Independent: City of defiance
They came from across Iraq, marching in solidarity with Shia brothers. Civilians they bear no arms, for the moment anyway who are willing die on the steps of the Imam Ali shrine. Thehuman shields have arrived in Najaf.
Hundreds have come to what is one of the most holy Shia sites on solidarity marches in recent days. Many more have made their way in smaller groups from nearby towns and neighbourhoods. More than 2,000 have now pledged their allegiance to the Shia cleric Muqtada Sadr and are based in the compound at the shrine.
Sheikh Ahmed Shaibani, a Sadr spokesman, said the presence of the civilians was intended to deter American forces. By simply turning up, they have maximised the loss of human life that could result from any attempt to storm the holy sites, a course already fraught with danger because of the outrage that serious physical damage to the shrine would provoke across Iraq and well beyond. The human shield supporters also appear ready to take up arms left by insurgents killed or wounded in the fighting.
police lieutenant arrived at the hotel at 6.30pm in a convoy of two Toyota Land Cruisers from the local police station. He demanded to know the whereabouts of correspondents from al-Arabiya and the Reuters and AP news agencies.
As journalists protested, the lieutenant said above the hubbub: "We are going to open fire on this hotel. We are going to smash it up. I will kill you all. You did this all to yourselves." In a threat that did not immediately appear to have been carried out, he said four snipers would be positioned on the roof of the police station to fire at any journalists who left the hotel.
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
SITE OF THE DAY
CHECK: JUANCOLE.com
Weblog from Juan Cole. Thoughts on the Middle East, History, and Religion
Juan Cole is Professor of History at the University of Michigan
Weblog from Juan Cole. Thoughts on the Middle East, History, and Religion
Juan Cole is Professor of History at the University of Michigan
IRAQ: NAJAF RESISTANCE
Reuters: Shi'ite militia destroy U.S. tank in Baghdad
BAGHDAD, Aug 16 (Reuters) Fierce clashes raged in Baghdad's mainly Shi'ite suburb today with militiamen destroying a U.S. tank, witnesses said.
U.S. forces had sealed Sadr City, a slum of two million people on the edge of the capital, earlier today after days of skirmishes that coincided with a radical Shi'ite uprising in at least eight cities in central and southern Iraq.
The witnesses said Mehdi Army militiamen loyal to firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr hit a tank with a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) and set it ablaze.
Reuters Television footage showed the tank on fire. There was no immediate comment from the U.S. military.
BAGHDAD, Aug 16 (Reuters) Fierce clashes raged in Baghdad's mainly Shi'ite suburb today with militiamen destroying a U.S. tank, witnesses said.
U.S. forces had sealed Sadr City, a slum of two million people on the edge of the capital, earlier today after days of skirmishes that coincided with a radical Shi'ite uprising in at least eight cities in central and southern Iraq.
The witnesses said Mehdi Army militiamen loyal to firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr hit a tank with a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) and set it ablaze.
Reuters Television footage showed the tank on fire. There was no immediate comment from the U.S. military.
IRAQ: NAJAF
Counterpunch: The Ultimate Stupidity The Attack on Najaf By GARY LEUPP
Oppose the oppressor and support the oppressed.
Imam Ali, Last Will and Testament (39 AH; 661 CE)
I have been thinking for months that if those commanding U.S. forces in Iraq really wanted to perform the ultimate stupidity, and ratchet up exponentially the degree of hatred they face in Iraq and throughout the Muslim world---then they'd surely attack the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf, or be drawn into a situation where they'd damage it. This is the most important Shiite site in the world, and is holy not only to Shiites (about 120 million people) but also to all the billion-plus Muslims on the planet. It sits atop the tomb of Ali, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet, fourth caliph ("successor" of Muhammed and political and religious leader of the expanding Muslim world), assassinated by opponents in 661. Ali's partisans supported his son Hussein as next caliph, but Umayyad foes defeated Hussein and 72 followers in battle at Karbala in 680, their martyrdoms producing the enduring division between Sunni and Shia Islam.
"CHECK IT"
Oppose the oppressor and support the oppressed.
Imam Ali, Last Will and Testament (39 AH; 661 CE)
I have been thinking for months that if those commanding U.S. forces in Iraq really wanted to perform the ultimate stupidity, and ratchet up exponentially the degree of hatred they face in Iraq and throughout the Muslim world---then they'd surely attack the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf, or be drawn into a situation where they'd damage it. This is the most important Shiite site in the world, and is holy not only to Shiites (about 120 million people) but also to all the billion-plus Muslims on the planet. It sits atop the tomb of Ali, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet, fourth caliph ("successor" of Muhammed and political and religious leader of the expanding Muslim world), assassinated by opponents in 661. Ali's partisans supported his son Hussein as next caliph, but Umayyad foes defeated Hussein and 72 followers in battle at Karbala in 680, their martyrdoms producing the enduring division between Sunni and Shia Islam.
"CHECK IT"
VENEZUELA
IPS: International Observers Ratify Chávez's Triumph in Referendum
CARACAS - Although the opposition complained of fraud, the international election observer missions monitoring the recall referendum in Venezuela agreed Monday that President Hugo Chávez had won, and said they found no signs of fraud.
Nobel Peace laureate and former U.S. president Jimmy Carter and Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary-General César Gaviria said in a joint news briefing in Caracas that Chávez survived Sunday’s referendum.
"Our information coincides with the partial results presented by the National Electoral Council (CNE)," said Carter.
"The results are compatible with our figures, and we have not found any elements of fraud," said Gaviria.
CARACAS - Although the opposition complained of fraud, the international election observer missions monitoring the recall referendum in Venezuela agreed Monday that President Hugo Chávez had won, and said they found no signs of fraud.
Nobel Peace laureate and former U.S. president Jimmy Carter and Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary-General César Gaviria said in a joint news briefing in Caracas that Chávez survived Sunday’s referendum.
"Our information coincides with the partial results presented by the National Electoral Council (CNE)," said Carter.
"The results are compatible with our figures, and we have not found any elements of fraud," said Gaviria.
Monday, August 16, 2004
IRAQ: DEMOCRACY
Reuters: Iraqi police threaten to arrest reporters in Najaf
NAJAF, Iraq, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Iraqi police brandishing rifles threatened to arrest journalists unless they left Najaf on Sunday, raising fears among local reporters they were attempting to impose a news blackout on the holy city.
At least 20 reporters had travelled to the southern Iraqi town, where Shi'ite militiamen fought fierce battles with U.S. and Iraqi forces, after the collapse of peace talks aimed at ending fighting that has killed hundreds.
Najaf police chief Ghaleb al-Jazaeri told a news conference all media should leave by noon (0800 GMT), saying he would not be able to guarantee their safety after the deadline passed.
KCTV5: Iraqi government evicts reporters from Najaf as fighting continues
Iraq As fighting resumes between U-S forces and Shiite militants, Iraqi police have ordered all journalists to leave the holy city of Najaf.
The order doesn't specify consequences of violating the request. But journalists say the police told them any reporters remaining would be arrested.
Police also told them cameras and cell phones would be confiscated -- and that all cars coming into the city will be searched.
The ban would mean the only news coverage of the ongoing fighting in Najaf would come from reporters embedded with the U-S military.
NAJAF, Iraq, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Iraqi police brandishing rifles threatened to arrest journalists unless they left Najaf on Sunday, raising fears among local reporters they were attempting to impose a news blackout on the holy city.
At least 20 reporters had travelled to the southern Iraqi town, where Shi'ite militiamen fought fierce battles with U.S. and Iraqi forces, after the collapse of peace talks aimed at ending fighting that has killed hundreds.
Najaf police chief Ghaleb al-Jazaeri told a news conference all media should leave by noon (0800 GMT), saying he would not be able to guarantee their safety after the deadline passed.
KCTV5: Iraqi government evicts reporters from Najaf as fighting continues
Iraq As fighting resumes between U-S forces and Shiite militants, Iraqi police have ordered all journalists to leave the holy city of Najaf.
The order doesn't specify consequences of violating the request. But journalists say the police told them any reporters remaining would be arrested.
Police also told them cameras and cell phones would be confiscated -- and that all cars coming into the city will be searched.
The ban would mean the only news coverage of the ongoing fighting in Najaf would come from reporters embedded with the U-S military.
IRAQ: RESISTANCE
KR: Offensive resumes in Najaf, prompting desertions of Iraqi troops
BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. and Iraqi forces launched a renewed assault Sunday on Shiite Muslim militiamen in the southern holy city of Najaf in a risky campaign that was marred from the onset by an outcry from Iraqi politicians and the desertion of dozens of Iraqi troops who refused to fight their countrymen.
The latest siege began Sunday afternoon, a day after Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's administration announced that fighting would resume after negotiations between government officials and aides to Muqtada al-Sadr failed to end the militant cleric's 10-day rebellion. The failed cease-fire talks, desertions and renewed fighting further undermined Allawi's leadership just as Iraq was poised to take its first step toward free elections by picking a national assembly.
Independent: Battle for Iraq's future
Democracy was a long way from Najaf yesterday. As fighting resumed in the Shia holy city, Iyad Allawi's government moved to impose an authoritarian media clampdown before any full-scale assault on the holy sites which insurgents have made their base.
Despite indications that any full-scale assault in the city might await completion of the conference in Baghdad, most Arab television crews and other reporters left the city last night after armed police came to the Bar Najaf hotel, where nearly all foreign and Arab journalists are staying, to order them to leave for Baghdad. Journalists who protested were told: "You have been warned. You have two hours. If you don't leave you will be shot." "Rember Jenin?"
During the day two bullets were fired at the gate to the hotel entrance and through the open doorway of the hotel. The second bullet hit a glass panel inside the hotel, which slightly injured an Arab journalist when it fractured. Although there was no confirmation that the bullets had been fired by police, the hotel is only a few hundred metres from the local police station and much farther from the main positions of Sadr's insurgents.
The attempted media ban reminiscent in its own way of the Saddam Hussein regime toppled 15 months ago is in contrast to the media savvy of Sadr spokesmen who have welcomed reporters to the Imam Ali shrine and made visits to the Bar Najaf hotel to give press conferences.
BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. and Iraqi forces launched a renewed assault Sunday on Shiite Muslim militiamen in the southern holy city of Najaf in a risky campaign that was marred from the onset by an outcry from Iraqi politicians and the desertion of dozens of Iraqi troops who refused to fight their countrymen.
The latest siege began Sunday afternoon, a day after Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's administration announced that fighting would resume after negotiations between government officials and aides to Muqtada al-Sadr failed to end the militant cleric's 10-day rebellion. The failed cease-fire talks, desertions and renewed fighting further undermined Allawi's leadership just as Iraq was poised to take its first step toward free elections by picking a national assembly.
Independent: Battle for Iraq's future
Democracy was a long way from Najaf yesterday. As fighting resumed in the Shia holy city, Iyad Allawi's government moved to impose an authoritarian media clampdown before any full-scale assault on the holy sites which insurgents have made their base.
Despite indications that any full-scale assault in the city might await completion of the conference in Baghdad, most Arab television crews and other reporters left the city last night after armed police came to the Bar Najaf hotel, where nearly all foreign and Arab journalists are staying, to order them to leave for Baghdad. Journalists who protested were told: "You have been warned. You have two hours. If you don't leave you will be shot." "Rember Jenin?"
During the day two bullets were fired at the gate to the hotel entrance and through the open doorway of the hotel. The second bullet hit a glass panel inside the hotel, which slightly injured an Arab journalist when it fractured. Although there was no confirmation that the bullets had been fired by police, the hotel is only a few hundred metres from the local police station and much farther from the main positions of Sadr's insurgents.
The attempted media ban reminiscent in its own way of the Saddam Hussein regime toppled 15 months ago is in contrast to the media savvy of Sadr spokesmen who have welcomed reporters to the Imam Ali shrine and made visits to the Bar Najaf hotel to give press conferences.
IRAQ: RESISTANCE
Aljazeera: Al-Mahdi Army digs in, hopes for deal
In an exclusive interview with Aljazeera, a Muqtada al-Sadr spokesman has said the al-Mahdi Army is prepared for any attack against Najaf, but is also ready to accept any peace intitiative.
Ahmad al-Shibani stressed that any peace move initiated by the interim government - which he branded as a proxy agent of the US occupation of Iraq - would be welcomed by al-Sadr.
"We want to stop the bloodshed, maintain the honour and integrity of the Iraqi people, and bring this crisis to an end," he told Aljazeera.
In an exclusive interview with Aljazeera, a Muqtada al-Sadr spokesman has said the al-Mahdi Army is prepared for any attack against Najaf, but is also ready to accept any peace intitiative.
Ahmad al-Shibani stressed that any peace move initiated by the interim government - which he branded as a proxy agent of the US occupation of Iraq - would be welcomed by al-Sadr.
"We want to stop the bloodshed, maintain the honour and integrity of the Iraqi people, and bring this crisis to an end," he told Aljazeera.
IRAN
Reuters: Iran Warns Missiles Can Hit Israel
A senior Iranian military commander has Israel and the United States would not dare attack Iran since it could strike back anywhere in Israel with its latest missiles.
Iranian officials have made a point of highlighting the Islamic state's military capabilities in recent weeks in response to some media reports that Israeli or U.S. war planes could try to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities in air strikes
A senior Iranian military commander has Israel and the United States would not dare attack Iran since it could strike back anywhere in Israel with its latest missiles.
Iranian officials have made a point of highlighting the Islamic state's military capabilities in recent weeks in response to some media reports that Israeli or U.S. war planes could try to destroy Iranian nuclear facilities in air strikes
FINANCE
The Federal Observer: Elite Bankers Now Pulling Plug On US Economy & Currency!
This collapse will knock you out cold, flat on your back, with violence, and most of mankind will never get back up. While the elite are sending signals to their friends that the switch has been thrown, that final preparations for safety are now in order, they are not saying how bad it will be. That is why I began this site, because I could not find anyone, even doomsayers, who spelled out clearly what is at stake here. I believe that even the elite, such as Sir Templeton (more below) do not fully understand the implications of this crash - that this is the end of America as we know it.
That great criminal enterprise - the Federal Reserve - has accomplished step #1, trashing and ending the dollar system, culminating a multi-year, massive, insane inflation of money supply and credit. The Illuminati corporations such as Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, Farmer Mac, FHA, GM, Ford, and GE (which are actually banks), worked hand-in-hand with the Bank Cartel on this sickening, twisted game, switching from pumping credit cards and cars (which have gone to zero percent financing 12 months ago) to a last-ditch horrendous push into mortgage lending. This insane lending will destroy the lending institutions themselves, as Ford and GM are well aware, but the elite do not care, as after this collapse, there will only be one corporation in the world, and they are all pulling together to put everyone as deep into debt as possible, to assure than no American state or corporation or region will survive when the debt mountain suffocates all life.
This collapse will knock you out cold, flat on your back, with violence, and most of mankind will never get back up. While the elite are sending signals to their friends that the switch has been thrown, that final preparations for safety are now in order, they are not saying how bad it will be. That is why I began this site, because I could not find anyone, even doomsayers, who spelled out clearly what is at stake here. I believe that even the elite, such as Sir Templeton (more below) do not fully understand the implications of this crash - that this is the end of America as we know it.
That great criminal enterprise - the Federal Reserve - has accomplished step #1, trashing and ending the dollar system, culminating a multi-year, massive, insane inflation of money supply and credit. The Illuminati corporations such as Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, Farmer Mac, FHA, GM, Ford, and GE (which are actually banks), worked hand-in-hand with the Bank Cartel on this sickening, twisted game, switching from pumping credit cards and cars (which have gone to zero percent financing 12 months ago) to a last-ditch horrendous push into mortgage lending. This insane lending will destroy the lending institutions themselves, as Ford and GM are well aware, but the elite do not care, as after this collapse, there will only be one corporation in the world, and they are all pulling together to put everyone as deep into debt as possible, to assure than no American state or corporation or region will survive when the debt mountain suffocates all life.
VENEZUELA: CHAVEZ WINS
Vheadline: President Hugo Chavez Frias wins the RR with 58.2%
Shortly after 4:00 a.m. this morning, National Elections Council (CNE) president Francisco Carresquero went on linked radio/TV to announce preliminary results in yesterday's recall referendum with 94.49% of votes already tallied: President Hugo Chavez Frias got 4,991,483 votes (58.25%) while the opposition mustered only 3,576,557 votes (41.74%).
Independent: Chavez claims victory in referendum
President Hugo Chavez survived a popular referendum to oust him in a vote that attracted so many Venezuelans that they overwhelmed ballot stations, according to results announced today.
Backers of the leftist populist president immediately set off fireworks and began celebrating in the streets of the capital in the pre-dawn darkness.
Under Chavez, the government has paid for literacy programs, scholarships and free medical care for the poor. Thousands of Cuban doctors, dentists and nurses work in poor barrios across this South American nation.
Chavez called on the opposition to accept the results, and pledged that he would also do so.
ZMAG: The Calm Before the?
The Opposition Plan
One can put together the comments of the various opposition figures (please see the previous entry on the Mendoza press conference) and get a picture of what the opposition plan is. Short of some kind of violent provocation (and there have been warnings of that as well) to try to discredit the whole electoral process, the opposition has signalled repeatedly that it plans to announce the results at 2pm. Then, when the real results are announced after the polls close at 6pm, the opposition will say (assuming that the opposition loses the referendum, which it will if there is not fraud) that its results disagree with the official results and argue that a fraud has occurred. At that point things will depend on the integrity of the Carter Center and the OAS (gulp). That is not strictly true. There are all kinds of observers here, more media than ever before, so things will depend on the ability of everyone with integrity to get the truth out past all of those who are going to lie about the result. My own suspicion, based on the highly unscientific methods of watching the SI rallies and talking to random people, is that the result will be closer than the NO forces might like, but quite decisive
Shortly after 4:00 a.m. this morning, National Elections Council (CNE) president Francisco Carresquero went on linked radio/TV to announce preliminary results in yesterday's recall referendum with 94.49% of votes already tallied: President Hugo Chavez Frias got 4,991,483 votes (58.25%) while the opposition mustered only 3,576,557 votes (41.74%).
Independent: Chavez claims victory in referendum
President Hugo Chavez survived a popular referendum to oust him in a vote that attracted so many Venezuelans that they overwhelmed ballot stations, according to results announced today.
Backers of the leftist populist president immediately set off fireworks and began celebrating in the streets of the capital in the pre-dawn darkness.
Under Chavez, the government has paid for literacy programs, scholarships and free medical care for the poor. Thousands of Cuban doctors, dentists and nurses work in poor barrios across this South American nation.
Chavez called on the opposition to accept the results, and pledged that he would also do so.
ZMAG: The Calm Before the?
The Opposition Plan
One can put together the comments of the various opposition figures (please see the previous entry on the Mendoza press conference) and get a picture of what the opposition plan is. Short of some kind of violent provocation (and there have been warnings of that as well) to try to discredit the whole electoral process, the opposition has signalled repeatedly that it plans to announce the results at 2pm. Then, when the real results are announced after the polls close at 6pm, the opposition will say (assuming that the opposition loses the referendum, which it will if there is not fraud) that its results disagree with the official results and argue that a fraud has occurred. At that point things will depend on the integrity of the Carter Center and the OAS (gulp). That is not strictly true. There are all kinds of observers here, more media than ever before, so things will depend on the ability of everyone with integrity to get the truth out past all of those who are going to lie about the result. My own suspicion, based on the highly unscientific methods of watching the SI rallies and talking to random people, is that the result will be closer than the NO forces might like, but quite decisive
Friday, August 13, 2004
OLYMPIA: BRAND FACISM
Heise: "Mit den Turnschuhen kommst Du hier aber nicht rein!"
Wer die olympischen Spiele in Athen besucht, muss das nötige Markenbewusstsein haben
Dass bei den olympischen Spielen 1996 in Atlanta, dem Heim von Coca-Cola, nicht Pepsi ausgeschenkt wurde, kann man verstehen. Dass 2004 in Athen bekennende Pepsi-Trinker aber sogar rausfliegen sollen, nicht.
...Doch wie die Sunday Times meldet, sind nun auch die konkurrierenden Produkte selbst verboten, ob Pepsi im – zulässigen, doch mit Logo bedruckten – Plastikbecher oder ein Getränk im Pappbecher von Burger-King statt des Sponsors Mc Donalds oder Turnschuhe von Nike statt des Sponsors Adidas: Sobald ein verbotenes Logo erkennbar ist, ist Schluss mit lustig.
Wer die olympischen Spiele in Athen besucht, muss das nötige Markenbewusstsein haben
Dass bei den olympischen Spielen 1996 in Atlanta, dem Heim von Coca-Cola, nicht Pepsi ausgeschenkt wurde, kann man verstehen. Dass 2004 in Athen bekennende Pepsi-Trinker aber sogar rausfliegen sollen, nicht.
...Doch wie die Sunday Times meldet, sind nun auch die konkurrierenden Produkte selbst verboten, ob Pepsi im – zulässigen, doch mit Logo bedruckten – Plastikbecher oder ein Getränk im Pappbecher von Burger-King statt des Sponsors Mc Donalds oder Turnschuhe von Nike statt des Sponsors Adidas: Sobald ein verbotenes Logo erkennbar ist, ist Schluss mit lustig.
IRAQ: NAJAF RESISTANCE
ICH: Endgame in Najaf?
by Juan Cole
The Marines have completely surrounded Najaf and cut off all the roads leading into the shrine of Imam Ali (Shiite Islam's St. Peter). US warplanes bombarded positions in the vast Valley of Peace cemetery (2 million graves) again today. At one point Marines entered the house of Muqtada al-Sadr, the radical Shiite leader, but of course found him gone. Al-Jazeerah's crawl is talking about continued fighting in the vicinity of the house. The US appears to have decided not to send the Marines into the shrine of Imam Ali, but an Iraqi force instead.
Al-Jazeerah says that the Mahdi Army may have mined the shrine. This information suggests that if any force does attack the Mahdi Army there, it may trigger explosions that could level it. (Read: Very, very bad publicity for the US).
by Juan Cole
The Marines have completely surrounded Najaf and cut off all the roads leading into the shrine of Imam Ali (Shiite Islam's St. Peter). US warplanes bombarded positions in the vast Valley of Peace cemetery (2 million graves) again today. At one point Marines entered the house of Muqtada al-Sadr, the radical Shiite leader, but of course found him gone. Al-Jazeerah's crawl is talking about continued fighting in the vicinity of the house. The US appears to have decided not to send the Marines into the shrine of Imam Ali, but an Iraqi force instead.
Al-Jazeerah says that the Mahdi Army may have mined the shrine. This information suggests that if any force does attack the Mahdi Army there, it may trigger explosions that could level it. (Read: Very, very bad publicity for the US).
IRAQ: NAJAF RESISTANCE
Reuters: Sadr Unhurt, in Talks to Leave Najaf Shrine -Gov't
Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is unhurt and is negotiating with the government to leave the Imam Ali shrine in the city of Najaf, Iraq's Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib said on Friday.
Several spokesmen to Sadr said he was wounded in a U.S. raid on Friday.
"Sayyed Moqtada will not be touched if he leaves the shrine peacefully. A truce has been in force since last night," Naqib told Reuters.
"We will go after the criminal elements which have penetrated the Sadr movement, but not Moqtada," he added.
The government has been under pressure to stop the U.S. attack on Najaf as casualties mount and more Iraqis express outrage at the U.S. tactics used to confront the anti-establishment cleric and his followers
Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is unhurt and is negotiating with the government to leave the Imam Ali shrine in the city of Najaf, Iraq's Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib said on Friday.
Several spokesmen to Sadr said he was wounded in a U.S. raid on Friday.
"Sayyed Moqtada will not be touched if he leaves the shrine peacefully. A truce has been in force since last night," Naqib told Reuters.
"We will go after the criminal elements which have penetrated the Sadr movement, but not Moqtada," he added.
The government has been under pressure to stop the U.S. attack on Najaf as casualties mount and more Iraqis express outrage at the U.S. tactics used to confront the anti-establishment cleric and his followers
IRAQ: NAJAF RESISTANCE
Reuters: U.S. Marines Seize Center of Najaf, Oil Hits Record
NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. Marines backed by tanks and aircraft seized the heart of the holy Iraqi city of Najaf Thursday in a major assault on Shi'ite rebels that drove world oil prices to record highs.
Warplanes pounded militia positions in a cemetery next to the Imam Ali Mosque while U.S. forces stormed the home of a radical cleric at the center of the weeklong uprising that has killed hundreds in seven cities.
Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr was believed to be holed up in the mosque along with hundreds of his Mehdi Army militia, witnesses said.
NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. Marines backed by tanks and aircraft seized the heart of the holy Iraqi city of Najaf Thursday in a major assault on Shi'ite rebels that drove world oil prices to record highs.
Warplanes pounded militia positions in a cemetery next to the Imam Ali Mosque while U.S. forces stormed the home of a radical cleric at the center of the weeklong uprising that has killed hundreds in seven cities.
Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr was believed to be holed up in the mosque along with hundreds of his Mehdi Army militia, witnesses said.
IRAQ: NAJAF RESISTANCE
Asia Times: Bush gambles as Najaf burns
The administration of US President George W Bush has embarked on a desperate military adventure in hopes of creating the appearance of a pacified Iraq. The assault on the holy city of Najaf, with its attendant slaughter of combatants and civilians, its destruction of whole neighborhoods, and its threat to Shi'ite holy cities, is fraught with the possibility of another major military defeat.
But the military commanders are hoping it will instead produce a rare military victory, since they are fighting lightly armed and relatively inexperienced members of Muqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army. Nevertheless, even such a victory would be short-lived at best, since the fighting itself only serves to consolidate the opposition of the Shi'ite population. The Bush administration is apparently hoping that a sufficiently brutal suppression of the Sadrists will postpone the now almost inevitable national uprising until after the November presidential elections in the United States.
"CHECK IT"
The administration of US President George W Bush has embarked on a desperate military adventure in hopes of creating the appearance of a pacified Iraq. The assault on the holy city of Najaf, with its attendant slaughter of combatants and civilians, its destruction of whole neighborhoods, and its threat to Shi'ite holy cities, is fraught with the possibility of another major military defeat.
But the military commanders are hoping it will instead produce a rare military victory, since they are fighting lightly armed and relatively inexperienced members of Muqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army. Nevertheless, even such a victory would be short-lived at best, since the fighting itself only serves to consolidate the opposition of the Shi'ite population. The Bush administration is apparently hoping that a sufficiently brutal suppression of the Sadrists will postpone the now almost inevitable national uprising until after the November presidential elections in the United States.
"CHECK IT"
Thursday, August 12, 2004
USA: 1984
Information Clearinghouse: "The Ghost of Orwell is Upon us"
A rather sad state of affairs has risen out of the propaganda-laced, nationalism-spewing, draped-in-the flag-espousing and testosterone-filled Democratic National Convention that would have made Joseph Goebbels proud. The party of peace and progress has mutated into one of warmongers and military might, whoring itself to the evils of war and violence in order to regain power, forgetting principles of pacifism and humanism for those espousing death and destruction. The leaders of the Democratic Party know that to once more sit in the White House, to replace lunatics and liars, they must become George W. Bush, albeit with a brain, proclaiming the drums of war and the strength of violence. In a nation addicted to the smells of human blood and of growing hatred for the Arab and Muslim world, only mirages of warmongers and charades of military might can compete with the façade that propels Bush today.
Granted, this cynical conversion has been strategically made in order to elect John Kerry into office, knowing that the American public sits on its collective couch, as always glued to the television, furthering society’s decline as they are made ignorant, unthinking and conditioned drones, chips in one hand, beer in the other, believing the fictions being bombarded into their minds, frightened of Arab bogeymen and cowering to the insecurity and fear conditioned into daily life by a government and military-industrial complex basking in the euphoria of an easily controlled populace. Thus, needing to project strength and the ability to protect the populace in this so-called ‘war on terror’ the Democrats unleashed a wave of military symbolism, personalities and speeches, trying to recapture the ‘security’ and ‘leadership in times of war’ mantra from George W. Bush and the Republicans.
"CHECK IT"
A rather sad state of affairs has risen out of the propaganda-laced, nationalism-spewing, draped-in-the flag-espousing and testosterone-filled Democratic National Convention that would have made Joseph Goebbels proud. The party of peace and progress has mutated into one of warmongers and military might, whoring itself to the evils of war and violence in order to regain power, forgetting principles of pacifism and humanism for those espousing death and destruction. The leaders of the Democratic Party know that to once more sit in the White House, to replace lunatics and liars, they must become George W. Bush, albeit with a brain, proclaiming the drums of war and the strength of violence. In a nation addicted to the smells of human blood and of growing hatred for the Arab and Muslim world, only mirages of warmongers and charades of military might can compete with the façade that propels Bush today.
Granted, this cynical conversion has been strategically made in order to elect John Kerry into office, knowing that the American public sits on its collective couch, as always glued to the television, furthering society’s decline as they are made ignorant, unthinking and conditioned drones, chips in one hand, beer in the other, believing the fictions being bombarded into their minds, frightened of Arab bogeymen and cowering to the insecurity and fear conditioned into daily life by a government and military-industrial complex basking in the euphoria of an easily controlled populace. Thus, needing to project strength and the ability to protect the populace in this so-called ‘war on terror’ the Democrats unleashed a wave of military symbolism, personalities and speeches, trying to recapture the ‘security’ and ‘leadership in times of war’ mantra from George W. Bush and the Republicans.
"CHECK IT"
IRAQ: FREEDOM
News-Jounrnal: No security in fear
In the last week alone, the Iraqi prime minister shut down the offices of Al-Jazeera, the Arab news channel, restored the death penalty (declaring it applicable to a disturbingly broad list of offenses) and ordered his chief political rival arrested. And he vowed to crush Shiite insurgents with American forces, without negotiations or cease-fires.
Has Saddam Hussein been replaced with Saddam Alawi? The question is relevant to the American electorate if the president continues to promise, as he did last week in Minnesota, that he's keeping "our commitments to help . . . Iraq become democratic, free and therefore peaceful."
In the last week alone, the Iraqi prime minister shut down the offices of Al-Jazeera, the Arab news channel, restored the death penalty (declaring it applicable to a disturbingly broad list of offenses) and ordered his chief political rival arrested. And he vowed to crush Shiite insurgents with American forces, without negotiations or cease-fires.
Has Saddam Hussein been replaced with Saddam Alawi? The question is relevant to the American electorate if the president continues to promise, as he did last week in Minnesota, that he's keeping "our commitments to help . . . Iraq become democratic, free and therefore peaceful."
IRAQ: FREEDOM
Guardian: The failed occupation
A TV station ban, 160,000 foreign troops, trumped up charges: is this the free society Iraqis were promised?
They are falling like skittles in a bowling alley. One by one, the arguments for the 2003 invasion of Iraq keep tumbling. First to go was the big one. War was necessary because Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. It turned out there were none. Next was the insistent promise that a US-led conquest of Baghdad would end completely and forever human rights abuses committed in hell-holes such as Abu Ghraib jail. Except we saw the pictures and realised that abuses had continued even in Abu Ghraib itself - albeit under new management.
The last week has sent one more Iraqi ninepin wobbling. It is the hope on which Tony Blair has had to rest his case for war, the hope that Iraq is on its way to becoming a unique entity in the Arab world: an open, democratic society. There may be no WMD and the occupation may be a mess, Blair seems to say, but Iraq will be a democracy - and that alone will make all the pain and bloodshed worthwhile.
Now this justification is looking as shaky as the others. Of course, Iraq wasn't built in a day - and rooting a democracy in soil dried and hardened by decades of dictatorship will be no easy, instant task. The most one can expect are gradual, baby steps in the right direction. But even those are not coming.
A TV station ban, 160,000 foreign troops, trumped up charges: is this the free society Iraqis were promised?
They are falling like skittles in a bowling alley. One by one, the arguments for the 2003 invasion of Iraq keep tumbling. First to go was the big one. War was necessary because Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. It turned out there were none. Next was the insistent promise that a US-led conquest of Baghdad would end completely and forever human rights abuses committed in hell-holes such as Abu Ghraib jail. Except we saw the pictures and realised that abuses had continued even in Abu Ghraib itself - albeit under new management.
The last week has sent one more Iraqi ninepin wobbling. It is the hope on which Tony Blair has had to rest his case for war, the hope that Iraq is on its way to becoming a unique entity in the Arab world: an open, democratic society. There may be no WMD and the occupation may be a mess, Blair seems to say, but Iraq will be a democracy - and that alone will make all the pain and bloodshed worthwhile.
Now this justification is looking as shaky as the others. Of course, Iraq wasn't built in a day - and rooting a democracy in soil dried and hardened by decades of dictatorship will be no easy, instant task. The most one can expect are gradual, baby steps in the right direction. But even those are not coming.
IRAQ: IS EXPLODING
Aljazeera: Iraqi south threatens secession
Informed sources told Aljazeera that al-Maliki said the breakaway province would include Basra, Misan and Dhi Qar governorates.
He also wants to shut Basra's port and in effect stop oil exports.
Al-Maliki said the decision was taken because the Iraqi interim government was "responsible for the Najaf clashes".
He has not outlined the steps for the implementation of his proposal.
Supply cut
Ali Hamud al-Musawi, head of the Misan governorate council, told Aljazeera al-Malki's decision was a normal and a logical reaction.
"The feelings of Iraqi southerners in particular and Iraqis in general had been contempt," al-Musawi said.
"This reaction comes in response to the crimes committed against Iraqis by an illegal and unelected government, and occupation forces who claimed they came to liberate Iraq, but it turned out that they have come to kill Iraqis," he added.
Informed sources told Aljazeera that al-Maliki said the breakaway province would include Basra, Misan and Dhi Qar governorates.
He also wants to shut Basra's port and in effect stop oil exports.
Al-Maliki said the decision was taken because the Iraqi interim government was "responsible for the Najaf clashes".
He has not outlined the steps for the implementation of his proposal.
Supply cut
Ali Hamud al-Musawi, head of the Misan governorate council, told Aljazeera al-Malki's decision was a normal and a logical reaction.
"The feelings of Iraqi southerners in particular and Iraqis in general had been contempt," al-Musawi said.
"This reaction comes in response to the crimes committed against Iraqis by an illegal and unelected government, and occupation forces who claimed they came to liberate Iraq, but it turned out that they have come to kill Iraqis," he added.
IRAQ: WMD
AFP: Saddam 'gave up WMDs in 1991'
SADDAM Hussein gave up all of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the wake of the 1991 Gulf War, the scientist who headed his nuclear program, Jaffar Dhia Jaffar, said in a BBC interview today.
"There was no capability. There was no chemical or biological or any what are called weapons of mass destruction," said Mr Jaffar in what BBC television called his first-ever broadcast interview.
Speaking in Paris, where he now lives, Mr Jaffar - who ran Saddam's nuclear program for 25 years - said there was "no development" of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons "at any time after 1991".
SADDAM Hussein gave up all of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the wake of the 1991 Gulf War, the scientist who headed his nuclear program, Jaffar Dhia Jaffar, said in a BBC interview today.
"There was no capability. There was no chemical or biological or any what are called weapons of mass destruction," said Mr Jaffar in what BBC television called his first-ever broadcast interview.
Speaking in Paris, where he now lives, Mr Jaffar - who ran Saddam's nuclear program for 25 years - said there was "no development" of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons "at any time after 1991".
SCIENCE
Daily Express: A Wave of Destruction Will Destroy America's East Coast
Around this time of the year many Britons look towards the Canary Islands for a sunshine break. What most don't know, however, is that on one of the Canary Islands lies a major global catastrophe in the making, a natural disaster so big that it could flatten the Atlantic coastlines of Britain, Europe, North Africa and the United States of America and cause enormous damage to London and other UK cities.
Recently, scientists have realised that the next Mega Tsunami is likely to begin on one of the Canary Islands
Dr. Day says: "If the volcano collapsed in one block of almost 20 cubic kilometres of rock, weighing 500 billion tonnes - twice the size of the Isle of Wight - it would fall into water almost 4 miles deep and create an undersea wave 2000 feet tall. Within five minutes of the landslide, a dome of water about a mile high would form and then collapse, before the Mega Tsunami fanned out in every direction, travelling at speeds of up to 500 mph. A 330ft wave would strike the western Sahara in less than an hour."
Guardian: Tidal Wave Disaster Just
Waiting To Happen
It has everything you could wish for in a cliche-ridden disaster movie. A beautiful volcanic island in the Atlantic is on the brink of catastrophic collapse, threatening to unleash giant waves that will wreak havoc around the globe within hours. And while scientists try in vain to make their concerns heard, the world's governments look the other way.
But yesterday a leading expert claimed the doom-laden scenario was not only real but was being almost completely ignored by people in power.
When - Professor McGuire says it is not a matter of if - the rock plunges into the ocean it will trigger giant waves called mega-tsunamis.
Travelling at speeds of up to 560mph, the huge walls of water will tear across the ocean and hit islands and continents, leaving a trail of destruction.
Mega-tsunami waves are much longer than the ones we are used to.
Around this time of the year many Britons look towards the Canary Islands for a sunshine break. What most don't know, however, is that on one of the Canary Islands lies a major global catastrophe in the making, a natural disaster so big that it could flatten the Atlantic coastlines of Britain, Europe, North Africa and the United States of America and cause enormous damage to London and other UK cities.
Recently, scientists have realised that the next Mega Tsunami is likely to begin on one of the Canary Islands
Dr. Day says: "If the volcano collapsed in one block of almost 20 cubic kilometres of rock, weighing 500 billion tonnes - twice the size of the Isle of Wight - it would fall into water almost 4 miles deep and create an undersea wave 2000 feet tall. Within five minutes of the landslide, a dome of water about a mile high would form and then collapse, before the Mega Tsunami fanned out in every direction, travelling at speeds of up to 500 mph. A 330ft wave would strike the western Sahara in less than an hour."
Guardian: Tidal Wave Disaster Just
Waiting To Happen
It has everything you could wish for in a cliche-ridden disaster movie. A beautiful volcanic island in the Atlantic is on the brink of catastrophic collapse, threatening to unleash giant waves that will wreak havoc around the globe within hours. And while scientists try in vain to make their concerns heard, the world's governments look the other way.
But yesterday a leading expert claimed the doom-laden scenario was not only real but was being almost completely ignored by people in power.
When - Professor McGuire says it is not a matter of if - the rock plunges into the ocean it will trigger giant waves called mega-tsunamis.
Travelling at speeds of up to 560mph, the huge walls of water will tear across the ocean and hit islands and continents, leaving a trail of destruction.
Mega-tsunami waves are much longer than the ones we are used to.
IRAQ: NAJAF
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.
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.
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".
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