[An Nahar] French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius Wednesday criticized Egypt for imposing death sentences on nearly 700 suspected Islamists.
"These sort of slaughter sentences are absolutely unacceptable," Fabius told French politicians.
"One does not build peace through mass executions. One builds peace through reconciliation, and that is true for Egypt and for all nations in the world," he said.
An Egyptian court on Monday imposed death sentences on 683 people, including Moslem Brüderbund leader Mohammed Badie, amid a crackdown on supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi ...the former president of Egypt. A proponent of the One Man, One Vote, One Time principle, Morsi won election after the deposal of Hosni Mubarak and jumped to the conclusion it was his turn to be dictator... .
Posted by: Fred ||
05/01/2014 00:00 ||
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#1
Supposing it would prevent the type of slaughter underway in Syria?
Preventative action is generally more effective than corrective action.
Posted by: Bobby ||
05/01/2014 12:50 Comments ||
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#2
He meant "shave their heads and shoot 'em behind the barns quietly."
[PREMIUMTIMESNG] "A clear, unambiguous and decisive military response from the Government, beyond the imposition of a state of emergency, is urgently required in this circumstance."
Nigeria's senate president, David Mark, has made a strong case for an urgent military action, beyond the state of emergency in place at the moment, to end the war against Boko Haram ... not to be confused with Procol Harum, Harum Scarum, possibly to be confused with Helter Skelter. The Nigerian version of al-Qaeda and the Taliban rolled together and flavored with a smigeon of distinctly Subsaharan ignorance and brutality...
The senate president, in a speech at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, said it is clear Nigeria is at war with Boko Haram.
"The enemy has clearly and unequivocally served the nation notice of its vile intentions," the senate president said. "Therefore, a clear, unambiguous and decisive military response from the Government, beyond the imposition of a state of emergency, is urgently required in this circumstance."
"This is an option we must consider now!" he insisted.
Since embarking on Easter holidays, members of the Boko Haram sect have dealt Nigeria two devastating attacks in quick successions. Less than 24 hours after killing at least 75 people in a motor park kaboom in Abuja, the sect kidnapped over 200 girls from a school in Chibok, a small town, south of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The kidnapped school girls are yet to be found. Some reports claim they have been sold off to foreigners.
Posted by: Fred ||
05/01/2014 00:00 ||
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#1
You know, like if the military and government weren't so corrupt, you might actually have the rudiments of something that could actually do that. It's the problem of putting money and political reliability over function.
#9
Bobby and Thing: in Chicago nobody gets hired whom nobody sent. Abner Mikva found that out a long time ago (you can Google him and the story).
It's who you know. A conviction doesn't disqualify you for a job in Chicago if you know the right people. This character evidently did.
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/01/2014 11:13 Comments ||
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#10
Ex-Rahm Emanuel Aide Found in Pakistan with fake Mexican passport and huge wad of cash.
Geez, Can't a fella go to his favorite overseas bank and make a deposit from his graft and corruption fund without people making it a federal case outa it ?
#11
Jeeze, Doc, I remember the name Abner Mickva, but now I gotta go read up on him!
Posted by: Bobby ||
05/01/2014 12:44 Comments ||
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#12
He wuz more famous than I thought, but you is apparently referring to this story, apparently outta the mouth of da man hisself:
The name of the Ward Committeeman was painted on the front window. I walked in and I said "I'd like to volunteer to work for [Adlai] Stevenson and [Paul] Douglas."
This quintessential Chicago ward committeeman took the cigar out of his mouth and glared at me and said, "Who sent you?" I said, "Nobody sent me." He put the cigar back in his mouth and he said, "We don't want nobody that nobody sent."
Posted by: Bobby ||
05/01/2014 12:48 Comments ||
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#13
Thanks for that Bobby. Made me smile a bit and yeah... I could'a been a contenda, but I was a walk-on.
[DAWN] An expert panel on Wednesday urged the United States to add Pakistain to a blacklist of violators of religious freedom, saying that the Ahmadi minority suffers "apartheid-like" conditions.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom, which advises the government on policy but does not take action on its own, urged the State Department to add Pakistain to its list of "countries of particular concern"subject to potential sanctions.
In an annual report, the commission said Pakistain "represents the worst situation in the world for religious freedom" among countries that are not already on the US blacklist and that conditions in the past year "hit an all-time low."
Robert George, chairman of the commission, voiced alarm over treatment of the Ahmadis, who were declared by Pakistain to be non-Moslems in 1974.
"The Ahmadi minority in Pakistain live under something really resembling an apartheid-like system subject to severe legal restrictions," said George, comparing the situation to South Africa's 1948-1994 system of forced racial separation.
"They suffer from officially sanctioned discrimination, not just social or cultural prejudice," he told news hounds.
Ahmadis have faced a series of deadly attacks and desecration of their graves. Ahmadis boycotted last year's election because they would have had to identify themselves as non-Moslems.
The report also voiced alarm about Pakistain's treatment of Hindus, Christians and Shia Moslems. It said Pakistain has sentenced to death or enjugged Keep yer hands where we can see 'em, if yez please! for life 36 people for blasphemy, far more than any other country.
Posted by: Fred ||
05/01/2014 00:00 ||
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Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
#1
I would put Saudi up there with Pakistan.
Posted by: Paul D ||
05/01/2014 7:56 Comments ||
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[DAWN] In the suburbs of the capital, along the road to the airport, lies Ghori Town, a housing society near Khanna Bridge. This otherwise unassuming neighbourhood, however, has a curious claim to fame and an unexpected link with the man who was convicted of murdering former Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer and is currently awaiting confirmation of his death sentence in prison.
Taseer was shot and killed by Mumtaz Qadri, a member of his own security detail, at the Kohsar Market in Sector F-6 on January 4, 2011. The shooter Qadri has become a divisive ...politicians call things divisive when when the other side sez something they don't like. Their own statements are never divisive, they're principled... figure in Pak society. He is hailed as a 'hero' by some and denounced as a cold blooded murderer by others. Clerics from the Barelvi school of thought are among those proclaiming Qadri's 'heroism'.
Perhaps this is why a mosque in the suburbs of the very city Taseer was killed in, has been named after Mumtaz Hussain Qadri. The mosque is constructed on a 10-marla plot of land, next to a girls' seminary, the Jamia Rehmania Akbaria Ziaul Binaat. Even though the housing society is not fully developed and several houses in the neighbourhood are still under construction, there are already four mosques, catering to people from different schools of thought, in close proximity to each other.
The mosque's prayer leader, Mohammad Ashfaq Sabri, told Dawn: "The mosque was built to pay tribute to the services of the man who taught a lesson to a blasphemer," adding that the name was chosen in consultation with religious scholars and residents of the area.
Sabri said the main prayer hall was constructed by the housing society's developers, but more storeys are expected to be added, which will be paid for by donations.
But those living in Ghori Town say no one asked them. In fact, several residents Dawn spoke to refused to be named for fear of reprisals.
"I know who Qadri is and what he did. I have a very different opinion of him, but I can't speak out because I'm afraid something might happen to me or my family," said one of the mosque's neighbours.
Another Ghori Town-resident, Mohammad Tufail, said: "Have you ever heard of holy mans consulting anyone in the neighbourhood before naming a mosque? But I figure, what's in a name? We just go there, pray and come back. I don't want to get involved in the politics of these Maulvis."
"I cannot comment on whether this is right or wrong. I work to provide for my family and I don't want religious fundos beating down my door because they don't like something I said," said Faisal Rasool, another resident of Ghori Town.Saleem Janjua, who also lives close to the Mumtaz Qadri mosque, offers his own interpretation of events.
"Some religious leaders or the owners of the housing society probably wanted cheap publicity. This will make the mosque popular and fund raising easier," he told Dawn.
Posted by: Fred ||
05/01/2014 00:00 ||
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Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
[DAWN] Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... on Wednesday reiterated that Pakistain was fully committed to eliminate menace of terrorism from its soil and would never allow use of its territory against any country, including Afghanistan.
The prime minister, who is on a three-day official visit to the United Kingdom, had a meeting with his British counterpart, Prime Minister David Cameron ... has stated that he is certainly a big Thatcher fan, but I don't know whether that makes me a Thatcherite, which means he's not. Since he is not deeply ideological he lacks core principles and is easily led. He has been described as certainly not a Pitt, Elder or Younger, but he does wear a nice suit so maybe he's Beau Brummel ... here at 10 Downing Street and discussed "matters of bilateral interest, the regional situation as well as other issues of international importance."
Sharif recalled the visit of British premier to Pakistain last year and said he was here to reciprocate the sentiments expressed by PM Cameron.
The prime minister said Pakistain had suffered a lot due to terrorism and extremism, and was determined to tackle the menace, under its newly formulated national security policy.
The government of PM Sharif is currently engaged in peace talks with the Pak Taliban to try to end a seven-year insurgency.
Since the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) began their campaign of violence in 2007, Thousands of civilians and military personnel have been killed in bomb and gun attacks around Pakistain.
NATO ...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A single organization with differing goals, equipment, language, doctrine, and organization.... countries including Britannia also want Pakistain to help tackle the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan as foreign troops prepare to leave by the end of this year.
Premier Sharif appreciated the continued support and assistance by the DFID UK to Pakistain for different development projects.
Earlier, Prime Minister Cameron warmly welcomed his Pak counterpart and reiterated UK's all-out support in its pursuit of strengthening economy and achieving socio-economic development of the South Asian country.
He also backed the Pak government's efforts in combating terrorism and extremism.
Posted by: Fred ||
05/01/2014 00:00 ||
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[10 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
#1
Has anyone told the Pak army/ISI this?
Posted by: Paul D ||
05/01/2014 7:54 Comments ||
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#2
Has anyone told the Pak army/ISI this?
For the ISI, and therefore for the army that serves it, terrorism is carefully defined to include none of the groups or purposes the ISI might currently, in the past, or in future feel it requires to accomplish its purposes, which may or may not match the purposes of the Pakistani civilian society upon which it is a parasite, Paul D.
And perhaps someday, if the universe unexpectedly falls into accord with my desires, every man who has held an officership in the ISI will find himself spending a lengthy, unmeasureable period of non-time in the less comfortable depths of Hell as personal "guests" of the Lord of Hell, himself.
[DAWN] India has signed an agreement under which it will pay Russia to supply arms and equipment to the Afghan military as foreign combat troops prepare to leave the country, in a move that risks infuriating Pakistain.
Under the deal, smaller arms such as light artillery and mortars will be sourced from Russia and moved to Afghanistan.
But it could eventually involve the transfer of heavy artillery, tanks and even combat helicopters that the Afghans have been asking India for since last year.
India has already been training military officers from Afghanistan, hosted a 60-member Special Forces group last year in the deserts of Rajasthan and supplied equipment such as combat vehicles and field medical support facilities.
But the decision to meet some of Afghanistan's military hardware demands -- albeit sourcing them from Russia -- points to a deepening role in Afghanistan aimed at preventing it from slipping back into the hands of the Taliban and other bad boy groups that are hostile to India.
It comes as China, another big player in the region which borders Afghanistan via a small, remote strip of land, is preparing for a more robust role in Afghanistan, also concerned that the withdrawal of NATO ...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Originally it was a mutual defense pact directed against an expansionist Soviet Union. In later years it evolved into a mechanism for picking the American pocket while criticizing the cut of the American pants... troops will leave a hotbed of militancy on its doorstep.
Posted by: Fred ||
05/01/2014 00:00 ||
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Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
#1
i hope we support India not Pakistan going forward.
Posted by: Paul D ||
05/01/2014 8:10 Comments ||
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[DAWN] In a ceremony held to mark Youm-e-Shuhada (Martyrs Day) and honour the armed forces personnel, Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif said that the sacrifices and blood of the deaders will not go in vain. That's usually a good sign they're about to surrender.
In his speech, the COAS paid tribute to the personnel of Pakistain Army, Rangers, Levies, Frontier Constabulary and police, stressing that their role in maintaining peace and stability in the country will always be remembered.
The COAS asserted that the armed forces were keeping an eye on all internal and external threats and will act accordingly to shield the country.
General Sharif said that despite facing multiple difficulties, Pakistain is heading towards prosperity and progress.
In his speech, he said that Kashmire is the lifeline of Pakistain and stressed that the 'sacrifices of Kashmiris will never be forgotten.
He further said that Kashmire is an international dispute.
"The United Nations ...a lucrative dumping ground for the relatives of dictators and party hacks... resolutions are there and a solution according to the wishes of Kashmiris is a must for regional peace and security."
Posted by: Fred ||
05/01/2014 00:00 ||
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[5 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
[An Nahar] Hizbullah ...Party of God, a Leb militia inspired, founded, funded and directed by Iran. Hizbullah refers to itself as The Resistance and purports to defend Leb against Israel, with whom it has started and lost one disastrous war to date, though it did claim victory... deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem ... the Grand Vizier of the Hezbullies... noted on Wednesday that the current conditions in Leb are not appropriate to stage the presidential elections.
He said: "There is therefore no point to hold presidential election sessions if these conditions persist."
"Whether a second, third, or fourth session is held and if the circumstances remain, the result will remain clear and that is that a president will not be elected," he added.
Moreover, Qassem said that the first presidential election session, held on April 17, demonstrated that one's nomination for the elections "does not clear one's history."
He made his remark in reference to Lebanese Forces A Christian political party founded by Bashir Gemayel, who was then bumped off when he was elected president of Leb... chief Samir Geagea ... Geagea was imprisoned by the Syrians and their puppets for 11 years in a dungeon in the third basement level of the Lebanese Ministry of Defense. He was released after the Cedar Revolution in 2005 ... 's nomination and his role in Leb's 1975-90 civil war.
"A person's history cannot be erased through putting on a show by running in the elections. On the contrary, his candidacy will only remind the people of his negative aspects," said the Hizbullah official.
Returning to the presidential elections, he said that the current sectarian reality and political divide in Leb do not allow a single party from electing its own president.
"We are therefore better off electing a president through an agreement," he stressed.
"Such agreements are made through contacts outside of the parliamentary session in order for the foes to reach common ground," Qassem explained.
"The foes should agree on a president who is strong on popular, political, and moral levels, who does not provoke others, but instead seeks solutions to problems, who works for national partnership, and who defends Leb and its resistance," he added.
Posted by: Fred ||
05/01/2014 00:00 ||
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[6 views]
Top|| File under: Hezbollah
[Ynet] Iran wants to buy 400 new passenger airplanes by 2025 to replace the country's aging fleet if sanctions over its contested nuclear program are lifted, Tehran's top civil aviation official said Wednesday.
Ali Reza Jahangirian of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization told journalists that 40 percent of Iran's commercial airliners have been grounded due to a lack of spare parts. Under terms of interim nuclear deal made in November with world powers, Iran can now import some airplane parts.
Jahangirian did not discuss dollar figures or financing for the future purchases. He did say Iran received "very positive signals" from Boeing Co. and General Electric ...contributed $529,855 to the 2008 Obama campaign... Co. about getting new spare parts.
Posted by: trailing wife ||
05/01/2014 00:00 ||
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#1
"we would like one to have fuel range of....um, Gaza. With a hold capacity for a very large...parcel"
Posted by: Frank G ||
05/01/2014 9:46 Comments ||
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#2
Sounds like they want 400 very large cruise missiles.
#4
So Obama unloads a wad of cash to Iran, who in turn says they will use newfound cash to buy a load of planes and parts from Boeing? Boeing can now go to their gov reps and say hey, ease the line, and we get jobs and cash inflow.
#5
They kept the F-14s flying for a long time, and then they developed the astounding aviation capability we have all read about here - the hyper-sonic, super-stealthy, ion-powered, galactic-range, infidel-immolating fighter aircraft. With missiles even more sophisticated, why can't they make a passenger airplane in their fabulous factories?
Posted by: Bobby ||
05/01/2014 12:56 Comments ||
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#7
I don't see this as being wanted weapons so much as enticing differnet countries with large plane manufacturers to fight to remove sanctions in order to get the sale.
[HOSTED.AP.ORG] A surge in the number of aggressive al-Qaeda affiliates and like-minded groups the Middle East and North Africa poses a serious threat to U.S. interests and allies, the State Department said Wednesday in reporting a more than 40 percent increase in terrorist attacks worldwide between 2012 and 2013.
The department also singled out Iran as a major state sponsor of terrorism that continues to defy demands it prove its atomic ambitions are peaceful even as Washington pursues negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program.
In its annual global terrorism report, the department said that losses in al-Qaeda's core leadership in Pakistain and Afghanistan "accelerated" the network's decentralization in 2013. That has resulted in more autonomous and more aggressive affiliates, notably in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, northwest Africa, and Somalia, it said.
"The terrorist threat continued to evolve rapidly in 2013, with an increasing number of groups around the world - including both AQ affiliates and other terrorist organizations - posing a threat to the United States, our allies, and our interests," according to the strategic assessment of the "Country Reports on Terrorism."
The report identified a 43 percent increase in the number of terrorist attacks in 2013 from 2012, according to statistics provided by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism.
It counted 9,707 terrorist attacks around the world in 2013, resulting in more than 17,800 deaths and more than 32,500 injuries. Most of those occurred in Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistain, the Philippines, Somalia, Syria, Thailand and Yemen. In 2012, the figures were 6,771 terrorist attacks, with more than 11,000 deaths and more than 21,600 injuries. Most of those where in the same 10 countries as in 2013.
Link to the PDF of the State Department Report here. Lots of details and data to absorb and analyze. Enjoy!
Posted by: Fred ||
05/01/2014 00:00 ||
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Attached is the transition announcement for myself and Deputy Director Shedd.
As you'll read, by late Summer / early Fall, David and I will transition out of the Agency and retire from service to our nation.
It has been our distinct honor to serve the men and women of DIA, the wider Intelligence Community, our Military, and our Nation for more than 70 combined years of service.
We are especially proud of the superb performance by the thousands of men and women we have served alongside throughout these many years.
Today and tomorrow, DIA is clearly postured to achieve even greater success, principally due to your exceptional performance, your dedication, and your sustained commitment to our national security.
As always, thanks for all you do and every day you do it.
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.
David Cameron
Samir Geagea
[HOSTED.AP.ORG] A surge in the number of aggressive al-Qaeda affiliates and like-minded groups the Middle East and North Africa poses a serious threat to U.S. interests and allies, the State Department said Wednesday in reporting a more than 40 percent increase in terrorist attacks worldwide between 2012 and 2013.
