Archbishop Tutu refuses platform with Blair - Africa - Al Jazeera English
Blair's office said he was 'sorry' the archbishop had decided to pull out [Reuters]
Archbishop Desmond Tutu has said he will boycott an event in protest at sharing a stage with Tony Blair, former British prime minister, over his "morally indefensible" support of the US-led Iraq invasion.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate decided to withdraw as a speaker on Tuesday at a one-day leadership summit in Johannesburg on Thursday after "wrestling with his conscience and taking counsel", his office told organisers.
"Ultimately, the archbishop is of the view that Mr Blair's decision to support the United States' military invasion of Iraq, on the basis of unproven allegations of the existence in Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, was morally indefensible," Tutu's office wrote to organisers.
Blair's office said he was "sorry" the Archbishop had decided to pull out.
"Obviously Tony Blair is sorry that the archbishop has decided to pull out now from an event that has been fixed for months and where he and the archbishop were never actually sharing a platform," his office said in a statement.
Different approaches
Blair's office acknowledged the pair's different approaches to Saddam Hussein's regime.
"As far as Iraq is concerned, they have always disagreed about removing Saddam by force. Such disagreement is part of a healthy democracy," Blair's office said.
The US-led coalition overthrew the Iraqi dictator in 2003 but also unleashed violence that killed tens of thousands of people.
Blair is the final guest speaker at the Discovery Invest Leadership Summit whose organisers expressed regret at Tutu's "unexpected" withdrawal, saying his contribution would have been invaluable.
"At no point had Archbishop Tutu indicated his discomfort at speaking at the same conference as Prime Minister Blair and therefore his withdrawal was unexpected," Hylton Kallner, Discovery's chief marketing officer, said.
Other speakers at the summit include Garry Kasparov, former chess grandmaster and opposition Russian politician.
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
No charges in Afghanistan Quran burning - Central & South Asia - Al Jazeera English
No charges in Afghanistan Quran burning - Central & South Asia - Al Jazeera English
Six US army soldiers and three marines have escaped criminal charges for burning copies of the Quran and urinating on the corpses of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, but have received administrative punishments, according to US military officials.
Six US army soldiers and three marines have escaped criminal charges for burning copies of the Quran and urinating on the corpses of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, but have received administrative punishments, according to US military officials.
Israeli army cleared in Rachel Corrie death - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Israeli army cleared in Rachel Corrie death - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
Corrie was 23 years old when she went to the town of Rafah in the Gaza Strip as part of a group of activists from the International Solidarity Movement (ISM).
They were acting as human shields to try to stop the Israeli army demolishing Palestinian homes and clearing land around Rafah.
Corrie was 23 years old when she went to the town of Rafah in the Gaza Strip as part of a group of activists from the International Solidarity Movement (ISM).
They were acting as human shields to try to stop the Israeli army demolishing Palestinian homes and clearing land around Rafah.
Thursday, 23 August 2012
Foreign fighters join Syria's rebels : Information Clearing House: ICH
Foreign fighters join Syria's rebels : Information Clearing House: ICH
August 23, 2012 "Al Jazeera" -- Some foreigners are fighting in Syria's largest city, Aleppo, alongside rebels who say they are disappointed that more residents have not joined their cause.
August 23, 2012 "Al Jazeera" -- Some foreigners are fighting in Syria's largest city, Aleppo, alongside rebels who say they are disappointed that more residents have not joined their cause.
Monday, 20 August 2012
Al-Qaeda Linked ‘Al-Nusra Front’ Gaining Prominence in Syrian Civil War -- News from Antiwar.com
Al-Qaeda Linked ‘Al-Nusra Front’ Gaining Prominence in Syrian Civil War -- News from Antiwar.com
From al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) on, there are several different al-Qaeda-styled factions hoping to make a name for themselves in the Syrian Civil War. Among the most successful in recent weeks has been the al-Nusra Front.
From al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) on, there are several different al-Qaeda-styled factions hoping to make a name for themselves in the Syrian Civil War. Among the most successful in recent weeks has been the al-Nusra Front.
Saturday, 18 August 2012
PressTV - Iran to give massive response to Israeli military strike: Hezbollah leader
PressTV - Iran to give massive response to Israeli military strike: Hezbollah leader
Secretary-General of the Lebanese Hezbollah Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah has stressed that Iran's response to any Israeli military strike aimed at stopping its nuclear energy program will be “massive.”
Secretary-General of the Lebanese Hezbollah Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah has stressed that Iran's response to any Israeli military strike aimed at stopping its nuclear energy program will be “massive.”
Monday, 13 August 2012
Obama More Sympathetic to Israelis Killed in Bulgaria than to Sikh Americans Murdered in Wisconsin : Information Clearing House: ICH
Obama More Sympathetic to Israelis Killed in Bulgaria than to Sikh Americans Murdered in Wisconsin : Information Clearing House: ICH
Obama More Sympathetic to Israelis Killed in Bulgaria than to Sikh Americans Murdered in Wisconsin
By Ali Abunimah
August 07, 2012 "Information Clearing House" -- As soon as news came of a bomb attack that killed Israeli tourists in Bulgaria on 18 July, US President Barack Obama condemned it in the most strident terms – even though, then, as now, the perpetrator and his motive remain unknown.
Obama’s statement left no room for ambiguity:
I strongly condemn today’s barbaric terrorist attack on Israelis in Bulgaria. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and injured, and with the people of Israel, Bulgaria, and any other nation whose citizens were harmed in this awful event. These attacks against innocent civilians, including children, are completely outrageous. The United States will stand with our allies, and provide whatever assistance is necessary to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of this attack. As Israel has tragically once more been a target of terrorism, the United States reaffirms our unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security, and our deep friendship and solidarity with the Israeli people.
Such sentiments at the killing of innocent people are understandable. But why has Obama so far refused to condemn in equally strong terms Wade Michael Page’s murderous rampage that killed six people at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin yesterday?
Obama won’t call it “terrorism”
In one White House statement yesterday, Obama called the Wisconsin massacre “a senseless act of violence.” In another, he called it “a tragic shooting.”
Obama More Sympathetic to Israelis Killed in Bulgaria than to Sikh Americans Murdered in Wisconsin
By Ali Abunimah
August 07, 2012 "Information Clearing House" -- As soon as news came of a bomb attack that killed Israeli tourists in Bulgaria on 18 July, US President Barack Obama condemned it in the most strident terms – even though, then, as now, the perpetrator and his motive remain unknown.
Obama’s statement left no room for ambiguity:
I strongly condemn today’s barbaric terrorist attack on Israelis in Bulgaria. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and injured, and with the people of Israel, Bulgaria, and any other nation whose citizens were harmed in this awful event. These attacks against innocent civilians, including children, are completely outrageous. The United States will stand with our allies, and provide whatever assistance is necessary to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of this attack. As Israel has tragically once more been a target of terrorism, the United States reaffirms our unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security, and our deep friendship and solidarity with the Israeli people.
Such sentiments at the killing of innocent people are understandable. But why has Obama so far refused to condemn in equally strong terms Wade Michael Page’s murderous rampage that killed six people at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin yesterday?
Obama won’t call it “terrorism”
In one White House statement yesterday, Obama called the Wisconsin massacre “a senseless act of violence.” In another, he called it “a tragic shooting.”
John Pilger : How the Chosen Ones Ended Australia's Sporting Prowess and Revealed its Secret Past: Information Clearing House: ICH
John Pilger : How the Chosen Ones Ended Australia's Sporting Prowess and Revealed its Secret Past: Information Clearing House: ICH
August 10, 2012 "Information Clearing House" -- The ferries that ply the river west of Sydney Harbour bear the names of Australia's world champion sportswomen. They include the Olympic swimming gold-medalists Dawn Fraser and Shane Gould, and runners Betty Cuthbert and Majorie Jackson. As you board, there is a photograph of the athlete in her prime, and a record of her achievements. This is vintage Australia. Often shy and never rich, sporting heroes were nourished by a society that, long before most other countries, won victories for ordinary people: the first 35-hour working week, child benefits, pensions, secret ballots and, with New Zealand, the vote for women. By the 1960s, Australians had the most equitable spread of personal income in the world. In modern-day corporate Australia, this is long forgotten. "We are the chosen ones," sang a choir promoting the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
One of the ferries is named after Evonne Goolagong, the tennis star who won Wimbledon in 1971 and 1980. She is Aboriginal, like Cathy Freeman, who won a gold medal in the 400 metres at Sydney. For all their talent, both belong to a carefully constructed facade, behind which Australia's secret indigenous history is suppressed and denied.
August 10, 2012 "Information Clearing House" -- The ferries that ply the river west of Sydney Harbour bear the names of Australia's world champion sportswomen. They include the Olympic swimming gold-medalists Dawn Fraser and Shane Gould, and runners Betty Cuthbert and Majorie Jackson. As you board, there is a photograph of the athlete in her prime, and a record of her achievements. This is vintage Australia. Often shy and never rich, sporting heroes were nourished by a society that, long before most other countries, won victories for ordinary people: the first 35-hour working week, child benefits, pensions, secret ballots and, with New Zealand, the vote for women. By the 1960s, Australians had the most equitable spread of personal income in the world. In modern-day corporate Australia, this is long forgotten. "We are the chosen ones," sang a choir promoting the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
One of the ferries is named after Evonne Goolagong, the tennis star who won Wimbledon in 1971 and 1980. She is Aboriginal, like Cathy Freeman, who won a gold medal in the 400 metres at Sydney. For all their talent, both belong to a carefully constructed facade, behind which Australia's secret indigenous history is suppressed and denied.
Don't go to Israel because it mistreats Palestinians, South Africa tells citizens as mayors cancel trip
Don't go to Israel because it mistreats Palestinians, South Africa tells citizens as mayors cancel trip
“Because of the treatment and policies of Israel towards the Palestinian people, we strongly discourage South Africans from going there,” South Africa’s deputy minister of international relations and co-operation has told the Mail & Guardian.
The Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim added that this was South Africa’s “general policy,” but more so “in regard to municipalities, since they are part of government.”
South African mayor’s visit to Israel canceled
The minister’s comments came in the wake of the cancelation of a visit to Israel by a delegation of mayors and municipal leaders from South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. The Mail & Guardian reported:
A South African pro-Palestinian lobby group has welcomed the news that a delegation of mayors and other members of several KwaZulu-Natal municipalities has cancelled a planned visit to Israel.
“This is a major setback for the Israeli lobby and particularly the SA-Israel Forum, which we believe had organised the trip,” said Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, a board member of the Palestinian Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement of South Africa. “The KZN province should be commended for its principled position. Now that the Israeli lobby has been exposed and, in a way, caught red-handed, it will be difficult for it to do its pro-Israeli work.
The newspaper reported that KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize had confirmed the cancelation of the visit that was supposed to have taken place last month.
“Boycott-busting” similar to South Africa’s apartheid regime.
The cancelation of the South African mayors’ visit comes just months after the South African government decided to require that goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank will be labeled as such. This has been seen as a first step toward banning such goods altogether.
Ronnie Kasrils, a former minister, and one of the legendary founders of the armed wing of the African National Congress during the struggle against apartheid, welcomed the mayors’ move.
“During the days of Apartheid we had similar attempts by the regime to undermine the isolation of South Africa. It is not surprising that the Israeli lobby is also attempting to ensnare the unwary into boycott-busting trips,” Kasrils was quoted saying in a release from BDS South Africa.
KwaZulu-Natal’s “rejection of this opportunistic invite is commendable and an example to all South Africans believing in justice and solidarity for the dispossessed Palestinians,” Kasrils added.
COSATU – the confederation of South African trade unions – which has fully endorsed the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions on Israel – commended KwaZulu Natal for its “principled decision not to go on this trip organized by the Israeli lobby.” COSATU’s Zanele Matebula added “it is about time that the SA-Israel Forum and their boycott-busting trips to Israel has been exposed.”
SA-Israel Forum an “arm of the Israel lobby”
BDS South Africa explained that in violation of the Palestinian cal for BDS, the lobby group SA-Israel Forum
has attempted several “boycott-busting” trips to Israel. The SA-Israel Forum is mostly a covert arm of the Israeli lobby operating in South Africa with direct connections to CapeGate - a South African company that, shamefully, supplies material to, and profits from, the construction of Israel’s notorious, “Apartheid Wall”).
The SA-Israel Forum seeks to co-opt business and entice local government by circumventing SA’s national policy- - which is to discourage relations with the Israeli regime. The Israeli lobby in general, and the SA-Israel Forum in particular, have been taking members from the academic, sports, business, media and local government sectors to forge relations with the Israeli establishment (which is becoming increasingly isolated because of Israel’s oppression toward the Palestinian people and active BDS campaigning worldwide).
It likened these efforts to apartheid South Africa’s propaganda efforts “to build relations for an isolated Pretoria regime.”
The cancelation of the KwaZulu-Natal mayor’s visit demonstrates, however, that these efforts are meeting with more resistance and that BDS is winning victories in South Africa.
“Because of the treatment and policies of Israel towards the Palestinian people, we strongly discourage South Africans from going there,” South Africa’s deputy minister of international relations and co-operation has told the Mail & Guardian.
The Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim added that this was South Africa’s “general policy,” but more so “in regard to municipalities, since they are part of government.”
South African mayor’s visit to Israel canceled
The minister’s comments came in the wake of the cancelation of a visit to Israel by a delegation of mayors and municipal leaders from South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. The Mail & Guardian reported:
A South African pro-Palestinian lobby group has welcomed the news that a delegation of mayors and other members of several KwaZulu-Natal municipalities has cancelled a planned visit to Israel.
“This is a major setback for the Israeli lobby and particularly the SA-Israel Forum, which we believe had organised the trip,” said Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, a board member of the Palestinian Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement of South Africa. “The KZN province should be commended for its principled position. Now that the Israeli lobby has been exposed and, in a way, caught red-handed, it will be difficult for it to do its pro-Israeli work.
The newspaper reported that KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize had confirmed the cancelation of the visit that was supposed to have taken place last month.
“Boycott-busting” similar to South Africa’s apartheid regime.
The cancelation of the South African mayors’ visit comes just months after the South African government decided to require that goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank will be labeled as such. This has been seen as a first step toward banning such goods altogether.
Ronnie Kasrils, a former minister, and one of the legendary founders of the armed wing of the African National Congress during the struggle against apartheid, welcomed the mayors’ move.
“During the days of Apartheid we had similar attempts by the regime to undermine the isolation of South Africa. It is not surprising that the Israeli lobby is also attempting to ensnare the unwary into boycott-busting trips,” Kasrils was quoted saying in a release from BDS South Africa.
KwaZulu-Natal’s “rejection of this opportunistic invite is commendable and an example to all South Africans believing in justice and solidarity for the dispossessed Palestinians,” Kasrils added.
COSATU – the confederation of South African trade unions – which has fully endorsed the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions on Israel – commended KwaZulu Natal for its “principled decision not to go on this trip organized by the Israeli lobby.” COSATU’s Zanele Matebula added “it is about time that the SA-Israel Forum and their boycott-busting trips to Israel has been exposed.”
SA-Israel Forum an “arm of the Israel lobby”
BDS South Africa explained that in violation of the Palestinian cal for BDS, the lobby group SA-Israel Forum
has attempted several “boycott-busting” trips to Israel. The SA-Israel Forum is mostly a covert arm of the Israeli lobby operating in South Africa with direct connections to CapeGate - a South African company that, shamefully, supplies material to, and profits from, the construction of Israel’s notorious, “Apartheid Wall”).
The SA-Israel Forum seeks to co-opt business and entice local government by circumventing SA’s national policy- - which is to discourage relations with the Israeli regime. The Israeli lobby in general, and the SA-Israel Forum in particular, have been taking members from the academic, sports, business, media and local government sectors to forge relations with the Israeli establishment (which is becoming increasingly isolated because of Israel’s oppression toward the Palestinian people and active BDS campaigning worldwide).
It likened these efforts to apartheid South Africa’s propaganda efforts “to build relations for an isolated Pretoria regime.”
The cancelation of the KwaZulu-Natal mayor’s visit demonstrates, however, that these efforts are meeting with more resistance and that BDS is winning victories in South Africa.
Saturday, 4 August 2012
China region bans Muslims from fasting during Ramadan - The National
China region bans Muslims from fasting during Ramadan - The National
BEIJING // Authorities in China's restive northwestern region of Xinjiang have banned Muslim officials and students from fasting during Ramadan, prompting an exiled rights group to warn of new violence.
BEIJING // Authorities in China's restive northwestern region of Xinjiang have banned Muslim officials and students from fasting during Ramadan, prompting an exiled rights group to warn of new violence.
Friday, 3 August 2012
Paul Craig Roberts: The Neoconservative War Criminals In Our Midst Information Clearing House: ICH
Paul Craig Roberts: The Neoconservative War Criminals In Our Midst Information Clearing House: ICH
Inside Syria: Aleppo’s Christians Arm Against Islamists
As foreign and local radicals rise amid the chaos of Syria’s civil war, Christians are taking arms from the Assad regime.
By Hugh Macleod, Annasofie Flamand and a reporter inside Syria
August 01. 2012 "Global Post" -- ALEPPO, Syria and BEIRUT, Lebanon — As evidence mounts that foreign Islamists are fighting alongside Syria’s increasingly radicalized rebels, Christians in Aleppo and elsewhere are taking up arms, often supplied by the regime.
“We saw what happened to the Christians in Iraq,” Abu George, a Christian resident of Aleppo’s Aziza district told GlobalPost. “What is going on in Aleppo is not a popular revolution for democracy and freedom. The fighters of the so-called Free Syrian Army are radical Sunnis who want to establish an Islamic state.”
Inside Syria: Aleppo’s Christians Arm Against Islamists
As foreign and local radicals rise amid the chaos of Syria’s civil war, Christians are taking arms from the Assad regime.
By Hugh Macleod, Annasofie Flamand and a reporter inside Syria
August 01. 2012 "Global Post" -- ALEPPO, Syria and BEIRUT, Lebanon — As evidence mounts that foreign Islamists are fighting alongside Syria’s increasingly radicalized rebels, Christians in Aleppo and elsewhere are taking up arms, often supplied by the regime.
“We saw what happened to the Christians in Iraq,” Abu George, a Christian resident of Aleppo’s Aziza district told GlobalPost. “What is going on in Aleppo is not a popular revolution for democracy and freedom. The fighters of the so-called Free Syrian Army are radical Sunnis who want to establish an Islamic state.”
Inside Syria: Aleppo’s Christians Arm Against Islamists: Information Clearing House: ICH
Inside Syria: Aleppo’s Christians Arm Against Islamists: Information Clearing House: ICH
Inside Syria: Aleppo’s Christians Arm Against Islamists
As foreign and local radicals rise amid the chaos of Syria’s civil war, Christians are taking arms from the Assad regime.
By Hugh Macleod, Annasofie Flamand and a reporter inside Syria
August 01. 2012 "Global Post" -- ALEPPO, Syria and BEIRUT, Lebanon — As evidence mounts that foreign Islamists are fighting alongside Syria’s increasingly radicalized rebels, Christians in Aleppo and elsewhere are taking up arms, often supplied by the regime.
“We saw what happened to the Christians in Iraq,” Abu George, a Christian resident of Aleppo’s Aziza district told GlobalPost. “What is going on in Aleppo is not a popular revolution for democracy and freedom. The fighters of the so-called Free Syrian Army are radical Sunnis who want to establish an Islamic state.”
Inside Syria: Aleppo’s Christians Arm Against Islamists
As foreign and local radicals rise amid the chaos of Syria’s civil war, Christians are taking arms from the Assad regime.
By Hugh Macleod, Annasofie Flamand and a reporter inside Syria
August 01. 2012 "Global Post" -- ALEPPO, Syria and BEIRUT, Lebanon — As evidence mounts that foreign Islamists are fighting alongside Syria’s increasingly radicalized rebels, Christians in Aleppo and elsewhere are taking up arms, often supplied by the regime.
“We saw what happened to the Christians in Iraq,” Abu George, a Christian resident of Aleppo’s Aziza district told GlobalPost. “What is going on in Aleppo is not a popular revolution for democracy and freedom. The fighters of the so-called Free Syrian Army are radical Sunnis who want to establish an Islamic state.”
Mitt Romney, Palestinian culture and white supremacism: responses worth reading
Mitt Romney, Palestinian culture and white supremacism: responses worth reading
US Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney generated a backlash with his claims in Jerusalem that the vast (20:1) disparity in income between Israelis and Palestinians can be explained by a superior Jewish Israeli culture and “the hand of providence” – rather than by the systematic depradations of Israeli occupation on the economy of Palestinians.
US Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney generated a backlash with his claims in Jerusalem that the vast (20:1) disparity in income between Israelis and Palestinians can be explained by a superior Jewish Israeli culture and “the hand of providence” – rather than by the systematic depradations of Israeli occupation on the economy of Palestinians.
Wednesday, 1 August 2012
90% of Gaza water "unsafe for drinking," says UN
90% of Gaza water "unsafe for drinking," says UN
UNITED NATIONS (IPS) - After a fact-finding tour of the Israeli-occupied Gaza Strip — and following hearings in Jordan and Egypt — a three-member United Nations committee has lambasted Israel for the harsh treatment of Palestinian children held in custody.
UNITED NATIONS (IPS) - After a fact-finding tour of the Israeli-occupied Gaza Strip — and following hearings in Jordan and Egypt — a three-member United Nations committee has lambasted Israel for the harsh treatment of Palestinian children held in custody.
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