SA to take arms to Haiti

News24

[Spandau]

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.

5,000 rounds doesn't sound like much. Maybe they mean 500,000. An R1 is a metric pattern FAL. (7.62x51)

[Spandau]

Can you please post the link? Thanks.

[Ironfocus]

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1490904,00.html

Here you go.

[Spandau]

Thanks. Maybe they meant 5,000 rifles instead of bullets.

[marktwain]

Wonderful. Now when is Chavez going to announce aid to the murderous Aristide?

[catpuppy]

Monroe Doctrine needed in emergency room -- stat!

[Redcoat LI]

"they are similar the French FN-rifles still being used by Haiti police."

So I guess there re-sale value is going to go down,now that they have been dropped twice.

[PAR35]

5 000 bullets, 200 smoke grenades and 200 bullet-proof vests,

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.

[Ironfocus]

This may be a symbolic gesture from Mbeki, remember he visited Haiti just a few weeks ago, and paid $1.5mil for the party. SA taxpayers money well spent, and now he will do it again. Good thing all SAfricans have food, water, homes, AIDS drugs, and are safe in the streets and their own homes. Otherwise one may think it's a complete waste of money. Good thing the noble Canadians will be going, the ammo must be for them.

[GreenHornet]

A South African air force plane will leave for Haiti early next week to support the country's government.

Next week may be a tad late.

[Ironfocus]

It may still be in time to take Aristide on an extended state visit to SA.

[Shooter 2.5]

I don't think so. I think this is one of those, "We support you[just not much].

From the other thread:
"The Beeld newspaper reported on Saturday that an South African Air Force Boeing is expected to fly to Haiti on Tuesday with a cargo of 150 R1 rifles and 5000 bullets."

[blam]

"Thanks. Maybe they meant 5,000 rifles instead of bullets."

LOL, I have more bullets than that.

[Ironfocus]

I guess that 747 was too slow... he already bolted.

[scouse]

Fox News stated that Aristede has already fled to the Dominican Republic and may be seeking asylum in Panama among other places.

[archy]

5,000 rounds doesn't sound like much. Maybe they mean 500,000. An R1 is a metric pattern FAL. (7.62x51)

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.

[Lurker]

Have you seen what condition those Garands are in? I saw one on the news the other night. It looked liked it hadn't been cleaned since the Korean War.

While the rebels may have those SAs outgunned, I seriously doubt they have them outtrained.

Just my 2 cents.

L

[archy]

Have you seen what condition those Garands are in? I saw one on the news the other night. It looked liked it hadn't been cleaned since the Korean War.

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....

[archy]

Have you seen what condition those Garands are in? I saw one on the news the other night. It looked liked it hadn't been cleaned since the Korean War.

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....