TAIPEI: Taiwan’s Supreme Court has reportedly rejected a bid by Iran to make a Taiwanese bank refund $15m intended for an arms deal that disappeared three decades ago, after it was apparently claimed by three mysterious con artists.
Iran’s defence ministry had sued Taiwan’s Chang Hwa Bank over the deal to purchase arms from the island in 1981.
The deal, according to reports in several Taiwanese newspapers yesterday, was the brainchild of Taiwanese businessman Wu Fu-jeou. Wu reportedly convinced the Iranian government that he could help broker an arms deal with Taiwan. Wu requested funds be wired to a joint account at Chang Hwa Bank, under the names of three Iranians representing the government who were supposed to withdraw the funds in Taiwan to pay for the deal, according to Apple Daily. But when they went to do so, they were told that the money had been claimed by three people who had reportedly presented bank officials with correct documents.
China to close plants for forum
SHANGHAI: Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli ordered a temporary shutdown of factories to ensure air quality during a meeting of Asia-Pacific leaders in Beijing next month.
It is the strongest measure yet to curb pollution for the November 7-11 meeting in the capital.
Zhang told officials that ensuring air quality during APEC is the “priority of priorities,” although the task will be a “tremendous pressure and challenge” given dropping temperatures and the start of the coal burning season in northern China, Xinhua said.
Zhang also said vehicle controls must be strictly enforced and residents should be encouraged to take public transportation.
To ease traffic congestion and curb pollution, Beijing has already announced that public workers in the capital will be given six days off during the APEC meeting.
Agencies
