WORLD : Iraq Demands Compensation
Iraq’s foreign minister today demanded that Italy compensate his nation for nearly 100 tons of steel parts seized on suspicion they were to be used to build a giant gun capable of firing shells hundreds of miles.
Minister Tarik Aziz’s visit to Italy began shortly after police blocked export of the material, most of which was about to be loaded at a Naples dock for transport to the Middle East.
Police said the parts, ordered by Iraq and manufactured in Italy, were thought to be components of giant artillery.
Aziz today reiterated Iraq’s contention the material was destined for petrochemical projects.
Officials at the state steel company, which made the parts, have said the design provided by Iraq raised no suspicions among technicians. They said Iraq paid about $4 million for the material.
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