War against terror

[EiZei 0]

Well, one could say that EU itself did not do a thing against muslim countries, only some of its members did.

[theavonlady 2]

Quote[/b] ]Man U suicide bomb plot

by PHILIP CARDY

and ANDY RUSSELL

A SUICIDE bomb plot to kill thousands of soccer fans at Saturday’s Manchester United-Liverpool match was dramatically foiled yesterday.

Armed cops seized ten terror suspects in dawn raids.

Intelligence chiefs believe al-Qaeda fanatics planned to blow themselves up amid 67,000 unsuspecting supporters. A source said: “The target was Old Trafford.â€

The Islamic fanatics planned to sit all around the ground to cause maximum carnage.

They had already bought the tickets for various positions in the stadium, cops revealed last night.

But armed cops foiled the horrific plot - which could have killed thousands watching Manchester United’s home game against Liverpool on Saturday - in a series of dawn raids yesterday.

Ten people were arrested after a massive surveillance operation involving British anti-terror units and American authorities.

A police source said: “The plot involved several individual bombers in separate parts of the stadium.

“If successful, any such attack would have caused absolute carnage. Thousands of people could have been killed.â€

The planned attack would have had an instant global impact as the game is being televised worldwide.

More than 400 police swooped yesterday after a “major terrorist figure†under surveillance moved to Manchester. Police and intelligence organisations believe he came to direct the massacre, which would have been the first al-Qaeda-style outrage in Britain.

Nine men and one woman were arrested — all Iraqi Kurds or from North Africa.

Special Branch and the security services had been monitoring their movements and eavesdropping on mobile phone calls for months.

The operation also involved the US National Security Agency and GCHQ, the Government’s intelligence listening post.

Seven of the suspects were held in Manchester and one each in South Yorkshire, Staffordshire and the West Midlands.

It is believed all have links to extremist Islamic organisations. They were being quizzed at separate police stations around North West England last night.

But it was unclear whether any explosives or weapons had been recovered.

Bombers planning the Old Trafford massacre would have run the risk of being searched going into the ground before the 3pm kick-off.

Manchester United said away fans and those sitting in the higher tiers were frisked.

The identities and details of the suspects remained top secret last night — even to many of those involved in the operation.

One of the raids was at a flat above Dolphins takeaway in Upper Brook Street, near Manchester University. The area has a large ethnic community with many properties converted into bedsits.

Irfaan Arif, who lives in a nearby flat, said: “I was woken at 4am, looked out of the window and saw a lot of armed police. There was loads of banging and shouting.â€

The three-storey Dolphins building was cordoned off along with next-door properties housing AK Computers and Funky Fones.

Forensic experts in protective clothing moved in after the initial search teams.

A police spokesman confirmed: “A number of search warrants were executed under the Terrorism Act 2000. Ten people have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism.

“We appreciate the public interest in this but are unable to provide more specific details at this stage.â€

Greater Manchester’s Assistant Chief Constable Dave Whatton said: “It was an anti-terrorism operation that has been going on for some time and it will continue in the future.

“This is the first action that the public have become aware of as it is overt. It is set against the background of an increased threat level across the country.

“The addresses raided will continue to be searched for some time. It is a complex inquiry.â€

And he appealed: “Because of the national heightened threat levels we would still ask people to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police.â€

Sheikh Mohammed bal Qadri, deputy director of a mosque in Upper Brook Street, said he did not believe any of his members were among those being held.

He added: “Since September 11 we have been very vigilant, as mosques should be.

“If I see a person who is new, I ask him why he is here and what he is doing and ask these kind of questions.

“We are against these evil acts. In the religion of Islam we have tolerance.†The raids follow revelations last week that police in Manchester had raised their terror alert level.

More than 50 officers were moved from regular duties to work on a task force committed to combating terrorism.

Police have also conducted detailed surveys of land around Manchester Airport to identify sites which could be used to launch missiles attacks on aircraft.

Manchester Central MP Tony Lloyd said yesterday: “Clearly this is one of the most difficult levels of policing. But when police get the information to act successfully the whole of the British public will applaud their actions.â€

[Longinius 1]

Quote[/b] ]Nine men and one woman were arrested — all Iraqi Kurds or from North Africa.

Ehm... Uh... Kurds?

[Badgerboy 0]

The deaths of thousands of Man U fans would be no great loss, mindless sheep that they are.

[EiZei 0]

Any other sources for this than the sun?

[Badgerboy 0]

Any other sources for this than the sun?

Yes, real sources!

Sadly, Sun readers make up a large proportion of the people in this country, and they are actually allowed to vote!

Sad thing is they have so much sway over the 'general public', they tell them whats right, and whats wrong, and who to vote for. All the blatent Iraq support? Guess who owns this paper? And he doesn't live in the UK....

[EiZei 0]

Sad thing is they have so much sway over the 'general public', they tell them whats right, and whats wrong, and who to vote for. All the blatent Iraq support? Guess who owns this paper? And he doesn't live in the UK....

A certain jolly australian conservative?

[ozanzac 0]

Sad thing is they have so much sway over the 'general public', they tell them whats right, and whats wrong, and who to vote for. All the blatent Iraq support? Guess who owns this paper? And he doesn't live in the UK....

A certain jolly australian conservative?

We know what he spreads, and we don't like it.

As far as we're concerned, he's an american. He's planning on shifting his company stock listings from here to Wall Street as we speak. In doing so, he might as well get his citizenship revoked.

[Tex -USMC- 0]

Sad thing is they have so much sway over the 'general public', they tell them whats right, and whats wrong, and who to vote for. All the blatent Iraq support? Guess who owns this paper? And he doesn't live in the UK....

A certain jolly australian conservative?

We know what he spreads, and we don't like it.

As far as we're concerned, he's an american. He's planning on shifting his company stock listings from here to Wall Street as we speak. In doing so, he might as well get his citizenship revoked.

Oh hell no, Mr. Murdoch is your baby, no way you're shedding him off on us.

[theavonlady 2]

Quote[/b] ]Explosions Heard in Saudi Capital

7 minutes ago

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Loud explosions were heard Wednesday the Saudi capital, witnesses said.

The explosions came from the vicinity of the General Security building, which is affiliated to the Interior Ministry, in al-Nassiriyah neighborhood in central Riyadh, the witnesses said.

A police official confirmed the explosions but did not provide details.

Witnesses said the explosions, which occurred about 2 p.m. local time, shattered windows and damaged walls in surrounding buildings. It was not immediately known whether there were any casualties.

[Balschoiw 0]

Update on Avon´s report:

At least ten people were killed and dozens wounded in a car bomb explosion that targeted a government security building in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Wednesday, witnesses said.

They said they saw 10 people killed and dozens of wounded being carried into ambulances. The blast wrecked a government building housing Saudi security forces.

Witnesses: 10 Dead, Dozens Wounded in Saudi Car Bomb

[IsthatyouJohnWayne 0]

I wonder how the people of Saudi Arabia will take this attack. I understand the authorities are not exactly universally popular there but is this likely to increase support for Al-Quaida or drastically decrease it? Presumably those responsible are trying to make a statement, provoke unrest and even elicit support, i wonder what effect it will have in practice...

[denoir 0]

US visas 'deterring top students' [bBC]

Quote[/b] ]The president of Harvard University has warned that new visa procedures are putting off some of the most promising foreign students from coming to the US.

Larry Summers is also calling for simpler procedures to be introduced. He says that in one case, a Chinese student who had flown home to attend a funeral had to wait five months for permission to return.

Harvard is in danger of losing some of its most promising students to other countries, Mr Summers added.

'Too complicated'

This complaint from one of America's most prestigious universities echoes the concerns of many leaders from academic and business life here. Mr Summers says there has been a big decline in the number of foreigners applying to study in the United States in the last two years.

That is since stricter visa requirements were introduced in the wake of the 11 September 2001 attacks. Mr Summers warns that the new visa procedures are too complicated and too unpredictable.

He says Latin American students tell him they now felt unwelcome in the United States. Mr Summers warns that Harvard risks losing some of its most promising students to universities in Europe or Australia.

[theavonlady 2]

I wonder how the people of Saudi Arabia will take this attack. I understand the authorities are not exactly universally popular there but is this likely to increase support for Al-Quaida or drastically decrease it? Presumably those responsible are trying to make a statement, provoke unrest and even elicit support, i wonder what effect it will have in practice...

Here's a response presented on Saudi TV. From MidEastWeb:

Quote[/b] ]Riyadh Kingdom of Saudi Arabia TV1 in Arabic, official television

station of the Saudi Government, at 0929 GMT on 16 April 2004 carries a

25-minute live sermon from the holy mosque in Mecca.

Shaykh Salih Bin-Abdallah Bin-Humayd delivers the sermon. After

praising God and His messenger, he calls on Muslims to cling to Islam,

describing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as "the cradle of Islam." Therefore,

he says, "the enemies are directing their arrows at the kingdom to undermine

its position, to tamper with its security, and to plunder its wealth." In

order to achieve their goals, he says, "the enemies are trying to force this

country to change its positions." The kingdom, he adds, continues to extend

a helping hand "to the poor, the needy, and the weak," stressing that

"enemies' conspiracies will fail if the faithful remain patient." Urging

faithful Muslims "not to be a tool of destruction and killing in the hands

of their enemies," the imam says: "The recent aggression against our

brothers, the security men, is a sin and a crime. It is a cheap behavior

and a crime against innocent people prompted by misleading views, strange

opinions, and twisted principles." The imam says that "such actions destroy

gains, block reform and the Islamic call, open the door to the evils of

conflict, and encourage foreign interference."

The imam then recalls how the Al-Khawarij [dissident group in early

Islam, which rebelled against caliphs whom it regarded as corrupt] killed

two caliphs, fought the messengers' companions, and alleged that theirs was

the only right path. The imam also warns Muslims against "religious

extremism," which he describes as "the reason behind destruction." The imam

says that "acts of violence, such as bombings, destruction, and bloodshed

cannot defeat great values, destroy great achievements, liberate a nation,

or impose a religious school," stressing that "extremism, violence, and

terrorism result only in destruction."

The Saudi people, he says, "have stood in one line behind their

leadership by condemning that action as unjustified," stressing that the

nation "is determined to protect its gains and its religion." This country,

he says, "cannot be shaken by any threat or blackmail to harm its Islamic

principles, policies, and sovereignty," adding that the country seeks

"legitimate development and modernization in the educational, economic,

social, and planning areas."

In the second sermon, the imam says "the recent sinful aggressions,

reckless actions, and criminal behavior will not discourage our brothers,

the security men, from carrying out their duties," urging everybody to be

alert to "what is being concocted against this nation, its religion, its

people, its security, and its leaders."

In conclusion, the imam asks God to strengthen Islam, protect our

homeland and our leaders, support the "mujahidin" in Palestine and

elsewhere, "destroy the Zionist Jews," and lift the suffering of the Iraqi

people.

[ozanzac 0]

@ April 21 2004,17:54)]

Sad thing is they have so much sway over the 'general public', they tell them whats right, and whats wrong, and who to vote for. All the blatent Iraq support? Guess who owns this paper? And he doesn't live in the UK....

A certain jolly australian conservative?

We know what he spreads, and we don't like it.

As far as we're concerned, he's an american. He's planning on shifting his company stock listings from here to Wall Street as we speak. In doing so, he might as well get his citizenship revoked.

Oh hell no, Mr. Murdoch is your baby, no way you're shedding him off on us.

Lol. OK then.

But he's already well on his way.  

Quote[/b] ] He says Latin American students tell him they now felt unwelcome in the United States. Mr Summers warns that Harvard risks losing some of its most promising students to universities in Europe or Australia.

Interesting. Our government must have caught wind of this development. It's just introduced bills to give international students easy access to citizenship on completion of a degree at an Australian university.

But back on topic, the federal authorities have been arresting numerous 'terror suspects' lately.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/22/1082530292029.html

Quote[/b] ]NSW man linked to Brigitte arrested

April 22, 2004 - 4:05PM

A man alleged to have links to French terror suspect Willie Brigitte has been arrested by federal authorities.

The 34-year-old man, from Lakemba in Sydney's south west, was charged with a series of offences in relation to a counter-terrorism investigation, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty said.

The man was picked up by federal agents after search warrants were executed on a number of premises in Sydney.

"This arrest is part of an ongoing joint investigation involving the AFP/NSW Police Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) and ASIO into the activities of Willie Brigitte and is related to the arrest of a 21-year-old Glenwood man in Sydney last Thursday," Mr Keelty said in a statement.

The man arrested has been charged with one count of recklessly collecting or making documents likely to facilitate terrorist acts, one count of acts in preparation for a terrorist act, one count of recklessly recruiting for a terrorist organisation, three counts of make and use false instrument, and one count of making false or misleading statements.

The man will appear in Sydney's Central Local Court.

He is the second person in a week to face charges under Australia's tough new federal terrorist laws.

Last week 21-year-old medical student Izhar ul-Haque was arrested and accused of training with Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba in January and February last year.

Ul-Haque is in custody at Goulburn jail.

Mr Keelty said it was inappropriate to comment on the latest arrest while the matter was before the court.

"As the matter is now before the court, it is essential to respect the rights of the individual and the role of the court to determine the facts of the matter," Mr Keelty said.

Willie Virgile Brigitte, a French national, was arrested on October 9 last year, 18 days after French police first warned Australian authorities of his presence in the country.

He arrived in Australia in May last year on a tourist visa, but was deported to France on October 17 for questioning over terrorist-related activities.

France warned authorities here on September 22 that Brigitte had trained with terrorists in both Pakistan and Afghanistan and was somewhere in Australia.

On October 7, it increased its warning, with French authorities fearful that Brigitte was in Australia in connection with terrorist-related activity.

[Balschoiw 0]

American troops are killing and abusing Afghans, rights body says

Quote[/b] ]US troops in Afghanistan are operating outside the rule of law, using excessive force to make arrests, mistreating detainees and holding them indefinitely in a "legal black hole" without any legal safeguards, a report published today says.

Having gone to war to combat terrorism and remove the oppressive Taliban regime, the United States is now undermining efforts to restore the rule of law and endangering the lives of civilians, Human Rights Watch says.

Its military forces have repeatedly used deadly force from helicopter gunships and small and heavy arms fire during "what are essentially law-enforcement operations" to arrest suspected criminals in residential areas where there is no military conflict, the report says.

"The use of these tactics has resulted in avoidable civilian deaths and injuries, and in individual cases may amount to violations of international humanitarian law."

HRW acknowledges that the Americans are opposed by armed groups which pay little heed to humanitarian law or human rights.

"But the activities of these groups are no excuse for US violations. Abuses by one party to a conflict, no matter how egregious, do not justify violations by the other side."

The report cites complaints collected by a UN official of "cowboy-like" tactics against people "who generally turn out to be law-abiding citizens". They include blowing doors open with grenades rather than knocking.

In one instance helicopters attacked the home of Ahmed Khan and his family in the Zurmat district in Paktia province, an area firmly under the control of Afghan forces at the time.

"We were lying in bed," Mr Khan told HRW. "Suddenly, there was a lot of noise. Some helicopters came, we could hear them circling and firing machine guns ... they rocketed a hole through the wall."

The Americans forced their way in and rounded up the family.

"Then they searched the house. They broke all the windows, and tore the doors off cupboards, and shot open the boxes, and turned them over," Mr Khan said.

The extent of damage to neighbouring homes showed that they "used considerable firepower even though there was no evidence of any armed opposition," the report says.

A farmer in the fields nearby was shot dead and a woman in one of the houses was injured.

Afghans blame many raids on malicious tip-offs by other Afghans using the US as an unwitting proxy in local quarrels or as a means of extorting money, the report says.

Human Rights Watch is also concerned about the treatment of those arrested.

"The United States is setting a terrible example in Afghanistan on detention practices," said Brad Adams, executive director of the organisation's Asia division.

"Civilians are being held in a legal black hole with no tribunals, no legal counsel, no family visits and no basic legal protections."

The US holds detainees at its Bagram, Kandahar, Jalalabad and Asadabad bases, where there have been complaints of their being severely beaten, doused with cold water, forced to stay awake or made to stand or kneel in painful positions for long periods.

"There is compelling evidence suggesting that US personnel have committed acts against detainees amounting to torture or cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment," Mr Adams said.

[Akira 0]

Former NFL Player Killed in Afghanistan

8 minutes ago

By JOHN J. LUMPKIN, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Pat Tillman was killed in Afghanistan (news - web sites) after walking away from an NFL career to join the Army Rangers, U.S. officials said Friday.

The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said a formal announcement was expected later in the day. Spokesmen at the Pentagon (news - web sites) and U.S. Army declined comment.

There were no immediate details how Tillman died. He was 27.

A military official, also speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that a soldier had been killed in action in Afghanistan Thursday, but could not confirm that the soldier was Tillman.

Some members of the Army's elite Ranger units were taking part in the hunt for al-Qaida and Taliban fighters in southeastern Afghanistan, the military official said.

"Pat Tillman was an inspiration both on and off the football field," White House spokesman Taylor Gross said. "As with all who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terror, his family is in the thoughts and prayers of President and Mrs. Bush."

Tillman played four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (news) before enlisting in the Army in May 2002. The safety turned down a three-year, $3.6 million deal from Arizona.

He made the decision after returning from his honeymoon with his wife, Marie.

Tillman's brother, Kevin, a former minor league baseball prospect in the Cleveland Indians (news)' organization, also joined the Rangers and served in the Middle East. They committed to three-year stints in the Army.

Tillman's agent, Frank Bauer, has called him a deep and clear thinker who has never valued material things.

In 2001, Tillman turned down a $9 million, five-year offer sheet from the Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams (news) out of loyalty to the Cardinals, and by joining the Army, he passed on millions more from the team.

Tillman turned aside interview requests after joining the Army. In December, during a trip home, he made a surprise visit to his Cardinal teammates.

"For all the respect and love that all of us have for Pat Tillman and his brother and Marie, for what they did and the sacrifices they made ... believe me, if you have a chance to sit down and talk with them, that respect and that love and admiration increase tenfold," Coach Dave McGinnis said at the time. "It was a really, really enriching evening."

It was not immediately clear when Tillman went to Afghanistan.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Tillman was distinguished by his intelligence and appetite for rugged play. As an undersized linebacker at Arizona State, he was the Pac-10's defensive player of the year in 1997.

He set a franchise record with 224 tackles in 2000 and warmed up for last year's training camp by competing in a 70.2-mile triathlon in June.

Tillman carried a 3.84 grade point average through college and graduated with high honors in 3 1/2 academic years with a degree in marketing.

"You don't find guys that have that combination of being as bright and as tough as him," Phil Snow, who coached Tillman as Arizona State's defensive coordinator, said in 2002. "This guy could go live in a foxhole for a year by himself with no food."

Tillman and his brother Kevin last year won the Arthur Ashe Courage award at the 11th annual ESPY Awards.

[billybob2002 0]

I think Tillman is the first NFL player (ex) to be killed in action in a conflict (that I can remember)....

[NavyEEL 0]

That's definitely what I would call selfless service... I wish more professional athletes would look at his example. Not necessarily joining the military, but you know what I mean.

[booradley60 0]

I think Tillman is the first NFL player (ex) to be killed in action in a conflict (that I can remember)....

No, there was a guy that played for Buffalo that got killed in Vietnam. I don't remeber who though.

[Balschoiw 0]

He was a soldier. He died in combat. End of story.

[billybob2002 0]

Quote[/b] ]No, there was a guy that played for Buffalo that got killed in Vietnam.  I don't remeber who though.

I said I can remember but thanks for correcting me.

Quote[/b] ]He was a soldier. He died in combat. End of story.

.................................................................(insert comment that can get me ban)

Tillman and other's sacrificed their lives that our society owes a great debt to.

[SpongeBob 0]

I hear a section of the Cardinal's new stadium will be named after him.

[denoir 0]

Tillman joined up after the WTC attacks. He felt that he needed to defend his country. I can respect that. He made a sacrifice for his country, giving up his career and in the end his life.

Does it make him a hero (Fox News had a big headline today saying "American Hero") ? Hell no. Heroism is coupled with results. If I volunteer, join the military and get run over by a truck, will I be a hero then? Hell no. Same thing goes for getting shot by the enemy.

If he had thrown himself on a live grenade to save his comrades, then I could consider him being a hero. Just getting killed counts for nothing. It does not lessen the personal sacrifice he did for his country, but it sure as hell doesn't make him a hero.

There seems to be a huge hero-inflation today. And that's too bad because it lessens the achievements of the real heroes.

[Akira 0]

Tillman joined up after the WTC attacks. He felt that he needed to defend his country. I can respect that. He made a sacrifice for his country, giving up his career and in the end his life.

Does it make him a hero (Fox News had a big headline today saying "American Hero") ? Hell no. Heroism is coupled with results. If I volunteer, join the military and get run over by a truck, will I be a hero then? Hell no. Same thing goes for getting shot by the enemy.

If he had thrown himself on a live grenade to save his comrades, then I could consider him being a hero. Just getting killed counts for nothing. It does not lessen the personal sacrifice he did for his country, but it sure as hell doesn't make him a hero.

There seems to be a huge hero-inflation today. And that's too bad because it lessens the achievements of the real heroes.

Course we can't say one way or the other how he got killed since the Army is releasing little or no information. So it's possible he did just that.

But of course there is also another kind of "hero". One who gives up what would be a cushie life to do what he think is right. To return a debt he feels he must repay. Tillman is one of those. Giving up $3 million for $30K and the possiblity to get killed because you feel it is right and moral is another kind of hero. Being a hero doesn't mean you have to perform Rambo-like heroics. There is more than one definiton:

Quote[/b] ]he·ro ( P ) Pronunciation Key (hîr)

n. pl. he·roes

1. In mythology and legend, a man, often of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for his bold exploits, and favored by the gods.

2. A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life: soldiers and nurses who were heroes in an unpopular war.

3. A person noted for special achievement in a particular field: the heroes of medicine. See Synonyms at celebrity.

4. The principal male character in a novel, poem, or dramatic presentation.

5. Chiefly New York City. See submarine. See Regional Note at submarine.

I'm constantly amazed by European ability to flip-flop from liberal idealism to cynicism as if flipping a switch.

Would he wanted to have been considered a hero? Certainly not. He demanded animonity. He was just another soldier. But his death did accomplish one thing. It drew attention to a continuing fight that most of America had forgotten about, and the other soldiers fighting it. That's what he really would have wanted in any case.