INDONESIA: Aceh embraces Rohingya refugees

JAKARTA, 24 February 2009 (IRIN) - Isra Safril and his friends went to Idi Rayeuk, a sub-district in East Aceh district, on 20 February to hand officials Rp5.1 million (US$428). It was their contribution for the 198 Rohingyas living in tents in a local government complex.

Isra is a member of the Aceh Blogger Community, which has spent the past two weeks raising money for the refugees. From 11 to 13 February, 20 volunteers from Komunitas Pengguna Linux Indonesia Aceh (Linux Users’ Community in Aceh) and Amiki Student groups, stood along a main road in Banda Aceh city with boxes, asking passing motorists for donations.

"This support fund for Rohingyas is not only because of solidarity with our Muslim peers; it is solidarity with all of humanity," Isra told IRIN. "We did not make an issue of their ethnic group, religion and thinking."

The group took their campaign to the net. On blogs and Facebook, they raise awareness of the plight of the group from Myanmar, allegedly oppressed in their own country and expelled and set adrift by Thai authorities.

Since the refugees arrived in two boats, they have been embraced by the Acehnese. In Sabang, where the first batch of 193 has been staying since they were found stranded in early January near Weh island off the northernmost tip of Aceh, Mayor Munawar Liza Zainal said the refugees were healthy and well.

"We have given them a public kitchen so they can cook for themselves. We have provided rice, vegetables and sardines," Munawar told IRIN, crediting foreign and international organizations, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Jesuit Refugee Service, for most supplies.

The mayor added the refugees went running and played football. "They are okay and healthy. Only one is still in the hospital with tuberculosis," Munawar said, adding that, contrary to some reports that the refugees were fenced in within the naval base, they lived in tents beside the harbor, with lots of space. They were, however, off-limits to the public and media.

Nasruddin Abubakar, deputy district head of East Aceh, said the 198 who arrived on 3 February were staying in Idi Rayeuk, where all their needs, including treatment for one person with malaria and one with epilepsy, were being taken care of by the local government.

"The Foreign Ministry is still processing their case. A joint team from the ministry and IOM interviewed each of them and went back to Jakarta to assess their cases," Munawar said.

The government has said it would raise the issue of the Rohingya during the Bali Process, a forum of some 50 countries launched in 2002 and co-chaired by Indonesia and Australia, to address human trafficking in the Asian region. The next talks may be moved from June to as early as March or April given the urgency of the Rohingya issue, which will also probably be addressed at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Hua Hin, Thailand, between 27 February and 1 March.

the third hit her in the kneecap

Eva Bartlett | In Gaza

"She was standing in the wheat field near her demolished home, about 800 m from Green Line border, when Israeli soldiers began shooting. The first two bullets hit the ground near her. The third hit her in the kneecap," Wafa al Najar’s mother explained, sitting on an empty hospital bed next to her injured daughter.

We’d left Khoza’a after having been shot at by Israeli soldiers again -these shots, within one metre, the closest so far. The thought of the few desperate farmers who might try to go back on land worried me; I remembered Mohammed’s words about having no other choice, needing to risk it in order to provide for his 2 children and wife.

Fida’s text came some hours later: "A 17 years old girl from Khoza’a got injured 2 hours ago. Her name is Wafa Jehad al Najar. She got shot in the leg."

In fact she was shot in the knee, she was 'kneecapped’ as they say. The cavity of her former knee peeked through white bandaging soaked with blood. Wafa lay in Khan Younis’ Nasser hospital, moaning, sobbing, in pain.

Her family took turns relating the incident of her handicapping.

"We’d gone to see our house. It was demolished during the war. We’d hadn’t been close to it yet, we thought today was safe." her mother explained. A neighbor agreed that it seemed safe, quiet. "I was in the area before Wafa was shot. It was calm, there was nothing going on, no reason for Israeli soldiers to shoot."

Amal al Najar, Wafa’s mother, said she’d thought Wafa was martyred. "She had gone ahead. I was shouting to her, 'come back, come back’. When she fell down I thought she was dead."

Another martyr, she’d thought. Amal’s 20 year old son, Thaer, was killed in the first days of the attacks, shot in the head by Israeli soldiers. A week later, in a Cairo hospital, he died of his injuries.

Shadi, Wafa’s 25 year old brother, said the shots came from an Israeli soldier perched on one of the jeeps at the border fence. "I was near the house, maybe 300 metres away from Wafa and 900 m from the border," he said. "When I heard the shots and saw her fall, I ran to Wafa, took off my t-shirt and waved it as a white flag. The soldiers shot at me. I lay on the ground, waiting for them to stop shooting. I called an ambulance. I waited about 10 minutes, and the jeep backed away. Then I picked up Wafa and carried her until we got to a place where the ambulance could reach us."

The al Najar’s home is one of 14 destroyed in the war on Gaza in their area of the small village alone. In the greater Khoza’a area, 163 houses were destroyed by invading Israeli forces during war on Gaza. Another 1,500 m agricultural land was destroyed, razed and torn up by Israeli tanks and bulldozers, bombed and burned by shelling from Israeli F-16s and tanks.

For Amal al Najar the house was a long-time investment and sudden loss. "It took 8 years to build our house. We lived only 9 months in it before they destroyed it."

We are aware of the Israeli soldiers’ daily shooting on Palestinians in the fields of the "buffer zone" but the residents of the Khoza’a region enlighten us to the tactics of shooting at children.

"Everyday they shoot when the children are going to or coming from school. Everyday children are crawling on the ground because Israeli soldiers are shooting at them."

The "Khoza’a Martyr’s school" - named after the number of martyred from the Khoza’a region in the past 5 years: 113, not including the 25 further killed in Israel’s war on Gaza -was built some years ago to serve the students who until then had had to walk or travel 8 km to the nearest school. The new Khoza’a school has roughly 380 girls, 400 boys, and 800 pre-schoolers, and is about 1km from the Green Line. It is subject to a startling amount of targeted fire from the Israeli soldiers patrolling the border fence.

"There are two shifts for the students," another neighbor, Ahmed, explained. "The students go to school at 6:30 am and at 2 pm." But the soldiers apparently shoot whenever they find someone on the road leading to and from the school.

Ahmed elaborated on the level of violence in the area, which he says is high. Before the December/January war on Gaza, the Israeli army had already bombed the school twice, he said, and had occupied it numerous time in invasions.

Children aren’t completing their studies, we are told. They are too scared to stay at school long, just do a few courses here and there.

Drifting from the subject of invasions and Israeli gunfire, another Khoza’a resident gushed about the area. "It was a calm region, a great place to visit," he bragged. "The families here are close, help one another," he said, saying that this contributed to the general feeling of tranquility that visitors to the village enjoyed.

Khoza’a is left with a distinct absence of and longing for that tranquility, longing for the days when they could walk freely in their fields, yield a decent harvest, enjoy their small region of a very small Strip.

Afghanistan - Another Forgotten People

Layla Anwar, An Arab Woman Blues

Feb 27, 2009

To my knowledge, the only website that regularly covers the crimes in Afghanistan is Uruknet. Other than this site, seems like the Afghan people are left to fend for themselves, cut off from the rest of the world, from Humanity...

I do not know much about the ancient history of Afghanistan...my knowledge of this country, is rather limited and I only started paying closer interest after the Soviet invasion...

But when I come to think about it, I was "familiar" with the place through two Afghan items - a sheep skin coat and an embroidered dress. I am not sure that qualifies for familiarity, but in my mind it does.

I cannot remember where I got these from, it was ages ago...Maybe someone gave them to me. I grew very attached to both for some unknown reason. I loved that long flowing dress and the white sheep skin coat, that smelled of -- sheep.

My friends would remark - "for god's sake, when are you going to get rid of this coat, every time you walk by, we smell a herd of sheep grazing." I did not care, I loved that coat. No matter how many times I took it to the dry cleaners, no matter how many times I left it outside for days on end, hoping the smell would vanish away - it still smelled of sheep. And I loved it because in my mind it was associated with green pastures, tranquility, generosity, simplicity and something grounded in the earth, in the land...

That was my first "exposure" to anything Afghan, ages ago. The second memory is when I actually met two Afghans. I found them to be very respectful, reserved, simple, generous, humble and proud at the same time...

I got to be friends with one of them, and I found in this person, steadfastness, patience, willpower, and that humility I mentioned above. Humility but not resignation. The Afghan people are no sheep.

So I guess I was left with these two impressions that stayed with me somewhere in the back of my mind...hence today, when I watched the news and saw more brutality and misery ripping the Afghan people, I cried my eyes out...

In Ghazni, hundreds of Afghan demonstrated against the US occupation forces there.

In a mosque, filled with about 25 men, praying, the Americans stormed in, and ransacked the holy place, placed their boots on the heads of the men who were prostrating, one of them was over 80 years old, ripped the Holy book, threw it to the floor, fired at the worshipers, insulted them...pictures of the Koran on the floor surrounded with bullets are stuck in my mind till this very minute.

The puppet government sent some anti-riot forces, who then sprayed the demonstrators with some red gas - weird looking stuff, I have never seen before.

I thought to myself, Afghanistan is in shambles, the people have become so impoverished, living in tents, hungry, cold, ill and the civilians are being tortured and massacred daily...and no one talks about it.

Not only are they getting massacred daily in silence, away from the projectors of the media who is keeping the lid tightly shut on events there, but Obama is promising yet another surge in Afghanistan. And Iran is promising to help Karzai.

For God's sake what is left of Afghanistan for another surge? The place is in total ruins.

Just go and look at some of the pictures, there is nothing left there...there is nothing left there to surge for.

What is this barbarity? My mind can no longer comprehend this barbarity of the "civilized world." This has gone beyond politics. And where is it heading?

And the silence -- the abominable silence regarding the crimes committed daily in Afghanistan is unbearable, truly unbearable...

And let us assume for argument's sake -- that even if the population there were getting fed up with the Taliban's rule, the way NATO and American troops are conducting themselves, makes people long back for the previous reign... As I said the Afghans are no sheep, and they are a very proud people. And I really can't see how America or any of its allies will win this one.

I mean, how many more Baghrams prisons and how much more torture can anyone inflict? How much more devastation and killing can anyone commit ?

From the memories I have kept, I can already tell you, it will not make a difference to the Afghan people. They have this warrior streak/quality to them...

You have not succeeded in breaking their spirit until this very day and you will not succeed in the future either. The Afghans are unbreakable when it comes to their dignity and honor. Do remember that -- on your 100th surge.

Just the twoo of us: Meet Orbit the orphaned owl and his toy companion

By Claire Ellicott

In his five short weeks of life, Orbit hasn't met many other owls.

So he isn't at all worried that his new best friend doesn't hoot back.

The orphaned chick is perfectly content in the company of the stuffed bird perched next to him and is never far from his side.

Orbit, a common barn owl, was given the toy by Lyndsey Wood, his carer at Folly Farm, near Narberth in West Wales.

She said: 'A friend suggested that I find something like a toy owl to stop Orbit feeling lonely.

'I thought he might try to eat it, but he just cuddles up to it and goes to sleep.'

Jordanian prince: America ‘got it all wrong’ by invading Iraq

Prince Talal bin Mohammad also said during Naples speech that American troops shouldn’t leave until Iraq is stable

By PETE SKIBA

NAPLES — An Arab prince pulled no punches while speaking in Naples Wednesday.

Prince Talal bin Mohammad of Jordan said America “got it all wrong” by invading Iraq. Speaking as a friend in the Arab world, the British-accented adviser to King Abdullah II, said a withdrawal of American troops is another mistake.

“I would not want America to withdraw until there is a stable Iraq. If you withdraw now you will have to go back later,” Talal said. “But you (the United States) have inadvertently made more enemies. Every single thing done since 2003 is as if you followed a manual written by your enemies.”

Talal spoke before an audience of about 800 at the 26th annual Naples Town Hall Distinguished Speakers series.

Speaking for himself, not his government or king, Talal said that the mistakes made in the war included but were not limited to disbanding the Iraqi army, which could have helped stabilize the country and forming a police force which is heavily influenced by Iran.

“Ninety percent of the police fought with Iranians (against Iraq),” Talal said. “Their loyalty is not to the Iraqi state. To stabilize Iraq, America must ally itself with non-Iranians.”

The problems of the Middle East cannot be dealt with in a rational way until there is a change of attitude in America, Talal said. Having spent five years studying at Georgetown University, watching American movies and studying its culture, Talal said he feels as if he knows the country well.

The way of the world is that America’s friends know a great deal about America, but so do America’s enemies, Talal said. Americans should learn more about Arab culture so they could better understand what motivates people in the Middle East.

“There is more to us than oil and (the conflict with) Israel,” Talal said. “You should understand there is nothing more valuable to us than our religion.”

At least one person in the audience wondered what the Muslim nations were doing to stabilize the region.

“What are you doing to clean up your own house?” asked Louis Owen, 85, of Naples. “It seems we are bearing the brunt of it.”

Talal’s voice carried a tinge of sorrow as he said the Muslim nations are doing “nothing.”

Offering a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Talal said peace could come only when there is a Palestinian country, occupied by Palestinians. That land, he said, should encompass the Gaza Strip and the area around Jerusalem to the east of the June 1964 Israeli border.

This probably cannot be accomplished until America begins to educate itself about the interests of all the peoples in the area, Talal said. Diplomacy should be about the interests of the people in the area, not just the domestic interests of America.

“To have someone speak as openly and fully is a rarity,” said Jon Leach, a Naples businessman. “I had no problem with his point of view and I’m a conservative.”

Hamas deputy from Damascus visits Gaza - officials

GAZA (Reuters) - The deputy to Hamas' leader-in-exile has visited the Gaza Strip for the first time in nearly 20 years, Palestinian and Egyptian officials said on Saturday.

Moussa Abu Marzouk, deputy to Damascus-based Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, entered the Hamas-controlled territory on Friday through the Rafah crossing with Egypt and left a few hours later, the officials said.

Most of Hamas's top leaders in Gaza remain in hiding to avoid being targeted by Israel after a 22-day offensive against the enclave's Islamist rulers.

Egypt has mostly kept its border with the Gaza Strip closed since Hamas seized the territory in 2007, only periodically allowing Palestinians to cross through for medical and humanitarian needs.

Hamas wants Egypt to open Rafah permanently to ease an Israel-led blockade, but under a U.S.-brokered agreement signed in November 2005, they cannot do so without the consent of Israel and Hamas-rival Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Israeli officials had no immediate comment on Marzouk's crossing.

Wooden sarcophaguses found in Egypt tomb

CAIRO (Reuters) – Japanese archaeologists working in Egypt have found four wooden sarcophaguses and associated grave goods which could date back up to 3,300 years, the Egyptian government said on Thursday.

The team from Waseda University in Tokyo discovered the anthropomorphic sarcophaguses in a tomb in the Sakkara necropolis, about 25 km (15 miles) south of Cairo, the Supreme Council for Antiquities said in a statement.

Sakkara, the burial ground for the ancient city of Memphis, remains one of the richest sources of Egyptian antiquities. Archaeologists say much remains buried in the sands.

The tomb also contained three wooden Canopic jars, in which ancient Egyptians tried to preserve internal organs, and four boxes for ushabti figures, the miniature statues of servants to serve the dead person in the afterlife, the statement said.

The sarcophaguses did not contain mummies because the tomb was robbed in ancient times but have the original black and yellow paintwork showing ancient Egyptian gods, it said.

One of the ushabti boxes is in excellent condition and was unopened but most of the 38 wooden figurines inside were broken. It belonged to a man by the name of Tut Bashu, who was the original owner of one of the coffins.

Another sarcophagus belonged to someone called Ari Saraa. The statement gave no further details of the dead people but said the burials dated from the Ramesside period or the Late Dynastic Period -- anywhere between about 1300 and 330 BC.

Beijing opens direct air link to Algiers

By Li Qian (Chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-02-26 11:56

Trade and cultural exchanges will benefit from direct flights between Beijing and Algeria which started earlier this week.

The inaugural flight landed in Beijing Capital International Airport in the early morning of February 23 after flying 11 hours from Algeria's capital Algiers. Previously, it took travelers at least 16 hours to get the other city, as they had to transfer flights.

Operated by Air Algeria, the regular direct flight leaves Algiers for Beijing every Thursday and Sunday, and returns every Friday and Monday.

"The shortened flight path will greatly boost tourism between the two nations, which have been enjoying prosperous economic and cultural exchanges and close diplomatic contact," said Samy Boutemadja, chief representative of Air Algeria in China during a press conference in Beijing Wednesday.

More than 40 major Chinese enterprises have invested in Algeria, the second-largest economy in Africa, with trade and businesses expanding quickly. China is now Africa's third largest trade partner since 2005.

"The new air route will serve as an everlasting bridge between West Africa and China," Boutemadja added.

During the press conference, Algerian Ambassador to China Djamel Eddine Grine hailed the airline route's inauguration at a time when the two countries just celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

"This will not only accelerate people's traveling and cargo delivery, but also boost communication of the two peoples," the ambassador said, treasuring the friendship of the two countries established since Algeria's anti-colonial movements.

Wang Guodong, head of Air Algeria's Chinese operational agency Oriental Sky Aviation, predicted a huge demand of seats to other parts of Africa from Algiers as the transfer hub after the opening of Beijing-Algiers route.

"More frequent flights may help Africa absorb foreign investment and expand international trade, thus face up to the ongoing financial turmoil," Boutemadja said, adding Air Algeria is also looking to open an Algiers-Shanghai air route.

Palestinians Take First New Reconciliation Steps

By SANA ABDALLAH (Middle East Times)

AMMAN -- The Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, have realized that the time is ripe and regional conditions are appropriate to launch reconciliation talks to end the deep rifts that were threatening their cause for self-determination.

Egypt managed Thursday to bring together Fatah and Hamas leaders, along with representatives from other Palestinian factions, for badly-needed talks to resolve their differences and pave the way for a unity government that would get international recognition.

After long hours of deliberations, more than a dozen factions late Thursday evening formed five committees tasked with unifying ranks: One committee will be tasked with forming a unity government; one is charged with providing mechanisms for reforming the security services on the basis of merit rather than factional affiliations; and another committee will organize and set a date for legislative and presidential elections.

One group was formed to work on restructuring the Palestine Liberation Organization to allow all factions, including Hamas, to join it as an umbrella organization representing the Palestinians. And a reconciliation committee is tasked with "consolidating the culture of democracy, the principle of mutual respect and forbidding internal fighting."

In a move to clear the air before the talks kicked off, Islamist Hamas, which controls Gaza, and nationalist Fatah, which runs much of the West Bank, agreed to stop arresting each others' members and to halt smear campaigns. They also agreed to begin releasing prisoners from the other side, and vowed to end their dispute by the time dialogue ends.

Participants said the committees will begin their detailed negotiations on Mar. 10 and will conclude their work by issuing a comprehensive document before the annual Arab summit convenes in Qatar at the end of March, in order to receive the necessary Arab support – in terms of the reconstruction of Gaza, peace negotiations with Israel, and dealings with the new U.S. administration in this regard.

Some officials hoped that a unity government would be formed by the end of next month, while others were more cautious about raising hopes that high.

Fatah and Hamas leaders in Cairo declared a "new historic phase" in internal Palestinian relations, saying that all parties were determined to forge unity. Their division was consolidated after Hamas ousted the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority (PA) from Gaza in June 2007, only three months after the two sides had formed a coalition government.

Hamas swept the legislative elections in January 2006, but when it formed a government, the West suspended ties with the Palestinians. Gaza came under a severe Western-backed Israeli blockade after Hamas seized control of the impoverished strip, on the grounds that Hamas was blacklisted as a "terrorist" organization.

Some commentators say that conditions have now changed for reconciliation talks to succeed, after they had failed on several occasions before they even kicked off.

These analysts argue the fact that the two key factions announced their commitment to confidence-building-measures - after their loss of trust for each other amid internal fighting and crackdowns against each others' members - was a positive first step.

Although their attempts to find common ground on which to form a unity government are expected to face many obstacles – considering that Fatah and Hamas have substantial differences over how to deal with Israel – the Israeli election results were ironically one of the conditions that provided an opportunity for the Palestinians to reconcile. With a far right-wing Israeli government-in-the-making, the chances for reviving paralyzed peace talks with President Mahmoud Abbas's Palestinian Authority are considered to be almost nil.

Add to that the massive destruction from the deadliest war on Gaza in December-January, in which more than 1,300 Palestinians, most of them civilians, were killed and 5,500 others injured, has generated international sympathy to the plight of this downcast territory and its 1.5 million people and plans to support its reconstruction.

Egypt is next week hosting a donors' conference to rebuild what Israel destroyed in Gaza, so the factions hope to agree on a Western-accepted unified entity that would handle the reconstruction funds, expected to reach $3 billion.

The United States and Britain said they would prefer a "technocrat" government that excludes Hamas. But that is unlikely to happen, considering Hamas was elected freely and controls Gaza on the ground.

Abbas this week indicated that Hamas can no longer be ostracized by the international community if the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank is to be resolved. He urged the West to recognize and deal with a unity government that includes the Islamist movement.

Fatah, which seeks a compromise peace settlement with Israel, hopes that Hamas will in turn recognize the previous peace agreements and initiatives. Hamas and its allies insist on the right to armed resistance, but Palestinian officials say they believe that an acceptable text can be worked out in the Cairo talks.

Arab analysts say that the West was slowly, but surely, edging toward accepting Hamas, despite official calls on it to first recognize Israel, accept previous agreements and renounce violence, as well as declaring their preference for a unity government that excludes the Islamist movement. And there are signs that Western leaders might be easing the pressure on Abbas by not making aid conditional to Hamas's exclusion from the government.

For the first time since Hamas seized power, Western officials have begun to visit Gaza, although they have not made contact with Hamas, whose leaders likewise have not attempted to meet them. A U.S. congressional delegation, led by Senate's foreign relations committee chief Sen. John Kerry, made a rare visit to Gaza only last week.

European leaders have also started traveling to the strip to ascertain its humanitarian needs and survey the war damage. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Friday toured the Gaza Strip for the first time since Hamas took control.

Also Friday, the EU stated it would pledge 436 million euros in aid to Gaza at the donors' conference, while reports said the United States would announce $900 million for the strip's reconstruction.

Another indication that is boosting the chances for successful Palestinian reconciliation is the diplomatic rhetoric that is easing polarization in the region. Iran and Syria, main supporters of Hamas, seem to be edging closer to Washington. And diplomatic efforts are underway for Arab rapprochement between polarized states, such as Syria and Saudi Arabia, which backs the Palestinian Authority.

NATIONAL DIALOUGE TO SAVE A PALESTINIAN NATION

Hiyam Noir, PalestineFreeVoice

rebuilding26.jpg

Rebuild Palestine For Future Generations
Photo Fady Adwan PFVImages


Feb 26, 2009

" In Cairo ,reconciliation meetings between the two largest Palestinian political factions which began on Thursday,did not have an immediate break trough. It is expected that by the end of March the long awaited Palestinian consensus will be settled.Both Hamas and Fatah has agreed to recover National Palestinian unity, aimed at ending the division, a long deadlock between the two main Palestinian factions,Hamas and Fatah,which outcome was a two year long internal war."

GAZA - In the besieged Gaza Strip on Thursday,the Israelis has blocked most of needed shipments of food and fuel, only a bare minimum of shipments is permitted,117 truckloads including 61 loaded trucks with aid from UNRWA ( UN Agency for Palestine Refugees ) and other aid organizations.Karni crossing, used for shipping grain and animal feed, is closed.The Nahal Oz terminal was open for shipment of EU-funded industrial diesel to Gaza’s sole power plant.Meanwhile on Thursday Israeli warplanes continues its bombardments of smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza Strip along the Egyptian border. No personal casualties are reported but property was damaged.Outside the coast of Rafah Israeli naval vessels were shooting at Palestinian fishermen..

In the West Bank on Thursday simultaneously, a vigil was held in the Wadi Al-Ihsein neighborhood in the city of Hebron,marking the 15th anniversary of the massacre of 33 Palestinians by an American-Israeli settler, Baruch Goldstein.The massacre took place on the 27th of February 1994, Baruch Goldstein opened fire on Palestinians praying at the Ibrahimi mosque in Hebron, the site of the Tomb of the Patriarchs

The demonstration on the West Bank took place nearby the fence surrounding the settlement of Kiryat Arba.Families of the victims, of the massacre along with officials from the Palestinian People’s Party and foreign activists participated in the demonstration.Banners with the names of the victims were carried and 33 candles were lit and torches enlightened. The Israeli occupant declared the area of the demonstration a closed military zone, stopping the traffic and shutting down roads leading to the site of the vigil.Several speeches were held by representatives from Palestinian political factions.A member of the central committee of the Palestinian People’s Party, Fahmi Shahin, said." Our intention was to commemorate those who were killed fifteen years ago in this area in particular, since the area is targeted by the Israeli settlers. We wanted to assure those who are living in the area that we will never forget about them."

A National dialogue the only way to save the Palestinian nation.

In Cairo reconciliation meetings between the two largest Palestinian political factions which began on Thursday did not have an immediate break trough. It is expected that by the end of March the long awaited Palestinian consensus will be settled. Both Hamas and Fatah has agreed to recover National Palestinian unity, aimed at ending the division, a long deadlock between the two main Palestinian factions,Hamas and Fatah,which outcome was a two year long internal war.

Mahmoud Al-Zahhar of Hamas and Azzam Al-Ahmad of Fatah held a joint press conference after officials from the two movements assembled. Al-Ahmad confirmed that his Fatah party and Hamas has decided to form a national consensus government. Both concluded that the division among Palestinians had given the Israelis a chance to exploit the division between Hamas and Fatah, aiming to destroy the peace process and then carry out the recent massacre of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza.

Five committees will work out a reconciliation platform which contain an election committee,a culture and tolerance committee, a rebuild Palestinian Institutions ( PLO)committee, a reconstruction of Palestine security and police forces committee and a releasing all the prisoners committee.

Al-Zahhar and Al-Ahmad said they would not interrupt in the work of those five reconciliation committees and they would accept recommendations for consensus taken.Mahmoud Al-Zahhar said that Hamas would benefit from a reconciliation since Hamas are participating in the Cairo meetings to make a success of the dialogue. During an interview on Al-Jazeera TV channel,Azzam.Al-Ahmad said that,both Hamas and Fatah movements are optimistic regarding the dialogue.Al-Ahmad assured that Fatah do not want to go back to the situation of division, he said that we want the political rift between our people to end.

Two committees has been formed, one in the West Bank and one in Gaza, aimed at following up on the issues of political arrests and media incitement. Hamas and Fatah agreed on Wednesday to release all political prisoners in each others jails in the West Bank and in Gaza. Azzam Al-Ahmad said that Hamas already had lifted the house arrest that was imposed on some Fatah leaders in Gaza. Mahmoud Al-Zahhar said that there were more than 400 Hamas political prisoners in Palestinian Authority jails, of whom 80 were released this week. He said Hamas is contacting the Fatah leaders, Mahmoud Abbas and Ahmad Qurei to arrange the release of the more than 300 Hamas affiliates, that still are detained by PLO, Fatah security forces in the West Bank.

On Thursday Ismail Haniyeh, the Palestinian Prime Minister said in and interview with Hamas-affiliated website, the Palestinian Information Center, that; "The dialogue is the bridge toward upholding Palestinian rights, protecting the nation and their sacrifices, and rebuilding the PLO, based on new democratic conditions." Haniyeh cited the Cairo agreement of 2005, the national reconciliation document, the Mecca agreement of 2007, and the higher follow-up committee of the Intifada in Gaza and the committee of coordination between Palestinian factions in the West Bank, as the base for reconciliation with Fatah. Haniyeh said that Hamas and Fatah should be "partners in steadfastness and reconstruction."

"The rebuilding of Gaza is vital Haniyeh said,he also said that the Israelis complex,their ongoing post-election process forming a coalition is holding up Egyptian-brokered negotiations toward a truce in Gaza.The Israelis "changed their minds" - when Hamas and Fatah reached "a common understanding." We are of course with the interests of our own people and we can achieve this interest, but the Israelis retreated and have had some misconception with the Egyptian leadership regarding the truce and the other demands."

"Hamas and Fatah must unite in order to face a likely right wing government in Israel", a leader of the radical Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) said on Thursday.Zuheir Al-Queisi said that the extremist Israeli government will continue to expand settlements in East Jerusalem and in the West Bank. - Meetings held among Palestinian factions are in the interest to all of us, we will empower our resistance culture and rebuild a strong Palestinian resistance community," he said.

Zuheir Al- Queisi concluded that - "Fatah and Hamas should have a huge sense of responsibility towards the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian resistance in Gaza. During the Israelis assaults - which would not be thwarted because of a continued Palestinian division,a temporary division of our internal Palestinian relations," Al-Queisi said, also calling on Arab countries "to exert more efforts to unify the Palestinians. - ""It should be in the best interest of Arab states to see the Palestinian people united."

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Obama's Iraq withdrawal plan sets stage for continued war

Bill Van Auken, WSWS

26 February 2009

In his first address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night, President Barack Obama promised that he would "soon announce a way forward in Iraq that leaves Iraq to its people and responsibly ends this war."

The US president offered no details about his plan. Subsequent leaks from within the administration and the Pentagon, however, have made it clear that, as with so much of his high-flown but ambiguous rhetoric, the vagueness was deliberately crafted to mask a lie—or in this case, two lies.

Obama's plan will neither end the war nor "leave Iraq to its people."

Vice President Joseph Biden indicated Wednesday that Obama would issue a formal announcement on Friday. There are reports that he will travel to the Marine Corps' Camp Lejeune or the Army's Fort Bragg, both in North Carolina, to unveil the plan.

According to unnamed administration officials and senior military officers quoted in various media reports Wednesday, the Obama plan calls for withdrawing all US "combat troops" in 19 months, with the last of them out of Iraq in August 2010.

"Combat troops" is for the military a term of art. Citing two unnamed administration officials, the Associated Press reported: "The US military would leave behind a residual force, between 30,000 and 50,000 troops, to continue advising and training Iraqi security forces. Also staying beyond the 19 months would be intelligence and surveillance specialists and their equipment, including unmanned aircraft."

Moreover, it appears that "combat troops" may remain in Iraq with the Pentagon merely changing their designation to support units. The New York Times quoted military officials as saying that "they did not know how many combat troops would stay behind in new missions as trainers, advisers or counterterrorism forces, at least some of whom would still be effectively in combat roles."

The Times continued: "Military planners have said that in order to meet withdrawal deadlines, they would reassign some combat troops to training and support of the Iraqis, even though the troops would still be armed and go on combat patrols with their Iraqi counterparts."

The Los Angeles Times quoted a senior military officer who seemed to suggest that the withdrawal timetable was really of secondary importance.

"The thing I would pay attention to is what will remain," said the officer. "The key decision for the president is: what is that force and what specific duties does it have?"

The officer added, "When President Obama said we were going to get out within 16 months, some people heard 'get out' and everyone's gone. But that is not going to happen."

The time frame for even the limited withdrawal is three months longer than the 16 months that Obama promised during the 2008 campaign, an apparent concession to opposition from Defense Secretary Robert Gates; Gen. David Petraeus, the Central Command chief; and Gen. Ray Odierno, the senior commander in Iraq, who sought to keep a large force longer in Iraq.

All three of these figures were placed in their positions by the Bush administration and are identified with the military "surge" that saw a US military escalation in Iraq and an increase of troop levels by 30,000, beginning in 2007.

In retaining both Gates and the military commanders, Obama has assured an essential continuity with the overall militarist strategy that was developed under the Bush administration.

In an important tactical change, it has opted for its own surge in Afghanistan, having announced the decision to send an additional 17,000 troops to combat the insurgency in that country. This deployment is seen as only the first installment on what will be a major escalation.

The drawing down of US forces in Iraq is being driven in no small measure by the ratcheting up of the US intervention in Afghanistan. Two of the brigades that are being sent to Afghanistan had previously been slated for deployment in Iraq.

Yet, as the Obama administration escalates the war in Afghanistan, while increasingly extending the intervention in the region across the border into Pakistan, the occupation and the killing in Iraq will go on. That is the real significance of Obama's plan.

Even as the administration prepared to announce its plan, four more US troops died in Iraq, three killed by insurgents in Diyala province Monday and another shot to death by uniformed Iraqi policemen in Mosul on Tuesday. In the second incident, an Iraqi interpreter was also killed, while three US soldiers and a second interpreter were wounded.

The mission of the US military left behind in Iraq will not be confined merely to training, protection of US interests and "anti-terrorism" operations. With a continued monopoly over air power and heavy artillery in the country, it will remain the dominant force, with the Iraqi army functioning essentially as a US puppet force.

The essential mission of the US troops, whether they number 50,000 or more, will remain the one they were given with the invasion of Iraq nearly six years ago—the neo-colonial subjugation of one of the most oil-rich nations on the planet.

The Obama administration continues to pursue this goal—albeit by somewhat altered means. Its aim, like the Bush administration before it, is to secure a strategic advantage over US imperialism's principal economic rivals in Europe and Asia by establishing hegemony over key energy supplies upon which they depend.

Liberal supporters of Obama have sought to comfort themselves and deflect criticism by arguing that the 19-month withdrawal plan about to be announced represents only a three-month deviation from the timetable he advanced during the 2008 election campaign, and that he had always included the proposal for the "residual force" remaining in Iraq.

Such legalistic arguments evade the central issue. In election after election—2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008—the American people have been defrauded, denied the right to cast any real vote on the war in Iraq. Time after time, the Democrats have colluded with the Republicans to assure that the act of military aggression that both parties approved and sustained could not be challenged by the electorate. The millions upon millions of voters who wanted an end to the war have been effectively disenfranchised.

This process culminated in the 2008 election itself, in which Obama's capture of the Democratic nomination was unquestionably driven in large measure by his attempt to identify himself with these broad antiwar sentiments and to pillory his principal Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, for her October 2002 vote authorizing the war.

Now Clinton serves as his secretary of state, while Bush's appointee Gates still heads the Pentagon.

The emergence of the Obama administration's policy of continued occupation in Iraq and escalation of the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan only underscores the bankruptcy of the American democratic process. It is impossible under the present two-party system for the voters to exert their influence on war or any other essential question.

Obama's policies are being determined not by the popular hostility to war felt by the millions who voted for him, but by the financial and strategic interests of the America's corporate and financial elite. He has emerged more and more openly as a mouthpiece for finance capital and the military.

The struggle against war cannot be advanced within the confines of the existing political institutions and the two-party monopoly exercised by the banks and big business.

It requires first and foremost an irrevocable break with the Democratic Party and the independent political mobilization of working people against the profit system, which gives rise to militarism and war. This means building the Socialist Equality Party and fighting to win the broadest layers of workers, students and young people to its socialist and internationalist program.

Source: Uruknet.
Link: http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=52166&s2=27.

'Canada is nothing,' grieving dad says

The father of a teenager whose accused killers were let go despite a videotape of the shooting said he's taking his wife and remaining children back to Somalia.

"Canada is nothing. ... The Canadian government is nothing," Ahmed Abdikarim Mohammed told the Toronto Sun in front of his modest bungalow.

"I go," said Mohammed, a 58-year-old Toronto cab driver. "My plan is this week to go, all together."

Mohammed's 18-year-old son Abdikarim Ahmed Abdikarim was killed near the upscale Yorkdale Shopping Center around 10 p.m. March 14, 2008.

The high school senior, who police said had no gang links and was hanging out with friends from school, was hit in the head. Five other male seniors were wounded, officials said.

Government prosecutor Joe Callaghn Thursday dropped charges against Owen Anthony Smith, 36, and Wendell Damian Cuff, 26, citing insufficient evidence.

Toronto police had posted a surveillance video of the killing on YouTube hoping to draw leads, but few people came forward to help police build a case, Callaghn said.

"I die in Somalia," Abdikarim's father told the Sun. "That's the end for me."

The grieving dad said he must leave the body of his son buried until arrangements can be made for it to be exhumed and shipped to Somalia.

US to boycott UN racism conference

By MATTHEW LEE and EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press Writers

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration said Friday that the United States will boycott an upcoming U.N. conference on racism unless its final document is changed to drop all references to Israel and the defamation of religion.

At the same time, it said the U.S. would participate as an observer in meetings of the U.N. Human Rights Council, a body that was shunned by the Bush administration for anti-Israel statements and failing to act on abuses in Sudan and other states.

The racism conference is a follow-up to the contentious 2001 meeting in the South African city of Durban that was dominated by clashes over the Middle East and the legacy of slavery.

The U.S. and Israel walked out midway through that meeting over a draft resolution that singled out Israel for criticism and likened Zionism — the movement to establish and maintain a Jewish state — to racism.

Israel and Canada had already announced they would will boycott the next World Conference Against Racism in Geneva from April 20-25, known as Durban II, but the Obama administration decided it wanted to assess the negotiations before making a decision on U.S. participation.

Last week, the State Department sent a team to Geneva to attend preparatory meetings for the conference but on Friday it said the closing statement under consideration mirrored the 2001 draft and was was unacceptable.

"Sadly ... the document being negotiated has gone from bad to worse, and the current text of the draft outcome document is not salvageable," spokesman Robert Wood said in a statement.

"As a result, the United States will not engage in further negotiations on this text, nor will we participate in a conference based on this text," he said.

The United States will not take part in the conference unless its final statement does not single out any one country or conflict for criticism nor embrace the draft's stance on the condemnation or take up the issue of reparations for slavery, Wood said.

"We would be prepared to re-engage if a document that meets these criteria becomes the basis for deliberations," he said.

Israel, which was deeply concerned when the administration sent a delegation to the preparatory meeting, lobbied hard for the U.S. to stay away from the conference and pro-Israel groups hailed the decision.

"President Obama's decision not to send U.S. representation to the April event is the right thing to do and underscores America's unstinting commitment to combating intolerance and racism in all its forms and in all settings," the American Israel Public Affairs Committee said.

"Its a clear signal to the international community that this administration refuses to validate the hijacking of human rights by regimes led by Libya and Iran," said the Simon Wiesenthal Center, referring to countries that are supporting the draft statement.

U.S. officials said they are pressing European nations to boycott the conference unless there are revisions to the final statement. The Netherlands and France have already expressed concern about the contents.

Howard Berman, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he hoped the U.S, position "will galvanize like-minded countries and those who have been sitting on the sidelines to end this mindless march toward an outcome that serves none of the victims of racism, xenophobia and intolerance."

Although it announced the boycott of the Durban II conference, the State Department also said it would attend, as an observer, meetings of the U.N. Human Rights Council that the United States had previously stayed away from of criticism of Israel it said was one-sided.

Despite those concerns, Wood said the Obama administration believes that "it furthers our interests and will do more (to) advance human rights if we are part of the conversation and present at the councils proceedings."

"These times demand seriousness and candor, and we pledge to closely work with our partners in the international community to avoid politicization and to achieve our shared goals," he said.

The Obama administration had declined to speak during the council's review earlier this month of the human rights records of China, Russia and other countries the United States has previously criticized for abuses.

Iraq Museum reopening tells story of a hijacked country

Fatih Abdulsalam, Azzaman

February 26, 2009

Even the reopening of the Iraq Museum was a shock that reminded many in Iraq of a country that has been hijacked.

Thousands of works were on show but Iraqis were nowhere to be seen enjoying the occasion. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki might have reveled as well as the few dignitaries he had invited for the highly restricted opening festivities.

But ordinary Iraqis, who own the museum and the country, were kept several kilometers away by armed guards. Even the skies were cordoned off by helicopter gunships.

Everything deemed precious and important still stands behind sandbagged redoubts as is the case with the Green Zone where the government and U.S. administration and military headquarters have cowered.

The museum, one of the finest in the world, was looted – thanks to U.S. invasion troops – and still thousands of its magnificent pieces are missing.

No matter how hard Maliki and his U.S. protectors try to show that things are normal, the reopening was an illustration that their dreams of a 'democratic’ Iraq have no place on the planet.

What have become real in Iraq are the chaotic conditions mired by sectarian and ethnic strife as well as the heavy boots of foreign troops. These have become the realities of the country and the reopening of the museum was an aberration.

Even the officials in charge of antiquities were not happy with the showcase and most of them boycotted the reopening.

As I watched the televised occasion, I only felt pity for those administering the country.

Even our museum, which once UNESCO ranked as one of world’s richest in archaeological treasures, is being used as a 'political tool.’

Those who claim to have the world’s most powerful army failed to protect it when their invasion troops landed in Baghdad in 2003.

The current government reopens it but has no plans on how to protect and prevent a repeat of the looting.

The helicopters that guarded the skies and the troops that kept the public several kilometers away will not be there for long.

Instead of this showcase, the government should have first worked hard on how to protect ancient Iraqi treasures and sites that are still being looted.

Does the government have the guts to reveal the names of thieves and looters with connections to officials who are still serving in its ranks?

The Iraq Museum has turned into a symbol of a country for the destruction and ruin of which several forces have collided.

The reopening merely reminded us of what used to be a venue for Iraqi school children and droves of daily visitors and researchers and now is being used for propaganda purposes.

We fear the display of its artifacts will give looters and thieves yet another opportunity to strike.

Otherwise, one cannot understand the persistence on reopening the museum at a time experts, antiquities officials and politicians from the Culture Ministry overseeing it stood steadfastly against the move.

Source: Uruknet.
Link: http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=52187&s2=27.

The starving of Gaza

Eric Ruder explains why Israel's offensive against Gaza will continue to claim lives for years to come.

February 6, 2009

ISRAEL'S WAR on Gaza took a terrible toll in human casualties. Bodies are still being exhumed from the rubble, and Israel's refusal to open Gaza's border crossings to allow in humanitarian supplies has made treating the injured a tortuously slow endeavor.

But one less-noticed effect of Israel's brutal assault on the civilian and economic infrastructure of Gaza--combined with the suffocating effects of the 18-month siege that came before--is the further destruction of Gaza's long-term ability to provide food for its population.

The United Nations Children's Fund said that economic losses as a result of the war total $1.9 billion, which is significantly larger than Gaza's annual economic output. "According to the World Food Program, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization and Palestinian officials, between 35 percent and 60 percent of the agriculture industry has been wrecked by the three-week Israeli attack," reported Britain's Guardian newspaper.

This could make a huge portion of Gaza's population entirely dependent on food aid from the outside. "When we have given a food ration in Gaza, it was never a full ration, but to complement the diet," said Christine van Nieuwenhuyse, the World Food Program's country director. "Now it is going to be almost impossible for Gaza to produce the food it needs for the next six to eight months, assuming that the agriculture can be rehabilitated."

The effects are hitting home for Samir Sawafiri, a poultry farmer. Surveying the carcasses of some 65,000 chickens strewn across his farm in Zeitoun, while several dozen live chickens--the only ones that survived the war--scrounged for food, Sawafiri told a reporter, "They are all that is left, and I have nowhere to put them."

The poultry farms around Zeitoun, which is on the eastern edge of Gaza City, once provided the bulk of Gaza's fresh eggs. But almost nothing remains standing now.

"I evacuated on January 9," said Sawafiri. "Three days later, on January 12, tanks came with bulldozers and leveled the fields. They wanted to spoil the economy--that's the only answer. There's no justification for what they did."

Rebuilding the farms will require investment running into the tens of millions of dollars, according to Fuad El-Jamassi, director of Gaza's Environmental and Health Ministry. Further complicating the rebuilding process is the fact that Israel does not allow live animals to cross into Gaza. So the only hope of restocking Gaza's poultry farms depends on whether Israel will restrict the import of fertilized eggs, which can then be taken to a hatchery.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

THE MOST pressing challenge for many of Gaza's farmers is planting crops in the next week or two, or they will miss the growing season. But their fields have been destroyed by Israel's repeated bombardments, and are strewn with debris, unexploded ordnance and hazardous chemical dust.

Aid organizations such as Oxfam and Save the Children have been waiting for Israel's permission to deliver humanitarian supplies massed at the border. But for more than two weeks, Israel has refused to allow them through Gaza's border crossings. "We've had every reason under the sun given to us for not going in...Security, not the right day, that is was closed for holiday, that the right people were not available, that we would hear tomorrow," says Mike Baily of Oxfam.

Oxfam is seeking to deliver basic items such as food and medicine, but it also plans to do what it can to help Gaza's farmers prepare their fields for the critical planting deadline. "If we don't plant crops now, we won't harvest in three or four month's time, and the one and a half million people of Gaza will be completely dependent on food aid," says Baily.

Evonne Frederickson, an aid worker with Sweden's Palestinian Solidarity Association, tells the same story. Her efforts to get mental health experts and doctors into Gaza have been repeatedly stymied. But she says that Israeli policy toward aid agencies has been capricious for a long time. "Sometimes you get in, sometimes you don't, so they're playing with those who are working with the aid to Gaza," she says.

On February 5, Israel announced it would allow 100 trucks a day through Gaza's border crossings with humanitarian relief supplies. But that's still less than the 130 trucks a day that crossed on average during the second half of 2008, and far less than the 600 trucks a day estimated to be needed to sustain Gaza's population and provide the critical goods necessary for rebuilding its shattered economy.

Another pressing threat to Gaza's agricultural viability is the raw sewage and toxic chemicals that threaten to contaminate the fields and leech into Gaza's groundwater system.

"This is a top priority," said Jens Toyberg-Frandzen, a special representative of the UN Development Program. "The rubble is mixed with poisonous harmful materials, and may include unexploded ordnances. It needs to be urgently removed to protect the lives of Palestinians in Gaza and to facilitate immediate access to basic humanitarian and social services."

El-Jamassi worries about the need for experts familiar with the chemicals used by Israel to assess the situation. "There were many chemicals used here by the Israelis--there has been chemical dust in the air," he said. "We need experts to come tell us what to do, if this is safe. There are no experts here."

Contamination of Gaza's water supply from failed sewage systems also poses a significant risk. According to Rachel Bergstein, who reports regularly on environmental issues in the Middle East:

Gaza's ecological conditions are already conducive to groundwater pollution. The sandy desert soil tends to absorb water--or pollutants like sewage--easily. Also, the groundwater is fairly close to the surface, so access wells are fairly shallow and easily contaminated...

Due to both a lack of investment and an inability to access materials and equipment for repairs, Gaza's sewage treatment infrastructure was in a pretty bad state of disrepair before the war began at the end of December. Israel's military actions caused even more damage to many of the pipes. As a result, top water engineers in Gaza report that the entire system is on the verge of collapse, posing a severe threat to Gaza's groundwater resources.

Iran signs 11 agreements with Kenya, Djibouti and Comoros

TEHRAN, Feb. 27 (MNA) – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his delegation met with heads of 3 African countries and signed 11 cooperation agreements.

Ahmadinejad at the head of a high-ranking delegation left Tehran on Tuesday to pay official visits to Djibouti, Kenya and Comoros.

During the president’s visit to Djibouti, five cooperation agreements were signed between the two countries.

Upon his arrival in Nairobi, Ahmadinejad was welcomed by his Kenyan counterpart. He also held talks with Kenyan prime minister on different issues.

The two countries signed two agreements on boosting ties and expanding consular relations.



For his final visit, Ahmadinejad went to Comoros.



He met with his Comorian counterpart and the sides stressed the need to expand relations in different areas.



Four agreements were signed on strengthening political relations and establishing joint committees.



Ahmadinejad returned home early Thursday.

Moroccan shrine unites Africans

Wednesday, 18 February 2009

By James Copnall
BBC News, Fez

The 12-centuries-old city of Fez is known as Morocco's spiritual capital, but it also has huge relevance for millions of West Africans.

They come in droves - from Senegal, Mali, Niger and Nigeria - to worship at the tomb of a North African holy man, Sheikh Ahmed Tijani.

Senegalese men in flowing twilight blue Boubous mingle with Moroccans in hooded Djellabas at the impressive gate of the Zaouia, or religious center for the Tijani brotherhood, in the narrow and winding streets of Fez's old town.

Sheikh Tijani, who was born in Ain Madhi in what is now Algeria, is reputed to have learnt the Koran by heart by the age of seven, and given his first fatwa (religious instruction) at 15.

He founded the Sufi brotherhood at the end of the 18th Century - using the Gregorian calendar - or towards the start of the 13th Islamic century.

Muslims flocked to hear the teachings of the holy man, who had spent long periods meditating in the Sahara Desert.

The Moroccan sultan of the time, Moulay Slimane, supported Sheikh Tijani, aiding his rise.

All sorts

Tijani disciples from neighboring countries spread the word and now there are millions of his followers in West Africa.

"I have visited many African countries, and there are villages and towns where you don't expect to find even a sign of civilization, but you find a Koranic school and other buildings put up by the Tijanis," says Zoubir Tijani, a descendent of Sheikh Tijani, who looks after his mausoleum.

"Secondly, our brotherhood sticks very closely to the Koran.

"Sheikh Tijani said if you hear me say something which contradicts what the prophet says, you must ignore it.

"This message appeals to people, so if you go into the Zaouia now you will find more than 12 nationalities.

"In this brotherhood you find all sorts - ordinary people and ministers."

The former Senegalese Prime Minister, Moustapha Niasse, comes from a famous Tijani family, and Hissen Habre, the former dictator of Chad, is a Tijani.

Zoubir Tijani brushed away suggestions that Mr Habre, who is accused of numerous human rights abuses, had clearly found it difficult to follow the Tijani message of peace.

Senegalese community

Tijanis, both well known and anonymous, come to Fez to pray at Sheikh Tijani's tomb, often on their way to Mecca, explains Abdellatif Begdouri Achkari, a Tijani, and a senior member of Morocco's Islamic affairs ministry.

"Islam came to West Africa from Morocco, so it's normal there is such a strong spiritual relationship," he said.

"Sheikh Ahmed Tijani is a great figure in Morocco, and the links we have with people from other countries are not political, they are spiritual."

Round the corner from the Zaouia, Sheikh Tijani's last resting place, a small community of Senegalese people live.

Samba Thiam moved here nine years ago, thanks to his faith.

He rents a room in a traditional two-storey Fez house, and helps other Tijanis who come to pray at the grave of the Sheikh.

"I came here because of the Zaouia of Sheikh Tijani," he says in halting French mixed with words of Wolof and exuberant English.

"I live here near the Zaouia to welcome and help the disciples. They come from all countries in the world, and there are lots of them - sometimes we have as many as 30 in a week."

'Big advantage'

Later he and other Senegalese, two of whom have come from France, sit down for lunch in the Senegalese style, using their hands to eat from a common dish.

Many of these pilgrims contribute to the upkeep of the Zaouia.

"Disciples of the Tijani brotherhood provide everything that is necessary here - they pay for water and electricity, carpets, everything that is needed," explains Zoubir Tijani.

"They aren't obliged to, but they do it to make everyone feel at ease."

Habib Diallo, a Senegalese student in Fez, is a regular visitor to the Zaouia.

He and other Senegalese meet on Thursday evenings to chant Allah's name, to prepare themselves for the Friday prayer.

He says the fact so many Senegalese are Tijanis has contributed to the close relationship his country has with Morocco.

"The Moroccans respect us because we are disciples of Sheikh Ahmed Tijani," he says. "It's a very big advantage.

"Everyone knows there is a very nice relationship between Senegal and Morocco, and Sheikh Ahmed Tijani is at the center of that."

Source: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7885798.stm.

Indonesia calls for organic D8 fertilizer

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Member countries in the Developing Eight should begin using organic fertilizers instead of chemical goods to save funds, an Indonesian official said Thursday.

Indonesian Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono said at the D8 Ministers' Meeting on Food Security conference that the fertilizer switch could save member countries funds that could be applied to infrastructure development, the Malaysian News Agency, Bernama, reported.

Apriyantono also said at the conference in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lampur that by improving fertilizer use efficiency, D8 member countries could limit related waste or excessive usage.

Indonesia was taking part in the conference along with Malaysia, Bangladesh, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey.

Bernama said the conference is oriented toward discussing the production of such agricultural goods as fertilizers, animal feed and high quality seeds.

Iranian Deputy Agriculture Minister Jafar Khalghani used the conference to suggest the formation of a food security research group by the eight D8 countries.

Source: United Press International (UPI).
Link: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/02/26/Indonesia_calls_for_organic_D8_fertilizer/UPI-79141235671609/.

Officials: Obama says Iraq pullout by Aug 2010

By ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama told lawmakers on Thursday he plans to withdraw most American troops from Iraq by August 2010 but leave tens of thousands behind to advise Iraqi forces and protect U.S. interests, congressional officials said.

Obama is expected to announce the new strategy on Friday during a trip to the Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

In a closed-door meeting with Republican and Democratic leaders, Obama and his top advisers estimated that 35,000 to 50,000 troops would remain in Iraq after the bulk of troops are withdrawn.

Obama campaigned on ending the Iraq war and pledged to do so in 16 months. The withdrawal timetable he is expected to approve stretches over 19 months from his inauguration in January. That means some 100,000 troops would leave over the coming 18 months.

Rep. John McHugh, the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, said Obama promised him to reconsider the new strategy if violence rises. McHugh said he was worried the situation in Iraq remained fragile, especially as it approaches elections in December.

"Our commanders must have the flexibility they need in order to respond to these challenges, and President Obama assured me that there is a 'Plan B,'" McHugh, R-N.Y., said in a statement.

According to one congressional official, lawmakers were told that Gen. David Petraeus, head of U.S. Central Command, and Gen. Ray Odierno, the top commander in Baghdad, believed the plan presented moderate risk but supported the 50,000 figure.

Some Democrats are skeptical but because they say it would leave too many troops behind.

"I have been one for a long time that's called for significant cutbacks in Iraq, and I am happy to listen to the secretary of defense and the president," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told reporters before the briefing. "But when they talk about 50,000, that's a little higher number than I had anticipated."

In addition to Reid, congressional leaders attending the meeting included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio. Vice President Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had also been expected to attend as well.

Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, told the U.N.'s Security Council on Thursday that the U.S. would move "responsibly and safely" to reduce the U.S. military presence in Iraq.

She said the process of redeploying American combat troops will be carried out in consultation with the Iraqi government "and with its support."

An existing U.S-Iraq agreement, negotiated under President George W. Bush, calls for U.S. combat troops to withdraw from Baghdad and other cities by the end of June, with all American forces out of the country by the end of 2011.

Afghanistan: U.S. Escalates the Illegal Drug Industry

John W. Warnock

Feb 25, 2009

It is common knowledge that Afghanistan remains the primary source of the world’s supply of opium and heroin. A recent United Nations’ report claims that three quarters of the world’s heroin comes from the provinces of Helmand and Kandahar. But there is also recognition that poppies are grown in almost all of the country’s 34 provinces.

The western media argues that most of the production of illegal drugs is being done by the Taliban or that the Taliban is protecting the farmers. The fact that there are well known drug lords in the government of President Hamid Karzai, and many are members of the parliament, is usually ignored. Yet the Asian press carries photos of "narco palaces" in Kabul and describes the local "narcotecture." The Afghan population is well aware of the close ties between the drug lords and the government.

Of course this is quite embarrassing to the U.S. government, which put Karzai in office and created the present Afghan constitution and system of government. Thus Hillary Clinton, nominated for Secretary of State, created quite a shock when she referred to Afghanistan as a "narco state" in her testimony before the U.S. Senate.

Forgotten in all this is the key role that the U.S. government played in the development and expansion of the illegal drug industry in Afghanistan. It goes back to the decision made in July 1978 by the administration of Jimmy Carter to give aid and assistance to the radical Islamists in their rebellion against the leftist government of the Peoples Democratic Party of Afghanistan.

The CIA and the Afghan Drug Trade

The U.S. government devoted billions of dollars to the proxy war in Afghanistan. Most of this was funneled through the Pentagon’s infamous Black Budget, secret funds for secret operations. In 1981 this budget was estimated at $9 billion but rose to $36 billion by 1990. The CIA obtained cash to buy weapons and other equipment which was then channeled to the Islamist rebels.

In the Afghan operation the CIA provided cash to the Pakistan government, primarily through its accounts with the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI), best known for laundering illegal drug money. As John Cooley notes, "The CIA already had a history of using corrupt or criminal banks for its overseas operations." In the 1980s the CIA and the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency were using the BCCI for covert operations. First American, in Washington, D.C., was one of the CIA banks of choice, and it had been acquired by BCCI.

BCCI had close links to the Pakistan government. During the Afghan jihad BCCI officials actually took control of the customs house at the port of Karachi where shipments of arms were sent by the CIA to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI). They made cash payments to the ISI, part of which were payoffs, but large sums were also needed to finance the transportation of armaments to the Afghan border and beyond. As Brigadier Mohammad Yousaf reports, much of the CIA aid came in the form of cash. This was used to purchase hundreds of trucks and thousands of horses, mules and camels, in addition to the materials needed to build the training bases for the mujahideen fighters.

The CIA would inform the Pakistan government about the shipments. When the armaments and supplies were landed in Karachi they came under the control of the National Logistics Cell of the Pakistan army and the ISI. They trucked the materials north to the various bases. On the way back the trucks carried opium and heroin for export from Karachi, mainly to the United States. Some of the heroin factories were directly under the control of the ISI, and the whole operation had the support of Pakistan General Fazle Haq, the protector of the industry. President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq had appointed him the military commander of the Northwest Frontier Province. He was also directly involved in the heroin trade and laundering money through the BCCI.

The Islamist Drug Lords

Many of the key Islamist commanders and warlords were heavily involved in the illegal drug industry. One was Yunas Khalis, a brutal commander who boasted of the slaughter of prisoners of war as well as defectors from the PDPA government. Based in Helmand province, he spent much of his time fighting with other commanders over the control of the poppy crop and the roads and passes from the poppy fields to his seven heroin laboratories at his headquarters in Ribat al Ali. As Alexander Cockburn and Jeffrey St. Clair point out, at this time around 60% of the crop was produced under irrigation in the Helmand Valley, developed with a grant from USAID. This is still largely true today.

The biggest producer of heroin was Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the primary recipient of CIA funds, who maintained six heroin factories at Koh-i-Soltan. He was in competition with another favourite commander of the U.S. government, Mullah Nassim Akhundzada, for control of the poppy crop produced in the Helmand Valley. The cash from the sale of the opium and heroin was channeled through accounts in the BCCI.

In the north, poppy cultivation and heroin production were primarily under the control of commanders Abdul Rashid Dostum and Ahmad Shah Massoud, both of whom were key allies of the U.S. government, particularly after the fall of the Marxist government in 1992. The fruits of this industry were exported through the Central Asian Republics via Kosovo and Albania and into Europe. It was estimated that this source accounted for around 60% of the European market. To this day commanders in the North, now in the Karzai government and the parliament, engage in production and trade. But this is overlooked by the North American media.

It was not only the U.S.-backed radical Islamists who were in the drug business. One of the key players was Sayad Ahmed Gaylani of the moderate National Islamic Front, who was very close to the exiled King Zahir Shah. The Soviets argued that Gaylani produced and exported more illegal drugs than Hekmatyar.

Afghan poppy production tripled between 1979-82, and according to figures from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, came to dominate the heroin market in the United States and Europe. The DEA reported that by 1984 51% of the heroin supply in the United States came from the operations of the U.S. allies on the Pakistan border. The situation remains the same today. It is estimated that the illegal drug industry presently accounts for around 50% of Afghanistan’s gross domestic product.

CIA’s secret Operations worldwide and drug money

Farzana Shah

Feb 25, 2009

In Afghanistan US/NATO put blame on Taliban for the poppy cultivation in Afghanistan for financing their resistance to allied forces. Ironically, it was only in Taliban era when the world had seen a sharp decline in opium crop in Afghanistan. Taliban banned opium cultivation nationwide. A more important question is how and when this business of drug production and trafficking started in region? CIA has been using drug money since long to generate money to support its operations all over the world. It did not start in Afghanistan it was brought here after experimenting somewhere else.

This is something which is not a lead story in international media for obvious reasons despite the fact it is harming millions of lives around the globe.

1. CIA’s secret Operations

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on of the most active and dynamic intelligence setups in the world needs massive amount of money to carry on its clandestine operations all over the world. It has happened when CIA used local sources to conduct a coups, assassinations, regime change, etc. As US has a long history to support democracy by hook and crook measures, until and unless a dictator is ready to serve US interests to prolong its rule.

Operations like the one completed in Iran in 1953 to remove Prime Minister Mussadaq and backing Shah’s regime by using assets in civil society, or in Iraq in 1975 to arm Iraqi Kurds to destabilize Pre-Saddam in Iraq or more recently using its assets in Pakistan to pave the way of direct US intervention in Pakistan under pretext of hunting Al-Qaeda.

These kinds of operations need a lot of financial input. Usually CIA arranges revenue from its own means for this kind of operations where expenses can’t be predicted by any measure. Funds from Whitehouse always need a complete audit and detailed reports about usage of these funds. There are numerous occasions when CIA never shared details of operations with its own analytical wing nor with any other public office in Washington. Most of the time it is drug money that compensates these expenses.

CIA operations are not only single expenditure fulfilled by drugs there are also other deficiencies which are compensated with this money like financial institutes and banks in current financial crisis. UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa based in Vienna revealed that drug money often became the only available capital when the crisis spiraled out of control last year.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime had found evidence that "inter bank loans were funded by money that originated from drug trade and other illegal activities," Costa was quoted as saying. There were "signs that some banks were rescued in that way."

It is not only CIA anymore in trade for using it as gold mine to finance its illegal operations all over the world but US economy also need some liquidity in its banks, it doesn’t matter if it is coming by drug trade.

2. Drug Production & Consumption

Afghanistan is the largest producer of heroin’s main ingredient; opium and opium is nothing new in this part of the world. In Afghanistan and FATA, Pakistan it is being produced since centuries; used as remedy for various diseases. Commercial production of opium began just during the Russian invasion in Afghanistan where it is estimated to produce some 8250 metric tons (Source: AmericanFreePress.net, November 24, 2008) of opium per year which makes 85% to 90% of the world's supply of opium. This also contributes towards Afghan warlords’ wealth directly. This is what CIA brought to the region: Opium production without a brand name obviously.

Demand and trafficking of drugs globally. US is one of very high concentration drug trafficking territory thanks to Regan’s National Security Council who turned a blind eye towards South American cocaine socking into US in 1980 when CIA was backing all the drug traffickers of Contra movements in Nicaragua.

Markets for these drugs stretched world over from Western Europe to Far East, From Canada to Latin America and From China to Morocco, Africa. Profits related to this business also vary along with market’s location.

This business enriches not only the United States-friendly Afghan warlords but also elements of the Northern Alliance, the US key ally in the country. More disturbing is fact that this money also contributes in CIA’s operations against Pakistan as well.

3. Contra Movements (1980)

In Asia demand for heroin is more than any other drug but it is not the case world over. Cocaine is favorite drug which is consumed the most. Cocaine was nothing new in South American countries but it was only during Nicaraguan contra movements against the then dictator it got shoot up. It was again CIA’s regime change operation to bring "democracy" in Nicaragua. It was during this period when the whole region saw an unprecedented surge in cocaine trafficking in 1980. This has been investigated none other than but by CIA’s inspector general in later years.

Was CIA a part of this?

Answer is not only CIA was aiding these cocaine traffickers and money-launderers but Ronald Reagon’s National Security Council also turned a blind eye towards these drug trades despite the fact that later these very drug traffickers brought cocaine to mainland US. According to CIA’s inspector general report, published in online magazine The Consortium magazine, Oct. 15, 1998, it was Reagan’s National Security Council which cleared proven drug traffickers and CIA inspector general Frederick Hitz confirmed long standing.

Allegations of cocaine traffickers.

The NSC’s covert airline was the main transportation mean to do this trade in safest possible way.

Most stunning part of all this contra movements and CIA involvement is methods these movements used to dismantle the then Nicaraguan government including bombing and killing of civilians and CIA withheld all evidence of contra crimes from Justice Department, the Congress and even its own analytical division just to conceal its connection with drug traffickers.

4.Afghanistan

As it is mentioned earlier that Afghanistan was not a hub of drug supply to world before Russian invasion in 1979. It was CIA once again to implement what it successfully implemented in Nicaragua in 1980. Now, Afghanistan is biggest contributor in drug production with its massive opium production.

Russian Afghan War (1979-1989)

CIA was not fully done with contra movements when Russia invaded Afghanistan in 1979 threatening the region with her expansionist design to gain control over Afghanistan and Baluchistan province of Pakistan to reach Arabian Sea. Pakistan decided to confront Russia inside Afghanistan to thwart communist designs. CIA found an opportunity in Afghanistan to settle its long standing duel with Russian for global dominion, after initial successes by Afghan fighters. CIA once again brought tested formula of drug to finance this war which it used in South America with only difference in prescription where cocaine was replaced with heroin. Poppy cultivation was nothing new to Afghan but it was level of production and demand created by international traffickers in the world which shocked many in vicinity of these poppy fields.

Profit gained by these drugs was main driving force behind all this trade and with heroin it was much more than what it was with cocaine. Ironically US and Europe became biggest markets of heroin prepared produced in Afghanistan.

Regan’s administration is also a common factor in both Afghan heroin trade and contra cocaine traffickers. Role of CIA in first Afghan war was not overt as it could provoke Russians in more direct retaliation albeit Cuban missile crisis of 1960s. To avoid that kind of hostility it was more suitable for CIA to have silent links with Afghan warlords and providing sources to grow poppy. "By the end of Russian invasion in 1989 Afghanistan was second largest opium production spot with 1350 Metric ton after notorious Golden Triangle including countries like Laos, Thailand, Burma and Vietnam which was producing 2645 Metric ton at that time leaving Latin America way behind with just 112 Metric ton", as per US Drug Enforcement Administration.

Pre and Post Taliban Era (1994-2001)

In 1994 unrest and lawlessness in Afghanistan gave rise to Taliban. Motivated with their strict religious background and education they put ban on all kinds of drugs in territory under their control but this was not the cure for chronically infected Afghan economy and society. Non availability of any job market and strong hold of Northern Alliance of Northern part of country remained biggest challenge to these efforts to cut down poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. But despite all the challenges Talibans were able to put a serious cut on opium.

Recent Afghan Conflict (2002 – To date)

Afghanistan is leading opium production in world today but after the invasion of US in 2002 Afghanistan is also attributed to have largest heroin production in the world as well.

Without active support of Pentagon and CIA it is not possible to export drug prepared with more than 8000 metric tons of opium. US relations with Northern Alliance in Afghanistan after Taliban have given a free license to drug producers, traffickers. CIA and Pentagon both have their links to all these criminals in order to get supplies of the drugs and export it in US Army planes. It has been reported that CIA used US Army planes leaving Afghanistan carrying coffins which were filled with drugs instead of bodies.

To make sure undisturbed trade US appointed all Northern Alliance drug lords at key posts in Afghanistan and most prominent appointment was none other than President Hamid Karzai. Karzai’s brother, head of Kandahar's provincial council is proven drug trafficker facilitating the transportation of heroin from Kandahar eastward through Helmand and out across the Iranian border.
There is no reason to believe that CIA is not aware of this but as it is all one big enterprise where Karzai is also a partner so no danger to his brother.

Bush administration pushed the level of poppy cultivation to next level in Afghanistan just to keep Wall Streets alive in crisis. Many top Bush administration’s officials were worried about growing influence of countries in Golden Triangle (Loas, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma) in Russian and Chinese drug markets. Like Oil in Iraq this was just another opportunity for the Bush administration to have some quick bucks.

Blames for using drugs to fight with NATO and US forces is always put on Taliban. But looking at areas of Taliban’s active zones one can easily understand where all this poppy cultivation is taking place. Taliban put ban on poppy when they were in charge of majority of Afghan territories and Kabul, the capital. Afghanistan was suffering worst economic crisis at that time but Taliban never went to build their economy with heroin trade. Now it is just ridiculous to blame Taliban to have vast fields of poppy and having enough peace and time to grow and process it into heroin and then trade it in Pakistan and Iran to dens it to destinations in Eastern Europe.

Ahmed Wali Karzai, appointed by his brother, President Hamid Karzai, to represent Kandahar province in Kabul.

According to media reports he is main player in exporting heroin and opium to European countries through Turkmenistan.

Provinces like Kunar, Pektika,Paktya has low poppy cultivation and other provinces where all US/CIA supported warlords are holding key positions are growing most of opium crop. It was only after US invasion there was a 4400% increase in opium production.

US role in Afghan social debacle will go in history as described The Huffington Post on October 15, 2008 "When the history of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan is written, Washington's sordid involvement in the heroin trade and its alliance with drug lords and war criminals of the Afghan Communist Party will be one of the most shameful chapters."

5. Pakistan: Indirect Victim of the CIA’s Drug business

Almost the whole world is affected by this drug trade but countries which lie in routes of drug traffickers are worst effected after the original drug markets. Countries like Pakistan are paying a very high price for US/CIA drug trade as there is a constant increase in drug addiction in Pakistan. Iran is another country which happens to be in route of international drug traffickers so it is also facing problem of smuggling of heroin and morphine from Afghanistan and Pakistan to Turkey and Europe. After US invasion of Afghanistan this route has become active manifold then it was previously.

Effects of this trade are not limited to drug usage only but it destroys the social fabric in a society and gives rise to street crimes in order to get some cash to buy drugs from street market. A more horrible outcome is spread of HIV virus among addicted persons when they share the injection syringes. This threat is increasing with each passing day as number of HIV positive is increasing.

Another disastrous effect it brought to Pakistan and Afghanistan other neighbors is serious law and order situation in bordering area of each country with Afghanistan. Combating this evil trade is not possible until a holistic effort is made by international community in this regards but its chances are bleak as this trade is needed by global imperialism (Israel, US, UK) more than ever before to give some support to their dying economies.

Pakistan has become main artery in heroin trafficking route and it has a lot of implication on Pakistani security. Level of drug addicted also increased over the year due to high availability of drugs in street market. Afghanistan is main producer but Pakistan us where most of drugs are seized.

6. Conclusion

Under current situation it is very important for countries like Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Russia to think about how to put jinni of drug back to the bottle before international drug mafia takes over these countries by destroying their social norms and values.

CIA not only has a long history of having links with traffickers but also encouraging the drug trade to get its own interests served. CIA always encourages this trade even if it affected its own citizens like in Contra movements of 1980.

Afghanistan became leader in opium production and main hub for providing heroin and its main ingredient to whole world. All this happened under the control of champion of human rights US and its intelligence setup mainly CIA.

Situation is becoming more and bleaker unless Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran and Afghanistan governments start thinking about this trade and its far reaching affects on US economy and CIA’s funding. It is time when the whole region should become equivocal against this trade and ask US to leave the region for greater good of the billions of people in region.

Gaza convoy volunteers safe after being arrested in Tunisia

26-02-2009

London, The Muslim News OnLine:

Two volunteers traveling with the Viva Palestina convoy to Gaza have safely arrived in Libya after being arrested in Tunisia, The Muslim News has exclusively learnt.

The two British women, including Mahnaz Bahaji, 53, were believed to have been arrested in the central mining region of Gafsa by Tunisian police on Thursday but were released the same day.

“We have been kidnapped by the police. We don’t know where we are going. Pray for us please,” Mahnaz said a text message alert sent to Ahmed J Versi, Editor of The Muslim News.

A spokesperson for the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office was not aware of the arrests, but said the British consulate in Tunisia will try to find out more information about them.

The Tunisian Embassy in the UK was also unaware of the arrests. An embassy spokesman told The Muslim News that Viva Palestina officials had not lodged an official complaint.

The 110 vehicle convoy, which sent off from London on February 14, is carrying £1 million worth of aid to Gaza. It has already traveled through France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria and were hoping to journey on through Libya and Egypt before arriving at Rafah crossing in Gaza early next month.

Earlier this month, the Tunisian human rights watchdog, Observatoire pour la liberté de presse, d'édition et de création (OLPEC), denounced Tunisian police in Ghafsa the harassment and unexplained arrests of journalists and humanitarian workers in the region.

Iraq's Talabani arrives in Tehran

Feb 27, 2009

Tehran (Earth Times - dpa) - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani arrived in Tehran Friday for talks with his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Talabani is also due to meet with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during this three-day visit.

Expansion of bilateral ties with regards to the new US administration of President Barack Obama will top the summit's agenda.

Tehran is also expected to reiterate its demand from Talabani to expel the Iranian opposition group, the People's Mujahedin of Iran (PMOI), from Iraq.

Northern Ireland man detained in Tunisia as Gaza convoy is halted

By Emily Moulton
Friday, 27 February 2009

A Co Tyrone man who is driving a lorry to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid as part of the ‘Viva Palestina’ convoy has been detained in Tunisia.

John Hurson (39), from Dungannon, entered the north African country on Wednesday after traveling from Algeria but was stopped by Tunisian police, along with the rest of the convoy, and herded into a football stadium in the province of Gabes, more than 300kms away from the capital city of Tunis.

Yesterday, the Tunisian authorities said they would allow the convoy to continue on its journey to Gaza. However, last night the convoy remained in the country and all 120 vehicles were being kept under lock and key in the stadium.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph from the stadium in Gabes, Mr Hurson explained he had spent all day trying to get out of the sporting facility but had been repeatedly told they were being kept inside for their “own safety”.

“It’s just crazy,” he said.

“The Tunisian Government are keeping everyone under wraps. They are telling us we are not under arrest but they are not letting us out of the stadium.

“Their excuse is that it’s for our safety.

“There is some sort of civil unrest near the border at the moment. They are afraid we might spark some sort of uprising.

“Some people have managed to get away to a hostel to get showered and rest but we are all still stuck in here.

“We have been told that they might take us to a hotel tonight but our vehicles will stay in the stadium.

“It looks as if we won’t be able to leave here until Saturday.”

Before the convoy was taken to Gabes, Mr Hurson’s lorry broke down in the province of Gafsa.

He explained the Tunisian authorities had ordered the convoy to keep moving but because they were stuck on the side of the road he claimed they became a bit hostile.

Once they were able to get moving, the entire convoy met up in Gabes.

According to Press TV, two human rights activists traveling with the convoy were arrested by Tunisian police on Wednesday night.

A reporter, Yvonne Ridley, who is accompanying the convoy, told the news agency the activists were pushed into a van and taken to an undisclosed destination and that their fate remained unknown.

Mr Hurson said many in the convoy were still confused about when they would be able to re-start their trek but acknowledged the Tunisian Government had allowed mechanics into the stadium to help with repairs.

“I just have a wheel bearing that needs to be fixed, which is no problem,” he said last night.

“They have let mechanics in to fix things but in terms of the way they have handled this whole situation, it’s been a big mistake.”

The ‘Viva Palestina’ convoy was organized by Respect MP George Galloway in response to the humanitarian crisis which is currently affecting thousands of Palestinians following Israel’s military assault last month.

More than 100 vehicles, including a fire engine, ambulance and even a boat gathered outside Parliament buildings in London on Valentine’s Day and plan to travel more than 5,000 miles through cities such as Bordeaux, Madrid, Tangier, Fez, Ras Jdeir (Libyan border), Tripoli, Cairo and finally ending up at the border crossing of Rafah — sealed by Cairo despite the humanitarian crisis — in Palestine on March 9.

Afghans protest alleged NATO gunshots in mosque

By HEIDI VOGT and AMIR SHAH

KABUL (AP) — About 500 protesters blocked roads and clashed with police in southern Afghanistan on Friday, alleging international forces fired gunshots in a village mosque.

A spokesman for NATO forces said they had no reports of international troops in the area where Thursday's incident allegedly occurred.

Afghanistan's southern provinces continue to be Taliban strongholds wracked by violence, years after a U.S.-led invasion ousted the hard-line Islamists from the central government in 2001. It is often difficult in the turbulent region to separate actual incidents from Taliban propaganda, but a government delegation said the mosque door was damaged by bullets and some protesters said they had witnessed the mosque raid.

A protester reached by phone said he saw Polish forces fire their guns in a mosque in the village of Dhi Khodaidad in Ghazni province.

Abdulrahman, who only gave one name, said he was in the mosque when the troops raided. He said the bullets hit a wall but did not injure anyone.

Robert Rochowicz, spokesman for Poland's Defense Ministry, said he had "no information at all about any kind of incident concerning Polish troops in Afghanistan." He said he would have been informed if anything had happened.

A number of incidents in recent months in which NATO or U.S. strikes killed civilians have increased anger against international troops in Afghanistan, threatening the effort to drive back the Taliban. President Hamid Karzai has repeatedly called on international forces to do more to respect the local population and prevent civilian deaths.

The Ghazni protest turned violent as the crowd threw rocks at police and at least three demonstrators were wounded by gunfire before the melee calmed down, Ghazni police Chief Mohammad Zaman said.

"We don't know if the Polish forces entered a mosque or not, but the protesters are claiming that," Zaman said.

At least two bullets hit the door of the mosque, said Deputy Gov. Kazim Allayar, who led a delegation that visited the building Friday. He said he did not have further information but that government officials would meet with Polish forces Saturday to find out if they were involved.

NATO forces said an initial query turned up no reports of troops in Dhi Khodaidad, but they were continuing to investigate.

"We don't believe there were any forces in the area yesterday," said Lt. Commander Chris Hall, a NATO spokesman in Afghanistan.

Separately Friday, NATO forces said one of their troops was killed in a bomb attack in neighboring Zabul province.

The service member died in an explosion Thursday, NATO's International Security Assistance Force said. A spokesman declined to provide further details.

NATO forces typically do not release the nationalities of killed or wounded troops. A number of countries have troops in Zabul, including Romania, Canada and Britain.

President Barack Obama has ordered another 17,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan to try to fight back the strengthening insurgency. They will augment 38,000 American troops already in the country.