THE US military in Afghanistan has expressed regret over a campaign aimed at winning hearts and minds but which offended scores of Muslims when it dropped dozens of soccer balls bearing the name of Allah and the prophet Mohammed from helicopters.
The idea of kicking something bearing their names is considered deeply offensive to Muslims. "This ball ... carries a message with it which, like an atom bomb, can cause carnage and insecurity in all parts of Afghanistan,'' a leading Afghan newspaper, Cheragh, said today.
US troops on Friday dropped dozens of free footballs for soccer-mad Afghan children from helicopters in an area of southeastern Afghanistan, all marked with flags of various countries. But the balls depicted the Saudi Arabian flag, which features the Islamic declaration of faith and includes the names of Allah and the prophet Mohammed. What's Allans name doing on that rag? Saudi flag burning prevention?
Fawad Ahmad, a shopkeeper in Kabul, said: "Americans themselves create insecurity by ignoring religious sensitivity, it is against Islam."
Isn't it insensitive for the Saoodis to have the word of Allan on their flag?
A spokeswoman for the US military in Afghanistan said the ball distribution was part of a goodwill humanitarian aid mission ... for the enjoyment of Afghan children''.
Captain Vanessa Bowman said the military had been unaware of the sensitivity of the issue. "We do regret any disturbances caused,'' she said today.
In the past few years Afghans have staged sometimes bloody protests against the desecration of copies of the Koran by US soldiers at Guantanamo Bay, the printing of cartoons featuring Mohammed in Western media and the spiriting away of an Afghan Christian convert after intervention from Western rulers.
#3
guess the Mohammad Tampons and Allah Diaper Wipes won't go over big either...damn
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/27/2007 19:34 Comments ||
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#4
guess the Mohammad Tampons and Allah Diaper Wipes won't go over big either
Doesn't mean we shouldn't try. Imagine the seething riots. Entire Islamic nations would convulse and come to a complete standstill. Turbans everywhere would tourque down to bathysphere tightness specs. Curly-toed slippers would droop like Dan Rather's wattles and Islamic Rage Boy's head would probably explode. I say it's worth the risk!
(SomaliNet)Somalia's top Islamist leader vowed on Saturday to wage a stronger insurgency in the capital, Mogadishu, until all Ethiopian troops withdraw from the war-shattered Horn of Africa nation, AFP reports. Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the chief of the executive arm of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), said Somalis must defend their nation against Ethiopian forces deployed in Mogadishu to bolster the feeble government. "Our country was attacked by Ethiopia, who are trying to colonise Somalia," Ahmed said in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, the base of the Somali government foes.
Safe and sound he is, good food, good company (well), little chance of getting whacked by an Aethiop ...
"We have the right to defend our country. We are compelled to attack Ethiopia. They will be pushed out from Somalia and we will take back our freedom by force," he added. "We have a right to live in peace and in freedom and a right to manage our affairs ourselves ... Until we get that point, we will continue the fighting," Ahmed said.
Peace, freedom and managing affairs mean something different to him than to you and me. I think it's the Somali language ...
The Islamists and elders from Mogadishu's dominant Hawiye clan refused to participate in internationally backed peace talks in Mogadishu, which opened on July 15, marking a key setback to the latest efforts to normalise the paralysed nation. Instead, the Islamists and other foes of Somalia's weak President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed are planning on opening parallel 10-day peace talks in Asmara on September 1.
Asmara, you say? Guess that really does put the Eritreans hip-deep into affairs.
Although Ahmed urged the United Nations and Western powers to support the Islamist initiative, he renewed salvos against the United States, which backed Ethiopia in its moves to drive Islamists from Somalia. "The US is a large government, but they are supporting Ethiopia, supporting the dictator [Ethiopian Prime Minister] Meles Zenawi, who is killing our people," Ahmed said.
Maybe because you're a bat-shit crazy Islamist with ties to al-Qaeda? Just saying ...
"Instead, we appeal to European countries, to the US, to the UN, to support us," he added.
Ahmed, who is regarded as a so called moderate in the movement that Western intelligence has said has been infiltrated by al-Qaeda extremists, flatly rejected the claims. "There are no al-Qaeda members in Somalia and we are not terrorists: we are simply Somalis," he said.
Don't know how he kept his lips on ...
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/27/2007 00:04 ||
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#1
So, Ahmed is in Asmara, eh? Sounds like a good enough reason to add that foul city to my growing lists of "nuke immediately" targets.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
08/27/2007 15:33 Comments ||
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The Sudanese government has completed all necessary arrangements to receive leaders of the rebel groups in east Sudan who will arrive from Eritrea tomorrow to take oath for their new cabinet posts. Head of the supreme reception committee Ibrahim Ghandour said at a news conference today that leaders of the three fronts, Moussa Mohammad, Amna Tharar and Mabrouk Mubarak would arrive along with 64 others to take oath for their new posts. They will then head to their families in east Sudan in a bid to start a new page of peace, development and restruction, he added.
Rebels of the former East Front last October signed a peace accord with the Sudanese government under Eritrean mediations putting an end to 10 years of sporadic fightings in east of the country.
Al Qaeda's looking for new headlines now that they're getting their asses handed to them in Iraq. Gen. Patreus will be reporting soon, so I wonder when Iran and the insurgents will start trying for mass casualty attacks?
An attack on the Saooodi-controlled oil fields would seem to serve a number of purposes for a number of people.
Be a shame if we had to occupy those fields to protect them. The Shi'a living there now as second-class citizens under the Master Race might start buying into the ideas their Iraqi cousins have about freedom and democracy. Boy howdy a revolution establishing the Republic of Eastern Arabia along, say, a 50 km-wide strip of land on the Gulf Coast would put us in a real pickle, huh?
Saudi Arabia has begun setting up a 35,000-strong security force to protect its oil infrastructure from potential attacks.
The move underlines the kingdom's growing concern about its oil installations after threats from al-Qaeda to attack facilities in the Gulf, as well as rising tensions between Iran and the US.
The force already numbers about 5,000 personnel, a Saudi adviser said on Sunday. They are being trained in the use of new surveillance equipment, countermeasures and crisis management under a programme managed by US defence group Lockheed Martin, according to the Middle East Economic Survey in Nicosia.
#5
Had I moved to the Wild West in the 1850's for opportunity and free land, I would not have wanked about how the Indians did not throw out the red carpet for me. Were I not up for a little hardship and toil, I would have stayed at home.
I admire this woman's strength and suspect it was MSNBC that changed the tone of this article from positve resolve to pity party.
Iraq's beleaguered prime minister on Sunday lashed out at American critics who have called for his ouster, saying Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Carl Levin need to "come to their senses."
Nouri al-Maliki, who is fighting to hold his government together, issued a series of stinging ripostes against a variety of foreign officials who recently have spoken negatively about his leadership. But those directed at Democrats Clinton, of New York, and Levin, of Michigan, were most strident. "There are American officials who consider Iraq as if it were one of their villages, for example Hillary Clinton and Carl Levin. They should come to their senses," al-Maliki said at a news conference.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/27/2007 00:00 ||
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#7
LH, it's not OUR JOB to replace Maliki. That is the job of the Iraqi parliament. The last time we did something like that, it turned into a complete goatf$$$ (Diem). I agree with him, though - Clinton and Levin need to shut their pie holes. They're part of the problem, and have no ideas for a solution. Both need to be flushed from our legislative systems. Unfortunately, their constituents are either stupid or bought - or both.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
08/27/2007 15:41 Comments ||
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#8
No liberal hawk, it just meant that I thought y'all phrased your question like condescending liberal snot.
condescending: ADJECTIVE: Displaying a patronizingly superior attitude.
#9
Clinton and Levin need to shut their pie holes. They're part of the problem, and have no ideas for a solution.
True enough, but that goes for all Dems. Biggest problem is that we assume they WANT a solution. Their actions prove otherwise. Think of it. An entire mainstream US political party whose ENTIRE leadership is essentially calling for the defeat of their own country, and defeat of democracy. Until we label these traitorous sons of bitches what they are, we cannot have a meaningful debate.
AMMAN: On first blush, the outlook for Iraqs petroleum industry looks brighter than at any point since the US-led invasion four years ago, with exports hitting a three-year high in July and foreign oil majors jockeying for lucrative slices of its energy resources.
Yet the surprisingly resilient oil business in Iraq, home to the worlds third biggest oil reserves, is now tottering as many of the countrys respected veteran oil officials are kidnapped, murdered or seek sanctuary beyond its borders. Nearly two-thirds of Iraqs top 100 managers, including geologists and engineers, in Iraqs oil ministry and its affiliate companies have been murdered or left their jobs since the fall of Saddam Hussains regime in 2003, according to current and former Iraqi oil officials.
Thamer al-Ghadhban, oil adviser to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and a former oil minister, says the oil ministry hasnt been able to fill any of these top positions because of the lack of qualified staff.
The abduction last week of five top Iraqi oil officials, including the deputy oil minister, underscores the dangers and violence undermining state oil operations and, in turn, government oil revenues and finances.
Iraqi Finance Minister Bayan Jabor said a week ago that he expected the government to log a $4bn deficit this year, in good measure because of attacks on oil facilities and staff that have hurt oil output and exports.
Ghadhban told Dow Jones Newswires the abduction last week of Deputy Oil Minister Abdul Jabar al-Wagaa, one of the highest ranking oil officials to go missing since the fall of Saddam, is a serious blow to the countrys oil sector. Wagaa, appointed in 2004 as a top assistant to Iraqs oil minister, may have fallen victim to sectarianism. He was one of the highest ranking Sunnis from a prominent tribe, the Jibouri in an oil ministry that some analysts believe is being increasingly staffed with Shia.
Definitely Wagaas kidnapping would have very bad consequences on the countrys crude oil production and exports, Ghadhban said. The incident would also have bad effects on the psychology of other oil staff.
Wagaa and four officials from the State Oil Marketing Organisation (SOMO), were abducted last Tuesday from their closely guarded residential complex in East Baghdad by unknown gunmen in military-style uniforms and vehicles.
SOMO is crucial to Iraqs oil earnings because it markets and sells the majority of its output to the global energy markets. Three of the four high-ranking SOMO officials abducted had responsibilities that included managing crude sales and exports to Europe. SOMO has just a handful of English-speaking executives remaining, versus dozens in 2003, because of staff departures and personnel who have been murdered, government officials say.
It is a large campaign by terrorists to rid the country of its highly talented oil know-how, whether through kidnapping, killing or even forcing them to flee the country, former Oil Minister Issam al-Chalabi said.
The oil ministry estimates that nearly 300 Iraqi oil workers were killed last year because of militant attacks.
Wagaa was in charge of the oil ministrys exploration operations and oversaw the North and South Oil Companies, the state firms in charge of virtually all Iraqs oil and gas production. Wagaa, an oil ministry veteran of 30 years, also managed a joint programme with foreign oil companies that trains Iraqi oil officials and workers. Some of the remaining managers are said to be pleading with foreign oil companies for advisory roles outside the country in places like Dubai and Amman, Jordan.
Finding skilled engineers and managers to put Iraqs dilapidated oil sector back on its feet is almost impossible because of the brazen and deadly attacks by militants and insurgents.
Work at Iraqs State Company for Oil Projects, which supervises oil field construction efforts, has dried up because of attacks on executives, including director general Muthanna al-Badri, officials say. Al-Badri remains missing since he was kidnapped last year. In addition to attacks on pipelines and other infrastructure, efforts to restart Iraqs rich northern oil fields have been stymied since the kidnapping last year of Adel Kazzaz, long-time head of the state-run North Oil Co He is also missing.
The brain drain has also hurt the drawing up of the regulatory framework of Iraqs long-delayed oil law that will govern the development of the countrys energy resources, Kurdish Oil Minister Ashti Hawrami told Dow Jones Newswires.
Officials and analysts say the dwindling numbers of well-qualified Iraqi oil staff is likely to slow eventual contract negotiations between the government and foreign energy companies, even once Iraqs long-delayed hydrocarbons law is passed. It will be difficult getting contract discussions going for all the various companies looking to get in because of the lack of good top-level staff in the country, said a US official in Baghdad.
Executives from Royal Dutch Shell have been in talks with Iraq officials this year about exploiting gas reserves. Total and Chevron Corp recently agreed a services pact to develop at least two big oil fields in the country in the coming years. Representatives for all the companies refused to comment on the matter.
There is also concern violence against energy officials and installations could get worse in Iraqs oil-rich south as Shia factions there battle each other over political turf amid the gradual withdrawal of British forces from Basra, Iraqs second biggest city in the south and a giant oil export hub. The region is dotted with hundreds of oil wells open to attacks.
Iraq last month led the biggest gain in oil output by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries in more than a year, as its exports jumped to 1.7mn bpd. That, however, was due a burst of sales from crude in storage tanks in Turkey that is unlikely to be repeated anytime soon. Iraq crude exports in the first half of this year were 200,000 bpd below the governments targeted level of 1.7mn bpd.
#1
Hire someone like Halliburton to cooperate with a major oil/gas producer like Chevron or Exxon/Mobil, give them a relatively free hand, and allow them to hire mercenaries to protect the oilfields. Give them a 20% cut of the profits. Output will boom, the number of "abductions" and attacks will drop dramatically after the first few prove so disasterous to the attackers, and oil profits will soar. At the same time, let the US start breaking the Iranian oil infrastructure, from Khark Island to Abadan to wherever in the nation it exists. Without oil profits, the mullahs cannot pursue nuke power OR weapons. Break some of their ports and harbors, too, so they cannot import.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
08/27/2007 15:48 Comments ||
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#2
Why don't they put some guns on this? Not the local incompetents, but he hired guys. Spend some goddamned money for Christ's sake, you're talking about billions of $$$$ here!
#3
Does seem to be a natural job for a committed team from Blackwater, doesn't it?
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/27/2007 16:49 Comments ||
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#4
Running out of qualified people to govern, while only the corrupt and ruthless remain, is a long term problem even Blackwater can't fix. Ex-pats living in the West should be getting principled leadership and ethical management training to prepare a new top 100 to take over so rampant corruption is squelched.In the meantime, we should be hunting them down and stopping the fianancers and suppliers of all things jihadi their source. We can't afford to not secure those fields NOW!
ht to AOSHQ
Iraq's top Shi'ite, Sunni Arab and Kurdish political leaders announced on Sunday they had reached consensus on some key measures seen as vital to fostering national reconciliation.
The agreement by the five leaders was one of the most significant political developments in Iraq for months and was quickly welcomed by the United States, which hopes such moves will ease sectarian violence that has killed tens of thousands.
But skeptics will be watching for action amid growing frustration in Washington over the political paralysis that has gripped the government of Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
White House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore congratulated Iraq's leaders on the accord, hailing it in a statement as "an important symbol of their commitment to work together for the benefit of all Iraqis."
The apparent breakthrough comes two weeks before U.S. President George W. Bush's top officials in Iraq present a report that could have a major influence on future American policy in Iraq.
"I hope that this agreement will help Iraq move beyond the political impasse," Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih told Reuters. "The five leaders representing Iraq's major political communities .... affirmed the principle of collective leadership to help deal with the many challenges faced by Iraq."
Maliki's appearance on Iraqi television with the four other leaders at a brief news conference was a rare show of public unity.
The other officials present were President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd; Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi; Shi'ite Vice President Adel Abdul-Mahdi, and Masoud Barzani, president of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.
Iraqi officials said the five leaders had agreed on draft legislation that would ease curbs on former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath party joining the civil service and military.
Consensus was also reached on a law governing provincial powers as well as setting up a mechanism to release some detainees held without charge, a key demand of Sunni Arabs since the majority being held are Sunnis.
The laws need to be passed by Iraq's fractious parliament, which has yet to receive any of the drafts.
Yasin Majid, a media adviser to Maliki, told Reuters the leaders also endorsed a draft oil law, which has already been agreed by the cabinet but has not yet gone to parliament.
But a statement from Talabani's office said more discussions were needed on the draft oil law and constitutional reforms. Committees had also been formed to try to ensure a "balance" of Shi'ites, Sunni Arabs and Kurds in government.
The oil law is seen as the most important in a package of measures stalled by political infighting in Maliki's government.
The lack of action has frustrated Washington, which has been urging more political progress before the pivotal report on Iraq is presented to the U.S. Congress around September 11.
The report by the U.S. military commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, and ambassador Ryan Crocker, is seen as a watershed moment in the unpopular four-year-old war, with Democrats likely to use the negligible political progress to press their case for troops to begin pulling out soon.
Bush is pleading for patience, pointing to the military's apparent success in reducing levels of violence between majority Shi'ite Muslims and minority Sunni Arabs.
The White House's Lawrimore said in her statement that the United States would "continue to support these brave leaders and all the Iraqi people in their efforts to overcome the forces of terror who seek to overwhelm Iraq's democracy.
"The President also welcomes the desire of the Iraqi leadership to develop a strategic partnership with the United States based on common interests."
But Democrats are not convinced, and presidential hopeful Senator Hillary Clinton and fellow Senator Carl Levin have called for Maliki to be replaced.
Maliki hit back on Sunday, saying: "There are American officials who consider Iraq as if it were one of their villages, for example Hillary Clinton and Carl Levin."
"This is severe interference in our domestic affairs. Carl Levin and Hillary Clinton are from the Democratic Party and they must demonstrate democracy," he said. "I ask them to come to their senses and to talk in a respectful way about Iraq."
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/27/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
There was a conversation in my office on Thursday, about wouldn't it fun, if Maliki would, in a speech, specify, that he didn't want the Democrats in power in the good ole USA! We thought that a "brilliant" and fun affirmation, never expecting it to happen.
Now, it will be fun, to monitor our dear ole MSM to see just how many of them actually publish Maliki's words, "We are not one of their villages."
Yea, right, I can see the Austin paper with that as the lead in tomorrow's paper after the scathing and just really rude editorial of this morning, accusing Bush of re-writing history. The slime was dripping from my hands as I finished the editorial opinion. Usually, I don't finish these, but this was just so out-there, with month opened, I read.
#3
Apparently they hate Hillary telling them what to do, more than they hate each other. heh,heh. I'd be willing to extend Hillary credit for this one.
#7
The trouble is that it now looks like Patreaus is going to be really wishy-washy with his prose in the upcoming progress report. He being a good Princetonian Tiger doesn't want to appear to partisan as a military officer and will offer up the usual diplo-speak instead of Patton like pragmatic, "in-your-face" realism. That will be enough for the MSM and the Democrats to play up his play down. Thus the ensuing confusion will be enough to force Bush to compromise and begin the end.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
08/27/2007 9:43 Comments ||
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#8
Jack, that's depressing because it has the ring of truth to it.
#12
1. Let them get it through parliament. If thats moving goalposts, consider them moved. A plan thats agreed to by leaders but not passed is worth nothing.
2. I think if Maliki were to say "vote against Hilary" thered be joy in the Clinton camp. Do you really think Maliki is popular in the US? Is he popular with US troops or officers, for that matter?
Village, smillage. We've got over 150,000 troops there, we have over 3000 dead. We have poured billions into the country. And this guy is busy nitpicking our operations, hinting that he can get support from Iran instead.
#14
Dr. Petraeus is not going to give a Pattonesque speech, which is probably part of why he got this command in the first place. Nonetheless, he has quietly put an effective war fighting strategy in place and there is no reason for him not to explain its success or take credit for it.
It has also been made clear in the media that he does not support the Pentagon plan that his immediate predecessor, the illustrious Gen. Casey, seems to be behind for starting to pull troops out whenever Harry Reid says to.
So I suspect he will make the case for seeing the battle through to victory using primarily polysyllabic words that are incomprehensible to Congress and the MSM but crystal clear to 'Burgers and NCOs.
After his plan has succeeded he will make a very attractive candidate for one party or the other.
#16
On Petraeus. None of the comments appear to take in account another factor. The loyalty between the troops and their commander and the commander and the troops. From all appearances, the respect is mutual. The General is not looked upon as a careerist or a managerial REMF. Don't look to the General to betray that trust. Doesn't appear to be in the man.
#18
I think if Maliki were to say "vote against Hilary" thered be joy in the Clinton camp.
Wonder what they'll say when Al-Q endorses her...
Do you really think Maliki is popular in the US? Is he popular with US troops or officers, for that matter?
The question is whether he's popular with the Iraqi citizenry
Village, smillage. We've got over 150,000 troops there, we have over 3000 dead. We have poured billions into the country. And this guy is busy nitpicking our operations...
Why the nerve! We have an entire political party for that.
hinting that he can get support from Iran instead.
#19
"Oops! Dems Will Have To Move The Goalposts Again"
We're on it.
Posted by: Harry R. & Nancy P. ||
08/27/2007 22:16 Comments ||
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#20
Bush is pleading for patience,
Jeebus, can there be any more disdain for the CinC during a war than by the MSM? I don't remember Bush groveling and/or "pleading" with anyone over patience. Seemed to me he brought up the Vietnam debacle (aftermath in Cambodia) as a very valid point to "what would happen" if'n we pull out too early.
Add this "pleading" comment to the "unpopular war" comment, and you have all the standard MSM macros enabled in your "press." Of course, no mention is made of the "record low approval ratings" of the Donk controlled Congress.
Posted by: BA ||
08/27/2007 22:48 Comments ||
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Karl Rove and Iraq's top Shi'ite, Sunni Arab and Kurdish political leaders announced on Sunday they had reached consensus on some key measures seen as vital to fostering national reconciliation. The agreement by the five leaders was one of the most significant political developments in Iraq for months and was quickly welcomed by the United States, which hopes such moves will ease sectarian violence that has killed tens of thousands.
But skeptics in the Democrat party will be watching for action amid growing frustration in Washington over the political paralysis that hads gripped the government of Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
"I hope that this agreement will help Iraq move beyond the political impasse," Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih told Reuters. "The five leaders representing Iraq's major political communities .... affirmed the principle of collective leadership to help deal with the many challenges faced by Iraq."
Maliki's appearance on Iraqi television with the four other leaders at a brief news conference was a rare show of public unity. The other officials present were President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd; Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi; Shi'ite Vice President Adel Abdul-Mahdi, and Masoud Barzani, president of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.
Iraqi officials said the five leaders had agreed on draft legislation that would ease curbs on former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath party joining the civil service and military.
Consensus was also reached on a law governing provincial powers as well as setting up a mechanism to release some detainees held without charge, a key demand of Sunni Arabs since the majority being held are Sunnis.
Yasin Majid, a media adviser to Maliki, told Reuters the leaders also endorsed a draft oil law, which has already been agreed by the cabinet but has not yet gone to parliament.
The White House's Lawrimore said in her statement that the United States would "continue to support these brave leaders and all the Iraqi people in their efforts to overcome the forces of terror who seek to overwhelm Iraq's democracy. "The President also welcomes the desire of the Iraqi leadership to develop a strategic partnership with the United States based on common interests."
But Democrats are shitting in their panties not convinced, and presidential hopeful Senator Hillary Clinton and fellow Senator Carl Levin have called for Maliki to be replaced. Harry Reid was seen on at the Capitol Hill CVS with a cartful of Depends.
Maliki hit back on Sunday, saying: "There are American officials who consider Iraq as if it were one of their villages, for example Hillary Clinton and Carl Levin."
"This is severe interference in our domestic affairs. Carl Levin and Hillary Clinton are from the Democratic Party and they must demonstrate democracy," he said. "I ask them to come to their senses and to talk in a respectful way about Iraq."
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called on the French government Sunday to apologize for comments reportedly by the country's foreign minister that the Iraqi leader should step down. "We welcomed their foreign minister and we were happy with his visit, but they have to show us respect," al-Maliki told reporters. "We call upon the French government to apologize about this issue."
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner visited Iraq this month in a highly symbolic gesture to the United States effort in Iraq after years of icy relations over the 2003 American-led invasion. Kouchner said Paris wanted to "turn the page" and look to the future. However, in an interview with Newsweek magazine, Kouchner said he told US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that al-Maliki has "got to be replaced."
Posted by: Fred ||
08/27/2007 00:00 ||
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[5 views]
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#1
Lets replace him with who? My list:
1. Karl Rove
2. Carl Levin
3. Barry Bonds
4. Jacques Chirac
5. Keith Olberman
One is a political genius and available
Another is a political idiot and should be made available.
One is in self-denial and hates the press (so that makes him perfect for this job).
The other one is available, a crook (politically qualified) and needs to relocate soon.
The last one is a know-it-all jerk who we need to see and hear less of these days.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
08/27/2007 9:49 Comments ||
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#2
in a follow up, Kouchner apologized to Maliki, but also hinted Maliki was going to be gone soon. Methinks Kouchner and the ever cautios Hilary are not making gaffes, but simply trying to get on a train thats already left the station.
#5
McGurgue, the train is this: the Dhimmis have come to understand in the last few weeks that one of their major campaign talking points, "we've lost the war militarily in Iraq so we should get out" is about to collapse. The 'surge' strategy (increased numbers of combat troops along with a change in strategy, tasking of troops, and emphasis on clear-and-hold) is working to the point that one can reasonably point to it and say, give the troops more time and we'll have the military situation under control.
And that appeals to the American voter, who doesn't necessarily like seeing our military committed overseas but also does NOT want our military to be seen as defeated, ever.
So the back-up campaign strategy is "yeah sure, the military situation is improved (begrudingly) but the political situation is hopeless, so we should get out." The problem there is that al-Maliki just might finally be getting the message and working to get his faction to in turn work with others in Iraq.
Because if he doesn't, odds are good he'll be replaced soon (preferably by a vote of no-confidence in the National Assembly). That's the train, and both Kouchner, the Hildebeast, Levin et al see it as the best of a not-very-good set of options as far as the Dhimmicrats and Y'urp-peons are concerned. If they get on board now they can claim some credit for having made something happen when Maliki goes.
al-Maliki, skilled political operator that he is, knows this and is trying to do some push-back to gain some manuevering space.
Now you'd think the train is derailed if you're still stuck on the "everything is hopeless in Iraq so we should just leave" phase. But since things are not hopeless (and never have been), the "political situation is hopeless' is the meme that the Dhimmis are trying to push for 2008.
But to get that to work Maliki has to go, and relatively soon, with a period of political instability in Iraq that the Dhimmis can point to. If Maliki and his faction get their acts together and start making things work, it's all over for the Dhimmis. My opinion, anyway.
Liberalhawk: good to see you back.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/27/2007 17:11 Comments ||
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#6
considering his comments above, LH? not so good here
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/27/2007 19:52 Comments ||
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#7
Good. Put some life in things. Good to see Aris. Where's Gentle?
A purported spokesman for Saddam Hussein's party Sunday dismissed draft legislation to ease the ban on party members from holding government jobs, saying his group would not deal with the Iraqi leadership until all US and foreign forces leave the country. Late Sunday, top Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish leaders signed an agreement which among other things endorsed a draft bill to relax rules preventing many members of Saddam's Baath Party from holding government jobs and elected offices.
The law is aimed at encouraging disaffected Sunni Arabs to support the Shiite-led government. Many Sunnis took arms against the US and its Iraqi allies after the fall of Saddam's government in the 2003 US-led invasion. But the Baath spokesman, identified as Abu Muhib al-Baghdadi, dismissed the proposed legislation, terming it a "trap." He spoke with the screen blacking out his face to to hide his features.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/27/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
There's the diehards and then the dying (al Douri).
#4
Something similar is happening here in Colorado Springs. The enviroweenies have been protesting control measures against mountain lions for decades. We've seen a tremendous increase lately of mountain lion sightings in the western neighborhoods, and people are losing pets. If you encourage predators, they grow and expand their range. It works for wildlife, and it works for scumbags. I think the Bible calls that "reaping what you sow".
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
08/27/2007 16:04 Comments ||
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#5
Use the three esses doctrine, Shoot, Shovel and Shut(Up)
Lions?
I haven't seen any lions around here?
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/27/2007 19:54 Comments ||
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Gaza Ma'an The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights on Monday reported that there is prevailing security chaos in the Palestinian territories after several violent incidents in recent days. Johnson! Stop the presses!!
On Friday, Palestinian citizen, Muhammad Dhmeiri, from Huwwara, south of Nablus, in the northern West Bank, was killed. Three other Palestinians were injured in separate incidents in the Gaza Strip, including a woman from Rafah, southern Gaza. How's it going tonight, Mahmoud?
Oh, kinda slow...
According to the PCHR, the most dangerous incident took place last Friday evening when a heated argument erupted between 24-year-old Muhammad Dhmeiri and a local militant at a wedding party in Nablus. Bad move, Muhammad. The altercation occurred while the militant was firing his gun into the air in celebration. Really bad move, Muhammad.
After Dhmeiri left the wedding with his father and brother, the militant followed them and opened fire at their car, killing Dhmeiri. Interfere with my gun sex will ya! That'll teach yas!
On the same day, Ibrahim Abu Diba', aged 32, from Rafah was injured in his shoulder while on the roof of his neighbours house. He received a bullet from an unknown direction. Underground maybe?
In a third incident, also in Rafah, Hazim Sheikh and his wife were injured after a hand-grenade detonated in their home. Hazem Mahmoud El-Shiekh and his wife Maha Samir El-Sheikh were moderately injured by shrapnel from the explosion of a hand grenade in their house in Tal El-Sultan Quarter in Rafah. Hazem was injured in the abdomen, left hand, and left leg; and his wife was injured in the face and left hand. They were taken to Mohammad Yusef El-Najjar Hospital for treatment. Hazems brother stated that the grenade fell from a cloth closet that the couple were arranging. Oh, that's where I left the grenade! Sorry, honey...
Because all that Palestine needs is a little more Islam.
By day, they are the middle class, putting in days as mild-mannered teachers, factory supervisors and office clerks. But by night, the growing number of supporters of Hizb ut-Tahrir, the Islamic fundamentalists who reject modern democracy in favour of a pan-Islamic religious caliphate, are gathering in the West Bank to recruit the thousands who have grown disillusioned with the vicious stand-off between the secular Fatah and Islamist Hamas.
"Any person living in Palestine now realises political parties, especially the Islamic ones, have not achieved anything for the individual," said Sheikh Abu Abdullah, a thin-framed man with a wiry beard.
He, like many others, says he has given up on both Hamas and Fatah, and will not vote in the next election. "I believe in what [Hizb ut-Tahrir] gives." Its platform calls for the eventual overthrowing of Arab-world governments to be replaced by a caliphate, which would also encompass Israel.
Inside the West Bank, the rise of the Islamist group is being met with increasing concern from secular Palestinians still hoping for democracy and a two-state solution with Israel, as well as from Hamas which is seeing its support eroded by the group.
Calls for early elections have raised fears that Islamist movements will once again carry the legislature - or that so few people will vote that the elections will be meaningless.
"The only thing that is obvious is that Hizb ut-Tahrir is on the rise," said Hani al-Masri, a journalist and political commentator involved in a new secular political movement. "If we do not get new trends, new parties, in the Palestinian arena, a group like Hizb ut-Tahrir will definitely benefit from this vacuum."
#2
I think eventually they'll get their "caliphate". By the time that happens, however, all that "caliph" will rule over is a vast expanse of radioactive wasteland. Fitting, to be sure...
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
08/27/2007 16:08 Comments ||
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Ousted Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniya asserted on Saturday that the annoyance inflicted on the Palestinian people including water and electricity outage, and closure of crossways by Israel was aimed at distracting them from primary causes including their right for home return, pow's, Jerusalem and refugees.
In a statement, Haniya said the Israeli enemy does not want an Islamic model that had been substantiated by Hamas in its rule and policy, fearing its effect might be transformed to the Arab and regional milieu.
Figured that one out, didya? All in favor of having a next-door neighbor composed of psychotic Islamists raised on hatred from a tender age say 'aye'.
"Israel wants to make success a model that has no correlation with ethics", he added. Haniya said the other consideration was to distant Hamas from the decision-making arena after it had stood defiant in its political, security and economic stances. He pointed out that the political and economic pressures imposed on the Palestinians were an attempt to weaken the political stances of his government and compulse it to accept conditions set by the quartet committee for peace in the Middle East.
Izzy's got a point; and sadly, he seems to have a clearer grasp of the various strategeries than anybody in opposition to the Islamists. Sigh.
He wondered about the reason behind closure of the Rafah border crossing as more than 400 Palestinians were still being stranded there.
Could be all the boom belts, could be plain Israeli cussedness. Only Allan knows for sure.
#3
"Those that live by the sword shall die by the sword." Islam is a religion that lives by the sword, and ONLY by the sword. Taking it out would be a blessing to the whole world. I'm just waiting for a sign from God that He's going to do it, or that non-Islamists are supposed to do it...
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
08/27/2007 16:12 Comments ||
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#4
Taking it out would be a blessing to the whole world.
Agreed, Old Patriot. I have been forced to conclude that if the West truly has any humane instincts left it will forcefully liberate Muslims from the chains of Islamic enslavement. To not do so and, instead, surrender them up to the ravages of shari'a law is simply criminal. Islam is one massive crime against humanity. Until this is widely recognized there will be no positive or substantial progress in eliminating this abortion of reality.
Sheikh Mohammad Hussein - general mufti of Jerusalem and Palestinian territories - lashed Sunday at Israeli decision to roof in the yard of Al-Ibrahimi Mosque in the West Bank city of Khalil, or Hebron. "Through this decision, the Israeli occupation authorities seek to control the holy mosque and turn it into a Jewish synagogue," Sheikh Hussein said in a statement here. "The Israelis know why the mosque has a yard which provides the mosque with light and ventilation. However, they seek to occupy the mosque and turn it into a synagogue. The move runs counter to all provisions of holy faith and international laws," the statement asserted.
"After the massacre of Al-Ibrahimi Mosque (February, 1994), the Israeli occupation authorities divided the Muslim shrine into to parts and allowed the Jewish settlers get into one of them to perform rituals. "The authorities applied additional constrains on the movement of Muslims in the mosque under the pretext of security precautions," according to the statement. "They are trying to close it to Palestinian Muslims and ban prayer announcement at the mosque," he warned.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Hussein appealed to all regional and international organizations to prevent Israel from pressing ahead with its plans to roof in the mosque and control it.
Located south of Jerusalem in the Judean hills, Hebron is home to approximately 130,000 Arabs, 530 Jews, and three Christians.
Dozens of Palestinian journalists staged a sit-in rally Sunday in front of the Journalist's Union in Gaza City to protest an attempt by Gaza's Hamas rulers to arrest a colleague. Late Saturday, Hamas gunmen tried to arrest Agence France Press reporter Sakher Abu El Oun, but left the scene at the urging of Hamas political leaders after a group of reporters alerted by Abu El Oun formed a human chain around his home and blocked them from entering.
The arrest attempt came a day after Hamas beat a group of journalists covering a demonstration protesting the group's rule in the Gaza Strip.
Abu El Oun, who heads the Gaza journalists' union, harshly criticized the Hamas crackdown. While publicly proclaiming its commitment to a free press, Hamas appears to be growing intolerant of the media, with harassment of reporters increasingly common.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
08/27/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
This'll last a day. Then they'll go back to writing about the poor, oppressed palis and the evil joooos (who allow unfettered journalist access. unfortunately.).
Six young Palestinians were caught by the IDF after they tried crossing into Israel from Gaza on Sunday, a day after two gunmen scaled the Strip's security fence and amid calls by residents of nearby communities to beef up security.
On Saturday, two terrorists were killed by IDF troops after they used a sophisticated rope to climb over a concrete wall into Israel from northern Gaza and opened fire at a guard stationed at the entrance to the Gaza Liaison Administration near the Erez crossing. On Sunday afternoon, six unarmed youths, who officers said were most probably sent to check the IDF's level of alertness, were caught nearby trying to cross the fence.
Defense officials said the IDF would continue to maintain a high level of readiness along the security fence in an effort to curb the recent rise in the number of Palestinians trying to infiltrate into Israel. Since the beginning of the month, around 20 Palestinians, most of them searching for work, have been caught.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
08/27/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
Land mines make a great intrusion detection system.
Israel allowed 75 Palestinians out of Gaza on Sunday to resume lives abroad cut short by Hamas' violent seizure of the coastal strip two months ago. More than 4,000 Palestinians with overseas work and study permits have been living in fear of losing badly needed jobs and academic credits after Gaza's borders were closed due to the Islamist group's takeover.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/27/2007 00:00 ||
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Palestinian Authority security forces in Bethlehem have begun cracking down on Hamas elements in recent months in anticipation of an unprecedented flow of tourists to the city, Lt.-Col. Aviv Feigel, the IDF District Coordination Liaison in the city, told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday. Since Hamas's takeover of the Gaza Strip in June and the establishment of the emergency government led by Prime Minister Salaam Fayad, the IDF has renewed relations with the PA and for the first time since 2005 has reestablished coordination committees in an effort to strengthen Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
Feigel, who is wrapping up four years in his post, said the IDF had come to the realization that Israel's security was directly connected to the quality of life within the Palestinian territories. Since Hamas's violent takeover of the Gaza Strip, PA security forces in Bethlehem, he said, had been rounding up Hamas members and at the moment, 10 were sitting in jail there. "The PA security apparatuses understand that they need to take care of [terrorist] elements," Feigel said in an interview at his office next to the Etzion Brigade headquarters near the settlement of Alon Shvut. "The PA forces are working to identify Hamas members in the city as well as from within their own ranks."
Once identified, the Hamas members are in most cases asked to sign a document annulling their membership with the Islamist group. If they refuse, Feigel said, they were usually arrested by the PA. He said the PA realized that if it did not deal with Hamas elements today, it could face a violent takeover of the West Bank similar to that which occurred in Gaza.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
08/27/2007 00:00 ||
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Yahiya Moussa, a member of the Hamas parliament in Gaza, said the organization did not change its policy regarding suicide attacks, Israel Radio reported Sunday evening. He said reports aired in Israeli media earlier Sunday were meant to "set the ground for renewed Israeli violence against the Palestinians." Moussa added, however, that Hamas was not in complete control over its activists and that "pressure against activists in the [West] Bank could lead bring about an explosion."
A Palestinian source in Ramallah contradicted Moussa, and confirmed that the leadership in Damascus had indeed instructed West Bank Hamas members to carry out a large-scale attack.
Earlier Sunday, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) deputy director said at the cabinet meeting that Hamas leaders in Damascus have told the group's loyalists in the West Bank to carry out a large-scale terrorist attack inside Israel. Due to Hamas's current frustrations, he said, there was an increased chance it would become more actively involved in carrying out attacks here and abroad.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
08/27/2007 00:00 ||
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Israeli-Arab ex-MK Azmi Bishara, on the run from Israel after being investigated for spying on behalf of Hizbullah, is in Lebanon, hosted by the terror group. Until now, Bishara denied that he passed information to Hizbullah terrorists during the Second Lebanon War. The Arab leader retains his Israeli citizenship and has now openly taken a stand on behalf of Hizbullah.
Bishara addressed the media while touring Hizbullah's headquarters in southern Lebanon, hosted by the group's media division. He announced that he would be spearheading an international effort to bring the war criminals - Israel and America - to justice.
The disgraced Knesset Member laid wreaths in Bint Jbeil, a town that witnessed heavy fighting between IDF soldiers and Hizbullah terrorists. He also visited Kfar Qana and called the Israeli air strikes there the worst massacre since Israel's establishment. He added that it proved that the "long-awaited agreement with the Zionist entity is an impossibility The massacres that were carried out were not a coincidence but were a strategic policy to frighten people."
On Friday, Bishara gave a speech praising Hizbullah and saying the group is now stronger than ever before. "Everybody envies the Lebanese for their [Hizbullah] Resistance and its leadership [Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah]," Bishara was quoted by Lebanese TV as saying. "But I envy the Resistance for its people Hizbullah has rearmed itself in the last year and perhaps is now stronger than ever I am convinced that Israel has become incapable of attacking Lebanon again, and that is a very big achievement for the Resistance."
Bishara's statements were not denounced by any of his former Israeli-Arab MK colleagues.
Israeli-Arab Terrorism on the Rise
Israeli Arab involvement in terrorism more than tripled in the first three years following the 2000 Oslo War. There were eight incidents in 2000, 25 in 2001 and 19 in the first five months of 2002. Hundreds of Israel's Arab citizens have since been nabbed for involvement in anti-Jewish terrorist activity, but the Shabak has refrained from publishing additional statistics on the phenomenon.
Just this past week, the head of the Bnei Hakfar Israeli-Arab movement, Rajed Iabirah of Um El-Fahm, threatened to carry out terror attacks against Israeli Jews. Iabireh is an Israeli citizen, and Um El-Fahm is within the pre-1967 borders of the country.
Iabireh said that Israeli-Arabs were very frustrated over a number of issues relating to Israeli control over Judea and Samaria and especially Jerusalem. The Israeli establishment always takes the wrong course, he said in an interview with a local Arabic-language publication. We are doing them a great favor by restricting our activities to political protests at this time. But they should not err: We have sacrificed martyrs in the past, and we will do so again in the future." He did not specify what he meant by martyr's sacrifice.
The IDF Senior Command is reportedly preparing for the possibility of a full-on rebellion by Israel's Arabs against the state's Jewish citizens as part of a future war scenario.
Some economic nuggets, all bad for ShortRound, in this article.
TEHERAN - The head of the Iranian central bank resigned on Sunday, the third departure of a key economic policymaker from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejads administration in just two weeks.
The resignation of Ebrahim Sheibani comes after the unexpected departures of the oil and industry ministers on August 12, a move that was widely seen as an attempt by Ahmadinejad to increase his control over the economy. The resignation of Ebrahim Sheibani has been accepted by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, government spokesman Gholam Hossein Elham was quoted as saying by the official IRNA agency. He added that the government was seeking to appoint Tahmasb Mazaheri -- the economy minister under Ahmadinejads reformist predecessor Mohammad Khatami -- as new central bank chief and the process was now in its final solution stage.
No explanation was given for the resignation, which had been widely predicted in the Iranian media.
But Sheibani had reportedly been at odds with Ahmadinejad over a surprise government decision on May 22 to cut interest rates. Both Sheibani and Economy Minister Davoud Danesh Jaafari were reported not to have been consulted over the decision, which many economists considered highly unwise in an economy which was already facing inflationary pressures.
Wasn't exactly classic Keynesian economics, was it ...
Domestic politics is also heating up in Iran up as the country enters a crucial period leading to elections for the conservative-controlled parliament on March 14, 2008 followed by presidential polls in summer 2009. The economy will be a top election issue and Ahmadinejad has been criticised for Irans high inflation and for ploughing windfall revenues from high oil prices into expensive military and nuclear infrastructure projects.
Both the industry and oil ministers issued stark warnings to Ahmadinejad over his economic policies after they quit. Former oil minister Kazem Vaziri Hamaneh, a veteran of the ministry who revealed he had been sacked by the president, said that the country was heading to an energy catastrophe owing to high consumption.
Industry minister Alireza Tahmasebi also launched a stinging attack on Ahmadinejads economic policies in his resignation letter, complaining of under-investment and damaging personnel changes.
Prices of basic goods and services -- especially vegetables and poultry -- have leapt in Iran since the New Year in March, hitting the poor hardest. The central bank has forecast that inflation will reach 17 percent in the current Iranian year to March 2008, compared with an official rate of 13.5 percent last year. But many economists dispute even this figure, and Iranian parliamentary research has estimated that inflation this year is running at 22.4 percent on the back of money supply growth of a colossal 40 percent.
C'mon guys, you can catch Zim-bob-we if you just try harder ...
Apparently Mahmoud has already caught a raging case of Chavez envy...
Social Security and Welfare Minister Abdolreza Mesri was quoted as saying earlier this month that 9.2 million out of Irans 70.4 million people were living under the poverty line.
And unlike the U.S. or Europe, we're talking real poverty here ...
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/27/2007 00:00 ||
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#1
With Iranian inflation running at 20+%, what do you suppose Russia is accepting for payment for nuclear facilities and other weapons it has been selling? Not paper rials, I'm sure.
#2
Dates and pistachios - an economy run on (by) fruits and nuts...
Posted by: M. Murcek ||
08/27/2007 12:12 Comments ||
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#3
Nothing left to steal, eh?
Iranian parliamentary research has estimated that inflation this year is running at 22.4 percent on the back of money supply growth of a colossal 40 percent.
How do they manage to pay for all that ink and paper?
I admire your courage, I'm usually too embarrassed to admit I'm a native Californian,
mainly because of the Senators we elect. The only worst state in that regard that I can think of is Massachusetts (but to be fair, they do beat us by a wide margin).
Posted by: Titus Hayes4699 ||
08/27/2007 19:51 Comments ||
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#9
As the number ten economy in the world and with an almost obscene wealth of natural resources, scenic splendor and five growing seasons, I refuse to be embarassed about being a Californian. Politicians can be changed out, nothing can change how Kansas is flatter than piss on a plate.
#10
No shame, Titus, if you don't vote for the evil. I'm in red/San Diego
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/27/2007 20:49 Comments ||
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#11
I live in the LA County, in the South Bay area.
This area is not as bad as some parts of CA. I sometimes visit friends and relatives in the Santa Monica area and afterwards, I just want to go to Wyoming to feel clean again.
Posted by: Titus Hayes4699 ||
08/27/2007 21:00 Comments ||
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#12
Though the Iranian currency is inflating, the moneys coming in from oil exports has tripled since Sept 2001. That means more money for imports, weapons and graft by the mullahs, while at the same time two serious enemies have been eliminated courtesy Uncle Sam. The Sept 11 attacks have been the best thing to happen for muslims since the discovery of oil in the middle east.
Posted by: ed ||
08/27/2007 21:45 Comments ||
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#13
The Sept 11 attacks have been the best thing to happen for muslims since the discovery of oil in the middle east.
At best, this will only remain true for the short term. Long term prospects are far more bleak. The 9-11 atrocity forever galvanized a sufficient quorum of opponents who will now hound Islam to its reformation or death. My money isn't on reformation.
TEHERAN - An Iranian army general with a background in the Revolutionary Guards on Sunday replaced a top aide to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a key interior ministry post in charge of organising elections.
Armed forces spokesman General Alireza Afshar took over the job of deputy interior minister for political affairs from Mojtaba Samareh Hashemi, one of the presidents closest advisers. The reason I am leaving this job is that I was too busy, Samareh Hashemi said according to Iranian state television.
Samareh Hashemi, who has known Ahmadinejad since university, served as his top adviser while he was Teheran mayor and is still rarely seen far from his side on domestic and foreign trips. He will remain in his other post as top adviser to the president.
The office of deputy interior minister is important because it is charged with organising elections in Iran, a position that gives a say in how the process is run.
By sheer coincidence a top figure in the Revolutionary Guards will now be in charge of the next election. Sheer coincidence, mind you ...
The countrys next national election will be on March 14, 2008, for the current conservative-dominated parliament, followed by a presidential poll in summer 2009 when Ahmadinejads term ends.
Irans deputy interior minister for political affairs also has some control over all 30 provincial governors-general, and chairs a supervisory board which issues licences for political parties and NGOs. The most important task is to strengthen political dynamism in society so people vote as instructed by us participate in the election, Afshar said on taking office, according to the ISNA news agency.
While praising Afshar, Interior Minister Mostafa Pour Mohammadi a drink commented that had it not been for Sarameh Hashemis pressure of work we would have preferred this switch did not take place on the threshold of elections.
Like Ahmadinejad, Afshar has a background in Irans elite Revolutionary Guards and served as spokesman for the force during the 1980-1988 war with Iraq, state media said. Mohammad Baqer Zolghadr is the other deputy interior minister, in charge of security affairs. Previously he was a deputy head of the Revolutionary Guards. Pour Mohammadi, a mid-ranking cleric, is a former deputy minister of intelligence.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/27/2007 00:00 ||
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[15 views]
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#1
This puts Ahmadi-nejad's Revolutionary Guards cronies in charge of election, oil, central bank, and the secret police.
If the Army sits it out, Ahmadi-nejad can take out any mullahs who oppose him, and already has the government executive branch locked up.
All he needs is an excuse for martial law.
Coup anyone?
Things could get very interesting in a hurry over there.
#3
Does make you wonder the relative balance of power between Khameni and ShortRound, doesn't it? I'd put my markers on the former but now I'm beginning to wonder if Shorty is more clever by half.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/27/2007 17:14 Comments ||
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#4
If the Army sits it out, Ahmadi-nejad can take out any mullahs who oppose him, and already has the government executive branch locked up.
#5
ISRAEL > GIANT NUCLEAR WAR BUNKER BEING BUILT. Also, RENSE/OTHER > BUSH reportedly orders AIR DEFENSE UNIT to be deployed around Washington DC [Operation Noble Eagle]. Lastly, SHEEHAN, etal. warns about new CHENEY-ORDERED/INDUCED 9-11.
Lebanese MP and publisher of Al Nahar Ghassan Tueni rejected Saturday any constitutional amendment to elect a new president saying a vacuum in the president's office could produce a 'new rule.' Tueni, in a lengthy dialogue with Voice of Lebanon Radio, also said he was against convening a Parliamentary session to elect a new head of state with less than a two-third quorum.
Syria, according to Tueni, is "determined to prevent" the international tribunal from condemning it in the 2005 assassination of ex-premier Rafik Hariri and related crimes. He expected more assassinations and bombings in Lebanon, stressing that "Syria cannot remain a trouble-distributing pit No state managed to proceed with this role."
Tueni said religious leaders cannot rule Lebanon, stressing that "I do not welcome a military" person in the president's office. "The history of military rule in the Arab World is not encouraging," Tueni noted.
He's got a point ....
The escalation of verbal campaigns reflects a desire to "bargain with the aim of reaching a compromise," Tueni said. The Lebanese "are not stupid and will not commit suicide," he said in answering a question as to whether civil war was possible.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/27/2007 00:00 ||
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MP Walid Jumblatt's Progressive Socialist Party demanded that the head of the Popular Bloc MP Elie Skaff provide evidence that he did not sell land to Iran. "It is a rare, even abnormal, condition for a country to invade the property of another state in order to carry out its expanded projects," said PSP spokesman Rami Rayess in a statement published by the daily An Nahar on Sunday.
Jumblatt had accused Skaff of selling 600,000 square meters (150 acres) of real estate to Iran's ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad-Reza Sheybani. The PSP statement claimed that MP Hassan Yaqoub, a member in the Popular Bloc as well as Skaff's son "are fully aware of the deal that was cut with Iran's ambassador to Damascus Mohammed Hasan Akhtari."
It said Akhtari "seems to be closely operating Hezbollah projects in Lebanon" and accused him of "pursuing details of the Hezbollah project which aims at creating a state within the state. Purchase of land and the introduction of demographic changes are key establishments of this state."
Referring to a request by Skaff that Jumblatt provides evidence that he sold "vast areas of land," Rayess said: "Quite the opposite, it's MP Skaff who is required to prove that he did not sell these properties."
Posted by: Fred ||
08/27/2007 00:00 ||
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Iran's Revolutionary Guard has quietly become one of the most significant political and economic powers in the Islamic Republic, with ties to more than 100 companies , which by some estimates control more than $12 billion in business and construction, economists and Iranian political analysts say.
Under the leadership of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a former Revolutionary Guard commander, the force also has extended its reach in the Cabinet: 14 of 21 members are former Guard commanders. Former officers also hold 80 of the 290 seats in the parliament.
The Guard was created in 1979 as a military and intelligence force to protect the ideals of Iran's Islamic Revolution. But the 125,000-strong force has used the massive military engineering capability it developed rebuilding the country after the 1980-88 war with Iraq to take over the strategic highlands of the Iranian economy.
The legendary people's army now has its hand in a broad and diverse variety of activities, such as dentistry and travel, and has become the dominant player in public construction projects across the country, say businessmen and economists in Tehran and analysts abroad. Under the leadership of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a former Revolutionary Guard commander, the force also has extended its reach in the Cabinet: 14 of 21 members are former Guard commanders. Former officers also hold 80 of the 290 seats in the parliament and a host of local mayorships and local council seats. Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, is a former Guardsman.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
08/27/2007 00:00 ||
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#3
YNETNEWS < KUWAITI SHEIK GIVES IRAN WARNING. Iran is imperialist-ambitious in ways not only nuklar, but is also out to control the Arab = Muslim? identity and character.
#4
the organization's economic role is a breach of the original mission he helped craft for it as an associate of Khomeini: to act as a people's army, a protector of revolutionary ideals and an obstacle against any coup attempt by the regular army.
Well, just declare the Pasdaran a "living" organization. Problem solved!
#5
When a single entity, the IRG in this case, controls virtually all significant economic and development projects, one can have great confidence that quality and efficiency will be missing. This system is highly unstable, and tottering. It WILL collapse, with or without our help, but it would be nice to give it a 'nudge' so it collapses in a predictable direction. The collapse of the Weimar economy led to the rise of the Nazis - what would the collapse of the IslamoNazi economy lead to?
#6
At this point - unknown. Given the disorganization and lack of cohesion among the opposition, it would likely be a coalition of the less-radical mullahs and some of the intelligencia.
#9
That could be a good sign---rich people, having a lot more to lose, are more cautious. On the other hand, if that financial empire starts tottering...
#11
The Basij are notorious strike-breakers. They do it on orders of the Ayatollahs, the top 12 of which have average net wealth of $300,000,000 each. Last December, the Basij broke a transport drivers strike, and murdered workers in the process. May day rallies in Iran, are really anti Basij festivals.
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.
The idea of kicking something bearing their names is considered deeply offensive to Muslims. "This ball ... carries a message with it which, like an atom bomb, can cause carnage and insecurity in all parts of Afghanistan,'' a leading Afghan newspaper, Cheragh, said today. 
(SomaliNet)Somalia's top Islamist leader vowed on Saturday to wage a stronger insurgency in the capital, Mogadishu, until all Ethiopian troops withdraw from the war-shattered Horn of Africa nation, AFP reports. 
The Sudanese government has completed all necessary arrangements to receive leaders of the rebel groups in east Sudan who will arrive from Eritrea tomorrow to take oath for their new cabinet posts. Head of the supreme reception committee Ibrahim Ghandour said at a news conference today that leaders of the three fronts, Moussa Mohammad, Amna Tharar and Mabrouk Mubarak would arrive along with 64 others to take oath for their new posts. They will then head to their families in east Sudan in a bid to start a new page of peace, development and restruction, he added.
Iraq's beleaguered prime minister on Sunday lashed out at American critics who have called for his ouster, saying Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Carl Levin need to "come to their senses." 
AMMAN: On first blush, the outlook for Iraqs petroleum industry looks brighter than at any point since the US-led invasion four years ago, with exports hitting a three-year high in July and foreign oil majors jockeying for lucrative slices of its energy resources. 
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called on the French government Sunday to apologize for comments reportedly by the country's foreign minister that the Iraqi leader should step down. "We welcomed their foreign minister and we were happy with his visit, but they have to show us respect," al-Maliki told reporters. "We call upon the French government to apologize about this issue." 
Ousted Palestinian prime minister 
Palestinian Authority security forces in Bethlehem have begun cracking down on Hamas elements in recent months in anticipation of an unprecedented flow of tourists to the city, Lt.-Col. Aviv Feigel, the IDF District Coordination Liaison in the city, told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday. Since Hamas's takeover of the Gaza Strip in June and the establishment of the emergency government led by Prime Minister Salaam Fayad, the IDF has renewed relations with the PA and for the first time since 2005 has reestablished coordination committees in an effort to strengthen Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. 
Yahiya Moussa, a member of the Hamas parliament in Gaza, said the organization did not change its policy regarding suicide attacks, Israel Radio reported Sunday evening. He said reports aired in Israeli media earlier Sunday were meant to "set the ground for renewed Israeli violence against the Palestinians." Moussa added, however, that Hamas was not in complete control over its activists and that "pressure against activists in the [West] Bank could lead bring about an explosion." 
MP Walid Jumblatt's Progressive Socialist Party demanded that the head of the Popular Bloc MP Elie Skaff provide evidence that he did not sell land to Iran. "It is a rare, even abnormal, condition for a country to invade the property of another state in order to carry out its expanded projects," said PSP spokesman Rami Rayess in a statement published by the daily An Nahar on Sunday.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard has quietly become one of the most significant political and economic powers in the Islamic Republic, with ties to more than 100 companies , which by some estimates control more than $12 billion in business and construction, economists and Iranian political analysts say.
