NATO ships are searching the eastern Mediterranean for a vessel on an international watch list for terrorism. According to various reports, the vessel is Tonga-Flagged 1,600-ton Christie owned by Greek shipper Dimitris Kokkos and Pakistani-American Rifat Muhammed who allegedly maintains strong connections with al Qaeda.
Earlier this week, Greece's defense minister, Yannos Papantoniou confirmed news reports that a multinational naval force was looking for a cargo ship believed to have passed through Greek waters after sailing from Romania.
Greek media reported that several European and U.S. warships were searching the Mediterranean for a vessel named Christie or Tara and suspected of carrying al Qaeda members.
"We are conducting searches in every direction," Papantoniou said. He did not provide any other information on the ship, when it allegedly sailed through Greek waters, or what it is thought to be carrying.
"It is important that, in the Aegean Sea and anywhere else, that Greece inspects movements that could be connected with international terrorism." Merchant Marine Minister Giorgos Anomeritis said the Cristi was registered in the U.S. state of Delaware and owned by Dimitris Kokkos, a Greek implicated in immigrant smuggling who lives in Romania. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
