Coalition Strikes Back

Coalition strikes back: Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, spokesman for Multi–National Force – Iraq, said the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was reason to celebrate, but warned of further violence by terrorists.

Photo Credit: U.S. Central Command .... Operation Iraqi Freedom

Two large caches of weapons were discovered in the Baqubah area on Thursday morning after Coalition forces launched 17 separate operations immediately following the death of Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi. For pictures of the find, please visit Central Commands Multi-National Force Iraq Official Website's Powerpoint Presentation

Technorati Tags: US ... Military ... US Central Command ... Iraqi Freedom ... Weapons Find ... Baqubah ... al-Zarqawi ... Coalition ... Military News

CBS: Another Terrorist Attack Coming Soon?

One should not dismiss the developments in Tornoto, Canada, to quickly. According the an exclusive article published by CBS, U.S. officials believe Canadian arrests over the weekend and three recent domestic incidents in the United States are evidence that the U.S. potentially may be be hit again by a terrorist attack.

In the article, CBS alludes that a significant incident could possibly come by the end of the year. Right now it is speculation, but, the warning should not be discounted. Ever since 9/11, the country has been bracing for another attack. Each time the United States gears up for an attack, it has not come.

An English speaking terrorist, believed to be an American raised citizen, threatened the United State directly in 2004. The FBI issued a suspect seeking information file bulletin. And, don't forget bin-Laden's rhetoric threatens the United States' heartland. The threats are there. Are the threats real? How developed are islamfacists ideals in the Western Hemisphere?

For the CBS article, please go to this link: CBS News: U.S. Officials Believe Recent Incidents Point To An Imminent Threat

Technorati Tags: Canada ... America ... Terrorism ... Terror cell ... Islamic extremists ... Toronto ... al-Qaeda ... Islam ... Opinion

MEMRI analysis on Khamenei threats

Special Dispatch-Iran
June 6, 2006
No. 1181

Iranian Leader Ali Khamenei: The U.S. "Will Never Be Able to Guarantee the Safe Supply of Energy in This Region"

To view this Special Dispatch in HTML, visit: MEMRI HTML Dispatch: Oil Supply Threatened.

The following are excerpts from a speech by Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, which aired on the Iranian News Channel on June 4, 2006.

TO VIEW THIS CLIP, VISIT: MEMRI TV clip of Khamenei's speech.

"We Do Not Need a Nuclear Bomb - We Do Not Have any Target Against Which to Use a Nuclear Bomb"

Ali Khamenei: "When Iran progressed bravely in nuclear technology, it won the support of 116 non-aligned countries. The Organization of the Islamic Conference supported Iran. All the independent governments support Iran. At times, some [European countries] function as intermediaries. They repeat what America says, because of the American pressure, and because they do not feel comfortable standing up to the U.S. They quietly say that this is what they were asked to say by the Americans, and not their own opinion."
[...]
"We have good relations with Russia as well. The Russians know full well what would have happened to them if there was a pro-American government in Iran."
[...]
"They claim Iran is pursuing the nuclear bomb. This is an unfounded claim and a complete lie. We do not need a nuclear bomb. We do not have any target against which to use a nuclear bomb. We believe that using nuclear weapons runs counter to Islamic laws."
[...]
"We have no aspirations to take over the world. Thus, we do not need a nuclear bomb, unlike the Americans, who want to control the world by force. Our nuclear bomb and explosive capabilities are our faith, our youth, and our people."
[...]
"I Say to [the U.S.]... Yours is the Most Hated Government in the History of the U.S... [While] Our Government is One of the Most Popular"

Ali Khamenei: "To the American officials, and to the team that is running America today, and has aspirations to lead the world, I have a few things to say. I wish they would listen. I wish they would think. I wish they would understand. I say to them: Compare yourselves to our government. Compare your president to ours. Today, even within America, yours is the most hated government in the history of the United States. Their own surveys revealed this to the entire world. Today, in the view of the American public, the current administration is the most hated in the history of the United States. Compare this to our government. Today, our government is one of the most popular, in the past century, from the constitutional revolution to this day."
[...]
"Wherever your president, Mr. Bush, goes, throughout the world, he encounters demonstrations and the hatred of the people. This is the case in Europe, Asia and Africa.

"In Latin America, governments rise to power with the slogan of resisting America. Look at what is happening in Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, and in many other Latin American countries. The presidential candidates who voice anti-American slogans are elected."
[...]
"Compare the message our president sent to the American president to the impolite with the stupid message of the Americans, which was published a few days ago worldwide... This message did not conform to diplomatic norms, and was full of the kind of conceit that leads to stupidity, and full of threats and absurdities."

"You Will Never Be Able to Guarantee the Safe Supply of Energy in This Region"

Ali Khamenei: "If you had been able to harm the Islamic republic, you would not have wasted a single minute in the past 27 years. The former American secretary of state explicitly said that he must uproot the Iranian people. He went to hell, but the Iranian people has grown from day to day."

Crowd: "Death to America. Death to America. Death to America. Death to America. Death to America, Death to America."
[...]
Ali Khamenei: "In an attempt to threaten Iran, you claim you can guarantee the flow of energy in this region. You are wrong. If you make the slightest mistake regarding Iran, the flow of energy in this region will surely be jeopardized seriously. You must know this."

Crowd: "Allah Akbar. Allah Akbar. Allah Akbar. Khamenei is the leader. Death to those who reject the rule of the Jurisprudent. Death to America. Death to England. Death to the hypocrites [Mojahedin-e Khalq] and Saddam. Death to Israel."

Ali Khamenei: "You will never be able to guarantee the safe supply of energy in this region."
[...]
"We adhere to our ambitions and to our national interests. Whoever threatens our interests will feel the sharp wrath of this people."

Crowd: "Allah Akbar. Allah Akbar. Allah Akbar. Khamenei is the leader. Death to those who reject the rule of the Jurisprudent. Death to America. Death to England. Death to the hypocrites [Mojahedin-e Khalq] and Saddam. Death to Israel."

*********************

The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) is an independent, non-profit organization that translates and analyzes the media of the Middle East. Copies of articles and documents cited, as well as background information, are available on request.

MEMRI holds copyrights on all translations. Materials may only be used with proper attribution.
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI)
P.O. Box 27837, Washington, DC 20038-7837
Phone: (202) 955-9070
Fax: (202) 955-9077
E-Mail: memri@memri.org
Search previous MEMRI publications at www.memri.org

Technorati Tags: Iran ... Middle East ... Terrorism ... Ahmadinejad ... Khamenei ... President Bush ... Diplomacy ... Islam ... Irrational Behavior ... Opinion

Iranian threats

Middle East's oil supply would be jeopardized in case of U.S. attack, so says Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

When you listed to the Iranian leadership, one has to think, bi-polar or paranoid. They, the Iranian clerics and Ahmadinejad leadership, make their demands, and, when the demands are countered or incentives offered they continue to go down their slippery slope into 7th century paranoia.

In the latest round of diplomacy with Iran, Europeans and the United States offered Iran several incentives to resolve the issues at hand. Ahmadinejad issued a statement saying his government would not rush to judge the incentives package. Then, Khamenei kicks up a fuss and insists that his country has the right to produce nuclear fuel along with threats to stop the flow of oil from the Arabian Gulf. In Khamenei's mixed bag of 7th century thinking, he also assured the world that the nuclear fuel Iran produces will not be used for nuclear weapons.

Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are now playing good negotiator - bad negotiator. They have been watching too much television. Depending on the day, they switch places. This weekend, Ahmadinejad backed off his usual rhetoric and Khamenei picked it up. Perhaps Khamenei and Ahmadinejad should start on Prozac therapy.

Anyway, the doomsday clock hands did not move forward this weekend because as Khamenei was spouting off about his right to produce nuclear fuel, United States Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, discounted his threats and encouraged continued dialog with Iran.

Will Khamenei and his alter ego, Ahmadinejad, show the international community that they can be responsible or will the regime show that it is irreversibly committed to its dual-use enrichment program? For sure, Rice's tack for diplomacy will force the Tehran government to show its hand to the international community.

As Rosemary pointed in her posted article, 'Hello? Is anyone listening to the Iranian people?', the late Shah of Iran's son, Reza Pahlavi, has proposed that the solution to Iran's percolating and fanatical signals is for, "the United States and free world to support the Iranian people." Pahlavi insists that in dealing with the fanatical Tehran, "there is only one thing that the outside world can do, and that is to tell the regime: 'We are serious about supporting the people who are inside Iran who are against you.'

Regime change is possible, by assisting the internal struggle of the Iranian people.

Hello? Is anyone listening to the Iranian people?

I have just finished reading a good report from Opinion Journal about
Reza Pahlavi, the deposed Shah's son. He has some insights I have been promoting for some time now. I just wish the White House, the Congress, or anyone with authority would listen.

And yet a solution to all of this is percolating up today, Mr. Pahlavi says, and it's coming from the Iranian people. In fact, he insists, in dealing with a belligerent Tehran, "there is only one thing that the outside world can do, and that is to tell the regime: 'We are serious about supporting the people who are inside Iran who are against you.' That is the only thing that will make Mr. Khamenei [Iran's supreme leader] and everybody stand down. Because nothing else ruffles them. The only thing they are really scared of are the people themselves."

Peaceful revolutions from within have worked before, so why, he asks, isn't the West investing in the Iranian people--"the same way they supported so many movements in Eastern Europe that ultimately brought down communist governments that were under Moscow's umbrella?" Dissidents are everywhere, in the universities, workplaces, the conventional armed forces, he adds: "There are thousands of cells . . . each trying to bring as much pressure as they can--but with very limited resources. Imagine the cumulative weight of all these resistance groups in a civil disobedience act--nonviolent, we don't believe in violent change--that could begin sustained pressure to the point of paralyzing the system until it would collapse."

Indeed. Stop their travel, their phony companies that allow terrorists to arm themselves, freeze their bank accounts, and many other steps that could be taken.

After all, we helped with the Orange Revolution (Ukraine), the Lebanon situation where we kicked out Syria temporarily, and brought down the USSR by supporting the people. Have we forgotten how to do this? I do not think so! Condi, you were there. Remember! Damn it.

Anyway, read the article. It is a good one, and it can keep us from the brink of war. Thank you.

Category: Iran and the USA.

Brits search for "dirty bomb"

British police are searching the United Kingdom for an explosive "dirty chemical bomb" vest. The terror alert came after anti-terrorism police raided a house where suspected terrorists are believed to have been making bombs and planning attacks. The Brits believe that one target may be the World Cup soccer matches next week.

Anti-terrorism police apparently have not yet located a bomb factory as first reported and have not yet locate a dirty bomb explosive vest that they are searching for (corrected copy.) Police in chemical suits searched a house and two workplaces and the results of their searches are forthcoming. Two males were taken into custody for further investigation, one of the males, was shot once in the shoulder, and suffered no life threatening injuries. Neighbors interviewed in the vicinity of the incident said that the family who lived in the house was from Bangladesh and there has been no indication of any suspicious activities.

The anti-terrorism police have not fully recovered adverse publicity they received when they shot and killed a young Brazilian man last year after the bus and train bombings. Lawyers for the two suspects taken into custody today protested their innocence. People in the neighborhood are upset and suspicious of the police activities.

Sources for this corrected copy: Reuters UK Telegraph

Additional news stories:
Battering rams and gunfire
Jihadi 'chatter'
In the line of fire
Man shot in 'bomb' raid

Also posting about this latest development is Big Dog Web Log: Three Piece Suit, Chemical Vest Included

Technorati Tags: England ... Bangladesh ... Terrorism ... Terror cell ... Islamic extremists ... London ... al-Qaeda ... Islam ... Dirty bomb ... Opinion

Terror in the western hemisphere update

According to AFP via Breitbart.com, 17 people were arrested in terror plot in Canada last night for plotting Al-Qaeda-inspired "terrorist attacks" on several locations in Ontario. Apparently one of the targets was a high rise office building that housed offices of a Canadian intelligence service. In early press releases from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) there were no targets in the United States and that this group was focusing on Canadian assets. According to a late breaking news clip from MSNBC, this group may also have been linked to a Georgia Tech college student who was arrested in a couple of months ago and is currently being held by America authorities charged with giving "material support" to a terrorist organization.

The Canadian terror cell was in the process of obtaining 3 tons of ammonium nitrate, a common fertilizer ingredient similar to that used 0n April 19, 1995, by American terrorist Timothy McVeigh to bring to the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

For reference on ammonium nitrate: 1 ton is equal to 1,000 kg. McVeigh used a rented Ryder truck containing about 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) of explosive material exploded. The truck bomb was composed of ammonium nitrate, an agricultural fertilizer containing nitromethane, a highly volatile motor-racing fuel mixture also known as Kinepak or ANFO (ammonium nitrate/fuel oil). The effects of the blast could even be felt in Bridge Creek, which is about 30 miles away from the Murrah Building.

So, as you can see the potential for 3 tons of ammonium nitrate could produce catastrophic results. Imagine how multiple targets could be blown simultaneously. Keep in mind this was just one Canadian terror cell.

In the world of terrorism, the structure of a terror cell is intended to limit the harm that can be done if members are captured and interrogated. Judging by the amount of explosives and number of persons involved, this was a rather sophisticated cell. The Toronto cell, by press reports, had 17 jihadists.

The authorities apparently had the cell under investigation for some time and gave them a long leash to see who else the cell would lead to. This blogger will not discount other cells or terrorist activities planned in Canada or the United States.

This could be another terror gang "who could not shoot straight?" Press coverage and sloppy news leaks regarding the Georgia Tech student and second American arrested in Bangladesh and handed over to the FBI appeared in the mainstream media in April along with grumblings about rights violations, illegal wiretaps, and other stories contrary to our war on terror.

Apparently, the Toronto terror cell kept on with their plans until they were arrested yesterday. What is disturbing that we are seeing with this cell, the Americans, and recent British jihadists that they are home grown jihadists born and/or raised in the countries that they reject.

Why are members of the religion of peace radicalizing and wanting to destroy freedom and democracy?

Other news links of interest:

FBI: Georgia men talked of U.S. terror plan

U.S. man accused of terror plot appears in court
Student, second man allegedly met with Islamic extremists in Canada

Technorati Tags: Canada ... America ... Terrorism ... Terror cell ... Islamic extremists ... Toronto ... al-Qaeda ... Islam ... Ontario ... Opinion

Chavez at it again, cites friendship with Carlos the Jackal.

According to Reuters, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez took center stage at OPEC's meeting in Caracas on Thursday and used the gathering to lambaste Washington and tout his extremist socialist views.

In a wandering 90 minute speech, Chavez showed his bizarre behavior to OPEC and even cited his friendship with the former terrorist for hire, Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, a/k/a Carlos the Jackal.

After several bungled bombings, Sanchez obtained notoriety for a 1975 raid on the OPEC headquarters, resulting in the murders of three people. For many years he was among the most wanted international fugitives. Source: Wikipedia - Carlos the Jackal

The Ramirez family is indeed close to Chavez and his Bolivarian elite socialist party. In May 19, 1999, Time Magazine ran a brief story “Dear Ilich: I Am Fine. How Are You? Sincerely, President….”

“Less than a month after taking office, the President mailed a letter to the world’s most infamous incarcerated terrorist, addressing him as “Distinguished Compatriot.” Last week Chavez instructed his Foreign Minister, Jose Vicente Rangel, to meet with the Ramirez family, who say their relative was illegally seized and his human rights are being violated by harsh conditions in prison.”

Chavez latest revelations confirms his friendship to the Ramirez family and puts the icing on the direction he has turned the country of Venezuela.

For an account of Chavez bizarre behavior at OPEC, visit the Reuters story link>>>>>

Technorati tags: International Terrorism, United States, Rafael Ramizez, Carlos the Jackal, Socialist, Chavez, Americas, Venezuela, Asymmetric warfare, Rijock, Iran, Americas

Schwarzenegger To Send National Guard Troops To Border

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger finally agreed on Thursday to send the California National Guard to the Mexican border, ending a 17-day standoff with the Bush administration over whether the state's troops would join the border patrol effort and who would pay for it, administration officials said.

For more on the Associated Press (AP) exculsive story Click here

Technorati tags: NGAUS, National Guard, Border Contriol , President Bush, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Smuggling, Homeland Security, Border Security, Title 32 Missions, Schwarzenegger

Special Dispatch-Lebanon
May 26, 2006
No. 1176

Hizbullah Secretary-General Sheikh Nasrallah Speech on Al-Manar TV: The Zionist Entity's Weakness is "Their Strong Adherence to This World"... Our Strength is the Willingness to Sacrifice Our Blood & Children... They Will Leave the Land

To view this Special Dispatch in HTML, visit: Hizbullah Secretary-General Sheikh Nasrallah Speech on Al-Manar TV.

The following are excerpts from a speech delivered by Hizbullah secretary-general Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, which aired on Al-Manar TV on May 23, 2006.

TO VIEW THIS CLIP, VISIT: MEMRI TV Clip

Hassan Nasrallah: "This [Zionist] entity, which has many strengths - I don't have time now to list them all - has weaknesses as well. One of its most important weaknesses is the fact that it is an extraneous entity. It is not deeply rooted.

"Another of its weaknesses is the fact that its society is not homogeneous. Some Falasha Ethiopians, some from Russia, and some from I don't know where... They are bound together by a baseless and unfounded myth.

"Another weakness of this entity is that its people came because they were promised security, peace, and a life in the land of milk and honey. But if they encounter something else, they will leave this land.

"Another weakness is that both as individuals and as a collective, they are described by Allah as 'the people who guard their lives most.' Their strong adherence to this world, with all its vanities and pleasures, constitutes a weakness.

"In contrast, our people and our nation's willingness to sacrifice their blood, souls, children, fathers, and families for the sake of the nation's honor, life, and happiness has always been one of our nation's strengths."

[...]

"A year ago today I said, in Bint Jbeil, that the resistance has more than 12,000 missiles. When I say 'more than 12,000 missiles,' it doesn't mean 13,000. It doesn't mean 13,000... I acknowledge that for many years - since 1992, to be precise - the resistance has had a significant and respectable missile capability, both in quantity and quality.

Therefore, I can tell you that the north of occupied Palestine is entirely within the range of the missiles of the Lebanese resistance.

"This, of course, is the minimum. As for reaching beyond the north - the less said the better. We have no reason to say whether or not we have such capabilities. Let's keep quiet about this.

"Today the north is within the range of the missiles of the resistance - their ports, their bases, their factories, everything ... This creates a balance between the north of Palestine and the south of Lebanon and Lebanon in its entirety."

[...]

"Today, if I appear on TV... If I am talking to you and it is aired on TV, and I say to the people of the settlements in the north of occupied Palestine: "On behalf of Hizbullah, I recommend that you go down to the bomb shelters within two hours," they would all go to Tel Aviv."

*********************

The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) is an independent, non-profit organization that translates and analyzes the media of the Middle East. Copies of articles and documents cited, as well as background information, are available on request.

MEMRI holds copyrights on all translations. Materials may only be used with proper attribution.
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI)
P.O. Box 27837, Washington, DC 20038-7837
Phone: (202) 955-9070 .... Fax: (202) 955-9077
E-Mail: memri@memri.org
Search previous MEMRI publications at memri.org

Riots in Tehran Universities: 'We Don't Want Nuclear Energy'

Special Dispatch-Iran
May 26, 2006
No. 1174

Riots in Tehran Universities: "We Don't Want Nuclear Energy"

To view this Special Dispatch in HTML, visit: Riots in Tehran University: "We Don't Want Nuclear Energy.

Several media outlets in Iran reported, albeit in a restricted and censured fashion, that there has been rioting on several university campuses in Tehran for the past four days. The reformist Internet daily Rooz reported that over 500 members of riot-control units have besieged the Tehran University campus, and that there have been clashes between rioting students and Basij and police forces.

The riots broke out following a student protest over what appeared to be a purge of the academic faculty of Tehran University. This coincided with the marking of the "Second of Khordad," the day of the Persian month of Khordad on which Mohammad Khatami was first elected president of Iran (May 23, 1997).(1)

During the riots, eight student leaders were arrested, and, according to eyewitnesses quoted in Rooz, 25 of those under siege in the campus were wounded, five of them severely. Eyewitnesses reported that students were chanting anti-regime slogans, such as "We don't want nuclear energy" and "Forget Palestine - think of us."

The eyewitnesses also reported that Iranian security forces fired live bullets, and that shots were fired at homes outside the university. One of the students told Rooz: "The university campus is on fire, raids are being conducted throughout the campus, and the students are in fear and anxiety... Gunfire is heard from all directions... There is blood everywhere."(2) The university's telephone lines were reported to have been cut.

According to other eyewitnesses, "police riot-control units entered the campus with helmets, shields, and clubs, and beat students so severely that many can't even walk." A campus security guard told a Rooz reporter: "We were told that we were permitted to use violence against the students, but not to hit them on their heads or their faces, in order to avoid leaving marks. We were told not to be respectful towards any student, unless he is a member of the Basij student union."

One of the students said: "They are sending more riot-control forces [into the campus]. I estimate that they are about 3,000 strong... There is also an intensive presence of Ansar-e Hizbullah forces in vehicles or on motorcycles. They have also brought in several fire trucks [to disperse the students]..."(3) One of the reporters said: "Reporters who came to cover the events were stopped by university security guards, and none were permitted to enter [the campus]."(4)

Local police claim that only 100 students were involved in the riots, but according to eyewitnesses quoted by Rooz, the riots involved some 3,000 of the 4,000 students attending the main campus, and another 2,000 from the law and political science campus.(5)

The ultra-conservative daily Kayhan, which is close to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, called the student leaders "American representatives of the [U.S.] Congress in Tehran University," and reported that "yesterday afternoon, illegal forces demonstrated in the [university] classrooms after several faculty members were forced to retire." According to Kayhan, the demonstration organizers are not even students but are from outside the university.(6)

Morteza Talai, commander of the Tehran Metropolitan Police, told the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) that "at 9:30 PM, 100 students gathered at the campus gates, and 20 or 30 of them started throwing stones, sticks and firebombs at homes in the area." The report continued: "[Talai said that] the police reacted with restraint, and, until 5:30 AM, made efforts to curb the demonstrators throwing the firebombs... but [the students] paid no heed... Only in the morning did the police raid [the campus], and by 7:00 AM, it had made arrests and cleared the area, with the help of municipal forces... During this activity, three students were injured while attempting to climb onto the roof of the dormitory building."

TO VIEW PICTURES FROM DEMONSTRATION, VISIT: MEMRI Demonstration Pictures

Endnotes:
(1) The "Second of Khordad" is the name of Iran's reform movement, which in recent years has been severely suppressed by Iran's conservatives; today it has no political representation.
(2) Rooz, May 25, 2006: Eyewitnesses: Iranian Troops Firing Bullets
(3) Rooz, May 25, 2006: Ansar-e Hizbullah forces
(4) Rooz, May 25, 2006: Reporters stopped by Guards
(5) ISNA , May 25, 2006: Riots involved 3000 - 4000 Students
Rooz, May 25, 2006: Riots involved thousands
(6) Kayhan, May 25, 2006: Demonstrators reported as not students

*********************
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) is an independent, non-profit organization that translates and analyzes the media of the Middle East. Copies of articles and documents cited, as well as background information, are available on request.

MEMRI holds copyrights on all translations. Materials may only be used with proper attribution.
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI)
P.O. Box 27837, Washington, DC 20038-7837
Phone: (202) 955-9070
Fax: (202) 955-9077
E-Mail: memri@memri.org
Search previous MEMRI publications at MEMRI.Org

Technorati tags: International Terrorism ... United States .... murder ... terrorists ... Anzar - e Hezbollah ... Socialist ... Iran ... America ... MEMRI ... Middle East ... Asymmetric warfare ... Civilian Militia ... Riots ... Oppression ... Iran ... Tehran ... news feed ... journalists ... Opinion

Bin Laden's new PR Campaign

It appears that bin Laden is trying to reassert his power and control over al-Qaeda with this latest audio release. Over the past couple of years with bin Laden on the run and living in a cave, others have tried to take control over al-Qaeda Terror Enterprises. Bin Laden's mentor and partner in terror, Ayman al-Zawahri, issued a rebuke to mass murderer, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, for beheading and killing Iraqi citizens, to no avail.

So, the boys (bin Laden, al-Zawahri, and the gang) are trying to regroup their base. Hence, al-Qaeda chieftain, bin Laden is trying to regain his eminence in the global terror network.

There appears to be no honor among psychopathic and homicidal terrorists; al-Zarqawi has stolen the thunder and bin Laden wants it back.

And, it did not really take terrorism experts to come up with this synopsis. Link to News 8, KFMB San Diego, Bin Laden May Be Trying to Reassert Power by Associated Press (AP) Writer Maamoun Youssef , Cairo, Egypt.

Addition Link to my friend, Big Dog's Weblog: Capture or Kill Will Raise Approval Ratings

Technorati Tags: Bin Laden ... America ... al-Zarqawi ... al-Zawahri ... Terror Politics ... al-Qaeda ... Power Struggle ... Global Terror ... Jihad ... Islamofacism ... Psychopath ... Homicidal terrorism ... Iraq ... Opinion

Modern Slave Trade in the Middle East

Photo Credit:

Christian News Service

Child exploitation and slavery....

A horrific child exploitation article appear last week in Christain News Service (CNS); Muslims Kidnap,Force Christian Girls to Convert. The article described a centuries old brutal trade that is taking on new dimensions. The article indicated that young Christian girls in Zanzibar are being abducted, forced to convert to Islam and, in some cases, shipped to parts of the Islamic world. Follow the link to this heartbreaking story: Kidnaped Christians

Photo credit: Corry Stuart.Com
From World Net Daily - Two Christian men - one an American evangelist and the other a Pakistani missionary - have exposed a senior member of an al-Qaeda-linked group behind a trade in Christian children by going undercover and secretly filming their purchase of 20 boys, age six to 12.

According to a World Net Daily article, the missionaries while working undercover, made arrangements with a senior official in Jama'at-Ud-Da'Awah, an Islamic organization the WND claimed that the U.S. State Department has indirectly linked to al-Qaeda. Jama'at-Ud-Da'Awah has protested thos claims that they are linked indirectly to terrorism. Follow the story with this link to the World Net Daily article: Arab Slave Trade

For additional information regarding Child Slavery and other human interest issues, you may what to visit Corry Stuart.Com.

Additional Links:

• Call to Bush: Help free the slaves
• Radical Islam Finds Fertile Ground on African Island
• Black slaves freed from Arab masters
• U.S.: Islamist carnage in Sudan 'genocide'
• 85 boy slaves freed in Sudan
• Congressman to be arrested over Sudan
• 56 boy slaves freed in Sudan
• Hundreds of slaves freed in Sudan

Technorati Tags: Exploitation ... Sudan ... Zanzibar ... Islam ... al-Qaeda ... Muslim ... Chrisitan ... Slaver ... Slave Trader ... Child ... Childern ... Terror ... Islamic ... Pakistan ... Khan ... State Department ... Terrorist ... Musharraf ... Street beggars ... Punjab ... Dar-es-salaam ... Hamdan ... Sharia ... Arabic

Mexico limiting immigrants? Un-freakin'-believable

Un-freakin'-believable.

As Mexico presses the United States to grant unrestricted citizenship to millions of illegal Mexicans and threatens to sue the United States government for enforcing national sovereignty, the Mexican Constitution places strict limitations on immigrants to its own country. They have taken on the liberalism philosophy of "do as I say, not as I do."

In brief, the Mexican Constitution states that:

• Immigrants and foreign visitors are banned from public political discourse.
• Immigrants and foreigners are denied certain basic property rights.
• Immigrants are denied equal employment rights.
• Immigrants and naturalized citizens will never be treated as real Mexican citizens.
• Immigrants and naturalized citizens are not to be trusted in public service.
• Immigrants and naturalized citizens may never become members of the clergy.
• Private citizens may make citizens arrests of lawbreakers (i.e., illegal immigrants) and hand them to the authorities.
• Immigrants may be expelled from Mexico for any reason and without due process.

The Mexican constitution: Unfriendly to immigrants. However, OUR United States Senate gives social security benefits to illegals. How asinine can one get?

Un-freakin'-believable

“I Want My Country Back.” You can go too 760 KFBM AM San Diego talkshow host Rick Robert's famous blog entry by CLICKING HERE. Feel free to post Rick's rant on every blog you read, and e-mail it to every friend you have. If you would like to listen to it, CLICK HERE. You can also sign our ONLINE PETITION and get a sticker by CLICKING HERE

Technorati Tags: Bush ... America ... Immigration ... Illegal ... Politics ... Legislators ... Mexican Constitution ... Social Security ... Benefits ... Border ... Security ... Border Country ... Money ... Welfare ... Pundit ... State Department ... Senate ... Immigration ... Unlawful ... Benefits ... Defeated ... Public ... Opinion

Guard to Assume Title 32 Mission at U.S.- Mexico Border in June

May 19, 2006

Guard to Assume Title 32 Mission at U.S.- Mexico Border in June

Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, National Guard Bureau chief, told reporters Tuesday that the Guard can meet its overseas obligations, respond to domestic crises and still perform a new role at the country's border with Mexico.

The briefing followed President Bush's speech Monday, where he said the country must first secure its borders with the help of some 6,000 National Guard personnel on Title 32 duty - funded by the federal government but under command of border state governors. The missions would likely be part of Guard annual training.

In addition, the president said officials would beef up security with high-tech fencing around urban areas, new patrol roads, motion sensors and other technological advances.

At Tuesday's briefing, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the president has "put on the turbo chargers with this anti-illegal migrant effort."

He noted Mr. Bush's proposal to double the number of Border Patrol personnel by the end of 2008 and anticipates that military forces will begin border duty in June.

Mr. Chertoff also explained that the goal is not "arrest and remove" but to deter illegal immigration through regulation and tracking of those who cross the border and alleviate the pressure on Border Patrol officials.

The Guard's experience with its counterdrug program for more than 20 years, he said, makes it extremely adaptable to the new border mission.

Officials also tried to quell fears that the Guard is overextended, stating that the troops necessary would make up less than 2 percent of the Guard's available strength.

Paul McHale, assistant secretary for Homeland Defense, who also participated in the briefing, said military forces would work on a rotational basis for up to 12 months.

"Military support will not exceed 3,000 personnel during a possible second year of deployment," he added.

Guard missions will include surveillance and reconnaissance, engineering support, transportation support, logistics support, vehicle dismantling, medical support, barrier and infrastructure construction, road building and linguistics support.

"The $756 million [allocated for the Guard in President Bush's supplemental request] is above and beyond all previously budgeted expenses related to annual training," Mr. McHale said.

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Produced weekly by the NGAUS communications department. Comment and questions should be directed to ngaus@ngaus.org.

Bosun's suggestion not related to NAGUS: Please visit Big Dogs Weblog for a very interesting illegal smuggling story about a concerned citizen's report that allowed police to stop a truck sneaking 91 Illegals into the country..... El Sneako In The El Trucko Open Trackback

Technorati tags: NGAUS, National Guard, Border Contriol , President Bush, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Smuggling, Homeland Security, Border Security, Title 32 Missions

National Guard News

NGAUS Legislative Update
May 19, 2006

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Border Budget Request

On Thursday, the White House submitted an emergency funding request of $1.9 billion for the President’s border security initiative. The request includes: $1.2 billion for the Department of Homeland Security — $500 million for new security infrastructure and surveillance equipment, $342 million for enforcement activities and $330 million to hire 1,000 new Border Patrol agents and establish new training facilities. Also included was a request of $756 million for the National Guard deployment.

The funding for the border initiative will be part of the FY06 Emergency Supplemental that is being debated between House and Senate conference negotiators. The funding for the border initiative will be offset by funding for other programs included within the supplemental bill. Reconciling the House version and the Senate version of the bill could prove tricky. The House bill is funded at $91.9 billion while the Senate version is funded at $108.0 billion. The President has threatened to veto the Supplemental if it exceeds his cap of $94.5 billion.

HASC Hearing on H.R. 5200

Sources in the House indicate that the House Armed Services Committee may hold a hearing on the H.R. 5200, the National Guard Empowerment and Enhancement Act. The hearing is tentatively scheduled for June 14. No word on the specific details of the hearing are available at this time.

Appropriations Hearing

On Wednesday, May 17, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense (SAC-D) held a hearing to discuss the FY07 defense budget. While the testimony was to focus on the overall status of U.S. forces from the perspective of the Defense Secretary and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, members focused questions on Guard issues in light of the President’s announcement that the National Guard would play a role in border security in an effort to address illegal immigration along the southwestern border.

LTG H. Steven Blum, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, testified along with Defense Secretary Rumsfeld and Gen Pace, Chairman of the JCS, regarding the President’s plan to deploy Guard personnel to the Southwest border with Mexico. While the exact implementation to the plan is still being developed, the proposal would provide 6,000 Guard personnel to act as auxiliary support for the border agents and included possible infrastructure and reconnaissance support.

SASC Hearing on Border Issues

The National Guard’s role in border security was again the focus on Wednesday afternoon, when Guard Chief, LTG H. Steven Blum testified along with Mr. Paul McHale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for homeland defense. The focus of the hearing regarded the President’s plan to deploy Guard personnel to the Southwest border with Mexico. Members questioned the limited details of the plan such as the efficiency of frequently rotating personnel as proposed by the plan. Several Senators inquired on the timing of the proposal, most especially those who have offered amendments to increase funding for border patrol and border security in the past. LTG Blum and Assistant Secretary McHale both assured that details of the plan would be forthcoming. They indicated that a list of mission sets to be needed from the Guard were being developed by the Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Defense is expected to receive the list on Friday (May 19). LTG Blum reiterated to committee members that this mission would be similar to the Guard’s missions supporting drug interdiction operations on the border and would draw upon the successes operations.

Video coverage of both the SASC and Appropriations hearing are available on the C-SPAN homepage www.C-SPAN.org. Click on video library defense/security.

“We Serve”

Providing NGAUS members with effective and knowledgeable representation on Capitol Hill.

Published by the NGAUS Legislative Staff:

Brig Gen (ret) Richard M. Green, Legislative Director
Scott Hommel, Deputy Director
Michele Traficante, Joint Programs
Chris DeBatt, Army Programs
Andy Vanlandingham, Air Programs
Bernie Phelps, Senior Legislative Analyst

For more information on NGAUS, check out our website: http://www.NGAUS.org/

When Weapons Trade Turns Sour

Photo Credit: F-16 Net
Venezuelan F-16 [LMTAS photo]
Because of our latest problem with Chávez, regarding his plan to sell his aging fleet of F-16 aircraft to the highest bidder, one has to wonder why Venezuela has them in the first place. According to an article in the China Daily, dated January 11, 2006,

Venezuela purchased its fleet of 21 F-16 aircraft in 1983. U.S. officials have said the contract signed in 1982, does not obligate the United States to supply parts indefinitely to Venezuela or to upgrade the planes.

In 1983, Venezuela was one of the longest running democracies south of the border and was a friend and trading partner to the United States. The United States has a habit of doing well intentioned trade agreements and arms sales with our friends, only to later get it broken off, when the situation changes. One might say that our foreign policy has been a series of well intentioned follies of error.

Unfortunately, a good friend and ally has turned on us. Perhaps our State Deparment and Foreign Relations officials have been asleep. Perhaps out leadership does not know who their friends are. Who knows. Here is a country, Venezuela, whose relationship with the United States has soured because of its socialist leader.

Hugo Chávez did not show up as blip on the radar screen until 1992. According to Wikipedia online encyclopedia, Hugo Chávez, a former paratroop lieutenant-colonel who led an unsuccessful coup d'état in 1992, was jailed and later released. In December 1998, Chávez was elected President on a platform that called for the creation of a "Fifth Republic", a new constitution, a new name ("the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela"), and a new set of social relations between socioeconomic classes. In 1999, voters approved a referendum on a new constitution, and in 2000, re-elected Chávez, also placing many members of his Movement for the Fifth Republic political party in the National Assembly. Supporters of Chávez call the process symbolised by him the Bolivarian Revolution, and organise themselves in open, local, participatory assemblies called Bolivarian Circles.

By 2001, Chávez was in the pocket of Fidel Castro and courting Iran. In May 2001, Mr. Chávez followed the Cuban leader, who was in Tehran and decided with the Iranian leaders to jointly combat the United States. In that 2001 visit, the Iranian Press Service reported at the time that:

Mr. Chávez had friendly relations with Communist Cuba, but unlike Tehran and Havana, maintained also close relations with Washington, that has imposed trade embargo against both Islamic Republic and Communist Cuba. President Chávez met all senior tenors of Iranian leadership.

Denouncing the US "hegemony" and stressing on Iran’s opposition to "all forms of pressure and oppression", the staunchly anti-US Khameneh'i noted that Latin American countries had resisted the hegemony of the United States thanks to the support of their people. Khameneh'i added, "Latin America has a profound and independent identity and culture and must be protected."

Chávez for his part stressed that the war against imperialism and hegemony was a "common point" between Iran and Venezuela.

According to a memorandum of understanding signed by Chávez and Khatami, the two states set up a high commission on expansion of the bilateral political, economic, cultural and scientific relations between the two countries

Since 2001 the problems with Chávez have become worse. He has spiraled down the toilet along with Venezuela - United States relations. Watch out. It is likely as the problems with Venezuelan - United States relations worsen, Democrats such as, Clinton, Madeline Albright and other liberal pundits will undoubtedly point to President Bush as the "yeehaw" president who alienated the United States from their global village. As you can see, the warning signs have been there for several years.

Stay tuned for additional articles on the weapons trade program.

Technorati tags: Hugo Chavez, Iran, Bolivarian, President Bush, Energy independent , Dictators, Weapons Sales, imperialist aggression, anti-globalization

Aksa Brigades threatens US, Europe

Photo Credit, Israeli Insider Aksa Brigades threatens US, Europe


According to an article that appeared in the Jerusalem Post by KHALED ABU TOAMEH, the Aksa Martyrs Brigades, threatened to strike at US and European interests in response to international sanctions on the Palestinian Authority. The threat by Abbas' Fatah party came as Palestinians marked the 58th anniversary of the nakba, or catastrophe (the secular anniversary of Israel's independence).

"We won't remain idle in the face of the siege imposed on the Palestinian people by Israel, the US and other countries," said a leaflet issued by the Aksa Martyrs Brigades in the Gaza Strip. "We will strike at the economic and civilian interests of these countries, here and abroad." Link to the article Threats

Technorati tags: Gaza, Palestinian, Abbas, Fatah, Europe, Nakaba, Aksa, Poor, Third World, Politics, Trade, Economics, Foreign Relations, International, Threats, US, Vienna, European, World, War, Sanctions, Inflation, Israel

Venezuela moving up on the radar screen

A concerning development about Venezuela obtained from Breitbart: Venezuela Weighs Selling U.S. Jets to Iran

Caracas, Venezuela (AP) Venezuela is considering selling its fleet of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to another country, perhaps Iran, in response to a United States announced ban on arms sales to President Hugo Chavez's government, a military official said Tuesday.

Was this an excuse to sell F-16 aircraft or was it the reason why the United States suddenly announced that it was suspending arms sales to Venezuela?

General Alberto Muller, a senior adviser to Chavez, told The Associated Press he had recommended to the defense minister that Venezuela consider selling the 21 jets to another country.

Muller said he thought it was worthwhile to consider "the feasibility of a negotiation with Iran for the sale of those planes."

Even before the U.S. announced the ban on arms sales Monday, Washington had stopped selling Venezuela sensitive upgrades for the F-16 aircraft.

Chavez has previously warned he could share the U.S. jets with Cuba if Washington does not supply parts for the planes. He also has said he may look into buying fighter jets from Russia or China instead. Source Breitbart News Service: F-16 Sales.

Looks like Chavez is now moving up on the radar screen. He appears to be on tracking at a constant bearing, decreasing range. There appears to be a problem developing.

As Venezuela moves up on the target list, most Venezuela-watchers believe that Chavez is moving his country towards a command economy on the Cuban model and install a communist government. Venezuela is transforming into a radial government before our vary eyes.

Interestingly in April, Chavez ordered nationalization of foreign oil companies because, " This country does not allow itself to be blackmailed." Venezuela's Oil and Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez said, "These two multinational companies resist adjusting to our law. Our sovereignty isn't under negotiation." Talk about blackmail. Chavez is trying to blackmail the United States and hold the Western Hemisphere hostage with his energy maneuvering.

The close link between Chavez and Iran does not come at a surprise, either. In a La Nueva Cuba news article several months ago Rijock claimed of a possible Hezbollah, North Korea, Iran, and Chavez government connection. Rijock claims that Iran has plans to ship missiles to Chavez in oil tankers so as not to be suspected. Chavez may transfer them to Cuba.

Financial Crimes Consultant Kenneth Rijock indicated separately that Isla Margarita, a semi desert island just off the coast of Venezuela, is home to Venezuela's Hezbollah contingent, Lebanese -Venezuelans. Rijock believes that when foreign agents enter Isla Margarita, they sometimes take up temporary residence in Cuba.

There is a lot more to Chavez than meets the eye. Perhaps he is on a collision course with the United States.

Technorati tags: International Terrorism, United States, murder, terrorists, Hezbollah, Socialist, Chavez, Americas, Venezuela, Laura Mansfield's Notebook, Asymmetric warfare, Civilian Militia, Jeffrey Goldberg, Rijock, Iran, Americas, news feed, journalists, Opinion

China, Cuba reported in Gulf oil partnership

Source of photo:
WISCO International
"U.S. firms stand by, prohibited from bidding on contracts; lawmakers propose opening up U.S. coast for drilling." There are now plans for foreign oil companies to explore and drill for oil off the coast of Cuba. Our own United States lawmakers have blocked U.S. oil wells for some time. Now they are fuming at these developments. To make matters worst, U.S. companies were invited to bid, but, were prevented from bidding because of "No Trade" regulations in place with Cuba. For the rest of the article go to: Gulf Oil Partnership

Our liberal legislators have blocked oil exploration off the U.S. coast and in Alaska for years. We have vast oil reserves off the coasts and in Alaska that remain untapped due to environmental restrictions and concerns for wildlife. We are going wake up a third rate country in a few years, if liberals such as Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Ted and Pat Kennedy, Dick Durbin, Joe Biden, and other liberals get their way. Liberals are too busy trying to regain power and sink our President to worry about "the wolves at the door."

While we were moaning about NSA monitoring and other "important" liberal agendas, Venezuelan Dictator Hugo Chavez was over in Europe politicking. Chavez' agenda was to drum up support for his country. Chavez promised to give poor Europeans oil. Looks like he has been making progress:

The president of Venezuela wants to provide cheap heating oil to Europeans on low incomes.

Hugo Chavez made his announcement at a gathering in Vienna of activists and representatives of social movements and non-governmental groups on Saturday evening.

Chavez worked out a similar deal to deliver discount heating oil this past winter to needy Americans in parts of the eastern United States.

"I'd like to do the same here in Europe," he said. Source: MWC News - A site Without Borders

Also the same information was found at Prensa Latina:

Vienna, May 14 (Prensa Latina) President Hugo Chavez said Venezuela will supply low-cost fuel to provide heating to the poor European communities, similar to the system in force at eight US states, through its two refineries in Germany and one at the UK.

He explained at the social forum alternative to the 4th European Union-Latin America Summit, that the oil company CITGO supplies 40 million gallons of oil to 180,000 US families plus 20 shelters at 40 percent discount.

He added that Venezuela's embassies will arrange the supply program with support from the social organizations that will ID and monitor that the supplies reach the needy. Source: Prensa Latina - Chavez: Fuel for Poor Europeans

Oil speaks louder than reason and America is going to wake up one morning being very much alone, similar to the way the Israelis feel in the Middle East. We are going to wake up being the piranhas of the west.

Technorati tags: Oil, Gulf of Mexico, Oil Exploration, Cuba, China, Venezuela, EU, Poor, Third World, Politics, Trade, Chavez, Castro, Foreign Relations, Energy, International, Threats, Oil Companies, US, Vienna, European, World, Fuel, Gallon, Price Index, Inflation, Opinion