Tag Archives: un

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 30 Aug – 02 Sep. U.S. ends training of Afghan troops! U.S. bullying Afghanistan to end trade deals with Iran. Cops kill civilians! Australia will now stay in Afghanistan! Jihad called against Pakistan! Children beheaded!

02 September 2012

“The training of the ALP [Afghan Local Police] recruits has been paused while we go through this re-vetting process, to take a look at this process to see if there’s anything that we can improve. It may take a month, it may take two months, we don’t know.”-Lieutenant Colonel John Harrell

Reports that the United States has halted training of new Afghan soldiers, until every one can be investigated for ties to Mujahideen.  Of course this means that the United States can not meet its troop pullout goal, because that is based on Afghan government troops taking over most of the work, and if they are not going to be trained anymore, well then so much for the 2014 U.S. withdrawal date.

The Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry revealed that the United States has been bullying them to end all trade deals with Iran.  Iran is now the biggest supplier of fuel to Afghanistan, and Iran is now buying $1.3 billion USD worth of products from Afghanistan.  What has the United States done for Afghanistan’s economy?

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died as a result of a non-battle related injury in eastern Afghanistan today.”

Just four days after firing his intelligence chief, President Hamid Karzai now says the guy can stay until the end of his term in office.  Apparently it’s because the man intended to replace the current intelligence boss is being accused of running private prisons for torture!

In Kunduz Province, deputy provincial governor, Hamidullah Danishi, confirmed a report which said police massacred a village, killing at least 15 people. Some cops said they did it in retaliation for a policeman being killed by one of the villagers!  The result is an ongoing war between villagers and police, so far 10 cops have been killed in explosions and gun battles since the 15 civilians had been killed.

Australian Foreign Minister, Bob Carr, says Australia will not withdraw their Diggers early as planned.  A few months ago they said they would leave by early 2013, now they will stay until the end of 2014.

In Herat Province, a spokesman for the governor said a battle between local forces and Mujahideen left three Mujahideen dead.

01 September 2012

ISAF said: “Two U.S. Forces-Afghanistan service members died following an insurgent attack in Ghazni province, Afghanistan today.”

In Maidan Wardak Province, suicide bombers killed as many as 12 people. Local government officials say two cops and ten civilians were killed, but the Mujahideen say the ten were all U.S. led occupying forces.  “There were two heavy blasts which damaged some parts of the district chief’s office and the police headquarters, and ISAF forces are also there.”-Shahidullah Shahid, provincial government spokesman

The Hezbe-e-Wafaq Millie (National Unity Party) of Afghanistan has made the first national call to launch Jihad against Pakistan. The holy war was declared in Kabul.   The political party claims they have more than 1,000 signatures from Afghans wanting war with Pakistan: “Crossborder shelling from Pakistan is a clear invasion into Afghanistan and this cannot be ignored. We will go to eastern Kunar province with our volunteer brothers and will defend Afghanistan.”-Bismillah Sher, National Unity Party

President Hamid Karzai has condemned yet another night raid by U.S. troops. Government officials from Uruzgan Province said not only were people killed, but U.S. led forces kidnapped nine people!

31 August 2012

In Uruzgan Province, U.S. led occupying forces conducted an illegal night raid, which killed a 70 year old man and his son.

In Ghazni Province, local government officials claim Mujahideen assassinated five people for being anti-Mujahideen. The problem is that the so called ‘Mujahideen’ also burned Qurans, it sounds more like a U.S. led occupying force tactic.

Boys and girls are being found beheaded. In Kandahar Province, two boys, one 12 years old, and one 14 years old, were found beheaded in separate cases.   In Kapisa Province, a seven years old girl was found beheaded and her legs cut off.  Strangely no one has claimed they are missing a daughter!  Local government officials are blaming it on Mujahideen, of course.

30 August 2012

In Farah Province a fuel convoy headed for U.S. occupying NATO troops was ambushed. Four security guards were killed, two people wounded, two fuelers burned.

In Logar Province, five people were killed, 10 wounded, after a rocket hit the bus stop they were waiting at.  Local government officials speculate that Mujahideen were targeting a military base, and the rocket missed the intended target.

ISAF said: “Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan today.”

In Herat Province, Mujahideen attacked a security checkpoint, killing three Afghan government troops.

In Ghor Province, locals say a U.S. airstrike killed 12 civilians. U.S./ISAF/NATO claim the targets were Mujahideen.

In Helmand Province, Australian officials revealed that five of their Diggers were killed.  Three were killed by an Afghan government soldier, and two were killed when their helicopter went down.  “This is a very big toll… This is our single worst day in Afghanistan. Indeed this is the most lost in combat [for Australia] since the days of the Vietnam War.”-Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 25 Aug – 29 Aug. Green on Blue attacks continue. Hundreds more Afghan soldiers die fighting for the U.S. than U.S. soldiers! Mujahideen execute one of their own! Afghan soldiers attack each other! Afghan soldiers assassinate Musilm boss!

29 August 2012

ISAF said: “An individual wearing an Afghan National Army uniform turned his weapon against International Security Assistance Force service members in southern Afghanistan yesterday, killing three…”

In Kunar Province at least five Afghan government soldiers were killed when a bomb exploded.

In Ghazni Province, the provincial council chief was assassinated.  He was gunned down.  He had survived several prior attempts to end his life.

Also in Ghazni, four people were killed, one wounded, when they drove over a mine.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has fired his intelligence chief.   In response to criticisms, Karzai claims the guy was at the end of his two year contract anyway.

It was also revealed that two former officials, forced to quit over border disputes with Pakistan, will be nominated for the positions of interior and defense ministers (the very jobs they were forced to quit!).

28 August 2012

In Kandahar Province, four people were killed, 20 wounded including a police chief, when a bomb attached to a fueler exploded.

In Ghazni Province, a suicide bomber attacked a funeral. However, local government officials say only the bomber was killed, and no one was hurt.  They also say a gun battle took place following the blast, but the gunmen ran away.

ISAF says: “An International Security Assistance Force helicopter made a forced landing in eastern Afghanistan today. There were no reported fatalities and the site of the incident is secure. Initial reporting indicates that there was no enemy activity in the area at the time.”

A total of nine U.S. Marines and U.S. Army soldiers got slaps on the wrists, “non-judicial punishment”, for directly violating the U.S. Uniform Code of Military Justice regarding desecration of bodies and religious books!

ISAF claims they captured a bomb expert in Paktiya Province.

27 August 2012

In Laghman Province, two U.S. led occupying troops were killed by an Afghan government soldier: “Two International Security Assistance Force service members died when a member of the Afghan National Army turned his weapon against ISAF service members in eastern Afghanistan today. ISAF troops returned fire, killing the ANA soldier who committed the attack.”

USMC (United States Marine Corps) General John Allen is contradicting Pentagon estimates of Green (Afghan government forces) on Blue (United States/ISAF/NATO coalition) attacks.  The Pentagon claims only 10% of insider attacks are by Mujahideen who infiltrate Afghan government forces.  General Allen saying the Mujahideen are involved in at least 25% of Green on Blue attacks. To make things more confusing, recently the Afghan government claimed the Green on Blue attackers were spies for Pakistan and Iran!

The Afghan Defense Ministry says more than 600 Afghan soldiers died in the past two months, helping the United States led occupation forces! Afghan officials say it’s a big jump in deaths, fighting for the U.S. empire, from the same time last year!

Despite all the anti-Pakistan rhetoric in the U.S. media, the U.S. Army (USA) has been working with Pakistan’s Inter Service Intelligence (ISI). An unnamed Afghan government official revealed that the USA and ISI recently worked together to assassinate a “leader” in Pakistan.  The leader was killed by U.S. drone strike a week prior.

In Ghor Province, Mujahideen publicly executed, by hanging, one of their own.  They say the man had committed murder during an argument with other Mujahideen.

In Helmand Province, Afghan government forces attacked each other. At least ten were killed, four wounded.  A local government official says the battle was the result of Mujahideen who had infiltrated the Afghan Army!

In Uruzgan Province, a suicide bomber exploded too soon. Local government officials claim the bomber was just being handed a suicide bomb vest when it went off.  They believe he was to target local police.  Several people were wounded and, of course, the bomber was killed.

26 August 2012

In Helmand Province, local government officials say Mujahideen beheaded 15 men and three women. The reason is not known.  Mujahideen groups have not commented on the local government’s claim.

In Ghor Province, local government leaders claim that Mujahideen have switched sides and are now helping villagers fight the Mujahideen.

In Baghlan Province, a convoy of fuelers for U.S./ISAF/NATO occupying forces was attacked.  Local government officials say one tanker was destroyed, but an opposition political party (who claim they launched the attack) says six fuelers were destroyed.

The Afghan Defense Ministry says they’ve killed 33 Mujahideen in battles in Kunar, Ghazni, Logar, Helamnd, Kunar and Farah provinces.  The defense ministry claims only three Afghan National Army troops were killed, three wounded.

In Logar Province, the Hajj and Islamic Affairs chief was assassinated by Afghan National Army troops! Local officials suspect it was a family feud, as the Islamic Affairs boss was known to have problems with his cousins.

25 August 2012

U.S. led ISAF/NATO claims two airstrikes killed 12 militants from Pakistan in Kunar Province.  However provincial official, Aslam Gul Mujahid, said at least 20 people were killed, including Afghan civilians.

In Uruzgan Province, four occupying Australian Diggers were wounded after a bomb exploded.

Afghan Interior Ministry claims 17 Mujahideen killed, two wounded and 30 captured in battles in the following provinces: Kabul, Logar, Ghazni and Paktika.

Afghan president Hamid Karzai, and a delegation of 70 Afghan officials, left to attend the anti-U.S. Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Iran.

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 21 Aug – 24 Aug. Karzai blames Green on Blue attacks on Iran & Pakistan!

24 August 2012

In Farah Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was ambushed. At least three security guards were killed, one wounded, and 12 fuelers burned.

In Kandahar Province, six people were killed after a vehicle ran over a mine. The occupants were killed, as well as people riding a motorcycle.

Also in Kandahar, villagers are claiming they were forced to destroy recently built roads.  Panjwai district officials say people from at least three villages tore up about 15 meters of newly laid roads.

In Ghazni Province, a former provincial governor was attacked by suicide bomber. He was wounded.

23 August 2012

Local government officials in Kunar Province say at least 30 more rockets have been launched against them from Pakistan.  No person was hurt, but farm fields were destroyed.

In Parwan Province, a U.S./NATO vehicle patrol was hit by an explosion. It took place near Bagram. No further details from U.S. led sources, but Mujahideen claim they killed six U.S. personnel.

In Ghazni Province, local government officials claim there were several battles with Mujahideen. Interestingly, the Afghan government forces say they left the bodies of Mujahideen, including those still alive but seriously wounded, on the battlefield.

In Nangarhar Province, local government officials say the U.S. conducted yet another illegal night raid. This time a chicken farmer was killed and at least four people arrested.  Mujahideen claim the people killed/arrested are not militants.

Spokespeople for President Hamid Karzai try to blame Iran and Pakistan on increasing Green on Blue attacks. They claim most of the attackers are really spies that have infiltrated Afghan military and police units.  This conflicts with ISAF/NATO’s own investigation, which says most Green on Blue attacks are caused by U.S. led troops acting the ass hole towards Afghan government forces.

22 August 2012

The New York Times reports that U.S. deaths in Afghanistan have reached 2,000 since the U.S. invasion in 2001.  At least half those deaths happened in the past 27 months.

In Nangarhar Province, Mujahideen claim they shot down a U.S. drone, near Jalalabad airport.

In Kabul Province, senior Mujahideen leaders escaped from the Pul-e-Charkhi prison. Mujahideen claim 15 of their top guys escaped the prison after breaking down the doors.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) claim they captured a Mujahideen leader in Kandahar Province.

21 August 2012

Mujahideen attacked the C-17 transport used by USA (United States Army) General Martin Dempsey.  The attack missed the plane, slightly damaging a door: “International Security Assistance Force can confirm that shrapnel from an indirect fire round at Bagram Air Field damaged the military aircraft that brought Gen. Martin E. Dempsey to Afghanistan.”  Dempsey was not on the plane at the time.

ISAF claims they killed a leader with connections to al Qaeda, in Kunar Province.

A video has been released showing a U.S. led occupying soldier hitting an Afghan government soldier.  Going by the uniform the occupying troop is not U.S., but that doesn’t matter to the Afghan’s ’cause the U.S. led occupiers all look the same.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. allies attend Iran led NAM. Condemn the United States, condemn the United Nations! Demand U.S. assassination drone strikes stop!

“One of the topics that’s being raised amongst NAM member states is the changes that are necessary in the UN, Security Council and also other UN affiliated bodies.”-Ramin Mehmanparast, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman

29 August 2012, the 16th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has been underway for three days in Iran, and some very important officials have shown up, including allies (as well as enemies) of the United States.

“The summit is being held in Tehran at a time when Western countries are facing major financial and social crises. This indicates that the source of global management is suffering from weaknesses and deficiencies. There’s a need for new innovations and initiatives in order to improve the situation in the international domain.”-Ramin Mehmanparast, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman

Attendees include:  United Nations Secretary, Ban Ki-moon.  Prime Minister of Iraq,  Nouri al-Maliki. President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa.  Ruler of United Arab Emirates’ Umm Al Quwain state, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid al-Mu’alla.  President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir.  Chairman of the State Council of Oman, Yahya bin Mahfoudh al Mantheri.  Palestinian Authority Chief, Mahmoud Abbas.  Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar. Indonesian Foreign Minister, Marty Natalegawa.  Head of Arab Relations of Lebanon‘s Hezbollah, Sheikh Hassan Ezzedin.  President of Mongolia, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj.  President of Egypt, Mohamed Morsi.   Senegal’s Foreign Minister, Alioune Badara Cissé.  Envoy from Russia, Konstantin Shuvalov.  Korea (north) Foriegn Minister, Pak Ui-chun.   India Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh.  And many more heads of state.

“…the wave of Islamic Awakenings sweeping the Middle East and North Africa has led to major developments. Countries where people have a greater role for determining their destiny, they are in fact seeking to cut their dependence on the major powers.”-Ramin Mehmanparast, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman

Egypt will turn over the presidency of NAM to Iran.  Iran will now head NAM for the next three years.

“…the existing crises indicate that these few, specific countries [United States, United Kingdom, etc] are not able to run the affairs of the world, and also they are not able to run the international organizations.”-Ramin Mehmanparast, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman

Iranian Foreign Minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, announced that a workgroup for Palestine will be formed at the United Nations in New York, U.S.A.: “Heavy pressures should be put on the Zionist regime….and practical suggestions should be offered.”

“The Zionist regime is the source of all regional and international threats.
In line with the issue of the Islamic Awakening, these pro-Zionist Americans did not manage to block this wave of Islamic Awakening and it feels that it has been harmed by the independence seeking waves of this region and also it’s going to lose the supporters of the Zionist regime.”-Ramin Mehmanparast, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman

Another issue is the use of assassination drones by the United States: “…Pakistan’s position is clear today and has been clear in the past. Our position is that this is something which is counter-productive. It is unlawful. It is illegal, and therefore they must cease.”-Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister

NAM is an international organization with 120 member countries.  The movement stands for “national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries” in their “struggle against imperialism and all forms of foreign aggression”-Fidel Castro, Havana Declaration, 1979 NAM summit

 

Fukushima, International

Eating in Japan: Beware disease & radiation. International standards don’t exist! Are you worse off in the United States?

For the past few years Japan has been struggling with food problems, from diseases to radiation contamination.

The latest problem is an outbreak of E Coli in imported Chinese pickled cabbage. At least six people have died, 100 people are sick. The outbreak seams to be contained to northern Japan.

Since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster rice from northern Honshu has been found to be contaminated with radiation.  However, 28 August 2012, Fukushima Prefecture has cleared this year’s rice crop for sale.  The rice was harvested last week.  The Prefecture claims it will check all 360,000 tons of harvested rice for radiation contamination.

However, news is not good for fish.  Just in the past 24 hours the Japanese government banned the sale of Pacific cod.  The fish were caught 300 kilometers (186 miles) from the GE designed reactors in Fukushima.  When the fish were tested in port, they were found to be contaminated with twice the Japanese government’s current safe levels for cesium.

A week ago Tokyo Electric Power Company said they found fish near the nuclear plant that had a record 258 times the safe levels for cesium!

An even bigger concern is fresh water fish.  It’s been discovered that on average Japanese fresh water fish, caught in northern Honshu, are far more radioactive than salt water fish.

Recently, and sneakily, the central government of Japan changed the radiation safe limits for food, so that foods that were considered unsafe, are now safe.  Prior to the change the maximum safe limit was 370 becquerels per kilogram of cesium, now the maximum safe limit is 600 becquerels!  So even if you’re told the food is officially safe…..

Many other Asian countries, that rely on food from Japan, are crying foul.

Just two weeks ago Hong Kong’s Center for Food Safety (CFS) discovered that oatmeal from Japan was contaminated with cesium 137.  CFS officials stated the amount of cesium was less than that of a chest x-ray, but made the announcement as part of their daily Food Surveillance Program of food coming from Japan.

But get this, Japan’s new radiation safety standards are still more strict than the Codex Alimentarius.

Codex Alimentarius is the United Nations’ World Health Organization’s, and Food & Agricultural Organization’s, international food safety standards.  According to reports in the Hong Kong media, the Codex Alimentarius allows up to 1,000 becquerels per kilogram of cesium in your food!   (I’ve tried to read the PDF’s from Codex Alimentarius, it’s as if it was written for extraterrestrials, no average human could understand the info!)

By the way, Codex Alimentarius just changed their international food safety rules at the beginning of August 2012.  One suggestion, by participating countries, is that the Codex Alimentarius logo will be displayed on food considered safe.

Vietnam’s Department of Food Hygiene and Safety announced they will start testing baby formula from Japan.  This is because Hong Kong officials reported finding radioactive iodine in Japanese baby formulas.  Hong Kong officials said the amounts were below the Codex Alimentarius limits.

Another interesting development is that six months after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster began, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) approved a new International Basic Safety Standards (aka BSS).  Most of what I found on the internet is the old 1996 version.  It is a complicated publication that seems to say a lot without really saying much (see my comment about Codex Alimentarius above)!  Basically the IAEA tells governments to set their own standards!

Oh, and don’t try using a Geiger Counter on your food, it doesn’t work.

So when it comes to radiation contamination in the food we eat, it’s a crap shoot, whether we’re in the United States or Japan.

For cattle raised in southern Japan it seems everything is OK. Radiation hasn’t affected the cows that far south, and, last week U.S. and Japanese officials declared the two year foot & mouth disease of no more concern. Japan is set to resume exporting their beef to the U.S.

Interesting that Japan is resuming beef exports to the U.S., while Australia is now beating out the U.S. as the main supplier of beef to Japan.  In 2003 Japan banned U.S. beef because of Mad Cow (bovine spongiform encephalopathy/BSE).  Since 2006 only U.S. beef from cows younger than 20 months are allowed into Japan.

This year the Japanese government is considering further relaxing the restrictions on U.S. beef imports.

Australia has some of the strictest health standards for their meat industries, and is one reason they’ve escaped problems with Mad Cow.  It’s also why their beef exports are booming.  From July 2011 to July 2012, Australian beef exports to Japan increased 4%, Japanese are now the number one consumers of Australian beef.  But here’s really interesting news, Australian beef exports to the United States, for the same time period, went up 40.2%!

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. overall beef exports to the world have dropped by 15.4% from last year.  Mmm, wonder what’s wrong with the U.S. beef?

Foodborne illness, in Japan, is a more immediate threat (than radiation), according to a memo published on the U.S. Embassy (Tokyo) website.  The memo says the top two reasons for foodborne illness in Japan are improper handling, and improper storing of food.  The third reason is improper cooking of food.

A 2010 study that compared Korea (south) to Japan, showed that Japan had a high rate of foodborne disease (FBD).  The causes are basically the same as stated by the U.S. Embassy memo.

To put it in perspective, how high is the FBD rate in the United States?   According to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) numbers, about one in every six people (or 48 million!) get sick with FBD every year in the U.S.

Don’t rely on the central government of Japan for help in determining where to eat.  The discoveries of radiation contaminated food, last year, was made by prefectural and local governments, as well as by businesses, and individuals who paid for the tests out of their own pockets. Most Prefectures, local governments, and even local Japanese businesses, have taken matters into their own hands, providing information on radiation contamination and other health issues regarding food.  So check with the locals when seeking safe food in Japan. It’s a clear example of how a central government is useless.

For U.S. citizens traveling to Japan, who are concerned about being able to get safe food, and who think U.S. food products exported to Japan are safer, the USDA provides information about U.S. food suppliers doing business in other countries, so you might check that out.  But just because it’s from the United States doesn’t mean it’s safe.  Remember the drop in U.S. beef exports?

You can also check out the website Where Food Comes From.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: USS Stennis sets sail for Persian Gulf, 4 months early. U.S. says “world calls” for war with Syria & Iran

“…we are not in the habit of repeating a warning and we warn only once.”-Major General Ataollah Salehi, Iranian Army, 03 January 2012 threat against USS Stennis

“We’re asking an awful lot of each of you.  And frankly, you are the best I have, and when the world calls we have to respond.”-Leon Panetta, U.S. Secretary of Defense, 22 August 2012 statement regarding early deployment of USS Stennis

22 August, the aircraft carrier USS Stennis will set sail for the Persian Gulf.  Back in July it was announced the USS Stennis would return to the Persian Gulf four months earlier than planned.  The aircraft carrier will also stay in the region for eight months, four months longer than originally planned.

The Pentagon wants to keep at least two aircraft carrier groups on station in the Persian Gulf at all times. Panetta said it was to fight threats and “Obviously Iran is one of those threats that we have to, we have to be able to focus on……Secondly, it is the turmoil in Syria….”

Back in January 2012, Iranian officials singled out the USS Stennis, threatening military action against that specific aircraft carrier if it ever returned to the Persian Gulf.  They claimed the aircraft carrier deliberately sailed through Iranian naval war games in December 2011.  They also accuse the U.S. Navy of sailing ships dangerously close to Iranian oil platforms.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 17 Aug – 20 Aug. Green on Blue attacks continue to increase. More Kiwis killed. U.S. incompetence, kills people who caught a murderer with drone strike!

20 August 2012

USA (USA without periods means United States Army) General Martin Dempsey is in Afghanistan to find out why so many Afghan government forces are getting pissed off enough at U.S. forces that they open fire upon them.  Dempsey is meeting with USMC General John Allen.

ISAF stated: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died when an individual wearing an Afghan Uniformed Police uniform turned his weapon against ISAF service members in southern Afghanistan today.”

In Paktiya Province, a convoy belonging to an advisor to President Hamid Karzai, ran over a mine: “Mriza Ali Zadran, brother of Amanullah Khan Zadran, his uncle and his nephew were killed following the blast.”-Rohullah Samoon, governor of Paktiya

19 August 2012

ISAF stated: “Three International Security Assistance Force service members died following an improvised explosive device attack in eastern Afghanistan today.”

ISAF claims they killed a “leader” in Kunar Province, using a NATO airstrike.

In Bamiyan Province, at least four New Zealand Kiwi troops were killed, after crossing a road where Mujahideen planted a mine.

Afghan police officials in Kandahar Province claim a policeman shot and killed a U.S. led occupying soldier. They say the shooting took place inside a police station.

USMC General John Allen met with President Hamid Karzai, to discuss the increasing Green on Blue attacks.  This after numb nuts U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta demanded Karzai do something about such attacks.

In Kunar Province, villagers caught a murderer.  The man was convicted of killing another man from a rival family.  But at the execution, where about 80 people had gathered, the United States launched a drone strike, killing about 60. ISAF said this about the drone strike:   “…there are no civilian casualties…”  ISAF swears all the people present were Mujahideen planning an attack.

18 August 2012

In Kunar Province, local government officials say the United States killed four civilians during an airstrike.

In Helmand Province, U.K. Ministry of Defence says one of their occupying Red Coat soldiers was killed.

17 August 2012

In Kandahar Province, two U.S. occupying personnel were wounded by an Afghan government soldier.

ISAF stated: “Two U.S. Forces-Afghanistan service members died this morning as a result of an insider threat attack in Farah province, Afghanistan today. A member of the Afghan Local Police turned his weapon against two USFOR-A service members. The attacker was shot and killed.”

In Faryab Province, an Afghan politician was assassinated. He was shot while walking out of a Mosque.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: United Nations threatens investigation into U.S. drone strikes!

“…users of targeted killing technology should be required to subject themselves, in the case of each and every death, to impartial investigation. If they do not establish a mechanism to do so, it will be my recommendation that the UN should put the mechanisms in place through the Human Rights Council, the General Assembly and the Office of the High Commissioner.…..The Obama administration continues formally to adopt the position that it will neither confirm nor deny the existence of the drone program, whilst allowing senior officials to give public justifications of its supposed legality in personal lectures and interviews. In reality the administration is holding its finger in the dam of public accountability. There are now a large number of law suits, in different parts of the world, including in the U.K., Pakistan and in the U.S. itself, through which pressure for investigation and accountability is building.”-Ben Emmerson, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter-Terrorism

In the past week more than 27 people were killed by U.S. UAV strikes, in Pakistan.  The victims included women and children.

Also in the past week, at least eight civilians were killed, and 30 wounded, by U.S. drone strikes in Somalia.  At least three people were killed by U.S. drone strike in Yemen.

On 15 August 2012, Pakistan’s Senate Committee on Defence and Defence Production released their own study on just who the victims of drone strikes are. They concluded that increasingly the victims are not combatants!

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: South America united against British Empire! UNASUR 7 point resolution demands U.K. obey international laws, hopes for peaceful settlement

Declaration of Guayaquil
IN SUPPORT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ECUADOR
THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF UNASUR

The Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of UNASUR extraordinary meeting in the city of Guayaquil, on August 19, 2012, considering:

That the Minister of Foreign Trade and Integration of Ecuador, informed the Council that the citizen Julian Assange, requested on 19 June 2012, political asylum in the Embassy of Ecuador in London, a matter on which the Governments of Ecuador, the U.K. and Sweden, have been holding diplomatic talks about the demands for the extradition of Mr. Assange and the request for asylum;

That Ecuador was considering the request for asylum in accordance with the principles of protection of human rights and international law;

On 15 August, the Government of the Republic of Ecuador was notified in a U.K. memorandum a threat to “take action to arrest Mr. Assange in the current facilities of the Embassy” by invoking its national law on facilities diplomatic and Consular of 1987 (diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987);

That pursuant to Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, of which the U.K. is a signatory, “premises of the mission shall be inviolable. The agents of the receiving State may not enter them without the consent of the Head of Mission” and that “the premises of the mission, their furnishings and other property thereon and the means of transport of the mission may not be immune from search, requisition, attachment or execution”;

That according to the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, states must refrain from the threat or use of force or to act in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations in international relations, and solve their differences peacefully.

That the Security Council of the United Nations, in SC/10463 press release of November 29, 2011, condemned in the strongest terms violations of diplomatic immunity and recalled the fundamental principle of the inviolability of diplomatic missions states consular receptors in relation to the provisions of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

UNASUR declaration:

1. Express its solidarity and support to the Government of the Republic of Ecuador to the threat of violation of local diplomatic mission.

2. Reaffirm the sovereign right of states to grant asylum.

3.  Strongly condemn the threat of use of force between states and to reiterate the full observance of the principles enshrined in international law, respect for sovereignty and the faithful observance of international treaties.

4. To reaffirm the fundamental principle of the inviolability of the premises of diplomatic missions and consular offices and the obligation of the receiving states, in relation to the provisions of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

5. Reaffirm the principle of international law under which no law can be invoked for failure to complete an international obligation, as well is reflected in Article 27 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969.

6.  Reiterate the relevance of institutions of asylum and refuge to protect the human rights of people who believe that their life or limb is threatened.

7.  Urge the parties to continue dialogue and direct negotiations in search of a mutually acceptable settlement under international law.

Guayaquil, August 19, 2012, 21:30 hours

Union of South American Nations are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 15 Aug – 16 Aug. Black Hawk down, 11 dead! First Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of attcking them, now they blame Iran! NATO says most military contractors are corrupt!

16 August 2012

ISAF said: “An ISAF helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan today. The crash resulted in the deaths of four International Security Assistance Force service members, three United States Forces-Afghanistan service members, three members of the Afghan National Security Forces, and one Afghan civilian interpreter.”

Mujahideen stated: “Our Mujahideen shot down an ISAF helicopter in Chenarto area of Shah Wali Kot district in Kandahar province at around 11:00 am (0630 GMT).”

In Faryab Province, a firefight broke out between villagers and local police.  Two of the villagers are accused of raping an eight year old girl. The police were trying to arrest them. The villagers are also begging the Mujahideen not to execute the two men accused of rape.

In Maidan Wardak Province, a senior security official was killed while trying to defuse a bomb.

In Baghlan Province, seven Afghan government soldiers were killed, two wounded, when they drove over a mine.

The Afghan parliament is now blaming Iran for coordinated suicide attacks in Nimroz Province.

15 August 2012

ISAF stated: “A U.S. Forces-Afghanistan service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in eastern Afghanistan today.”

ISAF also stated: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan.“

In Herat Province, a bicycle bomb exploded, wounding at least 20 people.

A report by U.S. led NATO says most military contractors are corrupt. General Ricky Waddell revealed that dozens of contractors are under investigation, and some are already facing prosecution.  The cases involve both Afghan contractors, and contractors from other countries.

The presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan stated they will work with each other to find out who is responsible for ongoing artillery attacks, being launched from Pakistan into Afghanistan.

In Kunduz Province, an alleged suicide bomber was killed by U.S. troops.  Local government officials claim the suicide bomber was targeting a bus full of cops.

In Badakhshan Province, Mujahideen ambushed an Afghan government border patrol.  Two top border patrol commanders were killed, along with two other border patrol troops. Three border patrol troops were wounded.

In Kabul Province, a fire destroyed a warehouse with $2 million USD worth of electrical equipment.  Local government officials say the fire was caused by a wildfire.

In Khost Province, Mujahideen claim they attacked a U.S. base. ISAF has not confirmed.