PLANE CRASH IN ANGOLA--

RMNews comment: This plane also crashed, (exploded) on October 31 -- Halloween

The plane exploded in midair -- sounds like a bomb to me. It crashed in the main diamond area.

Remember the de Beers story that RMNews put on the Forum several months ago. De Beers sais it was giving up its monopoly on diamonds -- (if you believe they are doing this willingly -- I still have stock in that bridge that I am willing to sell you)

What has happened is that leaders have assumed power in Africa who have taken the diamond business out of the hands of De Beers. The diamonds are being sold to buy arms to continue fighting. De Beers has labeled these diamonds "Blood diamonds" and has asked countries to boycott these diamonds.

Just recently a new lable has been created -- It is called "conflict" diamonds. Evidently these diamonds are 'good" diamonds and you can buy them -- It sounds like someone is trying to pull a fast one on the consumer.

I will bet that this plane crash has more to do with the Ukraine shipping weapons in exchange for diamonds, than it has to do with old planes and drunk pilots!

I will bet 500 shares of my worthless bridge stock!!

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_1001000/1001630.stm

Wednesday, 1 November, 2000, 13:23 GMT
Plane crash in Angola

A Russian-built Antonov has crashed in north eastern Angola killing all 42 passengers and six crew members on board.

An official of the plane's operating company, Guicango, said the accident occured on Tuesday night near the northern Angolan town of Saurimo, some 700 km (450 miles) east of the capital, Luanda.

The official, quoted by Portuguese media, said the plane "exploded in the air" after taking off from Saurimo en route for Luanda.

Angola's Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the crash.

Identities of the passengers are not yet known but the crew members were reported to be Ukrainian.

The cause is not known, but several crashes in recent years have been blamed on poor aircraft maintenance.

A team of civil aviation investigators is travelling to the crash site which is in an area of thick jungle and one of Angola's main diamond-mining regions.

Russian-made Antonov planes are widely used in Angola

Reports say the area has been a focus of fierce fighting between the army and Unita rebels engaged in a long running civil war.

The rebels have in the past shot down civilian planes claiming that they were supplying government troops.

There are dozens of Russian-made Antonov planes in Angola used by private companies for passenger and cargo business across the country.

Angolan aviation experts travelled to Russia in September to urge Russian authorities to stop exporting rundown aircraft to the south western African nation.

Last month, Angolan government announced that nearly 400 Russian pilots working in the country would be submitted to flying tests.

The decision came amid allegations that Russian pilots were flying under the influence of alcohol.

: just heard this morning in angola a plane, type antonov, of
: origin from ucraine, exploded shortly after the take off.
: around 40 people died.it seems it was shot down by error?

: who knows more?

: gigi