http://www.cominganarchy.com/
I am not at all sure what the goal of this blog is, but he tells of his travels in Turkey and Iraq, I have only spot read it and admired his photos...........until I came to the one, with all the balloons on the lake and a note that they were ready to be shot.....
That reminded me of the balloons in Lebanon a short time ago.
Fars, do you know of any reason balloons would be released?
Or more information about shooting them on the lake?
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/node/4014
What are we smuggling?
Home » blogs » Blake Hounshell
Wed, 03/14/2007 - 2:35pm.
Each year, German officials give a press conference displaying some of the contraband seized by customs police. This year, they reported that German customs seized over five times as many pirated goods in 2006 as they did in 2005.
What else did they find? More drugs. They seized twice as much hashish and nearly twice as much cocaine in 2006 as compared to the year before. And endangered species, both flora and fauna, alive and dead, were confiscated in growing numbers. Below are some of the more bizarre findings from among the 53,000 tons of smuggled plants and animals seized in 2006:
Clockwise, from left: A stuffed baby caiman lizard, an ashtray made from an endangered species of turtle, illegal wine made from cobras, an equine skull and a stuffed lion cub.
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/
Why was the Mountain Painted Green?
[The concept of this article is interesting.]
Numbed by Numbers
By Paul Slovic
Posted March 2007
People don’t ignore mass killings because they lack compassion. Rather, it’s the horrific statistics of genocide and mass murder that may paralyze us into inaction. Those hoping that grim numbers alone will spur us to action in places like Darfur have no hope at all.
MUSTAFA OZER/AFP/Getty Images
Never again? It’s not lack of compassion that holds us back from stopping genocide.
If I look at the mass I will never act. If I look at the one, I will.” This statement uttered by Mother Teresa captures a powerful and deeply unsettling insight into human nature: Most people are caring and will exert great effort to rescue “the one” whose plight comes to their attention. But these same people often become numbly indifferent to the plight of “the one” who is “one of many” in a much greater problem. It’s happening right now in regards to Darfur, where over 200,000 innocent civilians have been killed in the past four years and at least another 2.5 million have been driven from their homes. Why aren’t these horrific statistics sparking us to action? Why do good people ignore mass murder and genocide?
The answer may lie in human psychology. Specifically, it is our inability to comprehend numbers and relate them to mass human tragedy that stifles our ability to act. It’s not that we are insensitive to the suffering of our fellow human beings. In fact, the opposite is true. Just look at the extraordinary efforts people expend to rescue someone in distress, such as an injured mountain climber. It’s not that we only care about victims we identify with—those of similar skin color, or those who live near us: Witness the outpouring of aid to victims of the December 2004 tsunami. Yet, despite many brief episodes of generosity and compassion, the catalogue of genocide—the Holocaust, Bosnia, Rwanda, Darfur—continues to grow. The repeated failure to respond to such atrocities raises the question of whether there is a fundamental deficiency in our humanity: a deficiency that—once identified—could be overcome.
The psychological mechanism that may play a role in many, if not all, episodes in which mass murder is neglected involves what’s known as the “dance of affect and reason” in decision-making. Affect is our ability to sense immediately whether something is good or bad. But the problem of numbing arises when these positive and negative feelings combine with reasoned analysis to guide our judgments, decisions, and actions. Psychologists have found that the statistics of mass murder or genocide—no matter how large the numbers—do not convey the true meaning of such atrocities. The numbers fail to trigger the affective emotion or feeling required to motivate action. In other words, we know that genocide in Darfur is real, but we do not “feel” that reality. In fact, not only do we fail to grasp the gravity of the statistics, but the numbers themselves may actually hinder the psychological processes required to prompt action.
A recent study I conducted with Deborah Small of the University of Pennsylvania and George Loewenstein of Carnegie Mellon University found that donations to aid a starving 7-year-old child in Africa declined sharply when her image was accompanied by a statistical summary of the millions of needy children like her in other African countries. The numbers appeared to interfere with people’s feelings of compassion toward the young victim.
Other recent research shows similar results. Two Israeli psychologists asked people to contribute to a costly life-saving treatment. They could offer that contribution to a group of eight sick children, or to an individual child selected from the group. The target amount needed to save the child (or children) was the same in both cases. Contributions to individual group members far outweighed the contributions to the entire group. A follow-up study by Daniel Västfjäll, Ellen Peters, and me found that feelings of compassion and donations of aid were smaller for a pair of victims than for either individual alone. The higher the number of people involved in a crisis, other research indicates, the less likely we are to “feel” for each additional death.
When writer Annie Dillard was struggling to comprehend the mass human tragedies that the world ignores, she asked, “At what number do other individuals blur for me?” In other words, when does “compassion fatigue” set in? Our research suggests that the “blurring” of individuals may begin as early as the number two.
If this is true, it’s no wonder compassion is absent when deaths number in the hundreds of thousands. But there is a difference between merely being aware of this diminishing sensitivity and appreciating its broader implications. This is especially true when you consider how difficult it is to create, let alone sustain, the emotional responses needed to spark action.
In light of our historical and psychological deficiencies, it is time to re-examine this human failure. Because if we are waiting for a tipping point to spur action against genocide, we could be waiting forever.
Paul Slovic is president of Decision Research and professor of psychology at the University of Oregon. He studies risk and decision-making.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=3751
http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/865
Former Soviet Dissident Warns For EU Dictatorship
From the desk of Paul Belien on Mon, 2006-02-27 21:13
bukovsky-1.jpg
Bukovsky and Belien
Vladimir Bukovksy, the 63-year old former Soviet dissident, fears that the European Union is on its way to becoming another Soviet Union. In a speech he delivered in Brussels last week Mr Bukovsky called the EU a “monster” that must be destroyed, the sooner the better, before it develops into a fullfledged totalitarian state.
Mr Bukovsky paid a visit to the European Parliament on Thursday at the invitation of Fidesz, the Hungarian Civic Forum. Fidesz, a member of the European Christian Democrat group, had invited the former Soviet dissident over from England, where he lives, on the occasion of this year’s 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Uprising. After his morning meeting with the Hungarians, Mr Bukovsky gave an afternoon speech in a Polish restaurant in the Trier straat, opposite the European Parliament, where he spoke at the invitation of the United Kingdom Independence Party, of which he is a patron.
An interview with Vladimir Bukovsky about the impending EUSSR
In his speech Mr Bukovsky referred to confidential documents from secret Soviet files which he was allowed to read in 1992. These documents confirm the existence of a “conspiracy” to turn the European Union into a socialist organization. I attended the meeting and taped the speech. A transcript, as well as the audio fragment (approx. 15 minutes) can be found below. I also had a brief interview with Mr Bukovsky (4 minutes), a transcript and audio fragment of which can also be found below. The interview about the European Union had to be cut short because Mr Bukovsky had other engagements, but it brought back some memories to me, as I had interviewed Vladimir Bukovsky twenty years ago, in 1986, when the Soviet Union, the first monster that he so valiantly fought, was still alive and thriving.
Mr Bukovsky was one of the heroes of the 20th century. As a young man he exposed the use of psychiatric imprisonment against political prisoners in the former USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, 1917-1991) and spent a total of twelve years (1964-1976), from his 22nd to his 34th year, in Soviet jails, labour camps and psychiatric institutions. In 1976 the Soviets expelled him to the West. In 1992 he was invited by the Russian government to serve as an expert testifying at the trial conducted to determine whether the Soviet Communist Party had been a criminal institution. To prepare for his testimony Mr Bukovsky was granted access to a large number of documents from Soviet secret archives. He is one of the few people ever to have seen these documents because they are still classified. Using a small handheld scanner and a laptop computer, however, he managed to copy many documents (some with high security clearance), including KGB reports to the Soviet government.
An interview with Vladimir Bukovsky
Continued, with hidden links and links to other parts of the report, comments are interesting..............granny
http://www.brusselsjournal.com/english
Oslo Muslims Six Times More Likely to Rape
From the desk of Filip van Laenen on Fri, 2007-03-02 22:28
Norway's most important paper Aftenposten ran a story earlier this week saying that 65% of the rape crimes in Oslo were committed by foreigners, even though they only represent a mere 23% of the population in the Norwegian capital. The article was prompted by a call by the Rape Commission (Voldtektsutvalget) to the imams to put rapes and the attitude against women on the agenda.
continue reading
There were also serious riots this weekend...
Utrecht Riots: Neighbourhood Closed Off
From the desk of Paul Belien on Thu, 2007-03-15 08:10
The Dutch police deny that the police officer who killed Rinie Mulder is of Moroccan or Turkish descent. Esther, a Dutch blogger, refers to a post on a Moroccan website saying the police officer is Turkish, not Moroccan. The post has, however, been removed. Yesterday, we reported, relying on sources in Ondiep, that the officer was a Moroccan woman.
continue reading
Kommersant, 19 March 2007
Chechnya Won't be Sovereign Under New Constitution
The referendum to amend Chechnya's Constitution will be held before
the end of this year, Ismail Baikhanov, head of Chechnya's Election
Commission, said Saturday. The forecast is that, after the referendum,
Chechnya will hold no direct presidential elections and its two-house
parliament will turn into a single house authority. Under the new
Constitution, Chechnya won't be deemed the sovereign state any longer.
It was Chechnya's President Ramzan Kadyrov that publicly suggested
amending the Constitution past week. "I think the Constitution of the
republic should be adjusted to federal law with all existing
contradictions eliminated." At the same time, Kadyrov urged
legislators to pass bills "with regard to Chechnya's peculiarities."
He didn't specify, however, what exact national peculiarities he
actually meant.
The new legislation on Chechnya's Constitution will entail crucial
changes for the parliament of the republic, turning it from a
two-house body into a parliament of single house elected under the
party lists, said Chechen People's Assembly Speaker Dukvakha
Abdurakhmanov.
Another difference of vital importance will be crossing out the
provision for all-nation election of president. But the actual
sensation could be stripping the Constitution of mentioning the status
of state sovereignty for Chechnya. The wording of sovereignty,
Abdurakhmanov said, is of no practical matter and excluding this term
will be without serious consequences.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Mar. 19, 2007
http://www.kommersant.ru/doc.html?docId=751004
Islamist Website Instructs Use of U.S. Web Forums to Foster Anti-War Sentiment
Islamist Website Instructs Mujahideen in Using Popular U.S. Web Forums to Foster Anti-War Sentiment among Americans
http://www.memri.org/bin/opener_latest.cgi?ID=SD150807
In the past few months, Islamists engaged in "media jihad" have increased their efforts to expose as broad a Western audience as possible to their jihad films, which purport to document the growing success of the mujahideen in Iraq and Afghanistan. As part of this endeavor, they have posted jihad films on popular free video-sharing websites such as YouTube, LiveLeak, and Google Video, hoping that such films will tip public opinion in the West against the war in Iraq and Afghanistan - thus pressuring Western governments to withdraw their troops from these countries.
As part of the campaign to foster anti-war sentiment among Westerners, and more specifically among Americans, a member of the Al-Mohajroon Islamist website with the username Al-Wathiq Billah instructed mujahideen in how to infiltrate popular American forums and to use them to distribute jihad films and spread disinformation about the war.
The following are excerpts: [1]
"Raiding American Forums is Among the Most Important Means of Obtaining Victory in the Fierce Media War… and of Influencing the Views of the Weak-Minded American"
"There is no doubt, my brothers, that raiding American forums is among the most important means of obtaining victory in the fierce media war... and of influencing the views of the weak-minded American who pays his taxes so they will go to the infidel American army. This American is an idiot and does not [even] know where Iraq is... [It is therefore] mandatory for every electronic mujahid [to engage in this raiding]."
"It is better that you raid non-political forums such as music forums and trivia forums... which American people... favor... Define your target[ed forum]... and get to know it well... Post your contribution and do not get into... futile arguments..."
Indicate You Are an American
"Obviously, you have to register yourself using a purely American name... Choose an icon that indicates that you are an American, and place it next to your nickname [in the forum]."
"In my experience, the areas most visited in American forums... [are titled] 'Random Thoughts' and 'What's going on in your mind?'... [The former] takes priority in the American forums, and is highly popular. You should post your contribution there... This should include films of the mujahideen in Iraq, mujahideen publications in English, and images and films of the Americans' crimes, [such as] killing unarmed civilians in Iraq... etc."
"Invent Stories About American Soldiers You Have [Allegedly] Personally Known"
"Obviously, you should post your contribution... as an American... You should correspond with visitors to this forum, [bringing to their attention] the frustrating situation of their troops in Iraq... You should invent stories about American soldiers you have [allegedly] personally known (as classmates... or members in a club who played baseball and tennis with you) who were drafted to Iraq and then committed suicide while in service by hanging or shooting themselves..."
"Also, write using a sad tone, and tell them that you feel sorry for your [female] neighbor or co-worker who became addicted to alcohol or drugs... because her poor fiancé, a former soldier in Iraq, was paralyzed or [because] his legs were amputated... [Use any story] which will break their spirits, oh brave fighter for the sake of God..."
How to Make Americans Feel Frustrated With Their Government
"You should enter into debate or respond only if it is extremely necessary... Your concern should [only] be introducing topics which... will cause [them to feel] frustration and anger towards their government..., which will... render them hostile to Bush... and his Republican Party and make them feel they must vote ton bring the troops back from Iraq as soon as possible."
"Do not... discuss issues pertaining to Arabs or Muslims at all, whether negatively or positively... because this could be a trap for you... In addition, do not ask people to circulate the material [you have posted] in other forums... as these types of requests will expose you..."
[1] http://www.mohajroon.com/vb/showthread.php?t=48233
http://in.news.yahoo.com/070319/43/6dgtu.html
Achuthanandan points to CIA-journalists link
By IANS
Monday March 19, 02:31 PM
Thiruvananthapuram, March 19 (IANS) Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Monday said there were 'intelligence reports' to indicate that some Kerala journalists were on the payroll of the CIA and said his government would get in touch with New Delhi to secure more details.
'Yes, there have been intelligence reports to indicate that this is true, and to clear this I will get in touch with the (central government),' Achuthanandan told the state assembly.
He made the statement after opposition leader Oommen Chandy insisted that either Achuthanandan should correct his earlier statement regarding the allegations or come clean with full details.
The issue surfaced March 12 when the chief minister told the assembly about a 'media syndicate' in Kerala receiving money from the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Achuthanandan said he was unable to reveal details about the alleged CIA-funded journalists as it would 'affect relations between the US and India'.
MT: British Prosecutors May Explain Hold Up in Litvinenko Inquiry
Monday, March 19, 2007. Issue 3617. Page 3.
British Prosecutors May Explain Hold Up in Litvinenko Inquiry
By David Nowak
The Moscow Times Staff Writer
British prosecutors' demand that British investigators unearth more
information before prosecutors proceed with the case of dead security
services agent Alexander Litvinenko may explain why Russian
authorities have been barred from coming to London.
The Crown Prosecution Service has requested that London police fill in
unspecified holes in the police report on the Nov. 23 poisoning death
of Litvinenko in London, a Scotland Yard spokesman said Friday.
While the spokesman said the CPS request was not holding up Russian
investigators' request to conduct their investigation, he did add:
"Our investigation has to be the priority."
The spokesman commented on the condition of anonymity.
Russian authorities, who have started their own investigation into the
death of the former KGB and Federal Security Services agent, have
expressed frustration with British authorities for not giving them the
green light to travel to Britain.
Deputy prosecutor general, Alexander Zyvagintsev, said last week that
Moscow had waived some legal formalities for British investigators
when they traveled to Moscow in December. He urged London to
reciprocate.
"Whenever we receive requests from other countries, we ensure all due
processes are carried out," the Scotland Yard spokesman said. "Its the
way we do business." He added that there were "legal implications" for
not doing things by the book.
Russian authorities traveled to London last month to discuss the
inquiry and their request to work in Britain. They are believed to
want to meet with self-exiled magnate and former Litvinenko associate
Boris Berezovsky, and others.
Litvinenko's son, Alexander, 22, received a call from Litvinenko three
weeks before he was poisoned, Izvestia reported Friday. "I have big
problems," Litvinenko told his son. "I have to find work, preferably
in another country."
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chechnya-sl/
http://www.homelandsecurityus.com/Taylor031907
Islam: Setting the United States up for the fall
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/comments.php?nav_id=40203
Japanese mafioso arrested in Romania
18 March 2007
BUCHAREST -- A leader of a Japanese mafia group specializing in racketeering, wanted by Interpol, was arrested in Romania.
He was extradited this week to Japanese authorities, a Romanian Ministry of Administration and Interior official told journalists.
The National Interpol Office identified the Japanese citizen in the town of Galati, where he lived with his wife.
He was arrested early March, and extradited to Japanese authorities at the end of this week.
Takahiro Kawaguchi, aged 35, is the leader of a “shylock” group and a Yakuza pawn, according to information received by Romanian authorities from the Tokyo Interpol Office.
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2007&mm=03&dd=18&nav_category=113&nav_id=40192
Police raid Wahhabi terrorist camp
18 March 2007 | 10:26 | Source: B92
NOVI PAZAR -- Police have arrested four people in connection to a Wahhabi terrorist camp discovered near Novi Pazar Saturday.
Weapons and equipment confiscated (photo courtesy MUP)
Weapons and equipment confiscated (photo courtesy MUP)
A police statement said they found a huge cache of plastic explosives equipped with trigger mechanisms, various caliber bullet rounds, protective masks, several kinds of military uniforms and hand grenades in the camp and a cave 30 kilometers from the southern Serbian town.
The four arrested were identified as Mirsad Prenti, Fuad Hodži, Vahid Vejselovi, and Senad Vejselovi, all members of the Muslim Wahhabi movement from Novi Pazar.
One suspect managed to escape during the raid and police said they were searching for him.
Among the material confiscated in the camp, police also discovered printed terrorist propaganda, military survival manuals, medical supplies, a saber, compasses, binoculars and maps.
The police statement said the raid that took several days to execute would continue with “intensive action to identify and locate organizers and members of this terrorist group.”
March 20 - International: Worldwide Reading in memory of Anna
Politkovskaya.
A worldwide reading of Chechnya-related reports written by journalist
Anna Politkovskaya, who was murdered on October 7, 2006.
The event
will take place at locations in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada,
Czech Republic, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Italy,
Luxemburg, Palestine, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan,
Switzerland, Sweden, and the USA.
For details and other upcoming Chechnya-related events go to
http://www.watchdog.cz/calendar
Al-Qaida captive in Iraq talking
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4100629/
Al-Qaida captive in Iraq talking
U.S. intelligence: Ghul was likely bearing money, plans for bombings
By Andrea Mitchell
Chief foreign affairs correspondent
NBC News
Updated: 8:26 p.m. ET Jan. 29, 2004
Intelligence officials tell NBC News they now have strong evidence that al-Qaida is responsible for most of the suicide bombings in Iraq. The latest sign of al-Qaida's growing presence in Iraq: last week's arrest of a key bin Laden operative, Hassan Ghul, who was caught as he tried to cross into Iraq from the north.
"The capture of Ghul is pretty strong proof that al-Qaida is trying to gain a foothold here to continue their murderous campaigns," said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez.
Intelligence officials tell NBC News Ghul is talking and was likely bringing money and plans for more bombings to Abu Musab Zarqawi, leader of an al-Qaida cell in the so-called Sunni Triangle area of Iraq.
Story continues below V advertisement
"They believe that Ghul's key mission was to link up with Zarqawi and begin the process of creating a much more permanent presence of al-Qaida inside Iraq," said former national security official Roger Cressey.
The United States now believes Zarqawi has been in Iraq since before the war, planning terror operations that are now targeting the United States and its allies.
Intelligence officials say Iraq is the latest battleground for a badly wounded al Qaida organization, which they believe has now lost more than three-quarters of its top leaders — including key operatives now under arrest in Iran.
The most obvious failure in the war on terror is not finding Osama bin Laden. But intelligence officials tell NBC News they believe he is no longer in operational control of his organization. Instead, they say, he devotes most of his time to simply staying alive and occasionally, releasing audiotapes to inspire recruits and fund-raising.
That does not make al-Qaida any less deadly. In fact, the United States has credible reports that al-Qaida is trying to attack again — by air — hoping to inflict more damage than on 9/11.
© 2007 MSNBC Interactive
Itar-Tass, RIAN:Illegal armed groups to be eliminated within 10 weeks - Kadyrov
Illegal armed groups to be eliminated within 10 weeks - Kadyrov
19/ 03/ 2007
GROZNY, March 19 (RIA Novosti) - All illegal armed groups in Chechnya
will be eliminated within a two-month period, the president of the
troubled North Caucasus republic said Monday.
Ramzan Kadyrov, elected Chechen president earlier this year, said "the
counterterrorism operation in the region has been completed and today
we are fighting criminal [not terrorist] elements in the Republic of
Chechnya."
Earlier Monday Colonel General Arkady Yedelev, a Russian deputy
interior minister, said that currently 37 illegal armed groups,
consisting of about 450 militants, were still active in Chechnya.
Although the active phase of the North Caucasus antiterrorist campaign
officially ended in 2001, periodic bombings and clashes between gunmen
and federal troops still disrupt Chechnya and nearby regions,
including Daghestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, and
Karachayevo-Circassia.
Yedelev also said Monday that foreign mercenaries, trained in Bosnia,
infiltrate the North Caucasus republics via Ukraine.
"We have concrete facts of [North Caucasus] penetration by mercenaries
from Bosnia, which have been trained there," he said.
Following the killing of Chechnya's warlord and number one terrorist,
Shamil Basayev, Russian authorities announced a partial amnesty July
15 for militants who had not been involved in major atrocities.
Officials say more than 600 militants have surrendered since then,
mainly in Chechnya.
Chechen leader says remaining militants will be destroyed (adds)
GROZNY, March 19 (Itar-Tass)- Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov said
the problem of insurgents in the republic will soon be solved.
``We know where the militants are and what they are doing. We will
chase them, and I am confident there will be no militants in the
republic soon,'' Kadyrov said on Monday.
In his words, the problem is that many militants are hiding in
adjacent Russian area. ``The leader of foreign mercenaries, Abu Khave,
has been destroyed in Dagestan, and Shamil Basayev has been killed in
Ingushetia. They practically did not live in our republic and spent
most of time in the neighbouring regions,'' the president said.
According to the head of the Regional Operational Staff in charge of
the counter-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus, Colonel-General
Arkady Yedelev, there are no more than 450 militants who are
continuing to operate in the mountains.
In his words, 174 militants were ``neutralised'', including 40
chieftains and foreign mercenaries, 1,200 firearms were seized, more
than 1,000 arms caches were destroyed, over 120 terrorist acts against
law enforcers, military personnel and civilians were prevented in 2004.
``Militants were trained in Bosnia and then moved to the republic
through Ukraine and Dagestan,'' Yevdelev said.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chechnya-sl/
March 20, 2007 Anti-Terrorism News
(Pakistan) 30 die in militant clash in Pakistan -- Uzbek Al-Qaeda
militants, Pakistan tribesmen clash
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070320/ap_on_re_as/pakistan_militant_fighting_1;_ylt=Anp3R.RDcrQ4XxUu85c0YcTzPukA
Pakistan: Two Students Die in Clashes with Militants in Tribal Areas -
Monday killings
http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php?cat=Security&loid=8.0.396853462&par=0
(Pakistan) Another Al Qaeda suspect points to Pakistan link - Yemeni
Walid bin Attash says USS Cole attack had supplies and other support from
Pakistan
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/42082.html
(Pakistan) Rail track, gas pipeline blown up
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2007/March/subcontinent_March788.xml§ion=subcontinent&col=
(Iraq) Five killed in Baghdad car bombings
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/focusoniraq/2007/March/focusoniraq_March146.xml§ion=focusoniraq
Iraqi Government Hangs Saddam's Former Deputy - Taha Yassin Ramadan was
VP when ousted by U.S. in 2003 - fourth man executed for killings of
148 Shiites after 1982 assassination attempt against Saddam
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,259725,00.html
(Iraq) UK hands Basra military base over to Iraqis
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21416667-1702,00.html
(Afghanistan) Troops kill three 'extremists' in Afghanistan
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070320/wl_sthasia_afp/afghanistanunrest_070320065258;_ylt=ArsSFdBf56Qimt_T4tUaBunOVooA
Afghanistan: Islamist Websites Congratulate Taliban for "Prisoner Swap"
http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php?cat=Security&loid=8.0.396880150&par=0
(Afghanistan) Deal to free Italian journalist raises concern
http://www.metimes.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20070320-061434-6978r
(Afghanistan) Italian hospital's head arrested in Afghanistan - was
charity hospital where Italian reporter was housed
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070320/wl_nm/afghan_journalist_protest_dc_2;_ylt=AutGKiuekLd_XaFMJCo4.xvOVooA
(India) 6 rebels, 2 Indian soldiers killed in Kashmir gunbattles
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070320/wl_sthasia_afp/indiakashmirunrest_070320101135;_ylt=AqQ8vAUBZOFPI.1GqqG4jmxA7AkB
(Thailand) Insurgents burn school, bomb police
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=117556
(Thailand) Southern Thai towns increasingly rely on militias
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/19/news/thai.php
(Israel) We'll respond to any terror activity, security source says -
senior defense official says "from now on, any terror incident will
receive an appropriate response"
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3378687,00.html
(Israel) Alert lifted after terror suspects arrested in Sharon area
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/839641.html
(Israel) IDF stops civil defense drill following terror alert
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1173879129380&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Israel fears fight against Hamas - views Hamas fortifying Gaza for
fighting based on Iranian help, expertise
http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20070319-100719-3495r.htm
(Lebanon) Palestinian factions clash in Lebanon - explosions, gunfire
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070320/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon_palestinians_1;_ylt=AoJyNVjSncLI3cQ1mRqmcrPagGIB
(Iran) South Africa guts big power deal on Iran sanctions - wants to
drop arms embargo and financial among all key sanctions
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070320/wl_nm/iran_nuclear_un_dc_1;_ylt=AuJ9G8iN3sb98lF6pkUxktNSw60A
Iran's defense minister dismisses UN sanction threat
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-03/20/content_5869095.htm
Iran stops UN inspectors visiting nuclear site: diplomats
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070319/wl_mideast_afp/irannuclearpolitics_070319234443;_ylt=Alfyk1UnVYGx2dI.5xA.q49Sw60A
(Iran) US approves visa for Ahmadinejad
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2007/March/middleeast_March309.xml§ion=middleeast
(Iran) Russia gives Iran an ultimatum on enrichment -- will not supply
fuel for new nuclear reactor unless Iran agrees to suspend nuclear
enrichment
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/20/africa/web-0320iran.php
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1173879128328&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Update: Yemeni Waleed bin Attash admits 3 bomb plots, U.S. says - USS
Cole and two US embassies in Africa
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070320/NATIONWORLD/703200412/-1/ZONES04
Netherlands: Study day on radicalization
http://islamineurope.blogspot.com/2007/03/netherlands-study-day-on-radicalization.html
Greece offers million-dollar reward for information on terror group
that attacked U.S. Embassy
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/03/20/europe/EU-GEN-Greece-Terror-Reward.php
(Philippines) Jailed rebel Muslim leader stands for election
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21415031-1702,00.html
(Australia) Extremist students take over mosque
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21411910-2702,00.html
(Australia) Threat of terror is still real: Attorney General Ruddock
http://batemansbay.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=national%20news&subclass=general&story_id=567652&category=general
Top Interpol official warns of bioterror attacks
http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Oman/10112361.html
Egypt to Launch Production on Movie on Al-Qaeda - intends to blame US
and Arabs for spread of terror
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/974.htm
(North Korea) Report: North Korea Refuses to Participate in Six-Party
Nuke Talks - until $25 million in frozen funds are released
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,259840,00.html
(Sri Lanka) Air attacks, land battles in Sri Lanka after ship sinkings
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070320/wl_sthasia_afp/srilankaunrest_070320054632;_ylt=Ah.34MOLq9eR8EAnFo2IL54tM8oA
Other News:
UK: Schools can ban wearing of Muslim veils
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1173879130271&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
(UK) Passports issued to 10,000 false claimants
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/20/npassports120.xml
Sweden: Increase in secret identities
http://islamineurope.blogspot.com/2007/03/sweden-increase-in-secret-identities.html
Sweden: Cost of receiving immigrants 'to double' by 2010
http://islamineurope.blogspot.com/2007/03/sweden-cost-of-receiving-immigrants-to.html
Spain to have oldest population by 2050: report
http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=81&story_id=37803
(Belgium) Convicted in Belgium, serving in Morocco
http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=24&story_id=37844
Desperate housewives turn Egypt upside down -- Young Arab men fall for,
marry older, foreign, wealthy tourists
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54767
(Propaganda Alert) Rosie O'Donnell: Was 9/11 inside job to protect
Enron? Blog suggests destruction of federal investigations factor in terror
attacks
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54770
Sri Lanka sinks 'Tigers vessels'
By Roland Buerk
BBC News, Colombo
Sri Lanka's navy says it has sunk two cargo vessels at sea.
A spokesman said both the ships, which were off the country's
south-east
coast, were believed to be carrying weapons for the Tamil Tigers.
The incidents come as battles on land intensify between government
forces
and the rebels fighting for a separate state in the north-east.
Despite a ceasefire still being in place on paper, the island is
sliding
back towards a full-scale civil war.
'Warnings ignored'
The first vessel was spotted during the night by navy patrol craft.
The 70-metre-long (229ft) ship was challenged and warning shots were
fired
across her bows. But the crew fired back and a battle followed.
There were large explosions on board the ship before the vessel sank.
After the skirmish, the navy patrol came across a similar ship nearby
that
also ignored orders to stop for an inspection.
After warnings, it was destroyed too.
Navy spokesman Lt Cdr Rohan Joseph said he believed both vessels were
carrying weapons for the Tamil Tigers.
'Army confident'
The incidents at sea come Sri Lanka's military is moving to take
remaining
pockets of the eastern province still held by the Tigers.
More than 40,000 people have fled their homes in the district of
Batticaloa.
The Tigers have said the armed forces have made several attempts to
storm
their defensive lines in the north of Sri Lanka but have been beaten
back.
The ceasefire that has been in place since 2002 is being ignored by
both
sides.
A senior defence official has said the fighting could last for another
two
to three years and he said the government was confident it could defeat
the
Tigers on the battlefield.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/south_asia/6463817.stm
This is an odd site...claims to have a travel blog, yet what is the point? Details about comings and goings, yet short on details of "sightseeing" and things a tourist would find interesting.
Curious granny.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/articles/2007/03/20/military_not_ready_for_other_wars/
Military Is Ill-Prepared For Other Conflicts
By Ann Scott Tyson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 19, 2007; A01
Four years after the invasion of Iraq, the high and growing demand for
U.S.
troops there and in Afghanistan has left ground forces in the United
States
short of the training, personnel and equipment that would be vital to
fight
a major ground conflict elsewhere, senior U.S. military and government
officials acknowledge.
More troubling, the officials say, is that it will take years for the
Army
and Marine Corps to recover from what some officials privately have
called a
"death spiral," in which the ever more rapid pace of war-zone rotations
has
consumed 40 percent of their total gear, wearied troops and left no
time to
train to fight anything other than the insurgencies now at hand.
The risk to the nation is serious and deepening, senior officers warn,
because the U.S. military now lacks a large strategic reserve of ground
troops ready to respond quickly and decisively to potential foreign
crises,
whether the internal collapse of Pakistan, a conflict with Iran or an
outbreak of war on the Korean Peninsula. Air and naval power can only
go so
far in compensating for infantry, artillery and other land forces, they
said. An immediate concern is that critical Army overseas equipment
stocks
for use in another conflict have been depleted by the recent troop
increases
in Iraq, they said.
continued.....
Italy's history of terror
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3372239.stm
By Kathryn Westcott
BBC News Online
Italian investigators are focusing their attention on a shadowy group
thought to be based in Bologna after a string of bomb attacks beginning
in
the Christmas period.
Red Brigade five-point star logo
A Red Brigades logo was found near a murder scene in 2002
They suspect that a number of letter bombs received by EU officials,
including European Commission President Romano Prodi, are the work of
Italian anarchists.
An Italian-based group calling itself the Informal Anarchist Federation
has
claimed responsibility for the attacks. Investigators believe the group
has
fewer than 300 members in Italy.
The previously unknown group shares the Italian initials - FAI - of a
well-known northern group, the Italian Anarchists Federation. However,
the
latter condemned the attacks as counterproductive and denied any role
in the
bombings.
'Years of lead'
Italy has a history of politically motivated extremist groups. The most
notorious was the Bologna-based, Marxist-Leninist Red Brigades formed
in the
1970s by student protesters dedicating themselves to an armed struggle
against the capitalist state.
The Red Brigades created such fear during the 1970s and early 1980s
that the
period is known in Italy as the Years of Lead, referring to the vast
number
of bullets fired.
Italian authorities say they view the Informal Anarchist Federation as
less
threatening than the Red Brigades. Enrico di Nicola, chief prosecutor
of the
Bologna magistrates office, said the new group appears to lack the
structure, organisation or the political positions of the Marxists.
They are probably trying to play on the dissatisfaction within some
sectors
of the north, where citizens are against Europe
Gianfranco Pasquino
Professor of political sciences
Gianfranco Pasquino, professor of political sciences and a terrorism
expert
at Bologna University, says there is no evidence that the Informal
Anarchists are connected to the Red Brigades.
"It appears to be a small group linked to the anti-globalisation
movement"
he told BBC News Online.
Italy's La Repubblica newspaper printed extracts of a declaration made
by
the group, which states that it is against "Europe's masters, their
war,
their peace, their repression [and] their control".
But Mr Pasquino said: "Their aims are unclear because they have not
published a [detailed] pamphlet yet."
He added: "They are probably trying to play on the dissatisfaction
within
some sectors of the north, where citizens are against Europe.
"Italy has generally been in favour of EU integration but there are
those,
particularly in the north, who are exposed to the increased competition
this
has created, feel challenged by the increased migration and feel they
have
been left behind by the integration. I think this group is probably
trying
to make inroads into this dissatisfaction."
He said he believed the group did not have a specific goal at the
moment,
but that the postal attacks were to show that it existed.
The FAI appears not be very technologically sophisticated, Mr Pasquino
says.
"The explosives they use are not real bombs," he said. While the
packages
have exploded when opened, no-one has been hurt by the devices.
Bologna connection
It is not clear whether members of the group are from Bologna or have
just
chosen to identify with the city because of its association with former
acts
of terror.
If you want to create havoc in Italy, you do it via Bologna
Gianfranco Pasquino
It was a traditional stronghold of the Communist Party, has a large and
prestigious university, is highly prosperous and seen very much as a
key
Italian city, linking the north and south of the country.
As well as being the home of the Red Brigades, Bologna was also
targeted by
a right-wing group which planted a bomb at the city's railway station
in
1980 which killed 85 people.
"If you want to create havoc in Italy, you do it via Bologna," Mr
Pasquino
said.
In 1998, a series of parcel bomb attacks on politicians, journalists
and
judges sparked fears of a return to the type of terror inflicted by the
Red
Brigades. Anarchists and leftists were believed to be responsible for
the
attacks.
Earlier that year, there had been tension in Turin, home of the Fiat
empire
and Juventus football team, between authorities and squatters based at
12
self-declared collectives run by anarchists and other left-wing groups.
BLOODY TIMES
March 1978: Aldo Moro killed by Red Brigades
August 1980: Bomb planted by right-wing group at Bologna railway
station
kills 85
March 1985: Ezio Tarantelli, labour law expert, murdered
May 1999: Massimo D'Antona, industrial adviser, shot dead
March 2002: Marco Biagi, industrial adviser, shot dead
Italy was also the scene of some violent clashes between police and
anarchist groups during the 2002 Group of Eight summit in Genoa.
And it was back in Bologna in 2002 that fears of a new generation of
Marxist
killers were raised when an eminent economics adviser, Marco Biagi, was
murdered and the five-pointed star logo of the Red Brigades was marked
nearby.
The Red Brigades gained notoriety throughout the 1970s and early 1980s
for
violent attempts to destabilise Italy with sabotage attacks on
factories,
bank robberies and kidnappings.
In 1978, the group abducted and murdered Aldo Moro, the Christian
Democrat
leader and former prime minister, who was trying to reach an "historic
compromise" with the Communists.
After mass arrests in the late 1980s, the terror group slowly faded
into
insignificance though the murder of government adviser Massimo D'Antona
in
1999 and the Biagi killing brought back memories.
A group describing themselves as the new Red Brigades claimed
responsibility
for both murders, although it is unclear how close they were to the
original
underground movement.