Tuesday, January 31, 2006
US AND EU BEATEN BACK BY CHINA AND RUSSIA OVER NUCLEAR IRAN
ONE MONTH DELAY BEFORE ANY ACTION FROM SECURITY COUNCIL
Iran's deputy head of the Supreme National Security Council, Javad Vaeedi, said Iran would continue its push for the right to use nuclear energy.
"Research and development is the Iranian nation's legitimate right and is irreversible," Mr Vaeedi said.
"According to analysts, the message of Monday's meeting of the superpowers is less radical than was desired by the US and EU members of the council, as it stops short of the immediate formal referral of the country to the UN."
ONE MONTH DELAY BEFORE ANY ACTION FROM SECURITY COUNCIL
Iran's deputy head of the Supreme National Security Council, Javad Vaeedi, said Iran would continue its push for the right to use nuclear energy.
"Research and development is the Iranian nation's legitimate right and is irreversible," Mr Vaeedi said.
"According to analysts, the message of Monday's meeting of the superpowers is less radical than was desired by the US and EU members of the council, as it stops short of the immediate formal referral of the country to the UN."
JAPAN TO PULL TROOPS OUT BY MARCH
"The about 600 soldiers, who are on a humanitarian mission in Samawa, southern Iraq, would start withdrawing in March,
"The troops, who are banned from using their weapons under Japan's pacifist constitution, have suffered no casualties during their humanitarian assistance mission."
But that doesn't mean the Australian troops guarding the Japanese engineers will be going anywhere, anytime soon.
The new Australian Defence Minister, Brendan Nelson, has said Australia would merely "review" it's troop commitment.
Like the Americans, Australia is in the Iraq War for the long haul.
"We are determined to do the right thing. We are determined to see it through," Defence Minister Nelson said.
Brendan Nelson replaced Robert Hill as Defence Minister last week after Mr Hill quit his department for no apparent reason.
Suprisingly, Hill didn't fall back on the old standard line politicians use when they are forced to bolt under pressure (or out of fear of impending criminal charges), the line that goes "I only decided to quit politics to spend more time with my family".
"The about 600 soldiers, who are on a humanitarian mission in Samawa, southern Iraq, would start withdrawing in March,
"The troops, who are banned from using their weapons under Japan's pacifist constitution, have suffered no casualties during their humanitarian assistance mission."
But that doesn't mean the Australian troops guarding the Japanese engineers will be going anywhere, anytime soon.
The new Australian Defence Minister, Brendan Nelson, has said Australia would merely "review" it's troop commitment.
"If we are formally informed by the Japanese government that it intends to withdraw its engineers from southern Iraq, the Australian Government will then review the commitment that we have with our troops in that area," Mr Nelson said.
But that doesn't mean Australian troops will be 'cutting and running'.Like the Americans, Australia is in the Iraq War for the long haul.
"We are determined to do the right thing. We are determined to see it through," Defence Minister Nelson said.
Brendan Nelson replaced Robert Hill as Defence Minister last week after Mr Hill quit his department for no apparent reason.
Suprisingly, Hill didn't fall back on the old standard line politicians use when they are forced to bolt under pressure (or out of fear of impending criminal charges), the line that goes "I only decided to quit politics to spend more time with my family".
Monday, January 30, 2006
MEANWHILE IN VENEZUELA
CHAVEZ CALLS FOR "WORLD OFFENSIVE" AGAINST US IMPERIALISM
U.S. BLOCKS WEAPONS TO VENEZUELA
"In his speech, Chavez also accused the U.S. of plotting to block his government's arm deals, saying Venezuela will obtain arms, planes and ships regardless of U.S. attempts of hindrance."
ESPIONAGE SCANDAL ERUPTS AS U.S. DENIES RECRUITING SPIES
"A high-ranking Venezuelan army commander charged the U.S. Embassy on Thursday with trying to persuade a group of Venezuelan military officers to hand over state secrets to the Pentagon.
"...several low-ranking officers had been found passing state secrets to the U.S. Defense Department. They have found some links to the officials, that showed the U.S. Embassy was once again contacting and asking members of the armed forces for information,
"Ties between Venezuela and the United States have frayed since Chavez was elected in 1998 on promises to use the country's oil wealth to improve the lives of the impoverished majority".
CHAVEZ ACCUSES US EMBASSY STAFF OF SPYING FOR THE PENTAGON
CHAVEZ CALLS FOR DESTRUCTION OF U.S. EMPIRE
"Enough is enough. Down with the North American empire. We have to say, in the entire world, that this century we will bury the empire."
CHAVEZ CALLS FOR "WORLD OFFENSIVE" AGAINST US IMPERIALISM
U.S. BLOCKS WEAPONS TO VENEZUELA
"In his speech, Chavez also accused the U.S. of plotting to block his government's arm deals, saying Venezuela will obtain arms, planes and ships regardless of U.S. attempts of hindrance."
ESPIONAGE SCANDAL ERUPTS AS U.S. DENIES RECRUITING SPIES
"A high-ranking Venezuelan army commander charged the U.S. Embassy on Thursday with trying to persuade a group of Venezuelan military officers to hand over state secrets to the Pentagon.
"...several low-ranking officers had been found passing state secrets to the U.S. Defense Department. They have found some links to the officials, that showed the U.S. Embassy was once again contacting and asking members of the armed forces for information,
"Ties between Venezuela and the United States have frayed since Chavez was elected in 1998 on promises to use the country's oil wealth to improve the lives of the impoverished majority".
CHAVEZ ACCUSES US EMBASSY STAFF OF SPYING FOR THE PENTAGON
CHAVEZ CALLS FOR DESTRUCTION OF U.S. EMPIRE
"Enough is enough. Down with the North American empire. We have to say, in the entire world, that this century we will bury the empire."
REPUBLICAN CLAIMS US-MEXICO BORDER HAS DEGENERATED INTO A WAR ZONE
“Our border has literally turned into a war zone with foreign military personnel challenging our laws and our sovereignty. The Mexican military is using its overwhelming firepower to hold the U.S. Border Patrol and other law enforcement at bay. The only way to deal with this dangerous situation is to tap the resources of our own military. I call on President Bush and the Governors of border states to immediately deploy military personnel to defend our borders against the Mexican military.”
Republican senator Tom Tancredo, US Congress, January 25, 2006.
“Our border has literally turned into a war zone with foreign military personnel challenging our laws and our sovereignty. The Mexican military is using its overwhelming firepower to hold the U.S. Border Patrol and other law enforcement at bay. The only way to deal with this dangerous situation is to tap the resources of our own military. I call on President Bush and the Governors of border states to immediately deploy military personnel to defend our borders against the Mexican military.”
Republican senator Tom Tancredo, US Congress, January 25, 2006.
THE COMING ARCTIC WARS
THE GREAT ARCTIC THAW HAS BEGUN
RUSSIA, GREENLAND, US AND CANADA BEGIN JOSTLING FOR SHIPPING ROUTES AND RESOURCES AS THE WATERS WARM AND THE ICE BREAKS UP
CANADA STEPS UP PATROLS, PLANS MILITARY DEPLOYMENTS, CLASHES WITH U.S. OVER THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE
The United States refuses to recognize Canada's claim of sovereignity over the waters of the Arctic, where vast ice shelves are now breaking up as the frozen waters warm rapidly.Within a decade, vast new shipping routes will be open for business, and thousands of miles of once frozen coastline will be on the way to becoming inhabitable territory, which will spark a new resources mining boom.
Canada and the U.S. are now going head to head on the issue of who will control the new shipping lanes, and the vast wealth of mineral, oil and gas reseources that will be available for exploitation.
U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins threw the first punch last week when he told the Canadians that outside of the 12 mile territorial limits surounding Canada's numerous Artctic islands, the Northwest Passage was and still remains international waters.
The Canadian Prime Minister-designate, Stephen Harper, does not agree and hinted that the new government has some major plans for defending Arctic zones he believes define Canada's sovereignty. Canada is ramping up its Naval patrols of Arctic waters, and plans to move forward with deployments of military into contested areas of the Canadian/Arctic coastline.
THE GREAT ARCTIC THAW HAS BEGUN
RUSSIA, GREENLAND, US AND CANADA BEGIN JOSTLING FOR SHIPPING ROUTES AND RESOURCES AS THE WATERS WARM AND THE ICE BREAKS UP
CANADA STEPS UP PATROLS, PLANS MILITARY DEPLOYMENTS, CLASHES WITH U.S. OVER THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE
The United States refuses to recognize Canada's claim of sovereignity over the waters of the Arctic, where vast ice shelves are now breaking up as the frozen waters warm rapidly.Within a decade, vast new shipping routes will be open for business, and thousands of miles of once frozen coastline will be on the way to becoming inhabitable territory, which will spark a new resources mining boom.
Canada and the U.S. are now going head to head on the issue of who will control the new shipping lanes, and the vast wealth of mineral, oil and gas reseources that will be available for exploitation.
U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins threw the first punch last week when he told the Canadians that outside of the 12 mile territorial limits surounding Canada's numerous Artctic islands, the Northwest Passage was and still remains international waters.
The Canadian Prime Minister-designate, Stephen Harper, does not agree and hinted that the new government has some major plans for defending Arctic zones he believes define Canada's sovereignty. Canada is ramping up its Naval patrols of Arctic waters, and plans to move forward with deployments of military into contested areas of the Canadian/Arctic coastline.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
ARMED ROBOTS IN THE SKIES OF THE WORLD
US RAMPS UP 'TARGETED KILLING' PROGRAM
After the massacre of up to 22 innocent people in Pakistan two weeks ago by four CIA Hellfire-missile armed robot aircraft, the right of the US government to conduct targeted killings of suspected terrorists around the world is being challenged.
New information about the Predator armed drone program reveals :
- The US Government is continuing to expand the classified assassination-by-robot program.
- The Predator drones have launched Hellfire missiles on some 19 occasions, where they targeted suspected terrorists, since September 11, 2001.
- The Predator drones were used ten tims in Iraq, in the course of one month last year, to target suspected insurgents and 'other targets'.
After the massacre of up to 22 innocent people in Pakistan two weeks ago by four CIA Hellfire-missile armed robot aircraft, the right of the US government to conduct targeted killings of suspected terrorists around the world is being challenged.
New information about the Predator armed drone program reveals :
- The US Government is continuing to expand the classified assassination-by-robot program.
- The Predator drones have launched Hellfire missiles on some 19 occasions, where they targeted suspected terrorists, since September 11, 2001.
- The Predator drones were used ten tims in Iraq, in the course of one month last year, to target suspected insurgents and 'other targets'.
- At least four senior Al Qaeda leaders have been taken out by Predators, killing "many civilians".
- Dozens of Predators have been deployed across Iraq and Afghanistan.
- There is no human pilot in the Predator, just a robot intelligence. The decision to fire is made by CIA and/or Pentagon officials, who sit at computer stations in the US.
- Dozens of Predators have been deployed across Iraq and Afghanistan.
- There is no human pilot in the Predator, just a robot intelligence. The decision to fire is made by CIA and/or Pentagon officials, who sit at computer stations in the US.
NORTH KOREA WARNS OF NUKE WAR WITH U.S.
A North Korean Military poster.
"Dark clouds of a nuclear war are hanging low over the Korean Peninsula....The ever-more frantic moves of the U.S. to ignite a new war against (North Korea) would only compel it ... to bolster its deterrent for self-defense in every way."
Quote from North Korea's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, via Korean Central News Agency.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
BUSH TO CUT ARMY RESERVES, US-BRITISH FIGHTERS
US President GW Bush is planning to strip the Army Reserves of tens of millions of dollars in upcoming budget....Army Reserve will be cut back to retreat from Vietnam era numbers....$2.5 billion to be cut from joint US-UK fighter projects....Much opposition expected on Capitol Hill....The Trillion Dollar War On Terror is now being scaled back due to stunning US debt.
SIX SCENARIOS FOR MEGA OIL PRICE RISES
On CNN, a reknowned investment specialist, Bill Browder of Hermitage Capital, has forecast estimates on oil prices for six world crisis scenarios :
Osama Bin Laden has stated at least twice in the past two years that oil should be $100 per barrel and that the US should cut its consumption of some ten million barrels a day.
If oil was $40 two years ago, and now it's well over $65, who is winning The War?
$ 79 per barrel - Unrest And Violence In NigeriaIn the same story on CNN Money, George Soros said the following :
$ 88 per barrel - Resistance In Iraq Repeatedly Hits Major Infrastructure
$ 98 per barrel - Civil War In Nigeria
$111 per barrel - Venezueala's Hugo Chavez Cuts Oil Supply
$131 per barrel - Iran Under War Cuts Oil Supply
$262 per barrel - The House Of Saud Falls
"U.S. power and influence has declined precipitously because of Iraq and the war on terror and that creates an incentive for anyone who wants to make trouble to go ahead and make it. Iran is on a collision course and I have a difficulty seeing how such a collision can be avoided..."In early 2004, oil prices rose and fell and then settled around $40 per barrel.
Osama Bin Laden has stated at least twice in the past two years that oil should be $100 per barrel and that the US should cut its consumption of some ten million barrels a day.
If oil was $40 two years ago, and now it's well over $65, who is winning The War?
INDONESIA DEPLOYS TWO WARSHIPS TO AUSTRALIAN BORDER
TELLS AUSTRALIA TO 'HAND OVER' WEST PAPUAN REFUGEES SEEKING AUSTRALIAN ASYLUM
Two Indonesian warships are now patrolling on the edge of Australian waters.
Officially, the Navy has sent the warships to tackle the problem of Indonesian fishermen illegally crossing the border as they sail closer to the Australian coastline in search of bigger fish hauls.
Unofficially, the Indonesian Navy is moving into position to stop an expected rush of political refugees from West Papua taking to the water in the hope of reaching the Australian coastline, as 43 of their colleagues two weeks ago.
The Indonesian government has found it all but impossible to stop the fishermen who regularly slip into Australian waters and come ashore in the Northern Territory to cook and sleep and wash.
The Indonesian Navy is currently disabled by a severe shortage of vessels. With only 114 ships of various types to patrol and protect more than 17,500 islands in the archipelago, Indonesia says it needs more than 300 ships to do the job and has begun a massive shipbuilding project.
With at least two warshiops on the edge of Australian waters, the Indonesian government has now told Australia it must hand over the West Papuan political asylum seekers.
The Australian government swept the asylum sekers off the coast and into a camp on Christmas Island, and within hours of the Indonesian demnad reaching the media, the government ramped up the processing of asylum seekers, but contended that all would be considered on a case by case basis.
With Australia poised to sign an agreement which states it will not interfere with Indonesia's handling of the crsis in West Papua, it seems unlikely the Howard government would dare upset their regional allies by granting asylum and allowing the refugees a world stage to tell their horror stories of life under occupation by the Indonesian government.
Indonesia says there's no truth behind the refugees claims of massacres, torture and suppression of the independence movement.
But then, that's what Indonesia said about East Timor in the late 1990s, when their independence movement was gaining major ground, and shortly before the Indonesian military and military-backed militias shot, hacked, burned and raped their way through tens of thousands of East Timorese men, women and children.
UNITED STATES PAVED THE WAY FOR HAMAS VICTORY CLAIMS SAUDI REPORT
BUSH ADMINISTRATION 'OUT OF TOUCH' ON PALESTINE ISSUES
SAUDIS SEE THEMSELVES AS PIVOTAL IN RESTORING PEACE TO THE REGION
A confidential Saudi report, completed weeks before last week's Palestinian elections, confidently predicted a sweeping Hamas victory, and cited US policies in the region as one of the major factors contributing factors.
"...the U.S administration`s faith in the power of elections to transform people makes it oblivious to the possibility that the democratic process is often a double-edged sword which can have unintended consequences," the Saudi report stated.
"Such an outcome would have wide ranging implications for Saudi Arabia`s national security and emerging foreign policy in the region....
The Saudi kingdom sees itself as the major regional supporter of Palestine. More than $150 million is contributed by Saudi private citizens and charities to the welfare of Palestinians each year.
The report advised that Saudi Arabia should make itself instrumental in the new Palestinian political and social landscape, and recommended the Abdullah peace initiative of 2002, proposed by Saudi King Abdullah, be revived, as a way for Hamas to move forward and save face at the same time.
The then Crown Prince Abdullah offered recognition and normal relations for the State of Israel, so long as Israel withdrew from the territories it invaded and occupied in 1967, along with the return of displaced Palestinian refugees to Israel lands.
SAUDIS SEE THEMSELVES AS PIVOTAL IN RESTORING PEACE TO THE REGION
A confidential Saudi report, completed weeks before last week's Palestinian elections, confidently predicted a sweeping Hamas victory, and cited US policies in the region as one of the major factors contributing factors.
"...the U.S administration`s faith in the power of elections to transform people makes it oblivious to the possibility that the democratic process is often a double-edged sword which can have unintended consequences," the Saudi report stated.
"Such an outcome would have wide ranging implications for Saudi Arabia`s national security and emerging foreign policy in the region....
'A victory by Hamas presents a challenge to Saudi Arabia in that this financial support will likely need to be increased if the U.S. and Europe reduce or refuse to support a Hamas-controlled Palestinian government.
"American policies in the region, especially its unfettered support for Israel and its designation of Hamas as a terror organization, complicate the situation, and demonstrate that the Bush administration is clearly out of touch. Thus, they are unable to understand the situation from the Palestinian perspective.
"(The win by Hamas) will reveal the extent U.S. power, prestige, and ideals have been undermined in the region."The Saudi kingdom sees itself as the major regional supporter of Palestine. More than $150 million is contributed by Saudi private citizens and charities to the welfare of Palestinians each year.
The report advised that Saudi Arabia should make itself instrumental in the new Palestinian political and social landscape, and recommended the Abdullah peace initiative of 2002, proposed by Saudi King Abdullah, be revived, as a way for Hamas to move forward and save face at the same time.
The then Crown Prince Abdullah offered recognition and normal relations for the State of Israel, so long as Israel withdrew from the territories it invaded and occupied in 1967, along with the return of displaced Palestinian refugees to Israel lands.
The report said when Hamas wins the Palestinian elections, "The Saudi leadership should prepare" for Israel to be offered such a deal.
ISRAELIS SAY 'START PEACE TALKS WITH HAMAS'
AUSTRALIA, US, UK, EU SAYS 'NO TALKS'
Australia, the US, the UK and at least half of the European Union have declared, once again, "We do not negotiate with terrorists" and they won't make any effort to talk to the newly elected Hamas dominant government in democratic Palestine.
But for those in the line of fire, those whose daily lives are threatened and disrupted by the ongoing clashes in the Holy Land, re-invigorated peace talks between Hamas and Israel can't come soon eough.
From Reuters : "Almost half of Israelis think Israel should talk to a Palestinian government dominated by the Islamic militant group Hamas, which won a parliamentary majority in elections, an opinion poll showed on Friday.
Australia, the US, the UK and at least half of the European Union have declared, once again, "We do not negotiate with terrorists" and they won't make any effort to talk to the newly elected Hamas dominant government in democratic Palestine.
But for those in the line of fire, those whose daily lives are threatened and disrupted by the ongoing clashes in the Holy Land, re-invigorated peace talks between Hamas and Israel can't come soon eough.
From Reuters : "Almost half of Israelis think Israel should talk to a Palestinian government dominated by the Islamic militant group Hamas, which won a parliamentary majority in elections, an opinion poll showed on Friday.
"On Thursday, Israel's acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ruled out any talks with a government involving Hamas, which is sworn to the Jewish state's destruction and has been behind dozens of suicide bombings.
"The opinion poll in the Yedioth Ahronoth daily newspaper showed 48 percent of Israelis favored talking to a Hamas-led Palestinian government..."
UNITED STATES MAJORITY BELIEVE IN WAR ON IRAN
"Despite persistent disillusionment with the war in Iraq, a majority of Americans supports taking military action against Iran if that country continues to produce material that can be used to develop nuclear weapons...."
"....57% of Americans favor military intervention if Iran’s Islamic government pursues a program that could enable it to build nuclear arms."
Support for military action against Tehran has increased over the last year, the poll found, even though public sentiment is running against the war in neighboring Iraq...."
Sourced from The Financial Times.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
MASSIVE CORRUPTION BY US IN IRAQ REBUILDING
BILLIONS IN IRAQ OIL MONEY 'STOLEN' BY US
$1.5 BILLION FLOWN FROM US TO IRAQ ON ONE FLIGHT
More than $12 billion US dollars, weighing some 350 tons, were drawn from the US Federal Reserve and flown into Iraq on secret flights.
"Desperate for money, and with no banking system to receive wire transfers, the CPA, led by Paul Bremer, received UN approval to fund reconstruction with $37 billion of seized Iraqi oil proceeds, most of it held in the US Federal Reserve in New York."
BILLIONS IN IRAQ OIL MONEY 'STOLEN' BY US
$1.5 BILLION FLOWN FROM US TO IRAQ ON ONE FLIGHT
More than $12 billion US dollars, weighing some 350 tons, were drawn from the US Federal Reserve and flown into Iraq on secret flights.
"Desperate for money, and with no banking system to receive wire transfers, the CPA, led by Paul Bremer, received UN approval to fund reconstruction with $37 billion of seized Iraqi oil proceeds, most of it held in the US Federal Reserve in New York."
Massive pallets of shrinked bundles of cash were shipped to Baghdad on C17 cargo planes. The blocks of $100 notes became known as 'bricks' and were dispersed with little record keeping. One US congressman said the cash was handed out "like candy".
BUSH "WE WON'T TALK TO HAMAS"
"I've made it very clear that the United States does not support political parties that want to destroy our ally Israel, and that people must renounce that part of their platform," Bush said in a special press conference at the White House today.
"It's a wake-up call to the leadership. Obviously, people were not happy with the status quo," Bush said. "The elections should open the eyes of the old guard in the Palestinian territories.
US Secretary of State, Condaleeza Rice, "...the Palestinian people have apparently voted for change, but we believe that their aspirations for peace and a peaceful life remain unchanged."
Still sticking to the 'We Don't Negotiate With Terrorists' mantra, Rice said the US would not work with democratically elected political parties that have, "one foot in politics and the other in terror."
"I've made it very clear that the United States does not support political parties that want to destroy our ally Israel, and that people must renounce that part of their platform," Bush said in a special press conference at the White House today.
"It's a wake-up call to the leadership. Obviously, people were not happy with the status quo," Bush said. "The elections should open the eyes of the old guard in the Palestinian territories.
US Secretary of State, Condaleeza Rice, "...the Palestinian people have apparently voted for change, but we believe that their aspirations for peace and a peaceful life remain unchanged."
Still sticking to the 'We Don't Negotiate With Terrorists' mantra, Rice said the US would not work with democratically elected political parties that have, "one foot in politics and the other in terror."
'HAMASTAN' IS BORN
WORLD LEADERS SHOCKED AT RESULTS OF DEMOCRACY IN ACTION
WORLD LEADERS SHOCKED AT RESULTS OF DEMOCRACY IN ACTION
"...Before our very eyes, Hamastan has been established, the step-child of Iran and the Taliban. It's in firing range of our airport, our highways and cities."
BUSH CHANGES STANCE ON MISSING BIN LADEN
March 13, 2002 :
January 26, 2006 :
March 13, 2002 :
"I don't know where he is. You know, I just don't spend that much time on him. to be honest with you...I don't know where he is....I'll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about him."
January 26, 2006 :
"When he says he's going to hurt the American people again, or try to, he means it....I take it seriously..."
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
US REBUILDING OF IRAQ NEVER GOT OFF THE GROUND
"The first official history of the $25 billion American reconstruction effort in Iraq depicts a program hobbled from the outset by gross understaffing, a lack of technical expertise, bureaucratic infighting, secrecy and constantly increasing security costs..."
Elsewhere, a Dahr Jamail report from the locals point of view in Iraq reveals a devastated country, with little hope of substantial rebuilding now the US has cut off the rebuilding funds, trying to get the international community to put up the money. There are some schools that have been rebuilt, some hospitals, some streets and sewerage treatment works and electricity stations and refineries, but for the majority of Iraqis the rebuilding has been barely visible. Three years after the invasion of Iraq, and the most basic necessities of democratic life, electricity and fuel, are becoming luxury items.As one local explained to Dahr Jamail, "The last four nights without electricity…only half an hour every six hours. Fuel prices prevent people from running their generators at home. Fuel on the black market is fifty times the price what it used to be, and nobody can stand waiting at the pumps for days anymore....everybody is frustrated yet life is still going on as if the people are hypnotized.”
RUSSIA AND UK EYE EACH OTHER WARILY OVER NGO ROCK SPY AFFAIR
Moving through the streets of Russian cities, UK citizens used high-tech mobile phones, cameras, voice recorders to soak up information about everywhere they went and everything they saw. They downloaded this wealth of information to a fake rock filled with computer and satellite communications gear.
Were these UK citizens spies? Were they actually diplomats running quiet missions for the ome Office? Or were they some of the tens of thousands of NGO workers spreading the word of democracy and how to achieve through dozens of countries across the globe?
Tony Blair chuckled a very nervous laugh when questioned about the Spy Rock Affair, "I think the less said about that, the better."The London Telegraph reports the atmosphere in Putin's government "is more ominous - it marks the latest attempt by the Kremlin to throttle the human rights and pro-democracy groups.
"Moscow is appalled by the 'colour revolutions' that have removed its clients in the former Soviet Union - such as the Orange Revolution in Ukraine a year ago.
President Vladimir Putin seems convinced that the West now wants to use pro-democracy organisations in Russia itself to destabilise his increasingly autocratic rule."
Russia wants to bring together the fellow Caspian sea nations of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Iran to form a new grouping for defense, border control and intelligence purposes.
CHINA WON'T BACK US-ISRAEL PUSH FOR NUCLEAR IRAN ACTION AT THE UN
A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, Kong Quan, said his country has "noted the considerations" of the European countries.
"But on the other hand, we believe that further applying diplomatic efforts, and diplomatic means to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, remains a relatively suitable and better option."
Is the US Military Preparing For The Reintroduction Of Executions?
The BBC reports, "The new rules spell out the procedures for carrying out death sentences imposed at courts martial."
"The new rules are acknowledged by senior ranks as a major revision of the existing situation.
The revision also makes it possible for executions to take place at any military prison, not just Fort Leavenworth.
This, according to anti-death penalty protesters, means it would be technically legal for executions to take place at Guantanamo Bay."
Iran Issues Threats In Response To US Threats
"Iran upped the ante Monday in its nuclear standoff, warning that it will immediately begin developing a full-scale uranium enrichment program if it is referred to the United Nations Security Council.
"In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said "referral absolutely has to be made" on Feb. 2, while remaining vague on what action the Security Council could take -- and when."
Mexican Army Invades US....To Smuggle Cannabis
A Department Of Homeland Security document reveals there have been more than 200 incursions into US territory by the Mexican Army in the past few years. The US government claims these are innocent, that people get lost, that some of the border lines are not clearly defined.
But down in Texas, there's been an ARMED STAND-OFF AT THE RIO GRANDE between "Mexican soldiers and civilian smugglers....with nearly 30 U.S. law enforcement officials."
"Mexican military Humvees were towing what appeared to be thousands of pounds of marijuana across the border into the United States, said Chief Deputy Mike Doyal, of the Hudspeth County Sheriff's Department.
"Mexican Army troops had several mounted machine guns on the ground more than 200 yards inside the U.S. border....""We're sitting ducks," said a border agent.
Bush Announces US Will Stand With Israel Against Iran Ever Having Nuclear Weapons
"I am deeply concerned about Iran, as should a lot of people be concerned about Iran," said Bush, yesterday, during a Q & A with American students and soldiers.
"I am concerned when the country of Iran's president announces his desire to see that Israel gets destroyed.
"Israel is our ally. We're committed to the safety of Israel, and it's a commitment we will keep."
50,000 US Troops And Aircraft Carrier For Japan
50,000 US troops will remain on station in Japan until the end of 2007, costing the Japanese government more than $US2.4 billion dollars.
The US recently reached an agreement with Japan to station a US Navy nuclear powered aircraft carrier in Japanese waters. The Pentagon is expected to build a new landing strip for larger, faster aircraft on the Japanese island of Okinawa, which was seizedd by the US during WWII.
AFRICA
A wave of refugees, 20,000 women, children, men, have fled into neighbouring Uganda from brutal fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
UN loses eight peacekeepers to Congo fighting. "Eight Guatemalan special forces soldiers deployed as U.N. peacekeepers in eastern Congo were killed and five more were injured on Monday during an operation against Ugandan rebels, the United Nations said."
PAKISTAN WON'T BACK USE OF FORCE AGAINST IRAN
During his blue ribbon round of White House meetings this week, the Pakistan defence minister has revealed his country will only back a diplomatic solution to the Nuclear Iran issue.
Pakistan joins China, Russia and Venezuela as key opponents to the Israel-Bush push for pre-emptive strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.
Iran, China, Pakistan, Russia, Venezuela and other South American countries, have signed each other up to energy and trade deals worth more than a $US1 trillion during the past two years.
"...we accept Iran's right to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy under appropriate IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards," said Pakistan's defence minister, Shaukat Aziz.
"We have consistently advised Iran to address this issue through dialogue with the EU (European Union) troika. We also believe that countries such as Russia and China could play a constructive role to resolve this issue."
During his blue ribbon round of White House meetings this week, the Pakistan defence minister has revealed his country will only back a diplomatic solution to the Nuclear Iran issue.
Pakistan joins China, Russia and Venezuela as key opponents to the Israel-Bush push for pre-emptive strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.
Iran, China, Pakistan, Russia, Venezuela and other South American countries, have signed each other up to energy and trade deals worth more than a $US1 trillion during the past two years.
"...we accept Iran's right to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy under appropriate IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards," said Pakistan's defence minister, Shaukat Aziz.
"We have consistently advised Iran to address this issue through dialogue with the EU (European Union) troika. We also believe that countries such as Russia and China could play a constructive role to resolve this issue."
Monday, January 23, 2006
KURT VONNEGUT ON HOW THE WORLD VIEWS AMERICA
"We now present ourselves to the rest of the world as proud, grinning, jut-jawed, pitiless war-lovers with appallingly powerful weaponry - who stand unopposed.
"We now present ourselves to the rest of the world as proud, grinning, jut-jawed, pitiless war-lovers with appallingly powerful weaponry - who stand unopposed.
In case you haven't noticed, we are now as feared and hated all over the world as Nazis once were.
And with good reason.
In case you haven't noticed, our unelected leaders have dehumanised millions and millions of human beings simply because of their religion and race. We wound 'em and kill 'em and torture 'em and imprison 'em all we want.
Piece of cake.
In case you haven't noticed, we also dehumanised our own soldiers, not because of their religion or race, but because of their low social class.
Send 'em anywhere. Make 'em do anything."
Here's the extract from Vonnegut's new novel 'A Man Without a Country: A Memoir of Life in George W Bush's America', where these qoutes were found.
ALL ON BOARD FOR THE WAR AGAINST IRAN
Spengler, in the Asia Times, lays out a strong analysis for why the War Against Iran will go ahead. Iran has no choice but to pursue nukes, China will try to stop the war because high oil prices will destroy its massive growth and prosperity and there is no shortage of 'allies' ready to get on board with the destruction of Iran.
"Just outside Iran's present frontiers," writes Spengler, "lie the oil resources of Iraq, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, and not far away are the oil concentrations of eastern Saudi Arabia. Its neighbors are quite as alarmed as Washington about the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran, and privately quite happy for Washington to wipe out this capability.
"It is remarkable how quickly an international consensus has emerged for the eventual use of force against Iran. Chirac's indirect reference to the French nuclear capability was a warning to Tehran."
But whatever happens, Spengler doesn't see it turning out at all good for the US, and for President Bush in particular :
"Rather than a legacy of prosperity and democracy in the Middle East, the administration of US President George W Bush will exit with an economy weakened by higher oil prices and chaos on the ground in Iraq and elsewhere. But it really has no other options, except to let a nuclear- armed spoiler loose in the oil corridor. We have begun the third act of the tragedy that started on September 11, 2001, and I see no way to prevent it from proceeding. "
Spengler, in the Asia Times, lays out a strong analysis for why the War Against Iran will go ahead. Iran has no choice but to pursue nukes, China will try to stop the war because high oil prices will destroy its massive growth and prosperity and there is no shortage of 'allies' ready to get on board with the destruction of Iran.
"Just outside Iran's present frontiers," writes Spengler, "lie the oil resources of Iraq, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, and not far away are the oil concentrations of eastern Saudi Arabia. Its neighbors are quite as alarmed as Washington about the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran, and privately quite happy for Washington to wipe out this capability.
"It is remarkable how quickly an international consensus has emerged for the eventual use of force against Iran. Chirac's indirect reference to the French nuclear capability was a warning to Tehran."
But whatever happens, Spengler doesn't see it turning out at all good for the US, and for President Bush in particular :
"Rather than a legacy of prosperity and democracy in the Middle East, the administration of US President George W Bush will exit with an economy weakened by higher oil prices and chaos on the ground in Iraq and elsewhere. But it really has no other options, except to let a nuclear- armed spoiler loose in the oil corridor. We have begun the third act of the tragedy that started on September 11, 2001, and I see no way to prevent it from proceeding. "
ISRAEL DEFENCE MINISTER WARNS IRAN OF DESTRUCTION
Shaul Mofaz, the Israeli defence minister, has made it clear that once Iran gets too close to a nuclear capability, Israel will take it out with heavy weapons, if not nukes of their own.
Shaul Mofaz, the Israeli defence minister, has made it clear that once Iran gets too close to a nuclear capability, Israel will take it out with heavy weapons, if not nukes of their own.
"....we cannot tolerate a nuclear option for Iran and we must prepare ourselves," Mr Mofaz said. "We must develop the option of our defence with all that implies."
He then issued a rhetorical plea to the Iranian leader.
Mofaz made a direct plea to the Iranian president : "You, who are leading your country....you had better take a glance at history and see what became of tyrants like you who tried to annihilate the Jewish people. They brought only destruction upon their own people."
Read the full article here.
WORLD TERROR THREAT DOESN'T EXIST, CLAIMS RUSSIAN GENERAL
By Darryl Mason
Former Russian Armed Forces Chief Of Staff, General Leonid Ivashov, said he believes the War On Terror as we know it hides a plan, now well underway, to topple the current world order. But it isn't the followers of Osama Bin Laden who want to formulate the New World Order.
"Today's international terrorism is a phenomenon," says General Ivashov, "that combines the use of terror by state and non-state political structures as a means to attain their political objectives through people's intimidation, psychological and social destabilization, the elimination of resistance from power organizations and the creation of appropriate conditions for the manipulation of the countries' policies and the behavior of people. "
"Terrorism is the weapon used in a new type of war. At the same time, international terrorism, in complicity with the media, becomes the manager of global processes. It is precisely the symbiosis between media and terror, which allows modifying international politics and the exiting reality."
Go here for the full speech.
By Darryl Mason
Former Russian Armed Forces Chief Of Staff, General Leonid Ivashov, said he believes the War On Terror as we know it hides a plan, now well underway, to topple the current world order. But it isn't the followers of Osama Bin Laden who want to formulate the New World Order.
"Today's international terrorism is a phenomenon," says General Ivashov, "that combines the use of terror by state and non-state political structures as a means to attain their political objectives through people's intimidation, psychological and social destabilization, the elimination of resistance from power organizations and the creation of appropriate conditions for the manipulation of the countries' policies and the behavior of people. "
"Terrorism is the weapon used in a new type of war. At the same time, international terrorism, in complicity with the media, becomes the manager of global processes. It is precisely the symbiosis between media and terror, which allows modifying international politics and the exiting reality."
Go here for the full speech.
US NUCLEAR WARSHIP ARRIVES IN BRISBANE
The nuclear powered USS Ronald Reagan has docked the capital of Queensland, whilst in the midst of Pacific Ocean military exercises. Full story here.
The nuclear powered USS Ronald Reagan has docked the capital of Queensland, whilst in the midst of Pacific Ocean military exercises. Full story here.
PAKISTAN GETS WHITE HOUSE BLUE RIBBON TREATMENT
While visiting the US, the Pakistan prime minister will be meeting with President Bush, Secretary of State, Condi Rice, Defence Sec Donald Rumsfeld and VP Dick Cheney.
This is the premium round of meetings for any visiting politician or dignitary, few get to meet all the key figures of the Bush administration in the same week.
They both want to placate and comfort Pakistan and also 'prod' them into ramping up their anti-terror war on the Afghanistan border regions.
The US is growing increasingly concerned about just how devoted Pakistan is to fighting the War On Terror. Not suprisingly, the Pakistan president and PM have faced enormous dissent and fury by having backed a war that millions of Pakistani Muslims regard as a war on their own people, years before the CIA aistrikes of last week that sent tens of thousands of furious Pakistanis into the streets.
Intelligence specialist Statfor believes the simple fact that Bin Laden hasn't been picked up yet might be proof that the Pakistan military are helping to shelter Bin Laden and his associates.
Pakistan says they're doing all they can, and the US says Pakistan is a vital and trusted ally in the War On Terror. But Bin Laden is alive and making tapes and inspiring the millions who view him as a warrior of historical proportions.
Now the US is intending to 'prod' Pakistan on coughing up more terrorists and terror-camp trained militants.
While visiting the US, the Pakistan prime minister will be meeting with President Bush, Secretary of State, Condi Rice, Defence Sec Donald Rumsfeld and VP Dick Cheney.
This is the premium round of meetings for any visiting politician or dignitary, few get to meet all the key figures of the Bush administration in the same week.
They both want to placate and comfort Pakistan and also 'prod' them into ramping up their anti-terror war on the Afghanistan border regions.
The US is growing increasingly concerned about just how devoted Pakistan is to fighting the War On Terror. Not suprisingly, the Pakistan president and PM have faced enormous dissent and fury by having backed a war that millions of Pakistani Muslims regard as a war on their own people, years before the CIA aistrikes of last week that sent tens of thousands of furious Pakistanis into the streets.
Intelligence specialist Statfor believes the simple fact that Bin Laden hasn't been picked up yet might be proof that the Pakistan military are helping to shelter Bin Laden and his associates.
Pakistan says they're doing all they can, and the US says Pakistan is a vital and trusted ally in the War On Terror. But Bin Laden is alive and making tapes and inspiring the millions who view him as a warrior of historical proportions.
Now the US is intending to 'prod' Pakistan on coughing up more terrorists and terror-camp trained militants.
'BIZARRE' US AIR STRIKES ON PAKISTAN INFURIATE PM
While the US still unofficially claims it killed "significant" senior Al Qaeda members in air strikes on Pakistan villages last week, the Pakistan government claims no such fighters were killed and they didn't even know the US was going to attack the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region.
The CIA supposedly had intelligence that proposed that key terrorists were going to all get together in the same room for a dinner. They sent robot planes, armed with Hellfire missiles, into Pakistan airspace and launched up to ten strikes, killing at least thirteen innocent men, women and children and injuring dozens more.
The Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Azis, appearing stunned and angry, told CNN on Sunday, "If you just reflect on what happened, first -- we heard that there was a dinner meeting with all the seniors -- I think that's a bizarre thought, because these people don't get together for dinner in a terrain or environment like that."
While the US still unofficially claims it killed "significant" senior Al Qaeda members in air strikes on Pakistan villages last week, the Pakistan government claims no such fighters were killed and they didn't even know the US was going to attack the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region.
The CIA supposedly had intelligence that proposed that key terrorists were going to all get together in the same room for a dinner. They sent robot planes, armed with Hellfire missiles, into Pakistan airspace and launched up to ten strikes, killing at least thirteen innocent men, women and children and injuring dozens more.
The Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Azis, appearing stunned and angry, told CNN on Sunday, "If you just reflect on what happened, first -- we heard that there was a dinner meeting with all the seniors -- I think that's a bizarre thought, because these people don't get together for dinner in a terrain or environment like that."
Aziz said there was no warning from the US government that these airstrikes on Pakistan were going to occur. He expressed his disappointment that there had been no consultation between the US and Pakistan governments before the slaughter happened.
"We had no idea that this would take place," he said.
Aziz also pointed out that the attack, even if it was by a CIA robot, was a direct violation of a U.S.-Pakistani agreement that demands collaboration before any such attack plans are initiated.
'TRAITOR' BUSH 'IN LEAGUE WITH BIN LADEN'
BUSH WHITEHOUSE "THE NEW GESTAPO"
The level of outrage and fury venting in the US media over the war plans for Iran, the spectacularly failed war plans for Iraq and the insidious Bush Spying On Americans scandal is getting super-aggressive :
"If you don’t think the rights-robbing, privacy-invading, Constitution ignoring administration of George W. Bush is anything less than a Hitler-style Gestapo then you’ve got your head stuffed so far up your ass that all that brown stuff is blinding you," writes Doug Thompson at Capitol Hill Blue.
"America, once hailed as the land of the free, has – under the tyranny of King George – become Amerika, reviled as a global thug that doesn’t give a damn about anyone’s rights, especially those of its own citizens."
"Bush is a traitor to his country. As a traitor, he should be led from the White House in chains and tried as one. Since he insists he is a 'wartime President,' then let’s try the son-of-a-bitch as a wartime traitor, a Benedict Arnold who turned on his country and gave aid and comfort to its enemies. Bush has done far more damage to the freedoms and security of American than Osama bin Laden. In fact, I’m starting to believe the traitorous asshole is in league with bin Laden and others who want this country destroyed."
US MISSILE DEFENCE PLANS TRASHED AFTER RUSSIA LAUNCHES HYPERSONIC MISSILE
The Topol SS-27 missile can be transported and launched from trucks, it can be moved quickly from location to location, making pre-emptive targeting of the Topol virtually impossible.
- The Times Of India picked up on a little mentioned announcement, that Russia had developed and test-fired a portable missile with a flight speed of 6000-10,000 kph.
- It was designed to get through any and all existing and proposed missile defence systems, mostly by its sheer speed. Military experts seem to agree that the Russians have succeeded.
highlights :
- "The Topol SS 27 can be manoeuvred mid-flight. this makes it impossible for radar systems to figure out its flight path.
- It is invulnerable to radiation and electromagnetic and physical interference.
- It can be mounted on the back of a truck, which makes it difficult to monitor how many of these missiles have been deployed and where."
SCENARIOS FOR THE ONSLAUGHT OF THE NEW WORLD WAR
How the Fourth World War may begin, from London Telegraph's imperial chronicler Niall Ferguson (he predicts 2007, and the gist of the article seems mostly to be - why wait unti then? He sounds impatient, like he's ready, like he's looking forward to a nuclear stoush. Has Ferguson been reading too much Tom Clancy? :
"The devastating nuclear exchange of August 2007 represented not only the failure of diplomacy, it marked the end of the oil age. Some even said it marked the twilight of the West. Certainly, that was one way of interpreting the subsequent spread of the conflict as Iraq's Shi'ite population overran the remaining American bases in their country and the Chinese threatened to intervene on the side of Teheran."
But here is a piece from Justin Raimondo that tears absolute shreds off Niall Ferguson's Scenario For A Fourth World War, and hammers him for getting in so early with the World War 4 propaganda effort,
"A major element of war propaganda," writes Raimondo, "is the conjuration of the enemy as a fearsone, fanatical, and fantastical demon imbued with enormous power – and this image of the nuclear-crazed mullahs, led by a man with all the public relations panache of Pat Robertson is the new bogeyman being touted by the War Party. Ahmadinejad is the new Saddam, a much easier target than the mild-mannered, American-educated ophthalmologist who rules Syria, and a potent symbol of everything the neocons want us to hate – and, subsequently, destroy."
"If the 'Great War' is coming, then it's because we have been set up for it. Wouldn't this account for the air of inevitability that Ferguson imparts to the unfolding crisis over Iran's nuclear power program?
"...the admission that Israel already produced nuclear weapons, and they are aimed straight at Tehran....there is no suggestion by Ferguson that Israel must disarm, that Israel's defiance of international norms and conventions is being appeased, or that the Iranians have anything to fear from an Israeli nuclear first strike."
For the full Justin Raimondo article, go here.
"The devastating nuclear exchange of August 2007 represented not only the failure of diplomacy, it marked the end of the oil age. Some even said it marked the twilight of the West. Certainly, that was one way of interpreting the subsequent spread of the conflict as Iraq's Shi'ite population overran the remaining American bases in their country and the Chinese threatened to intervene on the side of Teheran."
But here is a piece from Justin Raimondo that tears absolute shreds off Niall Ferguson's Scenario For A Fourth World War, and hammers him for getting in so early with the World War 4 propaganda effort,
"A major element of war propaganda," writes Raimondo, "is the conjuration of the enemy as a fearsone, fanatical, and fantastical demon imbued with enormous power – and this image of the nuclear-crazed mullahs, led by a man with all the public relations panache of Pat Robertson is the new bogeyman being touted by the War Party. Ahmadinejad is the new Saddam, a much easier target than the mild-mannered, American-educated ophthalmologist who rules Syria, and a potent symbol of everything the neocons want us to hate – and, subsequently, destroy."
"If the 'Great War' is coming, then it's because we have been set up for it. Wouldn't this account for the air of inevitability that Ferguson imparts to the unfolding crisis over Iran's nuclear power program?
"...the admission that Israel already produced nuclear weapons, and they are aimed straight at Tehran....there is no suggestion by Ferguson that Israel must disarm, that Israel's defiance of international norms and conventions is being appeased, or that the Iranians have anything to fear from an Israeli nuclear first strike."
For the full Justin Raimondo article, go here.
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