The New Republic's little canoe in Lake Me is about to get swamped by that tsunami over yonder...
THE WEEKLY STANDARD has learned from a military source close to the investigation that Pvt. Scott Thomas Beauchamp--author of the much-disputed "Shock Troops" article in The New Republic's July 23 issue as well as two previous "Baghdad Diarist" columns--signed a sworn statement admitting that all three articles he published in the New Republic were exaggerations and falsehoods--fabrications containing only "a smidgen of truth," in the words of our source.
A 'smidgen' is pretty darned small, as I recall.
Separately, we received this statement from Major Steven F. Lamb, the deputy Public Affairs Officer for Multi National Division-Baghdad:
An investigation has been completed and the allegations made by PVT Beauchamp were found to be false. His platoon and company were interviewed and no one could substantiate the claims.
According to the military source, Beauchamp's recantation was volunteered on the first day of the military's investigation. So as Beauchamp was in Iraq signing an affidavit denying the truth of his stories, the New Republic was publishing a statement from him on its website on July 26, in which Beauchamp said, "I'm willing to stand by the entirety of my articles for the New Republic using my real name."
Scott Tom got in over his head. For all his 'sophistication' and elitism, he evidently had no clue how the blogosphere works. If a progressive knucklehead writes something stooopid, the rightie blogs are all over it. If a wingnut knucklehead writes something stooopid, the leftie blogs are all over it. Either way, we bloggers will fact-check your ass.
The magazine's editors admitted on August 2 that one of the anecdotes Beauchamp stood by in its entirety--meant to illustrate the "morally and emotionally distorting effects of war"--took place (if at all) in Kuwait, before his tour of duty in Iraq began, and not, as he had claimed, in his mess hall in Iraq. That event was the public humiliation by Beauchamp and a comrade of a woman whose face had been "melted" by an IED.
Which means his loutish attack on the woman was not because of the 'trauma of war', but simply because Scott Tom is an insensitive asshole. Brilliant move publishing that piece, Mr. Foer.
Nothing public has been heard from Beauchamp since his statement standing by his stories, which was posted on the New Republic website at 6:30 a.m. on July 26. In their August 2 statement, the New Republic's editors complained that the military investigation was "short-circuiting" TNR's own fact-checking efforts.
Gee, go figure. You thought Scott Tom would keep his cell phone? You thought he would continue to waltz around the FOB? Just how clueless are you, Mr. Foer?
"Beauchamp," they said, "had his cell-phone and computer taken away and is currently unable to speak to even his family. His fellow soldiers no longer feel comfortable communicating with reporters. If further substantive information comes to light, TNR will, of course, share it with you."
By any chance, did you wonder why his 'fellow soldiers no longer feel comfortable communicating with reporters'? Couldn't possibly be because TNR published the account of a liar. No, no, certainly not.
Now that the military investigation has concluded, the great unanswered question in the affair is this: Did Scott Thomas Beauchamp lie under oath to U.S. Army investigators, or did he lie to his editors at the New Republic? Beauchamp has recanted under oath. Does the New Republic still stand by his stories? H/T The Corner
#4
Did Scott Thomas Beauchamp lie under oath to U.S. Army investigators, or did he lie to his editors at the New Republic? Beauchamp has recanted under oath. Does the New Republic still stand by his stories?
This is the real issue right here. And you can bet that this issue will not be resolved, and there will be no major media coverage, and it will all dissolve into a smirking "who cares, anyway" fiasco like the Stephen Glass affair did.
#5
Does this mean the story was fake, but not accurate?
Posted by: Dan Rather ||
08/07/2007 6:41 Comments ||
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#6
Big Mama isn't going to be happy with Tommy when he gets home. Looks like he's lost all around and his 15 minutes of fame are over. Don't let the door hit cha...
#10
AlanC, There are other provisions of the UCMJ under which they could charge him. I don't remember the details, but bringing disrepute on the US, the armed forces, etc could be chargeable offenses. The penalty would be much less than what he would get for lying to the Army, though.
Though not specifically mentioned in this chapter, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, and crimes and offenses not capital, of which persons subject to this chapter may be guilty, shall be taken cognizance of by a general, special, or summary court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offense, and shall be punished at the discretion of that court.
In his creative writing he made certain 'claims' which would have subject him to -
Art. 78. Accessory after the fact
Any person subject to this chapter who, knowing that an offense punishable by this chapter has been committed, receives, comforts, or assists the offender in order to hinder or prevent his apprehension, trial, or punishment shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
for not reporting the events to his chain of command [if they were true].
#12
For the non-military types here is what non-judicial punishment is about. The lad, or anyone else facing an Art. 15, can decline the 'non-judicial' punishment and elect to face a courts martial.
#13
Too bad, kid. Ya went from Ernie Pyle to Ernie Pile. That didn't take long, did it?
Good luck in your career. I look forward to you enlightening us with fascinating inside tales of the New York bike messenger scene in the near future. If any publisher will get within a mile of you...
My first impression was this guy was a Chuck Palahniuk wannabe. When the military guys started kicking his details in the nuts, it only added to it. As a storyteller, Beauchamp's major structural flaw was not starting his tales with the tradition opening "This is no bullsh*t..."
Of course, for The New Republic it is all about The Narrative. Fact, fiction - who cares?
note: Palahniuk is the author of Fight Club and Rant - raw, dark, shocking fiction. Talented writer but not for the faint of heart.
#17
Ex-Jag correct me if I am wrong, but Art 134 is mostly used for NCOs and Officers. Junior Enlisted personnel really don't know better (legalistic ways). He sounds like a fine soldier that everyone want to serve with and should run for public office./snark
#18
From armylawyer who posts frequently at Mudville Gazette
Heres the thing, if he was lying, theres not much that he can be charged with. At most it would be some variant of an Article 92 violation for publication without permission or something similar (presuming such a prohibition existed within his command). At most, thatll get him 2 years if its a general order, more than likely itd be violation of an other lawful order which is 6 months max confinement.
Now some may argue that hes lying to investigators but he told TNR the truth. Problem there is that the penalties for a False Official Statement are far harsher (7 5 yrs and a dishonorable discharge). Lying to investigators is often worse than the misconduct itself. So even if Beauchamp IS lying, he sure cant ever say so while in uniform, as that subjects him to the more serious Article 107 charge.
And since the PAO has said that it found no evidence of criminal conduct (again, fakey stories about misconduct is harder to quantify as criminal than is a failure to report ACTUAL misconduct), that whatever happens will be administrative in nature. A couple points on that:
Administrative action is NOT punishment. So if they say administrative action, he aint getting an Article 15 nor a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge.
That being said, there are things called involuntary administrative separations. Without knowing more of the specific facts of what specific order he may have violated, soldiers can be separated under ch 14-12c of AR 635-200 for commission of a serious offense (i.e. one warranting a punitive discharge if taken to trial).
Separation under 14-12c usually comes with an Other Than Honorable Discharge (the worst non-punitive discharge possible) and occassionally a General Discharge.
Administrative separations have a lower burden of proof (preponderance) than Article 15s or courts-martial (proof beyond reasonable doubt) and are often preferred when you want to get rid of a soldier without taking them to trial.
Depending on the command, that may be an option.
TYPO FIX: False Official Statement is 5 yrs max, not 7.
I always thought the conduct, if true, was more warranting a 134 charge (in addition to any 92 violations). But yeah, I think national publication of allegations playing yarmulke with a childs skull cap might qualify as service discrediting.
#20
Speaking as one with more than 1 article 15 in my chequerd military carreer,(and hence not a little experience with being on the 1SG's "poop detail roster") this looser has probably been given a 15 and 15,(extra duty and restriction to qtrs) and a bar to re-up. He has had the living daylights scared out of him, if his instant recantation is anything to go by. He will be the 1SG's b#tch for the rest of his stay with his unit.
Once he ETS's, I will be slightly interested to hear what the little self absorbed twit will claim after the fact.
Posted by: N Guard ||
08/07/2007 13:39 Comments ||
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#21
"He will be the 1SG's b#tch for the rest of his stay with his unit." Nicely put, N Guard.
#22
regardless of what 'official' sh!t happens to him; assuming he is allowed to stay for the duration of his enlistment, the hell he is going to go through with those he is stationed with will be priceless. expect continuous annoyances; lost shoe ( singular), keys missing, coffe cup 'rimmed' ( a time honored often secret ceremony) and other fun time activities. shunned is a word that comes to mind.
#23
USN Ret given that he probably came is as a PFC and a ?year? later is now a PVT I bet he has been on the recieving end of a lot of harassment (official and otherwise). In the "old days" the SNCOs would take young Scott aside for some "wall-to-wall" counseling.
I'm still of the notion that the instant-recantation was a planned contingency.
One of two things will likely happen: they'll either let him finish out his term as permanent 'duty sh*tbird', or administratively process him out. There's also the chance that he'll straighten out and fly right (it has happened), but...
US President George W Bush and Afghan President Hamid Karzai vowed on Monday to finish off the Taliban, which Karzai described as a defeated and frustrated force that attacks civilians but is not a threat to his government.
Karzai, visiting the United States amid renewed concern about worsening violence in Afghanistan, said he was building up his army and police to finish off the Taliban. "Our enemy is still there, defeated but still hiding in the mountains. And our duty is to complete the job, to get them out of their hideouts in the mountains," he said after two days of meetings with Bush at the presidential retreat in the Maryland mountains. "They're not causing any threat to the government of Afghanistan. They're not causing any threat to the institutions of Afghanistan or to the build-up of the institutions of Afghanistan," Karzai added.
Reassuring Karzai of US commitment to Afghanistan, Bush said the two countries' shared Islamic militant foes were "part of an ongoing challenge that the free world faces".
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2007 00:00 ||
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A six-member Awami National Party delegation will attend the Pak-Afghan peace jirga in Kabul from August 9 to 10. ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan will lead the delegation that will present its viewpoint on extremism, terrorism and issues of political instability facing Pakhtuns on both sides of the Durand Line, says a press release. The delegation consists of Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, Muhammad Afzal Khan Lala, MNA Shahabuddin Khan, Dr Inayatullah and Jilani Khan.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2007 00:00 ||
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The seven-point agenda of the three-day Pak-Afghan jirga starting from Thursday in Kabul did not mention the Taliban-linked insurgency, but says that the delegates will discuss ways to devise a bilateral mechanism between the two countries to combat terrorism.
A copy of the agenda Daily Times saw on Monday said the jirga would also seize any opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations between the two bickering neighbours. ?Appraisal of factors and circumstances that contribute to the growth of terrorism and extremism,? was the second point with the first being a discussion on strengthening bilateral relations.
Critics say the Afghan side will use the second point to complain about Pakistan?s alleged involvement or role in the factors contributing to the growth of terrorism and extremism.
The third point is about developing mutual understanding to ?deny sanctuaries, training and financing to terrorist elements involved in subversive activities?. The joint jirga will also discuss ways to eliminate poppy cultivation. Strengthening goodwill and confidence building is the second-last point on the agenda before one on the formation of committees to meet periodically to facilitate the implementation of decisions to be taken at jirga meetings. No exact timing for the inaugural session has been mentioned for security reasons.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2007 00:00 ||
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Afghan doctors delivered medicines on Sunday for 21 South Koreans kidnapped by Taliban rebels in Afghanistan more than two weeks ago. The head of a private Afghan clinic said his team had dropped more than $1,200 (Dh4,404) worth of antibiotics, pain killers, vitamin tablets and heart pills in an area of desert in the Qarabagh district of Ghazni province as instructed by the rebels. "This is a big achievement. Among the Koreans are doctors who know how to use these medicines," Mohammad Hashim Wahaj told reporters in Ghazni, the main town of the province, where 23 South Korean church volunteers were snatched from a bus on July 20. "It was a big risk, but we had to take the risk because it is a humanitarian issue," he said.
Threat
The Taliban have killed two of their captives and are threatening to kill the rest if the Afghan government fails to release rebel prisoners. Kabul has refused to free jailed Taliban, saying that would just encourage more kidnappings.
Wahaj said he had been in contact with the kidnappers who told him two of the remaining hostages were seriously ill. The Taliban were willing to free those two hostages, he said, but only if two Taliban prisoners were also freed. The insurgent demand for prisoners to be released has proved a sticking point in all negotiations so far. The South Korean government is under intense domestic pressure to secure the release of the hostages, but Seoul has told the insurgents there is a limit to what it can do as it has no power to free prisoners in Afghan jails.
A South Korean delegation was in Ghazni seeking face-to-face talks with the kidnappers to try to break the deadlock. But the Taliban said yesterday there was no agreement on where to hold direct talks with the Korean diplomats. The Taliban want negotiations in areas they control or with UN guarantees for their safety if held elsewhere. "Talks and contacts are still going on to decide on a venue for talks, but there has been no agreement," Taliban spokesman Qari Mohammad Yousuf said by telephone from an unknown location. "The Taliban haven't heard from the Korean side on where they want the face-to-face meeting to be held," he said. "The Korean team has told the Taliban that it will persuade Kabul to release Taliban prisoners."
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
I feel sorry for the Koreans but I want the Afghan govt. to stay strong and not release any prisoners. The Koreans must have known the risks before they went to Afghanistan.
#4
VERY true, lotp. Yet, I want the Afghan gov't to stand strong on this issue. It's time for them to draw a line in the sand re: "negotiating" with terrorists. Hopefully, this will help Afghanistan at least move into the 17th century.
Posted by: BA ||
08/07/2007 8:24 Comments ||
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#5
I hope they thought to secrete GPS transponders in along with the medicine. These kidnappers need to be unsuccessful. Very, very unsuccessful.
Britain has asked the United States to release five British residents from the military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Foreign Office said Tuesday.
So they're not 'Nigel', 'Clive', 'Trevor', 'Ian', and 'William', are they?
"Discussions with the U.S. government about the release and return of these five men may take some time," the statement said. "They have decided to request the release and return of the five detainees who have links to the U.K. as former residents, having been granted refugee status, indefinite leave or exceptional leave to remain prior to their detention."
The Foreign Office said there may be security considerations when the men are returned to Britain. The government will "continue to take all necessary measures to maintain national security," the statement said. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has hardened Britain's position over Guantanamo Bay, after ex-leader Tony Blair refused to press the U.S. to release the men.
This article starring:
ABDENNUR SAMEUR
al-Qaeda
BINYAM MOHAMED
al-Qaeda
Foreign Secretary David Miliband
JAMIL AL BANNA
al-Qaeda
OMAR DEGHAIES
al-Qaeda
Prime Minister Gordon Brown
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
SHAKER AAMER
al-Qaeda
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2007 13:04 ||
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#1
The men are not British nationals, but had lived in the U.K. before they were detained.
Posted by: anonymous5089 ||
08/07/2007 11:50 ||
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#1
maybr someone should remind these ppl that say if you bitch about the middle easterners you are racist that the middle easterners ageneration ago sided with the biggest racist of them all named hitler
#2
Such a shame for the poor Swedes, going from the 21st Century all the way back to about 700 AD.
I realise now that I am quite thankful they deported me back in '81, (even though I was working and paying Taxes), whilst their middle east "refugee" immigrants smoked and drank coffee in the centre of town, drawing welfare. No discrimination there at all, I am sure. They get to reap what they have sown, and deserve all the shite they get. No sympathy here.
#4
The primary reason why I write so much about Sweden is because it is the most totalitarian country in the Western world, and should thus serve as a warning to others.
Posted by: anonymous5089 ||
08/07/2007 08:10 ||
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#1
It was the third time that Jami was attacked, prompting the Dutch National Coordinator Terrorism Suppression to intervene, Dutch television reported. "Yes I can confirm that I have protection and feel myself more safe," he told the Dutch television news show NOVA.
What? Third time's a charm? This should serve as a real eye-opener for Europeans about integration and Muslim attitudes towards other religions.
A German employee at the Algerian embassy in Berlin was been charged with espionage, the federal prosecutor's office said Monday.
A statement said the 44-year-old man is accused of providing the Algerian intelligence service with information on the activities of Algerian government critics in Germany.
The man, who is of Algerian descent, had been in contact with the intelligence service since the end of 2005, the prosecutor's office said.
Former CIA Director R. James Woolsey tells NewsMax in an exclusive interview that terrorists could strike the American homeland possibly with a weapon of mass destruction this summer or early fall.
He also warns that if Iran fails to comply with international efforts to stop its nuclear weapons program, the U.S. will have no other option than to bomb it.
"I think the threat of a serious attack in the next few months is very real," Woolsey said. A terrorist strike with a dirty bomb or with biological weapons was "a real possibility." [Editor's Note: Special: 6 Days of Hell - The Coming War With Iran. Click here for more.]
Woolsey's comments echo those of FBI Director Robert Mueller, who told NewsMax in May that al-Qaida's paramount goal is clear: to detonate a nuclear device that would kill hundreds of thousands of Americans.
Terrorists Plotting Now
While Woolsey doubted terrorists would be able to acquire a nuclear explosive device, he warned that terrorists were trying to acquire one, either on the black market from the former Soviet Union, or from Iran or North Korea.
The former CIA director said he favored "really tough sanctions" on Iran for another few months, but if that failed to bring Iran's nuclear weapons program to a halt, the United States had no other choice but to bomb Iran's nuclear sites.
He also blasted those in the State Department who believe we can convince the Iranians through negotiations to stop their nuclear programs. "I've never thought there's a chance in hell of that," he said.
Posted by: Graish Protector of the Wee Folk5492 ||
08/07/2007 20:39 ||
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#1
Fascinating. Interesting timing, too, coming shortly before General Patreus' September report. What if the good general shows evidence that Iran is effectively in a state of war with Iraq and hence the Coalition?
Posted by: john frum ||
08/07/2007 12:18 Comments ||
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#3
"Yo! What's with the pimpslap? All I've been doing is spreading global terrorism, abetting the Taliban, fomenting civil war in Kashmir, proliferating nuclear technology to Islamic tyrannies, destabilizing the entire Subcontinent and sucking down billions in foreign aid while doing so. Whassamatter with that?"
Pakistan Ambassador to United States Mahmood Ali Durrani said on Monday Pakistan would not even hesitate for a moment if actionable and timely intelligence is provided about the presence of Al Qaeda elements on its soil. "We have 85,000 troops in the tribal areas. We will not hesitate for a moment ? if we have actionable, timely intelligence, we will go after them," the ambassador told CNN.
To a question, Durrani said Pakistan was committed to going after miscreants, but at the same time "We want to avoid collateral damages because we have to live with these people." He said it was on record that Pakistan had been taking action against miscreants on actionable intelligence, adding that even since signing an agreement with tribal elders, the country had been taking action when it was required to do so.
Asked if Al Qaeda elements were re-grouping in the tribal areas, Durrani said, "I disagree with this." He said one of the insurgents security forces held a couple of days ago grew up in Afghanistan. "He had been operating in Helmand for five months, but was not captured in Afghanistan," Durrani added. "We got him in Pakistan. We are going to hit bad guys, there is no doubt, we are doing it and we will continue doing it," he said.
He said Pakistan, US and Afghanistan should avoid blaming each other and sit together to seek ways to control and defeat extremism and terrorism. About the statement of US presidential candidate Obama that he would favour US operations in Pakistan if he became president, Durrani said, "I don't think that is a good step. This would not help US objective. We need to fight extremism and terrorism jointly."
This article starring:
Pakistan Ambassador to United States Mahmood Ali Durrani
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
CIA spook: "OK, Chaudhry. There's a high-value AQ in that house right there."
ISI spook: "Which room?"
"Umm...the back bedroom on the left."
"Where in the room?"
"He's hiding in the closet."
"How can you be sure?"
"We have a camera in there. Here's the live-feed video."
"I'm sorry. We need more specific information..."
#3
Of course they will act if given actionable intel. That's why we don't give it to them - they'd use it to make sure the terrorists got away safely before the action.
#6
"Criminy, Chaudhry, he's in the closet, he's wearing a black nightgown and a pink feather boa, and he's dancing about!"
"Nope, sorry, not specific enough. How many feathers on the boa?"
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/07/2007 10:06 Comments ||
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#7
if we have actionable, timely intelligencedon't have them on the payroll already and they are not related to someone in the intelligence service or other ministries and its convenitnet and we have troops nearby that are loyal enough and we don't think we can blow smoke again this time, we will go after them
#9
"I'm sorry, but his aunty says he's visiting his cousin in Sheffield and he won't be back until next week. We must, so unfortunately, deny you permission."
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly and MMA secretary general, said on Monday that he had rejected a government request to support President Pervez Musharraf's re-election in uniform from the current assemblies.
Maulana Fazl told reporters at Parliament House that Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, president of the PML, had asked him on behalf of the government to support the ruling party in parliament in the re-election of President Musharraf. "I refused him the MMA's support on the uniform and told him in unequivocal terms that we would not allow Musharraf's re-election in uniform from the current assemblies," he said. He said the All Parties Democratic Movement would soon take a final decision on the presidential election. He did not answer when asked if the MMA would abstain from voting in the election.
This article starring:
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, president of the PML
MAULANA FAZLUR REHMAN
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2007 00:00 ||
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2007 Forces in Iraq are studying detainees to find out what motivates insurgents and terrorists in that country, the general overseeing detention operations there said today. Marine Maj. Gen. David M. Stone, the chief of Multinational Force Iraqs detainee operations and commander of Task Force 143, spoke to online journalists and bloggers from his headquarters in Baghdad.
Stones task force has launched an extensive study into just who detainees being held by coalition forces in Iraq are, what motivates them and what their morale is like. The whole idea of the study is to remove the insurgents from the battlefield and ensure they do not, upon release, take up arms against the Iraqi government and the coalition, Stone said.
The detainees fall into several groups, but the common trait is that most are unemployed. The largest percentage of detainees are those attacking the Iraqi government or coalition because they are paid to do so, Stone said.
The second-largest type of detainees is those committing violence because of intimidation. The terrorists are threatening them or their families, the general said. Others are nationalists who see the coalition as an occupying force, and the smallest group, but the most powerful, are jihadists, Stone said. These are men who are wedded to a very corrupt view of Islam.
Coalition officials are working to use the time in detention to wean individuals away from terrorist groups. The Iraqi government and coalition separate the detainees into five groups based on their perceived threat. So die-hard terrorists are held in separate detention facilities from moderates or those who are being held because they were forced by poverty or intimidation to attack.
The so-called moderates receive vocational training and can work in industries the government is standing up, Stone said.
All of this is part of a coherent plan, he said.
The Iraqi legal system is performing well, Stone said. The Central Criminal Court of Iraq has jurisdiction over the detainees, and the four panels of judges are very fair and balanced. The courts judge evidence and impose sentences or let people go if the evidence is not sufficient.
He said the main problem facing the criminal court is protecting the judges, Stone said. In the last three years, 26 of these guys have been killed, he said. We do our level best to ensure the courthouse has that protection, because many people would like to see these honest judges dead.
Posted by: Bobby ||
08/07/2007 07:23 ||
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#1
In the last three years, 26 of these guys (judges) have been killed,
I was going to make some comment about some of our judges and importing some of these 'insurgents', but seriously, these Iraqi judges are true heroes and martyrs, and their memories deserve respect and honor.
#2
Hmm. Unemployed or intimidated. Pure genius. I hope this report went further than that. What I would like to know is how to let the air out of the jihadists' tires. And keep them that way. Without the need for inflicting serious nerve damage to them. We'll have to figure out where to break the cycle and then sustain it for two or three generations to make this go away.
Britain was accused yesterday of abandoning 91 Iraqi interpreters and their families to face persecution and possible death when British forces withdraw. The Times has learnt that the Government has ignored personal appeals from senior Army officers in Basra to relax asylum regulations and make special arrangements for Iraqis whose loyal services have put their lives at risk.
Someone needs to send the correct government minister a white feather.
One interpreter, who has worked with the Army since 2004 and wanted to start a new life in Britain after British forces pull-out was told by Downing Street that he would receive no special favours and to read a government website.
There is mounting evidence of a campaign by militants to target collaborators as British forces prepare to leave. Hundreds of interpreters and other locally engaged staff working for the coalition have been kidnapped, tortured and murdered over the past four years.
Armed with a glowing reference from his commander, Major Pauric Newland, stating that his life would be in danger once British forces left, A Kinani made a personal appeal to Tony Blair, during his last visit to Iraq as Prime Minister in May. His letter was handed to Ruth Turner, a former No 10 adviser, and a reply sent on June 22 by Nick Banner, a former foreign policy adviser. Mr Banner informed him that he is not eligible for asylum. He suggested that he went to a third country and applied for a visa and advised him to look at a website for help.
This is cowardly, Mr Kinani The Times. The British make us easy food near the lions mouth.
This is cowardly, Mr Kinani The Times. The British make us easy food near the lions mouth.
Last month Denmark granted asylum to 60 former Iraqi staff and their families before its forces withdrew from the south. The US has said it will take in 7,000 Iraqis this year, including former employees.
But Britain has so far refused to make an exception. The Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said yesterday that Iraqi employees would receive no special help applying for asylum. Anyone who is seeking to apply for refugee status must do so from within the United Kingdom. There is no exception to that, said a Home Office spokesman. Their cases will be dealt with on a case by case basis against the criteria of the 1951 Refugee Convention. Senior politicians and serving officers have appealed to the Government to reconsider and there are hints that some ministers are in favour of resettling former Iraqi employees. One senior British officer in Iraq also hinted that Whitehall was beginning to feel the pressure for a U-turn.
William Hague, Shadow Foreign Secretary, said: As Britain reduces its military presence in Iraq, we ought to look to the safety of those who have risked their lives to help us. David Winnick, a senior Labour MP, said: I would hope that the authorities here would be no less generous than the Danes.
Even former British employees who have escaped from Iraq feel abandoned. Loay Mohammad, a British Army interpreter who fled to Syria in March, said that the British now wanted nothing to do with him. When I went to the embassy in Damascus, they would not even let me through the door, he told The Times from the Syrian capital. When I run out of money in a few weeks time I will be forced to go home. That day I will become one of the dead.
The British position was criticised yesterday by human rights groups. Tom Porteous, the director of Human Rights Watch in the UK, said the Government should reverse its policy. The UK has a very clear moral and humanitarian obligation to assist those who have worked for them in Iraq, he said.
#1
Those who have already proven their mettle by aiding coalition forces at the risk of their lives would make good citizens. We here in America need more like them and we should provide a refuge for them.
#4
Maybe the Brits have decided they have enough Muslim immigrants.
/sarcasm
This is disgraceful. Surely we could find a place for them here. I thought the government desparately needs arabic speakers?
Posted by: Bobby ||
08/07/2007 7:15 Comments ||
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#5
If Britain thinks it already has enough Muslims (true) maybe they can can trade some for these folks. Maybe even two Hook-ites and a player to be named later for each?
#6
The cynic in me wonders though, who ARE these 'terps? They are probably right to fear persecution when the Brits (or we) leave, but perhaps it's not about collaboration with us, but about what they did before we got there? I bet a fair number had previous careers with Saddam's secret police - those guys went somewhere, and there were a LOT of them.
#15
The British position was criticised yesterday by human rights groups. Tom Porteous, the director of Human Rights Watch in the UK, said the Government should reverse its policy. The UK has a very clear moral and humanitarian obligation to assist those who have worked for them in Iraq, he said.
Has hell just placed a large order for space heaters?
#1
Amazing how just as soon as the polls show that people are seeing success in the military situation, the press suddenly switches gears to the political situation going to hell in an express handbasket.
#3
Time to put our own governor in there like we should have done in the first place. It is obvious that they don't grasp, or at least don't appreciate, the many fine points of democracy.
#6
... the boycott began with Monday's Cabinet meeting. The ministers intend to continue overseeing their ministries.
Tal Afar blast killed at least 28 people, including at least 19 children.
"This is an ugly crime. I cannot understand how the insurgents did not think about these children," said one man.
Tal Afar, which was cited by Bush last March as a success story after major military operations against insurgents, has been the frequent site of Sunni extremist attacks in the past year.
The Iranian talks come as the U.S. military steps up accusations that Tehran is arming and training Shiite militants to attack American forces ... rogue Shiite militiamen with Iranian weapons and training launched 73 percent of the attacks that killed or wounded American forces last month in Baghdad, nearly double the figure six months earlier.
On Monday, the Iranian delegation criticized what it called America's "suspicious" security approach toward Iraq, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency. It called for "a change in the broad policies and approach of the U.S."
Associated Press writer Kim Gamel in Baghdad contributed to this report.
Posted by: Bobby ||
08/07/2007 12:41 Comments ||
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Posted by: Bobby ||
08/07/2007 13:35 Comments ||
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#9
First of all, the government is in recess so all these cabinet walkouts are little more than posturing to generate attention. They have little to no practical impact as the government is out on vacation right now. My guess is that they will suddenly agree to "return" as soon as vacation season is over.
See, we balked at them taking such a long vacation but that is traditional in that part of the world this time of year. Nobody works when it is 120 degrees and there's no A/C. So, for example, several assembly delegations "walked out" of the government and then "returned" just as recess was called so they got their two months off anyway but appears like they are only taking one month off.
These cabinet ministers are generating news stories but their absence doesn't really mean anything unless they are replaced. Maliki hasn't replaced them and "refused to accept" their resignations so unless you see replacements announced, expect those people to be back.
This is just more propaganda from the press. Nothing to see, move along.
Al-Aqsa operatives who were granted amnesty have not turned in all weapons, some have not even signed pledge to renounce terror
Most members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades group granted amnesty last month by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have not turned in all their weapons despite of media reports to the contrary, while some haven't even signed their amnesty contracts, WND has learned. Part of the amnesty deal required the 178 terrorists all of whom are members of the Brigades, the declared "military wing" of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah organization to disarm and to sign a document stating they would not carry out terror attacks. So, how's that taqiyya thingy working out for ya' Olmert?
Meanwhile, Palestinian diplomatic officials yesterday said Olmert officials told them the prime minister would strongly consider granting amnesty to 208 more al-Aqsa Brigades members and would study allowing the return to the West Bank of senior terrorist leaders deported in 2002 after they barricaded themselves in Bethlehem's Church of Nativity five years ago. What? Just because it wasn't a Jewish shrine it's okay to let these cretins return?
The al-Aqsa Brigades took responsibility for every suicide bombing in Israel the past three years. So, let's grant them amnesty and release hundreds more killers!!!
Last month, Olmert granted amnesty to a list of 178 Fatah militants who comprise much of the senior leadership of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. Israel issued documents for the Fatah fugitives to sign, pledging their resignation from any so-called paramilitary organizations and promising to refrain from terrorism. What is Israel going to do, sue them for breach of contract when they inevitably break their word?
The wanted militants also were required to turn in their weapons, spend a week in a PA holding area and restrict their movements to the area in which they reside for three months. After a three-month period, they would be allowed to move freely throughout the West Bank. Oh yeah, "restrict their movements". Like that's gonna keep 'em down on the farm.
Since most wanted militants have been confined to their residential areas the past few years anyway due to the threat of Israeli operations, the deal effectively grants them freedom of movement for the first time. In exchange, Israel pledged it would not conduct anti-terror operations to capture the wanted militants. Einstein was right, human stupidity is infinite. Operatives turned in one weapon, kept others
According to statements by Palestinian officials and reports by the media, most terrorists turned in their weapons in line with the deal. A widely circulated AP article quoted a senior Palestinian security official stating "all but three al-Aqsa members have surrendered their weapons and sworn off violence, as part of the arrangement." But calls Monday to the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades members granted amnesty yielded a much different story. Qu'elle surprise!
Abu Yousuf, a senior leader of the Brigades in Ramallah, told WND most Brigades members turned in one of several pieces of weaponry they possess. He said most Brigades members have two to three guns, including one to two personal weapons and one assault rifle issued by the PA, since the majority of Brigades members are also members of Fatah's security forces. "It's true Brigades members turned in one of their weapons as a symbolic act, but they kept the others," he said. I'm sure Olmert must feel so humiliated by this.
Yousuf is suspected of shooting at Israeli forces operating in Ramallah. He carried out a shooting attack in northern Samaria in December 2000 that killed Benyamin Kahane, leader of the nationalist Kahane Chai organization. So, why is Yousuf still stealing oxygen?
Ala Senakreh, overall chief of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in the West Bank and one of the terrorists granted amnesty, said he turned in one of his three weapons. He said the one weapon he turned in to the PA is "easily accessible." Gedouddahere! You mean Israel didn't even take possession of the surrendered weapons? Has Olmert flatlined like Sharon?
"It's close by and available to me anytime I need an additional weapon," he said. Senakreh said aside from "protecting" himself from Israel, weapons were also needed for protection from rival clans and members of Palestinian families of suspected "Israeli collaborators" killed in recent years by the Brigades. "We need guns to stir our popcorn, otherwise all the butter sinks to the bottom."
"We killed several collaborators, so now I am a walking target. What if one of the family members tries to take revenge?" he asked. Kamal Ranam, chief of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Ramallah, said he turned in one of his weapons. Well, you could just stop killing people and maybe they might stop stalking you. Not all amnesty deals signed
Not all Brigades members signed their amnesty deals. Nasser Abu Aziz, the No. 2 leader of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and Senakreh's main deputy, told WND he will not sign the agreement, calling the deal "an Israeli trick." But there's nothing tricky about taqiyya, it's right there in the Big Book.
"I am sure this is part of an Israeli conspiracy against our fighters," Aziz said. He said, surrounded by fuzzy bunnies and fluffy ducklings.
The Brigades' admitted failure to keep their side of the amnesty deal is well-known to the Israeli security apparatus. According to security sources, members of the Israel Defense Forces military intelligence unit explained to diplomats most of the Brigades members did not disarm. "But we're not letting that get in the way of us acting incredibly stupid."
But according to senior Palestinian officials, Olmert officials said the prime minister would strongly consider granting amnesty to 206 Fatah fighters, mostly Brigades members, who haven't yet officially received amnesty. Some of the 206 are senior Brigades commanders, but most are mid-level militants. "Senior", "mid-level", who cares? They're all killers, you idiots!
During yesterday's meeting between Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas , Olmert promised to consider Abbas' request for the return to the West Bank of dozens of senior terrorists who took refuge in the Church of the Nativity to avoid a pending Israeli anti-terror operation in the city. Funny, no mention of how these thugs wiped their asses with Bible pages or shit on the altar. Not a positive spin, I suppose. Can't have that in the news, nosiree Bob. Even considering allowing this return is a universal affront to the entire globe's Christian population. One nearly as bad as the crime itself. To absolve these desecrators of their crime is to legitimize Islam's predation upon all other religions. Olmert must be removed from office before he can do any more harm. Not that there's much more harm he can do anymore.
#2
... after they barricaded themselves in Bethlehem's Church of Nativity five years ago. ...
dozens of senior terrorists who took refuge in the Church of the Nativity to avoid a pending Israeli anti-terror operation in the city.
Makes it sound like they were just taking advantage of Sanctuary, as opposed to perpetrating the vilest desecrations and abuses of their "hosts." Those details have slipped down the MSM memory hole, I suppose.
Inmates in the Gaza Strip's main prison can now reduce their sentences by one year if they memorize five chapters from the Koran, Islam's holy book, the governor announced Monday.
The prison, controlled by Hamas since its violent takeover of the Gaza Strip in June, holds 350 prisoners, 30 of whom are on death row. The new scripture program seeks to encourage prisoners "to behave according to the Koran's law," prison governor Col. Abu al-Abed Hamid, said in a statement. Most of the inmates were sentenced before Hamas took power, for crimes ranging from murder to corruption to collaborating with Israel.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2007 00:00 ||
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Hamas's military wing warned Monday that pressure put on IDF soldier Gilad Schalit's kidnappers would only lead to a rejection of demands to release him, Israel Radio reported. Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida said that the group would welcome the Egyptian security delegation if it returned to the Gaza Strip to continue negotiations.
This article starring:
ABU OBEIDA
Hamas
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2007 00:00 ||
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Palestinian Authority Information Minister Riad al-Malki said Monday that the PA was willing to oversee the security of all West Bank cities under several set conditions: an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank, an agreement with Israel to allow for the deployment of Palestinian security forces throughout agreed areas, and a solution to the amnesty of terror suspects wanted by Israel. Malki told reporters during a press conference in Ramallah that Palestinian security forces had uncovered large amounts of explosive materials and weapons, and had disarmed groups who planned to disrupt security in the Palestinian street, Israel Radio reported.
This article starring:
Minister Riad al-Malki
Palestinian Authority
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
This guy needs to work a bit more on his stand-up routine.
President Shimon Peres had planned to lambaste the Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr-Store over Norway's contacts with Hamas and Hizbullah when the two men met in Jerusalem on Monday. But he was stopped in his tracks when Gahr-Store told him that Norway had now severed the contacts it had opened with Hamas during the period of the Palestinian unity government.
Nonetheless, Peres did make the point that it was important to clarify to Hamas that no nation (in the free world) would finance terror or the firing of rockets into Sderot and the other residential areas close to Gaza. It was essential to emphasize that the international community would not condone terror or the violation of democracy through the use of violence as practiced by Hamas, said Peres, who also noted the Hamas connection with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Hizbullah in Lebanon. There are also indications, he added, that Hamas is affiliated with al-Qaida.
Peres specified that this message needed to be stressed by Socialist International - which encompasses 190 parties from around the world, and where Gahr-Store is co-chairman of the Middle East Committee. Also visiting was Gahr-Store's fellow co-chairman, Piero Fasimo, of Italy's Democrats of the Left party. Peres is himself a former vice president and former honorary chairman of Socialist International, and was an active member for 30 years.
In contrast to his comments on Islamic extremist groups, Peres took an extremely positive stance with regard to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who he said desire true peace and have developed sound social, political and economic policies.
The real threat to world peace, said Peres, is nuclear terror, and therefore everything possible must be done to stop the Iranian nuclear program. The most effective tool, in his view, would be a worldwide application of economic sanctions. If the free world took a strong united stance, he said, "We can achieve the goal of safeguarding world peace."
At the outset of the meeting, Gahr-Store said that Socialist International was strongly committed to supporting the peace process and contributing to Middle East peace. His colleagues were interested in meeting with Peres, he said, "because you always give us an enlightened perspective." Peres responded that, as president, he was no longer a member of any party or any organization. "But that does not mean that we cannot continue the dialogue."
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Ties are nice, but heads would be better.
Posted by: Gary and the Samoyeds ||
08/07/2007 9:39 Comments ||
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A Givati Battalion commander who ordered his soldiers to use the outlawed "neighbor policy" during an arrest operation in the Gaza Strip a month ago will be removed from duty, Israel Radio reported Monday.
A 14-year-old girl was mistakenly shot during the operation in question after the battalion's soldiers surrounded a house in which a fugitive was believed to be hiding. The soldiers ordered one of the women inside to send all the occupants out. The girl was the first person to leave the building, and soldiers - expecting to encounter the fugitive - opened fire, hitting her in the stomach.
OC Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Yoav Galant condemned the officer, who will no longer serve in a command position. Lower-ranked officers involved in the incident will also be disciplined. In April, the IDF said it was suspending the commander of troops seen using two Palestinian youths as human shields, in violation of a Supreme Court ruling banning the practice. The military announced the mission commander had been relieved of operational duty, 'following the incident in which IDF soldiers apparently made prohibited use of civilians.' A Military Police investigation had been ordered, the statement said.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2007 00:00 ||
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Getting punished for your troops screwing up and shooting a 14-year old girl (Palestinian or not) during an operation is not being 'sacrificed to political correctness'.
Then again, I'm responding to someone who thinks assassinating their own prime minister was a good thing and that the goyim should just shut up...
#4
PC or not, he violated a direct lawful order, and apparently has issues with command. Not a good thing for an officer in any army.
I know there is sone leeway for stuff like this with SF untis, but given that they are selected for good judgement and then trained and drilled to the max, leeway for them is justified. Not so for a line officer. If the ROE porevent you fronm accomplishingthe mission, you do what you can then draw back and report up the chain of command that the ROE prevented successful compltion due to unacceptable risks.
The landmark Supreme Court ruling banning the use of human shields was prompted by an outcry over the army's widespread practice, in a 2002 West Bank offensive, of forcing Palestinian civilians to approach fugitives' hideouts.
The army, which launched the offensive following a rash of suicide bombings, defended the practice at the time, saying it kept civilians out of harm's way and encouraged terrorists to surrender peacefully. And it says it never allowed troops to use civilians for cover during battles.
Human rights groups say the use of civilians in military operations has dropped sharply since the Supreme Court ban, but has not disappeared.
Using human shields is, of course, forbidden by the Geneva Conventions. However, I need some convincing that forcing civilians to act as negotiators is NOT forbidden. On the one hand, one has the principle that civilians are not soldiers, and so should not be pressed into roles reserved for soldiers. On the other hand, there IS the overarching meta-principle that loss of civilian life is to be minimized, so if the practice actually DOES minimize civilian losses, then it should be made an obligation of the occupied populace per the Geneva Conventions.
In fact, after some reflection, it DOES seem that the GCs, while laying obligations on armies, does not also lay obligations on occupied peoples to merit GC protections. There are probably reasons why this is so, but it IS ripe for abuse, and addressing abuse is something the GCs are notoriously silent about.
#7
However, I need some convincing that forcing civilians to act as negotiators is NOT forbidden.
So do I. With the majority of Palestinians supporting the Hamas terrorists, they become complicit in all acts of terrorism against Israel. Marching randomly selected adult Palestinians up to their compatriots' hideouts in order to obtain close-in positions really doesn't bother me a whole lot. Hamas and all the other terrorist groups intentionally target and kill Israeli children, so preventing loss of innocent life really doesn't come into play here. Palestinians need to be reminded of the consequences to their acts at all turns. Having them get shot up by over-eager terrorists is a good way of doing that.
#9
The sturdy voice of stupidity and ignorance. This officer, and the least of his men, are worth a million of you.
It's the voice of someone who's commanded troops.
So the troops under his command didn't screw up and shoot a 14-year old girl? Or it's okay for a CO's troops to screw up and shoot a 14-year old girl as long as she's isn't the 'right sort'?
p.s. You're also a liar. To wit: "Then again, I'm responding to someone who thinks assassinating their own prime minister was a good thing "
Someone once asked you if you knew Yigal Amir. You replied "not personally". How does one interpret that?
Also, in all the time you've been at Rantburg, you never made one condemnation of the act.
Concerned that a Fatah-Hamas reconciliation could end fledgling Israeli-Palestinian diplomatic momentum, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert received a commitment from Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas during their meeting in Jericho Monday that Abbas would not talk with Hamas, "despite the pressure," sources in Olmert's office said following the talks.
I think having Hamas stage their little coup in Gaza might have caused the PLO to wake up for a moment and think outside the Armed Struggle box. Given Arab attention span, however, I'm not at all sure how long it's going to last.
Olmert, according to officials in his office, told Abbas that he should not hold reconciliation talks with Hamas. A number of Arab countries - including Egypt and Saudi Arabia - as well as Russia have been trying to bring the two sides to negotiations.
Yeah. Think about that next time somebody says "government of national unity."
Abbas's reply, according to Israeli officials, was that he had no intention of renewing a dialogue with Hamas.
"Give Gaza back. Then we can talk."
Olmert met with Abbas for some three hours at the Intercontinental Hotel in Jericho, just north of the Israeli checkpoint at the southern entrance to the town. This was the first meeting between an Israeli and Palestinian leader in the West Bank since Ehud Barak met Yasser Arafat in Ramallah in 2000 before the outbreak of the Palestinian violence. Olmert and Abbas met for the first 90 minutes alone, and then were joined by their aides. Olmert said after the private meeting that he and Abbas decided to "widen" the discussions in order to "advance understandings and reach a working model that will allow progress towards establishing a Palestinian state."
"The aim is to achieve US President George Bush's vision which both we and the Palestinians share of two states for two peoples, living in security and peace side by side, and we want to do this as soon as possible," he said.
Olmert, at the beginning of the talks, said, "I came here in order to discuss with you the fundamental issues outstanding between Israel and the Palestinian Authority hoping that this will lead us soon into negotiations about the creation of a Palestinian state." Israeli officials stressed, however, that when Olmert says "fundamental issues" he is referring to building up accountable Palestinian governing institutions and an effective security apparatus, while the Palestinians believe that the fundamental issues include discussions on the borders of the future Palestinian state, the Palestinian refugees, the status of settlements in the West Bank and the future of Jerusalem.
Olmert drove by motorcade into Jericho, as two helicopters hovered overhead. The decision to meet in Jericho, despite security risks, was taken as a symbolic gesture to Abbas, and to send a signal of parity to the Palestinians. Israeli Officials described the atmosphere at the meeting, where a lunch was prepared by Saeb Erekat's wife, as "good" and "constructive."
"I'm delighted to see you," Olmert told Abbas, as they embraced outside the hotel. Both Palestinian and Israeli flags were set up for the meeting. According to Israeli officials, the two men agreed to cooperate in building up an effective Palestinian security apparatus and governing institutions.
If they spent less time trying to wheedle more guns, knives, clubs, knuckle dusters, and ski masks for their "security apparatus" -- at one point 23 separate organizations during the Arafat daze of whine and roses -- and more time building up actual governing institutions, they'd be better off. And maybe they won't end up losing the slice of Paleostain they've got left.
Abbas, according to sources in Olmert's office, called on Olmert to release more prisoners, beyond the 250 who were released last month. He also called on the prime minister to allow the return of some 20 Palestinian gunmen who were deported in 2002 to Europe and Gaza after they holed up in Bethlehem's Church of Nativity.
I think I'd make a flat assumption of bad faith. The Church of the Nativity guys were thug, pure and simple.
Olmert, according to this office, replied that he would consider these requests. Abbas also asked him to remove checkpoints in the West Bank and allow Palestinians more freedom of movement, something Olmert said that he would discuss with the defense establishment.
And that'll last until the next al-Aqsa Martyr booms a disco or a bat mitzvah.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2007 00:00 ||
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Muslim men regard their guns as an extension of their manhood, and its the reason they can live without their wives and children but not without their guns, a neophyte lawmaker says.
Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar says guns are an obsession with Muslim men. Thats how they love their guns, he said in a recent privilege speech. Any action that would remove their guns from them is an insult.
Muslim men carry their guns everywhere but find it hard cradling their own children on their laps, he says. Every morning they see to it that their guns are clean and ready, but they do not bother wiping their childrens dirty noses, Akbar said.
And many Muslims in Mindanao are sympathetic to the Abu Sayyaf, a murderous kidnap-for-ransom group. I would claim that 80 percent of the Muslims are sympathetic to the Abu Sayyaf, Akbar said.
He denies he was a co-founder of the group along with its slain chieftain Abdurajak Janjalani, whose idea of a separate Islamic state he describes as unrealistic. But he stands by his position that the July 10 killing of 14 Marines in Basilan and the beheading of 10 of them were the result of the militarys intrusion and transgression of MILF territory in Al-Barka town.
He opposes a planned military offensive in Basilan to get the Marines killers, saying pursuing peace through war cannot be a solution and can never be employed as an effective means to an end. He says the men who killed the Marines as they were looking for a kidnapped Italian priest are members of a lost command aping the Abu Sayyaf.
Posted by: ryuge ||
08/07/2007 01:31 ||
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#9
Wahab Akbar is a speed freak and an ass. He is the Governor of the island. He wears white tennis shoes and a NY hat cocked sideways on his head, thinks he's a gangster. He is documented as a plank holder of the Abu Sayyaff. When Hamjarabi Sali was killed on Basilan he released ALL the ASG prisoners in his jail. He openly boasts his death squad and the ambulance they ride in, and he did this in front of US DOJ and embassy. He managed the safe housed the ASG used during the Burnham kidnapping. This two faced ass deserves nothing more than any of the other terrorists, a 34 cent solution.
Now I feel better.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
08/07/2007 11:00 Comments ||
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#10
'Muslim men prefer guns to their families
This is my rifle.
This is my gun.
My rifle's for work.
My gun's for fun
Posted by: Profit Mohammed ||
08/07/2007 13:08 Comments ||
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#11
Muslim men regard their guns as an extension of their manhood
I don't think anyone here saw that one coming. Time to remove same.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran called Monday evening for establishment of an Islamic economic grouping by Muslim states to confront economic dominance of Western powers.
"Selective policies, domination over sources of energy and unfair distribution of wealth originate from big powers economic dominance," said Ahmadinejad in a meeting of Iranian and Algerian businessmen.
The president arrived in Algiers Monday at the head of a high ranking politico-economic delegation.
His two-day official visit is taking place upon an invitation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Cooperation and coordination of Muslim nations could lead to their economic growth, said the president.
He proposed that "Islamic states can form a powerful economic bloc with the help of an Islamic body such as the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)."
Stressing that Iran and Algeria could be "founders" of such grouping with the help of their businessmen, the president assured "Tehran will make its utmost efforts to this end."
Given the fact that Iran and Algeria enjoy rich sources of energy, President Ahmadinejad said, the two capitals could "take big steps to meet the global demands for energy."
Posted by: anonymous5089 ||
08/07/2007 08:16 ||
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#1
I think they mean:
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran called Monday evening for establishment of an Islamic economic grouping by Muslim states to circumvent Western sanctions as Iran's economy spirals into the abyss of despair.
#2
Another OPEC? All they have to trade between themselves are oil, dates, and walnuts as far as I can tell. Oh yeah, don't forget flying carpets and camels.
In any case, it will be a good vehicle for Ahmanutjob to inflict his peculiar brand of economic wisdom upon the rest of the Islamic countries. I say go for it! Whoever joins up is probably part of the problem and they'll get what they deserve. And the US will have to start drilling for oil again instead of feeding terrorist states the cash they need to spread terrorism.
Iran's leading reformist daily newspaper was ordered to shut down again on Monday, less than three months after it was allowed to resume publication, the newspaper's editor said.
While the government said the daily Shargh, or East, was closed down for interviewing an opposition poet that disputed Islamic views on relationships between sexes, the paper's editor said this was an excuse to silence one of few remaining reformist voices in Iran. "An interview with an anti-revolutionary figure, who is famous for promoting anti-morality materials, is the main reason behind the closure of the paper," said Ali Reza Malekian, a Culture Ministry official, according to the official IRNA news agency.
But Ahmad Gholami, the editor of Shargh, said this was a pretext to silence the most vocal reformist paper in Iran. "Publication of an interview is not a plausible justification for banning a newspaper," Gholami said.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2007 00:00 ||
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(MNA) -- Iran would spare no efforts to help resolve the Lebanese crisis, said the Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki here on Sunday. In a phone conversation with his Spanish counterpart Miguel Angel Moratinos, Mottaki underlined that to resolve Lebanon's issues, a proper management and a comprehensive cooperation between all Lebanese groups is needed. He also pointed to his recent contacts with a number of regional and European foreign ministers on the Lebanon issue.
The top diplomat also said that negotiation is the best option for settling disputes over Iran's peaceful nuclear program. Moratinos for his part lauded Iran's key role in resolving the Middle Eastern issues and stated that the Islamic Republic's regional influence is essential to help Lebanese factions reach unity. He described as positive the recent negotiations between Spain and various Lebanese factions especially Hezbollah and stated the establishment of a national unity government is the best way to remedy the situation.
This article starring:
FOREIGN MINISTER MANUCHEHR MOTTAKI
Govt of Iran
Miguel Angel Moratinos
Posted by: Fred ||
08/07/2007 00:00 ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
US President George W Bush and Afghan President Hamid Karzai vowed on Monday to finish off the Taliban, which Karzai described as a defeated and frustrated force that attacks civilians but is not a threat to his government. 
The seven-point agenda of the three-day Pak-Afghan jirga starting from Thursday in Kabul did not mention the Taliban-linked insurgency, but says that the delegates will discuss ways to devise a bilateral mechanism between the two countries to combat terrorism.
Afghan doctors delivered medicines on Sunday for 21 South Koreans kidnapped by Taliban rebels in Afghanistan more than two weeks ago. The head of a private Afghan clinic said his team had dropped more than $1,200 (Dh4,404) worth of antibiotics, pain killers, vitamin tablets and heart pills in an area of desert in the Qarabagh district of Ghazni province as instructed by the rebels. "This is a big achievement. Among the Koreans are doctors who know how to use these medicines," Mohammad Hashim Wahaj told reporters in Ghazni, the main town of the province, where 23 South Korean church volunteers were snatched from a bus on July 20. "It was a big risk, but we had to take the risk because it is a humanitarian issue," he said. 
A German employee at the Algerian embassy in Berlin was been charged with espionage, the federal prosecutor's office said Monday.
Inmates in the Gaza Strip's main prison can now reduce their sentences by one year if they memorize five chapters from the Koran, Islam's holy book, the governor announced Monday. 
President Shimon Peres had planned to lambaste the Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr-Store over Norway's contacts with Hamas and Hizbullah when the two men met in Jerusalem on Monday. But he was stopped in his tracks when Gahr-Store told him that Norway had now severed the contacts it had opened with Hamas during the period of the Palestinian unity government. 
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran called Monday evening for establishment of an Islamic economic grouping by Muslim states to confront economic dominance of Western powers. 
Iran's leading reformist daily newspaper was ordered to shut down again on Monday, less than three months after it was allowed to resume publication, the newspaper's editor said. 
