Iran's defence minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar (nasty looking sob)
Posted on 12/13/2005 6:22:47 PM PST by nuconvert
Iran defence minister risks the sack over plane crash
Tue Dec 13, 2005
Iran's defence minister was threatened with the sack after a group of lawmakers pushed through an impeachment motion following last week's crash of a decrepit military plane in Tehran which killed 108 people.
A parliament source told AFP that the speaker of the conservative-controlled Majlis had accepted the motion -- backed by 49 MPs in the 290-seat assembly -- meaning Defence Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najar will have to answer tough questions over the crash within 10 days.
His appearance in parliament will be followed by a confidence vote among deputies, who have the power to sack any member of the government.
The aged Lockheed C-130 transport plane -- bought from the United States before the 1979 Islamic revolution and starved of crucial spares because of US sanctions -- crashed into the foot of a high-rise housing block last Tuesday after suffering engine failure.
Of the 108 fatalities, 68 were journalists, photographers and media technicians travelling on the aircraft to report on military exercises in the south of Iran.
Authorities have been accused of ordering the plane to take off despite warnings from the pilot over a period of several hours.
But it is unclear how much support the rebel MPs actually have: according to the student news agency ISNA, 16 signatories of the motion have withdrawn their backing since filing the complaint on Sunday.
According to the text of the motion read out in parliament, the MPs want the minister to explain why a military plane was used to transport passengers, and why it was allowed to fly before a full safety check.
"What was the reason for the five hour delay (before take-off), and how much excess baggage was on the plane?" the MPs asked in the open session, which was carried live on state radio.
The defence minister has already announced that a team of 29 army experts were investigating the crash, using the recorded communications between the plane and the control tower at Mehrabad airport. The plane did not have a "black box" flight recorder.
On Sunday, outspoken President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pledged a serious investigation into the crash but nevertheless thanked the 108 dead for their "martyrdom".
"The government will hold a serious investigation (...), but what is important is that they have shown the way to martyrdom which we must follow," Ahmadinejad said.
The ultra-conservative president has already encountered problems in parliament since his shock election win in June.
Deputies have rejected several of his nominees for cabinet posts, including his first three choices for the crucial post of oil minister. His fourth choice, widely seen as a compromise, was approved by deputies on Sunday.
Iran's defence minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar (nasty looking sob)
Well, I guess that means they'll have to scrap all of their American built planes now.
"The government will hold a serious investigation (...), but what is important is that they have shown the way to martyrdom which we must follow," Ahmadinejad said.
LOL! I sure hope he follows his own advice.
Makes you wish that all US-made military vehicles had a self-destruct device that could be triggered by satellite.
You first, Mahmoud.
Don't they mean the sack over his head and the noose?
Ok all you Muhammad loving Jihadists, show your dedication to the cult of Islam, run head first into the imperialist bricks of the apartment block nearest you! 1-2-3- GO! Allah Fu bar!
This really is a silly comment. Iran is awash in oil money and could have a hundred Russian airplanes delivered tomorrow.
But they would rather spend their money on nuclear reactors and other nuclear equipment so that they can threaten the world with their soon to be created atomic weapons.
Oooh, castration for poor oversight? I knew the Middle East nations were tough on crime, but WOW!
Lol
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.