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Posted on 08/01/2006 9:51:52 PM PDT by nwctwx
ON THE NET...
PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org
Note: The following text is a quote:
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http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_2861.html
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Wed Aug 30 2006 04:13:07 GMT-0700.
Turkey
August 29, 2006
This Public Announcement alerts Americans to the continuing potential for terrorist actions against civilians in Turkey and notes recent incidents in areas frequented by tourists. This Public Announcement expires on November 1, 2006.
Between August 25th and August 28th, seven bombings occurred in the principal tourist areas of Turkey, injuring as many as 60 or more persons, including foreign tourists, and killing three Turkish nationals. These explosions occurred in Istanbul, Adana, and in Marmaris and Antalya in southwestern Turkey. The Kurdistan Freedom Falcons, also known by the Kurdish acronym TAK, have claimed responsibility for many of the explosions. The TAK, believed to be an affiliate of the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK), a terror organization, also reiterated a public warning to foreign tourists not to visit Turkey.
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Turkey to exercise caution, and to closely follow media reports. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. These may include facilities where Americans and other foreigners are known to live, congregate, shop, or visit, especially hotels, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools, outdoor recreation events, or resorts and beaches. U.S. citizens should remain in a heightened state of personal security awareness when attendance at such locations is unavoidable. U.S. citizens also should avoid areas where crowds are expected to gather, as even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.
U.S. citizens living or traveling in Turkey are encouraged to register with the Embassy or nearest consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Turkey. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, at the Consulate General in Istanbul, at the Consulate in Adana, or with the Consular Agent in Izmir to obtain updated information on travel and security in Turkey. Embassy communications with the resident American citizen community, or "Warden Messages," can be found on the Embassy's website at http://ankara.usembassy.gov.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Cautions, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Travelers should also consult the Department of State’s latest Consular information Sheet for Turkey. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara is located at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, tel: (90) (312) 455-5555, fax (90)(312) 468-6131. The Internet address is http://ankara.usembassy.gov.
The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul is located at Kaplicalar Mevkii Sokak No. 2, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, tel: (90) (212) 335-9000, fax (90) (212) 335-9102. Istanbul-specific information can also be accessed via the Consulate's web site at http://istanbul.usconsulate.gov/.
The U.S. Consulate in Adana is located at Girne Bulvari No. 212, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana, Turkey. tel: (90)(322) 346-6262, fax (90)(322) 346-7916, web site: http://adana.usconsulate.gov.
The Consular Agent in Izmir can be contacted at (90) (232) 464-8755.
NOTE: The following text is a quote:
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http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_922.html
Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
This information is current as of today, Wed Aug 30 2006 04:15:09 GMT-0700.
ISRAEL, THE WEST BANK AND GAZA
August 29, 2006
This Travel Warning is being issued to update information on the general security environment in Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and to reiterate threats to American citizens and U.S. interests in those locations. The security situation in northern Israel has improved, with a halt to rocket firing into Israel from southern Lebanon following the August 14 cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hizballah as called for by UN Security Council Resolution 1701. While the cessation of hostilities largely has been honored by both sides, the situation remains tense and a possible resumption of sporadic violence cannot be ruled out. Violent demonstrations and armed conflicts between supporters of the Hamas and Fatah factions and clashes between the Israeli army and Palestinian militants have increased in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Overall conditions of lawlessness prevail in the Gaza Strip, including the recent kidnapping of journalists. Areas of violent conflict shift rapidly and unpredictably. This warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued July 19, 2006.
Security conditions have improved in northern Israel with a halt to rocket firing into Israel from southern Lebanon following the August 14 cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hizballah as called for by UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The cessation of hostilities largely has been honored by both sides. However, because the situation remains tense and a possible resumption of sporadic violence cannot be ruled out, the Department of State urges U.S. citizens to remain mindful of security factors when considering travel to Israel and Jerusalem at this time. In addition, the Department of State urges U.S. citizens to defer travel to the West Bank and to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip.
American citizens in the Gaza Strip should depart immediately, a recommendation the State Department has maintained since the deadly roadside bombing of a U.S. Embassy convoy in Gaza on October 15, 2003. This recommendation includes American journalists and aid workers. U.S. government personnel are currently prohibited from all travel in Gaza. Militants have abducted Western citizens recently, including an American citizen television journalist and a New Zealand citizen cameraman who were working for an American news organization, and terrorist organizations have threatened attacks against U.S. interests.
Violence between the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and militant groups based in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank can flare up without notice in the form of rocket attacks into Israel by Palestinian militants, targeted assassinations of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces, and ongoing IDF security operations in Gaza and the West Bank. The uncertain security conditions within the West Bank and Gaza continue as well, with the potential for violent protests, kidnappings, including of foreign nationals, and fighting between various armed factions. Daily inter-Palestinian violence in the Gaza Strip has spread to the West Bank. An American citizen was kidnapped and held captive for several hours by armed militants in the West Bank in June 2006.
In recent months, citizens of Western nations, including Americans, involved in pro-Palestinian volunteer efforts were assaulted and injured in the Occupied Territories by Israeli settlers and harassed by the IDF. Those taking part in demonstrations, non-violent resistance, and “direct action,” are advised to cease such activity for their own safety.
For safety and security reasons, U.S. Government American personnel and dependents are prohibited from traveling to any cities, towns or settlements in the West Bank, except for mission-essential business or other approved purposes. For limited, personal travel, U.S. government personnel and family members are permitted to travel through the West Bank, using only Routes 1 and 90, to reach the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge or the Dead Sea coast near Ein Gedi and Masada. Each such transit requires prior notification to the Consulate General’s security office and must occur during daylight hours. U.S. Government personnel and family members are permitted personal travel on Route 443 between Modi’in and Jerusalem during daylight hours only, also with prior notification. Travel to the Gaza Strip by U.S. Government personnel is prohibited. Private American citizens also should avoid travel to these areas.
All travelers who enter or travel in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank should exercise particular care when approaching and traveling through checkpoints and should expect delays and difficulties. Travelers should also be aware they might not be allowed passage through checkpoints.
Israeli authorities are concerned about a possible increase in suicide bombings in Israel. The April 17 and January 19 suicide bombings in Tel Aviv, the December 5, 2005 suicide bombing in Netanya and a similar incident in Hadera in October 2005 are reminders of the precarious security environment. The U.S. Government has received information indicating that American interests within Israel could be the focus of terrorist attacks. For that reason, American citizens are cautioned that a greater danger may exist in the vicinity of restaurants, businesses, and other places associated with U.S. interests and/or located near U.S. official buildings, such as the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem.
Violent confrontation in Israel between organized criminal elements in public places have involved the use of bombs, grenades, anti-tank missiles, and small arms fire, and have taken place in cities frequented by tourists. In the past several years, some of these incidents have led to the death and injury of innocent bystanders.
The State Department urges American citizens to remain vigilant while traveling anywhere in Jerusalem, especially within the commercial and downtown areas of West Jerusalem. Israeli security services report that they continue to receive information of planned terrorist attacks in and around Jerusalem. In addition, American citizens should stay away from demonstrations and generally avoid crowded public places, such as restaurants and cafes, shopping and market areas and malls, pedestrian zones, public transportation of all kinds, including buses and trains and their respective stations/terminals, and the areas around them. Spontaneous or planned protests within the Old City are possible, especially after Friday prayers. Some of these protests have led to violent clashes.
U.S. government personnel are prohibited from using all public transportation. The Old City of Jerusalem is off-limits to them after dark during the entire week and between the hours of 11:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. on Fridays. U.S. government employees are also forbidden from patronizing discos and nightclubs.
Any American Citizen who intends to travel to Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank or the Gaza Strip in spite of this and prior warnings should carefully review the Consular Information Sheet for Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. That reference describes other potential dangers and difficulties and offers detailed security recommendations. Palestinian-Americans face many additional obstacles and regulations that are described in that document.
Americans who remain in Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are strongly encouraged to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv or the Consular Section of U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. U.S. citizens who require emergency services may telephone the Consulate General in Jerusalem at (972) (2) 622-7250 or the Embassy in Tel Aviv at (972) (3) 519-7355.
Periodically the Embassy and Consulate General may temporarily suspend public services to review their security posture. As a consequence of the current limitations on official travel to the West Bank, and the prohibition on travel by U.S. government employees to the Gaza Strip, the ability of consular staff to offer timely assistance to U.S. citizens in these areas is extremely limited.
Current information on travel and security in Israel, Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. U.S. citizens should consult the Consular Information Sheet for Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip; the Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement; and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at the Department’s Internet website at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be accessed at http://usembassy-israel.org.il or http://jerusalem.usconsulate.gov.
>>>saying Popal seemed coherent, unrepentant and claimed that he repeatedly drove at pedestrians because he "just wanted to.''
Thanks for the updates.
Keep 'em coming.
Senator Shaw Avoided Doomed Plane
http://wilmingtonjournal.blackpressusa.com/news/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=72154&sID=4
He was to be keynote speaker at CAIR-KY conference.
Man impersonated officer, police say
GLENDALE - It takes more than a badge and flashing lights to be a cop.
A 22-year-old Glendale man was arrested on Tuesday for impersonating a police officer on Monday when he pulled over an off-duty Glendale Police detective and flashed a fake badge, officials said.
Shabod Hosseini was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer, and for false imprisonment, for stopping and detaining Glendale Police Det. Keith Soboleski , Glendale Police Officer John Balian said.(snip)
http://www.burbankleader.com/articles/2006/08/30/news/blr-badge30.txt
Stark County doctor, wife charged with health-care fraud
OHIO
A Stark County doctor and his wife have been arrested on federal health-care fraud charges, accused of billing insurers for testing their patients didn’t need.
The charges stem from an investigation into the Premier Medical Group, which has offices in Massillon, Canton, Parma, Dover, Lakewood and Cleveland.
The FBI says Premier’s owners, Dr. Mohammed Aiti and his wife, Susan, billed Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies for unnecessary heart-related exams.(snip)
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=305021
Does Ohio Have Terrorist Ties?
Local officials meet from both sides of the river.
Homeland Security Officials came to Steubenville on Tuesday and announced that Ohio has terrorist ties. Nearly 7 known terrorists have been arrested in cities like Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo.
There is a fear that places like Steubenville and Weirton could also become home to some of them. So police agencies from Weirton and surrounding communities received tips on ways agencies can work together to report anything suspicious. The Sheriff of Jefferson County says in his county alone there are nearly 50 sites that could be considered vulnerable...
http://www.wtrf.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=13571
bookmark
OHIO, always an interesting place.
Yes, indeed.
Also, Vlad has been posting lately:
http://www.infovlad.net/
Thanks Velveeta.
OPINION: I think Vlad was on vacation or taking a break for awhile.
Suspicious jar at O'Hare
Investigators have determined a suspicious jar of liquid that was found this morning aboard an empty airplane at O'Hare International Airport, prompting a hazardous materials response, may have contained only baby juice, WGN-Ch. 9 reported.
The small jar was found in the bathroom of a plane in the United hangar at O'Hare. Chicago Fire Department personnel along with Police Bomb and Arson Unit investigators were sent to the hangar about 12:30 a.m., fire department spokesman Will Knight said. A canine unit also was called in.
After an investigation, the plane was deemed safe around 2:45 a.m. with no injuries reported, he said.
One of the concerns was that the jar was in a hidden area in a bathroom situated over a fuel tank, WGN reported. The plane's flight originated in Hong Kong, flew to San Francisco and eventually arrived in Chicago.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/newsroom/chi-060830ohare-response,1,1792806.story?coll=chi-news-hed
JIHAD ON THE WEB
Al-Qaida's German Blog
By Yassin Musharbash in Berlin
Though learning Arabic was once a prerequisite for watching and reading al-Qaida's latest doings in Iraq, now taking German lessons could help. For the last three months, sympathizers have been using a blog to publish related materials -- in German.(snip)
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,434404,00.html
I notice GIMF has the same warnings asMurasel's blogs.
http://gimf-nachrichten.blogspot.com/
http://press-release.blogspot.com/
http://www.albayanat.blogspot.com/
===
===
Thanks to Velveeta for pointing to this article:
"JIHAD ON THE WEB
Al-Qaida's German Blog"
By Yassin Musharbash in Berlin
(August 30, 2006)
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,434404,00.html
===
===
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=Germany
CORRECTION: as Murasel's blog.
Note: The following text is a quote:
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http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp73.htm
To view or print the PDF content on this page, download the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®.
August 29, 2006
HP-73
Treasury Designates Key Hizballah Fundraising Organization
The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated the Islamic Resistance Support Organization (IRSO), a key Hizballah fundraising organization.
"While some terrorist-supporting charities try to obscure their support for violence, IRSO makes no attempt to hide its true colors. IRSO's fundraising materials present donors with the option of sending funds to equip Hizballah fighters or to purchase rockets that Hizballah uses to target civilian populations," said Stuart Levey, Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) "IRSO works to inflict suffering rather than alleviate it."
IRSO was named today pursuant to Executive Order 13224, which is aimed at disrupting the financial lines supporting terrorism. This action shuts IRSO out of the U.S. financial system by prohibiting transactions with the organization by U.S. persons, as well as freezing any assets IRSO may have under U.S. jurisdiction.
Hizballah uses IRSO to solicit donations in support of its terrorist activities. Specifically, IRSO solicits funds for Hizballah through advertisements broadcast on Hizballah's al-Manar television station. IRSO has identified itself to prospective donors as one and the same as Hizballah.
Solicitation materials distributed by IRSO inform prospective donors that funds will be used to purchase sophisticated weapons and conduct operations. Indeed, donors can choose from a series of projects to contribute to, including, supporting and equipping fighters and purchasing rockets and ammunition.
Identifying Information
Islamic Resistance Support Organization
AKAs: Hayat al-Dam Lil-Muqawama al-Islamiya
Islamic Resistance Support Association
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Background on Hizballah
Hizballah is a Lebanon-based terrorist group that, until September 11, 2001, was responsible for more American deaths than any other terrorist organization. Hizballah is known or suspected to have been involved in numerous terrorist attacks throughout the world, including the suicide truck bombings of the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut in 1983 and the U.S. Embassy annex in Beirut in September 1984. Hizballah also executed the 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847 en route from Athens to Rome.
Most recently, in July 2006 Hizballah precipitated a violent conflict that resulted in scores of civilian casualties in Israel and Lebanon.
On January 25, 1995, the Annex to the Executive Order 12947 listed Hizballah as a Specially Designated Terrorist (SDT). The Department of State designated Hizballah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in 1997. Additionally, on October 31, 2001, Hizballah was designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224.
REPORTS
IRSO Donation Forms Scan Document
English Translation of IRSO Donation Forms
Note: The following text is a quote:
---
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp74.htm
To view or print the PDF content on this page, download the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®.
August 29, 2006
HP-74
Treasury Designation Targets Elusive North Valle Cartel Leader
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today added to its list of Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers four individuals and two companies tied to Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia, a leader of Colombia's North Valle drug cartel.
"Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia has been one of the most powerful and most elusive drug traffickers in Colombia," said Adam J. Szubin, Director of OFAC. "Today we are exposing and taking action against elements of his financial network for the first time, including seemingly legitimate companies built upon narcotics proceeds."
The four individuals act as front persons for North Valle cartel leader Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia (a.k.a. Chupeta or "Lollipop"), who was named a Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficker (SDNT) by OFAC in August 2000. These front individuals operate a Colombian pharmaceutical distribution company, Disdrogas Ltda., on behalf of Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia. Also designated today was a Colombian holding company named Ramirez Abadia y Cia. S.C.S.
Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia began his illicit career in narcotics trafficking with Colombia's Cali drug cartel. He was indicted on federal drug trafficking charges in Colorado in 1994 and the Eastern District of New York in 1995. Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia surrendered to Colombian authorities in 1996. Following his release from a Colombian prison in 2002, Ramirez Abadia continued his trafficking activities and closely allied himself with the North Valle drug cartel. In 2004, the District Court for the District of Columbia indicted the North Valle drug cartel under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and named Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia as one of its leaders.
Ramirez Abadia founded the holding company Ramirez y Cia. Ltda. in the late 1980s, early in his narcotics trafficking career. Ramirez Abadia eventually changed the name of the company to Disdrogas Ltda. and placed the official ownership and management in the hands of persons he could trust to protect his asset. These trusted persons included his parents, Omar Ramirez Ponce and Carmen Alicia Abadia Bastidas, and his business associates Jorge Rodrigo Salinas Cuevas and Edgar Marino Otalora Restrepo, all of whom were named today by OFAC. In addition, OFAC has designated the Colombian holding company Ramirez Abadia y Cia. S.C.S., which was created to hold real estate and other assets for Ramirez Abadia.
SDNTs are subject to the economic sanctions imposed against Colombian drug cartels in Executive Order 12978. Today's action freezes any assets found in the United States and prohibits all financial and commercial transactions by U.S. persons involving the designees.
The assets of a total of 1,294 businesses and individuals in Aruba, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Spain, Vanuatu, Venezuela, the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and the United States have been designated by OFAC pursuant E.O. 12978. The 489 currently designated businesses include agricultural, aviation, consulting, construction, distribution, financial, horse breeding, hotels, investment, manufacturing, maritime, mining, offshore, industrial paper, pharmaceutical, real estate and service firms. The SDNT list includes 19 kingpins from the Cali, North Valle and North Coast drug cartels in Colombia.
REPORTS
North Valle Cartel’s Financial Network.
It appears that way. I found it interesting that the article stated the German is not a 'machine translation' but human translation to German.
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