Iraq accuses USA of piracy

Iraqi claims vessels illegally seized and boarded in Gulf

Baghdad has requested Kofi Annan to call on the USA and Australia to cease their acts of piracy in the Persian Gulf.

Denouncing seizure of Iraqi civilian vessels by US and Australian military vessels as “terrorism”, the Iraqi government has protested against a spate of aggressive acts by the navies of these two countries against civilian vessels entering and leaving Iraq.

The request is backed by claims that crews have been attacked as ships are boarded and ships are impounded “for a long time”. Iraq states that it is going to press for compensation for damage caused during these acts of piracy.

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY PRAVDA.Ru