No information about seizure of weapons: NATO

Kabul, Apr 22: NATO forces and Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence say they have no information or evidence about the seizure of a consignment of weapons which reportedly had Iranian markings and was seized near Kandahar recently.

Though the seizures are supposed to have taken place a month ago and mentioned publicly last week in separate press conferences by the US Joint Chiefs Chairman General Peter Pace and US Assistant secretary of State Richard Boucher, military officials here said they had no knowledge about this.

General Pace had stated that the weapons' consignment, reportedly intercepted when it was on its way to the Taliban, had Iranian markings. Though he added that it was not clear whether the Iranian government had a hand in the consignment, he and Boucher both suggested there was evidence of Iranian interference in Afghanistan.

In their first joint press conference here today, however, the spokesperson of the NATO led International Security Assistance Force and the Ministry of Defence disclaimed all knowledge about this, suggesting that statements from the US may have reflected political differences with Iran rather than any specific evidence of Iranian involvement.

ISAF spokesperson Lt Col Maria Carla said she could not ''confirm the origins'' adding, ''at this moment it seems the US has more information.'' General Zahir Azimi, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence said ''we are trying to find out more. We got this information form the media. We did not pass on any information to anyone.'' All weapons used in Afghanistan, are, in any case, sourced from outside since Afghanistan itself does not have any weapons manufacturing industry. To infer the involvement of a government from the markings on weapons is however a leap of logic that has so far not been substantiated.

UNI