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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Neeka who wrote (22358)	12/31/2003 8:09:45 PM
From: LindyBill	Respond to of 793738

Iraq's illegal arms imports via Syrian intermediary The American Thinker The Los Angeles Times redeems a few of its many sins today, with a blockbuster investigative scoop detailing Syria’s extensive role in violating sanctions on the supply of arms to Saddam Hussein. The original incriminating documents were uncovered by Christophe Reuter, an investigative journalist working for Stern, the German news magazine, just days after American troops entered Baghdad. For unspecified reasons, Reuter later provided the documents to the LAT, which devoted 3 months to corroborating the documents with interviews around the globe. It is highly unusual for a reporter of one news organization to supply the makings of a high-impact worldwide scoop to another news organization located in another country. One wonders if Stern’s editors were less than receptive to pursuing a story which showed knowing European collaboration in violation of UN sanctions. Among the countries whose manufacturers knowingly supplied forbidden items to Iraq were Poland, Slovenia, Russia, and (of course) North Korea. The items supplied included tank barrels, missile engines, sophisticated communications gear for air defense, surveillance and communications gear for security services, and major components for ballistic missiles. In a delicious irony, the ballistic missile components, which were to be supplied by North Korea, were never delivered, but the Norks never refunded the $10 million paid in advance by Saddam. According to the LAT, The North Koreans said, “It's too hot to refund your money." Anyone contemplating constructing an agreement with the North Korean regime would be well-advised to consider this characteristic behavior. The Syrian company which was the primary vehicle for conducting this forbidden trade was Al Bashair Trading Co., whose owners include close relatives of Syrian president Bashar Assad. The Director General of Al Bashair’s large Baghdad office fled to Syria during the American invasion, and remains there living under government protection. Syria paid for the illegal arms imports through phony contracts with Al Bashair to import sugar, in which vast overpayments were applied to arms instead. Not so incidentally, these phony funds transfers, which amounted to billions of dollars over the years, apparently also found their way to private bank accounts of various officials, from time to time. Iraq also supplied considerable amounts of black market oil to Syria as well, via two pipelines. Interestingly enough, the United States does not appear overly eager to retaliate to either Syria or the individual companies involved. Syria’s hereditary president Assad has been cooperating with the United States on a number of issues of importance regarding Iraq and also Lebanon. While far from a model citizen of the world, Assad has cleaned up his act enough to avoid being the target of American wrath, at least for the time being. Tempting though it would be to exact swift and horrible vengeance on all the miscreants, allies of former enemies often have their practical utility, particularly when one has incriminating evidence to hold over their heads. As time goes on, and translations are made of other captured documents, we will learn much more about exactly who did what during the period that UN sanctions were supposedly bringing Iraq to its knees. americanthinker.com

To: Neeka who wrote (22358)	1/1/2004 2:38:46 AM
From: KLP	Respond to of 793738

Re Nation of Islam and Michael Jackson...Looks like one of his brother's was the official source of NoI "working" with him... Brother Says Nation Of Islam Protecting Jackson Jermaine Jackson Talks To MSNBC nbc4.tv POSTED: 8:11 AM PST December 31, 2003 UPDATED: 9:41 AM PST December 31, 2003 LOS ANGELES -- Michael Jackson's brother said members of the Nation of Islam areinvolved in the pop star's life. Jermaine Jackson acknowledged for the first time that members of the black Muslim group are providing security for his brother, who's facing child molestation charges in California. He told MSNBC "We didn't ask them to pray. We asked them to secure him." Michael Jackson's lawyer and others close to him previously denied that the group was involved with the pop star's affairs. Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 8888888888888888888888888888888 Is Nation Of Islam Helping Jacko? nynewsday.com THE ASSOCIATED PRESS December 31, 2003 Members of the Nation of Islam have begun playing a role in Michael Jackson's affairs, AP has learned, although the controversial group denies having any official part in the pop star's life. Sources close to the Jackson camp, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AP that Nation of Islam members have handled security at the singer's Neverland ranch and have begun taking over some of his business affairs since he was accused of committing lewd acts on a child. The sources have been involved in Jackson's business affairs for at least a year, and each independently provided the details concerning the Nation of Islam links to the singer. The group, which in the past has been accused of anti-Semitism and inflammatory, separatist rhetoric, issued a statement Monday after receiving inquiries from AP and other news organizations. "The Nation of Islam, in response to several inquiries, has said today that it has no official business or professional relationship with Mr. Michael Jackson," the statement said. "The Nation of Islam joins thousands of other people in wishing him well." Jackson's attorney, Mark Geragos, also dismissed the reports and denied that Nation of Islam members had been working out of Geragos' office. "They are not part of his defense," Geragos said. "I'm certainly not pushing away support from anyone, but I don't ask people what their religious affiliation is when they offer support." Copyright © 2003, Newsday, Inc.