Rival Afghan figures have concluded their unofficial discussions in the Maldives with a closing statement saying that more talks will be held. The meeting, attended by 13 members of Afghan parliament and a governor who is also an adviser to the Afghan president, was held at the Paradise tourist resort island for two days.
"It's a slow process. They've released a closing statement from these talks agreeing to have more meetings and not much more," Dan Nolan, Al Jazeera's correspondent, reported from the Maldives at the end of the talks on Saturday.
"The organisers of the meeting said that all 45 delegates will come to the third of these meetings, which is expected to be held by September at the latest."
He said there was no confirmation from the delegates that "they will come back".
"But if they did, then there is potential for some real progress to be made. If nobody comes back, or if some key people don't come back, then that's quite clear that whatever has been discussed has gone back to their relevant power bases, and that those groups or parties are not willing to continue down this pass any further."
Hezbi-e-Islami, Jamaat Islami and Jumbesh Islami were among the Afghan factions whose representatives attended the talks. The Taliban issued a statement saying it had nothing to do with the talks and that those in attendance were no longer part of it.
The meeting was organised by Jarir Hekmatyar, the son-in-law of Gulbudin Hekmatyar, an Afghan regional commander and leader of the Hezb-e-Islami party. Gulbudin Hekmatyar is considered to be one of Afghanistan's most wanted men and only sent his son, Feroz, to represent him.
Mohammed Nasheed, the Maldivian president, said in a statement the meeting had helped bolster peace interest in the region. "Afghanistan's stability affects the peace and security of our region," Nasheed's press secretary said. "The government of Maldives supports efforts to bring a resolution to the conflict in Afghanistan."
The meeting comes before of a grand assembly, or jirga, of Afghan tribal and community leaders, called by President Hamid Karzai scheduled for the end of May. Thousands of people are expected to attend the jirga to discuss the main issues facing the fractious country in the context of Karzai's plans to bring peace and development after more than eight years of war.
Karzai's plan calls for the removal of names of certain Taliban leaders from a UN blacklist and possibly giving them asylum in another Islamic country from where they can engage in talks with the Afghan government.
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/23/2010 00:00 ||
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United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon urged the world community Saturday to support Somalia's government in its effort to restore peace in the chaotic country.
Birds of a feather ...
The U.N. chief spoke at a UN-sponsored conference in Turkey that is addressing security issues in the warn-torn country. Mr. Ban told a U.N. security conference in Turkey that Somalia is one of the greatest crisis regions in the world -- with the international community so far having spent more than $8 billion in aid to the country.
Mr. Ban expressed the need to back up the Somalia's government. "The transitional federal government represents Somalia's best chance in years to escape from the endless cycle of war and humanitarian disaster," he said.
The transitional federal government of President Sharif Sheik Ahmed, set up last year, controls only a small area of Mogadishu with the help of African Union troops. Much of the country is controlled by Islamist rebels.
The U.N. secretary general also urged Somali authorities to demonstrate the will to resolve their internal disputes and unite in fighting the threat of extremism.
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05/23/2010 00:00 ||
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CAIRO - Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif said in comments published on Saturday that he hoped 82-year-old President Hosni Mubarak would seek a sixth six-year term in an election due next year.
"Egypt needs stability, and Mubarak is capable of realising this stability," the state news agency MENA quoted Nazif as saying during a meeting with newspaper editors on Friday. "The system has not put forth an alternative who can be comfortably placed in this field," he added.
"Did I do okay, boss?"
All potential alternatives have been locked up or turned their attention to other pursuits.
Speculation over who will succeed Mubarak, in power since 1981, has increased. Mubarak has not said if he will seek another term, and many Egyptians believe he will try to lever his son Gamal into power if he does not.
But Gamal is a bank executive by training, and has kept in the background running his father's political party rather than playing a role running the country. Besides, he has no sons, only a daughter, which matters in Egypt. The ancient Egyptian Pharohs did a better job preparing their heirs. On the other hand, some years ago the BBC disagreed.
Nazif said Egypt has based its concept of political reform on party activity, but that a lack of development in this area has led to the continued domination of Mubarak's National Democratic Party.
And only the Muslim Brotherhood as serious opposition. Not a promising picture.
"Egypt has always had a dominant party," he added.
Dictatorships are like that ...
Nazif's remarks were also reported in the independent dailies al-Shurouk and al-Masry al-Youm.
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05/23/2010 00:00 ||
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At least I can relate to that argument. "It ain't our war" is different from "we can't afford it." The second case represents a problem that could be overcome. The first represents a repudiation of our efforts -- and possibly a change of sides.
#4
"The problem is that the Afghan troops are not yet ready to take over, and training them up is not something the Afghan government can afford."
How is that possible? It's a warrior culture. They've been fighting each other for centuries. When are the Afghans going to be able to stand on their two feet? Probably never.
Also, we are supporting an opium based society that spreads misery throughout Europe.
It is sad to say, but to me the Afghan people are not worth the money it costs to save them. Just let the Islamic Fascists know that we will still bomb them with alacrity and vigor if warranted. I'm also in favor of UAVs spraying a 21st Century variant of Agent Orange all over those poppy fields.
I would rather we beef up our southern border and help the Mexicans fight their issues. Much more of a threat than the Taliban.
To start with, their prisons are filled to the brim. If they were emptied, it would save the government a huge fortune. And if they were emptied the way I'm thinking, it would also put a serious damper on other crime, saving money on policing.
In that there are probably about 5,000 or so they would never, ever let out of prison, for any reason, that still leaves another 80,000 that could be given uniforms, rifles, and to guard isolated outposts with simple orders.
"Fight off Taliban attacks, or they will butcher you. Your choice."
#7
Pappy, I know that being a warrior is different than being a soldier. However, one would think that some of the skill sets are mutual, and therefore after multi-year training the ANA would have some teeth.
But is that the case? How many more years till they are ready to stand on their feet?
If we had the money, and we didn't have other concerns more pressing, I would say stay there. But we have no money and more pressing concerns in the Western Hemisphere. Too bad we can't sell the problem to the Chinese.
#9
Fielding a truly national army supposes something that still is NOT true in Afghanistan : the idea that the individual is part of a nation. Afghanistan is still a collection of tribes located in an artificial geographic entity, not a nation. That is the biggest roadblock on the path to a national army, and that is another 20-30 year project.
#10
Afghanistan is still a collection of tribes located in an artificial geographic entity, not a nation. That is the biggest roadblock on the path to a national army
Seems to be a feature of many gulf state muslim countries also.
#11
How long did it take for the US to field a quality, federal-level army?
Fielding a truly national army supposes something that still is NOT true in Afghanistan : the idea that the individual is part of a nation
Wasn't true in the US for a good long while either.
One of the most important outcomes from the founding of West Point (US Military Academy) in 1802 was the gradual creation of a national (vs. state) identity in graduates who became important leacers. Coupled in part by the way in which the Academy's graduates spearheaded the creation of roads, bridges and railways across the frontier, this identity took a generation to fully forge. It was tested in the Civil War, renewed and reaffirmed in the reconciliation of grads who fought on both sides, afterwards.
The National Military Academy of Afghanistan was founded in Feb 2005 and admitted its first class later that Spring. After touring Sandhurst and other academies, the Afghans decided to model theirs on West Point. It offers 4 year bachelors degrees, like USMA, and has a carefully chosen mix of tribes among its cadets and faculty.
#12
However, one would think that some of the skill sets are mutual, and therefore after multi-year training the ANA would have some teeth.
Shooting guns, using knives, that sort of thing, represent the "skills in common" you're thinking of. But the drivers are different, which is why a warrior can beat up a soldier in an alley 7 out of 10 times but will lose a military engagement 99.9 percent of the time. The .1 percent is always due to either overwhelming numbers -- Custer's 7th Cavalry "Regiment" had a troop strength of 700 men, if I recall (270 of whom ended up deaders), on the day he decided he wished he'd studied harder at West Point, while Crazy Horse "commanded" something like 3,000 warriors who were probably high-fiving each other before the first shots were fired -- or pure luck: Honorius having Stilicho murdered as the Vandals are about to attack, for instance.
Warriors rely on individual bravery and individual skill with arms: Achilles and Hector type stuff. Soldiers rely on planning and discipline and training to win battles. Soldiers occasionally question orders; when warriors don't like what the chief sez they go find another chief. Soldiers have to train all the time; warriors already know it all.
Posted by: Fred ||
05/23/2010 22:09 Comments ||
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#13
Fielding a truly national army supposes something that still is NOT true in Afghanistan : the idea that the individual is part of a nation
Same thing up to and during nearly all of the US Civil War - most soldiers considered themselves citizens of a state before they were citizens of a country.
Just think of Afghanistan as libertarianism writ large.
WASHINGTON - The U.S. State Department has lifted sanctions against Russia's state arms trader and three other Russian entities it had accused of helping Iran try to develop nuclear weapons.
The United States has been trying to win Russia's support for a U.N. Security Council resolution to expand sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. Russia approved a draft resolution that Washington circulated at the United Nations on Thursday. State Department spokesman Andy Laine said Russia's view on Iran has evolved over time' and noted the country's support for the draft resolution.
We felt confident ... that we could lift these sanctions,' he said.
That's just part of what Putin will have extracted from us ...
Earlier this month, a senior Kremlin official said Russia expected the United States to lift bans on trade with four Russian companies if Moscow backed new sanctions against Iran. Russia has long criticized sanctions against entities accused of selling technology that could help Iran, Syria or North Korea develop weapons of mass destruction or missile systems.
The U.S. State Department said it lifted sanctions imposed in 1999 against the Dmitri Mendeleyev University of Chemical Technology and the Moscow Aviation Institute. Sanctions imposed in 2008 against Russian state arms trader Rosoboronexport also were terminated.
The department also removed sanctions set in 1999 against Tula Instrument Design Bureau. The United States has said it imposed sanctions against the firm for arms sales to Iran and Syria.
The department made public the decision in notices issued on Friday.
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/23/2010 00:00 ||
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SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's defense minister demanded Saturday that South Korea "unconditionally" allow a delegation from Pyongyang to look into the accusation that the communist state mounted a deadly torpedo attack on a South Korean warship in March.
South Korea, citing a multinational investigation, announced Thursday that a North Korean submarine had torpedoed its 1,200-ton warship Cheonan near the Yellow Sea border on March 26, killing 46 sailors.
North Korea immediately denied involvement, warning that it would respond with an "all-out war" if punished for it. It also offered to dispatch an "inspection group" to check the allegation, a proposal rejected by Seoul on Friday.
Kim Yong-chun, minister of the North's People's Armed Forces, told official media that the South Korean refusal to accept the delegation amounts to the "sophistry of a robber."
The South Korean government of Lee Myung-bak "should unconditionally receive the inspection group and clarify the truth in the eyes of the world," the North's defense chief was quoted as saying by the Korean Central News Agency monitored in Seoul.
Kim is a member of the North's 13-member National Defense Commission, the highest seat of power headed by leader Kim Jong-il. He is the highest-ranking North Korean official to be quoted yet in Pyongyang's strenuous denial of involvement in the sinking.
In a message sent to Pyongyang on Friday, South Korea rejected the North's proposal to send an inspection team, saying that its communist neighbor can clarify its position in a meeting of the Korean Military Armistice Commission, a body that oversees the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War.
South Korea says that a multinational team of investigators, backed by "overwhelming evidence" that includes parts of a North Korean torpedo used in the attack, has concluded that Pyongyang was behind the sinking.
On Friday, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Tae-young said North Korea "will pay the price." Seoul and Washington are considering elevating their joint military alert status by one notch. The U.S. maintains some 28,500 forces in South Korea, a legacy of the Korean War.
If the American-led UNC probe concludes that North Korea violated the armistice, it will demand that the Korean Military Armistice Commission take up the issue, South Korean officials said. But the commission has been in limbo since the early 1990s when North Korea unilaterally withdrew from the body after accusing it of being pro-American.
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05/23/2010 00:00 ||
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#3
IMO KIMMIE + BOYZ are all but officially demanding that POTUS BAMMER + ONLY THE BAMMER do something NORTH KOREA.
Read, US MIL RESPONSE AGZ DPRK.
Sub-read, IRAN.
2010-2010/2025 = may prove to be THE DECADE OF US-GLOBAL NUKE-WMDS TERROR, as symbolized by IRAN + MILTERR NUCLEARIZATION 2010-2012.
MORESO IFF POTUS BAMMER = USA IS DEEMED AS LACKING MILPOL RESOLVE IN THE FACE OF A FORMAL ADMISSION OF A HOSTILE MIL ACT AGZ ONE OR MORE MAJOR US ALLIES, IN ASIA ANDOR MIDDLE EAST.
WEST POINT, N.Y. -- President Obama on Saturday offered a glimpse of a new national security doctrine that distances his administration from George W. Bush's policy of preemptive war, emphasizing global institutions and America's role in promoting democratic values.
I seem to recall George Bush working through global institutions even when it was frustrating and not in our best interests. I also remember George Bush promoting democracy around the world. Obama was asleep back then, I guess.
Define "democratic values."
In a commencement speech to the graduating class at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the president outlined his departure from what Bush had called a "distinctly American internationalism." Instead, Obama pledged to shape a new "international order" based on diplomacy and engagement. Like we've been doing with Iran, for instance? And North Korea? And in the Muddle East since 1948?
Obama has spoken frequently about creating new alliances, We don't need no damn Brits. And Aussies are so 1944. And who needs Canucks? They can all be dumped and then we can look for new allies.
and of attempts to repair the U.S. image abroad after nearly a decade in which Bush's approach was viewed with suspicion in many quarters.
Bush was also respected by many who were at the same time suspicious. Whereas Obama doesn't seem to get much respect outside of the MSM.
Unlike Bush, who traveled to West Point in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to announce his American-centered approach to security, Obama on Saturday emphasized his belief in the power of those alliances.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/23/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
In his speech -- the ninth wartime commencement in a row -- the commander in chief, who is leading two foreign wars,
NO NO NO NO NO
2 operational areas in one war. and this CIC is not fighting anything but the will of the people at home.
Posted by: Abu do you love (laptop) ||
05/23/2010 1:46 Comments ||
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#2
Was BO programmed by TOTUS? And what is this new world order? Is that the one where he apologizes for what America stands for and he sucks up to our enemies?
#5
Everyone says the US isn't special, but they're also insistent that _they_ themselves are special. They have a sub-nation they want to be loyal to and patriotic of, but they'll never say that, they'd have to defend it. They're really just another "nation," with more of the faults than usual and none of the virtues, but since they never say they are, they never have to be responsible for their actions.
#7
You have to feel sorry for the graduates. After four years of brutal exams, ruthless discipline, extreme physical conditioning - - - they get to have Obama as their graduation speaker (and boss). Rumor mill had it that the faculty put the word out that they would be taking notes about cadets that didn't clap. Apparently not rigorously enforced as Obama dropped a line from his speech thanking them for their response ...
#8
Read John Hinderaker's take on this speech over at Powerline.
What the WaPo reported versus what was actually in O's speech are 'Not the Same®'. (Surprised?)
Posted by: Mullah Richard ||
05/23/2010 13:30 Comments ||
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#9
Am I thoe only one who doesn't really give a shit what 99% of the other countries think of the US. They love too hate us butwhen the shit hits the fan then guess who they want too help them.
Posted by: chris ||
05/23/2010 14:39 Comments ||
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#10
"I also remember George Bush promoting democracy around the world. Obama was asleep back then, I guess."
Nothing's changed, except the quality of the accommodations. :-(
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
05/23/2010 15:49 Comments ||
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#11
The Kenyan Komrad's komments at USMA were a DISGRACE. Give "The Won" a tele-prompter and a PA system with enhanced echo and compression effects, and Mau-Mau Boy will curl the toes of lefties in orgasmic throes of homo-erotic abandon wurld-wyde!
#12
The Kenyan Komrad's komments at USMA were a DISGRACE. Give "The Won" a tele-prompter and a PA system with enhanced echo and compression effects, and Mau-Mau Boy will curl the toes of lefties in orgasmic throes of homo-erotic abandon wurld-wyde! HE's Hot! (Not)
#14
WMF > OBAMA SPEECH AT US WEST POINT GRADUATION TELLS THAT TERROR ATTACKS AGZ US WILL CONTINUE, INOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY WILL BE KEY TO FUTURE US POWER.
and
NEWS KERALA > OBAMA AT WEST POINT: US NEEDS ITS "WORLD ALLIES" TO FIGHT AND WIN AFGHAN WAR.
#15
ION WMF > CHINA'S STRATEGY OF CREATING POWERFUL ANTI-INTERVENTION "PROHIBITED ZONES" AGZ THE US NAVY/US AIRCRAFT CARRIER WILL FORCE THE ECON TROUBLED US TO INCUR HIGH DEBT AND OPPORTUNITY COSTS TO DEFEAT CHINA. EXPANSION OF ANTI-US/CARRIER "PROHIBITED ZONES" TO THE "SECOND ISLAND CHAIN" AND GUAM BASE, ULTIMATELY TO HAWAII AND US-CANADIAN WEST COAST.
* SAME > MYANMAR GOVT: THE US HAS FAILED TO DEFEAT CHINA'S INFLUENCE AND POLICIES IN MYANMAR [Burma]. HIGH RISK OF US FAILURE [Obama Local, Regional Goals-Policies] IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.
*SAME > CINA'S CURRENT STRATEGIC PRIORITY/FOCII IN THE EAST-SOUTH CHINA SEAS DISPUTES IS CHINA-SPECIFIC NATIONAL, GLOBAL ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND MODERNIZATION. INCREASING WEAKNESS OF CHINA'S "FIVE SEA DRAGONS" [Strategic-Natio Goals + Directives] IN RELATION TO JAPAN + RISING SMALLER REGIONAL POWERS [MilEcon Modernization].
The Obama administration has failed to keep congressional intelligence officials in the loop on the investigation into the botched Times Square bombing, as required by law, the top Democrat and Republican on the Senate intelligence committee charged in a letter this week.
"Having to fight over access to counterterrorism information is not productive and ultimately makes us less secure," wrote Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein and Vice Chairman Christopher S. "Kit" Bond in a letter to President Obama on Thursday.
The senators said the lack of information has "caused serious friction in the relationship of the committee, on both sides of the aisle, and the executive branch."
In the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Times, the senators say U.S. intelligence agencies have repeatedly refused to provide relevant information on the probe into suspect Faisal Shahzad that would allow the committee to conduct oversight activities without hampering the ongoing investigation. Senate intelligence staffers were told that the Department of Justice had instructed the agencies not to convey information on the Times Square plot without its approval, they said.
But a spokesman for the Department of Justice said FBI, Homeland Security Department and counterterrorism officials have conducted several briefings on the incident with various congressional committees, including a May 11 briefing with the Senate Intelligence Committee. Spokesman Dean Boyd said that briefing "was highly classified and no other Senate committee has received a briefing like" that one.
Mr. Boyd also said the Justice Department has not told intelligence officials not to cooperate with lawmakers.
"The Justice Department did not order anyone in the intelligence community to withhold information from the Senate Intelligence Committee in connection with the attempted bombing," Mr. Boyd said. "In fact, when the Justice Department was notified by certain intelligence agencies that they were planning to make calls to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, the Justice Department encouraged those agencies to do so."
In the case of the failed New York City bombing attempt, in which a Pakistani native tried to detonate an SUV in Times Square, the senators said the Obama administration has refused to provide the committee with FBI reports that are widely circulated within the intelligence community. The senators said the "great majority" of their information came through public press conferences and media accounts that sometimes continued inaccurate information.
"In the future, we hope and expect that an individual in the intelligence community will be designated to provide documents and regular, if not daily, briefings to the congressional intelligence committees on matters of high priority and interest so that we are able to discern between accurate and faulty reporting, and conduct our oversight duties," the California Democrat and Missouri Republican concluded.
Sens. Feinstein and Bond said the only exception to the information blackout were phone calls from Michael E. Leiter, director of the National Counterterrorism Center.
Mr. Boyd said the Justice Department is "aware that in cases like this there is often a tension between the need to keep the appropriate Hill committees informed and the need to protect the integrity of the investigation and prosecution. We take very seriously our obligation to prevent ongoing investigations and prosecutions from being compromised, but we also take seriously the obligations of the FBI and other intelligence agencies to keep appropriate committees fully and currently informed."
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/23/2010 00:00 ||
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#5
we hope and expect that an individual in the intelligence community will be designated to provide documents and regular, if not daily, briefings to the congressional intelligence committees on matters of high priority and interest
So far this sounds like a legislative vs. executive tug-of-war. As much as I hate to side with Obama, the legislative branch has a terrible record wrt handling secret information, especially documents.
#10
Hitler, once in power controlled all the information and shut out the rest of the government,typical of a tyrant. Looks like zero is following the MK plan.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
05/23/2010 13:13 Comments ||
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WASHINGTON: Pakistan has lodged an official protest with the United States over the blasphemous representation of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) on a Facebook page, with Islamabad's ambassador in Washington conveying Pakistani sentiments to senior US officials.
The page containing sacrilegious material drew a strong reaction from Pakistan and was removed from the networking website on Saturday morning.
Talking to US Special Representative Richard Holbrooke, Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani expressed the sentiments and strong feelings of the Pakistani government and people over the issue. Holbrooke assured the Pakistani envoy that he understood the Pakistani and Muslim sentiments over the appearance of the images, which were offensive to all, the Pakistani embassy spokesman said.
Sadly, Holbrooke didn't see this as a 'teachable moment' ...
The embassy also sent an official protest to the US Department of State over the blasphemous contest being held on Facebook, saying it had immensely hurt and discomforted the people and the government of Pakistan'.
According to the spokesman, the embassy said the reckless act had enraged millions of Muslims in Pakistan and worldwide. The embassy urged the US government to take effective measures to prevent, stop or block this blasphemous contest immediately', pointing out that according to the laws of commerce and business, Facebook was governed by the legal jurisdiction of the US.
Which is why they weren't blocked here ...
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/23/2010 00:00 ||
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#3
another oppurtunity for Obama too suck up and give in
Posted by: chris ||
05/23/2010 9:37 Comments ||
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#4
how about Pakiland just keep facebook blocked?
Posted by: chris ||
05/23/2010 9:38 Comments ||
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#5
According to the spokesman, the embassy said the reckless act had enraged millions of Muslims in Pakistan and worldwide. The embassy urged the US government to take effective measures to prevent, stop or block this blasphemous contest immediately
The contest isn't the problem...
Besides we have freedom of expression here (as well as freedom of religion).
#6
Geez, for something that so grievously offended the pious, enough of them seemed to take the time to check it out. Did the sight of it's blasphemous images burn their eyes out of their heads?
#7
Why don't they just set up their own internet? Al Gore is free these days now that his "global warming" scam has been outed.
Posted by: regular joe ||
05/23/2010 14:09 Comments ||
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#8
I hate to be harsh, Islamo-dudes, but that's one candy-ass omnipotent deity you got there if He can't stand a little mockery from the infidel. But then again, maybe I'd be a little touchy too if my culture hadn't produced anything of value for the last millennium or thereabouts.
Geez, after 62 years ya might figure these UNRWA idiots might get a clue...
Bethlehem - Ma'an - A group of 30 armed and masked men attacked and set fire to an UNRWA recreation facility on Gaza City's beach front on Sunday, the UN body said in a statement. Who were those masked men?
The location is one of 35 beach facilities under construction, which will form part of UNRWA's annual Summer Games program for over 250,000 refugee children in Gaza, due to commence on 12 June, the statement read. Ahhhh, beach facilities. Might be why none of that rubbble's getting cleaned up.
UNRWA's Director of Operations in Gaza, John Ging, condemned the incident, calling it "vandalism linked to extremism and an attack on the happiness of children." He went on to reassure parents and the children of Gaza that UNRWA will not be intimidated by such acts and will quickly rebuild the location in good time to host the Summer Games' Oh, good...
UNRWA's summer games, conducted for the fourth year with the full support and involvement of the community is the largest recreation program for Gaza's children providing a diversified set of activities including sports, swimming, arts and crafts, theater and drama. "It is of immense physical and psychological importance for children who would otherwise have no other similar recreation opportunity," the statement read. Like shooting each other when they play with the family AK...
The security guard at the construction site said the masked gunmen handcuffed him before they threw him out and began torching tents and destroying billboards and water tanks. Then they gave him a letter demanding that he passes to police detectives. I tried to stop 'em, I tells ya, but they wuz on me so fast!
The letter, according to the guard, threatens to harm Ging and two other UNRWA employees. They painted three bullets, indicating that all three people will be shot,' he said. Geez, and after all ya done for them too, huh, John? Ungrateful bastids!
In a separate statement, an apparent far-right group calling itself Refugee Rights said the Summer Games 2010 cost 20 million US dollars and would teach Palestinian school girls to swim, dance, and other "impudent practices." Well...we can't have that!
The group further alleged that international employees in Ging's office receive salaries up to 20,000 US dollars per month "which is equal salaries of 30 local Palestinian teachers at UNRWA schools.' They described that as waste of money which belongs to the Palestinian people. Who the hell would go to Gaza for 20 grand a year?
We appreciate UNRWA services as evidence that the international community has responsibility towards the Palestinian people who are still denied return to their homeland. However, we announce refusal of some policies and decisions taken recently by the administration of the UNRWA in the Gaza Strip. Of most importance was the intermingling of boys and girls at school under the pretext that girls have better capabilities,' the statement added. Goats, maybe. But not yucky girlz!
The group further said it denounced UNRWA's scheme allowing Palestinian students to visit foreign countries "because this is normalization with Israel since those students meet with Israeli or Jewish students abroad." Eeeewwwww...joooo cooties!
The Hamas government condemned the attack on the UNRWA site, vowing to pursue the perpetrators. Hey, Mahmoud? Were you in on this?
Why? Who wants to know?
De facto government spokesman Tahir An-Nunu told reporters that the government was disappointed with the statement issued by Refugee Rights threatening to harm UNRWA officials, applauding Gings efforts to end the siege on Gaza and UNRWA's decades of support for the Palestinian people. C'mon, guys. If he wasn't an infidel, he'd almost be one of us.
However, the Gaza-based Interior Ministry described UNRWA's statement as an "exaggeration" of the damage caused in the incident, asking the UN body to "check well before releasing overstated comments." Yeah, Johnny, it wuzn't so bad. Hit up your bosses in NYC for a few more bucks to replace it all and shut up. Like you always do.
#2
"Who the hell would go to Gaza for 20 grand a year?"
um...The article says 20 grand A MONTH !!
But still its the usual charade.
Me thinks they didn't have enough money to deliver as promised so this even was staged in order to get more bleeding-heart-liberals money flowing in to Paliland.
If all 'refugee' aid was cut of to Paliland, hamas would fold like a paper tent in a windstorm.Then real 'peace' could be achieved.
Posted by: Mike Hunt ||
05/23/2010 14:31 Comments ||
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Bethlehem - Ma'an/Agencies - Nearly sixteen months after an Israeli offensive caused widespread destruction to the Gaza Strip, approximately three quarters of the coastal enclave's buildings and infrastructure have yet to be repaired, a UN report issued Sunday said. So...tell them to get off their lazy asses and fix it.
The report from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), produced in partnership with the Gaza-based Engineering and Management Consulting Center, estimates that another 527 million US dollars will need to be spent to reconstruct all the buildings damaged during Operation Cast Lead, which took place in December 2008 and January 2009, the UN's official news agency reported. Ummmmm...no thanks.
About 173 million US dollars have already been provided through compensation and grants to carry out mostly small-scale repairs, according to the report, One Year After, which was issued Sunday. Those repairs have often been conducted using recycled rubble and other materials brought in from Egypt via cross-border tunnels because of the Israeli blockade of Gaza imposed in 2007 following Hamas' takeover, leading to a ban in construction material. 173 million for small scale repairs using recycled junk? What's a tradesman make over there, 100,000 an hour? Or could it perhaps be in some Hamas Swiss bank account? For "safe keeping". So nobody steals it.
The report which focuses on both early recovery and reconstruction needs says educational facilities such as schools are among the categories of buildings hardest hit since the offensive. More than 82 percent of such facilities remain unrepaired or unreconstructed, the news site reported. I'll bet the mosques are up and running...
Private homes are also affected, with almost none of the 3,425 homes that were destroyed in the conflict having been reconstructed. An estimated 75 percent of agricultural land and premises and 60 percent of private businesses are also still damaged, the report says. They'd like to fix it, but seething takes up most of their time...
But the report notes that Gaza has been assisted by 151 million US dollars given by donors in the form of job-generation schemes, food aid and other projects, the news site reported. Metal shop worker, tunnel designer, foot wound specialists...
Gaza also experienced a degree of economic recovery' last year, with a fall in unemployment rates, a rise in the number of operating industrial facilities as well as continued informal trade through the tunnels, according to the report. Growth sectors? Metal shop worker, tunnel designer, foot wound specialists...
However, the sustainability of this limited recovery is questionable,' the report states, citing the declining purchasing power of the estimated 1.5 million Palestinians living in Gaza and their dependence on outside aid. Yeah, we all know what that means. Hold on to your wallets...
#4
Gaza is like one of those salt-water aquariums that need a huge amount of money and maintenance, where the fish are always eating each other and every so often, one of them jumps out and bites an innocent passerby.
TEHRAN - Reformist former president Mohammad Khatami has reiterated a call for a free election, ahead of the first anniversary in June of the disputed presidential poll, a pro-reform website reported on Saturday.
Moving towards free and healthy elections as demanded by the spirit of the revolution is what the people want,' the opposition supporter was quoted as telling academics in a speech.
Parlemannews.ir said he made his comments as a part of his solution for the problems of the past year.'
Prisoners would be freed, creating a safe and free atmosphere within legal boundaries which would include having a free press and allowing gatherings and political parties,' Khatami was quoted as saying.
At the start of the new Iranian year in March, he called for preparing the ground for healthy elections.'
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/23/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
What's this guy's deal. I don't recall him being worried about any 'free election' when he was prez.
BRASILIA - Brazilian officials said Saturday that a significant portion of the nuclear fuel swap deal with Iran brokered by Brazil and Turkey contained provisions suggested by US President Barack Obama.
The Obama administration is leading an effort to slap a fourth round of UN sanctions on Iran for its continued defiance of international demands to halt uranium enrichment and be more transparent about its civilian nuclear program, which the West and its allies say is a cover to produce nuclear weapons.
But a deal brokered this week by Brazil and Turkey to ship half of Iran's low enriched uranium (LEU) to Turkey for a swap with reactor fuel recognizes Tehran's right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, according to a joint declaration carried by Iranian media.
And leaves the other half for enrichment to bomb-grade ...
That plan contains to a great extent' details outlined in a letter Obama sent to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva two weeks ago, a Lula spokesman said, declining to provide any further description.
Top Brazilian officials confirmed the existence of the letter earlier this week.
Brazil and Turkey have urged the other members of the UN Security Council to hold off on voting on sanctions until Iran formally notifies the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of the deal on Monday.
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/23/2010 00:00 ||
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Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani warned on Saturday that Iran would not abide by the agreement to send much of its enriched uranium to Turkey for further enrichment, if the G5+1 powers negotiating with Iran over its nuclear program do not approve it in its entirety.
If the powers: the US, UK, France, Russia and China seek to lay any further conditions on Iran beyond those negotiated with Brazil and Turkey, Larijani said, Teheran would withdraw from the deal.
"It will not be compatible with the Teheran Declaration if they have extra demands and pursue deception," he was quoted as saying by Australia's Herald Sun.
Deputy Parliament Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar said earlier on Saturday, Iran would abandon the fuel deal if the UN Security Council approves the fourth round of sanctions against Iran currently under consideration.
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/23/2010 00:00 ||
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SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Saturday it named a senior 61-year-old diplomat to head its embassy in Iran, a Middle Eastern country long accused of joint nuclear and missile development with Pyongyang. Jo In-chol, who previously served as ambassador to the Philippines and Thailand, was appointed in a parliamentary decree, the official Korean Central News Agency said in a brief report.
Information on Jo was scarce. He headed a department in charge of protocol at the North's foreign ministry for over two years until his latest appointment. A graduate of a top North Korean language institute, he accompanied the communist state's nominal state head, Kim Yong-nam, when he visited Bangkok in 2002 to forge a trade agreement.
Iran and North Korea set up diplomatic relations in 1973.
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Nobody's better at tying things up in red tape when they want to then New York City.
The plan to build a mosque two blocks from Ground Zero may have hit a snag, due to an over 20-year pending landmark status.
The American Society for Muslim Advancement purchased the 152-year-old building at 45 Park Place last year for $4.8 million. Their controversial plan to tear down the building and construct a 13-story mosque and community center has had many critics who feel it's disrespectful to those lost during the September 11th attacks.
A 1989 decision by the Landmarks Commission to propose the landmark status of the building may now prevent the building from being razed and the $100 million mosque from being constructed.
The building is located on a site once owned by Columbia College, and is "a prominent example of the store and loft structures that dominated the drygoods warehouse districts of Lower Manhattan," said Elisabeth de Bourboun, the Landmarks Commission's Director of Communications. It was was one of a handful in Tribeca that were proposed as individual landmarks and heard in the 1980s, but not designated, explained de Bourbon.
"These buildings were part of the community requests we received in the 1980s to designate the four Tribeca historic districts," she said. "The commission held a public hearing on a proposal to landmark the building in September 1989, and has taken no formal action since then."
The building was converted to a discount clothing store in the late 1960s, and was most recently leased to Burlington Coat Factory.
The Landmarks Commission plans to hold another public hearing in the future, although a date has not been scheduled. Looks like you tipped your hand too early, assholes...
#1
Now wait, Burlington coat factory owns it? Hot damn, I thought the muzzies owned it. Time for a bit of civic action here. Start emailing the Burlingtom coat CEO and ask him why he supports those who support terrorism. Havethem take it off the market.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
05/23/2010 12:28 Comments ||
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#2
oops my bad, burlinton leases it, not owns it. DAMN!!!
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
05/23/2010 12:36 Comments ||
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#3
The society does own it. Rauf laid down the 4.8 mil in CASH. Wonder where that came from?
...the prospect of the community becoming a host to misogyny, weapons storage, illegal immigration, terrorist literature distribution, and all the other features of Mosque life that make this religion so unique [should deep-six this decision], DBKP
#7
IIRC 2007-8? MSM-NET > SAUDI ARABIA repor will not allow CHRISTIAN CHURCHES, etc. to be be built in or around Muslim Holy Places + SA unless the VATICAN formally acknowledges Mohammed [Koran-Quran]as a de facto DIVINE PROPHET-SERVANT + MESSENGER OF GOD???
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.
Bethlehem - Ma'an/Agencies - Nearly sixteen months after an Israeli offensive caused widespread destruction to the Gaza Strip, approximately three quarters of the coastal enclave's buildings and infrastructure have yet to be repaired, a UN report issued Sunday said. 
