The World - News from Feb. 12, 1989

West German automobile giant Daimler-Benz sold trucks to the military in Pakistan without proper export permits, the news magazine Der Spiegel reported. A spokesman for Daimler-Benz, Friedrich Loesch, denied that export rules were broken, saying the trucks were “multi-use vehicles” not specifically designed for military purposes. However, he conceded that the trucks could be used by the Pakistan military. Der Spiegel said that Daimler-Benz, based in Stuttgart, sold Pakistan 237 trucks and 30 tractor-trailers from November, 1986, through November, 1987. It also said that the shipments were not inspected by customs officials because they were registered as civilian vehicles. Export permits are required for the shipment of military equipment or hazardous materials to areas of tension.