Threat Matrix: May 2007

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070515/ap_on_re_eu/denmark_clashes;_ylt=Aoc.JXWylnPM9oC.8hk77nl0bBAF

“Dozens arrested in clashes in Copenhagen”
By JAN M. OLSEN, Associated Press Writer Tue May 15, 11:28 AM ET

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Meanwhile, Copenhagen’s famed Little Mermaid statue was found doused with red paint, the second time the bronze landmark has been defaced since March, also during protests. But as they did then, police said Tuesday it was unclear if the damage was connected to the clashes.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The youths threw bottles, cobblestones and firecrackers at police and set fire to cars and street barricades.

Although the building was largely abandoned, many protesters saw the demolition as part of a government plan to assert control over the enclave.

Two months ago, angry youths went on a rampage in downtown Copenhagen to protest the eviction of squatters from a youth center in another part of the city. Hundreds were arrested and 25 people hurt in the riots, the worst clashes in Copenhagen in more than a decade.

The Little Mermaid was created by Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen in tribute to the Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. Sitting on a rock at the entrance of the Copenhagen harbor since 1913, she draws an estimated 1 million visitors a year.

She’s also been a popular target for vandals, who have blown her off her perch, beheaded her, and painted her. On March 3, she was covered with pink paint, which was quickly removed.”

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http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=24&story_id=39805

“Suspect arrested for bomb alert”
15 May 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “BRUSSELS - Train service near Oudenaarde was stopped for 50 minutes this morning after a bomb alert in the Oudenaarde station. The scare proved to be a false alarm and a suspect has been apprehended by police.”

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07050092.htm

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net — E-mail: assistnews@aol.com

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Letters threaten Pakistani Christians to convert to Islam

By Sheraz Khurram Khan
Special Correspondent for ASSIST News Service in Pakistan

CHARSADDA/ MARDAN, PAKISTAN (ANS) — Pakistani Christians in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan are reportedly receiving menacing letters asking them to close their churches and convert to Islam within 10 days, ANS has learnt.

“Christians in Charsadda and Mardan, in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province, have received letters threatening that they must close their churches and convert to Islam within ten days”, said Barnabas Fund in its May 14 news release.

It went on to say that although some letters did not say what the consequences would be if Christians failed to comply, others are reported to have threatened bombing or the execution of all Christians. Police have increased security at churches, it said.

The unsigned handwritten letters were delivered to churches and Christian homes in the two towns on May 7th, giving a period of ten days for compliance, it added.

It said several Christian families have already fled since the letters were distributed. The news release quoted some Christians as saying that they knew the militants could kill them but they were trusting God for His protection. It further quoted them as saying that they would not yield to threats.

“These extremists are asking us to change our religion. We will not do it, even if we have to die”, the news release quoted All Pakistan Minorities Alliance Chief Shahbaz Bhatti as saying.

It said the Christians all over Pakistan will observe a period of prayer and fasting from May 17th (the date on which the ultimatum to the Christians expires) until May 27th.

Around 500 Christians live in Charsadda, where Islamic militants are using intimidation and violence to try to enforce a strict Islamic life-style, resembling that advocated by the Taliban in nearby Afghanistan, the news release said.

The militants’ bomb music shops, put pressure on barbers not to shave beards, and are trying to have girls’ schools closed, it maintained.

It was in Charsadda that Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, narrowly escaped death in a suicide attack last month which killed 28 people, it added.

Bible Institute also threatened

The release said that Rt. Rev. Mano Rumalshah, the Church of Pakistan Bishop of Peshawar, in whose diocese lie Charsadda and Mardan, spoke to Barnabas Fund of his grave concern about the ultimatum to Christians. Furthermore, in the city of Peshawar, two Taliban-style militants visited the Pakistan Bible Institute in the same week as the threatening letters appeared, it said.

It maintained that no senior leaders were present at the time, so the militants held a gun to the head of a junior staff member and began to threaten him, saying, “We hear you are converting Muslims.” They were on the point of shooting him when a noise disturbed them and they fled, it claimed.

Apostasy Bill

Amidst much pressure for increasing Islamization in Pakistan, there is a new threat to Christians from a Muslim background. Until now such converts have not faced any legal penalty, though harassment or violence from family and community are commonplace, and sometimes other legal pretexts are used to put pressure on them, it said adding that Pakistan’s National Assembly was considering a draft Apostasy Bill, moved by the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal party. The Bill, which it said had been sent to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice for consideration, would impose a death penalty for adult men leaving Islam and imprisonment for adult women leaving Islam, in line with the dictates of Sharia (Islamic law).

Seeing a pattern?

“Shocking in themselves, these threatening letters to Pakistani Christians are even more alarming because of their similarity to what is happening in other countries at present,” the release quoted International Director of Barnabas Fund, Dr Patrick Sookhdeo as saying.

“Threats to convert to Islam, to leave or be killed are being made against Christians in Iraq, sometimes written, sometimes verbal In Egypt last Friday leaflets were apparently the trigger for violence in the village of Behma, south of Cairo. The leaflets condemned a church building project, and the result was rioting in which Christians were injured and Christian homes and businesses set on fire”.

“The incident at the Pakistan Bible Institute is reminiscent of the killing of three Christians at a Christian publishing house in Turkey last month. Their throats were slit, apparently by those who resented their outreach to Turkish Muslims. Is this simply copy-cat terrorism, or could there be an organized international strategy against Christian minorities in the Muslim world and against Christian evangelism in Muslim contexts?”

The All Pakistan Minorities Alliance has asked concerned Christians to pray for the protection of Christians in Charsadda and Mardan. Praise God that the Christians “are undefeated spiritually and continue to uphold their faith in these difficult times”. Pray also for the Pakistan Bible Institute and all other Christian ministries in the country.

Pray that the government of Pakistan, the various state governments, and the local police and judiciary in every part of the country will act with wisdom and courage to prevent violence against Christians and all other minorities.

Please continue to pray, especially as the deadline of 17th May comes on Thursday this week, after which the militants in Charsadda and Mardan have threatened to punish any Christians who have not converted to Islam. Keep praying as Christians in Pakistan pray and fast from 17th to 27th May.

Pray that the proposed apostasy bill will be rejected, and that Muslims in Pakistan will be free to choose another faith if they desire. Pray that the Lord will watch over and keep safe all those who have left another faith to follow Him.

Pray for peace and stability in Behma, Egypt, after the anti-Christian rioting there. Pray for a complete change of attitude amongst the Muslim community in Egypt so that there will be no objections to expanding church buildings or even erecting new ones from scratch.

The writer is a freelance journalist based in Pakistan.
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.

Note: The following text (minus the photos) is a quote:

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07050089.htm

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Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net — E-mail: assistnews@aol.com

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Lawyer slams violation of Pakistani Christians’ Personal Laws
Christian rape victim is yet to get justice

By Sheraz Khurram Khan
Special Correspondent for ASSIST News Service in Pakistan

FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN (ANS) — A Pakistani Christian Lawyer, Khalil Tahir Sandhu, has said that some influential Muslims violate Christians’ personal laws by allegedly forcing Christian women to convert to Islam after kidnapping and raping them.

“Christian marriage is not a social contract but a sacrament, hence Christian marriage stands intact for life”, said Khalil Tahir Sandhu while talking to ANS by phone on Saturday, May 12.

He went on to say that even if a Christian woman has seven children but after forced conversion to Islam she loses her right to her religion as well as to her children. “This is blatant injustice with Christian women.”

When ANS asked an update on Catholic Christian Ribqa Masih’s case who was gang raped by some three suspects including Muhammad Kashif, Ghulam Abbas Hussain and an unidentified in September 2005 he said today, May 12 the Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Saluhuddin adjourned the court till May 30.

He told ANS that Ribqa (22) had testified before the court that Ghulam Abbas Hussain and Muhammad Kashif drugged her on September 2nd and took her to Lahore, approximately 100 km from her home in chak (village) 86 J.B.

Khalil Tahir Sandhu said her captors raped and threatened to kill her and her family if she did not convert to Islam.

Christian rape victim, Ribqa Masih
The Christian victim of gang rape however refused to convert to Islam, Sandhu informed ANS.

Ribqa was yet again raped by another unidentified accused who was supposed to take her home, he said.

Khalil said the Supreme Court granted bail to Ghulam Abbas Hussain, saying earlier the Lahore High Court had denied him bail. Hussain, he said was freed on bail after serving almost one and a half-year in jail.

“Ribqa’s family could not engage a lawyer due to their poor socio-economic situation. I wish I were a Supreme Court Lawyer.”

He maintained the other rape suspect Muhammad Kashif was granted bail by the Lahore High Court on medical grounds.

“Nobody wants to marry these girls, even though they are innocent,” said Khalil Tahir while implying to the social stigmatization they can never get rid of all their lives.

Ribqa’s Lawyer said she foiled her rapists’ designs of converting her to Islam by staying steadfast to her Christian faith.

He also made mention of a threat allegedly hurled at him while pleading Ribqa’s case.

“I am only worried about my wife and three sons. My son Arbab always asks me as to why the police come to ask about our safety.”

“I have a special request to make regarding Ribqa and her family. I want believers across the world to pray for them because the rape victim as well as her family is living in a grip of fear and insecurity. Ribqa’s mother, Parveen can neither speak nor walk. She is bed-ridden and the family does not have resources to pay for her treatment. If God moves someone’s heart to help them out I can provide the victim’s address to them for financial help”, said Khalil Tahir who took Ribqa Masih’s case pro bono.

To a question he said Ribqa’s father, Rafique Masih is a welder who he said earns Rs 150 (US$2.5) a day.

When ANS drew his attention toward two alleged Muslim rape victims including Mukhtaran Mai and Dr. Shazia whose cases received unprecedented media coverage and human rights organizations’ support, Tahir said he was unable to comprehend the “mysterious mystery of indifference” in the Christian rape victim’s case. Mukhtarian Mai he said had now established schools in her village but Ribqa was yet to get justice, he regretted.

To a question he said he thought the case would run for a couple of months. Asked what maximum sentence the accused could get Sandhu said they could get transportation for life.

When asked if the Adal Trust had plans to build Protection House for the victims of rape or other injustices the Executive Director of Adal Trust said he had plans to establish such a house under the name “Sab Ka Garh” (House for All). He said the Trust needed funds to the tune of Rs 50,00000 ($8,333 US dollars approximately) to materialize the project.

The writer is a freelance journalist based in Pakistan.

** You may republish this story with proper attribution.

Note: Videos included.

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07050081.htm

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net — E-mail: assistnews@aol.com

Monday, May 14, 2007

Indian News Captures Violent Attacks on Christians
Attacks Prompt National Appeal to Congress Party for Protection and Justice

From Dalit Freedom Network
In association with A.I.C.C./SC-ST Federations

For more information, contact:
Ben Marsh, Washington D.C. Coordinator, Dalit Freedom Network
bmarsh@dalitnetwork.org
(703) 974-1243

For immediate release

INDIA (ANS) — Two recent attacks on Christian leaders were captured by television film crews and have appeared on national news in the past week. The attacks have prompted a letter from Dr. Joseph D’souza, president of the Dalit Freedom Network and the All India Christian Council, and other prominent Christian leaders to appeal to the Congress party for protection for Christians and justice for those who have been attacked.
In the first attack, Pastor Walter Masih was beaten in his small house in Jaipur, Rajasthan following his Sunday morning service. He was hit repeatedly by Hindu youth as his daughter cowered behind a door on April 29, 2007. Video of this attack is available here: http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/39465/pastor-attack-media-under-scanner.html

In the second attack, two priests were beaten by a mob of Hindu extremists from the Bajrang Dal, a Hindu nationalist organization, on May 8, 2007. Claiming that the priests were trying to convert local Hindus, the mob beat the priests and then carried them to a local police station to register charges against them under anti-conversion legislation. The police detained the priest but took not action against the mob who had beaten them. Video of the attack is available here: http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/39994/vhp-activists-beat-up-two-priests.html

Dr. D’souza commented on these attacks in his letter:
“These images should have seared the conscience of the nation, but they have invited nothing more than a smug silence from all governments — the Congress chief minister in Maharashtra to the BJP chief minister in Rajasthan…. There is little doubt now that Hindutva extremists are running a series of planned attacks against the Christian community for over a year now.”

The intensity of these attacks is increasing

The attacks are seemingly part of a push by Hinduthva (nationalist Hindu) organizations to use violence and oppression as a means of growing support for the BJP party in coming elections. After losing six seats in the recent election, many BJP supporters have called on the party to again focus solely on a Hinduthva agenda of anti-conversion and anti-Christian and Muslim violence.

Dr. D’souza’s letter openly criticizes the Congress-rules government for not doing enough to protect Christian who supported the party in national elections. He writes:

“The fault indeed squarely lies with the Central Government which was voted to power by Dalits, minorities and the majority poor who hoped that the new UPA Government would at least insist upon the rule of the law and protect the minorities and Dalits. The lack of protection is all the more painful as the vast majority of Christian workers and communities in north India are Dalits, tribals or from the most backward castes. These are the communities which are bearing the brunt of the attacks.”

The Dalit Freedom Network’s mission is to partner with the Dalits (India’s Untouchables) in their quest for religious freedom, social justice, and human dignity by mobilizing human, informational, and financial resources. Their website is: www.dalitnetwork.org

** You may republish this story with proper attribution.

PERSECUTION.ORG
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http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Wed May 16 2007 04:20:57 GMT-0700.

Worldwide Caution

April 10, 2007

READY.GOV
http://www.ready.gov

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http://www.stuff.co.nz/4061572a11.html

“Police face increasing violence from disrespectful teens”
NZPA | Wednesday, 16 May 2007
Email a Friend | Printable View | Have Your Say

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Police are facing increasing violence from teenagers who have no respect for officers and don’t fear the consequences, says the Police Association.

OFFICER’S NOSE BROKEN IN ONE OF THREE ASSAULTS ON POLICE

In the past 10 days, police have been on the receiving end of violence and intimidating behaviour from young people in both Christchurch and Levin.
Police and ambulance workers who arrived at the scene of an out-of-control party at which Hannah Rossiter and Jane Young died in an alleged hit-and-run in Christchurch last week were pelted by bottles and rocks.

Officers had to don riot gear before moving in to close the party and disperse the 500-strong crowd.

They described the scene as being “like a war zone”.”

placemark

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~
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=9923&sectionid=351020102

“Iranian bank in Venezuela”
Tue, 15 May 2007 22:06:36

~

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://osint.internet-haganah.com/archives/001131.html

May 16, 2007

Iranian bank in Venezuela

presstv.ir

The Export Development Bank of Iran anticipates setting up a branch in Venezuela in a bid to enhance ties between the two countries. The Organization in Charge of Supervising the Performance of Banks and Financial Institutes in Venezuela (known as SUDEBAN) and the Central Bank of Venezuela have ratified the decision. The Central Bank of Iran earlier gave the green light to the plan. The initiative is aimed at facilitating access to Latin America’s financial markets and backing joint investment in different areas. It will also support Iranian firms exporting technical and engineering services to Latin American countries. During President Ahmadinejad’s tour of Venezuela in September 2006, the two countries stressed the expansion of banking and trade relations. The Export Development Bank of Iran, established in 1991, has already set up a representative office in Kazakhstan, which is to be changed to a permanent branch in the near future.
Posted on 16 May 2007 @ 13:28 GMT

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Previously...

http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20070516-120252-4387r.htm

“U.S. urges sanctions against Tehran”
By David R. Sands
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
May 16, 2007

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Previously...

http://osint.internet-haganah.com/archives/001126.html

May 15, 2007

“Inspectors Cite Big Gain by Iran on Nuclear Fuel”
www.nytimes.com

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46038

Four Terrorists Killed, 30 Suspects Detained in Overnight Raids

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2007 – Coalition forces in Iraq killed four terrorists and detained 30 suspected terrorists during operations yesterday and today targeting the al Qaeda in Iraq leadership network.

Late yesterday, coalition forces raided three buildings north of Karmah associated with an individual known to facilitate financial deals for al Qaeda senior leaders. While coalition forces searched the buildings, a truck with its lights off approached the cordon around the targeted building. After issuing multiple visual warnings, coalition forces fired warning shots, but the vehicle continued to approach the checkpoint.

Coalition forces engaged the truck with disabling shots, stopping it. One individual got out of the truck and moved to retrieve items from the back of the vehicle. U.S. officials said coalition forces took appropriate self-defensive measures in response to the hostile threat, engaging the vehicle and killing four men. Meanwhile, coalition forces in the buildings detained 17 suspected terrorists.

An operation in Anbar province targeted individuals allegedly tied to an al Qaeda senior leader responsible for car-bomb attacks and attacks on Iraqi infrastructure. Coalition forces detained seven suspected terrorists in two connected raids there this morning.

During overnight operations in Mosul, coalition forces detained one individual suspected of associating with a known facilitator of enemy fighters with ties to al Qaeda, and three suspected terrorists tied to al Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders. Enemy forces left on the scene fired on coalition forces as they departed the objective.

Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists this morning in a raid along the Tigris River near Tarmiyah targeting individuals with ties to a known al Qaeda leader.

“We’re not waiting for al Qaeda to strike; we’re taking the fight to them,” said Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. “We’re putting pressure on them, hitting their networks over and over, and reducing their ability to operate.”

(From a Multinational Force Iraq news release.)

Good news...

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46039

“Exercise Tests NORAD, NORTHCOM Cooperation, Communication”

By Sgt. 1st Class Gail Braymen, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service

NEWS RELEASE SNIPPET: “PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo., May 16, 2007 – The commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command said he is “very pleased” with the federal agency interoperability displayed in Ardent Sentry/Northern Edge ‘07, an emergency-response training exercise that began April 30 and will continue through tomorrow.”

http://off-topic.internet-haganah.com/archives/001125.html

May 15, 2007

“Russia launches attack on Estonian networks
Attacking computers included machines in the office of Vladimir Putin.”

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http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070514-massive-ddos-attacks-target-estonia-russia-accused.html

“Massive DDoS attacks target Estonia; Russia accused”
By Nate Anderson | Published: May 14, 2007 - 07:45AM CT

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http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Estonia_To_Discuss_Cyber_Attacks_With_NATO_And_EU_999.html

CYBER WARS
“Estonia To Discuss Cyber-Attacks With NATO And EU”
by Staff Writers
Tallinn (AFP) May 11, 2007

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Commentary:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1834712/posts

“Democrats Force Surrender Now, Terror Later”
RealClearPolitics ^ | 5/16/07 | Koch

Posted on 05/16/2007 1:17:59 PM PDT by pabianice

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http://off-topic.internet-haganah.com/archives/001132.htm

May 16, 2007
“Meanwhile, back in sunny Gaza...”

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http://off-topic.internet-haganah.com/archives/001129.html

May 15, 2007
“Hamas gains on acquisition of US arms”

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http://off-topic.internet-haganah.com/archives/001128.html

May 15, 2007
“Fatah: We’ve Lost the Battle for Jerusalem”
Khaled Abu Toameh (Jerusalem Post)

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QUOTE:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1603333/posts?page=41#41

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/016480.php

May 16, 2007

“Judge in Internet Jihad trial: “I don’t really understand what a Web site is””
(REUTERS)

LONDON (Reuters) -

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Violent Islamist material posted on the Internet, including beheadings of Western hostages, is central to the case....

Younes Tsouli, 23, Waseem Mughal, 24, and Tariq al-Daour, 21, deny a range of charges under Britain’s Terrorism Act, including inciting another person to commit an act of terrorism “wholly or partly” outside Britain.”

41 posted on 05/16/2007 2:22:03 PM PDT by Cindy

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1834586/posts

“Nobody Is Untouchable”
Opinion Journal ^ | May 15, 2007 | BRET STEPHENS

Posted on 05/16/2007 10:17:20 AM PDT by Wuli

HOT AIR.com - VIDEO/blog: "A HORROR STORY THE MSM WON'T TELL" (May 16, 2007, 8:57 am)

The Abu Hafs Al-Masri Brigades, responsible of the Madid and London bombings, threatens France after Sarkozy’s eléctions.

“Now you have chosen Sarkozy the Crusader, the zionist drinker of the blood of mulism women and children (...) you are warned that a jihadist campaign will occur in Sarkozy’s capital [Paris] in the following days”.

Abu Hafs Al-Masri Brigades lost credability after claiming to be behind the Madrid bombing as well as issuing a bizillion threats to Italy during the latter half of 2004. Back then the intelligence community viewed Al-Masri brigades as a bogus organization with questionable ties to OBL and AQ.