Thursday, October 11, 2007
Ex Defence Minsiter To Hang
Ex Iraqi Defence Minister, Sultan Hashim Ahmed al-Tai, is to be hanged in Iraq in the next few days for war crimes. However, Rick Francona an Air Force lieutenant colonel during the Iraq war believes that the sentence should be commuted.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Turkey Ups The Ante
Turkey has stirred up the quagmire of Iraq, by threatening a cross border raid. A council of Turkey's top political and military leaders issued a statement yesterday allowing troops to cross the border, in order to eliminate separatist Kurdish rebel camps in the border area of Northern Iraq.
This idea, needless to say, is not welcome. The United States strongly opposes the idea, not least because this is one of the few areas in Iraq that is actually stable.
The office of Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, issued a statement saying that the offices and institutions of the Turkish government have been ordered "to take all economic and political measures, including cross-border operations when necessary, in order to end the existence of the terror organization in a neighboring country."
Ironically an agreement between Turkey and Iraq, during Saddam Hussein's rule, did allow Turkey to make cross-border raids without prior approval.
PKK rebels currently carry out attacks on Turkey, then disappear across the border to mountain hideouts in the predominantly Kurdish region of Northern Iraq.
This idea, needless to say, is not welcome. The United States strongly opposes the idea, not least because this is one of the few areas in Iraq that is actually stable.
The office of Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, issued a statement saying that the offices and institutions of the Turkish government have been ordered "to take all economic and political measures, including cross-border operations when necessary, in order to end the existence of the terror organization in a neighboring country."
Ironically an agreement between Turkey and Iraq, during Saddam Hussein's rule, did allow Turkey to make cross-border raids without prior approval.
PKK rebels currently carry out attacks on Turkey, then disappear across the border to mountain hideouts in the predominantly Kurdish region of Northern Iraq.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Brown Announces Pullout
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, in an attempt to shore up his poll ratings, has announced that Britain will cut its forces in Iraq by half in the spring.
This will reduce the British presence in Iraq to around 2,500 troops. It is expected that there will be a total pullout before the next British general election (now expected to be in 2009).
Quite how well this announcement went down in Washington is unclear. However, some wise heads in the media (LA Times) note that the US Administration should follow suit:
"So the British will not leave behind a peaceful Basra, but they are nonetheless right to leave it. The United States should take note and recognize that it is a delusion to believe that any foreign occupier can stop Iraqi factions hellbent on fighting for power. We owe the Iraqis our best efforts at mediation, but to insist on stability as a prerequisite for withdrawal is to commit to indefinite and fruitless military occupation."
This will reduce the British presence in Iraq to around 2,500 troops. It is expected that there will be a total pullout before the next British general election (now expected to be in 2009).
Quite how well this announcement went down in Washington is unclear. However, some wise heads in the media (LA Times) note that the US Administration should follow suit:
"So the British will not leave behind a peaceful Basra, but they are nonetheless right to leave it. The United States should take note and recognize that it is a delusion to believe that any foreign occupier can stop Iraqi factions hellbent on fighting for power. We owe the Iraqis our best efforts at mediation, but to insist on stability as a prerequisite for withdrawal is to commit to indefinite and fruitless military occupation."
Monday, October 08, 2007
Aziz Ill
It is reported that the health of former Iraqi deputy prime minister, Tariq Aziz, is deteriorating as a result of his hunger strike.
Aziz went on strike last month, as a protest against his transfer to the custody of Iraqi authorities.
His lawyers have requested an independent medical examination.
Aziz went on strike last month, as a protest against his transfer to the custody of Iraqi authorities.
His lawyers have requested an independent medical examination.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Saddam's Number Two
Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri, Saddam Hussein's number two in the Revolutionary Command Council, is now reportedly leading a coalition of Iraqi insurgent groups.
The United States, in November 2003, offered a $10M reward for his death or capture.
The United States, in November 2003, offered a $10M reward for his death or capture.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Wyatt Confesses
Oscar Wyatt, the Texan oil tycoon on trial for paying kickbacks to Saddam Hussein, has confessed that he paid illegal kickbacks to Saddam in exchange for oil contracts through the U.N. oil-for-food program.
Wyatt, who is 83, opted for a plea bargain and agreed to serve up to 24 months behind bars.
Wyatt must also pay the $11M he made as a result of his dealings with Iraq between 2000 and 2003.
Wyatt's sentencing date is set for November 27th.
Wyatt, who is 83, opted for a plea bargain and agreed to serve up to 24 months behind bars.
Wyatt must also pay the $11M he made as a result of his dealings with Iraq between 2000 and 2003.
Wyatt's sentencing date is set for November 27th.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Saddam's Stuff For Sale
The lovers of the macabre may find a website set up by Haitham Wihaib, a former henchman of Saddam Hussein, to be of interest.
The site offers for sale various items that once belonged to Saddam, including; a diamond-encrusted Rolex watch, a pair of Dior sunglasses, a ring and a Cartier pen.
It takes all sorts, I suppose.
The site offers for sale various items that once belonged to Saddam, including; a diamond-encrusted Rolex watch, a pair of Dior sunglasses, a ring and a Cartier pen.
It takes all sorts, I suppose.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Saddam Offered Exile
Saddam Hussein was prepared to take $1BN and to go into exile before the Iraq war, thus preventing the invasion of Iraq and the fiasco that we see the US embroiled in today.
This story is apparently being propagated by none other than President George Bush, who allegedly told José Maria Aznar, the then prime minister of Spain, about it a month before the 2003 invasion.
During a meeting at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, on 22 February 2003, Bush told Mr Aznar that Saddam could also be assassinated, according to a transcript of their talks published yesterday in the Spanish newspaper El Pais.
Bush is quoted as saying:
"The Egyptians are speaking to Saddam Hussein. It seems he's indicated he would be prepared to go into exile if he's allowed to take $1 billion [£500 million] and all the information he wants about weapons of mass destruction."
Asked by Mr Aznar whether the Iraqi dictator could really leave, Bush replied:
"Yes, that possibility exists. Or he might even be assassinated."
Bush talked about pressuring countries that were members of the United Nations Security Council to support a resolution authorising force. Whatever happened, "we'll be in Baghdad by the end of March".
Mission accomplished!
This story is apparently being propagated by none other than President George Bush, who allegedly told José Maria Aznar, the then prime minister of Spain, about it a month before the 2003 invasion.
During a meeting at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, on 22 February 2003, Bush told Mr Aznar that Saddam could also be assassinated, according to a transcript of their talks published yesterday in the Spanish newspaper El Pais.
Bush is quoted as saying:
"The Egyptians are speaking to Saddam Hussein. It seems he's indicated he would be prepared to go into exile if he's allowed to take $1 billion [£500 million] and all the information he wants about weapons of mass destruction."
Asked by Mr Aznar whether the Iraqi dictator could really leave, Bush replied:
"Yes, that possibility exists. Or he might even be assassinated."
Bush talked about pressuring countries that were members of the United Nations Security Council to support a resolution authorising force. Whatever happened, "we'll be in Baghdad by the end of March".
Mission accomplished!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Iran Shuts Some Iraq Borders
Iran closed major border crossings with northeastern Iraq on Monday, to protest against the U.S. detention of Mahmudi Farhadi an Iranian official that the military accuses of weapons smuggling.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Chemical Ali Trial
Ali Hassan al-Majid, aka "Chemical Ali", has today demanded that the trial accusing him and 14 other former regime officials for crimes against humanity be adjourned for a month.
Ali Hassan al-Majid, who is due to be hanged after his conviction for genocide in a separate trial, and his co-defendants are accused of having overseen the killing of up to 100,000 Shiites.
Majid and another defendant Ibrahim Abdul Razzaz said that their lawyers were afraid to attend the court, and had asked for protection from the US military which was refused.
Majid told judge Mohammed al-Khalifah al-Oreibi:
"My brothers here have some demands.
They said they would stop eating and drinking if their lawyers are not back. They need more negotiations (with the US military). I don't think this will take more than one month.
I ask that we adjourn the trial for one month so that we can come up with a solution."
Judge Oreibi noted his comments but then went on to call the first witness of the day, an old man who spoke from behind a curtain.
Quote:
"The tanks started to shell our houses. There were lots of soldiers. I told my family to run away. The soldiers took my two sons.
They were rounding up all the young men of the village. One of the boys resisted so they shot him dead. I saw it with my own eyes. Many houses were destroyed."
The trial continues.
Ali Hassan al-Majid, who is due to be hanged after his conviction for genocide in a separate trial, and his co-defendants are accused of having overseen the killing of up to 100,000 Shiites.
Majid and another defendant Ibrahim Abdul Razzaz said that their lawyers were afraid to attend the court, and had asked for protection from the US military which was refused.
Majid told judge Mohammed al-Khalifah al-Oreibi:
"My brothers here have some demands.
They said they would stop eating and drinking if their lawyers are not back. They need more negotiations (with the US military). I don't think this will take more than one month.
I ask that we adjourn the trial for one month so that we can come up with a solution."
Judge Oreibi noted his comments but then went on to call the first witness of the day, an old man who spoke from behind a curtain.
Quote:
"The tanks started to shell our houses. There were lots of soldiers. I told my family to run away. The soldiers took my two sons.
They were rounding up all the young men of the village. One of the boys resisted so they shot him dead. I saw it with my own eyes. Many houses were destroyed."
The trial continues.
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