Rense: US Attacks On Najaf Are 'Unforgivable' & 'Shameful'
Our shameful attacks on the Holy City of Najaf with F16s, Apaches, Bradleys and tanks, destroying holy sites, people,s homes, hospitals and schools is unforgiveable. This is a further black day in America,s history. We have killed the native Americans, made slaves of African Americans, abused the Third World for two centuries, killed foreign leaders such as Allende of Chile, Bishop of Grenada, tried to kill Fidel Castro and Mu'ummar Qaddafi of Libya, and have killed Imam Hakim in Iraq, tried to kill Sistani and are now trying to kill a leader of the common people, Muqtadr Al Sadr - all under the flag of 'democracy' and 'freedom'. Actually, we are the new colonialists and have been for some time. It is once again time for us ordinary citizens to chastise our government and its wrong doings in the world - this time in Iraq.
Professor Sam Hamod is a former advisor to the State Department; editor of 3rd World News: Director of The Islamic Center of Washington, DC (retired) and edits www.todaysalternativenews.com. He may be reached at shamod@cox.net.
Thursday, August 12, 2004
IRAQ: REASON FOR WAR
War without End: Gen. Franks Says Threat on Israel Justified Iraq Invasion
We have Dick Cheney telling Ariel Sharon in March of 2002 that the US will Invade Iraq to protect Israel. This is according to Ariel Sharon, as he stated on Israeli radio.
We have General Zinni, Senator Hollingsworth and Patrick Buchanan saying the same thing.
We have Richard Clarke pointing, though carefully skirting complete implication, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict being the key issue to terrorism.
We have retired Brigadier General David writing a letter to the editor in Atlanta this past winter saying this.
We have Chalabi removed once he reneges on his promise to the neocons to complete a pipeline from Iraq to Haifa in order to supply Israel with a never ending stream of cheap oil.
We have Condi Rice stating on national television six weeks before 9/11 that Saddam Hussein is not a threat nuclear or otherwise and he is effectively contained. What changed in six weeks?
We have the PNAC report, created by a military think tank for Israel in the US outlining all of this, including a "second Pearl Harbor" like event.
And now we have General Tommy Franks stating Israel was to be protected and this justified our breaking international law.
We have Dick Cheney telling Ariel Sharon in March of 2002 that the US will Invade Iraq to protect Israel. This is according to Ariel Sharon, as he stated on Israeli radio.
We have General Zinni, Senator Hollingsworth and Patrick Buchanan saying the same thing.
We have Richard Clarke pointing, though carefully skirting complete implication, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict being the key issue to terrorism.
We have retired Brigadier General David writing a letter to the editor in Atlanta this past winter saying this.
We have Chalabi removed once he reneges on his promise to the neocons to complete a pipeline from Iraq to Haifa in order to supply Israel with a never ending stream of cheap oil.
We have Condi Rice stating on national television six weeks before 9/11 that Saddam Hussein is not a threat nuclear or otherwise and he is effectively contained. What changed in six weeks?
We have the PNAC report, created by a military think tank for Israel in the US outlining all of this, including a "second Pearl Harbor" like event.
And now we have General Tommy Franks stating Israel was to be protected and this justified our breaking international law.
TAIWAN: WAR GAMES
AFP: China Could Defeat Taiwan 'In Six Days' - Report
TAIPEI (AFP) - Taiwan's armed forces staged a drill simulating an invasion by rival China Wednesday, as a military computer exercise showed the Taiwanese troops could withstand a similar onslaught for just six days. The scenario of the maneuver, the first of two rehearsals for a major exercise to be held on August 25, was that Taiwan troops had failed to hold off an amphibious landing by Chinese forces, TVBS cable television showed.
TAIPEI (AFP) - Taiwan's armed forces staged a drill simulating an invasion by rival China Wednesday, as a military computer exercise showed the Taiwanese troops could withstand a similar onslaught for just six days. The scenario of the maneuver, the first of two rehearsals for a major exercise to be held on August 25, was that Taiwan troops had failed to hold off an amphibious landing by Chinese forces, TVBS cable television showed.
IRAQ: IS EXPLODING
Independent: US Begins Massive Bombing Of Najaf
American warplanes began bombarding insurgent positions in Najaf last night and troops used loudspeakers to urge civilians to leave the area after the sixth successive day of fighting between US Marines and Shia gunmen.
The battle for control of the holy Shia city intensified after helicopter gunships, artillery and tanks were used to try to clear the city's hallowed cemetery - the graveyard is a hideout of militiamen led by the cleric Muqtada Sadr.
In Najaf, now the focal point of the 15-month insurgency against the presence of US, British and other foreign forces in Iraq, witnesses reported plumes of smoke rising above the cemetery and said that Sadr's Mehdi Army had attacked an Iraqi police checkpoint in the city, killing and wounding several uniformed men.
A Sadr aide, Qais al-Khazali, declared: "What is going on in Najaf and elsewhere is mass killing by the Americans and the so-called interim government."
American warplanes began bombarding insurgent positions in Najaf last night and troops used loudspeakers to urge civilians to leave the area after the sixth successive day of fighting between US Marines and Shia gunmen.
The battle for control of the holy Shia city intensified after helicopter gunships, artillery and tanks were used to try to clear the city's hallowed cemetery - the graveyard is a hideout of militiamen led by the cleric Muqtada Sadr.
In Najaf, now the focal point of the 15-month insurgency against the presence of US, British and other foreign forces in Iraq, witnesses reported plumes of smoke rising above the cemetery and said that Sadr's Mehdi Army had attacked an Iraqi police checkpoint in the city, killing and wounding several uniformed men.
A Sadr aide, Qais al-Khazali, declared: "What is going on in Najaf and elsewhere is mass killing by the Americans and the so-called interim government."
IRAQ: DEMOCRACY
Guardian: A Fear Of Free Speech
A few years back, a major Arab government took "mild" action against al-Jazeera: the then information minister issued a decree preventing our correspondent from attending official functions.
When we contacted that government for an explanation, the minister cited a report we had aired, which had looked critically at a huge irrigation project that had flopped.
We pointed out to the minister that the report was not of our own production and that it had been aired by a major foreign news channel a couple of weeks beforehand.
We also noted that his government had not complained to the foreign channel. The minister replied that the other channel was broadcasting in English and many of his countrymen did not watch it.
But al-Jazeera "spoke" the same language and had a wide audience. As such the report was seen as an embarrassment.
...There is also possibly the more sinister motive of imposing a blockade on news reports while al-Sadr and the city of Najaf are "dealt with".
...The wording of the justification of such action may differ from one country to another, but the gist is always the same: undermining state security (normally code for criticising the leadership); providing a platform for terrorists (usually means political opposition); and insulting the people of the country (normally means criticising a failed policy).
"CHECK IT"
A few years back, a major Arab government took "mild" action against al-Jazeera: the then information minister issued a decree preventing our correspondent from attending official functions.
When we contacted that government for an explanation, the minister cited a report we had aired, which had looked critically at a huge irrigation project that had flopped.
We pointed out to the minister that the report was not of our own production and that it had been aired by a major foreign news channel a couple of weeks beforehand.
We also noted that his government had not complained to the foreign channel. The minister replied that the other channel was broadcasting in English and many of his countrymen did not watch it.
But al-Jazeera "spoke" the same language and had a wide audience. As such the report was seen as an embarrassment.
...There is also possibly the more sinister motive of imposing a blockade on news reports while al-Sadr and the city of Najaf are "dealt with".
...The wording of the justification of such action may differ from one country to another, but the gist is always the same: undermining state security (normally code for criticising the leadership); providing a platform for terrorists (usually means political opposition); and insulting the people of the country (normally means criticising a failed policy).
"CHECK IT"
IRAQ: DEMOCRACY
CNN: Iraq shuts Al-Jazeera's Baghdad office
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraq's interim government has closed the Baghdad office of the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera television network for one month, citing national security concerns.
"This decision was taken to protect the people of Iraq and the interests of Iraq," Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's told a news conference Saturday.
Allawi said the order to close Al-Jazeera, which was to take effect immediately, came after an independent commission monitored the network's reports.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraq's interim government has closed the Baghdad office of the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera television network for one month, citing national security concerns.
"This decision was taken to protect the people of Iraq and the interests of Iraq," Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's told a news conference Saturday.
Allawi said the order to close Al-Jazeera, which was to take effect immediately, came after an independent commission monitored the network's reports.
Monday, August 09, 2004
USA: SPINNING A WAR WITH IRAN
AP: Rice Says World Is Determined to Prevent a Nuclear-Armed Iran
August 8, 2004 WASHINGTON (AP) -- With Iran stepping up its nuclear program, a top White House aide said Sunday the world finally is ``worried and suspicious'' over the Iranians' intentions and is determined not to let Tehran produce a nuclear weapon.
National security adviser Condoleezza Rice also said the Bush administration sees a new international willingness to act against Iran's nuclear program. She credited the changed attitude to the Americans' insistence that Iran's effort put the world in peril.
She would not say whether the United States would act alone to end the program if the administration could not win international support
August 8, 2004 WASHINGTON (AP) -- With Iran stepping up its nuclear program, a top White House aide said Sunday the world finally is ``worried and suspicious'' over the Iranians' intentions and is determined not to let Tehran produce a nuclear weapon.
National security adviser Condoleezza Rice also said the Bush administration sees a new international willingness to act against Iran's nuclear program. She credited the changed attitude to the Americans' insistence that Iran's effort put the world in peril.
She would not say whether the United States would act alone to end the program if the administration could not win international support
IRAQ: DEMOCRACY
New York Times: Media coverage 'Afghanizes' Iraq by Paul Krugman
A funny thing happened after the United States transferred sovereignty over Iraq. On the ground, things didn't change, except for the worse.
But as Matthew Yglesias of The American Prospect puts it, the cosmetic change in regime had the effect of "Afghanizing" the media coverage of Iraq.
He's referring to the way news coverage of Afghanistan dropped off sharply after the initial military defeat of the Taliban. A nation we had gone to war to liberate and had promised to secure and rebuild -- a promise largely broken -- once again became a small, faraway country of which we knew nothing.
Incredibly, the same thing happened to Iraq after June 28. Iraq stories moved to the inside pages of newspapers, and largely off TV screens. Many people got the impression that things had improved. Even journalists were taken in: A number of newspaper stories asserted that the rate of U.S. losses there fell after the handoff. (Actual figures: 42 American soldiers died in June, and 54 in July.)
The trouble with this shift of attention is that if we don't have a clear picture of what's actually happening in Iraq, we can't have a serious discussion of the options that remain for making the best of a very bad situation.
A funny thing happened after the United States transferred sovereignty over Iraq. On the ground, things didn't change, except for the worse.
But as Matthew Yglesias of The American Prospect puts it, the cosmetic change in regime had the effect of "Afghanizing" the media coverage of Iraq.
He's referring to the way news coverage of Afghanistan dropped off sharply after the initial military defeat of the Taliban. A nation we had gone to war to liberate and had promised to secure and rebuild -- a promise largely broken -- once again became a small, faraway country of which we knew nothing.
Incredibly, the same thing happened to Iraq after June 28. Iraq stories moved to the inside pages of newspapers, and largely off TV screens. Many people got the impression that things had improved. Even journalists were taken in: A number of newspaper stories asserted that the rate of U.S. losses there fell after the handoff. (Actual figures: 42 American soldiers died in June, and 54 in July.)
The trouble with this shift of attention is that if we don't have a clear picture of what's actually happening in Iraq, we can't have a serious discussion of the options that remain for making the best of a very bad situation.
IRAQ: RESISTANCE
Christian Science Monitor: The battle for Najaf
A first-hand account by the only Western reporter in Najaf as major fighting broke out late last week
NAJAF, IRAQ – Last week, staff writer Scott Baldauf, an Iraqi interpreter, and freelance photographer Kael Alford traveled from Baghdad to the central Iraqi city of Najaf intending to write about growing tension between the Iraqi government and the Shiite militia (Mahdi Army) of Moqtada al-Sadr, an anti-American cleric. When they arrived fighting was already underway, and has continued for three days now. One American military spokesman called it the heaviest fighting since the fall of Saddam Hussein. To their surprise, they were the only Western journalists in the holy Shiite city.
What follows is Scott Baldauf's journal of events in Najaf from Thursday morning until Friday afternoon.
"CHECK IT"
A first-hand account by the only Western reporter in Najaf as major fighting broke out late last week
NAJAF, IRAQ – Last week, staff writer Scott Baldauf, an Iraqi interpreter, and freelance photographer Kael Alford traveled from Baghdad to the central Iraqi city of Najaf intending to write about growing tension between the Iraqi government and the Shiite militia (Mahdi Army) of Moqtada al-Sadr, an anti-American cleric. When they arrived fighting was already underway, and has continued for three days now. One American military spokesman called it the heaviest fighting since the fall of Saddam Hussein. To their surprise, they were the only Western journalists in the holy Shiite city.
What follows is Scott Baldauf's journal of events in Najaf from Thursday morning until Friday afternoon.
"CHECK IT"
IRAQ: RESISTANCE
AFP: Radical Iraqi cleric vows to fight Najaf 'occupation'
Radical Iraqi Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has vowed to fight the "occupation of Najaf" until his "last drop of blood", as clashes continued between his militiamen and US forces for a fifth day.
"I will defend Najaf until my last drop of blood," he told a news conference in this Shiite holy city's revered Imam Ali shrine, which has remained a militia stronghold since his spring uprising against foreign troops.
"Do not call them fighters of the Mehdi Army any longer, call them defenders of the city," he added.
"The occupiers must go, and then the democratic process can start in Iraq.
"I will stay here to support the fighters and I call on all religious dignitaries to do the same."
Sadr was speaking the day after Iraqi Prime Minister Iwad Allawi made a surprise visit to Najaf, where he called on the militia to lay down their arms and leave the city.
Radical Iraqi Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has vowed to fight the "occupation of Najaf" until his "last drop of blood", as clashes continued between his militiamen and US forces for a fifth day.
"I will defend Najaf until my last drop of blood," he told a news conference in this Shiite holy city's revered Imam Ali shrine, which has remained a militia stronghold since his spring uprising against foreign troops.
"Do not call them fighters of the Mehdi Army any longer, call them defenders of the city," he added.
"The occupiers must go, and then the democratic process can start in Iraq.
"I will stay here to support the fighters and I call on all religious dignitaries to do the same."
Sadr was speaking the day after Iraqi Prime Minister Iwad Allawi made a surprise visit to Najaf, where he called on the militia to lay down their arms and leave the city.
IRAQ: FREDOM
Globe and Mail: Iraq 'Far, Far Less Safe' Than Before Occupation
George W. Bush and Tony Blair claim to have made the world a safer place by invading and occupying Iraq. Whether they have remains to be seen.
What is certain is that they have rendered Iraq far, far more unsafe for the average Iraqi, and my own Christian relatives in particular.
Refugee officials in Damascus now estimate that Iraqi Christians, about 3 per cent of the country's total population, make up 20 per cent of Iraqi refugees in Syria.
If you think about how hard life was under Saddam Hussein's regime, to have made it so much worse seems particularly horrendous and irresponsible.
It's impossible for me to understand how postwar planning for Iraq never included (and still does not include) guarding the huge Iraqi border with Iran, Syria, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
George W. Bush and Tony Blair claim to have made the world a safer place by invading and occupying Iraq. Whether they have remains to be seen.
What is certain is that they have rendered Iraq far, far more unsafe for the average Iraqi, and my own Christian relatives in particular.
Refugee officials in Damascus now estimate that Iraqi Christians, about 3 per cent of the country's total population, make up 20 per cent of Iraqi refugees in Syria.
If you think about how hard life was under Saddam Hussein's regime, to have made it so much worse seems particularly horrendous and irresponsible.
It's impossible for me to understand how postwar planning for Iraq never included (and still does not include) guarding the huge Iraqi border with Iran, Syria, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
IRAQ: FREEDOM
Islam Online: Iraqis Denounce US-Made
'Bloodbath' In Najaf
BAGHDAD (IslamOnline.net) - As fighting kept raging in the holy Iraqi city of Najaf between US occupation forces and Mehdi Army fighters, loyal to firebrand Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr, Sunni and Shiite leaders slammed what they saw as a "bloodbath" and called upon the international community to step in to rein the Americans.
This came as Iraqi Interim Prime Minster Iyad Allawi arrived Sunday, August 8, in war-torn Najaf and called on fighters loyal to Sadr to leave the city as soon as possible.
Commenting on the escalating fighting in Najaf dragging on for the fourth day running, Shiite and Sunni leaders slammed what they said were "horrific practices" of the occupation forces against the Iraqi citizens in the Shiite holy city and elsewhere across Iraq.
"Such incidents are similar to the days of the former regime when Saddam Hussein used to commit mass killings while they (the Americans) make public funerals" the Association of Muslim Scholars press spokesman sheikh Mohamed Bashar Al-Faidi told IslamOnline.net.
'Bloodbath' In Najaf
BAGHDAD (IslamOnline.net) - As fighting kept raging in the holy Iraqi city of Najaf between US occupation forces and Mehdi Army fighters, loyal to firebrand Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr, Sunni and Shiite leaders slammed what they saw as a "bloodbath" and called upon the international community to step in to rein the Americans.
This came as Iraqi Interim Prime Minster Iyad Allawi arrived Sunday, August 8, in war-torn Najaf and called on fighters loyal to Sadr to leave the city as soon as possible.
Commenting on the escalating fighting in Najaf dragging on for the fourth day running, Shiite and Sunni leaders slammed what they said were "horrific practices" of the occupation forces against the Iraqi citizens in the Shiite holy city and elsewhere across Iraq.
"Such incidents are similar to the days of the former regime when Saddam Hussein used to commit mass killings while they (the Americans) make public funerals" the Association of Muslim Scholars press spokesman sheikh Mohamed Bashar Al-Faidi told IslamOnline.net.
IRAQ
Guardian: Saddam Trial Chief Faces
Iraqi Murder Charge
Salem Chalabi, the man organising the trial of Saddam Hussein, was facing a murder charge himself last night after an Iraqi judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
Another was issued for his uncle Ahmed Chalabi, the founder of the Iraqi National Congress and a former key ally of the US. He is accused of money laundering.
Both men denied the accusations, which they said were politically motivated.
Salem Chalabi, head of the Iraqi Special Tribunal, was named as a suspect for the murder in June of Haithem Fadhil, director general of the finance ministry.
"Ironie"
Iraqi Murder Charge
Salem Chalabi, the man organising the trial of Saddam Hussein, was facing a murder charge himself last night after an Iraqi judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
Another was issued for his uncle Ahmed Chalabi, the founder of the Iraqi National Congress and a former key ally of the US. He is accused of money laundering.
Both men denied the accusations, which they said were politically motivated.
Salem Chalabi, head of the Iraqi Special Tribunal, was named as a suspect for the murder in June of Haithem Fadhil, director general of the finance ministry.
"Ironie"
Friday, August 06, 2004
IRAQ: RESISTANCE
Jihadunspun: Iraqi Resistance Captures
US General In Ramadi
In the latest news in Iraq, resistance fighters have captured a US general in Ramadi. The Americans went ballistic with this news and closed all roads in and out of the city. Heavy fighting is currently underway.
It appears something major is breaking in the city. Details are just coming in and information is limited as of press time. More details are to come as they are available, inshaAllah.
US General In Ramadi
In the latest news in Iraq, resistance fighters have captured a US general in Ramadi. The Americans went ballistic with this news and closed all roads in and out of the city. Heavy fighting is currently underway.
It appears something major is breaking in the city. Details are just coming in and information is limited as of press time. More details are to come as they are available, inshaAllah.
Thursday, August 05, 2004
IRAQ
Asia Times: When Grozny comes to Fallujah
Do not be surprised to see three or four divisions of the Russian army in the Sunni triangle before year-end, with an announcement just prior to the US presidential election in November. Long rumored (or under negotiation), a Russian deployment of 40,000 soldiers was predicted on July 16 by the US intelligence site www.stratfor.com, and denied by the Russian Foreign Ministry on July 20. Nonetheless, the logic is compelling. Russian support for US occupation forces would make scorched earth of Senator John Kerry's attack on the Bush administration's foreign policy, namely its failure to form effective alliances. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, the chance to make scorched earth of Fallujah is even more tempting.
Do not be surprised to see three or four divisions of the Russian army in the Sunni triangle before year-end, with an announcement just prior to the US presidential election in November. Long rumored (or under negotiation), a Russian deployment of 40,000 soldiers was predicted on July 16 by the US intelligence site www.stratfor.com, and denied by the Russian Foreign Ministry on July 20. Nonetheless, the logic is compelling. Russian support for US occupation forces would make scorched earth of Senator John Kerry's attack on the Bush administration's foreign policy, namely its failure to form effective alliances. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, the chance to make scorched earth of Fallujah is even more tempting.
PROPAGANDA WATCH: USA
Truth Out: Fabricating Terror
Let me get this straight.
Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge came barnstorming out on Sunday with a blizzard of warnings about looming terror attacks against targets in New York, New Jersey and Washington DC. Our nifty color-coded alert system was raised to Orange, or High. Headlines from coast to coast blared the bad news, and the stock market began Monday by giving itself a sound beating.
Late Monday night, however, had articles popping up on the Washington Post and the New York Times. This was the Post's midnight take: "Most of the al-Qaeda surveillance of five financial institutions that led to a new terrorism alert Sunday was conducted before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and authorities are not sure whether the casing of the buildings has continued, numerous intelligence and law enforcement officials said yesterday...'There is nothing right now that we're hearing that is new,' said one senior law enforcement official who was briefed on the alert. 'Why did we go to this level? I still don't know that.'"
The data was three years old.
Let me get this straight.
Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge came barnstorming out on Sunday with a blizzard of warnings about looming terror attacks against targets in New York, New Jersey and Washington DC. Our nifty color-coded alert system was raised to Orange, or High. Headlines from coast to coast blared the bad news, and the stock market began Monday by giving itself a sound beating.
Late Monday night, however, had articles popping up on the Washington Post and the New York Times. This was the Post's midnight take: "Most of the al-Qaeda surveillance of five financial institutions that led to a new terrorism alert Sunday was conducted before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and authorities are not sure whether the casing of the buildings has continued, numerous intelligence and law enforcement officials said yesterday...'There is nothing right now that we're hearing that is new,' said one senior law enforcement official who was briefed on the alert. 'Why did we go to this level? I still don't know that.'"
The data was three years old.
GUANTANAMO: TORTURE
Truth Out: Abu Ghraib General Claims Conspiracy
London - The general who headed the U.S. military prison at Abu Ghraib said in an interview broadcast Tuesday that there had been a conspiracy to prevent her knowing about prisoner abuse at the jail.
Brig. Gen. Janis Karpinski, who was suspended by the Pentagon in May, has denied knowing about any mistreatment prisoners until photographs surfaced at the end of April. U.S. investigators have not implicated Karpinski directly in any of the abuses.
Karpinski told British Broadcasting Corp. radio that she had information suggesting officials took action to keep her in the dark about the mistreatment.
London - The general who headed the U.S. military prison at Abu Ghraib said in an interview broadcast Tuesday that there had been a conspiracy to prevent her knowing about prisoner abuse at the jail.
Brig. Gen. Janis Karpinski, who was suspended by the Pentagon in May, has denied knowing about any mistreatment prisoners until photographs surfaced at the end of April. U.S. investigators have not implicated Karpinski directly in any of the abuses.
Karpinski told British Broadcasting Corp. radio that she had information suggesting officials took action to keep her in the dark about the mistreatment.
OSAMA BIN LADEN
Independent: Searching For Osama bin Laden
PESHAWAR -- Somewhere, a man huddles in the shadows, speaking into a tape recorder, bringing his latest message to the outside world. His face is instantly recognisable. There is a $25m price tag on his head, and just a snippet of information on his whereabouts could make a man rich for life. He is the most wanted man in the world, but for more than three years, nobody has been able to find a trace of Osama bin Laden's whereabouts.
With Washington and New York this week on orange alert, and the US releasing what it claims is the most detailed evidence yet of an al-Qa'ida plot to strike inside its borders, the focus is suddenly back on the hunt for Bin Laden. Al-Qa'ida allies are being blamed for the loathsome beheadings of foreigners that have become almost a grisly routine in Iraq. And with a US national election looming and President George Bush doing badly in the polls, the White House is said to be desperate to capture their man in time for November.
...And all the while the world's most wanted man remains silent, hidden. The only thing for sure is that if he has been killed or captured, we'll hear of it well in time for November's elections. But don't bet on it yet.
PESHAWAR -- Somewhere, a man huddles in the shadows, speaking into a tape recorder, bringing his latest message to the outside world. His face is instantly recognisable. There is a $25m price tag on his head, and just a snippet of information on his whereabouts could make a man rich for life. He is the most wanted man in the world, but for more than three years, nobody has been able to find a trace of Osama bin Laden's whereabouts.
With Washington and New York this week on orange alert, and the US releasing what it claims is the most detailed evidence yet of an al-Qa'ida plot to strike inside its borders, the focus is suddenly back on the hunt for Bin Laden. Al-Qa'ida allies are being blamed for the loathsome beheadings of foreigners that have become almost a grisly routine in Iraq. And with a US national election looming and President George Bush doing badly in the polls, the White House is said to be desperate to capture their man in time for November.
...And all the while the world's most wanted man remains silent, hidden. The only thing for sure is that if he has been killed or captured, we'll hear of it well in time for November's elections. But don't bet on it yet.
ISRAEL VS. IRAN
Islamonline: Israeli Attack On Iran To Stir Explosive Autumn
CAIRO (IslamOnline.net) - Israel could launch a massive strike at Iran's nuclear facilities in autumn, creating an explosive situation in the region with a possible fierce response from Tehran, Arab diplomats have expected according to a leading Arabic-language newspaper.
"Exploiting the November US presidential elections and the European concerns, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon could order a strike at Iran's nuclear facilities, similar to the ones Israelis executed in 1981 against Iraq's nuclear weapons program", the diplomats were quoted by the London-based newspaper Al Hayat on Wednesday, August 4.
As Israeli officials have said they will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, Iran warned of a disastrous retaliation that will "wipe Israel off the face of earth, in the words of the public relations head of the Revolutionary Guards, Commander Seyed Masood Jazayeri on July 26.
CAIRO (IslamOnline.net) - Israel could launch a massive strike at Iran's nuclear facilities in autumn, creating an explosive situation in the region with a possible fierce response from Tehran, Arab diplomats have expected according to a leading Arabic-language newspaper.
"Exploiting the November US presidential elections and the European concerns, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon could order a strike at Iran's nuclear facilities, similar to the ones Israelis executed in 1981 against Iraq's nuclear weapons program", the diplomats were quoted by the London-based newspaper Al Hayat on Wednesday, August 4.
As Israeli officials have said they will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, Iran warned of a disastrous retaliation that will "wipe Israel off the face of earth, in the words of the public relations head of the Revolutionary Guards, Commander Seyed Masood Jazayeri on July 26.
GUANTANAMO: TORTURE
Guardian: US Abuse At Gitmo Could Be War Crimes - Red Cross
Repeated abuses allegedly suffered by three British prisoners at the hands of US interrogators and guards in the Guant·namo Bay detention camp in Cuba could amount to war crimes, the Red Cross said yesterday.
The organisation, which maintains a rigidly neutral stance in public, took the unusual step of voicing its concerns in uncompromising language after the former detainees, known as the Tipton Three, revealed that they had been beaten, shackled, photographed naked and in one incident questioned at gunpoint while in US custody.
Repeated abuses allegedly suffered by three British prisoners at the hands of US interrogators and guards in the Guant·namo Bay detention camp in Cuba could amount to war crimes, the Red Cross said yesterday.
The organisation, which maintains a rigidly neutral stance in public, took the unusual step of voicing its concerns in uncompromising language after the former detainees, known as the Tipton Three, revealed that they had been beaten, shackled, photographed naked and in one incident questioned at gunpoint while in US custody.
USA: ELECTIONS
Rense: Nader's The One
Are you an authentic human being or a brainwashed media-controlled robot?
I consider it one of the clearest indications that Americans are completely brainwashed and anesthetized in a consumeristic, media-induced coma that Ralph Nader, a man who has accomplished much for the actual benefit of many Americans, is regarded as the illegitimate presidential candidate who can't even get on the ballot in many states, while George W. Bush and John Kerry, two privileged patricians who have never even held a job that wasn't handed to them by their rich friends, and certainly have never done anything significantly positive for humanity, are widely recognized as the only realistic choices for voters in the upcoming election.
Are you an authentic human being or a brainwashed media-controlled robot?
I consider it one of the clearest indications that Americans are completely brainwashed and anesthetized in a consumeristic, media-induced coma that Ralph Nader, a man who has accomplished much for the actual benefit of many Americans, is regarded as the illegitimate presidential candidate who can't even get on the ballot in many states, while George W. Bush and John Kerry, two privileged patricians who have never even held a job that wasn't handed to them by their rich friends, and certainly have never done anything significantly positive for humanity, are widely recognized as the only realistic choices for voters in the upcoming election.
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
SUDAN
Guardian: The mask of altruism disguising a colonial war
Oil will be the driving factor for military intervention in Sudan
If proof were needed that Tony Blair is off the hook over Iraq, it came not during the Commons debate on the Butler report on July 21, but rather at his monthly press conference the following morning. Asked about the crisis in Sudan, Mr Blair replied: "I believe we have a moral responsibility to deal with this and to deal with it by any means that we can." This last phrase means that troops might be sent - as General Sir Mike Jackson, the chief of the general staff, immediately confirmed - and yet the reaction from the usual anti-war campaigners was silence.
Mr Blair has invoked moral necessity for every one of the five wars he has fought in this, surely one of the most bellicose premierships in history. The bombing campaign against Iraq in December 1998, the 74-day bombardment of Yugoslavia in 1999, the intervention in Sierra Leone in the spring of 2000, the attack on Afghanistan in October 2001, and the Iraq war last March were all justified with the bright certainties which shone from the prime minister's eyes. Blair even defended Bill Clinton's attack on the al-Shifa pharmaceuticals factory in Sudan in August 1998, on the entirely bogus grounds that it was really manufacturing anthrax instead of aspirin.
"CHECK IT"
Oil will be the driving factor for military intervention in Sudan
If proof were needed that Tony Blair is off the hook over Iraq, it came not during the Commons debate on the Butler report on July 21, but rather at his monthly press conference the following morning. Asked about the crisis in Sudan, Mr Blair replied: "I believe we have a moral responsibility to deal with this and to deal with it by any means that we can." This last phrase means that troops might be sent - as General Sir Mike Jackson, the chief of the general staff, immediately confirmed - and yet the reaction from the usual anti-war campaigners was silence.
Mr Blair has invoked moral necessity for every one of the five wars he has fought in this, surely one of the most bellicose premierships in history. The bombing campaign against Iraq in December 1998, the 74-day bombardment of Yugoslavia in 1999, the intervention in Sierra Leone in the spring of 2000, the attack on Afghanistan in October 2001, and the Iraq war last March were all justified with the bright certainties which shone from the prime minister's eyes. Blair even defended Bill Clinton's attack on the al-Shifa pharmaceuticals factory in Sudan in August 1998, on the entirely bogus grounds that it was really manufacturing anthrax instead of aspirin.
"CHECK IT"
OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Haaretz: 600 New Homes Approved For Occupied West Bank
The Defense Ministry has approved 600 new housing units in Ma'aleh Adumim, the largest West Bank settlement, ministry spokesman Eli Kamir said Monday.
Political sources said the plan could breach an understanding with the United States not to build more homes beyond the existing construction line in West Bank settlements.
The sources said clearance for the housing at Ma'aleh Adumim, a few kilometers east of Jerusalem, was given two months ago by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz.
The Defense Ministry has approved 600 new housing units in Ma'aleh Adumim, the largest West Bank settlement, ministry spokesman Eli Kamir said Monday.
Political sources said the plan could breach an understanding with the United States not to build more homes beyond the existing construction line in West Bank settlements.
The sources said clearance for the housing at Ma'aleh Adumim, a few kilometers east of Jerusalem, was given two months ago by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz.
TORTURE
WRMEA: Rape, Torture, Massacres - The Israelis Did It All First
As the story unfolds in Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison, I find myself recalling Mohammad Salah, a Palestinian born in Jerusalem in 1953 who immigrated to the United States in 1971-and soon decided that America was the land of his dreams. If a man worked hard, he and his family could keep the money they earned. And there seemed to be no limit to what he and his wife, Mariam, and their three sons and daughter could do.
I first wrote about Salah's harrowing story in December 1999, and in the five years that have elapsed since then things have not gone much better for him. Nevertheless, he still has an incurable sense of optimism. When I brought up the torture of prisoners in Iraq, Salah's account of what had happened to him in Israel was an almost word-for-word description of the experience of Iraqi prisioners. He also added a few details that he and I had agreed were too horrific for print in 1999.
As the story unfolds in Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison, I find myself recalling Mohammad Salah, a Palestinian born in Jerusalem in 1953 who immigrated to the United States in 1971-and soon decided that America was the land of his dreams. If a man worked hard, he and his family could keep the money they earned. And there seemed to be no limit to what he and his wife, Mariam, and their three sons and daughter could do.
I first wrote about Salah's harrowing story in December 1999, and in the five years that have elapsed since then things have not gone much better for him. Nevertheless, he still has an incurable sense of optimism. When I brought up the torture of prisoners in Iraq, Salah's account of what had happened to him in Israel was an almost word-for-word description of the experience of Iraqi prisioners. He also added a few details that he and I had agreed were too horrific for print in 1999.
IRAQ: RESISTANCE
Pakistan Tribune: Heavy US Losses
In Fierce Fallujah Fighting - Report
UNPRECEDENTEDLY FIERCE BATTLES RAGE IN AL-FALLUJAH SUNDAY NIGHT AS RESISTANCE BURNS THE GROUND UNDER THE AGGRESSORS’ FEET
Iraqi Resistance fighters late on Sunday launched a series of varied attacks on the US aggressors in and around al-Fallujah. Iraqi Resistance fighters attacked US aggressors and destroyed two American armored vehicles with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) on Sunday in al-Fallujah. The local correspondent of Mafkarat al-Islam reported that the first armored vehicle was destroyed south of the industrial zone in the city at 8:30 Mecca time, while the second was destroyed five minutes later in the eastern part of al-‘Askari neighborhood. The attacks left both armored vehicles ablaze and totally destroyed.
After those rocket attacks, US F-16s attacked the areas from which the deadly RPGs were fired. The correspondent wrote in a dispatch posed at 9:55pm Mecca time that the extent of US casualties were unknown, but said that in such circumstances the US troops regularly use armored personnel carriers to transport groups of 8 to 10 soldiers each. The Resistance also fired a number of mortar rounds at the US base east of as-Saqlawiyah, a frequent target of Resistance attacks. The extent of US losses there remained unknown when the correspondent of Mafkarat al-Islam filed his report on the fighting at 10:50pm Sunday Mecca time.
"CHECK IT"
In Fierce Fallujah Fighting - Report
UNPRECEDENTEDLY FIERCE BATTLES RAGE IN AL-FALLUJAH SUNDAY NIGHT AS RESISTANCE BURNS THE GROUND UNDER THE AGGRESSORS’ FEET
Iraqi Resistance fighters late on Sunday launched a series of varied attacks on the US aggressors in and around al-Fallujah. Iraqi Resistance fighters attacked US aggressors and destroyed two American armored vehicles with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) on Sunday in al-Fallujah. The local correspondent of Mafkarat al-Islam reported that the first armored vehicle was destroyed south of the industrial zone in the city at 8:30 Mecca time, while the second was destroyed five minutes later in the eastern part of al-‘Askari neighborhood. The attacks left both armored vehicles ablaze and totally destroyed.
After those rocket attacks, US F-16s attacked the areas from which the deadly RPGs were fired. The correspondent wrote in a dispatch posed at 9:55pm Mecca time that the extent of US casualties were unknown, but said that in such circumstances the US troops regularly use armored personnel carriers to transport groups of 8 to 10 soldiers each. The Resistance also fired a number of mortar rounds at the US base east of as-Saqlawiyah, a frequent target of Resistance attacks. The extent of US losses there remained unknown when the correspondent of Mafkarat al-Islam filed his report on the fighting at 10:50pm Sunday Mecca time.
"CHECK IT"
Monday, August 02, 2004
IRAQ: ROBERT FISK
Arabnews: Can’t Bush and Blair See Iraq Is About to Explode? Robert Fisk, The Independent
BAGHDAD, 2 August 2004 — The war is a fraud. I’m not talking about the weapons of mass destruction that didn’t exist. Nor the links between Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaeda which didn’t exist. Nor all the other lies upon which we went to war. I’m talking about the new lies.
For just as, before the war, our governments warned us of threats that did not exist, now they hide from us the threats that do exist. Much of Iraq has fallen outside the control of America’s puppet government in Baghdad but we are not told. Hundreds of attacks are made against US troops every month. But unless an American dies, we are not told. This month’s death toll of Iraqis in Baghdad alone has now reached 700 — the worst month since the invasion ended. But we are not told.
The stage management of this catastrophe in Iraq was all too evident at Saddam Hussein’s “trial”. Not only did the US military censor the tapes of the event. Not only did they effectively delete all sound of the 11 other defendants. But the Americans led Saddam Hussein to believe — until he reached the courtroom — that he was on his way to his execution. Indeed, when he entered the room he believed that the judge was there to condemn him to death. This, after all, was the way Saddam ran his own state security courts. No wonder he initially looked “disorientated” — CNN’s helpful description — because, of course, he was meant to look that way. We had made sure of that. Which is why Saddam asked Judge Juhi: “Are you a lawyer? ... Is this a trial?” And swiftly, as he realized that this really was an initial court hearing — not a preliminary to his own hanging — he quickly adopted an attitude of belligerence. But don’t think we’re going to learn much more about Saddam’s future court appearances. Salem Chalabi, the brother of convicted fraudster Ahmad and the man entrusted by the Americans with the tribunal, told the Iraqi press two weeks ago that all media would be excluded from future court hearings. And I can see why. Because if Saddam does a Milosevic, he’ll want to talk about the real intelligence and military connections of his regime — which were primarily with the United States.
"CHECK IT"
BAGHDAD, 2 August 2004 — The war is a fraud. I’m not talking about the weapons of mass destruction that didn’t exist. Nor the links between Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaeda which didn’t exist. Nor all the other lies upon which we went to war. I’m talking about the new lies.
For just as, before the war, our governments warned us of threats that did not exist, now they hide from us the threats that do exist. Much of Iraq has fallen outside the control of America’s puppet government in Baghdad but we are not told. Hundreds of attacks are made against US troops every month. But unless an American dies, we are not told. This month’s death toll of Iraqis in Baghdad alone has now reached 700 — the worst month since the invasion ended. But we are not told.
The stage management of this catastrophe in Iraq was all too evident at Saddam Hussein’s “trial”. Not only did the US military censor the tapes of the event. Not only did they effectively delete all sound of the 11 other defendants. But the Americans led Saddam Hussein to believe — until he reached the courtroom — that he was on his way to his execution. Indeed, when he entered the room he believed that the judge was there to condemn him to death. This, after all, was the way Saddam ran his own state security courts. No wonder he initially looked “disorientated” — CNN’s helpful description — because, of course, he was meant to look that way. We had made sure of that. Which is why Saddam asked Judge Juhi: “Are you a lawyer? ... Is this a trial?” And swiftly, as he realized that this really was an initial court hearing — not a preliminary to his own hanging — he quickly adopted an attitude of belligerence. But don’t think we’re going to learn much more about Saddam’s future court appearances. Salem Chalabi, the brother of convicted fraudster Ahmad and the man entrusted by the Americans with the tribunal, told the Iraqi press two weeks ago that all media would be excluded from future court hearings. And I can see why. Because if Saddam does a Milosevic, he’ll want to talk about the real intelligence and military connections of his regime — which were primarily with the United States.
"CHECK IT"
IRAQ
Reuters: Bombs Sow Fear of More Horror for Iraq's Christians
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Bombings at Iraqi churches did more than kill worshippers, smash tombstones and shatter stained glass -- they destroyed any hope among the Christian community of staying off the hit list for attacks.
"Now, as a Christian I feel like a target," said 40-year-old factory owner, Ayad Zaya, speaking a day after car bombs at five churches killed at least 11 people.
RENSE: Iraqi Muslims Did Not Blow Up Christian Churches
Having discussed the matter in detail with other experts on the Middle East, Christianity in Iraq and on Islam in Iraq, we have all concluded this is not the work of any Muslim group. There has never been any animosity between the Christian and Muslim communities in Iraq, in fact, they have stood toe-to-toe against the American occupation and they have resisted efforts by the Israeli office in Baghdad to become allied with Israel.
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Bombings at Iraqi churches did more than kill worshippers, smash tombstones and shatter stained glass -- they destroyed any hope among the Christian community of staying off the hit list for attacks.
"Now, as a Christian I feel like a target," said 40-year-old factory owner, Ayad Zaya, speaking a day after car bombs at five churches killed at least 11 people.
RENSE: Iraqi Muslims Did Not Blow Up Christian Churches
Having discussed the matter in detail with other experts on the Middle East, Christianity in Iraq and on Islam in Iraq, we have all concluded this is not the work of any Muslim group. There has never been any animosity between the Christian and Muslim communities in Iraq, in fact, they have stood toe-to-toe against the American occupation and they have resisted efforts by the Israeli office in Baghdad to become allied with Israel.
Thursday, July 29, 2004
IRAQ WAR
Guardian: The real reasons Bush went to war
WMD was the rationale for invading Iraq. But what was really driving the US were fears over oil and the future of the dollar
"CHECK IT"
WMD was the rationale for invading Iraq. But what was really driving the US were fears over oil and the future of the dollar
"CHECK IT"
IRAQ: ROBERT FISK
Independent: Baghdad is a city that reeks with the stench of the dead by Robert Fisk
The smell of the dead pours into the street through the air-conditioning ducts. Hot, sweet, overwhelming. Inside the Baghdad morgue, there are so many corpses that the fridges are overflowing. The dead are on the floor. Dozens of them. Outside, in the 46C (114F) heat, Qadum Ganawi tells me how his brother Hassan was murdered.
"He was bringing supper home for our family in Palestine Street but he never reached our home. Then we got a phone call saying we could have him back if we paid $50,000 [£27,500]. We didn't have $50,000. So we sold part of our home and many of our things and we borrowed $15,000 and we paid over the money to a man in a car who was wearing a keffiyeh scarf round his head.
"Then we got another phone call, telling us that Hassan was at the Saidiyeh police station. He was. He was blindfolded and gagged and he had two bullets in his head. They had taken our money and then they had killed him."
CHECK IT
The smell of the dead pours into the street through the air-conditioning ducts. Hot, sweet, overwhelming. Inside the Baghdad morgue, there are so many corpses that the fridges are overflowing. The dead are on the floor. Dozens of them. Outside, in the 46C (114F) heat, Qadum Ganawi tells me how his brother Hassan was murdered.
"He was bringing supper home for our family in Palestine Street but he never reached our home. Then we got a phone call saying we could have him back if we paid $50,000 [£27,500]. We didn't have $50,000. So we sold part of our home and many of our things and we borrowed $15,000 and we paid over the money to a man in a car who was wearing a keffiyeh scarf round his head.
"Then we got another phone call, telling us that Hassan was at the Saidiyeh police station. He was. He was blindfolded and gagged and he had two bullets in his head. They had taken our money and then they had killed him."
CHECK IT
USA: ELECTIONS
Guardian: Don't expect a foreign policy revolution
It is said that the eyes of the world will be on John Kerry this Thursday when he formally accepts the Democratic party's presidential nomination in Boston.
But what will those beyond America's shores actually see when the applause fades? The truth is, those who hope a Kerry triumph in November will change the world may be sorely disappointed.
It is said that the eyes of the world will be on John Kerry this Thursday when he formally accepts the Democratic party's presidential nomination in Boston.
But what will those beyond America's shores actually see when the applause fades? The truth is, those who hope a Kerry triumph in November will change the world may be sorely disappointed.
IRAQ: DU MUNITION
Islam Online: Cancer Spreads Like Wildfire In Iraq
Cancer and birth defects have been spreading like wildfire in Iraq since the 1991 US-led Gulf War, prompting doctors to describe them as the Iraqi version of flu.
Depleted uranium (DU) used by the United States and its allies against Iraq has taken its toll on around 120,000 to 140,000 Iraqis, according to the latest estimates released by the Iraqi health ministry.
With Iraq becoming an almost radioactive toxic wasteland, the number of birth defects and cancer-infected Iraqis is on the rise day in and day out due to the lingering effects of the deadly nuclear substance, the London-based Al-Quds Press news agency reported Tuesday, July 27.
Cancer and birth defects have been spreading like wildfire in Iraq since the 1991 US-led Gulf War, prompting doctors to describe them as the Iraqi version of flu.
Depleted uranium (DU) used by the United States and its allies against Iraq has taken its toll on around 120,000 to 140,000 Iraqis, according to the latest estimates released by the Iraqi health ministry.
With Iraq becoming an almost radioactive toxic wasteland, the number of birth defects and cancer-infected Iraqis is on the rise day in and day out due to the lingering effects of the deadly nuclear substance, the London-based Al-Quds Press news agency reported Tuesday, July 27.
USA: ELECTIONS
Online Journal: Whether it's Bush or Kerry, Israel wins
Interestingly, his policy on both differ little from the incumbent administration, although he does vow to be more internationalist in his approach. But how does he feel about Israel and its ongoing occupation of Palestinian lands, a divisive subject unlikely to come to the fore during the convention when Muslim and African American votes are being courted. If at all possible Kerry is more pro-Israel than George W. Bush and deeply aware of the issues surrounding Middle East politics. Earlier this month, Kerry's brother Cameron, who converted to Judaism in the early 1980s, spent six days in Israel courtesy of the American Israel Education Fund, which is linked to AIPAC.
Interestingly, his policy on both differ little from the incumbent administration, although he does vow to be more internationalist in his approach. But how does he feel about Israel and its ongoing occupation of Palestinian lands, a divisive subject unlikely to come to the fore during the convention when Muslim and African American votes are being courted. If at all possible Kerry is more pro-Israel than George W. Bush and deeply aware of the issues surrounding Middle East politics. Earlier this month, Kerry's brother Cameron, who converted to Judaism in the early 1980s, spent six days in Israel courtesy of the American Israel Education Fund, which is linked to AIPAC.
USA: BUSH
CAPITOL HILL BLUES: Bush Using Drugs to Control Depression, Erratic Behavior
President George W. Bush is taking powerful anti-depressant drugs to control his erratic behavior, depression and paranoia, Capitol Hill Blue has learned.
The prescription drugs, administered by Col. Richard J. Tubb, the White House physician, can impair the President’s mental faculties and decrease both his physical capabilities and his ability to respond to a crisis, administration aides admit privately.
One long-time GOP political consultant who – for obvious reasons – asked not to be identified said he is advising his Republican Congressional candidates to keep their distance from Bush.
“We have to face the very real possibility that the President of the United States is loony tunes,” he says sadly. “That’s not good for my candidates, it’s not good for the party and it’s certainly not good for the country.”
President George W. Bush is taking powerful anti-depressant drugs to control his erratic behavior, depression and paranoia, Capitol Hill Blue has learned.
The prescription drugs, administered by Col. Richard J. Tubb, the White House physician, can impair the President’s mental faculties and decrease both his physical capabilities and his ability to respond to a crisis, administration aides admit privately.
One long-time GOP political consultant who – for obvious reasons – asked not to be identified said he is advising his Republican Congressional candidates to keep their distance from Bush.
“We have to face the very real possibility that the President of the United States is loony tunes,” he says sadly. “That’s not good for my candidates, it’s not good for the party and it’s certainly not good for the country.”
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
USA: OSAMA BIN LADEN
Prison Planet: Staged Capture of Bin Laden Coming Soon
It has become apparent that the global theatrical stage is being prepared for the presence of the CIA troublemaker Osama bin Laden.
With the benefit of hindsight we can look back to the pre-cursor of the arrest of Saddam Hussein and draw some interesting parallels
Before Saddam was rolled out, public officials were bragging that the arrest was about to take place. Congressman LaHood told his local newspaper, the Pantagraph, that 'he knew something they didn't' about the imminent capture of Saddam.
Around 16 months ago nationally syndicated radio talk show host Alex Jones was told by a source close to the Bush family that bin Laden was already dead and that the body had been handed over after an agreement with the bin Laden family. The source said bin Laden was on ice and his death would be announced only right before the 2004 election.
It has become apparent that the global theatrical stage is being prepared for the presence of the CIA troublemaker Osama bin Laden.
With the benefit of hindsight we can look back to the pre-cursor of the arrest of Saddam Hussein and draw some interesting parallels
Before Saddam was rolled out, public officials were bragging that the arrest was about to take place. Congressman LaHood told his local newspaper, the Pantagraph, that 'he knew something they didn't' about the imminent capture of Saddam.
Around 16 months ago nationally syndicated radio talk show host Alex Jones was told by a source close to the Bush family that bin Laden was already dead and that the body had been handed over after an agreement with the bin Laden family. The source said bin Laden was on ice and his death would be announced only right before the 2004 election.
NEW ZEALAND: MOSSAD
Haaretz: Kiwi caper is worst of many blunders
The Mossad has been entangled overseas in messy affairs over the years involving the use of foreign passports, but the current New Zealand debacle has taken on unusual proportions because the New Zealand police claim that local Jews are involved. This being so, it's impossible not to regard this as a clumsy blunder that has caused needless damage, both to Israel and to the local Jewish community
The Mossad has been entangled overseas in messy affairs over the years involving the use of foreign passports, but the current New Zealand debacle has taken on unusual proportions because the New Zealand police claim that local Jews are involved. This being so, it's impossible not to regard this as a clumsy blunder that has caused needless damage, both to Israel and to the local Jewish community
IRAQ: DEMOCRACY?
Financial Times: Iraq sets up committee to impose restrictions on news reporting
Iyad Allawi, Iraq's prime minister, has established a media committee to impose restrictions on print and broadcast media, a government official announced yesterday. The step underlines an aggressive new attitude towards press freedoms, in spite of US efforts to nurture independent media.
Ibrahim Janabi, appointed to head the new Higher Media Commission, told the FT the restrictions - known as "red lines" - had yet to be finalised, but would include unwarranted criticism of the prime minister. He singled out last Friday's sermon by Moqtada al-Sadr, a firebrand Shia cleric, who mocked Mr Allawi as America's "tail".
Outlets that broadcast the sermon could be banned, he said.
Arabic News: Zeibari threatens to close al-Jazeera office in Baghdad
The Iraqi foreign minister Hoshyar Zeibari criticized the Doha based al-Jazeera TV and described its coverage of events in Iraq as biased and deviated.
Zeibari added in an interview with al-Jazeera correspondent in Moscow, which he is currently visiting, that the Iraqi sides concerned discuss the closure of al-Jazeera office in Baghdad
Iyad Allawi, Iraq's prime minister, has established a media committee to impose restrictions on print and broadcast media, a government official announced yesterday. The step underlines an aggressive new attitude towards press freedoms, in spite of US efforts to nurture independent media.
Ibrahim Janabi, appointed to head the new Higher Media Commission, told the FT the restrictions - known as "red lines" - had yet to be finalised, but would include unwarranted criticism of the prime minister. He singled out last Friday's sermon by Moqtada al-Sadr, a firebrand Shia cleric, who mocked Mr Allawi as America's "tail".
Outlets that broadcast the sermon could be banned, he said.
Arabic News: Zeibari threatens to close al-Jazeera office in Baghdad
The Iraqi foreign minister Hoshyar Zeibari criticized the Doha based al-Jazeera TV and described its coverage of events in Iraq as biased and deviated.
Zeibari added in an interview with al-Jazeera correspondent in Moscow, which he is currently visiting, that the Iraqi sides concerned discuss the closure of al-Jazeera office in Baghdad
VIDEO: MIDDLE EAST NEWS
Mosaic TV: World News Reports From Middle East TV For 07/27/04
The nation's only uncensored compilation of daily television news reports from more than 15 countries in the Middle East. QuickTime Video.
The nation's only uncensored compilation of daily television news reports from more than 15 countries in the Middle East. QuickTime Video.
MEDIA WATCH
Boston Globe: ASKING FOR TROUBLE
"Fear has increased in every newsroom in America," said CBS's Dan
Rather during a discussion of "The Press and the Election" at
Harvard University. That's fear of "a torrent of e-mails and phone
calls" complaining about media coverage of controversial issues.
Rather said journalists might think, "when you run this story,
you're asking for trouble. ... Why run it?" NBC's Tom Brokaw
mentioned the Media Research Center and said conservatives "feel
they have to go to war against the networks every day." ABC's Peter
Jennings added, "I hear more about conservative concerns than I
have in the past. ... I feel the presence of anger all the time."
"Fear has increased in every newsroom in America," said CBS's Dan
Rather during a discussion of "The Press and the Election" at
Harvard University. That's fear of "a torrent of e-mails and phone
calls" complaining about media coverage of controversial issues.
Rather said journalists might think, "when you run this story,
you're asking for trouble. ... Why run it?" NBC's Tom Brokaw
mentioned the Media Research Center and said conservatives "feel
they have to go to war against the networks every day." ABC's Peter
Jennings added, "I hear more about conservative concerns than I
have in the past. ... I feel the presence of anger all the time."
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
LEBANON: GRAFFITI
Daily Star-Lebanon: Graffiti artists: a missing breed in Lebanon
BEIRUT: Throughout human history, art and self-expression have been largely confined to the public spaces society has deemed appropriate. Certain forms of art, though, are not easily confined to specific outlets, nor readily limited to gallery walls.
Graffiti is such an art form, though many would not equate it with art - but then, some would say the same of modern art compared to classical Impressionism. The issue with graffiti is whether it can be considered art in all its manifestations.
BEIRUT: Throughout human history, art and self-expression have been largely confined to the public spaces society has deemed appropriate. Certain forms of art, though, are not easily confined to specific outlets, nor readily limited to gallery walls.
Graffiti is such an art form, though many would not equate it with art - but then, some would say the same of modern art compared to classical Impressionism. The issue with graffiti is whether it can be considered art in all its manifestations.
OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Guardian: Israel Expands West Bank Settlements
JERUSALEM -- Months after Ariel Sharon announced his dramatic plan to pull Jewish settlers out of Gaza, portraying it as a sacrifice for peace, the government is grabbing more land for West Bank settlements.
Israeli peace groups and Palestinian officials say thousands of homes are under construction in the main settlements, in addition to an expansion of Jewish outposts that are illegal under Israeli law. Mr Sharon has promised the US he will dismantle the outposts, which are usually clusters of containers or trailer homes serviced by government-built roads, but has failed to do so.
One Israeli group, Settlement Watch, says in the three months to May, West Bank settlements expanded by 26 hectares (65 acres).The government has approved construction of thousands more homes in the three main settlement blocs on the West Bank, encouraged by an apparent endorsement by George Bush for their eventual annexation.
JERUSALEM -- Months after Ariel Sharon announced his dramatic plan to pull Jewish settlers out of Gaza, portraying it as a sacrifice for peace, the government is grabbing more land for West Bank settlements.
Israeli peace groups and Palestinian officials say thousands of homes are under construction in the main settlements, in addition to an expansion of Jewish outposts that are illegal under Israeli law. Mr Sharon has promised the US he will dismantle the outposts, which are usually clusters of containers or trailer homes serviced by government-built roads, but has failed to do so.
One Israeli group, Settlement Watch, says in the three months to May, West Bank settlements expanded by 26 hectares (65 acres).The government has approved construction of thousands more homes in the three main settlement blocs on the West Bank, encouraged by an apparent endorsement by George Bush for their eventual annexation.
Monday, July 26, 2004
TERROR
American Conservative: How to Lose the War on Terror
A CIA bin Laden expert’s lament
One of the striking things about the Iraq War is the extent to which American foreign-affairs professionals—intelligence analysts, diplomats, and high-ranking military officers—recognize it is a tragically misguided venture. Among the most recent to speak out is the CIA officer formerly charged with analyzing Osama bin Laden. Known only as “Anonymous,” he is the author of the new book Imperial Hubris —a scathing look at the way the United States has conducted the War on Terror thus far. TAC editors Philip Giraldi (a CIA veteran with extensive Mideast experience), Kara Hopkins, and Scott McConnell recently visited with the author. Here are excerpts of the conversation.
The Daily Star: Manipulating US elections is not an Al-Qaeda goal
The warning by the US Department of Homeland Security that Al-Qaeda may be preparing to disrupt the presidential election has been sounded with little assessment of the terrorist organization's aims.
Some have questioned the extent to which the Bush administration may be using such warnings for political reasons, but few have challenged the notion that Al-Qaeda seeks to replicate its Madrid attack on the eve of the Spanish election for the presumed goal of defeating President George W. Bush.
A CIA bin Laden expert’s lament
One of the striking things about the Iraq War is the extent to which American foreign-affairs professionals—intelligence analysts, diplomats, and high-ranking military officers—recognize it is a tragically misguided venture. Among the most recent to speak out is the CIA officer formerly charged with analyzing Osama bin Laden. Known only as “Anonymous,” he is the author of the new book Imperial Hubris —a scathing look at the way the United States has conducted the War on Terror thus far. TAC editors Philip Giraldi (a CIA veteran with extensive Mideast experience), Kara Hopkins, and Scott McConnell recently visited with the author. Here are excerpts of the conversation.
The Daily Star: Manipulating US elections is not an Al-Qaeda goal
The warning by the US Department of Homeland Security that Al-Qaeda may be preparing to disrupt the presidential election has been sounded with little assessment of the terrorist organization's aims.
Some have questioned the extent to which the Bush administration may be using such warnings for political reasons, but few have challenged the notion that Al-Qaeda seeks to replicate its Madrid attack on the eve of the Spanish election for the presumed goal of defeating President George W. Bush.
IRAQ
Independent: 'America is not a charitable organisation - they came to steal from Iraq' By Robert Fisk in Najaf
Outside on Sayed Ayatollah Ahmed Hassani al-Baghdadi's little lawn, the temperature is touching 60C. But inside his spacious library with its shelves of leather-bound volumes of Islamic science and law, the political heat soars between 3,000 degrees and minus 20. The Shia marja [leading Shia scholars] are known for their outspokenness but Sayed Baghdadi more than speaks his mind. The Americans occupied Iraq as part of a Zionist project, he announces. They will not leave Iraq because they intend to steal Iraq's oil. The new US-appointed Iraqi government are "collaborators". And Sayed Baghdadi, remember, is a highly respected and very influential marja whose lectures draw students from all over Iraq.
Outside on Sayed Ayatollah Ahmed Hassani al-Baghdadi's little lawn, the temperature is touching 60C. But inside his spacious library with its shelves of leather-bound volumes of Islamic science and law, the political heat soars between 3,000 degrees and minus 20. The Shia marja [leading Shia scholars] are known for their outspokenness but Sayed Baghdadi more than speaks his mind. The Americans occupied Iraq as part of a Zionist project, he announces. They will not leave Iraq because they intend to steal Iraq's oil. The new US-appointed Iraqi government are "collaborators". And Sayed Baghdadi, remember, is a highly respected and very influential marja whose lectures draw students from all over Iraq.
KIDNAPPED BY THE USA
Islam-Online: US Involved In Secret Suspects' Deportation: Report
US security agents have been involved in forcible secret deportation of "terror suspects" before and after the 9/11 attacks from different countries to their homelands, where they can be detained or interrogated without all the legal protections available in their host countries
Washington Post: A Secret Deportation Of Terror Suspects
The deportation was carried out swiftly and outside Sweden's normal legal channels
US security agents have been involved in forcible secret deportation of "terror suspects" before and after the 9/11 attacks from different countries to their homelands, where they can be detained or interrogated without all the legal protections available in their host countries
Washington Post: A Secret Deportation Of Terror Suspects
The deportation was carried out swiftly and outside Sweden's normal legal channels
USA: PARANOIA
Observer: Arab Musicians Become Suspects In Post-911 Hysteria
A simple, if frightening, account on an obscure American website of a plane flight has become something else in the paranoid world of post-9/11 air travel. Annie Jacobsen's tale of flying to Los Angeles with 14 'Middle Eastern-looking' men quickly generated a storm of controversy.
It prompted airline whistleblowers to come forward with lurid tales of lapses in security against terrorists. It threw a spotlight on rumours and warnings of terrorists carrying out 'dry runs' for future hijackings.
But it also revealed an unpleasant underbelly of fear and loathing among ordinary passengers terrified of seeing a dark-skinned male face board their plane. It showed a world in which passengers saw terrorists around every corner and an innocent band of Arab musicians going to play a gig were mistaken for suicidal jihadis intent on mayhem.
A simple, if frightening, account on an obscure American website of a plane flight has become something else in the paranoid world of post-9/11 air travel. Annie Jacobsen's tale of flying to Los Angeles with 14 'Middle Eastern-looking' men quickly generated a storm of controversy.
It prompted airline whistleblowers to come forward with lurid tales of lapses in security against terrorists. It threw a spotlight on rumours and warnings of terrorists carrying out 'dry runs' for future hijackings.
But it also revealed an unpleasant underbelly of fear and loathing among ordinary passengers terrified of seeing a dark-skinned male face board their plane. It showed a world in which passengers saw terrorists around every corner and an innocent band of Arab musicians going to play a gig were mistaken for suicidal jihadis intent on mayhem.
ISRAELI TERRORISM
Maariv International - Israel: Blowing Up Dome Of Rock Is 'Worthy Act'
"Blowing up the Dome of the Rock is a worthy act", Yehuda Etzion, one of the leaders of the Movement of the Temple Mount Loyalists and a former convicted member of the "Jewish underground", has told Army Radio this (Sunday) morning.
Etzion's words came as a response to Public Security Minister Tzachi Hanegbi's comments on Channel Two's Meet the Press, by which, "The prospects that Jewish extremists could carry out an attack on the Temple Mount in order to prevent the disengagement plan from being implemented are growing".
HaaretzDaily: Jewish Extremists May Crash Plane On Temple Mount
Israeli security officials have recently become increasingly concerned that right-wing extremists might be plotting an attack on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem to derail Israel's planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. The Shin Bet security service and the police are preparing for a number of possible terror attack scenarios at the sacred Old City site, Israeli security sources said on Saturday night.
Speaking on the Channel Two "Meet the Press" program yesterday, Public Security Minister Tzachi Hanegbi confirmed that the security establishment had identified rising intent among right-wing extremists to carry out a Temple Mount attack.
"Blowing up the Dome of the Rock is a worthy act", Yehuda Etzion, one of the leaders of the Movement of the Temple Mount Loyalists and a former convicted member of the "Jewish underground", has told Army Radio this (Sunday) morning.
Etzion's words came as a response to Public Security Minister Tzachi Hanegbi's comments on Channel Two's Meet the Press, by which, "The prospects that Jewish extremists could carry out an attack on the Temple Mount in order to prevent the disengagement plan from being implemented are growing".
HaaretzDaily: Jewish Extremists May Crash Plane On Temple Mount
Israeli security officials have recently become increasingly concerned that right-wing extremists might be plotting an attack on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem to derail Israel's planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. The Shin Bet security service and the police are preparing for a number of possible terror attack scenarios at the sacred Old City site, Israeli security sources said on Saturday night.
Speaking on the Channel Two "Meet the Press" program yesterday, Public Security Minister Tzachi Hanegbi confirmed that the security establishment had identified rising intent among right-wing extremists to carry out a Temple Mount attack.
USA: DEMOCRACY
Keyhole: The Unveiling of the National Security State
All things change, including our time-honored system of government. We have entered into a new era, marked by the existence of an omnipresent state, controlled by the very few, bound by no law but its own. Welcome to the New World Order.
Five centuries ago, Niccolo Machiavelli explained how to undertake a revolution from above without most people even noticing. In his Discourses on Livy, he wrote that one "must at least retain the semblance of the old forms; so that it may seem to the people that there has been no change in the institutions, even though in fact they are entirely different from the old ones."
That is, keep the old government structures, even while you make profound changes to the actual system, because the appearances are all that most people will notice.
All things change, including our time-honored system of government. We have entered into a new era, marked by the existence of an omnipresent state, controlled by the very few, bound by no law but its own. Welcome to the New World Order.
Five centuries ago, Niccolo Machiavelli explained how to undertake a revolution from above without most people even noticing. In his Discourses on Livy, he wrote that one "must at least retain the semblance of the old forms; so that it may seem to the people that there has been no change in the institutions, even though in fact they are entirely different from the old ones."
That is, keep the old government structures, even while you make profound changes to the actual system, because the appearances are all that most people will notice.
Sunday, July 25, 2004
IRAQ: BODY COUNT
Hindu: 2,000 US Troops Killed So Far In Iraq - Russian Expert
MOSCOW - The United States suffers far heavier casualties in Iraq than it officially admits, a Russia military diplomat claimed.
The actual U.S. military losses in Iraq may have reached 2,000 personnel, more than twice the official figure of 900, as Washington badly understates its casualty statistics, a military diplomatic source told the Itar-Tass news agency.
"Official statistics do not include casualties among non-U.S. nationals who sign up to serve in the American armed forces in order to get a U.S. `green card.' According to reliable information the share of non-Americans in the U.S. force in Iraq may be as high as 60 per cent," the source said. "The real number of U.S. losses may be as high as 2,000 casualties and up to 12,000 wounded," the military diplomat said.
Rense: Official US Body Count Is A Lie
MOSCOW - The United States suffers far heavier casualties in Iraq than it officially admits, a Russia military diplomat claimed.
The actual U.S. military losses in Iraq may have reached 2,000 personnel, more than twice the official figure of 900, as Washington badly understates its casualty statistics, a military diplomatic source told the Itar-Tass news agency.
"Official statistics do not include casualties among non-U.S. nationals who sign up to serve in the American armed forces in order to get a U.S. `green card.' According to reliable information the share of non-Americans in the U.S. force in Iraq may be as high as 60 per cent," the source said. "The real number of U.S. losses may be as high as 2,000 casualties and up to 12,000 wounded," the military diplomat said.
Rense: Official US Body Count Is A Lie
Friday, July 23, 2004
MEDIA WATCH
Heise: Outfoxed
Dokumentarfilm über die Machenschaften von Fox News stürmt die amerikanischen DVD-Charts; Internet als Vertriebskanal für Filmemacher gewinnt an Bedeutung
Während Michal Moores "Fahrenheit 9/11" längst die US-Kinocharts gestürmt hat und damit zum erfolgreichsten Dokumentarfilm der US-Filmgeschichte wurde, sorgt nun eine neue Dokumentation für Furore: "Outfoxed - Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism" von Regisseur Robert Greenwald – eine Abrechnung mit Fox News, Amerikas einflussreichstem Nachrichtenkanal.
Dokumentarfilm über die Machenschaften von Fox News stürmt die amerikanischen DVD-Charts; Internet als Vertriebskanal für Filmemacher gewinnt an Bedeutung
Während Michal Moores "Fahrenheit 9/11" längst die US-Kinocharts gestürmt hat und damit zum erfolgreichsten Dokumentarfilm der US-Filmgeschichte wurde, sorgt nun eine neue Dokumentation für Furore: "Outfoxed - Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism" von Regisseur Robert Greenwald – eine Abrechnung mit Fox News, Amerikas einflussreichstem Nachrichtenkanal.
IRAQ: RESISTANCE
Free Arab Voice: Iraqi Resistance Kills 33
American Soldiers In Ramadi
Free Arab Voice Editors Note: We remind our viewers that Mafkarat al-Islam has reporters on the ground with the Iraqi resistance. these reports are first hand accounts of the events. Translated from their original Arabic, they are published uncut and uncensored.
Resistance Ambush Sparks Day-Long Confrontation With Invader Troops
At least 14 Americans were killed in ar-Ramadi yesterday as a day of fierce and heavy fighting that raged from about 11:00am local time until sunset got under way.
The correspondent of Mafkarat al-Islam in the city reported that the clashes began when a group of Resistance fighters ambushed an American patrol consisting of four Humvees and a number of foot soldiers. Resistance fighters pounded the Humvees with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) destroying all of them and sparking a battle on al-Ishrin (1920) Street that lasted until sunset as US reinforcements poured into the area.
American Soldiers In Ramadi
Free Arab Voice Editors Note: We remind our viewers that Mafkarat al-Islam has reporters on the ground with the Iraqi resistance. these reports are first hand accounts of the events. Translated from their original Arabic, they are published uncut and uncensored.
Resistance Ambush Sparks Day-Long Confrontation With Invader Troops
At least 14 Americans were killed in ar-Ramadi yesterday as a day of fierce and heavy fighting that raged from about 11:00am local time until sunset got under way.
The correspondent of Mafkarat al-Islam in the city reported that the clashes began when a group of Resistance fighters ambushed an American patrol consisting of four Humvees and a number of foot soldiers. Resistance fighters pounded the Humvees with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) destroying all of them and sparking a battle on al-Ishrin (1920) Street that lasted until sunset as US reinforcements poured into the area.
OSAMA BIN LADEN: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Information Clearinhouse: Full text: bin Laden's 'letter to America'
While seeking Allah's help, we form our reply based on two questions directed at the Americans:
(Q1) Why are we fighting and opposing you?
Q2)What are we calling you to, and what do we want from you?
While seeking Allah's help, we form our reply based on two questions directed at the Americans:
(Q1) Why are we fighting and opposing you?
Q2)What are we calling you to, and what do we want from you?
9/11
Guardian: The Pakistan connection
There is evidence of foreign intelligence backing for the 9/11 hijackers. Why is the US government so keen to cover it up?
There is evidence of foreign intelligence backing for the 9/11 hijackers. Why is the US government so keen to cover it up?
SITE OF THE DAY
This Land
One is a liberal wiener. The other's a right-wing nut job. See John Kerry and George Bush square off and trade insults in this can't-miss campaign parody of "This Land is Your Land."
One is a liberal wiener. The other's a right-wing nut job. See John Kerry and George Bush square off and trade insults in this can't-miss campaign parody of "This Land is Your Land."
TERROR: PROPAGANDA WATCH
Washington Times: Scouting jetliners for new attacks
Flight crews and air marshals say Middle Eastern men are staking out airports, probing security measures and conducting test runs aboard airplanes for a terrorist attack.
At least two midflight incidents have involved numerous men of Middle Eastern descent behaving in what one pilot called "stereotypical" behavior of an organized attempt to attack a plane.
"No doubt these are dry runs for a terrorist attack," an air marshal said.
Pilots and air marshals who asked to remain anonymous told The Washington Times that surveillance by terrorists is rampant, using different probing methods.
"It's happening, and it's a sad state of affairs," a pilot said.
Flight crews and air marshals say Middle Eastern men are staking out airports, probing security measures and conducting test runs aboard airplanes for a terrorist attack.
At least two midflight incidents have involved numerous men of Middle Eastern descent behaving in what one pilot called "stereotypical" behavior of an organized attempt to attack a plane.
"No doubt these are dry runs for a terrorist attack," an air marshal said.
Pilots and air marshals who asked to remain anonymous told The Washington Times that surveillance by terrorists is rampant, using different probing methods.
"It's happening, and it's a sad state of affairs," a pilot said.
Thursday, July 22, 2004
IRAQ: 1984
Propaganda Matrix: In The New 'Free Iraq': Listening Devices Installed Around Baghdad
Attention Iraqi cell-phone users: Your calls soon will be forwarded to Big Brother.
A unit of Engineered Support Systems Inc. said Tuesday that it has landed a $31 million contract to help install a big listening post in and around Baghdad to help Iraqi police and U.S. intelligence agents monitor cell-phone traffic. The surveillance network will be able to track 360 cell-phone calls at once, said David R. Gust, president of Tamsco of Calverton, Md., a subsidiary of Cool Valley-based Engineered Support.
The project has taken on a sense of urgency as U.S. intelligence agencies work to foil the coordinated bombing attacks by Iraqi insurgents. In a region torn by war, cell phones are becoming a primary source of telecommunication for Iraqis because there is a dearth of reliable land-based fiber-optic cable and copper-wire systems.
Attention Iraqi cell-phone users: Your calls soon will be forwarded to Big Brother.
A unit of Engineered Support Systems Inc. said Tuesday that it has landed a $31 million contract to help install a big listening post in and around Baghdad to help Iraqi police and U.S. intelligence agents monitor cell-phone traffic. The surveillance network will be able to track 360 cell-phone calls at once, said David R. Gust, president of Tamsco of Calverton, Md., a subsidiary of Cool Valley-based Engineered Support.
The project has taken on a sense of urgency as U.S. intelligence agencies work to foil the coordinated bombing attacks by Iraqi insurgents. In a region torn by war, cell phones are becoming a primary source of telecommunication for Iraqis because there is a dearth of reliable land-based fiber-optic cable and copper-wire systems.
IRAQ: ABU GHRAIB
Islam Online: Abu Ghraib: One Iraqi Woman’s Story
Nagem Salam interviewed a former Abu Ghraib female detainee who was arrested by US forces on September 14, 2003 and detained in Ba'qouba, Tikrit, Abu Ghraib and the Tesfirat transfer station.
Information Clearinghouse: Abu Ghraib: Male Rape Witness statement from Taguba Report:
Warning this report contains graphic descriptions of torture and rape. .pdf Format
Nagem Salam interviewed a former Abu Ghraib female detainee who was arrested by US forces on September 14, 2003 and detained in Ba'qouba, Tikrit, Abu Ghraib and the Tesfirat transfer station.
Information Clearinghouse: Abu Ghraib: Male Rape Witness statement from Taguba Report:
Warning this report contains graphic descriptions of torture and rape. .pdf Format
IRAQ: RESISTANCE
Sidney Morning Herald: Share power or lose control, Iraq warned
Guiding the waiters as they spread an Arab feast before us, Mudher Al-Kharbit looks just like the multi-millionaire businessman he is - from the swatch of silk in the breast pocket of his well-cut suit, to shoes of fine crocodile skin.
But, listen carefully, tonight there is no talk of business. Al-Kharbit is speaking as the paramount sheik of the 2 million-strong Dulame tribe, which dominates western Iraq.
His expectations are huge. This is a man who is seriously bidding for control of the military and of national security in the new Iraq. His confidence is unnerving - he admits to having the power to end the insurgency, but refuses to do so. Then he passed the kebabs.
Guiding the waiters as they spread an Arab feast before us, Mudher Al-Kharbit looks just like the multi-millionaire businessman he is - from the swatch of silk in the breast pocket of his well-cut suit, to shoes of fine crocodile skin.
But, listen carefully, tonight there is no talk of business. Al-Kharbit is speaking as the paramount sheik of the 2 million-strong Dulame tribe, which dominates western Iraq.
His expectations are huge. This is a man who is seriously bidding for control of the military and of national security in the new Iraq. His confidence is unnerving - he admits to having the power to end the insurgency, but refuses to do so. Then he passed the kebabs.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
PROPAGANDA WATCH
Seattle Post: Power of presidency resides in language as well as law
George W. Bush is generally regarded as a mangler of the English language.
What is overlooked is his mastery of emotional language -- especially negatively charged emotional language -- as a political tool. Take a closer look at his speeches and public utterances and his political success turns out to be no surprise. It is the predictable result of the intentional use of language to dominate others.
Bush, like many dominant personality types, uses dependency-creating language. He employs language of contempt and intimidation to shame others into submission and desperate admiration.
While we tend to think of the dominator as using physical force, in fact most dominators use verbal abuse to control others. Abusive language has been a major theme of psychological researchers on marital problems, such as John Gottman, and of philosophers and theologians, such as Josef Pieper.
But little has been said about the key role it has come to play in political discourse and in such "hot media" as talk radio and television.
Bush uses several dominating linguistic techniques to induce surrender to his will. The first is empty language. This term refers to broad statements that are so abstract and mean so little that they are virtually impossible to oppose. Empty language is the emotional equivalent of empty calories.
George W. Bush is generally regarded as a mangler of the English language.
What is overlooked is his mastery of emotional language -- especially negatively charged emotional language -- as a political tool. Take a closer look at his speeches and public utterances and his political success turns out to be no surprise. It is the predictable result of the intentional use of language to dominate others.
Bush, like many dominant personality types, uses dependency-creating language. He employs language of contempt and intimidation to shame others into submission and desperate admiration.
While we tend to think of the dominator as using physical force, in fact most dominators use verbal abuse to control others. Abusive language has been a major theme of psychological researchers on marital problems, such as John Gottman, and of philosophers and theologians, such as Josef Pieper.
But little has been said about the key role it has come to play in political discourse and in such "hot media" as talk radio and television.
Bush uses several dominating linguistic techniques to induce surrender to his will. The first is empty language. This term refers to broad statements that are so abstract and mean so little that they are virtually impossible to oppose. Empty language is the emotional equivalent of empty calories.
US ARMY: BIGGER BREAST FOR FREE
New Yorker: ALL THAT YOU CAN BE
For years, the military has offered its recruits free tuition, specialized training, and a host of other benefits to compensate for the tremendous sacrifices they are called upon to make. Lately, many of them have been taking advantage of another perk: free cosmetic surgery.
“Anyone wearing a uniform is eligible,” Dr. Bob Lyons, the chief of plastic surgery at Brooke Army Medical Center, said recently, in his office in San Antonio. It is true: personnel in all four branches of the military and members of their immediate families can get face-lifts, nose jobs, breast enlargements, liposuction, or any other kind of elective cosmetic alteration, at taxpayer expense. (For breast enlargements, patients must supply their own implants.)
For years, the military has offered its recruits free tuition, specialized training, and a host of other benefits to compensate for the tremendous sacrifices they are called upon to make. Lately, many of them have been taking advantage of another perk: free cosmetic surgery.
“Anyone wearing a uniform is eligible,” Dr. Bob Lyons, the chief of plastic surgery at Brooke Army Medical Center, said recently, in his office in San Antonio. It is true: personnel in all four branches of the military and members of their immediate families can get face-lifts, nose jobs, breast enlargements, liposuction, or any other kind of elective cosmetic alteration, at taxpayer expense. (For breast enlargements, patients must supply their own implants.)
PR WATCH
Steve Rubel: Paul Holmes: PR People, Take Blogs Seriously
PR industry writer Paul Holmes has written a lengthy essay arguing
that PR people need to take blogging seriously. "The people who
read blogs are the opinion leaders and the early adopters,” says PR
pro Steve Rubel. iThey are people who pass on what they learn to
other people. And these sites are being read every day by the
journalists who cover your industry. It's amazing how many stories
start on the Internet and then make into the mainstream media.
PR industry writer Paul Holmes has written a lengthy essay arguing
that PR people need to take blogging seriously. "The people who
read blogs are the opinion leaders and the early adopters,” says PR
pro Steve Rubel. iThey are people who pass on what they learn to
other people. And these sites are being read every day by the
journalists who cover your industry. It's amazing how many stories
start on the Internet and then make into the mainstream media.
USA: PROPAGANDA WATCH
Washington Post: The Present Danger
Declaring that "the world war against Islamic terrorism is the test
of our time" and warning, "in this war, our enemies do not
distinguish between Democrats and Republicans," Senators Joe
Lieberman and Jon Kyl announced the launch of the third incarnation
of the Committee on the Present Danger. In the 1950s and 1970s, the
CPD pushed for massive Cold War military spending. "The Committee
intends to remain active until the present danger is no longer a
threat, however long that takes," said CPD Chair and former CIA
director James Woolsey. Other CPD 2004 members include American
Enterprise Institute, Heritage Foundation and Boeing Company
associates.
Declaring that "the world war against Islamic terrorism is the test
of our time" and warning, "in this war, our enemies do not
distinguish between Democrats and Republicans," Senators Joe
Lieberman and Jon Kyl announced the launch of the third incarnation
of the Committee on the Present Danger. In the 1950s and 1970s, the
CPD pushed for massive Cold War military spending. "The Committee
intends to remain active until the present danger is no longer a
threat, however long that takes," said CPD Chair and former CIA
director James Woolsey. Other CPD 2004 members include American
Enterprise Institute, Heritage Foundation and Boeing Company
associates.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
IRAQ: ROBERT FISK
Independent: 'A better and safer place'
Tony Blair justifying the Iraq war in his response to the Butler report
For mile after mile south of Baghdad yesterday, the story was the same: empty police posts, abandoned Iraqi army and police checkpoints and a litter of burnt-out American fuel tankers and rocket-smashed police vehicles down the main highway to Hillah and Najaf. It was Afghanistan Mk2.
Iraqi government officials and Western diplomats tell journalists to avoid driving out of Baghdad; now I understand why. It is dangerous. But my own fearful journey far down Highway 8 - scene of the murder of at least 15 Westerners - proved that the US-appointed Iraqi government controls little of the land south of the capital. Only in the Sunni Muslim town of Mahmoudiya - where a car bomb exploded outside an Iraqi military recruiting centre last week - did I see Iraqi policemen.
They were in a convoy of 11 battered white pick-ups, pointing Kalashnikovs at the crowds around them, driving on to the wrong side of the road when they became tangled in a traffic jam, screaming at motorists to clear their path at rifle point. This was not a frightened American column - this was Iraq's own new blue-uniformed police force, rifles also directed at the windows of homes and shops and at the crowd of Iraqis which surged around them. In Iskanderia, I saw two gunmen near the road. I don't know why they bothered to stand there. The police had already left their post a few metres away.
Tony Blair justifying the Iraq war in his response to the Butler report
For mile after mile south of Baghdad yesterday, the story was the same: empty police posts, abandoned Iraqi army and police checkpoints and a litter of burnt-out American fuel tankers and rocket-smashed police vehicles down the main highway to Hillah and Najaf. It was Afghanistan Mk2.
Iraqi government officials and Western diplomats tell journalists to avoid driving out of Baghdad; now I understand why. It is dangerous. But my own fearful journey far down Highway 8 - scene of the murder of at least 15 Westerners - proved that the US-appointed Iraqi government controls little of the land south of the capital. Only in the Sunni Muslim town of Mahmoudiya - where a car bomb exploded outside an Iraqi military recruiting centre last week - did I see Iraqi policemen.
They were in a convoy of 11 battered white pick-ups, pointing Kalashnikovs at the crowds around them, driving on to the wrong side of the road when they became tangled in a traffic jam, screaming at motorists to clear their path at rifle point. This was not a frightened American column - this was Iraq's own new blue-uniformed police force, rifles also directed at the windows of homes and shops and at the crowd of Iraqis which surged around them. In Iskanderia, I saw two gunmen near the road. I don't know why they bothered to stand there. The police had already left their post a few metres away.
IRAQ: ALLAWI
Daily Times: US media kills story that Iraqi PM executed 6 prisoners
WASHINGTON: The US media has surprisingly failed to pick up the shocking disclosure by Sydney Morning Herald, Australia’s leading newspaper, that the Irqai Prime Minister Iyad Allawi personally executed six suspected insurgents in a Baghdad police station.
The story by award-winning Australian journalist Paul McGeough said that the prisoners were handcuffed and blindfolded, lined up against a courtyard wall and shot by the Iraqi PM. Dr Allawi is alleged to have told those around him that he wanted to send a clear message to the police on how to deal with insurgents. Two people allege they witnessed the killings and there are also claims the Iraqi interior minister and four American men were present.
Counterpunch: Allawi, Our Puppet with a Pistol: Iraq's New Terrorist Prime Minister
"Counterpunch" -- In a long line of American puppets, the name Ayad Allawi figures to loom large. In just a matter of weeks the new Prime Minister of Iraq has accommodated his US paymasters with a zeal that must leave the dapper Hamid Karzai wondering if his job is safe.
In his first days after taking office, Allawi was called on to endorse the bombing of an alleged "safe house" in Falluja; an incident that took the lives of 26 Iraqis including women and children. None of the dead were identified as "foreign fighters", although every major newspaper in America reiterated the Pentagon's view that the occupants were colleagues of Abu Musab al Zarqawi.
The bombing of Falluja occurred just three days after the UN was cajoled into signing the Iraqi Sovereignty Resolution. During negotiations at the UN, the Bush Administration made it look as though they were taking a more "reasoned approach" to security issues.
WASHINGTON: The US media has surprisingly failed to pick up the shocking disclosure by Sydney Morning Herald, Australia’s leading newspaper, that the Irqai Prime Minister Iyad Allawi personally executed six suspected insurgents in a Baghdad police station.
The story by award-winning Australian journalist Paul McGeough said that the prisoners were handcuffed and blindfolded, lined up against a courtyard wall and shot by the Iraqi PM. Dr Allawi is alleged to have told those around him that he wanted to send a clear message to the police on how to deal with insurgents. Two people allege they witnessed the killings and there are also claims the Iraqi interior minister and four American men were present.
Counterpunch: Allawi, Our Puppet with a Pistol: Iraq's New Terrorist Prime Minister
"Counterpunch" -- In a long line of American puppets, the name Ayad Allawi figures to loom large. In just a matter of weeks the new Prime Minister of Iraq has accommodated his US paymasters with a zeal that must leave the dapper Hamid Karzai wondering if his job is safe.
In his first days after taking office, Allawi was called on to endorse the bombing of an alleged "safe house" in Falluja; an incident that took the lives of 26 Iraqis including women and children. None of the dead were identified as "foreign fighters", although every major newspaper in America reiterated the Pentagon's view that the occupants were colleagues of Abu Musab al Zarqawi.
The bombing of Falluja occurred just three days after the UN was cajoled into signing the Iraqi Sovereignty Resolution. During negotiations at the UN, the Bush Administration made it look as though they were taking a more "reasoned approach" to security issues.
IRAQ: ROBERT FISK
The Independent: Four missiles, 14 deaths and the crisis of information in Baghdad
This is how they like it. An American helicopter fires four missiles at a house in Fallujah. Fourteen people are killed, including women and children. Or so say the hospital authorities.
But no Western journalist dares to go to Fallujah. Video footage taken by local civilians shows only a hole in the ground, body parts under a grey blanket and an unnamed man shouting that young children were killed.
The US authorities say they know nothing about the air strike; indeed, they tell journalists to talk to the Iraqi Ministry of Defence--whose spokesman admits that he has "no clue what is going on".
And by the time, in early afternoon yesterday, that the American-appointed Iraqi Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi, said that he had given permission for the attack--even though US rules of engagement give him no such right--there had been car bombs in Tikrit in which two policemen died, one of Saddam's former generals was captured, and Fallujah became just another statistic, albeit a deeply disturbing one: this is the sixth air strike on the insurgent-held city in less than five weeks.
This is how they like it. An American helicopter fires four missiles at a house in Fallujah. Fourteen people are killed, including women and children. Or so say the hospital authorities.
But no Western journalist dares to go to Fallujah. Video footage taken by local civilians shows only a hole in the ground, body parts under a grey blanket and an unnamed man shouting that young children were killed.
The US authorities say they know nothing about the air strike; indeed, they tell journalists to talk to the Iraqi Ministry of Defence--whose spokesman admits that he has "no clue what is going on".
And by the time, in early afternoon yesterday, that the American-appointed Iraqi Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi, said that he had given permission for the attack--even though US rules of engagement give him no such right--there had been car bombs in Tikrit in which two policemen died, one of Saddam's former generals was captured, and Fallujah became just another statistic, albeit a deeply disturbing one: this is the sixth air strike on the insurgent-held city in less than five weeks.
AFGHANISTAN
International Herald Tribune: Afghanistan presses prison case
The three Americans who were arrested by the Afghan police on July 5 on suspicion of operating an illegal jail in Kabul appeared in court here and, at a preliminary hearing, were also charged with robbing, beating and torturing their detainees.
The three men, wearing plain clothes and U.S. Army combat boots, said on Sunday they were Jack Idema, a former member of the U.S. special forces; Edward Caraballo, a journalist; and Brent Bennett, who gave no profession.
Idema said he intended to call high-level Afghan officials, generals, corps commanders and ambassadors in his defense.
He said he had been working with Afghan and U.S. forces, contentions that Afghan and U.S. officials have denied.
The three Americans who were arrested by the Afghan police on July 5 on suspicion of operating an illegal jail in Kabul appeared in court here and, at a preliminary hearing, were also charged with robbing, beating and torturing their detainees.
The three men, wearing plain clothes and U.S. Army combat boots, said on Sunday they were Jack Idema, a former member of the U.S. special forces; Edward Caraballo, a journalist; and Brent Bennett, who gave no profession.
Idema said he intended to call high-level Afghan officials, generals, corps commanders and ambassadors in his defense.
He said he had been working with Afghan and U.S. forces, contentions that Afghan and U.S. officials have denied.
IRAQ
Guardian: Iraq is not improving, it's a disaster
The only sensible objective now is orderly disengagement, and soon
The Commons debate on Iraq today is a historic opportunity for parliament. British policy in Iraq is at a turning point, and we can exercise a vital degree of influence on US policy as well.
Earlier in the summer, there were some welcome international developments. One was the security council resolution of June 8 endorsing the formation of a sovereign interim government, which did something to heal the rifts created in 2003. Another was the successful low-key handover of authority. But the impression that the situation in Iraq itself is much improved is down to Iraq fatigue in the media.
The security situation is calamitous. Two recent attacks killed nine US marines; an attack on the Iraqi minister of justice killed five bodyguards; bombings and attacks on Iraqi security forces have caused multiple deaths; targets in Falluja have been bombed by the US air force; foreigners have been kidnapped or executed with the aim of driving foreign troops and foreign companies out of Iraq.
The only sensible objective now is orderly disengagement, and soon
The Commons debate on Iraq today is a historic opportunity for parliament. British policy in Iraq is at a turning point, and we can exercise a vital degree of influence on US policy as well.
Earlier in the summer, there were some welcome international developments. One was the security council resolution of June 8 endorsing the formation of a sovereign interim government, which did something to heal the rifts created in 2003. Another was the successful low-key handover of authority. But the impression that the situation in Iraq itself is much improved is down to Iraq fatigue in the media.
The security situation is calamitous. Two recent attacks killed nine US marines; an attack on the Iraqi minister of justice killed five bodyguards; bombings and attacks on Iraqi security forces have caused multiple deaths; targets in Falluja have been bombed by the US air force; foreigners have been kidnapped or executed with the aim of driving foreign troops and foreign companies out of Iraq.
Monday, July 19, 2004
USA VS. IRAN: PROPAGANDA WATCH
Sunday Herald: Regime change in Iran now in Bush’s sights
PRESIDENT George Bush has promised that if re-elected in November he will make regime change in Iran his new target.
Bush named Iran as part of the Axis of Evil along with North Korea and Iraq almost three years ago. A US government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that military action would not be overt in changing Iran, but rather that the US would work to stir revolts in the country and hope to topple the current conservative religious leadership.
The official said: “If George Bush is re-elected there will be much more intervention in the internal affairs of Iran.”
Telegraph: Now America accuses Iran of complicity in World Trade Center attack
Iran gave free passage to up to 10 of the September 11 hijackers just months before the 2001 attacks and offered to co-operate with al-Qa'eda against the US, an American report will say this week.
The all-party report by the 9/11 Commission, set up by Congress in 2002, will state that Iran, not Iraq, fostered relations with the al-Qa'eda network in the years leading up to the world's most devastating terrorist attack.
PRESIDENT George Bush has promised that if re-elected in November he will make regime change in Iran his new target.
Bush named Iran as part of the Axis of Evil along with North Korea and Iraq almost three years ago. A US government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that military action would not be overt in changing Iran, but rather that the US would work to stir revolts in the country and hope to topple the current conservative religious leadership.
The official said: “If George Bush is re-elected there will be much more intervention in the internal affairs of Iran.”
Telegraph: Now America accuses Iran of complicity in World Trade Center attack
Iran gave free passage to up to 10 of the September 11 hijackers just months before the 2001 attacks and offered to co-operate with al-Qa'eda against the US, an American report will say this week.
The all-party report by the 9/11 Commission, set up by Congress in 2002, will state that Iran, not Iraq, fostered relations with the al-Qa'eda network in the years leading up to the world's most devastating terrorist attack.
IRAQ: ALLAWI
ABC: Iraq's interim PM executed six insurgents: witnesses
MAXINE MCKEW: Let's go straight to the allegations that Iyad Allawi executed as many as six suspected insurgents at a Baghdad police station at the end of June.
The explosive claims in tomorrow's Sydney Morning Herald and Age newspapers allege that the prisoners were handcuffed and blindfolded, lined up against a courtyard wall and shot by the Iraqi Prime Minister.
Dr Allawi is alleged to have told those around him that he wanted to send a clear message to the police on how to deal with insurgents.
Two people allege they witnessed the killings and there are also claims the Iraqi Interior Minister was present as well as four American security men in civilian dress.
MAXINE MCKEW: Let's go straight to the allegations that Iyad Allawi executed as many as six suspected insurgents at a Baghdad police station at the end of June.
The explosive claims in tomorrow's Sydney Morning Herald and Age newspapers allege that the prisoners were handcuffed and blindfolded, lined up against a courtyard wall and shot by the Iraqi Prime Minister.
Dr Allawi is alleged to have told those around him that he wanted to send a clear message to the police on how to deal with insurgents.
Two people allege they witnessed the killings and there are also claims the Iraqi Interior Minister was present as well as four American security men in civilian dress.
IRAQ: ALLAWI
IMC: The interim Prime Minister of Iraq
A bigraphical timeline of Mr. Allawi, former Baathist, former agent for MI6 and CIA, former terrorist. This is an improvement?
Allawi's rocky road to the top
July 17, 2004
1945: Born to a wealthy Shiite merchant family. His grandfather helped to negotiate Iraq's independence from Britain, and his father was a doctor and a MP.
1960s: Studies at medical school in Baghdad, where he first meets Saddam Hussein. Joins Baath party.
1963: According to the memoirs of a former Iraqi ambassador, Talib Shabib, Allawi was an assassin.
1971: Leaves Baghdad for London to continue his medical education. Trains to be a neurologist and obtains a master of science in medicine and a doctorate in medicine from London University. (Allawi has lived about half of his life in Britain and retains British citizenship.) Some claim he continued to serve the Baath party, and the Iraqi secret police, searching out enemies of the regime.
1975: Falls out of favour with the Baath party.
1978: Enters a relationship with the British security services. Word reaches Saddam's secret police. He is attacked while in his bed in Kingston-upon-Thames. Intruder hits him over the head with an axe, a second blow nearly severs his right leg, and a third plunges into his chest. The would-be assassins flee. Allawi spends a year in hospital recovering from his injuries.
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A bigraphical timeline of Mr. Allawi, former Baathist, former agent for MI6 and CIA, former terrorist. This is an improvement?
Allawi's rocky road to the top
July 17, 2004
1945: Born to a wealthy Shiite merchant family. His grandfather helped to negotiate Iraq's independence from Britain, and his father was a doctor and a MP.
1960s: Studies at medical school in Baghdad, where he first meets Saddam Hussein. Joins Baath party.
1963: According to the memoirs of a former Iraqi ambassador, Talib Shabib, Allawi was an assassin.
1971: Leaves Baghdad for London to continue his medical education. Trains to be a neurologist and obtains a master of science in medicine and a doctorate in medicine from London University. (Allawi has lived about half of his life in Britain and retains British citizenship.) Some claim he continued to serve the Baath party, and the Iraqi secret police, searching out enemies of the regime.
1975: Falls out of favour with the Baath party.
1978: Enters a relationship with the British security services. Word reaches Saddam's secret police. He is attacked while in his bed in Kingston-upon-Thames. Intruder hits him over the head with an axe, a second blow nearly severs his right leg, and a third plunges into his chest. The would-be assassins flee. Allawi spends a year in hospital recovering from his injuries.
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IRAQ: ROBERT FISK
Counterpunch: Iraq, According to Edgar Allen Poe By ROBERT FISK
A few hours before Lord Butler of Brockwell was attesting to the "good faith" of Tony Blair over the invasion of Iraq, Sabr Karim paid the price for working for "new Iraq".
The father of seven and a senior auditor in Iraq's new Industry Ministry--his job was to scrutinise the lucrative contracts given to businessmen to rebuild the country--arrived home in the Saadiyeh suburb of Baghdad with his family's breakfast of milk, cream and bread from a local grocery store. That's when two men in a pick-up coolly fired two bullets into his stomach and two into his head. His children found him lying on the pavement, one leg still in his car.
In Iraq, the funeral tent is traditionally pitched in the street outside the victim's home, but when I went to pay my respects yesterday it was blocked in by cars to prevent suicide bombers driving a vehicle into the tent--and not without reason. For when Sabr Karim's brother and son-in-law went to the family's mosque to collect a coffin for the dead man, someone had left a bomb inside. Another day in the life --and death--of "new Iraq".
A few hours before Lord Butler of Brockwell was attesting to the "good faith" of Tony Blair over the invasion of Iraq, Sabr Karim paid the price for working for "new Iraq".
The father of seven and a senior auditor in Iraq's new Industry Ministry--his job was to scrutinise the lucrative contracts given to businessmen to rebuild the country--arrived home in the Saadiyeh suburb of Baghdad with his family's breakfast of milk, cream and bread from a local grocery store. That's when two men in a pick-up coolly fired two bullets into his stomach and two into his head. His children found him lying on the pavement, one leg still in his car.
In Iraq, the funeral tent is traditionally pitched in the street outside the victim's home, but when I went to pay my respects yesterday it was blocked in by cars to prevent suicide bombers driving a vehicle into the tent--and not without reason. For when Sabr Karim's brother and son-in-law went to the family's mosque to collect a coffin for the dead man, someone had left a bomb inside. Another day in the life --and death--of "new Iraq".
Thursday, July 15, 2004
IRAQ: FALLUJAH
Asia Times: The Islamic emirate of Fallujah
Taliban leader Mullah Omar, one of America's most wanted, would love it: it's the new Kandahar, the Afghan city that was once the Taliban stronghold. Under Sharia (Islamic) law: Fallujah is now totally under the control of the Sunni Iraqi resistance and their emirs (chieftains). More than 10,000 mujahideen armed to their teeth rule more than 500,000 people, just 50 kilometers west of Baghdad.
Writers and professors in Baghdad with close family and tribal ties to Fallujah have explained to Asia Times Online the new order. In today's Fallujah, every military commander is an emir. They may be strident, conservative Salafis, philosophical Sufis, al-Qaeda admirers, former Ba'ath Party army officials, former secret-service agents, or even the average neighbor, a father of six.
If you qualify as an emir, you are a leading member of what is popularly described as "the Iraqi resistance" in control of "liberated Fallujah", a region off-limits to US troops ever since the United States handed over control of the city in May after a month-long siege.
Taliban leader Mullah Omar, one of America's most wanted, would love it: it's the new Kandahar, the Afghan city that was once the Taliban stronghold. Under Sharia (Islamic) law: Fallujah is now totally under the control of the Sunni Iraqi resistance and their emirs (chieftains). More than 10,000 mujahideen armed to their teeth rule more than 500,000 people, just 50 kilometers west of Baghdad.
Writers and professors in Baghdad with close family and tribal ties to Fallujah have explained to Asia Times Online the new order. In today's Fallujah, every military commander is an emir. They may be strident, conservative Salafis, philosophical Sufis, al-Qaeda admirers, former Ba'ath Party army officials, former secret-service agents, or even the average neighbor, a father of six.
If you qualify as an emir, you are a leading member of what is popularly described as "the Iraqi resistance" in control of "liberated Fallujah", a region off-limits to US troops ever since the United States handed over control of the city in May after a month-long siege.
WEATHER MODIFICATION
Reuters: Chinese Fight Over Rain Clouds
BEIJING (Reuters) - A storm is brewing in China as drought-plagued regions accuse each other of stealing clouds for rain-seeding.
With the help of modern technology, scientists can fire rockets filled with various substances into light, fluffy clouds to make them rain.
"But the practice has caused considerable controversy in recent days, with some saying that one area's success with rain has meant taking moisture meant for one place and giving it to another," the China Daily said on Wednesday.
The row over rainclouds was particularly heated in several cities in central Henan province.
"Meteorological officials in Zhoukou were soon accusing their counterparts in Pingdingshan of overusing available natural resources by intercepting clouds that would have likely drifted to other places, say, like Zhoukou," the newspaper said.
Much of China is short of water and cloud-seeding is common, especially over major cities.
BEIJING (Reuters) - A storm is brewing in China as drought-plagued regions accuse each other of stealing clouds for rain-seeding.
With the help of modern technology, scientists can fire rockets filled with various substances into light, fluffy clouds to make them rain.
"But the practice has caused considerable controversy in recent days, with some saying that one area's success with rain has meant taking moisture meant for one place and giving it to another," the China Daily said on Wednesday.
The row over rainclouds was particularly heated in several cities in central Henan province.
"Meteorological officials in Zhoukou were soon accusing their counterparts in Pingdingshan of overusing available natural resources by intercepting clouds that would have likely drifted to other places, say, like Zhoukou," the newspaper said.
Much of China is short of water and cloud-seeding is common, especially over major cities.
MEDIA WATCH
Guardian: What you get in 20 seconds
Television coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict tends to reflect Israeli perspectives, while leaving most viewers alarmingly ill-informed
Television news is the main source of information on the Israel-Palestine conflict for about 80% of the population. Yet the quality of what they see and hear is so confused and partial that it is impossible to have a sensible public debate about the reasons for the conflict or how it might be resolved.
This is the conclusion of exhaustive research by the Glasgow University Media Group, which brought journalists, academics and ordinary viewers together to study the influence of news on public understanding. More than 800 people were interviewed and researchers examined around 200 news programmes
Television coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict tends to reflect Israeli perspectives, while leaving most viewers alarmingly ill-informed
Television news is the main source of information on the Israel-Palestine conflict for about 80% of the population. Yet the quality of what they see and hear is so confused and partial that it is impossible to have a sensible public debate about the reasons for the conflict or how it might be resolved.
This is the conclusion of exhaustive research by the Glasgow University Media Group, which brought journalists, academics and ordinary viewers together to study the influence of news on public understanding. More than 800 people were interviewed and researchers examined around 200 news programmes
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
SCIENCE
New York Times: Will Compasses Point South?
The collapse of the Earth's magnetic field, which both guards the planet and guides many of its creatures, appears to have started in earnest about 150 years ago. The field's strength has waned 10 to 15 percent, and the deterioration has accelerated of late, increasing debate over whether it portends a reversal of the lines of magnetic force that normally envelop the Earth.
During a reversal, the main field weakens, almost vanishes, then reappears with opposite polarity. Afterward, compass needles that normally point north would point south, and during the thousands of years of transition, much in the heavens and Earth would go askew.
A reversal could knock out power grids, hurt astronauts and satellites, widen atmospheric ozone holes, send polar auroras flashing to the equator and confuse birds, fish and migratory animals that rely on the steadiness of the magnetic field as a navigation aid. But experts said the repercussions would fall short of catastrophic, despite a few proclamations of doom and sketchy evidence of past links between field reversals and species extinctions.
Rense: The End Of The World...Again
I have written on this repeatedly over the past month. Again and again, the words "meteor" and "fireball" are appearing in news headlines around the globe, as people stand in awe at the wonderful, terrible spectre of fire blazing across the heavens. Of course, meteors are ALWAYS reaching the earth...but the past 6 weeks have produced more news items relating to meteors and other cosmic "impacts" than the previous YEAR OR MORE. June 3rd (Washingtion), June 5th (Los Angeles) June 10th (New Zealand) June 17th (Australia) June 20th (Seattle), June 26th (New Zealand) June 27th (Texas), July 7th (5 states in southern America.) Any simple keyword search on Google will prove this a reality.
Meteor strikes...earthquakes...power outages...electrical explosions...freakish weather...lightning strikes...one need not be "searching" for these things in order to find them. A nuclear power plant outage in Phoenix AZ, in June in conjunction with electrical fireballs and "strange lights"...in the last three days, "unexplained" power outages at O'Hare Airport in Chicago, Logan Airport in Boston, and a city-wide blackout in Athens, Greece, site of the 2004 Olympics...in Tibet two days ago, a 6.7 earthquake...In the state of Oregon, 50 EARTHQUAKES in a one week period, with a 4.9 earthquake occuring last night, the night of a great thunder and lightning storm...A 4.7-5.0 earhquake in Israel, which occurred just days after I wrote an article entitled, "Why Is Israel Taking Earthquake Preparedness Measures?"...so-called "freak weather" (as described by meterologists) throughout China, Europe, and Canada.
And just yesterday, a report from the New York times, and carried by the Drudge Report, that the magnetic field of the Earth is "collapsing."
The collapse of the Earth's magnetic field, which both guards the planet and guides many of its creatures, appears to have started in earnest about 150 years ago. The field's strength has waned 10 to 15 percent, and the deterioration has accelerated of late, increasing debate over whether it portends a reversal of the lines of magnetic force that normally envelop the Earth.
During a reversal, the main field weakens, almost vanishes, then reappears with opposite polarity. Afterward, compass needles that normally point north would point south, and during the thousands of years of transition, much in the heavens and Earth would go askew.
A reversal could knock out power grids, hurt astronauts and satellites, widen atmospheric ozone holes, send polar auroras flashing to the equator and confuse birds, fish and migratory animals that rely on the steadiness of the magnetic field as a navigation aid. But experts said the repercussions would fall short of catastrophic, despite a few proclamations of doom and sketchy evidence of past links between field reversals and species extinctions.
Rense: The End Of The World...Again
I have written on this repeatedly over the past month. Again and again, the words "meteor" and "fireball" are appearing in news headlines around the globe, as people stand in awe at the wonderful, terrible spectre of fire blazing across the heavens. Of course, meteors are ALWAYS reaching the earth...but the past 6 weeks have produced more news items relating to meteors and other cosmic "impacts" than the previous YEAR OR MORE. June 3rd (Washingtion), June 5th (Los Angeles) June 10th (New Zealand) June 17th (Australia) June 20th (Seattle), June 26th (New Zealand) June 27th (Texas), July 7th (5 states in southern America.) Any simple keyword search on Google will prove this a reality.
Meteor strikes...earthquakes...power outages...electrical explosions...freakish weather...lightning strikes...one need not be "searching" for these things in order to find them. A nuclear power plant outage in Phoenix AZ, in June in conjunction with electrical fireballs and "strange lights"...in the last three days, "unexplained" power outages at O'Hare Airport in Chicago, Logan Airport in Boston, and a city-wide blackout in Athens, Greece, site of the 2004 Olympics...in Tibet two days ago, a 6.7 earthquake...In the state of Oregon, 50 EARTHQUAKES in a one week period, with a 4.9 earthquake occuring last night, the night of a great thunder and lightning storm...A 4.7-5.0 earhquake in Israel, which occurred just days after I wrote an article entitled, "Why Is Israel Taking Earthquake Preparedness Measures?"...so-called "freak weather" (as described by meterologists) throughout China, Europe, and Canada.
And just yesterday, a report from the New York times, and carried by the Drudge Report, that the magnetic field of the Earth is "collapsing."
OCCUPIED TERRITORIES: ISRAEL SHOOT AT UN
UN RELIEF CONVOY FOR BESIEGED PALESTINIANS IN GAZA STRIP COMES UNDER FIRE
New York, Jul 14 2004 10:00AM
The top United Nations relief official for Palestinian refugees was forced to take cover today when part of a UN aid convoy that had delivered food to 20,000 Gaza Strip residents besieged by Israel came under fire, apparently from an Israeli armoured personnel carrier (APC).
The incident occurred when 16 trucks of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), cleared for entry by the Israeli military, delivered 370 tons of food to residents of Beit Hanoun, who have been living under severe hardship since the northern Gaza Strip town was cut off from the rest of Gaza by Israel on 28 June.
Shortly after passing the APC, a five-vehicle segment of the convoy, clearly marked with UN flags and symbols and with UNRWA Commissioner-General Peter Hansen on board, stopped to survey a citrus orchard that had been bulldozed by the Israeli military.
"At that point rapid firing appeared to come from the APC in the direction of the convoy," UNRWA said in a statement released in Gaza. "Hansen and the UNRWA personnel were forced to take cover in a nearby family home." The UN official had just visited the food distribution and was inspecting some of the demolished areas on the outskirts of the town.
After further coordination with the Israeli military liaison office, and a wait of 30 minutes, the convoy was able to leave the area.
UNRWA delivered flour, oil, lentils, sugar rice and whole milk to the town, where fresh food supplies have been running low, breadwinners have been unable to reach work, and in a number of areas water and electricity infrastructure have been destroyed by Israeli armour.
2004-07-14 00:00:00.000
New York, Jul 14 2004 10:00AM
The top United Nations relief official for Palestinian refugees was forced to take cover today when part of a UN aid convoy that had delivered food to 20,000 Gaza Strip residents besieged by Israel came under fire, apparently from an Israeli armoured personnel carrier (APC).
The incident occurred when 16 trucks of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), cleared for entry by the Israeli military, delivered 370 tons of food to residents of Beit Hanoun, who have been living under severe hardship since the northern Gaza Strip town was cut off from the rest of Gaza by Israel on 28 June.
Shortly after passing the APC, a five-vehicle segment of the convoy, clearly marked with UN flags and symbols and with UNRWA Commissioner-General Peter Hansen on board, stopped to survey a citrus orchard that had been bulldozed by the Israeli military.
"At that point rapid firing appeared to come from the APC in the direction of the convoy," UNRWA said in a statement released in Gaza. "Hansen and the UNRWA personnel were forced to take cover in a nearby family home." The UN official had just visited the food distribution and was inspecting some of the demolished areas on the outskirts of the town.
After further coordination with the Israeli military liaison office, and a wait of 30 minutes, the convoy was able to leave the area.
UNRWA delivered flour, oil, lentils, sugar rice and whole milk to the town, where fresh food supplies have been running low, breadwinners have been unable to reach work, and in a number of areas water and electricity infrastructure have been destroyed by Israeli armour.
2004-07-14 00:00:00.000
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
IRAQ: RESISTANCE
Daily Telegraph: Saddam Loyalists Turn Iraqi
City Into No-Go Area
The attack was as brazen as it was meticulously-planned. Under the gaze of an old Iraqi general wearing a Saddam Hussein-era olive-green uniform, a disciplined force of former soldiers unleashed a 90-minute mortar barrage on a United States base on the edge of Samarra.
The onslaught, witnessed last week by The Sunday Telegraph, claimed the lives of five American troops and six Iraqis in the most daring raid yet launched by Saddam loyalists in the shrine city 60 miles north of Baghdad.
For almost a fortnight, Samarra - like Fallujah - has been an outlaw town and a no-go area for the American-led Multi-National Force.
Last Thursday, the insurgents, Sunni loyalists turfed from power along with Saddam, demonstrated a new capability to kill Americans in a sophisticated military operation rather than a hit-and-run ambush.
The synchronised attack began when a car bomb devastated the headquarters of the local Iraqi National Guard. In the chaotic aftermath, several guards rushed to the still intact locker room, throwing off their uniforms in the hope that they could flee without being noticed.
A five-minute drive away, the former general was overseeing the next phase of the operation as his men set up mortar positions at a crossroads in the al-Sina'ai district.
City Into No-Go Area
The attack was as brazen as it was meticulously-planned. Under the gaze of an old Iraqi general wearing a Saddam Hussein-era olive-green uniform, a disciplined force of former soldiers unleashed a 90-minute mortar barrage on a United States base on the edge of Samarra.
The onslaught, witnessed last week by The Sunday Telegraph, claimed the lives of five American troops and six Iraqis in the most daring raid yet launched by Saddam loyalists in the shrine city 60 miles north of Baghdad.
For almost a fortnight, Samarra - like Fallujah - has been an outlaw town and a no-go area for the American-led Multi-National Force.
Last Thursday, the insurgents, Sunni loyalists turfed from power along with Saddam, demonstrated a new capability to kill Americans in a sophisticated military operation rather than a hit-and-run ambush.
The synchronised attack began when a car bomb devastated the headquarters of the local Iraqi National Guard. In the chaotic aftermath, several guards rushed to the still intact locker room, throwing off their uniforms in the hope that they could flee without being noticed.
A five-minute drive away, the former general was overseeing the next phase of the operation as his men set up mortar positions at a crossroads in the al-Sina'ai district.
IRAQ: BODYCOUNT
Independent: 3 More US GI's Killed -
Non-Iraqi Death Top 1,000
Two roadside bombs in northern Iraq killed three American soldiers and an Iraqi civilian yesterday. The death toll among foreign nationals in Iraq has now passed the 1,000 mark.
Two soldiers died and another three were injured in Samarra, 60 miles north of Baghdad. Earlier, a soldier on patrol and an Iraqi following a US convoy were killed in Beiji, 90 miles south of Mosul. A second soldier was wounded in the blast, which was followed by a gunfight in which the driver of an attacking vehicle was killed.
Non-Iraqi Death Top 1,000
Two roadside bombs in northern Iraq killed three American soldiers and an Iraqi civilian yesterday. The death toll among foreign nationals in Iraq has now passed the 1,000 mark.
Two soldiers died and another three were injured in Samarra, 60 miles north of Baghdad. Earlier, a soldier on patrol and an Iraqi following a US convoy were killed in Beiji, 90 miles south of Mosul. A second soldier was wounded in the blast, which was followed by a gunfight in which the driver of an attacking vehicle was killed.
ISRAEL: ZIONISM
JewsagainstZionism: ZIONISTS
DO NOT REPRESENT JEWS
From the inception of the Zionist State and particularly in recent times, the impression has been created in the World that there is some connection between the State, which falsely calls itself Israel, and the Jewish people as a whole. Therefore, we who continue to uphold the never-changing tradition of the Jewish people find it proper to again clarify the following points:
A Jew is one who remains faithful to the laws of the Jewish religion, that is, the Holy Torah and its commandments.
The Jewish people became a people before they had their own land, and continued to exist as a people also after they went Into exile, because our very people hood is based exclusively on the Torah.
The Holy Land was given to the Jewish people on the condition that they observe the Torah and its commandments. When they failed to do this, their sovereignty over the land was taken from them, and they went into exile. From that time, we are prohibited by the Torah with a very grave prohibition to establish a Jewish independent sovereignty in the Holy Land or anywhere throughout the world. Rather, we are obligated to be loyal to the nations under whose protection we dwell.
This situation has existed for close to 2000 years when the Jewish people were dispersed throughout all corners of the world. During this time, the Jews always remained faithful to the country in which they lived.
The Jewish people are grateful to all those merciful nations which have allowed them to observe Torah and the commandments undisturbed.
"CHECK IT"
DO NOT REPRESENT JEWS
From the inception of the Zionist State and particularly in recent times, the impression has been created in the World that there is some connection between the State, which falsely calls itself Israel, and the Jewish people as a whole. Therefore, we who continue to uphold the never-changing tradition of the Jewish people find it proper to again clarify the following points:
A Jew is one who remains faithful to the laws of the Jewish religion, that is, the Holy Torah and its commandments.
The Jewish people became a people before they had their own land, and continued to exist as a people also after they went Into exile, because our very people hood is based exclusively on the Torah.
The Holy Land was given to the Jewish people on the condition that they observe the Torah and its commandments. When they failed to do this, their sovereignty over the land was taken from them, and they went into exile. From that time, we are prohibited by the Torah with a very grave prohibition to establish a Jewish independent sovereignty in the Holy Land or anywhere throughout the world. Rather, we are obligated to be loyal to the nations under whose protection we dwell.
This situation has existed for close to 2000 years when the Jewish people were dispersed throughout all corners of the world. During this time, the Jews always remained faithful to the country in which they lived.
The Jewish people are grateful to all those merciful nations which have allowed them to observe Torah and the commandments undisturbed.
"CHECK IT"
OCCUPIED TERRITORIES: THE WALL
Amin: There Are Judges in the Hague by Uri Avnery
07/10/04 "AMIN" -- One of the Israeli newspapers, Haaretz, put the two events on the front page: the 100th anniversary of the death of Theodor Herzl, the founder of the modern Zionist movement, and the judgment of the International Court of Justice, which declared the Israeli Separation Wall illegal. This coincidence may seem fortuitous. What connection could there possibly be between a historical anniversary and the latest topical event?
But there is a connection. It is expressed in one sentence written by Herzl in Der Judenstaat, the book that became the cornerstone of Zionism. This is what it said: “There (in Palestine) we shall be a sector of the wall of Europe against Asia, we shall serve as the outpost of civilization against barbarism.”
This sentence could easily be written today. American thinkers propound the “clash of civilizations”, with Western “Judeo-Christian” culture battling “Islamic barbarism”. American leaders declare that Israel is the outpost of Western civilization in the fight against Arab-Muslim “international terrorism”. The Sharon government is building a wall for the purpose, or so it says, of protecting Israel against Palestinian-Arab terrorism. It declares at every opportunity that the fight against “Palestinian terrorism” is a part of the struggle against “international terrorism”. The Americans support the Israeli wall with all their heart and their wallet.
07/10/04 "AMIN" -- One of the Israeli newspapers, Haaretz, put the two events on the front page: the 100th anniversary of the death of Theodor Herzl, the founder of the modern Zionist movement, and the judgment of the International Court of Justice, which declared the Israeli Separation Wall illegal. This coincidence may seem fortuitous. What connection could there possibly be between a historical anniversary and the latest topical event?
But there is a connection. It is expressed in one sentence written by Herzl in Der Judenstaat, the book that became the cornerstone of Zionism. This is what it said: “There (in Palestine) we shall be a sector of the wall of Europe against Asia, we shall serve as the outpost of civilization against barbarism.”
This sentence could easily be written today. American thinkers propound the “clash of civilizations”, with Western “Judeo-Christian” culture battling “Islamic barbarism”. American leaders declare that Israel is the outpost of Western civilization in the fight against Arab-Muslim “international terrorism”. The Sharon government is building a wall for the purpose, or so it says, of protecting Israel against Palestinian-Arab terrorism. It declares at every opportunity that the fight against “Palestinian terrorism” is a part of the struggle against “international terrorism”. The Americans support the Israeli wall with all their heart and their wallet.
OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Aljazeera: Elderly Palestinian crushed to death
An aged paraplegic Palestinian has been crushed to death when Israeli occupation troops demolished his home in the southern Gaza Strip.
Mahmud Khalaf Allah, 75, was killed early on Monday during an invasion in Khan Yunus refugee camp when soldiers razed his home while he was still inside, said Palestinian medical and security sources.
An aged paraplegic Palestinian has been crushed to death when Israeli occupation troops demolished his home in the southern Gaza Strip.
Mahmud Khalaf Allah, 75, was killed early on Monday during an invasion in Khan Yunus refugee camp when soldiers razed his home while he was still inside, said Palestinian medical and security sources.
Monday, July 12, 2004
IRAQ: INTELLIGENCE
New York Times: Panel Describes Long Weakening of Hussein Army
The Senate's report on prewar intelligence about Iraq, which asserts that warnings about its illicit weapons were largely unfounded and that its ties to Al Qaeda were tenuous, also undermines another justification for the war: that Saddam Hussein's military posed a threat to regional stability and American interests.
In a detailed discussion of Iraq's prewar military posture, the report cites a long series of intelligence reports in the decade before the war that described a formerly potent army's spiral of decay under the weight of economic sanctions and American military pressure.
The committee's report implies that war opponents were essentially correct when they argued that Iraq posed little immediate threat to the United States. Before the war, those who held this view, both in Congress and at the United Nations, argued that continued containment was preferable to an invasion.
Although the report described a profound breakdown in the American intelligence system, both White House and Congressional officials say the political calendar will prevent any serious action until after the November elections.
The Senate's report on prewar intelligence about Iraq, which asserts that warnings about its illicit weapons were largely unfounded and that its ties to Al Qaeda were tenuous, also undermines another justification for the war: that Saddam Hussein's military posed a threat to regional stability and American interests.
In a detailed discussion of Iraq's prewar military posture, the report cites a long series of intelligence reports in the decade before the war that described a formerly potent army's spiral of decay under the weight of economic sanctions and American military pressure.
The committee's report implies that war opponents were essentially correct when they argued that Iraq posed little immediate threat to the United States. Before the war, those who held this view, both in Congress and at the United Nations, argued that continued containment was preferable to an invasion.
Although the report described a profound breakdown in the American intelligence system, both White House and Congressional officials say the political calendar will prevent any serious action until after the November elections.
IRAQ: INTELLIGENCE
Telegraph: Fury over Pentagon cell that briefed White House on Iraq's 'imaginary' al-Qaeda links
A Senior Pentagon policy maker created an unofficial "Iraqi intelligence cell" in the summer of 2002 to circumvent the CIA and secretly brief the White House on links between Saddam Hussein and al-Qa'eda, according to the Senate intelligence committee.
The allegations about Douglas Feith, the number three at the Department of Defence, are made in a supplementary annexe of the committee's review of the intelligence leading to war in Iraq, released on Friday
Comment:
Douglas Feith is a christian-Zionist Neocon. The WSWS Editiorial Board writes on an OP/ED-Article from 22.2.2004 that: "Never has there been a US administration so intimately tied to the Israeli right. Two of the most influential figures in the Pentagon—and key architects of the impending war against Iraq—are Richard Perle, head of the Defense Policy Board, and Douglas Feith, the Defense Department’s Undersecretary of Policy. Together in 1996 they wrote an advisory document for incoming Likud Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, urging an end to the Oslo negotiations with the Palestinians. Feith went further, calling for the reoccupation of the entire West Bank and Gaza Strip, noting that “the price in blood would be high,” but worth it. While Netanyahu failed to take the advice, Sharon seems to be embarked on just such a project." Who does Douglas Feith really represent?
A Senior Pentagon policy maker created an unofficial "Iraqi intelligence cell" in the summer of 2002 to circumvent the CIA and secretly brief the White House on links between Saddam Hussein and al-Qa'eda, according to the Senate intelligence committee.
The allegations about Douglas Feith, the number three at the Department of Defence, are made in a supplementary annexe of the committee's review of the intelligence leading to war in Iraq, released on Friday
Comment:
Douglas Feith is a christian-Zionist Neocon. The WSWS Editiorial Board writes on an OP/ED-Article from 22.2.2004 that: "Never has there been a US administration so intimately tied to the Israeli right. Two of the most influential figures in the Pentagon—and key architects of the impending war against Iraq—are Richard Perle, head of the Defense Policy Board, and Douglas Feith, the Defense Department’s Undersecretary of Policy. Together in 1996 they wrote an advisory document for incoming Likud Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, urging an end to the Oslo negotiations with the Palestinians. Feith went further, calling for the reoccupation of the entire West Bank and Gaza Strip, noting that “the price in blood would be high,” but worth it. While Netanyahu failed to take the advice, Sharon seems to be embarked on just such a project." Who does Douglas Feith really represent?
ISRAEL
Bloomberg: Israeli Woman Soldier Killed, 31 Hurt in Tel Aviv Bus Bombing
July 11 (Bloomberg) -- A 19-year-old female soldier was killed and 31 other people were injured when a bomb exploded near a bus early Sunday morning in the center of Tel Aviv, in the first attack by Palestinians inside Israel in four months.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon linked the bombing to a ruling released Friday by the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which said the barrier Israel is erecting to protect itself against Palestinian attacks violates international law and must be torn down.
Aljazeera: Arafat hints Israel planted Tel Aviv bomb
Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat has condemned Sunday's deadly bomb attack in Tel Aviv but suggested that it was an act of provocation carried out by the Israelis.
"We condemn this act as we always condemn these acts," Arafat said, before hinting that it could have been carried out by the Israelis.
"You know who is behind these acts," he told reporters on Sunday at his West Bank offices. "Europe knows it, the Americans know it, the Israelis know it
The Australian: Sharon blames court for bomb
AN Israeli woman was killed and about 20 people wounded in a bomb attack on a Tel Aviv bus stop yesterday that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said was carried out "under the patronage" of the world court.
An angry Mr Sharon was quick to blame the International Court of Justice, which on Friday declared illegal the Israeli-built wall on Palestinian territory, for the first bomb attack in Israel in almost four months.
"An hour ago, an Israeli woman was murdered by Palestinian terrorist criminals and other civilians were wounded. We're all praying for their wellbeing," he said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.
"The murderous act that was carried out this morning was the first to occur under the patronage of the world court."
Kommentar:
Zuerst hat Israel die Enscheidung des UN-Gerichtshofs mit dem Argument angegriffen, die Mauer verhindere Selbsmordanschläge, da es in den letzten vier Monate keine gegeben hat. Nun zeigt der Bombenanschlag in Tel-Aviv das dem nicht so ist und Ariel Sharon macht einen schwenker in der Rethorik und nun ist der Weltgerichtshof schuld weil die sagen die Mauer sei Illegal. Wobei der Gerichtshof sagt die Mauer sei Illegal weil sie auf Palästinensischem Gebiet gebaut wird. Sie wäre es nicht wenn sie innerhalb der Grenzen Israels zu stehen kommt. Die ganze Argumentation ist Propaganda. Der "The Australian" vergisst in dem Artikel zudem zu erwähnen , dass es sich bei der Toten nicht um eine Zivilistin sondern um eine Soldatin der Besatzungsarmee gehandelt hat"
July 11 (Bloomberg) -- A 19-year-old female soldier was killed and 31 other people were injured when a bomb exploded near a bus early Sunday morning in the center of Tel Aviv, in the first attack by Palestinians inside Israel in four months.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon linked the bombing to a ruling released Friday by the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which said the barrier Israel is erecting to protect itself against Palestinian attacks violates international law and must be torn down.
Aljazeera: Arafat hints Israel planted Tel Aviv bomb
Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat has condemned Sunday's deadly bomb attack in Tel Aviv but suggested that it was an act of provocation carried out by the Israelis.
"We condemn this act as we always condemn these acts," Arafat said, before hinting that it could have been carried out by the Israelis.
"You know who is behind these acts," he told reporters on Sunday at his West Bank offices. "Europe knows it, the Americans know it, the Israelis know it
The Australian: Sharon blames court for bomb
AN Israeli woman was killed and about 20 people wounded in a bomb attack on a Tel Aviv bus stop yesterday that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said was carried out "under the patronage" of the world court.
An angry Mr Sharon was quick to blame the International Court of Justice, which on Friday declared illegal the Israeli-built wall on Palestinian territory, for the first bomb attack in Israel in almost four months.
"An hour ago, an Israeli woman was murdered by Palestinian terrorist criminals and other civilians were wounded. We're all praying for their wellbeing," he said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.
"The murderous act that was carried out this morning was the first to occur under the patronage of the world court."
Kommentar:
Zuerst hat Israel die Enscheidung des UN-Gerichtshofs mit dem Argument angegriffen, die Mauer verhindere Selbsmordanschläge, da es in den letzten vier Monate keine gegeben hat. Nun zeigt der Bombenanschlag in Tel-Aviv das dem nicht so ist und Ariel Sharon macht einen schwenker in der Rethorik und nun ist der Weltgerichtshof schuld weil die sagen die Mauer sei Illegal. Wobei der Gerichtshof sagt die Mauer sei Illegal weil sie auf Palästinensischem Gebiet gebaut wird. Sie wäre es nicht wenn sie innerhalb der Grenzen Israels zu stehen kommt. Die ganze Argumentation ist Propaganda. Der "The Australian" vergisst in dem Artikel zudem zu erwähnen , dass es sich bei der Toten nicht um eine Zivilistin sondern um eine Soldatin der Besatzungsarmee gehandelt hat"
USA ELECTION 04: TERROR
Spiegel: Bush will notfalls die Wahl verschieben
Die USA rüsten sich gegen Attentate vor der Präsidentschaftswahl. Die Regierung befürchtet, die Qaida könnte - wie in Madrid - versuchen, so den Wahlausgang zu beeinflussen. Jetzt lässt das Weiße Haus einem Magazinbericht zufolge prüfen, ob die Wahl verschoben werden kann, sollte es zu einem Terroranschlag kommen.
MSNBC: Exclusive: Election Day Worries
July 19 issue - American counterterrorism officials, citing what they call "alarming" intelligence about a possible Qaeda strike inside the United States this fall, are reviewing a proposal that could allow for the postponement of the November presidential election in the event of such an attack, NEWSWEEK has learned
Kommentar:
"Ein Terror Anschlag vor den Wahlen, käme Bush sehr gelegen. Bevölkerungen von Staaten die von einem Feind angegriffen werden, wählen, die Geschichte zeigt es, ihre Regierungen nicht ab sondern scharen sich hinter die Führer. Siehe auch 11. September. Das gleiche gilt für Bevölkerungen die Angst haben und dafür sorgt die Bush-Regierung unentwegt. Vor dem Fall der Türme wurde Busch allerorten kritisiert und befand sich in einem Umfragetief. Nach den Angriffen genoss George Bush die uneingeschränkte Unterstützung der Bevölkerung und der gesamtem Regierung. Die Regierung Aznar hat sich in Spanien selbst abgeschossen indem sie versuchte eine Propagandalüge aufrechtzuerhalten und die ETA der Anschläge beschuldigte. Die Regierung Aznar wurde abgewählt weil sie in einer Krise die Bevölkerung angelogen und für dumm verkauft hat. Nicht das die Regierung Bush nicht das gleiche gemacht hätte aber sie wurden dabei nicht erwischt. Osama braucht Bush und Bush braucht Osama. Laut General Tommy Franks wird die Regierung die Wahlen nicht "verschieben" falls Amerika nochmals angegriffen wird sondern die Verfassung suspendieren und auf unbestimmte Zeit eine Notstands- sprich Militärregierung einsetzen. Hail Bush"
Information Clearinghouse: Gen. Franks Doubts Constitution Will Survive WMD Attack
Friday, Nov. 21, 2003: (NewsMax) Gen. Tommy Franks says that if the United States is hit with a weapon of mass destruction that inflicts large casualties, the Constitution will likely be discarded in favor of a military form of government.
Die USA rüsten sich gegen Attentate vor der Präsidentschaftswahl. Die Regierung befürchtet, die Qaida könnte - wie in Madrid - versuchen, so den Wahlausgang zu beeinflussen. Jetzt lässt das Weiße Haus einem Magazinbericht zufolge prüfen, ob die Wahl verschoben werden kann, sollte es zu einem Terroranschlag kommen.
MSNBC: Exclusive: Election Day Worries
July 19 issue - American counterterrorism officials, citing what they call "alarming" intelligence about a possible Qaeda strike inside the United States this fall, are reviewing a proposal that could allow for the postponement of the November presidential election in the event of such an attack, NEWSWEEK has learned
Kommentar:
"Ein Terror Anschlag vor den Wahlen, käme Bush sehr gelegen. Bevölkerungen von Staaten die von einem Feind angegriffen werden, wählen, die Geschichte zeigt es, ihre Regierungen nicht ab sondern scharen sich hinter die Führer. Siehe auch 11. September. Das gleiche gilt für Bevölkerungen die Angst haben und dafür sorgt die Bush-Regierung unentwegt. Vor dem Fall der Türme wurde Busch allerorten kritisiert und befand sich in einem Umfragetief. Nach den Angriffen genoss George Bush die uneingeschränkte Unterstützung der Bevölkerung und der gesamtem Regierung. Die Regierung Aznar hat sich in Spanien selbst abgeschossen indem sie versuchte eine Propagandalüge aufrechtzuerhalten und die ETA der Anschläge beschuldigte. Die Regierung Aznar wurde abgewählt weil sie in einer Krise die Bevölkerung angelogen und für dumm verkauft hat. Nicht das die Regierung Bush nicht das gleiche gemacht hätte aber sie wurden dabei nicht erwischt. Osama braucht Bush und Bush braucht Osama. Laut General Tommy Franks wird die Regierung die Wahlen nicht "verschieben" falls Amerika nochmals angegriffen wird sondern die Verfassung suspendieren und auf unbestimmte Zeit eine Notstands- sprich Militärregierung einsetzen. Hail Bush"
Information Clearinghouse: Gen. Franks Doubts Constitution Will Survive WMD Attack
Friday, Nov. 21, 2003: (NewsMax) Gen. Tommy Franks says that if the United States is hit with a weapon of mass destruction that inflicts large casualties, the Constitution will likely be discarded in favor of a military form of government.
Friday, July 09, 2004
IRAQ: ROBERT FISK
The Star: Iraq takes backward step in march to democracy by Robert Fisk
Iraq has introduced legislation allowing the Iraqi authorities to impose martial law; curfews; a ban on demonstrations; the restriction of movement; phone-tapping; the opening of mail; and the freezing of bank accounts.
These laws were announced yesterday by Iyad Allawi, Iraq's United States-approved prime minister - 17 months after the Anglo-American invasion in which President Bush promised to bring democracy to the country.
And, what's more, military leaders might be appointed to rule parts of the nation, while a temporary reinstatement of Saddam's death penalty is also now probable.
Already, therefore, Iraq has begun to look just like any other Arab country.
"CHECK IT"
Iraq has introduced legislation allowing the Iraqi authorities to impose martial law; curfews; a ban on demonstrations; the restriction of movement; phone-tapping; the opening of mail; and the freezing of bank accounts.
These laws were announced yesterday by Iyad Allawi, Iraq's United States-approved prime minister - 17 months after the Anglo-American invasion in which President Bush promised to bring democracy to the country.
And, what's more, military leaders might be appointed to rule parts of the nation, while a temporary reinstatement of Saddam's death penalty is also now probable.
Already, therefore, Iraq has begun to look just like any other Arab country.
"CHECK IT"
IRAQ: RESISTANCE
Guardian: Iraq Insurgency Far Larger Than Thought
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The Iraq insurgency is far larger than the 5,000 guerrillas previously thought to be at its core, U.S. military officials say, and it's being led by well-armed Iraqi Sunnis angry at being pushed from power alongside Saddam Hussein.
Although U.S. military analysts disagree over the exact size, dozens of regional cells, often led by tribal sheiks and inspired by Sunni Muslim imams, can call upon part-time fighters to boost forces to as high as 20,000 - an estimate reflected in the insurgency's continued strength after U.S. forces killed as many as 4,000 in April alone.
The official said many car bombings bore the ``tradecraft'' of Saddam's former secret police and were aimed at intimidating Iraq's new security services.
Many in the U.S. intelligence community have been making similar points, but have encountered political opposition from the Bush administration, a State Department official in Washington said, also speaking on condition of anonymity.
Civilian analysts generally agreed, saying U.S. and Iraqi officials have long overemphasized the roles of foreign fighters and Muslim extremists.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The Iraq insurgency is far larger than the 5,000 guerrillas previously thought to be at its core, U.S. military officials say, and it's being led by well-armed Iraqi Sunnis angry at being pushed from power alongside Saddam Hussein.
Although U.S. military analysts disagree over the exact size, dozens of regional cells, often led by tribal sheiks and inspired by Sunni Muslim imams, can call upon part-time fighters to boost forces to as high as 20,000 - an estimate reflected in the insurgency's continued strength after U.S. forces killed as many as 4,000 in April alone.
The official said many car bombings bore the ``tradecraft'' of Saddam's former secret police and were aimed at intimidating Iraq's new security services.
Many in the U.S. intelligence community have been making similar points, but have encountered political opposition from the Bush administration, a State Department official in Washington said, also speaking on condition of anonymity.
Civilian analysts generally agreed, saying U.S. and Iraqi officials have long overemphasized the roles of foreign fighters and Muslim extremists.
Thursday, July 08, 2004
USA
The Independet: With Trembling Fingers
Despite the worst foreign policy blunder in American history, George W. Bush and his millionaire supporters don't know the meaning of the word shame.
I used to take a drink on occasion with a network newsman famed for his impenetrable calm--his apparent pulse rate that of a large mammal in deep hibernation--and in an avuncular moment he advised me that I'd do all right, in the long run, if I could only avoid the kind of journalism committed to the keyboard "with trembling fingers." I recognized the wisdom of this advice and endeavored over the years to write as little as possible when my blood pressure was soaring and my face was streaked with tears. The lava flows of indignation ebb predictably with age and hardening arteries, and nearing three-score I thought I'd never have to take another tranquilizer--or a double bourbon--to keep my fingers steady on the keys.
"CHECK IT"
Despite the worst foreign policy blunder in American history, George W. Bush and his millionaire supporters don't know the meaning of the word shame.
I used to take a drink on occasion with a network newsman famed for his impenetrable calm--his apparent pulse rate that of a large mammal in deep hibernation--and in an avuncular moment he advised me that I'd do all right, in the long run, if I could only avoid the kind of journalism committed to the keyboard "with trembling fingers." I recognized the wisdom of this advice and endeavored over the years to write as little as possible when my blood pressure was soaring and my face was streaked with tears. The lava flows of indignation ebb predictably with age and hardening arteries, and nearing three-score I thought I'd never have to take another tranquilizer--or a double bourbon--to keep my fingers steady on the keys.
"CHECK IT"
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"It is always a simple matter to drag people along whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. This is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country."
Herman Goering at the Nuernberg Trials
Herman Goering at the Nuernberg Trials
KUWAIT
Arab News: US May Force Kuwait to Cede Territory to Iraq: Ex-Minister
KUWAIT CITY, 8 July 2004 — An influential member of Kuwait’s ruling family and former minister yesterday expressed concern the United States may coerce the emirate into making territorial concessions to Iraq as part of a new regional order.
“I am afraid that Iraq’s new order may be arranged at our expense. The Americans may impose it on us,” former Oil Minister Sheikh Saud Nasser Al-Sabah told Al-Seyassah daily in an interview.
“I am afraid that someone may come tomorrow to say that the issue of Umm Qasr (port) and Bubiyan and Warba (islands) needs to be reviewed. This time the request will not come from Iraq. It may come from the Americans,” the former official said.
KUWAIT CITY, 8 July 2004 — An influential member of Kuwait’s ruling family and former minister yesterday expressed concern the United States may coerce the emirate into making territorial concessions to Iraq as part of a new regional order.
“I am afraid that Iraq’s new order may be arranged at our expense. The Americans may impose it on us,” former Oil Minister Sheikh Saud Nasser Al-Sabah told Al-Seyassah daily in an interview.
“I am afraid that someone may come tomorrow to say that the issue of Umm Qasr (port) and Bubiyan and Warba (islands) needs to be reviewed. This time the request will not come from Iraq. It may come from the Americans,” the former official said.
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