About 100 U.S. soldiers, accompanied by 50 Afghan fighters, are scouring the rugged mountains in an area where a former Taliban official says Osama bin Laden maintained several hide-outs. The little-publicized operation is underway in Kunar province, north of Jalalabad along the Pakistan border. First word of the operation came Tuesday, when U.S. officials at Bagram air base said American forces came under mortar fire in Kunar but suffered no casualties. I wonder if the Paks actually getting some of their guys shot will make them a bit more diligent in their coordination with the Merkins?
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 09:44 am ||
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Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said US President George W. Bush's outline for Middle East peace represented "unimaginable iniquity and injustice" toward the Palestinian people. Khamenei was commenting on President Bush's Monday speech promising support for the creation of a Palestinian state in exchange for the Palestinians dumping their leader, Yasser Arafat. "Yeah. Doing away with endemic corruption and brutality, instituting a court system, and allowing people a say in who bosses them around is unimaginable..."
In that speech, Khamenei said, the Palestinian people were "stripped of all their basic rights and labeled as terrorists," while the Israeli government, "which has recourse to all the means of force and repression, was presented as a victim. "That is an unimaginable iniquity and injustice," he said in remarks to top-level judicial officials quoted by state radio. Actually, many of us find it pretty easy to imagine. Just close your eyes and think of your daughter going to a disco and being killed by a boomer... Oh. You'd kill her before she left home. Oh, well.
"Perhaps you can fool international public opinion with this kind of propaganda for awhile, but not for long," Khamenei added. "The recent popular protests across the world, even in the United States, are manifest proof of that." In the U.S.? Oh, those guys! Y'see, we don't kill our fifth columnists on suspicion. We let them make fools of themselves. Unlike Iran, I might add.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 09:44 am ||
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Popular protests? Oh, he must be referring to the moral guiding lights, Ed Asner, Susan Sontag, et al, who wrote that "Not In My Name" screed...the Baldwin Brothers couldn't participate as they were too confused by the title....
Posted by: Frank G ||
06/27/2002 15:51 Comments ||
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Iraqâs Foreign Minister, Dr. Naji Sabri said that the Islamic peoples were exposed to âdangerous cultural, economic and political challenges which threaten their nationality and securityâ. Especially Iraq...
The Islamic world, according to Iraqâs top diplomat, is the âfirst victimâ of the latest changes in international relations, especially following the September 11 attacks. Sabri urged the Islamic Conference Organization to exert efforts to achieve solidarity, cooperation and unity amongst Islamic countries and to confront foreign challenges, the Iraq News Agency reported Thursday. "Yeah. Us devout Muslims wouldn't want to see any of our member states tromped flat by Merkins, would we? Would we?
He also called for âresisting interference in internal affairs of any countryâ as well as ârejecting the use of forceâ. He called for affirming principles of justice and equality in international relations, which must be established according to International Law and the U.N Charter, which call for the respect of sovereignty and the rejection of aggression. "I mean, it's not like we have the Fourth Largest Army in the World anymore, and we haven't gobbled up any neighboring countries in almost ten years..."
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 01:54 pm ||
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Films are being screened at cinemas and houses of culture in Pyongyang and local areas during the June 25-July 27 month of the anti-U.S. joint struggle. Among them are documentary films "the fatherly leader with anti-Japanese revolutionary fighters," "the fatherly leader with servicemen" and "holding the great brilliant commander in high esteem" (serials). The films show the great personalities of President Kim Il Sung, who led the revolutionary wars against the Japanese and U.S. imperialists to victory, and leader Kim Jong Il, who has glorified the dignity and honor of the country and nation with his Juche-oriented army-based leadership. Other films show the army and the people of Korea humbling the pride of the U.S. imperialists who boasted of being "the strongest" in the world and honorably defending the independence of the country and the gains of the revolution. Typical of them are documentary films "The Fatherland Liberation War" and "The U.S. Imperialists, Sworn Enemy of the Korean People" and feature films "Defenders of Height 1211" and "Wolmi Island." Hey! Wait! Don't rush off yet! I'll make some popcorn...
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 10:23 am ||
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Okay, it's not actually popcorn, its acorns and rocks, but when you're heating it it kind of sounds like popcorn..
In response to the proposal by President of Chechen Republc of Ichkeria Aslan Maskhadov to stop military operations since July 15 and start the negotiations between the two sides, Moscow responded with traditional inconsistency and contradicting statements. Maybe opinion's not unanimous?
Sergei Yastrzhembsky let everybody know that the Kremlin allegedly does not see any obstacles for contacts between Aslan Maskhadov's representative and representatives of Moscow. «You shouldn't force an open door», - Yastrzhembsky stated. «Nobody prevents Mr.Zakayev from getting in touch with Mr.Kazantsev on the conditions designated in the well-known statement of President of Russia», - Putin's assistant explained. "Okay, so we'll talk. Start talking, Aslan."
Russian Defense Minister Ivanov holds quite another point of view. He totally excludes the possibility of any negotiations. «The kind of documents seized from the militants enables us to firmly state: negotiations with Maskhadov can only be conducted if he puts his hands up and a prosecutor will converse with him. That's the only possibility for the negotiations», - as Ivanov told journalists in Moscow. "We've talked before. He's a lying sonofabitch and we've iced his right-hand thug and he's got nothing left to trade. Maybe we don't want to talk. Maybe we don't need to talk!"
The Russian Defense Minister told about a successful special operation, in which the headquarters of Aslan Maskhadov were allegedly destroyed and an attempt to attack the Chechen capital was prevented. So Aslan's house is burned down, his private papers collected, along with Khattab still being dead. And if they got Aslan's house before he had time to get his papers out, that means they probably came close to burning Aslan down along with his house. That could have something to do with why he wants to hold talks.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 10:36 am ||
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Intelligence and law enforcement agents from Britain, Yemen and other countries have questioned citizens detained at Guantanamo Bay in part to help U.S. investigators. "Ooooh, I get by with a little help from my friends..."
The delegations also have asked the prisoners about their treatment and delivered letters from relatives to the U.S. naval base in eastern Cuba. But officials interviewed Tuesday and Wednesday make clear that a major thrust of visits over the past five months has been to gather information from prisoners detained in the U.S. war on terrorism. Might be a little teeny tad of self-interest in there, too...
Intelligence agents from Yemen questioned detainees last month, said Yahya Alshawkani, deputy chief of that country's mission in Washington. "This is helpful for us to check the background of the detainees, and check the background of their friends, who they know in Yemen," he said in a telephone interview Wednesday. He said the prisoners were asked "general information," such as when and why some had gone to Afghanistan. "You, know, just to see if anybody's planning on exploding in Sanaa or something..."
Officials say there are 69 Yemenis among the 564 detainees from 39 countries, who are accused of belonging to the al-Qaida terrorist network or Afghanistan's fallen Taliban regime. Other countries that have sent delegations to Guantanamo include Bahrain, Britain, Spain, Denmark and France. Officials said at least one U.S. official was present during all sessions. American authorities say information gleaned from detainees has helped uncover potential terrorist threats, though they decline to discuss specifics about the interrogations. But don't worry. Somebody in Congress will, we're sure.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 10:33 am ||
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Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JIP) has rejected the proposed constitutional package, terming it an attempt to severely undermine the political system. Qazi Hussain Ahmad said that the announcement of such packages was unnecessary, especially at a time when the nation required unity among its ranks. He said that joint electorate was an attack on the ideological basis of the country. He said no person had the power to amend the Constitution under the Law of Necessity. He said that already public opinion is well known about the powers of President and Prime Minister and how to balance them. Poses a dilemma, doesn't it? You rant, rave, bully, cajole and bribe, and finally you get control of Pakland's Islamoparliament — and then you find out some general can toss you for corruption, just when you've grabbed the boodle.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 09:44 am ||
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Pakistani police and FBI agents detained eight people, including three Palestinians and two Sudanese, as part of the investigation into the deadly bombings at the U.S. Consulate and a hotel in southern Pakistan. The detainees were the latest foreigners apprehended in connection with the attacks, which officials suspect were the work of Islamic militants possibly aided by al-Qaida. Seems like a logical guess, since they've claimed credit...
In the first raid Wednesday, police and the FBI late in the afternoon rushed a group of men who had gathered in the parking lot at Karachi's airport. Police detained two Sudanese nationals, one Palestinian and two Pakistanis and seized seven satellite telephones, a police official said. One of the group was calling on a satellite telephone during the raid. It was unclear if the group had just arrived at the airport, was planning to leave, or was using the open space of the parking lot for a clear phone signal. "Hello? Mahmoud? Hey, this is Abu Salaam. We just got in from Khartoum, buddy. Thought you were gonna have somebody here to help us with these arms and ammunition?"
Several hours later, police raided a house in the All Fallah district about a half-mile from the airport and detained two more Palestinians and one Pakistani, police said. Three more satellite phones, two mobile phones, two laptop computers and several computer discs were seized. The suspects were taken to an undisclosed place for questioning. "Abu? Abu? There's something wrong with your signal. Your voice sounds all funny... Oh. Hello, officer! Heh heh."
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 09:44 am ||
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Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Qazi Hussain Ahmad has condemned the reported skirmishes between Al-Qaeda people and Jawans of Pakistan Army in Waziristan which claimed ten lives on the part of Pakistan army. "We are against any kind of armed resistance against the armed forces of Pakistan," he maintained adding that the unpleasant episode of killings on the part of Pakistan army resulted from the imprudent policies of the government. He warned that the enemy was set for effecting clash between the people of Pakistan and its armed forces. Qazi Sahib appealed for calmness and sanity as any backlash may help flourish the enemy plans to create unrest in the country. Loosely translated from the original Urdu, Qazi actually said: "ARE YOU GUYS OUTTA YER BLEEPIN' MINDS?"
Picking an actual fight with the army â the guys with the heavy artillery, remember â is a fine way for certain Holy Men providing not-so-covert backing to the guys with the light artillery to wake up one morning to find their madrassahs surrounded by large men with moustachios of tetchy temper. This would not be a Good Thing, regardless of the number of street riots other, surviving, Holy Men might organize in fond remembrance.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 11:23 am ||
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Qazi ain't no Gandhi. He was jailed from Nov 3, 2001 until Feb 27, 2002 for breach of release conditions that were imposed after he was charged for inciting violence against the Indian PM. For those who do not know: both the Islamic Society of North America and the Muslim Students Association are dependent wings of Qazi's Jamaat-i-Islami.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday unveiled a series of constitutional amendments to arm himself with the power to sack elected governments and to provide a permanent role for the army in the country's power structure. Claiming that the amendments were aimed at establishing a sustainable federal democracy, Information Secretary Syed Anwar Mahmood told a news conference that the form of government remained entirely parliamentary with the executive authority of the state unambiguously vested in the office of the prime minister. But the proposed amendments would empower the president to relieve the prime minister and the Cabinet if the president felt that they were responsible for serious abuse of authority or failure to check corruption or compromise on national security interests or violation of the constitution. Another controversial amendment proposed to be introduced by Musharraf is the formation of the NSC by making the entire top brass of the military its members. This is what has Qazi's cork popping today — not that his cork doesn't pop over something nearly every day.
It's pretty obvious what Perv wants to do: Pakland has shown its parliamentary system to be unstable and susceptible to boodle-grabbing by whichever party's in power. The presidency's been a figurehead office, with the real power lying with the PM, except when the military steps in, dissolves parliament and/or chases the current bunch of crooks out of the country. Strengthening the presidency to make the PM serve "at the pleasure of" same institutes a check on that power.
Now, Pandora obviously has lots of goodies stored in that box along with the presidential power avenue. The potential for abuse by the president is pretty obvious, so there will arise later needs for checks on that power. But this does address the most obvious shortcoming in the system. The fact that the fundos are against it is an indication that they can see the potential for introducing some stability, which is to their detriment; a stable system's more difficult to persuade people to topple and replace with a khalifate. The fact that PPP and PML-N are against it is an indication that they don't like the idea of an outside power being placed between them and the boodle; both parties have shown a near breath-taking affection for corruption during their periods of power.
Institutionalizing the military's involvement sounds like jobs for Perv's old army buddies, but it also recognizes the reality of the military stepping in when the civil government gets too seedy and incompetent. There's also the potential to set up a praetorian guard situation with this measure, as long as they're doing the Caesarism thing. It'll be interesting to watch how this one plays out, assuming he can get it through.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 12:01 pm ||
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Reliable intelligence sources are reporting that FBI and U.S. intelligence agency officers have been trying to infiltrate certain tribal areas of Pakistan, in order to locate Arab and Taliban Mujahideen. One source reported that these intelligence officers were flown into Kohat, one of Pakistan's tribal regions, earlier this month. Isolated, primitive, and brutal. Great place for al-Qaeda and Taliban tough guys to hang out...
In what seems to be a rather bizarre strategy of the 'advanced' U.S. intelligence machine, it is believed that these intelligence officers have disguised themselves as Muslim preachers, locally known as 'Tablighi Jamat'. They were initially spotted in the Tablighi Jamat centre in Kohat. These men could possibly be hypocrites [non-wahhabi, maybe even non-Sunni Muslims] from the region, for they reportedly speak Urdu and Pashtu fluently and have long beards, or they may be very well trained U.S. intelligence officers. These groups of preachers have been seen in the tribal regions of Orakzai Agency and Kuram Agency as well as Kohat, where they have been asked to go on 'Tashkeel' which is a principle that means to go out and preach to the people in certain areas. 'Nother words, it gives them an excuse to move around the countryside...
It is believed that these men will be visiting remote tribal regions, where they will be able to gather useful intelligence regarding suspected Arab Mujahideen hideouts together with information about their families, which are reportedly scattered throughout Pakistan and other bordering countries. We pray that Allah keeps the Mujahideen and their families safe and sound from the deceptive ploys of the oppressors and enemies of Peace and Justice in the world. I have a vision of Agent Joe Starchedshirt with his false whiskers and his Urdu phrasebook, trying to pass as a wild-eyed, spittle-spewing preacher. It's a lot more likely the preachers, if they're agents at all, are native ISI or military intel.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 12:20 pm ||
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I thought the CIA didn't have many (any?) agents who spoke Urdu and Pashtu?
Sounds more like paranoia to me. Unless it's the muslim version of the men in black...
Islamic Bad Guys blew up an army vehicle and hurled a grenade into a crowded market in the troubled Indian state of Jammu-Kashmir on Thursday, killing three soldiers and injuring at least 25 people, police said. The crazed killers attacked the army vehicle in Chandanwari, about 70 miles south of the city of Srinagar, according to a police officer. The market was attacked in the nearby city of Anantnag. Among the injured were 20 civilians and five paramilitary soldiers.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 05:09 pm ||
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Hindu and Muslim leaders on Wednesday vowed to amicably resolve a decades-old dispute over building a temple on the ruins of Babri mosque in Ayodhya. The communities are locked in a bitter political and legal battle for ownership of the land, which is now under court protection. It's been a knotty problem for some time now. I wonder what the problem has been...?
A group of local Hindu priests and Muslim leaders met in Ayodhya on Tuesday and demanded the VHP be banned. Hindu seer Gyan Das accused VHP leaders of trying to manufacture distrust between Hindus and Muslims in India with its temple construction campaign. "We do not want the VHP to meddle in the temple issue. We want a ban on them," Das said. On Wednesday, the monks and Muslim clerics formed a committee -- the All Religion Harmony and Protection Committee -- to look into ways to solve the dispute. Hindu leaders said that they were determined to ensure that no senior VHP members came to Ayodhya. "What is their business here when the two communities have decided to abide by the court orders to resolve the issue peacefully?" said Das. Mohammed Yunus Siddiqui, chairman of the Babri Masjid Action Committee, the panel that heads the movement for reclaiming the site for the Muslims, took part in Tuesday's meeting which he said was a significant event. "It was the first such meeting that has taken place and now we are going to meet regularly," Suddiqui said and added "It is the VHP who have played an unwanted role creating tension between the two communities and that is why we believe that this outfit should be banned." Bravo to both sides in the discussions. Of course, that means they're going to be swarmed by RSS brownshirts at the first opportunity and adherents of one or the other side are going to be beaten up. But that's the problem they're talking about, isn't it?
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 05:44 pm ||
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Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi urged European Union leaders on Saturday to hold talks with their African counterparts on a joint strategy to stem illegal immigration. Gaddafi warned the EU only more development projects will help hold back a "black invasion of Europe" by illegal immigrants. "We are honest with you in telling you that no state in North Africa will volunteer to guard the gate of Europe free of charge, because the region itself is invaded by illegal migrants from sub-Sahara Africa and it has no control over this immigration," Gaddafi said in a letter to EU leaders. Sounds like "Give me money, or we'll find out just how tolerant you bastards really are..."
Thousands of illegal immigrants travel to Europe from North Africa, mainly through Morocco to Spain and Tunisia to Italy. Blaming countries "from which migrants arrive in Europe will be useless, as these states are powerless to control immigration", Gaddafi said. Sounds like they're powerless to do much of anything. It must be terrible not to be able to influence the actions of your own citizens. It must be even worse not to be able to give them jobs and education, so they have to go finding other places that will.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 09:44 am ||
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A brigadier in the Algerian intelligence authority was found dead Monday in Tezi Uzo, the capital of the Berber tribes area, which has been experiencing political disorder during the past year. The victim was stabbed several times in the neck on Saturday night in his house by unidentified men. It is unknown as of now if they belong to Islamist groups, which are usually blamed for assassinations of security personnel. Usually it's them or jealous husbands or both...
The daily also questioned "why it took security forces so long to discover the disappearance of an officer (of) such a high rank... 24 hours after his assassination in an area considered a center of terrorist operations." Didn't find him until he started to stink. If he'd had air conditioning, it coulda been weeks...
The assassination of the officer in charge of operations in the military leadership in the area coincided with the fourth anniversary of the killing of the famous political Berber singer, whose family accuses authorities of his death on June 25, 1998. Guess we can add indignant survivors to the list of possible suspects.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 11:26 am ||
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Israel cannot spare any effort to foil, prevent or delay the attainment of weapons of mass destruction by states like Iran, Iraq, Syria and Libya, the head of Israel's Mossad said Wednesday in a rare speech. Speaking to a meeting of NATO's North Atlantic Council in Brussels, Mossad chief, Ephraim Halevy, warned that Islamic terrorism as a whole, and suicide attacks in particular, pose a "formidable threat" to NATO member states whose "Muslim communities are rapidly developing and increasing in numbers and influence." Halevy took the opportunity to harshly criticize Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, who he said signs "an agreement with a view to violating it the moment circumstances would permit." The Palestinian leader is also maintaining his "traditional link" with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Halevy was quoted as saying by Haaretz. Ummm... That sounds about right. So why hasn't Mossad caused him to have a "heart attack" yet?
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 05:11 pm ||
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A military court on Wednesday convicted a Tunisian of terrorist activities linked to al-Qaida and sentenced him to eight years in prison, attorneys said. It was the second conviction for Jaber Trabelsi, sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison at a January trial of 33 men, all said to be part of the so-called "Milan group" whom U.S. and European authorities believe provided logistical support and recruitment for al-Qaida and other networks in Europe. He had lived in Italy but turned himself in to prove his innocence. Trabelsi was convicted on Wednesday of "having served, in time of peace, a terrorist organization operating abroad." Trabelsi was accused of belonging to a group not previously heard of - the Partisans of Fundamentalism and the Tradition of the Prophet. Trabelsi conceded he went to Afghanistan, but insisted he was not involved in terrorism, according to Raouf Ayadi, one of his attorneys. Guess it depends on your definition of terrorism, doesn't it?
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 05:27 pm ||
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President Bush warned Syria that it could be excluded from peace talks if it does not crack down on organizations that Israel and the US call terrorist. Guess that lets them out, then...
Bush said Syria must choose the right side in the war on terror by closing terrorist camps and expelling terrorist organizations. The US President said, âleaders who want to be included in the peace process must show by their deeds and undivided support for peace.â Bush stressed that âevery nation actually committed to peace will stop the flow of money, equipment and recruitsâ to âterrorist groups seeking the destruction of Israel, including Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hizbollah.â He said all countries committed to peace must also stop the flow of Iranian arms to these groups. If they give up Armed Struggle® they're gonna have to get jobs. It ain't gonna happen... Saaaay! Maybe Bush knows that...!
Tehran later denied arming Hizbollah and other Mideastern groups. The administration of former U.S. President Bill Clinton sponsored peace talks between Israel and Syria but in 2000 Israel refused to withdraw fully from the Golan Heights, which it has been occupying since 1967. The Bush administration, which took office in January 2001, has done little to revive those peace talks. They've been occupied with other matters. You want to talk, then talk...
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 10:10 am ||
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Saudi Arabia expressed on Wednesday its support for US President George W. Bushâs Middle East speech, saying it included a number of positive elements. During a joint press conference with visiting French foreign minister Dominique de Villepin, Prince Saud said, "Bush's recent address on the Middle East peace process has a number of positive elements, notably an unequivocal US commitment to finding a settlement to the middle east problem." Prince Saud said that Riyadh has been closely following the initiative announced by President Bush in his latest address and closely watching the responses it has evoked, especially those of the Palestinian leadership. Why does that endorsement make the space between my shoulder blades itch?
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 10:12 am ||
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President Bush today escalated his campaign to convince skeptical allies that the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, must go, saying that the United States would not provide aid to the Palestinians if they failed to make serious reforms in structure and leadership. "The people that are going to be asked to put up money" will judge whether reforms are sufficient, Bush told reporters during a Canadian summit of leaders of the Group of Eight, the world's seven major industrial democracies and Russia. "Listen, I can assure you we won't be putting money into a society which is not transparent and [is] corrupt. And I suspect other countries won't either." Sure hope he sticks by that pledge. Not being a member of the diplomatic corps, I never have been able to understand why we feel obligated to give large amounts of money to regimes whose populations spend hour after hour, day after day, running around their streets and making faces and calling us names. I don't consider the fact that their people would starve to death without the dough is a reason, because if the people running around, hollering, and blowing razzberries were gainfully employed the problem would be alleviated. If it's their country, and they don't want us to interfere, then they shouldn't extend the hand. If they do want charity, "please" and "thank you" are appropriate.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 01:10 pm ||
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The Bush administration is being questioned on its apparent campaign to groom a former Palestinian security chief as the successor to Yasser Arafat. Congressional staffers said the administration's focus on Palestinian Authority security chief Mohammed Dahlan has raised concern among Middle East analysts. They said Dahlan has been directly involved in Palestinian bombings of civilians, including children. "We are talking about a man who has crossed all the lines of terrorism," a senior congressional staffer said. "I think the White House is being hoodwinked."
Dahlan, chief of the Preventive Security Apparatus, has held talks in Washington with White House aides, including National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. Officials acknowledge that Ms. Rice has been impressed by Dahlan and believes that he can implement reform in the PA. They said Washington has offered tens of millions of dollars to Dahlan to create and head a Palestinian superagency. Guess those congressional staffers aren't all that smart — or they're Democrats trying to find a reason to snipe at Bush.
They're assuming Yasser's immediate successor is going to be the guy we ultimately end up dealing with. There's probably no party in the Paleostinian camp who doesn't have blood on his hands, and the Israelis seem willing enough to deal with some of them, for instance Barghouti. My guess is that Son of Yasser I will be nearly as bad as Yasser. But the logjam will have been broken, and Son I won't be around for 50 years â when he gets out of line he'll be disposed of, either internally or by the IDF. Son of Yasser II won't be quite as bad as Son I, and so on, until we end up with someone who wouldn't make Himmler feel queasy.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 02:36 pm ||
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Palestinian movements Hamas and Islamic Jihad lashed out at plans for elections next year, but refrained from announcing a boycott of the event. "The elections are a response precipitated by American pressures," said Islamic Jihad leader Mohammed al Hindi in reaction to Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat's announcement of presidential and legislative elections in January 2003, with local elections slated for March 2003. Al Hindi accused the United States of wanting "to abort the intifada." He added the scheduling of local elections for March was meant to tip momentum towards the Palestinian "peace camp" and away from those opposed to a negotiated settlement with Israel. Uhuh. And yer point?
For his part, Hamas leader Ismail Haniya described the elections as "unfolding within the framework of Oslo." "All elections must take into account the reality created on the ground by the intifada," he said. Ismail, the Oslo gambit is now officially pureed. The peace procesor is unplugged, washed up, and put away. So go throw stones at somebody. Or explode.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 05:19 pm ||
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Saud Al-faisal, met in Khartoum on Tuesday evening with Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi. During the meeting, which came on the fringe of the OIC's foreign ministers' meeting, they exchanged views on the latest developments in the Middle East and OIC's role in supporting the Palestinian people, the Saudi Press Agency reported. In addition, they discussed bilateral relations between the countries. Drawing a couple of the Axes of Evil â one of them unacknowledged publicly â just a little closer together.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 05:24 pm ||
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#1
Origin of Evil is where the Axes of Evil meet
If you're going to draw a couple of axes, don't forget to draw the point where the two axes meet. If IRAN is the X-axis, and IRAQ is the Y-axis, please tell me what country is at the point where these axes meet. In other words what country is the Origin of Evil?
An article appearing this week in the Palestinian Authority newspaper, Al-Hayat Al-Jadeeda, criticizes US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice as "the dark-complexioned lady" whose policies have "dealt a blow to the image of the African-American in the eyes of the vast majority of the world's inhabitants."
"We said then, both in private and in public, that these colored senior officials are a part of the Third World, even if only due to the color of their skin," Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Maqaleh writes in the Arabic-language daily, according to Marcus' translation, which he released on Thursday. "But what happened after that was embarrassing and astonishing, especially what happened with the dark-complexioned lady, or, more accurately: black, the National Security Advisor... What compounds the astonishment is that the Black Lady always makes a point, whether the opportunity presents itself or not, of denouncing the Palestinians to the point where her positions and statements have come to be nearly daily lessons to the American people and the world, causing regret to every Arab who was optimistic about her arrival on the political scene." This is not the first time Ms Rice has been attacked this way â I saw a similar article in, I believe Ahram, but didn't blog it, dammit. My impulse as an American and as a gentleman is to want to poke this fellow in the nose. Since he's not available, and I'm probably too old for fisticuffs anyway, I'll content myself with the knowledge that, yes, she does have a "dark complexion," and no, she isn't into Third World squalor. She's also a damned attractive woman, with big brown eyes and a lovely smile and legs that go all the way to the ground, and she can think circles around racist thugs like Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Maqaleh. Oh, and our side, hers and mine and Bush's and Powell's and Daschle's and all the multicolored, argumentive rest of us, is going to win and Dr. al-Maqaleh's is going to reside in the dustbin of history. Say hello to Reinhard Heydrich for us, Doc.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 07:03 pm ||
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She may also be our next president. At the very least, she would be a strong candidate.
Posted by: Matt Harris ||
06/27/2002 20:10 Comments ||
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Fred, I *did* blog that earlier Paleo piece on the "dark-skinned lady" but Blogger is down again (yes, Sekimori is working on my new site...)!
Also, there was an "article" in the Egyptian paper a month or so ago calling Dr. Rice a "snake", among other things.
Hey, Muslim world, your MISOGYNY is showing!
I'm hoping that if Dick Cheney can't serve as VP in 2004, then Dr. Condi will take his place;
it will be definitely be a "Can't touch this, Dims!" ticket for the GOP!
Condi Rice is making we ladies, as well black Americans,too, just proud enough to bust!
She's smart, talented, qualified and attractive and feminine to boot! Go Condi, Go!
Israel's army urged Palestinians holed up for a third day in a West Bank compound to surrender Thursday, warning that its soldiers will overrun the battered Hebron government complex if those inside refuse to come out. The Israeli military said 150 people have surrendered since early Tuesday, including at least 20 top fugitives, during short breaks in heavy machine-gun fire from the ground and helicopters gunships above. About 40 people, including at least 15 wanted men, remained inside Thursday, the military said. "We know that a few wanted persons are inside and we intend to apprehend them," Brig. Gen. Ron Kitrey told Israel Army Radio. "We prefer to do it without a battle, but if it proves necessary there will be one."
Kitrey said some of those gunmen who came out had disguised themselves as Palestinian police officers, hoping the Israelis would not recognize them. Four Palestinians have been killed thus far in the battle at the compound. A battalion commander in Hebron indicated Israeli patience, however, hasn't yet run out. "We're here. They're there. We have the time," Lt. Col. David Blumenfield, told Israel Radio. "Slowly, slowly people are coming out."
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 06:25 am ||
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Three more soldiers died in Thursday's ambush by suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo. The three members of the second Scout Ranger Company died while they were being treated for bullet wounds sustained during the dawn attack in Mount Sinuman near the Jolo town of Patikul. Lieutenant Jessie Apura, the unit leader, was killed instantly in the encounter with the Abu Sayyaf group linked to Ghalib Andang, alias "Commander Robot". There were no reported casualties on the side of the Muslim bandits who have been held responsible for the kidnap-for-ransom activities in Mindanao. Apura and his men were on a search and rescue mission for three kidnapped Indonesians when they were ambushed. The firefight ended when army reinforcements arrived. Guess that means Commander Robot's not going to surrender, huh?
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 09:52 am ||
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Give thermal detection technology to our Phillipine allies, and they will be the one's setting up the ambushes.
Five Saudi nationals and three Moroccans have been arrested in Morocco in connection with a suspected al-Qaeda cell, bringing the total of arrests in a security operation to 15. The five Saudis were arrested on Sunday for suspected links to three Saudi nationals and four Moroccans already arrested in mid-May. Security services then dismantled an alleged al-Qaeda cell accused of preparing attacks against Morocco and on Nato ships in the Straits of Gibraltar.
The five arrested on Sunday were members of a fundamentalist Moroccan Islamic organisation Addaawa Wattabligh, and had been legally staying in Morocco for several months in Nador, a Mediterranean coastal town. Among the seven Moroccans arrested by police were a police officer based at Casablanca airport who allegedly accepted a bribe to fraudulently stamp a passport, a manager of a dairy in Rabat and a market trader. The newspaper Aujord'hui le Maroc reported the five had requested information on Zodiac rubber dinghies. The press had reported that Moroccan authorities believed Zodiacs, packed with explosives, were to be used in the attacks against Nato ships.
On June 18, the three Saudis were charged in Casablanca with preparing to attack buses around Morocco and Jemaa El Fna square in Marrakesh, a popular spot with tourists in the central town. An examining magistrate in Casablanca is preparing a legal case against them and their alleged accomplices. In the meantime, the Saudi ambassador to Morocco, Abdelaziz Khoja, has visited the three Saudis arrested in May, who are now imprisoned at Oukacha prison in Casablanca. "Just sit tight and don't say anything, guys. We're working on an international public opinion campaign to spring you."
"But they keep hitting us!"
"We're bringing diplomatic pressure on these Moroccan yokels. It won't be long now..."
"'Won't be long now?' These guys have pliers, dammit! Get some dynamite! Round up some Paks...!"
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
06/27/2002 01:13 pm ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
