Iran Wants To Know When It Can Invade Iraq

Iran tells US to set timetable for Iraq exit

Iranian officials last night demanded a timetable for US troop withdrawal from Iraq as they attended a rare meeting with American diplomats in Baghdad.

The conference was aimed at stopping Iraq being used as a sectarian battleground by Sunni and Shia neighbours. Iran has been accused of funding Shia death squads in the Iraqi capital and smuggling in roadside bomb technology that allows insurgents to kill coalition troops.

Yesterday's conference, attended by all of Iraq's neighbours, backed plans for further meetings next month to set up working groups to discuss problems over border security and refugees.

The US ambassador, Zalmay Khalilzad, made it clear that Iraq's neighbours, including Syria and Iran, had to stop encouraging or ignoring influxes of insurgent and sectarian fighters. "Iraq's neighbours can only be counted as providing 'true and honest' support to Iraq's stability if they act decisively to halt the flow of fighters, weapons and other lethal support to militias and other illegal armed groups, and cease sectarian rhetoric and other propaganda that could incite violence," he said.

Iraqi foreign minister Hoshiyar Zebari described the discussion between the US, Iran and Syria as "a lively exchange" and said it had been constructive.

The British ambassador, Dominic Asquith, said it had been a positive meeting.

But Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, Abbas Araghchi, used the occasion to accuse the international forces in Iraq of playing a double game.

"It will help resolve the problem of violence if they set a timetable for withdrawal of their troops from Iraq," he said. He condemned attacks on religious places and gatherings five days after a double suicide attack on a crowd of Shia pilgrims killed at least 117 Iraqis in the central city of Hilla.

Anyone who thinks Iran and Syria are there to help should just go jump off a bridge. Those two countries could have great influence on ending the fighting if they really wanted too. Iran stands to gain quite a bit if we pull out of Iraq too soon. Syria would gain something too since they Iran's 'woman'.

Technorati tags: Iran, Iraq, Syria, United States, US, Conference, Sunni, Shi'ite, Muslim

Good News From The War on Terror 3/10

IRAQ

IRAQI ARMY DETAINS 10 AND SECURES WEAPONS, AMMUNITION

KALSU, Iraq - Iraqi Army Soldiers with the support of Multi-National Division - Baghdad paratroopers conducted a targeted operation that resulted in 10 detainees and the discovery of a weapons cache in south of Baghdad March 9.

Soldiers of 5th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division with support from 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division captured 10 insurgents near Arab Jabour.

The cache consisted of six AK-47s, 13 AK-47 ammunition magazines, one rifle, U.S. $600, three motorcycles, one ammunition bandolier, several pieces of anti-coalition propaganda, 13 cellular phones, and 39 7.62mm ammunition rounds.

This was the third raid in one month lead by these Iraqi Army personnel as the main effort and coalition forces in support.

The detainees are being held for further questioning.

 

27 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS CAPTURED THROUGHOUT IRAQ

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition Forces killed one terrorist and detained 27 suspected terrorists during operations Friday night and Saturday morning targeting foreign fighter facilitator and al-Qaeda in Iraq networks.

Operations in the vicinity of Taji on Saturday led to one terrorist killed and 18 suspected terrorists detained including an alleged member of the al-Qaeda associated Islamic State of Iraq.  The terrorist was killed after he began firing on ground forces.

During a raid Friday night in Mosul, Coalition Forces detained three suspected terrorists believed to be involved in foreign fighter facilitation and possible involvement in the recent Badush prison break.

Coalition Forces also conducted several raids Saturday morning in Mosul.

One raid targeted terrorists believed to be involved in the distribution of weapons used during an attack on an Iraqi police station in January.

Three suspected terrorists were detained in this raid.  Another raid led to the detention of two suspected terrorists, one of whom is believed to have direct involvement in the facilitation of foreign fighters into Iraq.

Coalition Forces also conducted a raid in Ramadi Saturday morning, detaining one suspected terrorist with alleged foreign fighter ties.

"Coalition Forces continue to systematically disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq operations, restrict the flow of foreign fighters and reduce the terrorist organization's manpower pool," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

 

IA CONDUCTS OPERATIONS AGAINST ROGUE ELEMENTS OF JAM IN SADR CITY

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Special Iraqi Army Forces conducted operations with Coalition advisors Saturday in Sadr City against rogue elements of Jaysh Al-Mahdi allegedly responsible for inciting sectarian violence in Baghdad.

The Iraqi led operation was targeting a rogue element of JAM allegedly responsible for coordinating and carrying out numerous kidnappings and murders of Iraqi civilians.  It is also implicated in conducting improvised explosive device attacks targeting Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces in the area.

Iraqi Forces detained six suspects for questioning.

 

TWO-DAY SECURITY MISSION IN SADR CITY ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN PLAN FOR BAGHDAD SECURITY

BAGHDAD - The implementation of the new security plan for the Iraqi capital took another step as Iraqi and Multi-National Division - Baghdad forces entered the eastern district of Sadr City March 4.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division conducted security operations and spoke with locals to gather information while Iraqi Army troops searched and cleared houses in the section of Sadr City known as "Thawra 2." 

"I believe the Strykers were used because of their robust firepower and our experience in the area," said 1st Lt. Jacob Czekanski, a Silver Creek, Mich. native serving with the Company B "Blackhawks," 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment.  "There is a definite psychological impact when we are on the ground."

The overall objective was to clear and hold the areas while the new joint security station, or JSS, continues construction.  The JSS will house coalition and Iraqi security forces and will persist in providing security for Sadr City.

"This was the [Iraqi's] mission, we were just there to give support and provide quality control for them," said Czekanski.

The two-day mission began in the morning March 4 with a meeting of both U.S. and Iraqi commanders on the ground in Sadr City, where final plans were made. Coalition forces linked up with the Iraqi security forces and began the search.

"It's important that the locals here see their own people taking command," said Spc. Kevin Flannery, an infantryman with Company B.  "We are only here to give help, if needed."

As Soldiers provided security, the Iraqi troops made their way through the area searching houses for weapons caches and intelligence.

They also questioned the tenants of the homes concerning insurgent activities.  After each house was searched, the head of the house was asked to sign documentation stating nothing was broken or stolen from the premises by coalition forces.

While the Iraqi security forces were searching and clearing houses, U.S. Soldiers provided security and spoke with locals regarding the state of affairs on the ground.  Soldiers spoke with locals, both young and old, in an attempt to better understand how the neighborhood is dealing with illegal activities. 

After a quick and thorough search of Sadr City, the first day ended as troops headed back to their base camps. 

"This is a very motivated group and they are on track with operations in the city," said Czekanski.

Day two picked up where the previous day left off. 

Coalition forces were well received and, in some instances, were invited to enter the homes of some residents.  A number of Soldiers conversed with residents over chai, a type of hot tea favored by Iraqis, and were praised for helping the Iraqis take control of the security situation. 

The second day ended just as the first - as Iraqi and U.S.troops finished clearing their assigned sectors.   

"The [Iraqi Army] is on the right track and we are moving in the right direction," said Spc. Jacob Zamft, an infantryman with Company B.

 

AFGHANISTAN

PRECISION AIR STRIKES TARGETS TALIBAN WEAPONS FACILITATOR

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN – A precision air strike was conducted Saturday afternoon on a Taliban weapons facilitator in the Gereshk District of Helmand Province.

The purpose of this operation was to destroy a command element of the Taliban terrorist organization which was responsible for facilitating the movement of anti-aircraft weapons in Southern Afghanistan.

The air strike, using precision-guided munitions, targeted the suspected terrorist’s vehicle where he stopped to meet with other suspected terrorists in an isolated area.

A battle damage assessment was still in progress at the time of this release.

 

ALL

AIRPOWER SUMMARY FOR MARCH 9

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, Afghanistan, War on Terror, Coalition, Military, News

White House 2008 Rankings-March

The Republicans

  1. John McCain

  2. Rudy Giuliani

  3. Mitt Romney

  4. No one

  5. Sam Brownback

  6. Newt Gingrich

  7. Mike Huckabee

  8. Chuck Hagel

  9. Tommy Thompson

10. Tom Tancredo

11. Duncan Hunter

12. Ron Paul

As far as I'm concerned, this should be a race between Huckabee, Tancredo, and Hunter. I couldn't care less about the rest of them. The top 3 candidates disgust me. They are not Republicans and should stop acting like one. They sit around and lie about how "Conservative" they are.

 

Technorati tags: Presidential, Candidates, McCain, Giuliani, Romney, Brownback, Gingrich, Huckabee, Hagel, Thompson, Tancredo, Hunter, Paul

 

The Democrats

  1. Hillary Clinton

  2. Barack Obama

  3. Al Gore

  4. John Edwards

  5. Bill Richardson

  6. Christopher Dodd

  7. Joe Biden

  8. Dennis Kucinich

  9. Mike Gravel

All of these people disgust me. They are nothing more than defeatist liberals who want nothing more than to see our military lose in Iraq. I don't want their stupid socialized this, that, and whatever else they can dream up. I dread the thought of what would happen if any of these lunatics were elected.

 

Technorati tags: Presidential, Candidates, Clinton, Obama, Gore, Edwards, Richardson, Dodd, Biden, Kucinich, Gravel

Democrat Hypocrisy on Iraq

 

 

Technorati tags: Democrats, Hypocrisy, Iraq, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Saddam Hussein, Pelosi, Reid, Rockefeller, Berger, Albright, Clinton, Edwards, Biden

Pearl Harbor Pictures

(clicking the photo will take you to the online photo album where there is 19 pictures)

Pearl Harbor

 

I received these pictures in an email quite some time ago. I thought they were amazing and saved them. I don't know why I haven't shared these with everyone, but I'm going to now.

 

Technorati tags: Pearl Harbor, Photo, World War II, Japanese Attack

Germany, France Told To Quit Hiding From The Taliban.

Do your fair share in Afghanistan, NATO told

Britain's NATO allies who refuse to fight in Afghanistan were accused yesterday of causing "huge resentment" and a sense of betrayal among UK forces.

With four British soldiers killed within the last week, and the Taliban expected to launch a Spring offensive, senior military figures have called for NATO forces to contribute more or risk fracturing the alliance.

The 60-year-old coalition has come under pressure as countries such as Britain, America and Canada continue to shoulder the burden of the fighting, while others such as Germany and France have held their troops back.

Commanders are angry that despite pleas for reinforcements or to have "operational caveats" removed, some countries are still not heeding their requests.

Tony Blair yesterday failed to win a pledge of more fighting troops after he called for European allies to commit to a "maximum collective effort" during a summit in Brussels.

The example of German troops not being allowed to operate at night is one of many caveats that have infuriated Britain's military leaders.

Lord Inge, who was head of the Armed Forces during the 1990s, told The Daily Telegraph that the limitations were making the alliance ineffective.

 

I guess this could be like ostriches with their head in the sand.

 

Technorati tags: NATO, Afghanistan, France, Germany, Britain, War on terror, America, UK

Good News From The War on Terror 3/8-3/9

IRAQ

IRAQI ARMY, ATTACK HELICOPTERS CAPTURE 32 INSURGENTS

CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS BASE SPEICHER, Iraq - Iraqi soldiers from the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 4th Division and Iraqi police from Tikrit's Emergency Service Unit completed operations today in Duluiyah and the

Jabouri Peninsula where they detained eight suspected terrorists.

U.S. Soldiers from Company A, 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, and attack helicopters assisted the Iraqi-led operations, which began at the request of the local populace.

"This operation demonstrates the ability of the [Iraqi security force] to react and conduct complex operations. The support of the forces from Tikrit has been outstanding, and it's impressive that the Iraqi army is able to mass forces at different points in the province," said Lt. Col. Kevin Dunlop, commander, 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment.

"Operations like this are possible only because local people come forward with information and ask for help. The more information and cooperation the Iraqi army receives, the more frequently it can conduct these missions, so that security is provided for everyone."

In Bayji more than 400 Iraqi army soldiers from the 2nd Strategic Infrastructure Brigade detained more than 24 suspected terrorists during joint operations. Paratroopers from the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, provided quick reaction assets.

"The Iraqis are taking great strides in leading and planning operations," said Bryan Owens, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. "Their continued success will help to make

Salah Ad Din a peaceful place for all its citizens."

CCCI CONVICTS 18 INSURGENTS, 3 SENTENCED TO LIFE, 2 SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS IMPRISONMENT

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The Central Criminal Court of Iraq convicted 18 security detainees from Feb. 25 to March 1, for various crimes including joining an armed group to unsettle the stability and security of Iraq, possession of illegal weapons, personal identification violations and an illegal border crossing violation.

The trial court sentenced two Iraqis to life imprisonment after finding them guilty of violation of Article 4/1 of Iraq's Terrorist Law. The convicted Iraqis were captured during a Multi-National Forces targeted raid to capture known Al-Qaeda members Nov. 11, 2006. According to the trial summary, the men were known members of a terrorist cell that conducted at least six improvised explosive attacks against Iraqi Forces. The documents said one of the convicted men admitted to planting two IEDs against Multi-National Forces with the other convicted man.

One other man was sentenced to life imprisonment. A foreign national was convicted by the Central Court of Iraq for violation of Article 24/1 of the Iraqi Penal Code for illegal border crossing. The man was apprehended Feb. 24, 2005 in Ramadi by Multi-National Forces. According to the trial summary, the convicted man repeatedly admitted he had entered Iraq illegally to wage war against Americans. The summary said the man had changed his opinion of Americans while in custody of Multi-National Forces and regretted coming to Iraq.

Two Iraqi men were sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for possession of illegal weapons in violation of Order 3/2003. The first conviction is a result of a Multi-National Forces traffic stop in Fahama, Sept. 10, 2006 which led to a search of the convicted man's home. A search of the convicted man's house revealed, a weapons cache that included an AK-47, magazines, grenades and a bullet proof vest. A video of an improvised explosive device explosion and pictures of the convicted man posing with a pistol and a Rocket Propelled Grenade were also found on the convicted man's cell phone.

The second 30-year conviction resulted from a cordon and knock operation conducted Dec. 23, 2006 by Multi-National Forces near Rawah. A search of the convicted man's compound revealed a cache of AK-47s, magazines, detonation cords, fuse caps, shaped charges, grenades and machine gun ammunition.

The Central Criminal Court of Iraq convicted the remaining 11 Iraqi men from one to 20 years imprisonment for weapons violation charges, using forged identification and the illegal use of another person's documents. Two Syrians were also convicted by the Court. One Syrian was sentenced to five years imprisonment for taking another person's documents and the other was sentenced to six months imprisonment for disobeying military orders.

Since its reorganization, under an amendment to CPA order 11, in April 2004, the Central Criminal Court has held 1,922 trials for Coalition-apprehended insurgents. The proceedings have resulted in the conviction of 1,658 individuals with sentences ranging from imprisonment to death.

SEVEN TERRORISTS KILLED DURING RAID ON SUSPECTED VBIED CELL

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition Forces killed seven terrorists during an operation Wednesday and captured six others today while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Intelligence reports indicated terrorists directing vehicle-borne improvised explosive device operations and the distribution of IEDs and weapons were operating at a targeted location in Mosul.

Coalition Forces approaching the targeted area by helicopter received enemy fire from several vehicles. Coalition Forces returned fire from the helicopter, killing five terrorists.

Coalition Forces continued their mission and searched the targeted buildings and found a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, RPG rounds, and assault weapon magazines. They destroyed the weapons cache on the site to prevent further use by terrorists.

After clearing the targeted buildings, ground forces began receiving sniper and machine gun fire from another building. Ground forces returned fire killing two terrorists.

Today, four suspected terrorists with alleged ties to IED attacks were captured in an operation northeast of Karmah. Two more suspects were captured southeast of Al Qa'im in an operation targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq associated weapons dealer.

"Coalition Forces will continue to successfully kill or capture al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists regardless of where they may hide or operate," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

SUSPECTED AQ MEDIA EMIR, ALLEGED "BUTCHER" CAPTURED IN RAIDS

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition Forces killed one terrorist and captured 16 suspected terrorists including an alleged al-Qaeda media emir during raids Friday morning throughout Iraq.

In Mosul, Coalition Forces captured an al-Qaeda related suspect known as "The Butcher" who is allegedly responsible for numerous kidnappings, beheadings, and suicide operations in the Ramadi and Mosul areas. Coalition Forces captured five additional suspects and killed one terrorist during the raid.

During operations in Fallujah, Coalition Forces captured two suspected terrorists with alleged ties to foreign fighter facilitation.

Northeast of Karmah, a suspected al-Qaeda media emir was captured along with seven others. The suspects are also believed to be part of an al-Qaeda courier network.

"Coalition Forces will continue to target al-Qaeda in Iraq and foreign terrorist facilitators regardless of where they may hide," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

ALL

AIRPOWER SUMMARY FOR MARCH 7

Technorati tags: Iraq, Terrorists, Insurgency, War on Terror, Military, Al-Qaeda, Coalition, News

Top Pakistan Nuclear Scientists In Taliban Custody

Zee News Exclusive VIA Jawa Report

Two top nuclear scientists of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) are currently in Taliban custody. The two were working at PAEC’s facility in North West Frontier Province. Zee News investigations reveal that the two scientists were kidnapped about six months ago. To avoid international embarrassment Pakistan Government has kept this information under wraps.

According to information available with Zee News, nuclear scientists have been kidnapped by Taliban at the behest of Al-Qaeda. Further investigations reveal that Al-Qaeda may be using the expertise of the scientists to produce nuclear bombs. The two scientists are reportedly being held somewhere in Waziristan, near Afghanistan border.

In January this year Pakistan security agencies had foiled another attempt by Taliban militia to kidnap nuclear scientists. Earlier, incidents of Taliban militia stealing uranium in NWFP have already been reported. PAEC also has a uranium mining facility in NWFP.

With repeated Al Qaeda threats to the US, news of kidnapping of nuclear scientists will increase pressure on Pakistan to attack terrorist camps.

The gov't of Pakistan isn't too concerned about this because they know they are further down the hit-list. The infidels will be first, then muslim countries that don't adopt shari'a law. Of course, the recent meeting between Pakistani Pres. Pervez Musharraf and U.S. VP Dick Cheney seemed to prod the Pakistani gov't into action against terrorists.

 

Technorati tags: Pakistan, Taliban, Nuclear, Scientists, Afghanistan, Terrorists, Islam

Syria deploys thousands of rockets on Israel border: sources

Yahoo! News

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Syria has positioned on its border with Israel thousands of medium and long-range rockets capable of striking major towns across northern Israel, military and government sources told AFP.

This deployment, coupled with other recent reports of Syrian troop mobilisation, is seen in Israel as an indication that Damascus may be preparing for future "low intensity warfare," they said.

The report comes only two weeks after Israel held war games on the occupied Golan Heights, captured from Syria in 1967, in a bid to learn the lessons of last summer's conflict in neighbouring south Lebanon.

The Syrian army accelerated its deployment of medium and long-range rockets in the wake of the Lebanon war, during which the Hezbollah militia fired more than 4,000 rockets against northern Israel.

"We have noticed that in recent months Syria has deployed hundreds, possibly thousands, of medium and long-range rockets along the border (with Israel)," one military source said.

"Many of the rockets are hidden in underground chambers and in camouflaged silos, which make them very difficult to locate," the source said.

Three of the sources were from the military and two from the government, and they all spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity. They said Syria has built a system of fortified underground tunnels along its border with Israel.

I couldn't imagine what it must be like to live in a country where everyone around wants to destroy you. If Syria and Hezbollah decide to launch an attack against Israel, I hope Israel doesn't hold back. World opinion will not keep the terrorists from killing you.

 

Technorati tags: Syria, Israel, Rockets, Terrorists, War, Islam, Tunnels

Dems Scared Of Fox News

Politico.com-Nevada Dems Nix Fox Debate

The Nevada State Democratic Party is pulling out of a controversial presidential debate scheduled for Aug. 14 in Reno and co-hosted by Fox News, according to Democratic insiders.

The debate was being hosted by Fox News Channel and Fox News Radio, the Nevada State Democratic Party and the Western Majority Project.

A Fox spokeswoman didn’t immediately return a call for comment.

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards said Wednesday he would not participate in the debate, citing Fox's conservative ties as a factor. His deputy campaign manager, Jonathan Prince, sent an e-mail to the liberal website DailyKos, which was posted on the site.

“We’re definitely going to debate in Nevada, but we don’t see why this needs to be one of them,” it read.

The state party has been under pressure from progressive activists across the country, led by MoveOn.org, to cut its ties with the debate.

According to MoveOn, more than 265,000 people signed a petition sent to the Nevada State Democratic Party.

Republican presidential candidates didn't refuse to debate on those news channels that are 'liberal'. It's amazing that people actually vote for these people. I fail to see why it makes any difference as to who co-hosts the debate. Questions are asked, the candidate answers, the other candidates usually get a chance to respond. It's usually the same whether it's Fox News or CNN.

 

Technorati tags: Democrats, Debate, Fox News, Nevada, MoveOn

Al-Qaeda In Iraq Leader Captured

BREITBART.COM-Insurgent Leader Nabbed in Iraq Raid

The leader of the al-Qaida-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq has been captured in a raid west of Baghdad, an Iraqi military spokesman said Friday.

Abu Omar al-Baghdadi was captured Friday in a raid in Abu Ghraib on the western outskirts of Baghdad, said Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, spokesman of the Baghdad security operation. U.S. officials had no confirmation of the capture.

"One of the terrorists who was arrested with him confessed that the one in our hands is al-Baghdadi," al-Moussawi said.

Al-Baghdadi has been identified in statements posted on Islamic extremist Web sites as the head of the Islamic State, which was proclaimed last year after the death of the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

Al-Baghdadi was said to have headed the Mujahedeen Shura Council, an alliance of al-Qaida and other jihadist organizations, which was set up last year to downplay the role of foreigners in the Iraqi insurgency. The name first surfaced after al-Zarqawi's death, when the Mujahedeen Shura Council posted a condolence message on a militant Web site.

This is the biggest news to come out of Iraq since Al-Zarqawi was killed. Of course another will take his place, but with troop surge and the Iraqi police and military starting to step up, this may be what eliminates them from being a larger threat.

***UPDATE***

Turns out that it wasn't Al-Baghdadi.

BAGHDAD — Iraqi officials said Saturday they were holding a top Al Qaeda official, but not the terror mastermind Abu Omar al-Baghdadi who they believed was captured a day earlier.

"After preliminary investigations, it was proven that the arrested Al Qaeda person is not Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, but, in fact, another important Al Qaeda official," said Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Mousawi, an Iraqi military spokesman. "Interrogations and investigations are still under way to get more information."

It was al-Mousawi who announced late Friday that al-Baghdadi had been captured.

A senior adviser to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki also told The Associated Press that al-Baghdadi had been taken into custody. The adviser spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.

The reported arrest followed rumors this week that al-Baghdadi's brother had been arrested in a raid near Tikrit.

Almost nothing is known of al-Baghdadi, including his real name and what he looks like, and his capture would be difficult for officials to verify.

Technorati tags: Al-Baghdadi, Iraq, Al-Qaeda, Terrorist

Warlord splits with Taliban

Yahoo! News

 

KARACHI, Pakistan - Fugitive Afghan rebel leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar told The Associated Press that his forces have ended cooperation with the Taliban and suggested that he was open to talks with embattled President Hamid Karzai. In a video response to questions submitted by AP, Hekmatyar said that his group contacted Taliban leaders in 2003 and agreed to wage a joint jihad, or holy war, against American troops.

"The jihad went into high gear but later it gradually went down as certain elements among the Taliban rejected the idea of a joint struggle against the aggressor," Hekmatyar said in the video, which was received Thursday. Hekmatyar wore glasses and a black turban as he spoke in front of a plain white wall at an undisclosed location.

He offered no details of the split or its timing, but said his forces were now mounting only restricted operations, partly because of a lack of resources.

"It was not a good move by the Taliban to disassociate themselves from the joint struggle," he said. "Presently we have no contact with the Taliban."

Hekmatyar's Hezb-i Islami fighters, who have been most active in eastern Afghanistan, were central to the CIA-backed resistance to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s, and in the civil war that followed, but were sidelined by the Taliban militia's rise to power in the mid-1990s.

Hekmatyar nevertheless opposed the U.S.-led invasion in late 2001 that pushed the Taliban from power, and his followers have since waged a campaign of violence against American and allied forces. Hekmatyar's exact whereabouts have been unknown since he returned to Afghanistan from exile in Iran in 2002.

There seems to be quite a bit of turmoil in the Afghani region. We have the Taliban breaking away from Al-Qaeda, and a powerful warlord breaking away from the Taliban.

 

Technorati tags: Afghanistan, Taliban, War on terror, warlord, Pakistan

Smuggling Uranium For Peaceful Purposes

Congo's Atomic Energy Chief Arrested for Selling Uranium

KINSHASA, Congo — The head of Congo's atomic energy commission has been arrested on suspicion of illegally selling uranium found in the Central African mineral giant, officials said Wednesday.

Fortunat Lumu, the director of the country's only nuclear center, and one of his aides were arrested Tuesday "because they were accused of having illicitly sold a quantity of uranium," Attorney General Tshimanga Mukendi said.

Mukendi refused to give information on the amount of uranium or the alleged buyer, saying those details were part of an investigation.

He added only that they were accused of orchestrating illicit contracts to produce and sell uranium.

National police representative Michel Kanka confirmed the arrest, but also refused to give details.

In August, Congo's government emphatically denied a report in The Sunday Times of London that a uranium shipment left its territory in 2005 bound for Iran, saying the dangerous element was tightly controlled by international agencies. Officials declined to say if there was any connection between the arrest and the alleged 2005 shipment.

The Sunday Times said the uranium was suspected of being extracted illegally from Congo's southeastern Shinkolobwe mine, which was closed in 1961.

Now for Part II

Iran's plot to mine uranium in Africa

IRAN is seeking to import large consignments of bomb-making uranium from the African mining area that produced the Hiroshima bomb, an investigation has revealed.

A United Nations report, dated July 18, said there was “no doubt” that a huge shipment of smuggled uranium 238, uncovered by customs officials in Tanzania, was transported from the Lubumbashi mines in the Congo.

Tanzanian customs officials told The Sunday Times it was destined for the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, and was stopped on October 22 last year during a routine check.

[...]

A senior Tanzanian customs official said the illicit uranium shipment was found hidden in a consignment of coltan, a rare mineral used to make chips in mobile telephones. The shipment was destined for smelting in the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan, delivered via Bandar Abbas, Iran’s biggest port.

“There were several containers due to be shipped and they were all routinely scanned with a Geiger counter,” the official said.

“This one was very radioactive. When we opened the container it was full of drums of coltan. Each drum contains about 50kg of ore. When the first and second rows were removed,the ones after that were found to be drums of uranium.”

In a nuclear reactor, uranium 238 can be used to breed plutonium used in nuclear weapons.

The customs officer, who spoke to The Sunday Times on condition he was not named, added: “The container was put in a secure part of the port and it was later taken away, by the Americans, I think, or at least with their help. We have all been told not to talk to anyone about this.”

Just look away, apparently there is nothing to see here.

 

Technorati tags: Iran, Nuclear, Uranium, Africa, Congo, Smuggling, IAEA

OK, It's Not Official: Fmr. Iranian Defense Minister NOT Cooperating with U.S.

Missing Iranian Official Not Cooperating With U.S., Official Says

A former Iranian deputy defense minister who disappeared from Turkey last month is not cooperating with Western intelligence agencies and his whereabouts remain a mystery, a U.S. official told FOX News Thursday. The Washington Post reported Thursday that Ali Rez Asgari, who is credited with founding the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah, was fully cooperating with and divulging information to U.S. and other intelligence services. However, a senior U.S. official flatly denied the report. U.S. intelligence agencies remain extremely interested in Asgari's case, the official said, but they do not know his current whereabouts. The official did not rule out the possibility that Asgari, who once commanded Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards and served as the country's deputy defense minister, was conducting negotiations with an intelligence organization, but denied that there was any type of cooperation with the U.S.

Time to get the ol' waterboard out. Lets see how long it takes him to 'cooperate' then.

 

Technorati tags: Iran, defense minister, official

Conflicting Headlines Of The Day

New House Panel to Study Global Warming

WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Democrats, intent on making climate change a marquee issue, created a special panel Thursday to study and offer recommendations on how to deal with global warming.

 

This February was the 34th coolest February in 113 years

UNITED STATES

Climate Summary

February 2007

The average temperature in February 2007 was 32.9 F. This was -1.8 F cooler than the 1901-2000 (20th century) average, the 34th coolest February in 113 years. The temperature trend for the period of record (1895 to present) is 0.3 degrees Fahrenheit per decade.

I really wish someone would put an end to this 'global warming' nonsense. It really is ridiculous. I know of two 'global warming' conferences that had to be canceled because of incliment weather. I'm sure there was more. Sure it's hot during the summer, but it's REALLY cold during the winter. Seems to me that should average out.

 

Technorati tags: Global Warming, Congress, NOAA, Climate Change

Israel unveils portable hunter-killer robot

Reuters.com

 

An Israeli defense firm on Thursday unveiled a portable robot billed as being capable of entering most combat zones alone and engaging enemies with an onboard armory that includes a machine-pistol and grenades.

 

The VIPeR, roughly the size of a small television, was invented as part of Israel's efforts to develop weaponry that could reduce the risks to its forces from hand-to-hand fighting against Palestinian or Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas.

 

The manufacturer, Elbit Systems Ltd., said that the VIPeR's small size and dual treads enable it to move "undeterred by stairs, rubble, dark alleys, caves or narrow tunnels".

As well as bomb-sniffing and bomb disposal equipment, the VIPeR can carry an Uzi machine-pistol or plant a grenade. The weapons would be aimed using an onboard video camera.

According to Elbit, which has close links with the Defense Ministry, Israel plans to deploy the VIPeR among its infantry units after field tests. The robot could also be of interest to foreign police units or U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Any advantage to save lives and kill terrorists would be welcome anywhere. Hopefully this thing works well enough for the U.S. military to use in the War on Terror.

Technorati tags: Israel, robot, terrorism

Why Were Fighter Jets Over Northern Ohio Today?

I didn't even notice until I heard about it on the radio. I was listening to 1100 AM out of Cleveland and the host was talking about all the fighter jets patrolling northern Ohio. The jets were executing severe turns and increases in altitude. As the show went on, more and more reports were coming in from all over northern Ohio from people who spotted the jets. Some callers said jets were scrambled from Wright-Patterson AFB and an AF reserve base at about 10:00am. They said it didn't seem to be a drill because the jets were gone longer than usual and were being refueled in mid-air.

Some local news stations reported on this, but a contact with the Air Force said they routinely conduct exercises over northern Ohio. I have lived in Ohio my whole life and have rarely seen fighter jets. I've seen and heard several today. Other callers to the radio show said this was the most activity since 9/11.

Hopefully someone will have more information as to what was going on today.

Democrats Demand Retreat by Fall 2008

BREITBART.COM

 

In a direct challenge to President Bush, House Democrats unveiled legislation Thursday requiring the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq by the fall of next year.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the deadline would be added to legislation providing nearly $100 billion the Bush administration has requested for fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

She told reporters the measure would mark the first time the new Democratic-controlled Congress has established a "date certain" for the end of U.S. combat in the four-year-old war that has claimed the lives of more than 3,100 U.S. troops.

The White House had no immediate reaction, although Bush has repeatedly rejected talk of establishing a deadline for troop withdrawals.

Within an hour of Pelosi's news conference, House Republican Leader John Boehner attacked the measure. He said Democrats were proposing legislation that amounted to "establishing and telegraphing to our enemy a timetable" that would result in failure of the U.S. military mission in Iraq.

"Gen. (David) Petraeus should be the one making the decisions on what happens on the ground in Iraq, not Nancy Pelosi or John Murtha," the Ohio Republican added. Murtha, a Pennsylvania Democrat, has been heavily involved in crafting legislation designed to end U.S., participation in the war.

It's unbelievable that these people think they control the military. The last thing this country needs is several hundred 'Commander's-in-chief'. They have shown though the past few months they have no idea what they're doing. It took about 10 years to stabilize Germany after WWII. We are now in year 5 of the Iraq part of the War on Terror. All indications from those 'knowledgeable' say we are well ahead of schedule.

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, Congress, retreat, war on terror, democrats, lunatics, pull out, troop withdrawals

U.S. reports 80 percent drop in Iraq insurgency attacks

WorldTribune.com

 

BAGHDAD — The U.S. Army has reported a sharp decrease in insurgency attacks in Baghdad.

In the week of Feb. 24 to March 2, officials said, insurgency strikes and suicide bombings dropped for the fourth consecutive week in Baghdad. They linked this to the steady increase of security patrols in the city.

The army said violence has decreased by 80 percent in the most insurgency-ridden areas of Baghdad. Officials said Shi'ite and Sunni insurgents have been overwhelmed by the current joint Iraqi-U.S. operation in the Iraqi capital.

However as Shi'ite fighters have gone underground, Sunnis have launched a campaign of car bombings and other violence against Shi'ite civilians.

Brig. Gen. John Campbell, deputy commander of Multi-National Division-Baghdad, told a briefing on March 6 that 19 people were killed in insurgency strikes in Baghdad in February 2007. Campbell said 254 were slain in the city in December 2006.

Campbell said Iraqi and U.S. forces have been raiding insurgency strongholds and capturing weapons caches. He said that from Feb. 24 to March 2, the forces seized 74 weapon caches. This exceeded the previous week's total by 11.

Officials said the security operation in Baghdad has increased the coalition presence in insurgency-ridden neighborhoods. They said Shi'ite insurgents, particularly those from the Iranian-sponsored Mahdi Army, have gone underground, leaving the Iraqi-U.S. forces to battle Sunni fighters.

This can be interpreted two ways. The first is that this is great news as less people are dying. The second is, it appears that the shi'ite militias are well organized and know they just have to bide their time before leftwing nuts in congress force us to lose in Iraq. Once that happens, it will all break loose over there and full-out civil war will ensue.

 

Technorati tags: iraq, insurgency, war on terror, sunni, shi'ite, mahdi, military, coalition

It's Official. Former Iranian Defense Official Defected.

 Former Iranian Defense Official Talks to Western Intelligence Via Jawa Report

A former Iranian deputy defense minister who once commanded the Revolutionary Guard has left his country and is cooperating with Western intelligence agencies, providing information on Hezbollah and Iran's ties to the organization, according to a senior U.S. official.

Ali Rez Asgari disappeared last month during a visit to Turkey. Iranian officials suggested yesterday that he may have been kidnapped by Israel or the United States. The U.S. official said Asgari is willingly cooperating. He did not divulge Asgari's whereabouts or specify who is questioning him, but made clear that the information Asgari is offering is fully available to U.S. intelligence.

Asgari served in the Iranian government until early 2005 under then-President Mohammad Khatami. Asgari's background suggests that he would have deep knowledge of Iran's national security infrastructure, conventional weapons arsenal and ties to Hezbollah in south Lebanon. Iranian officials said he was not involved in the country's nuclear program, and the senior U.S. official said Asgari is not being questioned about it. Former officers with Israel's Mossad spy agency said yesterday that Asgari had been instrumental in the founding of Hezbollah in the 1980s, around the time of the bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut.

Just thinking about the Iranians freaking out over this makes me smile. Hopefully we get information to the inner workings of the Iranian gov't and the Hezbollah terror organization.

 

Technorati tags: Iranian, defense official, defected, intelligence, axis of evil, terrorists

4000+ Taliban To Die Soon

Leader: Taliban has 4,000 fighters ready

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - A top Taliban commander said Wednesday the group has 4,000 fighters bracing to rebuff NATO’s largest-ever offensive in northern Afghanistan, now in its second day.

Suicide bombers are ready, land mines have been planted and helicopters will be targeted, Mullah Abdul Qassim, the top Taliban commander in Helmand province told The Associated Press.

NATO, meanwhile, announced the capture of a senior Taliban fighter who had eluded authorities by wearing a woman’s burqa. Mullah Mahmood, who is accused of helping Taliban fighters rig suicide bomb attacks, was seized by Afghan soldiers at a checkpoint near Kandahar, the alliance said.Speaking by satellite telephone from an undisclosed location, Qassim said the Taliban has 8,000 to 9,000 fighters in southern Helmand province, including some 4,000 in the northern part of that area where NATO launched its largest-ever offensive Tuesday. He said all the fighters were Afghan, denying reports of hundreds of foreign fighters in the region.

“All of them are well-equipped and we have the weapons to target helicopters,” Qassim said. “The Taliban are able to fight for 15 or 20 years against NATO and the Americans.”

I hope someone has a stopwatch to time how long it takes these animals to run away like cowards.

Good News From The War On Terror 3/7

Usually I do this every couple days, but today there is so much news that it requires it's own post.


IRAQ

24 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS CAPTURED THROUGHOUT IRAQ

BAGHDAD, Iraq -Coalition Forces detained 24 suspected terrorists during raids Wednesday morning targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq networks.
Ground forces detained eight suspected terrorists during a raid in South Baghdad when they targeted a group reported to be involved in the coordination, movement and emplacement of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices used against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.
During a raid in Rutbah, Coalition Forces detained five suspected terrorists while targeting a suspected weapons dealer who is known for providing IED-making material and is also believed to be involved in foreign fighter facilitation.
Coalition Forces also detained two suspected terrorists in Samarra.
Intelligence reports indicate terrorists in the targeted area are involved in weapons trafficking and the acquisition of identity cards and passports.
Northeast of Karmah, Coalition Forces detained nine suspected terrorists with alleged ties to senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leadership.
"Coalition Forces operations continue to systematically dismantle the al-Qaeda in Iraq network," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. "The al-Qaeda in Iraq network is contrary to the peace and stability Iraqi citizens deserve."

STRYKERS CAPTURE 22, SECURE AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES

KALSU, Iraq - Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers detained 22 insurgent suspects and secured weapon and ammunition caches south of Baghdad March 6.
Soldiers of 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division conducted targeted raids to capture known terrorists and secure weapons and ammunition near Jabella, Iraq.
Besides the 22 detainees taken into custody, several caches were found.
The caches consisted of one 60mm mortar round, two sticks of dynamite, nine feet of detonation cord, three blasting caps, one set of desert camouflage uniform, three AK-47 ammunition magazines, three passports, one machine gun barrel, one AK-47 butt stock, two empty ammunition boxes, one box of primers, two AK-47s, six 7.62mm ammunition magazines, one 8mm round, two 8mm mortar fuses, five blasting caps and one rocket-propelled grenade booster.
The suspects are being detained for further questioning.

OPERATION WHITE ROCKETS NETS TWO CACHES, TWO SUSPECTS SOUTH OF BAGHDAD

KALSU, Iraq - Iraqi Army troops and paratroopers from Multi-National Division - Baghdad worked together to successfully complete "Operation White Rockets" March 6, finding two ammunition caches and detaining two suspects.
Soldiers of 5th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Squadron dismounted to clear out suspected insurgent sanctuary areas near Bin Muhammad, Iraq, south of Baghdad.
The caches consisted of various amounts of homemade explosives, 50 five-gallon plastic fuel cans, a table with a white crystal substance, blue barrels filled with a white crystal substance, one gas can with a white crystal substance with red detonation cord, one 50-pound sack filled with a fine gray powder, one 75-pound bag filled with a white crystal powder, one 15-foot length of pipe, two mortar sights, three bags of detonation cord, one AK-47 receiver, 100 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition and 11 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition.
While clearing buildings, two suspects were detained. The ammunition caches were secured by an explosive ordnance disposal team for controlled detonation. The unknown substances are being tested for identification.
Both suspects were detained for further questioning.

AFGHANISTAN

AFGHAN, COALITION FORCES PREVENT VBIED ATTACK IN KAPISA PROVINCE

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Police interdicted a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device yesterday in Kapisa Province near a Coalition fire base in Nejrab.
The ANP had chased the vehicle after AK-47 ammunition was observed falling from the vehicle. The driver fled the vehicle, and the ANP discovered the right side of the vehicle was wired with explosives. The ANP secured the area and notified Afghan National Army and Coalition forces of their discovery.
A combined Afghan and Coalition patrol responded, and a thorough search of the vehicle was conducted by trained personnel. They determined that the device was too dangerous to disarm, and ANA and Coalition forces rigged the vehicle with explosives to detonate it and deem it safe. The charges blew up, and multiple secondary explosions occurred, destroying the right side of the vehicle, ensuring the VBIED was no longer a threat. There were no injuries to local Afghans, ANP, ANA or Coalition forces during the conduct of this operation.
“Afghan civilians are fed up with the violence and destruction Taliban insurgents bring,” said Army Lt. Col. David Accetta, Combined Joint Task Force-82 spokesman. “The successful interdiction and disposal of this vehicle before it could be used in an attack increases security and reduces the danger posed by criminals and insurgents who have no regard for Afghan life and would harm innocent civilians, Afghan National Security and Coalition forces.

TERRORIST FACILITATOR, IED EXPERT CAPTURED

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN – A suspected al-Qaeda facilitator and improvised explosive device expert along with five other suspected terrorists were captured during an assault by Afghan and Coalition forces on a compound near Jalalabad in the Nangarahar Province early this morning.
Credible information indicated that a suspected terrorist with strong ties to al-Qaeda and the Tora Bora Front was within the compound. The suspected terrorist was an IED expert and logistics officer for the Tora Bora Front, which facilitates the movement of fighters from Pakistan to Afghanistan. The suspected terrorists were taken into custody for questioning.
No shots were fired and no civilians or forces were injured during the assault.

ALL

AIRPOWER SUMMARY FOR MARCH 6

Bush says Libby verdict should be respected - Politics - MSNBC.com

MSNBC.com

WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush said on Wednesday that the guilty verdict for a top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney must be respected, though he was saddened for Lewis "Scooter" Libby and his family.

"This was a lengthy trial on a serious matter and a jury of his peers convicted him and we've got to respect that conviction," Bush told CNN Espanol in an interview.

It's sad to say, but it's become apparent that the president is now useless. He has cowered from the Democrats on just about every issue since he was elected in 2000.

Report: Former Iranian Defense Minister Defecting To U.S.

FOXNews.com

The mystery of a missing former Iranian deputy defense minister deepened Wednesday with the report by an Arab newspaper that he is being interviewed somewhere in northern Europe before defecting to the U.S.

Retired Revolutionary Guards general Ali Reza Asghari disappeared in Turkey nearly a month ago and reportedly hopes to seek asylum in the United States, according to a report in the London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat.

The newspaper quoted senior Iranian sources as saying Asghari is headed for the United States "along with the secrets he carried."

A Senior U.S. official told FOX News that Asghari is not in CIA hands but said that it's a "mystery" why he disappeared "and the U.S. intelligence community is seeking more clarity."

Al-Sharq al-Awsat reported that Asghari is being questioned by intelligence personnel before being transferred to the United States.

This is looking to be a devastating loss to Iran. This man probably knows more about the Iranian military and security than anyone else in the country.

Moose vs Helicopter, Draw.

Angry Moose Brings Down Helicopter in Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska —
A helicopter is not necessarily a match for an angry moose.

Instead of lying down after being shot with a tranquilizer dart, a moose charged a hovering helicopter used by a wildlife biologist, damaging the aircraft's tail rotor and forcing it to the ground.

Neither the pilot nor the biologist was injured, but the moose was maimed by the spinning rotor and had to be euthanized, wildlife officials said.

A Middle East Lover's Quarrel

Jerusalem Post

Syrian President Bashar Assad exchanged harsh words with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during a phone conversation, the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Siyassah reported on Wednesday.

Sources close to the Syrian leader told the newspaper that Assad had initially called the Iranian president to discuss Ahmadinejad's meeting with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah in Riyadh.

However, the conversation reportedly turned ugly when Ahmadinejad voiced support for the establishment of an international tribunal on the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri - a sensitive subject for Syria, which has been suspected of involvement in the Lebanese leader's death.

The report said that Assad became enraged and launched into an angry tirade, cursing the Iranians at the end of the conversation.

Iran and Syria have been allies for decades. They have been particularly united in their criticism of Israel and the United States.

Just when gay marriage was going to become a reality in the Middle East, they break up. At least one of them didn't get left at the Muslim sacrificial altar.

Illegal To Be Republican?

The double standard that exists for crimes, either real or imagined, for Republicans and Democrats.

From Ann Coulter

This makes it official: It's illegal to be Republican.

Since Teddy Kennedy walked away from a dead girl with only a wrist slap (which was knocked down to a mild talking-to, plus time served: zero), Democrats have apparently become a protected class in America, immune from criminal prosecution no matter what they do.

As a result, Democrats have run wild, accepting bribes, destroying classified information, lying under oath, molesting interns, driving under the influence, obstructing justice and engaging in sex with underage girls, among other things.

Meanwhile, conservatives of any importance constantly have to spend millions of dollars defending themselves from utterly frivolous criminal prosecutions. Everything is illegal, but only Republicans get prosecuted.

Conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh was subjected to a three-year criminal investigation for allegedly buying prescription drugs illegally to treat chronic back pain. Despite the witch-hunt, Democrat prosecutor Barry E. Krischer never turned up a crime.

Even if he had, to quote liberal Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz: "Generally, people who illegally buy prescription drugs are not prosecuted." Unless they're Republicans.

The vindictive prosecution of Limbaugh finally ended last year with a plea bargain in which Limbaugh did not admit guilt. Gosh, don't you feel safer now? I know I do.

In another prescription drug case with a different result, last year, Rep. Patrick Kennedy (Democrat), apparently high as a kite on prescription drugs, crashed a car on Capitol Hill at 3 a.m. That's abuse of prescription drugs plus a DUI offense. Result: no charges whatsoever and one day of press on Fox News Channel.

I suppose one could argue those were different jurisdictions. How about the same jurisdiction?

In 2006, Democrat and major Clinton contributor Jeffrey Epstein was nabbed in Palm Beach in a massive police investigation into his hiring of local underage schoolgirls for sex, which I'm told used to be a violation of some kind of statute in the Palm Beach area.

The police presented Limbaugh prosecutor Krischer with boatloads of evidence, including the videotaped statements of five of Epstein's alleged victims, the procurer of the girls for Epstein and 16 other witnesses.

But the same prosecutor who spent three years maniacally investigating Limbaugh's alleged misuse of back-pain pills refused to bring statutory rape charges against a Clinton contributor. Enraging the police, who had spent months on the investigation, Krischer let Epstein off after a few hours on a single count of solicitation of prostitution. The Clinton supporter walked, and his victims were branded as whores.

The Republican former House Whip
Tom DeLay is currently under indictment for a minor campaign finance violation. Democratic prosecutor Ronnie Earle had to empanel six grand juries before he could find one to indict DeLay on these pathetic charges -- and this is in Austin, Texas (the Upper West Side with better-looking people).

That final grand jury was so eager to indict DeLay that it indicted him on one charge that was not even a crime -- and which has since been tossed out by the courts.

After winning his primary despite the indictment, DeLay decided to withdraw from the race rather than campaign under a cloud of suspicion, and Republicans lost one of their strongest champions in Congress.

Compare DeLay's case with that of Rep. William "The Refrigerator" Jefferson, Democrat. Two years ago, an
FBI investigation caught Jefferson on videotape taking $100,000 in bribe money. When the FBI searched Jefferson's house, they found $90,000 in cash stuffed in his freezer. Two people have already pleaded guilty to paying Jefferson the bribe money.

Two years later, Bush's Justice Department still has taken no action against Jefferson. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently put Rep. William Jefferson on the
Homeland Security Committee.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record), Democrat, engaged in a complicated land swindle, buying a parcel of land for $400,000 and selling it for over $1 million a few years later. (At least it wasn't cattle futures!)

Reid also received more than four times as much money from Jack Abramoff (nearly $70,000) as Tom DeLay ($15,000). DeLay returned the money; Reid refuses to do so. Why should he? He's a Democrat.

Former Clinton national security adviser Sandy Berger literally received a sentence of community service for stuffing classified national security documents in his pants and then destroying them -- big, fat federal felonies.

But Scooter Libby is facing real prison time for forgetting who told him about some bozo's wife.

Bill Clinton was not even prosecuted for obstruction of justice offenses so egregious that the entire Supreme Court staged a historic boycott of his State of the Union address in 2000.

By contrast, Linda Tripp, whose only mistake was befriending the office hosebag and then declining to perjure herself, spent millions on lawyers to defend a harassment prosecution based on far-fetched interpretations of state wiretapping laws.

Liberal law professors currently warning about the "high price" of pursuing terrorists under the Patriot Act had nothing but blood lust for Tripp one year after Clinton was impeached (Steven Lubet, "Linda Tripp Deserves to be Prosecuted," New York Times, 8/25/99).

Criminal prosecution is a surrogate for political warfare, but in this war, Republicans are gutless appeasers.

Bush has got to pardon Libby.

Good News From The War On Terror 3/5 - 3/6

IRAQ

AIR STRIKE DESTROYS BUILDING USED TO BUILD IEDS

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A Coalition Forces air strike destroyed a building housing a large cache of materials used to build roadside bombs in Mosul Monday evening.

Intelligence reports stated terrorists were accumulating weapons and were believed to have knowledge of suppliers and producers of improvised explosive devices in the Mosul area.

Upon arrival at the targeted building, two individuals pulled weapons on the ground force. Ground forces took proper self-defense measures and killed the individuals.

While searching the targeted building, ground forces discovered an underground room that was being used to store large amounts of IED-making materials, including approximately 50 IEDs, 200 bags of fertilizer, blasting caps and multiple grenades.

Coalition Forces called in for air support to destroy the building to prevent the IED-related material from being used against Iraqi citizens, Iraqi military and Coalition Forces in the future.

“Considering the amount of human suffering and damage inflicted by VBIEDs, it is always significant when we are able to eliminate or detain terrorists involved in these attacks,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

LARGE CACHE DISCOVERIES HIGHLIGHT SECURITY EFFORTS

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, together with Iraqi security forces uncovered more than 10 times the number of mortar rounds and small arms ammunition this week, thanks in large part to several large cache finds southwest of the Iraqi capital.

More than 21,000 small arms rounds were confiscated this week, up from 2,160 the previous week; while 937 mortar rounds were discovered, up from 89 the week before.

“Our operations are denying terrorists and extremist elements the ability to wage war against innocent Iraqi citizens and our own forces,” said Brig. Gen. John F. Campbell, deputy commanding general for maneuver for MND-B. “Together with our Iraqi counterparts, we continue the effort to provide a lasting peace here in Baghdad.”

Noting the impact of the arrival of U.S. and Iraqi troops into Baghdad to implement the new security plan, Campbell pointed to the districts of Adhamiyah and Sadr City as recent success stories, based on the decrease in the number of attacks in those areas.

In December, the two eastern Baghdad districts accounted for 440 total attacks, which include small arms fire, improvised explosive device explosions and sectarian murders. From Feb. 5 through March 5 this year, however, Campbell said those attacks dropped to 91.

“Over the past month, there were 18 small arms attacks and 19 murders,” Campbell said. “That is a dramatic decrease from December totals of 116 and 254, respectively.”

The number of IED attacks decreased by nine, compared to the December 2006 monthly total, from 40 down to 31. Campbell said efforts continue in and around Baghdad to take weapons out of the hands of extremists.

The 10th Mountain Division’s 2nd “Commando” Brigade alone uncovered 23 caches during the week of Feb. 24 through March 2. In all, MND-B units found 51 caches, up 11 from the previous week.

In one mission alone, Operation Eagle Viper conducted March 1, the Commando Brigade uncovered eight caches and detained 42 suspects in Janabi Village, Iraq.

With additional troops arriving in the Iraqi capital every day, Campbell noted a steady rise in the number of security patrols in and around Baghdad.

“This week, we conducted more than 24,000 patrols in support of Operation Fardh Al-Qanoon,” Campbell said. “That’s up more than 2,500 from the previous week. Of those 24,000 patrols, more than half were conducted by the Iraqi police and national police forces.”

As security forces throughout Multi-National Division Baghdad expand into the neighborhoods and streets of the city, setting up patrol bases and Joint Security Stations, Campbell said there is an immediate impact on the enemy.

“We’ve seen in a continuing downward trend in attacks,” he said. “For the fourth straight week, attack volume within the city of Baghdad has declined.

“Despite determination by terrorists with Al Qaeda in Iraq to instigate sectarian violence through senseless killing of Iraqi civilians, we are seeing the lethality of these vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and suicide attacks declining, significantly,” Campbell added. “And sectarian murder levels remain lower than prior to the start of Operation Fardh al-Qanoon.”

Even as the level of violence continues to decline in and around the Iraqi capital, civil affairs operations, especially construction projects were slowed this week. The slow down was not due to violence in the city streets, but rather because of heavy rain and religious holidays, according to Navy Cmdr. Michael Sanchez, a civil military affairs plans officer with MND-B.

However, Sanchez said, the division hosted a team of industry executives, who visited several state-run enterprises in and around Baghdad to gain an appreciation for the existing capabilities and to begin developing strategies to revitalize industry.

“The executive team was sponsored by Paul Brinkley, the Defense Undersecretary for Business Transformation,” Sanchez said. “They went to factories in Iskandariyah, Mussayib and Al Doura.”

Another group brought in by Brinkley focused on agriculture, according to Sanchez.

“This team of agricultural experts met with division representatives to discuss agriculture-related initiatives being conducted in the farming regions around Baghdad,” Sanchez said.

The level of violence in the city remained relatively steady, Campbell said, showing no major increase or decrease over the past week. However, he lauded the weapons cache finds during the week.

“Three full weeks into the new security plan, we’re seeing the fruits of our labors,” he said. “There is progress being made on the streets of Baghdad as we take the fight to the enemies of a free Iraq.”

CLEARING SADR CITY: MND-B GENERAL PLEASED WITH INITIAL RESULTS

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – A combined force of Iraqi police, national police and Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops completed a second day of security operations in the eastern Baghdad Sadr City district March 5.

Members of the 82nd Airborne Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team and the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division conducted security operations with their Iraqi counterparts and reported no hostile contact for a second day in an area known to be a stronghold of Muqtada Al Sadr, the extremist leader of rogue elements known for extrajudicial killings and attacks against coalition forces. Some residents seemed genuinely pleased to see the troops arrive, as small children were seen smiling and waving to coalition forces.

"It's a promising first start,” said Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil Jr., commanding general of MND-B. “We sense there is an opportunity opening here that we want to immediately take advantage of while working with the Iraqi security forces and the people of Sadr City.”

The citizens of Sadr City appear to welcome the respite from recent violence over the last few months. The killings have fallen off from more than 200 in December and January to less than 20 during the past 30 days as the new security plan for the Iraqi capital is carried out by newly arrived troops.

“Although much too early to tell,” Fil noted, “we sense that the people of the city are ready for a change."

At the conclusion of the security operations a Joint Security Station will be established in the District Police Station for Sadr City. This security station will allow a 24-hour presence in the Sadr City district and facilitate coordination between all security forces.

Fil said the key to future success is the newly-established Baghdad Operational Command, and the close coordination and cooperation that have been established.

“The Baghdad Operational Command became fully operational on the first of this month and they are off to a great start,” the general said. “Lt. Gen. Abud is directing and controlling Iraqi security forces throughout Baghdad. We are coordinating between our commands in a way that is having an immediate effect on the streets. Feedback from the Iraqis has been positive and we feel at this time we are on the right track."

AFGHANISTAN

5 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS ARRESTED IN KHOWST PROVINCE

KABUL , Afghanistan – Afghan and Coalition forces arrested five suspected terrorists, two of whom attempted to flee to a neighboring building, during an operation the evening of March 5 west of Khowst city.

The men were arrested without further incident following a thorough search of the buildings, which also uncovered a cache of grenades and armor-piercing rounds.

Credible information in connection with anti-government activities and known terrorist groups at the suspected compound led the Coalition forces to the building in Khowst province.

No shots were fired during the operation and there were no reported injuries or damages. The grenades and ammunition were destroyed at the scene.

Dems to Bush: Don't pardon Libby

CNN.com

"It's about time someone in the Bush administration has been held accountable for the campaign to manipulate intelligence and discredit war critics," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

"Lewis Libby has been convicted of perjury, but his trial revealed deeper truths about Vice President Cheney's role in this sordid affair. Now President Bush must pledge not to pardon Libby for his criminal conduct."

Added House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, "This trial provided a troubling picture of the inner workings of the Bush administration. The testimony unmistakably revealed -- at the highest levels of the Bush administration -- a callous disregard in handling sensitive national security information and a disposition to smear critics of the war in Iraq."

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said the investigation should go deeper.

"There's a lot more going on here than just this," Dean said on CNN's "The Situation Room."

"We know that the president was not truthful with the American people when he sent us to war," he said. "... We don't know if the president committed a crime or not; it would be interesting to find that out." (Watch Dean tar Bush and Cheney Video) (This was directly from CNN's website)

Here you have Pelosi and Reid misunderstanding what the trial was about. The trial was not about who 'outed' a 'covert' CIA agent. The trial was about Libby's recollection of conversations and whom did he talk to first. He was supposed to remember all of this 2+ years later. Ridiculous!

When all the appeals and other judicial nonsense is done, and if Scooter Libby is 'still' convicted, I pray that Bush pardons him. The president needs to grow a pair and tell the Dems "I'm pardoning Libby and there's nothing you can do about it". I hardly think this will be as questionable as the pardons given by former President Clinton. Of course they have short memories and won't remember that.

Appeal For Courage-Military Asks Congress To Support WOT

Appeal For CourageVia Jawa Report

Appeal for Courage is a non-partisan, grass-roots effort to communicate to Congress the troops' desire to remain in Iraq until our mission is complete. We feel calls to retreat embolden our enemy and hurt our support within the American public and Iraqi people. We accept no funding from any source, and do not speak for any group or organization other than those military members who have signed the Appeal.


Appeal for Redress

This site is an Appeal For Redress in support of our mission in Iraq.

An Appeal For Redress is an authorized means for active duty military to submit a grievance to Congress. It can be signed by Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard military personnel.

It is authorized by DoD Directive 1325.6 and DoD Directive 7050.6.

The wording of the Appeal for Redress is:
As an American currently serving my nation in uniform, I respectfully urge my political leaders in Congress to fully support our mission in Iraq and halt any calls for retreat. I also respectfully urge my political leaders to actively oppose media efforts which embolden my enemy while demoralizing American support at home. The War in Iraq is a necessary and just effort to bring freedom to the Middle East and protect America from further attack.

Most service members fully support the war in Iraq and feel calls to retreat by Congress and attacks by our media on our conduct and mission act to motivate our enemy while demoralizing our support at home, directly increasing the threat we face and resulting in greater American casualties. This Appeal for Redress provides a way in which individual service members can appeal to Congress to fully support us and actively oppose media attacks on our mission and our morale.

This Appeal will be delivered to members of Congress.

It's great to hear from members of the military that are supporting the cause. I couldn't imagine what it must be like to be fighting for our freedoms and having elected politicians continually stab you in the back.

A quote from a former Marine I talked to, "It's better we fight them there, than here".

Scooter Libby Guilty on 4 Out Of 5 Counts.

The charges were obstruction and perjury. He was found not guilty of lying to the FBI during an investigation.

An absolute travesty of the justice system. He's been found guilty because he doesn't remember casual conversation. I chat with people everyday and no way do I remember the details of the conversations.

At least the whole Scooter Libby circus can be put to rest now. The whole thing was ridiculous. How you can 'out' a 'covert' CIA agent when she can be seen coming and going from CIA headquarters is beyond me. Anyone who wanted to put in the effort could find out she worked for the CIA without using any classified material.

I will update as needed.

***UPDATE***

Editor&Publisher.com

NEW YORK A spokesman for the jury that convicted "Scooter" Lewis of four counts today of perjury and obstruction of justice today in a federal courtroom told reporters immediately afterward that many felt sympathy for Libby and believed he was only the "fall guy."

Denis Collins said, "We asked ourselves, what is HE doing here? Where is Rove and all these other guys....He was the fall guy."

He said they believed that Vice President Cheney did "task him to talk to reporters."

He said, "some jurors said at one point, 'We wish we weren't judging Libby...this sucks."

Asked about Vice President Cheney not testifying, he said, "Having Cheney testifying would have been interesting." And when the defense opened the trial by suggesting that Libby was scapegoated by the White House, "I thought we might get to see President Bush here."

I think this juror did the Libby legal team some favors. It appears that they were wanting to convict anyone in the Bush administration. The political bias they are demonstrating should cause the verdict to be thrown out and a new trial to proceed.

I question why they feel that Rove, Bush, and/or Cheney should have been there. This was an obstruction of justice and perjury case. It only involved whether Libby could adequately remember conversations that included Valerie Plame. This had nothing to do with who 'outed' Valerie Plame.