1 July 2004

"Saddam Hussein" has appeared, still wearing his full beard, in an Iraqi court, at a preliminary session (the trial is still months away). He appeared "defiant", and wouldn't recognize the court (but like Milosevich, is still prepared to speak to it).

But they wouldn't transmit his actual words; only a voiceover translation was later given.

(British TV news)

Are they afraid the voice will give away that he isn't Saddam, but only one of his lookalikes/relatives, induced to act by carrot-and-stick methods? The only independent people to have seen him are a couple of Red Cross officials.

Oh, of course, they were afraid he might give forth some "coded message". Like the "Qaeda" ones we're all so used to — not hearing. Presumably orders for some gigantic WMD attack ... such as hydrogen sulphide ...

... A US censor told journalists that recordings of Saddam (at his hearing) "would have the sound stripped off them".

(ITV news at 10:30pm BST)

... But Salem Chalabi, head of the special tribunal, said it was an Iraqi decision.

(BBC Newsnight, 1 July 04)

'IRAN REJECTS UK SERVICEMEN CLAIMS

'Iran has rejected claims by eight British servicemen that they were "forcibly escorted" into its waters before being taken captive. ...

'Iran's foreign ministry claims British officials ["British diplomats" (ITV Teletext)] have admitted the boats entered its waters by mistake. ...'

(BBC Ceefax, 1 July 04, p.107)

3 July 04

'US MARINE BEHEADED — CLAIM

'An Iraqi militant group claim to have beheaded a captive US Marine in what would be the fourth decapitation of a foreign hostage since May.

'The group, called the Ansar al-Sunna Army, posted a written statement on an Islamic website claiming it had killed Lebanese-born Cpl Wassef Ali Hassoun. ...'

(ITV Teletext, p.303)

... ITV news adds that some reports say the Corporal had deserted and was "captured by a militant group".

'A U.S. Marine now in the hands of Iraqi insurgents had deserted the military and was on his way to Lebanon when he was captured, a newspaper reports.

'The New york Times quotes an unnamed Marine officer as saying Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun, a linguist originally from Lebanon, was traumatized by seeing his sergeant blown apart by a shell.

'The officer said Hassoun may have been betrayed by Iraqis he met at his base, who promised to help him desert but instead turned Hassoun over to kidnappers. Hassoun had previously told a cousin that he heard several GIs had bribed Iraqis to help them flee the country. ...'

Compare this case to that of Nick Berg, a young American in Iraq "probably beheaded by Zarqawi" (see May 2004 diary, under 12 and 13 May). A report said Berg was in some sort of trouble with the US authorities beforehand. And Berg's family claimed he had been detained by US officials in Iraq for 13 days (coalition spokesman Dan Senor denied it, saying he was held by Iraqi police).

Targets, then, fit for US neo-Nazis to dispose of under colour of terrorism. Perhaps in both cases, these undesirables were handed over to the CIA or one of its offshoots, to be used as propaganda-fuel.

4 July 04

'INDEPENDENT[:] The [UK] intelligence services are to censor Lord Butler's report into their failures [sic] in the Iraq war run-up.'

(ITV Teletext, p.328, reviews of British papers)

Ansar al-Sunna has denied, on its own website, that Corporal Hassoun has — yet — been killed.

'NEIGHBOURS "BACKED REBELS"

Iraq's new government is to publish evidence that proves neighbouring countries have been providing help to its internal rebel groups.

'Foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari said some nations had provided training, cash and logistics aid to those waging bombing and kidnapping campaigns.

'He did not name the countries, but it was reported Iraqi officials had pointed the finger at Syria and Iran.'

(ITV Teletext, 4 July 04, p.305)

BBC Ceefax has this version:-

'IRAQ SLAMS NEIGHBOURS ON FIGHTERS

'Iraq has accused its neighbours of failing to stop foreign fighters entering the country.

'Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told the BBC that several countries had made promises of border co-operation but these had not materialised.

'However, Mr Zebari said there was no evidence that any state had a deliberate policy to help such groups. [My emphasis. Spot the difference from the previous report.]

'King Abdullah of Jordan said that the destabilisation of Iraq was a dangerous game for its neighbours to play.'

(BBC Ceefax, 4 July 04, p.105)

'[European-Union]-WIDE DNA DATABASE IDEA [by UK Home Secretary Blunkett]

"moves to harmonise European efforts to thwart terrorism should include the creation of an EU-wide DNA database, says Home Secretary David Blunkett.

'He is hosting a meeting in Sheffield of his counterparts in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, in a bid to increase cross-border co-operation.

'Pooling suspects' [my emphasis] DNA fingerprint records is one of a number of potential anti-terror weapons on the table.'

(ITV Teletext, 4 July [!] 04, p.308)

5 July 04

'US POISED FOR BAHRAIN EVACUATION

'families of US service people will begin leaving Bahrain in the next few days amid a heightened terrorism alert.

'Formal departure orders were issued on Sunday [4 July 04], a Navy spokesman said.

'It is the first time the US Pentagon has issued this kind of mandatory evacuation order from Bahrain — home of the US Navy's 5th fleet. [My emphasis.]

'The orders affect 350 families, or about 650 people, officials said, and they will stay away from the Gulf for more than a month.'

(BBC Ceefax)

As ever, we must be alert to the possibility that this move is preparatory for a new American Mideast invasion. Previous such alarms, as well as being dry runs, may have — intentionally — produced a false sense of "non-event".

A border incident has been staged with Iranian "extremists" — the Revolutionary Guards — and simultaneously a story brought out about a Revolutionary-Guard "invasion" of Iraq last year. (See June 2004 diary under 30 June, and above under 1 July.)

And yesterday the Iraqi puppet government apparently pointed the finger at Iran and Syria over terrorism within Iraq. (See above, under 4 July.)

6 July 04

A report by the US Senate will criticise the CIA for having evidence that Saddam's Iraq had no WMD, but failing to inform the White House about it.

Iraq was a bete noir of Bush, and the petro-imperialist "grey eminences" had to play along with it. Their own preferred, and prepared target was — and is — (via 9/11) Saudi Arabia (and, to a lesser extent, Iran).

The conquest of Iraq has nevertheless provided a base for further conquests of major oil producers. And the violence in the country only extends the pretext — the "War On Terror" — for this.

And what was at the murky roots of "Islamist terrorism"?
Al-Qaeda: a CIA protιgι
The September 11 Atrocities

The fruits of the Great Paedophile Campaign continue to ripen ...

'CLAIMS "BANKRUPT US ARCHDIOCESE"

'A Roman Catholic archdiocese in the US is to declare bankruptcy because it cannot meet the cost of claims by people allegedly [my emphasis] abused by its priests.

'The Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, will be the first in the US to do so.

'The action will suspend the start of a civil trial of a priest accused of molesting more than 50 boys.

'Other US Roman Catholic dioceses are also facing bankruptcy, or have had to sell property, to meet the cost of abuse claims brought against priests.'

(BBC Ceefax, 7 July 04, p.123)

7 July 04

'MAIL[: UK finance secretary] Gordan Brown is set to reveal that national security and the war on terror will escape the spending squeeze.'

(ITV Teletext, p.328, reviews of British papers)

'INDEPENDENT[:] The family of a Lebanese-American marine kidnapped in Iraq said a mysterious visitor had told them he is free and well.'

(Ibid.)

9 July 04

IRAQ INTELLIGENCE REPORT DUE

'The CIA is expected to be heavily criticised in a US Senate [Intelligence Committee] report into intelligence used to back the Iraq war.

'Insiders say the report will accuse the agency of not being rigourous or careful in its intelligence assessment of the threat posed by Saddam Hussein.

'and it will reveal [that] some intelligence analysts felt they needed to emphasise certain information due to a "hawkish' atmosphere encouraging an invasion.'

(ITV Teletext, p.303)

... George Tenet is actually leaving his desk today. (He resigned as CIA boss a couple of weeks ago.)

(BBC News 24, 9 July 04

'MYSTERY OVER ABDUCTED MARINE

'US officials are investigating whether the reported abduction of a US marine in Iraq was a hoax after the soldier turned up safe and well in Lebanon.

'Cpl Wassef Ali Hassoun went missing from his base near Fallujah 18 days ago and was reported to have been beheaded.

'But reports now [in fact, some time ago; see above] that he might have deserted his base and headed to Lebanon. It is unclear how the Lebanese-born soldier reached Beirut.'

(ITV Teletext, p.304, 9 July 04)

... Corporal Hassoun is being held at the US embassy in Beirut.

'US CRITICAL OF UN [Israeli] BARRIER RULING

'The US state department has described as inappropriate a ruling by the world court that Israel's West Bank barrier is illegal and should be torn down.

'Spokesman Richard Boucher said the ruling — which is not binding — might be a damaging distraction from the roadmap peace process.

'The International Court of Justice rejected Israel's arguments that it needed the barrier for self-defence.

'But Israel said it would not accept the court's "unjust" decision.'

(BBC Ceefax, p.104)

Al-Qaida wants to disrupt [US] elections [says Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge]
Katherine Pfleger Shrader, Chicago Sun-Times, 9 July 04

'WASHINGTON — A steady stream of intelligence, including nuggets from militant-linked Web sites, indicates al-Qaida wants to disrupt the upcoming elections, federal officials said Thursday [8 July 04].

'Besides security plans for the political conventions this summer in Boston [Democrats] and New York [Republicans], the officials are considering how to secure polling places come November.

'Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said the Bush administration based a decision to bolster security on credible reports report about al-Qaeda's plans, coupled with the pre-election terror attack in Spain earlier this year and recent arrests in England, Jordan and Italy [fair satellites of America]. ...

'The Bush administration was criticised by Democrats in May when Attorney General John Ashcroft put forward a high-profile warning that an attack could be imminent — an assessment not all high-ranking officials shared. [How come the Democrats only criticise administration terror-warnings when electoral ulterior motives might be involved?] ...'

12 July 04

US 'may delay vote if attacked'
BBC News online

'The Bush administration is reported to be investigating the possibility of postponing the presidential election in the event of [a dip in the opinion polls? No ...] a terror attack.

'US counter-terrorism officials are examining what steps would be needed to permit a delay, Newsweek reports.

'Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge last week warned al-Qaeda was planning to attack the US to disrupt the poll [see above, under 9 July] but conceded he had no precise information.

'A senior Democrat in Congress has said talk of postponement is "excessive".

'In its latest edition, Newsweek reports that Mr Ridge has asked the Justice Department to examine what legal steps would be needed to permit the postponement of the 2 November election.

'This follows a letter from the chairman of the new Election Assistance Commission, DeForest Soaries, who urged Mr Ridge to seek emergency legislation from Congress that would allow his agency to reschedule the vote in the event of an attack.

'Mr Soaries noted that while New York's board of elections suspended primary elections on 11 September 2001, "the federal government has no agency that has the statutory authority to cancel and reschedule a federal election."

'Homeland Security Department spokesman Brian Roehrkasse told Newsweek, "We are reviewing the issue to determine what steps need to be taken to secure [!!] the election. ...

'No US presidential election has ever been postponed. ...'

It is very hard to imagine that, having embarked on the path of totalitarian world empire, the US cabal will allow its frontman to be replaced by a Democrat. The Bush administration is, from the cabal's viewpoint, the least bad choice by far.

Of course, he should have invaded Saudi rather than the Iraq family bugbear, but hey! who can expect perfection in the real world? Iraq makes the ideal geo-strategic base for conquering and controlling the rest of the Mideast oil zone.

'WASHINGTON — The House said Thursday [22 July 04] it will not back any efforts to postpone this year's presidential elections due to terrorist threats or attacks.

'Lawmakers voted 419-2 in support of a congressional resolution from Rep. Bob Ney, [Republican]-Ohio, that also says no agency or individual should be given the authority to postpone the date of a national election, which will be held this year on Nov. 2. ...

'... National security adviser Condoleezza Rice has said the administration is considering no such plan. ...

'Unlike a bill, a House resolution is not binding and does not have the force of law. It merely expresses the sentiment of members of the House. ...'

The Empire Strikes Back ... again ...

'TIMES[:] MI5 will deploy agents around the UK in a radical reorganisation aimed at combating the threat of home-grown Islamist terrorists linked to al-Qaeda.'

(ITV Teletext, p.328, 12 July 04, reviews of British papers)

'MI5 URGES RADICAL SECURITY MOVES

'... to protect [or is it make a prison of?] the Palace of Westminster from terrorist attacks ...

'A report by intelligence chiefs is expected to propose a steel barrier to protect Parliament. [The Wall, Mark II. (Mark I being the Israeli "security" barrier.]

'It is feared that current concrete barriers could be dangerous if blown up — while the Big Ben clock tower could fall on the [House of] Commons chamber if targeted. [Clearly, they've already seen "Gorgo".]

'The review was prompted by a flour attack on Tony Blair as he addressed MPs this summer.'

(BBC Ceefax, 12 July 04, p.110)

ITV News says its "sneak preview" of the Butler reports says it will severely criticise former Joint-Intelligence-Committee chairman John Scarlett, for his role in the "Iraqi WMD" dossier (of September 2002) — which was a key part of the pretext to invade Iraq.

But the report will "hope" that Scarlett is not thereby required to resign his new post as head of MI6.

13 July 04

David Selwood, the Portsmouth circuit judge, has been found guilty of 12 counts of "making" pornographic pictures of young boys. In March and April this year he downloaded 75 such pictures onto his computer.

Selwood said he had no interest in such pictures, but downloaded them out of "curiosity". He was given a 12-month community (non-custodial) sentence, and placed on the sex-offenders' register for five years.

'IRAQ POLICE SWOOP ON "CRIMINALS"

'Police in Iraq have detained at least 525 suspected criminals in their biggest co-ordinated operation since the US invasion, officials say.

'some 500 Iraqi police staged a series of raids in Baghdad in an effort to clean up the capital's streets, interior ministry sources said.

'The detainees were being held on suspicion of crimes including murder, kidnapping and drug-dealing, they said.

'A spokesman said most were criminals pardoned by Saddam Hussein last year.'

(BBC Ceefax, 13 July 04)

14 July 04

[U.S.] Justice Dept. Report Details Use of Patriot Act
Dan Eggen, Washington Post, 14 July 04, p.A07

'The Justice Department unveiled yesterday extensive new details of its use of the USA Patriot Act in a bid to shore up support for the embattled anti-terrorism law, asserting that it has helped thwart al Qaeda plots and led to scores of criminal convictions since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

'According to a 29-page report to Congress released by Attorney General John D. Ashcroft, Justice Department terrorism investigations have resulted in charges against 310 people and have yielded 179 convictions or guilty pleas. The report says the Patriot Act was central to those cases.

'The report also chronicles numerous instances in which the law has been used in traditional criminal investigations, from child pornography prosecutions to the rescue of a kidnapped 88-year-old woman. Bush administration officials had not previously revealed the extent to which law enforcement authorities were able to investigate such crimes under the expanded powers provided by the law. [My emphases. This shows the general purposes for which this police-state legislation was always intended, and in particular links up with Ashcroft's Great Paedophile Campaign, a weapon aimed at internal political opposition to the imperial police-state project. ]

'The report comes less than a week after Republicans narrowly defeated a proposal in the House [of Representatives] to prohibit the FBI from using the law to obtain library and bookstore records. GOP [Republican] leaders, under intense pressure from the White House, prolonged a vote for 23 minutes Thursday [8 July 04] in a bid to sway enough dissident Republicans to produce a vote, which killed the measure. ...'

'... Powers permitted under the Patriot Act have also been used in investigations involving potential school bomb attacks, computer hackers, child pornography, violent fugitives and illegal weapons sales. ...

'The report did not say whether the FBI had used its authority to obtain library or bookstore records. Theat inforamtion is classified, but Ashcroft last year issued a declassifed statement saying that, up to that point, the power had not been used. ...'

As far as I have seen, the report does not give the total number of non-terrorist cases in which the "Patriot Act" has been used. Is the US gangster-cabal keen to evade revealing the extent to which this legislation has been used to fulfil its ulterior motives?

Associated Press, "[Butler] Report Cites U.K. Iraq Intelligence Flaws", ABC News, 14 July 04

"'Serious flaws' in Iraq intelligence", BBC News online, 14 July 04

Tom Happold, "Bypassing the buck", The Guardian (Britain), 14 July 04

"Bush, CIA withhold Iraq intelligence paper", Washington Times, 14 July 04

"Michael Moore is a bully, says Who guitarist [Pete Townshend]", The Guardian, 14 July 04

16 July 04

'USA[:] Al-Qaeda may be recruiting non-Arabs with US citizenship to carry out terrorist attacks inside the United States, the FBI has warned.'

(ITV Teletext, p.318)

... some of those librul commie fag Democrats, no doubt.

Things were simpler in 1930s Germany. All the Nazis had to do was burn down the Reichstag and abolish elections. They didn't have to contend with a 200-year tradition of constitutionalism.

17 July 04

'INDEPENDENT[:] Downing Street admitted MI6 embarked on a cover-up over unreliable evidence of Saddam's WMD.'

(ITV Teletext, p.328, reviews of British papers)

'TIMES[:] The United States will mount a concerted attempt to overturn the regime in Iran if President Bush is elected for a second term.'

(Ibid.)

'... [The Times] quotes a senior official saying the US would not use military force, but pursue a revolt against Iran's rulers.'

(BBC Ceefax, 17 July 04, p.148)

This is reminiscent of the deception game played in the year before the Iraq invasion.

(On the other hand the junta will want to cultivate puppets for a future Iranian government.)

And it's hard to imagine that the US cabal will allow a Democratic president to take power in America.

'IRAQ[:] The UN has criticised the US-led condition over poor accounting, the failure to monitor oil production, and the awarding of secret contracts.'

(ITV Teletext, 17 July 04, p.318)

'ELTON ATTACKS "CENSORSHIP" IN US

'Elton John has said stars are scared to speak out against war in Iraq because of "bullying tactics" used by the US government to hinder free speech.

'"There's an atmosphere of fear in America right now that is deadly. Everyone is too career-conscious," he told [the] New York magazine, Interview.

'Sir Elton said performers could be "frightened by the current administration's bullying tactics".

'The singer likened the current "fear factor" to McCarthyism in the 1950s.'

(BBC Ceefax, 17 July 04, p.119)

18 July 04

The US has made an airstrike on a house in Falluja, west of Baghdad, killing 14 people. It says it was a safe house for Iraqi and foreign fighters, but women and children were said to be amongst the dead. The strike was authorized by the Iraqi Prime Minister.

The US is now clearly copying the Israeli tactic of airstrikes against militant oppositionists in Palestine.

Israeli PM Ariel Sharon has angered France by saying that French Jews in particular "must" emigrate to Israel to escape rising anti-semitism in France.

19 July 04

Iran moves decisively onto the agenda as the US cabal's next oil target ...

'US "EXPLORING IRANIAN 9/11 ROLE"

'President George W Bush has said the US is exploring whether Iran had a role in the 11 September 2001 terror attacks.

'"We're digging into the facts to see if there was one," Mr Bush told reporters at the White House.

'His comments come after the CIA's acting chief said that some of the hijackers passed through Iran, but there was no evidence Iran was officially involved. [They did more than pass through America, and there's plenty of evidence that the US government was involved.]

'It comes ahead of a final report by a US commission of inquiry into the attacks.'

(BBC Ceefax, p.104)

20 July 04

Extent of child net porn revealed
BBC News online

'BT [British Telecom] says it is blocking up to 20,000 attempts each day to access child porn.

'Its figures provide the first firm evidence of the extent of web paedophilia and BT is targeting the porn with its Clean Feed system.

'The Internet Watch Foundation called the figures "staggering" and said children were being abused in order to supply the hardcore images.

'Police officials said the extent of the online porn problem was "extremely disturbing".

'BT said in its first three weeks its new system, which bars access to particular sites, registered nearly 250,000 attempts to view web pages containing images of child pornography.

'That represents an average of about 10,000 requests each day.

'Anyone trying to access such a site would be presented with a message reading "Website not found".

'Pierre Danon, chief executive of BT retail, said the company was blocking access to hundreds of sites which had been identified by the Internet Watch Foundation. ...

'Websites assessed by the IWF as "illegal to view" under the 1978 Child Protection Act were targeted by BT.

'The IWF keeps a real-time live database which is updated every time an illegal site is found. At any one time there are thousands of sites on the database.'

The point is, what other types of sites might be conveniently swept under the dame umbrella? Sites questioning the official version of 9/11, for example? Or the ulterior motives of anti child porn campaigns?

"Fake websites entice paedophiles"
BBC News online, 20 July 04

'[UK] Police have set up fake websites to catch people accessing child porn, the National Crime Squad (NCS) has said.

'Detectives collect people's personal details entered into fake sites which appear when key words are searched for.

'The NCS told BBC News Online about police techniques in the fight against online porn, after BT revealed how widespread UK web paedophilia was. [See previous item.] ...

'Internet service providers pass on concerns about particular users to the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), who may then refer the case to the relevant police force and ultimately the NCS.

'NCS spokeswoman Jackie Bennett told BBC News Online: "We do not block sites but we liaise very closely with the industry, from service providers to telecommunication companies and the IWF, as well as child protection agencies.

'We try to stop the supply of images and, through he industry, the demand can be stopped."

'Police forces in the UK and elsewhere in the world are exploring various ways of clamping down on offenders.

'In December 2003 it emerged that a web sting had been set up by the NCS, who worked with the FBI [no surprise at all here], Interpol the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Australian Hi-Tech Crime Centre.

'The online operation, known as Operation Pin, targets offenders by setting up fake websites that collect details of people wanting to look at child porn.

'Law enforcement agencies have worked with search engine operators to ensure that the fake sites appear when a person looks for certain keywords.

[And, as with the "Patriot Act", these measures can be put to more general uses.] ...

'[Bennett] pointed to the work of the Virtual Global Task Force (VGTF), as an example of the way in which enforcement agencies worldwide are working together.

'In June [2004] it proposed that police around the world [again, this is the Anglo-Saxon world; see June 2004 diary, under 9 June] should manually "listen in" to online conversations 24 hours a say, seven days a week. ...'

'(CBS/AP) FBI agents combed laboratory suites at Fort Detrick — home to the Army's biological warfare defense program — on Tuesday, and a source said they were again looking for evidence in the 2001 anthrax attacks. ...'

The — thoroughly purged and cabalized — FBI has no intention of finding the real perpetrators of the attacks (who are doubtless some of the cabal's agents). This raid is, presumably, a pre-election showpiece.

22 July 04

Blair draws up plans to send troops to Sudan
- Army could be used to protect camps
- a million lives at risk from starvation<
Ewen MacAskill, The Guardian

'Tony Blair has asked Downing Street and Foreign Office officials to draw up plans for possible military intervention in Sudan, where more than a million refugees are at risk from famine and disease.

'Despite a heavy commitment of British armed forces in Iraq and other troublespots, the prime minister has had discussions with advisers for on-the-ground involvement of troops. ...

'The fact that Mr Blair is prepared to consider military options, even limited ones, so soon after the Iraq war may create controversy, not least among critics who already regard him as too interventionist. It would be his sixth military venture since becoming prime minister in 1997. ...

'The Darfur refugees, mainly women and children, were forced to flee their homes after attacks by the Janjaweed, a militia armed by the Khartoum government to help combat rebels. ...'

Is this to be a cover for preparation for an invasion of Iran — or even Saudi Arabia? And Sudan is one of the radical Islamic, "evil-axis associates", control of which in itself would be useful for a wrap-around Iron Curtain for Saudi (the world's largest exporter) and for the prospective Mideast oil empire in general.

The opposition to the Iraq war — impotent in the end to prevent it — may find themselves "morally disarmed" by a Sudan pretext.

The clockwork Blair puppet, set in motion by 9/11 — The Great Founding Event of the new Evil Empire — is proceeding causalatically along a pre-determined path as good-thinking court jester to the Grand Court of Black Petro-Power.

The Pakistan connection
There is evidence of foreign intelligence backing for the 9.11 hijackers. Why is the US government so keen to cover it up?
Michael Meacher [a former UK Labour government minister], The Guardian, 22 July 2004

'Omar Sheikh, a British-born Islamist militant, is waiting to be hanged in Pakistan for a murder he almost certainly didn't commit — of the Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in 2002. Both the US government and Pearl's wife have since acknowledged that Sheikh was not responsible. Yet the Pakistani government is refusing to try other suspects newly implicated in Pearl's kidnap and murder for fear the evidence they produce in court might acquit Sheikh and revel too much.

'Significantly, Sheikh is the man who, on the instructions of General Mahmoud Ahmed, the then head of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), wired $100,000 before the 9/11 attacks to Mohammed Atta, the lead hijacker. It is extraordinary that neither Ahmed nor Sheikh have been charged and brought to trial on this count. Why not?

'Ahmed, the paymaster for the hijackers, was actually in Washington on 9/11, and had a series of pre-9/11 top-level meetings in the White House, the Pentagon, the national security council, and with George Tenet, the head of the CIA, and Marc Grossman, the under-secretary of state for political affairs. When Ahmed was exposed by the Wall Street Journal as having the money to the hijackers, he was forced to "retire" by President Pervez Musharraf. Why hasn't the US demanded that he be questioned and tried in court?

'Another person who must know a great deal about what led up to 9/11 is Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, allegedly arrested in Rawalpindi on March 1, 2003. ... the New York Times has since noted that "American officials said that KSM, once al-Qaida's top operational commander, personally executed Daniel Pearl but he was unlikely to be accused of the crime in an American criminal court because of the risk of divulging classified information". Indeed, he may never be brought to trial. [Khalid Sheikh Mohammed strangely parallels Omar Mohammed Sheikh, as to dates and deeds, and indeed name. Has the CIA muddled two fairy tales out of one? Is KSM a fantasy-version of OMS?] ...

'It has been rumoured that Pearl was especially interested in any played by the US in training or backing the ISI. Daniel Ellsberg, the former US defence department whistleblower who has accompanied Edmonds in court, has stated: "It seems to me quite plausible that Pakistan was quite involved in this ... To say Pakistan is, to me, to say CIA because ... it's hard to say that the ISI knew something that the CIA had no knowledge of." Ahmed's close relations with the CIA would seem to confirm this. For years the CIA used the ISI as a conduit to pump billions of dollars into militant Islamist groups in Afghanistan, both before and after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

'With CIA backing, the ISI has developed, since the early 1980s, into a parallel structure, a state within a state, with staff and informers estimated by some at 150,000. It wields enormous power over all aspects of government. The case of Ahmed confirms that parts of the ISI directly supported and financed al-Qaida, and it has long been established that the ISI has acted as go-between in intelligence operations on behalf of the CIA. [My emphasis.]

'Senator Bob Graham, chairman of the Senate select committee on intelligence, has said: "I think there is very compelling evidence that at least some of the terrorists were assisted, not just in financing ... by a sovereign government." In that context, Horst Ehmke, former coordinator of the West German secret services, observed: "Terrorists could not have carried out such an operation with four hijacked planes without the support of a secret service."

'That might give meaning to the reaction on 9/11 of Richard Clarke, the White House counter-terrorism chief, when he saw the passenger lists later on the day itself. "I was stunned that there were al-Qaida operatives on board using names that the FBI knew were al-Qaida." It was just that, as Dale Watson, head of counter-terrorism at the FBI told him, the "CIA forgot to tell us about them". [My emphases.]'

Michel Chossudovsky and other observers have long since noted the connections between the CIA and the ISI, and the visits and moves just before 11 September 2001. Subsequently a (junior) figure of the UK political establishment, Michael Meacher, is publicising them.

But by the time the sewage is fully exposed and understood, it may be too late. The oil empire, for which these deeds were designed to pave the way, may well be an accomplished fact. ("We wouldn't have done it had we known, but we have to live with the status quo now", and all the rest of the crap.) Which outcome the movers and shakers have presumably precalculated; and gambled their lives on.

US missed 10 chances to avert 9/11 strikes
Julian Borger, The Guardian, 22 July 04

'The US missed 10 opportunities to detect and disrupt the al-Qaida September 11 conspiracy before the attacks took place, a report by an official commission of inquiry is expected to claim today.

'On the eve of the report, surveillance video from Washington Dulles international airport, broadcast on television last night, showed four of the five hijackers on the flight that crashed into the Pentagon being pulled aside to undergo additional scrutiny after setting off metal detectors, but then permitted to board the flight.

'However, the September 11 commission report will stop short of ruling whether the hijackings should have been prevented, a critical issue in the heat of presidential election campaign. ...

'The video released yesterday shows an airport screener hand-checking the baggage of one hijacker, Nawaf al-Hamzi, for traces of explosives before letting him continue on to American Airlines flight 77 with his brother, Salem, a fellow hijacker. ...

'Only Hani Hanjour, believed to have been the hijacker who piloted the flight, did not set off an alarm as he passed through Dulles security that morning. [ And what a student this man must have been! Did he only learn to fly from a few light-aircraft lessons, or even videos, as his fellow pilots are supposed to have done? Flight 77 executed a complicated spiral-dive manoeuvre, evidently to line it up with the wing of the Pentagon under renovation and consequently underpopulated, before virtually landing on the ground and taxi-ing into the Pentagon wing — another skilled manoeuvre.] ...

'The report has concluded that there is scant evidence of a close relationship between al-Qaida and prewar Iraq, one of the administration's principal justifications for the war ... Today's report will [oh so conveniently and opportunely! there was more evidence of al-Qaida's links to Iran, which it will say allowed at least eight of the hijackers to cross its territory. [This was in 2000.]

'In one of its recommendations today, the September 11 commission will call for the appointment of a cabinet-level director of intelligence with control over the CIA, the FBI, and the country's dozen other intelligence agencies — a proposal Mr Bush has said he will consider. [And who more fit to be it than Dr Gobbles himself — little ol' Tom Ridge??] ...'

Video shows 9/11 security check
BBC News online, 22 July 04

'... Two of [the hijackers of AA Flight 77], Khalid Al-Midhar and Nawaq Alhamzi, had been known to be associated with al-Qaeda since early 1999 by the US National Security Agency.

'The two were put on a terrorism watch list just weeks before the attack — on 24 August 2001. ...

'The video was obtained by the Associated Press from lawyers Motley Rice, who are representing some survivors' families in their efforts to sue airlines over the 11 September attacks. ...'

Fred Barbash, "[U.S.] Army IG Found No 'Pattern' to Detainee Abuse", Washington Post online, 22 July 04

25 July 04

'SUNDAY TELEGRAPH[:] A new [UK] special forces regiment is being created to infiltrate Islamic terror groups such as al-Qaeda.'

(ITV Teletext, p.328, reviews of British papers)

Catching up with the Americans. ;-)

26 July 04

"Terror advice pamphlet unveiled [in UK]
BBC News online

'An £8m government campaign to help the public prepare for terror attacks and other emergencies [i.e. it's a accompaniment to the upcoming Civil Contingencies Act] is being launched.

'Advice booklets will be sent to every UK household and a series of radio and television adverts begins on Monday [today].

'The 22-page booklet has first aid advice, contact numbers and practical tips such as keeping supplies of tinned food, bottled water and batteries.

'The Home Office says the campaign is in response to research showing the public wanted more practical advice. [And, no doubt, their research will show — when required to — that the public wants more advice about flying pigs.]

'It is not in response to a specific or heightened threat, a spokesman said. ...'

28 July 04

At least 70 people have been killed in a suicide car-bombing at a police station in Baquba, north of Baghdad. People were waiting to apply to join the police force. Twenty-one passengers in a passing mini-bus were among the dead.

Casualties in other parts of Iraq bring the total to 100.

29 July 04

MPs attack Blunkett ID card plan
Patrick Wintour, The Guardian

'[UK Home Secretary] David Blunkett's controversial plan for compulsory identity cards will be condemned by MPs tomorrow as improperly costed, poorly thought out, secretive and "lacking in clarity both over the scheme's scope and practical operations.

'The MPs, on the home affairs select committee, stress that they do not oppose ID cards in principle. But they express alarm about what they describe as "function creep" once a national identity register is in place. They warn that ministers are already planning to use the ID card scheme as a cover to introduce a national fingerprint system within five years.

'Identities may soon be checkable on the national register from CCTV pictures, they predict.

'In the report, due to be published tomorrow but seen by the Guardian, the MPs call for parliament to be given powers to oversee the development of ID cards to prevent them encroaching into new areas.

'The report warns that once the cards become compulsory it is conceivable that private companies will be able to demand access to the full information held on the register as a condition of providing a service. The access "is well in excess of what is justified in the fight against serious crime or terrorism. ...

'Despite their criticisms, the MPs are clear that the Home Office should proceed with the cards because of "their significant role in fighting terrorism", adding that there is no overwhelming constitutional objection to a compulsory scheme. ...

'Mr Blunkett said at the weekend he was "really very pleased with the kind of support we're getting ... over 80% in all focus group and opinion polls now saying that [pigs have wings? No—] people are up for this". ...

'The MPs also say that the government has not developed coherent proposals for the scheme to become an entitlement card to allow citizens to gain access to public services [and, last I heard, without which it will not be possible to do so]. ...

'The MPs say they are unconvinced by [i.e. of] the need for Home Office secrecy over the costings. ...

'Two MPs, David Winnock of Labour and Bob Russell of the Liberal Democrats, will issue a minority report rejecting ID cards altogether. [This pair wholly under-represent the same body of public opinion.]'

'BLUNKETT URGED TO SHELVE ID CARDS

'The [UK] home secretary should shelve his plans for national ID cards following a damning MPs' report on them, civil liberties groups have said.

'A coalition of anti-ID card groups, called No2ID, has pledged to bring about the defeat of the plans are introduced to Parliament.

'The Liberal Democrats say they would oppose any such bill, while the Tories say the plans are "fatally flawed".'

(BBC Ceefax, p.105)

Iraq has become a "battleground" for al-Qaeda, the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee has said.

(BBC Ceefax, 29 July 04, p.112)

Pakistan has announced the arrest of Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani, a Qaeda "bigwig", wanted in connection with the US African embassy bombings of 1998.

(UK TV late evening news, 29 July 04)

Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), a virtual subsidiary of the CIA. Was Musharraf's 1999 coup actively (if covertly) backed by the CIA?

30 July 04

'DETECTIVE [Brian Stevens] "GAVE FALSE ALIBI"

'A detective prominent in the Soham inquiry [see "Ashcroft's Paedophile Terror"] gave a false alibi when accused of downloading suspect images on his laptop, the Old Baily has been told.

'Det Con Brian Stevens — liaison officer to the family of murder victim Jessica Chapman — denies conspiring to pervert the course of justice with a friend.

'The prosecution claims the pair made up a story that he was elsewhere when the questionable [sic] images were downloaded.'

(ITV Teletext, p.312)

Iranian foreign minister Kamal Kharzai denied an Iraqi minister's claim that Iran was backing Iraqi violence.

31 July 04

US court reveals Libya terror plot
BBC News online

'A plea bargain in a US court has revealed details of an alleged Libyan plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia's de facto leader Prince Abdullah.

'Leading US Muslim activist Abdurahman Alamoudi admitted taking part in the plot, as he pleaded not guilty to three charges of illegal dealing with Libya.

'US Attorney General John Ashcroft said the case has provided "critical intelligence" in the war on terror.

'Libya has denied plotting to assassinate the Crown Prince.

'The US Justice Department described an elaborate plot, in which Mr Alamoudi — a founder of the American Muslim Council and the American Muslim Foundation — served as a go-between between top Libyan officials and Saudi dissidents. ...

'The 52-year-old naturalised US citizen — who was born in Eritrea — was not charged in relation to the assassination plot. [He was convicted of charges such as tax and immigration violations.]

'Mr Ashcroft ... said the conviction was a "milestone" in the war on terror, and called Mr Alamoudi "a major player in the financial support of terrorism".

'He [Alamoudi] faces a maximum sentence of 23 years in prison when he is sentences on 15 October, and is likely to be stripped of his US citizenship.

'Mr Alamoudi's lawyer said the government had conceded that his client's role in the alleged assassination plot was minimal.'

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