Guardian: Yasser Arafat's Life And Legacy
From an early age, Muhammad Abdul Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini, the sixth child of a Palestinian spice, incense and grocery merchant, sensed that a high destiny awaited him. It did - but Yasser Arafat, who has died aged 75, assuredly earned it by his own endeavours too.
By the standard of lifelong, indefatigable, and for him courageous dedication to a cause, he deserved the title of Mr Palestine that he held for a whole generation of his people's struggle. But by the standards of ultimate achievement, he didn't; rarely can a "liberator" have strayed further from the original ideals of "liberation".
Arafat was born in Cairo, where his father had settled for business reasons, but after the death of his mother, the four-year-old was packed off to Jerusalem to live with his uncle in a house by the Wailing Wall and al-Aqsa mosque.
Saturday, November 20, 2004
IRAQ: WHO KILLED M. HASSAN?
Jihad Unspun: Who Really Killed Margaret Hassan?
“Propaganda is to a democracy what the bludgeon is to a totalitarian state” (Noam Chomsky)
There are truths, there are lies and then there is the middle ground of half-truths: propaganda. Those who engage in its dissemination are malicious criminals. And those who are subjected to it are the victims.
Margaret Hassan is now believed to be the first woman killed by kidnappers but nobody is asking who and why, given that the Iraqi resistance has denied any role in her captivity from the onset. In fact, Abu-Musab Al-Zarqawi’s group issued a statement that they don’t hold women prisoners unless they are proven to be belligerent enemies and they actually called for her release! Furthermore, no group has claimed responsibility, which is unprecedented in relation to previous cases of killing kidnapped hostages.
“Propaganda is to a democracy what the bludgeon is to a totalitarian state” (Noam Chomsky)
There are truths, there are lies and then there is the middle ground of half-truths: propaganda. Those who engage in its dissemination are malicious criminals. And those who are subjected to it are the victims.
Margaret Hassan is now believed to be the first woman killed by kidnappers but nobody is asking who and why, given that the Iraqi resistance has denied any role in her captivity from the onset. In fact, Abu-Musab Al-Zarqawi’s group issued a statement that they don’t hold women prisoners unless they are proven to be belligerent enemies and they actually called for her release! Furthermore, no group has claimed responsibility, which is unprecedented in relation to previous cases of killing kidnapped hostages.
IRAQ: RESISTANCE REPORT
Jihad Unspun: In Baghdad: Fierce Daylong Battle Al-Karakh, Attacks Throughout City
Violent clashes broke out at dawn yesterday between the Iraqi Resistance forces and US forces operating in collaboration with Allawi troops around Baghdad. The fighting erupted in Baghdad’s al-Karakh district at about 5am where it extended to the Vanguards’ Square [Sahat at-Tala’i‘], al-Mushahadah and al-Fahhamah. The correspondent of Mafkarat al-Islam reported that the Americans together with Allawi “national guard” tried to encircle the area, but the Resistance put up a fierce struggle. Fighting raged until 1pm and left four Allawi Land Cruisers, four Nissan pickups and another truck destroyed.
Violent clashes broke out at dawn yesterday between the Iraqi Resistance forces and US forces operating in collaboration with Allawi troops around Baghdad. The fighting erupted in Baghdad’s al-Karakh district at about 5am where it extended to the Vanguards’ Square [Sahat at-Tala’i‘], al-Mushahadah and al-Fahhamah. The correspondent of Mafkarat al-Islam reported that the Americans together with Allawi “national guard” tried to encircle the area, but the Resistance put up a fierce struggle. Fighting raged until 1pm and left four Allawi Land Cruisers, four Nissan pickups and another truck destroyed.
Thursday, November 18, 2004
IRAQ: FALLUJAH RESISTANCE
Asia Times: Counterinsurgency run amok
"The people who are doing the beheadings are extremists ... the people slaughtering Iraqis - torturing in prisons and shooting wounded prisoners - are 'American heroes'. Congratulations, you must be so proud of yourselves today."
- Iraqi girl blogger Riverbend
Whom are you going to trust: Fallujah civilians who risked their lives to escape, witnesses such as Associated Press photographer Bilal Hussein, hospital doctors, Amnesty International, top United Nations human-rights official Louise Arbour, the International Committee of the Red Cross; or the Pentagon and US-installed Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi?
CHECK IT
"The people who are doing the beheadings are extremists ... the people slaughtering Iraqis - torturing in prisons and shooting wounded prisoners - are 'American heroes'. Congratulations, you must be so proud of yourselves today."
- Iraqi girl blogger Riverbend
Whom are you going to trust: Fallujah civilians who risked their lives to escape, witnesses such as Associated Press photographer Bilal Hussein, hospital doctors, Amnesty International, top United Nations human-rights official Louise Arbour, the International Committee of the Red Cross; or the Pentagon and US-installed Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi?
CHECK IT
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
IRAQ: FALLUJAH
Jihad Unspun: A WORD ABOUT TODAY'S EDITION
The word is out far and wide. The US has crushed Fallujah. Words like the “a hollow of the city” and the “former home to insurgents”. Meanwhile, at the same time, reports are also far and wide. Fallujah is being struck by bombs. If the US has taken the city, why are they bombing? What on earth is going on here?
Let's recap, shall we? As of our reports early this morning, the battle is still going on in Faulljah. Occupation troops have not been able to get near the al-Jawlan neighborhood; all they control are the main streets in Fallujah, which is part and parcel of the Mujahideen's war strategy, and the Americans are backing up their presence with fierce air strikes. The Consultative Council of the Mujahideen of Fallujah have said that the military situation of American forces in al-Fallujah has remained consistant for three days. The Mujahideen are operating under a central command and have a war plan. This plan includes the Sunni Triangle which is currently rife with resistance activities. This was a preplanned strategy to thin out the ability of occupation forces to send reinforcements into the city.
The word is out far and wide. The US has crushed Fallujah. Words like the “a hollow of the city” and the “former home to insurgents”. Meanwhile, at the same time, reports are also far and wide. Fallujah is being struck by bombs. If the US has taken the city, why are they bombing? What on earth is going on here?
Let's recap, shall we? As of our reports early this morning, the battle is still going on in Faulljah. Occupation troops have not been able to get near the al-Jawlan neighborhood; all they control are the main streets in Fallujah, which is part and parcel of the Mujahideen's war strategy, and the Americans are backing up their presence with fierce air strikes. The Consultative Council of the Mujahideen of Fallujah have said that the military situation of American forces in al-Fallujah has remained consistant for three days. The Mujahideen are operating under a central command and have a war plan. This plan includes the Sunni Triangle which is currently rife with resistance activities. This was a preplanned strategy to thin out the ability of occupation forces to send reinforcements into the city.
IRAQ: FALLUJAH RESISTANCE
Jihad Unspun: Mujahideen Moves Easily In Fallujah; 19 Americans Killed In Explosion
In a dispatch posted at 4:17pm Mecca time Monday, the Fallujah correspondent of Mafkarat al-Islam reported that a noticeable quiet has descended over Fallujah, broken only by intermittent fire by one of the American snipers scattered on rooftops in places in the city. The calm prevails both in the city center and on the outskirts.
US snipers are deployed on the main streets of the city in six or seven positions along ath-Tharthar Street, the main street leading to ar-Ramadi (ar-Ramadi Road), and buildings overlooking the Euphrates to the west of the city.
Sources in the Consultative Council of the Mujahideen of Fallujah told Quds Press on Monday that Mujahideen blew up a building in Fallujah as American forces were entering it on Monday morning, killing 19 US troops.
The building in the al-Bazarah neighborhood opposite the al-Wuthbah Secondary School in the city was blown up using a large amount of TNT just as the US troops were entering it. The US forces brought in bulldozers to dig out the remains of their dead. US troops who were still outside the building when it exploded were wounded.
In a dispatch posted at 4:17pm Mecca time Monday, the Fallujah correspondent of Mafkarat al-Islam reported that a noticeable quiet has descended over Fallujah, broken only by intermittent fire by one of the American snipers scattered on rooftops in places in the city. The calm prevails both in the city center and on the outskirts.
US snipers are deployed on the main streets of the city in six or seven positions along ath-Tharthar Street, the main street leading to ar-Ramadi (ar-Ramadi Road), and buildings overlooking the Euphrates to the west of the city.
Sources in the Consultative Council of the Mujahideen of Fallujah told Quds Press on Monday that Mujahideen blew up a building in Fallujah as American forces were entering it on Monday morning, killing 19 US troops.
The building in the al-Bazarah neighborhood opposite the al-Wuthbah Secondary School in the city was blown up using a large amount of TNT just as the US troops were entering it. The US forces brought in bulldozers to dig out the remains of their dead. US troops who were still outside the building when it exploded were wounded.
IRAQ: FALLUJAH WARCRIMES
Reuters: NBC Says Marine Shot Dead Wounded Iraqi Prisoner
A television pool report by U.S. network NBC said on Monday that a U.S. Marine had shot dead an unarmed and wounded Iraqi prisoner in a mosque in Falluja.
The Iraqi was one of five wounded prisoners left in the mosque after Marines had fought their way in on Friday and Saturday. There was no immediate comment from the Pentagon on the report.
ICH: Video: Unarmed And Wounded POW Shot In The Head By U.S. Marine
A television pool report by U.S. network NBC said on Monday that a U.S. Marine had shot dead an unarmed and wounded Iraqi prisoner in a mosque in Falluja.
The Iraqi was one of five wounded prisoners left in the mosque after Marines had fought their way in on Friday and Saturday. There was no immediate comment from the Pentagon on the report.
ICH: Video: Unarmed And Wounded POW Shot In The Head By U.S. Marine
USA: OHIO RECOUNT
Truth Out: Recount in Ohio a Sure Thing
Green Party Campaign Raises $150,000 in 4 Days, Shifts Gears to Phase II
WASHINGTON -- November 15 -- There will be a recount of the presidential vote in Ohio.
On Thursday, David Cobb, the Green Party’s 2004 presidential candidate, announced his intention to seek a recount of the vote in Ohio. Since the required fee for a statewide recount is $113,600, the only question was whether that money could be raised in time to meet the filing deadline. That question has been answered.
“Thanks to the thousands of people who have contributed to this effort, we can say with certainty that there will be a recount in Ohio,” said Blair Bobier, Media Director for the Cobb-LaMarche campaign.
Green Party Campaign Raises $150,000 in 4 Days, Shifts Gears to Phase II
WASHINGTON -- November 15 -- There will be a recount of the presidential vote in Ohio.
On Thursday, David Cobb, the Green Party’s 2004 presidential candidate, announced his intention to seek a recount of the vote in Ohio. Since the required fee for a statewide recount is $113,600, the only question was whether that money could be raised in time to meet the filing deadline. That question has been answered.
“Thanks to the thousands of people who have contributed to this effort, we can say with certainty that there will be a recount in Ohio,” said Blair Bobier, Media Director for the Cobb-LaMarche campaign.
IRAQ: FALLUJAH WARCRIMES
Independent: US Soldier Kills Wounded Insurgent In Cold Blood
'I Don't Think The US Is Paying Much Attention To The Geneva Conventions'
The US Marine Corps launched an investigation into possible war crimes last night after video footage taken inside a mosque in Fallujah apparently showed a Marine shooting dead an unarmed Iraqi insurgent who had been taken prisoner.
The footage showed several Marines with a group of prisoners who were either lying on the floor or propped against a wall of the bombed-out building. One Marine can be heard declaring that one of the prisoners was faking his injuries.
"He's fucking faking he's dead. He faking he's fucking dead," says the Marine. At that point a clatter of gunfire can be heard as one of the Marines shoots the prisoner. Another voice can then be heard saying: "He's dead now."
'I Don't Think The US Is Paying Much Attention To The Geneva Conventions'
The US Marine Corps launched an investigation into possible war crimes last night after video footage taken inside a mosque in Fallujah apparently showed a Marine shooting dead an unarmed Iraqi insurgent who had been taken prisoner.
The footage showed several Marines with a group of prisoners who were either lying on the floor or propped against a wall of the bombed-out building. One Marine can be heard declaring that one of the prisoners was faking his injuries.
"He's fucking faking he's dead. He faking he's fucking dead," says the Marine. At that point a clatter of gunfire can be heard as one of the Marines shoots the prisoner. Another voice can then be heard saying: "He's dead now."
IRAQ: FALLUJAH RESISTANCE
IPS: The Other Face Of US 'Success' In Fallujah
Everyone saw it coming, only the U.S. forces did not: humanitarian disaster in Fallujah, and stronger resistance against U.S. and allied occupying forces all around Iraq.
The real face of the 'success' of the U.S. military assault in Fallujah is now beginning to present itself. Thousands of families remain trapped inside Fallujah with no food, clean water or medical assistance.
No one can say how many of the 1,200 'rebels' U.S. forces claim to have killed inside Fallujah are civilians, or whether the death toll is higher.
Everyone saw it coming, only the U.S. forces did not: humanitarian disaster in Fallujah, and stronger resistance against U.S. and allied occupying forces all around Iraq.
The real face of the 'success' of the U.S. military assault in Fallujah is now beginning to present itself. Thousands of families remain trapped inside Fallujah with no food, clean water or medical assistance.
No one can say how many of the 1,200 'rebels' U.S. forces claim to have killed inside Fallujah are civilians, or whether the death toll is higher.
IRAQ: FALLUJAH
Reuters: Allawi Doesn't Believe Any Civilians Died
A Reuters correspondent who drove from north to south saw bloated and decomposing bodies in the streets, smashed homes, ruined mosques and power and telephone lines hanging uselessly.
Iraq's Red Crescent group has sent seven truck-loads of food and medicine to the city, but the U.S. forces have held up the aid at Falluja's main hospital, on the western outskirts.
A U.S. Marine commander said American forces were working to deliver assistance in the city themselves. Any Iraqis needing help would be told to go to the hospital, he said.
Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has said he doesn't believe any civilians were killed in the offensive, which has left 38 U.S. soldiers, 6 Iraqi troops and more than 1,200 insurgents dead. But witness accounts contradicted him.
A Reuters correspondent who drove from north to south saw bloated and decomposing bodies in the streets, smashed homes, ruined mosques and power and telephone lines hanging uselessly.
Iraq's Red Crescent group has sent seven truck-loads of food and medicine to the city, but the U.S. forces have held up the aid at Falluja's main hospital, on the western outskirts.
A U.S. Marine commander said American forces were working to deliver assistance in the city themselves. Any Iraqis needing help would be told to go to the hospital, he said.
Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has said he doesn't believe any civilians were killed in the offensive, which has left 38 U.S. soldiers, 6 Iraqi troops and more than 1,200 insurgents dead. But witness accounts contradicted him.
Monday, November 15, 2004
IRAQ: FALLUJAH RESISTANCE
Jihad Unspun: Fallujah Calls For Media To Dismiss Lies
Mujahideen spokesman, Abu Saad Al-Delaimy : “America is having news media crisis; if they control 90% or more of Fallujah as they alleged, I challenge them to allow world news satellite media to see for themselves”.
Abu Saad also described American allegations of killing 1000 Mujahideen as totally false. He said only 100 Mujahideen have been martyred, and the rest are civilians.
Mujahideen Council Releases Casualty Numbers
The office of Mafkarat al-Islam in Fallujah has received a communiqué issued by the Advisory Council of Fallujah Mujahideen detailing the results of battles in the city. Below is a run down on enemy casualties in personnel and war equipment:
Killed:
400 Americans
140 Allawi Army
Captured:
136 Americans
15 Brits
123 Allawi Army
Military Equipment:
2 Copters
11 F-16
1 Chinook
5 Reconnaissance plane
7 Abrahams Tanks
In addition to specific numbers listed above, Mujahideen have destroyed a large number of tanks and other mechanized vehicle. It is also worth noting that a Chinook aircraft carries 60 soldiers.
Mujahideen spokesman, Abu Saad Al-Delaimy : “America is having news media crisis; if they control 90% or more of Fallujah as they alleged, I challenge them to allow world news satellite media to see for themselves”.
Abu Saad also described American allegations of killing 1000 Mujahideen as totally false. He said only 100 Mujahideen have been martyred, and the rest are civilians.
Mujahideen Council Releases Casualty Numbers
The office of Mafkarat al-Islam in Fallujah has received a communiqué issued by the Advisory Council of Fallujah Mujahideen detailing the results of battles in the city. Below is a run down on enemy casualties in personnel and war equipment:
Killed:
400 Americans
140 Allawi Army
Captured:
136 Americans
15 Brits
123 Allawi Army
Military Equipment:
2 Copters
11 F-16
1 Chinook
5 Reconnaissance plane
7 Abrahams Tanks
In addition to specific numbers listed above, Mujahideen have destroyed a large number of tanks and other mechanized vehicle. It is also worth noting that a Chinook aircraft carries 60 soldiers.
IRAQ: FALLUJAH WAR CRIMES
Quotes:
http://www.news.com.au/common/printpage/0,6093,11389249,00.html
"THE US military said overnight it saw no need for the Iraqi Red
Crescent to deliver aid to people inside Fallujah as it did not think
any Iraqi civilians were trapped inside the city.
"There is no need to bring (Red Crescent) supplies in because we have
supplies of our own for the people," said US Marine Colonel Mike
Shupp.
"Now that the bridge (into Fallujah) is open, I will bring out
casualties and all aid work can be done here (at Fallujah's
hospital)."
He said he had not heard of any Iraqi civilians being trapped inside
the city and did not think that was the case.
The Iraqi Red Crescent believes at least 150 families are trapped
inside Fallujah and that many are in desperate need of food,
blankets, water and medicine.
Some residents still inside the city, contacted by Reuters today,
said their children were suffering from diarrhoea and had not eaten
for several days.
Asked what he intended to do about families and other non-combatants
trapped inside the city, Col Shupp said: "I don't think that is the
case.
"So in a city of 300'000 are no civilians left? Is everybody death or is everybody regarded as a terrorist?."
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=246764
"Hundreds of men trying to flee the assault on Fallujah have been
turned back by U.S. troops following orders to allow only women,
children and the elderly to leave.
...
As it believes many of Fallujah's men are guerrilla fighters, it has
instructed U.S. troops to turn back all males aged 15 to 55."
"which is a war crime"
http://tinyurl.com/5uonk
"Hussein moved from house to house ? dodging gunfire ? and reached
the river.
"I decided to swim ... but I changed my mind after seeing U.S.
helicopters firing on and killing people who tried to cross the
river."
He watched horrified as a family of five was shot dead as they tried
to cross. Then, he "helped bury a man by the river bank, with my own
hands."
"I kept walking along the river for two hours and I could still see
some U.S. snipers ready to shoot anyone who might swim. I quit the
idea of crossing the river and walked for about five hours through
orchards." "
Zitat NY Times:
"The offensive also shut down what officers said was a propaganda
weapon for the militants: Falluja General Hospital, with its stream
of reports of civilian casualties."
"hospitals are now propaganda weapons because the doctors are telling the world how many civillians died and therefore legitimate targets "
http://www.news.com.au/common/printpage/0,6093,11389249,00.html
"THE US military said overnight it saw no need for the Iraqi Red
Crescent to deliver aid to people inside Fallujah as it did not think
any Iraqi civilians were trapped inside the city.
"There is no need to bring (Red Crescent) supplies in because we have
supplies of our own for the people," said US Marine Colonel Mike
Shupp.
"Now that the bridge (into Fallujah) is open, I will bring out
casualties and all aid work can be done here (at Fallujah's
hospital)."
He said he had not heard of any Iraqi civilians being trapped inside
the city and did not think that was the case.
The Iraqi Red Crescent believes at least 150 families are trapped
inside Fallujah and that many are in desperate need of food,
blankets, water and medicine.
Some residents still inside the city, contacted by Reuters today,
said their children were suffering from diarrhoea and had not eaten
for several days.
Asked what he intended to do about families and other non-combatants
trapped inside the city, Col Shupp said: "I don't think that is the
case.
"So in a city of 300'000 are no civilians left? Is everybody death or is everybody regarded as a terrorist?."
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=246764
"Hundreds of men trying to flee the assault on Fallujah have been
turned back by U.S. troops following orders to allow only women,
children and the elderly to leave.
...
As it believes many of Fallujah's men are guerrilla fighters, it has
instructed U.S. troops to turn back all males aged 15 to 55."
"which is a war crime"
http://tinyurl.com/5uonk
"Hussein moved from house to house ? dodging gunfire ? and reached
the river.
"I decided to swim ... but I changed my mind after seeing U.S.
helicopters firing on and killing people who tried to cross the
river."
He watched horrified as a family of five was shot dead as they tried
to cross. Then, he "helped bury a man by the river bank, with my own
hands."
"I kept walking along the river for two hours and I could still see
some U.S. snipers ready to shoot anyone who might swim. I quit the
idea of crossing the river and walked for about five hours through
orchards." "
Zitat NY Times:
"The offensive also shut down what officers said was a propaganda
weapon for the militants: Falluja General Hospital, with its stream
of reports of civilian casualties."
"hospitals are now propaganda weapons because the doctors are telling the world how many civillians died and therefore legitimate targets "
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