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Arabia
Shakeup at Al-Jazeera: Qatar makes changes under pressure from U.S.
2003-12-10
From Geostrategy-Direct
Washington has pressed Qatar’s ruling family, which sponsored Al-Jazeera, to make major changes at the news channel. Sources at the station said Qatar’s ruling family has quietly reshuffled the station’s board of directors and senior staffers. The goal is to satisfy the United States that Al-Jazeera was being released from its stranglehold by Al Qaida sympathizers. For years, the satellite channel has served as a mouthpiece for Al Qaida. At one point in 2002 it passed messages between Osama Bin Laden and his supporters. Here are some of the changes: Al-Jazeera’s top correspondent, Taysir Alouni, regarded as liaison with Al Qaida, is out — detained in Spain on terrorism charges.
Add that to your resume, Taysir.
Qasim Jaafar, regarded as a professional journalist with no ties to Al Qaida or related groups, is in.
Yvonne Ridley is out, too, but that’s another story.
Decided to hire somebody who can spell, huh?
The Qatari ruling family is treading cautiously. Al-Jazeera has been under the heavy influence of Sheik Yusef Qardawi, the Godfather of Terrorism most charismatic cleric in the Gulf and a fixture on the channel. Qardawi has been a star with his railing against Israel, the United States and endorsement of jihad. Qardawi was said to have brought in many of the pro-Al Qaida staffers and board members. The ruling family does not want to turn the sheik into an enemy.
Instead, he should be turned into a grease spot on the L&N.
Meanwhile, the U.S. plans to launch its own competition to A-Jazeera satellite television. Details have not been announced.
Al-Limbaugh? Sorry, couldn’t help it.
They'd love al-Rantburg...
Posted by:Alaska Paul

#6  Al-Rantburg, yea baby, YEA! News, sports and biting comentary.
Posted by: Lucky   2003-12-10 8:39:16 PM  

#5  I would feel more comfortable if the left Al-Jizz alone and just treated it as a possible terrorist organization. When you call for changes in a media outlet, you get some surface changes. Al-Jizz is what it is because there is a market for that type of clownshow journalism.

My impression is that the Iraqis, for one, will provide an alternative to Al-Jizz. There will be a spontaneous challenge to the Arab media on the grounds of truthfulness coming from other Arabs. We should monitor encourage and reward balanced Arab media with access but not finance the enterprise. Arab opinion can be monitored by circulations and ratings of balanced media against the inciters.
Posted by: Super Hose   2003-12-10 4:26:35 PM  

#4  Thanks for the elucidation, Paul. I like that turn of phrase.
Posted by: Mike   2003-12-10 3:42:05 PM  

#3  L & N

Long and Nasty

Late and Never
Posted by: liberalhawk   2003-12-10 3:07:27 PM  

#2  It's an old expression. Like squashed like a bug.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2003-12-10 3:02:01 PM  

#1  "L&N"

Louisville & Nashville? "Sheik struck and killed by coal train?"
Posted by: Mike   2003-12-10 2:55:59 PM  

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