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Malaysia captures 12 suspected terrorists
Today's Headlines
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Page 1: WoT Operations
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Page 2: WoT Background
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Page 3: Non-WoT
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10 00:00 Old Patriot [3]
69 00:00 JosephMendiola [2]
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12 00:00 Task Force Dothan [1]
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Page 4: Opinion
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Page 5: Russia-Former Soviet Union
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Afghanistan
Taliban kill, kidnap dozens of Afghan police
KABUL (Reuters) - Taliban fighters killed at least a dozen Afghan police and abducted up to 40 in two separate attacks in southern Afghanistan, while U.S.-led forces launched an offensive in a nearby province, officials said on Wednesday. In the southern province of Zabul, a senior police official, Mohammad Rasoul, was killed and four other people, including two senior provincial officials, were wounded after the Taliban hit their car with a rocket on Tuesday night.

"They were part of a reinforcement sent to help a group of highway police who had come under Taliban attack on a road of Zabul," said Yousuf Stanizai, the Interior Ministry spokesman.

An official in Zabul, who declined to be identified, said more than 10 policemen were killed in the Taliban assault.

Continued on Page 49
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 05/31/2006 10:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  that sucks
Posted by: ordu || 05/31/2006 10:15 Comments || Top||

#2  This is the long awaited offensive by the Taliban. If they can sustain this tempo of operations, I expect more US troops will be sent to Afghanistan to deal with the problem.
Posted by: Zhang Fei || 05/31/2006 15:58 Comments || Top||

#3  Nothing like Muslim on Muslim killing...in the name of almighty allan, of course.
Posted by: anymouse || 05/31/2006 19:37 Comments || Top||

#4  I'd expect more cross-border bombing and Spooky flights .
Posted by: Frank G || 05/31/2006 19:42 Comments || Top||


Talibs kill Afghan aid workers
Taleban gunmen on motorcycles shot and killed three Afghan women working for the western Action Aid agency as they travelled in a car in northern Afghanistan yesterday. Their driver also died. In a separate attack, two locals employed by an American firm were killed when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb in the north-east of the country.

Posted by: Seafarious || 05/31/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Africa Horn
'Somali gunmen occupy Mogadishu hospital
Heavily armed Somali fighters have occupied Mogadishu's main hospital, forcing a near shutdown in key services to patients wounded in factional fighting that has rocked the city, witnesses said Tuesday. Dozens of gunmen from a US-backed warlord alliance took over the Keysaney Hospital in northern Mogadishu late Monday and refuse to leave despite appeals to do so and warnings the occupation violates international law, they said. Backed by machinegun-mounted pick-ups, members of the alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT) entered the facility, causing some patients to flee, and set up positions on its roof, they said. "The ARPCT has occupied the hospital," one Keysaney medical worker told AFP. "They have put sandbags on the roof and there are battlewagons outside."

The International Committee of the Red Thingy Cross, which opened the hospital in 1992 and turned it over to the Somali Red Crescent two years later, called for fighters to leave and said it was deeply concerned for the remaining patients. "International humanitarian law prohibits the use of a hospital for the conduct of hostilities," the ICRC said in a statement, noting that medical services had been "reduced to a minimum" at a time of critical need. "The ICRC calls for the withdrawal of fighters from the hospital as soon as possible," it said.
"Oh? Really? It does? I guess we'll just pack up and leave, then."
A senior alliance commander involved in the occupation told AFP that the fighters had deployed at the hospital to protect it from a possible attack by Islamist militia they have been battling. "Our aim is not to take the hospital but to protect it from the Islamic courts militia that could prevent people from getting medical aid," he said. "The courts planned to take the hospital and turn it into an Islamic hospital and that is what we are against," he said. "Our fighters took no patients, looted nothing and did not interfere with the hospital's business."
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Africa North
GSPC bombing injures 2 in Algeria
A bomb injured two policemen near the capital of Algeria on May 30, a local resident told Reuters. The blast occurred in the town of Bourmerdes, 30 miles east of Algiers. A second bomb was defused at the scene. The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, which has links to al Qaeda, was thought to be behind the attack.
Posted by: Dan Darling || 05/31/2006 01:32 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Hand grenade's blast wound two people
A hand grenade exploded east of the Algerian capital Tuesday slightly wounding two people, a security source said. The source was quoted by the Algerian Press Agency as saying the explosion took place in the center of Boumerdas state, 45 kilometers east of the capital. He added a bomb squad force dismantled a second bomb near the scene of the blast. The wounded were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, said the source. No other details were available.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Africa Subsaharan
Mugabe's obliteration of township exposed
LONDON: Satellite images have been released for the first time showing the destruction caused in Zimbabwe by the Government's policy of forceful shanty town demolitions last year. Amnesty International yesterday released images of the rubble of a housing settlement that had been home to 30,000 of Zimbabwe's poorest people. The human rights group said the photos were proof that communities were destroyed.

The images of Zimbabwe's Porta Farm settlement show the result of President Robert Mugabe's Operation Murambatsvina (Restore Order), which demolished townships to force people back to rural areas. The UN estimates that 700,000 of Zimbabwe's poorest residents have lost their homes or livelihoods, or both. "These satellite images are irrefutable evidence - if further evidence is even needed - that the Zimbabwean Government has obliterated entire communities, completely erased them from the map, as if they never existed," Africa Program director Kolawole Olaniyan said.

The organisation commissioned the satellite images to demonstrate the destruction of Porta Farm, a large, informal settlement that was established 16 years ago and had schools, a children's centre and a mosque. Where Porta Farm formerly stood, the images show a desolate landscape of rubble and trees. On June 28, as part of Operation Murambatsvina, police destroyed the homes of Porta Farm residents, forcing thousands to sleep outdoors in the middle of winter.

The Zimbabwean Government embarked on the operation in May last year, saying informal settlements were not desirable and that residents should return to rural areas. The communities affected by Operation Murambatsvina were among the poorest and most vulnerable in Zimbabwe. In several cases, such as Porta Farm, they had been the victims of previous forced evictions. They were given almost no notice before their homes were demolished and no alternative accommodation was provided.
Posted by: Steve || 05/31/2006 15:51 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  All around the world their are major cities with such shantytowns, whose leaders wish that they could do what Bob has done.

Cities inundated with rural peasants who have no future. They have no schooling, no training, and nothing to do once they arrive. However, they have an incredible capacity to destroy, to tear down a city.

Granted, such depradations are the fault of the government of the area in the first place.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 05/31/2006 17:44 Comments || Top||


Bangladesh
Tales from the Crossfire Gazette
Three people including an outlaw were killed in two separate 'encounters' with law enforcers in the capital and in Meherpur district early yesterday. The dead are Alamgir Sikdar, 22, an electrician, Faruq Hossain Jashim, 23, driver of a private car, and Saidur Rahman Sila, 36, Meherpur district commander of Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) Janajuddha faction.

Alamgir and Faruq were killed when Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) men and their accomplices were involved in a fire-fight at Shyamoli in the capital while Saidur was killed in crossfire when police and his accomplices engaged in a gun battle at Mujibnagar in Meherpur early yesterday.
RAB continues to lead intermural hardball league
Family members of Alamgir and Faruq claimed the two were missing for the last two days.
Fancy that
It's not true -- the Rab knew exactly where they were ....
Rab claimed they raided a club in Shyamoli around 1:10am where four to five men were allegedly planning criminal activities. As Rab men reached the spot, the alleged goons opened fire on them from their hideouts to which Rab retaliated.
I haven't seen 'goons' used in a while
During the battle, a number of the gangmen managed to escape while Rab claimed to have found bullet-riddled Alamgir and Faruq on the spot.
"bullet-riddled goons", they've got a new writer fresh out of J-school
Rab also recovered an automatic pistol, one pipe gun, several bullets, two cellphones and several bottles of phensidyle from the spot. The law enforcers said both the dead were accused in different cases including murder cases.

Rab filed two cases against the two with Mohammadpur Police Station, one for attacking the law enforcers and the other under Arms Act.
Plus a seperate charge of smuggling bullets in their bodies
Meanwhile, Faruq's father Mujibur Rahman told The Daily Star Faruq, driver to a Major of Comilla Cantonment, had been residing near the cantonment in Comilla with his family for several years. Quoting Faruq's wife Shilpi, Mujibur said Faruq left home on Sunday around 7:00pm after receiving a phone call. He has been missing since then. His family members tried to call him over telephone several times but could not reach him.
"Can you hear me now? Hello?"
"Learning about the so-called 'encounter' on TV, I went to Mohammadpur Police Station and later found his body at Dhaka Medical College (DMC) morgue," he added. He claimed no criminal case was filed against his son with any police stations.

Meanwhile, Alamgir's mother Rokeya Begum said her son worked as an electrician for an electronics company. She said on Sunday evening someone called Alamgir over the phone and he went out saying he was going to Shibchar of Madaripur to visit his grandmother. He had been missing since then. Learning about the death of her son she also found the body at DMC morgue. Claiming her son 'clean', she said, "I am challenging my son was not involved in any criminal activities."
"He was a good boy, etc"
Meanwhile, Saidur was killed in an encounter with police at his home in Tungi Gopalpur near Mujibnagar in Meherpur. Saidur was the Meherpur district commander of Janajuddho, police claimed. According to police, they arrested Saidur at a house in Mujibnagar upazila on Monday evening. Later, following his information a police team went to Tungi Gopalpur with him to arrest his accomplices and recover hidden firearms.
Our story now moves to a darkened street where.......
When the police team reached Khoksa around 4:30am yesterday, Janajuddha operatives ambushed the team. Police retaliated leading to a gun battle.
Janajuddha operatives having no more firearms skills than any gang in any secret lair ...
Police claimed Saidur, trying to escape custody during the battle, was caught in the line of fire and died on the spot. Police however failed to recover any firearms or arrest anyone.
"All right, who forgot to sign out the shutter gun?"
Police claimed Saidur was accused in six murder cases filed with Mujibnagar Police Station.
Posted by: Steve || 05/31/2006 10:01 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Major of Comilla Cantonment, had been residing near the cantonment in Comilla
Once they resided near a Cantonment they can never go back to the Upazila, even the legendary Tony Upazila of fond memory.

Posted by: 6 || 05/31/2006 11:40 Comments || Top||

#2  Faruq H. Jashim, Driver of a Private Car. Great business card material....
Posted by: Inspector Clueso || 05/31/2006 12:09 Comments || Top||


Europe
Electrocution survivor prepares for long, hot summer
Muhittin Altun, who survived being electrocuted in October when he hid from police in an electricity sub-station, was detained late last night in Clichy-sous-Bois, a poor neighbourhood northeast of Paris that was the centre of last yearÂ’s violence. Police said the 18-year-old had been throwing stones at a police car. His lawyer denied the charge.

Altun was alleged to have joined in the fresh wave of rioting as it spread from nearby Montfermeil, where gangs attacked a police station, set cars ablaze and rained stones down on public buildings. One of AltunÂ’s lawyers today complained at his arrest and denied police claims that he had participated in the fresh rioting. Altun had been due today to make a visit, alongside investigating magistrates, to the sub-station where he had suffered burns.

"Muhittin Altun is being held on pathetic charges - throwing a rock - which he vehemently denies. We are convinced of his innocence," Jean-Pierre Mignard told AFP. "He was arrested in front of his home. We are stupefied that his arrest is taking place a day before a critical judicial proceeding."
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 05/31/2006 09:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  His lawyer was interviewed this morning on the french LCI channel, disgusting, aggressive little man saying "my client is as pure as the driven snow, don't you foulmouth him", and again blaming the police for what happened to him in november (he was fried trying to escape the cops who had been called for a robbery, and savvy commenters suggested the intrusion into the substation was possibly to shutdown public lighting, a common preparation for the traditional welcoming of police... anyway, substations in the 'hoods are often used as stash places for various good, and are often left forced open).
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 05/31/2006 9:23 Comments || Top||

#2  Police Inspector: "I am shocked--shocked!--"

Muhittin Altun: "Yeah, tell me about it."
Posted by: Mike || 05/31/2006 14:16 Comments || Top||

#3  Doesn't sound like he learned his lesson the first time. Let's try it again...
Posted by: tu3031 || 05/31/2006 14:19 Comments || Top||


More Police Injured In Fresh Riots
Paris, 31 May (AKI) - Four policemen were injured, seven people arrested and vehicles set alight in fresh rioting mainly by French youths of Arab and African origin that broke out overnight in several high-rise suburbs of the French capital, Paris, news reports said on Wednesday. The disturbances followed clashes on Monday and Tuesday between scores of hooded youngsters and police in the Montefermeil and Clichy-sous-Bois areas, protesting the introduction last month of "anti-deliquency measures" by Montefermeil's major, Xavier Lemoine. Seven policemen were reported injured in the face-offs.

Scores of youths on Monday fought police in the Paris suburb of Montfermeil, and attacked Lemoine's home, rattling the gates and hurling stones at the windows. Police opened fire on the youths, using rubber bullets. Gangs also attacked the town hall, shattering its glass facade and throwing petrol bombs which failed to go off.

Four cars and many rubbish bins were torched. The disturbances persisted into the small hours. Trouble was also reported in the neighbouring suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois - where last year riots were stoked by the accidental electrocution of two teenagers who the rioting youths believed were being chased by police. Tensions have risen in the area since April, when Lemoine introduced a series of so-called anti-deliquency measures that included a ban on gatherings of more than three youths in the centre.

This week's riots are the worst seen in France since last October and November's disturbances in deprived, mainly immigrant populated suburbs of major cities, which highlighted the problems of poverty and ethnic discrimination and prompted the government to introduce a curfew and other emergency measures in affected neighbourhoods.
Posted by: Steve || 05/31/2006 08:33 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I read the headline and assumed it was Afghanistan. My mistake.
Posted by: ed || 05/31/2006 8:46 Comments || Top||

#2  Is this the Taliban's spring offensive we were waiting for?
Posted by: 49 Pan || 05/31/2006 8:53 Comments || Top||

#3  Slightly OT : regarding John's question yesterday about the use of baseball bats, it is not because baseball is big here (it is all but unknown), but the Youths(Tm) live in a gangsta/hip hop subculture, where the baseball bat is a "cool" bludgeon. They are bought solely for that purpose, it's a fashion statement.
"Traditional" clubs would rather be the ubiquitous pickaxe handle or iron rod, that was a staple of student "activists" in the 70's, and is still very common from what I read.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 05/31/2006 8:55 Comments || Top||

#4  Btw, here there is national msm coverage, but residents of the Vaux-en-velin Lyon suburbs comment on the weekly clashes with police, including ambushes where dozens of Youths(Tm) lure the police/firefighters with false 911 calls and stones them; last week, there was firearms use against police (ye olde pump-action shotguns).
Theses are only local news.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 05/31/2006 9:34 Comments || Top||

#5  "a gangsta/hip hop subculture"
Wow, hiphop Islamic fanatics. Who'd a thunk it.
Posted by: plainslow || 05/31/2006 11:34 Comments || Top||

#6  Thanks anon5089 for clearing that question up.
Posted by: john || 05/31/2006 11:54 Comments || Top||

#7  One of those little French armored cars with the machine gun on top could put a stop to a lot of this rioting in about 30 seconds, if the French had the cojones to use 'em. Too bad...
Posted by: Old Patriot || 05/31/2006 13:43 Comments || Top||

#8  The disturbances persisted into the small hours. Trouble was also reported in the neighbouring suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois - where last year riots were sparked stoked by the accidental electrocution of two teenagers running from the law
Posted by: Besoeker || 05/31/2006 13:50 Comments || Top||

#9  HTML hint: Type ™ to get the ™ character.
Posted by: Eric Jablow || 05/31/2006 21:21 Comments || Top||

#10  Alt+0153
Posted by: Frank G || 05/31/2006 21:32 Comments || Top||

#11  I noticed it was brewing three years ago on my last visit. I've been to France many times over my life, it is sad to see what is / has happened.
Posted by: bombay || 05/31/2006 22:51 Comments || Top||


Women May Have Planned Suicide Mission To Iraq
Berlin, 31 May (AKI) - German intelligence services in recent weeks have prevented three German women - at least one of whom is reportedly a convert to Islam - from travelling to Iraq on suspicion that they could be involved in suicide bombing missions, the German weekly magazine Der Spiegel's online edition has revealed. The women - one of whom is a Muslim convert - apparently have close contacts with Islamist organisations in Germany, the report said, adding that one of them announced on an Internet site that she intended to blow herself and her child up in Iraq.
Just another convert to the Religion of Peace
According to Online Spiegel the Web posting triggered an intensive search for the three women by Germany's domestic and foreign intelligence agencies. One of them was located in Berlin, the other two are believed to come from southern Germany. The Berlin woman's child was taken away from her and she has been put in a psychiatric clinic. The two other women were also prevented from leaving Germany. One of them is also believed to have a child. It's not clear yet how serious the women were about their claims and how far their plans for an attack had progressed. There has been no official confirmation.

Well-informed sources cited by Online Spiegel said the women have had contacts with sympathisers of Ansar al Islam, a militant group linked to al-Qaeda and suspected of smuggling suicide bombers from Germany to Iraq. The group is also suspected of raising money for the resistance to the US-led forces in Iraq.

There have been several such cases in the past, and German security officials have long been worried that Islamic militants are increasingly recruiting young Muslims with German passports for suicide attacks. There have been numerous reports of foreign suicide bombers active in in Iraq, but these are mostly believed to be militants from Arab countries. Last November a female Belgian convert blew herself up near Baghdad.
Posted by: Steve || 05/31/2006 08:27 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  ve haf veys of makink yew blow yourself upp
Posted by: ordu || 05/31/2006 10:18 Comments || Top||


Two Turkish soldiers, PKK rebels killed in clashes
Two Turkish soldiers were killed during a clash with Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) members in the Southeast province of Cirnak, Turkish military official said on Tuesday. Members of the banned Party engaged in a shoot out with security forces that resulted in killing of two of PKK members, Turkish news agency (IHLAS) said.

Violent clashes between the PKK and security forces have increased, especially during this month, since the jailed party leader Abdullah Ojalan, in Emirili Island, called off a unilateral cease-fire in 2004. The PKK or groups linked to it have also carried out attacks on civilian targets all over Turkey.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Great White North
Canadian troops told Geneva rules don't apply to Taliban
interesting.
Canadian troops in Afghanistan have been told the Geneva Conventions and Canadian regulations regarding the rights of prisoners of war don't apply to Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters captured on the battlefield.

That decision strips detainees of key rights and protections under the rules of war, including the right to be released at the end of the conflict and not to be held criminally liable for lawful combat. “The whole purpose of those regulations is to know if Geneva applies,” said Amir Attaran, a law professor at the University of Ottawa who has been pressing the Defence Department for details of its detainee policy for months.

The 1991 Canadian regulations — developed during the Persian Gulf war — included provisions to hold tribunals to determine a detainee's status under Geneva if there is any doubt.

Continued on Page 49
Posted by: lotp || 05/31/2006 08:26 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Sounds like Harper is no longer willing to live in Howard's shadow. Good. This is the kind of leadership we need from a broader swath of our "allies", eh.

Now if we could coordinate our immigration and entry policies...
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 05/31/2006 8:42 Comments || Top||

#2  How is the GC status of the 'Afghan' Talibs affected if Perv starts recognizing the 'Pak' Talibs currently running Wazooistan?
Posted by: Seafarious || 05/31/2006 8:56 Comments || Top||

#3  I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not. If they are to be tried a criminals and not combatants then where do our soldiers stand when it comes to colateral damage. Say a soldier kills and innocent in a gunbattle or mistaken identity.
Posted by: 49 Pan || 05/31/2006 8:58 Comments || Top||

#4  Just cause Perv recognizes them doesn't mean we do. And if combatants don't act as soldiers are obliged to under the GC, they don't deserve GC protection, even if they are in an "army".
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 05/31/2006 9:07 Comments || Top||

#5  I think the moral of the story is 'Take no prisoners.'
Posted by: glenmore || 05/31/2006 9:13 Comments || Top||

#6  If they don't have a recognizable uniform, they don't fall under the Geneva protection. I am glad to see this since most of them are terrorist loosers anyway.
Posted by: DarthVader || 05/31/2006 9:21 Comments || Top||

#7  They do fall under Geneva Conventions: as illegal combatants what may be shot without trial.
Posted by: gromgoru || 05/31/2006 10:16 Comments || Top||

#8  And the phueching Taliban and other terrorists were signatores of the Geneva Convention on what date ?
Posted by: Besoeker || 05/31/2006 10:37 Comments || Top||

#9  A whiff of sanity from up North. However, General Gauthier's comment warranted further comment, which I do at my website.
Posted by: Ptah || 05/31/2006 11:53 Comments || Top||

#10  Let mook season commence.
Posted by: Howard UK || 05/31/2006 14:07 Comments || Top||

#11  Only the ones who fire at us first, mind.
Posted by: Howard UK || 05/31/2006 14:07 Comments || Top||

#12  It's all in the ROE... somewhere...
Posted by: Chang Ominesing2659 || 05/31/2006 14:14 Comments || Top||

#13  Howard exemplifies British sportsmanship.

Posted by: 6 || 05/31/2006 15:54 Comments || Top||

#14  Howard, can one hunt mooks from a mount?
Posted by: Besoeker || 05/31/2006 15:56 Comments || Top||

#15  Mooks have to be flushed, so it's unlikely. But who knows, Brits have odd rules.
Posted by: 6 || 05/31/2006 16:50 Comments || Top||

#16  They do fall under Geneva Conventions: as illegal combatants what may be shot without trial.

Do any of the post-geneva human rights conventions prohibit summary execution?

Posted by: john || 05/31/2006 17:37 Comments || Top||

#17  Ummm .... let's let that "mook" talk die, okay?
Posted by: lotp || 05/31/2006 17:52 Comments || Top||

#18  M00ks have to be flushed

Twice please. It's a long way to Hell.
Posted by: Zenster || 05/31/2006 22:14 Comments || Top||

#19  Geneva applies mainly to armed conflicts fought between internationally or diplomatically recognized, sovereign, protractive, organized national Governments, i.e. and the organized linear uniformed armies therefrom. Armed groups not recognized as such, outlawed, nor recognized as de facto "government(s)-in-exile" or "government(s)-in-being" do not fall under Geneva. At Gitmo, the Army can hold detainees potentially forever until such time the Army is satisfied of that person's role, or in the alt the Fed mandates the Army to release or turn over to other legal authority.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 05/31/2006 22:18 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
21 Killed In Kashmir Grenade Attack
Srinagar, 31 May (AKI/Asian Age) - At least 21 tourists, most of them from West Bengal, were injured when terrorists tossed hand grenades into two coaches bringing them backfrom Kashmir's premier resort Gulmarg on Wednesday evening. The attack took place near the Dal Lake. There were a few women and children among the injured. Unofficial sources said the number of injured was 25, while the Press Trust of India said late Wednesday night that the number was 30.

The attack was carried out by unidentified assailants at Dal Gate, Srinagar's bustling tourist district. Witnesses said that one of the coaches had just halted outside the hotel where the tourists travelling on it were staying. "Somebody dropped the bomb in the bus through a window, causing mayhem," said a Kashmiri who runs a handicrafts shop close to the hotel.

For a while Abdur Rashid Mir and others present in the area ducked or hid themselves at what they considered were safe locations, but then rushed out to start rescue work. Joined by the police and members of Central Reserve Police Force from a nearby unit, they evacuated the injured to the hospital. "The leg of one of the victims had been blown off. Several others profusely bleeding started crying for help," shopkeeper Mir said.

The second blast took place less than 100 metres away at an intersection, minutes after the first one. A moving tourist coach was the target, eyewitnesses said. No arrests have been made, so far, nor has anyone admitted responsibility for the blasts.

Kashmir's indigenous militant movement Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and two other groups, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Al-Mansoorin, condemned the blasts, terming them "heinous" and aimed at "defaming the Kashmiri struggle for freedom."

The incidents came a week after a grenade attack had killed three tourists, including two children, soon after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh left Srinagar for New Delhi after attending the second roundtable on Kashmir.
Posted by: Steve || 05/31/2006 15:58 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Lions of Islam!™
Posted by: Frank G || 05/31/2006 18:06 Comments || Top||


Pro-government tribal elder whacked in Wazoo
Masked gunmen shot dead a pro-government tribal elder and wounded two people in PakistanÂ’s trouble-plagued South Waziristan region on the Afghan border, government officials said yesterday. Five gunmen ambushed Mehr Dil Khan as he was travelling in a van to Wana, the main town in South Waziristan, killing him and wounding two other passengers on Monday.

“It was a targetted killing as he was a government supporter and a member of the region’s council,” said a government official in Wana, who declined to be identified.
Posted by: Dan Darling || 05/31/2006 00:35 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  why is it the time we hear about a pro-gov't waziristani is after he's dead?
Posted by: ordu || 05/31/2006 10:21 Comments || Top||

#2  Because they hide and keep silent while still alive?
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 05/31/2006 10:23 Comments || Top||

#3  is there something you're keeping from us, "anonymous5089"... if that IS your REAL NAME!?
Posted by: ordu || 05/31/2006 20:28 Comments || Top||

#4  yep - it's on his birth certificate. His Mama was Jane Doe5089, and his Dad, well, you know...
Posted by: Frank G || 05/31/2006 20:55 Comments || Top||


Pro-govt tribal elder gunned down
An improvised explosive device (IED) targeting an army convoy injured a jawan near Boya in North Waziristan on Tuesday. Meanwhile in South Waziristan, suspected militants fired at a car carrying a pro-government tribal, killing him and wounding two others, AP reported. The IED exploded on the roadside at Boya, 15 kilometres from Miranshah, as the convoy headed for Dattakhel at around 12:45pm. Local Taliban claimed responsibility and said the attack left some army personnel dead. Military sources confirmed the attack but denied the deaths, saying only one jawan had a minor injury.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Landmine blasts kill four in Dera Bugti
Four people were killed in landmine blasts in Dera Bugti on Tuesday, while security forces claimed to have seized weapons from militants in Kohlu district. Blasts occurred in Habib Rai, Putikh and Jodi areas, sources told Daily Times. Resistance leader Mir Alam Khan Bugti claimed on Tuesday that two security forces personnel were killed and three injured in landmine blasts in the Cengari locality. He also claimed that a Frontier Corps (FC) man was killed in an accident on Sui-Dera Bugti Road. "Security forces set fire to 26 houses of Bugti tribesmen in the Munjo area," he added.

Also, suspected militants blew up a water pipeline in Loti. Separately, well number 25 at the main Sui gas plant was blown up, suspending gas supply to Sui, Pir Koh and adjacent areas. However, no causalities were reported. Explosives were planted which blew up the 8-inch diameter pipeline. Authorities have started repairing the damaged pipeline. Raziq Bugti, the Balochistan government spokesman, said that the government would deal sternly with militants.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


SHC postpones appeals in Daniel Pearl case
The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday postponed the appeals hearing for four men convicted in the killing of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl after a request from one of the men's attorneys, an official said. The SHC adjourned the hearing until August 8 after two lawyers who were recently appointed asked for more time to study the case, said Habib Ahmed, a government prosecutor. The lawyers for Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, a British-born militant facing the death sentence for killing Pearl, will replace Abdul Waheed Katpar, who had been Sheikh's defence counsel at trial.

Sheikh and three other men, who were sentenced to life in prison, were convicted in July 2002 for their part in Pearl's killing. All the four men have appealed their convictions, but the appeals hearings have been postponed several times. Four other suspects are still at large. Earlier this month, Sheikh was moved to the Central Prison in Karachi from a jail in Hyderabad where he had been held since his conviction. Police cited security reasons for moving Sheikh to Karachi.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  farce
Posted by: Grolet Elmigum3667 || 05/31/2006 0:25 Comments || Top||


LJ man sentenced to death
The Multan Anti Terrorism Court sentenced Qari Omar Hayat, an activist of the banned organisation Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, to death on sixteen counts of murder on Tuesday. Hayat was arrested for killing 16 Shias while they were listening to a sermon in a mosque in Muzaffargarh on January 4, 1999. The court also fined the convict Rs 4.8 million.

The terrorist's 11 co-accused were acquitted of the charges against them because the prosecution failed to prove their involvement. Four other accused, Ijaz alias Jajji, Tariq Mehmood alias Tipu, Tauheed Ahmed and Habibullah were killed in a gun-battle with police officials. Public prosecutor Najaf Ali said the state would challenge the men's acquittal in the high court.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Iraq
Iraqi PM Promises Crackdown on Basra Violence
A state of emergency was today declared in British-controlled Basra by the Iraqi prime minister.
Nuri al-Maliki, who vowed an "an iron fist" against gangs threatening security in the city, said he intended to stem rising violence between escalating Shia factions.

The prime minister said security should come "first, second and third". The state of emergency will last for a month.

Basra has seen a dramatic increase in violence over the past year, and local police say almost 140 people have been killed this month.

The previously relatively calm relationship between the local population and the 9,000 British troops stationed in the city has also been shattered.

Nine British soldiers, including two members of the Queen's Dragoon Guards who died in a roadside bombing on Sunday, have died since the start of May.

In an address to local officials broadcast live on state television, Mr Maliki, who was visiting the city, appealed for unity and promised to crack down on sectarian violence.

He denounced a series of killings and kidnappings that Sunni religious leaders have blamed on Shia-run death squads, saying: "We will beat with an iron fist on the heads of gangs who are manipulating security.

"What is going on in this city, the city of martyrs and sacrifices? We will not let Basra keep bleeding with the existence of these gangs while there are full security forces in it."

The prime minister held talks with the governor of Basra province, Basra city officials, army officers, members of the main political parties and local residents.

Basra is in the grip of a struggle between rival Shia factions battling for a share of the power handed to Shias by the US after Saddam Hussein's Sunni-dominated government was toppled.

The city's oil accounts for virtually all of Iraq's state revenues, making it a major prize for all parties.

One Shia faction has threatened to disrupt lucrative oil exports, and Mr Maliki has previously accused "criminal gangs" of holding the city's oil trade to ransom.

Much of the trouble has been blamed on the influence of the radical Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who led two armed uprisings against occupying forces in 2004 and has been an outspoken critic of the invasion.

Mr Maliki's government, a coalition of Shia, Sunni and Kurdish parties, was approved by parliament earlier this month following five months of negotiations after Iraq's general elections in December.

Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 05/31/2006 12:32 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Article: Nine British soldiers, including two members of the Queen's Dragoon Guards who died in a roadside bombing on Sunday, have died since the start of May.

These guys are dying at an American rate. We have fifteen times the number of guys in-country, but only lost eight times as many people in May.
Posted by: Zhang Fei || 05/31/2006 19:40 Comments || Top||

#2  In fact, this matches the highest monthly American casualty rate in Iraq. I bet Whitehall is not happy.
Posted by: Zhang Fei || 05/31/2006 19:42 Comments || Top||


Most wanted Saudi terrorists found at Kurdish prison
Two Saudi most-wanted terrorists currently held in Iraqi Kurdistan spoke exclusively to Asharq al Awsat on Monday and revealed details about their arrest and their life in a Kurdish prison.

Abdullah al Ramiyan and Mohammed al Rashudi, whose names appeared on Saudi ArabiaÂ’s list of 36 most-wanted terrorists, were captured in September 20003, as they attempted to enter Iraqi Kurdistan.

Abdul Karim Sinjari, minister of state for the interior in Iraqi Kurdistan, told Asharq al Awsat, “Terrorists want to spread their destructive operations to our secure territories.” However, the strong cooperation between the people of northern Iraq and the security services had thwarted several terrorist attacks. Many individuals maintained direct contact with the Kurdish police and informed them of the presence of foreigners in Kurdish territories, the minister added. One wife even informed the police that her husband had taken part in a terrorist attack. “It is best I hand over my husband to the police than for 50 women to become widows.”

The last major terrorist attack occurred in May 2005 when a police training center was targeted. Iraqi Kurdistan has enjoyed calm and prosperity, since the fall of Saddam Hussein, contrary to other parts of Iraq where the security situation has deteriorated and attacks occur on a daily basis.

Islamist militants and would be jihadists were linked to al Qaeda and traveled to Iraq from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria and Yemen and other Gulf countries, not to enjoy KurdistanÂ’s beautiful scenery but to spread terror in the territory, Sinjari said.

Asharq al Awsat met the two 24-year old terrorists, Abduallah al Ramiyan, the KingdomÂ’s 17 th most-wanted terrorist and a history student in the Mohammed bin Saud university in al Qassim, and Mohammed al Rashoudi, a high school student in Bureida, amid heightened security procedures, in the offices of Lieutenant Ismat Artush.

According to Lieutenant Artush both men confessed they traveled to Iraq to undertake jihad, and had sought to enter Kurdish territory through the Ibrahim al Khalil pass, coming from Turkey without any proof of identity. They were given fake Iraqi names at the border but their cover was rapidly blown because of their foreign accents.

The Kurdish official said the authorities had not sought to extradite the men to Saudi Arabia but established contact with Baghdad in order to determine their fate. “We know they are wanted by Saudi Arabia but we spoke to Baghdad about them.” The men were jailed initially in the city of Dohuk and then Shaklawa before finally being moved 20 miles to the southwest to Irbil . They have yet to stand trial because anti-terrorism laws have yet to be approved by the regional assembly.

Abdullah told Asharq al Awsat he had been traveling to Iraqi Kurdistan for tourism with his best friend Mohammed, after leaving Saudi Arabia to Jordan and then to Syria. The two young men then traveled to Istanbul and Diyarbakir in eastern Anatolia .

“I crossed the border as an Iraqi but on the Kurdistan side, they detained me. I had 2500 dollars in my possession.” On another occasion, he repeated a different version of events and said he had traveled to Iraqi to see his friend’s relatives.

The 24-year-old said he was from al Manar neighborhood in Riyadh and had been held in solitary confinement during the investigation but was later moved to a bigger cell with other Arab and Kurdish prisoners. He denied being physically abused or tortured. When asked about the origin of a prominent cut on his forehead, Abdullah said he had hurt himself as child. He said his family had visited him four times in jail and regularly sent him money. But Lieutenant Artush refuted these claims and said the Saudi inmates had received no visitors. While refusing to be photographed, the terrorist gave Asharq al Awsat his brotherÂ’s number to reassure his family.

The meeting with Mohammed Saleh was more tense, with the 24-year old student aggressively answering questions and shouting. As he entered the room, he asked, “Who are you?” to which I replied, “I am a journalist.” “I don’t like journalists. Leave me alone. Kurdish officials have promised they will release me in the next few days.” He said he had enough money to buy essentials such as soap and shaving cream and indicated that one of the benefits of jail was that he had learned to speak Kurdish and tried Kurdish foods.
Posted by: Dan Darling || 05/31/2006 01:37 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  mutts
Posted by: RD || 05/31/2006 1:47 Comments || Top||

#2  One wife even informed the police that her husband had taken part in a terrorist attack. “It is best I hand over my husband to the police than for 50 women to become widows.”

A rare and commendable act of selflessness from the Arab world. Only the one, mind.
Posted by: Howard UK || 05/31/2006 3:44 Comments || Top||

#3  Howard, I'm betting she was Kurdish.
Posted by: phil_b || 05/31/2006 4:36 Comments || Top||

#4  Or not keeping up with her Koran classes... ;)
Posted by: Howard UK || 05/31/2006 4:58 Comments || Top||

#5  Or she wasn't steeped in Islamic propaganda. Good for her. Hopefully she survives her decision.
Posted by: DarthVader || 05/31/2006 8:21 Comments || Top||

#6  "yew ain't from aroud here, is yew"?

Release them? KIll them. Now. Send their heads back to Saudi
Posted by: Frank G || 05/31/2006 9:15 Comments || Top||

#7  Abdullah al Ramiyan and Mohammed al Rashudi, whose names appeared on Saudi ArabiaÂ’s list of 36 most-wanted terrorists, were captured in September 20003, as they attempted to enter Iraqi Kurdistan.

Good to know that Iraq is still one country in 20003! I mean how are the Demos gonna blame Bush for something almost 18,000 years later? And, on the woman's story, we had a funny reversal here in Metro Atlanta (in the Gwinnett paper today). Seems that a local woman (Lebanese I believe) had married a man from Lebanon to get him in to the U.S. (he was also 10 years younger than her). Local cops got a strange call from him about his wife beating him up. Seems that she went to Lebanon (years ago), married him, brought him to the States in order that he keep the house. Even went so far that he had to sleep in the garage (gets hot in there...in the 90s outside this week) or on the front porch and had NO access to their finances. Supposedly, she beat him regularly, and the cops said the house was UNUSUALLY in order (immaculate lawn, beautiful flowers, spic-n-span clean, etc.). I guess he was in fear of being deported, but I got a good chuckle that "women's liberation" ruled in that case and that she was the one doin' the beatin', lol! Mehopes more women do this on their "masters."
Posted by: BA || 05/31/2006 10:07 Comments || Top||

#8  "Asharq al Awsat met the two 24-year old terrorists, Abduallah al Ramiyan, the KingdomÂ’s 17 th most-wanted terrorist and a history student in the Mohammed bin Saud university in al Qassim, and Mohammed al Rashoudi, a high school student in Bureida"

24 year old high school student. Surprised no one caught that. Well, that's what I'm here for.

Also, enough money for soap and shaving cream? Yeah, sure. No comment necessary.
Posted by: ordu || 05/31/2006 10:27 Comments || Top||

#9  A rare and commendable act of selflessness from the Arab world. Only the one, mind.

It's the Kurdish world, a world that is totally different in language, culture, and history from the Arab world.

The pĂŞşmerge just love to catch these guys.

Bijîn!
Posted by: Azad || 05/31/2006 15:23 Comments || Top||

#10  Mohammed...have you ever been in a Kurdish prison?
Posted by: Capt. Roger Ouvere || 05/31/2006 15:29 Comments || Top||

#11  Azad, are you Kurdish? You've been sharing some interesting insights, and I am curious how you know so much. One of the things I really like about Rantburg is the expertise various readers bring. Lots of military people, f'r instance, and of course various foreign correspondents from around the world. Forgive my nosiness, but it helps me to have a little background to properly appreciate your contribution. :-)
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/31/2006 15:52 Comments || Top||

#12  TW, I am usually called a "stupid Kurd from Turkey," usually by people who don't like the things I say.

Obviously, you are more far discerning than they are ;)
Posted by: Azad || 05/31/2006 19:04 Comments || Top||

#13  not Murat, eh?
Posted by: Frank G || 05/31/2006 19:33 Comments || Top||

#14  Who's for reinstituting Kurdistan, arming the Kurds to the teeth, and making the iraqi south a kurdish trust territory, and any Arabs living in the North migrant workers? Who's with me? Bush, feel free to use this! Weeee!
Posted by: ordu || 05/31/2006 20:20 Comments || Top||

#15  "the iraqi south a kurdish trust territory"

LOL. Don't hold back!
Posted by: Chang Ominesing2659 || 05/31/2006 20:24 Comments || Top||


Terror suspect confesses to hundreds of beheadings
A key terror suspect who allegedly confessed to hundreds of beheadings has been captured, Iraqi officials say. The government named the man as Ahmed Hussein Dabash Samir al-Batawi. A spokesperson said the anti-terror unit which arrested him, also seized documents, cellphones and computers that contained information on other wanted terrorists and extremist groups.

It's also been announced that police killed three members of al-Qaeda in Iraq during clashes south of Baghdad last week. They were well-known aides of the group's leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a police spokesperson said.
Posted by: Dan Darling || 05/31/2006 01:31 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  A while after 9/11, in 2002, I watched a teevee debate on terror, and one specialist evoked the various jihadi outfit in pakiland; he commented on their ruthlessness and sectarian infighting, and mentioned that some of their enforcers had in the range of 200 hits+ under their belt.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 05/31/2006 7:38 Comments || Top||

#2  "recommending more than 19 600 individuals for release"

Which means the other half of the detainees whose cases were reviewed were NOT recommended for release.
Posted by: glenmore || 05/31/2006 8:28 Comments || Top||

#3  Most of those released will be captured again or killed. Those in prison already failed screening/interrogation.
Posted by: ed || 05/31/2006 9:05 Comments || Top||

#4  now we're starting to see why saddam buried these people in the dirt
Posted by: ordu || 05/31/2006 10:19 Comments || Top||

#5  Actually, Ordu, Saddam hired them...
Posted by: Ptah || 05/31/2006 11:55 Comments || Top||

#6  Are you Iraqi?
Posted by: ordu || 05/31/2006 20:26 Comments || Top||

#7  I'm lost, Ordu? Saddam would've made use of this prick, rather than buried him in the desert, or am I misunderstanding your point? - no, I'm not Iraqi
Posted by: Frank G || 05/31/2006 20:53 Comments || Top||

#8  clears up one mystery however, now i know who hell ordu is, LOL!
Posted by: RD || 05/31/2006 21:07 Comments || Top||


UAE diplomat freed in Iraq
The captors of a United Arab Emirates diplomat held in Iraq for a fortnight have freed their hostage, an Emirati Foreign Ministry official confirmed yesterday. “Emirati diplomat, Naji Al Nuaimi, who was kidnapped in Iraq on May 16, was released this evening,” the official said.

Nuaimi, a first secretary at the Baghdad Embassy, was seized while visiting the embassyÂ’s cultural annex in the upmarket Mansur neighbourhood in an abduction in which a Sudanese guard was seriously wounded. A statement from a group calling itself Banner of Islam accompanied by footage of the hostage was broadcast by the Al Jazeera satellite news channel two days later.

The kidnappers demanded that the UAE withdraw its ambassador from the Iraqi capital and shut down Al Fayhaa, a Dubai-based Iraqi television channel. The UAE recalled its charge dÂ’affaires, its most senior diplomat in the Iraqi capital, the next day.

The insurgents did not say why they wanted the Al Fayhaa channel closed, but the television channel often comes under attack on Sunni websites, which accuse it of being a mouthpiece of IraqÂ’s newly empowered Shiite majority. Nuaimi was the latest in a string of Arab diplomats to be kidnapped in Iraq, which has been hit by a rash of hostage-takings of foreigners, as well as Iraqis, since the fall of Saddam HusseinÂ’s regime three years ago.
Posted by: Dan Darling || 05/31/2006 01:24 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


50 killed in Iraqi violence
A series of car bombings and other attacks killed more than 50 Iraqis and one U.S. soldier on Tuesday, evidence of a new intensity in the violence in Iraq and underlining the security problems facing the country's 10-day-old government.

In an indicator of rising violence, more "multiple-fatality" bombings -- involving at least three deaths -- occurred this month than in any other since the war began in 2003, according to the Brookings Institution, which issues a twice-weekly report of security and reconstruction statistics. The report this week noted 44 such bombings as of May 25; since then, that number has risen above 50. The next-worst month was September 2005, with 46.

U.S. commanders have warned for weeks that the country's Sunni Arab insurgent movement, which they say is led by the group al-Qaeda in Iraq, would unleash an all-out offensive to weaken the new government's authority and stoke hatred between Sunni and Shiite Muslims.

Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Dan Darling || 05/31/2006 00:29 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:


Iraqi insurgency likely to last into 2007
The Sunni Arab heart of the Iraqi insurgency seems likely to hold its strength the rest of the year, and some of its leaders are now collaborating with Al Qaeda terrorists, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

In a report assessing the situation in Iraq, required quarterly by Congress, the Pentagon painted a mixed picture on a day when the U.S. military command in Baghdad said 1,500 more combat troops have arrived in the country. The extra troops are part of an intensified effort to wrest control of the provincial capital of Ramadi from insurgents.

The report to Congress offered a relatively dim picture of economic progress, with few gains in improving basic services like electricity, and it provided no promises of U.S. troop reductions anytime soon. On the other hand, it said the Iraqi army is gaining strength and taking lead responsibility for security in more areas.

Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Dan Darling || 05/31/2006 00:25 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1 
Cue refrain from Spam song by Monty Pyton:
Doom, Doom, Doom, Doom,
Doom, Doom, Doom, Doom,
Glorius doooom, Wonderful Dooom!!!
end cue.

These insurgencys take forever to beat down. Look at the more sucessful ones:1900s Philipines, Huks, Indian wars of the 19th Century. The results are worth it. Hang in there.

This war will not stop in time for the next election. We are going to be in Iraq for the next 40+ years. Grow up and admit it, people.

Speaking just for myself, I would rather be mobilized every 5 years untill I am 62, than have another mass casulaty incident here in the U.S.

We are going to be at it untill Hajji figures out that this bunch of infidels ain't gonna be no Dhimmis, ain't gonna convert, and will be ripping them a new one every time they send their braves ghazis on the warpath a razzia. Just like the plains indians. We can beat down tribal primitives, it just takes a while.
Posted by: N guard || 05/31/2006 8:22 Comments || Top||

#2  We can beat down tribal primitives, it just takes a while.
I agree military speaking, but in this case, they have 1) oil money & oil as a geopolitical tool and 2) demographic momentum (ironically, both are the direct byproducts of the West's ingeniosity and colonialism).

There is only a short historical window for them to exploit, and on the top of that, they (rightly) see us as weakened by our own internal crisis (values, demography).

So I wouldn't be so optimistic, especially when thinking about Europe.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 05/31/2006 8:29 Comments || Top||

#3  Just like the plains indians.
They were defeated by taking away the oil wells buffalo and territory.
Posted by: ed || 05/31/2006 8:58 Comments || Top||

#4  Is this supposed to be bad news? According to my calendar 2007 is less than a year away. What beats these fanatics is stamina. They gave up in Algeria (after suffering huge losses) and they will give up in Iraq too. Muslims are particularly prone to wishful thinking and exaggerated hopes ("Islam will dominate the world" is a slogan used by one radical group in the UK). When these hopes are not realised they get very, very demoralised. Too demoralised even to blow themselves up.
Posted by: Apostate || 05/31/2006 9:22 Comments || Top||

#5  Amen Apostate. One more thing...the 'insurgents' aren't the ones who have the oil money, oil or demographic momentum . I'm for continuing to strike the bastards till they are wiped off the face of the earth. (or at least Iraq).
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 05/31/2006 9:46 Comments || Top||

#6  "'Islam will dominate the world' is a slogan used by one radical group in the UK"

Actually I think that's tattooed on the inside of each of their assholes. But I'm not checking.

Fanatics will always be around, but the hangers-on can be worn down and broken away.
Posted by: ordu || 05/31/2006 10:31 Comments || Top||

#7  They will last as long as Iran, Syria and Saudi keep exporting psychopaths and weapons into Iraq. As long as we are unwilling to cure the problem, this could last forever.

Al
Posted by: Frozen Al || 05/31/2006 18:41 Comments || Top||

#8  Doubt the DemoLefties will tolerate it, becuz it raises the likelihood SENATOR HILLARY WILL STAY A SENATOR, ETC., NOT BE POTUS UNTIL THE 2012 ELEX. Radical Islam is also suffering tremendous battle losses besides failing to stop the US-Allied imposition of democratic government in Iraq and Afghanistan - THEY NEED AN ANTI-WAR/PRO-ISOLATIONIST POTUS WHOM WILL PAY THEM TO NOT ATTACK AMERICA OR ANYBODY, NOT A POTUS WHOM WILL DE FACTO CHALLENGE THEIR RIGHT TO RULE, LOCALLY OR GLOBALLY, OR TO RULE WID REPRESSION AND TYRANNY. IOW, they want a POTUS whm will make any promise under the sun but NOT keep them. THE WOT > the "STATUS QUO", nor even a Socialist but sovereign and independent "FORTRESS AMERICA", NO LONGER SUFFICES FOR AMERICA'S ENEMIES. America's enemies, either domestic or international, are NOT gonna care how many fortified MAGINOT LINES America builds to protect itself, in lieu of warring for empire. THE WOT > WAR TO THE DEATH. THE VICTORY OR DESTRUCTION OF AMERICA-WEST-DEMOCRACY-CAPITALISM, etal.!
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 05/31/2006 21:40 Comments || Top||

#9  It is us or them.
Personally I still like us.
Posted by: Gene the Moron || 05/31/2006 21:44 Comments || Top||


Students Busted for Dorm Room IED Factory
Something to keep in mind when you read of students (or faculty) being executed by hit squads.
BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi forces raided two targets in the Karada area of Baghdad on May 30 and detained seven individuals responsible for improvised explosive device, or IED attacks against Iraqi Security Forces. The first target was a dormitory on the campus of the Baghdad Technical University where two student cells, operating out of dormitory rooms, built IEDs and later initiated attacks against Iraqi Army and Police forces. Iraqi forces detained four students on this target.

On the second target, an apartment building near the campus, Iraqi forces detained three cell leaders responsible for emplacing IEDs made by their student cells. All three cell leaders are believed to be Palestinians, and they were financed by a local business.
Just some poor suffering Paleo students in the Arts and Ammo School.
This cell is responsible for at least two attacks against Iraqi security and police forces in the Karada area. The first attack, in December 2005, resulted in no casualties. The second attack, in January of this year, killed several Iraqi police officers riding in a vehicle.

No Iraqi forces were killed or wounded during this operation.
Posted by: Glenmore || 05/31/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  All undoubtedly students of the esteemed professor Sameeh Hammoudeh and enrolled on-line at the University of South Florida. As Allan wills, may their studies continue and they join him soon in Ramallah!
Posted by: Besoeker || 05/31/2006 6:30 Comments || Top||

#2  Palestinians involved in terrorism?! Unthinkable!
Posted by: Rob Crawford || 05/31/2006 7:13 Comments || Top||

#3  The palestinians really earned their "people most deserving of living in a shithole" prize.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 05/31/2006 7:17 Comments || Top||

#4  Some UN tail (it was here on Rantburg a few days ago) recommend to the Palestinians to expand their international trade. And Palestine is a one product entity.
Posted by: gromgoru || 05/31/2006 10:20 Comments || Top||

#5  The students and owners of the businesses financing them were last seen coughing up blood entering an Iraqi jail.
Supported by local businesses, therein lies the crux of the problem. What lunar logic leads one to finance local bombings ?
Posted by: wxjames || 05/31/2006 11:04 Comments || Top||

#6  Just working on their senior theses, is all, in preparation for their summer internship in Anbar province.
Posted by: Seafarious || 05/31/2006 11:12 Comments || Top||

#7  Has the un determined, how far from home the Palestinians can fight for thier homeland? Is'nt there like a 200 mile barrier or something?
Palestinians, what a group. Want a homeland, so kill Iraqee's.
Posted by: plainslow || 05/31/2006 11:51 Comments || Top||

#8  Kids nowadays! Kinda makes you yearn for the good ol' days when our worst dorm room mischief was making moonshine and LSD. That and the sex and alcohol, both of which are notoriously un-islamic.
Posted by: SteveS || 05/31/2006 17:47 Comments || Top||

#9  Pals - students of Hamas on Iranian funding. Interesting. Mahmoud Imadinnerjacket has Hamas Pals at his disposal for amalgamating his new hidden khalifate? That makes the Pals in Pal fodder for Mahmoud. He's waiting for a hit from Israel on just the right thing or person and is helping the "troubles" expand to ensure this, and will then launch his nuke at Israel. Pals are even fodder - just dead pawns.
Posted by: Thinemp Whimble2412 || 05/31/2006 18:11 Comments || Top||


Two killed, two wounded in bomb explosion
Two Iraqi women were killed and two other people wounded Tuesday when a mortar bomb slammed near the Ministry of Interior's building in Baghdad, Iraqi police said.

Meanwhile, A car bomb blew up near Al-Shaab international stadium close to the Interior Ministry. Police said it found weapons and insurgents' documents in the car. No damage or causalities were reported. In another development, the Iraqi army detained 45 militants and liberated an abducted person during the last 24 hours in different parts in Iraq, the Defense Ministry said.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Blast kills 8 Iraqis, injures 30 others in southern Baghdad
A bomb blast killed eight Iraqis and injured 30 others in Hilla city in southern Baghdad, a security source said on Tuesday. The source told KUNA that a car parking in a second-hand Car exhibition in Hilla exploded at the evening. The source added that the explosion left eight Iraqis dead and injured 30 others in addition to afflicting damage to the exhibited cars. The injured were sent to nearby hospitals while Iraqi police and firemen tried to control the fire caused by the blast, the source said.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Car bomb blast kills 20 people northern Baghdad
Twenty people were killed and 60 others injured on Tuesday when a car bomb exploded in the northern suburb of Baghdad, Iraqi police said. A Police source told KUNA that the explosion took place in a market located in Al-Husainia area. He added that the injured were taken to hospital.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Near miss for Israeli defence minister in rocket attack
JERUSALEM - Israel carried out a fresh air strike and threatened more ground operations in the Gaza Strip Wednesday in a bid to halt Palestinian rockets, as a missile narrowly missed the defence ministerÂ’s home. The hardline Islamic Jihad movement claimed responsibility for firing three missiles at daybreak towards the southern Israeli town of Sderot, which lies just over the border from the Gaza Strip. Although no one was injured in the attacks, one of the makeshift Qassam rockets struck a residential building a few dozen meters (yards) from PeretzÂ’s own home, causing extensive damage.

The army has been pounding northern Gaza with artillery and has carried out a series of air raids in recent weeks in order to put a permanent end to the firing of the notoriously inaccurate missiles. Several missiles were fired in the latest air strike on Wednesday over a disused training base for another militant group, the Popular Resistance Committees, although there were no reports of casualties in an area to the south of Gaza City.

On Tuesday, the army confirmed for the first time since it left Gaza last September after a 38-year occupation that ground troops had been sent into the territory. Four Palestinians, including three members of Jihad, were killed when they were ambushed by the undercover unit as they prepared to launch rockets towards the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon. Army chiefs have previously expressed reservations about re-entering Gaza but the continuing rocket attacks have led to a hardening of attitudes in the defence establishment.

Speaking on a tour of his home town after the missile attacks, Peretz said he was determined to bring the militant groups to heel as he described how he was awakened by the sound of the town’s early warning alarm system. “The sirens went off 10 minutes before I woke up, followed by the sound of a large explosion,” said Peretz.

“We will find the ways and means to make it impossible for these organisations to fire towards Sderot and other communities. “I very much hope that the (Palestinian) population understands that these organisations are provoking a catastrophe for them.”
"Wake me up, will ya!"
General Yoav Galant, head of the armyÂ’s southern commmand, said recent ground operations had yielded results and would continue.

“IDF operations have reduced the level of attacks,” he said while accompanying Peretz on the tour of Sderot. “We have seen in the last few days the targeting (of militants) from the air and contacts on the ground. “I can assure you that all these kinds of operations will continue.”

A report in TuesdayÂ’s Haaretz daily, which quoted senior officers, said more ground operations involving special forces would be carried out to stop the rocket attacks. The officers said the effectiveness of such operations had been proven and that international reaction to the return of troops on the ground in Gaza had been fairly understanding. Haaretz said small units of special forces had been operating in Gaza for the past two months but the army only decided to go public with TuesdayÂ’s operation as the death of the four Jihad militants made it impossible to hide.

For his part, chief of staff Dan Halutz said the campaign against the militants behind the rocket attacks would intensify. “We are going to find ways to hit even harder against those who fire rockets,” General Halutz told army radio.
Posted by: Steve || 05/31/2006 09:18 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The hardline Islamic Jihad movement claimed responsibility

As opposed to the 'moderate' movements of Fatah and Hamas...
Posted by: Seafarious || 05/31/2006 9:27 Comments || Top||

#2  “We are going to find ways to hit even harder against those who fire rockets,” General Halutz told army radio.
Sorry if I'm being dense, but what about 155mm counter-battery fire? And NOT aimed at empty football fields.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 05/31/2006 9:30 Comments || Top||

#3  I'm all for calling in Napalm strikes on the rocket launch areas. Just have two jets loitering continuously near the area and when rockets are detected, strike the area. Might even get some AP pro-terrorist reporters too.
Posted by: DarthVader || 05/31/2006 9:34 Comments || Top||

#4  How many acts of war does it take?
Posted by: Rob Crawford || 05/31/2006 9:44 Comments || Top||

#5  How many acts of war does it take to do what? For the Israelis to give up more land?
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 05/31/2006 9:49 Comments || Top||

#6  The IDF special forces have knocked off about 40 Islamic Jihad members, enablers, etc. in the past few weeks without any losses (although a few apparently innocent Paleo civilians were hurt or killed). As long as this effort is as successful as it has been, no heavy airborne raids are considered to be required.
Posted by: mhw || 05/31/2006 12:36 Comments || Top||

#7  Israel should annex another ten miles of the Gaza strip, and force all paleostains out under penalty of death. Build a new fence, a new wall, and recalibrate the artillery. Add an additional mile every time there's an Israeli casualty. If the casualty is from attacks from Lebanon, annex a mile of Lebanon. If they come from the "west bank", annex a mile of the west bank. Same for attacks from Syria. Sooner or later, the paleostains will get the message, or there will be no more paleos to argue, and Israel will have plenty of room and new borders to defend.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 05/31/2006 14:35 Comments || Top||

#8  . “I very much hope that the (Palestinian) population understands that these organisations are provoking a catastrophe for them.”
Nakbar alert!
Posted by: 6 || 05/31/2006 16:49 Comments || Top||


Outrage over Mahmoud AbbasÂ’ choice of Abu Awad
DEBKAfile Exclusive: Outrage in Israel over Mahmoud Abbas’ choice of Mahmoud Dimra – Abu Awad – to lead his new private US-UK-funded militia. DEBKAfile’s counter-terror sources report that Abu Awad is number 5 on the Shin Bet’s list of most wanted terrorists from the 2000-2005 Palestinian terror war against Israel. Dimra served as Yasser Arafat’s undercover coordinator for the suicide terror campaign waged by the Fatah-al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade and which is still operating unchecked by the Fatah leader, the same Mahmoud Abbas.

After the Israeli government made the gesture of allowing his force to take delivery of 200 rifles, security leaders say Abu Mazen has pulled a fast one. He has arranged for those guns to come under the responsibility of a known arch-terrorist, breaking his personal word to Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert that the weapons would be used exclusively for his own protection and not be allowed to reach terrorist hands.

Abu Mazen this week promoted Abu Awad, who had been lying low in the Palestinian security service as a major, to brigadier general.

DEBKAfileÂ’s counter-terror sources touch on some high points of Mahmoud DimraÂ’s blood-stained career. When the Palestinian suicide war was declared in Sept. 2000, Dimra became top man at ArafatÂ’s Ramallah HQ for the planning, execution and dispatch of suicide massacres, shooting attacks and bombings which FatahÂ’s Force 17 and al Aqsa Brigades were assigned to carry out against Israeli civilians. Arafat used him for the distribution of cash and orders for those attacks.

When the Palestinian war gathered tempo in 2002 and 2003, Dimra went into hiding in ArafatÂ’s private quarters in Ramallah along with a large group of terrorist chiefs. But he continued his job as organizer and arms provider for Fatah terrorists from this save haven for terrorists, which was able to carry on thanks to the international protection extended to ArafatÂ’s center of operations against Israeli attack.

A senior security officer told DEBKAfile: By rehabilitating a prominent master terrorist and putting him in charge of his own presidential guard, Abbas has turned the clock back to 1996 and 2000. In those years, US and Israeli secret services, still under the illusion they were promoting peaceful relations, provided Arafat’s Force 17 specialized training in sophisticated combat techniques and also guns. Those techniques and guns were later turned against Israeli targets. “Has nothing been learned from those bitter experiences?” asked the Israeli officer.
Posted by: Steve || 05/31/2006 08:54 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Why are the US-UK funding this travesty. Is anybody home minding the store in Washington and London?
Posted by: ed || 05/31/2006 9:47 Comments || Top||

#2  “Has nothing been learned from those bitter experiences?” asked the Israeli officer.

Apparently, not.
Posted by: gromgoru || 05/31/2006 10:12 Comments || Top||

#3  I just saw some Paleo scumbag on the BBC talking about how "the people of Gaza" held "the international community" responsible for having "forsaken them." I wanted to puke. They're the ones who elected a government sworn to destroy Israel. My thoughts were that I'd not care if everyone in Gaza starved and that the sooner they are dead the better off the world will be. The only thing that surpasses their arrogant hatred is their ineffectiveness.
Posted by: mac || 05/31/2006 10:23 Comments || Top||

#4  Uncle Sam remains forever a chump.
This will only change when real people not plastic ones are in the State Dept.
Posted by: 3dc || 05/31/2006 10:43 Comments || Top||

#5  To paraphrase a very wise comment from a fellow Rantburger yesterday, Normally I'd break out the Orville Redenbacher, but I've got dog in this fight -- so nevermind.
Posted by: mcsegeek1 || 05/31/2006 12:13 Comments || Top||

#6  Soon enough, Abbas is going to get his own, very personal "arms delivery."
Posted by: Zenster || 05/31/2006 13:40 Comments || Top||

#7  Time for Israel to quit sharing intel with Abbas, including attempts to assassinate old Mahmoud. In fact, it might be a good thing for Israel to whack Abbas themselves. All paleostains need to be whacked or driven as far from Israel as possible - maybe to Somalia where they'll fit right in.

If I were the president of Israel, I'd line up about 400 artillery pieces, and start wiping out Ramallah, starting with Abbas' office. Then I'd change aim points to Nablus, followed by Gaza City. Pound the sh$$ out of these arrogant, dumb bas$$$$s until they scream for mercy. Then tell them they can only obtain mercy in Egypt's Sinai or the eastern portion of Jordan. If anyone in the Middle East complains, up the ante by bombing the he$$ out of their capital. It's time Israel quit playing defence and went on the offensive. Defence never wins wars.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 05/31/2006 14:42 Comments || Top||

#8  more to this than debka is letting on

I think some of the people quoted here may be out of the loop.

Abu Awad may be a terrorist jackel but he may also have given the IDF or Shin Bet a bit of Intel along the way. Wait 48 hours or so to see what the security cabinet's reaction is (or isn't).
Posted by: mhw || 05/31/2006 16:41 Comments || Top||

#9  Yep, the Debka story might be cover for Mahmoud the Rat.
Posted by: 6 || 05/31/2006 16:54 Comments || Top||


Israeli troops kill 6 in Gaza, West Bank raids
Israeli soldiers shot dead three members of a Palestinian rocket squad on Tuesday in the army's first ground raid into the Gaza Strip since an Israeli pullout last year.

A Palestinian policeman, who witnesses said rushed to the scene with medics, was also killed by the troops in the brief operation marking a new Israeli military response to frequent cross-border rocket barrages that have caused few casualties. In the occupied West Bank, soldiers killed at least two Palestinian gunmen in separate operations.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who has called for the rocket strikes to stop, condemned the Israeli raids as "unjustified escalation that will lead the region into further deterioration and instability".
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Southeast Asia
MILF to hunt down Islamic militants in Mindanao
Hope they don't get confused with these MILFS
Muslim separatists holding peace talks with the Philippine government have agreed to hunt down 53 Islamic militants as a sign of their sincerity to end a 30-year-old conflict.

A list containing the names was recently handed over to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) by the government, MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said.

Under a "cooperation framework" signed with the government in 2002 the MILF said it would help Manila "interdict or arrest terrorist elements" operating in its areas, Kabalu said.

"We have a list of criminal elements the government has submitted to us to be apprehended," he told reporters late Sunday in Cotabato on the insurgency-wracked island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines.

MILF officials were now "validating" the list, which includes the names of renegade Muslim rebels with possible links to Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) as well as Khadaffy Janjalani, leader of the Abu Sayyaf.

militants blamed for the Philippines' worst terrorist bombings and a spate of kidnappings, while the JI is said to be linked to Al-Qaeda. The JI has also been blamed for the deadly October 2002 bombings in Bali that killed over 200 people.

Tens of thousands of members and supporters of the MILF, which has been waging a separatist rebellion in Mindanao since 1978, have gathered at one its camps near Cotabato for three days of peace talks that opened on Sunday.

Kabalu said he was hopeful a final peace agreement will be signed this year but intelligence reports that foreign JI members are undergoing bomb-making training in MILF camps have been a persistent thorn in the negotiations.

The MILF has denied the reports, but security analysts say JI elements appear to be increasingly infiltrating Islamic liberation movements, including the MILF and the Abu Sayyaf.

The Abu Sayyaf, which is on the US State Department's list of foreign terrorist organizations, has been on the run from a massive military operation in its island stronghold of Jolo.

Its numbers have dwindled to a few hundred from a high of over 1,000 in 2000, but Janjalani and his key lieutenants are believed to have eluded military troops and are now hiding out in MILF-controlled parts of Mindanao.

Asked whether the MILF will arrest one of its commanders if found to be shielding those on the list, Kabalu said: "Yes, of course. That is the mandate of the AJAG (Ad Hoc Joint Action Group)."

Kabalu's comments came a month after both sides agreed during exploratory talks in Malaysia to "bolster the joint campaign against lawlessness and criminality."

After the list is verified, Kabalu said MILF units would either operate on its own and arrest those named on it or would team up with government forces.

"We have the option to operate unilaterally and then turn them over to the military," Kabalu said.

National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales last month confirmed that the government was working with the MILF and that the joint action group has resulted in several arrests. But he declined to name who had been detained saying it could affect ongoing operations.
Posted by: tipper || 05/31/2006 11:56 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  havent we heard this before
Posted by: bk || 05/31/2006 12:34 Comments || Top||

#2  Lipless Eid is nothing but a diversion to the truth. He is never going to give up KJ or Hapilon. He will get the Phils to sign the treaty and NEVER give up a single key leader.

Just a little background check on Gonzo will reveal he has Tausug blood in his veins and does not have the Philippines government best interests at heart.
Posted by: 49 Pan || 05/31/2006 14:02 Comments || Top||

#3  Mothers I'd Like to.... Fool around with?
Posted by: Scooter McGruder || 05/31/2006 22:12 Comments || Top||

#4  tough mothers...but not good... this is a pig in a poke
Posted by: Frank G || 05/31/2006 22:52 Comments || Top||


Busted Malaysian trained by al-Qaeda
One of the 12 members of the new terror group Darul Islam arrested by the Malaysian police was trained by Osama bin LadenÂ’s al-Qaeda movement in Afghanistan, investigations revealed.

The Indonesian, who was trained to handle arms and make bombs, is said to have conducted similar training for members of the group in Indonesia and in the southern Philippines.

Regional intelligence sources, who described the radical group as dangerous, said the man had been a strong source of influence on the rest of the other Darul Islam members.

They said the regional intelligence agencies had been keeping tabs on the group, particularly its link with the Abu Sayyaf, a small violent Muslim terrorist group operating in the southern Philippines.

Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Dan Darling || 05/31/2006 00:10 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Rioters take fight to Aussie Troops
THE commander of the Australian-led intervention force in East Timor acknowledged last night that yesterday had been "a bad day", as hooligans settled scores and held running battles in centres across the capital. "I will have good days and bad days and today was a bad day," Brigadier Mick Slater said in Dili. "There has been I think more violence on the streets today then there was yesterday. There is no doubt we will have good days and bad days."

Four Australian armoured personnel carriers rushed to one brawl on the road to Dili's airport, quickly dispersing rival gangs who had been fighting with machetes and bows and arrows, and had set a fruit stall alight. Mobs also torched houses and ransacked government offices, including that of the Attorney-General where they succeeded in breaking into the Serious Crimes Unit.

East Timorese Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta suggested the gangs were being urged on by "provocateurs" intent on destabilising the situation.
Brilliant, that's why he's a foreign minister, you know.
"This is not a civil war in this country, but there could have been," he said.

In a blunt contradiction of Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, Mr Ramos Horta rejected suggestions the army rebels were staging a coup. The leader of the rebels, Australian-trained Alfredo Reinado, was visited by Australians in two Black Hawk helicopters in his mountain base, southeast of Dili.

Major Reinado, who has family in Western Australia, insisted he was not attempting to mount a coup, saying he simply wanted to restore peace. He claimed Dr Alkatiri had ordered troops to attack his men last Thursday. "Some people say they are for their own political interests, but I'm not - I'm not doing this in the political interest at all," he told the Nine Network last night. "I want peace for my people, peace for my country and a good future for this nation."

Brigadier Slater said there was no timetable to disarm East Timor's police and soldiers, including the nearly 600 rebels in hiding in the hills above Dili. In the last three days more than 3400 weapons - including high-powered rifles, hand guns, shotguns, machetes and grenades - had been taken off the streets without a shot being fired in anger.

Brigadier Slater said a "large majority" of the army was now co-operating with the taskforce and following orders from President Xanana Gusmao. "We have less than half of the police returned at this stage but they haven't stopped. They are still coming but I think the police are a little more wary of the situation," he said.

World Vision chief Tim Costello said he had pressed Brigadier Slater for more protection for aid efforts. Mr Costello said he mainly had Mr Gusmao to thank for improving the flow of aid to hungry East Timorese. He said it was not until Mr Gusmao appeared in public on Monday that the situation began to improve. "At that point, Xanana got all the police to surrender their guns, which is a great win for the military," he said. "Our staff who had been delivering some supplies ... said it seems to be a far less heavy situation, so we feel safer."
Posted by: Oztralian || 05/31/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  It will be a shame on every Christian who will not come to help East Timor. I can not understand that the majority Christian country like ours spends hundreds of billions of dollars on ungrateful Islamists and do not have a billion dollars for majority Christian countries like East Timor and Angola. Folks, take it straight from a no Christian, if you can not help your kind, the enemies of Christianity will screw you. It is happening; you just do not want to hear it. Believe me, you can not hide your head in sand long enough for there is no long enough any more.
Posted by: Annon || 05/31/2006 1:19 Comments || Top||

#2  My understanding was that the US pays large sums of money to countries like Egypt so that they don't fall into the hands of complete wingnuts like the Muslim Brotherhood. It sure as hell does't appear to be for reasons of "economic development."
Posted by: Fritz || 05/31/2006 2:21 Comments || Top||

#3  Alkatiri is a marxist and muslim troublemaker. Thank God Gusmao did a 'Gough' on him and sacked the obnoxious bastard. Hopefully East Timor move forward once this bully and his sidekicks are gone.
Posted by: Flaigum Whelet4630 || 05/31/2006 4:59 Comments || Top||

#4  Mo'hamed
Mo' problems.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 05/31/2006 5:13 Comments || Top||


Malaysia captures 12 suspected terrorists
Malaysian police have captured 12 Islamist militants, most of them from Indonesia, who are suspected to have planned terrorist attacks in the region, the Star newspaper said on Tuesday. The dozen men were arrested recently after six months of police surveillance in the Malaysian state of Sabah, on Borneo island, the daily said, quoting unnamed sources. Malaysia's police special branch were not immediately available for comment.

Indonesia, which has seen deadly terrorist attacks in Bali and Jakarta, welcomed the report on Tuesday, saying it would help weaken militant networks in the region. "I believe this is a good sign and an important step to fight terrorism," Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda told reporters during a visit to Malaysia. He said that Indonesian police with the cooperation of their Malaysian counterparts had arrested several people a few months ago for smuggling explosive materials from Sabah into Indonesia.

Regional police forces had been monitoring suspicious groups on Borneo island and in the southern Philippines, he added. The Star newspaper said police had seized firearms and documents from the 12 men, including bomb-making instructions downloaded from the Internet. The men included at least two Malaysians and had been travelling through Sabah when police nabbed them, it added.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Sri Lanka
13 labourers killed in Eastern Sri Lanka by suspected LTTE cadres
Thirteen labourers working for an irrigation project in eastern Sri Lanka have been killed by suspected Tamil rebels. The workers employed in the Ampara region, 290 km east of the capital Colombo were believed to have been killed Monday after they were abducted by the rebels, news agency Indo-Asian News Service reported Tuesday. The incident occurred just hours before the EU labelled the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a terrorist organisation.
After only how the hell many years? They just went by too quickly for me to keep track, I guess...
Sri Lanka's security situation has further deteriorated since April 7 and more than 375 people - civilians, soldiers and rebels have been killed, according to the news agency. The LTTE has been fighting for a separate country for ethnic Tamils carved out of Sri Lanka and the conflict has claimed 70,000 lives in the last two-and-a-half decades.
Posted by: Fred || 05/31/2006 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Tehran's Atomic Plans Irreversible, Top Diplomat Tells Rice
Tehran, 31 May (AKI) - Shortly after US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced on Wednesday that her country is ready to join multilateral talks with Iran on its nuclear program once the country "fully and verifiably" stops enriching uranium, a top Iranian diplomat announced that Tehran's atomic plans are irreversible.

"The United States, Europe and the international community must resign themselves and accept that the nuclear activities of the Islamic Republic, starting with uranium enrichment, are irreversible," said Mohammad Saiidi, the deputy chief of Iran's delegation to the Vienna-based UN atomic watchdog. "We will not take part in any negotiation which has as a precondition the suspension of uranium enrichment, not even a temporary one," said the Iranian representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Thanks, we were worried you might have taken us up on it. Silly me.
Rice's offer comes on the eve of a crucial meeting of UN Security Council members plus Germany on Thursday. Britain, France and Germany have drafted a package of incentives and penalties aimed at convincing Iran to give up its nuclear programme, which world powers fear is aimed at building nuclear weapons. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, Britain, France, Russia and China - plus Germany are scheduled to discuss the negotiating plan of the three European countries on Thursday in Vienna before presenting it to Tehran.

Iran and the US have only had limited contact with Iranian officials since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Rice told a press conference on Wednesday that "to underscore our commitment to a diplomatic solution and to enhance prospects for success, as soon as Iran fully and verifiably suspends its enrichment and reprocessing activities, the United States will come to the table."
Posted by: Steve || 05/31/2006 16:14 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "Tehran's atomic plans are irreversible"

By Tehran, maybe - but not necessarily by us....

IfyouknowwhatImean
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 05/31/2006 16:26 Comments || Top||

#2  I dunno. I bet several well placed bombs would do wonders for the reversal of their plans.
Posted by: DarthVader || 05/31/2006 16:34 Comments || Top||

#3  If only Hitler had been so clear.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 05/31/2006 16:34 Comments || Top||

#4  I don't really see much of a problem here. If Iran does anything to us, we can always turn Iran into a parking lot. I think it would be amusing to see Europe ringed by nuclear states, as the Arab world follows Iran's footsteps. It should be fun to see the European states agree to take in tens of millions of Muslim immigrants and pay out tens of billions of euros in aid annually in response to pressure from the new nuclear powers. It might even rock the European world view, which appears to be that the US is root of all evil in the modern world.
Posted by: Zhang Fei || 05/31/2006 16:43 Comments || Top||

#5  You should be watching John Bolton being interviewed on Fox by Cavuto.

He said that when Bush says Iran having nuclear weapons is "unacceptable" that means it is unacceptable. Believe it.

Then reiterated Bush statedly flatly that no options are off the table. And then reiterated that Bush is a man of his word - so what he says should be believed and taken at face value.

It could not have been any clearer.
Posted by: Chang Ominesing2659 || 05/31/2006 16:44 Comments || Top||

#6  Forgot one thing - earlier in the interview he emphasized that Iran should view the Rice offer their last chance for a cooperative solution. He implied clearly that everything after this point would be punitive.
Posted by: Chang Ominesing2659 || 05/31/2006 16:47 Comments || Top||

#7  "Iran and the US have only had limited contact with Iranian officials..."
Ain't that the truth.
Posted by: Darrell || 05/31/2006 16:47 Comments || Top||

#8  The work at the French built Osiraq facility in Iraq was also said to be ..... "irreversible."
Posted by: Besoeker || 05/31/2006 16:53 Comments || Top||

#9  It might even rock the European world view, which appears to be that the US is root of all evil in the modern world.
When he's right, he's really right.
Posted by: 6 || 05/31/2006 16:58 Comments || Top||

#10  A noble wish but unlikely. The Europeans seem by and large to be nearly as reality-challenged as Teheran.
Posted by: lotp || 05/31/2006 17:23 Comments || Top||

#11  If Iran is left a single piece, it would have to be utterly destroyed to keep it from reconstituting its nuclear weapons programs. However, once partitioned, it would no longer have such a capability.

The Iranians, I think, are starting to realize this, as just today they announced unconventional training, which by all appearances intends to keep this from happening.

However, it is very hard for a minority, in this case Persians, to keep control over a renegade province strongly dominated by a hostile majority when they hostile minority has the strong backing, i.e. forces on the ground, of a major military power.

And once pushed out of the provinces back into Persia, any concentrations of Iranian military or Revolutionary Guard would be sliced and diced.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 05/31/2006 17:39 Comments || Top||

#12 
Easy solution. Partition into a gazillion fiefdoms.

Nukes require large organizations, water plants do not.
Posted by: Master of Obvious || 05/31/2006 19:07 Comments || Top||

#13  Iran's officios and MadMoud has said or inferred that Iran will not accept limited uranium enrichment, and what levels it MAY/MIGHT ACCEPT is sufficient over time to develop low-grade nuke weapons or so-called "dirty nukes". In reality, the diplomats aretalking only about delaying by likely a few years only Iran's dev of nuke weapons, NOT PREVENTING IRAN FROM HAVING ANY OR ADVANCED NUKE WEAPONS.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 05/31/2006 21:16 Comments || Top||


syria reveals that Israel has a zionist time machine
JPost hat tip Israelicool

Syrian and Iranian diplomats traded barbs with Israel's UN ambassador... Israel's UN Ambassador Dan Gillerman said that World War III had already begun and urged the former Allied forces from World War to act against the axis of terror, consisting of Iran, Syria, Hamas and Hizbullah....

Syria responded that Israel was the one precipitating a third world war, saying that "If we examine the matter, we will find that Israel was behind the eruption of both World War I and World II."

Posted by: mhw || 05/31/2006 15:47 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Thus proving, once again, that when the "anti-zionists", be they arabo-muslim or leftist, talk about Israel or the "Zionists"(Tm), they actually think "DIRTY JEWS".
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 05/31/2006 16:15 Comments || Top||

#2  "Israel was behind the eruption of both World War I and World II

Oh, yeah - that make perfect sense.

Dipshit.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 05/31/2006 16:59 Comments || Top||

#3  Poor arabs. I'd hate to be like them. Such big losers that 10 million Jews spank 1.3B mooslims and 400M arabs. One would think they might learn, but it seems allen's sons do not have the mental capacity to figure it out.
Posted by: Bretta || 05/31/2006 17:11 Comments || Top||

#4  Is ululating a paid position in palelland?
Posted by: Bretta || 05/31/2006 17:12 Comments || Top||

#5  Ten million Jews? Where?
Posted by: trailing wife || 05/31/2006 18:15 Comments || Top||

#6  Shhhhh..... Hollywood and Wall Street
Posted by: Frank G || 05/31/2006 18:25 Comments || Top||

#7  I want to know what flavor of Kool-Aid they drink. Must be some sort of strong stuff to cause mass psycopathic delusions among the so-called educated.
Posted by: anymouse || 05/31/2006 19:36 Comments || Top||

#8  The concept of a state of Israel was first put on paper in the Balfour declaration in 1917 guys. And discussed for many years before.

And here I thought I was going to actually read about Syria announcing their intelligence had unearthed an Israeli time machine! Dammit
Posted by: ordu || 05/31/2006 20:51 Comments || Top||

#9  There is only one way to penetrate the Arab mind.
Posted by: jim#6 || 05/31/2006 20:53 Comments || Top||

#10  Some news websites reported that Iran sees Russia, China, India, + itself as head of a consortium of Muslim states, plus other yet undetermined states or regions, acting as a new axis or barrier against America-West. OH DUBYA, CAN WE HAVE A DRAFT NOW - BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY, BETTER TOO MUCH WHEN THE SHOOTING STARTS THAN TOO LITTLE??? DON'T TELL THE LEFTIES BUT SSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHH YOU CAN "TRIM/CUT THE FAT" ONCE VICTORY IS WON.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 05/31/2006 21:25 Comments || Top||

#11  If they told it like it is, there would be lines to join up.
Somebody has to make that Dhimmi-future movie.
Posted by: Gene the Moron || 05/31/2006 21:32 Comments || Top||

#12  The concept of a state of Israel was first put on paper in the Balfour declaration in 1917 guys. And discussed for many years before.

And uh.. that started WWI ?
And WWII too ?
Oh those wiley jews.
Posted by: Gene the Moron || 05/31/2006 21:38 Comments || Top||

#13  The Israelis don't have their own time machine.

We let them use ours on occasion. To go back and tell the Moslems ancestors to shun knowledge and science and only do what the Koran tells them to. You know, stuff like that, that keeps the Moslems down, ignorant and self-destructive.

Those sneaky Zionists. Practically invented Wahabbism.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 05/31/2006 23:10 Comments || Top||

#14  A common Nazi troph was that "International Jewry" declared war on the Nazi state in 1939. The Party Line lives, nay thrives six decsdes after the suicide in the Berlin bunker...
Posted by: borgboy || 05/31/2006 23:28 Comments || Top||


Iran plans for US Invasion
Iran, apparently anticipating an American invasion, has quietly been restructuring its military and testing a new military doctrine that calls for a decentralized, Iraqi-style guerrilla campaign against an invading force.
It might be worth it to feign an invasion just to watch them respond and then clean up the response
Iran's military planners are acutely aware that a military confrontation with technologically more advanced U.S. armed forces would be rapid and multifronted, unlike the static and slow-paced 1980-88 war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq. Therefore, a series of war games have been carried out since late last year to test the army's readiness.

In December, more than 15,000 members of the regular armed forces participated in an exercise in northwestern Iran's strategically sensitive Azerbaijan border provinces that focused on irregular warfare carried out by highly mobile army units, according to the official MENA news agency.

A second exercise was conducted in the majority-Arab province of Khuzestan in September, according to the Iranian press, aimed at quelling insurgencies in areas subject to ethnic unrest and prone to foreign influence. Involving a reported 100,000 troops, the exercise provided an example of how the Islamic Republic would respond to further disturbances in the strategic, oil-rich province that has been the scene of a year-old terrorist bombing campaign.

An European military attache in Tehran told The Washington Times that the Revolutionary Guard is moving away from a joint command with the ordinary army and taking a more prominent role in controlling Iran's often porous borders, even as it makes each of Iran's border provinces autonomous in the event of war.

Anthony Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies dismissed the reports of the Iranian military acquiring new capabilities, saying it has been training in asymmetric tactics for years. Iranian war planners expect that the first step taken by an invading force would be to occupy the oil-rich Khuzestan region, secure the sensitive Strait of Hormuz and cut off the Iranian military's oil supply.

Foreign diplomats who monitor Iran's army say that Iran's leadership has acknowledged it stands little chance of defeating U.S. armed forces with conventional military doctrine. The shift in focus to guerrilla warfare against an occupying army in the aftermath of a successful invasion mirrors developments in Iraq, where a triumphant U.S. military campaign has been followed by three years of slow, indecisive struggle with insurgent and terrorist forces.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 05/31/2006 12:41 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Satellite photos reveal Iranians practicing secret maneuvers in case of war with US.
Posted by: doc || 05/31/2006 15:07 Comments || Top||

#2  Venezuela or Iran? Maybe a coin toss...
Posted by: Seafarious || 05/31/2006 15:17 Comments || Top||

#3  We should adopt the plan I thought Saddam was adopting. THat is gear up for invasion so they get all tense, and then back down. Then gear up again, then back down.

Each gear up can be done with communications and wargames, at least initially. The more it looks to the Iranian people as if the Mullahs' are paranoid the better so actual troop movements near the border are out. Then eventually they'll no longer respond to our false moves....
Posted by: rjschwarz || 05/31/2006 15:25 Comments || Top||

#4  #3 We should adopt the plan I thought Saddam was adopting.

Had Saddam adopted that plan.... we'd still be sitting in Kuwait. He indeed missed a golden opportunity. Using it against Iran would be very wise.
Posted by: Besoeker || 05/31/2006 15:28 Comments || Top||

#5  The shift in focus to guerrilla warfare against an occupying army in the aftermath of a successful invasion...

I hate to spoil any surprise endings, but one way to defeat this fiendishly clever plan is to not invade. Just blow everything to hell and go home. Rinse and repeat as necessary.

A country without gasoline and electricity is a country without a uranium enrichment program.
Posted by: SteveS || 05/31/2006 15:44 Comments || Top||

#6  But be sure to air-drop plenty of rope after the dance so the real festivities can begin.
Posted by: Chang Ominesing2659 || 05/31/2006 15:47 Comments || Top||

#7  But be sure to air-drop plenty of rope after the dance so the real festivities can begin.

Good idea. Along with the rope can come leaflets explaining how we "Will stop spanking all of you as soon as you mail the heads of the following list of troublemakers. Please use the enclosed priority express, self-addressed, stamped, one-cubic-foot mailing cartons. Don't forget to enclose a note with your name and address so we know where to send the $10,000 reward."
Posted by: grb || 05/31/2006 16:02 Comments || Top||

#8  Lol, grb. We did need a tough-minded detail man - thanks! Excellent ideas.
Posted by: Chang Ominesing2659 || 05/31/2006 16:07 Comments || Top||

#9  Iranian Defense Plan for US Invasion
  • Change into clean underwear.
  • Bend over.
  • Kiss ass good-bye.
  • Posted by: Dar || 05/31/2006 16:13 Comments || Top||

    #10  Any invasion will be at 15,000 feet or above, assholes, with no feet on the ground other than those already there....yes, you are paranoid, and yes, we have troops in place.
    Posted by: Frank G || 05/31/2006 16:49 Comments || Top||

    #11  How do you "plan" for an invasion - of bombs and missiles?

    Why would we waste our time actually going there? We're busy next door. Decapitate the thugs leadership and let nature the people's desire for freedom take its course.
    Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 05/31/2006 16:50 Comments || Top||

    #12  the Revolutionary Guard is moving away from a joint command with the ordinary army and taking a more prominent role in controlling Iran's often porous borders, even as it makes each of Iran's border provinces autonomous in the event of war.
    Maybe we won't have to do anything.
    Posted by: 6 || 05/31/2006 17:01 Comments || Top||

    #13  Yes, tyrannies depend on centralized command structures with all authority held at the top and granted only to a small loyal and dependent cadre of martinets. Competency is not a consideration, in fact, it's a drawback because its existence threatens the current despots by presenting a possible alternative.
    Posted by: Monsieur Moonbat || 05/31/2006 20:30 Comments || Top||

    #14  IOW, Iran will try to sink or destroy one or more high-profile US-Allied targets before retreating back into the mountains to conduct asymmetric
    "People's War of Resistance" - wid US milfors and bases already in Central Asia and on all other flanks, Iran cannot expect too much reinforcements from other sympathetic pro-Radics Muslim nations or groups short of de facto Sino-Russian mil intervention in defense = protection of Iran. ALso keep in mind that parallel or follow-on NORTH KOREA = TAIWAN = NORTH-TAIWAN scenarios are still very much possible while US-Allied milfors are preoccupied in Iran-ME, war scenarios or contingencies which both the USDOD and Amer's enemes are well aware of against the other. RADICAL ISLAM IS LOSING THE WOT ALL AROUND THE WORLD - DESPERATE TIMES CALL FOR DESPERATE ACTIONS, RIGHT, SO AMERICANS SHOULD NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE PROPENSITY OF THE SPETZLAMISTS TO ATTACK FIRST, BE IT AMERICA OR ELSEWHERE, SOLELY OR IN COMBIN, AND TO INCLUDE AGAINST AGAINST NEUTRAL REGIONS. The WOT > WAR FOR CONTROL OF THE WORLD, hence the whole world, allied enemy andor neutral, is a legit battlefield.
    Posted by: Those Phinegum7471 || 05/31/2006 21:09 Comments || Top||

    #15  Sorry - forgot to post my name as I haven't had my Mickey D's or Wendy's coffee yet.
    Posted by: JosephMendiola || 05/31/2006 21:11 Comments || Top||

    #16  Okay, can I get a vote? How many people here didn't know that Those Phinegum7471 was really Joe?

    Get those hands up. No?? Yeah you in the back can go to the Boy's room. Anyone else?????


    Didn't think so. ;^)
    Posted by: AlanC || 05/31/2006 21:32 Comments || Top||

    #17  :-) - Alan
    Posted by: Frank G || 05/31/2006 21:34 Comments || Top||

    #18  I'm with Barbara.
    Fly-over and drop country.
    Posted by: Gene the Moron || 05/31/2006 21:54 Comments || Top||

    #19  Thanks for the update, Joe. Never would have figured out it was you ;-)
    Posted by: xbalanke || 05/31/2006 22:11 Comments || Top||

    #20  I hate to spoil any surprise endings, but one way to defeat this fiendishly clever plan is to not invade. Just blow everything to hell and go home. Rinse and repeat as necessary.

    I do believe this approach is rather well-covered by the overarching Army motto of:

    "We break things."
    Posted by: Zenster || 05/31/2006 22:11 Comments || Top||



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