The story is from early yesterday, so may be out of date already.
Pirates who hijacked a Japanese tanker off Somalia earlier this week are demanding a U.S. warship shadowing the vessel back off, the wife of the tanker's foreman said Friday. "Apparently the navy ship was getting closer to them," Tess Villanueva, wife of the crew's foreman, Laureano, told The Associated Press in the Philippines. "The good news would be if they (pirates) leave the ship."
No, the good news would be if U.S. sailors wrapped the pirates in anchor chain and dropped them overboard ...
Villanueva said the information was relayed to her late Thursday by Redentor Anaya, vice president for operations of SeaCrest Maritime Management Inc., which recruited the Filipino crew for the Golden Nori.
Negotiations have started for the release of the Golden Nori, anchored in Somali waters with 23 crew members from the Philippines, South Korea and Myanmar, said Josefina Villanueva, Laureano's sister. Josefina Villanueva said there had been no ransom demand from the pirates. "The talks are just starting. I think the pirates will later on demand something," she said. "We're very worried," she added. "We're holding daily prayers in our house."
Piracy "is a very serious security problem on the African coast. These are not pirates who will remind you of Johnny Depp. These are quite different kinds of pirates," [US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher] Hill told reporters in Seoul, South Korea.
The U.S. Navy's guided missile destroyer USS Porter came to the aid of the Japanese chemical tanker this week, at one point opening fire to destroy pirate skiffs tied to it. It was not known Friday which U.S. Navy ship was near the tanker now.
On Thursday, the U.S. Navy said that it intended to remove the pirates from the Golden Nori, which was carrying benzene. Benzene, an industrial solvent, is both highly flammable and can be fatal if too much is inhaled.
On Friday, Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos said the captain of the ship contacted the Japanese company that owns the vessel the day before and reported that the crew was fine. There has been no direct contact between the Philippine government and the pirates, he added. "The problem is there is no central government in control (in Somalia)," he said.
Earlier this week, a North Korean tanker overrun by pirates was taken back after crew members overpowered the hijackers in a bloody fight. The hijackers were being held aboard the ship until they can be handed over for prosecution at a port.
We can't hold a proper tribunal at sea?
After the clash, Navy personnel boarded the North Korean boat to treat the wounded. The U.S. efforts came despite its hostile relations with the communist country over its nuclear program. "You'll always find our Navy prepared to help any ship in distress and certainly any ship that is confronting pirates," said Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, the top American envoy to six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear disarmament. Piracy "is a very serious security problem on the African coast. These are not pirates who will remind you of Johnny Depp. These are quite different kinds of pirates," Hill told reporters in Seoul, South Korea. "So, I think we were pleased to be able to help in this regard and I hope the [North] understands that we did this out of the sense of good will that we have on this," he said.
Somali pirates are trained fighters, in some cases linked to powerful Somali clans, outfitted with sophisticated arms and equipment, including GPS satellite instruments. They have seized merchant ships, ships carrying aid, and once even a cruise ship. The United States also has supported efforts to quell an Islamic insurgency in Somalia.
#1
CAPT AND CREW OF THE DDG-78. UPON FREEING THE CREW OF THE JAPANESE VESSEL GOLDEN NORI, YOU ARE TO PROCEED WITH DELAY DUE EAST AND UNDERTAKE THE LIBERATION AND RETURN TO THE NEAREST US PORT OF THE AGER-2. PLEASE KINDLY ACKNOWLEGE RECEIPT OF THIS ORDER.
#6
If there is no central govt in Somalia, then territorial waters do not really exist. The pirates need to be dealt with and their sanctuary neutralized.
And their little dog, too. It is not too hard to deal with these guys if you take appropriate action, and in this case---offing the verman. It is a language that they understand.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
11/03/2007 17:14 Comments ||
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Londons mayor Ken Livingstone warned on Friday that the UKs counter-terrorist strategy could be put at risk by a disastrous court ruling against the capitals police force. In a view echoed privately by senior police sources, Mr Livingstone warned that armed officers might be hesitant to take action against a suspected terrorist for fear that their actions become embroiled in controversy.
Is Red Ken finally getting a clue?
I thought there were no terrorists? Only friends we haven't met yet.
His remarks were made after the Metropolitan Police was found guilty by a court on Thursday of endangering the public when armed officers mistakenly shot dead an innocent Brazilian, Jean Charles de Menezes. He was mistaken for one of a group of failed suicide bombers who attempted a series of attacks on Londons transport system in July 2005.
The court fined the police force £175,000 ($364,000, 252,000) and ordered it to pay £385,000 in costs for putting the public in danger.
Businesses in the City of London are being urged by police to report any suspicious activity, amid concern that further terrorist attacks in the UK are being planned in the Square Mile.
Businesses in the City of London are being urged by police to report any suspicious activity, amid concern that further terrorist attacks in the UK are being planned in the Square Mile. The new warning comes after it emerged that one of the UKs top five banks has been forced in recent weeks to order a review of its security arrangements because of fears that it was being targeted by a terrorist cell.
Two people escaped arrest outside the London headquarters of Lloyds TSB after being identified on what may have been a terrorist planning exercise.
The FT has learnt that at the end of August two people escaped arrest outside the London headquarters of Lloyds TSB in Gresham Street after being identified on what security sources believe may have been a terrorist planning exercise. The individuals were challenged after being seen taking photographs of the building, but ran towards a car and drove away.
A spokesman for Lloyds TSB said on Friday: We take the security of our staff and buildings very seriously. We aim to have the best possible security arrangements in place and to maintain a high level of vigilance at all times.
While the police subsequently told the bank there was no intelligence to suggest that its building was a target, the bank confirmed last night that following the incident it had raised the level of security in all its buildings in London. The City of London Police on Friday said they could not comment directly on an alleged incident as a matter of policy. However Frank Armstrong, the assistant commissioner, confirmed that police were on the look out for hostile reconnaissance and urged businesses to report any similar sightings.
Hostile reconnaissance is a well known terrorist tactic whereby a range of potential targets are observed and information gathered prior to a more specific operation being planned or attack being ordered. The UK threat level has remained officially unchanged since being lowered from critical to severe on July 4, meaning that future terrorist attacks are highly likely but no longer thought to be imminent. Security in the City of London has been stepped up since the last terrorist attack-by the IRA-in Bishopsgate in 1993.
MI5, the security service, warned earlier this year that terrorist attack planning would increase in 2007.
#2
I doubt it. But things like this will. Europeans seem to have an acceptance of their "place" in the social hierarchy that will prevent them from rebelling as individuals. But the local liege lords will become very jealous of the encroachment of their petty powers. Especially when their serfs can see that they are powerless.
Top Turkish officials on Thursday denied media reports that Turkey had closed its airspace as part of economic sanctions against northern Iraq, saying flights were running as usual. "We have not received any order to cancel flights, neither to the north nor to the south of Iraq," a top Turkish civil aviation official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak with the press.
CNN-Türk later quoted Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying "there is no decision to shut down Turkish airspace," without further elaboration.
Turkey's NTV television reported that the airspace had been closed, but then later revised its report to say that civilian flights from Turkey to northern Iraq would be canceled, citing unidentified officials. It did not say when the ban may take effect.
Within the past two weeks Turkey has canceled some flights to northern Iraq for "technical reasons" but not as part of a ban, the official said. "They were not fit to fly," he said, adding he was not aware of a pending ban on air traffic.
Might be true if the planes are Tupelov's, for example ...
The reports came after Turkey said Wednesday that it had taken economic measures designed to weaken Kurdish rebels and groups that support it. Although the Turkish government did not use the term "sanctions," its statement was widely interpreted as the beginning of a strategy to cut off economic support for suspected associates of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) which carries out raids in Turkey from bases in northern Iraq.
President Nicolas Sarkozy heads to Washington on Tuesday for a trip during which France and the United States aim to put their rift over the Iraq war definitively behind them, his spokesman said.
"The aim of this trip is to seal the renewal of ties between France and the United States following the crisis of 2003 and to send a message to the American people through the president's speech to Congress," David Martinon told reporters.
Relations between Paris and Washington deteriorated sharply under Sarkozy's predecessor Jacques Chirac who spearheaded global opposition to the US-led invasion of Iraq.
During the two-day visit, his first official trip to Washington since being elected in May, Sarkozy is to hold talks with US President George W. Bush as well as deliver a speech to the US Congress.
The two leaders will dine at the White House, followed by a visit to Mount Vernon, the home of the first US president George Washington.
#3
I hope Bush approves C17 airlifters and Sarko sends the 1 REP to Chad to bring home Breteau and the his Zoe's Arc personnel. Well, I can hope can't I?
Jailed Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan was reported on Friday as saying he was open to a democratic solution to the 23-year-old conflict between the Turkish military and his guerrilla group. Ankara has threatened a major cross-border operation into northern Iraq to fight some 3,000 rebels of Ocalan's Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) unless U.S. and Iraqi authorities fulfil pledges to crack down on them.
Firat news agency, which has close links to the PKK, quoted Ocalan as saying he was saddened by the recent deaths in clashes between the PKK and the Turkish armed forces. "We are in a critical process," Ocalan said in a statement made to his lawyers who visited him this week for the first time in a month in his island prison at Imrali, south of Istanbul, where he has been held since his 1999 capture and conviction. "I am making a request to (Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip) Mr Erdogan. The PKK will not end, you are making a mistake. Propose a way out, we are open to any kind of democratic solution," Ocalan was reported as saying.
The United States and European Union, like Turkey, list the PKK as a terrorist organisation. Ocalan is reviled by most Turks and is held responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people since the PKK took up arms against the Turkish state in 1984.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/03/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Last I heard, Ocalan had been apprehended by the Turks and sentenced to death. Something change? /me guesses the prospect of EU membership.
Nine of the 21 people convicted over the 2004 Madrid bombings have gone on hunger strike. The prisoners launched their protest against what they termed the "unjust" sentences handed down on Wednesday.
Boo effing hoo.
Those taking part include Moroccans Jamal Zougam and Othman el-Gnaoui, who were each sentenced to more than 40,000 years in prison, although under Spanish law the maximum they can spend behind bars is 40 years. Zougam placed explosives aboard one of the four targeted trains, while el-Gnaoui transported the explosives. The strikers said the sentences were "unjust".
#3
JFM, I know you are convinced the 'official' story of the whole Madrid bombing and trial is a concoction, and I agree it has a number of inconsistencies. Can you post something that shows what you think really went on, and why that story better fits the known facts?
WASHINGTON - Thirty US senators wrote to President George W. Bush, warning he had no authority to launch military action against Iran, and expressing concern about the administrations provocative rhetoric. The senators, 29 Democrats and one independent, urged the resolution of disputes with the Islamic republic through diplomacy.
Because that's worked so well thus far ...
We wish to emphasize that no congressional authority exists for unilateral military action against Iran, said the letter signed by senators including presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
If Bush wanted he could invoke the War Powers Act, which gives him 90 days. The bombing campaign could be over in 10. Of he could ignore the WPA, like every president since Ford, and just do what has to be done.
Another Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Chris Dodd, signed the letter but Senators Barack Obama and Joseph Biden did not.
The letter warned that a resolution passed by the Senate in September, calling for the designation of Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group, should not be used as a pretext for war.
It hit out at provocative statements and actions by the administration on Iran, after Bush last month warned Tehran must be barred from nuclear weapons to avoid the prospect of World War III. These comments are counterproductive and undermine efforts to resolve tensions with Iran through diplomacy, said the letter, coordinated by Virginia Senator Jim Webb.
Say Jim, any thought at all about how 'provocative' the statements and actions from Iran, including the supplying of IEDs to Iranian clients in Iraq, are?
Republican Senator Chuck Hagel, a fierce critic of the administrations policies, sent his own letter this week to Bush, reportedly calling on him to open direct talks with Tehran. His staff confirmed the letter had been sent, but declined to release a copy.
#1
No authority? Iran's tyrant has threatened the USA. The President is US Commander in Chief. While Congress has war making powers, standing National Security orders give the President the authority to act on same.
#2
Only 30 donk senators would sign this in the absence of any administration presentations to the public that we ought to take specific action against Iran? Looks like Bush could push an AUMF through Congress if he made the case. I know, big if.
#4
I seem to recall that a President can act without congressional authorization if there is a "clear and present danger" to national security. If Iran and its nuclear weapons program doesn't represent such a danger then nothing does.
#6
The President can run a Normandy sized assault if he want's, long as he wins before the War Powers Act kicks in... what is that 30 days? 90?
Ummm.... from Wiki (who knows?)
It requires the President to consult with Congress before and during hostilities (Sec. 3); and to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities if Congress has not declared war or passed a resolution authorizing the use of force within 60 days (Sec.. 5(b)). It grants an additional 30 days upon a formal request by the President, presumably when "unavoidable military necessity" requires additional action for a safe withdrawal.
Sounds like 90 days to me.
Posted by: Thomas Woof ||
11/03/2007 7:50 Comments ||
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#7
Maybe if Bush were to send cruise missiles into Sudan the Democrats would be more in agreement?
#10
This goes to a basic requirement that somebody has to initiate overt hostilities against either the US military or the US itself to respond. It has formally been that convenience long before the Ems Dispatch.
It is too problematic to hope that the Iranians will both do this, and do this in an ineffectual manner. Therefore, we should create the circumstances in which they do it.
Ideally, we should arrange for several of their missiles to be fired at the thickest part of our missile defenses, right after we have been drilling our missile defense crews to defend against such an attack.
Our immediate response would be to obliterate their missile launch sites. This would leave no puzzling evidence behind, yet all the major powers would have seen the attack ballistic warnings light up their radar and satellite networks, and would have tracked both the Iranian attacks and the US defense and counterattack.
#13
Send Jesse as the third, and get a congressional delgation to go with them. Baghdad Jim McDermott and Moron Moran from VA are my leading nominess to escort them to Teheran, the day before we strike.
#14
Anonymoose, okay, you're on. Tell me how to get mullahs' hands twitching to inadvertently push the button before they have nuke warheads mounted on their missiles.
On the appeal of Muttahidda Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) protest demonstrations were held in different localities of the city after Juma prayers.
Resolutions were passed in over 500 mosques against the ongoing military operation in Swat and Waziristan. The protestors demanded the government immediately end them and that the Shariat should be put into force according to the wishes of the people of these areas. The largest demonstration was held outside Jamia Masjid Toor in Sher Shah, SITE Town where MMA and JUI-F leaders spoke to the crowd. The protestors had come prepared with placards and shouted anti-American and anti-government slogans. JUI-F Karachi Ameer and MMA Secretary Information Qari Muhammad Usman said that after the massacre in the tribal areas, the people of Swat have now been targeted. They blamed the government for carrying out a military operation in Swat to follow US policies just like the military operation against Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa in Rawalpindi.
The regime was responsible for sabotaging the peaceful atmosphere in Swat as it had waged a war against its own people. He asked why those who had looted the nations wealth were pardoned by an ordinance and if negotiations could be held with India then why were the people of Swat and other tribal areas denied negotiations.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/03/2007 00:00 ||
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The US Central Command (Centcom) chief Admiral William J Fallon on Friday offered the US forces assistance in fighting Taliban elements in the Tribal Areas and Swat to President General Pervez Musharraf, but Musharraf rejected the offer, saying only Pakistani troops would be allowed to surrender or be slaughtered conduct operations inside the country, Online reported quoting its sources.
Talking to Fallon who called on him at Camp Office in Rawalpindi, Musharraf said that Pakistan Army was well equipped to meet the challenge. He said the presence of US forces in Pakistan would not be liked by the people. He said that US assistance in the elimination of terrorism from the Tribal Areas should remain confined to only intelligence sharing and technical assistance. The situation in Pakistans Tribal Areas, Afghanistan, the ongoing operation in Swat, joint military exercises and other issues of professional interest were discussed in the meeting, Sajjad Malik reported diplomatic and government sources as saying. The president said the operation against extremist elements in Swat was continuing and peace would soon established there.
At which point Fallon told the one about the two Irishmen and the female leprechaun, which was nearly as funny and probably more likely to be true.
This article starring:
Admiral William J Fallon
Sajjad Malik
Posted by: Fred ||
11/03/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
"peace would soon established there."
Probably true. But remember, there are two ways to peace - victory, or surrender.
#4
Think about it. Fallon made the offer just so that Perv could arrogantly refuse it, thus showing that Pakistan is its own country. The evidence is that a press release was put out about it. Were the offer "genuine", it would be discreet, with no mention in the media.
But of course accepting "only" "intelligence sharing and technical assistance", is worth its weight in gold. This means that we will give the Pak army names and biometrics, locations, communications intercepts, enemy maneuver information, etc. All they have to do is the actual loot 'n' shoot.
NWFP Governor Lt Gen (r) Ali Muhammad Jan Orakzai said on Friday that an army operation was the last resort to restore law and order in Swat district. God forbid, if the situation becomes worse, we may need to launch an operation there, he said. They are our own people and we are trying to convince them to give up militancy, he added. He denied claims that there was no coordination between the security forces engaged in the area.
The situation is worse: a bunch of goons have kicked the government out and set up shop independently, they've absolutely humilianted the Mighty Pak Army, making it a laughing stock even outside military circles, and the government isn't going to do squat, since half of it's on the bad guyz' side.
This article starring:
Ali Muhammad Jan Orakzai
Posted by: Fred ||
11/03/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Paki Army unit that is on the side of the Taliban makes arrangements with them to be surrounded, captured, exhibited, (paid) and released, humiliating Musharraf and further transferring power from the central government to the Frontier Provinces, and doing so with little or no blood shed. Pretty clever.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Friday that the United States opposed any move by President General Pervez Musharraf to impose martial law and Pakistan must proceed with elections next year.
Rice has urged Gen Musharraf to go ahead with the elections planned for January. I am not going to get into the details of our conversations but I think it would be quite obvious that the US would not be supportive of extra-constitutional means, she said on a trip to Turkey. Pakistan needs to prepare for and hold free and fair elections, she said, adding that she had not spoken to General Musharraf recently.
Concerns that events in Pakistan may take a turn for the worse are rising as terrorist violence escalates and the writ of the government continues to weaken. US policymakers understand that while President Musharraf is both keen and sincere in having Benazir Bhuttos party join him in a power-sharing arrangement, he has been unable to persuade his party, the Pakistan Muslim League, to fall in line. Certain mixed signals from the president have added to the confusion, especially his recent declaration that he will not abandon the PML.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/03/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
But if you can't get to a democratic election, and we don't want martial law, mob rule by islamofascists will do. And to think people wanted this woman to run for president...
Posted by: M. Murcek ||
11/03/2007 9:46 Comments ||
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#2
And what say you Condi that the Lisbon accord doesn't allow a referendum for the EuroCon v.2? What's the real difference other than wearing the Eurouniform of the pin strip suit? The style may be different but the substance is the same.
WASHINGTON: Pakistans ambassador in US Mahmud Ali Durrani has accused the mainstream US media of getting the story all wrong when it comes to Pakistans efforts to root out terrorism and Islamic extremism.
"Honest. It's nothing like the facts suggest."
None of their information is correct, he told The Washington Diplomat, a publication focused on the diplomatic corps based in Washington.
"None of it. Zippo. Zilch. Those guys at Rantburg have it all wrong."
We are more than victims of terrorism, but there are people who dont believe us. Pakistan has become a fall guy for all the bad things happening in the neighbourhood, he added.
"Just because our efforts to use the extremists as tools have turned around and seriously chewed us, is that our fault? I ask you!"
He said the attack on former premier Benazir Bhuttos homecoming procession was carried out either by Al Qaeda or the Taliban, or a combination of the two.
I agree with that assessment.
Neither the governments of Pakistan or India were involved.
No one, with the exception of the Paks, of course, has suggested Indian involvement. The Pak government was probably not officially involved, but it's my educated guess that elements of the ISI were, as well as nasties associated with Hamid Gul and/or Aslam Beg. Benazir herself pointed out five prime suspects, one of whom was a close personal friend of Perv.
Benazir Bhutto and Musharraf had the same agenda. They were two allies.
... as we've seen, lo, these past six years or so.
These people who did this have a very narrow vision of Islam. They probably think shes not a real Muslim.
They don't even consider her a human being.
In the long term, he was hopeful, liberal forces would galvanise and get together, leaving their differences behind to fight the common enemy.
That'd be pretty much a first, as we're seeing all over the world. The bad guys get to prance around making faces and rolling their eyes and waving guns. The liberal forces try to avoid confrontation and mostly squat to pee.
Durrani said the possibility of President Musharraf forming a coalition with Benazir Bhutto was high because the government had exonerated her of any possible crimes.
By law, anybody whos convicted of corruption cannot run. But in those cases, which were under investigation for 10 years and never proven, we give amnesty. The allegations of corruption against Benazir were not proven. The government wants a consensus so that we move ahead without any acrimony or mistrust.
He conceded that Pakistan was in bed with the Taliban when they were governing Afghanistan, for an excellent reason. We always supported the government in Kabul, irrespective of who it was. But thats history now. We gave that up after 9/11, when we made a 180-degree switch because we found that was in our interest.
The interview took place at what the journal calls Pakistans $17 million embassy on International Drive. Durrani said Pakistan has almost licked Al Qaeda after the 9/11 attacks but everything changed after the US invaded Iraq, reviving Al Qaeda.
He said global pledges made to Afghanistan had not been honoured, warning, If you dont give them an alternative way of life, they will kill. This is the only thing they know. There was also a growing nexus between Al Qaeda and international drug barons. He said criticism of Pakistans peace agreement in the tribal areas was totally misconstrued and a lot of BS (bullshit).
And then his lips fell off.
He said as ambassador he had no problems with the administration or the public but he had one with the media, which is getting the Pakistan story wrong. He defended his country on the Daniel Pearl and Mukhtar Mai cases. He explained, Danny Pearl goes to meet the bad guys and gets in trouble. Tomorrow night, walk into some bad neighborhood of DC, and youre also likely to get in trouble One rape in Pakistan? There are more unreported rapes in the United States than the total number of rapes in Pakistan. If it happens in a village following some stupid custom, then people perceive that its happening all over the country.
About US unpopularity in Pakistan, the ambassador said, If today, you have a crowd of 1,000 people chanting anti-American slogans and somebody offers to give out US visas, 900 would definitely accept, if not all of them. Pakistani people like American values and the American system.
Yeah, and if you were to hand out free explosives, 800 at least would take them, if only for use on a rainy day.
This article starring:
Mahmud Ali Durrani
Posted by: john frum ||
11/03/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
"Pakistani people like American values and the American system"
btw, Pakis should ask themselves whether they really have such high esteem from the rest of the non mossie world...considering the amount of hype and noise they make.
The United States, Turkey and Iraq will jointly counter Kurdish rebels attacking Turkey from havens in northern Iraq, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said.
Rice, speaking to reporters Thursday in a press conference aboard her plane as she began a diplomatic mission to Turkey and the Middle East, was vague about what that might mean. She warned against doing anything that might make the situation worse.
Raids by the rebels and other fighting have left 47 people dead on the Turkish side since Sept. 29, including 35 soldiers. The skirmishes were the latest in a conflict that dates back to 1984 and has seen nearly 40,000 people killed.
Turkey has complained for months about what it contends is a lack of US support against the rebels known as PKK. The Turkish government has threatened a full-scale ground attack into northern Iraq if the US and Iraqi officials fail to do something about the rebels.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/03/2007 00:00 ||
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The United States on Friday promised effective action against Kurdish rebels launching attacks on Turkey from northern Iraq, but cautioned Ankara against military moves that might destabilise the area.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, visiting Turkey amid growing anti-US sentiment, called the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) a common enemy. But she did not spell out what steps Washington was contemplating. Ankara has warned it will carry out a major cross-border operation unless US and Iraqi authorities fulfil pledges to crack down on an estimated 3,000 PKK guerrillas using northern Iraq as a base to carry out deadly attacks in Turkey.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/03/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
growing anti-US sentiment
Turkey was 92% anti-American before she got there. How much worse can she make it?
#2
This is what the turks were pushing for it seems. The whoel appearance of an armored thrust for Kirkuk may have been designed to get us off our asses and move against the PKK.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met with Hamas officials on Friday for the first time since the organization's violent takeover of the Gaza Strip in June of this year. Abbas's office confirmed that he had met with three Hamas West Bank officials: Faraj Rumaneh, Hussein Abu Quaik and Nasser a-Din al-Shaar, who served in the past as the deputy prime minister and education minister in the Hamas-led unity government. But Abbas adviser Ahmed Abdel Rahman said that it was not an official meeting and denied that Abbas had invited the three.
Abu Quaik, however, said the three had been invited to prayers by Abbas.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/03/2007 00:00 ||
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LONDON - A Royal Navy aircraft carrier is to be sent to the Gulf in early 2008, the defence ministry in London said Friday but added that its deployment was not linked to possible military action against Iran. A ministry spokesman told AFP that HMS Illustrious will head for the Gulf accompanied by the Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh and the Type 23 frigate HMS Westminster. Also involved in Operation Orion 08 will be two minesweepers and three support vessels from the Royal Fleet Auxilliary.
There is going to be a deployment east of Suez, the spokesman told AFP by telephone. Its routine. It was planned one or two years ago. Its absolutely not linked with Iran.
"No, no, certainly not!"
The ships will sail in the Gulf, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea for about six months, with the operation designed to demonstrate Britains commitment to maritime security and ability to work with other world navies, he added.
But the Daily Telegraph newspaper said the deployment of British ships in such sensitive waters may coincide with a crucial period in the Wests confrontation with Iran over its disputed nuclear programme. Observers believe that the spring is the last possible moment for President George W. Bush to order military strikes against Irans nuclear programme, it said in a report from Manama, Bahrain.
#3
NOSI.org > US NAVY eying PIE-RATES eying a Japanese ship. First twas a NORTH KOREAN freighter, now a JAPANESE ship. *HOLLYWOOD HAS JUST FOUND ITS PLOT/STORYLINE FOR ANOTHER
"PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN" FLICK??? No, life of STEPHEN DECATUR???
#8
Besoeker, the French top-line carrirer strike aircraft have recently made traps and cat launches off the deck of the Enterprise (when it was underway in the Med just a couple of months ago on the way to the gulf). It even made a port call in France. Big change for us and the French with Sark there.
LONDON - The US Navy said it had begun a series of exercises in the Gulf and wider Gulf waters on Friday involving a U.S aircraft carrier and two expeditionary assault ships. The US Navys Fifth Fleet headquartered in Bahrain said in a statement that it had begun a five-day crisis response exercise involving amphibious, air and medical forces in the Gulf.
The scenario is challenging but prepares us for a real-world event, said Cmdr. Jay Chambers, of Combined Task Force 59. He said the manoeuvres were designed to practise a coordinated response to a natural disaster or crisis in the region.
The navy said the exercise inside the Gulf is led by a task force that includes the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship. The vessel carries marine corp helicopters and landing craft. It also said the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and its strike group and the USS Kearsarge expeditionary strike group had begun training in wider Gulf waters. The USS Kearsarge is another amphibious assault ship equipped with helicopters and landing craft. The US Marine Corps operates from the ship, which is designed for rapid deployment.
Multiple strike groups are capable of executing a broad range of operations, the US Navy said.
Syrian authorities have banned Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal from giving interviews in the media and threatened to expel him from Syria if he ignores the ban. According to the Kuwaiti newspaper Maya al-Hadaf, the decision followed US pressure. Mashaal's personal secretary confirmed that the Syria-based Hamas leader was no longer giving statements to the press. However, Hamas official Muhammad Nazar denied the report, saying that Mashaal was in Qatar and could be contacted easily.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/03/2007 00:00 ||
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Link ||
[4 views]
Top|| File under: Hamas
#1
"I say, boy. Stop poking at the tiger with that there stick!"
The Lebanese government on Friday criticized this week's Amnesty International report on events in a northern Palestinian refugee camp, saying the report failed to highlight that Lebanon was subjected to terror attacks from militants holed up inside the camp.
On Wednesday, the London-based human rights watchdog called on Lebanese authorities to investigate reports of looting and human rights abuses inside Nahr el-Bared camp after it fell into army hands. "The Lebanese government does not accept at all any violation of the law or human rights, especially against our Palestinian refugee brothers," the government said. "Lebanon was subjected to crimes carried by the terrorist gang Fatah Islam that attacked the Lebanese and Palestinian people," said a statement Friday by the a government agency that deals with Palestinian issues in Lebanon.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/03/2007 00:00 ||
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Link ||
[4 views]
Top|| File under: Fatah al-Islam
#1
From all the coddling dispensed by these bleeding heart NGOs, you'd think that Muslims were an endangered species. Did I not get a memo?
Bahrain's Crown Prince, Sheik Salman bin Isa al-Khalifa, said Friday that Iran is striving to acquire nuclear weaponry, Israel Radio reported. Al Khalifa said that at the very least, Iran is attempting to gain the ability to produce nuclear weaponry.
The statement would make Bahrain the first Arab nation in the Persian Gulf to claim that Iran is attempting to deceive world leaders in relation to its nuclear aspirations. Al Khalifa warned that the crisis could worsen and draw the region into military conflict. For this reason, he said, it must be resolved by diplomatic means.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/03/2007 00:00 ||
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[5 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Iran
#1
Did they say it twice already, or is this a repost?
;-)
Not sure, but this "resolved by diplogoguery", is it just a token for "we're not warmongers, don't point your nukes t us", or do they really believe that?
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council agreed Friday to move toward a third set of sanctions if Iran fails to answer key questions on its nuclear program, the British Foreign Office said.
The Foreign Office said diplomats from the US, Russia, China, Britain and France agreed, along with Germany, to come up with a new sanctions resolution with the aim of voting on it if November reports by the European Union and the International Atomic Energy Agency do not show improved Iranian cooperation.
Russia and China did not comment, and the agreement seemed at odds with weeks of public opposition, primarily by the Kremlin, to new sanctions against Iran.
Still, a senior diplomat from one of the six nations meeting in London suggested Russia's statements on the issue were not necessarily a reflection of its "determination, along with the other five (countries) to prevent an Iran armed with nuclear weapons." He spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media on the issue.
A senior Security Council diplomat at UN headquarters in New York said the five permanent members have not yet agreed on sanctions to be included in the new resolution. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity because discussions are continuing.
Friday's agreement seemed to reflect earlier consensus among the six about the possibility of new sanctions. Iran has repeatedly said it would not freeze enrichment and IAEA officials have privately said Teheran is expanding the program.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/03/2007 00:00 ||
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Link ||
[6 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Iran
#1
Bullshit. These two countries don't fall in line with the US on anything. Unless its something they can use as a delay tactic.
The headline should read as follows: Commies stick to their guns, agree to hold up progress and do what's worst for all free peoples. Again.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
11/03/2007 0:26 Comments ||
Top||
#2
Hmmm, I guess that article on Debka a couple weeks ago wasn't a duck after all.
C'mon! Can't you guys come up with one we can all agree on?
Posted by: Bobby ||
11/03/2007 8:14 Comments ||
Top||
#5
Better check how many fingers you have left after shaking hands with the commies. Also see if there is a pricking sensation in the back that would be the knife in the back.
In an interview with the New York Times on Friday, Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama said he would hold direct talks with Iran if elected to the White House. Obama told the Times that if elected he would engage in aggressive personal diplomacy with Iran, part of a broader policy aimed at stabilizing neighbouring Iraq in order to withdraw US troops. We are willing to talk about certain assurances in the context of them showing some good faith, Obama told the Times. I would meet directly with Iranian leaders, he said.
"Yo, Short Round. How's it hangin'?"
Posted by: Fred ||
11/03/2007 00:00 ||
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Link ||
[4 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Iran
#1
We are willing to talk about certain assurances in the context of them showing some good faith, Obama told the Times.
#3
I love how these flippin' idiots shriek that we have to have multi-lateral negotiations.....until the Euroweenies spend 4 YEARS "negotiating" to absolutely no avail.
So now, we should unilaterally talk to them because, you know, Americans talk so much better than Euros.
#4
.....if elected he would engage in aggressive personal diplomacy with Iran, part of a broader policy aimed at stabilizing neighbouring Iraq in order to withdraw US troops.
Appears he's at least idenfied Iran as a de-stabiling factor in the war. I sincerely hope others on the Hill admit make the connection.
#5
Iran can certainly use a good talking to. I just don't think Obama is the guy to do it. Maybe John Bolton. Or a thick-necked guy named Guido. Nice country ya got here, A-jad. Be a shame if something happened to it.
The US on Friday for the first time publicly criticised China over its stance on Irans nuclear programme, expressing disappointment that Beijing is stalling over plans for a new United Nations resolution imposing sanctions on Tehran.
After senior officials from the five permanent members of the UN security council and Germany held talks in London on the issue, the US warned that China was putting its economic interests in Iran ahead of the need to resolve the nuclear dispute.
The US believes China has increased trade with Iran in the last six months
We are disappointed by the lack of co-operation by China on a third Security Council resolution, said Nicholas Burns, US under-secretary of state, representing Washington at the meeting. We dont think that China is moving with us.
Mr Burns said the US believes China has increased trade with Iran in the last six months, sending the wrong signal to Tehran about the international communitys attitude towards the nuclear programme.
Political directors from Britain, France, Germany, the US, Russia and China will meet again on November 19 to decide whether to press for fresh UN sanctions.
By then, they will be able to assess fresh reports from the UNs nuclear watchdog and from the European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana on the state of Irans nuclear programme.
A downbeat report from Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), could give fresh impetus for a new UN resolution on Iran. However, a more mixed report from the IAEA chief is likely to see the six powers dividing over what action to take.
The US, UK, France and Germany are pressing for a new raft of sanctions, believing that Iran is covertly seeking to develop a nuclear weapon. Russia and China, however, have long made clear their reluctance to approve fresh sanctions on Iran.
Several senior diplomats in the P5 have indicated that, behind the scenes, Russia is putting pressure on Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment plans.
However, these diplomats argue that China is beginning to become a far more serious obstacle to agreement on a new resolution because of its economic interests in the country.
According to one senior EU diplomat, the Chinese leaderships attention has been completely dominated by the recent Communist party congress. The Chinese leadership has therefore not had the opportunity for a full reconsideration of its policy on Iran, the diplomat said.
#3
At the risk of putting Walmart, Best Buy, and Sears out of business, how about some US econimic and trade sanctions on the Chinese then?
A far better solution but one that depends upon locating a politician who isn't bought and sold doesn't rely upon campaign contributions from such importers.
Two more words: Fat. Chance.
#4
At the risk of putting Walmart, Best Buy, and Sears out of business, how about some US econimic and trade sanctions on the Chinese then?
sir you put way too much stock in china's impact on us and the world...our major companies do practice risk management (this would cover the first 90 days)...and production can be moved...chinese are for the most labours of japan, euro and american multi's...but after 90 days of no access to american markets..we lose some dock workers..assemblers..truckers ect...but china faces 80 milliion out of work people and the commies would not be able to cope
Posted by: dan ||
11/03/2007 12:49 Comments ||
Top||
#5
I applaud your optimistic view of this, dan. China needs a major hurt.
Oklahoma is doing the job Washington wont do: Getting tough across the board on immigration enforcement. The state just passed legislation making it a felony to knowingly transport illegal aliens, creating state barriers to hiring illegal aliens, requiring state contractors to check the immigration status of workers and requiring proof of citizenship to receive certain government benefits. A judge rejected an injunction to prevent the law from going into effect last week. Heres a taste of the backlash:
#1
Good for Oklahoma. I was there last December - son graduating Basic from Ft. Sill - couldn't have been nicer people, every one we met
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/03/2007 17:19 Comments ||
Top||
#2
States taking control within their own borders. That's what American states are supposed to do. The federal government will follow when it's clear the tide is irresistible. It may even occur on President Bush's watch, if it goes quickly enough.
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.
President Nicolas Sarkozy heads to Washington on Tuesday for a trip during which France and the United States aim to put their rift over the Iraq war definitively behind them, his spokesman said.
Jailed Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan was reported on Friday as saying he was open to a democratic solution to the 23-year-old conflict between the Turkish military and his guerrilla group. Ankara has threatened a major cross-border operation into northern Iraq to fight some 3,000 rebels of Ocalan's Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) unless U.S. and Iraqi authorities fulfil pledges to crack down on them.
Nine of the 21 people convicted over the 2004 Madrid bombings have gone on hunger strike. The prisoners launched their protest against what they termed the "unjust" sentences handed down on Wednesday. 
WASHINGTON - Thirty US senators wrote to President George W. Bush, warning he had no authority to launch military action against Iran, and expressing concern about the administrations provocative rhetoric. The senators, 29 Democrats and one independent, urged the resolution of disputes with the Islamic republic through diplomacy.
Syrian authorities have banned Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal from giving interviews in the media and threatened to expel him from Syria if he ignores the ban. According to the Kuwaiti newspaper Maya al-Hadaf, the decision followed US pressure. Mashaal's personal secretary confirmed that the Syria-based Hamas leader was no longer giving statements to the press. However, Hamas official Muhammad Nazar denied the report, saying that Mashaal was in Qatar and could be contacted easily.
The Lebanese government on Friday criticized this week's Amnesty International report on events in a northern Palestinian refugee camp, saying the report failed to highlight that Lebanon was subjected to terror attacks from militants holed up inside the camp. 
In an interview with the New York Times on Friday, Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama said he would hold direct talks with Iran if elected to the White House. Obama told the Times that if elected he would engage in aggressive personal diplomacy with Iran, part of a broader policy aimed at stabilizing neighbouring Iraq in order to withdraw US troops. We are willing to talk about certain assurances in the context of them showing some good faith, Obama told the Times. I would meet directly with Iranian leaders, he said.
