| This thread has been locked, it will not receive new replies. |
|
Locked on 04/02/2004 3:41:28 PM PST by Sidebar Moderator, reason:
Thread Six: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1109459/posts |
Posted on 03/12/2004 8:23:06 PM PST by thecabal
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- This week's deadly train bombings in Spain will not lead to a rise in the U.S. color-coded terror threat alert system, a Department of Homeland Security spokesman said Friday.
"Based on the current intelligence, we have no specific indicators that terrorist groups are considering such an attack in the U.S. in the near term," said department spokesman Brian Roehrkasse.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Wow, that's amazing. Does anyone still doubt that AQ was behind these attacks? This also makes the case for the commie/AQ link.
Agreed. Now that Spain has knuckled under, we can expect more of the same.
10:14 A.M. EST
PRESIDENT BUSH: Here's what we're going to do. We'll have a couple opening statements. I'll call upon an American press, the Prime Minister will call upon somebody from the Dutch press; American press, Dutch press; and that's it.
Thank you all for coming. Mr. Prime Minister, welcome. I'm glad you're back. Thank you for a -- your friendship. Thank you for your clear understanding about the need for us to achieve a more free and peaceful world. I appreciate our bilateral relations are strong. We had a wide-ranging discussion, talking about a variety of issues, whether it be foreign policy or the economy. It was a good, frank discussion. And I appreciate my friend being here again. Welcome.
PRIME MINISTER BALKENENDE: George, thanks again for the hospitality. We had, indeed, a very good discussion. We talked about issues around Iraq, the role of the United Nations, by example. We talked about the cooperation in the economic sphere, developments in Afghanistan. We also talked about values in society, an important issue. And especially, we talked about terrorism, the fight against terrorism. And it is important that the world society, international community stands shoulder-to-shoulder and shows its solidarity to fight against these terrible attacks. And we share that same view and we will work together, also, in the second half of this year, when The Netherlands is taking over the presidency of the European Union.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes.
We'll answer a couple questions here. We'll start with you, Terry Hunt.
Q Thank you, sir. Mr. President, do you think terrorists have reason to believe they can influence elections and policy, given the outcome of what happened in Spain?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I think terrorists will kill innocent life in order to try to get the world to cower. I think -- these are cold-blooded killers. I mean, they'll kill innocent people to try to shake our will. That's what they want to do. And they'll never shake the will of the United States. We understand the stakes. And we will work with our friends to bring justice to the terrorists.
They have not only killed in Spain, they've killed in the United States, they've killed in Turkey, they've killed in Saudi Arabia. They kill wherever they can. And it's essential that the free world remain strong and resolute and determined.
Q Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. President, according to opinion polls, most Dutch people want to withdraw the Dutch troops from Iraq. Many Dutch people think the war in Iraq has little to do with the war against terrorism, and may actually encourage terrorism. How would you respond to those Dutch people who want to withdraw?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I would ask them to think about the Iraqi citizens who don't want people to withdraw, because they want to be free. And I would remind the Dutch citizens that al Qaeda has an interest in Iraq for a reason, and that interest is, they realize this is a front in the war on terror, and they fear the spread of freedom and democracy in places like the greater Middle East. They can't stand the thought of free societies springing up in the Middle East, because they understand a free society is against their very wishes. And so it's essential that we remain side-by-side with the Iraqi people as they begin the process of self-government.
And we're making good progress. The basic law that was written by the Governing Council was a substantial piece of work that talked about freedoms, the very same freedoms that we honor in America or in The Netherlands. And it's essential that we help Iraq -- and Afghanistan -- develop into free societies, which, in itself, will start changing the regions in which they exist.
Adam, yes.
Q Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT BUSH: You look fine today, Adam. The tie. (Laughter.)
Q Thank you, Mr. President. Candidate Kerry has suggested he has support of world leaders. Do you think he should -- that should be a factor in the campaign? Was that an appropriate thing for him to say?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I think it's -- if you're going to make an accusation in the course of a presidential campaign, you ought to back it up with facts.
PRIME MINISTER BALKENENDE: I won't talk about that issue.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Okay, fine.
PRIME MINISTER BALKENENDE: It has to do with the campaign here in the United States.
Q Mr. President, have you convinced the Prime Minister of The Netherlands to leave the Dutch troops in Iraq?
PRESIDENT BUSH: The Prime Minister will make a -- the appropriate decision. It's his decision to make. We both agree that a free Iraq is essential to a peaceful world. We both understand the stakes. We both know that al Qaeda is interested in fighting us in Iraq. How do we know? We know because they've said so publicly. Al Qaeda understands the stakes. Al Qaeda wants us out of Iraq, because al Qaeda wants to use Iraq as an example of defeating freedom and democracy. And so the Prime Minister has got issues at home that he'll deal with. But there's no doubt that he understands the stakes and the historic opportunity with which we're faced.
PRIME MINISTER BALKENENDE: It's good to add that we did not talk about the situation after the half of July. That is the responsible of the Dutch government and Dutch parliament and we'll talk about it, as I made it clear already, earlier. But I think it's very good to look always to the situation of the Iraq people and the international struggle against terrorism. Therefore, it's so important that countries are working together and they can draw the same lines. That's very important, but it has nothing to, at this moment, to the decision-making as far as the situation after the 1st of July is concerned.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thanks, good job.
END 10:20 A.M. EST
Mejia said he joined the military upon his arrival in the United States so he could work his way into American society. He could not say whether he might be deported because of his refusal to serve, but said "whatever sacrifice I have to make, I have to go there."
************************************************************
Work his way into American society, my A$$. He wanted all the benefits that the military would give him. When the going got tough, he split.
Soften the hearts of the nations' leaders who seek to protect their own, ignoring the protection of others. Thank You for those sons and daughters of countries around the world who are already engaged in battle ... protect them where they serve. Sustain them unto the time when they rejoin their families, for great is the anxiety of those who wait. We grieve with those who mourn, for the spilled blood in battle is shed for the protection and freedom of others. We do not look lightly upon this, O God, yet we can praise You for our own beloved sons and daughters willing to die that others might live. May they be forever honored.
Knit our hearts, Merciful Father, that those who would shed innocent blood would be found out and rendered harmless. Increase our vigilance, and our success, in thwarting further acts of terror upon the people. Let those who plot and plan be careless and confused and unable, for we pray that You would put a hedge around each potential target or date or event. Silence the voices that encourage division and strife ... let unifying words be heard, for You would have us victorious over evil. Lead in battle, Creator God, for with You there is victory. In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen ...
Tue Mar 16, 2004 07:08 PM ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - U.S. officials on Tuesday unveiled plans for the first ever use of unmanned aerial "drones" to detect illegal immigrants, smugglers and terrorists along Arizona's border with Mexico. The $10-million Arizona Border Control initiative adds two unmanned aircraft, four new helicopters and 260 Border Patrol agents to forces patrolling a 350-mile stretch of border, a Department of Homeland Security official said.
A rise in violent crimes in Arizona cities -- attributed to clashes between rival smuggling rings -- spurred the action, department spokesman Roger Maier said.
State authorities are alarmed by an upsurge in shootouts and kidnappings by smugglers trying to steal one another's human cargo, and by rising demand for services for immigrants found imprisoned in "drop houses" or wandering the desert, he said.
The drones, which have been tested but never used to patrol the border, were expected to begin flying in June.
The Mexican government has been briefed on the operation, and consular officials attended its kick-off in Tucson on Tuesday. A Mexican consular spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment.
The multi-agency effort is "unlike anything ever attempted" and is designed to discourage immigrants from crossing alone or hiring "coyotes" or guides to make the treacherous journey, Maier said.
It provides funds for cameras and other surveillance devices, and adds detention space and six federal prosecutors to speed the migrants' return to their countries.
At least 346 immigrants from Mexico and Latin America died in the year ended September 2003 trying to cross the U.S.-Mexican border, mainly of dehydration and exposure.
That is a good question, and very thought provoking. Thank you.
Important question is...was it a virgin?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.