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[1] From: rkurian1@vsnl.com Date: Fri Sep 30, 2005 Subject: Sinister Events in a Cynical War..John Pilger Sinister Events in a Cynical War By John Pilger t r u t h o u t | Perspective Thursday 29 September 2005 Here are questions that are not being asked about the latest twist of a cynical war. Were explosives and a remote-control detonator found in the car of the two SAS special forces men "rescued" from prison in Basra on 19 September? If true, what were they planning to do with them? Why did the British military authorities in Iraq put out an unbelievable version of the circumstances that led up to armoured vehicles smashing down the wall of a prison? According to the head of Basra's Governing Council, which has co-operated with the British, five civilians were killed by British soldiers. A judge says nine. How much is an Iraqi life worth? Is there to be no honest accounting in Britain for this sinister event, or do we simply accept Defence Secretary John Reid's customary arrogance? "Iraqi law is very clear," he said. "British personnel are immune from Iraqi legal process." He omitted to say that this fake immunity was invented by Iraq's occupiers. Watching "embedded" journalists in Iraq and London, attempting to protect the British line was like watching a satire of the whole atrocity in Iraq. First, there was feigned shock that the Iraqi regime's "writ" did not run outside its American fortifications in Baghdad and the "British trained" police in Basra might be "infiltrated". An outraged Jeremy Paxman wanted to know how two of our boys - in fact, highly suspicious foreigners dressed as Arabs and carrying a small armoury - could possibly be arrested by police in a "democratic" society. "Aren't they supposed to be on our side?" he demanded. Although reported initially by the Times and the Mail, all mention of the explosives allegedly found in the SAS men's unmarked Cressida vanished from the news. Instead, the story was the danger the men faced if they were handed over to the militia run by the "radical" cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. "Radical" is a gratuitous embedded term; al-Sadr has actually co-operated with the British. What did he have to say about the "rescue"? Quite a lot, none of which was reported in this country. His spokesman, Sheikh Hassan al-Zarqani, said the SAS men, disguised as al-Sadr's followers, were planning an attack on Basra ahead of an important religious festival. "When the police tried to stop them," he said, "[they] opened fire on the police and passers-by. After a car chase, they were arrested. What our police found in the car was very disturbing - weapons, explosives and a remote control detonator. These are the weapons of terrorists." The episode illuminates the most enduring lie of the Anglo-American adventure. This says the "coalition" is not to blame for the bloodbath in Iraq - which it is, overwhelmingly - and that foreign terrorists orchestrated by al-Qaeda are the real culprits. The conductor of the orchestra, goes this line, is Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian. The demonry of Al-Zarqawi is central to the Pentagon's "Strategic Information Program" set up to shape news coverage of the occupation. It has been the Americans' single unqualified success. Turn on any news in the US and Britain, and the embedded reporter standing inside an American (or British) fortress will repeat unsubstantiated claims about al-Zarqawi. Two impressions are the result: that Iraqis' right to resist an illegal invasion - a right enshrined in international law - has been usurped and de-legitimised by callous foreign terrorists, and that a civil war is under way between the Shi'ites and the Sunni. A member of the Iraqi National Assembly, Fatah al-Sheikh said this week, "There is a huge campaign for the agents of the foreign occupiers to enter and plant hatred between the sons of the Iraqi people and spread rumours in order to scare the one from the other . . . The occupiers are trying to start religious incitement and if it does not happen, then they will start an internal Shi-ite incitement." The Anglo-American goal of "federalism" for Iraq is part of an imperial strategy of provoking divisions in a country where traditionally the communities have overlapped, even inter-married. The Osama-like promotion of al-Zarqawi is integral to this. Like the Scarlet Pimpernel, he is everywhere but nowhere. When the Americans crushed the city of Fallujah last year, the justification for their atrocious behaviour was "getting those guys loyal to al-Zarqawi". But the city's civil and religious authorities denied he was ever there or had anything to do with the resistance. "He is simply an invention." said the Imam of Baghdad's al-Kazimeya mosque. "Al-Zarqawi was killed in the beginning of the war in the Kurdish north. His family even held a ceremony after his death." Whether or not this is true, al-Zaqawi's "foreign invasion" serves as Bush's and Blair's last veil for their "war on terror" and botched attempt to control the world's second biggest source of oil. On 23 September, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, an establishment body, published a report that accused the US of "feeding the myth" of foreign fighters in Iraqi who account for less than 10 per cent of a resistance estimated at 30,000. Of the eight comprehensive studies into the number of Iraqi civilians killed by the "coalition", four put the figure at more than 100,000. Until the British army is withdrawn from where it has no right to be, and those responsible for this monumental act of terrorism are indicted by the International Criminal Court, Britain is shamed. The New Statesman, London. ----------------------------------------- [2] From: "Arif N. Khan" <ank2000pk@yahoo.com Date: Fri Sep 30, 2005 Subject: Fwd: NCPA Congratulates Officer Siddiqi for the Top Cop Award Police Reforms Badly Needed The disclosure that the suicide bomber who killed and injured dozens of fellow Muslims in Karachi last week was a serving police constable has not surprised many. The accusation of Sonia Naz that she was raped by a police officer has added fuel to the fire. A number of other cases the policemen were found involved in car lifting, kidnapping and dacoities. That is not to say that entire police force is like that. In fact they ill equipped and underpaid with substandard training and poor working conditions. Lack of accountability and poor supervision by the bureaucracy and politicians make good performance by police difficult. Some Governments have used the police in bashing their political opponents a nd allowed them the privilege of extortions and graft. Recent changes to make each thana accountable to a committee of Union Council is not proving to be efficaciou due to conflicts in authority and responsibility. People have no confidence in police and everywhere we see the security guards of private companies employed in different streets and residential areas of Karachi. For years the complaints of recruitment in police on the basis of graft and political whims rather than merit have been appearing in the press and going on deaf ears. It is about time the local and provincial governments wake up and initiate much needed reforms in police. While screening out the corrupt and incompetent elements is necessary there is also need for improving their salaries and perks besides training and modern equipment. We must also introduce a system of rewarding and recognizing good performance as they do it in US. See the story below. We must employ educated people to write FIRs and maintain records of criminals. The manner in which FIR is written needs to be improved and modernized. Arif Khan NCPA <media@... wrote: From: "NCPA" <media@... Subject: NCPA Congratulates Officer Siddiqi for the Top Cop Award Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2005 ... FocusPakistan NCPA Congratulates Officer Siddiqi for Top Cop Award WASHINGTON: The National Council of Pakistani Americans (NCPA), and Washington-based public education group congratulates Officer Muzaffer Siddiqi will receive a Top Cop award in Washington on Saturday, October 1 at the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO)??™s 12th Annual Top Cops Award ceremony. ???Officer Siddiqi is among an increasing number of Pakistani Americans who are making solid contribution to the professional, political, and social fabric of the American society,??? said Faiz Rehman, President NCPA. ???We are simply proud of him.??? Officer Muzaffer H. Siddiqi of the Houston Police Department (HDP) has been selected as an Honorable Mention Winner of the prestigious TOPCOPS Awards representing the state of Texas. The award is bestowed by the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO). NAPO is a coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States that serves to advance the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. Officer Siddiqi??™s inclusion in the honor should come as no surprise given his dedicated service to the Houston Police Department and City of Houston. He has been recognized numerous times before with honors including: Houston Police Department Officer of the Year Award State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Awards By Governor Rick Perry International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and Parade Magazine Officer of the Year Award (one of the top ten cops in the nation) American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS) Officer Of the Month Award Four Chief of Police Commendation By Houston Police Chief City of Houston Bravo Award by Former Mayor Lee. P Brown US Senate and congressional recognition. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Arif N. Khan http://www.netvert.biz/wordpower http://www.geocities.com/pinclub --------------------------------------------------- [3] From: yogi sikand <ysikand@yahoo.com> Date: Fri Sep 30, 2005 Subject: Talks Between Leaders from Both Sides of Kashmir Camp Office: 17, V. P. House, Rafi Marg, New Delhi-1, Ph. : 23711194, 23718304 Fax : 011-23320077 Central Office: 2, Rajender Bazar, Jammu-Tawi (J&K), Ph: 0191-2573673, 0191-2458131 E. Mail: jknpp@... & jkashmir@..., Internet : www.thevoiceofmillions.com Press Release "Heart to Heart" Talk Open New Tunnel for Peace 28th September, 2005, New Delhi:- Prof. Bhim Singh, Convener of the Intra J&K "Heart to Heart" Talk expressed satisfaction and happiness on the grand success of the "Heart to Heart" Talk among the principles actors of J&K politics from both sides. It was the first time in the history of the divided Jammu and Kashmir that prominent leaders and intellectuals from Kashmir, Jammu, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit met in Jammu on 16th and 17th of September, 2005 and in Delhi on 20th and 21st September, 2005 for "Heart to Heart" Talk. Twenty-three delegates led by the former premier, Sardar Mohd. Abdul Qayyum Khan came from across the LOC. Sardar Mohd. Abdul Qayyum Khan, former President and Premier of other side of J&K came by air from Lahore to Delhi and the delegation left India on 26th September, 2005. "Heart to Heart" Talk in Jammu was organized by the Coordination Committee of J&K Leaders and Intellectuals in collaboration of Jammu University. Jammu Session was addressed by 9 POK delegates including Modh. Ismail Khan from Gilgit. The second and third session in Jammu were held at Raja Amar Singh Palace Museum Hall where Maharaja Hari Singh had signed the Instrument of Accession on 26th October, 1947. The participants in the talk in Jammu included the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Amitabh Mattoo, Prof. Divender Singh, Chief Coordinator on the behalf of Jammu University, General B. N. Dhar, Mr. Ghulam Mohammed Poonchi, Ex-MP and senior Congress leader, Dr. Nirmal Singh, State President of BJP, Mr. Bilal Lodhi, MLC, General Secretary PDP, Mr. Takroo, MLC, Secretary, CPI, Mr. Balwant Singh Mankotia, MLA, President, Young Panthers, Prof. Hari Om, Vice-President, BJP, Prof. Virender Gupta, President, JMM, M.K. Ajat Shatru Singh, Former Minister and grand son of Maharaja Hari Singh and several others. In Delhi more than hundred distinguished parliamentarians, former diplomats, intellectuals participated during the conference. Sardar Mohd. Qayyum Khan was also received by the Kashmiri Migrants and by ORF (Observer Research Foundation). The prominent J&K parliamentarians and intellectuals who participated included Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Prof. Abdul Gani Butt (Hurriyat Conference), Mr. Sajjad Lone (People Conference) Sardar Teja Singh IAS (Retd.), Mian Altaf Ahmed, Former Minister J&K, Mr. Mirza Abdul Rashid, Ex-MP, Mr. Sunil Shakdher, President, Kashsmiri Samiti, Mr. Ashok Bhan, Advocate, Mr. Balwant Singh Mankotia, President, Young Presieent, Mr. Abdul Rashid Shahin, MP, Mian Bashir, Former Minsiter, Mr. P.N. Jalali, A senior Media Person, Prof. Mehmood-ur-Rehman, Former, Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Mohd. Yusuf Tarigami, MLA, Secretary, CPI (M), J&K, Mr. Riaz Punjabi, Mr. Rahul Jalali, Prof. Saifuddin Soz, MP (congress). The promonent national thinkers and parlimentarians who participated in the "Heart to Heart" Talk in Delhi included Mr. Kuldeep Nair, Justice Rajinder Saccher, Mr. M.K. Rasgotra, Former Foreign Secretary, Mr. S.C. Parasher, Secretary General-ICWA, Mr. O.P. Shah, Calcutta, MRS. Naresh Bakshi, Advocate, Mr. Sanjoy Sachdev, Dr. S.A. Ali, Hamdard University, Mr. Inderjit, Ex-MP. Sardar Mohd. Abdul Qayyum Khan along with Prof. Bhim Singh were invited by the president of ORF, Mr. M.K. Rasgotra. There was a unique "Heart to Heart" interaction. Prominent among those who participated in this "Heart to Heart" interaction at the head quarters of ORF included former governors of J&K, Mr. Gerry Saxena and Mr. Jagmohan. Mr. N.N. Vohra, Mr. A.S. Dulat, Ambassador Ansari, General Karim, Prof. Mani, Chief Admiral, K.K. Nair, Mr. V.G. Verghese and others. Sardar Mohd. Abdul Qayyum Khan also interacted with several other parliamentarians, intellectuals from different school of thought which included; Former General Secretary-AICC and Former Minister Shri Chanderjit Yadav, the Chief of Nagaland Mediation Committee, Shri K. Padmanabhaiah, Ms. Nirmala Deshpandey. Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan with his delegation was invited on a special lunch by Former Sadar-e-Riyasat of J&K, Dr. Karan Singh at his residence in New Delhi. The 'Heart to Heart' Talk was organized by in cooperation with Indian Council of World Affairs in Delhi. 1. Prof. Bhim Singh, the convener of the Intra 'Heart to Heart' Talk said that it was for the first time that such a conference was held among the leadership of both sides of J&K and organized by the leadership of J&K without a third party intervention. 2. He said that Sardar Qayyum Khan who heads the ruling party, All J&K Muslim Conference in POK has categorically rejected the slogan of an Independent or Sovereign State for Jammu and Kashmir 3. Sardar Qayyum Khan has also conveyed the message to those who are still holding guns in J&K that violence in Kashmir is not a 'Jehad'. He expressly and daringly said that 'Jehad' is meant for the protection of innocent people and not to kill them. He said that 'Jehad' cannot be mixed with the political slogans. 4. The consensus arrived at the 'Heart to Heart' discussion was that there could be no division of J&K on communal lines. 5. That it was not sufficient to open Srinagar-Muzaffrabad Road because that did not help even 10% of the broken families. Stress was placed for reopening pre-47 routes like Poonch-Rawalakot, Nowshera, Kotli and Mirpur, Jammu-Sialkot. 6. It was also made clear by Sardar Mohd. Abdul Qayyum Khan that the Gilgit region should be brought under the J&K administration and its identity and residential status should be protected as is the case with J&K and POK. 7. To promote the peace process initiated between India and Pakistan, LoC should be made soft and the leadership from both sides of J&K should be allowed to meet frequently for 'Heart to Heart' Talk on either side of the LoC. 8. Prof. Bhim Singh said that the 'Heart to Heart' Talk held among the parliamentarians of both sides in Jammu and Delhi has equaled all the CBMs taken so far by India and Pakistan. It is for the first time that NC Supremo, Dr. Farooq Abdullah met Hurriyat Conference leaders on the same table, and Sardar Qayyum Khan participated in the talk in New Delhi on the open platform. 9. At the earliest the Coordination Forum shall be expanded so as to include representatives from Gilgit, AK, Jammu and Kashmir so that the 'Heart to Heart' Talks could be continued without any break. 10. This has also been decided to set up a forum of the parliamentarians of both sides of J&K to accelerate 'Heart to Heart' Talk to promote peace, end violence and develop confidence among all the sections of the people from both sides. 11. A detailed report on the Intra J&K 'Heart to Heart' Talk shall be submitted to the Prime Minister next week. 12. It was also decided to keep a low temper of the 'Heart to Heart' Talk with a strong appeal to the governments of India and Pakistan to give two years opportunity to the leaders from both sides of J&K for this 'Heart to Heart' Talk. 13. The next Intra J&K 'Heart to Heart' Meet is expected to be held in Islamabad or Muzaffrabad. 14. The 'Heart to Heart' Talk participants thanked Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India for his daring and benevolent step to issue visas to the participants from POK and particularly to Dr. Manmohan Singh without whose personal interest this impossible mission would have not been successful. 15. Prof. Bhim Singh thanked Mr. Subhash Goyal, Chairman-STIC Travels and Mrs. Gursharan Goyal (Managing Director) for their superb support and cooperation for the travels and lodging of the delegates during their conference. ---------------------------- [4] From: SANSAD <sansad@sansad.org> Date: Fri Sep 30, 2005 Subject: Mahathir speaks on Human rights Dear friends: We draw your attention to the speech Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, gave at a Conference ("Human Rights and Globalization"), held in Kuala Lumpur on September 9, 2005. SANSAD |
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| << September30, 2005 - [India Thinkers Net]Sanjeev,Yogi,Regi posts |
October02, 2005 - [India Thinkers Net]Time running out for Iran? >> |
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