Madani Mezrag, chief of former Islamic Salvation Army (AIS), military wing of dissolved Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), announced, on behalf of Rabah Kebir Group, name lists of FISs candidates for parliamentary and municipal elections, expected within this year, are being prepared. These candidates will enter elections through a small Arabian-Islamic party.
The team militating with Rabah Kebir, head of Islamic Salvation Front Executive Office, will officially announce their partaking in elections, at a news conference he is to held, along with Kebir, soon, Mezrag says in a statement to Al Khabar. We endeavour to get some seats in parliament and local councils, points out Mezrag adding we have the right for political practice, and there is a presidential decree allowing us to take part in elections , Mezrag was referring to the decree issued by President Bouteflika, in 2000, in favour of AISs 6000 armed troops. This decree grants us political rights, he stresses.
We are aware it is impossible to create a political party at present, thats why we opted for participating in elections within a small Arabian-Islamic party, in which our candidates are to form the back bone, said he refusing to unveil the names of the concerned party. Mezrag promised dissolved FISs activists a strong comeback for 2012: we will have more representatives after five years To Al-Khabar question on Home Ministers decision not to allow FISs members to take part in elections, former AIS chief replies we wont declare war if one of our candidates is rejected, but Interior Ministers attitude is not appropriate. He has made a lot of harm to the State. He gives the impression there are neither a State nor law (in Algeria). I think Zerhouni (Minister of the Interior) has a narcissistic personality, Mezrag adds.
Asked what if FISs historical leaders, with Abassi Madani and Ali Benhadj on the top, dont give their approval for the concerned candidates, Mezrag said we respect them, like them, and recognize their achievements but this does not mean we will confine ourselves to certain ideas, we will take any step we deem it to be in the interest of Algerian people.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/26/2007 00:00 ||
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An Egyptian court refused Thursday to release on bail a blogger who is on trial on charges of insulting Islam and causing sectarian strife for his Internet writings in Egypt's first prosecution of a blogger.
Abdel Kareem Nabil, 22, who has been in detention since his arrest in early November, often denounced Islamic authorities and criticized Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on his Arabic-language blog. He faces up to nine years in prison if convicted on the charges. In a statement Thursday, the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights, called on human rights groups to "pressure the government to drop charges against (Nabil) as a prisoner of conscience."
Posted by: Fred ||
01/26/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Keep imprisioning your brightest folks, it does wonders for your form of government to cull the brains out of the available candidates.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
01/26/2007 9:49 Comments ||
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#2
The cull is at 1400 hundred years and counting.
Georgian special services have foiled an attempt by a Russian citizen to sell weapons-grade uranium for $1 million to agents he thought were radical Islamists, a senior Interior Ministry official said on yesterday. The official said Oleg Khintsagov, of Russia's North Ossetia region, was arrested on Feb. 1, 2006 and a closed court convicted him soon after to 8 1/2 years in prison.
Khintsagov was detained as he tried to sell uranium-235 to an undercover Georgian agent posing as a radical Islamist group member , said Shota Utiashvili, who heads the ministry's information and analytical department. "He was demanding $1 million for 100 grams [3.5 ounces] of enriched weapons-grade uranium," Utiashvili said. "This sort of uranium could be used to make a nuclear bomb but 100 grams is not enough."
Before being arrested, Khintsagov told agents he had another two to three kilograms of highly enriched uranium in the North Ossetian capital Vladikavkaz, Utiashvili said. Khintsagov transported the uranium, which was enriched to 90 percent, in plastic bags in his pockets. He refused to cooperate with the investigation. The uranium's origin was unclear.
The safety of Russia's vast stocks of nuclear weapons from smugglers has concerned world leaders since the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union. Russia said its nuclear facilities are well-guarded. A spokesman for Russia's atomic energy agency had no immediate comment .
There have been 16 confirmed instances of stolen or missing highly enriched uranium or plutonium recovered by authorities since 1993, according to a database of the UN nuclear watchdog. The International Atomic Energy Agency said it expected Georgia to notify it of the new case shortly.
"Given the serious consequences of the detonation of an improvised nuclear explosive device, even small numbers of incidents involving [highly enriched uranium] or plutonium are of very high concern," said IAEA spokeswoman Melissa Fleming. "Trafficking incidents involving nuclear material point to possible weaknesses and may be indicative of the illicit availability of larger undetected quantities."
The incident is likely to help Georgia's case as it argues in the World Trade Organization that Russia is not controlling its borders with Georgia.
Officials said Khintsagov had discussed selling weapons-grade uranium with three acquaintances, after which security service agents infiltrated the group. He brought one gram of the uranium to Georgia as a sample and the agents agreed to buy more. He then brought another 100 grams to Tbilisi, at which point he was arrested.
Georgian officials sent samples of the uranium to the United States and Russia for examination. The FBI and Russian officials confirmed the uranium was weapons grade, but said they could not identify its origin. "They [the Russians] said that they could not say where it came from, which surprised us somewhat," Utiashvili said. A source in Russia's atomic energy agency told Interfax news agency that Russia was given a tiny amount to analyze.
#1
He was carrying around 90% enriched uranium in plastic bags in his pockets? Is that even possible?
I know it's not as bad a plutonium (which also tends to explode when exposed to oxygen), but I would think this guy would have severe alpha radiation poisoning. Can anybody bring the science?
#2
covered yesterday, mizzou. Seems that most here say that the alpha particles could be blocked by just some simple shielding (plastic bag enough?).
Posted by: BA ||
01/26/2007 10:38 Comments ||
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#3
I went back to the source article for one of those posted here, and there's a quote from the Georgian gov't source, who said they were terrified of the sample, keeping it securely locked up behind as much shielding as they could cobble up -- and were shocked when the FBI agent casually slipped the plastic-bagged sample into his pocket upon arrival. So apparently it is possible.
#4
Ernest Lawrence used to carry around a plutonium pellet in a cigar box. They even had the pellet and the cigar box on display up in the main lobby of Bldg 50 (Director's Office/Main Library/- Astrophysics/Admin/etc/etc) inside a plastic display case for the Lab's 75th Anniversary. Seems the pellet's (about the size of a penny) radiation couldn't penetrate even the cardboard containment with anything significant.
Russia said on Friday a U.S. plan to deploy an anti-missile system in Poland and the Czech Republic was a "mistake" which would have negative consequences for international security.
The State Department announced on Sunday the two countries had agreed to start detailed talks on allowing their territory to be used for the system, designed to shoot down missiles with rockets. U.S. officials say the system is intended to counter a long-range Iranian missile threat, not Russia.
"We believe U.S. plans to create an anti-missile defense system in Europe are a mistake which will bring about negative consequences for international security," said a Russian Foreign Ministry statement posted on its Web site (www.mid.ru). "This issue will be a subject of our detailed analysis and dialogue with the United States and their partners."
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov rejected Washington's reassurances on Wednesday, saying Iranian missiles could not reach Europe. The Russian military say they have modern missiles which can neutralize the planned U.S. missile defense system. But political leaders insist any NATO activity near Russian borders carries broader geopolitical threats for Moscow.
Russia, whose reviving self-confidence is backed by a windfall of oil and gas revenues, suspects Washington and NATO of trying to surround it and replace Moscow as a patron of ex-Soviet states. "The creation of a U.S. anti-missile base in Europe can only be viewed as a considerable change in the configuration of the American military presence in Europe," the Foreign Ministry statement said. "The presence of such a base near our borders will be a factor we will have to take into account when planning the next military and political steps, building national defense," it added.
SHEIK TAJ EL-DIN AL HILALY cancelled his Friday sermon at Lakemba mosque yesterday after being warned to tone down his "freak-show" rhetoric. Members of the Lebanese Muslim Association, which runs the mosque, intercepted the Muslim cleric on his way to the service. The president of the association, Tom Zreika, said the sheik pulled out after being told his sermon had to be apolitical, avoiding discussion about the Lebanese Muslim candidates expected to stand in the state election in March. "We will tolerate it if it's about Islam, but if it's in relation to the coming election then we are not going to tolerate it," Mr Zreika said. "It's becoming a bit of a freak show. People come just to see what he's going to say next."
The cleric arrived home in Sydney this week after a two-month self-imposed exile in Mecca and Egypt following a sermon last year comparing sexily dressed women to "uncovered meat". He says his recent comments on Egyptian TV, saying Muslims were more entitled to live in Australia than Anglo-Saxons of convict origin, were misinterpreted.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/26/2007 10:56 ||
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Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., has scheduled a hearing next Tuesday in his Judiciary Committee subcommittee to explore whether Congress has the authority to cut off funding for the U.S. military campaign in Iraq. The move comes as Congress prepares to vote on a congressional resolution opposing President Bush's escalation of the war.
Feingold, a fierce war critic, will force Democrats to consider an option many consider politically suicidal: denying funds to the military and U.S. soldiers to force a quicker end to the war.
Feingold, a fierce war critic, will force Democrats to consider an option many consider politically suicidal: denying funds to the military and U.S. soldiers to force a quicker end to the war. Democratic leaders have privately called on members to restrain from cutting off funding and focus on congressional resolutions condemning the Bush policy. The resolutions are nonbinding and therefore symbolic.
Republicans "would like this debate to be as whether or not we are going to be cutting off money for the troops," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid recently told The Politico. "The logical conclusion is that a lot of things can happen. But right now, the most important thing is to tell the president that what he has done with the escalation is wrong. And that's what we are doing, bi-partisanly."
Feingold, who chairs the Subcommittee on the Constitution, will question several witnesses, including a Library of Congress official and legal experts from Harvard, Duke, and the University of Virginia, on the issue. Senior Bush administration officials have publicly argued that Congress' has no such right, but
Feingold plans to introduce legislation to force President Bush to American forces out of Iraq.
Feingold plans to introduce legislation to force President Bush to American forces out of the troubled country.
"Congress holds the power of the purse and of the president continues to advance his failed Iraq policy, we have have the responsibility to use that power to safely redeploy our troops from Iraq," Feingold said in a statement released by his office on Thursday. "I will soon be introducing legislation to use the power of the purse to end what is clearly one of the greatest mistakes in the history of the nation's foreign policy."
1) Jiahadis will think that they will win if they persist.
2) Neutral irakis will think that they better congratiate Irak's future masters (ie jihadis) if they want to survive, so better give them shelter, supplies and/or participate in operations.
#5
"If one soldier or marine dies, or is injured because of this moron..."
Hundreds already have.
This war is not a contest of arms; it is a contest of wills. And the enemy keeps fighting on largely because he is not oblivious to the obvious: hearing what our Democrats are saying, he rightly calculates that his dedication and staying power are superior to ours and that we will eventually give up and go home if only he can hang in there a while longer. So he keeps on killing Americans.
Russ Feingold and his kind are murdering American soldiers.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
01/26/2007 6:34 Comments ||
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#7
Not Sure, but I'D bet a charge of treason would do it.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
01/26/2007 9:55 Comments ||
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#8
They can pass all the troop fund cutting bills they want, one a day for all I care. Remember the process here. The Congress has to pass it as well and then Bush will get to Veto it. They will go into suplemental emergency funding, like during the Clinton era. It will take a 2/3's vote to over ride Bush and that will NEVER happen. Feingold is posturing for the "we told you so" vote in the hopes that America will lose this war. He is aslo going to force a rift in the Democratic party. I wish him the best and gods speed on getting his "binding" resolution to the floor. This will seperate the wheat from the chaff and force the Dems to pick a side. I love him, the blessid moonbat! He has put a gun to the back of the Dem parties head in an effort to shoot himself in the foot.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
01/26/2007 10:17 Comments ||
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#9
Mewonders if any of the Donk Congress critters were so concerned about the "Constitutionality" of this (exact same) issue back in the 70s? Vietnam redux anyone?
Posted by: BA ||
01/26/2007 10:37 Comments ||
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#10
Feingold is posturing for the "we told you so" vote in the hopes that America will lose this war.
As told in my previous post Feingold's resolution has greatly increased the chances for terrorists winning the war.
#11
The War has a domestic component. Feingold is merely making it more obvious, and will force more Democrats to give direct evidence of their desire to see the West destroyed.
During the Peloponnesian war, Athenians switched leadership a number of times. They even executed victorious generals. We shouldn't assume America will not witness insane domestic political battles too.
#12
The republicans should introduce one of those silly symbolic resolutions that denounces Feingolds attempt to cut troop funding in the middle of a war.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
01/26/2007 13:56 Comments ||
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#13
Feingold voted to confirm General Patreus, but he's on record for opposing Bush's War and wants to cut funding for the troops. Democrats in gneneral and certain RINOS in particular speaketh out both sides of the mouth, don't you think?
Posted by: Mark Z ||
01/26/2007 14:17 Comments ||
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#14
Looks like the administration is finally taking a stand against this kind of shit. Gates had something to say about the donks resolutions today.
While lawmakers rally around varying nonbinding resolutions expressing displeasure with President Bush over the Iraq war, Sen. John McCain announced Thursday he will try to set benchmarks for ending the violence. "I'm trying to put something together that exercises congressional oversight that would provide some comfort to the American people and that certain benchmarks are being met as far as measuring progress or lack of progress is concerned," McCain, R-Ariz., a potential 2008 presidential competitor, said of the resolution he is crafting.
Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich, who appeared with McCain before reporters, said he is willing to work with McCain but "there have to be conditions" included in the resolution to establish consequences if the benchmarks are not achieved. "We are in flux. We are still discussing what we should do," Levin said.
Levin is a co-sponsor, with Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., of a resolution that passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday saying President Bush's war plan is "not in the national interest" and U.S. military presence should not be increased.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/26/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Congress has no fucking business micromanaging the tactics of the war -- bug off!
Posted by: Captain America ||
01/26/2007 2:32 Comments ||
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#4
McCain is rommancing the media again. Why would we ever again give the presidency to someone who needs the adoration of the press so much? And what is particularly sad in this case, he seems to be unaware that the media will surely throw him under the bus in favor of any Democrat.
If General Petraeus can get a good hand on the situation by this time next year, a good grass roots movement to draft him as the Trunk nominee would blow all these egos out of the running. Watch carefully as the pols maneuver to undercut the man and his mission for their own political survival now that they have laid their cards down.
Talks between the district administration and caretakers of Jamia Hafsa (Lal Masjid) that followed last weeks demolition of two mosques broke down on Thursday.
The caretakers presented a set of demands to the administration at a meeting, which was convened by Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Sherpao. The demands put forward by the caretakers included the re-construction of one of the mosques and the formation of a committee of religious scholars to decide such matters. They also sought assurances against similar demolitions.
Following intelligence reports that Amir Hamza Mosque on Murree Road and another on Islamabad Highway could be used for terrorist activities, the Capital Development Authority and the town administration demolished both mosques. The Interior Ministry was told that the mosques, located along a route routinely used by VIPs, posed a real threat.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/26/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Seems to me the caretakers are holding, at best, half a pair, and not much chance of getting a good draw. And since their building they were 'taking care' of is now rubble, seems like they are pretty much out of a job.
Hit the road, Abdul....
DAVOS: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday urged the international community to address the root causes of terrorism and extremism through joint efforts and cooperation for a more effective fight against this menace. I think that's a great idea. We really should start hunting down and killing a certain class of holy men.
Addressing the plenary session on The Comprehensive Response to Terrorism at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum here, the prime minister said Pakistan has been taking a number of steps to fight terrorism and is extending full cooperation to the world community in this regard. Yasss... We've often been impressed on these pages by Pak's enthusiasm for slaughtering terrs... WARNING: The following paragraph significantly exceeds the recommended maximum daily allowance of bullshit!
He said the world has to understand the real issue behind terrorism. It is not related to any religion, culture or areas. It is related to poverty, suffering, removing sense of deprivation and injustice in the world. Economic disadvantage and even injustice can give rise to sullenness and a tendency toward aggression. Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica, for instance, have been traditionally impoverished. It has at times been dangerous to visit each of them, for fear of being kidnapped for ransom or, much less often, murdered for one's possessions. Banditry was common, yet they never turned to Catholic terrorism. Following the Second World War, much of Europe was devastated, especially Germany. Aside from a few werewolves, there was no German terrorism. There is no Lao terrorism, despite the fact that Laos is one of the world's poorest countries. Today's Islamic terrorism isn't rooted in poverty - otherwise we'd be looking at an African, not a Muslim, phenomenon. Only in the Muslim world are there weekly exhortations to the faithful to send their children on jihad, to kill the infidel, to despoil him of his goods, to enslave his women.
The prime minister said the fight against terrorism requires strong coordination between local and international law-enforcement agencies and intelligence networks, besides improving the economic conditions of the people. The people's economic conditions would improve were they not required to finance an army of jihadi drones, the swarms of holy men behind them, and the mosques and madrassahs to house them all. Think of all the resources that would be freed up. And if women were permitted to indulge their talents on the same basis as men, society would be twice as productive. And two-income families would be twice as prosperous.
He said terrorism should not be linked to Islam as due to deprivation and lack of basic facilities there could be reaction among people anywhere in the world. Why, just look at the levels of terrorism in Guatamala and Malawi and Mongolia.
Terrorism is not the solution to any dispute, he said and emphasised that there was a need to find solutions to the root causes of terrorism on a fast track. Hunter-killer teams, targeting holy men? I like it.
He said Pakistan has tackled terrorism very effectively and continues to take many steps to ensure peace in the region and is extending cooperation to the world in this regard. Referring to Afghan situation, the prime minister said there is over 1,700 miles of porous border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said the solution to the problem in Afghanistan lies inside that country and there should be improvement of the economic conditions there. Referring to a nexus between narcotics production and terrorism, the prime minister said it is very dangerous and should be tackled by the world community with joint efforts. "Not our problem. And do go crossing our 1700 mile border to kill the people who cross it going the other direction."
The prime minister, while replying to a question about the whereabouts of al-Qaeda leaders, said nobody knows where they are. The government of Pakistan cannot respond and act on general statements, (without) tangible evidence. Our position is that none of these people are in Pakistan, Mullah Omar and bin Laden etc, he said. If there is tangible evidence then that should be shared. "Until we get it, we're not lifting a finger. See? I'm sitting on my hands, here!"
He said Pakistan has been taking steps to arrest such elements whenever they are found anywhere on its soil. "Just the cannon fodder, though. That way we look like we're doing something, but we're not interrupting any projects of our retired generals."
He said Pakistan wants a vibrant, prosperous, stable and safe Afghanistan. "But not secular. We couldn't stand for that. And Pashtuns have to be in charge."
Pakistan is fully determined to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, he added. Referring to introduction of modern technology to stop illegal movement of people across the border, the prime minister said Pakistan has introduced the bio metric system to check the movement of the people across the frontier.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/26/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Oh Pakistan. A failing country living on the ransoms. The time is past for the countries like Pakistan who could use terrorism for their foreign policy. I hope, Pakistanies will learn soon that it is the economy stupid not the nuclear bombs.
(Xinhua) -- Nepal imposed curfew on four districts in the south while the situation across Nepal's south plains worsened on Thursday. Local government of Siraha, Dhahusa, Parsa and Morang districts issued the curfew orders Thursday.
Madhesi People's Rights Forum's (MPRF, also called the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum) in a statement issued Thursday welcomed Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's appeal for talks, but insisted on "non-violence and peaceful protests." However, MPRF activists continued to vandalize public properties, hence the local administrations imposed the curfews.
In Lahan, Siraha district, some 150 kilometers southeast of thecapital city of Kathmandu, the curfew was from 7 a.m. (0215 GMT) to 6 p.m. (1215 GMT). In Birgunj, Parsa district, 95 kilometers south of Kathmandu, local government clamped a curfew from 1:30 p.m. (0745 GMT) to 10 p.m. (1615 GMT). In Biratnagar, Morang district, around 240 kilometers southeast of Kathmandu, the district administration imposed curfew from 4 p.m. (1015 GMT to 10 p.m. (1615 GMT). In Janakpur, Dhahusa, some 130 kilometers to Kathmandu, the district administration set the curfew from 10 a.m. (0415 GMT) till 5 p.m. (1115 GMT).
The violent demonstrations led by MPRF began on last Friday. The Forum claimed that one of its members was shot dead by a cadre of the Communist Party of Nepal (formerly known as guerrilla). Clashes later broke out between MPRF members and policemen, claiming the lives of four people. Madhesi people are people in Nepal with Indian origin.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/26/2007 00:00 ||
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Former Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu demanded Thursday that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad be summoned to a genocide trial before he can unleash nuclear weapons to "wipe out" Israel.
Netanyahu said Ahmadinejad was a threat not just to Jews but to Iranians, surrounding Muslim states and the wider world and needed to be stopped before he acquired the nuclear bombs to carry out his "mad conception".
The former Israeli prime minister was in London as part of efforts to raise global support to indict Ahmadinejad for inciting genocide in violation of international law.
Ahmadinejad has stated his goal is to wipe Israel off the map and the United States believes he harbours plans to develop a nuclear arsenal.
Israeli opposition leader Netanyahu said Ahmadinejad had violated a 1948 convention outlawing the incitement to commit genocide.
"While he is denying the Holocaust, he is preparing a new holocaust," he told reporters in Portcullis House, part of the offices of the Houses of Parliament.
He said he did not have illusions of Ahmadinejad turning up in the International Criminal Court but said the move was part of what should be a string of measures "to create a tide of moral and political opposition".
The right-wing Likud party leader said engaging Tehran in talks "when you should be squeezing them would be a mistake" and often compared the Iranian regime to Nazi Germany.
Citing estimates from Israel's domestic intelligence agency Mossad, he said Iran could acquire a nuclear bomb within three years.
"We have 1,000 days -- and this day has just gone," he said.
Netanyahu left the door open for Israel to take unilateral action against Iran, but only after diplomacy and eventual economic sanctions are given "a chance."
"I think those have to be tried before stiffer action is required," he said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has traveled to Iraq for a quick fact-finding visit that will include a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The congressional delegation traveling with the Democratic speaker from San Francisco includes Rep. Tom Lantos, D-San Mateo, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., who more than a year ago urged President Bush to withdraw American forces from Iraq and is chairman of the appropriations subcommittee that oversees the military budget. The delegation is scheduled to return to Washington on Monday.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/26/2007 10:48 ||
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#6
Two-day useless junket. Just getting their tickets punched to avoid criticism that they've never even seen the place or met the leaders. Like the Iraqi Prime Minister doesn't have anything better to do. Sheesh!
#10
Um, will Nancy be wearing a burkha when she meets al Maliki and, if not, won't that a) offend his delicate Islamic sensibilities meeting with an unclothed piece of meat (heaven forbid if she wears a skirt and actually shows a little leg or ankle let alone her face; why the poor man won't be able to contain himself and will have to "take her" right there on the spot), and b) won't she be offended at having inadvertently offended an Islamic diplomat/politician and have to somehow blame it on George Bush and his "illegal war" and call for an immediate pull out (no, not of al Maliki) and redeployment of the troops?
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, an outspoken critic of US President George W. Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq, arrived in Baghdad on today for talks with US and Iraqi officials.
Ms Pelosi, a key player in the Democratic takeover of Congress, has helped lead opposition in Washington to Mr Bush's retooled Iraq strategy which envisages sending 21,500 reinforcements to help quell raging sectarian violence, especially in Baghdad.
She has accused Bush, a long-time foe, of playing politics with soldiers' lives and said after his State of the Union address to Congress this week that he had ignored the concerns of the American public over the unpopular war.
A US embassy official said Ms Pelosi, the first woman speaker of the House, had arrived in Iraq at the head of a six-member congressional delegation for meetings with Iraqi and US officials but did not plan any public appearances.
The delegation includes John Murtha, a Democratic Congressman from Pennsylvania, who has also been vocal in his criticism of the Bush administration's handling of the war.
Newly empowered congressional Democrats are pushing for a phased withdrawal from Iraq.
Opinion polls show Americans are strongly opposed to Mr Bush's plan for a troop increase.
Mr Bush has said the US must not quit Iraq now as that would leave Iraqis prey to more sectarian violence and allow al-Qaeda to operate from Iraq with impunity.
#1
Of course there won't be any public or troop visits by her and Murtha. They know the deal and would not show up. I do bet she had a full division around her for protection. God knows they would blame bush if she got hurt. But then when was that Blackwater fight and who was in that embassy convoy???
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
01/26/2007 10:30 Comments ||
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#2
Why? What's she gonna do there? Shouldn't she be at home, cooking something up in the House?
#5
All for show. She will arrive get a (scripted) briefing delivered by someone on her staff (Guess what it will conclude?) and then claim they have a complete picture. No she doesn't want to meet with any soldiers because they might tell her something she doesn't want to hear.
Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces (CF) recently concluded a ten-day combined operation with 5th Iraqi Army (IA) Division units supported by Iraqi Police from the Balad Ruz area and with CF enablers, including Air Force and Army aviation assets, artillery, and security reconnaissance forces. The major combat operations targeted a group of terrorists, known as The Council, in the Turki Village, Tuwilla, and 30 Tamuz area south of Balad Ruz. Friendly forces reported killing over 100 terrorists, capturing an additional 50, and finding over 25 caches of supplies.
US Death Toll Hits 25 in One Day:
At least 25 US military personnel were killed in Iraq January 20 in one of the worst days for American forces since the 2003 invasion. According to open-source reporting, 12 soldiers were killed in a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crash northeast of Baghdad, apparently shot down by a shoulder-fired missile.
ISF and CF Target JAM and Sunni Rejectionists/Extremists:
In the past 45 days, combined Coalition operations included 52 operations primarily focused on Jaysh al-Mahdi (JAM) and 42 focused on Sunni Rejectionists/ Extremists.
These recent Iraqi Security Forces (ISF)/CF focused operations against JAM have detained 16 high-level JAM militiamen and killed one JAM commander. Five of the detained individuals are JAM commanders in Sadr City. These recent detentions are in addition to six other JAM leaders who have been detained by ISF/CF since the beginning of October.
There are currently over 600 illegal JAM militia in detention awaiting prosecution by the Government of Iraq.
ISF/CF operations have captured 33 Sunni Rejectionist/Extremist cell leaders in Baghdad in the last 45 days.
High-Profile Bombings in Baghdad Market:
According to media reports, January 22 was the deadliest day in Iraq so far this year. Twin car bombings in a crowded Baghdad market reportedly killed 88 people, bringing the days total civilian casualties to over 100.
IA Battalion Assumes Independent Operations in West Ramadi:
The 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army (IA) Division officially took charge of independent operations in west Ramadi during a ceremony at Camp Ali January 22. This is the third battalion in the 1st Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division to assume authority over an area of Ramadi in the last five months.
Sadrists End CoR Boycott:
The political movement of Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ended its two-month boycott of the Council of Representatives (CoR) January 21. The CoR has had a quorum since the Sadrists return.
Top Sadr Aide Arrested:
Abdul Hadi al-Daraji, Muqtada al-Sadr's media director in Baghdad, was arrested January 19, in connection with extrajudicial killings, amid growing signs of stepped up efforts to quell Sadr and his supporters. Daraji was arrested at his house in the neighborhood of Baladiyat, near the Mahdi Army stronghold of Sadr City shortly after midnight, said Sadr spokesman Abdul Razak al-Nadawi.
According to a spokesman for Prime Minister Maliki, Maliki was not forewarned about the arrest. It has not been confirmed whether Daraji has been formally charged.
Sunni Delegation to Meet with Iranian Officials about Sectarian Violence in Iraq:
On January 22, top Muslim scholars condemn[ed] the sectarian war between Sunnis and Shiites unfolding in Iraq, which is conducive to its fragmentation, according to a statement issued at the end of a three-day conference on inter- Islamic dialogue, attended by more than 200 scholars from 44 countries, representing various Islamic sects.
A leading Qatar-based Sunni cleric, Shaykh Yussef Qaradawi, announced at the end of the conference that a Sunni delegation will meet with Iranian officials in an effort to stem sectarian violence in Iraq.
USIP Hosts Seminar on Iraq's Hydrocarbon Law:
On January 19, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) hosted a seminar on Iraq's hydrocarbon law. The two speakers were one of the original drafters of the central government's version, and the legal advisor to the Kurdish Minister of Natural Resources and former adviser on the constitution to the USIP.
The Iraqi participant in drafting the law said the parties were still ironing out final wording on approval of contracts, after which the framework law will be submitted to the Council of Ministers. He said there would be an appropriate return to the investor so that Iraq could develop a long-term relationship with the international oil community.
The Iraqi participant said that once an agreement is reached between the various parties, the oil articles in the constitution should be amended to reflect the political agreement contained in the law.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) legal advisor claimed that the KRG will have a separate petroleum regime and that it is not subject to the Iraq National Oil Company, the Oil Ministry in Baghdad, or other Baghdad-based offices. He disagreed with the central government spokesman that a constitutional agreement was necessary, and doubted it would occur.
Oil production goal is now 2.1 MBPD Weekly Average (January 15-21) of 1.21 Million Barrels Per Day (MBPD) Production and exports was low this week because of the installation of meters on the oil terminal.
Former Saddam Regime Officials To Be Tried:
More than 100 former members of Saddam Husseins regime will stand trial this year in connection with the deaths of tens of thousands of Shiite Muslims during an uprising after the 1991 Gulf War, prosecutor Jaafar al-Moussawi said January 18.
This case will mark the third trial of former regime officials after the Dujail case, in which Saddam was sentenced to death and hanged last month, and the ongoing trial of those accused of killing more than 100,000 Kurds during the so-called Anfal campaign of the 1980s.
According to Moussawi, among those expected to stand trial are Saddam's half brothers Watban, Ibrahim and Sabawi, as well as the former president's secretary, Abed Hmoud, and former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz. Some will be tried in absentia, including Saddam's former deputy Izzat Ibrahim and former senior Baath party official Mohammed Younis al-Ahmed. They have been on the run since the fall of Saddam's regime in April 2003.
Iraq Receives Copy of New Turkish Ambassador's Credentials:
Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari received the credentials of the newly-appointed Ambassador of Turkey to Iraq, Derya Kambay.
Japan Offers Training Courses on Consular and Diplomatic Affairs:
The Ambassador of Japan to Iraq, Hisau Yamaguchi, met with Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari, where several issues were discussed, including the exchange of visits by top officials from both countries, the developments of the political and security situations in Iraq, the future of the Baghdad security plan, and the International Compact with Iraq. Japan also offered to train members of the Iraqi Foreign Ministry staff members in two special courses for consular and diplomacy affairs.
President Talabani Visits Syria:
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, on the first visit to Syria by an Iraqi head of state for 30 years, met President Bashar al-Assad January 14. Syria's leader promised to help ease tensions in neighboring Iraq, while Talabani seeks to improve US-Syrian relations.
Protection for Journalists Urged by Advocacy Group:
On January 18, the Paris-based advocacy group Reporters Without Borders urged Iraqi authorities to escalate efforts to protect journalists after, it said, six journalists and media workers were killed in less than a week. The group issued a statement calling on the Iraqi government to bring the killers to justice, and noted that the recent string of slayings came less than a month after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on the protection of journalists.
Children Die During Imitation Hangings:
A security source said January 20 that an Egyptian teenager had hung himself in his home in Alexandria in an apparent imitation of last months execution of Saddam Hussein.
Eight other children have died around the world after attempt to reenact Saddams execution, which was broadcast by a string of satellite channels globally.
Posted by: Bobby ||
01/26/2007 05:49 ||
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The new plan to stop the sectarian violence that's ravaging Iraq's capital hasn't been published and no one will announce when it will start, but that didn't stop a lively debate on the proposal Thursday in the nation's parliament. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki pledged that the government would be evenhanded when it implements the plan, targeting "criminals" rather than religious or ethnic communities. But Sunni Muslim legislators denounced the plan, and one called it a "shame" for Iraq because it calls for an additional 21,500 American troops, whom President Bush dispatched as part of his new strategy for Iraq.
Outside, fighting raged on. Along Haifa Street, where Iraqi forces with American support have been battling suspected Sunni insurgents since Jan. 9, residents reached by phone said helicopters were circling the area and that bodies had been left in the street. A car bomb in the central Baghdad neighborhood of Karada killed 25 and injured 50. Two roadside bombs in the Baiyaa neighborhood killed three civilians. A bomb attached to a motorcycle killed two civilians and wounded 12 others near the Shorga market in downtown Baghdad.
The U.S. military reported one soldier killed and three wounded from a roadside bomb northwest of the capital on Thursday. Police said 42 bodies bearing signs of torture were found scattered throughout the capital. At least two mortar rounds landed in the fortified Green Zone, where U.S. and Iraqi officials are headquartered. No one was injured and there was little damage, said Lou Fintor, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy.
Abdul Nasir al-Janabi of the Iraqi Accord Front, a Sunni Islamist party, demanded that U.S. and Iraqi forces allow residents of the Haifa Street area to leave. "We demand an end to the siege of Haifa Street," he said. "Kill whoever you call a terrorist, but don't blockade the civilians."
Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh declined to say when the campaign would end. Al-Maliki, in presenting his security plan to Iraq's 275-member parliament, the Iraqi Council of Representatives, dismissed suggestions that it was dictated by the United States. "First, I want to confirm that it's a 100-percent Iraqi plan under Iraqi command," he said. "For the first time the Iraq forces and command hold the responsibility of such a big operation."
Al-Maliki attacked critics who said that the Shiite-led government won't crack down on the Shiite militias that have been terrorizing Sunnis. "Some say that the plan targets Shiites, and others say it targets Sunnis. I want to say it targets all, but all those who break the law," al-Maliki said.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/26/2007 00:00 ||
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Security Council members are optimistic that a key meeting next month on the Israel-Palestinian conflict will help revive the stalled peace process, Russia's UN ambassador said. The so-called quartet of Middle East peace brokers - the US, the European Union, Russia and the UN - will meet in Washington on Feb. 2 to explore ways of reinvigorating peacemaking.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Thursday there was hope that the meeting would lead to a wider international conference to end the conflict. "There was a strong feeling that there were some signs of hope, which should be fully taken advantage of by the international community," Churkin told reporters after a Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/26/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Right after that happens, pigs will fly and hell will freeze over...
#2
and FWIW: Jimmah was quoted this morning on the local Seattle radio as stating that there can be no peace until Israel stops oppressing the Paleos..."
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met Thursday evening for some four hours with the IDF's general staff to hear the findings of the various committees set up to draw conclusions from the summer's war in Lebanon. Some 50 committees were set up inside the IDF to investigate and evaluate the army's performance during the war.
Former Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. (res.) Dan Shomron presented Olmert with the conclusions of a committee he headed that looked into the overall performance of the general staff during the war. Incoming chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi, according to government sources, will now be expected to implement the lessons drawn from the war.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/26/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
In order to enact the lessons drawn from the war they will have to send Olmert and Peretz home. If they don't, they didn't enact the most important lesson of all.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
01/26/2007 0:50 Comments ||
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#2
Olmert should go---but not because of the Lebanon war. He gave exactly the right orders to IDF. It's not his fault (he didn't appoint a flyboy to be Chief of Staff, and it wasn't Olmert who been cutting ground forces training budgets for a decade) that IDF didn't deliver before USA backstabed Israel---to save their pathetic Cedar Revolution.
And you should be careful before saying that the war didn't succeed. If Hezbollah takes over---Lebanon exactly were Israel needs it.
#3
I wouldn't say it was a failure, just that Israel didn't accomplish what its people desired. That's nothing new when it comes to war - for any nation.
And, when will the world give up on the cedar revolution. Its proven for decades that it did work.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
01/26/2007 9:38 Comments ||
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#4
Mike N. question regarding the time line on the Cedar Revolution, how could it have succeeded for decades? PS Grom, have to believe to some extent Israel has benefited from Hamas assuming control over Palestine based on red on red versus on Israeli's. Also, Israel benited to some extent from the Lebanese civil war as the "factions" were preoccupied with each other. Siniora is a fop if he weren't Hezbollah never would have been attacking Irael on it's own.
#5
Since we always win the wars and always lose the peace, real danger to Israel is from "moderate" Arabs.
Israel benefited enormously from Hamas takeover (without it USA would be pressuring us to quit West Bank now). Once Lebanon becomes Hezbollahstan, IDF will be able to "bounce the rubble" without anybody who matters (USA again) objecting.
The B'Tselem human rights group called on the IDF on Thursday to stop using undercover troops in Palestinian areas after four civilians were killed in a West Bank military operation. The group demanded in a letter to the army's Judge Advocate General that he order the army to stop dressing soldiers in civilian clothes in secret military operations, saying the practice violates international laws.
The letter was prompted by a Jan. 4 Israeli arrest raid involving undercover troops in the West Bank city of Ramallah in which four Palestinian civilians were killed. The civilians would have stayed clear of the area if the soldiers had been wearing uniforms, B'Tselem said.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/26/2007 00:00 ||
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By BosNewsLife News Center
Pakistani Christians have faced violence and persecution.
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (BosNewsLife)-- A Christian married mother with six children remained detained in a Pakistani jail Thursday, January 25, and could face the death penalty for allegedly insulting Islam, her supporters told BosNewsLife.
Police took Martha Bibi into custody late Monday, January 22, in the town of Kot Nanak Singh
in District Kasur, southeast of the city of Lahore, after the local Imam urged Muslims to attack the Christian family saying "Martha uttered derogatory words against the Holy Prophet Muhammad," said the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) advocacy group.
"On hearing the continuous announcement [from the mosque] and voices of people outside who were gathered to attack her home, Martha's family left to hide in one of the neighboring houses," APMA said. However soon, "police came and arrested Martha Bibi."
She was charged under section 295 C of Pakistan's controversial Blasphemy Law and could face the death penalty if convicted, APMA. In many cases Christians have however received long prison sentences. Bibi has denied the charges.
LOCAL MUSLIMS
Police apparently detained her after on false accusations of blasphemy made by local Muslims, suggested APMA, which is providing legal assistance to the woman. APMA investigators said the problems began when Marti Bibi asked for money from Muslim men working in the Mosque with material they rented from her husband's construction shop.
The men refused to pay the rent and instead started to beat her, APMA said, citing local sources in the region, an area where about 12 Christian families live among 500 Muslim families. "On the intervention of local passersby, she was freed and returned home," APMA said, before being arrested later in the day by local police.
APMA Chairman Shahbaz Bhatti told BosNewsLife that he appealed to the chief justice of the Supreme Court to take against "the alarming misuse of the blasphemy law." He has the government to repeal the law which Bhatti said has become "a tool in the hands of extremists to persecute, victimize and terrorize religious minorities and opponents."
FREE AID
APMA lawyers have been providing free legal aid to Martha Bibi and the group is assisting the family. A Pakistani official said Tuesday, January 23, that Islamabad wants to reform its controversial blasphemy law, just days after a mentally-ill Christian and a Christian teenager were released from prison.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed reportedly said the law, would be changed after a general election due late this year or early 2008. (With BosNewsLife reports and BosNewsLife Research).
#2
Until Islamic countries get rid of sharia in all its forms and their infantile behavior toward Israel (passports, ElAl overflights, etc) I can't consider them remotely civilized. And that goes for any "moderate" muslims or PC westerners who soft-pedal or rationalize this evil.
Something tells me I'll get that pony I always wanted before any of this changes, though.
Posted by: Mark Z ||
01/26/2007 14:08 Comments ||
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#5
It seems that every time there is a blasphemy charge against a Christian in a Muslim country, the victim owns property coveted by a Muslim. I just don't get it ...
#9
It seems that every time there is a blasphemy charge against a Christian in a Muslim country, the victim owns property coveted by a Muslim. I just don't get it ...
The old Accusations-of-blasphemy racket strikes again. When we will ever learn?
Too true - follow the money. The Salem witch trials quickly turned into a land-grab by the local sherrif.
Popular films ranging from Hollywood blockbusters to childrens cartoons are depicting crude and exaggerated stereotypes of Muslims and perpetuating Islamophobia, The Guardian newspaper reported on Thursday, quoting a study.
A report by the Islamic Human Rights Commission argues that films as diverse as The Siege, a portrayal of a terrorist attack on New York starring Denzel Washington and Bruce Willis, the Disney film Aladdin and the British comedy East is East have helped demonise Muslims as violent, dangerous and threatening, and reinforce prejudices, the newspaper report says.
While The Siege is attacked for inter-cutting Islamic ritual and terrorist violence, potentially linking the two in the minds of audiences, Aladdin faces criticism for depicting Arabs as ruthless caricatures with exaggerated and ridiculous accents.
The study, titled The British media and Muslim representation: the ideology of demonisation, argues that Hollywood has a crucial role in influencing how the public views Muslims. A survey conducted as part of the research revealed that Muslims in Britain felt negative images of their faith on the big and small screen had consequences in their daily lives. Those interviewed found a direct correlation between media portrayal and their social experiences of exclusion, hatred, discrimination and violence.
As well as deep unease with big screen portrayals, the research also found a perception of unashamed bias in the media against Muslims, with 62 percent believing the media to be Islamophobic and 16 percent describing it as racist. Only 4 percent considered its representation fair.
The authors call for more power for cinema censors to be able to curtail or even decline certification of objectionable material, as well as more effective media watchdogs and increased responsibility in coverage of issues involving Muslims on the part of newspapers and television. The report, part of a series produced by the commission - a research and campaigning body - with the backing of the Joseph Rowntree charitable trust, is significant in that it seeks to provide a direct voice for the Muslim community in Britain.
Massoud Shadjareh, spokesman for the commission, said: Rather than guess what the Muslim communitys needs and aspirations are, it actually comes from the community itself rather than organisations that represent it.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/26/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
1. If the shoe fits.......
2. OK, you win! From now on, you will only be judged by your behavour.
#3
There is a big problem in Isalmiststs in the recent history. For a brief period in the past, Muslims helped in the advancements of science. Proud Muslims must try to find what made them a contributor to the knowledge in stead of blaming others for their failure. Once the world became flat, only those who contribute positively will be the winners.
#4
Hollywood has a crucial role in influencing how the public views Muslims
Mere words fail...
Posted by: Bobby ||
01/26/2007 5:57 Comments ||
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#5
There is a big problem in Isalmiststs in the recent history. For a brief period in the past, Muslims helped in the advancements of science.
Very brief. Most of the "muslim" advances were made by dhimmis or were mere transmission to the West of advances made in the preislamic era. Not merely the Greek heritage but also Assyrian and Persian.
#6
East is East demonised Muslims?! - It provided a sympathetic portrayal of young muslims battling with conservative, elder generations, more like. The IHRC leap into action whenever their precious religion is criticised and the perpetrators are labelled as Islamophobic. Such filmic portrayals are thus offensive whilst leaping up and down in the street calling for the beheading of anyone who disagrees with your fairy story is just fine and dandy. Fecking idiots.
Posted by: Howard UK ||
01/26/2007 6:16 Comments ||
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#7
Because NO ONE forms their opinion of Muslims from the real-world actions (and inactions) of Muslims.
Posted by: Rob Crawford ||
01/26/2007 7:30 Comments ||
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#8
...have helped demonise Muslims as violent, dangerous and threatening
So knock it off...or we'll kill you!
Posted by: An Angry Muslim ||
01/26/2007 9:23 Comments ||
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#9
...have helped demonise Muslims as violent, dangerous and threatening
So knock it off...or we'll kill you!
We will have to set up a program to overcome Islamophobia, demonisation, exclusion, disempowerment, social isolation, eliminate piggy banks, and implement cultural sensitivity training for police, prosecutors, magistrates, pilots and air crew, doctors, prison warders, teachers and others who show cultural bias towards Islam and Muslims. We do know that Islam is truly the high-water-mark of human achievement, peace, prosperity, spirituality, and all that is uplifting and ennobling.
Posted by: Dave Dimmy ||
01/26/2007 9:38 Comments ||
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#10
You can try, I believe a look at real numbers will quickly convince you that you"re ouynumbered, outgunned, and definately out smarted in every way
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
01/26/2007 9:41 Comments ||
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#11
outnumbered, dammit, no posting pre-coffee jim
gotta remember that
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
01/26/2007 9:44 Comments ||
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#12
Simple questions: How many non-Muslim groups behead prisoners? Now that the IRA and UDF have settled down, how many non-Muslim groups bomb innocent civilians? Other than African tribal feuds, how many non-Muslim groups believe they have the right and the duty to kill or enslave people from other groups?
Given the answers to those questions, rather than complaining about how they are portrayed by Hollywood, muslim Arabs should thank Allah that the rest of the world doesn't eradicate them like vermin.
#13
How about an authentic depiction of islam based solely on the aspirations of muslim "holy" men and on the words of their "holy" books. Just tell the censor to overlook the "prophet" taking sex-slaves in battle and raping a nine-year old. We would not want to impose our cultural values after all.
#15
As well as deep unease with big screen portrayals, the research also found a perception of unashamed bias in the media against Muslims, with 62 percent believing the media to be Islamophobic and 16 percent describing it as racist. Only 4 percent considered its representation fair.
Well, well. Interviewing Muslims for their opinions on the infidel press and reporting the results as fact? Why don't we ask David Duke his thoughts on racism (or Robert Byrd for that matter). Or, let's ask any LLL Hollyweirdo their thoughts on Bush and Rummy? Quite a study I say.
Posted by: BA ||
01/26/2007 10:29 Comments ||
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#16
The authors call for more power for cinema censors to be able to curtail or even decline certification of objectionable material, as well as more effective media watchdogs and increased responsibility in coverage of issues involving Muslims on the part of newspapers and television.
#17
As I remember "The Siege" was very pro-Muslim. It justified the terrorism as caused by the "evilAmericans" (one word). The villain in the movie was the US Military (surprise!)
If that is an example of anti-Arab propaganda, then I don't know what would satisfy these guys.
Al
Posted by: Frozen Al ||
01/26/2007 10:42 Comments ||
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#18
I find it hilarious that The Guardian printed this as the number of villians in movies with English accents is easily a hundred times higher than the number of Muslim villians.
For a major religion the Mulsims portray themselves as more sensitive than an eight year old girl. Get over it, idiots.
#20
If that is an example of anti-Arab propaganda, then I don't know what would satisfy these guys.
Al, I'm sure live video feed from inside the next IED that goes off in Iraq would do. Or, more video of infidels jumping out of that 110-story building on 9/11/01 would do. Or Daniel Pearl being beheaded. The list goes on, but you get the point, I'm sure.
Posted by: BA ||
01/26/2007 11:09 Comments ||
Top||
#21
Islamic group claims responsibility for ......
(Insert latest atrocity / bombing / terror attack that Islamic groups will then claim perpetuates
"Islamophobia".)
Posted by: Steven Seagull ||
01/26/2007 11:44 Comments ||
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#22
moderate muslims had their chance to stand up in western countries and denouce the fanatics. They failed miserably to do so. Now they have to live with the consequences of their actions.
Thier culture makes it very hard for us to be able to tell the fanatics from the sane. And the sane do nothing to help us. I think I speak for most non-Muslims when I say that until we can tell the difference between the moderates and the fanatics - few Muslims will be welcome.
It's their own fault and nobody really cares what the Guardian says anymore anyway. Blah, blah blah.
#24
Muslims angry at cartoonsMiss WorldSalman RushdieAyaan Hirsi AliImperialismIslamophobiathe letter 'x'Channel 4women who make them feel funny in their pants 'bad guy' images.
IRAN: NUCLEAR SCIENTIST DIES UNDER MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES
{Not sure why they cite 'mysterious' circumstances, except the delay in announcing and lack of cause of death, but that isn't much. Still, seems like a pretty important guy to lose - and if memory serves, we lost a couple to work accidents during the Manhattan Project.}
Tehran, 25 Jan. (AKI) - One of Iran's top nuclear scientists, Ardeshir Hassanpour, a professor at the university of Shiraz, has died under mysterious circumstances. Hassanpour's death was announced by Iranian state television, a week late, on Thursday. No reason was given for his death. The scientist was proclaimed the best scientist in the military field in the Islamic Republic in 2003. Hassanpour directed the centre for nuclear electromagnetic studies he had founded in 2005.
He had also co-founded the center for atomic research in Isfahan, the most important in the country, Iranian state television reported.
Last year, Ardeshir Hassanpour was awarded Iran's most prestigious scientific award, the Kharazmi prize.
1. radiation poisening
2. spread mayonaise on his sandwiches in a way that was insulting to Islam
3. insufficient contribution to the ommitttee to Reelect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
4. late for 3 am prayers twice in a row.
5. Bragged once too often about winning the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball betting pool.
6. Served Dr. Pepper at important function showing his subservience to the Zionists.
7. Tried to hurt a revolutionary guard's bullet with his chest cavity.
8. While hanging his "best scientist in the military" award he poked his hand with a nail and bleed to death.
9. Killed for implying that his boss didn't know which well the 12 IMan is hiding in.
10. Helicopter pilot was talking on the cell phone and didn't see the mountain.
Mad Mullahs (who actually control the country) want to give Ahmadinijad a bad name now that 2 full CBGs are parked offshore in the Persian Gulf.
Or, #12:
MM's sphincters tightened too much with 2 CBGs parked off-shore and Bush calling for tagging any Iranians found in Iraq. Thusly, they must scapegoat someone for passin' gas in the moskkk.
Posted by: BA ||
01/26/2007 10:33 Comments ||
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#6
Last year, Ardeshir Hassanpour was awarded Iran's most prestigious scientific award, the Kharazmi prize.
During the ceremony you could tell he was so proud, He was just glowing.
#3
Nope, no danger here. The only reason Team Satan has all those naval resources in the neighborhood is because fishing is good this time of year in the Gulf of Rumsfeld.
Hey, didn't Saddam say something like this shortly before the uhm...whatchamacallit?
#4
Ali Larijani's continued earthly existence actually depends on W's not being rational and not thinking about the real interests of the US. Had W done that, Ali would be dead long time.
(Xinhua) -- Lebanese Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Thursday asked his followers to cooperate with the army and withdraw from the streets. "It is a religious duty. All must ... leave the streets and remain calm and restrain themselves," Nasrallah said in an audio message broadcast on Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV. He also called on his supporters to leave the arena and the security forces to shoulder full responsibility to control the situation. Scared himself, did he? Or were events moving faster than his controllers in Teheran intended them to?
Nasrallah's appeal came after deadly clashes broke out between pro- and anti-government supporters at Beirut Arab University on Thursday, leaving at least one people dead and 81 others wounded, according to local Naharnet news website. The report quoted security sources as saying that the casualties included 17 wounded soldiers, four of whom are officers. Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr ordered a nighttime curfew to help the army enforce law and order. The army said the curfew would last from 8:30 p.m. (1830 GMT) Thursday until 6 a.m. Friday(0400 GMT). On Tuesday, similar clashes broke out during the Hezbollah-led opposition's general strike against the government, leaving at least three dead and 175 wounded.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/26/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
I'd go with 'moving too fast'. Last thing Iran wants is for it to be resolved one way or the other.
(Xinhua) -- The United States on Thursday condemned the worsening violence in Lebanon and accused "irresponsible parties" of trying to overthrow the government of Lebanon. "There are certain irresponsible parties in Lebanon who have been provoking an atmosphere of confrontation and antagonism within the political system," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. "The links between those individuals and groups and outside entities are well known. And they have been engaged in a cynical manipulation of public perceptions in the political process." McCormack accused Hezbollah supported by Iran and Syria of being responsible for the tense situation in Lebanon.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/26/2007 00:00 ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
SHEIK TAJ EL-DIN AL HILALY cancelled his Friday sermon at Lakemba mosque yesterday after being warned to tone down his "freak-show" rhetoric. Members of the Lebanese Muslim Association, which runs the mosque, intercepted the Muslim cleric on his way to the service. The president of the association, Tom Zreika, said the sheik pulled out after being told his sermon had to be apolitical, avoiding discussion about the Lebanese Muslim candidates expected to stand in the state election in March. "We will tolerate it if it's about Islam, but if it's in relation to the coming election then we are not going to tolerate it," Mr Zreika said. "It's becoming a bit of a freak show. People come just to see what he's going to say next."
While lawmakers rally around varying nonbinding resolutions expressing displeasure with President Bush over the Iraq war, Sen. John McCain announced Thursday he will try to set benchmarks for ending the violence. "I'm trying to put something together that exercises congressional oversight that would provide some comfort to the American people and that certain benchmarks are being met as far as measuring progress or lack of progress is concerned," McCain, R-Ariz., a potential 2008 presidential competitor, said of the resolution he is crafting.
DAVOS: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday urged the international community to address the root causes of terrorism and extremism through joint efforts and cooperation for a more effective fight against this menace.
The new plan to stop the sectarian violence that's ravaging Iraq's capital hasn't been published and no one will announce when it will start, but that didn't stop a lively debate on the proposal Thursday in the nation's parliament. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki pledged that the government would be evenhanded when it implements the plan, targeting "criminals" rather than religious or ethnic communities. But Sunni Muslim legislators denounced the plan, and one called it a "shame" for Iraq because it calls for an additional 21,500 American troops, whom President Bush dispatched as part of his new strategy for Iraq. 
Security Council members are optimistic that a key meeting next month on the Israel-Palestinian conflict will help revive the stalled peace process, Russia's UN ambassador said. The so-called quartet of Middle East peace brokers - the US, the European Union, Russia and the UN - will meet in Washington on Feb. 2 to explore ways of reinvigorating peacemaking. 
By BosNewsLife News Center 
A report by the Islamic Human Rights Commission argues that films as diverse as The Siege, a portrayal of a terrorist attack on New York starring Denzel Washington and Bruce Willis, the Disney film Aladdin and the British comedy East is East have helped demonise Muslims as violent, dangerous and threatening, and reinforce prejudices, the newspaper report says. 
The study, titled The British media and Muslim representation: the ideology of demonisation, argues that Hollywood has a crucial role in influencing how the public views Muslims. A survey conducted as part of the research revealed that Muslims in Britain felt negative images of their faith on the big and small screen had consequences in their daily lives. Those interviewed found a direct correlation between media portrayal and their social experiences of exclusion, hatred, discrimination and violence. 
The authors call for more power for cinema censors to be able to curtail or even decline certification of objectionable material, as well as more effective media watchdogs and increased responsibility in coverage of issues involving Muslims on the part of newspapers and television. The report, part of a series produced by the commission - a research and campaigning body - with the backing of the Joseph Rowntree charitable trust, is significant in that it seeks to provide a direct voice for the Muslim community in Britain. 
(Xinhua) -- Lebanese Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Thursday asked his followers to cooperate with the army and withdraw from the streets. "It is a religious duty. All must ... leave the streets and remain calm and restrain themselves," Nasrallah said in an audio message broadcast on Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV. He also called on his supporters to leave the arena and the security forces to shoulder full responsibility to control the situation. 
