Note: The following post is an exact quote:
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http://www.internet-haganah.us/harchives/004471.html
July 11, 2005
Left, right: Iran and Venezuela in lockstep
atimes.com:
Among the world leaders felicitating Iran's president-elect, Mahmud Ahmadinejad, one head of state conspicuously set aside protocol norms - President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. Though Ahmadinejad will only be formally sworn in on August 4 - and a congratulatory message through diplomatic channels at this stage was all that was required - Chavez telephoned Ahmadinejad.
Chavez was being deliberate in making an extraordinary gesture of warmth and camaraderie. He wished to personally convey to Ahmadinejad that the latter's election had enhanced the "legitimacy" of Iran internationally, a country that Venezuela would regard as a "friend and brotherly nation" on the world stage. He said he would depute a high-level delegation from Caracas to visit Tehran specially to be present at Ahmadinejad's swearing-in ceremony, and that he would visit Tehran in the near future, aiming at a "comprehensive expansion" of cooperation between the two countries.
Posted by aaron at July 11, 2005 10:19 AM
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1441036/posts
"Al-Zarqawi clashes with mentor over suicide attacks"
Sydney Morning Hearld ^ | July 12, 2005 | Reuters
Posted on 07/12/2005 1:24:44 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Iraq's al-Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi reproached his spiritual mentor for criticising suicide attacks in Iraq, saying this only weakened the jihad, according to an internet statement attributed to him on Monday.
Issam Baraqi, better known as Sheik Abu Mohammad al-Maqdisi, last week told Al-Jazeera television that random suicide bombings in Iraq were not valid and that it was wrong to "declare Shiites infidels or make them equal to Jews or Christians".
Al Qaeda Organisation for Holy War in Iraq, led by Zarqawi, has carried out some of the deadliest attacks against US forces, the Iraqi Government and forces and Shiite Muslims.
"This [criticism] does not harm me as much as it harms this jihad ... the blessings of which are apparent to anyone who has eyes," said the statement apparently signed by Zarqawi.
"Do not follow in the devil's footsteps or you shall perish, and beware, our virtuous sheik, from the cunning of God's enemies and from being lured into dividing the mujahideen [holy fighters]," said the statement posted on an Islamist website.
Zarqawi said he shared some of Maqdisi's beliefs but did not "follow him blindly". The Sunni Muslim militant has in the past defended the killing of innocent Muslims in suicide bombings, saying it was permitted by Islam for the sake of jihad."
Venezuela is a terrorist sponsoring nation, and Chavez has just recently announced that an attack on Cuba is an attack on Venezeula, and an attack on Venezuela is an attack on Cuba. Their hopes and visions "are one." Citizenship is being handed out like candy to welcomed terrorists. It is a very different country for any of you who might have known this place 10+ years or more ago. Last summer/fall during an extended stay at a slick Caracas hotel (elections, security issues), I stumbled upon middle eastern men several different nights using the hotel's internet system as a "hot spot" in the stairwell. I engaged in conversation with one of the "vacationers." Aside from allowing him to air his extreme political views, he shared that he was on his way to Uruguay and Argentina for touring. (Muslim trinagle?)
I periodically check FR to see if there is news about Chavez/Caracas, but sadly, attention to this growing crisis seems to slip through the radar all too often.