Crown Prince Sultan, deputy prime minister and minister of defense and aviation, will leave today on a four-day state visit to France on an invitation from President Jacques Chirac, according to a Royal Court statement yesterday.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/19/2006 00:00 ||
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He just wants to see a Saudi American on the podium in Paris...
Saudi Arabia would support a UN-backed stabilization force in Lebanon if approved by the Lebanese government, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said yesterday. "We support the Lebanese government affirming control over all of its territory," said Prince Saud at a press conference at the ministry's offices in Jeddah. "The decision of war and peace belongs to the legitimate authorities, not any other party otherwise there would be chaos," the prince added.
The minister warned the international community of the critical situation in the Middle East, saying that inaction in dealing with Israel's attack on Lebanon would result in new cycles of violence and a war with an unpredictable outcome. "The priority now is to establish a cease-fire because there is no excuse for the continuation of hostilities if the purpose of the hostilities is to secure the release of the two soldiers. If that is going to happen, it will happen after the cease-fire," said Prince Saud, referring to the two captured Israeli soldiers held by Hezbollah at an unknown location.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/19/2006 00:00 ||
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Japan has confirmed reports it is preparing further economic sanctions against North Korea, after a UN security council resolution demanded suspension of Pyongyang's missile programme. Finance minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said: "Japan is eyeing limiting transfers of financial assets and will work hard so that we can start it as soon as possible. "We have already started the work to specify what would become the targets of rules to limit the transfer of financial assets."
Shinzo Abe, the chief cabinet secretary, said Japan would co-ordinate with the international community on the expected sanctions. The statements confirm Japanese media reports on Monday that Tokyo was preparing to take action. The main ferry link and charter flights from North Korea have been suspended indefinitely, and visits by North Korean diplomats have already been banned by Japan after the test-firing of seven missiles on July 5.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/19/2006 00:00 ||
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Well, look at them!
I didn't think they had it in them, but it looks like they want to play hardball.
JOHN Howard last night rang his Canadian counterpart in an effort to negotiate passage for hundreds of Australians fleeing Lebanon after a vessel booked by the Australian Government was double-booked by Canada.
The Prime Minister rang Canada's Stephen Harper early yesterday evening.
"The Canadian PM has offered to try and get a berth for Australians if Canada manages to get any ships into the port tomorrow," a spokesman said. "Given the current circumstances, there can be no guarantees."
The Department of Foreign Affairs last night described chaotic scenes at Beirut port, with just a few ferries able to berth as dozens of nations fought to get their citizens out of the strife-torn country.
Other chartered ferries had failed to arrive because of deteriorating security, while others were hit by price-gouging by greedy operators who had dishonoured their contracts.
"A lot of ferries have been double-booked," a DFAT spokesman said. "It has happened frequently over the past few days - not just to Australia but to a number of other governments.
"We (DFAT) are working to ensure Australians who we had scheduled to leave can be evacuated by friendly governments."
High-level talks are being held between Australian and Israeli officials in Tel Aviv in an effort to secure safe passage for an estimated 400 Australian families in southern Lebanon.
DFAT warned Australians to stay away from embarkation areas until their departure had been confirmed. The decrepit state of Lebanon's telephone system was causing further problems and hindering attempts by embassy officials to alert Australians of evacuation plans.
However, the department confirmed a total of 170 Australians had been evacuated in two bus convoys from Beirut.
And Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the Government had contracted several ferry companies to begin evacuating hundreds of Australians to either Cyprus or Turkey. He said hundreds more would be able to leave soon on US and Canadian ships.
The US Embassy in Canberra confirmed the offer, saying final details on numbers were being worked out.
More than 25,000 Australians live or work in Lebanon, with most holding dual citizenship.
Mr Howard rejected criticism by the Lebanese community that the Government had been too slow in providing help for Australians to escape the violence.
"You have to understand, it is a chaotic situation and it is easy to criticise a limited number of Foreign Affairs personnel who are operating in very stressful circumstances," he said.
"The other point I would make is that we prefer not to give a running commentary on what might happen in the evacuation of people. We would prefer rather to actually make arrangements and have people out or on their way out before talking about it."
He also strongly defended the Israeli military action.
Australians wanting more information should contact the DFAT emergency hotline on 1300555135.
For as long as one can remember, the Chhattisgarh region of Bastar - divided since 1999 into the three districts of Bastar, Kanker and Dantewada - has been a living museum of human history. At one time among India's largest districts - at 39,000 square km old Bastar was bigger than Israel; even today Dantewada covers more territory than Nagaland - Bastar is home to India's most enchanting aboriginal civilisation. For years, it was a university as it were for anthropologists studying tribal life, culture and craft.
Life here wasn't always an idyll - tribal human development indices are consistently below the national average - but there was a quaintness and charm to tribal society. In recent times, the Maoists have attempted to throttle it, local residents said. The reaction this caused was the trigger for salwa judum.
How did the Maoists seek to "violate tribal life"? A district official explained, "The weekly haat (barter market) is the lifeline of the tribals. It is the place they come to, from miles and miles away, to exchange livestock and food and other utility items. It is like a mini-fair, where they meet and gossip."
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: john ||
07/19/2006 07:28 ||
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Life here wasn't always an idyll - tribal human development indices are consistently below the national average - but there was a quaintness and charm to tribal society. In recent times, the Maoists have attempted to throttle it, local residents said.
This reminds me so much of the opening scenes of "2001"- but where is the monolith?
Heart failure and a lung problem were the actual cause of Allama Hassan Turabi's death in a suicide attack in Karachi on July 14, Aaj television reported on Tuesday. According to a death certificate issued by a local hospital in Karachi, Turabi didn't receive lethal wounds in the suicide bomb attack and "it was actually heart failure and slow working of the lungs that caused his death".
Scared him to death, they they?
Posted by: Fred ||
07/19/2006 00:00 ||
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Ultimately, the cause of all deaths is heart failure. If your heart is beating, you are alive. If it fails to beat, you are dead.
July 16 2006 at 0225 LT at Luanda anchorage, Angola. Four robbers armed with knives in a wooden boat boarded a container ship at forecastle. They threatened duty a/b with knives and broke open paint store padlock. Duty A/B escaped and raised alarm and crew mustered. Robbers jumped into their boat and left empty handed. Local authorities informed.
July 15 2006 at 1200 LT in posn: 05:16.00S - 106:07.80E, enroute to Batam from Merak, Indonesia. Six pirates armed with pistols approached a tug towing a barge. Four pirates boarded and assaulted crew causing injuries. They stole crew belongings and ship's equipment and escaped in a speedboat.
July 13 2006 at 1020 UTC in posn: 10:12S - 112:15E, south of Java island, Indonesia/Indian Ocean. Six boats (2 boats - white hull, 4 four boats - black hull) approached a bulk carrier from stern. Each boat had five masked persons dressed in black clothes. Boats came close to stern and alert crew mustered and ship altered course. Boats aborted attempt and moved away.
And from the Better Late than Never Desk:
July 07 2006 at 2345 LT at Punta Guanta anchorage, Venezuela. Robbers boarded a container ship and stole cargo from two containers. Master informed authorities.
June 21 2006 at 0300 LT at Berth BL, Godau Port, Vietnam.
Three robbers in an unlit boat boarded a chemical tanker at stern. Duty a/b raised alarm and crew mustered. Robbers stole ship's stores and safety equipment and escaped.
MOSUL, Iraq Task Force Band of Brothers will turn over control of the former Saddam Hussein presidential compound here to Iraqi government officials in a ceremony in Mosul July 20.
The Mosul VIP Residence site, built over 2.2 square kilometers and completed in 1994, contained Saddam Hussein's northernmost presidential site and includes several palaces and VIP residences, three lakes, and man-made waterfalls. According to the complexs pre-war caretaker, it was built for Saddam Husseins son, Qusay. Apparently, neither Hussein nor his sons actually stayed there.
The main palace has been home to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Division Main Command Post, Task Force Olympia CP, and Task Force Freedom CP, situated in one of the former regime's palace buildings overlooking the Tigris. The compound has also served as headquarters during some of its greatest successes in Iraq. Notable among those many successes was the May 5, 2003 Mosul city and Ninewa provincial council elections, the first post-Saddam Hussein election in Iraq.
While serving as northern headquarters, it played host to many VIPs and dignitaries, among them: Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld; Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice; Secretary of Army Francis J. Harvey; nearly every U.S. Senator; comedian Robin Williams; and actor Bruce Willis.
Since the departure of Task Force Freedom in December 2005, the compound has been home to elements of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team and other coalition forces. Earlier this year, they began the task of vacating and restoring the compound in order to hand it over.
Another source for the article 'Moose posted; this has the words straight from the Foreign Ministry. They can't be this stupid, can they?
While new measures to be taken against terrorism were being discussed at yesterdays Cabinet meeting, US Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson and Iraqi Ambassador to Turkey Sabah Umran were summoned to the Foreign Ministry. The message If you dont organize an operation against the PKK presence in northern Iraq, we will was conveyed to the ambassadors.
Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ali Tuygan stated that the military option was on the table. In the wake of stepped-up deadly terrorist attacks, Turkey is preparing to take measures about northern Iraq, where most of the terrorist PKKs members are based. After the meeting with the ambassadors, Tuygan told a press conference, I told the two ambassadors that more determined steps should be taken on this issue, and added, I emphasized that the current situation was unacceptable for Turkey. I declared to them that we were expecting steps to change the current situation to be taken in the shortest possible time.
In related news, US Ambassador Wilson said that Turkey shouldnt act unilaterally in northern Iraq, adding, The next step should be the continuation of trilateral meetings. Meetings between Turkey, the US and Iraq should be continued. After his visit to the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), Wilson told reporters that he felt sorrow over Turkish security forces losing their lives to PKK terrorism.
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/19/2006 00:00 ||
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#4
This is the EU's fault : the EU pressured Turkey's military into accepting an unacceptably Islamic party as the new government. Since that point, Turkey's decisions regarding Iraq, the US, and its best interests have been tainted by the Islamist views brought into the government by the ruling party. And yes, at this point, the Turks might actually be that stupid.
#5
Yup. The PKK will stop just like Hamas or Hizballa would stop. A terrorist is a terrorist & should be delt with as such. Don't confuse fighting terrorism and Turkey's actions w/r to allowing the 4th ID on their ground. I don't agree with Turkey's actions but that is no excuse to give PKK a pass.
#7
If Turkey can restrain its actions to short, breif missions accurately targetted against Kurds behaving as terrorists, I don't see that the US has a grievance, since neither the US nor Iraqi authorities are dealing with the situation. In fact, within limits, it MAY be better for all if it is Turkey taking the action.
That said, it would be even better if Turkey could do something about the conditions that are fostering their 'Kurdish problem', but that's not likely to happen.
#8
it always amazes me how everyone continues to underestimate Turkey's intentions. Get a clue. They are aggressive and Erdogan is a little Hitler wanting to expand his empire. Like Hezbollah, the fact that it's an irrational desire won't stop him from continually pushing and pushing and pushing until he is stopped.
Yes, the PKK should be dealt with as terrorists. But Erdogan has his delusions of grandeur set on those oil fields. Go and and scoff. I'll say I told you so later.
#9
Jim Geraghty, who lives in Ankara, posts at NRO:
I have to dissent from Michael Rubin's assessment that it is "fever pitch" in Ankara right now. Sure, there's a lot of table-pounding rhetoric. Maybe I'm growing cynical, but the Turkish government has been threatening to take additional action to eliminate PKK terrorists in Iraq since I arrived here 16 months ago. I'll believe it when I see it.
The ruling AKP party likes saying this, because they get to look tough on PKK terrorists, and also look like they're standing up to the United States. Today's latest example:
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan rapped the United States on Tuesday for tolerating Israel's attacks on its enemies in Lebanon while refusing to allow Ankara to crush Kurdish rebels hiding in northern Iraq.
Erdogan is under mounting domestic pressure to get tough with the rebels, who have killed 16 Turkish security personnel in separate attacks over the past week.
"The way they look at terror there (in Israel) and in Turkey is not the same. They show tolerance towards country A (fighting terrorism) and show a different approach to country B. This is unacceptable," Erdogan said.
He did not mention the United States or Israel by name but it was clear to whom he was referring. Erdogan, whose roots are in political Islam, has previously criticised Israel's actions.
Erdogan also repeated hints that Turkey might send troops across the border into Iraq to tackle the rebels if U.S. and Iraqi troops continued to ignore Ankara's demands to act.
Whatever the inclinations of Turkey's political leadership, the Turkish military is not foolish, and no one wants a rerun of the infamous incident on July 4, 2003, where Turkish soldiers were mistaken for insurgents, captured and detained by U.S. soldiers (outraging Turkish opinion). The Turkish military has had stronger and more stable relations with their U.S. counterparts than the political leaders, and I would be shocked if the Pentagon didn't get a warning that the Turks were going to cross the border.
My guess of the most likely scenario is that nothing happens - or more specifically, that no Turkish military forces cross over into Iraq. The next most likely would be some sort of quick in-and-out strike on a suspected PKK camp or base in Northern Iraq, with U.S. and Iraqi support. I would be supremely surprised if the Turkish military decided to cross the border without warning, or concern for the consequences.
Posted by: Mike ||
07/19/2006 16:06 Comments ||
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#10
That said, it would be even better if Turkey could do something about the conditions that are fostering their 'Kurdish problem', but that's not likely to happen.
Exactly the entire point behind Kurdish resistance in North Kurdistan. People in the West have no idea how bad the situation has been for 8 decades.
If Israel had committed a nanofraction of the atrocities against the Palestinians that the Turkish state has committed, and continues to commit, against Kurds, then there might be some justification for the media's obsession with Israel/Palestine.
Israel has also sat down to negotiations with the Arabs, something that Turkey has never done with Kurds, not even with legal Kurdish political parties in North Kurdistan. Instead, the Turkish state has shut down every single Kurdish party that has ever existed, and is in the process of shutting down the current legal party. So there is no open political avenue that Kurds can take in order to make changes.
For these reasons, not even going into detail about the gross human rights abuses that Turkey has inflicted on Kurds, the PKK enjoys the support of the majority of Kurds living under Turkish oppression. PKK will continue to enjoy this support.
As for AKP, they are now being backed by all the opposition parties, a result of the big meeting with the pashas on Monday. Turkey is a military state, not a democracy, and nothing happens that the pashas do not approve.
That is also why you see the Islamists out protesting Israel/Lebanon. It is permitted by the pashas. Meanwhile, anyone with a legitimate grievance against the state will be arrested, tortured and imprisoned.
But South Kurdistan will not be invaded until after August, when Buyukanit Pasha assumes the throne, unless the current outcry against him becomes too great and he does not accept the position, something which would be a first in Turkish history.
A Wan court today pointed once again in Buyukanit's direction over the Semdinli bombing.
Posted by: Azad ||
07/19/2006 17:37 Comments ||
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#11
Azad, can you please explain last 2 paragraphs? I admit I have no idea what you are saying there. Thx.
#12
Personal experience: the Kurds "feel like" Americans in terms of their desire for Liberty, open market economy, etc. They are our natural allies in the region, and damn solid fighters. They are who we shoudl be helping inside of Iran, and we should be pushing Turkey HARD to allow full civil rights to the Kurds in Eastern Turkey. Thats my opinion based on experience with them and their areas.
Noew on to the article:
The reason the Turks have a problem with the Kurds is that they treat them like shit, like the Nazis did the populations whose territory the occupied (think Balkans WW2). They are abusive of them, ban their culture, destroy their political parties, and smash any attempts by the Kurds to stand up to the dictatorship in Ankara.
The Turks stop the human rights violations and violent supression of the Kurds, and support for the PKK will melt.
If they don't? Well then the Turks deserve the rebellion they get (not to excuse the Terrorist acts of the PKK though - they need to really chose only military and political targets).
The Turks had an opportunity to help us and act as an ally - allow the 4th ID thru, and join the attack, which would have put Turkish troops guarding large areas of Northern Iraqi border on both sides of it. Golden opportunity to clean the area up, but the Turkish government thought it was better to play Islamist Asshole
Now they pay the price for their dishonest and disloyal behavior.
Screw the Turks. - they come over the border, we should back up one of the regional Kurdish brigades with US air power to smash the Turkish incursion and hand them their asses as they limp back across the border.
Mark my words: the Turks make border incursions in any real way, they will be hit HARD with the local Peshmerga units holding them in place until the Iraqi Army (the best units are in the North anyway) roll up and defeat them in detail.
I hope the Turkish government is ready to deal with having their troops be killed and the survivors become POWs held in Iraq. Because that will be the outcome - we've rearmed the Kurds and they are HIGHLY effective militarily in their own region, with solid command and control, and inherent logistic advantages of being on thier home territory with a supportive population. Even the non-Kurd Arabs in the region would rally to the defense.
Turkey better watch out - the answer they get may be "Bring It" from the Kurds (and the Iraqi government) and a silent cold stare from the US.
Yaşar Büyükanıt (Kemalist hardliner) is the current Land Forces commander, scheduled to takeover as chief of the general staff (Currently: Hilmi Özkök--friendly with AKP, hence moderate as pashas/generals go) in August. This has been the plan for some time, but there have been recent cracks in the plan.
Büyükanıt Pasha was indicted for involvement with the Şemdinli bombing (Nov. 2005), after which the Wan (Van) prosecutor was sacked from his job. Today, the final verdict on the convictions of two of the bombers (TSK soldiers who were close to Büyükanıt) was released to the public. You can read something of that here.
This means involvement in the whole Deep State thing (google "Susurluk" "Semdinli" and "Council of State attack" for more info). There was also the recent resignation of the pasha that Büyükanıt had appointed to head the TSK's Land War Academy because the Jandarma/Police taped his cell phone conversations with some floozy, who most likely is also involved with the Deep State. More on that here.
They're starting the rumors that Büyükanıt Pasha will resign because he can't take the heat of all the recent scandals. Check this. By the way, that's a nice piece of open source intel for the upcoming changing of the guard.
I just pulled all of those articles from one source and from today, but you could do a search engine on any key terms and find similar information.
I say that the resignation of Büyükanıt would be a first in Turkish history because it's true. They say that the chief of staff is "nominated" by the government, but who tells the government who to nominate? The pashas.
Hope that helps.
Posted by: Azad ||
07/19/2006 19:42 Comments ||
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#14
We needed Turkey during the Cold War. What exactly do they bring to the table these days?
#15
Iblis -
They control the straits to the Black Sea and the new pipeline crossing to the Caspian Sea. In other words, access to the very substantial oil fields of Central Asia.
They are also another border with Iran - better to have airfields and access in Turkey, as an unworthy and inadequate ally than have them forced into some kind of alliance with Iran.
That's two things they bring to the table. You can probably think of more. Bad as Turkey may seem, it can get a whole lot worse.
#16
"but the Turkish government thought it was better to play Islamist Asshole"
You can thank the U.S. State Department for encouraging that with their manipulative actions, like leaking negotiation issues with Turkey to the media.
#17
The reason the Turks have a problem with the Kurds is that they treat them like shit, like the Nazis did the populations whose territory the occupied (think Balkans WW2). They are abusive of them, ban their culture, destroy their political parties, and smash any attempts by the Kurds to stand up to the dictatorship in Ankara.
The Turks stop the human rights violations and violent supression of the Kurds, and support for the PKK will melt.
You are absolutely correct, Oldspook. I might add, that if the atrocities you mention had never occured, there would never have been a need for PKK.
The situation is not moving in the direction you suggest here, but is moving quickly in the opposite direction. There is a de facto state of emergency (OHAL--if you remember anything about the dirty war before) already imposed in "The Region" and discussions in Ankara have already brought up the idea of calling an actual OHAL. This is confirmed by people I know personally in "The Region" and by my friends who are from "The Region" but outside of it, through the people they know. When I was there last year, it was clear to me that everything was moving in this direction as well.
Since last year, HPG has had an enormous increase in the number of recruits which they have had to turn away because of lack of facilities. After the uprising in Amed (Diyarbakir) at the end of March, many more have gone to the mountains.
HPG has been targeting military targets, a carryover from PKK, January, 1995, when the PKK declared its targeting intentions publicly. Last year, at least, HPG began using landmines as remote-controlled bombs and over the weekend an HPG representative at Qandîl and KONGRA-GEL head, Zubeyir Aydar, in Geneva signed the Anti-personnel Mine Deed of Commitment, a non-state actor's version of the Ottawa Treaty.
I will not explain the details of why it makes sense for a guerrilla force to use remote-controlled bombs as opposed to landmines, because the benefits are obvious. Obvious too is the avoidance of "poisoning" the land of your own people.
If Turkey invades South Kurdistan, they will not only meet hostile pêşmerge, but an entire hostile civilian population, many of whom told me last year that they would go off with the pêşmerge to fight Turks. Also, since Cemal Bayik recently stated that if there were a fight for Kerkuk, HPG would join with pêşmerge to fight, one should expect that an invasion of the South will see pêşmerge AND HPG fighting Turks. And the Turks remember how PKK dogged them in the 90's when they invaded the South.
A Turk does not know why he fights; A Kurd knows very well.
May the TSK have plenty of body bags.
Posted by: Azad ||
07/19/2006 22:10 Comments ||
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#18
Azad, I was "active" in that region when we were supporitng the no-fly zone before I retired the last time. I know the people you talk of, I trained some. I feel closer to them than I do just about any Arab I have ever met. Of all the peopel in SW Asia, Persia and Arabia, the Kurds are where I felt most at home.
And they are also the people whose story has been least told here in the west - at least the Armenians had good PR here in the US, which means good global reach. The Kurds really need to get the word out about thier success economically under the no-fly umbrealla, and thier big jumps in Iraq since liberation. And yes, for thhe Kurds the US take-down of the Baathists/Tikiritis was a true liberation. All one needs to do is cross the bridge from Turkey to Kurdistani-Iraq, and it is like a flower blooms. the rods are paved well, peopel are fed, business is good, and people actually smile!
In an ideal world, the Kurds woudl have us helping them liberate Kurdistan from the Persians (NW of the Pars plateau), Syrians (NE of the Euphrates) and, yes, the Turks (SE Turkey almost to the Caspian).
God willing, you will get your nation one day. And thank God your peopel are smart enough to realize that you can only get it yourself. Almost everyone sells out the Kurds for political expediency. Even, regretfully, the US.
Once Iran is removed as a threat, then the time will be right.
All that aside, the Turkish FM is, as we way in the US, "talking out his ass". Turkey cannot afford the politcal and military damage they would take if they were to operate cross-border against the Kurds in Iraq.
RB - you know me, Im never soft on terrs, and the PKK has some bloody bastards in it that need to be killed. But the grievences that power the PKK are not self-inflicted like those of the Fatah, Hamas and Hezbollah.
All the Kurds want are rights anyone else has: to be left alone to worship work and raise a family, to be able to vote freely for the party or candidates of their choice, to make thier own democratic laws, and to maintain their culture as they have in the region for a millenium or more.
The Turks have crushed this at every turn, uch of the time brutally. They have brought this insurgency on themselves by trying to suppress democracy of the Kurds.
Thats my opinion. Feel free to differ. Bur realize that the US Government has in many areas covered for Turkey because they are of more use to us than the Kurds. Our historical behavior in this area has not been sterling - go back and look at the Hmong in Laos, Camobdia and Vietnam and how they got screwed by us after being staunch allies.
So no, the PKK shoudl nto be doing the htings they are doing, but Turkey is sadly mistaken if they think they will be able to insert a military force into Norther Iraq to any extent - they will get manhandled by the Peshmerga and the Iraq Army units in the region: units that are mainly Kurdish, well trained, well led, well equipped, well supplied and defending their homes form a historical supressor; not the sort of force an army as mediocre as the Turks can engage without taking large casualties.
Turkish officials signaled Tuesday they are prepared to send the army into northern Iraq if U.S. and Iraqi forces do not take steps to combat Turkish Kurdish guerrillas there a move that could put Turkey on a collision course with the United States.
Turkey is facing increasing domestic pressure to act after 15 soldiers, police and guards were killed fighting the guerrillas in southeastern Turkey in the past week. "The government is really in a bind," said Seyfi Tashan, director of the Foreign Policy Institute at Bilkent University in Ankara. "On the one hand, they don't want things to break down with the United States. On the other hand, the public is crying for action."
Diplomats and experts cautioned the increasingly aggressive Turkish statements were likely aimed at calming public anger and pressing the U.S. and Iraq to act against the Turkish Kurdish guerrillas. But they also said Turkish politicians and military officers could act if nothing is done.
U.S. officials in Turkey and Washington were in contact with Turkish officials and military commanders to press them to work with Washington to combat the guerrillas and not to act alone, a Western diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject.
Turkey's NTV television and Hurriyet newspaper reported the government has told the military to draw up plans for a push into northern Iraq and to advise on the possibilities such an incursion could lead to a clash with Iraqi Kurds or U.S. troops. Any operation was unlikely before the end of August, when the current military chief of staff is replaced by an officer widely regarded as a hard-liner, NTV said.
The Western diplomat said the Turkish military long has had plans for fighting guerrillas in northern Iraq. These range from limited artillery and airstrikes on guerrilla bases, to attacks by commando forces and a broader ground offensive.
American officials, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, have repeatedly warned Turkey against entering northern Iraq, one of the few stable areas of the country. U.S. Ambassador Ross Wilson said Turkish, Iraqi and U.S. cooperation is a "more sensible way to go forward than perhaps to ... try to do it unilaterally."
Nechirvan Barzani, prime minister of the Kurdistan regional government in northern Iraq, appeared to be addressing Turkish concerns when he said Tuesday that Iraqi Kurds "won't allow anyone to harm our neighbors by using our territory."
But he also said the problem with the guerrillas "cannot be solved through military means alone," Turkey's DHA news agency reported. Turkey considers the guerrillas terrorists and has refused to talk with them.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared to confirm reports that the military was ordered to draft plans when he said Tuesday: "We know how to take care of (terrorism) on our own... Our competent units are making preparations and will continue to do so."
Erdogan's spokesman, Akif Beki, refused to comment, but referred to a statement Monday by government spokesman Cemil Cicek. Cicek called on Iraqi and U.S. forces to take stronger action against the rebels and warned that if they did not, "Turkey is going to use its international rights until the very end."
Officials reported no unusual military activity in the border regions.
A Turkish push into northern Iraq could also threaten relations with European Union countries, which have been pressing Turkey to improve rights for minority Kurds.
The Turkish Kurdish guerrillas are mostly based in the Qandil mountains, an area 50 miles from the Turkish border with Iran. From Iraq, the guerrillas infiltrate southeastern Turkey to stage attacks.
Turkey has long had some 2,000 troops in northern Iraq near the border monitoring the area. But if Turkey sent in military units they would have to travel through territory controlled by Iraqi Kurds. "I don't think it is Turkey's desire to stage an intervention in northern Iraq," said Ilter Turan, professor of international relations at Istanbul Bilgi University. Turkey "is simply trying to draw attention to the fact that it is an untenable position." attn: Turkey subj: Why don't you blow off the EU, who will never let you in, and join with Iraq as a trading partner? You could become the core to a Middle East Common Market.
#1
Partner with the Kurds?!
That would mean working with them, instead of fighting over centuries old religious and ethnic slights. That would put an end to almost all the fighting and maybe even put some coin in their pockets.
Nah, couldn't happen in a million years.
Jordan's State Security Court (SSC) is due to start the trial next Sunday of three Islamist lawmakers on charges of 'incitement and harming national unity,' judicial sources said Tuesday. The three deputies, Mohammad Abu Fares, Ali Abul Sukkar and Jaafar Hourani-- belong to the Islamic Action Front (IAF), Jordan's largest political party. They were arrested on June 11 after extending condolences to the family of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the terrorist leader who was killed in a US airstrike on June 7 in Iraq.
A fourth detained lawmaker, Ibrahim Mashwaki, was released last week and the SSC's public prosecutor said Tuesday he would not be tried because he did not make any comments during his visit to the tent that was set up by al-Zarqawi's family in his home city of Zarqa, 30 kilometres East of Amman, on June 8.
Abu Fares delivered a speech at the tent praising the slain al- Qaeda leader as a 'martyr', a remark that angered the families of 60 people who were killed in Amman's triple hotel bombings on November 9 and prompted them to file a suit against the three MPs. The blasts were claimed by al-Zarqawi's group, the Jihad and Tawhid Brigades, which is reportedly affiliated with al-Qaeda organization of Osama Bin Laden. Abu Fares is currently in the intensive care unit at an Amman medical centre after his health condition deteriorated over the past couple of days, according to medical sources.
"'Morning, Abu! How're y'feeling today?"
"Ow... Ow... Ow... Aaaaaiiiieee!"
"Aw, shucks. That's too bad... Okay, Mahmoud. You can let go now."
"My tongue! He thtomped on my tongue!... Ow!... Ow... Ow... Aaaaiiiieee!"
Posted by: Fred ||
07/19/2006 00:00 ||
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A UN official said Tuesday a state of emergency imposed on three insurgency-wracked south Thailand provinces was a license for police and military to "get away with murder." Earlier Tuesday, Thailand's Cabinet approved a three-month extension of the state of emergency in the Muslim-majority provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani. Emergency rule lets the government impose curfews, prohibit public gatherings, censor and ban publications, detain suspects without charge, confiscate property and tap telephones. It also affords officials legal immunity for acts, including killings, carried out under its provisions.
"The emergency decree makes it possible for soldiers and police officers get away with murder," said Philip Alston, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. He said this in a statement by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland.
Alston said parts of the decree violate international human rights law and ignore the right to life, and urged the government to repeal those parts. "Impunity for violence committed by the security forces has been an ongoing problem in Thailand, but the emergency decree has gone even further and makes impunity look like the official policy," Alston said in the statement.
The state of emergency was first imposed in July last year and must be renewed every three months. "The state of emergency is still needed for the administration in the three southern provinces, so the Cabinet has approved the proposal to extend the decree of a state of emergency for another three months," Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit said.
Human rights activists say the emergency rule has failed to contain growing violence in the area, and has worsened the situation by allowing violations of constitutional rights. The government's efforts to end the violence, focusing on tighter security, have met with little success, and some critics suggest more emphasis be given to economic development to win the support of southern Muslims. Many Muslims resent the central government and feel they are treated like second-class citizens in the predominantly Buddhist country.
#1
Sitting in his plush Geneva UN office generously provide by Other People's Money, Phillip Alston, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions - appointed by the Holy High Commissioner of UN Rapporteurs, wagged his perfectly manicured finger at Thailand's Democratically Elected Government for FINALLY taking its duty to protect its citizens seriously - and SPECULATED that the decree, lawfully promulgated by said Democratically Elected Government, might perhaps maybe possibly potentially be abused.
Then the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, appointed by the Holy High Commissioner of UN Rapporteurs, went to a sumptuous lunch, generously provided for such Holy High Rapporteurs by Other People's Money, in a perfectly safe secure lavish setting on the shores of Lake Geneve, confident he had properly executed the powers vested in him, satisfied in his position and his place, and especially pleased with the Dom vintage offered.
#3
Many Muslims resent the central government and feel they are treated like second-class citizens in the predominantly Buddhist country.
Yea, and government is trampling over their right to engage in their cultural activities such as headlopping and booming. In fact, they should be the first class citizens!
#8
Thailand should have done this years ago. Muzzies are not 2nd class citizens...no way in hell they could ever rate that high. They are invaders, wherever they park their useless asses. They intend to move in and take over. They have a RIGHT to do so. Some camel fu**ker told them so.
#9
Many Muslims resent the central government and feel they are treated like second-class citizens in the predominantly Buddhist country.
Unlike Buddhists in say, Saudi Arabia, who are treated as first-class citizens?
The sheer impudence of this UN drone parasite is disgusting. Who the friggin' hell does he think he is, telling a democratically elected government, that is trying to hold their country together, to start respecting 'human rights' of murderers.
Where was he when the teachers were being beheaded?
Swine.
Posted by: Tony (UK) ||
07/19/2006 15:00 Comments ||
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A hard-hitting radio commentator was gunned down in the southern Philippines yesterday, the latest victim in a series of killings of journalists. Armando Pace, who worked with Radyo Ukay (Radio DXDS) in the southern Digos city, 980 kilometers southeast of Manila, was shot repeatedly as he was driving home on a motorcycle at around 1 p.m., police and local media said.
Senior Inspector Cesar Cabuhat, the city police chief, said Pace was hit in the back of the head and chest and was declared dead on the spot. Police quoted witnesses as saying the assailants, who were tailing Pace after he left the radio station, drove alongside his motorcycle and fired at him on a main road in full view of many people. The two men escaped and no one has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/19/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Another clean Sparrow team kill. This is a no brainer.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
07/19/2006 17:26 Comments ||
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July 19, 2006: Israel reported it's aircraft have destroyed an Iranian Zelzal ballistic missile in southern Lebanon. The Zelzal is a 610mm, 50 foot long, 3.5 ton missile with a range of 160 kilometers, and carrying a 1,300 pound high explosive warhead. The missile can also carry chemical or biological weapons in its warhead, but there was no evidence of this in the Zelzal that Israel destroyed. The Zelzal does uses a crude guidance system, which would be adequate against large urban areas. The missile is carried, and launched from, a special heavy truck. Development on the Zelzal began in the mid-1990s.
The Zelzal has a solid fuel rocket motor, and thus creates a characteristic smoke and light show when the rocket motor is set off by a nearby explosion. Lebanese photos of a Zelzal missile crashing to the ground (after the rocket motor partially ignited after a missile from an Israeli F-15 hit it), were mistakenly labeled by Arab media as an Israeli F-16 crashing, after being hit by Lebanese anti-aircraft fire. But a close examination of the photo shows it is not a jet fighter coming down. There were reports of Hizbollah receiving Iranian missiles, via Syria, in 2004. There has also been evidence of Syrian, Russian made, BM-27 rockets being fired into northern Israel.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/19/2006 10:29 ||
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#1
Syrian, Russian made, BM-27 rockets being fired into northern Israel - how much is this piece of info effecting the admin position Tony Snow just got done with saying it was a total waste of time to ever talk to Assad or when alive his dad.
July 19, 2006: The Chinese-designed C-802 missile that damaged an Israeli Saar 5-class corvette recently has implications beyond the present conflict in Lebanon. It shows that the threat of a transfer of weapons technology, from a state sponsor of terrorism like Iran, to a terrorist group, is very real.
Transferring an anti-ship missile like the C-802 is very difficult. Anti-ship missiles are big (the C-802 weighs 1500 pounds and is 21 feet long), and the launch vehicles are going to be about as big as a tractor-trailer rig. This is a system that is conspicuous, and hard to hide. The other thing to consider is that other stuff could be transferred as well. China has provided Iran at least 75 of these missiles, which have been installed on a variety of Iranian vessels (including newly-acquired missile boats from China, as well as older Sa'am-class frigates and Kaman-class patrol craft). China, of course, has received missile technology transfers from Israel (albeit this technology was for the Patriot surface-to-air missile, and had nothing to do with Chinese anti-ship missiles an Israeli sale of its Phalcon AEW system was aborted). Israel also turned over data from the Lavi project, which later was used in the J-10 program.
Iran's transfer of C-802 missiles (along with the training to use them) is not the only such threat that has been worried about. One of the reasons that the removal of Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq was the possibility of the transference of chemical or biological weapons. The amount of these weapons needed to cause mass casualties are small and artillery shells full of sarin nerve gas or mustard gas are much smaller than a C-802. Vials of anthrax, ricin, or smallpox are even smaller. The thought of weapons of mass destruction possibly getting into the hands of terrorists who are willing to die to complete their mission warranted removal of Saddam Hussein's regime, which had not shown the ability to transfer weaponry to terrorists (although Saddam Hussein was willing to cut $25,000 checks to the families of murder-suicide bombers).
Iran, though, now has been known to provide Hezbollah with anti-ship missiles. In a very real sense, the Iranian transfer of at least two such missiles has highlighted the threat posed by state sponsors of terrorism. If something like an anti-ship missile can be transferred, with all the inherent transportation difficulties moving one entails, what else has Iran given Hezbollah? And what else would Iran be willing to transfer if they were to have the opportunity? These are questions that will make world leaders very nervous.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/19/2006 10:10 ||
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China, of course, has received missile technology transfers from Israel (albeit this technology was for the Patriot surface-to-air missile... Israel also turned over data from the Lavi project (An F-16 derivative development paid for with US tax dollars. Including handing over the very tricky avionics source code.), which later was used in the J-10 program.
Thanks Israel. May we get the chance you screw you back some day. In the mean time, America will keep the checks coming.
Posted by: ed ||
07/19/2006 13:30 Comments ||
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LONDON - The first of six British navy ships was arriving off Lebanon on Tuesday in order to carry out the first large-scale evacuation of Britons, Prime Minister Tony Blair said Tuesday. We have acted as quickly as we possibly can, Blair told reporters in London as the ships moved into the region to whisk away those among the 10,000 British nationals and 12,000 dual nationals who wanted to escape.
We have taken out of Lebanon (by helicopter) the first 60 people and that was done yesterday. The first ship will come today so obviously we can take far larger numbers out. We have round about six ships now in the region, he said. We have a rapid deployment team there in Beirut. We will do everything we can to get people out as quickly as we can.
This has been a big logistical operation -- weve also had to put reinforcements into (British bases in) Cyprus as well where people will be taken to.
We are doing absolutely everything we can to make sure the evacuation happens as swiftly and as properly as possible, he stressed.
Foreign Office minister Kim Howells said Monday that Britain was preparing for the biggest evacuation carried out by its military since World War II.
Posted by: Steve White ||
07/19/2006 00:00 ||
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12,000 dual nationals
Difficult for me to understand. Can anyone tell me why this dual cit thing is permitted?
#2
We are having some issues with dual citizenship here in Australia. People are calling for the Australians to be evacuated first, while those Lebanese-Australians who hold dual-citizenship passports and who have been living in Lebanon, should be second on the list.
But first we need to find some form of transport where we can get the Aussies on and out of that shit hole known as Lebanon. The Govt. has tried, is trying and will continue to try to evacuate citizens, but nothing is going right for the stranded Aussies at the moment.
#3
I'm about ready to kick the shit out of any more whining Americans (especially dual citizenship) who act like we owe them evacuation RIGHT NOW when they visited the freaking war zone and the country that's belligerent (in the south for sure) against a US ally. If I hear another "the water's cold and my pillow's hard, and the cruise ship was late" I'm gonna beat somebody with a cluebat
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/19/2006 21:44 Comments ||
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#4
We don't recognize dual citizenship.
When you become a citizen of the United States one of the requisites is that you give up all allegience to any other country.
However, and here's the sweet part, other countries do recognize dual citizenship. It would cost me $75,000.00 to become a foreign national. I don't have to renounce my US citizenship. And yet I can become a citizen of another country. That allows me to take funds earned as a citizen of that country and pay the going tax rate of that country for funds received as a citizen of that country.
And if you look at the tax code, there are exceptions for earnings overseas.
Sweet.
But back to the point. Since, as a condition of US citizenship, you must renounce your citizenship of another country, ipso facto, you're not a dual national.
Get it? I do believe that carrying a passport as a national of another nation is due cause for revocation of your US citizenship. But what bureacracy is enforcing this distinction? Can you guess?
It's State. And they don't have the funding to deal with it.(And have you asked the reasonable question yet:"Are Mexicans granted US citizenship allowed dual status by the Mexican government?"
BEIRUT: Ibrahim Moussawi, the editor of Hizbullah's Al-Intiqad (The Criticism) weekly newspaper and Al-Manar television said Tuesday that the "open war which the Israelis launched against Lebanon to release its two captured soldiers is a false excuse." In an interview with The Daily Star, Moussawi said: "The Israelis know that Hizbullah was trying to capture Israeli soldiers to swap them with the Lebanese detainees in Israel. Hizbullah had announced it was going to do so over the past year. Besides, this is not the fist time that Hizbullah tries to capture Israeli soldiers. Hizbullah tried to do so four months ago but weren't successful and three Hizbullah martyrs fell in battle then." Moussawi added: "What happened is that Israel, which considers itself the invincible army, is trying to save face and accomplish some sort of victory because they have already gone into war and cannot back out without an accomplishment.
So they're going to save face by grinding Hezbollah to dust? Sounds pretty good to me...
"The international community is giving the Israelis a grace period to accomplish their goal before they implement a cease-fire," he added. "Meanwhile, the Lebanese have nothing to lose. They've been hit, killed, injured, the infrastructure demolished. The only thing that can be said to the Israelis is that it is not bravery to attack and kill civilians."
Hezbollah seems to be doing a pretty good job of indiscriminately shelling northern Israel...
Analyst and university professor Talal Atrisi agreed with Moussawi, saying: "Israel isn't trying to save its two captured soldiers, but to prevent itself from losing face." In a telephone interview with The Daily Star Tuesday, Atrisi said that Israel's image as a military giant has "fallen" because it "has not been able to achieve victory, neither in Lebanon nor in Palestine."
It wasn't at war with Leb...
"The main question now," he said, is "'has Israel been able to accomplish its goal in weakening Hizbullah?'" So far, he noted, "the losses ... have not affected Hizbullah's capability to respond to Israeli attacks with rocket salvos against northern Israel."
Been pretty hard on the Leb in the street, but they don't appear to be very important to Hezbollah...
Hizbullah's leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, warned in a recorded message broadcast Sunday that his group refrained from hitting the petrochemical plants in Haifa and decided to hit targets near them to "spare a catastrophe among civilians [but] if the Israelis continue to hit our civilians and disregard all the red lines then we will not disregard red lines the next time."
Ummm... The targets near them are apartment buildings...
"Eliminating Hizbullah now would be facilitation for the Israeli-American vision for the entire Middle East, which means an easier strike could be made on Syria and Iran," Atrisi said. "Thus I believe that the negotiations that would happen would be larger than Lebanon and would be on a regional base." But, he added: "I also believe that Israeli public opinion cannot sustain a long war, and it will pressure its government to end this war on Lebanon."
I doubt it. But I don't think a long war will be called for, either.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/19/2006 00:00 ||
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"The Israelis know that Hizbullah was trying to capture Israeli soldiers to swap them with the Lebanese detainees in Israel.
Oh, so in your eyes that makes it OK then. You'll have to forgive me, I graduated from preschool so I don't see things that way. But wait a minute, Hezballah knew they would be risking war if they actually succeeded in kidnapping a soldier.
Man, things are getting complicated all of a sudden. Damn that pretzel logic!
Well then, you are formally invited to try giving back the soldiers in good health (as you stated they were in after you captured them), to stop firing missiles etc. at Israel, and see what happens.
#2
This argument is theoretical at best. The Lebanese have no country left. No major roads, airports, utilities, nothing. Not even electricity or water.
How can they even suggest that they are winning when they are sitting in their squalid, unlit, bomb shelters and can't even come outside to take a piss. YOU HAVE NO COUNTRY LEFT! Quit being dumbasses and give those two Israeli pukes back to the Jews before they really start f*cking your sh*t up bad! Is it worth it? What have you gained?
At best you may exchange them for a couple of murderers, at worst there will be nothing left when you come out of your rat holes.
(translation: "Hudnatime! we didn't think Israel would react this way and our proxies are getting their ass handed to them. We look bad and may get dragged in or look like pussies for letting hezbollah die")
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/19/2006 10:13 Comments ||
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#4
"Israel isn't trying to save its two captured soldiers, but to prevent itself from losing face."
Very true, I think. It seems perfectly rational to them because that's the way they think. I personally think this honor/macho thing they keep worrying about is half of the problem.
The US secretary of state said Tuesday any cease-fire in Lebanon ought to be based on fundamental changes, publicly disagreeing with her Egyptian counterpart, who called for an immediate halt to fighting. As part of international efforts to end the violence, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called for a bigger, better-armed and more robust international force to stabilize Southern Lebanon and buy time for the government to disarm Hizbullah guerrillas. Rice, at a joint news conference in Washington with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit, said she was primed to visit the region when it will be "helpful and necessary."
Asked about calls for an immediate cease-fire in the region, Abu al-Gheit said: "A cease-fire is imperative, and we have to keep working to reach that objective. It is impera-tive. We have to bring it to an end as soon as possible ... We should do it now." Rice immediately stated the US position, that a cease-fire was only advisable once the root cause of the fighting - including, in the US view, Hizbullah's attacks - was addressed. "We all agree it should happen as soon as possible, when conditions are conducive to do so," Rice said.
That, she said, would involve implementation of a standing UN Security Council resolution and the deployment of the Lebanese Army to the borders, as well as the introduction of a strong peacekeeping operation. "We all want a cessation of violence. We all want the protection of civilians. We have to make certain that anything that we do is going to be of lasting value," Rice said.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
07/19/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
This article contradicts the Al Guardian article. US Gives Israel One Week. I guess salt to taste or time will tell.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday promised a "rejoicing" for Muslims in the Middle East "soon," the Islamic Republic News Agency reported. Speaking to university officials in the town of Mashhad, Ahmadinejad said the "volcano of rage" at the "arrogant powers" was "on the verge of eruption." Referring to escalating violence in Lebanon and northern Israel, he was quoted as saying, "The Zionists themselves have realized that they have launched a risky move and are aware that the flame of the fury of the regional states will set them ablaze."
Posted by: Fred ||
07/19/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
What's the Farsi for "rat-faced little nazi freak with serious personal hygiene issues"?
#2
This man is going down in history. His words, like those of Hitler's, will be a published part of the short history of this current time. He seemingly, wants to be the guiding light to steer the folks of his faith.
I so wanted to believe that he is just crazed, but, I'm beginning to think, like Hitler, he truly believes, deep down in his heart, the words that he speaks.
He's been saying these words, since the first day of those 444 days lots of us remember, deep down in our hearts. I remember those 444 flags that waved in the winds, till they came home.
Yes, he will have a short snippet in our history books, as he is leading in a path to a brutal fight. And I think, he is beginning to wake America up, and the mood doesn't seem to be the same, pleasant, what can we do to help you, that our sleeping mode presents around the world. Oh, we did some sleepwalking, rescuing tsunami folks, hurricane and typhoon folks around the world, earthquake folks, and our military stayed awake and freed 50 millions folks.
But this guy has led a sheltered life. He's never met a Texas cowboy and his posse who stand behind him, drinking that stiff, strong coffee, blinking the sleep from their eyes. Those standing guard on the perimeter, on watch, are stepping into the campfire, giving a sitrep report.
Any of the tradespots on line taking bets on this? We may have a major historical event occurring before us, and this guy's name will be associated with it. A brief comment, but associated. Too bad, that doesn't earn him an eternal bliss.
#3
"fury of the regional states will set them ablaze.""
What regional states? Do you mean Egypt, Jordan, Baharain, Quatar, UAE, Saudia Arabia, Turkey, or Iraq? Actually, the regional states disagree with your actions.
#7
Another veiled threat. If long-range missiles are launched at Tel Aviv from mobile platforms from north Lebanon, Israeil leaders will assume that these launches - with immediate pullbacks into Syria - will present a permanent threat against Tel Aviv. The only counter would involve area destruction, that would include Syrian territory. As that would ensure escalation, Israel would have to attack the missile suppliers at the source, and along the path.
#14
Ya gotta admit that his speeches over the last 6 months have made up for the piss poor stuff coming from Kimmie. Clearly, the Iranians imported more than just missile stuff from NorK, they stole the whole Sea of Fire gig.
#15
when he starts with the "Islamic Army First" policies you'll really know he's been hitting the juche
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/19/2006 10:05 Comments ||
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Ahmadinejad said the "volcano of rage" at the "arrogant powers" was "on the verge of eruption." Referring to escalating violence in Lebanon and northern Israel, he was quoted as saying, "The Zionists themselves have realized that they have launched a risky move and are aware that the flame of the fury of the regional states will set them ablaze."
Sigh . . . for those who can read it, this is illustrates the "pay back" mentality that Islamic phsical/sexual abuse victims fall into. It's sad on the face of it (in an abstract way), but he's still got to be stopped, because he cannot/will not stop himself. And yeah, he really DOES believe his own bullshit. (He also likes the money and the prestige his position/views provide. Follow the money . . . )
#18
Yup. It's extremely prevalent in the Islamic world (upwards of 60%). Not only that, but oftimes Mullahs consider pedophilic access a professional perk. Sick stuff. Explains the seemingly irrational rage. Young men are trying (and failing) to reclaim their identity, or standing with those who have lost it. Unfortunately, they have to identify with the aggressor when they enter into the world of jihad.
As an aside, I went to see United 93 with someone who was totally unaware of the prolific sexual abuse of Islamic boys and after they saw the movie they said how interesting it was that the Arab actors had played sexual abuse victims so well.
So you see, it really ain't about the politics. Just some FYI. In the pragmatic sense though, we have to win decisively because any and all aggression against Islamics is an experiential reintroduction of the original victimization(s), and so fans the flames of outrage. Building bridges of affirmation among the non-fighting population is also an important primary stategy because change can happen from within. It just takes time.
Based on your experience, do the muslims you know consider certain pedophilic acts (e.g., caressing, hugging) to be not homosexual (and thus halal) but other acts (e.g., anal sex) to be homosexual (and thus harem).
#20
ex-lib, very interesting take, thanks! It jibs very well with that Frontpagemag article I (?) posted here (or I discovered here, can't remember, lol) : The Psychoanalytic Roots of Islamic Terrorism
#21
mhw: Well, from what I've seen--the more healthy families are very affectionate (normal hugs, kisses, verbal affirmation). And the grown men also are more demonstrably affectionate with each other as compared to Americans and Europeans, while not leaning toward homosexuality, or sexual predation. So, technically, the cultural norm of expressed affection falls within the bounds.
That said, sexual predation on young Moslem boys by relatives, strangers, or clerics, ( as seperate from adult-to-adult homosexuality, per se) is what creates a lot of the rage, as does the favoritism of older sons and the often detached father-son relationships within many families. A lethal combination to say the least.
Some of the Mullahs consider non-heterosexuality a viable "undertaking" (pun intended) and consider themselves to have the right to do whatever they want with whoever they can in terms of the younger boys they have access to. It's not unlike the abuse noted among some Roman Catholic "priests," youth leaders, etc., but exceptionally prevalent in the Arab countries. Sad.
anon: That's a great link. I've read it before, and it's a good one to copy and file.
IMO, it gets to the point where the reasons behind what's going on don't really matter. Like criminals, the Islamofacists pretty much just need to be stopped.
#22
And when I'm talking about sexual predation, I'm talking about the aggressor seeing or considering the victim to be a SEXUAL object, whose body exists for their own sexual gratification--this view is what would dictate the inappropriateness of certain physical expressions, which yes, are "homosexual" in the technical sense, but not in the sense most people in the West would understand.
#23
To build on what ex-lib posted so eruditely, it's my understanding that in that part of the world only the male on the receiving end is engaging in a homosexual act -- the aggressor is just doing what men do (to boys, to girls, to babies, to sheep, to camels...)
#24
One of the guys in my coffee club came up with a solution (satirical at best) of setting himself up outside the Dome of the Rock (or wherever the 12th Imam is supposed to come down) during their Friday prayers. Then, they come out of the mosskkk and see my buddy standing there, with a "I'm the 12th Mahdi/Imam" t-shirt on and direct them to convert to Judaism and/or Christianity. Are we too far off the mark? It'd take all of Ahmandinejad's steam off too of thinking of himself as the "12th Mahdi/Imam".
Posted by: BA ||
07/19/2006 15:53 Comments ||
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#25
Oh, and btw, the rest of us would stand beside him with "I'm with stupid" t-shirts on, lol!
Posted by: BA ||
07/19/2006 15:54 Comments ||
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The US is giving Israel a window of a week to inflict maximum damage on Hizbullah before weighing in behind international calls for a ceasefire in Lebanon, according to British, European and Israeli sources. The Bush administration, backed by Britain, has blocked efforts for an immediate halt to the fighting initiated at the UN security council, the G8 summit in St Petersburg and the European foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels. "It's clear the Americans have given the Israelis the green light. They [the Israeli attacks] will be allowed to go on longer, perhaps for another week," a senior European official said yesterday. Diplomatic sources said there was a clear time limit, partly dictated by fears that a prolonged conflict could spin out of control.
US strategy in allowing Israel this freedom for a limited period has several objectives, one of which is delivering a slap to Iran and Syria, who Washington claims are directing Hizbullah and Hamas militants from behind the scenes.
I'd think our objective would be to see Hezbollah wiped out. But if they Israelis have another week, and they've taken out 40 percent of Hezbollah's command structure, maybe another week's all they need.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/19/2006 00:00 ||
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I understood that the 40% referred to assets such as missiles, launchers, etc. throughout the country. Am I wrong here? I also thought that Israel was going to launch a ground offensive after they had pushed out all the "civilians" and pinched off the major routes for retreat, and that this offensive was aimed at wiping out Hezballah fighters. One week would then be too little time to accomplish this with anything like a minimum of casualties.
#7
Al Guardian, Heaping pile of Salt. And it contradicts what the WH has been saying so far.
Posted by: Charles ||
07/19/2006 9:46 Comments ||
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#8
today in Haaretz Israelis say it will take 10 to 14 days more. Ground troops have crossed the border in the south, but i very much doubt Israeli ground troops will go all the way to south Beirut, which is what it would take to hunt down every last Hezb terrorist. They are not going to eliminate Hezb with this operation. The material and political costs would be too high. They are going to weaken it severely however. This will make it harder for Hezb to attack across the border for some time, but more important it will weaken Hezb in Leb politics, since their power is based so much on force. It will also, as a bonus, humiliate Syria and Iran.
#9
as for the dance, by which US diplos delay a ceasefire while Israel achieves its military objectives, that wasnt invented by Bush or Rice. It was done by the Johnson admin in June of '67, and by the Nixon admin in October 1973.
#11
If and when this conflict spins out of control, it benefits us, not Hezbollah, not Syria or Iran.
Further, I assume that spinning out of control means a broader war involving Hezbollah's supporters. What's not to like ?
There was a rally for Israel in Freedom Plaza, Penn Ave and 13th St NW, at noon today. Speakers included Israeli Amb Daniel Ayalon, Senator Sam Brownback (R- Kansas), Gov Robert Erlich (R-Md) and several congressmen of both parties, Rev Jim Hagee of Christians for Israel (or something) and various local Jewish leaders.
Organizers estimated the crowd at four to five thousand. Looked like a bit less to me, but Im not experienced at estimating crowds.
As Amb Ayalon said, the goal of the current operation is to restore a free Lebanon, to free the hostages, to break Hezbollah, and to keep Syria and Iran "at bay".
Reminder, that one quarter of the population of Israel is living in bomb shelters.
Children and elderly from the north have beeen relocated to central Israel. To provide humanitarian aid, check out Shalomdc.org
Thanks were expressed to President Bush and to Congress, and to the American people, for their support.
#14
That would be really helpful---though I don't expect it to happen, is for US Congress to pass a law saying Lebanon gets zero US aid intil compliance with 1559 is achieved (and verified).
The Arab prisoner that Hizballah wants Israel to release in exchange for two abducted Israeli soldiers, is serving multiple life sentences for killing a four-year-old girl with a rifle butt. Samir Kuntar is one of only two or three Lebanese prisoners still held by Israel, and Hizballah said its July 12 assault is aimed at winning his freedom. The terrorists killed eight Israeli soldiers and seized Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, taking them back over the border. Their whereabouts and condition remain unknown.
The Shi'ite group dubbed the raid Operation True Promise (Al-Wa'ad Al-Sadeq), saying it was making good on an earlier pledge to continue to capture Israeli soldiers and use them to obtain the release of the remaining Lebanese in Israeli jails. Since the raid, the conflict has escalated, with Israel launching an air assault on Lebanese infrastructure and Hizballah targets and Hizballah firing hundreds of missiles into Israel.
The fighting and loss of life have swung some attention away from the hostage issue, and Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in an address late last week that "the battle today is no longer a battle over prisoners or the exchange of prisoners." Nonetheless, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said during a televised address to the nation Monday night that he kept photographs of Goldwasser and Regev - along with one of another soldier, Gilad Shalit, kidnapped by Hamas in a June raid across the Gaza-Israel frontier - on his desk as a daily reminder of his mission. "We will do everything in our power to ensure their safe release and bring them back home," he said.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/19/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
I guess it comes down to this: If Israel released anybody, how long would it take before two Israelis would die as a consequence?
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
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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.
Saudi Arabia would support a UN-backed stabilization force in Lebanon if approved by the Lebanese government, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said yesterday. "We support the Lebanese government affirming control over all of its territory," said Prince Saud at a press conference at the ministry's offices in Jeddah. "The decision of war and peace belongs to the legitimate authorities, not any other party otherwise there would be chaos," the prince added.
Japan has confirmed reports it is preparing further economic sanctions against North Korea, after a UN security council resolution demanded suspension of Pyongyang's missile programme. Finance minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said: "Japan is eyeing limiting transfers of financial assets and will work hard so that we can start it as soon as possible. "We have already started the work to specify what would become the targets of rules to limit the transfer of financial assets." 
Heart failure and a lung problem were the actual cause of 
July 16 2006 at 0225 LT at Luanda anchorage, Angola. Four robbers armed with knives in a wooden boat boarded a container ship at forecastle. They threatened duty a/b with knives and broke open paint store padlock. Duty A/B escaped and raised alarm and crew mustered. Robbers jumped into their boat and left empty handed. Local authorities informed.
Turkish officials signaled Tuesday they are prepared to send the army into northern Iraq if U.S. and Iraqi forces do not take steps to combat Turkish Kurdish guerrillas there a move that could put Turkey on a collision course with the United States.
Jordan's State Security Court (SSC) is due to start the trial next Sunday of three Islamist lawmakers on charges of 'incitement and harming national unity,' judicial sources said Tuesday. The three deputies, 
A hard-hitting radio commentator was gunned down in the southern Philippines yesterday, the latest victim in a series of killings of journalists. Armando Pace, who worked with Radyo Ukay (Radio DXDS) in the southern Digos city, 980 kilometers southeast of Manila, was shot repeatedly as he was driving home on a motorcycle at around 1 p.m., police and local media said.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday promised a "rejoicing" for Muslims in the Middle East "soon," the Islamic Republic News Agency reported. Speaking to university officials in the town of Mashhad, Ahmadinejad said the "volcano of rage" at the "arrogant powers" was "on the verge of eruption." Referring to escalating violence in Lebanon and northern Israel, he was quoted as saying, "The Zionists themselves have realized that they have launched a risky move and are aware that the flame of the fury of the regional states will set them ablaze."
The US is giving Israel a window of a week to inflict maximum damage on Hizbullah before weighing in behind international calls for a ceasefire in Lebanon, according to British, European and Israeli sources. The Bush administration, backed by Britain, has blocked efforts for an immediate halt to the fighting initiated at the UN security council, the G8 summit in St Petersburg and the European foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels. "It's clear the Americans have given the Israelis the green light. They [the Israeli attacks] will be allowed to go on longer, perhaps for another week," a senior European official said yesterday. Diplomatic sources said there was a clear time limit, partly dictated by fears that a prolonged conflict could spin out of control.
The Arab prisoner that 
