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Hamas gov't calls for halt to fighting
Today's Headlines
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Africa Horn
Clash kills 4 people in southern Somalia
(SomaliNet) Heavy clashes between rival local militias have erupted near Luq district of Gedo region in southwest of Somalia on late Friday killing at least 4 people and wounding dozens more, Somalinet correspondent. "The fighting happened in a village around Luq district where local militias have exchanged heavy weapons causing more casualties," local witness told SomaliNet office.

Reports from the Gedo region say that the communication at the area where clashes took place has been cut off, and it made difficult to gain more details on the exact casualties resulted from the fighting. There have been continuing efforts to stop the clashes amid there is little hope over ending the current conflict between rival militias. The Local authorities in Luq district sent negotiation team around the battle areas to participate peace making efforts by local elders.

Local official said more residents have displaced their homes after the village burnt to ashes during the battle Sources in Luq district confirmed heavy casualties including death and lost properties after the fighting continued for some hours. It is not yet clear the causes of the just clashes but some reports say this relating to row of land ownership.
Posted by: Fred || 07/09/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I thought The Clash broke up?
Posted by: Raj || 07/09/2006 9:00 Comments || Top||

#2  Sharif don't like it.
Posted by: Eric Jablow || 07/09/2006 10:46 Comments || Top||

#3  Big Audio Dynamite
Posted by: Frank G || 07/09/2006 11:01 Comments || Top||


Somalia: President says the government structure complete
(SomaliNet) Somali interim president Abdulahi Yusuf Ahmed said on Saturday the general formation of the government has been accomplished today since the members of supreme judiciary committees were sworn. President Yusuf addressing at a ceremony in which the chairman of the supreme court of the transitional federal government Yusuf Ali Harun held in Baidoa, the capital town of Bay region in southwest of the capital Somalia, saying the supreme court can not operate if it is not built the lower courts, the regional authorities and prisons. He said the law should be judged for fairness since the government officials may breach the rule and it is more needed the Supreme Court have to take tough measures against all officials who fall into foul.
Now that they've got an incentive, they'll no doubt put their "government" together pretty quickly. I suspect it's way too late.
Posted by: Fred || 07/09/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Islamists publicly flog teenagers in Jowhar
(SomaliNet) The Islamic court in Jowhar town 90km (55miles) north of Somalia capital Mogadishu has carried out an Islamic verdict, whipping 11 young men with 40 lashes each in public square on Saturday – a move that frightens more residents.
That's what it's intended to do, isn't it?
Somalinet correspondent reports all the whipped people were teenagers after they were convicted with charges and the Court ordered the performance of Sharia Law penalizing locally known as (Ta’siir), each of them has been lashed 40 times. “Some of the lashed teenagers have been alleged with looting while others have been caught in the act of using hashish (Marijuana),” Sheik Mohamoud, the district attorney of Jowhar said. Adding “All of them confessed the charges.”
... with a little help, of course...
It is first Islamic practice by Islamists since they seized control of the capital and key towns in southern Somalia from US backed warlords early June.
Posted by: Fred || 07/09/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  How cheeky
Posted by: Captain America || 07/09/2006 0:33 Comments || Top||

#2  I thought Seafarious was a redhead. Is that a wig?
Posted by: Frank G || 07/09/2006 10:46 Comments || Top||

#3  Sinktrap's not to bad once you get used to that early '70s decor.
Posted by: 6 || 07/09/2006 11:30 Comments || Top||

#4  I'd be careful here, Sea can kick any of our asses ...
Posted by: Steve White || 07/09/2006 12:29 Comments || Top||

#5  It's not the first, I just read about them stoning a couple of rapists to death in public a few weeks ago.
Posted by: bigjim-ky || 07/09/2006 12:36 Comments || Top||

#6  Love me, shove me, make it hurt so good. . .
Posted by: GORT || 07/09/2006 17:38 Comments || Top||


Somali Islamists Ban Band Music at Wedding Parties
Militiamen loyal to Somali Islamic Courts on Friday raided a wedding party, beat a woman, and confiscated musical instruments in the capital Mogadishu as they enforced a ban on band music, officials and witnesses said yesterday. Around 20 heavily-armed militiamen stormed a house in Mogadishu's Huriwa neighborhood, fired shots in the air and confiscated musical instruments from a band entertaining guests at the wedding party, they said. Organizers said the militiamen said the band was performing "satanic" music contrary to the teachings of the Qur'an.
"And don't let us catch any of youse guys havin' no fun again!"
Posted by: Fred || 07/09/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "I've heard that there's a secret chord
that David played and it pleased the Lord,
but you don't really care for music, do you?"

-Leonard Cohen, "Hallelujah"

Naturally this bit of pious Islamic thuggery could not possibly have been accomplished without beating a woman and firing shots. You just can't shut down a dance party without a bit of the ultraviolence.

We should carpet bomb these people with tapes of Marilyn Manson and klezmer music.
Posted by: Baba Tutu || 07/09/2006 1:11 Comments || Top||

#2  "We should carpet bomb these people with tapes of Marilyn Manson and klezmer music."

Indeed. I wonder how they would react to a plane load of porno mags and kazoos.

We should experiment.
Posted by: Clolurong Check5903 || 07/09/2006 1:50 Comments || Top||

#3  I think we should try it.

Ranchy pr0n and kazoos away!
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom || 07/09/2006 2:27 Comments || Top||

#4  Okay man do the bombbay door thing.
Doors open.
Books away!
10,000 copies of The Naked Lunch in downtown Mekka.


paraphrased from some semi-forgotten Firesign Theatre track.

Hummm... I used to have a linky.
:<
Posted by: 6 || 07/09/2006 7:50 Comments || Top||

#5  Air Guitars will so rule!
Posted by: Theresh Thrinenter5301 || 07/09/2006 21:11 Comments || Top||


Bangladesh
Bangladesh says hard to accept three billion dollar investment
Bangladesh's Industries Minister said on Sunday an election due in January made it difficult to accept a $3 billion investment proposal by Indian conglomerate Tata, even though the deal would be good for the country.
It would also be good for India, which makes it a non-starter in B'desh ...
Tata has proposed building a steel plant, urea factory, a 1,000 megawatt gas-fired power plant and developing a coal mine in Bangladesh. It would be the biggest single investment in the country. But last week Tata said it might pull out because of delays in reaching an agreement. "All of us in the government and myself feel strongly that it is good for Bangladesh, but it is also difficult to take any decision before the coming election," minister Motiur Rahman Nizami told Reuters after a meeting with a Tata delegation.

The secretary-general of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, said the government will consult opposition parties before entering a deal with Tata. "This is a very big proposal, which we welcome. At the same time, we will also share opinion with the opposition in taking a decision (on the deal)," Bhuiyan said after meeting the Tata representatives.

It was the first time a key government leader spoke publicly about taking the opposition into consideration before finalising a high-stake investment. Opposition leaders were not immediately available for comment.
They were still picking themselves off the floor ...
Bhuiyan hinted the deal with Tata might be delayed until after the January parliamentary election. "We did all the background work and the next government will be in a comfortable position to take a decision."

Nizami earlier said: "We have explained them (Tata) the realities but they are not convinced. They don't want us to mix politics with economics." Nizami said more time was needed to evaluate some aspects of Tata's proposal, including gas pricing and guarantees of gas supply.
"And we want to be sure the Hindoooz don't benefit," he added softly.
Analysts say the run-up to the election could be volatile. The main opposition party Awami League may boycott the polls if the government does not accept demands for electoral reforms, which could plunge the country into chaos.

After previous elections in Bangladesh, the victors have changed plans made or approved by the outgoing government, even though that slows the development of the poor country. Nizami denied the delay was due to an anti-India bias. "There is a criticism that we are against India, but this is not true," he said.
"No, no! Certainly not!"
"We are very selfish about our country's interest. We want friends, not masters."
"And we don't want them Hindooooz sniffin' 'round our wimmins!"
The Tata team is expected to meet Finance Minister M. Saifur Rahman on Sunday and with the Chairman of the Board of Investment, Mahmudur Rahman, on Monday, officials said.
Posted by: john || 07/09/2006 15:30 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Just boggles the mind...

Posted by: john || 07/09/2006 15:38 Comments || Top||

#2  Tata has proposed building a steel plant, urea factory, a 1,000 megawatt gas-fired power plant and developing a coal mine in Bangladesh. It would be the biggest single investment in the country.


and

"We are very selfish about our country's interest. We want friends, not masters."


Talk about an own goal...
Posted by: Tony (UK) || 07/09/2006 15:53 Comments || Top||

#3  If Tata thinks they're getting jerked around now, just wait til the money's sunk.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 07/09/2006 15:53 Comments || Top||

#4  I.E. they couldn't figure out how to steal a generous portion of the funds.
Posted by: Glaiting Jaimp5582 || 07/09/2006 16:10 Comments || Top||

#5  The best comments ever about Bangladesh were made by P.J. O'Rourke. In short, the gods hate Bangladesh and wish to punish it terribly. Their method for doing this is called "government", and it is a terrible punishment, indeed.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 07/09/2006 16:11 Comments || Top||

#6  UNOCAL withdrew in disgust from Bangladesh after being prevented from developing a huge gas field and selling the gas to India.

I hope that "donor nations" pay attention to things like this....



Posted by: john || 07/09/2006 16:13 Comments || Top||

#7  a Tata delegation?
Posted by: Frank G || 07/09/2006 17:13 Comments || Top||

#8  Call 'em the Rack?
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 07/09/2006 17:17 Comments || Top||

#9  Maybe someone could open a shutter gun factory.
Posted by: Jackal || 07/09/2006 22:05 Comments || Top||


China-Japan-Koreas
West mounts 'secret war' to keep nuclear North Korea in check
A PROGRAMME of covert action against nuclear and missile traffic to North Korea and Iran is to be intensified after last week’s missile tests by the North Korean regime. Intelligence agencies, navies and air forces from at least 13 nations are quietly co-operating in a “secret war” against Pyongyang and Tehran. It has so far involved interceptions of North Korean ships at sea, US agents prowling the waterfronts in Taiwan, multinational naval and air surveillance missions out of Singapore, investigators poring over the books of dubious banks in the former Portuguese colony of Macau and a fleet of planes and ships eavesdropping on the “hermit kingdom” in the waters north of Japan.

Kim told Hu Jintao, the Chinese president in January that his government was being strangled, diplomats in the Chinese capital said. “He has warned the Chinese leaders his regime could collapse and he knows that is the last thing we want,” said a Chinese source close to the foreign ministry.

The risk being assessed between Washington and Tokyo this weekend is how far Kim can be pushed against the wall before he undertakes something more lethal than last week’s display of force. The United States and its allies are now preoccupied by what Kim might do with the trump card in his arsenal — his stockpile of plutonium for nuclear bombs. “The real danger is that the North Koreans could sell their plutonium to another rogue state — read Iran — or to terrorists,” said a western diplomat who has served in Pyongyang. American officials fear Iran is negotiating to buy plutonium from North Korea in a move that would confound the international effort to stop Tehran’s nuclear weapons programme.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 07/09/2006 21:03 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Kim comes out of hiding to vow retaliation
KIM Jong-il, who puts the DIC in dictator, sullenly silent and hidden since North Korea's multiple missile tests on Wednesday, has apparently laundered his soiled shorts broken cover to threaten the US with "retaliation for retaliation, all-out war with all-out war".
The dimminutive reclusive dictator's fighting words against the "US imperialistic aggressors" were quoted in a radio editorial broadcast yesterday by the Korean Central Broadcasting Agency.

"Kim announced a heroic DPRK position, in which it promised to answer to an enemy's retaliation with retaliation and to an all-out war with an all-out war," the broadcast said, referringto the nation's official title, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Brett || 07/09/2006 17:46 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Clearly the syphilis has gone to his brain.
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/09/2006 20:31 Comments || Top||

#2  Equally obvious this idiot has no idea what all-out war really is.

Posted by: FOTSGreg || 07/09/2006 20:42 Comments || Top||

#3  note he also didn't appear - they were "quoting" his statement, undoubtedly written by someone else
Posted by: Frank G || 07/09/2006 20:57 Comments || Top||

#4  "...who puts the DIC in dictator,..."

LOL! How true...

Posted by: Dave D. || 07/09/2006 21:05 Comments || Top||

#5  Maybe he read this:
West mounts 'secret war' to keep nuclear North Korea in check
Michael Sheridan, Far East Correspondent
A PROGRAMME of covert action against nuclear and missile traffic to North Korea and Iran is to be intensified after last week’s missile tests by the North Korean regime.

Intelligence agencies, navies and air forces from at least 13 nations are quietly co-operating in a “secret war” against Pyongyang and Tehran.

It has so far involved interceptions of North Korean ships at sea, US agents prowling the waterfronts in Taiwan, multinational naval and air surveillance missions out of Singapore, investigators poring over the books of dubious banks in the former Portuguese colony of Macau and a fleet of planes and ships eavesdropping on the “hermit kingdom” in the waters north of Japan.

Few details filter out from western officials about the programme, which has operated since 2003, or about the American financial sanctions that accompany it.

But together they have tightened a noose around Kim Jong-il’s bankrupt, hungry nation.

A little more about it here:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-2261782,00.html
Posted by: Sherry || 07/09/2006 23:44 Comments || Top||


Missile launches come as U.S. cuts troops
North Korea’s missile launches come at a time when the number of U.S. troops in South Korea and other nearby Asian nations is declining and the Pentagon has been focusing more on a potential threat from China.

As part of a worldwide realignment of American forces, the Pentagon is drawing down troops at some decades-old installations in Asia, and the region’s allies are taking more responsibility for their own defense. This has been accompanied by burgeoning U.S. naval strength in the Pacific.

Pentagon figures show just under 30,000 U.S. troops in South Korea, compared with 37,000 two years ago, with some troops being deployed instead to Iraq. In its biggest reorganization in two decades, the U.S. plans to bring down the number further to some 25,000 by 2008.

Even so, North Korea says its missile program is partly for self-defense against an American threat.

“The irony here is that a fair amount of what (North Korea) used to complain about — the militarization of the Korean Peninsula — is being reduced,” said analyst Dan Goure of the Lexington Institute think tank in Arlington, Va.

As for U.S. military strength in eastern Asia, the plan is to break down large Cold War-era bases around the world, bring tens of thousands of uniformed personnel back to the United States and move some troops closer to potential hot spots so they can more quickly respond to conflicts.

At the same time, saying it has an eye on surges in China’s defense spending, the Pentagon is trying to strengthen its Asia-Pacific force.

The U.S. troop reduction in South Korea, where the U.S. has had a military presence since the Korean War, doesn’t necessarily mean decreased military capabilities in the region.

“Part of the drawdown that you are seeing in Korea is because of South Korea’s eagerness and willingness to assume more responsibility for their own security, which is a good thing,” Pentagon press secretary Eric Ruff said.

Similar restructuring is afoot in Japan, where the most recent Defense Department statistics show about 40,000 U.S. troops are stationed, including more than 15,000 Marines and more than 13,000 airmen. It also is home port for the Navy’s 7th Fleet.
Posted by: ryuge || 07/09/2006 04:36 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The SKs have been promoting constructive-engagement with the NKs, and the US was following their lead. Then KJI launches a missile in the direction of Hawaii while mouthing off about some non-existent 2nd strike capacity. Unfortunately, any time there appears to be a semblance of peace, the SK's find another tunnel from the north. Can't wait.
Posted by: Anginens Threreng8133 || 07/09/2006 7:11 Comments || Top||

#2  Pentagon figures show just under 30,000 U.S. troops in South Korea

Where's the Dem's cut and run withdraw plan for South Korea. Over 50 years! It's a quagmire!
Posted by: Gleresh Whomort8073 || 07/09/2006 9:03 Comments || Top||

#3  The Norks made the mistake of wasting vast amounts of money building something like the Maginot like facing the DMZ. Artillery emplaced deeply in mountains, connected by tunnels. Seoul could be devastated by this artillery.

However, like the Germans, this just means that we adapt our strategy to make this defensive/offensive wall meaningless. Moving our forces back means that though they might kill a bunch of civilians, we will be able to counter at 100% military strength.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 07/09/2006 13:03 Comments || Top||

#4  I want the next test missile targeted to Alaska, specifically ANWR.

Oh, well, we'll just go in and put a few rigs up to contain the flow.........
Posted by: anonymous2u || 07/09/2006 13:54 Comments || Top||

#5  LOL anon2u
Posted by: Penguin || 07/09/2006 14:15 Comments || Top||

#6  Hey, Ima in the path, and Kimmie's aim is rather lame. Please reconsider.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 07/09/2006 17:19 Comments || Top||

#7  Pull them all back to Pusan, and set up perimeter and so forth there - set up the "REFORGER" type stocks for heavy armor in the perimeter under US guard, and ditch the KATUSAs.

Then tell the SKors to start writing their own checks.
Posted by: Oldspook || 07/09/2006 17:33 Comments || Top||

#8  Pity the poor North Koreans. For decades they have been screaming about the presence of U.S. troops. Now that the troops are being withdrawn, they are screaming that the U.S. will use missiles on them. I wonder what will make them happy?
Posted by: Fordesque || 07/09/2006 23:13 Comments || Top||

#9  I wonder what will make them happy?

for most NKers, a plate of biscuits and gravy
Posted by: Frank G || 07/09/2006 23:36 Comments || Top||


West mounts 'secret war' to keep nuclear North Korea in check
Posted by: ryuge || 07/09/2006 04:34 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Look for the highly classified / secret details of the program to be revealed by the NYT in the coming days.
Posted by: Mark Z || 07/09/2006 21:09 Comments || Top||

#2  What is interesting in this article is the japanese reaction to the Korean test. They want offensive missile capability.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 07/09/2006 21:13 Comments || Top||


Russia offered to help N. Korea
Russia secretly offered to sell North Korea technology that could help the rogue state protect nuclear stockpiles and safeguard weapons secrets from international scrutiny, but officials backed off after the arms flirtation was publicized.

Russian officials touted the equipment to the communist regime at an information technology exhibition in Pyongyang late last month -- just days before North Korea sparked international alarm by launching a salvo of short- and long-range missiles into the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

Aleksei Grigoriev, deputy director of Russia's Federal Information Technologies Agency, told a reporter for the Itar-Tass news agency that North Korea planned to buy equipment for the safe storage and transportation of nuclear materials.

One of Russia's state-controlled defense companies developed the equipment. The company, Atlas, also drew interest from the North Koreans in security systems and encryption technology, neither of which were on display at the exhibition for security reasons.

Word of secret Russian dealings with North Korea's nuclear program presents a potential obstacle to Bush administration plans to share civilian nuclear technology with Moscow. The Washington Post reported yesterday that President Bush intends to announce extensive U.S. civilian nuclear cooperation with Russia in a deal that could be worth billions of dollars.

"Such an agreement would benefit both the United States and Russia and indeed the world by enabling advances in and greater use of nuclear energy," White House spokesman Peter Watkins told Reuters news agency in confirming the report.

Mr. Grigoriev told Itar-Tass that the main purpose of the June 28 exhibition in Pyongyang was "establishing contacts with the Korean side and discussing future cooperation." He quickly retracted his remarks after they became public.

Russia along with China last week opposed a draft U.N. Security Council resolution, proposed by Japan and backed by the United States, that would bar missile-related financial and technology transactions with North Korea because of the Fourth of July missile launches.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill yesterday expressed support for a Chinese proposal to hold informal six-nation talks on the North Korean nuclear threat and offered to meet bilaterally with the North on the sidelines, the Associated Press reported from Seoul.

"As many of you know, the Chinese have talked about putting together a six-party informal, and we both support that and we think that all countries are prepared to come to that informal meeting," Mr. Hill told reporters after meeting with Chun Young-woo, South Korea's top nuclear negotiator.

Asked about the possibility of a bilateral meeting with the North, he said: "Within the informal six-party talks, yes, I can. I just can't do it when they are boycotting the six-party talks."

The talks involve the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan and Russia.

Mr. Hill was in Seoul as part of a regional tour to coordinate the international response to the North's missile launches.

The USS Mustin, an ultramodern destroyer equipped with Aegis missile-tracking technology for tracking and shooting down enemy missiles, docked yesterday at Yokosuka, Japan, home port to the Navy's 7th Fleet. Arrival of the high-tech destroyer had been planned for months, a Navy spokesman said, and was not a direct U.S. reaction to North Korea's missile tests.

Sources close to the proposed sale of Russian equipment to the North for civil and military uses said it was evidence of Russia's secret support for its Soviet-era ally, once a bulwark against Chinese influence in the Far East.

North Korean military interest in the exhibition reportedly stemmed from the dual purpose of many of the products and technologies on display. After the show, which led to plans for further meetings between the Russian and North Korean delegations, Mr. Grigoriev said Pyongyang's primary interest in buying the equipment was to combat the "threat posed by international terrorism."

However, the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang immediately denied the report, saying it was "disinformation." Mr. Grigoriev subsequently denied having spoken to the Itar-Tass reporter.

Disclosures of a possible deal are at odds with official Russian policy toward North Korea's nuclear program. On June 22, North Korea's ambassador to Russia, Park Yi-joon, was summoned to the foreign ministry in Moscow and informed that Russia "strongly objects to any actions that can negatively influence regional stability and worsen [the] nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula."

Western analysts said they would not be surprised if the two countries are discussing sensitive military deals. Nicholas Eberstadt, a North Korea specialist at the American Enterprise Institute, a think tank in Washington, said Russian policy toward North Korea long has been influenced by the desire to restore its Cold War-era influence.

"Russia often seems more ambitious to restore that influence than to play a positive role in international affairs," Mr. Eberstadt said. "We've got no reason to doubt that Moscow is playing a double game with North Korea."
Posted by: ryuge || 07/09/2006 03:10 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


UN delays North Korea vote: US, Japan press for unity against N Korea
The United States and Japan vowed Saturday to punish North Korea for its missile tests, refusing to budge for China and Russia which are fighting at the United Nations to impose new sanctions. The United States, however, also reached out to North Korea, saying it was ready to sit down one-on-one if the communist state returned to multinational talks on its nuclear and missile programmes.

US envoy Christopher Hill, on a whirlwind tour after the missile launches, called for China to close ranks with Washington after receiving a lukewarm response in Beijing Friday. "We had very good discussions with the Chinese and made very clear our very deep concerns about what is going on in the DPRK, and I called upon the Chinese to understand that we will be much more effective if we speak with one voice," Hill told reporters during talks in Seoul, his second stop. "To be very frank, I think this is not a time for so-called gestures of that kind," Hill said.
Posted by: Fred || 07/09/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Better to announce the formation of a joint US-Japanese committee [with invites to UK, Australia, Denmark, etc] on the establishment of a new international body for addressing serious threats to regional neighbors and prosperity, to include shifting of funds to cover said's operation. Something that will do the work that is not being done now.
Posted by: Gleresh Whomort8073 || 07/09/2006 9:01 Comments || Top||


Home Front: WoT
Hoekstra believes Kappes leaked to undermine Bush & more
from May 18 2006 pdf letter from Peter Hoekstra to George Bush. Typing errors mine. HT Just One Minute

First I am concerned that the nominations for Director and Deputiy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency signal a retreat from needed reforms of the Agency.

I understand that Mr. Kappes is a capable, well-qualified and well-liked former Directorate of Operations (DO) case officer. I am heartened by the professional qualities he would bring to the job, but am concerned by what could be the political problems that he could bring back to the agency. There has been much public and private speculation about the politicization of the Agency. I am convinced that this politicization was underway well before Porter Goss became the Director. In fact, I have been long concerned that a strong and well-positioned group withing the Agency intentionally undermined the Administration and its policies. This argument is supported by the Ambassador Wilson/Valerie Plame events, as well as by the string of unauthoried disclosures from an organization that prides itself with being able to keep secrets. I have come to the belief that, despite his service to the DO, Mr. Kappes may have been part of this group. I must take note when my Democratic colleagues - those who so vehemently demounced and publicly attacked the strong choice of Porter Goss as Director now publicly support Mr. Kappe's return. The fact is, Mr Kappes and his Deputy, Mr. Sulick, were developing a communications offensive to bypass the Intelligence Committee and the CIA's own Office of Congressional Affairs.

Second, I am concerned that the Administration is not implementiong the carefully defined role of the DNI we worked so hard to draft. My view for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence was, and remains, one of a lean, coordinating function that provides "corporate" leadership to the individually high-fidelity intelligence agencies - "corporate divisions" if you will. This vision does not include the DNI "doing" things so much a sthe DNI "making sure things get done' by the agencies. I am concerned that the current implementation is creating a large, bureaucratic, and hierarchical structure that will be less flexible and agile than our adversaries. Our Fiscal Year 2007 authorization bill fences a number of the new positions at the DNI because of the concerns about this growing bureaucracy.

I have learned about some alleged Intelligence Community activities about which our committee has not been briefed. If these allegations are true, they may represent a breach of responsitility by the Administration, a violation of law, and just as importantly, a direct affront to me as the Members of this committee.

I've shared these thoughts with the Speaker, and he concurs with my concerns. Regrettablly, there are other issued that need to be discussed. What I've provided here are the most pressing.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 07/09/2006 19:34 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


India-Pakistan
13 Arrested for Murder of Policemen in Bhiwandi
The Thane police arrested 13 persons in connection with the murder of two policemen in Bhiwandi on Wednesday. According to sources all the arrested are Muslims. Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister R.R. Patil came under strong attack from the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance for the second consecutive day in the ongoing session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for acting soft against the alleged killers of the two policemen and also for not taking strong action against the minority community in the Bhiwandi riots. Patil unable to defend himself against the onslaught however tried to pacify the opposition by justifying that the police firing in which two Muslims were killed was justified fully. “We cannot be pushed against the wall. If anyone throws stones or attacks policemen, they will be answered with bullets,” Patil said.

The minister visited the Thane government hospital to meet the injured policemen who were hurt due to heavy stone pelting by the mob at the under construction police station in Nizampura, the disputed site claimed by both the Muslims and the police and which led to the riots. Surprisingly the injured policemen were post-haste shifted to Thane from Bhiwandi for the ministerial visit. During a visit to the office of the Thane police commissioner on Friday, Patil discussed the problem of the land with Muslim leaders from Thane and Bhiwandi and appealed to them to help restore peace. “The situation in Bhiwandi is fast returning to normalcy and curfew has been lifted,” Patil said and also announced that compensation would be paid to the families of the two Muslims killed in police firing in keeping with the norms finalized by the state government.
Posted by: Fred || 07/09/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Balochistan insurgency: Mengal doesn't trust govt
QUETTA: International mediation to resolve the Balochistan crisis is needed because the government and the Baloch people have reached a point where neither trusts the other, said Sardar Akhtar Mengal, former chief minister of Balochistan. "We don't trust Musharraf, his army and his political representatives," said Mengal at a press conference on Saturday.

Mengal said the Baloch wanted the United Nations or the European Union to settle the issue between the Pakistan government and Baloch leaders. Mengal, the president of the Balochistan National Party, condemned the military operation in Dera Bugti and alleged that seven civilians were killed by security forces in the Marri and Bugti areas. " Some eight to 10 jet fighters and 12 helicopters bombed Dera Bugti for three days. They (the security forces) wanted to target Nawab Akbar Bugti, his grandson Brahamdag Bugti and Mir Balach Marri. The army is engaged in target killings," he alleged.
Posted by: Fred || 07/09/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
The Hamas boss who is stoking resistance in Gaza...from the safety of Syria
Attacking with helicopter strikes and machine gun fire, in tanks and on foot, Israel yesterday pushed deep into the Gaza strip - even though the "most wanted" target of its campaign was nowhere near. Instead, hiding behind a thick veil of security, top Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, 50, remained hundreds of miles away in Damascus, where he enjoys the protection of the Syrian regime.

For Israel he is the master puppeteer of Hamas, pulling the strings behind terror attacks and waging an unrelenting ideological war designed to wipe it off the map. "Like bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, Meshaal is a terrorist of the worst kind," said Israel Justice Minister Haim Ramon.

Yesterday, Ismail Haniya, the Hamas prime minister, called for a ceasefire as the Palestinian death toll from the fighting rose above 40. One Israeli soldier has also died. Mr Haniya called for "serious negotiations", but there seemed little chance of that as Israeli tanks moved within 500 yards of residential areas of Gaza City.

Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Jesing Ebbease3087 || 07/09/2006 08:53 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Beilin calls on Olmert to accept cease-fire offer
Meretz Chairman MK Yosssi Beilin called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Saturday to accept a cease fire proposal presented earlier in the day by Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. Beilin, Army Radio reported, called on Olmert to authorize Egypt to open negotiations with the Palestinian Authority towards a general cease-fire, within which kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit would be released, Kassam rocket and terror attacks would end.

Israel, according to Beilin's proposal, would end its military operations in Gaza, targeted killings, and would release detained Hamas parliamentarians as well as prisoners who were scheduled to be released prior to Shalit's abduction.
Posted by: Fred || 07/09/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Everyone has their infection of useful tools to deal with.
Posted by: Snetch Angeresing1029 || 07/09/2006 1:45 Comments || Top||

#2  Isn't Beilin kinda the Jimmy Carter of Israel? You know: "negotiating" agreements with enemies without official govt. sanction, always looking for "peaceful" resolutions to issues - I don't know if he helps build houses for poor people, though ...
Posted by: xbalanke || 07/09/2006 11:53 Comments || Top||

#3  Don't let up when you got em' on the ropes.
Posted by: bigjim-ky || 07/09/2006 12:46 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Atomic secrets: The man, who knew too much
Google translation from German
When Chris Charlier arrives in the April of this yearly at Teheran, the usual receipt command already waits for him. It is as with everyone its over 20 attendance in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“Where always we did not go, which always we did, it were always behind us, have us with video cameras supervised, taken up, a second long from the eyes left each particular of our discussions to us, always over the shoulder looked us. How to the devil are we to be able to work there reasonably? ”, the 64 years old Belgians say. Chris Charlier is a boss of the 15 inspectors, who examine the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf the international atomic energy authority IAEA since 2003.

For the first time a Viennese inspector speaks openly and under denomination of his own name about the conditions, on which the UN-testers try to bring light in the darkness around the Iranian nuclear program. The fact that Charlier talks now so openly about it has reasons. Since April of this yearly it is practically unemployed. Responsible for it his direct superior, the director of the IAEA with seat is calculated in Vienna, Mohammed aluminium-Baradei.
Gotta love that translation
When Baradei drives in April to consultations to Teheran, required his direct interlocutor, the chief negotiator of the Shiite God state, Ali Larijani, ultimatively the separation of Chris Charlier.

And Mohammed aluminium-Baradei follows this unjustified demand. Chris Charlier had made itself strongly unpopular since 2003 in Teheran. „I am not a politician, I am technician, and as such with my inspections only one interests me: If the nuclear program is Iran a civilian or military “, Charlier says today. Which it found out with its inspections in Iran, is clear. “I believe that they hide their nuclear program and their true activities. It is very probable that Teheran on the nuclear field operates things, from which we to today no notion has”, says Charlier on the question whether Teheran possibly operates a secret parallel nuclear program.
Even Belgians get a clue!
In innumerable notes and work reports Charlier recorded the results of its inspections, has cheats and the diversionary manoeuvres of the Teheraner ruling powers listed, investigated, which leads one of its inspectors in Vienna to only one conclusion: “Natural builds the bomb for Teheran, and Charlier gathered the puzzle parts, which occupy. But it pays now the price”, says to one of its colleagues. Aluminium-Baradei sacrificed Charlier, and he may count “now in Vienna up to its retirement paper clips”. The reason: In discussions with Mohammed aluminium-Baradei Charlier so far always refused closing and in such a way acquitting Teheran of the reproach the Iranian nuclear document, it operate a military atomic program.

Mohammed aluminium-Baradei is not to be had for a statement in the thing Charlier. However first a speaker aluminium-Baradeis on request confirms the procedure. “It is correct that Chris Charlier may not drive for April this yearly to no more into Iran”, says a speaker of the IAEA. “Teheran required its separation.”

Briefly after this confirmation of the procedure by the IAEA the same speaker in a long telephone call tries to prevent the publication of this history. Their publication would endanger Chris Charlier and set beyond that the “work basis of our inspectors on the play. Chris Charlier sees that differently. “Which work basis?” he asks. “Those was risked alone thereby that Mohammed aluminium-Baradei without emergency of the extortion allowed by Teheran. In fact that is the end of halfway reasonable control of the Iranian nuclear program by the IAEA.”

How necessary such a control is was already confirmed, from destined mouth before longer time just in Teheran. On 1 August 2005 the brother of the Iranian chief negotiator Ali Larijani spoke openly about the true nature of the Iranian nuclear program. Opposite ILNA Larijani said to the Iranian press agency: “The nuclear weapon check contract is dead. The controversy between Iran and the west over the Iranian nuclear program therefore does not turn whether Iran closes the nuclear fuel cycle. The controversy goes around whether Iran may build nuclear weapons or not. We argue with the Europeans about whether we may enrich high-quality uranium or not. If our blutdürstigen enemies threaten such as America and Israel us, then we have the right to be allowed to defend us nuclear and we are to be given up not ready this right.”
Interesting to see if a Belgian can get the clue through to the Germans.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 07/09/2006 09:35 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Mohammed aluminium-Baradei is a muslim. islam even Shia islam comes before all else. The Muslims must have the bombs. Q.E.D.
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom || 07/09/2006 18:02 Comments || Top||

#2  good not translation is
Posted by: Frank G || 07/09/2006 18:30 Comments || Top||

#3  Mr. Aluminum Baradei was involved in Egypt's nuclear program, back when they had one. He got this job to protect the Muslim bomb programs from interfence, and thus far he's been pretty successful.
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/09/2006 20:20 Comments || Top||

#4  El Baradei resigned from his position overseeing the Egyptian nuke program when Sadat signed the peace treaty with Israel. Since then he's been protecting all anti-Western nuke programs in existence, under the umbrella of UN "international law" -- trying to help tyrants to hide their mass-murderous projects from us.

He's on a par with Arafat.
Posted by: Kalle (kafir forever) || 07/09/2006 21:44 Comments || Top||

#5  Maybe he'll catch the Arafat virus (mysterious blood disorder that leads to virgins - gendor non-specific).
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/09/2006 21:48 Comments || Top||

#6  Well, I can't think of a better place for him...running Egypt's nuke program...isn't he a lawyer or something?
Posted by: Quana || 07/09/2006 23:05 Comments || Top||


'Remove the Zionist regime'
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejed has called on Islamic countries to mobilise against Israel and "remove" the "Zionist regime".

Speaking in Tehran on Saturday, at the opening of a two-day conference on security in Iraq, Ahmadinejed said: "The basic problem in the Islamic world is the existence of the Zionist regime, and the Islamic world and the region must mobilise to remove this problem. Today there is a strong will... to remove the Zionist regime and implement a legal Palestinian regime all over Palestine. The continued survival of this regime (Israel) means nothing but suffering for the region. The biggest threat today for the region is the existence of the fake Zionist regime."
Posted by: Fred || 07/09/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Dear Mahmoud Ahmadinejed

It's been tried before.

The results have not been encouraging.
Posted by: Kelly || 07/09/2006 0:53 Comments || Top||

#2  The results have not been encouraging.

Well actually they have.
Posted by: AzCat || 07/09/2006 1:21 Comments || Top||

#3  >>>> Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejed has called on Islamic countries to mobilise against Israel and "remove" the "Zionist regime".


"Jews. Very dangerous ... you go first."
Posted by: Mizzou Mafia || 07/09/2006 1:29 Comments || Top||

#4  "Jews. Very dangerous ... you go first."

That *definitely* needed a coffee alert.
Posted by: AzCat || 07/09/2006 1:50 Comments || Top||

#5  Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejed has called on Islamic countries to mobilise against Israel and "remove" the "Zionist regime".

Step up to the plate. Be a man, Mahmoud. Attack Isreal. Lead from the front! Show the islamic world how it's done, or are you all hat and no cattle?
Posted by: anymouse || 07/09/2006 10:43 Comments || Top||

#6  I give em six days until they give up.
Posted by: bigjim-ky || 07/09/2006 12:45 Comments || Top||

#7  When is someone (preferably US, Israel will do) declare this to be a declaration of war?

Do you think that might change the public understanding, seeing healines such as "Iran declares war on Israel."?

Posted by: AlanC || 07/09/2006 13:36 Comments || Top||

#8  You would think so, wouldn't you?
Posted by: Tony (UK) || 07/09/2006 15:58 Comments || Top||

#9  I'm Ahmadinejed the pilgrim
please understand
I'm a poor crazed Jihadi
Bound for Canaan Land.
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 07/09/2006 22:58 Comments || Top||


Turkish PM advises Assad to deport Mashaal
Radio Monte Carlo reported Saturday that Turkey has advised Syrian President Bashar Assad to deport Hamas leader in exile Khaled Mashaal. Turkey indicated that Mashaal's presence in Damascus was having an adverse effect on international opinion, Israel Radio reported.
Posted by: Fred || 07/09/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  a commenter at LGF a couple days ago said he saw rumors of Meshaal packing up for Algeria, the heat was too hot in Damascus. No refernce for the rumor , and keep the salt shaker handy.
Posted by: Seafarious || 07/09/2006 1:10 Comments || Top||

#2  Deport him where? He came from Jordan, which I'm sure doesn't want him back.
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/09/2006 20:23 Comments || Top||


Sweden: Iranian diplomat brandishes gun in embassy
An Iranian diplomat walked into Iran's embassy in Stockholm on Saturday and threatened his colleagues with a gun, but no shots were fired in the incident, police said. The diplomat, who was not identified but is employed at the embassy, then left in a car but was later found by police near his house in the Stockholm suburb of Lidingo, police spokeswoman Eva Nilsson said.

The man has diplomatic immunity and cannot be arrested or interrogated by police unless his diplomat status is revoked, she said. Instead, he was taken to a hospital because "he was not feeling too well," Nilsson said.

It was unclear what prompted the incident, which happened shortly after 1 p.m. (1100GMT), or how many employees were in the embassy at the time, she said. Embassy officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Posted by: Fred || 07/09/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Arm all the Iraniacs at the Embassy - and encourge them to vent their 'blue-on-blue' fantasies - on one another.

Anyone representing the present Iranian regime is - by definition - an oxyen thief. Put all these mad dogs down.
Posted by: Lone Ranger || 07/09/2006 2:04 Comments || Top||

#2  YJCMTSU...

Boggles..

WTF???
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom || 07/09/2006 2:26 Comments || Top||

#3  Well, at least this proves that if/when they got nukes, they'll use it with concern and level-headedness, I'm very confident in it.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 07/09/2006 3:27 Comments || Top||

#4  Instead, he was taken to a hospital because "he was not feeling too well," Nilsson said.

Probably had to go to the hospital because he had a fit of rationality hit him after he had practiced his particular brand of "diplomacy" on his colleagues.

His superiors' response to reporters questions about the incident:

"He was following our diplomatic protocol. You're lucky he wasn't mad."
Posted by: grb || 07/09/2006 11:29 Comments || Top||

#5  brandishes gun in embassy

Is that what they're calling it these days?
Posted by: eLarson || 07/09/2006 17:06 Comments || Top||



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Two weeks of WOT
Sun 2006-07-09
  Hamas gov't calls for halt to fighting
Sat 2006-07-08
  Lebanese Arrested In Connection With New York Plot
Fri 2006-07-07
  Somali Islamists:death for Muslims skipping prayers
Thu 2006-07-06
  UN divided over missile response
Wed 2006-07-05
  Israel destroys Palestinian Interior Ministry building
Tue 2006-07-04
  NKors fire Taepodong fizzle
Mon 2006-07-03
  Paleoterrs issue ultimatum
Sun 2006-07-02
  Binny sez will take fight to America
Sat 2006-07-01
  66 killed in car bombing at Baghdad market
Fri 2006-06-30
  IAF strikes official Gaza buildings
Thu 2006-06-29
  IAF Buzzes Assad's House
Wed 2006-06-28
  Call for UN intervention as Paleoministers seized
Tue 2006-06-27
  Israeli tanks enter Gaza; Hamas signs "deal"
Mon 2006-06-26
  Ventura CA port closed due to terror threat
Sun 2006-06-25
  Somalia: Wanted terrorist named head of "parliament"

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