[Tolo News] During parliament inauguration ceremony, President Karzai emphasised that Afghanistan will not be used against its neighbours including Iran and Pakistain.
President Hamid Maybe I'll join the Taliban Karzai warned that provincial reconstruction teams and some other unnecessary offices of international community hamper reconstruction process in the country.
Afghan government would act seriously to terminate all private security firms functioning in the country, he said.
"Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) and some other international offices massively hurdles reconstruction process in the country," he said.
He said by the end of 2014 the Afghan government will undertake full responsibility for security, governance and implementation of social development programmes.
He called for a quick end of war in Afghanistan and said instead beturbanned goons should be fought in their sanctuaries and safe havens outside Afghan borders.
Pointing out to Afghanistan's good relation with Soddy Arabia, Russia, Turkey, India, Iran and Pakistain, he said Afghanistan would never be used against Iran and Pakistain.
Afghan people have no more patience to see corruption, illegal moves, and weak economy and drug trafficking in the Afghan territory, he said.
Under pressure of winning candidates and massive criticism of international community made President Karzai back down from his parliament opening delay for another month and agreed to open the parliament on Wednesday.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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[Pak Daily Times] Afghanistan's Caped PresidentHamid Maybe I'll join the Taliban Karzai inaugurated parliament on Wednesday, ending weeks of political infighting, but took a dig at the West in his opening remarks, saying 'foreign interference' had been a 'serious problem'.
Karzai, who has already accused Western powers of meddling in a fraud-ridden presidential poll that saw him re-elected in 2009, said foreign interference in last year's parliamentary vote had led to a less transparent election.
"During the election process we faced serious problems in protecting people's votes, preventing fraud, and from the interference of foreigners," Karzai said in his opening speech to members of the assembly shortly before they were sworn in. "We must 'Afghanise' government institutions and the elections. Undoubtedly, elections convened by the Afghans will be more transparent, less expensive," he said.
Afghanistan's government was plunged into political crisis last week after Karzai decided to delay the opening of the new parliament by a month to allow a special poll court he established time to investigate fraud in the Sept. 18 election.
Washington is pressing Karzai to demonstrate good governance as it looks to withdraw US forces from an unpopular war now in its tenth year, and the latest showdown renewed concern about the president's credibility as an ally. Under huge pressure from winning candidates, who threatened to take their seats in parliament this month with or without him, and in the face of criticism from the United Nations, aka the Oyster Bay Chowder and Marching Society and countries supporting Afghanistan with troops and cash, Karzai backed down and agreed to a Wednesday inauguration.
Western nations were then quick to applaud the compromise and called the inauguration a "big day" for Afghanistan, but the United States said it would "closely monitor" developments. Karzai's relations with the West have often been rocky and tension came to a head last year when he accused Western countries of carrying out fraud in a presidential poll in order to install an ineffective government.
Karzai's comments on Wednesday appeared to be sparked off by criticism over his creation of a special election tribunal, the legality of which has been questioned by diplomats and rights groups who have warned of a bigger battle ahead. Karzai is thought to be unhappy with the new parliament's make-up, which although not necessarily united, has yielded a more vocal and coherent opposition bloc to challenge him.
"The special court is key. I think we can expect to see the president using what he says are legal powers to try and remove some parliamentarians," said a senior Western diplomat. "We are not over this. He will try to do something, if only to weaken legitimacy of parliament," the diplomat said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the topic.
Although parliamentarians may claim Karzai's climb-down as a victory, the president emerged from the tussle with his special court intact. Members of parliament also say it is illegal and want it dissolved. The tribunal claims the power to unseat any candidate incriminated in vote-rigging, and in an election tainted by widespread corruption, few beat feet without allegations -- whether valid or not -- against them.
While the West has acknowledged there was fraud in the poll they had pushed for the assembly to convene quickly and want Karzai's government to focus on improving security and governance with an emboldened insurgency now at its most violent. NATO, which leads a force of 150,000 in Afghanistan, also called this week for a "timely opening of parliament" if it were to start handing over security responsibilities to Afghan forces in February or March. Karzai wants his forces to take the lead in securing the whole country by the end of 2014, an ambitious plan, but one endorsed by the international community.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
refuse to provide ANY security for him - let his drug buddies do it
Posted by: Frank G ||
01/27/2011 19:29 Comments ||
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[The Nation (Nairobi)] Kenya has reportedly invited the US to investigate seven holy mans and four organisations suspected of having links with al Shabaab.
This came as it emerged that Sheikh Ali Bajero and Sheikh Binluli Abdulrazak were jugged on Monday night by the anti-terrorism police. (Read: Two jugged in terror claims)
Mr Bajero was jugged shortly after evening prayers at Brakani Mosque, while Mr Abdulrazak was nabbed when he went to visit Mr Bajero at the Coast provincial police headquarters.
This was the second time Mr Bajero was being held over links with the Somali bad turbans. He was previously jugged for allegedly recording a video urging young men to join al Shabaab.
Kenyan security agents are concerned about the increasing number of youth being recruited to join al Shabaab, which is opposed to the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia.
Police front man Mr Eric Kiraithe, however, declined to comment on the investigations, saying they were sensitive.
"I don't wish to comment on terrorism investigations at the moment," Mr Kiraithe said on Wednesday.
This came as it emerged that two men had been jugged over alleged recruitment of youths to join the hard boyz in Somalia.
Last month, police commissioner Mathew Iteere called in the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to probe two grenade attacks that killed three coppers in Nairobi's Eastleigh and Kasarani areas.
The detectives have been combing the region since the July 11 Kampala bombings which left 76 football fans dead. (Read: Alert as Death Eaters bomb Kampala)
Al Shabaab later grabbed credit for the attack. Several Kenyans are in detention in Uganda over the blasts.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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[Al Jazeera] The UN's special adviser of piracy has called for $25 million to be spent on setting up special courts for suspected pirates in Somalia's semi-autonomous enclaves of Puntland and Somaliland, as well as in Tanzania.
Jack Lang, a former French culture minister, on Tuesday recommended that the specialised courts be set up over the next eight months to begin to try some of the 90 per cent of suspected pirates who are released because nowhere can be found to try them.
The courts would operate under Somali laws. Somalia has laws?
Somalia, which is in the midst of a conflict between a largely powerless government and gangs seeking its overthrow, lacks the legal infrastructure to try pirates.
Kenya and the Seychelles have prosecuted dozens of suspects handed over by foreign navies, who patrol of the Gulf of Aden in an attempt to protect some of the world's busiest shipping lanes. However, The infamous However... both have said they would have difficulties coping if all the seized pirates were sent to them.
Lang was briefing members of the UN Security Council on the increasing threat of piracy, which costs the global economy an estimated $7 billion to $12 billion a year.
"Pirates are becoming the masters of the Indian Ocean," he said. "The pirate economy ... is having a destabilising effect on Somalia and the entire region owing to rising prices, insecurity of energy supplies and loss of revenue."
About 30 ships, ranging from fishing boats to bulk carriers, are currently held by Somali pirates. Around 1,900 people have been taken hostage since the end of 2008.
Lang also recommended that two special prisons be built, one in Somaliland and one in Puntland, with capacity of 500 prisoners each, with a third to be built in Puntland soon afterward.
Any such project will have to be authorised by the Security Council, which took no immediate decision after listening to Lang's oral presentation.
Lang also proposed all countries should make piracy a criminal offense and impose universal jurisdiction for it, meaning they could prosecute pirates whatever their nationality and wherever the offense took place.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
See also RELATED > PEOPLES DAILY FORUM = SOMALI PIRACY EXPANDS AS [Regional = near-aboard]PIRATE PROSECUTION SOUGHT.
ARTIC = UN Special Advisor claims that, unless checked effectively, the SOMALI PIRATES may devol into becoming anti-Trade, Criminal = Pirate "MASTERS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN"???
#2
We already have those courts. They're called "summary" and are to be followed by an appointment with something called a "yardarm".
Posted by: Rob Crawford ||
01/27/2011 12:21 Comments ||
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#3
Is there a country in the world without a statute establishing piracy as a felony? It's sure as hell in common law, and I'm pretty sure it was in the Napoleonic code. The Commies generally cribbed the Napoleonic code for most matters, didn't they?
I don't know, I'm not a lawyer...
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
01/27/2011 14:52 Comments ||
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#4
Oh, ferchrissakes, just shoot the bastards.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
01/27/2011 18:50 Comments ||
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#5
The courts would operate under Somali laws.
Why? Because Somalia happens to be the closest country in most cases? Because Somalians are the perps usually?
[Arab News] Algeria has ordered an urgent acceleration of wheat imports, aiming to snuff out unrest over food prices which helped oust Tunisia's leader and sent protesters onto the streets of its North African neighbors.
Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia issued the instruction to the state grain agency to speed up imports of soft and durum wheat, a government source told Rooters on Wednesday.
Algeria has bought more than one million tons of wheat so far in January, a tumultuous month in North Africa which has seen Tunisia's President Zine Al-Abidine ouster and rare protests break out at home and in Egypt.
The rise in food prices in Tunisia combined with high unemployment and a widening gap between rich and poor to help spark deadly riots which brought down the ruling regime.
Concerns that other regimes in North Africa and the Middle East may suffer a Tunisia "contagion" have helped send wheat prices spiking to multi-year highs on international markets.
Wheat futures in Chicago rose to the highest levels in nearly 2-1/2 years on Wednesday in anticipation of increased demand for US wheat from key importers nervous about food security and shrinking world supplies.
CBOT wheat for March delivery climbed to a peak of $8.48-1/4 a bushel, up more than one percent on the day and the highest level for the benchmark front month since August 2008.
The United Nations, aka the Oyster Bay Chowder and Marching Society Food Agency said on Wednesday that new price shocks have raised serious concerns about implications for food markets in vulnerable countries with prices close to levels that triggered food riots in 2007/08. "It looks like Algeria is coming into the market to prevent the 'Tunisia virus' spreading," one German trader said. "Keeping food prices down is one way of keeping your people happy."
Rising food prices sparked days of rioting in several Algerian towns including the capital earlier this month. Two people died and hundreds were maimed during festivities between rioters and police, officials said.
To calm the situation, Algeria has decided to cut the cost of some foodstuffs and to increase by 18 percent the amount of soft wheat it supplies to the local market each month. Other countries in the region have this month either relaxed food taxes or duties on food imports or cut prices of staple foods.
In remarks attributed to Ouyahia a government source stressed the urgency of the grain import program and emphasized the move was firmly aimed at ensuring food security.
"I want you urgently to order the OAIC (state grain agency) to speed up the pace of imports of soft wheat and durum wheat," the source quoted Ouyahia as saying in the instruction, which was circulated to officials.
"The government expects the imports to guarantee all the needs of the people for this commodity." Analysts were quick to make the link to food security at a time when wheat supply has tightened after weather related problems, including last year's drought in the Black Sea and flooding damage in Australia which has hit crop quality.
"All these countries are scared stiff, especially when you see what is happening in Egypt," French analyst Michel Portier from Agritel said, noting that he expected Cairo to tender to buy more wheat soon.
Regional neighbor Egypt, grappling with unprecedented protests against geriatric President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule, on Wednesday said it had six months of wheat supply and that its buying program was normal.
Nomani Nomani, vice chairman of the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC), told Rooters: "Further contracts will just be to secure strategic supplies." Soddy Arabia, which on Monday expressed concern that a global rise in food prices could drive up inflation, earlier this month said it hoped to double wheat reserves to a year's worth within three years.
Talk circulated in European grain markets on Wednesday that the Gulf kingdom could be looking to tender for as much as 500,000 tons of wheat soon, while Algeria was expected back into the markets for wheat soon.
"There is still wheat around even though prices are high, Algeria is an oil country which can afford to pay," the German trader said.
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01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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[Bangla Daily Star] Harkatul Jihad al Islami (HuJI Founded in 1984 by Fazlur Rehman Khalil and Qari Saifullah Aktar. The Bangla branch was established in 1992 with assistance from Osama bin Laden. Recruits come mostly from Deobandi madrassahs. HuJI and Fazlur Rehman Khalil are signators of bin Laden's declaration of war on the west. ) used a grenade to kill Awami League leader SAMS Kibria in 2004 from a cache it was supposed to transport to India-administered Kashmire for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
The LeT high-ups in Pakistain
The ones who reported directly to the ISI?
had sent the cache to Bangladesh to despatch it to their men in Kashmire through Satkhira border. But the HuJI did not dare to follow the instruction thanks to the Indian authorities' interception of the previous consignment.
*snicker* Wise decision.
The cache of 32 grenades, which the HuJI received in Chittagong, rested in Bangladesh for a while before those were used in different major attacks. The grenades were hurled at AL chief and then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina on August 21, 2004, the then British high commissioner Anwar Choudhury, AL leaders Suranjit Sengupta, Syeda Jebunnesa Haq, and Badruddin Ahmed Kamran, also mayor of Sylhet.
No doubt the ISI approved of the mayhem, afterward.
The revelation came six years into the sensational killing of former finance minister Kibria at an AL rally in Baidder Bazar in Habiganj.
Talking to The Daily Star, sources involved in the investigation said this major finding could lead to arrest of those criminal masterminding the murder.
Rafiqul Islam of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) who is tasked with carrying out an additional investigation into the killing, said, "We now know who supplied the grenades and who received those in Bangladesh."
But he would not identify by name the HuJI men who were directly involved in the incident.
Sources say Mozaffar Shah, leader of the Kashmire-based LeT, sent the grenades to Chittagong through a ship from Pakistain.
"Majid Butt and Moulana Tajuddin were responsible for receiving those in Chittagong and transport the lot to the capital," says a source.
Abdul Majid Butt, who also used the name Yusuf Butt,
A wise decision.
is an Indian national and senior leader of Kashmire-based Islamic exemplar organisation Hizbul Mujahideen. He had been staying in Bangladesh for long using different names to hide his identity. He married a woman from Pabna and was staying in different parts of the country including Dhaka.
Law enforcers jugged Majid with firearms in the capital's Uttara on January 7, 2009. His identity as a Islamic exemplar operative in disguise was revealed in an investigation that ended by the yearend.
Moulana Tajuddin is the brother of Abdus Salam Pintu, BNP leader and former deputy minister of BNP-Jamaat-led four-party alliance government. A leader of the HuJI, Tajuddin went into hiding after the August 21 grenade attack.
LeT, Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammad are linked with an alliance operating in India-administered Kashmire. HuJI is the local controller for smuggling firearms, ammunition and explosives there through Bangladesh.
"The Indian Border Security Force intercepted a consignment of firearms and explosives during such an attempt by the end of 2003 or beginning of 2004. This shook the HuJI men in Bangladesh," adds the source.
As a result, the HuJI men stopped transporting the 32 grenades and kept those in Bangladesh, the source continues.
"Moulana Tajuddin brought those to Dhaka with the help of Butt."
Of the grenades, nine were sent to HuJI men in Sylhet region for use in different attacks on AL leaders and the then British high commissioner.
Sharif Shahedul Alam Bipul, a leader of HuJI's Sylhet region who received the grenades and distributed those as per their "needs", kept one to kill SAMS Kibria, say sources.
"Instructed by Bipul, one Nayeem Ahmed Arif alias Limu gave the grenade to Badrul Alam Mizan to execute Kibria killing plan on January 27, 2005," another source says.
Mizan had Mizanur Rahman Mithu, Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Badrul with him during the operation, the source adds.
Splitting in two groups, Mizan and Mohammad Ali were riding on a cycle of violence, while the rest took an auto-rickshaw to reach Baidder Bazar where Kibria, also the politician elected from the constituency, was attending a programme as the chief guest.
"Though assigned to throw the grenade, Mohammad Ali got nervous and asked Mizan to do it. Well-trained in handling explosives, Mizan carried out the mission successfully," says the source.
Talking on the motive of the killing, sources quoted nabbed HuJI leader Mufti Abdul Hannan as saying that the HuJI Majlish-e-Shura was of the view that the AL is an anti-Islam and pro-Indian political party that needed to be eliminated.
"This viewpoint led Bipul to design several plans to attack AL leaders in Sylhet region," the source adds.
Well-placed sources say many leaders of the then government were fully aware of the HuJI activities. Instead of taking any steps against it, they kept mum encouraging HuJI men to continue with their plans.
"Though several such instances have been found in our probe, we don't have enough hard evidence to officially bring charges against them," comments an investigator.
Only Lutfozzaman Babar, former state minister for home, has been shown jugged in connection with the Kibria murder. His name might also come in the charge sheet, adds the source.
"What we have learned about Babar so far regarding his involvement is that he helped Moulana Tajuddin escape to Pakistain," said investigation officer (IO) Rafiqul Islam.
After his detention by the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence in 2005, Tajuddin revealed information about all the attacks including smuggling of firearms and explosives. Accordingly, the DGFI men conveyed the information to the government high-ups including Babar.
Babar later arranged a safe passage for Tajuddin to Pakistain.
"Being the state minister for home, Babar helped Tajuddin escape and diverted the course of investigation. We're now examining whether his role allows us to accuse him officially in the charge sheet," the IO added.
The sources say Sherlocks have so far identified 15 HuJI men and Babar against who they can press charges.
The CID and the government officials concerned are now scrutinising the draft of the additional probe report.
Nine out of the 16 accused are behind the bars now. They are Babar, Mufti Hannan, Abu Zandal, Mohibullah Ovi, Bipul, Limu, Badrul Alam Mizan, Mizanur Rahman Mithu and Majid Butt. The runaways are Tajuddin, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Badrul, Mufti Abdul Hye, Mufti Shafiqur Rahman and Yusuf bin Sharif.
Ahsanullah Kajal, who was jugged in India, died there.
During the BNP-Jamaat rule, the Sherlocks pressed charges against 10 local leaders of BNP and its front organisations.
Kibria's family and complainant of the case advocate Abdul Mazid Khan, MP, did not accept that charge sheet. The caretaker government later ordered an additional probe into the killing.
Asma Kibria, widow of Kibria, said she has no idea what is coming up in the investigation.
"What I know is from newspaper reports. And I am not satisfied because I thought the Awami League government could expedite the process and take shorter period of time," she told The Daily Star.
"We are disappointed. If the party my husband worked for, which is now in power, fails to punish the killers, we don't see any slightest possibility of justice in future.
"Not because that my husband was a leader of Awami League, I have the right to get justice as a common citizen of the country," she added.
Asma Kibria thinks some of the then government assisted the HuJI men in killing SAMS Kibria. "Those criminal masterminds have to be identified and punished duly," she added.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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LONDON Britain on Wednesday overturned some of its most unpopular anti-terrorism measures imposed after the Sept. 11 attacks, but stopped short of ending the contentious practice of ordering suspects not charged with any crime to live under partial house arrest.
Some of the changes are reasonable, as security consciousness over-reached after 9/11 -- in the U.S. as well, as witness the Department of Homeland Security and Patriot Act. Some of the changes, however, are going to lead to trouble.
Home Secretary Theresa May told lawmakers she had overhauled draconian powers which were out of step with other Western democracies, but acknowledged stringent curbs were still needed to curtail a small number of extremists.
Following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States and 2005 suicide bombings on London, Britain introduced some of the toughest laws in the West, allowing police to hold suspected terrorists for up to 28 days before they must be charged or released. Tony Blair had made an unsuccessful bid to have Parliament approve a 90-day limit.
U.S. authorities have only seven days and French police only six. Under Mays new regime, British police must now lay charges within two weeks.
For too long, the balance between security and British freedoms has not been the right one, May said in a statement.
Police will no longer be permitted to carry out random searches of the public, or prevent tourists from photographing London landmarks on the grounds they are potential terrorist targets.
But May acknowledged that the government would be able to reintroduce a tougher regime on short notice if there were major fears of an imminent attack.
She also confirmed that Britains most contentious power, a house arrest-style program known as control orders, would be reformed rather than scrapped. The orders are used to handle suspects deemed a risk to national security, but who arent accused of a specific crime and cant be deported because European law wont allow them to be sent to countries where they face possible torture.
If they're dangerous enough to be a security risk, charge and hold them. Control orders only confuse the issue and suggest a sort of 'incarceration lite', which in turn suggests that the person for whom the order is issued isn't really being charged with a crime. It can be mis-used easily. And if you can't deport someone who is dangerous, stash them somewhere -- for example, a military base in Cuba.
Eight people all British are currently being held under the program, which can impose a curfew of up to 16 hours per day, require a suspect to wear an electronic anklet, restrict their contact with others and ban an individual from using the Internet or traveling overseas.
May said a renamed system will require suspects to wear an electronic tag and stay at a specific address overnight for about eight to 10 hours. An individual will have no Internet access via their cell phone, and only a limited ability to visit websites from any home computer. Suspects could also be banned from visiting specific buildings or streets, and from meeting with certain people.
Unlike in the past, May said the High Court will need to grant prior approval for authorities to impose the new system. An individual must be freed after two years unless police can produce evidence of new terrorist activity.
Why two years? Either the person is dangerous, and thus should be arrested, charged and tried, or they're not, in which case release them or deport them.
The changes will also prevent most serious suspected terrorists being moved away from their family and potential conspirators. Ken Macdonald, an ex-director of public prosecution who oversaw the review, said that policy had been a form of internal exile.
Correct. If they're that dangerous, why allow them around 'potential conspirators'?
Control orders were imposed after Britains courts outlawed the jailing of suspects without trial in 2004. A total of 48 people have been held under the measures since 2005. Those currently detained include suspects tied to the 2006 plot to down trans-Atlantic airliners with liquid explosives, an alleged senior al-Qaida fixer and a man who repeatedly declared his desire to carry out a suicide attack.
The first set should be tried and imprisoned, the senior fixer should either be tried or shipped to Guantanamo, and the third one should be committed to a psychiatric facility for evaluation and treatment (or release).
Mays decision to roll back laws comes despite recent jitters among security officials over possible terrorist attacks against Europe. Nine men were charged last month over an alleged plan to attack Parliament and the U.S. Embassy in London.
She said many tough measures had alienated British Muslims, hampering the work of law enforcement to win their support and gather intelligence on extremists.
Which wasn't going to work anyway since many of the British Muslims don't consider themselves British, which is the first and most fundamental problem.
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
It should be simple, just an objective review calculating several factors.
The first is how many "actual", not theoretical, terrorists and terrorist acts were prevented with the law. Second, how expensive and popular or unpopular is the law.
Third, is the law just an exercise in profiteering by some vested interest. Fourth, is the law being abused for non-terrorism related activities, contravening established civil liberties.
Fifth, is there a better way to achieve the same goals, such as using racial and religious profiling. Ahem.
#2
Correct. If they're that dangerous, why allow them around 'potential conspirators'?
cuz otherwise they won't be able to attend Friday prayers at Ye Olde Mosque
Posted by: Frank G ||
01/27/2011 10:53 Comments ||
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#3
Distinguishing actual vs. "theoretical" terror attacks prevented isn't perhaps all that clear cut. Where do you draw the line?
If, for instance, a group wants to get hold of a biological agent or certain bombmaking expertise, there may be very good reasons one wants to disrupt that well before they get to the attack stage. For one thing, such materials and expertise can be proliferated to others. I would count disrupting such an attempted procurement to be a valuable contribution.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says that Chechen separatists had nothing to do with Monday's deadly suicide attack on Moscow's Domodedovo Airport.
The explosion that ripped through the arrival terminal of Russia's busiest airport killed 35 people and wounded over 130 others.
Russian authorities suspect the attack was a suicide bombing. They are investigating links to Islamic extremists from the North Caucasus, who have carried out previous terror attacks in Moscow.
Putin told reporters on Wednesday that preliminary checks have ruled out links to the Chechen Republic. But he didn't deny that other extremist groups in the North Caucasus could be responsible.
(Itar-Tass) -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has confirmed that Russia will never negotiate with terrorists.
"No self-respecting country in the world ever takes this path. Attempts to negotiate with Islamic fascistiand gun-hung tough guys in the early 1990s led us to the first and second Chechen war," the head of the Cabinet told news hounds.
Putin said that defiance of talks with Islamic fascististemmed "not only from the sense of dignity."
"It is international practice to combat terrorism. As soon as we enter into negotiations with terrorists, aggression grows, and so does the number of victims. The world practice is nobody ever enters into talks with the terrorists," Putin said.
"With regard to possible negotiations with anyone else ... We have never refused to negotiate and we have had talks with all political forces who want to settle the situation," Putin said. "These negotiations were conducted in the midst of the crisis in Chechnya and that dialogue allowed for resolving the situation in Chechnya."
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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SEOUL, Jan. 26 (Yonhap) -- State prosecutors on Wednesday said they have started a probe on a former spy chief who may have leaked classified information during an interview and in a book he co-wrote.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office said Kim Man-bok, former head of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) is undergoing investigation because of a recent interview carried in a Japanese magazine and a book criticising Seoul's current hardline stance toward North Korea. Without going into detail, the office said that the NIS requested a probe alleging that Kim may have leaked sensitive information he attained while in office under the previous administration.
Kim was the country's spy master from 2006 through 2008 under President Roh Moo-hyun, whom conservatives claim was "too soft" toward North Korea.
"The probe is being carried out like any other with prosecutors investigating the allegations raised by the NIS," a source said.
Kim said in the interview and the book that the incumbent Lee Myung-bak administration has transformed the West Sea into a "sea of war."
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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North Korea on Wednesday complained the South should set no "unilateral preconditions" for dialogue or "attempt to dictate the order of various talks," apparently irked by the South's insistence that Pyongyang must apologize for last year's provocations before talks can progress to other issues.
A spokesman for the North Korean Foreign Ministry made the remarks in a statement, adding, "It is important to maintain the right atmosphere for dialogue."
"A genuine attitude to dialogue is to untangle knots one by one based on the principle of seeking common ground but putting aside differences," the spokesman added.
The statement apparently targets the South Korean government position that the North must apologize for sinking the Navy corvette Cheonan and shelling Yeonpyeong Island and show it is sincere about denuclearization if genuine talks are to go ahead. The North earlier called for the two sides to "present their views" about the provocations in high-level military talks.
"Dialogue is essential to remove the root cause of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula -- a problem caused by the U.S. threat of nuclear war and its hostile policy toward" North Korea, the statement said. The spokesman claimed the North remains determined "to realize denuclearization of the entire peninsula" or "fully implement" the Sept. 19, 2005 joint statement agreed in the six-party nuclear talks "based on the spirit of equality and concurrent action."
By "concurrent action" the North means its belief that the joint statement stipulates a tit-for-tat arrangement rewarding the North with a concession for each small step toward denuclearization.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin sent a message to his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong-chun the same day proposing that the two sides hold a preliminary working-level meeting in preparation for military talks on the southern side of the truce village of Panmunjom on Feb. 11.
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
ION PEOPLES DAILY FORUM > RUSSIA PURCHASING [French = MISTRALS] WARSHIPS TO RESIST JAPAN'S [future]TERRITORIAL EXPANSION [e.g. South Kuriles = Japanese Northern Islands]?
* SAME > TAIWAN: MAINLAND CHINA SUPPORTS HONG-KONG-TAIWAN ECONOMIC PACT.
* SAME > LONG LIVE BRIC, WELCOME MIST [Malaysia-Indoneisa-South Korea-Taiwan].
#3
Go eat pride and juche. I don't even get why South Korea is bothering with talks. Do they think their northern cousins are less likely to throw tantrums with artillery barrages if they let their spokeslunatics scream themselves hoarse over a conference table in Panmunjom now and again?
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
01/27/2011 14:59 Comments ||
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Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle says that diplomats have asked to see one of their citizens of Afghan origin who is currently in US military custody.
Prosecutors in Frankfurt had previously said the man, Haddid N, 23, a civil engineering student, had been investigated by Germany and had his passport seized because of suspicions that he wanted to join the jihad in Afghanistan.
Sounds like he got most of the way there.
Prosecutions spokeswoman Doris Moeller-Scheu said Haddid N had been the target of an inquiry until last year but the file was closed because no contact with terrorists could be established.
She said the confiscation of the passport had prevented Haddid N travelling to Bahrain, where he said he planned to board a further flight to Dubai to take a holiday in his brother's company. He sued for the return of his passport and won his case against German authorities.
A newspaper, the Sueddeutsche Zeitung, said the man was taken into custody on January 8 at his father's home in Kabul.
Abdullahi Mohamed trained as a jihadi for al-Shabaab in Mogadishu but left them and returned to Canada in 2009. He had originally come to Canada in 1989 as a teen.
Mohamed now lives and works in Toronto. He claims to have left al-Shabaab because he never accepted its radical views.
But they had a great health care plan.
But many young Muslim Torontonians are still joining, he said.
"They are an organization that is recruiting, effectively, young, Western Muslim youth," he said.
Mohamed said he fears that unless Canada's government reaches out to young Muslims more will join al-Shabaab.
"Help us before they use us. Employ us before they employ us. The ball is in your court federal government. Wake up before the blood is soaked in the streets of Toronto, like it was in London, Stockholm and New York."
Did I just hear you say "Pay us or we'll mass murder you in the streets."?
McChrystal praised the "aggressive use of technology" that the rest of the conference celebrates. But "by far the hardest part" of networked warfare, he said, was "to create a culture" that gets different military and civilian units linked up by technology fighting as a team. In other words, the technical network won't work without the social one.
"You don't give a senior leader a Blackberry or an iPhone and make them a digital leader," McChrystal said. Today's commanders might spend endless hours on video conferences talking to their subordinates around the world. But without a "shared consciousness and purpose" across team members who come from very different backgrounds, they might as well close their Skype windows.
Reaching the height of its influence under Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, net-centric war proponents like the late Vice Adm. Arthur Cebrowski argued that linking troops with better communications and information-tech tools would create a faster, lighter and more efficient military.
But those thinkers warned that the gear wouldn't work without an internal cultural shift; some proponents even proposed junking the armed forces' hierarchy to accommodate a new, information-age military.
The problem was, the networks were closed loops, and inward-facing. They neglected the need for a military to understand the distinct cultures of populations they interacted with. Without that, the best-connected troops were still hobbled by ignorance. That oversight contributed mightily to the United States' troubles in Iraq and Afghanistan.
And it allowed a new generation of military theorists to rise to prominence: the counterinsurgents, who argue that local knowledge and cultural understanding is the best asset a military can cultivate. That, and fighters and ROEs that let the locals know who the strong horse is in no uncertain terms.
#1
You dont give a senior leader a Blackberry or an iPhone and make them a digital leader, McChrystal said. Todays commanders might spend endless hours on video conferences talking to their subordinates around the world. But without a shared consciousness and purpose across team members who come from very different backgrounds, they might as well close their Skype windows.
I wonder if today's commanders can spend too much time networking via the computer to the extent that they lose sight of the war?
What's next? If you disagree with your superiors or subordinates, what do you do "unfriend" them on the social network?
There is a good deal that I don't understand about modern warfare.
#2
The central idea of net-centric warfare is that information, which offers strategic and operational advantage. should flow where it's most useful, quickly. An Army War College after action review of the 2003 run up to Baghdad called the rapid collection and dissemination of battlespace info via UAVs etc. the first, albeit nascent, instance of netcentricity at work.
Netcentricity has several implications beyond fielding comms and sensor capability and the ability to form a common operational picture across the services and at various echelons of command. It means platoon leaders in Iraq exchanging street level observations and lessons learned without flowing them up the hierarchy and back down 24 months later as outdated intel or doctrine. DARPA fielded an experimental capability called TIGRENet which did just that. Young Snuffy comes back from leading his first go through the neighborhood and announces that Sheikh so and so welcomed him and was most cooperative. The more experienced non-comms introduce him to reality through their comments on his report, which was uploaded from his special PDA before he hit the rack that night.
But apart from that sort of lessons-learned-from-your-peers, TIGERNet also put a lot of real time info in the hands of platoon leaders. Updated maps and other info distributed as soon as it was sent in. Now there's situational awareness across AORs rapidly, so the bigger picture emerges more quickly and gets to the people who need it on the ground.
McCrystal was special ops. SOCOM lives - or dies - based on their mastery of local languages, cultures etc. and in a place like Afghanistan we're fielding regular soldiers who don't have the luxury of years of training and prep for that sort of insertion. He's reminding folks that the gear and apps aren't all that helpful in counterinsurgency / asymmetrical warfare / stability ops if you don't have a bloody clue about the meaning of what's going on around you.
#3
By the way, most of the key writings on netcentric warfare can be downloaded for free.
The 1999 Network Centric Warfare book is a good place to start, but Power to the Edge (Alberts and Hayes 2003) and Understanding Command and Control (Alberts and Hayes 2006) flesh out the implications in more detail.
A controversial Muslim cleric ousted from Canada three years ago was found hiding in the trunk of a BMW in east San Diego, after sneaking across the border on foot, by U.S. Border Patrol agents earlier this month. ahould've impounded the car and let it sit in a hot asphalt lot for a week or two
Said Jaziri, a Tunisian Imam, is being held as a material witness against American citizen Kenneth Robert Lawler who was driving the vehicle Jan. 11. Lawler is charged with immigrant smuggling. Bye Ken!
Jaziri will not face charges for being in the country illegally until the case against Lawler is over. At that time he will be processed for deportation to Tunisia, said Steven Pitts, spokesman for the U.S. Border Patrol. Air drop him from 35,000 feet. Allah will save his sorry ass. He's a dirtbag
As the Imam of the Al-Qods mosque in Montreal, Jaziri was well-known for being outspoken on behalf of Sharia law, a strict form of Islamic law, and for denouncing homosexuality. Except for the young boys, that's Islamic Love
Posted by: Frank G ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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The newly appointed vice chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband in Uttar Pradesh, India, Maulana Ghulam Muhammad Vastanvi, has announced his resignation, an Indian TV channel reported on Wednesday. Maulana Vastanvi, an MBA, who hails from Surat in Gujarat ...where rioting seems to be a traditional passtime... , was elected VC on January 10, has been facing protests from students at the seminary after he had said that Mohammedans should forget the communal pogrom of 2002 and move on and that the community did not face discrimination in Chief Minister Narendra Modi's state, Gujarat. Maulana Vastanvi, who had recently praised development works in Gujarat, had earlier clarified that he had not given a clean chit to Modi in the 2002 riots. "Those who were involved in Gujarat riots should be punished," he told news hounds on Saturday at the seminary after taking charge and added that he has never praised BJP leader Modi.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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As the III Corps mission in Iraq winds down and the Soldiers prepare to return to Central Texas, Lt. Gen. Bob Cone, USF-I deputy commanding general for operations and III Corps commander, highlighted the positive impact the unit has had during its year-long deployment, and the challenges still facing Iraq as they prepare to depart.
[Asharq al-Aswat] Well informed Iraqi sources in the Shiite holy cities of Najaf and Qom have revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the leader of the Sadrist movement, Moqtada Tater al-Sadr ... the Iranian catspaw holy man who was 22 years old in 2003 and was nearing 40 in 2010... , who returned to Iran after spending only two weeks in Iraq, left after receiving threats from the Asaib Ahl al-Haq group, and due to fears that the arrest warrant, issued against him against the backdrop of the liquidation of Shiite holy man Abdul Majid al-Khoei in April 2003, would be enforced. The arrest warrant being the lesser of his troubles...
Informed sources in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf disclosed to Asharq Al-Awsat that "those observing what is happening did not expect al-Sadr to remain in the city of Najaf for long, because of rumours about serious threats being issued against him by the Asaib Ahl al-Haq group. The Asaib Ahl al-Haq group is said to have issued a statement declaring the killing of Moqtada al-Sadr lawful. This statement was then distributed to some residents of Najaf, who subsequently detailed its content to the leader of the Sadrist movement." It's one thing to be the BMOC, it's another to be dead...
The Najaf source also revealed that "sources close to al-Sadr informed him of their fears that governmental parties -- in a reference to Nouri al-Maliki -- will try to exploit the arrest warrant issued against him by a Najaf investigative judge in late 2003...for al-Khoei's death."
Asaib Ahl al-Haq is a Shiite cut-thoat group in Iraq, led by Qais Khazali, which has grabbed credit for over 6,000 attacks on US, Coalition, and Iraqi forces, and is known to specialize in liquidation and kidnapping operations. The group was previously part of the Mahdi army, a paramilitary force led by al-Sadr, and he utilized this group to carry out a number of operations against his political opponents. However Asaib Ahl al-Haq split from al-Sadr and the Mahdi army after it began to receive direct financial and logistical support from Tehran, and today it is recognized as being the largest Special Group in Iraq. Khazali was captured by US forces in March 2007, before being released as part of a hostage deal.
Sources informed Asharq Al-Awsat that [members of] Asaib Ahl al-Haq received training in Iranian [military] camps close to Iraq, directed by the Iranian Qods Force, which is led by Brigadier General Qassim Soleimani. The source added that this militia has strong influence in "Storied Baghdad, the Middle Euphrates region, including Karbala and Najaf, as well as the southern provinces, most notably Basra." The source added that "Qais Khazali is one of the main suspects in the murder of al-Khoei, and he was Moqtada al-Sadr's right-hand man. He was also responsible for the kidnapping of 5 Britons from the Ministry of Finance headquarters in central Storied Baghdad in May 2007, with the aid of government and security officials. These 5 Britons were nabbed on Iranian territory close to Basra."
The al-Maliki government released Khazali in December 2009 as part of a deal with the Asaib Ahl al-Haq group, in return for the release of British hostage Peter Moore, who was kidnapped from the Iraqi Finance Ministry in May 2007, along with his 4 security guards.
The Najaf sources confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that "Moqtada al-Sadr left the city of Najaf in secret, after he arrived [in Iraq] on the 5th January 2011, on the same plane that transported Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi from Tehran, who was carrying out his first visit to Iraq." The source added that "news of Moqtada al-Sadr leaving the country remained a secret until after he had set off from Najaf. Even the senior members of his own movement did not know he would be travelling, due to the gravity of the threats issued against him by Asaib Ahl al-Haq. This also led to heightened security around his house in the Al-Hanana neighbourhood [of Najaf], and restrictions were applied to his visitors, with senior members of the Sadrist movement unable to meet with him."
National Alliance MP Baha al-Araji, who is a senior member of the Sadrist movement, confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that al-Sadr's return to Qom, after just two weeks in Iraq, came as a surprise.
Al-Araji told Asharq Al-Awsat that "al-Sadr decided to begin a regional tour that was planned in advance, before his return to Iraq" adding that "he decided to begin his tour in Iran". Despite this, al-Araji refused to name the countries that al-Sadr intends to visit, or give any further details about this regional tour.
However, The infamous However... informed Iraqi sources in the Iranian holy city of Qom told Asharq Al-Awsat that "al-Sadr returned to his residence, close to the Ministry of Intelligence and National Security headquarters in Qom, in the upscale Salariya neighbourhood, where he also has a guest house to meet with important visitors." The source added that "the house which al-Sadr is residing in, along with the guest house, belong to the Qom Security Directorate, and he [also] has an office under the name of Martyr al-Sadr, in the Safayia neighbourhood of central Qom."
The source, who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat on Sunday 24th of January, also revealed that "al-Sadr's protection team, who are all Iraqis, and his luxury car, the Peugeot Pars, have been sighted close to his residence in Salariya. He has not met with anyone since his return, whether they are guests or Iranian officials." The source denied that al-Sadr had returned as part of a regional tour, but that "he has returned to stay for a long period of time. However, The infamous However... he may visit Iraq [in the future], in an intermittent and secret manner."
The source also claimed that Moqtada al-Sadr "was planning to reside in Leb as a secondary choice after Iraq, because he has not been able to relax in Qom due to the pressure being applied on him by Iranian officials."
As for the gravity of threats issued against al-Sadr by the Asaib Ahl al-Haq group, the source said that "these threats are serious, but Asaib Ahl al-Haq are unable to operate in Iran, and Iranian officials do not want security problems within their territory, for whilst they support al-Sadr politically, they [also] support Khazali financially and logistically." The source also explained that "there are Islamic jurisprudential disputes [between al-Sadr and Khazali] with regards to religious marjas. Whilst al-Sadr follows [Grand Ayatollah] Kazem al-Haeri as his religious marja, Khazali follows [Grand Ayatollah] Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, who was born in Najaf but holds Iranian nationality, and was Chief Justice of Iran."
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
I heard the threats were from the Iraqi Dental Association.
BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: The U.S. withdrawal from Iraq shall take place on its scheduled time, at the end of 2011, according to the Strategic Agreement, signed between the two countries, to be followed by cooperation in the fields of defense and security, the official spokesman for the American Embassy in Baghdad said on Wednesday.
"The Strategic Agreement between Iraq and the United States, had reiterated that cooperation would continue after 2011 in the fields of defense and security, but such line would change from a military command into a civilian command after the withdrawal," the Saudi Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (Middle East) Newspaper quoted David Ranz as saying.
He said there "is another network of training programs, included in the Strategic Agreement between Iraq and the United States, including a program, to be led by the U.S State Department."
"The U.S. forces shall leave Iraq, according to the Security Agreement, as the departure of those forces shall mean that the last soldier under the U.S. Army shall leave Iraq," he said, adding: "naturally thee will be American officers, to work under the command of the U.S. Ambassador in Iraq, the Military Attache or the Security Assistance Office and the Guards, who shall stay in Iraq."
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
US 2011-2014 DRAWDOWN
versus
* PEOPLES DAILY FORUM > IRAQ PREPPING FOR WAR AGZ IRAN?
Milyuhns-N-Dilyuhns of USD $$$ worth of modern US-NATO Mil Equipment + professional standardized Mil Training, etc. = IRAQ ANTICIPATING FUTURE TROUBLE(S) = SHENANNIGANS VIA IRAN???
AND
* SAME > NATO WILL NOT LEAVE AFGHANISTAN AFTER 2014 TRANSITION: OFFICIAL.
[Iran Press TV] Islamist opposition in Jordan has called for fresh protests against the government's policies, saying it would press ahead with its campaign to force political and economic reforms.
Mohammedan Brotherhood, one of the largest opposition groups in Jordan, on Wednesday urged Jordanians to pour into streets later in the week to protest against Prime Minister Samir Rifai's economic policies and the political situation in the kingdom.
"We will hold rallies across Jordan after Friday prayers to demand improved living conditions as well as political and economic reforms," Mohammedan Brotherhood front man Jamil Abu Baker told AFP on Wednesday, adding that "such activities will continue until our demands are met."
In the past two weeks, thousands of Jordanians have staged peaceful protest rallies in the capital Amman and other cities, calling for political and economic reforms.
Chanting anti-government slogans, the demonstrators denounced economic reforms introduced by the prime minister, which led to cuts in subsidies for basic commodities, saying Rifai's policies have caused the soaring food and fuel prices, unemployment and poverty.
The protesters also demanded that prime minister be democratically elected rather than appointed by the King.
Inspired by Tunisian revolution, Jordanians say they will keep up the pressure until Rifai and his government resign.
Also on Wednesday, Jordan's King Abdullah II stressed the need for a program of political and economic reforms in the country to tackle popular grievances.
"Abdullah II insisted on the need to move forward with clear and transparent programs of political and economic reform, which will allow the kingdom to overcome the economic challenges, and assure Jordan and Jordanians the decent future they deserve," the royal palace cited the king as saying.
"The king underlined the need for senators and all officials to be in constant contact with the people in all provinces of the kingdom to hear their grievances and open a completely frank dialogue with them on their ambitions, their interests and the issues of the day," it added.
In response to the mass anti-government rallies, Jordan's prime minister has announced a pay raise for civil servants as well as the pensions of retired employees and expansion of a state subsidy program.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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AMMAN King Abdullah II said on Wednesday that Jordan needs to tackle popular grievances with a programme of political and economic reforms, as mass protests raged in Egypt for a second straight day.
Getting a little warm in the palace, your Highness?
Abdullah II insisted on the need to move forward with clear and transparent programmes of political and economic reform, which will allow the kingdom to overcome the economic challenges, and assure Jordan and Jordanians the decent future they deserve, the royal palace cited the king as saying in a meeting.
The king underlined the need for senators and all officials to be in constant contact with the people in all provinces of the kingdom to hear their grievances and open a completely frank dialogue with them on their ambitions, their interests and the issues of the day, it added.
The meeting with Senate President Taher Masri and other high officials was the latest in a flurry of consultations the king has held in recent days in a bid to come closer to the demands of the people, as the popular uprising in Tunisia has sent shock waves around the Arab world.
Despite the introduction of new social measures, protests have been staged in the capital Amman and other cities in the past two weeks against high prices and economic policy, with some demonstrators calling for a change of government.
On Wednesday, the Islamist opposition called for fresh protests after the main weekly Muslim prayers on Friday to press demands for political and economic reform.
Such activities will continue until our demands are met, Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Jamil Abu Baker told AFP.
At Wednesdays meeting, the king said he was confident that Jordan was stronger than the challenges it faced and was capable, with everyones cooperation, of working seriously to correct the mistakes and create the necessary mechanisms to put them right.
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
The Muslim Brotherhood will try to capitalize on the freedom from thugs movement, at least until they are in charge. Then they will be united forceful. Not good outlook for anyone in the world there.... or here.
#3
Is King Abdullah II a constitutional monarch/figurehead? I thought he ruled rather than reigned, with the prime minister acting merely as his chief executive officer rather. Am I wrong?
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Thousands of cheering Hamas supporters in Gaza on Wednesday burned effigies of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his senior aides in the rival Palestinian leadership in the West Bank, denouncing them as traitors.
Just the usual stirring of the rubes...
The protests came in response to reports by Al-Jazeera satellite TV about leaked documents from a decade of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Al-Jazeera, which has been releasing the documents gradually this week, says they show Abbas made far-reaching concessions on Jerusalem and the fate of Palestinian refugees.
A coffin draped with the photos of Abbas, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and chief negotiator Saeb Erekat also went up in flames during the march in the southern town of Rafah in Hamas-ruled Gaza.
Abbas has said hes been the victim of a smear campaign and Al-Jazeera is distorting his positions.
"Lies! All lies!"
The Islamic militant group Hamas has seized the opportunity to drive home allegations that he has no mandate from the Palestinian people to make concessions.
Abbas term expired a year ago but he has not scheduled elections because Hamas is in control of Gaza and has said it would not cooperate. Also, Hamas won the last parliamentary elections in 2006, but Abbas dismissed the Hamas-led government after Hamas overran Gaza.
On Wednesday, several thousand marched in Rafah and the nearby town of Khan Younis. In the Rafah march, Atallah Abu al-Suboh, a local Hamas leader, spoke to the crowd before the effigies, draped with Israeli flags, and the coffin were set ablaze. Those gangs, he said, pointing to the coffin, are not representing the Palestinian people.
Palestinians all over should take them away, al-Suboh said. No one has the right to compromise. No one has the right to give up our legitimate rights and principles.
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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Research grants into modified plants that turn color in the presence of explosives etc. Ultimate goal: pat down / check only those passing by when the plant signals to cameras.
I'd much rather walk through an indoor garden when I fly than the current wretched security lines. Let's see if the researchers are successful in speeding up the response and making sure the plants don't give too many false positives.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
01/27/2011 18:42 Comments ||
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#5
There are preliminary reports that the plants mutated and began imitating the current TSA grope fest type behavior, grabbing passengers in sensitive areas. They have named this variation the 'Penis Flyertrap.'
Research grants into modified plants that turn color in the presence of explosives etc. Ultimate goal: pat down / check only those passing by when the plant signals to cameras.
I'd much rather walk through an indoor garden when I fly than the current wretched security lines. Let's see if the researchers are successful in speeding up the response and making sure the plants don't give too many false positives.
[An Nahar] The Israeli Haaretz stated on Wednesday that Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati does not represent Hizbullah or Iran, but he is a close personal friend of Syrian President Bashar "Pencilneck" al-Assad ... hereditary dictator of Syria ....
It added that his appointment enjoyed La Belle France, the United States, Syria, and Soddy Arabia's support, noting that the Saudi-Syrian initiative that had been devised to end Leb's political crisis had "obviously" been rejected.
Furthermore, the paper stated that former Prime Minister Saad Hariri is still studying the possibility of joining a government headed by Miqati, probably under Soddy Arabian and Syrian pressure, despite his previous announcement that he would refuse to do so.
Addressing the possibility of Miqati eliminating the Lebanese government's relation to the Special Tribunal for Leb, Haaretz reported that should he do so, he would justify it by saying that Hariri had at one point, and under certain conditions, advocated such a move.
In addition, Hizbullah is waiting for Miqati to prove himself on the Lebanese political scene, because it considers any prime minister to be a good one as long as he fulfills the party's demands, it continued.
The report concluded that Leb will not suddenly become "more Iranian", but it may become "more Syrian" as the Arab state does not want Iran to expand its influence in the region.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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[An Nahar] The March 14 Those are the good guys, insofar as Leb has good guys... general-secretariat announced on Wednesday its rejection of a future government that aims at abolishing the international tribunal and tolerating weapons.
"We won't accept the cabinet because it will come to abolish the court and tolerate weapons," said general-secretariat coordinator Fares Soaid.
Following its weekly meeting, the general-secretariat announced in a statement "the start of the new stage under two headlines: The support of the international tribunal to achieve justice and disarmament ... so that the Lebanese would be free and not terrorized by anyone."
It expressed pride in politicians who named Saad Hariri for the PM's post, saying they "refused to betray the people and kept their March 14 stances in loyalty to their constituents."
The statement reiterated that the March 8 forces ... the opposition to the Mar. 14th movement, consisting of Hizbullah and its allies, so-called in commemoration of their Mar. 8th, 2006 demonstration of strength in Beirut ... led by Hizbullah staged a coup against Hariri and brought Najib Miqati to power illegally.
March 14 urged supporters to hold sit-ins at ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's grave in downtown Beirut's Martyrs Square every day starting 6:00 pm to revive the movement.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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[Asharq al-Aswat] An Iranian opposition figure told Asharq al-Awsat that the execution of 10 prisoners in a jail northwest of Tehran last week reflects the Iranian regime's fear of the Tunisian experiment, particularly after the Iranian government lifted the subsidies on numerous basic commodities. Meanwhile, ...back at the ranch... the opposition Mojahdin- e Khalq Organization [MKO] said that Tehran jugged 80 of its cadres in the Ashraf camp in Iraq.
In a telephone interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Dr Sanabreq Zahedi, head of the judiciary committee in the " National Council of the Iranian Resistance" [NCIR], said that the Iranian regime's execution of 10 prisoners stems from fear that a popular uprising may break out against it on the same level of the recent revolution in Tunisia where the ruling regime was toppled, particularly after the hike in prices of commodities in Iran against the background of the international sanctions imposed because of Iran's nuclear program.
Iranian opposition sources abroad said that the Iranian authorities carried out a mass execution of 10 prisoners at a prison northwest of Tehran. A statement signed by "the NCIR secretariat, said that the execution took place at the Johardasht prison in Karj (some 40 kilometers west of Tehran) at dawn on 19 January.
Asked if those executed were politicians opposed to the regime, Dr Zahedi said: "In fact, every execution in Iran is political because through such conduct the Iranian regime wants to smother the popular anger in various Iranian cities after the subsides on numerous commodities were reduced." He added: "Form the beginning of this year, the Iranian regime began a wave of executions because the regime is in conflict with internal forces," and fears an unpredictable reaction because of the hike in prices and reduced subsides.
In another development, the opposition sources said that the Iranian authorities are collaborating with the Iraqi government to arrest dozens of MKO members of the estimated 3,500 members in the Ashraf Camp located near Storied Baghdad. We have been unable to receive comment from the Iraqi authorities on this issue. The Iranian opposition sources claimed that they received information which they described as "reliable" to the effect that Iran requested Iraq to arrest 80 MKO members. They said that the request was discussed in Iran shortly before the new Iraqi government was formed by Nuri al-Maliki, but was only submitted directly in the past few days.
In a statement a copy of which was received by Asharq Al-Awsat as an e-mail, the Gay Paree-based office of the NCIR secretariat said that Iran submitted through its embassy in Storied Baghdad a request to the Iraqi authorities to arrest 80 MKO members at Ashraf Camp. They noted that some of the names on the list died years ago while others currently do not live in Iraq but in Europe and the United States. Other names on the list are "absolutely not members of the MKO or of the Iranian National Liberation Army." There has been no official Iranian comment on these allegations.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
There are bugs in the original program that haven't been fixed since the 7th century. Time to fix and reboot.
[An Nahar] Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri believed that whoever killed his father does not want him to be in power. "Whoever killed Rafik Hariri in 2005 doesn't want Saad Hariri to be in power," Hariri said in an interview with the New York Times. Quick, isn't he? Picked right up on that, by Gum...
"What's happening today is that they are trying to achieve what they wanted to achieve in 2005," Hariri said from Center House, a short way from Parliament headquarters.
Hizbullah and its allies brought down Hariri's government January 12 after a long-running standoff over the U.N.-backed probe into Hariri's 2005 assassination.
Hizbullah has said it believes some of its members will be indicted by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Hizbullah has denounced the STL as part of a U.S.-Israeli conspiracy.
President Michel Suleiman on Tuesday appointed business tycoon Najib Miqati as Lebanon's new prime minister.
The New York Times said Hariri called himself "betrayed" after Hizbullah-backed Miqati was named PM.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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[Iran Press TV] Iran's Parliament (Majlis) Speaker Ali Larijani says terrorism is a serious threat to humanity and fighting it requires the cooperation of all countries. ... depending on your definition of terrorism, natch...
"I would like to, reiterate the Islamic Theocratic Republic of Iran's readiness for regional and international cooperation in fighting the ominous phenomenon of terrorism," Larijani said on Wednesday.
The Iranian Parliament speaker offered his condolences to Speaker of the Russian State Duma Boris Gryzlov over the recent terrorist attack in Moscow, which killed at least 35 people and injured 180 others at Domodedovo Airport -- the Russian capital's most crowded international air terminal.
"The incident showed that terrorism is a serious threat to human society and fighting it requires determination, perseverance and cooperation on the part of all countries," Larijani said in a letter to Gryzlov.
Some reports have blamed North Caucasus-based separatists for the incident but no group or party has yet grabbed credit for the attack.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/27/2011 00:00 ||
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Bloomberg's dilemma: Which trendy, grievance-mongering, special interest group beloved by the progressive elite to support? Be sure to report back to us after holding your wet finger in the socket wind, Mayor.
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.
Hamid 
The UN's special adviser of piracy has called for $25 million to be spent on setting up special courts for suspected pirates in Somalia's semi-autonomous enclaves of Puntland and Somaliland, as well as in Tanzania.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says that Chechen separatists had nothing to do with Monday's deadly suicide attack on Moscow's Domodedovo Airport.
A controversial Muslim cleric ousted from Canada three years ago was found hiding in the trunk of a BMW in east San Diego, after sneaking across the border on foot, by U.S. Border Patrol agents earlier this month.
[Asharq al-Aswat] Well informed Iraqi sources in the Shiite holy cities of Najaf and Qom have revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the leader of the Sadrist movement, 
Iran's Parliament (Majlis) Speaker Ali Larijani says terrorism is a serious threat to humanity and fighting it requires the cooperation of all countries.
