Simon Mann, MarK Thatcher and Equatorial Guinea

[Gromit]

Old Etonian, Ex-SAS turned Mercenary, Simon Mann is on trial in Equatorial Guinea accused of plotting to otherthrow its leaders.

In court yesterday, he sang like a canary, implicating every one from Mark Thatcher to Jack Straw to the CIA to multinational Oil Companies.

Can his testimony be believed?
1. Is he saying what the EGs want to extend his life expectancy?
2. Has he turned on his backers because they have abandoned him?
3. Has he been brainwashed. Have they broke him?
4. Is the telling the truth because he has nothing more to lose?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/afri caandindianocean/equatorialguinea/2154491/Simo n-Mann-names-co-plotters-in-coup-plot.html

[sp1214]

I think he has been set up as a stooge by people with greater interest than himself in toppling the regime. Generals are never on the front line but are able to sit back and watch others do their bidding. Because of the complex web behind him he is probably lashing out at those he thought were responsible. Thatcher was implicated but somehow manages to have the finger pointing directly at him. The faceless plotters have disappeared into the ether.

[jake-the-peg]

This is the trouble with information that may have been obtained under torture isn't it.

You really don't know if it's true or not.

Of Course Equitorial Guinea is an unpleasnt regieme with loads of oil

Can't imagine why anybody would want to engage in regieme change

[Hymie]

Although not answering Gromit�s question � I read somewhere that Equatorial Guinea may issue an international arrest warrant for thicky Mark.

I would welcome such a move, if only to see the many countries signed up to such an agreement, ignore it because he is Thatcher�s son, and a Sir (because he is Thatcher�s son).
Although in America, having a criminal record would appear to trump being Thatcher�s son, and everyone must feel sorry for him, not being able to visit his ex-wife & kids.

[bazwillrun]

you couldnt make this up...well Frederick Forsythe could !

Of course MT was in on it, trouble is they hadnt planned on things going this wrong.

This is a classic straight out of a movie , Wild Geese for instance.

If Mann is gonna name names you can bet your bottom dollar hes telling the truth, this is not some 3rd rate muppet, he knows exactly what hes in for , so if he gave wrong names he would be well aware of the consequences.

Maggie has already pulled the strings for Junior will she be able to do it again, or will it all get hushed up and swept under the carpet, either way, she still has a lot of very very high powered connections

[jake-the-peg]

Equatorial Guinia can issue what they like but given the state of affairs in that country the chance of anyone being extradited there are pretty much zero