Leaked document reveals prime minister told US senator of 'strong but unpublicized trade' between Haifa port and Iraq via Jordan
Ronen Medzini
Published: 11.30.10, 22:57 / Israel News
Israel has significant trade relations with Iraq, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed about a year and a half ago in a meeting with US Senator Benjamin Cardin, according to a document revealed Tuesday by the WikiLeaks website.
* Click here to read document
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Sunday, 28 November 2010
Interesting blog from Iraq
An American-Iranian Ecological Disaster
Layla Anwar blogs (November 26th): have written before about the ecological disaster that has befallen Iraq
There is of course the million of years life span contamination of Iraqi soil and water with Depleted Uranium, and I suppose by now, the reader is familiar with the effects of D.U on Iraqi people and their health system, with the soaring birth defects, and cancer rates among children not sparing women, men nor the elderly. A quick search on Falluja andBasra
Besides D.U there is also the destruction of arable land. The Americans proceeded to burn entire agricultural fields, orchards and palm trees. By way of example, in the pastIraq
There is of course the million of years life span contamination of Iraqi soil and water with Depleted Uranium, and I suppose by now, the reader is familiar with the effects of D.U on Iraqi people and their health system, with the soaring birth defects, and cancer rates among children not sparing women, men nor the elderly. A quick search on Falluja and
Besides D.U there is also the destruction of arable land. The Americans proceeded to burn entire agricultural fields, orchards and palm trees. By way of example, in the past
So much for a "non-combat" role
CNN report (November 28th): U.S. troops shot and killed an Iraqi man at Baghdad International Airport on Sunday morning, a U.S.
The driver did not respond to U.S.
Thursday, 25 November 2010
From the abyss of the Iraq War (1): 'Mom ... I have killed a man'
BY KAZUYA MATSUMOTO STAFF WRITER
"On April 18, 2006, I had my first confirmed kill. He was an innocent man. I don't know his name. ... During the incident (as) he walked back to his house, I shot him in front of his friend and father. The first round didn't kill him after I'd hit him in his neck. Afterward, he started screaming and looked right into my eyes. ... I said, 'Well, I can't let that happen.' I took another shot and took him out."
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201011210284.html
From the abyss of the Iraq War (2): 'I will die. But I am not sad'
BY KAZUYA MATSUMOTO STAFF WRITER
"Iraqi doctors are saying that more children are contracting leukemia due to the depleted uranium ammunition used since the Gulf War of 1991."
This ammunition uses depleted uranium, a byproduct of the uranium enrichment process for use as fuel in nuclear reactors and weapons. It gives off trace amounts of radiation, and increases the penetrative power of anti-tank rounds.
Kamata consulted with doctors and physicists and was told it is difficult to prove a causal association between low level radiation exposure and damage to health.
"If that's the case, then there is reason for me to become involved," he thought.
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201011220289.html
From the abyss of the Iraq War (3): 'As much as I want to, I cannot go home'
BY KAZUYA MATSUMOTO STAFF WRITER
On May 1, U.S. president George W. Bush, 64, declared an end of major combat operations in Iraq.
However, the turmoil was far from over. Armed conflict intensified, the death toll showed no sign of abating, and conditions in Iraq deteriorated into a quagmire.
Iraqis say the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime did nothing to bring stability to their country; on the contrary, it ushered in a storm of disorder and violence.
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201011230269.html
From the abyss of the Iraq War (4): Is a good friend one who always says yes?
BY KAZUYA MATSUMOTO STAFF WRITERKawabata says that the Iraq War was a test of Japan's status as an ally.
"For the United States, an ally that can truly be trusted is a country that either does only what it is told, or that only occasionally raises its voice in complaint."
The concerns expressed by Kawabata are reminiscent of the question asked by de Villepin at a news conference for American television in March 2003 on the eve of the Iraq War: "Is a good friend someone who always supports and says yes to the United States.?"
His words still speak to us today.
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201011240262.html
BY KAZUYA MATSUMOTO STAFF WRITER
"On April 18, 2006, I had my first confirmed kill. He was an innocent man. I don't know his name. ... During the incident (as) he walked back to his house, I shot him in front of his friend and father. The first round didn't kill him after I'd hit him in his neck. Afterward, he started screaming and looked right into my eyes. ... I said, 'Well, I can't let that happen.' I took another shot and took him out."
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201011210284.html
From the abyss of the Iraq War (2): 'I will die. But I am not sad'
BY KAZUYA MATSUMOTO STAFF WRITER
"Iraqi doctors are saying that more children are contracting leukemia due to the depleted uranium ammunition used since the Gulf War of 1991."
This ammunition uses depleted uranium, a byproduct of the uranium enrichment process for use as fuel in nuclear reactors and weapons. It gives off trace amounts of radiation, and increases the penetrative power of anti-tank rounds.
Kamata consulted with doctors and physicists and was told it is difficult to prove a causal association between low level radiation exposure and damage to health.
"If that's the case, then there is reason for me to become involved," he thought.
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201011220289.html
From the abyss of the Iraq War (3): 'As much as I want to, I cannot go home'
BY KAZUYA MATSUMOTO STAFF WRITER
On May 1, U.S. president George W. Bush, 64, declared an end of major combat operations in Iraq.
However, the turmoil was far from over. Armed conflict intensified, the death toll showed no sign of abating, and conditions in Iraq deteriorated into a quagmire.
Iraqis say the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime did nothing to bring stability to their country; on the contrary, it ushered in a storm of disorder and violence.
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201011230269.html
From the abyss of the Iraq War (4): Is a good friend one who always says yes?
BY KAZUYA MATSUMOTO STAFF WRITERKawabata says that the Iraq War was a test of Japan's status as an ally.
"For the United States, an ally that can truly be trusted is a country that either does only what it is told, or that only occasionally raises its voice in complaint."
The concerns expressed by Kawabata are reminiscent of the question asked by de Villepin at a news conference for American television in March 2003 on the eve of the Iraq War: "Is a good friend someone who always supports and says yes to the United States.?"
His words still speak to us today.
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201011240262.html
Articles on Refugees
Iraqi Kids Struggle on Dangerous Edges
By Rebecca Murray
Growing up is hard for Iraqi children in Syria.
DAMASCUS, Nov 7, 2010 (IPS) - Leila, 17, presses her hijab-clad head against the front door and strains to hear outside. "There's nothing," she says cautiously, turning towards her mother Rawda, the head of the household, in their quiet basement apartment. Along the brocade couch sit her two sisters, Mona, 19, Nadja, 15, and 10-year-old brother Khaled.
read the article in full
Iraqi refugees torn between homesickness and fear
More than 2.5 million Iraqi refugees choosing discomfort over dangerous return.
By Michaela Yule (Dartmouth College) Student Correspondent Corps
Published: November 23, 2010 19:18 ET in Study Abroad
DAMASCUS, Syria — Thirty-eight-year-old Um Mustafa* enters the living room of her Damascus apartment carrying a tray with tea and biscuits for each of her guests. Handing them out, she laughs as she explains that this July day is the third anniversary of her family’s flight from Iraq to Syria.
read article in full
By Rebecca Murray
Growing up is hard for Iraqi children in Syria.
DAMASCUS, Nov 7, 2010 (IPS) - Leila, 17, presses her hijab-clad head against the front door and strains to hear outside. "There's nothing," she says cautiously, turning towards her mother Rawda, the head of the household, in their quiet basement apartment. Along the brocade couch sit her two sisters, Mona, 19, Nadja, 15, and 10-year-old brother Khaled.
read the article in full
Iraqi refugees torn between homesickness and fear
More than 2.5 million Iraqi refugees choosing discomfort over dangerous return.
By Michaela Yule (Dartmouth College) Student Correspondent Corps
Published: November 23, 2010 19:18 ET in Study Abroad
DAMASCUS, Syria — Thirty-eight-year-old Um Mustafa* enters the living room of her Damascus apartment carrying a tray with tea and biscuits for each of her guests. Handing them out, she laughs as she explains that this July day is the third anniversary of her family’s flight from Iraq to Syria.
read article in full
Phil Shiner's speech at the Baha Musa Memorial Lecture
Organised by Public Interest Lawyers in cooperation with the Law Society and Solicitors International Human Rights Group (SIHRG).
7pm on Tuesday 16 November 2010 at the Law Society, 110-113 Chancery Lane, LONDON WC2A.
Who was Baha Mousa?
Baha Mousa was an Iraqi civilian who died after 36 hours in British custody in Iraq. Baha Mousa was hooded, along with nine other Iraqi civilians, and deprived of sleep and food. A post mortem examination found that he had suffered at least 96 injuries before death. In a landmark ruling in the case of Al Skeini the House of Lords held that there was jurisdiction for the purposes of Article 1 of the European Convention of Human Rights at the place of UK detention and that the Secretary of State for Defence was therefore liable for breaches of the Human Rights Act in refusing to hold a public inquiry into his death. The Government announced the Baha Mousa Inquiry in May 2008 which is due to finish this Autumn and report back later in the year or early 2011. http://www.bahamousainquiry.org/
This lecture series is being held in the memory of Baha Mousa so that his and others’ suffering is not forgotten. The inaugural Baha Mousa lecture in 2009 was given by Professor William Schabas.
The speech given by Phil Shiner on the 16th Nov 2010 can be heard on the link below:
http://blip.tv/file/4400796
7pm on Tuesday 16 November 2010 at the Law Society, 110-113 Chancery Lane, LONDON WC2A.
Who was Baha Mousa?
Baha Mousa was an Iraqi civilian who died after 36 hours in British custody in Iraq. Baha Mousa was hooded, along with nine other Iraqi civilians, and deprived of sleep and food. A post mortem examination found that he had suffered at least 96 injuries before death. In a landmark ruling in the case of Al Skeini the House of Lords held that there was jurisdiction for the purposes of Article 1 of the European Convention of Human Rights at the place of UK detention and that the Secretary of State for Defence was therefore liable for breaches of the Human Rights Act in refusing to hold a public inquiry into his death. The Government announced the Baha Mousa Inquiry in May 2008 which is due to finish this Autumn and report back later in the year or early 2011. http://www.bahamousainquiry.org/
This lecture series is being held in the memory of Baha Mousa so that his and others’ suffering is not forgotten. The inaugural Baha Mousa lecture in 2009 was given by Professor William Schabas.
The speech given by Phil Shiner on the 16th Nov 2010 can be heard on the link below:
http://blip.tv/file/4400796
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