http://www.nationalterroralert.com/updates/category/stories-of-interest/
Terror and Torture In Mexico
Tuesday, 30 Sep, 2008 – 21:45 | No Comment
Eight dead bodies were found Tuesday alongside messages from drug gangs in the northern Mexican city of Tijuana, where 16 dead bodies were found a day earlier. Six of the bodies found Tuesday in the …
http://www.nationalterroralert.com/
*
Former FBI Analyst Predicts Terror Attack After Election
Former FBI Analyst Predicts Terror Attack After Election
Wed, 1/10/08 – 0:01 | No Comment
*
U.S. Army Brigade Deploys For Homeland Mission
U.S. Army Brigade Deploys For Homeland Mission
Tue, 30/09/08 – 23:08 | No Comment
*
Man Who Plotted Cherry Vale Mall Terror Attack Gets 35 Years
Man Who Plotted Cherry Vale Mall Terror Attack Gets 35 Years
Tue, 30/09/08 – 22:44 | No Comment
*
School Bus Reported Stolen - Delaware
School Bus Reported Stolen - Delaware
Tue, 30/09/08 – 19:57 | No Comment
*
Report - Al-Qaeda May Be Plotting Attack At Star-Studded Event At Dubai’s Atlantis Hotel
Sample of listings.
October 1, 2008 PM Anti-Terrorism News - UnitedStatesAction.com
(Afghanistan) NATO does not rule out Afghan talks with Taliban — AFP inteview with General David McKiernan
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081001/wl_sthasia_afp/usafghanistannatomilitary_081001184412
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/081001/world/us_afghanistan_nato_military_2
-— “I think that’s a political decision that will ultimately be made by political leadership.”
-— “Ultimately, the solution in Afghanistan is going to be a political solution not a military solution”
-— “So the idea that the government of Afghanistan will take on the idea of reconciliation, I think, is (an)
approach and we’ll be there to provide support within our mandate”
-— “We’re not going to run out of bad guys there that want to do bad things in Afghanistan”
-— “And it seems to me that with the lead of the government of Afghanistan engaging those tribes and
connecting them to governance, whether it’s at the provincial level or the district level, seems to be a
smart thing”
— Taliban reconciliation ‘a political move’
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24434499-5003402,00.html
— NATO general says reconciling with Taliban a political decision
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081001/wl_sthasia_afp/usafghanistannatomilitary_081001170206
— NATO Chief In Afghanistan: Talks Possible With Ex-Taliban Head
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20081001\ACQDJON200810011504DOWJONESDJONLINE000724.htm&selected=9999&selecteddisplaysymbol=9999&StoryTargetFrame=_top&mkt=WORLD&chk=unchecked&lang=&link=&headlinereturnpage=http://www.international.na
-—— October 1, 2008 - AP: General wants help in Afghanistan now — Gen. David McKiernan continues to call to political and economic aid
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081001/ap_on_go_co/us_afghanistan_3;_ylt=AihNgFJLkj_sJpoUS.iomejOVooA
-—— August 11, 2008: NATO General McKiernan previously stated regarding Afghanistan:
“answer must be found politically”
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,571345,00.html
(Afghanistan) Little progress in Afghanistan: NATO official
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=4db4fd81-7521-47d4-a950-93abbaa3a657
(Afghanistan) UN Observer: “Afghan President invites Taliban leader to join peace talks, ministry”
http://www.unobserver.com/layout4.php?id=5203&blz=1
(Afghanistan) Karzai’s bid to reach out to Taliban supported by France
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=1cc7f1ea-84d3-4c07-99dd-f312f41bc394
(Pakistan) Terrorist attacks in Pakistan stir anger at U.S.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20081001/wl_csm/opakviews
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1001/p07s02-wosc.html
-— September 29, 2008: BBC Poll: “just 19% said they had a negative view of Osama Bin Laden’s organisation”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7638566.stm
-—— PDF: ‘War on Terror’ poll for BBC World Service [2MB]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/29_09_08_BBC_al_Qaeda.pdf
-— See Also: June 2008 TerrorFreeTomorrow.org Pakistan public poll results
http://www.terrorfreetomorrow.org/upimagestft/PakistanPollReportJune08.pdf
— 74.7 percent think “implementing strict Sharia law throughout Pakistan” important for Pakistan govt
(Q8g, page 44)
— 73.7 percent oppose U.S. military action against Taliban and Al Qaeda in Pakistan (Q11c, page 52)
— 69 percent oppose U.S. military working with Pakistan military against Taliban and Al-Qaeda (Q11b, page 52)
— 51.8 percent view U.S. to blame for violence in Pakistan today (Q14, page 52)
— 58.2 percent favor negotiations with Taliban (Q15c, page 63)
— 49.6 percent favor negotiations with Al-Qaeda and Uzbek fighters (Q15a, page 63)
— 56.5 percent agree with Al Qaeda’s goals (Q16a, page 64)
— 79.5 percent view Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda’s goals are “to stand up to America” (Q29a1, page 75)
— 57.1 percent agreed with Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda’s goals “to stand up to America” (Q29a2, page 75)
(Pakistan) US seeks direct access to A Q Khan: Report
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Pakistan/US_seeks_direct_access_to_A_Q_Khan_Report/articleshow/3549938.cms
(Pakistan) Is Pak Taliban chief dead? More reports on Baitullah Mehsud
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Pakistan/Is_Pak_Taliban_chief_dead/rssarticleshow/3551126.cms
Pakistan: British diplomats’ children to be evacuated from capital
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=3.0.2528171782
(U.S.) Aafia Siddiqui Trial: U.S. Judge Orders Pakistani to Take Psychiatric Exam
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=5932088
(U.S.) CQ Politics: “FBI Prevents Agents from Telling ‘Truth’ About 9/11 on PBS”
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/spytalk/2008/10/fbi-prevents-agents-from-telli.html
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/02/pdf/new_dangers.pdf
(India) Blasts in India kill at least 2 and injure scores - update on Tripura bombings
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/01/asia/AS-India-Blasts.php
Study: Terrorists pay with credit cards
http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/terrorist-credit-cards-theft-1282.php
(Europe) Manual outlines Muslim radicalization in prisons
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081001/ap_on_re_eu/eu_france_prison_radicals_1
http://www.washtimes.com/news/2008/oct/01/manual-outlines-muslim-radicalization-in-prison-1/
(Europe) Reports question UK anti-terror detention bill
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/01/europe/EU-Europe-British-Terror-Laws.php
Other News:
(Pakistan) Flirting with Palin earns Pakistani president a fatwa
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1002/p04s01-wosc.html
-— for “indecent gestures, filthy remarks, and repeated praise of a non-Muslim lady wearing a short skirt”
Commentaries:
(U.S.) Ingrid Mattson and the “U.S. Muslim Engagement Project” — by Cinnamon Stillwell
http://www.campus-watch.org/blog/2008/10/ingrid-mattson-and-the-us-muslim-engagement.html
“Secularlism foreign to Islam” by Peter Johnston
http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/25396
-— “Secularism is as foreign to Islamic theory as is Sharia law to Americans”
-— see also Raymond Ibrahim’s JihadWatch article
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/022920.php
Iraq’s Awakening Councils and Concerned Local Citizens Are Not the Same - by Daveed Gartenstein-Ross
http://counterterrorismblog.org/2007/12/iraqs_awakening_councils_and_c.php
The Nation: End of Iraq’s Awakening? by Robert Dreyfuss
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20081013/dreyfuss
-— “the commander of the Sunni-led Awakening movement in Baghdad says that attacks by the
Iraqi government and government-allied militiamen against Awakening leaders and rank-and-file
members are likely to spark a new Sunni resistance movement. That resistance force will conduct
attacks against American troops and Iraqi army and police forces, he says. ‘Look around,” he says.
‘It has already come back. It is getting stronger. Look at what is happening in Baghdad.’”
__._,_.___
Ingrid Mattson and the “U.S. Muslim Engagement Project” — by Cinnamon Stillwell
http://www.campus-watch.org/blog/2008/10/ingrid-mattson-and-the-us-muslim-engagement.html
__._,_.___
If reposting elsewhere, please credit source of this research as UnitedStatesAction.com
Al Qaeda and the Tale of Two Battlespaces
October 1, 2008
Graphic for Terrorism Intelligence Report
By Fred Burton and Scott Stewart
Over the last year or so, a lot of debate has arisen over the physical strength of al Qaeda. Some experts and government officials believe that the al Qaeda organization is now stronger than at any time since the 9/11 attacks, while others believe the core organization has lost much of its leadership and operational capability over the past seven years. The wide disparity between these two assessments may appear somewhat confusing, but a significant amount of the difference between the two can be found in the fundamental way in which al Qaeda is defined as an entity.
Many analysts supportive of the view that al Qaeda has strengthened tend to lump the entire jihadist world into one monolithic, hierarchical organization. Others, like Stratfor, who claim al Qaeda’s abilities have been degraded over the years, define the group as a small vanguard organization and only one piece of the larger jihadist pie. From Stratfor’s point of view, al Qaeda has evolved into three different — and distinct — entities. These different faces of al Qaeda include:
1. The core vanguard group: Often referred to by Stratfor as the al Qaeda core, al Qaeda prime or the al Qaeda apex leadership, this group is composed of Osama bin Laden and his close trusted associates. These are highly skilled, professional practitioners of propaganda, militant training and terrorism operations. This is the group behind the 9/11 attacks.
2. Al Qaeda franchises: These include such groups as al Qaeda in Iraq and al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Although professing allegiance to bin Laden, they are independent militant groups that remain separate from the core and, as we saw in the 2005 letter from al Qaeda core leader Ayman al-Zawahiri to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, there can be a great deal of tension and disagreement between them and the al Qaeda core. These regional franchises vary in size, level of professionalism and operational capability.
3. The broader grassroots jihadist movement: This group includes individuals and small cells inspired by al Qaeda but who, in most cases, have no contact with the core leadership.
Stratfor’s Current Assessment of al Qaeda
We believe, as we did last summer, that the core al Qaeda group has weakened and no longer poses the strategic threat to the U.S. homeland that it did prior to 9/11. However, this does not mean it is incapable of re-emerging under less pressured circumstances.
On the franchise level, some groups — such as AQIM, the Yemen franchises and the franchises in Pakistan and Afghanistan — have gained momentum over the past few years. Others — such as those in Iraq, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the Sinai Peninsula and Morocco — have lost steam. In our estimation, this ebb and flow has resulted in a constant threat on the franchise level, though the severity has migrated geographically as groups wax and wane in specific regions. The franchises have done little to expand their operations outside of their regions of interest and to conduct attacks against the “far enemy” — that is, attacks in the United States or Europe.
At the grassroots level, homegrown jihadists have posed a fairly consistent, though lower-level, threat. In the past, we have said that these jihadists think globally, but act locally. While there are far more grassroots jihadists than there are militants in the al Qaeda franchises and vastly more than in the small al Qaeda core, the grassroots jihadists tend to be highly motivated, but poorly equipped to conduct sophisticated terror attacks.
Beyond the Physical Battlefield
We believe that any realistic analysis of al Qaeda’s strength must assess more than a basic head count of militants willing and able to conduct attacks. As we have noted previously, there are two battlespaces in the war against jihadism: the physical and the ideological. Although the campaign against al Qaeda has caused the core group to become essentially marginalized in the physical battlespace, the core has undertaken great effort to remain engaged in the ideological battlespace.
In many ways, the ideological battlespace is more important than the physical battlespace in the war against jihadism, and in the jihadists’ war against the rest of the world. It is far easier to kill people than it is to kill ideologies. We have recently seen this in the resurgence of Bolivarian Revolution ideology in South America, despite the fact that Simon Bolivar, Karl Marx and Ernesto “Che” Guevara are long dead and buried. Ideology is the decisive factor that allows jihadists to recruit new fighters and gather funding for militant and propaganda operations. As long as the jihadists can recruit new militants, they can compensate for the losses they suffer on the physical battlefield. When they lose that ability, their struggle dies on the vine. Because of this, al Qaeda fears fatwas more than weapons. Weapons can kill people — but fatwas can kill the ideology that motivates people to fight and finance.
We are not the only ones who believe the ideological battlespace is critical. A video released earlier this month by al Qaeda mouthpiece As-Sahab entitled “The Word is the Word of Swords,” one of al Qaeda’s leading religious authorities, Abu Yahya al-Libi emphasized this point from within the network.
In the video, al-Libi said the jihadist battle “is not waged solely at the military and economic level, but is waged first and foremost at the level of doctrine.” He also said that his followers are in a war against an enemy that “targets all strongholds of Islam and invades the minds and ideas in the same way it invades lands and dares to destroy beliefs and meddle with the sacred things in the same way it dares to spill blood.”
Interestingly, although the video recording is dedicated to detailing the preparations for the attack on the Danish Embassy in Islamabad, the bulk of the 64-minute video addresses the ideological war against al Qaeda and how “true Islam” has been undermined by leaders such as King Abdullah and the Saudi religious establishment.
In an ironic twist, the progress of the combatants is easier to assess in the ideological rather than physical battlespace — largely because most militants plotting terror attacks attempt to stay invisible until they launch their operations, while the ideological battle is for the most part conducted in plain sight.
One such visible indication on the ideological battlefield was a book written by al Qaeda’s number two man, Ayman al-Zawahiri, which was released in March. The book — known as “The Exoneration” — is a long response to a book written by Sayyed Imam al-Sharif. Also known as Dr. Fadl, al-Sharif is an imprisoned Egyptian radical and a founder (with al-Zawahiri) of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad.
Published in 2007, al-Sharif’s book, “Rationalizing Jihadist Action in Egypt and the World,” provides theological arguments that counter many of the core jihadist teachings. Included among those teachings is the concept of takfir, or the practice of declaring a Muslim to be an unbeliever in order to justify an attack against him. Al-Sharif also spoke out against killing non-Muslims in Muslim countries and attacking members of other Muslim sects.
Al-Sharif was a significant player in the development of the jihadist theology that shaped the Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ) and eventually, through al-Zawahiri and other EIJ members who became influential members of al Qaeda, al-Sharif’s concepts became instrumental in shaping the ideology of jihadism as promulgated by al Qaeda. One of his books, “The Essentials of Making Ready for Jihad,” was reportedly required reading for all new jihadist recruits at al Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The renunciation of jihadist ideology by such a pivotal figure was a significant threat — one serious enough to spur al-Zawahiri’s refutation.
The Saudi ulema or Muslim scholars and former jihadist ideologues are not the only people assailing the ideology of jihadism. Of course, Western figures, such as Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders have been highly critical of jihadism. But these outsiders have little ability to sway Muslim opinion on the street — a critical objective in fighting the ideological battle. In recent years, however, we have seen more Muslim figures speak out against jihadism, which they believe is a perversion of Islam. However, criticism is not without danger. Figures such as Egyptian political analyst Diaa Rashwan have been threatened with death because of their criticism of al Qaeda and jihadist ideology.
In addition to the previously discussed video, As-Sahab has released two other lengthy videos this month. The first, to commemorate the 9/11 anniversary, was called “The Harvest of Seven Years of Crusades.” The second, called “True Imam,” was released Sept. 29. Essentially, it was a tirade against the government of Pakistan and a tribute to Abdul Rashid Ghazi, who was killed in the July 2007 storming of the Red Mosque in Islamabad by the Pakistani military.
Overlap
Sometimes, things that emerge in the ideological battlespace can provide indications of important developments in the physical battlespace.
For example, one of the As-Sahab videos featured clips of Mustafa abu al-Yazid (aka Sheikh Said al-Masri). An Egyptian al Qaeda military commander, al-Yazid had reportedly been killed in an Aug. 8 operation in Bajaur. But since al-Yazid makes reference in the video to the Aug. 18 resignation of former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, he obviously was not killed 10 days earlier.
Two others noticeably absent from these three videos were Osama bin Laden and Adam Gadahn. Bin Laden, who has not been heard from since a May 18 audio message, is once again rumored to be dead. Gadahn may also be dead, according to rumors that he was killed in a January airstrike in Pakistan’s North Waziristan agency in which senior al Qaeda military commander Abu Laith al-Libi was killed. Gadahn, who has appeared in several al Qaeda video messages since emerging on the scene in 2004, has been conspicuously absent from the organization’s propaganda since the January strike.
Typically, al Qaeda has been fairly forthcoming in “declaring the martyrdom” of fallen commanders like al-Libi. The death of a central figure such as bin Laden, however, could be seen as severely detrimental to the jihadist world’s morale. Therefore, the group could be motivated to conceal his death. If bin Laden is still alive, however, we anticipate a message from him by the U.S. presidential elections Nov. 4, given his appearance before the 2004 presidential elections.
It would be somewhat out of character, however, for al Qaeda to avoid publicizing the death of a lesser figure such as Gadahn. With all the rumors circulating about jihadists seeking to use European-looking operatives in attacks against the West, one wonders if the silence regarding the American-born jihadist’s fate is designed to keep U.S. authorities in suspense — or if it is a real indication that Gadahn is alive and has left his post in the ideological battlespace in order to go operational on the physical battlefield.
Of course, the fate of these individuals, even a central figure such as bin Laden, is not nearly as important as the fate of the ideology. And we will continue to focus on the ideological battlefield for significant developments there.
One place that needs to be watched carefully is Pakistan, where events like the Red Mosque operation and the assassination of Benazir Bhutto have potentially sown the seeds for a ripe ideological harvest for both sides. It will be important to watch and see if the Marriott bombing will, as some claimed, prove to be a watershed event that marks a change in public opinion capable of rallying popular support against the jihadist ideology in Pakistan.
This report may be forwarded or republished on your website with attribution to www.stratfor.com
[I will need to edit this even more, as the news source is an edit site/for Freepers....both are worth going to the link to read.
granny]
MELAMINE CONTAMINATION, ANIMAL FEED: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
[1]
Date: Thu 25 Sep 2008
Source: Reuters UK [edited]
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE48O20H20080925
Two gorillas are suspected of becoming the latest victims of China’s
tainted milk-powder health scandal, showing the early signs of kidney
stones, local media reported on Thursday [25 Sep 2008].
The gorillas, both from Hangzhou Wildlife World in eastern Zhejiang
province and aged one and 3, had been diagnosed with crystallization
in their urine, according to a report on the Hangzhou newspaper
website http://www.hangzhou.com.cn
Both had been fed with milk powder made by Sanlu Group,
Most of article removed...........
granny.
[Edited by Nick Macfie, Sanjeev Miglani]
—
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Susan Baekeland
******
[2]
Date: Fri 26 Sep 2008
Source: The West Australian [edited]
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=2&ContentID=99861
A Chinese zoo is checking its animals after a lion cub and 2
orangutans were found to be developing kidney stones from drinking
contaminated powdered milk, state media reported today [26 Sep 2008].
The 3-month-old African cub at the zoo near the eastern city of
Hangzhou was under medical supervision after tests showed he was in
the early stages of developing kidney stones, the Beijing Morning
Post said.
Zookeepers fed the animals Sanlu milk powder — a product discovered
to be contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine — the report
said, adding the milk brand was introduced at the zoo 2 years ago.
[removed section]
Worried zoo staff brought the lion, along with 15-month-old orangutan
Qimao and her 3-year-old brother Liumao, to the veterinarian yesterday
[25 Sep 2008], the newspaper reported. Urinalysis and ultrasound
images confirmed zookeepers’ fears, the report said. “The crystal is
at an early stage of stone development as it is still as small as a
pen point,” a veterinarian identified only by the surname Shan, was
quoted as saying about the orangutans’ condition. A kidney stone
begins as a tiny crystal.
The zoo planned to test other animals over the coming days, the report said.
—
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Susan Baekeland
[Additional information regarding melamine may be found at the FAO
(UN Food and Agriculture Organisation) website
http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/agns/chemicals_melamine_en.asp
Although many countries and regulatory agencies are carefully
monitoring human dry milk and dry milk products, this piece
demonstrates the potentially overlooked issue of milk products for
many young animals. Are countries checking animal milk substitute
products? Are regulatory agencies and veterinarians looking for
intoxication in young animals?
Some veterinary groups have done some research in some young species.
Young domestic animals such as calves, lambs & kid goats are
functionally non-ruminants, and could potentially suffer renal failure
just as pets did in 2007 — see ProMED archives below. Adult cows
appear to be able to handle melamine as a non-protein source, but it
has been shown in some research that adult sheep may also be sensitive
to melamine.
This article clearly indicates melamine may be contaminating animal
milk products. We are requesting more information on what regulatory
agencies and veterinarians are doing regarding checking for affected
animals and checking milk products for animals. - Mod.TG]
[see also:
Infant kidney stones - China (03): melamine 20080917.2915
Infant kidney stones - China (02): Gansu, milk, melamine 20080912.2856
2007
Interesting description of Russian provocation methods starting a couple
of paragraphs down this article. N.S.
The JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION
Eurasia Daily Monitor
RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE SEEKS TO DESTABILIZE CRIMEA
By Taras Kuzio
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
On September 29 the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
protested against an appeal made by the Russian delegation to the OSCE
about the Crimea. “Methods and dirty technology created in the ’90s of
the last century are being used to destabilize the situation in the ARK
[Autonomous Republic of Crimea] by fomenting separatist movements in the
territories of the former USSR... Such actions cannot be regarded as
anything other than gross interference in the internal affairs of
another state,” the MFA said (www.mfa.gov.ua, September 29).
That Ukrainian-Russian relations are poor and deteriorating is
increasingly obvious from mutual accusations, counter-accusations, and
insinuations. Russian political technologist Sergei Markov, a Unified
Russia deputy, described Ukrainian-Russian relations to all intents and
purposes as non-existent (www.pravda.com.ua, September 24).
Even in the area of Soviet history the Ukrainian and Russian sides have
diametrically opposite views. The Russian Foreign Ministry gloated over
Ukraine’s failure to find support for a resolution at the UN to
recognize the 1933 artificial famine as “genocide” conducted against
Ukrainians. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry issued a strongly worded
rebuttal. Writing in September’s Prospect magazine Arkady Ostrovsky
said, “an old fashioned nationalism, in neo-Stalinist costume, has
become the most powerful force in Russian society”
(www.prospect-magazine.co.uk).
Foreign Minister Volodymyr Ohryzko has officially accused Russia of
seeking to destabilize the autonomous republic of the Crimea. It is
undesirable that “the Russian consulate in Simferopol distributes
passports” (EDM, September 15). Meanwhile, Russian politicians, such as
Moscow Mayor Yuriy Luzhkov, travel to Ukraine and call for uniting the
Crimea to Russia (Fokus, no.38, September 19).
Ohryzko also complained that Russia was attempting to block Ukraine’s
entry into NATO by using, among others things, the Crimean card. Russia
also disrespected Ukraine’s sovereignty (Fokus, no.38, September 19).
At a well-publicized press conference on September 25, the Security
Service (SBU) provided extensive details of attempts by Russian
intelligence to hire Ukrainian citizens to participate in conflicts in
the Caucasus. The SBU gave details about recent attempts to hire
Ukrainians for the August Georgian conflict. In August and September the
SBU collected intelligence on many attempts by Russian intelligence to
dispatch Ukrainians to the conflict. Ukrainians were offered $200 to
$500 per day if they accepted the proposal. Candidates approached by
Russian intelligence should have “specific training, including in the
field of subversive activity.” Russian intelligence targeted those with
existing connections to the Ukrainian military, including reservists
(www.mfa.gov.ua, September 29).
The SBU warned Russia that it was carefully observing these approaches
and was initiating counter-measures (www.sbu.gov.ua). “Every attempt at
recruiting Ukrainian citizens in foreign games will receive a harsh
rebuff,” the SBU warned. Russian intelligence had established and
supported “extremist organizations” in Tiraspol, Abkhazia, and South
Ossetia; but “We will never permit such activity on our territory,” the
SBU stated. Following the Georgian-Russian war, Ukraine purchased its
first unmanned drone from the Israeli Ministry of Defense
(www.pravda.com.ua, August 29).
Senior Russian military officers have alleged that Ukrainians fought on
the Georgian side during the August conflict. Such claims about
“Ukrainian nationalists” are nothing new. In the first and second
Russian interventions into Chechnya in 1995 and 2000, Russian officials
and media alleged that numerous “Ukrainian nationalists” were fighting
with the Chechens. The allegations revived Soviet ideological tirades
against western Ukrainian “bourgeois nationalists.”
The nationalist group most often accused of training recruits for battle
against Russia is the extreme right UNA-UNSO (Ukrainian National
Assembly-Ukrainian Peoples Self Defense Organization). Russia’s
intelligence on Ukrainian nationalists is, in fact, outdated, as the
UNA-UNSO disintegrated in the late 1990s into at least three groups.
One wing of UNA-UNSO that remained committed to its nationalist ideology
aligned with the radical opposition Yulia Tymoshenko bloc (BYuT) and
Socialist Party in the “Kuchmagate” crisis. The radical opposition led
the protests by Ukraine Without Kuchma and Arise Ukraine! from 2000 to
2003. UNA-UNSO members also acted as paramilitary stewards during the
orange revolution. The UNA-UNSO was accused of organizing the March 2001
riots in Kyiv (in reality, this was apparently a provocation by
undercover Interior Ministry personnel to discredit the anti-Kuchma
opposition), and 20 senior UNA-UNSO leaders were charged and imprisoned.
Following their release, many of the nationalist wing of the UNA-UNSO,
such as Andriy Shkil, joined the BYuT. Shkil is still a BYuT deputy.
The other two wings of the UNA-UNSO were co-opted by Russian
intelligence. They continue to be available for provocations by Russian
intelligence in attempts to portray Ukraine’s orange leaders (like their
Georgian rose revolution counterparts) as “anti-Russian extremists.”
The two co-opted former wings of the UNA-UNSO played a highly
provocative role in attempts to discredit the opposition candidate
Viktor Yushchenko in the 2004 presidential elections. Political
technologists close to Russia’s presidential administration (i.e.,
Markov and Gleb Pavlovsky) worked for the candidate supported by Russia,
Viktor Yanukovych. They sought to portray Yushchenko as a rabid
“anti-Russian, Ukrainian nationalist” to reduce his popularity in
Russophone eastern Ukraine (see EDM, June 29 and September 23, 2004, May
13, 2005).
One of the two co-opted UNA-UNSO groups, led by Dmytro Korchynsky, was
renamed Bratstvo (Brotherhood). Bratstvo and the Progressive Socialist
Party are the only two Ukrainian parties in the Highest Council of the
International Eurasian Movement and the Eurasian Youth Movement. Both of
these organizations are devoted to the Eurasianist ideologist Aleksandr
G. Dugin who has ingratiated himself with the Putin regime (see Andreas
Umland’s detailed analysis in www.pravda.com.ua, July 20, 2007).
The SBU has also unveiled Russian intelligence’s attempts to recruit
Ukrainians who would “testify” for money that they had undergone
“subversive training” in UNA-UNSO bases in western Ukraine with the aim
of undertaking “terrorist” attacks alongside Chechens in Russia.
Recruited Tatars were also paid to speak on Russian television about the
existence of alleged training camps for Islamic terrorists in the
Crimea. The aim in both cases, the SBU believes, was to show that
Ukraine was a host to training camps for religious and nationalist
extremists.
Russia’s accusations are doubly ironic. First, the UNA-UNSO wing with
solid nationalist credentials joined the BYuT in 2001-2002. Tymoshenko
meanwhile has been accused of “treason” by the presidential secretariat
based on an unfounded allegation that she has “done a deal” with Russian
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Second, the remainder of the former
UNA-UNSO (i.e., Bratstvo) has long worked for Russian intelligence.
http://jamestown.org/edm/article.php?article_id=2373411
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chechnya-sl/
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Window on Eurasia: Moscow Began Preparing for Georgian War Four Years
Ago, Illarionov Says
Paul Goble
Eagles Meer, PA, October 1 – The Russian government began preparing for
the invasion of Georgia four years ago as part of a more general attack
on the West and the West’s democratic, free market, and security ideas
in the post-Soviet states, according to former Putin economics advisor
and more recently Kremlin critic Andrei Illarionov.
In a speech delivered to the Cato Institute in Ukraine on September 4
but posted online only this week, Illarionov described what Moscow’s
political leaders had said about Georgia over that period and what
Russian intelligence services had done against Georgia well before the
first of August (abkhazeti.info/news/1222739236.php).
And he described precisely what Russian forces had been doing in the
weeks leading up to the outbreak of hostilities and what they did after
that time, actions that in both cases show just how false are all
Russian claims that Tbilisi started the war and that Moscow intervened
to defend its citizens or the right of nations to self-determination.
If one examines this history, Illarionov said, then it becomes clear why
Moscow went to war against Georgia and why it is so critical that
everyone understand that “the Russian-Georgian war is part of another,
very major war that Russia intends to launch as a responsive strike to
the West.”
After disposing of Russia’s “propaganda” arguments about its invasion of
Georgia – the defense of Russian citizens, the right of nations to
self-determination, and the supposed Georgian genocide of Ossetians –
Illarionov focused on two things: the reasons Moscow decided to move
against Georgia after the “rose” revolution and the specific steps it took.
According to Illarionov, the reasons for the Russian-Georgian war are to
be found in Moscow’s reaction to the changes Georgia has undertaken in
the last four years and to Mikhail Saakashvili’s success in restoring
Tbilisi’s control over the Ajar region which had more often looked to
Russia than to Georgia.
Over the last four years, Illarionov said, “a contemporary, European,
democratic state, responsible to the population, has been created.” And
he added that as a specialist on economic reform, he was prepared to
assert that there has not been any other country in the world which “has
carried out so many reforms in such a short time.”
Those reforms, the former Kremlin advisor said, made it possible for
Mikhail Saakashvili to turn from Moscow to the West and to indicate that
he wanted his country to become a member of NATO and other Western
institutions. Such goals were unacceptable to the Russian leadership,
and consequently, it set as its “task” the removal of Saakashvili.
After the Georgian president “resolved” the Ajar problem, Moscow “began
to think” about replacing him. In December 2005, the Kremlin ordered the
heads of Russian energy companies to begin a blockade of Georgia, but
when that effort failed, the Russian government turned to other means.
Several pipelines and electric power lines passing from Russia to
Georgia were blown up, actions that many blamed on Islamic terrorists
but which, Illarionov said, investigations showed were in fact the work
of Russian special services. And “after that, there was an attempt at
the liquidation of the leader of the [Georgian] opposition,” presumably
by the same agencies.
In 2006, the Georgian special services arrested several Russian agencies
but, Illarionov noted, “Georgia followed diplomatic etiquette and
without any noise sent them back to Moscow.” Moscow stepped up its
penetration efforts, and in September, Tbilisi announced the arrest of
four Russian agents, and Moscow responded with an economic blockade.
Over the same period, Russia “strengthened its military presence in
Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” and Russia diplomats told their colleagues
quite openly that Moscow would engage in military actions in Georgia
before September 2008, statements that many were inclined to dismiss but
that proved to be quite true.
And then Illarionov details the specific steps from July through
mid-August that show that Russia was planning to move well before
Saakashvili transferred his forces into South Ossetia, the action that
the Russian government continues to insist was the proximate cause of
the war.
Most of the details he provided about that period have been reported in
the Western media, although they, like Illarionov’s speech in Kyiv
itself, have not been given much attention in the mainstream Russian
media. (On that failure, see the discussion of Illarionov’s remarks at
www.kavkazcenter.com/russ/content/2008/09/30/61325.shtml.)
But the former Kremlin advisor’s conclusion is if not new at least more
clearly articulated than those which have been offered by most others.
He pointed out that Russia continues to want a change of leadership in
Tbilisi because for the Kremlin, “the western choice of Georgia is
unacceptable.”
Consequently, Illarionov said, Moscow’s war against Western influence in
the post-Soviet states and hence against the West itself has just begun.
From the Kremlin’s perspective, Georgia was the weak link, a place where
unlike in the Baltic countries or even Ukraine, it could act.
But because it did not achieve its goal in Georgia, Moscow will continue
to push there and elsewhere because Illarionov suggests, the Russian
leadership knows that if the Western combination of democracy and free
markets succeed in these countries, not only will Russia’s influence
there decline but the power of Russia’s current leaders will be at risk
as well.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chechnya-sl/
* Obama’s Poems Show Real Talent Level:
Prior to 1990, when Barack Obama contracted to write Dreams From My Father, he had written very close to nothing.
As an undergraduate at Occidental College, Obama had composed what he calls some “very bad poetry,” and he does not sell himself short...[more]
http://www.cashill.com/natl_general/obamas_poems.htm
* What follows is a useful video on the financial crisis that is worth sharing as it makes the situation quickly comprehendible:
Burning Down The House: What Caused Our Economic Crisis?
or:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5tZc8oH—o
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ae.wPfK0oXfM&refer=home
Nuclear Terrorism Is No. 1 Threat, ElBaradei Says (Update1)
By Jonathan Tirone
Sept. 30 (Bloomberg) — The likelihood that terrorists will detonate a nuclear weapon poses the greatest risk to world security, surpassing proliferation threats from Iran and North Korea, United Nations atomic chief Mohamed ElBaradei said.
``There is a lot of interest on the part of extremist groups to obtain nuclear material,’’ ElBaradei, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said at a scientific forum today in Vienna during the annual conference of the 145 nations in the IAEA. ``It’s the No. 1 security threat right now.’’
more.
Today in History:
October 2, 1958 - Guinea
Independence Day
No information provided.
Upcoming Significant Events:
October 3, (year unknown) - Australia
Labor Day
No information provided.
October 3, (year unknown) - Honduras
Birthday of Francisco Morazan
The national hero of Honduras, who was a leader in the unsuccessful effort to keep Central America united.
October 4, 1966 - Lesotho
Independence Day
Moshoeshoe II took the oath of office as king for life.
October 5, 1919 - Portugal
Proclamation of the Republic
No information provided.
October 5, 1921 - Liechtenstein
Establishment of the Monarchy
The Principality of Liechtenstein was established as a hereditary constitutional monarchy based on the constitution of 1921.
October 5, 1987 - Chile
Lautaro Youth Movement Founded
The leftist terrorist group has commemorated this anniversary by attacking Chilean and American targets.
October 5, 1988 - Chile
Referendum Ends Pinochet Rule
General Pinochet called a referendum to win eight more years as Chile’s military ruler. When he lost the vote, Pinochet decided to allow the restoration of multi-party democracy.
October 6, 1973 - Egypt
Armed Forces Day
No information provided.
October 6, 1973 - Egypt
The Yom Kippur War Begins
No information provided.
October 6, 1973 - Israel
The Yom Kippur War Begins
No information provided.
October 6, 1973 - Syria
The Yom Kippur War Begins
No information provided.
October 6, 1976 - Thailand
Overthrow of the Government
Thirty-eight students were killed in Thammasat during protests against the return of former president Thanom. The government was overthrown the same day.
October 6, 1981 - Egypt
Anwar Sadat Assassinated
No information provided.
Hackers Penetrate South Korean Missle Manufacturer
By Technocrat(Technocrat)
“In the worst case, the blueprints of missiles and Aegis ship could have
been stolen.” The malicious code was installed in March and was only
detected last month. Articles reporting the incident are here and here. ...
http://djtechnocrat.blogspot.com/2008/10/hackers-penetrate-south-korean-missle.html
Thoughts of a Technocrat
http://djtechnocrat.blogspot.com/
World Digest Foreigners get OK to go after pirates
Seattle Times - United States
Somalia authorized foreign powers on Wednesday to use force against pirates
holding a ship loaded with tanks for $20 million ransom, raising. ...
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008221361_wdig02.html
See all stories on this topic:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008221361_wdig02.html
Easy Breakfast Treat
From the kitchen of Janet Wollbrinck
2 (7.5 ounce) cans Biscuits
1/3 cup margarine or butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
2 Tablespoons water
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces and put in a bowl. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter with brown sugar, vanilla , cinnamon and water until well mixed. Pour over biscuit pieces until all pieces are well coated. Place mixture in a greased bundt pan (spray with Pam). Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes.
Copyright 2008 Northpole.com, LLC
http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/PrinterFriendlyPages/rec0118Print.html
Walid Phares: Let the Dissidents Challenge the Jihadists
http://anti-jihad.org/blog/2008/10/walid-phares-on-jihad/ __._,_.___
If reposting elsewhere, please credit source of this research as UnitedStatesAction.com
October 2, 2008 Anti-Terrorism News - UnitedStatesAction.com
(Iraq) Bombs near Shiite mosques in Baghdad kill 24 — teenage suicide near Rasoul mosque in Baghdad,
car bomb near mosque in Zafaraniyah in southeastern Baghdad; Sunnis shot in minibus in Wajihiyah
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/oct/02/bombs-near-shiite-mosques-in-baghdad-kill-24/
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081002/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq_42;_ylt=AvGm5.FEimvMA.TF6GpH.OdX6GMA
— KUNA report on bombings
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1941429&Language=en
— Gunmen kill six people in Diyala, Iraq
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1941434&Language=en
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=3.0.2531890405
(Iraq) Blog: “Iraq: more reconciliation news”
http://www.qando.net/details.aspx?entry=9425
— Comment: watch for the increasing use of policy of “reconciliation” by those unwilling to
identify enemy ideology
(Afghanistan) EU’s Solana cautiously welcomes Afghan talks initiative — with Taliban
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081002/wl_sthasia_afp/afghanistanunresteudiplomacy_081002120807;_ylt=Ah4VX5ZI4bqJcrWN3mIs_IbOVooA
(Afghanistan) Bush says extremists can’t stand progress in Afghanistan
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1222017431869&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
(Afghanistan) White House Looks For New Strategy In Afghanistan
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95269569&ft=1&f=1004
(Pakistan) PM Gilani: US cannot fight terrorism without Pakistan’s support
— “ a day after he condemned US aerial attacks inside the country as ‘acts of terrorism’”
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/southasia/news/article_1434442.php/Gilani_US_cannot_fight_terrorism_without_Pakistans_support_
(Pakistan) Geo TV: Taliban Commander Baitullah Mehsud visits parts of S.Waziristan
— “according to Taliban sources”
http://www.geo.tv/10-2-2008/26134.htm
— previously reported as dead
(Pakistan) NWFP: Pakistani leader survives suicide attack, five killed — Asfand Yar Wali Khan, the
leader of Awami National Party (ANP)
http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1941461&Language=en
— during Eid greetings at residence in Wali Bagh area of Charsadda district
http://www.geo.tv/10-2-2008/26123.htm
— AP report at
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/02/asia/AS-Pakistan-Explosion.php
(Pakistan) UN to withdraw children of staff in Islamabad: official
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081002/wl_sthasia_afp/pakistanunrestundiplomacy_081002102429;_ylt=AgCZsFAh1bCn8OUT1cEGRMzzPukA
— UN raises Pakistan security after hotel bombing
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081002/ap_on_re_as/as_pakistan_9;_ylt=AvkjZwLzv_j1RYbqseNPRwfzPukA
Pakistan: US strikes hurt anti-terror effort
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/02/asia/AS-Pakistan-Missile-Attack.php
Pakistan made a ‘scapegoat’ in terror war: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/international/2008/October/international_October143.xml§ion=international
India for united action against global terror: Pranab
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_for_united_action_against_global_terror/articleshow/3553377.cms
(U.S.) N.Y. court overturns terrorism verdicts — “that led to long prison terms for a Yemeni cleric and his deputy” - Mohammed Ali Al-Moayad, and Mohammed Mohsen Zayed
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-10-02-ny-courts_N.htm
http://www.silive.com/newsflash/metro/index.ssf?/base/news-37/1222966746176580.xml&storylist=simetro
-— were convicted of conspiring to provide material support to Hamas and Al-Qaeda
-— Al-Moayad reportedly boasted of giving Osama Bin Laden $20 million
(U.S.) Police group: Rethink anti-terrorism money — International Association of Chiefs of Police calls for money to go towards crime-fighting, not terrorism
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/10/02/Police_group_Rethink_anti-terrorism_money/UPI-99451222962138/
(U.S.) 9/11 rescue crew battles memories
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/02/911-rescue-crew-battles-memories/
(UK) Woman on trial denies helping to fund terrorism training — Mehreen Haji, wife of Habib Ahmed
http://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/3721046.Woman_on_trial_denies_helping_to_fund_terrorism_training/
(UK) Report: MI5 computer missing after break-in
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/02/europe/EU-Britain-Missing-Computer.php
— Palmtop computer stolen from open window in M15 hideout
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article4868535.ece
(Iran) Ex-weapons hunter: Iran 2-5 years from nuke bomb — U.S. David Kay
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081001/ap_on_go_ot/iran_nuclear_kay
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1222017432721&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Iran hints at nuclear rethink if gets guarantees
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/02/europe/EU-Iran-Nuclear.php
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1222017441551&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
-— Comment: Iran stalling for more time
Syria: Israel accuses Damascus of resuming nuclear activity
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=3.0.2532172955
(UAE) No terrorism threat in the UAE
http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/General/10249328.html
Somali pirates will fight for $20 million ransom
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/02/africa/AF-Somalia-Piracy.php
— Somali pirates stick to $20 million ransom demand
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/oct/02/somali-pirates-stick-to-20-million-ransom-demand/
— Europe to send warships to defeat Somali pirates
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4867351.ece
Nigeria: Militants Reply Military, Threaten to Resume War in Niger Delta
http://allafrica.com/stories/200810020282.html
(Netherlands) Dutch court extends prison for 4 terror plotters - Samir Azzouz, Nouredine al Fatmi,
Soumaya Sahla, Mohammed Chentouf
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/02/europe/EU-Netherlands-Terror-Trial.php
-— AP reports that “Judges cited their adherence to a single violent belief system,” but AP won’t describe it
-— Jihadist Samir Azzouz: “We reject your system. We hate you. I guess that about sums it up.”
— Expatica report
http://www.expatica.com/nl/articles/news/Dutch-terrorist-gets-nine-years-in-prison.html
-— Azzouz previous quotes on 9/11: “Osama bin Laden is fighting the Americans in the same way
as he was fighting the Russians (in Afghanistan). This can be compared to the Dutch resistance
to the Germans (in the Second World War). As a Muslim, it is my duty to help my brothers.”
http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/1307
-—— also “We will revenge every Muslim who died while defending the Unity of Allah...You will be
considered combatants because you elected this government. Your fortunes and your blood are
legitimate to us.”
-— some court history
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samir_Azzouz
-— previous JihadWatch reports
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/018176.php
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/009541.php
(Germany) Cologne Arrests: Evidence against Terror Suspects Crumbles
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,581639,00.html
-— “Friends and acquaintances describe Omar D. as a ‘friendly and helpful young man,’ and
they only speak positively of him. Investigators, however, consider him to be a would-be suicide bomber. “
France: Riots after teenager dies while fleeing police
http://islamineurope.blogspot.com/2008/10/france-riots-after-teenager-dies-while.html
— Le Monde report (in French)
http://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2008/10/01/a-romans-un-deploiement-policier-inedit-a-contenu-des-jeunes-encourages-a-bruler-tout_1101572_3224.html
— Le Monde Bablefish (Rough) Translation:
-— “A handle of them leave while shouting: “’Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar!’ ‘That will burn,’ explains one of the
leaders of the group surrounded by a cloud D adolescent which listen to it with respect. ‘There is enough
that our little brothers die in our districts. You dominated our parents. We, one is the third generation and
one will open our mouth.’”
http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?tt=url&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lemonde.fr%2Fsociete%2Farticle%2F2008%2F10%2F01%2Fa-romans-un-deploiement-policier-inedit-a-contenu-des-jeunes-encourages-a-bruler-tout_1101572_3224.html&lp=fr_en&.intl=us&fr=yfp-t-501
— AP: French policeman shot in clashes with youths
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080930/ap_on_re_eu/eu_france_clashes
(Italy) Pope says laws against terrorism must be just
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081002/wl_nm/us_pope_terrorism
(Philippines) Muslim rebel attack kills 11 in southern Philippines
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/02/2380842.htm
(Philippines) AFP: “’God’s army’ takes aim at Philippine Muslim rebels”
-— “Felimon Cayang says he is ready to die to save his native southern Philippine island from the
Muslim separatist rebels spreading terror through its Christian communities”
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/081002/afp/081002143058asiapacificnews.html
(Sri Lanka) 34 rebels, one soldier dead in air attacks by Lankan forces
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/34_rebels_one_soldier_dead_in_air_attacks_by_Lankan_forces/articleshow/3553455.cms
(North Korea) US envoy seeking to save nuke deal extends stay in NKorea
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081002/pl_afp/nkoreanuclearweaponsusskorea_081002134657;_ylt=AqaKej2OYAP4ZJBl7lmm1LCCscEA
Commentaries:
Walid Phares: Let the Dissidents Challenge the Jihadists
http://anti-jihad.org/blog/2008/10/walid-phares-on-jihad/
Other News:
(U.S.) Grenade Found Across Street From Egyptian Embassy in Washington — update of grenade
discovery in MD/DC’s Rock Creek Park
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,431215,00.html
— FBI says not live, and “no known terrorism link”
Somalia: Islamist militiamen ‘destroy church in south’ — another report of Wednesday attack on
Catholic cathedral “to mark the end of the holy muslim fasting month of Ramadan”
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Religion/?id=3.0.2532013578
Indonesia: Alliance may isolate Islamist party, experts say
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Politics/?id=3.0.2532172343
Kuwait Human Rights Society demands that YouTube erase “anti-Islam” material
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/022936.php
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/client/pagesdetails.asp?nid=22943&ccid=22
(UK) Scotland Yard commissioner resigns
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/02/europe/EU-Britain-Police-Chief.php
Islamic debt issuance stalls — growth of Islamic debt instruments, or sukuk, derailed
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b2bd2ed0-8fcc-11dd-9890-0000779fd18c.html?nclick_check=1
Netherlands: William of Orange, a practicing Muslim
http://islamineurope.blogspot.com/2008/10/netherlands-william-of-orange.html
Czech Muslims to file complaint against National Party
http://www.praguemonitor.com/en/433/czech_national_news/28617/
— Czech Republic: Muslims to file complaint against National Party
http://islamineurope.blogspot.com/2008/10/cr-muslims-to-file-complaint-against.html
Honda Unveils New Hybrid at Paris Motor Show
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,431612,00.html
(U.S.) WTC owners rewrite expectations at ground zero
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081002/ap_on_re_us/attacks_redevelopment
(U.S.) WorldNetDaily.com: “4 Weathermen terrorists declare support for Obama”
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=76758
Against Nazi News:
Report: “Austrian Party That Wants to Bring Back Nazi Imagery Wins Big” — by Mary Madigan
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/austrian-party-that-wants-to-bring-back-nazi-imagery-wins-big/
-— see also JihadWatch.org reports
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/2008/09/022898print.html
-— see also Jerusalem Post report
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1222017396268&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
-— see also Melanie Phillips article
http://www.spectator.co.uk/melaniephillips/2183566/the-distant-sound-of-breaking-glass.thtml
__._,_.___
If reposting elsewhere, please credit source of this research as UnitedStatesAction.com
Dear Cashill Newsletter Readers,
Time-Warner, a conglomerate that donated $338,527 to Obama’s campaign, had the following youtube video pulled due to alleged copyright infringement issues. It is the one to which I sent you earlier this morning. It’s possible the other side might have felt threatened by its message. Fortunately, the video maker has since re-posted:
Burning Down the House: What Caused our Economic Crisis?
“This video is an informative look at the factors that are causing our current financial and economic crisis. It discusses policy changes 13 years ago that unleashed the sub-prime mortgage-backed securities market, which accelerated prices erratically, inviting speculation and loose lending practices which were both condoned and encouraged by existing regulation and carried out by risk-blind executives and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.”
I do not know the author — other than he/she is determined to get the word out. You’ll understand why:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RZVw3no2A4&feature=iv&annotation_id=event_597487
Sincerely,
Debra Blackstone
Moderater - Cashill Newsletter
[This just came, the original post is above on this page. granny]
http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp1171.htm
To view or print the PDF content on this page, download the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®.
October 2, 2008
HP-1171
Treasury Designates Corporate Network Tied
to the Amezcua Contreras Organization
Washington, D.C.– The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today named 10 individuals and six companies tied to the Amezcua Contreras Organization, a major Mexican drug trafficking organization, as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers (SDNTs). The designees, all based in Mexico, are now subject to economic sanctions pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act).
“We are further sanctioning the Amezcua Contreras Organization today to degrade and dismantle its network of associates and companies producing methamphetamines for distribution in the United States and elsewhere. We applaud the Mexican authorities’ recent seizures of illicit pseudoephedrine shipments, and will continue to take steps in support of their efforts to target the diversion of methamphetamine precursor materials” said OFAC Director Adam J. Szubin.
Today’s designation includes key Amezcua Contreras associates Adan Amezcua Contreras, Jaime Ladino Avila, Patricia Amezcua Contreras, Gerardo Alvarez Vazquez, and Telesforo Baltazar Tirado Escamilla, owner of Productos Farmaceuticos Collins, S.A. de C.V. Today’s designation also includes Jalisco businessman Carlos Lomeli Bolanos, who reportedly assisted in the illicit diversion of methamphetamine precursor materials to the Amezcua Contreras Organization. Included as well are Javier Pulido Valdivia and Rosalinda Rendon Poblete, the owner and general director, respectively, of Laboratorios Willmar, S.A. de C.V., and Luis Alfonso Tirado Diaz and Rolando Tirado Diaz, both senior managers at Productos Farmaceuticos Collins, S.A. de C.V.
The financial and supply network included among today’s designations is comprised of companies in the Mexican states of Jalisco and Baja California, including three pharmaceutical companies, Productos Farmaceuticos Collins, S.A. de C.V.; Laboratorios Willmar, S.A. de C.V., and Lomedic, S.A. de C.V.; a natural health products company, Salud Natural Mexicana, S.A. de C.V.; an automobile parts store, American Tune Up, S.A. de C.V.; and a pharmacy company, Farmacia Jerlyne, S.A. de C.V.
On June 1, 2000, the President identified Jose de Jesus and Luis Ignacio Amezcua Contreras as significant foreign narcotics traffickers pursuant to the Kingpin Act. They are currently imprisoned in Mexico. The Amezcua Contreras Organization, which the President identified as a significant foreign narcotics trafficker on June 1, 2006, continues to produce methamphetamine in Mexico and distribute it to the United States. The Amezcua Contreras Organization controls a network of businesses in Mexico that supplies precursor materials for methamphetamine production. Most notably, multiple tons of pseudoephedrine-based cold medicines that were manufactured or purchased by some of the companies designated today were illicitly diverted to the Amezcua Contreras Organization for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine.
This action is part of ongoing efforts under the Kingpin Act to apply financial measures against significant foreign narcotics traffickers worldwide. Internationally, more than 475 businesses and individuals associated with 75 drug kingpins have been designated by OFAC pursuant to the Kingpin Act since June 2000.
Today’s designation would not have been possible without key support from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Mexico.
The designation action freezes any assets the 16 designees may have under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits U.S. persons from conducting transactions or dealings in the property interests of the designated individuals and entities. Penalties for violations of the Kingpin Act range from civil penalties of up to $1,075,000 per violation to more severe criminal penalties. Criminal penalties for corporate officers may include up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $5,000,000. Criminal fines for corporations may reach $10,000,000. Other individuals face up to 10 years in prison for criminal violations of the Kingpin Act and fines pursuant to Title 18 of the United States Code.
-30-
REPORTS
* “Designation Chart”
[link at site, is pdf]
MELAMINE CONTAMINATED FOOD PRODUCTS
***********************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
[1] European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessment
[2] Netherlands
[3] South Korea
[4] Germany
[5] China
******
[1] European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessment
Date: Thu 25 Sep 2009
Source: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) [edited]
http://www.efsa.eu.int/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1211902098433.htm
EFSA assesses possible risks related to melamine in composite foods from China
EFSA’s scientists today [25 Sep 2008] issued a statement saying that
if adults in Europe were to consume chocolates and biscuits
containing contaminated milk powder, they would not exceed the TDI
(tolerable daily intake) of 0.5 mg/kg body weight, even in worst case
scenarios(2).
Children with a mean consumption of biscuits, milk toffee, and
chocolate made with such milk powder would also not exceed the TDI.
However, in worst-case scenarios with the highest level of
contamination, children with high daily consumption of milk toffee,
chocolate, or biscuits containing high levels of milk powder would
exceed the TDI. Children who consume both such biscuits and chocolate
could potentially exceed the TDI by up to more than 3 times.
High levels of melamine can primarily affect the kidneys. EFSA
applied the TDI of 0.5 mg/kg body weight for melamine in a specific
case of contamination in 2007(3).
The Commission requested EFSA to focus its assessment on biscuits and
chocolate, which contain milk powder as such products can be imported
from China. EFSA developed theoretical exposure scenarios based on
European consumption figures(4) of biscuits and chocolate. In the
absence of available data for contaminated milk powder, EFSA also
used the highest value of melamine, reported in Chinese infant
formula as a basis for worst-case scenarios. EFSA stressed that it is
not known at the moment whether such theoretical high-level exposure
scenarios could occur in Europe.
[1] Melamine is a chemical compound commonly used in the manufacture
of resins, plastics and glues. In Europe, melamine is approved for
manufacturing plastic materials and articles, but the addition of
melamine in food and animal feed is prohibited.
[2] EFSA used the highest value of melamine (approximately 2,500
mg/kg) reported in Chinese infant formula and consumption at the 95th
percentile as a basis for worst case scenarios.
[3] Because there is uncertainty with respect to the time scale for
development of kidney damage, EFSA used the TDI of 0.5 mg/kg body
weight which is protective for exposure over a lifetime in considering
possible effects of exposure to melamine over a relatively short
period, such as might occur with repeated consumption of melamine
contaminated products
[4] Panel evaluated data from the Concise European Consumption
Database, the CAOBISCO industry association; data on levels of
melamine in infant formula reported by the Chinese State
Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.
The EFSA statement on risks for public health due to the presences of
melamine in infant milk and other milk products in China is available
at
http://www.efsa.eu.int/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1211902098495.htm
The request from the European Commission for urgent scientific and
technical assistance is available at
http://www.efsa.eu.int/EFSA/ScientificPanels/CONTAM/efsa_locale-1178620753812_contam_requests_mandates.htm
See also:
EFSA’s provisional statement related to melamine and structurally
related compounds such as cyanuric acid in protein-rich ingredients
used for feed and food (2007), available at
http://www.efsa.eu.int/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178625242716.htm
Report of the Scientific Committee for Food on certain monomers of
other starting substances to be used in the manufacture of plastic
materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs
(1984), available at
http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/scf/reports/scf_reports_17.pdf
For media enquiries, please contact
Ian Palombi Press@efsa.europa.eu
—
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
promed@promedmail.org
[The European Commission’s Health & Consumers Directorate-General,
Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, Section
Toxicological Safety of the Food Chain, will meet on Fri 10 Oct 2008
to discuss the melamine problem.
http://ec.europa.eu/food/committees/regulatory/scfcah/toxic/index_en.htm
- Mod.ARN]
******
[2] Netherlands
Date: Tue 30 Sep 2008
Source: Voice of America (VOA) news [edited]
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-09-30-voa51.cfm
Cookies with melamine found in Netherlands
—
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
promed@promedmail.org
******
[3] South Korea
Date: Tue 30 Sep 2008
Source: The Korea Times [edited]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/10/117_31913.html
Melamine detected in 2 more snacks
—
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
promed@promedmail.org
******
[4] Germany
Date: 1 Oct 2008
Source: Ministerium für Ernährung und Ländlichen Raum Baden-Wuerttemberg
[in German, edited]
http://www.mlr.baden-wuerttemberg.de/Verbraucherministerium_warnt_vor_chinesischen_Bonbons_White_Rabbit/66191.html
Sweets containing 152 mg/kg melamine (”White rabbit” brand) have been
detected in Germany.
—
Communicated by: Sabine Zentis
******
[5] China
Date: 2 Oct 2008
Source: China.org.cn [edited]
http://www.china.org.cn/china/national/2008-10/02/content_16561030.htm
Additional 31 batches of milk powder were found to contain melamine
while most products of this kind on the market were safe, the
country’s food safety watchdog said Wednesday [1 Oct 2008] following a
nationwide special check on the chemical.
The State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and
Quarantine said it had tested 265 batches milk powder produced by 154
different companies prior to 14 Sep 2008, and found 31 batches
produced by 20 domestic dairy companies were tainted with melamine.
The new batches being tested were mostly milk powder products for
adults. The melamine content in the Sanlu brand reached 6.196 mg per
kg in its so-called high iron and zinc formula, the highest among all
the samples.
—
Communicated by: Sabine Zentis
[see also:
Melamine contamination, animal feed: RFI 20081001.3097
Infant kidney stones - China (03): melamine 20080917.2915
Infant kidney stones - China (02): Gansu, milk, melamine 20080912.2856
2007