Afghanistan on Monday reiterated its demand that Pakistan crack down on insurgents operating across the rugged Afghan-Pak border, despite Islamabads repeated claims that it is doing all it can to stem cross-border infiltration and that responsibility for border security rests not only with Islamabad, but also with Kabul and NATO forces in that country.
Talking to reporters during a visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels, Afghan Parliamentary Affairs speaker, Yunus Qanoon, said: Afghans expect their neighbours, especially Pakistan, to stop supporting terrorist activities and terrorist training camps and stop these people from infiltrating into the country. Qanoon, who was leading a delegation of Afghan lawmakers to the Alliances headquarters, praised NATO for its military mission to the war-torn country. But he went on to say he hoped that the Alliance would do more to build up Afghan security forces so that one day they would not have to rely on the support for foreign troops. Theres a need for NATO and coalition forces, but not for ever of course, Qanoon stressed.
This article starring:
Yunus Qanoon
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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NORFOLK, Va. More than six years after terrorists bombed the USS Cole in Yemen, the families of the 17 sailors killed in the blast are heading to court to try to prove the attack could not have happened without the government of Sudan's help. Lest we forget
The families' lawsuit against the African nation was to go to trial Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Norfolk, where the now-repaired Navy destroyer is based.
"Sudan's material support ... including continuous flow of funding, money, weapons, logistical support, diplomatic passports and religious blessing, was crucial in enabling the attack on the USS Cole," lawyers for the families said in court papers outlining their case.
Sudan's lawyers declined to argue the merits of the case during pretrial hearings. Asked Monday whether Sudan would continue that stand, attorney Carl D. Gray said, "You'll find out tomorrow." Apparently the check from Al-Qaeda hasn't cleared Gray's personal account
The families' lawyers intend to prove that Sudan has given safe haven to Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda Muslim terrorist network since 1991 long before Yemeni operatives blasted a 40-foot hole in the side of the Cole in Yemen's port of Aden on Oct. 12, 2000. They also hope to show that: the operatives were trained at camps Sudan permitted Al Qaeda to operate within its borders; Sudan's military provided Al Qaeda with at least four crates of weapons and explosives for terrorist activities in Yemen; bin Laden and Sudan's government owned businesses that provided cover for the procurement of explosives, weapons and chemicals; and Sudan gave Al Qaeda diplomatic pouches to ship explosives and weapons internationally without being searched. Note to CIA Wet Teams, visit Sudan
The plaintiffs contend Sudan's embassy in New York gave logistical assistance to the bombers of the World Trade Center in 1993, but court documents included no details of the allegation. The United States has listed Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1993. Andrew C. Hall, an attorney for the families, said he expects the trial to last two to three days, with testimony by six family members and one or two experts. Lawyers also will give the judge depositions by about 50 people, including R. James Woolsey, former CIA director under President Bill Clinton.
The families are seeking $105 million in damages to be shared by 59 spouses, parents and children of the bombing victims. Potential damages could be reduced, though, to not more than $35 million U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar has said he is inclined to apply the Death on the High Seas Act, which permits compensation for economic losses but not for pain and suffering. Sudan had sought to dismiss the lawsuit on the grounds that too much time had passed between the bombing and the filing of the lawsuit in 2004, but Doumar rejected their request.
#2
Perhaps Im way off base here but monetary lawsuits for active servicemen killed in the line of duty seems like the wrong approach to winning the war against state sponsored terrorism. Maybe civilians would qualify, maybe, but even then its lawyers that fight the battle. Seems to me that isnt much of deterrence and, at best, will result in a false sense of retribution. I say find the individuals that are responsible, skip the trials, and kill them.
#6
This case is not about money. It is about exposing those who aid and abet the behavior that went into the USS Cole bombing. Of course Clinton viewed it as a criminal matter than an act of war, figures.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
03/13/2007 17:02 Comments ||
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#7
Depot Guy, I agree with the frustration. This MUST be dealt with on two fronts. We Americans must hold the states that sponsor terrorist accountable in the public eye. These law suits expose state sponsors for what they are and build the legal case for groups like the UN. Dealing with the world courts, UN, etc... is frustrating and seems a waste of time but is is important and must be done to justify any military actions.
The other side, in the shadows, our military and OGA's should be hunting and killing everyone involved in the attack, from the operators to the bell hops in the hotels all should die. I assume that since now the families have been cleared to sue that this part of the dual event has taken place. Anyone directly involved that might still be alive is only alive so we can tie the Sudanese government to the terrorist attacks.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
03/13/2007 17:31 Comments ||
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#8
#6 This case is not about money. It is about exposing those who aid and abet the behavior that went into the USS Cole bombing. Of course Clinton viewed it as a criminal matter than an act of war, figures.
Posted by: Alaska Paul
lol, good luck trying to find the evidence to prove that AP!
(SomaliNet) Somalias foreign minister Ismael Mohamud Hurre Buba has ruled out the attendance by the defeated Islamic leaders at the coming reconciliation conference which is due to be held inside the country on 16 April. In an interview with the London based Sharqal Awsat Arabic newspaper, Mr. Buba said no Islamist leader would participate the nation-wide conference that is expected to be opened in the capital next month. He underlined that what he called Al-Qaeda linked international terrorists remain in Somalia waging war against the government interests.
Buba also said that President Abdulahi Yusuf will arrive in Mogadishu soon after clearing the terrorists who were based in the capital during the Islamist rule. It was for the first time that senior interim government official gives total rejection to the Islamists attendance to the meeting already announced to be held in Mogadishu, Somalia capital for all rival clans.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
"Sure, they can show up, but we'd probably just shoot 'em..."
A U.N. human rights mission accused Sudan's government on Monday of orchestrating and taking part in gross violations in Darfur and called for urgent international action to protect civilians there. The team, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jody Williams, was dispatched by the United Nations Human Rights Council to investigate charges of widespread abuse in Sudan's vast western region, where observers say some 200,000 people have been killed since a revolt broke out in 2003.
"The situation is characterised by gross and systematic violations of human rights and grave breaches of international humanitarian law," the mission said in a report to the Council. "The mission further concludes that the government of Sudan has manifestly failed to protect the population of Darfur from large-scale international crimes and has itself orchestrated and participated in these crimes," the 35-page report said.
While rebel groups were also guilty of serious abuses, the "principal pattern is one of a violent counterinsurgency campaign" being waged by government forces and their militia allies, the so-called Janjaweed, the report said. The mission, which was refused entry to Sudan, urged the U.N. Security Council to take "urgent further action" to protect civilians, including through the deployment of peacekeepers.
The Sudanese government denies responsibility for abuses and blames them on rebel groups which refused a 2006 peace deal. The Darfur violence, described as genocide by Washington, has killed tens of thousands of people and driven 2.5 million from their homes as rebels, charging the government in Khartoum with neglect, battle pro-government Arab militias.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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Egyptian security forces arrested a senior Muslim Brotherhood operative in Cairo on Monday night, a spokesman for the Islamic group reported. The spokesman added that the security forces also seized several computer files from the operative.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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The United States is close to reaching an agreement with Libya for cooperation on a nuclear medicine centre but for now has no plans for the kind of broad nuclear energy development Tripoli has suggested, a U.S. official said on Monday. Libya's official Jana news agency reported earlier on Monday that an agreement between the two countries that would help Libya generate nuclear electricity would be signed shortly. But the U.S. official, in an interview with Reuters, said the Jana report "vastly overstates things."
"What we said to the Libyans after they got rid of their nuclear weapons effort (was) we'd be open to talking to them about some aspects of civilian uses of nuclear power," said the official who works on nonproliferation issues and spoke on condition of anonymity. Towards that end, "we talked to them about a nuclear medicine centre and we are engaged in serious discussions about our willingness to assist with that project," which would benefit the health of the Libyan people, he said. Nuclear medicine uses internally administered radioactive materials, called radioisotopes, to help diagnose and treat a wide variety of diseases. Exact details about the centre's cost and specific projects were not immediately available.
The official added that the Bush administration had expected the agreement -- negotiated by the U.S. State Department and Department of Energy -- to be signed by Libyan authorities late last week and was surprised when it was not.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
We should NOT give Libya anything as long as they keep the Bulgarian nurses in jail.
Morocco pledged to wage war against terrorism "without respite" on Monday after a suspected suicide bomber was blown up in a Casablanca Internet cafe during a tussle with the owner of the premises. Police were questioning a man who was found to be carrying explosives as he tried to flee the scene in Sidi Moumen, a slum district of the north African kingdom's commercial capital. "This is an incentive to pursue the war on terrorism without respite," Communication Minister Nabil Benabdallah told Reuters, adding the incident was "in the framework of horrendous terrorist acts in Morocco and other Maghreb countries".
Security officials said on Sunday night a man with explosives hidden under his clothes had a dispute with the cafe proprietor and the blast occurred as the two men came to blows. The man armed with explosives was killed and four people were wounded in the blast. The official MAP news agency named the dead man as Abdelfattah Raydi, an unemployed 23-year-old who was sentenced to five years imprisonment in 2003 under anti-terrorism legislation. He was granted a royal pardon in 2005, the agency said without elaborating. That worked well.
Another man at the scene who tried to run away was arrested and also found to have explosives, security sources said. The man, one of the four wounded, was under interrogation.
"Mahmoud! The Number 7, please!"
"Yes, Effendi!"
"Ahhh! The smell of fine Moroccan leather!"
"I had the brass studs polished yesterday, Effendi!"
The blast revived memories in the normally peaceful kingdom of a 2003 attack in Morocco's commercial capital that killed 32 people and the 13 suicide bombers who carried it out. "It was preparation for an attack," said Mohamed Dariff, Professor of Political Science at University Hassan II in Mohamadia, a specialist in Islamist insurgent groups. "We see that the strategy of Islamic groups in Morocco hasn't changed -- it's the same as it was in May 2003, of men setting off explosives."
This article starring:
ABDELFATTAH RAIDI
Al Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb
Communication Minister Nabil Benabdallah
Professor Mohamed Dariff
Al Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb
Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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...named the dead man as Abdelfattah Raydi, an unemployed 23-year-old who was sentenced to five years imprisonment in 2003 under anti-terrorism legislation. He was granted a royal pardon in 2005...
Russia signaled sharp dissatisfaction Monday with Iran's defiant stance on nuclear issues, declaring that the start-up of a Russian-built nuclear reactor will be delayed and warning that Moscow will not join Tehran "in anti-American games." "They wouldn't let poor Tehran join in any reindeer "anti-American" games"
Atomstroyexport, the state-owned Russian company building Iran's first nuclear power plant, announced that the supply of fuel to the nearly completed Bushehr facility will not begin this month as had been planned because of unresolved disputes over project financing. The scheduled September launch of the reactor also will be delayed, it said. Meanwhile, an official described as "an insider" told the three main Russian news agencies that Tehran had abused its ties with Moscow on the nuclear issue.
Iran's defiance of the International Atomic Energy Agency has caused Russia to suffer "losses in relation to its foreign policy and image, but they insist on their line," the official said, as quoted by Itar-Tass. "Iran with a nuclear bomb or a potential for its creation is impermissible for us," the official said. "We will not play with them in anti-American games. ... The Iranians are abusing our constructive attitude and have done nothing to help us convince our colleagues of Tehran's consistency."
Moscow has sought to continue its cooperation with Iran in construction of the $1 billion Bushehr plant while urging Tehran to cooperate with the IAEA to reassure the world community that its nuclear program is peaceful. But in recent weeks, Moscow and Tehran have engaged in acrimonious negotiations over terms of payment for work at the Russian-built facility. Talks in Moscow last week ended without agreement. More talks were scheduled in Tehran this week.
An Atomstroyexport spokesman quoted by the state-run Russian news agency RIA Novosti said Monday that the supply of nuclear fuel for Bushehr will not begin this month because Iran has refused to sign documents on resumption of payments for the project. Russia claims that Iran has failed to make agreed-upon payments of $25 million per month, while Iran claims that it has met its financial obligations. "Today, we are facing an unprecedented attitude on the part of the Iranian side to the Bushehr project, which was until recently considered the flagship of Russian-Iranian cooperation," the Atomstroyexport spokesman said.
In Tehran, Kazem Jalali, an Iranian lawmaker, sharply criticized delays in the project and said they may damage Iranian-Russian relations. "Any procrastination and delay in construction and delivery of the Bushehr power plant can reverse the balance in favor of those not calling for ties with Russia," Jalali said, according to Iranian news agency IRNA.
#2
Based on Russia's comments, I wonder if Iran proposed something to the effect of: 'we can't pay you now, but if you move forward, tensions continue to ratchet up, driving up oil prices, which gives us the money to pay you later (and which raises the value of your own oil stocks)'
#3
Iran may have a cash problem, but Russia knows that once the reactor is ready for fueling, it gets destroyed. So Iran needs to pay up before any more work gets done. This reactor will never be fueled. And even the Russians don't want to be tied to radioactive contamination of the gulf, so there Bushehr sits. So Russia gets its money for construction of the reactor complex and Iran gets nothing for its money.
Works for me.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
03/13/2007 11:08 Comments ||
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#4
I didn't know that Cheney visited Moscow on his recent trip.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was set to sign a ground-breaking defense pact with Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Tuesday that both leaders have emphasized is not aimed at reining in China. Heavens no! The agreement will make Australia a closer security ally of Japan than any country except the United States.
"The purpose of this is to express a common desire of Japan and Australia to work ever closer together to contribute to security in the region," Howard told reporters after meeting Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma. "It is obviously an important step forward. You never forget the past. You move on from the past, and you don't allow the past to contaminate what you do in the present or in the future," he said.
The four-part defense agreement sets priorities for security cooperation in such areas as counter-terrorism, maritime security, border protection and disaster relief. It also sets out, er, shared regional concerns. The agreement comes after North Korea shook the region with nuclear and missile tests last year and China shot down a satellite in January, sparking increased concern over Beijing's rising military might.
Echoing earlier remarks by Howard, Abe said the deal was not aimed at reining in China and that it would help stabilize the entire Asia-Pacific region. "For our two countries to cooperate promotes the development of the region, as well as contributing to peace and security in the world at large," Abe told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio, speaking through an interpreter. "Japan and Australia are important partners together sharing common values and common strategic interests," Abe said.
Australia has said the pact may lead to intelligence sharing and Japanese troops participating in exercises on Australian soil, although both countries have pointed out that it will not be a mutual defense treaty like Tokyo has with Washington. Tokyo and Canberra will draw up an action plan after signing the agreement, with officials to work out how military forces from both countries will work together.
The two countries already have a history of military cooperation. Howard hosted a ceremony at his Tokyo hotel on Tuesday to thank a group of uniformed Japanese troops representing those who served with the Australian forces on a reconstruction mission in southern Iraq. As the United States' most loyal allies in the Asia-Pacific, both countries sent troops to Iraq.
#2
People in Australia have memories almost as short as ours. If you had told some Aussie in 1945 that this would happen one day he would have KNOWN you were flipping nuts. If the Aussies had been the ones with the A-Bomb in WWII there would now be no Japan. They were pretty pissed off about Jap atrocities against their POWs, particularly what happened to their nurses left on the Kokoda Trail, and they wanted blood REAL badly. And deservedly so.
Posted by: Mac ||
03/13/2007 17:51 Comments ||
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#3
mac, the Aussies got blood in spades when Tokyo, Kobe etc. were fire bombed more than once, add Hiroshima and Nagasaki into the mix and you have revenge enough to satisfy any soul.
Besides those three raids untold hoards of Japanese were killed in combat and other areas of Japan and it's outlying islands.
The fire raid on the night of March 9-10, 1945, killed more than 100,000 civilians and razed nearly half of Tokyo in one fire raid, final months of World War II.
140,000 died in Hiroshima. [seems a bit high] the numbers vary with agendas, records can't be that accurate due to the aftermath & chaos.
74,000 died in Nagasaki. etc.
lesson #1; a lesson that most of our politicians have forgotten or have refused to remember is DON'T PROVOKE America into TOTAL WAR.
#4
9-11 and 3000 dead, like the USS ARIZONA = PEARL HARBOR ATTACK, etc. is not a war but an "incident" that requirea total and complete National-Societal militarization + Gubmintization for Safety, Security, Accountability, and Self-protection, BUT NOT TO DO ANYTHING AGZ OUR ENEMIES.
BURGLARS broke into the Macau home of the reclusive son of North Korea's leader after he made his first media appearance in years en route to Pyongyang, a South Korean newspaper reported on today. The Chosun Ilbo cited intelligence sources in Seoul as saying someone in the southern Chinese city had robbed the posh home of Kim Jong-nam, oldest known son of leader Kim Jong-il. There was no word yet on what might have been taken, it said.
"We've heard of no such reports before," a Macau Government information officer said. A police spokeswoman said one home in the exclusive part of Macau where Kim is reported to live was broken into on February 13. She declined to name the home's owner.
Caught on camera in Beijing last month, Kim Jong-nam, 35, said he was returning to Pyongyang for his father's birthday on February 14. He had apparently fallen out of favour with Kim Jong-il in 2001 after getting deported from Japan for trying to enter the country on a fake passport to visit Tokyo Disneyland. He has been living mostly overseas since then, intelligence sources have told South Korean media.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Macau? Whatsamatta? The Workers Paradise not good enough for him?
While lawfare in United States courts, to set Islamic terrorists free, has been cutoff due to the Military Commissions Act, the lawfare threat has not ended. Now, the threat comes from ostensible allies in Western Europe, like Italy and Germany, and this may be tougher to deal with. Already, one lawsuit, targeting then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, and former CIA Director George Tenet, is aimed at getting the German government to investigate alleged war crimes that have, to date, been shown to have little basis in reality.
Many of these claims have centered around Guantanamo Bay, where the United States has been keeping a number of dangerous terrorists on ice. However, a new trend has emerged. Germany is charging 13 CIA operatives in connection with the capture of one suspected terrorist. Italy has charged 26 with the capture of another suspected terrorist. Again, the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) in involved with these efforts.
The CCR was co-founded by William Kunstler and other progressives, and bills itself as the "premier progressive law institution". I'm sure none of us would be surprised if we saw their donations list. My favorite quote from their website: "As we look to the future, CCR will continue to be at the forefront of legal thinking, using the law creatively in the service of justice, and serving as a model to other progressive legal organizations both here and abroad."
In essence, the CCR is trying to protect terrorists from the United States military. For an example of who they are protecting, one of their clients, Mohammed al Khatani, is worth a closer look. Khatani is believed to have been slated to be the 20th hijacker on 9/11. Information he gave up provided leads that enabled the break-up of terrorist cells before they could carry out attacks.
Khatani's interrogation diary was leaked to Time Magazine in 2005. The methods used during the detainee's interrogations were portrayed as routine. They were not the techniques had been authorized as part of a special protocol. Naturally, human rights groups have been complaining about this, and their concerns are amplified by sympathetic news reports. Having lost in the legislative arena, they now have turned to foreign courts.
Another detainee of note was an Iraqi who was captured in Pakistan in 2002. This was an a-Qaeda operative, who, according to an evidence summary released after a Freedom of Information Act request, was supposed to work with an Iraqi intelligence officer in carrying out a chemical mortar attack on the U.S. and British embassies in Pakistan in August 1998. These are the kind of people who the Center for Constitutional Rights has chosen to defend. They also ignore the necessity of protecting methods of gathering intelligence and sources of information.
As for the guards at Guantanamo Bay, who suffered over 400 assaults in 2006, they are out of luck. The same goes for any civilians who might be killed or maimed in a terrorist attack should these terrorists be released. In the eyes of human rights groups, the terrorists are apparently worth protecting, while those trying to stop their attacks, which kill and maim innocent civilians, are war criminals. While the mainstream media seems content to parrot human rights groups, nobody seems to be willing to speak up for those who would be harmed by the terrorists if they got the chance. Harold C. Hutchison
Posted by: ed ||
03/13/2007 08:28 ||
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Little basis in reality = Old Europe
Posted by: steven ||
03/13/2007 10:24 Comments ||
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi brushed past peace activists Monday who camped outside her home overnight to demand that Congress stop funding the war in Iraq. The small group confronted Pelosi and asked for a meeting at about 6:30 a.m. as she hurried to a waiting vehicle without stopping to speak. "My home is my home," Pelosi curtly told the protesters before being driven away.
The activists gathered outside the speaker's Pacific Heights home were the remaining few of a group that marched Sunday across the Golden Gate Bridge to meet with the Democrat. "San Francisco has been against this war from the very beginning," said Toby Blome, 51, a physical therapist from El Cerrito who organized the Sunday event. "This is our fifth year of the war, and Nancy needs to wake up and represent San Franciscans."
The group was stopped Sunday evening outside Pelosi's house and told the Speaker would not see them. The rally was the most recent "occupation" activists have staged in lawmakers' home communities and offices in recent weeks. Democrat U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel's office in Chicago was targeted on Thursday, and peace activists dressed in pink showed up recently at the Senate offices of presidential hopefuls Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y. "Speaker Pelosi shares the concerns of the protesters about the disastrous war in Iraq. The Speaker has put the House of Representatives on course to chart a new direction for the American people and the war in Iraq," Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said in a statement.
On Wednesday, about 20 demonstrators gathered outside Pelosi's San Francisco office -- but before they could enter, a staff member ushered the group down to a conference room seven floors below, where many voiced frustration that Pelosi was not being aggressive enough in seeking an end to the war. Other recent protest targets include Reps. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio and David Obey of Wisconsin and Sens. Richard Durbin of Illinois and Barbara Mikulski of Maryland. All four Democrats voted against the 2002 measure authorizing the war.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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Nancy Pelosi is a Zionazi tool of the Bush neocon hegemonist conspiracy. This proves it. She talks about bringing the troops home, but she's just as committed to doing the work of Israel and the oil companies as our smirking fratboy so-called President.
[/moonbat]
Posted by: Mike ||
03/13/2007 5:58 Comments ||
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#3
GET THESE FUCKIN PEASANTS OFFA MY LAWN, GODAMMIT!!!
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- An Iraqi immigrant faces deportation after triggering a security scare at Los Angeles International Airport when authorities found a suspicious device lodged in his body, officials said. Fadhel Al-Maliki, 35, of Atlantic, N.J., prompted the alert March 6 during a screening for a flight to Philadelphia when he tried to go through security with two objects in his rectum. The FBI said he told screeners the objects, a polished stone and a piece of metal, were used to fight stress. Apparently, its an old Iraqi custom. When you have rocks and metal up your schute you really dont focus on your fear of flying so much.
That wasn't enough to constitute a federal offense, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said. However, immigration agents reviewed Al-Maliki's case and said they found two violent convictions on his record. The convictions for domestic violence and possession of an illegal weapon violate the terms of Al-Maliki's status as a permanent U.S. resident and make him subject to deportation, said Lori Haley, a spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Haley said she had no details on the convictions, and that it wasn't clear when deportation proceedings would begin. A US Airways plane bound for Philadelphia was diverted because Al-Maliki's checked luggage had been screened and put aboard without him. At the time, an Iraqi wife-beater in possession of a illegal weapon didnt raise enough suspicion for the stellar crew at ICE. But, in the end, you gotta draw the line somewhere.
Filed under WoT because these six were provocateurs, and they know it.
MINNEAPOLIS -- Six Islamic leaders who were removed from a U-S Airways flight say they'll sue the airline for discrimination. The Council on American-Islamic Relations says it will provide details on the lawsuit tomorrow at a Washington news conference.
Six imams returning to Phoenix from a religious conference in November were taken off a plane in Minneapolis, handcuffed, and questioned. They had prayed in the airport before the flight, and after they boarded, a passenger who considered them suspicious passed a note to a flight attendant.
Of course the AP doesn't bother to tell us exactly what the imams were doing that was so suspicious.
When the men returned to the airport the next day, the airline refunded their fares and refused to sell them new tickets.
A U-S Airways spokeswoman did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press, but the airline has said prayer was never the issue.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
In November they were saying they would sue, so why is this news today? If US Airways handles this well, they will likely increase their business from infidels who would like to fly in peace rather than in pieces. The US Airways lawyers must ensure they get every possible bit of incriminating evidence into the public eye, not excluding getting subpoenas for the imam's medical and psychiatric histories.
#11
I dictated a letter to US Air first thing this morning. It's going out in today's mail. If anyone wants to give US Air a word of support
(by that I mean: plead with US Air not to settle with the extortionists)you can drop them a note at:
US Air
Attn: Customer Relations
4000 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
The imams know it'll cost US Air more money to fight than to simply cave into a financial settlement. I think what the US air employees did by removing the imams was prudent and reasonable. I think a jury would agree. I trust US Air will back up their employees and tell the imams this is going to trial by jury. I'm betting CAIR will fold.
Posted by: Mark Z ||
03/13/2007 10:37 Comments ||
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#12
Gee, first I've heard of a "right to board airliners", dudes...
#13
This needs an airing on Cort TV. Poor oppressed muslims. Flying Imams: more terror links The Islamic Center of Tucson (ICT) is well known. The mosque has "an extensive history of terror links," according to terrorism expert Steven Emerson, who testified about terrorist financing before the Senate Banking Committee in July 2005.
The Washington Post described these links in a 2002 article. "Tucson was one of the first points of contact in the United States for the jihadist group that evolved into al Qaeda," the Post reported. And the ICT? It held "basically the first cell of al Qaeda in the United States; that is where it all started," said Rita Katz, a terrorism expert quoted by the Post.
ICT members have included high-profile terrorists. Wael Hamza Jelaidan, the mosque's leader in the mid-1980s, was identified by the U.S. government as a " 'co-founder' of al Qaeda and its logistics chief," the Post reported.
Another former member, Wadi Hage, served as Osama bin Laden's personal secretary after leaving Arizona, the Post said, attributing it to government sources. Hage established a bin Laden support network in Arizona and "this network is still in place," Emerson wrote in his book "Jihad Incorporated: A Guide to Militant Islam in the U.S.," citing a 2002 Senate Intelligence Committee Report. In 2001, Hage was convicted of plotting the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
The best-known terrorist with apparent (according to the Post and Emerson) connections to the ICT is Hani Hanjour, who piloted the plane that flew into the Pentagon on 9/11. Hanjour took aviation lessons in Tucson in the late 1990s.
More at link.
Posted by: ed ||
03/13/2007 10:57 Comments ||
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#14
Guess they should've shoved a rock and a piece of metal up their wazoos and chilled out...
#15
The discovery process on this lawsuit would be fabulous;
Love to see how Keith Ellison comes down on this. The Minneapolis Star Tribune; a leftist piece of swill that otherwise serves as a agiprop pad for raising taxes, respecting Islam, etc. found that over 90% of respondents thought the Imans were in the wrong.
CAIR got burned bad when they tried to use the court system to fight a low traffic blogger who implies they had terrorist connections.
#16
The imams know it'll cost US Air more money to fight than to simply cave into a financial settlement.
I'm sure the settlement would include a gag order. AP would spin that straight to hell for sure. I wonder if the negative/non-positive publicity resulting from a settlement would be better or worse than spending a few extra bucks for crushing these @$$holes. They could even ask people to ride for an extra $5 to help defray the costs of a lawsuit. It would be interesting to see how many "votes" they got!
#17
I'm sorry those six Muzzy bastards didn't get an old-fashioned Rodney King-style ass whipping in the airport followed by a swift trial and five years in PTITA prison. When they got out and were deported to KSA on Saudi Airlines, at least the magic rock and piece of steel would fit better.
Posted by: Mac ||
03/13/2007 17:56 Comments ||
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#18
The attorney representing the Flying Imans is the president of the NY chapter of CAIR.
He is (or was) also an appointee of the mayor (some civil rights commission or something)
Muscatine, Ia. - Illinois Sen. Barack Obama on Sunday told a small group of Iowa Democrats that U.S. policy in the Middle East can be compassionate as well as tough - while he also provided these influential voices in the leadoff caucus state with an up-close view of him as a presidential candidate. Obama told the Muscatine-area party activists that he supports relaxing restrictions on aid to the Palestinian people. He said they have suffered the most as a result of stalled peace efforts with Israel.
"Nobody is suffering more than the Palestinian people," Obama said.
"Nobody is suffering more than the Palestinian people," Obama said while on the final leg of his weekend trip to eastern Iowa. "If we could get some movement among Palestinian leadership, what I'd like to see is a loosening up of some of the restrictions on providing aid directly to the Palestinian people," he added.
Obama was responding to a question by Sue Dravis, one of about 40 party leaders who met with him privately before a forum at West Middle School. The session in the school library - while more than 1,000 waited for Obama in the gymnasium down the hall - gave a glimpse of the candidate few Americans have seen, despite the intense media exposure he has attracted.
Since launching his campaign a month ago, Obama has headlined events around the nation and in key states such as Iowa. He has drawn large crowds of political activists and people hoping for a closer look at the candidate. His third trip to Iowa was no different, with capacity crowds meeting him in Dubuque, Clinton and Davenport on Saturday.
The turnout at Obama's campaign events has prompted questions about how the political celebrity will campaign for support in Iowa, where caucus backing often is earned through direct contact. "After some of the initial novelty of the campaign fades off, as we enter the summer months, we're going to have the opportunity to campaign in that fashion," Obama said in a Des Moines Register interview. Obama has tried to incorporate more intimate sessions with key party leaders in Iowa, as he did at each of his stops Saturday, as well as before his event later Sunday in Burlington.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Final Leg is right. No one brings themselves into suffering like the paleo's themselves and ONLY themselves. What documents do you hold on this "Tragedy", Senator? I bet my file cabinet is far thicker than yours. Right now it is the Sudanese suffering until DRC can kick into high gear while Nigeria sinks into lawnessness. The conflict in sudan has spread to CHAD. Yikes, the Maoists are on the move. Indonesia is falling beneath the map. What about the north koreans who have babies primarily to sell on the market to eat for food? You know about a species tat eat's it's young, don't you?
#4
The Paleos are suffering worse than the slaves his ancestors once owned?
Posted by: Bobby ||
03/13/2007 7:03 Comments ||
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#5
Bullshit, Bullshit, Bullshit. "Paleo" (whatever the hell a 'paleo' is) suffering is self-inflicted, due Allan worship, hereditary stupidity and genetic death cult fixation. Sympathy meter reading so impossibly low there's no reading for it.
Nothing more dangerous that an utterly clueless man with a big smile and a smooth voice.
#9
"If we could get some movement among Palestinian leadership, "
When Jews ask him what that means, it will be "when Hamas agrees to recognize Israel, or when Abbas forms a govt without Hamas" which all of us know are really tall orders, and to the extent either is possible, its cause the current admin has been tough as nails on Hamas. When the lefties ask what it means, he'll just refer to a unity govt. Which we all know wont accept the quartet conditions. Way to evade, for now, St Obama. A real pro. Methinks hes vulnerable on this. Hilary can hit from the right on it - will he chance his support on the left, all those nice NPR listening ladies in Iowa?
#19
Someone needs to send him a few post-suicide-bombing photos pinned to this article. Or some footage of bombing victims who survived and are going through horrific post-trauma therapy. What an idiot.
#21
Oh, I dont hate Obama. In a terrible situation, where Obama gets the Dem nod, and GOP nominates someone really horrible, I might end up holding my nose and voting for Obama, and trusting in the Lord to protect the Republic. I just dont think hes the saint hes held out to be, and I do think some of the folks who are behind him are not very savory.
#25
Run, Obama, run! I want this jerkoff to be the Dem nominee. Whoever the Repubs run against him will beat him like a red-headed stepchild and not only keep the WH but bring both houses of Congress back as well. He's maybe one baby step better than Jesse...maybe.
Posted by: Mac ||
03/13/2007 18:02 Comments ||
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Sorry, Mac, I can't believe that even the Dhimmicrats are that stupid. It's gonna be Hillary. They don't have anybody else.
A senior defense official tells ABC News that Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley is out as the surgeon general of the U.S. Army. Acting Secretary of the Army Pete Geren asked Kiley to submit his retirement papers, which he has done. The move is supported by Defense Secretary Robert Gates. The official says that Maj. Gen. Gale S. Pollock, Kiley's deputy, will replace him as the acting surgeon general. Meanwhile, the Army will convene a panel to select a permanent replacement.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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FOX > O'REILLY > Patients claim than when informed of alleged perceived probs at Walter Reed, GEN KILEY allegedly responded by saying AS A [Army]GENERAL HE DOESN'T DO MEDICAL/PATIENT BARRACKS INSPECTIONS???
#3
Something tells me the house of cards all came tumbling down when senior rankers began to harass the soldiers with formations, inspections and instructions not to talk to the media. The situation at Walter Reed and Bethesda is worrisome, but invision a scenario where MASS casualties were involved. I don't even wish to think about it.
#4
Joe, he said it during his testimony:
Kevin Kiley, the three-star general in charge of all Army medical facilities, seemed stumped as he testified yesterday about his responsibility for the Walter Reed scandal. "I'm trying not to say that I'm not accountable," he told members of the House oversight committee.
Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley, Walter Reed's commander from 2002 to 2004, responded when asked about the squalid conditions there: "I don't do barracks inspections at Walter Reed."
Posted by: Steve ||
03/13/2007 7:34 Comments ||
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"I don't do barracks inspections at Walter Reed."
No, probably not... but a quick, no-announce, minimal entourage walk-through might have kept WR's management up to the mark, as far as conditions for the troops went.
I was once startled out of my skin by a one-star SAC general who just walked in the door of the broadcasting detatchment one summer morning, wandered up to my desk and said "Hi, I'm just going around saying thanks to all the other tenant units who support my people... can I have a tour of the radio and TV station?" (Yeah, like I'm going to say no to a General who wants an instant quick tour)
So I took him around, unannounced, and after everyone got over dropping to the floor out of shock, and hissing through their teeth "How can he just do this, without any advance word!!??", he left with thanks and probably a better idea of what our mission was, and our capabilities and limitations than anyone else we ever had to go a dog and pony show for.
I'd recommend this sort of thing, actually. Once the senior NCOs and staff get over having heart attacks, it's a great way for a commander to find out the whole picture.
#6
a quick, no-announce, minimal entourage walk-through might have kept WR's management up to the mark, as far as conditions for the troops went
Lack of same was a key factor at abu Ghraib. Karpinski didn't have a clue about conditions or operations there. Only one of her subordinate commanders was running a strak unit, the rest did as they pleased.
#7
one-star SAC general who just walked in the door
SAC lived and died by their "no-notice" inspections. The first people to know one was coming was air traffic control when a unscheduled plane showed up in the pattern and identified themselves. It kept you on your toes.
Posted by: Steve ||
03/13/2007 10:42 Comments ||
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Steve-
I was present on what may have been the one and only time a SAC base got warning that the IG was inbound within the next day or so. Everybody went on 12s, we spit-shined the place, and stood by in full combat gear. The IG showed up, realized what happened, and asked for the IG plan (Every base had a higher headquarters eval plan). The team commander - an 06 - riffled the pages, then slowly and deliberately tore it to shreds and announced, "Let me tell you the new IG plan..."
Longest ten days of my life.
But back to the subject - if a SINGLE NCO at WRMC deliberately harrased one guy in an attempt to keep people from going to the press, then every last one of them needs to be a PFC with orders to the infantry. That kind of attitude and behavior is inexcusable at best.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
03/13/2007 13:40 Comments ||
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"Management by walking around" It's been a staple in the private sector since the 80's, if not before (I hadn't started reading Mr. Wife's management books before that, so I come by my ignorance honestly). Mr. Wife has always believed it's the best way to see what his people are really doing... and the best way to let the big guys know what he's doing, unmediated by the fears or ambitions of anyone in between.
And as has been posted here repeatedly, you get results on what you inspect.
#10
MBWA is a really great management and audit (inspection tool) in a former job, part of my work involved quality assurance audits on suppliers. my first stop, after checking in at the front desk was to use the men's room in the production areas. you can learn a whole lot about the company's REAL culture there as opposed to the dog and pony show from the front office. works that same in the military.
#11
Then there's MBTTSUWWAWA -- Management By Threatening To Show Up Without Warning And Walking Around. Leaders could get some mileage out of that without actually showing up. The acronym even looks sinister, like some jihadi organization.
#12
1972, Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, summer ROTC training. On weekends one of the company messes would support the cadets who remained in the battalion area. Had always heard the Charlie Company mess was the pits, but then all the cadets whine for one reason or another. Went promptly to the brunch meal [only two meals served on Saturday or Sunday]. They were right. Poor prep, poor servings, lousy meal. How do you screw up breakfast? Got back minutes later to the barracks and told the other cadets to get chow now cause theyll run out. Those who waited thirty minutes returned without a meal. Then it happened. General Haldain who was the camp commander arrived to have breakfast with the cadets at the start of the second hour. When I returned to the evening mess serving, there were new personnel, food stuff to the walls, and generous servings being had. Closest to instant retribution I ever wanted to be near.
Lawyers in Pakistan fought riot police and burnt pictures of President Pervez Musharraf yesterday as a row over his attempts to have the country's most senior judge sacked threatened to run out of control.
Several lawyers were seen bleeding from the head after police charged them during clashes in Lahore. Dressed in business suits, the lawyers tried to stage a march outside the High Court building, only to be attacked by baton-wielding police. Some of the lawyers responded by throwing stones at police. At least 25 people were injured, including 10 police officers.
Across the country, lawyers turned up to court carrying black flags and refusing to take any part in proceedings to protest against President Musharraf's order suspending Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary for unspecified "misconduct and misuse of authority".
In Islamabad, there was a scuffle when police forcibly prevented opposition party leaders from visiting Mr Chaudhary at his house. The authorities have denied he is under house arrest - but his house is surrounded and police are strictly controlling who is allowed in or out.
President Musharraf moved against the judge on Friday, suspending him from office and ordering a hearing into his alleged misconduct. But the government has refused to give any details of the alleged wrongdoing, and it is widely suspected in Pakistan that he is being targeted because he dared to take on President Musharraf's regime.
In particular, Mr Chaudhary was challenging the government in a case over the disappearances of hundreds of people, many of them human rights activists. Their relatives contend they are being secretly held by Pakistani intelligence, and the Chief Justice was demanding the government provide information on their whereabouts. He also crossed the government last year when he blocked the privatisation of a state-run steel company.
Many analysts believe the move against Mr Chaudhary is a warning shot to the judiciary before elections scheduled for later this year. President Musharraf's desire for elections to give his rule a veneer of respectability brings its own challenges. This year, he is seeking re-election in a vote by parliament, and he does not want any developments that could embolden parliament to defy him.
But from the protests yesterday, it appears he may have miscalculated. Far from cowing Mr Chaudhary, he appears to have turned him into a popular hero. Crowds in Karachi yesterday were shouting "Death to Musharraf" and burning pictures of him. In Peshawar, protesters carried placards reading "Go Musharraf go". Zulfiqar Ali Bokhari, secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association, said: "The entire lawyer community is out protesting and giving a unanimous message that we're against President Musharraf's action; we condemn it."
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistan rejected a US government report on human rights in the South Asian country, saying the American critique contained 'inaccuracies and distortions.'
"All wrong, nope, nope, they got it all wrong ..."
Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Monday the US report was not objective and failed to acknowledge steps that Pakistans government has taken to improve human rights. We have seen the report. It obviously lacks objectivity and contains inaccuracies and distortions, ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said.
"None of it is true, and it'll never happen again."
In its annual global report on human rights last week, the US State Department criticized Pakistan for poor treatment of its citizens, describing increasing cases of murder, rape and torture in country. The State Department report said growing numbers of political dissidents and activists in custody in provincial areas had disappeared, and Pakistans people faced arbitrary arrest and restrictions on changing their government. Pakistans government also harassed, intimidated and arrested reporters in growing numbers, it said, and did little to fix widespread corruption in the government and police forces.
Don't forget all the honor killings.
Aslam said that no country has the right to judge Pakistans rights situation. No country is in the position to claim ... that its human rights record is perfect and sit on judgment on others, she said.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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That country is a shithole and i pray the day India destroys it!!!!
NEW DELHI, Mar 12 (Agencies): Armed with a letter of recommendation from the government of India, ailing Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani went to the US embassay on Monday morning to apply for visa for treatment in one of the specialist hospitals in United States.
"Syed Geelani saheb has applied for US visa and now let us wait for the outcome," Iftikar Geelani, son in law of the 78-year-old Kashmiri leader told rediff.com. Iftikar is bureau chief of Kashmir Times in New Delhi.
Following intervention from Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the ministry of external affairs issued him a passport to Geelani so that he could travel for treatment of his illness abroad. The passport was issued to him in Srinagar on Friday in his absence. Dr Sunil Kaul, of Apollo Hospital had recommended that Syed Ali Shah Geelani should travel abroad for treatment.
Though the government of India has offered to pick up his medical bills, Geelani has not responded to the prime minister's offer.
This article starring:
Dr Sunil Kaul, of Apollo Hospital
Iftikar Geelani
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh
Syed Ali Shah Geelani
Posted by: John Frum ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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#5
Why not partake the wonders of islamic medicine in Pakistan? I'm sure they can beat the evil spirits out of him with a koran.
Posted by: ed ||
03/13/2007 9:21 Comments ||
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File this under "you can't make this schit up.
Muhammad prescribed camel urine as medicine. Narrated Abu Qilaba: "Anas said, "Some people of 'Ukl or 'Uraina tribe came to Medina and its climate did not suit them. So the Prophet ordered them to go to the herd of (Milch) camels and to drink their milk and urine (as a medicine).
Geelani is a memember of Jamaat-e-Islami, a Muslim terrorist group.
Pakistan and Afghanistan on Monday concluded the first round of their two-day talks to convene traditional tribal jirgas to formulate a joint strategy to deal with the issue of militancy in the border areas. The meeting between senior officials from the two states was held in a cordial atmosphere and both jirga commissions explained their points of view, according to a statement of the Interior Ministry. A joint statement will be issued at the conclusion of the talks, it added.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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BASRA, Iraq - Iraqi soldiers have raised their flag above a British base in the southern city of Basra as they prepare to take responsibility for security in the area, the military said on Monday. Elements of the 10th Division of the Iraqi Army have joined their British colleagues from the Staffordshire Regiment in the Shatt Al Arab Hotel, a town centre stronghold which comes under frequent militia mortar attack.
In the coming weeks and months British troops are to pull out of two bases inside Basra and a logistics centre outside the city, in order to concentrate their force at a single compound at Basra airport. British troops will also continue to protect the consulate located in central Basra.
The first elements of the Iraqi Armys 10th Diviiosn moved in the middle of least week. There is an Iraqi flag flying over the Shatt Al Arab hotel, British army spokesman Major David Gell said. This is another important step for the Iraqi army as they develop their capabilities and gradually take more responsibility for their own security.
It is pleasing that the move went so smoothly and offers encouraging signs for the future as everybody continues down the road towards Iraqi self reliance, he added.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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I always did like a menage-a-trois. Funny, how it's Al Qaeda telling Fatah and Hamas who's wearing the strap-on. This will help their aid efforts. Give these folk a State.
Gentlemen, I liked an extra large Soda and Popcorn.As Palestinian and Israeli leaders, Mahmoud Abbas and Ehud Olmert finished discussing the Gaza Strips fate Sunday, March 11, three events showed how little they and Hamas are in control.
Al Qaedas No. 2, Ayman Zawahri issued a declaration of war on the Palestinian Authority and Hamas in a videotape aired by the Arabic TV Al Jazeera. An hour later, the Islamic Brotherhood of Justice (another name for al Qaedas operational branch in the Gaza Strip) announced the launching of its Operation White Land, targeting the political and military leaders of Fatah and Hamas.
DEBKAfiles military sources also reveal that a rebellion has sprung up against the top Hamas leadership.
Olmert and Abbas nonetheless continue to act out a Pan-Arab diplomatic process at Washingtons behest (see separate item on this page), which has as much chance of getting off the ground in Gaza as Fatahs Abbas assurance that the kidnapped Israeli soldier, Gilead Shalit, would be freed very soon.
The Zuwahri statement assailed the legitimacy Saudi Arabia extended to moves for a Palestinian unity government at the Mecca peace conference as recently as Feb. 8. Negotiations between the two factions are bogged down anyway. The leadership of Hamas government has committed an aggression against the rights of the Islamic nation by respecting international agreements, thundered Ayman Zawahri Sunday. I am sorry to have to offer the Islamic nation my condolences for the Hamas leadership as it has fallen into the quagmire of surrender.
The Gaza al Qaeda cell then defined the four missions of Operation White Land:
1. Targeting the most senior figures of the Palestinian Authority and Hamas leaders.
2. Focusing on group abductions rather than individuals, especially symbols of political corruption.
3. Beheading is ordained for members of these groups. Their executions and confessions will be videotaped and aired as they are in Iraq.
4. Blowing up Internet cafes and businesses selling alcohol; putting prostitutes to death to cleanse the streets of Gaza of prostitution.
Announcing these missions have won the sanction of Palestinian religious scholars, the communiqué ends with the words: Operation White Land has begun.
As for the revolt in Hamas, its Executive Force chief Jemal Jarah and his deputy, Yusouf a-Zahar (brother of Hamas foreign minister Mahmoud a-Zahar), accuse prime minister Ismail Haniyeh of being too soft with Abbas and Fatah and failing to follow through to victory on the battles they fought for weeks against Fatah. Determined to finish the job, Hamas rebels were back on the streets of Gaza this week, shooting and abducting their rivals, the Mecca Reconciliation Accords already a dead letter.
DEBKAfile adds: Shalit, who was abducted in June 2006 has become a counter in internecine Palestinian rivalries. He is guarded by two of the groups which kidnapped him, including members of al Qaeda. With the control of affairs in the Gaza Strip slipping out of the hands of prime minister Haniyeh, it is hard to see how any progress can be achieved towards gaining his freedom.
Even with the new industrial poppers and the extra boxcar-loads of popcorn being delivered night and day, I just can't keep up with the popcorn demand.
I'm gonna have to start a West Coast branch....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
03/13/2007 12:43 Comments ||
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#13
An hour later, the Islamic Brotherhood of Justice (another name for al Qaedas operational branch in the Gaza Strip) announced the launching of its Operation White Land
#14
For once, I believe, that Rantburg and Al Q are in agreement on objectives and means here. Item No. 4 on Al Q's list a bit extreme, but 3 out of 4 objectives agreed upon is pretty good.
Now all Al Q needs to do is to do it and make good on their word. That's the big issue. Ball is in your court, Ayman. [well, I know that you guys don't like soccor, tennis or ping pong, but it's just a figure of speech, see]
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
03/13/2007 15:46 Comments ||
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#15
".....quagmire of surrender.
Zawahri (D. Gaza) and Pelosi (AQ. San Francisco) share talking points.
Posted by: john ||
03/13/2007 21:55 Comments ||
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#16
#12 Querent - I'm so worn to a frazzle trying to keep up I'll let it go for a song!
Something by Josh Groban would be nice.... ;-p
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
03/13/2007 22:48 Comments ||
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Hamas leader-in-exile Khaled Mashaal blamed Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday for delaying to secure a deal to release captured IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Schalit. During a press conference in Yemen, Mashaal also rejected a request by Palestinians to relinquish the right of return. In addition, Israel Radio reported that Mashaal responded to the previous day's criticism by Al-Qaida leader Osama Bin-Laden's deputy Ayman al-Zawahri, and said that it was better not to slander a man who was being hunted by the US. On Sunday, Al-Qaida's number two accused Hamas of selling out by agreeing to respect past peace deals with Israel.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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The outline of a modest package of new sanctions against Iran is taking shape but the world's most powerful nations are still divided on several key measures, UN diplomats said on Monday. Ambassadors from the five veto-wielding permanent Security Council nations - the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France - and Germany failed to agree on new sanctions to pressure Iran to suspend uranium enrichment at a meeting late Sunday. The six envoys were scheduled to meet again late Monday.
In December, the Security Council imposed limited sanctions against Iran for its refusal to freeze uranium enrichment. It ordered all countries to stop supplying Iran with materials and technology that could contribute to its nuclear and missile programs and to freeze assets of 10 key Iranian companies and 12 individuals related to those programs. The council warned it would adopt further nonmilitary sanctions if Iran refused to comply.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
I should be angry at Russia for preventing harsher sanctions. I mean all we've got now is limits on sales of nuke stuff to Iran (Busher excluded) and some financial freezes on a handful of individuals and companies. We wanted a whole lot more in the second res - ban on trade credits, much broarder asset freeze, etc. Looks like all we will get is a smaller increase the asset freeze, a ban on govt to govt loans, and a ban on Iranian arms exports (but not imports! Good move for an arms exporter like Russia - eliminate Iran competition)
But then, you know maybe theres something to raising the temp on the frog very slowly.
OTOH, the big question is still how much time do we have? One year, two years, four?
#1
Maybe they read US INFOWIRE/OTHER > USDHS >WASHINGTON DC [read -USA?]ABSOLUTELY UNPREPARED FOR NUCLEAR [TERROR?]ATTACK. 10-kiloton detonation over Washington DC = approxi 204,600 dead, 90,800 injured, another circa 25,000 to die in yarns after detonation due to radiation poisoning + related consequences, over 3000 square miles irradiated, effected by post-blast nuke winter ergo needs to cordoned off.Washington
DC will need 300,000 workers for recovery espec specialists, [minima?] 1/2 of whom will prob need to be US Armed Forces includ Guard-Reserves, but many civie workers will likely be too scared /intimidated of radiation, etal. to wilfully engage in city recovery. MANY = UNKNOWN NOS. OF USG-STATE? POLITICIANS-EMPLOYEES KILLED ANDOR INJURED. ANNAPOLIS [US NAVAL ACADEMY], BALTIMORE, NORFOLK [US NAVAL BASE], + other AREA MAJOR CITIES ALSO IRRADIATED + NEED TO SECURED/CORDONED OFF FOR RECOVERY.
#5
Conservative Democrats as well as lawmakers concerned about the possible impact on Israel had argued for the change in strategy.
This isnt about Conservative Democrats. Nor is this isnt about foreign policy strategy. Hell, this isnt even about Israel. This is about courting votes from the congress-critters that consistently play an active role in US/ Israeli relations. Pure and simple.
Irans former president Mohammad Khatami made a rare intervention to urge his hardline successor to compromise and prevent a crisis with world powers over its nuclear programme, media reported on Monday. Khatami, reformist president from 1997 to 2005, told President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to make concessions over Irans controversial atomic drive and avoid a second UN Security Council sanctions resolution. I believe we should pay a certain price, and pay it bravely, for talks and not head towards crisis as well as guaranteeing our rights in future, Khatami told the economic daily Sanaat va Tosee (Industry and Development) in an interview.
We must try to prevent the adoption of another resolution.Khatami gave no indication of what the price might involve. The United States has repeatedly said negotiations with Iran are only possible if it first suspends sensitive nuclear work, which it has so far steadfastly refused to do. Although Khatami did not mention the president or the government by name, his comments will be seen as a clear warning to Ahmadinejad, who has already been criticised in parliament and the press for his confrontational policies.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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A senior Iranian official has accused the CIA, Mossad, and the British MI6 of a joint plot by kidnapping and torturing one of the country's former military officials in a bid to fabricate unfounded charges against Tehran. The official, who was speaking to Iran's Fars News Agency (FNA) on condition of anonymity, said the intelligence agencies of the three countries schemed the abduction of Alireza Asgari, a retired defense ministry official, to launch anti-Iranian propaganda aiming at portraying Tehran as a threat to the region.
He told FNA that Asgari, who had retired for four years, was kidnapped in mid-winter "on his trip to the Turkish city of Istanbul." "After abduction, he was transferred to the U.S. Incerlik airbase in Turkey and then to a CIA secret base," he said.
The Iranian official said Asgari was tortured physically and mentally pretty much the same way as detainees in Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib prisons were, in order to coerce him into making anti-Iranian remarks. The primary objective behind this scenario was to have an excuse for a new psychological warfare against Iran and to cover the West's failures in Iraq and Lebanon," he added.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
U.S., Israeli & British intelligence behind abduction of Iranian official
Also the Free Masons, the Elders of Zion, and the Friends of Mickey Mouse.
#3
How does the senior Iranian official know all these details? Either he is making them up (likely) or they have a spy in the CIA (not impossible, but wouldn't broadcast if they had such, so back to choice A.)
Member of Hezbollah political council, Caleb abu-Zeinab says the United States does not let Lebanon crisis resolve. "Both opponents and proponents of Fouad Siniora's government were about to settle their differences for several times but every time due to the U.S. interferences they failed to get to a common point on domestic issues", Caleb told Al-Alam News Channel .
"However, the opposition remains optimistic about the return of security and peace to Lebanon despite the U.S. obstructionism. A good atmosphere has been created following the Iranian and Saudi effective moves which pushes us on the path to success," the Hezbollah official said. "The U.S. has come to know that it cannot ignore regional heavy weights any longer and this makes us more hopeful."
This article starring:
CALEB ABU ZEINAB
Hezbollah
Fouad Siniora
Hezbollah
Posted by: Fred ||
03/13/2007 00:00 ||
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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.
Afghanistan on Monday reiterated its demand that Pakistan crack down on insurgents operating across the rugged Afghan-Pak border, despite Islamabads repeated claims that it is doing all it can to stem cross-border infiltration and that responsibility for border security rests not only with Islamabad, but also with Kabul and NATO forces in that country. 
(SomaliNet) Somalias foreign minister Ismael Mohamud Hurre Buba has ruled out the attendance by the defeated Islamic leaders at the coming reconciliation conference which is due to be held inside the country on 16 April. In an interview with the London based Sharqal Awsat Arabic newspaper, Mr. Buba said no Islamist leader would participate the nation-wide conference that is expected to be opened in the capital next month. He underlined that what he called Al-Qaeda linked international terrorists remain in Somalia waging war against the government interests. 
A U.N. human rights mission accused Sudan's government on Monday of orchestrating and taking part in gross violations in Darfur and called for urgent international action to protect civilians there. The team, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jody Williams, was dispatched by the United Nations Human Rights Council to investigate charges of widespread abuse in Sudan's vast western region, where observers say some 200,000 people have been killed since a revolt broke out in 2003.
BURGLARS broke into the Macau home of the reclusive son of North Korea's leader after he made his first media appearance in years en route to Pyongyang, a South Korean newspaper reported on today. The Chosun Ilbo cited intelligence sources in Seoul as saying someone in the southern Chinese city had robbed the posh home of Kim Jong-nam, oldest known son of leader Kim Jong-il. There was no word yet on what might have been taken, it said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi brushed past peace activists Monday who camped outside her home overnight to demand that Congress stop funding the war in Iraq. The small group confronted Pelosi and asked for a meeting at about 6:30 a.m. as she hurried to a waiting vehicle without stopping to speak. "My home is my home," Pelosi curtly told the protesters before being driven away. 
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- An Iraqi immigrant faces deportation after triggering a security scare at Los Angeles International Airport when authorities found a suspicious device lodged in his body, officials said. Fadhel Al-Maliki, 35, of Atlantic, N.J., prompted the alert March 6 during a screening for a flight to Philadelphia when he tried to go through security with two objects in his rectum. The FBI said he told screeners the objects, a polished stone and a piece of metal, were used to fight stress. 
Muscatine, Ia. - Illinois Sen. Barack Obama on Sunday told a small group of Iowa Democrats that U.S. policy in the Middle East can be compassionate as well as tough - while he also provided these influential voices in the leadoff caucus state with an up-close view of him as a presidential candidate. Obama told the Muscatine-area party activists that he supports relaxing restrictions on aid to the Palestinian people. He said they have suffered the most as a result of stalled peace efforts with Israel. 
Pakistan and Afghanistan on Monday concluded the first round of their two-day talks to convene traditional tribal jirgas to formulate a joint strategy to deal with the issue of militancy in the border areas. The meeting between senior officials from the two states was held in a cordial atmosphere and both jirga commissions explained their points of view, according to a statement of the Interior Ministry. A joint statement will be issued at the conclusion of the talks, it added.
BASRA, Iraq - Iraqi soldiers have raised their flag above a British base in the southern city of Basra as they prepare to take responsibility for security in the area, the military said on Monday. Elements of the 10th Division of the Iraqi Army have joined their British colleagues from the Staffordshire Regiment in the Shatt Al Arab Hotel, a town centre stronghold which comes under frequent militia mortar attack.
The outline of a modest package of new sanctions against Iran is taking shape but the world's most powerful nations are still divided on several key measures, UN diplomats said on Monday. Ambassadors from the five veto-wielding permanent Security Council nations - the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France - and Germany failed to agree on new sanctions to pressure Iran to suspend uranium enrichment at a meeting late Sunday. The six envoys were scheduled to meet again late Monday. 
Irans former president Mohammad Khatami made a rare intervention to urge his hardline successor to compromise and prevent a crisis with world powers over its nuclear programme, media reported on Monday. Khatami, reformist president from 1997 to 2005, told President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to make concessions over Irans controversial atomic drive and avoid a second UN Security Council sanctions resolution. I believe we should pay a certain price, and pay it bravely, for talks and not head towards crisis as well as guaranteeing our rights in future, Khatami told the economic daily Sanaat va Tosee (Industry and Development) in an interview.
