Manifest difference as 'met-gear' shipment is air defence systems

A SHIP bound for Syria from North Korea and detained in Cyprus on an Interpol alert for suspected arms smuggling was carrying air defence systems, Cypriot authorities said yesterday.

The shipment was billed as weather-observation equipment on the freight manifest of the Panamanian-flagged Grigorio 1 and officials said the Syrian government had asked Cyprus to release the seized consignment.

"To my knowledge their name doesn't appear anywhere on the manifest as the consignee, but they have got involved," said a senior shipping industry source.

He said the vessel had been tracked over a long period of time.

The ship was carrying 18 lorry-mounted mobile radar systems and three command vehicles. "The radars on the 18 trucks appear to be part of an air defence system," a police spokeswoman said. Pipes also found on board were irrigation pipes, she added.

Senior government officials said the foreign ministry would decide what to do with the cargo in consultation with legal authorities.

Customs became involved because of the apparent discrepancy on the ship's manifest, which spoke of meteorological equipment.

There are no restrictions on arms supplies to Syria, and Cyprus has friendly relations with Damascus. However, it is not clear if Cyprus will confiscate the equipment.