CELTIC LEAGUE: FCO TIGHT-LIPPED OVER DEPENDENCY LINKS TO AFRICA EXPLOITATION

The United Kingdom Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) is remaining tight-lipped about the involvement of «shell companies» utilising their dependencies for 'escapades' in Africa such as the recent attempted coup in Equatorial Guinea (EQ). Strangely, the FCO refer to the EQ affair as an «alleged coup» - a statement which flies in the face of the facts.

British dependent territories have been linked to insurgency, insurrection and mayhem in several Central and West African States over the past decade and a half. Such links are generally associated with attempts by International multi-nationals to exploit the mineral potential of States whose ordinary population often live in dire poverty. There is some evidence to suggest that these African adventures, often serviced and funded via shady offshore companies, have the tacit support of the British Government which perhaps explains the reticence of the FCO to comment on these issues in great detail.

«Dear Mr Moffatt,

Thank you for your letter of 21 June to the Foreign Secretary in relation to the alleged links between »shell companies« in the British Dependent Territories and individuals on trial or alleged to be involved in an alleged coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea. I am replying as Desk Officer for Equatorial Guinea in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

It is not the policy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to comment on matters which may be the subject matter of on-going judicial proceedings or investigations either within the United Kingdom or abroad. However, to the extent that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office receives information or becomes aware of activities by individuals or entities which might suggest criminal activity is taking or has taken place within a UK Overseas Territory or Crown Dependency, we would bring that matter to the attention of the relevant authorities in the territory concerned.

Yours sincerely

Fiona Grant Africa Department (Equatorial)»

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J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

11/08/08