Read this full transcript of the last meeting between Rafiq Hariri and the Syrian intelligence chief in Lebanon. Notice that the relationship was so close and that Hariri--a posthumous hero of "independence"--viewed himself as no more than a tool of the Syrian regime. Tell the March 14 clowns to fly a kite or play in the garden NOW.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Fishy Wikileaks?
Journalist Abbas Al-Lawati sent me this (I cite with his permission): "Not sure if anyone has noticed this yet but of the hundreds of new wikileaks cables released yesterday from Manama, Muscat, Dubai, Kuwait, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Doha, every single one is labelled as unclassified. To be fair, 40% of the 250,000 cables are reported to not be secret, but keep in mind that more than half of the cables have already been released, and that the Gulf release from yesterday covers a period if 1989-2010 in one case (Riyadh) and 2003-2010 in the rest. It's hard to believe that there were no classified cables in that period, and I don't know if wikileaks has ever done a single classification release in the past."
Israeli ambassador in DC hosts an Iftar
This is really hilarious. Look at this news item in the Israeli propaganda newspaper. Notice that they did not name one US Arab or Muslim who was in attendance, with the exception of a US official. But I have it on good authority that Israel's favorite US Muslim did attend: indeed, Abraham Foxman made it to the Iftar.
PS Don't get me wrong. I am sure that Muhammad Dahlan and Salam Fayyad advocates in DC were there.
PS Don't get me wrong. I am sure that Muhammad Dahlan and Salam Fayyad advocates in DC were there.
Israel and the Asad regime
"Israel has historically held concerns about the fall of the Assad regime, which has largely kept the Syria-Israel border quiet for the past 40 years."
American youth
"8 Reasons Young Americans Don't Fight Back: How the US Crushed Youth Resistance" (thanks Ema)
Repression in Morocco is called reform in the rhetoric of Western governments
" The Moroccan government should renew the passport of Abdelkrim Mouti’ and allow him and his family to end their political exile, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Interior Minister Taïeb Charkaoui. Moroccan officials have refused repeated requests to issue him a passport, as recently as in January 2011."
Lousy Hamas and Lousy Human Rights Watch
Hamas has established a lousy police (non)state in Gaza. It has managed the place horribly and made it clear that it is as bad as Fath--and that is really bad in Palestinian politics. But in a week when children and other Palestinians were murdered by Israeli jet fighters, Human Rights Watch found time to talk about harassment of activists in Gaza--as important as the topic is. But having been privy to internal documents leaked to me from Human Rights Watch's staff over the years, I know how much the director worry about "our pro-Israel donors". So I know the game. Human Rights my...potato. Maybe this press released would be sent to your pro-Israel donors and maybe you will get a few thousand dollars for it. Good luck. I know how hard you are trying to be...bad.
Zionism and the separation principle
"The men and women who set out to build a Jewish state in historic Palestine made little secret of their settler-colonial designs. Zionism’s intellectual author, Theodor Herzl, described the country he envisioned as “part of a wall of defense for Europe in Asia, an outpost of civilization against barbarism.” “All the means we need, we ourselves must create them, like Robinson Crusoe on his island,” Herzl told an interviewer in 1898. The Labor Zionist movement’s chief ideologue, Berl Katznelson, was more blunt than Herzl, declaring in 1928, “The Zionist enterprise is an enterprise of conquest.” More recently, and perhaps most crudely, former Prime Minister and current Defense Minister Ehud Barak described the goal of Zionism as maintaining “a villa in the jungle.”" (thanks Joseph)
An illiterate man with a doctorate: read all about it
"University of Indonesia (UI) has come under a storm of protests for awarding an honorary doctorate to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, a leader whose commitment to human rights has been seriously questioned by labor activists. The award came just two months after the beheading of Ruyati binti Satubi, an Indonesian maid who was convicted for murdering her employer — a crime she allegedly committed in response to repeated torture." (thanks Abbas)
Friday, August 26, 2011
NATO transitional council
"But the facts are unavoidable.Without the 20,000 air sorties, arms supplies and logistical support of the most powerful states in the world, they would not be calling the shots in Tripoli today. The assault on the capital was supported by the heaviest Nato bombardment to date. Western intelligence and special forces have been on the ground for months – in mockery of the UN – training, planning and co-ordinating rebel operations. It was the leading Nato states that championed and funded the Transitional National Council – including members with longstanding CIA and MI6 links – and officials from Nato states who drew up the stabilisation plan now being implemented on the ground." (thanks Raed)
Who is running Libya? Not the transitional council for sure
"The Central Intelligence Agency and other spy services are also putting their muscle behind the effort to safeguard mustard gas and other chemical-weapons agents that the colonel's regime had stockpiled at sites around the country, the officials said." (thanks Laleh)
US Congress and Israel
"Nevadans were treated to a look inside the campaign of congressional candidate Kate Marshall on Wednesday when her staff sent out a press release that contained internal notes detailing why it would be “useful” for the Democrat to support Israel. Marshall, who is running in a special election for the seat in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District, released a campaign statement supporting Israel as violence escalated in the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip. However, her aides accidentally left in a “background” section at the bottom that explained why it would be “useful to express support for Israel.” The section, which was first reported by the Las Vegas Sun’s Jon Ralston, explains that putting out the statement would “demonstrate some foreign policy prowess” during a time when “Israel has been in the news.” The notes that were supposed to remain private also went on to say that a statement on Israel would be timely because of Glenn Beck’s recent Rally to Restore Courage event in Jerusalem. The section alludes to the fact that Republicans are generally supporters of Israel, noting that Marshall could gain by siding with Israel “in an R district.” “I am proud to consider Israel a friend and I reiterate my unwavering support for its fundamental right to exist and the absolute necessity for Israel to secure its people from outside threats. I stand ready and willing to assist Israel in defending itself against all acts of terrorism,” Marshall said". (thanks Seham)
Ali Farzat
This is the book by the brilliant Syrian cartoonist, Ali Farzat, who was severely beaten up by armed goons of the Syrian regime yesterday. (thanks Stevy)
Fares Akram: At the service of the Zionist hoodlums at the Times
Look at this classic racist language of the Times. And notice that, typically, the native token Arab writer at the paper, had to be held by the hand by the master Zionist (Ethan Bronner, who "contributed" reporting). And notice that the article humanizes Israeli "victims" and talks about a baby, while it only focuses on victims who--according to Israel--were terrorists. Fares Arkam is building a resume of shame and disgrace at the paper.
It seems that US will ask Libya to ask US to send troops to Libya
Occupation by other names: "Nuland said the council is “unlikely to request a formal peacekeeping force,” but may request international and United Nations help in support of its policing needs."
Qatar and normalization with Israel
The Qatari people were and are opposed to any normalization with Israel. (thanks Nabil)
Repression in Oman
"Charges against prominent Omani journalist and filmmaker Youssef al-Haj should be dropped immediately, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Al-Haj's trial over an article he wrote that allegedly accused the Ministry of Justice of corruption began on August 14 but was postponed until this Sunday. At the August 14 hearing, the judge ordered that the newspaper that published al-Haj's story, Al-Zaman, not print any details of the case, local human rights activists told CPJ."
Qatari government and Arab leftists
Aljazeera website is increasingly hosting criticisms of Arab leftists. If the Qatari government wants a fight with Arab leftists, I will relish the fight. Any day, any time. And you may bring your puppet cleric, Yusuf Qaradawi, along with you too.
NATO revolution
"Wars kill people. Women and children are dying now in Libya, whatever the sanitised media tells you. The BBC have reported it will take a decade to repair Libya’s infrastructure from the damage of war. That in an underestimate. Iraq is still decades away from returning its utilities to their condition in 2000. I strongly support the revolutions of the Arab Spring. But NATO intervention does not bring freedom, it brings destruction, degradation and permanent enslavement to the neo-colonial yoke. From now on, Libyans like us will be toiling to enrich western bankers. That, apparently, is worth to NATO the reduction of Sirte to rubble." (thanks Nu`man)
Al-Masri Al-Yawm and criticisms of Israel
Is Al-Masri Al-Yawm pushing away fierce opponents of Zionism in the paper? (thanks Ahmet)
Tour of UK unversities
I may be doing a tour of UK universities this January. More information to follow.
Aljazeera: voice of NATO
"The Qatari TV station, Al Jazeera, which has acted for much of the uprising as the rebels’ propaganda arm..." Oh, no. It is chiefly the propaganda arm of the Qatari government, and it so happens that Qatari foreign policy aims at supporting...NATO.
Justifying or downplaying war crimes by NATO rebels in Libya
"The rebels have certainly acted wrongfully against some civilians, though most human-rights groups say their abuses pale beside the attacks on civilians by the regime." Why is it necessary to add that "most human rights groups say their abuses pales besides the attacks on civilians by the regime." This is like reporting on human rights abuses by any present-day regime and then adding: but their abuses pale besides the attacks by Hitler's army. How ridiculous. (thanks Khelil)
Tantawi, the US, and the siege of Gaza
"The US administration of President Barack Obama was even more actively involved than previously known in enforcing the siege of Gaza along Egypt’s border with the territory. And the Pentagon provided direct assistance and technology for these efforts, a newly released official document reveals. The US Embassy cable dated 8 April 2009 and released yesterday by Wikileaks is a briefing document for US Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) – a hardline supporter of Israel – who was in Egypt to meet with officials. At the time, Lowey chaired an important congressional committee that oversees aid to Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Moreover, the cable shows that the Americans coordinated Egypt’s efforts to keep Gaza sealed from the outside world directly with Egyptian Army chief Field Marshal Muhammad Tantawi – who is currently Egypt’s military ruler. Tantawi heads the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) that has ruled Egypt since the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak last February." (thanks Electronic Ali)
Israel and the Muslim Brotherhood
The political party of the Muslim Brotherhood said that it wont participate in the massive demonstration in Cairo against Israel and which will call for the expulsion of the Israeli occupation ambassador in Egypt. I mean, for much of the Cold War, Israel and the Muslim Brotherhood were in the same trench. Nothing surprising at all.
The Israeli occupation flag in Cairo
According to Al-Masri Al-Yawm, the lousy Egyptian government has turned down a request by the Israeli occupation government to raise (again) the lousy Israeli occupation flag at the Israeli occupation embassy in Cairo. The Egyptian government said that the Egyptian people won't allow it. (thanks Joseph)
Al-Akhbar and House of Saud's critics
This is what I love: there are Arab liberals (or timid Wahhabi, as I refer to them) who works for the various publications and media for House of Saud and House of Hariri and they don't feel reluctant to offer criticisms of Al-Akhbar. Some want Al-Akhbar to be more critical of the Syrian regime, although the paper has been banned from Syria, and not for its praise of the regime. But that is not the point. And I won't be defensive. Sure, Al-Akhbar should be criticized by readers and the paper should be a platform for criticisms against all Arab regimes (and Iran and Turkey), but to be criticized by House of Saud's propagandists?? I will make a deal with you: if you publish 10% of the volume of our criticisms of the Syrian regime and Hizbullah against Saudi Arabia in your publication, maybe then you can earn the right to serve as critics of Al-Akhbar. You--propagandists for House of Saud and House of Hariri--are prohibited from posting any criticisms of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia (during Bin Ali), Egypt (during Mubarak), Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar (after it made up with House of Saud) and you think that you can serve as media critics? You?? Are you being serious? You think that you have any media credibility at all to do that? I will tell more: you don't have credibility to even offer criticisms of the North Korean media. Have you looked at the columns in your lousy newspapers?? Al-Akhbar is far from being perfect, but in comparison to Saudi and Hariri media, it is perfection multiplied.
Palestine, not only Eilat, belongs to Palestinians
"In exploring the 'claim,' which has been hotly debated in Egypt's parliament this week, Abed el-Aziz Sayef a-Nasser, an aide to the Egyptian foreign minister, was called as an expert witness. A-Nasser is the director of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry's legal department. "Eilat, or by its former name Umm Rashrash, belongs to the Palestinians," he said on behalf of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. His predecessor, Dr. Nabil el-Arabi, was the head of the Foreign Ministry's legal department and headed the delegation for negotiations at Taba. He also emphatically maintained: "Eilat belongs to the Palestinians."
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Young `Ali Farzat
Son of Muhammad Zu`bi, the Minister of Information in the government of Salah Jadid, sent me this (I cite with his permission): "A young teenager was brought to my father's office in the ministry of information and asked for a job as a cartoonist , father talked to him then asked him to draw something and the teenager did , dad was impressed and hired him. This is a dark dark day and I hope this regime who has done nothing but benefit a corrupt elite is overthrown as soon as possible.
Haaretz lies and fabrications
The internet was abuzz yesterday with "news" from Haaretz reported that a "spokesperson" for the Libyan opposition, `Ali Shibani, expressed willingness to accept Israeli help, or silly words to that effect. The thing is that I looked for Shibani on the internet, in Arabic, English, or French and found nothing about him at all. Those lies and fabrications are common in Zionist propaganda: Israeli media would find an Arab, say a terrorist for the South Lebanon Army, and attribute Zionist statements to him and then hail it as "unprecedented love for Israel from a well-known Arab leader". The lies of Israel are too stupid these days. They focus on one Arab who whispers acceptance of peace with Israel--always in a language other than Arabic--and then hail that person as a leader of a mass movement. Don't feel sorry for Zionist propagandists: that they are now so desperate and so blatant and so deceptive and so dumb. What do you say about propaganda that is more dumb and more crude than Ba`thist propaganda?
Egyptian Flagman
"An Egyptian provincial governor has rewarded a protester who tore down the flag from the Israeli embassy in Cairo with a job, new home and honorary shield, newspapers reported on Thursday. Ahmad al-Shahat shot to fame after scaling the tall building, removing the Israeli flag and replacing it with Egypt's national colors as hundreds demonstrated outside the embassy on Saturday night. Thousands cheered and encouraged Shahat as he climbed and jubilation broke out as he ripped the flag from the pole. Video images of Shahat clambering up the building swept the Internet and set off a flurry of “Flagman” postings on social network Twitter." (thanks Karim)
Saudi beheading accomplishments
"The beheading of Ruyati binti Satubi —executed in June for the killing of an allegedly abusive Saudi employer — stirred such revulsion here that even the most strictly observant Indonesian Muslims now ask how the guardians of Islam’s most sacred sites can be so heedless of their faith’s call for compassion." (thanks Kanwal)
Time news fabrications: some history
"Ibn Rushd" sent me this: "I am not a fan of conspiracy theories but I was thinking about Time's anonymous interview : If indeed it was a fake interview, it would not be the first time that Time magazine has rendered services to the CIA or to US Gov interests.
In an article about CIA & the Media, Carl Bernstein writes : "From the twenty‑five files he got back, according to Senate sources and CIA officials, an unavoidable conclusion emerged: that to a degree never widely suspected, the CIA in the 1950s, ‘60s and even early ‘70s had concentrated its relationships with journalists in the most prominent sectors of the American press corps, including four or five of the largest newspapers in the country, the broadcast networks and the two major newsweekly magazines. Despite the omission of names and affiliations from the twenty‑five detailed files each was between three and eleven inches thick), the information was usually sufficient to tentatively identify either the newsman, his affiliation or both—particularly because so many of them were prominent in the profession. “There is quite an incredible spread of relationships,” Bader reported to the senators. “You don’t need to manipulate Time magazine, for example, because there are Agency people at the management level. and "In the Sixties, reporters were used extensively in the CIA offensive against Salvador Allende in Chile; they provided funds to Allende’s opponents and wrote anti‑Allende propaganda for CIA proprietary publications that were distributed in Chile. (CIA officials insist that they make no attempt to influence the content of American newspapers, but some fallout is inevitable: during the Chilean offensive, CIA‑generated black propaganda transmitted on the wire service out of Santiago often turned up in American publications.)"And more recently, there was the Afghan women cover story that might have been part of a psy-op
In an article about CIA & the Media, Carl Bernstein writes : "From the twenty‑five files he got back, according to Senate sources and CIA officials, an unavoidable conclusion emerged: that to a degree never widely suspected, the CIA in the 1950s, ‘60s and even early ‘70s had concentrated its relationships with journalists in the most prominent sectors of the American press corps, including four or five of the largest newspapers in the country, the broadcast networks and the two major newsweekly magazines. Despite the omission of names and affiliations from the twenty‑five detailed files each was between three and eleven inches thick), the information was usually sufficient to tentatively identify either the newsman, his affiliation or both—particularly because so many of them were prominent in the profession. “There is quite an incredible spread of relationships,” Bader reported to the senators. “You don’t need to manipulate Time magazine, for example, because there are Agency people at the management level. and "In the Sixties, reporters were used extensively in the CIA offensive against Salvador Allende in Chile; they provided funds to Allende’s opponents and wrote anti‑Allende propaganda for CIA proprietary publications that were distributed in Chile. (CIA officials insist that they make no attempt to influence the content of American newspapers, but some fallout is inevitable: during the Chilean offensive, CIA‑generated black propaganda transmitted on the wire service out of Santiago often turned up in American publications.)"And more recently, there was the Afghan women cover story that might have been part of a psy-op
Saudi reforms advance
"Saudi security forces arrested 164 Syrian expatriates who staged a rally in Riyadh in support of the five-month uprising in their homeland against the rule of President Bashar Assad, a Syrian human rights organization said Wednesday. The 164 were arrested on Aug. 12 as they marched, spurred by a speech by King Abdullah days earlier during which he condemned Assad’s bloody crackdown, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said." (thanks Gregg)
Ali Farzat: the dreams of Syria
This most gifted of cartoonist, `Ali Farzat, was kidnapped by armed goons (Shabbihah) of the Syrian regime and severely beaten. What do you call a lousy regime that is terrified of a talented cartoonist? I have written extensively on this blog about this brilliant cartoonist. I recommended a book published in the US containing some of his work. I always credit Lisa Wedeen of the University of Chicago for introducing me to his work back in 1993. He has a unique style and gifts. During the short-lived, "Damascus Spring", he produced a publication "Dumari". It did not last. I still possess some of its issues. Farzat has a website where some of work is displayed but it is now blocked. This is Farzat in his hospital bed. I woke up to the news and was most distressed. The Ba`th Party in its history produced no talents and gifts: so I understand why they want to smash gifts and arts and talents. This is a crucial moment for wavering progressive: a stance against the repressive regime is now badly needed. No argument can be made in support of the regime. And despite is verbal trickery, it does not fight Israel either. It hides under the feet of Hizbullah hoping to reap the rewards of their fighting skills against Israel. This is a regime that smashes hopes and dreams. `Ali Farzat? One of the best talents in Syria and the region? Armed goons of the regime dare to damage his precious hands?? Which side are you on? Ali Farzat or Bashshar Al-Asad?
Mini-Hariri in Saudi Arabia
Sa`d Hariri has been in Saudi Arabia for 8 months and did not manage to secure one meeting with the Saudi King. Yesterday, Saudi and Hariri media, especially Now Hariri, were jubilant when they reported that Mini-Hariri met with Saudi king. They produced one picture of that "meeting", which did not look like a meeting, as I pointed out yesterday. New TV produced the video and said that he was in line during a royal Iftar and he kissed the shoulder of the king before moving to make room for other greeters. Watch. (thanks Bashar--the reader, not the butcher of Syria).
The turns of history in the Middle East
This was taken outside of Bab Al-`Aziziyyah in Tripoli yesterday. Call me to influenced by contemporary history, but I have a feeling that some of those folks will be on a US wanted list in a few years. Mark my words. (Reuters).
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
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