KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) - Negotiators for Somalia's weak, U.N.-backed interim government held peace talks Sunday with delegates from an increasingly powerful Islamic militia that controls most of the country's south, including the capital. The talks, which began Saturday, revolve around a June agreement to discuss political, security, social and economic issues as well as reconstruction, according to a copy of the agenda obtained by The Associated Press.
On Sunday, Somali parliament speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden was seen leading delegates from the Somali government into the closed-door talks with Islamic courts representatives led by Ibrahim Hassan Adow, the group's foreign affairs chief. Aden and Adow made no statements before going into the meeting. On Saturday, they said they were committed to peace.
Adow warned, however, that foreign interference in Somalia would be "a recipe for the renewal of civil war," alluding to reports that Ethiopian troops had taken up position in three Somali towns.
The two sides held talks in June, but failed to resume them in July as planned amid divisions within the transitional government about how to handle the Islamic courts' ascendancy in Somalia.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/04/2006 00:00 ||
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Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Sunday night arrested two people including a BNP leader for possessing arms with them at Hadipur in Debhata upazila. The arrested are Debhata upazila BNP leader Rezaul Islam, also chairman of Noapara Union Parisad and Nazir Hossain of Noapara in Debhata upazila. Rezaul and Nazir were arrested with two guns as they opened fire at the Rab personnel Sunday night.
They opened fire on the RAB and they're still alive?
However, Rezaul's relatives claimed that he had opened fire apprehending them bandits.
Later, they were taken to Rab's divisional office in Khulna. On contact, Kaliganj Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Ansar Uddin confirmed the report.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/04/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Expect an "encounter" sometime tonight..
Or has the RAB turned soft?
Posted by: john ||
09/04/2006 6:41 Comments ||
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#2
The Shutter Gun needs cleaning and oiling. Give them a day or so.
FAR-RIGHT extremists have adopted the tactics of Islamic jihadis by posting videos on the internet in which they threaten to behead British Muslims. The films show balaclava-clad white British men brandishing guns, knives and clubs, calling on all Muslims to leave Britain or be killed. One appears to be a soldier who has served in the Gulf.
In one film, a man tells Muslims to "go home" or risk being burned alive. He threatens, "I'll cut your head off", and claims to have "comrades" across Britain who have "had enough".
The videos were made after the arrests three weeks ago of suspects connected to the alleged plot to blow up trans-Atlantic jets. Their style mimics the "martyrdom videos" of Islamic radicals. The release of the videos on YouTube, a US-based open-access website, coincides with reports of a rise in the number of attacks on mosques.
Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said the videoed threats were extremely worrying. "There is no question there has been an increase in attacks on mosques and Muslims," he said at the weekend.
The videos, posted between August 11 and 19, depict three men, each wearing a black terrorist-style mask. Would-be viewers of the clips, lasting two to three minutes, are told in a YouTube warning the videos "may contain content that is inappropriate for some users".
In one video, a man with a London accent says: "I wish to know what we are going to do to fight the so-called religion of peace known as Islam." He lists incidents including the racially motivated murder of Ross Parker, a white teenager, on September 21, 2001. The alleged airline bomb plot is also mentioned, with the masked man claiming it has resulted in "no retaliation" against Muslims. He says: "It may be because you fear prison. Well, wake up. I am calling on England, Ulster, Scotland and Wales to stand and defend the island that we love."
Another video, dated August 19, shows a balaclava-clad man with a Welsh accent telling Muslims to "go home" or be burned. Brandishing a 30cm-long hunting knife with a serrated blade, he says: "We are going to rip the life out of you. I am going to tear your guts out. I'll cut your head off."
In a reference that may indicate a military background, he says the slaughter would remind him of being "back in the Gulf".
#2
Be more civil than the jihadis. resurrect the guillotine. That downward rattle once it's released adds a nice touch. Burning at the stake does not need modification. Works very well as is. Film at 11:00 0n 4.
#3
DMFD, maybe so. But so far, nobody tried that approach. That is, to provide a presentation that adopts jihadi frame of reference muzzies may understand.
The video clips may have been also intended as a notice to British politicians that UK street is not happy.
#5
Not the same old Racist crap. This is nuanced to use the memes that the Islamofascists use in their own jihad videos. That makes it different thant garden quality bigotry. The origins of these videos are open to question. But a backlash is building in the anglosphere. How the UK government has handled this is as much to blame at the UK bigots and UK Islamofascists are.
#8
Hopefully somebody is just trying to get Muslims to start talking by holding a mirror up to their society so they can see themselves for what they are instead of the usual "feeling discriminated against for nothing". If they don't like it, at least they'll know how the rest of the world feels, and they'll have something to base a less self-centered conversation on.
#11
The difference is that it is far more likely that "moderate Britons" will speak out against these video clips, unlike the supposed "moderate Muslims" who just hang back in silence when similar threats are issued against infidels.
It's possible that someone is trying to make a point to the Muslims about how we infidels feel when confronted with similar crap, but unfortunately if that was the intent, they forgot one thing. They refuse to accept any consequences for their own actions. They aren't going to "get it" at all.
Expect the seething and humiliation to start any minute now, along with the usual "oh, you poor oppressed babies" alleluia choir in the media and government to chime in in perfect harmony with the professional victims/spokespeople for the "Muslim Community".
#13
Hmmm...white guys in sheets. Where have I seen that before?
Dunno. Couldn't tell you.
Posted by: Robert C. Byrd ||
09/04/2006 9:07 Comments ||
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#14
It's performance art -- give 'em a gov't grant.
Posted by: regular joe ||
09/04/2006 9:43 Comments ||
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#15
Nothing like that good old Anglo-Saxon charm that conquered the world (for awhile), except perhaps that good old Viking charm that's mixed in there a bit. I just see this as a few Brits going primitive in their ancestral way. But I may be biased -- I have a lot of the same ancestors.
This is was long in coming. If you keep poking a hibernating bear w/a stick eventually he wakes up and that stick won't do you a lick of good. I don't want to see innocent folks of any background unfairly targeted but there comes a point when the pissed off majority is going to do what it's going to do.
#17
This is the next step in the natural progression.
The extremists are the first to loose their cool. They are now attempting to awaken the fighting spirit in their brethren. I would say that's what the video is attempting to do. After a bit more Islamofascist activity, their numbers should start to expand, followed by political rhetoric and finally, some sort of declaration.
Of course, Israel and America will be kicking ass at that time, and welcome all who join us.
#18
Hopefully somebody is just trying to get Muslims to start talking by holding a mirror up to their society so they can see themselves for what they are instead of the usual "feeling discriminated against for nothing". If they don't like it, at least they'll know how the rest of the world feels, and they'll have something to base a less self-centered conversation on.
Righto, gorb. If Muslims cannot realize that this is the goose's sauce dressing their rabid gander, then they deserve this sort of vigilanteism. I am a huge fan of Rule of Law, but so far, it has been doing almost squat to abate the infiltration of our societies by Islamists.
If these chaps end up topping a few British abu Hamzas and Omar Bakris those Islamist bastards might beging having second thoughts about how loudly they can advocate violence against Britishers on their own home soil.
#19
"Another video, dated August 19, shows a balaclava-clad man with a Welsh accent telling Muslims to "go home" or be burned".
I seem to remember the Welsh burning down English holiday homes a few years back. Seems balaclava man has that migratory syndrome phixed, thanks to a spell in the British Army and real life. Not too late, I hope, and the message is clear. Just need to play the vid at prayers: Mosque-Time, Fridays.
Redefining America's Islamic enemies in the Near East, President George W. Bush and his top aides now present disparate entities, such as Sunni terrorist groups like al-Qaeda; and radical Shiite and other organizations like Hezbollah and their alleged state sponsors of Iran and Syria, as a "united front" against Western civilization, an argument that may be used as part of reasoning for military action against Iran.
In a key policy speech before a friendly crowd of military veterans in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Bush formally declared America's war as "the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century," only two days after his Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld likened the opposition against the administration's Iraq and Middle East policies to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's appeasement before World War II.
Washington for a long time has been describing Iraq as a top front in a larger fight against terrorism, but in the wake of this summer's Lebanon conflict and amid a worsening dispute over Iran's nuclear program, Washington now for the first time publicly viewed both Sunni and Shiite adversaries in a single and unified category.
Continued on Page 49
The missile market is not what it used to be for North Korea, with fewer buyers for a key export product and a loss in prestige when its top-end rocket fizzled after a short test flight, U.S. officials and experts said.
U.S. pressure on customers appears to have cut into sales. The United Nations has called on countries to avoid supporting Pyongyang's missile programme, but the North persists because missile sales earn it hundreds of millions of dollars.
"The buyers are drying up," said Daniel Pinkston, a proliferation expert with the California-based Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS).
Mitchell Reiss, a former senior State Department official who dealt closely with North Korea and now is vice provost at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, told Reuters: "Our efforts have complicated North Korea's missile export business."
#3
I've had a nasty idea, buy everything you want, and pay with their own "Superbills" Suitibly marked "VOID" in flourescent, invisible ink, both sides.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
09/04/2006 16:31 Comments ||
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HT to LGF
Speaking on his interaction with the US media, Ibrahim Cooper, spokesman for CAIR, said that his own feeling was that American journalists are receptive to issues affecting Muslims. For this reason, nearly all American newspapers, print or online, refrained from reproducing the caricature of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that were at the center of a controversy earlier this year. He said CAIR took advantage of the issue by distributing DVDs free of charge, bringing out a book on the Prophet, and launching an awareness campaign.
#3
the campaign is being orchestrated by a minority fringe element in the US seeking to drive a xenophobic wedge between Muslims and non-Muslims.
Might not the hijackings, bombings, kidnappings and beheadings have something to do with driving a wedge between Muslims and non-Muslims? How about the "death to the infidels" and "I'm gonna to die for Allah" videos? Think that might wedge us just a little? Maybe you could go a little easy on the death penalty for leaving Mo's funhouse. That might help some. This whole dialogue and understanding is a two way street, you hypersensitive pr@ck.
Here we have a whole culture badly in need of looking in the mirror.
Posted by: Baba Tutu ||
09/04/2006 15:20 Comments ||
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#4
How is it that our government persists in allowing Saudi wealth to finance the vanguard of an Islamist fifth column in America?
I've got to agree with Texas Redneck that all of our politicians are selling us out just as quickly as they can.
We need to make all of our elected representatives, save for the very few highest echalons, fly on commercial passenger jet airliners at all times. First class? No problem. Preferred boarding? Not an issue. In just as much danger as the rest of us poor buggers? YOU BETCHA!
#5
I've got to agree with Texas Redneck that all of our politicians are selling us out just as quickly as they can.
How dare you say that! Just cause the pols are letting our high-end jobs go to India & China, letting in illegal immigrants from Mexico to take our low-end jobs. And letting our 'friends' in Saudi Arabia plot our demise. Show some tolerance!
Opposition Democrats on Sunday expressed outrage at a campaign by President George W Bushs administration portraying critics of the Iraq war as defeatists reminiscent of those who tried to appease Nazis before World War II.
Bushs top aides, including Vice President Dick Cheney and Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, delivered strident speeches last week describing the conflict in Iraq as a crucial part of the war on terror, invoking World War II and the Cold War. Can we truly afford to believe somehow, some way, vicious extremists can be appeased? Rumsfeld asked in his address.
Democratic lawmakers said the White House was trying to attack its critics by questioning their patriotism and determination to fight terrorist threats. I thought his statements were outrageous, Representative Marty Meehan of Massachusetts told CNNs Late Edition.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
09/04/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
They should know - the Dems certainly are experienced with outrageousness.
Oh, wait.... that's not what they mean?
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
09/04/2006 0:15 Comments ||
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#2
Don't like the 'appeasers' analogy - try this one.
I would love LOVE to see the Democrats who support America and the Wetern culture (If thier is any left) prove Rumsfield wrong. I want to see the Dems come up in support of US winning the WOT. I want to see the Dems get up and openly state that whatever it takes we are going to win and not take anything less than the destruction or complete surrender of Radical Islamist.
The Dems just complain about everything offer nothing as a alternative plan simply becuase thier plan wont sell. The Dems plan is retreat then when it all falls apart blame it all on Bush.
We are looking down the barrel of a Dem victory. That victory will at best just result in endless investigations and committee's damming the WOT one piece at a time at Worst it will be a full immediate retreat (redeployment) whatever followed by ending of military support and money followed by non-sptop blaming Bush's mistake debacle Iraq as why it all fell apart and why we are being attacked regularly at home again.
8yr's of Clinton's policy of just ignore the problem and kick cans down the road to the next guy is what got US 9-11 on the terrorist front and Nuclear Norks on the decsion front.
#6
He operated behind the scenes at the 1864 Democratic party convention in Chicago; this convention adopted a largely Copperhead platform, but chose a pro-war presidential candidate, George B. McClellan. The contradiction weakened Democrats' chances to defeat Lincoln's reelection.
DFMD - thanks for that. It is amazing how similar the Copperheads were to todays Democrats in mindset. I think that the contradiction of todays Democrats back-room dealings to place bitter military men on their ballots could likewise backfire. In fact, looking at Kerry in 2004, it already has.
#7
The White House didn't go far enough - and that's a problem. Meanwhile, we have this dumpkoft Newsweek vomit:
"The 'Islamofascists'
Newsweek - USA
... Some preferred the conservative buzzword "Islamofascism," which was catchy and tied neatly into Bush's historical view of the struggle. ... "
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/
Term limits
Meehan first ran for Congress in 1992 on a platform of reform. As part of that platform, Meehan made a pledge not to serve more than four terms. He won the 1992 election and has been re-elected to Congress every two years since, including the latest election (2004). On the House floor in 1995 he scolded members who might go back on their promise to limit their tenure in office. "The best test of any politicians' credibility on term limits," he said, "is whether they are willing to put their careers where their mouths are and limit their own service." Despite this pledge, he again ran for Congress in the year 2000, exceeding four terms. [3]
Wikipedia
On 18 July 2005, Meehan's staff made controversial changes to his Wikipedia article. These edits consisted of, among other things, removing verified facts that portrayed him in a bad light. On January 27, 2006, Matt Vogel, Meehan's chief of staff, admitted to authorizing a replacement article on Meehan published on Wikipedia, with a staff-written biography Lehmann, Evan. "Rewriting history under the dome". Lowell Sun Online. January 27, 2006. This ran afoul of internal Wikipedia guidelines.
#9
With the next terrorist strike on American soil the Dems can rejoice in their victory. These donks are going to lose the war for us if we are not carefull.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
09/04/2006 9:11 Comments ||
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#10
"Outrageous" is the word then Sen Dachle used whenever the Repubs laid a glove on them -- remember what happened to him.
Posted by: regular joe ||
09/04/2006 10:05 Comments ||
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#11
the muzzies apparently have us right where they want us... slowly going broke fighting an unseen nebulous enemy, just like they did with the Soviets. Eventually everybody runs out of money, they know this... We, in our avarice soaked views dont even contemplate this eventuality, we just keep printing the stuff.
Posted by: bk ||
09/04/2006 10:58 Comments ||
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#12
Also, if the "republicans" and "Dems" cannot get it together and realize we'll all in this mess together then we could possibly lose or at least drag this thing out alot longer than it has to be drug...
Posted by: bk ||
09/04/2006 11:04 Comments ||
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#13
"...then we could possibly lose or at least drag this thing out alot longer than it has to be drug..."
Indeed bk, that seems to be how things will be dragged. Most sad and really unnecessary just because of the indugent ignorance and stupidity called political correctness via distorted and wrong multiculturalism taken to be the real thing.
#14
The Dems look so stupid at every turn. They are pissed off because the Administation uses WW2 comparisons all the while they can't stop comparing EVERY conflict to Vietnam. Duh.
#16
This is the cheapest war on a percentage of GNP basis than we have fought in a century. On a dollar basis we can carry this on for a very long time, Mr. bk. And avarice isn't America's sin, it's the sin of the Muslim oil producing countries; were they not so greedy, they would have been investing their profits in improving their societies, educating their people to be self-supporting. With each post, sir, you demonstrate the shallowness of your thinking and the narrowness of your knowledge.
A leading US daily has defended its use of the term "Islamofascism," insisting that the description which Muslims find unacceptable is "here to stay, like it or not".
The term has been used more than once by President Bush but because of criticism from Muslim groups, he appears to have decided not to use it any further. The Washington Times, right wing and conservative, attributes the term to German-born Islamic scholar Khalid Duran who told the newspaper in a January 2001 interview that Islamism is really "Islamofascism" because it seeks to impose a forceful religious orthodoxy on the state and the citizenry. The Washington Times in an editorial on Saturday bragged that it had used the term more than 100 times since 2001 because it describes a "political reality". The editorial said, "It's incredible the depths to which ideologues stoop to prevent accurate language from taking hold". It noted with disapproval a recent comment made on National Public Radio that "linking Islam with a pejorative term such as fascism is extremely unfair. In fact, it is a form of racism". The newspaper declared, "The terms Islamic fascism and Islamofascism are here to stay. They describe an actual political phenomenon, like it or not".
Posted by: Fred ||
09/04/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Some of us do not accept Islam as a bona fide religion because it is imposed on subjects, in that Muslims are prohibited from acceptance of separation of church and state. Belief is beside the point; state law binds compliance in the injunctions of Islam. Being born with even a single Muslim parent, binds cult slaves for life.
I once saw a Muslim co-worker lunching on a burrito during the Ramadan fast. He begged me not to tell his fellow slaves of the moon-god. No compulsion, my butt.
#2
The newspaper declared, "The terms Islamic fascism and Islamofascism are here to stay. They describe an actual political phenomenon, like it or not".
Contrary to everything that Islam wants or would have us believe. Now, Joe Public, write that on the blackboard 100 times.
#4
It is FASCISM. What else can it be? The wrappings are Taqiyyah soaked and bounded.
Were the followers not widely known as Mohammadens at the time of the Crusades and shortly afterwards until they, the faithful, objected and had the Europeans(with short memories) conceded the term and called them muslims instead - marking the beginning of Western political correctness?
For a thousand years or so later the progressive societies had better things to attend to and forgot about that lurking thralldom of islmaofascism which threatens human civilization.
#5
Like it or not, Islam is a bona fide religion and this is a holy war. It's not so much against Islam and JudeoChristians as it is against facism and western society - but those two are separated by core beliefs founded in religious underpinnings. Western society was founded on JudeoChristian principals. You don't have to believe in the deity of Gods for this to be holy war because it's a clash of the values held by Islamic adherents who would rather kill and destroy western society than to accept western values of tolerance, forgiveness, and concepts of individual freedom. Thus you can call it anything you want - but in effect it is a holy war.
That the Muslims living in the western world are taking offense at the term Islamofacism is both troubling and revealing. Accepting this distinction was an out that the term provided for them - a chance to say that the fanatics do not represent them - that they are indeed a religion of peace.
Their choice to reject this out and instead consider it an insult to their honor has very serious consequences in this war. It means we have no way of separating the average Muslim living among us from the Islamofacist. I sadly predict that pogroms will be a direct result from their refusal to allow this distinction to be made. It simply a fact that the concept of converting by the sword and western freedom can not peacefully coexist.
Only inasmuchas it claims for itself subjectively and being unreexamined for centuries among its own adherents and others. It claims a lot for itself but a tree is known by its fruits.
There is no provable veracity of its fundamental claims wrt to its efficacy, indispensability or even superior cosmological understanding, just fideistic assertion. We see only dogmas, hubris instead of transcending depth and to think that true Spirituality can exist in the same breath as murder, force, slavery, insidiousness, plunder, intolerance and other perversions against the very grains of the Golden Rule of Man! All its compulsory observances(pillars of their faith) are exoteric, not esoteric(transcending) and are designed to enable power and influence to their clerics. Only in their own delusion is there such a thing as 'holy war' which is per se an oxymoronic term as with their other assertions.
I'd take exception to that. It is a war of entry to the Modern (AngloAmerican) World. Such wars have been fought for the last two hundred years. That our primary opponents at the moment are Islamists is coincidence but it had to happen sooner or later. Previously we have fought Germany, Japan, and Russia among many others unwilling to enter the modern world and intent upon using its tools to secure pre-modern cultures. These were not wars against Catholicism, Shintoism or Orthodoxy, though the religious background may have influenced the way they fought as Islam influences the way Muslims fight.
#8
I immediately assumed that the term referred to Islamic people who were also fascist - like "Skinhead Fascists". But not everyone with a shaved noggin is assumed to be a fascist.
But SS7704 makes a good point - those that object to the term are either fellow travellers or PC simpletons.
Posted by: Bobby ||
09/04/2006 8:06 Comments ||
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#9
"linking Islam with a pejorative term such as fascism is extremely unfair. In fact, it is a form of racism".
But of course, referring to evangelical Christians as 'The Christian Right" and Catholic-bashing is acceptable.
Referring to Islamism as Islamofascism is nothing more than calling a Spade ... well ...
#10
I think the term "racism" has entered the same category of "chicken."
When you get right down to it, everything tastes kinda like chicken.
When you get right down to it, everything's racist.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/04/2006 10:23 Comments ||
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#11
It noted with disapproval a recent comment made on National Public Radio that "linking Islam with a pejorative term such as fascism is extremely unfair.
No surprise really, that NPR and its Leftist Fellow Travelers would hurl the "racist" accusation. Seeing as how they cannot tell the difference between ideology and racism.
#9, bashing Whites, Christians, Jews and anything /anyone else that is Western is perfectly reasonable these days, where have you been. (/sarcasm)
#5, Islam is nowhere near being a bona fide religion! Mo' cobbled Islam together from bits-and-pieces of Judaism and Christianity along with a host of things from other belief systems, then added a generous helping of his own twisted beliefs.
No better way to accumulate wealth, justify your means and control the ignorant masses, than to have your own religion. Masses which to this day are still mostly ignorant and uneducated. The Muslims living in the West understand what their purpose is, that is to be the advance party for colonizing us and undermining our society. This is how Islam has always spread itself. All of their actions and shenanigans are directed towards that goal.
Eventually, the Western world will be forced to kill most, if not all Muslims. Those that do survive will be quarantined in their own countries. Twice the Western world embarked on that task (Crusades) and twice it lost heart, we cannot afford to lose heart again. Islam must be extinguished.
#12
Hear! Hear! Texas Redneck. Too bad many, many in the west will be dead before it's all over though. It's my belief we'll get hit very hard multiple times before a bag of hammers gets dropped on Islam.
But it is simply a matter of time, the Iranian bomb is coming as sure as the sun rises in the east. Islam is on the campaign of its own extinction even if it doesn't appear that way yet.
#13
Bravo Zulu to the Wash Times for putting it out there. The Pres needs to get some balls and keep saying it. It's the only way people will take notice. Yep, the tree is surely known by its fruits.
I'd take exception to that. It is a war of entry to the Modern (AngloAmerican) World.
I dunno NS. I tend to disagree. It's a war between non-Islam and Islam. Not Islam and the Modern West. We aren't the only one's being attacked by this plague, Those poor non believers in Sudan have been killed by the muzzies for 50 years to the tune of millions. Ethiopia has just been taken over be radical Islamists. Those school children in Beslan were hardly Western but the muzzies still decided to kill them. There are lots more non-Western examples (Asia, India etc.)
#15
Islam's history of conversion by conquest makes it difficult to distinguish these situations. But I'd say the Darfur situation and the others you mention much closer to the classic 7th century conquest. When the conquest was over the religion had changed but not the culture. Turkey, Arabia, India, Indonesia all have a variety of cultures.
What's going on with us is different. We threaten their culture as we threaten the culture of every country in the world. We could all convert tomorrow to some American version of Islam, sort of like the American version of Christianity, and we would remain a threat to their culture; they would still have to destroy us to preserve their 7th century culture.
Islamofascism is a good term because it does blend both the religious and cultural realms of the conflict into one term. It recognizes that we are trying to destroy the fascism part of the term. It is not our intent to destroy Islam and we will not do so, any more than that they will destroy America. But we are going to learn to live together, even if only because there are a lot fewer of them in the future.
#16
Good points NS. These words from Churchill are as poignant now as they were in 1899:
"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute propertyeither as a child, a wife, or a concubinemust delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men. Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen; all know how to die; but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of sciencethe science against which it had vainly struggledthe civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome."
#17
Radicalizing Islamic societies/ruling classes: 1) suppress individual freedoms
2) are anti-intellectual
3) glorify and wish to recapture "past greatness"
4) create an enemy out of an exaggerated caricature of a real geo-political rival(s)
Bring 'em together, and it is fair to call it fascism. It's one possible fascist combo. Fascist combos will vary from time to time and state to state. 30's Italy and Germany displayed different fascist concoctions, the various ingredients proportioned to best consolidate and maintain power over [your populace here].
"Fascist" isn't the only way to describe 30's Germany or Italy or Spain or whomever. But it works, as a description, as long as we can all agree on some shared context.
And that's why coining "Islamofascism" is a bad, bad move. Because the people who so heavily influence our shared context, the media, can deal so easily with "fascism." They can rely on the sloppy, unchallenged equation "fascism = nazism", and then cry foul because "you can't call people Nazis! It's mean and overbearing!"
They can dismiss White House statements by saying, "you don't have a real argument, so you are grabbing 'Nazism' and throwing it around at your enemies indiscriminately. Scare tactic!"
(...and yeah, then the whole "is this conflict religious or is it not" argument, which is very eloquently engaged in this thread's comments.)
Unfortunately, I just don't see the kind of channels for public discourse where a term like Islamofascism can be unpacked and held up against the light of history. It's too fragile, and too easily wrangled away into something else.
But it's snappy! Shit's gotta pop! Rolls right off the tongue, in a way that "totalitarianism" does not. Is this just Soundbite Disease, the need to describe complicated phenomena with five syllables?
I would so much rather hear the opponents of radical Islam fire relentlessly on political totalitarianism, treatment of women, intellectual corruption, non-stewardship of the environment, etc. etc. All those concrete issues that are both understandable to any living human, and also in the MSM's wheelhouse. Let them swing at those pitches.
Posted by: Vegas Matt ||
09/04/2006 13:10 Comments ||
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#18
And fall they will unless and until they collect the necessary balls to make their stand.
#19
Nimble S: "It is not our intent to destroy Islam and we will not do so, any more than that they will destroy America. "
It's however their stipulated calling, their doctrine, to have to destroy what they have termed, "The Great Satan". I-slam does not reciprocate on the basis in accordance to the Golden Rule as, "Do unto others as you would others do unto you." They're just waiting for time and the demographic war gain plus the power boost of the black goo from the ground.
What the US can do is to institute that every US citizen must be subjected to the very word of the US Constitution, namely freedom of religion. Therefore muzzie cirizens are not be bounded by their anti-apotasy law as citizens. Watch the self destruct implosion.
#20
They're just waiting for time and the demographic war gain plus the power boost of the black goo from the ground.
That's today. Their population growth has slowed so much that (IIRC) the average Iranian will be older than the average American by 2030 or 2040. The more women become educated, the fewer children they have.
#21
That the Muslims living in the western world are taking offense at the term Islamofacism is both troubling and revealing. Accepting this distinction was an out that the term provided for them - a chance to say that the fanatics do not represent them - that they are indeed a religion of peace.
Their choice to reject this out and instead consider it an insult to their honor has very serious consequences in this war. It means we have no way of separating the average Muslim living among us from the Islamofacist. I sadly predict that pogroms will be a direct result from their refusal to allow this distinction to be made. It simply a fact that the concept of converting by the sword and western freedom can not peacefully coexist.
Very well written, Shush Sholuth7794
It's a war between non-Islam and Islam. Not Islam and the Modern West.
While I often refer to Islams campaign against the Western world, this is only for ready reference. Jihadism actually goes well beyond even what you posit, Intrinsicpilot. Both non-Muslim and Muslim alike are threatened by jihadism. Be it through tacit, covert or overt support, Muslims have effectively thrown their lot in with their jihadist factions. As noted above by SS7794, they have rejected even the most basic tool whereby outsiders and Muslims might distinguish between the violent and non-violent sects of Islam.
It has been frequently argued here how Islam is not the monolithic entity that Westerners often view it as. These latest developments, combined with an enduring and conspicuously thundering silence from Islam regarding the condemnation of terrorism are changing that. In a feat of monumental hubris and phenomenal prestidigitation, Islam has somehow thrust upon the West its own duty to purge violent jihadists from their ranks. It is almost laughable how we are expected to approach this burdensome and dangerous chore with the utmost delicacy. Where is it written that the winnowing of these ultra-violent Islamic psychotics should be conducted with aplomb and finesse? If Islam abdicates its right to conduct this duty as it sees fit, then we must do it in our own fashion, at the time of our own choosing. In reality, Islam has conducted this duty as it sees fit. Islam has chosen to do absolutely nothing about the abatement of jihadist terrorism.
As Muslims close ranks, they inadvertently put all of their heads in the same noose that we are preparing for their jihadist brethren. It is their own obligation to disentangle themselves from these terrorist murderers. We are under no such constraints as we rid our world of these toxic parasites. If Muslims refuse to differentiate themselves in a fashion that is discernable to the West, they shall one and all be tarred with the same brush. We are not compelled to embrace Islamic culture so as to daintily segregate their wrongdoers. We are solely responsible for saving ourselves from a virulent psychotic meme whose genocidal disposition makes it a threat to all, Westerner and Muslim alike.
#22
I tend to agree with Zenster's perspective. The onus of reponsibility to bear is wholely on their side of the court. This cannot be fudged without self-deception.
Questions: why is Khatami - a virulent supporter of Hizbollah terrorists - being allowed to advance the terrorist' anti-Semitic, anti-liberty agenda on American soil? Why is the dhimmi vomiter - Robert Fisk - allowed to pose as a journalist, in Chicago? Why aren't the leaders of the Islamic Society of North America, rotting away in Gitmo?
I don't have an objection to Khatami being here. I think we missed an opportunity. We had the opportunity to confront the man and we didn't take it.
We should have had the Protest Warriors gang out on the sidewalks in front of every venue; nice and polite with their great signs and organization. We should have had people speaking up to every local reporter (forget the MSM, they're so deep in the pockets of the Mad Mullahs that they're covered with lint). Tell the local reporters what we think. Tell the local radio talk shows. Put some heat on Khatami at every stop, every venue, and force him onto the defensive. Make him angry and have him lash out.
And let louts like Robert Fisk see that. Make him cover it and write his stupid blabber. Let the Brits read the Independent and see that there are people with stones in the US who stand up to thugs and dictators. Perhaps that will inspire a few more to make a stand.
One of our great virtues is that we're an open society. Sometimes that's also a weakness, but not this time. Show both Mr. Fisk and Mr. Khatami what a loud, boisterous, true democracy looks like. Let Khatami see that young American women in summer dress will raise their voices to him. Let people needle him with persistent questioning. Make it an embarrassment for him, for CAIR, for Fisk, and the MSM.
...Addressing 15,000 American Muslims at the weekend, Mr Khatami also made a clear assault on the influence of Israel's political lobby in the US. "We are unfortunately witnessing the emergence of policies that seek to confiscate public opinion in order to exploit all the grandeur of the nation and country of the United States ... policies that are the outcome of a point of view, that despite having no status in the US public arena as far as numbers are concerned, uses decisive lobby groups and influential centres to utilise the entirety of America's power and wealth to promote its own interest and to implant policies outside US borders that have no resemblance to the spirit of Anglo-American civilisation and the aspirations of its Founding Fathers or its constitution, causing crisis after crisis in our world."
When he spoke of "the vast and all-encompassing presence of powers who express concern for the world but implement policies aimed at devouring the world," there was a sense of shock among his audience. They had not expected such an epic denunciation of US hegemony from a divine known for his compassion rather than his anger.
"Any popular or democratic change or transformation that is outside the realm of their influence is not acceptable," he said, "for they find it far more convenient to deal with non-nationalistic and non-popular trends and regimes rather than popular ones, who naturally tend to care about the welfare and the physical interests of their people."
Thus did Mr Khatami dispose of America's cry for "democracy" in the "new" Middle East.
Needless to say, his words were given scarcely a few seconds on America's major news channels. Mr Khatami's wisdom is not wanted in Washington.
No, and we could have opened a few eyes in Washington with a vigorous response to Mr. Khatami.
The Bush administration has to focus on political solutions to ongoing problems whether it is fighting the war on terror or coming to terms with what is going on in Iraq, Democratic Senator Joseph Biden has said.
"There are fascists -- there are Islamic jihadists. They are in a sense united in that they`re motivated by the same principles, but let`s assume there was not a single jihadist in the world. We still have a giant problem with North Korea, a giant problem with Iran, a civil war and a major war in Iraq," Biden, currently seen as one of the Democrats seeking the party nomination for the presidential elections of 2008.
"They are discernible. They`re discreet. It requires different policies, different plans," Senator Biden said on ABC`s `This Week` programme on Sunday.
"And the American people are united, it seems to me, in understanding that they aren`t a single threat, and the experts across the board are united in that a military solution, force is necessary, but is not sufficient."
"We need political solutions, and so it`s sad that no one in the administration is speaking to what these solutions are," he said adding making the point that "flooding" more American troops into Baghdad is having "some" positive impact.
"What happens when those troops leave? What happens when they pull out? There is no political solution offered here. There`s no plan this administration has how to get the Sunnis to buy into this government, how to keep the neighbours out of a settlement and how to keep the-- and how to decommission the militias. Without those things ...There`s no prospects of success in Iraq. What`s the plan? " Biden posed.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/04/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
As I see it, the President will finally clarify the enemy at his Sept. 19 speech to the UN. Then when the Islamofascists respond in the only way that those animals can, the US and some allies will wipe out Shiite power in the Middle East. Maybe the Shiite-Card was gambled after the Iraq liberation, with negative results. Playing the Sunni-Card will give the US a free hand against the Mahdi-murderers, while perhaps Arabizing the Persian Gulf oil patch and placing a US base in the Straits of Hormuz.
Ahmadinejad's threats against Gulf oil interests are realistic, unless the Ayatollah tyranny is hit hard and fast. Conventional weapons are NOT appropriate for the task.
Doubters might ask themselves if this President would be willing to pass on a future Iran ICBM threat to the US Homeland, onto future generations. It is insulting to think that he would. And that is why national security ends have to justify harsh means.
Pretty much up until now Bush and team has done just that and all they have gotten in return in a*shat complaints accusations and constant ATTACKS from the Dems. Must suck to finaly get some of thier own medicine.
WAR STORIES: MILITARY ANALYSIS.
Bush Goes a Bridge Too FarTHE PRESIDENT'S LATEST DUMB SPEECH. Catchy huh very ehhh enlightened thought provoking.
By Fred Kaplan
Posted Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006, at 6:23 PM ET
In his speech this morning before the American Legion's national convention, President George W. Bush may have gone a bridge too far. It was the first of several speeches he plans to deliver in the coming days to rally support for the war in Iraq It never ceases to amaze me that a nation at war would even be debating to or not to support a war that it is already engaged in. (and, not incidentally, for Republicans in November). But one passage in particular reveals that the campaign is getting desperate:
The security of the civilized world depends on victory in the war on terror, and that depends on victory in Iraq. Is this desperate or just someone who sees the writing on the wall trying to tell his fellow countrymen of what REALITY is.
Here's the question: Does anybody believe this? If you do, then you must ask the president why he hasn't reactivated the draft, printed war bonds, doubled the military budget, and strenuously rallied allies to the cause. Short doubling the military budget (which would really just be to avoid the special assessments the Whitehouse has favored up until now to pay for the war) But I would like to add RE-ENACT THE SEDITION/ESPIONAGE ACTS & DELCARE WAR
If, as he said in this speech, the war in Iraq really is the front line in "the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century"; if our foes there are the "successors to Fascists, to Nazis, to Communists"; if victory is "as important" as it was in Omaha Beach and Guadalcanalthen those are just some of the steps that a committed president would feel justified in demanding. The LLLs have gone ballistic over wiretapping foreign phone calls into the US and the patriot act can you imagine the screaming over the above?
If, as he also said, terrorism takes hold in hotbeds of stagnation and despair, then you must also ask the president why he hasn't requested tens or hundreds of billions of dollars for aid and investment in the Middle East to promote hope and livelihoods. These nations are freekin oil rich nations that because they live under Totalitarian Dictators that dont pass none down to the people so I dont think its our responsibility to be the world wide welfare delivery. Teaching the ME democracy capitalism freedom will fix this problem giving money wont do nothing put make permanent dependency.
Yet the president hasn't done any of those things, nor has anyone in his entourage encouraged him to do so. And that's because, while the war on terror is important and keeping Iraq from disintegrating is important, they're not that important. MONEY QUOTE, and now we reach the BOTTOM LINE to the LLLs opposition.Osama Bin Laden is not Hitler or Stalin. Baghdad is not Berlin. Al-Qaida and its imitators don't have the economic resources, the military power, or the vast nationalist base that Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union had. This point here is the only reason I have confidence we will win. If AQ had the juice the Nazis or Soviets had I would packing my SHTF bag getting ready because there is no way in hell with the massive LLL sway over the west that we could win ore even hold the line. If WW2 were fought today we would have surrendered by 43
So, the speech sends the head buzzing with cognitive dissonances. There's the massively exaggerated historical analogy (which should have been obvious, if not insulting, to the World War II veterans in the audience) Ohh yeah and that baby killers, murderers, Nazis, posters these guys waive at their rallies dont insult anyone hmmm . And there's the glaring mismatch between the president's gargantuan depiction of the threat and the relatively paltry resources he's mustered to fight it. Those paltry resources have invaded, conquered, and occupied two foreign nations with a combined population of over 50million for around 4yrs now. Oh did I mention they did this with fewer casualties to date than we lost on 9-11. Paltry my ass. Could we ramp it up increase the military to say the Clinton days levels yeah and I would support it and we have to in the end anyway but up to date we have been succeful in divide and conquer one at a time tactics that dont require the massive WW2 everywhere at once attacks.
Such dissonances could further diminish, not revive, his support.
President Bush is right about one thing: It would be a mistake to withdraw all our troops from Iraqthough, even here, he's right for the wrong reason. The danger is not, as he warns, that al-Qaida would take over Iraq. What you mean a sectarian war would not result in both groups becoming controlled by their most extreme elements?That's an exceedingly improbable scenario. First, al-Qaida's numbers in Iraq are small. Another root problem the LLLs have comes out here. They are so fixated on Bin Laden they dont realize we are at war with RADICAL ISLAMIST Bin Laden is just one leader of that movement that was dum enough to jump on the Big Satan before the others were ready. By this logic in WW2 this a*shat would be beside himself why we were wasting our effort on Germany/Italy who didnt attack US at Pearl it was Japan so we should only fight Japan. I defer back to why today we couldnt fight WW2 in our best dreams.Second, other well-armed militias, both Sunni and Shiite, would ferociously resist any such attempt to take power. Shite Militia = Mehdi / Badgr Armies = Iran = Radical Shia Islamist, Sunni Milita = Bathist / Whabiest / AQ = Sunni Radical Islamist, either way both will be enemies and will harbor terrorist and both will at first opportunity attack or strike our interest if they can get away with it.
The real danger is that Iraq might devolve into anarchy and total civil war, the likes of which would make the present turmoil seems placid by comparison. Killings could soar into the hundreds of thousands, even millions. Neighboring countries, whether for aggrandizement or security, would feel compelled to interveneIran siding with the Shiites, Saudi Arabia bolstering the Sunnis, Turkey suppressing the Kurdsand, from there, one good spark could set off a horrendous war across the whole region.
Bush doesn't see this dangerhe chooses not to see itbecause it plays against his ideology. This is exactly what Bush and everyone paying attention has been trying to tell the Retreat ehhh Redeploy crowd would happen if their plan is enacted. He views the world as locked in a titanic struggle between, as he put it in today's speech, the forces of "freedom and moderation" and the forces of "tyranny and extremism." This is, in his mind, "the decisive ideological struggle of the 21st century."
He acknowledges that some of these dark forces are driven by "different sources of inspiration"some are Sunni, some Shiite, some homegrown terrorists. But he claims that they nonetheless "form the outlines of a single movement, a worldwide network of radicals that use terror to kill those who stand in the way of their totalitarian ideology." Yeah kind of like the Axis alliance consisted of Germany, Japan, Italy & Soviet Union (well at least until Germany secured their western flank France and turned back on their east Soviets) yes just like that all hated the West all were shooting for world domination and willing to cooperate to defeat their enemies the West until victory and then well see Soviets one time member. As for the sectarian violence between the Sunnis and Shiites in Iraqa phenomenon that would seem to cast doubt on this Manichean visionBush explains it away as having been "inspired by Zarqawi." Certainly Abu Musab al-Zarqawi encouraged sectarian violence, but to say he contrived it is ludicrous. Even more amazing to me is how our enemy can kill their own people in markets and the streets innocents dead for what 15seconds on our Western Media and the insane part to me is some elements here see this as not desperate but proof the terrorist are winning WTF
It's not simply ludicrous; it leads to bad policy. It reflects a gross misunderstanding of Iraqi society (which is far more complex than a checkerboard of freedom fighters versus extremists)and of the real enemies we face (which are far less monolithic or unified than the president seems to believe).
Not all of our enemies are fascists, and not all of our friends are democrats. The dangerreally, the crisislooming in the Middle East is not the threat to freedom and democracy but rather the threat to stability. Ahhh here we go another core LLL problem stability at all cost see Neverlene Chamberlain. To achieve change there is needed some chaos and instability. This is the bugaboo Bush does not want to face. He has said, over and over, that his predecessors' infatuation with stability is what caused the festering stagnation and resentment that bred the terrorists who mounted the attacks of Sept. 11. Yeah those totalitarian dictators their used the boogy man Joos & Big Statan crap to be the steam valve to release that hate on and it has been happening since the 80s. The lack of freedom and capitalist economy is not our fault its the Muslims for letting Dictators run their nations into the dirt while they live in palaces like king tut."Years of pursuing stability to promote peace had left us with neither," Bush said this morning. That's a matter of debate. What? Hmmm 93 world trade, Nairobi embassy, Kenya embassy, Cole, multiple CIA agents, and then 9-11, Madrid and on and on working great oh yeah I guess those victims were uhhh acceptable loses huh and a little growth of the death count with inflation big deal right who cares. In any event, the new danger is that Bush's neglect of stability to promote freedom will leave us with neither of those thingsto the still-deeper detriment of peace: a trifecta of world misery. Yes WAR is unstably and yes we will have nether security or stability until the war is over. But this leans to yet another LLL problem they cant see past the end of their nose. War today will be bad but will save tomorrow stability today will be palatable for sometime to come at acceptable loses but at some point it will be war and it will be worse than war today.
There are dangers. Bush is not mustering the resources to deal with them, mainly because we do not have the resources. He needswe needassistance from international players who have an even greater interest in preventing Iraq from collapsing or a regional war from erupting. However, Bush will not be able to rally this assistance as long as he makes statements like, "We will take the side of democrats and reformers throughout the Middle East." thats just it we are not looking for another palatable dictator for a new band aid fix for stabilities sake. We are looking for a long term fix making the ME democratic capitalist will be like what we did to Europe it worked their it can work in the ME. To the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, and others, that sounds as if Bush would take the side of people who want to overthrow their regimes And we will if they dont continue on their path the British model of democracy with their figure head Monarchs.. He couldn't be serious; he is, after all, friendly with those regimes. But what is he up to? What are his real intentions? Why bail him out on Iraq if he sees freedom's triumph in Iraq as the harbinger for the rise of "reformers" throughout the region?
To pursue a sound policy in the Middle East, to impede civil war and worse, would require Bush to shift gearsto drop his rhetoric on spreading some abstract concept of freedom (at least as a centerpiece) and to resume the long-standing pursuit of stability. Such a shift may be too humbling for Bush to endure. And so, as long as he keeps giving speeches on the war in Iraq and the war on terror, the cognitive dissonances will buzz ever louder.
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#1
Ah, he waited until the last paragraph before he pushed the cognitive dissonance line. The dissonance is in Kaplan's head. This whole article is buzz.
In Kaplan's mind, analogy is no longer based on similarities, but identicalities. If the troop levels, and caualty levels, and force levels are not identical to those used in WW2, then George Bush's analogy to the WoT is just stoopid. Therefore there can be no war. Kaplan then goes on to introduce his own analogy of 'A Bridge Too Far'. Hey Kaplan, Hollywood hasn't produced a movie on the WoT, so therefore you're just as dumb as Bush!
It is clear that Kaplan needs to consult a dictionary, not just to understand words like "analogy", but stay with the 'A's and look up "assymetrical". Open the 'F's and study "facism" Then go to the 'N's and look up "nuclear".
Although if your entire outlook on life is paranoia projection on George Bush, then you will need professional help rather than a dictionary. Look up "delusions". Paxil will help.
Posted by: john ||
09/04/2006 18:46 Comments ||
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Justice Department prosecutions of international terrorism cases, which surged in volume after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, have nearly returned to the levels seen prior to the hijackings, according to an independent analysis of government data released yesterday.
The study of data by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), an affiliate of Syracuse University in New York, also showed that as many as nine out of 10 terrorism investigations do not result in prosecutions, that most charges are not related to terrorism and that only about a third of those prosecuted end up in prison. So even though there have been no major attacks since 9/11, we're still doing it all wrong.
The findings, based on data compiled by the Justice Department's Executive Office for United States Attorneys, echo previous analyses by The Washington Post and others showing that most defendants in terrorism cases are charged with crimes unrelated to terrorism and that many serve little or no prison time.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Bobby ||
09/04/2006 12:47 ||
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From SF Gate, a little schmaltzy, long read, about the deployment of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment to Iraq. It's their fourth tour there. Since it's SF Gate you also get the usual gratuitous shots.
But the best is at the end, spoken by a young Marine wife: "I respect him [her husband] more than I can ever imagine. He's the best man I could ever ask for."
Semper Fi and stay safe, Marines.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/04/2006 01:09 ||
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LAHORE, Pakistan -- A 12-year-old girl at the center of an international custody battle said Sunday that she left her mother's home in Scotland of her own free will and prefers life with her father in Pakistan."I love Scotland, but I love Islam more," Molly Campbell, also called Misbah Iram Ahmed Rana, said at her first news conference with Pakistani media. "I am determined to be a Scottish Muslim of whom Scotland may be proud one day."
Her father, Sajad Ahmed Rana, sitting beside her and her older sister at the news conference, accused his Scottish ex-wife of persuading his daughter to eat food forbidden by Islam and to drink alcohol, also prohibited for Muslims.
The mother, Louise Campbell, last year won legal custody of her daughter and says the girl was abducted from her Scotland home Aug. 25. Louise Campbell could not be reached for comment Sunday.
The girl has signed a legal statement saying she left of her own free will and wants to live with her father in Pakistan, according to lawyer Mohammed Basit.
"Call me Molly, if you like," she told reporters. "But not Molly Campbell."
Lahore Judge Amir Javed Rana awarded custody to the father until Sept. 6 to give the mother time to come for a hearing to decide guardianship.
The girl said Sunday that she asked her older sister to help her return to Pakistan and her father, who visited Scotland on Aug. 24.
Scottish police investigators say the case could be a violation of the Child Abduction Act. Prosecutors will determine whether to take action.
Bashir Mann, president of the National Association of British Pakistanis, said media reports alleging the girl would participate in an arranged marriage with an older Pakistani man were "totally rubbish." The 12-year-old said her father has told her she can marry anyone of her choice.
#1
The 12-year-old said her father has told her she can marry anyone of her choice
as long as she chooses this year
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/04/2006 9:44 Comments ||
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Anyone of her choice from among the two or three rich old men her father picks out.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
09/04/2006 9:58 Comments ||
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and thats YOUR business how?
Frank G and Barbara
Posted by: bk ||
09/04/2006 10:31 Comments ||
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I guess it's not my business that some brainwashed twit decides to live with 7th century society mores, bk...but I certainly CAN say it's stoopid
btw, f*ck off
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/04/2006 10:42 Comments ||
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#5
touchy abit arent we, boo hoo
Posted by: bk ||
09/04/2006 10:51 Comments ||
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"touchy abit arent we, boo hoo"
A bit stuck on stupid, aren't we? Do your parents know you are playing with the computer unsupervised?
A 12 year old, girl or boy, is incapable of deciding what is in their best interest. Especially with regard to religion and marriage.
It may, or may not be Frank G's & Barb's business, but it is someones business, and they do have a right to their opinion. Now, as Frank said, F*CK OFF!
#7
BK, we in America typically like to shield 6th grade girls from the type of circumstances generally seen in Pakiland. You know, the honor killings for not choosing the right husband, the fatal stonings endured by rape VICTIMS, the inability to actually choose ones religion w/o being killed for choosing something other than islam, etc.
It's all of our business - we all have a stake in ensuring that mind-bendingly rigid and brutal cults like radicalized islam do not flourish. It's a human rights issue at its base. You remember human rights, don't you?
#8
I have to agree, It IS our business, at least untill the child attains majority (That's 21 years not 12) until then it IS society's business to protect children, including protecting them from themselves.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
09/04/2006 16:40 Comments ||
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Scotch girl: My choice to join dad in Pakistan
The way that headline will probably read after this girl suddenly realizes how poorly her Western ways fit in:
Scotch girl: My choice to join dead in Pakistan
touchy abit arent we, boo hoo
bk, go live in Pakistan, you moron. See just how long you would last in such a profoundly backward and ultra-violent culture. My guess is; Under five minutes.
#10
WTF BK? I gotta assume your just pokin the tigers here don't really mean to say you support this crap???
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
09/04/2006 17:20 Comments ||
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Looking at the spelling and the word choice, this must be a different bk than the one we all know and love. Separately, now that the girl is in Pakistan and in her father's custody, there isn't a hope in hell that she will be allowed to go back to Scotland with her mother, no matter how she came to be there or to whom the Scottish court originally granted custody. So I can only hope that the girl's statements reflect her true feelings, because I see no way to successfully extract her from the situation.
The New York Times on Sunday, while noting the "contradictory" government statements about Akbar Bugti's death, said that the army was the only constituency Gen Musharraf cared for and "so long as elections are brazenly rigged, opposition parties are banned and Washington's uncritical support remains guaranteed, General Musharraf has little incentive" to take up any of the vital challenges he faced. The newspaper, claimed by the liberal elite to be America's most respected, said the Musharraf government "often acts like a garden-variety military dictatorship".
Why yes he does, doesn't he? That's an order of magnitude better than acting like a garden-variety Islamofascist state, and two orders of magnitude better than acting like a failed, terrorist ridden Islamic state.
In a stinging in a French way editorial, the newspaper said there were dangerous international terrorists hiding out in the mountain caves of Pakistan, but the 79-year-old Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, the Baloch tribal leader, politician and rebel, was not one of them. "Now Mr Bugti is dead and the impoverished but energy-rich province of Balochistan is in an uproar after an ill-explained military operation last month. After a week of contradictory government statements, the only things now clear are that Mr Bugti's body was buried in the rubble of his blown-up mountain hideout, and that antigovernment fury in the restive province is at a new pitch of intensity."
Going after Bugti might not have been the smartest thing Perv could have done, but it was easier than taming the ISI and the Talibs in Wazoo, and Perv is always willing to do easy first. So Nawab is titz up and the Talibs live to fight another day. Did we expect anything different?
Posted by: Fred ||
09/04/2006 00:00 ||
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The Interior Ministry has launched a countrywide operation to arrest pro-Taliban Afghan refugees and hand them over to the Afghan government. Official sources told Daily Times that security agencies had so far arrested 100 pro-Taliban Afghan refugees from all over Pakistan and handed them over to Afghanistan. Intelligence reports indicated that these Afghans posed a security risk to Pakistan, the sources said.
The Interior Ministry has directed the provincial governments to monitor Afghan refugees and take prompt action against those supporting militant activities. The sources said the security agencies were also trying to identify operatives of the former Taliban regime who were hiding in Pakistan as refugees. Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of harbouring Taliban operatives, but Pakistan has always denied this.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/04/2006 00:00 ||
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Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of harbouring Taliban operatives, but Pakistan has always denied this.
Pakistan isn't "harbouring" them, they're training them.
HT to LGF and AOS Hq
A number of European states are refusing to allow El Al cargo planes carrying Israel Defense Forces equipment from stopover landings in their airports.
The refusal came from states considered friendly with Israel, including Britain, Germany and Italy, according to Captain Etai Regev, the chairman of El Al's pilots' union.
Regev sent a letter of complaint on the matter to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and to the Defense Ministry, the Finance Ministry, and the Tourism Ministry.
According to Regev, El Al flights bearing heavy loads that arrive from U.S. bases "are not given approval by European states to make stopover landings for refueling, for political reasons.
"As a result, cargo planes are taking off from the U.S. with much lighter weight, and are reaching Israel with significantly fewer munitions than needed."
Regev called this "a substantial blow to state defense."
In his letter, Regev complained about the government's decision last month to allow Italy's flag carrier, Alitalia, to fly Israeli state employees abroad for the first time.
"Israel's response to this is the transfer of labor to Italian pilots at the cost of Israeli pilots," he wrote. Crater that f*cking Beirut runway now!
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/04/2006 18:54 ||
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states considered friendly with Israel
In Europe? I don't think so. Recall none would allow transshipment of supplies in 73. They're dhimmi.
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It's shocking, really. There was so much talk about how and if Europeans would revolt against the Muslims taking over their country. Would it be brutal? Would pogroms result?
Yet what we are seeing in Europe, once again is is a swift and brutal turn towards anti-semitism. It's mind boggling how quickly this is happening. But a look at the beginning of WWII shows that the grip of anti-semitism was likewise very swift.
But this time around it is so nonsensical. Tiny Israel is just trying to defend itself and the Muslims are proudly blowing up women and children to cause as much useless carnage as possible. The world is going mad.
A British man was killed today when a lone gunman shouting "Allahu Akbar!" ("God is Great") started firing at a group of Western tourists in the Jordanian capital Amman. but of course it's not Islam
Five other tourists - two British women, one Australian woman, one New Zealand woman and a Dutch man - were injured in the attack as well as a Jordanian policeman.
The dead Briton was named by Jordanian officials tonight as Christopher Stokes, 30. His family in the UK are said to be "devastated" at the news and his mother had to be sedated.
The attack happened at around 10.30am (0730GMT), as the group was preparing to leave the Greco-Roman amphitheatre, a busy attraction in downtown Amman. Karen Sparke, one of the British women injured in the shooting said she had a "very lucky escape".
Speaking from her hospital bed, Ms Sparke told BBC News 24: "We were walking up some steps when we heard - well, I didnt realise it was a gunshot, I thought it was a firecracker - and we turned around and saw this man pointing a gun at us and I got shot."
She said she had looked over and seen her friends lying on the ground. "I went up the steps a bit further and stood round the corner, and I realised I was bleeding all over," she said. "We lost one of ours, and two of them have had operations."
She said everyone who had looked after them had been "marvellous". "The locals came and dragged us away to protect us and then they got the ambulance," she said. "Im just really tender. I had a very lucky escape. Its not real at the moment."
The gunman, in his 30s and named by officials as Nabeel Ahmed Issa Jaourah, was a Jordanian from the town of Zarqa, the birthplace of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the slain former al-Qaeda frontman. go figure? Shoulda bulldozed it and salted the earth
Mr Jaourah was arrested and officials are now investigating whether he was acting on his own or belonged to a radical Islamist group.
The attack is the first to hit Amman since November 9, when triple suicide bombings on three Amman hotels killed 60 people. Those attacks were claimed by the al-Qaeda in Iraq group then led by al-Zarqawi. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the latest attack.
Rana Sabbagh-Gargour, Times Correspondent in Amman, said that the attack came amid rising antagonism towards the West.
"There is mounting frustration on the streets of the Arab world with the West, especially with the United States and Europe, over its perceived bias on the Middle Eastern conflict, Iraq and Lebanon," she said. "It is putting pressure on moderate Arab governments to revisit their politics and limiting their ability to manoeuvre." the Arab Street is seething...except all the Jordanians who assisted them after they were shot
Although the Foreign Office has not changed the level of its advice, it does warn travellers of a high threat from terrorism.
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/04/2006 15:39 ||
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#1
should ht'd Captain Ed on this one
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/04/2006 15:54 Comments ||
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Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Sunday ruled out peace talks between Israel and Syria for now, saying that a "sequence" must be followed, with an end to Syrian support of Lebanese and Palestinian extremists coming first. Interviewed on Channel 10, Livni said that a move to open Israel-Syria peace talks now would disrupt efforts to stabilize Lebanon after the conflict between Israel and Hizbullah.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/04/2006 00:00 ||
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Israel has not ruled out the release of Samir Kuntar, the Lebanese terrorist whose freedom has long been sought by Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, in the framework of a deal to bring home captured IDF soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, The Jerusalem Post has learned.
Kuntar, the longest-serving confirmed Lebanese prisoner in jail in Israel, is serving multiple life terms for the killing of three members of the Haran family and that of policeman Eliyahu Shahar in a raid on Nahariya in 1979.
Last month, relatives of Kuntar, who comes from a Druse family outside Beirut, urged the Goldwasser and Regev families to press Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to agree to an exchange, and some relatives of the Israeli pair have called on the government to do "whatever it takes" to bring home the two soldiers.
A senior Israeli source said on Sunday that Israel intended to ensure the implementation "to the letter" of UN Resolution 1701, which includes, in its opening, non-binding paragraphs, unlinked references to "the unconditional release of the abducted Israeli soldiers" and to "settling the issue of the Lebanese prisoners detained in Israel."
Asked whether Israel might free Kuntar in an exchange deal, the senior source did not rule this out, but said Israel would have to ascertain exactly "what is being offered." He declined to elaborate, but it is possible that this may have been a reference to the possible inclusion in a deal of information on missing Israeli airman Ron Arad.
Israel has previously shown a readiness to free Kuntar in the context of a deal involving news about Arad. Indeed, it was reported that Kuntar would be released in the second phase of a German-mediated prisoner deal with Hizbullah in 2004, in exchange for information on Arad. That phase of the deal was not implemented.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/04/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
This one is tough. It's heartening to see a whiff of sanity like this 1:1 exchange ratio pervade a prisoner swap. That it involves child-killer, Samir Kuntar, (I'll let someone else intentionally truncate misspell his last name.), makes me less than happy. That Israel continues to detain some one third of the Hamas "politicians" is a good thing.
Just make sure that any prisoner exchange includes a personal and final appearance by Nasrallah.
#2
Perhaps ought to bring up explicitly what sort of trades Israel might expect if in the future some Paleostinians accidentally got "kidnapped" by Israeli "militants". Theoretically speaking, of course. Not to affect present negotiations, only future. Might give the stone-throwers a little pause for thought.
#4
you don't have to trade ALL of him at once. Maybe a couple limbs or organs first, as an ice-breaking gesture?
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/04/2006 18:13 Comments ||
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#5
It says a lot that the terrorists Hezb'Allah want this lowlife scum back and the Israelis want their soldiers back. I'm sure they need him back to help with their fluffy bunny orphanage. If I were in charge of PR, I'd be asking the terroristsHezb'Allah the Lebanese "government" this one question in a very pointed manner.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday said he had appealed to his Lebanese counterpart Fouad Siniora through various sources to establish peaceful ties between the two countries.
"How natural, how understandable it would be for the Prime Minister of Lebanon to respond to the many calls I have made toward him and say, `Come on, let`s sit, shake hands, make peace and end once and for all the hostility, the jealousy, the hatred that some of my people have toward you,'" Olmert said during a visit to a school in Northen Israel.
"I hope this day comes soon. I yearn for it. I am sure that you yearn for it. I`m sure all of Israel yearns for it. But until then, we will do everything, thoughtfully, responsibly to handle everything needed to be ready for every opportunity," the Prime Minister said.
Last week, responding to Olmert`s optimism that the deployment of international peacekeepers in southern Lebanon will pave the way for a "new reality" in the region and possible cooperation between Lebanon and Israel, Siniora had said that his country "would be the last Arab country that could sign a peace agreement with Israel."
Olmert once again asserted his intention to invest resources in the north areas battered by Hezbollah rockets so that it will be a "flourishing paradise."
Posted by: Fred ||
09/04/2006 00:00 ||
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I am so disgusted by Olmert that I don't want to comment this last delirium.
A Hamas minister submitted his resignation to Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Sunday amid reports that President Mahmoud Abbas is considering calling early elections for the parliament and the presidency to resolve the ongoing crisis in the PA territories.
The resignation of Jamal Khudari, minister of communications and technology, is the first of its kind since Hamas took power last March. Earlier this year, PA Tourism Minister Judeh Murqus resigned after receiving threats from Fatah gunmen in Bethlehem. He withdrew his resignation after receiving assurances that he would not be harmed.
In a letter to Haniyeh, Khudari hinted that his decision to quit was related to the failure of Hamas and Abbas's Fatah party to reach an agreement on the formation of a national-unity government. Abbas and Haniyeh held five meetings in Gaza City over the past few days to discuss the national-unity government, but failed to reach an agreement.
"It is our wish, and that of all Palestinians, to see a national-unity government," Khudari wrote. "To support this effort, which undoubtedly requires that some ministers leave their posts, I place at your disposal the portfolio of Communications and Technology with the hope that you would succeed in uniting our people."
The resignation is seen as a serious embarrassment for Hamas and the Haniyeh government. PA officials in Ramallah said they saw the resignation as marking the beginning of the end of the Hamas-controlled government.
"Let's hope they will all resign and return to their homes," said a senior official in Abbas's office. "This government is a catastrophe and it is responsible for the economic and political deterioration in the Palestinian territories."
Another PA official said he expected more ministers to submit their resignations soon. "This proves that there are people in Hamas who don't support its agenda," he said. "Hamas must start listening to these voices that are coming from within its own camp."
The resignation comes one day after PA civil servants declared an open-ended strike in all government institutions, including schools and universities. The strike was organized by several Fatah-run unions, a fact that prompted Hamas leaders to talk about a "conspiracy" by Fatah and Abbas to bring down Haniyeh's government.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/04/2006 00:00 ||
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Skipping town just ahead of the sheriff IDF, eh?
"President Mahmoud Abbas is considering calling early elections"
He might as well - most of this "parliament" is in Israeli jails. Where they belong.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
09/04/2006 0:26 Comments ||
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Don't leave now. You're next on the list.Har Har Har.
The extraordinary buildup of European naval and military strength in and around Lebanons shores is way out of proportion for the task the European contingents of expanded UNIFIL have undertaken: to create a buffer between Israel and Hizballah.
Close investigation by DEBKAfiles military and intelligence sources discloses that Lebanese security and peacemaking is not the object of the exercise. It is linked to the general anticipation of a military clash between the United States and Israel, on one side, and Iran and possibly Syria on the other, some time from now until November
This expectation has brought together the greatest sea and air armada Europe has ever assembled at any point on earth since World War II: two carriers with 75 fighter-bombers, spy planes and helicopters on their decks; 15 warships of various types 7 French, 5 Italian, 2-3 Green, 3-5 German, and five American; thousands of Marines French, Italian and German, as well as 1,800 US Marines.
It is improbably billed as support for a mere 7,000 European soldiers who are deployed in Lebanon to prevent the dwindling Israeli force of 4-5,000 soldiers and some 15-16,000 Hizballah militiamen from coming to blows as well as for humanitarian odd jobs.
A Western military expert remarked to DEBKAfile that the European naval forces cruising off Lebanese shores are roughly ten times as much as the UNIFIL contingents require as cover, especially when UNIFILs duties are strictly non-combat. After all, none of the UN contingents will be engaged in disarming Hizballah or blocking the flow of weapons incoming from Syria and Iran.
So, if not for Lebanon, what is this fine array of naval power really there for?
First, according to our military sources, the European participants feel the need of a strong naval presence in the eastern Mediterranean to prevent a possible Iranian-US-Israeli war igniting an Iranian long-range Shahab missile attack on Europe; second, as a deterrent to dissuade Syria and Hizballah from opening a second front against American and Israel from their eastern Mediterranean coasts.
Numbers alone do not do justice to the immense operational capabilities and firepower amassed opposite Lebanon. Take first the three fleet flagships.
From Frances nuclear-powered 38,000-ton Charles De Gaulle carrier (see insignia), 40 Rafale M fighter craft whose range is 3,340 km can take off at intervals of 30 seconds. The ship also carries three E-2C Hawkeye surveillance craft. The combat control center of the French carrier can handle 2,000 simultaneous targets. The carrier leads a task fore of 7 warships carrying 2,800 French Marines.
Charles De Gaulle is also a floating logistics center operating water desalination plants for 15,000 men and enough food to feed an army for 90 days.
The USS Mount Whitney (the tallest snowcapped peak in the United States), has the most sophisticated command and control suite in the world. Like the French Charles De Gaulle , it exercises command over a task force of 1,800 sailors, Marines, Air force medical and other personnel serving aboard the USS Barry, the USS Trenton, HSV Swift and USNS Kanawha.
Available to the fleet commander, US Vice Admiral J. Boomer Stufflebeem, formally titled commander of Joint Task Force Lebanon, is the uniquely advanced C41 command and intelligence system through which he can flash intelligence data to every American commander at any point between the eastern Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf and Iran. USS Mount Whitney communications are described as unsurpassed for the the secure transmission of data from any point to any other point in the world through HF, UHF,VHF, SHF and EHF.
The third carrier joining the other two is the Italian aircraft-helicopter carrier Garibaldi , which has launch pads for vertical takeoff by 16 AV-8B Harrier fighter-bombers or 18 Sikorsky SH-3D Seak King sea-choppers (or Italian Agusta Bell AB212 helicopters), designed to attack submarines and missile ships.
Military experts estimate that the Garibaldi currently carries 10 fighter planes and 6 helicopters.
The new European naval concentration tops up the forces which permanently crowd the eastern Mediterranean: the Italian-based American Sixth Fleet, some 15 small Israeli missile ships and half a dozen submarines and the NATO fleet of Canadian, British, Dutch, German, Spanish, Greek and Turkish warships. They are on patrol against al Qaeda (which is estimated to deploy 45 small freighters in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean). The British have permanent air and sea bases in Cyprus.
This vast forces main weakness, according to DEBKAfiles military sources, is that it lacks a single unified command. A sudden flare-up in Lebanon, Syria or Iran could throw the entire force into confusion.
On paper, it has three commanders:
1. French General Alain Pellegrini is the commander of the expanded UNIFIL ground, naval and air force in Lebanon. In February 2007, he hands over to an Italian general who leads the largest of the European contingents of 3,000 men. It is hard to see France agreeing to place its prestigious Charles De Gaulle flagship under non-French command.
2. The American forces opposite Lebanese shores are under direct US command. Since the October 1993 debacle of an American peace force under the UN flag in Somalia, Washington has never again placed its military under UN command. (There is no American contingent in the UNIFIL ground force either.)
In other words, USS Mount Whitney , while serving the European fleets as their operational and intelligence nerve center will stay under the sole command of Vice Admiral Stufflebeem in all possible contingencies.
3. Similarly, the NATO fleet will remain under NATO command, and Israels air and naval units will take their orders from Israeli Navy Headquarters in Haifa and the General Staff in Tel Aviv.
The naval Babel piling up in the eastern Mediterranean may therefore find itself at cross purposes when action is needed in an armed conflict. Iran, Syria and Hizballah could be counting on this weakness as a tactical asset in their favor.
#1
The weakness of lack of unified C & C is not that the French may mistakely whack the Italians or such. Rather, it is that they may both whack the same Islamofascist targets - a potential inefficiency. If I was Hizbollah or al Quaeda I don't think I'd want to count too heavily on the tactical asset of language barriers.
#3
cross purposes when action is needed in an armed conflict
I wouldn't count on any of the Europeans to take an active part in the offense/defense against Iran or Syria
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/04/2006 15:31 Comments ||
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#4
Anyone want to bet what happens if Hezbollah launches a single one of those Iranian anti-ship missiles at this naval armada? I am just about hoping that Iran oversteps itself and tries to slip one through. The mullah @ss-kicking needs to begin soon.
#5
Yes, Frank, we can be sure that, if there is "a military clash between the United States and Israel, on one side, and Iran and possibly Syria on the other", the Europeans will very fast decide to do nothing. For the present Europe, cowardice is safety.
#6
The Islamic Armada within Europe's borders is what matters more. We have seen how France just survived uprisings in it's streets. Europe will be hit hard internally with conflicts on it's streets if the mid east conflict gets bigger. Iran or Syria don't have to shoot missiles at Europe to destabalise it..
#9
"I say, since we're all here doing nothing, how about a few training missions over Damascus ? If you're flying with live ordnance, no need to bring it back aboard. Dump it over Golan Heights. Tanks would be acceptable targets. "
#10
Isn't ol' Chuckie De Gaulle the one that it took them forever to get the propellers working right?
Maybe they finally broke down and bought duct tape...
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/04/2006 20:49 Comments ||
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#12
"Walk Across Eastern Med On The Warships"
You say that like it's a bad thing.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
09/04/2006 21:03 Comments ||
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#13
Impressive as this 'armada' may be it is not likely the greatest sea and air armada Europe has ever assembled at any point on earth since World War II." I believe there was more Euro tonnage in the IO in 2002 in support of operations in Afghanistan.
#14
The CDG is less than 40% the size of a Nimitz-class US Carrier. Pfeh.
Right now, myself and (I hope) Admiral Nimitz are both gloating with grins like ASES (A Skunk Eating SH!T). Talk about the correct use of taxpayers' money.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh rejected Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's offer for negotiating peace between the two countries on Sunday. "Israel must first fulfill UNSC resolution 1701 and end its embargo on Lebanon before we can talk about peace," Salloukh said.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/04/2006 00:00 ||
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Good. Thwart the ineffectual Olmert's attempts to make even more of a dog's breakfast out of this.
BERLIN - Germany said on Sunday it was delaying a decision on sending troops to Lebanon, pending a formal request to the United Nations by the government in Beirut. A special meeting of the cabinet planned for Monday to decide on the deployment of a naval task force has been cancelled, government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said in Berlin.
Germany has made its involvement in a Lebanese peace force conditional on a formal Lebanese request to the UN. Such a plea had been expected by Sunday, but Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora told Chancellor Angela rkel that his government was still debating the issue, Wilhelm said. Merkel had originally planned to inform political party leaders of the deployment plans Sunday evening before the cabinet endorsed them on Monday ahead of a vote in parliament on Friday.
Germany has indicated it is willing to send a mainly sea-based force of between 1,200 to 2,000 as part of a 15,000-strong UN mission to oversee the ceasefire between Israel and the Shia militant group Hezbollah. The German task force would patrol Lebanese coastal waters with the aim of providing security and stopping arms smuggling.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/04/2006 00:00 ||
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Russia on Sunady indicated its willingness to send military engineers to rebuild infrastructure in war torn Lebanon as part of the international military presence in the West Asian nation. "We have special units, which are not combat troops, engaged in restoring destroyed infrastructure. Such units of the defence ministry could help Lebanon rebuild bridges and roads, if the Lebanese government gives its consent," Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov today said.
It's not like they're needed in Chechnya.
"There are many optimal options [for Russian armed forces` presence in Lebanon] but, to my mind, our armed forces could help eliminate the consequences of the infrastructure tragedy, which has hit Lebanon," Ivanov was quoted as saying by Ria Novosti. Ivanov said the damage caused to Lebanon from the military operations was estimated at USD 4 billion and the country urgently needed to rebuild its infrastructure.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/04/2006 00:00 ||
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Don't let this happen. They just want to evaluate the tunnel/bunker conditions to see how they held up under attack.
Iran and Japanese firm Inpex say they are close to finalising a joint project to develop a big new Iranian oil field. Both sides say they are less than two weeks away from final agreement over the Azadegan field, which is one of the world's largest untapped oil reserves.
Any deal will no doubt raise eyebrows in the US which wants sanctions against Iran due to Tehran's nuclear ambitions. While Japan is totally reliant upon oil imports, Iran is the world's fourth largest crude producer.
The Iranian government and Inpex first signed an outline agreement over the Azadegan field in 2004, but they subsequently failed to reach a final agreement due to a dispute over the exact financial structure of the deal. This impasse now appears to have finally been broken. "An understanding has been reached and we can almost say that no dispute has remained on pricing," said Iran's representative to global oil producers group Opec, Hossein Kazempour Ardebili.
Analysts expect it will take $2bn (£1bn) to bring the field on stream. Located in the south west of Iran, Azadegan is estimated to have reserves of 26 billion barrels of crude, and production could start in 2008. The Japanese government is a major shareholder in Inpex.
#1
Uh Huh...somebody's trying to do an end-run around the US and enlist one of our staunchest allies (which really needs the resources). The mullahs must figure that if they get the Japanese onboard in this deal they'll end up over a barrel if push comes to shove with the US (ie the Japanese) and side with the mullahs.
I'd be real careful if I were the mullahs. The last time someone pulled the oil rug out from under the Japanese resulted in a lot of blood spilled on both sides.
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.
KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) - Negotiators for Somalia's weak, U.N.-backed interim government held peace talks Sunday with delegates from an increasingly powerful Islamic militia that controls most of the country's south, including the capital. The talks, which began Saturday, revolve around a June agreement to discuss political, security, social and economic issues as well as reconstruction, according to a copy of the agenda obtained by The Associated Press.
Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Sunday night arrested two people including a BNP leader for possessing arms with them at Hadipur in Debhata upazila. The arrested are Debhata upazila BNP leader Rezaul Islam, also chairman of Noapara Union Parisad and Nazir Hossain of Noapara in Debhata upazila. Rezaul and Nazir were arrested with two guns as they opened fire at the Rab personnel Sunday night.
FAR-RIGHT extremists have adopted the tactics of Islamic jihadis by posting videos on the internet in which they threaten to behead British Muslims. The films show balaclava-clad white British men brandishing guns, knives and clubs, calling on all Muslims to leave Britain or be killed. One appears to be a soldier who has served in the Gulf. 
The missile market is not what it used to be for North Korea, with fewer buyers for a key export product and a loss in prestige when its top-end rocket fizzled after a short test flight, U.S. officials and experts said.
Opposition Democrats on Sunday expressed outrage at a campaign by President George W Bushs administration portraying critics of the Iraq war as defeatists reminiscent of those who tried to appease Nazis before World War II.
...Addressing 15,000 American Muslims at the weekend, Mr Khatami also made a clear assault on the influence of Israel's political lobby in the US. "We are unfortunately witnessing the emergence of policies that seek to confiscate public opinion in order to exploit all the grandeur of the nation and country of the United States ... policies that are the outcome of a point of view, that despite having no status in the US public arena as far as numbers are concerned, uses decisive lobby groups and influential centres to utilise the entirety of America's power and wealth to promote its own interest and to implant policies outside US borders that have no resemblance to the spirit of Anglo-American civilisation and the aspirations of its Founding Fathers or its constitution, causing crisis after crisis in our world."
The Bush administration has to focus on political solutions to ongoing problems whether it is fighting the war on terror or coming to terms with what is going on in Iraq, Democratic Senator Joseph Biden has said. 
This is the bugaboo Bush does not want to face. He has said, over and over, that his predecessors' infatuation with stability is what caused the festering stagnation and resentment that bred the terrorists who mounted the attacks of Sept. 11. 
The New York Times on Sunday, while noting the "contradictory" government statements about Akbar Bugti's death, said that the army was the only constituency Gen Musharraf cared for and "so long as elections are brazenly rigged, opposition parties are banned and Washington's uncritical support remains guaranteed, General Musharraf has little incentive" to take up any of the vital challenges he faced. The newspaper, 
A British man was killed today when a lone gunman shouting "Allahu Akbar!" ("God is Great") started firing at a group of Western tourists in the Jordanian capital Amman. 
BERLIN - Germany said on Sunday it was delaying a decision on sending troops to Lebanon, pending a formal request to the United Nations by the government in Beirut. A special meeting of the cabinet planned for Monday to decide on the deployment of a naval task force has been cancelled, government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said in Berlin.
Russia on Sunady indicated its willingness to send military engineers to rebuild infrastructure in war torn Lebanon as part of the international military presence in the West Asian nation. "We have special units, which are not combat troops, engaged in restoring destroyed infrastructure. Such units of the defence ministry could help Lebanon rebuild bridges and roads, if the Lebanese government gives its consent," Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov today said. 
Iran and Japanese firm Inpex say they are close to finalising a joint project to develop a big new Iranian oil field. Both sides say they are less than two weeks away from final agreement over the Azadegan field, which is one of the world's largest untapped oil reserves. 
