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Locked on 07/01/2007 2:49:04 PM PDT by Lead Moderator, reason:
New Thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1859319/posts |
Posted on 06/01/2007 7:57:59 PM PDT by nwctwx
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Note: The following post is a quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1851222/posts
West Bank - Fatah gunmen storming Hamas-controlled government offices
AP News Alert ^ | June 16, 2007
Posted on 06/16/2007 2:45:15 AM PDT by HAL9000
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Witnesses say Fatah gunmen storming Hamas-controlled government offices.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=thailand
#
June 16, 2007 16:29 PM
“Thailand: Southern Militants Launch Propaganda Overseas”
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “BANGKOK, June 16 (Bernama) — Thailand’s Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Saturday said that southern militants in addition to armed assaults in the predominantly Muslim south are now attempting to attack the Thai government politically both in Thailand and overseas.
Speaking during his weekly programme broadcast on state-run television, Gen. Surayud was quoted by TNA as saying that the government believed that the militants are now putting effort in drumming up their cause abroad while increasing the propaganda value and stress levels of their political offensive at home.
Touching on Cambodians holding Muslim faith who enter Thailand illegally and who might join Muslim insurgents in the deep South, Gen. Surayud said the government had coordinated with the Phnom Penh government in trying to prevent them from entering this country illegally.”
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_3072.html
Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
This information is current as of today, Sat Jun 16 2007 03:00:11 GMT-0700.
LEBANON
June 14, 2007
Note: The following text is a quote:
https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=69690
you are here: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Travel Warning: Saudi Arabia
Consular Affairs Bulletins
Middle East / N. Africa - Saudi Arabia
14 Jun 2007
Printer Friendly Email Article
Related Reports
4 Jun 2007
CURRENT INFORMATION UPDATE
4 Jun 2007
CURRENT INFORMATION BRIEFING
16 Apr 2007
Saudi Arabia 2007 Crime & Safety Report
10 Apr 2007
Worldwide Caution Public Announcement
20 Mar 2007
Warden Message: Riyadh Summit Disruptions March 27-28
The U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning on June 14, 2007:
This Travel Warning updates information on the security situation in Saudi Arabia and reminds U.S. citizens of recommended security precautions. It supersedes the Travel Warning issued December 19, 2006.
Due to concerns about the possibility of additional terrorist activity directed against American citizens and interests, the Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia. The United States Mission in Saudi Arabia remains an unaccompanied post as a result of continued security concerns. Non-emergency employees and all dependents of the U.S. Embassy Riyadh and Consulates General Jeddah and Dhahran were ordered to leave the country on April 15, 2004. An armed attack on the U.S. Consulate General in Jeddah occurred on December 6, 2004, resulting in casualties among the non-American staff and damage to consulate facilities. On November 13, 2005, the Consulate General in Jeddah closed the visa section for security reasons that require the assistance of the Government of Saudi Arabia to resolve. On May 12, 2006 a lone gunman fired shots at the U.S. Consulate in Jeddah. There were no injuries. The consular section remains open for American citizen services.
Terrorist groups continue to target housing compounds and other establishments where Westerners may be located. Saudi Government facilities are also targets. In addition to car bombs and armed assaults involving multiple gunmen against such facilities, terrorists have used ambush attacks to kidnap and/or assassinate individual Westerners. In February 2007, four French residents of Saudi Arabia returning from Madain Saleh were killed in a shooting incident while resting on the side of the Tabruk-Medina highway, approximately 17 km north of Medina. In February 2006, there was a terrorist attack on Saudi oil facilities in Abqaiq in the Eastern Province. There were no U.S. citizens or Westerners injured in this attack.
American citizens who choose to visit or remain in Saudi Arabia despite this Travel Warning are strongly urged to avoid staying in hotels or housing compounds that do not apply stringent security measures including, but not limited to, the presence of an armed guard force, inspection of all vehicles, and a hardened security perimeter to prevent unauthorized vehicles from approaching the facility. American citizens are further advised to exercise caution and maintain good situational awareness when visiting commercial establishments frequented by Westerners or in primarily Western environments. Keep a low profile, varying times and routes for all required travel, and ensure that travel documents and visas are valid. American citizens are also advised to exercise caution while driving, entering or exiting vehicles.
U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in Saudi Arabia despite this Travel Warning are strongly urged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh or the Consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, in order to be included in the Mission’s warden network. Updated travel and security information for Saudi Arabia is issued periodically via the warden network.
From time to time, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Saudi Arabia may restrict the travel of official Americans or suspend public services for security reasons. In those instances, the Embassy and Consulates will keep the local American citizen community apprised through the Warden System and make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. Warden messages can be found on the U.S. Embassy Riyadh website: http://riyadh.usembassy.gov .
Updated information on travel and security in Saudi Arabia may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 from within the U.S. or Canada or, from outside the U.S. or Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For additional information, consult the Department of State’s Consular Information Sheet for Saudi Arabia, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, and Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov .
Note: The following text is a quote:
https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=69688
you are here: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
Warden Message: Lesotho Ministers’ Residences Attacked
Consular Affairs Bulletins
Sub-Saharan Africa - Lesotho
15 Jun 2007
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Related Reports
4 May 2007
Warden Message: Lesotho Demonstration May 6
10 Apr 2007
Worldwide Caution Public Announcement
20 Mar 2007
Warden Message: Maseru Strike Situation
13 Mar 2007
Warden Message: Lesotho Demonstrations March 15
22 Feb 2007
Warden Message: Lesotho Election Demonstrations February 25
U.S. Embassy Maseru issued the following Warden Message on June 15:
On the night of June 10, unidentified gunmen attacked, disarmed, and kidnapped Lesotho Defense Forces (LDF) guards at the residences of two Government of Lesotho (GOL) Ministers. According to an LDF press release, the attacks, which resulted in the injury of several soldiers, took place at the private residences of the Minister of Trade and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.
On the night of June 14, unidentified gunmen reportedly carjacked the vehicle of yet another GOL minister. According to media reports, in a separate incident on the night of June 14, unidentified individuals fired shots at the home of the leader of the ABC political party, a former GOL minister. The motives for these attacks are unknown and local authorities are investigating.
The U.S. Embassy advises a continuation of heightened vigilance during this period. Political disputes associated with the February 2007 election remain unresolved. We urge American citizens to take greater precautionary measures during this time. If at all possible, avoid large crowds or gatherings.
We encourage all U.S. Citizens living in or traveling in Lesotho to register with U.S. Embassy Maseru in person or through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ , and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Lesotho.
The Consular Section of the Embassy in Maseru, Lesotho is located at 254 Kingsway Avenue, Maseru. American citizens can call 22-312-666 during office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Friday. For after-hours emergencies an American officer from the Embassy can be reached by cellular telephone at 5888-4035. The email address for the Consular Section in Maseru is USConsularMaseru@state.gov .
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=somalia
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6755669.stm
Last Updated: Friday, 15 June 2007, 12:52 GMT 13:52 UK
“Grenade attack on Somalia cinema”
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “A grenade thrown at a cinema in the central Somali town of Baidoa has killed five people and injured nine.”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=brazil
#
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6753451.stm
Last Updated: Thursday, 14 June 2007, 15:37 GMT 16:37 UK
“Brazil police mount Rio crackdown”
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “In the latest shift in strategy, police on Wednesday sealed off access routes into the favelas, searching men, women and children.
The police operation focused on a favela known as Vila Cruzeiro, and involved 250 national force officers and 200 other police officers from across the city.
Throughout Wednesday there were several gun battles and police used heavily reinforced vehicles to maintain their presence.
Rio’s governor, Sergio Cabral, who took office earlier this year, has made clear his determination to reclaim parts of the city where drug gangs have taken control.”
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07060080.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
Thursday, June 14, 2007
India: Bangalore - The Barometer of India?
- shocking mob attack on Christian pastor highlights Hindutva’s hatred
By Elizabeth Kendal
World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (WEA RLC)
Special to ASSIST News Service
AUSTRALIA (ANS) — The following posting consists of a Compass Direct News Flash by Vishal Arora that highlights the escalating severity of persecution of Christians in India. Arora’s report (along with a photograph of Pastor Laxmi Narayan Gowda) can also be found on the Compass Direct (CD) website: http://compassdirect.org
There are several things to note in Arora’s report:
The attack took place in a suburb of Bangalore, the capital city of the south-western state of Karnataka, India. Bangalore with a population of six million is one of India’s largest cities. It is the fastest growing city in all Asia and is commonly referred to as “The Silicon Valley of India”, “The Fashion Capital of India”, “The Pub City of India” and “The Garden City of India”. So this attack did not occur in a remote and backward tribal jungle village where primitive tribal “justice” is sometimes administered in ignorance and in the absence of police.
The attack was organised by an educated elite (in this case, reportedly a lawyer), led by a band of Hindu nationalist militant youths from the Bajrang Dal, and participated in by 50, then 100, and then 1,000 local citizens, including immediate neighbours.
The attack was not only exceedingly intimidating and humiliating, it was also violent, and only by the mercy of God was it not far worse. (The kerosene Pastor Gowda was dowsed in did not ignite when lit.)
The police in this “Silicon Valley of India”, this hub of Indian civilisation and globalisation, showed up an hour after the event and only in response to a phone call from Pastor Gowda’s distressed relatives. (Did any “neighbour” or observer, care enough about the Gowda family or even the social fabric of India to phone the police and request intervention? Did the police, as is their habit, deliberately turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to this mob violence (making themselves complicit) simply because the victim was a Christian?)
Four days after the horrendous attack, which involved grievous assault and attempted murder as well as vandalism and destruction of property, the police still had not even registered a case against the attackers. Impunity is once again the order of the day.
Hindutva’s toxic ideology is infecting India’s educated elite and saturating the once peaceful and liberal grassroots. If the federal government does not act soon to combat Hindutva ideology, challenge unconstitutional state laws and put an end to impunity, it may be too late. Hindutva is gaining momentum and no-one appears to be willing or able to stop it.
As Hindutva gains momentum, persecution of Christians escalates in intensity and frequency, with persecutors emboldened by the lure of impunity. Unrestrained, full-speed Hindutva would be absolutely catastrophic for India’s Christians, a mere two percent minority in a population of one billion, whose positive influence and invaluable contribution to nation building over the centuries belies the reality of their immense vulnerability.
Elizabeth Kendal
rl-research@crossnet.org.au
HINDU MOB IN INDIA BEATS, STRIPS, PARADES PASTOR.
During assault, they douse him with kerosene and toss burning Bible at him.
by Vishal Arora
NEW DELHI, June 12 (Compass Direct News) – A mob of Hindu extremists on Friday (June 8) beat a pastor and tried to set him on fire before parading him naked in the suburbs of Bangalore, capital of Karnataka state.
Laxmi Narayan Gowda, an independent pastor and representative of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), was recovering in a hospital at press time with swelling and numerous bruises.
The incident took place at about 7 p.m. in Hessarghatta, about 30 kilometers from Bangalore, when a group of about 50 people barged into the pastor’s house and threatened him with violence unless he moved out of the area, said Sam Joseph, a Karnataka-based leader of the All India Christian Council (AICC).
The group returned with 100 more people shortly after, cornered Pastor Gowda in a room in his house, and began assaulting him in front of his wife and two small children.
Extremists of the Bajrang Dal, youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP or World Hindu Council), allegedly led the mob.
One of the assailants threw kerosene on the pastor, and others started burning Bibles. Someone tossed a burning Bible onto Pastor Gowda, but miraculously he did not catch fire, Joseph told Compass.
The extremists then stripped the pastor naked and hung a board around his neck that said, “I am the one who was converting people,” before parading him through the area.
“By this time, the mob had swollen to about 1,000 as more people joined in to harass and torture the pastor,” Joseph added.
Local police arrived about an hour later, after one of the pastor’s relatives called them by telephone.
The assailants burned at least 250 Bibles and also vandalized furniture and equipment.
Police had not registered a case against the attackers at press time. When Compass spoke to Inspector R. Malesh of the Soladevanhalli police station, he said the victim did not want to file a complaint.
“We have requested the Christians to give us a complaint in writing, but they do not want to press charges against the attackers,” he said.
Malesh claimed that the mob consisted of local people who did not belong to any Hindu extremist groups. Some of Pastor Gowda’s neighbors attacked, he said, because they do not want Christian prayers and meetings to take place in his house.
A local source, however, told Compass on condition of anonymity that the attack was pre-planned and directed by an unidentified lawyer. The lawyer suggested to the crowd that if they hit the pastor as a mob, then there would be no possibility of prosecution, said the source.
Before Pastor Gowda accepted Christ about 15 years ago, the source said, he was a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the parent organization of numerous Hindu extremist groups in India.
“The attackers seemingly wanted to punish Pastor Gowda for converting to Christianity from their Hindu nationalistic ideology, and warn others against doing so,” added the source.
Pastor Gowda has been working in the area for the last 12 years. The source also said the pastor was firm in his faith following the attack.
Dr. Sam Paul, AICC’s public affairs secretary, said that although Karnataka was known for anti-Christian attacks, the situation has become more volatile in the state since the Janata Dal-Secular party, in coalition with the Hindu nationalistic Bharatiya Janata Party, took power from the Congress Party in February 2006.
“Extremists in Karnataka are emboldened as the police usually turn up after the incident,” he said. “There are also times when the police encourage anti-social elements to harass Christians.”
Paul also stressed the need to educate India’s people about true conversion, in particular that it does not mean that one becomes anti-national.
Dr. Sajan K. George, national president of the GCIC, told Compass that he was thankful to God for saving the life of one of his organization’s representatives.
END
For more reports on persecution in India, see Compass Direct India Archives: http://compassdirect.org/content/index.php?id=25
Copyright 2007 Compass Direct News
Compass Direct Flash News is distributed as available to raise awareness of Christians worldwide who are persecuted for their faith. Articles may be reprinted by active subscribers only.
For subscription information, contact:
Compass Direct News
P.O. Box 27250
Santa Ana CA 92799-7250
USA
TEL: 949-862-0304
E-mail: info@compassdirect.org
www.compassdirect.org
Elizabeth Kendal is the Principal Researcher and Writer for the World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (WEA RLC) www.worldevangelical.org/rlc.html. This article was initially written for the World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty News & Analysis mailing list.
Elizabeth can be contacted by e-mail at rl-research@crossnet.org.au.
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.
http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07060073.htm
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
“Malaysia at the crossroads
- a call to prayer for Malaysia”
By Elizabeth Kendal
World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (WEA RLC)
Special to ASSIST News Service
###
Previously...
http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07060039.htm
Thursday, June 7, 2007
“The Islamisation of Malaysia”
By Elizabeth Kendal
World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (WEA RLC)
Special to ASSIST News Service
AUSTRALIA (ANS) — This is an extended posting in two parts.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org
http://www.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, Sat Jun 16 2007 03:44:41 GMT-0700.
Worldwide Caution
April 10, 2007
placemark
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/016957.php
(AMERICANS AGAINST HATE.org)
June 16, 2007
“Keith Ellison to speak at banquet of unindicted co-conspirator in terror funding case”
###
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/016954.php
(AMERICAN THINKER.com)
June 16, 2007
“Study shows that support for political Islam correlates to support for terrorism”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=russia
#
Thanks to M. Espinola for the ping to this thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1851181/posts
“Ruthless Russia”
American Thinker ^ | June 16, 2007 | Peter B. Martin
Posted on 06/15/2007 10:25:07 PM PDT by neverdem
#
...and this post #28
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1851181/posts?page=28#28
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=russia
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=iran
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=venezuela
#
Note: The following post is a quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1851318/posts
Venezuela to buy five Project 636 Kilos, four Project 677 Armurs later possibly.
Sun Sentinenl ^ | June 15, 2007 | AP
Posted on 06/16/2007 9:10:17 AM PDT by rjp2005
” Caracas, Venezuela · Venezuela is studying buying Russian submarines that would transform the South American country into the top naval force in the region, a military adviser to President Hugo Chavez said Thursday.
Gen. Alberto Muller, responding to a Russian newspaper report that Chavez plans to sign a deal for five diesel submarines, said the government is “analyzing the possibilities” but that the money has not yet been set aside.
Oil-rich Venezuela has already purchased $3 billion worth of arms from Russia, including 53 military helicopters, 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles and 24 SU-30 Sukhoi fighter jets.”
(Excerpt) Read more at sun-sentinel.com ...
TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Russia; Click to Add Topic
KEYWORDS: kilos; russia; submarines; venezuela; Click to Add Keyword
[ Report Abuse | Bookmark ]
Yeah, yeah...target practice and all that. Still, I don’t like it.
1 posted on 06/16/2007 9:10:20 AM PDT by rjp2005
#
Previously...
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1845479/posts
Ahmadinejad and JFK
New York Sun ^ | June 5, 2007 | Staff Editorial
Posted on 06/05/2007 4:42:39 PM PDT by neverdem
The thing that caught our eye in the plot to blow up John F. Kennedy International Airport and its oil lines concerns a detail in respect of the arrest of one of the key Guyanese suspects. It was the fact that the former member of the Guyanese legislature who was fingered in the plot, Abdul Kadir, was arrested in Trinidad on his way to Caracas, Venezuela. According to Mr. Kadir’s wife, who was quoted in the Guyanese press, he was there to pick up an Iranian visa that would enable him to attend an Islamic conference in Tehran.
No doubt we will learn more about this plot as the weeks go on. Our sense of the intelligence community is that it is reserving its judgment, though clearly congratulations are in order for Commissioner Kelly, the United States attorney in Brooklyn, Roslynn Mauskopf, and the other officials involved in breaking this case. But our attention has been riveted for some time on growing evidence that the Iranian regime has been moving aggressively to gain influence in our hemisphere, and the big surprise in the latest case is only that it took so long for something to develop.
It was back on January 16 that we issued an editorial in these columns called “Enemy in Our Back Yard,” reporting on how left-wing, anti-American leaders in Latin America have been rolling out the red carpet for President Ahmadinejad. At the time, Mr. Ahmadinejad was visiting Latin America for the second time in four months. In Venezuela, he was received at the airport by President Chavez. “Welcome to Venezuela, where Iran is beloved,” the Caracas daily El Universal quoted Mr Chavez as saying. “We give welcome to a distinguished leader, the leader of a heroic people and of a revolution kindred to the Venezuelan...”
(Excerpt) Read more at nysun.com ...
FBI.gov - Seeking Information: "ADNAN G. EL SHUKRIJUMAH" (ALIASES: "Adnan G. El Shukri Jumah; Abu Arif; Ja'far Al-Tayar; Jaffar Al-Tayyar; Jafar Tayar; Jaafar Al-Tayyar") (VIEW POSTER. Click Here.)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=venezuela
#
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1849725/posts
“Venezuelans giving birth in S. Fla. to obtain citizenship for their children”
South Florida Sun-Sentinel ^ | June 12 2007 | Tal Abbady
Posted on 06/13/2007 2:54:06 PM PDT by Altura Ct.
#
Note: The following post is a quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1848894/posts
Chavez orders supporters to give up extra possessions
CNN ^ | June 11, 2007 | Reuters
Posted on 06/12/2007 7:16:33 AM PDT by tlb
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez told his supporters to give away possessions they do not need such as an extra refrigerator because he only wants true socialists to be members of a new single party he is forming.
“Whoever has a fridge they do not need, put it out in the village square. Whoever has a truck, a fan or a cooker they do not need, give something away. Let’s not be selfish. I demand you do it,” Chavez said at a milk producing cooperative, in remarks released on Monday.
The anti-U.S. president who calls Cuban leader Fidel Castro his mentor denies he is turning the OPEC nation of avid consumers into another communist state as his critics say.
“I only want to be accompanied by true socialists,” he said.
Chavez’s critics complain his constant railing against U.S.-promoted consumerism contrasts with the behavior of senior government officials who can can be seen dining out at fancy restaurants or riding around in expensive cars.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; Click to Add Topic
KEYWORDS: chavez; hugochavez; socialist; venezuela; Click to Add Keyword
[ Report Abuse | Bookmark ]
When they came for the oil companies I said nothing for I was not an oil company, then they came for the refrigerators...
1 posted on 06/12/2007 7:16:35 AM PDT by tlb
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=iran
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=venezuela
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=cuba
#
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1850320/posts?page=15#15
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1850320/posts
“The Castro/Chavez Axis [THE FRED THOMPSON REPORT]”
ABC Radio Networks ^ | June 14, 2007 | Sen. Fred Dalton Thompson
Posted on 06/14/2007 2:07:20 PM PDT by Squidpup
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=gohuntergo
#
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/speech/ca52_hunter/border_fence_op_ed.shtml
Press Release/Statement
CONTACT: Joe Kasper
(202) 225-5672
For Immediate Release
May 22, 2007
Human Events
If We Build It They Won’t Come
By U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter
It’s much tougher than it should be to secure America’s borders. While the technology and manpower are all within reach, what seems beyond our grasp is the ability to act. Take last year’s legislation calling for construction of 854 miles of fence on our Southern border.
It’s all too obvious that America is under threat because its land borders are largely porous and unprotected. In response last year Congress passed, and the President signed into law, legislation calling for the construction of those 854 miles of border fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border. Despite this legislative mandate by the U.S. Congress, the Department of Homeland Security recently announced its intention to build only 370 miles of fencing along the border, not the 854 miles required by the legislation.
This directive, despite its clarity, appears to have been interpreted as a suggestion. It is not: it’s the law — and the border fence must be built.
The Secure Fence Act requires that reinforced fencing and related infrastructure be installed along the most dangerous and problematic smuggling corridors along our Southern land border, which continue providing illegal immigrants, drug smugglers and potential terrorist access into the United States. As the original author of the measure’s fencing provision, I expected there to be some opposition to implementing strategic fencing along our land border with Mexico. I did not, however, expect one of the biggest obstacles to be the federal agency primarily responsible for protecting the American homeland, especially when border fencing has proven to be an effective enforcement tool with verifiable results.
In San Diego County, for example, border fencing remains a critical part of our continuing effort to address the problems commonly associated with illegal immigration. Since construction of the San Diego Border Fence began in 1996, the smuggling of people and narcotics has dropped drastically, crime rates have been reduced by half according to FBI statistics, vehicle drug drive-throughs have been eliminated and apprehensions have decreased as the result of fewer crossing attempts.
The Clinton Administration opposed the construction of the San Diego Border Fence as a method of closing the prolific smuggling corridor that once existed between San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico. The Clinton Administration, however, also recognized its responsibility under the law. Construction of the San Diego Border Fence began and conditions on both sides of the border immediately improved.
The Bush Administration says it remains committed to securing the border. I intend to hold them to their word. Just as I did with the Clinton Administration, I will continue reminding the Bush Administration of their obligation under the law to build the border fence. I believe they can, and will, do better.
Bureaucracy is rarely ever capable of producing immediate results. But when it threatens the safety and security of our communities, it becomes intolerable. The decision not to build fencing as dictated by law can only serve to demonstrate that we are not serious about securing our borders and enforcing our nation’s immigration laws.
Why is reinforced border infrastructure necessary? In 2005, 155,000 foreign nationals from countries other than Mexico were apprehended attempting to cross our land border with Mexico. Alarmingly, many of these individuals originated from countries of national security concern, including Syria, Iran, Lebanon and Yemen, and likely represent only a fraction of those who successfully entered our country without the knowledge of border security officials or the consent of our government.
It has also been reported that several of the individuals who were discovered to be plotting the next major terrorist attack against the United States, targeting soldiers at Fort Dix, crossed the U.S.-Mexico border through Brownsville, Texas. Whether they entered as children or adults, the fact that they originated from countries far from our shores demonstrates that across the world, it is understood that the best way to illegally enter the United States is through our land border with Mexico.
To date, only 12 miles of the 854 miles of border fencing called for in the Secure Fence Act have been constructed. While it’s a start, the 370 miles of fencing promised by DHS represents a significant departure from what’s required by federal law. Let’s be perfectly clear: it’s not enough. Even the 854 miles of fence legislated last year is only a beginning. Legislation presently under consideration by the U.S. Senate to reform our immigration system also reaffirms DHS’ decision to only build 370 miles of fencing. This legislation is weak on enforcement, comprehensively fails to make border security a priority and wrongly retreats from the mandates of the Secure Fence Act.
We know from our experiences in San Diego that border fencing works and when extended across Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, it will have the same salutary affect. DHS has more than $1 billion cash on hand for border fence construction and more will surely be delivered. It’s time we get serious about border control, do what’s right, and build the border fence.
Secure borders make America safer. What’s so hard to understand about that?
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=iran
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=iraq
#
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12350&Itemid=21
June 16, 2007
Release A070616b
One Secret Cell terrorist killed, 10 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi and Coalition Forces killed one terrorist, wounded one suspected terrorist and detained 10 suspected terrorists, including one key facilitator and one cell leader, during operations targeting secret cell network operations in Baghdad.
The individuals detained during the raid are believed to be members of the secret cell terrorist network known for facilitating the transport of weapons and explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, from Iran to Iraq, as well as bringing militants from Iraq to Iran for terrorist training.
During coordinated operations in Sadr City and eastern Baghdad, Iraqi and Coalition Forces detained eight suspected terrorists in eastern Baghdad and two suspected terrorists in Sadr City. During the pre-dawn raids in Sadr City, ground forces came under small arms fire. Using appropriate self defense measures, Coalition Forces returned fire, killing at least one terrorist and wounding one armed suspected terrorist.
Intelligence reports indicate that the cell leader detained during the morning’s operation in Sadr City is associated with a kidnapping cell and is believed to be directly involved in the November Ministry of Health kidnappings. Additionally, intelligence reports indicate that the targeted individual’s cell specializes in the emplacement of improvised explosive devises and EFPs.
Intelligence reports also indicate that the key facilitator detained in eastern Baghdad has direct contact with high level key leaders in the secret cell terrorist networks. He is also believed to be responsible for the facilitation of Iran lethal aid as well as directing attacks on Coalition Forces.
“This morning’s operations bring the terrorist and extremist networks another step closer to defeat, and bring the people of Iraq another step closer to establishing a safer and more secure environment,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.
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