Dhimmitude! Danish Newspaper Provokes Uproar with Apology Over Muhammad Cartoon
There’s a fool born every minute! Shame on you, Mr Seidenfaden! Shame on your newspaper, too! It is to be hoped that the Danes will, from now on, boycott your newspaper. – Mark
TIMES ONLINE: A leading Danish newspaper was today accused of betraying the freedom of the press after breaking ranks with its rivals to offer an apology to Muslims for publishing a cartoon depicting the prophet Muhammad with a bomb-shaped turban.

Politiken issued the apology after settling with a Saudi lawyer representing eight Muslim groups that complained after the cartoon was reprinted by 11 Danish papers in solidarity with the cartoonist Kurt Westergaard, who received death threats last year.

Outrage at the move was led by Denmark’s Prime Minister and by Mr Westergaard, 74, who survived an alleged assassination attempt by an Islamic axeman at his home last month.

Politiken responded that it was apologising for the offence caused, not the decision to publish, in an attempt to reduce tensions with the Muslim world.

Lars Loekke Rasmussen, the Prime Minister, expressed surprise at Politiken's move, saying he was worried that the Danish media were no longer “standing shoulder to shoulder” on the issue.

Mr Westergaard, who has round-the-clock security, added: “I fear this is a setback for the freedom of speech.” >>> David Charter, Europe Correspondent | Friday, February 26, 2010

THE GUARDIAN: Danish newspaper apologises in Muhammad cartoons row: Politiken widely condemned for agreeing to publish apology in return for Muslim organisations dropping legal action

A Danish newspaper apologised today to eight Muslim organisations for the offence it caused by reprinting controversial cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad, in exchange for their dropping legal action against the newspaper. >>> Lars Eriksen in Copenhagen | Friday, February 26, 2010

World Condemns Gaddafi's Call for Jihad Against Switzerland
THE TELEGRAPH: World powers have reacted with outrage to a call by Colonel Gaddafi of Libya for holy war on the "obscene, infidel" state of Switzerland.

Col Gaddafi took a long-running and personal feud with the historically neutral European country to new heights with a speech in which he attacked the ban on new minarets on mosques approved by a Swiss referendum last year.

"Those who destroy God's mosques deserve to be attacked through jihad, and if Switzerland was on our borders, we would fight it," he said. "Jihad against Switzerland, against Zionism, against foreign aggression is not terrorism."

He called for a boycott of Switzerland by the Islamic world. "Any Muslim in any part of the world who works with Switzerland is an apostate, is against Mohammad, God and the Koran," he said.

"The masses of Muslims must go to all airports in the Islamic world and prevent any Swiss plane landing, to all harbours and prevent any Swiss ships docking, inspect all shops and markets to stop any Swiss goods being sold."

Col Gaddafi's typically eccentric row with Switzerland, which began when one of his sons was arrested along with his wife because of allegations of abuse by two members of his domestic staff, has come as a blow to western powers.

They thought that they had managed to tame the Libyan leader after he voluntarily gave up a basic nuclear weapons programme in 2003 and agreed a compensation deal over the Lockerbie bombing.

Yesterday, both the European Union and the United Nations hit out at his speech. >>> Richard Spencer, Middle East Correspondent | Friday, February 26, 2010

Conversion au christianisme en Algérie

Conversion au christianisme en Algérie "Djam's"
Uploaded by kadosh777. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

Ex-Muslim Barino über Islam und Gewalt – Violence in Islam

Ex-Muslim Barino über Islam und Gewalt - Violence in Islam
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Koran im Kopf / The Quran on My Mind
Teil / Part 1:



Teil / Part 2:



Teil / Part 3:



Diese Geschichte ist auch hier zu finden

Nine Dead in Kabul Bombing

«Il ne faut pas sous-estimer l'appel de Kadhafi»
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: DJIHAD CONTRE LA SUISSE | Selon l'expert en droit international Marcelo Kohen, les propos de Mouammar Kadhafi n'ont aucun écho auprès des gouvernements arabes, mais pourraient être entendus par des groupes terroristes.

Les propos agressifs du leader libyen ne sont pas une nouveauté. Interrogé par l'ATS, le professeur de droit international Marcelo Kohen rappelle qu'en septembre dernier, le colonel Kadhafi avait demandé aux Nations unies de mettre à l'ordre du jour de l'Asssemblée générale la dissolution de la Suisse.

"Ces actes sont graves. Il existe une menace contre la Suisse. Elle peut effectivement saisir le Conseil de sécurité et lui demander de prendre les mesures nécessaires dans le contexte de ses compétences pour le maintien de la paix et de la sécurité internationales", affirme M. Kohen.

"Mais dans cette affaire, la Suisse n'est pas totalement blanche et ne peut se poser uniquement en victime", ajoute ce professeur à l'Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement (IHEID) à Genève. >>> ATS | Vendredi 26 Février 2010

Kadhafi appelle à la guerre sainte contre la Suisse
Mouammar Kadhafi a multiplié les provocations à l'encontre de la Suisse depuis 2008. Crédits photo : Le Figaro
LE FIGARO: Jeudi, le dirigeant libyen a également demandé aux musulmans du monde entier de boycotter les produits helvétiques. En cause : l'interdiction des minarets, décidée en novembre. Une provocation qui attise la tension entre Berne et Tripoli.

Mouammar Kadhafi a encore frappé. Le guide de la révolution libyenne, adepte des déclarations provocatrices, a appelé jeudi à la guerre sainte contre la Suisse. Il a également demandé aux pays musulmans du monde entier de boycotter les produits suisses d'interdire les avions et navires helvètes dans leurs ports et aéroports.

La raison de cette nouvelle diatribe ? L'interdiction de la construction de nouveaux minarets en Suisse, décidée par référendum en novembre dernier. «Ceux qui détruisent les mosquées de Dieu méritent d'être attaqués par le djihad et si la Suisse était à nos frontières, nous la combattrions», a déclaré Kadhafi qui s'exprimait avant un rassemblement marquant l'anniversaire de la naissance du prophète Mahomet. Avant de reprendre: «Boycottez la Suisse. Boycottez ses marchandises, boycottez ses avions, ses navires, ses ambassades, boycottez cette race mécréante, apostate, qui agresse des maisons d'Allah». Une tirade d'une violence rare chez un chef d'Etat, généralement réservée aux réseaux terroristes islamistes.

Vendredi, l'ONU a répondu aux menaces de Kadhafi par la voix de son directeur général, basé au siège européen de Genève. Serguei Ordzhonikidze a déclaré que «de telles déclarations de la part d'un chef d'Etat sont inadmissibles dans le cadre des relations internationales». Paris juge de son côté «inacceptable» l'appel du dirigeant libyen. Côté suisse, la réaction officielle se fait toujours attendre. Jeudi, le porte-parole du ministère des Affaires étrangères Lars Knuchel n'a pas voulu commenter ces déclarations. Sur cette affaire, Berne semble vouloir faire preuve de prudence et de diplomatie. >>> Par Jim Jarrassé | Vendredi 26 Février 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: Colonel Gaddafi calls for jihad against Switzerland: Colonel Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, has called for a jihad or armed struggle against Switzerland branding it an "infidel state". >>> Martin Evans | Friday, February 26, 2010

Related / Liens en relation avec les articles:

Gaddafi Calls for Holy War on Switzerland >>> | Thursday, February 25, 2010

Obama Appreciates Islam and the Koran

Obama Recites The Islamic Call To Prayer In Perfect Arabic / The Adhan

Violence in Thailand's Muslim South Intensifies - VOA Story (2007)


Hat tip: Islamization Watch

The Falklands Betrayal: U.S. Fails to Back British Oil Claims After Row Over American Torture Secrets
MAIL ONLINE: Hillary Clinton 'prepared to mediate' in Falklands row / Spanish oil company to drill near Falklands

U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton is due to meet with Argentina's president amid accusations of a snub to Britain over America's refusal to support the UK in the Falklands oil drilling row.

Mrs Clinton is to meet Cristina Ferndandez de Kirchner in Uruguay on March 1, Argentina's ambassador to the U.S. has announced.

Hopes are high in Argentina that Mrs Clinton will intervene on the country's behalf in the row with Britain over the disputed territory.

Respected Argentine newspaper La Nacion quoted State Department sources that claimed Mrs Clinton was 'prepared to mediate' in the row.

America's lack of support for Britain was last night blamed on the UK's decision to release sensitive U.S. intelligence on a terror suspect.

President Barack Obama was accused of being 'feeble' by failing to back London in the stand-off with Argentina over the disputed islands, despite the 'special relationship'.

Mrs Clinton and Mrs Kirchner are meeting in Uruguay as they attend the presidential inauguration there of José Mujica.

Argentina already has the support of Latin America and the Caribbean in the row with Britain, and regional leaders are expected to press the case with Mrs Clinton.

London and Buenos Aires are at odds over UK firm Desire Petroleum's decision to drill for oil 60 miles north of the Falklands.

Geologists estimate there are up to 60billion barrels of oil in the seabed.

The Argentine government has tabled a UN resolution condemning the plan. It has also secured backing from 32 South American nations supporting its claim that Britain has occupied the islands illegally since 1833.

But despite Argentina's sabrerattling, senior U.S. officials insist Washington's position on the oil drilling is neutral.

It is also 'taking no position' on the issue of sovereignty of the islands in the South Atlantic. >>> Ian Drury | Friday, February 26, 2010

'Racist' School Bus Drivers 'Refusing to Stop for Young Muslim Girls Who Are Wearing the Hijab'
MAIL ONLINE: School bus drivers have been accused of racism after failing to stop for pupils wearing Muslim hijabs.

Young girls have claimed they are being bullied on board for dressing in the traditional veil which covers the head.

To avoid trouble, ‘cowardly’ drivers are allegedly ignoring pupils who wait at bus stops wearing the headscarf.

Following a police investigation, officers will now be drafted on to board the buses to protect the students from ‘racist’ taunts of other passengers.

The problems centre on Merseytravel and pupils attending West Derby's Holly Lodge Girls' College in Merseyside, where 10 per cent of the 11,274 11 to 18-year-old students are from ethnic minorities.

Members of the Muslim community said the issue was a long-running one. >>> Carol Driver | Friday, February 26, 2010

Eine deutsche Apostatin aus einer türkischen Familie spricht / A German Apostate of Islam from a Turkish Family Speaks

Farage Facing Punishment
EUROPEAN VOICE: Personal attack on Belgian leader of the EU's highest body lands UK Eurosceptic in hot water.

The leader of the UK Independence Party's group in the European Parliament may be punished for attacking the president of the European Council in highly personal terms in a debate yesterday.

Aides to the Parliament's president, Jerzy Buzek, said he was “exploring appropriate measures” against Nigel Farage, who said Herman Van Rompuy had “the charisma of a damp rag”.

He continued in a similar vein by comparing the head of the EU's top institution to a “low-grade bank clerk” and labelled the ex-Belgian premier's country “pretty much a non-country”.

Buzek also intends to summon Farage for private discussions. Buzek has already described Farage's “character assassinations” as “inadmissible.” >>> Constant Brand | Thursday, February 25, 2010

Swiss Irrationality Drags EU into Dispute with Friendly Libya
THE TRIPOLI POST: Last week Libya announced it would cease issuing visas to citizens of European countries in the Schengen zone.

Even citizens currently in possession of visas would be denied entry. The reason was some irrational decisions made by the Swiss government starting in the summer of 2008.

In doing so, Libya was merely retaliating to rather unjustified Swiss government's decision to blacklist 186 Libyans.

The Swiss action means that no Schengen country, can issue full Schengen visas to the Libyans on the blacklist.

By doing so, the government of Switzerland dragged the whole of the EU countries into unnecessary dispute with an ever friendly Libya where these Europeans are finding ample business opportunities.

Knowing that Bern was acting irresponsibly and continuously failing to solve a problem that should have been solved long ago, Italy, Spain and Malta moved to help mediate between Tripoli and Bern.

On Thursday, Libyan Secretary of Foreign Liaison Mr. Mousa Kousa held talks in Madrid with Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline-Calmy Rey days after Tripoli blocked visas to citizens of the 25-nation Schengen Area. The talks were mediated by Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos whose country holds the presidency of the Council of the EU.

"There has been progress and overall a will to find a solution, but I cannot hide the difficulty, the difficult situation which Libyan and Swiss authorities are in at the moment," Moratinos told a news conference on Thursday.

"There are advances and the will to find a solution, but it is a difficult situation at the moment," said Moratinos, who met with the two ministers both separately and jointly.

Kousa did not comment on the talks and Calmy-Rey only said the three countries would "keep working" in the search for a solution.

There is a possibility that the negotiations to solve the dispute that entangled the rest of Europe will continue in Berlin on Friday.

Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has said Switzerland, which earlier this year operationally joined the Schengen zone of free movement for people in Europe, was abusing the agreement.

Frattini told Italian media that Swiss tensions with Libya were holding "hostage" the 25 member Schengen zone and that the Alpine country could have avoided the current troubles. >>> | Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Egyptian Priests Ate Like Gods – and Paid by Dying Young
A wealthy couple bring gifts to Osiris. After rituals, priests and their families ate the rich food offered to the gods. Image: Times Online
TIMES ONLINE: The banquets offered by high priests to appease the gods of Ancient Egypt may have been welcomed as a perk of the job but they also increased their chances of cardiovascular disease and early death, research suggests.

The priests, a powerful bureaucracy under the pharaohs, would place vast plates of roast fowl and copious quantities of wine and beer before a god’s statue in a rite repeated three times each day. Then the food was divided up among the priesthood and taken home from the temple to be shared with their families.

Egyptologists and scientists at the University of Manchester have disclosed in The Lancet the cost of keeping the gods happy. By combining translations of hieroglyphic inscriptions on temple walls showing details of food offered to the gods with analysis of mummified remains, they have assessed their atherosclerosis, the build-up of fat and calcium in the arteries.

The findings show that cardiovascular disease affected the privileged of Ancient Egypt long before fried food and a sedentary life made heart attacks and strokes a modern killer. Rosalie David, of the university’s KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology, said that it was a telling message: “Live like a god and you will pay with your health.” >>> Russell Jenkins | Friday, February 26, 2010

North Dakota’s Oil Boom

Violent French Husbands 'May Be Tagged'
BBC: Men seen as likely to be violent towards their wives could be forced to wear an electronic tag under a law being debated by the French parliament.

The tag would have to be worn by men who have received a court order to stay away from their partner.

The proposal is part of a draft law on conjugal violence. It has cross-party support and is expected to pass easily.

According to the government, around 160 women in France are murdered by their husbands or partners every year.

Parliament is also considering outlawing psychological violence in the home, because it is seen by many as a precursor to physical violence.

It is rare for the left and the right in France to agree on anything, says the BBC's Hugh Schofield, so the near unanimity in parliament behind this law comes as something of a novelty.

Everyone agrees that domestic violence is bad and getting worse. >>> | Thursday, February 25, 2010

Farage 'Really Unhappy' with the EU
BBC – Today: A British Eurosceptic MEP has unleashed a volley of insults against the President of the European Council.

Nigel Farage, who leads UK Independence Party (Ukip) MEPS in the European parliament, said Herman Van Rompuy had "the charisma of a damp rag".

Mr Farage told the Today programme that he was expressing his anger "dangerous people" who continued to expand the powers of the EU. Listen to audio here >>> | Thursday, February 25, 2010

Saudi Teacher on Trial for Funding Jakarta Hotel Bombs
BBC: A retired Saudi Arabian schoolteacher has been charged with providing the funds for the deadly attacks on two luxury hotels in Jakarta last July.

Al Khelaiw Ali Abdullah, 55, is accused of funnelling money through an internet cafe in West Java.

He is the fourth person to go on trial this month over the Jakarta bombings - along with the suspected driver, bag-man and helpers in the attacks.

The twin hotel suicide bombings killed seven people and injured 50 more.

The BBC's Indonesia correspondent Karishma Vaswani says that Mr Abdullah came to Indonesia from Saudi Arabia in November 2008. Denies charges >>> | Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Barack Obama Health Care Summit Descends into Bickering
THE TELEGRAPH: It did not take long for the bipartisan health care summit to degenerate into the kind of bickering and points-scoring that has created a crescendo of anger about the conduct of politics in Washington.

President Barack Obama preached that the White House health care summit should not be "political theatre where we're just playing to the camera" or about trading "respective talking points". Then he reminded his 2008 opponent John McCain: "We're not campaigning any more. The election is over."

The barely concealed message was: "I won and you lost, buddy." When Mitch McConnell, the Senate Minority Leader, grumbled that Democrats had talked for 52 minutes and Republicans just 24, Mr Obama shot back: "I'm the President. I didn't count my time."

From the moment Mr Obama crossed Pennsylvania Avenue to Blair House (which is normally occupied by visiting diplomats) flanked by aides and Secret Service agents, it was clear the President meant business. He looked like an extra from Reservoir Dogs – only the shades were missing.

When the garrulous Vice President Joe Biden was a little tardy is getting to his seat, Mr Obama chided him: "Come on, Biden!" Reprising the message that the voters of Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts had rejected overwhelmingly, Mr Obama made the case that a trillion-dollar overhaul of the American health-care system was essential to rescue the ailing economy.

His opening remarks were a campaign speech in all but name. He had little new to say, evening admitting: "I'm telling you things all of you already know."

There were the customary cloying references to family. "I can certainly remember Malia coming into the kitchen one day and saying, 'I can't breathe, Daddy', and us having to rush her to the emergency room because she had asthma," Mr Obama said. >>> Toby Harnden in Washington | Thursday, February 25, 2010

Barack Obama's Healthcare Plea Falls on Deaf Ears in TV Debate
TIMES ONLINE: Thirteen months into his presidency, Barack Obama invited 40 congressional leaders to an unprecedented meeting today at which he challenged Republicans to forge consensus on an issue that threatens to bankrupt the American economy and derail his ambition of transforming American society.

His challenge on healthcare fell largely on deaf ears, but it brought moments of high drama including a bitter rebuke of Mr Obama’s governing style over the past year from his former opponent, Senator John McCain. Mr Obama responded: “We’re not campaigning, John. The election’s over.”

Six hours of televised debate left uncertain the fate of the most ambitious social legislation in a generation – the reform of a health insurance system that accounts for nearly a sixth of the US gross domestic product. It has become a proxy for an even broader battle between liberals who last year sensed an historic chance reinvent the federal government in favour of the poor, and conservatives determined to bury Mr Obama’s campaign promises of change and render him a one-term president.

The stakes for the President were even higher than for the uninsured. As one commentator from his home town of Chicago put it: “Obama needs a victory… Either that, or he faces irrelevancy and insurrection.” >>> Giles Whittell, Washington | Thursday, February 25, 2010

Homophobic and Anti-Semitic Preacher Invited to London University
PINK NEWS: A Muslim cleric who has called Jews “filth” and gay people “sick” has been invited to speak at a London university tonight (Thursday).

Sheikh Abdullah Hakim Quick will be speaking at the Strand campus of Kings College tonight on “Islamic solutions to environmental problems”, as part of the university’s green week.

Sheikh Quick was featured on a New Zealand television programme in 2003 where he called Jewish people “filth”, said gays were “not natural” and warned that Islam’s position on homosexuality was “death”.

Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell accused him of “coming close” to advocating violence against gays and said university bosses were too “weak and cowardly” to prevent such clerics visiting campuses >>> Jessica Geen | Thursday, February 25, 2010

Niederlande: Den Koran verbieten!
ZEIT ONLINE: Die Niederlande stehen vor einer Neuwahl. Der Populist Geert Wilders hat gute Chancen

Gibt sich als Anwalt der kleinen Bürger und ist antiislamisch: Rechtspopulist Geert Wilders. Foto: Zeit Online
Diesen Niederländer halten viele für einen Fanatiker, einen bedenkenlosen Populisten und Hetzer. Er sei besessen von der Vorstellung, Europa sei bedroht durch eine gigantische Welle der Islamisierung, es nahe das Ende der westlichen Kultur. Ist so einer mit einer derart fixen Idee nicht selbst gefährlich für die liberale Demokratie?

Die Frage ist wichtig, denn Geert Wilders könnte vor einer neuen Stufe seiner Karriere stehen. In den Niederlanden ist die Regierung zerbrochen, am 9. Juni wird das Parlament neu gewählt. Wilders wird seit Monaten in den Meinungsumfragen hoch gehandelt. Anfang März, bei den landesweiten Kommunalwahlen, wird er seine Stärke wohlkalkuliert nur in zwei Gemeinden testen, in Den Haag und in einer modernen Satellitensiedlung in der Nähe Amsterdams. Wilders wird in jedem Fall zu den Gewinnern zählen.

Der 46-jährige Abgeordnete nennt den Koran vergleichbar mit Adolf Hitlers Mein Kampf, weshalb er verboten gehöre. Der Islam sei »faschistisch und krank«, und die Kriminalität muslimischer Jugendlicher sei ein Produkt ihrer Religion und Kultur. Finanzpolitisch noch nicht ganz ausgegoren wirkt Wilders’ Forderung nach einer Kopftuchsteuer. >>> Von Werner A. Perger | Donnerstag, 25. Februar 2010

Kommentar:

Geert Wilders ist kein Rechtspopulist, und er ist auch nicht “besessen” von einer falschen Vorstellung von der Bedrohung von Islam. Eigentlich, ist es eine Tatsache, daß Europa vor einer "gigantischen Welle" der Islamisierung steht. Leider, haben andere Politiker den Mut nicht dazu, etwas dagegen zu tun. Geert Wilders hat den erforderlichen Mut, und deshalb gehört er an der Spitze der Politik in den Niederlanden. – © Mark

Gaddafi Declares Holy War (Jihad) On Switzerland! Ghadhafi ruft zum Jihad gegen die Schweiz: Grosse Rede im libyschen Fernsehen
NZZ ONLINE: Der libysche Staatschef Muammar al-Ghadhafi hat zum heiligen Krieg (Jihad) gegen die Schweiz aufgerufen. In einer Rede in Bengasi bezeichnete der libysche Revolutionsführer die Schweiz wegen des Minarett-Verbots als «ungläubig» und «abtrünnig».

Der libysche Staatschef Muammar al-Ghadhafi hat am Donnerstag zum heiligen Krieg (Jihad) mit allen Mitteln gegen die Schweiz aufgerufen. In einer Rede in Bengasi bezeichnete der libysche Revolutionsführer die Schweiz als «ungläubig» und vom Glauben «abgefallen»; er begründete seine Vorwürfe mit dem im November beschlossenen Minarett-Verbot. Er behauptete auch, in der Schweiz würden Moscheen zerstört. >>> (sda/afp/Reuters)/awy | Donnerstag, 25. Februar 2010

Gaddafi Calls for Jihad Against Swiss
HERALD SUN: LIBYAN leader Muammar Gaddafi has turned up the heat in his country's dispute with Switzerland, calling for jihad against it over a ban on the construction of minarets.

"It is against unbelieving and apostate Switzerland that jihad (holy war) ought to be proclaimed by all means," Mr Gaddafi said in a speech in the Mediterranean coastal city of Bengazi to mark the birthday of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed.

"Jihad against Switzerland, against Zionism, against foreign aggression is not terrorism," he said.

"Any Muslim around the world who has dealings with Switzerland is an infidel (and is) against Islam, against Mohammed, against God, against the Koran," the leader told a crowd of thousands in a speech broadcast live on television.

In a November 29 referendum, Swiss voters approved by a margin of 57.5 per cent a ban on the construction in their country of minarets, the towers that are a signature part of mosques. >>> From correspondents for Herald Sun in Bengazi, AFP | Friday, February 26, 2010

Minarets: Le colonel Kadhafi appelle au djihad contre la Suisse
LE TEMPS: Le numéro un libyen Mouammar Kadhafi a appelé jeudi au djihad (guerre sainte) contre la Suisse qu’il a qualifiée de «mécréante» et d’«apostate» suite à l’interdiction de la construction des minarets dans la confédération

«C’est contre la Suisse mécréante et apostate qui détruit les maisons d’Allah que le djihad doit être proclamé par tous les moyens», a déclaré le colonel Kadhafi dans un discours à Benghazi (est) à l’occasion de la fête du Mouloud qui commémore la naissance du Prophète Mahomet.

Pour le numéro un libyen, «le djihad contre la Suisse, contre le sionisme, contre l’agression étrangère (...) , n’est pas du terrorisme». >>> AFP | Jeudi 25 Février 2010

Gaddafi ruft zum "Heiligen Krieg" gegen Schweiz auf
KRONE.at: Der libysche Revolutionsführer Muammar Gaddafi hat die Muslime zum Heiligen Krieg gegen die Schweiz aufgerufen. Die Eidgenossenschaft sei ein ungläubiger Staat, in dem Moscheen zerstört würden, erklärte Gaddafi am Donnerstag in Benghazi. "Jeder Muslim in der Welt, der mit der Schweiz zusammenarbeitet, ist ein Abtrünniger und gegen den Propheten Mohammed, Gott und den Koran." >>> | Donnerstag, 25. Februar 2010

Gaddafi will Heiligen Krieg gegen die Schweiz
SUEDDEUTSCHE.de: Libyens Machthaber poltert wieder einmal gegen die Schweiz - und ruft diesmal zum Heiligen Krieg gegen das Land auf. Kurzmeldungen im Überblick.

Muammar Gaddafi rief während einer Rede vor Anhängern in Benghasi zum Heiligen Krieg gegen die Schweiz auf. Foto: Sueddeutsche.de
Noch Ende vergangenen Jahres hatte der selbst ernannte "König von Afrika" gefordert, die Schweiz abzuschaffen. Nun wettert der libysche Revolutionsführer Muammar Gaddafi wieder gegen das Alpenland - und ruft zum Heiligen Krieg auf.

Die Schweiz sei ein ungläubiger Staat, in dem Moscheen zerstört würden, erklärte Gaddafi in Benghasi. "Jeder Muslim in der Welt, der mit der Schweiz zusammenarbeitet, ist ein Abtrünniger und gegen (den Propheten) Mohammed, Gott und den Koran."

Gaddafi forderte außerdem die Muslime auf, Schweizer Produkte zu boykottieren und ihre See- und Flughäfen für die Schiffe und Flugzeuge der Eidgenossen zu sperren. "Diejenigen, die Gottes Moscheen zerstören, verdienen es, mit einem Dschihad angegriffen zu werden. Würde die Schweiz an unserer Grenze liegen, würden wir gegen sie kämpfen", wurde Gaddafi von der amtlichen Nachrichtenagentur Jana aus einer Rede vor Anhängern zitiert. >>> apn/Reuters | Donnerstag, 25. Februar 2010

Gaddafi Calls for Jihad Against Switzerland
THE GUARDIAN: Libyan leader labels Switzerland an infidel state, escalating vendetta against country whose police once arrested his son

Libya's leader, Muammar Gaddafi, ­yesterday called for a jihad, or holy war, against Switzerland, in an escalation of his vendetta against the country where police once arrested his son.

At a meeting in the city of Benghazi to mark the prophet Muhammad's birthday, Gaddafi described the country as an infidel state that was "destroying" mosques. Last year he urged the UN to abolish Switzerland and divide it between Germany, France and Italy.

"Any Muslim in any part of the world who works with Switzerland is an apostate – is against Muhammad, God and the Qur'an," Gaddafi said.

Swiss voters last November backed a referendum proposal banning the building of minarets. The proposal was put forward by the Swiss People's party, (SVP), the largest party in parliament, which claims minarets are a sign of Islamisation. The move was opposed by the government, which argued that it would harm Switzerland's image, particularly in the Muslim world.

Gaddafi has nursed a grudge against Switzerland since his son Hannibal and daughter-in-law were arrested in Geneva in 2008 for allegedly beating two servants at a luxury hotel. The Gaddafis were released soon afterwards and the charges dropped. But the Libyan leader was so enraged by his son's two-day detention that he shut subsidiaries of Swiss firms in Libya, had two Swiss businessmen arrested, cancelled most flights between the two states and withdrew about $5bn (£3.2bn) from his Swiss bank accounts.

One of the Swiss businessmen has been freed, but the other was forced this week to leave the Swiss embassy in Tripoli, where he had sought refuge, and move to jail to serve a four-month term, in an apparent bid to appease the Libyan leader. >>> Mark Tran | Friday, February 26, 2010

Muammar Gaddafi Calls for Jihad on Swiss After Ban on Building Minarets
TIMES ONLINE: Muammar Gaddafi has appealed for jihad against Switzerland, long regarded as one of the most peaceful nations in the world.

The Libyan leader’s call for a holy war was, he said, a response to a Swiss referendum in November to ban the construction of minarets on mosques.

It is the low point in a relationship that has been deteriorating since 2008 when Colonel Gaddafi’s son Hannibal was briefly detained in Geneva after allegedly beating his servants.

“Any Muslim in any part of the world who works with Switzerland is an apostate, is against (the Prophet) Muhammad, God and the Koran,” Colonel Gaddafi said at a rally broadcast on television.

He made the speech to mark the Prophet’s birthday, ensuring that many Arabs would take the call seriously.

It was not clear how he wanted Muslims to target Switzerland. “The masses of Muslims must go to all airports in the Islamic world and prevent any Swiss plane landing, to all harbours and prevent any Swiss ships docking,” he said, apparently unaware that Switzerland does not have a merchant navy, or coast. >>> Roger Boyes | Friday, February 26, 2010

A Group of Spanish Catholics Convert to Islam

La montée d'un islam fondamentaliste inquiète les autorités catalanes en Espagne
LE MONDE: La vieille ferme abandonnée à l'entrée de Valls, petite ville près de Tarragone, a-t-elle été le siège d'un "tribunal islamique" au printemps dernier ? Les six hommes mis sous les verrous en novembre 2009 pour avoir condamné à mort une jeune Marocaine accusée d'adultère en application de la charia, viennent d'être remis en liberté sous caution. La jeune femme, aujourd'hui retournée au Maroc, ne s'est pas présentée aux convocations du juge d'instruction. Et le récit qu'elle avait fait de son enlèvement, puis de son jugement "par douze hommes en turban", suscite de sérieux doutes.

Pourtant, les mossos (la police de la Generalitat de Catalogne) l'avaient prise au sérieux, enquêtant pendant des mois avant de lancer leur coup de filet dans les milieux musulmans ultraconservateurs, très implantés dans la région tarragonaise. "Peut-être qu'il ne s'est rien passé, mais le fait que cela ait pu paraître plausible témoigne d'une construction de la peur autour du salafisme", estime l'anthropologue José Moreiras, de l'université Rovira i Virgili de Tarragone.

La Catalogne s'inquiète de la montée du discours fondamentaliste au sein de la communauté musulmane, forte de 350 000 membres, dont 250 000 Marocains. Sur les 180 mosquées recensées, plus de cinquante seraient contrôlées par des associations liées au salafisme. "Cela ne nous fait pas peur, mais nous sommes en alerte car des personnes passent des messages de non-intégration et d'hostilité au pays d'accueil", admet Mohammed Chaib, député socialiste au Parlement catalan.

Ce musulman d'origine marocaine plaide pour une meilleure reconnaissance de la communauté musulmane qui doit encore, après trente ans de présence, se contenter de garages, de caves ou d'anciens bâtiments industriels comme lieux de culte. Aucune municipalité n'a accepté la construction d'une mosquée. "Il y a aussi une crise dans le modèle d'organisation de l'islam en Catalogne, ajoute José Moreiras. Ce vide d'organisation, de doctrine et d'autorité au sein de la communauté favorise le discours simple et structuré du salafisme." >>> Jean-Jacques Bozonnet, Envoyé special du Monde, Tarragone | Jeudi 25 Février 2010

Martin Kramer on Radicalization, 2010 Herzliya Conference


Martin Kramer on the Middle East >>>

Le chef de la police algérienne assassiné par un collègue
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: ALGÉRIE | Ali Tounsi a été assassiné par balles jeudi par un de ses collaborateurs, a annoncé le ministère de l'Intérieur. Il a été abattu lors d'une réunion dans son bureau à Alger.

Durant une séance de travail au siège de la police, «un cadre de la police, apparemment pris d'une crise de démence, a utilsé son arme et blessé mortellement le colonel Ali Tounsi, après quoi il a retourné l'arme contre lui, se blessant gravement», a précisé un communiqué du ministère. >>> ATS/Reuters/AFP | Jeudi 25 Février 2010

Le Front national plagie l'affiche anti-minarets
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: FRANCE | Le Front national (FN) a repris le symbole des minarets en forme de missiles pour une campagne régionale en France. L'agence de communication suisse qui l'a conçue veut poursuivre le parti.

Intitulée "Non à l'islamisme", l'affiche émane du mouvement jeune du Front national (FNJ) de Provence-Alpes-Côtes-d'Azur. Crédits photo: Tribune de Genève
"C'est un vol! On va engager une action en justice contre ça. Nous allons lancer une procédure", indique Alexander Segert, directeur de l'agence Goal, dans une interview jeudi au quotidien "La Liberté", qui révèle l'affaire. "Notre agence va lutter avec tous les moyens contre ceux qui pillent nos idées. >>> ATS | Jeudi 25 Février 2010

L'Inde et le Pakistan tentent de renouer le dialogue
La secrétaire indienne aux Affaires étrangères, Nirupama Rao, a serré la main de son homologue pakistanais, Salman Bashir, jeudi à New Dehli. Crédits photo : Le Figaro
LE FIGARO: Les deux frères ennemis essayent jeudi de remettre sur les rails leurs discussions bilatérales, interrompues après les attentats de Bombay, en novembre 2008. Mais le terrorisme et le dossier du Cachemire continuent de miner leurs relations.

Voilà plus d'un an que l'Inde et le Pakistan ne s'étaient pas officiellement assis à la même table. La faute aux attentats de Bombay de novembre 2008, qui avaient fait 166 morts et avaient été attribués par l'Inde au groupe islamiste pakistanais Lashkar-e-Taiba. Depuis, les relations indo-pakistanaises s'étaient réduites au strict minimum diplomatique. La rencontre, jeudi à New Delhi, entre la secrétaire indienne aux Affaires étrangères Nirupama Rao et son homologue pakistanais Salman Bashir avait donc valeur de symbole.

Dans les gestes, d'abord : les deux diplomates se sont serrés la main devant un ancien palais royal, Hyderabad House, dans le centre de la capitale fédérale. Dans les mots, ensuite : «J'accueille le secrétaire aux Affaires Etrangères du Pakistan, M. Salman Bashir, ce matin et j'attends les discussions avec impatience», a déclaré Nirupama Rao. Les deux hauts fonctionnaires se sont entretenus durant une vingtaine de minutes avant d'être rejoints par leurs délégations respectives. L'Inde veut endiguer le terrorisme >>> Jim Jarrassé | Jeudi 25 Février 2010

THE TELEGRAPH: India-Pakistan talks end in acrimony: India and Pakistan's first talks since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks ended in acrimony as each accused the other of harbouring terrorists and tolerating human rights abuses. >>> Dean Nelson in New Delhi | Thursday, February 25, 2010

MPs Blast 'Ridiculous' Pay in RBS Bonus Row
TIMES ONLINE: Politicians rounded today on Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), the state-owned lender, over its decision to pay up to £1.7 billion in bonuses to bankers despite making a £3.6 billion loss during 2009.

The bank announced today that it would pay investments bankers from a £1.3 billion bonus pool while other staff would share in a £400 million reward.

George Osborne, the Shadow Chancellor, said that bankers’ pay had reached “ridiculous levels”, adding: “We have just got to look at the whole banking sector and try to bring this pay down.”

RBS’s loss for the 12 months to December 31 is less than the £5 billion expected and far below the £24.3 billion loss that RBS reported for 2008, a record for any British company.

But Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman, said: “RBS rewarding individual bankers is like a football team paying their striker for scoring when they’ve just been relegated."

RBS is 84 per cent owned by the British taxpayer after receiving billions of pounds of rescue funds from the state during the recession to save it from collapse.

The UKFI, the body set up by the Government to manage the state’s investment in British banks, yesterday granted RBS permission to pay the bonuses. >>> Francesca Steele | Thursday, February 25, 2010

Armeeführung unter Terrorverdacht: Ideologische Schlacht um die Zukunft der Türkei
WELT ONLINE: Plante das Militär einen Putsch, oder sind die Vorwürfe gegen die verhafteten Generäle haltlos? Derzeit wird die gesamte türkische Armeeführung von 2004 unter Terrorverdacht verhört. Details der Verfahren werden gezielt über islamische Medien verbreitet, die der Regierung von Recip Tayyip Erdogan nahestehen.

Die Generäle und Admirale der türkischen Streitkräfte betrachten sich als Diener der Republik und der türkischen Armee, die ihrer eigenen seltsamen Ideologie zufolge mehr ist als eine gewöhnlich Armee: Sie ist die Hand, die das Land führt. Regierungen kommen, und sie gehen , wenn sie der Armee widersprechen. So war es immer – bis jetzt.
Neuerdings ist es wohl so, dass Generäle kommen und dann gehen, wenn sie der Regierung von Ministerpräsident Recip Tayyip Erdogan widersprechen. Die gesamte Führung der Streitkräfte aus den Jahren 2003 und 2004 wurde in dieser Woche festgenommen und verhört; viele von ihnen kamen gleich darauf in Untersuchungshaft.

Türkischen Staatsanwälten zufolge sind die Herren in Uniform Mitglieder einer bewaffneten terroristischen Vereinigung. Und der Verdacht ist so allgemein, die Zahl der Verhafteten so groß, dass es nur einen Namen für diese Terrorgruppe geben kann, wenn die Staatsanwälte denn Recht haben. Sie heißt „TSK“ – das ist das Kürzel der türkischen Armee. >>> Von Boris Kálnoky | Donnerstag, 25. Februar 2010

DIE PRESSE: Erdogan will Armee unter seine Kontrolle bringen: Nach der Verhaftung von mutmaßlichen Putschoffizieren nützt der Premier die politische Gelegenheit. >>> | Donnerstag, 25. Februar 2010

Niederlande: Balkenende flirtet mit Islam-Kritiker Geert Wilders
WELT ONLINE: Nach dem Koalitionsbruch bereiten sich die Niederlande auf vorgezogene Neuwahlen vor. Schon jetzt zeichnet sich ab, dass die Partei des Rechtspopulisten Geert Wilders den amtierenden Ministerpräsidenten Jan Peter Balkenende in eine weitere Amtszeit befördern könnte. Und der schließt eine Zusammenarbeit nicht aus.

Der Christdemokrat Jan Peter Balkenende könnte nach den vorgezogenen Neuwahlen in den Niederlanden mit dem Rechtspopulisten Geert Wilders zusammenarbeiten. Bilder: Welt Online
Nach dem Bruch der christlich-sozialen Koalition in Den Haag rückt in den Niederlanden eine Regierung unter Beteiligung des islamfeindlichen Rechtspopulisten Geert Wilders näher. Der amtierende Ministerpräsident Jan Peter Balkenende schließe ein Zusammengehen seiner Partei Christdemokratischer Appell (CDA) mit Wilders' Partei für die Freiheit (PVV) nicht aus, hieß es am Dienstag in Medienberichten.

Einen Aufruf der Sozialdemokraten an den CDA, auf keinen Fall mit Wilders zusammenzuarbeiten, wies Balkenende zurück. „Wir schließen niemanden von vornherein aus“, sagte er im Fernsehen. Nachdem am Wochenende die Regierungskoalition im Streit um den niederländischen Militäreinsatz in Afghanistan geplatzt war, haben sich inzwischen fast alle Parteien gegenüber Staatsoberhaupt Königin Beatrix für Neuwahlen ausgesprochen. In den Umfragen liegen CDA und PVV weit vorn.

Für den Fall von Koalitionsverhandlungen mit dem CDA signalisierte Wilders bereits ein Einlenken bei seinen umstrittensten Forderungen - darunter ein Einwanderungsverbot für Muslime und staatliche Maßnahmen gegen die „Islamisierung“ der Niederlande. „Ich verstehe, dass wir nicht in jeder Beziehung unseren Willen bekommen können“, sagte er der konservativen Zeitung „De Telegraaf“. >>> dpa/ks | Dienstag, 23. Februar 2010

Nordkorea droht mit Atom-Angriff
DIE PRESSE: Wegen eines militärischen Großmanövers der USA und Südkorea droht das nordkoreanische Regime mit nuklearer Abschreckung. Das Manöver ist laut USA "verteidigungsorientiert".

Vor dem jährlichen Großmanöver der US-Streitkräfte mit Südkorea hat Nordkorea den Ton gegenüber beiden Ländern verschärft und mit einem möglichen Angriff mit Atomwaffen gedroht. Ein nordkoreanischer Armeesprecher unterstellte am Donnerstag den USA und Südkorea, "Übungen für einen Atomkrieg" durchführen und einen Überraschungsangriff auf Nordkorea vorbereiten zu wollen. "Nukleare Abschreckung" >>> Ag. | Donnerstag, 25. Februar 2010

Iran und Syrien gemeinsam gegen USA
DIE PRESSE: Der iranische Staatschef Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ist zu Besuch in Syriens Hauptstadt Damaskus. Dabei trifft er den syrischen Präsidenten Bashar al-Assad und schließt Vereinbarungen gegen US-Interessen.

"Wir müssen (US-Außenministerin Hillary) Clinton wegen der schlechten Übersetzung und wegen unseren begrenzten Verstandes missverstanden haben. Deshalb unterzeichneten wir den Vertrag über die Visafreiheit", witzelte Assad. Es sei befremdlich, dass Clinton über Stabilität und Frieden im Nahen Osten rede und zwei Länder der Region auffordere, auf Distanz zueinander zu gehen. "Dieselben Ziele, dieselben Feinde" >>> Ag. | Donnerstag, 25. Februar 2010

Stay Out of Middle East Affairs, Ahmadinejad Tells Washington
Syrian President Bashar Assad and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) attend celebrations of the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) birthday in Damascus on Thursday. Photo: Arab news
ARAB NEWS: DAMASCUS: The United States should pack up and leave the Middle East and stay out of regional affairs, Iran’s president said on Thursday during a visit to Damascus that follows a string of US efforts to break up Syria’s 30-year alliance with Tehran.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Assad, reaffirmed their ties by canceling visa restrictions between the two countries and vowing cooperation.

“(The Americans) want to dominate the region but they feel Iran and Syria are preventing that,” Ahmadinejad said during a news conference with Assad.

“We tell them that instead of interfering in the region’s affairs, to pack their things and leave.”

The US has reached out to Syria in recent months by nominating the first US ambassador to Damascus since 2005 and sending top diplomats to meet with President Bashar Assad. Washington is hoping to draw Syria away from Iran and the militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas.

But with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by his side in Damascus, Assad said Thursday that America should not dictate relationships in the Middle East.

“I find it strange how they talk about Middle East stability and at the same time talk about dividing two countries,” Assad told reporters when asked about Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's call Wednesday for Syria to move away from Iran.

Assad took a swipe at Clinton for making such a suggestion, saying he and Ahmadinejad “misunderstood, maybe because of translation error or limited understanding.” In a show of unity, the two signed an agreement canceling travel visas between the their countries. >>> Agencies | Friday, February 26, 2010

Greek Rescue in Danger as Deputy Prime Minister Attacks 'Nazi' Germany
THE TELEGRAPH: Greece has greatly damaged its chances of an EU bail-out by lashing out at Germany over war-time atrocities and accusing Italy of cooking its books to hide public debt.

The escalating dispute came as a general strike in Greece spilled over into violent clashes between hooded youths and riot police in Athens. Chants of "burn the banks" are a foretaste of tensions once austerity measures bite in earnest later this year.

Public and private sector unions joined forces to bring the country to a standstill for 24 hours, halting flights, trains, and shipping, and shutting schools and hospitals.

Theodoros Pangalos, deputy prime minister, said Germany had no right to reproach Greece for anything after it devastated the country under the Nazi occupation, which left 300,000 dead. "They took away the gold that was in the Bank of Greece, and they never gave it back. They shouldn't complain so much about stealing and not being very specific about economic dealings," he told the BBC.

Twisting the knife further, he said the current crop of EU leaders were of "very poor quality" and had botched this month's crisis summit in Brussels. "The people who are managing the fortunes of Europe were not up to the task," he said.

One banker said the situation was surreal. "How can they call the Germans incompetent Nazis and still expect a bail-out?"

Mr Panagalos has gone even further than premier George Papandreou, who said Greece had become a "guinea pig" for squabbling eurocracts playing power games.

Athenian rhetoric has confirmed fears in North Europe that the ruling PASOK party is still in denial about the crisis and will not deliver on promises. The insults have caused bitterness in Germany, increasing the possibility that Europe's paymaster will lose patience and leave Greece to its fate after all. >>> Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, International Business Editor | Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Related:

Greece Grinds to a Halt Amid Strikes (Video) / Scharfe Attacke aus Griechenland gegen Deutschland / In Krise wollen Griechen deutsches Geld wegen Nazi-Besatzung / La Grèce paralysée par la grève générale >>> | Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Spanish Priest Offered Sexual Services and Spent Church Funds on Pornography
THE TELEGRAPH: A Spanish priest has been sacked after it emerged he advertised himself as a male prostitute on the internet and spent church funds on telephone sex and internet pornography.

Samuel Martin Martin, 27, the priest of two small parishes in the central province of Toledo, posted images of himself posing in grey underpants and said he was available for sex sessions with women and couples for 120 euros an hour.

Calling himself Hector, the priest described himself in an online advertisement as: "Heterosexual man for women and couples. Real photos. Well hung (15cm) to give you pleasure and happiness."

The scandal has made headlines across Catholic Spain where newspapers reprinted the photo and text from the advertisement. "I am open to everything except sadism. Hotels and private addresses. 24 hours. You won't regret it, I will give you pleasure like never before," it said. >>> Fiona Govan in Madrid | Thursday, February 25, 2010

Rushdie: It's Time to Tell the Story of My Fatwa
THE INDEPENDENT: Author of 'The Satanic Verses' ready to describe his years under police protection

Salman Rushdie is to write a book about the decade he spent in hiding while living under a fatwa issued by the then-Supreme Leader of Iran, Grand Ayatollah Khomeini.

Rushdie, who is in the middle of a five-year stint as a lecturer at the Emory University in Atlanta, said: "It's my story, and at some point it needs to be told."

Rushdie was speaking at the opening of an exhibition of his manuscripts, letters and photographs that he donated to the university in 2006, and which have finally been catalogued and transferred into digital format.

"That point is getting closer, I think," added Rushdie. "When it was in cardboard boxes and dead computers, it would have been very, very difficult, but now it's all organised."

Rushdie, 62, was forced into hiding in 1989 when Khomeini issued a fatwa ordering Muslims to kill the author, claiming that his book The Satanic Verses insulted Islam. >>> Tom Peck | Thursday, February 25, 2010

Such a ‘Special Relationship’! With Friends Like This, Who Needs Enemies?
TIMES ONLINE: Washington refused to endorse British claims to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands yesterday as the diplomatic row over oil drilling in the South Atlantic intensified in London, Buenos Aires and at the UN.

Despite Britain’s close alliance with the US, the Obama Administration is determined not to be drawn into the issue. It has also declined to back Britain’s claim that oil exploration near the islands is sanctioned by international law, saying that the dispute is strictly a bilateral issue. US refuses to endorse British sovereignty in Falklands oil dispute >>> Giles Whittell, Washington and James Bone, New York | Thursday, February 25, 2010

Et tu, Barack? America Betrays Britain in Her Hour of Need
THE TELEGRAPH – BLOG: It was a headline I never expected to read: “US refuses to endorse British sovereignty in Falklands oil dispute.” Washington has declined to back Britain in its dispute with Argentina over drilling rights in the waters surrounding the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands. President Obama’s position is one of strict neutrality, refusing to take sides. According to the State Department:

We are aware not only of the current situation but also of the history, but our position remains one of neutrality. The US recognises de facto UK administration of the islands but takes no position on the sovereignty claims of either party.

Has it come to this? Tony Blair sacrificed his political career and jeopardised Britain’s international standing by making common cause with America in the War on Terror. No matter how often he claims it was because he believed it was “the right thing to do”, we all know what was really going on in his head. He simply didn’t want to break ranks with the United States. The Atlantic alliance has been the cornerstone of British foreign policy since 1941, when Winston Churchill and Franklin D Roosevelt joined forces against the Axis powers. Dean Acheson may have declared that Britain had lost an empire and yet to find a role, but successive British Prime Ministers have know[n] what their role is and, by and large, it has been to stand shoulder to shoulder with America, presenting a united front in a series of global conflicts, from the Cold War to the Gulf.

It is not just cynical realpolitik. Our two nations have more in common with each other than they do with anyone else. We share a belief in liberal democracy, in freedom, and it is largely thanks to our willingness to commit ourselves to the defence of those ideals that the world has not been engulfed by fascism, communism or Islamofascism.

For this alliance to survive, both countries must recognise their obligations and, from time to time, that involves one of us setting aside more localised concerns for the sake of the cause. Tony Blair would have preferred it if President Bush had been prepared to wait for a second UN resolution before launching the invasion of Iraq, but he decided that Britain should follow America into battle nevertheless. He recognised that the preservation of the Atlantic alliance had to be prioritised above all else, both for our sake and the sake of the world. Read on and comment >>> Toby Young | Thursday, February 25, 2010

Turkish Court Charges 12 Officers in Coup Plot
THE GLOBE AND MAIL: Struggle between secular Turkish military and Islamic-oriented government reaches new heights as senior officers jailed

The struggle between the secular Turkish military and the Islamic-oriented government reached new heights Wednesday as a court jailed 12 senior officers — including five admirals, an army general and six other officers.

The officers are charged with plotting several years ago to topple the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, news reports said Wednesday. More officers could be charged later this week.

Former chiefs of Air Force, Navy and Special Forces were also among about 50 officers detained by police in a sweep Monday.

Turkey, a predominantly Muslim but officially secular country, is witnessing an unprecedented showdown between the country's rising political Islamic movement and its fiercely secular founders, the military officers. >>> Selcan Hacaoglu, Ankara, The Associated Press | Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Bosses at Scandal-hit Stafford Hospital Escape Scot-free
THE TELEGRAPH: The senior managers who presided over one of Britain’s worst hospital scandals, in which up to 1,200 patients died, have all escaped being disciplined, it has emerged.

Photo: The Telegraph
No one on the board at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust has faced censure and all of them were either paid off, walked into another job or allowed to remain in post. The man who ran the hospital trust received a large pay-off despite his part in the scandal.

Martin Yeates, the former chief executive, left the trust “by mutual agreement” with a pay-off of £400,000 and a pension worth £1.27 million, it has been alleged.

The lack of disciplinary action emerged after the publication of a damning report into the treatment of patients between 2005 and 2008.

An independent report commissioned by the Government found that patients were abused and neglected by hostile staff and were left in humiliating and undignified conditions. The impact on them was “unimaginable”, the report said.

Patients, most of whom were treated at the trust’s main hospital in Stafford, were “robbed of their dignity”, left in soiled bedclothes, unwashed and in states of undress in full view of others, it found.

Families of patients had to clean lavatories and public areas themselves, while food and drinks were left out of reach and, it was alleged, patients drank out of vases.

Attitudes of staff were at times “uncaring”. Managers were “in denial” about the problems and were concentrating on cutting costs and hitting targets to achieve foundation trust status, the report said.

There was said to be a culture of fear and bullying with staff concerned they would lose their jobs if targets were not hit. >>> Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor | Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Union Européenne: Herman van Rompuy insulté devant les eurodéputés à Bruxelles
LE POINT: Le chef de file des europhobes britanniques, Nigel Farage, a créé le scandale mercredi au Parlement européen en insultant le président de l'UE Herman van Rompuy à l'occasion de sa première apparition devant les eurodéputés.

"Je ne veux pas être impoli, mais vraiment, vous avez le charisme d'une serpillière humide et l'apparence d'un petit employé de banque", s'est écrié Nigel Farage, sous les huées de ses pairs, lors d'une session à Bruxelles. "Qui êtes-vous ? >>> AFP | Mercredi 24 Février 2010

Tirade Against ‘Damp Rag’ EU President Shocks MEPs
"You have all the charisma of a damp rag.” – Nigel Farage
BBC: A British Eurosceptic MEP has unleashed a volley of insults against the President of the European Council.

Nigel Farage, who leads UK Independence Party (UKIP) MEPS in the European parliament, said Herman van Rompuy had "the charisma of a damp rag".

He compared the former Belgian prime minister to a "low-grade bank clerk" and said he came from a "non-country".

The attack, which stunned the chamber, came as Mr Von Rompuy made his maiden appearance in parliament in Brussels.

"I don't want to be rude," Mr Farage began, before launching into a personal attack lasting several minutes.

"Who are you? I'd never heard of you, nobody in Europe had ever heard of you," Mr Farage thundered, as noisy disapproval at his intervention in the chamber rose.

'Competent and dangerous'

"Oh, I know democracy is not popular with you lot," he said, addressing the members of parliament as they voiced their surprise.

Mr Farage - known for his outspoken interventions - did, however, admit that he thought Mr Van Rompuy was "competent and capable", adding that this made him "dangerous".

"I have no doubt that your intention is to be the quiet assassin of European democracy and of European nation states," he said.

Mr Farage's party, UKIP, campaigns for the withdrawal of Britain from the European Union. It has 13 representatives in the European parliament.

"You seem to have a loathing for the very concept of the existence of nation states," Mr Farage continued, adding: "Perhaps that's because you come from Belgium, which is pretty much a non-country." Read further (with video) >>> | Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Nigel Farage Harangues EU President Herman van Rompuy


Nigel Farage Reprimanded for Criticising New EU President & Foreign Minister


THE TELEGRAPH: Ukip's Nigel Farage faces reprimand after calling Herman Van Rompuy 'wet rag': Nigel Farage faces an official reprimand next week after he described Herman Van Rompuy as a "damp rag" during the European Union President's maiden appearance before MEPs. >>> Bruno Waterfield in Brussels | Thursday, February 25, 2010

Bringing Poison to the People! Prophet Muhammad: 'A Prophet Loved'

Maryland Can Recognize Out-of-State Gay Marriages
ADVOCATE.COM: Effective immediately, Maryland attorney general Douglas F. Gansler has announced, the state can recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. >>> Advocate.com Editors | Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Would-be Miss California Says God Wants Gays Dead
I wonder what God thinks about women who flaunt their bodies? About immodest women? – © Mark
PINK NEWS: A contestant for the 2010 Miss California pageant has given her views on same-sex marriage, saying that the Bible is "pretty black and white" on what should happen to gays.

Miss Beverly Hills 2010 Lauren Ashley, who evidently hopes to follow in the footsteps of last year's Miss California Carrie Prejean, was speaking to Fox News.

Ms Ashley said: "The Bible says that marriage is between a man and a woman. In Leviticus it says, 'If man lies with mankind [sic] as he would lie with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death and their blood shall be upon them.' The Bible is pretty black and white. >>> Jessica Green | Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Margot Käßmann, Landesbischöfin der größten evangelischen Kirche Deutschlands, auf der Pressekonferenz. Foto: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Nach Alkoholfahrt: Käßmann tritt von allen Ämtern zurück
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Die EKD-Ratsvorsitzende, Margot Käßmann, tritt mit sofortiger Wirkung von allen ihren Ämtern zurück, bleibt aber Pastorin der Landeskirche. „Mein Herz sagt mir ganz klar: Ich kann nicht mit der notwendigen Autorität im Amt bleiben“, sagte sie am Nachmittag auf einer Pressekonferenz in Hannover. Die 51 Jahre alte Käßmann, seit 1999 Landesbischöfin der größten evangelischen Landeskirche und seit Oktober vorigen Jahres als Ratsvorsitzende Sprecherin der deutschen Protestanten, bezeichnete ihre Fahrt als erheblichen Fehler, aus dem sie nun die Konsequenzen ziehe.

Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel (CDU) hat den Rücktritt „mit Respekt und Bedauern aufgenommen“. Nach Angaben von Regierungssprecher Ulrich Wilhelm sagte Merkel: „Ich habe die Zusammenarbeit mit Bischöfin Käßmann sehr geschätzt.“ Die EKD-Synodenpräsidentin Katrin Göring-Eckardt und der stellvertretende EKD-Ratsvorsitzende, Nikolaus Schneider, erklärten: „Ihr Rücktritt ist ein schwerer Verlust für den deutschen Protestantismus. Die Gradlinigkeit und Klarheit in ihren theologischen, soziopolitischen und gesellschaftlichen Positionen werden der Evangelischen Kirche in Deutschland fehlen.“ >>> Faz.net | Mittwoch, 24. Februar 2010

German Drink-driving Bishop Quits
BBC: The head of Germany's Protestant Church has resigned, four days after being caught drink-driving.

"My heart tells me quite clearly that I cannot stay," Bishop Margot Kaessmann was quoted as saying.

Arrested in Hanover at the weekend, she was charged with passing a red light while three times over the legal limit.

The 51-year-old became Germany's youngest bishop in 1999. She was appointed last year to lead the 25 million-strong Lutheran Church.

"Last Saturday, I made a big mistake," Bishop Kaessmann was quoted as telling reporters on Wednesday. 'Popstar of Protestantism' >>> | Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Verbunden / Related:

THE TELEGRAPH: Germany's Protestant Head Arrested for Drink Driving >>> Allan Hall in Berlin | Tuesday, February 23, 2010

L’Eglise veut des indemnités pour la destruction du Christ dans «2012»
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: RIO DE JANEIRO | L’archidiocèse de Rio a demandé des dommages et intérêts à Columbia Pictures pour avoir utilisé sans son autorisation des images de la célèbre statue du Christ qui surplombe la ville dans le film catastrophe «2012 la fin du monde».

"Les négociations ont commencé en décembre, un mois après le lancement du film. L’archidiocèse avait refusé l’utilisation de ce symbole religieux lors de la pré-production du film mais Columbia Pictures n’a pas respecté l’interdiction", a déclaré l’avocate de l’archidiocèse Claudine Dutra.

La bande annonce et l’affiche du film "2012", du réalisateur allemand Roland Emmerich, montrent la statue du Christ aux bras ouverts en train d’être détruite par un raz de marée.

"Beaucoup de fidèles se sont dits choqués et offensés par les images de destruction de ce sanctuaire que l’archidiocèse veut préserver. Nous voulons que Columbia Pictures déclare publiquement qu’elle n’avait pas l’intention d’offenser" les fidèles, a ajouté l’avocate. >>> AFP | Mercredi 24 Février 2010

2012 Trailer

Liliane Bettencourt refuse toujours de se soumettre à une expertise médicale
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: HÉRITAGE | L'héritière et actionnaire principale de L'Oréal, Liliane Bettencourt, a de nouveau refusé de se soumettre à une expertise médicale dans l'affaire des dons qu'elle a consentis à l'artiste François-Marie Banier.

Selon ce dernier, Mme Bettencourt a adressé un courrier personnel en ce sens aux trois experts judiciaires chargés de l'examiner.

Liliane Bettencourt avait déjà refusé cette expertise après que le tribunal de Nanterre l'eut ordonnée le 11 décembre 2009 en missionnant trois experts, dont le docteur Philippe Azouvi.

Ce dernier avait relancé l'héritière de L'Oréal en lui précisant qu'il ne s'agissait pas d'une expertise psychiatrique mais neurologique, a-t-on indiqué de source proche du dossier.

"Liliane Bettencourt se demande pourquoi il faut trois éminents spécialistes pour une simple expertise dans le domaine de la médecine générale. Elle estime que le professeur Azouvi a déjà tranché sur pièces", a déclaré Me Georges Kiejmann. >>> AFP | Mercredi 24 Février 2010

When Palestinians Keep Israelis Safe
HAARETZ: The damage felt by the Mossad over the release of footage of the hit on Mahmoud al-Mabhouh is now likely to be suffered by the Shin Bet security service with next week's publication of Mosab Hassan Yousef's memoir.

"The Green Prince" was apparently among the highest ranking agents the security service operated among Hamas' military wing in the West Bank, the most murderous terror network ever known in the Palestinian territories.

In his book, and in his interview with Avi Issacharoff (to be published in full Friday), Yousef exposes the methods by which the Shin Bet almost entirely obliterated the network by which hundreds of Israelis were murdered in terrorist attacks between 2000 and 2005. >>> Amos Harel | Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Google Italy Ruling 'Threat to Internet Freedom'
THE TELEGRAPH: Three Google executives were convicted on Wednesday of violating privacy laws by allowing disturbing footage of a disabled Italian boy being bullied to be posted on the internet.

The ruling was the first of its kind in history and was condemned by critics as "the biggest threat to internet freedom we have seen".

The trial centred on footage posted on Google Videos, of a teenager suffering from Down's syndrome and who was being bullied by four other boys, at a Turin school.

The footage was posted in September 2006 and became the most viewed where it remained for two months before finally being removed.

Prosecutors in Milan brought the case after being contacted by the charity Viva Down and argued that the boys privacy had been violated and that Google should have removed the footage quicker than it eventually did.

In the footage the boy was seen cowering as he was punched and kicked before one of the youths attacking him made a mocking call to the Viva Down charity.

The three executives found guilty by judge Oscar Magi were David Carl Drummond, former Google Italy and now senior vice president, George De Los Reyes, a retired financial executive and privacy director Peter Fleischer.

The three were found guilty of violating privacy laws and given six month suspended sentences, while they were cleared of defamation. A fourth executive Arvind Desikan, an executive with Google video Europe was cleared. >>> Nick Pisa in Rome | Wednesday, February 24, 2010