Israel: Act of War

"This was an act of war." Thus Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert succinctly summarized the facts, the law, and the consequences of the raid Wednesday by the Lebanese terrorist group-cum-governing-partner Hezbollah into Israeli sovereign territory that resulted in the abduction of two Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldiers.

The article, Israel: "Act of War" was reposted with permission from the editors of TSC Daily.

DISCLAIMER: The different points of views of TSC Daily or it’s contributors are not supported nor do they reflect the views and beliefs of the Bosun Locker or any entity affiliated with the Bosun Locker.

By J. Peter Pham & Michael I. Krauss : BIO 13 Jul 2006

Olmert is correct in the careful distinction that he made, one that has been unfortunately lost on many in the media and even on the White House. The Hezbollah action was "not a terrorist attack but the action of a sovereign state that attacked Israel for no reason and without provocation" -- that is, a pure casus belli. As Olmert patiently tried to explain to the media, "Lebanon is responsible and it will bear responsibility." After Hamas's incursion near Gaza, Israel has been attacked in two locations, by two governments.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Sinioura's claim that his government was "not aware of and does not take responsibility for, nor endorses what happened" at what he conceded was "the international border" of another sovereign nation rings hollow considering his was the first ever government in Beirut to bring Hezbollah into its cabinet. The Hezbollah leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, who claimed responsibility for the attack on Israel was Mr. Sinioura's chief interlocutor in the negotiations to set up his cabinet last summer.

In fact, since then, as we have previously noted, the Lebanese government has allowed Hezbollah to control Lebanon's border with Israel, and to act as a government in the largely Shiite southern part of the country. In so doing, Beirut ignored a United Nations resolution calling upon it to assume control of its frontiers and to disarm the terrorist group. Note that pleas of helplessness are unacceptable; the Lebanese government has never invoked its inability to control its territory or asked for foreign assistance in fulfilling its obligations. No, Hezbollah controls its territory as part and parcel of Lebanese sovereignty. That case is closed. Israel was invaded by a foreign power. That foreign power killed Israelis and kidnapped soldiers. Israel has demanded the soldiers' safe return (and, we presume, the rendition of the invaders for punishment in Israel). Lebanon has declined to help, which would have been the only way to rescind the casus belli. Israel is now free, indeed obliged by its own sovereignty, to use all necessary force to accomplish this goal.

Beyond Lebanon's responsibility, of course, Syria and Iran are also sine qua non causes of the invasion of Israel. The former, despite its much ballyhooed withdrawal from Lebanon last year still, exercises considerable influence and enables Iran, as we pointed out last week, to reinforce its Hezbollah client. A strong legal case can now be made that Iran and Syria have become legitimate targets of Israeli self-defense.

So war it is -- a war of self-defense against unlawful Lebanese aggression in which the Israeli government has the obligation to its citizens to inflict maximum damage to the infrastructure of those who have attacked them. But this responsibility is not Israel's alone. If the international community wishes to vindicate those most sacrosanct principles of national sovereignty and the right to self-defense, it must assist Israel. It must condemn the attack and demand both the safe return of the IDF soldiers and the bringing to justice of all Lebanese officials who have been complicit in this act of war. It must demand the dismantling of the Hezbollah infrastructure, which it has already (toothlessly) called for.

Of course, we do not hold our breaths for the UN to do what it must. Its new Human Rights Council was elected in May with high hopes that it would stop coddling human-rights abusers tolerating atrocities (e.g., Darfur) as its predecessor, the disgraced Human Rights Commission, had done. With streamlined membership and new rules, there were claims that things would be different. The UN's new council finished its first session recently. So how did it do? Did it call on the world to get tough on human-rights abuses in China? Oops. No. China's on the Council panel. How about the abysmal state of women's rights in Saudi Arabia (see our description here)? Sorry. Saudi Arabia's a member too. Russia? Cuba? Sorry. They're members. No, the Council panel took direct aim at a familiar target: Israel.

The Cold War preceding World War III arguably began when Iranians occupied the US Embassy in Tehran under Jimmy Carter. It's just heated up immeasurably, as a bastion of the West has been formally attacked twice. Time for all good nations to come to the aid of freedom.

J. Peter Pham is director of the Nelson Institute for International and Public Affairs at James Madison University. Michael I. Krauss is professor of law at George Mason University School of Law. Both are adjunct fellows of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.

I would be amiss if I did not give a a special thanks and a job well done to the editors of TSC Daily and it’s contributors. Please visit TSC Daily for other interesting and though provoking articles. You may also sign up for daily emails and other advance services directly from TSC Daily. If you are a producer or reporter who is interested in receiving more information about this article or the author, please email your request to interview@tcsdaily.com

Technorati Tags:homeland security ... war ... war on terror ... axis of evil ... military ... world war III ... hizbullah ... transfer ... soldiers ... iran ... lebanon ... israel ... hezbollah ... Ehud Olmert

Mumbai: Deadly Numerology

Terrorists didn't need to conduct a detailed reconnaissance. The commuter trains of Mumbai (Bombay), India, classify as a "very soft target." This article, Mumbai: Deadly Numerology, was reposted with permission from the editors of TSC Daily.

DISCLAIMER: The different points of views on TSC Daily or it's contributors are not supported nor do they reflect the views and beliefs of the Bosun Locker or any entity affiliated with the Bosun Locker.

By Austin Bay, : BIO 12 Jul 2006

According to Indian government statistics, 6 million people a day ride Mumbai's commuter trains. Checking every bag and briefcase is simply a logistical impossibility.

As an operation, India's 7-11 repeats methods and techniques exploited in London's 7-7 and Madrid's 3-11 -- serial bombs detonated on mass public transportation. The Madrid Method is a proven, blood-soaked concept -- scatter a few time bombs on city trains, and high explosive wreaks its deadly evil. The Mumbai attack also echoes the 9-11 attack on lower Manhattan, for Mumbai is India's financial center. Bombing a financial center exacts an immediate international economic cost.

As I write this column, no terrorist organization has "claimed responsibility" for what Indian police describe as a "coordinated" terrorist act. Initial police reports indicated the bombs exploded over a six-minute period during the evening rush hour. Several Indian states placed their police and security forces on high alert to prevent further attacks.

Americans will immediately think of al-Qaeda and point to the hideous numerology -- 9-11, 3-11, 7-7, 7-11 -- as a clue. Roll sevens and 11s on the dice table, and the shooter wins. Terrorists use mass murder to create fear and chaos. If the public begins to dread seven and 11 on the calendar, international terrorists will consider that a psychological victory.

Al-Qaeda, or an al-Qaeda affiliate, may well be involved in the murders. Polyglot, poly-ethnic India, however, confronts an array of homegrown ethnic, religious and political zealots with track records in terrorism.

Violent Hindu separatist groups have been implicated in past bomb plots. The terrorist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are based in Sri Lanka -- the island nation off India's southern coast. The Tigers tend to focus their terror on fellow Sri Lankans.

In May 1991, however, they assassinated Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Ghandi. The LTTE arguably invented modern suicide terror attacks.The Tiger assassin wore a suicide explosive belt. Ghandi was killed while campaigning in India's state of Tamil Nadu.

Islamic radicals have repeatedly attacked India. For 50 years, India and Pakistan have been battling over Kashmir -- and in 1965, the two nations fought a full-scale war over the religiously divided region. In December 2001, Islamist gunmen attacked India's parliament building in New Delhi. Islamist radicals consider Kashmir to be one of the holiest of holy wars. They seek to derail any Indian and Pakistani diplomatic rapprochement. Launching attacks in India stymies any peaceful resolution.

Mumbai attracts attention in India. The city is wealthy. It's a media center and the headquarters of the Indian "Bollywood" movie industry. In the early 1990s, Mumbai suffered a series of bomb explosions that Indian government later blamed on criminal gangs. In 2003, a bomb killed 11 people on a train there. In August of that year, two car bombs killed 60.

In the last decade, India's economy has grown -- at times spectacularly. As the world's largest democracy, India serves as a political example to other developing nations who confront ethnic divisions, illiteracy and poverty.

Terrorists of all stripes despise democracy, for democracy means having to respect the interests of human beings who are political opponents. Rattling India seeds doubt in the fragile nation-states of the developing world.

But don't expect India to waver. New Delhi is already an ally in the War on Terror. In fact, Indians argue that the United States is the Johnny-come-lately to the war against Islamo-fascists.

In a public statement following the attacks, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh vowed to "fight and defeat the evil designs of terrorists."

Believe him.

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Update on Man Allowed to Board Aircraft

In yesterday's Houston Chronicle story, 'HPD, airport security at odds over incident ', a traveler at the Houston Hobby airport was apparently deceptive when Transportation Security Agency (TSA) screeners asked if he had a laptop computer in his baggage, an X-ray machine operator detected a laptop after he apparently indicated that he did not. Upon further examination, screeners claimed that they found a clock with a 9-volt battery taped to it in his luggage and examined the man's shoes. The shoes were described by the TSA screener to be "hollowed out."

In today's follow-up article, 'Screeners' actions at Hobby questioned', it appears to people in authority are looking at TSA screener's actions or inactions instead of analyzing if this incident was a probe or a dry run on airport security, except for Representative John Culberson, R-Houston.

Representative Gene Green D-Houston did his typical liberal tolerant act by asking the question (and insinuating blame on TSA), why did (TSA) baggage screeners defer to a Houston police officer instead of using their authority to keep a man (they suspected of carrying bomb parts) from boarding a plane at Hobby Airport.

Staffers for Representative John Culberson, R-Houston, went a step further and are seeking explanations from the FBI and TSA about what happened. Thank you for trying to get to the bottom of the problem, Representative Culberson.

In the meantime, a TSA spokeswoman indicated that TSA security officers acted in accordance with their training and protocols. The Houston Police Department chimed in that the shoes were old and worn, not "hollowed out" like the screener claims. The police officer defended his actions and his representatives indicated that the clock worked when the battery was inserted, but did not ask why the battery taped to the outside of the clock to begin with. According to the news article, nobody asked why the man originally indicated that there was no computer in his carry-on baggage. Now others are also second guessing the TSA screener.

A security expert commented that: "The idea that TSA is going to stop, randomly, people who happen to be carrying an alarm or a laptop or are not wearing brand-new shoes seems a bit excessive, ......... It sounds like they need to revise their training procedures of who and what to look for." Remember, the famous Shoe Bomber, Richard Reid, was originally questioned and missed his flight from Paris to Miami on December 21, 2001, after French security agent becomes suspicious because he (Reid) was traveling without checked luggage. Those security agents cleared Reid to board the next days flight. On December 22, 2001, about 90 minutes into the flight, Reid tried light explosives hidden in his shoes. Reid had successfully eluded airport security procedures when they were already suspicious of him. Could this scenario happen again?

Sounds to me that what we have here is an old standoff between the Houston police, TSA, and other government agencies in Houston. Everyone is looking for a fall guy and the TSA screener is a likely candidate. Perhaps the man in Houston had a legitimate reason to act the way he did, perhaps he did not.

Were the man's shoes "hollowed out" or worn out? Was this current situation a probe or dry run on airport security?

TSA has been on the job for three years. Now we have to answer the question, "Do they (TSA) have the authority and backing of their officials to deny a traveler from boarding a flight or not?"
One has to hope that the authorities involved have learned from this situation and will fix any flawed procedures that they have discovered.

Previous Post: Man allowed to board aircraft appeared to have bomb components

Technorati Tags: Airport Security... TSA ... Security Screeners ... Bomb Components ... Airline Safety ... Travel ... Houston Police ... Friendly Skies ... Shoe Bomber ... Richard Reid ... Delta Airlines ... HPD

Man allowed to board aircraft appeared to have bomb components

Hat tip to: Doug Hagmann, Director, Northeast Intelligence Network.

According to a Houston Chronicle article, ' HPD, airport security at odds over incident,' on June 26th, a man was allowed to board a Delta Airlines flight after being stopped at the airport security screening area with what appeared to be suspected bomb components. The man was allowed to board a Delta Airlines plane with what was described as "hollowed out shoes, a computer in his carry-on luggage that he originally denied having, and a clock with a 9-volt battery taped to it." Apparently a screener examined the man's shoes and determined that the "entire soles of both shoes were gutted out." Upon further examination, no explosive material was detected, the paper said.

A police officer was dispatched to the airport security screening area and questioned the man. The officer then cleared the man for travel saying that he had no probable cause to hold the man. A Transportation Security Agency (TSA) screener disagreed with the officer and indicted that man's shoes were tampered with and he had components of (a bomb) except for the explosives. To make matters worst, the officer apparently was not able to check the man's criminal background because of computer problems. The official position of Houston police department is. "Our job is not to be the gatekeepers," a police spokesman said. "That burden falls squarely on the airline and TSA to make that final decision."

The FBI was ultimately called and cleared the man of any wrongdoing, adding that "no federal laws were broken and the man did not pose any risk to the aircraft or its passengers." The FBI termed the incident as a "non-event." Source: 'HPD, airport security at odds over incident'

According Northeast Intelligence Network report, 'Incredible Incident at Houston's Hobby Airport' , "Investigators from the Northeast Intelligence Network have been investigating the incident and have tentatively identified the passenger who indeed has an Arabic name, identified the security officers involved and confirmed the contents of the carry-on luggage through the law enforcement sensitive report. Although no one is "officially" talking, our investigation into the incident continues. Federal officials have yet to respond to Northeast Intelligence Network's inquiries for further information pertaining to the suspicious incident... Source: 'Incredible Incident at Houston's Hobby Airport'

Complacency has once again returned to law enforcement authorities and public safety officials. In 03/2006, TSA revised regulations regarding what is allowed in a passenger's carry-on luggage. TSA now allows: Safety Razors (including disposable razors), Scissors - plastic or metal with blunt tips, and Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches in length. You may find the revised list of allowed and prohibited articles at the TSA website: Prohibited Items List (English) (Word 281KB) (Revised 3-2-2006): Printable Prohibited Items Brochure (PDF 402KB)

I checked the list and other documents on the TSA website. As you would know it, hollowed out shoes, batteries tapes to clocks and other paraphernalia that this man had in his possession were not on the prohibited list. All he did wrong was to deny having a computer in his possession.

One has to wonder why the man hollowed out his shoes and allegedly lied about his computer. A battery taped to his clock was rather odd, but, was not illegal. Was the man probing airport security, a confused traveler, or was he perhaps a hard headed individual with a bad attitude?

Technorati Tags: Airport Security... TSA ... Security Screeners ... Bomb Components ... Airline Safety ... Travel ... Houston Police ... Friendly Skies ... Delta Airlines ... HPD

Yemeni court acquits suspected al-Qaeda members

A Yemeni court acquitted 19 alleged al-Qaeda members of charges they plotted to blow up a hotel frequented by Americans, citing a lack of evidence. We are entering a new era in our war on terrorism. President Bush has told us that we must have resolve in winning the war on terrorism. The left has told us to cut and run. There are new complications from a Yemeni judge in San'a, Yemen. The judge has legitimatized Jihad from the bench and issued his own edict or judicial fat'wa.

This appears to be a slight victory for Bin Laden and Al-Zawahiri. Disclaimer: The actual guilt or innocence of the suspects have to been addressed or implied here. One must analyze what the judge has said and done according the news article that appeared in today's Boston Herald:

Several of the defendants did confess to having been in Iraq to fight U.S. troops there and had Iraqi stamps on their passport, the judge said. "But this does not violate (Yemeni) law," the judge said.

"Islamic Sharia law permits jihad against occupiers," he said.

Cries of "Allahu akbar"(God is great) rose from behind the bars where the defendants stood, clad in blue prison uniforms. Families received the verdict with cheers and claps. Some burst into tears.

"This (verdict) is a change for the judiciary in Yemen," said Ali al-Kurdi, one of the defendants. "It is fair, something unusual." ... Link to the Boston Herald news article.

It appears that it is going to get worse before it gets better. Sounds like Yemen has its own version of the ACLU and radicalized “leftism.” The radicalized ideology of this flavor of religion of peace is scary...

Technorati Tags: San'a, Yemen ... Yemen ... Sharia ... Jihad ... Islamic law ... Middle East ... Al-Zawahiri ... Bin Laden ... monotheism ... al-Qaeda

MEMRI: Saudi Columnist Critiicizes Hamas

Special Dispatch-Palestinian Authority
July 7, 2006
No. 1199

Saudi Columnist on June 25 Gaza Attack: This is a Despicable Attack by Hamas, Which is Acting Like a Terrorist Organization

To view this Special Dispatch in HTML, visit: HTML: Saudi Columnist Criticizes Hamas .

In an article in the Kuwaiti daily Al-Siyassa titled "The Crime at the Kerem Shalom Crossing," Saudi columnist Yusuf Nasir Al-Suweidan argues that the June 25, 2006 attack at the Kerem Shalom crossing, in which Israeli soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit was taken hostage, has turned the Palestinian dream of an independent state into a thing of the past, and that after Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the Palestinians should have laid down their weapons and worked to develop Palestinian society.

The following are excerpts from the article: (1)

"When Vietcong Fighters Dug Underground Tunnels in Order to Reach the American Danang Base in South Vietnam... They Did so Inside the Borders of Their Homeland"

"When Vietcong fighters dug underground tunnels in order to reach the American Danang base in South Vietnam in the 1960s, they did so inside the borders of their homeland, Vietnam, and in the context of a minor world war in which the strong players were the Americans, the Chinese, and the Soviets.

"But the faulty course of action taken by the Palestinians, for instance this war of tunnels, is something else entirely. The tunnel dug by the terrorists from the Gaza Strip to the Kerem Shalom crossing took them outside the Palestinian border, and they used it to penetrate into Israel - an independent, sovereign, U.N. member state. There [in Israel] they perpetrated the crime of murdering two Israelis, kidnapping a third, and wounding others, with all the dangerous consequences that [such a] despicable attack has caused and will cause to the Palestinian side. As Palestinian Presidential Spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina put it: 'Things are back to square one'..."

Hamas' Claims of "Important Victory" in This Attack are Absurd

"It would be absurd to try to believe the claims of the terrorist Hamas movement, and of its allies and masters in Tehran and Damascus, that speak of an 'important victory' over the Israelis in this desperate attack. This [claim is absurd], for the simple and obvious reason that the military, political, and economic balance of power, along with every other parameter, will always favor Israel to a considerable degree, so that the very notion of equilibrium between the two sides in the conflict is [nothing but] a wild fantasy.

"[In addition] it would [be] a complete fantasy to think that the Israelis will react like 'harmless lambs' to what occurred near the Kerem Shalom crossing last Sunday. Several minutes after the terrorist attack, the crossings [were] closed and the Israeli military units began moving in battle readiness. This was the largest Israeli military build-up since the withdrawal from Gaza last September. This shows that the Israelis are determined to invade the Gaza Strip within hours [if three conditions are not met]: firstly, if the kidnapped Israeli is not released; secondly, if the firing of Qassam missiles into Israeli territories does not cease; and thirdly, [if] the terrorist infrastructure is not dismantled.

"If this invasion materializes, then this time, a new reality will be created in the Gaza Strip in which all talk about 'back to square one' will be nothing but wild optimism - since the [situation] will regress [far beyond that], to a level where it is possible to talk of a plan of deportation and demographic change in Gaza, and this [plan] might even be implemented soon. This will turn the Palestinian dream of an independent state into a thing of the past..."

"What [The Palestinian Masses] Need Most is Food, Medicine, Clothing... Not Explosive Belts, Car Bombs, and the Slogan, 'Congratulations, Oh Martyr, the Black-Eyed Virgin Awaits You'"

"The main mistake lies in the fact that the Palestinian organizations did not respond correctly to the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza... and its consequences. Instead of beating their swords into plowshares, pens, and other things that are needed for the development of Palestinian society - in terms of the economy, society, culture, and so on - most of them read the developments incorrectly and immaturely. This was exploited by the terrorist networks, that are funded and run by the regimes of the ayatollahs in Tehran and the Ba'th [party] in Syria, and [people] have been taken in by delusions and empty slogans like 'liberation from the river to the sea' [that are heard] among the poor, hungry, and desperate Palestinian masses. At present, what [these masses] need most is food, medicines, clothing, and other essentials - not explosive belts, car bombs, and the slogan, 'Congratulations, oh Martyr, the black-eyed virgin awaits you.'"

Endnote:
(1) Al-Siyassa (Kuwait), June 27, 2006.

*********************
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 Website

Technorati Tags: Hamas ... Qassam missile ... Terrorism ... Palestinian militants ... Gaza Strip ... Islamists ... Attitudinal problem ... Kerem Shalom ... Fundamentalist Militants ... Middle East ... Muslim ... Israel ... Martyr ... Ayatollahs ... Al-Suweidan ... MEMRI

USS Ronald Reagan Returns Home to San Diego

Today is a happy day for many of the crewmembers, thier families, and loved ones as the USS Ronald Reagan and its crew returns to San Diego Thursday after the ship's maiden voyage 6 month deployment.

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and its crew of about 5,500 personnel departed San Diego Jan. 4 on a deployment to conduct naval operations in support of the global war on terrorism, as well as national and theater cooperative security commitments in the western Pacific.

The Ronald Reagan Strike Group is comprised of CVW-14, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Reagan, the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), the guided-missile destroyers USS McCampbell (DDG 85) and USS Decatur (DDG 73), the fast-combat support ship USS Rainier (AOE 7), and Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit 11, Det. 15.

The squadrons of CVW-14 include the “Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, the “Fist of the Fleet” of VFA-25, the “Stingers” of VFA-113, the “Eagles” of VFA-115, the “Black Eagles” of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, the “Cougars” of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139, the “Providers” of Carrier Logistics Support (VRC) 30, and the “Black Knights” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4.

Reagan was commissioned in July 2003, making it the ninth Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The ship is named after the 40th U.S. president, and carries the motto of “Peace through Strength,” a recurrent theme during the Reagan presidency. This was the maiden deployment for the Navy’s newest Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

To the men and women of the USS Ronald Reagan, "Thank you for your service!" You have served your President and nation well. And, you have lived up to the namesake of President Reagan

Sources for this article:

• USS Ronald Reagan Returns Home It is a happy day for many families as the USS Ronald Reagan and its crew are returning to San Diego Thursday after the ship's maiden voyage. >>>> KFMB San Diego Morning News.
• Navy News Release NNS060104-03 >>>> USS Ronald Reagan Departs on Maiden Deployment.
• For related news, visit the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Navy NewsStand >>>> News at USS Reagan (CVN 76) US Navy Military website.

Technorati Tags: Ronald Reagan ... USS Reagan ... Nuclear Power ... US Navy ... Aircraft Carrier ... San Diego ... Mt. Soledad cross ... California ... Freedom ... military

Category: Military.

North Korean Missiles set of fireworks with the international community

Apparently, Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea (DPRK) attempted to fire a long-range Taep’o-dong 2 ballistic missile on July 4th, but it failed after about 40 seconds in flight, several news sources indicated.

The development of the Taep’o-dong 2 is estimated to have begun at the same time as the Taep’o-dong 1, in 1990. The Taep'o-dong 2 missile is a 2-stage liquid, possible 3-stage, with a range of 6,000-9,000 km.

Along with DPRK, Pakistan and Iran have jointly worked on similar missile projects with DPRK. The Iranian Shahab-5/Shahab 6 is similar in technology and in design to the Taep'o-dong 2. Source: Missile
Threat.Com - Taep’o-dong 2

However, DPRK successfully fire several non-guided, medium-range Scud-style missiles which apparently landed in the Sea of Japan and will cause a furor with the United States' Asian ally. These were downplayed in the media as "scud type missiles" with little other information.

It is unsure if the medium - range Scud -style missiles were Taep’o-dong 1 (Daep’o-dong 1, Nodong 2, Scud X, Scud Mod. E, Rodong 2) or perhaps another advanced version of the same. The Taep’o-dong 1 is a medium-range, liquid and solid propellant, single warhead ballistic missile.

The Taep'o-Dong 1 is said to be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead to a maximum range of 2,000 km (1,243 miles). The Taep'o-dong 1 program has been in development since 1990 and with advance testing throughout the Clinton administration.

Perhaps Madeline Albright and others in the deposed Clinton administration could enlighten the American public on the DPRK programs developed during their reign. DPRK's successfully first test launched the Taep'o-dong 1 in 1998, which caused an outrage in Japan. Throughout the Clinton Presidential years (January 1993 - January 2001), North Korea succeeded in developing its “Nodong” missile and nuclear programs. By 1998 DPRK's “Nodong” missile had a range estimated at up to 900 miles and was capable of covering South Korea and most of Japan.

Lets not forget our globe trotting peacenix, Jimmy Carter. All of the appeasement and apologist agreements that former President Jimmy Carter made with DPRK was for naught.

One cannot blame only Clinton or Carter for their appeasement and apologist attitudes and policies regarding DPRK. It (mismanagement and miscalculation) has occurred on every American Presidents' watch for the past 30 years. America's mainstream media has short term memory and appears to not recall or care about reporting the significance of DPRK's missile tests. One has to wonder what foreign representatives were present to observe the test firing or who DPRK is planning to sell its advanced technology to.

So, for the past 30 years as the world has sat idly by, DPRK has pursued development of an ever expanding ballistic missile development program devoted to its development of a nuclear weapon delivery program.

Links for more information on DPRK Missile Technology:

• Missilethreat.Com - News Archive North Korea
• FAS - Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) DPRK - Iranian Shahab - 3 Technology
• FAS - Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) DPRK - Iranian Shahab - 6 Technology
• Janes: Iran moves its Shahab 3 units
• History of Ballistic Missile Development in the DPRK

Technorati tags: Iran ... United States ... Ballistic missile ... North Korea ... Shahab - 3 ... Shahab - 6 ... Missile test ... International diplomacy .... Chess ... Strategic ... Nodong-1 ... Taep'o-dong 2 ... Taep'o-dong 1 ... Warhead ... Weapons ... Nuclear ... Opinion

BN: NK Tests Missile

NHK Online, a Japanese newspaper, has claimed that North Korea did in fact fire a missile at 3:32am Japan Time. They do not know which type of missile was launched, but it landed in the Sea of Japan after flying for about 6 minutes. AP is also reporting this news. More to come...

Update: It turned out that NK fired 6 missiles Tuesday, and then they fired another one today. There is an ememrgency meeting the UN (HAHAHA) where they are going to try for sanctions with teeth. (Excuse me while I laugh, but what the...) One of these days, we're going to have some leaders in the world who do not play games. Maybe then we can stop all this bs.

Category: North Korea, Japan and (Breaking) News.

North Korea Threatens Pre-emptive Attack, what is the rhetoric all about?

Two interesting articles, one from Breitbart and one from World Net Daily discuss the North Korean situation.

In Breitbart.com, North Korea vowed on Monday to respond with an "annihilating" nuclear strike if it’s atomic facilities are attacked pre-emptively by the United States. The North Korean threat of retaliation, which is often voiced by its state-controlled media, comes amid U.S. official reports that Pyongyang has shown signs of preparing for a test of a long-range missile. Source: Breitbart.Com

In World Net Daily, one has to question if testing the will of the United States a profitable exercise? Some analysts suggest that it is more than a coincidence that North Korea began preparations for an intercontinental ballistic missile test in the direction of the United States less than two weeks after America and its allies offered Iran new incentives for backing away from its nuclear arms program. The North Koreans have escalated the issue in the past when they wanted to gain influence. Source WND.com: Reports say bargaining with Iran led to Pyongyang's missile test

At any rate, we are going to have to deal with this situation in North Korea.


Technorati Tags: Homeland security ... North Korea ... Korean ... Missile ... Attack ... Nuclear ... Military ... President Bush ... George Bush ... President ... War on Terror ... Missile Launch ... Threat

Islamic Militants: Caliphate State

The Christian Science Monitor has summed up the Iraqi conflict with its article 'Report: Al Qaeda using Iraq as terrorist training ground British lawmakers say Al Qaeda also sees Iraq as propaganda tool':

Christian Science Monitor reported that Al Qaeda has "changed its modus operandi," and is using Iraq as a training ground for future terrorists and as a propaganda tool in its war against the West. The source of the report comes from a British parliamentary committee report found in Daily Telegraph. In the Daily Telegraph, the parliamentary committee predicts another "brutal attack" on Britain, similar to the one that occurred in London a year ago this week, because of the war on terror. Source: 'Report: Al Qaeda using Iraq as terrorist training ground...', By Tom Regan, CSMONITOR

Islamic extremists appear to be poised to seize political power across the Middle East in the wake of a U.S. Democrat sponsored "Cut and Run" withdrawal from Iraq if the likes of Kerry / Feingold / Murtha / Pelosi / Dean / Leftist have their way. In August 2005, General Richard Meyers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a pentagon briefing:

"The stakes are huge," said Myers. "If the "Zarqawis" of the world, if (al Qaeda) were allowed to be successful in Iraq, in their view, that would be the start of the caliphate that they envision. The stakes would be huge for the region. You talk about instability. It would be instant instability in that region, in Saudi Arabia on down the Gulf states, perhaps Iran, Syria, Turkey."

With those words, Myers unambiguously identified America's strategic imperative for the postinvasion conflict in Iraq -- preventing the birth of a fundamentalist Islamic empire spanning the entire Middle East -- al Qaeda's Caliphate. Source: American-Made: Al Qaeda's New Caliphate

The liberal democrats in the United States fail to realized the consequences of their folly; "Cut and Run."

Additional reading:
Al Qaeda: Profile and Threat Assessment, Congressional Research Service, August 17, 2005
Al Qaeda: Statements and Evolving Ideology, Congressional Research Service, June 20, 2005

President Bush's 4th of July Radio Address

PRESIDENT Bush's 4th of July Radio Address 07/01/2006: (Audio Link here) Good morning. Laura and I wish all Americans a safe and happy 4th of July weekend. I'm looking forward to spending Independence Day with members of our Armed Forces and their families at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. These brave men and women risk their lives to defend the ideals of our founding generation, and I will have the honor of thanking many of them personally for their service in freedom's cause.

In 1776, John Adams predicted to his wife, Abigail, that America's Independence Day would be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. He wrote that "this anniversary should be commemorated with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forever more."

Since then, generations of Americans have done just that. Each year we look forward to the family gatherings and the grand celebrations that take place across the Nation on the 4th of July. And amid the music and barbeques and fireworks, we give thanks for our freedom, and we honor the bravery and sacrifices of all those who have made that freedom possible.

On Independence Day, we recall the courage and high ideals of our Nation's founders, who waged a desperate fight to overcome tyranny and live in freedom. Recent years have brought a renewed interest in the lives and achievements of our founders, and we have learned once again that they possessed extraordinary talents, as well as ordinary human failings, which only makes their accomplishments all the more remarkable.

For the brave men and women of our founding generation, victory was far from certain. They were certain only of the cause they served -- the belief that freedom is the gift of God and the right of all mankind. The strength of their convictions made possible the birth of the free Nation in which we are blessed to live.

On the 4th of July we also honor the sacrifices made by each American generation to secure the promises of the Declaration of Independence. For more than two centuries, from the camps of Valley Forge, to the mountains of Afghanistan, Americans have served and sacrificed for the principles of our founding.

Today, a new generation of American patriots is defending our freedom against determined and ruthless enemies. At this hour, the men and women of our Armed Forces are facing danger in distant places, carrying out their missions with all the skill and honor we expect of them. And their families are enduring long separations from their loved ones with great courage and dignity. Our troops and our military families deserve all our support and gratitude, and on this 4th of July weekend, I ask every American to find a way to thank those who defend our freedom. To find out about efforts in your community, please visit the website AmericaSupportsYou.mil.

As we celebrate the 4th, we also remember that the promises of liberty contained in our Declaration apply to all people. Because Americans believe that freedom is an unalienable right, we value the freedom of every person in every nation. And because we are committed to the God-given worth of every life, we strive to promote respect for human dignity. Today, all who live in tyranny and all who yearn for freedom can know that America stands with them.

As citizens of this good Nation, we should be proud of our heritage, grateful for our liberty, and confident in our future. Two-hundred-and-thirty years after America declared its independence, the spirit of '76 lives on. And our Nation remains proud to carry freedom's torch. We still place our trust in the protections of divine providence. We still pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor to freedom's defense. And we still believe in the promise of freedom for all.

Thank you for listening.

END

Technorati Tags: President Bush ... United States ... Terrorism ... 1776 ... Independence Day ... Freedom ... Patriots ... America ... 4th of July Militants


Category: Military.

MEMRI: Egyptian Playwright 'Ali Salem Speaks Out

Special Dispatch-Egypt/Reform Project
June 30, 2006
No. 1195

Shunned in His Country for Supporting Normalization with Israel, Egyptian Playwright 'Ali Salem Speaks Out

To view this Special Dispatch in HTML, visit: HTML version of Egyptian Playwright 'Ali Salem .

'Ali Salem,(1) Egypt's most prominent playwright, has been banished from his country's cultural circles due to his views favoring normalization with Israel. Salem's views became widely known after he visited Israel in 1994, and set down his favorable impressions of the country in a book titled 'A Drive to Israel,' which sold more than 60,000 copies in Egypt. Since then, he has visited Israel 15 times, and in 2005 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Israel's Ben Gurion University. Since his first trip to Israel, however, he has been unable to find producers for his work in Egypt, and none of his 25 plays have been performed there for many years.

The following are excerpts from an interview with 'Ali Salem in the London Arabic daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat in June 2006.(2)

Interviewer: "Nearly All Intellectuals Boycott 'Ali Salem's Work Because He Supports Normalization With Israel"

[Interviewer] Osama 'Abd Al-Latif: "Nearly all intellectuals boycott 'Ali Salem's work because he supports normalization with Israel, and has made repeated visits to that country since it signed the peace treaty with Egypt. For more than 10 years now, 'Ali Salem has not been able to stage any of his plays because of the siege on him. Eventually, he found no other way to break the siege but to produce an audiotape [of his work], which he was permitted to distribute but was forbidden to sell. The tape is titled 'The Best Laughs.' His intention was to read out his writings in his own voice, and thus to 'take part in raising the cultural [level] of the masses,' as he puts it. The following is a conversation with' Ali Salem, who [always] was and still is provocative, even at the age of 70."

Abd Al-Latif: "How do you spend your time these days?"

'Ali Salem: "I spend my time writing journalistic articles, though I am not happy about it. I am first of all a playwright, and that gives me more pleasure than any other work. I have a number of plays which have not yet been published, including two one-act plays and two full-length plays. Four years ago, I submitted two plays to the National Theater... but I haven't received an answer, even though the [state] theater censor has approved both texts.

"I also continue to publish books despite the fact that some people have tried to isolate me. I published the book 'The Best Laughs,' which includes my old humorous works, and last March I published the book 'Words of Laughter and Freedom.'"

'Abd Al-Latif: "Do you regret the political views you have expressed regarding Israel?"

'Ali Salem: "As I've told you, I submitted several works to the National Theatre, and my question is this: Did they reject me out of their own free will, or were they forced to do so? I imagine that there are some who deliberately reject any first-rate creativity. We must also realize that there is real corruption in the field of theater, and those responsible for it should be in jail.

"Under these circumstances, it's impossible for people like me to publish [their work]. Don't you believe [for a moment] that my position on peace [with Israel] has anything to do with what's happening to me. It's all a matter of score-settling between writers, nothing more and nothing less. I am here and so are my works. And when it comes to the point that a bunch of amateurs prevent me from presenting my work, it means that there are certain parties who are deliberately out to get me.

"In spite of this, I do not see myself as a victim. I do not believe that there is any [other] writer of my generation who has achieved the status that I have achieved. Suffice it to say that all copies of my last book were sold within three days. I have nothing to complain about. At the same time, I know that they rejoice at my predicament as a creative writer. I am completely convinced that all my works will find their way onto the stage some day.

"At the moment, I am busy with a project which allows me, as a playwright, to reach the audience directly, without anyone's mediation or assistance - without any actors, set designers, announcements by the producer, etc. I have decided to start my own company, called 'The Voice of Humor,' through which I will record all my humorous works in my own voice on tapes and CDs. I expect that there will be attempts to stop me by those who like to prevent me from pursuing my creative path."

Running Away From Peace Indicates Weakness and Fear

'Abd Al-Latif: "Many maintain that the reason for the boycott you talk about is your support of normalization, and not your writing."

'Ali Salem: "It pains me that, for 12 years now, I [have had to] keep responding to pointless statements. Have you ever heard of any intellectual in any country in the world who has been punished as I have been punished for maintaining normal relations with the Israeli intellectuals and for believing in peace? I want to emphasize that normal relations with Israel is not one of the things that Egyptians worry about. The Egyptian citizen worries about his problems, about his life, about private lessons [for his children], about the tension that surrounds him and about what is happening in Iraq and in Palestine. The Egyptian people is in favor of peace. This was evident in its support for Sadat's decision to make peace [with Israel]. To this day, nobody has ever disputed my [claim] that the Egyptian people believes in peace.

"All I have been exposed to over the years have been just insults and abuse on a personal basis. That amazes me. I have often asked those who attacked me to move from belligerent struggle to peaceful competition [between Egypt and Israel]. Unfortunately, the Egyptian media has continued to publish belligerent pronouncements and gloomy propaganda against Egyptian-Israeli relations. And later we discover that the whole thing was nothing but a means of embezzling state funds. They act as though they are the only ones who are right, while the others are wrong, no matter who they are.

"In my opinion, it's not a matter of right and wrong, but a political and cultural issue. I am an educated writer. After taking part in these wars, and after losing close friends [in them], I discovered the importance of peace and the need to become familiar with these people [i.e. the Israelis], and [to know] how to compete with them peacefully. I imagine that the Egyptian intellectuals necessarily feel jealous because little Israel has superiority in terms of export. I maintain that running away from peace is [a sign of] weakness and fear, and is [therefore] unjustified.

"To this day, not a single one of my plays has been produced in Israel. There was a plan, that was never carried out, to produce my play 'A Writer on Honeymoon.' It was claimed that it attacked the Egyptian regime, but none of those [who made this claim] bothered to [actually] examine my writings. This play was published in Egypt in 1975, and I produced it myself in 1982."

'Abd Al-Latif: "Haven't you ever thought of founding a [theater] group to perform your plays?"

'Ali Salem: "I would need a lot of money, and I would never beg some foreign [donor for the money], for reasons that have nothing to do with nationalism. In the past, I could have established a theatre group with 10,000 Egyptian pounds. But now, this requires millions [of pounds]. There is a problem with theater productions in Egypt. I approached many people, but the very mention of my name scares them away. Some are afraid to come near me, [for fear] of being harassed."

'Abd Al-Latif: "Some intellectuals and writers believe that 'Ali Salem has committed the crime of normalization, and must be punished. How do you comment on this?"

'Ali Salem: "That's hypocrisy. I carried out my role as a responsible intellectual, and I doubt very much that those who boycott the creative work of 'Ali Salem can preserve anything else that is of value. This is narcissism. Whoever has no respect for the creative work of an artist surely has nothing valuable to say. He conceals his own impotence and failure by hindering and obstructing the creative work of others..."


The Peace With Israel has Protected Our Region From Anarchy

'Abd Al-Latif: "Do you feel ostracized and banished?"

'Ali Salem: "'Ostracized' is a strong word. I do pay a price for my beliefs. [But] if people rejected me, they would not have bought my books. I am 70 years old now. It's not self-delusion on my part to believe that I express the dreams and hopes of the Egyptian people. I am also convinced that our peace with Israel has protected our region from anarchy. It is not an exaggeration to say that the development boom in the Gulf would not have occurred without peace between Egypt and Israel. I believe that the criticism against the peace with Israel is [merely] a cover for corruption and for those who oppose any change and development in Egypt, because normal relations with Israel entail the establishment of normal relations among the Egyptians."

'Abd Al-Latif: "Do you believe in the good intentions of the Israelis?"

'Ali Salem: "You are not dealing with a gang. You are dealing with governments. In politics, it's not about intentions, it's about agreements."

'Abd Al-Latif: "But they do not keep their agreements."

'Ali Salem: "That has not happened. Show me one agreement in the Egyptian-Israeli peace accords on which they reneged. What you are saying is exactly what the extremists spread in order to keep us prisoners of fear. We must overlook the list of unfortunate incidents which goes back to the 1930s. My only concern now is that we [manage to] live in this region without [allowing] it to become totally ruined, and that we realize that extremism [threatens] everyone's safety."

'Abd Al-Latif: "Do you feel a lack of confidence because the majority is not with you?"

'Ali Salem: "It not the [support of the] majority that gives confidence to the creative writer. [In fact,] its support often indicates a flaw [in the artist's work] rather than fine quality. Truth is held by an individual. Afterwards, people discover that he was right. Your question reminds me of [the story about] the politician who was giving a speech, and, when people applauded him, asked one of his aides: 'Where did I go wrong?' When the majority [in the Egyptian Writers Union] decided to expel me from the union, I asked: 'Aren't those who buy my books considered a majority?' This is enough for me, and I do not need anything else. I am not demanding a peace treaty - Sadat [already] signed one."

'Abd Al-Latif: "Do you go to the theater these days?"

'Ali Salem: "I can't stand it, because some people think that buffoonery is comedy..."

Osama Bin Laden Distributes His Tapes Without Censorship - But I Must Obtain 18 Permits Before I Publish

'Abd Al-Latif: "How is it going with the first audiotape in your project?"

'Ali Salem: "Well, this is an attempt on my part to bring my work to the Egyptians who follow my writings. We should not forget that there is a market for tapes today, especially among those who do not read. Even Osama bin Laden and Ayman Al-Zawahiri use this medium to advertise their views and thoughts. However, the difference between them and me is that they distribute their tapes as soon as they are recorded, with no censorship, whereas I must first obtain 18 [different] permits..."

Endnotes:
(1) For more on 'Ali Salem, see:

MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 728, "Satirist Ali Salem to Arab League: There's Light at the End of the Tunnel," June 8, 2004, MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 728;

MEMRI TV Clip No. 696, "Egyptian Playwright 'Ali Salem Argues With Egyptian Nationalists Over Visits to Israel," May 29, 2005, MEMRI TV Clip No. 696;

MEMRI TV Clip No. 296, "Egyptian Playwright 'Ali Salem: The Arab World is Threatened by the Terror Groups, Not by Israel and the U.S.," October 18, 2004, MEMRI TV Clip No. 296 .

(2) Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), June 21, 2006.

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

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 Website

Technorati Tags: 'Ali Salem ... Egypt ... Israel ... Jihad ... Normalization ... Al-Latif ... Al-Zawahiri ... Ostracized ... Bin Laden ... Al-Awsat ... monotheism ... al-Qaeda

Stolen VA Laptop Found, But, Scam Warning Issued

The following information was passed to me through Military Office Assocation of America (MOAA) email. They have also posted it on their website: Link to MOAA

Stolen VA Laptop Found, but Scam Warning Issued

Department of Veterans' Affairs Secretary James Nicholson says the stolen laptop computer that contained millions of veterans' personal data has been recovered. The equipment is being analyzed by FBI forensic specialists in an effort to determine whether the data may have been compromised.

The Associated Press reported earlier this week that VA has been spending $200,000 a day to maintain a call center for concerned veterans.

Ironically, the VA issued a new warning of a so-called "phishing" scam that targets veterans who may be worried that their VA data was stolen. It involves Internet fraudsters who send mass e-mails or pop-up messages asking unsuspecting recipients to provide personal information [credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information] so the scammer can "check whether their data has been compromised."

According to the VA, some of these e-mails originate from the address "abuse@vba.va.gov," and ask the recipient to check an account by clicking on a link. The VA says it has no such e-mail address, and the link in the email is to a web site in Asia.

If you receive a suspicious email, DO NOT open it, but delete it immediately.

Bosun's comment: If an isn't one thing it is another. The criminals scam the vets in the United States and the terrorists make threatening calls to (British) families back home. Just a matter of time before we get calls here too. We are degrading fast. And the appeasers, apologists, and those soft on terror and crime are making it easier for vets on both sides of the Atlantic to become targets.

Category: Military.

Technorati Tags: America ... Veterans Affairs ... phishing ... Social Security ... Identity Theft ... scam ... Consumer Credit ... Equifax ... Money ... TransUnion ... Experian ... Fraud Alert... Internet fraudsters ... Unlawful ... SNAFU ... Public ... Opinion

MEMRI: al-Zarqawi Post Mortem: How He Lost His Sunni Allies Prior to His Killing

Inquiry & Analysis-Iraq/Jihad & Terrorism Studies Project
June 30, 2006
No. 284

Al-Zarqawi Post Mortem: How He Lost His Sunni Allies Prior to His Killing

To view this Special Dispatch in HTML, visit: HTML PAGE OF THIS ARTICLE: al-Zarqawi Post Mortem . By D. Hazan*

Introduction

Though Abu-Mus'ab Al-Zarqawi is no longer a player in the Iraqi arena, it is important to review and analyze the military and political circumstances in Iraq surrounding his killing. This report presents the deterioration, prior to Al-Zarqawi's death, of his relations with his Sunni allies, which had reached the point of violent clashes and mutual killings. This violence emanated from the increased political participation by Sunni organizations and parties in the elections and, subsequently, in the establishment of a new democratic government in Iraq - and from Al-Zarqawi's opposition to these developments.

Al-Zarqawi realized that this process was isolating him more and more, and that, consequently, the threat to his life was increasing. This realization led him to react in a contradictory, almost hysterical manner, repeatedly alternating between threats and pleas. On the one hand, he escalated his threats against his Sunni allies who had turned to take part in the political process in Iraq - first in the 2005 elections and later in the establishment of the new government. On the other hand, he implored them in flattering tones not to lay down their weapons but to continue the jihad, comparing them to the Prophet Muhammad's warriors. The following are examples:

In his January 8, 2006 speech, Al-Zarqawi begins by calling the Sunnis "the next enemy... like evil that is hidden and lurking." He then reminds them of their great accomplishments so far: "[The losses you have caused to the U.S.] include over 15,000 wounded and killed and over half a trillion dollars [spent]... and we say that these figures are the figures [released by] the Crusader enemy and are much lower than the true figures...." He reminds the faithless Sunnis that "abandoning [the duty] of jihad is considered unbelief," and warns ominously: "This is the last call to the Sunnis in general and to the supporters of the Islamic Party in particular: Whither are they leading you, and on what path are you walking?" He ends by once again exhorting the Sunnis, "Accordingly, do not be the harbingers of evil for the nation of the Prophet [Muhammad], and do not choose for yourselves a destiny of failure - because its end is evil and lamentable," and again reassures them that "the U.S. is now drawing its final breaths, and is about to fall, owing to the attacks of the jihad fighters in Afghanistan and in Iraq."

In his April 21 video, Al-Zarqawi follows a similar pattern, warning the defecting Sunnis: "Allah said: 'And whoever amongst you takes them [the Jews and Christians] for a friend, is surely one of them'(1)... We hereby renew our call and warn anyone who is acting for the deployment and the establishment of the [Iraqi] military and police apparatuses, which were established [from the outset] in order to implement the plans of the occupiers and to instill a regime that is not according to [the Koran] brought down by Allah. Beware of anyone who joins apparatuses like these, which collaborate [with the enemy]. I have sworn that among us they will find nothing but a sharp sword, and that between us and them [there will be] battles the horrors of which will turn the young men's hair white..." (See excerpts in this document, below).

Changing tack, Al-Zarqawi then urges the Sunnis to carry on waging jihad, because victory is nigh:(2) "Continue your jihad, intensify your operations, and multiply your blows. By Allah, these are the victories of Islam. By Allah, these are the final moments before the servants of the cross declare their defeat in the Land of the Two Rivers. Collapse of the motivation to fight has become the most prominent characteristic of the armies of the Crusaders."

He then entreats: "Where are the lions of the Al-Anbar province? Where are the lions of the Salah Al-Din province? Where are the men of Baghdad? Where are the knights of Nineveh and the heroes of Al-Diyala? Where are the heroes of Kurdistan? Where are you, lions of monotheism, oh descendents of Khaled and Al-Muthana, of Sa'd, Al-Miqdad, and Salah Al-Din? Where are the muhajirun? Where are the ansar? Where are the people of surat Al-Tuba and surat Al-Anfal, of the Koranic chapters of conquest and fighting? Oh, vanguard of the nation - who will help the bereaved mothers? Who will help the women in the prisons of the Crusaders? Who will help the pure women in the prisons of the hatred-filled Rafidite Shi'ites? By Allah, there is no life except the life of the world to come."

He then turns back to threats and warnings: "Beware not to lay down your weapons, for your lot will be sorrow, regret, shame, and humiliation in this world and in the world to come. You used to pray day and night for Allah to open before you the path of jihad for the sake of Allah in Afghanistan, Chechnya, and elsewhere. Then Allah made ready for you the jihad deal in your own land. He opened the gates of Paradise for you, and wanted your own good - beware, oh mujahidoon, not to close these gates by your sins."

It is important to note that Al-Zarqawi's and Al-Qaeda's isolation in Iraq has ramifications also for Al-Zarqawi's successor, who will sooner or later face the same situation. This was the main concern behind a document released after Al-Zarqawi's death by the general leadership of the Global Islamic Media Front (GIMF); in it, the group attempted to deny that Al-Zarqawi and Al-Qaeda were becoming increasingly isolated from their former Sunni allies - which was in fact already widely known to the Arab public (see Appendix).

* D. Hazan is director of MEMRI's Islamist-Jihadi Website Initiative.

FOR THE FULL REPORT, VISIT MEMRI Website

Endnotes:
(1) Koran 5:51.
(2) For the full transcript, including these excerpts, and to view the clip, see MEMRI Special Dispatch 1149, "New Video by Al-Qaeda Commander in Iraq Abu Mus'ab Al-Zarqawi," April 26, 2006, MEMRI Link to Video .

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

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 Website

Technorati Tags: Sunni Allies ... GIMF ... Global Islamic Front ... Jihad ... Crusader enemy ... Islamic Party ... al-Zarqawi ... Jews ... Christians ... Al-Anbar province ... monotheism ... muhajirun ... Iraqi Freedom ... Shi'ites ... Baqubah ... al-Qaeda ... Coalition ... Military News

12 down: Top secret war plans, 36 across: Treason

DISCLAIMER: The different points of views of Ann Coulter are not supported nor do they reflect the views and beliefs of Rumors of War or any entity affiliated with Rumors of War.

In Ann Coulter's latest column posted at World Net Daily (WND), 12 down: Top secret war plans, 36 across: Treason, the take-no-prisoners commentator, Ann Coulter, takes aim at the New York Times, as she wonders when the paper will uncover an al-Qaida secret program.

Ann discusses the latest of a long list of formerly top-secret government anti-terrorism operations that have been revealed by the New York Times. Last week the paper printed the details of a government program tracking terrorists' financial transactions that has already led to the capture of major terrorists and their handmaidens in the United States.

Ann Writes, "Thanks to the New York Times, the easiest job in the world right now is: 'Head of Counterintelligence - al-Qaida ..... You just have to read the New York Times over morning coffee, and you're done by 10 a.m." She continues, "The greatest threat to the war on terrorism isn't the Islamic insurgency - our military can handle the savages. It's traitorous liberals trying to lose the war at home." Link to Ann's commentary at WND

Also here is a link to Ann's commentary at Human Events Online...

Related stories of interest:

• 'Godless' Causes Liberals to Pray ... For a Book Burning
• Don't Call Ann Coulter the Michael Moore of the Right
• Party of Rapist Proud to Be Godless
• Coulter Foes Launch Hate-Filled Attacks

Technorati tags: NYT ... al-Qaeda ... National Security ... Secret Program ... Journalism ... Integrity ... Congress ... Democrats ... Counterintelligence ... Leftist ... Coulter ... President Bush ... Liberal ... Islamic insurgency ... Traitorous ... Top secret

MEMRI: Profile of Reformist Algerian Cartoonist Ali Dilem

Inquiry & Analysis- North African Reformist Thinkers Project / Reform Project
June 27, 2006
No. 282

Profile of Reformist Algerian Cartoonist Ali Dilem

To view this Special Dispatch in HTML, visit: HTML version of the profile .

By Nathalie Szerman*

Introduction

Algerian cartoonist Ali Dilem was born in 1967 in El-Harrach, a suburb of Algiers, and is of Kabyle origin. He studied at the National Art School in Algiers.(1) Dilem began his career as a cartoonist for the Algerian Communist weekly Alger Republican. In 1991, he drew cartoons for the independent Algerian daily Le Matin,(2) whose editor, Mohamed Benchicou,(3) was recently released from prison after serving a two-year sentence on charges of corruption.(4) Since 1996, Dilem has worked as a cartoonist for the French-language Algerian independent daily Liberté. Dilem also works for French TV5's Kiosque program. In 2000, he was awarded the International Prize of Drawing in Written Press.(5) In 2005, Dilem was awarded the Freedom of Press Trophy, which he dedicated to Benchicou; in 2006, he received the prestigious Cartoonist Rights Network Award.

Dilem became internationally known for his depictions of the Algerian political process and for his support of political pluralism in his country through his cartoons. In them, Dilem portrays Algerian civil society's criticism of the FLN (National Liberation Front) Party, in power since Algeria became independent in 1962; of the Islamist groups; and of the role of the army in the country. In an interview with Kabyles.com , Dilem describes Algeria's political situation as follows: "The majority is General Toufik [military security director Mohamed Mediène], and the opposition is also General Toufik."(6)

On February 11, 2006, Dilem was sentenced to one year's imprisonment and fined 50,000 dinars (?550), for dozens of cartoons he had published in Liberté during 2003 depicting Algerian President Abdelaziz Boutlefika. Dilem was sentenced under Article 144b of the Algerian Criminal Code, which allows for a prison term of two to 12 months as well as a fine for "insulting" or defaming the president.(7) Currently, 24 cases of press offenses are pending against him.(8)

During the Algerian civil war between Islamists and the Algerian government (1990-1998), Dilem received death threats from Algerian Islamist groups. In 2004, a fatwa was issued against him "in all mosques throughout Algeria."(9) Algerian Minister of Religious Affairs Boulem Ghoulamallah took responsibility for this fatwa.(10)

In his interview with Kabyles.com , Dilem reiterated his concerns about Islamist factions in Algeria, and said, "Everything that gave birth to the FIS [the Algerian Islamist party Front Islamique du Salut](11) in Algeria still exists."(12)

The following is a selection of 32 cartoons by Dilem, published by Liberté and by TV5(13) in 2005-2006. The cartoons focus on freedom of expression in the Arab world, especially with regard to the case of Benchicou in Algeria; women's rights; Iran's nuclear program; Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and his widely criticized decision to undergo medical treatment in France rather than in his own country; and the release from prison of Islamists in Algeria, under the 2005 general amnesty.(14) An additional theme is human and civil rights.

TO VIEW CARTOONS, VISIT: To view this Special Dispatch in HTML, visit: MEMRI HTML of cartoons .


*Nathalie Szerman is Director of MEMRI's North African Reformists Project.

Endnotes:
(1) http://winne.com/algeria2/english/bf04.html
(2) Le Matin was closed in 2004, when editor Mohamed Benchicou was imprisoned. After Benchicou's release, he declared that Le Matin would soon return. http://www.elkhabar.com/FrEn/lire.php?ida=33550&idc=52 , June 15, 2006.
(3) Mohamed Benchicou is the editor of Algerian daily Le Matin. In 2004, he published a biography of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, titled Bouteflika: Une imposture algérienne, that exposed the corruption of the regime. Benchicou was imprisoned in June 2004 on charges of corruption and was released on June 14, 2006.
(4) http://www.elkhabar.com/FrEn/lire.php?ida=33550&idc=52 , June 6, 2006.
(5) http://winne.com/algeria2/english/bf04.html .
(6) http://www.kabyles.com , February 17, 2005.
(7) http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=16478 , February 16, 2006.
(8) http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=16478 , February 16, 2006.
(9) http://www.kabyles.com , February 17, 2005.
(10) http://www.algerie-dz.com/article2.html , Associated Press, as cited by Algerie-dz.com, February 15, 2004.
(11) The Algerian political party Front Islamique du Salut has been banned since 1992. In December 1991, the Algerian government cancelled the second round of elections after the first round showed an FIS victory. The Algerian civil war broke out shortly afterwards.
(12) http://www.kabyles.com , February 17, 2005.
(13) http://www.tv5.org/TV5Site/kiosque/kiosque_tous_dessins.php , L'année vue par Dilem, http://www.tv5.org/TV5Site/fetes/dilem2005/janvier.php?image=jan1&ext=gif&back=1 .
(14) Algeria Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Charte pour la Paix et la Reconciliation Nationale: http://193.194.78.233/ma_fr/stories.php?story=05/09/06/3612066 .

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Technorati Tags: Nathalie Szerman ... Middle East ... Terrorism ... North Africa ... Algeria ... Islamists ... Ali Dilem ... Islam ... FLN ... Islamic World ... Muslim

Detainee Transfer Announced

NEWS RELEASES from the United States Department of Defense
No. 594-06 IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jun 24, 2006
Media Contact: (703)697-5131
Public/Industry(703)428-0711

Detainee Transfer Announced

The Department of Defense announced today that it transferred 14 Saudi detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to Saudi Arabia.

This movement included one detainee found to no longer be an enemy combatant by the Combatant Status Review Tribunals. The other thirteen detainees were approved for transfer by an Administrative Review Board (ARB) decision at Guantanamo.

With today's transfer, approximately 120 detainees remain at Guantanamo who the U.S. government has determined eligible for transfer or release through a comprehensive series of review processes. Departure of these remaining detainees approved for transfer or release is subject to ongoing discussions between the United States and other nations. The United States does not desire to hold detainees for any longer than necessary. The department expects that there will continue to be other transfers or releases of detainees.

There are ongoing processes to review the status of detainees held at Guantanamo. A determination about the continued detention or transfer of a detainee is based on the best information and evidence available at the time, both classified and unclassified.

With this transfer, approximately 310 detainees have departed Guantanamo to other governments, including Albania, Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Kuwait, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden and Uganda.

Approximately 450 detainees remain at Guantanamo.

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Technorati tags: Terrorism ... Guantanamo ... Military ... Detainee ... Enemy Combatant ... transfer ... Detainee Transfer ... al Qaeda ... Terrorist ... Afghanistan ... War on Terror ... President Bush ... Terror Cells ... Imminent threat

CNN: FBI Director Robert Mueller regarding home grown terrorism

Email passed on from CNN Pipeline.

I thought you might be interested to know that CNN Pipeline will be featuring FBI Director Robert Mueller giving a speech to the City Club of Cleveland regarding home grown terrorism. He is expected to have a short press conference afterwards. Both will be LIVE on CNN Pipeline at 12PM ET.

CNN Pipeline is an online, commercial-free, multiple live-news feed. It showcases four simultaneous news feeds from around the world and an on-demand function that allows you to select from a variety of news stories.

According to CNN, you may be able to visit their URL, www.cnn.com and click on the CNN Pipeline link to watch it *live.* This is a pay for view feature at CNN. Check to see if you qualify for two-week free trial. The Bosun Locker and Rumors of War are not affiliated with CNN, but, are passing on the email message announcing CNN Pipeline and Director Mueller's speech.

Technorati tags: Terrorism ... Florida ... CNN ... FBI ... Miami ... Chicago ... Sears Tower ... al Qaeda ... Terrorism ... Homegrown Terror ... Robert Mueller ... CNN Pipeline ... Terror Cell ... Imminent threat

Homegrown Terror Plot: Miami, Florida

Seven people were arrested, 5 were citizens, 1 has permanent residency, and the other was here ILLEGALLY (overstayed visa). One of two targeted plots released thus far: Sears Towers in Chicago, Illinois.

The FBI and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales are scheduled to hold a news conference on Friday to discuss the raid. According the FBI, there is no "imminent threat" to Miami, or other US city. This appears to be a homegrown plot, with no known ties to al Qaeda or other groups. The plotters thought that the undercover agents they were in contact with were al Qaeda. This plot has an uncanny resemblance of the recent plot in Canada with their homegrown terror suspects.

Turn the clock back to the Oklahoma Federal Building Bomber, Timothy McVeigh. He too wanted to usher in his own brand of perverted radicalism. Islamofacism, militant fascism, and perverted misfits from all walks of life threaten the free nations of the world.

Category: Terrorism.

Also posting about this story:

• Crazy Politico's Ranting. ‘Terror Plot Foiled? '
• Stop The ACLU, 'Terror Suspects Arrested In Miami'
• National Security Alert Response Center
• AP: Terrorism Investigation
• CNN Domestic Terrorism Plot Miami Raid

Other extremists who have threatened the fabric of free societies:

• Aum Cult of Terror
• Amerithrax Investigation
• Carlos the Jackal
• Ted Kaczynski
• New York City's Mad Bomber
• Jose Padilla

technorati tags: Terrorism ... Florida ... CNN ... FBI ... Miami ... Chicago ... Sears Tower ... al Qaeda ... Terrorism ... Homegrown Terror ... Jose Padilla ... Terror Cell ... Imminent threat ... New York City's Mad Bomber ... Ted Kaczynski ... Carlos the Jackal ... Amerithrax Investigation ... Aum Cult of Terror