#2
Of course. But I would have expected them to hitch a ride on the Chinese bandwagon. They are far less critical when the Saudis are inciting to kill the infidel.
Posted by: ed ||
02/21/2005 21:38 Comments ||
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Look at Chinese history. Whenever Chinese muslims got to be too much of a pain they just exterminated bunches until they got quiet again. I don't think the Saudis find that to their taste.
A recent series of gun battles here between Islamist militants and the police is forcing Kuwait for the first time to take a long hard look at the influence and impact of domestic Islamic extremism.
In tandem with a tough security crackdown that has so far netted some 18 militants and killed eight others, the Kuwaiti government is launching an awareness campaign to promote moderate Islam and counteract extremism.
But as a staunch ally of the United States and host to some 25,000 American troops, Kuwait represents a tempting target for militant Islamists and many Kuwaitis are wondering if the violence plaguing neighboring Iraq and Saudi Arabia is set to spill over into their own nation.
"These clashes are a small drop in the ocean to what is coming. Kuwait is becoming a top priority for Al-Qaeda," said Mohammed Mulaifi, a writer and member of the austere Salafi branch of Sunni Islam who has close contacts with Kuwaiti militants.
So far the Kuwaiti authorities have remained one step ahead of the militants, busting cells, seizing weapons and arresting suspects before attacks are carried out. Kuwait is a relatively small, close-knit country, making it easier for the state security branches to keep tabs on potential troublemakers.
At least three cells of Islamic militants have been identified in the crackdown, say Kuwaiti officials. One of the ringleaders, Amer Khleif al-Enezi, died in custody last week, eight days after he was arrested. Enezi reportedly had confessed to planning attacks against U.S. military convoys. Kuwait remains a vital logistics hub for American forces in Iraq.
The Kuwaiti authorities traditionally have turned a blind eye toward extremist Islamists living in the country so long as the militants refrained from directing their activities against the state. But the recent violence has compelled the government to take action.
"These events mark a real watershed in terms of Kuwait dealing with the problem of extremists in their midst," a Western diplomat said.
The security scare also has led Kuwaitis to ask some searching questions about the Islam practiced in Kuwait and how to dissuade impressionable youngsters from turning toward the ideology of Osama bin Laden.
"These incidents have turned the majority of the religious believers against the militant trend," said Shafeeq Ghabra, president of the American University of Kuwait. "They are asking how it is possible that their 15- or 16-year-old sons can be recruited by militants to murder in the name of God."
Although Kuwait's Constitution is secular in nature, conservative Islamists wield considerable influence in how laws are applied in society.
Kuwaiti Islamists were in uproar last year at the staging of a pop concert for the hit Lebanese television program Star Academy. A fatwa was issued banning women from singing to men and prohibiting dancing at concerts.
Some schools even ban clapping and the playing of the national anthem, believing that they are expressions of secularism. The education curricula is coming under close scrutiny, particularly some religious school text books which contain inflammatory language about jihad and disparage the Shiite branch of Islam.
Among the challenges facing the Kuwaiti authorities is deciding where to draw the line between legitimate conservative Islamic rhetoric and extremist incitement.
"There seems to be a disagreement on where fundamentalist Islam becomes extremist Islam, becomes violent Islam," the Western diplomat said. "The real question for Kuwaitis is in deciding where preaching [extremism] stops and the picking up a gun and killing kaffirs (infidels) begins."
The government is beginning to fight back against the pervasive influence of the conservative Islamists - a confrontation which analysts say will define the future shape of the country.
"The battle will never be won if the interpretation of Islam continues to be hijacked by a minority of Muslims who have taken Islam out of context and turned it into a fighting religion instead of one of peace and enlightenment," Ghabra said. "This battle will define the Muslim world for generations to come."
The government has allocated 5.5 million Kuwaiti dinars ($18.8 million) toward an awareness campaign organized by the Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Ministry to promote moderate Islam. The ministry is planning to hold live television debates between the public and the families of arrested militants.
"We will also follow up on what Islamist Web sites are publishing and fight their arguments with our arguments on chat forums," said a ministry official who requested anonymity.
Although most conservative Islamists say they welcome the government's initiatives, they doubt that it will have a lasting effect.
"The violence won't stop because it is a deep-rooted feeling among some Muslims," said Mohammed Tabtabai, the dean of the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Kuwait University. "All you can do is try and reduce it."
Indeed, Mulaifi says that although the authorities are staying on top of the situation for now, the nebulous nature of Al-Qaeda-inspired Islamic militancy - what he calls the "ghost of ideas" - makes it very difficult to control in the longer term.
"This ghost will live in one young man, then another and another. That's how people become Al-Qaeda without any formal introduction or membership," he said. "They don't wait for orders; they carry out operations based on their convictions. That's what makes them so dangerous. There's no real structure or organization for governments to attack."
Mulaifi said he expects the violence in Kuwait to intensify.
"Kuwait was not part of Al-Qaeda's plan of action in the past," he said. "But that changed after Al-Qaeda realized that Kuwait had become a launching pad for the crusader forces to enter and strike Iraq and crush hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis."
Mulaifi said he does not support the violence of the radicals, but follows their discourse closely.
"I read the books that Al-Qaeda leaders read and I knew many youngsters who were sympathetic to Al-Qaeda who fought and died in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said. "That's why I can say that the calm in Kuwait was only a postponement. Kuwait is now under the Al-Qaeda spotlight."
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
02/21/2005 12:19:14 AM ||
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Article: Although most conservative Islamists say they welcome the governmentâs initiatives, they doubt that it will have a lasting effect.
"The violence wonât stop because it is a deep-rooted feeling among some Muslims," said Mohammed Tabtabai, the dean of the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Kuwait University. "All you can do is try and reduce it."
Indeed, Mulaifi says that although the authorities are staying on top of the situation for now, the nebulous nature of Al-Qaeda-inspired Islamic militancy - what he calls the "ghost of ideas" - makes it very difficult to control in the longer term.
"This ghost will live in one young man, then another and another. Thatâs how people become Al-Qaeda without any formal introduction or membership," he said. "They donât wait for orders; they carry out operations based on their convictions. Thatâs what makes them so dangerous. Thereâs no real structure or organization for governments to attack."
This is just a holy warrior incubator making the case for why the government should keep its grubby hands off his person. The reality is that most holy books have passages involving killing the infidel. Muslims are getting all worked up in the here and now because specific priests are inciting their followers to kill the infidel, and organizing the logistics for them to do so. Take care of the priests - and the temperature level falls. The Israelis took out Hamas's top two guys, and saw attacks fall precipitously. No matter what the "political wing" of these holy warrior recruiting organizations say, it just ain't natural to reach out to kill complete strangers - infidel or not - it takes structured indoctrination no different from that of formal military organizations.
#2
Good analysis, ZF, and it mirrors the logic of tipper's fine link from yesterday on scale-free networks: to break the network, identify and take out the hubs. The imams of Islam are the local hubs that light the fires and feed children into the flames. The Mad Mullahs, The "charity" organizations, and the House of Saud are the funding and facilitating hubs providing cash, state paperwork, and cover. The middle tier becomes less than irrelevant if you decap and kneecap.
Britain has been preparing to extradite Arab insurgents to their native countries. Officials said the Home Office was preparing to launch talks with several Arab countries for the deportation of suspected insurgents who entered Britain as political refugees. They said many of the Arab immigrants have used Britain as a launching pad for attacks in the Middle East as well as for financing Al Qaida and related groups. "I think we should be prosecuting much more energetically our ability to deport the individuals concerned to the countries from which they come," Home Secretary Charles Clarke said.
Officials said the government would seek guarantees from Arab countries that they would not torture or execute any insurgent deported from Britain. They said all of the suspects would undergo trial in their native countries in proceedings open to British and other monitors.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
02/21/2005 12:33:49 AM ||
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How about not worrying about what happens to them? Please get a clue UK. These people want to kill you. They want to destroy western culture. You have no moral obligation to protect people dead set on your destruction or the destruction of others. Send them back where they came from. Drop them from 3000 feet if you must but get rid of them they are infectious and deadly.
#2
Maybe they could use something like the message in a bottle approach. Get the leftover "balls" from The Prisoner, stick these fools in them, and set them adrift. If the shitholes that bred them want them back, they can organize SAR. Otherwise, they can drift with the wind, currents, and tides. Good solution for an island nation.
Posted by: Howard UK ||
02/21/2005 8:28 Comments ||
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#5
Show them what happened to Guy Fawkes.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/21/2005 15:13 Comments ||
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#6
I have a great idea - let's make them all shepherds in the Falklands. In bikini underwear. In winter (May-October). They can be ransomed from this durance vile by providing Britain with 3 million barrels of petroleum a month for three years, free. Otherwise, they stay there. Oh, and only ONE WAY radio communications - NPR satellite broadcasts, 24/7, with no ability to remove the headset.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
02/21/2005 17:45 Comments ||
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#7
OP--NPR broadcasts would be comforting not demoralizing. NPR works for their side.
Posted by: Jame Retief ||
02/21/2005 18:01 Comments ||
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An al Qaeda member known as Abu Dzeit has been killed in the Russian internal republic of Ingushetia, Russian authorities said Monday. "A joint operation with the Interior Ministry was conducted in a private house in a village in Ingushetia on February 16," spokesman for the Federal Security Service Sergei Ignatchenko told reporters on Monday. "The operation first resulted in the death of two of his accomplices. Abu Dzeit hid in a special bunker built under the house. When the entrance was discovered, he blew himself up," Ignatchenko said. He said investigators identified the body as Abu Dzeit's.
A source in the FSB, Russia's domestic security service, told RIA-Novosti that Abu Dzeit, eliminated in Ingushetia, was the leader of the so-called Ingush Jamaat and an emissary of the international terror network al Qaeda. He was also known as little Omar, and Abu Omar of Kuwait. Abu Dzeit reported directly to Abu Havs, a purported coordinator of all terrorist activities on Russian territory, a source said. Abu Dzeit had received special training in al Qaeda camps in Afghanistan. Later he was appointed al Qaeda's envoy to Ingushetia. He was in charge of distributing cash funds provided by al Qaeda to radical Islamists in the Northern Caucasus.
Investigators believe Abu Dzeit was involved in the rebel attack on Ingushetia last summer and in the hostage-taking at a school in Beslan, North Ossetia, in September 2004. Earlier an Ingush Interior Ministry officially reported that Abu Dzeit was killed in June 2004 in Malgobek. Check out the graphic photo at the link. He looks dead this time.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
02/21/2005 1:41:33 PM ||
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Only 16 of about 100 North Korean ships that dock in Japan have applied to the central government for a certificate of insurance to cover any damage caused by oil spills in line with the new law banning uninsured foreign ships from March 1, The Yomiuri Shimbun learned Saturday. If uninsured, the remaining ships will not be allowed to dock here. Sources say the measure will be a de facto economic sanction on North Korea, which has failed to cooperate in resolving the abduction of Japanese citizens.
According to the Construction and Transport Ministry, which processes applications for insurance under the soon-to-be-enforced Marine Oil Pollution Compensation Guarantee Law, only 2.5 percent of North Korean ships held insurance as of 2003. Because the certification process takes more than two weeks, there is expected to be a significant decrease in the arrival of North Korean ships in early March. The central government and local governments have recently had to meet the cost of removing uninsured foreign ships that have run aground in Japan. As a result, the law guaranteeing oil pollution compensation related to tankers was revised to ban foreign vessels 100 gross registered tons or larger unless they carry sufficient insurance.
In response to applications by ship owners, each district transport bureau examines the insurers' capacity to pay claims and ship owners' capacity to pay insurance premiums. Since Dec. 1 last year, applications have been made for 600-plus ships. North Korean ships account for nearly 20 percent of those making port in Japan. The Man Gyong Bon-92 cargo-passenger ship has not applied for a certificate. The number of applications increased over February, so there could now be an increase in North Korean ships applying. But according to shipping sources many of North Korean ships are old and their insurance premiums are expensive, making it unlikely there will be a rapid increase in applications. The result is likely to be a downturn in North Korean exports to Japan.
Posted by: tipper ||
02/21/2005 10:49:51 AM ||
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#1
The result is likely to be a downturn in North Korean exports to Japan.
only the legal ones....
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/21/2005 10:59 Comments ||
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#2
Trading with North Korea...crazy thought but I suppose someone has to do it.
Too bad I didn't know that when I was in Japan...I would have made a point to get some "Made in DPRK" merchandise.
#4
North Korean ships account for nearly 20 percent of those making port in Japan. Even if most of them are fishing vessels selling their catch thats a lot of trade with NK, far more than I realized.
The U.S. 7th Cavalry, which won a place in history in the American Indian wars under General George Armstrong Custer, has sent all its helicopter borne troops back home to Texas from Korea, U.S. officials said. The two Kiowa helicopter troop units in the 4th Squadron of the 7th Cavalry, the U.S. Army's most forward deployed heavy cavalry unit, departed for Fort Hood last November. Of a total 750 soldiers, 400 and all 16 OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters were shipped to aerial units in the United States.
Dubbed the "eyes and ears" of the 2nd Infantry Division near the inter-Korean border, the squadron provides aerial reconnaissance and ground security forces to guard against any North Korean aggression.
The deployment back home came as part of the squadron's transformation into a "super" modular brigade combat team as Washington pushes ahead with its plan to reduce U.S. troop numbers in Korea to around 24,500 by 2008. "This (deployment) happened because of the Army's transformation - this particular aircraft no longer is part of the heavy configuration that has characterized the 2nd Infantry Division," said Capt. Katrina Barnes, a public affairs officer at the 2nd Infantry Division. "As the division transforms... there are types of equipment that will no longer be needed."
The remaining 350 soldiers become an "Armored Reconnaissance Squadron," supporting the 1st Brigade Combat Team or "Iron Brigade Combat Team," under the 2nd Infantry Division. United States Forces Korea is transforming the brigade into a "super" fighting brigade to compensate for troop reductions.
Posted by: Steve White ||
02/21/2005 12:37:45 AM ||
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What are the going to use to replace the Kiowas?
What gromky said, the Army is going to UAV's. That's why Rummy killed the Commanche helicopter program.
Posted by: Steve ||
02/21/2005 11:28 Comments ||
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#6
What are the going to use to replace the Kiowas?
How about South Koreans?
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
02/21/2005 11:32 Comments ||
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#7
Yes, Mrs. D. That is what we used in the first Korean War. There's a lot of lessons to learn and unlearn from the Korean experience of rebuilding a native fighting force for internal security. And a good perspective on what it costs in terms of casualties and timelines for the Coalition.
South Korean and U.S. warships, including an American nuclear-powered submarine, conducted a mass naval exercise off the peninsula's east coast this month, the Navy said yesterday. The allies took part in the annual antisubmarine exercise, called SHAREM-148, in the East Sea from Feb. 12-18, a Navy officer said. The training is aimed at developing and practicing new anti-North Korean submarine operations and testing new antisubs weapons systems, the officer said, requesting anonymity.
The exercise included the fast-attack submarine USS Los Angeles and 8,000-ton-class destroyer USS Cushing, as well as five U.S. Navy warships and three maritime patrol aircraft P-3Cs, the officer said. South Korea used seven naval vessels, including a 4,500-ton destroyer and a number of submarines.
Sea of fire and spittle in 5 ... 4 ... 3 ...
Posted by: Steve White ||
02/21/2005 12:33:00 AM ||
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#1
Does North Korea have much in the way of submarines? Or is this more truly aimed at China?
#6
Does North Korea have much in the way of submarines?
A few. They're usually found smuggling terrorists and spies into South Korea.
But, yeah, this is probably a pointed reminder for China.
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
02/21/2005 8:48 Comments ||
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#7
I remember doing joint submarine operations with some S.Koreans in Tongduchon in '88. Tight ship designs they did have! Thunderrun down the arcade. New in town G.I.?
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/21/2005 14:17 Comments ||
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#9
Bwah ha Ship!
I wonder how many will get that reference (CZ *and* Romeo)
Hard to believe a Type XXI variant is still in service these days. 60 years later. Them Germans were pretty damn good engineers & designers. Do the Norks have Chinese discards - or are they old Soviet throw-aways? And don't the Egyptians have a couple of these rotting someplace?
#11
Harpoon is where I learned my modern naval knowledge. Well, game knowledge. :)
Posted by: Laurence of the Rats ||
02/21/2005 21:43 Comments ||
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#12
Bwah ha Ship!
I wonder how many will get that reference (CZ *and* Romeo)
Hard to believe a Type XXI variant is still in service these days. 60 years later. Them Germans were pretty damn good engineers & designers. Do the Norks have Chinese discards - or are they old Soviet throw-aways? And don't the Egyptians have a couple of these rotting someplace?
I wonder how many will get that reference (CZ *and* Romeo)
Hard to believe a Type XXI variant is still in service these days. 60 years later. Them Germans were pretty damn good engineers & designers. Do the Norks have Chinese discards - or are they old Soviet throw-aways? And don't the Egyptians have a couple of these rotting someplace?
Saying "no power on earth will ever divide us," President Bush arrived in Belgium last night for a week of meetings with foreign leaders during which he'll try to shore up relations with allies and push for more European involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq. In excerpts from a speech he's scheduled to deliver today that were released by the White House on his arrival, Bush calls for unity. "As past debates fade and great duties become clear, let us begin a new era of trans-Atlantic unity," the excerpt say.
Requesting aid for Iraq, he asks allies "to give tangible political, economic and security assistance to the world's newest democracy." The speech today will be the main address of the trip, which was set to begin with a casual meeting with the king of Belgium. Bush is to end the tour with a private dinner with President Jacques Chirac of France. The dinner will be an opportunity for Bush and Chirac to set aside some of the bitterness over the invasion of Iraq. Bush, on his first foreign trip of his second term, "will focus on his vision of a united trans-Atlantic community working together to promote freedom and democracy, particularly in the broader Middle East," said National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley Widespread demonstrations are expected; at least 2,500 police officers were deployed in Brussels.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/21/2005 11:03:48 AM ||
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groan.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
02/21/2005 11:08 Comments ||
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Hypocrisy is the grease that keeps the social machinery working.
LL
A Swiss think-tank has recommended teaching Islam in schools as it helps the second and third generation of the Muslim community integrate into society.
The Swiss Academy for Development (SAD) cited in a recent study the success story of teaching Islam in schools in the two cities of Kriens and Ebikon, central Switzerland, in the 2002/03 school year.
"The results of the experience exceeded all expectations and showed a positive feedback," said the study, released on February 15.
"It can serve as a model for all cities across the country. Such schools encourage Muslim students adhere to their identity as they learn their religion in the languages used in the country," it added, referring to the four official languages German, French, Italian and Romansch.
The study further said that the move is aimed at removing ethnic tensions as Muslims feel that they are being discriminated against for no reason other than their religion or background though a large portion of them do hold the Swiss citizenship or are permanent residents.
The academy called for providing basic finances for the project and enhancing cross-fertilization in the country.
Founded in 1991 and based in Biel-Bienne, SAD is a politically independent, non-profit foundation.
It is dedicated to the question of how societies handle social change and cultural diversity.
Federal authorities have put the study into consideration and signaled readiness to hold talks with academicians and experts in this regard.
In 2001, the Union of Muslim Organizations in the district of Luzern managed to get the government go-ahead for teaching Islam in Kriens and Ebikon, where a large number of Muslim students are enrolled in schools.
The body had offered to pay for schoolbooks, teachers' salaries and other expenses.
Appealing
The study further concluded that it was better for Muslim students to have their religion classes in schools other than in mosques.
"When they go to mosques, they feel as if they are doing it out of duty since most of these classes fall on weekends."
The program has indeed appealed to Swiss Muslims, who hailed its modern and endearing methods.
"My daughter has grown up here and speaks fluent German. She finds religion classes in her school very appealing," Bosnian-born Murad Mildic told IslamOnline.net.
Munira Bin Hassan, of Tunisian origin, said that ever since their three sons joined the religion classes in school, they demonstrated great enthusiasm for learning more about Islam.
"There is no problem with the teaching method in mosques, but it is too classic for my sons," she told IOL.
Pakistani-born Momtaz Khan is proud that his son and daughter can brilliantly defend their religion.
"They impress me when they talk about Islamic tenets like fasting or hijab," he said.
Many parents who spoke to IOL also paid tribute to Mrs. Regina Steiner, a Swiss teacher who embraced Islam 13 years ago, for helping their children love religion classes.
Right-Wing Obstacle
Experts, however, see right-wingers are a major obstacle to expand the teaching of Islam to other areas.
Officials in Luzern have already refused to support programs for qualifying imams and teachers of the Muslim faith in the district.
"The Muslim community in Luzern will definitely be disappointed at this kind of marginalization," Bruno Staehli, an educational expert, told IOL.
The right-wing Swiss Peoples Party (SVP) has launched a ferocious campaign warning of "Islamizing" Luzern, portraying its famous tower as a minaret.
In 2004, Swiss Muslims withstood media onslaught, demonstrating to the public that they were an integral part of society.
Day in and day out, headlines like "The Islamic Terror is Coming", "Country Vs. Radicalism", "Islamists Living With Us," "Hijab in Parliament" and "Swiss Funds for Islamic Terror" were splashed by newspapers.
Islam is the second religion in Switzerland after Christianity. The country is home to 330,000 Muslims representing a sizable 4.5 percent of the country's some eight million people.
Forty-three percent of the Muslim community is of Turkish origin.
Posted by: tipper ||
02/21/2005 5:19:24 AM ||
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#1
Want to bet the money actually comes from Saudi and one brand of Islam is being taught?
#2
Could be a good idea. This way muslims won't feel opresses, and others will feel "safe" about islamic beliefs. Muslims will no longer be seen as terrorists since the country is overseeing what they study. (not that it needs any. I bet swiss teachers are amazed at the peacefulness of Islam)
#3
I bet swiss teachers are amazed at the peacefulness of Islam
Does the word 'Beslan' mean anything to you? Remind yourself which religion the men who raped the schoolgirls, shot the teachers and blew up infants belonged to.
#9
GEntle: "claimed" they belonged to.
- I distinctly remember one of the Beslan murderers, being filmed by one of their number, reciting a muslim prayer in arabic. What exactly are you trying to say? - that these animals weren't muslim or simply that they misrepresent your religion?
Posted by: Howard UK ||
02/21/2005 6:32 Comments ||
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#10
"claimed" they belonged to.
In precisely the same way that people like you claim to be 'moderate' representatives of your religion yet never have a harsh word to say about your co-religionists who engage in murder in the name of your shared superstition. You are no moderate - you make evasions and excuses for murders committed in your name. You make me sick. I know plenty of moderate Muslims in the West. They're moderate because they don't take all your brand of ME primitivism seriously at all.
#11
I will never forget or forgive the Beslan baby killers. Anyone who defends them or the mad death cult they belong to deserves nothing but wrath and scorn.
The people who comitted that school crime, and I don't care who the hell they claim to be, are worse than animals, and I would sentance them all to death if it were in my hands.
They do NOT represent Islam. Even considering it is crazy.
Islam only allows killing in self defence, and in war (those who fight). In no case is the killing of a child allowed.
For Gods sake, Islam doesn't even condone abortain!
#13
Long time no comment, Gentle. Where's my hubby?
Sentance? Abortain? No offence, but take an English course, would you? Or atleast spring for a dictionary.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
02/21/2005 8:02 Comments ||
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#14
Hey, "Gentle", why don't you take some lessons in recent history. Islam is at the heart of hundreds of wars, massacres, and crimes all over the world. Once you look at the life of Mohammed (spit upon him) you realize that's what he wanted.
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
02/21/2005 8:11 Comments ||
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#15
What do you want me to say?
For starters, you could acknowledge, without trying to deny the truth, that murderers such as the Beslan killers, al Qaeda, Hizb'Allah, Zarqawi's bunch etc. are members of the same religion as yourself and that their behaviour is first and foremost a problem for people like yourself to deal with. Don't try to pretend you're not in the same religious bed as them. If mainstream Islam wants to kick them out, it needs to do it itself. It needs to concentrate on issuing fatwas against terrorists, and stop issuing fatwas against apostates and critics.
Why is there so much support for the actions of terrorist groups like Hamas and the Iraqi 'insurgents' in the Islamic ME if in no case is the killing of a child [or non-combatant] allowed? You could not defend suicide bombing and random rocket attacks if you believe that.
Look at the other religions in this world and tell me the name of one other which has as many murderous groups associated with it as Islam has. To many people in the civilised world, terrorism looks like Islam's only significant cultural export.
#17
It is not what Prophet Mohammed wanted, may peace be upon him.
It certainly is. Go look up what Mohammed (piss, shit, and blood be upon him) said in the "Verse of the Sword". Then contemplate the doctrine of abrogation, and that this was one of the last things the barbarian pedophile king said.
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
02/21/2005 8:26 Comments ||
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#18
You just can't be civil, can you?
He did not want it. Sword verse! There is no such thing. Just shows where you get your "so called" information!
#19
Well...well. Look who has returned. A prime representative of the Culture of Deceit. The undeclared hudna is over. She's back to spread her lies and half truths. Always the apologist for the rank and file of her ideology.
Posted by: Mark Z. ||
02/21/2005 8:48 Comments ||
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#20
Still lying after all these months? No Sword verse? LOL!
âAnd fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism, i.e. worshipping others besides Allaah), and the religion (worship) will all be for Allaah Alone [in the whole of the world]â [al-Anfaal 8:39]
âThen when the Sacred Months (the 1st, 7th, 11th, and 12th months of the Islamic calendar) have passed, then kill the Mushrikoon (see V.2:105) wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and lie in wait for them in each and every ambush. But if they repent [by rejecting Shirk (polytheism) and accept Islamic Monotheism] and perform As‑Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah), and give Zakaah, then leave their way free. Verily, Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Mercifulâ [al-Tawbah 9:5]
This verse is known as Ayat al-Sayf (the verse of the sword).
These and similar verses abrogate the verses which say that there is no compulsion to become Muslim.
(And I *AM* being civil. As civil as you deserve, you lying harpy.)
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
02/21/2005 8:52 Comments ||
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#22
Where do I start?
1) It should be:
"And fight them so it is not a Fitnah"
2) you've got the meaning of Fitnah wrong.
Oh' and just about everything else.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
02/21/2005 9:01 Comments ||
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#24
Where do I start?
Stop lying.
Or do you believe your lies are (yet another) religious obligation? Gotta hide the truth from the kaffir, so they don't realize what you want to do, eh?
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
02/21/2005 9:03 Comments ||
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#25
Here we go. I'll bet this thread goes over 85. Any other predictions out there?
#26
Sorry Gentle, but you just pegged my BS meter.
What happened is Beslan *was* Islam - no major Islamic organization has denounced it (exept when asked - and then one-tenth-heartedly). What is happening in Sudan - the murders, rapes, etc... is being done by Muslims (against muslims true but then in Islam, Arab muslims are better or holier then other (black) muslims and who cares? According to Mohammed (may he roast in hell) blacks have the heart of a donkey anyway...).
And how about the people in Medina. Your Mohammed HIMSELF (may he roast in hell) had the jewish men beheaded in front of their own wives and children. But that wasn't enough, not for mighty mo (merih), he had to rape the women (and I suspect children too) that very night!
Every religion has its share of wackos and extreamists (look at that Catholic school bombing in Northern Ireland... Which everyone (except the murders) quickly and fevorously denounced). But Islam makes it an insitution and glorifies it.
#28
What I find fascinating is that first she denies the existence of the Verse of the Sword, then when confronted with it, babbles something about us getting the terms wrong. Well, which is it -- does it simply not exist, or do we and 99% of the Muslim world just have it wrong?
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
02/21/2005 9:22 Comments ||
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True. The literal meaning relates to discovery of impurities in metals by melting them. It has several meanings within Islam but sometimes refers to what Christians would call the trials & tribulations of man just before the end times. Mohammed in his ultimate wisdom prophecized signs of the impending apocalypse including:
They shall construct high-rise buildings.
Silk garments will be worn by men.
Divorces will become a common practice.
The weather shall be hot despite rains.
The people shall put on skin-garments.
Gold will become widely used.
Silver will be in great demand.
Lofty minarets will rise from the mosques.
Wine will be drunk freely.
Woman and man shall be partners in trade....
Men will imitate women and women will imitate men.Women engaged in the singing profession will be held in great esteem and accorded high status.
Musical instruments will be kept and preserved with care.
Wine will be drunk by road-sides.
The number of the Police will increase.
Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR) was the last canton to give women the vote; Appenzell Innerrhoden (AI) had to be forced by the Swiss federal court ("Bundesgericht") to give women the vote (27-nov-1990).
#42
I'm not sure whether to mock the name of the think-tank or not, so I'll simply say that if this works, that's great.
A few additional thoughts, however:
- What does it say about the state of a religion when the state begins teaching it instead of the religous figures who are supposed to be leading? (I'm not saying that we should let the extremists teach their particular brand of idiocy, I'm just asking a general question).
- Why is Islam getting special treatment? Are they planning to do this with Hinduism and Christianity and Judiasm, too?
- Are non-Muslim students going to have to take these classes eventually?
Personally, I think it's one of those ideas that sounds real, real good, but will go terribly wrong in the end. And if Islam is being singled out as a "special" religion, does that mean it's special in the same way as the kid in my high school who got "special instruction" because he drooled and babbled incoherent sentences? (Not that I'm knocking him; he was a nice kid, never tried to blow anyone up . . .)
Posted by: The Doctor ||
02/21/2005 12:21 Comments ||
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#44
Actually women in Appenzell could participate in Federal votes, but not in State (Canton) votes. That's what made it easy for the Federal Supreme Court to impose a fix.
Note also that the "Landsgemeinde" was still used there until not very long ago, i.e. get all the men out in a large field and see if a majority can be divined by sight or sound... So, how was a field of men ever going to roar approval of a right for those who weren't allowed in?
#45
Where hypocrisy prospers, none dare call it hypocrisy. Muslim butt - especially Shiite - gets kissed here. I am the only one with butt-kick credentials. Muslimutts don't deserve democracy until they come around to my line of thinking. I love the smell of napalm in the morning, and charcoal in the afternoon. And don't talk back.
#50
MacNails:Switzerland didn't give women the vote till 1971 , don't think much of their esteemed 'think tank ' :)
MN-They were in the tank while they were thinking. That's why women couldn't vote 'till 1971...Remember, "The Swiss never take sides" {Egotistical, narcisistic, bastards)
anonymous2u:First we have to define child - then killing.
a2u - Or as Bubba Clinton would say, "It depends on what the meaning of child is..."
#52
Kalle, those are great! Those WWJDs always got on my nerves - Jesus being the Son of God, he's naturally going to be doing things slightly differently than the rest of us fallen humans. But those are far more applicable!
Posted by: The Doctor ||
02/21/2005 16:40 Comments ||
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#53
So, "Gentle" has returned . . . I predict Antiwar will also be returning soon. I don't know why they like to pop up now and then. They're just phoney-baloney-pretend-to-be-female-propaganda-slinging operatives whose goal is to attempt to "educate" bloggers in favor of Islam. And BTW, this time around, "Gentle's" manner of speech is significantly different from earlier posts. The GROUP is back!
Can't believe Switzerland is helping in the jihad. They probably think that if they themselves allow and promote the teaching of Islam, then the Moslems will respect them and leave them alone. Guess they don't too much about militant Islam. Hopefully, what is taught in schools will be a moderate version of the religion. We'll see.
When he was arrested in Dubai in July 2001, Djamel Beghal, a French Algerian already known to French services, confessed he had been ordered by Osama bin Laden's top lieutenant, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, to set up a terrorist cell to strike US interests in France. He admitted he had attended meetings in Afghanistan's training camps in preparation to blow up the US Embassy in Paris. But when he was later extradited to France, Beghal denied any involvement in terrorist activities. During his trial in Paris, Beghal delivered a detailed testimony accusing Emirates interrogators of having psychologically and physically tortured him to accept an already established scenario. "This attack never existed, neither in my imagination, nor in reality," said Beghal.
Beghal, who is being judged with five co-defendants, is accused of recruiting terrorists and leading a terrorist cell in France with ramifications throughout Western Europe in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Last week, the prosecution requested a 10-year prison sentence against Beghal, 39, and his suspected accomplice Kamel Daoudi, 30, the legal maximum for the "association of bandits in connection with a terrorist enterprise". The verdict is expected on March 15.
Beghal's arrest subsequently led to the dismantlement of the so-called "Beghal network" in Corbeil-Essonnes, France, where he had lived until 1997, before leaving for the United Kingdom - where he met the influential Salafist preacher Abu Qatada - and later Germany and Pakistan. The kamikaze in the alleged planned attack would have been Tunisian Nizar Trabelsi, a former soccer player. Trabelsi was arrested in Belgium in September 2001, two days after the September 11 attacks, and sentenced to 10 years in jail two years later. He admitted he was preparing a terrorist attack, but said his target was a military base in Belgium.
Beghal's main co-defendant Kamel Daoudi, a computer scientist suspected of taking care of the logistics, was arrested in England and extradited to France. Last June, four members of the network were sentenced in the Netherlands, including French convert Jerome Courtailler.
Like Zakarias Moussaoui and shoe bomber Richard Reid, among others, Beghal attended the now famous Finsbury Park mosque led by Abu Hamza al-Masri. Several well-known Islamic radicals - among whom many have been involved in terrorism plots - found sanctuary in Great Britain, a country labelled "soft" on religious extremism.
From the early 1990s, North African militants - mainly immigrants who failed to fully integrate into their host country and turned to radical Islam, and a few converts - established sleeper cells in several European countries. At that time the ongoing Algerian civil war was partly fought from Europe, from the French neighborhoods to London, where Islamic leaders organized their support for armed groups in their war against the Algerian state.
According to experts, Algerian-linked terrorist groups were actually prominent until 2001. "They were fierce, they had grand schemes [they hijacked an Air France airbus leaving for Paris in 1994]," says Evan Kohlmann, author of al-Qaeda's Jihad in Europe.
Most al-Qaeda cells discovered in Europe have links to the Algerian Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat, known by its acronym GSPC, an organization suspected in several terrorist plots in Europe and the United States. A splinter group of the Armed Islamic Groups (GIA), GSPC was created under the initiative of bin Laden by GIA emir Hassan Hattab in 1998. A year earlier, the GIA had started losing foreign support due to its massive slaughter of Algerian civilians. Bin Laden, who had previously supported the GIA, financed this new Salafist organization which would distinguish itself from the then discredited GIA in order to continue to fight the "jihad" in Algeria.
The GSPC is accused of planning attacks during the soccer World Cup held in Paris in 1998 and against the Strasbourg Christmas market and cathedral in 2000. "GSPC remains a grave threat in Europe. There are networks linked to al-Qaeda and GSPC in England, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain ... This network of North Africans will continue to be a threat to international security in the short and long term," explains researcher Jonathan Schanzer.
According to Kohlmann, the Algerian branch is "still there but not as influential" today. More recent organizations like the Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group (GICM), "the children of the GIA and GSPC", learned from their predecessors' mistakes and are now taking the lead of the terrorist network in the region. The GICM was involved in the terrorist attacks in Casablanca in May 2003 and Madrid in March 2004.
But although it has been weakened due to heavy losses in its ranks, the GSPC continues to be a nightmare for Algerian security services. On January 3, 18 soldiers and militiamen were killed in an ambush set up by the GSPC in the area of Biskra. Two policemen were later killed and one civilian was injured when suspected GSPC militants attacked a foot patrol in Tizi Ghenif, 100 kilometers southeast of Algiers.
While vowing to maintain efforts to fight the GSPC, Algerian authorities have publicly expressed satisfaction at the near eradication of the GIA. With the killing last July of former GIA chief Rachid Oukali - alias Abou Tourab - publicly announced, as well as the death last December of its last chief Younes - alias Lyes - they proudly claimed only "about 30" GIA fighters were still at large.
The GIA, responsible for the blind murder of civilians, the targeted killings of intellectuals and the Paris metro bombings in 1995, had greatly declined in recent years. An amnesty launched in 1999 by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, followed by hundreds of fighters, divided the group, already torn by internal power struggles.
Lately, amid a heated debate surrounding an expansion of the amnesty, Algerian leaders promised the same fate to the GSPC, which has lost several members in military operations in recent months. But last Sunday, the GSPC announced the exclusion of its founder Hattab, officially for accepting the amnesty proposal. The group is now part of the global al-Qaeda nebula. Recently, it re-expressed its ties to al-Qaeda by vowing allegiance to al-Zarqawi. In a statement on January 24, GSPC leader Abu Musab Abdel Wadoud expressed his congratulations to al-Zarqawi in response to the latter's message to international al-Qaeda "affiliate" organizations, among which the GSPC was included.
Despite its weakening presence at home, the group may indeed be poised to pursue a different path on both shores of the Mediterranean Sea. "The European network of the GSPC is sufficiently distinct and separate from its Algerian counterpart that it can survive independently," explains Kohlmann. "I think it is significant that Hassan Hattab has surrendered [apparently] because he was not in favor of using international terrorism as a prime instrument of policy. Those who have succeeded him in the GSPC harbor no such reservations. You might say that Hattab's downfall may ironically serve to remove a previous political roadblock to GSPC-inspired terrorist attacks in Europe."
This article starring:
ABU HAMZA AL MASRI
al-Qaeda in Europe
ABU MUSAB ABDEL WADUD
Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat
ABU MUSAB AL ZARQAWI
al-Qaeda in Europe
ABU QATADA
al-Qaeda in Europe
ABU TURAB
Armed Islamic Groups
DJAMEL BEGHAL
al-Qaeda in Europe
Finsbury Park mosque
HASAN HATTAB
Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat
KAMEL DAUDI
al-Qaeda in Europe
NIZAR TRABELSI
al-Qaeda in Europe
RACHID UKALI
Armed Islamic Groups
RICHARD REID
al-Qaeda in Europe
ZAKARIAS MUSAUI
al-Qaeda in Europe
Armed Islamic Groups
Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group
Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat
Posted by: tipper ||
02/21/2005 4:34:00 AM ||
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An American soldier overseas is fuming over letters he received from Brooklyn middle-school children accusing GIs of destroying mosques and killing civilians in Iraq. Pfc. Rob Jacobs of New Jersey said he was initially ecstatic to get a package of letters from sixth-graders at JHS 51 in Park Slope last month at his base 10 miles from the North Korea border. That changed when he opened the envelope and found missives strewn with politically charged rhetoric, vicious accusations and demoralizing predictions that only a handful of soldiers would leave the Iraq war alive. "It's hard enough for soldiers to deal with being away from their families, they don't need to be getting letters like this," Jacobs, 20, said in a phone interview from his base at Camp Casey. "If they don't have anything nice to say, they might as well not say anything at all." One Muslim boy wrote: "Even thoe [sic] you are risking your life for our country, have you seen how many civilians you or some other soldier killed?"...
#1
Stop It!! Stop it Now! I am tired of the incompetence coming from our educational system that is being used to indoctrinate our children. As copied from the source article
"The JHS 51 teacher, Alex Kunhardt, did not return phone calls, but the school principal, Xavier Costello, responded with a statement:
"While we would never censor anything that our children write, we sincerely apologize for forwarding letters that were in any way inappropriate to Pfc. Jacobs. This assignment was not intended to be insensitive, but to be supportive of the men and women in service to our nation."
This is not a free speech issue, this is just false information spread thru incompetent teaching by this Social Studies teacher. Much as with Ward Churchhill the facts do not even come close to supporting what these "children" have been fed.
#2
lucky it's a holiday for these two - tomorrow the NYPost will have the magnifying glass on the teacher and principal. Better polish up those resumes
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/21/2005 13:50 Comments ||
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#4
It is not about a freedom of expression a case. It is about an adult using a child for its purposes. It is not that different from a rape.
It is also about a teacher using time who belongs to the tax payer (or to the parents if he works in a private school) for purposes who are not those he is being paid for. He should be forced to refund the state or parents for ALL his salaries since he started his carreer. And add a substantial interest for the damage done to these children who have should have been studying in order to later get a better university/better job and instead spend that time (they will never gat back) being used as propaganda tools by this loser. He should refund a million dollars per child.
#5
The JHS 51 teacher, Alex Kunhardt, did not return phone calls, but the school principal, Xavier Costello, responded with a statement:
"While we would never censor anything that our children write, we sincerely apologize for forwarding letters that were in any way inappropriate to Pfc. Jacobs. This assignment was not intended to be insensitive, but to be supportive of the men and women in service to our nation."
I keep getting more & more pissed off about this.
Take JFMs suggestion and send Kunhardt and Costello to that State penitentury in Arizona, to work of the millions in expense, where the convicts do hard labor and are fed only Baloney Sandwiches and water.
#6
It's the Maricopa County Jail run by Joe Arpaio, who could defeat McCain in a nano second and would probably do a better job. Could someone from Az explain why he has never moved up the political ladder? Is he just having more fun than a human being should be allowed?
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
02/21/2005 14:51 Comments ||
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#7
The unit they sent this to isn't even in the Middle East! Its 10 miles from North Korea.
Both the teacher and his principal have engaged in outright theft for using school time to force-feed their bullshit on children who don't know any better.
#9
Propaganda, hell. Thems well fed American leftists are good eatin'.
Posted by: Lil Kim ||
02/21/2005 15:05 Comments ||
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#10
Typical B.S. from New Jersey.
My wife loves it when the recruiters come to her school. Many of her students enter the military. For lots of them it will be the best thing that has happened in their lives up to that point. You have to realize these 2 clowns are a minority. Like anything the atypical are what sticks out and focused on by the media. My wife like many who she works with is a life long Republican conservative. Bashing educators it easy since most of them are to busy to fight back.
#11
I have to add that I strongly advocate for the right of this guy to say whatever he wants as slong as it is outside school and on his own time.
What I find repellent is the use of defenceless children and of time who belongs to his employer.
#13
All this kind of crap, and the thousands of Ward Churchills in our education establishment, are allowed to continue because they have a virtual monopoly on what our children hear. My daughter barely scraped by with a "D" average in High School because I wouldn't let her be propagandized, and taught her how to think. Her teachers hated her and me! I spent so much time talking to her principals I could almost declare them dependents on my income tax.
It's time the true potential of the Internet is realized, and a full conservative K-up curriculum was developed and posted online, free for all to use to identify and counter the propaganda our children are force-fed in school. Even better, make it multiple curricula covering every aspect of thought, including the left so we can make fun of their stupidity and incoherence.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
02/21/2005 18:00 Comments ||
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#14
You MUST be real careful as to what is sent overseas to our soldier's. I have a cousin who is an elementary school teacher and she read (authorized) every card, letter, photo etc that her student's sent overseas- so that she would NOT have to send out a RESUME (cover your ass).
If I had a son or daughter I would encourage to aim for higher than a "D' average. If the school is the problem and NOT the student- switch schools- FAST***************RUN DONT WALK.
The Cost of IGNORANCE is far more costly than a good, well rounded education.
Andrea Jackson
Posted by: Andrea ||
02/21/2005 18:13 Comments ||
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#15
I wonder if the teacher put the students up to it, or it they were just parroting what they hear from the MSM.
If the teacher put them up to it, that's simply inexcusable. Grown-ups shouldn't use kids in political propaganda schemes. It's unethical and the teacher should be fired if that's the case. If the kids were just writing what they hear from the media and their parents, and the teacher didn't take time to read ALL the letters, and just sent them anyway, disciplinary action should be taken.
It's totally correct that the good teachers don't have time to respond to, or defend themselves against the kind of nonsensical things idiot teachers do.
#16
# 15 ex- lib My cousin, Stacy elementary school teacher does NOT have time to review all the writing's----she took all the card's, letter's, etc home and between her and dear Dad (Army vet.). HE knew what could be sent and what letter's were subjective. Stacy then gave back the subjective letter's and advise to re write, which the student's were happy to do...and being so young, they were NOT aware of anywrong doing.
Again, Parental descretion is advised.
Andrea Jackson
Posted by: Andrea Jackson ||
02/21/2005 19:18 Comments ||
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#17
My cousin, Stacy elementary school teacher does NOT have time to review all the writing's
#18
# 17 Stacy DOES NOT have time to review all the writing's...she also Volunteer's her time to special ed student's- where the BUDGET has been CUT. She is young and can't allow herself to burn out. Many teacher's don't event think of the soldier's overseas- they pass the buck to another teacher or department.
Andrea Jackson
Posted by: Andrea Jackson ||
02/21/2005 19:30 Comments ||
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#19
Why didn't Stacy get Mary to help out? Mary's the ex-con, right?
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
02/21/2005 19:32 Comments ||
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#20
Andrea that is complete BS - if you can't handle the job, quit. Don't complain that you're "young and can't allow herself to burn out". I'm a gov't engineer and I've done all-nighters when the work requires it. Stacy should grow up, do her f&*king job, and quit crying the blues on your sympathetic shoulder. If you can't review product, don't ship it - rule #1
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/21/2005 19:34 Comments ||
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#21
Stacy does NOT know Mary. Stacy has a Father who is a U.S. Army Vet and is happy to assist her.
Mr. Crawford- what do you do to help the soldier's. Many web site's out there to surf
and the soldier's need our help. (If you knew Mary you would like her- she is not all that bad).
Andrea Jackson
Posted by: Andrea Jackson ||
02/21/2005 19:36 Comments ||
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#22
FRANK- SHE does REVIEW THE PRODUCT. I HAVE NOT SAID OTHERWISE. I'm not an engineer, but I cannot compare a 6th grade teacher's job to a
Gov. engineer. I don't know what dept you work for and it does not really matter...however, I did work for the State gov for 3 year's and not too many broke a sweat or VOLUNTEER time when there were budget cuts. Many did NOT show for work or document it with payroll. I guess you could call them M.I.A.
Andrea Jackson
Posted by: Andrea Jackson ||
02/21/2005 19:42 Comments ||
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#23
WTF? Stacy elementary school teacher does NOT have time to review all the writing's
Don't get someone else to do your job. Where I work, a MIA is gone the next week. No playtime. I think schooling children is a tough, hard, job. It's not like teachers didn't know that when they signed on. Excell at it, or quit
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/21/2005 19:46 Comments ||
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#24
Frank - she does not have time to revew all writings while class is in session (other tasks to complete in alloted class time). Which is why she had brought the soldier's letters, card's, photo's home- her Dad a Vietnam Army Vet. knew what was "acceptable" anything subjective was given back and the student's could rewrite and submit. I'm not playing favorites- she went the extra mile.
Hats off to your department* I commend a good, hard worker whether public service or private**
Andrea Jackson
Posted by: Andrea Jackson ||
02/21/2005 19:52 Comments ||
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#25
Stacy got quality control accomplished - what's the problem?
Don't assume the teacher dictated the contents of the letters - you know I'm not the most unquestioning supporter of every detail in Iraq (love the goal, worry about some of the execution), but I have to do serious damage control on this subject with my 10 year old after every visit with his WV yellow dog dem grandmother (in-law). They can hear it everywhere.
#26
I'd assume it, barring other info - typically the students are used as propganda background - but we'll see. I'd be happy to apologize if wrong
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/21/2005 20:21 Comments ||
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#27
I would like to think that the student's are not being used in such a fashion. Anyhow, let it all REST and continue to support the soldier's who are fighting for our freedom.
Andrea Jackson
Posted by: Andrea Jackson ||
02/21/2005 20:45 Comments ||
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#28
Let it rest? Not a f&^king chance. Find out what the truth is, and IF the teacher used the students to make ugly letters to harm the morale of the troops, FIRE the teacher and strip their credentials
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/21/2005 20:57 Comments ||
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#29
Andrea's right about her cousin asking Dad to help. She is also right about teachers who put in time way, way above and beyond the call of duty. Don't let bad apples like this character in NJ sour you on the teaching profession as a whole. For every moonbat in a school there are a lot of honest people like Stacy who do their best work. And yes, sometimes a teacher needs a second opinion when looking over papers. I had 150 HS Freshmen--35 each in the two "advanced" classes, 35 each in the two "average" classes, including one kid with schizophrenia; and 12 kids reading at 3rd grade level or lower. I asked my husband to look over my comments on their papers to make sure I hadn't missed anything; I'd get bugeyed after the first 75 papers.
So I sincerely hope Frank G et al are done grousing about teachers asking for a little extra help; his last comment at least got back to the main issue.
An office on Wyandotte Street East is recruiting Iraqis living in Canada to join a security force in their native country for $10,000 US a month. "They will protect the foreign companies when they do reconstruction. That is the No. 1 priority," said Baghdad-born Windsor resident Luma Al Tamimi, whose Iraqi Canadian Partnership for Democracy organization lobbied for the office, which opened last week. Similar recruitment centres, believed to be funded by the U.S., have opened across the border as close as in suburban Detroit.
Al Tamimi said the forces "will also be at the important places - hospitals, airports, banks, embassies." Although the exact nature of the job and its employer remains shrouded in secrecy, Al Tamimi suggested that the recruitment is part of a U.S. government initiative to establish a trustworthy Iraqi security force, separate from the Iraqi police...
Posted by: ed ||
02/21/2005 22:08 ||
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#1
Yeah.Go down there at your own expense,sleeping in a bag for 30 days !!Ha Ha Ha.Most of those yahoos will end up in Tombstone or Bisbee getting drunk.
By Mark Jensen
United for Peace of Pierce County (WA)
I'm all for it...
Scott Ritter, appearing with journalist Dahr Jamail yesterday in Washington State, dropped two shocking bombshells in a talk delivered to a packed house in Olympia's Capitol Theater. The ex-Marine turned UNSCOM weapons inspector said that George W. Bush has "signed off" on plans to bomb Iran in June 2005, and claimed the U.S. manipulated the results of the recent Jan. 30 elections in Iraq.
Olympians like to call the Capitol Theater "historic," but it's doubtful whether the eighty-year-old edifice has ever been the scene of more portentous revelations. The principal theme of Scott Ritter's talk was Americans' duty to protect the U.S. Constitution by taking action to bring an end to the illegal war in Iraq. But in passing, the former UNSCOM weapons inspector stunned his listeners with two pronouncements. Ritter said plans for a June attack on Iran have been submitted to President George W. Bush, and that the president has approved them. He also asserted that knowledgeable sources say U.S. officials "cooked" the results of the Jan. 30 elections in Iraq.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
02/21/2005 6:37:56 PM ||
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#1
Works for me. :-D
Nice of him to take time off from diddling to bring us this welcome news.
Think maybe we could convince him to go over there as a "human" shield?
Nah, me neither.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
02/21/2005 19:19 Comments ||
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#2
And he would know this how . . . ?
Posted by: The Doctor ||
02/21/2005 19:21 Comments ||
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#3
"Journalist" Dahr Jamail is a columnist at antiwar.com.
Do you really need to know more about him?
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
02/21/2005 19:23 Comments ||
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#4
"any of you young girls want a photo with the "Scottster", I'll be backstage. Leave the parents out front, so we can get to know each other"
Posted by: Scott Ritter ||
02/21/2005 19:24 Comments ||
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#5
May sounds like a good month for street parties and giant puppets.
Posted by: john ||
02/21/2005 19:48 Comments ||
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#6
It's well known that Americans can't fight in the Brutal Afghan Winter /DEL>Choking Arabian Sandstorm Blazing Iranian Summer.
At least his pro-Saddam propaganda can be explaind by the $450,000 "film" financed by Oil For Food or Iraqi blackmail for his underaged teen tendencies, but what expains his continuing propaganda on Iraq and now Iran? I really wonder if Ritter has gone muslim.
Posted by: ed ||
02/21/2005 20:11 Comments ||
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#7
Damn here goes my vacation on the Caspian Sea with all those lovely chador clad hotties...
The modus operandi in last week's Valentine's Day bombings were similar to the 2000 Rizal Day bombings and the attack on the SuperFerry 14 in February last year, police said. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Edgar Aglipay said the bombings were all triggered by cellular phones also the method employed in the bombing of a bus in Balintawak, Quezon City in October 2002 that left two passengers dead and several others wounded. "The bombs used were similar to other bombings (such) as the Rizal Day attacks, the bus bombing in Balintawak, the WG&A SuperFerry 14 attacks and the recent bomb incidents in Mindanao," Aglipay told The STAR yesterday.
Aglipay, however, refused to identify who could be behind the attacks pending the arrest and indictment of the culprits. The PNP chief made the statement as forensic experts of the Australian Federal Police wrapped up their investigation of the Feb. 14 bombings in the cities of General Santos, Davao and Makati that left 13 people dead and 140 wounded.
The Australian Federal Police confirmed the findings of local forensic experts that the explosives used in the Valentine's Day bombings were all triggered by cellular phones. Aglipay earlier said the PNP would coordinate further with the Australian police to determine if the Feb. 14 bombings were carried out in the same manner as the nightclub bombings in Bali, Indonesia in October 2002 that left over 200 people dead, and the Marriott Hotel bombing, also in Indonesia, in 2004. Both attacks have been blamed on the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah group.
Aglipay said the Australian forensics experts noted the bomb used in the Davao incident was fashioned out of a mortar shell while the explosive used in the Makati blast was placed inside a bag. While police authorities have pinpointed three suspects in the bombing, Aglipay stressed they are still in the process of completing their material evidence and investigation to build an air-tight case. "Having confirmed these (findings), we are preparing for the filing of charges," he said.
On several occasions, the government tried to downplay the possibility of the involvement of the Abu Sayyaf, but police investigators, in one instance, ended up linking the bandit group in the sinking of the SuperFerry 14 last year with the arrest of several suspects. Hours after the three explosions took place last Valentine's Day, self-appointed Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Solaiman spoke over the radio and claimed the bombings were their "love gift" to President Arroyo.
Although Aglipay refused to identify the Abu Sayyaf behind the bombings, crack police and intelligence operatives are already closing in on one of the suspected bombers, a ranking police official told The STAR. The official claimed their target is a former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) guerrilla who joined the Abu Sayyaf. Top police officials have not ruled out that the Abu Sayyaf, MNLF renegades and some radical members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) may have formed a new terror alliance.
The Valentine's Day bombings came amid the hostilities between government forces and armed loyalists of ousted MNLF chairman Nur Misuari in Jolo, Sulu. Misuari is under detention at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna facing rebellion charges.
In a related development, a Muslim group tagged in the attempt to bomb the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila last month issued a statement condemning the Valentine's Day bombings. Yusof Ledesma, spokesman for the Balik Islam Unity Congress, said innocent civilians should be spared from any bombing attempts. "We should outright condemn the bombing of civilians. It is not right to collectively target civilians. I don't know who did it or even indeed the Abu Sayyaf did it, but it is wrong to target civilians," Yusof said during a roundtable discussion with different religious leaders, student groups and non-government organizations (NGO) representatives at the Peacemaker's Circle last Friday. Ledesma also deplored the reported plan of including him in the "terror" watchlist on claims that he was one of financiers of local extremist groups in the country. Ledesma said the conflict between Muslim and Christians cannot be solved unless irresponsible police officers continue to label honest and good-intentioned Islam practitioners as terrorists.
This article starring:
ABU SOLAIMAN
Abu Sayyaf
NUR MISUARI
Moro National Liberation Front
YUSOF LEDESMA
Balik Islam Unity Congress
Abu Sayyaf
Balik Islam Unity Congress
Jemaah Islamiyah
Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Moro National Liberation Front
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
02/21/2005 12:24:35 AM ||
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Israel Air Force Commander-in-Chief Major General Eliezer Shakedi said Monday that Israel must be prepared for an air strike on Iran in light of its nuclear activity. But in a meeting with reporters, Shakedi wouldn't say whether he thought Israel was capable of carrying out such a mission alone, as it did when it bombed an unfinished Iraqi nuclear reactor near Baghdad in 1981. When asked whether Israel has a plan for the Iranian nuclear program, Shakedi replied, "You know that for obvious reasons, I won't say even a word."
"I can say no more!"
But when asked whether he was confident the air force could provide the answer to the Iranian threat, Shakedi replied, "I must be prepared for everything." The Israeli air force commander also discussed the fluid situation in neighboring Lebanon. The assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri "can create a new picture in Lebanon," Shakedi said. With Syria, Hezbollah guerrillas and Hezbollah's Iranian benefactors all operating in Lebanon, "we understand who has interests" in Hariri being out of the picture, he said. Asked whether the IAF has changed its deployment since the assassination, he replied, "Of course we won't let the other side hit us." "We have a job to protect the citizens of Israel," Shakedi said. "I hope that there won't be a war - but you know, no one knows."
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
02/21/2005 7:08:31 PM ||
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DAMASCUS, Feb. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Syria is willing to withdraw from neighboring Lebanon, Arab League chief Amr Moussa said here on Monday.
"President Bashar al-Assad stressed more than once in (our)talks he's talked to Muammar and he likes the deal he got, so he's going to try to get the same one. his firm intention to press ahead with the implementation of the al-Taif agreement and to withdraw from Lebanon in line with this agreement," Moussa told reporters after meeting with the Syrian president and Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara." The withdrawal is part of the Syrian policy. We will see steps soon," he added.
Moussa said Assad underlined the importance to continue the "active and special relations" between Syria and Lebanon. The Taif agreement, inked in 1989, ended Lebanon's 1975-1990civil war and asked Syria to shift its troops in Lebanon to the eastern Bekaa Valley. As a main power-broker in Lebanon, Syria maintains about 14,000 troops there. Moussa said Assad also welcomed a UN role in the investigation of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri. Guess he must not want the assassin found. Wonder why..
"It is in the interests of all that this investigation be carried out in the fastest and most active way," Moussa quoted Assad as saying. The investigation would help "end hearsay and assure the Lebanese people and all of us about the legal process and that matters are proceeding on the right track," Assad was quoted assaying.
Hariri, an opponent to Syria's influence in Lebanon, was killed in an explosion in central Beirut last week. He resigned as prime minister last October over disputes with incumbent Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, a Damascus favorite. Hariri's assassination came amid high political tension in Lebanon and international pressure over Syria's dominance in its political affairs, just a few months before legislative elections are due to be held. Lebanese oppositions blamed Syrian and Lebanese authorities for the death of Hariri and called on Syrian forces to pull out before elections in May. The United States also called for Syria to end its occupation of Lebanon.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
02/21/2005 10:46:37 AM ||
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#1
Yes, and our cat Padishah plans to become vegetarian.
#2
Actually, the Syrians are in a bad way. 13,000 troops can't do much in Lebanon. They can't be reinforced from Syria, because the US could then conquer Damascus with two privates and a butter knife. So what the Syrians are probably planning to do is withdraw, while heavily arming the pro-government forces, and the Hizbullah, and their own 1.4 million citizens, with instructions to return Lebanon to civil war chaos. This would accomplish the following, they hope: Chaotic Lebanon would still be a conduit for trouble to Israel from Syria and Iran; the Hizbullah could continue to operate in the chaos; Lebanon would remain a failed state that would be no threat to Syria, and no foreign power would station in Lebanon; the unpopular de jure government would still have more "legitimacy" than the opposition, internationally; there would be no real democracy as a "bad" influence to them and the Palestinians; and there wouldn't be any pressure by the Lebanese for the Palestinians living in Lebanon to go home to the Gaza Strip or West Bank.
Fresh intel suggests that Tehran is trying to expand its influence over whatever government emerges in postelection Iraq. According to U.S. officials familiar with the latest intelligence, the Iranian government has been secretly directing its agents inside Iraq to plant themselves in influential positions throughout the Iraqi government—into agencies that handle economic affairs, like the ministries of Oil, Public Works and Finance, as well as departments like the Interior Ministry that handle national security. The Iranians also are directing their agents to infiltrate Iraqi security agencies on the "working level" by taking jobs in regional or local government offices and particularly local police forces. According to the most pessimistic U.S. analysts, the ayatollahs' ultimate goal: "Taking over the government of Iraq." A less pessimistic view is that the latest intel merely shows an ongoing campaign of "classical espionage" by Tehran against Iraq.
U.S. government sources say a significant number of intel reports have recently documented the Iranian covert-action campaign and that the reports include internal Iranian government discussions about how Tehran's agents in Iraq are being deployed. Many of the Iranian agents in question, the intel reports say, are members of the Badr Corps, a paramilitary affiliate of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), a political party with longtime Iranian ties that is one of the principal partners in the coalition of Shiite parties that won the largest number of seats in the new Iraqi constitutional assembly. U.S. analysts now believe the corps is riddled with agents controlled by Iranian intelligence. U.S. officials note that most of the parties and politicians who won biggest in last month's Iraqi elections have historical ties to Tehran. Both SCIRI and the Dawa Party, the other major partner in the winning Shiite coalition, were based in Tehran for years during Saddam's rule, and maintained close relations with Iran's theocracy. So did at least one leader of the Kurdish coalition that will be kingmakers in Baghdad. Dawa chief Ibrahim Jaafari, a favorite to become Iraq's new prime minister, is known to favor an Islamic influence on any new Iraqi constitution. Some Bush administration officials are horrified that Jaafari's principal rival for the prime minister's office appears to be Ahmad Chalabi, the secular-minded but controversial Shiite who during the Saddam era maintained a Tehran office that was financed with U.S. tax money. Once the Pentagon's prime candidate to succeed Saddam, Chalabi fell out of favor in Washington last year when intel agencies alleged he gave Iran information compromising U.S. code-breaking operations. (Chalabi denied any wrongdoing.) Despite the ominous new intelligence, nongovernment experts say it's possible nationalist-minded Iraqis can thwart Tehran's effort to take control in Iraq.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
02/21/2005 1:12:54 AM ||
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#1
Watch it! Twilight-Zoners are denying Shiite cultural, cum political, unity among the Teheran to Jerusalem corridor savages. Only a troll would challenge the spin-monkeys.
#5
The biggest problem with itsy's assertion is that I doubt the Shia know quite what they will do yet. There are certainly some with strong agendas - but note the plural. How this plays out is yet to be determined and probably won't happen in one clearcut move, either ... it will evolve, I suspect, in a complicated way.
Posted by: too true ||
02/21/2005 7:34 Comments ||
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#6
Everybody forgets that the US has re-created the Phoenix Program to deal with infiltrators, spies and saboteurs that weasel their way into the Iraqi government. If you ignore the silly-ass Hollywood take on Phoenix, it was a highly effective program that scotched dozens of very effective, and murderous, espionage networks in the government of South Vietnam. Its tactics were not polite, however, which resulted in much condemnation once the existence of the program was known; the lilly livers demanding that the military operation follow the ground rules of a police force instead of a counterterrorism operation. Their mission was straightforward: once you capture an agent, immediately use him to take down the rest of his net, in a "Night of the Long Knives" fashion. How you go about doing this is up to you. If the agent is too high placed, or too well protected to be apprehended, then sanction him. Overall, this problem "cleaned" most of the South Vietnamese government of enemy agents; however, they could not make the rest honest, honorable, or efficient.
#7
Ah, You mean this Phoenix Anonymoose? Hmm.. but if such a program actually did exist then to discuss it would mean... I don't think its a discussion to open.
#8
Anonymoose: Overall, this problem "cleaned" most of the South Vietnamese government of enemy agents; however, they could not make the rest honest, honorable, or efficient.
The South Vietnamese lost because they were invaded by a huge North Vietnamese conventional force armed with billions of dollars of newly-made Soviet hardware in 1975, even as Congress refused to provide military hardware to South Vietnam. (It took the Vietnamese government decades to pay the loans back). The problem wasn't that the South Vietnamese officials weren't honest, honorable or efficient - it was that Congress screwed the South Vietnamese people and deliberately abandoned them to the Communists - in the face of multi-billion dollar Soviet arms shipments. Note that the South Vietnamese fought hard - they lost 250,000 men in 15 years, or about 15,000 men a year.
#9
3dc: Ah, You mean this Phoenix Anonymoose? Hmm.. but if such a program actually did exist then to discuss it would mean... I don't think its a discussion to open.
If you believe the liberal media's spin on this, then you should also believe its spin on Iraq. Why bother coming to Rantburg?
On Phoenix: There came a point at which the war was won. The fighting wasnât over, but the war was won. The reason it was won was that the South Vietnamese had achieved the capacity to, with promised American support (similar to the support still being rendered to American allies in West Germany and South Korea), maintain their independence and freedom of action. This was a South Vietnamese achievement.
An extremely important part of that achievement was success in rooting out the enemyâs covert infrastructure in the hamlets and villages of rural South Vietnam. An effective campaign for neutralizing members of that infrastructure, based on better and more timely intelligence and acting on it, was developed. Critics of the war denounced the "Phoenix" program as an assassination campaign, but the reality as with so much in this complex war was otherwise.
For one thing, captives who had knowledge of the enemy infrastructure and its functioning were invaluable intelligence assets. The incentive was to capture them alive and exploit that knowledge. Congressional investigators were sent out to Vietnam to assess the program (in itself a somewhat bizarre thing to undertake in the middle of a war). They found that of some 15,000 members of the Viet Cong infrastructure neutralized during 1968, 15 percent had been killed, 13 percent rallied to the government side, and 72 percent were captured. William Colby testified later that most of those killed, in fact "the vast majority," had been killed in regular combat actions, "as shown by the units reporting who had killed them."
#11
Many people, including some Americans stationed in Vietnam, were critical of South Vietnamese armed forces during this period. But such criticisms seldom took into account a number of factors affecting the performance of those forces. American materiel assistance in these early years consisted largely of providing cast-off World War II American weapons, including the heavy and unwieldy (for a Vietnamese) M-1 rifle. Meanwhile the enemy was being provided the AK-47 assault rifle by his Russian and Chinese patrons. "In 1964 the enemy had introduced the AK47, a modern, highly effective automatic rifle," noted Brigadier General James L. Collins, Jr. in a monograph on development of South Vietnamâs armed forces. "In contrast, the South Vietnam forces were still armed with a variety of World War II weapons_." Then: "After 1965 the increasing U.S. buildup slowly pushed Vietnamese armed forces materiel needs into the background." As a consequence, South Vietnamese units continued to be outgunned by the enemy and thus at a distinct combat disadvantage. General Fred Weyand, finishing up a tour as commanding general of II Field Force, Vietnam, observed in a 1968 debriefing report that "the long delay in furnishing ARVN modern weapons and equipment, at least on a par with that furnished the enemy by Russia and China, has been a major contributing factor to ARVN ineffectiveness."
It was not until General Creighton Abrams came to Vietnam as deputy commander of U.S. forces in May 1967 that the South Vietnamese began to get more attention. Soon after taking up his post Abrams cabled Army Chief of Staff General Harold K. Johnson. "It is quite clear to me," he reported, "that the US Army military here and at home have thought largely in terms of US operations and support of US forces." As a consequence, "shortages of essential equipment or supplies in an already austere authorization has not been handled with the urgency and vigor that characterizes what we do for US needs. Yet the responsibility we bear to ARVN is clear." Abrams acknowledged that "the ground work must begin here. I am working at it."
CW Abrams PHOTOAbrams spent most of his year as the deputy working to upgrade South Vietnamese forces, including providing them the M-16 rifle. By the time of Tet 1968 he had managed to get some of these weapons into the hands of South Vietnamese airborne and other elite units, but the rank and file were still outgunned by the enemy. Thus Lieutenant General Dong Van Khuyen, South Vietnamâs senior logistician, recalled that "during the enemy Tet offensive of 1968 the crisp, rattling sounds of AK-47s echoing in Saigon and some other cities seemed to make a mockery of the weaker, single shots of Garands and carbines fired by stupefied friendly troops."
Even so, South Vietnamese armed forces performed admirably in repelling the Tet offensive. "To the surprise of many Americans and the consternation of the Communists," reported Time magazine, "ARVN bore the brunt of the early fighting with bravery and elan, performing better than almost anyone would have expected." Nobody mentioned that the ARVN had achieved these results without modern weapons that could match those of the enemy.
#12
Thank you, itsy. But I'm afraid the term "Pollyanna" doesn't mean what you think it means. Go read the book -- it's in the Juvenile section of your public library, assuming you are Stateside. If not, it isn't expensive from Amazon.com or others of its ilk. In the meantime, it is possible to make your point without being rude. It's even possible to be snarky without being rude -- that is called wit.
The two countries whose nuclear programs have raised alarms of late may be cooperating more closely than previously known. North Korea agreed six years ago to stop flight-testing longer-range ballistic missiles, which could deliver nuclear or chemical warheads, in exchange for relief from U.S. economic sanctions. Pyongyang still claims it is sticking to the deal, but some Administration officials think it may be cheating by using Iran as its proxy.
Iran's new Shahab-3 medium-range ballistic missile is closely based on North Korea's Nodong missile. After Iran test-fired the Shahab-3 last summer, there have been indications, a top U.S. official says, that Tehran is giving North Korea telemetry and other data from its missile tests and that North Korea is using the data to make improvements in its own missile systems. In exchange, the official says, Pyongyang may be supplying Iran with engineering suggestions for further testing.
Even before the missile firings in August, Under Secretary of State John Bolton had told Congress that Iran's Shahab-3, which has a range of about 800 miles, is "a direct threat to Israel, Turkey [and] U.S. forces in the region." If its research and development program goes unchecked, Bolton warned, Iran could soon have missiles capable of delivering payloads to Western Europe and the U.S. And if that isn't scary enough, CIA director Porter Goss said in congressional testimony last week that North Korea's new, untested Taepo Dong-2 missile "is capable of reaching the United States with a nuclear-weapon-sized payload."
The implications of a North Korea--Iran deal to share and test these missiles are grim. Equally ominous, Goss said, intelligence shows that North Korea is seeking to raise hard currency by peddling its missile technology to new clients beyond Iran. To blunt that effort, U.S. officials say, the CIA and other U.S. agencies are redoubling their efforts to track and intercept North Korean shipments and covert communications about advanced missile technologies.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
02/21/2005 12:56:46 AM ||
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#1
KIM JUNG-IL and MOHAMMAD KHATAMI
Sing a duet at a KARAOKE BAR
"TWO LOST SOULS" From "DAMN YANKEES"
No Alteration necessary
Two lost souls on the highway of life
We ain't even got a sister or brother
Ain't it just great, ain't it just grand?
We've got each other!
Two lost ships on a stormy sea
One with no sails and one with no rudder
Ain't it just great, ain't it just grand?
We've got each udder!
Two lost sheep, in the wilds of the hills
Far from the other Jacks and Jills, we wandered away and went astray
But we ain't fussin'
Cuz we've got "us'n"
We're two lost souls on the highway of life
And there's no one with whom we would ruther
Say, "Ain't it just great, ain't it just grand?"
We've got each other!
Wherever we go, whatever we do
As long as you've got me, and I've got you
We've got each other
#2
And they made fun of Bush's "Axis of Evil" when he first used the phrase.
Sounds to me like several someones are getting really desperate. Question is, will they collapse before they can develop the means to take a good chunk of the planet's population with them?
Posted by: The Doctor ||
02/21/2005 12:29 Comments ||
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#3
Spring is in the air and RantBurgs Community choir director is back in town!
JEDDAH — Former US secretary of state Madeleine Albright yesterday reiterated the US position calling on Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon but said she did not support military intervention because Washington had "enough on the plate."
Who the hell asked you???
"The Americans have said a lot about the independence of Lebanon, and they supported the UN Security Council Resolution (1559) in terms of getting the Syrian forces out of Lebanon," she told AFP here after taking part in the 6th Jeddah Economic Forum.
So you're being paid to make these statements.
But she said she did not think that Washington, whose troops are fighting an insurgency in neigbouring Iraq, should launch a military operation against Syria. "I think we have enough on the plate at the moment," she said.
Speaking to the forum in the Saudi city of Jeddah, Albright said: "Our problem with Syria is that we tried hard (with them) in the negotiations with Israel. It (Syria) helps terrorist organisations, and is occupying Lebanon."
Posted by: Steve White ||
02/21/2005 12:25:12 AM ||
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#1
Who, other than the denizens of CNN, CBS, NYT, and the other handmaidens of the DNC, gives a flying f**k what Madeleine Albright thinks about anything? The woman was an embarrassment and, quite possibly, one of the most ineffectual
Secretaries of State we have ever endured. Her policies toward Iraq, North Korea, and al Quaeda should preclude her from ever commenting on anything in public. The same people who listen to her believe that Martin Sheen is the president. Her only saving grace was that she wasn't as goofy as Donna Shalala.
#2
I see how she makes her living, today: accepting Oil Tick money to posture and pretend she has a constituency - somewhere, heh - and that the evil US had better back off on the pressure thingy. I'm sure there are Kool Aid Krowd charter members who think she's still the SecState - but they're prolly too looney (or stoned) to find their local polling place, heh, or follow ballot instructions.
So, indeed, RWV - Who among the sane gives a rip what she has to say?
#4
You only listen to what you want to hear, don't you?
I met Madline Albright, and she has a very strong personality. I don't think she can be "bought", but that she says whatever she believes to be true.
I never thought I'd say this, but: Give her a break!
#7
I never thought I'd say this, but: Give her a break!
Which bone?
Where does Halfbrite get the idea it is her job to be involved in iterating or reiterating the U. S. position? She should be prosecuted if she returns to the country. She, Jimmah and all the 90's leftovers had their chance, blew it, and left it for W to clean up. They should STFU.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
02/21/2005 8:57 Comments ||
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#10
I met Madline Albright, and she has a very strong personality.
That's not necessarily a good thing. Hitler had a strong personality, too.
I don't think she can be "bought",
Turned down the Saudi Pension you offered her, eh? I'm surprised at that.
but that she says whatever she believes to be true.
As opposed to saying what is actually true. That's another statement that damns with faint praise.
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
02/21/2005 9:25 Comments ||
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#11
Gentle : I met Madline Albright, and she has a very strong personality. I don't think she can be "bought", but that she says whatever she believes to be true.
The sincerest person can be wrong, and when you have the power of the Secretary of State, wrong can be deadly. Hence my Maddy and Kim Photo collection.
#12
When did Democrats get the idea they could go marching around the world, interfering with the current administration's delicate diplomatic negotiating positions? Was it Jesse Jackson and his Third-World Travelling Circus?
Between Carter, Albright, and Kerry, I can't see how the lower levels at Foggy Bottom keep track of which side is up. The next time the Donkey Diplomatic Korps wonders why the electorate won't trust them with the Keys to the Kingdom, somebody please remind them of crap like this, yes?
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
02/21/2005 17:33 Comments ||
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#13
That's not necessarily a good thing. Hitler had a strong personality, too.
Ahh, might want to buy another analogy. Hitler is a hero in the Muslim Middle East.
Posted by: Lil Kim ||
02/21/2005 17:59 Comments ||
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#14
I'd like to see Halfbright and Jimmah marooned on some tiny, Godforsaken Aleutian island for the rest of their natural lives. That would be the only thing (other than killing them) that would keep them from doing any more damage to the United States.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
02/21/2005 18:20 Comments ||
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#15
Madeleine could keep her brooch collection? It seems to've been what mattered most to her.
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/21/2005 18:37 Comments ||
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MADRID — Jordan's King Abdullah believes the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Al Hariri was too sophisticated to have been the work of terrorists, the monarch told Spanish newspaper El Pais."We have to be careful with accusations. What I can say is that because of the sophistication of the attacks, as well as the means used, I don't believe it was a terrorist group," King Abdullah said in an interview published yesterday. He gave no further hints as to who he suspected in the attack.
Should be noted that he hates the Syrians too.
Many Lebanese instinctively blame Syria for the death of Hariri, a wealthy businessman, though Damascus condemned the killing and denied involvement. King Abdullah, who is due to visit Spain tomorrow, also said any efforts to limit a possible nuclear arms programme by Iran would have to be part of a regional effort that would also address any Israeli programme.
And he said antagonism towards the United States in the Arab street had reached dangerous levels and anger was now being directed at the American people and not just US foreign policy. Arab people have long seen as an "injustice" US policy in the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, and the US occupation of Iraq has only aggravated anti-American sentiment. "We are beginning to see, for the first time, that animosity is not being directed at the foreign policy of the American government, but against the American people. And that is very dangerous. That's where our concern over the clash of civilisations comes from," the King said.
Yeah, yeah, blah, blah. Don't you understand that it's the American Street you should be worried about? When we start getting angry, people start dying in large numbers. Think about it.
Posted by: Steve White ||
02/21/2005 12:17:08 AM ||
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#1
Article: And he said antagonism towards the United States in the Arab street had reached dangerous levels and anger was now being directed at the American people and not just US foreign policy. Arab people have long seen as an âinjusticeâ US policy in the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, and the US occupation of Iraq has only aggravated anti-American sentiment.
Here's what how an American official could have responded:
And he said antagonism towards the Muslim world in the American street had reached dangerous levels and anger was now being directed at Islam and not just Muslim foreign policy. American people have long seen as an âinjusticeâ Muslim policy in the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, and the 9/11 attacks have only aggravated anti-Muslim sentiment.
#2
Well King Person really you think so? I am pretty sure Jerkoff J. Jihadi didn't do the killin' I think it was a trained agent of a foreign country with lots to lose if their influence in Lebanon were to wane. Unlike you Kingly personage I'll be frank. It was Syria.
I think these âArab streetâ people would be well served to think about the nuclear weapons we do have under the ocean in a neighborhood near them. I as a member of the âAmerican streetâ have had it with their retarded religion cum death cult. So much that I would at this point not be against lighting a miniature sun in some Arab urban area as a demonstration of how little what they think matters in the 21century.
#3
Most Arabs genuinely like Americans (the years I was there) it's just the urban 'elites', schooled in the west..their just like our MSM assholes who rag 24/7/365 about regular Americans and GW Bush.
BTW from Morocco to Egypt in the desert (Sahara), every person I or we ever met would offer us shelter, food and water/tea!..They do this for anyone...salt of the earth!
Posted by: Syria govt. did it ||
02/21/2005 2:49 Comments ||
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#4
SGDI - I was always amused when, pre 9/11, they would say they loved Americans, but hated the American Govt. Coming from Thug, Klepto, KingyThingys, and Mullahcracies they forget how America works... I would remind them that WE are the Govt. We elect, we choose, those people whom they claim they hate - and the reason they got our vote? Well, because they said they believe and want what we believe and want. They're us. Real conversation stopper, heh.
#5
Headline: Hariri killing too sophisticated to be terrorists, says King Abdullah
But of course - Allah himself reached out and struck Hariri down. All that explosive residue - well, you know what they say about Allah working in mysterious ways.
#8
.com is quite right: We take our government as being us quite seriously.
I once told the Iranian Students while I was at Graduate school to stop referring to the United States Government in their railing against the Shah, because the American people (who they said, to me, were good people) would take it personally. Instead, I advised them to talk about the Damn American POLITICIANS and CAREER BUREAUCRATS f*cking up international relations in the AMERICAN PEOPLE'S Name. We may identify with our government and our army, but are quite ready to believe in rogue congresscritters or state department bureaucrats screwing up our good name the world over. They never took my advice, which only shows how incomprehensible American Jacksonians seem to be to everyone else in the world (especially the Aris'es thereof, who think themselves as being cleverer than they really are).
OBL's biggest mistake was making the intellectual and theological jump away from pushing the standard line that the American people are okay, but the elections are rigged to present only bad/evil people as their leaders, to the one where he said that the American people are to blame and deserve total war to be waged upon them (but it is NOT okay to wage total war upon the Islamic peoples because their governments are dictatorships and not representative of the people.) The MSM is taking up this line: witness the British paper that moaned about 26+ million Americans being wrong when they voted for Bush.
Forget about Social Security being the Third Rail. We Americans are the Third Rail of the World, in more ways than they can imagine, even if the majority of our fellow Americans do not see it.
They will be in even deeper shit when our fellow Americans DO see it.
#9
Syria govt. did it, when I lived in Germany, I was frequently complemented as not being at all like an American, which the complementer would then proceed to tell me all about. You have to be careful about those who like you -- that is no indication of their opinion of Americans in general. And I have no doubt that your Arab interlocutors were much politer than my Germans -- Germans are fond of proving their intelligence by trotting out their book learning. A friend thought I was possibly a genius because I mentioned that Einstein wrote a specific as well as general theory of relativity (granted, he had a degree in mathematics, and could prove both, so he may have assumed the same of me. Silly of him, but there it is. ;-) ).
#13
âWe are beginning to see, for the first time, that animosity is not being directed at the foreign policy of the American government, but against the American people."
What's this "we", king dude? Been hangin' with the commoners again? Shut up and schedule an election.
Posted by: Matt ||
02/21/2005 13:19 Comments ||
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#14
I can work up a proposal with our friends at the pentagon to repave the angry Muslim street. Typically we use 1-1/2" to 2" asphalt. But if ashes and dust are all that's available it works for me....
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/21/2005 13:48 Comments ||
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#15
Fused sand makes good bricks, Frank G. There are lots of streets in the world made of bricks. Just start fusing some sand...
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
02/21/2005 18:26 Comments ||
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#16
:-) and as .com sez, we can always drill for oil through the massive sheet of glass
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/21/2005 18:39 Comments ||
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#17
I recall many of his persuasion claiming that the destruction of the World Trade Center was too sophisticated for Arabs to have carried out ...
Peyamner reported Saturday that a member of the "American Security" informed them that Osama bin Laden is currently under guard in the Baluchistan region of SE Iran.
According to this source, he was captured three weeks ago while attempting to cross into Iran from the Vaziristan province of Pakistan. The Vaziris had begun to consider bin Laden's presence among them a burden after recent strikes against them by the Pakistan national army.
The source asserts that the Iranians are holding bin Laden as a potential barganing chip in its current talks with the US and Europeans.
Thanks to Medya for translating this for me.
According to Medya, bin Laden might have believed that he would receive safe haven in Baluchistan since the Baluch's are Sunni Muslims like him. They might have expected him to be as hostile to the Iranian Shi'a leadership as they are.
[UPDATE]
The Iranian goverment is denying that they have arrested bin Laden. "This information is wrong and bin Laden has not been arrested by our security forces," government spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh said at a weekly press briefing.
The canning departure of CNN news executive Eason Jordan heh came swiftly after reports of his apparent claim at a forum in Switzerland that journalists in Iraq had been deliberately killed by American soldiers. Offering no evidence to support the charge, Jordan resigned under a hail of criticism.
In just months, CBS ousted senior executives held responsible for airing a disastrously flawed segment on President Bush's Air National Guard service. So, too, the New York Times and USA Today acted within months against serial falsifiers Jayson Blair and Jack Kelley, firing senior executives as well as the individual perpetrators, and instituting measures to guard against future infractions.
Far different has been the response of the influential France 2 Television network, in an infamous and unresolved case of gross misconduct by its journalists. Charles Enderlin, Israel-based correspondent for the network, and his Palestinian cameraman, Talal Abu-Rahma, are directly responsible for the calumny spread worldwide against Israel starting September 30, 2000 in the Muhammad al-Dura affair.
Enderlin's voice-over told France 2 viewers that they were seeing footage shot by Abu-Rahma at Gaza's Netzarim junction earlier that day. As images unfolded of 12-year-old Muhammad al-Dura cowering against his father, Enderlin stated the two are "the target of fire coming from the Israeli position. The child signals, but... there's a new burst of gunfire... The child is dead and the father is wounded."
France 2 then promptly gave the video — barely 55 seconds in length — free of charge to other media outlets. The image of the boy ostensibly shot dead by Israeli guns raced around the world.
Coming as it did in the first days of the Palestinian uprising, the dramatic scenes playing continuously on television stoked the violence.
In Arab nations, al-Dura was quickly mythologized as an emblem of alleged Israeli cruelty, with streets, parks, stamps and newborns named after him. Videos recreated the event, some with calls for young people to seek raisins, oops, virginians "martyrdom" and paradise with al-Dura.
Not everything is known about the chaotic events at Netzarim and the circumstances of the al-Dura case, but certain things are.
First, the footage contains no evidence at all that Israeli soldiers shot al-Dura. Neither in the 55 seconds broadcast around the globe nor in the 27 remaining minutes filmed by Abu-Rahma are there any soldiers in view. It is not logistically possible that the Israeli soldiers present that day, barricaded inside a building across the intersection, could have shot the boy and his father, huddled behind a concrete barrel blocking the line of fire. As James Fallows wrote in an investigation of the case for The Atlantic Monthly (June 2003): "Whatever happened to him, he was not shot by the Israeli soldiers..."
A recent column in the French newspaper Le Figaro (January 25, 2005) reiterated this, and emphasized what others have said - that a review of the terrain where the incident occurred incriminates Palestinian, not Israeli, bullets.
Second, the footage does not contain visual evidence that al-Dura died. Though he collapses, the tape ends abruptly with the boy inert; a further frame, omitted by Enderlin from the broadcast, shows al-Dura raising his head and arm. But this is the last image.
To explain the odd, truncated footage, Enderlin repeatedly claimed he omitted the "agony of the child" - his dying - because it was unbearable to witness.
However, when several French journalists prevailed on France 2 to let them view the unreleased 27 minutes, they found no "agony of the child" - no excruciating scenes of a suffering al-Dura.
Enderlin lied, and his lie heightened the sense of a brutal act committed by Israel.
Third, numerous analysts have noted that in footage taken of the crowds at Netzarim there are clearly instances of Palestinians staging events. The French journalists who viewed the France 2 footage saw this as well, including repeated instances of Palestinians faking injuries followed by the immediate arrival of ambulances to carry away the pseudo-wounded. While no video evidence proved the al-Dura incident was staged, the prevalence of such activity at the time is relevant to any inquiry.
Enderlin has replied to criticism by retorting the case may never be resolved, but for him the "image [as he conveyed it] corresponded to the reality of the situation."
Enderlin states that in his view Israel was using excessive force against Palestinians, and clearly in his mind a journalist can distort and embellish the facts to fit his political opinions.
Four and a half years later, France 2 has yet to issue any statement correcting its reprehensible and unethical al-Dura story, or to take action against Enderlin, Abu-Rahma or others with a hand in the matter.
This should concern everyone who appreciates the enormous damage caused by reckless and ideologically-driven journalism.
Other than the couple hundred thousand that Sammy whacked and tossed into mass graves, they mean.
LONDON, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Nearly two years after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, women there are no better off than under the rule of ousted dictator Saddam Hussein, the human rights group Amnesty International said on Tuesday. In a report entitled "Iraq -- Decades of Suffering," it said that while the systematic repression under Saddam had ended, ...
Oh yeah, that.
... it had been replaced by increased murders, and sexual abuse -- including by U.S. forces.
First hundred words and there it is, evil US forces.
Washington promised that the overthrow of Saddam would free the Iraqi people from years of oppression and set them on the road to democracy. But Amnesty said post-war insecurity had left women at risk of violence and curtailed their freedoms. "The lawlessness and increased killings, abductions and rapes that followed the overthrow of the government of Saddam Hussein have restricted women's freedom of movement and their ability to go to school or to work," Amnesty said.
Not that that corresponds to reality, but keep going.
"Women have been subjected to sexual threats by members of the U.S.-led forces and some women detained by U.S. forces have been sexually abused, possibly raped," it added.
How 'bout turning over any evidence you have on that to the Judge Advocate General? They'll know what to do with it.
Amnesty said several women detained by U.S. troops had spoken in interviews with them of beatings, threats of rape, humiliating treatment and long periods of solitary confinement.
Several.
The Pentagon said it had not seen the report, but took any allegations of detainee abuse seriously. "We have demonstrated our commitment to ensuring that kind of behaviour is identified and dealt with properly," spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Joe Richard said in Washington. "With this report, we would like the opportunity to review it and to test the validity of the allegations."
Exactly the right response.
Amnesty said women's rights activists and political leaders had also been targeted by armed insurgent groups.
And who might those "armed insurgent groups" be? Any possible clue here that the US is trying to protect wimmin by killing Ba'athists and jihadis?
Women continued to suffer legal discrimination under laws that granted husbands effective impunity to beat their wives and treated so-called "honour" killers leniently, the group said. "Within their own communities, many women and girls remain at risk of death from male relatives if they are accused of behaviour held to have brought dishonour on the family," Amnesty said, noting some attempts by religious zealots to make the laws even more repressive against women.
Sorta like the whole of the Middle East.
Here's the complaint in a nutshell -- it isn't perfect in Iraq today, therefore it's all wrong and we should never had invaded.
But on the positive side, the report said several women's rights groups had been formed -- including ones that focused on the protection of women from violence.
A committee! Awright! Send for the UN!
Amnesty called on the Iraqi authorities and newly elected members of the National Assembly to enshrine the rights of women in the new constitution. This included treating honour killings as murder, outlawing violence within marriage and making sure that the punishment was commensurate with the crime committed.
But even if they do, life still won't be perfect and therefore it was all wrong to remove Sammy, ya know?
Posted by: Steve White ||
02/21/2005 3:21:16 PM ||
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Interesting, the report is not available on the AI site.
Also interesting is that the index of articles by country for Iraq shows AI report volume by year of:
None of the reports before 2003 concerned women. It doesn't appear AI knows much about the rights of women under Saddam or chose to hide what it knew. Perhaps Eason Jordan could find his next job at AI.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
02/21/2005 15:52 Comments ||
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#2
Brilliant work, Mrs D.
It reminds me of that great Den Beste post about the drunk and the street light.
Amnesty International person was lurking around, one of our pilots was given a target where suspected unreformed Ba'athists were hanging out, and the A.I. person ended up flat as Rachael Corrie...
Therefore we were accused of targeting "Journalists"
#5
Thats is those women who, because they belonged to the Baas, weren't in danger of being raped or have their children tortured in front of them are not better than under Saddam
#6
AI is poop. I met a gal from Baghdad shortly after the US takeover and have been keeping in touch with her regularly. She spent her Saddham years in hiding, but has working full-time since things calmed down, and has never been happier in her life. Of course, she is unmarried and educated ... maybe AI is just interested in unhappily married uneducated women.
The leader of an Islamic party who is expected to be named Iraq's new prime minister in the next few days has urged Tony Blair not to pull out British troops. Ibrahim al-Jaafari, who would be the first Shia to be in charge of the Iraqi government, confounded his critics by saying that his country could not maintain order without the help of foreign soldiers. "Iraq's security services need more personnel, training and equipment," he said yesterday. "We need their presence for a certain time till we can depend on ourselves 100 per cent. "There are many people still working for Saddam Hussein, terrorists from outside, and there is still the 'mafia'. Blood is spilled. How would it be if the troops left?"
Dr Jaafari, 58, the present interim vice-president, has emerged as the frontrunner to be premier after weeks of negotiations within the United Iraqi Alliance, the Shia list that received 48 per cent of the vote in the Jan 30 elections and a narrow majority of seats. The alliance is expected to appoint him as early as tomorrow. The physician, who lived in London for the past 20 years, heads the Da'wa Party, the oldest Islamic political party in Iraq, with close ties to Iran. It was founded with the goal of turning Iraq into a religious state based on Islamic law. In 2003 Dr Jaafari was insisting all foreign troops had to leave Iraq within a year.
But yesterday he said that if elected premier he would be guided by pragmatism not ideology. "Not all Iraqis are Muslim, not all Muslims are Shia and not all Shia are Islamic," he said. "You have to take into consideration the characteristics of a country and we are very different from Iran." He insists his "Sunni brothers" - including former members of the Ba'ath party - would be included in bodies drafting the new constitution as long as they had not been involved in violence.
Members may be appointed to make up for their lack of representation in parliament resulting from the Sunni boycott of the election. Though Islam would be the official religion of the state it would not be the only source of the constitution, he said. Dr Jaafari is widely respected, even among moderate Sunnis, and is one of Iraq's most recognised politicians. He fled Iraq in 1980 when Saddam began a crackdown on internal opposition. He went first to Iran and later to Britain, where his family home is still in Wembley, north London, and worked as a GP.
Posted by: Bulldog ||
02/21/2005 5:08:07 AM ||
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Has the tiniest glimmer of reality peeked into his previous typically Arab (read: wildly exaggerated and scatterbrained) comments?
Lol! Breathtaking! I offer a massive F**kin' Duh! for the man! It's a little different when it gets real (read: your ass is on the line), eh, Dr?
The secret meeting is taking place in the bowels of a facility in Baghdad, a cavernous, heavily guarded building in the U.S.-controlled green zone. The Iraqi negotiator, a middle-aged former member of Saddam Hussein's regime and the senior representative of the self-described nationalist insurgency, sits on one side of the table.
He is here to talk to two members of the U.S. military. One of them, an officer, takes notes during the meeting. The other, dressed in civilian clothes, listens as the Iraqi outlines a list of demands the U.S. must satisfy before the insurgents stop fighting. The parties trade boilerplate complaints: the U.S. officer presses the Iraqi for names of other insurgent leaders; the Iraqi says the newly elected Shi'a-dominated government is being controlled by Iran. The discussion does not go beyond generalities, but both sides know what's behind the coded language.
The Iraqi's very presence conveys a message: Members of the insurgency are open to negotiating an end to their struggle with the U.S. "We are ready," he says before leaving, "to work with you."
In that guarded pledge may lie the first sign that after nearly two years of fighting, parts of the insurgency in Iraq are prepared to talk and move toward putting away their arms—and the U.S. is willing to listen. An account of the secret meeting between the senior insurgent negotiator and the U.S. military officials was provided to TIME by the insurgent negotiator. He says two such meetings have taken place. While U.S. officials would not confirm the details of any specific meetings, sources in Washington told TIME that for the first time the U.S. is in direct contact with members of the Sunni insurgency, including former members of Saddam's Baathist regime.
Pentagon officials say the secret contacts with insurgent leaders are being conducted mainly by U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers. A Western observer close to the discussions says that "there is no authorized dialogue with the insurgents" but that the U.S. has joined "back-channel" communications with rebels. Says the observer: "There's a lot bubbling under the surface today."
Over the course of the war in Iraq, as the anti-U.S. resistance has grown in size and intensity, Administration officials have been steadfast in their refusal to negotiate with enemy fighters. But in recent months, the persistence of the fighting and signs of division in the ranks of the insurgency have prompted some U.S. officials to seek a political solution. And Pentagon and intelligence officials hope the high voter turnout in last month's election will deflate the morale of the insurgents and persuade more of them to come in from the cold.
Hard-line islamist fighters like Abu Mousab al-Zarqawi's al-Qaeda group will not compromise in their campaign to create an Islamic state. But in interviews with TIME, senior Iraqi insurgent commanders said several "nationalist" rebel groups—composed predominantly of ex-military officers and what the Pentagon dubs "former regime elements"—have moved toward a strategy of "fight and negotiate." Although they have no immediate plans to halt attacks on U.S. troops, they say their aim is to establish a political identity that can represent disenfranchised Sunnis and eventually negotiate an end to the U.S. military's offensive in the Sunni triangle. Their model is Sinn Fein, the political wing of the Irish Republican Army, which ultimately earned the I.R.A. a role in the Northern Ireland peace process. "That's what we're working for, to have a political face appear from the battlefield, to unify the groups, to resist the aggressor and put our views to the people," says a battle commander in the upper tiers of the insurgency who asked to be identified by his nom de guerre, Abu Marwan. Another negotiator, called Abu Mohammed, told TIME, "Despite what has happened, the possibility for negotiation is still open."
But can such talks succeed? A senior official in the U.S. embassy in Baghdad says the nationalist insurgents "want to cut a deal, thinking we get ours and they get theirs." Any deal with the insurgents would be up to the new government, but embassy officials say they believe that reaching an accord should be the new government's top priority.
Behind the scenes, the U.S. is encouraging Sunni leaders and the insurgents to talk with the government. A tougher job may be to convince the leaders of political parties about to assume power—many of whom were brutalized by Baathists now coordinating the insurgency—that it's in their interests to reach a peaceful settlement with their former tormentors. In the U.S. command, there is increasing skepticism that the insurgency can be defeated through military might alone. Says a senior U.S. officer: "The Iraqis are the solution to the insurgency, and they are the solution to our departure."
Insurgent sources say both sides have been feeling each other out for months. Some of the earliest advances were made last year through Jordanian intelligence officers, but insurgents balked at the idea of meeting in Jordan. U.S. diplomats also initiated contact with conservative Sunnis known to have influence with the insurgents, such as Harith al-Dhari, the head of the Association of Muslim Scholars.
Insurgent sources say that last summer a loose amalgam of nationalist groups—Mohammed's Army, al-Nasser al-Saladin, the 1920 Revolution Brigades and perhaps even the Islamic Army of Iraq—met to discuss forging a common political platform.
Meanwhile, some Americans showed openness to a dialogue. In meetings with Sunni tribal leaders, Lieut. Colonel Rick Welch, the senior special-operations civil-military affairs adviser to the commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division in Baghdad, put word out that the military was willing to talk to hard-liners about their grievances and that, as Welch says, "the door is not closed, except for some very top regime guys." Welch, a reservist and prosecutor from Morgan County, Ohio, told TIME, "I don't meet all the insurgent leaders, but I've met some of them." Although not an authorized negotiator, Welch has become a back channel in the nascent U.S. dialogue with the insurgents. Insurgent negotiators confirm to TIME that they have met with Welch.
What do the insurgents want? Top insurgent field commanders and negotiators informed TIME that the rebels have told diplomats and military officers that they support a secular democracy in Iraq but resent the prospect of a government run by exiles who fled to Iran and the West during Saddam's regime. The insurgents also seek a guaranteed timetable for U.S. troop withdrawal, a demand the U.S. refuses. But there are some hints of compromise: insurgent negotiators have told their U.S. counterparts they would accept a U.N. peacekeeping force as the U.S. troop presence recedes. Insurgent representative Abu Mohammed says the nationalists would even tolerate U.S. bases on Iraqi soil. "We don't mind if the invader becomes a guest," he says, suggesting a situation akin to the U.S. military presence in Germany and Japan.
As promising as such proffers might sound, it's far too early for optimism. The new U.S. policy of engagement is aimed at driving a wedge between nationalist insurgents and the jihadists. But al-Zarqawi and his allies have silenced nationalists by threatening to kill them if they negotiate. The Western observer close to the discussions says, "Al-Zarqawi keeps pulling the process away from 'fight and negotiate' to 'pure mayhem.'"
The engagement strategy faces another obstacle: the new Iraqi government. Leaders of the victorious political parties say they have no interest in continuing dialogue with the insurgents. "The voters gave us a mandate to attack these insurgents, not negotiate with them," says Humam Bakr Hammoudi, a political strategist for the dominant sciri party. U.S. negotiators say they believe the new government will eventually realize that only a political settlement will subdue the insurgency—which may soon direct its wrath at the new Iraqi rulers if it believes its interests are being ignored.
While some in the Bush Administration might find the idea of backing an accord with archenemy Baathists distasteful, the Western observer says, "I think you've got a pretty flexible [U.S.] government." Now it's up to the others to follow.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
02/21/2005 1:08:31 AM ||
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Article: Although they have no immediate plans to halt attacks on U.S. troops, they say their aim is to establish a political identity that can represent disenfranchised Sunnis and eventually negotiate an end to the U.S. militaryâs offensive in the Sunni triangle. Their model is Sinn Fein, the political wing of the Irish Republican Army, which ultimately earned the I.R.A. a role in the Northern Ireland peace process. "Thatâs what weâre working for, to have a political face appear from the battlefield, to unify the groups, to resist the aggressor and put our views to the people," says a battle commander in the upper tiers of the insurgency who asked to be identified by his nom de guerre, Abu Marwan. Another negotiator, called Abu Mohammed, told TIME, "Despite what has happened, the possibility for negotiation is still open."
IRA-style negotiations work when you're doing IRA-style attacks. IRA-style negotiations in conjunction with mass casualty attacks? These guys are dreaming, and soon they'll be resting - in freshly-dug graves.
#4
What do the insurgents want? Top insurgent field commanders and negotiators informed TIME that the rebels have told diplomats and military officers that they support a secular democracy in Iraq but resent the prospect of a government run by exiles who fled to Iran and the West during Saddamâs regime. The insurgents also seek a guaranteed timetable for U.S. troop withdrawal, a demand the U.S. refuses. But there are some hints of compromise: insurgent negotiators have told their U.S. counterparts they would accept a U.N. peacekeeping force as the U.S. troop presence recedes. Insurgent representative Abu Mohammed says the nationalists would even tolerate U.S. bases on Iraqi soil. "We donât mind if the invader becomes a guest," he says, suggesting a situation akin to the U.S. military presence in Germany and Japan.
#5
2b...I would go further and say if Time prints it never count on it! Their record of fact and prognostication is an infinitesimally smaller percentage than random.
#6
2b: Insurgent representative Abu Mohammed says the nationalists would even tolerate U.S. bases on Iraqi soil. "We donât mind if the invader becomes a guest," he says, suggesting a situation akin to the U.S. military presence in Germany and Japan.
This isn't the Sunnis being broad-minded - it means they've accepted that they're not going to win even if American forces pull out. It's a major psychological milestone for the Sunni community.
Now that Sunnis have accepted inevitable defeat, with or without GI's, I think they are finally starting to figure out that having American troops on Iraqi soil is the Sunni community's best insurance policy against mass reprisals by the Shiites or the Kurds. Having understood the inevitability of Iraq's demographics, Sunnis are starting to come to the same conclusion that led to their forebears siding with the Brits during the 1920's. If the Sunnis work it right, I predict that they could become our new best friends in the years ahead. If the Japanese and the Germans could become reconciled to their new American friends after their cities were burned to the ground, the Sunnis can become reconciled to American forces after the comparatively soft peace they've gone through.
#7
That's a good point about the willingness to "tolerate bases" but I'm not so sure that they will become our new best friends. Germans and Japanese didn't indiscriminately kill their own citizens or cut their own services.
The Sunni's aren't "the Germans", they are the Nazis.
#8
2b: That's a good point about the willingness to "tolerate bases" but I'm not so sure that they will become our new best friends. Germans and Japanese didn't indiscriminately kill their own citizens or cut their own services.
There were a few million hard-core fascists in Germany and Japan supported passively by tens of millions of the population. At war's end, there might have been tens of thousands of them left. Note that both regimes practised the same kind of thing that Saddam did - opponents were tortured to death or assassinated. The reason they did not revolt en masse was because they were tired of war - too many of their men had been killed, and too many of their cities had been burned to the ground. Overall, the Japanese and the Germans were far more vicious than Iraq's Sunnis. There is simply no comparison.
And to talk about Iraqis Sunnis killing their own citizens is to misunderstand what Iraq is all about. You can talk about Germans killing their own citizens, or Japanese killing their own citizens - these nations had a well-developed sense of nationhood as of WWII. But Iraq is the accidental nation - the land of the three tribes - Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites. When Sunnis kill Shiites, they don't think they are killing their own people (and vice-versa). As to the Sunni habit of killing collaborators, the Nazis and the Japanese executed suspected traitors with great cruelty.
#9
But Iraq is the accidental nation - the land of the three tribes - Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites. When Sunnis kill Shiites, they don't think they are killing their own people (and vice-versa).
interesting point. And the Sunni's are educated making it possible for many of the Sunni people to work with the US. But I suspect they will be more like the French - unable to cope with the loss of their own sense of greatness and squander opportunities to achieve real but moderate gains. Like a gambler having lost big - trying to win it all back in increasingly risky bets...but ever spiralling downward believing the next roll will be the one - because it just can't be that he's lost so much.
Maybe not, but one difference I see that makes it almost impossible to predict what will happen in the "Arab" world is their lack of honor as compared to Western or Japanese civilization. Words, truces, deals are virtually meaningless. "Deals" are meant to secure something today..right now. You give me something, I'll give you something. The West doesn't seem to understand the mindset that when they secure a deal with promises - that's the deal....you got words in exchange for whatever it was that they got.
The reason I bring this up is that unlike Japan or Germany, that do have a culture of honor...or whatever word you want to use to describe the concept of honoring "deals" for the long term consequence of being able to secure additonal "deals" in the future based on trust - the Arab world seems incapable of understanding the benefits of honoring agreements as a bargaining chip for future negotiations.
Ok...I'm getting too deep into this, but my point is that I just don't think you can look at Germany or Japan and predict outcomes in the Arab world.
#10
2b: The reason I bring this up is that unlike Japan or Germany, that do have a culture of honor...or whatever word you want to use to describe the concept of honoring "deals" for the long term consequence of being able to secure additonal "deals" in the future based on trust - the Arab world seems incapable of understanding the benefits of honoring agreements as a bargaining chip for future negotiations.
The Japanese and the Germans broke deals all the time. They conquered one region after another in this way - signing non-aggression treaties that they broke one after another. They stopped breaking deals after we stopped making deals with them - accepting nothing but unconditional surrender - butchering their armies and burning their cities to cinders.
They had no choice about submitting - their alternative was for us to turn both countries over to the Russians. We killed between 5% and 10% of their populations before we got their submission. We flattened their cities. Think of Iraqi with 2 million dead, 80% of the housing wrecked and most of the population starving. An war-weary, impoverished and hungry population is a meek population - just ask some of the most ruthless and despicable opponents on the face of the planet - the Germans and the Japanese. What we're seeing in Iraq has nothing to do with honor - we simply did not kill enough Iraqis or inflict enough destruction.
#11
There is a difference between the tryrants that create wars of aggression and ordinary people who, sans the tyrant would happily operate within an honest society. A tyrant is a tyrant - evil by nature.
In most western societies and in Japan, business and governments can and do run on trust. Just like e-bay. The majority of the people are honest.
But it seems to me that it simply isn't so with the people we are dealing with in these countries. A hudna? Completely meaningless. While it's true that in other wars, agreements were broken, a cease-fire generally meant something.
The the orginal point was that you said that the Sunni's might become our best friends. I seem them about as useful of friends as the Turks. Don't turn your back or take your hand off your wallet. Maybe we are just arguing over the meaning of the word, "friends". Can they possibly useful to us in the future..perhaps. Friends - never.
#13
And one last point - I don't mean to demean all Turks, Sunni's etc. etc. There are many, many, good honest people there.
But there is a distinct cultural difference in terms of the binding nature of a "deal". Lying is much more accepted and lacks the shame or embarrassment it brings in western societies. Their culture is based on a buyer beware mentality. All agreements are are subject to change, if possible. It's to be expected.
#14
2b: The the orginal point was that you said that the Sunni's might become our best friends.
I was using the phrase "our new best friends" as an ironic turn of phrase - in the sense that they are going to come groveling to us as if we had been good friends all along and that all the bad blood from them having sent over a thousand of our boys home in body bags is ancient history. Not because they like us - but because they know they're beaten and fear what comes afterwards - if Uncle Sam leaves.
#16
2b: But it seems to me that it simply isn't so with the people we are dealing with in these countries. A hudna? Completely meaningless. While it's true that in other wars, agreements were broken, a cease-fire generally meant something.
Hudnas only work with Westerners. The Shiites or Kurds aren't going to fall for a hudna - Middle Easterners play for keeps - they have the mass graves to show for it. Uncle Sam is the prison guard - the Sunnis are the fresh-faced skinny new kid on the prison block - fresh meat for the Shiites and the Kurds. Once the Sunnis figure out that they have lost, I think they're are going to be acting real clingy with Uncle Sam.
#17
I agree. You make a good point about that list of demands. Lots of bluster to save face, but the last one, "tolerating bases" may be their idea of a kiss blown our way.
#23
The thing the Arabs need to remember is that we're always nastier the second time around - just look at Germany. It's not a good idea to treat us in a way that would make us WANT to come back a second time. Unfortunately, I don't think there are enough Arabs intelligent enough to understand that.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
02/21/2005 18:08 Comments ||
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Controversial Iraqi politician Ahmed Chalabi says he believes he has the votes to become the war-torn country's new prime minister.
Mr Chalabi, once supported by the United States only to fall from favour, is part of the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) list that won 140 seats of the 275-member national assembly in the January 30 elections.
"I believe I have a majority of the [UIA] votes on my side right now" to become the new government's prime minister, Mr Chalabi told United States ABC television.
However, the former exile remained cautious, saying the choice of premier "will be decided by the parliamentary bloc", which he did not want to "second guess".
On Tuesday, sources in the Shiite coalition said it had chosen interim vice president and Dawa party leader Ibrahim Jaafari as its candidate for prime minister.
Mr Chalabi said he was ready to cooperate if he were not picked to lead the government.
"We want to change the way Iraq is governed," he said.
"It will no longer be the government of a leader with everybody else not counting very much.
"We want to have a cabinet form of executive authority in Iraq and I am perfectly willing to cooperate, as indeed are my other friends and colleagues who are competing for the job of prime minister, with any prime minister that will come out for the service of ... the country."
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
02/21/2005 12:55:30 AM ||
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This Fellow has said quite a bit very little has come true. He doesn't seem to deliver everything he says he can. I am thinking they will pick someone else.
#2
Does anyone else think that his "falling out of favor with the US" was about as stage managed as a production of 'Cats'? This guy has proven to be as smooth as silk, definitely a serious contender to be the first president of Iraq. Cutting the cord with the US shows the Iraqis that he's not a puppet, even if he knows the advice the US is giving him is the best, and follows it to a 't'.
Four former Taliban officials, led by a former U.N. envoy, said on Sunday they had had successful reconciliation talks with the U.S.-back Afghan government. The Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news agency said the former Taliban officials returned to Pakistan on Saturday after a two-week visit to Kabul during which they met President Hamid Karzai. The agency quoted their leader, Abdul Hakim Mujahid, the former Taliban ambassador to the United Nations, as saying the talks aimed at "national unity, understanding and peace" had been successful. "We have reached an understanding," he said, without elaborating.
Khaliq Ahmad, a spokesman for Karzai, confirmed talks had taken place. "The reconciliation process is going on well and progress is being made," he said, but declined to give details. Mujahid stressed his group had not represented the Taliban but Khudam-ul Furqan (Servants of the Koran), a group some moderate Taliban members joined after the overthrow of the fundamentalists by U.S.-led forces in late 2001. Mujahid said talks with the Afghan government had been going on for the past two years and as well as meeting Karzai, the delegation met other Afghan leaders and elders. The other members of the delegation were Arsullah Rahmani, a former deputy minister of higher education, Rahmatullah Wahidyar, former deputy minister for refugees, and Habibullah Fawzi, former charge d'affaires at the Afghan embassy in Saudi Arabia.
A year ago, Karzai said he was considering talks with a former Taliban foreign minister, Wakil Ahmad Muttawakil, in a bid to woo moderate Taliban supporters, but no details have emerged of any such meeting. Last week, U.S. ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said some senior Taliban members had taken up a government amnesty offer and Wednesday's Washington Post quoted a Western official as identifying them as the group led by Mujahid. None of Mujahid's group is known as a senior figure in the Taliban guerrilla campaign waged since 2001 against the government and a now 18,000-strong U.S.-led foreign force.
The Post also said 22 low-level Taliban members had agreed to lay down their arms in response to the amnesty offer made last year to Taliban figures not among the up to 150 blamed for atrocities during the group's rule, or linked with al Qaeda. Taliban guerrilla officials have dismissed talk of reconciliation and have vowed to continue their jihad, or holy war, again Karzai's government and foreign forces.
This article starring:
ABDUL HAKIM MUJAHID
Khudam-ul Furqan
ABDUL HAKIM MUJAHID
Taliban
ARSULLAH RAHMANI
Khudam-ul Furqan
HABIBULLAH FAWZI
Khudam-ul Furqan
Khaliq Ahmad
RAHMATULLAH WAHIDYAR
Khudam-ul Furqan
WAKIL AHMED MUTTAWAKIL
Taliban
Khudam-ul Furqan
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
02/21/2005 12:28:02 AM ||
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Al Qaeda's deputy leader said in a videotape broadcast that governments could not stop its attacks and that the security of the West depended on respect for Islam and an end to aggression against Muslims. The leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, also said that the "new crusader campaign" would end in defeat. The tape was broadcast by the Arab television network Al Jazeera on Sunday, but it was not clear when it was made. Mr. Zawahiri said he was speaking three years after the first prisoners were taken from Afghanistan to the United States Naval base at Guantänamo Bay, Cuba. "If you Western nations believe that these cartoon governments will protect you from our responses then you are deluded," he said. "Your real security lies in cooperating with the Muslim nation on the basis of respect and ending aggression."
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
02/21/2005 12:11:10 AM ||
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Al-Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri warned the West it faced defeat in what he termed its "new crusade" against the Islamic world, as well as thousands of dead and economic collapse, in a videotape aired by Al-Jazeera television. "Your new crusade will end, God willing, with the same defeat as its predecessors, but only after you have suffered tens of thousands of dead and the destruction of your economy," Zawahiri said in his message to "the peoples of the West" broadcast by the Qatar-based satellite channel.
In his message, which he said was to mark the third anniversary of the internment of Islamists at the US military base of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Zawahiri also hit out at US plans for reform in the Arab and Islamic worlds. The US prison camp at Guantanamo "exposes the reality of the reform and democracy that the United States claims to be trying to establish in our countries", said the voice attributed to Zawahiri but whose authenticity could not immediately be verified. He said that reform proposed by Washington would be based on the US prison camps in Cuba and in Afghanistan, as well as the Iraqi prison of Abu Ghraib, where US troops' abuse of Iraqi prisoners shocked the world. It would also be based on "bombardments with fragmentation bombs and missiles, and on the installation of people like (Afghan President Hamid) Karzai and (outgoing Iraqi prime minister Iyad) Allawi," he added. "If you, people of the West, think that these cardboard governments are going to keep you safe from our reaction, you are mistaken," said the Al-Qaeda number two, who appeared in good health and spoke with an automatic weapon at each side of him.
Zawahiri, hunted by the US and believed to be hiding on the Pakistani-Afghan border, warned the West: "Your real safety lies in treating the Muslim nation on the basis of respect and ceasing aggression (against it)." The United States is currently holding hundreds of detainees from more than 20 countries in Guantanamo Bay. Most were captured in Afghanistan in autumn 2001, suspected of supporting the Taliban rulers of the country or Al-Qaeda. It was the Islamic militant leader's second message in 10 days, an audiotape having been aired by the same Qatar-based channel on February 10. That voice recording hit out at the US concept of freedom, charging that it was a cloak for spreading corruption and injustice in the Islamic world.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
02/21/2005 12:02:34 AM ||
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#1
Iraqi prison of Abu Ghraib, where US troopsâ abuse of Iraqi prisoners shocked the world One of the problems the jihadis have is they see the West through the lens of the MSM and don't understand how it distorts.
#2
My, my, whatever happened to the new caliphate and an offensive against the west, you pathetic psycho? Beg for mercy all you want, nutjob, we're hunting you and your loser ilk down and won't stop til we're done. Guess this idiot never got out much. He's trying to impress the Third World with the horrors of US prison facilities? Hilarious.
U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers are conducting secret talks with Iraq's Sunni insurgents on ways to end fighting there, Time magazine reported yesterday, citing Pentagon and other sources.
The Bush administration has said it would not negotiate with Iraqi fighters and there is no authorized dialogue, but the United States is having "back-channel" communications with certain insurgents, unidentified Washington and Iraqi sources told the magazine.
The magazine cited a secret meeting between two members of the U.S. military and an Iraqi negotiator, a former member of Saddam Hussein's government and the senior representative of what he called the nationalist insurgency.
A U.S. officer tried to get names of other insurgent leaders while the Iraqi complained that the new Shiite-dominated government was being controlled by Iran, according to an account of the meeting provided by the Iraqi negotiator.
"We are ready to work with you," the Iraqi negotiator said, according to Time.
Iraqi insurgent leaders not aligned with al Qaeda ally Abu Musab Zarqawi told the magazine that several nationalist groups composed of what the Pentagon calls "former regime elements" have become open to negotiating.
The insurgents said their aim was to establish a political identity that can represent disenfranchised Sunnis.
The White House had no immediate comment on the report.
When asked about the contacts, Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate foreign relations and intelligence committees, said it is important to "reach out" in Iraq.
"We've got a very complicated and dangerous situation over there, and you are going to have to reach out, you are going to have to develop some relationships and networks," he said on CNN's "Late Edition."
Controversial Iraqi politician Ahmed Chalabi told ABC's "This Week" yesterday that any deals between insurgents and the U.S. military would not be binding on a new Iraqi government.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
02/21/2005 12:07:31 AM ||
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Turkey holds the option of unilateral intervention in northern Iraq if Kurds declare independence and claim the oil wealth of disputed Kirkuk, considered the main spoils in the uncertain Iraqi equation.
In bellicose tones, Turkish officials have served notice that Kirkuk, with 40 percent of Iraqi petroleum and 6 percent of the world's known oil reserves, is a multi-ethnic city and the home of Turkomens (northern Iraqis of Turkish stock), and as such should have a "special status".
Turkey's sharp reaction challenges claims by Kurdish leaders that Kirkuk is a Kurdish city destined to be the capital of an autonomous Kurdish entity in a federated Iraq - or a fully independent one.
"Kirkuk is the Jerusalem of Kurdistan," Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Jalal Talabani has publicly announced. Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) calls Kirkuk the heart of Kurdistan. "We are ready to fight and sacrifice our soul to preserve its identity," he said.
Turkey officially alleges "manipulations and irregularities" in the Jan. 30 elections where a unified Kurdish ticket claimed 59 percent of the vote in Kirkuk, with Turkomens gaining only 18 percent.
It cites reports that Kurds from other areas were brought to Kirkuk to boost their votes against Turkomens and Arabs. Kurds say that their people driven out of Kirkuk in Saddam Hussein's "Arabization" drive are coming back.
"Some people are looking the other way while mass migration takes place," Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyib Erdogan said recently, referring to the United States. "This is going to create major difficulties in the future. Everyone must know that Turkey...won't allow this geography to be delivered to chaos that will last for many years."
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has said that "in case of fighting in Kirkuk, Turkey cannot remain a spectator." Kurdish leaders have warned Turkey that any intervention would lead to disaster.
Modern Turkey's predecessor, the Ottoman Empire, ruled both Kirkuk and Mosul, another oil-rich city in the north, until they were ceded to Britain in the 1920s. Although it had legal right to a share of the oil wealth, Turkey gave it up for a lump sum in a decision Turks still regret.
How credible is the Turkish threat of military intervention in northern Iraq? Can it risk confrontation with the United States, still smarting over Turkey's refusal to open a "northern front" against Saddam? On the other hand, the United States enjoys cordial relations with Kurds who backed it against Saddam.
Early sabre-rattling is soothing a Turkish populace concerned that their country is a mere spectator to vital developments in bordering Iraq. But a military strike is "highly unlikely", says Swedish expert Henrik Liljegren.
There are significant "restraining factors", said Liljegren, former diplomat and now senior associate at the Istanbul Policy Centre. He cited them as damage to Turkey's bid to join the European Union, international law, public opinion (particularly in Muslim countries) and above all the United States.
Turkey appears to be having as much trouble with the United States as with Kurds in northern Iraq. Its traditional "strategic partnership", while still active on paper, suffered a serious blow when the Turkish parliament voted against Turkey joining the war on Saddam, or allowing US troops to cross its territory.
Recent opinion polls indicate that 60 percent of Turks are anti-American. Turks are particularly irked by the US refusal to move against about 5,000 Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) guerrillas holed up in mountains in northern Iraq bordering Turkey, despite declaring the PKK a terrorist organization.
When US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she sees no difference between Kurdish PKK guerrillas and Al Qaeda, Turkish columnist Semih Idiz wrote: "If that is the case, why aren't you going after the PKK like you are going after Al Qaeda?"
The United States has said the PKK will be dealt with later, and that the current priority is developments in Iraq. But Liljegren believes that should PKK guerrillas slip back into Turkey, re-kindling fears of civil strife that took 30,000 lives in the 1980s and 1990s, Turkey can strike at them in Iraq in "self-defence" or "hot pursuit". Turkey has maintained a few thousand troops inside northern Iraq for years.
The Turkish foreign ministry says its approach to Iraq has "a strategic perspective" and is not confined to PKK guerrillas, Turkomens or Kirkuk. But some analysts say the Turkish establishment, both military and political, suffers from a "Kurdish phobia" that drives it to seek military solutions.
Turkish analyst Dogu Ergil says Turkey should encourage Turkomen-Kurdish reconciliation rather than "driving a wedge between them". Iraqi Kurds say publicly they do not harbour anti-Turkish designs, while never hiding the fact that full independence remains their ultimate ideal.
In an unofficial ballot accompanying the Jan. 30 elections, some 95 percent of Iraqi Kurdish voters are reported to have favoured independence. "When the right time comes, it will be a reality," Barzani has said.
Whatever form its takes, a strong Kurdish entity in land-locked northern Iraq would need friendly relations with Turkey, observers say. "Despite mutual distrust, ours and the future of Kurds are inter linked," says Mehmet Ali Birand, a leading Turkish commentator on Kurdish affairs.
"Kurds should know that without Turkey they will never ensure their security. On the other hand, Turkey should realise that without the Kurds, Turkey cannot influence what's happening in Iraq. It might be a historic joke, but Turks and Kurds need each other."
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
02/21/2005 12:11:43 AM ||
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#1
The Turks are working themselves into a lather over nothing. The reality is that a Kurdish state is far preferable to the incorporation of the Kurdish areas into Iraq. Then Turkey can deport Kurds into the ethnically-based country at will. It can do cross-border raids into Kurdistan without having to worry about stirring up trouble with a unitary Iraq. Strategically, Kurdistan would provide a landlocked buffer state between Turkey and Iraq. That is a good thing. Anytime your neighbors fragment into smaller pieces, your strategic position improves, since the threat from them decreases. I think all of this outrage is just a Turkish bid to steal Kirkuk and its oil reserves.
#2
Turkey's wild-eyed tantrums and Tourette Syndrome fits rank right down there with Madeline Halfbright's opinions on the US-Syria situation. Digital birdcage liner. Or less. They forfeited 2 years ago. Run along, Tayyip.
#3
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has said that "in case of fighting in Kirkuk, Turkey cannot remain a spectator." Kurdish leaders have warned Turkey that any intervention would lead to disaster
So they get a few Turkmen to stir up trouble and use it as an excuse to invade. More sabre rattling from a country aligning itself with Russia, Iran and Syria to make a united front.
#6
If the Turds start any trouble, there'll be a butt-kicking they won't soon forget coming their way in a hurry. Useless bunch of sods.
Posted by: mac ||
02/21/2005 4:58 Comments ||
Top||
#7
Turkey holds the option of unilateral intervention in northern Iraq if Kurds declare independence and claim the oil wealth of disputed Kirkuk, considered the main spoils in the uncertain Iraqi equation.
#9
Arak is a strong liquor drunk in Middle East. I think this is Arabic name. Turkish tell raki. Greeks name it Ouzo and is not a good idea to ask for a "raki" in Greece.
#10
Part of the problem is the Turks are in shock that Turkmens only got 18% of the vote in Kirkuk. Their propanganda was Turkmen were equal to Kurds in the city. The story I heard is that in the past when Turks controlled distribution of UN aid they only gave it out to Turkmen, as a result many kurds registered as Turkmen. A case of believing your own BS.
JERUSALEM - Israel will free 500 Palestinians on Monday in its largest prison release in nearly a decade as a goodwill gesture to bolster peace efforts with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Further strengthening Abbas's hand, legislators from the dominant Fatah movement approved a keenly awaited new Palestinian cabinet that puts his loyalists in key positions.
Palestinians say Abbas needs large-scale prisoner releases to get the armed groups to formalise the ceasefire he agreed with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at a Feb. 8 summit. Some 8,000 Palestinians are held by Israel. The planned freeing of the prisoners comes a day after Israel's cabinet approved a plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
None of the prisoners—the first of 900 to be freed in coming weeks—had been found guilty of attacks that killed or injured Israelis. Most had already served at least two-thirds of their sentences. They will be released at crossing points to the West Bank and Gaza in the biggest release since 1996, when 800 were freed.
Mohammed Dahlan, a close Abbas adviser set to join the cabinet, said Palestinians awaited a wider release. Palestinians want those who carried out attacks on Israelis to be included in future releases. Israel has so far ruled out freeing prisoners with "blood on their hands".
Big mistake to let this group go, but the Israelis will prolly cave in over the next month or so. Then some more Israelis will die, and the Paleos will get thumped again.
Posted by: Steve White ||
02/21/2005 12:10:57 AM ||
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None of the prisonersâthe first of 900 to be freed in coming weeksâhad been found guilty of attacks that killed or injured Israelis. Most had already served at least two-thirds of their sentences.
So these men would have been released soon enough anyway. This way Israel gets a PR bonus, and the idiots are free to take part in current PA "politics" until they get themselves killed or Israel arrests them again. And Israel saves the cost of feeding them in the meantime. Not bad.
#4
Someone needs to start the rumor that the wall is radioactive, and anyone getting within 300 feet of it will be sterile forever. Let the Israelis continue to build until there's a wall between them and all the paleodupes.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
02/21/2005 18:13 Comments ||
Top||
#5
even better - the releasees were implanted with GPS/listening chips. Oh the fun! Finding all the non-existent chips with machetes and butcher knives, when they could've just read snopes....LOL
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/21/2005 18:37 Comments ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Britain has been preparing to extradite Arab insurgents to their native countries. Officials said the Home Office was preparing to launch talks with several Arab countries for the deportation of suspected insurgents who entered Britain as political refugees. They said many of the Arab immigrants have used Britain as a launching pad for attacks in the Middle East as well as for financing Al Qaida and related groups. "I think we should be prosecuting much more energetically our ability to deport the individuals concerned to the countries from which they come," Home Secretary Charles Clarke said.
An al Qaeda member known as 
The modus operandi in last week's Valentine's Day bombings were similar to the 2000 Rizal Day bombings and the attack on the SuperFerry 14 in February last year, police said. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Edgar Aglipay said the bombings were all triggered by cellular phones also the method employed in the bombing of a bus in Balintawak, Quezon City in October 2002 that left two passengers dead and several others wounded. "The bombs used were similar to other bombings (such) as the Rizal Day attacks, the bus bombing in Balintawak, the WG&A SuperFerry 14 attacks and the recent bomb incidents in Mindanao," Aglipay told The STAR yesterday.
Al Qaeda's deputy leader said in a videotape broadcast that governments could not stop its attacks and that the security of the West depended on respect for Islam and an end to aggression against Muslims. The leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, also said that the "new crusader campaign" would end in defeat. The tape was broadcast by the Arab television network Al Jazeera on Sunday, but it was not clear when it was made. Mr. Zawahiri said he was speaking three years after the first prisoners were taken from Afghanistan to the United States Naval base at Guantänamo Bay, Cuba. "If you Western nations believe that these cartoon governments will protect you from our responses then you are deluded," he said. "Your real security lies in cooperating with the Muslim nation on the basis of respect and ending aggression."
Al-Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri warned the West it faced defeat in what he termed its "new crusade" against the Islamic world, as well as thousands of dead and economic collapse, in a videotape aired by Al-Jazeera television. "Your new crusade will end, God willing, with the same defeat as its predecessors, but only after you have suffered tens of thousands of dead and the destruction of your economy," Zawahiri said in his message to "the peoples of the West" broadcast by the Qatar-based satellite channel.
JERUSALEM - Israel will free 500 Palestinians on Monday in its largest prison release in nearly a decade as a goodwill gesture to bolster peace efforts with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Further strengthening Abbas's hand, legislators from the dominant Fatah movement approved a keenly awaited new Palestinian cabinet that puts his loyalists in key positions.
