Published: Feb. 17, 2011
NATO officials agreed to enhance security consultations on all fronts with Qatar, the NATO secretary-general said.
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen met with Qatari Crown Prince Tamim Bin-Hamad Bin Khalifah al-Thani and top military officials in Doha.
Rasmussen said the NATO alliance considered Qatar a potential partner in the region as Western allies address a myriad of concerns in the Middle East.
Apart of political upheavals in the Middle East, Western allies are concerned about Iran, looming violence in Iraq and the potential consequences of Hezbollah's growing political influence in Lebanon.
"We are enhancing security policy consultations on all issues that might be of interest to partners," said Rasmussen in a statement. "We are also offering greater practical cooperation by fully opening our toolbox of cooperation projects to all our partners, including the gulf states."
He added there was the "potential" to do more as energy security weighs on the minds of many allies in the region.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Eight injured in Jordan protests
Amman, Feb 19
At least eight people were injured in clashes between pro and anti-government demonstrators in Jordan's capital Amman, a media report said Saturday.
Anti-government protests continued Friday as Jordanians took to the streets demanding constitutional reform and more say in decision-making, Al Jazeera reported.
About 2,000 pro-democracy protesters were holding their peaceful weekly demonstration in the capital when they came under attack from pro-government activists armed with batons, pipes and stones, Iran's Press TV said.
According to medical sources those injured, all pro-democracy protesters, suffered fractures to the skull, arms or legs. A journalist was among the injured.
Tareq Kmeil, a student at the protest, said: 'They (government supporters) beat us with batons and pipes and hurled rocks at us. We tried to defend ourselves, to beat them back.' He said at least eight people suffered injuries.
'Police didn't do anything to protect us,' Kmeil said.
Some pro-government supporters also denounced Al Jazeera, blaming it for fomenting unrest across the Arab world.
'Al Jazeera is behind every sickness,' read some of their signs.
The demonstrations, inspired by the unrest in the Middle East, reflect growing discontent fuelled by the most serious domestic economic crisis in years and accusations of rampant government corruption.
King Abdullah II dismissed his cabinet earlier this month after massive street protests against the government's economic and political policies.
Jordan's new Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit has promised to follow instructions given by the king and carry out 'real economic and political reforms', including amending the election law.
Pro-democracy protesters demand that the prime minister be democratically elected rather than being appointed by the king.
Link: http://www.sify.com/news/eight-injured-in-jordan-protests-news-international-lctq4zfjbdd.html.
At least eight people were injured in clashes between pro and anti-government demonstrators in Jordan's capital Amman, a media report said Saturday.
Anti-government protests continued Friday as Jordanians took to the streets demanding constitutional reform and more say in decision-making, Al Jazeera reported.
About 2,000 pro-democracy protesters were holding their peaceful weekly demonstration in the capital when they came under attack from pro-government activists armed with batons, pipes and stones, Iran's Press TV said.
According to medical sources those injured, all pro-democracy protesters, suffered fractures to the skull, arms or legs. A journalist was among the injured.
Tareq Kmeil, a student at the protest, said: 'They (government supporters) beat us with batons and pipes and hurled rocks at us. We tried to defend ourselves, to beat them back.' He said at least eight people suffered injuries.
'Police didn't do anything to protect us,' Kmeil said.
Some pro-government supporters also denounced Al Jazeera, blaming it for fomenting unrest across the Arab world.
'Al Jazeera is behind every sickness,' read some of their signs.
The demonstrations, inspired by the unrest in the Middle East, reflect growing discontent fuelled by the most serious domestic economic crisis in years and accusations of rampant government corruption.
King Abdullah II dismissed his cabinet earlier this month after massive street protests against the government's economic and political policies.
Jordan's new Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit has promised to follow instructions given by the king and carry out 'real economic and political reforms', including amending the election law.
Pro-democracy protesters demand that the prime minister be democratically elected rather than being appointed by the king.
Link: http://www.sify.com/news/eight-injured-in-jordan-protests-news-international-lctq4zfjbdd.html.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Why Jordan shies away from reform
February 3rd, 2011
By Nisreen El-Shamayleh
Jordan’s King Abdullah has indicated good intentions by responding to pressure from the Jordanian street before it’s too late. He has dismissed prime ministers repeatedly in the past, but the background of protests in Jordan coupled with the serious developments in neighbouring Egypt, give the Rifai sacking added significance and value.
For two consecutive Fridays peaceful demonstrations across the kingdom echoed the same demand: sack prime minister Samir Rifai and his cabinet. Rifai, a wealthy aristocrat, with negligible popularity among the general public, offered little relief in addressing poverty, inflation, unemployment and electoral reforms.
Many challenges face newly appointed prime minister and former major general Marouf Al Bakhit. He served as prime minister before. He held the parliamentary elections of 2007 that brought about what Jordanians describe as the worst lower house in Jordan’s history. That is why king Abdullah dissolved parliament halfway through its term in November 2009 and called for early elections. Jordan’s largest opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, has already disapproved of Bakhit’s appointment, saying they are sceptical of his ability to carry out political reforms.
What opposition groups like the Muslim Brotherhood want, is to elect the PM and cabinet members who are traditionally appointed by the monarch. Though king Abdullah has promised sincere economic and political reforms, especially on an election law, he will not surrender his right to appoint the prime minister and will not change the constitution.
Almost half of Jordan’s population is of Palestinian origin. But Palestinian representation in parliament has never exceeded 20 per cent since 1989 and is currently at its lowest 12 per cent. The current one-man-one-vote election law along with the cautiously divided constituencies are designed in such a way to favour Bedouin pro-government loyalists to Palestinian Jordanians densely populating cities like Amman, Zarqa and Irbid. More of the former end up under the parliament dome.
In any real democratic election in Jordan, the Palestinian and Islamist majorities will win more control. While that could affect Jordan’s moderate reputation in the international arena, it also gives neighbouring Israel an excuse to make a proposition. Israel would be the first to capitalise on such a political outcome by claiming that with so many Palestinians governing Jordan, the West Bank can re-federate with Jordan and there will be no need for an additional Palestinian state. The Palestinian problem is solved without a two-state solution.
Although these are odd Israeli voices that violate every single international law, they still manage to make Jordan’s appointed leaders and Bedouin population cringe. Political reforms in Jordan may only minimal be at this stage because so much is at stake. But if the opposition continues to protest to achieve changes at the grass-roots level, then Jordan may find itself up against a real political challenge.
By Nisreen El-Shamayleh
Jordan’s King Abdullah has indicated good intentions by responding to pressure from the Jordanian street before it’s too late. He has dismissed prime ministers repeatedly in the past, but the background of protests in Jordan coupled with the serious developments in neighbouring Egypt, give the Rifai sacking added significance and value.
For two consecutive Fridays peaceful demonstrations across the kingdom echoed the same demand: sack prime minister Samir Rifai and his cabinet. Rifai, a wealthy aristocrat, with negligible popularity among the general public, offered little relief in addressing poverty, inflation, unemployment and electoral reforms.
Many challenges face newly appointed prime minister and former major general Marouf Al Bakhit. He served as prime minister before. He held the parliamentary elections of 2007 that brought about what Jordanians describe as the worst lower house in Jordan’s history. That is why king Abdullah dissolved parliament halfway through its term in November 2009 and called for early elections. Jordan’s largest opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, has already disapproved of Bakhit’s appointment, saying they are sceptical of his ability to carry out political reforms.
What opposition groups like the Muslim Brotherhood want, is to elect the PM and cabinet members who are traditionally appointed by the monarch. Though king Abdullah has promised sincere economic and political reforms, especially on an election law, he will not surrender his right to appoint the prime minister and will not change the constitution.
Almost half of Jordan’s population is of Palestinian origin. But Palestinian representation in parliament has never exceeded 20 per cent since 1989 and is currently at its lowest 12 per cent. The current one-man-one-vote election law along with the cautiously divided constituencies are designed in such a way to favour Bedouin pro-government loyalists to Palestinian Jordanians densely populating cities like Amman, Zarqa and Irbid. More of the former end up under the parliament dome.
In any real democratic election in Jordan, the Palestinian and Islamist majorities will win more control. While that could affect Jordan’s moderate reputation in the international arena, it also gives neighbouring Israel an excuse to make a proposition. Israel would be the first to capitalise on such a political outcome by claiming that with so many Palestinians governing Jordan, the West Bank can re-federate with Jordan and there will be no need for an additional Palestinian state. The Palestinian problem is solved without a two-state solution.
Although these are odd Israeli voices that violate every single international law, they still manage to make Jordan’s appointed leaders and Bedouin population cringe. Political reforms in Jordan may only minimal be at this stage because so much is at stake. But if the opposition continues to protest to achieve changes at the grass-roots level, then Jordan may find itself up against a real political challenge.
43 MBs arrested overnight with the approach of elections
Thursday, November 11,2010
Once again The government has left no space for citizens and the opposition to express themselves and in this oppressive atmosphere, as the opposition waits for the election period in hope to present its programs to the public the ministry of interior deprives the opposition of this opportunity by arresting them.
The recent crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood members and supporters in a nationwide sweep took place with the arresting, abducting and detaining of many more MB’s.
Security personnel arrested 6 MB members from Kerdasa who were supporters of Abdul Salam Bashendy after storming their houses at dawn.
The constituency of Ismailia witnessed 33 arrests as MB members were hanging posters for elections also supporting the MB candidate.
Forces also arrested 6 MB’s from Alayat Giza, where Dr. Hossam Shendi was nominated after ransacking their houses.
MB member Dr. Mahmoud Abdul Baqy was abducted from the Sharqeya constituency, while Alexandria’s security abducted MB candidate Bushra Alsamny’s supporter Engineer Essam Abu Haby as he accompanied her during her campaigning.
Two more MB’s were arrested from Monofeya after accompanying MB candidate Abdul Fattah Eid during his propaganda campaign.
This is not the first violation committed by the ministry of the interior against the opposition prior to public or presidential elections. The ministry of the interior has become accustomed to launching a harsh crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood thus extinguishing the hope for fair elections that are a reflection of the people's will.
Once again The government has left no space for citizens and the opposition to express themselves and in this oppressive atmosphere, as the opposition waits for the election period in hope to present its programs to the public the ministry of interior deprives the opposition of this opportunity by arresting them.
The recent crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood members and supporters in a nationwide sweep took place with the arresting, abducting and detaining of many more MB’s.
Security personnel arrested 6 MB members from Kerdasa who were supporters of Abdul Salam Bashendy after storming their houses at dawn.
The constituency of Ismailia witnessed 33 arrests as MB members were hanging posters for elections also supporting the MB candidate.
Forces also arrested 6 MB’s from Alayat Giza, where Dr. Hossam Shendi was nominated after ransacking their houses.
MB member Dr. Mahmoud Abdul Baqy was abducted from the Sharqeya constituency, while Alexandria’s security abducted MB candidate Bushra Alsamny’s supporter Engineer Essam Abu Haby as he accompanied her during her campaigning.
Two more MB’s were arrested from Monofeya after accompanying MB candidate Abdul Fattah Eid during his propaganda campaign.
This is not the first violation committed by the ministry of the interior against the opposition prior to public or presidential elections. The ministry of the interior has become accustomed to launching a harsh crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood thus extinguishing the hope for fair elections that are a reflection of the people's will.
The Torture Career of Egypt's New Vice President: Omar Suleiman and the Rendition to Torture Program
Published on Sunday, January 30, 2011 by CommonDreams.org
by Stephen Soldz
In response to the mass protests of recent days, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has appointed his first Vice President in his over 30 years rule, intelligence chief Omar Suleiman. When Suleiman was first announced, Aljazeera commentators were describing him as a "distinguished" and "respected " man. It turns out, however, that he is distinguished for, among other things, his central role in Egyptian torture and in the US rendition to torture program. Further, he is "respected" by US officials for his cooperation with their torture plans, among other initiatives.
Katherine Hawkins, an expert on the US's rendition to torture program, in an email, has sent some critical texts where Suleiman pops up. Thus, Jane Mayer, in The Dark Side, pointed to Suleiman's role in the rendition program:
Each rendition was authorized at the very top levels of both governments....The long-serving chief of the Egyptian central intelligence agency, Omar Suleiman, negotiated directly with top Agency officials. [Former U.S. Ambassador to Egypt] Walker described the Egyptian counterpart, Suleiman, as "very bright, very realistic," adding that he was cognizant that there was a downside to "some of the negative things that the Egyptians engaged in, of torture and so on. But he was not squeamish, by the way" (pp. 113).
Stephen Grey, in Ghost Plane, his investigative work on the rendition program also points to Suleiman as central in the rendition program:
To negotiate these assurances [that the Egyptians wouldn't "torture" the prisoner delivered for torture] the CIA dealt principally in Egypt through Omar Suleiman, the chief of the Egyptian general intelligence service (EGIS) since 1993. It was he who arranged the meetings with the Egyptian interior ministry.... Suleiman, who understood English well, was an urbane and sophisticated man. Others told me that for years Suleiman was America's chief interlocutor with the Egyptian regime -- the main channel to President Hosni Mubarak himself, even on matters far removed from intelligence and security.
Suleiman's role, was also highlighted in a Wikileaks cable:
In the context of the close and sustained cooperation between the USG and GOE on counterterrorism, Post believes that the written GOE assurances regarding the return of three Egyptians detained at Guantanamo (reftel) represent the firm commitment of the GOE to adhere to the requested principles. These assurances were passed directly from Egyptian General Intelligence Service (EGIS) Chief Soliman through liaison channels -- the most effective communication path on this issue. General Soliman's word is the GOE's guarantee, and the GOE's track record of cooperation on CT issues lends further support to this assessment. End summary.
However, Suleiman wasn't just the go-to bureaucrat for when the Americans wanted to arrange a little torture. This "urbane and sophisticated man" apparently enjoyed a little rough stuff himself.
Shortly after 9/11, Australian citizen Mamdouh Habib was captured by Pakistani security forces and, under US pressure, torture by Pakistanis. He was then rendered (with an Australian diplomats watching) by CIA operatives to Egypt, a not uncommon practice. In Egypt, Habib merited Suleiman's personal attention. As related by Richard Neville, based on Habib's memoir:
Habib was interrogated by the country's Intelligence Director, General Omar Suleiman.... Suleiman took a personal interest in anyone suspected of links with Al Qaeda. As Habib had visited Afghanistan shortly before 9/11, he was under suspicion. Habib was repeatedly zapped with high-voltage electricity, immersed in water up to his nostrils, beaten, his fingers were broken and he was hung from metal hooks.
That treatment wasn't enough for Suleiman, so:
To loosen Habib's tongue, Suleiman ordered a guard to murder a gruesomely shackled Turkistan prisoner in front of Habib - and he did, with a vicious karate kick.
After Suleiman's men extracted Habib's confession, he was transferred back to US custody, where he eventually was imprisoned at Guantanamo. His "confession" was then used
by Stephen Soldz
In response to the mass protests of recent days, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has appointed his first Vice President in his over 30 years rule, intelligence chief Omar Suleiman. When Suleiman was first announced, Aljazeera commentators were describing him as a "distinguished" and "respected " man. It turns out, however, that he is distinguished for, among other things, his central role in Egyptian torture and in the US rendition to torture program. Further, he is "respected" by US officials for his cooperation with their torture plans, among other initiatives.
Katherine Hawkins, an expert on the US's rendition to torture program, in an email, has sent some critical texts where Suleiman pops up. Thus, Jane Mayer, in The Dark Side, pointed to Suleiman's role in the rendition program:
Each rendition was authorized at the very top levels of both governments....The long-serving chief of the Egyptian central intelligence agency, Omar Suleiman, negotiated directly with top Agency officials. [Former U.S. Ambassador to Egypt] Walker described the Egyptian counterpart, Suleiman, as "very bright, very realistic," adding that he was cognizant that there was a downside to "some of the negative things that the Egyptians engaged in, of torture and so on. But he was not squeamish, by the way" (pp. 113).
Stephen Grey, in Ghost Plane, his investigative work on the rendition program also points to Suleiman as central in the rendition program:
To negotiate these assurances [that the Egyptians wouldn't "torture" the prisoner delivered for torture] the CIA dealt principally in Egypt through Omar Suleiman, the chief of the Egyptian general intelligence service (EGIS) since 1993. It was he who arranged the meetings with the Egyptian interior ministry.... Suleiman, who understood English well, was an urbane and sophisticated man. Others told me that for years Suleiman was America's chief interlocutor with the Egyptian regime -- the main channel to President Hosni Mubarak himself, even on matters far removed from intelligence and security.
Suleiman's role, was also highlighted in a Wikileaks cable:
In the context of the close and sustained cooperation between the USG and GOE on counterterrorism, Post believes that the written GOE assurances regarding the return of three Egyptians detained at Guantanamo (reftel) represent the firm commitment of the GOE to adhere to the requested principles. These assurances were passed directly from Egyptian General Intelligence Service (EGIS) Chief Soliman through liaison channels -- the most effective communication path on this issue. General Soliman's word is the GOE's guarantee, and the GOE's track record of cooperation on CT issues lends further support to this assessment. End summary.
However, Suleiman wasn't just the go-to bureaucrat for when the Americans wanted to arrange a little torture. This "urbane and sophisticated man" apparently enjoyed a little rough stuff himself.
Shortly after 9/11, Australian citizen Mamdouh Habib was captured by Pakistani security forces and, under US pressure, torture by Pakistanis. He was then rendered (with an Australian diplomats watching) by CIA operatives to Egypt, a not uncommon practice. In Egypt, Habib merited Suleiman's personal attention. As related by Richard Neville, based on Habib's memoir:
Habib was interrogated by the country's Intelligence Director, General Omar Suleiman.... Suleiman took a personal interest in anyone suspected of links with Al Qaeda. As Habib had visited Afghanistan shortly before 9/11, he was under suspicion. Habib was repeatedly zapped with high-voltage electricity, immersed in water up to his nostrils, beaten, his fingers were broken and he was hung from metal hooks.
That treatment wasn't enough for Suleiman, so:
To loosen Habib's tongue, Suleiman ordered a guard to murder a gruesomely shackled Turkistan prisoner in front of Habib - and he did, with a vicious karate kick.
After Suleiman's men extracted Habib's confession, he was transferred back to US custody, where he eventually was imprisoned at Guantanamo. His "confession" was then used
Thursday, February 3, 2011
MB offshoot in Jordan: Regime Faces Unprecedented Level of Hatred from Jordanians
Friday, January 14,2011
Islamic Action Front Party’s leader, Hammam Saeed, demanded that the Jordanian government addresses the crisis of the rise in price of essential commodities which amounted to levels threatening the society's security.
In an exclusive statement,the MB political arm’s leader Saeed called on the government to put an end to popular frustrations by taking serious steps to reform, adding that the continuing pressure upon citizens would generate unprecedented public outrage.
"The unfortunate events that we see in some Arab countries, which led to many deaths and hundreds of injuries, is a warning," he said, adding that Arab leaders must change their policy instead of using live ballots, tear gas and batons in the face of public anger.
Saeed urged the Jordanian government to learn a lesson from what is happening around them as tension, public pressure, restriction on freedom of speech, negligence for opposition demands, carelessness when conducting direct dialogue with national political powers, failure to meet people's demands and their essential needs and disregard for issues threatening the country's future and its national security continues and maybe tragic and dire consequences."
The MB Comptroller-General called on the government to stop responding to US dictates, urging them to take urgent steps on political reform, recognize the irregularities committed in the parliamentary elections, and talk openly to the people on its negative results in order to avoid the serious situation that might arise."
He also called for a comprehensive review on issues related to prices, particularly oil derivatives. "The government should be very sensitive toward the poor and issues concerning them," he said.
He also warned of what he described as an American scheme aimed at sowing chaos, raising sedition, and fragmenting and tearing apart Arab and Islamic countries, referring to what is happening in Sudan, Iraq, Somalia, Yemen, Lebanon and recent unfortunate incidents in Egypt.
He also drew attention to the need of redressing the impact of Western policies aimed at manipulating national unity, in view of the fact that what is happening in Sudan could be repeated in every Arab country regardless of its size.
tags: Jordan / MB offshoot in Jordan / IAF / Arab Countries / Arab Leaders / Freedom of Speech / Political Reform / / Jordanians / Islamic Action Front / Moderate muslim Brotherhood / Moderate MB / Jordanian Government / Hammam Saeed / Freedom of Speech / Western Policies /
Islamic Action Front Party’s leader, Hammam Saeed, demanded that the Jordanian government addresses the crisis of the rise in price of essential commodities which amounted to levels threatening the society's security.
In an exclusive statement,the MB political arm’s leader Saeed called on the government to put an end to popular frustrations by taking serious steps to reform, adding that the continuing pressure upon citizens would generate unprecedented public outrage.
"The unfortunate events that we see in some Arab countries, which led to many deaths and hundreds of injuries, is a warning," he said, adding that Arab leaders must change their policy instead of using live ballots, tear gas and batons in the face of public anger.
Saeed urged the Jordanian government to learn a lesson from what is happening around them as tension, public pressure, restriction on freedom of speech, negligence for opposition demands, carelessness when conducting direct dialogue with national political powers, failure to meet people's demands and their essential needs and disregard for issues threatening the country's future and its national security continues and maybe tragic and dire consequences."
The MB Comptroller-General called on the government to stop responding to US dictates, urging them to take urgent steps on political reform, recognize the irregularities committed in the parliamentary elections, and talk openly to the people on its negative results in order to avoid the serious situation that might arise."
He also called for a comprehensive review on issues related to prices, particularly oil derivatives. "The government should be very sensitive toward the poor and issues concerning them," he said.
He also warned of what he described as an American scheme aimed at sowing chaos, raising sedition, and fragmenting and tearing apart Arab and Islamic countries, referring to what is happening in Sudan, Iraq, Somalia, Yemen, Lebanon and recent unfortunate incidents in Egypt.
He also drew attention to the need of redressing the impact of Western policies aimed at manipulating national unity, in view of the fact that what is happening in Sudan could be repeated in every Arab country regardless of its size.
tags: Jordan / MB offshoot in Jordan / IAF / Arab Countries / Arab Leaders / Freedom of Speech / Political Reform / / Jordanians / Islamic Action Front / Moderate muslim Brotherhood / Moderate MB / Jordanian Government / Hammam Saeed / Freedom of Speech / Western Policies /
MB Offshoot in Jordan Calls for National Salvation Government
Monday, November 22,2010
The Islamic Action Front in Jordan called for a 'national salvation government' to be launched in an attempt to confront both the political and social problems facing the country.
According to a statement by the Muslim Brotherhood offshoot's executive bureau, such a government that has the confidence of the people is now an urgent necessity since it would open serious dialogue with all political and social factions in the country with a view to overcoming the impasse currently facing the nation.
The party boycotted the recent parliamentary polls demanding political reforms, and calling for a new election law that provided for proportional representation.
Observers predict that King Abdullah II was likely to ask Samir Rifai - the prime minister - to form a new cabinet after the elections which returned a majority of government loyalists to the lower house of parliament.
The MB offshoot's political arm slammed the government for continuing normal ties with Israel since it continues to 'Judaize' East Jerusalem that was lost to the so-called Jewish state in the 1967 Middle East war.
tags: MB offshoot / Jordan / IAF / Political Reforms / Jewish State / Jordan / Jordanian MB / Jordanian Parliament / King Abdullah / Islamic Action Front
The Islamic Action Front in Jordan called for a 'national salvation government' to be launched in an attempt to confront both the political and social problems facing the country.
According to a statement by the Muslim Brotherhood offshoot's executive bureau, such a government that has the confidence of the people is now an urgent necessity since it would open serious dialogue with all political and social factions in the country with a view to overcoming the impasse currently facing the nation.
The party boycotted the recent parliamentary polls demanding political reforms, and calling for a new election law that provided for proportional representation.
Observers predict that King Abdullah II was likely to ask Samir Rifai - the prime minister - to form a new cabinet after the elections which returned a majority of government loyalists to the lower house of parliament.
The MB offshoot's political arm slammed the government for continuing normal ties with Israel since it continues to 'Judaize' East Jerusalem that was lost to the so-called Jewish state in the 1967 Middle East war.
tags: MB offshoot / Jordan / IAF / Political Reforms / Jewish State / Jordan / Jordanian MB / Jordanian Parliament / King Abdullah / Islamic Action Front
Egypt’s Internet Kill Switch: Coming To America
January 28, 2011
Steve Watson
Infowars.com
In response to widespread protests and mass unrest, the authoritarian Egyptian government has completely shut down the country’s access to the internet, eliminating the use of social networking websites, other effective tools of communication and organisation, and effectively sealing Egypt off from the rest of the world.
Internet intelligence authority Renesys has confirmed that “virtually all of Egypt’s Internet addresses are now unreachable, worldwide.”
“At 22:34 UTC (00:34am local time), Renesys observed the virtually simultaneous withdrawal of all routes to Egyptian networks in the Internet’s global routing table. Approximately 3,500 individual BGP routes were withdrawn, leaving no valid paths by which the rest of the world could continue to exchange Internet traffic with Egypt’s service providers.” Renesys’ analysis states.
Vodafone said in an emailed statement: “All mobile operators in Egypt have been instructed to suspend services in selected areas. Under Egyptian legislation, the authorities have the right to issue such an order and we are obliged to comply.”
Prior to the complete shut down, tweets and live mobile phone feeds from the Egyptian protests in Suez and Cairo were providing up to the minute coverage. Links to photos on Twitpic, videos on YouTube and postings on Facebook were aiding protesters organize their movements.
As The Electronic Freedom Foundation notes, “When protestors in Cario’s Tahir Square experienced an outage in cell phone data service, nearby residents reportedly opened their home Wi-Fii networks to allow protesters to get online.”
The Egyptian authorities could not stand for this. Following the revelation of Associated Press footage showing a protester being shot dead in the street, one of at least eight victims who have been killed since the uprising began, an apparent Internet kill switch was thrown.
The action is unprecedented in Internet history. It is clearly the action of a desperate tyrannical government on its last legs.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s government is also reportedly arresting bloggers, attacking journalists, and rounding up anyone else the regime sees as dissidents.
Still, the Obama administration, which currently funnels $1.3 billion in military aid to the Egyptian government per year, refuses to condemn the Mubarak regime, and further more, is looking to embrace the exact same internet control mechanism in America.
Indeed, when Senator Joe Lieberman attempted to justify draconian legislation that would provide President Obama with a figurative kill switch to shut down parts of the Internet indefinitely, he cited the Communist Chinese system of Internet policing as model which America should move towards.
“Right now China, the government, can disconnect parts of its Internet in case of war and we need to have that here too,” Lieberman told CNN’s Candy Crowley last June.
Of course, the Chinese government routinely shuts down the already heavily filtered internet at any politically sensitive time, not only “in case of war” as Lieberman claims. Furthermore, Twitter, Facebook and Youtube are all permanently banned.
News websites in China now require users to register their true identities in order to leave comments, so that any dissident can be tracked and appropriately dealt with. A truly frightening Orwellian reality you may think, yet this exact move towards abolishing Internet anonymity and creating a virtual ID card is a key centerpiece of the US government’s cybersecurity agenda.
The ‘Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act’ (PCNAA), which now includes a removal of all judicial oversight, is still circulating and will be voted on later this year. Lieberman has stated that the legislation should be made a top priority.
Stock up with Fresh Food that lasts with eFoodsDirect (Ad)
The recent actions of the Egyptian government in the face of widespread public backlash, and the ongoing stifling of the free flow of information in China should provide a stark warning to Americans that such Internet control mechanisms are the tools of oppressive authoritarian governments and have no place in a free society.
Related Reading: New Bill Gives Obama ‘Kill Switch‘ To Shut Down The Internet
Related Reading: Obama Can Shut Down Internet For 4 Months Under New Emergency Powers
Related Reading: Lieberman’s Model For America: Purging The Internet of Dissent
—
Steve Watson is the London based writer and editor for Alex Jones’ Infowars.net, and Prisonplanet.com. He has a Masters Degree in International Relations from the School of Politics at The University of Nottingham in England.
Steve Watson
Infowars.com
In response to widespread protests and mass unrest, the authoritarian Egyptian government has completely shut down the country’s access to the internet, eliminating the use of social networking websites, other effective tools of communication and organisation, and effectively sealing Egypt off from the rest of the world.
Internet intelligence authority Renesys has confirmed that “virtually all of Egypt’s Internet addresses are now unreachable, worldwide.”
“At 22:34 UTC (00:34am local time), Renesys observed the virtually simultaneous withdrawal of all routes to Egyptian networks in the Internet’s global routing table. Approximately 3,500 individual BGP routes were withdrawn, leaving no valid paths by which the rest of the world could continue to exchange Internet traffic with Egypt’s service providers.” Renesys’ analysis states.
Vodafone said in an emailed statement: “All mobile operators in Egypt have been instructed to suspend services in selected areas. Under Egyptian legislation, the authorities have the right to issue such an order and we are obliged to comply.”
Prior to the complete shut down, tweets and live mobile phone feeds from the Egyptian protests in Suez and Cairo were providing up to the minute coverage. Links to photos on Twitpic, videos on YouTube and postings on Facebook were aiding protesters organize their movements.
As The Electronic Freedom Foundation notes, “When protestors in Cario’s Tahir Square experienced an outage in cell phone data service, nearby residents reportedly opened their home Wi-Fii networks to allow protesters to get online.”
The Egyptian authorities could not stand for this. Following the revelation of Associated Press footage showing a protester being shot dead in the street, one of at least eight victims who have been killed since the uprising began, an apparent Internet kill switch was thrown.
The action is unprecedented in Internet history. It is clearly the action of a desperate tyrannical government on its last legs.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s government is also reportedly arresting bloggers, attacking journalists, and rounding up anyone else the regime sees as dissidents.
Still, the Obama administration, which currently funnels $1.3 billion in military aid to the Egyptian government per year, refuses to condemn the Mubarak regime, and further more, is looking to embrace the exact same internet control mechanism in America.
Indeed, when Senator Joe Lieberman attempted to justify draconian legislation that would provide President Obama with a figurative kill switch to shut down parts of the Internet indefinitely, he cited the Communist Chinese system of Internet policing as model which America should move towards.
“Right now China, the government, can disconnect parts of its Internet in case of war and we need to have that here too,” Lieberman told CNN’s Candy Crowley last June.
Of course, the Chinese government routinely shuts down the already heavily filtered internet at any politically sensitive time, not only “in case of war” as Lieberman claims. Furthermore, Twitter, Facebook and Youtube are all permanently banned.
News websites in China now require users to register their true identities in order to leave comments, so that any dissident can be tracked and appropriately dealt with. A truly frightening Orwellian reality you may think, yet this exact move towards abolishing Internet anonymity and creating a virtual ID card is a key centerpiece of the US government’s cybersecurity agenda.
The ‘Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act’ (PCNAA), which now includes a removal of all judicial oversight, is still circulating and will be voted on later this year. Lieberman has stated that the legislation should be made a top priority.
Stock up with Fresh Food that lasts with eFoodsDirect (Ad)
The recent actions of the Egyptian government in the face of widespread public backlash, and the ongoing stifling of the free flow of information in China should provide a stark warning to Americans that such Internet control mechanisms are the tools of oppressive authoritarian governments and have no place in a free society.
Related Reading: New Bill Gives Obama ‘Kill Switch‘ To Shut Down The Internet
Related Reading: Obama Can Shut Down Internet For 4 Months Under New Emergency Powers
Related Reading: Lieberman’s Model For America: Purging The Internet of Dissent
—
Steve Watson is the London based writer and editor for Alex Jones’ Infowars.net, and Prisonplanet.com. He has a Masters Degree in International Relations from the School of Politics at The University of Nottingham in England.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Blackwater Resurfaces in Pakistan. Operatives to infiltrate key cities
Sunday, Aug 29, 2010
By Shahid R. Siddiqi. Axis of Logic
Axis of Logic
his notorious private contractor is spreading its tentacles in Pakistan for undercover activities on behalf of the US agencies
Not too long ago a wave of concern had swept through Pakistan when the local media began screaming about Blackwater's growing infiltration in the country and its dubious activities. The mounting pressure to expel this infamous US defence contractor put the Zardari government in a corner. It could neither ignore public pressure nor could it displease its benefactors in Washington. In the end it chose to vehemently deny these stories. Pakistan's interior minister, Rehman Malik, said publicly he will resign if Blackwater is found operating anywhere in Pakistan, as if his resignation would be a great loss for the people.
US Ambassador
Anne Patterson:
"Blackwater is not operating in Pakistan."
These stories were also denounced as false propaganda by US officials. Responding to accusations that the US Embassy was sponsoring Blackwater, the US Ambassador, Anne Patterson, insisted that "Blackwater is not operating in Pakistan." She claimed that Pakistani journalists were "wildly incorrect," and blamed them for compromising the security of US personnel in Pakistan. Secretary Clinton during her visit shortly thereafter also dodged questions on the subject.
Blackwater is operating in Pakistan
The information that has now emerged proves the fear of the Pakistanis to be correct. Not only has Blackwater been working in Pakistan but it grows stronger by the day.
Who would know about Blackwater’s presence or absence in Pakistan better than the owner of Blackwater himself? The reclusive owner of infamous Blackwater empire, Eric Prince, was caught on audio tape by The Nation, a New York based magazine, acknowledging that his organization does work in Pakistan. He said this in a speech earlier this year at the University of Michigan.
In response to the debate on whether armed individuals working for Blackwater could be classified as ‘unlawful combatants’ being ineligible for protection under the Geneva Convention, Prince scornfully said, "You know, people ask me that all the time, 'Aren't you concerned that you folks aren't covered under the Geneva Convention in [operating] in the likes of Iraq or Afghanistan or Pakistan? And I say, 'Absolutely not,' because these people …… don't know where Geneva is, let alone that there was a convention there."
Could Prince have been clearer on this issue? One wonders how Pakistan’s interior minister or Ambassador Patterson could prove him wrong. One wonders also if it is time for the interior minister to abide by his promise to resign and Ambassador Anne Patterson to apologize to the people of Pakistan for making false statements.
"[People] are convinced that this notorious private contractor is spreading its tentacles in Pakistan for undercover operations on behalf of the US agencies."
The reality is that the stories were true and hence have refused to go away. The people of Pakistan neither took the US Ambassador seriously, given their distrust for the US and its self serving policies, nor did they give any credence to denials of their own government, knowing full well where these came from. They are convinced that this notorious private contractor is spreading its tentacles in Pakistan for undercover operations on behalf of the US agencies. There is a growing fear that Pakistan could soon witness Iraq and Afghanistan like situations at the hands of Blackwater agents.
Blackwater, described as the most notorious mercenary army which recently underwent rebranding as ‘Xe Services LLC’ in response to legal complications owing to its unlawful activities, has played a crucial role in the American wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and now Pakistan. From the beginning of Bush’s ‘war on terror’ it has undertaken secret and illegal operations that CIA, Pentagon or State Department could not themselves undertake due to Congressional restrictions.
Blackwater paramilitaries do what would be illegal for the U.S. military
Blackwater earns multimillion dollars revolving contracts because it enables them to circumvent Congressional restrictions and achieve their goals without deploying uniformed soldiers in these countries due to political sensitivities. As Eric Prince put it: “…the private sector can operate there with a very, very small, very light footprint". And on top of, it there was no fear of accountability. Blackwater operatives are usually deployed under cover, for instance as aid workers.
In Pakistan, as in other countries, Blackwater is honeycombed with CIA, US Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Pentagon and State Department in conducting a variety of operations. Additionally, it is also perceived by the people and the media to be involved in supporting the agenda of destroying the fabric of Pakistan’s nationhood through suicide bombings, fanning religious extremism and supporting nationalist and separatist movements, using Pakistanis whose loyalties are up for sale.
In Pakistan, Blackwater operatives are reportedly positioned in key locations for spying and watching US interests. Jeremy Scahill is the author of the NYT Best Seller, Blackwater. In his article The Secret US War in Pakistan, he states:
“At a covert forward operating base run by the US Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, members of an elite division of Blackwater are at the center of a secret program in which they plan targeted assassinations of suspected Taliban and Al Qaeda operatives, 'snatch and grabs' of high-value targets and other sensitive action inside and outside Pakistan."
He goes on to say that the Blackwater operatives also assist in gathering intelligence and help direct a secret US military drone bombing campaign that runs parallel to the well-documented CIA predator strikes, according to a well-placed source within the US military intelligence apparatus”. Quoting a military intelligence source, he says: “the Blackwater team in Karachi also helps plan missions for JSOC inside Uzbekistan against the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan”.
Jeremy Scahill also reports of Pentagon having contracted a Pakistani company owned by influential Pakistanis having close links with Eric Prince, for ground transportation of large Afghanistan-bound arms shipments from Port Qasim in Karachi. Interestingly, security of the consignments has been entrusted to Blackwater operatives working under disguise.
Holding up economic assistance to force granting of visas
With the Zardari government cornered in the wake of Blackwater scandal last year, the Americans found to their dislike the Pakistan foreign office dragging its feet over issuance of unlimited number of visas, unlike their past practice. This time the foreign office refused issuance of visas to an unusually large batch of 300 non-diplomatic staff listed as ‘defence officials’ without first examining their purpose of entry and antecedents. The foreign office was also reluctant to meet US demand of granting diplomatic visas to them and allowing privileges like exemption of baggage from customs inspections. Not only was this against the rules but raised suspicions about nature of the cargo these personnel intended bringing into Pakistan.
"Pakistan’s foreign office eventually capitulated to Washington’s demands."
Washington justified these unusually large numbers saying these personnel were being assigned to process the aid that was being given to Pakistan. “….We just need more visas to put the people in place to help work with Pakistan and to make progress on economic issues, security issues, and agricultural issues,” said State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley. Then to prove its point, it held up disbursement of the promised economic assistance. It went further and also held up routine visas for Pakistani diplomats on transfer to Washington.
Pakistan’s foreign office eventually capitulated to Washington’s demands, the crunch apparently coming after the visit of Secretary Clinton and Ambassador Holbrooke to Islamabad, who promised to ‘clear ways for assistance projects’ in exchange for the visas.
The insistence by the US State Department for visas for personnel who did not initially qualify in the judgment of Pakistan’s foreign office makes these personnel appear dubious. They appear even more dubious because reportedly the information given on their visa applications was found incomplete and evasive. This underscored the perception that under the cover of diplomatic visas, more employees of American ‘private contractors’ were being smuggled into Pakistan.
Reportedly, about 180 US Cobra operatives, including Xe personnel, have recently been secretly positioned in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Quetta and that more are expected to join them. The US intelligence agencies think that a number of Al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders are hiding in Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar. There are also reports that about 650 US nationals, including 200 US Marines, are either on their way or have arrived already on multiple entry visas granted by Pakistan Embassy in Washington under special authority given to Pakistan’s Ambassador Haqqani by President Zardari. There was no need for any special authority if the US visa requests qualified under the existing rules. Clearly the rules had to be bended.
Amid fears that the CIA, JSOC, Pentagon and the State Department would not hesitate to pass off their private contractors’ operatives as ‘defence officials’, the bending of visa rules and giving a carte blanche to the US Embassy is a grave folly. If anything, this is an indicator of how far the sovereignty and the security of the state are being compromised by the Zardari government for the sake of economic assistance that the Americans cannot really stop indefinitely. Why does President Zardari forget that the Americans need Pakistan badly and giving economic assistance to Pakistan is in America’s own interest, as much as taking it is in the interest of Pakistan?
By Shahid R. Siddiqi. Axis of Logic
Axis of Logic
his notorious private contractor is spreading its tentacles in Pakistan for undercover activities on behalf of the US agencies
Not too long ago a wave of concern had swept through Pakistan when the local media began screaming about Blackwater's growing infiltration in the country and its dubious activities. The mounting pressure to expel this infamous US defence contractor put the Zardari government in a corner. It could neither ignore public pressure nor could it displease its benefactors in Washington. In the end it chose to vehemently deny these stories. Pakistan's interior minister, Rehman Malik, said publicly he will resign if Blackwater is found operating anywhere in Pakistan, as if his resignation would be a great loss for the people.
US Ambassador
Anne Patterson:
"Blackwater is not operating in Pakistan."
These stories were also denounced as false propaganda by US officials. Responding to accusations that the US Embassy was sponsoring Blackwater, the US Ambassador, Anne Patterson, insisted that "Blackwater is not operating in Pakistan." She claimed that Pakistani journalists were "wildly incorrect," and blamed them for compromising the security of US personnel in Pakistan. Secretary Clinton during her visit shortly thereafter also dodged questions on the subject.
Blackwater is operating in Pakistan
The information that has now emerged proves the fear of the Pakistanis to be correct. Not only has Blackwater been working in Pakistan but it grows stronger by the day.
Who would know about Blackwater’s presence or absence in Pakistan better than the owner of Blackwater himself? The reclusive owner of infamous Blackwater empire, Eric Prince, was caught on audio tape by The Nation, a New York based magazine, acknowledging that his organization does work in Pakistan. He said this in a speech earlier this year at the University of Michigan.
In response to the debate on whether armed individuals working for Blackwater could be classified as ‘unlawful combatants’ being ineligible for protection under the Geneva Convention, Prince scornfully said, "You know, people ask me that all the time, 'Aren't you concerned that you folks aren't covered under the Geneva Convention in [operating] in the likes of Iraq or Afghanistan or Pakistan? And I say, 'Absolutely not,' because these people …… don't know where Geneva is, let alone that there was a convention there."
Could Prince have been clearer on this issue? One wonders how Pakistan’s interior minister or Ambassador Patterson could prove him wrong. One wonders also if it is time for the interior minister to abide by his promise to resign and Ambassador Anne Patterson to apologize to the people of Pakistan for making false statements.
"[People] are convinced that this notorious private contractor is spreading its tentacles in Pakistan for undercover operations on behalf of the US agencies."
The reality is that the stories were true and hence have refused to go away. The people of Pakistan neither took the US Ambassador seriously, given their distrust for the US and its self serving policies, nor did they give any credence to denials of their own government, knowing full well where these came from. They are convinced that this notorious private contractor is spreading its tentacles in Pakistan for undercover operations on behalf of the US agencies. There is a growing fear that Pakistan could soon witness Iraq and Afghanistan like situations at the hands of Blackwater agents.
Blackwater, described as the most notorious mercenary army which recently underwent rebranding as ‘Xe Services LLC’ in response to legal complications owing to its unlawful activities, has played a crucial role in the American wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and now Pakistan. From the beginning of Bush’s ‘war on terror’ it has undertaken secret and illegal operations that CIA, Pentagon or State Department could not themselves undertake due to Congressional restrictions.
Blackwater paramilitaries do what would be illegal for the U.S. military
Blackwater earns multimillion dollars revolving contracts because it enables them to circumvent Congressional restrictions and achieve their goals without deploying uniformed soldiers in these countries due to political sensitivities. As Eric Prince put it: “…the private sector can operate there with a very, very small, very light footprint". And on top of, it there was no fear of accountability. Blackwater operatives are usually deployed under cover, for instance as aid workers.
In Pakistan, as in other countries, Blackwater is honeycombed with CIA, US Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Pentagon and State Department in conducting a variety of operations. Additionally, it is also perceived by the people and the media to be involved in supporting the agenda of destroying the fabric of Pakistan’s nationhood through suicide bombings, fanning religious extremism and supporting nationalist and separatist movements, using Pakistanis whose loyalties are up for sale.
In Pakistan, Blackwater operatives are reportedly positioned in key locations for spying and watching US interests. Jeremy Scahill is the author of the NYT Best Seller, Blackwater. In his article The Secret US War in Pakistan, he states:
“At a covert forward operating base run by the US Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, members of an elite division of Blackwater are at the center of a secret program in which they plan targeted assassinations of suspected Taliban and Al Qaeda operatives, 'snatch and grabs' of high-value targets and other sensitive action inside and outside Pakistan."
He goes on to say that the Blackwater operatives also assist in gathering intelligence and help direct a secret US military drone bombing campaign that runs parallel to the well-documented CIA predator strikes, according to a well-placed source within the US military intelligence apparatus”. Quoting a military intelligence source, he says: “the Blackwater team in Karachi also helps plan missions for JSOC inside Uzbekistan against the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan”.
Jeremy Scahill also reports of Pentagon having contracted a Pakistani company owned by influential Pakistanis having close links with Eric Prince, for ground transportation of large Afghanistan-bound arms shipments from Port Qasim in Karachi. Interestingly, security of the consignments has been entrusted to Blackwater operatives working under disguise.
Holding up economic assistance to force granting of visas
With the Zardari government cornered in the wake of Blackwater scandal last year, the Americans found to their dislike the Pakistan foreign office dragging its feet over issuance of unlimited number of visas, unlike their past practice. This time the foreign office refused issuance of visas to an unusually large batch of 300 non-diplomatic staff listed as ‘defence officials’ without first examining their purpose of entry and antecedents. The foreign office was also reluctant to meet US demand of granting diplomatic visas to them and allowing privileges like exemption of baggage from customs inspections. Not only was this against the rules but raised suspicions about nature of the cargo these personnel intended bringing into Pakistan.
"Pakistan’s foreign office eventually capitulated to Washington’s demands."
Washington justified these unusually large numbers saying these personnel were being assigned to process the aid that was being given to Pakistan. “….We just need more visas to put the people in place to help work with Pakistan and to make progress on economic issues, security issues, and agricultural issues,” said State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley. Then to prove its point, it held up disbursement of the promised economic assistance. It went further and also held up routine visas for Pakistani diplomats on transfer to Washington.
Pakistan’s foreign office eventually capitulated to Washington’s demands, the crunch apparently coming after the visit of Secretary Clinton and Ambassador Holbrooke to Islamabad, who promised to ‘clear ways for assistance projects’ in exchange for the visas.
The insistence by the US State Department for visas for personnel who did not initially qualify in the judgment of Pakistan’s foreign office makes these personnel appear dubious. They appear even more dubious because reportedly the information given on their visa applications was found incomplete and evasive. This underscored the perception that under the cover of diplomatic visas, more employees of American ‘private contractors’ were being smuggled into Pakistan.
Reportedly, about 180 US Cobra operatives, including Xe personnel, have recently been secretly positioned in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Quetta and that more are expected to join them. The US intelligence agencies think that a number of Al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders are hiding in Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar. There are also reports that about 650 US nationals, including 200 US Marines, are either on their way or have arrived already on multiple entry visas granted by Pakistan Embassy in Washington under special authority given to Pakistan’s Ambassador Haqqani by President Zardari. There was no need for any special authority if the US visa requests qualified under the existing rules. Clearly the rules had to be bended.
Amid fears that the CIA, JSOC, Pentagon and the State Department would not hesitate to pass off their private contractors’ operatives as ‘defence officials’, the bending of visa rules and giving a carte blanche to the US Embassy is a grave folly. If anything, this is an indicator of how far the sovereignty and the security of the state are being compromised by the Zardari government for the sake of economic assistance that the Americans cannot really stop indefinitely. Why does President Zardari forget that the Americans need Pakistan badly and giving economic assistance to Pakistan is in America’s own interest, as much as taking it is in the interest of Pakistan?
Flotilla planned to mark anniversary of deaths in Gaza waters Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=1
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
By The Daily Star
BEIRUT: The exiled former Patriarch of occupied Jerusalem Hilarion Kabouji called upon all Arabs Tuesday to support an aid flotilla that could sail to besieged Gaza on May 31, 2011, to mark the first anniversary of deadly Israeli aggression against a similar convoy.
“We all know that Jerusalem is being Judaized, and its history and landmarks are being distorted, they are paying billions of dollars to Judaize Jerusalem. We Arabs, what are we doing to spare Jerusalem these dangers?” he asked, adding that admiration for Jerusalem should materialize into action, “or else, it will be considered deception.”
“We have to work and make sacrifices,” he added.
Kabouji called upon Arabs to support “Freedom Flotilla II” which would sail to Gaza in a bid to break the maritime blockade on the enclave. Israeli commando units stormed a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on May 31, 2010 and killed nine Turkish activists.
Kabouji made his remarks in the Press Federation headquarters where a news conference was convened by the association “Viva Palestina – The Artery of Life,” which is headed by former British M.P. George Galloway.
The association announced that it would carry out a number of activities in support of Gaza, occupied Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Palestinian cause.
Galloway and a number of individuals who were aboard the first Freedom Flotilla also participated in the news conference.
Kabouji said that when he was appointed a patriarch for Jerusalem in 1964, the Christians in the city constituted 25 percent of the population. “Today, they became one percent.”
Meanwhile, Galloway said the Viva Palestina association would participate in Freedom Flotilla II.
He called upon Arab states to secure ships for the flotilla. “Arabs own many ships … Is there a more noble cause to use these ships than granting them to the flotilla that will sail to Gaza?”
Galloway said the Israeli attack against the Freedom Flotilla did not scare any activist in the world.
“We are not afraid of you. We will return through land … and through sea, and we will prove this to you on May 31,” he said. – The Daily Star
Source: The Daily Star
By The Daily Star
BEIRUT: The exiled former Patriarch of occupied Jerusalem Hilarion Kabouji called upon all Arabs Tuesday to support an aid flotilla that could sail to besieged Gaza on May 31, 2011, to mark the first anniversary of deadly Israeli aggression against a similar convoy.
“We all know that Jerusalem is being Judaized, and its history and landmarks are being distorted, they are paying billions of dollars to Judaize Jerusalem. We Arabs, what are we doing to spare Jerusalem these dangers?” he asked, adding that admiration for Jerusalem should materialize into action, “or else, it will be considered deception.”
“We have to work and make sacrifices,” he added.
Kabouji called upon Arabs to support “Freedom Flotilla II” which would sail to Gaza in a bid to break the maritime blockade on the enclave. Israeli commando units stormed a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on May 31, 2010 and killed nine Turkish activists.
Kabouji made his remarks in the Press Federation headquarters where a news conference was convened by the association “Viva Palestina – The Artery of Life,” which is headed by former British M.P. George Galloway.
The association announced that it would carry out a number of activities in support of Gaza, occupied Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Palestinian cause.
Galloway and a number of individuals who were aboard the first Freedom Flotilla also participated in the news conference.
Kabouji said that when he was appointed a patriarch for Jerusalem in 1964, the Christians in the city constituted 25 percent of the population. “Today, they became one percent.”
Meanwhile, Galloway said the Viva Palestina association would participate in Freedom Flotilla II.
He called upon Arab states to secure ships for the flotilla. “Arabs own many ships … Is there a more noble cause to use these ships than granting them to the flotilla that will sail to Gaza?”
Galloway said the Israeli attack against the Freedom Flotilla did not scare any activist in the world.
“We are not afraid of you. We will return through land … and through sea, and we will prove this to you on May 31,” he said. – The Daily Star
Source: The Daily Star
Thousands of Jordanians march to press for reform
Published Friday 28/01/2011 (updated) 29/01/2011 17:48
By Musa Hattar
AMMAN (AFP) -- Thousands of Jordanians held peaceful demonstrations in Amman and other cities on Friday to press for reform and the government's resignation, taking their cue from Tunisia and Egypt.
"Egypt, the Arab nation salutes you. We urge your men to get rid of [President Hosni] Mubarak," an estimated 3,000 people chanted as they marched through central Amman holding national flags after Muslim weekly prayers.
"The Arab people's message: you are corrupt, beware our anger. [Ousted Tunisian president Zine El Abidine] Ben Ali is waiting for you," they said, referring to his ouster in a popular uprising.
Police said around 2,000 people staged protests in other cities, answering a call by the powerful Muslim Brotherhood which demands political and economic reforms in the kingdom.
Irbid, Karak, Maan and Diban were also the scenes of peaceful protests at which no clashes were reported. Like during a demonstration on the previous Friday, police in the capital distributed water and juice.
"Together let's make political and economic change," banners read. "Down with the [prime minister] Samir Rifai government. We want a national salvation government."
Muslim Brotherhood leader Hammam Said demanded an elected government.
"Jordanians should elect their government. Why should they be deprived from electing a government that would feel with and represent them ... a government that would make us feel safe?" he told the crowd.
The Islamists have called for constitutional amendments to curb the king's power in naming government heads, arguing that the premiership should go to the leader of the majority in parliament.
The Jordanian constitution, adopted in 1952, gives the king the exclusive prerogative to appoint and dismiss the prime minister.
King Abdullah II held meetings earlier this week with senior officials, MPs, senators and others as part of efforts to "come closer to the demands of the people," urging them to speed up political and socio-economic reforms.
"It's time for change. People can no longer accept corruption. We do not want a government of aristocrats, merchants and the rich," Said told the demonstrators.
The government has announced it was pumping around $500 million into the economy in a bid to help living conditions, but protests have been staged in Amman and other cities over the past two weeks against high prices.
"We are protesting today to demand genuine reforms that would boost the people's participation in deciding their future," said Abdelhadi Falahat, head of the trade unions' council.
The Islamists and Jordan's 14 trade unions, which group more than 200,000 members, say the government's new measures are inadequate as poverty levels are running at 25 percent in the desert kingdom.
The cost of living in Amman is the highest in the Arab world, according to several independent studies.
Official unemployment is running at about 14 percent in the country of six million people, 70 percent of them under the age of 30. Other estimates put the jobless figure at 30 percent.
Tunisia's popular revolt, which ousted the country's veteran strongman Ben Ali, has inspired dissidents across the Arab world and sparked protests.
In Egypt, riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse tens of thousands of protesters who flooded out of Friday prayers demanding an end to decades of corruption and oppression and the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.
Print
Source: Ma'an News Agency
By Musa Hattar
AMMAN (AFP) -- Thousands of Jordanians held peaceful demonstrations in Amman and other cities on Friday to press for reform and the government's resignation, taking their cue from Tunisia and Egypt.
"Egypt, the Arab nation salutes you. We urge your men to get rid of [President Hosni] Mubarak," an estimated 3,000 people chanted as they marched through central Amman holding national flags after Muslim weekly prayers.
"The Arab people's message: you are corrupt, beware our anger. [Ousted Tunisian president Zine El Abidine] Ben Ali is waiting for you," they said, referring to his ouster in a popular uprising.
Police said around 2,000 people staged protests in other cities, answering a call by the powerful Muslim Brotherhood which demands political and economic reforms in the kingdom.
Irbid, Karak, Maan and Diban were also the scenes of peaceful protests at which no clashes were reported. Like during a demonstration on the previous Friday, police in the capital distributed water and juice.
"Together let's make political and economic change," banners read. "Down with the [prime minister] Samir Rifai government. We want a national salvation government."
Muslim Brotherhood leader Hammam Said demanded an elected government.
"Jordanians should elect their government. Why should they be deprived from electing a government that would feel with and represent them ... a government that would make us feel safe?" he told the crowd.
The Islamists have called for constitutional amendments to curb the king's power in naming government heads, arguing that the premiership should go to the leader of the majority in parliament.
The Jordanian constitution, adopted in 1952, gives the king the exclusive prerogative to appoint and dismiss the prime minister.
King Abdullah II held meetings earlier this week with senior officials, MPs, senators and others as part of efforts to "come closer to the demands of the people," urging them to speed up political and socio-economic reforms.
"It's time for change. People can no longer accept corruption. We do not want a government of aristocrats, merchants and the rich," Said told the demonstrators.
The government has announced it was pumping around $500 million into the economy in a bid to help living conditions, but protests have been staged in Amman and other cities over the past two weeks against high prices.
"We are protesting today to demand genuine reforms that would boost the people's participation in deciding their future," said Abdelhadi Falahat, head of the trade unions' council.
The Islamists and Jordan's 14 trade unions, which group more than 200,000 members, say the government's new measures are inadequate as poverty levels are running at 25 percent in the desert kingdom.
The cost of living in Amman is the highest in the Arab world, according to several independent studies.
Official unemployment is running at about 14 percent in the country of six million people, 70 percent of them under the age of 30. Other estimates put the jobless figure at 30 percent.
Tunisia's popular revolt, which ousted the country's veteran strongman Ben Ali, has inspired dissidents across the Arab world and sparked protests.
In Egypt, riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse tens of thousands of protesters who flooded out of Friday prayers demanding an end to decades of corruption and oppression and the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.
Source: Ma'an News Agency
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)