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Posted on 03/01/2007 8:28:33 PM PST by nwctwx
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Asgari founded Hizbullah? I didn't know that. Wonder where he is?
Most interesting links. Thanks.
Columbia is an interesting place.
Yes.
UPDATING posts no. 290 and 307:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1793738/posts?page=290#290
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1793738/posts?page=307#307
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1796977/posts?page=79#79
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THANKS to Calpernia for the ping to this thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1796977/posts
"LAX passenger hides objects in his body; bomb squad called"
LA Times ^ | 3/7/07
Posted on 03/07/2007 1:42:37 PM PST by VAGOP
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QUOTE:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1796977/posts?page=21#21
Chewing gum to simulate plastique
Wires for simulating wiring on a bomb
Rock to simulate detonator or some other uknown device.
This was a test run and nothing BUT a test run.
21 posted on 03/07/2007 1:52:05 PM PST by Leatherneck_MT (Duncan Hunter in 2008)
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1796977/posts?page=55#55
Didn't mean to take the fun out of it for you, but this, in military terminology, is nothing less than a Probe.
Hit the enemy line, find out where his weak points are. Gather an overall view of his force disposition, morale, training, weapons and defenses available so you can plan your attack.
It's intelligence gathering, nothing less.
55 posted on 03/07/2007 2:14:29 PM PST by Leatherneck_MT (Duncan Hunter in 2008)
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QUOTE:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1796977/posts?page=53#53
ARTICLE SNIPPET:
"Fadhel Al-Maliki, a 35-year-old Iraqi national living in Atlantic City, N.J., had been flagged by security officials at LAX and was undergoing a secondary "selectee screening" when he set off a metal detector. Al-Maliki, a former security guard, told screeners that he knew what had triggered the alarm and proceeded to remove items from his rectum, including a rock, chewing gum and thin wire filament."
53 posted on 03/07/2007 2:13:21 PM PST by Cindy
BTW, I think I forgot to ping to a previous ping of yours, my apologies.
No problem.
I miss a few myself once in awhile.
I hunted around and couldn't find the indictment posted yet.
When it is, I'll add that link here.
NOTE: The following text is a quote:
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp300.htm
March 7, 2007
HP-300
Treasury Designates Two U.S. Companies Acting as Fronts for Colombia’s North Valle Drug Cartel
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today added two U.S. companies to its list of Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers (SDNTs) for their ties to Colombia's North Valle drug cartel.
"This is the latest in a series of OFAC actions targeted at the financial underbelly of the North Valle cartel," said Adam Szubin, Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control. "We have designated the cartel's companies in Colombia, the Caribbean, and elsewhere, and today we have frozen the assets of two front companies here in the United States."
These U.S. companies are owned by individuals who act as front persons for North Valle drug cartel leaders Raul Alberto Grajales Lemos (Raul Grajales) and Carlos Alberto Renteria Mantilla (Beto Renteria). This action is the seventh designation against the financial network of Raul Grajales and Beto Renteria, who have both been indicted on narcotics trafficking charges in the United States.
Today's action named two Florida partnerships, C.W. Salman Partners and Salman Coral Way Partners, as SDNTs. These two partnerships, which were created to hold real estate and other assets in the United States, are owned by previously-named SDNT individuals, Abdala Saieh Jassir, Moises Abdal Saieh Muvdi, and Carlos Ernesto Saieh Jamis. Each of these Colombian individuals has been a front person for Raul Grajales and Beto Renteria for over ten years. Moises Abdal Saieh Muvdi and Carlos Ernesto Saieh Jamis are in the custody of Colombian authorities on money laundering charges.
This action is part of an ongoing interagency effort to implement Executive Order 12978, signed on October 21, 1995, which applies economic sanctions against Colombia's drug cartels. This effort includes the Departments of the Treasury, Justice, State and Homeland Security. This action freezes any assets the designees may have under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits all transactions between U.S. persons and the designated companies.
A total of 1,365 business and individuals in Aruba, Barbados, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Spain, Vanuatu, Venezuela, the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and the United States have been designated as SDNTs pursuant to E.O. 12978. The 529 SDNT businesses include agricultural, aviation, consulting, construction, distribution, financial, investment, manufacturing, mining, offshore, pharmaceutical, publishing, real estate, retail, service and telecommunication firms. The SDNT list includes 21 kingpins from the Cali, North Valle and North Coast drug cartels in Colombia.
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.treasury.gov/press/releases/hp297.htm
March 7, 2007
HP-297
Prepared Remarks of Stuart Levey
Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence
Before the 5th Annual Conference
on Trade, Treasury and Cash Management in the Middle East
Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – I have been traveling across the Middle East this week discussing a wide range of issues. In Jordan I met with the Finance Minister and the Central Bank Governor, in Israel I met with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, and here in the UAE I met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Central Bank Governor, and hope to meet with the Prime Minster today. Tonight I head to Riyadh for additional meetings with my counterparts in the Kingdom. One thing that has emerged from my discussions is that there is unanimity on one particular issue across the region: Iran's nuclear program and support for terrorism poses a great threat to our safety and security.
Throughout these discussion on global risk with governments and the private sector, I have stressed that although there are times when we caution companies about the risks of investing in a given country, the United States believes in encouraging the free flow of goods and capital, and we believe that free trade is a mechanism for enhancing economic and social ties between the United States and the Middle East.
That said, Iran under its current regime is an example of a country where there are heightened risks to investing. The regime's dogged pursuit of a nuclear program in defiance of UN Security Resolutions and its insistence on arming and supporting terrorist groups like Hizballah are threatening the stability of the region and the international community. These policies have implications for your businesses – especially when that business deals with government enterprises. I am sure you would agree that your companies want to take every precaution to avoid being involved with terrorism or other dangerous activities. Today, I would like the opportunity to discuss some of the risks that private business should consider with respect to Iran. I will also explain a bit about steps governments are taking – including targeted financial measures – to combat the threat.
I understand that a session was planned yesterday to examine the case for doing business in Iran, but that it was cancelled. This is a good indication of the prevailing view in the business community. It is clear that many businesses are taking it upon themselves to scale back. At first glance, this may appear to present a tempting business opportunity for other corporations to step in. However, there is a reason that these other companies are pulling back: they have decided that the risks of business with Iran outweigh any potential gain.
The world is well aware of Iran's defiance of the international community in pursuing its nuclear program and its sponsorship of terrorist organizations that maim and murder innocent civilians. Iran disguises its activities through an array of deceptive techniques specifically designed to evade the controls of responsible financial institutions and avoid suspicion. For example, we have seen Iranian banks request that other financial institutions take their names off of transactions when processing them in the international financial system.
Iran also works to make its procurement efforts for its nuclear program appear to be unrelated and innocent commercial activities. Iranian entities form front companies in other countries for the sole purpose of exporting dual-use items to Iran that can be used in illicit nuclear and missile programs. These front companies enable the regime to obtain materials that the country of origin would typically prohibit from being exported to Iran.
In addition, I want to tell you about another area of concern about how Iran does business. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, is used by the regime to provide a `train and equip program' for terrorist organizations like Hizballah, as well as to pursue other military objectives of the regime. The IRGC's control and influence in the Iranian economy is growing exponentially under the regime of Ahmadinejad. More and more IRGC-associated companies are being awarded important government contracts. An IRGC company, for example, took over management of the airport and runways in Tehran, while another company won the contract to build the Tehran metro. When corporations do business with IRGC companies, they are doing business with organizations that are providing direct support to terrorism.
As the evidence of Iran's deceptive practices has mounted, financial institutions and other companies worldwide have begun to reevaluate their business relationships with Iran. Many leading financial institutions have either scaled back dramatically or even terminated their Iran-related business entirely. They have done so of their own accord, many concluding that they did not wish to be the banker for a regime that deliberately conceals the nature of its business – too often the business of funding terrorism, and defying the UN Security Council in pursuing a nuclear program.
The bank UBS, last year, announced that it was cutting off all dealings with Iran. HSBC, Standard Chartered, Commerzbank, and many other global financial institutions have also indicated that they have limited their exposure to Iranian business. According to the banks, these were business decisions, pure and simple – handling Iran's accounts was no longer good for business. As further evidence of the change in tide, a number of foreign banks are refusing to issue new letters of credit to Iranian businesses. And in early 2006, the OECD raised the risk rating of Iran, reflecting this shift in perceptions and sending a message to those institutions that have not yet reconsidered their stance.
Additionally, many non-financial institutions have scaled back on their investments or projects in Iran, concluding that the risks of expanding operations in the country are too great. Multinational corporations have held back investing in Iran, including limiting investment in Iran's oil field development. These companies have done their risk analyses – they do not know what lies ahead in terms of Iran's economic stability. They do not want to risk coming under regulatory actions that impact their ability to do business. They are responsible corporate citizens, and, quite frankly, they do not want to risk the reputation of their corporations.
Let me briefly expand on these last two points. Iran sends hundreds of millions of dollars each year to terrorist groups like Hizballah and other organizations. When a country has a nine-digit line item in its budget for support to terrorist organizations and is actively seeking a WMD program, there is no way to know how the regime will use its revenues. Corporations are in the process of reconsidering their investments in Iran because they do not want revenue generated from their projects diverted towards threatening and destabilizing policies such as illicit weapons proliferation and terrorism.
Since most multinational institutions want to protect their corporate reputations by avoiding risky relationships, the United States and other nations are reaching out to better inform the private sector about the nature of some of those risks – particularly as they relate to Iran. We believe that by being equipped with information about Iran's deceptive practices, businesses such as yours will be better poised to evaluate the risk of given ventures.
When people think of sanctions, what often comes to mind is a modern-day blockade: an attempt to stop trade or investment altogether in order to weaken the economy of an entire nation. This kind of program is sometimes required. Perhaps one of the best contemporary examples is South Africa under apartheid, a situation where broad, international sanctions made a decisive impact on the course of that nation's history.
Governments are working to hamper the efforts of the Iranian regime by imposing targeted financial measures directed specifically at individuals, key regime members, front companies, and financial institutions. Targeted financial measures are aimed at "conduct" not a "country." Some of these targeted measures require financial institutions to freeze funds and close the accounts of designated actors – effectively denying these actors access to the traditional financial system. At times, the action includes bans on travel or arms transfers, which further confine and isolate the target. To maximize the effect, we try to apply these measures in concert with others. For example, whenever possible, we act with a partner or a group of countries, and in some cases we can designate a target at the United Nations.
These kinds of measures have several advantages over broad-based sanctions programs. First, by singling out those responsible for engaging in the illicit activity – rather than targeting an entire country – they are more apt to be accepted by a wider number of international actors and governments. Second, targeted financial measures warn innocent people not to deal with the designated target. And third, these measures serve as a deterrent. Those who are tempted to deal with targeted high risk actors are put on notice: if they continue this relationship, they may be next.
The United States has taken some recent targeted measures to combat Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapons program and to confront its support for terrorism. In September 2006, we cut off one of the largest Iranian state-owned banks, Bank Saderat, from any access to the U.S. financial system. We did this because Bank Saderat, which has over 3400 branch offices, is used by the Government of Iran to transfer money to terrorist organizations. Iran uses Saderat to transfer money to Hizballah as well as to terrorist groups designated by the European Union such as Hamas, PFLP-GC, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. For example, since 2001, a Hizballah-controlled organization received $50 million directly from Iran through Saderat.
Recognizing the need for additional tools to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, President Bush signed Executive Order 13382 in June of 2005. This executive order authorizes the imposition of strong financial sanctions against not only WMD proliferators, but also against entities and individuals that provide support or services to them. A designation under this E.O. cuts the target off from access to the U.S. financial and commercial systems, and puts the international community on notice about a particular threat. Since 2005, we have used this authority against a total of 36 entities and individuals, 19 of which are connected to Iran's WMD proliferation efforts.
One recent and very significant designation under E.O. 13382 was the January 9, 2007 designation of Bank Sepah, the fifth largest Iranian state-owned bank and a supporter of WMD proliferation. In particular, Sepah provides direct and extensive financial services to Iranian entities responsible for developing missiles capable of carrying weapons of mass destruction. Like other Iranian banks and entities, Bank Sepah engages in a range of deceptive practices in an effort to avoid detection, including requesting that other financial institutions take its name off of transactions going to other banks.
The United Nations has also taken a strong stand against Iran's continued defiance of the international community. On December 23, 2006, the Security Council unanimously passed United Nations Security Council Resolution 1737, which imposes targeted sanctions against the regime under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter for Iran's continued "threat to international peace and security." This set of sanctions requires countries to take a number of actions to deny Iran access to the materials and services that support its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. They target equipment, training, and technology – including dual-use equipment – as well as specific individuals, like General Safavi, commander of the IRGC and listed in the resolution for his involvement in Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Among other things, the resolution requires all states to deny Iran any financial assistance, or the transfer of any financial resources or services, related to the supply, sale, transfer, manufacture, or use of prohibited items associated with Iran's nuclear and missile programs. It also contains an annex – available for all to see – listing entities and individuals responsible for these programs. The resolution requires states to freeze their assets and those of entities owned or controlled by them.
The United Nations Security Council is also considering additional measures against Iran. Just two weeks ago, the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that not only had Iran had ignored the UNSCR 1737 requirement to suspend uranium enrichment within 60 days of the resolution, but also that it had actually expanded its program. As a result, the Security Council is considering adopting a second resolution.
In the Iranian regime led by President Ahmadinejad, the world faces the threatening combination of a country dedicated to developing nuclear weapons and to materially supporting terrorists. The regime not only has an ideologically extreme vision of the future, but also is intent on developing the weapons it believes will help obtain this vision. It is clear why the world should not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran. The United States, the European Union, and the United Nations have embarked upon an effort to convince the Iranian leadership to change its course.
It is our goal to convince Iran that it can no longer afford to head down its destabilizing path. The imposition of government-imposed financial measures, coupled with the private sector's own initiative to reevaluate business with Iran, has already sparked a debate inside Iran about the wisdom of Ahmadinejad's policies. It is our hope that Iran will realize that the only way to return to the international fold – and protect its economy – is to reverse its self-isolating behavior.
The Iranian people deserve better than a government willing to sacrifice their economic well-being to pursue weapons they don't need and policies that result in the deaths of innocent civilians. They deserve better than a regime that allows unemployment and poverty to rise and their basic rights to be tossed aside. And this region deserves to be free from the pressure of an increasingly hostile and antagonistic Iran that is promoting sectarian violence and heightening Sunni and Shia tensions.
As you make your business decisions, I urge you to consider whether it is wise for your company to focus its efforts on doing business with Iran. I recognize that it may be tempting to step into the void that is being created by other companies pulling back their business in Iran, but they are pulling back for a reason. The world's top financial institutions and corporations are re-evaluating their business with Iran because they are worried about the risk and their reputations. You should worry too and be especially cautious when it comes to doing business with Iran.
This is a situation where governments and the private sector share the same goal. Caution by the private sector is putting pressure on Iran. By having governments partner with the private sector, including by sharing information and concerns with the private sector, we are seeing more of an impact on our collective efforts, and it is this impact that, I believe, can help bring about a change in course for Iran.
:)
ON THE NET
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=globaljihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=jihad
http://www.memri.org/jihad.html
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http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP149407
Special Dispatch Series - No. 1494
March 8, 2007 No.1494
"Islamist Websites Monitor Project No. 73"
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http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP149307
Special Dispatch Series - No. 1493
March 8, 2007 No.1493
"Al-Arabiyya TV Director-General: ‘Why Do Islamist Extremists Who Incite Against the West Insist on Living There?’"
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http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP149107
Special Dispatch Series - No. 1491
March 7, 2007 No.1491
"Islamist Websites Monitor Project No. 72"
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http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=IA33207
Inquiry and Analysis Series - No. 332
March 7, 2007 No.332
"‘The Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb’: The Evolving Terrorist Presence in North Africa"
By Daniel Lav*
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QUOTE - SNIPPET - LINK SUMMARY:
http://www.e-prism.org
ISLAM IN AFRICA PROJECT
ISLAM in AFRICA NEWSLETTER - No. 1 (May 2006)
ISLAM in AFRICA NEWSLETTER - NO. 2 -- JUNE 2006
ISLAM in AFRICA NEWSLETTER - NO. 3 -- JULY 2006
ISLAM in AFRICA NEWSLETTER - NO. 4 -- AUGUST 2006
Islam in Africa Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 5 -- September 2006
Islam in Africa Newsletter No. 6 Vol. 1 (November 2006)
Islam in Africa Newsletter - No. 1 Vol. 2 (January 2007) - Special Issue - Al-Qaeda in Africa
PROF. GABRIEL R. WARBURG -- THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD IN SUDAN: FROM REFORMS TO RADICALISM -- AUGUST 2006
The Commemoration of Slavery in France and the Emergence of a Black Political Consciousness - By Jean-Yves Camus. First published in The European Legacy, Vol. 2 (2006), No. 6, pp. 647-655.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=3283
"Administrative Tribunals to Begin for High-Value Guantanamo Detainees"
By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 6, 2007
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=3284
Troops Kill Five Terrorists, Capture Five Others
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 7, 2007 – Coalition forces have killed five and captured five terrorists in Iraq in recent days.
Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers discovered five terrorists emplacing improvised explosive devices at a village near the banks of the Euphrates River in Baghdad on March 5. Soldiers engaged the terrorists with small-arms fire, killing four.
Following the firefight, the soldiers recovered two AK-47 assault rifles. They turned the terrorists’ bodies over to local authorities and confiscated the weapons.
Elsewhere in Iraq that day, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers discovered a weapons cache along the main highway into Baghdad, near the Radwaniyah village. The cache contained 10 fragmentation hand grenades, 165 mortar primers, eight 12.7 mm machine gun rounds, two bags of bulk explosives with blasting caps, a box with 100 blasting caps, 1,000 9 mm pistol rounds, six hand grenade fuses, a bag of plastic explosives, 1,000 AK-47 rounds, and an improvised explosive device.
This week in Tikrit, aerial surveillance helicopters killed a terrorist and wounded two March 4 as the terrorists attempted to remove munitions from a cache site. Paratroopers from Battery B, Task Force 1-319th, were immediately dispatched to search the area and discovered more than 600 mortar rounds and anti-tank mines with fuses. An explosive ordnance detachment detonated the munitions at the site.
In Baghdad that day, soldiers of 5th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, with coalition partners, detained three individuals found with bomb-making materials. The three suspects were detained for questioning, military officials said.
That day in Yusufiyah, Iraqi army and Multinational Division Baghdad troops found three caches containing weapons and ammunition. The caches, hidden in camouflaged buckets, contained 22 Katyusha rockets, 13 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, a 60 mm mortar tube, two full drums of PKC medium machine gun ammunition, and 12 rolls of detonation cord.
“This is another significant find in our area of operations,” Army Maj. Web Wright, a spokesman, said. “We find lots of mortar rounds in this area, but finding the mortar tube is important, because the tube is the only way to launch the rounds.
“Without the tube, the enemy loses not just a weapon, but a capability,” he said.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=3286
Terrorist Facilitator, IED Expert Captured in Afghanistan
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 7, 2007 – Afghan and coalition forces have captured suspected terrorists and destroyed a car rigged with explosives in operations in Afghanistan over the past three days.
A suspected al Qaeda facilitator and improvised-explosive-device expert was captured today, along with five other suspected terrorists, during an assault by Afghan and coalition forces on a compound near Jalalabad, in the Nangarahar province of Afghanistan. No shots were fired, and no civilians or forces were injured during the assault.
The suspected terrorist was an alleged IED expert and logistics officer for the “Tora Bora Front,” which facilitates the movement of fighters from Pakistan to Afghanistan. The individuals were taken into custody for questioning.
During a separate operation, Afghan National Police captured and destroyed a car bomb yesterday in Kapisa province near a coalition fire base in Nejrab.
The Afghan police had chased the vehicle after AK-47 ammunition was observed falling from the vehicle. The driver fled the vehicle, and the police discovered the right side of the vehicle was wired with explosives. They secured the area and notified Afghan National Army and coalition forces of their discovery.
A combined Afghan and coalition patrol responded, and trained personnel conducted a thorough search of the vehicle. They determined the device was too dangerous to disarm, and Afghan army and coalition forces rigged the vehicle with explosives to detonate it and deem it safe. The charges destroyed the right side of the vehicle, ensuring the explosive device was no longer a threat. There were no injuries to any civilians or coalition forces during this operation.
“The successful interdiction and disposal of this vehicle before it could be used in an attack increases security and reduces the danger posed by criminals and insurgents who have no regard for Afghan life and would harm innocent civilians, Afghan national aecurity and coalition forces,” said Army Lt. Col. David Accetta, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman.
On March 5, Afghan and coalition forces arrested five suspected terrorists, two of whom attempted to flee to a neighboring building, during an operation west of Khowst city. The men were arrested without further incident following a thorough search of the buildings. The search also uncovered a cache of grenades and armor-piercing rounds.
Credible information in connection with anti-government activities and known terrorist groups at the suspected compound led the coalition forces to the building in Khowst province, U.S. officials said.
No shots were fired during the operation, and there were no reported injuries or damages. The grenades and ammunition were destroyed at the scene.
(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 82 news releases.)
Note: the following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=3291
Coalition, Iraqi Forces Detain Suspects, Find Weapons
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 7, 2007 – Coalition and Iraqi forces detained 48 suspected terrorists and found several weapons caches in operations throughout Iraq in the past two days.
Coalition forces detained 24 suspected terrorists today during several raids targeting al Qaeda in Iraq networks.
-- In southern Baghdad, ground forces detained eight suspected terrorists during a raid in which they targeted a group reported to be involved in the coordination, movement and emplacement of car bombs used against Iraqi and coalition forces.
-- In Rutbah, coalition forces detained five suspected terrorists while targeting a suspected weapons dealer who is known for providing improvised explosive device-making material and is also believed to be involved in foreign fighter facilitation.
-- In Samarra, coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists. Intelligence reports indicate terrorists in the targeted area are involved in weapons trafficking and the acquisition of identity cards and passports.
-- Northeast of Karmah, coalition forces detained nine suspected terrorists with alleged ties to senior al Qaeda in Iraq leadership.
"Coalition forces operations continue to systematically dismantle the al Qaeda in Iraq network," said Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. "The al Qaeda in Iraq network is contrary to the peace and stability Iraqi citizens deserve."
In other developments, Iraqi army troops and paratroopers from Multinational Division Baghdad worked together to successfully complete "Operation White Rockets" yesterday, finding two ammunition caches and detaining two suspects.
Soldiers of 5th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, and 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Squadron, dismounted to clear out suspected insurgent sanctuary areas near Bin Muhammad, south of Baghdad.
They discovered and confiscated caches consisting of homemade explosives, some unknown substances, weapon parts and ammunition.
While troops clearing buildings, they detained two suspects. An explosive ordnance disposal team secured the ammunition caches for controlled detonation. The unknown substances are being tested for identification.
Elsewhere, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained 22 insurgent suspects and secured weapon and ammunition caches south of Baghdad yesterday.
Soldiers of 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, conducted targeted raids to capture known terrorists and secure weapons and ammunition near Jabella. Besides the 22 detainees taken into custody, several caches were found.
The caches consisted of a 60 mm mortar round, two sticks of dynamite, 9 feet of detonation cord, three blasting caps, three AK-47 ammunition magazines, three passports, a machine gun barrel, an AK-47 butt stock, two empty ammunition boxes, one box of primers, two AK-47s, six 7.62 mm ammunition magazines, one 8 mm round, two 8 mm mortar fuses, five blasting caps, and a rocket-propelled-grenade booster.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
A bit off topic...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=keithellison
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=ellison
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=cair
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1797037/posts
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=246504
(AP)
"State Dept. tapping Rep. Ellison for help"
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "A spokeswoman for Hughes, Rena Pederson, said that Hughes has talked to Ellison about being a "sounding board."
"She does believe Muslim Americans can be a bridge to reach out to the rest of the world," said Pederson. "She has talked to Congressman Ellison, because public diplomacy is not Democratic or Republican, but American. We have a mandate to provide a balance of views."
Ellison, who has called for an immediate withdrawal of military forces from Iraq, said he didn't find it difficult to reconcile his criticism of the administration's foreign policy with his promotion of American values."
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, an Islamic civil rights group, said that anything that can help the U.S. image in Muslim countries should be tried.
"I think Keith Ellison is in a unique position to demonstrate the true nature of religious diversity in the United States to the Muslim world," Hooper said. "I don't think the State Department will ask him to endorse foreign policy -- it will be a more generic, pro-American endeavor.""
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1797077/posts
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/jet-sabotage-possible-pm/2007/03/08/1173166844816.html
"Aussie jet toll may rise"
March 8, 2007 - 11:28AM
Page 1 of 2 |
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The DFAT spokeswoman this morning told theage.com.au that Indonesian authorities had revised the toll to 21 confirmed dead, down from 22. Of 140 passengers and crew on the flight, it is believed 118 survived. That leaves one more person unaccounted for."
ARTICLE SNIPPET: ""At this time, we understand that around 10 Australians were on board but stress that this number could change.''
Sabotage 'a possibility'
As Australian officials and medical experts head for the Indonesian city to help search for the missing and identify the dead, Prime Minister John Howard said foul play could not be ruled out as a cause of the crash.
"There is no evidence that I am aware of suggesting it was sabotage or a terrorist attack, but it's impossible for me to rule out anything," Mr Howard told ABC radio this morning.
Among the missing is Jakarta-based Australian Federal Police officer Brice Steele, one of Australia's most senior counter-terrorism experts, as well as AFP agent Mark Scott."
ON THE NET...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=iran
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=mashaal
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=ahmadinejad
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=hamas
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http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070306/ids_photos_wl/r1073651365.jpg
PHOTO CAPTION: "Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (L) greets Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal in Tehran March 6, 2007. REUTERS/Stringer (IRAN)"
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http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=24730_Friends_for_Death&only
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
"Friends for Death"
THANKS to Jet Jaguar for the ping to this thread.
Note: The following post is a quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1797109/posts
Former Navy Sailor Charged With Passing Secrets to Al Qaeda
ABC News ^ | 3/7/07
Posted on 03/07/2007 5:27:20 PM PST by bnelson44
March 7, 2007 — A former U.S. Navy sailor has been charged with allegedly passing military secrets about U.S. Navy movements through waters in the Middle East to al Qaeda-related Web sites during the spring of 2001, just months after the USS Cole was attacked in Yemen.
Hassan Abujihaad, formerly known as Paul R. Hall, allegedly passed information about U.S. Navy warship movements in the Straits of Hormuz in April 2001 while he was a member of the Navy. The information passed along contained details about vulnerabilites of U.S. vessels — including susceptibility to small boat attacks by terrorists.
Abujihaad was arrested today in Phoenix, according to a criminal complaint unsealed tonight that charged him with providing material support to terrorists who planned to kill U.S. nationals.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
Thanks Joe. The Asqhari story is going to be quite interesting as it unfolds. I hope he is well protected.
Cindy,
I think of you often, too....many thanks for your prayers, they really help.
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