Poppy cultivation in Afghanistan will go down only slightly this year despite intense coalition and Afghan efforts to reduce a crop that funds Taliban operations.
The Afghan government eradicates poppy fields in addition to trying to persuade farmers to grow other crops. But the United States and its coalition partners do not, having concluded that eradication alone hurt mostly poor farmers and alienates the population. Agriculture accounts for about 35% of Afghanistan's economy.
Instead, the coalition has backed efforts to bolster Afghanistan's roads, storage facilities and irrigation so that legal crops, such as wheat, are viable. By contrast, poppy is an easy crop to grow, store and sell and requires little water or herbicides.
#1
Instead, the coalition has backed efforts to bolster Afghanistan's roads, storage facilities and irrigation so that legal crops, such as wheat, are viable. By contrast, poppy is an easy crop to grow, store and sell and requires little water or herbicides.
The poppy, opium, and Black Tar Heroin as you know, do not need good roads for distribution. They are easily transported to consumers in zip files over the internet.
h/t Gates of Vienna
London - Tony Blair had six private meetings with Gaddafi in Libya after he left Downing Street in 2007, not just two. It was reported by the Sunday Telegraph, which suggested the revelation casts a shadow on the nature of the relations between the former British prime minister and the Libyan dictator.
SAINT-BRIEUC, France: Niger has no plans to send ousted Libyan strongman Muammar Qaddafi's footballer son Saadi home to face justice, Prime Minister Brigi Rafini said Thursday on a visit to France.
Earlier, the global police agency Interpol had issued a notice warning to its member states, which include Niger, that Libya is seeking Saadi's arrest for his alleged crimes while head of the country's football federation.
"Saadi Qaddafi is in safety, in security in Niamey, in the hands of the Niger government. There's no question of him being extradited to Libya for the moment," Rafini said in the western French town of Saint-Brieuc.
"We need to be sure he will be allowed a fair defense," he said. "Are those conditions in place today? No."
How 'bout tomorrow? Next week? We'll keep asking...
Thirty-eight-year-old Saadi fled Libya across its southern frontier to Niger after revolutionary forces stormed Tripoli and overthrew his authoritarian father's 42-year regime.
Interpol said in a statement that Saadi was wanted "for allegedly misappropriating properties through force and armed intimidation when he headed the Libyan Football Federation."
"As the commander of military units allegedly involved in the repression of demonstrations by civilians during Libyas uprising, Saadi Qaddafi is also subject to a UN travel ban and assets freeze," it said.
Interpol has already issued red notices for Qaddafi and son Seif Al-Islam. Qaddafi's whereabouts are unknown. Libya's new rulers said Wednesday they believe he may be hiding in the southern desert under the protection of ethnic Tuareg fighters, while Seif Al-Islam and another son Mutassim are holed up in cities besieged by revolutionary forces elsewhere in Libya.
Another Qaddafi son is with his daughter Aisha and wife in neighboring Algeria along with other family members while Khamis Qaddafi, who leads the Khamis Brigade that fought in the west, was either killed in battle, or is still alive, depending on whom you talk to in Libya.
If we were into wet work we could solve this problem. If we were Bulgarians and into wet work, we'd have a large supply of umbrellas...
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/30/2011 00:00 ||
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[Tripoli Post] After declaring on Monday as "cased closed" after a request from Scottish authorities to investigate more suspects in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, Libya's interim justice minister made a U-turn by saying at a news conference, that Libya would co-operate with Sherlocks in Scotland.
Mr Alagi said: "I'd like to confirm that we are accepting any facts that might arise in this regard, if there is any suspicion about any other person. We will co-operate in this regard with whoever has any other facts, according to international treaties."
Scottish prosecutors had asked Libya's National Transitional Council NTC, to give them access to papers or witnesses that could implicate more suspects in the attack. They could even include deposed leader Muammar Al Qadaffy ...Proof that a madman with money will be politely received for at least 42 years... In 2001, Abdel Basset al Megrahi was the only person convicted of the bombing. He was placed in long-term storage in a Scottish prison to serve a life sentence but was released on compassionate grounds in 2009 because he was suffering from prostate cancer.
Mr Alagi said he welcomed the possibility of a new investigation because "this will lead to the acquittal of Abdelbaset al Megrahi, who has been unjustly convicted".
Scottish prosecutors noted that the evidence in al Megrahi's trial suggested he had not acted alone. The bombing claimed the lives of 270 people
Police at the time said they had submitted a list of eight other suspects whom they wanted to interview, but Al Qadaffy had refused to allow them to be questioned.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/30/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
Mr Alagi said: "I'd like to confirm that we are accepting any facts that might arise in this regard, if there is any suspicion about any other person. We will co-operate in this regard with whoever has any other facts, according to international treaties."
TRANSLATION: "We suspect Mr. al Megrahi and his family know where there's some bucks, weapons, or other boodle that may be of interest to us, and they ain't cooperating. Would be a real shame if we had to turn him over to the folks he managed to escape once before, because you know he ain't getting loose a second time..."
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
09/30/2011 7:56 Comments ||
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#2
That or someone in the British Isles is dangling the possibility of a big payday. Either way, money is involved.
#4
The Bin Laden precedent might also have played a role. Just killing persons of interest in commando raids would be far easier than it was in Pakistan.
As President Bush said on 9/11: "We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them."
h/t Instapundit
...Two years ago, America was importing about two thirds of its oil. Today, according to the Energy Information Administration, it imports less than half. And by 2017, investment bank Goldman Sachs predicts the US could be poised to pass Saudi Arabia and overtake Russia as the world's largest oil producer. The real WOT
#1
I've been saying for years that there are still vast amounts of hydrocarbons underground and improving technology (and higher prices) will progressively make them available.
Australia is going through a coal seam gas boom and the UK has discovered more shale gas under a single county than there is projected recoverable gas in the North Sea.
#3
The United States has been....... "running out of oil" since the 1950's. Truth be known, some geologists are convinced mother earth is actually PRODUCING oil and gas as we speak!
#4
some geologists are convinced mother earth is actually PRODUCING oil and gas I'm sure. The main questions for oil production are, how much and where is it?
#7
I suspect global warmening has siphoned off a lot of the fools.
But the peak oil guys have a point. We rely on oil to run our machines and light our houses. Demand is steadily increasing and there are only so many whales in the world. Eventually, we *will* run out of whale oil.
#8
Peak oil is not about running out of anything. It's about how hard / expensive oil is to locate, extract, and deliver. It's still a theory, but national economies can get away with ignoring the theory at their peril. That half BILLION Obama wasted on Solyndra - how much good would the same investment have done in say, researching thorium reactors that could lead to converting US coal into US diesel fuel?
#9
Oh dear. I wonder where those fools who believed in peak oil (amongst other stupidity) have gone to now?
Climate change.
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/30/2011 14:02 Comments ||
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#10
I'm fairly sure that this article is in gross error. We still import about 63% of our oil. The situation in North Dakota is helping out a lot, but we also have the shortfall in the Gulf, which is bad and will be getting worse.
Glenmore probably has more exact figures handy, if he ever comes along today.
#11
We are projected to be VERY busy in North Dakota and the other neighboring states exploring the Bakken for at least 3-4 more years if not more. That was the figure thrown out before USGS stated the bakken was 2.5 times bigger than originally thought. What's even scarier is that the boom is JUST BEGINNING. The number of rigs this year is expected to be at least 100+ more than last year.
Southern crews best listen to the Northern hands telling them about the weather, it CAN and WILL kill you fast otherwise.
Posted by: Silentbrick - Halliburton Lost Drill Bit Division ||
09/30/2011 19:36 Comments ||
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#12
Look at all the years of media attention, books written, subjects taught, money spent in research and development. Taxes, elections, many many government regulations and only now the pot is boiling over. I can see how the world is flat crowd got away with that for so long. Well, better late than never.
Bahrain sentenced 20 doctors on Thursday to between five and 15 years on theft and other charges in what critics said was reprisal for treating protesters during recent unrest. A security court also sentenced a man to death for killing a policeman by driving his car over him several times and participating in illegal gatherings for "terrorist goals." Another man was given a life term for his involvement.
The doctors, who denied the charges, were among dozens of medical professionals arrested during protests led by Shi'ites demanding an end to discrimination and a greater voice in government. The doctors were charged with stealing medicine, stockpiling weapons and occupying a hospital during the unrest and also were jailed for forcibly occupying a hospital, spreading lies and false news, withholding treatment, inciting hatred of Bahrain's rulers and calling for their overthrow.
Defense lawyer Mohsen al-Alawi said, "We were shocked by the verdicts because we were expecting the doctors would be proved innocent of the crime of occupying the Salmaniya medical complex," adding the hearing had lasted no more than 10 minutes.
The doctors say the charges against them were trumped up to punish medical staff for treating people who took part in the protests.
Ten of the doctors, including senior physician Ali Al-Ekri, were given 15-year terms, two were sentenced to 10 years in prison and the rest to five. Alawi said, "After today's verdict and those issued yesterday we feel pessimism," adding they would appeal the decision.
On Wednesday a military court upheld life sentences against Shi'ite opposition leaders for organising the protests in a trial described as a "sham" by Amnesty International.
A State Department spokesman said the United States was "deeply disturbed" by the sentencing of the doctors. Spokesman Mark Toner said, "We continue to urge the Bahraini government to abide by its commitment to transparent judicial proceedings, including a fair trial, access to attorneys and verdicts based on credible evidence."
A senior Bahraini official said the government was still prepared to hold more talks with opposition parties to try to end the protests. "Everything is open for discussion except regime change. That doesn't mean it has to be discussed today (but) the king said reforms are not going to stop. Other issues can be brought to the table -- when and how, I'm not sure," said Sheikh Abdul-Aziz bin Mubarak al-Khalifa.
Kazakhstan's top Muslim cleric denounced a tough new law on religious activity and warned that the restrictions it imposed on pious Muslims could provoke extremism. Article 7 of the bill, passed by the Senate on Thursday and already approved by the lower house, bans prayer rooms in all state institutions.
Both the U.S.-based human rights body Freedom House and the 56-member Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe have criticised the legislation, which has yet to be signed into law by President Nursultan Nazarbayev.
And I'm sure that if Rick Santorum had called for Bible study rooms in state institutions, these two groups would have taken the very same position.
The supreme mufti of Kazakhstan, Absattar Derbisali, said in a statement, "To pray to Allah five times a day is a sacred duty of each Muslim. And it is quite possible that if reading prayers is banned at state institutions, certain groups will appear to voice their discontent with the state.
"Who can guarantee that, choosing between work for the state and worshipping Allah, such people will not join various political forces or extremist groups? Aren't we creating a threat to national security and the calm of the nation with our own hands? This is not the way to fight extremism and terror."
Derbisali said he believed that banishing prayer rooms from state institutions, secondary schools and universities would cause tension in Kazakh society.
"Taking into account the fact that 72 percent of the population are followers of Islam, it is necessary to allow them to keep prayer rooms without interfering with work or studies," said Derbisali.
President Obama and the president of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, discussed expanding use of the Central Asian country as a route to supply troops in Afghanistan, according to a US official, amid growing concern about the viability of Pakistan as a transit route. Secretary of State Clinton also met with her Uzbek counterpart on Thursday, and Congress is considering legislation that would allow more military aid to Uzbekistan despite its human rights record.
Al Qaeda is providing the Islamist insurgency in the North Caucasus with increasing amounts of money and other forms of support, according to a report by a DC think tank. Underestimating the danger posed by the Caucasus Emirate "only increases our vulnerability to attack", said author Gordon Hahn, adding that global and U.S. national security were also under threat.
"Al Qaeda has played an important role in proselytising jihadism and providing financial, training and personnel support to the mujahideen in Chechnya and the Caucasus," said Hahn, a senior researcher at the U.S. Monterey Institute for International Studies.
Al Qaeda's online magazine Ansar al Mujahideen began appearing in Russian last year, adding to the dozen or so Russian-language sites affiliated with the insurgency. These sites increasingly carry statements of support from top terrorists such as Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, who inspired al Qaeda in Iraq and is now imprisoned in Jordan, Hahn said in the report.
Citing Spanish police who nabbed a Moroccan man last year accused of being the webmaster of the al Qaeda magazine, Hahn said: "The website was already being used to raise money for terrorists in Chechnya as well as Afghanistan."
There has also been an increase in the number of militants killed by Russian security forces whom authorities say come directly from al Qaeda.
Hahn pointed to the arrest by Czech police of eight individuals in Prague suspected of plotting attacks in the North Caucasus as possible evidence of ties to al Qaeda. Police said the group, which included a Chechen and Dagestanis, had trained in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
He emphasised repeated calls by Doku Umarov, Russia's most wanted man, for the Caucasus Emirate to be brought into global jihad, most recently in February.
#1
In return for Russia's cooperation for the USAs Afghanistan campaign, we should help the Russians eradicate AL-qaeda from the Caucuses.
A hammer-n-anvil sort of operation.
Both parties win and we are no longer dependent on the Pakis for supplies into Afghanistan.
We run logistics and let the Russians do the 'dirty work' they are so good at.
#2
I think the old "hammer and anvil" hasn't really succeeded over the last 200 years, with regards to the Chechens. It's simple, the resistance to Russia stems not from Islam, but from the spirit of the people to be free of Russia. Chechens are not Arabs, different culture. The west, through inaction, allowed Russia to strategically isolate Chechnya after the Chechens kicked the crap out of the Russian army, twice. As a result of this isolation, Chechens were forced to pursue whatever source of financing they could to continue their seperatist movement against Russia, hence the influence of radical islam. Not justifying, just pointing out the obvious. It is in the best interest of the west to bring Chechnya and the Caucasus as a whole closer.
President Barack Obama appears to be getting it from all sides regarding a government snafu dubbed Operation Fast and Furious. Besides both houses of the U.S. Congress and a number of public-interest groups investigating what is being characterized as a rogue federal law enforcement operation, Mexico's attorney general is infuriated over the allegations that the U.S. was behind the smuggling of weapons into Mexico that ended up killing her countrymen.
In a statement released by Mexican Attorney General Marisela Morales, she called Operation Fast and Furious an attack on Mexicans security.
Morales told Mexican reporters that she is demanding a full and honest explanation from the United States government especially since evidence is being gathered that reveals the Obama administration was more involved in Operation Fast and Furious than top officials admitted in their sworn statements.
Mexico's Attorney General claims she learned about the operation in the news media rather than being told about it in advance by U.S. government officials, including members of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's staff.
Morales said that if U.S. federal officials were involved, it would be a betrayal of Mexico while its police and military were fighting a war against drug cartels. Tens of thousands of Mexicans have been killed since the "war on drugs" began in 2006. Almost weekly, Mexican authorities are finding mass graves of those murdered by the cartels.
#1
So remember all those righteous people calling for Bush to be brought on charges before the Hague Tribunal for violating 'international law'*. Now its your turn.
* the 'international law' that usually is made up in their minds rather than written down on any document ratified by the Senate.
Still keeping the pressure on
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) is complaining about the continued stonewalling by the U.S. Department of Justice in providing documents regarding the controversial Operation Fast and Furious.
After sending two formal written requests to Justice Department officials and a letter to the U.S. Attorney General, Rep. Smith is angry over not receiving answers to his questions.
Last Thursday, Smith sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder questioning the recent resignations and reassignments at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) following public outrage regarding a Phoenix-based program known as "Operation Fast and Furious."
Chairman Smith had previously sent two letters to the Justice Department seeking information regarding the botched Fast and Furious operation. His first letter, dated March 9, posed six questions to the Justice Department. Five of those questions remain unanswered. The Justice Department appears to have totally ignored the Chairman's second letter dated May 3, 2011.
"I would be remiss if I did not express my growing concern with the [Justice] Department's handling of the Fast and Furious investigation ... The Department cannot pin this scandal on a few individuals and expect it to be forgotten, said Rep. Smith.
Fast and Furious was a result of systemic problems at the ATF. Congressional interest will continue until we fully understand who authorized the failed program and how a federal agency could allow such decision-making to occur, noted Rep. Smith.
"Following his election in 2008, President Obama promised to usher in a new era of openness and transparency. Despite this promise, the Justice Department has been less than cooperative with this Committee's requests. Moving forward, the Committee expects cooperation in uncovering the facts related to this operation," the Texas congressman said.
[Dawn] An All-Party Conference (APC) convened by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani ... Pakistain's erstwhile current prime minister, whose occasional feats of mental gymnastics can be awe-inspiring ... began in the capital city on Thursday to discuss the situation arising out of serious allegations levelled by US officials against Pakistain's armed forces and its intelligence agency, the ISI.
At the start of the conference which was being attended by several politicians, Prime Minister Gilani addressed the gathering and said that Pakistain rejected US allegations and that the pressure of "do more" should not longer be applied on Pakistain.
"American statements shocked us, and negate our sacrifices and successes in the ongoing war against terror," he told the conference.
"Pakistain cannot be pressurised to do more," Prime Minister Gilani said. "Our doors are open for dialogue (with the international community)," he added.
He further said that Pakistain has never deviated from its international obligations.
The conference was briefed by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and would also be briefed by security officials and certain other cabinet ministers.
The nation has pinned great hopes on leaders representing all shades of opinion to evolve a framework for the country's foreign and security policies and to set direction for its progress on genuinely independent lines.
The top military leadership invited to the conference may face some tough questions, especially from the PML-N chief, Mian Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Müslim League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... , and leaders of nationalist and religious parties about what is considered to be ambiguous relationship with the West, particularly the United States, and military's engagement on western borders.
The conference has a one-point agenda -- national security in the aftermath of security challenges emerging from outside the country.
Because of US allegations that the ISI is hand in glove with the Haqqani network, the two countries are facing a tough challenge to keep their alliance intact in the so-called war against terrorism.
Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani ... four star general, current Chief of Army Staff of the Mighty Pak Army. Kayani is the former Director General of ISI... and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Khalid Shameem Wynne are also attending the conference while ISI Director General Lt-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha is expected to make a detailed presentation on national security concerns besetting the country vis-à-vis US interests in Afghanistan.
Retired general turned political analyst Talat Masood told a news agency that the government and the military want to defuse the latest crisis.
"The gathering is intended to send a strong signal from the country's political parties that they stand united behind the military in the wake of US pressures," he said.
"Don't kill us!"
"The government wants to release pressure... although everybody knows that it is the military that will decide what type of relationship it wants with the United States.
"The conference will serve as political catharsis to let passions cool off."
Posted by: Fred ||
09/30/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
to discuss the situation arising out of serious allegations levelled by US officials
[Dawn] US military action against forces of Evil in Pakistain would be unacceptable and the country's army would be capable of responding, intelligence chief Ahmed Shuja Pasha told a meeting of politicians in Islamabad, according to media reports.
Several television news reports said Pasha had told an all-party meeting to discuss the crisis in ties between Washington and Islamabad that Pakistain would not allow the situation to get to a "point of no return".
Posted by: Fred ||
09/30/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
and then, as noted elsewhere in today's posts, the closed the border crossings to NATO/US supply traffic in an attempt to starve the US troops.
Posted by: Water Modem ||
09/30/2011 0:15 Comments ||
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#2
There you have it. Cut off all aid and cooperation to the Pakis.
Let them run into the waiting arms of the Chinese, while we increase our friendship with India.
Let the Pakis and Chinese dance for a while.
They deserve each other.
Although me thinks the Pakis might get the worst of the deal.
The Chinese tend to respond much differently than we do, to those that engage in "double dealing".
#5
Mojo, China's already overlooked a heck of a lot of double-dealing from Pakistan, because while they like pretending they care about their citizens being abused, they really don't, as long as it works with their long-term objectives, i.e. us being bled to death.
[Dawn] Support is growing in the US Congress for expanding American military action in Pakistain beyond drone strikes already used to target Orcs and similar vermin in Pak territory, a senior Republican US senator says.
The comments by Senator Lindsey Graham ... the endangered South Carolina RINO... , an influential Republican voice on foreign policy and military affairs, follow remarks by the top US military officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, accusing Pakistain last week of supporting the cut-thoat Haqqani network's Sept 13 attack on the US embassy in Kabul.
Graham said in an interview on Tuesday that US politicians might support military options beyond the drone strikes that have been going on for years inside Pak territory.
Those options may include using US bomber planes within Pakistain.
The South Carolina Republican said he did not advocate sending US ground troops into Pakistain."I would say when it comes to defending American troops, you don't want to limit yourself," Graham said. "This is not a boots-on-the-ground engagement -- I'm not talking about that, but we have a lot of assets beyond drones."
"A perfect world ... would be Afghan, Pakistain and (US and NATO ...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It's headquartered in Belgium. That sez it all.... ) coalition forces working jointly on both sides of border to deny safe havens, inside of Afghanistan and on the other side," in Pakistain's western tribal regions from which the Haqqani network and other Orcs and similar vermin are believed to operate, Graham said.
Graham said US politicians will think about stepping up the military pressure. "If people believe it's gotten to the point that that is the only way really to protect our interests I think there would be a lot of support," Graham said.
The Haqqani network is allied with Afghanistan's Taliban and is believed to have close links to Al Qaeda. It fights US and NATO forces in eastern Afghanistan, operating out of bases in Pakistain's North Wazoo.
US drone aircraft in recent years have targeted mostly al Qaeda figures rather than Haqqani cut-thoats.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/30/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
Just when the RINO tags seems to fit Graham he suddenly displays a spine and some leadership qualities in foreign affairs.
I like rather like the psych-ops hes doing to the Pakis
Posted by: Fred ||
09/30/2011 9:04 Comments ||
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#3
It's not a spine. It's prosthetic...
Posted by: Fred
niiiiice
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/30/2011 15:57 Comments ||
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#4
"It's not a spine. It's prosthetic..."
Is Fred allowed to win the thread? :-D
Posted by: Barbara ||
09/30/2011 18:41 Comments ||
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#5
DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS > [Unconfirmed] US MEANS WAR: 16 MORTAR SHELLS FIRED, allegedly by US Milfors near Afghan border into Pakistan's North Waziristan.
and
* SAME > [Any] US MILITARY ACTION COULD TRIGGER AN [quick +] EQUAL RESPONSE: ISI CHIEF [Pasha], agz the US vee the PAK Military.
[Dawn] US accusations that Pakistain is supporting Afghan Death Eaters have triggered a nationalist backlash and whipped up fears of an American invasion, drowning out any discussion over the army's long use of jihadi groups as deadly proxies in the region.
The reaction shows the problem facing the United States as it presses Pakistain for action: Strong statements in Washington provoke a negative public response that makes it more difficult for the army to act against the Islamic fascisti-- even if it decided it was in the country's interest to do so.
Pakistain's mostly conservative populace is deeply suspicious of US intentions a decade after Washington forged an alliance with Islamabad.
Many people here believe the US wants to break up Pakistain and take its arsenal of nuclear weapons, and America is very unpopular throughout the country.
By contrast, Paks lack unity against orcs. Politicians and media commentators are often ambiguous in their criticism of the Pak Taliban, despite their carrying out near weekly bombings in Pakistain over the past four years.
One small private television channel has aired an advertisement that features images of Adm. Mike Mullen, America's top military officer, and Leon Panetta ...current SecDef, previously Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Panetta served as President Bill Clinton's White House Chief of Staff from 1994 to 1997 and was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1977 to 1993.... , the head of the CIA, along with scenes of the Mighty Pak Army fighting and raising the country's flag.
Each time the Americans appear, a shrill voice sings: "Enemies, you have challenged a nation which has a growing knowledge of the Koran and the support from Allah. Our task in this world is to eliminate the name of the killers!"
Mullen's comments on Capitol Hill last week set off the storm.
He said the Haqqani network, the most deadly and organised force fighting American troops in Afghanistan, was a "veritable arm" of Pakistain's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the strongest public statement yet by US officials on Pakistain's long suspected duplicity.
He and other US officials suggested that the US would use any means necessary to defend itself.
That raised speculation here that America might deploy troops in Pakistain's North Wazoo territory, the Afghan border region where the Haqqanis are allegedly based.
Most analysts view that scenario as highly unlikely because of the risks it entails for US interests in the region.
But it has not stopped right-wing politicians and retired generals that are well represented on TV talk shows from speculating on the threat of American boots on Pak soil.
On Thursday, the leaders of political parties will put aside their differences to sit under one roof to discuss the issue. In announcing the meeting, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani ... Pakistain's erstwhile current prime minister, whose occasional feats of mental gymnastics can be awe-inspiring ... said the politicians will discuss "the security situation in the wake of threats emanating from outside the country."
The Sunni Ittehad Council, an organization representing the country's Barelvi sect, often referred to as the most moderate among Pak Mohammedans, issued a statement saying it was obligatory on all Mohammedans to wage jihad against the United States if it attacked Pakistain.
"The Pak government and the armed forces should start preparing to counter any possible American attack as Islamic law suggests 'keeping the horses ready' to counter any sort of foreign aggression," the statement said.
There have been a few small street protests since Mullen's comments, but nothing major.
In some respects, the situation mirrors the atmosphere after the May 2 American helicopter raid on the late Osama bin Laden ... who no longer exists... , which was carried out without the knowledge of the Mighty Pak Army.
There was outrage then over the infringement of the country's illusory sovereignty by the US, but little on how bin Laden had been living in the army town of Abbottabad for so long.
Now, the focus is on Pakistain's public humiliation at the hands of a supposed ally -- and the threat of American action.
There appears to have been little debate on whether Pakistain is right if it has allowed the Haqqani network free reign in parts of the country. Nor has there been much discussion of Pakistain's historical use of orc proxies in India.
This is all the more striking because the Haqqani network and other Islamic fascistiare allied, at least ideologically, to the Pak Taliban, who carry out attacks inside Pakistain.
The dominant narrative in Pakistain following Mullen's comments has been that the United States is losing the war in Afghanistan and wants to pin the blame on Islamabad.
The threat posed by the Haqqani network is seen as exaggerated, and tackling them now is thought not to be in Pakistain's interest.
The anger this week at America coincided with the visit of Chinese Public Security Minister Meng Jianzhu, allowing the media and politicians to peddle another populist trope: that Beijing will be able to replace the United States as a source of funds if and when Pakistain chooses to sever its ties with Washington.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/30/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
"Invasion", yeah right. Just what we need, another Islamic hellhole on our hands.
No invasion. We might have to depopulate a couple of supply corridors, but that can be done remotely.
#2
That raised speculation here that America might deploy troops in Pakistain's North Wazoo territory, the Afghan border region where the Haqqanis are allegedly based.
I see it, yes, yes..... it's, it's a green baloon! And, and there's another, and another. They mean.... yes.... we're already, we're already there!
[Dawn] Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani ... Pakistain's erstwhile current prime minister, whose occasional feats of mental gymnastics can be awe-inspiring ... on Wednesday warned that any attempt to address Afghan crisis without engaging Pakistain wouldn't bear fruit.
"Pakistain is part of solution to Afghan problem, not part of the problem. Therefore, any attempt to address it minus Pakistain will be unproductive," the prime minister said at a dinner hosted by Governor Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa ... formerly NWFP, still Terrorism Central... Masood Kausar at the Governor's House.
Mr Gilani said Pakistain supported an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process in Afghanistan. He, however, said the process should not destabilise Pakistain.
"We want a stable and prosperous Afghanistan," he said.
Mr Gilani said Pakistain had its own interest in the region and it would protect it at all costs.
About security threats to the country, he said he had called an all parties conference in Islamabad today (Thursday) to evolve a consensus strategy through collective wisdom.
He said Pakistain was a responsible nuclear power and had many friends across the world.
"Pakistain has no demand and it wants to be treated like a responsible and dignified state. We want to have friendly and
brotherly relations with neighbouring countries on the basis of mutual respect and honour," he added.
The prime minister said Pakistain would not compromise its integrity and solidarity and that the nation was united against any foreign aggression.
He said his government restored the 1973 Constitution through a majority vote in parliament paving the way for Quaid's vision of transforming Pakistain into a parliamentary democracy.
The dinner was attended among others by JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman, chief of his own faction of PPP Aftab Sherpao, President PML-Likeminded Salim Saifullah Khan, former JI chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad, ANP leader Ghulam Bilour, provincial head of ANP Afrasayab Khattak and provincial chief of PTI Asad Qaisar.
Governor Punjab Latif Khosa, Chief Minister Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, federal and provincial ministers, and members of parliament also attended the dinner.
Later, the prime minister met delegations of business community and People's Lawyer Forum, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa at the Governor's House.
He told a delegation of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry that the Prime Minister's Financial Package-2010 for revival of economic activities in the province would be implemented.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/30/2011 00:00 ||
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[ABC News] Pakistain's politicians voiced their support Thursday for the country's powerful army in its destabilizing standoff with the United States over allegations the force supports gun-hung tough guys attacking American troops in Afghanistan.
More than 40 political party leaders signed a resolution after a 10-hour meeting in the capital called by Prime Minister Reza Yousuf Gilani to formulate a response to fresh American claims that the army and the nation's spy agency is supporting the Haqqani network. U.S. officials say the Haqqani group is based on the Pak side of the Afghan border and is the most deadly bad turban faction in Afghanistan.
The vaguely worded resolution, born of compromise between the country's feuding parties and reflective of many of their anti-American and pro-Islamist views, called for peace with gun-hung tough guys in Afghanistan. It also said the country should seek dialogue with Paks in the tribal regions close to Afghanistan, apparently in reference to Death Eaters there battling the Pak state.
The head of the army and the country's main intelligence agency, which together control Islamabad's policy toward Afghanistan, addressed the meeting, which was closed to the media.
Few expected the delegates to stake out a position that challenged the army, and it is unlikely their rhetoric will ever be reflected in policy. Other similar resolutions have been ignored. At the very least, it was a signal to Washington that the country's elected representatives supported the military, and as such will do nothing to ease strains with Washington.
"'Give peace a chance' must be the guiding central principle henceforth," said the resolution, regarding Afghanistan. "Pakistain must initiate dialogue with a view to negotiate peace with our own people in the tribal areas and a proper mechanism for this be put in place."
Posted by: Fred ||
09/30/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
Call for Peace in Pakistan, and I'll listen.
You're just flappimg your gums here.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
09/30/2011 10:06 Comments ||
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BETHLEHEM (Maan) -- The Egyptian ambassador to the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Othman, said Wednesday that Egypt is not responsible for the recent deaths of three Palestinians in smuggling tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border.
Othman said the deaths were very unfortunate, but Egypt is not responsible as it follows clear safety procedures when sealing off smuggling tunnels, which are "harmful to Egyptian national security," he told Ma'an.
The deaths were caused by the absence of safety and security means within the tunnels, high risk in this profession, as well as the high rate of child labor involved in these tunnels which makes it more dangerous, he said.
Three Palestinians were pronounced dead on Tuesday morning after Egyptian authorities pumped sewage inside a smuggling tunnel under the Gaza border on Sunday, medics had said.
Egyptian security officials said in early September that they were cracking down on the network of tunnels used by smugglers from the coastal enclave.
Including Tuesday's victims, eight Palestinians have been killed while working in tunnels in September. Five Palestinians were killed in three separate tunnel collapses earlier this month.
Medics say over 160 Palestinians have died in the network of underground tunnels since Israel imposed a siege on the Gaza Strip in 2006.
BETHLEHEM (Maan) -- The Egyptian ambassador to the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Othman, said Wednesday that Egypt is not responsible for the recent deaths of three Palestinians in smuggling tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border.
Othman said the deaths were very unfortunate, but Egypt is not responsible as it follows clear safety procedures when sealing off smuggling tunnels, which are "harmful to Egyptian national security," he told Ma'an.
The deaths were caused by the absence of safety and security means within the tunnels, high risk in this profession, as well as the high rate of child labor involved in these tunnels which makes it more dangerous, he said.
Three Palestinians were pronounced dead on Tuesday morning after Egyptian authorities pumped sewage inside a smuggling tunnel under the Gaza border on Sunday, medics had said.
Egyptian security officials said in early September that they were cracking down on the network of tunnels used by smugglers from the coastal enclave.
Including Tuesday's victims, eight Palestinians have been killed while working in tunnels in September. Five Palestinians were killed in three separate tunnel collapses earlier this month.
Medics say over 160 Palestinians have died in the network of underground tunnels since Israel imposed a siege on the Gaza Strip in 2006.
The Philippines' largest Islamic rebel group - the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has officially expelled the renegade field commander behind a massive assault on civilians in the country's south in 2008, the group said.
Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF's vice chair for political affairs, said Ameril Umra Kato, who formed his own splinter group called Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM), is not covered anymore by its ceasefire agreement with the Philippine government.
"We don't care what his (Kato's) group will do. That's the implication of his move. We decided that he is no longer with us," said Jaafar.
adding, "How do you like them apples, Kato, Kato, fat potato?"
The military earlier had said it was ready to stage assault against Kato and his followers once he is expelled from the MILF.
Kato, who leads a breakaway force of 200 to 300 fighters, decided to split from the MILF over the foiled implementation of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain in 2008. Last December, Kato formalized his separation from the MILF and announced the formation of the BIFM, calling for jihad to establish a Muslim state in the southern Philippines.
(Xinhua) -- The Philippines' largest Islamic rebel group -- the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has officially expelled its renegade field commander behind a massive assault on civilians in the country's south in 2008 that has affected more than 600,000 people, the group said Thursday.
Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF's vice chair for political affairs, said Ameril Umra Kato, who formed his own splinter group called Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM), is not covered anymore by its ceasefire agreement with the Philippine government.
"We don't care what his (Kato's) group will do. That's the implication of his move. We decided that he is no longer with us," said Jaafar.
The military said earlier it was ready to stage assault against Kato and his followers once he is expelled from the MILF.
Kato, who leads a breakaway force of 200 to 300 fighters, decided to separate from the MILF over his disappointment on the foiled implementation of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain in 2008.
Last December, Kato formalized his separation from the MILF and announced the formation of the BIFM, calling for jihad, or holy war, to establish a separate Mohammedan state in the south of the Philippines.
The MILF has been fighting government troops for decades to establish a self-rule Mohammedan sub-state in the south of the predominantly Catholic country.
Peace talks between the government and the MILF stalled in August 2008 following the aborted signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain. A final peace deal with the government will touch the issues of autonomy and the civil settlement of the rebel group's 11,800-strong guerrilla fighters.
#3
IMO is just PCorrectness before the Storm - all the Signs + Perts, etc. on the MSM-Net indic that organized violent Jhad, MILITARY + POLITICAL, is about to break out in the Philippines.
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.
Poppy cultivation in Afghanistan will go down only slightly this year despite intense coalition and Afghan efforts to reduce a crop that funds Taliban operations.
SAINT-BRIEUC, France: Niger has no plans to send ousted Libyan strongman Muammar Qaddafi's footballer son Saadi home to face justice, Prime Minister Brigi Rafini said Thursday on a visit to France.
Kazakhstan's top Muslim cleric denounced a tough new law on religious activity and warned that the restrictions it imposed on pious Muslims could provoke extremism. Article 7 of the bill, passed by the Senate on Thursday and already approved by the lower house, bans prayer rooms in all state institutions. 
An All-Party Conference (APC) convened by Prime Minister 
Nawaz Sharif
Lindsey Graham
[Dawn] US accusations that Pakistain is supporting Afghan 
Wazoo
Punjab
[ABC News] Pakistain's 
The Philippines' largest Islamic rebel group - the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has officially expelled the renegade field commander behind a massive assault on civilians in the country's south in 2008, the group said.
(Xinhua) -- The Philippines' largest Islamic rebel group -- the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has officially expelled its renegade field commander behind a massive assault on civilians in the country's south in 2008 that has affected more than 600,000 people, the group said Thursday.
