Iraq Insurgents Seize Korean Aid Worth US$3.5 Million

[Barrett808]

Some 14 trucks belonging to the Korea International Cooperation Agency loaded with aid and supplies were hijacked by a group of armed insurgents in Iraq last month, it was belatedly revealed on Tuesday.

A source in the Foreign Ministry said eight KOICA trucks were seized on Sept. 19 and another six on Sept. 21. The trucks carrying computers and Internet equipment worth around US$3.5 million for Iraq's 18 national colleges from Jordan to Baghdad were seized 150 km west of Baghdad. "There were no Koreans among the transport crews and the one local who was captured was promptly released,¡± the source said.

Asked why the government only released the information now, the official said, ¡±We felt that if an account of the incident were published, the militants would have demanded more money for the return of the seized materials. We know who perpetrated the robbery, but revealing their identity is likely to make it harder to settle the situation.¡±

While the government entrusted a local Korean company to transport the materials, it neglected to insure the cargo. A Foreign Ministry official said, ¡°We are calling on Iraq to settle the situation. We think the government¡¯s direct involvement in settlement attempts could aggravate the situation, so we are trying to proceed as quietly as possible."

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200510/200510180024.html

[Missy M]

1. Fourteen trucks had to be carrying a whole lot of computer and .....

internet equipment. I am surprised the militants are demanding money
and not keeping the computer equipment. This sure is a strange story.

[Tight_rope]

2. Last month?...why is it just coming to light!....n/t

[cantstandbush]

3. We want only "good news" from Iraq. Especially before the elections.

Wait until 10 years from now when we look back at this invasion and learn of the truly horrible things that were done in our name.

[Eugene]

4. Insurgents or bandits?

This looks more like a pair robberies.
The apparent motive was cash, not politics.
The gunmen went after the goods, not the people.

Unless the negotiators know more than they are telling
about the robbers, how do we know they were militants?
The insurgents aren't the only people with Iraq with guns.

[NIGHT TRIPPER]

8. Hallibuton"airies"-knew the whens wheres and whats-HIJACKED da LOOT !!

The Brits just got caught planting bombs dressed up as
"InSeargants"--tanks were used to spring them from Iraqi jail--

The BIG EASY is now EYE RACK !!
Just dress up like them and take whatever you want-
-not to mention kill whomever you want while your at it.

...or behead a few poor guys on video if you want--never mind the striped paintjob on the back wall looking just like Abu Garib-(which is now torn down by the way)

[ckramer]

5. Iraq Insurgents Seize Korean Aid Worth US$3.5 Million

Some 14 trucks belonging to the Korea International Cooperation Agency loaded with aid and supplies were hijacked by a group of armed insurgents in Iraq last month, it was belatedly revealed on Tuesday.

A source in the Foreign Ministry said eight KOICA trucks were seized on Sept. 19 and another six on Sept. 21. The trucks carrying computers and Internet equipment worth around US$3.5 million for Iraq's 18 national colleges from Jordan to Baghdad were seized 150 km west of Baghdad. "There were no Koreans among the transport crews and the one local who was captured was promptly released,” the source said.

link

[SunDrop23]

6. They are clearly in their "last throes..." eom

[frozenfishdemon]

7. i remember

reading this in the newspaper a while ago.... and it would make sence for militants to attack trucks like these because they can use it to contact other insurgents, and sell them for weapons.