Former Argentinian president 'smuggled arms to Croatia' Posted September 9, 2007 11:48:00
Former Argentine president Carlos Menem has been charged with involvement in the illegal sale of weapons to Croatia and Ecuador while he was in office between 1989 and 1999. Mr Menem, who had expressed an interest in running for President in elections next month, has denied any wrongdoing. Mr Menem is accused of involvement in selling 6,500 tonnes of rifles, cannons, anti-tank rockets and ammunition to Ecuador and Croatia between 1991 and 1995. At the time Ecuador was involved in a conflict with neighbouring Peru, and Croatia in the violent break up of the former Yugoslavia. Those involved in the transactions are accused of falsely stating that the shipments were going to Panama and Venezuela. The judge bringing the charges said that much of the $US37 million earned from the illegal transactions were spent in bribes. - BBC http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/09/2027833.htm?section=world
