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پیر، 27 ستمبر، 2010

Evidence: 9/11 Was Insiders Job

As seen in this revealing photo, the Twin Towers' destruction exhibited all of the characteristics of destruction by explosives:

Destruction proceeds through the path of greatest resistance at nearly free-fall acceleration
Improbable symmetry of debris distribution
Extremely rapid onset of destruction
Over 100 first responders reported explosions and flashes
Multi-ton steel sections ejected laterally
Mid-air pulverization of 90,000 tons of concrete & metal decking
Massive volume of expanding pyroclastic-like clouds
1200-foot-dia. debris field: no "pancaked" floors found
Isolated explosive ejections 20 – 40 stories below demolition front
Total building destruction: dismemberment of steel frame
Several tons of molten metal found under all 3 high-rises
Evidence of thermite incendiaries found by FEMA in steel samples
Evidence of explosives found in dust samples
No precedent for steel-framed high-rise collapse due to fire

And exhibited none of the characteristics of destruction by fire, i.e.

Slow onset with large visible deformations
Asymmetrical collapse which follows the path of least resistance (laws of conservation of momentum would cause a falling, intact, from the point of plane impact, to the side most damaged by the fires)
Evidence of fire temperatures capable of softening steel
High-rise buildings with much larger, hotter, and longer lasting fires have never “collapsed

Source: Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth

verified architectural and engineering professionals and 9858 other supporters including A&E students have signed the petition demanding of Congress a truly independent investigation.
WTC Building #7, a 47-story high-rise not hit by an airplane, exhibited all the characteristics of classic controlled demolition with explosives:

1. Rapid onset of "collapse"
2. Sounds of explosions at ground floor - a second before the building's destruction
3.Symmetrical "structural failure" -- through the path of greatest resistance -- at free-fall acceleration
4. Imploded, collapsing completely, and landed in its own footprint
5. Massive volume of expanding pyroclastic dust clouds
6. Expert corroboration from the top European Controlled Demolition professional
7. Fore-knowledge of "collapse" by media, NYPD, FDNY
In the the aftermath of WTC7's destruction, strong evidence of demolition using incendary devices was discovered:
8. FEMA finds rapid oxidation and intergranular melting on structural steel samples
9. Several tons of molten metal reported by numerous highly-qualified witnesses
10. Chemical signature of thermite (high tech incendiary) found in solidified molten metal, and dust samples
WTC7 exhibited none of the characteristics of destruction by fire, i.e.
1. Slow onset with large visible deformations
2. Asymmetrical collapse which follows the path of least resistance (laws of conservation of momentum would cause a falling, to the side most damaged by the fires)
3. Evidence of fire temperatures capable of softening steel
4. High-rise buildings with much larger, hotter, and longer lasting fires have never "collapsed".

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Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Iran
Tehran
Barack Obama
Israel
United Nations General Assembly

Black Water In Action

ALI SUKHANVER

The western forces have succeeded in depriving Taliban of public support in Pakistan; surely a difficult question to be answered. For the last many years the reality of the Taliban has been a matter of confusions and misunderstandings. Since its beginning, the Taliban movement was simply and purely an ideology-based exercise strongly tinged with the flavour of militancy, but with the passage of time, the ideology vanished and there remained nothing but militancy. More strange is the fact that this militancy proved more fatal and injurious to the Muslims than to the forces eager to crush the Taliban. If we cast a look at the damages caused by the Taliban, we would find a less number of the effected Americans but the list of the targeted Muslim would be unending. The situation gives birth to so many suspicions. Are they really the Taliban who are taking the lives of innocent Muslims including school going children and women shopping in markets and the old men offering their prayers in mosques? Are they really the Taliban who are slaughtering the soldiers and officers of the Pakistan army just to create panic and harassment? No they are not the Taliban because it is against the tradition of the Afghans and the Pathans to deceive and dodge their benefactors; and most of the original Taliban are of the same traditional origin. They could never betray those who had always been favoring and supporting them at the time of need, particularly when the Russian forces were the most determined in wiping them off the scenario.

It is nothing but a conspiracy based on the philosophy of divide and rule. The US conspirators had realized it in the very beginning that it would be next to impossible for them to defeat the Taliban in the battlefield. They also knew that the Taliban enjoy a very strong moral support from the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan and from rest of the world; so they could not be defeated unless they are deprived of such admiring support. There was only one solution to this problem; insurgency in the rows of the Taliban. For this purpose, there could be no other effective tool but India because India itself was very much worried about the increasing role of the Taliban in the Afghan region. India was very well aware of the fact that it would have to get out of the Afghan lands in case the Taliban get stronger. Further there were very vivid possibilities of Taliban joining hands with the separatist activists who are already a pain in the neck for the government of India. So the Indian hi-ups accepted the assignment of dividing Taliban as a very sacred mission. The first step taken in this regard was to establish Indian Consulates in Lashkargah, Koshila Jadeed and so many other cities of Afghanistan. One thing was very common in all these consulates that most of them were established along the Pak-Afghan border. Their assignment was to search for the people who were against the Taliban and who could fight against the Pakistan Army. The consulates not only made arrangements for their proper training but also provided them with unchecked and limitless financial support. With the passage of time these trained groups of terrorists grew stronger and stronger and ultimately started introducing themselves as so-called independent groups or off-shoots of Taliban. Such groups had nothing to do with the actual Taliban cause; they had their own intentions. These groups started targeting the innocent Muslims both in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Their suicidal attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan took lives of so many innocent citizens who had nothing to do with the USA or the NATTO forces. Then there came a time when the world known terrorist organization Black Water joined hands with these terrorist groups and added more cruelty and brutality to the activities already going on in the false-name of the so-called Taliban. With the joining of the Black Water there came into existence so many new groups of Taliban which became a grave challenge to the peace and security of the Pak-afghan region. With the passage of time the nefarious activities of these groups started expanding towards Baluchistan and soon the fact was revealed that this advancement towards Baluchistan was simply an attempt to keep China away from Gawadar port and create misunderstandings between Pakistan and china. The name of Islam and the original Taliban was misused for the attainment of specific aims and objectives.

It is certainly the achievement of the US planners that they succeeded in dividing the Taliban but it is going to be the last nail in the coffin of the worlds ‘biggest democracy’ India. Soon there will be a time when these misguided and de-tracked groups of US made Taliban would realize their folly and return to their origin with all the training and expertise which the Black Water had blessed upon them and their only target would be none but India. According to the latest reports the terrorist activities in Pakistan have no connection with the original Taliban movement, they are the handiwork of the Black Water working in collaboration with the CIA , Mossad and RAW.

Wayne Madsen, the well known analyst says in an article referring to the suicidal attack in Quetta, “Xe Services, the company formerly known as Black Water, has been conducting false flag terrorist attacks in Pakistan that are later blamed on the entity called Pakistani Taliban.” Some other sources confirm the involvement of the Xe Services in carrying out ‘false flag’ terrorist attacks not only in Pakistan but also in Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, and Iraq and the Sinkiang region of China, in collaboration with the Mossad and RAW under the guidance of CIA. The ultimate goal of all such activities is to destabilize the Muslim world in general and Pakistan in particular. Pakistan is the most favourite target because it is a nuclear power. By generating disturbance and anarchy the western countries desire to take Pakistan to a point of no return. They intend to make Pakistan so helpless that it is left with no other option but to ask the Western powers to secure its nuclear weapons.

This situation must be eye-opening for all those who claim to be the Protectors of the message of Islam. Pakistan is the only patch of land in whole of the universe which has a soil very much fertile for the rebirth and regeneration of all that is good .So join hands together against the atrocities carried out in the name of religion. Make Pakistan stronger because its strength would add to the strength of all positive human values.

The writer is Pakistan based bilingual analyst on defence and strategic affairs.

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اتوار، 26 ستمبر، 2010

Aafia today, U.S. citizens tomorrow

obfuscation is an awkward word but it essentially sums up the behior of all of the Pakistani government ministers, diplomats, and politicians who have had a hand in the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.
__________________________________________________________________________

By Yvonne Ridley

Now they’re scrambling over each others backs like a bucket of frogs clawing their way to the top in a bid to speak to the media to feign shock at the silly sentence dished out by New York judge Richard Berman a few days ago.

And on top of all of this over-acting, that other major obfuscator, the United States, has said Pakistan will have to sign two international treaties dealing with the exchange of prisoners to enable the repatriation of Aafia.

Poppycock!

Why don’t these spineless chumps in Islamabad grow a backbone and tell their gin-soaked counterparts in the U.S. State Department to get stuffed.

Exactly what difference would it make if Pakistan were a signatory to the Council of Europe Treaty and the OAS Treaty? Please don’t tell me the U.S. administration would abide by these? Of course they wouldn’t. The USA has continually violated and ignored the Geneva Conventions and is still a serial offender since it hasn’t closed down Guantanamo Bay and other secret detention centers.

And in Aafia’s case it has also thrown the Vienna Conventions out of the window.

The shameless, outgoing U.S. ambassador to Pakistan, Anne Patterson, lied to the world from her barbed wire bunker in Islamabad when she claimed Dr. Aafia Siddiqui was given full consular access at all times. I can prove Aafia wasn’t.

According to some new documentation I’ve seen, which includes log sheets collated by the FBI, I can prove that at no time from July 18, 2008, the day Aafia was shot by U.S. soldiers in Ghazni, Afghanistan, to August 5, 2008, when she was taken to court in New York, was she ever offered consular services. Nor was she told of her rights to have access to these services.

In between all of this, let’s remember she was on a life support machine in Bagram, under heavy sedation. OK, she might not have been alert enough to have her rights read to her, but that still did not prevent her from being interrogated by the FBI. And according to the recordings the agents made, never once did any of those agents inform Aafia of her rights.

And when she arrived in the United States, not only did Hossein Haqqani, the Pakistani ambassador to Washington, fail to do his job or demand that the U.S. allow him to do his job by providing consular services to Aafia, but U.S. officials again deliberately did not inform Aafia of her rights.

Flouting the Vienna Conventions is a serious matter and the U.S. is guilty. So when the U.S. starts to tell Pakistan it needs to sign two international treaties, I say “pot, kettle and black”!

The United States threw out the Vienna Conventions when dealing with Aafia -- and this single, reckless arrogant action alone has now opened the door for every country in the world to do the same to every U.S. citizen who falls into difficulty overseas.

Now is the time for the United States to start leading by example and to show some humanity by releasing Dr. Aafia Siddiqui immediately. Only by righting the initial wrongs in the first place can the U.S. move forward from this disgraceful episode.

The U.S. stands guilty of violating the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations by failing to afford a Pakistani citizen -- in this case Aafia -- the right to consular access.

Another reason to declare her trial a mistrial.

Judge Richard Berman is the one who should be charged. Ignorance of the law is no excuse Your Honor, and at the moment you stand guilty as a lawbreaker not a lawmaker for dragging Aafia through an illegal trial, the process of which was flawed from beginning to end. It all happened on Judge Berman’s watch.

The Pakistani government now needs to demand the repatriation of Aafia with immediate effect. The U.S. needs to shut up, back down, and show some humility by returning the Daughter of Pakistan.

And with a bit of luck, innocent U.S. citizens travelling abroad will not get caught up in the fallout of this violation of international law and human rights.

Yvonne Ridley is a patron of Cageprisoners, a human rights NGO which first brought up the plight of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui in 2004.

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Federal Bureau of Investigation

Most corrupt in the world is Mr Zardari

“Most corrupt in the world is Asif Ali Zardari, the President of Pakistan and the Supreme Commander of Pakistan Forces,” alleges The Global Corruption Report (GCR), an international document.
_____________________________________________________________

The report has cited detailed evidence accusing President Zardari and other members of the Bhutto family of gross corruption.
The internationally-famed ruling party head didn’t have over Rs 1 billion assets at the time of marrying Ms Benazir Bhutto. He used to run Bambino Cinema along with his father Mr. Hakim Ali Zardari, the report notes.
In addition to the details of corruption, pending cases were also highlighted by the GCR. Key documents copied from the files of a relevant lawyer in Switzerland revealed that significant commissions were paid by contractors in a series of deals between Shell offshore companies and foreign corporations contracted by the government of Pakistan, the report said, adding that in all cases, beneficiaries were Bhutto-Zardari family members; usually Asif Ali Zardari, commonly known as Mr. 10 per cent during his wife’s first term and Mr. 40 per cent after the second.
The report gives further details of the Bhutto-Zardari graft as: In the late 1997, the then Pakistan attorney general promptly sent an assistant request to officials in Switzerland, Britain and the United States, three of the many countries identified as having some connection with these commission contracts. Only Switzerland provided swift and effective responses. The then Swiss attorney general, Carla Del Ponte, instructed the federal police in Berne to cooperate with the Pakistani authorities, and Judge Danie Davaud was appointed in Geneva to take charge of the judicial aspects of the investigation.
There were several strands to the initial evidence, implicating different companies in public contracts with Pakistan, each with a subject of offshore companies controlled by Jens Schlegelmilch, the Bhutto family lawyer in Geneva. One of the earliest steps taken was to identify Swiss bank accounts in the names of Bhutto family, their front companies and known associates, and to freeze any balances in them. The order resulted in the freezing of no fewer than 500 separate accounts containing excess of US$80 million, the funds that have been frozen for years.
The gap between freezing funds and transferring them to another country is formidable, as Pakistan was just starting to discover. For Switzerland to transfer the blocked funds to Pakistan required a conviction in Pakistan against Ms Bhutto, her husband and possibly others for an offence that would allow Judge Davaud to order the transfer. Alternatively, Ms Bhutto would have had to be convicted in Switzerland for an offence, giving rise to similar powers. In July 2003, after more than five years, Davaud convicted Bhutto and her husband of money laundering; sentencing them to six months’ imprisonment suspended for three years, and ordering the transfer to Pakistan of some US$12 million. Examining why it took so long to arrive at this still-not-final result sheds light on what obstacles could be encountered in similar situations. Out of the half a dozen offences disclosed by the initial documents, Davaud had deliberately selected one in which those paying the commissions were Swiss companies. This tactic enabled him to investigate and seize within Switzerland the documents covering all aspects of the offence, whether from the companies or from Bhutto’s lawyer. In this way, he did not need to rely on assistance from other countries. Corruption was not a criminal offence in Switzerland until 2001; long after the frozen accounts had been filled with cash. But money laundering was an offence. Provided that Zardari and his spouse could be prosecuted in Pakistan, anyone dealing with the corrupt proceeds could be indicted in Switzerland. Accordingly, Davaud issued indictments against five parties: Bhutto and Zardari outside Switzerland, and Schlegelmilch and the responsible executives of two Swiss companies inside his country. Backed with the indictments, the judge ordered the seizure of documents and sought to interrogate the accused as an investigating judge.
At an early date the judge ordered that Pakistan be a “civil party” to the proceedings as a victim of the alleged criminal activity. The money of commissions paid as bribes for the benefit of Bhutto and her husband and mother should have been accounted to the Republic of Pakistan, whose interests Bhutto had been bound to protect. As a civil party, the Pakistani authorities had access to the entire file of the proceedings, and could be compensated for any losses established. Davaud’s judgments on what became known as the SGS-Cotecna case disclose that during Bhutto’s first term of office, the Swiss company Cotecna was awarded a contract by Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance to take over pre-shipment inspection of goods entering the Karachi Port. A six per cent commission of contract receipts to Mariston Securities Incorporated, an offshore company formed by Schlegelmilch and beneficially owned by Bhutto’s mother. Mariston received US$1.2 million before the contract was terminated after Benazir was first ejected from the office. Schlegelmilch created, in the meanwhile, a new offshore company, Bomer Finance Inc, whose beneficial owner was Zardari though Bhutto controlling its assets. Two other offshore companies Mariston and Nassam Overseas Inc., a company beneficially owned by Bhutto’s then brother-in-law. The commission between them rose to nine per cent. The reports say that additionally Schlegelmilch himself was to receive a commission of 1.25 per cent of contract receipts. A company Hospital of the Middle East Inc. was also put up and more than a million dollars were transferred to the front company. Judge Davaud set out in his decisions the payments including date, amount, payer and payee. The bribes paid in the cases is large, but they pale into insignificance against the harm suffered by Pakistan as a direct result of these corrupt contracts, as Pakistan has estimated to have lost more than two billion dollars in tariff revenue. Jeremy Carver Clifford Chance Law Firm of Britain having solid information too spoke of the corruption by Zardari and his spouse.
As in case of Pakistan, corruption was a not then a criminal offence (before 2002), Judge Davaud had convicted Schlegelmilch with a four month term of imprisonment but he did not forfeit the proceeds from the corrupt contracts. Money laundering was then an offence like many countries of the world; however, now Switzerland has an offence in regard to corruption.
In view of such implicating evidence, one can say that the parliament of Pakistan -- the ruling party or the opposition put together -- never took corruption by the ruling elite seriously. The UN convention against corruption is very clear as the member states and businesses have become increasingly aware of the damage corruption causes the countries around the world. The dangerous combination of immunity from prosecution and unlimited personal power allows corrupt leaders to devastate their countries by systematic looting public wealth. The UN Convention against corruption could not be revoked as the corrupt parliamentarians, their fake degrees and bogus assets declarations prove enough that the entire parliament needs across-the-board accountability; however who would do this in the absence of an honest accountability bureau and an honest broker as the head of the National Accountability Bureau. The political gimmicks of Prime Minister Gilani are nothing but an attempt to cheat the entire nation and all the state organs. The weakest and the most-dishonest of all the governments, this set-up has led to a total bankruptcy which warrants across-the-board accountability. Informed sources said that the present set-up would never go for any accountability of any kind.
As Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has himself suggested that the NRO beneficiaries should voluntarily resign, the question is, if he has indirectly called upon the President and PPP Co-Chairman to resign from this coveted position, as the consequences in the days to come may compel the ruling PPP to pack up and relinquish the government for being corrupt and inept in governance, conflicting with the Constitution of Pakistan, leading the confrontation with the Supreme Court and flouting the Constitution.
It seems the custodians are the perpetrators, and the issue has to be settled for good by those whose judgments call for prudence in governance, corruption-control and power limitations. Punishment should be awarded to those who held counterfeited degrees, concealed assets in filing their assets declarations with tax officials and the Election authorities.
The Global Report, which is part of the global community’s historic papers, recalls that the Switzerland authorities had previously been compelled to refund the looted money of the public to the governments that had managed to convince Swiss officials, the Supreme Court of Switzerland and other relevant countries that the money belonged to the people.
The Philippines’ is a classical case which through the Presidential Commission on Good Governance pleaded its case and compelled the foreign banks to refund billions of dollars. Identical is the case here in Pakistan where the person charged with money laundering, corruption and kickbacks through political manipulation and international agreements got the most prestigious position (the Presidency) and now faces the critical moments at the hands of the independent judiciary which is writing the history in most judicious manner and has created a fear and fright for those who had been the beneficiaries of black-law National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO); now annulled, but the beneficiaries still enjoy their position in the government.
The rulers got a constitutional cover through their own interpretations, whether they are in the Punjab government heading a leading opposition outfit or in the central set-up enjoying the so-called immunity under the Constitution. It is lamentable that corruption is being covered and protected by the Parliament of Pakistan, whereas the Parliament, being a sovereign institution in democratic set-up, could have formed a Parliamentary Commission on Good Governance and endeavoured to have the looted public money refunded. Contrary to this, the people of Pakistan are being hoodwinked in the name of farce democracy. All political maneuvering is being employed to keep the looted national wealth in safe custody abroad. Here is a list of the huge assets, worth billions of dollars, allegedly owned or attributed to the Honourable President of Pakistan, with major heads of accounts and wealth required to be investigated:
Immoveable Property:
1. Plot no. 121, Phase VIII, DHA Karachi.
2. Agricultural land situated in Deh Dali Wadi, Taluka, Tando Allah Yar.
3. Agricultural property located in Deh Tahooki Taluka, District Hyderabad measuring 65.15 acres.
4. Agricultural land falling in Deh 76-Nusrat, Taluka, District Nawabshah measuring 827.14 acres
5. Agricultural land situated in Deh 76-Nusrat, Taluka, District Nawabshah measuring 293.18 acres
6. Residential plot No 3 (Now House) Block No B-I, City Survey No 2268 Ward-A Nawabshah
7. Huma Heights (Asif Apartments) 133, Depot Lines, Commissariat Road, Karachi
8. Trade Tower Building 3/CL/V Abdullah Haroon Road, Karachi
9. House No 8, St 9, F-8/2, Islamabad
10. Agricultural land in Deh 42 Dad Taluka/ District Nawabshah
11. Agricultural land in Deh 51 Dad Taluka Distt Nawabshah
12. Plot No 3 & 4 Sikni (residential) Near Housing Society Ltd. Nawabshah
13. Caf Sheraz (C.S No.. 2231/2 & 2231/3) Nawabshah
14. Agricultural land in Deh 23-Deh Taluka & District Nawabshah
15. Agricultural property in Deh 72-A, Nusrat Taluka, Nawabshah
16. Agricultural land in Deh 76-Nusrat Taluka, Nawabshah
17. Plot No. A/136 Survey No 2346 Ward A Government Employee’s Cooperative Housing Society Ltd, Nawabshah
18. Agricultural land in Deh Jaryoon Taluka Tando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
19. Agricultural land in Deh Aroro Taluka Tando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
20. Agricultural land in Deh Nondani Taluka Tando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
21. Agricultural land in Deh Lotko Taluka Tando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
22. Agricultural land in Deh Jhol Taluka Tando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
23. Agricultural land in Deh Kandari Taluka Tando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
24. Agricultural land in Deh Deghi Taluka Tando Mohammad Khan
25. Agricultural land in Deh Rahooki Taluka, Hyderabad
26. Property in Deh Charo Taluka, Badin
27. Agricultural property in Deh Dali Wadi Taluka, Hyderabad
28. Five acres prime land allotted by DG KDA in 1995/96
29. 4,000 kanals on Simli Dam
30. 80 acres of land at Hawkes Bay
31. 13 acres of land at Maj Gulradi (KPT Land)
32. One acre plot, GCI, Clifton
33. One acre of land, State Life (Karachi sadar)
34. FEBCs worth Rs. 4 million
Sugar industry and shareholding:
1. Sakrand Sugar Mills Nawabshah
2. Ansari Sugar Mills Hyderabad
3. Mirza Sugar Mills Badin
4. Pangrio Sugar Mills Thatta
5. Bachani Sugar Mills Sanghar
Front companies abroad:
1. Bomer Fiannce Inc, British Virgin Islands
2. Mariston Securities Inc, British Virgin Islands
3. Marleton Business S A, British Virgin Islands
4. Capricorn Trading S A, British Virgin Islands
5. Fagarita Consulting Inc, British Virgin Islands
6. Marvil Associated Inc, British Virgin Islands
7. Pawnbury Finance Ltd, British Virgin Islands
8. Oxton Trading Limited, British Virgin Islands
9. Brinslen Invest S A, British Virgin Islands
10. Chimitex Holding S A, British Virgin Islands
11. Elkins Holding S A, British Virgin Islands
12. Minister Invest Ltd, British Virgin Islands
13. Silvernut Investment Inc, British Virgin Islands
14. Tacolen Investment Ltd, British Virgin Islands
15. Marlcrdon Invest S A, British Virgin Islands
16. Dustan Trading Inc, British Virgin Islands
17. Reconstruction and Development Finance Inc, British Virgin Islands
18. Nassam Alexander Inc.
19. Westminster Securities Inc.
20. Laptworth Investment Inc 202, Saint Martin Drive, West Jacksonville
21. Intra Foods Inc. 3376, Lomrel Grove, Jacksonville, Florida
22. Dynatel Trading Co, Florida
23. A.S Realty Inc. Palm Beach Gardens Florida
24. Bon Voyage Travel Consultancy Inc, Florida
Assets and properties in the UK attributed to the President and spouse:
1. 355 acre Rockwood Estate, Surrey (Now stands admitted)
2. Flat 6, 11 Queensgate Terrace, London SW7
3. 26 Palace Mansions, Hammersmith Road, London W14
4. 27 Pont Street, London, SW1
5. 20 Wilton Crescent, London SW1
6. 23 Lord Chancellor Walk, Coombe Hill, Kingston, Surrey
7. The Mansion, Warren Lane, West Hampstead, London
8. A flat at Queensgate Terrace, London
9. Houses at Hammersmith Road, Wilton Crescent, Kingston and in Hampstead.
In Belgium
1. 12-3 Boulevard De-Nieuport, 1000, Brussels, (Building containing 4 shops and 2 large apartments)
2. Chausee De-Mons, 1670, Brussels
In France
La Manoir De La Reine Blanche and property in Cannes and the recently disclosed palace of high value in frank.
The US properties and allegedly managed by a Qureshi there:
1. Stud farm in Texas
2. Wellington Club East, West Palm Beach
3. 12165 West Forest Hills, Florida
4. Escue Farm 13,524 India Mound, West Palm Beach
5. 3,220 Santa Barbara Drive, Wellington Florida
6. 13,254 Polo Club Road, West Palm Beach Florida
7. 3,000 North Ocean Drive, Singer Islands, Florida
8. 525 South Flager Driver, West Palm Beach, Florida
9. Holiday Inn Houston Owned by Asif Ali Zardari, Iqbal Memon and other.
1nion Bank of Switzerland (Account No. 552.343, 257.556.60Q, 433.142.60V, 216.393.60T)
1. Citibank Private Limited (SWZ) (Account No. 342034)
2. Citibank N A Dubai (Account No. 818097)
3. Barclays Bank (Suisse) (Account No. 62290209)
4. Barclays Bank (Suisse) (Account No. 62274400)
5. Banque Centrade Ormard Burrus S A
6. Banque Pache S A
7. Banque Pictet & Cie
8. Banque La Henin, Paris (Account No. 00101953552)
9. Bank Natinede Paris in Geneva (Account NO.. 563.726.9)
10. Swiss Bank Corporation
11. Chase Manhattan Bank Switzerland
12. American Express Bank Switzerland
13. Societe De Banque Swissee
14. Barclays Bank (Knightsbridge Branch) (Account No. 90991473)
15. Barclays Bank, Kingston and Chelsea Branch, (Sort Code 20-47-34135)
16. National Westminster Bank, Alwych Branch (Account No. 9683230)
17. Habib Bank (Pall Mall Branch).
18. National Westminster Bank, Barking Branch, (Account No. 28558999).
19. Habib Bank AG, Moorgate, London EC2
20. National Westminster Bank, Edgware Road, London
21. Banque Financiei E Dela Citee, Credit Suisse
22. Habib Bank AG Zurich, Switzerland
23. Pictet Et Cie, Geneva
24. Credit Agricole, Paris
25. Credit Agridolf, Branch 11, Place Brevier, 76440, Forges Les Faux
26. Credit Agricole, Branch Haute – Normandie, 76230, Boise Chillau m
With such details, the question still arises as to who will conduct an investigation, especially in the US, Europe and other countries where political considerations are more vital than corruption-control. Putting aside the UN Convention on corruption for a while, would Pakistan, a country dependent on US aid and assistance, go for this probe and prosecution at home and abroad, is a multi-billion-dollar question itself.

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Asif Ali Zardari

Pakistan Peoples Party

Supreme Court of Pakistan

Democracy

Islamabad

Nawaz Sharif

جمعہ، 24 ستمبر، 2010

Prithvi II missile trial fails, Indian “Flying Coffin” MiG-27 crashes

India has failed to test-fire its Prithvi-II nuclear capable ballistic missile, which was unable to take off from a mobile launching pad at the Chandhipur Test Range in the Orissa province, in the east of India.

No cause of the failure has so far been disclosed.

The liquid-fuel one-stage Prithvi-II missile has an effective range of 350 kilometres. It weighs 5 tons, with both the nuclear and convention warheads weight varying from 500 kilos to 1 ton.

A MiG-27 Flogger ground attack aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has crashed in the country's east, the third crash of a plane of this type in India this year, a spokesman for the Indian Army Eastern Command said.

The crash took place at 08:25 am local time (02:25 GMT) some 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of the Kalaikunda air base in West Bengal state.

"The pilot managed to eject and is unharmed. The crash did not cause casualties or destruction on the ground," Mahesh Upasani said, adding that investigation into the crash was under way.

An MiG-27 aircraft crashed in West Bengal in February near the Hashimara military base, killing the pilot and causing all MiG-27 flights to be suspended for a short period of time.

Another MiG-27 plane crashed into a village in the region in July during a routine training flight, killing a local resident and injuring 10 others.

The MiG-27 aircraft was originally built in the former Soviet Union in the mid-1970s before it was licensed to be produced in India.

India has about 150 MiG-27 planes, known as the Bahadhur (Brave) in the IAF.

According to the military, a current upgrade program will keep the MiG-27 operational for another 10 years.

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Ahmadinejad blasts US involved in the 9/ 11 attacks

The following is the full text of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech delivered to the 65th annual meeting of United Nations General assembly in New York on Thursday.

Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am grateful to the Almighty God who granted me the opportunity to appear before this world assembly once again. I wish to begin by commemorating those who lost their lives in the horrible flood in Pakistan and express my heartfelt sympathy with the families who lost their loved ones as well as with the people and the government of Pakistan. I urge everyone to assist their fellow men and women as a humane duty.
Let me thank H.E. Mr. Ali Abdussalam Treki, the President of the the sixty- fourth session of the United Nations General Assembly, for all his efforts during his tenure. I also would like to congratulate H.E. Mr. Joseph Deiss, the President of the sixty-fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly and wish him all success.
In the past years, I spoke to you about some of the hopes and concerns, including family crises, security, human dignity, world economy, climate change as well as the aspiration for justice and lasting peace.
After about one hundred years of domination, the system of Capitalism and the existing world order has proved to be unable to provide appropriate solution to the problems of societies, thus coming to an end. I shall try to examine the two main causes of this failure and picture some features of the ideal future order.
A) Attitudes and Beliefs
As you are well aware, the divine prophets had the mission to call everyone to monotheism, love and justice and show mankind the path to prosperity. They invite men to contemplation and knowledge in order to better appreciate the truth and to avoid atheism and egoism. The very nature of the message of all prophets is one and the same. Every messenger endorsed the messenger before him and gave glad tidings about the prophet to come, and presented a more complete version of the religion in accordance with the capacity of the man at the time. This continued up to the last messenger of God who presented the perfect and all inclusive religion.
In opposition to that, the egotist and the greedy stood up against this clear call, revolting against the message.
Nimrod countered Hazrat Abraham, Pharaoh countered Hazrat Moses and the greedy countered Hazrat Jesus Christ and Hazrat Mohammad (Peace be upon them all). In the recent centuries, the human ethics and values have been rejected as a cause for backwardness. They were even portrayed as opposing wisdom and science because of the earlier infliction on man by the proclaimers of religion in the dark ages of the West
Man's disconnection from Heaven detached him from his true self.
Man with his potentials for understanding the secrets of the universe, his instinct for seeking truth, his aspirations for justice and perfection, his quest for beauty and purity and his capacity to represent God on earth was reduced to a creature limited to the materialistic world with a mission to maximize individualistic pleasures. Human instinct, then, replaced true human nature.
Human beings and nations were considered rivals and the happiness of an individual or a nation was defined in collision with, and elimination or suppression of others. Constructive evolutionary cooperation was replaced with a destructive struggle for survival.
The lust for capital and domination replaced monotheism which is the gate to love and unity.
This widespread clash of the egoist with the divine values gave way to slavery and colonialism. A large portion of the world came under the domination of a few western States. Tens of millions of people were taken to slavery and tens of millions of families were shattered as a result. All the resources, the rights and the cultures of the colonized nations were plundered. Lands were occupied and the indigenous people were humiliated and mass- murdered.
Yet, nations rose up, colonialism was alienated and the independence of the nations was recognized. Thus, the hope for respect, prosperity and security was revived amongst nations. In the beginning of the past century nice talks about freedom, human rights and democracy created hopes for healing the deep wounds of the past. Today, however, not only those dreams are not realized, but memories, even at times worse than before, have been recorded.
As a result of the two World Wars, the occupation of Palestine, the Korean and the Vietnam's Wars, the Iraqi war against Iran, the occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq as well as many wars in Africa, hundreds of millions of people were killed, wounded or displaced.
Terrorism, illicit drugs, poverty and the social gaps increased. The dictatorial and coup d'etat governments in Latin America committed unprecedented crimes with the support of the West.
Instead of disarmament, the proliferation and stockpiling of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons expanded, putting the world under a bigger threat. As a result, the very same old goals of colonialists and the slave masters were, this time round, pursued with a new facade.
B) The Global Management and Ruling Structures
The League of Nations and, then, the United Nations were established with the promise to bring about peace, security and the realization of human rights, which in fact meant a global management.
One can analyze the current governance of the world by examining three events:
First, the event of the II September 2001 which has affected the whole world for almost a decade.
All of a sudden, the news of the attack on the twin towers was broadcast using numerous footages of the incident.
Almost all governments and known figures strongly condemned this incident.
But then a propaganda machine came into full force; it was implied that the whole world was exposed to a huge danger, namely terrorism, and that the only way to save the world would be to deploy forces into Afghanistan.
Eventually Afghanistan, and shortly thereafter Iraq were occupied.
Please take note:
It was said that some three thousands people were killed on the II September for which we are all very saddened. Yet, up until now, in Afghanistan and Iraq hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, millions wounded and displaced and the conflict is still going on and expanding.
In identifying those responsible for the attack, there were three viewpoints. 1- That a very powerful and complex terrorist group, able to successfully cross all layers of the American intelligence and security, carried out the attack. This is the main viewpoint advocated by American statesmen.
2- That some segments within the U.S. government orchestrated the attack to reverse the declining American economy and its grips on the Middle East in order also to save the Zionist regime.
The majority of the American people as well as other nations and politicians agree with this view.
3- It was carried out by a terrorist group but the American government supported and took advantage of the situation. Apparently, this viewpoint has fewer proponents.
The main evidence linking the incident was a few passports found in the huge volume of rubble and a video of an individual whose place of domicile was unknown but it was announced that he had been involved in oil deals with some American officials. It was also covered up and said that due to the explosion and fire no trace of the suicide attackers was found.
There remain, however, a few questions to be answered:
1- Would it not have been sensible that first a thorough investigation should have been conducted by independent groups to conclusively identify the elements involved in the attack and then map out a rational plan to take measures against them?
2- Assuming the viewpoint of the American government, is it rational to launch a classic war through widespread deployment of troops that led to the death of hundreds of thousands of people to counter a terrorist group?
3- Was it not possible to act the way Iran countered the Riggi terrorist group who killed and wounded 400 innocent people in Iran. In the Iranian operation no innocent person was hurt.
It is proposed that the United Nations set up an independent fact-finding group for the event of the II September so that in the future expressing views about it is not forbidden.
I wish to announce here that next year the Islamic Republic of Iran will host a conference to study terrorism and the means to confront it. I invite officials, scholars, thinkers, researchers and research institutes of all countries to attend this conference.
Second, is the occupation of the Palestinian territories
The oppressed people of Palestine have lived under the rule of an occupying regime for 60 years, been deprived of freedom, security and the right to self- determination, while the occupiers are given recognition. On a daily basis, the houses are being destroyed over the heads of innocent women and children. People are deprived of water, food and medicine in their own homeland. The Zionists have imposed five all-out wars on the neighboring countries and on the Palestinian people.
The Zionists committed the most horrible crimes against the defenseless people in the wars against Lebanon and Gaza.
The Zionist regime attacked a humanitarian flotilla in a blatant defiance of all international norms and kills the civilians.
This regime which enjoys the absolute support of some western countries regularly threatens the countries in the region and continues publicly announced assassination of Palestinian figures and others, while Palestinian defenders and those opposing this regime are pressured, labeled as terrorists and anti Semites. All values, even the freedom of expression, in Europe and in the United States are being sacrificed at the altar of Zionism.
Solutions are doomed to fail because the right of the Palestinian people is not taken into account.
Would we have witnessed such horrendous crimes if instead of recognizing the occupation, the sovereign right ofthe Palestinian people had been recognized?
Our unambiguous proposition is the return of the Palestinian refugees to their home land and the reference to the vote of the people of Palestine to exercise their sovereignty and decide on the type of governance.
Third, is the nuclear energy
Nuclear energy is clean and cheap and a heavenly gift which is amongst the most suitable alternatives to cut the pollutions emanating from fossil fuels.
The Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT) allows all member States to use nuclear energy without limits and the International Atomic Energy Agency is mandated to provide member States with technical and legal support.
The nuclear bomb is the worst inhumane weapon and which must totally be eliminated. The NPT prohibits its development and stockpiling and calls for nuclear disarmament.
Nonetheless, note what some of the permanent members of the Security Council and nuclear bomb holders have done:
They have equated nuclear energy with the nuclear bomb, and have distanced this energy from the reach of most of nations by establishing monopolies and pressuring the IAEA. While at the same time, they have continued to maintain, expand and upgrade their own nuclear arsenals.
This has entailed the following:
Not only the nuclear disarmament has not been realized but also nuclear bombs have been proliferated in some regions, including by the occupying and intimidating Zionist regime.
I would like here to propose that the year 20II be proclaimed the year of nuclear disarmament and 'Nuclear Energy for all, Nuclear Weapons for None'.
In all these cases the United Nations has been unable to take any effective course of action. Unfortunately, in the decade proclaimed as the 'International Decade for the Culture of Peace' hundreds of thousands were killed and injured as a result of war, aggression and occupation, and hostilities and antagonism increased.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Very recently the world witnessed the ugly and inhumane act of burning the Holy Quran.
The Holy Quran is the Divine Book and the eternal miracle of the Prophet of lslam. It calls for worshipping the One God, justice, compassion toward people, development and progress, reflection and thinking, defending the oppressed and resisting against the oppressors; and it names with respect the previous Messengers of God, like Noah, Abraham, Isaaq, Joseph, Moses and Jesus Christ (Peace be Upon them all) and endorses them.. They burned Quran to bum all these truths and good judgments. However, the truth could not be burned. Quran is eternal because God and truth are everlasting. This act and any other act which widens the gap and distances between nations is evil. We should wisely avoid playing into the hands of Satan. On behalf o f the Iranian nation I pay respect to all Divine Books and their followers. This is the Quran and this is the Bible. I pay respect to both o f them.
Esteemed Friends,
For years the inefficiency of the capitalism and the existing world management and structures has been exposed and the majority of States and nations have been on a quest for fundamental changes and for the prevalence of justice in global relations.
The cause of the United Nation's ineptitude is in its unjust structure. Major power is monopolized in the Security Council due to the veto privilege, and the main pillar of the Organization, namely the General Assembly, is marginalized.
In the past several decades, at least one of the permanent members of the Security Council has always been a party to the disputes.
The veto advantage grants impunity to aggression and occupation; How could, therefore, one expect competence while both the judge and the prosecutor are a party to the dispute?
Had Iran enjoyed veto privilege, would the Security Council and the IAEA Director General have taken the same position in the nuclear issue?
Dear Friends,
The United Nations is the key center for coordinating the common global management. Its structure needs to be reformed in a manner that all independent States and nations be able to participate in the global governance actively and constructively.
The veto privilege should be revoked and the General Assembly should be the highest body and the Secretary-General should be the most independent official and all his positions and activities should be taken with the approval of the General Assembly and should be directed towards promoting justice and eliminating discrimination.
The Secretary-General should not come under pressure from powers and/or the country hosting the Organization for his stating the truth and administration of justice.
It is suggested that the General Assembly should, within one year and in the framework of an extraordinary session, finalize the reformation of the Organization's structure.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has clear suggestions in this regard and stands ready to participate actively and constructively in the process.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I announce clearly that the occupation of other countries under the pretext of freedom and democracy is an unforgivable crime.
The world needs the logic of compassion and justice and inclusive participation instead oflogic offorce, domination, unilateralism, war and intimidation.
The world needs to be governed by virtuous people like the Divine Prophets.
The two vast geographical spheres, namely Africa and Latin America, have gone through historic developments during the past decades. The new approaches in these two continents, which are based on increasing level of integration and unity as well as on localizing the growth and development models, have born considerable fruits to the 'peoples of those regions. The awareness and wisdom of the leaders of these two continents has overcome the regional problems and crises without the domineering interference of non-regional powers.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has expanded its relations with the Latin America and Africa in all aspects in recent years.
And about the glorious Iran,
The Tehran Declaration was a hugely constructive step in confidence building efforts which was made possible through the admirable good will by the governments of Brazil and Turkey along with the sincere cooperation of the Iranian government. Although the Declaration received inappropriate reaction by some and was followed by an unlawful resolution, it is still valid.
We have observed the regulations of the IAEA more than our commitments, yet, we have never submitted to illegally imposed pressures nor will we ever do so.
It has been said that they want to pressure Iran into a dialogue. Well, firstly, Iran has always been ready for a dialogue based on respect and justice. Secondly, methods based on disrespecting nations have long become ineffective. Those who have used intimidation and sanctions in response to the clear logic of the Iranian nation are in real terms destroying the remaining credibility of the Security Council and the trust of nations for this body, proving once and again how unjust is the function of the Council.
When they threaten a great nation such as Iran which is known throughout history for its scientists, poets, artists and philosophers and whose culture and civilization is synonymous to purity, submission to God and seeking justice, how can they ever expect that other nations grow confidence on them?
It goes without saying that domineering methods in managing the world has failed. Not only has the era of slavery and colonialism and dominating the world passed, the path to the reviving old Empires are blocked, too.
We have announced that we stand ready for a serious and free debate with the American Statesmen to express our transparent views on issues of importance to the world in this very venue.
It is proposed here that in order to have a constructive dialogue, an annual free debate be organized within the General Assembly.
In conclusion,
Friends and Colleagues,
The Iranian nation and the majority of the world's nations and governments are against the current discriminatory management of the world.
The inhumane nature of this management has put it at a dead-end and requires a major overhaul.
Reforming the world's affairs and bringing about tranquility and prosperity requires the participation of all, pure thoughts and the divine and humane management.
We are all of the idea that:
Justice is the basic element for peace, durable security and the spread of love among peoples and nations. It is in the justice that mankind seeks the realization o f his aspirations, rights and dignity, since he is wary of oppression, humiliation and ill treatment.
The true nature of mankind is manifested in the love for other fellow humans and love for all the good in the world. Love is the best foundation for establishing relation amongst people and amongst nations.
As Vahshi Bafqi, the great Iranian poet, says: 'From the fountain of youth, drink thousand sips Y ou'll still die if you don't have love's grip'
In making a world full of purity, safety and prosperity people are not rivals but companions.
Those who see their happiness but in the sorrow of others and their welfare and safety but in others' insecurity, those who see themselves superior to others, are out of the path of humanity and are in evil's course.
Economy and materialistic means are only some tools to serve others, to create friendship and strengthen human connections for spiritual perfection. They are not tools for show-off or means of dominating others.
Men and women complements each other and family unit with pure, loving and long-lasting relation of the spouses in its center is the guarantee for the continuity and the bringing up generations, for true pleasures, for spreading love and for reforming of the societies.
Woman is a reflection of God's beauty and is the source of love and caring. She is the guardian o f purity and exquisiteness o f the society.
The tendency to toughen the souls and behaviors of women deprives them from their very basic right of being a loving mother and a caring wife. It would result in a more violent society with irreversible defects.
Freedom is a divine right that should serve peace and human perfection.
Pure thoughts and the will of the righteous are keys to the gates of a pure life full of hope, liveliness and beauty.
This is the promise of God that the earth will be inherited by the pure and the righteous. And the people free from selfishness will take up the management of the world. Then, there will be no trace of sorrow, discrimination, poverty, insecurity and aggression. The time for true happiness and for the blossoming of the true nature of humankind, the way God has intended, will arrive.
All those seeking for justice and all the free spirits have been waiting for this moment and have promised such glorious time.
The complete human, the true servant of God and the true friend of the mankind whose father was from the generation of the beloved Prophet of Islam and whose mother was from the true believers of the Jesus Christ, shall wait along with Jesus the son of Marry and the other righteous to appear on those brilliant times and assist the humanity.
In welcoming them we should join ranks and seek justice.
Praise to Love and worship, praise to justice and freedom, praise to the true humanity, the complete human, the true companion of the humankind and peace be upon you and all the righteous and the pure.
Thank you.

(Source: IRNA)

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United Nations General Assembly

Is Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s sentence justified?

akistani scientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui convicted of trying to kill US agents and military officers has been sentenced to 86 years in prison. Aafia Siddiqui was sentenced Thursday in Manhattan. She was labeled an al-Qaida supporter and was brought to the United States after her July 2008 arrest in Afghanistan. She was convicted of grabbing a rifle and trying to shoot US authorities while yelling, ‘’Death to Americans!’’ Her February conviction touched off protests in Pakistan. Prosecutors say Siddiqui is a cold-blooded radical who deserves life in prison. The defense sought a sentence of about 12 years behind bars.
A judge is scheduled to sentence Dr Aafia Siddiqui in the federal court in Manhattan on Thursday, for allegedly firing at US troops in Afghanistan. A jury found Aafia Siddiqui guilty in February of trying to kill U.S. agents and military officers, after Afghan police detained her in 2008.
During Siddiqui’s three-week trial, FBI agents and U.S. soldiers testified that when they went to interrogate Siddiqui, she snatched an unattended assault rifle. They claimed that the neuroscientist allegedly shot at them after abusing America. Protests against
Civil Society and workers of political parties held a protest rally in front of the Karachi Press Club today to demand Dr Aafia’s release. They asked the federal government to play its role in this regard. The activists of Jamaat-e-Islami, PASBAN (NGO) and Defense of Human Rights (DHR) and members of civil society took part in the procession, which marched towards the US Embassy. The rally was barred from entering Constitution Avenue amid security concerns. Heavy contingents of police and other law enforcement agencies were deployed to maintain law and order situation on the occasion. ‘Release Dr Aafia as a goodwill gesture’
Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister Ms Sharmila Farooqui asked the United States to release Dr Aafia Siddiqui on humanitarian basis and as a goodwill gesture to Pakistan. Pakistan is a friend of the US, so it should consider the release of Aafia Siddiqui to fulfill the principles of friendship, she said while talking to media at her office.
“Pakistan has always supported the US efforts for world peace and sacrificed a lot. Now is the time for the US to show goodness and pardon a Pakistani woman who is innocent”, she said. Sharmila also contacted Fauzia Siddiqui, the sister of Aafia Siddiqui, and assured her of all possible support from the government side for the release of Aafia.
Sharmila said Aafia Siddiqui is an innocent woman but she was wrongly handed over to the US in the previous government of President Musharraf in 2003. “In Islam and Pakistan, handing over a woman to foreign countries is a sin but it is a pity that an innocent woman was mercilessly given in hands of the US in the past government,” she said.
The advisor said the family members of Dr Aafia are in deep shock over the last seven years and are anxiously waiting to see Aafia in homeland. She asked the international human rights and social organisations to play their due role for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.
Sharmila said Aafia Siddiqui is an innocent woman but she was wrongly handed over to the US in the previous government of President Musharraf in 2003. “In Islam and Pakistan, handing over a woman to foreign countries is a sin but it is a pity that an innocent woman was mercilessly given in hands of the US in the past government,” she said.
The advisor said the family members of Dr Aafia are in deep shock over the last seven years and are anxiously waiting to see Aafia in homeland. She asked the international human rights and social organisations to play their due role for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui. Sharmila also asked the federal government to make efforts on humanitarian grounds for her release through diplomatic efforts so as to end unrest prevalent among all segments of Pakistan society. The advisor said the government is committed to safeguarding human rights at national and international level as per the vision of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.
US court has issued 86 years sentence to Dr. Afia Siddiuqi on seven counts including attempted murder, Geo News reported Thursday. “It is my judgement that Dr Siddiqui is sentenced to a period of incarceration of 86 years,” said judge Richard Berman. Aafia Siddiqui, 38, denounced the trial and said an appeal would be “a waste of time. I appeal to God.”
“I want no bloodshed over my conviction and sentence,” Dr. Afia who was present in court said after the announcement of the sentence. Reacting angrily to the news, Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui, sister of Dr. Afia, at a press conference blamed Pakistani rulers for the sentence. “They (Pakistani rulers) failed to honour their promises to bring Dr. Afia back to Pakistan,” she added.

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Aafia Siddiqui

Federal Bureau of Investigation

India bribed 72 nations $100,000 each to get Delhi CWG

India bribed 72 Commonwealth countries $100,000 each to get the hosting rights for the scandal-hit 19th edition of the Games which will start in Delhi from October 3-14, a media report claimed in Melbourne on Thursday. A report in the Daily Telegraph claimed that Delhi pipped Hamilton in the bid after offering huge sums of money to the 72 Commonwealth countries during the final presentation in Jamaica.
The report also said that Australia received a kickback of $125,000 from India. “Delhi sealed the right to host the Games when their delegates emerged at the final presentation in Jamaica and offered all 72 nations $100,000 (then about $140,000) each for athlete training schemes if they were the successful bidders,” the newspaper reported.
“The money, subsequently paid to all nations, was not significant to Australia because it had already decided to vote for India and the payment was not an exceptionally large one. “But for small nations who have minimal interest in the Games, it clinched their vote and India went on to beat Canadian city Hamilton 46-22 in the final poll. Hamilton had offered the nations about $70,000 each,” it said.
Delhi sealed the right to host the Games when their delegates emerged at the final presentation in Jamaica and offered all 72 nations $US100,000 (then about $140,000) each for athlete training schemes if they were the successful bidders.
The money, subsequently paid to all nations, was not significant to Australia because it had already decided to vote for India and the payment was not an exceptionally large one.
But for small nations who have minimal interest in the Games, it clinched their vote and India went on to beat Canadian city Hamilton 46-22 in the final poll. Hamilton had offered the nations about $70,000 each.
The news comes as England have confirmed they will go to the Games.
English sports officials agreed on Thursday to send their team to the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, despite concerns in other countries about the readiness of the facilities in India.
Other nations have delayed their teams' departure as Indian organisers try frantically to complete building projects and bring facilities up to standard in time for the start on October 3.
Though the games were meant to showcase India's emergence as a regional powerhouse, the long delays and a list of scandals have turned them into an embarrassment.
Commonwealth Games England said the decision to go to the games had been taken "unanimously" with the 17 member sports.
In a statement, CGE said its chef de mission in Delhi, Craig Hunter, and his colleagues "are now seeing the improved levels of resourcing which are required to resolve the significant operational issues, but we will continue to monitor the situation daily to ensure the (athletes') Village and stadia are safe and fit for purpose.
"The (CGE) Board continues to press the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games Federation for assurances on both the stadia and the accommodation as well as liaising with the British Government. At all times the safety and security of our team is paramount.''

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Commonwealth Games

Delhi

India

Is TTP a Blackwater extension?

Mahmood Ghaznavi

Urdu columnist Nazir Naji in a column on September 23 rightly pointed out that it were the US and allies who launched TTP (Pakistani Taliban) against Pakistan. It is now being concluded that the it was not the TTP, nor were the so-called Punjabi Taliban, but Blackwater involved in the GHQ attack last year. Thus unequivocally, Pakistan has become epicentre of covert wars on its territory. Virtually, it is becoming impossible to disclose that who is fighting against whom in the fight against terrorism. Is it a war against terror or war against Pakistan? Newspapers and media have given different versions of controversy theories pertaining to involvement of foreign intelligence networks in Pakistan. Certainty prevails among masses that Pakistan has became hub of foreign intelligence agencies, networking and operating on will and ubiquitous militancy is abetted by these secret agencies with an ambition to destabilise Pakistan. Therefore, it would be too unrealistic to believe that a handpick of terrorists are waging such a persistent fight against highly equip organised army without a foreign support when no native assistance is available to these militants.

Various incidents in recent past support the belief that CIA operations have in fact have became looming threat to Pakistan instead of terrorists. According to world’s leading newspapers CIA is conducting these operations in liaison with notorious private security firm Backwater (now known as Xe). CIA awarded contract to Blackwater for operations in Afghanistan in 2002 to operate along the Afghanistan-Pakistan borders. New York Times reported that their first known contract with CIA to conduct operation as part of a secret programme to assassinate top al-Qaeda leaders in Pakistan materialised in 2004. Initially they assisted in gathering intelligence and help secret US military campaign to load laser-guided bombs on remotely operated Predator aircraft.

However, it’s increasing role in the campaign shows the extent to which the CIA now depends on this private contractor to carry out some of the agency’s most crucial assignments as its sphere hasn’t remained confined to hot pursuance of al-Qaeda and Taliban insurgents. Gradually this agency assumed the security of the largest under construction US embassy in the world (Islamabad) and protecting the US diplomats. Later reports suggest that Blackwater has established network of informers in the tribal belt and Balochistan and are also involved in contacting members of separatist and ethnic political parties.

Using perfect cover of NGOs Blackwater is today operating freely in Pakistani cities including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore Peshawar, Quetta and elsewhere, an accusation denied by American embassy in Islamabad. Security agencies in Pakistan have observed that this private contractor is extending its contacts at ground level and establishing contacts with ‘enemies of Pakistan’ in area adjoining Afghanistan. In month of August security agencies got information of Blackwater operating from the office of an NGO and leased a house on Chinar Road, University Town in Peshawar. Later the head of this organisation was expelled from Pakistan and his visa was cancelled.

Similarly, cases have come forward of US citizens moving freely in major Pakistani cities in tinted glass cars. Daily incidents have been reported regarding them carrying sophisticated weapons and quarrelling with police officers on question of disclosing their identity. They claimed themselves to be embassy officials and therefore, are allowed to carry weapons for personal security. It could be ascertained that after US was not allowed to operate its ground forces in Pakistani territory, CIA would have hired these freelance mercenaries (claiming to be US diplomats), to operate secretly and forward US interests in the country. Despite successful military operations in Swat and tribal agencies the surge of terrorism has engulfed the settled areas. It means that the terrorists have been supported to penetrate and armed in the cities to spread reign of terror.

Present situation needs urgent solution, much more than lip service and criticism. If the present trend of CIA covert operation continues, government would be unable to justify its position on alliance with United States. Now when CIA spokesman George Little has admitted to being in contract with Blackwater and President Obama has refused to exclude Quetta from the domain of drone attacks in pursuance of Taliban leadership, Pakistan has to be more assertive regarding its relations with United States. It could also lead Islamabad to start rethinking its US and Afghan policy instead of paying heavy prices in war against terrorism.

Recently a senior Pakistani official in Washington has stated that “if US went ahead with its plan to launch drone strikes in Quetta then it would be ‘the end of the road’ for the US-Pakistan cooperation in the fight against extremist groups”. Thus explaining the bottom-line of cooperation and the limits to which assistance could be provided to US.

Though pressure on Pakistan to do more stems from the weak political government in Islamabad, nevertheless, Washington should be frankly informed that government can not compromise on state sovereignty. Likewise, growing public opinion against the drone attacks, CIA covert operations and growing US interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs, could threaten the present regime and progress towards strengthening democracy.

At the time when federation in attempting to realign aggrieved Baloch people and responding to major economic and political challenges, threats to its territorial sanctity and malice intentions of enemy in disguise must be aggressively tackled. Entities working against the interests of Pakistan including CIA should be barred from operating in the country. Likewise, movements of diplomats be restricted and must not be allowed to visit prohibited areas without intimating relevant authorities. Others not adhering to the law of land could be declared persona non grata and expelled from the country.

If United States intrinsically intends to help Pakistan, then let the government makes decisions for itself. Propaganda against state institutions, doubting Pakistan’s intentions to fight militancy and playing covert games by supporting anti-state elements should be replaced by refocusing on joint efforts to defeat militancy and terrorism in the region.

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Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan

Central Intelligence Agency