Munaeem's BlogMunaeem's BlogA political independent and moderates comments, analysis and links on important stories in the news Articles
Whose proxy is the PKK?
2007-05-28 10:10:00 There is one thing that is certain today -- the fact that the separatist terrorist Kurdish Workers? Party (PKK) has renounced the idea of establishing an independent state. It is not logical for an organization that has given up establishing an independent state to hide thousands of its members in the mountains. This situation makes one wonder whose proxy the PKK is. Is it working for those who want to spoil stability in Turkey or for those who want to push Turkey into a fraternal fight? Or is it working for those who want to suspend democracy in Turkey? The Justice and Development Party (AK Party), the Republican People?s Party (CHP), the Democrat Party (DP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and all other parties will engage in a fierce competition for leading places in the elections. But they need to meet at a common point to sustain the existence of democratic institutions and rules, and they need to show they stand up for the system. ... More About: Hose , Roxy , Proxy
ALL THAT MADNESS
2007-05-28 08:13:00 Empty bullet cartridges litter a street that leads into the Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr Al-Bared in the deadliest internal violence since Lebanon 's 1975-90 Civil War (photo: AFP) More About: Middle East , Ness , That , Madness
The Militant Salafism
2007-05-28 08:05:00 The militant Salafism that began in 1980s took the simple nature of Islam and added the notion of militancy from the Qutbi current (after Sayyid Qutb). The combining of Qutbism and Wahhabism took place in Afghanistan through Ayman al Zawahiri and Osama bin Laden, where the walaa and baraa equation met with Sayyid Qutb's theory of divine governance that denounced contemporary society as infidels. The takfiri Qutbi current utilized the physical potentials of the scholastic Salafism and turned toward militancy. More About: Middle East
FBI team seeks money laundering and transfer records
2007-05-28 07:32:00 A three-member team of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrived here a couple of weeks ago to probe an insider trading scam. However, FIA Director General Tariq Pervez, Interior Ministry spokesman Brig (r) Javed Iqbal Cheema and other officials deny that any FBI team is in Pakistan .The sources said that the FBI team comprised Mark Emerson, Alfred Martial and Joseph Simon and they had already held introductory meetings with top officials of the Finance Division, Ministry of Interior, State Bank of Pakistan and FIA.The has sought important records on money laundering and the hundi business from the Ministry of Finance and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).The sources said that the investigators had also sought records from the FIA of those convicted, under-trial and acquitted ?notable figures? who had been involved in money laundering.Initially, the officials refused to cooperate with the FBI team until they received orders to do so from the Foreign Office or the gove... More About: Money , Team , Transfer , Trans
Extreme helplessness of Palestinians
2007-05-28 06:59:00 It seems that Pale stinians are once again being pushed to the wall. As Israeli aircraft are pounding targets in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon Army with the active support of the United States is busy eliminating Palestinian ?militants? in the north of the country.Israel has initiated the latest wave of atrocities against Palestinians on the pretext of firing of rockets from Gaza which killed a woman but the retaliatory attacks have led to the killing of dozens of Palestinians besides injury to many more. And this is not the all. Israelis, true to their policy of targeted killings and humiliation of Palestinians, are openingly saying that the Hamas leadership and their buildings would be eliminated. Israel is also conducting raid to arrest Palestinian leadership and already its forces have detained 33 senior Hamas figures in the West Bank including Education Minister Nassereddin al-S... More About: Middle East , Extreme , Ness , Xtreme
If Musharraf abdicates
2007-05-28 06:50:00 Ahmed Quraishi comments on the ongoing judicial crisis in Pakistan in article. He comments :A decision by Pakistani strongman Pervez Mush arraf to abdicate his military office will revive a flawed version of democracy with inept and dangerous political parties. These parties have a track record of creating chronic instability and a weak Pakistani state.Regardless of how honourable the intentions of Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry are, his case has been hijacked now by an opportunistic political class struggling to reclaim power and perpetuate its brand of failed politics. This is not about democracy. This is about an inept political class using any excuse to rebel against the upright reform-minded policies of a military-led administration.Slogans such as restoring democracy and fighting a dictatorship will appeal to idealists. But the Pakistani parliament is no House of Commons, and we don?t have John McCains or Robert Kennedys who can elevate a political process to an art form. W... More About: Cate
?US exaggerating China military threat?
2007-05-28 06:31:00 China angrily rejected a Pentagon report about Beijing?s defence build-up as exaggerated and misleading. China?s government has yet to publicly respond to the report. But the People?s Daily newspaper, which is he official mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party said in its editorial US attempts to mislead international opinions with falsehoods.The paper said :"?The report, which attempts to mislead international opinions with falsehoods, obviously runs counter to developing bilateral ties and military relations between the two countries.?The annual report said the People?s Liberation Army has been acquiring better missiles, submarines and aircraft and should more fully explain the purpose of a military build-up that has led some to view China as a threat.The People?s Daily editorial by staff writer Xi Laiwang said ?China maintains a certain level of military strength out of an objective need for self defence, which is proper in order to safeguard its national security and territori... More About: Military , China , Threat , Gera
The scaring Sheikh Rashid
2007-05-27 16:03:00 by Dr. Ghayur Ayub.via emailSheik h Rashid is rapidly becoming a second Pir Pagaro, with a difference that Pir Sahib has good command of spiritual knowledge. In his latest ?prediction?, Sheikh Sahib warned the opposition of another martial law if they carried on opposing general Musharaf on the streets. He should realize that another martial law at this stage in time will bring a bloody revolution in the country as the public has enough of army bullying. The rapid rise in suicidal bombings has evaporated any fear people had about army hounding. Before scaring the un-scared ones, Sheikh Rashid should look into his own Gariban (soul) and remember what his mentor Shorash Malik once told him when he was on death bed in PIMS. Does he want me to remind him in public? More About: Pakistan
Mr. President , What did you do to fight terrorism ?
2007-05-27 12:35:00 President Musharraf claims that religious extremism is a threat to the solidarity and integrity of Pakistan . He says some vested interested are promoting extremism to get an advantage from it.He has been harping on extremism for 7 years. But he did not do anything to curb extremism in Pakistan. Instead he connived at their activities. In my opinion, he is talking about extremism to give the western countries impression that he is having tough time in his country , and if he is removed from power then extremist will take over Pakistan. More About: Terrorism , President , Fight , Side
Justice Iftikhar :Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely
2007-05-27 12:32:00 Justice Chaudhry says concentration of power in one hand can be dangerous.Because power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. He made this remarks in a televised speech in a seminar on 'Separation of Power and Independence of Judiciary'. He said : "The courts must be independent.Courts should remain free from the pressure of the executive." He added an independent judiciary ?is a strong bulwark against abuse of power and tyrannical rule?. Commentary : These are lofty ideals of Chief Justice. This changes cannot be brought in Pakistan . Judges and lawyers in Pakistan are corrupt to core . We all know how our courts functions. Money moves the court. Once I was sitting in my office a senior had come to take his National ID card from me . He admitted during conversation that they take bribes. If they do not take bribe , they will not able send their children in good schools. More About: Justice , Absolut , Khar
Iran : Trouble in Paradise
2007-05-26 23:34:00 By Ali Nourizadeh Dr Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council [SNSC] of Iran and the official in charge of nuclear program, has tendered his resignation for the fifth time in recent months to Supreme Leader [of the Islamic Revolution] Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian sources have said that the resignation is in protest against what he described in his resignation letter as irresponsible behavior and statements by the president of the republic and his colleagues, which have obstructed the course of the negotiations with the European Union and current steps to ward off threats against Iran and its strategic interests. Asharq Al-Awsat has more... More About: Paradise , Arad , Paradis
Who is finaning Sunni militant groups in Lebanon ?
2007-05-26 23:02:00 Seymour Hersh said in an interview that Saudis are financing Sunni militant groups. He said :The key player is the Saudis. What I was writing about was sort of a private agreement that was made between the White House, we're talking about Richard -- Dick -- Cheney and Elliott Abrams, one of the key aides in the White House, with Bandar. And the idea was to get support, covert support from the Saudis, to support various hard-line jihadists, Sunni groups, particularly in Lebanon , who would be seen in case of an actual confrontation with Hezbollah -- the Shia group in the southern Lebanon -- would be seen as an asset, as simple as that. Well, the United States was deeply involved. This was a covert operation that Bandar ran with us. Don't forget, if you remember, you know, we got into the war in Afghanistan with supporting Osama bin Laden, the mujahadin ... More About: Group , Nani , Groups
US Muslim Girls on a new road to Makkah
2007-05-26 21:21:00 Deborah Horan Chicago Tribune 5/23/2007 http://www.iviews. Until this year, the answer from the Saudi Embassy in Washington,D.C., was always the same: No. A group of American Muslim high school girls could not enter the kingdom to make a sacred pilgrimage called Umrah to the holy city of Mecca. No, they could not enter Saudi Arabia, even under the supervision of adult female chaperons. They could only make the journey to Islam 's holiest sites accompanied by a male relative, called a mahram. This was tradition, observed since the days of the Prophet Muhammad. In March, without explanation, the Saudi Embassy reversed its decision. Two days later, a group of 15 students and five women from the all-girl Al-Aqsa School in Bridgeview, Ill., boarded a plane to Jeddah, blazing a trail that they pray will be followed by other girls. "It was like a visa from God," said Maai Shaker, a student who went on the trip. For the girls, who are anticipating graduation in June, the trip has b... More About: Girls , World , Road
ELBARADI'S heightened IAEA suspicions regarding Iran
2007-05-26 21:09:00 via Khaleejtimes :ELBARADI'S heightened IAEA suspicions regarding Iran , Washington's hints at 'additional pressure' for a 'change in Iran's calculations' and the emergence of nine US warships carrying 1,700 personnel for muscle-flexing military exercises off the Iranian coast collectively bear the fingerprints of a nervous planning for fresh pressure tactics against Ahmadinejad's government.With the latter predictably sticking to its original stance and the US now more than ever needing a breakthrough in this regard, an analysis of what could follow puts forth interesting scenarios that a changing Middle East might soon be confronted with. The might of the American navy extends well beyond the immediate waters hosting their massive warships and aircraft carriers. Since this is the largest Gulf-deployment since the Kuwait war, it is effectively a show of extreme seriousness, signalling that preparations can go to any extreme to secure US interests. However, the cross-current... More About: Arad , Elba , Eight
Turkey is secular and will remain secular!
2007-05-26 19:05:00 "Turk ey is secular and will remain secular!" the demonstrators chanted in Denizli. Thousands of flag-waving protesters accusing the government of trying to impose Islamic values on the country's Western way of life.Erdogan's government alarmed many secular Turks last month by nominating his ally, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, as a presidential candidate. Many Turks saw the move as an effort to allow his Islamic-leaning party to expand its powers and govern unchecked.Legislators also passed an amendment to allow the president to be elected directly by the people, rather than by parliament, which is dominated by members of Erdogan's party.On Friday, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer vetoed the amendment, saying it was incompatible with Turkey's democratic system and could lead to instability. More About: Secular
Why Congress Caved to Bush
2007-05-26 16:30:00 via Creators Syndicate:The antiwar Democrats are crying betrayal ? and justifiably so.For a Democratic Congress is now voting to fully fund the war in Iraq, as demanded by President Bush , and without any timetable for a U.S. troop withdrawal. Bush got his $100 billion, then magnanimously agreed to let Democrats keep the $20 billion in pork they stuffed into the bill ? to soothe the pain of their sellout of the party base.Why did the Democrats capitulate? Because they lack the courage of their convictions. Because they fear the consequences if they put their antiwar beliefs into practice. Because they are afraid if they defund the war and force President Bush to withdraw U.S. troops, the calamity he predicts will come to pass and they will be held accountable for losing Iraq and the strategic disaster that might well ensue. Democrats are an intimidated party. The reasons are historical. They were shredded by Nixon and Joe McCarthy for FDR's surrenders to Stalin at Tehran and Yalta, ... More About: Cave
Jewish support for Obama
2007-05-26 16:22:00 If money is, as former California Treasurer Jesse Unruh said, the "mother's milk of politics,'' then Alan Solomont is one successful dairyman.Alan Solomont, a longtime leader in Jewish philanthropic and Democratic political circles, is backing Sen. Barack Obama despite his longstanding ties to the Clintons.Solomont, a longtime leader in Jewish philanthropic and national Democratic political circles, is one of the go-to men when big money is needed. More About: World , Support
Silence of democratic western nations at Israel's atrocities.
2007-05-26 16:03:00 For the western media it is arrest; by objective standards it is kidnapping. On Thursday, the Israeli army kidnapped 33 Hamas leaders, including the Palestinian education minister, three MPs and at least seven mayors, because those abducted had ?supported the firing of rockets? into Israel. The kidnappings came in the wake of several weeks of Israeli air strikes on the Gaza strip, killing 37 people, including 12 civilians.Last June, Israel kidnapped 60 Palestinian leaders, including eight cabinet ministers and 21 lawmakers, many of whom are still in Israeli prisons. More About: World , Democratic , Nations , Democrat , Western
Review : gastric band
2007-05-26 08:12:00 ?This (or ?the following?) blog post was (or ?is?) based on information provided by Blogitive. For more information, please visit Blogitive.com.? If you are a seriously obese person, then you should go for LAP-BANDŽ procedure. It is a invasive weight-loss solution. Otherwise, your obesity can increase the risk of heart disease. FDA has approved this procedure. In this procedure, a LAP-BANDŽ adjustable gastric band is placed around the upper stomach, creating a small pouch. It induces weight loss by reducing the capacity the stomach , which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed. If you ever plan to undergo this procedure then you should contact Journey Lite. They have a network of special facilities for LAP-BANDŽ procedure, and a team of experience bariatric surgeons and health care professionals. These trained professionals will take care of your needs and answer your questions relating to the procedure. More About: Band , Review , Pakistan
US arms for Lebanon
2007-05-26 08:04:00 The US and Arab allies has confirmed it is sending in supplies for Lebanon . At least two American military transport aircraft have been seen arriving at Beirut Airport.Usually the Americans send in military equipment on civilian planes because of the sensitivity of any Arab government getting such support from the United States.The ammunition was delivered following a request from Siniora's government for urgent help to fight the Al Qaeda affiliated group Fatah Al Islam in a Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon.State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said Friday. "I can certainly confirm to you that there has been deliveries of assistance from the U.S." Casey said at a briefing.Late on Thursday, the U.S. Congress approved a budget request of 770 million dollars in aid for Lebanon, with 280 million dollars of that earmarked for military assistance to Lebanon.The aid is clearly aimed at strengthening the Lebanese government headed by Prime Minister Fuad Siniora.Howe... More About: Arms , Anon
Pakistan has become a ?dysfunctional state
2007-05-26 07:44:00 Haqqani is of the view that Pakistan has become a ?dysfunctional state, a tinderbox that may not light up for years, but could also go up in flames in an instant.Husain Haqqani, writing for the Yale Centre for the Study of Globalisation notes that ?paradoxically,? Pakistan has turned out to be a hot destination for investors from the Gulf, encouraged by business friendly government policies and annual GDP growth rates of 7 percent over the last four years. Pakistan?s privatisation programme is considered a regional success. Government economists cite increasing mobile phone use and expanding sales of motorcycles and cars as signs of progress. Pakistan?s elite now drive around in Porsches, more of which have sold in the city of Lahore alone than the car?s manufacturer had envisaged for the entire country. The pace of construction for new country clubs, golf clubs and luxury hotels also reflects the growing prosperity of a select few. However, the fact that a strife-ridden country wit... More About: State , Stat , Function
Polio resurfaces in Islamabad
2007-05-25 09:52:00 by Dr. Ghayur Ayub. via emailAccording to a news item, a vaccinated local child, Tayyab aged 3, was admitted to Children Hospital, Islamabad with Poli o. Well-placed sources in PIMS confirmed he was infected with the disease. The sources also say, the ministry of health tried to hush up the news. This news brings all the clandestine claims by the health minister, Mr Naseer Khan in quandary who, for the last four years, has been claiming that the disease would be eliminated at the end of each year that passed. In terms of mishandling of eradicating Polio, Tayyab?s case at the doorsteps of the health ministry is as serious in health sector, as mishandling of CJP?s case in Judiciary. After hearing about the unjust done to CJP the lawyers came out on the streets shouting loudly for people to hear. The minister is lucky that the sobbing voices of poor families cannot be heard anywhere. Instead, they have to bear the additional burden of disabled children making their poverty riddled-li... More About: Pakistan , Olio , Surface
UN troops traded guns for gold with militias, says report
2007-05-25 07:32:00 BBC reports that he Pakistani peacekeepers supplied weapons to deadly militias in the eastern Congo in exchange for gold. According to report, Pakistani peacekeepers sent by the UN to restore peace in Ituri province around the north-eastern in 2005 sold weapons to militias.The BBC's Martin Plaut says hat the UN had initiated an internal investigation in early 2006 into allegations, But the the inquiry was blocked for political reasons.Pakistan's Inter Services Public Relations spokesman has rejected .Human Rights Watch said it had its own information on the case which it had passed to the UN. "Pakistani officers were involved in illegal smuggling of between $2m-$5m in gold out of Ituri. We have very solid information on this,"In my opinion , an army who can kill and kidnap its people for Americans can do anything. More About: World , Guns , Gold , Report , Troops
The Winning Weapon in Iraq
2007-05-25 06:57:00 "This weapons system -- the one that has driven al-Qaeda from Anbar -- actually resides in an enumerable set of Americans and Iraq is, in their skulls and remembered conversations; it cannot be stored away in some missile silo and kept there for a distant decade. It is as fleeting and as powerful as the wind." (Belmont Club)View Original Article More About: World , Weapon , Winning
Sharia in Canada
2007-05-25 06:48:00 Canadian Islam ists are introducing Islamic Banking in Canada . Tarek Fatah, founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress says this is one more ploy to prey on the fears and insecurities of Muslim Canadians. Invoking Islam to make a fortune is only one part of the agenda.A Muslim Canadian business executive who manages a shipping business in Pakistan, said, ?In essence, ?Islamic? banking is manipulative, deceitful and fraudulent at several levels. Any finance student will tell you that interest-based banking as we know it today is a component of inflation, risk and the opportunity cost of money. It is centrally regulated and transparent.In my opinion, the whole concept is a fraud that will further marginalise an already marginalised community. More About: World , Sharia , Shari
Muslim moderates, Muslim secularism
2007-05-24 23:15:00 via neoneocon.com : Here?s a must-read (and it?s relatively short, too) by Robert Spencer on the topic of Muslim secularism. We often speak of the need for moderate Muslims. And it?s undoubtedly true that some Muslims are indeed moderate. But as Spencer points out, that is no guarantee against a repressive Muslim theocracy such as that in Iran which, once imposed (even if this is initially done democratically), is very difficult to reverse. Ataturk of Turkey was aware of the dilemma back in the 1920?s and 1930?s, when he instituted a number of exceedingly important reforms there that made it far less likely that the country would ever come under the sway of a repressive Muslim theocracy. And, although there is currently a threat of theocrats taking over in Turkey, so far Ataturk?s institutional reforms have held the line against it. This was done, as Spencer points out, not by making Turkey a ?moderate Muslim? country, but by adopting a nearly Western-style separation of church ... More About: Islam , World , Secularism , Moderates
CIA covert efforts to destabilize Iran
2007-05-24 22:10:00 American ABC News Network has revealed CIA's covert operations designed to destabilize Iran and instigate a soft revolution in the country. The network on Wednesday quoted former CIA and Defense Department officials as saying that President George W. Bush has signed a document authorizing secret operations inside Iran to destabilize the Iranian government. Based on the report, this non-military campaign involved media propaganda, publication of articles in newspapers and manipulation of Iran's currency and banking transactions. A former CIA agent told ABC television that the Bush administration has come to the realization that military operations against Iran have negative impact. The disclosure of US's sabotage plot against Iran coincides with the arrest of Washington-based academic Haleh Esfandiari who has been working as the Soros Foundation representative. Esfandiari has admitted that Soros Foundation has established an unofficial connection network inside Iran under... More About: Bili , Fort , Vert
Iran imprisons 4th Iranian-American
2007-05-24 21:52:00 via CNN : Iran recently imprisoned a fourth person of dual Iranian and American citizenship, the man's family and colleagues told CNN on Wednesday Kian Tajbakhsh, 45, an independent consultant and urban planner, was arrested May 11 in Tehran along with his wife, who is pregnant, according to Karim Sadjadpour of the Carnegie Endowment.I fail to understand why Iran is committing such follies. Is Tehran trying to use detained Iranian-Americans as leverage to free five Iranians who were captured in northern Iraq in January?Iranian Mullahs should realize that this type of actions will further isolate Iran. More About: Sons , Riso
Arab and American Media Bias : The Truth Behind The Myth
2007-05-24 19:06:00 via Asharq Al-Awsat: This article does not seek to ?judge? whether the US media is biased or not, as "there is no such thing as a completely unbiased media" to start with. This is a widely held belief that is reiterated everyday in most classrooms of mass communication and journalism colleges, irrespective of the country in question. Rather, the intention is to convey some convictions that many people in the Arab world hold, namely, that all or most of the American media is slanted against Arabs and Arab issues, to various American media organizations and prominent journalists and find out what their opinions and positions are in return. It is important to point out at the beginning that many critics in the Arab world judge American media without monitoring it closely, while some do not even speak English.In addition, the number of Arab institutions that professionally observes or criticizes media (be it Arab or Western) is small when compared to the huge amount that exists in the ... More About: Truth , Media , World , Media Bias
What Is Happening In Lebanon?
More articles from this author:2007-05-24 16:25:00 via countercurrents.org: By Laurie King-Irani Electronic Lebanon A survey of US television and radio news over the last 24 hours has told me the following: - Bombings and gunfights in Lebanon. Again. - Breathless analyses on US news programs about Al-Qaida's spread to the shores of the eastern Mediterranean. - Analysts using the "cookie cutter" approach to this new development by citing the events of 1975-1976 and the tensions between Lebanese and Palestinian refugees. - CNN's putative Lebanon analyst, Brent Sadler, characterized Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon as "breeding grounds for terrorism," but now, according to Mr. Sadler, it's Islamic-flavored terrorism. This is all very ominous, anxiety-provoking and compelling "infotainment" -- and completely in line with the distorted views of US foreign policy makers. Such simplistic and knee-jerk reactions to Lebanon's current travails are too easy, and not up to the standards of good and responsible journalism. I've spent... More About: Anon 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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