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Locked on 07/01/2006 1:19:49 PM PDT by Admin Moderator, reason:
New thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1659022/posts |
Posted on 06/01/2006 7:04:43 PM PDT by nwctwx
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OFF TOPIC...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1642623/posts
"Muslim congressional aides taking stand"
AP ^ | 06/02/06 | PAULINE JELINEK
Posted on 06/02/2006 6:20:47 PM PDT by nypokerface
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "WASHINGTON - At midday on Fridays, Muslims gather to pray in a basement room of the U.S. Capitol. Kneeling on sheets they've spread over the floor and facing east toward Mecca, they are members of the Congressional Muslim Staffers Association, about two dozen congressional aides who are part of a small but growing minority in America and in the halls of government.
At first just a prayer group, later a Muslim support group, the association is now looking outward to change what many see as woeful ignorance about Islam on Capitol Hill and beyond, said Jameel Aalim-Johnson, a black Muslim and chief of staff for Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York.
Some 100 non-Muslim congressional colleagues attended an association luncheon and the showing of part of a documentary on Islam in America. Visiting Imams from the Middle East recently met with association members.
The congressional chaplain's office consulted them about offering classes on Islam on Capitol Hill, said association member Nayyera Haq, daughter of Pakistani immigrants and spokeswoman for Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo.
"We're excited and hopeful," Haq said of the group's new mission. "It's nice to be Muslim and feel hopeful about the future."
That's not always easy to do.
Though there's no official count, the association says the number of congressional staffers who identify themselves as Muslim is little more than 20 out of some 10,000 employees at the Capitol complex.
There also is a smattering of Muslims at other Washington agencies, and some departments have consulted American Muslims for help with the counterterror war. Muslims have served as state legislators, but there is no member of Congress who identifies himself as a Muslim, said Corey Saylor, government affairs director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Understanding of Islam — and acceptance of American Muslims — has sometimes seemed as lacking among national leaders as it has elsewhere in the land."
http://www.islamonline.net/English/Muslim_Affairs/Asia/PoliticsEconomy/2006/05/images/pic01.jpg
http://www.islamonline.net/English/Muslim_Affairs/Asia/PoliticsEconomy/2006/05/01.shtml
"Another Face of Beirut"
A Leading Woman Member of Hizbullah
By Dina Abdel-Mageed**
Staff Writer – IslamOnline.net
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http://www.minutemanhq.com
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Note: The following post is quote:
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1642626/posts
Texans Put On Border Watch
The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 6-3-2006 | Catherine Elsworth
Posted on 06/02/2006 6:31:36 PM PDT by blam
Texans put on border watch
By Catherine Elsworth in Los Angeles
(Filed: 03/06/2006)
An American state is installing security cameras linked to the internet along its 1,000-mile Mexican border to enable citizens to monitor illegal immigration and drug smuggling from their homes.
The armchair border patrol will be given a free telephone number to alert authorities to any criminal activity they see.
Texas is investing $5 million (£2.65 million) in the "virtual border watch". Rick Perry, the state governor, said it would deploy surveillance cameras with night vision at "criminal hot spots and common routes used to enter this country".
Images from the several hundred cameras will be sent to federal, state and local authorities as well as the internet so "concerned Americans can help protect our nation through online neighbourhood watch programmes".
"I look at this as no different from the neighbourhood watches we have had in our communities for years and years," Mr Perry said.
He said the scheme "will help Texas fill gaps in border security left by inadequate federal funding and action".
On Wednesday the Department of Homeland Security announced that Texas would suffer a 30 per cent cut in counter-terrorism funding.
ON THE NET...
http://www.johnathangaltfilms.com/
http://terrortracker.co.uk/
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http://www.westernresistance.com/blog/archives/002257.html
June 01, 2006
"UK: Authorities Blatantly Ignored Abu Hamza's Islamist Criminality"
NOTE: The following text is a quote:
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http://terrortracker.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=317&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
Saturday, June 03, 2006 02:52 AM
New Zarqawi audio tapes out
Posted by: Neil on Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 08:05 PM
A series of audio lectures by al-Qaeda in Iraq chief Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has been released on the Internet.
The message accompanying the release said that they should have been released a month ago, but had been withheld for undisclosed reasons.
The forthcoming release of the tapes was predicted here on 28 May.
Neil Doyle
As long as we are as much prepared as we can be for anything that happens on any given day, that's about all we can do. Am I becoming shell shocked with everything going on in the world these days?
Complaints hit students' website
Snip: The University of Melbourne's Islamic student society has been forced to withdraw material on its website which praised the insurgency fighting US and Australian troops in Iraq as heroes. Other material painted Jews and the West as corrupt and cowardly.
Snip: ......One thing the Saudis learned early on was to not say the same things to infidels that they said to fellow Moslems. Thus English language messages from Wahabbis, about what they are doing with all this missionary work, stress the need to unify the Islamic community, and improve religious education. But the messages to the people using all those mosques are very different. Here there is much talk of hatred for the infidels, and the need to fight, and destroy these enemies of Islam. With this in mind, it's less surprising that so many Islamic terrorists have some connection with these mosques.
Police struck rapidly after kitchen sink weapons lab - Britain
Snip: Acting on intelligence from MI5, they were heading for the basement of a Victorian terraced house in East London, home to a Bangladeshi family.
At a 2am briefing the officers had been told that the threat was immediate and urgent. An hour later they were on their way to raid what was feared to be a kitchen-sink chemical weapons laboratory.
The danger was believed to be so serious that a flight exclusion zone had been imposed across half of London.
Always good to see you here!
Snip: Acrylamide has been found in french fries and potato chips sold in Korea. Acrylamide, an extremely carcinogenic substance usually reserved for paint and glu products, has been found in french fries and potato chips on store shelves in South Korea. In a report recently released by the Korean Federation for Environmental Movement, it is stated that 5 confectionary firms local to the area that supply the french fries and potato chip products are guilty of creating products that contain vast amounts of the cancer causing chemical.
Snip: On a quiet Sunday morning, a pickup full of explosives is driven to the local courthouse and detonated. Where did the truck and explosives come from? Perhaps your storage facility. From a terrorist’s point of view, a 10-by-40 self-storage unit offers easy access and plenty of space for contraband and illegal munitions. The units are large enough to house a truck or trailer full of explosives and can be accessed almost anytime.
Fortunately, self-storage operators can eliminate or significantly reduce such threats with smart thinking and technology: Sensors detect explosives, activate locking devices and prevent criminals from accessing the pickup; software notifies the manager and law enforcement that explosives have been detected and the unit is in a lockdown status.
Enormous sums have been spent in research and development to address the storage security problem. Technology is improving and costs for equipment deployment are decreasing. Facility owners wishing to build new or retrofit old security systems can apply to the Homeland Security Fund for financing in either tax credits or government grants.
Note: The following post is a quote:
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1642693/posts
Venezuela adds troops to Colombian border
YAHOO NEWS ^ | 2 JUNE 2006 | AP
Posted on 06/02/2006 9:55:32 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuela is beefing up its troop strength along the Colombian border, negotiating with Russia to set up arms factories, and preparing for a possible invasion, the army commander said Friday.
The army has increased its force along the Colombian border by about 6,000 men, Gen. Raul Baduel said at a news conference. He said 1,000 troops are now guarding the 1,370-mile border, which is plagued by drug trafficking, smuggling and guerrilla and paramilitary activities.
"We cannot set aside the possibility of a military invasion on our country," because its vast oil deposits make it a target, he said.
Baduel declined to specify what country the army was preparing against for a possible invasion. President Hugo Chavez has repeatedly accused the United States of plotting an attack to unseat his government — charges U.S. officials deny.
Venezuela has used its surging oil revenues to modernize its military, signing defense deals worth an estimated $2.7 billion with countries including Russia and Spain as suppliers.
Baduel said Venezuela is negotiating with Russia to set up factories to produce Kalashnikov assault rifles and ammunition within three to five years.
Venezuela expects to receive a shipment of 30,000 Kalashnikov AK-103 rifles this weekend — the first of 100,000 this year, Baduel said.
U.S. officials have expressed concern about Venezuela's military buildup. Calling Chavez a destabilizing threat to the region, they have kept close watch on his ties with other leftist leaders, including Bolivian President Evo Morales and Cuba's Fidel Castro.
The U.S. State Department on Friday indicated a clear preference for Guatemala over Venezuela for the Latin America-Caribbean seat on the U.N. Security Council.
Venezuela also plans to send two Superpuma helicopters and a contingent of military officials to Bolivia, Defense Minister Orlando Maniglia said this week.
Some Bolivian opposition groups have questioned the presence of Venezuelan military officials, including Baduel, among Chavez's delegation on a recent trip to Bolivia.
ON THE NET...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=canada
THANKS to Piasa for the pings to these posts and this thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1642682/posts?page=4#4
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1642682/posts?page=10#10
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1642682/posts
Bust nets suspected terrorists across GTA Canada: Greater Toronto Area)
Toronto red-Star ^ | Jun. 2, 2006 | MICHELLE SHEPHARD AND STAN JOSEY
Posted on 06/02/2006 9:14:15 PM PDT by GMMAC
"Bust nets suspected terrorists across GTA"
Toronto red Star
Jun. 2, 2006. 11:56 PM
MICHELLE SHEPHARD AND STAN JOSEY
STAFF REPORTERS
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Police from across the GTA, led by the RCMP's anti-terrorism task force, swooped down on as many as 12 locations Friday night to arrest members of what is being described as a homegrown terrorist cell. Police remained tight-lipped about the massive operation, but have scheduled a news conference for 10 a.m. Saturday."
ON THE NET....
http://images.thetimes.co.uk/TGD/picture/0,,305995,00.jpg
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2208954_1,00.html
Britain
The Times June 03, 2006
"Police hunt for lethal chemical suicide vest"
By Daniel McGrory, Stewart Tendler and Michael Evans
"Man shot in dawn raid on suspected weapons factory
Officers believe World Cup fans could be target of attack"
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "A DESPERATE search is under way for a “chemical vest” that a British suicide bomber was ready to deploy in a terror attack on London.
Police fear that the strike, using a home-made chemical device, was imminent after an informant told MI5 that he had seen the lethal garment at the home of two young men.
Last night detectives were at the hospital bedside of a 23-year-old postal worker shot during a pre-dawn raid on his parents’ home, while his younger brother, aged 20, was being questioned at Paddington Green high security police station."
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1642710/posts
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http://www.washtimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20060602-085650-8282r
"Conservative sites un-Googled"
TODAY'S EDITORIAL
June 3, 2006
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1642713/posts
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http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2370015
Terrorism Monitor
June 2, 2006
"Islamic Radicalism in Mexico: The Threat from South of the Border"
By Chris Zambelis
Note: The following text is a quote:
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http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/060602la.htm
June 02, 2006
11 charged in ICE probe targeting sophisticated alien smuggling ring
Defendants allegedly smuggled hundreds of aliens into the Southland, including infants
LOS ANGELES - In a coordinated series of enforcement actions yesterday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested five men and women allegedly involved in a sophisticated Oxnard-based human smuggling organization that brought hundreds of illegal aliens - including infants - into the United States from Mexico and helped them travel to cities across the nation.
Following a year-long undercover investigation, ICE agents fanned out across Ventura County and western Arizona, arresting five of the 11 defendants who were charged late Thursday by the United States Attorney's Office in Los Angeles. A 94-page affidavit filed in relation to the criminal complaint outlines details of the complex scheme, which began with the aliens being directed to a hotel in Sonora, Mexico and then taken to so-called “drop houses” in Yuma, Arizona and Ventura County.
During yesterday's enforcement actions, ICE agents rescued a nine-month-old girl who was being held by the suspects in Oxnard while they attempted to collect smuggling fees from the child's mother. The infant was turned over to child protective services. In addition to the baby, agents encountered more than 30 other smuggled aliens during the operation. The adults were taken into custody on immigration violations. ICE agents received substantial assistance in the operation from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol and the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.
According to the court documents unsealed today, the smuggling organization was headed by a 37-year-old Oxnard man, Juan Ramirez-Ramirez, also known as “El Diablo.” Ramirez and two Oxnard sisters, Maria Margarita Renovato-Rangel and Maria De Jesus Renovato, allegedly directed relatives of aliens who wanted to enter the United States illegally to send their family members to the Hotel Internacional in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. From the hotel, the ring's clients were led across the international border near San Luis, Arizona by “coyotes,” who then arranged for their transport to the Yuma area.
Once in Yuma, the smuggled aliens were held in so-called “drop houses” until the organization's drivers could bring them to Oxnard. In some cases, the ring reportedly held the smuggled aliens in the “drop houses” with little food for more than three weeks. At a recently dismantled “drop house” allegedly used by the organization in Yuma, federal agents spotted a hand-written sign in the window reading “Help Us!”
In addition to Ramirez and the Renovato sisters, the other defendants charged in the case played a variety of roles in the scheme, including “drop house” overseers, transportation coordinators, drivers, and fee collectors.
One of the defendants, Norma Higinia Felix De Sanchez, allegedly specialized in the smuggling of infants and children, some as young as eight months. Court documents describe how De Sanchez brought the children through the port of entry in San Luis, Arizona using false identification documents.
“With these arrests, we have dismantled a criminal organization responsible for smuggling a significant number of aliens into the southwestern United States,” said David Wales, resident agent in charge of the ICE office of investigations in Ventura County. “As this case shows, ICE is not only targeting the people affiliated with these criminal organizations, but we're going after the infrastructure that supports this ruthless and highly lucrative enterprise.”
According to the criminal complaint, Ramirez charged $1,600 to $2,000 for each illegal alien to be smuggled to the Los Angeles area from Mexico. The prices increased to as much as $2,800 for aliens destined for other parts of the United States. Ramirez oversaw the payment of individuals who assisted the smuggling ring, including people at the Mexican hotel, “coyotes,” “drop house” operators, and drivers. Based on intercepted phone calls, investigators believe the ring has smuggled more than 100 illegal aliens into the United States in the past six weeks alone.
Those arrested in connection with the investigation are:
Juan Ramirez-Ramirez, 37, of Oxnard, aka El Diablo, the organization's alleged ringleader;
Maria Margarita Renovato-Rangel, 24, of Oxnard;
Maria De Jesus Renovato-Rangel, 29, of Oxnard;
Joel Rodriguez-Vargas (J. Rodriguez), 27, of Riverside; suspected driver; and
Manuel Leon-Morales, 62, of Los Angeles.
Those charged in the case who remain at large are:
Dario Rodriguez-Vargas (D. Rodriguez), 25, of Riverside, suspected driver;
Cesar Huerta-Alcazar, 25, of Riverside, allegedly ran the Yuma “drop houses:”
Norma Higinia Felix De Sanchez, 41, of Yuma, arranged for the smuggling of children;
“John Doe,” possibly known as “Cuacho,” coordinated aliens' transport from San Luis to Yuma;
Martin Garcia-Lujan, 41, of Yuma; and
Miguel Gonzalez-Hernandez, 27, of Los Angeles.
The defendants face a variety of charges including bringing illegal aliens into the United States, transporting illegal aliens, harboring illegal aliens, and conspiracy. Those who were arrested overnight are expected to make their initial court appearances this afternoon in Los Angeles.
The case is the first prosecution brought by the newly established Domestic Security and Immigration Crimes Section within the United States Attorney's Office in Los Angeles.
“This new section was created to bring cutting-edge and proactive prosecutions against those who challenge our national security,” said United States Attorney Debra Wong Yang. “The prosecutors in this unit will bring cases against organized, large-scale alien smuggling rings. They will also prosecute complex, immigration-related fraud, such as asylum fraud, marriage fraud, and the widespread manufacturing and dissemination of fraudulent documents.”
-- ICE --
UPDATE...
Note: The following text is a quote:
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http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/060601tacoma.htm
June 01, 2006
Seattle area imam to be deported from the United States
TACOMA - The imam of a Rainier Valley mosque who was arrested last year on immigration violations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents today agreed to abandon his legal fight and accept an order of removal from the United States.
Abrahim Sheikh Mohamed appeared in immigration court here this morning before Immigration Judge Victoria Young. Following an hour-long hearing, Judge Young ruled that the former imam of the Abu-Bakr Mosque has no legal basis to remain in the United States and ordered him deported to Kenya. During this morning's proceedings, ICE lawyers presented evidence to Judge Young establishing Mohamed's Kenyan citizenship. In the event that ICE is unable to repatriate Mohamed to Kenya, the Judge ruled that he could be removed to Somalia.
The Judge's ruling comes nearly seven months after Mohamed was arrested at Sea-Tac Airport by ICE agents as he returned from a trip to Dallas. The imam has been detained by ICE without bond since his arrest.
During previous immigration hearings on his case, ICE attorneys argued that Mohamed should remain in custody because his ties to terrorist organizations in the horn of Africa made him a national security risk.
“We are gratified by the outcome of this case,” said Dorothy Stefan, chief counsel for ICE in Seattle. “It underscores ICE's commitment to protecting the integrity of our nation's legal immigration system.”
ICE will begin working immediately to obtain travel documents to carry out Mohamed's removal to Kenya.
-- ICE --
ON THE NET...
http://www.satp.org
http://www.saag.org
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http://www.saag.org/papers19/paper1832.html
Paper no. 1832
03. 06. 2006
"BD DIASPORA IN UK UNDER WATCH
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM MONITOR: PAPER NO.68"
by B.Raman
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The Bangladeshi diaspora in the United Kigdom is under watch by the British security agencies in their efforts to prevent new acts of terrorism in the UK."
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http://www.saag.org/papers19/paper1831.html
Paper no. 1831
02. 06. 2006
"STRATEGIC AND MARITIME/ENERGY SECURITY IMPERATIVES OF SINO INDIAN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING"
by Commodore RS Vasan IN (Retd)
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http://www.saag.org/papers19/paper1830.html
Paper no. 1830
02. 06. 2006
"JIHADI FAILURE IN NAGPUR INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM MONITOR---PAPER NO.67"
by B. Raman
UPDATE...
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "On Thursday, Muzio said there was no evidence that the plane exploded in midair or caught fire, disputing early reports from witnesses that the aircraft blew up."
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http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060603/NEWS/606030305
Saturday, June 3, 2006
"Many factors in plane crash probe"
Staff report
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The aircraft's pilot, Ron Ziv of the Basking Ridge section of Bernards, died in the crash, along with his wife, Rachel, and their friends David and Karen Nimrod.
On Wednesday, the Zivs flew their plane from Somerset Airport in Bedminster, not far from their home, to Old Bridge Airport to pick up the Nimrods, who lived in Manalapan. The plane then broke up over Stafford Township, en route to Atlantic City.
David Muzio, lead investigator of the crash for the NTSB, did not discuss the pilot experience while visiting the crash site Thursday.
"We're not even close to being able to speculate" why the airplane crashed, Muzio told reporters gathered for a news briefing.
But Robert Chilcoat, a small-plane pilot who also flies out of Somerset Airport, said Friday that some pilots have speculated that the hazy conditions Wednesday might have been disorienting to Ron Ziv.
When visibility is poor, pilots are forced to rely on cockpit instruments to fly, which requires additional training.
On Thursday, Muzio said there was no evidence that the plane exploded in midair or caught fire, disputing early reports from witnesses that the aircraft blew up.
"Our phones were flooded" Wednesday with reports that a plane exploded, Stafford police Capt. Charles Schweigart said.
Muzio said that a strong odor of fuel at the crash site indicated the plane had plenty of fuel."
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