Saudi Arabiaâs security forces have found a pick-up truck packed with more than a tonne of explosives after raiding a militant cell primed to launch a "terrorist operation" in Riyadh, officials say. State television showed footage of the truck, seized after a clash on Tuesday in which two wanted militants were killed, filled with the explosives, rocket-propelled grenades and gas cylinders to magnify the force of any explosion. Officials say Tuesdayâs raid by security forces thwarted an imminent attack during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, less than three weeks after suspected al Qaeda bombers killed at least 18 people in a residential compound in the Saudi capital. An Interior Ministry source said on Thursday the truck had 1,267 kg (2,790 lbs) of ammonium nitrate-based explosives in the back when it was seized. A further 1,377 kg of explosives was found nearby, along with more than a thousand rounds of ammunition. Television footage showed a pick-up truck, painted dark brown and marked with military insignia. Authorities also showed what they said were forged emblems of state security agencies, and military uniforms. Witnesses have said the attackers who struck on November 9 at the Muhaya compound on Riyadhâs eastern desert outskirts got through a Saudi National Guard checkpoint because their vehicle had military markings.
The two men killed on Tuesday were Abdul-Mohsen Abdul-Aziz al-Shebanat and Musaid Mohammed Daidan al-Subaie, the Interior Ministry said. Shebanat was shot and killed as he fired at security forces from the boot of a car while Subaie blew himself up with a hand grenade, it said. Shebanatâs corpse and Subaieâs mangled remains were also shown on television. Security forces were still hunting down an unspecified number of militants who escaped. Newspapers hailed Tuesdayâs clash as the fourth success by security forces this year in thwarting planned attacks. Authorities have announced huge arms seizures in recent months across the kingdom, including the holy city of Mecca, where Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz said militants were planning attacks against Muslim pilgrims. But much of the country remains on guard. In the capital, extra concrete blocks were put round the Faisaliah tower — one of two landmark skyscrapers — over the three-day Eid holiday. Some hotels tightened security and expatriate compounds kept up high defences against attack.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
11/28/2003 1:39:29 AM ||
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#1
"less than three weeks after suspected al Qaeda bombers killed at least 18 people in a residential compound "
Only in the Magic F**king Kingdom would you not know the number of people killed -- weeks afterward. Those teesny-weensy semi-vaporized bits belonging to the jihadi Izzoids, of Saudi manufacture of course - do not need to be analyzed to update the count. They weren't real people...
[rant]
No, they were Saudi-mfg'd jihadi Izzoids. Your REAL export to the World. Your ONLY export. The oil's always been there - you didn't make that. No, but you made THEM, you f**ktards... Genuine Saudi craftsmanship - being exported world-wide. Wahhabi-funded insanity. Schools. Right.
On the OTHER hand, for the first time in the history of The Magic F**king Kingdom...
It may not be understood by most, but for Saudi TV to show ANYTHING other than a procession of sycophants kissing Royal thobes, robotic Qu'uran recitation, or the Saudi 500 circle jerk in Mecca -- is so earth-shattering as to be dumbfounding to Yousef Saudi (that's Joe Saudi to infidels).
They've never shown anything else - for decades - now they're talking about bloody bombed out compounds where Muslims (!!!) died, shootouts in their capitol, and footage of captured one-ton truck bombs. Consider how Al Jizz just loves gory gruesome stills and footage. From zero to total gore - overnight. Prolly was a major rush for Yousef. I'll bet the first broadcast required some kind of serious lead-in to prepare the "audience." Perhaps it's akin to some country bumpkin seeing his first skin flick. Only it's a snuffer. Now on every day and every night.
Good.
I left Saudi two weeks before the Riyadh bombing - which was the wake-up call. That be some most excellent Good Timing! But... BUT... I would almost be willing to go back just to hear the casual conversation, to see the sneers wiped from faces that used to smile when the bombs only killed infidels, that smirked and said "because of your support for Israel, my friend, you must understand that you deserved for this to happen", that worried about nothing as the creme de la creme of connected Saudi families, careers assured, doing no work, they spent all day planning vacations - in the States, of course, and planning to build gigantic mansions paid for with Gov't grants and worried only about filling them up with wives and as many children as they could push throught the pipe... and now, to see them wonder about tomorrow - for the very first time in their entire lives. Yes, it would be interesting... and grimly satisfying. That which thou hast sewn, is now reaped, you smirky gutless ignorant assholes.
Saudi Arabia - meet David Bowie and Bob Zimmerman (Dylan) - it's just those Changes, little brothers, The Times They Are A-Changin' - get used to it.
[/rant]
#2
.com do you have any idea on the rate of growth of the prince population? My understanding that it's about 8,000 currently and consume 30-50% of the national income. How many princes can the Saudis afford to raise?
#3
The specific Princely headcount I don't know, though your estimate sounds about right since I was hearing "under 7,000" back in '92 from Aramcons. I had guessed about 40,000 total "Royals" a few months back, but a source (which I can't recall now) put it at 25,000+ - so I was totally off the mark if they're right. The problem is, of course, that ALL such numbers are not reliable because the Royals don't want them known. Unless you read a deathbed confession from Nayef or his step brother the Clown Prince, it's a guess pure 'n simple.
As for how many can they afford? Zero. The avg income of Saudis has dropped from $28K a generation ago to less than $16K today - that's why getting a slot at Aramco is such a plum - and reserved for the connected, not the qualified. The pop under 25 is around 60%. Them be bad numbers, bro. They are screwed, blued, and tattoed.
Sorry, man, I'm just guessing except for the demographics at the end - and that's a truly bad scenario.
#4
More importantly, what is the ratio of Saudi princes to the number of lamp-posts in Riyadh? To put it another way, can we hang 'em all in one swell foop, or to we have to work in shifts?
Posted by: Mike ||
11/28/2003 12:06 Comments ||
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#5
Beheading takes less time, and requires less rope. Even easier is a bullet just above the eyes, to let contaminating air into the vacuum between the ears.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
11/28/2003 15:49 Comments ||
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#6
Mike
The problem is not the ratio of princes to lampposts but the resistance of the lampposts. I fear the Saudis were cheated by the firm building the lamp posts or by the people who insert them into the soil. In addition many Saudi princes are quite fat.
He had been under intense surveillance for the past few months before his arrest yesterday, following the tip-off to police about his boast. In Gloucester yesterday a neighbour of Badatâs said: "He had been to Pakistan for about five years and when he came back he was always telling others at the mosque that he was now part of al Qaida."
"But don't tell nobody. It's a secret!"
The College of Islamic Knowledge and Guidance on Moss Street, at the centre of the terrorism probe, is both a day and boarding school used for religious and secular education. Also known as Jamiatul-Ilm Wal-Huda, it has around 124 boys as day pupils and 101 boys as full boarders, ranging in age from 11 to 19 years. In opened in 1994 and is run as a registered charity.
"Yasss... We're a legitimate charity. We provide free heavy weapons training for the underprivileged..."
The centre is highly-regarded by the Muslim community and people come from all over Britain to study there.
The college site will soon become one of the most imposing sights on the Greenbank/Little Harwood/Whitebirk landscape. A huge worship hall is being built next to the college.
Wonder which prince is paying for it?
The four-storey building will be used as a mosque and Islamic indoctrination education centre. The ground floor will be used for worship and the other floors for teaching. Extension plans were approved two years ago by Blackburn with Darwen Council but an application to use the call to prayers at the new mosque was rejected.
Somehow the Darwin Council approving this mess seems appropriate...
Posted by: TS ||
11/28/2003 11:39:18 AM ||
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EXPLOSIVE material was found at the home of an al-Qaeda suspect being searched by police in central England and has been removed safely, British police said today. "We are confident that there is no longer a danger posed by explosives on the premises and work will begin to allow the local community to return to their homes as soon as is possible," a police spokesman said. Earlier, Home Secretary David Blunkett said the man posed "a very real threat to the life and liberty of our country".
The 24-year-old was arrested overnight in Gloucester under Britainâs Terrorism Act amid suspicions that he has links with Osama bin Ladenâs al-Qaeda network and, reportedly, "shoe bomber" Richard Reid. Gloucestershire deputy police chief Martin Baker identified the suspect only as a British national of South Asian origin. He refused to comment on alleged links to Islamic extremists.
We can fill in those blanks ourselves...
Scotland Yard would not comment on reports that the suspect had been planning a suicide attack on a football ground. A "relatively small amount" of explosives was found, which was removed and examined, a Scotland Yard spokesman said. The suspect has been transferred from Gloucester to a police station in London where he will be questioned by detectives. He can be held for up to seven days in custody under the Terrorism Act. Sky News Television, quoting "security sources", said the man was suspected of links with "shoe bomber" Reid, who is serving a life sentence in the United States for trying to blow up an American Airlines Boeing 767 flight from Paris to Miami in December 2001 with explosives hidden in his shoes.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
11/28/2003 1:40:31 AM ||
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#1
Oops! One of those "South Asian" types, huh? Got any of those classic deep dark dank dungeons left around? Better buy a boatload of cots, boys. Now that you're taking your imported problem seriously, you're gonna find LOTS of "South Asians" and other euphemistic critters in need of, uh, a change of scenery.
Good work & good luck guys - you're gonna need it.
#2
Surely this 'small amount' was meant only for peaceful purposes. Certainly it wasn't meant for blowing a hole in a passenger jet inflight. Not at all.
#3
I think it's time for the British to build a large, new prison. I'd recommend placing it on one of the Orkneys or Outer Hebrides. I think wasting time on windows and central heating should also be kept to a minimum - prisons should be wet, dank, and blustery. The only transfers OUT should be those to Gitmo, or for a pine box.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
11/28/2003 15:59 Comments ||
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Following the destruction of the Soviet Union at the hands of the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, the US administration started to assume a more aggressive stance in its international policies.
As a result, they launched a crusade on Afghanistan, and then claimed a so-called victory over Talibanâs Islamic Emirate, eliminating the rule of Shariâah and replacing it with a puppet anti-Islamic government that showered the Afghani people with promises of a better life and freedom.
Assuming the role of the world policeman, the US estimated the so-called victory in Afghanistan would pave the way for unconditional and unopposed control over the Muslim world.
However, a few months following the US invasion to Afghanistan, what the US had tried so hard to hide finally emerged. It became evident the US had not been able to secure the safety of its own soldiers in Afghanistanâlet alone to take control of the countryâproving the Taliban were never defeated, for they had executed a tactical withdrawal of their troops from major cities to preserve their arms and fighters.
The crusaders and their apostate agents have so far failed miserably in detaining even one influential member of the Taliban movement or Al-Qaidah. The only achievement of the US invasion was the spread of poverty, crimes, diseases, lack of security and drug trafficking in areas under the control of the satanic alliance.
In addition, the sharp increase in day and night Mujahideen operations against the allied forces, forcing them to withdraw from many of their positions in the south, east and centre of the country, had inflicted continuous losses to the allied military forces.
Despite all this, the arrogant and self conceited US administration failed to analyse the reality facing them and they did not realise the gravity of their mistake in invading Afghanistan. On the contrary, they pursued their vanity and, amidst the opposition of the whole world, invaded Iraq on nothing but lies.
Once again, and in a Zionist-like manner, the US administration exercised the same inhuman and barbaric policies in their attempt to take control over Iraq, as reflected through the random detention of Iraqi men, women, elderly and even children; and the destruction and looting of their homes and properties under the claim of âhunting downâ resistance fighters.
As a result, hundreds of Iraqis were illegally detained and many others were killed. The US mistakenly assumed such actions would somehow twist the arms of the Muslim people of Iraq and would eventually subjugate them.
The US had failed to remember the Iraqi people would never forget that their country was home for hundreds of years to the Abbasid Islamic Khilafah with a long history of struggle and sacrifice.
It took only a few days for the struggle and resistance of the Muslim people of Iraq targeting the illegal crusade occupiers to begin, with news on the downing of US aircrafts and choppers, the ambush of tanks and armored vehicles, and the killing and wounding of dozens of soldiers on a daily basis.
It was only then that the occupying army realised the gravity of the situation, and that the Iraqi people viewed them only as invaders not liberators, as the deceptive US President would like his people and the world to believe.
The Muslim resistance intensified their daily ambushes, and the struggle was not hindered by the presence of some hypocrites and agents to the west, or by the silence of the Shiite Revolutionary Council.
It is about time the US realise they are fighting a losing battle against Islam, for Islam is the True religion of God. A nation that takes the True religion and its Shariâah as a way of life can never be defeated. The Muslim nation may lose a battle or two but they can never lose the war.
Todayâs crusaders are facing the same defeat as that of their ancestors who, throughout history, had failed in their crusades against the Muslim nation.
The terrorist administration in Washington must realise the war on Islam is a losing war, and they must gather its mercenaries and armies and cart them away from the Muslim land for good, before it is too late
On the other hand, the Muslims must realise it is only time separating the US from losing its military and economy power, because such is Allahâs way in destroying the oppressors.
Allah (swt) says: âAnd these towns We destroyed when they did wrong. And We appointed a fixed time for their destruction.â [Surah AlKahf, 18: Verse 59]
#1
I'm speechless. This is the, um, several thousandth time I've heard this. I'm so ashamed of what I have been supporting. Preventing infidels, women, and children from being slaughtered by the glourious Mujahedeen is unacceptable.
In repentance, I will now go bomb a Mosque and blame the Jews.
Posted by: Charles ||
11/28/2003 23:09 Comments ||
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#2
I see that Baghdad Bob has a new job and nom de plume.
#3
"Following the destruction of the Soviet Union at the hands of the Mujahideen"
Oh, yes. The MUJAHIDEEN defeated the USSR. Of course. No CIA help to the afghans, no SSBNs, no B52s, Minutemans, armored divisions, or robust market economy working 60 years to topple them. In reality a bunch of jackasses in the hindu kush are who REALLY brought down the Soviet Union.
Of course.
I think this kind of hyperbole sheds some light on the egomaniacal 11th century nutcases that are 'leading' the islamofascists. They're basically little dictator wannabes, every one them thinks they're the reincarnation of Saladin, Suleiman, or King Cyrus. Some serious psychopathic personalities. What's really sad is that this kind of spin gets so much traction in the 'moderate' muslim world. So sad.
Blairâs given a big FU to NATO; plants a foot solidly over another of his vaunted "red lines".
Britain, France and Germany have reached an informal agreement on a joint defence arrangement for Europe. The three nations are about to present the proposals to their European Union partners, French and British diplomatic sources said. The submission reportedly includes plans to structure defence co-operation and to create a European military headquarters. Correspondents say the United States is likely to balk at the accord. Washington will probably be unhappy with any moves which it feels undermine Natoâs influence over European security. But, speaking in Naples during a break in a meeting of the EUâs 15 current and 10 future members, French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said it was crucial Europe forged ahead with plans for a common defence. "This is a key issue. We canât have a Europe without defence," he told French state radio France-Info. "Why, the continent was vanishing before my eyes. Besides, you never know when the French military is going to go on strike."
British officials confirmed that an agreement had been reached but emphasised that it was not a "formal solution". It would not appear on the official agenda but would be put to other delegates at dinner on Friday, they said. The US is said to be particularly upset at calls for a European defence headquarters. But a British official has said that "any EU operations planning capability has to be compatible with Nato". For now.
Britain has said its right to control its own defence policy is one of the "red lines" it will not allow the new EU constitution to cross. It has reportedly also maintained that it envisages the European defence body will tackle missions Nato does not want to get involved in. Meanwhile, argument rages over the Great Con: Sorry, Constitution.
On Friday, UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the UK would reject the draft if it meant states would lose their veto over foreign policy. Which has just been proposed by the presidents, the Italians. Why? Possibly for itâs real, possibly itâs a symbolic issue for Blair and the like to âheroicallyâ repulse for the benefit of the home audiences...
Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio, meanwhile, has said provisions in the text which dilute the voting power Spain and Poland won at the Nice summit three years ago are "unacceptable". We didnât expect to lose our influence in this superstate! Dâoh!
Dutch Minister for Europe Atzo Nicolai said small countries like his tried without success earlier this week to force heavyweights France and Germany to play by EU rules. If theyâre not playing by the rules, it might be time to stop playing the game.
Under the draft constitution the number of voting commissioners will be held at 15 - meaning 10 countries would not have fully-fledged commissioners when the union expands. "We offer you a great opportunity to keep quiet!"
The major disagreements are expected to be left for heads of state to resolve at a summit in Brussels on 12 and 13 December. Then some heads of state will ask the plebs if they fancy a change of citizenship.
The ratification process is due to start in mid-2004. The constitution is expected to come into force in 2006 at the earliest. No need to worry then. âSages away...
#1
Will all this happen before or after the paper bill for the French Foreign Ministry gets paid? Oh, I get it, this is how the bill will be paid.
Posted by: Matt ||
11/28/2003 18:29 Comments ||
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It's getting to the point where I don't see what the big deal about NATO is. If the Euros want to field their own "force" (whatever that is), then let 'em go. If it has a begative effect on NATO, then just dissolve NATO and call it a day. After all, the Soviet Union doesn't exist anymore, and isn't that the reason why NATO was created to start off with?
#3
With the Frogs running the EU Show its kinda hard to get excited about how they view NATO. I can see a new EU defense force as a bureaucracy every bit as effective and useful as the UN.
I agree with bomb-a-rama. Dissolve NATO, fold our tents, and go home. Europe will most likely be another Islamic shithole in a few years anyway.
#4
I would agree, but if we disslove NATO then the only place left is the UN. NATO still proves a valuable alliance between nations who have the will to use force when neccesary.
Hell, at least NATO is more effective than the UN.
Posted by: Charles ||
11/28/2003 23:02 Comments ||
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French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin has asked diplomats to abandon a worldwide strike planned for Monday. He admitted that circumstances were "difficult" in a speech to about 600 staff late on Thursday, but said the strike plans were "no ordinary matter". Union leaders said on Friday they expected 40 embassies and consulates to close in the first strike of its kind. They are protesting against budget cuts, job losses, reduced overseas allowances and bonuses.
Mr de Villepinâs speech, in which he promised to give full consideration to staff grievances, was posted on the internet for the benefit of diplomats overseas. "Employees do not understand how the president of the republic and the government can proclaim their grand ambitions for France on the international scene while at the same time the human and financial resources available to the ministry are constantly declining," the unions said in a statement. The governmentâs budget for next year - which is to be debated in the Senate on Monday - envisages a 2% reduction in foreign ministry costs, and a number of job cuts. Franceâs foreign ministry network is second in size only to that of the United States employing 9,200 permanent staff and 13,000 local employees around the world. In addition to 154 embassies there are 98 consulates, and nearly 500 cultural offices and French-language schools. Their lack of resources was exposed last month when the paper supply company refused to make new deliveries until its account was settled. Staff had no paper for three days. "There isnât a kopek at the ministry," said Yvan Sergesse of the UNSA union. "Half the lifts are out of order because there is no money to mend them. Abroad staff are working up to 14 hours per day." There have been strikes at the ministry before, but this is the first time that unions have called on diplomats and embassy staff around the world to join in. "According to the soundings we are getting, it is going well - there is a lot of support," said Daneille Vazeille of the CGT union. You couldnât make this stuff up...
#3
I'm impressed that Minister deVillepin is able to produce so much bullshit with such meager resources. He should be awarded the Order of Lenin.
Posted by: Matt ||
11/28/2003 17:52 Comments ||
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#4
Bulldog, the next time the Germans run amok let's find a way to liberate Europe that doesn't involve going through France, OK? These dipwits aren't worth setting free.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
11/28/2003 18:13 Comments ||
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#5
Wonder if perhaps the French diplomatic strike could spread to other European countries. Sounds like a positive development!
On NATO, seems to me it's been an alliance in search of a mission for a decade. The fiasco of Kosovo confirmed that what was a tremendous success as a defensive alliance in the Cold War wasn't neccessarily able to serve other functions, even on the European periphery. Afghanistan today confirms that for out-of-area land missions, NATO's not terribly relevant.
The real contributions of several European militaries today (including German naval activities) probably could be arranged bilaterally, if need be. As are the contributions in Iraq.
In any contingency larger than displacing a fragile African dictatorship, no NATO member save the UK has had any meaningful out-of-area military capability for decades. I'm talking combat, not "peacekeeping" quiet areas.
Move the bases, accept our spectacular success in Europe, and adapt to the current threat. NATO's decline will probably be a net positive for US and European security as the Euros face reality and we re-orient our activities around the truly reliable and capable. On a global level -- militarily -- the UK, Australia, Spain, Italy, Singapore, the Philippines, Turkey, Israel, Jordan, and Bahrain (to name a few) are our new alliance, whether through bases or actual participation. Law enforcement and intel bring in many more. NATO was a means to an end that's now moot; current efforts to "protect" its status resemble an irrational end in themselves.
Turkeyâs justice minister has been quoted as saying Chechens and Turks with links to Osama bin Ladenâs al Qaeda network helped prepare suicide bombs that killed dozens of people in Istanbul this month. The Chechen connection is a new one, though by no means unsurprising. I do hope Basayevâs men havenât taken to slumming ... Cemil Cicek also said militants who bombed the British consulate and an office of the London-based HSBC bank last Thursday had narrowly evaded a pre-emptive attempt to arrest them after they were alerted to a planned police raid. Time for some heads to roll there ...
Ankara has said the November 20 bombing and attacks on two Istanbul synagogues five days earlier were carried out by Turks, but it has been investigating suspicions of al Qaeda links. "It is now known who carried out the terror attacks and who aided and abetted them," Cicek told the Milliyet daily on Thursday . "Foreign connections have been established, they came and went to al Qaeda (camps). There are people with Chechen roots among them." Cicek did not name the suspects or elaborate further. Eighteen people have been charged already over the attacks. Many Turks trace their roots to the Caucasus and Istanbul is home to a sizeable number of exiled Chechens who are widely regarded as fellow Muslims fighting foreign oppression by Russians. Moscow has repeatedly criticised Ankara for tolerating what it regards as "Chechen terrorists" on its territory. I suspect that they just wore out whatever welcome they had ...
Moscow says Chechen rebels are closely linked to an "arc of instability" of Islamic militants stretching from the Philippines to the Middle East, though the guerrillas deny this. That "arc of instability" is also known as bin Ladenâs International Islamic Front ...
Experts say up to 4,000 Turkish radicals have fought in conflicts overseas, including Chechnya, Bosnia and Afghanistan, some training at al Qaeda camps that existed in Afghanistan before the U.S. invasion of the country two years ago in response to the September 11 attacks on the United States. Turkish authorities have lashed out at local media, accusing them of hampering the investigation by naming suspects connected with the synagogue bombings. Nine more suspects were transferred to a state security court on Thursday for questioning of whom two were charged and held in custody. The Turkish courts have now charged 20 people in connection with all four bombings. They stand accused of belonging to and aiding and abetting an illegal organisation. Homemade bombs comprised of ammonium nitrate were used in all of the attacks, Yilmaz said.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
11/28/2003 1:55:05 AM ||
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#1
If Zarqawi was indeed the man running the show in Turkey, it's not very surprising, considering his trip to Chechnya/Pankisi in '02. It is somewhat surprising, though. You would think that al Qaeda would make more of an effort to keep its operations compartmentalized.
Posted by: Pete Stanley ||
11/28/2003 2:02 Comments ||
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#2
Chechnya's a major front for al-Qaeda, so all of the top-tier members or at least their designated flunkies seem to have to visit there or at least send cash periodically. What I'm more interested to know is whether or not the Iranian branch of al-Qaeda (of which Zarqawi is part of) was operating independently of the Pakistani branch run by KSM. We know at least that the Africa and Europe branches are all working for the Iranian branch because of Zarqawi's plots and that Suleiman Abu Ghaith, who is in Iran, claimed responsibility for the Mombasa attacks. If all major nodes of the network are still operating as one, then we're still dealing with a centralized force rather than disorganized fragments.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
11/28/2003 2:10 Comments ||
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French Islamist militants, who later spent time in al-Qaida military camps in Pakistan and Afghanistan and went on to became soldiers of the jihad, underwent their first group training exercises in the bucolic surroundings of the forest of Fontainebleau, investigators said yesterday. "We call them the Old Campers," said a police officer working with judge Jean-Louis BruguiÚre, Franceâs leading anti-terrorist investigating magistrate. "They trained in the forest near Paris, and also in the Alps near Annecy. At least one later died fighting with al-Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan."
According to the weekly news magazine lâExpress the training exercises in France, which took place from 1996 to 1999, were relatively low-level introductory courses focusing on group cohesion, endurance and loyalty. For periods of up to a week, groups of militants would march long distances, mount staged manhunts and practise unarmed combat. Several times during night exercises in the Alps, the magazine said, frightened would-be Islamist fighters from Franceâs big-city suburbs got lost in the mountains and had to use their mobile phones to be rescued by gendarmes. One reportedly fell into a crevasse. "They were not very advanced affairs," the police officer said. "We believe they were used as a sort of preliminary weeding-out procedure, to see who was capable of going further down the road. Some participants who ended up not leaving France worked in support and logistics for terrorist projects that were mounted here." The more successful "Old Campers" went to training camps in Pakistan and Afghanistan in 2000 and 2001.
Meanwhile, the head of Franceâs DST intelligence agency said yesterday that France had successfully foiled "quite a few" terrorist plots. Pierre de Bousquet de Florian said some 120 suspects had been arrested in France since the September 11 attacks, and that half of them had been convicted of membership of a terrorist organisation.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
11/28/2003 1:49:44 AM ||
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#1
"Old Campers", huh--how quaint. That's like calling Jack the Ripper a "Cutlery Enthusiast" or Jeffrey Dahmer an "Unusual Gormet".
Posted by: Rafael ||
11/28/2003 2:31 Comments ||
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#3
Yeah, that poor crevasse. I hope it's getting counseling.
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
11/28/2003 6:11 Comments ||
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#4
""They were not very advanced affairs," the police officer said."
I guess it's the same in all forms of service. Some carry spears, and some carry water. The physical requirements for effectively delivering this quote is a good example. Can you imagine this sneer having anywhere the majesty it's sarcasm demands if delivered by anyone lacking a Gallic schnoz to rival De Gaulle himself? T'would be laughable.
President Bush visiting Iraq for Thanksgiving? His arrogance and overblown self-importance really exposes him. Bush doesnât do his job by bringing the troops home. Instead he flies for a photo-op with them to use in his re-election campaign. He was there a total of two hours.
These men and women in the military are not protecting me, and I do not want or need their protection. Bush should get off the big lie that they are there to protect me as an American. I would rather die than be protected in that way.
I am ashamed to be an American as long as Bush is in office.
CHERYL MERRILL
San Francisco
Posted by: Phil ||
11/28/2003 5:44:08 PM ||
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#1
This woman truly deserves to live under shariah.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
11/28/2003 18:15 Comments ||
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#2
"I am ashamed to be an American"
Yeah, well. Plenty of others are ashamed you're an American, too.
#3
I am ashamed to be an American as long as Bush is in office.
Has she moved to Canada yet? Then that's a lie, too, like the rest of the trash written above. Another typical pampered dummycheat that's never had to face true harsh reality or the realities of war. I truly am amazed that people like this have so little understanding of the real world. "Brainwashed" is far too easy a call - this lady not only washed hers, she left it to dry on the line, and a bird ate it. Sadly, she doesn't even know it's missing...
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
11/28/2003 18:37 Comments ||
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#4
Further proof that, out of everyone you'll ever meet, half will be below average.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/28/2003 19:04 Comments ||
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#5
Fred,
And some are not even on the scale...
What an idiot. Why doesn't she move to Iran if she loves them so much? I think us Rantburgers could (would) even take up a collection for the airfair. I'm sure they will bend over backwards to insure she has all the freedom to say whatever she wants....
#6
It's hard to believe that people can be as despicable as cheryl... it's amazing to me that people can pretend to be so "good" and pretend to have "honor" (she claims she would rather die than be protected "that way") and show how disgusting they are by insulting the very people that die every day so that her pathetic miserable life can go on in the same sentence. Her political correctness is a front to hide that he is the mose perverted type of person you can imagine. She would sell out her family to give her a few seconds to run and hide under a rock with the rest of the isects instead of confronting evil. It must make her feel so great about herself to make this claim that she's willing to die for her beliefs as long as she doesn't actually have to follow through with her bs pc rhetoric. I'm disgusted.
Slghtly EFL
The international police agency, Interpol, has issued arrest warrants for 11 top Nepalese rebels. They include the Maoist rebel leader, Prachanda, his second-in-command, Baburam Bhattarai, and spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara. The warrants come shortly after a leading member of the opposition in Nepal met top Maoist rebel leaders in northern India. This is the second time Interpol has sought the arrests of top rebels. Security officials in Nepal say that the Interpol arrest warrants - known as Red Notices - will help police forces in the organisationâs 181 member countries to arrest the rebel leaders.
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal held meetings with rebel leaders Prachanda, Mr Bhattarai and Mr Mahara in the Indian city of Lucknow last week. Maoist leaders are said to be using India for shelter. India is also a member of Interpol and, like Nepal, has branded the Maoist rebels as terrorists. Interpol first issued warrants against the rebel leaders two years ago at the request of the Nepalese Government. Seventeen central Maoist leaders were put on Interpolâs wanted list. They were removed after the government and the rebels agreed on a ceasefire in January. Following the collapse of peace process in August, the government once more labelled the rebels as terrorists and once again requested Interpol to issue the warrants. Nepalese police officials said they had asked Interpol to issue warrants against 21 rebel leaders. They say Interpol has assured them that 10 other rebel leadersâ names will be added to the list very soon.
Posted by: Bulldog ||
11/28/2003 8:49:01 AM ||
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The leader of Sri Lankaâs Tamil Tiger rebels has threatened to form a breakaway state if Colombo does not give him self-governing rights in the countryâs north-east. Vellupillai Prabhakaran, however, denied that he was rearming his group and said he was still open to a negotiated settlement of the civil war that has killed 65,000. But if the government continues to oppress Tamils and deny them their rights, he said: "we have no alternative other than to secede and form an independent state. "We urge the Sinhala political leadership not to create the objective conditions that would drive our people to seek this ultimate option." The rebels started fighting for a separate Tamil homeland in 1983, claiming the mostly Hindu Tamils were discriminated against by Sri Lankaâs mostly Buddhist 14 million Sinhalese majority. The conflict stopped after a February 2002 ceasefire. The truce has held, but peace talks broke down in April, with the rebels demanding more autonomy than the government was willing to offer.
Posted by: Bulldog ||
11/28/2003 5:37:07 AM ||
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Many thousands of Pakistanis have fought in Afghanistan (during the anti-Soviet campaign of the 1980s) and Kashmir over the past decade or more as members of jihadi outfits. After the US attacked Afghanistan in late 2001, it was largely predicted that these outfits - which are loyal to the Taliban and al-Qaeda - would rush back to lend their support, and that they would also rebel against Musharraf. This assessment proved to be a huge misconception. The jihadi outfits were in fact a part of the ISIâs operations and the brainchild of late dictator General Zia ul-Haq and General Akhtar Abdul Rehman. The purpose was to develop a para-military force that would assist the Pakistan army in the event of war. However, in the course of the 1989 uprising in Kashmir, these jihadis played so vital a role that they outdid the army, so in the 1990s it was decided that they would act as a front-line force in any India-Pakistan war. This policy was also seen in the 1971 war in Bangladesh, when the Pakistani Army was supported by local Islamists who had been organised into militias like Al Badr and Al Shams, which proceeded to massacre tens of thousands of civilians, especially Hindus.
First-hand observations in Azad Kashmir camps confirm that the jihadi outfits are in fact paramilitary troops. Each unit has a commander who reports to an army officer. Each jihadi commander is given funds and the brief to devise a strategy for his unitâs combat operations. The commanders have lap top computers in which they store their data, from which they generate summaries of their operations for their military officers. The summaries include targets, operations and results. The jihadi commanders and army field officers always coordinate their efforts. Pro-jihadi clerics, like Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai, are used to deliver sermons, and they are not allowed to utter a single word more than the topic on which they have been told to speak. Generally, the Jihadis do what they are told, but a few of the go rogue, and form groups like the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. Throughout the 90âs, the authorities projected the idea that the sectarian outfits were different from the Jihadis, when in reality they were identical, and much of the Lashkar-e-Jhangviâs leadership lived at Jihadi training camps in Afghanistan in the Taliban days.
After September 11, 2001, ties between the army and the jihadis were at a crossroads, but they emerged as friends. Meetings were held at ISI offices in Karachi, where Shamzai and others were told the limits of their anti-US demonstrations. These clerics always abide by such guidelines. Shamzai was also taken by the ISI to North-West Frontier Province when tribals had blocked highways in support of the Taliban, and he forced them to remove all blockades. Mufti Shamzai is arguably the most important Jihadi cleric in Pakistan, and by extension, the region, because he runs the Binori madrassa, the largest, most prestigous, and one of the most militant madrassas in the country. He and his associates serve as the patron-in-chiefs, or spiritual leaders, or supreme leaders of various Deobandi outfits, like the Jaish-e-Mohammad, Harkat, Sipah-e-Sahaba and the Rashid Trust. They serve as the elder council of the Pakistani Jihadis, and unlike Qazi, Sami and other Islamist politicians, these men are some of the most important religous scholars in the country, so their words carry a lot of theological weight.
Interestingly, some diehard jihadis with "original" thoughts came out in favor of Osama bin Laden, including Maulana Abdul Jabbar of the Jaish-i-Mohammed. Their jihadi fellows pointed this out to the ISI, which advised him against such support. When he did not give up, he was detained. The ISI reasoned with the jihadis that they had to compromise on al-Qaeda as Pakistan did not have any strategic interests with the network. However, Pakistan did have interests with the Taliban, the ISI pointed out, so it would persuade the US to give them a role in the government in Afghanistan. In essence, then, the so-called jihadi-clerics are no more than the ISIâs proxies, rather than committed "ideologues". Most of the clerics make a very good living by recruiting and sending off young men to die, people like Hafiz Saeed have become millionaries, with vast holdings in land and property. Under the rules of Jihad, Emirs are allowed to keep 20% of all the groups assets, so they have a nice religous justification for living in luxury.
Apart from strategic interests, the Pakistan army has interests in the "jihad of Kashmir", from non-commissioned officers right up to the major-general who looks after Forward Section 23. It has funds to run training camps, including recruitment (Rs 10,000 for each recruit), and transportation and accommodation costs. It also has a special fund for each "mujahid" when he enters into Kashmir (Rs 20,000). Should he die, there is a special fund for compensation (Rs 50,000 in the first year and Rs 24,000 in next two years) for the bereaved family. For Pakistan then, the ISI, the jihadis and the army are in one mind that the struggle in Kashmir will continue. All that is happening for now, under US pressure, is a shift in tactics, with Karachi becoming a center of activities. Realistically, the ceasefire along the Line of Control in Kashmir cannot therefore be expected to hold.
Posted by: Paul Moloney ||
11/28/2003 3:40:01 AM ||
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#1
I have a feeling that the problems posed by Paki jihad will only be solved when they grab the reins of power, overstep, and become a smoking hole (Roentgen soup, Al-Aska Paul?) in the Subcontinent.....and I'm OK with that
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/28/2003 13:24 Comments ||
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Either this defies simplification, or it's about a smokin' hole. Come to think of it, in the bit where the Saudi Ambassador asks Dubya why there are no Arabs in the Star Trek movies and Dubya chuckles and sez, "Because it's in the future!" -- it occurs to me that there are no PakiWackis in them, either. Mercs, Millionaire Mullahs, State Intelligence Service collaboration and planning, Bloods, Crips - this has a Hollywood High 1999 feel to it.
Oops, just noticed Frank has posted a comment before I hit submit - with the smokin' hole a prominent feature. Yup. Great minds... I'm OK with that too, Frank!
Paul - what do YOU think is the endpoint of this Mullacratic macabre miasma of Machiavellian machinations?
(Sorry, feeling alliterative, today!)
#3
It's hard to say, either Pakistan will end up being nuked, or it may fracture into a whole bunch of countries, which may be disarmed of their nukes.
Posted by: Paul Moloney ||
11/28/2003 17:10 Comments ||
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A ceasefire between Pakistan and India along three of their borders went into effect at midnight on Tuesday. The million-dollar question everyone is asking, though, is how long this United States-sponsored initiative will last. The answer, it appears, is not long. Developments leading up to the ceasefire actually started several weeks ago when, under immense US pressure, Pakistanâs Inter-Services-Intelligence (ISI) shut down its "Forward Section 23" in Pakistanâs Azad (Free) Kashmir, which meant the closure of all training camps and ISI operations offices in that region. After the first banning of the Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar, they shifted most of their operational forces and training camps to Pakistani Kashmir
Not only this, but also under US pressure, Pakistan was asked to provide access to its national data base and records of those involved in terror activities, which, according to the US definition, includes militancy in the name of jihad. For this purpose, a special wing was established in the Federal Investigation Agency of Pakistan (FIA), which normally handles matters related to white-collar crime. The cell has the mandate to compile records of those involved in terror activities, collect their fingerprints and other details, and then enter the data into a mainframe system connected to all FBI offices and US immigration facilities world-wide. As a result of this operation, banned militant outfits that had resumed operations under another name were re-banned, and a number of activists arrested. This time there was a difference, though. The entire records of all suspects and organizations were seized for entry into the "terror database". According to sources close to the Pakistani administration, the US leaned heavily on the Pakistani leadership to force the ISI to abandon its Kashmir operations in mid-stream. Just recently, a new recruitment campaign for militants - to be used in cross-border raids into Indian-administered Kashmir - was started in all big cities. And militant organizations were given huge funds to mobilize their activists and attract new recruits. That was certainly the case with Masood Azhar, who received bags full of rupees in donations for the Jihad.
And, it is said, President General Pervez Musharraf held meetings with jihadi leaders in which he assured them that he supported "jihad in Kashmir" with his "heart and soul". After these assurances, the Jamaatut Dawa (formerly the Lashkar-i-Taiba) was encouraged, with all means and resources, to stage a large gathering in Mureedkey, Punjab, where thousands of jihadis gathered and vowed to liberate Kashmir. Maulana Masood Azhar of the Khuddamul Islam (effectively the Jaish-i-Mohammed) was also invited to address the gathering. Before that gathering, Azhar paid frequent visits to the port city of Karachi to revive 32 units out of about 148 that had existed until the Jaish-i-Mohammed was banned. Before the last visit, a big publicity campaign started, with about Rs 50,000 (US$870) paid for wall posters alone. Subsequently, Azhar attracted about 7,000 people to north Karachiâs famous Batha mosque. Azhar was visibly protected by local police. Probably to avoid assassination by Shias, since Azhar is very close to sectarian outfits like the Sipah-e-Sahaba, and regards Shias as infidels just like the Sipah.
At this point, a big operation in Kashmir appeared imminent in which it was hoped to force the Indian leadership to resume dialogue on the disputed territory on Pakistanâs terms. Delhi, however, responded by applying all its good offices with Washington. As a result, the ISIâs Mumbai connection, Indian underworld boss Dawood Ibrahim, was declared a "global terrorist" by the US, and the ISI took the decision to close its base operations in Kashmir. The US even said that Dawood resided in Karachi, although he has not been seen there for some time. After a Pakistani newspaper revealed his location, he was relocated to Peshawar and given a new id by his handlers.
And then, with the US beginning a new round of pro-Indian posturing, Pakistan committed itself to a change in its mode of operations. Traditionally, jihadis have penetrated into Indian territory from Kashmir, but now the "launching" apparatus has been moved to Karachi for militants to cross the border from Sindh province into India, from where they will either make their way to Kashmir or seek out soft targets in India. There was a time in the seventies and eighties, where the Indians would carry out their own covert actions against Pakistan, but from what I have read, since the early 90âs, the various Indian governments pulled back on covert acts, mostly because of the disastarous case of blowback that occured when the Indians initially supported the Tamil Tigers, and Sikh extremists. Simultaneously, the ISI, flush with success from the Afghan Jihad, increased their covert warfare exponentially.
Posted by: Paul Moloney ||
11/28/2003 3:39:30 AM ||
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During the past 24 hours, the 82nd Airborne Division and subordinate units conducted three offensive operations, including two raids and one cordon and search. Soldiers also conducted 206 patrols, including 15 joint patrols with the Iraqi Border Guard and Iraqi police. In addition, three improvised explosive devices were discovered and disarmed. There were three enemy contacts consisting of one RPG attack, one small arms engagement and one mine strike. During these operations, 15 enemy personnel were captured and two U.S. soldiers wounded.
Last night in Lutafiyah, a patrol from Task Force 3-505 identified a man walking along a road with an AK-47 rifle. As the unit approached, the individual fled into a nearby house. Inside the house, soldiers found various small arms including an M4 carbine pistol grip and four burned M4 magazines believed to have come from a vehicle destroyed in an RPG attack earlier this month. They also found various items used to construct IEDs. The unit captured four personnel and they remain in U.S. custody for questioning.
In the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment sector, no interdiction occurred along the Syrian and Saudi Arabian border. However, at Trebil, on the Jordanian border, they denied entry to 121 persons because they lacked passports or proper documentation.
Operation Rifles Blitz continued last night. Troopers from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment conducted cordon and search operations involving 447 houses and captured 11 individuals. Over 20 small arms weapons were confiscated as well as 7 RPGs, 5 107mm Chinese rockets, and 4 155mm artillery rounds in various stages of IED preparation. Each of these missions incorporated Iraqi police and recent Iraqi Civil Defense Corps graduates. Civil affairs personnel continued to interact with the tribal sheiks and local populace in support of the operation and paid over $51,000 in compensation and reward payments.
This afternoon, a tank from 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, struck a mine while conducting operations along the Syrian border. The mine was buried in the road and caused moderate damage to the track and suspension system. Two soldiers were wounded in the incident; both are in stable condition and will return to duty later this evening.
Civil affairs teams working with 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, met with the Al Faris State Company to make final preparations for the installation of two 1 Megawatt generators. They will be delivered early next week and the additional power enables the company to hire approximately 800 additional employees in the Nassir Wa Al Salaam area. In 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Divisionâs area, Civil Affairs teams made a final payment of $5,000 for the Al Taghwa Girls School in the Al Tash camp. These renovations will positively affect over 500 students in the Ar Ramadi district.
AR RAMADI, Iraq â Elements of the 1st Infantry Division conducted a mission in Ar Ramadi today. While on patrol, the soldiers witnessed two men with weapons running into a nearby residence. The soldiers followed the men in order to apprehend them for questioning.
Upon approaching the house, a seven-year-old child came out with an AK-47 rifle pointed at the soldiers. A soldier responded in self-defense and shot the child in the foot. The child was rushed to the nearest army medical facility for treatment and further evacuated by air to Baghdad.
AR RAMADI, Iraq - Task Force âAll Americanâ continued to conduct operations in order to bring peace to Iraq and to assist the reconstruction efforts. These missions continue to move Iraq toward becoming a free and independent nation.
During the past 24 hours, the 82nd Airborne Division and subordinate units conducted three offensive operations, including two raids and one cordon and search. Soldiers also conducted 206 patrols, including eleven joint patrols with the Iraqi Border Guards and Iraqi police. In addition, three improvised explosive devices were discovered and disarmed. During these operations, 17 enemy personnel were captured and there were no coalition casualties.
In 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Divisionâs area of operation, elements of Task Force 1-32 conducted a raid to capture Sheik Taha Kitar in Haswah. The sheik was inciting anti-coalition activities in students near Haswah and Iskandariyah and is suspected of financing anti-coalition cells. The raid integrated the Iraqi police and was conducted without incident. Four personnel were captured including the primary target and they were taken into coalition custody for questioning.
Early this morning in the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Divisionâs area of operations, a raid was conducted that resulted in the apprehension of Brig. Gen. Khalid Arak Hatimy. Hatimy is a former first-line bodyguard of Saddam Hussein and was actively providing cash and weapons to the Mujahadeen. Hatimy also maintains close ties with personnel along the Syrian border and has used those contacts to facilitate the shipment of weapons into Iraq. The operation was conducted without incident and 3 other individuals associated with Brig. Gen. Khalid Arak Hatimy were captured. Weapons, documents, and other contraband were confiscated in the raid.
Along the Syrian, Jordanian and Saudi Arabian borders, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment refused entry into Iraq to 18 personnel because they lacked passports or proper documentation. The Regiment continued Operation Rifles Blitz capturing four enemy personnel and confiscating over 100 small arms weapons. The local Iraqi police and members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps continue to work closely with U.S. soldiers during this operation.
Civil affairs personnel supporting the operation continue to receive positive responses and cooperation from the local citizens. The Civil Affairs Teams provided compensation to all homeowners whose lives were disrupted by the operations. This has resulted in a marked improvement in local relations.
3rd Brigade Civil Affairs Teams worked with local leaders to complete renovations to three municipal hospitals in Iskandariyah. The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) funded projects were completed at a cost of $23,000 and will positively affect an estimated 200,000 residents.
My friends told me that they will come with me, I waited but no one showed up but that didnât break my determination to go, as it means a lot to me.
I arrived at al-Tahrir square from where the demo. should start, and I was surprised to find that the numbers of police men and journalists were more than the demonstrators themselves.
We needed some men to hold the sign boards (these were also more than us).
I was a little bit disappointed, because I was dreaming of a huge demo. but when I took a minute to think about what this demo. represents, I restored some of the hope to my heart. It starts of depressing but then...
...
We decided -regardless of the small number- to march to al-Firdows square where the statue of the tyrant was knocked down on the 9th. of April.
The people who were standing or passing by through the ever crowded (Saadoon street) were watching carelessly and reading our signs.
After a while some men joined us, ordinary simple people with their simple clothes telling their suffering.
Fear started to vanish away from their hearts and people continued to join us and the small crowd grew bigger.
We became several thousands, and I saw the future in their eyes, I didnât feel they were strangers; we were closer to each other than ever, carrying the same feelings and ambitions.
It must have been incredible for Omar to take part in that... I canât even imagine what that must have felt like for him.
By helping the Iraqi people become free, youâre helping change a troubled and violent part of the world. By helping to build a peaceful and democratic country in the heart of the Middle East, you are defending the American people from danger and we are grateful.
Youâre engaged in a difficult mission. Those who attack our coalition forces and kill innocent Iraqis are testing our will. They hope we will run. We did not charge hundreds of miles into the heart of Iraq, pay a bitter cost in casualties, defeat a brutal dictator and liberate 25 million people only to retreat before a band of thugs and assassins.
We will prevail. We will win because our cause is just. We will win because we will stay on the offensive. And we will win because youâre part of the finest military ever assembled. And we will prevail because the Iraqis want their freedom.
Every day you see firsthand the commitment to sacrifice that the Iraqi people are making to secure their own freedom. I have a message for the Iraqi people: You have an opportunity to seize the moment and rebuild your great country, based on human dignity and freedom. The regime of Saddam Hussein is gone forever.
The United States and our coalition will help you, help you build a peaceful country so that your children can have a bright future. Weâll help you find and bring to justice the people who terrorized you for years and are still killing innocent Iraqis. We will stay until the job is done. Iâm confident we will succeed, because you, the Iraqi people, will show the world that youâre not only courageous, but that you can govern yourself wisely and justly.
Posted by: Mike ||
11/28/2003 9:47:23 AM ||
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#1
Here's a nice comment by Joe Katzman at the Winds of Change site:
"MoveOn et. al. are welcome to keep thinking that Bush is an idiot. I've never met the man or seen the inner workings of his administration, so I can't say. But I CAN say that if an idiot is handing you your head, consistently, the implication is not complimentary."
Posted by: Matt ||
11/28/2003 12:32 Comments ||
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#2
I just love how Bush keeps making the Dems seethe and whine. Not many people are hated by them like Bush is.
Posted by: Charles ||
11/28/2003 12:47 Comments ||
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The visit of the President has produced quite an effect. I am personally very moved by it. Also I notice the effect on those around me.
Alaa
# posted by Alaa : 2:44 PM
Dear Ubique,
Thank you ... I must apologize for having forgotten to pay tribute to the great contribution and sacrifices of the British forces...
# posted by Alaa : 2:32 PM
HAPPY THANKS GIVING TO ALL AMERICAN PEOPLE
I have just come back from an exhausting trip. I didnât know about the Thanks Giving Holiday until I heard on my way back on the car radio the news of the Presidentâs landing in Baghdad Airport. The news stirred very strong emotions in me....
Posted by: mhw ||
11/28/2003 8:31:48 AM ||
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#1
Geez. Raptor, I assume it's our Raptor, gets a personal thank you from Zayed. You name-dropping logroller... Cool!
This blog & Zayed's help make the effort obviously worthwhile. It is so without 'em, of course, but it's certainly much easier to see with them reminding us that someone actually appreciates the risks and sacrifices... we're certainly not getting any of the positives reported by the "press" assholes.
It's a quiet day in the holiday weekend, so WTF...
[reflection]
I am now permanently and forever sworn off of any and all establishment press outlets. The entire Iraq episode, from the UN to the invasion, to the rebuilding have all made it clear who I can and cannot trust.
Its has shown the UN to be a dead rat on America's kitchen floor.
It has revealed the depth of denial and jealousy and craven cowardice of many we once considered our allies - as well as revealing others with the gumption to be worthy new allies.
It has shown some cultures and societies to be rotten to the core - unworthy of our largesse and support.
It has made it crystal clear that our education system is in the hands of ax-grinding lunatics and simplisme morons.
It has revealed that there is still a well-funded socialist global effort to undermine democracy and individual freedom - i.e. American-style freedom - not the bizarro Eeeewwww version.
It has clarified who is who, particularly among the asshats who, by action, prove they hate Bush with a blindness that defies logic and are against anything he attempts, regardless of its efficacy or benefit - Iraq being the case in point - yet pretend, by word alone, to support the troops. Utter bullshit. Disingenuous and a lie by omission, in fact. May none of our military types fall for this duplicitious charade.
It is clear, since 9/11, and becomes more clear everyday that we are being forced into a corner which leaves us few options if we are to survive. I never thought I would consider an entire people, no matter what label, as my enemy. I am quickly approaching that point now. It is disquieting - and why I took a week off to think about almost nothing else. It now appears that, someday quite soon, we, who were attacked solely for believing in freedom and free choice, will be forced to choose between genocide in some degree -- or dhimmitude and intellectual slavery. Astonishing to think that this choice would be forced upon us in the second millenium. How naive I have been. Sigh.
Everything since 9/11 has changed. The last year, in particular, has been the most revealing and disgusting of my life. Not even the post-Vietnam era had as dramatic an effect upon my thinking.
These and many other realizations have made this Thanksgiving one I will never forget.
[/reflection]
Good fortune and prosperity to the Iraqis who seek freedom. That goes double for the forces, the remarkable & gutsy men and women, who are securing it for them - as well as their Commander in Chief.
I understood before the war that a lot of westerners would oppose the war for various reasons, but I never imagined that there would be westerners, including Americans, who would actively pull for a military victory by Saddam.
Posted by: Matt ||
11/28/2003 14:22 Comments ||
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#3
Matt, they were doing it during Vietnam, the Cold War, and the Gulf War -- why would they surprise you now?
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
11/28/2003 14:33 Comments ||
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#4
Welcome back .com we missed your insights and word pictures. "dead rat on the kitchen floor?"
8D
To tell you the truth I'm surprised they could find 13 media people who could be trusted to president's Iraq visit secret. I'm sure that ABC and CNN couldn't have held the trust.
#5
May have been me,I visit Z's blog on a regular basis.It is a good place to get the straight poop from a straight talking Iraqi.Drop by and tell Zayed I said Hi.
#7
".com," Great post, I agree!
You summed up just about everything I feel and the conclusions I've come to, as well. I very well may blog it as my own quintessential credo if you're not careful!
I hope Life gets better for you personnally, but we're all suffering under that Chinese curse of "interesting times."
The has to be one of the worst attempts at scandalmongering Iâve seen by The Guardian since olâ Wolfowitz said the war was for oil.
EFL
How British charity was silenced on Iraq
One of Britainâs most high-profile charities was ordered to end backbitingvilification criticism of military action in Iraq by its powerful US wing to avoid jeopardising financial support from Washington and corporate donors, a Guardian investigation has discovered. Internal emails reveal how Save the Children UK came under enormous pressure after it accused coalition forces of breaching the Geneva convention by blocking humanitarian aid. Senior figures at Save the Children US, based in Westport, Connecticut, demanded the withdrawal of the anti-war criticism and an effective veto on any future anti-war statements blaming the invasion for everything from global warming to bad public schools the plight of Iraqi civilians suffering malnourishment and shortages of medical supplies.
Uncovered documents expose tensions within an alliance that describes itself as "the worldâs largest independent global organisation for children" but which is heavily reliant on governments and big business for cash. Save the Children UK, which had an income of £122m in 2002-03, boasts the Queen as patron and Princess Anne as president, plus a phalanx of the great and the good lending their titles and time.
The row over Iraq erupted in April when the London statement said coalition forces had gone back on an earlier agreement to allow a relief plane, packed with emergency food and medical supplies for 40,000 people, to get shot down land in northern Iraq. Rob MacGillivray, the UK wingâs emergency programme manager, released a statement which stated George W. Bush is a big poopie head that the "lack of cooperation from the coalition forces is a breach of the Geneva conventions and its protocols, but more importantly the time now being wasted is costing children their lives".
Ms Sherman said the Americans were "really astonished at todayâs release, which went out without our prior knowledge, that attacks the US military". Her email went on: "This is undermining all the great work weâve done, much of it in collaboration with you. Weâll have to see the consequences of how this plays out - including affecting our future funding from the government." A number of less controversial "joint messages" were proposed by Ms Sherman, none of which criticised any aspect of the invasion or occupation. She instead wanted the UK and US groups to point out that humanitarian organisations were still not permitted access to most of Iraq, that delays harmed children and, on a positive note, that relief work was under way in Umm Qasr, Masul and northern Iraq. "Safe, secure conditions must be created immediately to allow humanitarians to bring in essential supplies and expertise to the people of Iraq," was her truthful alternative version. Good job, Ms. Sherman. Itâs comforting to know that at least the people at Save the Children US were smart enough to realize that the best way to save the children was by being supportive of the war to remove their leader. Itâs a lot easier to get food and supplies to the children after theyâve been freed from thier prison cells, instead of starving away in there waiting for someone to find them. And Iâm suuuuure the fine people at Save the Children UK didnât have a single anti-war bone in their bodies, and that everything they wrote was strictly on the level. Sure it was.
Posted by: g wiz ||
11/28/2003 3:37:52 AM ||
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People!! Dissent Is Being Squashed!!! Our Basic Freedoms Are Vanishing!!
What kind of world is this where charities are not at liberty to demonize major donors without fearing that said donors will react and...um...imprison their leaders and confiscate their assets reduce donations??!!
STOP THE MADNESS!!!
Posted by: Tokyo Taro ||
11/28/2003 4:26 Comments ||
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#2
I blame high school guidance counselors.
Apparently, they misjudged many people and suggested that our most gifted would-be politicians become musicians, and that our bravest blood-and-guts military strategists take up careers as NGO humanitariansâ¦
#3
OUCH - Hyper hit the nail on the head there. Where else would I get geopolitical wisdom, but from popular actors and musicians. Finishing high school and going to college and staying abreast of current events is SOoooooooooo overrated
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/28/2003 13:58 Comments ||
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Japanâs defense chief said Friday a fact-finding team indicated conditions are "rather stable" in southern Iraq, where the Japanese government is preparing to send ground troops to help with reconstruction. We knew this, but itâs nice to see the Japanese figure it out too.
Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba spoke after receiving a preliminary report from members of the latest in a series of teams dispatched to Iraq to determine where and when it might be safe for Japan to contribute military personnel for non-combat duties. Ishibaâs comments suggested the government may be satisfied with security conditions in a sector near the southern city of Samawah that Japan has been considering for a deployment that will reportedly involve more than 1,000 soldiers from the nationâs Ground Self-Defense Force. The contents of the report have not been made public. But Japanese national media reported that Koizumiâs Cabinet may give its approval as early as next week for an operation in which ground troops would arrive in Iraq early next year. Military transport aircraft may be dispatched even sooner for a safer mission involving making supply runs into Iraq from a neighboring country such as Kuwait. Ishiba said that was "one option" under consideration. Parliament approved the deployment of ground troops in July, but only on condition that they serve in "non-combat areas," which Koizumiâs opponents argue donât exist in Iraq. Let the Japanese soldiers have at the fedayeen, and weâll see some non-combat areas rapidly appear.
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/28/2003 3:19:09 AM ||
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#1
Bonzai! Perhaps the Singapore Bicycle Battlion will be amongst the forces.
#5
I hope (and assume) that these troops will realize that they're probably going to "attract" a truck bomb once they get in-country, and will take the reasonable precautions that the U.N. and Italian troops thought were unreasonable.
#6
Amazing how a short presidential visit can "stabalize" the situation.
Posted by: john ||
11/28/2003 12:57 Comments ||
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#7
If these kids are anything like their granddaddies the jihadis are about to find out what fighting to the death really means.
Since we're going to redeploy some Marines to Iraq, this also raises the historically interesting possibility of Japanese infantry fighting side-by-side with the U.S. Marines. Good luck, Mahmoud, you're really going to need it.
Posted by: Matt ||
11/28/2003 14:29 Comments ||
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A former Iraqi general died while under American interrogation, the U.S. military said Thursday. Did someone forget to read the package insert on the giggle juice?
Maj. Gen. Abed Hamed Mowhoush, an air defense general captured Oct. 5 in a raid near the Syrian border, was being questioned Wednesday while in American custody in Qaim near the Syrian border when he lost consciousness after complaining he didnât feel well, the military said in a statement. Then his lips really fell off.
He was pronounced dead by a U.S. military physician. "Heâs dead, Jim."
The cause of death and interrogation techniques are under investigation, but Mowhoushâs head was not hooded during questioning, the 82nd Airborne said. The statement did not give his age. Mowhoush, a major general in the Republican Guard, was captured in a raid in Qaim. A U.S. military spokeswoman said at the time that Mowhoush was believed to have been financing attacks on U.S. forces.
"Awright! Awright! I'll talk! But yez gotta pertect me if I do! Sammy's holed up at..."
[Thwwwwpppp!]
"Jones! The window!"
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/28/2003 3:15:04 AM ||
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#1
I'd like to ask for a moment of silenc...OK, that's enough - anybody for a beer?
'Hope a few more of Saddam's inner circle are soon enjoying L-O-N-G dirtnaps.
#3
Great. Now we're going to have Human rights groups all over us. Again.
Posted by: Charles ||
11/28/2003 12:45 Comments ||
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#4
Let's just make sure the word gets around to the rest of the captive Iraqis. And Gitmo.
As Napolean said, it encourages the others.
Posted by: Charlie ||
11/28/2003 13:19 Comments ||
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#5
Meh, probably a cardiac from the stress. I haven't seen very many iraqi 'generals' who looked like they could pass a PT test. Most of them look like the only exercise they got was going through the buffet line.
Too bad this mutt had to die, ruins all the fun for the interviewers.
#6
Great. Now we're going to have Human rights groups all over us. Again.
What, is NoMoreMacho supposed to join us today? Or perhaps it'll be some NEW troll. Either way, I'm sure a nice Rantburg 21-raspberry salute will make them feel right at home.
If you want to play in THIS sandbox, you've got to have your game together, or you'll be playing doormat. LOVE the crowd here!
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
11/28/2003 16:30 Comments ||
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#7
Anybody else thinking "witness protection program?"
How about: "I'll tell, but I want a new identity, a green card, Sammy's reward money, and a ticket to Las Vegas."
If we nail Saddam within the next few days, I'd consider this possibility.
Posted by: Old Grouch ||
11/28/2003 20:04 Comments ||
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As the frequency and ferocity of the suicide bombings by foreign jihadis in Iraq has increased, there has been a decline in the frequency and ferocity of similar bombings in Chechnya. Usually well-informed religious sources in Pakistan say that it is due to the fact that under the instructions of Osama bin Ladenâs International Islamic Front (IIF), whose activities are now co-ordinated by the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET), many foreign jihadis operating in Chechnya, including some Jordanians and Saudis of Chechen origin and six members of Pakistanâs Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HUJI), have proceeded to Jordan from where they are co-ordinating the activities of the jihadis in Iraq. They also say that Saudi Arabia and Jordan — and not Syria and Iran — are emerging as the rear bases for the Iraqi jihad and warn of a destabilisation drive in Jordan shortly similar to the ones in Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
I'm surprised that hasn't started yet. Al-Tawhid's putative reason for existence is to overthrow the Jordanian government...
The jihadis want to teach a lesson to the Jordanian Government for its perceived support to the USA and Israel and for training the police officers of the US-UK occupation regime in Iraq. According to them, most of the Chechen members of the IIF, who had earlier taken shelter in the Waziristan area of Pakistan, have also since gravitated towards Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq, leaving their Pakistani wives and children back in Waziristan. They are being taken care of by the LET and the Taliban. Jordan has an estimated Chechen population of about 15,000, practically all of them Jordanian nationals. Many of them serve in the Government, including in the Armed Forces, the intelligence agencies and the palace guards.
Why'd I just have a flashback to some very bad literature, featuring cleft-chinned, muscular heroes who infiltrated the palace guard and... did stuff?
In the past, the Chechen community had remained very loyal to the royal family and won its trust and confidence. From 1999, the Russian Government started alleging that foreign jihadi terrorists, including some holding Jordanian, Saudi and Pakistani nationalities, had arrived in Chechnya and were helping the local terrorists. Incidents of suicide terrorism in Chechnya increased after the arrival of these foreign jihadis. Moscow also alleged that the contingent of foreign jihadis was led by Ibn al-Khattab (since reported dead), a Jordanian national.
I think he was born in Soddy Arabia, of a Jordanian family. Pop lives in Khobar, in the Eastern Province.
Following this, the Jordanian authorities strongly advised the people of Chechen origin living in their territory against extending any support—moral or material—to the Chechen terrorists. They were also worried that the Jordanian nationals fighting against the Russian troops might later return to Jordan and turn against the royal family. There is now a danger of these fears proving true.
Posted by: Paul Moloney ||
11/28/2003 3:09:48 AM ||
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Any ex-quartermasters here? EFL.
Soldiers with the Armyâs 3rd Infantry Division charged into Iraq in April short of the ammunition their commanders had said was necessary to invade, according to the divisionâs postwar evaluation of the fighting. It was one of a number of supply problems encountered by the 3rd Infantry before and during its 21-day dash to Baghdad from Kuwait, according to the internal review, a 293-page after-action report created by the divisionâs senior officers and troops.
This'll be al-Guardian reading through the Army's "lessons learned" and potshotting...
During the run-up to the war, division commanders requested additional ammunition be delivered to front-line units. The request was approved, but the troops could not obtain all the ordnance despite months of war preparations. ``Every attempt to gain the ammunition assets resulted in some agency or another denying requests, short-loading trucks or turning away soldiers,ââ the report said. ``The entire situation became utter chaos. ... The division crossed (into Iraq) short the ammunition it had declared necessary to commit to combat.ââ
It was so totally FUBAR'd that we lost the war...
The report, whose authors were not identified by name, catalogued serious problems with supply, security and the handling of prisoners of war. It blamed many problems on higher headquarters or other parts of the military, although it did point out some places where the division could train its own soldiers better. A spokesman for the division, Maj. Darryl Wright, characterized the report as a candid effort to pinpoint problems and refine tactics so the division fights better next time. He said the report, obtained by The Associated Press and other outlets, had not yet been finalized.
It's that "candid" part that provides the red meat for the press...
The report praised the divisionâs troops, leaders and front-line fighting gear, particularly the M-1 Abrams tank and the M-2 Bradley fighting vehicle. ``The Third Infantry Division (Mechanized) moved farther and faster than any other ground offensive operation in history,ââ the report claimed. Yet the division had serious problems receiving supplies while on the move, including vehicle parts, ammunition, fuel and medical supplies. Had the division been required to move beyond Baghdad, or had it required more time to reach the city, its advance would have stalled, the report suggested. ``Most units literally spent 21 days in continuous combat operations without receiving a single repair part,ââ the report said. ``Shortages of predictably high-demand repair parts and vehicular fluids had the most lasting effect on fleet readiness.ââ It goes on to document various problems.
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/28/2003 3:07:19 AM ||
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#1
On a related point, I've goggled what was supposed the new US "Xm-8" rifle mentionned some time ago, and was very surprised that the US Army is going to simply choose a standard-if-modern german design, and throw away 50 yrs of expertise and a awful lot of money... instead of upgrading the M16 family and using new ammo/changing caliber to solve its lethality problem, and spent the saved money on what's really needed for the troops.
Btw, this site (courtesy of a seemingly very disgruntled airborne trooper who doesn't seem to like marines much) blast a lot of US army projects (OICW, Stryker, X22, "tofflerian" toys, see also the article on the 21st century rifle); I really don't know what it is worth, but the writers do make some very interesting points (ie go for the practical & common sense instead of trying to find solutions for non-existent problems). Perhaps (ex-)military type here will be more informed.
http://www.geocities.com/equipmentshop/index.htm
#2
``Every attempt to gain the ammunition assets resulted in some agency or another denying requests, short-loading trucks or turning away soldiers,ââ the report said. ``The entire situation became utter chaos. ... The division crossed (into Iraq) short the ammunition it had declared necessary to commit to combat.ââ
Why is in every single aspect of life there is always one freaking clerk/b'crat/paper pusher who if they worked for the Cartoon Network couldn't prevent a "Time For Bennie Marathon" from being aired. If this is really true and not BS al Guardian dragged up the officer responsible should be court martialed and thrown into Levenworth
#3
"REMF"(rear echelon moth$%r f^%$ers)The Bane of front-line troops since the begnning of orginized warfare.
The oil industry use to require oil field enginiers to spend a miniuim of 1 year working in the oil fields.The military should follow this example.Make every-one of these REMF's serve at least one year with front-line units.
#4
``Every attempt to gain the ammunition assets resulted in some agency or another denying requests, short-loading trucks or turning away soldiers,ââ
Sgt. Highway sez:
"The Marines are fighting men, sir. They shouldn't be sitting around on their sorry asses filling out requisition forms for equipment they should already have."
Based on everything else I've heard, from talking to retired Air Force logistics people, we were having trouble moving enough supplies through Kuwait to keep the divisions we did have in the field supplied. Kuwait just didn't have the port facilities, and it's hard to run that much supplies by air.
Draw your own conclusions about all the people saying we needed to invade with more troops.
Posted by: Phil Fraering ||
11/28/2003 12:43 Comments ||
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#6
The c*cksuckers from the guardian are still pissed that the entire thing didn't turn into the Battle of Stalingrad. Like all good little commies, they were devoutly hoping to us lose a few hundred thousand troops to the heroic baathists. Now all they can do is try to smear their turds around in an attempt to stink the place up.
As far as logistics goes, what commander thinks those candy-ass REMFs from J-4 are EVER giving them enough supplies? Usually, the guys on the ground AND the feather merchants are both correct, the supply line is a complete SNAFU, and the troops usually have to pay for it.
#7
"Kuwait just didn't have the port facilities..." Well, we should have gone in through another country, too. Wait a second...weren't we supposed to go through one of those other countries? But then they went back on their word? Because they were scared that Al-Q would attack them for helping us?
Well, since they didn't help us, Al-Q hasn't bombed them......right?
What country was that again? I can't recall...
Heh heh
I like how they asked for the $25 million or so ANYWAY, even though we had to send the 4th ID all the way to Kuwait. Almost gallic in their chutzpah.
#9
Resolved: That all service academy graduates are required to serve one to two years active duty as enlisted personnel before receiving their commission.
Some of them come to the academies with prior enlisted service.
However, I doubt this would achieve what you want, snellenr, unless they were serving in a shooting war.
Almost gallic in their chutzpah
Well, they DID have French influence on that decision not to allow us to go in from the north.
If we had, not only would the supply lines be easier but we most likely would have been in the Sunni triangle before certain people had a chance to regroup there.
#10
Every attempt to gain the ammunition assets resulted in some agency or another denying requests, short-loading trucks or turning away soldiers...
If the ammo was there and not distributed, the supply clerks and their bosses need to be court-martialed, and summarily tossed out of the military. If the ammo WASN'T there, we need to know why, and fix THAT problem. Part of it could have been because of the 4ID not being offloaded in Turkey, part of it might have been confusion on the parts of shippers, or whatever. It's a problem, it's been identified, and it needs to be fixed - regardless of the reason it existed.
Make every-one of these REMF's serve at least one year with front-line units.
Won't work. What will work is something I recommended twenty years ago to the Air Force - every member of the Air Force should be forced to enter as an enlisted member, and be trained as a cop. Once they've gone through that training (best thing the AF has to combat training), then let them be trained in something else that's needed. That would eliminate the weaklings at the very beginning, give every member of the Air Force a common point of experience, and force people to recognize the fact that the only reason for the existence of any military service is the protection of the Constitution and the people it represents. Of course it got shot down - "too expensive, people won't go along with it, yadda yadda yadda..." Only the Marines train everyone first as a rifleman, then as a specialist. The Marines are a quality force, and this is one good reason for it.
Resolved: That all service academy graduates are required to serve one to two years active duty as enlisted personnel before receiving their commission.
They need to serve two years BEFORE GOING to the military academies. I speak from EXPERIENCE, as a 17-yo fresh-as-new-grass kaydet that learned the hard way what the military is all about - AFTER I washed out of the Academy for medical reasons.
The military needs to change. It's still designed to fight a WWII-type war. Equipment, weapons, and capabilities have changed so drastically such warfare is not likely to ever happen again. The only way to change the military is to get rid of the dead-head generals that learned only one way to fight a war, and sit in judgment over today's military policies. We may not need a totally-clean sweep, but there are enough asshats that need to be fired to satisfy most of us if they were to be flushed.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
11/28/2003 16:49 Comments ||
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#11
Every attempt to gain the ammunition assets resulted in some agency or another denying requests, short-loading trucks or turning away soldiers...
If the ammo was there and not distributed, the supply clerks and their bosses need to be court-martialed, and summarily tossed out of the military. If the ammo WASN'T there, we need to know why, and fix THAT problem. Part of it could have been because of the 4ID not being offloaded in Turkey, part of it might have been confusion on the parts of shippers, or whatever. It's a problem, it's been identified, and it needs to be fixed - regardless of the reason it existed.
Make every-one of these REMF's serve at least one year with front-line units.
Won't work. What will work is something I recommended twenty years ago to the Air Force - every member of the Air Force should be forced to enter as an enlisted member, and be trained as a cop. Once they've gone through that training (best thing the AF has to combat training), then let them be trained in something else that's needed. That would eliminate the weaklings at the very beginning, give every member of the Air Force a common point of experience, and force people to recognize the fact that the only reason for the existence of any military service is the protection of the Constitution and the people it represents. Of course it got shot down - "too expensive, people won't go along with it, yadda yadda yadda..." Only the Marines train everyone first as a rifleman, then as a specialist. The Marines are a quality force, and this is one good reason for it.
Resolved: That all service academy graduates are required to serve one to two years active duty as enlisted personnel before receiving their commission.
They need to serve two years BEFORE GOING to the military academies. I speak from EXPERIENCE, as a 17-yo fresh-as-new-grass kaydet that learned the hard way what the military is all about - AFTER I washed out of the Academy for medical reasons.
The military needs to change. It's still designed to fight a WWII-type war. Equipment, weapons, and capabilities have changed so drastically such warfare is not likely to ever happen again. The only way to change the military is to get rid of the dead-head generals that learned only one way to fight a war, and sit in judgment over today's military policies. We may not need a totally-clean sweep, but there are enough asshats that need to be fired to satisfy most of us if they were to be flushed.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
11/28/2003 18:33 Comments ||
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The alleged Singaporean ringleader of a terror group instructed three Thai Muslims, who are currently on trial for terrorism, to kidnap foreign ambassadors and bomb embassies, a policeman testified Friday. Police Col. Pirapong Duangamporn told the Bangkok Criminal Court the Singaporean, Arifin bin Ali, confessed to the plot during questioning in police custody in Singapore.
"Mr. bin Ali, do you have anything to confess to?"
"Yes! If you'll kindly release my testicle..."
The aim was to secure the release of arrested members of the Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist group in Singapore, Pirapong said. "Arifin said they had to threaten the embassies of the United States, Israel and Singapore to bargain for the release of JI members," the police officer said. Alternatively, Arifin told the Thai Muslims they "may have to kidnap ambassadors or businessmen from those countries and threaten to kill them or just kill them afterward," Pirapong said.
"They're just infidels. You know, the meat you're not allowed to eat?"
Thai police arrested Arifin in May and deported him to Singapore. A month later, four Thai Muslims were arrested on suspicion of plotting to blow up the embassies of the U.S., Britain, Israel, Singapore and Australia in the Thai capital.
Quite the coincidence, eh?
The four are on trial on charges of conspiring to harm national security, being members of an unlawful group, and assembling illegally to commit a crime. They have denied the charges, which carry a maximum 10-year prison term.
"Lies! All lies!"
All are alleged to be members of Jemaah Islamiyah, the regional wing of al-Qaida. Pirapong said Arifin mentioned only three of the suspects in the alleged plot, medical doctor Dr. Waemahadi Wae-dao, Islamic preacher Maisuri Haji Abdulloh, and manual laborer Samarn Wae-kaji, but not the fourth defendant, Maisuriâs son, Muyahi.
There's always a preacher involved. You can't do that stuff without a fatwa, y'know. Muyahi's probably learning the family business. The Doc's probably the money man, and Samarn was supposed to be the muscle...
He said Arifin had surveyed the areas around the targeted embassies. He quoted Arifin as saying that Waemahadi suggested adding the tourist destinations of Pattaya and Phuket to the bombing list.
Pretty beachs liberally dotted with scantily clad maidens are certainly un-Islamic... I don't think most of them are maidens, though...
Pirapong said they scheduled the attacks for June because it would be the tourist high season.
"They were going to drive explosive-packed cars to the targets at the same time," he said. "It was Arifinâs idea that they should plan the explosions at the same time to create chaos." Waemahadi also allegedly told Arifin that ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer ingredient that can be used for making explosives, would be easy to obtain from Thai farmers, Pirapong said.
Don't underestimate farmers. Most of them aren't as dumb as they look...
Posted by: TS ||
11/28/2003 11:51:19 AM ||
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A top counterterrorism official says al-Qaeda operatives dropped plans this year for several small attacks in the USA to focus on plotting a "more spectacular" assault comparable to the Sept. 11 attacks. Probably fall-out from Khalid Sheikh Mohammedâs arrest.
The U.S. counterterrorism official, who has access to all intelligence on the terrorist group, told USA TODAY this week that officials have no specific evidence to indicate how or when al-Qaeda might try to launch a massive strike on U.S. soil. But, the official said, interviews with al-Qaeda detainees, intercepts of communications from suspected operatives and other sources have yielded evidence that Osama bin Ladenâs network still has a command structure and a determination to launch an attack that might rival the suicide hijackings. We know that the guy sent over here to do just that was Adnan El Shukrijumah and that the last time anybody saw him up in Maine, he was supposed in the company of a middle management type named Jdey. I donât exactly like the fact that thereâs been a BOLO on this guy since March and yet heâs just managed to melt into the background - thereâs no way in hell he could do that without help from other people here.
"Itâs clear that al-Qaeda wants to strike here" and that it continues to seek opportunities for "a catastrophic attack," said the official, who asked not to be identified. Recent intelligence reports indicate that al-Qaeda remains fascinated by the idea of using aircraft as missiles, despite the additional security at U.S. airports since the 9/11 attacks. U.S. analysts still say explosives typically used in more limited assaults, including vehicle bombs in suicide attacks, remain al-Qaedaâs most likely weapon here. But intelligence reports suggest that some of the networkâs operatives think that an attack using chemical or biological weapons could be a way to top the 9/11 attacks, the official said.
It's also the way to elicit the heaviest response from the U.S.
Such weapons can be difficult to use, but al-Qaeda has sought them for years. Itâs unclear whether the group has access to chemical or biological weapons. But those weapons represent a more likely concern than nuclear arms, U.S. analysts say. Especially since, partisan politics aside, thereâs still a good chunk of Iraqi WMDs that was reported by UNMOVIC in 1998 and remains completely unaccounted for one way or another. There was a report in the Washington Post in December 2002 that Sammy slipped al-Qaeda some VX and God help us all if these folks have that, as theyâve exhibited the capacity for long-term planning for mass casualty attacks and may well do so again in the future.
The latest intelligence on al-Qaedaâs possible intentions comes at a time of heightened tension about terrorism here and around the world. A series of deadly bombings of synagogues and British interests in Turkey has led some U.S. analysts to suggest al-Qaeda is starting a new wave of attacks. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security told law enforcement agencies last week to be particularly mindful of security around cargo jets and chemical plants. U.S. officials, however, have not said they plan to raise the nationâs color-coded threat level. It is at code yellow (meaning there is an "elevated" risk of an attack), the midpoint on a five-level scale. It isnât clear whether more aggressive efforts by U.S. agents during the past two years â including their increased authority to do wiretaps and other types of surveillance â contributed to al-Qaedaâs apparent shift in strategy here this year. My guess would be yes.
It also is unclear who is directing al-Qaedaâs strategy. Saif al-Adel seems to be the main driver these days and Zarqawiâs the pivot guy. Both are in Iran, which makes stopping them problematic until a few of the Black Hats roll.
Bin Laden is said to be hiding along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. And analysts suspect it is difficult for him to plot strategy while being hunted. Though one recent report has placed him in Iran as well in his capacity as an honorary Black Hat ...
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
11/28/2003 1:48:33 AM ||
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#1
I believe that Al Qaeda is severely disrupted. My proof is that they are starting to shit in their own pool to make continueing attacks against their own Muslims and against less belligerant Muslim governments.
If Al Qaeda has any strategic weapons they are likely to use them quickly in a mass attack: They must know someone will shot his mouth off about the operation and it will be then impossible to execute long range plans.
I am not saying Al Qaeda is finished, but I am saying they not only have shifted their strategy, they have shifted to a strategy that is likely to result in their own destruction.
#2
I'm not sure it indicates disruption - though that would be terrific - but as I've said before, it certainly indicates rather glaring stupidity. I agree wholeheartedly with you conclusion: shitting on your own living room floor is a very very stupid move. There is no way it can generate more support, such as intimidating potential funding, than it will alienate. Let's hope they continue until they burn themselves out of cannon fodder, funding, and state sponsorship. Let's hear it for gross stupidity! ;->
#3
Al Q, in order to carry out a successful mass attack on the US, needs a plan, the materiel, the manpower, positioning, coordination, funding, and secure communications. They are having difficulty getting all the components together in the US now. The longer that they cannot pull off a show, the less their credibility is. I think that their show in Saudi was a critical mistake, because this will jeopordize their funding sources. The govt is going to turn on itself and its citizens, so even with massive Saudi f--kups, the organization will be disrupted. Turkey booms will cause alot of public soul searching and floundering, but it will not provide jihad support. If we, meaning the US and European intelligence agencies can remain vigilant and communicate, despite what some asshat leaders do, we will frustrate Al Q and the tide will slowly but steadily turn against them. There will be no instant victory but it will be gradual as the ME political and social landscape changes.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
11/28/2003 14:10 Comments ||
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From the Atlantic Journal-Constitution Fox, but not CNN, was at Bushâs Thanksgiving surprise
When President Bush landed in Iraq for Thanksgiving dinner, Fox News was there, but CNN was not.
"Neener-neener!"
When the president travels, the White House uses a rotating system for a pool that includes newspaper, wire-service and television reporters, but news executives were not sure Thursday whether the standard procedures had been followed, according to a story in the Washington Post.
"Marvin, was that standard?"
"We always adhere to standards, sir."
"Good enough for me."
Looks like they didn't want to bring any second-rate news orgs along...
Kathryn Kross, CNNâs Washington bureau chief, calved on the spot told the Post that a two-person crew from her network was dismissed from the White House pool Wednesday, with the understanding that no further news would be made.
"Whyn't you guys go have lunch or something? We'll... ummm... see you later. And take Wolf with you."
"Weâre all for the president boosting the troops however the White House feels is appropriate," she said, according to the newspaper. "But apparently the White House put together its own group of people to accompany the president on this trip, and weâre real interested to learn their reasons for doing that." Well, Kross, F**kin Duh.
#1
According to Fox this AM, they are the Pool reporter on Thursdays, as Ms. Kross is well aware...Traditionally, Ms. Kross, Thanksgiving has been held on thursdays, and although it might have increased your viewership by 0.04% to have rescheduled Thanksgiving to a day when CNN has the pool report duties so you could have accompanied the President to visit the troops, most reasonable people would agree that was a bit difficult at this late date to work out. In other news, scientists have discovered that the sun does not orbit CNN headquarters.... (/sarcasm?)
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/28/2003 13:21 Comments ||
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#2
Why should the White House feel compelled to invite along a "news" service that is little more than a Democratic Party propaganda outlet? I occasionally land on CNN while channel-surfing but every time I do, what I encounter is far more spin than news- spin aimed at gullible idiots.
If the White House snubbed CNN deliberately, I applaud.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
11/28/2003 13:34 Comments ||
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#3
Well... My sources tell me that they got the IR signature suppression equipment installed on AF One in time and didn't need Nick Robertson, Walter Rogers, Christaine Amanpour, and Wolf Blitzer to hang over the engine exhausts anymore.
But it could be cuz Thanksgiving happened on a Thursday, this year. Conspiracy theorists will have a field day with this one, I'm sure.
#4
After years of being a willing propoganda tool for Saddam, CNN has no position to criticize anything that goes on in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Also, given this history, maybe CNN could not be trusted to keep the secret.
Question: If this was only about WMD then why did they call it Operation Iraqi Freedom?
#5
What they're really ticked about is not being able to prepare any negatve spin on the trip in advance. They're catching up ("Yeah Bush visited Iraq but the situation remains grim, all is lost, etc.") but the on-air crew yesterday looked completely clueless -- nothing coming through their earpieces except elevator music.
Posted by: Matt ||
11/28/2003 14:13 Comments ||
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#6
If CNN had been told, there would have been a hundred French camera crews (and their accompanying Strela teams) camped around the airport.
Hell, I bet al'Jazeera would have had their mobile SAM battery camera van out to cover the event.
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
11/28/2003 14:31 Comments ||
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#7
I think that CNN was not invited for the same reason Al-Jizz was not invited -- SECURITY. CNN could not be trusted not to BLAB THEIR PIEHOLE in all directions and alert the terrorists -- and loose lips sink ships.
That and the fact that CNN was not in the rotation for that day -- doh!
#8
Seeing as how the french stringers are working hand in hand with the terrorists in iraq, it would seem likely that someone sympathetic to them might very well tip them off. CNN should realize it's no longer a 'news' organization, rather it's a partisan flack network. As such, they should know they aren't trustworthy. It's disingenuous for them to cry 'foul'.
#10
Er, has no one noticed that the even-more-disgusting Reuters was invited along? If I were Bush arranging the pool to suit me, I'd cut Reuters before I would CNN.
#11
CNN ... no longer a 'news' organization, ... partisan flack network. ... aren't trustworthy. It's disingenuous for them to cry 'foul'.
Actually, I think it would be more accurate to say they cry "fowl" - as in ChickeNN. CNN is a piece of dog mess someone needs to clean off the airways.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
11/28/2003 16:10 Comments ||
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#12
My only regret is that CNN's whining, along with similar stuff from the NYT Wash. bureau chief and others, won't have a longer life or be more prominent than are likely to be the case. I just saw the news crawler on one of the cable networks reporting the Dem candidates' reactions, which were all wisely restrained and positive. So while there may not be any chance of massive (redundant?) self-inflicted wounds there, the major media could still cause some jaws to drop in the real America if they'd keep whining about this ..... it's hard to think of an event and reaction thereto that better define common sense vs. cluelessness.
#13
Nic Robertson was on a while ago telling us all that the Iraqis aren't impressed because (a) It's rude to show up unannounced and (b) it's also rude to leave without allowing your host to show you some hospitality.
Posted by: Matt ||
11/28/2003 17:41 Comments ||
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#14
"But apparently the White House put together its own group of people to accompany the president on this trip, and weâre real interested to learn their reasons for doing that."
Basically, who cares? They didn't want you, end of story. Now get lost.
It appears that it was a natural death -- too bad.
Ayatollah Sadeq Khalkhali, who died on Wednesday aged 77, was the "hanging judge" of the Iranian revolution, responsible for sending hundreds, possibly thousands, of people to their deaths; he became notorious in the West after he appeared on television poking the charred corpses of American servicemen killed in an unsuccessful bid to rescue hostages held in the American embassy in Tehran. It appears that notoriety for this kind of behavior has a limited lifespan. I havenât seen any reports of this in the news, and I donât expect that weâll see this footage again. Itâs a shame, because we need occasional reminders.
Khalkhali, known as "the butcher" to his fellow butchers compatriots, brought to his job as Chief Justice of the revolutionary courts a relish for summary execution that would have made Judge Jeffries seem like a member of the Howard League for Penal Reform. Appears to be a British-ism (maybe Bulldog can elaborate), but maybe "makes Judge Roy Bean seem like Ruth Bader Ginsberg" would be a close analogy...
Khalkhali acted as prosecutor, judge and jury in his own cases, regarding his rulings as "the judgment and conscience of 35 million people". He developed a new judicial concept called "obvious guilt" - whereby the accused is presumed guilty if his or her "crimes" were "very clear" prior to the trial. A modified version of this concept is being used by Charles Schumer in evaluating Bushâs nominees...
Stories of his cruelty were legion. One of his first victims was Amir-Abbas Hoveida, the Shahâs prime minister for eight years. After sentence had been passed, pleas for clemency poured in from all over the world and it was said that Khalkhali was told by telephone to stay the execution. Khalkhali replied that he would go and see what was happening. He then went to Hoveida and either shot him himself or instructed a minion to do the deed. "Iâm sorry," he told the person at the other end of the telephone, "the sentence has aleady been carried out."
There is that tendency of money to stick to the fingers of holy men...
Khalkhali was an MP for the Shiite holy city of Qom in central Iran for more than a decade and served as head of the Iranian parliamentâs foreign policy committee; but his parliamentary candidacy was rejected in 1991 by the Iranian legislative watchdog, the Council of Guardians. Following the 1997 landslide election victory of Mohammed Khatami, Khalkhali expressed his support for the political reform movement, but his belated conversion to a modicum of democracy was viewed with distrust. Now thatâs understatement...
Khalkhali is survived by a wife and son. ...and the remaining cats in Qom.
Posted by: snellenr ||
11/28/2003 11:36:18 AM ||
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#2
Destined to spend enternity with two one ounce baggies of cosmic kitty nip sewn into his butt and live amongst cats who have discovered advanced steroids.
Posted by: Charles ||
11/28/2003 12:42 Comments ||
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#4
Let us all hope most dilligently that whatever God has removed this nutcase decides to mate him up with Ruth Bader Ginsburg in a new life, and unites them this week. Ginsburg would be a perfect candidate for a mouse-human brain transplant - it might raise her conscience level a tad.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
11/28/2003 16:17 Comments ||
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#5
RE: Cats
When cats are being tortured, the have a high pitched scream that sounds like a woman. It is a way of desensitizing themselves for when they start doing it to people. Sick Bastards.
Definitely a precursor/indicator to later violence.
Posted by: Eric ||
11/29/2003 1:25 Comments ||
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#6
"...a relish for summary execution that would have made Judge Jeffries seem like a member of the Howard League for Penal Reform."
Judge Jeffries became notorious for his "Bloody Assizes" in the late 17th Century. He was a judicial tyrant renowned for a lack of compassion. The Howard League for Penal Reform seems to be some sort of bleeding-heart org dedicated to minimising the 'suffering' of the criminally inclined.
Bobby Mugs has had enough.
President Robert Mugabe has suggested that Zimbabwe could leave the Commonwealth rather than surrender its sovereignty. That didnât work out too well when Ian Smith tried it, Bob.
Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth last after Mugabe was re-elected amid accusations of vote rigging. United States and the European Union imposed travel and financial sanctions on Mugabe and his cronies. You know youâve got problems when even Nigeria doesnât want you around.
Nigeria recently issued an ultimatum to Mugabe, warning him that he will be excluded from the next Commonwealth summit scheduled for December 5-8 unless he agrees to share power with the Zimbabwean opposition. Cold day in hell when I take orders from Nigerians.
Mugabe said today: "If our sovereignty is what we have to lose to be readmitted into the Commonwealth, well we will say goodbye to the Commonwealth, and perhaps the time has now come to say so." I know the guyâs a Rhodesian but you may want to sound out Ian Smith, Bob. Heâs got all kinds of experience as an international pariah.
Posted by: Christopher Johnson ||
11/28/2003 10:55:12 AM ||
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#1
But Chirac (big surprise) is still his friend. Rememeber the summit last year that Chriac arranged over the objections of Britain.
Posted by: capt joe ||
11/28/2003 11:39 Comments ||
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There is "compelling evidence" that the government of Sudan is "largely responsible" for the abuses and humanitarian crisis in Darfur, western Sudan, said rights group Amnesty International (AI) in a statement on Thursday. Arab militia groups responsible for attacks on farming communities which have killed thousands, contained well armed and uniformed elements of the Sudanese army, AI researcher Benedicte Goderiaux told IRIN. Following interviews with refugees from Darfur who have fled to neighbouring Chad, AI said it had come to the "the bleak conclusion that at least some elements in the army" were encouraging the devastation. According to the UN, 600,000 people have been displaced since February. "Refugee after refugee, in widely scattered areas, told how militias armed with kalashnikovs and other weapons, including bazookas, often dressed in green army uniforms, raided villages, burnt houses and crops and killed people and cattle," the statement said. Allegations of abductions, rape of women, and torture in detention had also been made.
The Sudanese government has repeatedly denied backing the Arab militia groups in Darfur, known as the Janjaweed, but has committed itself to controlling them. At the very least, AI said it had "totally failed in its obligation to protect its own people". Goderiaux said she would be "cautious" about describing the attacks as ethnic cleansing. The attacks have mainly targeted the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa ethnic groups, which make up two rebel movements - the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army and the Justice and Equality Movement - fighting for political and economic rights. Goderiaux warned that the conflict, which is currently centered in northern and western Darfur, had the potential to spread further and become a fullscale civil war.
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on Thursday said the security situation along the Chadian border was deteriorating, as the militias launched "bolder and more aggressive attacks". Over a three-week period, the militias had launched six raids on refugee and Chadian communities close to the border, stealing hundreds of cattle and killing a Chadian villager, the agency said. In another attack Arab militias had torched six villages over the border from Borota. Meanwhile, the lack of travel permits being granted by the Sudanese government, coupled with general insecurity, is preventing aid agencies from supplying urgently needed humanitarian aid. And I think that Khartoum is quite happy with that state of affairs ...
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
11/28/2003 2:06:48 AM ||
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#1
And where's the outrage? I'm really fed up with our media 's double standards.
Every day, we've got detailed review of the tiniest iraqi events, because everybody is waiting for the stupid americans to fail as we predicted, and because it involves the new pet cause of the chattering class (muslims, seen as the new global underdogs). All this while whole part of the world are more or less a living hell, but still not worth of our mediacracy's attention (think of DRC/Rwanda, with 3-4 millions deads since 1993, 9 countries involved, for example).
In Sudan, of course, the victims are black, and christian/animist, and the perps are not the "right" kind of racist imperialists.
Tell me... is this just ideological bias, or does anyone believes the financial weight of the petromonarchies is also to be taken into account, just like at the UN?
#2
Methinks your rant sums up one of the fatal flaws of established "news" outlets and the very selective self-righteous "rights" groups quite admirably. And that be why we be here - to dig and discover and get beyond their agendas and biases. You're on-target. Keep it up!
Of course the perps had better beware - else they might find themselves warned by the UN! Swift as eagles and tough as doves they *swoop* down upon those who do evil. Terrifying them with resolutions and press trash talking - and in extreme cases messing up their hair. Thrilling to see! Your UN contributions in action! Vindication!
;-)
#3
anon says, "Tell me... is this just ideological bias, or does anyone believes the financial weight of the petromonarchies is also to be taken into account, just like at the UN?"
We can also blame the Org of African States whose policy is basically pro tyranny. We can also blame the left wing Christian church organizations whose policy is basically anti-American. We can also blame the various Civil Rights groups whose policy is to do nothing that might offend Jesse Jackson.
#4
This situation is not new in Darfur. (See Africa's Thirty Years' War: Chad, Libya and the Sudan, 1963-1993) Nevertheless, recent developments are bloodier inside Sudan than they have been for more than a decade.
#5
I think it would be real time to remind Jesse Jackson that he is a black and that he is supposed to care when blacks are being abused by people of lighter color.
#6
But JFM, Jesse can't make any MONEY defending these people. His whole purpose in life is to see how many rich Americans he can shake down, make feel guilty, and give him money - which he feels perfectly ok about spending any da$$$$ way he pleases.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
11/28/2003 15:37 Comments ||
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From Pravda of all places, but gives the name of the lieutenant who was captured yesterday.
According to the information provided by the interior ministry, the staff members of the Russian interior ministry and the district department of the interior conducted a special operation in the Shali district center yesterday. As a result, a certain Khatuyev, an active member of an illegal armed formation and one of Abu al-Validâs aides, was detained.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
11/28/2003 2:03:45 AM ||
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This is a standard propaganda release, but it does give us some more insight as to the whoâs who among the Caucasus krazed killers. Question (Q): Ramzan, Jamaats play a special role in Chechen Resistance; as a rule they are ranked among the radical wing of the force fighting against Russian army in the Caucasus. Ramzan (R): Jamaat means âa community of peopleâ in Arabic. But in Chechnya by Jamaat they mean militant groups led by an âamirâ (a commander) who are fighting in the name of Allah. This is where we are fundamentally different from other Chechens who have taken up arms to defend their Homeland and to fight for Chechnyaâs independence. For us the most important thing is not the status of our Republic but the impossibility to put up with the order they are imposing on us, which is alien to Muslims. We believe that Muslims cannot live according to the laws of kafirsâ (infidelsâ); Muslims have their own laws given to them by the Most High. These laws are called Sharia. We are fighting to establish the laws of Allah, Sharia laws in our land.
Q: And is there a difference between the ways Jamaat members and other fighters act in battle conditions? R: I think there is a difference. Jamaat fighters are more disciplined, they donât smoke or drink. They keep all the rules imposed by Islam, they sense more keenly the power of Allah and his influence in our everyday life.
Q: Please, tell me what is the current situation inside the Resistance and in Chechnya in general? R: During this year big changes have taken place in the Resistance, organizational as well as military changes. In the summer last year we started the process of uniting our forces and now you can say this process has virtually been completed. We have successfully overcome our differences and have now created a single structure to manage our troops. As you probably know, Chechnya can be divided into three areas. The area to the north of the Terek River we call the Northern Front, the rest is the Western Front (west of the Argun River) and the Eastern Front (east of the Argun River). Dokku Umarov is in command of the Western Front, and Abu al-Walid is in the command of the Eastern Front. The territory on the border between Chechnya and Ingushetia is under jurisdiction of Commander Khamzat (Ruslan) Gelayev. Concerning the Jamaats I would like to say that while we keep receiving financial and material support from our Chief Commander Amir Abu al-Walid, those of us who operate in Western Chechnya and in Ingushetia, are under the command of Amirs Umarov and Gelayev accordingly. This fact alone shows that we are all steadfastly following the order established by the leadership of the Chechen Resistance.
Q: From your words I can assume that you operate not only in Chechnya but all over the North Caucasus. R: Yes, very much so. Not only we carry out raids to various areas in the Caucasus, but we also form local Jamaats, militant sabotage groups locally. We are joined by a lot of Kabardinians, Dagestanis, Karachaevans, Ingushetians and even Ossetians (Muslims).
Q: That means that those in Russia who say that you want to create a caliphate in the Caucasus from sea to sea, are right? R: Yes, it is so. Since they are unwilling to negotiate with us, then weâll be doing what we can. And there is a lot we can do. Next year the war will seize the entire Caucasus from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea. Apart from Ossetia and Ingushetia, this year another guerrilla war has already started in two areas of Dagestan bordering Chechnya. I swear by Allah, this is only the beginning. Russian authorities are well aware of this and this is why they are trying to organize formations of the local residents in the area who could resist us effectively. Similar process is taking place in Chechnya. But it will come to absolutely nothing. Having reached a certain level of confrontation inside Chechnya, Russia will sooner or later have to withdraw its troops beyond the Terek River, for instance. In that case we will need no more than two weeks to destroy all the pro-Russian puppet formations.
Q: Ramzan, I would like to go back to the beginning of our conversation. From what you said about Jamaats, I understand that you are guided solely by the Muslim world, by the Arab countries. But how would you explain the fact that Kadyrovâs election as Chechen President wasnât recognized by any Western, Christian countries, but by it was recognized by Islamic international organizations, who even sent their observers to the elections? R: Most leaderships of Muslim countries have as much to do with Islamic world as FSB officer, mufti of Ingushetia Albogachiev. Ordinary Muslims are helping us and we are grateful for their support. By the way, I quite suppose that Western governments and their security services also secretly finance us through different Islamic funds and organizations. I am convinced that there are Western powers in whose interests it is to keep Russia permanently involved into such a slow-burning conflict as the war in the Caucasus.
Q: It is a known fact that Jamaat fighters are armed and equipped better than other Chechen groups. This is due to the fact that you have foreign support. Do you ever have any conflicts within the Resistance because of this? R: We do sometimes. But if a commander cannot look after his men, he is simply a bad commander.
Q: What do you think about the actions of those who seized Nord-Ost (the Moscow theater events), who organized the blast in Tushino airfield in Moscow, etc.? R: I support them fully. I donât believe we should separate Russian Government from the Russian people. Itâs Russian soldiers who are fighting in our land, they are the ones who kill our children, our wives, and our elderly. Russian pilots are bombing out cities and villages. They donât want to talk to us, they ignore us, so we will give them a dose of their own medicine. We have no warplanes, so we will be blowing ourselves up in Russian cities. Iâve been in Russia recently, checking on the situation at the train stations in Rostov and Mineralnye Vody. These train stations are not guarded well and there are freight trains with oil and chemicals. We shall definitely repeat the Nord-Ost events, but this time it will be something of a technological disaster. I donât know how to blow up a chemical plant, but if somebody explains it to me, Iâll do it. If Putin thinks that industrial and military facilities are well-protected, he is wrong. They are not.
I posted this because itâs a fairly good look at the mindset of the Chechen jihadis (and the difference between them and al-Qaeda is largely one of semantics). This war isnât about independence for them, itâs about conquest and should they ever manage to drive Russia out of Chechnya proper they plan on spreading it to other regions just like Khattab did when he invaded Dagestan.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
11/28/2003 2:02:30 AM ||
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Chechnya is a dagger aimed at the heart of Russia, as is Bosnia a dagger aimed at the heart of Europe. UNLEASH PUTIN!
Posted by: Vlad the Muslim Impaler ||
11/28/2003 2:21 Comments ||
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#2
Go get 'em Vlad! I have to snicker, however, for you will prolly be virulently attacked for advocating treating krazed killers as such. It's the nature of the Eeewww and their flavor of LLL to think they are the *arbiters* of *morality* - and response in kind is not in their little book.
As for me, I'm with you. In fact, I am getting that old *genocidal* feeling... What would Ghengis Khan or the Viking raiders have done about a *problem* like this? That would be on my list of potential responses... and moving up fast... ;-)
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