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Somali government seizes Bulo Hawo town from al-Shabab
Today's Headlines
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Page 2: WoT Background
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Page 6: Politix
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Africa North
We Must Conduct Jihad against the West
[MEMRI]
Ibrahim A-Khouli: "What is the nature of our relations with [the West]? They are relations of Crusader aggression against the land of Islam -- in Afghanistan, in Iraq, which was destroyed and removed from history... I believe that the seeds of civil strife that were sown in Iraq will not be eradicated for centuries to come.

"What formula should the Islamic nation adopt in its dealings with America and the West?

Interviewer: "Go ahead."

Ibrahim Al-Khouli: "We must confront them, and say: You are aggressors on the land of Islam. You are occupying our lands. You are exploiting our resources. You are humiliating our people. Unless you stop doing that, and restore our rights, the only path we will take is the path of jihad, which is an individual duty incumbent upon the nation."

Interviewer: "Yes."

Ibrahim Al-Khouli: "Forget about bin Laden and Al-Qaeda. That's not what I'm talking about. I am talking about the jihad of the entire nation.

Interviewer: "Not of individuals."

Ibrahim Al-Khouli: "I'm talking about jihad which is led by the Islamic scholars, and the entire nation will be mobilized for the sake of the supreme jihad. This will lead us to a confrontation.

"We should follow the example of the young men of the Taliban. A group of several thousands of students have been crushing NATO in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Where are the armies of the Muslims?"
Posted by: Fred || 10/19/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under: Global Jihad

#1  See also TOPIX > RIYADH ISSUES WARNING TO OTHER NATIONS ON AL QAEDA THREAT [AQAP/AQIY]FROM YEMEN.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 10/19/2010 23:10 Comments || Top||


Bangladesh
Bangla Jamaat-e-Islami admits war crimes were committed, doesn't say who dunnit
[Bangla Daily Star] In a surprising shift from his party's earlier stand on war crimes issue, acting Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami ATM Azharul Islam yesterday admitted that war crimes were committed in the country during the 1971 liberation war.

"Crimes are obvious if a war takes place, why should there be a question of admitting or rejecting it," said the Jamaat leader to journalists at a press conference at the party's central office in the capital.

"Sheikh Mujibur Rahman identified the war criminals and declared an amnesty for them. It is also a crime to reprieve those who have killed 30 lakh people and harassed two lakh women," added Azhar.

He, however, did not elaborate about who were responsible for the war crimes.

He also announced a 13-day protest programme on various issues, including price hike of essentials, deterioration of law and order, gas, water and electricity crisis and 'anti-state' deals with India.

Party's detained Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed on October 25 in 2007 had said there is no war criminal in the country and no anti-liberation forces ever existed.

Jamaat sympathiser and former chairman of Islami Bank, Shah Abdul Hannan on November 10 in 2007 had described the liberation war as a "civil war" and denied any genocide took place and war criminals existed in the country.

Five top leaders, including the ameer and secretary general of the party, are behind bars now on charges of war crimes.
Posted by: Fred || 10/19/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under: Jamaat-e-Islami


Govt moves to dispel confusion on religion
[Bangla Daily Star] Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government would exchange views with the religion-based political parties to dispel confusion over constitution amendments.

Presiding over the weekly cabinet meeting, she also said Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim in the preamble to the constitution would stay, and so would Islam as state religion.
Except for Israel, countries with state religions seem to have set themselves up for problems when they discriminate against those of their citizens who have other beliefs.
Besides, the government would not seek any constitutional ban on religion-based politics, she told the meeting.

The prime minister said she wants the Islamist parties to have a clear understanding of the government move regarding constitution amendments.

However,
The infamous However...
Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Oikya Jote, components of the BNP-led four-party alliance, would not be invited to the talks, a senior minister told The Daily Star last night.

At the meeting, the premier directed the cabinet members to make people understand that the government would not bring any amendment that may hurt public sentiment.

"Go to people and make sure they have no confusion about constitution amendments," the minister quoted her as saying.

Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami League, observed that Jamaat has been misleading people about the issue to gain political mileage.

She said the decision on whether a political party would be banned rests with the Election Commission, not with the government.

The prime minister asked the authorities concerned to keep the matter in mind while reprinting the charter.

The constitution would be reprinted omitting the fifth amendment, which the High Court has declared illegal, she said. She noted that reprint is a continuous job, and so if any recommendation of the parliamentary committee on constitution amendments needs to be incorporated, the charter would be reprinted again.

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam raised the issue.

Mentioning BNP's threat to launch an anti-government movement, the prime minister directed the ministers and state ministers to remain alert so none could destabilise the government, said meeting sources.

Briefing news hounds afterwards, PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said the meeting evaluated the decisions taken since AL took over in January last year, and found 88 percent of them have been executed.
Posted by: Fred || 10/19/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Jamaat-e-Islami


Ulema urged to launch anti-govt agitation
[Bangla Daily Star] Blaming the government for acting against Islam, Sammilito Olama-Mashayekh Parishad yesterday called on the Learned Elders of Islam to launch movement from mosques of the country.

"Voice of protest should be raised from the mimbar [a pulpit in the mosque where the imam stands to deliver sermons] of every mosque to ward off the danger lurking above the country," said Maulana Muhiuddin Khan, president of the organisation at a discussion.

The dialogue was organised at city's Jatiya Press Club auditorium protesting the "anti-Islamic moves by the government."

The discussants alleged the ruling Awami League started acting against Islam since 1953 by dropping Mohammedan from its name.

The government's ill efforts by means of restoring secularism to the constitution, destroying religious education through new education policy, restricting mandatory use of burkha (veil) and serving interest of a neighbouring country are damaging Islam, blamed the discussants.

"We have to take to the street and be prepared for making highest sacrifice," said Maulana Muhiuddin, also the editor of monthly Madina, adding, "If necessary, we would tie shrouds in our forehead and bring out procession to sacrifice our lives."

He also mentioned that the parishad would soon announce its anti-government programme and urged the Learned Elders of Islam to take mental preparation to make the programme a success.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Mohammad Ishaq, Islami Oikya Jote Secretary General Maulana Abdul Latif Khan Nejami, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Maulana Abdus Sobhan and former BNP minister Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin also spoke, among others.
Posted by: Fred || 10/19/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:


China-Japan-Koreas
Japanese DVD pornography a big hit among North Korean teenagers
Foreign pornography is spreading in North Korean market, Radio Free Asia in the U.S. reported Friday.
They don't have internet, so it's not spreading that way.
Quoting a North Korean source, the radio station said the regime is trying to clamp down by distributing players that will only play North Korean-made DVDs and replacing parts of foreign players to stop them from being compatible, but an increasing number of people are looking for foreign videos.
DRM = Digitial Rights Management. It won't stop the flow, it never does. Why buy an intentionally crippled player?
The bestsellers in the market are pornography from Japan, a resident in Hyesan, Yanggang Province, said. And many of the customers are teenagers.
Well, I can't argue with their taste there. Japanese girls are the most beautiful in the world, and the themes of these DVDs are highly titillating.
A source in North Pyongan Province said, "It's easy to buy a smuggled Chinese video player, and it's possible to reproduce DVDs at home with Chinese-made burners. Foreign porn has spread so widely that any home with a player usually has one or two porn DVDs."

Parents in the North are concerned because there is no video ratings system in the North nor proper sex education for children, RFA added.
Socialist morality. No sex except for procreative purposes. Funny how the Left conveniently forgot this part of their very recent past.
"It's difficult for North Korean residents to watch foreign TV programs, but not a few enjoy foreign porn as well as South Korean soap operas on DVDs," a North Korean defector said.
Posted by: gromky || 10/19/2010 00:14 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Japanese porn? YUCK!
Posted by: Cyber Sarge || 10/19/2010 8:53 Comments || Top||

#2  The obvious story behind the story is who among the Norks can afford a DVD player. This means that it is the upper classes that are doing it, since most everyone else are far more interested in not starving to worry about entertainment.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 10/19/2010 9:05 Comments || Top||

#3  Yes indeed, a serious preoccupation with day-to-day survival leaves little time for DVD collecting, whahaha.
Posted by: Besoeker || 10/19/2010 9:11 Comments || Top||

#4  The bestsellers in the market are pornography from Japan, a resident in Hyesan, Yanggang Province, said. And many of the customers are teenagers.

Recalling an TOS Star Trek episode where a prior starship had left behind a book about the mobs of Chicago circa 1920s. The entire society of the planet devolved/evolved upon that narrative. One could only shutter on what will happen to the next generation of Nork leadership and society. On the other hand, they already may be there. If that's the case, stop negotiating with food and start negotiating bribes with adult DVDs and players.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 10/19/2010 11:13 Comments || Top||

#5  Just one or two DVD's. My God, the poverty there is much worse than I could have ever imagined!
Posted by: Iblis || 10/19/2010 12:49 Comments || Top||


How Sick Is Kim Jong-il?
Is that a rhetorical question?
Images of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il attending a military parade for the 65th anniversary of the Workers Party on Oct. 10 showed the aftereffects of a massive stroke he suffered two years ago. He appeared weak throughout the ceremony and his face was expressionless, leading to suspicions that he may be suffering from depression, which is one of the side effects of brain damage.

A dark spot on his right cheek appears to be getting larger. It is being variously attributed to kidney problems or old age. Kim suffers from diabetes and his kidneys are believed to have been damaged as a result. If toxic compounds in the body are not released due to kidney problems, they build up underneath the skin, and if those areas are exposed to ultraviolet rays, the pigment darkens.

Kim Hyoung-kyu, a kidney expert at Korea University Medical Center, said, "He shows signs of chronic kidney failure. In that case, a person's life is in danger as more than half the kidneys lose their function even after dialysis unless the person has a transplant within five years."

Kim's stroke seems to have occurred in the right side of his brain, which affects the left side of his body. Typically, if nerve functions do not improve a year after a stroke, they remain damaged for life. His left shoulder appeared slumped as the muscles supporting it have grown weak. As a result, Kim cannot lift his left arm very high and cannot fold it inward. He can turn his head to the right, but hardly turns it to the left. This is believed to be due to rigidity in his neck muscles. He drags his left foot when walking as well.

His face appeared grim throughout the parade. His lips were stiff and his face expressionless. Brain damage due to stroke often causes depression and experts say his expression is indicative of that condition.
Posted by: Steve White || 10/19/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Doncha love Kremlinology? And I thought it was a dead art.
Posted by: gromky || 10/19/2010 0:08 Comments || Top||

#2  How Sick Is Kim Jong-il?

He's so sick that germs are afraid of him.
Posted by: gorb || 10/19/2010 0:44 Comments || Top||

#3  In that case, a person's life is in danger as more than half the kidneys lose their function even after dialysis unless the person has a transplant within five years.

Heh. Five years.
If he needs one, Kimmie will find a donor in about five minutes.
Posted by: tu3031 || 10/19/2010 8:23 Comments || Top||

#4  Heh. Five years.
If he needs one, Kimmie will find a donor in about five minutes


tu3031 is right and as well as that he has many brothers and sisters who could be compatible donors.

Posted by: Bernardz || 10/19/2010 8:53 Comments || Top||

#5  If he needs one, Kimmie will find create a donor in about five minutes.

FIFY - now we know why Fredo is keeping his distance.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 10/19/2010 8:54 Comments || Top||

#6  "How Sick Is Kim Jong-il?"

Physically or mentally?
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 10/19/2010 19:09 Comments || Top||

#7  Perhaps he's sick enough that transplant surgery is too risky.
Posted by: Pstanley || 10/19/2010 21:44 Comments || Top||


Europe
Muslims tell Dutch court Wilders is dangerous
[Al Arabiya] Mohammedans told judges trying anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders for hate speech Monday that he was dangerous, dividing a multicultural society that used to cohabit peacefully.
Ummm... Precisely when was that?
When the Mohammedan population hadn't yet reached critical mass, and so was bent on assimilation.
"Mr. Wilders is a dangerous ideologist who has divided Dutch society," Naoual Abaida, a trainee lawyer with a native Dutch mother and Moroccan father, told the court. "I am asking you to protect me as a Mohammedan and a Moroccan against Mr. Wilders," she said, referring to his "Islam-bashing" and "insulting, polarizing language".
If you're a Moroccan what's your concern with internal Dutch politix?
Wilders, 47, went on trial on October 4 for inciting hatred by calling Islam "fascist" and likening the Koran to Hitler's "Mein Kampf". The prosecution service asked the court for his acquittal last Friday, saying his criticism, though hurtful, was not criminal.
If they do criminalize hurt feelings I know a lot of people who're headed for the calaboose. And I might point out that the content of Wilders' film Fitna consists of Mohammedans saying things that are major hurtful.
On Monday, lawyers for Wilders' accusers -- a group of individuals from around the country -- asked for a guilty verdict and a symbolic damages award of one euro. "We are the daily target of xenophobic statements," Mohamed Rabbae, politician and activist, told the judges as Wilders looked on, occasionally lifting his eyebrows or making faces.
"The Defendant will refrain from making donkey ears at the witness!"
"Our children have become unsure about their future ... in this climate of discrimination, hate and enmity as propagated by Mr. Wilders."
But the hate and enmity propagated in so many Dutch mosques is perfectly acceptable...
This in turn caused "anger, bitterness and a deepening of the divide between Mohammedans and native Dutch", said Rabbae.
Oddly enough, the lawyer-in-training mentioned above, born in Holland of a native Dutch mother, could justifiably consider himself native Dutch as well. He just chose not to.
In June 2008, the prosecution service dismissed dozens of complaints against the politician, citing his right to freedom of speech. But appeals judges ordered in January 2009 that he stand trial as his utterances amounted to "sowing hatred" -- compelling the prosecution to mount a case against him.

Wilders, who will give parliamentary support to a new, rightist
Center-right, actually, but what price a little accuracy?
coalition government inaugurated last Thursday, risks up to a year in jail or a €7,600 fine for comments made in his campaign to "stop the Islamisation of the Netherlands".

Wilders' defense lawyer will make his case on Tuesday and Friday. Judgment is expected on November 5.
Posted by: Fred || 10/19/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under: Global Jihad

#1  I am on tenterhooks waiting for his defense. By choosing to not speak on his own behalf, he has defied his enemies, who were hoping he would rant and rave on the stand.

So what will it be?

Perhaps his attorney will say something that will strongly appeal to the Dutch, but just technically crosses the legal line, so the court orders his attorney to shut up.

Or, more typically, they might go for the gold with a "truth is a defense" tack, which is not popular in the EU, if so among the people.

He also must consider whether an acquittal, if he gets one, would be appealed to a higher court controlled by his enemies, and with no jury.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 10/19/2010 9:42 Comments || Top||

#2  It might have been interesting if he had done nothing except get up there and quote the Quaran.

"Our children have become unsure about their future ... in this climate of discrimination, hate and enmity as propagated by Mr. Wilders."

What they are really afraid of is that their children would have any suggestion to doubt Islam or (gasp!) be exposed to other religions which (gasp again!) value life and love instead of death and murder. Or (OMG! gap a third time!) be exposed to actual Jews and find out that they aren't the inhuman bloodsucking monsters their parents and Imans made them out to be.

That is what keeps them up at night.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 10/19/2010 10:42 Comments || Top||

#3  Muslims tell Dutch court Wilders is dangerous

To their Religion of murder, yes he is.
He tells the truth, they Can't stand truth, it puts them in a very poor light.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 10/19/2010 11:14 Comments || Top||

#4  I' ve never heard of him waging jihad or cutting anyones head off!
Posted by: chris || 10/19/2010 15:46 Comments || Top||

#5  To paraphrase James Taranto "Theo Van Gogh could not be reached for comment".
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia || 10/19/2010 19:39 Comments || Top||

#6  Wilders lifted his eyebrows! It's about time someone got dangerous over there.
Posted by: KBK || 10/19/2010 21:06 Comments || Top||


The Grand Turk
Mass trial of Kurdish activists starts in Turkey
[BBC] The trial has begun in Turkey of 151 people, including 12 mayors, accused of links to the armed rebel group, the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK). They are accused of crimes including membership of an illegal armed group, spreading its propaganda, undermining Turkey's territorial integrity and holding illegal public demonstrations.

Hundreds of supporters gathered outside court for the trial in Diyarbakir. It is being seen by some as a test of Turkey's democratic credentials.

EU representatives are reportedly monitoring the proceedings in Diyarbakir, the largest city in the Kurdish-dominated south-east of the country.

The courtroom had to be specially built because of the number of those being tried.
Posted by: Fred || 10/19/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Outrage---or, at least, alarm---from "International Community" in 5..4..3 eons.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 10/19/2010 8:09 Comments || Top||

#2  WAFF > [PKK] KURDISH REBELS TELL TURKEY: KEEP YOUR PROMISES OR CEASEFIRE IS OVER [PKK + aligned threatening to renew Armed/Violent Hostilities as early as EOM = after NOvember 1st?].
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 10/19/2010 21:28 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Politix
Obama May Opt For New Military Advisers: 4 Generals to Retire
President Obama, who has clashed with the military top brass over war and gays, will soon have a chance to reshape the Joint Chiefs of Staff as he faces contentious decisions next year on withdrawing troops from Afghanistan and on ending some weapons systems.

The admirals and generals who today make up the six Joint Chiefs were largely nurtured by Bush administration Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, who took a keen interest in finding and promoting officers who impressed him.

Mr. Obama has had differences with some of them. The outgoing Marine Corps commandant, Gen. James Conway, for example, has openly questioned the White House's July 2011 deadline to start a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Mr. Obama and his top military adviser clashed privately over Afghanistan troop strength, a new book reveals.

Next year, the president will have the opportunity to replace four of the six, unless he breaks with tradition and extends their tenures. The pending exits include the Joint Chiefs chairman, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, whose term ends in September, and Marine Corps Gen. James Cartwright, the vice chairman, whose term ends in August.

Also due to retire in 2011 are the heads of the Army, Gen. George Casey in April, and the Navy, Adm. Gary Roughead in September. Mr. Obama made his first appointment to the chiefs this summer when he nominated Gen. James Amos to replace Gen. Conway.
Posted by: Sherry || 10/19/2010 09:57 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  There never is a shortage of "Yes" men in the military and I bet that is what Bambi will go for.
Posted by: DarthVader || 10/19/2010 10:39 Comments || Top||

#2  I read this as 4 Generals have had enough of Oblathers Bullshit.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 10/19/2010 11:18 Comments || Top||

#3  Would Obama's successor be able to replace Obama's choices at will, or would (s)he have to wait for retirements?
Posted by: charger || 10/19/2010 11:19 Comments || Top||

#4  These generals serve at the pleasure of the President and can be replaced at any time.
Posted by: Besoeker || 10/19/2010 11:34 Comments || Top||

#5  ..However, appointments must be approved by the Senate. Promotions require the authorization of Congress.

It's a left over from the English lineage of the founding fathers that were a couple of the points of dispute between the King and Parliament that resulted in a little period known as the English Civil War. The King literally lost his head over the points.

Posted by: Procopius2k || 10/19/2010 12:32 Comments || Top||

#6  #5 ..However, appointments must be approved by the Senate. Promotions require the authorization of Congress.

Exactly correct, but a perfunctory function at best. The danger in replacing all, by an incoming president is that it blatantly diminishes the role to that of political appointee. Some would opine we're there already.
Posted by: Besoeker || 10/19/2010 12:41 Comments || Top||

#7  Interesting...well, I guess it boils down to whether Obama puts in someone good or a bunch of "reliable" nonentities.

Hopefully our next GOP executive is less "gentlemanly" about removing deadwood than Dubya was.
Posted by: charger || 10/19/2010 15:13 Comments || Top||

#8  Roughead

Would that be Rough Head, Rouge Head, Rug Head, or Roo Geed?

Inquiring minds want to know.
Posted by: KBK || 10/19/2010 15:21 Comments || Top||

#9  @KBK
probably Rawhead Rex
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rawhead_Rex_%28film%29
an old celtic deamon that would not mind kicking butt
/.
Posted by: linker || 10/19/2010 23:52 Comments || Top||

#10  If the current crop of flag-rank folk had any testicular fortitude, they'd pass the word - respectfully of course - that they didn't have any interest in a JCS slot under the current sad-a$$ excuse for a CinC. Of course, given nonsense like Casey's blathering about maintaining the Army's commitment to "diversity" after a Muslim terrorist with a Major's commission shot up a room full of soldiers, and Roughead's formation of a separate, accelerated "diversity track" for Navy officers of the correct hue, that's expecting a hell of a lot...
Posted by: Ricky bin Ricardo (Abu Babaloo) || 10/19/2010 23:55 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
US finalizing negotiations to fund Pak's fight against terrorism
My proposal: Pay off the politicians so they get the fuc& out of the way and let us take care of things.
Posted by: gorb || 10/19/2010 00:39 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The headline should read,

US Finalizing Bribe to Stop Pak Funding Terrorism
Posted by: phil_b || 10/19/2010 3:07 Comments || Top||

#2  Isn't going to work.

Imagine Pakistan is like a really huge West Virginia with various "good old boys" who really run things in the "hollers". Now some politician is going to collect a really nice bribe, and he might even go out and have a word with those boys but in the end, those folks up in those hills run their own show.

We are pi$$ing more cash down the toilet.
Posted by: crosspatch || 10/19/2010 3:38 Comments || Top||

#3  View it as a 'rent payment' on that lovely vacant lot if you will. Unfortunately, the much larger and more threatening unpaid regional landlord is Iran. US foreign policy and wartime strategy based on the Chicago Ward Boss model.
Posted by: Besoeker || 10/19/2010 6:37 Comments || Top||

#4  US finalizing negotiations to fund Pak's fight against terrorism

Fixed now.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 10/19/2010 7:59 Comments || Top||

#5  The $2 billion package is on top of billions of dollars the United States already gives Pakistan in military aid and a $7.5 billion aid package over five years...

Key words: on top of billions
What the total?
Posted by: Willy || 10/19/2010 9:48 Comments || Top||

#6  I'm so sick of reading articles where we are giving the stain more money. We have ppl in the US that could use the money but you have too pull a tooth too get it, yet they pretty much flaunt it in our face that they are against us and we continue too pay.Pull out of the whole region and let them starve too death.
Posted by: chris || 10/19/2010 15:44 Comments || Top||


Pakistan feels US has let it down
[Dawn] In the run-up to the third round of strategic dialogue, Pak authorities are getting huffy over the lack of US interest in resolving the country's long-term regional issues
That would be Jammu and Kashmire, which Pakistain covets but which India isn't going to toss their way without a fight...
and in sending major boodle their way despite publicly declaring it a key ally in the war on terror and appreciating its sacrifices.

The authorities are also dissatisfied with the 'triple accounting' by the United States of its economic assistance to Pakistain, although the overall assistance remained less than $1.5 billion in a year. They also grumble that Pakistain has not been given market access for its products they believe it deserves in comparison to other countries.
Pakistain exports something besides jihadis and takfiri? Who knew?
They have a nice little clothing industry, too...The weapons and moonshine are mostly for local consumption, though.
"Since our engagement with US after 9/11 more than nine years ago, the United States has made wide-ranging trading arrangements with Latin American countries, African nations and even some states in the Middle East but greater market access to Pakistain still remains far off," said a government official.

Officials said that these were some of the issues Pak delegation led by Army Chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani would raise again with the US authorities as part of the Pakistain-US strategic dialogue to be held in Washington next week. "The US actions and assurances do not match when it comes to Pakistain's role and returns it should get," the official said.
"Where's the boodle?"
Posted by: Fred || 10/19/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  Pakistan should be eternaly glad they're not a radioctve smoking wasteland.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 10/19/2010 11:21 Comments || Top||


Osama, Zawahiri, Mullah Omar not in Pakistan: Malik
(APP): Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik has denied presence of top leadership of Al-Qaeda in Pakistain. "I categorically deny the presence of Osama bin Laden, his deputy Aiman al-Zawahiri and even Mullah Omar in any part of Pakistain," he said while addressing a press conference here on Monday.
Then his lips fell off.
He said that the government has already assured its full cooperation to share information with the world community in this regard.
Posted by: Fred || 10/19/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Netanyahu: Hamas has obtained anti-aircraft missiles
Gazoo's Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason, rulers have obtained anti-aircraft missiles, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday, in a potentially game-changing development that could threaten the Israeli air force's ability to strike at the Islamic thug group.

Israeli aircraft have long dominated the skies over Gazoo, striking suspected Hamas military installations and assassinating dozens of wanted thugs. The Israeli air force played a key role in a fierce three-week offensive in Gazoo early last year, which began with Arclight airstrikes that killed hundreds of Hamas fighters.

Speaking to his Likud Party, Netanyahu disclosed that Israel's aerial freedom has been compromised by the new weaponry in Gazoo, presumably smuggled into the area through tunnels connected to neighboring Egypt. He said any future peace agreement would have to include security arrangements to deal with the threat.

Israel believes that despite its military offensive and Egypt's stated goal of halting arms smuggling, Hamas has managed to restock its arsenal with longer-range missiles that can strike the heart of Israel.

Netanyahu's assessment was the first time an Israeli official has openly said Hamas also possesses anti-aircraft weaponry, though intelligence officials have privately suspected that was the case.The security problem is not just the new rockets that will enter the area and will threaten city centers. "I don't know if you know this, but today we are struggling to fly near Gazoo because they have anti-aircraft missiles there", Netanyahu said.

He warned that the missiles could also threaten air traffic at Israel's international airport. Israel's security needs are real, the solutions have to be real, not on paper. We need to find long-term solutions that give Israel security, he said.

Netanyahu gave no evidence to support his claim, and Hamas accused the Israeli leader of spreading propaganda to justify future attacks in Gazoo.

"These remarks reflect the intention of the Zionist enemy to commit more crimes and more future aggression against our people, taking advantage of the American support and the Arab silence," said Fawzi Barhoum, a Hamas front man in Gazoo.
Posted by: Fred || 10/19/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Hamas

#1  Israel has two international airports, one in the Tel Aviv area and one near Eliat, at Israel's southern tip. I suppose an aircraft taking off from Eliat going to Europe might be routed that way. The missiles in question are probably SA-7 or variants whose ceiling would certainly not exceed 10,000 feet, and the warhead would be unlikely to bring down a large commercial aircraft at altitude.

Low-flying drones and helicopters over Gaza, on the other hand, would very much be at risk to such weapons. The presence of these manpads would likely would be enough to deter use of cannon (but not missiles) from Israeli helicopter gunships.
Posted by: Pstanley || 10/19/2010 0:52 Comments || Top||


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
US will one day 'beg' Iran for ties: Ahmadinejad
[Dawn] Iran's president claims the United States will one day apologize and "beg" Tehran that the two countries resume diplomatic relations.

Mahmoud Short Round Ahmadinejad also says the US administration has allegedly become so weakened that it can't harm Iran in any way.

US-Iran relations broke off after the US Embassy hostage-taking that followed the 1979 Islamic theocracy, which brought Islamic holy men to power in Iran and ousted the pro-US shah.

The Iranian leader's rhetoric often includes comments seeking to portray Iran as somehow superior to America. Ahmadinejad has made a slew of different statements, at times urging US-Iranian friendship while at other times predicting America's demise. His latest remarks were reported Monday by the official IRNA news agency.
Posted by: Fred || 10/19/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1  Unless the Tea Party movement succeeds, I'm afraid he's right. The current American elites (both parties) are just as worthless and clueless as their Euro counterparts.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 10/19/2010 8:06 Comments || Top||

#2  Obama probably told him that. He'll be begging for some of that counterfeit currency to make his budgets work, at least until 2012.
Posted by: rjschwarz || 10/19/2010 9:13 Comments || Top||

#3  After you're long dead, maybe.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 10/19/2010 11:30 Comments || Top||

#4  I thought they didn't wear ties in Iran, much less corner the market on them.
Posted by: Gabby || 10/19/2010 12:03 Comments || Top||

#5  Maybe he means cable ties.
Posted by: Grunter || 10/19/2010 12:32 Comments || Top||

#6  I'm begging ya' now, you little weasel - stop making me laugh so hard!
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 10/19/2010 14:59 Comments || Top||

#7  In the news

US says Iran has 'role to play' in Afghan peace talks

The United States recognizes that Iran has a role to play in resolving the Afghan conflict, US envoy Richard Holbrooke said in Rome on Monday, as Iran attended talks with other nations to discuss the issue for the first time.
Posted by: Willy || 10/19/2010 17:21 Comments || Top||


Ahmadinejad Beirut visit foiled US plot
[Iran Press TV] Iran's Interior Minister the sinister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar says President Ahmadinejad's visit to Beirut has foiled US and Israeli plots to form a new Middle East.

"Ahmadinejad's visit to Leb foiled the US and Israeli plot to introduce a new Middle East, and the [Iranian] president laid the foundation for a revolutionary and Islamic region," Mohammad-Najjar said on Monday.
Wouldn't that be a... ummm... new Middle East? Or are we talking about the same old Middle East, which despite being revolutionary and Islamic doesn't work for spit?
Ahmadinejad arrived in Beirut on Wednesday for a two-day visit and was warmly received by the Lebanese people. He held talks with the country's bigshots, discussing regional issues as well as bilateral relations.

During his visit, which came upon an invitation from Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, the Iranian president met with the country's brass hats, politicians, academics, and university students and addressed large crowds of people in Beirut and southern Leb.

"Lebanese leaders have stressed that Ahmadinejad's visit to Leb has resolved disagreements in the country and created a friendly and cooperative atmosphere, which has led to unity and solidarity in Leb," ISNA quoted Mohammad-Najjar as saying.

A number of Lebanese movements, such as the Hezbullies and Amal, issued a joint statement expressing gratitude to the Iran's diminutive President for his assurances of support for the Lebanese people.

Iran has always supported stability and peace in Leb, and has expressed its readiness to provide economic and even military support for the Lebanese government and people, he added.
Posted by: Fred || 10/19/2010 00:00 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran



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Tue 2010-10-19
  Somali government seizes Bulo Hawo town from al-Shabab
Mon 2010-10-18
  Merkel: German multiculturalism failed
Sun 2010-10-17
  German terrorist gets three year sentence
Sat 2010-10-16
  Nine militants killed in drone attacks in N. Waziristan
Fri 2010-10-15
  Attack on Iraqi politician kills four
Thu 2010-10-14
  Four drone strikes kill 11 in N Waziristan
Wed 2010-10-13
  Tamaulipas: 10 Die in Gang Firefight
Tue 2010-10-12
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Mon 2010-10-11
  Dronezap waxes eight in North Wazoo
Sun 2010-10-10
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Fri 2010-10-08
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Thu 2010-10-07
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Wed 2010-10-06
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