Japan and the United States have insisted on a UN Security Council resolution that would enact mandatory sanctions on North Korea's missile programme as negotiators sought to prevent a veto from China. Talks at the United Nations in New York have narrowed some differences on the sanctions, which would prevent a transfer of materials or funds for North Korea's missile or nuclear programmes. But other problems remained, diplomats said. Jean-Marc de la Sabliere, France's UN ambassador and this month's council president, said he hoped for agreement on Friday on the basis of a modified text that Japan drafted. But he acknowledged that talks could spill into Saturday. France is among the eight sponsors of the resolution.
In Tokyo, Shinzo Abe, the cabinet secretary in charge of coordinating government policy told Reuters in an interview that Japan would "insist on a binding resolution with sanctions." And Junichiro Koizumi, the Japanese prime minister, during a visit to Jordan, said he wanted a vote on the resolution on Friday, a day before the Group of Eight industrial nations meet in St Petersburg, Russia. Acknowledging that compromises would have to be made, Taro Aso, Japan's foreign minister, told a news conference that "it is common sense that both sides cannot achieve a perfect grade so both sides have to compromise so they can be satisfied."
Posted by: Fred ||
07/14/2006 22:59 ||
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July 14, 2006: With the end of North Korea's series of missile tests, who won and who lost, given what happened? The answers to this question might be somewhat surprising in one sense, but obvious in another. The seven missile launches, the most critical being the Taepo-Dong 2 missile that failed within a minute of launching, will have consequences.
Winners: The United States – By launching seven missiles, North Korea has given the United States a lot more freedom in terms of acting decisively than it had earlier. This is largely due to the fact that the untrustworthiness of Kim Jong-Il in any form of negotiation, and the country's provocative behavior, has been made pretty obvious. The failure of the Taepo-Dong 2 missile also shows that the United States still has time to mount pressure on North Korea through various avenues (largely economic, diplomatic, and political arenas) while increasing American missile defenses. Political opposition to missile defense will decline as a result of the attempted launch of the Taepo-Dong 2, which was reportedly aimed at Hawaiian waters.
Japan – If the United States has regained some freedom, Japan has gained a lot, both in the international arena, as well as domestic politics. For the first time since 1945, Japan is facing a credible threat to its home territory. The massive tests by North Korea have reinforces the perception that started to gel after the 1998 test flight ( in which a missile flew over Japan). Japan has traditionally limited its defense spending to one percent of GDP. Like America, Japan sees itself as having time. The Japanese-American alliance will get stronger and closer.
Taiwan – The strengthening American-Japanese alliance will benefit Taiwan. America and Japan have already declared Taiwan to be an area where they have already agreed to pursue the same objectives with Taiwan. The Americans are going to assist Japan with a missile defense system. As a result, Japan is going to owe the United States a favor – and that could redound to Taiwan's benefit if things with China go hot. One of the big-ticket items in the 2001 package of military assistance the United States promised Taiwan was eight modern diesel-electric submarines. America doesn't build modern diesel-electric submarines, but Japan does.
Losers: North Korea – If Kim Jong-Il was a laughingstock after the 2004 release of the movie " Team America: World Police" and the song "I'm So Lonely", he's definitely become a major laughingstock with the failure of the Taepo-Dong 2. Already, crude jokes featuring a double entendre about Kim Jong-Il are circulating around the internet. Also, there are going to be questions about the quality of North Korean missiles – and that's probably North Korea's biggest – and most legitimate – export product.
South Korea – The nonchalance and neglect of the situation with regards to North Korea is now looking like a bad idea. The anti-American attitudes are going to result in a quicker re-deployment of American forces away from the DMZ.
China – Not quite an obvious loser, but they have lost big-time. China now appears to have no ability or inclination to control North Korea, which is a blow to its diplomatic and political prestige. This is also going to send relations with the U.S. into a bit of a tailspin. But the not-so-obvious penalty is the fact that America and Japan are growing closer. China now faces the prospect of not just facing the Seventh Fleet should the situation with Taiwan degenerate into a war, but the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force as well. China might have an outside chance against one of those maritime forces, but against both, the chances are virtually zero. Actions and events often have consequences, which often can be far-reaching and in some cases, unexpected. The North Korean tests are one event that will have consequences that ripple beyond the Korean Peninsula.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/14/2006 13:29 ||
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#1
I just have one question. How does Montenegro fit into all this?
BUSAN, South Korea - South Korea raised the prospect on Thursday that high-level talks with North Korea could end without any agreement if the two sides fail to narrow differences in the wake of the communist nationÂ’s internationally condemned missile launches.
At the talks that run through Friday, the North has renewed a demand for rice aid. However, the South has previously said it would suspend such shipments in the wake of last week’s missile launches. “There is something that North Korea wants, such as rice aid,” said South Korean delegation spokesman Yang Chang-seok. “But we’ve made clear our position on that before the talks. If North Korea judges it has nothing to gain ... we could imagine a scenario where the two sides fail to narrow differences.”
The NKors want the rice but won't give anything useful in return. Show's over, drop your popcorn containers in the trash can at the door.
On Wednesday, the North even argued at the talks that its “songun,” or “army-first,” policy of strengthening its military gives protection to South Korea too - a claim immediately rejected by the South.
Even the SKors are smart enough to realize that juche should stay home in the north.
The South also warned the North against additional missile launches, saying if it conducts more that regional tensions would spike in an uncontrollable way and inter-Korean relations would be hurt further, Lee said.
Sounds like an enabling spouse -- "clean up or I'll go home to Mother!" But they never do.
Without responding to South KoreaÂ’s appeals, the North repeated a request for 500,000 tons of rice, proposed meetings of families separated by the heavily armed border and renewed a demand that the South stop military drills with the US, officials said.
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/14/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Stupid SKors. They've played the fools for decades - I give even odds they'll fold, yet again.
#2
remove our troops - they're on their own. F&*k em
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/14/2006 0:42 Comments ||
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#3
Given the noises we're making about totally separating the command in S. Korea to allow US forces to concentrate on "naval and air power" we might just be moving a few steps in that direction.
#5
The South told them straight out before the launches that they would stop rice and fertilizer shipments if they launched the BigDong. The north is like a spoiled child that kicks and screams at the grocery store until you buy him the damned candybar at the checkout counter just to shut him up.
The United States is considering separating its forces from South Korea's and establishing an independent command to support the South's troops on the Korean peninsula, the commander of US Forces Korea said on Thursday. South Korea gave the United States command of its troops during the 1950-1953 Korean War. It later regained their peacetime control but US forces would still command South Korean forces in the event of a war. "While no final decisions have been made, we are considering creating two independent commands - one ROK (South Korean) and one US, with US forces in a supporting role to take advantage of US air and naval warfare capabilities," General B.B. Bell told a security forum in South Korea's parliament. He said Washington and Seoul have been studying ways to change the command structure for months.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/14/2006 00:00 ||
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But a pullback is fine. Give them the Chinese hegemony they are begging for, and let them enjoy being caught between the Japanese hammer and the Chinese anvil.
#7
Take Murtha's advice. Support them from Okinawa. Errr..that's Guam now I guess. Who cares ? Just get our people out of there. The Japanese can and will provide all the support required.
#8
Pull back to Pusan, put up the bases and perimeter there. Suffucient theater depth where we can resuce the SKors liek we did before, port facility, room for airbases and exercises, and a natural set of defensive terrain forcing the Norks to operate at the LONG end of a logistical tether that they couldn't operate or protect any better than they did back in the first Korean war.
Diplomatic efforts to defuse the North Korean missile crisis collapsed Thursday, as a Chinese mission to Pyongyang failed to produce a breakthrough and talks between the two Koreas ended in acrimony. The failure set the stage for a showdown at the United Nations, where the United States and Japan are pushing for tough action against the secretive state after it launched seven missiles in Japan's direction last week.
The top US negotiator on North Korea, Christopher Hill, said during a visit to Beijing that the regime could now expect a "very strong" message after China's efforts to lower tensions in the region failed. "I have talked as much as I can with the Chinese to see what's going on with their mission in Pyongyang. From what I understand, we don't have any breakthroughs in Pyongyang," Hill said before departing for Washington. "So far (the North Koreans) don't seem interested in listening, much less in doing anything to address the situation," said the American diplomat, who has been shuttling among Asian capitals since the tests rattled the region. "I'm confident there will be a very strong, very clear message for the DPRK (North Korea)," Hill said.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/14/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Who cares whether this is in the script, or not?
THE nation's Islamic leader, Sheik Taj Din al-Hilali, has dismissed the Holocaust as a "Zionist lie" in a series of fiery sermons in which he also lashed out at the West and the US-led occupation of Iraq. And Sheik Hilali -- the Mufti of Australia and a member of John Howard's Muslim Community Reference Group -- also accuses the Government of being dishonest for claiming the anti-terrorism laws were not designed specifically for Muslims. "These laws are tailored to target us precisely," he said in a sermon recorded at Sydney's Lakemba Mosque in November - one of a number of recordings The Weekend Australian has of Sheik Hilali's religious addresses delivered in Arabic over the past eight months.
Revelations that the nation's most senior Islamic cleric has been openly preaching extreme messages to his mainstream followers will be a major setback for the Howard Government. Sheik Hilali is a senior member of the Prime Minister's Muslim advisory board. Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs Andrew Robb will tomorrow unveil details of federal funding for national projects to help address problems within the Islamic community. Mr Robb, who oversees the advisory group, told The Weekend Australian Sheik Hilali's reported comments were "inflammatory and unacceptable".
Last night, the mufti stood by his sermons: "We are always saddened and always remember with great sorrow what Nazism did to the Jewish people," he said in a statement. However, we do not wish to see these crimes repeated by other hands. Some who see themselves as supporters of Israel do abuse the Holocaust whenever Israel is engaged in its indefensible wars and crimes against humanity. People, myself included, are within their legitimate right to question the morality of exploiting the memory of the Holocaust."
Posted by: Fred ||
07/14/2006 13:44 ||
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#1
And Sheik Hilali -- the Mufti of Australia and a member of John Howard's Muslim Community Reference Group And part time headwear model. Maybe he should of met the guy we just buried from the home. Still had his tattoo
#5
The human head is a virtual radiator, pumping mass quantities of blood through the brain and dissipating heat through the skull. The turbans cause this heat to be retained in the brain, causing the blood to boil and synapses to misfire.
This also explains why bald men are so much more intelligent and wise.
FRENCH President Jacques Chirac has said there appeared to be a "wish to destroy Lebanon" in reference to Israel's bombardments following the abduction of two soldiers.
"One may well ask if there isn't today a kind of wish to destroy Lebanon - its infrastructure, its roads, its communications, its energy, its airport. And for what?
"I find honestly - as all Europeans do - that the current reactions are totally disproportionate," he said in a live television interview to mark France's July 14 national day.
"In the Middle East we are currently in a situation of great fragility and instability. We are in a dangerous situation, a very dangerous situation. We must be very, very careful," he said.
The President welcomed the dispatch of a UN mission to the Middle East, whose aim he said should be to secure the release of the Israeli prisoners - including one held in Gaza - establish a ceasefire and study new security arrangements along the Israeli-Lebanese border.
#2
Rich, given France created the Lebanon problem in the first place by adding the Bekka valley to an otherwise viable christian arab state (circa 1920).
#8
What a lying piece of frog crap. Israel dropped leaflets asking Lebanese to move out of harm's way. Israel hardly has strategic aims of occupying Lebanon. In fact, most locals would like to see Hizbollah liquidated.
Like the status quo, Chiraq? Hizb'Allah, a terrorist organization thriving in Lebanon. Thousands of long range rockets pointed at Israeli civilians, Syria meddling in Lebanon's affairs. Permanent Ein-el-hellhole camp in southern Lebanon. Etc etc. Yes, Chiraq, you have heaven on earth in Lebanon. You do not even defend your country from hoodlums and terrorists, so why should Israel listen to you? Better look at Brazil for retirement, where they cannot extradite you for your own crimes against France.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
07/14/2006 10:15 Comments ||
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#10
Siddown and STFU, Jacques. We'll let you know if we need help from corrupt lame ducks.
#14
Chirac has played close to the Arabs for decades and views France as the natural overseer protector of Lebanon, although they haven't exactly protected them from either Syria or Iran.
#18
As if he is doing such a good job at slowing the radical Islam movement in France. He had a good spring with a 600 car per night torching. What's good for France just might not be acceptable in Israel.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
07/14/2006 12:51 Comments ||
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#19
coffee alert, Besoeker! I just can't get over how freakin' naive some of these idjits are. We all know if Israel wanted to really destroy Leb, they'd do it, by gum, and not look back.
Posted by: BA ||
07/14/2006 12:52 Comments ||
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#20
Sad to think that this kind of idjit is actually running a country. Doesn't he get some kind of briefing on why these things are happening? He doesn't have any more understanding of the situation than the average Joe! Perhaps he should keep his mouth shut until he actually consults with some experts, because he's going to have to back away from those words if he ever manages to comprehend what's going on.
#22
a5089 said some time back that President Chiraq is suffering from senility.
At least, supposedly, remember he had two strokes in 2005; hosts at an independent rightwing radio (not a Coast to Coast type) mentioned it a couple of time, reporting anecdoctes about him confusing peoples or getting angry over childish matters, being incoherent,... and one guest who was a member of an official trip to China noted how shiraq looked more "tired" than the late socialist president mitterrand while his hidden cancer was terminal.
Still, this speech is not because he's senile or decrepit, it's because he's the embodiment of the french Arab Policy.
Remember, he was the only western head of State to go to the funeral of his pal hafez el assad (pencil neck's daddy), arafat called him "uncle shiraq", he's got *very* close ties to the moroccan royal family (his 1995 successful presidential campaign was made to spin doctors paid by the late king hassan II, he's got maybe three castles there, and his grandson's father *supposedly* is moroccan), his bankroller and close friend was rafik hariri, he played the syrian card in Lebanon to the hilt before rafik turned coat and was killed... in 2000 he had a private meeting with nasrallah during a reunion of the french speakers organization, and as Lotp noted, he and his ilk see Lebanon as his/their private turf.
#25
Somebody needs to terminate this silly piece of fecal matter. I'll chip in a fin. Any others? B TW, taking out the entire French "cabinet" would be worth an extra $50.
Yeah, I know I'm cheap. I'm also broke!
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
07/14/2006 18:48 Comments ||
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U.S. voters oppose war with N. Korea
A Gallup poll finds that U.S. voters overwhelmingly favor a diplomatic solution to the North Korean nuclear standoff.
The survey gave respondents four choices. More respondents favored doing nothing (10 percent) than launching airstrikes (9 percent) or a ground invasion (3 percent).
The popular choice, from 72 percent of respondents, was a combination of diplomatic pressure and economic sanctions.
The poll also found that North Korea's failed test of a long-range missile had little effect on attitudes in the United States.
While 20 percent of respondents said ey believe North Korea is an immediate threat, 59 percent said it is a long-term threat, and 15 percent said they do not believe it will be a threat.
Just under half said they see North Korea as an enemy, while 34 percent said it is unfriendly.
Iran a divided society
A Zogby poll finds that more Iranians are interested in a strong economy than nuclear capability.
The polling company surveyed 810 adults in Iran for Reader's Digest. The results showed a society divided on most issues, including whether Iran should be more religious - 36 percent -- or more secular - 31 percent.
While 41 percent favored a strong economy as the top priority, 27 percent said the nuclear program should be No. 1, and 23 percent cited increasing freedom.
There were some generational differences. Younger Iranians distrust the United States more than older ones, and those ages 30 to 49 are the most likely to want Iran to be a secular society, while the young and old favor a religious one.
"The poll illustrates the impact of 25 years of separation," said pollster John Zogby. "The attitudes of younger Iranians toward the government, people and policies of the United States have been shaped by years of isolation, largely conservative religious leadership and anti-U.S. rhetoric."
Two issues unite Iranians -- more than half think their country should be the leader in the region, and 67 percent say the state of Israel is illegitimate.
#1
Well, yeah, most Americans are not too concerned with Kimmie, because we can depend on Japan. What is worrisome is the apparent attitudes of the younger generation in Iran. We have continually been told that they are friendly toward the West. This seems to dispel that gibberish completely, and makes addressing the Iran problem ever more pertinent. The longer we allow it to continue, the worse it will get. I recall an earlier poll showing the younger generation favoring development of nuclear weapons capacity by 85%.
#2
I love these multiple guess polls where the least stupid alternative is selected and hailed as the wish of the public. These guys would be better off perusing the Rantburg Defender-Scimitar & Times-Picayune for 10 minutes.
Less than two months after voting overwhelmingly to build 370 miles of new fencing along the border with Mexico, the Senate yesterday voted against providing funds to build it.
"We do a lot of talking. We do a lot of legislating," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, the Alabama Republican whose amendment to fund the fence was killed on a 71-29 vote. "The things we do often sound very good, but we never quite get there."
Mr. Sessions offered his amendment to authorize $1.8 billion to pay for the fencing that the Senate voted 83-16 to build along high-traffic areas of the border with Mexico. In the same vote on May 17, the Senate also directed 500 miles of vehicle barriers to be built along the border.
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#1
throw every one of the bastards out and start over
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/14/2006 9:19 Comments ||
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#2
"one of the most unusual aspects of the Senate bill is a provision - slipped in before the final vote would require the United States to consult with the Mexican government before constructing the fencing."
-I'm glad that failed then, nice catch whoever caught it. However, I'd really like to know the name of the motherf*cker who tried adding that treasonous dog sh*t into that bill. He or she should be tarred and feathered and kicked out of the city limits. Looks like a total sabotage effort at least.
Yes, the senate is choking again as usual. Bunch of out of touch elitists. I do applaud Sen. Sessions' effort though. Anybody who would like to write their senators via email can do so at www.congress.org - I've done this a bunch of times. I'd like to believe I'm doing my small little part to tell these pricks what I think - makes me feel better at least.
(b) CONSULTATION REQUIREMENT.--Consultations between United States and Mexican authorities at the federal, state, and local levels concerning the construction of additional fencing and related border security structures along the United States-Mexico border shall be undertaken prior to commencing any new construction, in order to solicit the views of affected communities, lessen tensions and foster greater understanding and stronger cooperation on this and other important issues of mutual concern.
Republicans who voted for the Mexican consultation requirement:
Bennett, Bond, Brownback, Chafee, Coleman, Collins, Craig, Graham, Hagel, Lugar, Feingold, Collins, McCain, Specter, Stevens, Warner, Martinez, Murkowski, Snowe and Voinovich
Dems who voted against:
Lincoln
Posted by: ed ||
07/14/2006 9:40 Comments ||
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#4
WTF. Consultation agreement? Who in the hell cares what the Mexicans think? It is our sovereignty that is at stake. The Senate is sounding a lot like the UN--they just talk and stand for nothing.
#7
"...the Senate yesterday voted against providing funds to build it". The senate is tasked with writing the law. Congress is supposed to fund the law.
#8
This is farkin' ridiculous. You 'overwhelmingly' vote to allow the fence, but then don't fund it? Anyone with me to withhold your portion of Federal taxes this year (whatever $1.8 billion divided by 300 million is, roughly $6/person) because of this freakin' nonsense. I'm glad to see my 2 GA Senators were not on the list.
Posted by: BA ||
07/14/2006 12:48 Comments ||
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#9
This is the same stupid shit they pulled back in 1986.
President Bush has agreed conditionally to a court review of his antiterror eavesdropping operations under a deal that, for the first time, would open an important part of his once-secret surveillance to a constitutional test.
The disclosure of the agreement on Thursday came as the White House sought to end an impasse over a six-month-old dispute with Congress on the National Security Agency's program. It monitors the international calls and e-mails of Americans when terrorism is suspected.
Under a deal with the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, Bush has agreed to support a bill that could submit the program to the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court for a constitutional review. ``You have here a recognition by the president that he does not have a blank check,'' said Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa. As a leading critic of the program, he had broken ranks with his party.
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Posted by: Steve White ||
07/14/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
After hearing some of the recently retired FISA judges testimonies before congress a few months back, I would find it hard to believe they wouldn't accept the program in its entirety.
Specter is an asshole. Bush is taking an unnecessary gamble from which we could all lose.
Posted by: Captain America ||
07/14/2006 1:03 Comments ||
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#2
George, George, George...
Where did my President go? Who's gotten to you for you to go all wishy-washy in your last coupla' years in office?
#3
George's balls have turned to putty. In the past 18 months he has diminished Presidential powers and war making authority to a new and unprecedented level.
Posted by: Captain America ||
07/14/2006 16:19 Comments ||
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The peace process between India and Pakistan appeared to be in danger yesterday as the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, publicly accused "elements" in Pakistan of being involved in the Bombay bombings. Speaking in Bombay after meeting with victims of Tuesday' s serial bombings, Dr Singh said India would not continue with the peace process unless Pakistan acted against Islamic militants based on its territory.
Any threat of a return to hostility across one of the most dangerous nuclear faultlines in the world will cause international concern. India has already called off the next round of peace talks, scheduled for 20 July, in reaction to the bombings, in which at least 179 people were killed. "If the acts of terrorism are not controlled, it is exceedingly difficult for any government to carry forward what may be called the normalisation and the peace process," Dr Singh said.
Indian intelligence believes the bombings were a joint operation between Lashkar-e Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant group, and the homegrown Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). Dr Singh said yesterday that India was "certain" that the bombers were "instigated, inspired and supported by elements across the border".
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Posted by: Fred ||
07/14/2006 23:06 ||
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Jamiat Ahle Hadith chief Ibtasam Elahi Zaheer gave an application to Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed on Thursday to join the religious alliance. Zaheer gave the application to Qazi at a meeting in Mansoora. Qazi said the issue would be taken up by the Supreme Council meeting schedule for July 16 in Peshawar.
Qazi also urged all political and religious parties to unite with the MMA to start an anti-government movement in September. "We don't have any other option, but to launch an organised mass movement to drive the current civilian and military rulers out of power. We are not against the army, but want to relieve them of the political burden so that they can focus their attention on the defence of the country," he said.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/14/2006 00:00 ||
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(KUNA) -- Air marshals have been deployed on selected flights in India for passenger safety following threat reports from the country's intelligence agencies after Tuesday's serial blasts in Mumbai and Srinagar. "We have deployed air marshals today. Some more security systems are already in place," Indian Civil Aviation Secretary Ajay Prasad told reporters in Delhi Thursday, adding that intelligence reports warn of threats at some tourist destinations in India.
He said while most flights to Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and certain sectors in India's Northeast will have these commandoes. The Aviation Ministry had also decided to set up some new security procedures at airports and instructions issued to the concerned agencies, Prasad said. "There would be significant changes in security measures at airports. We have deployed dog and bomb disposal squads. Emphasis will be on using more equipment and technology rather than manual searching," Prasad said. "The measures are being taken up because some reports have been received by the security agencies that some important airports and tourist destinations in the country are under threat," he said.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/14/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
I guess we'll have the Air India-El Al air marshal rugby match next.
Posted by: Eric Jablow ||
07/14/2006 22:32 Comments ||
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VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican on Friday strongly deplored Israel's strikes on Lebanon, saying they were "an attack" on a sovereign and free nation. [that is free except for that pesky Islamo fascist militia that crossed an international border to carry out a military operation]
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano said Pope Benedict and his aides were very worried that the developments in the Middle East risked degenerating into "a conflict with international repercussions."
But Sodano reserved his harshest words for Israel. "The right of defence on the part of a state does not exempt it from its responsibility to respect international law [although islamofascist militias are exempt apparently], particularly regarding the safeguarding of civilian populations," he said.
#2
"The right of defence on the part of a state does not exempt it from its responsibility to respect international law."
Sorry, but you couldn't be more wrong. The right of defense is God-given and not subject to anything other than personal responsibility. You'd think a man of God would understand that.
#5
I'll have to respectfully disagree with you on that one Omating. Demographic changes in Germany of the last few decades are creating an anti-semitic climate that would be envied by Goebels, Goering, and Hitler. I suspect they're headed back to the future.
#7
#5 - unfortunately I think you're probably right.
I'd love for all the anti-semites in the world to explain to me exactly how their lives would be better if there were no Jews anywhere.
I realize they think they'd get everything the Jews possessed (though why they'd want something touched by someone they hate so much goes unexplained), but after they squandered all the loot - and it wouldn't take clowns of that mindset long - how exactly would their lives be better?
And who would they hate then? They obviously have a desperate, visceral need to hate someone.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
07/14/2006 12:35 Comments ||
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#8
This is one time the VAT needs to shut the hell up!!
#9
Where was the vatican's response deploring the killing and kidnapping of the 18yr old Israeli boy?
Israel - Don't listen to old men in dresses wearing funny hats.
Posted by: Yosemite Sam ||
07/14/2006 12:59 Comments ||
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#10
Chill.
al-Reuters hates the Roman Catholic Church almost as much as it does Israel.
Here is the Vatican statement (and the Vatican's headline) :
HOLY SEE CONDEMNS VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE EAST
VATICAN CITY, JUL 14, 2006 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano today made the following declaration on Vatican Radio:
"The news we are receiving from the Middle East is certainly worrying.
"The Holy Father Benedict XVI and all his collaborators are following with great attention the latest dramatic episodes, which risk degenerating into a conflict with international repercussions.
"As in the past, the Holy See also condemns both the terrorist attacks on the one side and the military reprisals on the other. Indeed, a State's right to self-defense does not exempt it from respecting the norms of international law, especially as regards the protection of civilian populations.
"In particular, the Holy See deplores the attack on Lebanon, a free and sovereign nation, and gives assurances of its closeness to those people who have suffered so much in the defense of their own independence.
"Once again, it appears obvious that the only path worthy of our civilization is that of sincere dialogue between the contending parties."
SS/MIDDLE EAST VIOLENCE/SODANO VIS 060714 (180)
That's it. Reuters hypes it up with it's own patented twist.
Items to note:
1) Lebanon has a large Maronite Christion minority that has suffered since the violence of the 1970s.
2) In its statement, the Holy See has NOT called for an immediate cease-fire, nor for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon.
TIsreal is entitled to fulll defense as a soverign nation since by all parts of international law, they were attacked in a burtal act of war, followed by shelling of civilians from a soverign state by part of its government (HEzbollah).
SO oISrael is acting within its rights and within law.
Sodano had his head up his ass,a nd the Vatican had better stop this dipshit knee-jerk Wuroweenism in terms of foregin policy.
Under they CATHOLIC theaory of Just War, Israel is OBLIGED to go after the bastards who are shelling women and children in civilian areas indiscriminately (Hezbollah), with the maximum force neccesary to keep casualites low and end the conflict quickly. That means overhwleming force apllied in an overhwleming fasion.
Fr Sodano and the other doddering Vatican state-departement idiots seem to have overlooked basic Catholic theology in favore of being screeching eurotrash.
And NO, I will not leave God's Church - I and others will clean it up from the bottom up if needs be. For one, I'd have no trouble throwing Sosano out the window of his cushy office, and putting him to work helping missionaries out in West Papua who are trying to keep Catholics there from being slaugheted by the Muslims. At gunpoint, if Fr Sodano needs that sort of persuasion.
And yes, he is a Cardinal, but a bullshit one - I use "Father" to remind him and all others that they are supposed to be Priests when you get down to the coer of it, and they are supposed to be subservient to God and protective of God's Church, not their own liberal/leftist politics and wrldy goods.
#12
The Israeli Govt has dropped leaflets warning innocents to Get the hell out of the way. So Israel is safeguarding civilian pop. If there is such a thing where Islamist are concerned. By my read of just war policy (public politics not withstanding). Israel is good to go!
Posted by: AmeRICan ||
07/14/2006 13:24 Comments ||
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#13
No slamming meant on Catholics, but is it only me who finds this rich that it comes from a group who's admitted turning the other "eye" when Hitler gassed the Joooooooos? We're not that far from current day Hitlers wanting/doing the same thing, albeit more "efficiently" with today's weapons. Like the Hollyweird freaks, some people should just STFU and sit down. You're not helping matters.
ANd, BTW, "international law" (I assume) would say that kidnapping soldiers (much less attacking them cross-border or kidnapping civilians) is LEGALLY an act of war. Israel is fully within it's rights to respond in kind.
Posted by: BA ||
07/14/2006 13:26 Comments ||
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#14
The Holy Father Benedict XVI a former member of the Hitler Youth condemns Israel for defending itself an attack on a sovereign and free nation (he means Lebanon).
#15
Right on O.S. I too share your take on the leftist in collars. The gates of the nether world will not prevail against her.
Posted by: AmeRICan ||
07/14/2006 13:29 Comments ||
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#16
No slamming meant on Catholics, but is it only me who finds this rich that it comes from a group who's admitted turning the other "eye" when Hitler gassed the Joooooooos?
#17
i'm a Catholic & this reminds me right before OIF started the priest at my church says in his sermon that is wrong to go into Iraq, blah, blah, blah. I got up in the middle of church and walked down the aisle and left. You should have seen the looks I got, but I just couldn't sit there and listen to that leftist crap. IMHO, God would smile upon Saddam's demise and he would thank the US for doing it. The old testament is full of war. Why doesn ever time anyone goes to war, the church gets their panties in a wad? No matter what the cause...
another slant to this is that the Islamists would LOVE to destroy the Vatican too. Will the Swiss Guards defned the Pope with their lances? Maybe one day when the Vatican gets shelled it will wake up.
Posted by: NOLA "Victim" ||
07/14/2006 13:40 Comments ||
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#18
I'm catholic to, and I find this condemnation of ISrael a bit rich. The only explanation I can find is they are concerned about the threat of reprisals against the Maronite community.
On the turning the other eye: Not true. The Catholics were the only major Christian denomination that helped the Jews, and got on the Nazi fun list for their pains. Goebbels makes it clear the catholics were next after the Jews and Gypsies. The only thing that saved us was that the Jews were a "work in progress" when the war ended.
Al
Posted by: Frozen Al ||
07/14/2006 14:11 Comments ||
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#19
I stand corrected and do apologize then, my fellow brothers. No harm meant, but good grief how far does the liberalism creep into the Church? I mean, first the Priest "abuse" cases, then we find out the homos had infiltrated, and now views on war like this.
Again, like our national "leadership," I recognize the need to separate the laity (ground troops) in the church from the "enlightened" ones in charge. I just gotta wonder what J.C. Himself would think of these statements, especially in light of literally hundreds of rockets being launched against N. Israel.
Posted by: BA ||
07/14/2006 14:17 Comments ||
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#20
This Pope should just stick to normal Pope duties like protecting child molesters, and waving to the camera.
#23
I don't have much use for the Vatican getting involved in geo-politics either. I'm not sure if the Vat *gets* how truly evil the islamoloonies are. I'd appreciate if the Vat stuck w/Sympathizing & helping the innocent of any faith as they can but please stay out of the pollyanna-ish quote business when dealing w/islamonutz and their proxies - they just make themselves look silly.
#24
Classical "not wanting to offend anyone" statement. Well this fight is good vs evil. Maybe the best thing for the Vatican to do is to STFU, sorry to be crude. Hizb'Allah would take the Vatican out in a heartbeat if it furthered their cause. Isreal would not.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
07/14/2006 14:48 Comments ||
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#25
The queer thing is that this pope does understand. He was recently quoted as saying that Islam as it currently exists is incapable of living in peace with the rest of the world, without attempting to conquer it. This kind of statement, though, is pouring oil on a troubled bonfire.
#26
Oh, and the Catholic Church being made up of humans, there were those who acted to protect Jews and those who acted to betray them... and those who only protected Jews who agreed to be baptized. Some were martyred in the concentration camps for it. After the war, the same array of options with regard to Nazis and related miscreants.
#27
Under they CATHOLIC theaory of Just War, Israel is OBLIGED to go after the bastards who are shelling women and children in civilian areas indiscriminately (Hezbollah), with the maximum force neccesary to keep casualites low and end the conflict quickly. That means overhwleming force apllied in an overhwleming fasion.
Fr Sodano and the other doddering Vatican state-departement idiots seem to have overlooked basic Catholic theology in favore of being screeching eurotrash.
And your source for that is? Catholic theory of just war? Where did you get this from?
#28
I believe the theory of "just war" is a Catholic doctrine that basically states You can smack them if they smack you first. Probably wouldn't (officially) agree with "first strike" theories, but do note again....."International Law" considers kidnapping of State soldiers an official act of war, and, thus, Israel is fully "legal" in calling for war back at 'em. Finally, I'm not Catholic (actually, Protestant), but I'd imagine that the Catholics around these parts are a lot more "individualistic" and don't necessarily see everything the Holy Father does as "gospel truth". I'd also add, they're probably a lot more devout than your average Catholic and with a sense of reality, to boot. The enemy is at the gates, and Israel is surrounded by enemies, so they have every right to respond the way they did, in my book.
Posted by: BA ||
07/14/2006 15:27 Comments ||
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#29
I really would not call the Vatican leftist. Also for it being involved in a feo politics in my view it is a must. I find it is not ocvered here as much as I would like but the new developing policy toward ISlam and particually radical ISlam by this Pope is something to watch. THe upcoming trip to Turkey could result in something huge as the Pope is trying to get the orthodox Christians to join in a common front.
Also go read the whole statement. I am sure what the Vatican is doing is trying to ratchet this down a tad. Plus does anyone disagree with this
" State's right to self-defense does not exempt it from respecting the norms of international law, especially as regards the protection of civilian populations"
I am focusing on the civilian population part here. I think we can all agree on that. That is our philosophy, I think. Of course these terrorist are in Cilvian areas which makes it worse.
Again, I support Israel and what it is doing but I do not want to see Beirut turned into what it was in 82 and 83. Does that make me a Leftist. People need to go listen to the Lebaonese bloggers. Right now many are wondering why they are bearing the brunt of this and Syria is not which is the true enemy of both to Israel and Lebanon.
Furthermore I shouldn't have to say this but when the Pope speaks like this he is not infalliable as we Catholics call it. However he should be speaking out. I suspect the Vatican Diplomacy is a tad more complex than this article is stating.
#30
The best 21st century commentary on Thomistic "Just War" theory was made by Catholic theologian Michael Novak in the weeks prior to OIF (2003).
Mr. Novak states his position in his National Review commentary “Asymmetrical Warfare” & Just War". For what it's worth, I agree with his 2003 assessment, and with Israel's decision to attack Hezbullah's positions in Lebanon.
#33
With a family surname and history as keepers of Thor's HOLY GROVE I would have to say THOR would support the Israeli's right to provide thunderbolts from the sky against their enemies but must admit to some trouble with this unitary god thingy as THOR has family.
Aesir sense Fimbular approachings come winter.
We need to watch the MitGard Serpent and Fenris.
#34
Lebanon is bearing the brunt of this because the kidnappers and the rockets/missiles (the count now at somewhere around 700 shot at Israel since kidnapping, 200,000 Israelis in bomb shelters) are actions of the terror organization Hizb'Allah, actions taken from Lebanese soil. Remember also, that while the rest of the Lebanese may not like them, Hizb'Allah is the single largest party elected to the Lebanese parliament. Unfortunately, being a nation means living with the results of actions taken by your citizens -- either by disowning and punishing them (which Lebanon has not done) or by accepting whatever results. Agreed that Lebanon has only recently escaped Syrian hegemony, and her freedom may not last long; nevertheless, the reality is that war has been declared on Israel by an armed and organized group of Lebanese citizens sanctioned by a portion of the legitimate government, and the rest of the country have fluttered their hands ineffectually while doing nothing to assure Israel that they will take action to remove the threat.
" State's right to self-defense does not exempt it from respecting the norms of international law, especially as regards the protection of civilian populations"
I disagree with the unspoken assumption, which is that asymmetrical war against terror groups that embed themselves within civilian populations can be covered by blanket statements of this kind.
#36
I suspect that about as many people in the Vatican understand asymetrical warfare (with its goal being to tire or weaken its enemy through a war of exhaustion) as folks in Congress and the MSM do -- not many. People work off of the templates that they build throughout life. Few have the flexibility to change those templates quickly.
We all knew that something was radically wrong after 9/11. Look how long it has taken us to learn the vocabulary, the schemas, the structure, etc. of the new reality. Which once again points out that if we lose this war, it will because we lost the informational battle.
#38
In all due defense of my Church, keep in mind that there are about a billion members of it. It would truly be one of God's miracles if there wasn't a gang of idiots in your average congregation, much less at the top (sorry to say). There will be, on occasion, an amazingly dumb remark made now and then.
However, consider the source (Reuters) and consider the actual statement made by Cardinal Sodano. Reuters turned it from a statement of concern about the innocent people caught in the crossfire to an anti-Israel rant. This isn't the first time that they have done something like this, and it surely won't be the last.
Whenever Reuters says anything about what my Church leaders have said, they have rarely, if ever, reported it accurately. Before you get agitated about what Reuters says (well, about virtually anyone, for that matter), check on the internet to see if you can find the actual statement. I swear those bastards take pride in misreporting the truth.
#39
The current Secretary of State, Cardinal Sodano, is on the way out. His successor, Cardinal Bertone, was appointed last week and he is a protege of Pope Benedict XVI. Sodano is said to have strongly opposed Ratzinger's election to the papacy.
#40
"I stand corrected and do apologize then, my fellow brothers. No harm meant, but good grief how far does the liberalism creep into the Church?"
Think for a sec on how many cardinals there are in the Vatican and how many are from Europe in particular, then count how many archbishops are from Europe, then go on down the list. You'll see theres a heavy dominance of a leftist ideology at the upper ranks vs the lay clergy.
#43
I think my fellow Catholics should exercise a tiny amount of humility when it comes to matters of faith and the Pope's statements. Pope Benedict has spent his entire life in the business, so to speak, and I for one will give him the benefit of the doubt (when he's not speaking ex cathedra). He is by no means a liberal, having rejected liberalism a long time ago, much to the chagrin of the many liberals in the Church. Are people here seriously claiming that they are better than the Pope? I hope not.
British and Australian forces handed over security responsibility for relatively peaceful Muthanna province to Iraqi forces on Thursday in the first such transfer of an entire province.
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki hailed the security transfer as an important step toward the goal of full Iraqi responsibility for all 18 provinces by the end of next year. "It is a great national day that will be registered in the history of Iraq. This step will bring happiness to all Iraqis," al-Maliki said during a handover ceremony in the provincial capital of Samawah. "Be sure that the terrorists want to destroy and foil the process of taking over the security issue and to hamper the political process and the national unity government."
U.S. Gen. George Casey, the top American commander in Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad welcomed the handover in a joint statement. "The handover represents a milestone in the successful development of Iraq's capability to govern and protect itself as a sovereign and democratic nation," they said.
The international troops plan to maintain a presence nearby and be prepared to help the Iraqis if needed. That fits in with the overall U.S. strategy of having coalition forces hand over security control for specific regions and redeploy to larger bases -- where they can act in a support or reserve role. A final future stage would involve the drawdown of troops from those bases.
Ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and three of his co-defendants on trial for crimes against humanity have launched a new hunger strike, the US military said Thursday. "Saddam Hussein and his three co-defendants have now refused meals since their evening meal on July 7," said US spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Keir Kevin Curry. "All are apparently protesting the Iraqi High Tribunal procedures and security for the Defence attorneys," added Curry. "Saddam Hussein is drinking coffee with sugar and water with nutrients," he said.
Issam al-Ghazzawi, one of Saddam's lawyers, told AFP from Amman that the hunger strike was because "the demands of the defence committee for the protection of the lawyers and the guarantees for a fair trial had not been met."
Posted by: Fred ||
07/14/2006 00:00 ||
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#10
No one's even inquiring about it. Thanks, Hezbollah, your timing was perfect. Even without the competing news buzz, the defendants' antics have never drawn as much media attention as many expected. I've always thought we should pump Doritos aroma into his quarters non-stop at times like this - but McCain and our other moral guides might get upset, maybe.
#11
Tell the bastard that we've decided to give in to his demands. We're going to free him. We're going to drop him off in Erbil after giving the Kurds a 12-hour notice of the impending arrival of their new guest. Let's see how he likes that one.
Posted by: mac ||
07/14/2006 21:01 Comments ||
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Begging your pardon, Junichiro, but this isn't the best time to be standing next to a Paleo leader of any kind.
RAMALLAH, West Bank - Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi arrived in the Ramallah on Thursday for talks with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in the full glare of an escalating Middle East crisis.
Koizumi’s talks with Abbas following a welcome ceremony, comes one day after he met Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem and urged the Jewish state to take “rational action” to the escalating regional crisis. Koizumi, conducting his first Middle East tour and the first by a Japanese leader in a decade, will use his meeting with Abbas to announce a fresh package of assistance to the cash-strapped Palestinians, a Japanese source said.
Tokyo, the third largest donor for the Palestinians after the United States and the European Union, insists it will not be used to finance the Hamas-led administration, which is politically and financially boycotted by the West. “I told Prime Minister (Ehud) Olmert that Japan’s assistance to the Palestinians will be made in the form of support for Abbas,” Koizumi said during a joint news conference with the Israeli leader on Thursday.
Japanese officials said the premier had no plan to meet any leaders from Hamas which took the helm of the Palestinian government in March but continues to advocate the destruction of the Jewish state. “Japanese assistance to the Middle East is different from that of the United States or EU,” Koizumi said. “We are going to support the basis of livelihood of both Israeli and Palestinian people.”
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/14/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Hello Mamoood. Have you heard of Elvis Presley ? One of my favorites was his song Heartbbeak Hotel. That's where I see you headed.
Er, perhaps KUNA meant "excluded" in that headline.
(KUNA) -- Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz said on Thursday that the Jewish state will not "hesitate" in striking any possible Hezbollah locations, regardless of civilian casualties. In a session for the security and foreign affairs committee in the Israeli parliament (Knesset), Peretz said that Hezbollah's recent attacks that resulted in the killing of eight Israeli soldiers and the abducting of two others resembled "an opportunity to change the balance of power between Israel and Lebanon.
"Hezbollah will not be allowed to draw back to its previous locations in southern Lebanon," Peretz added. The Israeli government has formed during its meeting last night a "war council" that included Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Peretz Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni and Minister of Internal Security Avraham Dichter.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/14/2006 00:00 ||
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With Iran's bloody fingerprints all over these actions, the Soddies are stuck on the sidelines watching a straight-up naked display of Shia power and influence. The Custodian of the Two Mosques, Head Cheese of the Sunni Empire, and Putative Grand Poohbah of the Forthcoming Caliphate (any day now!) surely recognizes the challenge to his authority and influence. Somehow Ahmanutbar has managed to steal the spotlight and the blood-stained banner of jihad right out from under the hennaed beards of Allan's Chosen. Much Revenge®, most of it Dire™, is prolly being vowed even as we speak blog.
In a significant move, Saudi Arabia, the Arab world's political heavyweight and economic powerhouse, accused Hizbullah guerrillas - without naming them - of "uncalculated adventures" that could precipitate a new Middle East crisis. "no shit"
"Youse apostate maroons -- we're the Keepers of the Big Black Stone, we decide when to drive the Joooz into the sea!"
A Saudi official quoted by the state Saudi Press Agency said the Lebanese Hizbullah's brazen capture of two Israeli soldiers was not legitimate. "they were out of season..."
The kingdom "clearly announces that there has to be a differentiation between legitimate resistance (to Israel) and uncalculated adventures." The Saudi official said Hizbullah's actions could lead to "an extremely serious situation which could subject all Arab nations and its achievements to destruction." "you're going to send us ALL in the tank, idiots!"
"The kingdom sees that it is time for those elements to alone shoulder the full responsibility for this irresponsible behavior and that the burden of ending the crisis falls on them alone."
"Youse mokes are on your own. We're sitting this one out."
Saudi Arabia's comments on the crisis came after most moderate Arab governments reacted with relative restraint to Israel's offensive in Lebanon, condemning attacks on civilians and infrastructure but also implicitly criticizing Hizbullah.
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/14/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
LOL ty Mods - I stand in awe....
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/14/2006 0:03 Comments ||
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#2
That's what I like about this joint. It only took Wretchard's crew about 40 comments to come to the same conclusion as Rantburg does in the in-line comments!
#5
Next $3.00 plus gasoline fill-up, make mine Saudi oil with creme
Posted by: Captain America ||
07/14/2006 1:15 Comments ||
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#6
Seems as though it pins the blame on the acts of individuals, who happen to belong to an organization, who happens to be a subset of a state. Pay no attention to the men behind the curtain.
#9
The Arab achievement that the Saudis may be proud of is that, although they have taken hits from the local AlQ, they have prevented kidnapping of Saudi officials.
Hamas and Hizb Allah have put kidnapping back on the menu.
The Arabs have invented "achieved" at least two things in the last 1000 years.
The homicide bomb belt and the buzzing prayer rug.
Now aren't you ashamed of yourselves for doubting them?
;-p
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
07/14/2006 9:55 Comments ||
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#13
I'll be interested to see this play out. Israel has a chance to end the usefullness of kidnapping once and for all. They have always traded prisoners for kidnapped Israelis before, and I don't think the arabs thought that would ever change. Now all of a sudden they are changing the rules and the mooks dont know what the hell to do. Havent heard much out of Gaza lately either have you? I think they are starting to regret the day they ever heard the name Gilad Shalit. But you have to mask that with bullshit arab machismo so your buddies will think you are still the winner out of all this. Over 1 soldier they are going to get their whole country destroyed, it will take them years to rebuild what Israel has destroyed.
#14
Kidnapping was the trigger that started the process to clean out the rats nests. Even Olmert could see that Israel was being surrounded by well-financed and supplied VERY hostile forces, not the usual Paleo seething morons. They had to act and go on the offensive before their enemies could mount a real combined offensive.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
07/14/2006 10:27 Comments ||
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#15
Don't forget Ahmadinajad and friends. They really do intend to wipe out Israel if they can, and the Israelis know it even if some in Europe and here would like to pretend it's just rhetoric.
#16
The only reason the Saudis are criticizing Hezbollah is because this whole business is a Persian power play.
Posted by: Azad ||
07/14/2006 11:56 Comments ||
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#17
In a significant move, Saudi Arabia, the Arab world's political heavyweight and economic powerhouse, accused Hizbullah guerrillas - without naming them - of "uncalculated adventures" that could precipitate a new Middle East crisis.
I know it says "Arab" economic powerhouse, but good grief, this is ridiculous. Even with all the oil monies they're raking in, I'ma sure they're still behind the top 5 economic powerhouses in the world, with California by itself being #5 or #6. And, I agree with'n all the comments above...hear, hear, mods on the inline comments.
Posted by: BA ||
07/14/2006 12:32 Comments ||
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#18
"...even if some in Europe and here would like to pretend it's just rhetoric."
This might sound terrible, but I am starting to beleave that some in Europe hope Iran nukes Israel. Beyond the anti-Semitic reasons, this would remove the mideast peace Problems forever (at least as some see it) as Jews died or fled to America and it would shift the Holocaust burden away from Europe.
#20
Actually, #12, the homicide belt bomb and homicide bra bomb were invented by the LTTE {Tamil Tigers}. Since Tamil girls tend towards the top heavy, the bra bomb has be very popular with the LTTE as a way for kamikazee attacks on market places, movie theatres, and the like. Especially since when they were first used, the Sri Lankans tended not to check out the "endowment" of the Tamil girls. Since then, SL Police now have a lot of women cops just for those searches.
Malaysia's opposition Islamic party on Friday accused a top judge of insulting Islam by ruling that a Muslim boy need not wear a turban _ as the Prophet Muhammad did _ to prove his faith. The Federal Court on Wednesday dismissed an appeal by three Muslim boys who unsuccessfully sued the government after their state school expelled them for refusing to remove their turbans.
Federal Court Judge Abdul Hamid Mohamed said in the ruling that it isn't necessary for Muslims to do exactly as the Prophet Muhammad did. "Islam is not about turbans and beards. The pagan Arabs wore turbans and kept beards. It was quite natural for the Prophet, born into the community, to do the same," Abdul Hamid said. Even in Malaysia, very few religious clerics and hardly any Shariah Court judges wear a turban, he said, adding that the Prophet also rode a camel but "does that make riding a camel a more pious deed than traveling in an airplane?"
The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, or PAS, said Friday that Abdul Hamid should have been more restrained in his comments as he is not an Islamic expert. "We regret his ruling that wearing a turban is not a big thing in Islam, especially for young boys. Parts of what he said insult and belittle Islamic teachings," PAS youth chief Salahuddin Ayub told The Associated Press. "We want the Federal Court judgment to be reviewed. According to our religious teaching, wearing a turban is part of the Islamic way of life," he said, adding they would lodge a police report against the judge soon.
Abdul Hamid and court officials were not available to comment Friday. Malaysia's civil and criminal codes are based on secular laws, but its Muslim majority also must adhere to a separate set of Islamic laws covering issues such as inheritance, births and deaths, marriage and divorce.
#2
I posted a story on the ruling a couple of days ago. Muslims are required to emulate the self-appointed "prophet." How far they take it is an issue that can't be settled, because Islam doesn't have a Pope with binding Encyclical authority. The fact that the judge made sense to us, means that it won't make sense to the warped Muslim mind.
Lebanon's Prime Minister Fuad Siniora has accused Israel of cutting his country to pieces, demanding an immediate ceasefire in its operation against Hezbollah.
In an interview with CNN, Mr Siniora said Lebanon was being punished for something in which it had no hand - the kidnap of two Israeli soldiers and the killing of eight more by Hezbollah fighters.
"Lebanon is continuing its aggression against Lebanon and the Lebanese," he said.
"It's sparing nobody, in no area of Lebanon.
"Actually it is cutting the country into pieces, whereby more than 20 bridges in the country have been destroyed."
Mr Siniora also accused Israel of being careless about civilian lives and of trying to cripple his recovering country's economy.
"Lebanon has been penalised ... the Lebanese Government has made it very clear that it had no information about this operation and it takes no responsibility, and in fact, it is disavowing (it)."
"I believe that we should try to arrive at an immediate ceasefire."
"Does it really pay Israel to really cripple, finally, a democracy like Lebanon?"
Israel has demanded the Lebanese Government implement UN Security Council resolution 1559, which calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah, which it says is backed by Syria and Iran.
#5
Lebanon has a great big-assed Muzzie Hizb'Allah tumor metasticizing right in the middle of the body politic. The govt has ignored it while it set up shop. Now it is being taken out. PM Siniora better hope that Israel does not have to use radiation treatment to kill the tumor.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
07/14/2006 21:23 Comments ||
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At least 14 of Iran's parasitic cleric class are each worth over $100,000,000. They are happy to get their rake off of an efficient economy that has to import almost half of its refined oil products. Oil export gains will give the Arabist leaches even more plunder possibilities. However, regime change would end the blood-sucking tyranny.
Teheran (AsiaNews) --- "A gift of God for the Iranian people": this is how Ayatollah Khomeini described oil, and in Iran, a litre of fuel still costs less than a litre of drinking water: eight euro cents. Fuel is not only tax free, it is subsidized by the state: this scenario generates border trafficking and allows many Iranians to own a car and to be "private" taxi drivers in the absence of efficient means of public transport.
Iran lays claim to independence in the entire production cycle of nuclear energy, but it is incapable of refining its own oil: 30 out of 70 million litres consumed per day must be imported. Each litre that is re-imported costs the Iranian state 40 euro cents per litre: 20% more than in 2005, as Hojjatollah Ghanimi Fard, international affairs director of the National Iranian Oil Company, confirmed yesterday. Due to price increases, the 2.5 billion dollars allocated by the annual budget to these imports will only last until mid-August.
On the other hand, oil price hikes, fuelled by instability and by Iranian provocations, should lead to gains of 54 billion dollars for Iran this year, continued Ghanimi Fard. This automatic income will certainly help to finance many things in Iran, but it will also weaken the economy and feed inflation. Oil production, increasingly expensive on the market, is becoming more and more costly and difficult: in the Iranian GDP (Gross Domestic Product), oil is no longer a motor of economic growth: only +0.6% last year (compared to +5.4% of the Iranian GDP). Iranian oil production is decreasing.
In this scenario, Iran's domestic "free" petrol policy is irrational, especially if considers that 250,000 litres are wasted by gas st ation clerks alone! In Iran, cars, mostly very old and not catalyzed, have a very high consumption and they create huge ecological problems. Nearly 10,000 people die in Teheran each year because of air pollution. For Iran, the badly managed manna of oil is not only a curse for the economy in the medium-term; it is one of the roots of a human and social problem.
#1
I've been saying for a couple of years, ever since the first story of a shortage of refined products first came out that thats how we can hurt them. Don't bomb their squalid little enrichment facilities, destroy a refinery everytime they commit some dispicable act. After about 2 or 3 they will be in a real pickle. People in Iran riot at the slightest anomoly in the gasoline supply. Refineries are easy to hit, they have no proteciton, no anti-aircraft batteries, very flammable, and would make a dazzling display. A couple of pipelines added to that and I think we would have their attention.
#2
The Iranians make money from oil exports. Shut down the exports, and you shut down the flow of money. It wouldn't take much to totally destroy Iran's export capability. I'm sure Israel could do it with their diesel subs and sub-launched cruise missiles. They have a reason: Iran supports Hezbollah. We ought to let them do it, and see what happens.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
07/14/2006 20:01 Comments ||
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#3
We think alike OP. Shut off the exports. We don't have to take out a single refinery.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
07/14/2006 20:06 Comments ||
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Tehran, Iran, Jul. 13 – Radical Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned the European Union on Thursday that it would stand to suffer if it increased pressure on Iran to abandon its nuclear program. “We have moved in the path of our rights and the law but unfortunately, they [the West] want to use this proposal as a pretext to increase pressure on us. We advise them to be patient” Ahmadinejad told a crowd in the north-western town of Miyaneh. His comments were reported by the state-run news agency ISNA.
“If you create a conflict, it will be you who will suffer the consequences”, he said in comments directed at the West. “Until now, we have moved in the framework of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and agreements, but they must know that if the Iranian nation reaches the conclusion that they are not sincere in their actions and proposals it will reconsider its policies”, Ahmadinejad said.
“The Europeans will be the ones that suffer from any problem that arises. We do not seek a conflict but they must know that they cannot hurt the Iranian nation”, he added.
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/14/2006 00:00 ||
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#8
We advise them to be patient” Ahmadinejad told a crowd
1. This means wait until we have a nuclear capability with which we can destroy you.
2. Adolph Hitler got a pass early on. Those wanting to appease Hitler are on the dust heap of history--considered naively dangerous (much like the LLL today).
3. The end game for these islamofacists is to destroy the West from within and from without. They have been at war with us for many years whether we [the West] have realized it or not.
4. Diplomacy will not work. Diplomacy is viewed as weakness by the Islamofacists. Diplomacy is viewed as an opportunity to gain advantage not meet in good faith.
5. These facists think of us [the West] as morally and culturally inferior to them--a peoples to be used for their benefit; otherwise to be destroyed.
6. They believe they are destined to rule the world. All that is going on right now is a part of the "grand plan."
7. It is not clear to me how the West is awakened to this danger. One of the problems of a democracy is that there is a tolerance for other peoples and cultures. Democracies tend to have open door policies regarding immigration creating a danger from within for those bent on destroying our way of life.
8. War appears to be at hand. Iran and Syria are fighting Israel and the United States through proxies; i.e. hezbollah and hamas. These skirmishes are just buying time for Syria and Iran--these are distractions from the ultimate main game.
The question is, what is to be done? Destroy the proxies now or go after the sources of the problems, Iran and Syria? It seems to me we pay now or we pay more later.
#9
"7. It is not clear to me how the West is awakened to this danger."
My guess: about 1 person in 20 is fully aware of the menace we face, and is clear that it simply MUST be dealt with if we are to survive.
The rest are either confused, or indifferent, or too busy watching sitcoms and "reality TV" shows to care, or so blinded by Bush-hatred they don't want to face the danger.
Frankly, I'm not optimistic.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
07/14/2006 8:54 Comments ||
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#10
Expect an Israeli attack on Iran in the next 48 hours. I'm sure subs are positioning right now.
#11
phil_b - Iran that soon? I've been thinking Israel will start hitting Syria any day now first, thus forcing Iran to either defend their proxy or look chicken.
Posted by: Laurence of the Rats ||
07/14/2006 9:14 Comments ||
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#12
Just try it, fancypantsboy. We'll show you the true meaning of pain.
I don't think Israel will hit Syria unless they have a full act of agression from the Syrians (not counting it out, BabyA is a moron) but will sure make the supply roads from Syraia roads leading only to death.
#13
I think you may be right, the time has come for Iran to prove that they have the machismo to be a regional power. I havent seen shit yet, just a bunch of windy bullshit. I wonder how shiites in Iran would feel about going to war over Alawites in Syria? But if it was to fight Israel,I guess any excuse would do.
#14
Ahmadinejad says (a lot of crap) an attack against Syria is an attack against the muslim world. Not certain that's a big whoop. I wonder what the shites in Iraq would think about any attacks on either Iran or Syria.
#17
Tie this in with the topic above about the Mad Mullahs needing to import gasoline already, maybe the MM's are closer to overthrow than we think. Keep up the pressure, and Israel will smack 'em and hard. I'm still not optimistic of the "Iranian Street uprising"(tm) to overthrow the MM's, but signs are that this is for domestic consumption to blame the Joooooooss.
Posted by: BA ||
07/14/2006 12:42 Comments ||
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#18
If teachers were more vigilant and stopped the little guys from getting their heads flushed in the school toilets, then maybe these things wouldn't happen.
#19
You are so, so correct Kratos, swirlies are the worst.
Posted by: Dr N Crane ||
07/14/2006 17:22 Comments ||
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#20
We do not seek a conflict but they must know that they cannot hurt the Iranian nation.
Maybe the Europeans can't hurt the Persians, but Kurds can. After all, HPG blew one of their military helicopters out of the sky the day before yesterday.
Hehehe. . . stupid Ecems.
Posted by: Azad ||
07/14/2006 18:44 Comments ||
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BEIRUT: Political and religious powers lashed out Thursday at the "unjustified" Israeli offensive against Lebanese civilians and infrastructure, demanding a comprehensive cease-fire and an end to Israel's siege. MP Walid Jumblatt said that "the government's stand is clear: It cannot assume responsibility for an act about which it was not consulted."
The Progressive Socialist Party leader added Israel's aggression against Lebanon cannot be "justified, is useless and can only increase the destruction."
In an interview with TeleLiban, Jumblatt, a leading member of the March 14 Forces, urged the United Nations to sponsor a cease-fire between the two countries. "We can discuss with [Hizbullah leader] Sayyed Hassan [Nasrallah] the best way to defend Lebanon later so that the decision to make peace or wage war will be in the hands of the Lebanese government," he said.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
07/14/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Lebanon = Hezbolistan
Posted by: Captain America ||
07/14/2006 1:11 Comments ||
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#4
MP Walid Jumblatt said that "the government's stand is clear: It cannot assume responsibility for an act about which it was not consulted."
Sorry, Kumquat, it don't work that way.
Do you claim sovereignty over the territory Hezbollah is using to stage its attacks? Yes, you do, right? Well, that makes you responsible. If an organization used US territory to stage attacks on Canada, then the US would be responsible; in fact, it would be the right of Canada to use its military to destroy that group, and the US would either have to buck up and take it, or come to the group's defense and effectively admit it approved the attacks.
This in fact happened in the early days of the US; a group was attacking British interests in Canada from US soil (New York state, I believe). The Brits attacked the group, and the US took the option of ignoring the attack. The US had failed to maintain the monopoly on force projected from its territory, and so the British were entitled to defend themselves.
So keep bleating about "not being consulted" and all that crap, and admit to the world that Lebanon's just a rump state, unable to actually govern itself. Or buck up, shut up, and let the Israelis clean up the mess you let get out of hand.
Posted by: Rob Crawford ||
07/14/2006 7:01 Comments ||
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#5
"Do you claim sovereignty over the territory Hezbollah is using to stage its attacks?... Well, that makes you responsible."
Exactly, which is why the claim of both a political wing and a military wing is a reckless coward's claim.
#6
Jumblatt may become jamsplatt before this is over, especially if he keeps pouring gas on the fire. Isreal won't put up with him or anyone else telling them what to do.
Jumblatt, my advise is to shut up, find a deep cave, sit down and stay there. Look out every once in awhile to see if the sun's still shining, and if smoke is rising from Beirut. If it is, go back in. If it isn't, better hope Israel has pulled back to their side of the border, or you're toast.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
07/14/2006 20:13 Comments ||
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TEHRAN: Iran accused the European Union on Thursday of "meddling" in its internal affairs by demanding that a detained intellectual accused of trying to undermine the government be given access to a lawyer. "The incoherent views and unusual sensitivity over the arrest of an Iranian is surprising and questionable," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said in response to EU pressure over the case of Ramin Jahanbegloo. Asefi said a statement issued on Monday by Finland, the current holder of the rotating EU presidency, amounts to "meddling in Iran's domestic affairs."
"We advise the Europeans to focus their concerns on the violation of human rights in Europe and the crisis in Palestine," he added. Jahanbegloo, a prominent thinker and writer on democracy and non-violence who has a doctorate from the Sorbonne in Paris, was arrested in early May while trying to leave Iran to attend a conference in Brussels. "The EU is particularly alarmed about the continuing detention of ... Ramin Jahanbegloo, who is well known for his commitment to philosophical and moral principles, non-violence and dialogue," the EU's statement said. It also pointed to "the inherent unreliability of confessions made in prison without adequate legal safeguards," and called on the Iranian authorities to allow Jahanbegloo "immediate access to legal counsel."
Posted by: Fred ||
07/14/2006 00:00 ||
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I thought it was "questionable and suprising" (tm)
Posted by: Captain America ||
07/14/2006 1:17 Comments ||
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#2
Aha! I get it now! We'll paralyze them by infiltrating them with a Western-style legal system! :-)
Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa denied his country had a role in either the Hamas or Hezbollah abductions. "It's up to the resistance - both the Lebanese and the Palestinian - to decide what they are doing and why are they fighting," al-Sharaa told reporters in Damascus. But he put ultimate blame on Israel for the seizures of the soldiers, saying, "For sure, the occupation (of the Palestinian territories) is the cause provoking both Lebanese and Palestinian people, and that's why there is Lebanese and Palestinian resistance."
Posted by: Fred ||
07/14/2006 00:00 ||
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Moderate Arab governments reacted with relative restraint to Israel's offensive in Lebanon, condemning attacks on civilians and infrastructure, but also implicitly criticizing Hizbullah. The relative silence appeared to reflect a sentiment in Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia that the Shi'ite Lebanese guerrilla group had dragged Lebanon into a needless fight by snatching two Israeli soldiers - a fight that would only benefit the hard-line regimes in Syria and Iran.
Picked right up on that, did they?
Egypt warned that the violence could engulf the whole region in conflict and called on all sides to avoid "being dragged into a new cycle of violence and counterviolence."
That's the intention, isn't it?
"Targeting civilians under the pretext of fighting terrorism is unacceptable and unjustified. Israeli practices violate international law," Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said.
No, they don't...
But he condemned attacks on civilians by both sides - a comment that could apply to Hizbullah's rocket attacks on northern Israel. "We condemn any military action that targets civilians. We consider it a terrorist act, regardless of who the civilians are or its source," he said.
Damn. The old surprise meter still works...
In Jordan, the second Arab country after Egypt to have a signed peace treaty with Israel, the government issued a statement condemning "Israel's use of force against unarmed civilians and the outcome in terms of the human loss and destruction of civil institutions." But it clearly criticized the Iran- and Syrian-backed Hizbullah, saying, "Jordan stands against whoever exposes the Palestinian people and their cause, Lebanon and its sovereignty to unexpected dangers."
Iran's pushing for a new war with Israel, and Syria's leadership's too stoopid not to go along with it...
Egypt has launched a diplomatic push with Syria in a bid to resolve the crisis. Syria is a top ally of Hizbullah and the Hamas, whose fighters snatched an Israeli soldier two weeks ago, sparking a similar Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip. Aboul Gheit made a swift visit to Damascus on Wednesday to deliver a message from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to Syria's Bashar Assad. Mubarak met Thursday at Alexandria with Saad Al-Hariri, leader of Lebanon's largest parliamentary bloc and a top opponent of Syria. The Cairo-based Arab League announced it would hold an emergency meeting of foreign ministers on Saturday to discuss the situation in Lebanon and Palestinian territories.
The Arab League's always holding emergency meetings for one reason or another.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/14/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Well, this simplifies things a little. Now all Israel has to do is deal with Iran,Syria,Leb and Pal. I wonder if this isn't a power check on Iran from these other muslim countries.
A group of Lebanese political dissenters, including MP Walid Jumblatt criticized on Thursday the role of Hizbullah and Syria in the recent escalation in Israeli-Lebanese tension. Speaking live on Lebanese television a Lebanese parliament member raised the question of whether the driving force behind the kidnapping of the Israeli soldiers on Wednesday was not actually a Syrian initiative. He admitted that release of prisoners was a Lebanese demand, but asked whether the military move on Wednesday was for the sake of releasing prisoners or in response to the IAF flyover above [Syrian President Bashar] Assad's palace [two weeks ago]." He suggested that Assad may also have been trying to evade the conclusions of a United Nations' probe investigating Syria's role in the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Harir. The dissenters asserted their consternation at one organization - Hizbullah - controlling all of the occurrences in Lebanon, Channel 2 reported.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/14/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Here ya go, Wally, have a drum of botox on me.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
07/14/2006 2:18 Comments ||
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Hezbollah's capture of two Israeli soldiers is a trademark gambit of the group's secretary general Hasan Nasrallah, according to Middle East online observers. Nasrallah, who will be 46 years old on Friday,
Happy Birthday, Nasty! The IAF has a nice gift all picked out for you. They may even deliver it in person!
"Candygram."
is seen by friend and foe alike as an experienced religious leader who combines a hard-line strategic vision of confronting Israel with the tactical flexibility learned in the intrigues of Lebanese domestic politics.
"Nasrallah's gamble," as Yoav Appel of the Jerusalem Post called it, is that the violence will die down and Israel will enter in negotiations over a prisoner swap. The Shiite political party and militia says the two Israeli soldiers captured on Wednesday will only be released in exchange for prisoners held in Israeli jails. (Palestinians are seeking the same deal for the release of Cpl. Gilad Shalit, captured by Hamas militants last month). Whether or not Nasrallah secures an exchange, the attacks on Israel already "boost Hizbullah's popularity throughout the Middle East, especially at a time when the group is under regional and international pressure to disarm."
Nasrallah's standing among Arabs is high because he is seen as a leader who can negotiate with the Jewish state on an equal basis. In 2004, notes Islam Online, he arranged a massive prisoner exchange in which Israel released two high profile Lebanese leaders and 28 other Lebanese detained by Israel, as well as 400 Palestinian prisoners and the bodies of 59 Lebanese fighters. In return, Hezbollah handed over an Israeli businessman lured to Beirut and kidnapped, and caskets containing the bodies of three Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon. "Nasrallah will try to be the one responsible for negotiations and will try to combine the two kidnappings into one event," Israeli rofessor Shaul Mishal told Ynet News. He will "leverage the whole process to improve his standing in the Lebanese political system. Now he seems like the mover and shaker of Tehran and Damascus against Israel, and as a main player regionally, not just against Israel but facing Hamas as well."
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
07/14/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
perhaps an Israeli execution-per-day of Hezbollah terrorists til the Israelis are released, might change "George Washinton" Nasrallah's image as power-in-charge? Sure saves on food costs if nothing else
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/14/2006 0:53 Comments ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Japan and the United States have insisted on a UN Security Council resolution that would enact mandatory sanctions on North Korea's missile programme as negotiators sought to prevent a veto from China. Talks at the United Nations in New York have narrowed some differences on the sanctions, which would prevent a transfer of materials or funds for North Korea's missile or nuclear programmes. But other problems remained, diplomats said. Jean-Marc de la Sabliere, France's UN ambassador and this month's council president, said he hoped for agreement on Friday on the basis of a modified text that Japan drafted. But he acknowledged that talks could spill into Saturday. France is among the eight sponsors of the resolution. 
BUSAN, South Korea - South Korea raised the prospect on Thursday that high-level talks with North Korea could end without any agreement if the two sides fail to narrow differences in the wake of the communist nationÂ’s internationally condemned missile launches.
Diplomatic efforts to defuse the North Korean missile crisis collapsed Thursday, as a Chinese mission to Pyongyang failed to produce a breakthrough and talks between the two Koreas ended in acrimony. The failure set the stage for a showdown at the United Nations, where the United States and Japan are pushing for tough action against the secretive state after it launched seven missiles in Japan's direction last week.
THE nation's Islamic leader, 
FRENCH President Jacques Chirac has said there appeared to be a "wish to destroy Lebanon" in reference to Israel's bombardments following the abduction of two soldiers.
President Bush has agreed conditionally to a court review of his antiterror eavesdropping operations under a deal that, for the first time, would open an important part of his once-secret surveillance to a constitutional test.
(KUNA) -- Air marshals have been deployed on selected flights in India for passenger safety following threat reports from the country's intelligence agencies after Tuesday's serial blasts in Mumbai and Srinagar. "We have deployed air marshals today. Some more security systems are already in place," Indian Civil Aviation Secretary Ajay Prasad told reporters in Delhi Thursday, adding that intelligence reports warn of threats at some tourist destinations in India.
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican on Friday strongly deplored Israel's strikes on Lebanon, saying they were "an attack" on a sovereign and free nation.
Ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and three of his co-defendants on trial for crimes against humanity have launched a new hunger strike, the US military said Thursday. "Saddam Hussein and his three co-defendants have now refused meals since their evening meal on July 7," said US spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Keir Kevin Curry. "All are apparently protesting the Iraqi High Tribunal procedures and security for the Defence attorneys," added Curry. "Saddam Hussein is drinking coffee with sugar and water with nutrients," he said. 
In a significant move, Saudi Arabia, the Arab world's political heavyweight and economic powerhouse, accused Hizbullah guerrillas - without naming them - of "uncalculated adventures" that could precipitate a new Middle East crisis. 
Tehran, Iran, Jul. 13 – Radical Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned the European Union on Thursday that it would stand to suffer if it increased pressure on Iran to abandon its nuclear program. “We have moved in the path of our rights and the law but unfortunately, they [the West] want to use this proposal as a pretext to increase pressure on us. We advise them to be patient” Ahmadinejad told a crowd in the north-western town of Miyaneh. His comments were reported by the state-run news agency ISNA.
Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa denied his country had a role in either the Hamas or Hezbollah abductions. "It's up to the resistance - both the Lebanese and the Palestinian - to decide what they are doing and why are they fighting," al-Sharaa told reporters in Damascus. But he put ultimate blame on Israel for the seizures of the soldiers, saying, "For sure, the occupation (of the Palestinian territories) is the cause provoking both Lebanese and Palestinian people, and that's why there is Lebanese and Palestinian resistance."
A group of Lebanese political dissenters, including MP 
