Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, the current African Union president, on Tuesday accused "foreign forces" including actually especially
Israel of being behind the Darfur conflict.
Judges from the International Criminal Court are due to announce on March 4 whether they will issue a warrant for the arrest of Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir over allegations that he masterminded genocide in Sudan's Darfur region. UN diplomats have told Reuters the warrant will be issued.
But Gaddafi, addressing a meeting on ways to expand cooperation between the United Nations and African Union, urged the Court to stop its proceedings against Bashir:
"Why do we have to hold President Bashir or the Sudanese government responsible when the Darfur problem was caused by outside parties, and Tel Aviv [Israel], even in a BS conspiracy theory, he couldn't admit that the capital is Jerusalem
for example, is behind the Darfur crisis?"
#8
Mo does realize that the African Union could be the most useless organization on the planet, right?
Actually, he's got hat trick membership. African Union, Arab League, UN. I think that rates another sprocket...
Egyptian security services believe a tiny Islamist cell carried out a nail-bomb attack near a popular tourist site in Cairo that killed a French teenager, a government newspaper said on Tuesday. The investigation into Sunday's bombing near the famed 14th century Khan Al Khalili bazaar is focusing on an isolated group of three or four Islamists, Al Ahram newspaper reported.
Egyptian police said they have arrested three suspects and were questioning about 15 witnesses but as yet no-one has claimed responsibility for the attack, the first targeting Westerners in Egypt since 2006. Al Ahram said the home-made bomb weighed up to 1.5 kilograms (more than three pounds), contained nails and metal fragments and an explosive material similar to the kind used in fireworks.
A timer was used to detonate the device, which had been placed on a marble bench, the newspaper said, contradicting witness statements that it had been thrown from a rooftop. Another bomb was found nearby but was defused by police.
A 17-year-old French girl was killed and 24 other people, mostly French tourists, were injured in the blast, which has cast a shadow over Egypt's vital tourism industry. The French wounded flew home yesterday with their relatives and the body of the dead girl is to be repatriated later in the day after her family arrived on Monday, airport and French consular sources said.
"This act highlights social and political unease but appears to be the work of an individual or a group acting in isolation," said Amr Shubaki, a researcher at the Al Ahram Centre of Strategic Studies.
However, General Fuad Allam, former head of the state security service, warned the attack could herald "a new wave of terrorism in Egypt," spurred by the global financial crisis and the region's problems.
But other political analysts say they suspect the attack was the work of Egyptians with Islamist sentiments and not a militant group with global reach such as Al Qaida. "This is the kind of freelance jihad type of operation where people have been radicalised but not necessarily directly through membership in a group," said Issandr Al Amrani, Egypt and North Africa analyst at the International Crisis Group think tank.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under:
(AKI) - The banned Egyptian Islamist movement, the Muslim Brotherhood, and its extremist offshoot Gamaa Islamiya on Monday condemned the bomb attack that killed a French tourist and injured more than 20 others in a bustling Cairo market at the weekend.
Brotherhood chairman Mahdy Akef called the bombing a "despicable violent act".
"These actions are against humanity and these bombings have nothing to do with a religion that respects human life no matter what religious background or ethnicity the person might be," he said.
The Brotherhood's parliamentary bloc also released a statement in which it "expressed its strong and total rejection to all acts of armed violence, no matter what motives or objectives it has."
The bloc urged officials to investigate who was behind this criminal act and to bring those responsible to a fair trial. It also demanded the protection of Egypt and Egyptians from evil.
"These types of attacks are banned by Sharia (Islamic law). Islam rejects them because they damage Muslims. It is not fair to kill defenceless civilians, whether they are Egyptians or foreigners," said Gamaa Islamiya's leader Naji Ibrahim, quoted by Egyptian daily al-Masriyoun.
The blast at Cairo's crowded Khan al-Khalili market killed a young French tourist and injured at least 20 others on Sunday. It was the first attack targeting tourists in Egypt for three years. Police said three terror suspects were detained and several witnesses were being questioned about the blast.
The bombing occurred at an open air hotel cafe packed with tourists in the market which is near the 12th century al-Husseini mosque. The wounded included three Saudis, 13 French, a German and four Egyptians, the government statement said in a statement.
There was speculation that the attack was linked to anger over the recent Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip and Egypt's role in seeking a long-term truce in the region. However, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under: Muslim Brotherhood
(AKI) - Six people drowned and another 11 are reported missing and presumed dead after smugglers forced passengers overboard in deep water off the Yemeni coast in the third such incident so far this year, the United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday.
Survivors said the boat had departed last Thursday from Suweto, in Somalia's Bossasso region, Ron Redmond of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) told reporters in Geneva. It was carrying 52 Somalis and Ethiopians across the Gulf of Aden and was one of seven smuggling boats that reached the coast of Yemen on Friday.
"When the smugglers noticed the presence of the Yemeni police onshore, they refused to get closer to the coast and forced passengers overboard in deep water," Redmond said.
Initial reports said 35 people reached shore near Huseysa, about 500 kilometres east of Aden, where UNHCR's local partner provided them with first aid, food and water. The six bodies were also recovered near Huseysa.
Redmond noted it was the third fatal incident since the beginning of 2009. "So far this year, a total of 168 boats and 9,449 people have reached the Yemen coast.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[8 views]
Top|| File under:
Bangladesh would not allow anyone to use its territory as a springboard for terrorist activities, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday while addressing a function at Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters marking the BDR Week-2009.
"We believe in maintaining good relations with our neighbours to portrait Bangladesh a peaceful country in South Asia, but we would resist any kind of unfair steps against us with courage and boldness," Sheikh Hasina said.
Highlighting the need for stopping smuggling at any cost for the interest of national economy, the prime minister directed BDR personnel to discharge their duties with utmost sincerity to obstruct illegal trespassing and maintain law and order across the border.
Terming smugglers as enemies of the country, its people and economy, Sheikh Hasina said no compromise would be made in smuggling firearms, drugs and illegal commodities.
She also emphasised the importance of preventing smuggling of fertiliser and pesticides and asked BDR to remain alert in this regard. The prime minister said our economy is dependent on agriculture so we cannot afford any adverse impact on that sector.
The prime minister marked human trafficking across the border during last few decades a very sensitive issue. She asked the border guards to take stringent measures in this regard.
She also assured them of extending any kind of support from the government to stop smuggling.
On her arrival at the BDR headquarters, Sheikh Hasina was received by Home Minister Sahara Khatun and Director General of BDR Major General Shakil Ahmed.
A smartly turned out BDR contingent gave the prime minister a guard of honour. On an open sports utility vehicle, Sheikh Hasina reviewed the guard and took salute.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
Bangladesh would not allow anyone to use its territory as a springboard for terrorist activities,
You're around 100 years too late.
Posted by: Rednek Jim ||
02/25/2009 13:00 Comments ||
Top||
By announcing that it is preparing to launch a "communications satellite," North Korea on Tuesday dressed up its planned test of a long-range ballistic missile -- which might be able to reach Alaska -- as a benign research project.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
Are they or aren't they? Only their Kimmy knows?
Radical Muslim imams and nationalist politicians from all camps are threatening Sarajevo's multicultural legacy. With the help of Arab benefactors, the deeply devout are acquiring new recruits. In the "Jerusalem of the Balkans," Islamists are on the rise.
#1
It wasn't until four years later, and after 100,000 people had died, and after strident opposition from the likes of Speigel that the international community -- at the urging and under the leadership of the US -- finally put an end to the slaughter. Over 80 percent of the dead civilians in the Bosnian War were Muslims.
#4
hell they should have let l=milosevic do his thing then we wouldn't be having this problem, and before the beowhoos start the muslims sided with Hitler when he was gassing millions of jews
(AKI) - A Pakistani community leader said on Tuesday he was not surprised to hear of a link between Pakistani immigrants in Italy and the deadly Mumbai terrorist attacks. Ejaz Ahmad, spoke to Adnkronos International (AKI), after media reports alleged that a man who collaborated with the Mumbai terrorists used a Western Union agent in the northern Italian city of Brescia to pay for telephone numbers used to make untraceable international calls via the Internet. "I am not surprised that the telephone cards of the Mumbai terrorists were charged by a Brescia call centre," said Ejaz Ahmad, director of the Urdu-language monthly, 'Azad'.
"Italians do not know that here among the diverse immigrant communities, the Pakistanis are number one in the telecommunications sector. I spoke about exactly this in the last issue of my magazine which is targeted at Pakistanis in Italy. It all began years ago, when several Pakistanis were managing telephone networks for foreigners. It was because of this contact that Pakistanis became involved in the call centre business and all of them threw themselves into this work. Today there are around 4,000 Pakistanis that run call centres or shops in Italy from where you can send money abroad."
Ahmad, who is also the Pakistani community representative on an Islamic consultation committee set up by the Italian interior ministry, said he was not surprised to learn that the Pakistani allegedly involved in the telephone registration scandal was a resident of the Spanish city of Barcelona. "There is a strong rapport between Pakistanis in Italy and those in Spain, particularly in business," he said. Ahmad said many of the Pakistanis in Brescia had come from the Punjab region of Pakistan, and many had also migrated to Spain.
He also said several investigations carried out since 9/11 have spoken of the fund-raising inside the community for Laskar-e-Taiba, the Pakistani militant group linked to the November attacks in Mumbai.
In Italy there are several Islamic groups that control a large sector of the Pakistani community. The most important is the predominantly Sunni Minhaj al-Quran which controls 17 mosques in the northern regions of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna. There are also Muhammadiya members and Shias who have a strong following in certain areas such as Brescia.
This article starring:
Laskar-e-Taiba
Sunni Minhaj al-Quran
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
WAFF > TELEPHONE CALLS LINKED TO MUMBAI ATTACK TRACED TO USA, ITALY.
LONDON (Reuters) - Abuse of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay has worsened sharply since President Barack Obama took office as prison guards "get their kicks in" before the camp is closed, according to a lawyer who represents detainees.
Abuses began to pick up in December after Obama was elected, human rights lawyer Ahmed Ghappour told Reuters. He cited beatings, the dislocation of limbs, spraying of pepper spray into closed cells, applying pepper spray to toilet paper and over-forcefeeding detainees who are on hunger strike.
He doesn't have any proof, of course, but that hasn't stopped any of the critics ...
The Pentagon said on Monday that it had received renewed reports of prisoner abuse during a recent review of conditions at Guantanamo, but had concluded that all prisoners were being kept in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.
"According to my clients, there has been a ramping up in abuse since President Obama was inaugurated," said Ghappour, a British-American lawyer with Reprieve, a legal charity that represents 31 detainees at Guantanamo. "If one was to use one's imagination, (one) could say that these traumatized, and for lack of a better word barbaric, guards were just basically trying to get their kicks in right now for fear that they won't be able to later," he said.
Then again, if one were a lawyer, one would stick to what could be proven and would turn one's imagination off ...
"Certainly in my experience there have been many, many more reported incidents of abuse since the inauguration," added Ghappour, who has visited Guantanamo six times since late September and based his comments on his own observations and conversations with both prisoners and guards.
He stressed the mistreatment did not appear to be directed from above, but was an initiative undertaken by frustrated U.S. army and navy jailers on the ground. It did not seem to be a reaction against the election of Obama, a Democrat who has pledged to close the prison camp within a year, but rather a realization that there was little time remaining before the last 241 detainees, all Muslim, are released.
"It's 'hey, let's have our fun while we can,'" said Ghappour, who helped secure the release this week of Binyam Mohamed, a British resident freed from Guantanamo Bay after more than four years in detention without trial or charge. "I can't really imagine why you would get your kicks from abusing prisoners, but certainly, having spoken to certain guards who have been injured in Iraq, who indirectly or directly blame my clients for their injuries and the trauma they have suffered, it's not too difficult to put two and two together."
Counselor, your clients are taught to lie.
Posted by: Steve White ||
02/25/2009 16:06 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
"It's 'hey, let's have our fun while we can,'" said Ghappour...
#2
...and I guess he's calling the Attorney General a dirty, stinking liar?
WASHINGTON Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday the Guantanamo detention center is a well-run, professional facility that will be difficult to close but he's still going to do it. Holder visited the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Monday and spoke to reporters about his trip during a news conference Wednesday.
Holder said his visit to the site was instructive. He met with military officials and toured the facilities, including the court setting where military commissions were to be held until Obama suspended them.
He said he did not witness any rough treatment of detainees, and in fact found the military staff and leadership performing admirably.
"I did not witness any mistreatment of prisoners. I think, to the contrary, what I saw was a very conscious attempt by these guards to conduct themselves in an appropriate way," he said.
The attorney general said none of those impressions alters the administration's goal of closing Guantanamo by January 2010.
"It does not in any way decrease our determination to close the facility, even though as I said it is being well-run now," he said.
#3
If I really wanted to mess with the Gitmo prisoners, there diet would be just loaded with junk food--all they could eat. Coca-Cola, Twinkies, Big Macs, Krispy Kremes, ice cream, etc. By the time they were let go, they would each look like Manuel Uribe.
Indian police are filing a 5,000-page charge sheet against Ajmal Kasab -- the lone surviving gunman arrested after the Mumbai terror attacks -- in a Mumbai court today (Wednesday). "The voluminous charge sheet will hopefully answer all the questions about the Mumbai terror attacks," Joint Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria was quoted as saying by the media.
Kasab and another attacker, Muhammad Ismail Khan, allegedly shot dead police officers Hemant Karkare and Ashok Kamte.
The charge sheet is expected to name around 20 suspects -- including Pakistanis Yousuf Muzammil and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi. The charge sheet also contains Kasab's conversation with his alleged handlers in Pakistan and his interrogation report.
News channels earlier reported that India would respond on Tuesday to Pakistani questions over a dossier of information. However, the Indian government had made no statement late into the evening. It is now believed that Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon will hand over India's response to his Pakistani counterpart in Colombo on the sidelines of a SAARC meeting.
This article starring:
Ajmal Kasab
Yousuf Muzammil
Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under: Lashkar e-Taiba
Pakistan has sought from India the voice recordings of the alleged handlers of Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving gunman arrested during the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, and other 'technical information, Times of India reported on Tuesday. "The request for the voice recordings of Abu Hamza and Kahfa, identified as handlers of Kasab, is among the 30 questions submitted by Pakistan along with its response to the Indian dossier on the Mumbai attacks," the newspaper said. "The queries include a request for authentic forensic analysis reports of mobile/satellite phones and ... any other evidence establishing connectivity and communication of the terrorists with militants based abroad, along with identifying particulars."
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
An Indian TV channel has released closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of four alleged Mumbai attackers, a private TV channel reported on Tuesday. According to the channel, the closed-circuit television footage shows the alleged attackers "in action" in the Oberoi hotel. They are shown knocking at the doors of various rooms of the hotel and gathering people at a place. The footage showed the alleged attackers carrying knapsacks, the channel said. According to the footage, the three alleged attackers are Bada Abdul Rehman, Abu Ali and Abu Sohaib while the name of the fourth was not told. All of them were barefoot and frequently took showers to overcome sleep, the footage said.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under: Lashkar e-Taiba
(AKI) - Pakistani prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani said on Tuesday that the country's controversial National Security Council would be abolished. Gillani said that the NSC was set up by former president Pervez Musharraf and was opposed by both the major parties, the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League. "I have decided to abolish the National Security Council and legislation will be introduced for this purpose," he said on Tuesday.
The prime minister said both he and president Asif Ali Zardari had agreed in principle to dissolve the NSC and a bill would be presented to the parliament for its abolition.
Gillani said the security council was not answerable to the government whereas the prime minister, ministers and state ministers were answerable to the parliament. "We opposed the establishment of the National Security Council. The leader of the opposition at that time, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, never attended its meetings. We are against all dictatorial powers," Gillani said.
The NSC is a consultative body chaired by Pakistan's president and serves as a forum for consultation with the president and the federal government on matters of national security including the sovereignty, integrity, defence, and security of the state.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[4 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
#1
Well, if you've got no national security, why have a National Security Council?
Islamabad gives its security forces orders to protect Shia Muslims after hundreds of community members were killed by the Taliban allied groups. "The provincial government has been asked to divide the Dera Ismail Khan into zones and undertake house-to-house search operation to unarm the people who were behind the deadly attacks in the town" Interior Ministry Chief Rehman Malik told reporters in Islamabad, a Press TV correspondent reported Tuesday.
Malik's remarks come after thirty people were killed and 65 others injured on Feb.26 in a bomb blast in the troubled town close to northwestern tribal region. In early February, at least 35 Shia Muslims were killed and 50 others injured after a bomb exploded in the town of Dera Ghazi Khan in the central Punjab province.
Also today, unidentified armed men have reportedly opened fire at a passenger bus in Pakistan's lawless Kurram Agency, kidnapping 14 Shia Muslims.
Taliban-linked militants in Parachinar, Hangu district and much of the Kurram tribal agency have killed 25 to 30 people on a daily basis during the last six months, according to Pakistani local media reports.
Taliban has established its rule in the restive Swat valley and its influence is also rapidly increasing its grip on the major cities and even the so-called settled areas of the country.
Moderate Pakistani Sunni groups believe that leaving Shias at the mercy of the Taliban is a conspiracy against the country. Some reports have cited grave human rights abuses against Shias in the northwestern Pakistani city of Parachinar.
Shias make up one-third of Pakistan's 160 million-strong population. Since the 1980s, thousands of people have been killed in violence-related incidents in Pakistan by extremist groups.
The developments come after Tehran cautioned Islamabad over the 'silent massacre' of its Shia community by the Taliban, in the country. "The incidents that have occurred against Pakistan's Shia community are a plot to create conflict between the region's Sunni and Shia population," Ali Larijani said. "We have warned Islamabad over the incidents and we will pursue the matter," he added.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
#1
Got tired of sponsoring them?
Posted by: ed ||
02/25/2009 13:21 Comments ||
Top||
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi vowed Tuesday his government was committed to fighting extremists, despite allowing the imposition of Islamic law in part of its violence-wracked NWFP.
Foreign Minister was in Washington where he met his Afghan counterpart ahead of a three-way session with the new Obama administration designed to find a new strategy in the region. Qureshi urged the outside world not to worry about Pakistan's Swat Valley, where pro-Taliban militants declared a unilateral ceasefire after the deal to introduce Shariah law -- their goal during nearly two years of fighting. "It is a local solution to a local problem, which is quick dispensation of justice," Qureshi told reporters. "It is not any appeasement towards militants." "It is capitulation."
"Pakistan's determination and resolve to defeat terrorism is as sound as it was," he said. The Swat accord deal has triggered alarm in the United States, Europe, Afghanistan and India, amid concerns it will embolden militants in North West Frontier Province, which is rife with Taliban and Al-Qaeda extremists.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
#1
"It is not any appeasement towards militants."
Sure. Keep saying it enough and maybe even you'll start to believe it.
(AKI) - British troops will begin withdrawing from the southern Iraqi city of Basra by the end of May, a senior British defence official said on Tuesday. According to the news agency Voices of Iraq, the unnamed official, an undersecretary of the British defense ministry, announced the plan on a visit to the region.
"The forces will start their withdrawal from Basra by the end of next May as a preliminary withdrawal before the complete withdrawal from Basra by the end of next July," the British official said during a visit with Basra governor Mohamed El Waeli.
El Waeli said he also discussed investment and economic development with the official in Basra. "The meeting also discussed the British withdrawal from the city," he added. "The British officials vowed to continue their support for the city and the new local government."
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[2 views]
Top|| File under: Iraqi Insurgency
#1
Coincidentally, the Iranians are rebuilding their surrogates in Basra.
Posted by: ed ||
02/25/2009 13:24 Comments ||
Top||
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has relayed messages to Israel in the past week expressing anger at obstacles Israel is placing to the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. A leading political source in Jerusalem noted that senior Clinton aides have made it clear that the matter will be central to Clinton's planned visit to Israel next Tuesday.
Ahead of Clinton's visit, special U.S. envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell is expected to issue a sharply worded protest on the same matter when he arrives here Thursday.
"Israel is not making enough effort to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza," senior U.S. officials told Israeli counterparts last week, and reiterated Washington's view by saying that "the U.S. expects Israel to meet its commitments on this matter."
Two weeks ago, four senior European Union officials sent a letter to the prime minister, foreign minister, defense minister and Yitzhak Herzog, the minister charged with humanitarian aid transfers to the Gaza Strip, protesting delays in the flow of aid through the crossings into Gaza. The officials also demanded that Israel formulates a clear policy on this issue.
#2
Any independent verification (I mean, real independent and not the UN) that people are starving in Gaza? I don't see any photos of children with stick-thin arms and bloated bellies. Not to be too crass, but the inhabitants of Gaza don't seem to be starving right now. So let's wait and see, huh Hilde?
Posted by: Steve White ||
02/25/2009 12:59 Comments ||
Top||
#3
Let the UN feed them. After shipping them to Darfur.
Posted by: ed ||
02/25/2009 13:08 Comments ||
Top||
#4
Damn, they must be down to only one case of Snickers in that convenience store Tony Brown's sister in law likes to shop at! Code Red, everyone!!
Farewell to President Bush:
he bravely stood up to the greatest challenge that he faced and was victorious
January 20, 2009
A website contributor
President Bush leaves office today and many in the U.S. and world feel like it could come a moment too soon. The difficult attrition in Iraq and Afghanistan coupled with the economic meltdown has left Mr. Bush with very low approval ratings as he ends his 8 year term. While the criticism of Mr. Bush is understandable, the U.S. and world medias hate towards the man caused them to mock and ridicule the leader of the free world who governed his country with complete dedication and iron resolution. Many have forgotten where the country was just 7 years ago when Arab terrorists crushed planes on the world trade center and the Pentagon. For the greatest challenge of the time, President Bush was the right man and the right time in the right place. For that Im sure history will judge him more favorably.
On September 12th, 2001 the U.S. and the free world woke up to a dire and fearful reality. The greatest country in the world was struck by suicidal homicidal terrorists who murdered almost 3,000 people in one blow. Nobody believed on September 12, 2001 that these were going to be the last attacks; the terrorists never mentioned this is a one time deal; they wanted to bring the U.S. to its knees and to show the world that America is weak paper tiger. The attacks also uncovered how vulnerable the U.S. really is with millions of people entering and leaving the country every week, millions of illegal aliens, uncontrolled borders and many enemies. Everyone thought its just a matter of time before more terrorist acts are committed. It would have been the easiest thing to do for Mr. Bush to take the path of least resistance in response to the 9/11 and talk about solving to core problems that cause people to commit such acts or to host international conferences that would just go and try to appease Americas enemies. This was exactly what the terrorists were waiting to hear. As soon as a leader says something like we need to take care of poverty in the Middle East because thats how we really fight terrorism the terrorist knows hes won.
These blame ourselves tactics are what encourages additional attacks that make way for more appeasement. The terrorists care nothing for their poor people on the contrary they like their people poor and ignorant. Instead Bush bravely did the right thing. He took the war to the enemys grounds in Afghanistan. With the lightning fast campaign, Al Kaida was on the run form the start of 2002.
With the fast capitulation of the Taliban and the demonstration of the U.S. power and resolution all the other terrorists supporting States like Iran and Syria immediately cut of any ties to any organization that supported attacks on the U.S. They dont like the U.S. any better than Bin Laden but they understood that you dont mess with Bush.
The war in Iraq was more controversial but nobody can say the world and the Iraqi people arent better off today without Saddam Hussein. The deterrence achieved in Afghanistan was compounded in Iraq. All of the other terrorist supporting regimes noticed that while the U.S. might not be that great at democracy building it is very proficient in dismantling rouge regimes.
The President said lately that while many can debate his actions no one can debate the results and thats true. The fact that in the recent elections very few Americans stated that terrorism was one of their greatest concerns is a testament to Bushs success. One can say that President Bush has had 100% success in the biggest challenge he face, the challenge of safekeeping America from the terrorists. He proved (again) that you must confront terrorism and that appeasement will only lead to more terrorism. Thats his legacy and history will be kinder to him than the narrow minded short sighted media that mocked him regularly.
Today a new era begins with the inauguration of President Obama. We can all hope that he will not be challenged in the same manner Mr. Bush was challenged. We all wish him the best of luck. The American people wanted change and they voted for Obama and I believe hell make many changes I just hope that on the policy of the war on terror Obama will not back away from the biggest success of his predecessor.
Manolo! Bring me the big, giant violin!
Since the end of Operation Cast Lead, and the destruction of many of smuggling tunnels in Rafah, many of the small investors in the Strip have realized that they have fallen victim to a bad investment at best, and a "major scam" at worst, according to one of the investors. Awwwwww, please...you're breaking my friggin heart.
The tunnel industry has thrived since Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in the summer of 2007, as a means to raise funds from the public in exchange for handsome profits. These investors were promised that their money was safe and the profits would be large. Pssssssst....Mahmoud. Wanna buy a tunnel?
According to testimonies heard in the Strip in recent days, an unknown number of brokers convinced small investors to invest in the tunnel industry for the profit of several hundreds of dollars per month. Yes! We swear by the Prophet's eyes!
Small investors were swayed into putting their money into the tunnels and the trend passed from mouth to ear and from one person to another. Tell all your friends!
At the start of the fighting the middlemen disappeared, along with the investors' money. A 49-year-old Gazan vegetable vendor Omar Abdullah said he was persuaded into investing in the tunnels and sold some of his property in exchange for some $56,000 to be put to this purpose. In the months prior to the war, Abdullah received $3,000 per month for his investment, but, since the fighting broke out, the investor has not seen any revenues and fears his investment went down the drain. "I went to my broker, who is a friend of mine, and he told me that he had the same problem. What can we do now?" the desperate vendor wondered. Seethe? Swear Dire Revenge?
Abdullah is one of thousands of small investors in Gaza who were tempted to put their money into the tunnel business. The Hamas government turned a blind eye to the trend since it was making good use of the income toward tunnels. But now, at least on the surface of things, Hamas is showing much determination in tackling the trend. In recent days, rumors spread throughout the Strip that local police arrested a broker who collected an almost fictional-sounding amount of money - $480 million dollars -- in investments. How much!!! Round up the usual suspects!!!
Official sources in the Strip provided no details on the arrest, but unofficial reports said the amount collected by the broker in question was much lower. Ooooooh, much lower. Now. One could make a tidy living on the difference ...
Hamas Finance Minister Ziyad Thatha commented on the affair saying, "A number of investors collected millions of dollars in a way that is against sharia (Islamic law) and we will operate against them." ...as we were screwed out of our cut, which is the ultimate violation of sharia law.
The Hamas Interior Ministry has decided to appoint a committee to look into where the funds have gone. Despite such statements from the Hamas leadership, many residents of the Strip believe Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh's aides were well aware of the fact that laymen's money was being collected and put towards the tunnel industry, and are now denying all knowledge of it. So whaddya think, Izzy? Hamas gonna come up with a stimulus package?
Walid, a resident of the Strip, said he raised some $50,000 from his friends and family to invest in the tunnels. Uh-oh. Looks like Walid's in the market for a pair of bulletproof shoes...
Walid refrained from criticizing the Hamas government, ...which appears to be the first smart thing he's done in awhile.
but said, "After the war it became clear that we had fallen victims to a major scam. The investor disappeared, taking all the money with him, and now all my friends are chasing after me wanting to know where their money is." Watch out for "mysterious explosions" Walid...
#2
The Caymans. Zurich is in a fight with the U.S. government -- USB, I think -- which wants the names of some 56,000 Americans who hid money from being taxed... so the precedent is set.
The Hamas government turned a blind eye to the trend since it was making good use of the income
So that's where they got the money to pay for all those arms and training going into Operation Cast Lead.
#3
Hamas Finance Minister Ziyad Thatha commented on the affair saying, "A number of investors collected millions of dollars in a way that is against sharia (Islamic law) and we will operate against them."
I have spoken to the mayors and will "call the out" on it if it continues!
#6
that local police arrested a broker who collected an almost fictional-sounding amount of money 480 million dollars in payments
So a single broker managed to collect 480 million bucks from "empoverished" Palestinians? If they were so empoverished why is that they had so much money? How much could you expect to collect in, say Darfur?
Dear Rantburgers, at a time where the Obama administration is planning to give "empoverished" Palestinians another billion dollars it would be time you write your congressman about it.
#7
Nobody listens to my congressman, JFM. He's a first-term Republican, in a district which has voted Republican since it *was* a district. I've tried yelling at my senators, but they're both chowderheads - and only the Democrat bothers to reply with form letters.
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
02/25/2009 12:13 Comments ||
Top||
#8
There is no need he lisitens as long as he listens you and he doesn't want to be a first and last time representative.
(AKI) - Rights group Amnesty International has called for the United Nations to impose a global freeze on arms sales to Israel and the Gaza-ruling Hamas movement, claiming that both sides used foreign-made weapons to attack civilians. In a report released on Monday, Amnesty also claimed that the Jewish state and Hamas had both committed "war crimes".
"We urge the UN Security Council to impose an immediate and comprehensive arms embargo on Israel, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups until effective mechanisms are found to ensure that munitions and other military equipment are not used to commit serious violations of international law," said Malcolm Smart, Amnesty's Middle East director in a statement published on Monday.
Amnesty research claimed that Israel committed war crimes by using white phosphorous munitions, which killed hundreds of children.
"Israeli forces used white phosphorus and other weapons supplied by the USA to carry out serious violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes. Their attacks resulted in the death of hundreds of children and other civilians and massive destruction of homes and infrastructure," said Donatella Rovera, Amnesty researcher on Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
Once again repeating the WP lie ...
Smart called for the US administration led by president Barack Obama to suspend weapons supplies to Israel. "As the major supplier of weapons to Israel, the USA has a particular obligation to stop any supply that contributes to gross violations of the laws of war and of human rights. The Obama administration should immediately suspend US military aid to Israel," Smart said.
He added that American taxpayers were funding Israel's munitions, some of which have been used to commit alleged war crimes. "To a large extent, Israel's military offensive in Gaza was carried out with weapons, munitions and military equipment supplied by the USA and paid for with US taxpayers' money," said Smart.
According to Amnesty the United States is the major supplier of conventional arms to Israel and under a 10-year agreement, the US is expected to provide 30 billion dollars in military aid to Israel to the year 2017.
However, the report attacked the Islamist Hamas movement, saying its rocket attacks also constituted a war crime. "At the same time, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups fired hundreds of rockets that had been smuggled in or made of components from abroad at civilian areas in Israel. Though far less lethal than the weaponry used by Israel, such rocket firing also constitutes a war crime and caused several civilian deaths," said Rovera.
Amnesty said that "unsophisticated" rockets are smuggled into Gaza clandestinely or built in Gaza from components secretly brought in from abroad, but did not name the countries.
They had no trouble naming the US as a supplier to Israel ...
From November 2001 until June 2008, Qassam rockets have killed 23 Israelis and wounded hundreds, according to The Israel Project, a non-government, non-profit organisation
Israel's foreign ministry immediately attacked the Amnesty report as "biased and unprofessional". "Initial study of the report indicates that it presents a biased version of the events, and does not adhere to professional criteria and objectivity. A detailed response will be given at a later stage," said a statement in Israel's foreign ministry website posted on Monday.
The foreign ministry instead accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields, failing to recognise the existence of Israel and said that it was merely protecting its citizens against terror.
As any sovereign nation has the right to do.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under: Hamas
#1
in other awards (^8 Amnesty accused of crimes against Language.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday said Israel was continuing to make every effort to free abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, despite having suspended Israel's chief negotiator in talks for a truce in Gaza on the preceding day.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[1 views]
Top|| File under: Hamas
Likud Chairman and Prime Minister designate, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced on Tuesday evening that he has appointed a team of negotiators for the upcoming coalition talks as he attempts to form a new government.
Netanyahu held meetings earlier this week with Kadima Chairman Tzipi Livni and Labor Chairman Ehud Barak, and has said he urges them to join a broad coalition under his leadership. Livni and Barak have so far rejected Netanyahu's offer.
Livni, however, is beginning to come under pressure from some voices in Kadima who want to see the party join Netanyahu. Kadima's number two, Shaul Mofaz said: "The citizens of Israel gave us 28 mandates, but not so we would sit in the opposition."
The team will be led by MK Gideon Sa'ar, formerly chairman of the Likud's Knesset faction, and also includes MK Ze'ev Elkin, Professor Ya'akov Ne'eman, former MK Eliezer (Modi) Zandberg and political consultant Nathan Eshel.
The coalition talks will kick-off on Wednesday Kfar Hamaccabiah between the Likud and the right-wing parties. In addition Netanyahu has also appointed a 'hundred days' team, whose job is to prepare the government's plan of action for its first days. At the head of the team is MK Yuval Steinitz.
Meanwhile it was reported that Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer rejected Netanyahu's offer to serve as finance minister in the latter's future government.
According to a source familiar with the exchange, Fischer outright rebuffed the offer.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[0 views]
Top|| File under:
The Juices "Invest Their Utmost Efforts... in Conspiring How to Corrupt the Islamic Nation... This Is Why We Hate Them"
Ahmad Abd Al-Salam: "The Juices 'will not fail to corrupt' the believers. What does this mean? The Juices are never remiss - they invest their utmost efforts, day and night, in conspiring how to corrupt the Islamic nation, the nation led by the Prophet Muhammad.
"I want you, Muslim viewers, to imagine the Juices sitting around a table, conspiring how to corrupt the Muslims, and how to destroy their worldly and religious affairs. The Juices 'will not fail to corrupt you,' and this is why we hate them."
The Juices "Infect Food with Cancer and Ship It to Muslim Countries"
"The Juices conspire day and night to destroy the Muslims' worldly and religious affairs. The Juices conspire to destroy the economy of the Muslims. The Juices conspire to infect the food of the Muslims with cancer. It is the Juices who infect food with cancer and ship it to Muslim countries." Why, this is almost as bad as the Aids-giving chewing gum, or the candy that makes pure muslim wimmen go all leacherous and slutty!
"We Hate the Juices Because They Spare No Effort in Stripping Muslim Girls of their Clothes"; "Sexual Temptations... Were Conspired By the Jews"
"We hate the Juices because they spare no effort in stripping Muslim girls of their clothes. It is the Juices who conspire to have Muslim girls, and even married Muslim women, wear clothes that are tight, short, or see-through, or clothes that are open from the front, or the back, from the right or the left.
"The Juices 'will not fail to corrupt you,' and this is why we hate them. The Juices conspire to destroy Muslims. The Juices conspire to bring Muslim youth down to the pit of sexual temptation. The sexual temptations, which are prevalent worldwide, were conspired by the Juices."
And then, ahmad got all sweaty, panting heavily, blood rushing to his face, eyes rolling madly, and this happened to him.
#1
I'd laugh my butt off at this psychotic rambling and irrational drivel if were not for the fact that there may be at least a couple of hundred thousand Muslims in Egypt that are hanging on every word he says.
It is very close to 2+2=5 logic.
Amazing
Posted by: James Carville ||
02/25/2009 14:44 Comments ||
Top||
Syria has revealed that it has built a missile facility over the ruins of what the US says was a nuclear reactor destroyed by IAF warplanes, diplomats said Tuesday.
The diplomats quoted Syrian nuclear chief Ibrahim Othman as saying during a closed meeting Tuesday that the new structure appeared to be a missile control center or actual launching pad. They demanded anonymity for divulging details about what Othman told the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation board.
The IAF reportedly bombed the site in September 2007. While Israel has not commented on the strike, Washington subsequently presented intelligence purporting to show that the target in a remote area of the Syrian desert was a nearly finished nuclear reactor built with North Korean help that would have been able to produce plutonium once completed.
Syria has denied secret nuclear activities but has blocked IAEA inspectors from visits beyond an initial inspection to the Al Kibar site.
Environmental samples from that trip have revealed traces of man-made uranium and graphite. But UN officials say it is too early to say whether the graphite - a common element in North Korean prototype reactors - had any nuclear applications.
Syria had previously only said the site was military in nature and that it was being rebuilt.
But the diplomats said comments by Othman suggested that the facility now in place of the bombed target was either a missile launching command center or a launching pad.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[6 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Syria
#2
But UN officials say it is too early to say whether the graphite - a common element in North Korean prototype reactors - had any nuclear applications.
Thereby showing abysmal ignorance of history: the first sustained nuclear chain reaction was achieved in a reactor built from graphite located under a soccer field in Chicago. the plutonium for the "Fat Man" bomb came from that reactor.
So how much boron was in the graphite? The Nazis were delayed in their fabrication of an atomic weaspon because their graphite had too much boron in it. They were forced to use heavy water, but couldn't make enough after the bombing mission on their heavy water plant that cost Joe Kennedy (John F. Kennedy's older brother) his life.
#4
They were forced to use heavy water, but couldn't make enough after the bombing mission on their heavy water plant that cost Joe Kennedy (John F. Kennedy's older brother) his life.
#5
Man-made probably refers to >0.7% U235 in the sample. That indicates enrichment. You don't get U233 unless you bombard Thorium with neutrons in an operational reactor.
Posted by: john frum ||
02/25/2009 12:06 Comments ||
Top||
#6
Actually, Joe was going after V-2's. And in an incredibly dangerous way...
England formed an elite group to destroy the launch sites, and asked for volunteers. Joseph Kennedy's squadron, flying in bitter winter weather over the Bay of Biscay, had suffered heavy casualties, with Joe losing his former co-pilot and a number of close friends. He was due for a leave but persuaded his crew to stay on until D-Day. Flying frequently in June and July they were given another opportunity to go home. Joe felt it would be unfair to ask his crew to remain any longer, so they returned to the U.S. Joe remained to volunteer for the very dangerous assignment which would require another month. Joe had completed probably more combat missions in B-24s than any other pilot and was well qualified. He considered his chances at fifty-fifty. Joe was an expert in Radio Control projects and was considered a natural to fly the "drone" in the highly secret mission. To destroy the V-2 menace it was decided to use radio controlled drones carrying massive bomb loads. The U.S. had been experimenting with R.C. drones, as had Germany, who was developing R.C. glider bombs. The X-1 rocket boostered bomb released from a German bomber could glide for six miles when released from 26,000 feet.
The X-1 demonstrated devastating results by sinking many Allied ships, showing the promising use and accuracy of the R.C. guided missile.The U.S. guided their missiles in test using operator-television, however the pay load was too small. They then advanced to full size Radio Controlled aircraft that after establishing control the pilot bailed out. The aircraft would fly to the target by remote control. The Army experimented with B-17s while the Navy made test using the B-24. Early U.S. test failed. Pilots were killed, and the drones missed their target. Despite the numerous failures the U.S. proceeded with their testing of full size aircraft.
Joe Kennedy saw his chance to become a hero. He was eager to go, and was a very experienced pilot. The system to be used was to load a B-24 with explosives, using two pilots, and the installation of an arming pin to prevent accidental ignition of the explosives. The target was Mimoyecques, France. A P-38 weather plane reported acceptable conditions, it was a go. Kennedy and his co-pilot Bud Willy took off at 5:55PM. The safety pin had been properly installed in the arming unit. Fourteen other aircraft gathered in formation with the "flying bomb". The lead plane was a B-17. There were two P-38s to accomplish aerial photography over the target. Also included were two Mosquito bombers, one to monitor weather, the other flown by Elliot Roosevelt, the son of the President of the United States. Another B-17 acted as a signal relay over the channel, with six P-51s as escort. The flying bomb was followed by two Lockheed Venturas which are believed to have been the "mother" guidance planes. This armada after hooking up in formation flew from Fersfield to Framingham, England, then to Beccles testing their RC equipment. Final test would be made with the B-24 flying alone on Radio Control. They flew from Beccles to Clacton, then took the final turn to head for the target. Both pilots were scheduled to bail out near Dover after preparing the plane to continue to the launch target guided by the mother plane. The actual flight plan called for a flyover Beccles but went further east than intended and flew over Blytheburgh. Kennedy made final preparations to set the plane on remote control. He removed the safety pin, and signaled O.K. with the code phrase "Stay Flush". These would be his last words as the plane exploded at 6:20PM over Blytheburgh.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon ||
02/25/2009 13:34 Comments ||
Top||
#8
The Syrian reactor the Israelis destroyed was a copy of the North Korean Yongbyon plutonium producing reactor. It used natural uranium and graphite was the moderator. So not sure about the "man-made" uranium unless it was fueled with low enriched uranium from Iran.
Posted by: ed ||
02/25/2009 14:05 Comments ||
Top||
#9
ION EXPLOSIVE SPACE MUDULATOR-R-R, RIAN > IRAN desires to have up to 50,000 centrifuges at its NATANTZ NucPlant within five years [2012-13].
Also, TOPIX > IRAN NUCLEAR CHIEF: US, WEST MUST ACCEPT IRAN IS A NUCLEAR POWER.
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), based in The Hague, will start the hearing in the assassination of Rafik Hariri and 22 of his companion next month, according to Suzan Khan, the spokeswoman of the court. The case is coming before the STL after almost 4 years of investigation.
"All precautions have been taken into consideration to ensure fairness and transparency of the court proceedings, which will be run on a professional basis," she told Gulf News.
In a telephone interview with her office in The Hague, Khan told Gulf News that the STL, which was established in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution 1757 of May 30, 2007, is composed of 11 judges, including four Lebanese.
"The identities of the judges are still not revealed and they will be known on March 1, the day the court is scheduled to begin the proceedings, in order to ensure impartiality and independence of the court," she said.
In addition, Khan said the STL was located outside Lebanon for the sake of justice and fairness, as well as for the security and administrative efficiency of the tribunal.
The STL, she said will consist of four organs: The Chambers, the Prosecutor, the Registry and the Defence Office.
Khan said a number of safeguards have been adopted by the court, including protection for the rights of the accused to present their views and concerns that deemed appropriate by the pre-trial judge or the Chamber.
"An independent defence office will act to protect the rights of the defence, draw up the list of a possible defence counsel and provide support and assistance to defence counsel and persons who are entitled to legal assistance," she said.
"The pre-trial judge is crucial to ensure the efficiency and expediency of the process of the trial. He or she will review and confirm indictments and may also issue arrest warrants, transfer requests and any other orders that are required for the conduct of the investigation and for the preparation of the trials," Khan said.
"Once the pre-trial judge decides the validity of the case and approves the procedure, the case should be referred to the court. The prosecutor, Daniel Bellemare, who is currently the investigation commissioner, has been granted 60 days during which he should submit his request to the Lebanese government and any other government that is suspected to have links with the crime, to produce what the prosecutor feels is needed for the proceeding of the court, including suspects and documents in possession of these governments," she said.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/25/2009 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[5 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Syria
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.
(AKI) - Six people drowned and another 11 are reported missing and presumed dead after smugglers forced passengers overboard in deep water off the Yemeni coast in the third such incident so far this year, the United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday.
Radical Muslim imams and nationalist politicians from all camps are threatening Sarajevo's multicultural legacy. With the help of Arab benefactors, the deeply devout are acquiring new recruits. In the "Jerusalem of the Balkans," Islamists are on the rise.
LONDON (Reuters) - Abuse of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay has worsened sharply since President Barack Obama took office as prison guards "get their kicks in" before the camp is closed, according to a lawyer who represents detainees.
(AKI) - Pakistani prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani said on Tuesday that the country's controversial National Security Council would be abolished. Gillani said that the NSC was set up by former president Pervez Musharraf and was opposed by both the major parties, the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League. "I have decided to abolish the National Security Council and legislation will be introduced for this purpose," he said on Tuesday. 
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi vowed Tuesday his government was committed to fighting extremists, despite allowing the imposition of Islamic law in part of its violence-wracked NWFP. 
Egyptian Cleric Ahmad Abd Al-Salam: Juices 'Infect Food with Cancer and Ship it to Muslim Countries'
