from an embebbed reporter with the troops.
ROSIE DIMANNO
KANDAHARMeanwhile, back at the war ...
Oh yes (cover your eyes), Canadian troops are still soldiering here, doing that thing they do what so many of their compatriots back home don't really want to grasp; indeed, are ideologically primed to reject on behalf of "our men and women," so fervently attached has much of the public become to this dreamy version of a Boy Scout military that never shoots anybody and never takes casualties.
As politicians in Ottawa prepare to lob rhetoric in the House of Commons today about Canada's mission to Afghanistan and while alarmists promote the absurd, ill-informed canard that Afghanistan is Iraq in miniature, which provides the opportunity to use that favourite word, "quagmire" this is what the troops have been up to in recent days:
Alongside coalition and Afghan allies no specifics available on the nationality of those who actually pulled the trigger killing one senior and one mid-level Taliban leader during an engagement in Sangin district, where Charlie Company deployed on April 2, following a brazen assault upon Forward Operating Base Wolf.
Helping to thwart, thanks much to A-10 aircraft tank-bombers, the planned sabotage by insurgents of the crucial Kajaki Dam in the Helmand Valley.
Conducting several dismounted patrols and shuras in Sangin villages that have had no previous contact with coalition forces and which have been utilized whether with their agreement or not as bolt-holes by suspected Taliban fighters and narco-criminals in what is Afghanistan's richest opium-growing province. Afghans, endlessly hospitable, have served the Canadians gallons of chai, but this is no tea party.
Launching investigations of two roadside explosions in Kandahar city yesterday morning that injured 11 Afghans three police, three army and five civilians, including two children.
Mostly, though, Canadian combat troops have been making their presence felt seen and heard in the area around FOB Wolf, known more latterly as FOB Robinson, in honour of an American serviceman killed there on March 25, four days before a U.S. medic and 22-year-old Canadian machine-gunner were also slain in a fierce, protracted firefight.
"The Canadians have had a very marked effect there in just one week," said Col. Chris Vernon, the British officer who is chief of staff for Task Force Aegis, commanded by Brig.-Gen. David Fraser.
Helmand will be a British responsibility and some 3,000 U.K. troops are scheduled to arrive within the next six weeks. In the interim, Charlie Company was sent 180 kilometres west of Kandahar city last week to reinforce the satellite base, which had been for the previous 40 days or so manned by Afghan National Army troops and a small unit of "mentoring" U.S. Special Forces.
It's a pivotal area because, until very recently, insurgents and drug lieutenants have operated unimpeded in Sangin. The presence of the forward operating base was provocative enough that suspected Taliban threw themselves at it in successive waves, with between 50 and 70 of them killed in the fighting. Not one of them ever got inside the wire.
Politicians will take notes today, in the debate to which Prime Minister Stephen Harper has grudgingly and, it says here, wrongly submitted. It's unlikely the troops, beyond senior commanders, will take any note of this episode at all.
It is enough that they scrunch up their faces as if smelling something even more foul than the odour around Kandahar Airfield's latrines at the mere mention of an event they instinctively recognize as an exercise in political sophistry.
What annoys them no end, as interview after interview has made clear, is the mistaken impression too many Canadians hold and hold dearly of their deployment here, where they are emphatically not Blue Beret peacekeepers but warriors, most assuredly in the battle group component.
They will engage, through their commanders, in discussions with the citizenry because that's part of the strategy in Helmand, as it is in Kandahar province. And the payoff will come. But what Canadians must understand is that a dramatic shift in the very essence of Afghanistan is a long-haul project and no definitive timeline can possibly be drawn up.
Zabul, to the north, was described yesterday by Vernon as "immaculate" clean of Taliban and free from insurgent violence, but it's taken Americans more than four years to make it so. In neighbouring Uruzgan, Dutch forces they're here already, contrary to a columnist's assertion in Sunday's Star are working hard to do the same thing.
Afghans, bewildered by the Western preoccupation with deadlines, put it this way: "The military has all the wristwatches. Afghans have all the time."
Yet, in their short time here, just over two months, Canadian troops conducting forward operations have succeeded, with coalition and Afghan allies, in disrupting Taliban objectives. In lieu of a co-ordinated broad-based insurgency, they've reverted to small bands of fighters devising ambushes, planting roadside explosives and throwing out suicide bombers that rack up civilian casualties.
"Small groups operating without centralized control are more difficult for us to break down," Vernon acknowledged. "But that is not how they generally want to operate. They operate with control coming out of Quetta (Pakistan) and from within another control within Afghanistan."
This disruption to that system has been caused by removing killing middle-level Taliban leaders, "removing them from the circuit over the past month," as Vernon put it.
"A very interesting aspect is, when they go asking for volunteers to come into Afghanistan to take over those mid-level positions, there is a distinct lack of volunteers coming forward, particularly out of Pakistan."
Further, Vernon pointed out, Taliban funding from the opium crop in Helmand is being strangled not because the poppy fields are being eradicated but because Taliban agents are having a bitch of a time hauling the raw product out and delivering the cash in. They are no longer moving about with impunity.
"From our perspective, we (have to) continue to keep the pressure on mid-level command," said Vernon. "The foot soldiers will continue, I'm afraid, and you will still get the odd unco-ordinated IED (improvised explosive devise). With any insurgency, they're let loose without any central co-ordination. But it is the mid-level that's critical."
A diminished mid-level command is a key difference between the insurgency here and that in Iraq.
"The level of sophistication, of IED capability, is far below that seen by our coalition forces in Iraq," said Vernon. "But that does not mean it will not, at times, be successful."
In talking to reporters, Vernon explained that because of operations such as that being conducted by the battle group from Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Taliban elements have been "marginalized into pockets."
"And any organization that splinters is diminished."
Pointing to developments at FOB Robinson, he noted: "Before the Canadians got there, the whole area had pretty much been given over to the Taliban."
Now, that show of force has robbed the enemy of traction and unencumbered movement. Further, from those forward operating bases, cordon-and-search operations can be conducted, intelligence gathered and effective precision strikes launched, as clearly has been occurring over the past week.
"The thing is, we have to get a lot closer to these guys," said Vernon, in reference to securing the trust of villagers and synchronizing operations with Afghan forces. "They don't have the technological capabilities but they know the ground, they know the people, the atmospherics and the history.
"That's what (the Princess Patricia's infantry) brings. It brings 150 soldiers; it brings patrols. It begins to dominate an area to create an environment where the people have a choice between the Taliban and us. In many of these areas, they've never seen us before."
Talk is, very much, an aspect of this military mission.
In the battle of loyalties between ousted Taliban, warlords and the nascent government in Kabul the decided are in a minority, said Vernon.
"Maybe 60 per cent are sitting on the fence. And that 60 per cent are swing voters we can influence. But you're not going to influence them totally by chasing around their villages and grabbing Taliban.
"Any counter-insurgency is about the people, the will of the people in the middle."
The will of the people Canadians might want to remember that. And remember this, too: For all the hand-wringing that is apparently taking place at home about this mission, only one Canadian soldier has been killed in combat fighting in Afghanistan, and that may have been from friendly fire.
#1
It is good to see our Canadian neighbors are putting up a fight now, thanks to Mr. Harper. It has been over 50 years since Canadians have been in battle.
This very unit, the Princess Pat's were stout soldiers facing Chinese 'human wave' assault tactics at Kapyong in 4/51 alone with some Aussies, winning a Presidential Unit Citation for their brave stand (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Patricia's_Canadian_Light_Infantry#Kapyong).
It is good to see our Canadian neighbors in the fight. We need them with us in this existential battle.
The top United Nations envoy in Afghanistan condemned the "heinous" attack on a school in the eastern Afghan province of Kunar, which killed six children and wounded 14 other people. He called for the end of such atrocities against the youngsters of the war-torn country. "In all cultures and traditions it is universally accepted that women and children should be outside the arena of conflict and it is most upsetting that this principle is not being respected in Afghanistan," UN Secretary-General Kofi Annans Special Representative Tom Koenigs said in a statement on the attack.
"Children have a fundamental human right to education and there can be no justification for such a heinous attack. I want to re-iterate my clear message that the children of Afghanistan should not be targeted by such violence and must be left alone in peace," he added. We know that all Afghan communities and the entire international community will join us in condemning this atrocity," he said.
The rocket attack on a school building occurred in the capital of the Kunar province, Asadabad. The province lies on the border with Pakistan. The school building lies close to a US-led coalition base and reports say that militants regularly target the military base with rockets but they rarely hit their target. Hundreds of children, aged six to 16, were reportedly in the school at the time of the rocket attack.
Posted by: Fred ||
04/12/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
"Remember, turbans, the first clause in the UN Charter clearly states: 'No hitting'."
#2
In all cultures and traditions it is universally accepted that women and children should be outside the arena of conflict
Annan added, That's why we move the women and children inside our UN compounds and let them sleep with the peacekeepers - to keep them outside the arena of conflict.
#3
The Quran also says it, plus most of the great Muslim leaders of history were known, or respected, for their general or absolute adherence to this rule, even by the West. The Radics may love to invoke the names of SALADIN thru SULEYMAN, etal. but they are way Way WAY far from possessing the same morals or warrior skills.
#2
I am truly tired of propping up assholes like this.
http://eritrea.usembassy.gov/eritrea/foodaid.html
On June 7, 2005, President Bush announced that the United States will provide approximately $674 million in additional aid for Africa. Of that amount, $414 million is targeted for immediate famine prevention assistance in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea will receive 200,000 metric tons (MT) of wheat valued at about $100 million to be provided through existing Food for Peace aid programs. With this contribution, U.S. food contributions to Eritrea will have more than tripled in this year: from $60 million (providing 147, 550 MT of food aid) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 to $200 million (providing over 350,000 MT) in FY 2005. The amount of food pledged in FY 2005 is equivalent to 14 million 25-kilogram bagsan amount that would fill all the warehouses of the Eritrean Relief and Rehabilitation Commission four times.
The 153,905 MT of food already provided to Eritrea by the United States this year met more than 43% of the 2005 food aid needs in Eritrea projected in the FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment conducted in January 2005. With this new contribution, the United States by itself will meet more than 100 percent of Eritreas estimated needs for cereals this year, with food available for FY 2006 as well.
#3
Eritrea has 4.8 million people. 350,000 MT of wheat meets the caloric requirement for 2.1 million people for a year (that's if they ate nothing else). In other words, the USA, just by itself, is feeding 44% of the population just with with wheat charity.
So what does Eritrea produce but war with Ethiopia and repression of the Christian monority? Another Socialist, muslim, dictatorial paradise.
Posted by: ed ||
04/12/2006 15:25 Comments ||
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More than 900 members of Jamaa Islamiya, the radical Islamist group in Egypt, including its founder, were freed on Tuesday, the interior ministry has said. The militants, some of whom had been imprisoned for more than 20 years, were released in groups over the past 10 days, a ministry official said. Najeh Ibrahim, one of the heads of the organisation, was among those released, the official said.
Jamaa Islamiya merged in the late 1970s with another Islamist group, Al-Jihad. They are held responsible for planning and carrying out the assassination of Egyptian president Anwar Sadat in 1981. Jamaa was also responsible for a wave of militant violence across Egypt in the 1990s, notably a November 1997 attack at Luxor that killed 58 people, most of them foreign tourists. The group has, however, claimed to have moved away from violent tactics, and published a book in 2003 explaining its ideological shift.
Posted by: Fred ||
04/12/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Brilliant. Couldn't they have just set the jail on fire instead?
#1
"Statements made by preachers in the mosques, in articles and on various media channels accusing non-Muslims of heresy, the [preachers'] curses, and their characterization of Jews as the descendents of apes and pigs - [all these] cause Westerners to perceive Islam as an intolerant religion that rejects religious pluralism.
Actually, aren't those sorts of behaviors the DEFINITION of an intolerant religion?
But the guy is probably just warming up, because we then read this:
Osama bin Laden didn't force anyone to go to Iraq, murder its people and destroy its institutions. He didn't force anyone to murder innocent people in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, America and Europe. Bin-Laden did not tell the Muslims in the West: 'Hate the country that gave you shelter when you fled [from your homelands], made you rich when you were poor, fed you when you were hungry, gave you freedom after the bondage you suffered in your Muslim countries, and educated you when you were ignorant.'
"You caused all these catastrophes out of your own choice and your own free will... and failed to repay the kindness [shown to you]. So what do you expect the West [to do] when it sees its citizens being murdered in the name of religion, when it [experiences] hatred in the name of religion and suffers the damages of terrorism [perpetrated] in the name of religion? It is only natural that the West should hate you and tighten the rope around your necks, so you do not 'invade it from within' as you declare in your announcements and sermons...
I've read through the Koran, and haven't found ANY verse that tells Muslims that gratitude is to be paid to Kufirs if the latter aid the former. I haven't found ANY verse that forbids hypocrisy to Muslims: there are plenty of verses where the Koran complains of hypocrisy IN OTHERS: doing unto others what they have done to you is advice given to muslims regarding their Enemies, and demand sura, verse, and context if a Muzzie cites one such.
The truth that we must deal with today is that people in the West no longer trust Muslims in general...
Al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia issued a 35:34 minute video presentation of the attack on the U.S. consulate in Jeddah on December 7, 2004, yesterday, April 9, 2006. This release follows over six months of advertising amongst jihadist forums, and a message last week containing a series of screenshots and announcing the films imminent release. Though the operations execution and aftermath are only depicted via photographs, footage is provided of the initial stage of attack, wills and advice from two martyrs involved, Faez al-Samiri and Faez al-Judhi, and the blueprints and preparation of the mujahideen from the Fallujah Brigade.
The video constantly emphasizes an urgency of jihad incumbent upon the Muslim Nation, opening with a series of scenes of U.S. attacks and bombardments in Iraq, and images of dead children and women, and maltreatment of prisoners; a background voice incites Muslims to resist the U.S. presence in Iraq. Orated testaments of Faez al-Samiri and Faez al-Judhi are dispersed throughout the video, the content of which are both similar in advising Muslims to drive U.S. soldiers from their countries. A short lecture including a map of the Middle East and American army bases explains that the Saudi government is supporting these American forces, and from these locations they depart to bomb Afghanistan and Iraq: Here they are, the descendents of apes and pigs, making plans to wage war on Islam - from the land of Islam [Saudi Arabia].
Additional pictures from the Prince Sultan Air Base are shown, of which are images showing missiles that do not distinguish between a woman or a mujahid. The narrator of the video explains that the U.S. consulate in Jeddah was targeted due to the Saudi cooperation with the American forces: Therefore, the lions of Al-Qaeda on this blessed land perused the news and collected information in order to find out from where these crusading wars are waged After much effort, the Mujahideen found out what they sought. They found the abode of the [US] intelligence, they found the proselytizers for Christianity, they found the true rulers of the country Afterwards the military plan was composed, and the Mujahideen underwent training - and evident victory was achieved at the hands of the lions of the Fallujah Brigade.
The now deceased al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia, Saleh al-Oufi, is shown going through the military plan of the consulate attack, explaining its security composition and then a detailed means of attack. Amidst the pictures of the attack, audio of the mujahideen is heard with their recurring call of Allah is the Greatest. In addition, photos are shown of the mujahideen killed in the attack.
Interesting is a point from Faez al-Samiris (Abu Hamza Al-Madani) testament in which he advises it is preferable to fight Americans in Saudi Arabia, rather than Afghanistan and Iraq. He states: Why are you going to Afghanistan? Why are you going to Afghanistan and Iraq? Not in order to fight America? Not in order to fight America and its allies? By God, in Afghanistan the American soldiers are only scum sons of whores, or poor people. As to the heads of the Americans, they are in the Arab Peninsula, and their bases are spread out from the East of the country to the West, from the North to the South.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
04/12/2006 03:54 ||
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Saudi Arabia will exert all efforts to fight terrorism and its financiers, the kingdom's crown prince said Tuesday, calling it a "disease" that threatens the whole world. Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdel-Aziz, who is also the kingdom's deputy prime minister and defense minister, said terrorist acts were contrary to the teachings of Islam. Saudi Arabia "has emphasized its strong rejection and condemnation of all forms of terrorism," the prince said during a lecture in Singapore organized by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
"Terrorist actions are contradictory to the teachings and values of Islam," he told diplomats, government officials, academics and business executives. "The kingdom has strongly voiced its determination to continue to exert all possible efforts in combating terrorism and whoever helps in financing or inciting terrorism," he declared. "Terrorism ... is a disease that threatens the whole world and our two friendly countries have agreed on the importance of fighting terrorism and terrorists."
Posted by: Fred ||
04/12/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
I thought there were prohibitions in the extreme Wahhabi practice of Islam against humor?
Either the Crown Prince has strayed from the "pure" faith of the Prophet (PBUH) or he is not an extreme Wahhabi but rather ... a moderate Muslim.
An aircraft carrier strike group moved into the Caribbean this week to begin two months of naval exercises in what the U.S. military hopes will be a show of its commitment to the region.
The deployment by the USS George Washington group will also focus on threats such as drug and human trafficking, according to the Miami-based U.S. Southern Command, which oversees military activities in Latin America.
Brig. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., the Southern Command's chief of staff, called the tour an "opportunity for us to touch base with our partner countries."
He added: "There's no other symbol of American power like the carrier."
Members of the strike group, led by the nearly 1,100-foot long Nimitz-class carrier, made their first port stops Monday and Tuesday. The USS Stout, a destroyer, stopped in Curacao, while the USS Underwood, a frigate, docked in Cartagena, Colombia.
The military has dismissed allegations by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez that it is planning an invasion of his country. But analysts say the show of force sends a signal to Chavez and other Latin American leaders about U.S. strength.
Although the group has no plans to dock in Venezuela, the U.S. ambassador in Caracas met Sunday with the head of the Southern Command, Gen. Bantz Craddock, aboard the George Washington.
Southern Command leaders were conducting a routine quarterly meeting, but the high interest from Venezuela in the deployment prompted the diplomatic participation, according to Southern Command Spokesman Jose Ruiz.
The carrier will arrive at its first stop in St. Maarten on Friday. Other countries on the tour include Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Trinidad Tobago, Curacao, Aruba and St. Kitts.
Daniel Erikson, a Caribbean analyst for the Inter-American Dialogue policy institute, said many Latin American nations are concerned because the U.S. has threatened since 2002 to withdraw military aid from governments that do not sign an agreement pledging not to turn American citizens over to the International Criminal Court.
A number of Caribbean countries have not signed the waiver.
"Washington has been trying to figure out ways, without backing down, to show the U.S. is still willing to engage with allies in the region," he said.
The deployment also sends a signal to China, which has invested heavily in Latin America, Erikson said, explaining that many Caribbean leaders "have been puzzled by what they see as Washington's passivity" on China's role in the area, Erikson said.
The Norfolk, Va.-based strike group also includes the USS Monterey, a cruiser, and a 30-plane air wing.
#2
The carrier will arrive at its first stop in St. Maarten on Friday. Other countries on the tour include Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Trinidad Tobago, Curacao, Aruba and St. Kitts.
#6
Although the group has no plans to dock in Venezuela, the U.S. ambassador in Caracas met Sunday with the head of the Southern Command, Gen. Bantz Craddock, aboard the George Washington
no need to dock to deliver the message
Posted by: Frank G ||
04/12/2006 13:21 Comments ||
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#7
He added: "There's no other symbol of American power like the carrier."
#8
Port of Spain harbor faces the Venezuelan mainland. It is just about 9 miles away.
To get to Aruba, the battle group will sail along the coastline of Venezuela.
Posted by: john ||
04/12/2006 14:05 Comments ||
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#9
Is it just me or does it look like somebody is putting everything in place to make sure no nutbag things it would be a good time to take advantage of a situation.
#13
This is obviously a DoD marketing event. Wait until Hugo sees the USS George Washington and Nimitz. He'll forget all about Condi Rice and that inflatable tub doll. USS Underwood??? Isn't that a typewriter?
April 12, 2006: American intelligence has picked up indications that the ongoing chaos in Haiti may be providing Islamist terrorist groups with a safe haven, and an opportunity to plan, organize, and train. This sort of thing was also suspected in Somalia, and known to be happening in remote parts of Pakistan and the Philippines. It's no accident that al Qaeda has been unable to set up permanent and productive training operations anywhere. Many, if not most, of the U.S. Army Special Forces deployed worldwide are not in Afghanistan or Iraq, but in dozens of out-of-the-way and lawless places like Haiti. Restoring order to Haiti would not only do wonders for the economy (especially the once booming tourist business), but provide enough bright lights and bustle to shoo away al Qaeda. But at the moment, Haiti is most hospitable to gangsters and thugs. Every thing is for sale, and justice comes out of the barrel of a gun. The presence of UN peacekeepers in Haiti provides some muscle to go after any terrorist groups setting up shop. While the proximity to the United States may appear attractive to some Islamic terrorists, others know that this proximity works both ways. Keeping some Special Forces in the country on a regular basis, if only for intelligence gathering, would appear as the best antidote for al Qaeda infestation.
Posted by: Steve ||
04/12/2006 09:47 ||
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#1
What, is this article trying to tell us the USMC and Brit Royal Marines haven't saved the Haiti beach babes yet!?
This is the third installment in a Back to Iraq series which is basically a single long essay. Dont miss Part One and Part Two.
TURKISH KURDISTAN - Sean and I dragged our sorry, exhausted, and malnourished selves to the car at 6:30 in the morning just a few hours northwest of the Turkish-Iraqi border. For the first time we had a look at our surroundings in daylight.
Turkish Kurdistan is a disaster. It is not where you want to spend your next holiday.
One village after another has been blown completely to rubble.
David Hicks's US military lawyer says he will travel to Guantanamo Bay in the next few weeks to check on the welfare of his client.
Major Michael Mori has confirmed Hicks has been moved into solitary confinement in recent weeks, but says his legal team has not been given a legitimate reason.
Does there need to be one?
The Australian Government says it has been told by US authorities that Hicks is not being kept in solitary confinement in Guantanamo Bay. The Government has been advised he has been transferred to a newly completed facility within the detention centre and is in a single occupancy cell.
If he's quiet he can hear his ward mates snore ...
A spokesman for Attorney-General Philip Ruddock says Hicks continues to have access to exercise and outdoor facilities in group areas, as well as natural light from a window in his cell.
Maj Mori says being in confinement will break Hicks's will. "When I first went and saw him back in December 2003 he was in isolation," he said. "He didn't have access to sunlight and he was basically a shell of a person.
"To move him back now into isolation and undo everything the Australian consulate has worked hard to provide him, I don't understand what's going on."
The UK High Court is expected to rule tonight on whether Hicks is eligible for British citizenship, which his lawyers hope will help clear the way for his release.
A civilian lawyer for Hicks, Joshua Dratel, says there is no legitimate reason for keeping his client under those conditions. "They have not provided any explanation and certainly there is not any disciplinary or security interest involved," he said. "It's a mystery in terms of any specific reason but we think that it's part of the arbitrary and punitive nature of the way that they treat David."
Mr Dratel says the process under which changes at the jail are made is arbitrary. "All the things that become routine are no longer available," he said. "Certain psychological aspects of it, such as solitary confinement, lack of sunlight, are extremely important in keeping one's psyche in order."
Remind us how Mr. Hicks's victims are doing?
Posted by: Steve White ||
04/12/2006 00:10 ||
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As usual, they make an accusation that they know cannot be disproved, since any photo to the contrary can be claimed to have been faked.
The question, of course, is whether you trust the US Military or a lawyer.
#4
I thought Hicks was "on his last leg" months ago? This guy has more lives than a cat! Ship his happy ass back to Afghanistan and let them deal with him and his civil rights lawyers.
Centre-left leader Romano Prodi confirmed on Wednesday that his coalition intended to pull Italian troops out of Iraq by the end of 2006 and to push for a softer European line on Hamas.
In a series of comments to the media on his foreign policy objectives, the former European Commission chief also confirmed that he would be more pro-Brussels and less pro-Washington than Premier Silvio Berlusconi. Much of the foreign interest in Prodi's foreign policy focused on Italy's involvement in Iraq. The country did not take part in the US-led war but sent troops later for peacekeeping and reconstruction. Prodi and the centre left opposed Italian involvement from the start. "We will withdraw our troops from Iraq in agreement with the Baghdad government and we will send a civilian contingent to help with the reconstruction," he said in an article in French daily Le Monde.
Pressed to say exactly when the troops would come home, Prodi later told Italian television that the Berlusconi government had already said soldiers would be pulled out by the end of 2006. "We will respect that deadline," he said. But his hard-left allies in Rome appeared to see this as not soon enough. "We have to arrange for an immediate withdrawal," said Marco Rizzo of the Italian Communists' Party.
In an interview with Arab satellite television al Jazeera, Prodi was quizzed about the Mideast peace process and the European Union's attitude to Hamas, the militant movement which won Palestinian elections earlier this year. "I will work in Europe for a new position on the Palestinian government and I'm paying close attention to Hamas's signals of openness," Prodi said.
Prodi said that his first international engagement as premier was likely to be the EU summit in June. Referring to his coalition's avowed commitment to Europe, he told French radio that it was "as if things were arranged like that on purpose". "Italy's neighbours have reason to be happy. At least now they have a reliable partner with an undoubted commitment to Europe," he wrote in Le Monde.
What's the definition of an honest politician? One who stays bought. >:-(
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
04/12/2006 15:49 Comments ||
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#2
wait, wait!! Has every vote been counted? Shouldn't we be watching them hold up the ballots and check the chads? Were all of the signatures on the absentee ballots checked and double checked and then thrown out?
Even before this election was over, I heard that Prodi had won on his platform to withdraw from Iraq. I heard it a million times before I even discovered on the internet that it was a close election.
This is Floriduh all over again. Where are the TV cameras to help us assure every vote gets and no voter is disenfranchised!!!
#3
"In hopes that we may be eaten last," Prodi's statement concluded.
Posted by: Scott R ||
04/12/2006 21:05 Comments ||
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#4
has he won yet? Is it official? If he did win - does he have any power? The MSM keeps trumpeting his win and telling us what he's gonna do and not gonna do, but from what I've read so far, it seems he's going to have trouble getting permission to go to the bathroom.
I'm just wondering how it can be that we had to wait weeks for the results of our hanging chads and absentee ballots but the MSM seems to be ignoring Berlusconis challenge and opting to just move on without question. I guess every vote only counts when they want the recount for their guy.
#1
Sniveling apologists such s the author of this article should take their own advice.
Grow yer beard.
Join a nice mosque.
Maybe they will go easy on you when they take over.
Posted by: ed ||
04/12/2006 12:24 Comments ||
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#3
Schoonenboom advises "an adventurous foreign policy" for the Dutch government. "We must support the moderate Islamic powers much more, such as the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Hezbollah in Lebanon, instead of secular movements without prospects in Muslim countries. We must talk to the Palestinian regime of Hamas. They are democratically elected. It is a terrorist movement, but so was Arafat's PLO. And the IRA in Ireland."
The dotten line is already drawn across Dutch necks.
Posted by: ed ||
04/12/2006 13:08 Comments ||
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#4
I'd like to comment on this, but I'm dead.
See you all soon...
Posted by: The Ghost of Theo Van Gogh ||
04/12/2006 14:01 Comments ||
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#5
"If you, as a Muslim in the Netherlands, keep hearing only that Islam is the equivalent of violence and that you belong to a fifth column, then you feel alien. In the debate, many big words are used without being based on facts."
Is that like, "Don't confuse me with the facts, I don't want to see that many Moslem believers are peaceful, many of the Mosque Imams are advocating violence." ?
Facts are so inconvienient. Big words are hard to understand. Big words like "Jihad", etc.
#1
I got about 3/4 of the way through this and decided this is bullshit. Somebody somewhere in the global MSM wisdom must have decided that this is the month to seek out any and every Muslim, world-wide, who has been given a dirty look at NASCAR or subject to the tauntings of a mob. And this, apparently, was the best they could do.
Let's review shall we? A reporter gets attacked on the subway. What a great story!! Wasn't it lucky he was one of the few Muslims in the country to encounter an attack. A another brave guy who is sheltering children coming out dance lessons in a cultural center [nice touch, but they forgot the puppies and baby ducks] is attacked by a zenophobic mob of 20 "youths" that "a witness" confirmed was shouting,
Russia for Russians". Ok, maybe so. Chalk one up for the "big search". Another guy, with a swastica on his gun kills one Muslim and "another person", (curiously they don't mention if he's a Muslim) on the same night. Unlike our Muslim covert DC snipers, this guy wasn't nearly as good, but apparently, far more indicative of a deep seated problem. And then some people didn't want a mosque in their city and the leader of racist slogans against them resigned "in surprise". All well, too bad about the resignation, but again, it was the best they had to prove the fear and terror that Muslims live in world-wide.
It's so funny to me. You could find, on a daily basis, Christians and Jews who are gang raped, murdered, slaughtered in large numbers, imprisioned, blown up or threatened, on a daily basis, by Muslims in the Muslim world but the global mainstream media can't see it, doesn't report it and doesn't think it's really a problem. But they search the NASCAR, the nation and Russia and come up with these weak events and breatlessly announce that the pogroms have begun.
Here's a tip to any Muslim readers out there. Your biggest threat to your lives is Muslims from another sect. Our biggest threat - is you.
#2
...somewhere in the global MSM wisdom must have decided that this is the month...
2b, what makes this month different from all the other months?
That's right...it's Easter, the commemoration of Christ's death and resurrection. And it's Passover, the commemoration of God's special relationship with his Chosen People.
I'm not surprised these stories are coming out now, though I didn't make the connection 'til just now.
#4
Good catch, Sea -- it's also the reason for all the loon "DaVinci Code" crap the press is pushing, as well as the push on the apocryphal "Gospel of Judas".
Posted by: Rob Crawford ||
04/12/2006 14:01 Comments ||
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#5
It appears that the climate in Russia is becoming more hostile to Muslims, both at a street level and higher up in the echelons of power.
Courtesy of the Christian Science Monitor, this is the latest spin by the left in reaction to the steady drip of declassified Iraqi documents. Although they still maintain that there there were no WMDs in Iraq, they now say that Saddam Hussein deceived Iraqis and foreign intelligence agencies alike into believing he had them and that "Bush critics can argue that the president was too gullible in accepting the conclusion of his intelligence agencies. But the evidence does not suggest that he knowingly lied to the American public about the existence of WMD."
The article is based on "Cobra II. Written by New York Times reporter Michael Gordon and Gen. Bernard Trainor, the book is being hailed as one of the most comprehensive accounts of the war in Iraq."
Bush didn't depart one damn bit from the U.S. policy toward Iraq that was established during the Clinton administration; all he did was act instead of mouth platitudes.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
04/12/2006 17:21 Comments ||
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#2
this story is like a vampire. No matter how many times or how many ways you kill it, it just keeps coming back from the dead.
The federal prosecutor overseeing the indictment of Vice President Cheney's former chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, yesterday corrected an assertion in an earlier court filing that Libby had misrepresented the significance placed by the CIA on allegations that Iraq attempted to buy uranium from Niger.
Last week, Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald wrote that, in conversation with former New York Times reporter Judith Miller, Libby described the uranium story as a "key judgment" of the CIA's 2002 National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq, a term of art indicating there was consensus within the intelligence community on that issue. In fact, the alleged effort to buy uranium was not among the estimate's key judgments and was listed further back in the 96-page, classified document.
In a letter to U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton, Fitzgerald wrote yesterday that he wanted to "correct" the sentence that dealt with the issue in a filing he submitted last Wednesday. That sentence said Libby "was to tell Miller, among other things, that a key judgment of the NIE held that Iraq was 'vigorously trying to procure' uranium." Instead, the sentence should have conveyed that Libby was to tell Miller some of the key judgments of the NIE "and that the NIE stated that Iraq was 'vigorously trying to procure' uranium."
Libby is not charged with misportraying or leaking classified information. He was indicted last year for allegedly lying to the FBI and a grand jury about what he said to reporters. The indictment came as part of Fitzgerald's investigation into who leaked to the media the name of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame, whose husband became a public critic of the Bush administration's case for the Iraq war.
Posted by: Steve ||
04/12/2006 09:34 ||
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The top U.S. military officer on Tuesday defended Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld against three retired generals demanding his ouster, and denied that the United States invaded Iraq without sufficiently weighing its plan.
Standing next to Rumsfeld at a Pentagon briefing, Marine Corps Gen. Pete Pace said critics could legitimately question the defense secretary's judgment but not his motives.
"People can question my judgment or his (Rumsfeld's) judgment," Pace said. "But they should never question the dedication, the patriotism and the work ethic of Secretary Rumsfeld."
Retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold, Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton and Marine Corps Gen. Anthony Zinni have recently separately called for Rumsfeld to be replaced. This comes as opinion polls show eroding public support for the 3-year-old war in which about 2,360 U.S. troops have died.
"I don't know how many generals there have been in the last five years that have served in the United States armed services -- hundreds and hundreds and hundreds," said Rumsfeld, whom critics have accused of bullying senior military officers and stifling dissent.
"And there are several who have opinions, and there's nothing wrong with people having opinions. And I think one ought to expect that when you're involved in something that's controversial as certainly this war is," he said.
Newbold, the military's top operations officer before the Iraq war, said he regretted not speaking up more forcefully against what he now regards as an unnecessary war and a diversion from "the real threat" posed by al Qaeda.
In a Time magazine opinion piece on Sunday, Newbold encouraged officers still in the military to voice any doubts they have about the war.
"My sincere view is that the commitment of our forces to this fight was done with a casualness and swagger that are the special province of those who have never had to execute these missions -- or bury the results," Newbold wrote.
Newbold said he went public with the private encouragement of some still in positions of military leadership.
Pace, chairman of the military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, questioned whether Newbold knew all the facts about the invasion plans, noting he retired in September 2002, six months before the invasion took place.
"It's also important to go back and take a look, when you look at people talking: When did their personal knowledge end?" Pace said, noting that the war plan changed many times after Newbold's departure.
Pace said the war plan was thoroughly vetted before the operation was launched.
"We had discussions in the department, we had discussions in the National Security Council, we had discussions with the president. And they were extensive discussions. An awful lot of people around were not shy about giving their views," he said.
Pace said when now-retired Central Command head Gen. Tommy Franks presented the final invasion plan "we were satisfied that he had a good, executable plan, and we so told the secretary of defense and the president of the United States."
Rumsfeld said he was unaware that Newbold had publicly or privately questioned the war plan.
Eaton, in charge of training the Iraqi military from 2003-2004, wrote in a New York Times opinion piece last month that Rumsfeld had put the Pentagon at the mercy of his ego.
"In sum, he has shown himself incompetent strategically, operationally and tactically, and is far more than anyone else responsible for what has happened to our important mission in Iraq. Mr. Rumsfeld must step down," he wrote.
Pace said he did not know whether Eaton ever voiced his concerns before leaving the military.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
04/12/2006 03:57 ||
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#1
"People can question my judgment or his (Rumsfeld's) judgment," Pace said. "But they should never question the dedication, the patriotism and the work ethic of Secretary Rumsfeld."
Excellent. Turning the liberal's "don't you DARE question my patriotism" mantra around on them. Let's see how they wriggle out of THAT one, then apply the method they use against their darlings.
#3
Rummy changed the way the arm forces does business and it pissed people off, they need to get over it and if they don't like it they become Sec of Defense and change it.
Ya sure. Whatever floats your boat. What speaks volumes is when a former combat general, who served in Iraq, like Major General John Batiste, criticizes Rummy for not providing sound military planning. Ouch.
But of course, Batiste is one of those who "doesn't get it", so he doesn't count.
#6
know lots of 07's do you TE? Just like everyone else they bitch about their bosses.
The difference between me and you is that you seem to think its breathless news that the Generals bitch about the decisions by the Sec Def. OOooh newsflash - not all decisions were popular or perfect. I feel faint.
I saw Zinny on CNN the other day and couldn't help thinking of McClellan.
#7
Wasn't Lincoln throwing genrals out left and right, boy they sure bitched, nobody threw Lincoln out of office because of it. You don't have to like the boss but you better do what he sez.
#8
ok...in the editing I left out "and above". Wasnt' gonna fix it, cause I figured TE wouldn't catch it anyway, but I just know someone is going to correct me. bah.
#9
dj - yeah, they all thought they knew better too. If I were these guys, I'd wait a bit to see how the winds blow before I'd go spouting off about how much better things would have turned out if they'd only done it my way.
#10
Funny thing is, I wonder if history will view them like McClellan. If McClellan had done his job properly, the war would have been over quickly. But his personal beliefs got in the way and prevented him from achieving decisive victories at the beginning of the war which allowed the south a chance to organize and believe they could at the very least, win concessions by continuing to fight. The end result was that McClellan's wimpiness made the war last much, much longer than it needed to and resulted in many unnecessary deaths, all for the same end result.
#11
you seem to think its breathless news that the Generals bitch about the decisions by the Sec Def. OOooh newsflash - not all decisions were popular or perfect.
Didn't happen with the Vietnam-era generals. And they had a bit more reason to complain. I wonder why it's happening now.
But, sure, 2b knows his stuff. At least, he knows much more than Batiste.
#12
Oh and, forgot to mention, Batiste is obviously a Democrat, like McClellan was. So obviously, my original assertion stands. Not everyone in the armed services "gets it".
#14
My point is, genius, that in this circumstance and context it is news when a former combat general criticizes Rumsfeld, and one that served in Iraq no less.
#15
ok. And it was news when McClellan did it to. In fact it wasn't just news, it made the history books. McClellan's insubordination is credited with losing the opportunity to put a quick end to the war and resulting in many lost lives.
#16
I'm always skeptical of Generals who criticize after the fact. I'm not so sure they did everything to carry out the mission that they possibly could because they disagreed with the mission to begin with. The problem with McCellan was he was so afraid of losing and he believed the wildy inflated reports of Confederate strength that he couldn't possibly win. I think some of these ex-generals are like that.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
04/12/2006 19:44 Comments ||
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#18
You are still not getting it, Rummy is the boss, these generals didn't want to listen to him, they got fired now they are whining about it. McArthur was popular general too, but he pissed off the boss guess what got fired.
#19
Poor Clasing, he doesn't get out much and only sees the world in terms of Democrats v/s Republicans. Almost cute in its childish, naive, simplicity.
#6
Typical...To censor and still include J C in a sacrilegious segment. Comedy Central pretends to be edgy and brave. This just proves how full of it and gutless they really are. I am so sick of these fakes who tout the importance of free speech as long as it is anti-Christian/Jewish. When it might actually get them challanged they lose their nerve.
A Singapore arms dealer who federal agents said came to San Diego to buy rifles he wanted to illegally export to Indonesia was arrested Monday by undercover agents in a sting operation.
Chia Kia Cheng, 60, also known as Ronald K.C. Chia, is scheduled to be arraigned in San Diego federal court today on charges of trying to illegally export two M-4 automatic rifles.
The case began in 1999, when Cheng met an undercover customs agent who was posing as a weapons dealer at an arms expo in Washington, D.C., according to court documents.
In e-mails and phone calls after that, Cheng repeatedly inquired about buying thousands of M-16 rifles, night-vision equipment and bulletproof vests, which he said were bound for customers in Indonesia and Syria, according to court documents.
Cheng also asked about getting grenade launchers for a Syrian buyer, investigators said.
Investigators have not found any connection to terrorist organizations, said Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Lauren Mack.
In conversations over several years, Cheng and the agent referred to the weapons which are illegal to export without permission as teak furniture, according to a court filing.
Less than a month ago, Cheng said he had confirmed buyers and ordered three sample rifles he planned to show his customer and test-fire in Indonesia, they said.
To consummate the deal, Cheng agreed to come to San Diego.
During Cheng's visit, the undercover agent showed him two rifles in a hotel room, then had him fill out a shipping label for shipment to Indonesia and pay $3,280, investigators said.
Other agents arrested Cheng shortly after the payment was made, investigators said.
In an interview less than an hour later, Cheng denied paying for the rifles, but he said the deal was improper and shady, according to court documents.
The charges he faces carry a maximum prison term of 20 years if he is convicted.
Posted by: Frank G ||
04/12/2006 13:10 ||
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Preez forgives, papa Cheng not sharpest hoe in rice paddy. He dink big, but no do impot/expot thingy, he just like M-4's for nytime gun sex.
$ 3,280 dolla com from Ronnie egg stash. Chickens ah dead noaw, flu got'em. Preez forgives.
Posted by: Mama Cheng ||
04/12/2006 13:24 Comments ||
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A lawyer for Australian Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks says he has learned that his client has had his conditions at the prison camp altered for no reason. Joshua Dratel understands Hicks is back in solitary confinement.
Mr Dratel, a civilian lawyer, is in Adelaide to meet potential witnesses in the Australian's case and some of his client's supporters. He says there is no legitimate reason for keeping his client under those conditions. "They have not provided any explanation and certainly there is not any disciplinary or security interest involved," he said. "It's a mystery in terms of any specific reason but we think that it's part of the arbitrary and punitive nature of the way that they treat David." A decision is still pending on Hicks's application for British citizenship, which could potentially see him freed.
Posted by: Fred ||
04/12/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Solitary confinement is too crowded of conditions for him. Let's remove one person.
Posted by: Captain America ||
04/12/2006 0:36 Comments ||
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Pakistan's Cabinet on Wednesday approved a plan to purchase 77 F-16 fighter jets from Washington, a senior minister said. The decision was taken on the recommendation of the Pakistan Air Force at a meeting in the capital, Islamabad, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told at a news conference.
Posted by: john ||
04/12/2006 15:01 ||
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#1
Nice to see the billions in earthquake aid money is being put to good use...
Posted by: john ||
04/12/2006 16:36 Comments ||
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Nice to see China finally gettig access to that tech.
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, speaking yesterday during a visit to Pakistan, urged the Islamic world to benefit from Pakistan's "rich experience" in defense. "Pakistan has achieved excellence in the defense field and the Muslim countries must benefit from its experience," he told reporters after visiting a heavy industry plant near Islamabad, which indigenously manufactures the state-of-the-art Al-Khalid tanks and other military equipment.
Yet somehow Pakland has never managed to win a war. But I guess when heroes are scarce you take what you can get, if anything.
Posted by: Fred ||
04/12/2006 00:00 ||
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I know that they have a serious problem with arsenic in the water in Bangladesh. I wonder what is in the groundwater of Pakistan or Yemen that fosters such dementia. Boggles the mind.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
04/12/2006 9:52 Comments ||
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#3
heavy industry plant near Islamabad, which indigenously manufactures the state-of-the-art Al-Khalid tanks
Lets see a tank patterned after a Soviet design family that has won just how many stand up fights in the last 60 years against properly trained opponents
London, Apr. 11 Iraqi military forces recently discovered an Iranian-make weapons cache hidden in the city of Tikrit, north-west of Baghdad. The weapons, which were all new and of Iranian origin, were found hidden in a large well in the west of Tikrit, according to an Iraqi army officer whose comments were reported by Iraqi media.
The United States and Iraqi officials have accused Irans radical Islamic government of sending agents and arms into Iraq to assist the insurgency.
Posted by: Steve White ||
04/12/2006 00:23 ||
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#1
So we have Iranian weapons in Tikrit, the heart of the Sunni insurgency. Of course the MSM will tell you that they Sunnis and the Iranian Shiites would never, ever work together.
This seems like the latest in the smoking gun evidence that is needed to justify retaliatory air strikes on military targets in Iran.
Iran must pay a price for their perfididy, even if that perfididy is limited to their arming of insurgents fighting our soldiers and not their incipient nuclear weapons program.
Bottom line is that we now have very clear evidence that Iran is directly contributing to the deaths of our troops. MAKE THEM PAY!
#2
I've wondered for some time whether there weren't a way to hit back directly at SAVAM or whichever arm of the Iranian regime were most directly involved in killing Americans here. Apart from the nuclear tangle, which is clearly more challenging, I would think we could identify and hurt Iranian personnel/assets. I think we're at the stage where two can play the shadow game. No need for much more than "no comment, but they may well have been work accidents" when the Hellfires from the Predators take out several Iranian vehicles and offices (inside Iran).
Of course I'm also whacky enough to have wondered why we haven't been hitting (through proxies or directly) Iranian intel world-wide, for a long time. They crossed the rubicon right up front, back in '79 - and even more so just a bit later.
#5
Verlaine in Iraq----I certainly hope that we have been doing something signficant. It does not look like Syria got any serious hurt for supporting cross-border ops in western Iraq. It also does not look like Iran is getting any message about their meddling in Iraq. There must be serious consequences to the M²s for their actions, personally. I see nothing yet.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
04/12/2006 9:57 Comments ||
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#6
If we have "failed" in Iraq, this is where it happened. We allowed a porous border with Syria for the first couple of years and obviously still have that problem with Iran. In both cases I think we should've been extremely aggressive. As I see it the experiment has been ruined by our lackadaisical response. Hindsight is perfect yes, but it is/was a natural instinct to punish them for subverting the elections and supporting the terrorists. It was a common theme here as many have voiced frustration and puzzlement over it ever since the fall of Baghdad. Why we did not employ much stronger measures, particularly those involving very few or no boots, completely baffles me as well. Now only the decimation of Iran's regime can save a unified Iraq, I think.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
04/12/2006 13:12 Comments ||
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#8
"Can anyone say casus belli"?
All due respect Barbara, this report is from Iranfocus. Therefore should be taken with a tanker-truck of sodium. An Iraqi army officer whose comments were reported by Iraqi media is not exactly a smoking gun. And the ambiguous term cache needs some clarification, for instance style and quantity of weapons. Finally, even if weapons of Iranian origin are found, that alone does not prove Tehran was complicit. There are plenty of rogue elements beyond their control. If Russian rifles were to be found in Iraq it doesnt mean Putin approved of the shipment.
Former prime minister Iyad Allawi said on Tuesday that sectarian politicians and their militias were imposing a new "terrorism" on Iraq that is tougher to tackle than insurgent bombings. "Now the new form of terrorism is different to the first form of terrorism. It is ideological, political and sectarian terror in Iraq," he told Reuters in an interview. "We can confront and eradicate the first one but the second one is the danger that has started and hit our society."
Iraq's Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish leaders are struggling to break a four-month deadlock over the formation of a national unity government they hope will avert a civil war. But Allawi, a secular Shiite, said it will take more than a political breakthrough to save the country from sinking deeper into bloody chaos, and politicians have no clear policies or plans to ease sectarian strife and disband militias. "The problem is with the programme. We need people who say 'We don't believe in militias and sectarian quotas but believe in building government institutions and moving the economy.'" That won't be easy. Many Iraqi political parties are linked to militias who Iraqis say torture and kill with impunity.
Posted by: Fred ||
04/12/2006 00:00 ||
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What a minute, it sounds like Iraq needs Allawi as pm. No?
Posted by: Captain America ||
04/12/2006 0:35 Comments ||
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#2
Unfortunately, Sistani let his name be used in campaigns for the UIA slate.
Now, Sistani and the residents of Najaf are feeling heat from the minions of Tater. If Sistani has a plan to deal with Tater its a mystery to anyone. At least Sistani didn't let himself be fooled into the 'they killed people in the mosque' scam at the end of last month.
Posted by: ed ||
04/12/2006 10:09 Comments ||
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#4
thanks ed
Interesting read. However I still don't know what Sistani's anti-Tater plan is or whether he even has one or whether Sistani even has the influence he once had or even whether Sistani realizes his "Let's keep the Shia United" meme in-effect empowers Tater
#5
I don't know, that article seems a bit too hopeful to me. No plan is ever that devious and well executed.
But Sadr's in trouble cause Jaafari (or however you spell it) is also done. We could stick a fork in both of em, but it seems we'll have to wait a bit longer while we wait for the typical Islamic bluster/bravado steam to be let out.
In the wake of Israel's escalated response, Palestinians living in the northern Gaza Strip have appealed to the new Palestinian Authority government to take immediate action to prevent gunmen from firing Kassam rockets from their neighborhoods at Israel, a senior Hamas official said Tuesday. Whatever the politics between Hamas and Fatah
#3
"Some of these groups are acting against the interests of the Palestinians," he charged. "These rockets are endangering the lives of many innocent people who are being attacked with Israeli shells."
They still don't understand the big picture. When they recognize that the people targeted by the rockets are innocent too, then they might have a chance to live in the civilized world.
Palestinian Finance Minister Omar Abdel Razak warned on Wednesday that if the Hamas-led government were to fall the Palestinian Authority would turn into "a second Somalia".
In an interview with the British The Times newspaper Razak said that there would be no calm in Israel if the current financial crisis continues and there would be terror attacks if PA wages were not paid.
The finance minister asked Arab countries to grant them 120 million dollars a month to prevent the Palestinian government from collapsing. He said that Hamas had inherited a deficit of 1.2 billion dollars from the previous Fatah-led government.
Posted by: Howard UK ||
04/12/2006 3:52 Comments ||
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#2
Funny. The arab world didn't give a sh*t about the first somalia.
In fact, if somalia was so much worse than paleoland, why didn't the ISM come to its rescue? Why didn't the arab league try to get resolutions passed in the UN? Why didn't the arab world seethe the way they do every time Israel is mentioned?
#4
"Razak said that there would be no calm in Israel if the current financial crisis continues and there would be terror attacks if PA wages were not paid." Yes, but there will be FEWER.
#6
I really think the world is getting sick of listening to the pissing and moaning of the Palis and could care less if it turns into New Somalia.
I know I am.
#7
In an interview with the British The Times newspaper Razak said that there would be no calm in Israel if the current financial crisis continues and there would be terror attacks if PA wages were not paid.
I believe this is referred to in the civilized world as simple blackmail.
#8
No, Besoeker, the term is extortion. Blackmail means that you pay me to keep quiet about your indiscretions; extortion means you pay me to keep from killing you.
What I'd like to know is "...would turn into "a second Somalia". "
#9
When the Israelis finish their fence and the Paleos can no longer threaten Israeli civilians, who in Israel will care what the Paleos do to each other. Or did he mean by a "second Somalia" that there would be widespread famine amongst the seething, unproductive masses if charity donations aren't increased?
Israel says it will continue its bombardment of populated Palestinian areas in retaliation for militant rocket strikes into Israeli territory, despite the death of a child in the latest shelling. Tzipi Livni, the foreign minister, said on Tuesday Israel would stand by its new policy of firing artillery shells into Gaza in an effort to stop rocket fire at Israel. "The role of the Israeli army is to defend Israeli civilians, combat terrorism and prevent rocket attacks," Livni told public radio. "As long as Palestinians fire at residential area, the army must reply."
An Israeli military spokesman echoed Livni's comments. "There has been no change in policy," he said on customary condition of anonymity. "We will continue to fight them intensely, while trying to avoid hurting innocent civilians."
Posted by: Fred ||
04/12/2006 00:00 ||
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How about cutting of their water & electricity. Say, one day of cutoff per Kassam?
#2
I have been harping on that point for a long time, grom. Israel needs to cut off the electricity for some intervals to send a message. The intervals get longer, based upon naughty behavior. The water supply is a more serious issue, as the consequences of lack of sanitation could cause diseases like choleria to spring up in Gaza, which could have major public health ramifications in Isreal. That one will be Israel's call.
But the electricity would send a good message. Productivity in the machine shops that produce Kassims would definitely go down.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
04/12/2006 10:04 Comments ||
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President Mahmoud Abbas said on Tuesday that he was willing to resume peace talks with Israel as soon as it formed a new government, even though the Israelis are shunning the Palestinian Authority led by his Hamas rivals.
Posted by: Fred ||
04/12/2006 00:00 ||
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ISN SECURITY WATCH (Wednesday, 12 April 2006: 14.24 CET) Burma (Myanmar) has agreed to allow Russia to exploit its oil fields in return for weapons in a deal that is expected to spark much international controversy in light of the poor human rights record of Burmas military junta.
Russias Kommersant daily newspaper reported that the agreement was signed between Burmese General Maung Aye - the juntas second in command - and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov on 3 April. The Russian daily said the two sides were now involved in discussion about the delivery of Russian arms and Burmas request for assistance in developing an anti-aircraft system. The newspaper harshly criticized the deal, saying: The rapprochement between Moscow and Myanmar, a pariah on the international scene because of its serious restriction of freedoms, is explained not only by economic factors.
Burma is one of the worlds poorest countries but has one of the world's largest armies. Since the 1960s, Burma has been under military rule - with the exception of a brief pause in the 1970s before the country returned to military rule in 1988 amid nationwide anti-military protests. The Southeast Asian nation has had no constitution since its 1974 charter was suspended that same year.
The international community has accused the military regime of human rights abuses. The country has no independent judiciary and political opposition is not tolerated.
Posted by: Steve ||
04/12/2006 09:13 ||
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Curious. Last I knew, the Chinese were handling the oil exploration. Burma's buffoons are playing both sides.
#2
I bear no love for Playboy, and agree with the Muzzie contention that Playboy has a reputation of being the nose of the Camel in the tent of a nation's morality.
HOWEVER, I violently disagree with the notion that attacks are a legitimate means of protesting a publication that is not actively advocating the overthrow of the existing government. By violently, I mean that I support vigorous police action, in the form of swinging billysticks, to bring down these stone throwers.
There are legitimate means of protest open to those opposing pornography. If they can't think of any, then it is a reflection on their intelligence and imagination. If they WON'T think of any, then it indicates how much of a threat they are to the society.
As an aside, I wonder how much of this is really opposition to pornography in general when, as the article states, there are other "adult" "male" magazines with similar "standards" for their models. Makes me wonder if these guys aren't being egged on (or paid) by Playboy's competition in Indonesia.
#7
It's a good thing they don't have internet connections!!
Mmm.. remember that article a while back about how the soddies used the internet firstly to get PrÖn? I'm sure the Pious Muslims in Indonesia are not the last one to get their share of smut online, if the Master Race itself falls for it.
Rest at link.
Irans radical President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a fiery sermon demanded that Irans enemies, or the West, bow down before Iran and apologize for having held back Tehrans nuclear program for three years. He also warned the West that it would burn in the fire of the nations fury.
Those who insulted the Iranian nation and set back Irans movement for progress for several years must apologise, Ahmadinejad said at a rally in the eastern town of Rashtkhar. His comments were aired on state television and carried by the official news agency. You must bow down to the greatness of the Iranian nation, he said, addressing the West.
He added that if the United States continued to seek to use bullying tactics then every nation of the world would chant Death to America and Death to Israel. If you do not return to monotheism and worshipping god and refuse to accept justice then you will burn in the fire of the nations fury, Ahmadinejad said. He once again accused the West of launching a psychological war against Iran.
On Tuesday, Ahmadinejad declared that Iran had joined the Nuclear Club. I officially announce that Iran has joined the worlds nuclear countries, Ahmadinejad said in a speech that was broadcast on state television.
The UN Security Council adopted a Presidential Statement unanimously on March 29 giving Iran 30 days to suspend all of its uranium enrichment activities and resume its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Posted by: ed ||
04/12/2006 20:00 ||
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#1
I would like to submit for consideration my candidate for a reasoned response:
#3
Whoops. Attribution to JihadWatch, not Rest at link.
Posted by: ed ||
04/12/2006 20:54 Comments ||
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#4
There don't seem to many alternatives. Conventional war now or nuclear war later. Better to lose 5,000 or even 50,000 now than 50,000,000 and most of our cities later.
Posted by: ed ||
04/12/2006 20:57 Comments ||
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#5
The UN Security Council adopted a Presidential Statement unanimously on March 29 giving Iran 30 days to suspend all of its uranium enrichment activities or we shall taunt you a second time.
Shorter Presidential Statement. Beware the wrath of the inevitable strongly worded letter. To be followed by the tersely word joint communique which no one caqn resist.
Posted by: Scott R ||
04/12/2006 21:01 Comments ||
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#6
You must bow down to the greatness of the Iranian nation, he said, addressing the West.
Crater the sonsabitches.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
04/12/2006 21:25 Comments ||
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#7
If you do not return to monotheism and worshipping god and refuse to accept justice then you will burn in the fire of the nations fury
Translation: "Submit to Islam and Sharia or we will nuke you."
I agree, crater the sonsabitches.
#12
WIthin the narrow context of Radical Muslim extremists being labeled Islamo-FASCISTS, notice how "Fascist" MadMoud is beating the emotions/
spirit-based intense war rants while NORTH KOREA'S Kimmie is almost virginally quiet, and CHINA being more quet vv TAIWAN??? REGIME CHANGE IRAN. MEMRI, and DRUDGE all have reports that MadMoud wants to sign regional non-aggression pacts wid Iran's Muslim neightbors [yeah right].
TEHERAN - Iranians on Wednesday celebrated their countrys announcement that it had mastered nuclear technology much as they would celebrate a birthday or the purchase of a new car, with boxes of sticky pastries. The basij, Irans volunteer Islamic militia, set up nuclear celebration tents at roadsides around Teheran, handing out sugary cakes and ladling out orange squash to passers-by.
"Cake or death?"
A militiaman approached a Reuters television crew to shout: We are so happy and proud of our young nuclear scientists, before rousing his comrades into a chorus of God is greatest.
Elsewhere in Teheran, some 150 schoolchildren wearing bibs embossed with nuclear power is our irrevocable right chanted slogans and waved the national tricolour. I am very thrilled and excited with the great news I heard last night and believe Western countries will behave now, said peddler Ali Bozorgi, 26.
Iran announced on Tuesday it had started enriching uranium to the low level needed for nuclear power stations, openly flouting UN Security Council demands that it halt its work on atomic fuel. Iran was referred to the council over fears that its uranium enrichment programme is intended for nuclear weapons in addition to power stations, a charge Iran denies.
On the streets of Teheran, people were impressed by the national achievement but worried that trouble could be brewing, with more calls for sanctions and military action. I am happy with the news because we should have nuclear fuel but I hope it will not trigger military action against us, said Naghmeh Moini, 40. The United States has said it prefers diplomatic means to resolve the standoff but does not rule out military action.
Not everyone was celebrating. A 40-year-old English teacher who wanted to be identified only as Reza said: It is the nail in the governments coffin because it will cause more concern in the international community and unite them against us. And the schoolchildrens ardour for nuclear power began to wane and their jokey chants started to mock street hawkers: Nuclear energy -- 200 tomans (22 US cents) a box!
Posted by: Steve ||
04/12/2006 09:24 ||
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And here I thought all Iranians were on mushrooms.
Posted by: ed ||
04/12/2006 9:46 Comments ||
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#2
Anyone want a nice ladle of squash to go with your yellowcake?
#6
They better hope those canisters don't spring a leak. That stuff is very deadly.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
04/12/2006 12:50 Comments ||
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#7
Does this give anyone the creepy feeling that they may be just like the mutants in planet of the apes that worship the atomic bomb? It's getting really weird over there.
The deputy nuclear chief said Wednesday that Iran intends to move toward large-scale uranium enrichment involving 54,000 centrifuges, signalling the country's resolve to expand a program the United Nations has demanded it halt.
Mohammad Saeedi made the comments a day after Iran announced it had succeeded in enriching uranium on a small scale for the first time, using 164 centrifuges, at a facility in the central town of Natanz.
We will expand uranium enrichment to industrial scale at Natanz, Mr. Saeedi told state-run television. He said Iran has informed the UN nuclear watchdog agency that it plans to install 3,000 centrifuges at Natanz by late 2006 and that it will then expand to 54,000 centrifuges, though he did not say when.
He said using 54,000 centrifuges will be able to produce enough enriched uranium to provide fuel for a 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant like the one Russia is currently putting the finishing touches on in southern Iran. Or enough for 35 bombs per year.
Rest at link.
Posted by: ed ||
04/12/2006 07:09 ||
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Like it or not, sooner or later we're going to have to adopt a policy and enforce it: that no Islamic nation shall be permitted to possess nuclear weapons or the means of creating them. No exceptions. No excuses. "Fairness" and legality be damned, to do otherwise is suicidal.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
04/12/2006 8:34 Comments ||
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Iran is ready to sign non-aggression pacts with countries in the region, the Islamic republic's defence minister was quoted as saying Tuesday. The comment came less than a week after military exercises were held to trumpet the Islamic republic's "homegrown" military achievements.
"Our exercises were welcomed by Muslims of the world, and they dismayed our enemies. Since (the exercises) were a message of peace and friendship, we are ready to sign non-aggression pacts with the regional countries," Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said. "Islamic Republic of Iran announces once again its readiness to hold a joint military exercise with regional countries," he was quoted as saying in Iranian dailies.
Posted by: ed ||
04/12/2006 07:06 ||
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Intersting how the offer of a non-aggression pact seems like an hostile move. What happens if you don't sign? Consider the source, I guess.
#6
Non-agression pacts among countries that are not noted for keeping their word. A novel idea. Ask Russia and Germany how their little pact worked out. Toilet paper is more valuable than these documents would be.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
04/12/2006 10:11 Comments ||
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Why don't they sign a pact stating that they are desperately wanting nuclear weapons and will use them to hold the world hostage.
Now that I would believe. That would be worth the ink it was written with. And you wouldn't have to worry about the breaking that one.
Lebanon's representative on the United Nations team that demarcated the Blue Line in the South has dismissed media reports about Syria's endorsement of a supposedly new map of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights showing the adjacent and disputed Shebaa Farms region as part of Syria rather than Lebanon In a statement released Tuesday, Brigadier General Amin Hoteit downplayed the importance of Syria's having signed onto the map released by the UN Disengagement Observer Force, stressing that "the map is not new. It's 32 years old. "This is an attempt by agents acting against Lebanon and Syria to change what was agreed upon in the dialogue and to expand the gap between Lebanon and Syria," Hoteit said in the statement.
Media reports recently claimed that Syria endorsed a map of the Golan Heights released by UNDOF before the publication of the UN Security Council resolution that extended the term of this force. The media reported that the new map was enclosed with Resolution 1648 after being enclosed with the UN secretary-general's report, on which the extension was based. Hoteit said the map, revised in December 2005 and released by the maps department of the UN in the Golan Heights, holds no such endorsement by Syria. He added that Syria had no role in drawing the map initially.
Posted by: Fred ||
04/12/2006 00:00 ||
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And other revelations from the Iraqi regime files.
by Stephen F. Hayes
SADDAM HUSSEIN'S REGIME PROVIDED FINANCIAL support to Abu Sayyaf, the al Qaeda-linked jihadist group founded by Osama bin Laden's brother-in-law in the Philippines in the late 1990s, according to documents captured in postwar Iraq. An eight-page fax dated June 6, 2001, and sent from the Iraqi ambassador in Manila to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, provides an update on Abu Sayyaf kidnappings and indicates that the Iraqi regime was providing the group with money to purchase weapons. The Iraqi regime suspended its support--temporarily, it seems--after high-profile kidnappings, including of Americans, focused international attention on the terrorist group.
(...) Rest at link, fairly long.
Peter Bergen, author of the new book, "The Osama bin Laden I Know," says the conventional wisdom that Al-Qaeda is dead as an organization needs to be revised. Although Osama bin Laden no longer has operational control over Al-Qaeda, he continues to provide "broad strategic guidance" and "specific instructions" to his followers through video- and audiotapes. Contradicting a new British government report on last year's attacks on London's transport system, Bergen told an audience at the Nixon Center in Washington, D.C., on April 7 that one of the terrorists did have a link to Al-Qaeda.
Britain's "The Observer" reported on April 9 that a soon-to-be-released report by the British government has concluded that the July 2005 bombings in London were carried out by four men who had no links to Al-Qaeda.
But author Peter Bergen contends that one of the men alleged to have been involved in the attacks, Mohammed Siddique Khan, likely made contact with the "outer fringes" of Al-Qaeda during one of his trips to Pakistan.
"If you look at the [videotaped] suicide will of Mohammed Khan, who was after all a Pakistani, second-generation, it was shot by Al-Sahab, which means the clouds in Arabic," Bergen said. "Now that's Al-Qaeda's video-production arm. Al-Qaeda's video-production arm doesn't exist in Leeds [England], where Mohammed Khan is from."
Bergen links the London attack with the first anniversary of the expiration of a "truce" offered by bin Laden in April 2004. The Al-Qaeda leader offered European countries the chance to withdraw from the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq and stop "attacking Muslims." The offer expired on July 15, 2004.
Bergen, who produced the first televised interview with bin Laden in 1997, challenges the popular impression that Al-Qaeda has ceased to function as a formal organization.
"Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahri are out there and actually influencing what is happening," he said. "Of course, they're not in command and control of their organization. Bin Laden hasn't been picking up a sat [satellite] phone or cell phone to order people to do things for a very long time. But through the medium of videotapes and audiotapes bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahri provide broad strategic guidance to the network, and they also give specific instructions."
Since September 11, 2001, 35 video- and audiotapes from bin Laden and al-Zawahri have surfaced. According to Bergen, these tapes do more than just attempt to foment righteous anger toward the infidels. They provide specific suggestions for targets. For example, in late 2004, bin Laden called for attacks on Saudi oil facilities.
"I think there is some relationship between that call and the attack we just saw on the Saudi oil facility, the very major oil facility," Bergen says. "And we've seen a lot of attacks on oil workers in Saudi [Arabia], and bin Laden has also called for attacks on Iraqi oil facilities.
To buttress his argument, Bergen cites an interview on Al-Jazeera television in February 2006 with former senior Taliban military commander Mullah Dadullah. Dadullah said that bin Laden and al-Zawahri "are in operational control" and are "giving us orders."
Dadullah and Bergen are not the only people convinced that bin Laden continues to pick targets for his terrorist network around the world. According to "The Daily Mail" on 9 April, following the release of the British government report, the Conservative Party is going to demand further investigation into the London bombings. The paper quoted Conservative homeland-security spokesman Patrick Mercer as saying that the lack of a link with Al-Qaeda was difficult to believe.
Bergen, for his part, suggests that pinpointing ultimate culpability for any particular bombing may not always be possible or necessarily what's most important. "In the end does it really matter?" he asks. "When a bomb goes off and it kills your mom, does it matter if it was Al-Qaeda itself or Al-Qaeda inspired?"
Bergen says he is particularly worried about the possibility of a rocket-propelled-grenade attack bringing down a passenger jet. That, he predicts, would have a devastating impact on the aviation and tourism businesses.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
04/12/2006 03:49 ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
The top United Nations envoy in Afghanistan condemned the "heinous" attack on a school in the eastern Afghan province of Kunar, which killed six children and wounded 14 other people. He called for the end of such atrocities against the youngsters of the war-torn country. "In all cultures and traditions it is universally accepted that women and children should be outside the arena of conflict and it is most upsetting that this principle is not being respected in Afghanistan," UN Secretary-General Kofi Annans Special Representative Tom Koenigs said in a statement on the attack.
More than 900 members of Jamaa Islamiya, the radical Islamist group in Egypt, including its founder, were freed on Tuesday, the interior ministry has said. The militants, some of whom had been imprisoned for more than 20 years, were released in groups over the past 10 days, a ministry official said. Najeh Ibrahim, one of the heads of the organisation, was among those released, the official said. 
Saudi Arabia will exert all efforts to fight terrorism and its financiers, the kingdom's crown prince said Tuesday, calling it a "disease" that threatens the whole world. 
Centre-left leader Romano Prodi confirmed on Wednesday that his coalition intended to pull Italian troops out of Iraq by the end of 2006 and to push for a softer European line on Hamas.
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, speaking yesterday during a visit to Pakistan, urged the Islamic world to benefit from Pakistan's "rich experience" in defense. "Pakistan has achieved excellence in the defense field and the Muslim countries must benefit from its experience," he told reporters after visiting a heavy industry plant near Islamabad, which indigenously manufactures the state-of-the-art Al-Khalid tanks and other military equipment.
London, Apr. 11 Iraqi military forces recently discovered an Iranian-make weapons cache hidden in the city of Tikrit, north-west of Baghdad. The weapons, which were all new and of Iranian origin, were found hidden in a large well in the west of Tikrit, according to an Iraqi army officer whose comments were reported by Iraqi media. 
Former prime minister 
Palestinian Finance Minister Omar Abdel Razak warned on Wednesday that if the Hamas-led government were to fall the Palestinian Authority would turn into "a second Somalia". 
Israel says it will continue its bombardment of populated Palestinian areas in retaliation for militant rocket strikes into Israeli territory, despite the death of a child in the latest shelling. Tzipi Livni, the foreign minister, said on Tuesday Israel would stand by its new policy of firing artillery shells into Gaza in an effort to stop rocket fire at Israel. "The role of the Israeli army is to defend Israeli civilians, combat terrorism and prevent rocket attacks," Livni told public radio. "As long as Palestinians fire at residential area, the army must reply."
