New
Israeli Missile Attack in Gaza
New York Times, June 13, 2003
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israeli helicopter gunships fired three missiles at a car Friday,
killing two people and wounding more than a dozen, doctors said. The target of
the airstrike was not immediately known. Israel has targeted Hamas leaders and
members of the Islamic group's military wing in five missile attacks this week.
2
Israeli women hurt in West Bank; Qassam hits Sderot
Haaretz, June 13, 2003
Two Israeli women were seriously wounded Friday afternoon in a roadside ambush
on their vehicle near the West Bank settlement of Neve Tsuf, close to Jenin. Also
Friday afternoon, Palestinian militants fired a Qassam rocket at the Negev town
of Sderot. The rocket landed on a house in a residential area.
Two
Palestinians, One Israeli Killed, Tanks Roll Into Gaza
Islam Online, June 13, 2003
JENIN, West Bank, June 13 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Two Palestinians
were killed in exchanges of fire with Israeli troops in the northern West Bank
city of Jenin Thursday night, and an Israeli intelligence officer was shot dead
in a nearby area, as Israeli tanks entered Gaza and cut the territory into two
halves.
Kofi
Annan calls for international `buffer' force
Haaretz, June 13, 2003
"In the interim period, I would like to see an armed peacekeeping force act as
a buffer between the Israelis and Palestinians," Annan said in an interview with
Haaretz. -- NEW YORK - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan does not have much faith
in the ability of Israelis and Palestinians to resolve their bloody conflict on
their own. He nods vigorously when asked if he supports the posting of an armed
peacekeeping force to separate the adversaries. He expects that the 15 American
monitors led by John Wolf will not be enough and believes the conflict probably
cannot be ended without the intervention of a foreign buffer force, as has been
done in other regions of the world.
White
House Backs Latest Israeli Attacks
Washington Post, June 13, 2003
Focus Shifts to Arab Leaders' Commitment to End Support for Militant Groups --
The Bush administration signaled strong support for Israel's crackdown on militant
groups yesterday, effectively abandoning its earlier criticism of the government
of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that had sparked an outcry from lawmakers
on Capitol Hill and pro-Israel lobbying groups.
Palestinians
Criticize U.S. Stand On Mideast Violence
Islam Online, June 13, 2003
"These statements can only promote new Zionist aggression and throw oil on the
fire," warns Abu Shanab -- GAZA CITY, June 13 (IslamOnline.net & News
Agencies) - Palestinian leaders expressed concern Friday, June 13, that the United
States was giving a free hand to Israeli occupation forces as the peace process
broke down in a new wave of violence, as thousands of Palestinians took part in
funerals for Gaza's dead after Israeli raids.
Quartet
to meet in bid to save road map
Haaretz, June 13, 2003
The members of the Quartert will convene for an urgent meeting in Jordan later
this month. Sources in Washington said the meeting, set for June 22 in Aqaba,
is intended to put the peace process back on track and "save the road map."
Envoys
Hopefully Hit Road on Behalf of Imperiled Map
New York Times, June 13, 2003
WASHINGTON, June 12 — The Bush administration, mobilizing to keep its peace
initiative in the Middle East from unraveling, made plans today for Secretary
of State Colin L. Powell and other envoys to travel to the region to seek mutual
concessions from Israel and the Palestinians.
Israeli
occupation raid Tulkarem refugee camp
Palestinian Information Center, June 13, 2003
Occupied Jerusalem - Occupation forces backed by tanks and heavy artillery stormed
the Tulkarem refugee camp whilst helicopters circled the skies above yesterday.
Jane
Fonda protests against Israeli occupation
Middle East Online, June 12, 2003
JERUSALEM - US film star Jane Fonda on Friday demonstrated in Jerusalem with pacifists
protesting against Israel's 35-year occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Occupation
forces storm Beit Sahour
Palestinian Information Center, June 13, 2003
Bethlehem - Israeli occupation forces stormed the town of Beit Sahour early this
morning and imposed a military curfew on the entrances to the town. The occupation
forces then raided one of the residential buildings in a military operation to
capture the Palestinian Goerge Bahnan (30), claiming that he has been wanted for
a month by the Israelis.
Occupation
military vehicle crashes into nursery bus and 3 Palestinians arrested
Palestinian Information Center, June 13, 2003
Jenin - Israeli occupation forces arrested 3 Palestinians yesterday afternoon
in the Al-Aghwar area without stating any reasons for their arrest. Eyewitnesses
stated to our correspondent that Zionist soldiers setup a checkpoint near Ain
Al-Baitha on the outskirts of Tubas and stopped vehicles, 3 Palestinians were
arrested and taken to an unknown location.
Poll:
Palestinian poverty worsening
Middle East Online, June 13, 2003
They depend heavily on UN and aid agencies to survive -- 80 percent of Palestinian
families live on daily income per person of between 10 cents and two dollars.
JERUSALEM - A Palestinian poll released Wednesday showed that living conditions
have plummeted to new depths, with 77 percent of families having a per capita
income of less than two dollars a day.
2/3
Of Israelis Against Assassinations, Sharon Blamed
Islam Online, June 13, 2003
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, June 13 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Two-thirds
of Israelis want a halt to Israel's practice of "targeted killings" of Palestinian
activists, which escalated in recent days, according to a poll published Friday,
June 13, as Israeli press blasted Premier Ariel Sharon over ‘the same policy’.
100,000
expected at Islamic Movement rally in Umm al-Fahm
Haaretz, June 13, 2003
The Islamic Movement northern branch is to hold a mass demonstration Friday night,
at the soccer stadium in the northern town of Umm al-Fahm. The organizers say
they are expecting 100,000 people from across the Arab sector to attend.
British
Students 'Tortured' by Israel
Palestine Chronicle, June 13, 2003
LONDON - Two Muslim medical students have returned to the UK, complaining Friday
that they were tortured by Israeli interrogators after being detained in the occupied
territories without trace. Tahseen Chaudhry from Birmingham University said he
and his colleague Ayaz Ghani were handcuffed and blindfolded and incarcerated
in a "medieval dungeon," while being interrogated for 12 hours at a time to make
them confess links with terrorism.
PA
prime minister threatens to resign
Middle East Newsline, June 13, 2003
RAMALLAH [MENL] -- Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas has threatened to
resign amid his failure to prevent an escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian insurgency
war. Palestinian sources said Abbas has told allies in the Fatah movement that
he has been isolated in his efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian
war.
Sharon
calls PA leaders `crybabies'
Haaretz, June 13, 2003
Sharon described the leadership of the Palestinian Authority as "crybabies" who
are permitting terrorism to run amok. -- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon revealed
at a cabinet meeting yesterday that he has made it clear to the U.S. administration
that the Israeli policy of striking at the leadership of terrorist organizations
will continue. Sharon added that he told U.S. officials that "this has been a
policy in place since the start of the Intifada in September 2000 and until the
Palestinian security organizations challenge the Palestinian terrorist groups,
it will continue."
Sharon
shies away from killing Hamas ideologue
The Guardian, June 13, 2003
Despite Israel's determination to wipe out militants it is wary of their spiritual
leader -- Sheikh Ahmed Yassin is not a difficult man to find. Almost anyone in
Gaza City can direct you to a dusty side street in the dilapidated Sabra neighbourhood
and the modest concrete home where Hamas's spiritual leader openly offers moral
and religious justification of the suicide bombers.
Poll:
Israelis Oppose Military Strikes
The Guardian, June 13, 2003
JERUSALEM (AP) - Most Israelis want Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to halt strikes
against Palestinian militants, at least temporarily, to allow the new Palestinian
prime minister to establish himself, according to a survey published Friday.
Hamas
vows to 'tear Israel to pieces' after Gaza attack
The Independent, June 13, 2003
Hamas vowed yesterday to "blow up the Zionist entity and tear it to pieces" as
Israeli helicopters patrolled the skies over Gaza to hunt down Palestinian militants
in one of the most crowded cities in the world.
Rattled
Bush urges isolation of Hamas
Sydney Morning Herald, June 13, 2003
US President George Bush has urged European and Arab countries to cut off funding
for Hamas and other militant Palestinian groups "to isolate those who hate so
much that they're willing to kill to stop the peace from going forward"....However,
the powerful American Israeli Political Action Committee attacked Mr Bush for
"unthinking evenhandedness" in criticising Israel's targeting of the Hamas leadership.
Annan
urges Mid-East peace force
BBC, June 13, 2003
Annan urged Israel to keep its response 'proportionate' -- UN peacekeepers
should be sent to the Middle East to try to break the accelerating cycle of violence
there, the UN secretary general has said. Kofi Annan said a force of 51 American
monitors due to arrive next week "was a beginning", but only an armed "buffer"
force would be able to halt the escalation of violence.
Peace
hidden under black clouds of smoke
MIFTAH, June 13, 2003
More than 23 Palestinians have been killed and over 100 wounded in this week’s
new spiral of violence. The bloodshed comes a week after the Aqaba Summit for
Middle East peace, in which Israeli and Palestinian leaders pledged their commitment
to follow the new peace plan, known as the roadmap.
Furious
Americans urge Arab world to condemn bombers
The Guardian, June 13, 2003
The Bush administration, stunned by the prospect of a rapid and bloody end to
its first real foray into peacemaking, vented its fury at Hamas yesterday and
began trying to isolate it in the Arab world.
Powell
urges Abbas to restrain terrorists
Jerusalem Post, June 13, 2003
Secretary of State Colin Powell urged Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday
to move faster to restrain terrorist groups. "We want him to use that limited
capability as effectively as he can," Powell told The Associated Press.
Powell:
U.S. wants to see Israeli restraint, end to terror
Haaretz, June 13, 2003
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Friday that the United States was anxious
to see restraint from Israel in retaliating against Palestinian attacks and that
terror against Israelis must stop. "We all are anxious to see restraint and we
understand that it's important to get the terror down," Powell told reporters.
"If the terror goes down, then the response to terror will no longer be required,
so we have to get moving and bring the terror down."
Belgium
to transfer war crimes probe to Israel
Haaretz, June 13, 2003
Belgium's move should ease fears of a new diplomatic spat between Belgium and
Israel. -- BRUSSELS - Belgium will transfer to Israel a war crimes investigation
into the alleged involvement of an Israeli general in the 1982 massacre of Palestinians
in Lebanon, a government spokesman said on Friday.
Amdocs
set to sign major contract with Verizon
Globes, June 12, 2003
Amdocs is expected to supply $700 million in directory assistance and billing
systems over a five-year period. -- Sources inform “Globes” that Amdocs
(NYSE: DOX) of the US is in the final stages of negotiations for an outsourcing
contract with Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ). The contract is worth hundreds
of millions of dollars.
Israeli
occupation claim Hizballah connections with Hamas
Palestinian Information Center, June 13, 2003
Occupied Jerusalem - Zionist sources stated this morning that Hamad Amra, an engineer
for the Hizballah movement was arrested by occupation forces from aboard the Abu
Hassan boat on the 20th of may between the Palestinian- Lebanese border. The Zionists
claim he was planning to develop the capabilities of Qassam rockets developed
by Hamas and can reach up to 20 km.
Palestinian
Resistance Brigades call for unity the war against Sharon
Palestinian Information Center, June 13, 2003
Gaza - Palestinian Resistance Brigades, the armed wing of the DFLP called upon
all resistance factions to unite in the face the bloody war that Sharon has imposed
upon the Palestinian people.
Zionist
forces attack Jenin
Palestinian Information Center, June 13, 2003
Jenin - In a swift operation by special Zionist occupation forces into the city
of Jenin, 2 Palestinian activists were assassinated. Eyewitnesses from the city
stated that special Israeli occupation forces spot checking Palestinian cars stormed
the Wadi Ezzildeen area and targeted a Palestinian house belonging to the resident
Salih Suleiman Gradat (one of the Islamic Jihad movement activists).
Daughter
of New Jersey state senator injured in J'lem blast
Haaretz, June 13, 2003
The daughter of a New Jersey state senator says she wants to stay in Israel, even
after being wounded in a suicide bombing. Sarri Singer, 30, was recovering at
a Jerusalem hospital yesterday after surgery to remove a large piece of shrapnel
from her shoulder.
Hadassah:
Shaare Zedek risking lives of terror casualties
Haaretz, June 13, 2003
Senior doctors at Hadassah University Hospital at Ein Karem, Jerusalem have made
serious allegations about the evacuation of the Jerusalem suicide bombing casualties
by Magen David Adom and the treatment administered to one of the wounded at Shaare
Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. Hadassah doctors said that competition between
hospitals in the capital and emergency services prevented patients from getting
the best treatment and lowered their chances of surviving their injuries.
Overt
muscle-flexing by Israeli Air Force continues
Daily Star, June 13, 2003
Hizbullah increases border defenses -- Israeli warplanes broke the sound barrier
over Beirut and several towns Thursday in the most overt muscle-flexing display
by the Israeli Air Force in Lebanese air space since the end of the war in Iraq.
U.S.
Report: Israel not doing enough to fight human trafficking
Haaretz, June 13, 2003
"Israel is a destination country for trafficked persons" according to the U.S.
State Department's Annual Trafficking in Persons Report, released in Washington
yesterday. Throughout the world, some 800,000-900,000 people are victims of trafficking
each year, a global business that yields $7-10 billion in profits for those who
conduct this human trade, the report states.
Sharon's
Fierce Means to an End
Washington Post, June 13, 2003
Israeli Fights Militants As He Nods to Peace -- JERUSALEM, June 12 -- Ariel
Sharon seldom makes a display of his emotions, but at a cabinet meeting this morning
the Israeli prime minister fired a short burst of anger and contempt at the Palestinian
leaders who are supposedly his peace partners. Sharon called the Palestinians
"crybabies" and said Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas was "like a chick who hasn't
grown his feathers," according to two participants.
Placing
peace-making back on the map
Haaretz, June 13, 2003
It was a relatively simple exercise. Sonja Rauschutz asked the group of Israelis
and Palestinians attending the negotiating skills workshop to write down their
vision of life 10 years down the road and then to share their thoughts with a
fellow group member. "One came up to me, shaking his head and said: `It's striking,
we share the same vision, you know, living in peace, having a normal life,'" recalled
Rauschutz, a Vienna-based specialist in mediation.
In
Gaza City, Rosy's still in business
Middle East Online, June 13, 2003
Palestinian women trying to get on with their life despite daily violence -- Beauty
parlor proves haven of peace for Palestinian women worried about appearance in
war-torn Gaza: By Sophie Claudet - GAZA CITY - In the grim and hostile environment
of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, Rosy's bustling beauty parlor is a haven of harmony
for many Palestinian women.
Corridors
of Power / On the road to nowhere
Haaretz, June 13, 2003
1. Declaring war on Hamas: Dov Weisglass, the prime minister's bureau chief, gave
this rationale to U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice for the attempted
assassination of Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi: "He placed himself at the vanguard
of instigating terrorism against Israel," Weisglass told her, adding that Rantisi
had declared war on the Aqaba process.
Violent
Week Touching Lives in Mideast
The Guardian, June 13, 2003
JERUSALEM (AP) - It's someone's aunt, or a friend of a friend. A daughter. A fiance.
Many Israelis and Palestinians know someone who's been hurt or killed in a Palestinian
suicide bombing or an Israeli military strike.
Cabinet
agrees to slash further NIS 1.7 billion
Haaretz, June 13, 2003
With a majority of 20 in favor to 3 against, the cabinet yesterday approved a
further NIS 1.7 billion in cuts to the ministerial budgets for 2003 and 2004.
This year's budgets will be chopped by NIS 1 billion, while NIS 700 million will
be taken from next year's budgets as part of the Finance Ministry's economic austerity
plan.
Ben-Eliezer
insists Peres only serve one year
Haaretz, June 13, 2003
If chosen as temporary Labor Party leader, MK Shimon Peres would "get the party
for a one-year deposit," MK Benjamin Ben-Eliezer told a Peres support rally yesterday.
Anti-Terrorist
Measures In Effect: Al-Jubeir
Palestine Chronicle, June 13, 2003
"The official was caught off guard when the media hammered him with questions
regarding Hamas and how the Saudi government funds organizations that may be run
by the political wing of Hamas .." -- WASHINGTON - Despite an effort by the Saudi
Embassy to publicize anti-terrorism activities implemented by the Kingdom since
the May 12 bombings in Riyadh, Saudi spokesman Adel Al-Jubeir was caught off guard
yesterday when repeatedly questioned about Hamas.
Wealthy
Arab states should help Palestinians: MTUC
Sarawak Tribune, June 13, 2003
KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has called on wealthy
Arab states and genuinely concerned individuals to donate generously for the well-being
of the Palestinians, particularly the children, and demonstrate their care for
the less fortunate in West Asia.
100
Iraqis killed in violent clashes
The Guardian, June 13, 2003
Almost 100 Iraqis were killed overnight in two of the bloodiest attacks since
the fall of Baghdad. In the first confrontation, US troops were reported to have
killed at least 70 people in a raid on a "terrorist" training camp about 90 miles
north-west of Baghdad.
War
may have killed 10,000 civilians, researchers say
The Guardian, June 13, 2003
At least 5,000 civilians may have been killed during the invasion of Iraq, an
independent research group has claimed. As more evidence is collated, it says,
the figure could reach 10,000.
U.S.
Forces Detain 400 Iraqis in a Large-Scale Roundup
New York Times, June 11, 2003
THULUIYA, Iraq, June 11 — American forces completed their largest combat
operation in Iraq since the fall of Baghdad today, with more than 3,000 soldiers
backed by fighter jets, armored vehicles and patrol boats surrounding a 30-square
mile peninsula north of Baghdad that is said to harbor gunmen attacking American
soldiers.
US
forces swoop on Iraq training camp
The Guardian, June 13, 2003
Hundreds held in attempt to flush out 'bad guys' loyal to Saddam -- US troops
were questioning about 400 suspects yesterday after the biggest military operation
in Iraq since the regime collapsed two months ago. Several Iraqis are believed
to have died in the three-day operation, called Peninsula Strike, north of Baghdad.
One civilian source said there had been a "number of dead".
Sabotage
Hits Iraq Pipeline as US Prepares to Resume Exports
CommonDreams, June 13, 2003
An Iraqi oil pipeline was burning after being sabotaged as the country's crude
was set to return to the world market, and despite an offensive by US-led forces
against opponents of their occupation regime. Fires blazed on the major pipeline
from Iraq's northern oilfields after what residents said were twin bomb attacks
aimed at sabotaging exports through Turkey.
Two
Explosions Damage Iraq Oil Pipeline
The Guardian, June 13, 2003
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Two explosions damaged an oil pipeline in northern Iraq in
what Turkey's foreign minister called sabotage, but U.S. and another Turkish official
said may have been an accident.
British
air marshal vetoed US targets
The Guardian, June 12, 2003
British commanders were regarded by American forces as their "conscience" during
the war against Iraq, Britain's top military officer in the Gulf revealed last
night. Air Marshal Brian Burridge also made clear that he had vetoed the US choice
of targets and disapproved of Washington's talk of "shock and awe" tactics.
Museum
gets back looted vase
The Guardian, June 13, 2003
The vase of Warka, one of the most treasured pieces looted from the Baghdad Museum
after the war on Iraq, was returned yesterday, officials said. The coalition provisional
authority (CPA) said the vase, dating from the Sumerian period in 3200BC, was
handed over to staff at the museum along with other looted items.
Displaced
and despised
The Guardian, June 13, 2003
How life after Saddam has turned into a nightmare for many of Baghdad's Palestinian
and Syrian inhabitants --For 13 years, Rasmia Hijazi lived with her husband and
son in a spacious, two-bedroom apartment in the Jamila district of Baghdad. Now
this spirited, well-educated woman stands in the street, gazing up at her former
home, and argues, once again, with the Iraqi landlord who evicted her just weeks
after the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime.
audio
Iraq
is still a combat zone
The Guardian, June 13, 2003
June 13: Resistance forces in Iraq are using increasingly sophisticated methods
of attack against US troops, proving that although Saddam's regime has collapsed,
the war is far from over, reports Rory McCarthy from Baghdad. (2min 51s)
Helicopter
shot down by Iraqi 'terrorists'
The Independent, June 13, 2003
American forces in Iraq have begun an offensive against "terrorists" who shot
down a US helicopter yesterday morning. The AH-64 Apache helicopter was brought
down north of Baghdad in an area said to be a stronghold of Iraqi fighters loyal
to former president Saddam Hussein.
US
loses two aircraft in Iraq
The Guardian, June 12, 2003
US forces in Iraq lost an Apache helicopter to "hostile fire" and an F-16 fighter
in unknown circumstances today, as they stepped up their campaign against "subversive
elements".
Saddam
threatens foreigners in Iraq, report says
The Strait Times, June 13, 2003
DUBAI -- Saddam Hussein, whose fate is unknown, has issued an ultimatum to foreigners
to leave Iraq and threatened attacks in countries and on planes of the US-led
coalition, in a letter purportedly signed by him to be published on Saturday in
the pan-Arab daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi.
Iraqi
shepherd sues Rumsfeld, Franks
Middle East Online, June 13, 2003
The trial will be Iraq's first against US troops -- An Iraqi shepherd is seeking
200 million dollars in damages from the US military for the deaths of 17 members
of his family as well as 200 sheeps in a missile strike, in the first such suit
filed through the courts of the US-led occupation administration.
Iraqis
Buying and Hoarding Guns, Grenades
The Guardian, June 13, 2003
BASRA, Iraq (AP) - Hussein fidgets in his chair and looks around as he answers
questions about his arms business. After much coaxing and encouragement from friends,
he softens and describes his trade as ``booming.''
Trying
to Escape From Custody, Iraqi Prisoner Is Shot to Death
New York Times, June 13, 2003
WASHINGTON, June 12 — An Iraqi prisoner died today of gunshot wounds suffered
when he tried to escape from a coalition-run camp in Baghdad, the United States
Central Command said. Another prisoner who tried to escape was recaptured.
Kurds
and Displaced Arabs Compete for Land
New York Times, June 13, 2003
NEAR BASHIQA, Iraq, June 12 — In a sun-scorched field shorn of its barley
crop, Suleiman Edbas Ibrahim, an Arab farmer, was already worrying about winter.
He, his wife and their nine children were recently left without a house. They
are among hundreds of Arab families displaced by Kurds, who were driven from the
area during Iraq's most sweeping ethnic cleansing campaign. The campaign took
place over 30 years, but began here in 1975.
Iraq
oil exports could resume next week
CNN, June 11, 2003
BASRA, Iraq (CNN) -- One of Iraq's main offshore oil terminals is expected to
reopen next week, which would mark the first time Iraq has exported its oil since
the toppling of the Saddam Hussein regime, an Iraqi oil official told the U.S.
civil administrator for Iraq.
British
court upholds suit over Gulf War syndrome
Space War, June 13, 2003
The British High Court moved a step closer towards recognizing Gulf War syndrome
Friday, in a landmark ruling which could open the door for thousands of soldiers
seeking government compensation.
India
Divided Over US Request for Iraq Troops
Arab News, June 13, 2003
NEW DELHI, 13 June 2003 — Willingness shown by Deputy Prime Minister Lal
Krishna Advani to supply troops for a stabilization force in Iraq at the behest
of Washington’s desire has triggered a heated debate in political circles.
IOL
Unveils Threads Of Iraqi Resistance
Islam Online, June 13, 2003
BAGHDAD, June 12 (IslamOnline.net) - A lamb, a shoe, and a map were three leads
to my discovery of the threads of a “ready” and “well-trained”
Iraqi resistance group that claimed responsibility for a spate of attacks on the
U.S. occupation forces.
Minor
error, Blair's media chief says of plagiarism
The Strait Times, June 13, 2003
LONDON - The use of segments from a Californian PhD student's 13-year-old thesis
in a British government dossier to justify a war against Iraq was just 'a minor
mistake', Britain's media chief has said.
Blair
ignored CIA warning over forged documents on Saddam's nuclear capability
The Independent, June 13, 2003
Government still used intelligence months later to justify action against Iraq
-- The CIA warned Britain that claims Iraq had tried to get uranium from Niger
were false, months before the Government published the allegation in an intelligence
dossier justifying military action against on Iraq.
Covert
Unit Hunted for Iraqi Arms
Washington Post, June 13, 2003
Amid Raids and Rescue, Task Force 20 Failed To Pinpoint Weapons -- A covert Army
Special Forces unit, operating in Iraq since before the war began in March, has
played a dominant but ultimately unsuccessful role in the Bush administration's
stymied hunt for weapons of mass destruction, according to military and intelligence
sources in Baghdad and Washington.
CIA
Says It Cabled Key Data to White House
Washington Post, June 13, 2003
But Officials Say Document Lacked Conclusion on Iraqi Uranium Deal -- The CIA,
facing criticism for its failure to pass on a key piece of information that put
in doubt Iraq's purported attempts to buy uranium from Niger, said yesterday it
sent a cable to the White House and other government agencies in March 2002 that
said the claim had been denied by officials from the central African country.
US
on the defensive over Blix
The Guardian, June 12, 2003
The debate over Saddam Hussein's banned arsenal turned to bitter recrimination
yesterday with the Bush administration fending off charges of doctoring intelligence
and conducting a smear campaign against the UN weapons chief.
CIA
rejects blame for Bush's Iraq uranium claim
MSNBC, June 12, 2003
WASHINGTON, June 12 — The CIA rejected any blame on Thursday for the use
of a faulty intelligence report by President George W. Bush as he built his case
for war against Iraq. A spokesman, Bill Harlow, voiced confidence that ''a careful
reading'' of documents supplied to congressional oversight committees would show
the spy agency ''did not withhold information from appropriate officials'' about
Iraq's purported attempt to buy uranium in Niger.
CIA
Says It Doubted Iraq Uranium Reports
The Guardian, June 13, 2003
WASHINGTON (AP) - The CIA shared with other U.S. agencies its doubts about prewar
reports - later proven false - that Iraq sought uranium from Niger, a senior intelligence
official says. The CIA passed the information along anyway, and the reports made
it into President Bush's State of the Union address.
Republican
lawmakers oppose official inquiry on WMD in Iraq
Space War, June 11, 2003
The Republican majority in Congress rejected demands by opposition Democrats Wednesday
that an official inquiry be launched into intelligence on the issue of weapons
of mass destruction in Iraq. Republican Senator Pat Roberts who heads the Senate
Intelligence Committee, said he would not allow the committee "to be politicized
or to be used as an unwitting tool for any political strategies."
Senate
closed hearings to probe Iraq intel
CNN, June 12, 2003
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The head of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee said Wednesday
that his panel will hold closed-door hearings next week as part of its ongoing
review of U.S. intelligence on Iraq. The hearings won't be a formal joint
inquiry sought by Democrats.
Students
Roil Iranian Capital in 3rd Night of Protests
New York Times, June 13, 2003
TEHRAN, Friday, June 13 — A third night of student protests outside Tehran
University's dormitories exploded into the surrounding middle-class neighborhoods
early today, with large gangs of students fighting running street battles against
vigilantes armed with sticks and chains. At one major intersection demonstrators
hurled bricks at trucks of riot policemen who were rushing to lift barricades
and douse fires protesters had ignited in the streets.
Kharrazi
takes US to task over Mideast policy
Daily Star, June 13, 2003
Washington is damaging own interests -- ALMATY, Kazakhstan: Iranian Foreign Minister
Kamal Kharrazi Thursday criticized US policy in the Middle East and said it was
“provoking bewilderment and hostility.” “There is no country
in the world that is happy about the existing domination of one single country
and about America’s use of force in solving various issues,” Kharrazi
told journalists after talks with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in the
Kazakh, capital Astana.
A
tested theocracy
The Economist, June 13, 2003
More unrest on the streets of Tehran. Is America pulling the strings? --
IRANIANS are once again taking to the streets to criticise their clerical rulers.
On June 11th and 12th, thousands of people demonstrated in Tehran, the capital,
in the biggest anti-establishment protests for several months.
Iran
working on nuclear bomb, says Rumsfeld
The Guardian, June 12, 2003
The US defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, yesterday tapped into deepening international
concern about a clandestine nuclear programme in Iran, warning that Tehran was
actively working to develop a bomb.
Reform
Protests in Iran Enter Third Day
The Guardian, June 13, 2003
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Pro-clergy militants on motorcycles chased down protesters
and beat them with clubs early Friday, the third night of anti-government demonstrations
in Tehran, witnesses said.
Khamenei
Says US Stirring Trouble; Protests Continue
Arab News, June 13, 2003
TEHRAN, 13 June 2003 — Iran’s supreme leader yesterday accused the
United States of stirring up trouble in the country after anti-regime protesters
defied threats of a crackdown and took to the streets for a second night running.
Belgium
under pressure over war crimes law
Space War, June 13, 2003
Pressure grew on Belgium Friday over a disputed law allowing legal action against
foreigners, after the US slammed it as "absurd" and suspended funding for new
NATO offices until action is taken. British Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon said
the so-called universal competence law was a matter of "great concern," backing
up critical comments on the controversial law by his US counterpart Donald Rumsfeld.
Rumsfeld
Wrong to Attack Belgian Human Rights Law: HRW
Palestine Chronicle, June 13, 2003
"'The Belgian law offers a court of last resort for atrocity victims, and it now
provides ample protection against misdirected cases ..Rumsfeld should have read
the new law before lashing out ..'" -- BRUSSELS (HRW) - U.S. Defense Secretary
Donald H. Rumsfeld was wrong to attack Belgium's "anti-atrocity" law, Human Rights
Watch said today. At a news conference in Brussels Thursday evening, Rumsfeld
threatened Belgium that it risked losing its status as host to NATO's headquarters
if it did not rescind a law that permits prosecutions in Belgium for atrocities
committed abroad.
Tishreen:
EU stresses importance of Association Agreement with Syria
Arabic News, June 13, 2003
Chairman of the Middle East group and Gulf in the European Parliament, Sami Nair,
has stressed that his talks with Syrian officials dealt with main points pertaining
to the Syrian European partnership agreement and effects of signing the agreement
on the Syrian economy and industry.
Arab
states must ‘speed up integration’
Daily Star, June 13, 2003
Arab countries must speed up economic integration in order to counter stronger
blocs, said the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social
Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Mervat Tellawi on Wednesday. Tellawi made
her remarks during a round table discussion at the Press Club in Downtown Beirut.
U.N.
Extends U.S. Peacekeepers' Immunity
Washington Post, June 13, 2003
Special Exemption From War Crimes Court Draws Criticism From European Union
-- UNITED NATIONS, June 12 -- The Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution
today extending immunity for another year to American nationals serving in U.N.-authorized
peacekeeping missions from prosecution by the International Criminal Court. But
France, Germany and Syria abstained from the vote, saying that the special exemption
undermines the world's first permanent war crimes court.
Stop
Inflaming Passions, Says Zogby
Palestine Chronicle, June 12, 2003
"Zogby said Muslims formed only part of some three million illegal immigrants
in the US. A larger group were 600,000 Mexicans. A discriminatory attitude toward
Muslims was disturbing, he observed .." -- RIYADH - The Washington-based Arab
American Institute and the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) will take up
the cases of some 13,000 Arabs and Muslims, some of whom have been targeted by
the US government for possible deportation.
U.S.
Conservatives Take Aim at NGOs
CommonDreams/OneWorld.net, June 12, 2003
WASHINGTON - While non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Amnesty International,
Greenpeace, and Oxfam have made significant contributions to human rights, the
environment, and development, they are using their growing prominence and power
to pursue a "liberal" agenda at the international level that threatens U.S. sovereignty
and free-market capitalism. That was the message delivered by a series of speakers
at an all-day conference, "Nongovernmental Organizations: The Growing Power of
an Unelected Few," Wednesday sponsored by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI),
a Washington think tank that has been particularly influential with the Bush administration.
