement. That sounds like a threat. Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail said on Sunday that an inquiry was being launched into the incident. "There are certain suspicions about this helicopter and they must be investigated," Interfax news agency quoted him as saying. The independent Sudan Media Centre said the authorities suspected the helicopter of carrying arms for the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SPLA). Picking up a little extra cash? There is still fighting in Sudan between government and SPLA forces despite a ceasefire signed last year to end 19 years of civil war.
Itâs an African ceasefire, of course thereâs still fighting. Posted by: Steve 2003-07-30 |
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