[Beirut Daily Star: Region] American naval forces handed Somali authorities the bodies of three suspected pirates on Thursday, officials said, after US snipers shot the trio earlier this month during a standoff over an American hostage.
The sole surviving pirate suspect from the April 8 attack on the US-flagged Maersk Alabama is in custody in the US facing piracy charges.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Abdulle Mohammad, the chief of security in the country's northern Bossaso port, said regional authorities sent a small boat to collect the wooden coffins containing the bodies from a warship stationed around 6.5 kilometers off the coast. "I hope they will hand the bodies over to their relatives," Mohammad said, but noted that none of the people at the port in Somalia Thursday had identified themselves as family members of the dead men.
Mohammad said the Americans had said they had been doing DNA tests on the bodies during the past few days. "Their remains were initially transferred to the USS Boxer and have remained in US Navy custody until a transfer to local Somali authorities could be arranged," said Lieutenant Stephanie Murdock, a spokeswoman for the Bahrain-based US Fifth Fleet.
The three men, along with the fourth suspect Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse, dominated the world's television screens for days following their attack on the Alabama and the standoff over the ship's captain, Richard Phillips, who was taken hostage. Muse eventually surrendered to a nearby warship to seek treatment for a wound sustained during the attack, and now faces trial in New York. Navy SEAL sharpshooters killed his three companions after they pointed their guns at Phillips.
In related news, Belgium will offer specially trained military teams to help its country's ships fend off attacks by Somali pirates, the Defense Ministry said on Thursday, after a Belgian ship was hijacked earlier this month. Specially trained Belgian troops. Tremble, ye pirates. The 515th Heavy Belgian Barbers?
Ships would be charged 115,000 euros ($153,000) a week for protection from the soldiers who would only be deployed if a European Union force already in the region could not guarantee ships' safety, said Defense Minister Pieter De Crem. "From the beginning of May until the end of June, shipping groups can call on the Defense Ministry which will deploy, in principle, eight soldiers per ship," De Crem told a news conference.
Posted by: Fred ||
05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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#2
"In related news, Belgium will offer specially trained military teams to help its country's ships fend off attacks..."
Isn't this a good idea? I would think that it would help spread uncertainty among the pirates, even if no ship took them up on the offer. Belgium ended conscription last year, but there should be enough people around that can shoot straight.
#3
If Belgium ended conscription last year, there should be a higher percentage than before who can shoot straight. And given the likelihood that those posted to the shipping lanes will see action at some point, surely they'll want to ensure they don't embarrass themselves, after the Americans and Israelis acquitted themselves so well.
U.S. officials could be nearing a deal with the Kyrgyzstan government to extend U.S. access to Manas Air Base, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters April 28.
Mr. Morrell reported progress in negotiations he called "reason for hope" about reversing Kyrgyzstan's previous decision regarding the base.
Kyrgyzstan's foreign ministry notified the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek in February that it had six months to leave Manas, a major logistical and refueling center that supports troops in Afghanistan. About 15,000 troops and 500 tons of cargo move through the base every month.
[Kyodo: Korea] The United States said Thursday it is highly skeptical that North Korea will ever return to the six-way talks aimed at denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the Senate Appropriations Committee that she thought it is ''implausible, if not impossible'' that North Korea will return to the six-party talks and begin to disable its nuclear program.
Posted by: Fred ||
05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
TOPIX > US OFFICIAL: NORTH KOREA MAY CONDUCT NUCLEAR TEST BEFORE RETURNING TO TALKS [iff it ever decides to resume the 6-Party Talks].
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
05/02/2009 15:01 Comments ||
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#4
They also piss their pants in fear when caught.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
05/02/2009 15:17 Comments ||
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#5
Thank Jimmy Carter for this - his meddling kept Clinton (of all people) from slamming the door shut, and saddled Bush (who didn't have the guts to clean out state of the mutineers and implement his own policies) with this state-dept led farce. Its now dead weight for the vanglorious narcissist Obama who, seeing no personal glory, will simply let State do whatever they want (which is let the farce go on forever or until Kimmie detonates a nuke over Seoul or Honolulu or Tokyo).
IIUC, the inital motive for the crime was to get money, and was not terror-related, but random Youth crilmes with an antisemite background... BUT, this trial is being turned into a political/agitprop platform, and youssouf is trying to make himself into a djihadist (in addition to being a racist borderline nutcase)... a noteworthy point, his advocate is a radical she-leftist who actually married carlos the jackal in jail a few years ago (carlos, you might recall, has converted and wrote a book called "revolutionary islam", on how this new force was going to defeat the capitalist West).
The family of a man allegedly tortured and killed for being Jewish left a Paris courtroom Thursday to protest the judge's handling of the trial, a lawyer said. Ilan Halimi's family walked out after Youssouf Fofana, the suspected ringleader of 27 young people on trial for killing Halimi, 23, made intimidating comments, saying he had friends in the courtroom who would "take pictures to identify people," Halimi family lawyer Francis Szpiner said to The Times of London.
When the judge refused to silence Fofana, the family and their lawyers walked out, Szpiner said.
The trial, closed to the public because two suspects were minors at the time of the killing, is expected to last 2 1/2 months.
Fofana, 28, admits to kidnapping Halimi but denies stabbing him to death, The Times reported.
Kidnapping that leads to a murder? That gets the death penalty right there.
Halimi was kidnapped Jan. 20, 2006, tied up in a cellar and tortured for 24 days in the suburb of Bagneux, the newspaper said. His kidnappers tried unsuccessfully to extort a $600,000 ransom from his family. Halimi was found naked, handcuffed and covered with burn marks near railroad tracks south of Paris Feb. 13, 2006. He died en route to a hospital.
Fofana faces life in prison because charges against him include anti-Semitism, an "aggravating circumstance" requiring the stiffest sentences under French law.
Several members of his "gang of barbarians" testified Halimi was targeted because he was Jewish, which they felt meant he had money and his community would pay to get him back, The Times said.
#1
she-leftist lawyer? Ima thinkrn of Lynne Stewart. Better to not consummate that marriage
*shudder*
Posted by: Frank G ||
05/02/2009 17:29 Comments ||
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#2
Let Mr. Halimi's relatives touch each one of the murderers and their supporters at least once, then let slip the special Jewish skill of causing Muslim penises to shrivel up and their womenfolk unable to bear sons. They should then remain constantly in the courtroom, smiling contentedly or gazing thoughtfully at their future victims. It's true, y'all know it -- was it Nigeria or Kenya where they had that problem a few years ago?
#3
I remember long ago, in one of the provinces of China that never get cold, they had an unusual cold spell, and men were tying weights on their penises to keep them from shrinking up into the body and vanishing.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
05/02/2009 20:51 Comments ||
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In the days following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, alleged al Qaeda operations mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed intended to use his free Hotmail account to direct a U.S.-based operative to carry out an attack, according to a guilty plea agreement filed by Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri in federal court. The document shows how al Qaeda, at least in 2001, embraced prosaic technologies like pre-paid calling cards, public phones, computer search engines and simplistic codes to communicate, plan and carry out its operations.
Al-Marri also surfed the Internet to research cyanide gas, using software to cover his tracks, according to the document filed Thursday in federal court in Peoria, Ill. He marked the locations of dams, waterways and tunnels in the United States in an almanac. The government claims this reflects intelligence that al Qaeda was planning to use cyanide gas to attack those sites.
In a stipulation of facts filed as part of the plea agreement, al-Marri admitted that he trained in al Qaeda camps and stayed in terrorist safe houses in Pakistan between 1998 and 2001. There, he learned how to handle weapons and how to communicate by phone and e-mail using a code. After arriving in the U.S. on Sept. 10, 2001 a day before al Qaeda's long-plotted terror strikes in New York and Washington Al-Marri stored phone numbers of al Qaeda associates in a personal electronic device.
He used a "10-code" to protect the numbers subtracting the actual digits in the phone numbers from 10 to arrive at a coded number, according to a person close to the investigation. In a 10-code, eight becomes a two, for example. Other al Qaeda members used the same code, according to the plea agreement.
Al-Marri sent e-mails to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's Hotmail account HOR70hotmail.com addressed to "Muk" and signed "Abdo." The details of that code were included in an address book found in an al Qaeda safehouse in Pakistan.
An attempt by The Associated Press to reach that address did not indicate the account had been closed, but it went unanswered.
FBI investigators learned from their (pre-CIA torturing) interviews of Abu Zubaydah in 2002 that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was known to all as Muktar, and that he (Mohammed) had been the primary planner of 9/11, reports CBS News producer Phil Hirschkorn.
Al-Marri initially tried to use a Yahoo e-mail account to contact Mohammed, but it failed to go through. So he switched to Hotmail as well. When al-Marri arrived in the United States, he created five new e-mail accounts to communicate with Mohammed, using the 10-code to send him his cell phone number in Peoria. From September to November, al-Marri tried and failed to contact members of al Qaeda in Pakistan using prepaid calling cards and public phones, sometimes traveling 160 miles to use a different phone.
Also revealed in the plea agreemend is that al-Marri used the jihad nickname Abdul-Rahman al-Qatari, and provided al Qaeda with his family contact information in case he was killed or martyred during an al Qaeda mission. Al-Marri came to the U.S. with his wife and five children; they now live in Saudi Arabia, as do a number of his siblings, Hirschkorn reports.
[Geo News] Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Friday said the US supported a dictator, Pervez Musharraf, for eight years and the present democratic government continues to suffer from its effects. The Prime Minster was addressing a press conference here at Chief Minister House after attending a high level meeting to review the law and order in Karachi following the violent incidents in the metropolis. On the occasion, he ordered the Sindh Home Minister to check illegal arms supply in Karachi. The Premier announced Rs500,000 each for families that lost their loved ones in Karachi violence and Rs100,000 each for the injured. Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, federal minister Babar Awan, Babar Ghauri, Farooq Sattar and ANP leader Shahi Syed were present on the occasion. The Prime Minister said the Sindh Government has taken steps in right direction toward maintenance of law and order in Karachi. I will discuss situation in Karachi with the leadership Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Awami National Party besides Co-chairman Pakistan People's Party, he added. Â"The three parties' meetings must be held on priority basis,Â" the Prime Minister stressed. PM Gilani said the government has to solve problems by pursuing the policy of reconciliation and vowed that the extremists will not be allowed to set their roots in Karachi. The Federal Government will extend its full cooperation to Sindh Government for ensuring peace.
Posted by: Fred ||
05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
You talking about Perv? The guy, who for all his faults - yeah, it's a long list - kept Pakistan from becoming the even bigger mess that it is today?
#2
Why, yes now that you mention it. However, sometimes its a 'sic a dog on a dog' arrangement and not a real world choice of just plain good versus evil which doesn't exist at that time in history.
[Geo News] Inspector General Frontier Corps Major General Tariq Khan Friday visited Buner where he was briefed about the ongoing operation against Taliban militants. In Buner, he met with operation commanders, security forces and the civil administration. On this occasion, local commanders gave briefing to the IG Frontier Corps about progress made in the offensive. The IG FC expressed his satisfaction over full support of local population in the operation and resolved to flush out the militants from Buner. He also praised the civil administration and locals for their role.
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05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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[Geo News] Pakistan People Party (PPP) senior leader Senator Raza Rabbani Friday said that a conspiracy was being hatched to bring down the civilian rule. But added that any such attempt against the federation would be foiled with the support of people and labourers. Speaking at a seminar organized to mark the Labout Day here, he said that the civilian government of the People Party was committed to its labour-friendly policy. Senator Rabbani said that the federal government would announce a new labour policy in consultation with all stakeholders by the end of May. "A referendum would soon be carried out in Railway Open Line to reinstate the employees sacked during previous regimes," Rabbani said. Later, he told newsmen that writ of the government had been restored in Sindh. However, he noted that conspiracies were being made to destabilize the federal government. He also expressed grief over loss of lives in recent spate of violence in Karachi. But hoped that law and order situation would improve in the country's financial hub after meeting of coalitions partners.
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05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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[Geo News] Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Friday termed Karachi as mini Pakistan and inter-linked country's stability with the metropolis. Addressing a press conference after chairing a high-level meeting here at Chief Minister House, the PM ordered the Sindh Home Minister to check illegal arms supply in Karachi. Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, federal minister Babar Awan, Babar Ghauri, Farooq Sattar and ANP leader Shahi Syed were present on the occasion. The Prime Minister said the Sindh Government has taken steps in right direction toward maintenance of law and order in Karachi. I will discuss situation in Karachi with the leadership Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Awami National Party besides Co-chairman Pakistan People's Party, he added. Â"The three parties' meetings must be held on priority basis,Â" the Prime Minister stressed. PM Gilani said the government has to solve problems by pursuing the policy of reconciliation and vowed that the extremists will not be allowed to set their roots in Karachi. The Federal Government will extend its full cooperation to Sindh Government for ensuring peace.
Posted by: Fred ||
05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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[Associated Press of Pakistan] Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Friday said that the law and order is the top priority of the government. He was chairing a law and order meeting at the Chief Minister House, which was attended by the representatives from all the coalition partners in the provincial government and the representatives of the law enforcement agencies.
The meeting was also attended by Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, federal ministers Dr. Babar Awan, Senator Babar Khan Ghauri, Sindh Home Minister, Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza, Dr, Farooq Sattar of Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Shahi Syed of Awami national party, Sindh, secretary Interior, Kamal Shah, Director General of Rangers, Maj. Gen. Liaquat Ali, IGP Sindh and CCPO Karachi.
The Prime Minister said that the meeting helped him in identifying the root causes of the law and order situation in the metropolis and the recommendations adopted in the meeting would effectively help in addressing the problem.
Continued on Page 49
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05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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India on Friday protested against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan's (TTP) attempt to impose Jizya (protection tax imposed on non-Muslims under sharia law) and other restrictions on Sikhs living in Orakzai Agency.
An Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman said New Delhi had conveyed its concerns to Islamabad.
Earlier, the External Affairs Ministry summoned an official of the Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi to register a formal complaint over the development.
Sources said the Indian High Commission in Islamabad had also conveyed similar objections to the Foreign Office.
"On seeing reports about Sikh families in Pakistan being driven out of their homes and being subjected to Jizya and other such impositions, the Indian government has taken up the treatment of minorities with Pakistan," spokesman Vishnu Prakash said. India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also took note of the TTP's actions, with party spokesman Prakash Javedkar saying reports from Orakzai were deplorable.
He urged the Indian government to launch an international diplomatic offensive to force Islamabad to act against the offenders.
Meanwhile, Shrimani Gurdawara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), the highest religious body of Sikhs, has written a letter to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee regarding the development.
SGPC has sought permission from the prime minister to visit the Federally Administered Tribal Areas in Pakistan to assess the condition of Sikhs living in the area.
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05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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Sunni Tehreek (ST) on Friday took out a protest rally under title 'Difah-e-Islam Rally' against Talibanization in the country, killings of Sunni religious scholars and profanity of shrines in Malakand Division.
The rally, led by Aalmi Tanzim Ahl-e-Sunnat Amir Pir Muhammad Afzal Qadri, started from Liaquat Bagh to Committee Chowk. Besides a large number of ST members, Allama Muhammad Haider Alvi, Sahibzada Rashid, Mufti Muhammad Hanif Qureshi of Shababe-e-Islami also participated in the rally. The protestors, carrying placards and banners, shouted slogans against Taliban and western powers. 'Talibani Sharia Namanzoor' was the main slogan.
ST Quaid Engineer Muhammad Sarwat Qadri, in his telephonic address from Karachi, said the US drone attacks in tribal areas and imposition of Talibani Sharia were putting integrity of the country into danger. "The whole nation will support the government and Pakistan Army in this time of need," he said.
He alleged that Tehreek Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) Chief Maulana Sufi Muhammad had violated the constitution and Sharia. He said Taliban were defaming Islam and people would not accept their Sharia.
"The government, as per 1973 Constitution, should promulgate Nizam-e-Mustafa (SAW) not only in Swat but also in all other parts of the country," he demanded.
Mufti Muhammad Hanif Quershi said the people, the government and army would guard ideology and frontiers of the country.
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05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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[Associated Press of Pakistan] Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday did not rule involvement of a "foreign hand" in the recent spate of violence in Karachi, the country's business hub. In a brief chat with reporters at Multan, the Prime Minister was questioned whether he sees a foreign hand behind the incidents of arson, loot and violence in Karachi that has left over two dozen killed. "It can't be ruled out," Gilani said. My sources tell me it was nargels.
Responding About President Obama's remarks about Pakistan, the prime minister said the civil government, its institutions, including the judiciary, media were all strong and working under the constitution.
Regarding the operation in parts of NWFP, the prime minister said whenever the writ of the government is challenged, the provincial government can requisition the services of the armed forces for its support.
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05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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[Geo News] Central Ameer Jamat-e-Islami (JI) Syed Munawar Hasan has told the ruling leaders of the country that it is the high time to say 'No More' to US administration. He said US will keep pressing Pakistan government to do more and more regardless of Pakistan's efforts to counter insurgency. In his statement released here on Friday, Ameer JI said the stable Pakistan is need of the hour and we will have to bar the US advance towards country's nuclear arsenals. He laid stress upon every citizen of Pakistan to extend support for the 'Go America Go Movement' launched by JI Pakistan. He alleged President Zardari of becoming puppet in the hands of US administration and termed his forthcoming visit to US as 'Displaying Loyalty' to America.
"PPP has mortgaged Sindh government to MQM", he remarked adding, "Army operation in Dir has been launched following US demand".
Posted by: Fred ||
05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) -- a US government-funded agency created to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience and religion -- released its annual report on Friday, listing Pakistan as a 'country of particular concern' (CPC).
Countries are placed on the report's list because their governments either discriminate against people for religious reasons or are unwilling or unable to stop religious violence by their citizens. Pakistan joined Iran, Iraq, China, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Vietnam, amongst others, as being the worst violators of religious freedoms.
The commission recommends nations that should be considered CPCs to the State Department, which makes the final decision. To date, the State Department has not designated Pakistan a CPC.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
i would of thourght pakistan was always on this list as they have always hated infidels like the saudis!!!!
[Associated Press of Pakistan] The talks between the provincial authorities and TNSM Chief Maulana Sufi Muhammad Friday held at Timergara in Dir Lower ended on positive note as both sides expressed unanimity of views on various issues including setting up of Darul Qaza, NAR 2009 and agreed to forward the peace process in the days to come.
Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain in his capacity as Spokesman of the NWFP Government and Senator Zahir Khan of ANP represented the government in the talks while the TNSM was represented by its head Maulana Sufi Muhammad and assisted by Naib Ameer TNSM Maulana Muhammad Alam and its Spokesman Ameer Izzat Khan. Government officials and Sufi Mohammad met for the first time Friday after talks were suspended on Monday last after operations in Buner and Dir lower districts.
The Information Minister and the TNSM spokesman described the 30-minute meeting as "positive" but no date for a second meeting was announced.
The Information Minister when asked about the next round of talks said, "God willing, the second round of talks will be held tomorrow or day after tomorrow but at an undisclosed location." He said the talks were held in an extremely cordial atmosphere wherein issues relating to setting up of Darul Qazza, appointments of Qazis for the Islamic courts, rehabilitation of IDPs and prevailing situation in the districts of Buner and Dir lower came under discussion. "Yes progress has been made in the talks on scores of issues", TNSM Spokesman Ameer Izzat Khan said, adding, Maulana Sufi Muhammad has summoned meeting of the TNSM Shura on Saturday (May 02) at its headquarters Amandarra in Malakand Agency to take Shura members into confidence over the talks with the government team. The people would soon hear good news about peace, he added.
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05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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[Associated Press of Pakistan] Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Friday that civil government was strong and its institutions were functioning effectively under the constitution. Then his lips fell off.
While talking to media persons at the local airport before his departure to Karachi, the PM, when asked to comment on US President Barack Obama's recent statement, said, it is President Obama's personal opinion. PM Gilani said that all institutions including the parliament, judiciary besides media were functioning effectively while being within the ambit of constitution.
To a question on possibility of involvement of foreign hand in Karachi violence, PM said: "It can't be ruled out."
The Prime Minister said that wherever the writ of the government is challenged help from Army is sought on requisition of provincial government. PM added that Army works under the civilian government and government can move requisition when it needs Army's assistance.
To a question on President Asif Ali Zardari's forthcoming visit to USA, the Premier said he would give his comments when talks are held there.
Earlier, Prime Minister, accompanied by Federal Minister for parliamentary affairs Babar Awan, arrived Multan airport by his special plane where he was received by his brother Syed Ahmad Mujtaba Gilani, the Incharge PM's camp office in Multan, Commissioner Syed Muhammad Ali Gardezi, CPO Saud Aziz and other notables.
PM then moved to Nishtar Hospital to enquire about the condition of the three year old grand daughter of former federal minister Syed Tanweerul Hassan Gilani and daughter of UC nazim Syed Hamid Hassan Gilani. She was admitted to hospital after receiving injuries due to falling from stairs. PM interviewed doctors to enquire about condition of the injured minor girl and asked them to ensure proper treatment for speedy recovery.
PM also sought information regarding availability of facilities at the hospital and its development needs. The prime minister announced on the occasion to establish five operation theatres at the labour room complex of the hospital and the expansion of ICU facility.
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05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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[Dawn] Provincial authorities said they rejected Friday Sufi Mohammad's request to halt an offensive against Taliban militants as peace talks between the two camps resumed.
Talks between the North West Frontier Province's government and Sufi Mohammad, who negotiated the peace accord in Swat valley, resumed Friday in a northwestern district, Sufi's spokesman said. Government officials and Sufi Mohammad met for the first time Friday after talks were suspended Monday when the army launched an offensive against Taliban fighters in the northwest.
Provincial officials and supporters of Mohammad described the 30-minute meeting as 'positive' but no date for a second meeting was announced. 'Sufi Mohammad asked us to halt the operation,' NWFP's information minister, Iftikhar Hussain, told AFP. 'The operation will be halted when the armed people lay down their weapons because the government has to establish its writ at any cost,' he added.
'The government has given us assurances that the operation in Buner and Lower Dir will be finished.'
But Mohammad's spokesman told AFP the government had given assurances that the operation would be stopped in the districts of Buner and Lower Dir. 'The government has given us assurances that the operation in Buner and Lower Dir will be finished,' Ameer Izzat Khan told AFP from Timergara, the main town in Lower Dir where the talks took place.
Friday's meeting also discussed Islamic judges and the creation of an appellate court under a February deal in which the government agreed to put Malakand, a part of northwestern Pakistan, under sharia law to end a Taliban insurgency. Sufi Mohammad negotiated the accord. 'The appointments of judges of the Islamic courts will be made soon,' said the provincial information minister.
Sufi Mohammad, who was previously jailed by Pakistan for leading thousands of supporters into Afghanistan to fight against the 2001 US-led invasion, rejected government-appointed judges saying they were not properly versed in sharia.
When asked about a next round of dialogue, Iftikhar said: 'God willing, the second round of talks will be held soon.'
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05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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A 100-member jirga from Swat affirmed its support for the government in curbing militancy, saying that the Taliban could not justify taking up arms after the implementation of the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation (NAR), APP reported on Friday.
The jirga visited Peshawar to hold a meeting with Awami National Party (ANP) leader Afzal Khan Lala.
The delegation led by Swat District Nazim Jamal Nasir Khan said the NAR had already been implemented in Swat, the Darul Qaza was being established and Qazis were also being appointed. In such a situation, no one, they said, had the right to take up arms or target government installations anywhere in Malakand division. The jirga suggested the Taliban should be dealt with sternly, along with all such elements that wanted to foil the government's efforts to restore peace in the region. They said the government was justified in taking action against them.
Lala said it was the responsibility of the people of Swat to strengthen the hands of the government in implementing the NAR and the Pashtuns should unite to work for the restoration of lasting peace in the region.
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05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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[Beirut Daily Star: Region] The UN remains virtually helpless as an increasing number of armed groups - described as "non-state actors" - continue to exploit, abuse and deliberately harm children in battle zones in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
A particularly gruesome incident took place last November when Taliban militants in Afghanistan attacked a group of girls en route to school by throwing acid on their faces. According to a UN report, the militants were reportedly paid 100,000 Pakistani rupees ($1,246) for each girl they were able to burn.
In May last year, insurgents in Iraq apparently strapped explosives to a young girl and remotely detonated her as she approached an Iraqi Army command post in Yousifiyah, according to the UN study.
In September, a 15-year-old boy blew himself up among pro-government militia members in northern Baghdad, and in November, a 13-year-old girl blew herself up at a checkpoint in Baquba.
The study, which was the subject of a debate in the Security Council Wednesday, also criticizes the recruitment and use of child soldiers, mostly by non-state actors in countries such as Afghanistan, Burundi, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burma (Myanmar), Nepal, the Philippines, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Uganda. Recruitment of child soldiers by government forces occurs mostly in Myanmar, Chad and DRC, the report said.
The armed groups that deploy child soldiers include the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka, the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the National Liberation Army in Colombia, and the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda.
#2
Thank you for clearing this up. Silly me...all this time I considered the savages that promote their death cult by such things as Acid baths of schoolgirls simply as terrorists. But theyre really "non-state actors" with a desire for legitimacy that occasionally perform "Man Caused Disasters". Now I get it.
[Beirut Daily Star: Region] The Iraqi Army on Thursday blamed a wave of near-simultaneous bombings that killed more than 50 people in mostly Shiite districts of Baghdad on loyalists of Saddam Hussein's toppled regime.
"This series of bombings was supposed to be carried out on the 28th, the birthday of Saddam Hussein," Baghdad security spokesman Major General Qassim Atta told AFP, referring to the former dictator executed in December 2006.
"But because of the security measures that we took that day they could not carry it out," he said, adding that the attacks appeared to be aimed at sowing "sectarian strife" between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.
Three car bombs on Wednesday tore through markets in the sprawling Shiite slum of Sadr City, the main stronghold of the anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr which was ruled by his Mehdi Army militia until a major US and Iraqi operation there last year.
At least 51 people were killed and scores were wounded in the attacks, according to medics on Thursday.
Another seven people were killed in four additional blasts in Shiite and mixed neighborhoods elsewhere in the capital, according to security officials.
Atta said security forces were able to defuse another six car bombs set to go off at the same time.
The attacks were reminiscent of the coordinated bombings of crowded Shiite areas during the height of Iraq's sectarian fighting in 2006, which provoked the kidnappings and executions of thousands of Sunni men by Shiite militias.
A statement by the US military said the bombings had been meant to trigger the kind of confessional strife that swept Iraq in the wake of the 2003 US invasion that deposed Saddam and his Baathist regime.
"These attacks are an attempt to incite sectarian violence, but the Iraqi people have shown that they are rejecting this bankrupt philosophy," it said.
The Islamic Party - the largest Sunni party in Parliament - issued a statement Thursday condemning the attacks as a "criminal operation aimed at sowing terror and sectarian strife."
"The Islamic Party strongly condemns this cowardly terrorist act and emphasizes that this new wave of explosions is a great conspiracy led by the enemies of Iraq," it said.
Wednesday's attacks came a day after Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki hailed the arrest of Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, said to be the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq and blamed for a wave of attacks targeting Shiites and security forces.
Maliki referred to Baghdadi as "the head of evil, the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq," and said he had ties to the followers of Saddam's regime.
The Shiite premier's Dawa party said in a statement that Wednesday's attacks came in response to Baghdadi's detention.
"These cowardly bombings carried out by the remnants of the Baath party and Al-Qaeda terrorists are a reaction to the arrest of the emir [commander] of terrorism in Iraq," it said, referring to Baghdadi.
Iraq's Parliament meanwhile approved a measure proposed by Sadrist MPs to summon senior security officials for questioning regarding the blasts, a parliamentary official told AFP.
Those set to be called in for questioning include Iraqi Army leaders responsible for guarding Sadr City. Parliament has not yet set a date for the questioning.
Security has improved dramatically since US and Iraqi forces began allying with local tribes and former insurgents in late 2006 to combat Al-Qaeda and other militias, but attacks are still common.
April has been the bloodiest month since the start of the year, with over 300 people killed and over 700 wounded, according to an AFP tally based on reports from security officials.
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05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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[Al Arabiya Latest] ran, Cuba and Venezuela late on Thursday assailed the U.S. administration for a new report that lists Havana and Tehran as state sponsors of terrorism and raises concerns about Caracas.
The U.S. State Department report, which singled out Iran as "the most active state sponsor of terrorism" in the world, was released in Washington Thursday as ministers from some of the countries named in the report were here for a meeting of non-aligned countries.
"With its support for the Zionist regime, racism, occupation" and "all it has done in the prison at Guantanamo, the United States is not competent" to accuse other countries of terrorism, said Iranian Foreign Minister Monouchehr Mottaki.
He said President Barack Obama's administration speaks of change but some within it want past policies to continue.
"We do not recognize any political nor moral authority on the part of the United States ... to certify good or bad behavior," said Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.
International Delinquent
Rodriguez called the United States an "international delinquent" with "a long record of state terrorist actions, and not only against Cuba."
The release of the 2008 edition of the State Department's terrorist sponsor list followed overtures toward Cuba by Obama, who has sought to improve U.S. relations with Latin America.
But yesterday former Cuban leader Fidel Castro derided U.S. steps toward improving relations with his country, saying the United States wants Cuba to act like a slave willing to "accept again the whip and the yoke."
The 82-year-old Castro, writing in a column published on the Internet, said "the adversary should never be under the illusion that Cuba will surrender."
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05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
Castro gnashes his teeth most when we don't include him on such lists, because he is not important enough.
[Jerusalem Post Middle East] A general freed after nearly four years in jail in connection with the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri said Thursday his release by a UN-backed tribunal discredited Lebanon's judiciary and could shift the country's fragile political balance.
Brig. Gen. Jamil al-Sayyed, one of the former Lebanese security officials the tribunal ordered released on Wednesday citing insufficient evidence, called for the resignation of senior Lebanese judges.
"Inevitably, there will be political consequences," Sayyed told The Associated Press in an interview. "It was only natural that when the tribunal took a decision that goes against the politically motivated detention, there would be an opposite political impact."
The tribunal's decision was a setback for Lebanon's pro-Western political bloc headed by Hariri's son Saad. Senior judiciary officials who were in charge of the generals' case are considered by many to be close to Saad Hariri and his alliance. The bloc, which holds a majority in parliament, was struggling to contain the political damage heading into crucial elections in June against a Hizbullah-led faction.
Hariri was killed along with 22 others in a massive 2005 truck bombing on a Beirut street. The billionaire businessman and longtime ally of Syria was quietly challenging Damascus' three decades of domination over Lebanon at the time of his assassination and his killing sparked a domestic and international outcry that forced Syria and its tens of thousands of troops out of the country.
Hariri's supporters blamed Syria for the killing, a charge Damascus denies. The four released by the special international tribunal set up to find out who was behind Hariri's killing were the only suspects in custody.
Sayyed was considered Syria's strongman in Lebanon. He and the other three freed generals - Ali al-Hajj, Raymond Azar and Mustafa Hamdan - directed the chief security and military intelligence services and the presidential guard. They were instrumental in implementing Syrian policy in Lebanon in the years before the Syrian army was forced to withdraw.
Their arrest nearly four years ago was a condemnation of Syria and its allies in Lebanon, so their release is likely to boost the pro-Syrian factions led by Hizbullah.
Sayyed was receiving well-wishers at a hotel as Lebanon was coming to grips with the new political reality after the release of the generals.
"What happened yesterday amounts to the downfall of the Lebanese judiciary at the hands of the international justice," he said. He said he would consider himself compensated "if the judges who erred, the officers and the journalists who fed the false witnesses with information, resign as a result of the court's decision."
He said he would wait for their resignation or dismissal, but if that does not happen, he and the others may eventually bring a lawsuit against those responsible for his detention.
"I do not seek revenge. ... But at the same time, I like accountability," he said.
The tribunal was imposed on Lebanon by the UN Security Council after deep divisions prevented parliament from ratifying its formation. The majority supported it as a way to limit Syria's influence and end a series of political assassinations that followed Hariri's. But the minority, particularly Hizbullah, saw it as a Western tool to pressure it and ally Damascus.
The generals were arrested after the first UN investigator, Detlev Mehlis, said the complexity of the assassination plot suggested a role by Syrian intelligence services and its pro-Syria Lebanese counterpart. An early draft of a report he issued in 2005 linked Syrian President Bashar Assad's inner circle but the two investigators who succeeded him did not repeat the accusations and said Syria was cooperating.
Hizbullah wasted no time in capitalizing on the release. Its officials flanked the freed generals Wednesday as supporters set off fireworks and danced.
"The priority is to hold accountable those responsible for the years of deception and stalling," a Hizbullah statement said.
Saad Hariri's political ally Walid Jumblatt, an outspoken critic of Syria, sought to rally supporters ahead of the elections.
"We will win the elections for the sake of justice and for the sake of Rafik Hariri," he told reporters Thursday. He said he accepts the court's decision but "we will not drop the political accusations" against Syria.
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05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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[Iran Press TV Latest] Amid speedy relationship developments between Belarus and Iran, a report says the former Soviet state is selling Tehran the Russian-made Iskander-M tactical missile systems.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday said that he would like to implement top-level agreements with the government of Tehran.
"We will sacredly fulfill our agreements with Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and expect more activity in projects earmarked for joint implementation," President Lukashenko said in a message handed to the visiting Iranian Judicial chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi-Shahroudi.
An article published by Ria Novosti said that the swiftness of relation-building between the two states is an indication that President Lukashenko is selling the short-range missiles to Iran.
The Iskander-M system is equipped with two solid-propellant single-stage 9M723K1 guided missiles with "quasi-ballistic" capability with a range of approximately 310 miles.
The report comes shortly after Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar visited Moscow to push for further military cooperation with Russia.
Iran is also interested in Russia's sophisticated air defense missiles, the S-300 surface-to-air system, to enhance its defensive prowess against a potential Israeli attack on the country's nuclear infrastructure.
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05/02/2009 00:00 ||
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[Jerusalem Post Middle East] After failing to reach agreement with Hamas over the formation of a Palestinian unity government, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is planning to form a new government that would not include representatives of the Islamic movement, a PA official in Ramallah said Thursday. In response, Hamas warned that such a move would be regarded as a "fatal blow" to Egyptian efforts to end the power struggle with Fatah.
Nabil Abu Rudaineh, a spokesman for Abbas, said that Abbas was expected to announce a new government soon. He did not give a date, but another PA official said the new government would most probably be established on the eve of Abbas's visit to Washington, where he is expected to meet for the first time with US President Barack Obama. "President Abbas still hasn't begun negotiations over the formation of a new government," Abu Rudaineh said. "But he does plan to form a government with a broad coalition in the near future."
Earlier this week, Fatah and Hamas representatives again failed to reach agreement over the formation of a joint government and other issues concerning the status of the PLO, the Palestinian security forces and the political program of the proposed coalition.
Representatives of the two sides who met in Cairo at the request of Egyptian General Intelligence chief Omar Suleiman said the gap between them remained as wide as ever. They said the most significant difference was over whether the unity government would recognize Israel's right to exist and previous agreements signed between the Palestinians and Israelis. According to a source close to Abbas, the PA president is expected to ask the current prime minister, Salaam Fayad, to head the new government that would exclude Hamas.
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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.
[Beirut Daily Star: Region] American naval forces handed Somali authorities the bodies of three suspected pirates on Thursday, officials said, after US snipers shot the trio earlier this month during a standoff over an American hostage.
[Kyodo: Korea] The United States said Thursday it is highly skeptical that North Korea will ever return to the six-way talks aimed at denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the Senate Appropriations Committee that she thought it is ''implausible, if not impossible'' that North Korea will return to the six-party talks and begin to disable its nuclear program.
[Geo News] Pakistan People Party (PPP) senior leader Senator Raza Rabbani Friday said that a conspiracy was being hatched to bring down the civilian rule. But added that any such attempt against the federation would be foiled with the support of people and labourers. Speaking at a seminar organized to mark the Labout Day here, he said that the civilian government of the People Party was committed to its labour-friendly policy. Senator Rabbani said that the federal government would announce a new labour policy in consultation with all stakeholders by the end of May. "A referendum would soon be carried out in Railway Open Line to reinstate the employees sacked during previous regimes," Rabbani said. Later, he told newsmen that writ of the government had been restored in Sindh. However, he noted that conspiracies were being made to destabilize the federal government. He also expressed grief over loss of lives in recent spate of violence in Karachi. But hoped that law and order situation would improve in the country's financial hub after meeting of coalitions partners.
[Associated Press of Pakistan] Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Friday said that the law and order is the top priority of the government. He was chairing a law and order meeting at the Chief Minister House, which was attended by the representatives from all the coalition partners in the provincial government and the representatives of the law enforcement agencies.
[Associated Press of Pakistan] Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday did not rule involvement of a "foreign hand" in the recent spate of violence in Karachi, the country's business hub. In a brief chat with reporters at Multan, the Prime Minister was questioned whether he sees a foreign hand behind the incidents of arson, loot and violence in Karachi that has left over two dozen killed. "It can't be ruled out," Gilani said.
[Geo News] Central Ameer Jamat-e-Islami (JI) Syed Munawar Hasan has told the ruling leaders of the country that it is the high time to say 'No More' to US administration. He said US will keep pressing Pakistan government to do more and more regardless of Pakistan's efforts to counter insurgency. In his statement released here on Friday, Ameer JI said the stable Pakistan is need of the hour and we will have to bar the US advance towards country's nuclear arsenals. He laid stress upon every citizen of Pakistan to extend support for the 'Go America Go Movement' launched by JI Pakistan. He alleged President Zardari of becoming puppet in the hands of US administration and termed his forthcoming visit to US as 'Displaying Loyalty' to America. 
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) -- a US government-funded agency created to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience and religion -- released its annual report on Friday, listing Pakistan as a 'country of particular concern' (CPC).
[Associated Press of Pakistan] Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Friday that civil government was strong and its institutions were functioning effectively under the constitution. 
[Dawn] Provincial authorities said they rejected Friday Sufi Mohammad's request to halt an offensive against Taliban militants as peace talks between the two camps resumed.
A 100-member jirga from Swat affirmed its support for the government in curbing militancy, saying that the Taliban could not justify taking up arms after the implementation of the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation (NAR), APP reported on Friday.
[Jerusalem Post Middle East] After failing to reach agreement with Hamas over the formation of a Palestinian unity government, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is planning to form a new government that would not include representatives of the Islamic movement, a PA official in Ramallah said Thursday. In response, Hamas warned that such a move would be regarded as a "fatal blow" to Egyptian efforts to end the power struggle with Fatah.
