Simon Mann, released.

[scitec]

He is on his way back to Britain, he was sentenced for his involvement in a failed coup in Ecuador. He was due to spend the rest of his life in jail.

Mark Thatcher maintains he was involved only because of a 'Misunderstanding'

Some might believe that....I don't!

[steve.lansley@t]

Originally Posted by scitec

He is on his way back to Britain, he was sentenced for his involvement in a failed coup in Ecuador. He was due to spend the rest of his life in jail.

Mark Thatcher maintains he was involved only because of a 'Misunderstanding'

Some might believe that....I don't!

OH COME ON SCITEC!!
He was only involved in a covert operation to take over an oil rich country! Its not as though any of them were doing anything serious like speeding or putting out too much rubbish now is it.
No, and I expect the remainder of the protagonists in the coup are glad that Mr Mann took the rap for them as well.
I wonder if he will live to be a ripe old age eh?
I dont think I will be taking too many bets on it.

[Axitutl60]

Originally Posted by scitec

He is on his way back to Britain, he was sentenced for his involvement in a failed coup in Ecuador.

It was Equatorial Guinea, different continent.

[scitec]

Originally Posted by steve.lansley@t

OH COME ON SCITEC!!
He was only involved in a covert operation to take over an oil rich country! Its not as though any of them were doing anything serious like speeding or putting out too much rubbish now is it.
No, and I expect the remainder of the protagonists in the coup are glad that Mr Mann took the rap for them as well.
I wonder if he will live to be a ripe old age eh?
I dont think I will be taking too many bets on it.

The point of my post is that he has been released, what do you assume my point is?

[~Joe~]

Originally Posted by scitec

The point of my post is that he has been released, what do you assume my point is?

what do you assume my point is

The point of my post is that he has been released.


Sorry, its stuck just me as ammusing.

[steve.lansley@t]

I think it is safe to assume that he was released because he was
the'small beer'of the operation and also that someone with some clout has been working for the last year to have him released.
I personally dont believe that a hernia op in 2008 is enough reason to allow trained killers absolution in such a case, but hey ho, its a funny old world int it better make mine a large one.
Cheers

[~Joe~]

Obviously stuff going on in the background we dont know about, and probably some dosh changing hands as well.

[Axitutl60]

Originally Posted by ~Joe~

Obviously stuff going on in the background we dont know about, and probably some dosh changing hands as well.

There might have been some diplomatic "quid pro quo", economic help, or favourable trading conditions, given to Equatorial Guinea in exchange for Mann's release.

[~Joe~]

Originally Posted by Axitutl60

There might have been some diplomatic "quid pro quo", economic help, or favourable trading conditions, given to Equatorial Guinea in exchange for Mann's release.

Hi Axitut.

Possibly, but it could also be done with a few backhanders, dont suppose we will ever know exactly what was behind it all.

Joe.

[Eric]

Why would rulers of one of the richest oil states in the area need 'backhanders'?

I'd guess that it's diplomatic recognition that's more important to them.

There's all the speculation too that he's been released because he's 'named names' but one of the things special forces men are taught when taken captive is to say anything the captors ask for, you can always claim later that it was only said under duress. E.

[~Joe~]

Originally Posted by Eric

Why would rulers of one of the richest oil states in the area need 'backhanders'?

I'd guess that it's diplomatic recognition that's more important to them.

There's all the speculation too that he's been released because he's 'named names' but one of the things special forces men are taught when taken captive is to say anything the captors ask for, you can always claim later that it was only said under duress. E.

Hi Eric.

Backhanders, good point, but i would not be surprised to learn that personal gain in some form was not involved. But your point is the most plausable.

[Chinchilla]

Originally Posted by Eric

Why would rulers of one of the richest oil states in the area need 'backhanders'?

I take it you've never been to Africa?

[Eric]

Originally Posted by Chinchilla

I take it you've never been to Africa?

I've been a soldier with members of the East African Frontier Forces. E.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by Eric

Why would rulers of one of the richest oil states in the area need 'backhanders'?

It actually doesn't want backhanders but it does want to buy weapons from UK arms manufacturers (among others) without any hassles. The UK has a reputation for producing decent quality weaponry and an ability to turn a blind eye when it comes to international agreements on arms sales to dictatorships.

I'd guess that it's diplomatic recognition that's more important to them.

Not really. It's a brutal dictatorship that doesn't give a fig about its international reputation. Only a handful of Equatorial Guineans enjoy the oil wealth whilst the majority of the population subsides on about a dollar a day.

There's all the speculation too that he's been released because he's 'named names' but one of the things special forces men are taught when taken captive is to say anything the captors ask for, you can always claim later that it was only said under duress. E.

It was only ever about the money, regime-change and oil. Simon Mann spilled the beans because he's a craven coward pretending to be a "dog of war" and was ticked off that he was selected as the the fall guy.

Check the Channel 4 News website for more details because they managed to secure some exclusive interviews with this privileged and very well-connected mercenary.

[scitec]

Originally Posted by drummer

It actually doesn't want backhanders but it does want to buy weapons from UK arms manufacturers (among others) without any hassles. The UK has a reputation for producing decent quality weaponry and an ability to turn a blind eye when it comes to international agreements on arms sales to dictatorships.



Not really. It's a brutal dictatorship that doesn't give a fig about its international reputation. Only a handful of Equatorial Guineans enjoy the oil wealth whilst the majority of the population subsides on about a dollar a day.



It was only ever about the money, regime-change and oil. Simon Mann spilled the beans because he's a craven coward pretending to be a "dog of war" and was ticked off that he was selected as the the fall guy.

Check the Channel 4 News website for more details because they managed to secure some exclusive interviews with this privileged and very well-connected mercenary.

How has he affected you? Or are you just good at typing big words from the safety of your home?

Some people may be impressed with your rubbish....I am not.

I do not know Mann or any of his connections but as he has not done wrong to me, I see no reason to be brave in front of a screen....like you often are.