The following seems a good article, posted to various usenet newsgroups ...

"'Al Qaeda' does not exist" (by "Awake")

3 February 2005

In his State of the Union address to Congress, (2 Feb. 05, US primetime) President Bush called Iran the primary sponsor of terrorism in the world, but called to pursue diplomatic means to deal with its alleged nukes programme.

'UN OIL-FOR-FOOD HEAD CRITICISED

'A report into the UN oil-for-food operation in Saddam Hussein's Iraq has sharply criticised the programme's chief official.

'Benon Sevan repeatedly asked Iraqis to allocate oil to a particular company, inquiry head Paul Volcker revealed in the initial findings by his panel.

'Mr Sevan denies any wrongdoing and said he was being made a scapegoat.

'The defunct scheme let Iraq sell oil to buy food and medicine to ease the effects of international sanctions.'

(BBC Ceefax, p.109)

Here's a story that my ole buddy Col. Blitzenburger can well empathize with ...

[US] General: It's Fun To Shoot People
CBS/AP, CBS News, 3 February 05

'A marine general who has commanded troops in Afghanistan and Iraq told a forum, "It's fun to shoot some people." The commandant of the Marine Corps said Thursday [3 Feb. 05] he has counseled Lt. Gen. James Mattis about choosing his words more carefully.

'Mattis, an infantry officer, made the comments Tuesday [1 Feb. 05] while speaking to a forum in San Diego about strategies for the war on terror. Mattis is the commanding general of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Quantico, [Virginia].

'According to an audio recording [link] of Mattis' remarks, he said, "Actually, it's a lot of fun to fight. You know, it's a hell of a hoot ... It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be right upfront with you, I like brawling."

'He added, "You go to Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil," Mattis continued. "You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. so it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them."

'His comments were met with laughter and applause from the audience. ...'

4 February 05

'Condoleezza Rice has insisted that attacking Iran is not on the US agenda "at this point in time".

'She was speaking in London following meetings with Tony Blair and [UK Foreign Secretary] Jack Straw, on her first overseas trip as US secretary of state. ...'

(BBC Ceefax)

... Rice was answering, at a London press conference, the question: Are there any circumstances in which America would attack Iran?

Rice replied, "The question is simply not on the agenda at this point in time".

(British TV news)

Peace in our time, to coin a phrase. More next week.

Obviously, whatever Iran says or does, it will be declared to be cheating and in breach of, etc etc. The Iraq Show (repeat).

But the Bush-fronted cabal needs time to prepare the way, both militarily and psychologically — and of course, for special forces to continue to weaken Iran's defences by subversion and sabotage.

5 February 05

SHI'ITE BLOC SHOWS BIG LEAD IN EARLY RESULTS

Out of the 3.3 million votes so far counted, 35% of the total, the United Iraqi Alliance (backed by Grand Ayatollah Sistani) has two-thirds, at 2.2 million.

'Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi is running second with more than 579,000 votes [18%].' (BBC Ceefax, p.104; ITV Teletext, p.305)

These are figures to be noted now, in case of any sudden Marcos-style reversals.

The movers-and-shakers of petro-imperialism move in on their Mideastern prey like a flock of vultures ...

'MI5 CHIEF AT SAUDI TERROR SUMMIT

'MI5 chief Eliza Manningham-Buller has flown to Saudi Arabia to join other intelligence chiefs from around the world at an anti-terrorism conference.

'The four-day meeting is the first of its kind in the kingdom, which has been the target of Islamic militants.

'Countries who were invited to send intelligence experts include Syria, Italy, the US [the new Homeland Security chief is to attend], Kenya, Iran and Britain.

'The BBC's Saudi correspondent Kim Ghattas said they will aim to find common ground on combating terrorism.'

(BBC Ceefax, 5 February 05, p.105)

and ...

'Condoleezza Rice ... visits Israel and the West Bank over the weekend and other [world] leaders will attend a meeting in Egypt next week. ...'

(ITV Teletext 5 February 05))

6 February 05

'SAUDIS CALL FOR ANTI-TERROR HUB

'Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah has called for the creation of an international counter-terrorism centre to help prevent further attacks.

'The country's de facto ruler was speaking at [the] start of a conference in Riyadh attended by top anti-terrorism officials from 50 nations.

'The forum also saw a heated exchange between the Iranian and US delegations on what constituted terrorism.

'And Syrian delegates urged the world to condemn Israel's "state terrorism".'

(BBC Ceefax, p.113)

7 February 05

'US NAMES MID-EAST SECURITY ENVOY

'The US has named a special envoy to assist Palestinian security reforms, amid renewed hopes of progress in Middle East peace efforts.

'Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Lt Gen William Ward would visit the region in the coming weeks.

'Ms Rice was speaking at a news conference after talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.

'Mr Abbas welcomed US intervention and called on Israel to take its own measures to work towards peace.'

(BBC Ceefax, p.107)

8 February 05

The Israelis and Palestinians have agreed on a truce.

And now, a mainstream media figure adds his voice — if hesitatingly — to what was evident at the time of the Iraq invasion ...

A CNN Executive Says [US] G.I.S in Iraq Target Journalists
Roderick Boyd, The New York Sun, 8 February 05

'The head of CNN's news division, Eason Jordan, ignited an Internet firestorm last week when he told a panel at a World Economic Gathering in Davos, Switzerland, that the American military had targeted journalists during operations in Iraq.

'Mr Jordan, speaking in a panel discussion titled "Will Democracy Survive the Media?" said "he knew of about 12 journalists who had not only been killed by American troops, but had been targeted as a matter of policy," said [Representative] Barney Frank, a Democrat of Massachusetts who was on the panel with Mr Jordan. ...

'The panel's moderator, Harvard University professor and columnist David Gergen, ... told online columnist Michelle Malkin yesterday [7 Feb. 05] that the remarks left him "startled."

'"It's contrary to history, which is so far the other way. Our troops have gone out of their way to protect and rescue journalists," Mr Gergen said. ...'

Welcome to the victory of force-politics, Mr Gergen.

'CNN NEWS CHIEF RESIGNS AMID ROW

'The CNN's chief news executive Eason Jordan has resigned amid controversy over the death of journalists in Iraq.

'Last month, Mr Jordan appeared to suggest that US-led forces had deliberately targeted journalists, killing some.

'But in a message to staff on Friday [11 Feb. 05], he said he had not intended to say US forces had acted with ill intent when they had accidentally killed reporters. [... only when they deliberately killed them?!

'The latest journalist to die in Iraq was Abdul Hussein Khazai, 40.'

(BBC Ceefax, 12 February 05, p.123)

10 February 05

North Korea Admits to Nuclear Weapons, Suspends Talks
Sang-Hun Choe, Washington Post online, 4:42am [EST]

'SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea on Thursday [10 Feb. 05] announced for the first time that it has nuclear weapons and rejected moves to restart disarmament talks any time soon, saying it needs the weapons as protection against an increasingly hostile United States.

'The communist state's pronouncement dramatically raised the stakes in the two-year-old nuclear confrontation and posed a grave challenge to President Bush, who started his second term with a vow to end North Korea's nuclear program through six-nation talks.

'We ... have manufactured nukes [folksy NKs or some more liberal translation?!] for self-defence to cope with the Bush administration's ever more undisguised policy to isolate and stifle the (North)," the North Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

'Like most North Korean statements, the claim could not be independently verified. ...

'Previously, North Korea reportedly told U.S. negotiators in private talks that it had nuclear weapons and might test one of them. ... [I remember that, since them, the North Koreans were supposed to have made a public statement saying they had nuclear weapons ...]

'But Thursday's statement was North Korea's first public acknowledgement that it has nuclear weapons. ...'

'US AIRPORTS HAD WARNINGS OF 9/11

'Aviation officials in the US had numerous indications that airline[r]s might be hijacked in the run-up to the 11 September attacks, it has emerged.

'The Federal Aviation Administration received 52 intelligence reports on al-Qaeda, says [a previously-undisclosed report of] the commission that investigated the 2001 attacks.

'The reports included five that mentioned hijackings and two that mentioned suicide operations.

'But the FAA said the information could not have helped prevent the attacks.'

(BBC Ceefax, 10 February 05, p.114)

'RUMSFELD SAFE FROM GERMAN INQUIRY

'A German prosecutor says he will not follow up a criminal complaint about US defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's role in the Abu Ghraib prison scandal.

'Federal prosecutor Kay Nehm said only the US — as the home country of the accused — could pursue any action.

'Mr Rumsfeld could have faced arrest in Germany if the case had proceeded.

'Mr Rumsfeld's spokesman said shortly afterwards that the defence secretary was "likely" to attend a security summit in Germany over the weekend.'

(BBC Ceefax, 10 February 05)

'US LAWYER GUILTY OF TERROR CHARGE

'A US civil rights lawyer has been convicted of supporting terrorists by smuggling messages from one of his convicted clients to followers.

'Lynne Stewart, 65, had been representing radical Egyptian cleric Omar Abdel Rahman, who was serving a life sentence on terror charges.

'He was convicted in 1996 for planning attacks in New York.

'Prosecutors accused Stewart of crossing the line between advocacy and involvement in terrorist attacks.'

(BBC Ceefax, 10 February 05, p.110)

13 February 05

The Shia coalition in Iraq has claimed victory after election officials said it had won 48% of the 8.5 million votes cast in the national election. The two Kurdish parties were second with 26% altogether, and the Allawi puppet-government group third at 14%.

15 February 05

The Shi'ite bloc, which gained 48% of the Iraqi vote, has been given a small absolute majority of 140 seats in the 275-seat parliament.

The US has withdrawn its ambassador from Syria for "discussions", following the car-bomb assassination yesterday of a former Lebanese Prime Minister in Beirut. The ex-PM had criticised the continuing Syrian presence in Lebanon, and one theory is the Syrians bumped him off.

Here's another "theory": the Israelis bumped him off in order to blame the Syrians, thus giving Israel/America one more excuse to finish off the Syrian regime. In which case it's more likely an Israeli initiative than an American one: the US petro-cabal is instead concerned with the next big oil targets, first Iran, then Saudi Arabia.

16 February 05

Iran and Syria are to form a common front against "external challenges", said Iranian deputy president Arek after talks with Syrian Prime Minister Otari.

A gesture, no doubt, as useless as any "United Arab Republic" was. But it will be used by the US petro-cabal as one more excuse to attack.

An "explosion at a nuclear site" in Iran, initially reported as an American attack, was later said to be a construction-worker accident. Iran accused Western media of whipping up hysteria. But it also accused the US of sending unmanned spyplanes into Iranian airspace.

(British Channel 4 News, 16 February 05 at 7pm GMT)

We stand helpless, as in a previous time, to prevent the rise of a world Reich, a new totalitarian empire.

... And soul-puppet Blair, in one of his Channel 5 TV interviews today, could rise no higher than to repeat Condy Rice's giveaway statement, that only diplomatic means were being considered against Iran at the moment.

'TEHRAN — Iran said Wednesday [16 Feb. 05] for the first time that pilotless U.S. spy planes had been seen over Iran's nuclear sites and threatened to shoot them down if they came within close range. [Are they very high?]

'Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman refused to comment earlier this week about a report by The Washington Post that American drones had been flying over Iran for nearly a year looking for evidence on Iran's nuclear program. ...

'There were news media reports Wednesday that one of the planes was fired on, causing a loud explosion in southern Iran. One government official said the noise was a fuel tank falling off an airplane. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards said the blast occurred during dam construction, but another government official, in a statement that added to the confusion, later said there had been a large bang but no explosion. ...'

17 February 05

Bush has appointed "hardliner" John Negroponte overall Director of National Intelligence. Negroponte has been ambassador to Iraq for six months.

Negroponte was a Henry Kissinger protege, having played a role in the carpet-bombing of Cambodia.

(Channel 4 News [Britain])

New CIA chief Porter Goss has said that Iraq has become a top recruiting-ground for terrorists. Addressing the Senate select committee on intelligence, he said that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi "hopes to establish a safe haven in Iraq" from which he can operate against Western nations sand moderate Muslim governments.

(Dana Priest and Josh White, "Top Spy warns Iraq a boon for terrorists", Toronto Star, 17 February 05)

and what could be safer for al-CIAda than an American-controlled puppet state? The Zarqawi-avatar is free to function in CIAberspace, making the world safe for further cabal-conquests.

Porter Goss was one of those at that breakfast meeting on Capitol Hill on 9/11, the Great Founding Event of the Fourth Reich. See Breakfast Meeting Between Goss and ISI Chief Ahmad.

A report says that physical and sexual abuse was used as a tool against prisoners in the US-run camp at Bagram in Afghanistan, too.

18 February 05

'CLARKE TO OUTLINE TERROR LAWS

'Controversial new anti-terror laws are to be introduced to the [UK House of] Commons by Home Secretary Charles Clarke next week.

'He will set out plans for "control orders" — which may see terror suspects placed under house arrest — after talks with opposition leaders collapsed.

'Mr Clarke insisted his proposals will help ensure Britain is secure from terrorists, and said he is "confident" the plans will become law within weeks.'

(ITV Teletext, p.303)

19 February 05

'CASH FOUND FROM NORTHERN RAID

'Money discovered in a police sports club was stolen in the £26.5m Northern Bank robbery [in Northern Ireland], detectives say.

'Police discovered £50,000 in new Northern Bank notes at the Newforge Country Club in Belfast.

'Five shrink-wrapped packages each containing £10,000 were found in the club toilets after a tip-off on Friday [18 Feb. 05].

'Police said the cash was planted to distract detectives investigating the Northern Bank raid and to divert attention from events elsewhere.'

(BBC Ceefax, p.104)

The IRA has been blamed by the British and Irish governments, and the Northern Ireland police (as a matter of "opinion" in this case) for the record (in money terms) UK robbery.

20 February 05

A new warning from the Masters of Terror ...

'WARNING OVER BIRD 'FLU 'A global epidemic of bird influenza could dwarf history's worst infection which killed up to 40 million people, a leading expert has warned.

'The H5N1 influenza strain that has already claimed [one million? ... two million? ...] 42 lives has a fatality rate of 76%, according to case evidence.

'Dr Nancy Cox, from the US government's [who else?] disease control agency, said if bird 'flu gained the ability to pass between humans the result would be devastating.'

(ITV Teletext, p.315)

'... Nancy Cox, of the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, says a number of subtypes have proven their ability to jump the species barrier.

'The H5N1 strain, which has killed 42 people in Asia since 1997 [since 1997?! Is this all they can come up with? No ...], was one of many possible candidates, she said.'

(BBC Ceefax, 20 February 05)

It is the mission, conscious or otherwise, of the US cabal to foster an atmosphere of global terror, paving the way for themselves as universal (anti-)Saviours.

Meanwhile, back in Airstrip One ...

'MORE FOODS SET TO GO ON LIST

'The list of food products containing a potentially cancer-causing dye is likely to increase, the [UK] Food Standards Agency has warned.

'The agency previously named more than 350 goods feared to be contaminated with the red colouring Sudan 1.

'Stores across the country withdrew products on the agency's warning list but an FSA spokesman said yet more products could be pulled from shelves. [21 Feb. 05: another 60 have been added.]'

(ITV Teletext, 20 February 05, p.309)

Is this another MI5 scare-tactic? To imply a cover-story for a terrorist attack on our food supplies? Scares like this were used last year , along with other things, as an appetizer for the Iraq invasion. The current alert originated in (Berlusconi's) Italy, where "random testing revealed the presence of Sudan 1 (used as an additive for years, banned as a possible cancer-maker two years ago). Italy was the source of the fake intelligence last year of the Niger-Iraq uranium.

COMRADES! THE EVIL AXIS HAS POISONED OUR FOOD SUPPLIES!

The Iranian warmongers, in conjunction with the fascist hordes of Osama bin Laden, have infiltrated the food supplies of our brave and noble workers with the lethal toxin Red Sudan 1. This substance, in even the smallest quantities, will cause lingering and agonizing death. The collaborators of the Evil Axis seek to annihilate the battalions of our Socialist Proletariat, and thus to prepare the way for an invasion of our Socialist Heartland!

Comrades! We may be of good heart! Our Mighty Leaders have ready-in-hand a Master Counter-Plan to defeat these nefarious conspiracies and throw the Enemy back into his dark and sandy lairs.

Be alert, aware, and on the lookout! And always remember. Here in Washington, in the White House, sits our Noble Leader comrade Bush.

A leading UN official bites the dust ...

Ruud Lubbers, the head of the UN relief agency, resigned after accusations of sexual harassment against him were leaked to the press on Friday 18 Feb. 05. The former Dutch Prime Minister denied the accusation(s), but said that his position had become untenable.

An accusation of groping was made (surprise surprise by an American colleague.

22 February 05

The White House has denied a claim by Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez yesterday that the US is planning to assassinate him.

Clarke reveals anti-terror plan
BBC News online, 22 February 05

'Plans to detain terror suspects under house arrest without trial are vital because of the continuing threat to UK interests, the home secretary has said.

'Charles Clarke wants house arrest and other powers to replace indefinite jail for terror suspects — something the law lords have ruled against.

'The Tories [Conservatives] and Lib Dems are threatening to oppose the idea.

'But Mr Clarke insisted any decision for him to use the new powers would be open to scrutiny in the courts.

'The "control orders" could include curfews or restrictions on use of telephones or the internet as well as house arrest and tagging.

'Mr Clarke said some would require an opt-out from the European Convention on Human Rights but he would not be seeking one now.

'The police and security services did not believe house arrests were necessary to deal with the 1 men currently being detained without trial, mostly at London's Belmarsh prison, he said. ...

'He later published "briefing papers" about the international terrorist threat, the government's measures to protect the UK and efforts to balance liberties and security.

'Ex-government emergency planning chief Mike Grannatt said the papers combined information already on MI5's website with public threats from terrorist groups. ...

'The existing powers being used to hold terror suspects without trial lapse on 14 March. ...

'[And now, half-way down the page,] The new anti-terror powers would apply to UK citizens as well as foreign terror suspects for the first time. It would be the home secretary, rather than judges, who decided on imposing the orders. ...'

... The House of Commons passed the first reading of the Bill by a majority of 76.

23 February 05

'WHO WARNS OF BIRD FLU PANDEMIC

'World health officials have issued their strongest warning yet about the global threat posed by bird flu.

'The world is now in the gravest possible danger of a human flu pandemic triggered by the virus, Dr Shi____ Omi told a conference in Vietnam.

'The World Health Organisation fears bird flu may get deadlier if it mutates into a form that could easily be transmitted between humans.

'Thirteen people have died in Vietnam since December.'

(BBC Ceefax)

'US TROOPS ROLL INTO TROUBLED [Iraqi] TOWN

'US marines have clashed with Iraqi rebels in the troubled western province of Anbar, during an operation to weaken the insurgency.

'Tanks and armoured vehicles were ambushed by fighters as they entered the town of Haqlaniya, about 240 km (150 miles) from Baghdad.

'The raid, codenamed Operation River Blitz, has been targeting rebels in towns along the Euphrates River.

'Many Sunni insurgents fled to the region after the US assault on Falluja.'

(BBC Ceefax, 23 February 05)

Bush, in Europe, said the idea that the US is planning to attack Iran was "ridiculous". Then, in his very next sentence, he said that all options are being kept open.

24 February 05

ELECTION "COULD BE TERROR TARGET"

'Terrorists might try to target the UK in the run-up to the election, London's most senior police officer has said.

'Sir Ian Blair [the new boy, no relation to Tony as far as we know] said terror groups would remember the effect of the Madrid bomb on Spain's general election last year. ...

'He refused to say if there was specific information about the risk of a pre-poll attack. No 10 was similarly cautious but said the threat was real.'

(BBC Ceefax, p.113)

The US oil junta's UK acolytes are mimicking its pre-election tactics and, as in America, Madrid serves their purposes.

It must be on the cards that, as in the US, Osama-bin-Zinoviev techniques will be employed to swing the vote, with any shortfall being made up by electoral fraud.

Meanwhile, Scotland Yard, HQ of the London Metropolitan Police, continues to build fortifications to protect it from "a terrorist attack".

More like from a popular uprising. The purpose of the upcoming police state is to deal with those who oppose empire-building. UK participation in an Iran invasion is likely to provoke something like civil war here, and the petro-imperialist puppets are preparing themselves for it.

27 February 05

Remember the Monty Python sketch where a woman contacts "Prejudice", lamenting she can't find anything wrong with the Syrians, and is given three good "reasons" to be biased against them? ...

(1) Israel has accused Syria of being behind the latest suicide bombing, in Tel Aviv. The Syrians deny it, but Israel says it will provide intelligence proof.

(2) Iraq has got hold of Saddam Hussein's half-brother, whom they/US accuse of being behind many bombings. The story runs that the Syrians handed over "as a gesture of goodwill", but Iraq/US accuses him of running the campaign from Syria.

(3) Following the car-bomb assassination of former peace-building Lebanese prime minister, which some say Syria was behind, demonstrations and strikes by Lebanese opposition are planned for tomorrow against the Syrian military presence in the country.

28 February 05

'MET LAUNCHES ANTI-TERROR CAMPAIGN

'The [London Metropolitan Police] is launching a campaign urging London communities to help the force fight terrorism.

'They want people to be aware of suspect packages and of unusual activity in places like flats or garages.

'The month-long [why one month?!] campaign, with the slogan, "If you suspect it, report it", will be featured on the radio, on Tube posters and in newspaper ads.

'Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke said: "Communities can defeat terrorism". [Bad news for you then, mate.]'

(BBC Ceefax, p.105)

This is a continuation of the neighbour-against-neighbour efforts first seen (in the post-9/11 West) in the condemned American TIPS campaign. There was a similar campaign by the Met (backed up by the government) a year or two ago.

The limitation of the campaign to one month shows its spuriousness as a fight against ("Islamist") terrorism. The real terrorist agenda is that of the oil-empire acolytes, who run their terror-propaganda campaign on their own timetable. ... Why is February always the climax of the yearly campaign — which is centred on winter?

'Mr Clarke, who heads the Met's anti-terrorist branch, said: "... we very much need the public's help to reduce the danger.

'I would ask people across London to think very carefully about anyone they know whose behaviour has changed suddenly. What has changed — could it be significant?

'"What about the people they associate with? Tell us what you see and what you know, and let us decide if the information you have is valuable or not. ...'

(Met launches anti-terror campaign, BBC News online, 28 February 05)

This is reminiscent of language used by Detective Chief Inspector Andy Hebb in connection with the investigation of the Soham paedophile murders in 2002. "Look at the behaviour of your friends, relatives, anything. Are they doing anything differently? That's the important thing", said Hebb, addressing a public meeting in Soham. (See "The (Post-9/11) Paedophile Campaign", under 16 Aug. 2002.) (I've suggested that Soham was used as a pocket field-experiment in police-state methods, using child rape/murder to animate the masses in this instance. See "Ashcroft's Paedophile Terror".

And it is Stalinist methods reborn in the West, albeit as yet in its infancy.

At least 115 people were killed in a suicide car-bomb attack in Shia-dominated Hillah, Iraq, made on police and national-guard applicants, in "the single deadliest attack in Iraq since the fall of ... Saddam Hussein".

(ITV Teletext, 28 February 05))

'Lebanese prime minister Omar Karami has announced his government's resignation in the face of an illegal protest by 25,000 people against its leadership. ...'

(ITV Teletext, 28 February 05)

The UK House of Commons voted through the Prevention of Terrorism Bill, after 'Home Secretary Charles Clarke said he would amend the bill at its Lords stage so he would have to apply to a judge for a house arrest control order'.

(BBC Ceefax, 28 February 05, p.104)

150 small retailers have been added to the Sudan 1 supply list.

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