Russia assails US over Guantanamo prison

 

AP

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s Foreign Ministry has accused the U.S. of breaking international law by keeping terror suspects in indefinite custody without trial at the Guantanamo Bay prison.

In a statement posted on its website Sunday, the ministry said the prison at the U.S. Navy base in eastern Cuba represents a “flagrant violation of international law.”

The Foreign Ministry also criticized the National Defense Authorization Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama on Dec. 31, which includes a provision allowing indefinite military detention without trial. The ministry claimed the act contradicts U.S. obligations under international humanitarian law.

Russia in the past has reacted angrily to the accusations of human rights breaches that the U.S. State Department has leveled at it in its annual reports.

The Following Glowing Report Makes Turkmenistan Look Like Workers’ Paradise On Earth

“State’s policy of Turkmenistan to free use of natural gas, electricity, water, salt, motor fuel, and also provides transportation services, bread and other products at low prices.”

“The unity and cohesion of our society is the crown of the grand victories”

16/01/2012 The program of the candidate for President of Turkmenistan Head of Production Association “Lebapgurlushyk” Esendurdy Gayipova. Over 20 years of independence Turkmenistan spiritually reborn, has achieved remarkable success in politics, economics and culture.Created opportunities for the revival and further development of our national traditions and customs, cultural values. The basis for success in our country carried out extensive reforms is friendly and conscientious work of the Turkmen people, closely united in the name of a common goal – prosperity of the Motherland. This unity and cohesion of our society, the welfare of the country are the crown of the grand victory achieved by the Turkmen state in the ongoing social-oriented policies. At present, Turkmenistan is rapidly moving forward socially and economically developed.High growth rates in gross domestic product of the country, observed in recent years, the “National Program of socio-economic development of Turkmenistan for 2011-2030 years” open up new directions in the key business objectives. It should be noted that during the global financial crisis, Turkmenistan to maintain macroeconomic stability and financial independence, work is continuing on the development of the economy, strengthen the legal framework of the state, the expansion of democratic principles and has successfully performed the task of implementing long-term comprehensive programs and reforms for the further progress of our country . Due to the state’s policy of Turkmenistan to free use of natural gas, electricity, water, salt, motor fuel, and also provides transportation services, bread and other products at low prices. Providing the population with these benefits made possible by the economic power of the Turkmen state. Turkmenistan sells its foreign policy on the principles of humanism, benevolence, our state is known worldwide as a peace-loving country, which is why the international community has delegated Turkmenistan status of permanent neutrality. The successes achieved in the development of our country are the result of active implementation of the policy of “open doors” in international relations, development of equal and mutually beneficial relations with different countries of the world, the integration of our country as a full member of the international community. During the years of independence, and especially in an era of great change, significantly strengthened our economy. In order to ensure further development of the national economy of Turkmenistan will focus on the introduction of science and technology, the latest technology. Continue construction of pipeline systems, roads, designed to have a positive impact on the economic development of Turkmenistan. In addition, with the interested parties will explore opportunities to export Turkmen gas to Europe. In an era of great reforms in our country is carried out extensive work on the construction of various facilities, which aims at the welfare of our Fatherland, happy and prosperous life of the people. And in the future we will pay attention to the development of education and health.Continue to be built at a heightened pace with modern equipment of new schools and kindergartens, building higher and special secondary schools, new hospitals and health centers, social and cultural destination. A major role in improving rural life and the strengthening of public health will be given the construction of wastewater treatment plants, water supply for the rural population with clean drinking water. Will be maintained procedures for the issuance of mortgage loans to purchase housing or wishing to build their own home every year will increase the volume of loans to construction companies construction of residential buildings. Consistent implementation of the program will continue to build in cities, villages and townships of social facilities. Thanks to the work in this country for the development of agriculture in an era of great transformation the state creates the conditions for productive activities dayhan, multiply their wealth, good faith effort cultivating rich harvests of crops, strengthening material and technical base of agriculture. Thanks to the implemented reforms in agriculture, Turkmenistan has achieved food independence, becoming the exporter not only of cotton and cotton products, and grain. Nevertheless, it is necessary to continue to radical reforms in agriculture. Will increase investment in agriculture, directed by new land development, increased capacity of reservoirs, the acquisition of necessary agricultural machinery, chemical plant protection products. The major tasks in this area are also seed production, breeding and implementation of advanced technologies. The main objective of the agricultural sector is also a significant increase in the number of zealous farmers-tenants. In the years of independence, the country built and erected dozens of modern textile industry, their construction will continue in the future. Completed a production cycle on these plants and in the future will not only recycle valuable raw materials – cotton, and produce finished products. Of great importance in enhancing the economic strength of our state also has an infrastructure component. Steadily developing transport and communications sector.Erected and built roads, railways, infrastructure in these industries, transport, aviation, waterway, trucking, transit cargoes transported across our country – all this will lead to further economic prosperity for our state. As a result of market relations in Turkmenistan was born and developed non-state sector, which mainly operates in the agriculture, construction, processing industry and trade. Great impetus to the development of private enterprise has a state. By studying the methods of record keeping of large foreign companies and firms engaged in cooperation with the public sector, our entrepreneurs gain significant experience. The Turkmen proverb says: “Learn from the skillful are not ashamed”, following which our entrepreneurs feel confident in the business world. Currently they are building numerous industrial facilities and socio-cultural facilities, residential buildings. State support of small and medium businesses, entrepreneurs selection of soft loans from the state – work to promote the private sector will continue in the future. One of the priorities of Turkmenistan’s state policy is the development of mass sports and recreation and sport movement. This policy aims to strengthen the nation’s health care services physically strong and spiritually rich young generation – the future of our Fatherland, confidently pushing forward on the path of radical transformations. Clear evidence of the success of this work are built in all provinces and well-equipped stadiums, sports complexes, sports schools in etraps. In one of the most beautiful parts of our capital was the start of construction of the Olympic Village – the largest sports complex in Central Asia. Promotion and development of sports and Olympic movement, the massive involvement in his youth, instilling in his childhood interest in physical education, labor, promotion of values ​​based on the principles of healthy living, hard work, creativity – all this must be one of our main objectives in the future. Turkmenistan is known to the world as the cradle of ancient civilizations, left a rich cultural heritage. Our Motherland is an essential part of the Silk Road, bringing together East and West. Making monuments of ancient Merv, Kunyaurgench, Nusaya in UNESCO World Heritage List is a testament to ancient historical, cultural and natural values ​​of our country, their great global significance. Implementation of the “National Program Support and Development of the tourist industry of Turkmenistan for 2011-2020″ will be one of the most important aspects of the activities aimed at full implementation of the tourism potential of our country, the development of the tourist complex, creating tourist to-date and full recreational facilities, strengthening the economic sector, popularization of the world’s ancient history and culture of our homeland, customs and traditions of the Turkmen people, the further enrichment of his spiritual world. Work will continue on the protection enshrined in the Basic Law – the Constitution of Turkmenistan – the rights of every citizen to life, work, recreation, health, education, family, the acquisition of decent housing, freedom of artistic, scientific and technical creativity, etc. The essence of these problems is a systematic increase in personal income, wage increases, pensions, student grants, government grants, maintaining social benefits, financial support for families. Today the main concern of our government and society is to take care of every citizen of Turkmenistan, which is clearly reflected in the main principle of “state – for the people”.And every citizen of Turkmenistan, in response to this concern, should follow the principle of “Man – for the state,” and make a worthy contribution to the prosperity of our country. We need to diligently and enthusiastically to work for the good life, spiritual and moral health of the people, strengthening the power of our state, to further enhance its credibility in the world. I am confident that the voters who will vote, will vote for the most decent candidate who could continue to work for the prosperity of our country.

Source: Today, Turkmenistan (TDH)

Turkmen Students Discouraged from Participation In US State Dept. “Future Leaders” Internship Prog.

No need to FLEXov

Chronicles of Turkmenistan

In early January the Turkmenistan started testing by the U.S. State Department program, Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) for senior secondary schools. Tturkmenskie authority by tradition it was in those days, arrange various competitions in the English language to the least possible number of pupils speak English took part in the qualifying round of the program FLEX.

In Turkmenabat, for example, on the day of testing January 3 Board of Education decided to hold a friendly Olympics. Teachers of English were punished in the day to bring all of their best students grades 7-9.

To test for the FLEX program was attended by officials of the department of education Lebap who recorded the names of pupils and schools in which they learn. The next day, the director of schools with these lists ask the teachers whose classes were this or that passed the first round of qualifying students.

“We are on the same day summoned to the management of education, where to put it mildly given on cap for the fact that evensomeone went on a test , not the Olympics “- admits the director of a school.

Despite all the unwritten taboos, intimidation and threats, high school students prefer to participate in the program FLEX. It provides an 15-17 year old students a year to live in the U.S., an American family and attend a local school.

On the same day, the fourth of January (the day of the second round of FLEX) in the second round and held friendly competitions. At the Olympics, according to the director, it’s even less students.

In Turkmenistan, the FLEX program is valid from 1993. During this time in America in this program have visited hundreds of Turkmenistan.

Nevertheless, the efforts of the representatives of the department of education gives the results. Number of people willing to participate in the FLEX program from year to year decline. In previous years, Lebap in the first round of the competition involved 400 pupils in this year’s first round came to a little over 120 people.

Supreme Court ultimatum to Pakistan PM

Ben Doherty, Islamabad

Contempt charge: Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. Photo: AFP

The ruling is another blow for an embattled government, already fighting a separate judicial inquiry over a secret memo it allegedly sent and a hostile military warning of ”grievous consequences for the country”, an unsubtle threat of a coup.

The full bench of the Supreme Court yesterday ordered Yousuf Raza Gilani before the court to explain why his government has failed to restart corruption allegations against Pakistan’s President, and the leader of Gilani’s Pakistan People’s Party, Asif Ali Zardari.

The government has claimed Mr Zardari, as head of state, enjoys immunity from prosecution, but the court recently overturned an amnesty law protecting him.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.Photo: AFP

The government has refused to co-operate by restarting the investigation, which relates to years-old corruption allegations in Switzerland.

Before a packed courtroom in Islamabad’s High Court building yesterday, the court heard preliminary arguments from Pakistan’s Attorney-General, who said he had communicated the court’s order to the Prime Minister, but had received no reply.

After a short break to consider its options, the court ordered the Prime Minister to appear.

”In these circumstances, we are left with no option, as a first step, to issue a show cause notice. The Prime Minister should appear personally in court on January 19.”

Outside court, Attorney-General Maulvi Anwar-ul-Haq, said the charges, if proved, could force Mr Gilani from office.

Under Pakistani law, a conviction for contempt of court can carry a jail term, but that appears unlikely in this instance. But if convicted, Mr Gilani would be disqualified from holding a seat in parliament and would have to resign as Prime Minister.

While Mr Gilani faces the contempt charge, the man he is protecting, Mr Zardari, is the court’s real target.

Corruption allegations have dogged Mr Zardari for years. He was nicknamed ”Mr 10 per cent” for his alleged cut of government contracts when his wife, the late Benazir Bhutto, was prime minister, and has spent more than a decade in jail on various charges, but has never been convicted.

Meanwhile, the man at the centre of the memo scandal that threatened to bring down the Pakistani government, has delayed going to Pakistan because his life was being threatened, his lawyer said yesterday.

Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz will not arrive for another nine days to give evidence against Mr Zardari. Mr Ijaz was reportedly to be flown from Switzerland to a Rawalpindi air force base yesterday under military security where he was to be given a visa so he could testify before a judicial commission into a mysterious ”memo” sent to the US government last year.

The memo was an anonymous note allegedly delivered in the days after Osama bin Laden’s assassination on Pakistani soil in May. It offered to rein in Pakistani military influence, and to disband the military brigades co-operating with terrorist networks, if the US supported the civilian government against a military coup.

The note is alleged to have been written, or at the very least authorised, by Mr Zardari, and the army’s top brass regards it as a massive, almost treasonous, betrayal.

Mr Ijaz leaked details of the note in October, and has now warned Mr Zardari and the man sacked after it was alleged he delivered the letter, former ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani, that he will reveal all.

With Khudayar Khan and AGENCIES

Mossad and Jundallah

Foreign Policy magazine has claimed that in the recent past Mossad agents masquerading as American CIA agents recruited militants for Jundallah, a militant organisation alleged to be behind attacks across Pakistan and Iran. Most of the recruitments were made in England and the Mossad agents used US dollars and US passports. American officials who reacted to the report stated that they were most concerned about the brashness of the act.

Mossad operates in a way that leaves little difference with the methods employed by terrorist organisations around the world. It has been covertly carrying out bomb blasts, target killings, political assassinations and much more across the Arab world during the past decades. But now as the report in Foreign Policy unveils, it has been busy in fomenting violence in Pakistan and Iran as well. There is no doubt that Israel’s antipathy towards Pakistan is due to its nuclear capability and it’s support of the Palestinian cause.

Mossad agents disguising themselves as CIA operatives must have been mimicking an existing CIA practice of recruiting such militants. Jundallah, it can be deduced is responsible for a number of terrorist attacks that have claimed the lives of hundreds of people in Pakistan and Iran. As revealed by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Jundallah has links with other dangerous terrorist organisations like the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan as well, something which provides us a peep into the sordid game being played in the region. Consequently one wonders whether there is any truth in reports alleging that Mossad are hand in glove with the TTP as part of an ominous conspiracy against nuclear Pakistan.

They pity is that we have been ourselves putting our heads in the noose, especially given the foolhardiness with which our government issued visas to thousands of American CIA operatives, whose activities came to light with Raymond Davis episode. The aforementioned report only shows that all this was the tip of the iceberg. Now we must watch our back against Mossad agents as well.

 

Uzbek President Karimov Explains Why He Chose US Special Forces Training Over Russian Spetsnaz

[Here is today's disappearing article, dealing with the US Army (SEE:  Last NATO convoy returns to Karachi from Chaman--[This article was disappeared.])]

Maj. Douglas Thornton, an instructor of the signal basic officer leadership course, explains how a Brigade Combat Team is supported with communications assets to a group of Uzbek army signal officers June 16 at Fort Gordon, Ga.

Uzbekistan presents army development strategy

Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Jan.14 / Trend D.Azizov /

President of Uzbekistan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Islam Karimov presented strategy of the further development of the army in his congratulatory message on the occasion of day of Defender of the Fatherland Day, which is celebrated on Jan.14 and 20th anniversary of the country’s Armed forces.

“Importance of reforming and increasing operational readiness of the Armed Forces in modern time is caused primarily by circumstances of rapidly-changing world, continuing rise of tension in the Middle East and the Gulf, difficult situation in the region taking into consideration rise of confrontation, different threats and challenges to the security,” the congratulatory message said.

The President said the Central Asia region by virtue of its geo-political and geo-strategic importance, huge mineral and raw material resources has become recently object of close attention and crossing of strategic interests of the largest states and is characterized by continuing confrontation in Afghanistan, where war has continued for over 30 years.

The forthcoming withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and the International Security Assistance Force in 2014 may lead to an increased threat to the expansion of terrorist and extremist activities, tensions in the region, establishing here a permanent source of instability, the president said.

Serious challenge to regional stability and security is also deteriorating socio-economic situation in some countries of the region, which creates favorable conditions for the growth of social discontent, continuous extremist forces replenishment of new members.

“In general, the evaluation of socio-political, socio-economic, political and military situation prevailing in Central Asia and the world shows increasingly growing trend of increasing threats to peace, stability and sustainable development of the region,” Islam Karimov noted.

The President said all this requires the taking preventive advanced systemic measures to further improve and enhance the effectiveness of the entire system of defense and national security, the continuation of the comprehensive strengthening of the capacity and readiness of the Armed Forces.

Particular attention should be paid to the further accumulation of experience, improvement and deepening the knowledge of basic principles and techniques of modern combat operations during a potential theater of military operations in the region, the head of state noted.

Command of the Armed Forces and the military districts should pay serious attention to improve the efficiency of planning, organizing and conducting command post and tactical exercises, which should be a school for testing different models of combat operations.

We should focus on the problem of retrofitting units with modern weapons and equipment. The most important condition for increasing the combat capability of the armed forces is to reach a new quality of military education and training,” Islam Karimov said.

Uzbek President also determined the issue of social protection of servicemen as a problem of special importance.

“We should also focus on timely and full implementation of the adopted state programs aimed at providing servicemen with housing, improvement of social conditions of residence and duty of soldiers, sergeants and officers,” the message said.

The message noted that a lot of work to create a modern, mobile, well-equipped army have been carried out over the years of independence.

Organizational and staff structure of the armed forces was fundamentally changed, an effective management system of corps and sorts of troops, led by the Joint Staff was created, the military districts were formed, system of protection and security of state borders meeting modern requirements was shaped, mobile, primarily the battalions of Special Operation Forces, Corps to fight terrorism were established in the most important operational directions.

Large-scale work has been done in equipping the army with modern weapons and equipment.

In conclusion, the President of Uzbekistan expressed gratitude to all the servicemen – privates and sergeants, officers and generals, all those who today has difficult service in the Armed Forces, adequately fulfilling its noble and responsible duty to protect the homeland.

Earlier according to the presidential decree a large group of servicemen has been awarded national awards – honorary degrees, medals and orders.

Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az

Shahzain Bugti Announces Reward for the Killing of Musharraf

Shahzain announces bounty for Musharraf

Calls him killer of Nawab Akbar Bugti and hundreds of other people .

PIR JO GOTH: Shahzain Bugti, a grandson of slain Bugti chieftain Nawab Akbar Bugti, on Sunday announced head money for former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.

Akbar Bugti, along with his comrades, was killed in a military operation in Kohlu district of Balochistan in 2006. The operation was ordered by the then army chief and president Pervez Musharraf.

“We will give Rs1 million in cash and a bungalow worth Rs100 million to anybody who kills Musharraf. And we’ll also provide him full security,” Shahzain Bugti said while speaking to the media after condoling the death of Pir Pagara with his bereaved family on Sunday. Shahzain Bugti, who is also a leader of his grandfather’s Jamhoori Watan Party, demanded that Musharraf should be hanged.

“The gallows are ready for Musharraf. There will be serious consequences, if the government does not arrest him upon his arrival,” he warned.

He alleged that Musharraf was responsible for the killing of hundreds of people. “He not only killed my grandfather but also hundreds of innocent people during the Lal Mosque operation in Islamabad. Ulema have also declared him wajibul qatal (liable to be killed),” Shahzain claimed.

He said the people of Balochistan have already rejected the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package. “We don’t need charity. We will snatch back our rights from the rulers,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune

American Military Pit Bulls and Their Handlers

newsCentralasia

Ben Tanosborn

It is not what the few do but what the many don’t do.  That really represents what we are all about, co-conspirators in a sea of silence.  Marines who view despicable acts committed by other marines remain silent; the officers, who are well aware of this behavior, condone it, invariably following the “ethical criminal” attitude in war morality of “when in war, shit happens”; and the nation prefers to play the part of Pontius Pilates.

Hillary Clinton, most everyone in our government, and those hypocrites at the Pentagon should not be acting surprised at the outrageous and contemptuous behavior of those four marines from Camp Lejeune desecrating the Taliban’s corpses.  The four have received no different training, or possess different brainwashed mindsets, from the other 200,000+ marines now on active duty, or the 1,600,000+ empire-warriors comprising our international police force.

No, the Marine Corps does not teach its men to do such detestable and gravely  outrageous things, none of the military services do; but neither do they teach them not to do them, or demand that honorable conduct be peer-enforced.  Therein lays the problem, honorable conduct taking a back seat to fellowship and camaraderie among fellow servicemen, particularly marines.  And not just honorable conduct but humane, moral conduct as well!

And no, these are not only isolated cases that occur; only isolated in how they come to be public knowledge, their frequency just a minuscule fraction of the instances in which they happen.  Ask any member of the military.  I have, and ‘been there myself.  If the academies do not demand, and unequivocally enforce, that honorable conduct be peer-enforced, how can such be expected to take place in the enlisted ranks?

Human rights and dignity have never been part of the military code of ethics, not in the officer nor in the enlisted ranks.  In fact, ethics most often stands in the way of all military missions no matter how we try to rationalize soldiers’ behavior, embellish it, or try to find glory where there is none.   American citizenry, no different from that in other countries, has been content to have its military stick to vague or irrelevant terminology such as that used at the Military Academy at West Point: “Duty, Honor and Country.”

West Point’s Cadet Honor Code, similar to that of the other military academies, states that “A cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal…” but it took until 1970 to have a most important clause added, as military criminal behavior in Vietnam was becoming better known through inductees returning home, or tolerate those who do. And, as it became evident with the cheating scandal at Annapolis just two decades ago, misguided loyalty to their peers persists, appearing to take precedence over any established code of conduct.  And that, no matter how often it is denied, is an irrefutable fact.

In any event, it is less about honor and more about morality, two things that all too often we tend to use interchangeably.  Our own “Sage of Baltimore”, H. L. Mencken, proved to be right on target when he stated that “the difference between a moral man and a man of honor is that the latter regrets a discreditable act, even when it has worked and he has not been caught” [Chrestomathy 617].

A well-known four-star general (US Army, retired) and television military analyst, Barry McCaffrey, when commenting on this recent marine incident eluded to the fact that soldiers under similar circumstances [assumed to be in combat or post-combat] can walk a fine line between acting normal and becoming animals.  I am sure he meant irrational, for most animals have set behaviors, and seldom develop deviant ones.

That brings me to man and his best friend in the animal kingdom: the dog. For whatever reasons, invalid and repulsive to many of us, man (or at least some men) has decided to breed and train dogs with some undesirable characteristics, such as combative ferocity and instinct to kill.  Americans have done a masterful job in this regard with the Pit Bull Terrier.  And now, we as a nation are doing the same thing with the young men we are sending to fight our illegitimate wars – not to cast legitimacy to any war.  Our grunts and junior officers have become the pit bulls fighting the wars, the military brass and the nation as a whole becoming their handlers, directly responsible for their amoral acts.

No one in the world is going to buy into our defensive hypocrisy of this incident, Madame Clinton.  If we don’t want “shit to happen,” let’s just stop having these wars.  Better yet, let’s tell the world our hypocrisy is coming to an end by renaming our Department of Defense for what it really is, our Department of War.

Ben Tanosborn is a syndicated columnist. He can be reached at tanosborn@yahoo.com

Ben’s website: www.tanosborn.com