Belgrade, May 7, 2003 - Orthan Dragas, named in a UN report on sanctions-busting in Liberia, has denied ever dealing in arms and demanded six million dollars in compensation.
Dragas was named in the UN report as a partner of Slobodan Tesic, the principal offender in breaking the arms embargo.
He said today that it was no secret that he had traveled to Liberia because of his cocoa, timber and coffee interests.
He denied that his company had ever dealt with Tesics Temex, despite having
traveled together to Liberia in May, 2002.
He emphasized that his company was not registered for the arms trade and that he had never held such a
license.
His complaint against the UN alleges arbitrary and unjustified claims about his alleged involvement in breaking the arms embargo.
The UN office in Belgrade today confirmed having received a letter from Dragas and having forwarded it to the
organizations New York headquarters.
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