So, Farhad Azima, the same bloke that owned Global International Airways, Capitol International and Buffalo Airways; and currently owns Aviation Leasing Group (ALG) which has offices in London and Kansas City?
The same Farhad Azima that also is the ultimate owner of First International Airways (which curiously uses the same logo/livery as Global, except for the substitution of an 'F' for 'G'? FIA which is domiciled at Ostend, though its aircraft seem to be based out in the UAE?
The same FIA that uses a Ghana flag of convenience AOC (as does MK Airlines and a few other shady operators) where you're guaranteed that safety and operational oversight will not be something to worry about?
The same FIA that's lost at least one Boeing 707 in Africa?
The same Farhad Azima that had a deep involvement in the Iran-Contra affair, with alleged organised crime activities (including alleged money laundering through his companies, including Indian Springs Bank of Kansas City, an S&L in which he was the largest shareholder) and has been under investigation by the DEA and other authorities for alleged involvement with the drugs trade from Azerbaijan (his birthplace) and Central America to Arkansas (the 'Menagate' affair); and with arms trader Adnan Kashoggi (including helping to finance the coup by Samuel K Doe that took over Liberia)? <a href="http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/CIA/S&L_Scandal_CIA.html" target="_blank">(Click here)</a> <a href="http://www.constitution.org/piml/96062510.txt" target="_blank">(Menagate Click Here)</a>
The same Farhad Azima that had close links with CIA proprietaries including Southern Air Transport, Intermountain Aviation, Response Air, Consultants International Inc, Lukim Air Services, St Lucia Airways and Seagreen Air Transport? <a href="http://www.webcom.com/~pinknoiz/covert/brewton.html" target="_blank">(click here)</a>
The same Farhad Azima that also is closely connected with the notorious Des Ayto of Race Aviation (which Azima owned, and used to ship 23 tonnes of TOW missiles to Iran)?
The same Farhad Azima that has close links with former KGB major Victor Bout/Butt (plus so many other variations the intelligence community knows him as Victor B.), who owns a large fleet of (largely stolen) Soviet aircraft ... and a 707 or two; as well as being on remarkably close terms with both the Taleban and Osama bin Laden? Butt's operations in Africa and Afghanistan are legend. <a href="http://users.skynet.be/j.denecker.agalev/operators.htm" target="_blank">Click here </a>for further information on how the various players at Ostend link together (the item is in Dutch, but can be fairly easily understood)
The same Farhad Azima that is the ultimate beneficial owner (contrary to UK and EU law) of HeavyLift aka HC Airlines aka Prime, having provided the US$23.75m required for a management buy out from Kvaerner by Michael Hales and Graham Pearce?
The same Farhad Azima who ultimately owns the Boeing 707 that was seized at Southend recently, operating under another African flag of convenience - this time Equatorial Guinea - piloted by a certain well known individual who has flown many times previously for Mr Azima, including the operation of a number of arms flights. <a href="http://users.skynet.be/j.denecker.agalev/wapenhandel.htm" target="_blank">(click here - article in Dutch; and </a><a href="http://www.cleanostend.com/" target="_blank"> for a summary in English click here)</a>
Nope, sorry. Never heard of the bloke! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
However <a href="http://www.pir.org/cgi-bin/nbonlin6.cgi?_AZIMA_FARHAD_" target="_blank">this link</a> makes seriously fascinating reading, especially if you know the people involved.
Incidentally, you can see that despite being classed as an 'inappropriate contributor' by Clinton in March 1997 and having his donation cheques returned <a href="http://clinton6.nara.gov/1997/03/1997-03-03-statement-in-response-to-question-in-brieifng.html" target="_blank">(click here)</a>; he nevertheless hosted a $1,000 a head afternoon tea fundraiser at his home for Hillary Clinton that was attended by Bill Clinton <a href="http://www.kcstar.com/item/pages/election.pat,local/3774d26a.a09,.html" target="_blank">(click here)</a>
Interestingly, the Clinton Library fund received over $1m from Azima <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-10/19/052l-101999-idx.html" target="_blank">(Click here)</a>.
One wonders what Azima received in return? <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
[ 29 December 2001: Message edited by: The Guvnor ]</p>