Silverback Cargo Freighters
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Hello Blues,
I never mentioned which DC8 because I don't remember. You took for granted and jumped to a conclusion. No problems!
I did not point fingers to the DC8 in the topic. I asked a question and wondered if anyone else knew more about it at the time.
Amazing things seen whilst working for the UN/ICRC over 7 years of contract flying in the USSR and Africa.
I never mentioned which DC8 because I don't remember. You took for granted and jumped to a conclusion. No problems!
I did not point fingers to the DC8 in the topic. I asked a question and wondered if anyone else knew more about it at the time.
Amazing things seen whilst working for the UN/ICRC over 7 years of contract flying in the USSR and Africa.
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....You Plancrazi,
I'm sure that you saw a lot of stange thing happening in some airports, especially on war zones, were you use to fly or on any rebels sides....
All kind of things that you'll never see on Gatwick appron, or on any "normal" places.
Only people like you can understand what I'm talking about....
Anyway....
I'm sure that you saw a lot of stange thing happening in some airports, especially on war zones, were you use to fly or on any rebels sides....
All kind of things that you'll never see on Gatwick appron, or on any "normal" places.
Only people like you can understand what I'm talking about....
Anyway....
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Dear both!
I do understand your worries 100%. I also know what you are talking. I spent last 25 years both side of that fence.
But before we can point the finger for anyone we need to know facts!
Good and steady tailwinds for both of you.
Blues
I do understand your worries 100%. I also know what you are talking. I spent last 25 years both side of that fence.
But before we can point the finger for anyone we need to know facts!
Good and steady tailwinds for both of you.
Blues
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Just in case anyone is interested -
Was out of JIA this morning, back late afternoon, and the Silverback is still sitting on 09 hardstand.
Hasn't moved for a few days now...
Cheers
R
Was out of JIA this morning, back late afternoon, and the Silverback is still sitting on 09 hardstand.
Hasn't moved for a few days now...
Cheers
R
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Just to add to my previous post, Silverback did a flight on the 1st April as a freight charter for the previously mentioned construction project. Another charter is due soon, and with previous charters they had to sit at JIA for quite a while, and it might be the case this time again.
Once last year, a flight from JIA had to be cancelled cause the plane had a technical fault, and was grounded and also stood there for quite a while.
Certainly some very interesting "theories" being discussed re the presence of this DC 8.
Once last year, a flight from JIA had to be cancelled cause the plane had a technical fault, and was grounded and also stood there for quite a while.
Certainly some very interesting "theories" being discussed re the presence of this DC 8.
ZbV
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Operating a "Agriculture equipment" flight for UN... Rumour has it...Militarized Landcruisers.
Paperwork needed to reflect the cargo in "More detail". Seems that departure was delayed a bit due to that reason.
Nothing fishy about this though ad perrrfectly legal, that is as far as I know.
JJ
Paperwork needed to reflect the cargo in "More detail". Seems that departure was delayed a bit due to that reason.
Nothing fishy about this though ad perrrfectly legal, that is as far as I know.
JJ
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Silverback DC8 leaves Brussels just before ban kicks in
The Rwandan registered DC8 9XR-SC which had been grounded at Brussels for several months departed to Kigali at 0707z on 24 March as VRB407. Apparently some sort of ban kicks in on 25th and it was issued with a special permit to fly otherwise it would be grounded there forever. Perhaps someone knows more?
R
R
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DAVID vs GOLIATH
DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH
I am sure this post is going to raise some eyebrows, possibly the ire of some but hopefully it will get the aviation fraternity thinking again about the blatant discrimination by the hypocratic Belgian and EU CA authorities against a small African Air Cargo Operator, over the past few months, and place the matter in perspective.
Approximately 5 or six months ago the DC-8 of Silverback Cargo Carriers was grounded in Brussels. This grounding and the consequent loss of earnings for this struggling African Company has cost a fortune and probably placed its continued existence in jeopardy. To comply with the airworthiness demands of the Belgian CAA it was placed into maintenance with a reputable local AMO in Brussels who repaired the aircraft to a “safe flyable – by EU standards” condition. Yet after this the Belgian CAA still refused to let the aircraft go.
The issue with the DC-8 went much further than a mere technical opinion and the concern of the Belgian CAA. Rwanda and Belgium have long been at loggerheads about the lack of intervention by-, and Belgium’s prevention of the well-documented Hutu – Tutsi genocide that was committed under the noses of Belgium Forces present there at the time. Presently Rwandan Authorities are still demanding that certain Belgian Officers be tried by the World War Crimes Tribunal for their role during the crisis, or for what they did not do during the event to prevent the catastrophe. This tit – for – tat argument and political posturing is still ongoing.
In a way to get at the Rwandans, Silverback’s DC-8 was chosen by the Belgians as a football. It can certainly be argued that there were some issues of maintenance on the aircraft worthy of concern. These matters were however speedily addressed but yet the Belgian intransigence persisted driving Silverback almost to the brink of bankruptcy.
In a desperate attempt to achieve some leverage in the matter, and upon closer inspection of an SN Brussels flight via Kigali and Nairobi over the past few days, the Rwandan Authorities paid closer attention to the Belgian A320 aircraft. If for no other reason, at least to see for themselves what Silverback is lacking and how it should be and is done in the “First World” by a “First Class” international and reputable airline. Being a wide-bodied long- range intercontinental passenger aircraft the Rwandans were sure that they would learn a first hand lesson.
But alas! The Rwandans could not believe their eyes. An ostensibly beautiful aircraft with a fairly fresh coat of paint did not cover up what was discovered. Leaking fuel tanks with Jet A1 dripping continually onto the tail-cone of the number 2 engine and of which the fuel had already formed a pool of 3 x 2 meter on the tarmac after only a few minutes on the ground. The belly of the aircraft was also covered in a smear of fuel and hydraulic fluids. From these indications and the corrosion to the aircraft surfaces it is evident that this aircraft has been flying in this condition for quite some time.
Upon closer inspection numerous fuel and hydraulic leaks of major safety concern were found.
What makes matters worse about this aircraft is that the SN Brussels A320 is used to fly unsuspecting passengers halfway around the globe, purportedly by a first class international airline overseen and regulated by a first class category 1 CAA. These were the exact reasons why the Belgian CAA had grounded Silverback’s freighter in Brussels. Passengers usually just see the sugarcoated paint job of the top section of an aircraft from the passenger terminal and from the boarding walkway.
This situation was obviously “manna from heaven” for the Rwandans who immediately grounded the Belgian A320.
It is difficult or impossible and unfair to compare the A320 with the DC-8. I am sure however that every aviationist with even limited experience will agree that the state and condition of this passenger-carrying A320 belonging to a reputable international carrier is completely unacceptable and should not be. We also all know from experience that if matters are taken too far aircraft like this example will be grounded across the world every day leaving passengers and cargo stranded creating chaos with schedules.
On the renowned European (Belgian) aviation website and discussion forum www.luchtzak.com it is interesting to note the unreserved opinions of what I presume are predominantly European aviators and enthusiasts. On two respective threads on the site i.e. “SN Brussles Grounded at Kigali”, and “Silverback Grounded at Brussels” these “specialists” express their views on these two incidents, on African flying and air companies in general, and about their colourful opinions of us Africans as people. Their opinions are shameful and disgusting to say the very least. They should remember that behind every European “BLACKLIST” there is a “WHITE-LIE” such as the manipulation and exploitation of Africa by its former and past colonial masters, and again now by even more unethical prospective commercial exploiters. The Silverback DC-8 issue remains such an issue of political expedience, as is their inclusion on the so-called “BLACKLIST” of airlines and AOC’s recently announced by the EU.
These people should stop and think that perhaps we actually need their help and advice to build and develop Africa to an internationally acceptable and competitive level. Not judgement and condemnation. If we can achieve this through constructive co-operation and engagement Africa can become an even bigger trading partner for Europe, and a substantial client and market for Europe’s aviation industry’s products.
Africa is trying hard to put its house in order. Never before has so much progress been made in such a short time towards instituting democracy across our continent, and installing norms and standards of an acceptable international standard. This also in the aviation industry. In this process we need every ounce of help and assistance we can get.
Europeans must never forget that Africa’s riches were exploited and harvested for decades by former colonial masters who shipped our riches off to foreign shores, with possibly the only exception being South Africa where their albeit peculiar Government at least ploughed their wealth back into their own soil. Countless conflicts and war’s in Africa were and still are the results of posturing and competition for Africa’s resources, often planned, funded and initiated by interests from European shores, leading to circles of perpetual violence and bloodshed at the cost of us Africans, benefiting only those who in the process receive our minerals and oil at dirt cheap prices. It is then somewhat dismaying that amidst all this chaos we are criticised and ridiculed for not complying with the same standard of aviation excellence as that of the CAA of Belgium and the EU.
In the matter of Silverback and the SN Brussels A320 it must be borne in mind that Silverback is a small struggling company trying to get on its feet and develop and grow into an airline that will one day be able to buy and proudly fly A320’s like the one in question of SN Brussles. In this process Silverback does not receive State subsidies, nor will they be bailed out of trouble every time they experience financial woes or if they should fail in their best intentions, as happens regularly with airlines in Europe.
We have to compete against such odds. We also have to contend and compete with the squadrons of Russian aircraft (possibly almost the entire ex-USSR Airforce logistics arm), congregated around the UAE waiting to snatch every kilogram of available cargo not consigned on the major airlines. To add insult to injury a new and even more alarming phenomenon is developing, of many of those named on the European blacklist now having fled to the Kyrgystan register and also congregating in the UAE and Middle East, who out of desperation will fly for any price better than nothing. Belgian and European CAA’s would be well advised to rather pay those operators attention who somehow were weeks ahead of the anticipated blaclist and did the trouble to re-register long before the list was announced. But still the joke and hypocrisy doesn’t end there.
There are countless examples in the recent history of some of these blacklisted companies flying for EU Governments, the UN, UNHCR, Red Cross and some European Aid Agencies. This not withstanding their technical condition and lack of oversight and regulation, and the facts that the same aircraft had earlier flown war materiel into our continent. The reason for them obtaining these contracts is exactly what impedes the growth and development of our private commercial aviation industry in Africa. The cheapest meanest price is always awarded the contract. Do yourself a favour, observe the growing fleet of home-converted L1011 freighters at Ras Al-Khaimah Airport, who because of exactly their tolerated status – can afford to compete our struggling private airlines out of the market. Not withstanding some being blacklisted, those very same L1011’s and IL-76’s will soon again fly for the EU, UN and Aid Organisations under other names and using contracting AOC’s.
Africa too would like to see the unregulatable sky-pirates out of the air. Such a step will protect us and give our struggling aviation industry much needed room to breathe, and a chance to compete equally and fairly, but perhaps most importantly a chance and the resources to re-organise and in the process to perform some much needed upgrading. Silverback does not fly under a flag of convenience, hide its origins, and present dubious maintenance records in foreign non-understandable languages.
The comments that have been aired on this subject over the past while is shameful, and those who did so should have a good close hard look at the standards practised by those who were instrumental in making these judgements. In aviation there is not room for political expedience, double standards and hypocracy, especially when your own house is not quite completely in order.
I am sure this post is going to raise some eyebrows, possibly the ire of some but hopefully it will get the aviation fraternity thinking again about the blatant discrimination by the hypocratic Belgian and EU CA authorities against a small African Air Cargo Operator, over the past few months, and place the matter in perspective.
Approximately 5 or six months ago the DC-8 of Silverback Cargo Carriers was grounded in Brussels. This grounding and the consequent loss of earnings for this struggling African Company has cost a fortune and probably placed its continued existence in jeopardy. To comply with the airworthiness demands of the Belgian CAA it was placed into maintenance with a reputable local AMO in Brussels who repaired the aircraft to a “safe flyable – by EU standards” condition. Yet after this the Belgian CAA still refused to let the aircraft go.
The issue with the DC-8 went much further than a mere technical opinion and the concern of the Belgian CAA. Rwanda and Belgium have long been at loggerheads about the lack of intervention by-, and Belgium’s prevention of the well-documented Hutu – Tutsi genocide that was committed under the noses of Belgium Forces present there at the time. Presently Rwandan Authorities are still demanding that certain Belgian Officers be tried by the World War Crimes Tribunal for their role during the crisis, or for what they did not do during the event to prevent the catastrophe. This tit – for – tat argument and political posturing is still ongoing.
In a way to get at the Rwandans, Silverback’s DC-8 was chosen by the Belgians as a football. It can certainly be argued that there were some issues of maintenance on the aircraft worthy of concern. These matters were however speedily addressed but yet the Belgian intransigence persisted driving Silverback almost to the brink of bankruptcy.
In a desperate attempt to achieve some leverage in the matter, and upon closer inspection of an SN Brussels flight via Kigali and Nairobi over the past few days, the Rwandan Authorities paid closer attention to the Belgian A320 aircraft. If for no other reason, at least to see for themselves what Silverback is lacking and how it should be and is done in the “First World” by a “First Class” international and reputable airline. Being a wide-bodied long- range intercontinental passenger aircraft the Rwandans were sure that they would learn a first hand lesson.
But alas! The Rwandans could not believe their eyes. An ostensibly beautiful aircraft with a fairly fresh coat of paint did not cover up what was discovered. Leaking fuel tanks with Jet A1 dripping continually onto the tail-cone of the number 2 engine and of which the fuel had already formed a pool of 3 x 2 meter on the tarmac after only a few minutes on the ground. The belly of the aircraft was also covered in a smear of fuel and hydraulic fluids. From these indications and the corrosion to the aircraft surfaces it is evident that this aircraft has been flying in this condition for quite some time.
Upon closer inspection numerous fuel and hydraulic leaks of major safety concern were found.
What makes matters worse about this aircraft is that the SN Brussels A320 is used to fly unsuspecting passengers halfway around the globe, purportedly by a first class international airline overseen and regulated by a first class category 1 CAA. These were the exact reasons why the Belgian CAA had grounded Silverback’s freighter in Brussels. Passengers usually just see the sugarcoated paint job of the top section of an aircraft from the passenger terminal and from the boarding walkway.
This situation was obviously “manna from heaven” for the Rwandans who immediately grounded the Belgian A320.
It is difficult or impossible and unfair to compare the A320 with the DC-8. I am sure however that every aviationist with even limited experience will agree that the state and condition of this passenger-carrying A320 belonging to a reputable international carrier is completely unacceptable and should not be. We also all know from experience that if matters are taken too far aircraft like this example will be grounded across the world every day leaving passengers and cargo stranded creating chaos with schedules.
On the renowned European (Belgian) aviation website and discussion forum www.luchtzak.com it is interesting to note the unreserved opinions of what I presume are predominantly European aviators and enthusiasts. On two respective threads on the site i.e. “SN Brussles Grounded at Kigali”, and “Silverback Grounded at Brussels” these “specialists” express their views on these two incidents, on African flying and air companies in general, and about their colourful opinions of us Africans as people. Their opinions are shameful and disgusting to say the very least. They should remember that behind every European “BLACKLIST” there is a “WHITE-LIE” such as the manipulation and exploitation of Africa by its former and past colonial masters, and again now by even more unethical prospective commercial exploiters. The Silverback DC-8 issue remains such an issue of political expedience, as is their inclusion on the so-called “BLACKLIST” of airlines and AOC’s recently announced by the EU.
These people should stop and think that perhaps we actually need their help and advice to build and develop Africa to an internationally acceptable and competitive level. Not judgement and condemnation. If we can achieve this through constructive co-operation and engagement Africa can become an even bigger trading partner for Europe, and a substantial client and market for Europe’s aviation industry’s products.
Africa is trying hard to put its house in order. Never before has so much progress been made in such a short time towards instituting democracy across our continent, and installing norms and standards of an acceptable international standard. This also in the aviation industry. In this process we need every ounce of help and assistance we can get.
Europeans must never forget that Africa’s riches were exploited and harvested for decades by former colonial masters who shipped our riches off to foreign shores, with possibly the only exception being South Africa where their albeit peculiar Government at least ploughed their wealth back into their own soil. Countless conflicts and war’s in Africa were and still are the results of posturing and competition for Africa’s resources, often planned, funded and initiated by interests from European shores, leading to circles of perpetual violence and bloodshed at the cost of us Africans, benefiting only those who in the process receive our minerals and oil at dirt cheap prices. It is then somewhat dismaying that amidst all this chaos we are criticised and ridiculed for not complying with the same standard of aviation excellence as that of the CAA of Belgium and the EU.
In the matter of Silverback and the SN Brussels A320 it must be borne in mind that Silverback is a small struggling company trying to get on its feet and develop and grow into an airline that will one day be able to buy and proudly fly A320’s like the one in question of SN Brussles. In this process Silverback does not receive State subsidies, nor will they be bailed out of trouble every time they experience financial woes or if they should fail in their best intentions, as happens regularly with airlines in Europe.
We have to compete against such odds. We also have to contend and compete with the squadrons of Russian aircraft (possibly almost the entire ex-USSR Airforce logistics arm), congregated around the UAE waiting to snatch every kilogram of available cargo not consigned on the major airlines. To add insult to injury a new and even more alarming phenomenon is developing, of many of those named on the European blacklist now having fled to the Kyrgystan register and also congregating in the UAE and Middle East, who out of desperation will fly for any price better than nothing. Belgian and European CAA’s would be well advised to rather pay those operators attention who somehow were weeks ahead of the anticipated blaclist and did the trouble to re-register long before the list was announced. But still the joke and hypocrisy doesn’t end there.
There are countless examples in the recent history of some of these blacklisted companies flying for EU Governments, the UN, UNHCR, Red Cross and some European Aid Agencies. This not withstanding their technical condition and lack of oversight and regulation, and the facts that the same aircraft had earlier flown war materiel into our continent. The reason for them obtaining these contracts is exactly what impedes the growth and development of our private commercial aviation industry in Africa. The cheapest meanest price is always awarded the contract. Do yourself a favour, observe the growing fleet of home-converted L1011 freighters at Ras Al-Khaimah Airport, who because of exactly their tolerated status – can afford to compete our struggling private airlines out of the market. Not withstanding some being blacklisted, those very same L1011’s and IL-76’s will soon again fly for the EU, UN and Aid Organisations under other names and using contracting AOC’s.
Africa too would like to see the unregulatable sky-pirates out of the air. Such a step will protect us and give our struggling aviation industry much needed room to breathe, and a chance to compete equally and fairly, but perhaps most importantly a chance and the resources to re-organise and in the process to perform some much needed upgrading. Silverback does not fly under a flag of convenience, hide its origins, and present dubious maintenance records in foreign non-understandable languages.
The comments that have been aired on this subject over the past while is shameful, and those who did so should have a good close hard look at the standards practised by those who were instrumental in making these judgements. In aviation there is not room for political expedience, double standards and hypocracy, especially when your own house is not quite completely in order.
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The maintenance preformed in Brussels on the DC-8, was done by a swedish AMO, who refused to sign off the airplane and would only sign for the work they had accomplished. I got from first hand that the airplane was not in an all bad state, however the maintenance actions performed by the Silverback mechanics themselves, was not up to scratch to say the least. This was the reason the Swedish AMO would not sign the airplane as "release to service".
I agree with the rest of your post, no doubt Silverback is trying and yes Belgian CAA is the worse of Europe.
I agree with the rest of your post, no doubt Silverback is trying and yes Belgian CAA is the worse of Europe.
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SWEDISH MAINTENANCE ?
Thanks Maurice,
I know the owners of the aircraft first hand. The maintenance was performed by Lufthansa Technik not a Swedish firm. The aircraft may be "old" but it is in not too bad a condition at all. Please believe me the much newer A320 of SN Brussels was worse and there are photograhs and records available to prove and substantiate.
The matter at hand is however not to enter into tit for tat argumuments and to take cheap shots at SN Brussels who we all respect and look up to, but rather to illustrate how certain CAA's hold us smaller operators at ransom sometimes for unclear reasons and political expedience, which in the process threaten our continued existance. Next time SN Brussels goes bankrupt the Belgian Government will merely bail them out of trouble again.
It is almaost if there is a concerted attempt to drive us out of business, and then the Russians laugh, come in to fill the gap, and fly with their IL's and AN's which cant be regulated at all, anyway (because of the language problem). See the interesting but humourous thread about illegal flying in the DR Congo, else where on the African Aviation thread. This is what we must contend and compete with, and still remain viable.
With small companies like Silverback there is nobody to help them. Can you imagine what the parking alone at Brussels cost, while this joke played off over the past 5 - 6 months? Nobody else is going to help pay these bills.
Let alone the bills, see all the bad and negative publicity - even visit the Luchtzak website and threads referred to in my earlier. How does one repair such damage ?
You will notice that nobody from Rwanda has yet published photographs of the A320, perhaps because there is a responsible path and recourse to follow. It should have been done so in exactly the same responsible fashion with Silverback.
I know the owners of the aircraft first hand. The maintenance was performed by Lufthansa Technik not a Swedish firm. The aircraft may be "old" but it is in not too bad a condition at all. Please believe me the much newer A320 of SN Brussels was worse and there are photograhs and records available to prove and substantiate.
The matter at hand is however not to enter into tit for tat argumuments and to take cheap shots at SN Brussels who we all respect and look up to, but rather to illustrate how certain CAA's hold us smaller operators at ransom sometimes for unclear reasons and political expedience, which in the process threaten our continued existance. Next time SN Brussels goes bankrupt the Belgian Government will merely bail them out of trouble again.
It is almaost if there is a concerted attempt to drive us out of business, and then the Russians laugh, come in to fill the gap, and fly with their IL's and AN's which cant be regulated at all, anyway (because of the language problem). See the interesting but humourous thread about illegal flying in the DR Congo, else where on the African Aviation thread. This is what we must contend and compete with, and still remain viable.
With small companies like Silverback there is nobody to help them. Can you imagine what the parking alone at Brussels cost, while this joke played off over the past 5 - 6 months? Nobody else is going to help pay these bills.
Let alone the bills, see all the bad and negative publicity - even visit the Luchtzak website and threads referred to in my earlier. How does one repair such damage ?
You will notice that nobody from Rwanda has yet published photographs of the A320, perhaps because there is a responsible path and recourse to follow. It should have been done so in exactly the same responsible fashion with Silverback.
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My sympathys to Silverback and other airlines caught up in this mire of politics. However, as long as our accident rate in Africa continues to be horrendously high, we will always be viewed with suspicion. I guess the ball is in our court!
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I guess I have very little sympathy for a company that helps bring more arms into an already troubled region, especially when Rwanda is famous for supplying DRC rebels through the backdoor.
From an Amnesty report:
In addition, during 2003 a company based in Rwanda, Silverback Cargo Freighters, used two DC8 aircraft to carry out another series of ammunition deliveries from Eastern Europe to Rwanda.(70) The two DC-8 operated by Silverback Cargo Freighters were each sold for a symbolic price of US$10 in a complex deal from the United States and delivered to the company in May 2002.(71)
According to Albanian officials, at least four arms flights were carried out to Kigali from Tirana from April to at least June 2003.(72) Albanian officials said these flights involved the shipment of large quantities of ammunition - 3,590,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition (for Kalashnikov assault rifles) and 85,000 rounds of 9mm (pistol or sub-machine gun) ammunition. At least one arms flight from Tirana was reported by Albanian officials to have involved "explosives" routed from Belgrade.(73) While a "Delivery Verification Certificate" from the Rwandan Ministry of Defence dated 24 June 2003 confirmed receipt of the 3,590,160 cartridges in Kigali, three "end use certificates" indicate that the Rwandan Ministry of Defence had ordered another one million rounds of 9mm ammunition from Albania.(74) These could have been delivered from Albania or another country. Albanian officials indicated that some 9mm ammunition had been returned from Rwanda.(75) The manager of Silverback subsequently offered to fly missiles and large quantities of ammunition from Poland to Rwanda in October 2003.(76)
From an Amnesty report:
In addition, during 2003 a company based in Rwanda, Silverback Cargo Freighters, used two DC8 aircraft to carry out another series of ammunition deliveries from Eastern Europe to Rwanda.(70) The two DC-8 operated by Silverback Cargo Freighters were each sold for a symbolic price of US$10 in a complex deal from the United States and delivered to the company in May 2002.(71)
According to Albanian officials, at least four arms flights were carried out to Kigali from Tirana from April to at least June 2003.(72) Albanian officials said these flights involved the shipment of large quantities of ammunition - 3,590,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition (for Kalashnikov assault rifles) and 85,000 rounds of 9mm (pistol or sub-machine gun) ammunition. At least one arms flight from Tirana was reported by Albanian officials to have involved "explosives" routed from Belgrade.(73) While a "Delivery Verification Certificate" from the Rwandan Ministry of Defence dated 24 June 2003 confirmed receipt of the 3,590,160 cartridges in Kigali, three "end use certificates" indicate that the Rwandan Ministry of Defence had ordered another one million rounds of 9mm ammunition from Albania.(74) These could have been delivered from Albania or another country. Albanian officials indicated that some 9mm ammunition had been returned from Rwanda.(75) The manager of Silverback subsequently offered to fly missiles and large quantities of ammunition from Poland to Rwanda in October 2003.(76)
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Silverback
"I guess I have very little sympathy for a company that helps bring more arms into an already troubled region, especially when Rwanda is famous for supplying DRC rebels through the backdoor."
In response to the post by r 3500vdp:
You are clearly not familiar and conversent with events, situations, politics, conflicts and the recent history of the Cenrtal Africa and Congolese conflicts. All wars are regrettable and should be avoided at all costs. You seem conversent with internet research so I humbly suggest that before you reach opinions and express yourself on such sensitive matters, you also do some research into the genocide in Rwanda, the present situation and whereabouts of the up to 15 000 perpetrators, and the Rwandan's concerns for their safety and for the sovereignity of their State.
It is presumed that your country also has a military that purchases arms and ammunition, and I am sure that even in your case they do so even during times of peace. As the only cargo operator in Rwanda I am therefore sure that from time to time the Rwandan Government commissions their only cargo carrier to do so for them.
Please dont be self-righteous and hypocritical about such matters. All countries fly their arms. You just have to think of the millions of tons of arms flying to the Middle East over the past few years.
If you would like a good balanced and fairly objective opinion about who the real culprits are that have fueled the conflicts in Africa, please visit the website of one Ruud Leeuw, incidently also a Belgian, at his website www.ruudleeuw.com. Apart from general threads and matters of aviation interest, Ruud also has a few very intersting threads on smuggling and illegal flying in Africa, and about arms trafficking in general.
Closer inspection might afford you a few surprises, and if you care enough about us here in Africa, please do the trouble to distinguish the victims from the instigators and beneficiaries who drive these processes.
Every country has a right to defend itself, even yours!
In response to the post by r 3500vdp:
You are clearly not familiar and conversent with events, situations, politics, conflicts and the recent history of the Cenrtal Africa and Congolese conflicts. All wars are regrettable and should be avoided at all costs. You seem conversent with internet research so I humbly suggest that before you reach opinions and express yourself on such sensitive matters, you also do some research into the genocide in Rwanda, the present situation and whereabouts of the up to 15 000 perpetrators, and the Rwandan's concerns for their safety and for the sovereignity of their State.
It is presumed that your country also has a military that purchases arms and ammunition, and I am sure that even in your case they do so even during times of peace. As the only cargo operator in Rwanda I am therefore sure that from time to time the Rwandan Government commissions their only cargo carrier to do so for them.
Please dont be self-righteous and hypocritical about such matters. All countries fly their arms. You just have to think of the millions of tons of arms flying to the Middle East over the past few years.
If you would like a good balanced and fairly objective opinion about who the real culprits are that have fueled the conflicts in Africa, please visit the website of one Ruud Leeuw, incidently also a Belgian, at his website www.ruudleeuw.com. Apart from general threads and matters of aviation interest, Ruud also has a few very intersting threads on smuggling and illegal flying in Africa, and about arms trafficking in general.
Closer inspection might afford you a few surprises, and if you care enough about us here in Africa, please do the trouble to distinguish the victims from the instigators and beneficiaries who drive these processes.
Every country has a right to defend itself, even yours!
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AAL,
However, Silverback delivering arms to war-torn Africa countries is unacceptable. And the fact of millions of tons of arms flying to the Middle East is not a valuable excuse. I rather believe that it is not correct to compare arms flights to the Middle East with the illegal ones to central Africa. Visit www.cleanostend.com/clos_en.htm as well.
However, Silverback delivering arms to war-torn Africa countries is unacceptable. And the fact of millions of tons of arms flying to the Middle East is not a valuable excuse. I rather believe that it is not correct to compare arms flights to the Middle East with the illegal ones to central Africa. Visit www.cleanostend.com/clos_en.htm as well.
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Dear Snarfel,
You are quite correct, if there werent wars and no weapons to be flown, and none to sell, we could all be selective and moralistic about such issues.
Are you suggesting that it is all-right to fly arms to the Middle East, but not for your own country and then contracted to fly officialy for your defence (whatever measures it might entail).
We must not let such issues cloud our judgement. A new movie about the genocide in Rwanda is about to be released called "Shooting Dogs". Perhaps if we were in their circumstances then we would feel different about the matter.
Silverback are not gunrunners. If they did do some such flights for their Government it is a completely different matter to that of the notorios smugglers who do so one day, and fly the next for every bleeding hearts campaign.
I am familiar with the "cleanostend" camapign and give the Belg's credit that they have done a good job to sort out the mess and better regulate matters there.
Now let's clean Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujeira in the same fashion, in so doing us here in Africa a favour to create the climate and opportunity to fly our own cargo and in the proceeds make enough revenue to upgrade our aircraft to such standards that will make us all proud.
You are quite correct, if there werent wars and no weapons to be flown, and none to sell, we could all be selective and moralistic about such issues.
Are you suggesting that it is all-right to fly arms to the Middle East, but not for your own country and then contracted to fly officialy for your defence (whatever measures it might entail).
We must not let such issues cloud our judgement. A new movie about the genocide in Rwanda is about to be released called "Shooting Dogs". Perhaps if we were in their circumstances then we would feel different about the matter.
Silverback are not gunrunners. If they did do some such flights for their Government it is a completely different matter to that of the notorios smugglers who do so one day, and fly the next for every bleeding hearts campaign.
I am familiar with the "cleanostend" camapign and give the Belg's credit that they have done a good job to sort out the mess and better regulate matters there.
Now let's clean Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujeira in the same fashion, in so doing us here in Africa a favour to create the climate and opportunity to fly our own cargo and in the proceeds make enough revenue to upgrade our aircraft to such standards that will make us all proud.
Last edited by AAL; 28th Mar 2006 at 09:24.