From Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, an article by Richard Giragosian
The working visit to Washington last week by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov came at a very significant time for both countries and could represent something of a turning point in bilateral relations. .... In addition, Mammadyarov's visit was largely overshadowed by speculation about an imminent agreement for a new U.S. military base in the country.
This speculation has been largely fueled by the recent demand by Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov to close the U.S. and coalition air base at Karshi-Khanabad within six months. The loss of the use of the base in Uzbekistan is viewed by some experts as an immediate setback to the U.S. military's operational capabilities in nearby Afghanistan and, as the thinking holds, necessitates the opening of a new air base in Azerbaijan. ....
Despite reports predicting a "new" U.S. military engagement in Azerbaijan, in reality there has been a significant American military mission there for at least three years, comprised of two components.
* The first component was the creation of the "Caspian Guard," an initiative involving both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan focusing on maritime and border security in the Caspian Sea. The Caspian Guard initiative incorporates defensive mission areas, including the surveillance of Caspian airspace, borders, and shipping. It encourages greater coordination and cooperation in counter-proliferation efforts by Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. This effort was further bolstered by a $20 million program launched in July 2004 and implemented by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency to train the Azerbaijan Maritime Border Guard. Additional training and combined exercises were also provided by U.S. Navy SEALS to Azerbaijan's 41st Special Warfare Naval Unit in June 2004.
* The second component was the establishment of several "Cooperative Security Locations," tactical facilities with pre-positioned stock that provide contingency access but, unlike a traditional base, have little or no permanent U.S. military presence. These locations are designed to increase the mobility of U.S. military forces and, most importantly, facilitate counter-proliferation missions along Azerbaijan's southern border with Iran and northern borders with Georgia and Daghestan. ....
... while the utility of a permanent, traditional military base in Azerbaijan is seriously limited, the expansion of the forward stationing of forces is likely. (Azerbaijani presidential aide Novruz Mamedov's recent statement to Interfax that Azerbaijan will not host "U.S. military bases" may draw a fine semantic line between "bases" in the traditional sense and forward operating sites.) ....
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
08/13/2005 00:32 ||
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#1
If true, the setback from the loss of the Uzbekistan base would be a strategic plus at the Azerbaijan base, should it hold firm. Iran's north and northeastern sectors would come under a closer and faster response time from US military planners.
BEIJING - South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon said during a trip to China the issue of a peaceful North Korean nuclear program needed to be discussed, Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency said on Saturday. âAll concerned sides still need to discuss about the DPRKâs right of peaceful use of nuclear energy,â said Ban.
Translation: they're willing to let the NKors keep their nukes. The Skors have sold themselves out.
Ban made the remark Friday after talks in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, a former foreign minister.
Six-nation talks on Pyongyangâs nuclear ambitions broke off last Sunday for three weeks without any sign of agreement on how to get the Stalinst state to abandon atomic weapons. The talks, which involve the two Koreas, the United States, China, Russia and Japan, are scheduled to resume in the final week of August.
Not that there's any point now.
A key sticking point was Pyongyangâs insistence on the right to retain peaceful atomic reactors to produce energy, a demand flatly rejected by the US.
During Fridayâs talks, State Councilor Tang told Ban the most recent round of six-party talks had âentered a new stage of substantial negotiationâ and made âpositive progress,â according to the Xinhua report. Tang said he hoped all sides would maintain contact and coordination, study hard on how to narrow their differences and facilitate the talks in order to bring about more progress, the agency said.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/13/2005 00:17 ||
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#1
One of two reasons dictate such placidity on the South Koreans; a)they would rather be Red than Dead, or more ominously; b)finally they grasp the true power of Detente and MAD that rides with it. Does that mean the South has Nukes also, or are they signaling that the US will ride shotgun over pushing the button?
#2
The US should cut a deal with the NORKs. They dismantle their nuclear program and allow on-site verification and monitoring. We pull ALL of our troops out of the Korean peninsula. After that, if the SKors have a problem with the NORKs - they can deal with it themselves.
We'll be glad to leave your country sooner rather than later, but after that you're pretty much on your own this time - as you may have noticed, we're busy elsewhere.
But we will have time and troops to help the Japanese stop you and your northern cousins cold if you head south.
Be careful what you ask for - you just might get it. And more.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
08/13/2005 12:43 Comments ||
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#4
Well, the South would do anything, and I mean ANYTHING, to avoid total regime collapse north of the DMZ...including indulging the Chonger's nuclear fetish.
A Moroccan man accused in Germany of abetting the 11 September attacks on the United States was too naive to have been involved in the plot, his defence lawyer has said.
Yeah, yeah. Just an innocent lad in the wrong place at the wrong time...
... is 'naive' the German word for 'stoopid'? ...
Summing up at the retrial of Mounir El Motassadeq, lawyer Udo Jacob on Friday said his client was "naive, fumbling, contradictory" and lacked the cleverness required of an accomplice. Convicted at his first trial in 2003, El Motassadeq became the first person anywhere to be found guilty of abetting the US attacks in which pilots flew hijacked planes into the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. But he won an appeal in 2004 and the right to a fresh trial after a higher court ruled that evidence allegedly obtained by the United States from al-Qaida suspects had been withheld by Washington.
El Motassadeq was part of a circle of Arab students in the German port city of Hamburg which included three of the alleged hijackers, but he has always denied knowing of their plans. Jacob said the Moroccan had made mistakes, including covering up the fact he had allegedly trained in what has been called an al-Qaida camp in Afghanistan, but cited these as evidence of his naivety. He noted that El Motassadeq had made no attempt to flee Germany, as other members of the Hamburg cell had done. "He could have simply cleared off," the lawyer said. Prosecutors wound up their case against El Motassadeq on Tuesday by demanding a 15-year jail term, the same sentence he received at his first trial.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/13/2005 00:00 ||
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#1
Is there like a literacy test or something? What's the equivalent of SAT or ACT college admission test for bommers?
Posted by: Captain America ||
08/13/2005 0:41 Comments ||
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#2
Yes, if you could pass the SAT, you're too smart to be a Boomer.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/13/2005 14:35 Comments ||
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#3
This El Motassadeq asshat probably has the entire Hamburg cell hiding in his beard. Or maybe those "missing classified documents" Sandy Berger inadvertently removed from the National Archives!
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged yesterday that the Kurdish conflict in Turkey would be resolved with âmore democracyâ despite a marked increase in violence by armed Kurdish rebels whom Ankara considers âterrorists.â âI want you to know that there will be no going back from the point Turkey has come to... We will not allow any regression in the democracy process,â Erdogan said in an emotional speech in this key city of Turkeyâs mainly Kurdish southeast. âWe will resolve all problems with more democracy, more civil rights and more prosperity,â he said, frequently interrupted by applause from a crowd of some 1,000 people.
In Arbil, northern Iraq, a senior Turkish Kurd rebel leader welcomed Erdoganâs statement, but said he wanted to see how this translates into action. âWe believe Erdoganâs statements are significant,â but what matters is what concrete actions will be taken on the ground, Zubeyir Aydar, head of KONGRA-GEL, a sub-group of the rebel Kurdistan Workersâ Party (PKK), said in a statement received by AFP. Erdogan was seeking to allay concerns that a recent increase in attacks on military and civilian targets blamed on the PKK might prompt Ankara to introduce measures that would diminish the fragile freedoms the sizeable Kurdish minority has only recently gained. Keen to boost its bid to join the European Union, Ankara has ended 15 years of emergency rule in the southeast and allowed the Kurdish language to be taught at private courses and used in public television and radio broadcasts.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/13/2005 00:00 ||
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#1
I have a feeling the Kurds don't care for commies and Maoists anymore than any other group of folks. If Erdogan can keep the army from going after non PPK Kurds he may get some where.
I was hoping someone would be able to organize something like this.
More than 100 supporters of President Bush held a rally Friday night across the road from the makeshift campsite of anti-war demonstrators, but authorities kept the groups separated and there was little confrontation. Makeshift camp my @ss. That makes it sound like one poor housewife, grieving for her son .... This woman is working with Democratic political operatives and the George Soros raft of political agitation groups.
You weren't expecting the MSM to report that, were you?
Many of the Bush supporters rode on a bus from Dallas in a trip organized by nationally syndicated conservative radio talk show host Mike Gallagher. They said they wanted to counter the war protest, started last weekend by a grieving mother who set up camp on the road leading to Bush's ranch.
At first, the 100 or so war protesters held a 40-foot banner that read "Support our troops; bring them home now!" Then they sang "God Bless America." But as Gallagher rallied his spirited, flag-waving group over a bullhorn - and the Bush supporters chanted "USA!" and "Go George go!" - the protesters put down the banner and for the most part ignored the other side. Cindy Sheehan of Vacaville, Calif., who started the peace vigil, was not present during the counter-rally. She was resting at the Crawford Peace House.
Robert Pinson, who served in Vietnam in the Army, said he took the three-hour bus ride to Crawford because he believes Bush is protecting the nation and that the troops are heroes. "I just wanted to show support for my country, since I served and would serve again if I could," said Pinson, 67.
Before the Bush supporters boarded the bus about 30 minutes later, they placed their flags beside rows of white crosses with names of fallen U.S. soldiers. The war protesters erected the crosses, which stretch about two-tenths of a mile down the road.
Sue Niederer, whose son Seth Dvorin died in Iraq last year, said she and other war protesters were glad there were no major confrontations. She said she was touched by one Bush supporter who looked at her, then asked if he could hug her. "It was a beautiful, beautiful thing," she said. "Even though he may have been a Republican, it didn't matter."
There were a few tense words between the opposing sides in the beginning, as sheriff's deputies steered the Bush supporters in a sunny ditch on - appropriately enough - the right side of the road. The protesters' camp was in the shade, but authorities said the pro-Bush group shouldn't mingle with the other side.
A few Bush supporters arrived on their own earlier Friday and stood at the edge of the site, initially enduring some ridicule by the war opponents. "Over the last two or three days Cindy Sheehan has been talking about how our president is a murderer and how the war is for no good reason, and I disagree with her," said Thomas F. Zapp, 52, of Richmond, whose 20-year-old son T.J. was killed in Iraq last fall.
Before noon Friday, Bush's motorcade sped by the protesters en route to a fundraiser, but it didn't stop. It's unclear if Bush, riding in a black Suburban with tinted windows, looked at the demonstrators. One woman said first lady Laura Bush looked out the window at them.
He made time for her last year, which was appropriate.
Law enforcement agencies blocked two intersecting roads where the protesters have camped out and required them to stand behind yellow tape about 10-15 feet from the main road. No one was asked to leave.
Bush passed the group to and from his neighbor's ranch, where he met about 230 donors at a lunchtime barbecue that was expected to raise at least $2 million for the Republican National Committee.
In the last week, dozens have joined Sheehan, 48, whose 24-year-old son Casey died in Iraq last year. From their makeshift campsite of tents and anti-war banners, they vow to remain until Bush meets with grieving parents or until his monthlong ranch visit ends.
Bush has said that he sympathizes with Sheehan but did not say if he will talk to her. Bush has met with about 900 relatives of 272 U.S. soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. But Sheehan said she wants to hold the president accountable for faulty prewar intelligence that she says led to an unnecessary war. "I don't want comfort from him," Sheehan said. "I want answers. I want the truth."
She wouldn't recognize the truth.
On Friday, she released a 60-second television ad running on cable channels in the Crawford area the rest of the month. The $15,000 cost was paid for by Gold Star Families, a group Sheehan co-founded.
Wonder where they got the money?
Posted by: leader of the pack ||
08/13/2005 06:54 ||
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#1
Bush sucks.(Waiting for smartass remark from Cletus S Yokel)
#4
This counter protest is important, but it's coming too late. Sheehan and her buddies have hogged the TV news for a week, including overseas. The other voices won't be heard.
We need to start making our voices heard immediately when the LLL pulls this sort of stunt.
#6
On Friday, she released a 60-second television ad running on cable channels in the Crawford area the rest of the month. The $15,000 cost was paid for by Gold Star Families, a group Sheehan co-founded
This is why the media gets no respect these days. Sheehan co-founded the group. Who founded it? Who gave them $15,000?
#8
She needs to rest? Aside from her doing interviews, what else is she doing down there, training for the NYC Marathon?
It's tiring work dragging down your country, self-promoting, and despoiling everything your son died for while selling your worthless soul to Soros and crew
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/13/2005 10:22 Comments ||
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#9
Uh-oh! Are there two WhiteCollarRednecks on this board? I didn't make that last comment.
#12
But Sheehan said she wants to hold the president accountable for faulty prewar intelligence that she says led to an unnecessary war.
If the prewar intelligence was faulty (and some most likely was, but not all IMO) the person who could of completely altered the course of the whole Iraq problem was Saddam himself. If he knew he didn't have any chemical or biological waeapons why was he stonewalling Blixie so much. What did he have to gain other than thinking France and Germany were going to stall Bush and Blair long enough to prevent an invasion. And how come the MSM never thinks to ask that question?
#13
"And how come the MSM never thinks to ask that question?"
Maybe for the same reason they take pains to avoid pointing out that Bush hasn't made any claims about Iraq's WMD that were significantly different from those already made by Clinton: because they're paid propagandists for the Democratic Party-- and trying to make a Republican president look bad is far more important than being truthful.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
08/13/2005 12:38 Comments ||
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#14
I've commented off and on the last couple of years. Just been too busy to comment much the last few months. No problem though, I'll be lower-case wcr.
#16
The "Crawford Peace House" is an heir to Father Coughlin.
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
08/13/2005 13:43 Comments ||
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#17
Man, the quality of trolls at RB has really gone downhill lately. Used to be we got wit and intelligence or at least phosporescent bile from our trolls. Now it's just schoolyard namecalling.
No wonder the left is in such trouble.
Posted by: too true ||
08/13/2005 14:02 Comments ||
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#18
Yeah, the good old days of Murat, Gentle and Antiwar. God rest their unhappy souls.
#19
To liven things up a tad, I once began a Troll Dictionary, TrollDix, heh), but gave up as they proliferated faster than I cared to maintain the document. I haven't updated it in about 18 months. I offer it for your amusement - or feel free to edit and pick up future maintenance, lol.
2) Baitrolls - pretends to be Zerolls to distract and obfuscate any real discussion; includes the Cambridge / Oxford pooftas and ponces
3) Appeacers - antiwar at any cost;"Not just anti-war, they're on the other side."
4) Onatrolls -
..A) self-absorbed megalomaniacal fools who post disingenuous ejaculate to impress themselves with their command of the Word Tools (Dictionary, Thesaurus, Grammar and Spell Checker)
..B) posts are seldom relevant to the topic, they're usually about themselves or whomever they are attempting to bait or trash - and attempt to build themselves up by ad hominem or faux-logic attacks on others
5) Trolljans -
..A) overtly apparently rational and reasonable, they post anti-jihadi spew, laud military, only mildy openly criticize policy and try to make that seem on-topic
..B) on the inside, when their guard drops, you find remarkably disingenuous and irrational spew; Oreo: cookies with a bile-cream center
6) Trone - droning, hari-splitting, uber-reasonable, implacable, sometimes pointless / often mindlessly centrist; defenders of the institutions obviously subverted by Moonbats
7) Turdtroll - hit and run screecher who deposts little turds â sometimes pointless drivel, sometimes LLL / DU Talking Points; Trail of Turds
8) HateTroll -
..A) simple abusive ad hominem attacker
..B) no attempt to address topic
9) ICanTypeMoreShitThanAnyoneElseAlive(ICTMSTAEA) - argumentative in the extreme, overwhelms with volume - usually large tracts of gibberish lifted from DU-style sites, logic optional
10) ConversationOfOne - ICTMSTAEA who regularly answers himself
11) Muslimozoid - non-jihadist Muslim apologist / practitioner, a True Believer with full djin dysfunction
12) Izzoid - militant jihadi Muslimozoid
TrollRoll... Examples of each type...
{deleted, lol}
Thank you for this definitive troll classification system.
Is there also a category for CAPITALTROLL, one who simplistically thinks using all caps somehow makes a point, albeit not the one they had hoped for.
Posted by: Captain America ||
08/13/2005 14:45 Comments ||
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#21
Well, there ya go, CA - you've pointed out one reason why I gave it up, lol! "Capitrol? So many variants, so little time. You can have it, bro - just try to be fair and judicious in the taxonomy, heh. Variants on "troll" are preferred, of course. ;-)
#22
Sheesh - should've spell-checked it before posting - I just grabbed it and slapped an intro on it. Apologies for the obvious glaring (*slaps forehead*) errors.
#25
"It was a beautiful, beautiful thing," she said. "Even though he may have been a Republican, it didn't matter."
Thus demonstrating the quality of her thought process, such as it is. How many of us here at Rantburg are not Republicans of any stripe, nor even Libertarians/libertarians... or for that matter not even truly Conservative or Neocon? Not to mention that something like a quarter of the troops "out there" identify as Democrats. If those people weren't living in their makeshift tent city, they'd be protesting the whales, or the cutting down of trees, or which ever cause crossed in front of their eyes at a moment their brain cells managed to fire sequentially.
:) Lol. We all steal from each other, liberally, and though they were unaware of it, others contributed heavily to this compilation, lol, I just tweaked and twisted things a bit to fit the project. Today I'm just kinda bored - I don't even have the energy to properly whack our prolific little retard du jour, heh.
#29
Nice, .com. LOL! I, for one, miss the old trolls--no matter the type. (Even he who must not be mentioned! Naw, maybe that's going too far.) Not much fun for me now around here, except to view my old buddies' stuff now and then. Take care, all, and keep up the good work. Hillary's on the way and THAT'S going to totally suck. So get ready. Cheers!
#30
tw - The first? Surely not! I don't believe it! :)
ex - I miss the teethmarks you left on certain folks, lol! And I agree about Hillary in 2008. Sad, but true. Teflon can be acquired by marriage - or that may have been the initial attraction between them, lol! That and naked ambition, of course. :-)
Schadenfreude -- From German words damage and joy, implying taking joy at the damaging of others.
Trollenschadenfreude: to actively cause the damaging of others that joy is taken in;
Sporkentrollenschadenfreude: to discipline those who actively cause thedamaging of others that joy is taken in;
Screechensporkentrollenschadenfreude: to whine about the discipline being meted out to those who actively cause the damaging of others that joy is taken in;
Freudenscreechensporkentrollenschadenfreude: to take joy in the whining about the discipline being meted out to those who actively cause the damaging of others that joy is taken in;
Schizofreudenscreechensporkentrollenschadenfreude: to be so very upset at those who take joy in the whining about the discipline being meted out to those who actively cause the damaging of others that joy is taken in that he/she/edwin pucks blood and profanity and finally splits into eight or more Schizofreudenscreechensporkentrollenschadenfreudists, each
of which is also really, really angry;
Sigmundfreude: to derive remuneration from the treatment of Schizofreudenscreechensporkentrollenschadenfreudists.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/13/2005 17:25 Comments ||
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#32
no way HRC in 08....I'll put $ on it. See this
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/13/2005 17:26 Comments ||
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#35
I only speak spanish, and spanish political jokes are kinda ....redundant
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/13/2005 17:30 Comments ||
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#36
tw - Well, you've put me in a box here, lol... I'll be a gentleman and defer - but certainly not my first *applause* - of that I am absolutely certain!
#38
.com, phil_b, and a few of you others, are circling this poor grieving mother who has lost her humanity in the tragedy of it all, like buzzards over carrion! Why don't you just present your long knives, draw and quarter her in the town square. Drink with revelry at the trophy of your understanding!
#40
ooooh another facet of smn! I, for one, think she should quit exalting in her media whoreness to ideals her son DID NOT DIE FOR. Is that unclear? Bring it on smn.....
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/13/2005 17:50 Comments ||
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#42
wank, wank...I felt sorry for her at first. But then it became clear that she is only about "LOOK AT ME!!! and her son is only a tool in her LOOK AT ME toolbox.
Her family has disowned her as an loon. Even if we wanted to, none of us could could say more.
#45
This just in: Mother Sheehan refuses to meet with pro-Bush protesters. Pro-Bush protesters don "Mother Sheehan, why won't you meet with me" t-shirts.
Posted by: Captain America ||
08/13/2005 18:07 Comments ||
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#46
change of drink and heart - you're not worth it - carry on! Expect evisceration at will
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/13/2005 18:07 Comments ||
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#47
2b, her family is probable persuaded by the social, political or military complex! How many times will they say she's a loon...exactly three!
#48
They could have done this a week ago and it still wouldn't make the MSM. Overall the more she speaks the more she shows herself to be a nut so I say let her talk away.
#49
ooooohhh Denounced three times before the cock crows blows me? Sophomoric references won't fly - dig deeper. My opinion of you diminishes by the post
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/13/2005 19:09 Comments ||
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#50
Not sure how valid thi was but I heard a woman claiming to be the Aunt of Casey on a radio show this week. She said that Casey joined up to get away from mommy dearest and actually reenlisted to go to Iraq. She calimed to have gone to School with the mom and she "Didn't have a conservative bone in her body." It's easy to she why the son went in another direction and where mom is today.
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/13/2005 19:40 Comments ||
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#55
Alright Frank, then consider this; had she been a raging, rampaging Ape mom distraught over the loss of her ape sibling, what would authorities have done? That's right cornered, shot and caged her. Why hasn't measures tantamount to this (metaphorically speaking) been done yet? The blazing glaring lights of Public Opinion. I've seen it before in Tieniman Square when one lone objector stopped a multi ton tank!! Call your Senator, your Representative; have them call the local police to come a cage her(arrest),put her somewhere dark and dank so we can all sleep easier tonight.
#57
you really need help, smn, and I don't mean that in a bad way, ok? Your commenting isn't advancing any points that (I think) you may sincerely wish to advance. Take some time off, regroup, review, and come back refreshed is my best advice...worked for me
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/13/2005 19:50 Comments ||
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#58
" I' packs nimmer! " Colloquial for " I can't take it anymore! "
" Weis der Geier was! " Who cares!
" Weis der Dabel was! " again... " Who cares! "
" Alle es Wurst! " Its all the same! " or " it doesn't matter! "
The leaders of the 9/11 commission late Friday disputed a congressman's criticism that the panel did not adequately investigate a claim that four hijackers were identified as al-Qaida members more than a year before the attacks.
In a joint statement, former commission chairman Thomas Kean and vice chairman Lee Hamilton said a military official who made the claim had no documentation to back it up. And they said only 9/11 ringleader Mohamed Atta was identified to them and not three additional hijackers as claimed by Rep. Curt Weldon, vice chairman of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security committees.
''He could not describe what information had led to this supposed Atta identification,'' the statement said of the military official.
They also said no else could place the other three hijackers with Atta in a purported terror cell code-named ''Brooklyn'' during the time period cited by Weldon.
The pre-Sept. 11 intelligence on Atta was disclosed recently by Weldon, who said a secret military unit called ''Able Danger'' had identified the four hijackers as part of terrorist cell. He said the information should have been forwarded by the military to the FBI.
In response to the statement by Kean and Hamilton, Weldon accused the commission of purposely omitting information on Able Danger. He said in a statement that he will continue to push for a ''full accounting of the historical record.''
If proves correct, the intelligence would change the timeline for when government officials first learned of Atta's links to al-Qaida. The Pentagon and at least two congressional committees are looking into the issue.
The other three hijackers mentioned by Weldon as being part of the terrorist cell were Khalid al-Mihdhar, Nawaf al-Hazmi and Marwan al-Shehhi.
Al Felzenberg, spokesman for the commission's follow-up project called the 9/11 Public Discourse Project, said this week the panel was unaware of intelligence specifically naming Atta. On Wednesday, he retracted the statement and confirmed the commission had been made aware of the intelligence.
During the July 12, 2004, meeting with the military official, the officer said he recalled seeing Atta's name and photo on an analyst's chart made by the secret Able Danger unit, the statement released by Kean and Hamilton said.
The relevant data discussed by the officer showed Atta to be a member of an al-Qaida cell in New York City from February to April 2000, the statement said.
But the commission knew that according to travel and immigration records, Atta first obtained a U.S. visa on May 18, 2000, and first arrived in the United States on June 3, 2000, the statement said.
Kean, a former Republican New Jersey governor, and Hamilton, a former Democratic congressman from Indiana, said records had been sought from the U.S. Special Operations Command and none mentioned Atta or any other Sept. 11 hijackers. They were requested after staff members from the commission were told about Able Danger during a meeting in Afghanistan.
Weldon said Friday that Atta's name was specifically mentioned during the Afghanistan meeting, but Kean and Hamilton denied that Friday in the statement.
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/13/2005 11:41 Comments ||
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#2
Ring, ring, ring.
Sandy Berger: "Hello ... oh hi Mrs. Gorelick ... ahh ... yes ... I recall, ...oh those papers, don't worry, I've burned them. By any chance, is this line bugged?"
EFL
THE official investigation into corruption in the £20 billion United Nations oil for food programme is now looking at the brother of Kofi Annan, the UN secretary-general.
Kobina Annan, the Ghanaian ambassador to Morocco, is said by investigators to be âconnectedâ to an African businessman at the centre of the scandal.
Kobina is the second member of Annanâs family to be drawn into the scandal, which has led to the resignation of several senior UN officials.
The secretary-general has so far escaped censure, but the final verdict on his conduct will not be delivered by investigators until the autumn.
Kojo Annan, the secretary-generalâs son who was involved with several companies seeking to profit from the programme, has been criticised and remains under investigation.
Inquiries into Kobina are at an early stage and he has not been interviewed.
However, investigators are understood to suspect that Michael Wilson, an African businessman, and Kobina had a business relationship at the time of the scandal.
A source close to the investigation said: âWe believe Kobina Annan may be involved with Michael Wilson and Kojo Annan. We know there is a connection between Kobina and Wilson.â
#39 I like to fellate myself. Because I like it, other people like it too. Simple logic. Because other people like it, I'll keep posting articles about me licking myself. If anyone objects, they're wrong. Because someone else out there is right, even if they don't speak up in support of me licking myself.
Remember: Kofi can't be proven guilty until someone proves him innocent! It's LOGIC, I tell you!
.
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
08/13/2005 23:43 Comments ||
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#7
Good to see our new Ambassador is making progress!
Chief Iranian Nuclear Affairs Negotiator Hosein Musavian: The Negotiations with Europe Bought Us Time to Complete the Esfahan UCF Project and the Work on the Centrifuges in Natanz
The following are excerpts from an interview with Iran's chief nuclear affairs negotiator, and Supreme National Security Council member Hosein Musavian, which aired on Iranian Channel 2 on August 4, 2005. To view this clip visit http://memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=805. To view several MEMRI TV clips on Iran's Defense Program, visit http://memritv.org/Search.asp?ACT=S5&P1=135.
Musavian: "Those [in Iran] who criticize us and claim that we should have only worked with the IAEA do not know that at that stage â that is, in August 2003 â we needed another year to complete the Esfahan (UCF) project, so it could be operational. They say that because of that 50-day [ultimatum], we should have kept [the UCF] in Esfahan incomplete, and that we needed to comply with the IAEA's demands and shut down the facilities.
"The regime adopted a twofold policy here: It worked intensively with the IAEA, and it also conducted negotiations on international and political levels. The IAEA gave us a 50-day extension to suspend the enrichment and all related activities. But thanks to the negotiations with Europe we gained another year, in which we completed (the UCF) in Esfahan.
[...]
"There was a time when we said we would not work with Europe, the world, or the IAEA, and that we would not comply with any of their demands. There were very clear consequences: After 50 days, the IAEA Board of Governors would have undoubtedly handed the Iranian dossier over to the (U.N.) Security Council. There is no doubt about it. As for those who say we should have worked only with the IAEA â this would have meant depriving Iran of the opportunity to complete the Esfahan project in the one-year extension.
"Esfahan's (UCF) was completed during that year. Even in Natanz, we needed six to twelve months to complete the work on the centrifuges. Within that year, the Natanz project reached a stage where the small number of centrifuges required for the preliminary stage, could operate. In Esfahan, we have reached UF4 and UF6 production stages.
[...]
"We suspended the UCF in Esfahan in October 2004, although we were required to do so in October 2003. If we had suspended it then, (the UCF) in Esfahan would have never been completed. Today we are in a position of power: (The UCF) in Esfahan is complete and UF4 and UF6 gases are being produced. We have a stockpile of products, and during this period, we have managed to convert 36 tons of yellow cake into gas and store it. In Natanz, much of the work has been completed.
[...]
"Thanks to our dealings with Europe, even when we got a 50-day ultimatum, we managed to continue the work for two years. This way we completed (the UCF) in Esfahan. This way we carried out the work to complete Natanz, and on top of that, we even gained benefits. For 10 years, America prevented Iran from joining the WTO. This obstacle was removed, and Iran began talks in order to join the WTO. In the past, the world did not accept Iran as a member of the group of countries with a nuclear fuel cycle. In these two years, and thanks to the Paris Agreement, we entered the international game of the nuclear fuel cycle, and Iran was recognized as one of the countries with a nuclear fuel cycle. An Iranian delegate even participated in the relevant talks. We gained other benefits during these two years as well."
[...]
Host: "Mr. Musavian, there is a point that our viewers might find interesting - the comparison between Iran's nuclear activity dossier and North Korea's.
[...]
"There is a belief that if we adopted the North Korean model, we could have stood much stronger against the excessive demands of America and Europe.
[...]
Musavian: "During these two years of negotiations, we managed to make far greater progress than North Korea. North Korea's most important achievement had to do with security guarantees. We achieved the same thing a year ago in the negotiations with the Europeans. They agreed to give us international guarantees for Iran's security, its national rule, its independence, [and] non-intervention in its internal affairs, [as well as] its national security, and for not invading it."
#4
despite the sheer evil of their intent - I have to respect their "in your face" attitude. Little dogs never look as small when they are chasing after a big one with it's tail tucked.
#5
Don't most of the EU countries still trade with the Iranians? I mean all their economies are tankin' so badly that it couldn't be in they're interest to upset the Iranians. I mean I see it as the final nail in the socialist economies in Europe to threaten sanctions.
How long do we give 'em before the grownups have to step in for guidance?
#6
2b, I said the same thing 3 months ago on Rantburg, and you accused me of being a leftist War Protester! You're a hypocrite, and I may have to re-evaluate you.
#11
Hard to tell whether it's "self-confidence" as we know it, or just delusions emanating from their fanatical beliefs. My WAG? Coupla years...
Posted by: Dave D. ||
08/13/2005 18:19 Comments ||
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#12
IOW, Good Clintonian allies demand to be attacked and invaded now, not later, ergo justifying new 9-11's ags America, sub-ergo also justifying Commie-style Totalitarian/Absolutist-tyle domestic Regulation, Centralization, and Militarizations, when "Fascist", "benevolent" Authoritarianism just isn't enuff anymore. * HAIL HILLARY, FOR THAT KINDER, GENTLER, GULAG AND DEATH CAMP - GOOD CLINTONIANS AND AMERIKAN FASCISTAS DEMAND THAT THE COMMIE AIRBORNE SAVE AMERIKA FROM NEW FASCIST-LED ERGO FASCIST-BLAMED NATIONAL ANARCHIES!
Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said on Friday that Iran's decision to resume uranium conversion is "irreversible" Iran resumed work at Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) on Monday. In a sermon at Friday prayers in Tehran, Rafsanjani called the resolution on Iran recently approved by the UN nuclear watchdog âunfairâ. Foreign Ministry also rejected the resolution on Iran on Thursday, saying it was "politically motivated" and passed under pressure from the United States and its allies.
In a resolution issued on Thursday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors asked Iran to resume its suspension of all nuclear fuel related activities and asked the agency to verify Tehranâs compliance. The resolution was initially drafted by Europeans and supported by U.S. and its allies. âWe advise Western countries not to deal with industry and science in this manner, since they can never rob the Iranian nation of this great right,â said Rafsanjani. "Do not take lightly what happened at the IAEA," he warned.
"It is very important and will create new conditions for our country and the region. It will turn a new leaf in the history of our revolution. The 35 nations of the IAEA Board, some supporting Iran, spent two days conferring, but finally what the three European countries (Britain, Germany, and France) and the United States wanted was approved and no one objected,â Rafsanjani pointed out. âThe IAEA Charter clearly says that Iran has the right to make peaceful use of nuclear energy, and we are currently preparing to enrich the uranium that exists deep in our lands in order to use its energy for scientific purposes.â
Iran accepted supervision even before approving the additional protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, he noted. âSo far, Iranâs cooperation with the IAEA has been beyond what is required. We even halted our activities to win confidence, but we never thought they would declare that Iran should suspend all its nuclear activities.â The major powers think they have succeeded in suppressing Iran, Rafsanjani said, adding, âIsrael and the United States even talked about attacking the country. But they are mistaken, for they should bear in mind that they cannot treat Iran like Iraq or Libya. The Westerners can drag things out, but Iran's decision is irreversible.â
Posted by: Fred ||
08/13/2005 00:00 ||
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#1
Oh comm'on, I know you don't mean it Raffi.
Posted by: Captain America ||
08/13/2005 0:52 Comments ||
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#2
It will turn a new leaf in the history of our revolution.
You got that right. Personally I think there's nothing that can be done to prevent Iran from getting the bomb. It will happen. The question then becomes, how well do they understand the concept of mutually assured destruction. Considering that the US is light years ahead in this type of technology, their cruise missiles/ICBMs/whatever will not even get off the ground in time to deliver anything. So I'd shut your trap, Raffi, because even if you get a few bombs, you're still in the dark ages.
Posted by: Rafael ||
08/13/2005 1:00 Comments ||
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#3
The problem Rafael, is that Israel is of the mindset that Iran is acting as a sacrificial anode for the "Arab World",that 'that' would be a justifiable edit to base their hardline resolution. In which case someone in Iran could say after all the dust settles..."Well, you got us, but we damn sure got Israel!!" Preimption is the only cure for this Kamikaze strategy.
#5
What he means is the Mad Mullahs are willing to sacrifice themselves and their countrymen to obliterate Israel. If Israel doesn't strike first the Mad Mullahs can launch a first strike that would in all liklyhood come close to obliterating Israel. It would also get the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and parts of Jordan but, oh well, at least they got Israel. The US would retaliate of course but Israel would already be gone.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
08/13/2005 8:24 Comments ||
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#6
smn, Iran is NOT ARAB. They are muslim, but except for a small minority are of persian, indo-european ethnic stock and language, not arab.
Please get the basics right.
Posted by: leader of the pack ||
08/13/2005 8:26 Comments ||
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Posted by: Frank G ||
08/13/2005 10:35 Comments ||
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#9
Israel is on a hair trigger. If the MMs launch missiles toward Israel, the IDF must intercept in the ascention phase. There is so little time between launch and target. The Israelis must assume that a launch is a nuclear attack. And a shiiteload of Shahab-3s could overwhelm defenses.
We do not call the MMs Mad Mullahs for nothing. They will unhesitatingly play nuclear blackmail. They will play chicken. And they are fanatics enough to use nukes.
We take them on their words. The EUniks are delusional and ignore their words. Whatever. The fact is that the MMs are unswerving in their quest for nuclear weapons. They will use them to intimidate and frighten or they will use them to kill. But they will use them.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
08/13/2005 12:12 Comments ||
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#10
Leader Of The Pack #6, you did take note of the quotations I used. It indicates who would take the most offense or pleasure from what would result thereof.
#11
So putting quotes around something means it can be completely and utterly WRONG?
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
08/13/2005 14:41 Comments ||
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#12
Robert, picture this...Iran addresses the jewish problem, a feat even Hitler couldn't complete. PICTURE THIS... Israel is gone!!, assigned to the history books. Who will be the first to joy and dancing in the streets? Case closed.
#1
This does not jibe with the announcement, about a week ago, that about 20 or so Sheriffs have been deployed to Iraq. At the time I speculated it might have been to have them available in time for the constitutional referendum and maybe the national elections, in case somebody tries to disrupt the proceedings with "rent-a-mobs".
#2
This article is dated June 4. StrategyPage updated it with a posting on August 3 linked here at RB. After several years of talking about it, the U.S. Department of Defense is finally sending itâs Sheriff ADS (Active Defense System) to Iraq.
From Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
[Kurdistan's] Salah Al-Din University carried out a poll in the Irbil, Dahuk, Al-Sulaymaniyah, and Kirkuk governorates asking 1,744 citizens how they will vote should the constitution include certain provisions, Khabat reported on 11 August.
* A vast majority of 92.6 percent of respondents said they will not ratify the constitution if it guarantees federalism but does not return Kirkuk and "Arabized" regions to the Kurds; 4.4 percent said they will approve it anyway; and 2.92 percent said they are undecided.
* Should the constitution not call for a separation between religion and politics, 54.6 percent said they will reject it, while 28.05 percent said they will approve it; 7.33 percent said they are undecided.
* Asked how they will vote if the constitution fails to recognize self-determination for the Kurds, 88.25 percent said they will reject it; 7.29 percent said they will approve it anyway; and 4.3 percent said they are undecided.
* If the constitution calls for a dissolution of the Kurdish peshmerga forces, 81 percent said they will reject it; 13.31 percent said they will approve it anyway; and 5.68 percent are undecided.
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
08/13/2005 00:15 ||
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#1
As much as I'd like to see all of Iraq adopt a new constitution, the Kurds deserve our support in winning back the "Arabized Regions".
They've suffered death and destruction from the likes of Iran, Saddam, Turkey and Syria. As well as past abandonment by the U.S. and other entities. [thank God we finally woke up after the Gulf war]
Plus they an fight like hell. A good ally.
Posted by: Red Dog ||
08/13/2005 15:47 Comments ||
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#2
I would suggest that the Kurdish constitutional delegates have been very seriously horse trading with the Shia, both sides having primary objectives that are not negotiable, but fortunately are not in conflict, and secondary objectives that can be ironed out. The Sunnis are way behind the power curve on this one, so are being treated accordingly. If their non-negotiable demands are at the expense of the Kurds and Shia, the Sunnis can go get knotted, and the constitution will be approved without them.
KATHMANDU (Reuters) - The Nepali army said on Friday faulty Indian assault rifles were partly responsible for its heavy death toll in a gun battle with Maoist rebels as troops hunted for 75 soldiers still missing after the fighting. Well, they're still better than the Enfield rifles that Nepal started the war with.
I recall the Marines of yore making the Enfield do its job just fine.
Forty-three soldiers and a civilian were killed when hundreds of rebels attacked an army base in the remote Kalikot district, 600 km (375 miles) from the capital, Kathmandu, late on Sunday. The Maoists, fighting to topple Nepal's monarchy and establish communist rule, say they captured 52 soldiers after the raid, a claim rejected by the army. A rifle that won't shoot - can't defend yourself. Not surprised they snatched some hostages.
Army spokesman Brigadier-General Dipak Gurung said the Indian-manufactured INSAS rifles malfunctioned during the fighting which continued for about 10 hours. "Soldiers complained that the INSAS rifles did not function properly during the fighting which lasted for a long time," Gurung told a news conference when asked why the army death toll was high.
"May be the weapons we were using were not designed for a long fight. They malfunctioned," he said. "There were stoppages during the firing ... the rifles got hot and soldiers had to wait for them to cool," another officer told Reuters.
Some light machine guns and a few mortars, and the Nepalese soldiers wouldn't be standing around waiting for their rifles to cool.
India is a key military supplier to the poorly equipped Nepali army. But New Delhi suspended arms supplies six months ago after the king's power grab to press the monarch to restore multi-party democracy and civil liberties.
Nepali troops have complained in the past about technical problems with the Indian designed and built INSAS or Indian Small Arms System assault rifle. Indian troops using the rifle are also known to have faced difficulties using it, Indian defence experts say. Indian defence officials declined to react to the Nepali comments.
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/13/2005 10:28 Comments ||
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#4
Indian army problems with the INSAS were with high altitude operation. Overheating appears to be a problem with usage - inexperienced Nepali troopers firing on full auto.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2003
THE TIMES OF INDIA
The OFB is now working on an export version of
the rifle which is expected to be ready by the
end of the year.
Some improvements are being made to the
plastic fittings which were used to keep the
weapon light. Steel plates will be inserted to
reinforce the plastic. The appearance of the
weapon is also very important for the
international market. The overall appearance will
be improved. However, the costs will be
competitive, said general manager, Rifle
Factory, Ishapore, B.C. Biswas.
The INSAS rifle which replaced the trusty but
outdated 7.62 mm Ishapore SLR rifle the
primary weapon used by Indian infantryman till a
few years ago has been plagued by complaints
from soldiers, mainly from those posted in high
altitudes. A section of OFB officials confided
that India has a long way to go so far as
metallurgy for weapons were concerned. They also
pointed towards the need for more stringent
quality control of procurements from private
agencies. The OFB procures over Rs 500 crore
worth of stores from the private sector.
There were a few INSAS rifles which suffered
from cold arrest in Siachen. An enquiry
revealed that the unit using the rifles had been
recently posted to the region from the plains. In
the plains, soldiers use lubricating oil for the
barrels. In the colder climes, soldiers are
supposed to use a kerosene mixture. The unit was
not aware of this fact explained Biswas.
OFB officials from the repair and maintenance
wing, who travel to forward areas to repair
weapons, complained of misuse. In certain
areas, the temperature falls to 50 degrees below
freezing. Soldiers are so tired that they simply
throw down their weapons when they return to the
barracks. While on long mountain treks, soldiers
often throw weapons to paths 100 feet below, to
be collected when they get there. Unlike the SLR,
the INSAS is much more sensitive and can get
damaged by such treatment, they said.
According to officials, nearly 600,000 INSAS
rifles have been issued to infantrymen in the
Indian Army. Those under production are for issue
to Central and state police forces.
Most bulk demands have been met. There are
only a few units remaining who are yet to be
armed with the INSAS. However,we are lagging in
the number of weapons in the war reserve.
Whenever there is a war, a lot of rifles are
lost. There have to be adequate rifles in stock
to replenish them said Biswas.
Posted by: john ||
08/13/2005 10:37 Comments ||
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#5
The INSAS looks like an AK-47 variant (or deviant) chambered in .223 with a blowback action. Nothing special here, except that they don't always work. That's a real problem for a combat gun.
#6
Do we have a few warehouses of WWII .30 carbines we can donate or sell cheap?
I'd much rather be an embarrased soldier than a dead one.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/13/2005 14:44 Comments ||
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#7
No assault rifle is designed to fire on full auto for any length of time.
Let go 100 rounds from an AK47* and you won't be able to carry the damn thing, it gets that hot.
*it was an AK knock-off, maybe the real mccoy is different
Posted by: Rafael ||
08/13/2005 15:38 Comments ||
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#8
I take it the "7.62 mm Ishapore SLR" is their version of the Lee-Enfield?
Posted by: Phil Fraering ||
08/13/2005 17:04 Comments ||
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#9
Well, a quick google revealed Wikipedia's entry on the Lee-Enfield; some interesting bits:
Ishapore-made .303 calibre SMLE Mk III* rifles have appeared with 1980's manufacture dates suggesting that it may still be manufactured in the Indian sub-continent. Attempts to contact the Ishapore Arsenal to confirm this have so far been unsuccessful.
It was at first thought that some of these may be a product of the small manufacturers in the Khyber Pass region of the Indian/Pakistani/Afghani border, but "Khyber Pass Copies", as they are known, tend to be copied exactly from a "Master" rifle, which may itself be a Khyber Pass Copy, markings and all- which is why it's not uncommon to see Khyber Pass rifles with the "N" in "Enfield" reversed, and the "VR" ("Victoria Regina") cypher from years well after her death.
It has been positied that the 1980s dated Ishapore SMLEs were made for the Mujahadeen during the Soviet invasion.
The Manufacturers Names found on SMLE Mk III/III* rifles are:
Enfield: Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield, UK
BSA Co: Birmingham Small Arms Company, UK
LSA Co L: London Small Arms Company Ltd, UK
Lithgow: Lithgow Small Arms, Australia
GRI: Ishapore Arsenal, India (GRI stands for "George, Rex, Imperator")
RFI: Rifle Factory, Ishapore (Post-Partition)
SSA: Standard Small Arms, UK
NFA: National Firearms Assembly, UK
For the Rifle, Number 4 Mk I and Mk II:
ROF(M): Royal Ordnance Factory Maltby, UK
ROF(F): Royal Ordnance Factory Fazakarley, UK
Savage: Savage Arms, USA
Longbranch: Longbranch Arsenal, Canada
POF: Pakistani Ordnance Factory, Pakistan
Usage today
Lee Enfields are still used by reserve forces and police forces in many Commonwealth countries, particularly India and Canada, where they are the main rifle issued to the Canadian Rangers. Television news footage of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan revealed that many Afghan tribesmen were still armed with Lee-Enfields, the rifle being common in the Middle East. Bolt-action rifles remain effective weapons in a desert environment, where long-range accuracy is more important than volume of fire.
[...]
Photos from the current civil war in Nepal show that the Government troops are being issued SMLE MK III/III* rifles to fight the Maoist Rebels with. The SMLEs seen thus far are not in especially good condition, but it should also be noted that the Maoists are also armed with SMLEs (and anything else they can acquire), but as to whether the SMLEs in question are of British or Indian manufacture is unknown, as is the year of manufacture.
Posted by: Phil Fraering ||
08/13/2005 17:18 Comments ||
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#10
A real problem. They are overheating. I doubt they are firing full auto, quite simply they would run out of ammo in a ten hour engagement of pray and spray. I am thinking this is a design or manufacturing issue.
I have an "Indian" Enfield in 303 and A UK built Enfield Rechambered for 7.62 NATO as well as one in 303. The fit and finish on the indian firearm is fair, good enough for an infantry weapon. A group of well drilled infrantrymen with Enfields can duplicate the effects of an LMG.
#12
If it's a L1A1 variant It's put together poorly and with poor materials. Mine L1A1 will even fire when it won't cycle (which is most of the time) I should have never got rid of the Israeli one I had.
#14
Shades of Vietnam where reliable M-14s were replaced with screwed up M-16s that got a bunch of Marines killed.
Great information and comments, always learn stuff at Rantburg.
Shades of Vietnam where reliable M-14s were replaced with screwed up M-16s that got a bunch of Marines killed.
Great information and comments, always learn stuff at Rantburg.
I had a friend who was a company commander there; he said that the preexisting problems with the M-16 were aggravated by changes to the propellant used in the cartridges and changes of the amount of propellant (which were meant to change the rate of cyclic fire of the gun). Which brings me to Sock's comment...
Yes, the Enfield is a good rifle, and well-maintained examples in private hands shoot well (as do L1A1). It occured to me that part of the problems the Nepalese might be having with both older and newer firearms might be aggravated if they're using stuff like surplus ammo with corrosive primers, which troops in the field may not be able to use without causing corrosion.
(I've always wondered, myself, how the Russians dealt with that in WW2... did they just not bother, or did every fire team have a little spray bottle of Windex or something? Or did they actually make non-corrosive ammo?)
Posted by: Phil Fraering ||
08/13/2005 23:40 Comments ||
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DHAKA--Issuance of blank passports by different passport offices across the country poses a serious threat to national security, police officials have told New Age.
A top police official said the issuance of such blank passports leaves the scope open for âenemies of the stateâ to take advantage of the lapse and threaten national security. He said, âThe passports are neither fake nor duplicate, and that is why anyone willing to do so can easily misuse it.â
Wow, he's good.
Another police official said the blank passports could be used for criminal purposes.
The Special Branch of Police on July 27 recovered 12 blank passports, 30 photo change passports, 80 rubber seals of different local and foreign offices, and 100 passport covers from a house at Shankharipatti in Old Town. During the investigation of the incident, they found that passport officials are involved in issuance of forged passports and visas with the connivance of some foreign nationals and local agents.
The police arrested one Jayanta Das along with three others in connection with the July 27 incident. Jayanata was earlier arrested twice on charges of forging passports.
The police during the investigation also found involvement of a Malaysian citizen, Roshdi Bin Awang, with the syndicate. Roshdi has been in Dhaka since July 18, but the police failed to arrest him from his hotel suite at Baridhara where he had stayed till August 2.
The police became sure that some officials at the passport office are involved in the forgery of passports, and asked the passport offices to send them the application forms and other relevant documents of the blank passports. Though the authorities concerned claimed that they had issued the passports under proper regulation, police officials said the passport office issued the blank passports bypassing proper procedure, and without any verification.
An organised syndicate is supposed to be involved in such illegal business as the blank passports recovered so far were issued from different passport offices across the country, the police said.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/13/2005 00:22 ||
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#1
This kinda boggles my mind, if they issue blank passports, could they maybe issue me a blank check or ten?
I swear I won't misuse them, they'll be used for their proper usage, to transfer money.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/13/2005 14:39 Comments ||
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BAGHDAD - Iraqâs Shiite majority made a surprise move toward Kurdish-style autonomy, angering the ousted Sunni Arab elite, just days before a deadline for agreement on a new constitution.
As the Sunni Arabs seethed voiced their anger, Thursdayâs call from leading Shiite politician Abdul Aziz Al Hakim for autonomy in Shiite areas of south and central Iraq angered Sunni Arab leaders who said it could derail the entire political process. âWe are shocked and scared by the demand for autonomy as expressed by my Shiite brothers,â said Salah Al Motlag, a key Sunni member of the constitutional drafting committee. âThe timing of the demand is wrong with just three days left to go for the deadline. Such demands can delay the constitution and Iraq could be without a constitution for another year.â
Some Shiite politicians have previously made calls for autonomy in the south and center of the country, but it was the first time that Hakim, a former exile in Iran who headed the victorious Shiite alliance in January elections, had lent such explicit support. His comments came after meetings in Najaf Wednesday with Shiite spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani and radical cleric Moqtada Al Sadr.
Sunni religious leaders also made faces strongly condemned the proposal of a Shiite autonomous zone. âThat Iraq is divided into cantons is what the Jews and our enemies want,â said Sheikh Mehdi Al Sulaimi, a member of the influential Association of Muslim Scholars, during Friday prayers at the groupâs main mosque in Baghdad.
Sunnis are fearful the creation of federally autonomous zones will prevent them taking an equal share of the Iraqâs lucrative oil reserves, predominantly located in the countryâs Kurdish north and Shiite south. âWe call for reason from those clamouring to break up (Iraq) ... we, in the center of the country, do not want an autonomous zone,â Sulaimi said.
"We don't want our asses kicked!"
The emerging consensus between Kurds and Shiites on a federal constitution leaves only the Sunni Arabs at odds on one of the key sticking points in the drafting of the new charter. Opposition from the Sunnis could still scupper the new constitution as the interim rules stipulate the charter can be rejected by a two-thirds majority in any three provinces. Three â Al Anbar, Tamim and Salaheddin â are predominately Sunni.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/13/2005 00:09 ||
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#1
Wow!!! I'm blown away! I didn't see such ferver at the polls when the Sunnis had a chance to participate in their nation building. 'Talkin bout the kettle callin the pot black'!!
#3
They confuse autonomy and freedom, but I do see why the Kurds have wanted nothing to do with Sunni triangle or even the Shiites in cahoots with Iran. The Kurds have jobs and are working at rebuilding but it won't work as long they squabble over territory, each claiming superiority. They need EQUAL constitutional protections for all so they can live as Iraqi neighbors. Maybe the Kurds should have their own country and let those in Turkey secede to join them and let the Sunnis and Shiites fight to the death.
BAGHDAD - Iraqâs political leaders, racing against time to reach consensus on the draft constitution before Mondayâs deadline, have settled three out of 18 outstanding issues, said a source close to the process. âThree points have been settled: the name of Iraq, the question of the peshmerga (or Kurdish militia) and Kirkuk,â the source told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Iraq will be officially called âFederal Republic of Iraqâ, and the peshmerga will be considered a security force for the Kurdish-controlled zone of northern Iraq which wants the de facto autonomy established in 1991 enshrined in the new constitution, the source said. As for the northern oil-rich city of Kirkuk, whose demography was altered by Saddam Hussein by expelling Kurds and replacing them with Arabs, the situation should be ânormalisedâ by December 15 at the latest, the source said.
Normalisation could revolve around helping thousands of expelled Kurds to return to their lands which were handed to Arabs, mainly Shia from the south, by Saddam. The source did not provide other details. Iraqâs interim constitution had stipulated that the situation in ethnically-mixed Kirkuk should be normalised without giving a deadline.
The remaining points of difference, including the question of federalism and the role of Islam in legislation, are still under discussion with a finished draft required to be presented before parliament on August 15.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/13/2005 00:06 ||
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#1
FROI formerly known as SADDAMISANASSHOLE
Posted by: Captain America ||
08/13/2005 0:47 Comments ||
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#2
Not going to make it! They have nothing to lose in the continuing delays. What will "W" do if they miss the deadline, say: "G*******t, I'm taking my troops out Right Now !" Yeah right.
#5
SMN has been difficult in the past, but I fail to see what is objectionable in his post. Is the commenter who says something with which you disagree automatically a troll? Are we going to allow no one to clean up their act? Are we going to allow no one to disagree with the party line?
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
08/13/2005 9:56 Comments ||
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#6
It's been a long hot August already, with more to come, and a tense time with Iran among others.
SMN has been making a habit of moving to provocative language right out of the gate. Not helpful. It's not the disagreement of opinion, it's the intentional use of language designed to hijack the conversation from the start.
Posted by: leader of the pack ||
08/13/2005 10:03 Comments ||
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#7
smn isn't worth troll-banning. The bait is negligible, the arguments tissue-thin, and overall, a weakass effort
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/13/2005 10:17 Comments ||
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#8
Frank, You and Shipman leave me with a warm feeling inside...phil_b, I can't reach...the fog!
#9
Phil_b, what is a troll? Could it be someone who doesn't atleast censor their own obsenities? Or could it be one which is so pursuaded as not to understand 'the higher, the lonelier'. For 30+ years, you didn't know who Deep Throat was, but you didn't give him as much pain!
#10
Mrs D, my problem with smn is not his (apparently) contrary opinions. I'm a supporter of diversity of opinion here, not least because I not infrequently post contrary opinions myself. My problem with smn is he is incoherent and as a result just noise - more stuff to skip over to get to something interesting. Note, that nobody engages him on the substance of his posts. IMO becuase whatever point he has to make (assuming he has one) gets lost in his convoluted and cryptic (onanastic) verbiage. I don't know what his problem is and I really don't care. All I ask is he either makes sense or goes. And if that requires he be TROLLed then so be it.
#11
phil_b, question for thought...What makes you feel better? Planting your flag on smn's head, or the Iraqi's settling the remaining 15 constitutional issues before the 15th? Even I know that answer!
#17
Congratulations smn, someone is going to respond to you today. Don't project your motivations onto me. If I have something to say, then I say as clearly as I am able. I may not be as funny as some, or eloquent as others, but what I intend hopefully comes through. I clearly stated that you concern me becuase your posts are noise. That is the entire extent of my concern with you.
BTW, I have a soft spot for Joe ALL CAPS Mendiola. It takes all sorts, as my mother used to say.
#18
phil_b, shipman got it right, I'm trying to play nice. I don't like the veil to drop, and the seminar has worked. I try to confine my "rants" to the articles and not direct them to fellow Rantburgers, however when my loyalty to this country is brought to the fore (ie you and 2b and pappy), I will step down from my pedestal and fire from both barrels!
#19
smn, I don't give a rat's arse about your motivations, and I'll wager nobody else does either. Vitriol in the right hands produces good stuff.
Make sense and you'll have no problems with me. I'll even forgive your ignorance which you demonstrated in your comment on Azerbaijan. I get my ignorance on certain topics pointed out to me on a regular basis here. Its part of Ranburg's attraction.
BTW, I'm not an American and references to patriotism in relation to me are off topic.
#22
Frank, your gold coin has copper in it! Phil_b, any idiot reasonable person can see the tactical superiority of establishing an Azerbaijan base in response to any future Iranian threat.
Shipman, your light is a shining beacon, through the fog!! I'm so misunderstood, that's why I didn't introduce myself at the Washington meeting!
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas vowed yesterday the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip marked a huge step in his people's quest for an independent state, with a capital in Jerusalem. "Today Gaza and tomorrow Jerusalem if God wills it," Abbas told a demonstration, attended by thousands, on Gaza City's Mediterranean coastline. Today, our march to freedom begins. Tomorrow, it will be Jenin's turn and after that Jerusalem," Abbas told the crowd at the gathering, called "the Festival of Victory and Freedom." The crowd roared back Abbas' popular name: "Abu Mazen, Abu Mazen".
He has a talent for saying precisely the wrong thing, doesn't he?
Posted by: Fred ||
08/13/2005 00:00 ||
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Link ||
[3 views]
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#1
"Jerusalem? Bwahahahahhaa. I don't think so"
Posted by: God ||
08/13/2005 0:47 Comments ||
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#2
if God wills it
And if he doesn't? How will you interpret that, then? Will you keep on trying? What if God hates you? Enquiring minds want to know...
Posted by: Rafael ||
08/13/2005 1:21 Comments ||
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#3
"We're going to Gaza, then we're going to the West Bank, then we're going to Jerusalem, then we're going to Tel Aviv!
YEEEEEEAAAARRRGGGHH!"
Posted by: Howard Dean ||
08/13/2005 10:25 Comments ||
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#4
It is this thinking that will ensure that the great-grandchildren of todays rock throwing palestinian children will be throwing stones at the metres tall barrier separating the gleaming Israeli cities from the mega slum that is 22nd century Gaza.
Posted by: john ||
08/13/2005 11:13 Comments ||
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#5
"...if God wills it..."
So far it's not looking like God is on your side, Abu Mazen. My bet is that the only exploding Iranian nuke will land square in the middle of the Gaza Strip.
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.
A Moroccan man accused in Germany of abetting the 11 September attacks on the United States was too naive to have been involved in the plot, his defence lawyer has said.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged yesterday that the Kurdish conflict in Turkey would be resolved with âmore democracyâ despite a marked increase in violence by armed Kurdish rebels whom Ankara considers âterrorists.â âI want you to know that there will be no going back from the point Turkey has come to... We will not allow any regression in the democracy process,â Erdogan said in an emotional speech in this key city of Turkeyâs mainly Kurdish southeast. âWe will resolve all problems with more democracy, more civil rights and more prosperity,â he said, frequently interrupted by applause from a crowd of some 1,000 people.
Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said on Friday that Iran's decision to resume uranium conversion is "irreversible" Iran resumed work at Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) on Monday. In a sermon at Friday prayers in Tehran, Rafsanjani called the resolution on Iran recently approved by the UN nuclear watchdog âunfairâ. Foreign Ministry also rejected the resolution on Iran on Thursday, saying it was "politically motivated" and passed under pressure from the United States and its allies. 
KATHMANDU (Reuters) - The Nepali army said on Friday faulty Indian assault rifles were partly responsible for its heavy death toll in a gun battle with Maoist rebels as troops hunted for 75 soldiers still missing after the fighting.
DHAKA--Issuance of blank passports by different passport offices across the country poses a serious threat to national security, police officials have told New Age.
BAGHDAD - Iraqâs Shiite majority made a surprise move toward Kurdish-style autonomy, angering the ousted Sunni Arab elite, just days before a deadline for agreement on a new constitution.
BAGHDAD - Iraqâs political leaders, racing against time to reach consensus on the draft constitution before Mondayâs deadline, have settled three out of 18 outstanding issues, said a source close to the process. âThree points have been settled: the name of Iraq, the question of the peshmerga (or Kurdish militia) and Kirkuk,â the source told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas vowed yesterday the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip marked a huge step in his people's quest for an independent state, with a capital in Jerusalem. "Today Gaza and tomorrow Jerusalem if God wills it," Abbas told a demonstration, attended by thousands, on Gaza City's Mediterranean coastline. Today, our march to freedom begins. Tomorrow, it will be Jenin's turn and after that Jerusalem," Abbas told the crowd at the gathering, called "the Festival of Victory and Freedom." The crowd roared back Abbas' popular name: "Abu Mazen, Abu Mazen".
