[cough]BULLSHIT![cough]
Seventeen months into a shadowy terror campaign that has killed more than 100 people, numerous Saudis express less anger at the insurgents than at the United States for its invasion of Iraq, the signal event that they say touched off the attacks inside the kingdom. Crippling a majority of al Qaeda's overseas operation had nothing to do with it.
In interviews over the last week, the Saudis condemned the terror attacks, aimed primarily at foreigners, but called them a small inconvenience that has not forced them to make significant changes in their daily lives. By contrast, they expressed unremitting disdain for the United States. Just like at least 15 of the 9-11 hijackers felt.
'Disdain' isn't quite the word I would have used to describe the opinion of the average Soodi for us.
#2
"We are grateful to the United States; most of us were educated there," said Prince al-Shafi. He and others said Saudis are picking other countries for their children now because of their anger, and because of the immigration obstacles they believe they and other Arabs face traveling to the United States since 9/11.
I'm sure the French would be glad to have them, pretty soon we will have to see if they are happy to have the French
#4
I love my truck and have no problem paying $1.80+ a gallon or whatever, but, I can't wait until we have good alternative energy sources to go to so we can minimize our dealings with this jerk off country. The M.E. and soddi eurabia in particularly are a shingle on the ass cheek of the world and every time you scratch the damn thing it just gets all over.
#5
Wow! I sure miss mingling with Saudis here in the U.S.!
*wringing hands*
Now, how shall I learn how to subjugate women, hate Jooos, get others to do my work, and believe in a master race...?
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/15/2004 9:37 Comments ||
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#6
Article: "We are grateful to the United States; most of us were educated there," said Prince al-Shafi. He and others said Saudis are picking other countries for their children now because of their anger, and because of the immigration obstacles they believe they and other Arabs face traveling to the United States since 9/11.
It would appear that Saudi gratitude consists of saying that they are grateful. With gratitude like this...
#7
ZF - After 9/11 it was interesting how often the Saudis I worked with complained that they couldn't go to the US anymore cuz they'd be singled out - much better to go to Britain or Italy or somewhere. When I would say, "Yes, I understand - and agree, you might be singled out and you might feel very unwelcome. London would be much better." They'd nod, take a drag, and then start bitching about it all over again.
They didn't want to go to London, or Paris, or Rome. They wanted NY and LA and DisneyLand. Heh. Ain't life a bitch?
#8
If the Saudi's no longer want to subsidize the Hate America professariate that controls American higher education, it sure is OK with me. Serve them both right.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
10/15/2004 10:13 Comments ||
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#9
They're gonna be REALLY pissed when two or three divisions roll south out of Iraq, and another couple land on their eastern and western shores, and the United States puts an end to Wahabbism and the funding of all the death and destruction waged in the name of that "religion". A "work accident" in the main palace in Riyadh would be a nice change of pace, eh?
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
10/15/2004 12:02 Comments ||
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#10
Right on OP. Wahabbism is a cult that combined with Naziism resulted in today's Al Q. If there are fewer SA folk coming to the US all the better says I. And yes, we need to be working hard and fast on alternative energy sources or at least seriously stretching the sources we have. Let them drink their oil and eat their sand. Once they've done that again for 20 years, we can talk.
Posted by: remote man ||
10/15/2004 12:23 Comments ||
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#13
I listened on the car radio today some Saudi information ad trying to put them in a better light. When they allow women to vote and they allow religious freedom in their country, I will listen. Otherwise they can have a nice warm cup of STFU.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
10/15/2004 23:26 Comments ||
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This is very p[owerful. Do not read unless your tin foil hat is properly secured. EFL Since September 11 Britain has been warned of the 'inevitability' of catastrophic terrorist attack. But has the danger been exaggerated? A major new TV documentary claims that the perceived threat is a politically driven fantasy - and al-Qaida a dark illusion. Andy Beckett reports (for the Guardian)
Since the attacks on the United States in September 2001, there have been more than a thousand references in British national newspapers, working out at almost one every single day, to the phrase "dirty bomb". There have been articles about how such a device can use ordinary explosives to spread lethal radiation; about how London would be evacuated in the event of such a detonation; about the Home Secretary David Blunkett's statement on terrorism in November 2002 that specifically raised the possibility of a dirty bomb being planted in Britain; and about the arrests of several groups of people, the latest only last month, for allegedly plotting exactly that.
Starting next Wednesday, BBC2 is to broadcast a three-part documentary series that will add further to what could be called the dirty bomb genre. But, as its title suggests, The Power of Nightmares: The Rise of the Politics of Fear takes a different view of the weapon's potential. "I don't think it would kill anybody," says Dr Theodore Rockwell, an authority on radiation, in an interview for the series. "You'll have trouble finding a serious report that would claim otherwise." The American department of energy, Rockwell continues, has simulated a dirty bomb explosion, "and they calculated that the most exposed individual would get a fairly high dose [of radiation], not life-threatening." And even this minor threat is open to question. The test assumed that no one fled the explosion for one year.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
10/15/2004 4:37:58 PM ||
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#1
This is true for the same reasons a 'major incident' at a nuclear power station would be unlikely to kill anyone. The danger of exposure to radioactive material is vastly overstated. Nonetheless both would cause a major panic reaction by thousands/millions. And hence achieve its result - instill fear in people.
#3
I don't have a tinfoil hat. What purpose does it serve?
The Gaza reporter of the BBC World Service radio seems to be moving away from the term 'militants' to describe terrorists. Now the Hamas members launching Kassam rockets at Israeli towns are called 'fighters'.
#4
The WoT in this country and the UK is like facilities maintenance. People working their asses off behind the scenes to prevent a disaster. When a bunch of brainless whiners say, "What is the big deal, nothing happened!" they do not realize how many disasters were prevented. Then if something happens, they grandstand and blame everyone. Someone needs to shove a truth suppository up their ass.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
10/15/2004 23:29 Comments ||
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#5
I've reached the point where I figure they will get what they "deserve" - and the old saw applies: the cops and intel have to get everything right every time to stop acts of terror, the bad guys only once. I can only hope that when it happens, it impacts these experts to a far greater degree than the poor avg Brits who don't know what to believe or who to listen to. Life can, indeed, be a bitch.
#6
I know EXACTLY how you feel, .com. I have though the same dark thoughts. If this country elects some traitor like Kerry and gets its guard down, collectively we will get what we deserve, but individually nobody deserves to get destroyed like 3000 people did on 9-11.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
10/15/2004 23:44 Comments ||
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#7
Spot-on, AP.
I wonder how long the bubble of good luck will last. Not counting the Dhimmidick antics we're likely to see, just the real jihadi shit, I expect soon after the election. I believe the bubble's life has been artificially extended becuase they're waiting to see who wins.
#8
I have to say it again I am all for beating the holy crap out of a few reporters so they wake up and "get it." God knows enough of them deserve it for their treasons against the people they are supposed to inform.
#9
Al Guardian is definitely promoting their shop-worn LLL agenda with this piece. SPo'D - focus on their editors / owners -- that's who maintains the agenda and has last word on what gets printed.
#10
I find no small irony in the people (collectively) who got us into this situation (argument why high oil prices fund terror here) in the first place by their irrational and hysterical arguments stopping nuclear power. Are now pointing out the arguments (about the dangers of radiation from terrorists exploding a dirty bomb) are irrational and hysterical.
A drunk passenger picked the wrong flight on which to cause trouble when fellow travellers on his Singapore Airlines plane to New Zealand included members of a British police rugby league team. When the troublemaker became aggressive and nasty towards other passengers, the cabin crew turned to the police contingent, which included one officer who specialises in airline security. "Really, it was about the worst flight for this guy to be an idiot on," said David Jenkins, the manager of the rugby league team heading to New Zealand for a Test series against their Kiwi counterparts.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
10/15/2004 0:07 Comments ||
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#2
British police rugby league team. ROFL!!
hmmm...lots of big guys on this flight, I think I'll be an ass ...waitress! Another please. Saaaay, you have some nice boobies... Gulp! ...and another!!
Hey you..ya you...big guy...what are YOU looking at?? Nothing? You calling me nothing??? Ouch..oooh...that hurts!
Polish Premier Wins Vote of Confidence Australia re-ups by re-electing Howard. Now its Poland's turn. If Kerry does win, he will not find many friends out there.
Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka won a parliamentary vote of confidence Friday, heading off the prospect of renewed political turmoil in a country that is a key U.S. ally in Iraq and the European Union's largest new member. The lower house of parliament voted 234-218, with no abstentions, to back Belka's five-month-old minority government. Belka pointed to economic growth and a health care reform under his brief tenure, saying that it had been "time used well" as he urged lawmakers to support him ahead of the vote.
His government has struggled with high unemployment and popular opposition to keeping Polish troops in Iraq — a deployment that nonetheless has support from the leadership of the mainstream political parties. Belka took over in May after his predecessor Leszek Miller quit, worn down by Poles' anger over cuts in social programs and corruption scandals in the governing Democratic Left Alliance. At the time, Belka agreed to call a confidence vote in the fall to secure crucial support from a group of legislators who split from his Democratic Left Alliance. The new party, Social Democracy of Poland, said the aim was to keep up pressure for economic reforms and clean government.
US ambassador to Spain George Argyros was criticized by the Spanish government on Wednesday for "showing disrespect" after failing to attend Spain's national day celebrations. "The US ambassador should have participated in the celebrations. His absence from it means he is not willing to bend over and take one for the team share the Spanish people's joy and happiness on that day," Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said. A spokesman for Spain's ruling Socialist Workers' Party said Argyros' behavior shows that "he looks down upon Spain and the king."
Er, no it means that we look down on your stupid politicians. I think we're OK with the King.
If our soldiers aren't good enough, neither is our ambassador.
A spokesman for the US embassy to Spain said Ambassador Argyros "did not intend to defy the Spanish government and its king," adding that the ambassador failed to attend the celebrations due to "traffic trouble."
Plus the dog ate our homework.
Spanish King Juan Carlos I and all ambassadors to Spain except Argyros attended the Oct. 12 celebrations.
I hope they had a marvelous time patting each other on the back.
Spanish newspapers reported that Argyros deliberately avoided the festival because of US diplomatic rifts with Spain and reported that the ambassador was on a hunting trip outside Madrid.
#1
Is this the Spainâs national day Moratinos is huffing about? I would also have had traffic trouble, but the 24 flu would have been just as good. I think a 4 year vacation would be even better.
http://rantburg.com/poparticle.asp?HC=&D=10/6/2004&ID=45220
The Spanish government snubbed the United States yesterday by cancelling an annual invitation to US troops to join the celebrations of Spainâs national holiday parade and instead invited French soldiers to Madrid. The Spanish defence minister, Jose Bono, told the COPE radio station there would be no Americans in this yearâs "fiesta nacional" which commemorates the day on which Christopher Columbus sighted the New World. The national day "is not the national holiday of the United States, and no one is under any obligation to see the flag of another country in the parade, though it was is a friend and an ally for sure," said Mr Bono. "This is in no way an insult nor a sign of contempt towards the United States."
Posted by: ed ||
10/15/2004 0:22 Comments ||
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#2
I hear that representatives of various Native American groups also failed to attend.
#3
Well this is the perfect solution to all such problems with excuses. (This works well with employers. ) "I had/have diarrhea." Normally you are not asked what kind and the conversation ends quickly. I recomend this to the good ambassador next time.
#4
Rantburgers will be interested to look at
this image.
http://www.libertaddigital.com/fotos/noticias/nzapadesfile121003.jpg
It was a year go for the same celkebration. Mr Rodriguez (PM Zapatero's real name) then in the opposition, refused to lift from his seat when the US flaq passed in front of him.
#8
it's a frightening prospect! The desperation showed in the last two weeks by the Democrats has made me feel hopeful that this race really isn't as close as we are told.
#10
His absence from it means he is not willing to bend over and take one for the team share the Spanish peopleâs joy and happiness on that day," Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said.
Funny but has anyone paid attention to M. A. M's bending over when he goes on pilgrimage to Ramallah (Arafat in the Muqata)?
#14
These Socialists in Spain make the French look pro-American. By the way, those two French journalists have still not made their way home. Long live appeasement!
Posted by: Michael Kazmac ||
10/15/2004 11:09 Comments ||
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#15
Even more cowardly than the Phrawnch, the Spanish will not post their Ambassador's e-mail. But you can send your comments here to let them know whether you would have atended their parade.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
10/15/2004 11:17 Comments ||
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#16
LOL SPoD! "I had/have diarrhea." And I'm washing my hair after that for six months.
#18
Spain, France's, and Germany's behavior in the WoT and esp in Iraq is a precursor of the end for NATO. We will work out bilateral alliances in the future. Nato will be like the ancient polish government, with one veto killing any chance for action when action is needed. Have fun with your al Qaeda brethren, Spain. I feel sorry for your intelligence people, who have to work for the good of the Spanish people, as well as a bunch of thankless appeasing politicians.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
10/15/2004 23:41 Comments ||
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If Osama bin Laden ever buys a rap album, he'll probably start with a CD by KRS-One. The hip-hop anarchist has declared his solidarity with al-Qaida by asserting that he and other African-Americans "cheered when 9-11 happened," reports the New York Daily News. The ones I know mourned.
The rapper, real name Kris Parker, defiled the memory of those who died in the terrorist attacks as he spouted off at a recent New Yorker Festival panel discussion. "I say that proudly," the Boogie Down Productions founder went on, insisting that, before the attack, security guards kept Blacks out of the World Trade Center "because of the way we talk and dress. Then his lips fell off.
"So when the planes hit the building, we were like, 'Mmmm - justice.' " The atrocity of 9-11 "doesn't affect us the hip-hop community," he said. "9-11 happened to them, not us," he added, explaining that by "them" he meant "the rich ... those who are oppressing us. RCA or BMG, Universal, the radio stations." Parker also sneered at efforts by other rappers to get young people to vote. "Voting in a corrupt society adds more corruption," he added. "America has to commit suicide if the world is to be a better place." That's called sedition, isn't it?
#2
Interesting how a multi-millionaire rapper, whose idea of struggle is trying to decide whether to wear the 1 pound or 2 pound gold chain. BJ-One here wants to become the next Madonna. How derivative. What's next? A picture book called "SEX" showing him cavorting with his male dancers?
Posted by: ed ||
10/15/2004 20:09 Comments ||
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#3
If he doesnt liek it, he is more than welcome to leave - I'd suggest dropping him off over in Fallujah. Have him discuss it with the Zarqawi types there - and then the Marines.
#7
Nono, we must leave a message...he should be castrated and then nailed to the nearest handy large object. There are so many good torture techniques that have nothing to do with information and everything to do with simply hurting them as much as possible.
But remember, this is a joke, we would NEVER advocate violence, mayhem, torture or common sense. Didn't Alec Baldwin claim that after saying people should be stoned to death? We should simply take their words as said and reverse them.
#9
That's funny, I used to live where lots of African Americans would pass by my house on their way to work. And after 911, I saw these guys (and girls) in their dungarees sporting flags on their tee shirts and hard hats.
But, I bet the rapper's making more money in an hour than they did in a year by selling them out. Too bad money can't buy happiness. Thank you all of Hollywood for standing as a testament to reminding us of that fact.
#10
"9-11 happened to them, not us," he added, explaining that by "them" he meant "the rich ... those who are oppressing us. RCA or BMG, Universal, the radio stations."
Iran might be willing to give up its uranium enrichment capabilities but it wants many things in return -- above all a guarantee that no one will try to topple the Islamic regime, diplomats and analysts say. North Korea has demanded similar security assurances from Washington, which listed both Tehran and Pyongyang as members of an "axis of evil," in exchange for relinquishing its atom bomb program. Iran's nuclear ambitions will be discussed at a meeting of senior officials from the Group of Eight (G8) industrial nations in Washington on Friday.
France, Britain and Germany have been struggling to persuade Iran to abandon its uranium enrichment program, which could be used to develop highly enriched uranium for nuclear weapons. They will present their plan for a "carrot and stick" approach to Iran to the G8 meeting. Unlike Washington, the Europeans do not publicly accuse Iran of pursuing weapons. But they are not convinced Tehran's intentions are necessarily peaceful, as Iran insists, and want enrichment activities ended.
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Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
10/15/2004 4:23:30 PM ||
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Iran might be willing to give up its uranium enrichment capabilities but it wants many things in return -- above all a guarantee that no one will try to topple the Islamic regime, diplomats and analysts say.
Sorry guys, but while we can certainly speak for ourselves, we cannot and will not speak for your citizens. ;)
#2
Stick it up your collective Qur'ans. Your only hope for status quo will be a Kerry win November 2nd. Black Turbans are on the current CIC's endangered list.
Posted by: Mark Z. ||
10/15/2004 18:49 Comments ||
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#3
"A guarantee that no one will try to topple the Islamic regime." Including Iranians? How can we make that promise and we in the hell would we?
#4
Cyber Sarge the EUropeans will. They don't care about anyone but themselves. The EU is totally blind that the US has totally changed from 9/11. EUrope is in denial. They will make any deal not have to use or even imply the use of force. They will even make a deal to insure the the Theocrats stay in power.
Russia and Iran said yesterday they had finished construction of a nuclear-power plant in Iran — a project the United States fears Iran could use to make nuclear arms. Diplomats in Moscow said the announcement, made after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Iran, reflected Russia's readiness to press ahead with the project in return for Iran's increased cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog. "All we need to do now is work out an agreement on sending spent fuel back to Russia," said a spokesman for Russia's Atomic Energy Agency (RosAtom).
Such an agreement is designed to allay U.S. concerns. Iran would guarantee it would return to Russia all spent nuclear fuel, which can be used to make weapons. But the signing, due last year, has been repeatedly delayed. Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of the Iranian Parliament's Foreign Affairs and National Security Commission, confirmed the construction phase at Bushehr. "The [nuclear-fuel] agreement is practically ready. If experts agree on a few remaining commercial matters, it could be signed in November," Boroujerdi told reporters in Moscow after talks with Russian officials. Iran insists its nuclear program is entirely peaceful. (There is a rather large bridge for sale in Brooklyn, too.) Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
10/15/2004 4:20:54 PM ||
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Follow up news story:
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
10/15/2004 16:25 Comments ||
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#2
So, how does the get to Iran? Via magic carpet? Doubt it. All we need to do is intercept the shipment if by sea or seize it if by land.
#3
Well they inspired(trained?) the marxist palestinian group that made the Maloot School massacre killing 21 children...maybe they'll get the taste of their own medecine this time too...
Russia and Iran said yesterday they had finished construction of a nuclear-power plant in Iran — a project the United States fears Iran could use to make nuclear arms. Diplomats in Moscow said the announcement, made after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Iran, reflected Russia's readiness to press ahead with the project in return for Iran's increased cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog. "All we need to do now is work out an agreement on sending spent fuel back to Russia," said a spokesman for Russia's Atomic Energy Agency (RosAtom). Learning this, knowing our shipment of bunker busters to Israel is complete and Sharon's abrupt pull out of the IDF in the northern Gaza Strip leaves me wondering if/WHEN something is going to happen. They did say they would not let Iran become a nuke power. I predict something happening before our election.
Posted by: Yosemite Sam ||
10/15/2004 10:29:02 AM ||
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A senior member of the Palestinian Authority has decried living conditions in Lebanon's Palestinian refugee camps, saying they are worse than those in Gaza. "I was stunned by the refugee camps in Lebanon," said Ghassan Khatib, Yasser Arafat's Minister of Labor in an interview with the Beirut Daily Star. "Even in camps in Gaza and Nablus in the occupied territories, the situation is better than that of the camps in Lebanon."
Khatib met with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud to plead for easing the living and working conditions for Arabs from Samaria and the Galilee living in Lebanon. The paper notes that the estimated 400,000 refugees living in Lebanon are not granted basic civic rights by the Lebanese government, are barred from erecting permanent homes and are not allowed to engage in various professions. Khatib also insisted that the PA has not given up on the refugee issue. "It is an issue of utmost importance to us," he said. "We are 100% sure that their right to return will be met. There is no doubt about that, regardless of how much time it might take."
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
10/15/2004 2:06:10 AM ||
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Well being there as long as they have and some of them being kicked out of Jordan already perhaps they might get a clue. No one gives a damm. Give up your radical and criminal ways someone might. Oh yea lose all the RPGs and ak47s they will help too.
#3
if there had never been an infant-tada, they would already have their own state.
Revenge(TM) Blame the Jews(TM). These poor people have been manipulated by their leaders for so long. At some point you'd think they would wake up and go, "HEY, Arafat, what have you done for us lately?" But they never, ever do.
#4
get used to it, Ghassan, it's coming to the Paleo territories near you, soon. Has any people shown a more hateful, non-productive, self-destructive period than the last 50 for Paleos? Keep banging your heads against the concrete wall, maybe things'll magically improve!
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/15/2004 9:49 Comments ||
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#5
Keep banging your heads against the concrete wall, maybe things'll magically improve!
#6
Ghassan ever visited the southside of Chicago? Much more dangerous. Oncoming cars actually speed up when they see a non-local crossing the street...
#9
Could this news mean Arab governments are allowing fellow Arabs to live in such horrid conditions? Is this the case in the Lebanon, Syria, Egypt or Jordan?
"How long has this been going on"? a UN diplomat asked.
The Arab League official at the United Nations responds "Well Sir, for most of these Arabs, since 1948, for a lesser amount, 1967. Both dates are when we lost two wars against that little Israeli state. In the Lebanon many Arabs which were in Jordan had to relocate after Arafat and his crew attempted to overthrow the King. The King beat back Arafat's gunmen at a loss of some 20.000 Arabs, and then Arafat's PLO departed for the Lebanon. In turn his forces instigated the Civil War in 1974 and were kicked out in 1982....Oh, by the way Sir please keep this information to you're self, since we always blame Israel for the refugee problems."
Mr Shmuel Katz of Israel writes the following:
"In December 1948, the director of the Relief Organization, Sir Rafael Cilento, reported he was feeding 750,000 "refugees." By July 1949 the UN reported a round million.
The Red Cross International Committee joined the party. It pressed for the recognition of any destitute Arab in Palestine as a refugee. Thus about 100,000 were added to the list.
To add a touch of mordant humour, the Red Cross authority wrote about the additional people that: "It would be senseless to force them to abandon their homes to be able to get food as refugees."
So these people stayed at home, received their free services there, and were added to the rolls of the refugees."
Which other group of people have been 'refugees' since 1948?
Read the rest in the link:
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
10/15/2004 20:26 Comments ||
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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad: 'Do Western Countries Want to Fling the Entire Region Into the Volcano? Haven't We Learned From 9/11, From the War in Iraq?... When a Volcano Erupts, its Core Strikes Countries Near and Far, Great and Small, Powerful and Weak' The rest of the article is mostly his whining about how unfair U.N. Resolution 1559 calling for Syria to leave Lebanon is.
#1
One lesson of 9/11 is that Moslems should not ignite the volcano.
.
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
10/15/2004 0:16 Comments ||
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'..When a Volcano Erupts, its Core Strikes Countries Near and Far, Great and Small, Powerful and Weakâ
Sorry Bashar, but it's all proportional in the case of the Mideast Volcano. You'll get the worst of it, while the effect on far depends on how far the distance truly is. But go ahead and believe what you want, because in the event your country is consumed, the U.S. will still be here, intact.
Some 90,000 worshippers attended prayer services on the Temple Mount on Friday, the first of the month-long Muslim holiday of Ramadan. Chief of Police Moshe Karadi said police would increase their presence on the Temple Mount to prevent disruptions and regulate the passage of worshipers during Ramadan. Speaking to Israel Radio, Karadi said that the police expected tens of thousands of Muslim worshipers to attend the Ramadan rites.
On Thursday, Israel lifted a threat to limit the number of worshipers at the Temple Mount. Israeli authorities had warned they may clamp restrictions for Friday's prayers at Jerusalem's most sensitive shrine, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary), after Israeli antiquities experts said the underground chambers called Solomon's Stables were at risk of collapse. Karadi's announced the decision to lift restrictions, after inspecting the Temple Mount yesterday and seeing that sufficient measures had been taken to build scaffolding and cordon off the dangerous areas.
Jordanian experts also came to Jerusalem Thursday to evaluate areas in need of future repair. Prime Minister Sharon told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee today that the government had clarified to the Jordanians, the king of Morocco and the Europeans the unequivocal need for repairs. The Waqf Muslim religious trust has taken the warnings seriously, Sharon said.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
10/15/2004 11:27:05 AM ||
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"Since 1967 until today Israeli governments are waging a holy war bent on destroying the Al-Aqsa mosque,"
Only one holy city per religion! Jews were there first so... move along! Nothing to see here! I hear Damascus is nice this time of the year. Or Istanbul.
Posted by: Rafael ||
10/15/2004 12:44 Comments ||
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EFL - HT to Powerline
SADDAM Hussein's links to terrorism have been proven by documents showing he helped to fund the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The PFLP, whose history of terrorism dates back to the "black September" hijackings of 1970, was personally vetted by Saddam to receive oil vouchers worth £40 million. The deal has been uncovered by US investigators, trawling millions of pages of documents showing a network of diplomats bribed by Saddam's regimes, and political parties who qualified for backhanded payments from Baghdad.
The Iraq Survey Group (ISG), which is still working its way through 20,000 boxes of documents from Saddam's Baath party discovered only recently, found a list of pressure groups bankrolled by Saddam. Using the United Nations' own oil-for-food scheme - ironically intended as a sanction to control the behaviour of his dictatorship - Saddam gave Awad Ammora & Partners, a Syrian company, two million barrels of oil. Documents handed over to US authorities by a former Iraqi oil minister only four months ago show that this was a front for the PFLP - which was then embarked on a spate of car bombings aimed at Israeli officials. The Iraqi records show only one six-month period - suggesting the payments could go on for much longer. While some allocations to the likes of Russian political parties were not cashed in, the PFLP oil deal was carried out in full.
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/15/2004 9:01:14 AM ||
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Whoa! Aloha man stumbles on a live one! This could be a sticker.
Russia called on the United States and the Iraqi transitional government to allow international weapons inspectors to return to Iraq, following reports of the disappearance of high-tech equipment that could be used to make nuclear weapons. Inspectors from the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) must be allowed to go back to Iraq, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. "We believe that these organizations, which possess all the necessary expertise to that end, must as soon as possible receive unlimited access to Iraqâs nuclear sites to resume their interrupted task," foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said in the statement. "It is essential that Iraqâs transitional government and the United States adopt urgent measures to establish control over sensitive material and equipment, and allow international organizations specially authorized to do that to accomplish their task without any obstacles," Yakovenko added.
What sensitive materials -- Saddam didn't have any, remember?
IAEA director general Mohamed ElBaradei earlier this month told the United Nations that equipment and materials that could be used to make nuclear weapons, in some cases entire buildings housing sophisticated technology, were disappearing from Iraq.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
10/15/2004 3:39:22 AM ||
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#2
Sometimes, I don't get Russians. Maybe they're trying to shift the spotlight from their Iran dealings? (Which in itself is like sleeping with fleas, nothing good can come of it for Russia, the quick cash would turn into a curse a bit later).
OTOH, yea, send the inspectors. I am sure that jihadis would see them as potential elements in get-rich-quick schemes, with some gore theatrics for media ghoulies. The speed of inspectors departure would probably become a new world record.
#4
IAEA director general Mohamed ElBaradei earlier this month told the United Nations that equipment and materials that could be used to make nuclear weapons, in some cases entire buildings housing sophisticated technology, were disappearing from Iraq.
I'm sorry, but I'm so VERY CONFUSED! Y'mean there WAS equipment in Iraq capable of making WMD, and it's now being stolen because we made the foolish mistake of not guarding stuff that Y'all said didn't exist in Iraq because we made the foolish mistake of BELIEVING Y'all's assertion that there wasn't such stuff in Iraq?
/sarcasm
I'm sorry, but capable LYING requires that you pick a line of deception AND STICKING TO IT COME WHAT MAY.
#8
I saw this one coming a MILE away. Ask yourself, "Why did the US keep finding, then keep un-finding WMDs in Iraq? Even the really obvious ones?" It all goes back to UNSC resolution 1441. The US is in Iraq on two justifications: searching for WMDs and preventing the interference in the search. However, if the US either finds WMDs, OR declares that there are no WMDs, its authoration under 1441 is OVER, and the US must leave.
their was a UNSC res passed after the war, which is the legal basis for the subsequent occupation, and which is not related to WMD's, but to the need to restore order in Iraq.
#10
once there's an election, the gov't of Iraq will have the right to tell Russia, UNSC, etc. to f&*k off
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/15/2004 10:29 Comments ||
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#11
#8, These are my suspicions as well.
And Libhawk, does the latest UNSC res supercede 1441?
I *still* don't trust the Russians. Either they know something's there, or they want more UN pawns on the ground in Iraq. Or they want an up-close and personal look at our boys/equipment/training/etc.
#12
Any significant find of MWDâs in Iraq would greatly aid the Bush administrationâs position in the US and the world. It would guarantee Bushâs re-election.
The only âlegalâ authority for remaining in Iraq that the US cares about is that the Iraqi government wants the US to remain. The January Iraqi elections are to assure that the Iraqi government is seen as having legitimacy among Iraqiâs.
My own assessment a few months after the fall of Baghdad was that Saddam had no significant active MWD program. (An assessment I came to very reluctantly as I had to âeat crowâ.) Such programs would require an extensive support structure for manufacture, weapons delivery, training in use, etc. Secondary traces of such programs should have been extensive. Many people would have been involved and, given the rewards offered, some would have talked. (Saddam did maintain a support structure that could be quickly ramped up to produce MWDâs once inspections ended.)
Yes, Iraq had nuclear facilities. There have been many reports of those facilities in the news. Those sites were locked down and monitored by the UN prior to the war. The uranium ore stored at those sites has now been removed. (Remember the Iraqi villagers that got radiation poisoning after stealing drums from those sites? They dumped the contents and used them as water barrels. Remember the rumors that Saddam had a secret nuclear lab hidden under the known facilities? US soldiers explored a water-filled basement.)
Bush didnât lie about MWDâs. The Clinton administration and European intelligence agencies also believed Saddam had WMDâs. There was a US (and global) intelligence failure. I suspect that after 911 people were more willing to connect the dots and believe the more threatening data. Given that Saddam failed to follow UN resolutions and prove he had no WMDâs, their conclusion was reasonable.
More information may come to light. A few weapons may have been transferred to other countries. Some Iraqi nuclear scientists may be Syria. However, I doubt the US will find evidence of a significant active WMDâs program.
I certainly donât believe the US government is hiding evidence of WMDâs in Iraq.
Nuclear equipment and materials in Iraq were dismantled and removed by professionals systematically, diplomats here said Thursday, indicating that this work has lasted at least one year since 2003. The diplomats pointed out that the removal of the nuclear equipment was well organized by professionals who should have suchlarge-sized machines as heavy lifting equipment and heavy-duty trucks. And the whole operation could not be completed within a short period. Their comments contradicted earlier statements of the United States and the Iraqi interim government, which insisted that the nuclear equipment had been looted shortly after the US-led invasion.
Iraqi Science and Technology Minster Rashad Omar said Tuesday the nuclear facilities have been under well protection of the Iraqi interim government, and he also invited the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to visit the sites at any time. In a report submitted Monday to the UN Security Council, IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei said satellite images show equipment and materials that could be used to make nuclear weapons have vanished from Iraq. Entire buildings once monitored and tagged by the agency have been dismantled, and equipment and materials in open storage areashave been removed, ElBaradei said.
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Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
10/15/2004 2:35:02 AM ||
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#1
Riddle me this...
What the fuck is/was nuke equippment doing in Iraq, when there was no WMD or WMD potential there?
It simply does not compute. Either there was WMD danger, or there was not. It can't be both ways.
#3
LL, you forgotten to add a bit of some meaningfull elucidation like:
"The characteristic theme of Reicher's[6] essay on Batailleist `powerful communication' is a precultural reality. Therefore, Debord uses the term 'constructivism' to denote not situationism as such, but subsituationism. An abundance of discourses concerning dialectic neomaterialist theory may be revealed.
But the subject is interpolated into a materialist materialism that includes truth as a totality. Constructivism implies that society, ironically, has intrinsic meaning.
However, the subject is contextualised into a dialectic paradigm of context that includes sexuality as a paradox. Lacan uses the term 'constructivism' to denote the bridge between sexual identity and society. Thus, Dietrich[7] suggests that we have to choose between Batailleist `powerful communication' and precapitalist sublimation. Baudrillard's model of materialist materialism states that the goal of the participant is social comment."
#10
Well, I figure you won't be able to accurately comprehend your external inputs, will initially seize up like a neural vapor lock and, when that inferential pressure differential dissipates, you'll be able to cover boths sides of the argument all by yourself, right?
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
10/15/2004 8:49 Comments ||
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#12
I think they're preparing the ground for blaming the US if Iraqi WMD actually show up or are used somewhere.
Posted by: Phil Fraering ||
10/15/2004 8:56 Comments ||
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#13
My opinion on the "missing" equipment, since it's gone missing since the invasion, is that it's on its way to a US warehouse in Tennessee for eventual disposal, just like the Libyan nuclear program.
I haven't got any proof of that, but the fact that BUILDINGS have disappeared and that the US and Iraqi governments are both so non-chalant and non-committal about it makes me think they're involved.
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
10/15/2004 9:08 Comments ||
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#14
I'm with RC - we wouldn't have missed this op and stayed nonplussed about it
Posted by: Frank G ||
10/15/2004 9:19 Comments ||
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#16
that would be cool. It would also explain the squawking from the Russians and why the UN members are scrambling like dogs on linoleum to be the first to get to a microphone on this issue.
#18
I certainly hope RC is right - 'gotcha' games about cognitive dissonance are great fun, but this is a huge screw-up if it wasn't us dismantling those buildings. Why would we do it so quietly and choose to take 18 months of needless "no WMD" heat, though? I'm not Machiavellian enough to figure out the upside of that - probably couldn't spell it, either.
#20
Why would we do it so quietly and choose to take 18 months of needless "no WMD" heat, though?
First, doing it quietly keeps it out of the press, which means jihadis wouldn't know there were trucks full of nuclear materials driving along Iraq's highways.
Second, doing it quietly avoids setting off any hyper-nationalist "we should be ALLOWED to have nukes" sense among the Iraqis.
Thirdly, it avoids getting the IAEA entangled in the mess. They're incompetent to the point of making you wonder if it's intentional. Their likely reaction to any open "let's get this out of there" plan would be to stomp their feet and insist that since the material's "under seal" it's not going anywhere.
Finally, everyone knew Iraq had a nuclear program and lots of equipment and materials hanging around. It didn't and wouldn't have changed the "no WMD" lies one bit -- consider that various bioweapon cultures found in one of Saddam's researcher's fridge didn't make a dent in the "no WMD" lie.
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
10/15/2004 13:16 Comments ||
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#21
Thanks, RC. Makes a lot of sense, and doesn't even bring Macchiavelli into it.
Israeli officials fear that thousands of Arab worshippers could be buried alive if, as feared, the Temple Mount collapses under their weight when they arrive for the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan tomorrow. Public Security Minister Gideon Ezra warned, based on reports by experts in the Antiquities Authority and others, that allowing worshippers onto the southeastern corner of the Mount, known as Solomon's Stables, could lead to an "unimaginable disaster." The Waqf, the Muslim authority supervising the Temple Mount, says that this is merely an Israeli provocation, and that its own experts have assured it that there is no danger.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was to decide today whether to restrict Moslem worshippers from entering the main Temple Mount area tomorrow, if the Waqf does not close off entrance to Solomon's Stables. Israeli experts have warned that a large number of visitors could cause the fall of the floor supported by pillars weakened by the Waqf's illegal excavations. The month of Ramadan is generally a month of high tensions, and Jerusalem police are not looking forward to the upcoming Fridays. Thousands of policemen and soldiers will fan out throughout the Old City tomorrow to prevent disturbances.
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
10/15/2004 2:04:35 AM ||
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#1
earthquakes, volcanos, locusts, and now this :-)
#2
Am ambivalent. Maybe because I am essentially an optimist and find good aspects in random, transient events. Besides, the mosque is ugly and an eye-sore. :-)
#3
Hey, if it falls and kills shitloads of them, well, it will mean that Allan's seriously pissed. At them. Their imams are always closing thier Friday Indoctrination Sessions with shit about shaking the ground under the feet of the Jooos... Mebbe he's a little tired of the blame game and Muslim incompetence and seething and begging for help all the phreakin' time. Mebbe he's tired of backin' losers and murderers and pussies and cowards and haters and barbarians. Mebbe he's switching teams. It'd be fair payback. Heh.
Iran has taken control of many Palestinian terrorist cells from Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement, giving them funds and orders to attack Israeli targets, and even rewarding successful missions with "bonuses", according to a senior Israeli security source. For many years, Iran has given money and ideological support to radical Palestinian groups, especially Hamas and Islamic Jihad, responsible for most of the Israeli deaths in the past four years of the Palestinian uprising. But Israel believes that much of the Fatah-affiliated armed faction, calling itself the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, has now come under Iran's sway, especially in the West Bank.
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
10/15/2004 1:57:59 AM ||
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Hizbollah rewards Palestinian cells to the tune of $5,000 (£2,900) for each Israeli killed.
The payoff has gone down. Saddam Hussein used to write checks for $10-25,000 per. O! the poor terrorists, who now must work so much harder to support their families.
#2
The Bush Administration is responsible for the cuts in tthese payments to martyrs. If they had followed my PLAN these people would not be suffering from a reduction in government payouts. My PLAN calls for a full restoration of the Oil for Payouts plan.
By most reports Osama bin Laden is hiding in the wilderness that borders Pakistan and Afghanistan. But the US is making inroads there too, by building roads. The war on terror has revamped Pakistan, specially its much neglected FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) province. The American agenda is visible in every aspect of the South Asian nuclear power's life, even in its remote corners. To gain access into the hostile region, where most of Al Qaeda, including possibly Osama bin Laden, are hiding, Washington is funding construction of vast network of roads.
Posted by: tipper ||
10/15/2004 1:56:23 AM ||
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For India, such details are ominous. It is a clear warning that not too much dependence can be placed on Americaâs influence to get Pakistan to end cross-border terrorism.
The faith of Indian and numerous western analysts who pit Indiaâs US influence with that of Pakistan and predict a balance in near future is grossly misplaced.
No shit. I guess all that cuddling up with the Soviets in the cold war didn't make the US happy. Maybe they should avoid the Turkish model of dealing with the US.
#2
I don't get why India should be that worried. If we are able to introduce, even indoctrinate, more Pakistani military officers into American values and ethics, that should make the concept of a war of conquest in Kashmir less appealing. And considering that the military runs that nation, that sounds like a good thing for India. It should eventually cease acceptance of cross border incursions.
Posted by: Ben ||
10/15/2004 5:15 Comments ||
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#3
To gain access into the hostile region, where most of Al Qaeda, including possibly Osama bin Laden, are hiding, Washington is funding construction of vast network of roads
And thus another static tribal culture is destroyed:
Roads to bring the outside world in, and to let the oppressed underlings out.
Schools to illuminate the mind of the ignorant, and to cause the questioning of authority.
Democratic politix to bring the real Revolution(tm) to the depotic darkness.
(heavy irony here) And to think it all is being done by those forces of reaction and oppression, America.
Ben, India is worried b'cause we are not interested in seeing any State rising in capability to challange us in any reigon. Its not in our interest.
Posted by: N Guard ||
10/15/2004 5:58 Comments ||
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#4
India has historically led the 3rd World bloc at the U.N., which was pretty stridently anti-American/pro-USSR. I guess old habits die hard.
Posted by: Steve ||
10/15/2004 15:18 Comments ||
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#9
**gazes into crystal ball**
A road centerline survey is in you future. I see tangents and curves. I see slope stakes. I see bulldozers with images of Rachel Corrie on their frames performing cut and fill operations. I see deuce-and-a-half rigs full of pakistani soldiers coming to ruin your day... I see.....
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
10/15/2004 23:21 Comments ||
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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.
US ambassador to Spain 
