[Extract-1] Police said driver Altu Mia was held at Alipur in Bahubal
upazila, Kishore Dev Barman at Satchhari in Chunarughat upazila and Swapan
Kumar Goala at Teliapara in Madhabpur upazila. A truck with the similar
registration number of the one seized at Dhupchachia along with the rifle
bullets and explosives was detected at Chunarughat. Police raided the house
of Ashish Dev Barman, owner of the truck, who was not in. Driver of the
truck Altu Mia was taken into custody from his house in Teliapara at about
11:30pm. In another raid police arrested Kishore and Swapan from their
houses at Satchhari and Teliapara.

[Extract-2] They reported that arrestees Delwar Hossain and Shamim were
activists of the JIB and its student front the Islami Chhatra Shibir in
their evening news bulletins on Sunday. A group of more than 12 persons led
by Majedur Rahman, former president of the town Chhatra Shibir, threatened
Abdur Rouf Jalal and asked him to send a 'corrected report' by 10:00pm
Sunday stating that the arrestees were Awami League workers. At around
12.30pm yesterday, police intercepted Iqbal Morshed Ripon while he was
returning home and reportedly kept him confined for 90 minutes at the SP's
office and he was interrogated by the Deputy Inspector General
(headquarters) Shahadat Hossain. The ATN Bangla and the Channel-i in their
late night bulletins Sunday described the three arrested men as AL workers.

[Extract-3] But by thorough investigation and factual evidence these events
need to be publicly proved because they are related to the very peaceful
existence of the country and the fundamental rights of the people. The
people also should know the evil-doers so that in future they can be careful
of them. Equally or more importantly pertinent is that when proofs are
established the action, the minister warns to take, should be taken without
fear or favour. Because acts of subversion are no politics on whatever
cannot be allowed. Already our politics has become too closely connected
with crimes and criminals.

]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]][[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[

1. Truck driver, 2 others held in Habiganj
Bogra ammo haul
UNB, Habiganj

A truck driver and two others suspected of involvement in Bogra ammunition
and explosive case were taken into custody Sunday night.

Police said driver Altu Mia was held at Alipur in Bahubal upazila, Kishore
Dev Barman at Satchhari in Chunarughat upazila and Swapan Kumar Goala at
Teliapara in Madhabpur upazila.

A truck with the similar registration number of the one seized at
Dhupchachia along with the rifle bullets and explosives was detected at
Chunarughat.

Police raided the house of Ashish Dev Barman, owner of the truck, who was
not in. Driver of the truck Altu Mia was taken into custody from his house
in Teliapara at about 11:30pm.

In another raid police arrested Kishore and Swapan from their houses at
Satchhari and Teliapara.

All of them were handed over to detective police in Dhaka yesterday for
interrogation.

Our staff correspondent Anwar Ali from Bogra reports: Police investigators
have claimed that the probe into the biggest ever ammunition and explosives
haul is 'over'.

A police investigator told The Daily Star, "The only task of police now is
to find out the culprits."

Meanwhile, police picked up four persons and produced them before a first
class magistrate's court to record their statements under Section 164 as
witnesses of the cases filed in connection with the incident.

One of the four persons is Samad, the rickshaw-van puller, who was hired for
unloading the ammunition and explosives from the truck.

The rest three are Birkadar Union Parishad member Abdul Hamid, Abdur Rashid
and Ashraf Ali. All of them are local BNP workers.

Local Jamaat-e Islami of Bangladesh (JIB) allegedly threatened two
journalists for reporting that JIB workers were arrested in connection with
the ammunition and explosives haul, sources said.

The journalists are Abdur Rouf Jalal, Bogra correspondent of the Channel -i
and Iqbal Morshed Ripon, Bogra correspondent of the ATN Bangla.

They reported that arrestees Delwar Hossain and Shamim were activists of the
JIB and its student front the Islami Chhatra Shibir in their evening news
bulletins on Sunday. A group of more than 12 persons led by Majedur Rahman,
former president of the town Chhatra Shibir, threatened Abdur Rouf Jalal and
asked him to send a 'corrected report' by 10:00pm Sunday stating that the
arrestees were Awami League workers.

At around 12.30pm yesterday, police intercepted Iqbal Morshed Ripon while he
was returning home and reportedly kept him confined for 90 minutes at the
SP's office and he was interrogated by the Deputy Inspector General
(headquarters) Shahadat Hossain.

The ATN Bangla and the Channel-i in their late night bulletins Sunday
described the three arrested men as AL workers.

Meanwhile, Delwar Hossain told The Daily Star at the thana custody yesterday
that he had been a JIB worker since 1984 and recently he vied for the
'rokon' post of the party.

Another arrestee Shamim, who was identified as a Shibir worker, denied
having any link with politics.

Police recovered 62,112 Chinese rifle bullets and 120kg of explosives from
an abandoned truck and Awami League leader Sayed Akhlakur Rahman Pintu's
house at Jogarpara village under the Kahalu Police Station in Bogra Friday
night.

Source:[http://www.thedailystar.net/2003/07/01/d30701011111.htm]

2. Find the rifles and establish the political connection
The New Nation, Dhaka
Jul 1, 2003, 03:50

Find the rifles and establish the political connection

The recovery of smuggled 62,000 bullets of Chinese rifle and 57 bags of high
powered explosives from the village Jugarpara of Kahalu Upazila of Bogra
District is a frightful event. Still the government has no clue where the
rifles are for the use of the bullets. The sign is ominous and dreadful
enough to shake the national psyche about the safety and security of the
country. Four days back 1000 pieces of live bombs were recovered from the
capital city Dhaka's outskirt Demra. The person from whose possession the
bombs were recovered admitted that they (the bombs) were collected for use
on the hartal day which Awami League called on last 28 June. A simultaneous
event of Sirajgonj came also in juxtaposition where hill tracts tribal
activist Santu Larma in a conference of the Santal tribals said, "we are at
one with you." In view of the sporadic insurgency in the hill tracts what is
this 'at one with you' is a matter of worry. Even the recent murders of the
capital city Dhaka cannot be excluded from the ambit of the ominous move.

The larger quantity of the ammunition and the explosives were found in the
truck near a brick field in the same village. The other part was found
beneath a heap of cowdung and inside a clump of bamboo in the house of
Akhlaqur Rahman. Akhlaqur Rahman is the president of the Kahalu Upazila
Krishok League, peasant front of Awami League. Rahman is an active political
element and contested the recently held local union parishad election for
the post of chairman. He however failed to win the election. So there is no
need to search for the political identity of Rahman. He is self identified.

Regarding the event and the Awami League called hartal Home Minister Altaf
Hossain Chowdhury made a statement in the parliament which is now in
session. The Home Minister in his statement said that opposition Awami
League had link with the ammunition and explosives haul. Drawing causal
connections the home minister said the ammunition proves the existence of
rifles and the loaded truck reached Jugarpara on the previous night of the
hartal day and a part of the ammunition and explosives were found in the
house of Akhlaqur Rahman who is a leader of Awami League. The Home Minister
said the meaning of all these events are self evident. "Awani League
conspiracy continued to push the country towards anarchy" and in view of
that, the government will "no longer tolerate should anyone try to create
anarchy by collecting arms and ammunition in the name of hartal."

While the minister says that there is a continued Awami conspiracy to push
the country towards anarchy the government naturally, has a duty to foil
this conspiracy in the interest of the people and the country as none have a
right to act against the country and the people. And, therefore, as the
minister said, the government will no longer tolerate such activities.

But by thorough investigation and factual evidence these events need to be
publicly proved because they are related to the very peaceful existence of
the country and the fundamental rights of the people. The people also should
know the evil-doers so that in future they can be careful of them. Equally
or more importantly pertinent is that when proofs are established the
action, the minister warns to take, should be taken without fear or favour.
Because acts of subversion are no politics on whatever cannot be allowed.
Already our politics has become too closely connected with crimes and
criminals.

So the government must find the rifles and establish the political
connection it claims.

Source:[http://nation.ittefaq.com/artman/publish/article_2916.shtml]

------------------------------------------------
       BangladesherDak is a News and Media
       monitoring and forwarding service
       based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

       To view BangladesherDak please click
       on the following lnk :
[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BangladesherDak]
-----------------------------------------------

_________________________________________________________________
The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE*
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=13&art_id=qw1057032540643B212&set_id=1
Survey: most folk give Bush the bird

       July 01 2003 at 06:09AM




       By Nalisha Kalideen


By Mzolisi Witbooi

There's just a week to go before American President George Bush arrives in South
Africa for a state visit and meetings with President Thabo Mbeki.

They'll discuss, among other things, the crises in the Middle East and Zimbabwe.

There will be strict security around Bush but the South African Communist Party
has vowed that it will stage protests in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Cape Argus reporters hit the streets of Cape Town on Monday to ask people what
they thought of the visit.

Reactions were mixed...

1. Kenny Oliver of Kraaifontein: "I don't like him. He's treating his (American)
people the right way but his foreign policy is bad."

2. Jerome Esterhuysen of Stellenbosch: "What does he want in South Africa? We're
doing fine without him."

3. Noline Frieslaam of Strandfontein: "Who cares about Bush?"

4. Jasmine Essop of Southfield: "It's OK if his visit is going to benefit the
country."

5. Derick (no surname supplied) of Cape Town: "I'm not impressed. He attacked
Afghanistan and Iraq for no apparent reason and is now rebuilding those nations.
That's what I call mass destruction; fixing something that's not broken by
breaking it, and then fixing it again."

6. Steven Green of Cape Town: "He should be welcomed with great hospitality.
It's a privilege to be in America's good books. It's also going to improve our
trade and diplomatic ties with America."

7. Nkululeko Nceba of Khayelitsha: "He's the symbol of evil. I can't believe he
will be talking about peace in the Middle East when he meets Mbeki. He's a very
destructive leader."

8. Benard Maregedzes of Cape Town (originally from Zimbabwe): "I hope he brings
change to the political situation in Southern Africa, especially Zimbabwe.

"And I assume his visit and talks with Mbeki will open investment opportunities
in our region."

9. Mandla Dlova of Brackenfell: "His visit sucks! He is coming to extend his
domination in South Africa, like he did in Britain and other countries.

"As the leader of a powerful nation, he sets a very bad example to the world."



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=13&art_id=vn20030701044521721C278496&set\
_id=1
'Billions paid to SA agents' in arms deal

       July 01 2003 at 04:45AM




       By Jeremy Michaels


New questions have emerged about possible corruption in South Africa's
controversial arms procurement deal with reports in the British media that more
than R2-billion in commission was paid to confidential agents here by British
arms manufacturer BAE Systems.

But both the British government and BAE Systems have denied the allegations,
insisting that "due diligence procedures were followed" or that "such payments
are corrupt".

Britain's Guardian newspaper reported on Monday that BAE Systems - the United
Kingdoms's biggest arms manufacturer - had "paid millions of pounds in secret
commissions to obtain a huge UK taxpayer-backed contract to sell Hawk jets to
South Africa".

According to the report, the British government had confirmed the payment, a
move likely to "fuel the ongoing row about corruption allegations faced by BAE
all over the world".

       'The commission could be more than £160m, if it is in line with similar
payments in the past'
The arms firm had refused to disclose the identity of its confidential agent in
South Africa, and Britain's department of trade and industry admitted it did not
know who was to receive the money, despite providing loan guarantees for
£1,5-billion.

"The commission could be more than £160-million, if it is in line with similar
payments in the past," the report said.

Last month the Guardian reported allegations that Joe Modise, then defence
minister, had received more than R2-million and that cash had also gone to the
African National Congress's 1999 election fund.

ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama on Monday night vehemently denied the
allegations. "That is all rubbish, that's nonsense," Ngonyama said.

"We never received money for the election from anyone who was linked to the arms
deal."

       'That is all rubbish, that's nonsense'
He charged that the allegations were being manufactured by "agents who are
trying to campaign for Democratic Alliance".

"That is a malicious rumour and they're not going to weaken the ANC in the
current election campaign."

According to the Guardian, South African government documents showed that the
late Modise had intervened to prevent a rival Italian firm, Aermacchi, from
winning the multi-billion rand contract. BAE Systems won the bid to supply South
Africa with the Hawk lead-in fighter-trainer.

The DA said on Monday night it was "deeply dismayed" at the latest allegations
and demanded that a probe be launched "as a matter of utmost importance".

"The latest allegations add further fuel to the perception of a scandal that
surrounds the arms deal," said DA MP Raenette Taljaard.

She demanded that the government reveal the identity of the agent that benefited
from the commission payment and that the government "must also come clean on
whether it received any bribes or commissions linked to the arms deal".

"The president bears a special responsibility to come clean on these issues, as
he was the former chair of the cabinet sub-committee that dealt with this
procurement," Taljaard said in a statement.

Responding to the allegations, BAE Systems said it was normal for the company to
employ consultants and advisers to assist it when operating in foreign countries
and that
the South African authorities were "continuously informed of the advisers
employed by BAE Systems, as required by South African regulations".

Such advisers were used especially in new markets like post-apartheid South
Africa, where the company was unfamiliar with the procurement and regulatory
environment and processes.

"The use of such advisers is strictly controlled, both under South African and
UK regulations.

"Like all defence contractors, BAE Systems is bound by these regulations. BAE
Systems always complies with all relevant regulations," BAE Systems South Africa
said in a statement.

"BAE Systems rejects any suggestion that any such payments are corrupt either in
intent or in fact."

The Guardian quoted Britain's Trade Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, as saying in
answer to a parliamentary question that Britain's department of trade and
industry's export credit guarantees department required "certain details of
agents' commission".

Due diligence procedures had been followed and no irregularities were detected,
Hewitt is reported to have said.



   a.. This article was originally published on page 1 of The Cape Times on July
01, 2003


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I thought I would forward this on.  IntellNet is not the only FREE service
that is in dire straits.  ISN has been pumping security, privacy and IT news
to the public for free for quite a long time.



Brooks



Call for donations for InfoSec News and C4I.org!

http://www.c4i.org/contribute.html

Richard Clarke once said...

"If you spend more on coffee than on IT security, then you will be
hacked. What's more, you deserve to be hacked."

InfoSec News is in a cash crunch.  While we could start accepting
funds in lieu of sponsorship on the list, we would rather take
donations from subscribers to keep InfoSec News advertising free.
It's sorely needed and helps a good cause!

For $1.00 at the local diner, you can buy a bottomless cup of coffee.
At the local bookstore, a large three shot, double latte cappuccino is
about $4.00. Ideally we'd like to see every InfoSec News subscriber
sacrifice at least one or two days without his or her coffee to enable
us to buy the equipment needed to not only continue the work we've
been doing, but improve our services.

Immediate and near term improvements such as a digest version of the
list, RSS feeds of InfoSec News and other crucial security mailing
lists, and archives of past articles for download to run searches
yourself.

A donation of $1 to $4 isn't a lot when you consider the work done
behind the scenes here, such as dealing with Microsoft SMTPSVC,
bounced mail, and dead addresses. Its no small feat finding,
filtering, formatting, and analyzing the news stories that more than
3500 information security, homeland defense, and open source
intelligence professionals depend on a daily basis.

http://www.c4i.org/contribute.html

Through PayPal we can accept donations in the following currencies:
U.S. Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Euro's, Pounds Sterling, & Yen.

Using Amazon's Honor System, you can use your credit card without
retyping it if Amazon already has it on file. Amazon keeps
approximately 15 percent of each donation.

If you don't trust either one of them, the mailing address here is.

C4I.org
Post Office Box 24
Golf, Illinois 60029-0024
U.S.A

Thank you for your consideration!

William Knowles
wk@...



*==============================================================*
"Communications without intelligence is noise;  Intelligence
without communications is irrelevant." Gen Alfred. M. Gray, USMC
================================================================
C4I.org - Computer Security, & Intelligence - http://www.c4i.org
*==============================================================*



-
ISN is currently hosted by Attrition.org

To unsubscribe email majordomo@... with 'unsubscribe isn'
in the BODY of the mail.

[ Police said they found nearly 25,000 rifle bullets and 48 kg of explosives
on Tuesday, four days after they seized more than 62,000 bullets and 114 kg
of explosives. The Chinese-made bullets and explosives were seized in
separate places in Bogra district, 150 km (90 miles) northwest of Dhaka, on
Friday night and on Tuesday, police said. Witnesses said police and
soldiers, carrying automatic weapons and metal detectors, scoured ponds and
canals and sifted through bushes during the search on Tuesday.  ]

Reuters
1 July 2003

Bangladesh finds more bullets, PM blames rivals


DHAKA, July 1 — Bangladeshi police and paramilitary troops recovered more
huge caches of rifle and explosives from ponds and canals on Tuesday, and
Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia said the main opposition Awami League was
involved. The Awami League denied the charge.

Police said they found nearly 25,000 rifle bullets and 48 kg of explosives
on Tuesday, four days after they seized more than 62,000 bullets and 114 kg
of explosives.

The Chinese-made bullets and explosives were seized in separate places in
Bogra district, 150 km (90 miles) northwest of Dhaka, on Friday night and on
Tuesday, police said.

Witnesses said police and soldiers, carrying automatic weapons and metal
detectors, scoured ponds and canals and sifted through bushes during the
search on Tuesday.

Police detained five people, including the wife of a local Awami League
leader, after Friday's haul and they were being questioned, authorities said
on Tuesday.

Speaking in parliament on Monday, Khaleda said the Awami League was bringing
in ammunition and explosives in a bid to create lawlessness and oust her
government from power.

''It is seeking a situation to force us call mid-term elections. But that
shall never happen.''

Elections are not due until October 2006.

''You have brought in the ammunition, now tell us where the weapons are,''
Khaleda said.

The Awami League was absent from parliament on Monday night, but its
leaders, including party chief Sheikh Hasina, later told reporters that
Khaleda's allegations were ''untrue, baseless and politically motivated.''

''Puzzled by its own failures and inability to ensure law and order, the
government is looking for an excuse to save itself from disgrace and
humiliation,'' Awami general secretary Abdul Jalil said.

Police said most of the material seized on Friday night was found hidden in
a truck laden with pineapples and the rest close to an Awami leader's home.

Mostly Muslim Bangladesh says it never shelters nor supports militant
groups. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell recently praised Dhaka for its
moderate Islamic stance and strong action against terrorism.

(Additional reporting by Hasibur Rahman in Bogra)

Source:[http://famulus.msnbc.com/FamulusIntl/reuters07-01-035514.asp?reg=ASIA#bo\
dy]

------------------------------------------------
       BangladesherDak is a News and Media
       monitoring and forwarding service
       based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

       To view BangladesherDak please click
       on the following lnk :
[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BangladesherDak]
-----------------------------------------------

_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*.
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus

[ Police said they found nearly 25,000 rifle bullets and 48 kg of explosives
on Tuesday, four days after they seized more than 62,000 bullets and 114 kg
of explosives. The Chinese-made bullets and explosives were seized in
separate places in Bogra district, 150 km (90 miles) northwest of Dhaka, on
Friday night and on Tuesday, police said. Witnesses said police and
soldiers, carrying automatic weapons and metal detectors, scoured ponds and
canals and sifted through bushes during the search on Tuesday.  ]

Reuters
1 July 2003

Bangladesh finds more bullets, PM blames rivals


DHAKA, July 1 — Bangladeshi police and paramilitary troops recovered more
huge caches of rifle and explosives from ponds and canals on Tuesday, and
Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia said the main opposition Awami League was
involved. The Awami League denied the charge.

Police said they found nearly 25,000 rifle bullets and 48 kg of explosives
on Tuesday, four days after they seized more than 62,000 bullets and 114 kg
of explosives.

The Chinese-made bullets and explosives were seized in separate places in
Bogra district, 150 km (90 miles) northwest of Dhaka, on Friday night and on
Tuesday, police said.

Witnesses said police and soldiers, carrying automatic weapons and metal
detectors, scoured ponds and canals and sifted through bushes during the
search on Tuesday.

Police detained five people, including the wife of a local Awami League
leader, after Friday's haul and they were being questioned, authorities said
on Tuesday.

Speaking in parliament on Monday, Khaleda said the Awami League was bringing
in ammunition and explosives in a bid to create lawlessness and oust her
government from power.

''It is seeking a situation to force us call mid-term elections. But that
shall never happen.''

Elections are not due until October 2006.

''You have brought in the ammunition, now tell us where the weapons are,''
Khaleda said.

The Awami League was absent from parliament on Monday night, but its
leaders, including party chief Sheikh Hasina, later told reporters that
Khaleda's allegations were ''untrue, baseless and politically motivated.''

''Puzzled by its own failures and inability to ensure law and order, the
government is looking for an excuse to save itself from disgrace and
humiliation,'' Awami general secretary Abdul Jalil said.

Police said most of the material seized on Friday night was found hidden in
a truck laden with pineapples and the rest close to an Awami leader's home.

Mostly Muslim Bangladesh says it never shelters nor supports militant
groups. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell recently praised Dhaka for its
moderate Islamic stance and strong action against terrorism.

(Additional reporting by Hasibur Rahman in Bogra)

Source:[http://famulus.msnbc.com/FamulusIntl/reuters07-01-035514.asp?reg=ASIA#bo\
dy]

------------------------------------------------
       BangladesherDak is a News and Media
       monitoring and forwarding service
       based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

       To view BangladesherDak please click
       on the following lnk :
[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BangladesherDak]
-----------------------------------------------

_________________________________________________________________
STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE*
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=13&art_id=vn20030702133200102C223229&set\
_id=1
Madiba's MTV birthday message

       July 02 2003 at 01:32PM



After overcoming nearly three decades of imprisonment and almost a lifetime of
racial discrimination to forge South Africa's peaceful post-apartheid democracy,
former president Nelson Mandela's advice is surely worth listening to.

And, as part of celebrations to mark his 85th birthday this month, Mandela plans
to extend some of that wisdom to an audience of two billion young people via a
special television broadcast on the big day, July 18.

The former president and Nobel peace laureate will commandeer an hour on MTV,
the international music channel, to discuss three subjects close to his heart:
HIV/Aids, the struggle for democracy, and reconciliation, in a programme hosted
by Destiny's Child singer Beyonce Knowles.

Since stepping down from front-line politics in 1999 when he handed the reins of
South Africa's fledgling democracy to President Thabo Mbeki, Mandela has
concentrated on what he considers to be the world's ills.

       'You shouldn't feel guilt because you are doing a good thing'
Aids - the disease ravaging sub-Saharan Africa - is top of the list. With as
many as one in nine South Africans infected with HIV, Mandela has repeatedly
used his international stature to urge young people to battle the epidemic.

In December last year, he carried his Aids campaign to a global audience in an
MTV concert staged in Cape Town.

While the broadcast featured stage shows by Sean "P Diddy" Combs and Alicia
Keys, Mandela broached more serious matters, introducing a young rape victim who
had contracted HIV, and highlighting the discrimination she suffered as a
result.

Mandela has not completely abandoned the fiery politics that made him the
apartheid government's No 1 enemy in the 1950s and 60s and landed him in prison
for 27 years.

The revered peacemaker has returned to the limelight more than once to rebuke US
President George Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair for their handling
of the Iraq conflict, and for what he says is their disregard for the United
Nations.

       'The moral authority that Nelson Mandela has is a quality that resounds
with our audience'
And, ahead of his 85th birthday, some of that fighting spirit is still on view.

During the interviews recorded for the birthday programme, Mandela renewed his
attack on Bush, and also criticised Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon - this
time focusing on their approach to the Middle East peace process.

Confronted by the grievances and faltering faith of a Ugandan infected with HIV,
a Burmese democracy activist, and an Israeli and a Palestinian deprived of
family members by fighting between their people, Mandela advocated hope and
trust as a peaceful means to the resolution of conflict.

He had words of encouragement for Ugandan Henry Luyombya, an HIV-positive Aids
activist who said he was running out of faith in his work to raise awareness of
the disease in his country and to fight the stigma attached to it.

"I asked Mandela how he managed to survive under hard conditions, and what
motivated him and he told me he didn't do it on his own. In our struggle against
HIV/Aids we need a combined effort," 23-year-old Luyombya said.

Mandela also told Min Zin, who is campaigning for democratic change in
military-ruled Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, that he had no need to feel
guilt because his political activities had separated him from his family. "He
said you shouldn't feel guilt because you are doing a good thing," said the
29-year-old activist.

But when Mandela came to speak to Israeli Guy Levy, who lost his sister to a
Palestinian suicide bomber, and to Palestinian Jumana Issa Al-Ali, whose father
was shot by Israeli soldiers, his words were less comforting.

He told them that Palestinians and Israelis had to suppress their anger towards
each other to achieve peace.

"Your blood (says) these people have treated me cruelly in the past, and I do
not want to have any dealings with them, but your brain speaks a different
language," he said.

He slammed the election of Sharon and his right-wing government earlier this
year as "suicidal" for peace, and said Bush's sidelining of Palestinian
president Yasser Arafat was a big mistake for a man who was "president of the
United States, not president of Palestine."

Mandela maintains a pace that would exhaust a person decades younger.

His charity work, channelled largely through the Nelson Mandela Foundation,
keeps him busy raising funds and he is frequently called on to meet visiting
luminaries ranging from football star David Beckham to the foreign minister of
France.

But South Africa's grand old man has made more time for young people both at
home and abroad, and his birthday special could mark his broadest
cross-generational appeal yet.

MTV executive Bill Roedy said he hoped the programme would reach two billion
young people and that Mandela's influence, together with the youths he spoke to,
would raise awareness of the issues they covered. "Whether you agree with his
political views (or not) the moral authority that Nelson Mandela has is another
quality that resounds with our audience."



   a.. This article was originally published on page 5 of The Daily News on July
02, 2003



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

North London Central Mosque Trust
Registered Charity No. 299884


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

Introduction

1. This report is the statement of the results of an Inquiry under Section 8
of the Charities Act 1993 ("the Act") into the affairs of the North London
Central Mosque Trust (NLCMT).

2. NLCMT is governed and regulated by the provisions of a Declaration of
Trust dated 29th July 1988 and was registered as a charity on 16th August
1988. NLCMT’s objects are "to advance and promote the knowledge of the
religion of Islam in the UK and abroad". This is achieved by the provision
and maintenance of a Mosque and religious centre in Finsbury Park, North
London – more commonly known as Finsbury Park Mosque (the Mosque). NLCMT’s
gross income in the year to 31st December 2000 was about £30,000.

Issues

3. In May 1998 the Commission received allegations that:

the condition of NLCMT’s premises, situated next to the Mosque and held for
investment purposes, had deteriorated to such an extent that they were
dangerous and uninhabitable;
the trustees felt intimidated and unable to attend the Mosque to oversee the
collection of funds raised during Friday and other prayer meetings; and
people were being allowed to live at the Mosque which appeared to be
inconsistent with the objects of NLCMT.
It was further alleged that those living at the Mosque along with Sheikh Abu
Hamza Al-Masri ("Abu Hamza") (the Khateeb) and his supporters, had taken
over the Mosque and were using it for personal and political, rather than
charitable, purposes.

4. An evaluation was carried out which found the following:-

The Commission concluded that a former trustee who had disputed his
resignation had indeed resigned.
The evaluation had established that the trustees had lost effective control
of the Mosque to Abu Hamza and his supporters.
This loss of control had led to the Mosque being misused. Investigating
officers found that individuals had been living at the Mosque, although they
were unable to determine exactly who these individuals were. Officers also
found that the trustees, who had been effectively denied access to the
Mosque and other properties, had been unable to carry out necessary repairs
thus putting the property at serious risk.
5. As a result of the evaluation of these allegations, the Commission
considered that NLCMT’s property was at serious risk. An Inquiry under
Section 8 of the Act was opened on 1 June 1998. The aims of the Inquiry were
to:

establish, as far as the Commission was able, whether those who identified
themselves as trustees of NLCMT were properly appointed;
advise the trustees regarding their responsibility to take necessary and
reasonable steps to protect the property of NLCMT;
if necessary, advise the trustees of their obligation to recover control of
the Mosque and other property belonging to NLCMT from anyone who was not
authorised to act in its administration;
determine the level of internal financial and management control exercised
by the trustees and if necessary advise the trustees on the implementation
of adequate controls;
establish if the Mosque was being used by Abu Hamza or his supporters for
non-charitable purposes and if necessary take appropriate action to stop
these activities;
obtain up to date accounts for NLCMT; and
if necessary, advise the trustees regarding their general duties and
responsibilities.
Findings and actions taken

Court Proceedings

6. In October 1998 the trustees had instigated legal proceedings in the High
Court to regain control of the Mosque and obtain an injunction against Abu
Hamza and his supporters. In their defence, Abu Hamza and his supporters had
raised a number of issues that required the Charity Commission’s permission
to be put before the Court.

7. On 25th November 1998 the Commission made an order under section 33 of
the Act authorising these proceedings.

8. Following this action the trustees reached an out of court agreement with
Abu Hamza, the terms of which were referred to incidentally in an order of
the court dated 9th December 1998. The agreement between the trustees and
Abu Hamza permitted the trustees to have full control of the Mosque and
other property belonging to NLCMT. In exchange they would permit Abu Hamza
to give 2 out of every 4 Friday sermons at the Mosque in his capacity as
Khateeb. This agreement was later informally changed to permit Abu Hamza to
give 3 out of 4 Friday sermons.

Financial Controls

9. The trustees had not submitted accounts for five years. They were able to
justify the delays in part because they did not have control of NLCMT’s
income for a long period of time. Nor were they in possession, during that
period, of the accounting records needed to enable them to compile accounts.

10. On 17th August and 14th September 1999 the Commission directed the
trustees, under section 8(3) of the Act, to provide, amongst other
information, copies of NLCMT’s accounts.

11. Investigating officers found that whilst the trustees had not maintained
their investment properties to a satisfactory standard, they had taken steps
to safeguard the property by leasing it to a property developer under terms
that were in NLCMT’s interests.

12. Investigating officers concluded that the internal financial and
management controls as exercised by the trustees were inadequate.

Abu Hamza’s activities after the September 11th attacks on the World Trade
Centre

13. The Charity Commission had, since 1998, continued to monitor the
activities of Abu Hamza in the NLCMT and was concerned by media reports
indicating continuing problems.

14. In October 2001 the Commission received a copy of a tape of Abu Hamza’s
sermon given on the first Friday after military action had commenced in
Afghanistan. The Commission understands that these tapes, and others like
it, were available for purchase in the Mosque shop and via the Internet.
After carefully considering the contents of Abu Hamza’s sermon,
investigating officers concluded that it was of such an extreme and
political nature as to conflict with the charitable status of the Mosque.


15. On inspecting a website operated by the Supporters of Shari’ah (SoS),
closely associated with Abu Hamza, investigators found that Abu Hamza had
not obeyed the trustees’ previous instructions to remove all references to
the Mosque from the SoS website. The stated aims of SoS are not charitable.
16. Subsequent comments made by Abu Hamza in the media and publicly, where
he was identified as the cleric of "Finsbury Park Mosque" led investigating
officers to conclude that his actions and comments were detrimental to the
interests and reputation of NLCMT. The Commission advised the trustees of
their responsibility to act in the interests of NLCMT by taking all
reasonable and necessary steps available to them to prevent Abu Hamza from
using the Mosque for political activities.

17. The trustees advised investigating officers that they were not able to
take legal action against Abu Hamza to remove him from his position within
the charity because the NLCMT lacked sufficient money for the proceedings.
The trustees however, reaffirmed their support for any action that the
Commission might take under its own powers to remove Abu Hamza.

The Decision to Suspend Abu Hamza

18. As a result of the continuing political activities of Abu Hamza, and the
damage being caused to NLCMT’s reputation and noting that Abu Hamza’s assets
had been frozen as part of the global campaign against terrorism, the
Commission concluded that Abu Hamza should be given notice of its proposal
to suspend him from his position within NLCMT.

19. On 9th April 2002 the Commission notified Abu Hamza that it proposed to
suspend him from his position within NLCMT, pending consideration being
given to his permanent removal. Abu Hamza was asked to make any
representations against this decision by 22 April 2002.

20. On 23rd April 2002, after having considered representations made by Abu
Hamza’s solicitors, Abu Hamza was suspended under section 18(1)(i) of the
Act, from his position within NLCMT.

Abu Hamza’s Activities whilst suspended

21. On 11th June 2002 an order under section 18(1)(iv) of the Act was made
to freeze a bank account in the name of NLCMT held with Barclays Bank PLC.
This was after the Commission was informed that Abu Hamza was a signatory
and the trustees confirmed that they were not aware of the account.

22. Following Abu Hamza’s suspension it was established that:

He caused or permitted the control of the Mosque to be taken over by his
supporters to the exclusion of the trustees.
He continued to give sermons at the Mosque thereby breaching the terms of
his suspension, which he had openly stated he would do.
He caused or permitted individuals who were believed to be his supporters to
live at the Mosque.
He involved himself in organising and participating in a highly inflammatory
and political conference at the Mosque on 11th September 2002, organised by
Al-Muhajiroun and SoS amongst others, without the authority of the trustees.
He continued to let himself be portrayed as a representative or officer of
NLCMT in the media whilst at the same time making political statements, and
acting against the interests of NLCMT.
His extreme views had become associated with the Mosque. Many previous
worshippers no longer attended it, or no longer attended for prayers on
Fridays.
The Decision to Remove Abu Hamza

23. On the basis of the above findings on 11th December 2002 the trustees
were given notice under section 18(12) of the Act of the Commission’s
proposal to remove Abu Hamza from his position within NLCMT. The trustees
were invited to make any representations they had against this decision. The
trustees did not do so.

24. During the course of the Inquiry Abu Hamza was offered the opportunity
to attend meetings at Commission offices on several occasions to make
representations, but he rejected these invitations because the terms on
which the meetings were arranged were not acceptable to him. From the
Commission’s perspective, the purposes of the meetings were to enable Abu
Hamza to have an opportunity to make his position clear, and give him a
further opportunity to comment about the Commission’s actions. The
pre-conditions that Abu Hamza set for the meetings were unacceptable to the
Commission. The Commission gave Abu Hamza adequate opportunity to clarify
his position during the course of the Inquiry, and in particular at key
stages.

25. The Commission considered Abu Hamza’s permanent removal from his
position within NLCMT based on the information and evidence available. The
Commission was satisfied that Abu Hamza was responsible for mismanagement or
misconduct in the administration of the charity, and that it was necessary
to act to protect the property of the charity and ensure that its property,
including future property coming to the charity, was properly used.

26. On 13th December 2002, Abu Hamza was notified, under section 20(3) of
the Act, that the Commission proposed to remove him from his position within
NLCMT. At the same time, Abu Hamza was invited to comment or make
representations against the Commission’s proposal to remove him by 20th
January 2003.

The reasons given to Abu Hamza as grounds for the Commission’s proposal to
remove him from his position within NLCMT were:

That he had acted in breach of the suspension order in particular by
continuing to act as Khateeb and otherwise had been involved in the
activities of the Mosque in contravention of the authority of the trustees;
That he had caused or permitted his supporters to occupy the Mosque premises
and otherwise interfered with the administration and management of the
Mosque without the consent and in contravention of the authority of the
trustees;
That his continued unauthorised activities in connection with the Mosque of
NLCMT prevented the proper use of the Mosque for its charitable purposes and
was damaging its reputation; and
The grounds, which led to his suspension, still applied.
27. On 20th January 2003, as part of a separate and ongoing criminal
investigation, officers from the Metropolitan Police entered the Mosque
under warrant and sealed it off for a number of days whilst they conducted
searches. Following this action, the Police handed control of the Mosque to
the trustees, who then decided to close it whilst they arrange for essential
and necessary repairs to the Mosque to meet health and safety requirements.
As at the date of publication of this report the Mosque remains closed.

28. The Commission received detailed written representations, running to
some 55 numbered paragraphs, from Abu Hamza, contained in a letter from his
solicitors dated 20th January 2003. Principle among these representations
were questions relating to the right of the Commission to remove Abu Hamza
given the existence of the court order made in December 1998, assertion that
the Commission was acting in a biased way against a Muslim charity when it
would not act against charities of other religions and assertions that the
Commission was acting in breach of Abu Hamza’s human rights to practise
religion and freedom of speech.

29. The Commission fully and carefully considered the detailed written
representations made by Abu Hamza’s solicitors on his behalf. The Commission
in particular considered whether its decisions to suspend and then remove
him would constitute an infringement of Abu Hamza’s rights to practice his
religion and to freedom of speech under the European Convention of Human
Rights. The Commission concluded on that matter that Abu Hamza’s convention
rights were not affected by a decision to remove him, but if they were,
removing Abu Hamza was a reasonable, proportionate and necessary step to
take to secure the proper use or application of NLMCT’s property. It would
therefore, be compatible with the Commission’s responsibility under the
Human Rights Act and with convention rights. In this context, the term
‘property’ includes buildings, funds and other assets. The Commission
decided that Abu Hamza should be removed. This decision was made on 3rd
February 2003 and communicated to him together with a detailed response to
the representations, which had been received, on that date. The order
removing him also stated that if Abu Hamza disobeys the order he could be
held in contempt of Court and liable for imprisonment.

Outcomes of Inquiry

30. The Commission was satisfied that those who had identified themselves as
the current trustees of NLCMT, and with whom it had been dealing during the
course of the inquiry, have been appointed in accordance with the provisions
of the 1988 Declaration of Trust.

31. Acting on the Commission’s advice the trustees were able to produce
accounts for all the financial periods up to 31st December 2001. Apart from
the 1993 and 1994 accounts, all of the accounts are audited.

32. Acting on the Commission’s advice, the trustees have now implemented
adequate internal financial and management controls as well as deciding to
publicise the weekly income, which is derived from collections made on
Fridays after the main prayers at the Mosque, along with details of the
weekly expenditure. This information is available for viewing on the Mosque
notice board.

33. The Commission’s Inquiry was closed on 7th February 2003, after
investigating officers were satisfied that control of the Mosque was again
properly in the hands of the trustees of NLCMT. The Commission will,
however, continue to monitor the activities of NLCMT. In particular,
officers will monitor the progress made by the trustees to reopen the
refurbished Mosque for the benefit of the community. The Commission also
expects the trustees to contact Barclays Bank PLC and make arrangements to
deal with the funds in the charity’s name held by that bank.

34. The Commission will monitor any future activities by Abu Hamza in
respect of the Mosque.

35. Despite difficult circumstances, the trustees have co-operated with the
Commission throughout the Inquiry, displaying their commitment to NLCMT. The
Commission hopes that the trustees of NLCMT can now begin afresh, rebuild
its reputation and ensure that the Mosque flourishes for the benefit of the
Muslim community at large.

Wider Lessons

36. Trustees are responsible for the overall management and administration
of the charity and have a duty to exercise effective control over all its
activities, employees, agents, officers and representatives, regardless of
its structure. Others (including agents and officers) have a corresponding
duty to recognise the trustees’ authority.

37. Trustees also have a duty to protect the property of the charity, which
includes the charity’s reputation and should take all reasonable steps to
ensure that their actions or the actions of those representing the charity
do not bring the charity into disrepute.

38. In order that trustees are able to demonstrate that they are taking
seriously their responsibility with regard to safeguarding charity property
it is essential that they implement adequate and appropriate internal
financial and management controls over the charity’s finances and
administration.

39. Trustees must act carefully when engaging individuals to work for or
represent their charity and ensure that the actions of those individuals
will not damage the charity’s interests or seriously undermine public
confidence in the integrity of charity. If agents, officers or employees of
a charity abuse their position, it will normally be up to the trustees to
ensure that appropriate steps are taken to resolve the problem. But the
Commission will use its statutory powers to suspend or remove individuals
where the circumstances require it.

40. The trustees of all charities with income over £10,000 per annum have 10
months from the end of the charity’s financial year within which to submit
the charity’s accounts to the Commission. The Commission is committed to
ensuring that any charity that defaults in its obligation to submit accounts
and other related information does comply with its legal obligations.

*********************************************
INSTITUTE FOR
INTERNATIONAL
ECONOMICS
*********************************************


-------------------------------------------------------
This is the latest in a series of occasional e-mail
announcements from the Institute for International
Economics regarding new publications and updates to
our Web site. If you do not wish to receive this
e-mail please reply to this message with the
words "unsubscribe IIE update" as the subject of
the message.
-------------------------------------------------------

NEW BOOK

CAN LABOR STANDARDS IMPROVE UNDER GLOBALIZATION?

by Kimberly Ann Elliott and Richard B. Freeman

Although anti-globalization activists and free-market proponents are
popularly depicted at opposite poles of the debate over how to improve labor
conditions, globalization and labor standards are complementary rather than
competing ways to raise living standards around the world, authors Kimberly
Elliott and Richard Freeman argue. Globalization will work better if labor
standards are better implemented, as standards advocates insist they must
be, and if market access for developing country products is improved, as
globalization enthusiasts insist upon. The authors recommend that the
International Labor Organization retain the central role in promoting
international labor standards and that it receive increased financial and
political support to do this job more effectively. Elliott and Freeman also
believe that the World Trade Organization should take action against labor
standards violations that fall logically within its mandate to discipline
trade distortions. Antisweatsh!
  op activists, nongovernmental organizations, and multinational corporations
should cooperate more in monitoring and verifying codes of conduct regarding
labor practices.

Read more about this book plus selected .pdf chapters at
www.iie.com/publications/bookstore/publication.cfm?pub_id=338. Customers who
order 10 or more copies of Institute publications are entitled to a 30
percent discount. Please contact our fulfillment center at 1-800-522-9139
for details. This offer may not be used through Internet orders.

-------------------------------------------------------

TESTIMONY

THE CORRECTION OF THE DOLLAR AND FOREIGN INTERVENTION IN THE CURRENCY
MARKETS

by C. Fred Bergsten

The first phase of an inevitable and essential correction of the exchange
rate of the dollar has occurred smoothly and effectively over the past 17
months. A second phase is essential, of roughly equal magnitude but
significantly different composition. In this phase, the dollar should fall
against the currencies of China, Japan, Korea, and other countries in East
Asia rather than against the euro (though some further adjustment will be
needed there too). Those countries, especially China and Japan, must change
their policies of competitive undervaluation to permit such realignment. The
United States and the G-7 should attach the highest priority to achieving
this change over the coming months.

See full testimony at
http://www.iie.com/publications/papers/bergsten0603-2.htm

-------------------------------------------------------

REPORT

A TEN-YEAR STRATEGY FOR INCREASING CAPITAL FLOWS TO AFRICA

Increased capital flows could make a big difference in Africa, and the US
government, working with other G-8 and OECD nations, must stimulate and
facilitate these flows. The Commission on Capital Flows to Africa has
devised a ten-year strategy for increasing capital flows to Africa,
especially foreign direct investment. This strategy includes increased debt
relief, more aggressive and directed foreign assistance programs, active
support of the New Economic Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD),
and free trade agreements with Africa. In turn, African countries must
embark upon reforms that investors will prize: privatization, tax reform,
legal and administrative transparency, and bureaucratic streamlining.

See full report at http://www.iie.com/publications/papers/africa-report.pdf

-------------------------------------------------------

DEBATE: MEASURING POVERTY AND INEQUALITY

HAVE WE ALREADY MET THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOAL FOR POVERTY?

by Martin Ravallion

CRYING WOLF ON POVERTY: OR HOW THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOAL FOR POVERTY
HAS ALREADY BEEN REACHED

by Surjit S. Bhalla

In a recent Institute book, Imagine There's No Country: Poverty, Inequality,
and Growth in the Era of Globalization by Surjit Bhalla (September 2002),
Bhalla critiqued the evidence that globalization has resulted in lower
overall growth rates for poor countries, increasing world inequality, and
stagnating poverty levels. He challenges the analysis of the World Bank,
which tracks the world’s progress against the Millennium Development Goal of
halving the 1990 incidence of extreme poverty. Bhalla asserts this goal was
already met by 2000--15 years ahead of time. This would be good news if it
was right, says World Bank poverty analyst Martin Ravallion. Ravallion and
Bhalla go head to head on how poverty statistics should be collected and
what they mean.

See Martin Ravallion's critique at
http://www.iie.com/publications/papers/ravallion0203.pdf
See Surjit Bhalla's rebuttal at
http://www.iie.com/publications/papers/bhalla0403.pdf

-------------------------------------------------------

PAPER

REVITALIZING THE ECONOMIES OF JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES

by C. Fred Bergsten

If its consumer demand and private investment are to revive, Japan must
fundamentally reform. First, it must restructure its banking system, and
Japanese monetary policy must strongly support this reform. Second, Japan
must also adopt a truly expansionary fiscal policy in the short run and then
over time consolidate its huge public deficits and debt. Third, far-ranging
deregulation and more aggressive competition policies will be needed to make
Japan more competitive and economically dynamic. For the US economy, the
main challenge is to maintain, or even increase, the dramatic productivity
growth of the 1990s. The huge and growing US trade deficit must be corrected
through increased national savings and a substantial decline in the dollar
exchange rate.

See full paper at http://www.iie.com/publications/papers/bergsten0603.htm

-------------------------------------------------------

PAPER

NAFTA DISPUTE SETTLEMENT SYSTEMS

by Gary Clyde Hufbauer and Jeffrey J. Schott

The authors review how trade disputes, such as those over Mexican truck
standards and Canadian lumber exports, have been handled under the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). They review four of the six NAFTA
dispute settlement systems: Chapter 11 for investor-state disputes over
property rights, Chapter 14 for handling financial sector disputes, Chapter
19 for determining whether final antidumping and countervailing duty
decisions made in domestic tribunals are consistent with national laws, and
Chapter 20 on government-to-government resolution of high-level disputes.
Hufbauer and Schott contrast this fragmented NAFTA system with the more
streamlined dispute settlement process of the World Trade Organization.

See full paper at http://www.iie.com/publications/papers/nafta-dispute.pdf
-------------------------------------------------------

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3037678.stm
       US blocks military aid to South Africa


             The government is studying the decision to cut off military aid
       The US has suspended military aid to South Africa, according to the South
African news agency, Sapa.
       This follows a decision by the South African Government not to grant
Americans immunity from prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in
the Hague.

       Other African countries affected include Niger, Mali and Benin.

       Under a US law passed last year, military aid will be cut off from any
state which failed to exempt American soldiers from ICC prosecution by 1 July.

       The Bush administration is opposed to the new United Nations institution
because it fears US personnel could be targeted for political reasons.

              It is nothing to worry about

             Henry Boshoss, South African Institute of Security Studies
       The United States has suspended over $47m in military aid to 35 countries
around the world.

       But Mr Bush could grant waivers if it is in the national interest.


       'Insignificant'

       The US gives South Africa about $1m in military aid annually, according to
the Pretoria-based South African Institute of Security Studies (SAISS).

       "The decision is insignificant; it is nothing to worry about," Henry
Boshoss of the SAISS told BBC News Online.

       The announcement by the US State Department in Washington comes exactly a
week before President George Bush's visit to South Africa.

       President Bush, accompanied by his Secretary of State Colin Powell, is due
to arrive in South Africa on 8 July for a two-day visit.


       Immunity deals

       South Africa is the only one of the five countries on the Mr Bush's
itinerary to be blacklisted.

       The other African countries to be visited by President Bush - Botswana,
Uganda, Senegal and Nigeria - all retained military funding by signing immunity
deals with the US.

       The South African Foreign Ministry spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said the
government was still studying the announcement.



              E-mail this to a friend   Printable version




       LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES


               SelectUS considers Liberia forceNigeria fuel strike hardensDR
Congo rebels enter KinshasaUnita wants early pollTanzania bans public
smokingCharity targets 'forgotten' diseasesTorso suspect faces
extraditionAlgeria frees Islamist leadersMandela leads Rhodes celebrationsAids
hits African food productionPerugia land Gaddafi's sonSmith boost for South
AfricaMobile phone deaths rock SomaliaKenya names Somali envoyMystery over Spain
arms seizureMauritania takes Spain's migrantsUS blocks military aid to South
AfricaUS slams 'racist' Zimbabwe'Raped' Kenyans win legal aidSudan president
pledges peaceTop inventor shares his tipsAfrica: The motherland of invention?New
Kenyan washing machineRaided Lost Ark returns homeKenya cool as flight ban
endsProgrammes and schedules



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hacking News:

Web Quiet as Hacking Contest Plucks Small Scalps
Sun July 6, 2003 09:59 AM ET
By Bernhard Warner, European Internet Correspondent
LONDON (Reuters) - Computer hackers vying in a global contest on Sunday
defaced a slew of Web sites, but the damage was confined to the
Internet's backwater of small, unsecured sites, security officials said.

The "Defacer's Challenge" got off to a quick start on Sunday with 300
attacks reported minutes after the 2 a.m. EDT official start, said
Roberto Preatoni, founder of Estonia-based Zone-H.org, a site that
tracks hack attacks.
"There were no big names," he said. But he added his own site,
www.zone-h.org, was knocked offline for much of the day because of a
high volume of legitimate visitors and apparent attempts by hackers to
bog down his computer servers.
According to the contest Web site www.defacers-challenge.com, which was
taken offline last week, hackers were urged to prove their skills by
defacing as many Web sites as possible during a six-hour span on Sunday.

Points were awarded for the number and type of computer servers they
infiltrated, the rules stated.
Concern grew among cyber security organizations last week that the
competition would cripple countless Web sites, but by Sunday afternoon
as the event was drawing to a close there was no sign of damage among
the Web's most popular sites.
The Web's largest Web sites, including Amazon.com and Yahoo.com, were
functioning as normal on Sunday.
"It seems to be a damp squib," said Graham Cluley, spokesman for
UK-based security firm Sophos.
Via.Networks, a U.S.-Dutch Internet service provider and Web site
hosting firm that manages Web sites for over 50,000 clients in America
and Western Europe, also reported no incidences.
"None of our customers have called to report any problems. It's all
quiet on the Western Front," said Joanne Hughes, a spokeswoman for Via
Networks.
Hacking activities have been on the rise for years as the expertise
behind compromising a Web site's vulnerable computer server is freely
passed around the Internet in chat areas and is posted on Web sites
dedicated to the activity.
Hack attacks range from outright defacement to flooding a server with
data requests, knocking a site offline. In the former case, hackers
replace the contents of a Web page with their own message, often a
political rant written in the signature style of broken English.
With hackers sending out challenges regularly, security officials
expressed bewilderment that this contest received so much press
attention, fearing it would only encourage more elaborate events in the
future.
But Via.Network's Hughes saw something of a silver lining in the fact
she and her team were on the ready this weekend for a possible showdown
with hackers. "If it makes people more aware about security then that's
a good thing," she said.


Mark Hopkins (aka Rizzn Do'Urden)
Executive Account Manager and Booking Liason
mark@...
903.530.7925
866.FLY.DLUX



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Cyber-Terrorism:
.A. Man Pleads Guilty to Al-Jazeera Cyber Attack
Thu June 12, 2003 02:52 PM ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A Los Angeles man pleaded guilty on Thursday to
carrying out a cyber-vandal attack on the al-Jazeera Web site during the
Iraq war because the Arab satellite TV network had shown pictures of
dead and captured American soldiers.
Web designer John Racine II, 24, admitted diverting traffic and e-mails
from al-Jazeera's Arabic Web site to a site he had designed called "Let
Freedom Ring" and bearing the U.S. flag, federal prosecutors said.
Al-Jazeera, one of the most popular news networks in the Arab world,
raised the ire of the United States and Britain in March when it showed
footage from Iraq of dead and captured American and British soldiers.
The pictures were not shown in Britain or the United States.
U.S. and British officials said at the time that displaying such footage
went against international conventions.
Both its Arabic and English-language sites were hacked into or shutdown
frequently during the war and two of its reporters were banned from New
York's stock exchange.
Prosecutors said Racine gained control of the al-Jazeera.net domain name
by forging photos and signatures and faxing them to domain seller
Network Solutions Inc NSOL.O
<http://reuters.com/financeQuoteLookup.jhtml?ticker=NSOL.O&qtype=sym&inf
otype=info&qcat=news>  to give him control of the account.
"He was apparently upset that al-Jazeera was showing pictures of
prisoners of war servicemen and women killed in action," said Los
Angeles U.S. attorney's spokesman Thom Mrozek.
Racine, who contacted the FBI himself in late March admitting he had
hijacked the Web site, pleaded guilty to two charges of wire fraud and
unlawful interception of an electronic communication. Under a plea
agreement, he is expected to be sentenced to three years probation,
community service and a fine of $1,500.


Mark Hopkins (aka Rizzn Do'Urden)
Executive Account Manager and Booking Liason
mark@...
903.530.7925
866.FLY.DLUX



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

www.BangladesherDak.net

Dhaka, Monday the 7th of July 2003


Dear Moderator and OSINT members

Its is with great pleasure we announce the launch on the Internet of
www.BangladesherDak.net a comprehensive News and Media Service
operating from Dhaka, Bangladesh, from today, Monday the 7th of July
2003.

We take this opportunity to thank the Moderators of this forum and
its readers who have been of great help, assistance and a source of
inspiration for BangladesherDak and our Dak Bangla Cross Posting
Service that as you are aware, has provided you with first point news
on happenings in Bangladesh and to a greater extent most major events
all across the globe for well over a year.

Our thrust in the on-line website remains focused on Bangladesh,
however there will be other segments that we are sure all of you will
find interesting and absorbing. The site will be constantly updated
to keep you informed and abreast.

BangladesherDak Daily Digest and our Dak Bangla Cross Posting Service
on Yahoo Groups will effectively become defunct from today, however
we will continue to send you updates on News on our website as and
when they transpire through out the day.

Please visit our website at your convenience and we look forward to
your active participation in the days ahead.

Thanking you.

The Management of BangladesherDak
Email: management@...

In www.Bangladesherdak.net today the Tuesday the 8th of July 2003

[Analysis]

Only the Arabs Can Save Iraq - and Save America from a New Vietnam

[Bangladesh Specific]

8th July, 2003

South Asia Intelligence Review on the Bogra Ammo Haul

'Foreigners to our rescue please!'- Hasina

Prepare to pay Taka's 5.30 crore extra yearly for MP's 'performance' in
Jatiya Sangshad

Bangladesh Relying Heavily on Expats’ Home Remittance - Bangladeshi
Economist in Saudi Arabia

World Bank study recommends Integration Biman with foreign airline

Monica Ali's BRICK LANE: As dull as 'daal

7th July, 2003

Army nails Hasina's blame :Ex-Chief exonerates India - Ammo not made in
Bangladesh

Bogra Arms haul Indian Police Link Bangladesh Arrests to Tripura Rebels

Maoist underground threats and Indian non-cooperation hinders implantation
of $77m Sunderbans project

Police fears confusing remarks may mislead probe  on ammunition haul

More ammunition recovered

Police initiative for Maoist group's surrender

Cow killed: Cobras near runway of Zia International Airport

Hasina plays sleuth - claims Bogra recovered ammunition's made in Bangladesh
Ordinance Factory!

Bangladesh troops to the world's toughest assignment

Outlaws kill 2 Khulna cops, throw bodies into river

Hunt for Left wing extremist in Bangladesh

Future of toilets set for U-bend turn

Gulf Oil Corporation Ltd (GOCL) has set up a joint venture in Bangladesh
with Oil Bangladesh Ltd

Bangladesh has stopped exporting cement to northeastern India

[Columns]

Sylvia Mortoza writes  " From The Hermits Cave"

[.Editorial]

Welcome To BangladesherDak.

[e-Forum Buzz]

8th July, 2003

HRCBM circulated GHRD press release on minority repression in Bangladesh

7th July, 2003

Saleem Samad writes in Mukto-Mona on State of Minorities in Bangladesh: From
Secular to Islamic Hegemony

SonarBangladesh is debating Zodiac Analysis of Golam Azam

South Asia Citizens Wire | 4 July, 2003 is online - icludes an on-line
petition

The News Group soc.culture.Bangladesh is debating Brahmins Rule Islam -
please be aware of profanities as the site is unmoderated

Atheist of India is discussing Agnosticism

Islamic_net is in the midst of an interesting debate on Sufism

e-shomabesh has started a new thread on Urge to withdraw unfair Anti Dumping
Duty

Alochona July 2003 issue is online

Alochona has started a new thread on the concept of Citizens
Intelligence

In Shetubondhon there is a lively debate ongoing on Hindu
Bigamy

In Uttorshuri Dr.Taj Hashmi raises some points on Mukto-Mona's e-petition
drive

Mukto-Mona release 4th part of DOCUMENTS ON MINORITY REPRESSION: REPORT OF
THE PUBLIC INQUIRY COMMISSION

Mukto-Mona clarifies their e-petition on Minority repression

[Intelligence]

8th July,2003

Legendary ex-CIA operative Tony Poe dead aged 78

7th July,2003

Indian RAW in the Big League

Damning US indictment of Indian Army, uproars all over

Bogra Ammunition haul roundup

Puzzling invitation


[Interview]

Unholy alliances

[Islam]

Human Rights, Islam and the Charlatan Activists

[Media-Mafia]

Leave it to the Editor's – Shame-game is productive?

[Music]

Pioneers of Bangladesh Rock Music Movement

[Regional]

8th July

India is being called up to act as chowkidar to the empire

7th July 2003

Advani comes calling to Kolkata

Dialogue of Civilisation debate in India - US yet to confirm participation

[Recommended Reading]

Life at Camp delta - Guantanamo bay

Hey, Israel has nuclear weapons, why don't we take Tel Aviv? And India has
nuclear weapons, why doesn't Bush put India on the Axis of Evil?"

Advani to take up 'fishy' matters with Bangladesh and neighbors

20 % cut on US$30 million in your account" : Beware of African Financial
scams on the Internet


[Sports]

Win for Bangladesh at last


END

BangladesherDak is a News and Media Monitoring service based in Dhaka,
Bangladesh

_________________________________________________________________
Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail

http://iafrica.com/news/sa/250930.htm
       PRETORIA
       Low turnout at anti-US 'mass picket'
       Posted Fri, 04 Jul 2003

       A handful of demonstrators showed up at "mass pickets" against American
President George W Bush on Friday, with 18 people attending the event in
Johannesburg and nine in Pretoria.

       The demonstrators waved posters and sang struggle songs despite the low
turnout.

       Politicians said the pickets, held under the banner of the SA Communist
Party (SACP) and the Congress of SA Trade Unions, sought to garner support for
mass protests against Bush.

       The United States president would, for the first time in his presidency,
visit Botswana, Uganda, Nigerian, Senegal and South Africa during his African
tour. The trip would start on Monday and end on Friday.

       The demonstrators were not against the visit, but the "dangerous policies"
of the Bush administration, SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande said in
Johannesburg.

       "We are not opposed to the visit. Our government has bilateral relations
with the United States," Nzimande said. "We want to tell Bush about the
dangerous activities of his administration."

       Vincent Vena, the national campaigns coordinator of the Friends of the
Cuban Society (Focus), said: "To us, weapons of mass destruction that must be
removed is poverty."

       Focus is a South African organisation that is offering the Cuban people
solidarity.

       "We know that he is here (South Africa) to represent his big capitalists.
Our message to Bush is that he must stop his arrogance," Vela said.

       He, Nzimande and the few demonstrators lined up along River Street in
front of the US Consulate in Killarney, north of Johannesburg, holding posters
and singing struggle songs.

       Some of the posters read "empty warhead leave Africa", "time for regime
change in USA", "Bush is a war criminal", "No Bush war in Africa" and "Bush is a
threat to world peace".

       In Pretoria, the nine demonstrators seemed in high spirits despite being
outnumbered by the media and police. The group toyi-toyied energetically while
chanting slogans on the United States embassy lawn.

       They carried placards reading "Bush leave our gold and platinum alone",
"Cowboy Bush leave Cuba alone", and "Africans for peace, Bush for war".

       Cosatu northern region secretary Jan Tsiane said the protest was held to
express displeasure with US foreign policy.

       "We are very unhappy about the aggressive policies of the Bush
administration as far as foreign sovereign countries are concerned," he said.

       Cosatu and the SACP has organised pickets for next Wednesday to coincide
with Bush's meeting with President Thabo Mbeki.

       Tsiane said the upcoming visit was a good thing in the sense that it could
boost foreign investment in South Africa. "But that does not stop us from airing
our views".

       In a statement earlier this week, Cosatu invited the media to witness a
"mass picket" planned for between noon and 3pm on Friday. By 1.40pm all nine
demonstrators had left.

       Tsiane said he was not disappointed at the turnout. The low number was
understandable considering that Cosatu supporters were at work, he said.

       In an earlier statement, the federation said the protest was against US
foreign policy specifically on Cuba, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Palestine. Cosatu was
also concerned about American economic policies, which it felt left poor
countries behind.

       Furthermore, Cosatu said it feared the US government was pressurising
other countries to pass "undemocratic and dangerous" anti-terrorism laws.

       At a news conference earlier in the day, Foreign Affairs Minister
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was asked how the South African government regarded the
protests planned to coincide with Bush's visit.

       She replied: "Both the US and South Africa say they are committed to free
association, freedom of speech, human rights and democracy."

       Demonstrations were part of the milieu of democracy, as long as they were
peaceful and legal, the minister said.

       "The people of this country have that right - they fought for it and they
should enjoy it."

       The demonstration would be part of other pickets that are expected to take
place next week. The protests would coincide with a public function that Bush
would attend and address.


       Sapa

       Related Articles
       Don't be cowed by Bush - Mugabe

       Africa views Bush visit with dose of scepticism

       Bush signs Aids plan for Africa








                   Top stories
                   Bush visit mired in Aids catastrophe

                   Commuter trains gutted

                   Escaped cop killer re-arrested

                   SA hunters released in Zim






       More news
       Girls gang-raped at initiation ceremony

       Boys covered in paint, burned

       Protesters gear up for Bush arrival

       Cop arrested after roadrage killing

       Always interested in Africa - Bush

       Swazi police camp fire-bombed

       Pick 'n Pay extortionist hits in Durban

       Six arrested for stolen goods

       Bush not welcome in Africa - protestors

       Blind family without earner after murder

       Bush says he admires Madiba

       Six-year-old in desperate need of heart

       Low turnout at anti-US 'mass picket'

       Final census numbers out next week

       Mandela 'can resolve Kashmir crisis'

       Teen in court over schoolmate's death

       Couple murdered execution-style



       The Week in Review
       JOHANNESBURG
       Family searches for missing aviators

       JOHANNESBURG
       Man dies after driving into ditch

       CAPE TOWN
       Week-long revelry planned for Madiba

       WELLINGTON
       SA immigrant jailed for raping NZ teen

       CAPE TOWN
       SA crime: Over 20 000 killed in 2002

       JOHANNESBURG
       Solidarity accused of playing on race

       JOHANNESBUG
       Expired foodstuffs scam uncovered

       BLOEMFONTEIN
       Exotic crayfish stolen in Bloemfontein

       UMTATA
       Traditional healers held after seven initiates die

       UMTATA
       Seven initiates die in Eastern Cape

       CAPE TOWN
       Mr Price plastic bag row continues

       CAPE TOWN
       Forget penguins, try the cat crossing

       JOHANNESBURG
       Govt to build four more prisons

       CAPE TOWN
       DA fights for access to HIV survey

       JOHANNESBURG
       The naked truth about fundraising

       JOHANNESBURG
       Scorpions make biggest SA drug bust yet

       JOHANNESBURG
       Parents of dead boys appear in court

       JOHANNESBURG
       Extortionist 'rational, organised'




                   a.. Subscribe to News and Views - a daily email newsletter
                   a.. Comment on the news









[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

-- At least six people dead, including gunman, after shooting at Lockheed
Martin plant in Meridian, Mississippi, police say.
Watch CNN or log on to http://CNN.com (AOL Keyword: CNN) for the latest
news.

*******************************************************************
Subscribe to TIME and stay informed of today's world events.
www.time.com/cnnspecialoffer
*******************************************************************

To unsubscribe from CNN.com's Breaking News E-Mail Alert, log on to:
http://CNN.com/EMAIL/breakingnews.html

To sign up for additional e-mail products, go to http://CNN.com/EMAIL

(c)2003. Cable News Network, LP, LLLP.
An AOL Time Warner Company.
All Rights Reserved.

In www.BangladesherDak.net today

[Bangladesh Specific]

1. 600 passengers missing after ferry capsize near Chandpur
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/

600 passengers missing after ferry capsize near ChandpurThe triple-deck
ferry carrying at least 750 people was traveling from Bangladesh's capital,
Dhaka (search), to southern Bhola district when it sank late Tuesday near
Chandpur town, 40 miles south of Dhaka.......

Details
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds21

[International]

2. Now or Never: A Salute to Courage, Faith and Fate
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/

The news of the death of the conjoined Iranian twins in a Singapore hospital
today was received with shock, disbelief and grief here in Bangladesh.The
choice for the surgery lay with the twins, the risks - well known to them.
Great was their wish to live independent lives as also their resolve to
separate after 29 years joined at the head, "under any circumstances"......

Details
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/International.htm#int1

3. A letter of thanks to the world
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/

Dear Friends, Thanks for all your good wishes and kind thoughts. We are
touched by the cards and  email pouring in everyday from people all over the
world. Your kiind gestures  have brought much comfort to us. As we anxiously
wait for us surgery next week......

[INTERVIEW]

“We are talking about making cuts, length wise along a piece of paper”
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/

I was just listening to some of the comments from the doctors ... and they
said that even though that blood vessel had been rerouted, a lot of pressure
was still building up in the brain of one of the twins, and they actually
had to create another bypass to, in fact, create another blood vessel to
drain even more of the blood. The problem being ... was that if there's too
much pressure in the brain, the brain starts to bleed sort of more diffusely
all over the brain.........

Details
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/interview.htm#itw1

[Bangladesh Specific]

5.Misleading speculations continue: Bangladesh Intelligence tight lipped
over ammo recovery

Information has revealed of about a secret meeting between a group of
extremists based in the country's southwestern region and Maoist guerillas
of Nepal. A reliable government source told Jugantor that this is the first
instance of Nepali Maoist rebels meeting with Bangladeshi extremists. The
source said that the meeting took place recently somewhere in India's West
Bengal state.....

Details
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm


6. Bangladeshi artisan Anjali Halder is a rave in Nashville, Tennessee, USA
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/

Since 1998, Halder has worked with her hands turning handmade water hyacinth
paper into original holiday ornaments, scrapbooks and note cards. Her
products, along with creations by co-workers, are imported to the United
States and sold in Ten Thousand Villages stores in cities across the United
States - the result of a unique collaboration between artisans in Third
World countries and the not-for-profit retail venue.........

Details
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds24


7. ACT Sounds Alert as flood situation worsens in Bangladesh – Prime
Minister reviews floods situation
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/

The Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Ganges-Padma continue to rise at all points.
The flood waters have affected a third of Bangladesh’s 64 districts causing
damage to crops and houses. The worst affected are Sylhet, Sunamganj,
Moulovibazzar, Habiganj, Comilla, Cox’s Bazar, Khagrachhari, Rangamati,
Feni, Noakhali, Bhittagong, Bandarban, Gaibandha, Sherpur, Tangail,
Netrakona and Jamalpur. 80,000 people have been marooned in the 5
north-western districts of Bangladesh in the Brahmaputra basin......

Details
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds25

More updates to follow at approximately 22:00 hours Bangladesh time


-------------------------------------------------------
       BangladesherDak is a News and Media
       monitoring and forwarding service
       based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

       To view BangladesherDak please click
       www.bangladesherdak.net
----------------------------------------------------

_________________________________________________________________
Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online
http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

<A HREF="http://www.twin-towers.net/index.htm">Click here: Twin Towers
Memorial September 11 Photos Videos News of WTC</A>

In www.BangladesherDak.net today

[Bangladesh specific ]

1.Ferry Disaster Update – 800 now feared dead
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/

Police said the three-story ferry Nasreen-2, while going to southern coastal
Barguna district, sank due to overcrowding at about zero hours. No more than
150- 200 passengers could come out of the ferry in two hours after the
incident, witnesses said. Another ferry Koko of the same route, which was
due to go to Barguna Tuesday night, suddenly cancelled its schedule. The
passengers of the Koko then boarded the Nasreen-2, thus making overcrowded….

Details
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds26

[Media Mafia]
2. Mr. “Nation’s Lofty Image”: Have you read the book Dear Sir?
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/

The focus of Media Mafia today is this report that appears in The New Nation
in Dhaka today the 9th July 2003.All too often we have fringe groups out in
our periphery that have a habit of playing judge, jury and executioner all
rolled in one - and in their pathological intolerance pretend to uphold
obscure ideals such as "interest of the Nation"," Nation's lofty image"'-
which readily gets 'tarnished' in their bookish expression at a drop of a
hat.........

Details
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds27

[Bangladesh Specific]
3. More news on Anjali Halder from Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Her handiwork gets exported to the United States and is sold at Ten Thousand
Villages in Green Hills, a Mennonite-run nonprofit store that specializes in
offering international crafts made by artisans who are paid fairly for their
skill and labor. That dollar — double what most people in her community earn
— has allowed Halder to send her young sons to school and put three square
meals on the table each day, and it has given her a new place in her
community……
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/

Details
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds28

[SPORTS]

4. Last win was a “Tonic”: Tigers ready to pounce……

``I am giving everyone a chance to do the best they can before the Test. I
just need time to have a look at them.'' Whatmore said last weekend's
two-wicket win against the Australian Cricket Academy had been a tonic for
the Tigers but his side still needed to improve. ``People can say we only
took seven wickets which is true but when you chase the runs and get them in
a second innings it is always a bit harder,
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/

Details
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/sports.htm#sp2

[Bangladesh Specific]

5. About little Bangladesh in Mumbai and nocturnal robbers at work on rainy
nights……

Robbers from Bangladesh are back again. The nocturnal intruders strike when
it is raining very heavily. This ploy is generally used to ensure that the
noises of cracking locks are often muffled by the sound of rain on asbestos
roofs or tiles. Sometimes breaking open a door is made to coincide with the
flying of a plane overhead. This is exactly what happens when five shops
were looted in a span of few hours at Kanjurmarg, a downtown suburb in North
Mumbai. The job was done with clock-wise precision. Investigations over the
past few years indicate that some gangs slip into Mumbai during monsoon. The
nocturnal intruders strike when it is raining very heavily….
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/

Details
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds29

More updates to follow at approximately 13:00 hours Bangladesh time Thursday
1oth July 2003
-------------------------------------------------------
       BangladesherDak is a News and Media
       monitoring and forwarding service
       based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

       To view BangladesherDak please click
       www.bangladesherdak.net
----------------------------------------------------

_________________________________________________________________
Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online
http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

Dear Readers,

As of 20:00 hours Bangladesh time today, the 10th of July 2003, the
dry run period for
www.BangladesherDak.net has come to a close.

Given the huge number of visitations to our site where in 48 hours we
had a record 17,300 online hits we are in the process of major
structural readjustments to our website to accommodate more visitors
and ensure smoothness in the features.

Tomorrow 11th July 2003, being Friday a closed weekly holiday here in
Bangladesh, it is unlikely that we will be able to activate the site
before Saturday, 12th Of July 2003.  We will however update you if
there is a change in the status quo.

Please accept our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience.

Please bear with us in the intervening and thank you very much for
your very strong support, appreciation and understanding.

Regards


The Management
BangladesherDak

NORTH KOREA
PRE-NUCLEAR BLASTS IN NORTH KOREA
from Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday, July 10, 2003
http://www.ds-osac.org/view.cfm?key=7E44524B4751&type=2B170C1E0A3A0F162820
By Mark Riley and Tom Allard and agencies

North Korea has conducted 70 high-explosive tests linked to nuclear weapons
development, South Korea's spy chief was quoted as saying last night.

The claim was made just hours after the Prime Minister, John Howard, began
reining in Australia's tough talk on North Korea, amid warnings that military
threats could provoke a nuclear confrontation.

A senior source in Seoul said that Ko Young-Koo, a National Intelligence Service
director, had told parliament: 'We have also noticed high-explosive tests being
conducted in Yongdok district in Gusong City in [the north-western province of]
North Pyongyang and we have been keeping track of the movement."

He also said that North Korea had apparently begun reprocessing spent nuclear
fuel rods, a program that could yield enough plutonium for half-a-dozen atomic
bombs within months.

Conventional high explosives are used to trigger atomic blasts. When detonated,
they can compress a plutonium core and set off a compact nuclear blast.

Mr Howard yesterday moved to wind back growing expectations that Australia would
send troops and naval ships to intercept North Korean vessels suspected of
carrying weapons of mass destruction.

The move came as he prepared to meet next week the South Korean President, Roh
Moo-hyun, who has cautioned the West against matching the sabre-rattling in
Pyongyang.

"We are not at this stage considering military contributions," Mr Howard said.
"We are considering ways and means of dealing with a very big problem."

In a clear indication that Australia would pursue a cautious line on the
developing nuclear crisis, Mr Howard said any action by the 11 nations involved
in the Proliferation Security Initiative conference in Brisbane today - which
will discuss "interdiction" of North Korean vessels - should be "measured and
sensible".

On Australian involvement in a force to stop and search suspect North Korean
vessels, Mr Howard said: "We shouldn't run ahead of ourselves; we just should
take one step at a time."

The Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, said it was "really a long way down the
track" before an interception force could be put together and that Australians
"don't need to prepare themselves for [another military action] at this stage".

The moderation of the Government's comments comes as the United States appears
to be moving in the opposite direction.

The Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, John
Bolton, who is attending the Brisbane conference, said Washington and its allies
had the legal basis for a military interdiction force to stop North Korean
vessels.

Australian defence officials were in Brisbane to outline Australia's expertise
in maritime interdiction, with Mr Downer saying that they were looking at what
capabilities could be provided if any such force went ahead.

"[We are] looking of course at experience. We have had a lot of experience as
part of the multinational interception force in Iraq in the Persian Gulf."

As well, he said, Australia's intelligence services could play a substantial
role in monitoring North Korean vessels and aircraft for illicit cargo.

Mr Downer downplayed the absence of South Korea at the Brisbane conference.

Copyright © 2003. The Sydney Morning Herald.


WE'RE READY FOR WAR OR TALK, SAYS NORTH KOREA
from Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday, July 10, 2003
http://www.ds-osac.org/view.cfm?key=7E44524B4756&type=2B170C1E0A3A0F162820
A North Korean envoy said today that his nation was ready for "both war and
dialogue" following a report that the communist North has taken a key step
toward building nuclear bombs.

"Our basic position is that we want to resolve the (nuclear) issue peacefully,"
negotiator Kim Ryong Song said before talks with South Korean delegates in
Seoul. "But if outside forces ignore our position and try to use force, we will
face them boldly and show our strength."

Kim urged cooperation between the South and North to prevent war on the Korean
Peninsula amid a crisis over the North's suspected development of atomic bombs.
He also issued a defiant warning to the United States, although he did not
mention South Korea's chief ally by name.

"Throughout history, our nation has been harassed by foreign invaders," Kim
said. "We will no longer succumb to foreign coercion and we are fully ready to
launch counterattacks. We are ready for both war and dialogue."

He recited a Korean adage: "If your fists are weak, you can use them only to
wipe your tears."

Kim's South Korean counterpart, Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun, said a
solution to the nuclear issue required the participation of the international
community, not only inter-Korean cooperation.

"National cooperation is OK, but it should not be national cooperation in a
cave," Jeong said. South Korea wants North Korea to agree to multilateral talks
on how to stop the North's nuclear development, but the North prefers one-on-one
contact with the United States, which it views as its main enemy.

The opening of the Cabinet-level talks was overshadowed by revelations by South
Korea's intelligence agency that North Korea has reprocessed a small portion of
its 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods. The procedure yields plutonium, which can be
used to make nuclear weapons.

Ko Young-koo, director of Seoul's National Intelligence Service, also told the
National Assembly on Wednesday that North Korean scientists conducted 70 tests
of high explosives used to trigger nuclear blasts.

Local media, quoting lawmakers who attended Ko's closed-door parliamentary
hearing, said the tests were conducted between 1997 and last September. South
Korea earlier said North Korea conducted 70 similar tests between 1983 and 1993.

Reprocessing all the North's 8,000 rods could yield enough plutonium for several
atomic bombs, adding to the North's suspected arsenal of one or two nuclear
bombs, experts say.

Since April, North Korea has claimed that it had all but finished reprocessing
the rods. Until now, both US and South Korean officials have expressed doubt
about the North Korean claim, speculating that it might be a bluff to extract
concessions at the negotiating table.

South Korea receives much of its intelligence on North Korea from the United
States, which uses satellites and surveillance aircraft to gather information.

About 50 elderly South Koreans marched to the Seoul hotel hosting today's
meeting, chanting "Stop North Korea's nuclear program!"

The protesters carried two large imitation North Korean missiles, and burned two
North Korean flags. Police stopped them outside the hotel, and no serious clash
was reported.

The North Korean delegation arrived yesterday and was scheduled to leave on
Saturday.

Copyright © 2003. The Sydney Morning Herald.



NORTH KOREA AND SOUTH KOREA
PYONGYANG 'ON WAY TO MAKING NUKE ARMS'
from Straits Times [Singapore], AP, Reuters on Thursday, July 10, 2003
http://www.ds-osac.org/view.cfm?key=7E44524B4057&type=2B170C1E0A3A0F162820
Seoul's spy agency confirms the North has reprocessed nuclear-fuel rods and
tested devices for triggering N-blasts

SEOUL - South Korea said yesterday it believes North Korea has taken key steps
towards manufacturing nuclear weapons by reprocessing a small number of spent
nuclear-fuel rods and testing devices used to trigger atomic explosions.

In a statement to the parliamentary committee, the National Intelligence Service
(NIS) said it estimated North Korea had recently reprocessed a small number of
the 8,000 fuel rods it was keeping at Yongbyon.

The spy agency said Seoul had also confirmed that North Korea had tested - at
least 70 times - devices that could be used to trigger nuclear explosions at
Yongduk, about 40km north-west of Yongbyon, the centre of its nuclear programme.

'We have noticed high-explosive tests being conducted in Yongdok district...and
we have been keeping track of the movement,' spy chief Ko Young Koo told
parliament.

The statement marked the first time South Korea has confirmed that the communist
North had begun reprocessing its pool of 8,000 spent nuclear-fuel rods.

If reprocessed, experts say, the rods could yield enough plutonium for several
atomic bombs within months.

Since April, North Korea has claimed that it had all but finished reprocessing
the 8,000 rods.

US and South Korean officials have expressed doubt about that claim - until now.

South Korea's Defence Ministry had previously said that North Korea conducted at
least 70 nuclear-related tests of high explosives between 1983 and 1993 and
continued similar tests at least until 1998.

On July 1, the New York Times reported that US intelligence officials believed
North Korea was developing technology that could make nuclear warheads small
enough to be carried by its missiles.

Officials who had seen US Central Intelligence Agency reports told the newspaper
that American satellites had identified an advanced nuclear testing site.

The New York Times identified the site as Youngdoktong but Seoul officials said
the location was Yongduk-dong.

The information had been shared with Japan, South Korea and other allies in
recent weeks, the newspaper said. Mr Ko visited Washington last month.

Intelligence officials cited by the newspaper believe the testing facility
suggests that North Korea wants to make sophisticated weapons light enough to
attach to its growing arsenal of medium- and long-range missiles.

Before Wednesday's NIS hearing, top South Korean officials including Foreign
Minister Yoon Young Kwan had said the explosives tests reported by the New York
Times were not news and were widely known among Seoul and its allies.

The nuclear dispute flared up in October when US officials said North Korea
admitted running a secret nuclear programme in violation of international pacts.

China, the North's long-time ally, said it was opposed to the testing of nuclear
weapons on the Korean peninsula after the revelation yesterday by South Korea's
intelligence agency. -- AP, Reuters

Copyright @ 2003 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

  Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion, but the tranquil
and steady dedication of a lifetime

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Saddam Hussein in Iraq - More than a Taped Voice

From DEBKA-Net-Weekly Updated by DEBKAfile

July 12, 2003, 6:12 PM (GMT+02:00)



The US troop withdrawal from the Iraqi town of Falluja only 50 km west of
Baghdad on Friday, July 1, is the first major American military retreat since
going to war against Iraq on March 18, 2003. It comes amid spiraling attacks on
US troops by "unidentified" snipers and ambushers and follows what sounds like
the voice of Saddam Hussein announcing his return to Iraq on two audio-tapes and
calling Iraqis out to fight the Americans.

While American sources present the pullback as limited to Falluja police
station, DEBKAfile's military sources report it is more extensive. In effect, US
Falluja unit is in the process of redeploying outside the town. This is one
surface symptom, but not the only one, that American forces and elements loyal
to Saddam Hussein are building up to a significant military clash. Territorial
positions are taking shape - as will be seen on the DEBKAfile Special map
attached to this article.

To subscribe to DEBKA-Net-Weekly click HERE .

DEBKA-Net-Weekly No. 116 describes the forces mustered by Saddam Hussein as
consisting of elements of the Special Republican Guards, Fedayeen Saddam
suicides, Baath militiamen and thousands of Syrian fighters arriving in a
constant stream. It is more than probable that Saddam and his two sons are very
much present in underground fortresses built after the 1991 Gulf War and
conducting the current campaign against US troops in person, assisted by
officers who commanded the Special Republican Guards Divisions in the
March-April War.

These assaults are reciprocal. US forces are initiating military action too
under their new commander, US Army General John Abizaid, who took over from Gen.
Tommy Franks on July 7. Such forays are mostly unreported. Our military experts
judge the clashes flaring with increasing frequency in the last few days in
Baghdad, the towns of Balad, Ramadi and Falluja to the north and northwest, and
the Al Qaim region on the Syrian border, to be probes in which both sides are
testing the mettle of the opposition in advance of the main action.

The 10 to 15 daily attacks mounted against US troops every day by the Iraqi
resistance attests impressively to military professionalism. Their objectives
are clear: To dampen American troop morale by building up the casualty score
and, more importantly, to repel American military incursions into an enclave
beneath whose surface Saddam and his allies lurk in their underground fortress
cities.

This enclave ranges from the city of Samarra, about 70 miles (110 km) northwest
of Baghdad to a point some 35 miles (55 km) south of Tikrit. It is separated
from the Falluja-Ramadi "probing" arena by about 75 miles (120 miles). US troops
have begun advancing on this enclave and reached as far as Balad, only 23 miles
(37 kilometers) north of Samarra. Saddam's presence in this enclave means that
his forces control a slice of central Iraq that is 100-110 mile (160-175 km)
long and 60-70 mile (96 and 112 km) wide and delimited by Lake Tharthar in
central-western Iraq and the Tigris River in the east. Our military sources
report that inside this sweep of territory, American military strength is sparse
save for a handful of small special forces units.

Intelligence sources tell DEBKA-Net-Weekly that these underground facilities
were only recently been populated by skeleton command and operational centers
representing all of the six Republican Guards divisions that took part in the
war - al-Nida, Nebuchadnezzar, Hamurabi, al-Medina, Adnan and Baghdad - together
with Fedayeen Saddam and Baathist militia contingents. Their officers initially
stayed at home with their families, waiting to see which way the wind blew under
the US administration before declaring their military, political, national or
religious allegiances. By early June, US civil administrator Paul Bremer, who
took over in Baghdad in mid-May, had made it clear he had no intention of
mobilizing Saddam's troops to the new Iraqi army or handing them paychecks. Then
came the rumor that spread across Iraq that Saddam and sons were back,
rebuilding the Iraqi army and offering double the salaries they earned before
the war. Thousands began wending their way toward his Samarra enclave.

A senior Western intelligence source familiar with the Iraq scene confided to
DEBKA-Net-Weekly this week: "I don't want to criticize ambassador Bremer's
management," he said. "It essentially represents policy dictated from Washington
and is based on a rule set in concrete: The US administration may not recruit
ex-soldiers who belonged to any of Saddam's elite units for military and civil
administration posts. The effect of those restrictions," the source pointed out,
"was to provide the former Iraqi ruler with a potential reserve force of up to
one million trained and disaffected combatants who might be ready to fight for
his comeback. Half are ex-army men, half members of the ruling Baath party which
Bremer dissolved."

It is estimated that between 12,000 and 14,000 men have begun drawing salaries
against Saddam's account. "Since the underground complexes contain vast amounts
of military equipment and munitions - enough to sustain months of fighting - it
must be admitted that some of the elite units we thought had scattered may be
under arms again," said the source.

Saturday, the US administration was working hard to launch a 25-member governing
council for its first meeting on Sunday, July 13, the first Iraqi executive body
in government in Baghdad since the overthrow of the Baath regime.
Representatives of Iraq's main seven political groups and independents will be
tasked with writing a constitution and organizing elections.

DEBKAfile's analysts suggest that the US initiative to start handing over power
to Iraqis may have come too late now that the deposed ruler appears to be
setting up a military presence in the heart of the country. Some of the newly
appointed counselors, while cooperating with the Americans, may also in secret
be taking care to cover their backs - just in case Saddam Hussein ever comes
back.

  Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion, but the tranquil
and steady dedication of a lifetime

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[NEWSFLASH]

Death Threats for Americans in Bangladesh
The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka has received death threats against
Americans who live near the Embassy and warns Americans that
terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian
targets……. www.bangladesherdak.net

[EDITORIAL]

A note of Thanks to our Readers
First of all our sincere apologies for this delayed updating and the
inconvenience caused. BangladesherDak continues to encounter teething
problems made no easier by intermittent power failures and broad band
connectivity disruption in Dhaka, maintenance in our host server,
creating of our archive and analyzing the performance of the
system…….. http://www.bangladesherdak.net/editorial.htm#ed1

[BANGLADESH SPECIFIC]

A time for mourning, a time for prayer

With death toll in the Chandpur ferry disaster being speculated on
the high 600, Bangladesh newspapers are front paging and headlining
the story as a pall of gloom has descended on the nation. We are
affixing some of the images available to us which conveys the mood in
Bangladesh at the time. We had to discard other images as we found
them very disturbing…..www.bangladesherdak.net

Details http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds1

"Hang loose' Big Brother!

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a two-day seminar on
improving trade relations between Bangladesh and India, with
particular reference to the north-eastern region, Mr Choudhury said
consignments were held up at the border because samples have to be
sent for testing and certification to Kolkata or other places. "This
is despite the fact that our inspection agencies have already
certified the products," he said. A few of the delegates from
Bangladesh said that they were contemplating moving their government
against allowing any privileges to India….www.bangladesherdak.net

Details: http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds3

Bogra Ammo Haul: Indian Intelligence worried over revival of old arms
route from China

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a two-day seminar on
improving trade relations between Bangladesh and India, with
particular reference to the north-eastern region, Mr Choudhury said
consignments were held up at the border because samples have to be
sent for testing and certification to Kolkata or other places. "This
is despite the fact that our inspection agencies have already
certified the products," he said. A few of the delegates from
Bangladesh said that they were contemplating moving their government
against allowing any privileges to India if the latter did not mend
its ways and extended more cooperation….…www.bangladesherdak.net

Details: http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds2

Barrister Ishtiaq Ahmed departs

"The condition of Barrister Ishtiaq had been deteriorating since
Thursday, a doctor on duty at the Incentive Care Unit (ICU) of the
hospital told The Daily Star. Barrister Ishtiaq breathed his last at
around 8:45pm.He was hospitalised when his blood pressure fell on
Tuesday. He had been suffering from diabetes, anaemia and
encephalopathy. His pressure was gradually falling and he was on
artificial ventilation, doctors added…..www.bangladesherdak.net

Details: http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds4

[MEDIA MAFIA]

In Media Mafia's Cemetery today, we offer our departed condolences to
a front page Commentary titled Moves against the Media - Some
disturbing new occurrences in The Daily Star, Dhaka of Friday the
11th July 2003. We apologize to our readers for the sheer length of
this rebuttal, however DakBangla feels it is pertinent to take the
issue point by point, as for far too long the Media Mafia in
Bangladesh has juggled the fine lines between fact and fiction to
cater to a shady bias. …whether willingly or unwillingly is
debatable, and we offer a benefit of doubt……but we also have a foggy
fix to share with you! ……www.bangladesherdak.net

Details: http://www.bangladesherdak.net/media_mafia.htm#me1

[BENGALEE NEWSSCAN]

World Bank turns its attention to Bangladeshi politics
The World Bank has now turned its attention to Bangladesh's political
arena leaving economic restructuring and development. The outgoing
Country Director of the World Bank to Bangladesh Fredrick T Temple
directly called Bangladeshi politicians liars and corrupted and said
that they have an undemocratic attitude. He also gave some
recommendations to the politicians
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/beng_news.htm#bn1

US conducting survey to decide the effects of giving duty free access
It is not yet clear how much the export sector of Bangladesh will
benefit if it recognizes the existence of Israel and signs the Middle
East Trade and Engagement Act 2003 bill, which will provide it with
tariff free trade benefits. The US International Trade Commission is
conducting a survey on Bangladesh and 35 other countries to determine
the possible effects of signing this treaty. The Bangladesh Embassy
in Washington told the Bangladesh government that the sectors to be
provided with duty free access will be determined based on the
results of the survey. The Bangladesh Embassy is lobbying the US
International Trade Commission, Energy, Textile and Chemical
departments and some Congressmen and Senators to ensure that
Bangladesh gets duty-free access for its exports.
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/beng_news.htm#bn2

New prospects of Bangladeshi workers in Korea
The foreign workers quota in South Korea may be removed to be
replaced by a work permit system. This will benefit Bangladesh as
well. For this reason the Expatriates Welfare Ministry is thinking
about relocating the Labor Wing at the Bangladesh Embassy in Iran to
the embassy in Seoul. http://www.bangladesherdak.net/beng_news.htm#bn3

Bangladesh sends ambassador to Iraq tomorrow
Bangladesh is sending its ambassador to Iraq regardless of the
situation in the country. Ambassador Sarwar Hossain Molla is going to
Baghdad tomorrow, 10th July. A first secretary of the embassy has
already been in Iraq for the past month.
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/beng_news.htm#bn4

Unocal to form consortium in Bangladesh to export gas to India
The US energy company UNOCAL has become interested in forming a
consortium to realize the proposal of exporting gas to India. The
consortium is being formed so that if the government approves the gas
export proposal the decision is materialized quickly
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/beng_news.htm#bn5

[THE DAK FROM WASHINGTON]

What's USA's interest in Liberia?
There's no Oil and only 1/5th of population is Moslim in Liberia, a
very small Equatorial country of Africa. Liberia's 1/3rd imports come
from USA but EU imports are more. Its 2/3rd of exports go to EU, not
to USA. Only advantage that Capitalists of world have in Liberia is
its liberal policy about Registration of Ships owned by foreigners. I
think, about half of the Merchant Ships and Tanker Ships of the world
are flying Liberian Flag since they are registered by their worldwide
multi-nationality owners in that country. Next such country is
Panama. How many ships of Bangla super-rich are registered there? I
don't know…… http://www.bangladesherdak.net/dak_washington.htm#ton1

Pak Political Situation

Anti Pak President Musharraf propaganda and comments are quite insane
and are actually strengthening his position by proving, how
hysterical insane his opposition is. They have propagated,..."Not
only him but even his wife consumes Alcohol". "He is a QaaDyani".
"He is a Meeraasi (meaning, from Low Life Musician Tribe because he
knows, how to play one or two Musical Instruments)". "He is a
Shiyah" (since 'Syed' is also part of his name) ..."………..
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/dak_washington.htm#ton2

SCIENCE NEWS Plastic & Cancer

Carcinogens cause cancer. Especially breast cancer. Don't freeze your
plastic water bottles with water as this also releases dioxins in the
plastic. Dr. Edward Fujimoto from Castle Hospital was on a TV
program explaining this health hazard. He is the manager of the
Wellness Program at the hospital. He was talking about Dioxins and
how bad they are for us. ……
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/dak_washington.htm#ton3

[SPORTS]

Easy does it brothers: Second win for Tigers Down Under.

Starting the fourth and final day at 4-90, the Bangladesh batsmen
were equal to the challenge, despite the loss of three quick wickets
for eight runs late in the game. Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore said
the win would help the team's confidence. "I attribute the victory to
our second innings bowling," Whatmore said. "We had a deficit of 50
runs and real desire. "To get the opposition out again for that total
was very, very exemplary, very pleasing - the effort was fantastic."
That was what brought us into the game."……www.bangladesherdak.net

Details: http://www.bangladesherdak.net/sports.htm#sp1

[ISLAM]

Muslim women talk about Islam in the US
Fyeda came to the U.S. from Bangladesh 17 years ago, six months after
marrying Abu, an Internet Technologies Department Director, also from
Bangladesh. Abu came to the U.S. as a student and found a job upon
graduation. "The marriage was arranged, but I had to approve. We
talked before the marriage. Religion does not say you can't meet or
talk or be forced into marriage. The only thing Islam doesn't approve
is dating, kissing or hugging or having sex," she said. Fyeda teaches
Arabic at Masjid Omar bin Abdul Aziz in Norcross. Through Fyeda,
Muslim children learn about the life of the prophet, how to read the
Quran, the five daily prayers, and the basic tenets of Islam…….
www.bangladesherdak.net

Details: http://www.bangladesherdak.net/islam.htm#lam1

[ANALYSIS]

Massacre in Quetta's Ishnam Asheri mosque

Nationalism prevailed over religious feelings within Pakistan's
Bengalis, leading to a demand for an independent homeland in East
Pakistan. With the Bengalis' success in achieving their aspirations
in 1971, many Pakistanis believed there would be a reduction in
ethnic violence and more national cohesiveness. In fact, Pakistan's
politicians and generals, to mitigate their people's shock at
Pakistan's defeat in the 1971 Bangladesh War, promoted such an idea.
They also said the secession of East Pakistan would strengthen the
country's security vis-à-vis India, with its army focusing on one
rather than two fronts…..
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/analysis.htm#ana1

[e-Forum Buzz]

**INCOMPLETE – More Updates to follow **
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/e_forum.htm

In Alochona the debate "Why should I mourn for Siraj or even
Palassey?" rages

What I have learned after reading all these books is that History
(even after written with modern methodologies) has bias of the person
writing it. Somebody's perspective always comes accross. And since
most of these pieces of history has been written by people from
outside Bangla(desh), the perspectives are different. The best peiece
of historical perspective I have read from our own perspective is
Novak's book Bangla Desh - Reflections on the water- but even this
one is criticized by some for being biased towards Bangla(Desh). I
try to triangulate any information which is basically look at many
sources(some good and some ???) and form my own understanding of
Bangla's history…..

In Atheist of India - there is a very good article "`Secular
resistance need of the hour'"

What has happened to the secular fabric of the fishing community in
the state ? What role did araya samajams and mahal committees play to
flare up the communal clashes? Or is it the RSS, the NDF or similar
organisations doing the trick? Read full text in Atheist of India

Dahuk has cross-posted from Islam-Online "An important Fatwa (Legal
opinion of Alim(s) on "Immunity and Protection against Black Magic"

My family has become aware that some relatives are practicing black
magic and that we are the target of these people. Members of my
family are also sick, and the severity of their illnesses has
increased ten-fold after visiting with these relatives. What can my
family do to protect themselves against black magic? Read full text
in Dahuk

Friends of Allah is debating "Dating"

first of all u need to respect the Islamic ways, and talk in a better
way. No not every date, meeting, day out will lead to Sexual
Behaviors...and yes there is a very high chance that a date, or day
out alone with someone of the opposite sex will lead to sexual talk
or behavior. Well if nothing sexual is going to happen why not take a
third person with you? Thats not a biggy? Since no sexual events are
taking place and such, take someone, you are less likely to do
anything or speak of anything that may lead to actions. For actions
speak louder than words. If a third person isnt there, the 'devil'
kicks in as the third party. Its always better to safe than sorry...
Islam is just protecting us........ Read Full text in Friends of
Allah -

The Google Group soc.culture.Bangladesh is debating "BangladesherDak
soft- peddling the BNP"

I am bemused to see the return of our self-branded cyber arbiter,
Doctor Ullah. This time with yet another contextually proctological
diagnosis--as to what BangladesherDak might be soft-selling. Once
again he feels safe in accusing his subject without rolling on a latex
`cap' of decency, of explicating `why.' To read full ENTER AT OWN
RISK soc.culture.bangladesh

[RECOMMENDED READING]

THE ABDUCTION OF MODERNITY Part 1: The race toward barbarism

The fault in both these views is the assumption that modernity is an
exclusive characteristic of the West. On the surface, such views
appear self-evident, since science and technology have been the
enabling factors behind Western ascendance and dominance. But
the "modern world" can be viewed as a brief aberration on the long
path of human destiny, a brief period of a few centuries when
narcissistic Western thinkers mistake technological development as
moral progress in human civilization. Many barbaric notions, racism
being the most obvious, appear under the label of modernity,
rationalized by a barbaric doctrine of pseudo-science. The West takes
advantage of the overwhelming power it has derived from its barbaric
values to set itself up as a superior civilization. The West views
its technical prowess as a predatory license for intolerance of the
values and traditions of other advanced cultures………
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/rec_reading.htm#rec1

**More updates due at approximately 1400 hours Bangladesh Time Monday
14th July 2003**

Note: Archive is still under construction and likely to be activated
by 14th July 2003 with all our back issues.

We regret the inconveniences caused to our readers

BangladesherDak
Dhaka 0200 hours
Monday 14th July 2003

[BangladesherDak is News and Media Monitoring Service based in Dhaka,
Bangladesh. To view the site please click on www.BangladesherDak.net]

In BangladesherDak today Monday 14th July 2003


[BANGLADESH SPECIFIC]

PM warns on river safety
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia chaired a special meeting on the
disaster, directing officials to rigorously enforce river safety rules and
crackdown again on old or defective ferries. She expressed displeasure at
existing river vessel management and directed them to update existing laws,
rules and regulations related to passenger
safety.....www.bangladesherdak.net

Details:http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds1

Millions hit by floods in Bangladesh, 80 dead: reports
While no official flood figures or death toll has been provided, the new
deaths bring the number of reported dead to at least 80, with many killed in
landslides caused by heavy rains in the southeastern hill tracts late last
month.A major embankment on the Shitalakhya river in the eastern Dhaka
suburb of Narayanganj, meanwhile, was under pressure, but officials said
steps were being taken to ensure it did not give
way…..www.bangladesherdak.net

Details:http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds2

Tablighi Jamaat under US Scrutiny

Law enforcement officials say the group has been caught up in such cases
because of its global reach and reputation for rejecting such worldly
activities as politics, precisely the qualities that are exploited by terror
groups like Al Qaeda. The name Tablighi Jamaat is Arabic for the "group that
propagates the faith," and its members visit mosques and college campuses in
small missionary bands, preaching a return to purist Islamic values and
recruiting other Muslim men - often young men searching for identity - to
join them for a few days or weeks on the road. "We have a significant
presence of Tablighi Jamaat in the United States, and we have found that Al
Qaeda used them for recruiting, now and in the past," said Michael J.
Heimbach, the deputy chief of the F.B.I.'s international terrorism
section…….s
www.bangladesherdak.net

Details:http://www.bangladesherdak.net/islam.htm#lam1

A second generation take on Brick Lane
Ali's novel has been much praised for its narrative power and for offering a
rare account of the British Bengali diaspora experience. Reading the book, I
found that it deserved much of the hype it has received. It celebrates the
humanity and complexity of a community which even Bengalis like me know so
little about; a community that has been pushed to the margins of Britain's
ethnic mosaic, characterised by its many economic and social troubles, filed
away under the convenient label of an ethnic problem Yet the book has
angered many A Bangladeshi politician visiting London could barely control
his temper as he demanded to know why I was reading the book: "She calls all
Sylhetis rickshaw drivers! What does she know? I tell you, someone paid her
to write this rubbish!" ………
www.bangladesherdak.net

Details:http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds3

[Announcement] UBINIG's National Consultation and Preparation for SAARC
Peoples Forum & Cancun WTO Ministerial

We intend to initiate a process of consultation between groups and
individual of Bangladesh. The purpose is to analyze and understand the
stakes of the people in the present global economic, political and cultural
realities. The process will strive to generate a strategic national options
in order to plan focused actions that could safeguard the interest of the
people of Bangladesh. The dates, venue and timings are as above.In the
context of the coming WTO Ministerial in Cancun as well as the Annual
Meeting of the WB/IMF in September 2003, the consultation is very important
for groups and individuals involved in community activities…..
www.bangladesherdak.net

Details:http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds4

[INTERNATIONAL]

Why is the USA afraid?
Likewise we are witnessing America's fear of putting on trial those who are
incarcerated in Guantanamo-Bay. People have been held in these cages like
animals, which includes children and a few have been tortured to death. Now
she is in the verge of holding secret trials, denying the defendants the
right to have independent legal representation, using dubious testimonies
and hearsay. Prisoners have been given the Hobson's choice, either confesses
to get 20 years or face the death penalty upon conviction. All this sounds
exactly like the torture chambers and military courts of Hitler or Stalin…..
www.bangladesherdak.net

Details:http://www.bangladesherdak.net/international.htm#nal1

Spade and Trade: HIGH times in Afghanistan
Already the world's largest opium producer last year, Afghanistan appears
poised to produce another bumper crop. In rural areas where wheat has
historically been the dominant crop, fields of brilliant red, pink and white
poppies are proliferating. Many poor farmers, who complain that the Afghan
government and other countries have failed to ease their economic woes
through legal means, say that they are growing illegal opium poppies for the
first time.   A high-ranking anti-narcotics official recalled discussing the
problem with a U.S. general, who "asked me if I could give him a list of
these officials who were involved. I told him it would be easier if I listed
officials who weren't involved. That would be a shorter
list."…..www.bangladesherdak.net

Details:http://www.bangladesherdak.net/international.htm#nal2

[MUSIC]

Sex Pistols to "Rock the Kasbah"?
Lydon said the Iraqi people should be made to understand the downside of
democracy. "If you are going to offer these people democracy, then offer it
to them in their fullest extreme so they fully know what they're walking
into," he said. "Because democracy has a few problems, mate, and the Sex
Pistols know that, but at least we can shout out about it, and that might be
of some use to them."....
www.bangladesherdak.net

Details:http://www.bangladesherdak.net/music.htm#mu1


**Next update 15:000 hours Bangladesh Time Tuesday 15th July 2003**

Note: Archive is still under construction and likely to be activated by 16th
July 2003 with all our back issues.

We regret the inconveniences caused to our readers

F.I Yousuf
Web Hosting Team
BangladesherDak
Dhaka 0200 hours
Monday 14th July 2003
-
-------------------------------------------------------
       BangladesherDak is a News and Media
       monitoring and forwarding service
       based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

       To view BangladesherDak please click
       www.bangladesherdak.net
----------------------------------------------------

_________________________________________________________________
Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE*
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail

From Newsday --
http://www.newsday.com/news/columnists/ny-vppin153372005jul15,0,1147490.column?c\
oll=ny-news-columnists

The Iraq War, or America Betrayed
by James P. Pinkerton
One day, this Iraq War will be thought of as the Intellectuals' War. That
is, it was a war conceived of by people who possessed more books than
common sense, let alone actual military experience.

Disregarding prudence, precedent and honesty, they went off - or, more
precisely, sent others off - tilting at windmills in Iraq, chasing after
illusions of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction and false hope
about Iraqi enthusiasm for Americanism, and hoping that reality would
somehow catch up with their theory. The problem, of course, is that wars
are more about bloodletting than book learning.

Tilting at windmills is what Don Quixote did. When I left for Iraq in
June, I took along a copy of "The History and Adventures of the Renowned
Don Quixote," the comic/epic/tragic novel by Miguel de Cervantes. I had
never read the book, but I knew of critic Lionel Trilling's
recommendation: "All prose fiction is a variation on the theme of Don
Quixote." And since much of what was said about Iraq was so obviously
fiction, I figured that the work would be an enlightening travel
companion.

When I got to Cervantes' description of his title character, I knew I was
on to something: "He so immersed himself in those romances that he spent
whole days and nights over his books; and thus with little sleeping and
much reading, his brains dried up to such a degree that he lost the use of
his reason."

Quixote's obsession was chivalry - that is, the medieval knightly code of
etiquette and martial arts that supposedly prepared a man for a quest or a
crusade. The fact that not much of it had any basis in reality was no
deterrent to an active fantasy life. So when Quixote rode off, accompanied
by his sidekick, Sancho Panza, he did far more harm than good.

And so it is with the book-fed brainiacs who helped talk George W. Bush
into the Iraq War. These people are commonly known as neoconservatives, or
"neocons" for short, but they are anything but conservative.

After the Cold War ended, they had a vision of America's exerting
"benevolent global hegemony," in the words of William Kristol and Robert
Kagan. To be sure, the United States by then was the world's only
superpower, but bragging about it, exulting in it, was the height of
backlash-provoking hubris. It was a radical, not a conservative, stance.

Yet the neocons, armored in academic degrees - well-versed, particularly,
in the literature of such past master-propagandists as Leon Trotsky and
Leo Strauss - moved easily from their ivory towers to the hearing rooms of
Washington. Fired by a sense of mission, driven to spew out as many words
as they had taken in, they proved their skills at pamphlet-publishing,
sound-biting and bureaucracy-building.

In the 1990s, they expanded or created power bases in existing think
tanks, such as the American Enterprise Institute, or created new
operations altogether, such as The Weekly Standard magazine and the
Project for a New American Century. Seizing the mantle of Teddy Roosevelt
and Ronald Reagan - neither of whom were around to speak for themselves -
they developed their own militant neocon lexicon, a language of American
assertion, even aggression, toward China, Russia and, of course, Iraq and
much of the Muslim world.

"National greatness," "spreading democracy" and, most portentously,
"regime change," were heard from a thousand Beltway tongues. It all
sounded good. But all belligerent talk sounds stirring in the abstract, in
the web of words that cloaks the realities of warfare.

After 9/11, the neocons went into overdrive. America had been attacked
from al-Qaida in Afghanistan, but the intellectuals around President Bush
had their own plan for war. According to Bob Woodward's book, "Bush at
War," on Sept. 15, 2001, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz pressed
the case to the commander in chief for an immediate attack on . . . Iraq.
At that time, Wolfowitz asserted that there was just a "10 to 50 percent
chance" that Iraq was involved in the terrorist attacks. But no matter,
Iraq, not Afghanistan, was central to the neocon vision of "liberating"
the Mideast. Bush wisely chose to move against the Afghan attackers, but
apparently, at about the same time, the decision was made to move against
Iraq, too.

Meanwhile, neocon word-creations, such as "moral clarity," "axis of evil"
and "Bush Doctrine," spread far and wide. These word-weavings were
repeated over and over again, in magazines, books and cable news shows.
Bush became Winston Churchill, Saddam Hussein became Hitler, the Arabs
were ripe for Americanization, and the U.S. military became the sword not
only of vengeance, but also of do-gooding and nation-building.



But, in a world that's mostly gray, "moral clarity" becomes a synonym for
tunnel vision. To see something complicated as simple requires that the
seer leave out critical details. And thus amid all the intellectual
intoxication, a lionized, neocon-ized Bush didn't worry about such
variables as the world reaction to America's plan, not to mention the
Iraqi reaction.

Cervantes would have seen it coming. The tales of chivalric righteousness
that Quixote read "took full possession" of his brain, filling the
knight-errant with the belief that "the world needed his immediate
presence." And so the Man from La Mancha went off to his adventures,
plunging into gratuitous battles with the innocent and the harmless -
innkeepers, friars, puppeteers, shepherds and their sheep, and, most
famously, windmills.

As an aside, one might marvel at Cervantes' gift for pithy phrasing, as
well as for memorable images. Phrases such as "every dog has his day,"
"wild goose chase," "a stone's throw" and "birds of a feather flock
together" pop off the page, like old pals. Yet these phrases linger in the
mind because they speak to the human condition. And so when Cervantes
indicts Quixote for his willfully monkish removal from practical reality,
that's a lesson for all of us, down to this day.

As the Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes has observed, Quixote had a burning
faith. What kind of faith? Not really in God; he is a minor part of
Quixote's warped world view. Rather, it is a faith in "universals,"
derived from his books. "The faith comes from reading," Fuentes concludes
about Quixote, "and his reading is a madness."

In their Quixotic madness for war, the Bush people exaggerated, and maybe
even fabricated, their "evidence." In their minds, it was all part of the
same game. Words had gotten them into positions of power, and now more
words, even fictional words, would get them into war.

But there was one saving grace about Quixote: At least he was willing to
put his lance where his mouth was; he was willing to live out his thirst
for glory. By contrast, few in the Bush Brigade have actually worn their
country's uniform. Their service, even in the Pentagon, consists of
sitting in carpeted corner offices. And so it was easy for them to grind
out policy, or propaganda, or both, untroubled by firsthand combat
experience.

And this is where the Iraq mission passes, in my mind, into the realm of
outrage. In my trip there, I met lots of uniformed Americans who had not
written any neocon propaganda, but who had obviously read or heard a lot
of it. They believed they were there to help the Iraqi people, and they
were determined to do their best. To believe that, they had to look past
the fact that the United States had to bomb and shoot its way in. But even
after "peace" was established, the well-meaning Americans were woefully
unprepared for the new mission at hand.

Perhaps because the civilian war-planners believed their own propaganda
about a "cakewalk," or perhaps because they just didn't care about what
happened after they got their war, the Americans actually on the hot
desert ground had little in the way ofhelping tools. First and most
obviously, they didn't have non-lethal weapons for crowd control, and so
many confrontations became deadly incidents, starting up a cycle of
violence that spirals further every day.

Second, few of them had been taught the language of the people they were
supposedly going to be working with; I did not meet a single American who
knew more than a few words of Arabic. Finally, the Pentagon was heavy on
tanks for intimidation, but light on techniques for winning hearts and
minds, such as immediate plans for rebuilding infrastructure.

Thus the ultimate irony: The war that was schemed and dreamed by eggheads
turned out to be just another cracked example of poor planning. The
Pentagon may have omnipotence in war, but it lacks common sense in peace.



And so there will be a reckoning, just as there was for Quixote. After
1,000 pages of adventures, Quixote takes sick with a fever. But as his
temperature rises, his mind finally clears. "I have acted as a madman," he
laments. And he realizes that his nuttiness was brought on by "reading
such absurdities." Now, at last, on his death bed, he has come to
"abominate and abhor" the books he wasted his life reading.

Will the neocons ever have such a moment of clarity? Maybe some will. But
it's just as likely that in a few years, when the Bush Brigade is out of
power, returned to their fellowships and board chairs, they'll be writing
memoirs and giving speeches. They'll eschew any responsibility for what
went wrong in Iraq, even as they settle scores with old interoffice foes.
And, of course, they'll be touting some new "bold plan" for using other
people's children as pawns in some new global gambit.

The honest memoirs will probably come from those who went to Iraq. Indeed,
Cervantes himself was a combat veteran; he lost the use of his left hand
at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. By the time he published the first
volume of Don Quixote in 1605, his Spain had squandered its wealth, its
military edge and its great-power status in vainglorious wars across the
European continent. So he knew full well just how devastating delusion
could be.

My hope is that somewhere in Iraq today, an American in uniform is
absorbing it all. And so maybe a novel will be written about men and women
on a mission, confident in the righteousness of their cause, doing their
best, but nonetheless blundering about. That book will be a comedy, in
places, but mostly, it will be a tragedy, because there's nothing sadder
than sincerity and earnestness misled and betrayed.

Copyright  2003, Newsday, Inc.
*** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use
has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The
'johnmacsgroup' Internet discussion group is making it available without
profit to group members who have expressed a prior interest in receiving
the included information in their efforts to advance the understanding of
literary, educational, political, and economic issues, for non-profit
research and educational purposes only. I believe that this constitutes a
'fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of
the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for
purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission
from the copyright owner.

For more information go to:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

    "When you come to the fork in the road, take it" - L.P. Berra
    "Always make new mistakes" -- Esther Dyson
    "Be precise in the use of words and expect precision from others" -
     Pierre Abelard
    "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"
     -- Arthur C. Clarke
    "Bobby Layne never lost a game. Time just ran out." -- Doak Walker
                           John F. McMullen
                  johnmac@... johnmac@...
               ICQ: 4368412 AIM & Yahoo Messenger: johnmac13
                   http://www.westnet.com/~observer

Updates in http://www.BangladesherDak.net  Tuesday 16th July 2003

[WEBSITE ADVISORY]

* Readers may encounters problems with some buttons and links. Please hit F5
or Refresh button. Should problems persist please feedback your comments
with details to editor@... *

* Archive is still under construction and likely to be activated by 16th
July 2003 with all our back issues.*

*Next update at approximately 20:00 hours Bangladesh Time Wednesday 16th
July 2003*

*We regret the inconveniences caused to our readers*

[BANGLADESH SPECIFIC]

ULFA guerillas shifting base to Bangladesh from Bhutan: Indian report

Under pressure from the Bhutan government, the United Liberation Front of
Asom and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland are shifting base to
neighboring Bangladesh through the corridor of Garo Hills. The ULFA and NDFB
have been based in Bhutan for the past decade and New Delhi has been
mounting pressure on the government of the Himalayan kingdom to launch an
offensive against them. This is the second such operation within a span of
four months in the area, which has become the latest hotbed of militancy as
the insurgents are increasing their number of camps
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds1

22 Bangladeshi plants taken away to US for patent

Farida said America wants to collect 35,000 thousands of religious verses
from India in what she believes is intended to "analyze those verses for
future patenting purposes." "The origins of a good number of plants await
patent with the US Patent Department in India," she said adding 80 per cent
of plants patented in America were Indian. She said, the US has taken away
from Bangladesh a total of 22 plants to do research on diarrhoeal diseases
which would turn as the US property and that Bangladesh need to buy those
(plant-medicine) from them
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds3


Domestic help from Bangladesh HiComm in Ottawa hides out in Church to avoid
deportation

The 50-year-old Bangladeshi man, who arrived in Canada in 1995 to work as a
domestic servant at his country's high commission in Ottawa, has exhausted
all of his traditional legal avenues and appeals that would allow him to
stay. Now he's in Canada on borrowed time, holed up in an Ottawa church
where he plans to ignore a deportation order that would send him back home.
He fears for his own safety and that of his family if he is sent back to
Bangladesh. In 1998, after fleeing his job at the high commission, he stated
in documents filed in Federal Court that his former boss physically abused
him, treated him like a slave and did not pay him for his work……
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds2

Blowing hot from Kolkata-Bangladesh has chosen to antagonize India at its
own peril

One of the main reasons why Indo-Bangla ties have suffered in recent years
is the increase in cross-border terrorism because of Bangladesh-based Indian
insurgents. Apart from being sheltered by Dhaka’s intelligence agencies,
they get generous help from Pakistan’s ISI members operating in Bangladesh.
This is an open secret which Dhaka-based foreign diplomats, including those
of the EU, publicly acknowledge. New Delhi is not at all convinced by the
vehement denials that Begum Zia’s government periodically issues on the
presence of Indian ultras in Bangladesh. Only three years ago she as the
leader of Opposition had publicly lionised the Indian insurgents as “
freedom fighters” and “sons of deliverance” who were “trying to liberate the
North East states from Indian yoke”. As late as on 27 June 2002 her adviser
on parliamentary affairs, Salauddin Chowdhury, whom she has since nominated
for the OIC secretary general’s post, called Ulfa’s Anup Chetia a “true and
greater patriot as Sheikh Mujib as he is continuing his fight for Assam’s
freedom from Indian suzerainty”. He said this in parliament in Begum Zia’s
presence.
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds6

[INTERNATIONAL]

"Iraq Liberation Army" warns against foreign troops under UN umbrella

Troops from Spain, Poland, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia,
the Baltic states and possibly from the Philippines, Thailand, Mongolia and
Fiji are likely to be part of the peacekeeping forces in Iraq. Bangladesh
and Pakistan, both Muslim nations, have also been asked to take part in
peacekeeping operations but they have not announced any decision yet and
there is considerable domestic opposition to the proposals. Qatar-based
al-Jazeera television also showed a statement from another Iraqi group --
the ''Iraqi National Islamic Resistance: 1920 Revolution Brigades'', in
reference to Iraq's history fighting British colonial rule -- warning
against further foreign intervention." It implored Arab and Islamic
countries about the seriousness of sending their troops to Iraq,''
al-Jazeera quoted the statement as saying…..
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/international.htm#nal1

Troops for Iraq- India’s NO to the US

The American invitation had generated heated debate in India. Indian opinion
has been divided right down the middle on the wisdom of sending troops to
Iraq. Those who supported deployment argued that India's ambition of being
regarded as a regional or global player of significance would be furthered
by sending the troops. For them, the American invitation was an opportunity
to further Indian strategic and economic interests, a chance of being
accepted as a regional power. One of Delhi's main concerns has been how the
Muslim world, especially Iraq's neighbors, would have viewed India's
deployment in Iraq. According to MEA sources, Kuwait and the United Arab
Emirates are said to have indicated their support; Jordan and Turkey were
not opposed but wanted it only with a clearly-defined mandate. Although
India-Iran relations are warm, Tehran was uncomfortable with Indian troops
working to stabilize the US occupation of Iraq. Syria and Iran feared that
India's presence would delay the US exit from the region….
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/international.htm#nal2

Is Impeachment In Order?

One thing is clear: The White House is every bit the expert at cover-up and
subterfuge as it was when Clinton was in power! For example, according to
the Wall Street Journal, The White House opposed creating a commission to
investigate the events of 9/11. Even after obvious and undeniable miscues by
the FBI and CIA, the administration has taken no disciplinarian action.
None. Also, President Bush vehemently denied receiving advanced warnings
concerning an impending attack by militant Muslims using airliners as
weapons. We now know he did……
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/international.htm#nal3

[COLUMN]

Sylvia Mortoza writes From “The Hermits Cave”

THE INTERNET AND DEMOCRACY
Bangladesh does have a proud tradition of well-read men and women leading
the way in dismantling authoritarian structures. And though people can be
found writing full-length and feature articles for a community that remains
mostly unknown, can it truly be said that this tradition can be transported
to the Internet? If so - good. Believe they are a force for change in a
world that never really changes?
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/column.htm#col1

[INTELLIGENCE]

CIA: The Heat is on

After weeks of ducking uncomfortable questions about the administration’s
mishandling of intelligence during the run-up to the Iraq war—did the
president and his advisers hype the danger and mislead the country? Bush
issued a terse response: it was the CIA’s fault. In the State of the Union
address last January, Bush said that Iraq was seeking to buy large
4quantities of uranium from Africa, an assertion based on what turned out to
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/intelligence.htm#nce1

RAW blamed for bomb attack on Dawood Ibrahims complex in Karachi

The sources disclosed that the plaza was targeted by RAW because they (RAW)
believed Dawood Ibrahim owned the building. Ibrahim is wanted by the Indian
Government for is alleged involvement in the 1993 serial bomb blasts in
Mumbai that killed nearly 300 people and maimed over 2000 others. The actual
motive behind the blast was not massive destruction of life and property.
The bomb went off well before office hours…..
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/intelligence.htm#nce2

Pakistan Intelligence blames RAW -Afghan nexus for Quetta attack

The Daily Times, quoting intelligence sources, reported on Tuesday that
Pakistan’s “Intelligence Bureau reported two weeks before the Quetta attack
that India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was training a group of 250
Afghan nationals in the Jilga area near the Pak-Afghan border. Later, the
training camp was shifted to Spin Boldak and the trainees were merged with
the Afghan force deployed at various border check posts”. Apart from India,
Pakistani intelligence agencies also suspect the possible involvement of
Iran “since the victims in recent terrorist attacks in the province are from
the predominantly Shia Hazara community,” the report stated….

http://www.bangladesherdak.net/intelligence.htm#nce3

American national files case against two Indian dailies for false
implication of being a CIA agent

Richard Franke of the U.S.-based Montclaire University worked on the
People's Plan Campaign launched during the E.K. Nayanar government in 1997.
He will file cases against two dailies and the magazine Padom that branded
him a CIA agent, said Thomas Issac, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)
legislator

http://www.bangladesherdak.net/intelligence.htm#nce4

Troops for Missiles: US-India remains divided on key issues

New Delhi has been asked to provide a division -- roughly between 15,000 to
20,000 troops -- that could command a sector of northern Iraq around the
city of Mosul, officials say. Another issue concerns India's interest in
purchasing the Arrow, the only operational anti-ballistic missile system.
The system is built by Israel and Boeing Co., so the sale would require U.S.
approval since Washington funded its development. The administration, which
held up transfers of advanced systems to India until tensions with Pakistan
eased, recently approved Israel's sale of the Phalcon Airborne Early
Warning, Command and Control System. U.S. officials remain divided over the
sale of the Arrow, which exceeds limits, set by an international regime
aimed at curbing missile proliferation

http://www.bangladesherdak.net/intelligence.htm#nce5

ARM SMUGGLING IN BANGLADESH

Bogra incidence is just a reminder of Haji Mastans/Dawuds of Bangladesh, the
names are withheld here. It is very upsetting that the incidences are not
yet internationally investigated like what CBI is doing in India. During the
middle of 90's (during BNP regime) there was a first arm smuggling story
(many more gone unreported!!!) thru a merchant vessel which has came to lime
light thru a wide circulated newspaper where all the innocent crew for the
notorious Captain from Bangladesh lost their lives. Matter was not yet
investigated by the Government and it came to my knowledge from Singapore
that Captain and its ex-associates deemed to be very aggressive on
transshipment of such cargo to make money overnight. Few of them still well
settled in Singapore with the mercy of BD political giants and mafias. It is
also confirmed that the said Captain was close friend of Delware Hossain
Saidi and was being used for election campaign during 91's……..

http://www.bangladesherdak.net/intelligence.htm#nce6
Hindutva terrorist training camps worrying minorities in India
The World Hindu Council's main target is Muslims, who make up more than 12
percent of the country's 1.02 billion people. Some 84 percent of India's
citizens are Hindus, and the Hindu nationalists often warn of what they say
are the growing militant ambitions of Muslims. While the camps for girls are
a relatively new phenomenon, the nationalist group has long held camps for
boys, who attend them by the thousands……

http://www.bangladesherdak.net/intelligence.htm#nce7

Thanking you,

F.I Yousuf
Web Hosting Team
BangladesherDak
Tuesday 15th July 2003

[BangladesherDak is News and Media Monitoring Service based in Dhaka,
Bangladesh. To view the site please click on http://www.BangladesherDak.net]

_________________________________________________________________
Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail

Updates in http://www.BangladesherDak.net  Wednesday 16th July 2003


[WEBSITE ADVISORY]

* Readers may encounters problems with some buttons and links. Please hit F5
or Refresh button. Should problems persist please feedback your comments
with details to editor@... *

* Work on our archive is still ongoing and likely activation date is further
delayed. Inconvenience to readers is regretted. *

* Next update at approximately 15:00 hours Bangladesh Time Thursday the 17th
July 2003*

[BANGLADESH SPECIFIC]

Dhaka push Delhi to resolve all contentious issues

The crucial talks between two neighbouring countries hammered out issues
including trade, commerce, industries, telecommunications, education,
culture and agriculture. Both sides also discussed how India could reduce
Dhaka’s legitimate concern of narrowing the yawning trade deficit with New
Delhi.The schedule joint press conference was postponed twice giving rise to
speculation of increasing gap between Bangladesh and India regarding transit
and border trade. However, the Foreign Minister Morshed Khan announced that
the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) followed by
press briefing would be held on Wednesday morning at Hotel Sheraton instead
of ERD conference room at Sher-e-banglanagar
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds6


Hizb-ut Tahrir activists attacked in Dhaka University Campus

The BCL cadres harassed the activists of Hejbuttahrir branding them as the
workers of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir (BICS) and after being ensured
that they were not the activists of BICS, the BCL cadres termed them as
fundamentalists. The BCL cadres also set fire to the leaflets of
Hejbuttahrir, an organisation championing cause of Islam in Bangladesh. The
convener of this organisation is Prof. Mahiuddin Ahmed of Institute of
Business and Studies, University of Dhaka
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds7

[ANALYSIS]

Will History Repeat Itself in Pakistan?

In the 70’s, we turned a blind eye while Gen. Yahya killed millions in
Bangladesh, with a kill rate that would put Hitler to shame. Even after the
US congress cried foul and the US ambassador to Bangladesh declared
“genocide in Bangladesh”, Nixon and Kissinger praised Yahya and sent him
arms to aid in the killing. In the nineties, after the Russians had left
Afghanistan, the Pakistani army happily armed, fed, financed and trained a
band of jihadi hoodlums, now known to us as the Taliban; of course, the
Taliban directly caused the death of hundreds of thousands of Afghan
civilians in the nineties. While the cleansing continued unabated, oil
executives busily negotiated oil-pipelines with the Taliban, with nary a
consequence for the Pakistanis. After 911, writing blank checks to the
Pakistanis seems to have come back in vogue. The only question that remains
unanswered is – where will the genocide be, this time
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/analysis.htm#ana3?

Iraq not Vietnam, yet

The Pentagon's insistence that it is not facing a guerrilla war seems to be
undermined by the facts on the ground with clear suggestions that there is
more co-ordination behind the attacks than defence department chiefs would
like to admit. Procedures and routines need to be constantly monitored to
reduce the vulnerability of small units on the ground. US troops are also
going onto the offensive seeking to pre-empt attacks before they happen;
though everything here depends upon the quality of the intelligence that is
available. And here is the problem. The more the Americans can establish
normal life in Iraq so the more likely they are to reap the benefits in
terms of intelligence.
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/analysis.htm#ana2

[e-FORUM BUZZ]

Don’t forget to check out the latest updates on buzz in e-forums all across
the Net..some of the samples of happenings are as under.

Alochona

In Alochona the debate "Why should I mourn for Siraj or even Palassey?"
rages

What I have learned after reading all these books is that History(even after
written with modern methodologies) has bias of the person writing it.
Somebody's perspective always comes accross. And since most of these pieces
of history has been written by people from outside Bangla(desh), the
perspectives are different. The best peiece of historical perspective I have
read from our own perspective is Novak's book Bangla Desh - Reflections on
the water- but even this one is criticized by some for being biased towards
Bangla(Desh). I try to triangulate any information which is basically look
at many sources(some good and some ???) and form my own understanding of
Bangla's history…..

Atheist of India

In Atheist of India - there is a very good article "‘Secular resistance need
of the hour’"
What has happened to the secular fabric of the fishing community in the
state ? What role did araya samajams and mahal committees play to flare up
the communal clashes? Or is it the RSS, the NDF or similar organisations
doing the trick? Read full text in Atheist of India

Dahuk

Dahuk has cross-posted from Islam-Online "An important Fatwa (Legal opinion
of Alim(s) on "Immunity and Protection against Black Magic"

My family has become aware that some relatives are practicing black magic
and that we are the target of these people. Members of my family are also
sick, and the severity of their illnesses has increased ten-fold after
visiting with these relatives. What can my family do to protect themselves
against black magic?

Friends For Allah

Friends For Allah is debating "Dating"

first of all u need to respect the Islamic ways, and talk in a better way.
No not every date, meeting, day out will lead to Sexual Behaviors...and yes
there is a very high chance that a date, or day out alone with someone of
the opposite sex will lead to sexual talk or behavior. Well if nothing
sexual is going to happen why not take a third person with you? Thats not a
biggy? Since no sexual events are taking place and such, take someone, you
are less likely to do anything or speak of anything that may lead to
actions. For actions speak louder than words. If a third person isnt there,
the 'devil' kicks in as the third party. Its always better to safe than
sorry... Islam is just protecting us........ Read Full text in Friends of
Allah

Google Groups

STATUTORY WARNING Profanities abound in the groups as they are unmoderated

The Google Group soc.culture.Bangladesh is debating “BangladesherDak
soft=peddling the BNP”

I am bemused to see the return of our self-branded cyber arbiter, Doctor
Ullah. This time with yet another contextually proctological diagnosis--as
to what BangladesherDak might be soft-selling. Once again he feels safe in
accusing his subject without rolling on a latex‘cap'  of decency, of
explicating ‘why.'

The Google Group soc.culture.Bangladesh is debating "Lord Shiva Linga in
Trouble"

That is why orthodox Brahiminis are lobbying for shifting indian capital to
central west africa where longest lingum god adorns the naked blacks. They
feel it is more in line with their religious thought ie. Lingum (penis) god
prayer, and by that they will be blessed with greater Shakti (power) to rule
the world! To read full text  soc.culture.Bangladesh

The Google Group soc.culture Bengali is reporting mayhem at a rock concert
in Karachi

Just as the concert started to swing and Noori were halfway through their
fifth number, Bol, their performance was abruptly jerked to a halt as the
sound went off. While the band members and organizers were trying to figure
out what had happened the crowd, filling a sold-out concert hall, settled to
a low buzz until it became evidently clear that Noori was not going to play
anymore that night. Apparently, the backstage wires had been cut and burnt
by gatecrashers who had allegedly been let in by the police for a small fee
of Rs50, which had led to the failure of the sound system. So much for being
able to rely on security anymore.

The Google News Group misc.education.science is debating “CATACLYSM the
Evidence -- MAN AS OLD AS COAL"

Their monumental hoax on mankind has met its match with the presentation of
undeniable physical evidence that, multi-millions of years ago, the good
earth wasn’t anything like what has long been depicted by the scientific
community. For one thing, man -- in almost our present form -- existed while
coal was being formed, and our ancestors lived alongside giant scorpions,
dinosaurs and beasts with six-inch-high canine teeth.

Islam 1

In Islam1 read the article "Don't Be Sad - Do Not Despair If You Face
Hindrances.."
Patience gives solace while anxiety does not, and forbearance bears more
positive results than does petulance; and the one who does not voluntarily
display patience will have it forced upon him by circumstances. The famous
Arab poet Al-Mutanabi said: "Time has showered me with trouble until the
arrows on my heart have formed a cover, that now when I am struck with an
arrow, the blade of it strikes into the shaft of another, now I live without
a care for troubles, since I have not profited by caring."

Mukto-Mona

Mukto-Mona Moderator request’s BangladesherDak readers to read and sign the
petition on “Save the Minorities from Peril and let live with equal rights”

To:  The Prime Ministers of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh  -Your
Excellencies,  With due respect We, the people of south Asian origin, beg to
state that how much we appreciate your Excellencies for taking appropriate
political as well diplomatic measures to reduce tension in South Asia. ...
Read and sign the Petition

In Mukto-Mona Dr.Ajoy Roy pays an eloquent tribute to Poet Subhash
Mukhopadhya

The Padatik poet of Kallol Yug of Bengali literature expired today in
Calcutta. He was 84. Through this small posting I pay my humblest tribute
and homage to this luminary of our world of literature. His great loss would
be felt long time to come…

MuktoChinta

In MuktoChinta Mohammad Zaman writes "On Sending Troops to Iraq War"

Colin Powell, on his stopover in Dhaka, tacitly asked for help in Iraq. To
be in the good book of the Big Brother is a big issue for the lesser
brothers. Pakistan is mulling over and even the sub-continental giant, India
has not ruled out the possibility outright. Arguments, both pro and anti,
are in flux. But eventually it is the national interest that ought to be
served Read Full text at MuktoChinta

Nabic-l

In Nabic-L the ongoing debate is "Muslims, Islamic Law and Public Policy in
the United States"
As I have not read Dr. Nur Nabi's earlier writings so I really cannot say
whether he says to rewrite the Quran, or altogather discard it. I may be
wrong, and there may be some great FALLACY in my point, yet I feel, he may
be areligious because he thinks that 'religions' are not compatible with our
needs, or the modern life etc. But again he seems to be religious as he
thinks that the same 'religions' have not been properly utilised.

In Nabic-L read the article "Rights of Married Women -"Nafqa" etc"

The woman has no obligation to look after all her in-laws, and prepare food
etc for them. But as a good gesture and sign of `tabedari' (obedience) she
can do this as far as she can do. The woman is also not under any obligation
to prepare food and everything for the husband. Rather it is husband's duty
provide the woman with food and drink.

Uttorshuri

In Uttorshuri read Dr.Taj Hashmi's "Secularism and Communalism"

I don't think there is any point debating the issue if state sponsored
secularism guarantees communal harmony in countries like Bangladesh, India
and Pakistan with Mr Aparthib Zaman. Firstly because, unfortunately he does
not know that Martin Luther's Protestantism was in fact the Reformation.
Secondly, sudden accumulation of wealth, as it happened in the oil rich
Middle Eastern countries, is not synonymous with the growth of capitalism.
From Kuwait to Saudi Arabia and Libya to the Emirates there are no
capitalist economies except those of Egypt, Israel and Iraq. A rich peasant
is not a capitalist farmer, he is still a pre-capitalist peasant, who does
not primarily produce for the market. Similarly, a rich sheikh is no
Rockefeller or Bill Gates
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/e_forum.htm

                                      **More e-Forum Buzz on the way!!!**

[ISLAM]

Does Islam threaten democracy?

Muslims’ presence in British society has presented other challenges. One is
a ‘clash of practices’, including demands for Halal meat for Muslim
schoolchildren, Muslim dress, prayer time, female circumcision, polygamy,
and arranged marriages. Female circumcision and polygamy are banned, and
Muslims accept this. Muslims also generally respect ‘Western values’ such as
equality, freedom of expression, tolerance, peaceful resolution of
differences, and respect for majority decisions. Indeed, equality among
races is an important Muslim value and practice. Equality of the sexes poses
the gravest difficulties — particularly because Muslim girls in Britain
increasingly assert it
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/islam.htm#lam2

[INTELLIGENCE]

Bogra Ammo Haul: A matter of national security

If the ammunition of Bogra is a threat to our national security, the
prevailing domestic order that, in more than one way, makes it possible is
also a threat to our national security in more significant way. Not only it
makes Bogra-like episode worth undertaking, it constantly stand in the way
of our development and progress wherein lies our real security. It does so
by allowing our criminals in disrupting the stability of the country -- thus
denying the conditions essential for our development, growth, production,
economic activities and so on. The situation is compounded by the free rein
enjoyed by the criminal elements masquerading as para-military groups of any
ruling dispensations who in a political void, need them desperately……..
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/intelligence.htm#nce7

U.S. Chides India for Iraq Troop Snub

The United States had been counting on India, Bangladesh and Pakistan among
other countries to send peacekeepers to Iraq to give the U.S. presence a
more international look. In officially rejecting the idea on Monday, the
Indian government said it would consider such a deployment only under
mandate of the United Nations. Boucher said he did not know the status of
the requests for Pakistani and Bangladeshi participation…
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/intelligence.htm#nce8

Unmasking the Kashmir Conflict

The strategy of bleeding India through militancy in Kashmir has boomeranged
on Islamabad. The guerrilla war has spawned a culture of hate and extremism
inside Pakistan that draws its energy from ethnic and sectarian differences.
While the odds of military victory for those seeking to liberate Kashmir
from India are indeed low, that has not stopped the jihadis from seeking a
military solution. They are not eager to negotiate an agreement. Experts in
conflict mediation have long argued that negotiations will fail if the
payoff to any of the belligerents from a successful negotiation is worse
than their BATNA (best alternative to a negotiated agreement)……
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/intelligence.htm#nce9

Communist the real threat in Iraq

Intelligence analysts say the communists were, in the eyes of the Baath
regime, a major threat because of their success in building an underground
network, which from time to time stung the Hussein regime. A common
description of the communists in the streets of Iraq, especially within the
large Shiite community is: "They know how to hide their hammer and sickle
under the ayatollah's headdress." In other words, communist activists who
for years were forced to work in the underground can if necessary act as
pious Shiites. The communist network includes ties to other Iraqi ethnic
groups. They are known to have excellent connections with the Assyrian and
Chaldean minority and with the Kurds. Their ties with Kurdish communists
were boosted and became significant following the first Gulf War and the
creation of the Kurdish enclave in the north.
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/intelligence.htm#nce5

Pakistan Hands Over Al Qaeda Suspect

"He was interrogated here. He is among the important people of al Qaeda.
Useful information can be obtained from him during further investigation,"
the official said. Jazeeri, an Algerian national, was arrested in the
upscale residential district of Hayatabad in Peshawar, which borders
Afghanistan.
http://www.bangladesherdak.net/intelligence.htm#nce6


F.I Yousuf
Web Hosting Team
BangladesherDak
Wednesday 16th July 2003

[BangladesherDak is News and Media Monitoring Service based in Dhaka,
Bangladesh. To view the site please click on www.BangladesherDak.net]







-

_________________________________________________________________
Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online
http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

Pentagon Bombshell: U.S. Uncovers WMD Document 'Mother Lode'
Newsmax.com    Wednesday July 16, 2003; 4:41 p.m. EDT


The Pentagon's chief weapons inspector David Kay has uncovered what is
being described as a "mother lode" of documents in Iraq detailing
Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction program.


I've already seen enough to convince me," said Kay, a former U.N.
weapons inspector, in an interview aired Tuesday with "NBC Nightly
News" anchorman Tom Brokaw.



"We're finding progress reports. [Iraqi scientists] also got financial
rewards from Saddam Hussein by breakthroughs, indicating breakthroughs.
They actually took--went to Saddam and said 'We have made this
progress.'" the top WMD prober explained. "There are records, there are
audiotapes of those interviews which give us that."



"According to Kay, the Iraqis seem to keep documents on even the most
damning evidence," said Brokaw.



In assessing the scope of Kay's find, the NBC newsman proclaimed, "This
is a mother lode, an estimated seven and a half miles of documents,
many of them collected by U.S. military from [Iraq's] official
buildings, but many others handed over by Iraqi civilians."



Iraq's WMD files are currently undergoing a painstaking analysis, said
Brokaw, who explained, "Many of them [are] handwritten, have to be
scanned onto a computer in this small, highly secure facility."



Working with Arabic translators, U.S. weapons experts look for certain
clues, including personnel records, foreign purchases and lab results.



The Pentagon's chief weapons prober said he didn't want to go public
with details of his find until the case is an indisputable lock. "I
know if we can't explain the WMD program of Iraq we lose credibility
with regard to other states like Iran, Syria and North Korea," he told
NBC.



How long will it take before President Bush is able to reveal what
could be smoking gun justification of his decision to make war on Iraq?



"I think we will have a substantial body of evidence before six
months," Kay told NBC.



Brokaw ended his report on Kay's find with a clip of Tuesday's comment
by Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass.; a move the newsman apparently intended as
a reminder to Democrats who continue to carp about the lack of WMD
evidence, that they're liable to be humiliated when the full story is
known.



"It's a disgrace that the case for war seems to have been based on
shoddy intelligence, hyped intelligence, and even false intelligence,"
Kennedy complained.



Meanwhile back in Baghdad, Kay continues to pour over his treasure
trove of WMD documents.

  Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion, but the tranquil
and steady dedication of a lifetime

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/anncoulter/ac20030717.shtml

Taking liberties
by Ann Coulter

After Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt rounded up more than 100,000
Japanese residents and citizens and threw them in internment camps.
Indeed, both liberal deities of the 20th century, FDR and Earl Warren,
supported the internment of Japanese-Americans. In the '20s, responding to
the bombing of eight government officials' homes, a Democrat-appointed
attorney general arrested about 6,000 people. The raids were conducted by
A. Mitchell Palmer, appointed by still-revered Democrat segregationist
Woodrow Wilson, who won the 1916 election based on lies about intelligence
and war plans.

In response to the worst terrorist attack in the history of the world
right here on U.S. soil, Attorney General John Ashcroft has detained fewer
than a thousand Middle Eastern immigrants. Ashcroft faces a far more
difficult task than FDR did: Pearl Harbor was launched by the imperial
government of Japan, not by Japanese-Americans living in California. The
9-11 Muslim terrorists, by contrast, were not only in the United States
but, until the attack, had broken hardly any laws at all (aside from a few
immigration laws, which liberals don't care about anyway). And yet,
Ashcroft's modest, carefully tailored policies have prevented another
attack for almost two years since Sept. 11, 2001. No internment camps, no
mass arrests. And no more massive terrorist attacks.

Naturally, therefore, the Democrats have focused like a laser beam on the
perfidy of John Ashcroft. Rep. Dick Gephardt recently said, "In my first
five seconds as president, I would fire John Ashcroft as attorney
general." (In his first four seconds, he would establish the AFL-CIO wing
of the White House.)

Sen. John Kerry has vowed: "When I am president of the United States,
there will be no John Ashcroft trampling on the Bill of Rights." (Experts
are still trying to figure out why Kerry didn't mention his service in
Vietnam during that last statement.) Let me be the first to predict that
when John Kerry is president, pigs will fly.

Sen. John Edwards said that "we must not allow people like John Ashcroft
to take away our rights and our freedoms." Apparently, we must, however,
allow Janet Reno to run over our rights and our freedoms with a tank.

As usual, the Democrats have come up with a lot of bloody adjectives, but
are a little short in the way of particulars as to how Ashcroft is
trampling on anyone's rights. Their case-in-chief seems to be Tarek
Albasti. Albasti's story has now run in more than 70 overwrought news
stories. His tale of torment led a New York Times report on terrorism
suspects whose lives have been uprooted and was the featured story on a
PBS special this week about the civil-liberties crisis sweeping America.

Tarek Albasti is an Egyptian immigrant who married an American woman,
brought seven of his Egyptian friends to America and was enrolled in
flight school when America was hit on 9-11. Based on a tip from the
ex-wife of one of the men that they were plotting a suicide mission, the
eight Egyptian immigrants were held for one week in October 2001  one
week. The men were questioned and released. Since then, the government has
issued copious apologies to the men and has expunged their records.

What are liberals claiming law enforcement was supposed to do with
information like that? We're sorry for any Arabs whose dearest dream was
to go into crop dusting, but this really isn't a good time. (Perhaps we
could have a five-day waiting period for Muslims who apply to U.S. flight
schools for a background check.)

Albasti told PBS  that's right, PBS, the television network owned,
operated and funded by the very same federal government Albasti now claims
is oppressing him  that during his one-week confinement he was worried he
would be hanged without anyone ever knowing what happened to him. For that
remark alone, he should be deported. Is that what he thinks of America?
But at least detained Arabs  and more to the point, their lawyers  have a
monetary incentive to make absurd claims of persecution. What is the
Democrats' excuse?

Based on the wails from our stellar crop of Democratic presidential
candidates, you would think every Muslim in the country is cowering in
fear of a pogrom-oriented attorney general. Meanwhile, the left's
principal evidence of a civil-rights crisis in America consists of a
one-week detention of eight Egyptian immigrants  one in flight school, no
less  after the ex-wife of one of the men tipped off the FBI to a possible
terrorist plot in the making.

Apparently, a lot of the false tips to law enforcement are coming from
ex-wives. (Maybe Muslim men should have thought of that before introducing
the burka.) Esshassah Fouad, a Moroccan student, was detained in Texas
after his former wife accused him of being a terrorist. She is now serving
a one-year prison sentence for making a false charge.

But some day, small children will be reading somber historical accounts
about the dark night of fascism under John Ashcroft. (Thanks to Ashcroft,
at least they'll be reading them in English, rather than Arabic.) If
liberals applied half as much energy to some business endeavor as they do
to creating the Big Lie, they would all be multimillionaires.

What are we to make of people who promote the idea that America is in the
grip of a civil-liberties emergency based on 100 hazy stories of scowls
and bumps and one-week detentions? Manifestly, there is no civil-liberties
crisis in this country. Consequently, people who claim there is must have
a different goal in mind. What else can you say of such people but that
they are traitors?

Ann Coulter is host of AnnCoulter.org, a TownHall.com member group.

2003 Universal Press Syndicate


  Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion, but the tranquil
and steady dedication of a lifetime

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Updates in http://www.BangladesherDak.net Thursday 17th July 2003

[WEBSITE ADVISORY]

* Readers may encounters problems with some buttons and links. Please hit F5
or Refresh button.  Should problems persist please feedback your comments
with details to editor@... *

* Work on our archive is still ongoing and likely activation date is further
delayed. Inconvenience to readers is regretted. *

* Next update at approximately 20:00 hours Bangladesh Time Friday 18th July
2003*


[BANGLADESH SPECIFIC]

Bangladesh Army joins world?s worst assignment

"For now about 140 have arrived, but they are still coming," said Leo
Salmeron, spokesman for the UN's military mission in DRC, called MONUC. Some
3,800 Bangladeshi troops are expected to join MONUC's Bunia contingent by
September1
http://bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds8

JEC Ends: things not ?pretty, pretty?!

There were, in fact, little signs of convergence of the two parties?
positions since before the talks began. This was exemplified by the fact
that the joint agreed minutes of the talks were finalized almost a whole day
late, only minutes before the Indian minister was scheduled to leave Dhaka
Wednesday morning. The late agreement on the minutes allowed for a hurried
press briefing, pushed back from the afternoon before, where the two
ministers who led their respective delegations in the JEC meeting had to
wait in front of the cameras while the minutes arrived. Regardless, Sinha
said to the press, ?We?ve achieved very, very positive gains at the JEC? We
made very substantial progress and we?ll continue to remain engaged to
resolve other issues between us.?
http://bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds9

HIV risks in Bangladesh ?extremely low? due to male circumcision

An extensive UNAIDS multi-site study by leading European researchers
investigated numerous behavioral and other potential factors for this (AIDS
2001). Lack of male circumcision (and genital herpes, which is more common
in uncircumcised men) emerged as the principal determinant for the
pervasive, continuing differences in HIV rates found in sub-Saharan Africa.
The study found that most countries in West Africa (except Cote d?Ivoire and
Burkina Faso, which are only two West African with significant numbers of
uncircumcised man) continue to report HIV levels under about five percent,
and in many cases below 2-3 percent, despite the presence of other classic
risk factors for heterosexual HIV (multiple sexual partners, low condom use,
prevalence of other STDs, etc). Prevalence in the South and Southeast Asian
countries where nearly all men are circumcised (Philippines, Indonesia,
Pakistan, Bangladesh) remains extremely low, despite similar HIV/STD risk
factors found elsewhere in the region
http://bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds10on

64% flunks SSC exams ? a time for reflection

There are serious lapses in other areas such as not restructuring syllabi to
make the same suitable for imparting need oriented education, very
insufficient investment in technical and vocational education, etc. These
and other issues need to be addressed effectively and immediately by policy
planners at the highest level. Furthermore, it is imperative to have a
thorough feedback on how the education budget is spent. This feedback
exercise must be attempted with absolute honesty of purpose and the ones to
be engaged in it must have full integrity of character. After obtaining such
a feedback, necessary steps, including appropriate penal actions, will have
to be taken to create an environment for optimum proper utilization of
resources from the education budget?
http://bangladesherdak.net/bd_specific.htm#bds11

Snakes menacing Bangladesh flood victims

Dhaka, Bangladesh-AP -- Poisonous snakes driven from their holes by monsoon
rains are menacing flood victims in Bangladesh.

Floods from nearly a month of downpours have killed at least 154 people.
Thousand more have been forced from their homes and are camping out on mud
embankments or perched on the roofs of submerged houses. Snakes are being
blamed for at least four deaths The Bangladesh flood victims are struggling
with shortages of food and drinking water. Many wells have been swamped,
forcing people to drink polluted water.Since mid-June, monsoon rains have
ravaged Bangladesh, India and Nepal. More than three (m) million people have
been affected, and there have been nearly 300 deaths.
http://www.bangladesherdak.net

[ANALYSIS]

Seize the Moment

Instead of asking with embarrassing, self-referential introspection why they
hate us, American politicians and pundits should be pointing out that the
first, most important line of this battle must be fought by Muslims in the
battle for the soul of Islam. The key to winning that battle lies in the
mobilization of a revitalized Islamic mainstream that will reassert and
protect itself from the extremists. Islam, like other great religions, has
periodically had to rescue itself from movements that would hijack an entire
faith.  This is such a moment
http://bangladesherdak.net/analysis.htm#ana4

Throughout history, leaders and revolutionists have used this tactic to gain
and maintain power

Most of the time, it ends with devastating results and the loss of many
innocent lives. In 1947, when India achieved Independence from the British,
they had to create a separate country called West and East Pakistan (now
Bangladesh) due to the threat of civil war by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who was
then the unofficial leader of the Indian Muslims. Immediately after the
declaration of Independence, there was a massive migration of people across
the newly designated borders. Millions of Muslims travelled northwest and
northeast into these new countries, and the non-Muslims, travelled southward
into India. This chaotic period was marked by religious violence, which left
an estimated two million people dead. The Independence was supposed to be a
joyous and peaceful occasion for the people, who could at last rule their
own country. But radical political figures had misused their religion to
gain control of a separate country for themselves. Once ignited, the spark
of religious violence spreads very fast and it ended with a conflict, which
continues until today.
http://bangladesherdak.net/islam.htm#lam3

Does Islam threaten democracy?

Muslims? presence in British society has presented other challenges. One is
a ?clash of practices?, including demands for Halal meat for Muslim
schoolchildren, Muslim dress, prayer time, female circumcision, polygamy,
and arranged marriages. Female circumcision and polygamy are banned, and
Muslims accept this. Muslims also generally respect ?Western values? such as
equality, freedom of expression, tolerance, peaceful resolution of
differences, and respect for majority decisions. Indeed, equality among
races is an important Muslim value and practice. Equality of the sexes poses
the gravest difficulties ? particularly because Muslim girls in Britain
increasingly assert it
http://bangladesherdak.net/islam.htm#lam2

[RECOMMENDED READING]

The Defense College experience

Ours was the first military group to go to Bangladesh after 1971. We were
unsure of the kind of reception we would receive. The Bangladeshis received
us with open arms. They were emotional, there was a touch of nostalgia, and
they went out of their way to make our stay pleasant. I can never forget the
colourful and scintillating dance and music show that they arranged for us
at the Sonar Gaon Hotel. As West Pakistanis, we could never match their rich
cultural heritage. Our group leader, Javid Nasir (later ISI boss) sat with
his back towards the show during the entire evening because of his misplaced
interpretation of our faith. I thought that this was being extremely rude to
our hosts
http://bangladesherdak.net/rec_reading.htm#rec2


Thanking you,

F.I Yousuf
Web Hosting Team
BangladesherDak
Thursday 17th July 2003


[BangladesherDak is News and Media Monitoring Service based in Dhaka,
Bangladesh. To view the site please click on www.BangladesherDak.net]

_________________________________________________________________
The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE*
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail