Posted on 02/28/2004 5:03:40 AM PST by Ironfocus
28/02/2004 09:07 Erika Gibson
Pretoria - A South African air force plane will leave for Haiti early next week to support the country's government.
The Boeing 747 is expected to leave as early as Tuesday morning after Police requested the flight.
On board the plane would be 5 000 bullets, 200 smoke grenades and 200 bullet-proof vests, according to a document in local newspaper Beeld's possession.
In South African terms, R-1 rifles are old-fashioned, but according to specialists, they are similar the French FN-rifles still being used by Haiti police.
Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa could neither confirm or deny reports, as Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was in Brazil and out of reach on a cellphone.
Bheki Khumalo of the Presidency was also unaware of the request.
Senior Superintendent Sally de Beer, spoekesperson for Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi, denied that South African policemen would be sent to Haiti.
Selebi was "busy with official duties" and couldn't be reached.
The government was recently lambasted for donating R10m to Haiti for the 200th anniversary of the island's "first black republic".
When a high-placed delegation, led by President Thabo Mbeki, attended the celebrations, resentment was already growing against President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's government. His human rights record was being questioned.
After the visit, the South African government undertook to help train Haiti's police force in crowd control. From Haiti is has been alleged that South Africa is providing Aristide's police force with arms and equipment. These allegations have been denied.
The Boeing 747 can carry 200 passengers but can also partially or completely turned into a cargo plane.
Aristide requested the international community on Friday to help restore order after rebels announced that they would attack the capital Port au Prince.
5,000 rounds doesn't sound like much. Maybe they mean 500,000. An R1 is a metric pattern FAL. (7.62x51)
Sounds like a mighty small load for a 747.
The Boeing 747 can carry 200 passengers but can also partially or completely turned into a cargo plane.
Sounds like a mighty small load for a 747.
Next week may be a tad late.
LOL, I have more bullets than that.
5000 rounds would have been plenty for the 150 rifles being sent. But not much of a match for the 800 M1 Garands the rebels landed on Monday.
Along with the mines and grenades.
While the rebels may have those SAs outgunned, I seriously doubt they have them outtrained.
Just my 2 cents.
L
While the rebels may have those SAs outgunned, I seriously doubt they have them outtrained.
Just my 2 cents.
L
Indeed, since some have been buried or otherwise hidden since 1994. And some are mechanically dubious, with tape holding humidity-cracked foreends or handguards together; some are also noticibly missing their rear sights. And the slings on most have dissappeared, to be used as belts or tiedown strapping.
But most still shoot, and the Garand is pretty sturdy, reliable even filthy to an extent more than most recent weapons other than the Kalishnikov. And many of those rebels have been trained by US Special Forces advisors to the Haitian military in the 1988-94 period, as well as abroad in Equador, as was Guy Phillippe. And recently in Mexico, as well. Where plenty of parts and ammo for older Garands can still be found....
While the rebels may have those SAs outgunned, I seriously doubt they have them outtrained.
Just my 2 cents.
L
Indeed, since some have been buried or otherwise hidden since 1994. And some are mechanically dubious, with tape holding humidity-cracked foreends or handguards together; some are also noticibly missing their rear sights. And the slings on most have dissappeared, to be used as belts or tiedown strapping.
But most still shoot, and the Garand is pretty sturdy, reliable even filthy to an extent more than most recent weapons other than the Kalishnikov. And many of those rebels have been trained by US Special Forces advisors to the Haitian military in the 1988-94 period, as well as abroad in Equador, as was Guy Phillippe. And recently in Mexico, as well. Where plenty of parts and ammo for older Garands can still be found....
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