[cl_steele]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...lands-18503421

The UK has made moves to stop a cargo vessel allegedly carrying refurbished Russian-made attack helicopters from completing its journey to Syria.

The MV Alaed had its insurance withdrawn by The Standard Club in London while it was about 50 miles (80.4km) off Scotland's north coast.

The insurer said it had sought more information on the boat's cargo.

Withdrawal of insurance prevents the MV Alaed from sailing until its owner can secure new cover.

It was thought that the vessel had stopped off the Western Isles.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said it was unclear where the vessel would now go.

The Russian embassy in London has not yet commented.

The UK and US have raised concerns with Russia about shipments of weapons to Syria, which is subject to a European Union arms embargo.

In a statement, the FCO said: "We are aware of a ship carrying a consignment of refurbished Russian-made attack helicopters heading to Syria.

"The foreign secretary made clear to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov when they met on 14 June that all defence shipments to Syria must stop.

"We are working closely with international partners to ensure that we are doing all we can to stop the Syrian regime's ability to slaughter civilians being reinforced through assistance from other countries."
'Carrying weapons'

The Standard Club said it believed the MV Alaed had been off the coast of the Western Isles when insurance was withdrawn.

It said the cover was withdrawn because the owners of the ship had "broken internal rules" of the club - a mutual insurance association - and not on the instructions of the UK government.

In a statement, it said: "We were informed on Friday evening that the ship might be carrying weapons, in particular attack helicopters, missiles and non-specific munitions, and we are making inquiries to establish what their side of the story is.
HMS York and Admiral Kuznetsov. Pic: Reuters/Royal Navy/MoD HMS York tracked Russian vessels sheltering in the Moray Firth last year

"There are exclusion clauses in our cover and, for anyone involved in improper or unlawful trade, we can cancel cover.

"We are investigating whether or not to do so in this case."

In December last year, Russian warships and support vessels believed to have been headed for Syria took shelter in Scotland's Moray Firth during bad weather.

HMS York tracked aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, a destroyer, two frigates, an ocean-going tug and three oil tankers until the task group left and heading into the Atlantic.

Australia condemns Russias flagrant disregard for international consensus on the banning of arms sales to Syria and calls on her to honour her promise and decease such activities.

[Cmmah]

The Oriental Republic of Uruguay condemns Russia's shipping of military supplies to the al-Assad regime, but recognises that this incident is not the first time something of this nature has happened.

[stanlas]

The Czech Republic is not surprised to see fellow dictatorships helping each other out, and hopes that Russia shall revise its provocative policy of helping the Syrian regime.

[02ncotterill]

Slovenia condems Russias attempt to equip Syria while under an arms embago

[Moleman1996]

Tunisia is outraged by Russias stance towards President Assad, and demands that they stop shipping weapons to a government which is currently under an international arms embargo. Russia is condeming thousands of innocents to death through the continued support of the war criminal Assad.

[hines]

New Zealand urges Russia to stop aiding the Syrian government's massacring.


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[Birchington]

Iran continues to stand by our ally, Syria, and believes Bashar al Assad has the right to use everything in his power to restore stability to his nation, and to end the rebellion being perpetuated by terrorist groups.

Indonesia expresses concern at this apparent evidence that the Syrian state is arming itself to commit further crimes against civilians. Indonesia calls for further diplomacy to prevent further bloodshed.

[hines]

(Original post by Birchington)
Iran continues to stand by our ally, Syria, and believes Bashar al Assad has the right to use everything in his power to restore stability to his nation, and to end the rebellion being perpetuated by terrorist groups.

Indonesia expresses concern at this apparent evidence that the Syrian state is arming itself to commit further crimes against civilians. Indonesia calls for further diplomacy to prevent further bloodshed.

New Zealand wonders how Iran can continue to back the Syrian regime when the UN have clearly seen the destruction of their people by the government itself.


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[Ethereal]

(Original post by Cmmah)
The Oriental Republic of Uruguay condemns Russia's shipping of military supplies to the al-Assad regime, but recognises that this incident is not the first time something of this nature has happened.

(Original post by stanlas)
The Czech Republic is not surprised to see fellow dictatorships helping each other out, and hopes that Russia shall revise its provocative policy of helping the Syrian regime.

(Original post by 02ncotterill)
Slovenia condems Russias attempt to equip Syria while under an arms embago

(Original post by Moleman1996)
Tunisia is outraged by Russias stance towards President Assad, and demands that they stop shipping weapons to a government which is currently under an international arms embargo. Russia is condeming thousands of innocents to death through the continued support of the war criminal Assad.

(Original post by hines)
New Zealand urges Russia to stop aiding the Syrian government's massacring.


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The report does not say the ship sailed from Russia, it merely says the heleipcopters are refurbished Russian ones. They could have come from anywhere.

EDIT: Also, the EU has an arms embago but does the UN?

[Moleman1996]

(Original post by Ethereal)
The report does not say the ship sailed from Russia, it merely says the heleipcopters are refurbished Russian ones. They could have come from anywhere.

EDIT: Also, the EU has an arms embago but does the UN?

It was sailing from the direction of Russia...

Russia has not denied that it sent the ship, surely an innocent country would immediately quash these rumours?

[Ethereal]

The owner has denied it was shipping to Syria http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...-to-Syria.html

[Florrick]

Brunei, is outraged and is extremely happy that the Scottish have the balls to show Russia for who they really are.

[toronto353]

The MHoC believes that this is a positive step in the campaign against Assad.

[rockrunride]

The UK has made its stance clear several times on this. It will not condone arms shipments of this type when the people of Syria continue to suffer under al-Assad. Therefore it defends this move and once again asks Russia to explain its actions.

[ak137]

Syria condemns the action taken to send the ship back.

(Original post by Birchington)
Iran continues to stand by our ally, Syria, and believes Bashar al Assad has the right to use everything in his power to restore stability to his nation, and to end the rebellion being perpetuated by terrorist groups.

Syria is glad the Islamic Republic continues to stand by it.

[PierceBrosnan]

Switzerland condemns this move whether or not the ship was sent by Russia.

[eff01]

The position of Georgia is clear, we urge all countries that have influence in Syria to force the al-Assad regime onto a road of peace. The brutality his regime is inflicting on its people is unacceptable. However we believe that change in Syria can only be implemented by the Syrian people. In no way should the West be seen as imposing democracy on the country.
Russia should support a plan for peace and demand the Syrian regime to stop their murderous war. Georgia sees the lack of Russia support as a serious block to peace in Syria. The al-Assad regime has lost all legitimacy.