Beijing, April 22:

China today defended a cache of its weapons headed for Zimbabwe, saying it was part of normal bilateral trade, but suggested the arms might not be delivered due to problems offloading the cargo.

A Chinese ship loaded with weapons destined for Zimbabwe has highlighted Beijing’s support for the isolated African regime, amid violence surrounding elections there.

“This is normal trade in military products between the two countries,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told reporters in Beijing. “The relevant contract was signed last year and has nothing to do with the latest situation in Zimbabwe.” Three million rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 1,500 rocket-propelled grenades and more than 3,000 mortar rounds and mortar tubes were among the cargo on the Chinese ship, according to the inventory published by a South Africa newspaper. An attempt to offload the ship in Durbanport failed, and it was now headed for Angola, according to the most recent reports.

US ‘bid’ to block weapons shipment

WASHINGTON: The Bush administration is intervening with governments in southern Africa to prevent a Chinese ship carrying weapons for Zimbabwe’s security forces from unloading its cargo, The Associated Press has learned. At the same time, the State Department’s top Africa hand, Jendayi Frazer, plans to visit the region this week to underscore US concerns about the shipment. Frazer will try to persuade Zimbabwe’s neighbours to step up pressure on Mugabe’s government to publish results from a election the opposition claims to have won. — AP