Gordon Brown is planning a radical scheme to subsidise farmers in Afghanistan to persuade them to stop producing heroin, as part of a wide-ranging drive to re-energise policy in the conflict the prime minister now regards as the front line in the fight against terrorism. The Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch-Brown has admitted that the rise in opium production in the country means Britain "cannot just muddle along in the middle" and must come up with more imaginative ideas on opium eradication.
Ministers are looking at what Lord Malloch-Brown describes as a system of payments loosely along the lines of the common agricultural policy to woo the Afghan farmers off opium production. The government is conducting joint research on suitable economic incentives with the World Bank.
British and allied forces are also looking at destroying drug factories inside Afghanistan, and a much better-targeted drive against the big traffickers responsible for 90% of the opium which reaches the west.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/10/2007 00:00 ||
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#2
I like the idea of a genetically targeted bacteria or bug or something.
Also, unless this subsidation scheme is well thought out, it will not work. First, if the farmers are given one lump sum then the Taliban will just come by and take the money. If the money is given in installments, the Taliban will expect some kind of monthly protection payment. And last but not least, I'll bet every man, woman, and child in Afghanistan becomes a poppy farmer right after they get over the shock of disbelief when they hear the good news that the British are handing out free money to people who are or threaten to become farmers. Including the Taliban.
Typical Department of State approach; fiddle fiddle fiddle. Too much thinking and not enough doing. Just spray the dam* stuff and be done with it. It would defund more Taliban than such action will create.
#3
A poppy disease will only ncrease the price of opium : revenue will not decrease for poducers and after a time we will have disease resistant poppy either throght natural selection or genetically engineered.
The solution is to decrease the numbe of drug users.
#5
For reducing nulber of drug users we have the virtue solution (people leave drugs or at least poppy-based drugs voluntarily), the forced desintoxication solution and the Stalin solution
#11
What will the British Legion be selling if this happens?
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
11/10/2007 12:59 Comments ||
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#12
Good luck. I think they'd do better just buying the opium, but I suppose the Brits have already had enough problems with the opium business.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium_Wars
#13
How about genetically creating an opium poppy that causes a user to turn blue and be covered in itchy warts? I think the incentive to get rid of the drug, and the lure to new addicts, would drop dramatically. We could then trace the pipeline backwards as disgruntled users turn on their pushers who in turn turn on their suppliers who in turn turn on their wholesalers, ad nauseum.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
11/10/2007 14:33 Comments ||
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#14
How about we just buy the stuff for more than the Talibunnies will pay? Resell it cheap to Pharm companies who'll process it to morphine.
AfghanistanÂ’s biggest suicide attack is now known to have killed 59 schoolboys, the Education Ministry said on Friday, announcing a nationwide ban on students greeting politicians or dignitaries, while a British soldier serving was killed on Friday after the vehicle he was travelling in went off the road and rolled over a bridge, the Ministry of Defence said.
Five teachers and six members of parliament were also killed in TuesdayÂ’s blast in the north of Afghanistan, which has shaken public faith in the ability of the government, and foreign troops in the country to provide security.
The suicide bomber blew up as schoolboys lined up to greet a visiting delegation of opposition parliamentary deputies in the town of Baghlan. “We have 64 martyrs. 59 of them are children, and five of them are teachers,” said Education Ministry spokesman Zahoor Afghan. “There are 96 wounded. Of those three are teachers, the rest are students.” Officials had previously put the total death toll at 52. As well as the boys, teachers and parliamentarians, a number of police and adult civilians were also killed in the attack. No schoolgirls were among the dead, Afghan said. It was too early to say who might have been responsible for the blast, officials said. Afghan police detained two men on suspicion of involvement, the governor of Baghlan province said on Friday.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/10/2007 00:00 ||
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#3
“We have 64 martyrs. 59 of them are children, and five of them are teachers,” said Education Ministry spokesman Zahoor Afghan.
I've got to add that the above statement shows how well-entrenched the death cult mentality is in Afghanistan. Until such officials decry these terrorist attacks as wanton murder and eschew such intentionally obsfucative terms as "martyrs", nothing will change.
The head of the Muslim Council of Britain does not mince his words on integration, report Rachel Sylvester and Alice Thomson
There is fear and loathing in Britain. This week, the head of MI5 claimed there were 2,000 people involved in terrorist activity and children as young as 15 were being "groomed" to be suicide bombers.
Gordon Brown announced plans to require immigrants to learn English and Downing Street said the Prime Minister wanted to double the number of days that terrorist suspects can be detained without trial. Then, just as the Metropolitan Police was being censured for shooting the Stockwell One, the Lyrical Terrorist became the first woman to be convicted of terrorist crimes.
Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, the leader of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), thinks the Government is stoking the tension. "There is a disproportionate amount of discussion surrounding us," he says. "The air is thick with suspicion and unease. It is not good for the Muslim community, it is not good for society."
The 53-year-old special needs teacher has a gentle manner and a quiet voice - he describes himself as a "community spokesman" rather than a "religious leader" - but he does not mince his words. Britain must, he warns, beware of becoming like Nazi Germany. Or like Saudi Arabia?
Or like Iran?
Or like Tajikistan?
Or like Kosovo?
Or like Pakistan?
Or like ...
"Every society has to be really careful so the situation doesn't lead us to a time when people's minds can be poisoned as they were in the 1930s. If your community is perceived in a very negative manner, and poll after poll says that we are alienated, then Muslims begin to feel very vulnerable. We are seen as creating problems, not as bringing anything and that is not good for any society."
Kinda rich, a Muslim cleric warning us of Nazis ...
There is, in his view, no such thing as Islamic terrorism. "Terrorists are terrorists, they may use religion but we shouldn't say Muslim terrorists, it stigmatises the whole community. We never called the IRA Catholic terrorists." Dr Bari thinks Jonathan Evans, the head of MI5, made the extremists' job easier by giving a bleak picture of the threat on the eve of the Queen's Speech. Never mind the equivalence game (for the record, the IRA, particularly the Provos, were Marxists), but just for grins, did the 7/7 bombers call the cops with a coded message before the bombs went off? Has the IRA ever demanded that Britain surrender to a religious theocracy?
"I think it is creating a scare in the community and wider society. It probably helps some people who try to recruit the young to terrorism. Muslim young people are as vulnerable as any others. Under this climate of fear they will begin to feel victimised." Can't recall off-hand the last time Anglo-Saxon teens and twenty-somethings trained overseas for the opportunity to kill hundreds/thousands of Muslim Britons.
The Prime Minister's plan to increase the length of time terrorist suspects can be detained without trial is also, he believes, misguided. "Even the police haven't asked for more than 28 days. As far as we know there is no clear evidence of the need for more time."
Control orders and stop and search powers are further increasing the sense of alienation among Muslims, Dr Bari says, and the Metropolitan Police are not helping matters either. "There was institutional racism and institutions as massive as the Met find it hard to change. They need more Muslim police officers. I'm not going to use the term trigger happy - sometimes the police can make mistakes - but they need to do their job in a better way."
Sir Salman Rushdie should never have been knighted, he says. "He caused a huge amount of distress and discordance with his book, it should have been pulped." First he announces that the British government is behaving like "Nazis", and now Bari barks for a book-burning. What a card ...
... not to mention what he really wants done ot Rushdie ...
Critics say the MCB - an umbrella organisation with 500 affiliates - has itself contributed to the growing sense of unease in Britain. The Government has cut funding to the council following claims that it had links with extremists. A Tory report this year accused it of promoting segregation.
Dr Bari insists he is simply trying to unite disparate communities. "On the one hand we are accused of not engaging, being insular, and on the other hand of being too political. We can't win." Which makes you ... losers?
The MCB was criticised for boycotting Holocaust Day but he says he did not mean to offend Jewish people: "It should be inclusive, commemorating all massacres." BS + more moral equivalence. Farcical, too- they hate Jews.
According to a recent report by the Policy Exchange think-tank, the bookshop at the east London Mosque, which Dr Bari chairs, stocks extremist literature. "The bookshops are independent businesses," he says. "We can't just go in and tell them what to sell Â… I will see what books they keep, if they have one book which looks like it is inciting hatred, do they have counter books on the same shelf?" But Bari sure as hell knows which books HE would pulp.
He is more careful about who is allowed to preach in the mosque. "If I hear of a specific preacher who is inciting hatred I will ban him from preaching but I cannot disallow him from praying."
In Dr Bari's view, suicide bombers are victims as well as aggressors. "I deal with emotionally damaged children," he explains. "Children come to hate when they don't get enough care and love. They are probably bullied, it makes a young person angry and vulnerable. More than 50 innocent people were killed on 7/7. The bastards who killed them wanted to kill hundreds more.
"The extreme case could be suicide bombers, it is all they have Â… The people who become suicide bombers are really vulnerable." Unfortunately, they weren't vulnerable enough.
Although he stresses there is no justification for suicide bombing - "killing innocent people is completely forbidden, Islam is very emphatic on that" - he says British foreign policy has driven Muslims into the arms of the extremists. "Criminal people have used that as a weapon to encourage young people, those who don't have any anchor in themselves, [to become suicide bombers]. Iraq has been a disaster, the country has been destroyed for no reason, that had an impact on the Muslim psyche."
His passion is to integrate Muslim and British cultures - he says integration must go both ways. Sharia, of course. And he's lying - it's all one way.
"Everybody can learn from everyone. Some of the Muslim principles can help social cohesion - family, marriage, raising children with boundaries, giving to the poor, not being too greedy."
British people could, in his view, benefit from arranged marriages. "I prefer to call them assisted marriages," he says. "Marriage should not be forced on people but parents can be a catalyst Â… Young people are emotional, they want idealism. Older people have gone through all sorts of things and become a bit more experienced. A child will always want to eat chocolate but if he does then he will become fat. He needs to be given things that are good for him too."
"Alcohol is the worst drug long-term," he says, and adds that the Government should consider banning drinking in public places, as it has done with smoking.
Dr Bari believes Britain would benefit from a little more morality: "Religion has principles that can help society Â… Sex before marriage is unacceptable in Islam Â… On adultery and living together we should try to go back to the religiously informed style of life that helps society."
Abortion should also be made more difficult. "By the time a foetus is 12 weeks old our religion says that the child has got a spirit." Homosexuality is "unacceptable from the religious point of view".
Is stoning ever justified? "It depends what sort of stoning and what circumstances," he replies. "When our prophet talked about stoning for adultery he said there should be four [witnesses] - in realistic terms that's impossible. It's a metaphor for disapproval." Wow. He said that for publication, too. He must be feeling very confident.
Lips stayed on, too. He's very practiced ...
There should be more modesty too. "You shouldn't be revealing your body so much that it can be tempting to other people. I hope my daughter wouldn't wear a bikini but I also hope she wouldn't wear a burka."
Dr Bari runs guidance courses for parents of all faiths. "Children are like plants, if you don't look after them they will grow wild and weeds can come in." The same is true of Britain, he says. "There is plenty of freedom in Western society but boundaries are sometimes hard to see."
#2
And deport his wife and four children back to Bangladesh. I am certain they will be happier there living with all the fruits their religion, culture and science have procured for them.
#5
LOL tu! We have a ME guy at work with a bad hair doily just like that, and I kid you not, his initials are R.U.G.
God has a sense of humor
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/10/2007 15:21 Comments ||
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#6
Gadfrey, whudda snark goldmine!
Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, the leader of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), thinks the Government is stoking the tension.
Constant Muslim predation has absolutely nothing to do with it.
"There is a disproportionate amount of discussion surrounding us," he says.
Might that be due to the "disproportionate amount" of terrorist acts committed by Muslims? Think real hard now Doc.
"The air is thick with suspicion and unease.
Yeah, the air always thickens that way after several major atrocities.
It is not good for the Muslim community, it is not good for society."
Who gives a damn about "Muslim society" when all they want to do is to kill every infidel in sight?
Britain must, he warns, beware of becoming like Nazi Germany.
Too rich, this from someone who would prefer to finish Hitler's work.
We are seen as creating problems, not as bringing anything and that is not good for any society.
Maybe that's because you "create problems" and don't bring anything good to society.
"Terrorists are terrorists, they may use religion but we shouldn't say Muslim terrorists, it stigmatises the whole community.
If ever there was a community that needed stigmatizing ...
"On the one hand we are accused of not engaging, being insular, and on the other hand of being too political.
The two are not mutually exclusive. You can be both insular and way too political about your agenda.
His passion is to integrate Muslim and British cultures - he says integration must go both ways.
This is the supreme wad of bullshit. If Muslims want to live in Britain, it is they who must integrate into British culture. There is a substantial historic track record of societies adopting elements of other immigrant cultures when those arrivals do a good job of assimilating. No nation on earth owes newly arrived immigrants the least concessions towards their views. To have immigrated is a frank admission that your country of destination has a superior culture and that you are prepared to accept that fact. Anything less is tantamount to sedition.
The rest of this article is a continuous tripe volcano of how Bari wants to impose Muslim values on Britain. He needs to be deported back to his native Islamic utopia for another round in the barrel with shari'a law.
#7
"Some of the Muslim principles can help social cohesion - family, marriage, raising children with boundaries.."
The forms of Muslim families, marriages and raising children? These are precisely Islam's most repulsive principles. He is not only smug, he is completely clueless about one of the two primary 'root causes' of antipathy among Westerners towards Islam: misogyny. The other is "religious" violence.
No, Doctor Bari (and I surely flatter in addressing you as Doctor), we need no lessons from Islam on family, marriage and raising children. You don't have anything to offer that we would want to emulate.
#8
"I deal with emotionally damaged children," he explains. "Children come to hate when they don't get enough care and love. They are probably bullied, it makes a young person angry and vulnerable."
Very revealing. Dr. Bari admits that those who become terrorists had parents who did not love and care for them, and who either bullied or allowed them to be bullied. That does indeed sound like the family problems endemic in the Muslim world.
SEOUL - South Korea is developing a mobile truck-mounted laser weapon capable of destroying North Korean missiles and artillery shells, a report said on Saturday. A defence ministry research team and defence firms have been involved in the development of high energy laser weapons, the Chosun Ilbo newspaper said.
From 2010, South Korea hopes to deploy the weapon, which can counter North Korean missiles and long-range artillery shells deployed along the border, it said.
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/10/2007 00:00 ||
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#2
Israel doesn't need to buy these from SKor - they developed their first prototypes of tactical lasers for this purpose back in the 90s. US had parallel research going on and for a while we did joint R&D. Here's an example of the Israeli version.
In the last few years US THELs have successfully shot down a wide range of rockets, artillery and mortar shells in extensive tests. They haven't been deployed due to logistical and tactical issues, not technical ones.
a) Power. The chemically-powered versions put more energy on target, but require frequent resupply of expensive chemicals and disposal of the toxic cannisters afterwards. The versions powered by an electric generator have lower-power energy beams, requiring longer time on target for the kill. They also need logisgtical support, ie. fuel for a generator if you're away from a grid or in case power lines are disrupted.
b) Airspace management. The beams don't fall to earth if they miss the target - they continue on in a mostly straight line and place military and civilian aircraft in danger. This is the most serious issue preventing THEL deployment in Iraq right now.
Air platform-based HELs will probably be deployed as part of ballistic missile defense. But ground based lasers won't be used broadly for a good while, I think. The Korean dmz being one of the exceptions, given the fixed location of the threat etc.
#3
...This is a REAL threat to one of the few hammers Kimmie as left in his arsenal: the artillery barrage in the Seoul/Munsan area with which he hopes to blow the defenders away in the opening moments of any attack. If the SKors can figure out a way to make it even a fraction less effective, then Kimmie can kiss any chance of a successful conventional attack goodbye. That leaves him nukes or chemicals, and he knows the response those will bring.
I almost wonder if we're not looking at a 'Red Storm Rising' scenario very soon on the DMZ - a really bad food shortage, an international embarassment, and losing one of the few aces he has left pushing Kimmie to jump...
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
11/10/2007 8:56 Comments ||
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Couldn't have happened to a more deserving terror preacher
The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a government order to expel the founder of Ansar al-Islam, a suspected Islamic terror group in Iraq, as a threat to Norwegian national security.
Even though the Supreme Court ruling was final, conditions in Iraq made it unlikely that he would promptly be returned to his homeland.
Two lower courts had also upheld a government order to deport Kurdish leader Mullah Krekar, a refugee in Norway since 1991. Even though the Supreme Court ruling was final, conditions in Iraq made it unlikely that he would promptly be returned to his homeland.
Krekar, born Najm al-Din Faraj Ahmad, founded the Ansar al-Islam group listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and others. The group is also suspected in suicide bombings of coalition forces in Iraq.
Krekar has said he no longer leads Ansar al-Islam, and denies links to al-Qaida. The United Nations in December 2006 added him to a list of people believed associated with al-Qaida.
In a civil suit brought before Norway's highest court, Krekar sought to challenge the grounds for earlier court rulings, and the government's order to expel him, which also strips Krekar of his refugee status, visa rights and all related benefits.
Part of the case was also to test how far the courts can go in ruling on or reversing the decisions of Norwegian government agencies in such cases.
During the high court hearings, Krekar's lawyer Harald Stabell argued that his client had not been able to adequately defend himself because a report on why he as seen as national security risk was kept secret. All such reports are classified in Norway.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court noted that Krekar, in his own book, had written about meeting Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, and that the terror network has specifically threatened Norway on several occasions.
It also said Krekar repeatedly returned home to Kurdish areas in northern Iraq, even though he had been granted refugee status in Norway by claiming it was unsafe for him there.
Krekar was arrested at an airport outside Amsterdam, Netherlands, in September 2002, after Iran denied him entry and sent him back to Europe. He was deported to Norway in January 2003 because he had residency there.
#2
Krekar has said he no longer leads Ansar al-Islam, and denies links to al-Qaida. The United Nations in December 2006 added him to a list of people believed associated with al-Qaida.
Too bad nobody with more than one neuron firing believes you, Krekar. Eventually, scum like you might finally begin to realize that there's a downside to taqiyya. It's long past tea for Muslim credibility to take a permanent and lethal hit.
Iran and Turkey are broadening their energy cooperation to include electricity. According to recent statements by Turkish Minister of Energy Hilmi Guler, Ankara is determined to proceed with energy agreements signed with Tehran earlier this year. Specifically, on August 20 Turkey signed a deal with Iran to import 3.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity from Tehran annually. In return, Turkey has said that it will build three natural gas transformation power plants, with a capacity of 2,000 megawatts, in Iran.
He reiterated Turkey's intentions in response to a question posed by a reporter during a press conference held in Istanbul over the U.S. reaction to Turkey's energy deals with neighboring Iran.
An Iranian technical delegation is to visit Ankara, arriving November 9 to lay groundwork for an upcoming visit by Iranian Electricity Minister Parviz Fattah. The two countries are expected to conclude an agreement regarding the connection of electricity lines between the two countries during that visit. This development could pave the way for building natural gas plants in both Iran and Turkey, Guler said. The electricity line connections between Iran and Turkey are planned to be finished in a year.
Continued on Page 49
#1
"Turkey signed a deal with Iran to import 3.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity from Tehran annually. In return, Turkey has said that it will build three natural gas transformation power plants, with a capacity of 2,000 megawatts, in Iran."
3.6 billion kWh annually is only a tad over 400 megawatts. So the real story here is not some "exchange" but rather that that the Turks are going to build gas-fueled power plants for Iran. I'd love to know where those will be relative to Iran's uranium enrichment facilities.
#2
Turkey and Iran binding themselves closer together. At this rate the Pashas are going to find that overthrowing an overly Islamic government won't be enough to ensure Kemalist secularism.
#3
That's the first thing I thought too Raj. Why aren't we building our own? We make some of the best helicopters in the world, so why the fuck are we buying them? Just pay Bell to retrofit some of theirs for military use! It ain't that fucking hard! Who is the moron in charge of this chicken shit plan?
#7
Matter of fact, Hunter could score many big political points by tossing this out into the next debate and kicking it around the room. The others would 'pile on' and the substandard helocopter deal would hit the skids, and Hunter would gain favor among voters.
#8
The Army plans to use the Lakota for such things as search-and-rescue missions in disaster areas, evacuation of injured people, reconnaissance, disaster relief and VIP tours for members of Congress and Army brass.
Oh, then they'll definitely get that air conditioning...
#9
They aren't safe to fly on hot days, according to an internal report obtained by The Associated Press.
Probably tested them in Finland or Norway. But, but, wait a minute, what about global warming. I thought Finland and Norway were now sub-tropical and the polar bears are wearing Tommy Bahama.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
11/10/2007 13:05 Comments ||
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#10
Oh, then they'll definitely get that air conditioning...
I thought these days that air conditioning would be _designed into_ most military vehicles from the start. Especially if you're fighting wars in the parts of the Mideast where it's 120 degrees in the shade, and higher in a vehicle with its own greenhouse effect.
Not to mention NBC protection compliance.
(But we don't talk about that stuff any more, at least not since the CIA said that Bush made them make up all that stuff about Saddam's WMD, so apparently chemical weapons don't _really_ exist any more anywhere).
(Does that need some sort of sarcasm tag? maybe so.)
Sarcasm tags are implicit here at the 'burg. Putting ScrappleFace somewhere in the header is still a good idea though, given the way the world is going nowadays.
Good morning. This weekend, Americans mark two important dates in our Nation's history. On Saturday, we celebrate the 232nd birthday of the United States Marine Corps. And on Sunday, we celebrate Veterans Day -- and give thanks for all those who have worn the uniform of America's Armed Forces.
The Marine Corps was born in a Philadelphia tavern in 1775. Since then, the Marines have become one of the world's premier fighting forces. Their courage and valor in battle have earned them the respect of friend and foe alike. And today, a new generation of Marines is writing another chapter in that proud tradition. Young Marines are serving on the front lines in the war on terror in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world. As the Marines celebrate their birthday, we join them in recognizing what their sacrifice and service has meant for our freedom.
America owes a debt of gratitude to all those who have served in our Armed Forces. On Veterans Day, we remember those who have served in previous wars, those who are serving today, and those who did not live to become veterans.
Veterans Day also reminds us of our solemn responsibility to care for those who have fought our Nation's wars. Under my Administration, Federal spending for our veterans has increased by more than two-thirds. We have extended medical treatment to a million additional veterans, including hundreds of thousands returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. And we have expanded grants to help homeless veterans across the country.
These are the generous actions of a grateful Nation -- and to build on them, I nominated a good man to head our Department of Veterans Affairs: Doctor James Peake. Doctor Peake is an Army doctor, a retired lieutenant general, and a combat veteran who was wounded twice in Vietnam, and decorated for his valor. When confirmed by the Senate, Doctor Peake will take on an important task -- continuing my Administration's work to implement the recommendations of the bipartisan Dole-Shalala Commission on Wounded Warriors. These recommendations are vital to ensuring better care for our veterans, and Congress needs to confirm Doctor Peake so he can lead the way in this crucial effort.
Some of the Commission's recommendations require legislative action, such as updating the disability system to fully meet the needs of our wounded warriors. So my Administration has sent Congress a bill that would enact all the legislative steps recommended by the Commission. This is a good bill, our wounded warriors and their families are counting on it, and I urge Democrats and Republicans to come together to pass it as quickly as possible.
Congress can also meet its responsibility to our veterans by passing a clean Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. Unfortunately, Congressional leaders let the fiscal year end without passing this bill they know our veterans need. So I urged Congress to pass this bill by Veterans Day -- and they still have failed to send me this vital legislation. The time to act is running out. There are now just four days left on the legislative calendar before Congress leaves town for their Thanksgiving break. The best way members of Congress can give thanks to our veterans is to send me a clean bill that I can sign into law.
On this Veterans Day, I urge every American to take time to thank one of our Nation's 24 million veterans. They come from different generations and different backgrounds. But they are united by a commitment to honor, duty, and love of country that has kept America free. They continue to strengthen and inspire our Nation. And we will never forget what we owe them.
Thank you for listening.
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/10/2007 19:44 ||
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today urged GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani to reconsider his acceptance of the endorsement of a controversial televangelist known for scathing attacks on Muslims and Islam.
In a news release on his campaign website, Giuliani is quoted as saying he is "encouraged" by the endorsement of Pat Robertson, chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). "His experience and advice will be a great asset to me and my campaign," said Giuliani.
In 2002, President Bush repudiated rhetorical attacks on Islam by evangelical leaders. Media reports at the time said the president's remarks were prompted by attacks on Islam, particularly those of Pat Robertson, who said that Muslims are "worse than the Nazis." Bush said: "Some of the comments that have been uttered about Islam do not reflect the sentiments of my government or the sentiments of most Americans." Then-Secretary of State Colin Powell echoed the president's remarks when he told a State Department audience, "This kind of hatred must be rejected." The director of the American Jewish Committee called Robertson's "Nazi" comment "outrageous." Well, 'Mein Kampf' has been compared to the Koran by many who studied the two.
#2
"Mein Kampf" has been compared to the Koran by many who studied the two.
Last time I read it was the Talmud that seemed to invoke alot of hate as well.... somewhere along the lines of Mary mother of Jesus being a, "whore" and Jesus being a "bastard".
Anyone who follows the news other than CNN or Fox should know that Pat Roberson recieves LOTS of $$$$ from Jewish interest groups to keep the Evangilists a pro-Israel group.
#4
Anyone who follows the news other than CNN or Fox should know that recieves LOTS of $$$$ from Jewish interest groups to keep the Evangilists a pro-Israel group.
Leah, would you please cite that.
I watch Pat Robertson, and the cable news, BBC, etc. on occasion and I don't ever recall hearing about $$$$$ [howevermuchthatis] from Israel to the Christian Coalition or Pat Robertson.
Posted by: Red Dawg ||
11/10/2007 4:45 Comments ||
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#5
Anyone who follows the news other than CNN or Fox should know that Pat Roberson receives LOTS of $$$$ from Jewish interest groups to keep the Evangelists a pro-Israel group.
Leah, would you please cite that.
I watch Pat Robertson, and the cable news, BBC, etc. on occasion and I don't ever recall hearing about $$$$$ [howevermuchthatis] from Israel to the Christian Coalition or Pat Robertson.
Ima fairly Certain that Evangelicals *ARE* pro-Israel by Conviction and Nature; not by bribe. I'm not a member... perhaps an RBee is and can let us know for sure.
Posted by: Red Dawg ||
11/10/2007 4:55 Comments ||
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#6
Leah, there is no evidence that Evangelicals get a money from "Jewish interest groups". Quite the contrary -- a lot of Israelis and American Jewish groups quite distrust evangelical Christians.
Jimmy Carter, on the other hand, has a publicly documented history of indirect financial support from Arab leaders. And he's not the only one.
#12
Pat Robertson, who said that Muslims are "worse than the Nazis."
Nice to see that someone's finally gotten the memo.
Bush said: "Some of the comments that have been uttered about Islam do not reflect the sentiments of my government or the sentiments of most Americans."
Yet one more indication of just how far out of touch Bush has gotten.
Then-Secretary of State Colin Powell echoed the president's remarks when he told a State Department audience, "This kind of hatred must be rejected."
No wonder State is so effed up. Here's a former military man telling them to ignore the real threat. Islam is the most hateful and intolerant cult there is on earth. Pretending it isn't goes beyond stupid and into the realm of dumb and dangerous.
The director of the American Jewish Committee called Robertson's "Nazi" comment "outrageous."
Be that as it may, the $64,000 question still remains unanswered. Why is it that CAIR isn't denouncing the way that Hillary and all the other democratic candidates openly embrace homosexuality? You'd think Islam would be all over that like a bad suit.
It is yet one more slamming indictment of the liberals that they cannot understand exactly why CAIR makes no objection to their agenda. To be confronted with silence from an incredibly vile ideology like Islam should be a sure indicator that you are the worst sort of useful idiot. For the democrats to pretend that they have somehow succeeded in erecting a tent big enough to accomodate the Islamic camel is the absolute height of insanity. In their credulous folly, they have erected a gallows only to call it a "podium".
#15
think Leah is simply a LefTard extruding LefTurds here in our comments section or is "she" a newly transplanted Paleo-MuSlime-O proselytizing Sharia Law from Western Canada?
Posted by: Red Dawg ||
11/10/2007 13:18 Comments ||
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#16
Sharia my BEVERia......i know that Israel was providing the top evanglicals with lost of dollars too spread their pro-Israel propaganda. Weather that is the current relationship remains to be seen. Here's some proof at, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4602186.stm
#18
Pat Roberson recieves LOTS of $$$$ from Jewish interest groups to keep the Evangilists a pro-Israel group.
Congratulations Leah for the stupidest post of the day award. Christ was a Jew and Evangelicals by the very nature of Christianity are pro Israel.
endorsement of a controversial televangelist known for scathing attacks on Muslims and Islam.
Good. Every human should feel the same way and that is was the terrorist moon goddess worshipers at CAIR are so worried about. Funny how these Muslim terrorist groups think airing their laundry in public is going to keep America from learning how f-ed up islam is.
Giuliani and Robertson should wear this with pride. Not that particularly like ether one of them but they are fellow Americans.
#20
Well, in the story Leah cited the BBC didn't lie, but neither did the story entail quite what Leah made it out to be.
Robertson proposed a biblical theme park along the Sea of Galilee. The Israelis agreed and were willing to provide some infrastructure (water, roads) as is often done by local governments for large developments expected to bring in tax dollars.
Then Robertson opined that Ariel Sharon's stoke was a punishment from God and the Israelis withdrew from the deal in disgust.
Not exactly a convincing argument that the Jews are funding Evangelism IMO.
CRAWFORD, Texas - US President George W. Bush welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to his Texas ranch Friday for two-day talks on issues like Iran and Afghanistan, with barbecue and maybe a hike on the menu. Bush and Merkel — who joined an elite group of world leaders invited to the “Prairie Chapel” property — were expected to showcase diplomatic efforts to confront Tehran over what the West suspects may be a nuclear weapons program.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was to be on hand Saturday to discuss the Middle East peace process, as well as efforts to stabilize Afghanistan, KosovoÂ’s future, pressure on Myanmar, and LebanonÂ’s political crisis.
Ahead of the talks, US officials downplayed fissures between the allies on the US hard line toward Iran and Germany’s restrictions on its troops in Afghanistan but also downplayed the likelihood of any breakthroughs. “Strategically we see eye-to-eye. I think tactically there are some slight differences,” on issues like Iran and Afghanistan, said US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe.
Bush will take up the new round of US sanctions on the Islamic republic and tell Merkel “this is part of our diplomatic strategy,” he said. “While, yes, we never take any options off the table, this was the next step in trying to make diplomacy work.”
Merkel, who leads Iran’s largest European trading partner, said Germany would embrace “further, tougher sanctions” if ongoing talks fail to convince Iran to heed UN demands to freeze sensitive nuclear work.
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/10/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
If there is no light at the end of the tunnel, then you worship government. You are poorly read speaker.
I swear to uphold the Constitution over all enemies foreign and domestic, so help me GOD?
That would make you domestic enemies, pelosi.
All the Soldiers and Iraqi nationals that have perished have been from you, and your party leaders working your hardest to ruin the effort.
This is called sedition.
But not only sedition to the troops, and sedition through this worthless media, but sedition to the only rainmaker on this planet.
When you have no water, maybe you will not call it climimate change anymore.
Maybe you will call it "We severely pissed off God, and he warned us and we were too arrogant to listen" change.
You screw with GODS Army, you screw with GOD. No reasoning or relativity to comprehend. No iff, ands, or butts about it. It is Kosher or not.
Maybe all of you people in washington DC need a lesson on rome.
Or not.
If you keep screwing my soldiers and ruining my constitution, I have no choice but to ruin you all.
#2
So Nancy tried to mock Mr Rainmaker.
Is that why California is on fire?
I bet Nancy thinks she could be a better rainmaker,
mother of all the earth and all that.
I pray some day she will be spiritually awakened.
These male and female carcasses will all one day burn up and we certainly wouldn't want to miss Nancy in a new suit (a spiritual one!).
#3
But one guarantee, Murtha said, is that Bush will have to accept some timetable on troop withdrawals if he wants the money.
"I don't think you'll see the House pass anything without restrictions," said Murtha, D-Pa.
White House spokesman Tony Fratto said Thursday that Bush would again veto any legislation that sets an "artificial timeline" for troop withdrawals.
"We should be supporting our troops as they are succeeding, not finding ways to undercut their mission," he said.
Pelosi, D-Calif., told members in a private caucus meeting on Thursday that if Bush rejected the measure, she did not intend on sending him another war spending bill for the rest of the year.
"It's a war without end," Pelosi later told reporters. "There is no light at the end of the tunnel. We must reverse it."
ya don't read the news much, do ya, Bitch?
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/10/2007 6:04 Comments ||
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#4
Hey, Frank, the lady's busy. It's not easy to avoid hearing, seeing or thinking about the successes there -- frightens her immensely to contemplate the possibility, poor dear.
#7
Right Raj, after we get out of Germany, Japan, South Korea were at least they don't set off IEDs along the road anymore [DUIs are another matter]. Oh, and that little thingy about the Balkans which o'Billy Boy said would only last one year.
#8
OMG I just figured out that she is fucking CRAZY! She would rather we suffer a defeat so she could be right? This would ber like saying "Gee that was a great landing at Normandy but if you don't wrap this up in two weeks you have to ship the troops home." Treason is the ONLY word that applies.
#10
Founding Fathers scratch heads, glare at population.
Official. Worst Congress in my lifetime. Have they seen their ratings? Who are they to suggest that the American people support what they do.
View left and you will see carbon and UN taxes, another attempt to pass amnysty to behind you, and if you direct your view to the center ring you will see Zippo the dancing donkey.
Different version of the police action on Bhutto; heavily edited. AoS.
ISLAMABAD (Rooters) - Police blocked opposition leader Benazir Bhutto from visiting Pakistan's deposed chief justice on Saturday and President Pervez Musharraf resisted U.S. calls to end emergency rule.
Bhutto, herself kept under house arrest for most of Friday, tried to approach former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry's home where he is being detained. Police parked trucks on the road to block her path. "He is the chief justice, he is the real chief justice," Bhutto blared over a megaphone, demanding all the judges be reinstated.
Bhutto will defy Musharraf and go ahead with a pro-democracy motorcade from Lahore to Islamabad next week, after police scotched a protest by her Pakistan People's Party in the garrison town of Rawalpindi adjoining Islamabad on Friday.
Bhutto, the Pakistani politician most able to mobilize masses, was due to meet foreign diplomats later in the day. She briefly joined journalists protesting outside the offices of a television channel against a blackout on private news broadcasts. BBC and CNN are also off the air, though newspapers are publishing freely.
Bhutto is due to head to Lahore on Sunday, and has said Musharraf can defuse the protest if he restores the constitution, removes his army uniform and calls elections by mid-January.
Political analysts say Musharraf still has the vital backing of the military but big anti-government protests might begin to undermine the support. Officials say Musharraf will likely keep the emergency short. Attorney General Malik Abdul Qayyum said it would end in a month or two, depending on the law and order situation.
Bhutto has been holding power-sharing talks with Musharraf for months and political analysts say cooperation between the pair -- which the United States has been quietly encouraging -- is still possible.
LAHORE, Pakistan, Nov. 9 - Female prison guards sit in Asma Jahangir's art-filled living room, watching as she sips tea, smokes cigarettes and talks about how proud she is to be Pakistani. Jahangir, a lawyer and head of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, was placed under house arrest last Saturday, and since then the government has turned her two-story family villa into a jail. More than 20 prison guards, some with submachine guns, are posted in her garden, and plainclothes officers in oversize suits peer through her windows.
Her country is now in a state of turmoil, following President Pervez Musharraf's declaration of emergency rule, which has included the firing of Supreme Court justices and the detention of hundreds of opposition leaders, lawyers and human rights activists.
But Jahangir remains defiant and upbeat, waving to neighbors and continuing to work on position papers on how to bring the rule of law, an independent judiciary and stability to Pakistan. Life under house arrest has been "just lovely, and it hasn't hurt me," Jahangir, 55 and a mother of three, said Friday in an interview at her home. "I am so proud of Pakistanis and specifically of our lawyers for speaking out and getting their heads bashed in for a better Pakistan."
"We are so resilient as a people," she said. "I have so much respect for their dignity and courage. I hope the world sees this side of Pakistan, one where professionals want a democracy. The spirit of our intelligentsia cannot be broken."
The government has filed terrorism charges against Jahangir and ordered her to stay confined to her house for 90 days. She can no longer go to her office next door or even sit in her garden.
But her popularity has only grown, and news media in Pakistan and abroad are calling her South Asia's version of Burmese human rights icon Aung San Suu Kyi. Pakistanis living abroad have also sent her e-mails expressing their support, she said.
"When you think of human rights in Pakistan, you think of Asma Jahangir," said Maria Hasan, a recent graduate of the Lahore University of Management Sciences, the scene of demonstrations against the emergency rule. "She's our national hero. She's very daring, and we, especially women, really admire her for that."
After intense pressure from U.S. diplomats, 70 civil society leaders, including professors, poets and doctors, were released from jail or house arrest after their detention Sunday for attending a Human Rights Commission meeting.
But Jahangir has not been allowed to leave her home. "There is a limit to people's patience with brute force," she said. "I do worry about . . . blood being spilled. I don't want to see that in my country."
When the prison guards tried to listen in on her conversation during the interview, she shooed them away. "Please," she said firmly, "go rest in my lobby, take a chair and sit. Relax, even. You will not listen to this." They shuffled out of the room.
The U.S. consul general in Lahore, Bryan D. Hunt, visited Jahangir for several hours Friday and later released a statement urging her release and free and fair elections.
Musharraf once invited Jahangir to join his government, she said, but she refused. He later called her unpatriotic for being too critical of what he called Pakistani culture.
Jahangir, her sister and several other women founded the first all-female law firm in Pakistan. At the outset, her most highly publicized cases involved women accused of adultery, a crime once punishable by 10 years in jail and public whippings.
After years of being belittled, she finally won the respect of men in her profession through hard work, compassion and victory in numerous cases, activists said. She has received international acclaim and several awards for her work with women seeking divorces from abusive husbands and with teenagers on death row, as well as her efforts against extremism.
Jahangir said she has been inspired by the many imprisoned women she has met. For instance, she became close friends with a blind woman who was charged with adultery after being gang-raped. Jahangir filed a protest and sent stories about the case around the world. The woman was released.
"She's an extraordinary leader, beloved in a place where there are few heroes," said Ali Dayan Hasan, South Asia researcher for Human Rights Watch. "And Musharraf wants to silence anyone like her who will question his rule."
Jahangir has received death threats, but she said she finds the allegations against her ridiculous, especially those leveled this week involving terrorism. "Does Musharraf really believe I am a terrorist?" she said, laughing and eating a snack of tomatoes and spicy chicken patties. "Yes, I am a total hooligan, bombing and looting and creating terror?"
She takes pride in her family's long history of activism. Her father was a civil servant who quit in protest after Pakistan's first military coup. He was idealistic, she said, and took up politics, but was in and out of jail throughout her childhood. "Every time he went off to jail, my father said to me, 'I am doing this so you can live in a freer country.' Now we are going through some horrible birthing pains in this country. And they have to stop it. The world has to have zero tolerance for naked dictatorship," she said. "There are so many Pakistanis facing violence for protesting. There are so many wives of lawyers who've had to sell their wedding jewels because their husbands are not earning or are in jail. Look at the world, all the suffering. . . . Being under house arrest is the least I can sacrifice."
Posted by: john frum ||
11/10/2007 07:47 ||
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#1
Asma Jahangir is detained but the heads of the LeT and JeM are free
Posted by: john frum ||
11/10/2007 9:15 Comments ||
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#2
You arrest the people that threaten you.
Posted by: Steve White ||
11/10/2007 9:33 Comments ||
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#3
'Specially the wimminz. Very, very threatening, wimminz are.
#5
"I hope the world sees this side of Pakistan, one where professionals want a democracy."
No offense, Maam, but that's why a lot of 'em immigrate here.
The government placed former premier Benazir Bhutto under a brief house arrest early on Friday, and rounded up several of her supporters to block a mass protest against the imposition of emergency rule by President Gen Pervez Musharraf. The house arrest orders for the former premier were later withdrawn on Friday night.
Earlier in the day, Benazir twice tried to leave in her car for the protest venue – Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi – telling police: “Do not raise hands on women. You are Muslims. This is un-Islamic”, AP reported. However, Benazir and leaders of her PPP could only reach the corner of the street where a large media corps was present to cover the event.
No notice: Talking to the media, Benazir said the government had restricted her movement without serving any notice of house arrest. Her statement negated a government claim that a three-day detention notice was served on her by City Magistrate Rana Akbar Hayat, but she refused to receive it. Benazir said that PPP workers tried to reach Liaquat Bagh, but failed due to the roadblocks.
She rejected MusharrafÂ’s announcement that the elections would be held before February 15 and demanded that the elections be held by January 15 as required by the Constitution. She also repeated her demand that Gen Musharraf step down from his military position. Strict security measures were taken in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to stop the PPP from holding a rally in defiance of a ban on public gatherings. There were repeated clashes between stone-throwing protesters and police.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/10/2007 00:00 ||
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The US on Friday urged President General Pervez Musharraf to set a date both for holding polls and resigning as army chief to show he means to return to democracy. The public appeal for dates from State Department spokesman Sean McCormack signaled a tightening of US pressure on Musharraf, who sparked international outrage with his declaration of emergency rule on Saturday. “Musharraf should roll back the emergency rule, schedule a fixed date for polls,” McCormack said.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/10/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Can't we just kill terrorists? Pakis are too brainwashed to make an objective democratic choice. Put a Somoza in Junkistan.
The Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate or ISI, according to an analysis published here, may not exactly be the monster it has been portrayed as. The analysis by Eben Kaplan, associate editor, Council on Foreign Relations, quotes former US ambassador to Pakistan William Milam as saying, “I do not accept the thesis that the ISI is a rogue organization.” Milam says, “It’s a disciplined army unit that does what it’s told, though it may push the envelope sometimes.”
With a reported staff of 10,000, ISI is hardly monolithic. “Like in any secret service, there are rogue elements,” says Frederic Grare, a South Asia expert and visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
ISI-Taliban links: He points out that many of the ISI’s agents have ethnic and cultural ties with Afghan insurgents, and naturally sympathise with them. Experts generally suspect Pakistan still provides some support to the Taliban, though probably not to the extent it did in the past. “If they’re giving them support,” veteran AP correspondent Kathy Gannon says, “it’s access back and forth (to Afghanistan) and the ability to find safe haven.”
The analysis says, quoting experts, that President General Pervez Musharraf exercises firm control over his intelligence agency. His admission that retired ISI agents may be helping Taliban fighters suggests his government knows of at least some unsanctioned Pakistani support for the Afghan insurgency. Experts note Musharraf’s acknowledgement also gives him plausible deniability of any sanctioned assistance Pakistan may also be providing. Marvin Weinbaum of the Middle East Institute is of the view that Pakistan has sent “retired” ISI agents on missions the government could not officially endorse.
Though Pakistan has effectively battled Al-Qaeda, Weinbaum says, it has largely ignored Taliban fighters on its soil. “There are extremist groups that are beyond the pale with which the ISI has no influence at all,” he says. “Those are the ones they go after.” According to Weinbaum, Pakistan has two policies. One is an official policy of promoting stability in Afghanistan; the other is an unofficial policy of supporting jihadis in order to appease political forces within Pakistan. “The second (policy) undermines the first one,” he says.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/10/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Musharraf’s acknowledgement also gives him plausible deniability of any sanctioned assistance Pakistan may also be providing. Marvin Weinbaum of the Middle East Institute is of the view that Pakistan has sent “retired” ISI agents on missions the government could not officially endorse.
The "rogue ISI" stories are designed to give plausible deniability to Pakistani actions.
As the former Indian FM Jaswant Singh noted, Pakistan uses terrorism as an instrument of state policy.
Posted by: john frum ||
11/10/2007 6:28 Comments ||
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#2
'ISI a disciplined force under its chief's orders'
For once, the truth outs. The ISI merely manifests state terrorist policy.
The Interior Ministry has ordered the NWFP home Department to probe and then submit a report about the matter of illegal sale of blood to militants from the blood banks of three allied hospitals in the provincial capital. The ministry in a letter to the provincial Home Department sternly directed it to take action against people involved in selling blood at high prices to militants illegally. The department was instructed to lodge a FIR in case anyone was found guilty. The ministry also directed the department to watch the hospitals closely while they were providing treatment to militants. Earlier, the government had imposed a ban on providing treatment to militants in allied hospitals of Peshawar including Lady Reading Hospital, Khyber Teaching Hospital and Hayatabad Medical Complex.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/10/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
I heard Pak hospitals store their blood next to the polio vaccine. Sometimes it leaks a little.
#2
Do we have a Pakistan-English dictionary anywhere? Some of these stories are hard to understand. What's a FIR? Do they date back to the English?
Posted by: Eric Jablow ||
11/10/2007 1:07 Comments ||
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#3
A First Information Report or FIR is a written document prepared by the police in India and Pakistan when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence. It is a report of information that reaches the police first in point of time and that is why it is called the First Information Report. It is generally a complaint lodged with the police by the victim of a cognizable offence or by someone on his/her behalf. Anyone can report the commission of a cognizable offence either orally or in writing to the police.
Posted by: john frum ||
11/10/2007 6:42 Comments ||
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#4
I'm confused - is it illegal because they are selling it to militants or because the price was too high.
I mean, it is good quality blood donated by fine upstanding Israli citizens so it would be worth the price...
Pakistan quickly ended house arrest for opposition leader Benazir Bhutto as President Gen. Pervez Musharraf came under new US pressure to end a crackdown that Washington fears is hurting the fight against Islamic extremism.
Earlier on Friday, police threw up barbed wire around Bhutto's house to keep her from speaking at a rally to protest Musharraf's imposition of emergency rule, and security forces rounded up thousands of her supporters to block any mass demonstrations.
The action was a new blow to hopes the two US-friendly leaders could form an alliance against militants - a rising threat underlined by a suicide bombing in northwest Pakistan that targeted the home of a Cabinet minister, who escaped without injury.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/10/2007 00:00 ||
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Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has been released from house arrest in the capital, Islamabad, officials say. The order had blocked Ms Bhutto's bid to lead a rally against the emergency rule declared by President Musharraf. The United States welcomed her release as positive and called for moderate forces to work to restore democracy.
A three-day detention order was served on the former prime minister after she tried to cross the heavy police cordon set up outside her home on Friday.
Police had surrounded the house early in the morning with roadblocks and coils of barbed wire to prevent her from addressing a rally in the neighbouring city of Rawalpindi. Under emergency rule announced last week, such public gatherings have been banned.
Senior officials were later quoted as saying the detention order had been withdrawn. A spokeswoman for Ms Bhutto's party said she had no information about the move. Officials said that it was a temporary measure because of a fear of suicide bombers attacking the planned rally, and that it would be lifted by Saturday.
On Friday Ms Bhutto made several attempts to leave her home but was turned back. She finally emerged to address the media through a megaphone from behind the barricades. She repeated opposition demands that Gen Musharraf should lift the state of emergency, resign as army chief and hold elections by mid-January. "We are calling for General Musharraf to keep his commitment and retire as chief of army staff on 15 November."
The BBC's Chris Morris in Islamabad says that under emergency regulations the detention order could be re-imposed at short notice.
However, our correspondent says it has been a good day for Ms Bhutto, bolstering her democratic credentials at a time when other opposition parties still believe she plans to do a deal with Gen Musharraf. She is putting him under pressure at home while his Western allies are putting him under pressure abroad, our correspondent says.
Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) said 5,000 of its activists had been arrested since the weekend, and that police detained about 100 people outside her residence on Friday.
Posted by: lotp ||
11/10/2007 00:00 ||
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Nine Iranians held in Iraq have been released by the US military, signalling a possible change in tone between the bitter rivals. Two of the men were among five Iranians captured in the northern city of Arbil in January. They were held on suspicion of arming and funding Shiite militias. The US defence secretary, Robert Gates, denied a link between the release and a drop in roadside bomb attacks using weapons such as explosively formed penetrators, which the US says Iran supplies.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has unveiled a mausoleum to former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in the West Bank town of Ramallah.
Mr Abbas laid a wreath in the tomb, in the compound where Mr Arafat spent the last two years of his life.
The mausoleum complex cost $2m (£1m) to build and includes a mosque.
The commemoration is the first in a series of honours to mark the third anniversary of his death in a Paris hospital on 11 November 2004.
'Temporary' tomb
The mausoleum measure 11 metres by 11 metres, to mark the day Mr Arafat died.
His death followed a two-year siege of his compound by Israeli forces. Mr Arafat had been flown to Paris for treatment after weeks of mystery stomach pains.
The tomb also includes a minaret which shines a laser beam towards Jerusalem, the city Palestinians want to become the capital of an independent state, said the BBC's correspondent Aleem Maqbool.
Mr Abbas said he hoped Mr Arafat's body would one day be buried in Jerusalem.
"We will continue on the path to set up the independent Palestinian state with [Jerusalem] as its capital, God willing," Mr Abbas said.
The opening ceremony included Palestinian honour guards in navy green uniforms with golden epaulettes, with a brass band playing and prayers from a local imam.
"The monument is built on a natural spring, and the water signifies that it is temporary, for it will be moved to Jerusalem after liberation," project supervisor Mohammed Ashtiyah was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying.
The third anniversary of Mr Arafat's death comes towards the end of a divisive year in Palestinian politics, with the militant Islamist Hamas movement overthrowing the rule in Gaza of Mr Abbas's Fatah party, which Mr Arafat founded.
On Sunday, a large rally is due to be held at the West Bank compound, and another held on Monday in Gaza.
Posted by: john frum ||
11/10/2007 12:45 ||
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#1
"The tomb also includes a minaret which shines a laser beam towards Jerusalem"
With any luck, it will attract a lightning strike.
#6
lol - but will we ever bear witness to the contents of the Dread Red Binder™?
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/10/2007 16:41 Comments ||
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#7
A much better way to spend American tax dollars than for "armed wing" double dipper salaries... or Kassem rocket parts. I highly approve. If the locals spend all their dowry money on souvenir doodads instead of AK-47 bullets and more rocket parts, I'll approve even more. In fact, I think they should build more monuments to Fatah, Hamas and other worthies. First the ones who died nobly, then pro-actively for the ones who haven't died yet -- to make sure they'll be happy when they take a break from their virgins to look down from Paradise. Was it Ramses II who had to build a couple of pyramids before he got it just the way he wanted it? (Thank goodness he ruled for two generations!)
That's a saying I have when I realized I've just wasted a colossal amount of money on something stupid...that I'd get better use of the money by heaving it out of my car's sunroof (at speed, on the Beltway).
THE US government will grant $1 million (£480,000) in aid to Nablus to help the Palestinian government establish control. It is one of the few West Bank cities where Hamas, the militant Islamic group that rules Gaza, has strong support.
#2
tu sed Woodstock, we gotta have the WavyGravy picture now.
Posted by: Thomas Woof ||
11/10/2007 8:41 Comments ||
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#3
I'm about to head home on the Beltway and 95, Sea, and smiled at the thought of the chaos that would result from tossing even 50 bucks in singles out of your sunroof!
Posted by: Bobby ||
11/10/2007 14:03 Comments ||
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Palestinian Authority Information Minister Riad Malki denied late Friday reports circulated by an Israeli sources that Palestinian negotiators had agreed in a meeting with Israeli representatives ahead of the planned Annapolis peace parley to disarm and disband all terror groups operating in the PA.
According to Israel Radio, Malki spoke in an interview to the American Arabic-language Radio Sawa.
Israeli sources reported Thursday that Palestinian negotiators accepted Israeli security demands. These assert that progress following the conference will depend on the Palestinians fulfilling obligations set down in the first stage of the road map peace plan - namely the disarming and disbanding of all terror groups.
The breakthrough was reportedly achieved during a late-night meeting between chief Israeli and Palestinian negotiators Tzipi Livni and Ahmed Qurei.
In response to the reports of progress in the talks, a member of the Palestinian negotiating team who claimed he had attended the said meeting between Qurei and Livni, told Israel radio that the "breakthrough" was being trumpeted for more than it was worth. "I did not sense that there was any progress in the talks with the Israeli side," the negotiator said. He then laughed and further retorted, "What's new about the principle stating that the implementation of commitments depends upon [the Palestinians] fighting terror? Indeed, it appears in the road map, and we of course agreed to the road map."
Posted by: Fred ||
11/10/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
I mean, really? That'd be like Japan disbanding Nissan, Toyota, and Honda. It's their only growth industry...
Israeli negotiators reported significant progress in talks with Palestinians Friday, as part of preparations for a US-sponsored Middle East conference in Annapolis which is to take place later this month.
Late Wednesday, Israeli sources said, Palestinian negotiators accepted Israeli security demands. These assert that progress following the conference will depend on the Palestinians' fulfillment of obligations demanded of them in the first stage of the "road map" peace plan, namely the disarming and disbanding of all terror groups.
The breakthrough was reportedly achieved during a late-night meeting between chief Israeli and Palestinian negotiators Tzipi Livni and Ahmed Qurei.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/10/2007 00:00 ||
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Democratic Gathering leader MP Walid Jumblatt reconfirmed earlier statements that the ruling majority will elect a president by a simple majority if no consensus was reached on a presidential candidate. He warned against what he said electing a "Syrian president" who would torpedo international resolutions and the international tribunal.
He said the pro-government March 14 coalition would attend a Nov. 12 parliamentary session set to elect a new head of state even if a president was not chosen.
Jumblatt, did not rule out the possibility of electing a president between Nov. 14 and Nov. 24. He hailed Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, saying electing a president from March 14 ranks would set the stage for proceeding with Lebanon's independence.
Lebanese Forces leader Dr. Samir Geagea echoed the same thinking today after meeting with Sfeir. He said " the majority prefers a consensus president if all parties agree , but in the event there is no agreement then a president from the March 14 majority alliance will be elected with a simple majority as is the common practice in all democracies.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/10/2007 00:00 ||
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Dozens of refugees from the battered Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon staged a sit-in on Thursday to demand asylum in Europe if they are not allowed to return home.
Doesn't Europe have enough problems?
They were among 31,000 refugees relocated from the camp after deadly clashes raged for more than three months between Islamist militants and the army, leaving much of the shantytown reduced to rubble.
More than 100 refugees gathered outside the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) office at the nearby Beddawi refugee camp complaining at their treatment. "If the question of our return is not decided, we will demand that all European countries offer us visas so we can emigrate," said Abu Wassim Taha, a spokesman for the group.
The Lebanese government has vowed to help the refugees return home, but reconstruction is expected to take a long time because of the extent of the destruction.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/10/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
What is wrong with a taking a Haji and just staying?
#9
Aren't they always demanding we relocate the whole nation of Israel to Alaska? I'm sure the fisheries could use a bunch of employees for their canneries, they're always trying to talk continental college kids into doing it...
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
11/10/2007 12:09 Comments ||
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A U.S. State Department official said Thursday that Syria or its supporters may use violence to interfere in Lebanon's upcoming presidential elections in an attempt to manipulate the outcome.
"Interference or intimidation in the electoral process is unacceptable to the United States and to the international community," David Welch, the assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs, told senators. Syria cannot hope to improve relations with the U.S. or play an influential role in the Mideast unless it heeds the warning, Welch said in a statement and in testimony before a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/10/2007 00:00 ||
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Top|| File under: Govt of Syria
#1
Needs a Master of the Obvious graphic.
Posted by: Jonathan ||
11/10/2007 11:56 Comments ||
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#2
I doubt there will be enough opposing votes left alive to warrant any violence.
An Israeli team headed by Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz met Thursday with a US team headed by Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns to discuss the threats posed by Iran and Hizbullah.
Israel said the sides agreed to set up two sub-groups, one focused on rallying support for sanctions against Iran and the other on sharing intelligence on Iran. The Israeli statement said the next talks would take place in January, in Israel.
Prior to the meeting, Mofaz told reporters that arms smuggling into Lebanon was continuing apace, and that Hizbullah was stronger than it was before the 2006 war. He added that Iran had armed its Lebanese proxy with longer-range missiles.
"The US and Israeli teams discussed Iran's destabilizing regional impact," a joint statement said afterwards. "They shared their latest assessments of Iran's nuclear program and diplomatic efforts underway to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The two governments also discussed the situation in Lebanon, including the need for full implementation of UNSC Resolution 1701 (the Security Council resolution that ended the war Hizbullah launched against Israel in 2006), and next steps in the international community's common efforts to prevent the rearming of Hizbullah."
Posted by: Fred ||
11/10/2007 00:00 ||
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Top|| File under: Govt of Iran
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.
Gordon Brown is planning a radical scheme to subsidise farmers in Afghanistan to persuade them to stop producing heroin, as part of a wide-ranging drive to re-energise policy in the conflict the prime minister now regards as the front line in the fight against terrorism. The Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch-Brown has admitted that the rise in opium production in the country means Britain "cannot just muddle along in the middle" and must come up with more imaginative ideas on opium eradication.
The government placed former premier Benazir Bhutto under a brief house arrest early on Friday, and rounded up several of her supporters to block a mass protest against the imposition of emergency rule by President Gen Pervez Musharraf. The house arrest orders for the former premier were later withdrawn on Friday night.
The US on Friday urged President General Pervez Musharraf to set a date both for holding polls and resigning as army chief to show he means to return to democracy. The public appeal for dates from State Department spokesman Sean McCormack signaled a tightening of US pressure on Musharraf, who sparked international outrage with his declaration of emergency rule on Saturday. “Musharraf should roll back the emergency rule, schedule a fixed date for polls,” McCormack said.
Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has been released from house arrest in the capital, Islamabad, officials say. The order had blocked Ms Bhutto's bid to lead a rally against the emergency rule declared by President Musharraf. The United States welcomed her release as positive and called for moderate forces to work to restore democracy. 
Democratic Gathering leader MP Walid Jumblatt reconfirmed earlier statements that the ruling majority will elect a president by a simple majority if no consensus was reached on a presidential candidate. He warned against what he said electing a "Syrian president" who would torpedo international resolutions and the international tribunal.
