#Turkey has gone 100% paranoid https://t.co/nlxOFiSYha— Keep Talking Greece (@keeptalkingGR) December 13, 2016
Whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad!
Showing posts with label terrorism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label terrorism. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Turkey's Descent Into Madness
Monday, July 04, 2016
The Cycle of Death Continues
As per the BBC
Who was it said "mission accomplished"?"The Iraqi government has declared three days of national mourning after a huge bomb in Baghdad killed 165 people and injured 225 others.A lorry packed with explosives was detonated in the Karrada district while families were shopping for the holiday marking the end of Ramadan.
Rescuers said whole families had been wiped out and many victims were burned beyond recognition.
So-called Islamic State (IS) has said it carried out the suicide attack."
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Saudi Arabia Linked To 9/11
The Smoking Gun: "Document 17" Links Saudi Embassy In Washington To Sept 11
The question is will the USA do to Saudi Arabia what it did to Iraq (the country that the USA accused of being behind 9/11 at the time)?
No, I thought not!
The question is will the USA do to Saudi Arabia what it did to Iraq (the country that the USA accused of being behind 9/11 at the time)?
No, I thought not!
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Bush Defends Waterboarding
The Guardian quotes former President Bush as defending the technique of "waterboarding" (now banned under President Obama) terrorist suspects:
"I knew an interrogation programme this sensitive and controversial would one day become public. When it did, we would open ourselves up to criticism that America had compromised our moral values. I would have preferred that we get the information another way. But the choice between security and values was real.
Their interrogations helped break up plots to attack American diplomatic facilities abroad, Heathrow airport and Canary Wharf in London, and multiple targets in the United States."
There is much debate as to whether (morality aside) techniques such as this actually produce any real information that actually saves lives.
"I knew an interrogation programme this sensitive and controversial would one day become public. When it did, we would open ourselves up to criticism that America had compromised our moral values. I would have preferred that we get the information another way. But the choice between security and values was real.
Their interrogations helped break up plots to attack American diplomatic facilities abroad, Heathrow airport and Canary Wharf in London, and multiple targets in the United States."
There is much debate as to whether (morality aside) techniques such as this actually produce any real information that actually saves lives.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Quel Surprise!
Baroness Manningham-Buller, former head of MI5, has told the Chilcot Inquiry into the Iraq war that the invasion of Iraq "substantially" increased the terrorist threat to the UK and has "radicalised" a generation of young people in the UK and abroad.
She stated that a year before the war she had advised the government that the threat posed by Iraq to the UK was "very limited".
She stated that a year before the war she had advised the government that the threat posed by Iraq to the UK was "very limited".
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Held Together By Chicken Wire
As news comes out of Iraq that 100 people have been killed in terrorist bombings, the Chilcot Inquiry into Iraq heard from Maj Gen Tim Cross, who liaised with the US on reconstruction efforts before the invasion, who said that planning for after the war was "woefully thin".
Indeed so concerned was Maj Cross about the lack of planning, that he urged Tony Blair to delay the invasion.
Blair, true to form, ignored the advice.
Gen Cross went on to say that, when he went to Iraq, the situation was far worse than he feared and that "Baghdad was held together by chicken wire and chewing gum".
Indeed so concerned was Maj Cross about the lack of planning, that he urged Tony Blair to delay the invasion.
Blair, true to form, ignored the advice.
Gen Cross went on to say that, when he went to Iraq, the situation was far worse than he feared and that "Baghdad was held together by chicken wire and chewing gum".
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Watchlist
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has stated that the US has produced a watch list of suspected and known terrorists, containing the names of more than one million people. According to the ACLU the list is growing by an average of over 20,000 records per month.
Among those on the watchlist are rather bizarrely Saddam Hussein who was actually hanged in 2005, decorated war veterans, and US senator Ted Kennedy.
The Transportation Security Administration has flatly denied the one million names figure; they say it contains a "mere" 450,000 people.
So that's alright then!
Among those on the watchlist are rather bizarrely Saddam Hussein who was actually hanged in 2005, decorated war veterans, and US senator Ted Kennedy.
The Transportation Security Administration has flatly denied the one million names figure; they say it contains a "mere" 450,000 people.
So that's alright then!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
No Link To al-Qaida
A detailed review by the the Institute for Defense Analyses (sponsored by the Pentagon) of over 600,000 Iraqi documents, captured after the 2003 US invasion, has found no evidence that Saddam Hussein's regime had any operational links with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terrorist network.
The review, "Saddam and Terrorism: Emerging Insights from Captured Iraqi Documents", is not due to be published officially to Congress until tomorrow.
The Defence Secretary (Donald Rumsfeld) claimed in September 2002 that the United States had "bulletproof" evidence of cooperation between the al-Qaida and Saddam Hussein.
Secretary of State Colin Powell claimed that there were many links between Saddam and al-Qaida in a February 2003 speech to the United Nations Security Council designed to rally support for the invasion.
Seemingly all of these statements made by Rumsfeld and Powell were based on false/misinterpreted intelligence.
The review was completed last year. However, it has been sat on since then as people have been reluctant to declassify it.
The review, "Saddam and Terrorism: Emerging Insights from Captured Iraqi Documents", is not due to be published officially to Congress until tomorrow.
The Defence Secretary (Donald Rumsfeld) claimed in September 2002 that the United States had "bulletproof" evidence of cooperation between the al-Qaida and Saddam Hussein.
Secretary of State Colin Powell claimed that there were many links between Saddam and al-Qaida in a February 2003 speech to the United Nations Security Council designed to rally support for the invasion.
Seemingly all of these statements made by Rumsfeld and Powell were based on false/misinterpreted intelligence.
The review was completed last year. However, it has been sat on since then as people have been reluctant to declassify it.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Past Crimes and Misdemeanours
The US House of Representatives has passed a defence bill that exempts Iraq from lawsuits dating back to the regime of Saddam Hussein.
Bush and Iraq had objected to an earlier version, that included Iraq in a provision enhancing the ability of US citizens to sue state sponsors of terrorism for damages in US courts.
The new bill waives that provision for Iraq.
The Bush administration had received complaints from Baghdad that said that the original bill would have reopened lawsuits filed against Iraq under Saddam.
The new Iraqi government complained that such lawsuits could tie up $25BN.
Quite how a terrorist supporting country could be prosecuted, and brought to book in a US court is unclear to me.
Bush and Iraq had objected to an earlier version, that included Iraq in a provision enhancing the ability of US citizens to sue state sponsors of terrorism for damages in US courts.
The new bill waives that provision for Iraq.
The Bush administration had received complaints from Baghdad that said that the original bill would have reopened lawsuits filed against Iraq under Saddam.
The new Iraqi government complained that such lawsuits could tie up $25BN.
Quite how a terrorist supporting country could be prosecuted, and brought to book in a US court is unclear to me.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Saddam's Daughter in Terror Link
A man arrested on Sunday is alleged to be the leader of an Iraqi terror cell which allegedly is being funded by Raghad Hussein, Saddam Hussein's eldest daughter.
US forces apprehended the man in Saddam's hometown of Tikrit, he is now under interrogation about a series of attacks on coalition forces using rocket-propelled grenades and roadside bombs.
Interpol this month issued a worldwide warrant for Raghad Hussein. She is reportedly living in Jordan, under the protection of the royal family. The Iraqi government requested the warrant on charges of inciting terrorism and crimes against life and health.
US forces apprehended the man in Saddam's hometown of Tikrit, he is now under interrogation about a series of attacks on coalition forces using rocket-propelled grenades and roadside bombs.
Interpol this month issued a worldwide warrant for Raghad Hussein. She is reportedly living in Jordan, under the protection of the royal family. The Iraqi government requested the warrant on charges of inciting terrorism and crimes against life and health.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Powell Calls For Closure of Guantanamo Bay
Former United States Secretary of State Colin Powell said yesterday that the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay for foreign terrorism suspects should be immediately closed, and its inmates moved to the US.
Mr Powell, who in a 2003 speech to the UN Security Council made the case for war against Iraq for possessing weapons of mass destruction that were never found, described the prison in Cuba as a "major problem" for the US's image abroad and has done more harm than good.
Quote:
"Guantanamo has become a major, major problem ... in the way the world perceives America, and if it were up to me I would close Guantanamo, not tomorrow but this afternoon ... and I would not let any of those people go. I would simply move them to the United States and put them into our federal legal system.
Essentially, we have shaken the belief the world had in America's justice system by keeping a place like Guantanamo open and creating things like the military commission. We don't need it and it is causing us far more damage than any good we get for it."
That's all very well, but why did he not say this several years ago?
Mr Powell, who in a 2003 speech to the UN Security Council made the case for war against Iraq for possessing weapons of mass destruction that were never found, described the prison in Cuba as a "major problem" for the US's image abroad and has done more harm than good.
Quote:
"Guantanamo has become a major, major problem ... in the way the world perceives America, and if it were up to me I would close Guantanamo, not tomorrow but this afternoon ... and I would not let any of those people go. I would simply move them to the United States and put them into our federal legal system.
Essentially, we have shaken the belief the world had in America's justice system by keeping a place like Guantanamo open and creating things like the military commission. We don't need it and it is causing us far more damage than any good we get for it."
That's all very well, but why did he not say this several years ago?
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Iraq Reconsturction Fails
A US federal audit report has condemned the US attempts to reconstruct Iraq as being a total failure.
The reconstruction is so blighted by local corruption and insurgency violence, that most buildings fall into disrepair within six months of being completed.
The 210 page report was prepared by the American Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (Sigir). It concludes that fraud and corruption are so widespread within Iraqi departments, that the Iraqi annual financial loss now exceeds $7BN.
When buildings are completed, they are not being "adequately maintained". Repairmen and workers face intimidation and death threats, making their task all but impossible.
The report noted that at Baghdad Airport the vast majority of electricity generators were not working. At a maternity hospital in Irbil hypodermic needles, bandages and other medical wastes were found to have been thrown in the sewer system's traps and septic tank.
The US Government is trying to lay the blame on Iraqi incompetence, and notes that it could not "micro-manage" how American-funded facilities are run on the ground.
Sigir's last report, in January, said that reconstruction cash was being stolen by corrupt Iraqi officials and often disappearing without proper accounting in a "Wild West" atmosphere.
The State Department report on global terrorism noted that 46% of all terrorism attacks around the world took place in Iraq alone in 2006.
Therefore when President Bush claimed "mission accomplished", some time ago, what exactly was he talking about?
How has the invasion of Iraq made the world a safer place?
The reconstruction is so blighted by local corruption and insurgency violence, that most buildings fall into disrepair within six months of being completed.
The 210 page report was prepared by the American Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (Sigir). It concludes that fraud and corruption are so widespread within Iraqi departments, that the Iraqi annual financial loss now exceeds $7BN.
When buildings are completed, they are not being "adequately maintained". Repairmen and workers face intimidation and death threats, making their task all but impossible.
The report noted that at Baghdad Airport the vast majority of electricity generators were not working. At a maternity hospital in Irbil hypodermic needles, bandages and other medical wastes were found to have been thrown in the sewer system's traps and septic tank.
The US Government is trying to lay the blame on Iraqi incompetence, and notes that it could not "micro-manage" how American-funded facilities are run on the ground.
Sigir's last report, in January, said that reconstruction cash was being stolen by corrupt Iraqi officials and often disappearing without proper accounting in a "Wild West" atmosphere.
The State Department report on global terrorism noted that 46% of all terrorism attacks around the world took place in Iraq alone in 2006.
Therefore when President Bush claimed "mission accomplished", some time ago, what exactly was he talking about?
How has the invasion of Iraq made the world a safer place?
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
The Execution of Saddam Hussein
I have already commented on the fundamental flaws in the trial, and speed of execution, of Saddam Hussein. I do not need to repeat in detail the fact that the foundations of the "new" Iraq have been fatally weakened by the failures of the trial and sentencing procedure.
However, it seems that another nail has been hammered firmly into the coffin of the "new" Iraq. The videos of the execution, currently swamping the net, show a number of people mocking and taunting Saddam as he is led to the gallows. Saddam gives as good as he gets, and a faint smile can bee seen on his lips.
The significance of this?
To allow a state execution of this importance to descend into scenes resembling "bear baiting" at a fairground side show give little credibility to the rule of law in the "new" Iraq, or indeed to the current administration struggling to control the forces unleashed by the regime change imposed on the country.
The faint smile?
Saddam knew full well what will happen to the country and the region, following his demise, and was in fact taking a perverse pleasure in the chaos that exists and will continue.
This does not augur well for the future.
It is likely that Bush will announce the deployment of 30,000 extra troops in January. This is the last throw of the dice by the current American administration, in their failed Iraq venture.
Bush's ally, Blair, once said that Iraq was the crucible in the fight against terrorism
Did anyone ask the Iraqi people if they wanted their country to be turned into a crucible?
The American troops, theoretically, will be sent to "stabilise" the country. However, that number will be too little too late; they will end up becoming targets themselves.
Iraq will split along religious and ethnic lines, with a fortress of attempted US influence maintained in Baghdad by the American troops.
The religious chaos between Sunnis and Shias, unleashed in Iraq, will spread to the rest of the Middle East and the West will be confronted with a major war (beyond their understanding or control) in the region.
The threat to the oil supplies will force the West to send troops to the region and to, in effect, occupy the Middle East. The West will end up having to occupy the region for decades, until the oil runs out or until a political solution can be found.
All of this chaos and bloodshed could have been avoided, if one man had not tried to avenge the failure of his father in the early 90's.
Mission Accomplished!
However, it seems that another nail has been hammered firmly into the coffin of the "new" Iraq. The videos of the execution, currently swamping the net, show a number of people mocking and taunting Saddam as he is led to the gallows. Saddam gives as good as he gets, and a faint smile can bee seen on his lips.
The significance of this?
To allow a state execution of this importance to descend into scenes resembling "bear baiting" at a fairground side show give little credibility to the rule of law in the "new" Iraq, or indeed to the current administration struggling to control the forces unleashed by the regime change imposed on the country.
The faint smile?
Saddam knew full well what will happen to the country and the region, following his demise, and was in fact taking a perverse pleasure in the chaos that exists and will continue.
This does not augur well for the future.
It is likely that Bush will announce the deployment of 30,000 extra troops in January. This is the last throw of the dice by the current American administration, in their failed Iraq venture.
Bush's ally, Blair, once said that Iraq was the crucible in the fight against terrorism
Did anyone ask the Iraqi people if they wanted their country to be turned into a crucible?
The American troops, theoretically, will be sent to "stabilise" the country. However, that number will be too little too late; they will end up becoming targets themselves.
Iraq will split along religious and ethnic lines, with a fortress of attempted US influence maintained in Baghdad by the American troops.
The religious chaos between Sunnis and Shias, unleashed in Iraq, will spread to the rest of the Middle East and the West will be confronted with a major war (beyond their understanding or control) in the region.
The threat to the oil supplies will force the West to send troops to the region and to, in effect, occupy the Middle East. The West will end up having to occupy the region for decades, until the oil runs out or until a political solution can be found.
All of this chaos and bloodshed could have been avoided, if one man had not tried to avenge the failure of his father in the early 90's.
Mission Accomplished!
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Trader Fights Extradition
Dr John Irving, a British oil trader, is fighting extradition to the USA on charges of allegedly paying kickbacks to Saddam Hussein's regime.
Should Dr Irving be extradited, and convicted, he faces up to 62 years in prison; he denies the charges.
Dr Irving's solicitor, Andrew Preston, has asked the Serious Fraud Office and the Crown Prosecution Service to examine charges laid down in a federal indictment.
He wants the charges to be investigated in Britain, rather than face extradition. In the US he may be denied bail, and held in a high security prison.
The extradition request made by the US is under the same controversial law as the NatWest Three, who are awaiting trial in Houston.
The law has been criticised as it was originally drafted to fight terrorism, now it is being used against alleged "white collar" crime.
Dr Irving is accused of assisting in the illegal payment of millions of dollars to Iraqi officials, in exchange for deals to buy discounted oil.
Dr Irving is the only Briton to have been indicted for corrupt behaviour under the UN's Oil-for-Food programme.
It is alleged that Dr Irving was working for Bayoil, a US oil trading company, and sent faxes to Iraq containing market information between 1997 and 2003. He is accused of paying inflated commissions to oil dealers in Iraq, while knowing that some of the money was being paid to the Iraqi regime. The indictment alleges that Dr Irving was one of those responsible for diverting funds from the Oil-for-Food programme.
Should Dr Irving be extradited, and convicted, he faces up to 62 years in prison; he denies the charges.
Dr Irving's solicitor, Andrew Preston, has asked the Serious Fraud Office and the Crown Prosecution Service to examine charges laid down in a federal indictment.
He wants the charges to be investigated in Britain, rather than face extradition. In the US he may be denied bail, and held in a high security prison.
The extradition request made by the US is under the same controversial law as the NatWest Three, who are awaiting trial in Houston.
The law has been criticised as it was originally drafted to fight terrorism, now it is being used against alleged "white collar" crime.
Dr Irving is accused of assisting in the illegal payment of millions of dollars to Iraqi officials, in exchange for deals to buy discounted oil.
Dr Irving is the only Briton to have been indicted for corrupt behaviour under the UN's Oil-for-Food programme.
It is alleged that Dr Irving was working for Bayoil, a US oil trading company, and sent faxes to Iraq containing market information between 1997 and 2003. He is accused of paying inflated commissions to oil dealers in Iraq, while knowing that some of the money was being paid to the Iraqi regime. The indictment alleges that Dr Irving was one of those responsible for diverting funds from the Oil-for-Food programme.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Saddam Gives Interview From Prison
The following are excerpts from a phone interview with Saddam Hussein, conducted by Al-Fayhaa TV on March 28, 2006.
In the interview Saddam responds to a taped message issued by his former vice president and loyalist 'Izzat Al-Duri, who addressed the Arab League summit in Sudan.
The source for this transcript is The Middle East Media Research Institute.
If the interview is genuine, it appears that Saddam is dellusional. However, there is a strong possibility that the interview is fake.
Saddam Hussein: "All 'Izzat Al-Duri ever wanted was to address the Iraqis as their leader, even if just for a few short minutes. Everybody remembers that he once addressed the Iraqi Women's Union without my knowledge. Do you know what I did to him?"
Interviewer: "We don't know. Tell us."
[...]
Saddam Hussein: "The first thing I did when they brought him was to spit in his face."
Interviewer: "Why?"
Saddam Hussein: "I said to him: 'You despicable man, I spit on your owl's face. How do you address these glorious women without me knowing about it?'"
[...]
"The only one who makes speeches in Iraq is the supreme leader - meaning me.
"At this point 'Izzat Al-Duri pulled out his handkerchief and cried. I said to him: 'Look 'Izzat, this time I forgive you, but I swear by my honor, and the honor of the history of the Arab nation, that if you ever repeat this mistake I will cut your tongue off.'"
Interviewer: "And now he has repeated this mistake, as you call it, and has published a statement addressed to the [Arab League] summit, as was mentioned on one of the television stations."
Saddam Hussein: "I didn't hear the speech, because I'm in prison."
[...]
"Even though I am in prison, I don't allow anyone to speak on my behalf, so long as I live. I am still the president."
[...]
"Internet... Whatever... I give speeches without fearing anyone. I give speeches face to face..."
[...]
Interviewer: "You're in prison. How can you give speeches?"
Saddam Hussein: "That's a good question. You watch the court sessions. How many sessions have there been so far? Fifteen sessions?"
Interviewer: "Seventeen."
Saddam Hussein: "I give a speech at every single session."
[...]
"If I don't give speeches, I get heartburn.
"If 'Izzat Al-Duri is alive and he can hear me, I want to address him, through you, and to tell him to beware."
[...]
"Isn't this a disgrace? The leader of the Arabs - 'Izzat Al-Duri speaks on his behalf?! 'Izzat Al-Duri doesn't even know how to stand at attention. He should speak on behalf of Saddam Hussein? Any speech that doesn't receive my signature is unofficial, illegitimate, and illegal."
[...]
"He should beware and shut up. Why does he make speeches and exploit state funds? I left the funds under your responsibility. Billions of dollars... I left you the funds and you should use them properly. He goes and blows up mosques, markets, and schools."
[...]
"I know that people who listen to me might think that Saddam Hussein has become apathetic in prison and stopped supporting terrorism. No. I'm not ashamed to tell you that Iraq without Saddam Hussein isn't worth two bits. Therefore, it will make me happy if Iraq turns into dust."
Interviewer: "This reminds me that in one of your speeches, you said that you would leave Iraq a country without a people."
Saddam Hussein: "What is the people worth without Saddam Hussein?! What is it worth? Iraq is entirely Saddam Hussein. 'Long live Iraq' means 'long live Saddam Hussein.' What is Iraq worth without Saddam Hussein?"
Interviewer: "You keep on with those slogans? You still cling to them..."
Saddam Hussein: "I was brought up on it. How do you want me to go back on this? Iraqis hear these things about me as soon as they come out of their mothers' wombs."
[...]
"I repeat: Iraq without Saddam Hussein isn't worth two bits. Therefore, it will make me happy if Iraq turns into ashes.
"I call to punish 'Izzat Al-Duri, because he burned my heart."
Interviewer: "Why, because he published a statement without your permission?"
Saddam Hussein: "He gave a speech without me knowing it. The punishment that I want for him is to cut off his tongue and ears."
Interviewer: "Why cutting off his tongue and ears?"
Saddam Hussein: "To make him the same as all the renegades whose tongues and ears I cut off. And if 'Izzat Al-Duri continues giving speeches in sign language, like the deaf do, I demand that his hands be cut off. And so on and so forth, until 'Izzat Al-Duri is finished, and we get rid of this degenerate."
In the interview Saddam responds to a taped message issued by his former vice president and loyalist 'Izzat Al-Duri, who addressed the Arab League summit in Sudan.
The source for this transcript is The Middle East Media Research Institute.
If the interview is genuine, it appears that Saddam is dellusional. However, there is a strong possibility that the interview is fake.
Saddam Hussein: "All 'Izzat Al-Duri ever wanted was to address the Iraqis as their leader, even if just for a few short minutes. Everybody remembers that he once addressed the Iraqi Women's Union without my knowledge. Do you know what I did to him?"
Interviewer: "We don't know. Tell us."
[...]
Saddam Hussein: "The first thing I did when they brought him was to spit in his face."
Interviewer: "Why?"
Saddam Hussein: "I said to him: 'You despicable man, I spit on your owl's face. How do you address these glorious women without me knowing about it?'"
[...]
"The only one who makes speeches in Iraq is the supreme leader - meaning me.
"At this point 'Izzat Al-Duri pulled out his handkerchief and cried. I said to him: 'Look 'Izzat, this time I forgive you, but I swear by my honor, and the honor of the history of the Arab nation, that if you ever repeat this mistake I will cut your tongue off.'"
Interviewer: "And now he has repeated this mistake, as you call it, and has published a statement addressed to the [Arab League] summit, as was mentioned on one of the television stations."
Saddam Hussein: "I didn't hear the speech, because I'm in prison."
[...]
"Even though I am in prison, I don't allow anyone to speak on my behalf, so long as I live. I am still the president."
[...]
"Internet... Whatever... I give speeches without fearing anyone. I give speeches face to face..."
[...]
Interviewer: "You're in prison. How can you give speeches?"
Saddam Hussein: "That's a good question. You watch the court sessions. How many sessions have there been so far? Fifteen sessions?"
Interviewer: "Seventeen."
Saddam Hussein: "I give a speech at every single session."
[...]
"If I don't give speeches, I get heartburn.
"If 'Izzat Al-Duri is alive and he can hear me, I want to address him, through you, and to tell him to beware."
[...]
"Isn't this a disgrace? The leader of the Arabs - 'Izzat Al-Duri speaks on his behalf?! 'Izzat Al-Duri doesn't even know how to stand at attention. He should speak on behalf of Saddam Hussein? Any speech that doesn't receive my signature is unofficial, illegitimate, and illegal."
[...]
"He should beware and shut up. Why does he make speeches and exploit state funds? I left the funds under your responsibility. Billions of dollars... I left you the funds and you should use them properly. He goes and blows up mosques, markets, and schools."
[...]
"I know that people who listen to me might think that Saddam Hussein has become apathetic in prison and stopped supporting terrorism. No. I'm not ashamed to tell you that Iraq without Saddam Hussein isn't worth two bits. Therefore, it will make me happy if Iraq turns into dust."
Interviewer: "This reminds me that in one of your speeches, you said that you would leave Iraq a country without a people."
Saddam Hussein: "What is the people worth without Saddam Hussein?! What is it worth? Iraq is entirely Saddam Hussein. 'Long live Iraq' means 'long live Saddam Hussein.' What is Iraq worth without Saddam Hussein?"
Interviewer: "You keep on with those slogans? You still cling to them..."
Saddam Hussein: "I was brought up on it. How do you want me to go back on this? Iraqis hear these things about me as soon as they come out of their mothers' wombs."
[...]
"I repeat: Iraq without Saddam Hussein isn't worth two bits. Therefore, it will make me happy if Iraq turns into ashes.
"I call to punish 'Izzat Al-Duri, because he burned my heart."
Interviewer: "Why, because he published a statement without your permission?"
Saddam Hussein: "He gave a speech without me knowing it. The punishment that I want for him is to cut off his tongue and ears."
Interviewer: "Why cutting off his tongue and ears?"
Saddam Hussein: "To make him the same as all the renegades whose tongues and ears I cut off. And if 'Izzat Al-Duri continues giving speeches in sign language, like the deaf do, I demand that his hands be cut off. And so on and so forth, until 'Izzat Al-Duri is finished, and we get rid of this degenerate."
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Warnings Unheeded
Saddam Hussein has reportedly told aides that he warned the United States before 1990 that terrorists would carry out a major strike on America, with even the possibility of a nuclear attack being mooted.
These warnings come from secret tapes that have been acquired by ABC. The tapes present a voice, allegedly Saddam's, speaking in the presidential palace in the 90's.
Quote:
"Terrorism is coming. I told the Americans a long time before August 2 and told the British as well and that in the future there will be terrorism with weapons of mass destruction."
Adding:
"In the future, what would prevent a booby-trapped car causing a nuclear explosion in Washington, or a germ or a chemical one?"
Interestingly he is also noted as saying that Iraq would not contemplate doing that.
These warnings come from secret tapes that have been acquired by ABC. The tapes present a voice, allegedly Saddam's, speaking in the presidential palace in the 90's.
Quote:
"Terrorism is coming. I told the Americans a long time before August 2 and told the British as well and that in the future there will be terrorism with weapons of mass destruction."
Adding:
"In the future, what would prevent a booby-trapped car causing a nuclear explosion in Washington, or a germ or a chemical one?"
Interestingly he is also noted as saying that Iraq would not contemplate doing that.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Saddam Grandstands Again
Saddam Hussein in court today claimed that the Bush administration had lied when it claimed there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, as well as when it disputed his claims of being beaten.
Quote:
"The White House lies once more. The number-one liar in the world, they said in Iraq, there is chemicals, and there is a relation to terrorism, and they announced later we couldn't find any of that in Iraq.
Also, they said that what Saddam Hussein (said) was not true".
He then spoke of his allegations , made yesterday about being beaten:
"I have documented the injuries I had before three American medical teams."
Hussein then added that the medical teams numbered "two, for sure, unequivocally."
Then, for good measure:
"We don't lie. The White House lies."
The defence have requested that the testimony of prosecution witnesses not be broadcast, until all the witnesses have testified. They claim that witnesses are watching each other's testimonies and then repeating them. The court will consider this request.
One witness who testified today from behind a curtain to protect his identity. He said that when he was 8 years that his father, three uncles and grandmother were arrested and imprisoned.
"She complained to us about what had happened to her. They used to torture her before her children and they would torture her children before her. She said, 'They tortured us, and we did not know for what reason.'"
The defence noted that he Defense was a child at the time, and that he was not arrested and did not see any torture or killings personally.
Saddam interjected too:
"His testimony is documented and accepted, and he's underage (at the time)?" This is something I would like to understand. Is this allowed? Is this permissible?"
The trial continues.
Quote:
"The White House lies once more. The number-one liar in the world, they said in Iraq, there is chemicals, and there is a relation to terrorism, and they announced later we couldn't find any of that in Iraq.
Also, they said that what Saddam Hussein (said) was not true".
He then spoke of his allegations , made yesterday about being beaten:
"I have documented the injuries I had before three American medical teams."
Hussein then added that the medical teams numbered "two, for sure, unequivocally."
Then, for good measure:
"We don't lie. The White House lies."
The defence have requested that the testimony of prosecution witnesses not be broadcast, until all the witnesses have testified. They claim that witnesses are watching each other's testimonies and then repeating them. The court will consider this request.
One witness who testified today from behind a curtain to protect his identity. He said that when he was 8 years that his father, three uncles and grandmother were arrested and imprisoned.
"She complained to us about what had happened to her. They used to torture her before her children and they would torture her children before her. She said, 'They tortured us, and we did not know for what reason.'"
The defence noted that he Defense was a child at the time, and that he was not arrested and did not see any torture or killings personally.
Saddam interjected too:
"His testimony is documented and accepted, and he's underage (at the time)?" This is something I would like to understand. Is this allowed? Is this permissible?"
The trial continues.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
What's In A Name?
In a slip of the tongue President George Bush accidently revealed his inner thinking yesterday.
Bush briefly turned Osama bin Laden into Saddam Hussein.
Bush momentarily switched the names in a news conference at the White House, where he was defending his decision to authorise eavesdropping on Americans suspected of links with al Qaeda and other organisations in the U.S. war on terrorism.
Quote:
"In the late 1990s, our government was following Osama bin Laden because he was using a certain type of telephone and then the fact that we were following Osama bin Laden because he was using a certain type of telephone made it into the press as the result of a leak."
Adding:
"And guess what happened. Saddam ...Osama bin Laden changed his behaviour. He began to change how he communicated. We're at war. And we must protect America's secrets."
Many a slip tixt cup and lip.
Bush briefly turned Osama bin Laden into Saddam Hussein.
Bush momentarily switched the names in a news conference at the White House, where he was defending his decision to authorise eavesdropping on Americans suspected of links with al Qaeda and other organisations in the U.S. war on terrorism.
Quote:
"In the late 1990s, our government was following Osama bin Laden because he was using a certain type of telephone and then the fact that we were following Osama bin Laden because he was using a certain type of telephone made it into the press as the result of a leak."
Adding:
"And guess what happened. Saddam ...Osama bin Laden changed his behaviour. He began to change how he communicated. We're at war. And we must protect America's secrets."
Many a slip tixt cup and lip.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Saddam's Nephew Goes To Jail
Aymen Sabawi, Saddam Hussein's nephew and former regime insider and terrorist supporter, was found guilty in a Baghdad court on December 5th of illegally crossing the Syrian border without authorisation from Iraqi customs.
Sabawi has had a 15 year sentence handed down, on top of a 6 year sentence that he received during a September trial in which he was found guilty of possessing illegal weapons and manufacturing explosive devices.
This means that Sabawi will not be released from prison for more than 20 years.
Sabawi and members of his family have allegedly played an active role in sustaining terrorism in Iraq; by providing financial support, weapons and explosives.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483 indicted the Sabawi family for stealing millions of dollars from the Iraqi people during Saddam Hussein's regime.
Sabawi has had a 15 year sentence handed down, on top of a 6 year sentence that he received during a September trial in which he was found guilty of possessing illegal weapons and manufacturing explosive devices.
This means that Sabawi will not be released from prison for more than 20 years.
Sabawi and members of his family have allegedly played an active role in sustaining terrorism in Iraq; by providing financial support, weapons and explosives.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483 indicted the Sabawi family for stealing millions of dollars from the Iraqi people during Saddam Hussein's regime.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Saddam's Assets Frozen
The U.S. Treasury on Thursday froze property and other assets in the United States of the six sons of the half brother of Saddam Hussein. The half brother is Sabawi Ibrahim Hasan al-Tikriti, who was captured earlier this year.
Stuart Levey, the Treasury's Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said:
"This action targets the money flows of former regime elements actively supporting attacks against coalition forces and the Iraqi people,".
Treasury did not provide any estimate of what the property or other assets are worth.
The sons designated by Treasury are Yasir Sabawi Ibrahim Hasan al-Tikriti, Omar Sabawi Ibrahim Hasan al-Tikriti, Ayman Sabawi Ibrahim Hasan al-Tikriti, Ibrahim Sabawi Ibrahim Hasan al-Tikriti, Bashar Sabawi Ibrahim Hassan al-Tikriti and S'ad Sabawi Ibrahim Hasan al-Tikriti.
The announcement said that the US government has information that Yasir, Omar, Ayman and Bashar provided support to elements of the former Baathist government and to groups carrying out attacks against Iraq and coalition forces, as well as against Iraqi citizens.
It is also alleged that Yasir, Omar and Bashar directed a number of anti-coalition activities in Iraq, and maintained communication with several insurgent groups throughout northern and central Iraq.
The department said it was submitting the names of the six individuals to the United Nations with the recommendation that they be listed under a resolution that requires U.N. member states to identify, freeze and transfer to a development fund assets of senior members of the former Iraqi government and their immediate family members.
Stuart Levey, the Treasury's Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said:
"This action targets the money flows of former regime elements actively supporting attacks against coalition forces and the Iraqi people,".
Treasury did not provide any estimate of what the property or other assets are worth.
The sons designated by Treasury are Yasir Sabawi Ibrahim Hasan al-Tikriti, Omar Sabawi Ibrahim Hasan al-Tikriti, Ayman Sabawi Ibrahim Hasan al-Tikriti, Ibrahim Sabawi Ibrahim Hasan al-Tikriti, Bashar Sabawi Ibrahim Hassan al-Tikriti and S'ad Sabawi Ibrahim Hasan al-Tikriti.
The announcement said that the US government has information that Yasir, Omar, Ayman and Bashar provided support to elements of the former Baathist government and to groups carrying out attacks against Iraq and coalition forces, as well as against Iraqi citizens.
It is also alleged that Yasir, Omar and Bashar directed a number of anti-coalition activities in Iraq, and maintained communication with several insurgent groups throughout northern and central Iraq.
The department said it was submitting the names of the six individuals to the United Nations with the recommendation that they be listed under a resolution that requires U.N. member states to identify, freeze and transfer to a development fund assets of senior members of the former Iraqi government and their immediate family members.
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