Germany has given up efforts to extradite 13 suspected CIA agents from the United States in connection with the kidnapping a German citizen in 2003, the Justice Ministry says.
Earlier this year, a Munich court ordered the arrest of the 13 on suspicion of kidnapping Khaled el-Masri, a German of Lebanese descent who says he was flown from Macedonia to Afghanistan where he was imprisoned for months and tortured. The chief prosecutor for the Bavarian state capital made a formal request to the German federal government in Berlin that it ask Washington to extradite the 13 to Germany for trial. But US officials have refused to meet the demand.
"The Americans have said quite clearly they will not extradite," a Justice Ministry spokeswoman said.
That couldn't have been a surprise to anyone.
The development means Germany will not be able to institute proceedings against the suspected CIA agents.
The Masri case has focused media attention on CIA kidnappings of suspected terrorists for interrogation in third countries. The practice, called "extraordinary rendition", has caused tensions inside Germany, and between Berlin and Washington.
The abduction and interrogation of Murat Kurnaz, a German-born Turk, also put the CIA and Germany's links with the organisation under scrutiny. Kurnaz was captured in 2001 and held for 4 and a half years at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp in Cuba. Especially damning was Kurnaz's unconfirmed allegation that German troops in Afghanistan had participated in his abuse.
Kurnaz was happy to say anything to stir the pot. It's in the al-Qaeda playbook.
Berlin says both Kurnaz and Masri were innocent and their arrests a mistake.
Despite media scrutiny of the two cases, analysts say German cooperation with the CIA is close, with Berlin and Washington working together to fight terrorism.
#1
Neither is "innocent".
Masri is connected with that infamous (now closed) Islamic center in Neu-Ulm (which had serious connections with Atta), and Kurnaz had a most suspicious and unexplained stay in Pakistan.
#2
Germany under Schroeder was one of those countries that refused to accept that Al Qaida had declared war against the West, and also refused to cooperate with the US on capturing terrorist suspects. Now their nose is out of joint because we (the US) went ahead without their expressed permission. Tough! The US should scale back its presence in Germany to the bare minimum, and let the Germans take over providing their own defense.
As for believing anything a muslim says about capture, torture, and "innocence", I guess some people haven't read the Al-Qaida manual closely enough, and are still gullible to muslim deceit.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
09/23/2007 15:52 Comments ||
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#3
As for believing anything a muslim says about capture, torture, and "innocence", I guess some people haven't read the Al-Qaida manual closely enough, and are still gullible to muslim deceit.
(KUNA) Austria and the United States agreed to intensify cooperation in the field of combating terrorism. The agreement was reached by Austrian Minister of Interior Gunther Plater and US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Chief Robert Muller, said a statement issued by the foreign ministry here Saturday.
Plater briefed Muller on the measures being adopted by Austrian government against terrorist activity. The two sides asserted the importance of exchanging intelligence information and working together against global terrorism at this particular time, according to the statement. The talks also dealt with the recent arrests of Islamists here in connection with the Al-Qaeda videotape threatening Austria and Germany with terrorist attacks. Muller renewed US support for Austria in its ongoing measures against terrorist organizations, and reasserted importance of exchanging information in the global war against terrorism.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/23/2007 00:00 ||
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Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) and her band of Senate moderates chatted amiably last weekend as they sat knee to knee in an armored van for a half-hour trip up a desert mountain to meet with Kurdistan President Mustafa Barzani.
They fretted Sunday night over their just-ended meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as their Army Strykers slowly made their way to a Baghdad market. And before their military 737 landed at Andrews Air Force Base, bringing them home in pre-dawn darkness Monday, Snowe and Democratic moderates Max Baucus (Mont.), Ben Nelson (Neb.) and Ken Salazar (Colo.) talked intensely for two hours, struggling to find a bipartisan way to shift course in Iraq over omelets, waffles and bacon.
But for all that talk, the group of Senate moderates who had promised to find the 60 votes needed to change course in Iraq seems no closer to that goal, even as the latest debate on the war winds to a close this week.
"If we go through this repetitive process with no resolution, it will be a major letdown to the American people," Snowe warned her colleagues during a Wednesday morning meeting of the Senate centrists. "It will erode the public's confidence in our ability to address major issues, especially on Iraq."
All summer, many congressional Republicans and Democrats promised that come September, the president would have no choice but to bring substantial numbers of troops home and, for those who remained, to change the mission away from combat. If those promises fail to materialize, the blame will be spread widely: to Republicans who have doggedly stuck by Bush; to Democratic leaders who have continued their confrontational demands for withdrawal deadlines, despite promises of compromise; and to the moderates who were supposed to have brokered the deal.
"I'm not giving up hope, but it may be that the clock runs out and we move on without considering this," Nelson conceded last week, even as he defended the deliberations of his fellow centrists. "I'm not looking to have a vote just to see if we have 60 votes. I want to present something only when it really looks like we have sufficient support to get it enacted."
"For us, for me," Salazar said, "it's been useful just to have conversation on what's going on with all the different proposals, to hear where my colleagues are."
Snowe put it differently: "It's political dysfunction."
The moderates in the Senate do share a common goal. They want to bring more troops home than the 30,000 that Bush would withdraw by next summer, and they want the U.S. military mission to change from combat to counterterrorism, border security and the training of Iraqi security forces.
But pride of authorship, Balkanization and indecision have thwarted their attempts to find a common legislative vehicle. Salazar is still pushing his amendment to enact the bipartisan recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, despite comments by Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) characterizing the measure as toothless. Nelson is sticking to the plan that he and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) drafted, which would mandate a shift of mission without requiring any troop withdrawals. Snowe has her own plan, linking deployment levels to political benchmarks. And perhaps a half-dozen other proposals are competing with those, including a nonbinding plan by Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.) to partition Iraq and a proposal by Sen. George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio) to pull some troops out within 120 days, though it also frowns on a "precipitous withdrawal" and eschews a deadline for any mission changes.
Democratic leaders have not done anything to thwart that search for compromise, Baucus said, but they have not done much to foster it, either.
Meanwhile, the White House and the Republican leadership have marshaled their arsenal to stop legislative progress on any changes in war strategy. It started with the testimony of the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, and was followed by private lobbying by Special Operations forces commanders, a top general for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the leading brass of the Army.
"It'll be very difficult, very difficult," Baucus said of the ongoing search for compromise. "The Petraeus testimony kind of put this whole question of change on hold. That is the administration's goal: to kick the can down the road to the next administration."
Last weekend's trip to Iraq featured four of the Senate's most visible moderates, and it did spur talks, a lot of talks. The four have continued to talk since their return. They met almost every morning last week in a modern conference room of Baucus's Senate Hart Office Building suite, joined by other moderates, such as Sens. Collins, Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.). Baucus was chosen to lead the discussions, in part because he has a proven track record on the Finance Committee of brokering bipartisan deals, and in part because his name is not attached to any of the competing plans.
The group members talked on Wednesday, just before a Republican filibuster shot down Senate efforts to restore legal rights to terrorism suspects. They talked shortly before the Senate fell four votes short of the 60 needed to approve legislation to extend troops' time between combat tours. On Friday, Nelson and Baucus talked about talking further, just before a measure to impose troop withdrawal deadlines was trounced.
And they have vowed to talk some more, this week and into the future, even after the current debate ends with the passage of a defense policy bill that is now likely to be shorn of any substantive Iraq policies.
"I don't think the debate will be over," Nelson said. "This mechanism for debate might move on, but you'll still have the defense appropriations bill. You'll have a supplemental [Iraq war spending bill] coming. The key is not to rush into something, but to make sure you've got it right."
Only Snowe appears to be frustrated by all the talking. Indeed, her condemnations of the government of Iraq, which has failed to meet U.S. benchmarks for political progress, are beginning to color the language she uses to describe efforts in the Senate.
"Obviously, we're all committed to our positions, but at some point you have to recognize, is there something else that can be accomplished in all this?" she said. "Because the bottom line is, the American people want change. The American people are there. They've been emphatic about that. Now we have to do something, so this doesn't become some sort of an all-or-nothing proposition."
This article starring:
Ben Nelson
Iraq Study Group
Ken Salazar
Kurdistan President Mustafa Barzani
Max Baucus
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki
Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid
Sen. George V. Voinovich
Sen. Joseph R. Biden
Sen. Olympia J. Snowe
Sen. Susan Collins
Posted by: Bobby ||
09/23/2007 07:33 ||
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#1
No one had a 'plan' for consolidating the West (of the Mississippi) either. It all sort of fell into place though without strategic planning or timetables, but with lots of patience and civil-military programs [some successful, some not]. Just consider the ME as part of the New Mexico Territory circa 1865 in the process of bring that part of the world into contemporary civilization and peaceful co-existence in order to join the family of modern nations. Then forty years from now they can as ungrateful of the current generation of European or Korean youths.
#3
Jeez, I'm getting sick of that word: "moderates" appears eight times in this article and for all the intelligence and strength of purpose those people display, you could just as well use the phrase "clueless idiots".
They talk about "changing course" and "shifting course", but there's no mention of winning.
Idiots.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
09/23/2007 9:39 Comments ||
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#4
There are only two ways to end a war. Winning and losing. They are not concerned about winning, so ultimately they are willing to lose. Djimmis.
#9
1. Broaden the range of designation of terror organizations.
2. Make massive use of investigative detention to secure disclosures of terror cells. (Carrot and stick approach would work)
3. Site US bases outside of cities and, on good intelligence, conduct heavy bombing of pockets of terrorists.
4. Establish protected ethnic zones in cities, and separate them with barriers.
5. Use reliable Iraqi troops to conduct house to house terror eradication campaigns. Militarize police operations. Eliminate all military patrols by US troops so Iraqis have nobody to kill but their own. Cease debasing freedom of the press, by indulging the sale of jihad videos.
6. Above all, impose a duty on Iraqis that they contribute to the pacification of their country, and proclaim that the country will not see normalcy or disoccupation until they do.
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/23/2007 14:37 Comments ||
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#11
As is always the case when dealing with Islamic nations, we are being played for all day suckers. Al-Maliki and the bulk of Iraq's wannabe-warlords-posing-as-government wouldn't want peace if it was handed to them on a solid gold platter, exactly as we are currently doing. Parasites like these thrive on chaos. Corruption, graft and violence are the principal means of advancing their mutual agendas. Peace would mean an end to the uncertainties and instability that permit them to victimize the Iraqi people on a 24-7 basis.
Peace and the transparency that it brings would reveal them for what they are; Namely, shameless gangsters and thugs. They are not one whit different from the Palestinians and Islamic leaders everywhere. The single greatest threat to their jihadist goals is prosperity for the masses. They know that happy and well-fed people will lose interest in jihad. By sowing turmoil and confusion they can continue their favorite sham of blaming Western interests for the ongoing strife.
I see little hope of exacting any genuine cooperation out of government leadership steeped in the toxic brew of ancient tribal politics. Better that we rule these newly liberated Muslim lands with the iron fist of a military dictatorship while awaiting the maturation of a coming generation now freed from any obsession with blood feuds and internecine violence.
At days end, the subjugation of Islamic countries is about maintaining America's security and preserving stability in the Middle East's oil patch. Let's all face this fact squarely and let our urgent and futile push for democracy in Muslim majority nations be of the secondary importance it really is. By being foolish enough to invert these vital priorities we have already been rewarded with Afghanistan and Iraq's instantaneous regression back into rule by benighted shari'a law. This one fact alone should have served us notice of just how mistaken and misguided our efforts have been.
#12
Hopefully, Ken Salazar will be a one-term Senator. He and his brother, John, who serves in the House, need to be forced to find honest employment. This is a state with a high number of military personnel and military retirees. A lot of us are getting tired of Denver running the whole show (4 million out of 5 million Coloradans live in the Denver Metro area).
We are at war, and those people like Ken Salazar, Olympia Snowe, and Bax Maccus who are more interested in personal power than the security of the United States should be confronted as traitors at every opportunity. I thought pretty highly of George Bush for quite awhile, but his failure to fight the propaganda war at home, and his failure to let the American people know exactly what they face in militant islam, has greatly lowered my opinion.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
09/23/2007 16:11 Comments ||
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#13
It would help things considerably if some internal progress timetables were known, especially as relates to IA preparedness. This is the job of the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq (MNSTC-I), commanded by Lieutenant General James M. Dubik. But neither the Command, nor the LTG, are in the news much.
Its three sub-Commands are:
* CMATT - Coalition Military Assistance Training Team, which organizes, trains, and equips the Iraqi Army, which is under the command of the Iraqi Assistance Group.
* JHQ - Joint Headquarters Advisory Support Team, which assists the joint headquarters of the Iraqi Army in developing a command and control system. Also, JHQ assists in operational planning and gives strategic advice to the Iraqi government.
* CPATT - Civilian Police Assistance Training Team, which organizes, trains, and equips the Iraqi Police.
#14
I thought pretty highly of George Bush for quite awhile, but his failure to fight the propaganda war at home, and his failure to let the American people know exactly what they face in militant islam, has greatly lowered my opinion.
While I approached this same situation in reverse order, I too have found whatever nascent appreciation for Bush's willingness to actually engage the enemy has been attenuated by "his failure to fight the propaganda war at home, and his failure to let the American people know exactly what they face in militant islam".
Worst of all is how the uninformed and misinformed American public will very likely conflate any failure of Bush's tepid approach with the perilous inaction or campaign of outright treasonous sabotage being waged by the democrats.
#15
Several of you stalwart regulars touched on a few of my own bugaboos raised by this article.
Exactly - and I use the word carefully - WTF is the "change of course" that is the only phrase/concept used to describe what so-called moderates or critics are seeking? There was a major (and long, long over-due, and fairly obvious) change of course 9 months ago, which is clearly yielding all sorts of interesting fruit. On a smaller scale, US commanders (and, I'm fairly sure, even PRT and reconstruction elements) "change course" all the time, as they seek ways to achieve their goals.
So, just WTF is the "change of course"? It's amazing - just as in the bizarre presidential campaign of 2004, one side is allowed to invoke a concept for literally months without ever being forced to lay out what it means. Not that this is the most outrageous or important puzzling thing of recent years, but it's one of the more prominent ones and it's at the center of this article.
On Dubya, it's a familiar and fully justified lament that this administration has simply never tried to do its job with the public, beyond the bare minimum at key milestones. And let's not here rationalizations about the media filter - yes, it's worse than ever, it's gone beyond a filter to an active, relentless source of misinformation and distortion - so what? The administration's job is to inform and motivate the public, whatever it takes. Don't tell me why you can't take that hill, son - just get your squad and go take it.
The greatness of Bush (yes, that's completely non-ironic phrase, and it's not so hard to rise above today's brain-dead political discussion and assume the role of future historian) is the combination of good basic judgement on the fundamental questions of national security combined with an approach that exemplifies "it's not about me, but the country's interests." It's the lack of the latter - the dramatic, utter lack of the latter - in the entire Dem party and MOST of the GOP that is so infuriating, discouraging, and dangerous.
As the wise folks around here already know, the war won't "end" any time soon, regardless of any short-term "changes of course" by the US. We're engaged for the long term, as we should be, and as is dictated by the nature of the terrain, the nature of our adversaries, and the stakes.
#16
"Exactly - and I use the word carefully - WTF is the "change of course" that is the only phrase/concept used to describe what so-called moderates or critics are seeking?"
I doubt they have even a vague idea of what they want. All I'm sure they're aware of, is a desire to "make the pain stop"-- i.e., get their constituents off their backs.
"Moderate", as best I can tell, is nothing more than a euphemism meaning "weathervane". They're followers, not leaders; alas, we have too few of the latter and WAY too many of the former.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
09/23/2007 21:01 Comments ||
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#17
"Moderate", as best I can tell, is nothing more than a euphemism meaning "weathervane".
Exactly as with far too much of the Muslim world and their love of the "strong horse".
A Joppatowne High School teacher informed Aberdeen Proving Ground leaders and Harford County schools faculty members about a new Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness curriculum that will be offered to 10th-grade students this fall during a school partnership meeting Aug. 7.
The leaders who attended the partnership included Col. Jeffrey Weissman, APG Garrison and deputy installation commander; Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Pedro Rodriguez and Col. Bobby Towery, commander of the 61st Ordnance Brigade and the U.S. Army Ordnance Mechanical Maintenance School.
We are very excited about the program that is starting this fall, Beaulieu said. Beaulieu said that the HSEP committee would like APG military and civilian employees to review the curriculum and make sure it is up to professional standards. They would also like APG employees to visit the classroom and speak to the students about homeland security.
During the first course, Foundations in HSEP, students will learn an overview of the subjects including homeland security and emergency preparedness agencies, guidelines and concepts, according to program literature. After completing the foundational course, students have the opportunity of choosing from three different strands or paths: Homeland Security Sciences, Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice and Information/Communications Technology.
John Wallace, a science teacher at Edgewood High School, helped in the development of the curriculum. Wallace, a former Navy commander, retired from APGs Chemical Biological Defense Command (now the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center) as a command naval liaison.
Towery expressed interest in getting involved after hearing about the HSEP program. I believe that military and the civilians that work on APG have a lot to offer this exciting program! Towery said. We have subject matter experts on Explosive ordnance disposal, security operations both physical and intelligence and incident management and response. We have the ability to coordinate training demonstrations or actual classes on EOD forensics and the process for obtaining security clearances, Towery said. We believe that we could help coordinate and facilitate just about anything that the program would need from the Department of Defense. We are committed to seeing this program excel.
Then his lips fell off, his tongue turned to ash and the wind swept it away. He did keep his hat on, though.
Afghan refugees: He said the presence of a large number of Afghan refugees in the province was posing law and order and economic problems for the government. The government desires their honourable return to their homeland, Jam added.
He said the government was working for the development of the province and making good use of its coastal and natural resources. He said foreign investment in the mineral sector was being encouraged. The Gwadar industrial estate project will help promote industrial and commercial activities in the province, he added. He said assistance from friendly countries and international agencies for the rehabilitation of flood- affected people would be welcomed. The US consul general praised Pakistan for fighting terrorism. She said she would advise US investors to invest in Balochistan.
Oh, yeah. Good advice. How could you go wrong?
This article starring:
Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Muhammed Yousuf
US Consul General Kay L Anske
Posted by: Fred ||
09/23/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Ima looking with envy at this old boys snappy cappy and I wonders when is the Rantburg store going to open?
I must have one. I recalls FredMan is have one made special by cruelelian blue babe, I would pay handsomely for a copy.
Posted by: Thomas Woof ||
09/23/2007 22:52 Comments ||
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An American expert on South Asia has urged tripartite cooperation between Pakistan, the US and Afghanistan in combating the terrorist threat posed by Al Qaeda and the Taliban and securing regional peace, according to a report released on Friday.
Lisa Curtis, senior research fellow in the Asian Studies Centre at The Heritage Foundation, asserts in the report, displayed on the Fox News website, that Al Qaeda has retrenched in Pakistans tribal areas, a claim substantiated by a recent United Nations report indicating that 80 percent of suicide bombings in Afghanistan originate from Pakistans tribal regions. The US, she says, has sufficient reason to target the militants but is hampered by how it can proceed without destabilising Pakistan.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/23/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
The onus is on Pakistan to prove it's actually willing to fight terrorism. The proof will be in how much effort they put on shutting down madrassas that extol terrorism and train terrorists. There hasn't been much effort put into it in the past, and I doubt seriously if there's much effort put into it in the future. Also, the promotion of terrorism against Pakistan's neighbor, India, aided and supported by the Pakistani government, doesn't bode well for future success. I'd much rather see the Pashtuns reunited as part of a greater Afghanistan, with the rest of Pakistan being absorbed by India. THEN maybe the world can get a hand-hold on terror emanating from central Asia.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
09/23/2007 18:01 Comments ||
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#2
THEN maybe the world can get a hand-hold on terror emanating from central Asiarabia.
Lal Masjid chief cleric Maulana Abdul Azizs counsel, Shaukat Siddiqui, on Saturday submitted an application to the special anti-terrorist court number-I for bail in five cases.
The cases were registered with Aabpara, Margalla and Kohsar police stations. Judge Chaudhry Habibur Rehman fixed September 27 for hearing of the application.
Rahsid Rauf, a dual citizen of Pakistan and Britain and main accused in the 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot, was produced before anti-terrorist court number-II under Section 418, 419, 420 7ATA. Judge Sakhi Mohammad Kahoot fixed September 25 for hearing of the cases.
This article starring:
Lal Masjid
Judge Chaudhry Habibur Rehman
Judge Sakhi Mohammad Kahoot
Maulana Abdul Aziz
MAULANA ABDUL AZIZ
Taliban
Rahsid Rauf
al-Qaeda
Shaukat Siddiqui
Posted by: Fred ||
09/23/2007 00:00 ||
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Police launched a massive crackdown on All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) leaders and workers in Rawalpindi and Islamabad early on Sunday and arrested Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Acting President Javed Hashmi, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) leader Hafiz Hussain Ahmed and the MMAs parliamentarian Mian Muhammad Aslam under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance. The raids were made to stop the movement from demonstrating outside the Supreme Court on Monday and Tuesday and then outside the Election Commission on September 29 when the nomination papers of the presidential candidates would be scrutinised.
A list given to the police by the government also includes the names of anti-government religious leaders. The list also includes the names of those who are dead or are outside Pakistan, a police officer said, adding that orders were also issued for the arrest of PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq, Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal and Ch Nisar Ali Khan.
Hashmi and Hafiz Hussain Ahmed were arrested from parliament lodges, while Mian Aslam was arrested from his residence in F-8 and sent to Adiala Jail for 30 days under Section 3 of the MPO.
Raids for arrest of Qazi, Asfandyar, Imran: Raids were also made for the arrest of MMA President Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan. Police also searched the rooms of MMA leader Liaquat Baloch and PML-N leader Tehmina Daultana. They both were not present there.
This article starring:
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal
Ahsan Iqbal
All Parties Democratic Movement
Asfandyar Wali Khan
Hafiz Hussain Ahmed
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal
Imran Khan
Javed Hashmi
Liaquat Baloch
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal
Mian Muhammad Aslam
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal
Nisar Ali Khan
Qazi Hussain Ahmed
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal
Raja Zafarul Haq
Tehmina Daultana
Posted by: Fred ||
09/23/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Mushie rattling the sabre at his political opposition. Mostly the 'moderate' opponents, I think. Suggests to me he's willing to 'deal' with the radicals (and Bhutto.)
The government is analysing whether troop deployment in the tribal areas has achieved its goals sufficiently to facilitate a possible troop reduction, NWFP Governor Ali Jan Orakzai said on Saturday. We are analysing what goals were achieved and whether we can reduce the troops level or not, he told journalists at an iftar-dinner at Frontier House.
The governor claimed the deteriorating law and order situation in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan and NWFP had links with Indian consulates near Pakistans border with Afghanistan.
We have to analyse what level of force is needed to maintain peace and develop the region, he added.
Referring to the 300 soldiers taken hostage in South Waziristan since August 30, Orakzai said it was carelessness and complacency on the armys part that so many soldiers were abducted. He said the government preferred to use negotiation when dealing with the growing Taliban influence in the region, rather than force. There is a need to build trust. We want peace to return to the tribal areas. He said the criticism of peace deals with militants in Waziristan did not bother him, as it was in the national interest and if someone does not like it I do not care.
The governor claimed the deteriorating law and order situation in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan and NWFP had links with Indian consulates near Pakistans border with Afghanistan. I have evidence and that is why I am sure of this, he said.
This article starring:
NWFP Governor Ali Jan Orakzai
Posted by: Fred ||
09/23/2007 00:00 ||
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Sept. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Blackwater USA, the private security firm under investigation for shooting incidents in Iraq, denied it had engaged in smuggling weapons to that country.
``Allegations that Blackwater was in any way associated or complicit in unlawful arms activities are baseless,'' the Moyock, North Carolina, company said in an e-mailed statement sent to reporters by Blackwater spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell and posted on its Web site.
The Associated Press, citing unidentified officials, reported earlier today that the U.S. Attorney's Office in Raleigh, North Carolina, is seeking to determine whether Blackwater employees illegally smuggled weapons into Iraq that may have later been sold on the black market, possibly to a terrorist organization.
Blackwater said in its statement that it had ``no knowledge of any employee improperly exporting weapons.''
``When it was uncovered internally that two employees were stealing from the company, Blackwater immediately fired them and invited the ATF to conduct a thorough investigation,'' the statement said, referring to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the Justice Department. ``The employees, who were former Marines and law enforcement, have been convicted and are currently negotiating sentencing in Raleigh with federal prosecutors.''
The company is under investigation by the U.S. Embassy in Iraq following a Sept. 16 clash in Baghdad that, according to the Iraqi Interior Ministry, left eight local civilians dead. Blackwater has said that its personnel opened fire only after the State Department convoy they were protecting came under attack.
Blackwater is the State Department's largest private security contractor, according to AP. The company's Web site says Blackwater has nine separate business units, including the biggest private firearms and tactical training center in the country.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice yesterday ordered a ``full and complete'' review of the department's handling of security contractors in Iraq. The examination will be conducted separately from the U.S. Embassy investigation.
BAGHDAD - Iraqi investigators have a videotape that shows Blackwater USA guards opened fire against civilians without provocation in a shooting last week that left 11 people dead, a senior Iraqi official said Saturday. He said the case was referred to the Iraqi judiciary. Yeah, just driving down the street with some diplomatic offical in tow and picking off innocent bystanders to pass the time.
Iraq's president, meanwhile, demanded that the Americans release an Iranian arrested this week on suspicion of smuggling weapons to Shiite militias. The demand adds new strains to U.S.-Iraqi relations only days before a meeting between President Bush and Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Good one, Maliki. Reasons?
Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Abdul-Karim Khalaf said Iraqi authorities had completed an investigation into the Sept. 16 shooting in Nisoor Square in western Baghdad and concluded that Blackwater guards were responsible for the deaths.
He told The Associated Press that the conclusion was based on witness statements as well as videotape shot by cameras at the nearby headquarters of the national police command. He said eight people were killed at the scene and three of the 15 wounded died in hospitals. Doesn't seem good at all.
Blackwater, which provides most of the security for U.S. diplomats and civilian officials in Iraq, has insisted that its guards came under fire from armed insurgents and shot back only to defend themselves. Does the diplomat back this up?
Blackwater spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell said Saturday that she knew nothing about the videotape and was contractually prohibited from discussing details of the shooting. Otherwise I'm sure you'd say something chock-full of useful information. Like "No comment."
Khalaf also said the ministry was looking into six other fatal shootings involving the Moyock, N.C.-based company in which 10 Iraqis were killed and 15 wounded. Among the shootings was one Feb. 7 outside Iraqi state television in Baghdad that killed three building guards.
"These six cases will support the case against Blackwater, because they show that it has a criminal record," Khalaf said.
Khalaf said the report was "sent to the judiciary" although he would not specify whether that amounted to filing of criminal charges. Under Iraqi law, an investigating judge reviews criminal complaints and decides whether there is enough evidence for a trial.
Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh denied that authorities had decided to file charges against the Blackwater guards and said Saturday that no decision had been taken whether to seek punishment.
"The necessary measures will be taken that will preserve the honor of the Iraqi people," he said in New York, where al-Maliki arrived Friday for the U.N. General Assembly session. "We have ongoing high-level meetings with the U.S. side about this issue."
Al-Maliki is expected to raise the issue with Bush during a meeting Monday in New York. Might be a good time for W to bring up that Iranian Quds smuggler, too.
It is doubtful that foreign security contractors could be prosecuted under Iraqi law. A directive issued by U.S. occupation authorities in 2004 granted contractors, U.S. troops and many other foreign officials immunity from prosecution under Iraqi law.
Security contractors are also not subject to U.S. military law under which U.S. troopers face prosecution for killing or abusing Iraqis.
Iraqi officials have said in the wake of the Nisoor Square shooting that they will press for amendments to the 2004 directive. Not gonna happen.
A senior aide to al-Maliki said Friday that three of the Blackwater guards were Iraqis and could be subject to prosecution. The aide spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case.
Shortly after the Sept. 16 shooting, U.S. officials said they "understood" that there was videotape, but refused to give more details. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not supposed to release information to the media.
Following the Nisoor Square shooting, the Interior Ministry banned Blackwater from operating in Iraq but rolled back after the U.S. agreed to a joint investigation. The company resumed guarding a reduced number of U.S. convoys on Friday.
The al-Maliki aide said Friday that the Iraqis were pushing for an apology, compensation for victims or their families and for the guards involved in the shooting to be held "accountable." First: Let's see the video.
Hadi al-Amri, a prominent Shiite lawmaker and al-Maliki ally, also said an admission of wrongdoing, an apology and compensation offered a way out of the dilemma.
"They are always frightened and that's why they shoot at civilians," al-Amri said. "If Blackwater gets to stay in Iraq, it will have to give guarantees about its conduct." Frightened? I thought they were mostly ex-military. Anybody know? I have, however, seen footage of security forces firing shots out of the back of an SUV into the hood of a Mercedes they thought (and probably rightly so) was following too closely. They were laughing about it. Not very professional.
Allegations against Blackwater have clouded relations between Iraq and the Americans at a time when the Bush administration is seeking to contain calls in Congress for sharp reductions in the 160,000-strong U.S. military force.
Adding to those strains, President Jalal Talabani demanded the immediate release of an Iranian official detained Thursday by U.S. forces in the Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah. Why?
The U.S. military said the unidentified Iranian was a member of the Quds force an elite unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guards accused of arming and training Shiite militias in Iraq.
A statement issued Saturday by Talabani's office said the arrest was carried out without the prior knowledge or the cooperation of the Kurdish regional government. Weak. And the smuggler was there without anyone's knowledge, too, I'll bet. Does that count for anything? This is a very difficult pre-condition to meet it seems. I smell treachery.
"This amounts to an imaginary insult and a violation of its rights and authority," said the statement, quoting a letter Talabani sent to Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker. Talabani, a Kurd, is one of Washington's most reliable partners in Iraq. Wait a minute, aren't we the occupying force? Find something else to prove your manhood with, Maliki, before someone rolls a grenade into your office.
Talabani said Iran had threatened to close the border with the Kurdish region if the official were not freed a serious blow to the economy in the president's political stronghold. What? $10,000 a month or something for walnuts and flying carpets? Pay them to STFU.
"I want to express to you our dismay over the arrest by American forces of this official civilian Iranian guest," Talabani wrote to Petraeus and Crocker. Guest? That nobody knew about? Did the Iraqi government officially know about them beforehand? Why don't we know about these things, too? Seems odd we would allow that kind of incident to occur more than once, if at all.
Five Iranians said to be linked to the Quds force were arrested in the Kurdish city of Irbil and remain in U.S. custody. Make it six now.
#1
So, a faction in Kurdish Iraq working with a faction in Iran? Maybe the predominantly-Kurdish populated portion Iran? Anyone smell a whiff of defacto border redrawing in the future?
Posted by: Whiskey Mike ||
09/23/2007 9:04 Comments ||
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#2
From AP this morning:
"Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said the man, who he identified as "Mr. Farhadi," was in charge of border transactions in the western Iranian province of Kermanshah and went to Iraq on an official invitation. He said Iran expects the Iraqi government to provide security for Iranian nationals there."
It may even be true - I would not be surprised if someone in the Iraq government extended 'official' invitation to Iranian arms smugglers.
#3
Re. the videotape - I want to know it actually looks like standard footage shot from standard locations at the police HQ (some kind of security cameras or such.) If it was focussed ON the Blackwater guys in time to show they were NOT responding to fire, I would have to suspect it was part of the standard AQ MO of filming ambushes for propaganda releases, with the ambush edited out.
#5
Security cameras usually aren't wired for sound. So somebody could have taken a popshot from off camera, and all you would see is the BW guys responding.
#6
Since the National Police has been singled out for disbanding (infiltrated by JAM), it wouldn't surprise me if there was a provocation planned vs. the US.
Maybe they wanted an ambush followed by a "rescue" by the National Police. Of course they didn't count on the marksmanship of the Blackwater bodyguards.
Al
Posted by: Frozen Al ||
09/23/2007 13:38 Comments ||
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UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United Nations will open a new office in Baghdad to encourage cooperation between Iraq and its neighbors as part of the world body's efforts to expand its presence in Iraq, the U.N. secretary-general said Saturday.
Now that we've done a lot of heavy lifting, the UN will come back. Be prepared for lots of white Toyota Land Cruisers and a backlog on reservations in restaurants inside the Green Zone.
But Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he hoped ``more would be done'' to improve Baghdad's security as the U.N. builds its presence, which has been greatly reduced since an Aug. 19, 2003, bombing at its Baghdad headquarters that killed 22 people. Ban's comments about security - as he sat alongside Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki - reflected the challenges confronting the Iraqi premier's struggle to stabilize the country while dealing with pressure from congressional Democrats who are calling for the quick withdrawal of American forces.
But Ban emphasized that the international community cannot turn away from Iraq. ``Its stability is our common concern,'' he said after a meeting that grouped top diplomats representing many of Iraq's neighbors, the United States, donor nations and other groups.
Al-Maliki, who is in New York for the U.N. General Assembly and is scheduled to meet with President Bush on the sidelines, acknowledged that the country continued to face challenges, but said that ``those following the situation in Iraq have spoken of a marked improvement (in security).''
That's a nice slap: Ban hasn't been following the situation, of course.
Ban said the new office in Baghdad would help foster dialogue between the countries bordering Iraq and that its framework and other details would be addressed at a meeting in October in Turkey. Another office is also being considered in the southern city of Basra and the office in Irbil, in the north, could be expanded. ``U.N. experience around the world reveals that such offices facilitate communication and helps to maintain coherent direction,'' he said, according to a statement of his comments to the diplomats.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/23/2007 00:00 ||
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Link ||
[7 views]
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#1
My god - those poor bastards.
What have the Iraqis done to deserve this?
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
09/23/2007 0:03 Comments ||
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#2
The UN will not be there for long. Someone will set off a couple cherry bombs in a wastebasket and they will run like rabbits.
#3
Dems will have one more item on the list of things to ignore when bemoaning the situation in Iraq. If the UN comes back it means that they think they have little to worry about.
#4
I'm sure the UN folks will do their usual exhaustive research into Iraqi society, such as patronizing five star hotels and engaging the services of child prostitutes.
#5
Great...and who's going to guard the place; Blackwater, coalition troops, or the UN's security force? I want to see some blue helmets out there to share the death, when the sui's come a callin. Please don't let it be Blackwater or Maliki won't be able to STFU!!
#6
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he hoped "more would be done" to improve Baghdad's security
In otherwords, even more heavy lifting for America to ensure the UN's safety even as they loudly and constantly bemoan our role as the world's policeman. [spit]
Ban's comments about security - as he sat alongside Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki - reflected the challenges confronting the Iraqi premier's struggle to stabilize the country
Bullshit. Destabilize, more likely. A secure and peaceful Iraq would probably vote a gangster like al-Maliki out of office faster than the devil can get his shoes on. Al-Maliki thrives on chaos as he not-so-deftly juggles his government's wannabe warlords along with the renegade militias of pet bullyboys like Moqtada Sadr.
We are being treated to the exact same perpetual cycle of endless self-entrenching chaos that Israel endures in Gaza and the West Bank. In both cases, a peaceful solution is the least desirable outcome. True prosperity eliminates the majority of corridors whereby these terrorist pimp warlords maintain both their power and profit. They thrive on mayhem and disorder. Just as the Two State solution is but a sordid ruse to continue the Palestinian status quo of endless hudna and predation, so is the farce of any Shi'iteSunni reconciliation but a tinsel lure dangled before America as an illusory and ever-elusive goal.
Despite whatever remote possibility that ordinary Iraqi folk would like to coexist in peace, their political and religious elite have no such intentions and will have none of it. Islam's aristocracy has long ago made it clear that prosperity is wholly undesirable. Any comfort or sense of well-being bred up by political and economic stability are seen as distracting Muslims from their proper purpose of jihad and establishment of the global caliphate. Not a one of the decision-makers could give a damn about peace. Not in "our time", not ever.
The sooner America and the West realizes this and installs harsh, dictatorial military regimes of our own designation, the sooner these greedy, quarreling thugs will be put out of business. Remember, so long as we participate in this complete and total farce, their main business will be seeing that the maximum number of our peace-bringing troops DIE.
#8
I dunno, Pappy, some of the IA units are getting decent enough. Back them up with some overwatch from our boys, or a trained Blackwater unit, and they might be just fine in this job.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/23/2007 14:35 Comments ||
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#9
IIRC, the last time the UN was there, they declined our security help on the grounds that it was too war-like and involved guns and soldiers and stuff.
#11
Steve, the UN won't go with IA, even if they show up alone. They'll hire from a 'local contractor' and then appear utterly surprised when the office goes up in a puff of smoke.
(KUNA) -- An Iraqi security committee warned Saturday against the dangers of armed groups that seceded from Al-Qaeda terrorist organization recently in Diali governorate, northeast Baghdad. Al-Qaeda organization in Diali has splintered into some small groups in Al-Meqdadia, Hobhob, and Al-Aswad towns, committee leaders told the Iraqi parliament citing a report. The splinter groups, called people's committees, include "Thawrat Al-Ishrin" (the Twentieth Revolution) Battalions, the Islamic Army which jeopardize the security of Diali.
Residents of Diali are gravely concerned about the existence of such armed groups backed by the US forces in the city.
Residents of Diali are gravely concerned about the existence of such armed groups backed by the US forces in the city. Some members of the groups perpetrated abductions and killings in Ba'qouba city and clashed with police forces there.
The US forced attributed the recent advances against Al-Qaeda organizations to "effective cooperation" with the splinter groups. Iraqi MPs reacted variantly to the report of the committee formed by Diali Logistic Office. While some parliamentarian hailed the findings of the report, others expressed reservations against the practices of the groups.
Salim Abdullah - an MP of the Sunni Iraqi List - said Al-Qaeda terrorists would never be driven out of Diali without the support of the splinter groups. Hadi Al-Aameri , a Shiite Alliance MP, called for controls over the armament of the splinter group and bringing them under the state control. The Iraqi parliament decided to hold a session to probe the situation in Diali exclusively with all member of the Diali Logistic Office attending.
This article starring:
Hadi Al-Aameri , a Shiite Alliance MP
Salim Abdullah - an MP of the Sunni Iraqi List
Posted by: Fred ||
09/23/2007 00:00 ||
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[4 views]
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Israeli officials vowed to wipe Syria off the map if it is attacked with chemical weapons like one that reportedly exploded in July at a secret Syrian base staffed with Iranian engineers.
Politicians in Israel said yesterday they were not picking a fight with their neighbor, but pledged to forcefully retaliate if chemical warheads come screaming across its shared border. "We will not attack them first. But if they ever use these weapons against Israel, then we must be clear it will be the end of this evil and brutal dictatorship," Yuval Steinitz, a right-wing member of the Israeli parliament, told the Daily News yesterday.
A little concerning that Israel has to say this -- everyone knows the Israelis would, and that's been true for thirty years. That Israel has to say it now shows how weak Olmert is.
Sparking shock waves across the Middle East was a report in Jane's Defence Weekly about an accidental explosion at a top secret Syrian base in July. Citing Syrian intelligence sources, the report claimed a team of Iranian and Syrian engineers were killed July 26 while trying to arm a Scud-C missile with a mustard gas warhead.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/23/2007 00:05 ||
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#1
A little concerning that Israel has to say this -- everyone knows the Israelis would, and that's been true for thirty years. That Israel has to say it now shows how weak Olmert is.
Yes and no. While Olmert is quite the jellyfish, an open anouncement like this meets a huge need. Despite their own endemic cognitive dissonance, high context Muslim cultures place a lot of stock in what is openly stated. Ergo, why Ahmadinejad's constant torrent of total fabrications is so effective in maintaining his popularity. Same goes for Nasrallah and his crowing about Hezbollah's imaginary "victory" against Israel last year.
Israel making such a forceful statement in a wholly public fashion helps to counter all the Islamic bluster and saber-rattling going on around them. Even if only in a small way, it attaches a price tag to the usual tissue of horseshit emanating from Syria and Iran. If this gives Israel's enemies the least pause, it does some definite good. America would do well to take copious notes from Israel's playbook.
#3
No one knows outside of Israel, how many of their 200+ nuclear warheads, would be utilized in the 'gloves off' retaliatory strike against Iran. Assuming that some would be kept in the 'kitty' for the unknown reaction of the Arab nations or Russia; 20 of those "Light Of GOD" missiles would be the minimum needed for surface emasculation with perhaps 50% targeting the underground nuclear, chemical and biological sites and their surrounding areas and personnel. Although history has shown the Jewish people to be a forgiving nation, it's wrath whether backed and or sponsored by God himself has shown to be merciless, which leads me to believe the strike would preclude any nation building considerations, or population density statistics by Israel and with an anticipatory likehood of an Islamic rebirth that would be administered by the world(UN). The pattern of the Islamic democracy will be nurtured by the UN, with perhaps a shaping in the line of Egypt that would appeal to the Israelis and surrounding nations.
#4
Which way do the prevailing winds go, in that part of the world? I'd rather Israel didn't exercise the Samson option in administering such a sharp lesson to the region.
#7
I'd rather Israel didn't exercise the Samson option in administering such a sharp lesson to the region.
Which is why I have increasingly agitated for America to take some pages from Israel's playbook. The most significant one is targetted killings. Whether it be a group decapitationsuch as Iran's entire majlisor some onesey-twosey nailing of Nasrallah and Meshaal, both modes would go a long way towards obviating the need for far more catastrophic countermeasures like the Samson Option.
America has sufficient stores of conventional weapons to achieve much of the Samson Option's results. Israel's overall goals are in striking alignment to our own: Namely, the elimination of extremist Arab and Islamic leaders along with their war machines. To hell with Muslim cries of how Zionists steer American foreign policy. More like, it is the universal predation of Islam that induces an overarching similarity in the response of all surviving cultures.
#8
I agree Trailing Wife, but in the brinkmanship game of nuclear M.A.D., The Jewish race and their survivability will be determined by reactions and decisions beyond their counterstrike pervue. Russia would almost certainly not retaliate for their Iranian 'friends' because the Russians could not guarantee all of Israel's launchers would be immobilized especially the nuclear subs; and thus Israel ,although massively destroyed in there geographical territory (Initial Use It Or Lose It scenario by Iran + Russia's declaration), would only need to hit 4 locations in Russia to disestablish the hegemony enough for the US or India to counter strike to the advantage. The Chicoms would 'hold back' understanding but ultimately realizing that huge sections of territory would be up for grabs in the ensuing decades of geo-political wrangling therefrom, although highly contaminated by fallout which would affect their peoples also. The agreements by the Security Council Nuclear Clubs within the first 24 hours of Israel's counterstrike will determine the course of the entire world!!
#9
A while back an Israeli blogger posted a claim that Gaza would be destroyed if a missile destroyed Israel's Ashkelon power generation plant. The country would have lost a quarter of its power supply, and face the task of rebuilding. And there would be no point in rebuilding, if missiles can destroy it again. There are numerous flash points where escalation could result.
In their haste, posters sometimes call for launching nukes. Frankly, it could happen.
#12
a few questions for those who have such information:
1. Are Israel's nukes of the WWII vintage (i.e., fission) or are they the more potent hydrogen variety (fusion)? As I understand it, NorK's and Iran's are the former.
2. I know it's untried as of yet in real life (and I hope it never has to be tried!) but how effective is Israel's missile defense system?
3. If an enemy state can produce a nuclear weapon, would it be so cumbersome as to necessarily have to be delivered by missile, vs. smuggled in?
#13
1. Dunno Dan. It is so classified that no non-Israeli has a good idea. Maybe OldSpook would know. I would bet that the large portion of them are fission and small yield for tactical strikes while only a few are larger payloads (Fusion) for taking out capital cities.
2. Very, very, very, very, very, very, very effective. As effective as the Patriot III.
3. Iran has the ballistic missiles to deliver one. It wouldn't be huge, but it doesn't have to be. Israel is a pretty packed place and a small nuke will kill a lot more people than a nuke over Iran.
#15
Darth - keep in mind it won't be "a" nuke over Iran.
Posted by: Thrinesing Prince of the Welsh6043 ||
09/23/2007 9:58 Comments ||
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#16
In this context 'nuclear arms control' means 'hitting what you aim at.' Iran might be able to hit Israel; Israel can hit an address in Qom.
I doubt Israel has fusion nukes. No point - you can get plenty of yield from enhanced fission warheads with a whole lot less complexity and maintenance issues.
#17
In most of the wporld prevailing winds are west to east
Actually, the direction of the prevailing winds depends on lattitude. here is a picture
Of course, if by 'most of the world', you mean the civilised world and Canada...
#19
#12, Dan go here and scroll down to Exhibit 1: Estimates of the Israeli Nuclear Arsenal (Source: USAF Counterproliferation Center, Air War College citations). God Bless Google.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
09/23/2007 13:41 Comments ||
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#21
Darth - keep in mind it won't be "a" nuke over Iran.
True, I was making the point that there are a lot more people per sq/KM in a smaller physical area in Israel than Iran. More bang for the buck so to speak.
#22
From what I have read over the years, the Sampson Option entails the complete and total destruction of ALL major Arab capitals and population centers within the maximum time frame of the IRBM's flight - about 15 minutes. Adding cobalt to a fission warhead guarantees fusion-type fallout from the explosion - dead zones for 300-5000 years, depending on the number of warheads used, the strike pattern, the wind patterns, and whether there are airbursts or groundbursts involved (groundbursts tend toward the heavier, longer lived isotopes).
Of course the Israelis could be nice to the West and use radiation-enhanced warheads which would simply kill the locals and leave the oil and infrastructure relatively intact and usable. Neutron warheads are within the scope of the Israeli nuclear program, and would allow the world's economy to survive such an exchange. The first year would be horrible but survivable if neutron warheads are used; if enhanced fallout warheads are used, write off 60% of the world's known oil supply, for a couple of decades at least.
The second scenario is the worst for several reasons : a worldwide depression on the scale and duration of the Great Depression, 5-7 mid-scale wars between countries scrambling for resources, and the possibility that Russia and China would be involved in a thermonuclear battle over the Russian Far East and all its resources.
#24
"possibility that Russia and China would be involved in a thermonuclear battle over the Russian Far East and all its resources"
What's the downside, SW?
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
09/23/2007 16:27 Comments ||
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#25
What's the downside
That was my first reaction as well, Barbara. The answer being that it requires demolition of the Middle East's oil patch and a global conomic depression to trigger it. Otherwise, it's one helluva win-win.
Bearing with Shieldwolf's ultimate scenario, we would be well-advised to expedite defeat of the shared enemies that America and Israel have in the Middle East. The kid glove treatment that they currently enjoy serves no other agenda but their own terrorist aims.
#26
Zenster: Excuse me but there is no "win-win" with the Samson Option as it would be the consequence of Israeli retaliation. Unless we are suggesting this is Israeli pre-emption in which case I am all for it. So long as they remember to nuke Mecca. I want see that smoking crater from space.
SMN: If you think the Russians would deploy nuclear weapons on behalf of the Arabs you are mistaken. They will sell the tech to just about anyone but - being old fashioned racial supremacists - they are no more likely to stick their necks out than the French.
#27
The reported Syrian-Iran-NK "alliance" in dev WMDS and LR missles illustrates that GLOBAL PROLIFERATION goes on - short of perm pre-emption. mil conquest, and inducing democratic "regime change" [by force? iff need be], how then can the World stop "rogue nations" = Terror groups from getting WMDS??? SAME ISSUE/QUESTION AS BEFORE 9-11 WHEN THE FOCII WAS SADDAM ONLY. *OWG > LIMITED DEMOCRACY VS FULL, LIMITED TOTALITARIANISM-GOVTISM VS FULL, ...@etc?
#28
Excalibur - re Russia...
I wouldn't bet on it. I hope you are right but remember the freighter to Egypt in the 74 war. Kissinger went on and on about it and its contents.
Hamas is under orders to perpetrate a large terrorist attack in an Israeli city to undermine the peace summit scheduled for November, senior defense officials said Saturday, hours after a Yom Kippur suicide attack was thwarted by an arrest and the capture of an explosives belt in Tel Aviv. Security officials said intelligence on the imminent attack was obtained by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) from the head of Hamas in Nablus, Niad Shakrit, who was arrested late Thursday night by the IDF's Duvdevan undercover unit, ending a four-day operation in the West Bank city.
During the operation last week, the army arrested 49 suspects, including a suicide bomber who was supposed to use the belt that was captured on Saturday in Tel Aviv. The explosives belt was found in an apartment in south Tel Aviv's Rehov Fijoto. Policemen and Shin Bet operatives who raided the apartment were attacked by a group of Palestinians who had illegally entered Israel in search of work. One of the policemen had his nose broken in the scuffles and was taken to hospital.
Border Police sappers destroyed the bomb belt in a controlled explosion on the sand dunes between Rishon Lezion and Holon. "Hamas is doing everything it can to perpetrate an attack in the near future, in an effort to spoil the planned US-sponsored peace summit set for November," a defense official said. "They are trying harder, which means we also need to try harder to stop them."
Shakrit had told the Shin Bet that a man from Nablus named Mhadi Ashur was living illegally in Tel Aviv and knew where the explosives belt was hidden. Police immediately began scouring south Tel Aviv. Ashur was located on Saturday and led security forces to the belt.
This article starring:
Mhadi Ashur
Hamas
Niad Shakrit
Hamas
Posted by: Fred ||
09/23/2007 00:00 ||
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[6 views]
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Soldiers from an elite Israeli unit captured nuclear material originating in North Korea from a secret Syrian military installation before IAF jets bombed it, a report by Britain's Sunday Times wrote Saturday night, quoting "informed sources in Washington and Jerusalem."
According to the sources quoted by the report, the alleged IAF attack was sanctioned by the US on September 6, after the Americans were given proof that the material was indeed nuclear related. The sources confirmed that the materials were tested after they were taken from Syria and were found to be of North Korean origin, which raised concerns that Syria may have been trying to come into possession of nuclear arms. The report said that the commandos, from the legendary General Staff's Reconnaissance Unit (Sayeret Matkal), may have been disguised in Syrian army uniforms. It also stated that Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who used to head the unit, personally oversaw the operation.
Israeli sources admitted that special forces had been accruing intelligence in Syria for several months, the report said, adding that evidence that North Koreans were at the site was presented to President George Bush during the summer. The report said North Korean and Chinese diplomats believed that North Koreans were also killed in the subsequent "IAF air strike."
This article starring:
Defense Minister Ehud Barak
Posted by: Fred ||
09/23/2007 00:00 ||
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[11 views]
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#1
The sources confirmed that the materials were tested after they were taken from Syria and were found to be of North Korean origin, which raised concerns that Syria may have been trying to come into possession of nuclear arms.
Hokay, this article is a bit more explicit about post-operations analysis of the North Korean nuclear material. I wasn't aware that North Korea had ever submitted fissile material for isotopic analysis and "fingerprinting", be it to the IAEA or NPT groups. Aside from Hangul printing on the crates, how would they be able to confirm this? My best guess is that there might have been some atmospheric release during last year's dud test in North Korea. Still, only American operations would have been able to do the atmospheric sampling to recover even slight traces for elemental analysis. Any information like that would be of such a highly classified nature I'd have to wonder about it being shared with Israel. Admittedly, Israel giving us samples for more reliable confirmation may well have justified such sharing, it's just that there's still some very dubious scenarios involved in all of this.
#3
I concur gorb, if Zenster's scenario of the sampling method doesn't preclude US or Israeli atmosheric 'scooping' then it leaves water retrieval from inside the facility or outside nearby. A microscopic element sample would be more daring (to breach security detection, and would require an non suspicious "mole" to ferret the goods to the west, just as you're surmising!
#4
Back in the mid-90s the US gave the NORKs technical assistance in encasing used nuclear fuel rods. It was part of the Carter-Clinton agreement that Pyongyang eventually abrogated openly when the broke the monitored seals on nuclear facilities.
I would imagine we got good profiles of their materials at that time.
#6
It just doesn't make sense for the Syrians to try to retrofit a NKOR nuke device on one of their existing missiles.
For one thing the NKOR devices don't work that well under perfect conditions. For another, doing the kind of work needed for retrofit requires a lot of lab equipment around to calibrate. There are several other things that argue against this.
On the other hand, it may be that the NKORs had some small electronic devices needed for nukes. But if so, they could have easily hidden them in NKOR-stan. They could also have tried to hide a small amount of radiological stuff, but this could also have been done in some deep mines in NKORstan.
Of course since both baby Assad and dear leader are arrogant and ignorant about nukes, they might have done something that doesn't make sense.
#7
It's not clear the Syrians were doing anything more than running a Public Storage franchise for the convenience of other members of the Axis of Evil. Pencilneck has little oil to export but lots of empty space to let.
#8
"Several months" > usually longer than that wid INTEL. I take this to mean new movements were discovered and watched ala LONG MARCH OF THE SS MAPO + AL-HAMAD/OTHERS???
An added bit of information in bold at the bottom of the story.
Israeli commandos seized nuclear material of North Korean origin during a daring raid on a secret military site in Syria before Israel bombed it this month, according to informed sources in Washington and Jerusalem.
The attack was launched with American approval on September 6 after Washington was shown evidence the material was nuclear related, the well-placed sources say. They confirmed that samples taken from Syria for testing had been identified as North Korean. This raised fears that Syria might have joined North Korea and Iran in seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.
Israeli special forces had been gathering intelligence for several months in Syria, according to Israeli sources. They located the nuclear material at a compound near Dayr az-Zwar in the north. Evidence that North Korean personnel were at the site is said to have been shared with President George W Bush over the summer. A senior American source said the administration sought proof of nuclear-related activities before giving the attack its blessing.
Diplomats in North Korea and China believe a number of North Koreans were killed in the strike, based on reports reaching Asian governments about conversations between Chinese and North Korean officials. Syrian officials flew to Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, last week, reinforcing the view that the two nations were coordinating their response.
THE United States Air Force has set up a highly confidential strategic planning group tasked with fighting the next war as tensions rise with Iran.
Project Checkmate, a successor to the group that planned the 1991 Gulf Wars air campaign, was quietly reestablished at the Pentagon in June. Checkmate is good. But I prefer "Help The 12th Imam Find Daylight". Or maybe "Good Day for SPF 100000". Just Kidding! But if we're gonna have to be a bear, might as well be a Grizzly.
It reports directly to General Michael Moseley, the US Air Force chief, and consists of 20-30 top air force officers and defence and cyberspace experts with ready access to the White House, the CIA and other intelligence agencies.
Detailed contingency planning for a possible attack on Iran has been carried out for more than two years by Centcom (US central command), according to defence sources.
Checkmates job is to add a dash of brilliance to Air Force thinking by countering the militarys tendency to fight the last war and by providing innovative strategies for warfighting and assessing future needs for air, space and cyberwarfare. It is led by Brigadier-General Lawrence Stutz Stutzriem, who is considered one of the brightest air force generals. He is assisted by Dr Lani Kass, a former Israeli military officer and expert on cyberwarfare.
The failure of United Nations sanctions to curtail Irans nuclear ambitions, which Tehran claims are **cough** peaceful, is giving rise to an intense debate about the likelihood of military strikes.
Bernard Kouchner, the French foreign minister, said last week that it was necessary to prepare for the worst . . . and the worst is war. He later qualified his remarks, saying he wanted to avoid that outcome. France has joined America in pushing for a tough third sanctions resolution against Iran at the UN security council but is meeting strong resistance from China and Russia. Britain has been doing its best to bridge the gap, but it is increasingly likely that new sanctions will be implemented by a US-led coalition of the willing.
Irans President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who arrives in New York for the United Nations general assembly today, has been forced to abandon plans to visit ground zero, where the World Trade Center stood until the September 11 attacks of 2001. Politicians from President George W Bush to Senator Hillary Clinton, the Democratic frontrunner in the 2008 race for the White House, were outraged by the prospect of a visit to New Yorks most venerated site by a state sponsor of terrorism. Let him visit. I'm sure we can get our hands on a few Iranian EFP mines to provide security along the way.
Bush still hopes to isolate Iran diplomatically, but believes the regime is moving steadily closer to obtaining nuclear weapons while the security council bickers about the shape of the table. Ya think?
The US president faces strong opposition to military action, however, within his own joint chiefs of staff. None of them think it is a good idea, but they will do it if they are told to, said a senior defence source.
General John Abizaid, the former Centcom commander, said last week: Every effort should be made to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, but failing that, the world could live with a nuclear-armed Iran. X. Wrong answer!
Critics fear Abizaid has lost sight of Irans potential to arm militant groups such as Hezbollah with nuclear weapons. You can deter Iran, but there is no strategy against nuclear terrorism, said the retired air force Lieutenant General Thomas McInerney of the Iran policy committee. There is no question that we can take out Iran. The problem is the follow-on, the velvet revolution that needs to be created so the Iranian people know its not aimed at them, but at the Iranian regime. Blow up any seats of government. Drop leaflets stating purpose. Drop bombs on mosques of extremist Imams who incite violence. Internet, TV, and radio campaigns. Threaten utilities of areas that make trouble. Show pictures of what people look like after a month of no water, fuel, or electricity. Or sewer, not that there will be much need for it after a week with no food. Offer rewards for tips that turn out. Nuke Pyongyang as an example. Threaten to involve Iraqi army. I'm sure Checkmate can think of something.
Checkmates freethinking mission is to provide planning inputs to warfighters that are strategically, operationally and tactically sound, logistically supportable and politically feasible. Its remit is not specific to one country, according to defence sources, but its forward planning is thought relevant to any future air war against Iranian nuclear and military sites. It is also looking at possible threats from China and North Korea.
Checkmate was formed in the 1970s to counter Soviet threats but fell into disuse in the 1980s. It was revived under Colonel John Warden and was responsible for drawing up plans for the crushing air blitz against Saddam Hussein at the opening of the first Gulf war. Warden told The Sunday Times: When Saddam invaded Kuwait, we had access to unlimited numbers of people with expertise, including all the intelligence agencies, and were able to be significantly more agile than Centcom.
He believes that Checkmates role is to develop the necessary expertise so that if somebody says Iran, it says: here is what you need to think about. Here are the objectives, here are the risks, here is what it will cost, here are the numbers of planes we will lose, here is how the war is going to end and here is what the peace will look like. Don't forget to include plans to seize munitions, explosives stockpiles, etc.
Warden added: The Centcoms of this world are executional - they dont have the staff, the expertise or the responsibility to do the thinking that is needed before a country makes the decision to go to war. War planning is not just about bombs, airplanes and sailing boats.
#3
I see it is the Times of London reporting and all, but this line begs for Clintonian parsing:
Detailed contingency planning for a possible attack on Iran has been carried out for more than two years by Centcom (US central command), according to defence sources.
Please, please, please say it ain't quite so.
1st - Centcom has existed for quite a while, but I'm not conversant enough to know if it was around in the early fifties, which is when, at a minimum, we should have begun planning these matters.
2nd - Maybe "detailed" is the unelaborated word here - in that we've note considered traffic signals or portable helipads or persian chromium reserves in prior planning, or similarly tertiary issues.
3rd - Perhaps the qualifying use of "more" refers to plans taken off the shelf for the first time since late December 1941
4th - Maybe the Times is just sending smoke signals and the wind caught them the wrong way - they did spell defense interestingly.
Posted by: Thrinesing Prince of the Welsh6043 ||
09/23/2007 10:20 Comments ||
Top||
#4
CENTCOM was created in 1983.
Iran was not a major threat to the US in the 1950s. In the 1960s-early 1970s under the Shah it was an ally. I personally had a job offer to work in Teheran on a command and control system explicitly designed along the same lines as the one being created in the US at the time.
Plans depend on a great deal that changes over time: weapons systems, doctrine, force structure, geopolitical environment. Anything shelved 'since 1941' would scarcely be worth reading or building on.
But I take it what you really mean is that you'd like to see nuclear weapons used on Iran.
#5
Actually, any plans should steer far away from nuclear weapons use on our part. As for the decades of planning, I'd hope their considering the stuff pretty far afield from the purely military, and in that sense, the coup from the 50's should have been the starting point, even though it was followed by the Shah's rule - as for 1941 or before - it's the cultural background that would be useful, you're correct in the waste of anything else smacking of logistics or similarly data-based conclusions.
For that matter, we've been contesting these issues since the shores of Tripoli episode, though the Persian setting is so far afield from that.
Posted by: Thrinesing Prince of the Welsh6043 ||
09/23/2007 10:47 Comments ||
Top||
#6
Defence is the British spelling. My spellcheck ticks me on that every time.
They've been at war with us since 1979. It's time to end that war in a loud and deafening manner such that the rest of the world understands exactly what it means to f^ck with us and keep on f^cking with us for that long.
If that means we have to be bastards to the rest of the world, so be it. Better to be live bastards and hated than dead bastards and mourned (or not even).
#11
Show pictures of what people look like after a month of no water, fuel, or electricity.
Better yet, start distributing a well-produced and exceptionally vivid Middle Eastern version of "The Day After". Include highly persuasive depictions of recognizable landmarks vaporizing and familiar urban areas being rubblized and firestormed, right down to the burning concrete.
Spend the DVD's second half showing the jolly times had by all as they crawl out from beneath the ruins and begin dining on field mice for their Ramadan feasts. Graphically portray the deprivations and suffering that Islamic terrorism will win for the Muslim world.
#16
Bombing may indeed set back Iran's indigens ambitions, but only for a time and is exclusive of any nucmats = Nuke-WMD munitions transfers from 3rd Party nations hostile to the US or Western democracy. "TIS ONE REASON WHY DUBUYA WANTS US TMD IN EASTERN EURO + PATRIOTS IN ISRAEL-TURKEY - but we all know how Russia feels about US TMD near its borders/peripheries, don't we!? RUSSIA'S ATTITUDE > why the USN needs its own ARSENAL SHIPS wid GMD capabilities. WHen Russia talks about defeating US GMD, besides traditional or well-known methods of attack, IMO they are also talking about dev LR, UNDERWATER STANDOFF missle systems = MISSLE-TORPEDOES CAPABLE OF REMOTE/INDEPEN UW MANEUVER which will "pop up" only near their designated targets.
KOMMERSANT/WAFF.com > RUSSIA is dev its own robo USV capable of being armed wid warheads. Recall WW2 = JAPANESE MANNED, TORPEDO/BOMB-ARMED SUICIDE MINI-SUBS.
#17
Moud's consistent refusals to stop Iran's ambitions ala NUCLEAR ENRICHMENT, + Asymmetric Warfare [defensive "People's War, i.e. 20Milyuhn BASIJ armed "Volunteers"] > can be SUMMED UP AS IRAN WANTS BE INVADED BY THE USA-ALLIES, NOTSOMUCH DOING THE INVADIN'. Can also be ascribes as IRAN WON'T STOP UNTIL ITS FORCIBLY/ MILITARILY OCCUPIED *LEST WE FERGIT, THERE WERE NET NEWS REPORTS THAT IRAN'S MULLAHS WERE NOT AGAINST USING WMDS INCLUDING NUKES ON IRANIAN SOIL AGZ FOREIGN INVADERS.
BERLIN - Germany does not back French President Nicolas Sarkozys call for tougher sanctions over Irans nuclear programme outside the aegis of the UN, the Der Spiegel magazine said in an issue due out Monday. The United States backs (Sarkozys suggestion) but Berlin is against it, a source close to German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was cited as saying.
Sarkozys spokesman David Martinon has said France wants its European partners to take their own economic steps to punish Teheran, in parallel to the drive to secure new UN sanctions. Martinon said the measures envisaged could even be taken without there being a common text between the Europeans.
Steinmeier, who will next week attend a meeting on Iran in New York with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, is preparing his arguments for a stormy debate, the magazine said. It said the German minister would point out that the line adopted by Washington and Paris was ambiguous as several of their leading companies were present in Iran.
According to media reports, there are significant differences between Europe and the United States on one side and Russia and China on the other, with the latter countries against imposing further sanctions for the moment. The UN Security Council has already issued two resolutions imposing sanctions to punish Irans refusal to suspend sensitive uranium enrichment operations, which the West fears could be used to make nuclear weapons.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/23/2007 00:00 ||
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Link ||
[11 views]
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#1
For a town that only recently reassembled itself after total devastation and subsequent decades of imposed tyranny, they really don't seem to get the message about what Iran represents. They need to stop using "The Arms of Krup" as a playbook.
#4
Oh. That's a yes, then. Efficiently communicated, Throse Turkeyneck4039.
Relatedly, a hearty welcome to all the new names, nyms and Fred's wonderful anonymizer thingies! The oldies may be a bit rough in demanding you prove you know what you're talking about (hi, smn!), but if you do, they'll come round -- they're all darlings, really. ;-)
#5
You will never get UN sanctions that mean anything because of China and Russia. They will never let it happen, Iran needs breathing room to remain a good customer.
#9
I was appalled at how much of the French|German|Russian moral objection to kicking Saddam's ass turned out to be be based on money and the ever-so-profitable Oil For Palaces program. I thought *we* were supposed to be the rapacious, do-anything-for-money capitalist bastards. Not much has changed, eh?
The Foreign Ministry was "checking into" reports Saturday night that Lebanese authorities have arrested an Israeli man and handed him over to military intelligence for interrogation because he has frequently visited Lebanon. "We are checking into the incident," a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said. The Prime Minister's Office had nothing to say on the matter.
The Lebanese media identified the man as Daniel Sharon. Lebanese security officials said Sharon had visited Lebanon 11 times in the past two years using a German passport and was arrested by police at a Beirut hotel on Thursday. A Lebanese security agent was also held for questioning about his relations with Sharon after the two maintained contacts through the Internet, said the officials. A senior military official also confirmed the arrest, saying he was now being interrogated by military investigators.
About a decade ago, a Hebrew daily ran a weekend feature story on an Israeli with a German passport named Daniel Sharon who had converted to Islam and moved to Jordan, where he opened a flower shop with some friends, and used to travel frequently to Lebanon. The Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar reported Saturday that the man's arrest came after an investigation into the murder of a Lebanese citizen found dead in an apartment in Beirut's southern suburbs. Police said the victim had been shot with a gun belonging to a roommate who was a security officer, the paper said, without citing sources.
Sharon "is denying charges of espionage and insists that he is gay and he likes to have sexual relations with Lebanese men, and that is why his visits to Lebanon were frequent."
The roommate told authorities he had lost his gun and was with a German friend who was staying at a hotel in Beirut when the killing occurred, the paper said. Police later went to the hotel and detained the friend for questioning, it added.
During a preliminary interrogation, police grew suspicious over the Israeli man's visits to Lebanon and other Arab countries, his spending and his ability to speak Arabic, according to the newspaper. The Israeli said his visits to Lebanon were for tourism and to see friends, the report said. One Lebanese newspaper quoted a judicial source as saying Sharon "is denying charges of espionage and insists that he is gay and he likes to have sexual relations with Lebanese men, and that is why his visits to Lebanon were frequent."
Posted by: Fred ||
09/23/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
he is gay and he likes to have sexual relations with Lebanese men
Lebanese prison should agree with him, then...
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/23/2007 7:23 Comments ||
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(KUNA) -- Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ali Khamenei Saturday said that "the threats launched against the country increased the determination of the people and officials to fight back. "The aggressors will see severe consequences of their attack," Khamenei warned in a speech to officials of the three Iranian authorities. Repeating threats against Iran was aimed at intimidating the Iranian people and officials, he said, stressing that such threats were not feared of. Khamenei said that "this performance increases our resolve to lift preparedness before the enemies". The French Foreign Bernar kouchner last week called on Iran to prepare for the worst war for its nuclear program ambitions.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/23/2007 00:00 ||
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Link ||
[13 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Iran
#4
Propaganda on the part of the Mullahs Zens; The 'Iranian street' are quietly preparing for the worst by stockpiling groceries and supplies in their cellars and back rooms to the extent of a years worth! I would say that should a nuclear retaliatory strike by Israel began to spread from their city centers, the thought of radiation sickness and death related diseases would cause a nation wide panic abandoning the entrenched military, no matter how mobile the remaining 'troops' are. I see a scenario 1000 fold of what occured after the first Gulf War. You can order someone to fight; but you can't make that person walk into a frightening unknown and drop dead where you stand.
I'm well aware of that. It still beggars the question of just how pissed off the Iranian people are getting over their mullahs insistence that they all be thrown under the wheels when whatever festivities begin.
There remains a perception of residual Persian nationalism that deeply resents the Shi'ite interlopers who have commandeered Iranian religion, culture and wealth. Recent insurgencies among Iran's outlying provinces indicate that only the urban centers hold any concentration of those who really support the regime. It seems as though Iran's police state is required in order to contain the general population's growing restiveness.
Stillas with so much of the Muslim worldno one exhibits any strong inclination to begin stringing up the local morals police and other sundry government thugs that prey upon them.
The 'Iranian street' are quietly preparing for the worst by stockpiling groceries and supplies in their cellars and back rooms to the extent of a years worth!
You keep posting this but never respond to requests for a corroborating link.
Please do so.
Iran told Western powers on Saturday that they would regret launching any attack over Tehrans nuclear activities and it rolled out a display of missiles and other hardware that underscored its warning. Our message to the enemies is: Do not do it, the head of Irans elite Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Ali Jafari, said, speaking to reporters less than a week after Frances foreign minister publicly raised the prospect of war. They will regret it, as they are regretting it in Iraq, Jafari added, speaking on the sidelines of an annual military parade.
Missile display: The Islamic Republic put on show medium-range missiles it has previously said could reach Israel and US bases in the Gulf at the parade marking the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq conflict. Iran showed among its weaponry a type of missile it has said has a range of 2,000 km (1,250 miles) enabling it to hit Israel and US bases in the region. But the television commentator said Shahab-3 had a range of only 1,300 km (812 miles). Another missile at the parade, Ghadr-1, can reach targets 1,800 km (1,125 miles) away, he said. It was believed to be the first time it has been shown publicly.
This article starring:
Mohammad Ali Jafari
IRGC
Posted by: Fred ||
09/23/2007 00:00 ||
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Link ||
[9 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Iran
#1
Even if they were able to, it would be a last-ditch move when they had nothing else to lose. Suggests mullocracy is weak.
#4
When Ahmadinejad leaves the UN for Columbia University or any other non-UN location, the US government must immediately place Ahmadinejad into custody.
He should be tried for participating in the kidnapping of US Embassy employees and holding these people hostage for 400 days.
Rallying for the destruction of the United State of America.
Columbia University leadership should be indicted for providing support, aid and comfort for terrorists by providing a platform for Ahmadinejad, the leader of a brutal, terrorist state the use their facilities to speak, as well as indicted for supporting this beast who is actively involved in numerous violations of
human rights.
#6
FREEREPUBLIC > WAR WITH IRAN - IS AMERICA READY?
+ IRAN: USA WANTS BETTER OPINIONS/LEADERSHIP. Iran is counting on mainstream Amer impatience for long wars, foreign interventionism, anti-Amer Amer politicians and ideo movements, geopol-milpol chaos, and US self-induced bankruptcy, etc - IN SHORT, FOR USA TO [MOSTLY]DEFEAT ITSELF. IRAN, etc. DOES NOT WANT USA ON A WW2-STYLE WAR FOOTING NOR TO WAR WITH ANYTHING BUT A VOLUNTEER ARMY.
Ottawa is tapping into a fund used in the past for peacebuilding projects to supply Lebanon with fast patrol boats and Jeeps. Sources tell The Canadian Press the money would come from the Foreign Affairs Department's Global Peace and Security Fund. An official at Foreign Affairs, who spoke on background, said four boats to be constructed by an unidentified company in BC are destined for the Lebanese customs service and would apparently not be armed.
Federal Treasury Board documents show five million dollars has been set aside from the peace and security fund in the current budget year for "stabilization assistance for Lebanon.'' In the past the security fund has been used for peace-building projects in countries like Sudan. The patrol boat deal appears to be part of broader international effort to prop up the shaky Lebanese government as it fights terroristsPaleo craziesSyriaHezbollahall of them Islamic militants.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/23/2007 00:00 ||
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[5 views]
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#1
A mark of the changes under the current government that they have enough to be able to share.
Syria on Saturday rejected as baseless and without proof accusations by Lebanons ruling coalition that Damascus was behind Wednesdays killing of Lebanese MP Antoine Ghanem. The anti-Syrian MP was killed by a car bomb in a Beirut suburb less than a week before Lebanons parliament is due to elect a new head of state to replace the pro-Damascus incumbent Emile Lahoud.
Syrias Information Minister Mohsen Bilal, in a statement published on Saturday, said: Accusations made against Syria by the forces of March 14 (the ruling coalition), which are linked to a foreign plan, are allegations without foundation and lacking proof.
"Da witnesses is all dead!"
In his comments in the government newspaper Tishrin, Bilal added: Syria does not intervene in any way in Lebanese internal affairs. It works for entente between all Lebanese in favor of a president who would represent them all, because Syria is in favor of Lebanons security, stability and unity.
The accusations that Damascus was behind Ghanems killing came from Saad Hariri, head of the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority, and Druze leader Walid Jumblatt. The one who killed Antoine Ghanem and his companions ... is the enemy who wishes evil on Lebanon and Syria and who wants to divide still more the two countries and sabotage initiatives aiming at Lebanese national harmony. This enemy wants to sow chaos in Lebanon to enable external plans to be achieved in the region, the minister said.
Ghanem, 64, is the eighth anti-Syrian personality to be killed since the February 2005 killing of ex-premier Rafik Hariri.
Syrias state news agency SANA on Wednesday strongly denounced the explosion that killed Lebanese deputy Antoine Ghanem and other Lebanese citizens.
According to Ahmad Hussein a local analyst," this cannot be just a coincidence . None of those murdered is pro-Syrian, " Hussein said.
Kinda jumps right out and grabs you, doesn't it?
As with regards to a proof of Syria's involvement Hussein added " Syria is too afraid of the proof . Just look what Syria has done in Lebanon against the International Tribunal, thru its Hezbollah led allies. The purpose of the Tribunal after all is to find and prosecute the criminals behind the Hariri assassination and the crimes that followed."
Hussein added : "Few therefore will buy Syria's denial of involvement in Ghanem's murder. In fact Syria's ally Hezbollah celebrated the murder in downtown Beirut (where they erected tents since November last year) with fireworks. Other parts of Beirut witnessed similar celebrations by Hezbollah, despite the fact that like Syria Hezbollah has also condemned the assassination."
This article starring:
Hezbollah
Ahmad Hussein a local analyst
Antoine Ghanem
Emile Lahoud
Information Minister Mohsen Bilal
Saad Hariri
Walid Jumblatt
Posted by: Fred ||
09/23/2007 00:00 ||
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[8 views]
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#1
It may be true Assad had nothing to do with the murders in Lebanon, as Hezbollah is running the show with or without his permission. I still think Mugniyeh was behind Rafik Hariri's murder and Hezbollah and AQ working in conjunction for some time now.
Lebanon's parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri said in remarks quoted on Saturday that next week's controversial presidential election would be postponed if MPs did not turn up in sufficient numbers. Berri, a member of the pro-Syrian opposition, told the most senior MP, Ghassan Tueni, that he personally would attend Tuesday's session in parliament, but added:
"If a quorum is not reached, we will postpone the vote."
"If a quorum is not reached, we will postpone it" (the vote).
Berri, who was quoted in An-Nahar newspaper, has been pushing for the two sides to find a consensus candidate to replace the outgoing, pro-Syrian, President Emile Lahoud whose term expires on November 24. Both domestically and internationally, supporters of the anti-Syrian majority have demanded that MPs proceed to elect a new president, with pressure to do so boosted following the latest killing of an MP opposed to Damascus.
Under the constitution, MPs elect the president -- traditionally a Maronite Christian -- by a majority of two-thirds of parliament's 128 seats in a first round or a simple majority afterwards if a second round is required. The pro-Syrian opposition, backed by Damascus and Tehran, and spearheaded by Hezbollah, interprets the rule as saying a quorum of two-thirds of MPs is needed, enabling it to prevent the election of a candidate it rejects, as the anti-Syrian camp has only a simple majority. Hezbollah has several times threatened to torpedo a quorum, pulling out MPs in its camp from the vote.
This article starring:
Ghassan Tueni
Nabih Berri
President Emile Lahoud
Posted by: Fred ||
09/23/2007 00:00 ||
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[6 views]
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Police launched a massive crackdown on 
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United Nations will open a new office in Baghdad to encourage cooperation between Iraq and its neighbors as part of the world body's efforts to expand its presence in Iraq, the U.N. secretary-general said Saturday.
Israeli officials vowed to wipe Syria off the map if it is attacked with chemical weapons like one that reportedly exploded in July at a secret Syrian base staffed with Iranian engineers.
Hamas is under orders to perpetrate a large terrorist attack in an Israeli city to undermine the peace summit scheduled for November, senior defense officials said Saturday, hours after a Yom Kippur suicide attack was thwarted by an arrest and the capture of an explosives belt in Tel Aviv. Security officials said intelligence on the imminent attack was obtained by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) from the head of Hamas in Nablus, 
THE United States Air Force has set up a highly confidential strategic planning group tasked with fighting the next war as tensions rise with Iran.
BERLIN - Germany does not back French President Nicolas Sarkozys call for tougher sanctions over Irans nuclear programme outside the aegis of the UN, the Der Spiegel magazine said in an issue due out Monday. The United States backs (Sarkozys suggestion) but Berlin is against it, a source close to German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was cited as saying.
The Foreign Ministry was "checking into" reports Saturday night that Lebanese authorities have arrested an Israeli man and handed him over to military intelligence for interrogation because he has frequently visited Lebanon. "We are checking into the incident," a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said. The Prime Minister's Office had nothing to say on the matter. 
Iran told Western powers on Saturday that they would regret launching any attack over Tehrans nuclear activities and it rolled out a display of missiles and other hardware that underscored its warning. Our message to the enemies is: Do not do it, the head of Irans elite Revolutionary Guards, 
