Celtic League - Offshore bolt holes compound problems for Africa

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Celtic League - Offshore bolt holes compound problems for Africa

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This from the Celtic League:

'OFFSHORE BOLT-HOLES' COMPOUND PROBLEMS FOR AFRICA

The Celtic League has written to the United Kingdom Foreign Office
asking if they (or any other United Kingdom government agency) have
any suspicion that companies registered in offshore dependencies such
as the Isle of Man or Channel Islands were connected to a recent attempted
coup mounted by mercenaries in Equatorial Guinea.

Some of the plotters implicated in the attempt to overthrow the government
of the oil-rich African state have previously been connected to companies
registered in offshore dependencies.

The League also point out that 'disreputable elements' have a long
track record of utilising 'shell companies' established in offshore
territotries to expoilt what are seen as commercial opportunities
in several african States. The League say's that this expolitation
compounds serious economic and social problems which many African
states face and the United Kingdom should ensure that 'bolt-holes'
offshore are not utilised to compound Africa's problems. (see below)


"Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
The Rt Hon. David Miliband, MP
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Main Building
Whitehall,
King Charles St
London.

21 June 2008

Dear Foreign Secretary,

I write with reference to the ongoing trial of a number of mercenaries
charged with attempting to unlawfully overthrow the legitimate government
of Equatorial Guinea.

Does the Foreign Office have any evidence that 'shell companies' in
any British offshore dependencies were used by either individuals
currently on trial or individuals identified during the course of
the proceedings as being allegedly linked to the coup plot.

The Foreign Office will be aware that companies in both the Isle of
Man and Channel Islands have been linked to mercenary groups and also
to arms trading into Africa, including a number of States in both
Central, Southern and West Africa.

Given the very serious economic and social problems that many African
states currently face do you not think it is incumbent on the United
Kingdom, being responsible for the Foreign Affairs of the offshore
dependencies, to ensure that their lax company registration laws are
not utilised by disreputable elements.

Yours faithfully,


J B Moffatt
Director of Information
Celtic League"


See related articles on Celtic League at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1997
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1795
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1775
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1758
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1745
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1727
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1713
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1013
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/707

J B Moffatt
Director of Information
Celtic League

21/06/08


The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works
to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights
human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on
socio-economic issues.

TEL (UK)01624 877918 MOBILE (UK)07624 491609

Internet site at:

http://celticleague.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/