Arafat Teams Up With Saddam To Plot Attacks
Arafat "The Terrorist"
ARAFAT SENDS 30 SUICIDE BOMBERS TO JERUSALEM
Millions in Counterfeit Currency Found In Arafat's Complex
Why Palestinians support terror
New evidence Arafat killed U.S. diplomats
The charade of Yasser Arafat as peacemaker
Why Arafat?
By Joseph Farah
April 3, 2002
FR Thread
Please look at the photo accompanying this column.
Stare at it. View it carefully. Study the image.
This is the face of Yasser Arafat's terror. This is what it looks like. This is how he remains in power. This is why we continue to deal with this murdering fiend after more than 30 years.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words.
This one may be worth many more.
The story behind this photo is simple. It's not unique. The victim is called a "collaborator" by Arafat's "police force." He was one of Arafat's terrorists who was suspected of working with Israel in some way.
The important thing to understand about this photo is that this is how Arafat rules his own people – by sheer terror, by brute force, by barbaric tactics that would be unimaginable to most in the West.
Yet, we continue to deal with him. We continue to support him financially with U.S. taxpayer dollars. We continue to give him credence as an international peacemaker.
If you care to know more details, the victim was eviscerated after this picture was taken. I have photos of that, too. I will spare you the more gruesome images.
You should also know that Arafat has ordered the murders of dozens of other Arabs – perhaps hundreds – who are suspected of collaborating with Israel. Collaboration, by the way, means disagreeing with Arafat on anything from tactics to goals.
He maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward even the mildest forms of dissent.
And this is how he will continue to rule if he is ever granted his precious Palestinian state.
For more than 30 years, Arafat has resorted to assassination of Arabs who even suggested that peace with Israel was achievable – even while he himself was supposedly negotiating peace in good faith.
Duly elected Arab mayors in the West Bank have been systematically murdered if they cooperated with Israeli officials in any way – even for the betterment of their own people.
But here we have a record of the way it works. Most of the killings take place with much less fanfare, in secret, quietly, without the show.
Nevertheless, the message is always the same: Question Arafat and die. Work with Jews and die. Live in peace with your neighbors and die.
Again, U.S. taxpayer dollars subsidize this wanton slaughter. U.S. diplomats encourage it every time they insist Israel go back to the negotiating table. In other words, we as Americans all have some culpability here. If we're not speaking out, if we're not demanding Congress end the subsidies, we share in the guilt. We're part of the problem, not the solution.
We don't need another police state in the Mideast. That's what it means when we advocate the creation of a Palestinian state under the leadership of Arafat. It means a continuation of this kind of lynching, a continuation of terror against Israelis and Americans. It means a death sentence to any Arab who dares to contradict Arafat or is perceived to disagree with his methods of goals.
Do you want to be a part of that?
Right now, buried news reports suggest a major upturn in persecution against Christians by Arafat's police forces. It's happening in Ramallah. It's happening in Bethlehem. It's happening in Nazareth.
Even though Arafat claims to represent the interests of Arab Christians in his territories, the truth is that religious cleansing is under way. Christian civilians and shopkeepers are being targeted with vandalism and worse.
Why on earth would we in the United States want to be a part of that kind of criminal behavior? Why do we insist that Arafat is the only hope for peace in the Mideast? Where is the evidence for such a conclusion?
If myopic and suicidal officials in Israel want to continue to talk to Arafat, that is their choice. But let's make sure they are not doing so at our insistence. Let's make certain we are not buying the rope that will someday be used to hang us.
Majority in U.S. See Arafat as Terrorist
1997 Terror Act Forgotten - Palestinian Gunman shoots 7, kills self at Empire State Building
The Palestinian Authorities like you never heard them (PA: the Jews are to be exterminated)
Bin Laden joins Arafat: Saudi master of terror ready to strike Israel? - April 20, 2001
Israel evacuates embassies, Palestinians celebrate
Palestinians celebrate attacks with gunfire
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The Koran Briefing:
A Day In The Life Of George W. Bush
"America is made better by millions of Muslim citizens." - George W. Bush
"I believe in freedom of speech"
"Help is on the Way." So, Trust me.
Bush "War on Terrorism" Now A Big Joke: "Arafat is Not a Terrorist"
U.S. Does Not Regard Arafat As Terrorist
Bush Won't Label Arafat A Terrorist
Powell Says U.S. Won't Brand Arafat A Terrorist Because He's Useful To Peace Process
Powell Shocker: Calls Palestinian Suicide Bombers "Innocents"
"Terror Must Be stopped. No Nation can negotiate with terrorists. For there is no way to make peace with those whose only goal is death."
George W. Bush - Source
Powell Calls For Accelerated "Negotiations" To Establish A Palestinian State
Netanyahu: Palestinian State Would Be A "Terrorist State"
Netanyahu Says Powell Mission Doomed
Netanyahu Opposes Bush on Troops
BIBI: OUST ARAFAT AND MAKE WAY FOR DEMOCRACY
Netanyahu on defeating terrorism
Terrorist Arafat in the White House?
Lawmakers Press Bush To Stand Up For Israel
The Hypocrisy of George W. Bush
Israeli Operations Will Go On Despite Bush Demand
Israel Ignores Bush Withdrawal Call
Bush Nuancing Away US Support For Israel
Why is Doublespeak Needed By Bush? Rush Limbaugh Wants To Know
Rush Limbaugh: "What if it were Clinton"
A Day In The Life of George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush and Saudi Arabia
Saudi official admits 15 of 19 World Trade Center Terrorist hijackers Were Saudi
Saudi Arabia Was The Center Of Hijack Planning
Saudi Arabia listed with Iraq, North Korea as least free
Feds investigate entrepreneur allegedly tied to Saudis
WALL STREET JOURNAL: BUSH SR. IN BUSINESS WITH BIN LADEN FAMILY CONGLOMERATE THROUGH CARLYLE GROUP
HARKEN ENERGY: U.S. Securities and Exchange Records - George W. Bush Disregarded Federal Statutes
Harken Energy Had a Web Of Mideast Connections;In the Background: BCCI
Saudi Govt. Paper: Billions Spent by Saudi Royal Family to Spread Islam to Every Corner of the Earth
SAUDI ARABIA AND THE ARAB COUNTRIES INSIST ON HOLDING THE ARAB SUMMIT (ARAB FUNDING INTIFADA)
Saudis Admit Bankrolling Palestinian Intifada
Saudi Arabia Sets Aside $50M For Palestinian "Martyrs"
Saudis Funded Palestinian Arms Ship
US Sends Arab Leaders Evidence That Palestinian Authority Involved In Arms Ship
US Helped Track Weapons Ship FR Thread FR Thread
Saudi Arabia's Secret Missile City In Desert
Bush must not ignore the Saudi connection
Don't Weaken Arafat, Saudi Warns Bush
Saudi slur against Bush: Ambassador to UK says president 'has complexes'
Bush Advisers Cashed in on Saudi Gravy Train
The White House connection: Saudi `agents' close Bush friends
U.S. ties to Saudi elite may be hurting war on terrorism
Saudi official admits 15 of 19 hijackers Saudi
Bush Apologises For Press Reports Criticising Saudi Arabia
Evidence of Terror Plot At a Saudi Aid Agency
Saudi Bank Tied To Terror Has U.S. Links
SHEIK WHO CAME TO DINNER PROVES SAUDI TERROR TIES
Saudi Embassy Supports Palestinian Suicide Bombers
Saudi Intelligence Chief Explains Why Saudis Support Bin Laden Cause, Says Arafat “Man Of Peace”
Bin Laden joins Arafat: Saudi master of terror ready to strike Israel? - April 20, 2001
Saudi Arabia funds `behind Taleban' - September 3, 1998
Saudi Arabia, Iran to sign security pact
Note: Iran's Rafsanjani suggests nuclear attack on Israel
Bush advisers cashed in on Saudi gravy train
Princely payments: Saudi royalty, it is claimed, make out like bandits on U.S. deals
U.S. ties to Saudi elite may be hurting war on terrorism
Former CIA director: Saudis partially to blame for 9/11
SAUDIS TELL U.S. FORCES TO GET OUT
U.S. Withdrawal From Saudi Arabia Is Not on the Cards: U.S. Official.
Saudi denounces US agenda behind bombing campaign
Saudi Money Aiding Terrorist bin Laden
USA Today
By Jack Kelley
October 28, 1999
WASHINGTON - More than a year after the U.S. Embassy bombings in East Africa, prominent businessmen in Saudi Arabia continue to transfer tens of millions of dollars to bank accounts linked to indicted terrorist Osama bin Laden, senior U.S. intelligence officials told USA TODAY.
The money transfers, which began more than five years ago, have been used to finance several terrorist acts by bin Laden, including the attempted assassination in 1995 of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Ethiopia, the officials said.
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is expected to raise the issue with Prince Sultan, the Saudi defense minister, during his visit to Washington next week. Saudi Arabia, the main U.S. ally in the Persian Gulf, has pledged to fight terrorism.
According to a Saudi government audit acquired by U.S. intelligence, five of Saudi Arabia's top businessmen ordered the National Commercial Bank (NCB), the kingdom's largest, to transfer personal funds, along with $3 million diverted from a Saudi pension fund, to New York and London banks.
The money was deposited into the accounts of Islamic charities, including Islamic Relief and Blessed Relief, that serve as fronts for bin Laden.
The businessmen, who are worth more than $5 billion, are paying bin Laden "protection money" to stave off attacks on their businesses in Saudi Arabia, intelligence officials said. Bin Laden, whose family runs the largest Saudi construction firm, has called for the overthrow of the Saudi government.
The money transfers were discovered in April after the royal family ordered an audit of NCB and its founder and former chairman, Khalid bin Mahfouz, U.S. officials say. Mahfouz is now under "house arrest" at a military hospital in the Saudi city of Taif, intelligence officials said.
His successor, Mohammad Hussein Al-Amoudi, also heads the Capitol Trust Bank in New York and London, which U.S. and British officials are investigating for allegedly transferring money to bin Laden. Amoudi's Washington lawyer, Vernon Jordan, could not be reached for comment.
Mahfouz's son, Abdul Rahman Mahfouz, is on the board of Blessed Relief in Sudan. Suspects in the Mubarak attack are linked to the charity.
Bin Laden faces U.S. criminal charges for allegedly masterminding the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 224 people. Bin Laden, who is in Afghanistan, denies the charges.
Saudi Ambassador Prince Bandar bin Sultan declined to comment on the reports.
The White House Connection: Saudi `Agents' Close Bush Friends
Boston Herald.com
By Maggie Mulvihill, Jonathan Wells and Jack Meyers
Source Article
Tuesday, December 11, 2001
A powerful Washington, D.C., law firm with unusually close ties to the White House has earned hefty fees representing controversial Saudi billionaires as well as a Texas-based Islamic charity fingered last week as a terrorist front.
The influential law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld has represented three wealthy Saudi businessmen - Khalid bin Mahfouz, Mohammed Hussein Al-Amoudi and Salah Idris - who have been scrutinized by U.S. authorities for possible involvement in financing Osama bin Laden and his terrorist network.
In addition, Akin, Gump currently represents the largest Islamic charity in the United States, Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development in Richmond, Texas.
Holy Land's assets were frozen by the Treasury Department last week as government investigators probe its ties to Hamas, the militant Palestinian group blamed for suicide attacks against Israelis.
Partners at Akin, Gump include one of President Bush's closest Texas friends, James C. Langdon, and George R. Salem, a Bush fund-raiser who chaired his 2000 campaign's outreach to Arab-Americans.
Another longtime partner is Barnett A. ``Sandy'' Kress, the former Dallas School Board president who Bush appointed in January to work for the White House as an ``unpaid consultant'' on education reform.
In September, a federal grand jury issued subpoenas for Holy Land records around the same time terrorist investigators froze the assets of a North Texas Internet firm hired by Holy Land.
Holy Land shared office space with that firm, InfoCom Corp., which was raided by police on Sept. 5, just days before the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks.
Holy Land has denied any link to Hamas.
According to Akin, Gump, the firm represents Holy Land in a federal lawsuit filed against the charity and another suspected Hamas entity by the parents of a man allegedly murdered by Hamas operatives in the Middle East.
In a statement issued Friday, Akin, Gump said it decided last week to decline a request to represent Holy Land in its defense of terrorism-related charges made by the U.S. Treasury Department.
Akin, Gump, which maintains an affiliate office in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, is also a registered foreign agent for the kingdom. It was paid $77,328 in lobbying fees by the Saudis during the first six months of 2000, public records show.
In addition to the royal family, the firm's Saudi clients have included bin Mahfouz, who hired Akin, Gump when he was indicted in the BCCI banking scandal in the early 1990s. In 1999, the Saudi's placed bin Mahfouz under house arrest after reportedly discovering that the bank he controlled, National Commercial Bank in Saudi Aabia, funneled millions to charities believed to be serving as bin Laden fronts.
A bin Mahfouz business partner, Al-Amoudi, was also represented by Akin, Gump. When it was reported in 1999 that U.S. authorities were also investigating Al-Amoudi's Capitol Trust Bank, Akin, Gump released a statement on behalf of their client denying any connections to terrorism. One year earlier, the firm had co-sponsored an investment conference in Ethiopia with Al-Amoudi.
Akin, Gump partner and Bush fund-raiser Salem led the legal team that defended Idris, a banking protege of bin Mahfouz and the owner of El-Shifa, the Sudanese pharmaceutical plant destroyed by U.S. cruise missiles in August 1998.
The plant was targeted days after terrorists - allegedly on the orders of bin Laden - bombed two U.S. embassies in Africa. The U.S. Treasury Department also froze $24 million of Idris' assets, but Akin, Gump filed a lawsuit and the government later chose to release the money rather than go to court. Idris, who insists he has no connection whatsoever to bin Laden or terrorism, is now pursuing a second lawsuit with different attorneys seeking $50 million in damages from the United States.
Charles Lewis, executive director of the Center for Public Integrity, a Washington, D.C.-based non-partisan political watchdog group, said Akin, Gump's willingness to represent Saudi power-brokers probed for links to terrorism presents a unique ethical concern since partners at the firm are so close to the president.
The concern is more acute now, Lewis said, because Bush has faced stiff resistance from the kingdom in his repeated requests to freeze suspected terrorist bank accounts.
``The conduct of the Saudis is just unacceptable by international standards, especially if they are supposed to be one of our closest allies,'' Lewis said.
Speaking of Akin, Gump partner Kress' office in the White House, Lewis added: ``That's not appropriate and frankly it's potentially troublesome because there is a real possibility of a conflict of interest. Basically you have a partner for Akin, Gump . . . inside the hen house.''
But another longtime Washington political observer, Vincent Cannistraro, the former chief of counter-intelligence at the Central Intelligence Agency, said the political influence a firm like Akin, Gump has is precisely why clients like the Saudis hire them.
``These are cozy political relationships . . . If you have a problem in Washington, there are only a few firms to go to and Akin, Gump is one of them,'' Cannistraro said.
Cannistraro pointed out that Idris hired Akin, Gump during the Clinton presidency, when Clinton confidante Vernon Jordan was a partner at the firm. ``He hired them because Vernon Jordan had influence . . . that's a normal political exercise where you are buying influence,'' he said.
Akin, Gump is not the only politically wired Washington business cashing in on the Saudi connection.
Burson-Marsteller, a major D.C. public relations firm, registered with the U.S. government as a foreign agent for the Saudi embassy within weeks of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
One of Burson-Marsteller's first public relations efforts for the Saudis was to run a large advertisement in the New York Times reading: ``We Stand with You, America.''
The Washington chairman for Burson-Marsteller, which also maintains an office in Saudi Arabia, is Craig Veith, who ran communications for the Republican Party in the 1996 elections.
Other GOP heavyweights who have held top positions at the PR giant include Sheila Tate, the campaign press secretary for the elder George Bush; Leslie Goodman, deputy director of communications for the 1992 Bush-Quayle campaign; Craig L. Fuller, chairman of the 1992 Republican National Convention and elder Bush's vice presidential chief-of-staff.
Hug Your Kids, They're Coming To Kill, Steal and Destroy
Robert the Bruce Father(Leper): I'm the one who's rotting but I think your face looks graver than mine. Son, we must have alliance with England to prevail here. You achieved that. You saved your family, increased your land. In time, you will have all the power in Scotland.
Robert the Bruce: Lands, titles, men, power, nothing.
Robert the Bruce Father(Leper): Nothing?
Robert the Bruce: I have nothing. Men fight for me, because if they do not, I throw them off my land and I starve their wives and their children. Those men who bled the ground red at Falkirk, they fought for William Wallace, and he fights for something that I've never had. And I took it from him when I betrayed him and I saw it in his face on the battlefield, and it's tearing me apart.
Robert the Bruce Father(Leper): Well, all men betray. All lose heart.
Robert the Bruce: I don't want to lose heart. I want to believe as he does. I will never be on the wrong side again.
BRAVEHEART - 1995