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The Isle of Man Chief Minister has responded to a query from the Celtic League asking if there were any links between International arms dealer, Victor Bout, and companies in the Isle of Man.
Mr Bout is currently being held in Bangkok whilst extradition proceedings involving the US government are underway.
The Chief Minister say's that the Isle of Man Treasury:
"is not aware of any evidence that any companies in the Island have been used by Mr Bout to facilitate his arms trading"
The Manx government also say that they do not discuss the details of any funds or other resources that are or may be frozen under UN sanctions orders. This is a somewhat curious statement given that the Island prides itself on the 'transparency' of its offshore business sector.
The full text of the Chief Ministers letter is set out below:
"Dear Mr Moffatt
I refer to your letter dated 21 November 2008 regarding Mr Victor Bout.
I have been advised that under the Liberia (United Nations Sanctions)(Isle of Man) Order 2004 any assets and resources in the Island owned or controlled by or on behalf of Bout would have been liable to being frozen with effect from 15th June 2004. Any person or institution with knowledge of such assets and resources would have been obliged to report details to the Sanctions Officer at Customs and Excise, and this information would also have been shared with the Financial Crimes Unit, and passed on to bodies outside the Island as necessary.
It is not the policy of the Treasury to discuss the details of any funds or other resources that are or may be frozen under UN sanctions orders. However, the Treasury would always vigorously enforce UN financial and other sanctions, and ensures that all relevant sanctions, and any new or amended lists of those affected by them, are brought to the attention of institutions in the Island. It also cooperates with UK and international agencies in the imposition and enforcement of the sanctions.
If any person or institution were found to have breached the UN sanctions relating to Mr Bout the relevant legislation provides for considerable penalties.
In addition, as you may know export control law in the Isle of Man requires those Island persons and Island businesses engaged in the trade of certain weaponry, paramilitary equipment etc between two other countries in certain circumstances to hold a trade control licence. The type of arms trading allegedly undertaken by companies controlled by Mr Bout appear to be of a nature that would require such a licence if undertaken from here. Further details of these controls may be found in Notice 297MAN, which can be found on the Customs and Excise website at:
Finally, I have been advised that the Treasury is not aware of any evidence that any companies in the Island have been used by Mr Bout to facilitate his arms trading, or that any person in the Island has breached the orders implementing UN sanctions in the Island.
Yours sincerely
Hon J A Brown MHK Chief Minister"
Related link on Celtic News at:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League 13/12/08
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