Al-Zarqawi eluded raid but left clues, source says By Richard Engel NBC News correspondent Updated: 8:05 a.m. ET April 26, 2005BAGHDAD, Iraq - American special forces were tracking Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the head of Al-Qaida in Iraq, near the town of Ramadi two months ago, but the Jordanian-born terrorist leader escaped by jumping out of a moving vehicle, a senior U.S. military source tells NBC News.Al-Zarqawi did, however, leave behind several key pieces of intelligence, the source said, the most important of which was his laptop computer.
Photos of suspected insurgents released by the military last month were taken from the "My Pictures" folder of that laptop, the source said. It was also full of telephone numbers.
Also left behind in the car was a bag with about $100,000 in euro currency. Another bag contained mini, plugin harddrives, the source said, and evidently al-Zarqawi was using these to distribute information to his network in Iraq.
How could he not anticipate the possibility of having his laptop fall in the hands of our forces? And more importantly, why on earth did he not try to at least make a feeble attempt to encrypt his files rather than simple store them on his (hehe) desktop folder "My Pictures"?
Windows XP is so user-friendly, even a terrorist thug can use it...
Al-Zarqawi eluded raid but left clues, source says
By Richard Engel Al-Zarqawi did, however, leave behind several key pieces of intelligence, the source said, the most important of which was his laptop computer. Photos of suspected insurgents released by the military last month were taken from the "My Pictures" folder of that laptop, the source said. It was also full of telephone numbers. Also left behind in the car was a bag with about $100,000 in euro currency. Another bag contained mini, plugin harddrives, the source said, and evidently al-Zarqawi was using these to distribute information to his network in Iraq. |
How could he not anticipate the possibility of having his laptop fall in the hands of our forces? And more importantly, why on earth did he not try to at least make a feeble attempt to encrypt his files rather than simple store them on his (hehe) desktop folder "My Pictures"?
Windows XP is so user-friendly, even a terrorist thug can use it...
From the AP wire
Ousted Ecuador President Flies to BrazilThat's the problem. Congress can just "declare" the presidency vacant and that he did not "fulfill his duties" rather than following their accusations with a judicial process which investigates these claims (Monicagate in the U.S., anyone?). It's no surprise Ecuador has had 3 presidents run out of office since 1997.
By MONTE HAYES, Associated Press WriterQUITO, Ecuador - Ousted Ecuadorean President Lucio Gutierrez flew to political asylum in Brazil on Sunday, four days after he was toppled by massive street protests and sought refuge from angry demonstrators in the Brazilian ambassador's residence.
[...]
Gutierrez's enemies say he should be tried for abuse of power, corruption and the violent repression of protests that prompted Wednesday's congressional vote to remove him from office.
His supporters say he was removed from power illegally, and the Organization of American States has asked Ecuador's new government to explain how Congress justified its decision to remove him for "abandonment of the post" when he was still in the Government Palace issuing orders.
Congress justified dismissing Gutierrez under a constitutional clause allowing lawmakers to remove a president for "abandonment of the post," even though he was still in the Government Palace issuing orders. Backers of the measure argued that since Gutierrez had not faithfully carried out his responsibilities, Congress should declare the presidency vacant.
In a resolution Friday, the OAS avoided explicit recognition of the government of President Alfredo Palacio, who was sworn in by Congress after Gutierrez was removed. It was not known when the OAS delegation would arrive. So far, no country has recognized the new government as legitimate.Again, no surprises here.
From the AP wire
Ousted Ecuador President Flies to BrazilThat's the problem. Congress can just "declare" the presidency vacant and that he did not "fulfill his duties" rather than following their accusations with a judicial process which investigates these claims (Monicagate in the U.S., anyone?). It's no surprise Ecuador has had 3 presidents run out of office since 1997.
By MONTE HAYES, Associated Press WriterQUITO, Ecuador - Ousted Ecuadorean President Lucio Gutierrez flew to political asylum in Brazil on Sunday, four days after he was toppled by massive street protests and sought refuge from angry demonstrators in the Brazilian ambassador's residence.
[...]
Gutierrez's enemies say he should be tried for abuse of power, corruption and the violent repression of protests that prompted Wednesday's congressional vote to remove him from office.
His supporters say he was removed from power illegally, and the Organization of American States has asked Ecuador's new government to explain how Congress justified its decision to remove him for "abandonment of the post" when he was still in the Government Palace issuing orders.
Congress justified dismissing Gutierrez under a constitutional clause allowing lawmakers to remove a president for "abandonment of the post," even though he was still in the Government Palace issuing orders. Backers of the measure argued that since Gutierrez had not faithfully carried out his responsibilities, Congress should declare the presidency vacant.
In a resolution Friday, the OAS avoided explicit recognition of the government of President Alfredo Palacio, who was sworn in by Congress after Gutierrez was removed. It was not known when the OAS delegation would arrive. So far, no country has recognized the new government as legitimate.Again, no surprises here.
Luis Gomez of NarcoNews has posted, "Analysis from an Ecuadoran Reader," (Fabián Avila)
Enter the NarcoSphere to read his native perspective. (Lo siento gringos, lo es en Espanol)
Okay okay, "sorry gringos, it's in Spanish"
Luis Gomez of NarcoNews has posted, "Analysis from an Ecuadoran Reader," (Fabián Avila)
Enter the NarcoSphere to read his native perspective. (Lo siento gringos, lo es en Espanol)
Okay okay, "sorry gringos, it's in Spanish"
Again, from La Hora:
QUITO--"The new government of Ecuador requires no recognition from the international community because it is complying with a disposition of the Constitution for presidential succession," expressed the National Minister of Defense, General(R)Solón Espinosa, Friday.Meanwhile, Gutiérrez also said via phone to his supporters, that Congress dismissed him "in an unconstitutional way, with 60 votes, without political judgment and without his having abandoned the charge (of the president)."
"There has been no recognition for a simple reason, because the present government is complying with a disposition that is evident in the Constitution of the Republic", he affirmed.Espinosa added that the constitution, "says that when the president abandons the presidency of the Republic, the vice president will assume the functions by the time he leaves." - AFP
Again, from La Hora:
QUITO--"The new government of Ecuador requires no recognition from the international community because it is complying with a disposition of the Constitution for presidential succession," expressed the National Minister of Defense, General(R)Solón Espinosa, Friday.Meanwhile, Gutiérrez also said via phone to his supporters, that Congress dismissed him "in an unconstitutional way, with 60 votes, without political judgment and without his having abandoned the charge (of the president)."
"There has been no recognition for a simple reason, because the present government is complying with a disposition that is evident in the Constitution of the Republic", he affirmed.Espinosa added that the constitution, "says that when the president abandons the presidency of the Republic, the vice president will assume the functions by the time he leaves." - AFP
Roughly translated from the article printed in La Hora.
"I continue being the President of Ecuador. I am with a clear conscience that I have done these things with honesty, because the same old politicians, the Ecuadorian oligarchy do not want the Courts to be depoliticized. I am not a thief, on the contrary, I charged the debt to the debtors, the delinquents. [sic] (--ed. unable to translate)." indicated Gutiérrez, via telephone to LA HORA MANABITA.If you can read Spanish, continue reading the rest of the article at La Hora.Gutiérrez admitted that by being isolated he cannot formulate statements to the press; nevertheless, he maintained a dialogue with members of Patriotic Society. "The oligarchy does not want an honest President, a President of the people, to continue in the Presidency", he said and demanded the members of his party be solidly united.
Roughly translated from the article printed in La Hora.
"I continue being the President of Ecuador. I am with a clear conscience that I have done these things with honesty, because the same old politicians, the Ecuadorian oligarchy do not want the Courts to be depoliticized. I am not a thief, on the contrary, I charged the debt to the debtors, the delinquents. [sic] (--ed. unable to translate)." indicated Gutiérrez, via telephone to LA HORA MANABITA.If you can read Spanish, continue reading the rest of the article at La Hora.Gutiérrez admitted that by being isolated he cannot formulate statements to the press; nevertheless, he maintained a dialogue with members of Patriotic Society. "The oligarchy does not want an honest President, a President of the people, to continue in the Presidency", he said and demanded the members of his party be solidly united.
From the OAS press release following the convening of the Permanent Council earlier this afternoon:
The Organization of American States (OAS) today decided to send a high-level mission to Ecuador “to work with officials of that country and with all sectors of Ecuadorian society in their effort to strengthen democracy.”I guess "nonintervention" can be translated into "not sending in blue helments like the U.N." but rather provide Democratic cheerleaders to encourage a return to stability of the democratic process.The decision to send the mission was made in accordance with Article 18 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and in keeping with an invitation issued today by a delegation of Ecuador during a special session of the Permanent Council. The resolution adopted by consensus also refers to the OAS Charter, noting that one of the Organization’s essential purposes is “to promote and consolidate representative democracy, with due respect for the principle of nonintervention." [sic] ... The delegation of Ecuador came to the OAS today “to demand its solidarity” with the Ecuadorian people and government.
P.S. How the heck do you "demand solidarity"??? Solidarity is such a commie word.
You can read the OAS draft resolution on the Ecuadoran crisis here. It's a cute testament to the hope that graduates with degrees in "international relations" have a future in joining organizations who have no power to enforce their friendly little "resolutions" while people riot and loot in the streets.
From the OAS press release following the convening of the Permanent Council earlier this afternoon:
The Organization of American States (OAS) today decided to send a high-level mission to Ecuador “to work with officials of that country and with all sectors of Ecuadorian society in their effort to strengthen democracy.”I guess "nonintervention" can be translated into "not sending in blue helments like the U.N." but rather provide Democratic cheerleaders to encourage a return to stability of the democratic process.The decision to send the mission was made in accordance with Article 18 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and in keeping with an invitation issued today by a delegation of Ecuador during a special session of the Permanent Council. The resolution adopted by consensus also refers to the OAS Charter, noting that one of the Organization’s essential purposes is “to promote and consolidate representative democracy, with due respect for the principle of nonintervention." [sic] ... The delegation of Ecuador came to the OAS today “to demand its solidarity” with the Ecuadorian people and government.
P.S. How the heck do you "demand solidarity"??? Solidarity is such a commie word.
You can read the OAS draft resolution on the Ecuadoran crisis here. It's a cute testament to the hope that graduates with degrees in "international relations" have a future in joining organizations who have no power to enforce their friendly little "resolutions" while people riot and loot in the streets.
From Ecuador's La Hora newspaper:
Moscú expresa preocupación por crisis política en EcuadorI don't feel like translating this morning, so here is the Freetranslation.com rough translation (with a few obvious errors fixed).Moscú--El Ministerio ruso de Asuntos Exteriores expresó hoy, viernes, su "preocupación" por la crisis política en Ecuador y se pronunció a favor de una solución en el marco de la Constitución y el orden en ese país andino.
"Moscú sigue con atención el desarrollo de la situación política en Ecuador que se ha agudizado los últimos días", dice la nota del ministerio difundida a la prensa.
Según el Ministerio ruso, la crisis en Ecuador es grave por las manifestaciones masivas en la capital y otras ciudades del país que llevaron a la destitución de Lucio Gutiérrez como presidente y su reemplazo al frente de la jefatura del Estado por el vicepresidente Alfredo Palacio.
"Expresamos nuestra confianza en que la sociedad ecuatoriana podrá salir de la crisis, evitará la violencia y logrará un compromiso en aras de la estabilización y el desarrollo democrático del país", añade la nota.
EFE
The Russian Department of Exterior Matters expressed today, Friday, its "worry" by the political crisis in Ecuador and was pronounced in favor of a solution in the framework of the Constitution and the order in that Andean country.My question is, why the heck does Russia give a flying monkey dookie about Ecuador's troubles?"Moscow continues its attention on the development of the political situation in Ecuador that has been intensified in the last days", the note of the department diffused to the press says.
According to the Russian Department, the crisis in Ecuador is serious by the massive demonstrations in the capital and other cities of the country that carried to the dismissal of Gutiérrez as the president and his replacement by the vice president Alfredo Palacio.
"We express our confidence in which the Ecuadorian society will be able to leave the crisis, will avoid the violence and will achieve a commitment for the sake of the stabilization and the democratic development of the country", adds the note.
I can't locate the article I read on the newswires yesterday, but after SOS Rice returned from her visit to Moscow, there was talk about Russia's new "soft approach" to politics...something about a "department of cultural relations" to "peacefully" and gently deal with Russia's neighbors.
Last time I checked, Ecuador was not a neighbor...unless Putin is stuck in his old Commie Mode and thinks Cuba is still their Caribbean missile silo.
From Ecuador's La Hora newspaper:
Moscú expresa preocupación por crisis política en EcuadorI don't feel like translating this morning, so here is the Freetranslation.com rough translation (with a few obvious errors fixed).Moscú--El Ministerio ruso de Asuntos Exteriores expresó hoy, viernes, su "preocupación" por la crisis política en Ecuador y se pronunció a favor de una solución en el marco de la Constitución y el orden en ese país andino.
"Moscú sigue con atención el desarrollo de la situación política en Ecuador que se ha agudizado los últimos días", dice la nota del ministerio difundida a la prensa.
Según el Ministerio ruso, la crisis en Ecuador es grave por las manifestaciones masivas en la capital y otras ciudades del país que llevaron a la destitución de Lucio Gutiérrez como presidente y su reemplazo al frente de la jefatura del Estado por el vicepresidente Alfredo Palacio.
"Expresamos nuestra confianza en que la sociedad ecuatoriana podrá salir de la crisis, evitará la violencia y logrará un compromiso en aras de la estabilización y el desarrollo democrático del país", añade la nota.
EFE
The Russian Department of Exterior Matters expressed today, Friday, its "worry" by the political crisis in Ecuador and was pronounced in favor of a solution in the framework of the Constitution and the order in that Andean country.My question is, why the heck does Russia give a flying monkey dookie about Ecuador's troubles?"Moscow continues its attention on the development of the political situation in Ecuador that has been intensified in the last days", the note of the department diffused to the press says.
According to the Russian Department, the crisis in Ecuador is serious by the massive demonstrations in the capital and other cities of the country that carried to the dismissal of Gutiérrez as the president and his replacement by the vice president Alfredo Palacio.
"We express our confidence in which the Ecuadorian society will be able to leave the crisis, will avoid the violence and will achieve a commitment for the sake of the stabilization and the democratic development of the country", adds the note.
I can't locate the article I read on the newswires yesterday, but after SOS Rice returned from her visit to Moscow, there was talk about Russia's new "soft approach" to politics...something about a "department of cultural relations" to "peacefully" and gently deal with Russia's neighbors.
Last time I checked, Ecuador was not a neighbor...unless Putin is stuck in his old Commie Mode and thinks Cuba is still their Caribbean missile silo.
(AP) - Japan's prime minister apologized Friday for his country's World War II aggression in Asia in a bid to defuse tensions with regional rival China, but a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said the apology needed to be backed up with action after Japanese lawmakers made a controversial visit to a war shrine. Just hours before Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi apologized, a Cabinet minister and more than 80 Japanese lawmakers visited a Tokyo shrine to Japan's war dead. China's Foreign Ministry expressed "strong dissatisfaction over the negative actions of some Japanese politicians" in visiting the Yasukuni Shrine, which also honor's Japan's executed war criminals. |
It's like me apologizing for American slavery. *Newsflash* My grandfather was born on a boat on the way over from Hungary. My mother's side were poor southern Delaware farmers and never owned slaves. Therefore, no apologies for my ancestors.
Everytime a POTUS visits the African continent, someone always asks, "Will this be the time they apologize for enslaving our people?" And each time, someone is disapointed. The POTUS usually talks about how tragic the practice of slave trading was in the history of Western civilization, but nothing more.
Muslims want the Vatican to apologize for the Crusades.
Now, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is apologizing for his country's "aggression in Asia."
Please. It's called "live and learn..."
I'll never hold the entire German people responsible for Nazi Germany, nor the Italians for Mussolini's reign, nor Serbia for igniting WWI nor the Romans for enslaving Spartans.
Deal with it.
All reporting by Luis Gomez and Dan Feder of NarcoNews (unless otherwise noted).
***'s indicate time elapse between updates. All updates will be added to this blog post so check back here or go to the Narcosphere.
(The MSM can go play in traffic for their lack of coverage)
A few minutes ago, in a private session with the majority of the Ecuadorian congressmen and congresswomen in attendance, has named Alfredo Palacio as the new president of Ecuador.According to reports on Radio Sucre, congresswoman Cinthya Viteri, president of the Congress, swore in Palacio. The former vice president said in his first speech that the people of Ecuador, particularly the people of Quito, decided to end the dictatorship, immorality, arrogance, terror, and fear.
A few moments ago, military sources confirmed that Lucio Gutiérrez has abandoned the Carondelet Palace accompanied by his wife and a few aides. The only information known at the moment is that he has requested political asylum at the Panamanian embassy
***UPDATE***
According to Venezuelas Globovision, Lucio Gutiérrez is indeed in the Brazilian embassy, where he has requested political asylum in that country. He seems to have arrived there by helicopter after protesters prevented him from leaving the coutnry by airplane. Protesters hope to prevent him from leaving the country, in order to bring charges against him in Ecuadorian courts.It is still difficult to know quite what is happening in the wake of Gutiérrez abandoning the presidency. Voices on Radio La Luna, one of the main forces behind the movement in Quito, report rumors that members of the military high command, who earlier had declared their support for Gutiérrez despite the obvious popular rejection of his rule, have decided not to recognizes Palacio as the legitimate president of Ecuador.
It is not clear where Palacio is at the moment, and for some time now he has not appeared at the presidential palace, Carondelet, or made any statement. Callers from the streets have also reported pro-Gutiérrez agents trying to provoke violence in the streets. All this has led some to wonder if the military is preparing a coup detat against the man who legally took the presidency today with the backing of Congress.
Hopefully, Palacios whereabouts will be known soon and nasty rumors of a military coup can be written off as just that.
The headline at the website for the Brazilian daily O Globo reads: Brasil dá asilo ao presidente do Equador ("Brazil gives asylum to president of Ecuador.") (The articles can't be accessed without a subscription.) This is somewhat surprising Venezuela had already denied Gutiérrez asylum, and he was expected to try to head to Panama. He is now hiding out in the Brazilian embassy, with Ecuadorian police under orders to arrest him on sight.The coup scenario described above seems to have been, as hoped, merely rumor. As I listen to Radio La Luna, whoever is speaking now just closed an emotional commentary saying: Last night, we slept under a dictatorship. This morning, we woke up to a dictatorship. But tonight we can sleep in peace. The new president, Alfredo Palacio, has already suggested the possibility of holding a new constitutional assembly, in response to popular demands for creating a new country.
The Organization of American States will hold a special meeting tomorrow to discuss the crisis in Ecuador.
On Thursday, the Organization of American States gave Ecuador a 24-hour deadline to explain how Congress justified dismissing Gutierrez under a constitutional clause allowing legislators to remove a president for "abandonment of the post" while he was still in the Government Palace issuing orders. (AP)¡Ten cuidado, Ecuador! ¡La mala OAS espantosa y grande le atacará!
(Translation of "eh" Spanish: "Watch out, Ecuador! The big bad scary OAS will get you!")
Somewhat amusingly, Ecuador's legislature outted President Abdala Bucaram for "mental incapacity" in 1997.
From an OAS press release:
Permanent Representative of Ecuador, Jaime Barberis, described the recent events in his country and said that the situation in the last hours is by no means a case of “an alteration of constitutional regime that seriously impairs the democratic order.” Barberis added that “it is, on the contrary, a case of presidential succession within the framework established in the political constitution and other laws of the Republic.”
All reporting by Luis Gomez and Dan Feder of NarcoNews (unless otherwise noted).
***'s indicate time elapse between updates. All updates will be added to this blog post so check back here or go to the Narcosphere.
(The MSM can go play in traffic for their lack of coverage)
A few minutes ago, in a private session with the majority of the Ecuadorian congressmen and congresswomen in attendance, has named Alfredo Palacio as the new president of Ecuador.According to reports on Radio Sucre, congresswoman Cinthya Viteri, president of the Congress, swore in Palacio. The former vice president said in his first speech that the people of Ecuador, particularly the people of Quito, decided to end the dictatorship, immorality, arrogance, terror, and fear.
A few moments ago, military sources confirmed that Lucio Gutiérrez has abandoned the Carondelet Palace accompanied by his wife and a few aides. The only information known at the moment is that he has requested political asylum at the Panamanian embassy
According to Venezuelas Globovision, Lucio Gutiérrez is indeed in the Brazilian embassy, where he has requested political asylum in that country. He seems to have arrived there by helicopter after protesters prevented him from leaving the coutnry by airplane. Protesters hope to prevent him from leaving the country, in order to bring charges against him in Ecuadorian courts.It is still difficult to know quite what is happening in the wake of Gutiérrez abandoning the presidency. Voices on Radio La Luna, one of the main forces behind the movement in Quito, report rumors that members of the military high command, who earlier had declared their support for Gutiérrez despite the obvious popular rejection of his rule, have decided not to recognizes Palacio as the legitimate president of Ecuador.
It is not clear where Palacio is at the moment, and for some time now he has not appeared at the presidential palace, Carondelet, or made any statement. Callers from the streets have also reported pro-Gutiérrez agents trying to provoke violence in the streets. All this has led some to wonder if the military is preparing a coup detat against the man who legally took the presidency today with the backing of Congress.
Hopefully, Palacios whereabouts will be known soon and nasty rumors of a military coup can be written off as just that.
The headline at the website for the Brazilian daily O Globo reads: Brasil dá asilo ao presidente do Equador ("Brazil gives asylum to president of Ecuador.") (The articles can't be accessed without a subscription.) This is somewhat surprising Venezuela had already denied Gutiérrez asylum, and he was expected to try to head to Panama. He is now hiding out in the Brazilian embassy, with Ecuadorian police under orders to arrest him on sight.The coup scenario described above seems to have been, as hoped, merely rumor. As I listen to Radio La Luna, whoever is speaking now just closed an emotional commentary saying: Last night, we slept under a dictatorship. This morning, we woke up to a dictatorship. But tonight we can sleep in peace. The new president, Alfredo Palacio, has already suggested the possibility of holding a new constitutional assembly, in response to popular demands for creating a new country.
The Organization of American States will hold a special meeting tomorrow to discuss the crisis in Ecuador.
Uh-oh...according to the AP, the Latin United Nations is setting deadlines for action...
On Thursday, the Organization of American States gave Ecuador a 24-hour deadline to explain how Congress justified dismissing Gutierrez under a constitutional clause allowing legislators to remove a president for "abandonment of the post" while he was still in the Government Palace issuing orders. (AP)¡Ten cuidado, Ecuador! ¡La mala OAS espantosa y grande le atacará!
(Translation of "eh" Spanish: "Watch out, Ecuador! The big bad scary OAS will get you!")
Somewhat amusingly, Ecuador's legislature outted President Abdala Bucaram for "mental incapacity" in 1997.
From an OAS press release:
Permanent Representative of Ecuador, Jaime Barberis, described the recent events in his country and said that the situation in the last hours is by no means a case of “an alteration of constitutional regime that seriously impairs the democratic order.” Barberis added that “it is, on the contrary, a case of presidential succession within the framework established in the political constitution and other laws of the Republic.”
Arizona Republic editor Phil Boas:
Here’s what newspaper editors and writers should know about this new Internet phenomenon. Bloggers don’t have much respect for you. You are the “legacy media,” the MSM.
You’re the Roman Catholic Church to their Martin Luther and his new high-speed cable modem. |
Charles has the rest.
Ecuador President Dissolves Supreme Court By MONTE HAYES, Associated Press Writer QUITO, Ecuador - President Lucio Gutierrez declared a state of emergency in the capital city of this Andean nation and dissolved the Supreme Court, saying the unpopular judges were the cause of three days of pot-banging street protests in Quito. |
Don't look now, they're at it again...
12.04.05 | France | Karl von Wogau, Chairman of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Security and Defence, today urged the EU's plenary session gathered in Strasbourg to ascertain whether or not the sale of weapons by Spain to Venezuela violates the Code of Conduct on Arms Exports of the European Union. During the opening of the plenary session of the European Parliament at its seat in the French city, the German member of the EU parliament warned that the exportation of arms to Venezuela may very well go against the Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, agreed to by countries of the EU and in force since 1998.
Von Wogau urged the president of the European Parliament, Josep Borrell, a Spanish member of the EUP, to “verify to what extent these actions infringe upon the resolutions” of the code in question, so reported AFP. According to the German member of the parliament, the contract may very well violate the fourth point of the aforementioned code, which establishes that member States are to refrain from exporting arms to third countries if it entails a threat against the peace, security and stability of the region. During his address, von Wogau also raised the question as to whether the aforementioned sale is in compliance with the “Principle of Prudence” to which the European Union and its member States must adhere anytime they export arms to third countries. Last Wednesday, US Secretary of Defence Ronald Rumsfeld openly criticised Spain for the sale of weapons to Venezuela, affirming that it had been an “error” on the part of the Spanish government. |
Source: V-Crisis
See also the article from El Universal.
Spain sold €540.000 worth of chemical warfare agents to Venezuela
07.04.05 | During the first semester of 2004 Spain sold chemical warfare agents and radioactive materials to Venezuela worth €539.603 according to a report entitled "Spanish exports of defence materials and related products and technologies". The report, produced by Spain's Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, was revealed to Europe Press. Venezuela appeared as the twelfth buyer of such defence material to Spain for the period that saw José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero winning the vote over Partido Popular. Chemical Warfare Report's statistics show that Venezuela was the only country under the category "countries to which chemical warfare agents and radioactive materials were sold". Worth noting that the said category includes "biological and nerve agents destined to chemical warfare" of which Venezuela bought €30.374. Another €509.229 consisted of "paramilitary and security material" which encompasses "firearms or gas weapons, bombs, grenades, explosives, armoured and all terrain vehicles, water canons, telescopic sights and night vision devices, etc." Double Use Venezuela was the third buyer of "double use products" (civil and military) accounting for 11.5% of Spain's exports. The government of Venezuela spent €1.613.742 in "substances for the petrochemical and tanning industries". Translated by Aleksander Boyd |
H/T: Barcepundit (I insist you read the rest of his post...or else!)
Sergeant Jennings received a wound in the left knee when the patrol was ambushed by rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. Despite his wound, he continued to provide aid to the mortally wounded patrol leader and the radio operator. After providing first aid and calling for a medical evacuation, he continued to engage and eliminated two enemy with precision fire from an overwatch position. Despite the shrapnel wound to his knee, he completed a foot movement to a distant intersection where the patrol was again ambushed by small arms fire. He provided fire in support of the patrol and fatally wounded another insurgent with his sniper rifle. During a lull in the fighting, he removed the shrapnel from his knee with his knife and ignored medical attention in order to support the patrol. On 17 November, he fought between posts at the Al Anbar Provincial Government Center helping thwart an attack by the enemy, firing 200 rounds from a squad automatic weapon over the government center wall to cover a blind spot being exploited by insurgents. |
I strongly encourage you to read the whole situation report in its entirety.
Semper Fidelis!
4 Iraqi kids, collecting trash, killed by bomb (AP) BAGHDAD, Iraq - Four children collecting trash were killed Friday by a homemade bomb in Baghdad, and masked gunmen killed an Iraqi Army officer in a restaurant in the southern city of Basra, police said. The children died in the New Baghdad neighborhood in the southeast section of the city, police Capt. Sabah Hamid Al-Fartosi said. Insurgents frequently use hidden roadside bombs against U.S. and Iraqi Army convoys. |
Hey, los terroristas, I have to ask you, "Was it worth it??!!?"
Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously during a White House ceremony April 4, 2005. The official citation will be made available after the White House Presentation.
Baghdad Airport, April 4, 2003.
Bravo Company's view of Highway 8 leading East into Baghdad. The berms were created by combat engineers to impede an enemy attack. Click for a bigger picture.On April 4, 2003, the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, attacked to seize Objective Lions, the Baghdad International Airport. As part of the Brigade scheme of maneuver, Task Force 2-7 Infantry was tasked to establish a blocking position against a brigade-sized counterattack on the main entrance to the airfield. Task Force 2-7 had been fighting for three consecutive days and had moved through the night before reaching the blocking position. Morale was high, but Soldiers were experiencing fatigue. B Company, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment (Knight) was in the east-most position oriented along the main avenue of approach ready for the main enemy counterattack. A Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment (Rage) was attacking to the southeast of the Highway.
The main entrance to the airfield was a four-lane highway with a median to separate incoming and outgoing traffic. Large masonry walls with towers approximately 100 meters apart bound the highway. On the morning of April 4, 2003, more than 100 soldiers from the Task Force 2-7 Forward Aid Station, mortars, scouts and portions of B Company, 11th Engineer Battalion were in the median behind the forward most blocking positions. The B Company, 11th Engineer Battalion 2nd Platoon Leader was on a reconnaissance mission with the B Company, Task Force 2-7 Infantry Commander. During his absence, 2nd Platoon received the mission to construct an Enemy Prisoner of War holding area. Sgt. 1st Class Smith was in charge of 2nd Platoon.
Sgt. 1st Class Smith assessed the best location to be behind the masonry wall bounding the highway. Two guard towers along the wall were ideally situated to provide overwatch to the holding area. An M9 armored combat earthmover (ACE) knocked a hole in the wall to create an opening to a large courtyard with a louvered metal gate on the north side. With the help of a squad leader and team leader, Sgt. 1st Class Smith checked the far side of the courtyard for enemy, found none, and posted two guards. From the guard post at the gate small groupings of buildings were 100-200 meters to the northeast. To the northwest, a large white building with a white dome was visible. The location seemed perfect as the courtyard was along the northern flank of the blocking position and enemy actions to this point were mostly from the east.
Sgt. 1st Class Smith's view from his position in the courtyard. Iraqi troops were firing from the tower on the left, and climbing over the wall in front. Click for a bigger picture.While an engineer squad began to clear debris in the courtyard, one of the guards saw 10-15 enemy soldiers with small arms, 60mm mortars, and rocket-propelled grenades (RPG). These were the lead elements of an organized company-sized force making a deliberate attack on the flank of Task Force 2-7. Sgt. 1st Class Smith came to the position and identified 25-50 more soldiers moving into prepared fighting positions. Sgt. 1st Class Smith instructed a squad leader to get a nearby Bradley Fighting Vehicle for support. While waiting for the Bradley, Sgt. 1st Class Smith had members of 2nd platoon retrieve AT-4 weapons and form a skirmish line outside the gate. By this time, the number of enemy identified rose to 100 soldiers, now a confirmed company-sized attack. Three of B Company’s M113A3 armored personnel carriers (APC) oriented .50-cal. machineguns toward the opening in the wall and the surrounding guard towers, now occupied by enemy soldiers.
Sgt. 1st Class Smith’s actions to organize a defense against the deliberate attack were not only effective, but inspired the B Company, 11th Engineer Battalion Soldiers. He then began to lead by example. As the Bradley arrived on site and moved through the hole in the wall toward the gate, Sgt. 1st Class Smith ran to the gate wall and threw a fragmentation grenade at the enemy. He then took two Soldiers forward to join the guards and directed their engagement of the enemy with small arms. The enemy continued to fire rifles, RPGs, and 60mm mortars at the Soldiers on the street and within the courtyard. Enemy soldiers began moving along the buildings on the north side of the clearing to get into position to climb into the towers. Sgt. 1st Class Smith called for an APC to move forward to provide additional fire support. Sgt. 1st Class Smith then fired an AT-4 at the enemy while directing his fire team assembled near the front line of the engagement area.
Running low on ammunition and having taken RPG hits, the Bradley withdrew to reload. The lead APC in the area received a direct hit from a mortar, wounding the three occupants. The enemy attack was at its strongest point and every action counted. Not only were the wounded Soldiers threatened but also more than 100 Soldiers from B Company, the Task Force Aid Station, and the Mortar Platoon were at risk.
Sgt. 1st Class Smith ordered one of his Soldiers to back the damaged APC back into the courtyard after the wounded men had been evacuated. Knowing the APC ’s .50-Cal. machinegun was the largest weapon between the enemy and the friendly position, Sgt. 1st Class Smith immediately assumed the track commander’s position behind the weapon, and told a soldier who accompanied him to “feed me ammunition whenever you hear the gun get quiet.” Sgt. 1st Class Smith fired on the advancing enemy from the unprotected position atop the APC and expended at least three boxes of ammunition before being mortally wounded by enemy fire. The enemy attack was defeated. Sgt. 1st Class Smith’s actions saved the lives of at least 100 Soldiers, caused the failure of a deliberate enemy attack hours after 1st Brigade seized the Baghdad Airport, and resulted in an estimated 20-50 enemy soldiers killed. His actions inspired his platoon, his Company, the 11th Engineer Battalion and Task Force 2-7 Infantry.
Sgt. 1st Class Smith’s actions to lead Soldiers in direct contact with a numerically superior enemy--to personally engage the enemy with a fragmentation grenade, AT-4, and individual weapon, to ultimately assume the track commander’s position to fire the .50-Cal. machinegun through at least three boxes of ammunition before being mortally wounded--demonstrates conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. His actions prevented a penetration in the Task Force 2-7 sector, defended the aid station, mortars, and scouts, and allowed the evacuation of Soldiers wounded by indirect enemy fire.
(All content above from the U.S. ARMY. Click for more details on this honorable soldier.)
ALSO Be sure to watch the Hall of Heroes Induction LIVE on Army.mil April 5, 2005, at 11 a.m. EST
UPDATE: The President's Medal of Honor ceremony speech is online now here.
Volunteers to Patrol Arizona-Mexico Border By JACQUES BILLEAUD, Associated Press TOMBSTONE, Ariz. - About 450 volunteers gathered Friday for a monthlong effort to patrol the Mexican border for illegal immigrants and smugglers, an organizer of the project said. The idea, according to organizers of the Minuteman Project, is for the volunteers to fan out across 23 miles of the San Pedro Valley to watch the border and report any illegal activity to federal agents — an exercise some law enforcement authorities and others fear could lead to vigilante violence. Many volunteers were recruited over the Internet and some plan to be armed. Patrols are to begin Monday. Chris Simcox, Minuteman field operations director, said 450 people were willing to participate in at least one shift in the desert. He wouldn't say how many had registered or had participated in orientation. Others would arrive later in the month, he said. Jim Gilchrist, a retired accountant from California who organized the project, said earlier at least 100 volunteers had registered. Gilchrist said the government has said for decades it's responsible for, and will deal with illegal immigration. "We are no longer in the request mode, the suggest mode, or the recommendation mode," Gilchrist said. "We are in the demand mode." During orientation, volunteers heard speakers supporting the project, including Bay Buchanan, chairwoman of the conservative American Cause organization and sister of former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan. "You have accomplished an enormous amount already," she said, noting the effort had drawn the attention of Mexican President Vicente Fox, who has vowed to take legal action against migrant-hunting vigilantes in Arizona. Colorado Republican Rep. Tom Tancredo, a supporter of tougher border enforcement, praised the group, telling them: "You are not vigilantes, you are heroes in my book." [--ed. I second that, Congressman.] The Arizona-Mexico border is considered the most vulnerable stretch of the 2,000-mile southern border. Of the 1.1 million illegal immigrants caught by the Border Patrol last year, 51 percent crossed into the country at the Arizona border. In Mexico City, authorities Friday said about 70 officials will keep tabs on the project to determine whether migrants are abused. "We want (migrants) to know we'll be on alert to make sure their human rights are not violated," said Arturo Salinas, Mexico's assistant interior secretary. Human rights activists expressed concern the volunteers may abuse immigrants or get into violent confrontations with smugglers. "The newspapers and the TV cameras are hoping something will go wrong and somebody will get hurt or somebody will do something stupid and that will draw attention," said Robert Ordway from nearby Sierra Vista. "That ain't going to happen. We're not here to do that. We are here to support the Border Patrol, support the laws of the country and that's what we're after." |
At Least 20 U.S. Troops Hurt in Mass Iraq Jail Attack By Luke Baker BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Dozens of insurgents mounted a sustained attack on Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad on Saturday, detonating two suicide car bombs and firing rocket- propelled grenades before U.S. troops repelled the assault. At least 20 U.S. soldiers and 12 detainees were wounded in the carefully planned attack, which began at around 1500 GMT and lasted for around an hour, the U.S. military said. "A group of between 40 and 60 insurgents attacked the U.S. forward operating base at Abu Ghraib," Lieutenant Colonel Guy Rudisill, spokesman for detainee affairs, told Reuters. "They detonated two VBIEDs (suicide car bombs) and also fired rocket-propelled grenades into the prison camp ... it was a sustained attack," he said. Mortars and small arms fire were also directed toward the prison, on Baghdad's western edge. "The attacks were intermittent. They would fire RPGs and then stop, then they would attack again," Rudisill said. U.S. forces responded with heavy weapons, eventually bringing the situation under control. It was not known how many insurgents were wounded or killed in the battle. |