EGuinea files coup charges in Europe

[Snazzy]

EGuinea files coup charges in Europe

MALABO - The government in Equatorial Guinea has filed charges in Britain and Spain against four men whom it accuses of masterminding an attempted coup in the African country in March, according to national radio.

It says they backed a group of 70 men arrested on March 7 when their plane was making a stopover in the Zimbabwean capital Harare to pick up weapons, allegedly en route to Equatorial Guinea to topple long-time President Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

According to the radio, quoting state prosecutor Jose Olo Obono, the charges in Spain concern prominent opposition figure Severo Moto, president of the coutry’s government in exile, who lives in Madrid, alleged to be the driving force behind the alleged coup.

In Britain charges have been filed against a businessman of Lebanese origin Elie Calil, management consultant Greg Wales and Simon Mann, a former member of the British special forces.

The government in Malabo called in May on London to extradite Calil and Wales, accused of having been the financial organisers of the attempt with Mann, who was arrested in Harare with the supposed mercenaries.

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http://www.bday.co.za/bday/content/direct/1,3523,1656283-6078-0,00.html

[Snazzy]

1. EG promises a 'fair trial'

EG promises a 'fair trial'
09/07/2004 22:00 - (SA)

Yaounde (Cameroon) - Equatorial Guinea has promised defence lawyers and open trials for seven South Africans and Namibians accused of serving as mercenaries in an alleged coup plot against the government, said the United States ambassador on Friday.

Charles Staples is ambassador for both Equatorial Guinea and neighboring Cameroon.

Trials are set down in July for seven defendants held in Equatorial Guinea, Staples told a news conference.

Another 70 alleged mercenaries also are being held in Zimbabwe in connection with the alleged coup plot against Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang, who has ruled his west African country repressively for 25 years.

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A senior US embassy official, José Santacana, said the defendants were being held in acceptable conditions because they're "well-fed, clothed and allowed to bathe".

The US state department's latest country report on Equatorial Guinea said "judicial corruption" was widespread there, and described prison conditions as "life threatening".

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http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1555527,00.html

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2. E Guinea security kills 16

E Guinea security kills 16
05/07/2004 20:12 - (SA)

Dakar - Security forces in the repressive West African nation of Equatorial Guinea are believed to have killed at least 16 people after an attack on a military garrison - shooting even those who tried to surrender, Amnesty International said on Monday.

Survivors who were taken into custody are believed to have been tortured and raped, the London-based rights group said.

The group demanded the government "immediately bring an end to extra judicial executions, torture and rape by security personnel."

Equatorial Guinea, a former Spanish colony with only a half-million people, has been ruled by coup-installed President Teodoro Obiang since 1979.

An oil boom, which made Equatorial Guinea the United State's fourth-largest investment partner in Africa, has not improved the country's rights record. Equatorial Guinea is routinely condemned by international rights groups and by the US State Department.

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http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_1553132,00.html

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3. SA 'mercenaries' fingered in new plot saga

SA 'mercenaries' fingered in new plot saga

Bruce Venter
July 09 2004 at 01:25PM

South African mercenaries are plotting a third coup attempt to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea, it has been claimed.

This comes after two alleged attempts to oust President Teodoro Obiang Nguema failed.

A Pretoria-based Special Forces operator, serving in the South African National Defence Force, says he was approached last week in connection with the operation.

"I was contacted by a recruiting agent who is attempting to recruit for an operation in West Africa planned for the end of July," he said.

He claimed the agent was connected to former Special Forces members closely linked to the failed operations in Equatorial Guinea. The allegations were supported by retired Special Forces operator, John Paul: "Word is out in the mercenary community of work in West Africa at the end of the month and fighting men are needed to do that work."

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http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20040709132510749C944191

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4. Africa's oil boom may not be a blessing

Africa's oil boom may not be a blessing
July 8, 2004

Washington - The oil boom in Central and West Africa could result in prosperity or disaster in the region, depending on how wisely the revenues are spent, according to a study released Wednesday.

The report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies said the growing oil exports of Nigeria and Angola will significantly enhance the global position of the two countries.

Also, greater attention will be focused on "emergent, unstable producers" in the region - Equatorial Guinea, Chad and Sao Tome and Principe, the report said.

"With proven reserves of more than 60 billion barrels, the region today provides one in four new barrels of oil coming into world markets from outside the Persian Gulf," said the report, titled "Rising US Stakes in Africa."

Secretary of State Colin Powell will address a Capitol Hill conference on Thursday at which the report will be discussed.

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http://www.businessreport.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=561&fArticleId=2142651

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5. Marathon sees delays and higher costs

July 7, 2004, 11:48AM

Marathon sees delays and higher costs
Reuters News Service

NEW YORK - Marathon Oil Corp. said today it sees higher second-quarter administrative costs and forecast that delays in Equatorial Guinea expansion projects would cause a shortfall in oil and gas production.

The Houston-based energy producer now expects second-quarter production to average 341,000 barrels per day, 2 percent below its previous forecast of 348,000 bpd.

Marathon said it expects full-year average production of 360,000 bpd, down 1.4 percent from its previous estimate of 365,000 bpd.

Commissioning of certain expansion projects in the West African nation of Equatorial Guinea is taking longer than expected, the company said.

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http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/2667294

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6. Still watching this

and trying to keep some stories together.

Most recent volley is here in LBN:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=675463#683677