EFL
Pakistanâs Interior Minister said Wednesday that terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden was running out of options and places to hide.
Does this mean the Paks are running out of excuses as to why they can't find him in Samiul Haq's guest house?
"To me, time, space and options are becoming limited by the day for Osama and all those linked to him," the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan quoted Faisal Saleh Hayyat as saying. Hayyat said intelligence collected from top al-Qaida operatives has provided coalition forces with information that has limited bin Ladenâs freedom of movement. He would not elaborate.
My guess would be that our guys know where he is to within 800 yards. I'd also guess that we pass that info on to the Paks periodically and they wait a few days, then say, "Nope. We looked. He ain't there." Then we have to start over again...
"As a result, slowly and gradually the noose is tightening around Osama and his aides," Hayyat was quoted as saying. He was speaking to reporters in Islamabad. Hayyat also said there was no proof that bin Laden was in Pakistan. "Those who say that he (bin Laden) is in Pakistan, should come out with a solid proof for that and we will take action," Hayyat said.
"Ever' time we look, he ain't there..."
Addressing the issue of the war on terror, Hayyat said it is a long-term battle and one that will continue. "It is not a matter of one month or one year, it will continue," he said. Thereâs been a lot of activity lately and more frequent and fierce engagements. Little is being reported on it - makes me hopeful.
Posted by: Yosemite Sam ||
09/03/2003 11:04:14 AM ||
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The quieter it gets, the more optimistic I get.
In the district of Janartang, 11 Afghan police have been killed, while more reinforcements were sent in Zabul to support the Afghan and American forces in the area battling Taliban forces. According to reports, locals from the area have also joined the Taliban and are supporting them logistically. Some young men have also taken up arms and have taken positions in the mountains to support the Talibans. Several districts were under the control of Taliban after the masses revolted against the insecurity under the regime of Hamid Karzai. 30 Taliban have been martyred so far in the province.
While showing signs of barbaric behavior, the Afghan National Army burned random houses in the villages in an effort to deter locals from supporting them. The Taliban commander in the area, Maulvi Abdul Jabbar, speaking to sources by satellite phone, said that many districts were under the control of Taliban, and that many cities surrendered to the Taliban without a fight because local authorities feared a massive revolt from the public if they resisted them. Dozens of police men of the Afghanistan national government have been captured. He also said that heavy fighting between Taliban and Afghan militia for the control of districts of Dai Chopan and Chanartangi and that 11 Afghan policemen resisting the Taliban were killed in Chanartangi district.
American bombers having been bombarding the areas under Taliban control and 19 civilians were martyred in the bombing runs. The Afghan provincial governor of Zabul Hafeez Ullah told reporters that the previous month had seen a massive increase in the activity of Taliban and that common people have deserted the villages and towns fearing a massive fight between Taliban and Afghan militia. He said that authorities were using loud speakers to calm the public and persuade them to return to their houses. He said that he thinks that due to large numbers of Taliban in the area, most estimates put the number in thousands, that it may mean that Taliban leader and Commander of the Faithful Mullah Mohammad Omar is among them too and that he is leading this attack. This is unlikely due to Omarâs leadership role in restoring his government to power. Ullah also claimed that the Afghan forces have so far martyred 96 Taliban in the month long fighting and that yesterday 5 Afghan soldiers were killed and 3 wounded. Americans and coalition forces have been using heavy artillery, gunships and fighter jets to disperse the large concentrations of Taliban in the area, but only a few dozen have been martyred, out of a force that some put at well over two thousand strong.
Suspiciously poor shooting on our part...
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
09/03/2003 00:26 ||
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"19 civilians were martyred in the bombing runs"
JihadUnSpun is very much like referring to NorK as the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. Ranks right up there with Al Jizzwadi and Idiotarians Islam OnLine for Truth to Total Fucking Bullshit quotient.
#3
One thing you can count on. If they are reporting that the Taliban are winning, the Taliban are losing badly.
They are much like Izvestia (News) in the old USSR (in News there is no truth...).
Posted by: Kathy K ||
09/03/2003 5:27 Comments ||
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If the mop won't clean them up, get out the old "Napalmolive" and scrub those jihadis away.
Posted by: Mike ||
09/03/2003 6:04 Comments ||
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While showing signs of barbaric behavior, the Afghan National Army burned random houses in the villages in an effort to deter locals from supporting them.
Is this a classic unclear antecedent, or is this actually the point of the Barbaric Afghan National Army's policy?
"I totally support you!" "Thanks, we'll be burning your home now." "Err, what do I get for partial support?"
Posted by: Mark IV ||
09/03/2003 8:40 Comments ||
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#6
The source seems overly optimistic about the Taliban prospects. I would not like to be a member of a Taliban unit that is moving to reenforce a force that is cornered in a cave.
The "burning villages" charge is common propoganda that would need confirming by a relaiable source.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/03/2003 8:45 Comments ||
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Mark IV - It's "I can shout, don't hear you!" JihadUnSpun Engrish.
#12
AP says its over, local official says afghan troops count at least 124 Taliban dead. Rest fled to neighboring provinces. Govt in control of province, but 80% of population in province pro-Taliban (this is rural Pashtun area - may well be strongest Taliban support in the country - LH)
Nothing about getting any enemy bigwigs.
A victory for coalition forces, but not decisive. Life goes on.
Meanwhile NYT editorial complains of lack of progress on Kabul-Kandahar road (among other things) while wire services report progress on road continues.
#13
Don't even mention the NYT as a source anymore. Anything they say has a 80% chance of being spin or completely false.
Posted by: Charles ||
09/03/2003 17:13 Comments ||
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local official says afghan troops count at least 124 Taliban dead. Rest fled to neighboring provinces.
Given the ruggedness of the terrain and the fact that the Taliban aren't equipped with medevacs, there are going to be lots of amputees among the wounded in their ranks. They'll serve as a warning to potential Taliban recruits that dying isn't necessarily the worst thing that can happen to a jihadi.
via comments at LGF:
Imam and Khateeb of Makkahâs Holy Mosque Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais opened here last night the new building of the Islamic school for girls which is supervised by the Ahl-Alhadeeth Central Association in Britain. In a statement to Saudi Press Agency, Secretary General of the association Sheikh Shuaeb Ahmed Meer Boury said that the school would be named after the Custodian of the Holy Mosques King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz. The new school has cost 650 thousand sterling pounds until now. The funds were donated by charitable people. No doubt.
BBC South Asia run by Jihadis Of course, according to the BBC press release, we find out about http://bbc.net.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/08_august/29/ws_abbas_nasir.shtml...
"Pakistani-born Abbas Nasir, a former Head of the BBCâs Urdu Service, has been appointed Executive Editor for the Asia and the Pacific Region at BBC World Service. Abbas Nasir (43) was born in Karachi and started his career in journalism in Pakistan with the daily Dawn in the early 1980s." Abbas Nazir is the same person, whom M.Shiraz Paracha had complained thus, to Greg Dyke (DG of BBC)
"I was humiliated and victimized not because of my professional incompetence but because I refused to accept an implicitly biased and narrow political and journalistic discourse practiced under the tutelage of Abbas Nasir, the editor of the Urdu section (currently acting managing editorSouth Asia).
Sir, Working at the BBC Urdu Service for two years not only affected my studies but also ruined my family life because I was working in a hostile environment where I was became a victim of my own talents. My doctor, teachers, friends and colleagues at work all were aware of my circumstances at work.
At the BBC, I was excluded and ridiculed because, in the managementâs view, I wasnât a good Muslim and a patriotic Pakistani...!" - from public letter available on the web.
BBC reporters Ordered not to offend Muslims EFL
Mr Liddle, who stepped down from the Radio 4 news programme last year after a row about political remarks he made in a newspaper article, also attacked "PC" in television news. He recounted how, before the Iraq war, BBC journalists were summoned to a meeting to discuss how they could cover the conflict without offending Muslims. Later, he heard a BBC report about a British suicide bomber in Israel. The report concluded â "apropos of nothing at all" â that the vast majority of British Muslims were "utterly opposed" to suicide attacks against Israel. "When we are forced into making these blithe and comfortable platitudinous asides we do everybody a disservice," he said. In a desire to avoid inflaming religious antagonism, "we massage the truth in order to kid ourselves, and the audience, that thatâs really the case". He gave warning that such "small incremental changes" to dramas or news may be well-intentioned, but "before you know it, weâre living in a sort of ghastly Sesame Street", bearing no relation to reality. "The BBC producer guidelines make it perfectly clear that programme makers should not be beholden to the claims and demands of single-issue pressure groups. But increasingly thatâs not the way the business is conducted. "
#2
But will anything happen? Will the Brits stop handing these jihadi-romantics a boatload of money to shit on the UK living room carpet 10 times a day? It's all there - and they've been fisked so thoroughly that, if I was a UK MP and not terminally insane, I'd be calling for their heads and daring them to make me a media star by coming after me. The amount of material with which one ballsy MP could achieve this is astonishing - and if you've kept up with some of the many sites doing it, you know there is a mountain of ammo. C'mon boys, kick some Beeb ass!
The ABC has obtained Spanish court documents that appear to link two Australian Muslim leaders with Spainâs top Al Qaeda suspect. The Australian Federal Police have confirmed they are aware of communications between the Australians and the Spanish man, Abu Dahdah. Abu Dahdah is being held as Al Qaedaâs top man in Spain and he allegedly met the ringleader of the September 11 attacks, Mohammed Atta. Court documents tendered last year to support Abu Dahdahâs detention on terrorism charges, allege repeated contact between the Spanish suspect and both Melbourne man Sheikh Mohammed Omran, and Sydney man Bilal Khazal. Bilal Khazal is one of the leaders of the Australian branch of the extremist Islamic Youth Movement. It isnât the first time he has been connected to Al Qaeda either. Mohammed Omran is a leader of the Sunnah Wal Jamaah, which is a Wahhabi/Salafi organistion. Itâs Indonesian branch is connected to the Laskar Jihad
Sheik Omran denies he has had any contact, and Bilal Khazal did not respond to questions from the ABC. Sheik Omran told the ABC "Iâve never heard of that name [Abu Dahdah]". The Australian Federal Police say they know of such communications, and they have revealed they have at least 65 ongoing investigations into people potentially involved in terrorist activity.
Posted by: Paul Moloney ||
09/03/2003 5:10:29 AM ||
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Abu Dahdah?? oh, please.....
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/03/2003 9:50 Comments ||
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My reaction exactly. The first thing that came to me after LOL was, "No... Datu Mahmah?"
#3
IIUC abu literally means something like daddy (related to Hebrew av - father and aramaic Abba - father, dad) though i think in Arabic it can also mean uncle, and thus informally "old guy. respected elder, etc"
George Walden reviews Inside al Qaeda by Mohamed Sifaoui in the London Telegraph
Mohamed Sifaoui is an Algerian Muslim journalist who became incensed by the war of terror waged by Islamic fundamentalists against the Algerian people. Not a few of his friends, relatives and colleagues perished at their hands, and before leaving for Paris he himself was nearly killed in an attack on his newspaper. The combination of cowardice and indulgence shown to the terrorists by bien pensant opinion in France heightened his disgust. To expose the truth he decided to pose as a terrorist sympathiser, and his book is a diary of the three months he spent infiltrating a Parisian cell of al-Qaâeda under an assumed name. The portraits he provides are not of the suicide bombers or gunmen, but of the recruiters, brain-washers and organisers behind them, yet the book conveys a convincing picture of the terrorist milieu. And a dismal picture it is. The members of the network emerge as a bunch of inadequates and infantile fanatics, although they are not the less fearsome for that. Inevitably one thinks of the low life who staff the IRA, but it is a false comparison. The people Sifaoui writes about are on an even more debased cultural and psychological level. By their very nature, their grievances against the world can never be removed, and they are capable of pretty well anything. This is why we have to hunt them to extinction.
Like French versions of the shoebomber Richard Reid, they are often converts to fundamentalism with a history of criminality, who converse in brain-dead religious slogans, their minds terminally rotted by ghetto thinking. "Theyâre the ones who push people to commit attacks by suspecting all Muslims are like that", one of them fumes about the immigration officials who checked him on a trip to London. The fact that they let him in, although his passport was forged, and the fact that he really is a terrorist,
adds piquancy to his indignation. Sifaouiâs chief contact in the cell was Karim Bourti, an Algerian Islamic activist stationed in Paris whom the French briefly imprisoned for associating with terrorists, before letting him out. Naturally he continued living in France, and went on with his work. A mixture of DIY imam, recruiter, fund-raiser, safe-house keeper and public apologist for the cause, he comes across as a truly repellent character, at once vicious, sickeningly pious, and hugely self-important. "Collecting money without working, stuffing himself from morning to night, while encouraging kids to go and get killed thousands of miles from home" is Sifaouiâs description. Sounds a lot like Arafat.
The gullibility of French opinion on terrorism, by no means exclusive to the Left, exasperates Sifaoui, and one can see why. A fundamentalist who offers religious training to prepare young men for "martyrdom" presents himself as a pacifist when he is interviewed by the DST (the French MI5), who let him go and assure him that he is "a good Muslim". Public funds and premises provided for Muslim "charity work" are diverted to terrorist ends, and false papers are provided on request by Muslim sympathisers in the local mairie, or in other official positions. There is a grim irony in the fact that, though Sifaoui is maddened by French anxiety to excuse terrorism, it is Britain that he sees as the real "sanctuary for hard-core Islamism". "Donât forget that all the brains are here in London", a British fundamentalist tells him. Somehow it is strange to think of the sinister clown Abu Hamza being revered in Islamist circles in Paris.
Sifaouiâs book has sold 60,000 copies in France. It is to be hoped that its readers include President Chirac and his Foreign Minister, Dominique de Vermin Villepin, and that the book will have had an educative effect on French thinking, though I wouldnât bet on it. The French book LâEffoyable Imposture ("The Dreadful Fraud"), which claimed that the 11 September attack was the work of the Jews and the CIA, sold over 100,000. Sifaoui reminds us that the terrorist attack on the Paris Metro in 1995 was seen by many in France as a plot by the Algerian military government to discredit Islamic exiles. (The "brothers" â the terrorists â resented this attempt to exculpate them, since it detracted from their glory in the operation.) Given the French neurosis about America, one can well imagine where the finger would point should fundamentalists succeed in a new outrage in France. Unless the French authorities take a tougher line with the aiders and abetters of terrorism than they appear to do in this book, sadly â as in Britain â such an atrocity seems only a matter of time.
Posted by: Mike ||
09/03/2003 12:18:11 PM ||
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Sifaoudi better watch his six, because he just gave the jihadi nutcase hornet nest a big swat with a stick. People who do not like bad news try to kill the messenger.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
09/03/2003 14:42 Comments ||
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#2
He did reveal them to be rather stupid and foolish, didn't he? I think you're right, AP - the book sales may be needed to find a nice quiet out of the way place - where the jihadis stick out like a sore thumb. I'd recommend Thailand - especially the Northern half, like Chiang Mai - which we've seen isn't a safe place for them lately!
#3
As far as I'm concerned, a man like Sifaoui is welcome in my town anytime.
Posted by: Mike ||
09/03/2003 16:13 Comments ||
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'This is why we have to hunt them to extinction.' Mike I could not have said it better! Now if only the Dems would wake up and smell the terrorists.
#6
johnny walker infiltrated Al Qaeda and even shaked Osama's hands and turned down his offer for Martyrdom by suicide bombing, then Osama sent him to Kashmir before he finally came back for the aFGHAN WAR
Those bets on France becoming the first european islamic state are looking better and better. EFL/FU:
Only a dozen students â six boys and six girls â showed up at the mosque where Franceâs first Muslim high school began holding classes on Tuesday. Jihad High
The high school, located on the third floor of Lilleâs Al-Imane mosque in a gritty neighborhood of the northern city, follows Franceâs national education program. But the curriculum also includes courses in Islamic culture and Arabic language and emphasizes creating a Muslim atmosphere, officials said. We have no doubt.
The girls said they chose to attend the Averroes Lycee simply to be able to wear their traditional Muslim headscarves, forbidden in most public schools. "Itâs part of my personality," said 16-year-old Samira of the violet scarf wrapped closely to her forehead. She, like all the other girls, refused to give her full name. Anyone think they had a choice in attending this school?
Even the schoolâs principal, Sylvie Taleb, a former French teacher in a Catholic school, wore an elegant white chiffon scarf dotted with small pearls on opening day. "Perhaps you are writing a new page in the history of France without being aware," she told the students. "You are our ambassadors." "And future masters. Is there anything I can get you?"
France, taking in immigrants from its former North African colonies, has the largest Muslim community in Western Europe, estimated at 5 million, and Islam is the nationâs second religion, after Roman Catholicism. There are hundreds of private Catholic schools, but the first Muslim school, a junior high school in Aubervilliers, outside Paris, was established only two years ago. The wearing of religious symbols has been charged with emotion since the 19th century, when advocates of a secular school system free from the influence of the Roman Catholic Church won a bitter fight, clinched by a 1905 law separating church and state. Now, many French fear that principle is endangered by the countryâs increasingly assertive Muslim community. Not afraid enough.
The high school is said to be funded only by donations, even though the mosque is owned by the Islamic League of the Nord region, a member of a weighty fundamentalist group, the Union of Islamic Organizations of France â reportedly close to Egyptâs Muslim Brotherhood. Iâm sure the money trail is very interesting.
The students, paying a tuition of just over $1000 a year, have been given three classrooms and a science laboratory â and use of the cavernous prayer room downstairs. That science lab will come in handy.
Mosque Rector Amar Lasfar said the new school will inculcate students with "an Islam that respects the values of the republic." The Republic of France or the Islamic Republic of Iran?
Posted by: Steve ||
09/03/2003 11:38:56 AM ||
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Exothermic Reactions 101
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
09/03/2003 13:30 Comments ||
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I willing to bet that chemistry will be a required course.
EFL & FU:
The United States sneered at plans by four European countries to create an autonomous European military command headquarters near Brussels separate from NATO, referring to the ideaâs proponents as "chocolate makers." In unusually blunt language that drew surprised gasps from reporters, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher scoffed at Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg for continuing to support the proposal that they first introduced at a mini-summit in April. He described the April meeting as one between "four countries that got together and had a little bitty summit" and then referred to them collectively as "the chocolate makers." I believe this is called in diplomatic circles a "bitch-slap".
The derisive phrase appeared to target mainly Belgium, which is known for its high quality chocolate confections, and on Tuesday reiterated its support for the new headquarters. After reflecting on his comments, Boucher immediately stood back, explaining that he had seen the phrase in press reports and saying that he should not have repeated them. "I said what?"
At the same time, though, he repeated US opposition to the plan first outlined by Secretary of State Colin Powell, who called the creation of a new European military headquarters "unnecessary" shortly after it was proposed. "Weâve been strong supporters of the European Union, weâve been strong supporters of effort that was made by the European Union to create its own military and security capabilities and to do that in cooperation and in conjunction with NATO," Boucher said. "Weâve worked very closely with European governments, particularly in this administration, to work out the arrangements to that," he said. "We think thatâs quite sufficient, we donât understand why we need more military headquarters or training programs," Boucher added. "Itâs not like theyâre going to fight or anything."
Posted by: Steve ||
09/03/2003 10:04:45 AM ||
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State Dept??? Boucher?? I'd expect this more from Rumsfeld, and the phrase would be "fudge packers"
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/03/2003 10:09 Comments ||
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Another Instant Classic. Definitely a keeper. Given the recent NorK statements - and now this, is someone lacing the State Dept dining room chocolate pudding with truth serum? Too good to be true!
#3
dot com - this is far more surprising than the Nkor comments. Those were made by John Bolton, who's the offical neocon mole in Foggy Bottom. While Boucher, AFAIK, is a genuine Powell guy.
#4
LH - My Take on State / Powell:
Dubya definitely runs his ship his way, top to bottom. Recall the speechwriter who penned the Axis of Evil phrase and how he described the inner workings of the Bush admin? Dubya is the Big Dog, period. So I think virtually everything Powell does is at Dubya's direction. He may have wiggle room on style, but I doubt Charles at LGF when he (and others) bastes Powell on a spit over a low fire. I don't buy the notion that he's a renegade. Far from it, I think he's a politically astute soldier, and definitely not an idiot. I think he plays the lightening rod for those unhappy (for Dubya) moments when the WH has to soft-peddle something or set up a strawman for criticism / feedback. A couple of levels below Powell is where it gets dicey, I'd bet - with the occasional Ivy Leaguer from Old Money thinking he can get away with being a moron and bucking the WH. Exception, not the rule. Bolton is definitely a Dubya guy!
I'd bet a patcheck that this episode was cleared in advance - prolly scripted by the WH with Powell and Boucher. I'll bet another paycheck that Boucher was absolutely tickled with the assignment! Definitely a "heads up" for the diplo corps. I eagerly await the next moment as this new approach gets fleshed out - it'll be interesting to find out where the edges of the envelope are, now. 8-)
#6
.com: I agree with you on the role Powell plays within the Administration, including his working at GW's behest. State is a tough posting for *anyone* who wants to actually accomplish anything, since diplomacy without a strong strategic component is *only* endless talking.
Am I the only one who is seeing a repeat of last summer here? A summer of discontent, Bush on vacation letting the opposition talk themselves to death proposing things like "Bring in the U.N.", yada yada... then coming back from vacation and saying "OK, lets give it a try -- with this twist...", and leaving the opponents standing there sputtering "But... but..."
#7
i dont agree with you on powell - theres too much from folks like Jim Hoagland who are clearly close to Wolfie, Feith, etc. that indicates otherwise. And the Scowcroft-Zinni campaign on the Iraq war looked too much like a it was organized by Powell - HE has the army contacts like Zinni, not the Foggy Bottom Foreign Service types. If this is a good cop/bad cop routine its the most elaborate, most extensive, in the history of the human race. It seems much more likely that the dispute is real, and that Bush and Condi cant control the two sides. But we wont know the truth till the admin is out of power and the memoirs start. (I doubt the speechwriter in question had enough access to see the real issues here)
If they were all in synce, how the hell DID they screw up on the occupation of Iraq - if State agreed that going to the UN was a bad idea, and the neocons agreed that using the INC was a bad idea, what the hell WAS their plan for keeping order in Iraq? and why did they not appoint most of the CPA people till the last minute?
The divided admin is the BEST excuse - if theyre not divided, and Dubya is really fully in charge, then Dubya has ALOT to answer for as far as planning the occupation.
#8
I think there is more to the word "chocolate." In the African conflicts where France and Belgium are actively engaged, the main exports are products that support the chocolate industry of those two European countries. It's sort of like merchantilism. They are almost treating chocolate like ... well... oil or something.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/03/2003 13:04 Comments ||
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LH - we're ALL guessing here in Rantburg. I note that you discount and dispute, not disprove - so I'll continue guessing back!
I saw the interview I spoke of and the guy did live by Bush's side every moment that his security clearance allowed it. Bush doesn't tell his speechwriters what he wants, they must come to know him and write wearing his shoes - that comes from the interview, as well. The fact that the writer took credit, publicly, for the Axis of Evil phrase was why he was on the street hawking a book - he had been dismissed for speaking out of order. Does that sound like Dubya's a little touchy about being in control? The entire interview was precisely about that point.
The rest of what I have to say won't be popular with some, but hey - it's Rantburg...
So... post-war Iraq. I would bet some amount, not a whole paycheck, that there was a tug-of-war between the State, Pentagon, NeoCons, etc factions and the muddle is the result of no one actually being in charge but Dubya - and no one read his mind very well about What Comes After. Wanna holler? Then he's your man, I think. Of course, just as with the speechwriter, he doesn't give specific marching orders, but expects his people to think for themselves - and read his mind. Yeah, I gag on that idea too, but the evidence I've seen adds up that way.
I think Dubya decides some things, some important things, on the fly. I think he believes he has hired smart people to do his bidding - and they must figure out how to do it without being told the specifics. If they botch it, they're gone. If they get it and understand the assignment, they stay and gain his confidence. If you consider that he's a businessman type, who never had to work his way up the ladder - started in the boardroom - then this makes sense. I've consulted for several outfits (and yes, you've heard of several of them) run this way. They had some flamboyant CEO who was glib or photogenic or just amazingly charming or rich beyond your wildest dreams - with only the dimmest awareness of the details of how his business worked. A hood ornament, if you're being derogatory, a "winner" if you're a fan. The successful guys of this type recognize that the little people, as well as his high-paid exec staff, are responsible for his success - and he takes care of them and keeps them very happy - which keeps him successful. I think Dubya's style is definitely along these lines. Very, uh, Reaganesque.
When he was Gov of Texas, I was in Dallas - and thought he was a Grade A twit. Only thing he cared about was getting a concealed-carry law passed. Got him elected, in fact - and he got the law passed. You ought to read some of the anecdotal stories about it - The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler would love them!
When Dubya became Prez I was out in San Diego - and thought Oh shit! Then 9/11 came along - and the soft side, the non-detail side bloomed. What we needed was a leader. He had to be gutsy and say gutsy things. He had to grow, quote and confidence-wise, to fill very large shoes. He had to be tough and publicly act tough. These are the things he can do - and do pretty well, in fact. But if you asked him how much a loaf of bread costs, he can't tell you - just like his daddy. He's not a detail guy or even a strategist - he's a leader, and that involves more acting than knowledge.
Just my take - given what I've seen over the years. Guess what? I'll vote for him this time (didn't vote for anybody for Prez last time) because what we need is a gutsy leader who's smart enough to surround himself with smart people. The mind-reading requirement is nothing new, BTW. Same for many Presidents. Ok. Have at it!
#11
In unusually blunt language that drew surprised gasps from reporters,
The Eurotrash diplomats can call the US any damn thing they want along with their reporters and the tag along Hollywood Halfwits. But when the shoe is on the other foot, gasp, horrors of horrors those nasty "mericans are saying bad things about me
Posted by: Someone who did NOT vote for William Proxmire ||
09/03/2003 13:59 Comments ||
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#12
dot com - based on what you just posted, im not sure we disagree, just we describe it differently. You say no one OTHER than dubya is in charge - well i certainly agree with that - the problem is when the underlings have to read his mind, and they choose to read it differently.
We've had divided national security teams before - nat sec system seems to generate that. Now one way to deal with that is to have a hands on, detail oriented president, like Nixon to keep the cats herded. The other way is to have a clear ideological vision, so that the CEO can lay back, but everyone KNOWS, ultimately, what he wants, by reference to his vision. THAT was Reagan. That model failed when there were situations were the ideology didnt give clear direction, like Lebanon or Iran-Contra - but in retrospect the end of the cold war is so much more important than those episodes, that they fade from memory.
Bush on Afghanistan and AQ had a fairly clear vision, and so was able to keep the cats in line. In Iraq he did not, and the thing several times almost went out of control. That we had the domestic and Coalition of the Willing support we needed to go in was largely a function of Saddam's insanity - Powell, Saudi, etc werent able to cover for him. A slightly saner Saddam and the case for war wouldnt have worked, and Ebay and Queasy would be alive and having fun today. Ditto on the Iraq aftermath. Again, we're getting by ONLY because SO MANY IN Iraq hated Saddam so bitterly, theyre giving us time they might not otherwise have done. And as it is we ARE going back to the UN, and NOT at a time of strength. If we were going to go back to them anyway, werent there times when we had more leverage than today? This incoherence seems to sometimes get the worst of both worlds - we piss off our "allies" and then turn to them anyway.
Bush was good on afgan and WOT - but 90% of what he did anyone not on the insane fringes would have done - I mainly give him credit for NOT escalating in Afghan at the first calls of quagmire in November 2001 - and for balancing a sense that this was a WAR, not a criminal investigation, with a definite sense that it is NOT a war on Islam. I fault him for weak follow through on Afghanistan. WRT to Bush and the Saudis and AQ - I dont know, as the most important info - how much did the Saudis cooperate post 9/11, and what kinds of pressure did the admin use, and what are there future plans - are secret or unknown. WRT to Iraq I think Dubya made the right ultimate choice - but i think, as i said above, that it could have been done better, and that it worked out as well as it has through a certain amount of luck. I fault Dubya for "unilateralism" not in the WOT, or in Iraq so much as pre-9/11 - when a lot of "good will" (not the right word - its not so much being loved as others thinking our power is in their interest) was squandered. And of course i have my issues on domestic affairs - peshawar.
So how i vote will depend on both what Dubya does between now and election day, and who the Dems nominate.
#13
LH - excellent recall! If I may pick one point out (I don't have an argument with any of it *LH feints dead away*) it is the Saudis. That's the area I feel comfortable talking about in specific. There is some sort of weird disconnect there. Geo41 was very soft on them (amazingly so, IMO) and Geo43 seems more or less in the same camp. I accept criticism of 43 on how he's handled it so far, from the blocked pages of the report to letting them stonewall the Fibbies on several fronts - the money being the one that pisses me off most. It's possible that he's coming around, albeit too slowly for my tastes.
KSA and Iran are the crux of the entire matter. All of the others only contribute warm bodies and state coverage (passports, sanctuary, etc). These two regimes direct (prolly right down to approving or issuing target lists) and fund the whole shebang. Stop the money and 90% of the grief evaporates. The asshats don't take freighters or fishing boats or donkey carts to get around - they fly and stay in hotels and have cellphones and all the trappings of money. It's definitely a draw to a young jihadi to have some mullah hand him a plane ticket, pocket money, and a "secret" phone number to call upon arrival - swells his tiny little head to join what must appear to be the big leagues after hanging out at the Al Rashid Mall dropping his cellphone # on little slips of paper from the 2nd or 3rd floor of the central atrium to the little ladies (miniature Ninjas to us) below - who call if you look swank enough and cool enough. Yeah - they do this little Muslim ritual almost every night - and, of course, guys like me are definitely not welcome there to see it. One of the saddest / funniest things I've ever seen.
Anyway, my bone to pick is about being successful in the WoT. To tell the truth, the domestic side will heal itself - as it always does, in spite of most of the "programs" and BS. Most of what is done to "fix" problems is dumber than dirt and based on flawed or outright stupid economics. Both parties. Most takes 2 yrs or more to reach fruition - so often the next guy takes the credit or blame.
I want the Saudis shut down. I want to aid the revolution in Iran - and I think we can do it without setting foot in the country. I'm VERY disappointed that so little has been contributed on that thread. The people are ready - they just need to face a lot fewer guns and truncheons and organized opposition from the very centralized Black Hat power centers. Make that a working problem at the CIA and you'll get 10 scenarios back that don't require a headcount of US troops, I'll bet. Ok, enuff. Thx for the feedback - I'm listening!
#14
Basically I agree with .com's comments above. I call it Good Cop (state) Bad Cop (Defense) but its basically the same thing. I would add one additional bit though. I think Bush takes his time making decisions and allows his people to vet their opinions during that time (opinions which often back their chosen roll anyway and which cause media discussions that may sway him with facts his people possibly had not considered yet).
Details for our submariner readers - EFL:
A leak - rather than a storm at sea - was the cause of the sinking of the Russian K-159 nuclear submarine that foundered in the Barents Sea last weekend killing nine seamen, according to a senior military source. The defence ministry said the sinking early Saturday came after towing pontoons broke away during a heavy storm as it was being towed to port to be scrapped, but a source at the naval general staff said the captain of the sub had radioed a message saying a leak had been detected. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the captain, Sergei Lappa, "called the towing vessel by radio, saying a leak had been found at the propellor joints at the rear of the sub, in compartment nine." The seamen attempted to seal off the compartment, "but the water continued to pour in," he said. They also attempted, without success, to release the last reserves of compressed air into compartment eight in order to create an air pocket in the flooded area, he said. She was being towed to the scrapyard, bet they didnât bother to fill the airtanks before she left port.
Mr Lappa called his superiors on the towing vessel to suggest allowing the submarine to sink in shallow waters near Kildin island which they were passing. The submarine was still stable but the towing vesselâs officers turned down the suggestion and ordered the crew to carry on with their efforts while awaiting the arrival of help, the source said. Had to wait for orders from above, years of training have killed any outside the box thinking. And killed the sub crew.
When compartments eight and nine were both filled with water, the pressure on the attachments between the submarine and the pontoons became too strong, causing the submarine to break away, first to the fore and then aft. Leak around prop shaft, stern gets heavy, bow lifts, pontoons are now hanging from the sub instead of supporting it, they break off at the bow first transfering the load to the stern joint which then fails.
The submarine then foundered within a few minutes, giving little chance for the crew, the source said. Only one of the 10 crew members survived. The bodies of two were recovered from the icy waters and seven others were still missing, their bodies presumed to be trapped inside the sunken vessel. RIP
Posted by: Steve ||
09/03/2003 9:33:23 AM ||
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It would be interesting to know whether the shaft was locked in place and whether the shaft had been routinely rotated while the sub was mothballed for ten years.
Usually a shaft through a hull will have several mechanical seals that are used when the shaft is rotating (my knowledge of subs in specific is weak.) The seals would not have liked sitting in one spot for ten years.
As a backup there is usually an inflatable bladder for emergency use only when the shaft is stationary.
Regardless, the guy who made the decision not to sink the sub in shallow sand will swing for this.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/03/2003 13:11 Comments ||
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#3
Super Hose, you called it: MOSCOW (AP) - The captain of the vessel that was towing a mothballed Russian nuclear submarine when it sank in the Barents Sea last week has been charged with violating marine navigation rules, Russia's chief military prosecutor said Wednesday.
Prosecutor Alexander Savenkov said Capt. Sergei Zhemchuzhnov has been charged with breaking navigation rules. "I am convinced that the commander of the tow boat must be held responsible for the information that he gives and the resulting actions," Savenkov told a news conference.
Posted by: Steve ||
09/03/2003 14:29 Comments ||
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#4
Have to see what the captain says. I was quite impressed with the stand-up nature of the CO of the sub that surfaced up through the Japanese fishing boat off of Hawaii.
The guy should come out and appologize to the families of those that are lost. How he acts now will make or break the national healing process.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/03/2003 15:13 Comments ||
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#5
He won't take responsibility. He'll say the 'Higher Ups' told him to keep going, and it will turn into the blame game.
Posted by: Charles ||
09/03/2003 17:38 Comments ||
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American dumbass actor Johnny Depp likened his native country to a "dumb puppy that has big teeth" in an interview published Wednesday, ridiculing Washingtonâs confrontation with France, where he lives, over the war in Iraq. Oh, good-dee. Another moronic actor fisking Uncle Sam.
The "Edward Scissorhands" and "Sleepy Hollow" star, who spends much of his time in the south of France with his companion, Vanessa Paradis, and their two small children, told the German magazine he couldnât see himself paying more than short visits to his Los Angeles residence in the present political climate. And this guyâs residence is right in beauzeau central, and itâs still too pro-America for him!
"America is dumb, is something like a dumb puppy that has big teeth â that can bite and hurt you, aggressive," Depp was quoted as saying. "We need to let ourselves be slaughtered. And our little dog, too."
Depp recalled that French fries were renamed "Freedom" fries in the House cafeteria on Capitol Hill at the height of U.S. anger over Franceâs refusal to back the administration of President George W. Bush over the war in Iraq. Weaselworm
"Nothing made me happier than when I read that â grown men and grown women in positions of power in the United States government," Depp said. "I was ecstatic because they revealed themselves as idiots." Not the US, you Rachel Corrie; France.
Depp said he wanted his two children, ages 1 and 4, to experience the United States "like itâs a kind a toy â a broken toy maybe. Investigate a little bit, check it out, get this feeling and then get out."
#2
I do respect him for moving to France though. Alec Baldwin made threats but never followed through. I'd love to see half of Hollywood move to France, they'd no doubt be happier.
#4
Another Hollywood idiot giving an interview to the european press. They still don't get the fact that their words will be all over the world the next day. And then they cry "foul" when we call them on it.
Posted by: Steve ||
09/03/2003 13:19 Comments ||
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#5
..told the German magazine he couldnât see himself paying more than short visits to his Los Angeles residence in the present political climate.
Do us all a big favor, and don't even bother to visit. Go straight back to France, and stay there. Forever.
#6
What's eating Gilbert Grape?
Is Johnny is still pissed Leonardo DiCaprio stole his career? Perhaps he could call his brat pack buddy River Phoenix to discuss US foreign policy... Oh wait, Johnny never did pick up that tab at the Viper room.
(Sorry, obscure movie references followed by Hollywood drug references... my bad)
Posted by: Charles ||
09/03/2003 17:41 Comments ||
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#8
No wait guys!!! Another Hollywood high school drop out gives his insight on the pressing problems of the world. I'm sure all of those years waiting tables while waiting to become a star has finally paid off for him.
Besides, can you think of a better place to send a big piece of Amercian Sh!t? Sorta ties right in to the puppy dog theme, huh?
Posted by: Paul ||
09/03/2003 18:13 Comments ||
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#9
Paul's on it...this was a stupid comment by an actor. I personally totally enjoyed his character in Pirates of the Carribean. He made the movie! I also enjoyed the coke and popcorn the refreshment counter person sold me. In spite of the fact, my 15, 14 yr old sons knows more about geopolitics and national security than either Mr. Depp or the popcorn guy. The real outrage is that the media whores portray him as knowing anything about anything other than acting.
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/03/2003 18:47 Comments ||
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#10
"depp" is German for idiot (no, really -- this means something, I tell you...)
Posted by: Carl in NH ||
09/03/2003 19:49 Comments ||
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#11
Anyone else wonder what got into ol' Johnny's supply? I think he needs to find another dealer.
The really crappy thing is that he was pretty damn good in "Pirates of the Caribbean". And I liked him in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", too. He nailed both of those parts.
Capsu78--I got what you were referring to, which means we've both been spending too much time goofing off when we should have been working! ;) You don't tell my boss, I won't tell yours....
Posted by: Baba Yaga ||
09/03/2003 21:21 Comments ||
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#12
Johnny Depp with a commentary on America? Whoa! Guess I'd better pay attention.
Enlighten me, Johnny baby.
EFL & FU
Eight members of the same Pakistani family have been massacred overnight in an apparent "honour killing", police say. The deaths, in Buner district in North West Frontier Province, happened late on Tuesday. All but one of those killed were women or children. Of course.
In the latest incident, police believe the killers may have been seeking revenge after a girl from their family allegedly eloped with the son of one of those killed. But since they couldnât find him, any family member will do.
The attackers struck in the remote village of Bagh Chingley, some 110 kilometres north of the provincial capital of Peshawar. They were armed with Kalashnikovs and axes, police say. They shot and hacked to death Dilbar Khan, 70, his wife, two daughters-in-law, three grand-daughters and a grandson. One of those killed was a two-week-old baby, police say. They are searching for the killers, but have so far made no arrests. Just vaporise the whole country, please.
Posted by: Steve ||
09/03/2003 8:50:09 AM ||
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yet the afghan army is engaging in barbaric behavior? Jeez how bad could tehy be?
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/03/2003 9:52 Comments ||
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Law enforcement agencies on Tuesday released 9 suspected Taliban soldiers and continued investigations against 19. Sources said the nine suspects were released after the authorities were unable to prove their involvement with the Taliban. Sources said two suspects were arrested on the border and the other 26 were arrested from a house near a religious institution. The Frontier Corps have installed searchlights and hidden cameras to monitor the border. Sources said four Afghan soldiers were arrested at the border for entering Pakistan illegally. During interrogation, some suspects confessed to their involvement in an attack on a check post in Spin Boldak.
"But that don't make 'em Taliban. They could be, ummmm... something else."
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
09/03/2003 00:19 ||
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#1
It was a mistake to seize these guys at this particular time. Hopefully they will still be able to thumb a ride to reenforce Mulah Fred Mahaledstone's Bedrock Bowlers of Death in Tora Bora.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/03/2003 10:01 Comments ||
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#2
"It was a mistake to seize these guys at this particular time." It was a mistake to seize these guys at all. Cross the border in either direction without official permission and the policy should be to shoot first and ask questions later. Who are we kidding here? This is not a border; this is a joke. If we were as serious as we should be, this border would be closed. Drop leaflets, set a date, and then shoot anything that moves.
Posted by: Tom ||
09/03/2003 10:51 Comments ||
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A Kurdish official revealed that an Israeli security delegation visited Baghdad on August 22 and 23, in order to coordinate with U.S. intelligence on the issue of terrorism. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, informed Al-Hayat that the mentioned delegation carried out a field tour in Baghdad, and an air tour in a U.S. helicopter above Mosul, Tikrit and Ramadi. "And if you look out the window on your right, youâll see the house where we bagged Sammyâs boys."
The source insisted that a U.S.-Israeli security coordination in Iraq had become necessary to both parties, in light of reports mentioning the growing influence of Al Qaeda and Ansar Al-Islam, and as a result of serious fears from a security cooperation between Iran and Syria, which the U.S. and Israel believe will be targeted against them. Agreed.
Following meetings with Iranian political and military officials two days ago, Iranâs spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had mentioned that a Zionist delegation visited Baghdad, without identifying the nature of its mission. They have their own sources on the ground.
The Kurdish official added that the U.S. Central Intelligence could have sought the help of Mossad against "terrorist" organizations active in Baghdad. He added that the "Americans are contacting intelligence forces in the region in order to coordinate on security issues and strengthen the means of fighting terror in Iraq." Thatâs funny, I could have sworn this story was from Dar Al Hayat. (scratchs head) Son of a gun, it is! Jews visiting Baghdad and not one drop of spittle.
Posted by: Steve ||
09/03/2003 4:27:43 PM ||
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not sure if the article is accurate, but Mossad's ties to the Kurds go way back.
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian Vice President Hamzah Haz branded America the "terrorist king" Wednesday in remarks at odds with Jakartaâs support for the war on terror. "Actually, who is the terrorist, who is against human rights? The answer is the United States because they attacked Iraq. Moreover, it is the terrorist king, waging war," the official Antara news agency quoted Haz as saying. Well now, I guess it wasnât treason for Bashir, since this fool is mouthing the same party line?
It was unclear what prompted Haz to make his remarks in a speech to heads of Muslim boarding schools in Central Java. Turbanâs on too tight? Cocktails?
The comments are likely to anger Washington and harm Jakartaâs desire to get their hands on key terror suspect Hambali, who is in U.S. custody. Heâs out of their hands forever — send him to the death camp at Gitmoooooooo!!
The conservative Muslim politician is known for strong statements that appear the product of a deranged mind out of step with the government. He once showed no hesitation visiting leading militants, including Abu Bakar Bashir, whom regional governments accuse of being spiritual leader of the Jemaah Islamiah militant network. So heâs swapping spit with terrorists...doesnât mean heâs a bad guy
A court in Jakarta sentenced Bashir Tuesday to four years in jail for participating in acts of treason, but ruled prosecutors failed to prove he led Jemaah Islamiah. Haz said that verdict should be respected, and told foreign governments to stop meddling in the affairs of the worldâs most populous Muslim nation by commenting on the decision. Shut up! everyone! I forbid comments!
When later asked by reporters to elaborate on his remark the United States was the "terrorist king," Haz said the country was carrying out international terror, Antara added. Haz was not more specific. The United States has praised Indonesia for its cooperation in the war on terror, particularly since last Octoberâs Bali bomb attacks, which killed 202 people. Indonesia wants access to Hambali and would like him brought home for trial over a series of bombings, including Bali. Not gonna happen
The radical Indonesian preacher, believed by some governments to be a senior al Qaeda operative and key figure in Jemaah Islamiah, was captured in Thailand last month. He is being held by the United States at a secret location. with Dick Cheney?
The vice president said Indonesia was still being accused of being a terroristâs nest. "Moreover, I am always perceived as protecting terrorists," he told the Islamic school leaders. wonder why?
Indonesiaâs Muslim boarding schools, or pesantren, have come under the spotlight over charges a few are incubators for militants.
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/03/2003 11:35:37 AM ||
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#1
Heir apparent to Mahathir? At least he has a name I can spell and pronounce and, thus, remember. (snicker) I guess Malaysia will have to consult the NorKs (the defending World Champs of Oratorical Outrage) so they can one-up the Indos and hang onto their #1 ranking in the Izzoid Moonbat Screech Division. Stay tuned.
#2
With apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan
(to the tune of the Pirate King):
When I sally forth to seek my prey
I pop the boomers in my way
It puts the wussies in a stew
To get a bunch and not a few
But many a leader on my road
Must defecate or decommode
A heavy load we all must heft
If weâre to have a country left
For I am a Terrorist King
And it is, it is a glorious thing
To be a Terrorist King
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
09/03/2003 15:58 Comments ||
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Since so many people agree that Aris came up with a good link, hereâs a few key paragraphs of the article he linked to:
. . . as usual, the anti-Israeli media were quick to find a way to blame Israel >[for the end of the "cease fire"]. Apparently, you see, the Hamas leader that Israeli soldiers eliminated was a "moderate," so now Israel was leaving only the "hardliners" in charge of Hamas. Get a clue, folks! There are no moderates in Hamas. An actual moderate wouldnât live for five minutes within the Hamas organization. There are only terrorists who think it might be beneficial to have an occasional hiatus in the killing in order to secure a temporary advantage, and terrorists who think the killings should continue without interruption.
But that doesnât mean that there arenât any moderates in Palestine. The fact is that Palestinians are human beings, which means that despite the pressure to outwardly conform, most of them are heartily sick of all the conflict and killing and would much rather things settled down to a normal kind of life where nobody gets killed and people just do their jobs and raise their families. However, if you actually say something like that in Palestine today, youâll be ostracized at best, probably beaten up, and maybe killed. Because Palestine, despite all the recent show of democracy, is still a dictatorship, and Yasser Arafat is still the dictator. Thatâs because despite Abu Mazenâs lovely title and all his meetings with foreign dignitaries and all the media coverage of his every word, Yasser Arafatâs boys have all the guns and arenât afraid to use them. Arafat allows Mazen to act like heâs in charge outside of Palestine, but inside, Arafat has no intention of releasing his iron grip. . . .
So the peace process is all over, right? Arafat is taking back control and itâs terrorism as usual, with the back and forth retaliations between Israel and the terrorists that weâve known for so many years ... Maybe, just maybe, thereâs something else going on. Maybe Abu Mazen, realizing that Yasser Arafatâs "security forces" will never cooperate in the suppression of terrorist groups (since theyâre terrorists themselves), and realizing that there is no hope for peace until the Palestinian government is able to control or eliminate all the gun- and bomb-wielding forces inside its territory ... Maybe Abu Mazen is using the Israeli military as his police force.
No, Iâm not suggesting some treasonous, under the table deal between Mazen and Sharon. All Iâm suggesting is that Mazen is not an idiot. He knows he has no military force that obeys him. But he also knows that the only reason he was allowed to assume his office was because Israel had Arafat and the other terrorists up against a wall. Hamas might be blustering right now about how Israel needs to "prepare coffins" as Hamas retaliates for Israelâs retaliation for Hamasâs truce-breaking bus bomb. But the fact is that Hamasâs leadership really hates it when their own guys are getting killed. It scares them to death. Remember, Hamasâs leaders arenât brave suicide bombers — theyâre the cowards who send out other peopleâs children as brave suicide bombers. They themselves donât strap on bombs and go blow up Jewish children and other innocents. So when Israel systematically targets Hamasâs (and Islamic Jihadâs, and Al Fatahâs) leadership, they start screaming about how awful Israel is ... but they also look for a place to hide.
How do you think Israelis are finding out where these Hamas leaders are? Somebodyâs telling them. Not Abu Mazen. But ordinary Palestinians who hate what the terrorists have done in their names, and hate the way Palestinians have to live because of the terrorists — some of them have found the courage to help the Israelis do what the Palestinians canât do for themselves: rid Palestine of the thugs who oppress them and commit atrocities in their name. . . . Orson Scott Card is the author of the excellent Enderâs Game series of SF novels -- and, it would seem, a darned good Middle eastern policy analyst to boot.
Posted by: Mike ||
09/03/2003 5:27:26 PM ||
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#3
Ok, Aris, I have to definitely give you points for this one. A very interesting read with a point of view I hadn't considered before.
I'd like to think this guy is right about the Palestinians' real feelings (anyone else remember the survey that showed that most Palestinians did not want a "right of return", contrary to what Arafat and Co. said?) I just hope if the Israelis are getting their info from Palestinians who are sick of the whole intifada that they are able to protect their sources from the neighborhood nutballs.
There may be yet another source that Card didn't consider. There are Israeli Arab soldiers, and they all have relatives, friends, you name it. The Israelis would be crazy not to take advantage of the knowledge that they could gather on their behalf.
Posted by: Baba Yaga ||
09/03/2003 23:38 Comments ||
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#4
May God bless those Pal's (and I do say that with some conflict, but not the "God bless" part) who are of the calliber of our own founding fathers and patriots that did so much more than any, except the few. Your fight is like those of the Warsaw Getto.
Two bombs exploded under a commuter train Wednesday in southern Russia, killing at least four people and wounding dozens of others.
Echos of Bombay... And Jerusalem.
The bombs were planted on the tracks linking Kislovodsk to Mineralnye Vody in the Caucasus region. There were about 50 people in the third car of the six-car train, which was directly hit by the blast, Railway Ministry spokesman Konstantin Pashkov said. Guess we know who did this one?
There were varying reports on the casualty toll. Dmitry Oliferenko, a spokesman for President Vladimir Putinâs envoy to southern Russia, said five people were killed, while Russian Railways Minister Gennady Fadeyev said in televised comments that six died — three in the explosions and three others afterward. But regional Emergency Situations Ministry spokesman Igor Mikhailov said four were killed and 33 were wounded in the explosions as the train was approaching a station in Podkumok, a small town on the outskirts of Kislovodsk, 870 miles south of Moscow. Nine of the injured were in grave condition and six others were in serious condition, Kislovodsk health care department chief Viktor Chuprikov said on NTV television.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blasts. Viktor Kazantsev, President Vladimir Putinâs envoy to southern Russia, told state television that police had arrested a man suspected of detonating the bombs. Russia has been rocked recently by numerous bombings and other attacks, which the government usually blames on Chechen rebels. An officer at the headquarters of the Caucasus Military District, which oversees Chechnya, said on condition he not be identified that the military had received intelligence information that the rebels were preparing a series of attacks in southern Russia. The explosion occurred just as Putin was scheduled to chair a meeting of regional governors in Rostov-on-Don, about 280 miles northwest of the site of the explosions. Putin spoke with Stavropol governor Alexander Chernogorov about the blasts, news agencies reported.
Followup: From Gazeta.ru...
A suspected terrorist was detained after the the explosion of the Kislovodsk-Mineralnye Vody commuter train on Tuesday. The man tried to escape from the place of the incident raising suspicions among law enforcers, the North Caucasus Directorate of the Transport Police has reported. According to the spokesman of the Interior Department, the detainee is in the Kislovodsk Central City Hospital and is unconscious. His identity is currently being ascertained.
Followup: From Moscow Times...
Channel One television said four students were killed by the morning explosions, and survivors told networks that many of the people on the train were college students and other young people. NTV television reported that the dead were an 18-year-old woman, two 21-year-old men and a 15-year-old boy. Many universities begin their fall semesters this month.
Followup: From Gazeta.ru...
The first suspects in the terrorist attack on the suburban train in the Stavropol territory (the North Caucasus) were discovered as a result of a preliminary investigation, press secretary of Russian president's special envoy to the Southern Federal District Maxim Fedorenko has reported. According to him, the car which was used by the terrorists to carry out the attack has apparently been found.
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/03/2003 3:16:03 PM ||
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"The man tried to escape from the place of the incident ...., the detainee is in the Kislovodsk Central City Hospital and is unconscious"
Truncheon Alert!
Posted by: john ||
09/03/2003 21:43 Comments ||
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Twin sisters have been arrested in Morocco accused of plotting to carry out suicide attacks in the capital, Rabat, police said on Wednesday. Ummmm, twins.
Two Moroccan dailies - Al Ittihad Al Ichtiraki and Assabah - reported that the dumbass sisters, whose surname was given as Laghrissi, were plotting with Muslim extremist groups to carry out a suicide attack against a supermarket in a residential area of Rabat.
"Let's face it, Fatimah. We're about the ugliest pair of twins in North Africa. We're never gonna get a man to beat us. We might as well blow ourselves up..."
A police source confirmed that the two sisters had been arrested days before the planned attack. According to the newspapers, the twins had written to the chief cleric at a Rabat mosque to ask if their planned suicide attack was "legal". The cleric replied that it wasnât. "Are you nuts? Where do you think you are, Chechnya?"
The sisters then contacted two Muslim fundamentalist groups in Morocco — Ahl Assounna wal Jamaa and Al Hijra wa Attakfir — who sent the twins documents on Jihad, or holy war, Al Ittihad al Ichtiraki wrote.
"This reassured the two sisters as they plotted their suicide attack," the paper wrote. They must have an equal oportunity program, at least when it comes to boomers..
Posted by: Steve ||
09/03/2003 2:55:11 PM ||
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why do I have the feeling they don't look like the Coors Lite twins?
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/03/2003 15:10 Comments ||
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#2
Again, Morocco seems to be taking the WoT a bit more seriously than most of its neighbors...
#4
Yeah, great, more from that wonderful Religion of Peaceâ¢. I'm sure my Lutheran minister regularly has to deal with young men and women asking him whether its moral to blow up unarmed civillians at the local supermarket (NOT!).
#7
It's the Middle Eastern Islamofascist version of the old Doublemint twins commercial: Double your blast radius, double your fun!
Posted by: Mike ||
09/03/2003 17:15 Comments ||
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#8
That or they're conjoined twins, and want to be seperated in the most gruesome way possible.
Posted by: Charles ||
09/03/2003 17:17 Comments ||
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#9
So, when these girlie boomers go to heaven, do they get the 47 virgin girs also. Are they dykes ?
Posted by: Bill ||
09/03/2003 17:52 Comments ||
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#10
Angie,
Real nice big "Makro" (pretty sure of name)supermarket in Rabat. Kind of like "Sam's". Beer, whiskey, and wine section is BIG. About 1-2 km from Embassy neighborhood, btw.
Posted by: Michael ||
09/03/2003 18:36 Comments ||
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#11
I guess the Islamonuts have finally gotten over their "girls are icky" problem if they are allowing them to blow crap up.
Posted by: Baba Yaga ||
09/03/2003 20:14 Comments ||
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From Geostrategy-Direct, requires subscription...
Hamas operatives have battened down the hatches in Lebanon in preparation for an Israeli strike. Palestinian sources said Hamas operatives in Lebanon have been warned that Israeli special forces units are preparing to attack the strongholds of the movement and key operatives in Palestinian refugee camps in southern Lebanon. Hope that Israel follows through on this...
The sources said the new battleground comes amid U.S. pressure on Israel to reduce attacks on Hamas operatives in the Palestinian Authority. They said the continued Israeli helicopter strikes on Hamas in the Gaza Strip has damaged the credibility of PA Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas had his chance. There are no more chances. Talk only has backed himself into a corner of no credibility.
Earlier this year, Palestinian sources said Israeli unmanned air vehicles and aircraft struck suspected Al Qaida operatives in the Ein Hilwe camp near Sidon. The sources said Ein Hilwe has become a major stronghold for Hamas as well. After Hamas comes Hizbollah, financed through Iran....
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
09/03/2003 2:33:03 PM ||
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They said the continued Israeli helicopter strikes on Hamas in the Gaza Strip has damaged the credibility of PA Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas.
It was Mazen's unwillingness to rip apart Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the rest of their kind that damaged his credibility, not helicopter strikes. The State Department and various administration officials need to pull their collective heads out of their asses.
#2
Abbas, even if he wanted to, couldn't do it without Arafat's support, and that was NEVER gonna happen. He could maybe pick up the pieces after the Paleo civil war, but he's toast/Arafat's puppet til then.
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/03/2003 18:41 Comments ||
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Israeli warplanes attacked suspected Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, hours after Hezbollah-fired shells in response to Israeli overflights landed in northwestern Israel, Lebanese security officials said. Rantburg Futures rating 80%
Israeli warplanes fired at least three air-to-surface missiles on the hills near the village of Bayada on the outskirts of the southern port city of Tyre, the officials, speaking on customary condition of anonymity, said. There was no immediate word on casualties. We can only hope.
It was the first Israeli air raid since Aug. 10, when shells fired by Hezbollah killed a 16-year-old Israeli and wounded five people, including an infant. That shelling, part of volleys fired by the guerrillas to counter Israeli reconnaissance flights over Lebanon, led to an Israeli air attack against suspected Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon, shattering an eight-month lull on the border. Earlier Wednesday, Israeli fighter jets flew over south Lebanon, drawing anti-aircraft fire from militant Hezbollah guerrillas, Lebanese security officials and Hezbollah said. Itâs called "trolling for targets".
A statement issued by the group in Beirut said its air defense unit fired at "Israeli enemy planes which violated Lebanese sovereignty." They bit.
Posted by: Steve ||
09/03/2003 2:21:18 PM ||
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Hizbullah has yet to even nick an Israeli aircraft. An unequalled record of futility methinks...
_____________________borgboy
JPost - Reg Reqâd
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on Wednesday was quoted as saying that the U.S.-backed "road map" for Middle East peace is dead and that Israel is to blame. Tap Tap....surprise meter was supposed toâve been fixed dammit
Foreign Ministry spokesman David Saranga dismissed Arafatâs comments, saying the road map never got off the ground because the Palestinians did not fulfill their first requirement — dismantling the terror infrastructure. Donât let facts get in the way of Arafatâs denials
"Unfortunately, the Palestinian side never carried out the first step called for by the road map," Saranga said. The plan, launched June 4, calls on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to end nearly three years of violence and envisions the establishment of a Palestinian state by 2005. The plan has been stalled for several weeks because of renewed fighting and a deadlock between Israel and the Palestinians on the dismantling of armed groups. Israel has accused Arafat of getting in the way of the road map and trying to undermine his prime minister, the U.S.-backed Mahmoud Abbas, at every turn. accused? Abbas says the same thing
Saranga said Israel remains committed to the road map. In order to move the process forward, Saranga said Israel has taken a number of confidence-building measures over the last few months such as the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners — intended to ease life for the Palestinian population, even though these were not called for in the road map. At the same time, he said, the Palestinians have not done what they were obligated to do.
Have they ever kept an agreement?
The CNN website on Wednesday quoted Arafat as saying the peace plan has no future. "The road map is dead, but only because of Israeli military aggression in recent weeks," Arafat was quoted by CNN as saying in an off-camera interview in Ramallah.
Bus bomb.
Palestinian legislator Saeb Erekat later clarified that the Palestinian Authority stands by the road map. then his lips fell off
"We want the road map to stay on the table, and we want the implementation of the road map," Erekat said. especially while we regroup and rearm and recruit
The latest escalation was set off by a Hamas bus bombing in Jerusalem in mid-August that killed 21 people, including six children. Since then, 16 Palestinians - 11 terrorists and five bystanders - have been killed in helicopter strikes in the Gaza Strip. After the first of the strikes, which killed Hamas leader Ismail Abu Shanab, Hamas and other militant Palestinian groups announced that they were cancelling their self-declared cease-fire. Again — this is the part the AP inserted — ....the ceasefire exploded on the bus, and only a willful appeaser and apologist of the Paleo terrorists would say otherwise
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/03/2003 2:06:02 PM ||
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That road map has a dead end on it with his name on a stone.
Posted by: Yosemite Sam ||
09/03/2003 14:10 Comments ||
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"We want the road map to stay on the table, and we want the implementation of the road map," Erekat said.
The answer is very, very, SIMPLE.
Break Hamas and the other various terrorist organizations, and the pressure will then be on Israel to honor their end of the bargain. Simple as that. All these assholes like Erekat and Arafat keep doing is blaming Israel for problems that arise because Palestinian power-holders are unwilling to honor their side of the agreements. Very SIMPLE.
So WHY does anyone even bother with this repetitive runaround?
Edited For Laffs - FU/NK:
A group for the study of the Songun policy was inaugurated in the U.S. some days ago. John Paul Cupp, chairman of the All Anti-Imperialists Wishing to Build Solidarity with the DPRK, in the U.S., was elected chairman of the group and Travis Dandy secretary general of the group. More on John and Trav later.
The group in a letter addressed to the Mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea in Japan noted that they are going to follow the great Songun policy as the policy is superior to other policies and the best policy arousing all the popular masses to the struggle to defend socialist Korea. The members of the group got together and united as one to support and encourage the DPRK and such south Korean mass vanguard organization as the National Democratic Front of South Korea, the letter said. The letter said that they would actively follow the Songun policy as they knew well that the principle of giving importance to the army laid down by leader Kim Jong Il is a strategical and tactical treasured sword to defeat the enemies, reject revisionism, build and complete socialism in the world. I have read a lot of these stories on KCNA reporting on one group or another forming to support the Songun Policy, yada, yada, yada. This was the first one I have seen in the US and John Paul Cupp and Travis Dandy sound like very important people, donât they? Well, letâs fire up Google(tm) and find out. John Paul Cupp is a raving commie poet (big suprise) who spends his time in the Yahoo message groups. Travis Dandy seems to style himself a leader of the Homeless Liberation Front (HLF) living in a Portland, OR camp called Dignity Village. This is from the Portland Mercury:
Travis Dandy, who only recently settled into Dignity Village, has called for a return to the original revolutionary ideals, which includes challenging the cityâs camping ban, recruiting young anarchists to join the camp, and lifting the population cap that the city has set at 60 persons. Outside sources say the leadersâ vision for the village has always been divided between radical political ideologies and a program designed to help people move up and on with their lives. "People feel like itâs a free squat," Dandy says. "But once we started talking about reviving the revolutionary ideals we got a good reception." Yup, the usual suspects.
Posted by: Steve ||
09/03/2003 1:06:33 PM ||
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John Paul Cupp is a raving commie poet who spends his time in the Yahoo message groups.
In other words, he's unemployed.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/03/2003 13:37 Comments ||
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Travis Dandy. It's so sad when parents hate their children.
Excellent performance for a newcomer: The obligatory committee with a title longer than five words, mention of Songun (synonym for Juche) Policy, with the usual hyperbole directed to the policy, army, and Dear Leader. Minor points off for confusing the army (tactical) with the policy itself (strategic), an error that Army Policy man would never have committed.
It's bad enough sleeping 'rough' while working through a Nighttrain hangover, bad drug buzz, or the demons yakking in your head and then to have middle class Travis Dandy pull up a piece of cardboard next to you and start exhorting you to embrace Juche.
If Travis has cigarettes, they'll listen politely but some night, he's gonna get a razor slash across his stupid face.
#6
Well, like many followers of the Songun policy, they have to scrounge for food. So, they're a pretty good fit.
Instead of NorKs, they got DorKs. ;)
Posted by: Baba Yaga ||
09/03/2003 22:45 Comments ||
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#7
Ptah, aren't you being a tad generous with the scoring? For a 9.0, I expect flying spittle and inflammatory rhetoric. Although comparing any of L'Il Kimmie's ideas to a "strategic and tactical treasured sword" does deserve extra points (after you control your laughter, that is).
Posted by: Baba Yaga ||
09/03/2003 22:54 Comments ||
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EFL/FU:
The bomb strapped to a pizza deliveryman who told police he was forced to rob a bank contained an unusual kind of explosive not typically found in America, FBI agents said Wednesday. FBI spokesman Bill Crowley confirmed a statement Wednesday by agent Kenneth McCabe that the explosive used in the device was of a kind he had only seen once, in Bogota, Colombia. Crowley also confirmed that a second weapon was found. The bomb that killed Brian Douglas Wells was secured with a metal collar and lock that FBI officials do not believe was commercially manufactured. Officials released photographs of the device Tuesday in the hope that someone may recognize it and call a telephone tip line. The second weapons was "unique," Crowley said, but he refused to describe it further. McCabe, the agent in charge of the FBIâs Pittsburgh office, had said in an interview with ABCâs "Good Morning America" that the second weapon was "a sort of a gun." WFT?
Investigators are still trying to determine whether Wells, 46, was a willing participant in the bank robbery last Thursday. After police surrounded and handcuffed him, Wells said he had a bomb strapped to him and that someone he apparently did not say who had started a timer on the bomb and forced him to rob the bank. While waiting for a bomb squad to arrive, the bomb exploded. When I first saw this story, the little voices in my head told me that I had seen this somewhere before. They were right:
CSI Miami - Season 1 - Episode 2 Losing Face
A serial bomber appears to be targeting Miamiâs Colombian community. A wealthy importer of Colombian goods is discovered wearing an explosive collar; both he and Caineâs mentor, a bomb technician, are killed in the attempt to disarm it. The explosive device tests positive for TATP, which means that it was home-made and highly sensitive. The device is technically complex, with dummy switches, alternate power source, and collapsing circuits, indicating that it was constructed by a professional.
Somebody has been watching TV. Wonder if the FBI has made the connection?
Posted by: Steve ||
09/03/2003 12:03:58 PM ||
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In the TV show, was the importer actually in on the plot? I find it kind of hard to believe that a guy would do this using a real bomb (er, unless he's a splodeydope, of course). If you're going to assert that someone else put that bomb on you, might as well use a fake bomb, and later claim you thought it was real.
On the other hand, why didn't he say who'd put it there? I figured he had, and the cops were sitting on it.
#2
In the TV show, was the importer actually in on the plot?
No, he wasn't. It was the collar connection that I thought was similar. Police reports say that the bomb was simple, the collar was not. Authorities on Tuesday released a photograph of the bomb's locking device, which consisted of four key locks and a combination lock, and appeared to be homemade. "The locking mechanism was unique and it was sophisticated," FBI agent Bob Rudge said on Tuesday.
Then there is this: McCabe said today on Good Morning America that Wells was also carrying a concealed weapon at the time of the robbery. He said it was "a kind of gun," and said that like the locking collar it was also "unique."
Strange use of words - "a kind of a gun". Homemade? Wells said somebody put the collar on him, after that police backed off. Don't know if they got anything else out of him. Time will tell.
Posted by: Steve ||
09/03/2003 16:11 Comments ||
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Libya has decided to sever diplomatic ties with Lebanon after coming under pressure to reveal the fate of a missing Lebanese Shiite cleric. Hussein al-Sharif, the charge dâaffaires at the Office of Arab Sorority Fraternity, as the Libyan Embassy is called, said the decision was made after recent blubberings statements by Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Berri and Nasrallah, both Shiite Muslims, urged Libya to reveal the whereabouts of Imam Mousa Sadr, the spiritual leader of Lebanonâs Shiite Muslim community who disappeared during a visit to Libya in 1978. "Heâs not missing, why, we have a piece of him in that jar right over there. And another piece here. Thereâs one stuck to the bottom of the commode in there."
"In fact, he's a lot more spiritual now than he used t'be, know whudda mean?"
``Our decision was taken as a result of recent speeches made by Lebanese officials and some editorials that appeared in the (local) newspapers that contained improper words and style,ââ al-Sharif told The Associated Press. "And there was no excuse for this since the new Chicago Manual of Style was just released!"
Lebanese Foreign Minister Jean Obeid refused to comment Wednesday on the reported closure of the Libyan Embassy. While Lebanese Shiites have long blamed Libya for Sadrâs disappearance, such calls intensified after Libya accepted responsibility for the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am airliner over Scotland that killed 270 people and agreed to pay compensation.
"They're handin' out money! Step up the rhetoric!"
``You (the Libyan regime) have admitted the 1988 aggression. Why do you ignore the 1978 aggression?ââ Berri said at a rally Sunday that was attended by thousands of people in the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek. "um, âcause we felt like it!"
"Why don't you give us money, too?"
The rally commemorated Sadrâs disappearance. Berri accused Libya of favoring Western states and not caring about Lebanon. ``Why did you succumb to the foreigners and forget those who are close to you?ââ he asked. "And we were close, man, really tight! Well not as tight as we are with Syria, sure, I mean, we wear their clothing with them still in it but still ..."
On Monday, Nasrallah, whose militant Hezbollah group is overwhelmingly Shiite, called on Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi to ``give us money admit responsibilityââ for Sadrâs disappearance. To which Gadhafi responded, "In a pigâs eye!" So to speak.
Libya insists Sadr and his two aides left its territory on a flight to Rome at the end of their August 1978 visit, but Italian authorities have denied he arrived. Cripes, itâs Italy, man, they lose stuff all the time there. I flew in to Bologna once and my luggage ended up in Naples!
Lebanese officials believe Sadr disappeared after having an argument with Gadhafi. Mo is rather Yasser-like in how he handles arguments, apparently.
Relations between Lebanon and Libya have often been strained by the Sadr issue. Last year, Libya asked for a change of venue for the Arab summit in Beirut after leading Lebanese Shiites urged the government to bar Gadhafi. The government said he could attend, but he sent an envoy instead.
That could also have had something to do with the locals' threats to kill him over the issue...
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/03/2003 11:08:37 AM ||
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EFL-FU:
Libya has decided to sever diplomatic ties with Lebanon after coming under pressure to reveal the fate of a missing Lebanese Shiite cleric, a Libyan Embassy official said Wednesday.
Hussein al-Sharif, the charge dâaffaires at the Office of Arab Fraternity, as the Libyan Embassy is called, said the decision was made after recent statements by Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Berri and Nasrallah, both Shiite Muslims, urged Libya to reveal the whereabouts of Imam Mousa Sadr, the spiritual leader of Lebanonâs Shiite Muslim community who disappeared during a visit to Libya in 1978.
"Our decision was taken as a result of recent speeches made by Lebanese officials and some editorials that appeared in the (local) newspapers that contained improper words and style," al-Sharif told The Associated Press. Humm, touched a sore point, did they?
While Lebanese Shiites have long blamed Libya for Sadrâs disappearance, such calls intensified after Libya accepted responsibility for the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am airliner over Scotland that killed 270 people and agreed to pay compensation.
Berri accused Libya of favoring Western states and not caring about Lebanon. "Why did you succumb to the foreigners and forget those who are close to you?" he asked. Cuz they have cash to spend on oil.
Libya insists Sadr and his two aides left its territory on a flight to Rome at the end of their August 1978 visit, but Italian authorities have denied he arrived. "Nope, never seen him."
Lebanese officials believe Sadr disappeared after having an argument with Gadhafi. One of those 9mm arguments, Gadhafi had a hot temper back in the day.
Relations between Lebanon and Libya have often been strained by the Sadr issue. Last year, Libya asked for a change of venue for the Arab summit in Beirut after leading Lebanese Shiites urged the government to bar Gadhafi. The government said he could attend, but he sent an envoy instead. I love Arab unity, oh wait, Kadaffi is a African this week.
Posted by: Steve ||
09/03/2003 10:59:48 AM ||
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Libya insists Sadr and his two aides left its territory on a flight to Rome at the end of their August 1978 visit, but Italian authorities have denied he arrived.
Both could be correct -- he could have gone splashing into the Mediterranean mid-flight.
Posted by: Tom ||
09/03/2003 11:08 Comments ||
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#2
Sort of embarassing when they ask for their cleric back and expect you to still have them. It sounds like the Polish Officers that Stalin could never find after he became one of the allies.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/03/2003 13:16 Comments ||
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Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, stymied by a power struggle with Yasser Arafat, will tell parliament he will resign unless he wins authority to take key reform and peace steps, officials said. Resignation threat #432
"Abbas will ask for support for his policies or he leaves," Palestinian Information Minister Nabil Amr told Reuters on Wednesday in the West Bank city of Ramallah. The moderate (moderate? nice editorial comment in a news article...ok, it is Rooters)
premier will address parliament Thursday to report on his performance four months after President Arafat appointed him under international pressure to advance a "road map" plan for ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. "Abbas will reiterate that the cabinet must be fully empowered... especially in the security and administrative fields," Amr said. "He will clearly ask for backing of his policies based on the principle of one authority, respect for the rule of law, and rejection of illegal weapons," he added.
That'd be a switch...
Abbas has no legal right to ask parliament for a vote of confidence, but aides said he would deem the general message conveyed by lawmakers in the debate as the verdict. Senior Palestinian lawmakers said they were working on a compromise deal to define powers held by Arafat and Abbas and ward off a resignation by the prime minister. They said Arafat did not want Abbas to go either for fear of an international outcry. He just wants a castrated puppet for PR sake
The United States seized on Abbas as the reform-minded pragmatist needed to line up Palestinians behind a long-elusive two-state compromise to the Middle East conflict, and his demise could cripple peacemaking indefinitely, analysts say. Constant disputes with Arafat have bogged down Abbasâs campaign for reform, including a crackdown on militant factions, crucial to the U.S.-engineered "road map" plan for peace. It charts mutual confidence-building steps to a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip alongside a secure Israel.
Confidence building measures = Charlie Brown, kicking a football...
Arafat, an elected president furious at U.S.-Israeli attempts to ostracize him over allegations he incites violence, which he denies, has denied Abbas powers to carry out security and financial reforms.
"One man, one vote, one time..."
Arafat has publicly endorsed the road map but refused to cede control to Abbas of security and intelligence organs seen as indispensable to subduing militants, whose Islamist leaders reject Israelâs right to exist and vow to destroy it. Officials say Arafat and Abbas, close comrades atop the Palestinian independence drive for decades, now hate each other. Prominent lawmaker Qadoura Faris said all 85 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council backed Abbasâs agenda but "what bothers us is the way he is administering his crisis with Arafat. This is a big problem and has caused lots of confusion." He said compromise proposals from some lawmakers could be presented during the session "and become resolutions that would be binding on both Arafat and Abu Mazen (Abbas). It would regulate relations between them."
Wonder if Yasser would honor agreements with his fellow Paleos? My guess is "no"...
Amr said that Abbas in his speech to parliament Thursday would not mention the power struggle but instead clearly ask for powers for himself in administrative and security fields. "Abbas will also reiterate that Arafat should remain in charge of political and negotiations affairs," he said. Arafat has been blocking Abbas to prove to the world he remained relevant, contrary to Israeli and U.S. assertions, and only he could deliver Palestinian compliance with the road map, according to Palestinian officials.
And since he won't do it, we're stuck in sometime last year.
They expected Arafat to use his sway on lawmakers in his mainstream Fatah faction, comprising the majority of parliament, to underline to Abbas who was boss in Thursdayâs session. But they said Arafat would try to head off an Abbas resignation for fear of an enormous international backlash, particularly from old European and Arab allies who still deal with him, for undermining his prime minister. From his Arab backers to his French ass-kissers
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/03/2003 10:48:18 AM ||
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The 'tough' backlash from the Europeans would be shown when they refused to pass the wet wipes the first time.
More Muscular Diplomacy® from the UN
The United Nations Security Council will pass a resolution on Oct. 1 to give legal backing for an international stabilization force in war-torn Liberia, Ghana News Agency reported Wednesday.
The UN peacekeeping force will take over from the Nigerian-led vanguard force to enforce the terms of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in Accra, capital of Ghana, on Aug. 19. Aug 19th - Oct 1st; wouldnât wanna rush things
Ghanaâs Foreign Minister Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who led a five-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) team to brief the Security Council on the outcome of the peace agreement, was quoted as saying on Tuesday that the resolution would give the peace initiative the needed momentum. "We should be careful not to allow the peace process in Liberiato slack," he told a press conference in Accra.
The meeting also focused on restructuring of the Liberian army. The foreign minister said ECOWAS lost a unique opportunity in 1997 to disarm combatants and that this time round care is being taken not to repeat that mistake.
He said the United States committed itself to the provision of logistics to facilitate the peacekeeping efforts in Liberia. Logistics had been the bane of the peace mission adding, Nana Akufo-Addo said, adding that "the same problem is affecting the deployment of Ghanaian troops." However, he said, the problems were being resolved to enable the Ghanaian troops to be deployed as soon as possible.
Nana Akufo-Addo said there were no discussions about former president Charles Taylor and his indictment. Besides the Reconciliation Commission provided in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, ECOWAS negotiators have no intention of setting up a war crime tribunal to try those who committed atrocities during the prolonged conflict in Liberia. "The issue of a war crime tribunal is not in the agreement and we do not intend to do anything else apart from what the Comprehensive Peace Agreement provides," the foreign minister said.
"Because too many of the neighboring countries would be exposed to punishment... if we started punishing war crimes in Africa, the trials would never stop"
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/03/2003 10:42:53 AM ||
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It's usually the disarmament phase that leads to renewed hostilities.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/03/2003 12:51 Comments ||
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#2
thks for cleaning up the typo (D'oh!) and the formatting, Fred
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/03/2003 15:13 Comments ||
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EFL
Chinese leaders sent congratulatory messages on Wednesday to Kim Jong Il, leader of the Democratic Peopleâs Republic of Korea (DPRK), on his re-election as chairman of the National Defense Commission. Three Cheers for Democracy! Hip hip hooray!
In their messages, both Chinese President Hu Jintao and Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China Jiang Zemin warmly congratulated Kim on the re-election. Jintao said, "Even though youâve sort of been a thorn in our side... we want to wish you sincere congratulations on a long and hard fought campaign... (tell us again, who did you run against?)"
Hu said the DPRK people will make new achievements in building socialism and striving for peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula under the leadership of the Korean Workersâ Party. He continued, "We really hope that someday, when you look up âsocialismâ in the dictionary, you see a picture of our buddy, Little Kim..."
It was the consistent policy of the Chinese government and the Communist Party of China to further develop the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK, Hu said. "Theyâre sort of like our pet pit bull." he confided, "Lots of fun to scare the neighbors with..."
"We believe the friendly cooperation between China and the DPRK will continue to make strides forward," he added. And we hope someday real soon, the NorKs donât have to eat grass and bark.
In his message, Jiang said the traditional friendship between the two countries had enjoyed smooth development in recent years, cough, cough,
and that their friendly cooperation was bound to be strengthened and developed through efforts by both sides.
Posted by: ----------<<<<- ||
09/03/2003 10:18:31 AM ||
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The Bush administration is preparing to ask the United Nations to transform the U.S.-led force in Iraq to a multinational force and to play a leading role in forming an Iraqi government. Awww, how disgracing crawling back to the womb of the UN
It's a bad move on its face...
PRESIDENT BUSH and Secretary of State Colin Powell met on the issue Tuesday and agreed to move forward with a new U.N. resolution, an effort to attract more foreign contributions to postwar Iraq, three senior administration officials said to The Associated Press. Powell and his aides will begin talking about the new resolution in coming days with key members of the Security Council whose support is critical â close ally Britain, as well as France and Russia, two countries that opposed the U.S.-led war. Mon amour, we will rename our freedom frites again into French frites
I somehow doubt we're going to do that...
The United States hopes that expanding the U.N. role in postwar Iraq will attract badly needed troop contributions from additional countries to help stabilize Iraq and more money to help rebuild the country. Last week, Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage said Washington was considering creation of a multinational force under U.N. leadership â but with an American commander â in an attempt to persuade reluctant nations to send troops to boost security in Iraq. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has ruled out a U.N. peacekeeping force in Iraq, but he has sought to turn the military operation into a U.N.-authorized multinational force.
Bit of a conflict there... Kofi wants it under the UN umbrella, but doesn't want to use UN troops... "We'll be in charge, you do the work."
Five months after the United States was forced to drop a U.N. resolution seeking authority to attack Iraq, administration officials say they do not want a repeat of that brawl. They say they expect the United States to engage in quiet, behind-the-scenes negotiations on the text of the resolution, to ensure it would be agreeable to the veto-wielding permanent members and the rest of the Security Council, and to project a unanimous, internationally backed stand on what happens next on Iraq. Uhmm, câmon guys we were just kidding, the UN is great, look we lowered our middle fingers let us please cooperate
"You guys provide the troops and pay for them, and we'll wear brass hats and run the oil for nookie program..."
According to the senior official, the Bush administration plans to begin talking to other nations within days about the new Security Council resolution. Diplomats say placing reconstruction under U.N. auspices will make it easier to garner contributions from nations that opposed the war, notably France and Germany. Belgium, too, said last week that it may be willing to donate money â if the United Nations was âplaying a central roleâ in reconstruction."
"We'll kick in some, but only if we can rake it back..."
âThe commitment of the United Nations has to be reinforced and reconceived,â he said. âThe authority in Iraq should be the U.N. as opposed to the occupying powers.â
"'Cuz if it wasn't for the UN, the occupying powers wouldn't be there. Well, not now, anyway. A few years back, maybe..."
Bulgariaâs U.N. Ambassador Stefan Tafrov, another council member whose country has already provided troops to the U.S.-led force, said a new resolution should provide âas central as possibleâ a role for the United Nations. âWhat is clear is that all members of the Security Council and the international community at large need a stabilized Iraq. Itâs in the interest of everybody, the Iraqi people to begin with,â he said. The administration is optimistic it can attract peacekeeping troops for Iraq from at least India, Pakistan and Turkey by placing the operation under the U.N. flag.
I'd be a lot happier to see them come from Kazakhstan, Peru, and Rumania, myself. Somehow I can't see Pak and Indian troops patrolling near each other without having periodic shootouts, followed by loud cries of "They started it!" If the Indos kick in, the Pak jihadis will be swarming to Iraq and then we're going to have to kill them and... Oh. Never mind.
Tentative drafts of a U.N. Security Council resolution circulated Friday among administration officials, but the State Department had yet to attract a consensus among them for expanding the U.N. role in Iraq.
Posted by: Murat ||
09/03/2003 8:59:45 AM ||
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#1
Rope a dope part II. It's Bush giving the UN another chance, not the other way around. And like their children the Paleos, the UN will once again fail to take an opportunity to make the best of what is offered. They'll tack on all sorts of demands which will play into Bush's hand. See, I was reasonable and the league of dictators, tyrannts and petty thugs just demand more and more. And with that Bush will cut the planks out from underneth the 9 Wraiths [neither dead or alive, but who covet power above all other things] who seek his office. It plays domestically. Only the fringe left and anti-American crowd can believe the American political body would surrender their soverignty to such an international failure as the UN. Keep dreaming Murat.
Posted by: Don ||
09/03/2003 9:10 Comments ||
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#2
How about: "We'd like you to help, but your demands are unacceptable. Since you won't participate without these conditions, but have indicated that you have the capability to provide said forces should we accede, We (the U.S.) instead request that you deploy your forces in the balkans, thereby freeing up our troops...it is in your backyard anyway, Frogboy"
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/03/2003 9:39 Comments ||
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#3
"And with that Bush will cut the planks out from underneth the 9 Wraiths [neither dead or alive, but who covet power above all other things] who seek his office." Soon to be 10 wraiths.
#5
I knew it was Murat on his first comment. Murat, you really DON'T understand Bush. He's just looking for contributions and posturing for the re-election so the Democratic candidates will have to STFU on this issue. I can assure you that NK, Iran, Syria, and the PA have no reason to sigh in relief.
Posted by: Tom ||
09/03/2003 10:37 Comments ||
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#6
Murat, you're simply tedious. Not clever and lacking a point other than hoping against hope for US failures, you're a pathetic and exceedingly small person. A year hence, you will be gone, because your reason for living will fade with every US step forward, every difficulty resolved, and every obstacle overcome. Each of those moments will diminish you personally, until you go *poof* in a little puff of illogical hatred. It's sad, really, but self-inflicted. Enjoy yourself, your time is limited.
#7
Oh, I almost forgot: Hey everybody - back off! Murat is my bitch! I will consider loaning him out. 2 cartons of Winston Lights per hour - in advance. Take a number.
Posted by: Tom ||
09/03/2003 10:53 Comments ||
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#9
.com buddy you keep me amazing, such a big mouth American patriot and then smoking Japanese cigarettes? Winston from JTI (Japan Tobacco Inc.) the same shit my wife smokes?
Posted by: Murat ||
09/03/2003 10:55 Comments ||
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#10
Oh, boy, here we go again. I thought Bush was an asshole for NOT going to the UN. Heads I win, tails you lose.
#11
Easy, easy. I can shout, don't hear you, bitch. Hey I know your old lady, but we don't talk much. She told me "so what?" is your favorite phrase, but I already knew that. So what? So I smoked her, too - like I said, we don't talk much.
#13
The story is all other the place. I don't think this will help Bush in our elections (I think we are seeing that the I-told-you-so crowd will run with this.) My guess is that this olive branch is an attempt to help Tony Blair's domestic position.
An indicator of what is actually happening willbe in the form of what international troops actually arrive. The only helpful troops would be Germans, Canadiens or Russians.
I say this because all the Eastern Asian countries will probably desire to keep their troops close to home. India, Turkey and Pahkistan are busy. For different reasons introduction of troops form any of those countries into Iraq might also be imflammatory. France is heavily involved in Africa.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/03/2003 12:39 Comments ||
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#14
Would like to see the books that document UN's helpfulness during the Oil for Food/Palaces Program. Maybe that couldbe arranged before the UN helps out some more.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/03/2003 12:41 Comments ||
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#15
I've posted on the foreign troop issue on my 'blog, third or fourth post down, and there's been extensive discussion of this over on windsofchange.net. (A.L.'s "belling the cat" post was the start). My opinion, in brief: Russia was allied with the previous regime, and despite (or perhaps because of) massive brutality can't pacify Chechnya; they have roughly as many troops there as there is civilian populace left. The other countries, like Turkey and Pakistan, have different issues. And I'm wondering whether what we need is more soldiers, or more cops instead. And whether we can trust them matters more than their numbers or firepower.
Posted by: Phil Fraering ||
09/03/2003 13:36 Comments ||
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#16
all evidence is that the US generals want the foreign troops. Evidently they see more uses for them than folks here.
However this is not necessarily a defeat for the US, only for those (not in the admin) who insisted the UN was the fount of all evil.
We cant evaluate the effect on Iraqi governance till the deal is finally hammered out.
#17
"who insisted the UN was the fount of all evil"
Now, now - let's not put werdz into other people's mouths! You opened the can... here come the worms...
The UN is one of, if not the least effective / efficient things ever devised and brought into being by man. Evil? Naw, I guess not. Screwed up and fails to deliver product or services without wasting 90% of every dollar? You betcha. Waste of time if you actually need to get something done during current lifetime or before a massacre occurs or before half of the population dies of starvation? Self-apparent answer: Yes to all. Completely unrealistic in its organization and staffing? Too many provable cases of "yes" to even count. It is mainly good for occupying space in news outlet product and chewing up monetary contributions and allowing a LOT of shitheads to run around New Yawk with diplomatic coverage and zero culpability. The dog just don't hunt.
If you wanna keep it for a pet, well, okay - but you have to feed it, take it for "walkies" and bathe it. Oh, and it stays on the porch. For Rust Belt residents: semi-enclosed area of home; usually exposed to the elements on 3 sides; quaint Southern affectation - good place to hang a swing and drink "lemonade"; pretentious people don't have porches - they have verandas - same same.
#20
Frank - Ah yes, the "Spanish" influenza influence. I didn't own a home in Laficornia - always on the road, then - so I missed that one. You B right!
#21
Time to get the rest of the world engaged in this Iraq resolution because eventually it will be in everyone's interest to have a stable Iraq. GW wants to bring the US troops home, not only because it might not be politically smart to have them still there in Nov 2004, but he may have further axis' to deal with shortly thereafter.
Eat a little crow today cause we might need some support down the road. And we stll owe Tony some favors.
Posted by: john ||
09/03/2003 21:36 Comments ||
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#22
"It's Bush giving the UN another chance, not the other way around"
What? Bush needs outside help, he has neither the money nor the support at home needed to continue with this gig the way it's going now.
The U.S. administration miscalculated on two major fronts..... the majority of Iraqi people did not greet the invaders with open arms and flowers and the international community did not come rushing in to help with the reconstruction effort after the fighting was done.
EFL & FU:
The Supreme Peopleâs Assembly agreed with a foreign ministry statement at the weekend that Pyongyang had no other option but to increase its nuclear deterrent force, according to the official KCNA news agency. The parliament also "considered as just" the governmentâs announcement that it had no further interest in talks on its nuclear programme, the agency said. Guess they didnât get the memo from China.
Also on Wednesday, the North Korean parliament re-elected the head of state, Kim Jong-il, to the key post of chief of defence. Just squeaked through with 100% of the vote.
The 687-member legislative body said the outcome of the Beijing talks last week proved that Washington did not want to co-exist peacefully with Pyongyang. The governmentâs call for a nuclear build-up was therefore "a just self-defensive means to repel the US pre-emptive nuclear attacks," KCNA said. North Koreaâs latest comments, while backing the foreign ministryâs statement on Saturday, seem to contradict another statement on Monday - also transmitted via KCNA - which said that Pyongyang still wanted to resolve the nuclear issue through dialogue. "Weâll talk about the fact weâre gonna build nukes."
The re-election of Kim Jong-il to North Koreaâs top post, head of the national defence commission, triggered nationwide celebrations on Wednesday, according to the countryâs media. "This is an expression of the absolute support and trust of all the servicemen and the people in him," KCNA said. "Upon hearing the happy news, the entire Korean people - including servicemen, old men and women and children - are coming out of their houses and working sites and dancing with bunches of flowers in their hands," the news agency reported. "Flowers, oh boy, we got lunch!"
Posted by: Steve ||
09/03/2003 8:41:42 AM ||
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#1
sounds like the oil shortage is gonna spread to NK, huh?
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/03/2003 10:07 Comments ||
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#2
10 for audacity.
Posted by: Tom ||
09/03/2003 11:01 Comments ||
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Since NK broke the original treaty, is there anyway the US can recoup the Billions given using an International forum?
Posted by: Daniel King ||
09/03/2003 11:04 Comments ||
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The only thing they've got left for our "recoup" is military wares and grass, and the grass is getting thin. Wait, they do seem to have lots of bunches of flowers!
Posted by: Tom ||
09/03/2003 11:53 Comments ||
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#5
Now I'm curious about the life and lifestyle of the members of the Supreme People's Assembly. Are these important party members? Random army officers told to get into civies and look solemn for the cameras? Unimportant party functionaries? Is it a coup to be named to a meaningless rubber-stamp parliament? A career dead-end? Do they get an extra ration of long-pig for themselves and their families?
Lots of questions today...
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
09/03/2003 14:21 Comments ||
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#6
687 member legislative body, eh? That is more than Congress has (not counting the multitude of staffers, interns, and camp followers). Let's see, NORK population about 22.5 million, so they should have about 33,000 folks per representative while we have about 1 congressperson per 500,000 people. And yet the people are eating grass and starving in NORK. Hmmmmmmm
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
09/03/2003 17:58 Comments ||
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*holds up card* 8.0. Impressive finish, but doesn't hit the compulsory points.
By Nawaf Obaid EFL and Fair Use
BEIRUT (IPS) As the Saudi officials have stated that Iran has failed to hand over any of the al-Qaâeda terrorists it is supposed to hold, a senior Saudi oil and security analyst said, "Since the demise of the Taleban, Iran has become a sanctuary for al-Qaâeda, making it the only place in the world where both Shiâite and Sunni terrorists have found haven". Echoes of Michael Ledeenâs article.
On Monday 24 August, press reports citing Iranâs ambassador in Riyadh, Ali Asqar Haji, suggested that Iran had handed over to Saudi Arabia a number of al-Qaâeda members. However, the individuals, like the 16 Saudis Iran turned over last year, are merely foot soldiers. Hoping they can get by with a little cannon fodder...
But on Sunday, Saudi Arabian Interior Minister Amir Nayef Ben Abdelâaziz, in an interview with the pan Arabic daily Al Hayat, denied the report, saying that so far Iran has refused to cooperate with Saudi Arabia over the al-Qaâeda. And the Saudis, now that terrorism has come home to the Magic Kingdom, wonât accept the "weâre all Brother Muslims" crap, anymore...
Iranâs refusal to grant access to over a dozen of senior Saudi-born al-Qaâeda suspects is disturbing, says Mr. Nawaf Obaid, a senior Saudi oil and political analyst. Some whoâs obviously been given the go ahead to stir this pot on behalf of Abdullah...
"What the Saudis want are the ringleaders of one of the last functioning al-Qaâeda cells with regional command and control powers. Intelligence officials also believe that members of this group know the identities of dozens of al-Qaâeda operatives dispersed in Saudi Arabia, Europe and the United States", according to Mr. Obaid. "Hey, Dude! This just wonât cut it, yaâknow? We want the biggies! Gotta stop this shit - in the Kingdom, anyway. We might pass along the little fish to the Fibbies."
That is why Saudi officials are keen to interrogate the suspects. In the last few months, however, Iran has hindered this effort. Doh!
"To be more precise, radical Iranian clerics have hindered these efforts. Iranâs moderate President, Mohammad Khatami, has promised to hand over the Saudi al-Qaâeda suspects. However, Saudi security officials were twice rebuffed when arriving to pick them up", Mr. Nawaf Oaid wrote in the Beirut based The Daily Star. "Are they ready to go?"
"Who?"
"The bad guys, you dimwit!"
"Sure, here ya go..."
"Why, these arenât the right guys - theyâre all Noor Tantrays! Yâknow, little fish!"
"Sorry, thatâs all we have for you today. Coming back tomorrow?"
"NO! This means the gloves are off, man! Weâre going to the press!
In the most recent attempt, Prince Mohammad bin Nayef, the assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs (the highest civilian administrator of the Saudi Arabian General Security Service), was told he would not be allowed to see the prisoners. A senior general in the Saudi General Intelligence Presidency who oversees coordination with Iranâs Intelligence Ministry was furious. According to him people close to Ayatollah Ali Khamenehâi, the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran are holding up the extradition because they fear theyâll be implicated. No shit, Sherlock.
"This episode highlights the strength of Khamenehâi and the radical clerics who follow him. Khamenehâi controls several powerful state security organs, including Iranâs Revolutionary Guards and the newly created Foreign Intelligence Service. Both report directly to Khamenehâiâs Office of the Supreme Leader, entirely bypassing Khatamiâs government", Mr. Obaid added. So much for Khatami, as if this is a surprise.
In the past few years, American, Saudi and other regional intelligence services have compiled a detailed dossier on the extremists within these institutions and their connections to international terrorism. More...
One question for Rantburgers:
What is the difference between the Taliban and the Black Hats, now, other than the fact that the Black Hats are rapidly becoming a nuclear threat to the region and, in particular, Israel?
How about, after answering that question, Rantburgers open up the debate on what you think would be required to topple the Black Hats and bring to power something far far less dangerous. Iâve suggested it would not require a bunch of boots on the ground - but some remote-controlled decapitation strikes, instead. Letâs hear it, folks. What do you think the US can and should do?
Posted by: .com ||
09/03/2003 4:43:13 AM ||
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#1
The US has its hands full with Iraq/Al-Qaeda for the time being. Iran will continue to be the same old story up until it is within arms length of the bomb. Then it will become priority numero uno, and it won't involve just the US. Any military action taken will be a joint Israeli/American effort, with my guess being that we won't know that the Israelis were involved 'til after the fact. As for Iran's support of terrorists, they have to take a number: SaudiLand, Syria & friends, Pakistan, are all in the same queue. The only difference is, if you want to get ahead in the queue, you have to go for something ambitious like making your very own A-bomb.
Posted by: Rafael ||
09/03/2003 5:13 Comments ||
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#2
The Taliban seems like it is now based in Pahkistan with its primary aim being flipping the coin again and rolling up the Northern Alliance. Iran is certainly providing convenient basing for some of the Taliban units.
I see much greater correllation between Iran Intelligence Community and the Middle East operation for AQ. The damage we have caused to AQ in that area of the world has left them on OBL organization on a simular footing with other terrorist groups that are dependent on Iraq and Syria. They are now playing minor league ball.
I am not an army type but the terrain doesn't look promising for military activity. The best chance for an overthrow of the reginem would be through massive simultaneaous civilian revolution. It hard to guess whether this can happen, but the internet coordinated "flash" demonstrations we have seen lately make me believe that anything can happen. It would be helpful if the organizers provided appropriate GPS coordnates to Donald Rumsfeld in a timely fashion.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/03/2003 9:10 Comments ||
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Rafael, the US does have our hands full with Iraq/Al-Queda but there is reason to believe it is Iranian assistance to the bad guys that have made our problems worse.
I would like to see VOA and other alternates blaring out for the Iranians to hear. I would like to hear Pres Bush supporting true democracy in Iran and meeting with those that have been abused, and making it difficult for the Europeans to deal with the Iranian Mullahs by showing the European people what their business is supporting.
I would like to see the US promote another day of strikes. And in the weeks before the strikes happen we announce that we are negotiating exile deals with some of the Mullahs (but don't say which ones) and that we will let the rest be torn apart by the crowds (this will create lots of fun distrust amung the Mullahs) and then perhaps a knife, poisons or a carbomb to take out a few Mullahs and make the rest twitchy.
I think the Mullahs can be brought down before the knifes, poisons and carbombs part of the plan but a plan has to be semi-complete.
The US doesn't have to do anything except wait for implosion, from both Iran and Saudi Arabia.
We have already set this in motion by our actions in Iraq. One of the reasonâs we had to go it alone was the fact that the removal of the Bath party in Iraq would cause massive instability in the whole region.
Itâs interesting to see how the fall of the Bath Party (a secular party) is causing rifts between Iran and the Saudiâs. Iran used to be the center of the Shiite religion, but that has now shifted to Iraq now that Shiiteâs have regained there freedom, thanks to the USA.
Because Iraq is Arab and not Persian, a rift has developed between the extremist in the Shiite and Sunni camps. The 'Baths' used to counter this because they where secular and Arab. But now that they are gone the rift is about Islam, where it used to be about race.
The attack on the Jordanian Embassy and the recent car bomb attack that killed the Iranianâs proxy Ayatollah are proof that a civil war has started in Iraq, at least between the religious whacko's. We all heard how at Friday prayers in Saudi Arabia, the Iman's professed Jihad and holy war and about how hundreds of Saudi's went missing. It was the very next Friday that a car bomb exploded in Najaf. The fact that the 'Ali' shrine was damaged shows what is happening.
You can see signs of it with the recent closing of the Libyan Embassy in Lebanonand the visit of the Jordanian King to Iran, the first time this has happened since the fall of the Shah of Iran. Its very strange how the Jordanian Embassy gets bombed and shortly there after, the King of Jordan decides to go pay a visit to regime that his father dispised.
I am not convinced that all the recent terrorism in Iraq is directed at the USA. Its funny how attacks where being carried out daily by Bath loyalist, blowing up pipelines, targeted assassinations of US troops; then this all stopped right after the Hussein Brothers where killed. Since then a noticeable shift has occurred in the targets of terrorism in Iraq, and those targets are no longer American. This could be because they are soft targets but I think its about the power and control that is still emerging.
These attacks are being controlled by the religious leaders in Iran and Saudi Arabia, each trying to gain power and influence in the new Iraq. These leaders are our real enemy because in their rightous view of the world, everyone who does not share their beliefs are infedels and need to be converted or killed.
#6
ZoGg, fascinating take on events. It goes against the way I've been reading things but it all fits so logically I'll have to consider this angle from now on. Well done.
#8
*Blinks* You may be right, ZoGg, but a big factor to proving your thesis is the absence of attacks against infrastructure. Have you checked this against Centcom briefs/press releases?
At first blush, you appear to be right: I don't recall any infrastructure attacks after the H. Bros got ventilated, but am wondering if this isn't a function of press selectivity, emphasizing dead bodies over busted equipment.
And there are still attacks against US soldiers (however, if the relative frequency is down, then I'll grant your point.)
#9
There was one infrastructure attack that I recall: Baghdad water main ruptured with RPG - remember geysering / flooding footage? About 10 days ago, IIRC.
#10
I don't think o0ne attack spoils the thesis as a terrorist attack once arranged might happen through inertia.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/03/2003 22:08 Comments ||
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#11
Took me a while to snap out of my trance but I did think about this all day. It's those smil'n faces that will change the Iran equation. The faces of the next generation of Iraqies that gave thumbs up to American forces; may god bless them. They are the ones who saw their parents totally traumatized before their own eyes. We must win their hearts and minds through what we do best, which is leading public opinion. Iranians will ask, what the damn hell is going on, those stooges in Iraq are free. The modern world is much more powerful than the shitheads. Was that "democracy, whiskey and sexy"? Iranian mullas are racing to put the noose around their necks. But let's be clear, that we, the US can not win freedom for the Iranians. That is a bridge to far. No, it will be Iranians, John Barley corn and pretty women. As to the bomb. That's a hair shirt that they may wish they had never come upon, The ring if you will. I have heard reports that some of the opposition groups use the lack of devololping the bomb as a reason to oppose the mullas. We all know that this is a sick society, as sick as anything Hollywood could ever imagine, and Hollywood is pretty sick. But Hollywood can help win this war. Hell, Hollywood could win this war.
A good post from a very Anti-American/Anti-Isreal website showing that a sectarian civil war has indeed begun in Iraq. Read between the lines....
This site had earlier tried to blame the Mossad for the Najaf bombing, but as the days pass even the most biased Arabs are understanding something very different is occurring.
The UK embassy in the Iranian capital, Tehran, has been closed for business after receiving direct hits from a number of shots fired from a nearby street. An embassy spokesman said that five shots were fired on the embassy building just before midday, breaking windows and entering the building. Nobody was hit in the attack which comes hours after the announcement that Iran had temporarily recalled its ambassador to Britain amid an escalating dispute between the two countries. Iranâs ambassador to Britain, Morteza Sarmadi, is said to have been recalled after failing to win concessions following the arrest of another Iranian diplomat in Britain, Hade Soleimanpour. Mr Soleimanpourâs extradition is being sought by Argentina in connection with the bombing of a Jewish centre in Buenos Aires in 1994, when he was Iranian ambassador there.
Posted by: Bulldog ||
09/03/2003 4:41:15 AM ||
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Sounds like Mr Soleimanpour is a big Iranian fish - and they are worried. How juicy. Mebbe he needs to be sweated a bit. I think he needs one of those special shots - he might've been exposed to some, uh, er, mysterious disease - yeah, that's the ticket. Now if he happens to get delerious and everything from the effects and, you know, starts naming names and giving up some goodies about the Black Hats - in Argentina and elsewhere - well Geez, sorry 'bout that.
Yep, he needs to have a Salvador Dali moment - or coupla hours, methinks. The man has something he needs to get off his chest - and immediate interrogation medical attention is called for!
September 2, 2003, 8:45 a.m. Still organized. EFL and Fair Use...
Anyone who has worked on terrorism for the past 20 years will recognize the murderous techniques employed in the most-recent monster bombings at the Jordanian embassy, the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, and the shrine of Ali in Najaf. They all bear the imprint of Hezbollahâs infamous chief of operations, Imad Mughniyah, the same man who organized the terrible mass murders at the U.S. Marine barracks and the American embassy in Beirut in the mid-1980s, and also, in all probability, the bombing of the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires a decade later. And this conviction is strengthened by the news that Mughniyah â who has changed his face, his fingerprints, and his eye color, since he knows heâs one of the most-hunted men on earth â has been in Iraq for several weeks. Olâ Mugwump, whoâda thunk it?
There is great reluctance in high quarters of Western governments to come to grips with the fact that the Lebanese Hezbollah is engaged in such actions, because they have convinced themselves that Hezbollah is primarily a social-welfare organization, and that its military arm has not operated against Americans for nearly two decades. They have not accepted the fact that there are many Hezbollahs, one of which is now growing in Iraq, under the leadership of the young Sheikh Moqtada al-Sadr, who was named chief of Iraqi Hezbollah by Iranâs strongman Mohammed Hashemi Rafsanjani several months ago.
That's a new one on me. Opens up endless possibilities, though...
And, as luck would have it, the young sheikh just happened to be absent from Friday prayers at the shrine of Ali when the car bombs went off. Well whaddya know, surprise, surprise...
The terror network is more complex, and far more united, than most of our analysts have been willing to accept. More... Excellent piece - excellent recommendations. Whether we wanted it or not, and planned for it or not, the fact is that Iraq has become the Terrorist flypaper / honey pot - and, along with the dinkleberry Saudis who give Mumsie a ring on their cellphone to say, "Iâm off! Wish me luck!", Iraq has attracted the "stars" of the Terrorist Network. Itâs at least as much an opportunity as it is a problem - and we should seize it, damnit! I wonât spoil the ending of Ledeenâs piece other than to say how grateful I am that the Black Hats are the diplomatic Keystone Cops of the Terrorist Regimes remaining. Tick tock, tick tock. Itâs time.
Posted by: .com ||
09/03/2003 1:58:42 AM ||
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#1
great and now for some real evidence and not same old overused reused hearsay
#2
stevey - LOL. Sigh. Sonny, you wouldn't know reality if it jumped up your fat ass and bit you. On the other hand, maybe it already did - something is certainly up your ass - along with what passes for your head. It obviously hasn't sunk in yet, but you are seriously fucked up son.
Y'know what, little boy? You need to get out more often. I suggest you take a job in Saudi Arabia - they prolly have "call centers" somewhere - not in their banks, I've seen those, but somewhere. A year or two in Lalaland would do wonders for you. You might actually learn something. Maybe. What's clear now is that you don't know jackshit. How could you? You've never been anywhere or done anything - absofuckinglutely nothing - which is why your comments generate such respectful responses.
#3
LOL Stevey in Saudiland would last about as long as the bus-load of human shields in Baghdad.
Posted by: Rafael ||
09/03/2003 5:50 Comments ||
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#4
Tying the recent bombings to a particular individual does seem kind of a reach at this point. I would still post a huge reward for the clown immediately. He certainly would know what exactly was in Beka. Grabbing a few guys with inside knowledge would be useful for what I hope will be the most massive special forces operation on the history of the planet. Probably, just wishful thinking on my part.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/03/2003 8:53 Comments ||
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#5
troll alert! restrain yourselves....
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/03/2003 10:15 Comments ||
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#6
Whadda ya say, guys? Lets set Manny the Mook up with a pair of cement overshoes - he'll sleep wit' da fishes...
Heh, love the nickname. Wonder if we could subject this joker to ridicule and consequent loss of face by plastering that nickname all over jihadiland?
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/03/2003 10:53 Comments ||
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#8
SW - Tanx *blushes* Hey, given that he's changed everything, would he notice loss of face? ;-)
Y'know, the way luck runs for these guys, although Mugwump might be much smarter than the avg, he might be pushing it in Iraq. Consider he's not on his home turf and there are Iraqis who will squeal if they detect an outsider... prolly a tad sensitive after the recent bombing at the Tomb of Ali, no? -- But would we know it if we had him?
Or maybe in Thailand - I still expect something big or semi-big to be attempted for APEC - they don't get such a shot at that many world leaders, incl Dubya, out in the sticks very often. Dumb luck runs both ways, good and bad. He's had a lot of good luck, maybe he's due... Looking at Hamball and Sheikh Mo and others, it could happen. How sweet the current string of takedowns has been! Always room for one more in Gitmo (Oooooohhh! Gitmo!â¢)...
#9
In the early part of the 21st century I was a poor working class person in need of enlightenment. I found a mosque downtown located in a cellar that, during the day, housed a car repair/disassembly business. The guy in charge said he was given to charitable causes, they were knon as 'Helpers' (aka Hezbollazis) They paid enough for me to clean up and take notes. They smiled alot and often made gestures that one would think might be not alot of fun. To this day I'm so happy for my deliverance.
Morocco and Israel may reopen liason offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv within a few days, Al Jazeera has learned. The news comes as Israeli Foreign Minister Sylvan Shalom is in Morocco to discuss bilateral relations with the North African country. During talks with King Muhammad VI on Tuesday, Shalom was expected to discuss reopening the offices which were closed following the outbreak of the Palestinian Intifada in 2000. Although no official announcement has yet been made it now appears likely Morocco will back the controversial move. However, Younes Mujahid, of the Moroccan National Press Union, said it is premature for the government to talk of reestablishing relations with Israel.
Does anyone ever pay attention to the opinions of somebody named "Mujahid"?
âAny normalisation has to be linked to a fair settlement of the Palestinian issue,â he said. âThis should not be happening while Arab land is being occupied. Israel hasn't given the Palestinians anything up to now — it never makes concessions.â
"At least none that we acknowledge..."
He added: âI think this is a political error. It may well be a goodwill gesture by the Moroccan government but it is misguided. âThe Moroccan people are not obliged to accept this situation because they have already given their opinion by blowing things up demonstrating in the streets,â he added. But Ali Anouzla, the Rabat bureau chief of Al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper, said reaction to such a move would be muted. âI doubt there will be much of a reaction,â he said. âWe are in the middle of an electoral campaign here so most of the political parties have their attention elsewhere."
It doesn't sound like the king was amused by the Islamists acting up last May...
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
09/03/2003 00:13 ||
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#1
This is some pretty funny shit...
Where does Younes Mujahid think he is, anyway, America? The Moroccan King giveth, and he can taketh away - any fucking thing he likes, cuz he's the fucking KING. I would suggest that this include Mujahid's wife, family, home, freedom, and his life. Methinks either Mujahid was given a wink and a nod to say this or he's a total fool. The latter makes a lot more sense than the former - as these remarks do not make the King look good in any way you spin 'em. We may not hear much more from Mujahid. Go get 'im, Kingie. (snicker)
#2
âAny normalisation has to be linked to a fair settlement of the Palestinian issue,â he said. âThis should not be happening while Arab land is being occupied. Israel hasn't given the Palestinians anything up to now â it never makes concessions.â
In 2036 a gaunt dishevled elderly Jew, the last surving member of his religion in the Islamic Pealeostinian Republic sleeps on a park bench in the city formerly known as Tel Aviv. On hearing of this outrage the new Grand Mufti in Jeruselem issues a call for Jihad. Thats what they mean when they talk about "while arab land is being occupied"
Posted by: Someone who did NOT vote for William Proxmire ||
09/03/2003 8:25 Comments ||
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#3
In British Medical terms Mujahod is "pumpkin positive." Don't want to speculate on his DBI without a picture.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/03/2003 8:41 Comments ||
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#4
interesting that the king is doing this now, despite the difficulties with the road map - he could easily have waited a couple of months - is this being used as pressure on arafat and on Egypt? Is he influenced by the Iraq situation? Is the US putting on pressure/bribes to achieve a diplomatic win?
#5
Morroco is probably the only really moderate Arab country around.
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
09/03/2003 12:23 Comments ||
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#6
Yes, .com. As Mel Brooks said, "It's good to be king." "Most of the political parties have their attention elsewhere." Damn right they do. If MVI decides it, it will be done and no criticism will be tolerated.
LH: Very interesting, indeed. I've got no logical answers to the three questions you pose. The current king's dad had Peres for a visit about 15 years ago. Gaddafi later at an Arab summit refused to shake Hassan's hand as the latter had touched a Zionist, and Moamar didn't want to get infected.
Anyway, I don't know why the King would do this now. He would receive no criticism in the media, but the average Moroccan would not agree. Something's afoot, if AJ is to be believed. What's up?
Posted by: Michael ||
09/03/2003 14:58 Comments ||
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The United States wants Israel to clarify threats by its defence minister's to expel Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, State Department officials have said.
"Are you gonna deport him all at once? Or one piece at a time?"
The officials said on Tuesday they wanted to know whether Shaul Mofaz had been speaking personally or was reflecting the view of Ariel Sharon's government when he made the threat in a radio interview. "Before we respond, we need to know the context," said one official. Another official said US diplomats in Israel were making inquiries about the remarks but could not say to whom the questions had been addressed. Mofaz told Israeli military radio the government would now consider expelling Arafat because he was an obstacle to the peace process. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Washington was aware of Mofaz's remarks and the US position on Arafat — declared an obstacle to peace by President George Bush in June 2002 — had not changed. "Arafat is part of the problem at this point and is not helping to bring a solution," he said. Pressed on the expulsion threat, he said the last time the question of Arafat's expulsion had arisen, the US had opposed the idea and had been pleased when Israel said they did not plan to do so.
This time we can "oppose" the idea and be glad when Israel "ignores" us...
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
09/03/2003 00:13 ||
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#1
I like Boucher's use of the past tense... last time, but what about this time?
Posted by: Pete Stanley ||
09/03/2003 1:35 Comments ||
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#2
These guys just don't seem to learn anything. As long as Arafart is still alive, there is going to be TROUBLE. Turn him into a corpse, and a very BIG obstacle to peace crumbles.
#3
Digitalis, or one of the really nasty ones that takes several months to work?
The Hellfire and John Clark methods are not recommended because of publicity concerns.
#4
I don't get it, why is the US so opposed to expelling Arafart? It ain't gonna happen, again. The US diplomats in Israel making inquiries are going to make sure of that.
Posted by: Rafael ||
09/03/2003 3:28 Comments ||
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#5
The US has one bona-fide problem with the idea of expelling Arafat, I think: officially, he was elected - and we made a big deal out if it.
I know it was a TFBS election (Total Fucking BullShit) on a par with Saddam Hussein's election, but the US stepped on its dick a few times afterward by referring to him as the elected leader of the Paleos - the grounds for inviting him to Camp David / Rose Garden / etc. So, though it was our favorite Idiotarian Prez Clinton, it became official language - for the Foggy Bottom guys, anyway.
We have to officially make the case that he has become an impediment (i.e. agree with Israel publicly - and often) and then we can follow through. We'll get skewered, regardless, by any number of asshats (our own IndyMedia chumps, EuroElitists, the Arab "Press", etc.) but it's obvious we need to do it.
Oh shit, re-reading this, I just realized I sound just like LH. I gotta get my cholesterol and triglyceride counts back up! Tonight, it's definitely steak, rare. ;-)
#6
"Hellfire and John Clark methods are not recommended because of publicity concerns."
They could use a "Cellulose-encasedJDAM"as in "Clear and Present Danger"
#7
It would not be all that hard to carry out a "John Clark method" that looks like assasination by a rival Palestinian faction. Use a Dragunov SVD, scatter a few "Hamas" press releases, maybe take out a few members of the "rival faction" a day or two later and make it look like retaliation.
Or maybe just pay some rival faction to do it.
Or maybe the rival faction will do it anyway, and all we have to do is watch.
Sowing fear, uncertainty, and doubt among your enemies can be fun.
Posted by: Mike ||
09/03/2003 8:20 Comments ||
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#8
what the US wants is for Arafat to THINK we will allow Israel to expel him, if Abbas quits. So that Arafat will cave, and we wont HAVE to actually let Israel expel him, with all the PR and diplomatic costs to us of that.
This is a difficult game to play. The French were supposed to be scared into playing at the UN by the frightening prospect of US "unilateral" action - well they called our bluff, forcing us to call theirs. So the key is to frighten Arafat, but to use words that dont put our credibility on the line if we defies us and we decide not to support expulsion.
Past history suggests this admin is not quite subtle enough to pull this off (but then what admin has?) which in this case may be a good thing - since it will lead to expulsion.
Of course it would be best if we have our OTHER diplomatic ducks in a row before we do this. Could explain the timing of our making nice-nice with the UN on Iraq. With UK cutting off Hamas, their is diplomatic momentum our way in the Mideast - a compromise on Iraq could make it easier for Germany in particular to come to our side on the Palestinian situation.
#10
Sharon should sit down and watch the 3 Godfather movies paying close attention to the endings. Whack all the bad guys in one day, scare the bejeebers out of everyone else in the same day, and take the heat for one act rather than a dozen. That's the way to do it. Not a hellfire a day for weeks.
Let things go quiet, let them think they are friends again. Track where they are, find a way to get close to them, and send teams out dedicated to nailing the top bad guys. Then on the selected day whack 'em. Whack 'em with knives, guns and poison and if Mossad is really good they can make it look like other Pals did the dirty deed.
#12
LH - You're definitely the only person in Rantburg who is liberal and intelligent and readable and capable of debate - all at the same time! So, damnit, we listen to you! ;-)
I don't do fish unless it's fried. I'm sure you would consider my diet appalling, steak after steak after massage parlor after steak after girlfriend after steak - and everything rare - prolly cause your arteries (or something else!) to seize up on the spot!
We are 'twixt a rock and a hard place with Arafat - unless we just don't give a shit what anyone thinks anymore. The Boucher thunderbolt may indicate we're headed that way. I have to say that removing the UN / multilateralist / Phrog girdle would be an immense relief - to me, anyway. Sometimes I get the impression that you feel there's order where I see chaos, but no matter. There are interesting times afoot, no?
And BTW, keep after everyone - we need reality checks - but don't tell anyone I said that, K?
Card is well known to many of us - for his non-movie writing - and I hadn't seen this article, yet. Thx! And, of course, I think Card has summarized what many here and elsewhere have said - and then put his own special spin into play - which is intriguing, if a bit fanciful.
Regardless, he's right: if Dubya keeps his mouth shut (and State's, too) and leaves Israel to do what it must do then we may someday find out if there's a moderate majority, a silent majority, of Paleos who are currently captives of the terrorists. If so, and they generate the moxey to take control when the asshats are decimated, then they may finally get peace and a shot at having real lives. If not, well, no, nevermind -- I'll just wait and see and not prejudge.
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