American sea Captain Richard Phillips was rescued from four Somali pirates Sunday, a U.S. intelligence official said.
Three pirates were killed and one was in custody after what appeared to be a swift firefight off the Somali coast, the official said.
Phillips, who was not hurt, was safely transported to a Navy warship nearby.
The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Talks began Thursday with the captain of the USS Bainbridge talking to the pirates under instruction from FBI hostage negotiators on board the U.S. destroyer.
U.S. warships and helicopters stalked the lifeboat holding Phillips and his four Somali captors Sunday, while his crew briefed FBI agents about how they fought off the pirates who boarded their ship, the Maersk Alabama.
#3
Careful Sea, with a policy like that, we won't be able to use the term 'terrorist' anymore. We'll be searching for terms that don't violate the Rantburg TOS.
#9
I'm very thankful this went batter than the recent French rescue.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
04/12/2009 14:00
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#10
I'm with Sherry. Based on the limited info we have so far it sounded like the good captain escaped and the Seals took advantage of the situation.
Posted by: Scott R ||
04/12/2009 14:01
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#11
Thank god he is free. Feed the pirate to the fish.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
04/12/2009 14:09
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#12
My guess is nobody in the administration greenlighted an attack. They Seals reacted to the second jump into the water by the Captain. Obama will try and take credit for acting, but I think in time we will discover they were not willing to initiate the action, only allow the SEALS to react. No offense to the Navy, but I think their hands were tied.
Now watch O act like he was in chanrge of this.....
#14
So we've got one to interrogate. Let's find out where they all came from, destroy the villages, hang him from the Bainbridge's yardarm and go on a tour to all the Somalian ports of call with him dangling.
#15
"Bambi slaughters three innocent Somalis". Not to be tomorrows NYT headline
Posted by: Steven ||
04/12/2009 15:11
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#16
Excellent work.
Let them continue the job and deal with all the pirate boats en route
Posted by: john frum ||
04/12/2009 15:14
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#17
Even the NYT wouldn't dare. I've been slumming over at DU today, end even their commentariat has found reason for cheer and congrats to the (gasp!) military.
#22
Well done. Patience. Preparation. Then fast, overwhelming attack when the time was right. Pirates had to be getting fatigued and prone to losing alertness and making mistakes. And maybe they ran out of qat. Navy had plenty of relief. As long as they were kept at sea, time was our ally.
#23
It may not be popular to say it, but I'll bet Bambi was aware of every move. If he hadn't wanted this it wouldn't have happened. I hope he's got enough rush left to order the pirate to be executed and the villages destroyed.
#24
WASHINGTON (AP) - Administration officials say President Barack Obama approved the military operation that rescued a U.S. captain held hostage by Somali pirates.
The officials say Obama ordered the Defense Department to use military resources to rescue Richard Phillips from a lifeboat off the Somali coast.
The officials discussed this information on the condition of anonymity because they were not yet authorized to disclose the president's decision-making process.
#26
Kind of ironic that all the stereotypical mealy-mouthed/weasely/world courty babble out of the WH was the perfect set-up for the action taken. If BO plays it right no one will ever know if he was part of the problem or a 'mis-underestimated' part of the solution.
#27
Not to rain on the parade of a successful POW snatch, yes POW, it should NOT take presidential involvement or directive to resolve situations such as this. The regional unified combatant commanders (the CINCS) should have the authority to exercise the protection and defense of Americans on the high seas.
#28
How many of the pirates were innocent civilians?
All of them, silly. They just wanted the captain to officiate at the wedding. Also I heard some cute baby rats got wet and caught a chill as a result of this operation.
#29
Not to rain on the parade of a successful POW snatch, yes POW, it should NOT take presidential involvement or directive to resolve situations such as this. The regional unified combatant commanders (the CINCS) should have the authority to exercise the protection and defense of Americans on the high seas.
In any other Administration, yes, but. The rest of the world is now on notice that POTUS approved this specifically. I'm fine with that.
In other POTUS news, he ended weeks of church-shopping to go to Easter services at...the same church every POTUS has gone to, St. John's Episcopal right across the way.
#30
Interesting comments. But I'm fine with the world thinking Obama gave the green light, regardless of what really happened.
It is a wonderful Easter-like story. The captain willing offered up his own life as a ransom to save others in his charge. How wonderful that he was freed on Easter day.
#31
I'm having a hard time believing Bammo would authorize this. What has he got against pirates except the bad publicity for his Most Glorious Reign?
If this was planned, how is it that Phillips knew when to jump ... the second time.
And why were we negotiating with one of them at the time? That looks really bad actually. Did we bring a pirate aboard one of our ships under a flag of truce, then attack?
Could be wrong here, but it kind of looks more like Bammo was finalizing the details of where to deposit the ransom money, there was no plan for a rescue, Phillips jumped and the Seals used it as an intervening circumstance sufficient to justify deviating from their standing orders. Good for them!
Right now Bammo is probably trying to figure out who the next of kin are so he can send them the ransom as reparations.
#34
Praises to the Navy, SEALS, and Captain Phillips. This truly is an Easter Blessings. Allelujah (sp?) FBI, we're paying attention, what you do next is crucial.
#35
From the press conference, if sounds like Obama on Friday and on Saturday, just simply said, "OK do what you have to do." I didn't get the impression from the Vice Admiral that The One was very involved.
He stated the Commander on the Bainbridge, made a quick decision that the Captain was in harms way. The shooters were on the stern of the ship, the ship was towing the lifeboat! They were 25-30 meters away. They had been supplying the lifeboat with food, water, even clean clothes for the Captain.
Seas were worsening, the Commander had the authority to make the call, and he made it when he saw an AK-47 pointed at the Captain. He was tied up. All pirates were covered and the fire command came, and each pirate went down.
Seems the credit we can give to The One, is he said OK and then, stayed out the way.
#36
Uncle Jimbo puts it more in miliatry terms: This was not a rescue attempt ordered by National Command Authority i.e. the President. It was a reaction by the on scene commander under standard authority to safeguard the life of a hostage.
#39
The CINC will always call and get permission to enguage any target except to an immediate threat. He is then authorized to defend. The president will hold or give the authority for the CINC or combatant commander to make the call. This is our chain of command and as much as I cant stand our new prez, I am certain our DOD went by protocal. I am thankfull this one went well and now O will lean toward yes in the future.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
04/12/2009 17:48
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#40
So it looks like negotiations were well under way for a peaceful end to the situation when Captain Phillips jumped for the second time and forced a violent conclusion. How will it be spun in world media - US abused good-faith negotiations to slaughter the Somalians?
#41
I don't care how the world spins it. Let them know the pirates are dead. We (our military) killed em. And about f*cking time. Well done, both Captains and skilled crew!
Now, we need to re-establish that Olde Tyme Law of The Sea. Kill em dead, burn their bases to the ground.
Oh, and Happy Easter!
Posted by: Frank G ||
04/12/2009 18:01
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#42
Oh noes!! From Reuters: Somali pirates were quick to vow revenge over Sunday's shooting, as well as a French military assault to rescue a yacht on Friday.
"The French and the Americans will regret starting this killing. We do not kill, but take only ransom. We shall do something to anyone we see as French or American from now," Hussein, a pirate, told Reuters by satellite phone.
#43
mhw, I believe that all of the other hostages are nationals of other nations. Their governments are (or should be) responsible for rescuing them. The US is not the world's policemen.
As for the Somali pirate's threat, in the immortal words of Dirty Harry, "Do you feel lucky, punk?". Remember that so far, the score is America 3, (plus 2 captured), Pirates 0.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia ||
04/12/2009 18:20
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#44
I'm tempted to go to the donk sites and begin harping about how many pirates BAtty has made with his decision to this.
Posted by: Mike N. ||
04/12/2009 18:22
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#45
SEAL teams, in the last 36 hours, with boats and stuff, parachuted from a C-130 in the night, quietly headed to the Bainbridge! So they weren't there the first time the good Cap't hit the water. Answers that question.
This gets better and better! Three head shot kills.
#46
"Somali pirates were quick to vow revenge over Sunday's shooting, as well as a French military assault to rescue a yacht on Friday."
Well, as long as it's not dire revenge....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
04/12/2009 19:02
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#47
to all poster of this shitty blog get the hell off of America you are a bastard antiamerican
your ideals and philosophy is against all of this contry stand for if find any one of you on the street I kick your ass bastards scum
LOL Leave this one up for fun, please. He sounds playable
Posted by: Frank G ||
04/12/2009 19:18
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#49
I will give odds that eventually this USN Captain will be dismissed for this, because the Washington wonks will whine, "He didn't have to kill them! He should have *arrested* them! (snivel!)"
Remember, this is their mind set. That is why they no longer call the War on Terror a war, because they see everything in terms of not just policing, but doing so under American law.
It is incredibly stupid.
Were the USN to capture them, the Washington wonks who demand that they "read them their rights" while arresting them. And that they immediately have to have lawyers, and be tried in US courts.
The truly bizarre thing is that the Washington wonks have *always* had this mindset about pirates. Even in the 19th Century, they demanded they be returned to the US to face trial, unlike the British Navy, that was permitted to hang pirates at sea.
Back then, this meant that the USN often discovered that it was in British waters, so had to turn pirates over to the Brits instead of taking them back to the US.
#50
mnyt, please work hard at your spelling and grammar lessons. I promise it gets easier after fourth grade. As for the ass-kicking, there is a practically infinite difference between threats made from the apparent safety of a computer keyboard and facing real, live people indisposed to tolerate your childishness. You'll find infinite in the dictionary next to your teacher's desk. Ask her to help you look it up.
If one of the mods or clever computer Rantburgers would be kind enough to satisfy my curiosity about mnyt's whereabouts? Or perhaps I am asking a question answerable but not to be answered just now...
#55
Maybe its just me, but after listening to CNN News this AM, I got the covert impression the Anchor = CNN wasn't exactly happy at the Captain's rescue by the SEALS as seemingly anti-USN/Rescue derisory comments were [politely correctly] mixed in or disguised among the overt laurels.
* IOW CNN AM > HOORAY FOR CAPTAIN PHILIPPS AND THE SEALS, ERGO SOMEONE IN AMERIKA HAS TO BE PUNISHED FOR KILLING THREE INNOCENT POVERTY-STRICKEN SOMALI PIRATES/KIDNAPPERS???
#56
If the good USN Captain is subjected to disciplinary proceedings, issued a letter of reprimand, or otherwise burned, heaven knows, the rallying cries around him for clemency will be deafening. A smart public official might not want to risk going down with that unpopular boat just to burn a hero.
#57
Can't believe snipers getting it done at sea. Holy f@xk!!!!
It appears that every failed state in the modern world is an attractant for Islamic militants. Look at Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, & Pakistan. It's because they adhere to the original teachings of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh).
His idea of religion was always a plan of war. The Somali pirates are just being good faithful Muslims.
#58
WASHINGTON (AP) - The head of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command is warning that the successful rescue of an American captain held by Somali pirates could escalate violence in that part of the world.
In rescuing the captain of the American ship Maersk Alabama, Navy SEALs killed three of the four pirates who had been holding Capt. Richard Phillips in a lifeboat. All were shot by snipers aboard the USS Bainbridge.
Navy Vice Admiral Bill Gortney said at a news conference Sunday that the rescue ending in the pirates' deaths will likely have a ripple effect.
While piracy is common off the coast of Somalia, crews have seldom been harmed.
In Gortney's words, "This could escalate violence in this part of the world, no question about it."
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
04/12/2009 20:16
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#59
The politico's are too cowardly to do anything but give the USN captain and the SEAL team awards. As much as they would love to make an example of them, they would have to explain the protocol to the press or the bloggers will. Then they will realize our prez authorized it. Good job to the team, pizza and beer for all in the team room.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
04/12/2009 20:21
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#60
"This could escalate violence in this part of the world, no question about it."
perhaps a deserved time has come. Somalian immigration should be put on permanent hold (as should Pakistani) while we do a reality check on who we're admitting (and let travel for training). I'd offer an Arclight or Q-ship option, but Dave D's such a hardass on credit and I don't wanna drive to the ATM to pay for the drinks in the O-Club
Posted by: Frank G ||
04/12/2009 20:21
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#61
pizza and beer for all in the team room.
Perhaps President "Present!" could have his Pizza Chef fly on to deliver pan-baked heaven to the actual heroes? Thought not..
Posted by: Frank G ||
04/12/2009 20:24
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#62
As I learn more about the circumstances I am more convinced that there will be pressure brought to discipline the Bainbridge officers and the men who fired the shots. It will be played as cold-blooded murder (and probably was, not that there's anything wrong with that.) JoeM has it pegged. And Deacon's quote of Adm. Gortney confirms it.
#63
"Abdullahi Lami, one of the pirates holding the Greek ship anchored in the Somali town of Gaan said: "Every country will be treated the way it treats us. In the future, America will be the one mourning and crying," he told The Associated Press. "We will retaliate (for) the killings of our men."
#64
Crazy is as crazy does! Pirates want to act crazy, well the USN can, too. If any of these lily-livered fleabags want to reprimand the snipers for "escalating violence" bring it. The world needed to see that the United States doesn't bend over for pirates irregardless.
#65
Obama may still drive this country into financial ruin, but I thank him for authorizing the Navy to use force to resolve this matter--not once, but twice, according to reports. Even if this rescue was more spontaneous than planned, the hostage is safe, three pieces of s**t are dead, and the remaining little bastard is in custody.
#70
Last time I checked the Pirates-Yankee game it was 1-0 Yankees, 3 outs, 1 save, and 1 no decision. Of course it's mostly away games for the yankees because we like it that way.
#71
Geraldo has Dr. Bob "MSNBC" Arnot and Wesley "The Unblinking Dembot" on to explain it to us on Foxnews. Can we push thi sshit over the side, puhleeeeze? If Fox is to be pilloried as Rightwing media, make it so, and quite welcoming douchebag illegal-sucking syncophants like Geraldo on. Funny they should ask Wesley about a successful Mil Ops, eh?
Posted by: Frank G ||
04/12/2009 21:32
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#72
quit, not quite. Apparently I bought an extra vowel
Posted by: Frank G ||
04/12/2009 21:33
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#74
Somehow I can't see Obama having the political will to order this done. Most likely the Captain triggered this and the crew took advantage of the opportunity. they probably had standing orders that 'if an opportunity presents itself...'.
Anyone catch how Geraldo was all trying to get sympathetic for the 'poor 16 year old boy' who was the pirate survivor? And how he would be tried in 'Lower Manhatten NYC...'. I just caught a few mins of it before I turned the channel in disgust.
Oh and congrats to the Captain (who has balls) and the Seals who saved him.
#75
saw that, CF. Geraldo's spin: "He'll never know the pleasure of getting his driver's license because he's illegal and driving to the malt shop with Betty Lou Al-Habib to have a malt and burger and IED"
It's a friggin joke Geraldo (Illegal alien apologist) is on Fox
Posted by: Frank G ||
04/12/2009 23:06
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#76
Actually I heard something to the effect (radio? I forget where) that the captured pirate has been captured for a long while, and possibly of his own accord.
Subject: Mark Coyle's funeral arrangements
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2009, 10:02 PM
Our dear brother LTC(Ret) Mark Coyle passed away on Thursday, April 9 at his home in Arlington. The funeral service for Mark Coyle will be held on Saturday, April 18 at 11:00am at the McLean Stake Center. The family will receive friends in the Relief Society Room at 10:00am prior to the funeral service. The burial service will be at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, June 29th at 9:00am. Mark served two terms in the Viet Nam War and will be buried will full honors which will also include the dedication of his grave.
Mark most recently was a member of the Arlington 1st Ward but was baptized in the McLean 1st Ward and spent most of his time as a member of the church in the McLean 1st Ward. Mark and his family requested that the services be held in the McLean 1st Ward and Bishop Haraguchi and I have been coordinating between wards. Tippy is very grateful for all of the expressions of love that have been offered to her and her family. Please keep Tippy and their family in your prayers. This is indeed a very special season for us to be reminded about our faith and our knowledge of the reality of our Savior's resurrection and the atonement and the significance that these glorious miracles bring to each of our lives.
A tentative deal to free the American container-ship captain who is being held captive by Somali pirates has been put off by a day, one of the pirates said.
I recall an old slogan, something about 'millions for defense, not one cent in tribute'. Something like that ...
The process was postponed because "each group suspects the other one" of reneging, said the pirate, who identifies himself only as Da'ud. Under the terms of the agreement, which he said could still fall apart at any time, Richard Phillips and the four pirates holding him would all go free, and a "small" ransom would be paid.
I certainly hope we renege on the ransom part ...
Somali pirates and a negotiator for the U.S. Navy came to terms earlier yesterday.
Pentagon spokesman Major Stewart Upton said he had no information about an agreement to release Phillips. The New York Times quoted Somali officials as saying negotiations had broken down after U.S. officials insisted that the pirates be arrested and a group of Somali elders representing the pirates balked at that demand.
Our original demand was that we kill them all. I think we've bargained in 'good faith' to let them live in a prison cell ...
Under the tentative deal to free Phillips, a U.S. helicopter would fly to Gara'ad, Somalia, a town about 600 kilometers (370 miles) north of Mogadishu that is a base of pirate activity, Da'ud said. It would pick up several Somali mediators and elders and then fly out to the lifeboat holding Phillips, Da'ud said.
Phillips and the pirates would board the helicopter also. The helicopter next would fly to a pirate ship and Phillips's captors would disembark, Da'ud said. The helicopter, with Phillips still on board, then would return to a U.S. Navy vessel, Da'ud said.
Then we toss a weighted sack containing the ransom money into the drink, and the pirates dive to retrieve it ...
The discussions were conducted by mobile phone between the pirate lifeboat and a female U.S. Navy negotiator aboard a warship, Da'ud said, adding that he didn't know its name.
Da'ud said earlier that he was in contact with Phillips's four captors by satellite phone. Somali tribal elders and a group of parents of the pirates have vowed to solve the standoff peacefully, East Africa-based maritime environmental group Ecoterra International said in a statement.
#1
How many times have we seen people like this stall for time while supposedly negotiating? But I'm standing on my bet that somebody's gonna have to pay the ransom because even though everybody wants those pirates dead nobody's willing to risk the captain. Not a very satisfying conclusion but a result of letting this problem go on for so long without taking any action.
Posted by: Abu Uluque ||
04/12/2009 10:50
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#2
If Obama would just part the sea we could sort this out.
#3
Give them their loot but include a sleeping gas bomb. While they snore rescue the captain and equip each pirate wih a noose.
(Your imagination from here on)
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
04/12/2009 11:30
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#4
"Nice little town you have there in Gara'ad! Would be a shame if something happened to it..."
"Philips alive or 'Somali mediators and elders' dead."
Since this is a law enforcement matter, no negotiator is going to tell the pirates any such thing.
#7
You have *got* to be fucking kidding me! Do they really think the pirates (who have already reneg'ed on one agreement to free the captain) would honor their part of the deal?
How about this (from an armchair quaterback...):
We send frogmen and/or SEALS to flash-bang, storm, and secure the lifeboat.
We send a helo to pick up the bodies of the pirates (alive or dead) for yardarm decorations.
We then send a flight of B-52's to Gara'ad, Somalia to carpet-bomb the town until the rubble bounces.
We then send helos and company to pick up any bodies of the elders who remain and bring them back to join their cohorts on the yardarms mentioned above.
We then sail siad ships (plus any other needed vessels), with yardarm decorations, to each and every pirate port adn bombard them from off-shore. (I assume we still have naval vessels with big guns...)
#8
CrazyFool, sorry, but the really big gun boats (battleships and cruisers) have long since been retired. Pretty much all that is left is 5" guns.
Oh, and missiles, lots and lots of missiles. Of course, each missile probably costs more than than the entire village it would destroy.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia ||
04/12/2009 14:07
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#9
I agree with Da'ud. The deal is off and we are suspending negotiations indefinitely.
#10
OK. So the headline now on Drudge is that the Navy freed the captain and killed at least some of the pirates. I would have lost my bet if anybody had put up money against me but I'd have gladly paid it. Hooray for the Navy!
Posted by: Abu Uluque ||
04/12/2009 15:06
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#11
Actually the captain freed the captain by jumping overboard (again!) and then the SEALs moved in to mop up.
For a young Somali, piracy's a glamorous profession, the local equivalent of being a Manhattan hedge-fund manager a few years back: His risk is minimal, the rewards are huge - and there's no punishment for pillaging other people's wealth.
If there's no serious penalty for lucrative bad behavior, the bad behavior will spread. That's the story of Somalia's Skull and Bones club.
Coping with pirates is also simple. We make it hard by agonizing over the "human rights" of these seagoing terrorists. This week, as a powerful US warship loomed over a bobbing lifeboat, FBI negotiators begged for understanding from thugs who had attacked a ship flying our flag.
The correct approach would have been to lower boats with armed sailors and take the Somalis, dead or alive.
Historically, civilized nations understood how to handle pirates: When captured, pirates were hanged. When found, their bases were destroyed. That worked. But threatening to put one pirate in a thousand in a posh European cell where he gets free visits from a prostitute isn't much of a deterrent when a single successful raid on a ship can bring in millions of dollars.
Yeah, "citizens of the world" will cry that "You can't just hang pirates!" Sure you can. It's easy. If you're short of rope, wire will do. The only serious question arises once the noose is around the pirate's throat: Should we drop him over the side and let the rope snap his neck, or raise him up on a spar and let him suffocate slowly?
#3
Traditionally, when a pirate ship was captured, it was rigged to slowly sink, then the pirates were hung aboard it, hopefully to be found by their fellows.
This served several purposes. First of all, it kept your own decks clean, as it were. Second, the hanged pirates would serve as a message to other pirates. And third, the pirate ship would be unrecoverable by other pirates, so would sink one way or another.
The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) security forces announced that it discovered on Sunday a store of arms into one of the mosques in the West Bank, an interior ministry statement revealed.
The interior ministry in a written statement said that the security forces found explosive devices were made into the store inside the mosque, adding "several raw-materials were also seized, which are used to manufacture bombs." The statement didn't say in which town in the West Bank the mosque is located, but said that "our security forces noticed smoke coming out from the mosque, and when a force went inside, it found the store, the explosives and the raw-material."
"The security forces investigate the event and will follow up suspects who use mosques in other purposes," said the statement. "We call on the residents to report to the security forces about any illegal activity carried out into mosques."
A controversial preacher of hate banned from America and linked to the 9/11 terror attacks is to lecture young Muslims in Birmingham.
Anwar Al-Awlaki has been named as an Al Qaida supporter by the US Department of Homeland Security. But the Iman, an American citizen who currently lives in Yemen, is due to front a two-day seminar on Islam in Birmingham over the Bank Holiday weekend of May 24-25. Al-Awlaki will not appear in person but his speech will be broadcast by videolink, and tickets are already available online for £70.
Birmingham Labour MP Roger Godsiff, who represents Sparkbrook and Small Heath, said he was concerned about the event and would be contacting the Home Office about it. There are more than enough experts on Islam within the UK and I find it disquieting that somebody should be invited to contribute to a seminar when he has been allegedly associated with terrorism and banned from the US, he said.
In a rant called The Constants of Jihad, which is posted on popular video sharing website Youtube, Al-Awlaki rages against the West and calls for holy war to spread Islam. Every single government in the world is united to fight against Islam, he says.People try to find a way of bailing out of jihad because they do not like it. The reality of war is horrible and thats why people try to avoid it. But fighting is proscribed upon you, it is an instruction from Allah.
The speech, which has been viewed more than 3,500 times, was watched by a gang of five terrorists as they hatched a plot to kill US soldiers at the Fort Dix facility in New Jersey. The militants, who were convicted last year of conspiracy, will be sentenced later this month. Al-Awlaki is also said to have influenced the September 11 plane hijackers.
Charles Allen, Americas undersecretary of Homeland Security for intelligence and analysis, described Al-Awlaki as an al Qaida supporter, and former spiritual leader to three of the September 11 hijackers.
On his own website, set up to distribute his lectures around the world, Al-Awlaki tells followers: We will implement the rule of Allah on Earth by the tip of the sword, whether the masses like it or not.
His Birmingham lecture, entitled Virtues of the Sahabah, is being hosted by an education group called the Al Wasatiyyah Foundation, which describes itself as a non-political, non-partisan body. Ours is a vision to cultivate and awaken the generations of believers to exemplify the Sunnah (way of the prophet) wholeheartedly and to implement Islam in its totality, a statement on their website says. We stand firmly against any calls to compromise and all efforts to undermine the sound aspirations and beliefs held by the Muslim community.
#1
ION NOT BRITAIN, WAFF > SIKHS DEMAND RIGHT TO WEAR TURBANS IN US ARMY; + RUSSIA DOES NOT RULE OUT NATO MEMBERSHIP; + STOP NATO/EURASIAN CROSSROADS: THE [South]CAUCASUS IN US, NATO WAR PLANS [Strategic/Pivotal region for control of World Energy + Transport routes, espec as per South Caucasus = Armenia, Azerbaijan, + Georgia former SSRS].
#2
*opens door; clicks on lights*
"Why is my desk giggling?" *shrugs*
*turns off lights, closes door*
ROFL trailing wife -
So good to hear from you! Hope you are doing well. I'm praying for you and your family. Painful as these things are, I did form really strong bonds with my family and friends during my mother's final days, so I'm sure you had a very meaningful Passover. I often want to say too much when someone I care about is in a difficult situation - if only words I said could make things easier - but I'm sure that time and your wisdom and common sense will take care of you in the long run. So, just take care of yourself, and I love you. :-)
#4
See, Besoeker? That there is our very own beloved JosephMendiola.
*comes out from behind desk, dabbing away an errant tear*
Thank you, dear. One day I will thank you in person, and see if the reality is as handsome as my imagination paints. This year we did not have my father to lead the Seder and tell us the story in his Latvian-accented Hebrew (all his languages were Latvian-accented; according to Mr. Wife, who knows about such things, twenty years after he arrived in this country he still sounded as if he'd just got off the boat). But the story was told to our various offspring, as he told it to us, and so the chain continues.
On this day in history: April 12th
1606 The Union Flag is adopted as the flag of Great Britain.
1633 The formal inquest of Galileo Galilei by the Inquisition begins.
1861 American Civil War: The war begins with Confederate forces firing on Fort Sumter, in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina.
1937 Sir Frank Whittle ground-tests the first jet engine designed to power an aircraft.
1945 US President Franklin D. Roosevelt dies while in office.
1955 The polio vaccine, developed by Dr. Jonas Salk, is declared safe and effective.
1981 The first launch of a Space Shuttle: Columbia launches on the STS-1 mission.
1994 Canter & Siegel post the first commercial mass Usenet spam.
A Saudi mother is expected to appeal a judge's ruling after he once again refused to let her 8-year-old daughter divorce a 47-year-old man, a relative said.
Sheikh Habib Al-Habib made the ruling Saturday in the Saudi city of Onaiza. Late last year, he rejected a petition to annul the marriage.
The case, which has drawn criticism from local and international rights groups, came to light in December when Al-Habib declined to annul the marriage on a legal technicality. His dismissal of the mother's petition sparked outrage and made headlines around the world.
The judge said the mother, who is separated from the girl's father, was not the legal guardian and therefore could not represent her daughter, the mother's lawyer, Abdullah al-Jutaili, said at the time. Maybe, just maybe, the state should have a say in this?
The girl's husband pledged not to consummate the marriage until the girl reaches puberty, according to al-Jutaili, who added that the girl's father arranged the marriage to settle his debts with the man, who is considered "a close friend." Whew! And for a minute there I was entertaining the thought that the guy might be a p3dophile!
In March, an appeals court in the Saudi capital of Riyadh declined to certify the original ruling, in essence rejecting al-Habib's verdict, and sent the case back to al-Habib for reconsideration. Apparently al-Habib didn't get the message.
Under the Saudi legal process, the appeals court ruling meant that the marriage was still in effect, but that a challenge to the marriage was still ongoing. Carry on. Hope she doesn't hit "puberty" before they manage to wade through all the legal complexities involved here.
The relative, who said the girl's mother will continue to pursue a divorce, told CNN the judge "stuck by his earlier verdict and insisted that the girl could petition the court for a divorce once she reached puberty." Dipshits. Didn't Jackie Gleason manage to finagle a divorce by similar reasoning?
The appeals court in Riyadh will take up the case again and a hearing is scheduled for next month, according to the relative.
Child marriages have made news in Saudi Arabia in the past year.
In a statement issued shortly after the original verdict, the Society of Defending Women's Rights in Saudi Arabia said the judge's decision went against children's "basic rights."
Marrying children makes them "lose their sense of security and safety," the group said. "Also, it destroys their feeling of being loved and nurtured. It causes them a lifetime of psychological problems and severe depression." Only matters if they're males, not sperm receptacles. /sarc
Zuhair al-Harithi, a spokesman for the Saudi Human Rights Commission, a government-run group, told CNN that his organization was fighting child marriages.
"Child marriages violate international agreements that have been signed by Saudi Arabia and should not be allowed," al-Harithi said.
Child marriage is not unusual, said Christoph Wilcke, a Saudi Arabian researcher for the international group Human Rights Watch, after the initial verdict.
"We've been hearing about these types of cases once every four or five months because the Saudi public is now able to express this kind of anger, especially so when girls are traded off to older men," Wilcke told CNN. Suppose maybe that's why the Taliban and other forces for Moderate Islam(TM) are soooo against the internet?
#2
Make everyone back home proud G(r)om. Take a bow to the Suds but make certain it's videotaped. Then have your press spokesperson categorically deny you did it.
#6
Why is this disgusting country a friend of the USA? The pedofiles ,Taliban forces and Al-Qaida ruling this backward country. Oil! Everything wat is criminal in the Us is supported in that country. The breeders of Al-qaeda. Pedofiles: Ok if there is Oil!
#7
We are not friends with Saudi Arabia. We are allies of convenience and customers, although less of the latter than many of our traditional allies. Remember, it is because of our internet, television, music and films that Saudi commoners are aware that there is an alternative to what has been done for the last three or four thousand years.
In retaliation to brutal killing of a local leader of traders in Nawagai sub-division, the security forces Saturday launched an operation against militants and destroyed their several hideouts, besides seizing a huge cache of small and heavy arms.
Official sources said the security forces launched operation against the militants after killing of Awami National Party leader and Nawagai traders President Muhammad Islam Khan by unknown assailants. During the crackdown, the security forces destroyed several hideouts of militants and seized a large quantity of weapons, including explosives, rockets, hand-grenades and mortar shells, the sources added.
The trader, Muhammad Islam, was kidnapped by unknown assailants and then beheaded after he gave a three-day deadline to Taliban for vacating residential and commercial areas in Nawagai tehsil so that security forces could not take action against them.
Meanwhile, unidentified persons shot dead a noted tribal elder Malik Munir and injured his nephew Rehman. Sources said that both the persons were coming from Khar Civil Colony to the village when unknown armed men opened indiscriminate fire on them, killing Munir on the spot and injuring Rehman.
PARIS (Rooters) - A French hostage was killed and four others were freed on Friday when French forces attacked pirates who had seized their yacht off Somalia, officials said. Two pirates were shot dead during the military assault and three were captured.
A much more civilized approach than negotiation ...
Pirates seized the sailing boat Tanit, carrying two couples and a 3-year-old boy at the time, far from the coast of the east African country on April 4.
French Defense Minister Herve Morin said the father of the child, Florent Lemacon, died during Friday's rescue mission, which lasted a few minutes. And he now sez that it might have been "friendly" fire, there will be an investigation.
A military official said elite forces shot dead two pirates who were on deck when they stormed the boat.
Lemacon had been in the cabin at the time and it was not clear if he was killed in the crossfire or deliberately shot by one of his captives. The four French survivors were unharmed and put on a navy vessel bound for Djibouti.
France has taken a leading role in international efforts to halt rampant hijackings off Somalia and its forces have captured at least 60 pirates since April 2008, bringing several of them to Paris for eventual trial. "France will never give into pirates' blackmail or to terrorism," Morin told a news conference.
The French navy made contact with the pirates on Thursday and decided to launch the rescue bid after the gang refused to accept an offer of a ransom and tried instead to sail toward the coast. "We proposed everything we were able to offer, enabling them reach to land. We even offered them a ransom," Morin said, declining to say how much money was put forward.
It was the third time in a year that the French military had intervened after a French-registered yacht was captured, and the first time a hostage has died.
Chloe and Florent Lemacon left France with their son Colin last July aboard the Tanit, writing about their adventures in a blog. They picked up another couple along the way and were heading toward the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean.
The French Foreign Ministry said earlier this week the French navy had urged the Lemacons not to sail through the Gulf of Aden but that the warning had gone unheeded.
Morin said French sailors should avoid the area. "I repeat in the clearest manner and with the most forthright warning to any of our citizens who are thinking about venturing into this area of the Indian Ocean, I ask them to forget it," he said.
The Lemacons mentioned the risk posed by pirates in their blog, but shrugged off the threat. "The danger exists but the ocean remains huge. The pirates must not destroy our dream," they said in a post from January.
#6
Good for France. It is very sad that one hostage was killed, but it was better than allowing the fear of a non-perfect response to be the pirates best weapon. The message sent to pirates today was loud and clear: Attack Americans and French and expect to die.
The French showed spine and despite it not being a perfect operation, they should be applauded for their actions.
"Leave me for the moment -- you can beat me again later," a 17-year-old girl begs between sobs in a video airing on Pakistan's private television networks and circulating on the Internet. But the local Taliban commander continues to flog her without mercy as a group of village men watch in silence. These images were described in a recent New York Times dispatch, which noted that the alleged transgressions of the girl could not be definitively established. The range of possible violations of the Taliban's version of Islamic law -- from stepping outside her house without a male escort to having an illicit affair -- is appallingly vast. The video, apparently shot on a cellphone and given to a human rights activist, is not surprising in itself. The brutal subjugation of poor, uneducated women in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan is widely if incompletely known in the West. But the brief, blurry images are revealing.
The recent U.S. strategic review, as well as learned tomes and countless op-ed columns, depict the struggle in the desolate Afghanistan-Pakistan frontier as being rooted in fierce nationalism, the region's ancient warrior culture, the failures of nation-building and the rebirth of jihadist terrorism. But this video reminds us of another driving force too often neglected or minimized in the analysis and commentary: the desire of Pakistani and Afghan men to be left in peace to deal with their womenfolk as they see fit. There may be no more important recruiting tool for the Taliban and other Islamic extremist organizations. This is why the video should be required viewing for U.S. officials who are urging President Obama to seek accommodation with the Taliban to help secure a graduated U.S. exit from Afghanistan and confidently boasting that 70 percent of the Taliban are "reconcilable."
The Pakistan video is unlikely to change their minds. They have good arguments about pursuing achievable U.S. goals in a time frame that is acceptable to the American public. But it will force them to look at the consequences of that kind of realism. Moreover, the scene shot in the Swat Valley -- a region the Pakistani government turned over to the Taliban in February rather than continue fighting there -- offers its own cultural commentary on Obama's attempts to reach out to the Muslim world. In his speech last week in Turkey, he declared that the United States is not "at war with Islam."
The president is right -- as far as he goes. The struggle against al-Qaeda and its associates is not a war of religions with a monolithic Christianity fighting a unified Islam. But it is a religious war in significance and origin. Fanatical Islamic sects have framed their battle in holy terms and seek to destroy their faith's mainstream values. It is not a war on Islam but a war within Islam. Who wins has enormous consequences for the world. That was the missing element in Obama's otherwise admirable speech, which was delivered in one of the most tolerant, sophisticated Muslim countries on Earth. The savage misogyny and feudal fury of the Swat Valley are alien to modern, urban Turkey -- as they are to Indonesia, where Obama spent part of his childhood. The countries and personal experiences he focuses on are Islamic, certainly. But they are not Islam as a whole.
All religions are absorbing the shocks of globalization. But none has felt more besieged than Islam as the flow of people, goods and instant communications across borders perturb or limit its deep reach into gender relations and family structures. And none has produced as violent a backlash from some of its adherents. It is difficult for policymakers and generals to account for such cultural factors in strategic reviews. We all rush past the obvious -- until a video from Swat makes it unavoidable.
The realists are right about this: The United States and its NATO partners cannot "win" the war inside Islam. Perhaps all they can accomplish is to buy time for mainstream Islamic forces in Pakistan, Afghanistan and elsewhere to organize an effective response to the existential threat in their midst. That will be a costly, and essentially thankless, task for the United States. But it may yet be the least disastrous course to follow. "Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal, rather than religious-specific, values," Barack Obama said in a 2006 speech that warned Americans against religious intolerance. It's a pity he didn't include that thought in his Ankara outreach.
#1
All religions are absorbing the shocks of globalization.
Yeah, that's why the Pope is mobilizing his crusading divisions to oppose abortion. Sorry, read some history and you'll come to the conclusion that one religion has stood out for its consistent preference for violence.
And I see little evidence that there's any conflict within Islam. It looks more like there's jihadis and those who'd rather stay at home, winter jihadis, if you will. But I sure don't see a lot of anti-jihadi Mohammedans running around opposing the efforts of the jihadis.
We're going to fool around with these clowns until they go too far, as the Germans did, or until they burn themselves out, like the communists did. Otherwise there would be no need for the media. And we have to protect those jobs.
In a major blow for the Prime Minister, Damian McBride quit his post as a senior Downing Street adviser after landing the Government in a row over the messages sent to another prominent Labour figure about the private lives of senior Conservatives. Mr McBrides position became untenable after high-level calls for him to be sacked. Charles Clarke, the former home secretary, said that Mr McBride had brought shame on the Labour Party by planning a smear campaign against Mr Cameron.
Downing Street issued a statement saying that Mr McBride had resigned. A spokesman said it was Mr Browns view that there was "no place in politics for the dissemination or publication of material of this kind".
Mr McBride had earlier apologised for the "juvenile and inappropriate" comments and insisted that no one else at No 10 had been involved. But the row showed little signs of abating as details emerged of the emails contents.
They were sent from Mr McBrides high-security Downing Street account to Derek Draper, a former Labour spin doctor who runs a Left-wing website. They contained a number of innuendo-laden suggestions about the personal lives of Tory MPs including Mr Cameron and George Osborne, the shadow chancellor.
The emails were obtained by Paul Staines, a Tory blogger who runs an internet site called Guido Fawkes. They were offered to newspapers including The Daily Telegraph, which declined to buy them. However, several other newspapers were preparing to publish the material. Before Mr McBride announced his resignation, Mr Clarke had said: "Damian McBride has no place in 10 Downing Street. His actions bring shame to the Labour Party and he should be dismissed immediately."
The Tories accused Downing Street of engaging in the "politics of the gutter". Chris Grayling, the shadow home secretary, said the claims were "blatant lies". He said: "This whole episode has been quite disgraceful. This resignation is a clear admission that Gordon Browns team at No 10 were involved in a deliberate attempt to spread unpleasant false rumours about opposition politicians."
Tory officials were concerned about publication of the emails, and some Conservative MPs named in them took legal advice. Nadine Dorries, MP for Mid Bedfordshire, said: "I know what is in the email about me and it is 100 per cent untrue and slanderous. I want an apology from Gordon Brown because one of his civil servants, paid for by taxpayers money, has been trying to destroy me.
"How low can Downing Street stoop? How desperate are they to cling on to power? They say its a bit of a joke but it is taxpayers money and my career and my reputation are not a joke either."
Mr McBride had been in charge of strategic planning at No 10 since last October, when he was moved from his position as Mr Browns spokesman. A source close to Mr McBride said that he and Mr Draper were simply "knocking around ideas" for a blog which never got off the ground. However, the Tories claimed that the emails were indicative of a wider attempt by Labour to undermine the Conservatives by attacking Mr Cameron personally.
Mr McBride said he was "shocked and appalled" at the way his emails had been leaked.
ISLAMABAD - At least nine people, including a policeman, were killed Saturday as the riots over the assassination of three ethnic political leaders continued for a third day in Pakistan's south-western Balochistan province.
A police official said the bodies of six coal miners were found in outskirts of provincial capital Quetta. "The attackers first kidnapped the poor labourers, shot them dead and dumped their bodies in the mountains in Marwar area," police investigator Barkatullah Khan said.
That's not a 'riot' ...
He said two of the victims were from North Western Frontier Province and four from the Pakistani part of the Kashmir region. "Apparently the incident seems part of ongoing violence," Khan added.
Unknown attackers shot dead a policeman in the town of Quetta, where two civilians also died and two were injured in various incidents of violence. The markets remained closed across the province and nationalists held protest rallies in many cities.
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#1
The jihadist cancer continues spreading.
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
04/12/2009 2:44
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#2
Sounds like they wouldn't sign when the union card check solicitors came around.
CAIRO - Egyptian police have detained a man they say was transporting $2 million to north Sinai to be smuggled into the Gaza Strip to the Islamist group Hamas, security sources said on Saturday. The man, Hassan Mohamed Hassouna, was detained in Cairo along with his driver and eight-year-old son around a week ago, the sources said. The child was returned to his family in north Sinai after spending three days in detention, they added.
The child was there to provide cover.
The sources said Hassouna named three other men as accomplices during his interrogation.
"I'll talk! I'll talk! Stop doing that!"
Egypt is eager to show it is doing all it can to stop money or aid reaching Hamas. Egyptian authorities regularly stop Hamas officials from bringing large sums of money into Gaza.
In March, Egyptian security forces blocked two Hamas officials from entering the Islamist-run Gaza Strip with around $900,000 in cash, and in February they forced Hamas official Ayman Taha to deposit more than $11 million in cash in a bank in El Arish.
Makes you wonder how much cash is getting through. Gaza still seems to have guns, ammo and groceries ...
Lebanons Hezbollah said on Friday that Egyptian authorities had arrested a Hezbollah member who had been offering logistical help to Palestinians in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
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#1
And green headbands. Don't forget the green headbands.
#3
I don't see that it makes any sense to transport cash into Gaza. The cash needs to be outside Gaza, where there's actual stuff to buy, like guns and rockets, and Swiss banks to put it in.
American President Barack Obama's half brother was refused a visa to enter the UK because he had been accused of a serious crime on a previous visit, it emerged this evening.
Samson Obama was on his way to Washington for the President's inauguration in January but was stopped by immigration officials at East Midlands Airport, central England. Biometric tests discovered the Kenyan mobile phone shop manager was linked to a serious incident in the UK last November, the News of the World will report tomorrow.
In its early edition tonight, the newspaper said Samson was arrested by police in Berkshire after an alleged sex attack on a British girl but he was never charged. A Home Office spokesman confirmed Samson Obama was refused a visa after immigration officers noticed one of the documents he supplied with his visa application was false which led them to make further inquiries.
A UK Border Agency spokesmantur said: "We consider all visa applications based on their merits. We will oppose the entry of individuals to the UK where we believe their presence is not conducive to the public good. The UK's border controls are among the toughest in the world. All visa applicants are fingerprinted and checked against watch lists.
"Using this hi-tech system we have detected more than 5,600 attempts to use false identities since December 2007. Our officers in 135 countries around the world are working with law enforcement agencies and airlines to clamp down on forged passports and visas, creating an offshore ring of steel to protect the UK." Samson is one of President Obama's half brothers and sisters by his father. Samson's mother Kezia, 67, has reportedly lived in Bracknell for six years.
The News of the World said that Samson took a connecting flight to Washington after being refused entry at East Midlands.
#3
I guess that DVD thing, and pawing the Queen, bothers the Brits more than they let out. Which is funny---they are perfectly willing to bend over and spreed it for ROPers.
#4
Samson Obama was refused a visa after immigration officers noticed one of the documents he supplied with his visa application was false which led them to make further inquiries.
Hopefully they will learn more about Samson's documents than we have about his brother's.
#5
How nice that he was able to catch a flight to Washington so he could crash with his other set of folks. Ol' Barry's got a sweeter setup anyway than Kezia.
#6
1) The half-Obama was accused, but not charged.
2) Inappropriate s*x with young interns has already been found acceptable for politicians in DC.
3) Lots of kin to politicians have been a little 'off' in their behavior (Billy Carter comes to mind.)
#7
News of the World: Obamabrother accused of UK sex assault The hi-tech database revealed that Samson - who manages a mobile phone shop just outside Nairobi - was the same man arrested by British police after he approached a group of young girls, including a 13 year-old, and allegedly tried to sexually assault one of them.
He then followed them into a cafe where he became aggressive and was asked to leave by the owner. That's when police were called and Samson was arrested.
He supplied officers with his mother's address in Bracknell but gave them a false ID, claiming to be Henry Aloo, believed to be a genuine asylum seeker.
Mum Kezia, 67, has lived in Bracknell for six years. She married the US president's father Barack Obama Snr in Kenya when she was a teenager.
Following Samson's arrest he was fingerprinted but not charged, then left the country.
Not charged. Should have been 20 years.
Posted by: ed ||
04/12/2009 10:15
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#8
Samson - who manages a mobile phone shop just outside Nairobi
A mooslim cellie shop manager in Kenya? A highly comforting thought, as we continue to deal with the IED/VBID threat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
#10
Mr. Barack Obama, Sr. scattered little Obamas all over the landscape with quite a few women, it seems. As one of those spawned and deserted by the gentleman in question, it seems to me unfair to hold President Obama, Jr. in any way responsible for the others similarly treated. Blame Daddy Dearest, if you must blame anyone other than the vicious idiot, himself.
LAHORE: Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen has termed Pakistans cooperation vital in eliminating terrorism from the region, saying that he is working to fill the breach between the US and Pakistan Army, a private TV channel reported.
According to the channel, Mullen told a US newspaper that he hoped that he would succeed in bringing a positive change in Pakistans mindset. He said that Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Kiyani had assured him of cooperation in the war against extremism being carried out by the US in the region. I hope the confidence will soon be restored between the armies of both the US and Pakistan, he said.
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Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has condemned Commodore Frank Bainimarama's reappointment as Fiji's Prime Minister, saying the country is now "virtually a military dictatorship".
Commodore Frank Bainimarama was sworn in again as Prime Minister in Fiji, after the country's President abolished the constitution and sacked the country's judiciary over a court ruling which found the 2006 military coup was illegal.
"Australia condemns unequivocally this action by the military ruler of Fiji to turn this great country into virtually a military dictatorship, with the suspension of freedom of the press and actions which undermine prosperity for the ordinary people," Mr Rudd said.
The Federal Government is mulling sanctions on the country, which says it will now not hold elections for another five years.
Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Crean says democracy must be returned to the country as soon as possible. "This will not help the economy of Fiji [which] has been suffering ever since the military took over a couple of years ago," Mr Crean said. "All the President's done is tear up the Constitution - clearly he's acting in defiance of the law.
"It is getting to the stage of simply determining things day by day and this can't be good for stability, it can't be good for the future of Fiji, it can't be good for its people."
Mr Crean says Fiji may face expulsion from the 16-member Pacific Islands Forum, of which Australia is part.
Fiji's newly reappointed Government, led by military leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has ordered tougher censorship of the local media. The Permanent Secretary for Information has been given near total control over what is printed or broadcast in Fiji.
On Friday, Major Neumi Leweni sent his Information Officers, police and soldiers into the newsrooms of the Suva's local media to check on the stories they were intending to run. He has now extended that control, informing the local media in a letter that they should refrain from publishing and broadcasting any news item that is negative in nature relating to recent political developments.
This includes the President's assumption of executive authority on Good Friday and yesterday's appointment of Commodore Bainimarama as Fiji's Prime Minister for five years.
Commodore Bainimarama says he hopes everyone will follow the restrictions. "We must all be loyal to Fiji - we must be patriotic," he said. "The necessary regulations are in force. I'm sure we will all, including the media, cooperate with the relevant agencies."
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#1
The Federal Government is mulling sanctions on the country
The latest, hip tranzi-speak for mental masterbation.
PATTAYA, Thailand - A summit of Asian leaders in Thailand was cancelled on Saturday after anti-government protesters swarmed into the meetings venue, renewing doubts about the durability of the government.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva imposed a state of emergency for a few hours in Pattaya, a resort about 150 kms (90 miles) south of Bangkok best known for its racy nightlife and as a port of call for U.S. sailors, which was to host the East Asia Summit. He lifted it after the foreign leaders had left the country. About half of them had had to be evacuated by helicopter from the venue to a nearby military airbase.
The summit fiasco is a huge embarrassment for Abhisits government, which came to power in December through parliamentary defections that the opposition says were engineered by the army. The weekends events will also raise questions about how enduring his government can be.
Four prime ministers over the past 15 months have failed to resolve Thailands deep political rift between the royalist, military and business elite on the one hand, and a rural majority loyal to ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on the other.
Asked by Reuters if he planned to resign, Abhisit said simply: We have to restore law and order.
On Saturday, hundreds of red-shirted Thaksin supporters broke through lines of soldiers and invaded the media centre adjacent to the summit venue, the Royal Cliff hotel, blowing whistles, waving flags and shouting Abhisit Out. Troops tried to stop them, but red shirts and soldiers came hurtling through a huge picture window at the media centre in a furious scrum. Soldiers then bolted down the road to protect the hotel where Asian leaders were to hold a lunch.
After rampaging about the media centre, an elderly woman in a wheelchair among them, the red shirts were soon huddled with reporters in impromptu news conferences around the conference centre, denouncing Abhisits government as anti-poor. We are leaving for Government House to continue fighting, said protester Kittisak Chimplewanasom. We won this time, as we were able to show ASEAN that we dont need this prime minister.
Kongkiat Opaswongkarn, chief executive of Asia Plus Securities in Bangkok, called it a huge, huge embarrassment. The economy is already bad and after such an event, its pretty obvious business sectors like tourism will really fall off the cliff, he said.
The disorder may mean losses worth no less than the estimated $3.7 billion caused by the closure of Bangkoks two main airports late last year during previous unrest, said Kongkrit Hiranyakij, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand.
Thaksin, who lives in self-imposed exile to avoid jail on a corruption conviction and is thought to be bankrolling the protests, phoned in to his red shirts at Government House in the evening. Less rabble-rousing than on some occasions, he thanked them for their sacrifice at this holiday time and asked them to be patient for a few more days as they were on the point of achieving something. If our people in Bangkok and all the provinces unite, ... I think this time we can change the country. We will see real democracy with the king as the head of state, he said.
He is aiming to force Abhisit out and get new elections, which his supporters would most likely win. The billionaire was ousted in a 2006 coup, but his reconstituted party regained power after elections, sparking months of protests last year by yellow-shirted opponents.
The red shirts say they had intended to protest peacefully but became infuriated when blue-shirted, pro-government vigilantes arrived, armed with clubs, bricks and slingshots. Thaksin alleged these were police and soldiers in disguise.
Posted by: Steve White ||
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#1
They are just copying the tactics of the anti-Thaksin protestors.
Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Saturday said that Pakistan would not accept any conditions harmful for national interests for the US aid.
"Pakistan is a sovereign country, a self-respecting nation and front line ally in the war against terrorism and will not accept such conditions that are against the interests and stature of the country", the Prime Minister told newsmen in eastern Multan city.
According to press reports here on Saturday Pakistan has fully displayed its defiance against the United States by urging the American authorities to not attach "intrusive" conditions to the aid they have offered. "Once again there's talk of fixing Afghanistan and Pakistan. Please do not fix us," said Pakistani ambassador Hussain Haqqani in a joint appearance with his Afghan counterpart at a Washington think-tank, the Atlantic Council. "Mistakes have been committed on all sides. But this lack of trust will be addressed by talking to us, not by beating down on us," said the Pakistani ambassador designated in Washington.
Washington has increased aid to Pakistan to USD 7.5 billion under Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement (PEACE) Act of 2009 but has also increased accountability for every penny spent as well as added lists of do's and don'ts. The conditions include no "support to any person or group that conducts violence, sabotage or other activities meant to instill fear or terror in India" and recognizing that certain elements in its (Pakistan) establishment, specially spy agency ISI, have aided and trained such organizations over the past few decades.
Also, without directly naming disgraced Pakistani nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan, the bill asks Islamabad to ensure access of US investigators to individuals suspected of engaging in worldwide proliferation of nuclear materials, restrict such individuals from any travel or any other activity that could result in further proliferation and control of the syllabus of these religious seminaries, believed to have been a breeding ground for terrorists.
Five Palestinians were suffocated in a tunnel in south Gaza Strip on Saturday, a medical source said. Palestinian medics picked up five young people who were choked due to fuel leakage in a tunnel in south Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, the source told KUNA. The injured people were rushed to hospital in the city for medical treatment, he said, terming their condition as moderate.
Earlier in the day, three tunnel workers were injured in a tunnel cave-in in south Rafah.
Riot police have been sent into a prison to regain control after 400 inmates went on the rampage, setting fire to buildings in a protest over privileges. More than two-thirds of the prisoners at HMP Ashwell in Rutland were involved in the violence, which spread quickly when a riot in one wing led to a "total loss of control" by prison officers.
Police surrounded the open prison, which is a mile and a half from the town of Oakham, while riot squads with dogs tried to end a series of sieges in each block.
The Prison Officers Association (POA) said the inmates had barricaded themselves into buildings and were defending themselves with makeshift weapons. The union warned the riot would be "the first of many" because of a shortage of suitable cells in the penal system.
The riot began at midnight on Friday night after several prisoners lost their special privileges, such as better pay for work or access to sports facilities.
One inmate began a violent protest that spread quickly to other wings of the Category C jail, which houses prisoners deemed low-risk. Amid the chaos, prisoners ran from one wing to another, spreading the protest and looting kitchens and storage rooms for ladders, tools, and petrol that could be used to make weapons. They also stole food and drugs and started a string of fires.
Nearby residents, woken by police helicopters with infrared search cameras, described the scene as "like a war".
It was not until Saturday afternoon -- more than twelve hours after the violence began -- that the first of at least 150 prisoners were taken away from the facility in vans.
At least 100,000 people have marched through the British capital to demand an immediate end to the Sri Lankan military offensive against fighters from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Protesters in London on Saturday demanded a truce in the Indian Ocean island, saying that civilians were increasingly being placed in danger by the conflict.
"As they increase the onslaught, more and more civilians are dying. They don't differentiate between civilians and Tigers," Khalyan Ganeshamoorthe, one of the protesters, told Al Jazeera.
Tigers never were much interested in differentiating between civilians and military themselves ...
Some demonstrators waved red LTTE flags, while others carried a mannequin representing a dead woman on a stretcher, with a sign reading "Caused by government force".
The ethnic Tamil community in Britain numbers around 250,000 to 300,000 people and in recent weeks it has organised several large protests in London to put pressure on the British government, the former colonial power in Sri Lanka, to act.
Posted by: Steve White ||
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Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said yesterday that Bangladesh is a secular country with a Muslim majority. She made this observation in reply to a question whether Bangladesh is a moderate Muslim country as termed by many foreign diplomats.
In 1951 the Hindu population of Bangladesh was 22%. Today it is less than 9%
The landslide victory of the secular forces in the last general election also proves that people of this country do not subscribe to fundamentalism, she opined.
How she managed to keep her lips on after those statements I'll never know ...
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The United Nations force in southern Lebanon is on its way to "disintegrating," senior defense officials warned on Saturday, after Poland announced it was withdrawing its troops from the peacekeeping force.
Polish Defense Minister Bogdan Klich announced on Friday during a visit to Lebanon that the 500 Polish soldiers currently assigned to UNIFIL would return home by the end of the year.
"Poland is more and more involved in NATO and EU missions. Thus we are returning from UN missions," Klich said, adding that "they ceased to play such an important role for the security of Poland as it has been the case in the past."
Last week, The Jerusalem Post reported on Israeli concerns that US pressure on European countries to expand their contribution to the NATO war in Afghanistan could lead these countries to downsize their UNIFIL contingents in southern Lebanon.
#2
An excellent opportunity for UNIFIL to be replaced by a few of the more orderly, mixed Iraqi divisions. Undoubtedly, Hizbollah would try it on against them, and the Iraqis would kick seven bells out of Hizbollah.
The Iraqis would demilitarize the heck out of southern Lebanon, and they know how. And the Lebanese Shiites would feel very safe with them instead of Hizbollah.
The Syrians wouldn't dare mess with the Iraqis. And even the Israelis would be sweetness and light to them.
By just being there, it would put a serious damper on Hamas as well. Egypt would be happier with less Iranian influence on their doorstep.
#3
The problem, Anonymoose, is that the Iraqis are not necessarily any fonder of Israel than the rest of the Muslim Middle East; Israel therefore cannot assume increased security as a result of Iraqi quashing of Hizb'allah nonsense.
#5
Oh, I'm sure the Iraqis have no great love for Israel, but this would be a national prestige assignment. The issue here really isn't Israel, but Sunni and Shiite, with a healthy dollop of Christian. In essence, what they left back home.
The situation they would be put in could be very carefully crafted, so that Iraqi Kurdish Peshmurga, who get along fairly well with Israelis, would be on the border proper. This might even result with some mutual diplomacy between the Israelis and the Kurds, which would be a good thing.
This would leave the Iraqi Shiite and Sunni to essentially take over the job of Hizbollah, being non-threatening to the Shiite Lebanese, while their Sunnis would reassure both the Sunni Lebanese and the Sunni powers that Lebanon wasn't going to be converted to a Shiite nation.
The Hizbollah would be on the outs, as would support for Hamas, and the Syrian Alawite Shiites would be wary of the the threat posed by their own Sunni majority.
Ironically, it might work very well, with the big losers being Iran and Syria. A more stable Lebanon would be the big winner.
SRINAGAR, INDIA - An outspoken Kashmiri separatist said Saturday he would run in Indias elections starting next week, marking a radical departure for the movement which has until now boycotted polls.
Sajad Lone, 41, heads the Peoples Conference, a separatist group in Muslim-majority Indian Kashmir. I have decided to contest the upcoming parliamentary polls with a commitment to use this mechanism as a method to represent the voice of the Kashmiri people, Lone said. This is to take the strength and merits of our cherished (independence) aspirations to the central stage of India, where it cannot be ignored or censored.
The announcement came a day after the hardline wing of the regions main separatist alliance, the Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference, announced a campaign against participation in the general elections that kick off on Thursday.
Separatist groups have long argued that taking part in elections in Kashmir was tantamount to accepting Indian sovereignty over the scenic Himalayan region. But elections in Kashmir last year witnessed an unprecedented 60 percent voter turnout -- a figure the government in New Delhi was swift to hail as a victory for democracy and a vote for national integration.
Its a setback to the separatists as boycott is their accepted strategy, said Tahir Mohiudin, editor of the widely read Urdu weekly Chattan, or Rock.
Lone is one of Kashmirs most vocal separatists, defending the cause in television debates, newspaper interviews and seminars.
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#1
If he wins, he gets to swear allegiance to the Indian Union.
Posted by: john frum ||
04/12/2009 12:33
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UN Security Council's five permanent members approved a presidential draft statement condemning North Korea's recent rocket launch, but its approval by the full council is scheduled for Monday afternoon, the council president Claude Heller of Mexico told reporters following a council informal meeting on Saturday.
The P5 - US, UK, France, China and Russia - along with Japan, which feels "most threatened" by such launch, met earlier in the day and approved the draft text. No agreement was reached on a draft resolution because of Chinese and Russian opposition.
While a council resolution is binding, a statement read out by the council president in an open meeting or to the press outside the council chamber are not ending.
Japanese UN envoy Yukio Takasu admitted that his delegation had no choice but to accept the draft presidential statement and not not push for a draft resoslution because "equally important is unity of the council," adding that he is "grateful" to the Chinese delegation for showing flexibility in accepting this "strong message (statement)."
The council would condemn in the draft statement when it meets next Monday North Korea's launch last Sunday of a rocket "in contravention" of council resolution 1718, reminding the country that it "must fully comply with its obligations" under that resolution and demanding that it no longer conduct any launch. The draft also threatens North Korea to "adjust" the sanctions already imposed on Pyongyang in 2006 by designating more entities and goods for sanctions by April 30.
"So there!"
Expressing its support to the six-party talks, among the two Koreas, Japan, China, Russia and the US, the council would also express its desire for a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the situation and welcome efforts by members states to facilitate a solution through dialogue.
US UN envoy Susan Rice told reporters following the informal meeting that the draft statement she presented to the other council's 10 non permanent members for consideration sends a "clear message" to North Korea that its launch of the rocket will not be treated "with impunity and will have consequences." She added that the whole council supported the draft but have to get back to their capitals, expressing hope that they will send the same message to Pyongyang when the council meets on Monday for "swift action." Heller also described the draft statement as an "excellent basis" for consensus and contains "good elements" and sends a "clear and strong message," insisting that it is "important that the council acts in a "unified manner."
Peru's Shining Path rebels have killed 13 soldiers in an ambush in the south east of the country, the country's defence minister says.
Antero Flores Araoz said the rebels had used dynamite and grenades to attack the military patrol on Thursday. The dead included a captain and 12 of his soldiers. Two others were wounded and one is still missing.
The ambush is one of the deadliest operations by the once-formidable guerrillas in the past decade. Mr Flores said the incident took place on Thursday, but news had been delayed by poor communications with the region.
QUETTA: A reporter in Khuzdar district of Balochistan was injured as unidentified gunmen fired at him on Saturday. Haji Wasi Ahmed, the Khuzdar correspondent of a Quetta-based daily, was rushed to the hospital after he was shot twice in the stomach. His condition was reported to be stable.
Ghulam Siddiq Mosiani, a newspaper hawker, was also injured in the attack.
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The UK must distance itself from American foreign policy if Pakistani youths are to be prevented from growing up hating Britain, according to the government's social cohesion minister.
The comments by Sadiq Khan, who has just returned from a fact-finding trip to Pakistan, follow the arrests of 12 men - 10 of whom were Pakistani nationals - in the north-west of England last week on suspicion of planning a terror attack. They are likely to be given short shrift from Number 10, which has been keen to ally itself to the Obama administration. Earlier this month Gordon Brown stressed the two allies were united in their fight against terrorism in Pakistan.
But Khan, London's first Muslim MP, said the UK must differentiate itself from the US after attending meetings at universities in Pakistan. "I listened to the anger and pain over the challenges that young people growing up in Pakistan face, including the anger and frustration over US drone attacks," he said.
The attacks by unmanned US drones have provoked fury in Pakistan, where scores of militants have been killed in the country's remote border regions, along with innocent civilians.
"The anger and frustration at the drone attacks was huge," Khan said. "The view they [the students] had was that the UK was somehow responsible for this. They haven't understood this was purely a US matter. They lumped us together with the US, which to me is a poison. It demonstrates to me we have a big problem."
Khan, whose parents are from Pakistan, suggested the UK should look to reach out to disaffected Muslim youths by emphasising the close links between the two countries. "Much of the Pakistani population doesn't realise the good we are doing," Khan said: the UK is to double aid to Pakistan to £180m by 2011.
Crucial to winning hearts and minds, Khan said, was dismantling the perception that the US and the UK were one and the same over foreign policy. Acknowledging the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq had mobilised Muslim opinion against the UK, Khan said: "Because of things that happened in 2003, there is an uphill battle. We need better to explain that there has been a distinct change in UK foreign policy.
"For example, this month the last troops will come home from Iraq: that's very different from the US. The drone attacks are US, not UK; our development policy doesn't have the strings that come with US aid."
Khan's comments come as ministers seek to increase the numbers of security officials in Pakistan to help in vetting those applying for visas to Britain. At present there are fewer than 10 security service officers assessing the backgrounds of more than 20,000 applications a year. "At present, we are reliant on a small number of officials who do the ground work; that is reliant on the Pakistani government giving us what it knows. That should improve in the near future, and can be done with the co-operation of Pakistan," a Home Office source said.
Government figures show that 42,292 student visas were issued to Pakistanis between April 2004 and April 2008.
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#2
A distinguishing attribute of a failed state is the refusal to accept responsibility while placing the blame for any unhappy event on someone else. This is especially true in Pakistan. A distinguishing attribute of Muslim politicians and mullahs is the refusal to face reality or tell the truth. And this is also true of Muslim politicians and mullahs in Britain, Europe and the USA. Consequently, for those who see the situation clearly it has become patently obvious that Islam is a failed religion.
#4
Repair begins with deporting muslims. Pakis first.
Posted by: ed ||
04/12/2009 10:18
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#5
It must aggravate the hell out of the Hindus who live in Britain, peacefully, employed, hard working and successful, being lumped together with Pakistani Muslims who are just a royal pain in the ass, as both "Asians".
Britain's prisons have almost no, zero Hindus in them; but a majority of prisoners for serious crimes are Pakistani Muslims. The number of Hindus on the dole is below average for any other ethnic group, but Pakistanis go after every scrap of handout they can get.
Yet, according to the PC British, both are "Asians".
ISLAMABAD: Commenting on the arrest of several Pakistani nationals in the United Kingdom, the Foreign Office (FO) on Saturday said the British government had contacted Islamabad at the highest level.
The UK has been assured of Pakistans cooperation in the case if evidence of their involvement in any criminal activity was found, an FO spokesman said. He said the Pakistani High Commission in London had been instructed to obtain precise details and also seek consular access for the suspects.
The spokesman said no one should jump to conclusions and let the law take its course, and cautioned against any steps by anyone that might single out or ostracise a community.
Perhaps if the Pak gummint and Pak community in Britain were more forward in identifying the bad boyz in their midst people wouldn't be jumping to conclusions ...
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#2
Somali piracy may be a manageable problem (or it may not), but piracy and terrorism can and does quickly outstrip the resources available to control it.
As long as the Somali pirates are seen to succeed we risk seeing, Eritrean piracy, Yemeni piracy, Sudanese piracy, Nigerian piracy, etc.
The we definitely have an unmanageable problem (with current containment tactics).
"Little ships, big ocean. Maybe, perhaps, possibly".... etc. Hand the mission off to the Coast Guard? Basketball College language Barry will be proud of.
#6
"If there was any kind of effort to move ashore, if I was making any recommendations, it would be to ensure it's a multi-lateral approach sanctioned by the UN.
Apparently Mr. Patch is another typical self- declared expert looking for relevance. UN Resolution 1851, passed in December of 2008, already authorizes foreign states to "take all necessary measures that are appropriate in Somalia" to suppress "acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea." It specifically permits land based operations.
It is a good thing the CIA is now out of the overseas prison business. Black sites, waterboarding and renditions were never really the CIA's strong suit. Classical espionage, the CIA's bread and butter, has nothing to do with coercion. And that is not to mention that the prisons have stigmatized the CIA with the worst abuses of the Bush White House. In any case, it is the military that should be holding and handling prisoners of war, not the CIA. (Read Inside the CIA's Secret Prisons Program.)
The prison work has also been a serious drain on CIA resources. In Thursday's announcement, CIA Director Leon Panetta said that in closing the prisons, the agency would save $4 million per year on contractors. What he didn't mention was that hundreds of CIA staffers were involved in overseeing the prisons. The tail to tooth ratio in the CIA is no different from any other government agency.
Closing the prisons will put an end to a major distraction. But it shouldn't stop there. If Panetta can get away with it at the White House, he needs now to slash the CIA stations in Iraq and Afghanistan -- by at least half. The stories I hear from Baghdad and Kabul all run in the same direction: people falling over each other chasing a few sources, all frustrated that they are not allowed to get out more because of the very real risk of kidnapping or assassination.
And it is not as if either Iraq or Afghanistan is helping to train a new generation of officers. Sallying forth from Baghdad's Green Zone in a heavily armored SUV, surrounded by phalanx of contractors carrying M-4's, and picking up a source on a dark street corner is not classical espionage. As one CIA officer put it, "People coming back from Baghdad and Kabul have to unlearn everything they learn there."
There's also the problem that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are ripping apart families. A CIA officer posted in a war zone for three or four successive one-year tours risks coming home to face divorce -- or the alternative of leaving the CIA. It's a shame because the CIA right now is actually attracting the best and the brightest, possibly the best recruits since its founding in 1947.
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not unlike Vietnam, which in the '60s and '70s was a distraction from spying on the main enemy, the Soviet Union. Vietnam was a voracious maw that never stopped sucking in people and resources. And no matter how much the CIA threw into it, it never tipped the scales. It took the CIA at least a decade to put Vietnam behind it.
The CIA needs to get back to what it does best, find and turn that Pakistani intelligence officer who knows where Osama bin Laden is today. Or turn that Iranian nuclear scientist who can tell us how close Iran is to having a bomb. Neither was ever going to be found in the prisons in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Baer, a former CIA field officer assigned to the Middle East, is TIME.com's intelligence columnist and the author of See No Evil and, most recently, The Devil We Know
Not sure what to make of this piece. Mr. Baer has credentials. It's also Time and the only CIA agent they ever liked was Valerie Plame -- and her only when she was useful to them. It might not be the best use of resources for the CIA to herd and guard prisoners, but we're going to have to have a place to jug people whom we don't want out loose killing Americans. If not the CIA, who? If not Bagram, where? The article almost reads as another excuse for Waging Law.
I'd like to see the CIA find that Iranian nuclear scientist, too. The claim that this is what the CIA does best is belied by their recent history. Then again, they never brag about their successes.
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I am not a number. I am a USDOJ client...
Posted by: M. Murcek ||
04/12/2009 2:05
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#2
If not the CIA, who? (Democratic National Committee) If not Bagram, where? (Whitehouse Lawn for Easter Egg Roll) The article almost reads as another excuse for Waging Law. (All we are saying... is give peace a chance)
#3
Breaks my heart to hear the Klingon(s) bemoan the dirty, knuckle dragging, quasi-military mission that THEY, the all knowing INTELLIGENCE EXPERTS insisted on undertaking....in the name of "clandestine intelligence collection."
The Agency has been at odds with DoD for decades regarding this type of activity. Oh yes, it's all spelled out very properly in Director of Central Intelligence Directives (DCID), but they've looking down their noses at the services and done everything they could to restrict and inhibit service operations and successes. It's all about turf and funding you see. With DoD clan-HIMINT all but vaporized by their efforts, they now must now ask law school grads Suzzie and Johnny to run source operations in combat theaters of operations THEMSELVES! Chickens home to roost. Piss on the bastards! You ask for it, you're the "experts"...you GOT IT! Now go make it phueching happen and stop bitching!
OTTAWA - The Palestinian Authority demanded this week the cancellation of an exhibition of Dead Sea Scrolls, which it said were stolen by Israel from Palestinian territories, Canadian media reported.
Or else they're going to seethe and roll their eyes ...
Top Palestinian officials called on Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to step in to cancel the exhibition, which is set to open in June at Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), according to the Toronto Star newspaper.
"The exhibition would entail exhibiting or displaying artifacts removed from the Palestinian territories," said Hamdan Taha, director-general of the archaeological department in the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, reported the Star on Thursday. "I think it is important that Canadian institutions would be responsible and act in accordance with Canada's obligations," Taha wrote in the letter to Harper.
Can't have any of this nonsense about God speaking to people prior to Mo' getting the word ...
The museum plans a six-month showcase of 16 of the 900 manuscripts from the Dead Sea. The scrolls, some of which are as old as the third century BC, have shed light on the earliest origins of Judaism and Christianity and are considered to be one of the greatest archaeological finds of all time.
In the letter, signed by senior Palestinian government officials, the objectors argue the texts were acquired illegally after Israel annexed East Jerusalem in 1967.
"I'm just hearing about this issue," said ROM head William Thorsell on Thursday, according to the Star. "I do understand the Palestinians are making an issue of the ownership. But I'm quite certain the scrolls fall within the parameters of the law."
Pnina Shor, head of the artifacts treatment and conservation department at the Israel Antiquities Authority, maintains that the Jewish state is the rightful custodian of the Dead Sea Scrolls. "As such, we have a right to exhibit them and to conserve them," he insisted, the Star said.
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#1
Why the Canadians never hold exhibitions detailing the Palestinian People contributions to World culture?
Members of the alleged Al Qaeda cell suspected of plotting a Bank Holiday terror atrocity worked for a firm based at Manchester Airport. At least one drove vans for a cargo company which has access to sensitive locations.
A further two had passed security industry checks which enabled them to guard premises overnight, further raising fears that members of the gang - all but one of them Pakistani students - were planning to infiltrate high-profile targets before an attack.
The revelations came as police continued to question the 12 suspects and search properties across the North West, including one being examined as a possible bomb factory. It was further claimed that some of the men have links to the terror group accused of the devastating Mumbai attacks in India which left more than 170 dead. The group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, or Army of the Righteous, was also blamed for the Lahore cricket atrocity.
At least two of the arrested men had worked for Manchester Airport-based delivery firm Cargo2Go, the Daily Mail can reveal. Hamza Shenwari, who was seized by an anti-terror squad while driving down the M602, and another suspect are believed to have worked on a selfemployed basis, using their own vans to deliver packages for the firm, which serves airports around the country.
Directors of Cargo2Go confirmed the two men had worked there but refused to comment on whether any had been given such training. 'They weren't directly employed by us, they were selfemployed,' said director David Hough, who lives in Stockport. 'They would have had their own vans - we give them the logo and then they do the work. We're trying to get to the bottom of exactly who these men are.'
Two more of the suspects were seized while working as security guards at a Homebase DIY store in Clitheroe, Lancashire. The pair were named by the firm which employed them as Umar Farooq and Johnus Khan.
A Homebase spokesman confirmed that all its guards were required to have clearance from the Security Industry Authority, which has been ridiculed in the past for allowing 5,000 illegal immigrants to work as guards. A spokesman for the authority said foreign applicants would normally be granted a licence if agencies in their home country did not report that they had a criminal record.
And the ISI made sure these four were reported clean ...
The pair had been staying at a nearby bed-and-breakfast but are believed to live in Liverpool. They worked for Newcastle-based Sky Interserve UK Limited, to which the Homebase security role was sub-contracted.
Sky Interserve boss Muhammad Haroon Rashid, 26, himself a recent immigrant from Pakistan, said Farooq had lived in Britain for at least five years and was studying hotel management, but that he had not met Khan. 'I was really surprised to hear they had been arrested and linked to terrorism,' he added. 'I have spoken with friends of theirs and they think it is a mistake.'
A flat in the Edge Hill area of Liverpool where Farooq lived was yesterday being searched by police. It was the second raid on flats in the same rundown block where police have been hunting possible bomb-making materials. Sources said no significant finds have so far been made.
Other suspects include 22-year-old Abid Naseer, who lived with Shenwari in a terrace house in the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester. Another, Sultan Sher, was arrested at the nearby Cyber Net Internet cafe alongside a man so far named only as Tariq. Police in Liverpool seized another suspect, Abdul Khan, 26, who had been studying English at the now-defunct Manchester College of Professional Studies.
Although 11 of the suspects arrived in Britain on student visas, only one is known to have attended a reputable institution, a 26-year-old studying accountancy at Liverpool John Moores University. The suspects, who are being questioned at police stations around the North of England, are aged from their mid-teens to their early-40s.
The alleged links to the Mumbai terror cell emerged from Pakistani intelligence sources, who claim to have supplied some of the suspects' names to Britain in the first place. They say these names - among a list of 36 - were obtained during questioning of four terror suspects arrested in Pakistan three months ago, and examining emails and phone calls.
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#1
They worked for Newcastle-based Sky Interserve UK Limited, to which the Homebase security role was sub-contracted.
Sky Interserve boss Muhammad Haroon Rashid, 26, himself a recent immigrant from Pakistan
One can only hope the local CIA agent has already broken into Sky Interserve's home office, to examine files, computers, and phone records, preparatory to further searches. This sounds like good detective work was done, then the bad guys were watched until the last minute, so that convictions would actually be obtained from British judges.
Zoo keepers saved the life of a German woman who jumped into a polar bear enclosure at Berlin Zoo by pushing away of one of the animals when it attacked her.
The keepers' bravery was praised after they dragged the 32-year-old out of a moat for the animals. They had to shove the animal out of the way after one of four polar bears dived into the water and attacked her, inflicting serious bites to her legs and arms.
Knut, the zoo's baby bear that became an international celebrity in 2007 after it was hand-reared by a keeper, was in the enclosure at the time. Germany went polar bear crazy after the birth of the cute animal.
Police did not say why the woman jumped into the enclosure. She had to climb over a fence, a line of prickly hedges and a wall to get in.
#1
The Berlin Zoo ought to have its eisbär permit yanked by whichever governing body is in charge of issuing those tpes of permit. The BZ's stewardship of its bears has been absolutely dismal, possibly even criminal.
#5
You have to wonder if someone could make a fortune on some isolated island, by having a zoo full of critters, and letting insane people and drunks jump into their pits, to be torn up and eaten by them.
Then selling the videos. How many would do if just for the celebrity? Do it as the open act to gladiatorial combat.
Twenty-four more members of the Bangladesh Rifles arrested earlier in connection with the February 25-26 BDR rebellion case were ordered by a Dhaka court to be sent to jail on Saturday. Of the members, havilder Jalal Uddin in the court of metropolitan magistrate Mominul Hasan admitted to his involvement in the rebellion that killed 61 army officers.
The court of metropolitan magistrate AKM Emdadul Haque also remanded four people sepoys Jasim Uddin, Masum Miah, Mizanur Rahman and Rafiqul Islam afresh for four days for interrogation in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department.
CIDs assistant superintendent of police Abdul Kahhar Akand, also investigation officer of the case, produced 15 members in the court after completion of their remand and sought a fresh seven-day remand for four members for further interrogation. The rest of the 13 were brought to the court from the Newmarket police station where they were detained since Friday. Magistrate Emdadul Haque passed an order to send the 13 to jail after they were shown arrested in the rebellion case.
With the latest arrest, a total of 1,028 people, mostly BDR members, have so far been arrested in the rebellion case. Of them, 30 people made confessional statement to the magistrates.
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MOMBASA, Kenya (Reuters) - A U.S.-flagged ship that was seized by Somali pirates arrived safely in the Kenyan port of Mombasa on Saturday, as a Somali mediator headed to sea to try to secure the release of the ship's American captain. "The captain is a hero," one crew member shouted from the 17,000-ton Maersk Alabama container ship as it docked. "He saved our lives by giving himself up."
The ship, under the command of Richard Phillips, was attacked by gunmen far out in the Indian Ocean on Wednesday but its 20 American crew apparently fought off the hijackers and regained control of the freighter. Phillips was taken hostage and is being held captive on a drifting lifeboat by the gang of four pirates who want $2 million ransom for him, as well as safe passage.
Relatives said Phillips had volunteered to join the pirates in their lifeboat in exchange for the safety of his crew. At one point, he tried to escape by jumping overboard but "didn't get very far," a U.S. official said.
Three U.S. warships were in the area around the lifeboat. A U.S. military official who spoke on condition of anonymity said crew members on the destroyer USS Bainbridge saw Phillips on Friday from a distance of several hundred yards (meters), moving and talking aboard the boat after his failed escape.
CNN said on Saturday the Bainbridge sent a small boat to approach the lifeboat to open communication, but the pirates responded with gunfire. The Navy personnel then retreated.
NBC television and CBS radio said the lifeboat had drifted to within 20 miles of the Somali coast, and that U.S. military officials feared that if the craft reached the shore, the pirates might escape with their hostage on land.
Phillips is just one of about 270 hostages from a variety of countries being held by Somali pirates preying on the busy sea-lanes of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Yet the Maersk Alabama has captured world attention because Phillips is the first U.S. citizen seized and his crew was able to regain control of the ship.
"Once again, it has taken American involvement to get world powers really interested," said a diplomat who tracks Somalia from Nairobi.
Taking Euros hostage wasn't enough to get European world powers really interested?
John Reinhart, president and chief executive of Maersk Line Ltd, said the FBI was investigating the hijacking in Kenya. "Because of the pirate attack, the FBI has informed us that this ship is a crime scene," he told reporters, adding that the crew will have to stay on board the vessel.
Waging law ...
Somali elders sent a mediator on Saturday in hopes of resolving a standoff between the U.S. Navy and the four pirates holding Phillips, a 53-year-old Vermont father of two. "They are just looking to arrange safe passage for the pirates, no ransom," said Andrew Mwangura, the coordinator of a regional group that monitors piracy.
The mediator took to sea in a boat but it was unclear how he would reach the pirates. He speaks English and aimed to bridge the language gap between the pirates and the U.S. side. "The man took a boat but how he will spot the lifeboat is the question," said Aweys Ali Said, head of the local Galkayo region's local authority. "The elders want the captain to be released and the pirates to come home safely. But I understand, the pirates need a ransom, come what may.
The gang holding Phillips remained defiant. "We will defend ourselves if attacked," one told Reuters by satellite phone.
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What if we support a government strong enough to remove piracy, but too weak to do anything about the terrorism cells? Piracy is what has the international community involved in the problems of Somalia right now, if that goes away, we are left with the bigger threat to our national interests and no one internationally to help.
Somalia is much to complicated for the comparisons some are making to Pakistan and Iraq. At least in those places, we know who we want to work with. The government of Somalia doesn't even have governing control over the regions involved in piracy, and the areas the government does control are where the terror groups have sanctuary.
I got creamed last year in the comments by my readers for suggesting the pirates could possibly be the most desirable group to work with in Somalia, but we should not quickly dismiss that possibility. I'd rather work with a capitalist criminal whose motivation is money than a religious terrorist who is more interested in ideology, but that is just me.
I'm not sure we know who we want to work with in Pak-land, but he's right about Somalia: there is literally no one to work with. Co-opt the pirates? Not likely. But it's an interesting thought that they're more desirable than Sheik Ahmed ...
Posted by: Steve White ||
04/12/2009 1:09
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#2
A longer piece from Galrahn about the problem here.
Posted by: Steve White ||
04/12/2009 1:15
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#3
Galrahn writes as if he went to an Ivy League school.
#7
The Maersk Alabama was carrying food aid for the region. It is now delivered to port in Kenya. Where is it supposed to go from there? Staying in Kenya? Somalia? Sudan? Or Uganda/Congo/Central Africa?
#11
Somalia is a failed state. There is no move afoot to try to make it a real state, with full responsibilities, etc etc.
Ya wanna adopt this place, too? You willing to sink billions that YOU DO NOT HAVE into this traditionally unruly place?
You do not make deals with pirates. You do what is necessary to personally hurt them so they leave you alone. If they and the people want to change, they know where to call, and you can work together.
Barring that, you make the price of messing with ocean commerce and shipping so high that they will leave you alone.
You do not pay the equivalent of protection money to some pirate a$$hole.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
04/12/2009 12:31
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#12
"#9 Caroline speaks as though she duplicated Uncle Ted's courses.
Hope she got a better grade in swimming class."
Teddy's swimming was just fine, Steve. It was his passenger who flunked.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
04/12/2009 13:31
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#13
Somalia is a failed state. There is no move afoot to try to make it a real state, with full responsibilities, etc etc.
Actually, there are several factions trying to make their little respective pieces of Somalia into real states.
And some of these factions are inimical to our interests.
#14
IIRC DRUDGEREPORT > PHILIPPS RESCUE [vee USN Seals] > PIRATES VOW REVENGE AGZ THE USA AND FRANCE.
Also IIRC, ala STRATEGYPAGE, the PYR-I-I-ITES + Radical Islam had warned Kenya's Govt. not to interefere wid their Gunmen [read, Pirate, etc. Activities]. IOW, KENYA + SOMALI PIRATE ENCLAVES > AKIN TO PORT ROYAL, TOBAGO, + OTHER PIRATE-CONTROLLED CITIES + LANDS IN HISTORY. The USA = BRITAIN-EUROS as per efforts to contain or destroy these pirate groups [Recall Captain Kidd, Henry Morgan,etal.].
THEY really Really REALLY R-E-A-L-L-Y REEEEAAAALLLLYYY RRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEE
EEEEEEEEELLLLLYYYY, D *** YOU, WANT THE BAMMER = OWG USSA/USR of Amerika TO INVADE AFRICA????
AMMAN - Jordan's King Abdullah II on Saturday told Arab foreign ministers that a unified position on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process is key to a solution in the Middle East.
Ponies for everyone!
"A unified Arab position towards the peace process and speaking one language with the international community, particularly the United States, will help achieve a just peace," a palace statement quoted the king as saying. "The time factor is vital for launching serious negotiations to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in line with the two-state solution."
Foreign ministers from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well as Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa, met earlier in Amman to voice support for peace based on a two-state solution.
"Our objective is to have direct peace negotiations, establish an independent Palestinian state and resolve all regional conflicts to create stability," Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh told reporters afterwards. "The meeting aims to reaffirm the Arab world's commitment to the Arab peace initiative, the option of peace and the solution of two states, Palestine and Israel."
Even though the Paleos don't support a two-state solution.
Posted by: Steve White ||
04/12/2009
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RANCHI, INDIA - Maoist rebels killed five policemen and injured three in eastern India on Saturday, hours before the chief of the ruling Congress party was due to address an election rally in the area.
Maoist rebels, who have called for a boycott of the general election in Jharkhand state, have stepped up their attacks ahead of the polls that begin next week.
In the Maoist ambush, five CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) personnel were killed and three were injured, said Satya Narayan Pradhan, a spokesman for the police in Jharkhand state.
The ambush was in the forested Khuti district, 10 km (6 miles) from the spot where Congress president Sonia Gandhi was due to address a rally, he said. The rally was delayed by two hours but went ahead, he said.
Maoist rebels have stepped up their violent campaign in eastern and central Indian states ahead of the general election and ordered people to boycott the polls. In Jharkhand state they have blown up government offices and schools, which are often used during polling, and set fire to candidates offices in recent weeks.
Posted by: Steve White ||
04/12/2009
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MINGORA: Once President Asif Ali Zardari approves the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation, the Taliban will surrender, TTP Swat chief Fazlullah said on Saturday. Fazlullah said this during a meeting with Swat peace Jirga head Inamur Rehman.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Rehman said Fazlullah had told him that the Taliban in Swat would not lay down their arms until the president singed the regulation.
And they won't lay down their arms after he signs, either ...
Posted by: Steve White ||
04/12/2009
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#1
They'll each hand in one of their twenty guns.
Posted by: john frum ||
04/12/2009 12:36
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#2
And get a brand new AK-74 from the ISI man
Posted by: john frum ||
04/12/2009 12:37
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Up to 2.000 pirates are now believed to be sailing forth from its (Somalia's) lawless coastline, carrying out anything up to half a dozen attacks per week and earning an estimated $30 million in ransoms last year alone. They operate mainly along a traditional clan basis - the system of close family loyalties that has made Somalia all but ungovernable as a nation, but which provides a perfect social template for crime Mafias.
The simple modus operandi of modern day piracy also suits them well. Besides a couple of motor launches, all that is needed is a few Kalashnikovs and perhaps a rocket propelled grenade launcher, weapons easily available in a country wracked by civil war. Even the sailing expertise required is limited. Most pirates steer these days not by the stars, but by hand-held mobile GPS systems - the nautical answer to the satnav - allowing them to range far out to sea without getting lost. Otherwise, little, prior planning is needed: the Gulf of Aden is so packed with shipping that targets can simply be chosen at random.
The Maersk Alabama, which originally had 21 American sailors on board, shows how much potential there is for major disaster. US television networks are treating it as a tale of all-American heroism, focusing on how the ship's crew managed first to take one of their attackers prisoner, and how Capt Phillips then selflessly volunteered for a hostage-swap. They could so easily, however, be reporting a tale of all-American tragedy.
#2
Quit feeding them and won't have tyo worry about American aid ships getting hijacked.
Posted by: ed ||
04/12/2009 10:39
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#3
Fifteen thousand in Somalia is the equivalent of $250,000 in the US - a small fortune. They also don't pay taxes, and have little overhead other than gas for their boat and shells for their Kalashnikovs.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
04/12/2009 13:15
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#4
It's booming cause there's little downside. When this happened two hundred years ago, the Europeans did nothing (except pay ransom and protection money). It took the President of a small country called the United States and an American naval commander named Stephen Decatur to put an end to the depredations of the pirates.
Pirates off the eastern coast of Africa fired on U.S. sailors Saturday as they tried to reach the lifeboat where an American captain is being held, a U.S. official familiar with the situation told CNN.
That should have been their death warrant right there ...
The gunfire forced the sailors, who did not return fire, back to the guided missile destroyer USS Bainbridge, the official said.
The U.S. Navy -- which is in charge of the situation -- requested help from the FBI to resolve the standoff. The FBI is launching a criminal investigation into the hijacking and hostage-taking, two law enforcement officials told CNN. The probe will be led by the FBI's New York field office, which has responsibility for looking into cases involving U.S. citizens in the African region. Agents from the office were scheduled to leave for Africa sometime this weekend, the officials said.
Phillips appeared to be tied up by the pirates after the escape attempt, a Defense Department official told CNN.
For the U.S. Navy, bringing in more firepower is more than just a means to resolve a hostage situation, said Chris Lawrence, CNN's Pentagon correspondent. Attacks in the area have picked up so drastically in recent months that the Navy has to reposition some of its fleet to deal with the threats, he said.
#1
The U.S. Navy -- which is in charge of the situation -- requested help from the FBI to resolve the standoff. The FBI is launching a criminal investigation into the hijacking and hostage-taking
Mr Kafka, Mr Franz Kafka, please approach the information booth.
#4
My guess is that the sailors on the ship are just as frustrated as everyone else with how those 'higher up' (and by that I mean the lawyer and politicians) are handling this.
#6
For right now the priority is the safety of the captain. We don't want a result like the French had, where one of the captives was killed - perhaps by friendly fire - in an attack. It is too bad we were not ready and willing to take advantage of the opportunity when the captain jumped overboard - such a chance is not likely to come again.
What will we do if other pirates bring fuel, shielded by other hostages, so the lifeboat can head for shore? I don't think we want that, but we have shown we are not willing to act to stop it (yet). My recommendation is we quietly attach a cable to the bottom of the boat and gently direct it to drift where WE want it (with perhaps a nice microphone feed too.) But I guess that would be hijacking, which would make us as bad as them (sarc).
#8
Forgive me, but I'll say it once again. This issue of the handling of this matter is much, much larger than the brave skipper of the Maersk Alabama.
Remember if you will the statement by Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste." The administration is exploiting this situation to make an international statement regarding sovereignty and law. None of what has played out thusfar bodes well for America.
#9
We all want Captain Phillips released alive and unharmed if it can be done. If he can get overboard again we should be ready. If we can talk with the pirates and have them release him, fine.
However.
I am not willing to see us pay a ransom for his release. I am not willing to see us coddle pirates so that they'll do this to us again.
I understand that I sound uncaring and bloodthirsty since it sounds as if I would 'sacrifice' Mr. Phillips. I would sacrifice no one but stopping piracy is of higher importance. I recognize that it could be me or a family member on that lifeboat right now. And I appreciate that for our Navy and for the politicians far away in Washington, this is not an easy call.
Stop the pirates. If words will do it then use words. If words fail then use force. Save Mr. Phillips if you can but don't dishonor the country in doing so.
Stop the pirates.
Posted by: Steve White ||
04/12/2009 10:44
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#10
The U.S. Navy -- which is in charge of the situation -- requested help from the FBI to resolve the standoff.
Not true, our very own Sec State declaired it a criminal event requiring it to be an FBI event. All captured US civs fall under FBI jurisdiction unless stated otherwise.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
04/12/2009 11:43
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#11
Its night time. SEALS go over the side on the Destroyer. Blow a charge in the underhull of the Pirates boat. Is the Captain of the MAERSK tied up so he cant swim? Assign someone to tag him in the water.
The Pirates are sitting out there in the dark and there is a massive hole they cant plug in the hull. Nobody to shoot at. Quiet and dark...very dark. Water coming in fast.
Abdrool is thinking he should Shoot the captain? Boat going down, water coming in... definitely about one minute before everybody is swimming.
If they do shoot the captain then we blame his death on them. Once they are in the water though...you deal with each one individually, just like a shark would. Pull him under and make sure he never comes up. Assign someone to get the captain on a Lung and move away.
Dont tell me we dont have assets for this. Washington is minus the cojones is all. Obama is like Carter, no real leader in a tight place.
LATER Start planning hitting the shore bases of the pirates. Something brutal and educational. No need for witnesses or survivors. Who did it? Who knows. Do it again.
You can "contract" many of the anti-piracy ops. Pay people to bring in SPECIFIC dead individuals with bounties on them. Get the pirates to hunt their associates. Offer good money for specific individuals. Pay good money for good work. I mean, do we have an Intell community who do more than cut th grass at Langley or dont we? Or is every asset the United States has living in Suburban Maryland with a pet?
How does the money for ransoms move..make some final accidents happen. Just leave the mess so its obvious and then....who did it? Who knows.
You want to play? All it takes is using the personnel we have who are good and actually liiike this sort of work. Scare the hell out of the right people and let the dog eat it.
#12
I mean, do we have an Intell community who do more than cut th grass at Langley or dont we? Or is every asset the United States has living in Suburban Maryland with a pet?
#13
I agree that this crisis is being used by the admin. The problem is that we are not controlling the battlespace. So the pirates have the upper hand.
The Israelis of yore did not negotiate with terrorists, and if they did talk, like they did with Idi Ammin, they set up their adversaries for complacency for a covert op.
Look what the Israelis have achieved now with their negotiation. How far the Israelis and the US have fallen.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
04/12/2009 12:37
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#14
I hate to say it, but the Navy knows that it, like the rest of the Pentagon, it has been hung out to dry by this administration.
It will give them intolerable rules. It will take credit for any successes, and it will blame them for any failures. And even if it is a success, the Navy will be blamed for not doing it the *way* their overlords wanted it to be done.
Given those options, the only thing the Navy can do to minimize its losses, is to FAIL. And continue to FAIL with every stupid, petty directive or mission that the administration throws at them.
Though it is hard on morale, the ways to do this are clear. Since Washington wants to micro-manage, let them. Ask their approval before doing anything, and over and over again. Demand signed or recorded authorizations from individuals, not agencies or offices.
Create endless delays while the situation degenerates. Be prepared to abort any mission and depart the AO swiftly. Strictly prohibit initiative and demand that everything be done "by the book".
Insist on legal opinions from multiple sources. Use these opinions as obstacles to the Washington directives. As needed, experience equipment failure and semi-essential supply contamination that requires withdrawl and resupply.
As disgusting as this sounds, it is when military bureaucrats shine. They do this to protect the lives of personnel, to protect units and ships, and to protect the branch of service and the entire Pentagon, from unethical and indifferent politicians and policy wonks.
In doing so, military bureaucrats will fight the rear area fifth column to their last breath. Yes, they are REMFs, but they watch your back with the tenacity of a loyal pit bull.
#16
I am not willing to see us pay a ransom for his release.
Steve White, I agree completely with your sentiment. However, unless you and I are part owners of the company that sails the Maersk Alabama, were really not part of the us. Neither is the US government. And for those who are responsible to make the decision to pay ransom its not only a moral consideration but a business decision as well. I will say this now that theyve engaged the US Navy it is no longer a simple law enforcement issue. Yarrr ye Skinnies best be keepn yer powder dry.
#17
If it was me in charge the headline would be
"In the country formerly know as Somalia, all boats were found sunk. Most weapons dumps also mysteriously exploded. Bright Pebbles has sent his condolences and offered to help."
LUCKNOW: The Samajwadi Party has vowed to work against the use of English in education and computers in new projects. While these are pitched as populist measures abolition of "expensive education in English" would allegedly create a level playing field for all and less use of computers would generate jobs the steps are being viewed with alarm as they have the potential to drag back the country by years.
Releasing the party manifesto here on Saturday, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav dwelt on his pet anti-English theme. The manifesto says that if a new government were to be formed with SP's support, it would work to abolish schools providing expensive education in English in other words, virtually every public school regarded among the country's top schools. Interestingly, Mulayam Singh's two sons have gone to such schools.
While speaking to reporters, Mulayam Singh said he was against "the compulsory use of English language in education, administration and judiciary". He said SP favoured the national language, Hindi, and regional languages. To give his anti-top grade education a populist spin, he said his party was in favour of free education for girls until graduation.
On computers, Mulayam said their use was leading to unemployment. He added that wherever work can be done by hand, computers would be abolished. As everything was done by hand until the advent of computers, the step, if taken to its logical conclusion, could lead to the scrapping of almost all computers. Later, it was clarified that less use of computers would be enforced only in new projects again, something that could put new projects at a disadvantage vis-a-vis older ones.
Not just these, the SP has also come out against mechanized farming, arguing against agricultural machines. Harvesters, Mulayam said, would snatch jobs from poor labourers during the harvesting season which, he claimed, gave employment for six months. The manifesto adds that after tractors were introduced, the bovine population has been coming down. Instead of ploughing land, bullocks and calves were going to slaughter houses.
Although SP has had close ties with the corporate world, its manifesto advocates bringing corporate salaries on par with government pay. Taking a leaf from the Left, Mulayam said at present, the economy was benefiting just a handful who had control over capital. He also opposed forward trading and said if a government was formed with SP's support, it would work to cut back if not abolish stock trading and mall culture.
The SP manifesto released on Saturday has pledged free agriculture facilities to farmers apart from loan at the rate of 4%, no forced acquisition of land and steep hike in minimum support price of crops.
And though Mulayam supported the nuclear deal, his manifesto has opposed American dominance in UN. Advocating friendly ties with neighbours, Mulayam said, "If a government comes to power with our support, we will ensure that action is taken against communal powers and attack terrorism at its roots".
Interestingly, Mulayam, who is facing CBI inquiry for having disproportionate assets, said that government should seize assets of people having excess wealth.
Mulayam had something for Muslims and Muslim clerics as well for the past 15 years, visas to Muslims students from Bangladesh, Lanka, Afghanistan, Middle East and European countries for studying at the Islamic education centre of Darul-Uloom-Deoband in UP were not being issued, he said. He assured that if a government was formed with SP support, visa rules would be relaxed. He also promised implementation of the Sachar panel recommendations. He also advocated quota for Muslims, backward and SC/ST in IITs, IIMs.
On tackling cross-border terrorism, the SP chief said that as long as physical barriers divided India from Pakistan and Bangladesh, terrorism would flourish. The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister harped on his pet theme of a confederation of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Accusing the previous governments of promoting forward trading, share market and the mall and multiplex culture in the country, Mr. Singh said the SP-supported government at the Centre would either reverse the trend or impose a ban on it.
Posted by: john frum ||
04/12/2009
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#1
Although SP has had close ties with the corporate world, its manifesto advocates bringing corporate salaries on par with government pay.
Phueching amazing! A page ripped right out of the Obama play book.
An Egyptian security official told Haaretz over the weekend that talks on the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit were ongoing. "We have invested great effort in the past, we're investing in the present, and we will invest in the future so as to secure a deal," the official said.
Talks on the Israeli side are still being led by Ofer Dekel, who was put in charge of these contacts by former prime minister Ehud Olmert. Last week, before the Passover holiday, Dekel met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to update him on the talks' progress, shortly before Netanyahu met with the soldier's parents, Noam and Aviva Shalit. Dekel was not present at the meeting between Netanyahu and the Shalits.
Israeli security officials told Haaretz last week that Netanyahu was considering appointing another defense establishment official to Dekel's position as special coordinator. "Netanyahu has to recalibrate the system, and everyone is waiting for his decision," a security official said.
"Our contact has been Ofer Dekel. However, the selection of another person is of course an Israeli matter, and we will of course be in contact with whomever fills the position," an Egyptian official said.
Remember: like for like. If Shalit is alive, trade live Paleos. If Shalit is dead, trade only dead Paleos.
Posted by: Steve White ||
04/12/2009
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MULTAN: Pakistan will not accept any US aid that comes with conditions that go against the countrys interests, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Saturday.
Oh. Well. Okay. Guess we'll just keep our money here at home.
Pakistan is a sovereign country and will not accept conditions that are against its interests and stature, he added. Talking to media at the State Bank of Pakistan Multan auditorium after chairing a ceremony to mark the launch of the South Punjab Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he said Pakistan wants friendly relations with all its neighbouring countries, whether it is India, Afghanistan or Iran.
Even when Pak citizens are booming their citizens ...
To questions on the Swat peace agreement, he said President Asif Ali Zardari had not yet approved the Nizam-e-Adl, and it would be placed before parliament for a final decision. He said parliament is the appropriate forum to discuss the matter.
Gilani said the assassination of three Baloch leaders was an extremely condemnable act. Let us wait for the judicial commissions report in this regard, he added.
They always have to wait for a commission or a report or for the 'truth to come out', when it's patently obvious to everyone in Pak-land what's happening and who's behind it all.
To questioning, he said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif was engaging in positive politics.
He's positively engaged in politics ...
He said there was no PML-N pressure to change the governor of Punjab. On whether the PML-N would join the government at the centre, the PM said that he would soon meet Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to present the PPPs point of view. He added that the PML-N leadership would then put up the matter before its party for a final decision.
Posted by: Steve White ||
04/12/2009
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#1
Obama will geek---he's only tough on working Americans and US allies.
The CIA no longer operates any secret overseas prisons, Director Leon Panetta said yesterday, and has not detained anyone since he became chief in February. Panetta's statement, contained in a message to the CIA workforce, also said the agency will no longer use contractors to conduct interrogations or to provide security for remaining detention sites.
Referring to "black sites," as the secret prisons were known, Panetta said the agency has a plan "to decommission the remaining sites," an apparent reference to facilities still in existence but no longer operational. He said that "Agency personnel" will take charge of that process and that any outside contracts still involved in site security will be "promptly terminated."
The CIA has never revealed the locations where it secretly held and interrogated as many as 100 high-level al-Qaeda and other terrorism suspects captured overseas after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. News reports have said the sites were in Thailand, Romania and Poland, among other places. Panetta's statement was the first public acknowledgement that some of the sites still exist.
Under executive orders issued Jan. 22, President Obama ordered the closure of the secret CIA sites, along with the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and banned interrogation techniques not authorized by the U.S. Army Field Manual.
Obama did not prohibit the process known as "extraordinary rendition," under which prisoners are secretly transferred from their place of capture to another country outside the United States. Panetta said that the CIA "retains the authority to detain individuals on a short-term transitory basis" but that no such detentions "have occurred since I have become director."
The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence last month launched a review of the CIA's detention and interrogation program that it said will "run parallel to a White House review to be conducted as part of President Obama's Executive Orders on detention and interrogation."
They'll conclude that 1) everything Bush did was wrong and 2) they have to keep doing it.
Panetta said the CIA will cooperate with the reviews of "past interrogation practices" and reiterated his insistence that agency officials who acted on Justice Department guidance "should not be investigated, let alone punished."
Posted by: Steve White ||
04/12/2009
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#1
What about the plans re. reeducation camps for Enemies of the People?
#2
The CIA no longer operates any secret overseas prisons, Director Leon Panetta said yesterday, and has not detained anyone since he became chief in February
1 - it's been subcontracted out to foreigners while we get still get the dividends. Moving the assets off the balance sheet just like a bunch of sub-prime paper on the banks' books.
2 - Bushie did such a good job of rounding up the so many key targets that grouse hunting is miserable right now.
#3
"Bushie did such a good job of rounding up the so many key targets that grouse hunting is miserable right now."
You never saw pirates bothering Americans much during the Bush administration either, just Europeans.
Give it time.
#5
I read elsewhere that both the CIA and the military interpreted this to mean "No more prisoners". That is, there really is no more need to capture either Taliban or al-Qaeda, because none of them have anything to tell us, and we are not required by the Geneva Conventions to make them prisoners. We can execute them at will.
Iranian Army said on Saturday that its air force will soon carry out the largest military maneuver in the Islamic Republic's history.
The army's Public Relation Department said in a statement that the air force will show off its defensive and combat capabilities on April 18, marking the National Army Day celebrations.
The statement pointed out that some 140 fighter jets will take part in the military exercise, including F4s, F5s, F7s, F14s, and MiG-29 aircraft, as well as the Russian Sukhoi aircraft and Boeing 707 and 747.
It expressed the air force's readiness to defend the country and to counter foreign attacks.
#2
Its massive military maneuver will consist of towing the jets around the airport in a big parade. Except for the F-14s, which will be towed on big dollies because the tires are all dry-rotted.
(I wish this was true, but afraid its just snark. But fun snark.)
#4
It would be the perfect day for the IAF to deal with the nuke issues, the Iranian airforce, the Iranian power grid, the iran refinery and anything else.
#5
If the Iranians do actually fly the planes in question, any guesses on how many will crash? The last time the Iranians had a big AF wargame, they lost 2 planes and had like 6 that could not take off.
WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates last week declared the F-22 Raptor, built in Marietta, dead. The Pentagon will buy only four more of the supersonic, super-expensive jets.
The death knell had barely sounded before the howls of protest rolled forth from Congress and beyond. Gates, a former intelligence officer and CIA director, was prepared. "My hope," he said Monday at a Pentagon briefing, "is that the members of Congress will rise above parochial interests and consider what is in the best interest of the nation as a whole."
U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), echoing comments from solons across the country and across the political divide, vowed later in the week "to fight as hard as I can" to keep the Raptor -- and 2,000 Georgia jobs -- alive. Chambliss and others want another 60 jets built, enough planes to keep production lines humming through 2014 -- when a new administration, new customers or new conflicts might keep the Raptor flying indefinitely.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Steve White ||
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#1
Put your money on those who have the most to lose...
Posted by: M. Murcek ||
04/12/2009 2:01
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#2
"But the recession reframes the F-22 argument."
Remember this episode the next time you hear about Sen. Chambliss or Rep. Gingrey pounding their fists demanding fiscal discipline. Their argument is not about the merits of a particular defense system its only about jobs in their State.
Conservative poseurs the lot of em.
#3
this is short sighted at it's worst..which plays right into the undeserving one's attempt to destroy america...yes this plane is not needed in our current wars but procurement is for future needs not now..just what did the 'new comrade' discuss with medev?? this is the plane we would need when we have to fight the chinese (with russian backing) in the future...we are doomed as a nation if we do not get some balls fast...
Posted by: dan ||
04/12/2009 14:17
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) security forces announced that it discovered on Sunday a store of arms into one of the mosques in the West Bank, an interior ministry statement revealed. 
A controversial preacher of hate banned from America and linked to the 9/11 terror attacks is to lecture young Muslims in Birmingham.
A Saudi mother is expected to appeal a judge's ruling after he once again refused to let her 8-year-old daughter divorce a 47-year-old man, a relative said.
In retaliation to brutal killing of a local leader of traders in Nawagai sub-division, the security forces Saturday launched an operation against militants and destroyed their several hideouts, besides seizing a huge cache of small and heavy arms.
By Jim Hoagland
ISLAMABAD - At least nine people, including a policeman, were killed Saturday as the riots over the assassination of three ethnic political leaders continued for a third day in Pakistan's south-western Balochistan province. 
CAIRO - Egyptian police have detained a man they say was transporting $2 million to north Sinai to be smuggled into the Gaza Strip to the Islamist group Hamas, security sources said on Saturday. The man, 
Five Palestinians were suffocated in a tunnel in south Gaza Strip on Saturday, a medical source said. Palestinian medics picked up five young people who were choked due to fuel leakage in a tunnel in south Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, the source told KUNA. The injured people were rushed to hospital in the city for medical treatment, he said, terming their condition as moderate.
QUETTA: A reporter in Khuzdar district of Balochistan was injured as unidentified gunmen fired at him on Saturday. Haji Wasi Ahmed, the Khuzdar correspondent of a Quetta-based daily, was rushed to the hospital after he was shot twice in the stomach. His condition was reported to be stable. 
The UK must distance itself from American foreign policy if Pakistani youths are to be prevented from growing up hating Britain, according to the government's social cohesion minister.
Twenty-four more members of the Bangladesh Rifles arrested earlier in connection with the February 25-26 BDR rebellion case were ordered by a Dhaka court to be sent to jail on Saturday. Of the members, havilder Jalal Uddin in the court of metropolitan magistrate Mominul Hasan admitted to his involvement in the rebellion that killed 61 army officers.
AMMAN - Jordan's King Abdullah II on Saturday told Arab foreign ministers that a unified position on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process is key to a solution in the Middle East.
The CIA no longer operates any secret overseas prisons, Director Leon Panetta said yesterday, and has not detained anyone since he became chief in February. Panetta's statement, contained in a message to the CIA workforce, also said the agency will no longer use contractors to conduct interrogations or to provide security for remaining detention sites.
WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates last week declared the F-22 Raptor, built in Marietta, dead. The Pentagon will buy only four more of the supersonic, super-expensive jets. 
