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"

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J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

21/06/08