A lawyer defending five Yemenis charged with the October 2000 attack on the warship USS Cole told a court in Sanaa yesterday that authorities had granted a security clearance to the main suspect in the attack. The lawyer, Abdul-Aziz Al-Samawi, presented a document to the court giving the suspected mastermind of the attack Abdul-Raheem Al- Nashri a permit to pass military checkpoints without being subjected to inspection. Al-Samawi said the laissez passer was issued by the office of the former Interior Minister Hussein Muhammad Arab.
Al-Nashri and five other Yemenis were charged with the attack when the trial began on July 7. Five of the suspects were present in the court, while Al-Nashri is being tried in absentia. Currently in US custody, Al-Nashri was arrested in the United Arab Emirates in November 2002 and handed over to US authorities. He was described at the time as Al-Qaeda's chief of operations in the Gulf. Al-Nashiri is also suspected of involvement in attacks on the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in August 1998 that killed 224 people, and in the October 2002 attack on the French supertanker Limburg off south Yemen in which one Bulgarian crew member was killed and 12 were wounded. The security clearance, valid from April to December 2000, was granted to Muhammad Omar Al-Harazi, an alias for Al-Nashri, the document showed. "Sheikh Muhammad Omar Al-Harazi shall be permitted to pass through all military checkpoints along with his three bodyguards, and he shall not undergo checks or be obstructed," the document read. It urged all security bodies to cooperate with Al-Harazi and extend facilities to him. Al-Samawi told the court the document was clear proof that there were other people behind the attack. The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 1.
#1
âSheikh Muhammad Omar Al-Harazi shall be permitted to pass through all military checkpoints along with his three bodyguards, and he shall not undergo checks or be obstructed,â the document read.
Hmmm, US military areas beyond a checkpoint (especially in Yemen) would probably be pretty secure, so it seems a bit odd that a clearance would include his three bodyguards. Who was this guy? A government official? A member of royalty?
Saudi authorities have released the wife of the alleged Al Qaeda chief in the kingdom, Saleh Mohammad al-Oufi, after a month in detention, an interior ministry official said in remarks published Wednesday.
She was the one with the head in her fridge, right next to the macaroni salad, if I remember correctly...
She was freed on Sunday after being questioned over her presence in a "suspicious place," the Saudi-owned pan-Arab daily Asharq Al-Awsat said, quoting ministry spokesman Mansur al-Turki. Oufi's wife was detained after she and her three children were held and moved to safety during a clash between Saudi security forces and militants in Riyadh on the night of July 20 in which two suspected militants were killed. The family were in a house raided by security forces. Reports that Oufi was killed in the shootout later turned to be unfounded. Oufi, a 38-year-old former police officer, was reported to have replaced Abdul Aziz al-Muqrin as Al Qaeda's chief in Saudi Arabia after Muqrin and three associates were gunned down by security forces in the Saudi capital on June 18. The four were killed after their "Al Qaeda in the Arabian peninsula" posted grisly photos on websites showing the beheading of an American aeronautics engineer they had taken hostage. The beheading climaxed a string of attacks on Westerners in Saudi Arabia by suspected Al Qaeda gunmen, who unleashed a wave of bombings in Riyadh in May 2003. Some 90 people have been killed and hundreds hurt in the violence. Oufi figures on a list of 26 top terror suspects issued by authorities last December. Eleven on the list remain at large. The others have been killed or arrested by security forces, while a number surrendered to authorities. Only six militants, just one of whom figured on the most-wanted list, took up an amnesty offered by King Fahd in June to suspected Islamist extremists who turned themselves in within a month.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/25/2004 1:22:59 PM ||
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#1
It's an old story:
Arabian thieves led by the diabolically clever Molallet set one fiendish trap after another for Doc Savage and his mighty five. Only "Doc," with his superhuman mental and physical powers, could have withstood this incredible ordeal of endurance which led from the cavern of the crying rock through the pitiless desert of Rub' Al Khali and its Phantom City to a fight to the death against the last of a savage prehistoric race of white-haired beasts.
http://www.blackmask.com/catalo/product_info.php?products_id=148
Swiss investigators have found evidence that suspected members of a group backing al-Qaida were supplying fake documents to enable collaborators to enter Switzerland and other European countries illegally, the supreme court said Tuesday. The Federal Tribunal said one suspect, whose name was not released, was found to have links to both an unidentified al-Qaida recruiter who sent volunteers to the terror group's training camps and another unidentified individual convicted of terrorism offenses in France. The support group also provided cell phone numbers to enable the network to make anonymous calls, the tribunal said. The court's disclosures came in a ruling that blocked the release of a citizen of Yemen who was among 10 suspects of the alleged terrorist group arrested in Switzerland between December and May. Although the court did not release any names, it disclosed details that investigators had previously refused to make public.
The court ruling concerned a man who was arrested in a sweep last January. Prosecutors said he was a member of a group with ties to terrorists behind a series of bombings on foreigners' residential compounds in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in May 2003. Five of the 10 men arrested since December have since been released after courts concluded they posed no threat. But the court said of the individual at the center of Tuesday's ruling: "At this stage of the investigation, there is sufficient suspicion of guilt" to justify his continued detention. It also cited an "undeniable" risk that he would try to flee Switzerland, as well as fears of collusion with other suspects which could compromise future arrests and investigations in other countries, including Belgium. The Aug. 13 ruling, released Tuesday, said the man was born in 1970, but gave no further description.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/25/2004 12:19:32 AM ||
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The man taken into custody Friday after police spotted his wife videotaping the Bay Bridge worked for 14 years as an accountant for a Saudi school in Northern Virginia that has been criticized for promoting Islamic extremism.
Comes as a surprise, huh? I mean, who'da thunkit?
Ismail Selim Elbarasse was terminated by the Islamic Saudi Academy in 1998, the same year he was jailed for refusing to cooperate with an investigation into the finances of the radical Muslim group Hamas.
"Ismail, I'm afraid we gotta let you go!"
"But why, boss?"
"The Feds are about to break the door down..."
The Saudi government sponsors the academy. Its director of education said he was unaware of Elbarasse's ties to Hamas and would have fired him earlier if he had been.
"But then I woulda held a telethon for him, 'cuz he'd be broke."
#3
Local traffic report in the Boston area (WAAF, for those who know), reported that authorities stopped a truck on 495(? anyway a local highway), and two males "of Middle Eastern appearance" ran off.
FWIW.
Posted by: Carl in N.H ||
08/25/2004 16:05 Comments ||
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#4
You'll have much to choose from Cog, most of 'em start with U. :)
Australian David Hicks">David Hicks, accused of fighting with Afghanistan's ousted Taliban, is next to go before a US military commission panel tomorrow after the first hearing ended in a challenge to the members' impartiality. Hicks, 29, faces charges of conspiracy to commit war crimes, as well as aiding the enemy, and attempted murder for allegedly firing at US or coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Osama bin Laden's chauffeur declined to enter a plea today at the first US military commission hearings to convene since World War II. Salim Ahmed Hamdan, a 34-year-old Yemeni, declined to enter a plea until motions filed by his military-appointed lawyer were decided. A ruling is not likely until November. His defence is challenging whether the hearing should proceed without a ruling on his "enemy combatant" status, which allows fewer legal protections than prisoners of war. A lawsuit has been filed in US civilian court and is pending. Hamdan's defence attorney, Navy Lieutenant Commander Charlie Swift, also challenged the capacity and impartiality of four panel members - including the presiding officer - and one alternate. "It is important that these proceedings not only be fair, but appear fair to the world," said Swift, in the hearing that lasted more than eight hours.
Hamdan, who was not shackled and wore a flowing white robe, listened intently to an Arabic interpreter through headphones. He smiled and chuckled at several points in the hearing, but appeared more serious toward the end of the hearing as it dragged on. He is charged with conspiracy to commit war crimes, including attacking civilians, murder and terrorism. He isn't charged with any specific violent act. Hamdan has said he earned a pittance for his family as bin Laden's driver before the September 11 attacks, but he has denied involvement in terrorism. US officials allege he served as the al-Qaeda leader's bodyguard and delivered weapons to his operatives. "It was really a day of mixed emotions," Swift said of Hamdan, who has not been allowed to wear anything but his orange prison garb and has lost more than 23 kilograms. "He has wanted a process for a very long time ... But like many people he has concerns."
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
08/25/2004 12:54:43 AM ||
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#2
No.
It's still on the books, but given the paperwork requirements to cary one out, its easier to just give them 20 yrs at Levenworth Disciplinary barracks.
Posted by: N guard ||
08/25/2004 9:22 Comments ||
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#3
I think pounding big rocks into little rocks for 50 yrs is alot better ,killing him be to easy on him.
A man described as a high-ranking Hamas operative was arrested after he drove across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge while his wife videotaped close-up shots of the structure, authorities said Tuesday.
Note that he's a Hamas op, not al-Qaeda...
I also note he's one of the US Hamas bigs, who normally wouldn't be out doing cannon fodder jobs like taking pix of bridge bolts. Dare we hope this means their "sleeper cell" bench is not very deep?
Ismael Selim Elbarasse, long suspected by authorities of having financial ties to the Palestinian extremist group, was taken into custody last week and held as a material witness in an unrelated terrorism case in Chicago. Neither he nor his wife was charged with any wrongdoing in connection with the videotaping.
Just a simple family video, after all. You should see their video of New York.
Gov. Robert Ehrlich said the arrest "shouldn't be a generator of fear. It should serve as a reminder that there is a war going on around the world."
Yeah. And it wants to come here. Where I used to like to fish...
And where I still like to sail.
A federal grand jury in Chicago last week described Elbarasse as an unindicted co-conspirator in a 15-year scheme to finance terrorist activities in Israel. Hamas has carried out suicide bombings and other attacks in Israel. Court documents allege he and defendant Mousa Mohammed Abu Marzook considered one of the highest-ranking Hamas leaders internationally shared a Virginia bank account that was used to launder hundreds of thousands of dollars for Hamas. Federal public defender Franklin W. Draper, who represented Elbarasse in court Monday, did not return a call Tuesday seeking comment.
I'd guess he was speechless...
... wondering how he'd managed to lose the court clerk's lottery yet again.
Elbarasse's private attorney, Stanley L. Cohen, did not return calls either. A woman reached by phone at Elbarasse's home identified herself as his wife but declined to give her name or to comment. Elbarasse was spotted Friday the same day the Chicago indictment was made public by police officers on the 4.3-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Authorities said Elbarasse was in an sport utility vehicle with his wife and their three children, ages 14, 19 and 21. He allegedly said they had gone to the beach but could not specify what beach they had visited. According to the FBI, the tape in the camera shows the cables and upper supports of the main section of the bridge and zooms in on bridge joints. The tape also shows the Elbarasse family packing for vacation and on vacation. Authorities said officers saw the wife try to hide the camera as officers approached. Elbarasse is scheduled to appear in federal court Friday for a hearing on whether to turn him over to federal officials in Chicago. Elbarasse was jailed for eight months in 1998, after failing to testify before a federal grand jury that was investigating Hamas fund-raising.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/25/2004 12:06:14 AM ||
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#1
Israel's lookin' to put more of their citizens into existing settlements? Have a go at it, boys; knock yourselves out.
#5
"According to the FBI, the tape in the camera shows the cables and upper supports of the main section of the bridge and zooms in on bridge joints." Just a home movie, folks. We take photos like this all the time. The kids love 'em.
"The tape also shows the Elbarasse family packing for vacation and on vacation." Duh, duh, duh . . . do ya' think they were tryin' to create a "disguise" or somethin'?
"Authorities said officers saw the wife try to hide the camera as officers approached." She wanted her kids to be the FIRST to see the home movie.
#6
I am not one to defend this creep but recently my wife and I drove up to Malmo, Sweden from Antwerp and she (being an architect-designer) wanted to take close up pics of the Oresund Crossing cable stay bridge from the car - which we did. I can attest she or I have no interest whatsoever in this other than the aesthetic. Any fifth-rate lawyer will have these charges dismissed in an hour.
Posted by: Jack is Back ||
08/25/2004 11:33 Comments ||
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#7
the camera shows the cables and upper supports of the main section of the bridge and zooms in on bridge joints."
well, like dont you know the bridge joints are the prettiest parts of the bridge?? Not the whole bridge from a distance, with the seagulls and the eastern shore in the background - no, a closeup on the JOINTS. Which would look nice and abstract in a real arty black and white still photo I guess, no?? So taking a VIDEO of them is an attempt to push the frontier of post modern art I think, an attempt to show the fine lines of the bridge joints and then, by moving the camera, manipulate them into surprising and moving images, with a deep expressionist subtext.
Or maybe not. In any case, Im glad i dont have any more plans to head to the shore this summer.
#8
Jack, I'd agree but considering his terrorist connections and the fact that she was zooming in on bridge joints, I don't think it will be as easy as you say.
According to the FBI, the tape in the camera shows the cables and upper supports of the main section of the bridge and zooms in on bridge joints.
Posted by: B ||
08/25/2004 11:41 Comments ||
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#9
anonymous6167
Stanley L. Cohen has been representing accused Islamic terrorists for over a decade. A think this is what they call a niche market.
#10
Hmmmm, think Jack IB has a point....
I for one have a damn fine collection of prints of Florida bridges....
Wonder if Frank the G ever take any pictures of bridges?
Militant Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir was Tuesday charged under anti-terror laws over last year's deadly attack on a Jakarta hotel, but he will not be tried for the Bali bombings, Indonesian prosecutors said.
Prosecutor Haryono said Bashir is also charged with heading Jemaah Islamiyah, blamed for both the bomb attack on the August 2003 Jakarta Mariott hotel in which 12 died and the October 2002 Bali blasts that killed 202.
Bashir, the alleged chief of the Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah terror group, was formally charged after police handed him over to prosecutors under heavy security in the Indonesian capital.
"He has been charged with terrorism," Haryono told reporters.
An appeal court last year cleared Bashir, 65, of terror links but upheld a lesser jail sentence for immigration-related offences.
Police rearrested Bashir under the anti-terror law when he stepped out of prison on April 30, prompting violent protests by supporters.
They had intended to charge him for direct involvement in the Bali bombing, but a ruling by Indonesia's top court last month means that anti-terror laws introduced after the Bali attacks could not be applied retrospectively.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
08/25/2004 12:55:49 AM ||
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#1
cingold called this one dead-right about 7-8 months ago - when I was sputtering about the miniscule sentence Bashir received for plotting to kill Milliwatti. Nice one, bro!
#2
Thanks dotcom, Indonesia is pretty different, but I couldn't see them giving that SOB a pass. The day I'll be really glad is when Bashir either has gaping ventilation added to his head, or his neck has been irreversibly stretched. Iâm fairly confident itâs coming (after a lengthy legal process), as long as he doesnât die in custody before then.
Radical Islamists have launched a new magazine publication on the internet especially for women. The aim of the magazine is to show women how to reconcile the apparent contradiction of fighting jihad while maintaining family life. The magazine is called Al-Khansa, after a famous Arab woman poet in the early days of Islam, who wrote eulogies to male relatives who had died in battle. It appears to be the first "jihadist" publication aimed exclusively at women. The magazine says it is published by an organisation called "The Women's Media Bureau in the Arabian Peninsula". And it claims that the former leader of al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia, Abd-al-Aziz al-Muqrin - who was killed by Saudi security forces in June - was one of its founders. Al-Khansa also appears to be linked to the most well-known jihadist outlet on the internet, Sawt al-Jihad - or Voice of Jihad. The first edition of the magazine uses fierce language similar to that found on Sawt-al-Jihad. One of its encouragements to jihad reads: "The blood of our husbands and the body parts of our children are our sacrificial offering."
Ah, the old human sacrifice angle. Very big in the Koran...
The main objective of the magazine seems to be to teach women married to radical Islamists how to support their husbands in their conflict with the authorities.
Assuming they know how to read, of course...
It also gives them specific advice on how to bring up their children in the path of jihad, how to provide first aid and what kind of physical training women need to prepare themselves for wearing a bomb belt in a pizza parlor fighting. Most of the articles are written as if by women, although it is not clear if they actually were.
"Mahmoud, great article, great, you really do write like a woman!"
"Umm, thanks, Ahmed, I think."
#2
Here's some info on the original al-Khansa. Her story has the requisite elements: a powerful tribal family located near Mecca/Medina and lots of Dire Revenge (TM).
An interesting tidbit:
She was one of the major poets of pre-Islamic Arabia (in the period Islamic scholars call the "Jahiliyya"). Her diwan (poetry collection), like those of her contemporaries, was carefully preserved by Islamic scholars who needed to study seventh century Arabic in order to explicate the Qur'an.
#6
According to the fundi-Islamists, women aren't to be educated, so I hope the mag has a lot of pictures.
ed, according to those guys, pictures are graven images. It is, as flash91 suggests, probably just knitting patterns and recipes.
"Camouflage burkha patterns - the next generation modesty-protection (saving your life at home and at war!)" "Fantastic last-minute finger-snack ideas to make funerals go with a bang!" "Knit burial shrouds for all your menfolk in one afternoon!"
#13
"Most of the articles are written as if by women, although it is not clear if they actually were."
Oh--ya' mean like "Gentle" & "Antiwar" here on Rantburg?
"Some take a somewhat patronising attitude, dwelling on supposed female weaknesses that must be overcome in the cause of jihad - such as over-dependence on home comforts like TV and air conditioning. "
Yeah--Damn those modern conveniences. Damn them all to hell. But the internet and the cell phone and the commercial airlines and the refridgerator and the microwave and the laptop and the automobile and modern surgery, medicine, antibiotics, etc. --those are okay.
"You stupid women--you are weak, you are incompetent, you have to overcome your liking of civilization. Now submit to us and come help us take over the world through our tough-sounding "jihad" because there aren't enough men who are willing to do it. But shut up first and feed me another felafel. Talk back and I will beat you. Do what I say and I will approve of you. That's what you live for, isn't it? And one more thing: be sure to cut your daughters' vulvas to pieces so that they will think only of the jihad and be obedient slaves wives to their husbands."
#15
Gentle would say something like "Well at least we are motivated by honor when we commit atrocities, unlike you guys whose liberality causes incest, which BTW is unknown among us moslems blah blah blah....."
#20
Upcoming Articles:
*Bag Woman Beauty.
*Bags Under Your Eyes - Latest Burkha Styles
*New Bag-ennings
These Bag Women Are Proud to Push A Shopping Cart in Their Local Mall -
*Shop Till Your Breadwinner Drops
*Patterns for Suicide Belts - Size 0-20
*If Only They Could See Me Smile - Mother Proud of Son's Martyrdom.
Posted by: B ||
08/25/2004 11:15 Comments ||
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#21
How about
My young jihadi did a strange thing last night. Could yours?
You CAN have bigger burkhas.
Secret tricks to attract the martyr of your dreams.
#25
"The blood of our husbands and the body parts of our children are our sacrificial offering."
Body parts of our children?
Wonder how large the black market for organs is in Islamic countries, compared to other countries. It is amazing that women who gave birth can talk this way about their kids.
The publication of the magazine is another sign of how radical Islamists have developed the internet as an essential tool for information and propaganda.
I didn't know Algore was CEO of this new mag! I had read the quote above (see top of this post), and the sentence had stopped after "internet" to go on to the next line. Man, combining the moose limbs knowledge with Algore, and maybe he really did invent the internet, eh?
Posted by: BA ||
08/25/2004 22:36 Comments ||
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The Indian government has blacklisted three voluntary organisations for 'supporting Kashmiri separatists'. The organisations have been working in held Kashmir on provision of emergency relief, rehabilitation and education for years. The Indian government has also banned them from receiving foreign funds. India's junior Home Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal told a Lok Sabha session on Wednesday that his ministry had identified Kashmir Medical Trust, Islamic Welfare Society and Iqbal Memorial Trust as the non-government organisations (NGO) supporting Kashmiri militants. According to the minister, the NGOs supporting militants the North East of India were Manab Adhikar Sangam Samiti, North East Coordination Committee on Human Rights, both leading human rights groups of Assam, besides United Committee Manipur, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights and Naga Students Federation.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/25/2004 8:12:55 PM ||
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Afghan security forces helped by NATO-led peacekeeping troops seized nine suspected militants and a weapons cache after a raid near Kabul, a military spokesman said on Wednesday. The nine men, whose names and nationalities were not disclosed, were arrested on Monday after Afghan intelligence agents and NATO troops raided two compounds packed with a "substantial quantity of explosives" in Chahar Asiab south of Kabul, the spokesman said. "The raids resulted in a total of nine arrests and were carried out without injury," Lieutenant Commander Ken Mckillop told a news briefing in Kabul. "In addition to the substantial quantity of explosives, National Directorate of Security (NDS) also uncovered a large quantity of narcotics," he added. The spokesman did not say to whom the suspects were affiliated. An Afghan intelligence official who asked to not be named confirmed the arrests but declined to provide further details, saying an investigation was underway. Taliban militants have frequently used explosive devices in their attacks against coalition, NATO and Afghan forces.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/25/2004 8:11:30 PM ||
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#1
"Taliban militants have frequently used explosive devices in their attacks against coalition, NATO and Afghan forces." Did a real editor actually read this before printing it?
"This is an F16 doing CAS during the recent fighting in Fallujah. As you know we have been bombing insurgent "safe houses" with some sucess recently. This F16 was on such a mission, to hit a house with an LGB, when 30+ insurgents left the building en masse to hurry to a nearby engagement with US Marines which had been going on for hours. The pilot communicates with an FAC either in the air or on the ground, and changes the flight path of the bomb while it is in the air. You can clearly see the "L" flashing in the MFD, and "TGP" is selected. I'm assuming that the bomb itself is probably a 500 pounder, as Mk84s would be overkill in an urban setting where the ROE calls for minimal "collateral damage". Has sound. "
#1
"Oh, dude . . ." If you watch the guys at the back of the pack, you can see them being hurled back by the force of the blast, it looks like at least 10 or 15 feet. The guys at point of impact, well . . .
Posted by: Rafael ||
08/25/2004 16:24 Comments ||
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#3
Our guys are the best. Let's hope this shot makes it on the networks.
BTW, the Chicago Air and Water show was this past weekend and the showstopper was the Blue Angels. (They rotate with T-birds every other year) They practiced on Thurs and Fri. Cool sounds as they cruised over downtown and other neighborhoods at least at a 5-mile radius. Predictably there have been a few letters to Chi Trib with the theme that the military took over the town on these strafing runs. One letter complained about her 4-month old puppy being upset, and, in addition 4 champagne flutes in her collection broke. She said we needed to spend money on food, education, and health care, and not on fuel for militry vehicles. And Kerry's talking heads declare all Americans want us to succeed in Iraq. Yeah right. Another letter complained how his 8-month old son woke up. This guy demanded a referendum on the subject. However, the good news is that over 2 million people attended the two-day event.
Posted by: chicago mike ||
08/25/2004 16:40 Comments ||
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#4
2 million attending the events says it all. We had the same bitching and moaning from letter writers about the intimidation and noise of the jets in Anchorage during the Blue Angels appearance. Let them go live in the former Yugoslavia for a few months for contrast, then they can write letters.
I was driving home northbound on the Glenn highway and looked out my window to the left and there the Blue Angels were, 4 in formation practicing for the air show, pretty as a picture....
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
08/25/2004 17:08 Comments ||
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#5
Chicago Mike...of course the networks (with the exception of FNC) would report this as proof of baby ducks and furry rabbits slaughtered while "migrating to their mating spots."
Damn the waiting list for those 72 virgins must be a LOOOOOONG one.
Damn, I wish I could buy that guy a nice cold beer.
#6
Ha, I used to live in Pensacola where the BA's are stationed. Try waking up at 6am every weekend to a nice afterburner roar. Loved every minute of it.
#12
AP - speaking of the Blue Angels. And collisions (not in same breath, of course) can you identify the jets in this photo? I've had it for ages, googled several times, but never discovered the source info on who this was, where, and when. Ideas? BTW, you may get a kick out of the URL, heh.
Russian MiG-29s collide at British air show.
Aviation Week & Space Technology 1993, v139n5, Aug 2, p. 28-29 (2 pages)
Two Russian pilots ejected safely after their Mikoyan MiG-29 fighters collided during formation aerobatics manuevers at the International Air Tatoo 93 air show at RAF Fairford England. The pilots and aircraft wreckage fell away from spectators.
#18
actually, I'm pretty sure they aren't Su-27 flankers, which have an ecm pod or something that extends back between and behind the engines. Most likely Mig-29s.
Five Algerian soldiers and two policemen have been killed in an ambush laid by extremists near the Mediterranean coastal capital, Algiers, newspapers reported Wednesday. Thirteen other members of a security patrol were injured when some 30 radicals opened fire with automatic weapons and home-made mortars on the patrol's convoy of vehicles overnight Monday, the papers said. According to sources close to the security forces, the attack was carried out by the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), the largest Muslim radical group still active in Algeria and said to be linked to the Al Qaeda network.
The GSPC set fire to a games centre for local youths to lure the security patrol into the ambush, the sources told the press. A teenage boy was seriously wounded when he was caught in crossfire as the patrol responded after the ambush. The attack occurred near Boumerdes, 50 kilometers (30 miles) east of Algiers, where the wooded and hilly terrain provides an ideal hiding place for radical groups.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/25/2004 1:26:08 PM ||
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A Pakistani anti-terrorism court sentenced nine militants to life imprisonment on Wednesday for killing three people in an attack and bombing at the Macedonian Consulate in 2002, court officials said. They were found guilty of slaughtering three people inside the Macedonian Consulate in Karachi and then blowing up its building with explosives on Dec. 5, 2002, they said. The nine men belonged to the Harkat-ul Mujahideen al-alami group that has been blamed for other high profile attacks, including the June 2002 suicide bombing at the US Consulate in Karachi, following President Pervez Musharraf's decision to join the US-led war on terrorism.
Anti-terrorism court judge Haq Nawaz Baloch also confiscated their property and fined them 150,000 rupees ($2,555) each. Al-alami is an offshoot of Harkat-ul Mujahideen, an Islamic guerrilla group which is also fighting Indian rule in the disputed Kashmir region. It has ties with the Afghan Taleban. A defence lawyer, M.R. Saeed, said he would appeal. Police said some of the militants received military training in Afghanistan.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/25/2004 1:21:15 PM ||
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#1
I wonder how long "life" is in PakiLand...
Ever since "life" stopped meaning life here, thanks to the social engineers and ethicists who needed to define a nice safe niche for themselves - with no deliverables, the meaning had been rather muddled, no?
The acting head of the Palestinian intelligence services was seriously wounded Wednesday when gunmen opened fire at his convoy and killed one of bodyguards in Gaza City, security and medical sources said. The attack targetted intelligence chief Tareq Abu Rajab's convoy near the Shatti refugee camp in the west of the city as it headed towards his local headquarters. Rajab was wounded in the chest and had been transferred for treatment at Gaza City's main Al-Shiffa hospital.
Ahhh... A sucking chest wound...
Good chance it will be septic, too ...
Three other people were also injured in the attack, two of whom were said to be in a serious condition, the sources added. The dead bodyguard was named as Khamis Abdel Jawad. Rajab has been at the helm of the intelligence services since previous incumbent Amin Al-Hindi resigned in July after a series of kidnappings in the territory.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/25/2004 1:16:12 PM ||
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#1
this is it, the first real assasination attempt in the current pal fracas. Ironically the day Arafat is meeting Dahlan (interesting in itself, since in theory Dahlan has NO official standing)
Edited for brevity.
Back in the Iraq he once fled, Samir couldn't see down the darkened hole enough to see who was hiding there. Acting as a civilian translator for U.S. troops massed a few miles south of Tikrit, the Iraqi-American told the cowering man to surrender or die. Soldiers were ready to pitch a grenade into the pit when the man inside slowly thrust his hands into the light, giving up. When he helped pull the man out, Samir gasped. It was Saddam Hussein.
By his account, Samir greeted the deposed ruler - the man with a $25 million bounty on his head as then one of the world's most-wanted fugitives - with a few punches, kicks and profane insults. "I wanted to say, `You did this all to us, and you still don't want to leave Iraq alone,'" said Samir, now living in St. Louis. When the hole was exposed, the mystery man inside repeatedly implored, "Don't shoot, don't kill me!'" "You need to come out before they kill you," Samir shouted into the hole. Eventually, the man stuck one arm into the light, then the other. The former ruler looked haggard, with a wild, graying beard and ratty hair. "He looked old and miserable," Samir says. When Samir called the man names, the ousted ruler retorted, "`Don't talk to me. I'm Saddam Hussein,'" Samir recalled. "I said, `You are nobody.'" I wouldn't say he's a nobody. From what I've heard he's an accomplished poet and gardener of late.
Posted by: Dar ||
08/25/2004 11:32:35 AM ||
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By his account, Samir greeted the deposed ruler - the man with a $25 million bounty on his head as then one of the worldâs most-wanted fugitives - with a few punches, kicks and profane insults.
Ali Sumeizim, the closest associate of Shiite leader Muqtada al Sadr, was detained in Najaf, AFP reports citing the information realized by the local police. Ali Sumeizim, who is in charge with the management of the Imam Ali shrine, was detained together with four more associates of Muqtada Sadr in the neighborhood of al Saad, located near the Square of Revolution in 1920", stated a high positioned police official, who demanded anonymity. Mama mia, who gonna speak for the Tater now?
Posted by: Atropanthe ||
08/25/2004 9:40:50 AM ||
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#1
Kuwaiti news is reporting that he was busted with loot from the shrine too.
http://www.kuna.net.kw/English/Story.asp?DSNO=659176
#2
here is what http://iraqataglance.blogspot.com says:
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
The first thief..
Ali Smeasim, one of Muqtadaâs aides has been arrested today with many followers; they were hiding stolen money and treasuries!
Yesâ¦let the truth appears, enough for respecting those thievesâ¦
What will their great leader say now? One of his aides is a thief.
AlSistaniâs aides were so smart to refuse taking the keys of the shrine; they know who those thugs are.
#4
I sometimes think the ex-spokes Iraqi the man of major denial had a grain of truth.... when in Iraq, regardless of the sides, forces, politics, climate or the obvious... they do ALL LIE! ALL LIE!
Israel's army has developed a pungent new weapon for driving back Palestinian protesters -- the skunk bomb.
"Eeeeewwww! Who fired the round?"
The stink bomb, containing a synthetic version of the odor skunks release to deter predators, has been developed for breaking up protests and stone-throwing confrontations without causing casualties, security officials said Wednesday.
"Smells like... victory! [Gag!]"
The foul-smelling weapon was invented as part of efforts to replace rubber bullets, which have killed scores of Palestinians during a nearly four-year-old uprising.
They've killed considerably fewer than would have been the case had lead been used...
The new device, which is not yet operational, releases a cloud so pungent that according to initial tests it permeates clothes for five years, the officials said. Palestinians said such a weapon could be particularly unpleasant for devout Muslims since they cannot pray with clothes that smell and would have to throw them away.
My heart bleeds... No. Wait. That's the chili talkin'. Never mind.
Israel's army has often been accused of using excessive force in fighting the Palestinian uprising and security officials said it was trying to work with foreign and local firms to develop nonlethal measures. Another weapon which is close to being operational is a fiberglass tank shell that disintegrates in the air, causing an enormous explosion but no casualties.
A tank-fired firecracker? That makes sense. Not a lot of sense, but sense...
Posted by: Fred ||
08/25/2004 10:05:02 AM ||
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No matter that the pungent cloud will be non lethal. The Paleos will claim 'chemical warfare' and Al Jaz and the U of Cal Berkeley faculty newsletter will carry 'crime against humanity' captions.
#4
The United Nations hereby declares that odor intimidation is akin to genocide, and thus demands that Israel put an end to the use of vile chemical weapons which offend Palestinian Olfactory nerves.
#8
I would think that firing one of those babies into Arafish's aquarium Muqata Ramallah hovel might improve the aroma dramatically
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/25/2004 13:12 Comments ||
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#9
I'm still waiting for the Marines to use their BigNoise weapon in Iraq... I heard about it, and now I want to see it. I think it would have been perfect for Najef. I can't think of anything more fitting than Led Zepplin at 300dB blasting the eardrums of al Sadr's tater-tots, or maybe some really NASTY acid rock... I wonder if Israel is working on something like that, too...
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
08/25/2004 13:33 Comments ||
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#10
I'd like to see the Israeli's drop one of these in the middle of the next paleosimian "car swarm".
Now that would be sweet.
Posted by: Don ||
08/25/2004 14:31 Comments ||
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#11
OP....
I am thinking of Pink Floyds 'Pigs on the Wing'...
or 'Dogs of War'....
#14
Fools, all of you. Only the unsurpassed annoyance of CRAP's monotonic droning being blasted at 300 decibels could possibly do scum like Sadr any justice.
As to the skunk bomb, ethyl mercaptan sounds like just the ticket.
Palestinians said such a weapon could be particularly unpleasant for devout Muslims since they cannot pray with clothes that smell and would have to throw them away.
So pray naked, you rotting basturds! May you finally become the STINKING terrorists that you have always been. The persistence of such an odor will slowly eliminate all gathering places as each, in turn, is "beautified" by such a dispersal tactic.
#15
I broke a 1 litre bottle of amyl acetate in a steel building while moving a bunch of chemicals one day. Whole place smelled like bananas for weeks. Maybe we can put some in the Paleo prison during the hunger strike.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
08/25/2004 15:33 Comments ||
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The leading role played by an Islamic fundamentalist in the current political unrest in the Maldives is causing concern among moderate Maldivians, led by President Abdul Gayoom. Ahmed Abdullah, Special Envoy of the Maldivian President, told newsmen in Colombo on Tuesday, that an Islamic fundamentalist preacher, Sheikh Ibrahim Fareed, had managed to dominate the crowd of political agitators gathered at the Jumhoori Maidan in front of the Police Headquarters in Male on August 12 and 13. Exhorted by the speeches, the crowd had become violent, indulged in arson and threatened the Police Headquarters, Abdullah said. In his fiery speeches, Sheikh Fareed attacked non-Muslims across the world. "He claimed that the opening of the American corner at the National Library was a Christian missionary outlet in the Maldives, and that the Sri Lankan High Commission in Male stands as a temple for spreading Buddhism in the country," Abdullah pointed out.
Maldivians say that Islamic fundamentalism is not deep rooted in the Indian Ocean island county, though the people are devout Muslims. But they fear that eventually, fundamentalism could spread riding piggy back on the political agitation led by the opponents of President Gayoom. Special Envoy Abdullah reflected this fear when said: "While like-minded people among the crowd supported his (Fareed's) fundamentalist ideas, others used his inflammatory speeches to arouse anti-government feelings among the public." An informed Maldivian official source told Hindustan Times over the phone, that Islamic Fundamentalism began to take root in the country when students came back after religious education in Pakistan and West Asia. "Students sent by the Maldivian government to Pakistan for religious education are admitted in institutions approved by the Pakistan government. However, one does not know what kind of influences these students come under while in Pakistan. Some of them so pick up ideas on Islamic thought and ways of living which are not in accordance with the Islamic tradition and practice in the Maldives," the source said. And private students could go to any school of their choice in Pakistan or any other Islamic country, and these could be highly fundamental in their orientation.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: TS(vice girl) ||
08/25/2004 9:36:25 AM ||
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On November 8, 1988, Sri Lankan Tamil mercenaries tried to overthrow the Maldivian Government. At President Gayoom's request, the Indian military air-lifted in the parachute regiment and suppressed the coup attempt within 24 hours.
President Gayoom has been in power for over two decades and is the prime mover in forestalling a fundamentalist takeover.
While many link the Tamils to Sri Lanka, they are a long time factor in the Maldives and La Reunion Island region. The Liberation Tamil Tigers Eelam (LTTE)is considered the "subject matter expert" on all things asociated with maritime terrorism, and such, is well positioned to assist any fundamentalist attempt on this island nation.
#2
My husband and I have vacationed in the Maldives. These are incredibly beautiful little islands and is a darn shame that those twisted- demented people will eventually succeed in turning them to shit.
Iraqi police forces in Najaf today captured four senior aides to Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, al-Arabiya reported, citing Iraqi officials. Sheikh Ali Sumaisem and other al-Sadr aides were shown sitting in an office in a videotape broadcast by the Dubai, United Arab Emirates-based television station. Police officers and the Najaf's governor told the station the aides were captured inside the southern Iraqi city. The police didn't allow Arabiya's reporters to talk to the captured men, the station said. Iraqi Defense Minister Hazim al-Shaalan vowed yesterday to wipe out al-Sadr's militiamen, who are holed up in the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf, if they didn't surrender to Iraqi forces.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
08/25/2004 9:37:21 AM ||
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Tater: Iâm just a poor boy and nobody loves me!
Ali: Heâs just a poor boy from a poor family, spare him his life from this monstrosity!
Tater: Easy come easy go, will you pretty please let me go?
USMC: Bismillah!No, we will not let you go!
Ali: let him go!
USMC: Bismillah!we will not let you go
Ali: let him go!
USMC: Bismillah!we will not let you go
Ali: Oops, let ME go?
USMC: No,no,no,no,no,no,no!
Tater and Ali: Mama mia, mama mia, mama mia let us go! Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me,for me,for me.....
Iraq's most powerful Shiite cleric returned to the country from Britain on Wednesday and his aides called for a nationwide march to Najaf to end nearly three weeks of fierce fighting between U.S. forces and Shiite militants in this holy city. The announcement came as heavy fighting persisted in Najaf's Old City. U.S. warplanes fired on the neighborhood, helicopters flew overhead and heavy gunfire was heard in the streets, witnesses said. Iraqi police sealed the area, preventing cars from entering, and Najaf's police chief, Maj. Gen. Ghalib al-Jazaari, said radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia was on its last legs. "The Mahdi Army is finished," he said. "Its hours are numbered."
"Mo! It's gettin' dark, Mo!"
Militants were still fighting in the streets of the Old City, witnesses said, though the relentless American attacks in Najaf appeared to be killing weakening them. Police on Wednesday arrested several al-Sadr aides with valuables in their possession from the sacred Imam Ali Shrine, which they control, al-Jazaari said. One of al-Sadr's top lieutenants, Sheik Ali Smeisim, was among those arrested, police officials said on condition of anonymity.
Arrested looting the holy shrine. Tusk tusk. This will not look good in your resume, Ali!
Grand Ayatollah Ali Husseini al-Sistani, 73, the nation's top Shiite cleric, crossed into southern Iraq from Kuwait about midday in a caravan of sport utility vehicles accompanied by Iraqi police and national guardsmen, according to an Associated Press reporter with the convoy. The convoy stopped for gas in the southern city of Basra. Al-Sistani would head to Najaf on Thursday "to stop the bloodshed," said Al-Sayyid Murtadha Al-Kashmiri, an al-Sistani representative in London. "Those believers who wish to join him, let them join."
Good showmanship: Let the Merkins shoot all the Bad Guyz, and the Iraqops arrest the head cheeses, then show up and bestow blessings on all concerned...
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
08/25/2004 9:36:21 AM ||
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Per Debka--
Sadrâs militiamen responded to Ayatollah Ali Sistaniâs sudden arrival in Iraq Wednesday by locking four main gates of Imam Ali Mosque and barricading themselves inside. Americans flew moderate Najef cleric home in a hurry, still recovering from heart surgery, to help defuse Najef crisis. His convoy under heavy guard headed from Basra in south to Najef.
#2
Police on Wednesday arrested several al-Sadr aides with valuables in their possession from the sacred Imam Ali Shrine, which they control, al-Jazaari said. One of al-Sadrâs top lieutenants, Sheik Ali Smeisim, was among those arrested, police officials said on condition of anonymity
common f*&king thieves
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/25/2004 9:50 Comments ||
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Focus News Agency. Qatar. The representative of the Shiite leader Muqtada Sadr, Aus al-Hafadji, stated that the Shiite militias would stop the military operations in South Iraq, Gazeta Ru reported, referring to the Qatar-based Al Jazeera TV channel.
#5
Sadrâs militiamen responded to Ayatollah Ali Sistaniâs sudden arrival in Iraq Wednesday by locking four main gates of Imam Ali Mosque and barricading themselves inside.
Having once done that to my mom as a child, all I can say is "Wouldn't want to be you, al-Sadr." Heck, mine was a Buick, his is a centuries old shrine... I think someone's going to be grounded planted in the ground real soon.
As Pakistan continues its relentless campaign against al-Qaeda, diplomatic circles in Islamabad and Washington believe that some "high-value" targets might already have been arrested to be produced at a later date.
I don't mind. I just hoope they're being horribly mistreated until they are...
At the same time, the strongest-ever operation in the country against jihadi forces is seen as a preemptive strike against a backlash in the event of a high-value target being caught. On Monday, the Pakistani army said security forces had killed four suspected al-Qaeda members and captured two others in a raid in the tribal regions of Northern Waziristan. Hundreds of security forces backed by helicopter gunships took part in the raid, according to official reports. This follows news on Sunday of the arrest of more than 10 suspects believed to be involved in a plot to bomb high-profile targets in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, including the US Embassy and the official residences of Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf. The attacks were to have taken place on August 14, Pakistan's independence day. Large caches of weapons were also seized, including bombs generally used in suicide attacks.
Over the past month, scores of al-Qaeda suspects have been rounded up, including Muhammad Naeem Noor Khan, who was apprehended on July 13 and who intelligence officials believe helped al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden communicate with his network. Asia Times Online security sources say there has been extraordinary activity in the corridors of power recently, especially in the offices of Military Intelligence in General Headquarters, Rawalpindi, Inter-Services Intelligence, and the Intelligence Bureau in Islamabad. All three agencies have been ordered to make as many arrests as possible, using the contacts they have built up over the years with militant and jihadi groups. The spate of arrests in recent days is evidence that they are obeying their orders with considerable - and unaccustomed - zeal, with few being spared.
Continued on Page 49
#2
At the same time, the strongest-ever operation in the country against jihadi forces is seen as a preemptive strike against a backlash in the event of a high-value target being caught.
A very prudent move. However, conception and execution are not one and the same. I'll believe it when Bush produces Osama in chains in NYC and drapes Condi's used panties over his head in his acceptance speech.
#3
... conception and execution are not one and the same.
Of course not. One is the beginning of life, the other the end.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/25/2004 18:02 Comments ||
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#4
I question the timing of this announcement/arrest/whatever.
Remember that statement, if this story is true we'll be hearing a lot of that before November. Especially with Perv's special speech to the UN right before the election.
Iraq's most influential Shi'ite cleric will return to the country within hours and wants Iraqis to march on the "burning city" of Najaf, where fresh fighting erupted near a sacred shrine on Wednesday. Aides to Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani refused to say when he would arrive or if he would go straight to his home in Najaf after getting heart treatment in London for three weeks. The call to march on Najaf by the Shi'ite moderate, who has said little about a crisis that has killed hundreds and undermined the authority of interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, could escalate passions among the majority Shi'ite community.
"Najaf is burning. Ayatollah al-Sistani is on his way back and calls on Iraqis from all provinces to join him in the holy city," aide Hamed al-Khafaf said by telephone from Beirut. The logistics of the march would be known shortly, he said, without commenting on its purpose. Another aide said the militia should leave the mosque and U.S. forces not interfere. Sistani's departure for London coincided with the outbreak of the rebellion by the militia of Moqtada al-Sadr, a young cleric who has challenged the collegiate leadership of the Najaf clergy led by the elder Sistani.
Posted by: Paul Moloney ||
08/25/2004 4:51:24 AM ||
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Surely such a rigorous activity would be considered inadvisable for someone recently having undergone angioplasty?
Posted by: Howard UK ||
08/25/2004 4:55 Comments ||
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#2
Someone should make sure the old man is "delayed" at Heathrow for a few days. Well I am sure he isn't doing any walking. I don't trust Sadr to not harm the old geezer.
#6
My guess is that Sistani is concerned about two things: damage to the shrine and, of greater importance, the possibility that Sadr will be so badly defeated that the Shias lose an opportunity to have free elections and political power.
#7
Muahahhahaaa, good news, seems that all Shia's are begining to like you
Posted by: Murat ||
08/25/2004 8:17 Comments ||
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#8
Iraqthemodel and some other Iraqi bloggers have reported that in Najaf itself the mood is very anti-Sadr and even pro American (the Shiites in Sadr city are of course pro Sadr and anti American).
Also, Sistani is said to be very worried that Sadr has stolen or damaged some of the heirlooms in the shrine.
Btw, the building itself is probably not considered particularly holy (it wasn't built until the 16th century or so)which may be why there has not been an outcry against the Sadr forces using the building as, basically, a military asset.
The part of the shrine that is considered holy is the portion near the place of burial of "Ali the saint". Also, I assume the heirlooms are probably considered sacred.
#9
Eyebrows raised that the "firebrand" cleric is no longer "firebrand." Why would this affect free elections, rkb? Suggest total shunning of Murat or this would-be Murat.
Posted by: Tom ||
08/25/2004 9:05 Comments ||
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#10
I think this may be good news. I have a feeling Sistani is requesting this as a show of force to the radicals that the holy city will not be hijacked by thugs again.
I imagine now that as soon as peace is restored that the coalition will begin major reconstruction efforts.
#11
Funnier still is the latest nonsense from Fox 'news' who have taken to using the phrse 'Anti-Iraqi' to describe anyone who fails to appreciate the new happy democracy riddling their country.. Ya couldn't make it up.. Still, raises a smile whenever I pop in from the BBC... Kisses..
#12
The man is smart. Using us to beat up on an opponent, then using our fear of igniting all Shia's to look like he's the one taking the city from the Americans, knowing we won't attack a peaceful march. Kick those idiot's out of the Mosque before he can start the march and then leave, and let him have it. Let's get our victory first.
#14
AHM, agree, now that US has done the heavy lifting he can offer Tater's tots a way out alive and then sit on the Tater or help him be in an unlucky place at the wrong time. This could work out well for us all.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
08/25/2004 10:23 Comments ||
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#15
Not quite opening the champagne bottle on this one. What, we're supposed to feel pleased and relaxed that hypnotic religious adoration is being transferred from one religious nutcase to another? We need to snuff out religious hypnotism in the Middle East, not encourage it.
#16
sistani might not be who id choose for a spiritual advisor, and its a bad sign that so many Iraqis look to him for POLITICAL guidance, but he doesnt seem to be a nutcase.
OTOH he IS rather on the devious side, or so it seems. While his giving Tater a less dishonourable way to surrender may help us in the short run, we (and Allawi) need to keep in mind that Sistani is playing his own game, and watch for attempts to use this for his own advantage.
Broadly I agree with you, but let me quibble a bit. kurdish politics is largely secularist, and there ARE secularist elements in Iraqi arab politics - among the educated upper classes in Baghdad (thus all our secularist Iraqi bloggers). The Iraqi Communist Party traditionally represented a secularist movement among the Shiite urban working class, but they were underground for the last 30 years or so. Currently they are supporting the Allawi govt (and yes I know the Eurocoms dont seem in synch with this, and I DONT know how the Eurocoms reconcile this.)
#19
LH> I was referring to Sistani/Sadr and the organized religion component in Iraq. The educated elite are pretty much what you say. Saddam imo was also a secularist and then only played the "muslim warrior" when it was politically expedient. As for the kurds, I'm not too familiar w/their leanings.
#20
Eyebrows raised that the "firebrand" cleric is no longer "firebrand." Why would this affect free elections, rkb?
Sistani has regularly signalled that his primary concern is free elections, in which the Shia population might be expected to gain power for the first time in many year. Sadr's uprising, his alignment with some of the Sunni insurgents and the number of deaths have led Allawi to get tough.
If I were Sistani, I would worry that the result will be that Allawi's hand is strengthened in martial law and elections might be postponed. That is NOT an outcome Sistani wants to see.
Posted by: Sock Puppet of Doom ||
08/25/2004 04:18 ||
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The picture is mislabled "US troops within metres of Najaf's holy shrine gates". Likely to stir up the muslims. It's pretty obvious it's an Iraqi Gardsman not anyone from the US mill. Freeking AFP.
#2
I feel a fatwa coming on...
"If you cross this line, I'll call for an uprising of Allan's faithful! Okay, if you cross this line! Uh, I mean this line! Uh oh, it's not working... They're not buying the Holy gambit anymore! Run Qadeem, run!"
#7
I dropped the AFP ombudsman a line to that effect. (Clearly not US military in the supplied photo.) I'm not holding my breath waiting for a correction, of course.
According to Khan and Ghailani, the next al-Qaeda offensive was supposed to kick off after the assassination of a prominent world leader. We give Don Vlad a great deal of flak here on Rantburg (a lot of it justified), but from al-Qaeda's perspective he's likely a major enemy because of the situation in Chechnya. Just my $0.02.
Ninety-eight crew and passengers were killed in last night's terror-hijacking attack on two civilian aircraft. Russian authorities are accusing Chechnyan terrorists of perpetrating the attack. As many as 98 people are feared killed. According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, there were no Israelis on board.
Russian authorities are investigating the possibility that the hijackers may have intended targeting President Putin, who is currently vacationing near Sutchi, one of the destinations of the two hijacked planes. In addition, it was reported that Russian rescue teams have managed to recover one of the black boxes. Both planes took off from the same Moscow airport within minutes of each other late Tuesday and were bound for southwestern Russian cities. All passengers and crew, more than 40 people, on the first plane died, after it went down south of the capital.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
08/25/2004 2:53:14 AM ||
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from al-Qaedaâs perspective heâs likely a major enemy
Are you kidding...that would be a major success story for them. He's as much of a legit target as Bush, Blair, Howard, Berlusconi, Kwasniewski, Zappy...
Posted by: Rafael ||
08/25/2004 2:58 Comments ||
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#2
Agreed and I'd even count Chirac in that list - they hate him because whatever the man's other vices, French support of Algeria keeps the GSPC from taking over the country. In addition, given that Russia isn't exactly the most open society these days I would wager that whacking Putin would send a message to other heads of state who might be thinking about cracking down on the group.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
08/25/2004 3:12 Comments ||
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#3
While details are still being sketched out, one possibility. Both planes go off radar around the same time. The one headed to Volgograd blows/crashes almost immediately. The second, headed for Sutchi where Putin is, goes missing. Hijack button is tripped and it ends up crashed a bit further south.
The first plane may have been a distraction. Create confusion and the possible thought of a mid-air collision. This allows the second to continue towards it's ripe destination. Even if spotted, it's going where it was supposed to.
Obviously if it was an attempt on Putin, it didn't work. Maybe the Russians where in no mood to play with an unresponsive plane that had been marked hijacked. Maybe the pilots didn't play ball. Hopefully we'll find out more dteails in the coming days.
But if this was an attempt against Putin, could it be the assassination attempt of a major world leader that kicks of a string of attacks? We'll see. But if it is, there's one piece missing and that's the Bin Laden tape trigger. Not absolutely necessary, yes, but has there been anything out there?
#4
Good question, IIRC there was some buzz on the Islamic postingboards about a Binny-tape coming out in the last couple of weeks, I'll see if I can dig something up, eventhough I tend to think that the promising of the tape was an attempt at disinfo though.
#5
Chthus: Another possibility is that like the passengers aboard flight 93, the people on the two Russian flights realized what was going to happen.
Posted by: Charles ||
08/25/2004 8:02 Comments ||
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#6
They've been promising a new Bin Laden video for years. I wouldn't hold my breath. Odds are the first plane wasn't just a distraction, it probably had a target of its own. Hitting the Kremlin would be a major propoganda score for example.
A hijack alert was transmitted by one of two Russian planes that crashed simultaneously yesterday — raising fears of a coordinated terror attack. The 89 people aboard the two aircraft — which had just departed Moscow — were feared dead. The first plane, which crashed in a fiery explosion near Buchalki about 100 miles south of the capital, carried 35 passengers and eight crew. It had not reported any problems. Minutes later, controllers lost contact with the second plane — which had sent out a signal that it was being hijacked.
The flight recorder and wreckage from that plane — which carried 38 passengers and a crew of eight — was recovered at Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia. Security was immediately tightened in all of Russia's airports, and President Vladimir Putin ordered an intelligence investigation. "Now we have to see if it's there's terrorism," said Russia's U.N. ambassador, Andrey Denisov. One U.S. official said that if there were bombs on the planes, simultaneous explosions are an al Qaeda trademark. American officials told The Post the Russians are taking the terrorism possibility seriously, but have not asked for U.S. assistance.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
08/25/2004 2:33:24 AM ||
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A thousand blessings to those brave souls, that sought to fight in the cause of Light.
#2
Well I have to and my heart felt sympathy to the people of the Russian Republic and most of all to the families missing members now.
I pity the poor asshat that tries to hijack a Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Russian airliner these days. A hand full of Post 9/11 drunk Russians are not likely to to be as compliant as pre 9/11 US fliers were let alone the sober ones. The pilots might just have flown them into the ground as well to proclude them being used as missles. I think some asshat satanic jihadi Chechen pigs sucking at the teets of dogs blew them up.
Hundreds of regular and paramilitary troops have been deployed in Bangi Dar area along the Afghanistan border to check possible incursion of terrorists from Afghanistan where the US-led Afghan troops have launched an operation against Al Qaeda and Taliban suspects. Informed sources and witnesses said that the troops had taken up positions in the area and completely sealed the border to stop terrorists from infiltrating into Pakistan from Afghanistan.
We've seen Pak troops "completely seal" an area before. It's kinda like the Soddies surrounding bad guyz...
They said the troops were seen heading from Datakhel tehsil towards Bangi Dar and Hassankhel areas. The sources said that three soldiers and a junior commissioned officer of the army had been wounded in Monday's clash with militants. They have been taken to the Combined Military Hospital in Bannu. The clash left four militants, three of them foreigners, dead. Two terrorists were arrested in the operation. Paramilitary forces recovered four missiles near the Wana Scouts camp in the South Waziristan tribal region on Tuesday. The missiles had been left near the camp by military. Residents of the area said two high-intensity explosions rocked Wana on Monday night but there was no report of any casualties. Security forces seized a large cache of arms and ammunition during a raid on a compound, 18 kilometres north of Miramshah, on Monday, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release issued here on Tuesday said.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
08/25/2004 12:57:12 AM ||
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Israel declared its hospitals off-limits yesterday to the 2,800 jailed Palestinians on hunger strike, saying they could be treated in makeshift cafeterias facilities behind bars. The health minister, Danny Naveh, told Army Radio he was not prepared to endanger other patients and medical teams by admitting "these murderers". "If a field hospital has to be set up at a prisons service installation, then that is what should be done," he said.
"Sorry, Mahmoud, don't have any lubricant for the feeding tube insertion, we left it at the real hosptial."
Israel's public security minister, Tzahi Hanegbi, like Mr Naveh a member of the rightwing Likud party of the prime minister, Ariel Sharon's, said last week he did not care if the prisoners starved to death. The inmates at 10 jails are refusing food to force wardens to stop strip searches, allow more frequent visits, improve sanitation and install public telephones.
Except that they aren't looking skinny yet -- cheating too much?
About 7,000 Palestinians are held by Israel. Among the inmates are those who openly identify with militant Islamic groups. Hisham Abdel-Razek, the Palestinian minister for prisoners' affairs, branded Mr Naveh's comments "inhuman and arrogant". "Israel is behaving like a state above the law and Israeli ministers are acting as if they are above Israeli law," Mr Abdel-Razek said.
Always entertaining to listen to a Paleo talk about the law.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/25/2004 12:23:51 AM ||
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#2
Hey you idiot Paleos: a hunger strike is supposed to be tough. It's difficult to understand why you are first going on a hunger strike, then asking for medical attention regarding it's effects. Sounds more like a tantrum than a hunger strike. You know what you do with kids who are pressing the "not gonna eat" button? Cooperate with them. Let 'em get hungry enough, and they'll eat. I suggest the Israelis do the same with the Paleos.
#5
So you don't feel so good? That's because YOU'RE STARVING YOURSELF TO DEATH, ASSHOLE! WHAT DID YOU THINK IT WAS SUPPOSED TO FEEL LIKE, YOU PALESTINIAN IDIOT!
Uzbekistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday sentenced 15 al-Qaida-linked Islamic militants to as long as 18 years in prison for a series of bombings that killed at least 47 people earlier this year. Furkat Yusupov, 24, and Farkhad Kazakbayev, 22, were each sentenced to 18 years in prison. They were described as the most active members of the al-Qaida-linked group Jamoat that was behind the blasts. Eleven other men were sentenced to jail terms ranging from 11 to 16 years, while the wives of the two suicide bombers were sentenced to 6 years and 10 years.
The trial, which opened July 26, was the first against those accused in a series of March and April explosions and assaults on police that killed 33 militants, 10 police and four bystanders. Other trials are expected with dozens more suspects in custody. Prosecutors had demanded jail terms of up to 20 years for the militants sentenced Tuesday, all of whom pleaded guilty to charges of religious extremism, terrorism and murder. "The court took into consideration that all those that had carried out the bombings had died and that all the suspects have actively cooperated with the investigation," said Jamolov.
The accused also said they were members of the Islamic party Hizb-ut-Tahrir which calls for the establishment of an Islamic state in Central Asia. Hizb-ut-Tahrir denies it uses violence in its activities. The suicide bombers' wives, Ikbol Tahsbulatova and Kamola Yusupova, were jailed for 6 and 10 years respectively. Judge Bakhtiyor Jamolov said Yusupova received a longer sentence because she was accused of being an active member of Jamoat and had prepared 60 suicide bombers' belts for the attacks. It was widely expected that the prosecutors would request the death penalty. During the trial, the capital Tashkent was hit July 30 by three near-simultaneous suicide bombings that killed seven people, including the attackers, which authorities said were linked to the same group.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/25/2004 12:20:53 AM ||
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Posted by: Fred ||
08/25/2004 00:22 ||
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#1
Still there are lingering concerns among some in Afghanistan that Pakistan has not truly broken ties with Taliban fighters who have taken refuge in Pakistan and continues to aid them secretly. But Islamabad denies this is the case.
Pretty much of an understatement
Posted by: Super Hose ||
08/25/2004 3:20 Comments ||
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#2
I'd say "parole", such as that practiced back during our Civil War, doesn't carry quite the same weight of honor in that part of the world, today. They'll meet many of these asshats again very soon, methinks.
A previously unknown group claimed Tuesday to have abducted a Jordanian and a Kenyan in Iraq who it said were working for U.S. forces. The statement, issued in the name of "Fallujah Brigade of the Iraq Martyrs' Brigade," appeared on an Islamic Web site known as a clearinghouse for messages from extremist groups. The statement said the hostages were "heading to an American base in Baghdad carrying food to the American occupying forces." It did not identify the two or their employer, but said it would do so later in a video that also would spell out conditions for their release. Government officials in Jordan and Kenya said they could not confirm the claim. Late Tuesday, Jordan's official Petra news agency said a Jordanian family reported that a relative, Nidal Taleb Kanani, had been abducted in Iraq. No other details were available, so it was not known if Kanani was the same man reported kidnapped in the Web statement.
Ever notice it's always brigades with these guys? Never a platoon or batallion. What's up with that?
Posted by: Fred ||
08/25/2004 12:13:39 AM ||
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A brigade within a brigade?
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/25/2004 0:35 Comments ||
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The State Department said Tuesday it has information that terrorists may be planning attacks in Uzbekistan in early September during the country's Independence Day celebrations. The warning to Americans traveling or living in the Central Asian nation comes less than a month after triple suicide bombings at the U.S. and Israeli embassies and the general prosecutor's office in Tashkent. Uzbek authorities in the predominantly Muslim nation blamed the July 30 attacks on al-Qaida-linked radical Islamic groups based outside the country. They said the same groups were responsible for a series of explosions and assaults on police in late March and early April in Tashkent and the central Bukhara region that claimed 47 lives.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/25/2004 12:10:31 AM ||
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#3
As compared to Fallujah, there is a distinct lack of false civilian casualty reports.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
08/25/2004 3:25 Comments ||
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#4
That's because they kicked out the journos.
Posted by: Rafael ||
08/25/2004 3:26 Comments ||
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#5
Super Hose do you think the local cops went and made a call and had a talk with all the "hospitals" and convinvced them they would be back if any "dead bunnies, mutalated women and children" showed up perhaps?
Iraqi border and customs police foiled an attempt to smuggle weapon production lines to Iran in eastern Iraq of Diyala, the Al Sabah Al Jadid newspaper reported Tuesday. The productions lines, remains of the former Iraqi institution of military industry, were disassembled and hidden under heaps of junk in six 16-ton-cargo cars. The haul included complete lines for manufacturing different kinds of weapons, explosives and small arms. According to the police, the owner of the cargo obtained approvals and exporting license from the Iraqi trade ministry. The police added a special committee has been set up to examine the lines.
Posted by: TS(vice girl) ||
08/25/2004 12:10:06 AM ||
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#1
I am betting that these are the same morons who burried high performance aircraft under sand. These machines are now probably junk after all.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
08/25/2004 3:27 Comments ||
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makes you think what else could be buried under that sand...
Posted by: Rafael ||
08/25/2004 3:30 Comments ||
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Must be a NAFTA kinda thing.
Posted by: Capt America ||
08/25/2004 20:18 Comments ||
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..Officials made conflicting statements about whether the signal from the other jet indicated a hijacking or another severe problem on the aircraft. The Interfax and ITAR-Tass news agencies later quoted an unnamed law enforcement source as saying that the signal was an SOS and that no other signals were sent. Oleg Yermolov, deputy director of the Interstate Aviation Committee, said that it is impossible to judge what is behind the signal, which merely indicates "a dangerous situation onboard" and can be triggered by the crew during a hijacking or a potentially catastrophic technical problem. Sibir airlines, however, seemed to hint at foul play, saying on its Web site that it "does not rule out the theory of a terrorist attack."
The Emergency Situation Ministry's Rostov regional chief Viktor Shkareda told AP the plane apparently broke up in the air and that wreckage was spread over an area of some 25-30 miles, but the fuselage and tail lay a few hundred yards apart at the edge of a forest. Bodies lay near the plane, but most of the victims' bodies were trapped in the mangled fuselage. The crash was found near Gluboky, a village north of the regional capital Rostov-on-Don. Siber said the Tu-134 belonged to small regional airline Volga-Aviaexpress and was being piloted by the company's director. Interfax quoted a Domodedovo airport spokesman as saying no foreigners were on the passenger lists for either plane. But a spokesman for the Israeli embassy said an Israeli citizen, David Coen, was on the Volgograd-bound jet.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/25/2004 00:04 ||
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I don't yet see any news of the 2 airline downings on the Russian news sites: itar-tass, izvestia, mosnews. It's almost 9 AM Moscow time. The bus stop bombing on the front page, so I wonder what is going on?
Posted by: ed ||
08/25/2004 0:43 Comments ||
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Itar-tass russian site has the story. I had the english pages bookmarked. It's not much but here is a machine translation of itar-tass:
MOSCOW, on 25 August. /Korr.ITAR- TASS Vladimir katasonov/. two large plane crashes occurred in the territory of Russia. As reported korr.ITAR- TASS the chief for the administration of the information OF MCHS [EMERGENCY AND DISASTER RELIEF MINISTRY] of Russia the sea-scape Of ryklina, in the environs of Tula into 22:56 msk on Tuesday fell the aircraft "Tu-134", that followed by voyage Moscow- Volgograd. On its board were located 35 passengers even 8 crew members.
According to her, the fallen aircraft is already discovered not far from the populated area Of buchalki, Kimovskeyeo region of Tula region.
Practically simultaneously with this, also into Tuesday into 22:59 msk, hearth to the Rostov-on- Don propal from the radars aircraft "Tu-154". Liner carried out the voyage of Moscow- Sochi. 44 people were located on its board.
The President RF Vladimir Putin was immediately informed about the tragedy with the aircraft. He charged FSB to begin immediately comprehensive investigation.
Posted by: ed ||
08/25/2004 0:49 Comments ||
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Best source right now is gazeta.ru (Russian only but if you run it through an automatic translation service you get this:
The act of terrorism similar to an air crash
The Russian authorities are close to recognizing tragedy of today's night as act of terrorism. According to sources, before destruction the crew That - 154 has had time to submit a signal about capture of the plane by terrorists.
As informed early in the morning agency " Interfax ", on disappeared in the Rostov area That - 154 was worked with the signal system about capture of an air vessel. Officially to reporters nobody has confirmed this information, however they refer to a source " in one of power structures ". This information corresponds with indications of eyewitnesses of falling of other plane - what has fallen three minutes earlier in 800 kilometers to the west, in the Tula area. Employees of the Ministry of Emergency Measures have transferred their words that falling was preceded with strong explosion.
Thus, the version about act of terrorism becomes the basic.
For the present not projasneny all details of double tragedy in the Russian sky (for example under the message of "Interfax" SOS has been sent at 23.04 though was considered earlier, that the plane has disappeared from screens of radars at 22.59).
Here that occured today at night at airport Domodedovo, whence with an interval 40 minutes both planes, and in the sky above the Tula and Rostov areas have taken off.
Two planes - That - 134 near Tula and That - 154 near Rostov - were broke practically in one and too time. First of them has fallen at 22 o'clock 56 minutes, the second - in three minutes. Both these of the plane have taken off from Moscow airport Domodedovo hardly probable not one after another.
The first - That - 134 companies " Volgas - Aviaekspress " has taken off for Volgograd approximately at 22.30. On his board there were 34 passengers and 8 members of crew. The plane, apparently has already had time to gain height and has left on, so-called "echelon", that is has passed to the most safe, from the point of view of statistics of aviation accidents, to a stage of flight. However, in area of village Bushelaki of the Tula area (180 km from Moscow) onboard something has taken place also communication with plane has interrupted. More she was not restored. In the second the regional branch of the Ministry of Emergency Measures on the Tula area informed one o'clock in the morning, that " the tail part of the fallen plane is found and that alive people is not revealed ". According to the application of the same source, eyewitnesses assert, that falling of the plane " was preceded with strong explosion ". The second victim for this night the plane has taken off from airport Domodedovo for 40 minutes earlier. Under the schedule, flight 1047 Moscow - Sochi airlines " Siberias " should fly up at 21.25. However small delays with a start of planes happen constantly and, most likely, this plane has risen in air approximately at 21.40. In Domodedovo 38 passengers aboard have risen. The structure of crew included 3 pilots and 5 stewards.
Thus, were lost 88 person the last night: near 42 Tula and 46 - near Rostov.
The plane fly in Sochi has fallen in 138 km from Rostov and data on it less than about the first plane. Rescuers have not reached yet a place of accident and what fragments are not found yet. " The center of ignition " is found out only. However this plane also was on the "quietest" site of flight - up to a place of landing there were still almost 400 km and the plane has not started at all decrease.
The Russian authorities in the standard image have reacted to this emergency - to president Putin have reported, that ordered to begin investigation, later law enforcement bodies have reported on amplification of security measures at the airports of the country.
What or special measures from the party pravohranitelnyh bodies up to one o'clock in the morning it has not been noticed. As the correspondent " has transferred from airport Domodedovo Newspapers. Ru ", between midnight and one o'clock in the morning, from Domodedovo last "wave" of flights, mainly on the east of the country departed. After two one o'clock in the morning intensity of starts falls almost up to zero and, likely, therefore the management of the airport has not closed it.
And by character of accidents, the airports will be the basic place of investigation. The last some hours of a life of the "Volgograd" plane (which it was broke near Tula) are known almost for certain: it has arrived to Moscow about 9 one o'clock in the evening and has lead on parking of only one and a half hour. The "Sochi" plane (fallen under Rostov) also was in Domodedovo. Airline " Siberia " also has a flight from Volgograd. The plane That - 154 of this city has arrived to Moscow on August, 24 in the morning. However the press-secretary of the company Evgenie Filjanin has declared " to the Newspaper. Ru ", that the broken plane with onboard number 85556 was not on August, 24 in Volgograd.
Thus, if the version of act of terrorism will be recognized convincing, under suspicion there are all services (both technical, and serving passengers) airport Domodedovo and other ports where there were these planes recently
The official information from airport Domodedovo, and also from airlines " Volgas - Aviaekspress " and "Siberia" very little - night time and scales of tragedy affect. Management Domodedovo has only declared, that " it carries out an emergency meeting ", and airline " Siberia " informed the formal data on the lost plane and has opened gorjauju a line for native and close victims (phone - 8 800 200 000 7; phones of a hot line of company " Volga - Aviaekspress " - 8 8442 317565 and 8 8442 317053
As informed Filjanin, " experts of the company do not put forward what versions ", but nevertheless, has recognized, that " the information for mass-media under the scheme of interaction of various aeroport services with security service of the airline " now prepares. As he said, the control over passengers, service of technics - all these questions concern to the competence of ground services of the airport.
Two accidents in one country, in one night - extremely rare incident. Last time such was on September, 11, 2001 in the USA when in New York with a difference some minutes two planes seized by terrorists ran into buildings of World shopping center, one more has rammed a building of Pentagon, and last has fallen in deserted district.
In this light evening explosion in Moscow differently is looked. At 19.43 the glass pavilion of a bus stop on highway Kashirskom - approximately on half of way between city centre and the airport has been blown up. On the official data, 4 persons have suffered, and the city militia denies any data on victims.
Yeah, he was at that location. That's also where Ramzi Yousef put his casio life-jacket bomb on that killed a Japanese man in the 1994 JAL flight. Whatever caused the TWA flight 800 explosion happened at the same location in the airframe, and the official explanation to this day is a "center wing tank explosion", caused by electrical wiring, but I think that's BS.
I think American 587 which crashed in Queens 2001 was also a shoebomb.
Posted by: Pete Stanley ||
08/25/2004 2:47 Comments ||
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I believe that Russia already occupies Chechnya with a sizeable, abeit ill-trained, military presence. The problem is that if this was the work of the Chechen Killer Korps headed up by Basayev, they're only an aspect of the problem rather than the cause. That lies great further to the south in the Magic Kingdom and if it was al-Qaeda then the leadership will be shacked up at the mad mullahs' villas in Iran and the hard boyz will get their training from the LeT.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
08/25/2004 2:48 Comments ||
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#11
I think American 587 which crashed in Queens 2001 was also a shoebomb.
Albeit the guy must have been sitting at the rear? The rudder was sheared off in that one.
Posted by: Rafael ||
08/25/2004 2:54 Comments ||
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Maybe it's time to look at a map. One plane was flying to Sotchi, the other to Volgograd. Those two routes are very close to each other. The plane that crashed in the Tula area could have been forced to change route and crashed very soon after that. The other one flew on to Sotchi and crashed near Rostow, still on a direct route to Sotchi. This one was obviously able to trigger hijack alert...
OK this is speculation of course but I wouldn't be surprised if both planes were to pay president Putin a visit in Sotchi, in the middle of the night.
#13
TGA, That was my first guess also...but then why the mid-air boom on the plane heading to Volgagrad? Our speculations could be endless, but it is possible that if they did not gain control of the aircraft, they had plan 2...a boom in the bathroom. Placed there by ground crew.
#14
Putin might fire (literally perhaps) someone from his inner circle today. Unless his exact location in Sochi was well publicized, someone on the ground nearby must have confirmed his whereabouts (if indeed he was the target).
Posted by: Rafael ||
08/25/2004 3:11 Comments ||
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Ignoring the Russian penchant for corruption these days (and it's not like the Chechens don't have enough Saudi cash to play with), the Chechen ability to stage multiple attacks inside Moscow would seem to suggest that they have a way of getting through Russian security.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
08/25/2004 3:15 Comments ||
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Oh sure his whereabouts are known... Putin's high security presidential dacha can hardly be missed.
#19
IIRC, the whole tail section ended up in Jamaica Bay, and both engines wound up in seperate locations, away from the main body of the airplane.
Witnesses reported flames, etc. but the gov't said that they just witnessed a REALLY big compressor stall fromt he extreme turbulence caused by the Korean Air flight too close in front.
And let's not forget the French airliner that went down off of Yemen late last year. Blair was spending some time at Sharm el Shek, at the time.
Posted by: Pete Stanley ||
08/25/2004 3:38 Comments ||
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hitting low rise Pentagon wasn't easy either
That was pure luck.
Posted by: Rafael ||
08/25/2004 4:06 Comments ||
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Probably the planes were shot down by russian missiles, when they noted the change of route.
Posted by: Rafael ||
08/25/2004 4:28 Comments ||
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"Probably the planes were shot down by russian missiles, when they noted the change of route."
Hummmmm...Anyone may have hit on something here. The Russians would have no compunction to shoot an airliner from the sky...nor do I think would we, under the apropriate circumstances.
#24
Well we wouldn't hesitate a shoot down any more, at one time yes, but not now. The Russians would never have been under any constraints they are just to practical and pragmatic.
#25
Probably the planes were shot down by russian missiles,
I had the same thought - since one was able to get off a hijack signal. Or maybe someone special was coming to see Vlad. Be interesting to see the passenger lists.
#26
"Russian security heads believe al Qaeda behind crash of two Russian Siberian Airways planes after takeoff from Moscow Tuesday night. Both pilots sent hijack signals before their planes disappeared off radar screens killing all 89 people aboard."
in Debka.
Yep... Russia has the world's most extensive strategic air defense network. Just check the numbers:
#27
Anyone: Yep... Russia has the world's most extensive strategic air defense network. Just check the numbers. And they are ready for this kind of situation
I think the Russian air defense system has always been overrated - and this was back in the days of the Soviet Union, when there was much less commercial traffic, and the Russians still had a real military. Case in point - in 1987, German-born Mathias Rust, 34, made headlines as a 19-year-old when he landed a Cessna light aircraft in Red Square in a flight that originated in West Germany. They're great at collecting good-looking stats, but like their weapons systems, generally fail to perform up to specs when real emergencies occur.
#28
Zhang Fei---Mathais Rust's plane was the stealthy Cessna 172 chickenhawk aerial recon model. Heh heh. I think that some West German businessman bought it after the deed and had it trucked out of the then-USSR.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
08/25/2004 11:40 Comments ||
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AP: I think that some West German businessman bought it after the deed and had it trucked out of the then-USSR.
Last I heard, some Japanese businessman bought the plane. He compared it to the Lindbergh plane that made the first aerial Atlantic crossing.
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