posted September 19, 2006 03:57 PM            

THE PRESIDENT:

Mr. Secretary General, Madam President, distinguished delegates, and ladies and gentlemen: I want to thank you for the privilege of speaking to this General Assembly.

Last week, America and the world marked the fifth anniversary of the attacks that filled another September morning with death and suffering. On that terrible day, extremists killed nearly 3,000 innocent people, including citizens of dozens of nations represented right here in this chamber. Since then, the enemies of humanity have continued their campaign of murder. Al Qaeda and those inspired by its extremist ideology have attacked more than two dozen nations. And recently a different group of extremists deliberately provoked a terrible conflict in Lebanon. At the start of the 21st century, it is clear that the world is engaged in a great ideological struggle, between extremists who use terror as a weapon to create fear, and moderate people who work for peace.

Five years ago, I stood at this podium and called on the community of nations to defend civilization and build a more hopeful future. This is still the great challenge of our time; it is the calling of our generation. This morning, I want to speak about the more hopeful world that is within our reach, a world beyond terror, where ordinary men and women are free to determine their own destiny, where the voices of moderation are empowered, and where the extremists are marginalized by the peaceful majority. This world can be ours if we seek it and if we work together.

The principles of this world beyond terror can be found in the very first sentence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document declares that the "equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom and justice and peace in the world." One of the authors of this document was a Lebanese diplomat named Charles Malik, who would go on to become President of this Assembly. Mr. Malik insisted that these principles apply equally to all people, of all regions, of all religions, including the men and women of the Arab world that was his home.

In the nearly six decades since that document was approved, we have seen the forces of freedom and moderation transform entire continents. Sixty years after a terrible war, Europe is now whole, free, and at peace -- and Asia has seen freedom progress and hundreds of millions of people lifted out of desperate poverty. The words of the Universal Declaration are as true today as they were when they were written. As liberty flourishes, nations grow in tolerance and hope and peace. And we're seeing that bright future begin to take root in the broader Middle East.

Some of the changes in the Middle East have been dramatic, and we see the results in this chamber. Five years ago, Afghanistan was ruled by the brutal Taliban regime, and its seat in this body was contested. Now this seat is held by the freely elected government of Afghanistan, which is represented today by President Karzai. Five years ago, Iraq's seat in this body was held by a dictator who killed his citizens, invaded his neighbors, and showed his contempt for the world by defying more than a dozen U.N. Security Council resolutions. Now Iraq's seat is held by a democratic government that embodies the aspirations of the Iraq people, who's represented today by President Talabani. With these changes, more than 50 million people have been given a voice in this chamber for the first time in decades.

Some of the changes in the Middle East are happening gradually, but they are real. Algeria has held its first competitive presidential election, and the military remained neutral. The United Arab Emirates recently announced that half of the seats in its Federal National Council will be chosen by elections. Kuwait held elections in which women were allowed to vote and run for office for the first time. Citizens have voted in municipal elections in Saudi Arabia, in parliamentary elections in Jordan and Bahrain, and in multiparty presidential elections in Yemen and Egypt. These are important steps, and the governments should continue to move forward with other reforms that show they trust their people. Every nation that travels the road to freedom moves at a different pace, and the democracies they build will reflect their own culture and traditions. But the destination is the same: A free society where people live at peace with each other and at peace with the world.

Some have argued that the democratic changes we're seeing in the Middle East are destabilizing the region. This argument rests on a false assumption, that the Middle East was stable to begin with. The reality is that the stability we thought we saw in the Middle East was a mirage. For decades, millions of men and women in the region have been trapped in oppression and hopelessness. And these conditions left a generation disillusioned, and made this region a breeding ground for extremism.

Imagine what it's like to be a young person living in a country that is not moving toward reform. You're 21 years old, and while your peers in other parts of the world are casting their ballots for the first time, you are powerless to change the course of your government. While your peers in other parts of the world have received educations that prepare them for the opportunities of a global economy, you have been fed propaganda and conspiracy theories that blame others for your country's shortcomings. And everywhere you turn, you hear extremists who tell you that you can escape your misery and regain your dignity through violence and terror and martyrdom. For many across the broader Middle East, this is the dismal choice presented every day.

Every civilized nation, including those in the Muslim world, must support those in the region who are offering a more hopeful alternative. We know that when people have a voice in their future, they are less likely to blow themselves up in suicide attacks. We know that when leaders are accountable to their people, they are more likely to seek national greatness in the achievements of their citizens, rather than in terror and conquest. So we must stand with democratic leaders and moderate reformers across the broader Middle East. We must give them voice to the hopes of decent men and women who want for their children the same things we want for ours. We must seek stability through a free and just Middle East where the extremists are marginalized by millions of citizens in control of their own destinies.

Today, I'd like to speak directly to the people across the broader Middle East: My country desires peace. Extremists in your midst spread propaganda claiming that the West is engaged in a war against Islam. This propaganda is false, and its purpose is to confuse you and justify acts of terror. We respect Islam, but we will protect our people from those who pervert Islam to sow death and destruction. Our goal is to help you build a more tolerant and hopeful society that honors people of all faiths and promote the peace.

To the people of Iraq: Nearly 12 million of you braved the car bombers and assassins last December to vote in free elections. The world saw you hold up purple ink-stained fingers, and your courage filled us with admiration. You've stood firm in the face of horrendous acts of terror and sectarian violence -- and we will not abandon you in your struggle to build a free nation. America and our coalition partners will continue to stand with the democratic government you elected. We will continue to help you secure the international assistance and investment you need to create jobs and opportunity, working with the United Nations and through the International Compact with Iraq endorsed here in New York yesterday. We will continue to train those of you who stepped forward to fight the enemies of freedom. We will not yield the future of your country to terrorists and extremists. In return, your leaders must rise to the challenges your country is facing, and make difficult choices to bring security and prosperity. Working together, we will help your democracy succeed, so it can become a beacon of hope for millions in the Muslim world.

To the people of Afghanistan: Together, we overthrew the Taliban regime that brought misery into your lives and harbored terrorists who brought death to the citizens of many nations. Since then, we have watched you choose your leaders in free elections and build a democratic government. You can be proud of these achievements. We respect your courage, and your determination to live in peace and freedom. We will continue to stand with you to defend your democratic gains. Today forces from more than 40 countries, including members of the NATO Alliance, are bravely serving side-by-side with you against the extremists who want to bring down the free government you've established. We'll help you defeat these enemies and build a free Afghanistan that will never again oppress you, or be a safe haven for terrorists.

To the people of Lebanon: Last year, you inspired the world when you came out into the streets to demand your independence from Syrian dominance. You drove Syrian forces from your country and you reestablished democracy. Since then, you have been tested by the fighting that began with Hezbollah's unprovoked attacks on Israel. Many of you have seen your homes and communities caught in crossfire. We see your suffering, and the world is helping you to rebuild your country, and helping you deal with the armed extremists who are undermining your democracy by acting as a state within a state. The United Nations has passed a good resolution that has authorized an international force, led by France and Italy, to help you restore Lebanese sovereignty over Lebanese soil. For many years, Lebanon was a model of democracy and pluralism and openness in the region -- and it will be again.

To the people of Iran: The United States respects you; we respect your country. We admire your rich history, your vibrant culture, and your many contributions to civilization. You deserve an opportunity to determine your own future, an economy that rewards your intelligence and your talents, and a society that allows you to fulfill your tremendous potential. The greatest obstacle to this future is that your rulers have chosen to deny you liberty and to use your nation's resources to fund terrorism, and fuel extremism, and pursue nuclear weapons. The United Nations has passed a clear resolution requiring that the regime in Tehran meet its international obligations. Iran must abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions. Despite what the regime tells you, we have no objection to Iran's pursuit of a truly peaceful nuclear power program. We're working toward a diplomatic solution to this crisis. And as we do, we look to the day when you can live in freedom -- and America and Iran can be good friends and close partners in the cause of peace.

To the people of Syria: Your land is home to a great people with a proud tradition of learning and commerce. Today your rulers have allowed your country to become a crossroad for terrorism. In your midst, Hamas and Hezbollah are working to destabilize the region, and your government is turning your country into a tool of Iran. This is increasing your country's isolation from the world. Your government must choose a better way forward by ending its support for terror, and living in peace with your neighbors, and opening the way to a better life for you and your families.

To the people of Darfur: You have suffered unspeakable violence, and my nation has called these atrocities what they are -- genocide. For the last two years, America joined with the international community to provide emergency food aid and support for an African Union peacekeeping force. Yet your suffering continues. The world must step forward to provide additional humanitarian aid -- and we must strengthen the African Union force that has done good work, but is not strong enough to protect you. The Security Council has approved a resolution that would transform the African Union force into a blue-helmeted force that is larger and more robust. To increase its strength and effectiveness, NATO nations should provide logistics and other support. The regime in Khartoum is stopping the deployment of this force. If the Sudanese government does not approve this peacekeeping force quickly, the United Nations must act. Your lives and the credibility of the United Nations is at stake. So today I'm announcing that I'm naming a Presidential Special Envoy -- former USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios -- to lead America's efforts to resolve the outstanding disputes and help bring peace to your land.

The world must also stand up for peace in the Holy Land. I'm committed to two democratic states -- Israel and Palestine -- living side-by-side in peace and security. I'm committed to a Palestinian state that has territorial integrity and will live peacefully with the Jewish state of Israel. This is the vision set forth in the road map -- and helping the parties reach this goal is one of the great objectives of my presidency. The Palestinian people have suffered from decades of corruption and violence and the daily humiliation of occupation. Israeli citizens have endured brutal acts of terrorism and constant fear of attack since the birth of their nation. Many brave men and women have made the commitment to peace. Yet extremists in the region are stirring up hatred and trying to prevent these moderate voices from prevailing.

This struggle is unfolding in the Palestinian territories. Earlier this year, the Palestinian people voted in a free election. The leaders of Hamas campaigned on a platform of ending corruption and improving the lives of the Palestinian people, and they prevailed. The world is waiting to see whether the Hamas government will follow through on its promises, or pursue an extremist agenda. And the world has sent a clear message to the leaders of Hamas: Serve the interests of the Palestinian people. Abandon terror, recognize Israel's right to exist, honor agreements, and work for peace.

President Abbas is committed to peace, and to his people's aspirations for a state of their own. Prime Minister Olmert is committed to peace, and has said he intends to meet with President Abbas to make real progress on the outstanding issues between them. I believe peace can be achieved, and that a democratic Palestinian state is possible. I hear from leaders in the region who want to help. I've directed Secretary of State Rice to lead a diplomatic effort to engage moderate leaders across the region, to help the Palestinians reform their security services, and support Israeli and Palestinian leaders in their efforts to come together to resolve their differences. Prime Minister Blair has indicated that his country will work with partners in Europe to help strengthen the governing institutions of the Palestinian administration. We welcome his initiative. Countries like Saudi Arabia and Jordan and Egypt have made clear they're willing to contribute the diplomatic and financial assistance necessary to help these efforts succeed. I'm optimistic that by supporting the forces of democracy and moderation, we can help Israelis and Palestinians build a more hopeful future and achieve the peace in a Holy Land we all want.

Freedom, by its nature, cannot be imposed -- it must be chosen. From Beirut to Baghdad, people are making the choice for freedom. And the nations gathered in this chamber must make a choice, as well: Will we support the moderates and reformers who are working for change across the Middle East -- or will we yield the future to the terrorists and extremists? America has made its choice: We will stand with the moderates and reformers.

Recently a courageous group of Arab and Muslim intellectuals wrote me a letter. In it, they said this: "The shore of reform is the only one on which any lights appear, even though the journey demands courage and patience and perseverance." The United Nations was created to make that journey possible. Together we must support the dreams of good and decent people who are working to transform a troubled region -- and by doing so, we will advance the high ideals on which this institution was founded.

posted September 20, 2006 02:55 AM              

Jeez.....God bless all those people that were killed....all those children, women and men who lost their lives through no fault of their own....

God?

ha ha....dear me.....

Now I get called a gold plated hypocrite.....this to me is hypocrisy at its height......

I wouldnt lay a finger on another human being, let alone order them to be killed....

posted September 20, 2006 12:49 PM            

As for the rest of the leftist cadre, it takes some real idiots to believe Bush ordered the killing of innocent Iraqi citizens or anyone else.

The people who ARE ordering the deliberate killing of Iraqi citizens..including women and children are the murderous Islamic Muslim terrorists and the murderous Islamic Muslim terrorist regimes of Iran and Syria who fund, shelter, train and equip them, then send them out to commit deliberate murder.

No amount of leftist denial or denial by terrorist supporters will obscure those facts nor will they be permitted to establish any moral equivalence between the United States and murderous Islamic Muslim terrorists or murderous Islamic Muslim terrorist regimes.

As for who wrote the Bush speech to the UN General Assembly; what difference does it make? The truth is the truth no matter who says it or who wrote it.

posted September 20, 2006 01:31 PM              

And please take me out of the box...not leftist....

If I am gold plated then you are too....!!!

posted September 20, 2006 02:03 PM              

Still keep hearing those words....thou shalt not kill....

I just happen to think its wrong.

Thirteen...love your calm and rational delivery of the message, even if I dont agree with you.....very refreshing not to have to read text containing profanity and name calling...it always seems so puerile to me...

posted September 20, 2006 06:17 PM              

Battles cannot be categorized so simply as a battle between good and evil. That is NOT REALISTIC.

posted September 21, 2006 03:12 PM            

The Islamic terrorists have been murdering people long before the war in Iraq ever began. Bush is NOT responsible for the sectarian violence that has existed in the Middle East for years on end. Bush is also not responsible for all the terrorist attacks to the US and other countries perpetrated by the extremists that occured BEFORE he was even the Governor of Texas.

For some reason people feel that the war on terror is some how more vile that the terrorist attacks on innocent civilians.

By stating that the loss of life due to this war, the majority of which has been snuffed out by their own people, is worth more than the loss of life BEFORE the war is assinine.

If all losses of life are the same, wouldn't going to war to stop the terrorist attacks, setting a country straight on the path of democracy and stopping other idiots from comitting Saddam type of atrocities be worth it?

Or do we turn a blind eye, allow the killing of innocent people based on their ethnicity or Western beliefs keep happening because we are afraid going to war would result in the loss of another life?

It is hypocritical. It's like saying incarceration is a cruel form of torture and we shouldn't use it on criminals because it will create more criminals and more prisons. Therefore, we should just tell the criminals to stop, hope for the best so that we are not responsible for the guilt associated with torture.

posted September 21, 2006 03:51 PM              

I have intution to see things...most people do.

You are by far not the only one with a gift, like you claim to have.

posted September 21, 2006 03:59 PM              

By Ian Williams

NEW YORK - While US President George W Bush's lackluster speech to the United Nations General Assembly dominated US airwaves, half the UN press corps was looking for a more topical subject - where was Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose office back home was surrounded by tanks? Due to speak on Wednesday initially, he changed his slot to Tuesday evening, but he did not turn up for the heads-of-state lunch and later canceled his speech.

That was more exciting than the US president's delivery. It was missing some of the snide innuendo and challenge of Bush's previous comments on the United Nations, perhaps reflecting some injection of reality into his unilateral world view. This time, the president also refrained from making ultimatums to the assembled delegations, threatening action if they did not go along with his administration's ideas of what was good for them.

Just before he spoke, the president sent a discreet message to both the United Nations and the US Congress by quietly withholding payments, for the fifth consecutive year, to the UN Fund for Population Activities. The health of hundreds of thousands of women and children will be impaired - and many lives lost - as a result of his pandering to the most prejudiced elements of his conservative constituency, those who see no problems in Wal-Mart building up China's currency reserves but object to the UN's activities in China, which they claim, in the teeth of a complete lack of evidence, help fund abortions.

Bush's message was mainly addressed to the ostensible silent majority of moderates in the Middle East. But his words were as cushioned from the cruelty of the real world as one would expect from a US administration that is making Panglossianism a state religion.

Up to a point, the president was in harmony with Secretary General Kofi Annan's address to the General Assembly, in that both dwelt on the Middle East. But while Annan identified the core of many of the problems in that region, Bush's simplistic assessment of "the bright future in the broader Middle East" was such a caricature as to leave some listeners chuckling. Neither the elections in Egypt nor the municipal elections in Saudi Arabia that he trumpeted offer any conclusive evidence of the march of democracy.

"Some have argued that the democratic changes we're seeing in the Middle East are destabilizing the region. This argument rests on a false assumption, that the Middle East was stable to begin with," he said. In fact, his argument is against himself: most of his critics will adduce that the actual and threatened military intervention of the US and Israel are not infusions of democracy but destabilizing forces in and of themselves.

But Annan had a firmer grip on the truth in his address to the assembly that preceded the president's. "As long as the Security Council is unable to end this [Israeli-Palestinian] conflict, and the now nearly 40-year-old occupation, by bringing both sides to accept and implement its resolutions, so long will our impartiality be questioned," he said. "So long will our best efforts to resolve other conflicts be resisted, including those in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Bush's invocation of the envoys of Iraq and Afghanistan seated in the General Assembly as representing elected governments, compared with when he spoke five years ago, may be accurate. But he was silent on the powerlessness of those governments actually to govern. The Lebanese in particular are unlikely to recognize his depiction of their "homes and communities ... caught in the crossfire" - in light of the Bush-supported blitz that was actually mounted against their country. "We see your suffering," the president said, but he failed to explain why he did nothing to stop it during a long month of bombing and shelling by Israel.

His remarks on Iran were also remarkable for a selective view of reality. "Iran must abandon its nuclear-weapons ambitions. Despite what the regime tells you, we have no objection to Iran's pursuit of a truly peaceful nuclear-power program. We're working toward a diplomatic solution to this crisis," Bush noted, without explaining why the UN's nuclear watchdog last week reprimanded his administration for gross exaggeration of the very slender evidence of an actual weapons program.

After the speech, Bush was spared close confrontation with reality in the form of Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, because the latter skipped the heads-of-state lunch, since wine was being served there. Reformed imbiber Bush suffered in silence.

For his part in the reality check, in his speech later on Tuesday, Ahmadinejad accused the West of abusing the UN by refusing Iran the use of the peaceful nuclear technology that Western states enjoy. Indeed, as he pointed out, some of them enjoy not-so-peaceful uses: "Some of them have abused nuclear technology for non-peaceful ends, including the production of nuclear bombs, and some even have a bleak record of using them against humanity."

In contrast, Iranian nuclear programs are "transparent, peaceful and under the watchful eyes of IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] inspectors", he declared, doubtless heartened by their recent rebuke of Washington. Bush was not in the hall to listen to the speech.

The one redeeming aspect of Bush's cartoonish tour of the Middle East was that he lowered the "terrorist" word count and more often replaced it with his latest buzzword, "extremism". But if this speech was addressed to the people of the region, it was certainly one of the most inept ever.

His invocation of a Palestinian state that has "territorial integrity" raises many questions, not least concerning his previous green light for Israeli annexation of settlement blocks and acquiescence in building the wall separating the territories. Although some UN observers looked hopefully for signs of a realization that economic sanctions against the democratically elected Palestinian Authority have been counterproductive, they were not, in fact, very visible.

Hanan Ashrawi, who has been mentioned as possible foreign minister of a new coalition Palestinian Authority, criticized Bush's "very simplified view of the Middle East". Ashrawi summed up the US president's speech, describing it as "more of the same. It contained no concrete proposals to deal with crucial issues, the boundaries, the settlement ... Right now Kofi is speaking out on the issues. I wish he had done it earlier."

"A broken record" was the similar description from one UN official. In fact Annan, in yet another oblique, nuanced and hence unrecognized critique of the Bush administration, identified another very tangible reason the president's invocations of democracy may generate so much skepticism at the UN.

"Even the necessary and legitimate struggle around the world against terrorism is used as a pretext to abridge or abrogate fundamental human rights, thereby ceding moral ground to the terrorists and helping them find new recruits," Annan said.

Bush was on firmer ground on Darfur, announcing the appointment of former United States Agency for International Development (USAID) administrator Andrew Natsios as presidential special envoy to Sudan "to lead America's efforts to resolve the outstanding disputes and help bring peace to your land". But he pinned the strategy on the UN peacekeeping troops going in, warning: "If the Sudanese government does not approve this peacekeeping force quickly, the United Nations must act."

It will be interesting to see what size of stick Natsios is issued for his negotiations, or what form of diplomacy the White House can use to persuade China to go along with a more robust UN involvement. And if one were cynical, one would wonder whether the interest in Darfur would outlast Bush's need to mobilize conservative Christians, for whom Darfur is a defining issue, to vote for Republican candidates in the mid-term elections.

Ian Williams is author of Deserter: Bush's War on Military Families, Veterans and His Past, Nation Books, New York.

(Copyright 2006 Asia Times Online Ltd. All rights reserved. Please contact us about sales, syndication and republishing )

posted September 21, 2006 05:09 PM            

"To the people of Iraq: Nearly 12 million of you braved the car bombers and assassins last December to vote in free elections. The world saw you hold up purple ink-stained fingers, and your courage filled us with admiration. You've stood firm in the face of horrendous acts of terror and sectarian violence -- and we will not abandon you in your struggle to build a free nation. America and our coalition partners will continue to stand with the democratic government you elected.

posted September 22, 2006 05:33 PM              

"Nearly 100 bodies found in two days in Baghdad"

"Iraq deaths surge over last two months –UN"
http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002700.html

“Rumsfeld’s fake news flop in Iraq” http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002719.html

"Pentagon Says Iraq Violence Spreading" http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002667.html

"Baghdad Burning
... I'll meet you 'round the bend my friend, where hearts can heal and souls can mend..." http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002366.html

"What's an Iraqi Life Worth?" http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002237.html

"If America Were Iraq" http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/001756.html

"Fallujah - The Hidden Massacre" http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/001718.html

"Nothing depleted about 'depleted uranium'
Disturbing photos of children" http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/001720.html

Iraqi Pilgrims Blame US Occupation for Instability http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=86948&d=22&m=9&y=2006

posted September 22, 2006 05:35 PM              

Losing Afghanistan

AFGHANISTAN: Thousands displaced by fighting in Kandahar

Afghanistan: Campaign against Taliban 'causes misery and hunger'

Afghanistan poverty fuels Taliban support – report

Taliban Gains in Afghanistan Due to U.S.-Led Policy, Study Says

Time for the truth about Afghanistan
http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002674.html

Karzai Orders Probe Into U.S. Airstrike http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002009.html

posted September 22, 2006 05:39 PM              

Why Harper backs Israel, no matter what
World view clear, but politically risky http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002633.html

Stand alongside Hizbullah, Lebanon's army tells troops http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002616.html

Amnesty report accuses Israel of war crimes

Israeli war crimes alleged
Amnesty International levels charge
Says massive destruction `deliberate'
http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002610.html

Oil Spill Threatens Lebanon Coast

War's Oil Spill Could Rival Exxon Valdez

Oil slick has sunk to seabed, says Greenpeace http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002570.html

Israel and the US are still focused on the wrong issues
Every major political issue - Lebanon, Iraq, radicalism - links back to the festering Israeli-Palestinian conflict http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002612.html

Unexploded cluster bombs prompt fear and fury in returning refugees http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002611.html

George Galloway Rips Sky News!
on the Israel/Lebanon War http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002547.html

Night of terror in a mountain village
Victims too poor to leave despite Israeli warnings
Neighbours say bombings made rescue impossible http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002439.html

Arab world turns anger against UN
Offices attacked in Beirut and Gaza
World body seen as hostage to U.S. http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002502.html

Hezbollah and terrorism are manifestations of deeper political injustices, say Jens Hanssen and Paul Kingston http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002418.html
Hezbollah politicians back peace package

From Israel to Lebanon http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002332.html

posted September 22, 2006 05:41 PM              

US in the dark over Iran: Congress intelligence report http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002617.html

IAEA exposes US committee’s lies on Iran’s nuclear programs http://www.wsws.org/articles/2006/sep2006/iran-s19.shtml

War Signals? http://www.thenation.com/doc/20061009/lindorff

posted September 22, 2006 05:43 PM              

US Hypocrisy - Lecturing On Syrian Interference In Lebanon http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/06/11/072014.php

Earnest Hypocrisy: The U.N., Lebanon, and Israeli Exceptionalism

posted September 22, 2006 05:55 PM              

Oil doth make cowards of us all http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2006/09/22/do2203.xml

Why No Action in Darfur? Race http://blog.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/bashir_goth/2006/09/empower_au_peac ekeeping_forces.html

posted September 22, 2006 05:58 PM              

Israel Expands West Bank Settlements http://palestinechronicle.com/story-09050682511.htm

UN betrays justice
Once again, the United Nations stands complicit with, and directly abets, US-Israeli colonial and imperial designs on the Arab world, writes Gabriela Becker in Ramallah http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002705.html

25% of Palestinian MPs detained by Israel http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002613.html

Arundhati Roy on the Palestinian / Israeli Conflict http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002555.html

US Muslims criticise Bush over Israel http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002305.html

Gaza water, power cut off
Airstrikes isolate Gaza
Gaza militants say fired chemical-tipped warhead
Israel hits ministry; Hamas offers soldier http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/002191.html

posted October 10, 2006 04:13 PM              

10/10/2006

In addition, some 890,000 Iraqis have moved to Jordan, Iran and Syria since Saddam's fall, the minister, Abdul-Samad Sultan. The flight is solidifying the sectarian divide in this country of around 30 million people.

More than 300,000 Iraqis have fled their homes to other parts of Iraq to escape violence since the 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein, with the rate swelling in the past six months of Shiite-Sunni killings, the immigration minister said Tuesday.

In addition, some 890,000 Iraqis have moved to Jordan, Iran and Syria since Saddam's fall, the minister, Abdul-Samad Sultan, told reporters.

The flight is solidifying the sectarian divide in this country of around 30 million people.

Those who moved within Iraq went to areas where their own community dominates - Shiites leaving Sunni-majority or mixed areas for Shiite ones and vice-versa - he said.

"We had hoped that the situation would help us after Saddam's fall. But unfortunately, the plans of the Saddamists and the terrorists have shaken the new Iraq,'' Sultan said. "This is the goal of the terrorists, to create (separate) Shiite and Sunni pockets and change the demographics of Iraq.''

Statistics released by the ministry show that 51,000 families have fled their homes to move to another part of Iraq. Sultan said the ministry assumes an average of six people per family, putting the number at 306,000 people.