AL-QAIDA VS SAUDI ARABIA
Guardian: The war that Bin Laden is winning
The US withdrawal from Saudi Arabia will not save the regime
If the decision to pull US forces out of Saudi Arabia had been announced before the war on Iraq, it would have been seen, correctly, as a major victory for Osama bin Laden and his supporters. Al-Qaida began its campaign with the demand for a withdrawal of American troops from the country. Timing the announcement for the aftermath of the war has been clearly calculated to minimise that perception
CHECK IT
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
IRAQ
islamonline: Baghdad Anarchy Spurs Call For Help : U.S. Paper
BAGHDAD, May 13 (islamonline.net & News Agencies) - Baghdad residents and U.S. officials said that U.S. occupation forces are insufficient to maintain order in the Iraqi capital and called for reinforcements to calm a wave of violence that has unfurled over the city, undermining relief and reconstruction efforts and inspiring anxiety about the future, a leading U.S. paper reported Tuesday, May 13.
Reports of carjacking, assaults and forced evictions grew, adding to an impression that recent improvements in security were evaporating, reported the Washington post.
islamonline: Baghdad Anarchy Spurs Call For Help : U.S. Paper
BAGHDAD, May 13 (islamonline.net & News Agencies) - Baghdad residents and U.S. officials said that U.S. occupation forces are insufficient to maintain order in the Iraqi capital and called for reinforcements to calm a wave of violence that has unfurled over the city, undermining relief and reconstruction efforts and inspiring anxiety about the future, a leading U.S. paper reported Tuesday, May 13.
Reports of carjacking, assaults and forced evictions grew, adding to an impression that recent improvements in security were evaporating, reported the Washington post.
IRAQ
Csmonitor: Disorder deepens in liberated Baghdad
The US administrator for central Iraq left the post Sunday after just
three weeks in office. BAGHDAD – Fearful of going out after dark, waiting up
to 10 hours to fill their cars with gas, spreading rumors in the absence
of reliable media, watching landmark buildings set on fire and wondering
who is in charge, the residents of this capital are growing increasingly
impatient with the deepening disorder that is plaguing their lives more
than a month after US troops took over the city. "My worst fear is
chaos, of all hell breaking loose, and it seems like that is happening," says
the Jenan Khadimi, an American-Iraqi who teaches architecture at Baghdad
University.
Csmonitor: Disorder deepens in liberated Baghdad
The US administrator for central Iraq left the post Sunday after just
three weeks in office. BAGHDAD – Fearful of going out after dark, waiting up
to 10 hours to fill their cars with gas, spreading rumors in the absence
of reliable media, watching landmark buildings set on fire and wondering
who is in charge, the residents of this capital are growing increasingly
impatient with the deepening disorder that is plaguing their lives more
than a month after US troops took over the city. "My worst fear is
chaos, of all hell breaking loose, and it seems like that is happening," says
the Jenan Khadimi, an American-Iraqi who teaches architecture at Baghdad
University.
IRAQI DEMOCRACY
Indymedia/Le Monde: No Islamic Iraqi Government - Even If Democratically Voted Into Office: Rumsfeld translation
After the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's appalling dictatorship, the US promised that it would establish in Iraq an exemplary democracy....Is such a promise credible? Obviously not. The US defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, hastened to point out that even if it was the desire of the majority of Iraqis as expressed at the ballot box, the US would not accept an Islamic regime in Iraq: 'That isn't going to happen,' he said . This is a very old law of history: empires impose their law on the vanquished. But there is also another law: those that live by empire die by it.
"Soviel zur Amerikanischen Aufassung von Demokratie und Recht. Als hätten wir es nicht gewusst"
Indymedia/Le Monde: No Islamic Iraqi Government - Even If Democratically Voted Into Office: Rumsfeld translation
After the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's appalling dictatorship, the US promised that it would establish in Iraq an exemplary democracy....Is such a promise credible? Obviously not. The US defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, hastened to point out that even if it was the desire of the majority of Iraqis as expressed at the ballot box, the US would not accept an Islamic regime in Iraq: 'That isn't going to happen,' he said . This is a very old law of history: empires impose their law on the vanquished. But there is also another law: those that live by empire die by it.
"Soviel zur Amerikanischen Aufassung von Demokratie und Recht. Als hätten wir es nicht gewusst"
IRAQ
Indymedia: Al-Thawra is Mourning its Dead
"It is effective" says Fatme, of the looting of the museums and ministries, "By destroying a people’s heritage, you destroy their past and future. We have been made - to them - a people without a past - our records and archives are destroyed, burnt in the ministries. We become a people without names, no records to say we exist. It is not the objects themselves we are sad about, it is what they represented to us. We are the oldest civilisation, but we are presented to the world as terrorists, as fanatics. Only people who fight with small guns are called terrorists. Bush, who bombs us with cluster bombs, and strangles us with the embargo, is a 'civilised man'."
Indymedia: Al-Thawra is Mourning its Dead
"It is effective" says Fatme, of the looting of the museums and ministries, "By destroying a people’s heritage, you destroy their past and future. We have been made - to them - a people without a past - our records and archives are destroyed, burnt in the ministries. We become a people without names, no records to say we exist. It is not the objects themselves we are sad about, it is what they represented to us. We are the oldest civilisation, but we are presented to the world as terrorists, as fanatics. Only people who fight with small guns are called terrorists. Bush, who bombs us with cluster bombs, and strangles us with the embargo, is a 'civilised man'."
IRAQ
Fromthewilderness/Bloomberg: U.S., U.K. Waged War on Iraq Because of Oil, Blair Adviser Says
London, May 1 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. and U.K. went to war against Iraq because of the Middle East country's oil reserves, an adviser to British Prime Minister Tony Blair said.
Sir Jonathan Porritt, head of the Sustainable Development Commission, which advises Blair's government on ecological issues, said the prospect of winning access to Iraqi oil was ''a very large factor'' in the allies' decision to attack Iraq in March.
"I don't think the war would have happened if Iraq didn't have the second-largest oil reserves in the world,'' Porritt said in a Sky News television interview.
Fromthewilderness/Bloomberg: U.S., U.K. Waged War on Iraq Because of Oil, Blair Adviser Says
London, May 1 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. and U.K. went to war against Iraq because of the Middle East country's oil reserves, an adviser to British Prime Minister Tony Blair said.
Sir Jonathan Porritt, head of the Sustainable Development Commission, which advises Blair's government on ecological issues, said the prospect of winning access to Iraqi oil was ''a very large factor'' in the allies' decision to attack Iraq in March.
"I don't think the war would have happened if Iraq didn't have the second-largest oil reserves in the world,'' Porritt said in a Sky News television interview.
PEAK OIL
Fromthewilderness:
Mexicans Outraged by Immigration/Oil Move
JOHN RICE
Associated Press
Posted on Sat, May. 10, 2003
MEXICO CITY - A move in the U.S. Congress to link immigration with opening up Mexico's state oil company to U.S. investment has outraged Mexicans, and newspapers Saturday accused American lawmakers of arrogance and blackmail.
"May 11, 2003, 0100 PDT (FTW) --Mexico passed its peak of oil production in the 1980s. Its nationalized oil company, Pemex, controls both the oil and natural gas resources of our Southern neighbor. Soon Mexico will not have enough natural gas to meet even its own needs, let alone exporting it to the US. As the Empire's oil reserves shrink and as its natural gas reserves approach empty, with Canadian tar sands development proving to be an economic and ecological disaster, the realities of diminishing hydrocarbon energy supplies are starting to hit home. Once more the Empire's fig leaf is removed as the House International Relations Committee tells Mexico, “If you want better immigration laws, give us control of your fossil fuels.” The Sense of Congress resolution needs to be approved by both houses and is sure to stir up a fight. But, in the context of Peak Oil, it will be perhaps the kindest, gentlest move the Empire makes to obtain control of Mexico's oil."
Fromthewilderness:
Mexicans Outraged by Immigration/Oil Move
JOHN RICE
Associated Press
Posted on Sat, May. 10, 2003
MEXICO CITY - A move in the U.S. Congress to link immigration with opening up Mexico's state oil company to U.S. investment has outraged Mexicans, and newspapers Saturday accused American lawmakers of arrogance and blackmail.
"May 11, 2003, 0100 PDT (FTW) --Mexico passed its peak of oil production in the 1980s. Its nationalized oil company, Pemex, controls both the oil and natural gas resources of our Southern neighbor. Soon Mexico will not have enough natural gas to meet even its own needs, let alone exporting it to the US. As the Empire's oil reserves shrink and as its natural gas reserves approach empty, with Canadian tar sands development proving to be an economic and ecological disaster, the realities of diminishing hydrocarbon energy supplies are starting to hit home. Once more the Empire's fig leaf is removed as the House International Relations Committee tells Mexico, “If you want better immigration laws, give us control of your fossil fuels.” The Sense of Congress resolution needs to be approved by both houses and is sure to stir up a fight. But, in the context of Peak Oil, it will be perhaps the kindest, gentlest move the Empire makes to obtain control of Mexico's oil."
EUROPE
Yellowtimes: ''Will Europe and Russia seek to check U.S. power?"
PINR) -- Now that the United States has expressed its desire to weaken the United Nations politically and to create a new world order in which the U.S. can become the sole, unrestrained power in the world, it will be important to watch how Europe responds. Prior to the war in Iraq, the European states of France and Germany were unwilling to support a U.S. led invasion. With the weight of the Security Council behind these two states, governments around the world watched to see if the U.S. would defy the United Nations and thus upset the balance of world order. The Bush administration decided to attack Iraq without U.N. support, which sent ominous signals throughout the world that the U.S. would no longer be restrained by the decrees of the U.N.
Yellowtimes: ''Will Europe and Russia seek to check U.S. power?"
PINR) -- Now that the United States has expressed its desire to weaken the United Nations politically and to create a new world order in which the U.S. can become the sole, unrestrained power in the world, it will be important to watch how Europe responds. Prior to the war in Iraq, the European states of France and Germany were unwilling to support a U.S. led invasion. With the weight of the Security Council behind these two states, governments around the world watched to see if the U.S. would defy the United Nations and thus upset the balance of world order. The Bush administration decided to attack Iraq without U.N. support, which sent ominous signals throughout the world that the U.S. would no longer be restrained by the decrees of the U.N.
CHINA
World Net Daily: China set to field world's most powerful tank
Communist state also improving laser systems, naval capabilities
China has made substantial advances in some areas of its ground and naval forces, including upgrades to tanks and armor, laser systems and anti-submarine warfare.
Jane's Defense Weekly, a respected Britain-based military journal, said the People's Liberation Army is set to deploy a new main battle tank, or MBT, that, when fielded, will become the most powerful of its kind in the world.
World Net Daily: China set to field world's most powerful tank
Communist state also improving laser systems, naval capabilities
China has made substantial advances in some areas of its ground and naval forces, including upgrades to tanks and armor, laser systems and anti-submarine warfare.
Jane's Defense Weekly, a respected Britain-based military journal, said the People's Liberation Army is set to deploy a new main battle tank, or MBT, that, when fielded, will become the most powerful of its kind in the world.
USA
Common Dreams: Bush Should Be Impeached and Tried for War Crimes
One image from the conflict in Iraq continues to haunt me. A photograph in the New York Times includes the school pictures of three girls. Marwa, Tabarek, and Safia Abbas were dark-haired beauties, aged 11, 8, and 5. They could be from anywhere, but until recently they lived in Baghdad. Note I refer to them in the past tense....
Common Dreams: Bush Should Be Impeached and Tried for War Crimes
One image from the conflict in Iraq continues to haunt me. A photograph in the New York Times includes the school pictures of three girls. Marwa, Tabarek, and Safia Abbas were dark-haired beauties, aged 11, 8, and 5. They could be from anywhere, but until recently they lived in Baghdad. Note I refer to them in the past tense....
USA
Counterpunch: Group Therapy
Bush, Bin Laden, Bechtel and Baghdad
Veteran observers of the klepto-plutocracy that has, lazar-like, long encrusted the American body politic were not surprised to see the hoary name of the Bechtel Group bobbing up in the swill of sweetheart deals now being doled out by the Corrupter-in-Chief for the "reconstruction" of his new fiefdom in Iraq. Decades before its comrade in cronyism, the Carlyle Group, made its meteoric, Bush-assisted ascent to global prominence, Bechtel had already perfected the dark art of milking intimate government connections for fat, risk-free contracts.
Counterpunch: Group Therapy
Bush, Bin Laden, Bechtel and Baghdad
Veteran observers of the klepto-plutocracy that has, lazar-like, long encrusted the American body politic were not surprised to see the hoary name of the Bechtel Group bobbing up in the swill of sweetheart deals now being doled out by the Corrupter-in-Chief for the "reconstruction" of his new fiefdom in Iraq. Decades before its comrade in cronyism, the Carlyle Group, made its meteoric, Bush-assisted ascent to global prominence, Bechtel had already perfected the dark art of milking intimate government connections for fat, risk-free contracts.
ISRAEL
Swissinfo: Sharon rejects settlement retreat
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has rejected any talk of dismantling Jewish settlements in the
foreseeable future despite U.S. calls for conciliatory gestures to advance a new Middle East peace plan.
His remarks, underlining his rightist coalition's objections to the peace "road map", were in an interview published on
Tuesday as he prepared for talks with the new reformist Palestinian premier later this week and U.S. President George W.
Bush on May 20.
"damit ist die US-Friedensinitiative Tod bevor sie begonnen hat"
Swissinfo: Sharon rejects settlement retreat
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has rejected any talk of dismantling Jewish settlements in the
foreseeable future despite U.S. calls for conciliatory gestures to advance a new Middle East peace plan.
His remarks, underlining his rightist coalition's objections to the peace "road map", were in an interview published on
Tuesday as he prepared for talks with the new reformist Palestinian premier later this week and U.S. President George W.
Bush on May 20.
"damit ist die US-Friedensinitiative Tod bevor sie begonnen hat"
SAUDI ARABIA
Spiegel: Möglicherweise über hundert Tote
Die Opferzahlen bei den verheerenden Terroranschlägen im saudi-arabischen Riad sind offenbar weit höher als befürchtet. Allein in einem Krankenhaus wurden einem Arzt zufolge 40 bis 50 Tote gezählt. In US-Regierungskreisen ist von über hundert Toten die Rede. Darunter seien auch Deutsche. Für US-Außenminister Powell steht fest: Hinter dem Anschlag steckt al-Qaida
Independent: '50 killed' in Riyadh suicide bombings
Dozens of people were killed in four suicide bomb attacks on Western targets in Saudi Arabia hours before the US Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived in the country today.
Mr Powell announced that there were at least 10 Americans killed in the attacks, adding that "there was a large loss of life of others". He said the bombings bore the hallmarks of the al-Qa'ida terrorist group.
Ananova: At least 40 killed as 'seven car bombs detonated'
At least 40 people have been killed after terrorists shot their way into three compounds housing foreigners in Saudi Arabia and set off car up to seven bombs.
Spiegel: Möglicherweise über hundert Tote
Die Opferzahlen bei den verheerenden Terroranschlägen im saudi-arabischen Riad sind offenbar weit höher als befürchtet. Allein in einem Krankenhaus wurden einem Arzt zufolge 40 bis 50 Tote gezählt. In US-Regierungskreisen ist von über hundert Toten die Rede. Darunter seien auch Deutsche. Für US-Außenminister Powell steht fest: Hinter dem Anschlag steckt al-Qaida
Independent: '50 killed' in Riyadh suicide bombings
Dozens of people were killed in four suicide bomb attacks on Western targets in Saudi Arabia hours before the US Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived in the country today.
Mr Powell announced that there were at least 10 Americans killed in the attacks, adding that "there was a large loss of life of others". He said the bombings bore the hallmarks of the al-Qa'ida terrorist group.
Ananova: At least 40 killed as 'seven car bombs detonated'
At least 40 people have been killed after terrorists shot their way into three compounds housing foreigners in Saudi Arabia and set off car up to seven bombs.
Monday, May 12, 2003
Tschetschenien
Spiegel: Rebellen jagen Regierungsgebäude in die Luft - über 40 Tote
Drei Attentäter haben in der nordtschetschenischen Stadt Snamenskoje einen mit Sprengstoff beladenen Lastwagen in ein Regierungsgebäude gelenkt. Dort brachten sie ihre tödliche Ladung zur Explosion. Dutzende Menschen kamen ums Leben, bis zu 300 wurden verletzt
Spiegel: Rebellen jagen Regierungsgebäude in die Luft - über 40 Tote
Drei Attentäter haben in der nordtschetschenischen Stadt Snamenskoje einen mit Sprengstoff beladenen Lastwagen in ein Regierungsgebäude gelenkt. Dort brachten sie ihre tödliche Ladung zur Explosion. Dutzende Menschen kamen ums Leben, bis zu 300 wurden verletzt
IRAQ
Independent: Fury Rises In Baghdad-Saddam's Gone, Heroin Is Back
The killing of two US soldiers in Baghdad within 24 hours last week shows how far the US and Britain still have to go to end the chaos gripping the Iraqi capital a month after the fall of Saddam Hussein.
Anger is growing among Iraqis at the Allies' failure to restore order in a cityawash with weapons and gangs. Heroin - banned under Saddam Hussein's dictatorship upon pain of hanging - is now being traded in back streets
"Hat das US-Militär Drogendealer-Specialforces? Überall wo die Amerikaner auftauchen werden die Strassen von Heroin überschwemmt"
Independent: Fury Rises In Baghdad-Saddam's Gone, Heroin Is Back
The killing of two US soldiers in Baghdad within 24 hours last week shows how far the US and Britain still have to go to end the chaos gripping the Iraqi capital a month after the fall of Saddam Hussein.
Anger is growing among Iraqis at the Allies' failure to restore order in a cityawash with weapons and gangs. Heroin - banned under Saddam Hussein's dictatorship upon pain of hanging - is now being traded in back streets
"Hat das US-Militär Drogendealer-Specialforces? Überall wo die Amerikaner auftauchen werden die Strassen von Heroin überschwemmt"
IRAQ
ABC: Shiite Leader Demands U.S. Leave Iraq
Shiite Leader Demands Coalition Troops Withdraw and Allow Iraqis to Establish Own Government
The leader of Iraq's largest Shiite Muslim group denounced the U.S.-led occupation forces Sunday and demanded they pull out and allow the Iraqi people to establish their own government.
ABC: Shiite Leader Demands U.S. Leave Iraq
Shiite Leader Demands Coalition Troops Withdraw and Allow Iraqis to Establish Own Government
The leader of Iraq's largest Shiite Muslim group denounced the U.S.-led occupation forces Sunday and demanded they pull out and allow the Iraqi people to establish their own government.
IRAQ
Independent: Baghdad Rots After A Month Of US 'Reconstruction'
It was just another day in the process of "getting Baghdad back to normal". Well, on this most normal of days when news was supposed to be slow, the US-appointed Health Minister finally resigned at the time of a steadily mounting public health crisis after a week of relentless pressure from doctors disgusted at his prominent past in the Saddam Hussein regime.
Asharq Al-Awsat: Saddam Is In Iraq Under Special Protection - Chalabi
BAGHDAD -- Ahmad Chalabi, president of the Iraqi National Congress, has said Saddam Hussein is moving around in the country under special protection. In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, a sister publication of Arab News, he said the people around Saddam had now abandoned him. "They don't know about his whereabouts," he added.
Independent: US Finds Zero Iraq WMDs Yet Blocks Return Of Blix Team
The United States is continuing this weekend to block the return of United Nations weapons inspectors to Iraq, even though its own teams of experts have so far failed to find any definitive evidence of banned biological, chemical or nuclear materials in the country, let alone any actual armaments.
Independent: Baghdad Rots After A Month Of US 'Reconstruction'
It was just another day in the process of "getting Baghdad back to normal". Well, on this most normal of days when news was supposed to be slow, the US-appointed Health Minister finally resigned at the time of a steadily mounting public health crisis after a week of relentless pressure from doctors disgusted at his prominent past in the Saddam Hussein regime.
Asharq Al-Awsat: Saddam Is In Iraq Under Special Protection - Chalabi
BAGHDAD -- Ahmad Chalabi, president of the Iraqi National Congress, has said Saddam Hussein is moving around in the country under special protection. In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, a sister publication of Arab News, he said the people around Saddam had now abandoned him. "They don't know about his whereabouts," he added.
Independent: US Finds Zero Iraq WMDs Yet Blocks Return Of Blix Team
The United States is continuing this weekend to block the return of United Nations weapons inspectors to Iraq, even though its own teams of experts have so far failed to find any definitive evidence of banned biological, chemical or nuclear materials in the country, let alone any actual armaments.
911
Rense: Political Deception -The Missing Link Behind 9-11
Newsmax: Prez Wannabe Graham Eyeing Evidence That Bush Blew 9/11
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Bob Graham is reportedly sitting on damaging evidence that the Bush administration could have prevented the Sept. 11 attacks - but he hasn't released the information yet because it's classified.
tomflocco:Bush May Invoke 9/11 Executive Privilege and Secrecy
THE ATTACK WILL BE SPECTACULAR AND DESIGNED TO INFLICT MASS CASUALTIES AGAINST U.S. FACILITIES OR INTERESTS. ATTACK PREPARATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. ATTACK WILL OCCUR WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING.” (CIA Intelligence Report for President Bush, July, 2001 -- 60 Days Prior to 9/11)
Rense: Controlled Collapse of tower 7?
Rense: Political Deception -The Missing Link Behind 9-11
Newsmax: Prez Wannabe Graham Eyeing Evidence That Bush Blew 9/11
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Bob Graham is reportedly sitting on damaging evidence that the Bush administration could have prevented the Sept. 11 attacks - but he hasn't released the information yet because it's classified.
tomflocco:Bush May Invoke 9/11 Executive Privilege and Secrecy
THE ATTACK WILL BE SPECTACULAR AND DESIGNED TO INFLICT MASS CASUALTIES AGAINST U.S. FACILITIES OR INTERESTS. ATTACK PREPARATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. ATTACK WILL OCCUR WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING.” (CIA Intelligence Report for President Bush, July, 2001 -- 60 Days Prior to 9/11)
Rense: Controlled Collapse of tower 7?
LONDON
Reuters: IRA Shaken As British Double Agent Unmasked
BELFAST, Northern Ireland (Reuters) - The unmasking of Britain's top spy within the Irish Republican Army (IRA) has sent shockwaves through one of Europe's most feared guerrilla organizations.
Revelations that Alfredo "Freddy" Scappaticci was working for the British at the same time as running the IRA's ruthless internal security unit will shake IRA morale, but also pose awkward questions for authorities in London and Belfast.
"There's a lot of anger (within the IRA) of course, that this guy, who was involved in a lot of operations, was passing information across," Belfast-based political commentator Brian Feeney told Reuters on Monday.
Independent: IRA double agent 'Stakeknife' forced to flee Ireland as cover is blown
A new wave of allegations of Army intelligence misbehaviour has accompanied the naming at the weekend of a Belfast republican described as a key security force asset in the upper ranks of the IRA.
Reuters: IRA Shaken As British Double Agent Unmasked
BELFAST, Northern Ireland (Reuters) - The unmasking of Britain's top spy within the Irish Republican Army (IRA) has sent shockwaves through one of Europe's most feared guerrilla organizations.
Revelations that Alfredo "Freddy" Scappaticci was working for the British at the same time as running the IRA's ruthless internal security unit will shake IRA morale, but also pose awkward questions for authorities in London and Belfast.
"There's a lot of anger (within the IRA) of course, that this guy, who was involved in a lot of operations, was passing information across," Belfast-based political commentator Brian Feeney told Reuters on Monday.
Independent: IRA double agent 'Stakeknife' forced to flee Ireland as cover is blown
A new wave of allegations of Army intelligence misbehaviour has accompanied the naming at the weekend of a Belfast republican described as a key security force asset in the upper ranks of the IRA.
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