The Empire 291

En ook aan het noordelijk front neemt de chaos toe. Alleen de Nederlandse regering denkt nog dat het Westen met een opbouwmissie bezig is. Stuur er nog wat militairen naar toe. Dan komt het allemaal wel goed.

'Turks Demand Action, Not Words
By Matthew Schofield
McClatchy Newspapers

Ankara, Turkey - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Friday branded the Kurdistan Workers' Party a "terrorist organization" and a "common enemy" of the United States, Turkey and Iraq, but she stopped short of committing Washington to military action against the guerrilla force.
Turkey has threatened to launch military operations against the group in Iraq alone if necessary, and Turkish officials indicated that they weren't satisfied by what Rice told them in talks Friday.
"This is where the words end, and the action needs to start," Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said. "Her words were good to hear, but words offer nothing new," said another government official, who requested anonymity because he isn't an authorized spokesman.
The Bush administration has assured Turkey at least four times that it would take action against the PKK, as it's known in its Kurdish initials, but hasn't done so, in part because there are no U.S. troops in Iraq available for such a mission.
Rice's talks in the Turkish capital with President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Babacan opened a four-day period of consultations that will culminate Monday with a meeting in Washington between Erdogan and President Bush. Erdogan has said he'll decide on Turkey's actions after the meeting.
In the past month, PKK fighters operating out of northern Iraq have killed 30 Turkish soldiers and captured eight. The Turkish parliament has authorized military intervention, and the army has been in a heightened state of alert, with some 100,000 troops on the Iraqi border. State flags are on display throughout the country, and tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets calling for war against the PKK.
Rice's words were the strongest yet from the United States in the growing crisis over the PKK, which the European Union and the U.S. classify as a terrorist group. "Turkey, the United States and Iraq have a common enemy in the PKK. We have branded the PKK as a terrorist organization," she said after her talks.
She said she'd delivered a tough message to officials of the Kurdish Regional Government, which has control over the border area with Turkey.'

Lees verder: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/110307C.shtml

The Empire 290

En de chaos wordt steeds groter. In Pakistan heeft de zetbaas van Washington het laatste beetje democratie afgeschaft:

'Musharraf Declares Emergency Rule in Pakistan

By Griff Witte and Imtiaz Ali

The Washington Post

Provisional Constitution instituted, leader expected to address nation Saturday.
Islamabad, Pakistan - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf declared emergency rule Saturday, suspending the constitution amid a heavy security presence including armored personnel carriers on the streets of the capital.
Musharraf, who instituted a provisional constitution, was expected to address the nation later and cite continuing fighting in the turbulent Swat Valley as his reason.
Opposition parties quickly gathered to denounce the move, which also blocked transmission of private television broadcasts nationwide.
The chief justice of the Supreme Court, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, was removed from his job and placed under house arrest. Musharraf had suspended the judge earlier this year, but he was later reinstated.
"This is a very fateful day for the country. Pakistan is in deep, deep crisis," said Aitzaz Ahsan, Chaudhry's attorney. "It is one man against the nation." Ahsan said that he expected to be arrested later Saturday night.
With his political future hanging on an upcoming Supreme Court decision, Musharraf had been said to be considering the move if the judgment did not go his way.
The declaration is expected to bring on a wave of extremist attacks that have roiled the country in recent months, with increasingly large swaths of territory falling under the sway of insurgents.
The United States had tried to pressure Musharraf on Friday to avoid declaring emergency rule or martial law.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Friday sent a warning to Musharraf not to take authoritarian measures to hold on to power. "I think it would be quite obvious that the United States would not be supportive of extra-constitutional means," Rice said. "Pakistan needs to prepare for and hold free and fair elections."
That message was followed by a previously scheduled meeting between Musharraf and Adm. William J. Fallon, chief of the U.S. Central Command.
Musharraf won election last month to a new, five-year term as Pakistan's president. But the Supreme Court is still reviewing whether he was eligible to run in the first place.
Most analysts predict that the court will rule in Musharraf's favor and allow him to begin his new term. But the case has been dragging on for weeks, and Musharraf's current term expires Nov. 15.'

Lees verder: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/110307A.shtml

Irak 232

'UN Challenges US on Illegal Air Strikes in Iraq
By Nicolas J. S. Davies
Online Journal

Just as U.S. air operations over Iraq have reached their highest level since the destruction of Fallujah in November 2004, with as many as 70 close air support missions flown on many days since October 1, a new Human Rights Report published by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq has challenged the United States to stop killing civilians in illegal air strikes.
The Human Rights Report for the second quarter of 2007 was long overdue, and was finally published on October 11. The report explains that it was modified following discussions with U.S. and Iraqi occupation authorities, and this appears to account for the long delay in its publication. The report makes it clear that U.S. air strikes in densely populated civilian areas are violations of international human rights law. A footnote to the section on "MNF military operations and the killing of civilians" explains, "Customary international humanitarian law demands that, as much as possible, military objectives must not be located within areas densely populated by civilians. The presence of individual combatants among a great number of civilians does not alter the civilian character of an area." UNAMI demands "that all credible allegations of unlawful killings by MNF (Multi National Force) forces be thoroughly, promptly and impartially investigated, and appropriate action taken against military personnel found to have used excessive or indiscriminate force" and adds that, "The initiation of investigation into such incidents, as well as their findings, should be made public."
The UNAMI report provides the following details of 88 Iraqi civilians killed by air strikes, 15 civilians killed "in the context of raid and search operations" by U.S. ground forces and several incidents of torture and extra-judicial execution by members of Iraqi auxiliary forces under overall U.S. command. UNAMI investigated these incidents because a relative, a journalist or a local official brought each one to its attention. Without doubt, the U.S. Department of Defense is aware of many more killings of civilians by air strikes and ground operations, hence UNAMI's urgent demand for full public disclosure and investigation of all such killings. '

Lees verder: http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/iraq/fallujah/2007/1023challengeairstrikes.htm

Irak 231

'BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights 30 October 2007
Press Release

FAILING TO PROTECT
13 PALESTINIANS KILLED IN DESPERATE BOAT-RIDE FOR SAFETY

Last weekend, thirteen bodies, most likely of Palestinian refugees from Iraq,
were recovered on the coast of Italy after their boats, carrying at least 127
persons in search of safety, had broken apart. These tragedies highlight the
failure of the international community to protect Palestinian refugees.
Saving the lives of Palestinian refugees persecuted in and fleeing Iraq is a
priority. Emergency temporary protection and relocation opportunities must be
provided immediately, until repatriation becomes possible.
Badil calls upon the PLO to request all states, in particular Yemen, to allow
Palestinian refugees from Iraq to enter their territory to seek temporary
protection and/or relocation. Badil also calls upon states, the United
Nations, the PLO and civil society organizations to bring Israel into
compliance with its obligations so that Palestinian refugees can exercise
their right of return and find safety and stability through durable
solutions.
Few countries, such as Syria, Jordan, Brazil and Canada, have generously taken
in Palestinian refugees, but none have shown willingness to welcome all or
most Palestinian refugees from Iraq. Fewer still are willing to exert
pressure on Israel to allow the refugees to return to their homes of origin
in Israel and the 1967 Occupied Palestinian Territory.
In October, Sudan's president, Omar Bashir, announced that Sudan was willing
to take in Palestinian refugees stranded on the Iraqi-Syrian border.
Why Not Sudan
While the details of the Sudanese offer have remained sketchy, it has already
been rejected by Palestinian refugees from the al-Tanf camp who argue that
Sudan is not a sustainable option. Sudan has itself generated over 2.5
million refugees and its government is guilty of serious human rights
violations. While Palestinian refugees in the al-Walid camp have not yet made
their final decision, they too appear unwilling to risk their lives by
relocating to Sudan.
In many ways, Sudan is not a safe place and not able to accommodate the
refugees. More conflict between the government and rebel groups is expected,
and resources are inadequate to meet the needs of the refugees, many of whom
have undergone traumatic events and require special medical assistance.
Operations of international aid agencies, including UNHCR, are restricted as
a result of the international sanctions imposed on the government of Sudan,
and NGO assistance is generally not facilitated in government controlled
areas.
Sudan, moreover, is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention. The legal
status of Palestinian refugees in Sudan is therefore unclear, and concerns
about arbitrary treatment by the government are justified.
Yemen: a possible option?
Another and perhaps more promising option might be found in Yemen. Indeed,
Yemen has informally indicated its willingness to allow Palestinian refugees
from Iraq to enter its territory for temporary protection and/or en route to
other destinations.
This option is likely to be accepted by most refugees and access of UNHCR and
other organizations would be guaranteed, including to refugees with special
needs. Officials in Yemen have indicated that they are waiting for a formal
request from the PLO, in order to open their borders to Palestinian refugees
from Iraq. Badil believes that the PLO and UNHCR should do their utmost to
ensure that Palestinian refugees from Iraq can seek protection in Yemen, and
until their right to return to their homes of origin becomes possible.
BADIL calls upon states, the PLO, UNHCR, UNRWA and NGOs working for
Palestinian refugees to:
1)Provide Palestinian refugees in and from Iraq with temporary protection
and/or relocation opportunities, especially in Yemen which has indicated its
willingness to welcome the refugees;
2)Inform, consult and respect the wishes of the refugees;
3)Request Israel to permit the immediate return of Palestinian refugees from
Iraq to their homes of origin and redouble efforts for durable solutions;
4)Ensure that any from of protection recognizes, respects and protects the
right of return of Palestinian refugees, for example through registration
with UNRWA of entitled but previously unregistered persons.

BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights PO Box 728, Bethlehem, Palestine
Telefax: 00972-2-2747346
info@badil.org - www.badil.org'

Nederland en Afghanistan 144

'Military tribunal investigating Afghan civilian shootings delayed

RALEIGH, North Carolina: A Marine Corps legal tribunal called to investigate the killing of up to 19 Afghan civilians earlier this year has been delayed until early December, a spokesman said Tuesday.
The court of inquiry, a rare legal mechanism last used in 1956, will examine the roles of two Marines present during the shootings. It was scheduled to begin Thursday at Camp Lejeune but was tentatively pushed back because of scheduling conflicts, said Lt. Col. Sean Gibson, a Marines spokesman at Central Command.
Mark Waple, an attorney representing one of the Marines, said the defense asked for the delay so lawyers "could get through the several thousand pages of information we have to digest."
As many as 19 people were killed and 50 injured in March when members of the Marine special operations company opened fire in a crowded roadway, after their convoy was rammed by a minivan full of explosives, Army officials said. The shootings occurred in Nangahar province.
Witnesses said Marines fired at civilian cars and pedestrians, according to Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission, which said it did not find evidence the military unit was under fire.

Lees verder: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/30/america/NA-GEN-US-Afghan-Marines-Shooting.php

Irak 230

'Criminal business as usual in Iraq
By The Arab Baath Socialist Party

One Arab Nation, with an eternal mission - Unity, Freedom, Socialism

In the name of God the Most Beneficent the Most Merciful

About the day light killing of our people' sons and daughters on the hands of the US,British and Australian so called "Security civil contractors" companies Our Resisting sons and daughters!While you resist the US occupiers and their collaborators, inflict the US occupation and its forces horrendous losses, and you teach them the lessons of bitterest defeat, you confront mass murder on identity, compulsory displacement and suffer from the deprivation of any requirements for a dignified livelihood and services such as running water, electricity, fuel and you name it.. while the US, British, Australian etc.. so called security companies, shed with impunity your innocent and pure blood.. This is what ugly Blackwater gangsters have undertaken when murdering thirteen Iraqi martyrs and wounding 25 others in the al Nessur square in Baghdad's al Mansur neighborhood, for no reason and restarted their criminal business as usual in Iraq, four days only after the US puppet Maliki government fake announcement "to withdraw their permit to work in Iraq!" Everyone knows that this government has no authority whatsoever to withdraw anything, due to "Bremer' bills" who imposed these governments and all the other precedent puppet governments. For propaganda purposes entered the US declarations by Bush, Rice and their puppets about an unlikely investigation..This criminal Contractors Company and its likes go on with their criminal acts shedding with impunity the Iraqis blood with no distinction.. Yes! The Australian contractors company 'Unity' has opened fire on purpose in the Al Masbah Neighborhood and murdered two Iraqi women and wounded a third lady and all her children.. What was their crime? They happened to cross at that time an Iraqi street.. nothing else! Also the British so called security company "Erens" opened fire on Iraqi citizens in Kirkuk wounding gravely three without the slightest reaction from the Occupying forces and their puppet government..and at the same time the US intensifies its air strikes murdering the sons and daughters of our people in every Iraq districts, cities, and villages in Baghdad, Nineveh, Diyala, Al Anbar, Diwanya, Basrah.. The world over witnessed on the TV screens the US perpetrated butchery in al Tharthar region north of Baghdad in current October in which 15 women and children plus nine civilian men were murdered, when the US leveled their homes to the ground. This didn't incite the puppets, Maliki and Talabani and their cohort to utter a word.. Our dignified people' sons and daughters!'

Lees verder: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18642.htm

Klimaatverandering 118

'Civilization Ends with a Shutdown of Human Concern. Are We There Already?A powerful novel’s vision of a dystopian future shines a cold light on the dreadful consequences of our universal apathy

By George Monbiot

"The Guardian" -- -- A few weeks ago I read what I believe is the most important environmental book ever written. It is not Silent Spring, Small Is Beautiful or even Walden. It contains no graphs, no tables, no facts, figures, warnings, predictions or even arguments. Nor does it carry a single dreary sentence, which, sadly, distinguishes it from most environmental literature. It is a novel, first published a year ago, and it will change the way you see the world.Cormac McCarthy’s book The Road considers what would happen if the world lost its biosphere, and the only living creatures were humans, hunting for food among the dead wood and soot. Some years before the action begins, the protagonist hears the last birds passing over, “their half-muted crankings miles above where they circled the earth as senselessly as insects trooping the rim of a bowl”. McCarthy makes no claim that this is likely to occur, but merely speculates about the consequences.All pre-existing social codes soon collapse and are replaced with organized butchery, then chaotic, blundering horror. What else are the survivors to do? The only remaining resource is human. It is hard to see how this could happen during humanity’s time on earth, even by means of the nuclear winter McCarthy proposes. But his thought experiment exposes the one terrible fact to which our technological hubris blinds us: our dependence on biological production remains absolute. Civilization is just a russeting on the skin of the biosphere, never immune from being rubbed against the sleeve of environmental change. Six weeks after finishing The Road, I remain haunted by it.So when I read the UN’s new report on the state of the planet over the weekend, my mind kept snagging on a handful of figures. There were some bright spots - lead has been removed from petrol almost everywhere and sulphur emissions have been reduced in most rich nations - and plenty of gloom. But the issue that stopped me was production.Crop production has improved over the past 20 years (from 1.8 tons per hectare in the 1980s to 2.5 tons today), but it has not kept up with population. “World cereal production per person peaked in the 1980s, and has since slowly decreased”. There will be roughly 9 billion people by 2050: feeding them and meeting the millennium development goal on hunger [halving the proportion of hungry people] would require a doubling of world food production. Unless we cut waste, overeating, biofuels and the consumption of meat, total demand for cereal crops could rise to three times the current level.There are two limiting factors. One, mentioned only in passing in the report, is phosphate: it is not clear where future reserves might lie. The more immediate problem is water. “Meeting the millennium development goal on hunger will require doubling of water use by crops by 2050.” Where will it come from? “Water scarcity is already acute in many regions, and farming already takes the lion’s share of water withdrawn from streams and groundwater.” Ten per cent of the world’s major rivers no longer reach the sea all year round.'

Lees verder: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18641.htm