KABUL, Afghanistan There is trouble outside Camp Phoenix. The American base on the dusty outskirts of Kabul has called for English translators. The problem is, the Americans have now hired their translator, and a crowd of Afghan job hunters at the camp gate is getting unruly.
The U.S. soldiers are nervous. One yells obscenities and waves his gun. The crowd cowers but doesn't budge. Then, another soldier steps forward, armed only with a thick wooden staff, wrapped in peeling red tape. The name tag on his broad chest says "Rambo," and though he wears U.S. Army fatigues, he speaks in perfect Dari, ordering the crowd to leave. It reluctantly disperses.
This is a normal day for Rambo, an Afghan who has stood guard here for more than four years, pledging his life to the American soldiers that rid his land of the Taliban. But on Jan. 16, Rambo's gatekeeping made him a bona fide hero.
On that day, Rambo wrenched open the driver's side door of a moving car and wrestled a suicide bomber into submission before he could detonate his explosives. President Bush lauded him in a nationally televised speech several weeks ago, and before that, slightly exaggerated accounts of his feat circled through cyberspace, pleading for America to offer him citizenship or at least a medal. Where do we send the beer!
#1
Sounds like a righteous man. Keep him safe and secure, and employed!
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/08/2007 17:32 Comments ||
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#2
> The kind of story we will never hear on the network news.
Made the CBS web site, as well as USA Today and the Seattle Times (I'm surprised too). Of course, it will show up in the Wash. Post and NYT when hell freezes over.
stuck his wet finger in the air, determined which way the wind was blowing, and
told The Associated Press that his forces have ended cooperation with the Taliban and suggested that he was open to talks with embattled President Hamid Karzai. In a video response to questions submitted by AP, Hekmatyar said that his group contacted Taliban leaders in 2003 and agreed to wage a joint jihad, or holy war, against American troops. "The jihad went into high gear but later it gradually went down as certain elements among the Taliban
proved to be bat shiat crazy and
rejected the idea of a joint struggle against the aggressor," Hekmatyar said in the video, which was received Thursday. Hekmatyar wore glasses and a black turban as he spoke in front of a plain white wall at an undisclosed location. He offered no details of the split or its timing, but said his forces were now mounting only restricted operations, partly because of a lack of resources. "It was not a good move by the Taliban to disassociate themselves from the joint struggle," he said. "Presently we have no contact with the Taliban."
"Also my fighters kept turning into red smears on the rocks, and the harrangues from their widows was starting to get to me, man."
Hekmatyar's Hezb-i Islami fighters, who have been most active in eastern Afghanistan, were central to the CIA-backed resistance to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s, and in the civil war that followed, but were sidelined by the Taliban militia's rise to power in the mid-1990s.Hekmatyar nevertheless opposed the U.S.-led invasion in late 2001 that pushed the Taliban from power, and his followers have since waged a campaign of violence against American and allied forces. Hekmatyar's exact whereabouts have been unknown since he returned to Afghanistan from exile in Iran in 2002.
AP's questions to Hekmatyar were submitted through an intermediary three weeks ago. There was no indication of where or exactly when the video was shot.
Roughly one half-hour after Dick Cheney's plane left Islamabad.
Asked if he would consider opening negotiations with Karzai, Hekmatyar said dialogue was the best way to resolve Afghanistan's problems albeit with conditions the U.S.-backed government would be unlikely to accept apparently a cease-fire followed by negotiations. "We say that dialogue can only be fruitful if the aggressors truly allow the Kabul government to halt the fighting, negotiate with the mujahedeen and honor what Kabul and the resistance decide," Hekmatyar said. "This is the prime and basic demand of the Afghan nation and if such a conducive environment could be provided, we can go for dialogue with Karzai," he said.
The U.S. government considers Hekmatyar a terrorist. A CIA drone fired a missile at him near Kabul in 2002, but missed. Hekmatyar said American forces had twice come close to him on the ground. He insisted he had a large pool of fighters who could sustain a long struggle. And, while his tone was more conciliatory toward both the West and Karzai than in the past, he sent a defiant message to President Bush that he had no hope of defeating the insurgency.
The Taliban is vowing to intensify its resistance this spring, and says it has thousands of forces deployed in southern Afghanistan, where NATO this week launched its biggest offensive yet. "You must have realized that attacking Afghanistan and Iraq was a historical mistake. You do not have any other option but to take out your forces from Iraq and Afghanistan and give the Iraqis and Afghans the right to live their own way and select the system of their choice."
#1
Hekmatyar's Hezb-i Islami fighters, who have been most active in eastern Afghanistan, were central to the CIA-backed resistance to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s,
Hekmatyar's forces were central to nothing: they spent more time fighting Massood than the Soviets. And got bloody noses for it.
1. The taliban has decided Hek is worthless, more or less, and theyre shorting him on money, arms, and influence, and he figures coming in from the cold is the best bet
2. Cheney put the squeeze on the Pakis, and Hek is a creature of the Pakis, and the Pakis put the squeeze on Hek
3. Hes a Pashtun, man, he cant help trying play both sides.
4. This is being done with a wink from the Taliban, to undermine the coalition
#5
lol Ship. Hopefully they won't recruit his troops for the Afghan Grenardiers or the national baseball team. They couldn't afford the insurance premium
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/08/2007 20:06 Comments ||
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Islamabad, 8 March (AKI) - American troops in Afghanistan arrested on Thursday the deputy head of the Taliban fighters active in the Pakistani tribal area of Waziristan, according to a report on the Arab satellite television channel Al Jazeera. A unit of US special forces penetrated the town of Loramani in Waziristan which border Afghanistan, capturing the Taliban leader Mullah Hakimallah Mansub.
In Wazooistan, ya say? Wonder if we was invited?
A report on Al Jazeera also said that the Taliban had carried out two suicide attacks against NATO troops in the southern Afghan region of Kandahar. Some eyewitnesses said that they had seen at least two NATO vehicles destroyed in the same area.
This article starring:
MULLAH HAKIMALLAH MANSUB
Taliban
Posted by: Steve ||
03/08/2007 09:56 ||
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#1
This is how you win wars. If the enemy claims big border we can't control see everything, then I say we play just as dum and our troops just cross back and forth with a denial we didn't do it and if caught a well its a big border we got lost. accident sorry you understand right. We got stealth bombers no reason we can't bomb deep penetration targets deny we did it and say maybe it was a Jihadi that just got a little too excited.
#5
On that Heckmar all the sudden announcing on air he is willing to lay down arms? I wonder if that HVT capture everyone was wondering about earlier in the week was Heckmar? We did a very simular think to General Sanchez in the Texas Revolution. Would be better than killing him outright and having all his crew fall under AQ leadership this way those guys would lay down it would just be a matter of keeping Hecmkmar either in Prison or maybe in Kabul under house arrest.
A senior Taliban commander in Afghanistan has charged an abducted Italian journalist with spying for British forces in Afghanistan. In a statement recorded to various media organisations in Afghanistan and Pakistan via satellite phone, Taliban commander Mullah Dadullah said that Daniele Mastrogiacomo, reporter for La Repubblica newspaper, and his Afghan companion Ajmal were spying on the Taliban in the name of journalism.
The journalist has confessed that he was spying and that British forces had sent him for this purpose, Dadullah said from Quetta an undisclosed location in Afghanistan.
The Italian daily announced on Wednesday that it had heard no word from Mastrogiacomo for the past 48 hours. Paris-based media rights group Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF) appealed to the Taliban to release Mastrogiacomo and Ajmal. Mastrogiacomo is not a spy, but a journalist, one who was doing his job as a reporter. We formally appeal for his release, RSF said in a statement on Wednesday.
But Dadullah said that Mastrogiacomo was visiting Helmand to point out Taliban strongholds to the coalition forces for bombing. We cannot accept that our people (a reference to two arrested spokesmen of the Taliban) are in prison and western journalists walk free, he said, adding that the fate of the Italian journalist would be decided later. Mastrogiacomo will not be released even if it is proven that he is not a spy, he said.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/08/2007 00:00 ||
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Gun battles in the streets are a daily occurrence, as groups of gunmen face off to decide who will stay, and who will flee. On one side are the police or pro-Transitional Government militiamen , on the other side are pro-Islamic Courts gunmen, or a clan based gang that is defending, or expanding, its turf.
A typical incident occurred today, as a convoy of Ugandan peacekeepers drove into Mogadishu from the airport. A group of men opened fire on the convoy, the Ugandans returned fire, and about ten civilians died in the cross fire. The attack took place at a crowded crossroads, a favorite Somali tactic (gunmen hiding amongst civilians).
The Ethiopian troops, who are almost entirely gone from Mogadishu, were quick to fire back at their attackers, no matter how many civilians were in the way. As a result, there were fewer attacks on the Ethiopians. Perhaps there's a lesson to be learned by the US from the Æthiopians about the long term consequences of conducting military operations in a sennnnnsitive fashion.
(SomaliNet) Unknown gunmen have launched an attack on an armored vehicle belonged to the Ugandan troops in the Somalia capital Mogadishu on late Wednesday. The Ugandan forces are said to have gone under attack near KM4 roundabout in south of Mogadishu by unidentified militiamen around 6:30pm local time. The Ugandan troops have exchanged heavy gunfire with the attackers. It is the first time that Ugandan peacekeepers are attacked in Somalia since their arrival in Mogadishu on Tuesday. That makes sense. Today's Wednesday.
There is no immediate casualty on the Ugandan troops but there are reports saying that at least three civilians have been wounded in the skirmishes. Elsewhere in the capital a woman was wounded when a mortar shell slammed into Howlwadag neighborhood in Mogadishu. The latest attack came hours after two police officers were shot dead in the capital by unknown men armed with pistols who then took away the soldiers guns. The insurgent groups now seem to be strengthening in the capital launching frequent attacks targeting the key locations of the interim government troops and its Ethiopian allies.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Assane Ba, said on Tuesday peacekeepers deployed by the African Union (AU) to Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, will fight back if they are attacked by the insurgents who launched strikes near the airport, IRIN reports on Wednesday.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/08/2007 00:00 ||
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(SomaliNet) At least two civilians have been killed and more than fifteen others were wounded on Wednesday when the Ethiopian forces in the Somalia capital Mogadishu opened fire at a passenger bus that was passing near their base of former defense ministry building south of the capital. The incident happened near Shirkole area is where yesterday the insurgents and Ethiopian troops involved in face to face gun battle leaving six civilians dead and wounding six others, medical sources say.
Some of the wounded were serious and two of them died of their wounds as the Ethiopians denied to give the injured access to hospitals. We, the wounded people have been stranded by the Ethiopian soldiers for two hours and were rejected to be taken to the hospital until two of us died of hemorrhage, Halima Abokar among the wounded passengers said.
Witnesses said the Ethiopian and government forces were searching cars and passenger buses on the road when unknown gunmen wearing masks on their faces attacked the Ethiopians. Heavily armed Ethiopian forces are now patrolling the area where yesterdays clashes happened, searching all cars on the road in fear of insurgents attacks.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/08/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Sounds like the Somali Islamofascists are trying to use the same tactics against the Ethiopians there as against the Americans elsewhere - make sure civilians get killed (hide among them, or even shoot them yourselves) and then blame the 'invaders' for their deaths. Makes sense - it seems to have worked everywhere else it's been tried.
Security forces searching for five people linked to the British embassy, who were kidnapped in Ethiopia's remote Afar region, said on Tuesday their captors had taken them across the border into Eritrea. Asmara has vehemently denied charges by regional officials that Eritrean soldiers were responsible for last week's abduction and the Addis Ababa government has not repeated the accusation. But senior security officers leading the hunt in the north-eastern region and local people all blamed Eritrea.
"Our information is that Eritrean troops came into Ethiopia, kidnapped people and then went away to Eritrea again. The kidnappers were wearing Eritrean military uniforms," said Inspector Adem Musa, the regional police chief.
Local army commander Gebremarian Hadush also blamed Eritrea and said the hostages were being held in Wiema on the other side of the frontier. He said Afar separatists based in Eritrea might also be involved. "They work together with the Eritreans. They must have done this together," he said. Asked if the military was preparing a rescue mission, he replied: "That is in the hands of the federal government. We will take that measure if it is an order."
A three-member British investigation team left the kidnap area on Tuesday but there was no sign it had made progress. The team did not comment as it left Berahile, a town of sandy streets that Ethiopian police are using as a staging area. The five hostages, who include diplomats and other people linked to the British embassy in Addis Ababa, are believed to have been kidnapped about 50km away in Hamad-Ile.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/08/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
I have the terrible feeling that these folks are going to turn up in the hands of AQ after a couple of weeks. The Observer placed the blame at the hands of the Eritrean military - potentially provider of succour to fleeing Somali Islamonauts? If this is the case then the Eritreans better get ready for some harsh sanctions around 2009.
Posted by: Howard UK ||
03/08/2007 4:01 Comments ||
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More than 160 Shi'ite rebels have been killed in clashes with Yemeni government forces over the past two weeks, a state-run Web site reported on Wednesday, quoting a military official. The figure raises to around 250 the number of rebels officially estimated to have been killed in the sporadic but fierce clashes in the mountainous area of Saada in the north of Yemen since the beginning of 2007. "More than 160 elements of terrorism and sabotage led by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi have been killed in the past two weeks," the Web site, www.26sep.net, quoted the unidentified official as saying.
Houthi is the leader of a rebel group which the government says wants to install Shi'ite religious rule. A source close to the rebels said he was doubtful about the figure but did not give his own estimate. "The government forces are losing considerably every day," the source told Reuters.
The Web site did not give a figure for deaths among soldiers. Officials in late February put this at about 105. The military official said the militants were using citizens as human shields in private farms after government forces surrounded them. About 40 unidentified bodies and a number of wounded were found in the area of the fighting, he said.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/08/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
What no Americans killed here, just Muslim terrorist? Keep it off the air.
Posted by: Dan Rather ||
03/08/2007 7:14 Comments ||
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Former Navy Sailor Arrested for Allegedly E-Mailing Military Secrets to Suspected Terror Operatives
WASHINGTON A former Navy sailor was arrested Wednesday for allegedly e-mailing military secrets including detailed information on Navy battle groups and their missions to a suspected terrorism financier that were later posted on Web sites used to raise funds for Al Qaeda.
Hassan Abujihaad, 31, of Phoenix, is accused in a case that began in Connecticut and followed a suspected terrorist network across the country and into Europe and the Middle East.
How incredibly racist, didn't we allow Nazis to serve in our military during WWII?
He was arrested in Phoenix on charges of supporting terrorism with an intent to kill U.S. citizens and transmitting classified information to unauthorized people.
Abujihaad, who is also known as Paul R. Hall, is charged in the same case as Babar Ahmad, a British computer specialist arrested in 2004 and accused of running Web sites to raise money for terrorism. Ahmad is scheduled to be extradited to the U.S. to face trial.
During a search of Ahmad's computers, investigators discovered files containing classified information about the positions of U.S. Navy ships and discussing their susceptibility to attack.
Abujihaad, a former enlisted man, exchanged e-mails with Ahmad while on active duty on the USS Benfold, a guided-missile destroyer, in 2000 and 2001, according to an affidavit released Wednesday. He allegedly purchased videos promoting violent jihad, or holy war.
The investigation was run out of Connecticut because Ahmad allegedly used an Internet service provider there to host one of his fundraising Web sites. Kevin O'Connor, the U.S. attorney for Connecticut, had no comment Wednesday night. Does anyone CAIR?
Ahmad was arrested in 2004 but the case against Abujihaad apparently received a boost in December following the arrest of Derrick Shareef, 22, of Genoa, Ill., near Chicago, who was accused of planning to use hand grenades to attack holiday shoppers at a mall. FBI: Salt Lake City murders, no story here
There was no answer at the Phoenix apartment where Abujihaad lives Wednesday night and neighbors did not seem to know him. Court records to not say when he will be sent to New Haven, Conn., for arraignment in federal court. Translation, "seems like a nice guy so we let him go"
#1
Offhand, I cannot think of any defenses to sending info on military movements to terrorists. "I was smacked on the butt by daddy, so I had a terrible childhood and should be forgiven for treason. Please stop laughing, I'm serious, and it worked for Michael Jackson." Abujihaad worked hard to get arrested, and he is a poor man who is about to become known as a poor bast*rd.
#7
SO this was all pre-9/11? What's he been doing since?
Convert sounds right to me, too. Abu Jihad is in the same vein as the nomme de guerres (spelling? French isn't one of my languages) taken by jihadi terrorists. As for what Mr Abu Jihad has been doing post 9/11, hopefully having his links traced until they absolutely had to bring him in.
In flagrante delicto or sometimes simply in flagrante (Latin: "while [the crime] is blazing") is a legal term used to indicate that a criminal has been caught in the act of committing an offense (compare corpus delicti). The colloquial "caught red-handed" or "caught in the act" are English equivalents.
The Latin term has come to be used far more often as a euphemism for a couple being caught in the act of sexual congress; in modern usage the intercourse need not be adulterous or illicit.
Hat tip: Wikipedia
Posted by: Bobby ||
03/08/2007 16:44 Comments ||
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#15
heh heh - some of us rubes are schooled
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/08/2007 16:46 Comments ||
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#17
Not to drag out the finer points of Frank's Latin and all, but shouldn't that (#11) read:
"dyied in the wool muslim"
I mean, in the name of reporting the truth, and all.
Posted by: BA ||
03/08/2007 20:56 Comments ||
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#18
yep - I tried to remain true to the original quote.
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/08/2007 21:50 Comments ||
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#19
by the way, I habla pretty well in conversational mex/spanish, having been born/raised in San Diego, to put another facet on my mischaracterization :-)
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/08/2007 22:04 Comments ||
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#20
I just figured out the died in the wool thingy.
A Canadian judge has signaled her intention to free Mahmoud Jaballah, a man Canadian authorities believe helped relay communications between cells responsible for the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Africa. "The Federal Court judge (Carolyn Layden-Stevenson) yesterday indicated that she was prepared to release Mr. Jaballah from detention on strict terms and conditions," Jaballah's lawyer Barb Jackman said on Wednesday. Well, as long as they're strict about it...
Jaballah was one of five foreign Muslims that Canada arrested between 2000 and 2003, with the intention of deporting them on suspicions of terrorism. Two others have already been freed on bail and a third will soon be released. For those who have been or are being released, the judges have determined that they can neutralize any threat to Canadian security by applying stringent restrictions, such as electronic ankle bracelets and government monitoring of phone calls.
The Supreme Court handed down a decision last month that upheld the security certificates under which the men have been held, but said that it was unconstitutional for them to be detained indefinitely without trial on the basis of secret evidence. Independently of the Supreme Court decision, however, Judge Layden-Stevenson had already been preparing the ground for releasing Jaballah. "I think she's certainly conscious of the judicial trend of releasing the men," said Matthew Behrens, an activist with the group Campaign to Stop Secret Trials in Canada, who has fought the security certificates.
Jaballah, an Egyptian who taught in a Toronto Muslim school, was arrested two weeks before the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. The government told the courts it believed he had engaged in terrorism in Egypt, including serving as a relay between cells of the Egyptian group Al Jihad, particularly those that engaged in the bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in August 1998. It also said he had been associated with numerous participants of terrorist groups.
The Federal Court ruled last October that "a reasonable observer would find grounds to believe that he was, or is, a member of a terrorist group, and of the AJ (Al Jihad)," but that he should not be deported to Egypt lest he be tortured. Jaballah, who denies the accusations against him, is free to leave Canada at any time but he says he was tortured in Egypt before he arrived in Canada in 1996.
Lawyers for Jaballah and the government will return to court on March 22 to go over conditions under which he would be released. Jackman said that Layden-Stevenson had signaled her intention now so that initial steps could be taken, such as checking the Jaballah home for electronic monitoring.
This article starring:
Carolyn Layden-Stevenson
Jaballah's lawyer Barb Jackman
MAHMUD JABALLAH
Al Jihad
MAHMUD JABALLAH
al-Qaeda
Matthew Behrens, an activist with the group Campaign to Stop Secret Trials
#2
I wish, just once, one of these ratba$$$$ds would show his true colors, and frag the judge that released him. I'm sure that would put a stop to releasing jihadis in Canada, and MIGHT wake up a judge or two in the US of A.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
03/08/2007 15:14 Comments ||
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#3
Judicial trends always trump security threats. Fashion is more important than safety.
Posted by: john ||
03/08/2007 16:49 Comments ||
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Two Islamic militant websties have called on Muslims to kill the driver of a Georgia registered vehicle displaying an offensive bumper sticker. On February 28 the "Black Lion" blog, a website run by two American Muslim who support violent jihad, posted the license plate number of a Gwinnett County, Georgia motorist displaying a bumper sticker which read, "Kill em all, let Allah sort em out. A thinly veiled threat encouraging Muslims to find the driver and kill him was also posted.
Another Muslim offended, another death threat issued.
Jawa Report reader "Louise", who found the post, has contacted the Gwinnett County Chief of Police's office but says that they have not gotten back to her. Further, she reports that the person who took her call said, "what do you want me to do about it?" For starters, how about finding the person targetted for death and letting them know that their life may be in danger?!?! Then, how about contacting the FBI, just down the road in Atlanta, so they can open an investigation!?!?
In the meantime, "The Black Lion" blog removed the death threat from their website.
However, another U.S. based militant Islamist website picked up the post and republished it. In a post celebrating the shooting down of an American helicopter in Iraq, a "Join the Caravan" author identified as "Mujahida3001" republishes the earlier threat made by "The Black Lion":
Another blogger who gets few hits per day has e-mailed me and told me of a truck he saw with a decal on it saying Kill em all, let Allah sort em out. He was kind enough to give me the license tag number, too. Georgia tag [tag number is shown in actual post] Gwinnett County
Just thought Id share that with you.
This is baraa [enmity]. If he wants to repeat the quote of one of the crusader generals during the first crusades in Jerusalem, then no, I do not care about his safety. I care about his lack of it. He shouldnt feel any security at all.
So, Muslims, do whatever you can get away with.
Take care and keep it militant. [emphasis mine]
The entire website is devoted to encouraging violent jihad against American citizens. Ironically, the website displays an image of a child wearing the uniform of Hezabollah right next to a post about "Why dirty Shia are not Muslim".
A whois search shows that "Join the Caravan" is hosted by an American company, Wordpress. It is registered to an address in Glendale Heights, Illinois.
The "Black Lion" blog is hosted by a subdivision of the California based internet giant, Google. In the past, Google's blogspot division have refused to take down websites supporting murder and violent jihad on the grounds of "free speech".
#4
Glendale Heights is in DuPage County, which has been experiencing a large influx of "southern Asian" immigrants because of the hi-tech corridor nearby.
I grew up in this area and am amazed at how different it is now, not just in terms of demographics. I found this checking demographics for the area and am really surprised:
#8
Heck, Lawrenceville, GA (in Gwinnett County) has a mosque too. And, like many other suburban areas near major metro cities (Atlanta, in this case), is seeing a LOT of demographic changes. Sure, a lot of it is due to amigos, but there's a lot of SE Asians too.
Not to worry, we're on the outskirts here in Gwinnett. Could get interesting REAL quick if'n the jihadis decide to actually do something. We're not real keen on "outsiders" telling us how to live or threatening us, if you know what I mean. And, there's no "open season" or "bag limit" either, lol!
Posted by: BA ||
03/08/2007 10:11 Comments ||
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#9
we've already had a long series of attacks against our citizenry here stateside. The Twin Towers twice the SUV driver, the two snipers and many others.
I assume that attacks will increase. Perhaps everyone should have an anti-terrorist bumper sticker. VA parking sticker, American flag, and a few other.... ;-)
#11
Muzzies wanting to take on a Georgian truck driver. He'd have them bagged and gutted before they got off their camels.
Better bumper sticker- My Pig Allah, the other white meat.
Agreed. There have been so many Sudden Jihad murders in the United States and still the government is refusing to crack down on the Religion of Pieces.
Prison workers soon might force feed a former university professor who has been on a hunger strike for six weeks to protest his imprisonment for refusing to testify about Palestinian charities, his lawyer said Wednesday.
Sami al-Arian, a Palestinian who taught computer science at the University of South Florida, stopped eating Jan. 22 in objection to a judge's decision to hold him indefinitely because he refused to testify before a grand jury. He has lost more than 40 pounds (18 kilograms) on his water-only diet and is so weak that he needs a wheelchair, said his wife, Nahla al-Arian. "His health is really deteriorating," she said. "We are really worried that there will be permanent damage."
This article starring:
SAMI AL ARIAN
Islamic Jihad
Posted by: Fred ||
03/08/2007 00:00 ||
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Posted by: DanNY ||
03/08/2007 2:53 Comments ||
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#2
his imprisonment for refusing to testify about Palestinian charities
If you only knew what you read in AP reports, you would have to assume the US government is putting him through a terrible ordeal because of his principled stand on behalf of charitable organizations. Oh, the humanity.
Posted by: Baba Tutu ||
03/08/2007 3:09 Comments ||
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#3
Let the traitorous scumbag starve and bury him inside the jail.
Posted by: mac ||
03/08/2007 5:40 Comments ||
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#4
Again, a Muslim proves that their kind reject American legality.
Posted by: Tibor ||
03/08/2007 10:13 Comments ||
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#14
But in a plea bargain last April, al-Arian admitted to conspiring to aid Palestinian Islamic Jihad and was sentenced to nearly five years in prison, although al-Arian received credit for the time he had already served. Al-Arian and his lawyers contend the plea deal also exempts him from testifying before the Alexandria, Va. grand jury, which is investigating a cluster of Islamic charities in northern Virginia.
U.S. District Judge James S. Moody Jr. of Florida disagreed, finding al-Arian in civil contempt for refusing to testify, a ruling that extends al-Arian's prison sentence for 18 months. A judge will also review al-Arian's status every six months and could continue to extend al-Arian's sentence until he cooperates.
So who do you think can hold out longer, Sammy, you or U.S. District Judge James S. Moody Jr.?
My money's on the judge.
#16
Nah, mhw. Seems that FL law allows for "Spam by sling-shot" type feeding, lol!
Posted by: BA ||
03/08/2007 15:14 Comments ||
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#17
Ok, let's have the prison force-feed him. First, cut a LARGE hole in his throat (none of this down-the-nose BS). Then fit a nice 3/8 inch siphon hose down the esophagus. Attach that to a 20gpm pump, pour whatever they're going to feed him (liquified hog-head cheese comes to mind) into a trough, and crank 'er up. When the trough's empty, turn the pump off. Repeat as necessary.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
03/08/2007 15:22 Comments ||
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Posted by: Frank G ||
03/08/2007 16:21 Comments ||
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#21
Frank! Latin and French?
You're referring to force-feeding him like a goose, not feeding him the delicacy, right.
I like the BLT smoothie, myself....
Posted by: Bobby ||
03/08/2007 16:51 Comments ||
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#22
like a goose :-)
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/08/2007 17:05 Comments ||
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#23
Have y'all tried Fried Spam?
cut thin slices longways (Under 1/4 inch thick)
Fry in bacon grease.
dry by placing strips on either 3-4 layers of paper towels. or clean newspaper (Purists, save the paper for firestarter, burns like a torch)
serve as breakfast meat, substitute for bacon or sausage
it's a great change of pace.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
03/08/2007 19:04 Comments ||
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#24
I've got Samoan, Guamanian, and Hawaiian neighbors. The things they can do with Spam are amazing...
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/08/2007 19:06 Comments ||
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#25
I forgot to mention, if you want to save the greasy paper, put it in something airtight, like a coffee can you can seal, not only does it stink, but you'll have to keep your dogs and cats from eating it, it won't hurt them, but they'll make a huge greasy mess.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
03/08/2007 19:10 Comments ||
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#26
lol, Frank G (#24)! Now I'ma beginning to see the origins of your fine Hawaiian shirt wardrobe. Nuttin' like Spam and pineapple, I'd bet!
Posted by: BA ||
03/08/2007 20:51 Comments ||
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#27
#26 lol, Frank G (#24)! Now I'ma beginning to see the origins of your fine Hawaiian shirt wardrobe. Nuttin' like Spam and pineapple, I'd bet!
ROFLMAO! BA thatr waz deadly!
Let's hope thatr Frank has at least one Spam free Hawaiian shirt! most of mine have something on 'em by the end 'O day.
Two top nuclear scientists of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) are currently in Taliban custody. The two were working at PAECs facility in North West Frontier Province. Zee News investigations reveal that the two scientists were kidnapped about six months ago. To avoid international embarrassment Pakistan Government has kept this information under wraps.
According to information available with Zee News, nuclear scientists have been kidnapped by Taliban at the behest of Al-Qaeda. Further investigations reveal that Al-Qaeda may be using the expertise of the scientists to produce nuclear bombs. The two scientists are reportedly being held somewhere in Waziristan, near Afghanistan border.
I was unaware of the Wazibillies' burgeoning nuclear physics industry...
In January this year Pakistan security agencies had foiled another attempt by Taliban militia to kidnap nuclear scientists. Earlier, incidents of Taliban militia stealing uranium in NWFP have already been reported. PAEC also has a uranium mining facility in NWFP.
With repeated Al Qaeda threats to the US, news of kidnapping of nuclear scientists will increase pressure on Pakistan to attack terrorist camps.
Posted by: John Frum ||
03/08/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
jeebus what a fucked up place. [pakistan is no longer a country, it's just a place]
#4
how long before the Taliban are able to place their "nuclear warheads" on the firewood/ducttape/baling wire- reinforced ICBM rockets??? We must act now!
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/08/2007 7:42 Comments ||
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#5
Question: would your run-of-the-mill nuclear scientist -- not nuclear engineer -- be able to construct a working bomb? Follow-up: would a Pakistani-trained nuclear science PhD even be able to properly construct the necessary calculations beforehand?
#7
I'd be more concerned if they were engineers with bachelor's degrees, but still hardly concerned at all. The North West Frontier Province is not exactly Oak Ridge.
#10
It is greatly true that the British empire did course quite some damage to the world, but it was a case of 'you don't want to be part of empire, hey' mahatma ghandi (spelling not sure on) was a great guy, but I believe we the British felt as though, if we leave India in a mess, (wreck the religions, mix the cultures, and divide the country) maybe just maybe they'll want us back... or we'll get the chance to go back.
So don't be too hasty in your judgment of the old Empirical dayz cos now we are going back. Well the US is and for the US this is a big opportunity.
A remote control bomb planted on a motorcycle killed one and injured thirteen others in Sui district on Wednesday. No group has claimed responsibility for the bomb, which exploded at around 1:00 pm in the Sui Colony. The dead man was identified as Shahan Bugti.
Dera Bugti District Police Officer Najam Tareen told APP that 15 people, including two tribal elders and three young girls, were injured in the blast. The explosion took place in Sui town, about 250 km southeast of Quetta, as tribal leader Mohammad Bakhsh Bugti was passing in a vehicle, police told Reuters. It looks like a remote control device planted on a motorcycle, police officer Haider Ali said by telephone.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/08/2007 00:00 ||
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Indian troops shot dead a top Muslim militant on Wednesday in a fierce gun battle near a Kashmir forest, police said, making him the third leading insurgent killed by security forces over the last week. Abu Shaheen, who police believe is chief of the banned Pakistan-based militant group, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, was killed along with another militant jointly by army and police in Kupwara district 87-km north of Srinagar, Kashmir's summer capital. Three soldiers including an officer were wounded in the firefight, police said.
Last week security forces shot dead a senior member of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a militant group accused of masterminding the massacre of 35 Hindus in Kashmir last year. Two day later a senior commander of Kashmir's frontline militant group, Hizbul Mujahideen, was shot dead in the region.
This article starring:
ABU SHAHIN
Harkat-ul-Mujahideen
Harkat-ul-Mujahideen
Hizbul Mujahideen
Lashkar-e-Taiba
Posted by: Fred ||
03/08/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
I've just had a brilliant idea. The young men in Kashmir are mostly jihadis, and of low value to the world. China has a paucity of women. Kill all the men in Kashmir, ship the women to China, and give the ground to India to be filled with Hindus. I'm sure we can get Perv up to 800RPM, at least, by doing that.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
03/08/2007 15:34 Comments ||
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#2
Sorry double check the pic... where's the terrorists military uniform, cos the stuff he's wearing looks like his PJs. Not something for combat
But six may get that chance.
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition Forces killed seven terrorists during an operation Wednesday and captured six others today while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq. Intelligence reports indicated terrorists directing vehicle-borne improvised explosive device operations and the distribution of IEDs and weapons were operating at a targeted location in Mosul.
Coalition Forces approaching the targeted area by helicopter received enemy fire from several vehicles. Coalition Forces returned fire from the helicopter, killing five terrorists. Coalition Forces continued their mission and searched the targeted buildings and found a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, RPG rounds, and assault weapon magazines. They destroyed the weapons cache on the site to prevent further use by terrorists.
After clearing the targeted buildings, ground forces began receiving sniper and machine gun fire from another building. Ground forces returned fire killing two terrorists.
Today, four suspected terrorists with alleged ties to IED attacks were captured in an operation northeast of Karmah. Two more suspects were captured southeast of Al Qa'im in an operation targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq associated weapons dealer.
"Coalition Forces will continue to successfully kill or capture al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists regardless of where they may hide or operate," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.
#2
Capture, get intel, kill them. Lt. Kurilla of Deuce 4 fame got shot up by a guy that was let go twice. We are fighting with our hands tied behind our backs. And we are needlessly burning up good men and women playing with ridiculous ROE that the enemy laughs at.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
03/08/2007 15:22 Comments ||
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#3
What Paul said.
Posted by: Mark Z ||
03/08/2007 17:01 Comments ||
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Coalition forces targeted members of an al-Qaeda network March 2 during an air strike operation west of Taji, Iraq. Intelligence reports indicated that the network is responsible for threats to coalition aircraft. Coalition forces believe key terrorists were killed during the air strike. Several members of the cell, as well as vehicles with anti-aircraft artillery weapons and rounds, were gathered at an area known for terrorist activities. The coordinated air strike at the targeted location resulted in the destruction of the vehicles, as well as the anti-aircraft artillery.
During the operation, coalition forces also targeted another vehicle mounted with anti-aircraft artillery. The strike resulted in the destruction of the vehicle as well as the structure it was parked beside.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/08/2007 00:00 ||
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A suicide bomber killed more than 30 people Wednesday in a cafe northeast of Baghdad, police said. The bomber exploded himself in a restaurant in Balad Ruz, 70 kilometers (45 miles) northeast of Baghdad, an Iraqi police officer said on condition of anonymity. Dozens were wounded, he said.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/08/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
You don't have kube today?! You don't have kube!! Booom!!!
The Israeli army on Wednesday arrested more than 50 members of the Palestinian Authoritys military intelligence service in the West Bank town of Ramallah, Palestinian security officials said. About 100 army vehicles surrounded the military security headquarters, with troops threatening to open fire if those inside failed to leave the building, officials said. No one was hurt in the incident, they added.
Palestinian Military Intelligence Director General Majed Faraj said the army had detained 55 members of his service and five other Palestinians in an adjacent building. Faraj said soldiers had opened fire and launched grenades before entering the building, where they ransacked offices and confiscated assault rifles and pistols he said were the legal property of his force.
The Israeli army said it had arrested 18 wanted men. The army arrested 18 Palestinians wanted for attacks and attempted kidnappings of Israeli soldiers and civilians, an army spokesman said, adding that weapons and explosives were also seized. An Israeli security source said those arrested were using the infrastructure of the Palestinian security services as a base to carry out their operations. The Palestinian Authority knew this and did nothing to fight their terrorist activities, the source said. Palestinian security sources said some of those detained were on a list of more than 400 militants that Israel agreed not to pursue under a 2005 accord.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/08/2007 00:00 ||
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Three suspected Jordanian Islamists appeared in court on Wednesday accused of plotting to assassinate United States President George Bush when he visited the country last year. Nidal Momani, Sattam Zawahra and Tharwat Ali Draz were arrested on November 28, a day before Bush visited Jordan, and later indicted by a military prosecutor on charges of "conspiracy to carry out terrorist plots". According to the charge sheet obtained by Agence France-Presse, the men allegedly plotted to "bomb the US and Danish embassies in Jordan and assassinate US President George Bush upon his arrival to Jordan on a visit."
The document did not provide further details about the previously undisclosed plot, nor did it say why the suspects -- who face the death penalty if found guilty -- chose to target US and Danish interests. The revelations came as Jordan's King Abdullah II, a close Middle East ally of the West, was visiting the United States. Israel on Wednesday also warned nationals who may be visiting regional allies Egypt and Jordan to leave immediately, citing a "very high concrete threat" to their safety.
Bush was in Jordan on November 29 to 30 for a visit dominated by talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on ways of quelling the sectarian bloodshed in Iraq. A Danish newspaper published cartoons of the Muslim prophet Mohammed in 2005, sparking an outpouring of Muslim anger and violence worldwide last year, including anti-Danish protests in Jordan.
According to the charge sheet, Zawahra tried to obtain weapons and explosives to carry out the plan, which was foiled by Jordanian security forces acting on a tip-off. The suspects, all in their 20s, hail from Zarqa, north-east of Amman, and were "bound by friendship and their jihadist" Islamist religious convictions, the charge sheet said.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/08/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
The suspects, all in their 20s, hail from Zarqa, north-east of Amman ...
Hmmmm, seems there was another infamous Zarqa homeboy in the news not too long ago.
Muslim guerrillas fired mortar rounds Thursday on an army camp in a southern Philippine town where they had earlier battled troops, causing no injuries but raising concern over the future of the peace process, officials said.
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas fired about four 81 mm mortar rounds toward the army's 40th Infantry Battalion headquarters before dawn, but missed the target, damaging nearby houses in Salunayan village in Midsayap town, the officials said. The blasts roused villagers from sleep but there was no immediate sign they were about to flee, Midysayap police chief Superintendent Chino Mamburam said.
These rubes are giving mortar gunners a bad name. Mr. Charles would have dropped four rounds down their chimneys and been gone before the last round hit.
Regional army spokesman Lt. Col. Julieto Ando said the guerrillas apparently wanted to avenge the deaths of 17 rebels who were killed on Monday in fierce fighting in Midsayap, triggered by rebel allegations that troops were encroaching on their strongholds. Oh. Well. If it's a matter of Dire Revenge then it's okay...
Muslim rebel spokesman Eid "Lipless Eddie" Kabalu said the guerrillas launched the mortar attack because army troops continued to move into guerrilla positions despite efforts by a government-rebel ceasefire committee to contain days of sporadic fighting. "We're being pushed against the wall," Kabalu told The Associated Press by telephone. "We have no recourse but to fight back." The fighting will not end unless army troops withdraw far from rebel positions, he said.
He claimed some local officials were backing the army incursions because they wanted the guerrillas to leave the predominantly Christian town, 890 kilometers (550 miles) south of Manila. "These people wanted to derail the peace process," Kabalu said. Army officials, however, said troops withdrew from several Midsayap villages Wednesday to avoid escalation of violence with the MILF.
In Yala yesterday, a pick-up truck carrying deputy provincial police commander Narasak Chiangsuk was wrecked by a roadside explosion as he returned from inspecting the scene of a beheading in Muang district.
Sathit Thong-in, 56, a rubber tapper was killed at a rubber plantation in tambon Tasae and his body set on fire. His head was not found. Pol Col Narasak, and a soldier accompanying him were wounded by the bomb blast.
Also in Yala, a married couple were shot dead at a rubber plantation in Bannang Sata district yesterday in another suspected militant attack. The victims were identified as Ayu Masaloh, 50, and Nisoh Tohsoh, 60, both rubber tappers.
A group of about 70 Muslim women and children gather in front of a police station in Narathiwat province Thursday morning to protest authority for arresting a suspected militant.
The protesters, with their face covered, congregate at the Bacho district police station to demand the release of Naruwan Keiji, whom police took into custody on Wednesday for questioning in relations to southern violence. Police earlier confirmed to the protesters that the man was released but they did not believe it so they came out to stage a protest.
Two Sri Lankan policemen were killed and three others were wounded along with a civilian passer-by in two separate attacks Wednesday by separatist Tamil Tiger rebels in the northern garrison town of Vavuniya, the military said. Military spokesman Brig Prasad Samarasinghe blamed the rebels for both attacks. In the first incident, suspected rebels fatally shot a policeman. About three hours later, a roadside bomb exploded near a police jeep, killing one police officer and injuring three others, Samarasinghe said. A nearby civilian was also wounded, he said. One of the injured policemen was in critical condition, local police officer HM Jayathilake said.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/08/2007 00:00 ||
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Some background from Al-Awsat:Israel has denied involvement in the disappearance of former Iranian deputy defense minister, Ali Reza Asghari. Amir Peretz Israels Defense Minister rejected Tehran's claims that Israeli agents were involved in Asgharis disappearance, while today's Washington post has reported the Iranian general willingly defected and is currently cooperating with Western intelligence agencies.
Citing a senior U.S. official, the Post said in its Thursday edition that Ali Reza Asghari, had left his country and was willingly cooperating on information on Lebanon's Hezbollah and Iran's ties to the group.
Earlier this week A source from the Iranian military, who was among the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Beirut since the late 1980s, confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the former Iranian Deputy Defense Minister, is well and that he is being well cared for in a northern European country where he meets for several hours a day with a group of military experts to oversee the completion of a number of controversial issues that the Revolutionary Guard has played a major role in; including the bombing of the marine barracks in Beirut [October 1983] and the destruction of the American Embassy and the French camp in the early 1980s, in addition to a number of security issues and terrorist operations that have targeted a number of countries in the region, and the elimination of various Iranian opposition leaders abroad.
The source also revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Asghari took over the IRGC leadership in Beirut after Ahmed Kanani (who later took control of the IRGC leadership in Tunis and was the former Iranian ambassador in Madagascar), and Hussein Mosleh before him, who is privy to many secrets after spending two years in Lebanon, as well as having visited Sudan, Syria, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The former deputy minister, Asghari, despite the delicacy of his responsibilities in the IRGC and the Iranian Ministry of Defense, has remained distanced away from the spotlight in accordance with his own personal wishes. He enjoyed huge prestige amongst his fellow comrades in the IRGC, which he had presided over. According to a prominent colonel, who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity, he said that he had spent several months side-by-side with Asghari in the battlefields and he confirmed the latters courage and skills.
Regarding the circumstances of Asgharis disappearance in Turkey and the allegations that he has sought refuge in the US, Asharq Al-Awsat has discovered that the former Iranian deputy minister of defense has gone to Damascus, to head a delegation of experts from the fields of military and defense with the purpose of holding talks with officials from the Syrian Defense ministry regarding the establishment of compounds for the production of military equipment in Syria. The visit to Istanbul was not for the officially stated reasons, rather the intention was to meet with a renowned European arms dealer. According to an Iranian diplomat in Istanbul, the arms dealer postponed his departure by a day following a phone call with Asghari.
So that was the cover for his trip. Nice.
For its part, the US has remained silent about the matter. A spokesman from the American State Department told Asharq Al-Awsat that he could not comment on the issue. Likewise, the Iranian government has kept silent about Asgharis disappearance. Iranian top police chief, General Esmaeil Ahmadi Moghaddam stated last Tuesday that it was likely that Asghari had been abducted by Western intelligence services. Moghaddam was quoted in the Iranian Republic News Agency (IRNA) as having said that Asghari disappeared after arriving to Turkey following a special visit to Damascus. He also speculated that the kidnapping involved Western intelligence services because of [Asgharis] former expertise in the Iranian Ministry of Defense, adding that, it was only three days after his arrival in Turkey, and that police investigations reveal that he has not left Turkey. Moghaddam said there was nothing to indicate that Asghari had died or been transferred to hospital.
According to anonymous officials who spoke to the Turkish newspaper, Millet, the Turkish intelligence and police had discovered that Asghari was opposed to the Iranian government and that he holds information regarding its nuclear plan. An official from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity has said that the ministry [Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs] was following the case at Irans request and that there was nothing unusual about it. He said, To us, he is simply a lost regular Iranian person, and added, After the [Ministry of Interior] comes up with a solution, we will relay the information to Iran as part of the diplomatic procedures.
Posted by: Steve ||
03/08/2007 11:31 ||
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#1
A spokesman from the American State Department told Asharq Al-Awsat that he could not comment on the issue.
"...and if I could comment, I'd have leaked it to the New York Times well before you. Nothing personal."
#2
And another S.U.O. talks to FOX: TEHRAN, Iran A former Iranian deputy defense minister who disappeared from Turkey last month is not cooperating with Western intelligence agencies and his whereabouts remain a mystery, a U.S. official told FOX News Thursday. The Washington Post reported Thursday that Ali Rez Asgari, who is credited with founding the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah, was fully cooperating with and divulging information to U.S. and other intelligence services.
However, a senior U.S. official flatly denied the report. U.S. intelligence agencies remain extremely interested in Asgari's case, the official said, but they do not know his current whereabouts. The official did not rule out the possibility that Asgari, who once commanded Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards and served as the country's deputy defense minister, was conducting negotiations with an intelligence organization, but denied that there was any type of cooperation with the U.S.
"I know nothing! Tell them, Hogan."
Posted by: Steve ||
03/08/2007 14:25 Comments ||
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#3
hummm, innocuous out-away nooks in Virgina, surely some RBee knows the territory.
#7
Is that Fred or Dr Phibes at the mighty Wurlitzer, Sea? Too much hair for Fred......
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/08/2007 17:35 Comments ||
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#8
"out away nooks in Virginia" Well there's so many Iranians and Arabs running around out here in the VA countryside, it would be hard to spot a new face.
Posted by: in Leesburg VA ||
03/08/2007 18:01 Comments ||
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#9
"Way out in Virginia"
Mount Weather, anyone? :-D
(BTW, I drove by there once - very innocuous-looking place.)
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
03/08/2007 19:12 Comments ||
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A former Iranian deputy defense minister who once commanded the Revolutionary Guard has left his country and is cooperating with Western intelligence agencies, providing information on Hezbollah and Iran's ties to the organization, according to a senior U.S. official.
Thanks for spilling the info, pal.
Ali Rez Asgari disappeared last month during a visit to Turkey. Iranian officials suggested yesterday that he may have been kidnapped by Israel or the United States. The U.S. official said Asgari is willingly cooperating. He did not divulge Asgari's whereabouts or specify who is questioning him, but made clear that the information Asgari is offering is fully available to U.S. intelligence.
I checked around and this Washington Post story is the only source so far.
Iran's official news agency, IRNA, quoted the country's top police chief, Brig. Gen. Esmaeil Ahmadi-Moqaddam, as saying that Asgari was probably kidnapped by agents working for Western intelligence agencies. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Asgari was in the United States. Another U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, denied that report and suggested that Asgari's disappearance was voluntary and orchestrated by the Israelis. A spokesman for President Bush's National Security Council did not return a call for comment.
The Israeli government denied any connection to Asgari. "To my knowledge, Israel is not involved in any way in this disappearance," said Mark Regev, the spokesman for Israel's foreign ministry.
Asgari served in the Iranian government until early 2005 under then-President Mohammad Khatami. Asgari's background suggests that he would have deep knowledge of Iran's national security infrastructure, conventional weapons arsenal and ties to Hezbollah in south Lebanon. Iranian officials said he was not involved in the country's nuclear program, and the senior U.S. official said Asgari is not being questioned about it. Former officers with Israel's Mossad spy agency said yesterday that Asgari had been instrumental in the founding of Hezbollah in the 1980s, around the time of the bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut. Additional on this:(Reuters) - An Iranian ex-deputy defense minister who went missing in what may have been a Western intelligence operation is best known to Israel as the "founder" of Lebanon's Hezbollah, a retired Israeli spy said on Wednesday. A former official with Israel's foreign spy service Mossad, Ram Igra, said that before Asgari took up the Defense Ministry post he had been a commander with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, the main sponsor of Shi'ite guerrilla group Hezbollah. "In the 1980s and early 1990s, Asgari was responsible for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in Lebanon. This is his real importance, not his connection to the Iranian Defense Ministry," Igra told Israel Radio. "He lived in Lebanon and, in effect, was the man who built, promoted and founded Hezbollah in those years," Igra said. "If he has something to give the West, it is in this context of terrorism and Hezbollah's network in Lebanon." Western strategists have speculated that Tehran could order Hezbollah to attack American and Jewish interests abroad should Washington or Israel attack Iranian nuclear plants to prevent them making bombs. Iran insists its atomic plans are peaceful. Iran has not given a detailed account of Asgari's career. But Iran's police chief said on Tuesday that he may have been kidnapped by Western spies "because of his Defense Ministry background." Hezbollah declined comment on the case.
An Iranian official, who agreed to discuss Asgari on the condition of anonymity, said that Iranian intelligence is unsure of Asgari's whereabouts but that he may have been offered money, probably by Israel, to leave the country. The Iranian official said Asgari was thought to be in Europe. "He has been out of the loop for four or five years now," the official said.
#1
"To my knowledge, Israel is not involved in any way in this disappearance," said Mark Regev, loop excludee the spokesman for Israel's foreign ministry.
#2
One additional item: Menashe Amir, an Israeli analyst of Iranian affairs, said he had information suggesting Gen Asgari's family had been with him when he vanished. "According to part of the information, his wife and children managed to leave Iran before his disappearance," Mr Amir told Israeli Army radio, without providing his sources. "It's very possible that he decided to defect."
But Rasool Nafisi, an Iranian political analyst at Strayer University in Virginia, suggested the disappearance bore the trademarks of the main Iranian rebel group, the Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MEK), which is currently based in a US-guarded military camp inside Iraq. "My guess is that it's the MEK. They have been very active in Turkey for years. According to reports in Iran, the people who interrogated the Iranian diplomats from Irbil [arrested by US forces in January] were MEK."
The MEK is listed as a terrorist group by the US state department, but the Pentagon is reportedly pushing to recruit MEK fighters for clandestine operations against Iran.
Possibly the MEK was used to contact Ali and arrange his and his families defection. Maybe the US military pulled this off instead of CIA?
Posted by: Steve ||
03/08/2007 7:40 Comments ||
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#3
It must really put salt in the wound when it was said the Israeli's did the deal. It may not be true, but it really hurts the Iranians to say so. If we could frame a few Iranians for this defection, then the Iranians would begin to eat their own.
#4
It's been about a month since Mr. Asgari disappeared in Turkey. Surely the most actionable information has already been gotten from him. Anyway, the Persians have now had a few days to bring their nerves to the proper level of excitement, where they can properly appreciate the jolt that comes from knowing, rather than worrying and hoping it isn't true. Not that I wouldn't have minded a longer simmer before bring things to a full boil.
#6
The Israelis through Mossad gathered Intell on Asgari and recognized his vulnerability. They approached CIA and shared this data with their opposite numbers at Langley. Both Mossad and CIA then made the decision to approach Asgari in the most opportune way and make their pitch to him to defect. They then arranged for the family in its entirety to be gathered and removed from Iran by ostensibly plausible ways and means. All these manuevers were co-ordinated and then Asgari himself was extracted and the West had their prize.
Maybe he was "bought", but that wont matter, because however the means used to get him, once you HAVE him you got his balls, and you have his family too.
The Pasdaran are going to really be hurt by this. Asgari is a current sheer goldmine of a mountain of Intell. The CIA and Mossad will share the loot for the next decade. Iran wont be able to stop them from having new aquisitions inside the Pasdaran as well.
The entire Pasdaran network worldwide will be flooded with CIA and Mossad now that a war is brewing. We are gonna get more of them now. Guaranteed.
Asgari has sold everybody he ever met.
Iran's threat of sleeper cells worldwide is going to be as full of holes as a bum's jockeys. CIA and Mossad are going to be racing to get at those cells. This is good for the West and VERY bad for Iran.
If a war starts soon Iran is going to see a whole lot of its powder is wet. We will grab, nuetralize, and turn their overseas networks. Iran will find we run their ops ourselves and have their people either working for us now ...or dead. And they wont know who among their own people to trust. Its an insiders game.
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.
KARACHI, Pakistan - Fugitive Afghan rebel leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar 
More than 160 Shi'ite rebels have been killed in clashes with Yemeni government forces over the past two weeks, a state-run Web site reported on Wednesday, quoting a military official. The figure raises to around 250 the number of rebels officially estimated to have been killed in the sporadic but fierce clashes in the mountainous area of Saada in the north of Yemen since the beginning of 2007. "More than 160 elements of terrorism and sabotage led by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi have been killed in the past two weeks," the Web site, www.26sep.net, quoted the unidentified official as saying.
Prison workers soon might force feed a former university professor who has been on a hunger strike for six weeks to protest his imprisonment for refusing to testify about Palestinian charities, his lawyer said Wednesday. 
A remote control bomb planted on a motorcycle killed one and injured thirteen others in Sui district on Wednesday. No group has claimed responsibility for the bomb, which exploded at around 1:00 pm in the Sui Colony. The dead man was identified as Shahan Bugti.
Indian troops shot dead a top Muslim militant on Wednesday in a fierce gun battle near a Kashmir forest, police said, making him the third leading insurgent killed by security forces over the last week. 
Three suspected Jordanian Islamists appeared in court on Wednesday accused of plotting to assassinate United States President George Bush when he visited the country last year. Nidal Momani, Sattam Zawahra and Tharwat Ali Draz were arrested on November 28, a day before Bush visited Jordan, and later indicted by a military prosecutor on charges of "conspiracy to carry out terrorist plots". According to the charge sheet obtained by Agence France-Presse, the men allegedly plotted to "bomb the US and Danish embassies in Jordan and assassinate US President George Bush upon his arrival to Jordan on a visit."
