Zimbabwe Reports Seizing Plane With 64 Suspected Mercenaries

Tuesday, March 9, 2004
By Sharon LaFraniere

New York Times Writer

The plane seized Sunday landed at the Harare airport for refueling about 5 p.m., according to civil aviation officials. They said the aircraft appeared to be privately owned and under charter. Crew members said only three people were on board, the officials said. "The plane was actually carrying 64 suspected mercenaries of various nationalities."

JOHANNESBURG -- NYT
Zimbabwean authorities said Monday that they had impounded a United States-registered cargo plane after its owners lied about the existence of 64 suspected mercenaries and military equipment on board.

The Boeing 727-100 cargo plane was seized Sunday night at the international airport in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital, Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi told reporters.

Spokesmen for the State Department and Pentagon said they had no indication that the plane was connected to the United States government.

The incident occurred less than a week after the United States tightened economic sanctions against Zimbabwe's government, saying it was undermining the rule of law and fostering political violence. American officials threatened further strictures if Zimbabwe's leaders continued to balk at efforts to resolve the country's deepening political crisis.

(More: NYTimes.com / International)

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Dan