ZMAG: Who's Afraid Of Venezuela-Cuba Alliance?
For a long time there was only one country in Latin America offering free health care to all its citizens. Now there are two. The governments of both countries regard health care as a basic human right. So Cuba, rich in health care, and Venezuela, rich in oil, have arranged a barter deal for the benefit of each population. This would seem to be a major historical example of beneficial free trade. Who could possibly object?
Well, Condoleezza Rice for one, who seems quite disturbed by this alliance. During an interview last October with the editorial board of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, then National Security Advisor Rice called President Hugo Chávez "a real problem." She said, "He will continue his contacts with Fidel Castro, maybe giving Castro one last fling to try to affect he politics of Latin America." Why is she so alarmed?
Monday, March 14, 2005
LEBANON
Counterpunch: Deeper Into the Quagmire by Paul Craig Roberts
How much longer can American prestige survive the embarrassments inflicted by President Bush?
Bush's demand that Syria immediately withdraw its troops from Lebanon is a ricochet demand. If Lebanon cannot have free elections while under foreign military occupation, how, asks the rest of the world, does Iraq have free elections when it is under US military occupation?
How much longer can American prestige survive the embarrassments inflicted by President Bush?
Bush's demand that Syria immediately withdraw its troops from Lebanon is a ricochet demand. If Lebanon cannot have free elections while under foreign military occupation, how, asks the rest of the world, does Iraq have free elections when it is under US military occupation?
LEBANON
Independent: Lebanon's Nightmare by Robert Fisk
Lebanon confronts nightmare today. As the Syrian army begins its withdrawal from the country this morning, after mounting pressure from President George Bush--whose anger at the Syrians has been provoked by the insurgency against American troops in Iraq--there are growing signs that the Syrian retreat is reopening the sectarian divisions of the 1975-1990 Lebanese civil war.
"...The irony is extraordinary: 140,000 American troops occupy Iraq--we shall leave the Israeli occupation forces in Palestinian lands out of this equation--while their President demands the withdrawal of 14,000 Syrian troops from Lebanon.
Democracy indeed!"
Lebanon confronts nightmare today. As the Syrian army begins its withdrawal from the country this morning, after mounting pressure from President George Bush--whose anger at the Syrians has been provoked by the insurgency against American troops in Iraq--there are growing signs that the Syrian retreat is reopening the sectarian divisions of the 1975-1990 Lebanese civil war.
"...The irony is extraordinary: 140,000 American troops occupy Iraq--we shall leave the Israeli occupation forces in Palestinian lands out of this equation--while their President demands the withdrawal of 14,000 Syrian troops from Lebanon.
Democracy indeed!"
PROPAGANDA WATCH
Saddam's Capture: Just Another Bush Lie?:
The account of American troops capturing Saddam and pulling him from his subterranean hovel has turned out to be just another Bush lie.
The account of American troops capturing Saddam and pulling him from his subterranean hovel has turned out to be just another Bush lie.
IRAQ: GUILIANA SGRENA
Independent: 'You are free. Come with me.' Then they shot him
Giuliana Sgrena, the Italian journalist held hostage in Iraq for a month, lies today in Rome's Celio military hospital recovering from the wounds she received when US troops fired into the car carrying her and her secret service liberator, Nicola Calipari, to Baghdad airport. In that short drive, Calipari died as he flung himself across her, saving her life for the second time that day. Here, for the first time in a British newspaper, she tells her full story in her own words
Giuliana Sgrena, the Italian journalist held hostage in Iraq for a month, lies today in Rome's Celio military hospital recovering from the wounds she received when US troops fired into the car carrying her and her secret service liberator, Nicola Calipari, to Baghdad airport. In that short drive, Calipari died as he flung himself across her, saving her life for the second time that day. Here, for the first time in a British newspaper, she tells her full story in her own words
US TORTURE
U.S. Marines Engaged in Mock Executions of Iraqi Juveniles
The documents the ACLU released today, describe substantiated incidents of torture and abuse by U.S. Marines, including:
-holding a pistol to the back of a detainee’s head while another Marine took a picture (Karbala, May 2003)
-ordering four Iraqi juveniles to kneel while a pistol was "discharged to conduct a mock execution" (Adiwaniyah, June 2003)
-severely burning a detainee’s hands by covering them in alcohol and igniting them (Al Mumudiyah, August 2003), and
-shocking a detainee with an electric transformer, causing the detainee to "dance" as he was shocked (Al Mumudiyah, April 2004). Continued
The documents the ACLU released today, describe substantiated incidents of torture and abuse by U.S. Marines, including:
-holding a pistol to the back of a detainee’s head while another Marine took a picture (Karbala, May 2003)
-ordering four Iraqi juveniles to kneel while a pistol was "discharged to conduct a mock execution" (Adiwaniyah, June 2003)
-severely burning a detainee’s hands by covering them in alcohol and igniting them (Al Mumudiyah, August 2003), and
-shocking a detainee with an electric transformer, causing the detainee to "dance" as he was shocked (Al Mumudiyah, April 2004). Continued
ISRAEL
Times: Revealed: Israel plans strike on Iranian nuclear plant
The inner cabinet of Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, gave “initial authorisation” for an attack at a private meeting last month on his ranch in the Negev desert.Continued
The inner cabinet of Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, gave “initial authorisation” for an attack at a private meeting last month on his ranch in the Negev desert.Continued
FALLUJAH VIDEO
Testimonies From Falluja
This video was created in Iraq by Hamodi Jasim of Al Qitaf Artistic Productions and brought to the world by independent Journalist Dahr Jamail . It contains exclusive footage from inside Falluja during the siege of the city, and interviews with Falluja residents. It is narrated in English by Dahr Jamail himself. 33 minutes, 7 seconds
This video was created in Iraq by Hamodi Jasim of Al Qitaf Artistic Productions and brought to the world by independent Journalist Dahr Jamail . It contains exclusive footage from inside Falluja during the siege of the city, and interviews with Falluja residents. It is narrated in English by Dahr Jamail himself. 33 minutes, 7 seconds
EURO VS. DOLLAR
Washingtonpost: Dollar Yo-Yos After Koizumi's 'Diversity' Remark
Once again, an Asian country -- this time, Japan -- hinted that its appetite for U.S. dollars might be waning. And once again, that prospect roiled global currency markets, highlighting concerns that the United States has grown too dependent on foreign capital.
The turbulence erupted yesterday when Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi asserted that Japan ought to consider diversifying the foreign currencies.
A tumble in the dollar against the euro ensued, prompting Japan's top economic policymakers to soothe markets with denials that any plan was afoot to unload greenbacks.
Once again, an Asian country -- this time, Japan -- hinted that its appetite for U.S. dollars might be waning. And once again, that prospect roiled global currency markets, highlighting concerns that the United States has grown too dependent on foreign capital.
The turbulence erupted yesterday when Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi asserted that Japan ought to consider diversifying the foreign currencies.
A tumble in the dollar against the euro ensued, prompting Japan's top economic policymakers to soothe markets with denials that any plan was afoot to unload greenbacks.
LEBANON
Rense: Hariri Assassinated To Make Way For US Air Base
by Wayne Madsen
According to high-level Lebanese intelligence sources-Christian and Muslim-former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was reportedly assassinated in a sophisticated explosion-by-wire bombing authorized by the Bush administration and Ariel Sharon's Likud government in Israel.
by Wayne Madsen
According to high-level Lebanese intelligence sources-Christian and Muslim-former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was reportedly assassinated in a sophisticated explosion-by-wire bombing authorized by the Bush administration and Ariel Sharon's Likud government in Israel.
MIDEAST
India Daily: Converging US NavyCarrier Groups In Mideast
The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt is on the move in Atlantic Ocean and is possibly headed towards the Mediterranean Sea. The convergence of three carrier groups in the corridor of the Middle East will send very strong message to the Syrians and Iranians. There are indications that soon US is moving two more aircraft carrier battle groups to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf. This will spell a formidable strike force for Iran and Syria who are in defiance on issues of Lebanon and Nuclear weapons development.
The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt is on the move in Atlantic Ocean and is possibly headed towards the Mediterranean Sea. The convergence of three carrier groups in the corridor of the Middle East will send very strong message to the Syrians and Iranians. There are indications that soon US is moving two more aircraft carrier battle groups to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf. This will spell a formidable strike force for Iran and Syria who are in defiance on issues of Lebanon and Nuclear weapons development.
CIA ABDUCTIONS
Truthout: Europeans Investigate CIA Role in Abductions
By Craig Whitlock
The Washington Post
Suspects possibly taken to nations that torture.
Milan - A radical Egyptian cleric known as Abu Omar was walking to a Milan mosque for noon prayers in February 2003 when he was grabbed on the sidewalk by two men, sprayed in the face with chemicals and stuffed into a van. He hasn't been seen since. Milan investigators, however, now appear to be close to identifying his kidnappers. Last month, officials showed up at Aviano Air Base in northern Italy and demanded records of any American planes that had flown into or out of the joint U.S.-Italian military installation around the time of the abduction. They also asked for logs of vehicles that had entered the base.
Italian authorities suspect the Egyptian was the target of a CIA-sponsored operation known as rendition, in which terrorism suspects are forcibly taken for interrogation to countries where torture is practiced.
The Italian probe is one of three official investigations that have surfaced in the past year into renditions believed to have taken place in Western Europe. Although the CIA usually carries out the operations with the help or blessing of friendly local intelligence agencies, law enforcement authorities in Italy, Germany and Sweden are examining whether U.S. agents may have broken local laws by detaining terrorist suspects on European soil and subjecting them to abuse or maltreatment.
By Craig Whitlock
The Washington Post
Suspects possibly taken to nations that torture.
Milan - A radical Egyptian cleric known as Abu Omar was walking to a Milan mosque for noon prayers in February 2003 when he was grabbed on the sidewalk by two men, sprayed in the face with chemicals and stuffed into a van. He hasn't been seen since. Milan investigators, however, now appear to be close to identifying his kidnappers. Last month, officials showed up at Aviano Air Base in northern Italy and demanded records of any American planes that had flown into or out of the joint U.S.-Italian military installation around the time of the abduction. They also asked for logs of vehicles that had entered the base.
Italian authorities suspect the Egyptian was the target of a CIA-sponsored operation known as rendition, in which terrorism suspects are forcibly taken for interrogation to countries where torture is practiced.
The Italian probe is one of three official investigations that have surfaced in the past year into renditions believed to have taken place in Western Europe. Although the CIA usually carries out the operations with the help or blessing of friendly local intelligence agencies, law enforcement authorities in Italy, Germany and Sweden are examining whether U.S. agents may have broken local laws by detaining terrorist suspects on European soil and subjecting them to abuse or maltreatment.
MEDIA WATCH
Truthout: Under Bush, a New Age of Prepackaged Television News
By David Barstow and Robin Stein
The New York Times
It is the kind of TV news coverage every president covets.
"Thank you, Bush. Thank you, U.S.A.," a jubilant Iraqi-American told a camera crew in Kansas City for a segment about reaction to the fall of Baghdad. A second report told of "another success" in the Bush administration's "drive to strengthen aviation security"; the reporter called it "one of the most remarkable campaigns in aviation history." A third segment, broadcast in January, described the administration's determination to open markets for American farmers.
To a viewer, each report looked like any other 90-second segment on the local news. In fact, the federal government produced all three. The report from Kansas City was made by the State Department. The "reporter" covering airport safety was actually a public relations professional working under a false name for the Transportation Security Administration. The farming segment was done by the Agriculture Department's office of communications.
CHECK IT
By David Barstow and Robin Stein
The New York Times
It is the kind of TV news coverage every president covets.
"Thank you, Bush. Thank you, U.S.A.," a jubilant Iraqi-American told a camera crew in Kansas City for a segment about reaction to the fall of Baghdad. A second report told of "another success" in the Bush administration's "drive to strengthen aviation security"; the reporter called it "one of the most remarkable campaigns in aviation history." A third segment, broadcast in January, described the administration's determination to open markets for American farmers.
To a viewer, each report looked like any other 90-second segment on the local news. In fact, the federal government produced all three. The report from Kansas City was made by the State Department. The "reporter" covering airport safety was actually a public relations professional working under a false name for the Transportation Security Administration. The farming segment was done by the Agriculture Department's office of communications.
CHECK IT
CHINA
BBC: US Watches China Warily
By steps big and small, China is changing the balance of power in the world.
It is modernising its military and expanding its reach with mobile launchers that could fire missiles into the American north-west and a navy and air force that could operate well beyond its borders.
None of this has escaped the notice of the United States which is calculating how to respond to China's emergence as a strategic power.
By steps big and small, China is changing the balance of power in the world.
It is modernising its military and expanding its reach with mobile launchers that could fire missiles into the American north-west and a navy and air force that could operate well beyond its borders.
None of this has escaped the notice of the United States which is calculating how to respond to China's emergence as a strategic power.
GANNON/GOSH
Tom Flocco: Bless the Beasts and the Children
Photographer for White House child sex ring arrested after Thompson suicide
TomFlocco.com -- Photographer Russell E. "Rusty" Nelson was recently arrested two days after journalist Hunter Thompson reportedly committed suicide four weeks ago on February 10, according to two phone interviews with attorney John DeCamp last week. Nelson was allegedly employed by a former Republican Party activist to take pictures of current or retired U.S. House-Senate members and other prominent government officials engaging in sexual criminality by receiving or committing sodomy and other sex acts on children during the Reagan-Bush 41 administrations.
Photographer for White House child sex ring arrested after Thompson suicide
TomFlocco.com -- Photographer Russell E. "Rusty" Nelson was recently arrested two days after journalist Hunter Thompson reportedly committed suicide four weeks ago on February 10, according to two phone interviews with attorney John DeCamp last week. Nelson was allegedly employed by a former Republican Party activist to take pictures of current or retired U.S. House-Senate members and other prominent government officials engaging in sexual criminality by receiving or committing sodomy and other sex acts on children during the Reagan-Bush 41 administrations.
HEZBOLLAH
Rense: Understanding Hezbollah Of Lebanon by Sam Hamoud
It is time America understood Hezbollah for what it really is, not what the Israelis and their Zionist friends say it is. Unfortunately, our President, Bush, and Conde Rice, misunderstand, or prefer to remain ignorant of, the truth about Hezbollah.
Hezbollah is a social, political, educational, medical and military organization based primarily among the Shi'a of Lebanon. In addition, Hezbollah also includes many Sunni and even Christians who ally themselves with Hezbollah because of the good this organization does in Lebanon. Many of the doctors who work in their centers, as well as teachers in their schools are Christian and Druze.
As the Christian President of Lebanon, Emile Lahoud said of Hezbollah, when it was under attack by Presiden Bush, "Hezbollah is an integral part of the Lebanese government, it is also part of our military, it part of our social order." This was echoed by the late, beloved, Prime Minister, Rafik Harriri.
This is the truth about Hezbollah; not what Bush and his Zionist cronies, and the uneducated Conde Rice has to say about the organization.
It is time America understood Hezbollah for what it really is, not what the Israelis and their Zionist friends say it is. Unfortunately, our President, Bush, and Conde Rice, misunderstand, or prefer to remain ignorant of, the truth about Hezbollah.
Hezbollah is a social, political, educational, medical and military organization based primarily among the Shi'a of Lebanon. In addition, Hezbollah also includes many Sunni and even Christians who ally themselves with Hezbollah because of the good this organization does in Lebanon. Many of the doctors who work in their centers, as well as teachers in their schools are Christian and Druze.
As the Christian President of Lebanon, Emile Lahoud said of Hezbollah, when it was under attack by Presiden Bush, "Hezbollah is an integral part of the Lebanese government, it is also part of our military, it part of our social order." This was echoed by the late, beloved, Prime Minister, Rafik Harriri.
This is the truth about Hezbollah; not what Bush and his Zionist cronies, and the uneducated Conde Rice has to say about the organization.
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