The killing in Saudi Arabia of a top al Qaeda cell leader, Saleh al-Oufi, was another example of the Saudis' "resolute pursuit" of terrorists, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said on Thursday.
We're making polite conversation here. I'm happy to see him dead, of course, and I hope it was very painful, but Lewis Atiyyat Allah is probably the brains of the outfit, with Sheikh Hawali directly over him and Binny off to one side, looking on approvingly. Al-Oafi will be replaced by somebody else who's fond of keeping heads in his fridge and the sporadic carnage will continue.
Al-Oufi "certainly is somebody who has been one of the most wanted terrorist fugitives in Saudi Arabia for several years," McCormack said. U.S. officials "are working closely with the Saudi government on terrorism and law enforcement matters, and that cooperation will continue," he said. In recent months and over the past couple of years, the Saudis have achieved "real successes" in their operations by killing and apprehending a number of senior Qaeda figures in the Kingdom, and dismantling a number of terror cells, and have lost more than 40 of their own law enforcement officers in the process, McCormack said. All those involved in the war against terrorism "need to be vigilant and continue pursuing these networks and these cells and break them up," he said.
Often when a leader of a terror cell is killed or captured, somebody else steps into place to take over those responsibilities, McCormack said, "but what happens in that is you are degrading over time the overall capability of that particular cell or organization, because those people do not have the experience or maybe leadership capabilities that the person that they replaced had." In additional to remaining vigilant and degrading terrorist cells, officials also need to address the root causes of terrorism, he added. "So we are working on a number of different tracks to try to address the issue of terrorism, and what you saw today in Saudi Arabia is one of those tracks," McCormack said.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/19/2005 00:00 ||
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Often when a leader of a terror cell is killed or captured, somebody else steps into place to take over those responsibilities, McCormack said WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT YOU GET ANOTHER ONE : CAN BE WORSE CAN BE BETTER
#2
I agree but given the circumstances it will probably go in the worst direction
Posted by: Alex ||
08/19/2005 5:16 Comments ||
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#3
If by killing an AQ leader the chances are he will be replaced by someone worse, then the strategy should be to not kill AQ leaders. That makes no sense. What happens is you MAY get someone worse, but more likely not.
Then of course there is the prairie rattlesnake evolution phenomenon - years ago most 'rattled' but when they did, people spotted them and killed them, leaving the odd silent rattlesnake to live to procreate, so now most prairie rattlers in populated areas don't rattle.
Perhaps the Saudis, with all of the billions they've got in cash and gold, could buy off some of these AQ "leaders". I'm sure they've got a breaking point... millions in cash for family, new identity cards; safe passage out of Kingdom to some tropical island in the Pacific when this "crisis" blows over; multiple, year-round supply of young, attractive virgins (sort of replaces that, you know, heavenly hothouse); and a Swiss bank account.
Indeed, just to have year round access to Candice Michelle is enough for me to sell out!
#5
so now most prairie rattlers in populated areas don't rattle.----- I would like to believe glenmore ; but do not forget that the "old" warriors indeed may be dead / tired / burned out, at the other hand in the last years you get again experienced killers from the USA war in afghanistan and Irak
#6
Y'all appear to assume that those who replace the captured/killed leadership are equally skilled. Think to your own work experience -- it generally takes six months to master the intricacies of a new job when you move, whether it's a promotion or a lateral move. And. that presumes you already have most of the skills to do the new job. In the case of Al Qaeda, the skill set needed to successfully run a terror cell are considerably different than those needed to be cannon fodder, or even a master bomb maker. And that doesn't include the social connections and social skills necessary in such a feudal tribal society to keep key Saudi princes and local policemen willing to ignore your little group's activities. Even master bomb makers tend not to be able to handle that critical chore.
So it isn't just dependent on the absolute level of evil in the soul of the leadership replacements, but on classic management theory as well.
#7
The killing in Saudi Arabia of a top al Qaeda cell leader, Saleh al-Oufi, was another example of the Saudis' "resolute pursuit" of terrorists, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said on Thursday.
Nah, I think it's more sacrificial lamb than "resolute pursuit". Whack one of them, looks like you're doing something, get praise, and yet nothing changes behind the scenes; the Wahhabis are still playing their little games.
The Popular Solidarity Forum (PSF) issued on Monday August 15 a statement expressing support for Sheikh Mohammad al-Moayad and his lover companion Mohammad Zaid who are imprisoned in Brooklyn, the United States. âThe ruling issued against al-Moayad is unjust, violates all the legislations, traditions and international laws and never serves the world peace,â the statement said. âSuch unjust ruling will inflame hatred and animosity toward the U.S. in all Arab and Muslim nations.â According to the statement, the U.S. is machinating a conspiracy against itself, its values, and the integrity of its justice.
A number of prominent figures and NGOs attended the forum, which organized a vast gathering at the Studies and Research Center. It appealed to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, being the head of the state, to intervene in the case, work for securing the release of the pair and demand their homecoming. The statement urged Arab and Muslim nations and human rights organizations to have loud voice to inform the U.S. of the condemnation and denunciation by around 1.5 billion Muslims, and express solidarity with both prisoners.
Those who attended the forum confirmed the weakness of the Arab governments and leaders is the motive, which encouraged the U.S. to torture Muslims, occupy their lands and plunder their wealth. The political parties who attended the festival strongly condemned the verdict and insisted on various organizations to claim the release of the two men. During the event, several speeches were delivered by sheikhs and religious scholars who had shown their concern over the oppression practiced against Sheikh al-Moayad and his companion. They described the ruling as a type of oppression and transgression practiced by the U.S. that confiscates rights of the Muslim nations, pointing out that that contradicts the international law and human rights principles and produces hatred among Muslims towards the U.S.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/19/2005 00:00 ||
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OK.. but ... but .. what exactly are they seething about and can't they get some other name than Mohammad?
I meen, if they are that upset ... it needs to be repeated.
Kuwait Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has denied reports that key political changes are afoot in the country, according to remarks published on Wednesday. âThere are no changes, neither at the level of the government nor at any other level,â Sheikh Sabah said in an interview with the Al-Rai Al-Aam newspaper. Last September, Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, who heads the National Guard and ranks fourth in the family hierarchy, told Al-Qabas newspaper that the dynasty was to announce âkey decisionsâ to âherald a new eraâ of stability. He declined to reveal the nature of the changes, although he compared them to the historical adoption of Kuwaitâs liberal constitution in 1962 and the separation in 2003 of the posts of crown prince and prime minister.
The prime minister also denied that the country was under the leadership of anyone other than the Amir. âHis excellency Amir (Sheikh Jaber) has returned to the homeland, thank God, and he is there and guiding everyone and is in good health,â after recent surgery in the United States, Sheikh Sabah said.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/19/2005 00:00 ||
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Islam is so unreformed there have been no real advances in art, literature, science or technology in the Muslim world in 500 years, Lord Tebbit says. The ex-Tory chairman also told the e-politix website multiculturalism was in danger of undermining UK society. In the 1980s he questioned the loyalty of immigrants who backed cricket teams from their countries of origin. He says if he had been heeded it might have stopped the London bombings. A key Muslim group said he was "misguided".
"To reduce the terrorism problem to simply blaming multiculturalism is blinkered and indeed dangerous," a spokesman for the Muslim Council of Britain said. He added it was true science had not made the progress in the Muslim world that it has in the West. "I do not believe this is due to Islam but instead due to a restrictive interpretation of the faith by too many Muslims." "When it comes to art and literature, Lord Tebbit is completely wrong - there is a vibrant arts scene in many Muslim countries. He would recognise this himself if he understood Arabic or Persian or Turkish or any of the many languages in the Muslim world."
In is interview, Lord Tebbit said the 'cricket test' was a means of gauging whether a community had integrated. "If a community was looking back at where it had come from instead of looking forward with the people to whom they had come to, then there is going to be a problem sooner or later." Lord Tebbit said multicultural society was "an impossibility" because if there were two cultures there would also be two societies. "A society is defined by its culture. It is not defined by its race, it is not a matter of skin colour or ethnicity, it is a matter of culture. "If you have two societies in the same place then you are going to have problems, like the kind we saw on 7 July, sooner or later," he said. He warned London was "sinking into the same abyss that Londonderry and Belfast sank".
On Islam holding back progress Lord Tebbit said: "The Muslim religion is so unreformed since it was created that nowhere in the Muslim world has there been any real advance in science, or art or literature, or technology in the last 500 years."
Posted by: Steve ||
08/19/2005 08:54 ||
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"... that nowhere in the Muslim world has there been any real advance in science, or art or literature, or technology in the last 500 years."
But, but what about the buzzing prayer rug and robot camel jockeys?
#3
I'm sorry about this, but I've had few and I feel a rant coming on.....You know, after reading Lord Tebbit's comments, the crescent moon as a symbol of Islam holds a whole new meaning for me... it could be viewed as a representation of unreformed Islam in the sense that it portrays the darkness covering the light. The radical clerics now operating in and against the West seem in many ways committed to blocking out and destroying instead of enhancing things. As Lord Tebbit alludes to in questioning the loyalty of such immigrants, perhaps we in the West should start to question the costs and benefits of the current cultural exchange, but maybe it will take another attack or two. Being a WASP several generations removed from the Isles, and one whose ancestors rightly ascribed to the view that aristocracy did not necesarily have a monopoly on common sense, perhaps the guilt associated with Empire was a misplaced one. What possible benefit would a Liverpudlian ever get from having a radical cleric from god-knows-where-Pakistan who detests them living down the street from them? Why was this such a great idea ? Is England such a waste land that having such individuals come and form their own enclaves where they would be free to preach hatred and jihad against the descendents and servants of their former colonial masters was considered an improvement ?
#4
WITT - The Crescent Moon appears as a symbol of Islam because Allah originally was the 'Moon God' of the people of Mecca - and was simply a black rock - when Mo came along and started sprouting his BS....
See Prophet of Doom - tho he is a tad extreame (but not much).
The highest-ranking police officer in Britain and assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Tariq Ghaffur has stated that there is a growing need for greater cooperation between the Muslim communities and the police. Ghaffur told Asharq al-Awsat yesterday that he believes that racially motivated hate crimes against Muslims since the London bombings have decreased to a lower level than expected.
Westerners aren't driven by Dire Revenge⢠like some people. Sometimes we should be.
The assistant commissioner has presently taken responsibility for strengthening the relationship between Scotland Yard and various ethnic and religious groups. He told Asharq al-Awsat of the new internet service that enables the public to deal with the police via mobile phones. Ghaffur, who describes the new service as "unprecented for the British police," said that the new system will allow people to receive news bulletins that may include security warnings or emergency alerts within their area. The individual may receive this information as an e-mail or as a text message on the mobile phone. Subscription is available to everybody by following the instructions available on the following website address: http://www.police.uk.
Asharq al-Awsat asked Ghaffur about the extent to which he expects Muslims to use the telephone hotline and their participation in cooperating with the police. He made a plea to Muslims and said that it is difficult to defeat terror "unless Muslims and non-Muslims stand united against it." He added, "we hope that they are more eager to contact us and inform us of any information that may assist us in our cause." The assistant commissioner continued, "Let us be frank. I am part of this community as I too am a British Muslim. The community has information of which is useful to us in protecting all members of our society, in confronting the dangers of terrorism and in dealing with racially-motivated crimes." He pointed out that "reports can be made in Arabic, Urdu or any other language through the new internet service or telephone hotline." He added, "my appeal to them is to provide any information that may help us to be secure in our society and any other information concerning the crimes of racial-hatred."
Posted by: Fred ||
08/19/2005 00:00 ||
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Kill em all fuckin muslims
Posted by: Musi Squasher ||
08/19/2005 2:12 Comments ||
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No, Musi Squasher. I was going to let your ignorant comments pass and just ignore you, but it might lead people to believe that your foolish and vile comments, unchallenged, were acceptable here.
But after reading your comments in this and several other posts, you must be on drugs, drunk, or just a fool. Or maybe you are just a troll (and I am making the mistake of feeding a troll). Make constructive comments on this site. This is not a hate site. This is a site where the commentary is generally educational, insightful, and informative.
Keep your hate to yourself. Or go to DU where your hatred won't be noticed in the din; you should blend right in there.
Posted by: Whiskey Mike ||
08/19/2005 4:51 Comments ||
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#4
TW, your response was probably better.
Posted by: Whiskey Mike ||
08/19/2005 4:52 Comments ||
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#5
I agree, WM, but you said it more eloquently.
Posted by: Bobby ||
08/19/2005 7:18 Comments ||
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#6
Kill em all fuckin muslims
NOTE: despite the nym below, this was posted by the not so charming Musi Squasher, not our Whiskey Mike. MS, this is the only warning you'll get: stop using other peoples' nyms to post hateful comments or you will lose your comment privilege entirely.
Posted by: Whiskey Mike ||
08/19/2005 7:54 Comments ||
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#7
Now children, let's play nice. Do I have to add, or else?
Posted by: Steve ||
08/19/2005 8:31 Comments ||
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#8
It's Friday, and the short bus is making its rounds.
#9
As another moderator here at RB, let me back up Steve and make this very explicit:
This is not a hate site. Rants are encouraged. Hate for its own sake is not and will result in comment deletion and, if necessary, in a ban on commenting here again.
AND the one thing that will get you banned here the fastest is to make a hateful comment using someone else's nym. That means you, Musi Squasher.
#10
"Ghaffur told Asharq al-Awsat yesterday that he believes that racially motivated hate crimes against Muslims since the London bombings have decreased to a lower level than expected."
But, hate crimes against whites have increased in densely populated Paki areas.
Look, bat phones and anonymous internet service is only a small solution. The big solution is to cut or eliminate welfare payments to the instigaters, flush out all internal hate promoters, stop all immigration from terrorist countries, and stop providing entrance visas to Imam's.
#11
"The big solution is to cut or eliminate welfare payments to the instigaters, flush out all internal hate promoters, stop all immigration from terrorist countries, and stop providing entrance visas to Imam's.
Posted by: Poison Reverse 2005-08-19 11:59"
Suspect translation from Spanish by me.
The president of Ecuador, Afredo Palacio, declared a state of emergency in two oil-rich provinces paralyzed for four days by a general strike. The popular protests in the Amazonian provinces of Orellana and Sucumbios have provoked the collapse of petroleum production, as much from the state-owned Petroecuador as from private firms.
According to the news agency Reuters, a spokesman of Petroecuador confirmed the production of the company fell to 29,400 barrels daily from 201,000 barrels produced before the strike.
Posted by: Jan ||
08/19/2005 14:13 Comments ||
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#6
Sorry. According to the Beeb, the locals say that the central government is taking all the swag and that there isn't any left over for building infrastructure and creating jobs. I just looked at some Ecuadorean papers and there seems to be a lot of confusion. No one is really saying what the political affiliation of the protesters is. 95% of the two provinces live in poverty and they are mostly Indian and Mestizo. My guess would be that the revolt is "Bolivarian," i.e. Hugo and Fidel have a hand in it.
#7
11A5S-Ecuador is an inconvienience for Hugo Chavez.
Happy Hugo is feeding his kitty Swiss Bank Account. If Fidel ever goes to that revolutionarie's paradise in Hades land, Hugo Poquito-Ricardo won't have a big brother to prop him up anymore...
Do you get the idea this hasn't been way up at the top of our list of priorities?
Turkey and the United States have decided to draft a military option against Kurdish insurgents in northern Iraq. Officials said Ankara and Washington have agreed to establish a military committee to review the threat by the Kurdish Workers Party in Iraq. They said the committee would assess the threat, identify insurgency strongholds and draft military options to end PKK attacks on southern Turkey. "It's the first time the United States has agreed to address the PKK threat in a military way," an official said. "This does not mean that Turkey has a green light to launch an attack on northern Iraq."
Officials said U.S. military commanders plan to visit Ankara in September to discuss the PKK threat. They said the U.S. officers from Central Command and European Command would discuss military options against PKK strongholds in the Kandil mountains in northern Iraq. The U.S. delegation would include Central Command chief Gen. John Abizaid and Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. James Jones.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/19/2005 00:00 ||
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Turkey is just trying to get the US to back it for EU membership. Well it won't work we don't want any more muslims in Europe there is enough, Having recently seen Van Gogh's movie for which he was murdered about muslim women all muslim men should be shot
Posted by: Musi Squasher ||
08/19/2005 2:02 Comments ||
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#2
Disagree.
The Turkish military have generally been pro-US and the PKK are a serious problem for *us* as well as for others in the area.
The radical left x radical Islamacist coalition that PKK represents is also gaining momentum in e.g. South and Central America. It's also visible in PKK and in some places like Bosnia. It's in our interests to stop them.
Posted by: leader of the pack ||
08/19/2005 7:21 Comments ||
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The Kurds have been our buddies, but buddies or not, PKK is a radical element among them. And you know what we do with radicals.
SANTA BARBARA A mother persuaded organizers of an anti-war memorial to remove her son's name from a weekly beach display of crosses representing U.S. troops killed in Iraq. Debbie Argel Bastian said she didn't believe the cross was a tribute and considered it an insult to her son, 28-year-old Air Force Capt. Derek Argel, who was killed Memorial Day in a plane crash. The cross with his name was among more than 1,800 erected in the sand each weekend here in a memorial dubbed Arlington West. "Their Web page says 'Wage Peace," said Bastian, of Lompoc. "I think they're trying to convey victims of war. Derek is not a victim of this war. He is a grown man, well-trained. He knew what he was doing. He would not want his name associated with an anti-war movement.'
"So piss off! He didn't like you when he was alive, what makes you think he's gonna like you when he's dead?"
Memorial organizers Santa Barbara Veterans for Peace initially resisted requests from Bastian and Argel's widow Wendy that they remove the name of the special tactics officer. They relented this week after hearing from Bastian, but urged her to visit the display and reconsider. 'My sympathies are with the families who have lost their loved ones,' said Lane Anderson, a Vietnam War veteran. "But my efforts at Arlington West are focused as well on the men and women who did not get invited to the funeral or memorial, who need to touch the name of their comrade.'
Why? Where does this need to "touch the name of their comrade" come from? How many real, live, genuine Iraqi Freedom vets do you get visiting your California beach? Or are you in fact merely nailing sticks together and decorating them with the names of war dead to massage your own ego and lend yourself a transient sense of importance?
Anderson said the actual white cross will remain in place, but will be unmarked. A note will be affixed saying the name was removed at the family's request. Bastian also asked that her son's name be taken off a cross in a similar memorial outside Crawford, Texas where another mother, Cindy Sheehan of Vacaville, had been staging an anti-war protest in memory of her son Casey, killed in Iraq last year.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/19/2005 22:46 ||
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Canadian-born actress Margot Kidder has become a U.S. citizen so she can protest the government's Iraqi policies without worrying about deportation. Kidder, who skyrocketed to fame as Lois Lane in the Christopher Reeves "Superman" movies, and disappeared just as fast took the citizenship oath Wednesday in Butte, Mont., the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reports. Kidder, 56, has lived in the United States for 34 years and has a home in Livingston, Mont., the CBC said. The actress was born in Yellowknife in 1948 and raised in Vancouver. Kidder reportedly said her only motivation in becoming a citizen of the United States was to get attention be able to protest the war in Iraq without getting kicked out of the country, the CBC said.
Sorry, Margot, we didn't even notice you were saying anything.
Posted by: Steve ||
08/19/2005 09:04 ||
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#1
Ooops, there goes her universal health care. Guess she got tired waiting in line.
#2
I think she nailed the part where she was an alcoholic with a "chemical imbalance" sleeping in the bushes with unexplained contusions on her face.
Oh wait....
#3
Anybody able to find the Soking Gun mugshot of Margot? It's no linger of their site. I seem to remember she resembled the Cat lady from The Simpsons.
Posted by: ed ||
08/19/2005 10:05 Comments ||
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#4
Smoking Gun. I hate laptop keyboards.
Posted by: ed ||
08/19/2005 10:06 Comments ||
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#5
Good on ya, Margot. Glad to see you avoided all that mass deportation that was going on during the run-up to the invasion. Don't know how we missed you in our zeal to complete the Great Canadian Exodus of 2003, but welcome aboard!
Posted by: Joan Kennedy ||
08/19/2005 10:26 Comments ||
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Kidder reportedly said her only motivation in becoming a citizen of the United States was to be able to protest the war in Iraq without getting kicked out of the country.
...and she should have plenty of time on her hands to do that since she hasn't had a career in quite some time.
#8
so she can protest the government's Iraqi policies without worrying about deportation
Umm...how many US visitors have been deported for protesting? We've barely just now begun to deport imams for inciting violence...
Give it a rest, Margot. And welcome to the United States of America; you are a very fortunate person to obtain citizenship here. Treat it with respect and a little awe.
#11
I am scratching mmy head. I thought she was at a Demofartz political convention (1992) as a Jerry Browen Delegate... I am confused... How could she be if she was not a citizen...
#14
How many years do it take to become a US citizen? Seems to me, she would have had to make application before the Iraq war started. 'Course, I may be way off on the current timeline to citizenship.
#19
Help me out, are the moonbats suppose to flock to Canada because Bush won or become citizens to protest?
Posted by: Captain America ||
08/19/2005 18:17 Comments ||
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RWV - I know what you are saying about alive, or a citizen, but didn't I hear someone make a fuss about Arnold Ziffel trying to vote in Hooterville...
I think pigs and dogs still have a problem, though I hear Coco the Chimp may be about to win a federal case in front of a Jimmy Carter appointed federal judge...
#21
HHHHMMMmmmmmmmmmm, BILL MAHER was on HBO again last night, telling his audience about how AEMRICANS ARE NOT GOOD OR ARE NOT THE BEST IN THE WORLD - words to that effect. No surprise that Maher proclaims to love Bill Clinton - what was interesting was that where draft dodging was concerned he seemed to supp Clinton "finding a way" to avoid service in Vietnam or mil service in general: VERY FUNNY CONSIDERING THE LEFTIES-SOCIES PENCHANT FOR ETHNICIDES, GULAGS, EXILE, LATE-NIGHT DISAPPEARANCES, AND MILITARY KOMMISSARS MOTIVATING POORLY TRAINED/EQUIPPED SOLDIERS BY SHOOTING THEM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD!
Maher's skits were just rehashes of LeftMedia/MSM anti-Dubya-GOP stereotypes and information control - his audience knew it, as many were straining to put up a false pretense of laughter. Kidder's reasons for becom a US citizen only proves the wafflisms of the Left, its PC of the PC of the PC of the ... etc., and that contemp Leftism stands only for POLITICS AND BEING POLITICAL WITH EVERYBODY, ala Lefties hate America, Lefties don't wanna fight for America, BUT WON'T LEAVE AND DEMAND THE FULL RIGHTS OF NORMAL PATRIOTIC CITIZENS TO NATIONAL AND STATE BENEFITS. ITS OKAY FOR AMERICA TO BE FRACTIONALIZED, EVEN ATTACKED AND INVADED AS PER CIONDY SHEEHAN, AS LONG AS RUSSIA-CHINA AREN'T.
#22
Joe:
Studies have been done on fonts and layout and found that PEOPLE DO NOT READ LONG STRETCHES OF TEXT IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. The uniform height makes it hard to read.
#1
"We are emphatically neutral ...We do not lend ourselves to political messaging in favor of any particular faction or ideology."
Bullshit.
Another disgraceful UN episode, are there any other kind?. Just when you think that the graft and corruption are enough to make you shake your head in disgust - along comes the idiocy.
A proper US Ambassodor to the UN would be a feces flinging chimp in a tuxedo.
#2
They are neutral. It's not the UN's fault Israel never asked for propaganda money.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
08/19/2005 10:08 Comments ||
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#3
"How come they don't know what's happening to their money?" he said. "Where's the audit? Where's the transparency? How could irresponsible U.N. officials living off of tax dollars have the chutzpah to say I don't know what they're spending their money on?" This is just so typical, what else can a person say here after this.
but wait, Mr. Orme, who said his office was investigating the details of the letter, refused to say whether the United Nations stands behind the slogan printed on the propaganda materials. The UN needs to have a strong stand on not supporting this type of incitement of hatred. He said: "We are emphatically neutral ...We do not lend ourselves to political messaging in favor of any particular faction or ideology." Sure as hell sounds to me like he's supporting political messaging here. Indeed this is outrageous.
Mrs. D, yes, the propaganda from the Israeli side could be something like this; Today Gaza tomorrow still only Gaza.
This is where I wish I were more creative
Posted by: Jan ||
08/19/2005 11:08 Comments ||
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#4
They are neutral
That settles it. The UN is only completely incompetent and idiotic.
Posted by: Captain America ||
08/19/2005 21:56 Comments ||
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Iranian opposition activists said yesterday that Tehran was rushing to build nuclear components in breach of its commitments to the UN.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran, the political wing of the outlawed Mujahideen-e-Khalq guerrilla movement, which is classified as a terrorist organisation in Europe and the US, said the Iranian authorities were covertly building and concealing thousands of centrifuge rigs used to enrich uranium for nuclear fuel or weapons. The NCRI regularly makes claims about Iran's nuclear operations which are impossible to corroborate.
Great, just what we need.
But three years ago it was the first to disclose secret Iranian centrifuge operations in Natanz. Those allegations turned out to be largely true and triggered the international crisis over Iran's nuclear activities that has been running for two years.
In London yesterday the Iranian activists said Tehran has been fooling the UN and the EU by secretly constructing some 4,000 centrifuges while pursuing negotiations. The centrifuges were said to be hidden at military and Iranian revolutionary guard facilities, off limits to the UN.
Earlier this month a senior Iranian nuclear negotiator, Hosein Mousavian, said on television that Tehran had exploited the two years of negotiations with the EU to refine some of its nuclear activities at Natanz and the uranium conversion centre at Isfahan. "The regime adopted a twofold policy here," he said. "Thanks to the negotiations with Europe we gained another year, in which we completed [the work] in Isfahan ... In Natanz, much of the work has been completed."
Fooling the EU3 is almost as hard as me fooling our English cocker spaniel.
As far as the UN inspectors are aware, the Iranians have less than 200 assembled centrifuges at Natanz.
They'll send Hans Blix; he'll get to the heart of it.
While the claims of secret centrifuge manufacture cannot be verified, the Iranians are demanding that they be allowed to operate a minimal uranium enrichment operation at Natanz, entailing the use of several thousand centrifuges. This would enable them to maintain that they are running their own nuclear fuel cycle, their fundamental demand in the dispute with the west. But the Europeans reject this because they say it would allow Iran to develop the expertise for a nuclear bomb.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/19/2005 00:00 ||
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#1
Dem dar Irannie Mullahs and Norkie Clintonoids are still SSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, demandin' fer America and its volunteer army to attack and invade - nothing says Amerikan Socialism and Hillary than US warriors glowing in the dark vv nuclearized, asymmetric, anti-US "People's War".
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ANTI-US "WAR/BATTLE ZONE".
#2
Joseph
take your pro muslim attitude and shove it up your ass, another expert on foreign affairs we don't need. Whether the war is right or wrong we have to live with it. The last thing that region needs is an unstable government with nuclear weapons
Posted by: Musi Squasher ||
08/19/2005 1:56 Comments ||
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#3
Joseph, learn how to construct a sentence. Moonbattery goes down better with proper grammar.
#4
Joseph's grammar can be ... um ... obscure at time but the one thing I don't think you can accurately accuse him of is being pro-muslim and against the war on terror.
His comments over the last few years makes it clear that the comment above is sarcasm.
Posted by: leader of the pack ||
08/19/2005 5:33 Comments ||
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#5
How 'bout a translation, Mucky, of JM.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
08/19/2005 11:22 Comments ||
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#6
What do you propose we do Joe? Take the Europeon approach at appeasement and what for Israel to be a parking lot? Iran is more of an external threat than Iraq ever dreamed of being.
#7
We'll AP, that'd be very funny if you don't mind setting back linguistics about ten thousand years.
But I, for one, would be willing to take that chance...
#8
JosephM is posting from Guam. Mostly he rants, but every once in a while he calmly writes something very insightful and useful. You can't argue with him, because he never comes back -- so ignore his capitalized rants, or treat them as blank verse poetry. The moderators don't object to him, so don't waste your time.
"Hizbullah will not hand in its weapons as long as Israel possesses 400 nuclear missiles," according to Hizbullah's Baalbek-Hermel MP Hussein Hajj Hassan.
Yup, it's gonna be a while. Time for a Snickers ...
In an interview with "Arab Week" magazine, Hajj Hassan said that the Lebanese Army is still not in a position to defend Lebanon against the threats and dangers posed by Israel, ruling out the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1614, which calls on Lebanon to deploy its army in the South. He also said that Resolution 1559, calling on the disarmament of Hizbullah, would not be implemented "unless the Lebanese agree on it."
"And we're Lebanese, and there ain't no way we're gonna agree, so there."
"I believe the Lebanese are aware and wise enough to realize that it is in the interest of their country to protect Hizbullah," he said, stressing that the resolution and the alleged Israeli withdrawal from the Shebaa Farms were mere excuses. "The Americans' and Israelis' prime goal is to disarm Hizbullah in a bid to strip Lebanon of its strong strategic card in order to serve Israel's interests."
Subject to delusions of adequacy, is he?
He added that the Lebanese have already initiated a dialogue over the issue in order not to enter in a conflict with the international community. The MP reiterated "the Lebanese Army is not capable of defending the nation considering that it lacks the proper weapons and technologies."
Posted by: Fred ||
08/19/2005 00:00 ||
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#1
And now you know, boyz and girlz, why I advised Reagan the Israelis should NOT withdraw from Lebanon in the 80's - one of the very few boo-boos of the Reagan years. I STILL LUV YA, RON!
#5
TW
www.fas.org
www.iaea.org
There were presents from the US government! the rocket is a more refined version of the SS-19 / Scud and their smaller ones are based on the tomahawk, however the bomb package comes from the US. Ownership is also doubtable many think they were the only way the US could deploy Nukes in the area if there is a war with Iran and it goes nasty its a good launch site
Posted by: Alex ||
08/19/2005 5:13 Comments ||
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#6
Ah, come on boys, nuclear weapons are soooo mid 20th century. Why waste a single city when you have the human gnome data and can prevent entire populations from reproducing?
The Dimona reactor is a twin of the French Marcoule G1 reactor built used to produce Plutonium for the French military. Both Dimona and the French program were built at the same time in 1956 when the Israelis and French were allies (remember France, Saddam Hussein, and the Osiraq reactor?). The campaign against Israeli nukes continues
Dimona is a heavy water moderated natural uranium reactor (no U-235 enrichment needed). The heavy water was bought from the Norwegians with the acquiescence of the British (remember the Israeli, British, and French 1956 invasion of the Suez?). How the UK Gave Israel the Bomb
Alex, go to the libarary and do some intensive reading. Your antisemitic spittle may be popular in Berlin, but here you will be bitch slapped with facts. You may then appear much less foolish.
Posted by: ed ||
08/19/2005 9:33 Comments ||
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#8
Should be:
Your anti-American and antisemitic spittle may be popular in Berlin, but here you will be bitch slapped with facts.
PS: The SS-19/Scud and variants (such as NKor NoDongs, Pakistani Gauris, and Iranians Shahabs series) are of Russian design. Alex, how do you feel that your country is within range of Russian-designed Irainian missiles, soon to be topped with Chinese designed, Pakistani proliferated, nuclear waheads controlled by fanatical mullahs who are on a mission from allah to destroy you. Aside from the Jews, no one is more infidel, with as much history againt muslims, as those living in Europe. I almost feel pity for you.
As for "smaller ones are based on the tomahawk", the Tomahawk is not a missile like the SS19, but a flying bomb descended from the German V-1. Isreal has no Tomahawk class weapons (the closest is the Russian SS-N-21, a Tomahawk ripoff). Israel does have the Popeye, a half size cruise missile with a different guidance philosophy (TV guided, not terrain mapping radar). The US liked it enough to buy some from Israel. Finally, it was very nice of the Germans to provide Israel with the with a stealthy lauching platform for the Popeyes, the German built Dolphin-class submarines.
Posted by: ed ||
08/19/2005 10:00 Comments ||
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#9
From GlobalSecurity: Popeye Turbo
In May 2000, Israel is reported to have secretly carried out its first test launches from two German-built Dolphin-class submarines of cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The missiles launched from vessels off Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean are said to have hit a target at a range of about 1,500 kilometers [about 930 statute miles]. Israel is reported to possess a 200kg nuclear warhead, containing 6kg of plutonium, that could be mounted on cruise missiles.
Israel has reportedly developed an air-launched cruise missile that could be operational by 2002, called the Popeye Turbo. The Popeye Turbo, with a range that is variously reported at between 200 km and 350 km, would appear to represent a turbo-jet powered cruise missile that may incorporate avionics and other components developed for the Popeye family of missiles. The AGM-142 HAVE NAP is a variant of the Israeli Air Force "Popeye" missile, which uses a solid propellant rocket motor. The Popeye II, also known as the Have Lite, is a smaller missile with more advanced technology. Designed for deployment on fighter aircraft, Popeye II has a range of 150 kilometers.
The Popeye Turbo missile is probably similar to if not identical with the Israeli submarine-launced cruise missile carried on the Dolphin-class submarines. The baseline Popeye missile with a range of 45 miles has a diameter of 21 inches, and is nearly 16 feet long. For comparison, the American MK-48 heavy torpedo is 21 inches in diameter, and 19 feet long, while the BGM-109 Tomahawk SLCM is 20.4 inches in diameter and 20.5 feet long [including the booster motor], and the Russian SS-N-21 SLCM is similar in configuration and dimensions to the American Tomahawk.
The reported range of 1,500 km for the SLCM tested in May 2000 is several times greater than the previously reported range for the Popeye Turbo. However, the Popeye Turbo is a poorly attested missile, and the open literature provides little information on this system. Indeed, because of the small size of the vehicle and the limited testing program to date, it is entirely possible that even the US intelligence community has only limited insight into the capabilities of this system. There is no particular reason to doubt that Israel could develop a variant of the Popeye Turbo with a range of 1,500 km, simply by lengthening the fuel tank associated with a 300-350 km variant reported by US intelligence. At present it is not possible to determine whether the US intelligence has under-estimated the range of this missile, or whether news reports have over-estimated the missile's range. The longer range reported in June 2000 is certainly consistent with Israeli targetting requirements.
Posted by: Steve ||
08/19/2005 10:20 Comments ||
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#10
"The MP reiterated "the Lebanese Army is not capable of defending the nation considering that it lacks the proper weapons and technologies."
But, the U.S does! Watch your back. Actually, you'll know its coming, you just won't be able to do anything about it.
For starters you can apologise for calling me antisemitic and anti american, I am british for starters, I have served three tours of Iraq, two in Afghanistan and most of the rest of the world so save me, I was passing on what I had read elsewhere, I also never said the tomahawk was like the ss 19 I thankyou for the corrections that is why information is passed about here to get the right story
Posted by: Alex ||
08/19/2005 12:23 Comments ||
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#13
5 Tours in the GWOT. Good on 'ya. 6 months tours?
#17
Most of our trolls are antisemitic as well as anti-American -- the two go together. One mark is the sites they quote. And some of our regulars react a bit quickly, not wanting to go through the same fight yet again. ;-) It was the site reference that caught you up, Alex.
However, the Israelis are some of the best, most advanced technicians in the world. So it isn't believable that any of their weaponry would go unmaintained long enough to become even marginal, let alone inoperable. Which was why I questioned you, Alex. Thanks for anwering so honestly. I look forward to reading more about where you've been and what you've seen during your adventures -- are you still out there somewhere, or have you rotated back home?
You said that Israeli nukes are from the US (however the bomb package comes from the US). I showed you where plutonium was made with a French reactor moderated by British heavy water. I don't see any US involvement. As for Israel not being able to design their own nukes, that's a fantasy. Half the Manhattan Projects scientists were Jews kicked out of Nazi Europe. Don't you think a few made their way to Israel?
So, accusing the US of supplying Israel with nuclear weapons, when it was in actuality French and British complicity, is anti-American. Implying without proof the Israelis can't design their own warheads is anti-semitic, especially when Israelis design some of the world's most sought after high tech weapons.
So their will be no apologies, unless it is you who wants to apologize for such casual anti-American and anti-semitism. My error was mistaking you for a continental because of the popularity of kooky conspiracy theories surrounding Israel.
Personally, after meeting/working with a few Israelis, I find them to be quite smart and competent in their fields, though they can be a bit forward for this Southern boy, and I must watch myself not to push back too hard.
Posted by: ed ||
08/19/2005 13:29 Comments ||
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#19
One last thing Alex. I do salute your service to the UK, especially since you have done tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. My respects to you.
Posted by: ed ||
08/19/2005 13:38 Comments ||
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#20
Ed
Something is only Anti if thats the way you want to see it, but no probs.
The info about the US is from www.fas.org and the iaea apparently when the iaea did some tests a few years back you can trace where the nuclear material comes from. The report says that it came from the US, we only have the info that is given so thats what i went off if its not right thats what i want to find out. So no hard feelings
Posted by: Alex ||
08/19/2005 15:13 Comments ||
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#21
Alex,
You got to do better research. Israel's close relationship with the U.S., is recent. The British and French has had close relations with Israel for decades. Times have changed about 30 years ago.
The French provided the original nuclear weapons to Israel. Also, Israel was flying Mirage Jets until they replaced it with F-16's. Israel did not have many American weaponary until Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty. The U.S. brokered peace treaty ensured that Egypt get about $2 billion in military aid every year and Israel get about $10 billion worth of aid. After, the peace treaty, Israel had no choice but to better friends with the U.S and now Anti-Semitism is rampant in the U.K. and France. Also, it was the French Jews that created nuclear technology in France.
Geo-political strategy doesn't necessarily involve life-long friends. Friends come and go depending on situations. Use your personal life as an example. Do you have the same friends that you did in the 5th grade/standard? One more thing, please stop doing research on iaea.com. You do know that they're an Anti-American/Semite.
France was for a long time Israel's main purveyor of weapons (at least for planes). The 1956 war was won thanks to a much needed infusion of French tanks and planes. Shortly before the Six Days War De Gaulle embargoed sales of weapons to Israel. But during the Six Days War the IAF was still mainly equiped with Mirages and the older Mysteres. After that the USA replaced France and by Yom Kippour the IAF had a substantial number of F4 Phantoms flying ground-attack missions while the Mirages provided fighter cover (the Mirages could carry a much lower payload ans thus were nopt effective for ground attack). By the time of Peace on Galilea the IAF was no longer flying french.
For the nuclear weapons Israel certainly had the scientific capabilities to produce them. I don't know if it needed help for the equipment but hey, there were a number of Jews in the Manhattan project.
Posted by: Captain America ||
08/19/2005 22:01 Comments ||
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#25
Being wrong happens to us all. The fallout can vary, though. (pun intended).
Antisemitic propaganda may be just another day at the office or a cause of high blodd pressure, depending on your point of view.
When it comes to the Israeli nuclear deterrent capabilities, the moral and political issues fade to insignificance compared to the potential consequences of an analysis disassociated from reality.
A few points:
- The Israeli WMD are rooted in recent history. The holocaust and a few recent wars with similar objectives have led to the formal declaration that the Joooos will never again go meekly to the slaughter. They are very, very serious about this. It may be wise to take this statement at face value.
- The Israeli nuclear programme, albeit "unofficial" is old, huge and on a completely different level of sophistication than recent contenders. Whether the number of operable warheads are n*100 is not the issue. A significant number are thermonuclear, developed in parallell with the F-4 purchases (which otherwise makes no sense), to acheive credible deterrent against the bloody Soviet Union in the early 70:s!
- They have plenty of carriers for the local area of local manufacture. MRBM:s like the Jericho series serve the purpose far better than Tomahawks, thank you very much.
- This capability was, is and will be - (sit back, relax, forget about the Bush-bashing, and just think about it for awhile) - contrary to US security interests. Some would say that this makes it highly unlikely that Bushitler among his other evil schemes managed to set this up in the late sixties. The crass and cold truth of it is that we'd much rather decide for ourselves whether the shit hits the fan or not. It was close in ´73...
Last but not least: These guys are determined not to be eradicated according to prevalent plans among some arabs and most europeans. There was a reason why the ´91 Scuds didn't carry warheads, let alone chemical ones (at that time, present controversy aside, available to Saddam).
We managed the deal: no warheads-no response, but any trace of poison gas would have triggered a - how shall I put it - determined response, never mind the diplomatic repercussions. Them Joooos have some strange allergy or whaterer in that respect.
I'm happy that didn't happen. YMMV, but I think you'd come around to my viewpoint if you'd give it a moments thought.
The scary thing is Irans stance. Not because they are wrong, but because they are right, just like Mao Tse Tung in the good old days. But we seem to be lacking a Stalin to rein in the enthusiasts in this case... (Google if you don't know the story, I'm going to bed).
But the novel theme of: "The joooos don't have that many nukes, and they're mostly rusty and won't work" seems to be a part of the Iranian scenario, and a very, very scary one at that IMNHO.
RAFAH, Gaza Strip -- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas promised freedom, jobs and homes for the people of Gaza once Israel completes its pullout. an RPG in every closet! A Pony in every Garage!
Hours before he spoke Friday at Gaza's abandoned airport, an Israeli bulldozer demolished the first Jewish settlement, clearing land for Palestinian development. Expected to start as soon as the year 2038
In the settlement of Gadid, Israeli troops expelled the last settlers holed up in a synagogue, crashing through a flaming barricade of cars, wooden planks and garbage bins. Then, Israel suspended evicting settlers for the Jewish Sabbath, having evacuated 87 percent of Gaza's settlers in just 2 1/2 days. All but four settlements were vacant.
Smiling and waving to a cheering crowd at the closed Gaza International Airport, Abbas said Israel's departure was bringing "historic days of joy" to the Palestinians.
In his first major speech since Israel began pulling out on Monday, he promised that the airport, whose runways were destroyed by Israel in fighting in 2000, would again become a gateway for Palestinians And a major waystation for Bombers everywhere!
-- though that will require Israel's blessing.
Abbas also pledged the Palestinian Authority would rebuild homes demolished by Israel during the past five years of conflict. He promised to reserve 5 percent of government jobs for the disabled, mainly war wounded. and 95% to corrupt thugs and murderers.
He told the crowd that Israel was quitting Gaza because of Palestinian "sacrifices" and "patience," and he promised the withdrawal would lead to further pullouts from the West Bank and Jerusalem. He also promised everyone valuable Florida swampland too!
Earlier, hundreds of Palestinians from the town of Rafah offered prayers of thanks in sandy open ground within sight of two deserted settlements, celebrating the coming return of land -- captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war -- that became home to 8,500 Jewish settlers. Drooling over the houses which would soon be destroyed.
"We won, so we came to thank God for our victory," said Abdel Raouf Barbar, an official of Abbas's Fatah party. With parliamentary elections scheduled in January, the party is competing with the Islamic group Hamas to claim credit for the Israeli withdrawal.
A bulldozer crushed flimsy caravan homes in the first demolition of an abandoned Jewish settlement, and the army prepared to complete the anguishing task of uprooting the last Israelis from Gaza next week before moving on to evacuations in the West Bank.
#1
the Peace Fence And Counterbattery Artillery⢠will do more for peace than any Paleo EVER did
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/19/2005 21:49 Comments ||
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#2
I suspect that someday we, that is, Rantburg, will look back at this moment and scoff. That is, after a few years of persistant civil war overflowing into Israel, the Israelis will finally decide to help the Paleos live somewhere else, permanently. Most likely just sending them through the connecting strip into the West Bank, emptying the Gaza Strip, then annexing it into Israel forever.
...and lovely stuff it is.
Palestinians have composed a number of "victory" poems and songs that will be recited during celebrations in the evacuated settlements in the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank. In addition, Palestinian artists have been encouraged to present drawings depicting the Israeli pullout as a victory.
On Wednesday, some 30 artists participated in a contest in Gaza City during which they painted different types of graffiti on the walls of buildings. Some drew portraits of Yasser Arafat, while others painted a map of the Gaza Strip in which Palestinian Authority areas appeared in green and the settlements in black.
Rasha Salim painted a large picture of a shining sun as a symbol of hope after the withdrawal. "The shining of the sun symbolizes the defeat of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip," she said.
Tawkif Jibril and his twin brother, Majed, drew pictures of prisoners behind Israeli bars and Jerusalem surrounded by a fence and concrete slabs. They said the pictures expressed the hope the prisoners would be released and Jerusalem liberated after disengagement.
Most of the poems and songs laud the "resistance" for its role in driving Israel out of the Gaza Strip and urge Palestinians to prepare for the next struggle to liberate Haifa, Jaffa and Jerusalem.
Entitled "The Joy of Victory," one of the most popular poems was written by Dr. Kamal Ghnaim. It reads: "O Palestine, be prepared, God's promise and imminent victory are nearing. O Jerusalem, rejoice! We are coming after long patience.
"Rejoice, for the darkness is fading despite the craftiness of the aggressor. Call out to Jaffa and Haifa that the Muslims are marching toward them."
Poet Khamis Lutfi wrote: "No stranger has ever lasted on our land. Our history has testified to this. Peace with you [Israel] will remain a lie and your continued existence is impossible. You will vanish and we will continue to exist.
"The sky and the air will be ours, as well as the moist and the gentle breeze. Today, tomorrow and the memories are ours. So are Jerusalem, Hebron, Jaffa and Haifa and the Galilee. All of Palestine is ours, from the river to the sea. O modern barbarians, go away! You came as invaders and the time has come to leave. Don't lie by saying that you have a homeland here. We will destroy you and we will chase you forever."
Under the title "Victory Wedding," Fida Awni wrote: "O Arab soldiers rise, for the land is longing for its knights! The land is missing the grandchildren of Saladin and Othman who, with swords, established their states. O God be generous and grant me victory, for I'm greatly yearning to see Jerusalem. Acre is calling out to the heroes to come now and revolt. O Gaza, after you it will be Haifa and all the other cities. O Jaffa, we promise you that we will come."
Khalil Amr of Hebron described in a song how Israel was retreating from the Gaza Strip under fire: "O brothers listen - I have something to tell you about Gaza. The enemy is being wiped out. They are leaving proud Gaza in panic and to the noises of explosions and gunshots."
Another song composed by Ibtisam Mustafa called upon the armed groups to prepare for the liberation of all Palestine: "O brigades be prepared, Gaza has been restored! Start preparing to liberate the rest of the land. Drive the Zionist out. O Hamas, let's liberate Jerusalem with the help of your soldiers and glorious rockets." Yeah, I'm optimistic...
#3
arik said enough with the pals lets haul
and to be extra safe lets build a wall
if youre smart, you wont start, the terrorist part
or your hopes for a state, they will fall
#6
It's the Joooo and the Americans, but mostly the Jooooos. When they're all gone, it'll be the Joooos living in America, and the rest of the Americans. After that, it'll just be the Americanss.
After that, I don't care.
Posted by: Bobby ||
08/19/2005 15:57 Comments ||
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#7
I hate to sound racist, but this poetic references to bravely throwing out the Israelis makes me wonder if all their works of culture aren't delusional when it comes to reality.
#9
It's not all that racist Penguin. I recommend you read the excellent novel Cities of Salt by Abdelrahman Munif if you want to get an authentic feel for the culture of Arabia in all of its glorius unreality.
There once was a suicide bomber from Jericho,
Who strapped himself to plastique and nails ready to go!
IDF says halt,
His legs made a vault,
But the head and shoulders are still quit low!
There was an interfadite from Bethlehem,
Who said his AK-47 gun was quite a gem,
He lifted to fire,
To fill virgins desire,
But failed when his schmock tangled by its hem.
There once was a man named Arafat.
Who thought of his abilities quite a lot.
But a habit he did hide,
And of AIDS he has died,
And now do his bones most slowly rot.
Before and after photos at link. EFL.
CAMP TAJI, Iraq, Aug. 16, 2005 â To get a starter for a Russian-made T-55AM2 tank, one would just need to ... well ....
The 1st Mechanized Brigade is outfitted with 1960s-era T-55 tanks and armored infantry fighting vehicles known as MTLBs and BMPs. To add a vehicle to their fleet, or keep current vehicles on the go, they must either scrounge for parts from Camp Tajiâs vehicle graveyard or gather parts from the campâs abandoned warehouse district. Vehicles the Iraqis restore may have been sitting for years, rusted and covered with graffiti. Itâs not a deterrent for the Iraqi soldiers though, because they will paint and refurbish the interior and make sure the tank or personnel carrier is up and running with mission-capable weapons systems, Esmahan said.
âTheyâll fix up the inside, the outside, paint it, redo the interior - everything in order to have the vehicle looking good and mission-capable,â Esmahan said. âThese vehicles arenât ones our mechanics are even familiar with or know how to work on,â Esmahan said. The Iraqis donât need help from their American mechanic counterparts because âthey know exactly what they are doing,â Esmahan said. âThey know what all the parts look like, they know how to put the pieces together to make everything work,â Esmahan said. âYou will never see them with a manual.â
âThese soldiers have been trained in schools of engineering and mechanics,â Esmahan said. âSome are officer graduates with prior service and some may have 20 years or more experience. They know exactly how to put together their maintenance program.â The Iraqis use their tanks and armored personnel carriers to conduct missions in the field day and night, sevens days a week. Therefore, having their vehicles in good working condition is essential explained Esmahan.
âThey take a lot of pride in recovering these vehicles,â he said. âThey would feel mortified to see one of their vehicles break down outside the wire because they look at it as a reflection of themselves and their ability to accomplish their mission.â âConditions are pretty rough for these guys,â Esmahan said. "They donât have actual bays to work in, and with the combat arms mission taking precedence, we are still working out the logistics to get them everything they need. We still havenât purchased all the tools or everything they need to do their job, but it will get there.â
One item not in short supply is paint, and Iraqi 1st Sgt. Bagiv Aâbood, a painter with the brigade, uses his skills with a paint gun to turn the rust and graffiti into a fine coat of desert brown. âIt feels good to be able to do this for my country,â Aâbood said through the use of an interpreter. âIt is good to know I had a hand in helping the soldiers that drive and use these vehicles.â
Not only are the painters, mechanics and drivers of these vehicles proud to keep their army on the roll, Esmahan said he admires the Iraqi work and takes pride in playing just a little part in the Iraqi armyâs success. âThey do a very good job. Everybody thatâs seen their vehicles are pretty impressed,â Esmahan said. âItâs nice to have a hand in helping them. When they get one of their vehicles to come back to life, everybody gets big smiles on their faces, both the Americans and the Iraqis.â
Posted by: Bobby ||
08/19/2005 07:31 ||
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#1
Listen, whether its aged T-62s or BMPs, anything is better than those Toyota pick ups the Iraqi police and army drive around in right now.
#2
Fortunately, Soviet era equptment tends to be on the rugged side, and relatively simple to maintain.
Given what I've seen over here, maintenance outside of the depot is non-extant. These guys just run it untill it breaks. Still, they will manage just fine anyway. Maybe even better than they did under sadam. I hope so.
Posted by: N guard ||
08/19/2005 10:47 Comments ||
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#3
"You down there, Fancy Pants, yes you! Could you cut the chit chat and drop me off at the war."
CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti, Aug. 18, 2005 â Call it the prototype for a new method of warfare. The Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, headquartered here, is fighting the global war on terror with good deeds, not weapons.
Task force commander Marine Maj. Gen. Timothy Ghormley very proudly tells one and all that no one in his command has "fired a shot in anger," but the command may have prevented hundreds of young men and women in the region from embracing the terrorist philosophy. "My combat forces are doctors, veterinarians, engineers and dentists," Ghormley said during an interview at his headquarters today.
The forces go out into communities in this eastern Africa region and provide humanitarian aid missions. Doctors see patients - many of whom are receiving medical care for the first time in their lives. Engineers dig wells. "Water is king in the Horn of Africa," the general said. "Every time they take a drink of water from that well, they will remember the coalition put it there."
Veterinarians care for herd animals. Animals - goats, sheep, cattle - are wealth in the region. If coalition veterinarians vaccinate goats and prevent the loss of a quarter of a herd, then that is money to the animals' owners.
Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines help plan and build schools and roads and bridges. Smaller projects are also helpful, said officials here. Soldiers talked about building a vehicle bridge over a stream that is dry almost all the time. "But when it does rain, it causes huge (flooding) problems for the towns," one soldier who worked on the project said. "The bridge probably cost maybe $100,000, but rain won't stop life for those people anymore."
The challenge is immense. The area of operations is as large as the eastern half of the United States and runs from Yemen to Sudan and Kenya to Eritrea. The command also has responsibility for the Seychelles and - by agreement with the U.S. Pacific Command - the Comoros islands.
"When we go out, we make sure people understand that our mission is peace, stability and security. There are about 1,500 members of the command - most are American, but it is a true coalition effort. The British, Dutch, French, Romanians and Koreans are among countries taking part.
Conditions are austere. Djibouti borders the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea and is near the equator. It gets very hot - with temperatures still above 100 at sundown - and very humid. But even so, servicemembers find the cultural experience rewarding. "You would never get that sort of experience back in the states, certainly not at my age," said Lance Cpl. Dan Riordan, a Marine Reservist who interrupted his final year at Casanovia College in New York, "You do feel like you are doing something to better the world."
The Marines and Navy personnel spend seven months here, the airmen spend 120 days and the Army personnel spend a year. The population is a mix of active and reserve components. "It doesn't even matter what service they are in," Ghormley said. "Everyone pitches in together. On my staff, service or component is really immaterial." The general said his relationships with the various U.S. ambassadors in the region are excellent. He maintains liaison officers in each embassy and consults closely with embassy officials before embarking on projects.
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has called the command a model for the future of DoD. But the task force may become a model for the entire government. Planners are working on a reorganization that would include all agencies that can help.
The proposed Joint Interagency Task Group Horn of Africa would include State and Defense Department officials. It could also include Department of Agriculture, Treasury or Justice people. "It's the next logical progression," Ghormley said.
Sounds like something the UN could've done years ago. Maybe we can deduct the cost from our UN dues?
Posted by: Bobby ||
08/19/2005 07:31 ||
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#1
oh, how harmonuous. Makes you think there is no WoT even.
Posted by: Captain America ||
08/19/2005 21:49 Comments ||
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LAHORE, Pakistan - Pakistan has started questioning a Muslim cleric and his son who were deported from the United States on immigration charges earlier this week after the father was accused of having terrorist links, the interior minister said on Thursday.
Muhammad Adil Khan and his son, Muhammad Hassan Adil Khan, arrived late on Wednesday in the eastern city of Lahore after being deported on Monday from Lodi, California. Intelligence agents were interrogating the two men, who resisted arrest on returning to Pakistan, at an undisclosed location in Lahore, one agent said on condition of anonymity, as he is not authorized to speak to the media.
You guys are going to wish you were back in Lodi.
Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao confirmed that the men had returned to Pakistan, and said the âprocessâ of questioning them had begun.
The elder Khan was among five men arrested at a Lodi mosque in June after US authorities infiltrated the local Pakistani community and secretly recorded dozens of conversations over three years. The Khans and another Pakistani wild-eyed cleric, Shabbir Ahmed, agreed to be deported by not contesting US immigration charges.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/19/2005 00:00 ||
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Egyptian Justice Minister Mahmoud Abul Leil affirmed on Thursday that his ministry was preparing a new law for combating terrorism and cross-border organized crime. Abul Leil, in a statement to journalists, said the new law would ensure the national security, public order and the necessary legal proceedings. The law also envisages action against the funding of terrorism, in line with certain international pacts including the September 23, 2003, UN treaty for combating cross-border organized crime.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/19/2005 00:00 ||
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Mixed political signals, money, arms and insurgents make for a volatile relationship across the long and porous border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The latest round in the long-running war of words between the two countries involves allegations that Pakistani "terrorists" have been arrested in Afghanistan. Pakistan's president Pervez Musharraf has warned that these accusations are worsening relations, and that Islamabad may retaliate.
By arresting Afghan terrs in Pakistan, maybe? Sounds pretty good.
Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Lutfullah Mashal was blunt about where the Taliban guerrilla's support base was: "All the weapons, ammunition, budgets, money transfer systems and safe havens for terrorists are located in Pakistan."
We knew that.
U.S.-led forces, along with Afghan soldiers and police, have been facing increasing attacks by fighters of the ousted Taliban regime in the run-up to Afghanistan's planned September 18 parliamentary and provincial elections. Officials in Kabul believe that Islamabad could do something about this.
I'm actually not sure they could. Pakland seems to have less control of its western border than Afghanistan has of its eastern border. When, 20 or 30 years from now, the ratholes are cleaned out, it'll probably be as a result of Afghan troops crossing the border. The Paks will still be sitting around arguing over turban colors and religion columns on their drivers' licenses.
According to Mashal, if Pakistan really wanted to help Afghanistan overcome terrorism, the problem could be resolved rapidly. "Pakistan has promised us several times [to help fight terrorism]. But it did not abide by its promises, except for once. That was during last year's [Afghan] presidential election, and that resulted in a peaceful election," he said.
Quite a coincidence, wasn't it?
Despite Musharraf's declared aim of helping his neighbors, Mashal said that in the past two months alone, Interior Ministry officials had arrested more than 20 Pakistani nationals. The arrests were accompanied by seizures of weapons, bombs and explosives which were clearly intended for use in attacks. All this material was identified as coming from Pakistan, and had been supplied either by intelligence services or religious groups there, Mashal said.
Doesn't come as a surprise to anybody here, I'm sure. I repeat: the Taliban aren't an Afghan phenomenon; they emanate from Pakland, and their support comes from Pakistan.
President Musharraf, who has repeatedly pledged to put a stop to the activities of the Taliban and other radical Islamic groups that espouse violence, is adamant that his policies have worked. As he told a news conference in Lahore in late July, "we did root out terrorism in Pakistan, and no one can use Pakistani territory against Afghanistan."
E pur se muove, Perv.
But even within Pakistan, there are voices accusing the government of deceiving not only Afghanistan but also the United States and the West by helping militants to infiltrate the neighboring country. Earlier this week, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the Pakistani opposition leader who heads Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, a coalition of six Islamic parties, told a news conference the government should identify the infiltrators and explain its motives for helping them to enter Afghanistan. "They must also give the nation the identities of the men being moved from Waziristan to militant camps in Mansehra [both in Pakistan]," Rehman said. "This is hypocrisy. The rulers are not only trying to deceive the U.S. and the West, but are also hoodwinking the entire nation."
Posted by: Fred ||
08/19/2005 00:00 ||
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The Egyptian prosecutor general extended the detention of Dr. Issam al Aryan, Secretary General of the Doctorsâ Syndicate and prominent member of the Muslim Brotherhood for an additional fifteen days from Thursday. Three other figures who were arrested at his house last May were also remanded in custody pending further investigation. They are: Dr. Issam Deraj, from the faculty of architecture, Hamdi Shaheen assistant professor in Cairo University's Dar el Aloum and lawyer Yasser Abdu. All four were charged with membership of an illegal group, calling for disobedience against the regime, possession and distribution of publications, which promote the aims of this group.
Earlier in the week, the general prosecutor had extended the detention of Mahmud Izzat, Secretary General of the banned group for a further fifteen days. He is accused of planning demonstrations in opposition of the upcoming presidential election, three months after he was arrested following a government crackdown where security forces arrested hundreds of activists after they took part in nationwide protests. This extension comes amidst speculations about a possible deal between the Egyptian government and the Brotherhood which would see two leaders released in return for the group withholding support of candidates running against President Hosni Mubarak which the Brotherhood categorically denies.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/19/2005 00:00 ||
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Democracy in action. I am so impressed. The people have spoken, and what they said was "Hrrraaaarrr! Take that, yew varmint!"
At least 13 people were killed and 234 injured in clashes between supporters of rival candidates in the local government elections on Thursday. Security was beefed up for the first round of the three-phase elections in 53 districts across Pakistan, with some 35,000 policemen, 10,500 paramilitary troops and 40,000 soldiers deployed to guard polling stations and voters.
And one hell of a job they're doing, with only 13 dead and 234 maimed...
Polling was held from 8am to 5pm in 17 districts in Punjab, 10 in Sindh, 12 in the NWFP and 14 in Balochistan at 31,000 polling stations in the presence of 450,000 polling staff. Polling in the remaining 56 districts will be held on August 25. Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao said despite the pockets of violence âthe polls have largely been peacefulâ.
Except for this lard gut and my ham-like thighs, I'm really quite slender, too...
The chief election commissioner said voter turnout was close to 50 percent.
The other half of the voting population was inside, quivering with fear...
Three people were killed and 12 injured when supporters of rival candidates opened fire at each other in Dharmakhel UC, Bannu district, NWFP.
Eleven people were injured in Hassam UC, DI Khan, when PPPP and JUI-Fazl supporters clashed.
Two people were injured in Swabi.
PML activist Anjum Iqbal was shot dead in firing at a polling station in Shorkot village, UC-25, Multan. Three others were injured.
Fifteen were injured in a clash in UC-11, Multan.
Two people were killed and 15 injured when rival groups opened fire at Khyali Gate, Gujarnwala.
Ten people were injured in a clash in a polling station in UC-42, Gujranwala.
The Gujranwala district returning officer later told reporters that polling at UC-68/32, Khiali Sharpur, and UC-168, Nowshera Virkan, had been postponed because of the violence.
"Sorry! We hafta postpone the polling!"
"Why, dammit? I wanted to vote!"
"Everybody's out of ammunition right now!"
PPP activist Muhammad Afzal was killed when rival groups opened fire on each other outside a polling station in Seokey village in Daska tehsil.
Two deaths were reported in Toba Tek Singh and one in Muzaffargarh.
Eight people were injured in clashes at UC-182 and UC-73 in Muzaffargarh.
Twenty-three people were reported injured in election violence in Sahiwal, four at UC-23, Bhalwal, seven at a government school in Chak 9G/6K, two at a polling station in Dasora, and nine in other election-related violence in Punjab.
Fifty people were hurt as rival groups clashed in a polling booth at UC-100, Manchanabad, Bahawalnagar, Online reported.
The Punjab home secretary said only five people were killed and around 50 were injured in the province.
"Yep. Been pretty quiet around here!"
In Balochistan, three people were killed and 19 injured as Jamali and Imrani tribesmen clashed after two hours of polling in Dera Allah Yar tehsil, Jaffarabad. The Frontier Corps were called in to control the situation.
Three people were injured in a clash between rival groups in Bedar UC, Nasirabad district.
A bomb exploded at a school in Khuzdar district, but no casualties were reported.
Three workers of the PPP-Patriots were injured in firing in Malsi, Karachi, Online reported.
Thirty-eight people were injured in violence Kandhkot, Kashmore, Jacobabad and Tangwani in Sindh.
There were reports of electoral irregularities from across the country.
In Peshawar, a Watan Dost group candidate allegedly attacked the presiding officer of Sheikhan Junaiabad UC as she was taking the ballot boxes to the returning officer, and stole the boxes.
The Peshawar district returning officer had former Town-1 nazim Haroon Bilour arrested after he got into an argument with the DRO.
MMA supporters allegedly smashed three ballot boxes in Aza Khel Bala, Nowshera.
A scuffle between rival candidates over fake votes suspended voting at a womenâs polling station in Banamari UC for four hours.
Police in Karachi arrested the presiding officer posted at Government Women College Shahrah-e-Liaqat for casting fake votes, APP reported.
Opposition groups boycotted polls at UC-7, Saddar Town, in Karachi in protest at alleged fake votes for MQM-backed candidates and firing at opposition supporters, Online reported.
Groups of men stormed polling stations in UC-38 and UC-78 in Multan, beat up staff and tore up electoral lists.
Polling at UC-64 was stopped at 4pm after female polling agents were kidnapped.
The presiding officer at UC-94 asked the RO to summon army assistance after candidate Moni Shah, a former MPA, and his supporters allegedly beat up their rivals.
Some 650 fake national identity cards were seized from a womenâs polling station and a house in Multan. One man was arrested while the other three escaped.
Ballot papers, stamps and other material were reported stolen from a polling station in Gopipur village, Salhokey UC, Daska tehsil.
Ten armed men stormed a polling station in Pasrur tehsil and stole ballot boxes.
In UC-146, Sargodha, PML activists allegedly kidnapped a female polling agent and removed a ballot box.
A PPP leader in Barkhan, Balochistan, complained that voter lists had been manipulated so opposition supporters couldnât find which polling station they were supposed to vote at.
Chief Election Commissioner Abdul Hameed Dogar conducted surprise visits of several polling stations and expressed satisfaction with the polling process and security arrangements.
"Yup. Everything looks normal here..."
Online reported that foreign observers were also âsatisfiedâ.
Except for the corpses, of course...
Punjab Election Commissioner Rahim Nawaz Durrani said exact figures were being compiled, but turnout was close to 50 percent. Leaders of the PPP, PML-N and MMA in Punjab complained of âwidespread riggingâ and intimidation of their candidates. Turnout was lower in Sindh. The provincial home secretary said there had been a 40 to 45 percent turnout in Karachi, 40 percent in interior Sindh and 30 percent in Umar Kot and Jacobabad. Election Commission sources said that notification of official results would be issued in a couple of days, but unofficial results have already started coming in. The JI-backed Al Khidmat group reportedly won five UC nazim seats in Karachi.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/19/2005 00:00 ||
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Secret ballot or secret voter?
Posted by: Captain America ||
08/19/2005 8:19 Comments ||
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PESHAWAR: Women in several NWFP districts were barred from voting in the local elections on Thursday, polling staff and a women's rights advocacy group complained. "There are complaints from Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Karak, Bannu, Buner and Swabi districts where women were not allowed to vote," an Aurat Foundation spokesman told Daily Times. NWFP Senior Minister Sirajul Haq dismissed the reports as "propaganda".
"Dat's right! Pure calumny an' fabrications! Lies, too!"
"We have received no such report from any district and I don't know why the media is so sensitive about this issue," he told reporters.
"Yeah! Whatsa fuss?"
In Sheikh Muhammadi Union Council in Peshawar, women's polling station No 51 was deserted as local elders stopped women from voting. "Not one voter has turned up between 8:00am and 1:00pm," a woman presiding officer said.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/19/2005 00:00 ||
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Glad to see that ISAF worked so well
Posted by: Alex ||
08/19/2005 5:14 Comments ||
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scum suckers
Posted by: Captain America ||
08/19/2005 8:20 Comments ||
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#3
"Not one voter has turned up between 8:00am and 1:00pm (Allah Akhbar!),(May Allan deny me virgins in paradise. No voters turned up, just women.)"
#4
They need to attack the culture of denying women's rights. Change the debate to focus on the reasons these losers hate and fear women so much.
"The issue isn't women, it's why men who are probably homosexual pedophiles who were made to dress up like little girls by their mommies and who have no testicles anyway, are in a position to force their will on mature, intelligent women, who want nothing to do with such diseased perverts."
ISAF is working well. Afghan did vote (and ran as candidates) in last year's elections. This September, Afghan women will vote again, and again run as candidates, in elections.
Now, since ISAF is doing it's job of ensuring free and fair elections in Afghanistan (the first in it's history, you can thank George Bush), can I get your support for ISAF to pacify Pakistan?
Posted by: ed ||
08/19/2005 11:40 Comments ||
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#6
Ed
Once again have you been there have you seen with your own eyes how things are it seems not the country is going backwards. It is the same that is happening in Russia it goes forward a bit then it rewinds, You know I find it amazing the way you single me out to loose all your stress, Its not fair
Posted by: Alex ||
08/19/2005 12:28 Comments ||
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#7
are we all clear this article is about Pakistan, NOT afghanistan?
If you served in the Afghanistan, then my repects to you. But let's be honest. Why the dig at ISAF and their, and your, work in keeping the peace in Kabul, especially on a Pakistani thread? Do you really think the situation has not improved from when the Taliban controlled 95% of Afghanistan? Did women vote in the Afghan elections? Did they run for office? Do the Afghans seem more mellow than their nutcase cousins across the border? Don't Afghans, espcially women, have more freedom than under the Taliban? Are Afghans hosting or sponsoring terrorists against non-muslim? And just who make up most of the Taliban these days, Afghans or Pakistanis?
Posted by: ed ||
08/19/2005 13:07 Comments ||
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#9
Gotta do a MacArthur and send police or troops to the polling station - democracy was there to stay in Japan, espec after the masses elected their first prostitute to public office by large margin!? BWAHAHAHAHA
But then, nothing much effects the MMA, does it? They live in their own little beturbanned world...
ISLAMABAD: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, secretary general of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), has said that the Supreme Court's (SC) ruling to bar madrassa certificate holders from contesting local council elections would not affect MMA candidates. In an interview with Radio Tehran on Thursday, Maulana Fazl, who is also the leader of the opposition in National Assembly, said the SC ruling was being seen against the political backdrop rather than going into its legal grounds. He said that the MMA was waiting for the SC's detailed judgement, adding that it was the duty of the Election Commission to implement the SC's decision but it was silent on the issue.
"We think we've got 'em too scared to actually do anything..."
Maulana Fazl said the candidates affiliated with the religious alliance were engaged in electioneering and they would win the elections. However, the MMA secretary general criticised the media for propagating against the MMA candidates.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/19/2005 00:00 ||
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I was just thinking how fun it is to roast pumpkin seeds.
LAHORE: Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba's Punjab University chapter has announced it will organise a 10-day Dawat-e-Quran Muhim (Quran awareness campaign) at the university's campus. An official IJT statement said the 'Quran campaign' would run from August 17 to 27 and invite all students towards learning the Quran. It said inviting people towards the holy book was today's need and IJT's PU representatives would defend Pakistan's ideological and Islamic beliefs against elements targeting them. It added that the West was backing the campaign against madarassas (seminaries) and was also pressing the government in this regard.
Perv unhappy with IJT displays at PU LAHORE: President General Pervez Musharraf has showed his displeasure at the presence of political student group Islami Jamiat Talaba in the Punjab University, which he noticed during his visit to Lahore on August 14. Sources said that the president was displeased to after he saw the clearly visible IJT signboards and hoardings outside the PU campuses. He said that the messages were defying federal government instructions and stopping liberalism in the educational institute.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/19/2005 00:00 ||
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LUCKNOW: One of South Asiaâs most influential Islamic seminaries said Thursday that Muslim women who run for political office should wear a veil on the campaign trail - widening the debate about the role of religious law in secular India. The latest ruling from the Dar-ul-Uloom school follows a decision by Indiaâs Supreme Court to hear a case challenging the legality of Muslim religious courts, which are constitutionally permitted in India to rule on personal matters for Muslims, such as marriage and divorce.
Maulana Shahid Rehan, a scholar at the school, told The Associated Press on Thursday that âIslam never forbids women from doing social service, but her conduct should be in accordance with Shariah,â or Islamic law. âShariah says women should not go in public without veil and a Muslim should follow this,â he said. Dar-ul-Uloom in Deoband, about 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of the capital, New Delhi, issued its fatwa, or order, on Tuesday as millions of Indians throughout Uttar Pradesh state, where the school is located, voted in local elections. Voting ends next week, and the Press Trust of India reported Thursday that hundreds of female candidates running in the elections had donned veils as they went from village to village campaigning for votes. One of the women, Anwari Begum, reportedly told PTI she had covered up after Dar-ul-Uloom issued its ruling.
Leading Islamic seminaries, like Dar-ul-Uloom, a bastion of conservative Islam, often interpret Shariah for the various Muslim tribunals that function in the country. However, it was not clear how much power the school or the courts have to regulate the role of Muslim women in public life in India, a secular democracy. PTI reported Thursday that Law Minister H.R. Bharadwaj said such edicts had no legal standing. Muslims moderates also dismissed Dar-ul-Uloomâs latest ruling, saying the scholars should stick to religious matters and not address political or social concerns. âThe Muslim clergy should understand their responsibility before issuing a fatwa,â said an official at the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Khalid Rashid. âIf (the school) continues issuing fatwas like this, it will undermine its own importance.â
Posted by: Fred ||
08/19/2005 00:00 ||
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note again - India, like Israel, allows sharia to govern its muslim citizens on questions of marriage and divorce, but is far from an Islamic state.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
The Popular Solidarity Forum (PSF) issued on Monday August 15 a statement expressing support for Sheikh Mohammad al-Moayad and his 
Kuwait Prime Minister 
Ghaffur told Asharq al-Awsat yesterday that he believes that racially motivated hate crimes against Muslims since the London bombings have decreased to a lower level than expected. 
Turkey and the United States have decided to draft a military option against Kurdish insurgents in northern Iraq. Officials said Ankara and Washington have agreed to establish a military committee to review the threat by the Kurdish Workers Party in Iraq. They said the committee would assess the threat, identify insurgency strongholds and draft military options to end PKK attacks on southern Turkey. "It's the first time the United States has agreed to address the PKK threat in a military way," an official said. "This does not mean that Turkey has a green light to launch an attack on northern Iraq."
Canadian-born actress 
Iranian opposition activists said yesterday that Tehran was rushing to build nuclear components in breach of its commitments to the UN.
"Hizbullah will not hand in its weapons as long as Israel possesses 400 nuclear missiles," according to Hizbullah's Baalbek-Hermel MP Hussein Hajj Hassan.
Mixed political signals, money, arms and insurgents make for a volatile relationship across the long and porous border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The latest round in the long-running war of words between the two countries involves allegations that Pakistani "terrorists" have been arrested in Afghanistan. Pakistan's president Pervez Musharraf has warned that these accusations are worsening relations, and that Islamabad may retaliate.
The Egyptian prosecutor general extended the detention of Dr. 
At least 13 people were killed and 234 injured in clashes between supporters of rival candidates in the local government elections on Thursday. Security was beefed up for the first round of the three-phase elections in 53 districts across Pakistan, with some 35,000 policemen, 10,500 paramilitary troops and 40,000 soldiers deployed to guard polling stations and voters. 
PESHAWAR: Women in several NWFP districts were barred from voting in the local elections on Thursday, polling staff and a women's rights advocacy group complained. "There are complaints from Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Karak, Bannu, Buner and Swabi districts where women were not allowed to vote," an Aurat Foundation spokesman told Daily Times. NWFP Senior Minister 
ISLAMABAD: 
LAHORE: 
LAHORE: President General Pervez Musharraf has showed his displeasure at the presence of political student group 
LUCKNOW: One of South Asiaâs most influential Islamic seminaries said Thursday that Muslim women who run for political office should wear a veil on the campaign trail - widening the debate about the role of religious law in secular India. The latest ruling from the 
