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Sunday, October 2, 2011

[chottala.com] Israel risks isolation: US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta



October 2, 2011 10:01 PM

Def. Sec. Panetta: Israel risks isolation

Palestinian women wave national flags during a protest calling for a Palestinian state with full UN membership at the Qalandia Israeli checkpoint in the West Bank, near Ramallah, on September 17, 2011. (Getty Images)

(AP) 

ON BOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT - Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Sunday that Israel is becoming increasingly isolated in the Middle East, and said Israeli leaders must restart negotiations with the Palestinians and work to restore relations with Egypt and Turkey.

In a blunt assessment made as he was traveling to Israel, Panetta said the ongoing upheaval in the Middle East makes it critical for the Israelis to find ways to communicate with other nations in the region in order to have stability.

"There's not much question in my mind that they maintain that (military) edge," Panetta told reporters traveling with him. "But the question you have to ask: Is it enough to maintain a military edge if you're isolating yourself in the diplomatic arena? Real security can only be achieved by both a strong diplomatic effort as well as a strong effort to project your military strength."

Panetta is scheduled to meet this week with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, and then travel to a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels. His visit comes as Mideast negotiators push for a peace deal by the end of next year, amping up pressure for the resumption of long-stalled talks.

The Pentagon chief said Israel risks eroding its own security if it does not reach out to its neighbors.

"It's pretty clear that at this dramatic time in the Middle East, when there have been so many changes, that it is not a good situation for Israel to become increasingly isolated. And that's what's happening," he said.

Israel welcomes peace talks, notes "concerns"
Palestinians: No talks without settlement freeze
U.N. takes 1st step on Palestinian statehood bid

Leon Panetta

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta answers questions aboard an Air Force plane over the Atlantic Ocean Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011.

(Credit: Pool,AP Photo/Win McNamee)

Panetta said the most important thing now is for Israel and its neighbors "to try to develop better relationships so in the very least they can communicate with each other rather than taking these issues to the streets."

His visit comes at a particularly critical and fragile time.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has asked the U.N. Security Council to recognize an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip, areas captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. The United States opposed the U.N. bid, saying there is no substitute for direct peace negotiations. But with Israel continuing to build settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, Abbas says there is no point in talking.

Some 500,000 Jewish settlers now live in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005.

The United States, Britain, France and other council members are likely to try to hold up consideration of the application while they press for a resumption of long-stalled Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, diplomats said.

Negotiators, known as the Quartet, are asking both the Israelis and the Palestinians to produce comprehensive proposals on territory and security within three months.

Israeli officials have welcomed parts of the proposal, but have also expressed concerns about the timetable for some discussions. They also have refused to endorse the 1967 prewar borders as a basis for the future Palestinian state — something President Barack Obama has endorsed.

The Palestinians, meanwhile, have said they won't return to talks unless Israel freezes settlement building and accepts the pre-1967 war frontier as a baseline for talks.

The Quartet — the U.S., European Union, United Nations and Russia — is urging both sides to avoid "provocative actions." Just last week, Israel approved the construction of 1,100 new housing units in an area of Jerusalem built on land captured in 1967, a move that drew widespread international condemnation.

Panetta said he wants to stress to both sides that instead of setting conditions or pursuing other approaches, "the most important thing they can do is go to the negotiating table. That would be a tremendous signal to the world that both the Israelis and the Palestinians want to try to find a solution to these problems. I don't think they really lose anything by getting into negotiations."

Panetta is scheduled to meet with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

His visit to Israel comes six months after his predecessor, Robert Gates, traveled to the region to meet with Israeli leaders and make the first journey to the West Bank to talk with Fayyad

The U.S. has said it would veto the Palestinians' U.N. request, despite the high political cost in the Arab world. However, Washington would not need to use its veto if the Palestinians fail to get the support of at least nine of 15 council members. Palestinian officials have said they believe they have eight yes votes, and are lobbying for more support.

© 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/02/501364/main20114562.shtml

Def. Sec. Panetta: Israel risks isolation

CBS News - ‎3 minutes ago‎
Palestinian women wave national flags during a protest calling for a Palestinian state with full UN membership at the Qalandia Israeli checkpoint in the West Bank, near Ramallah, on September 17, 2011.
CNN - BusinessWeek - BBC News - Jerusalem Post

Full coverage

Israel 'increasingly isolated' in Middle East: US

AFP - Dan De Luce - ‎42 minutes ago‎
ABOARD A US MILITARY AIRCRAFT — US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the Arab spring has left Israel "increasingly isolated" in the Middle East and that its military might could not make up for a weakened diplomatic position. ...

Israel increasingly isolated in Mideast:US

Sydney Morning Herald - Dan De Luce - ‎1 hour ago‎
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta says the Arab spring has left Israel "increasingly isolated" in the Middle East and that its military might can not make up for a weakened diplomatic position. Speaking to reporters aboard his plane bound for Israel as ...

U.S. defense secretary heads to Israel, then Egypt

CNN - ‎1 hour ago‎
By the CNN Wire Staff US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is on a trip that will take him to Israel, Egypt and Belgium. (CNN) -- US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said Sunday en route to the Middle East that he plans to offer American assistance so ...

Panetta Heads to Tel Aviv Concerned Over Israel's Isolation

BusinessWeek - Viola Gienger - ‎1 hour ago‎
Oct. 3 (Bloomberg) -- Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said he is concerned Israel is becoming "increasingly isolated" in the wake of the Arab Spring uprisings and that the US is working to improve ties with Turkey and Egypt. ...

Panetta Warns Israel Getting More Isolated

Fox News - ‎2 hours ago‎
| AP AP Oct. 2: US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta answers questions aboard an Air Force plane over the Atlantic Ocean. ON BOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT – Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Sunday that Israel is becoming increasingly isolated in the ...

Blogs

Israel Accepts Plan to Restart Mideast Talks

Voice of America (blog) - ‎3 hours ago‎
Israel has formally accepted an international plan for restarting peace negotiations with the Palestinians, but the immediate resumption of talks appears unlikely as the two sides continue to differ over terms of the proposal. ...

Turkish PM Erdogan translation correction

CNN (blog) - ‎8 hours ago‎
One note about last week's interview with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan. The translation heard on the show had Mr. Erdogan saying that "hundreds of thousands" of Palestinians had been killed by Israel. That's how Mr. Erdogan's own official translator ...

Israel Accepts Quartet Plan for Talks With 'Some Concerns'

Voice of America (blog) - ‎10 hours ago‎
Israel says it has accepted an international plan for resuming peace talks with the Palestinians while expressing some reservations, an announcement that drew Palestinian criticism. In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel ...

Israel

Collective unconsciousness

Ha'aretz - Akiva Eldar - ‎1 hour ago‎
Mutual recognition of historical rights and religious beliefs of Palestinians and Israelis is key for peace; failure to recognize the other side's myths nurtures the 'no partner for dialogue' attitude and leads to a dead end. ...

PA: Quartet plan biased in favor of Israel

Jerusalem Post - Khaled Abu Toameh - ‎3 hours ago‎
Abu Rudaineh: "If Israel is serious, it must abide, without reservations, by int'l legitimacy as mentioned in road map, UN resolutions and Arab peace initiative. The Palestinian Authority will return to the negotiating table with ...

Gov't denies crisis with Germany over Gilo plan

Jerusalem Post - Herb Keinon - ‎3 hours ago‎
After Merkel's criticism of Gilo building plans prompts speculation of crisis between countries, PMO says relationship with Germany "good, close." The Prime Minister's Office issued a rare statement Sunday denying media reports of a ...

Jerusalem, Israel

Israel says 'yes' to Quartet framework for talks

Jerusalem Post - Herb Keinon - ‎3 hours ago‎
The government on Sunday formally accepted the Quartet's proposal for restarting negotiations with the Palestinians, squarely throwing the ball back at the Palestinian Authority, which has yet to accept the formula. ...

Washington welcomes Israel's decision to return to talks

Jerusalem Post - Herb Keinon - ‎6 hours ago‎
US calls on both parties to resume negotiations without preconditions, on Quartet's timetable in order to fulfill US president's two-state vision. The United States welcomed Israel's announcement Sunday that ...

October 3: Let's not be fools

Jerusalem Post - ‎8 hours ago‎
By JERUSALEM POST READERS One must ask the question why only when Obama's popularity nears rock bottom and he's losing the Jewish vote, does he suddenly do a turnaround. Sir, – There is an old saying that a fool is easily parted from his money. ...


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Re: [chottala.com] American Parimaol Arrested for Sexual Assault ..............

PLENTY PARIMAL are HERE AND THERE !!!!
WITHIN SO CALLED ISLAMIST PARTY ...MANY ARE AROUND...I CAN POINT ALL with name by name...UNFORTUNATE THEY ARE not BEHIND THE BAR...RECENT BEAUTY PARLOUR PERSONNA SCAM...MANY RAGOB BOYALS ARE BEHIND...BUT OUR ELITE SISTERS/USERS/CUSTOMERS ARE AWARE  only couple of days back 
 
 
--- On Thu, 9/29/11, Syed_Aslam3 <Syed.Aslam3@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Syed_Aslam3 <Syed.Aslam3@gmail.com>
Subject: [chottala.com] American Parimaol Arrested for Sexual Assault ..............
To: chottala@yahoogroups.com
Received: Thursday, September 29, 2011, 1:41 PM

 

Anthony Alvarez, Former Arvada High School Asst. Principal, Arrested For Alleged Sexual Relationship With 15-Year-Old Student

First Posted: 9/6/11 03:27 PM ET Updated: 9/6/11 03:27 PM ET
 
 
Anthony Alvarez, a 40-year-old former assistant principal at Arvada High School, was arrested after his wife discovered sexually explicit messages he exchanged with a 15-year-old high school student on Facebook and forced her husband to turn himself in, according to the Arvada police arrest affidavit. Alvarez was arrested on charges of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust.
The Denver Post reports that Alvarez's wife caught him "talking dirty" to a girl on the phone and a series of X-rated messages between the teenage student and her husband on his Facebook page.
According to the arrest affidavit, the girl said that she and Alvarez have had a relationship for six to eight months and that she felt that Alvarez was "blackmailing" her. The 15-year-old student had known Alvarez since she was in the seventh grade at Everett Middle School. The girl describes in detail the sexual acts Alvarez asked her to perform. She claims that Alvarez would touch her chest and butt on occasion, and once, he showed her his erection in his office.
Early in August, she described a particularly horrifying occasion where Alvarez allegedly offered to give her a ride home, she accepted because it was hot outside. Instead, she says in the arrest affidavit, that Alvarez drove her to a movie theater and parked. In the car he told her to rub and lick his penis. She did what he said because she was scared and the doors to the car were locked. After, Alvarez let her out of the car, she went into the movie theater and rinsed her mouth out with water and walked home.
The girl was scared and confused by the unfolding arrest of Alvarez, as well. When police asked to interview her at the Denver Children's Advocacy Center, a safe house where officers could speak with her about the alleged abuse, she started to cry and thought the police were going to take her away from her parents.
Alvarez claims that he is not a predator, that she came onto him, and that he had never before had sexual relationships with anyone under the age of 18, according to the affidavit.
Alvarez is in charge of the cheerleading and pom squad at Arvada High School, 9News reports. Keara Collester, another Arvada High student said that, "Alvarez is a pretty cool guy. We go to him for everything. Everything just shocks me. He doesn't seem like he would do that to a student."
According to 7News, Alvarez has been a principal at Arvada High School since 2008 and has been with the Jeffco Public Schools District since 2000. Alvarez has been placed on paid administration leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
 
 

Assistant principal arrested for having sex with a minor after his ...


Daily Mail - Aug 29, 2011
The school district a letter to parents at Arvada High School confirming the arrest. 'Suspicion of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of ...

The Crimson Report: Assistant Principal Anthony Alvarez arrested ...


my.hsj.org - Aug 30, 2011
On Thursday August 25, AHS Assistant Principal, Anthony Alvarez, ... The charges against Alvarez are Sexual Assault on a Child by One in a Position of Trust ...

River Ridge Principal Responds to Sexual Assault Incident


Patch.com - Aug 11, 2011
Principal Darrell Herring said Morrow and May have not been on the school ... 28, of Canton was arrested and charged with sexual assault by a person of ...
Local paraprofessional arrested on charges of inappropriate ... - Cherokee Tribune
all 12 news articles »
বিশ্বে সব থেকে বেশি ধর্ষণের ঘটনা ঘটে মার্কিন - Ganashakti
প্রতি বছর বিশ্বে সব থেকে বেশি ধর্ষণের ঘটনা ঘটে মার্কিন যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে। আন্তর্জাতিক
মহলেও এই তথ্য আজ স্বীকৃত। সমীক্ষা জানাচ্ছে, মার্কিন মুলুকে ধর্ষণের ঘটনা জার্মানির
থেকে চার গুণ বেশি। ১৩গুণ বেশি ব্রিটেনের চেয়ে। আর জাপানের তুলনায় ২০গুণ। আক্ষরিক
অর্থেই তাক লাগানো এই পরিসংখ্যান। সমীক্ষা থেকে আরো জানা গেছে, বেশ কিছু ধর্ষণের ...
পরিসংখ্যানে ধর্ষণে শীর্ষে যুক্তরাষ্ট্র
17 জুন 2011 ... এছাড়া ৮৪ শতাংশ পুরুষ ছাত্র যারা এধরণের আচরণ করেছে, যা কিছুতেই ধর্ষণের মধ্যে পড়তে
পারে না। ৭৫ শতাংশ ছাত্র এবং ৫৫ শতাংশ ছাত্রী, যারা ধর্ষণে জড়িত ছিল তারা মদ পান
করেছে বা অন্য ধরণের নেশা দ্রব্য সেবন করেছে। সবচেয়ে বিস্ময়ের ব্যাপার হলো, মাত্র ১৬
শতাংশ ধর্ষণের ঘটনা সম্পর্কে পুলিশের কাছে অভিযোগ দায়ের করা হয়। ...
 
Former principal arrested on sex charge
Arab Tribune - Aug 17, 2011
... Arab Tribune A retired area principal has been arrested for sexual battery of ... His warrant states that the Florida assault took place in 2005 with an ...
Our automated system will not allow that name, consider "Culprit HosneAra Rapist Porimol Joydhor er FASI chai"
 

Principal, managing body blamed for Viqarunnisa chaos


The Daily Star - Aug 21, 2011
... steps against its teacher Porimol Joydhor for sexual assault of a student. ... Porimol was arrested on July 6 from Keraniganj outside the capital on the ...
OPEST ~ মসজিদের হুজুর ও ধর্ষণ করে ............ ছিঃ ! ~
ধর্ষণের ঘটনা ঘটে মাদারীপুর সদর উপজেলার ঝাইদি ইউনিয়নের ...
বর্তমানে ধর্ষিতা ছাত্রী হাসপাতালে চিকিৎসাধীন রয়েছে। এলাকার প্রভাবশালী
পরিবারের লোকজন ধর্ষণের ঘটনা ধামাচাপা দিতে চাপ সৃষ্টি করছে। এদিকে হাসপাতালের
বেডে শুয়ে নতুন কাউকে দেখলেই সে কান্না জড়িত কন্ঠে বলে ওঠে মারা গেলে ভাল হত। তখন আমার জন্য কাউকে লজ্জা পেতে হতো না। আমি এখন এই ধর্ষণের অপবাদ নিয়ে কেমন করে বেঁচে থাকবো। ...
 
 
 
TEACHER RAPES PUPIL (15) IN CLASS
The Swazi Observer - Aug 21, 2011
IN one of the most bizarre incidents of sexual abuse, a senior teacher at ... is now being investigated by police on the matter and could soon be arrested. ...

7th Grade Special Ed. Student Expelled For Reporting Rape, Forced ...


The Morton Report (blog) - Aug 18, 2011
The boy was arrested and pleaded guilty to unspecified charges. ... into her allegations of rape and sexual assault, by suspending her from school, ...

Re: [chottala.com] Obama agrees to visit Bangladesh

THIS IS THE LEADERSHIP !!!!
WHERE IS ABDUL AWAL MINTOO NOW !!!!!
UTILIZED BANK LOAN WITH GREAT DEFAULTERS !!!
CAN HE MAKE LOBBY FOR DR ....ONCE AGAIN !!!!


--- On Sat, 10/1/11, Syed_Aslam3 <Syed.Aslam3@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Syed_Aslam3 <Syed.Aslam3@gmail.com>
Subject: [chottala.com] Obama agrees to visit Bangladesh
To: notun_bangladesh@yahoogroups.com, "Khobor" <khabor@yahoogroups.com>, chottala@yahoogroups.com, "Sonar Bangladesh" <SonarBangladesh@yahoogroups.com>
Received: Saturday, October 1, 2011, 11:09 PM

 
Obama agrees to visit Bangladesh
Thu, Sep 24th, 2009 7:24 pm BdST
Shehabuddin Kisslu, from New York


New York, Sep 24 (bdnews24.com)--US president Barack Obama has agreed to visit Bangladesh.

Obama, who along with wife, Michelle, hosted a reception for the heads of state and government, at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York at 7pm (NY time), told prime minister Sheikh Hasina that he will be pleased to visit Bangladesh.

Hasina informally invited the Obama couple at the reception to come to Bangladesh.

Officials at the prime minister's office told bdnews24.com that Hasina exchanged greetings with Obama, who sat next to each other, and talked with him for while.

The US president expressed his willingness to visit Bangladesh, said NY-based journalist Abu Taher quoting a delegate accompanying Hasina.

Obama appreciated Hasina's speech at the luncheon, which he had earlier hosted for heads of top ten troops and police-contributing countries to the UN peacekeeping missions at the UN Conference room in New York.

"I liked your speech very much. We all have to work together for peace and welfare of humanity," Obama was quoted as saying to Hasina.

She replied: "You inspired millions of people with your slogan for 'Change'. And for that, greetings to you on behalf of Bangladesh."

Hasina said that her party has also called for a shift from old way of politics in Bangladesh and sought everybody's help in the initiative.

"Your Cairo speech for the Muslim world was appreciated everywhere. Millions of people in Bangladesh want to see you. They want to listen to you," the prime minister was further quoted as telling Obama.

Obama replied, "I have long aspired to visit Bangladesh. It is now a matter of time. Visiting Bangladesh will be a pleasant experience."

Earlier in the afternoon, Al Jazeera interviewed Hasina in her hotel room at Grand Hyatt New York.

Hasina arrived in New York City via Dubai to attend the United Nations General Assembly Session on Tuesday. In the first programme of her eight-day trip to New York, Hasina attended a private working dinner hosted by UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon at the UNDDR.

The prime minister's office sources said she is set to hold bilateral talks with the Nepal prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal at 11am and Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed at 12:30pm on Thursday (NY time).

Later in the day, at 1:30pm, the prime minister is also scheduled to attend a luncheon hosted by US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, in honour of women heads of government and women foreign ministers.

Hasina in her hotel suite will also speak to Far Eastern Economic Review and before that, she will attend a views-exchange session with the business community in her hotel room.

bdnews24.com/qh/srn/fwc/bd/1732h.
 


 
On Sat, Oct 1, 2011 at 12:35 AM, Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com> wrote:

[chottala.com] Fw: AN ARTICLE TO READ !!!!!!!!




----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Muhammad Ali <manik195709@yahoo.com>
To: "khabor@yahoogroups.com" <khabor@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: delwar <delwar98@hotmail.com>; "anis.ahmed@netzero.net" <anis.ahmed@netzero.net>; "alapon@yahoogroups.com" <alapon@yahoogroups.com>; "sonarbangladesh@yahoogroups.com" <sonarbangladesh@yahoogroups.com>; Sitangshu Guha <guhasb@gmail.com>; "serajurrahman@btinternet.com" <serajurrahman@btinternet.com>; Shahadat Hussaini <shahadathussaini@hotmail.com>; Khondkar Saleque <khondkar.saleque@gmail.com>; Engr. Shafiq Bhuiyan <srbanunz@gmail.com>; Sattabadi Nagarik <sattabadi@yahoo.com>; Shamim Chowdhury <veirsmill@yahoo.com>; sultan chowdhury <chottalasultan@yahoo.com>; "sayfaldin@aol.com" <sayfaldin@aol.com>; "Ovimot@yahoogroups.com" <Ovimot@yahoogroups.com>; "muktomoncho@yahoo.com" <muktomoncho@yahoo.com>; "alochona@yahoogroups.com" <alochona@yahoogroups.com>; "WideMinds@yahoogroups.com" <WideMinds@yahoogroups.com>; Dr. Abid Bahar <abidbahar@yahoo.com>; "abdul_momen@hotmail.com" <abdul_momen@hotmail.com>; "eastsidepc71@gmail.com" <eastsidepc71@gmail.com>; Nabi bhai <nurunnabi@gmail.com>; Nuruzzaman Manik <manik061624@yahoo.com>; "faruquealamgir@gmail.com" <faruquealamgir@gmail.com>; "farhadmazhar@hotmail.com" <farhadmazhar@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 2, 2011 9:43 PM
Subject: AN ARTICLE TO READ !!!!!!!!
Paper no. 4141
02-Nov-2010
Opposition Smearing Bangladesh's Crowning Glory
By Bhaskar Roy
It is like a fairy tale gone wrong, like the bad wolf trying to eat up Red Riding Hood. The bad wolf finally lost. Will this happen in Bangladesh?
Addressing the Central Committee members of the Jatiyatabadi Swecchasebak Dal, a front organization of the BNP, former Prime Minister and aspirant for the next Prime Ministership, Begum Khaleda Zia, had this to say, "Frequency of movement by vultures has increased in Bangladesh and this movement must be stopped and vultures must be resisted unitedly". Khaleda, who is also the Chairperson of the BNP, went on to say that Bangladesh has not got anything from the agreements (with India) as the present government has compromised the national interest. "Our lands are taken away, innocent people killed along the borders but the present government is afraid to protest", Begum Khaleda said. This is what a Bangladeshi daily newspaper wrote on October 27.
There is no prize for guessing which country Khaleda Zia had in her sight. It was India, a country with which she has been at logger heads from the time she ascended the political stage after the assassination of her husband, President Zia-ur-Rehman.
Nobody can deny Khaleda Zia her political views, her ideology, and her likes and dislikes. These are her democratic rights. But as a senior political leader she has no right to make intemperate public comments which demean the upright culture of the people of her country, a culture which is respected and admired the world over.
A leader is judged by his or her character, vision and the ability to deliver to the people. Using expressions like "vulture" for a neighbor or any other country does not befit a good leader, and exposes her character. The expression "vulture" is a very derogatory expression in Bengali. Vulture is an expression of abuse and denotes a scavenger wishing death all around so that it can feast on dead and rotting flesh. Such expressions are never used in Bangladesh's genteel, educated and enlightened society.
If Khaleda Zia thinks that she can use such expressions for India and score political points, she is sadly mistaken. She has not only denigrated herself, but her party and even her country of which she has been Prime Minister twice.
In undivided India, Bengal, comprising Bangladesh and the state of West Bengal in India, was known as the cultural state of India. The culture was represented not only in art and literature, but also in tolerance and cordial existence among different religious communities. After partition, with the growing domination of West Pakistan, the people of East Pakistan revolted and formed Bangladesh in 1971 after tremendous sacrifice.
The Bengalis of East Pakistan revolted not only because of economic exploitation by West Pakistan, but mainly because of West Pakistan's attempts to destroy the Bengali language and culture. Begum Khaleda Zia, a product of Pakistani military cantonments, appears to be on the path of tainting the famed culture of Bangladesh.
Unfortunately, Khaleda Zia, as she grew in politics, began to demonstrate vitriolic anti-Indianism. The BNP was born in 1978 following the assassination of Sk. Mujibur Rahman, the founder of Bangladesh, by a group of army officers in August 1975. The party was formed by General and President Zia-ur-Rehman, following the huge political turmoil that almost reversed the country's liberation.
Therefore, those who were involved, supported and benefitted by Sk. Mujibur Rahman's death were naturally allied against India, because of India's support to the liberation struggle. Zia-ur-Rahman was a renowned freedom fighter. If he was a committed freedom fighter against the Pakistani occupation army, the pertinent question would be why he revived the Jamaat-e-Islami politically. The Jamaat leaders were well known for their role not only in supporting Pakistan but also for committing atrocities against Bengali freedom fighters and their families and friends. They were banned politically in 1972. It is, therefore, not surprising that the BNP, the Jamaat and other pro-Pakistani groups formed an alliance against India. It is also alleged that during the BNP-JEI government (2001-2006) work was in an advanced stage to convert Bangladesh into a loose confederate of Pakistan.
During her second term as Prime Minister (2001-2006), Khaleda Zia drove relations with India to the lowest level. On top of the Khaleda Zia government's anti-India agenda were (i) destabilize North East India by heavily arming the separatists, especially the ULFA, and (ii) allow Pakistan's infamous intelligence agency, the ISI, to launch terrorist attacks in India using Bangladesh as a launching pad. A third, but more important task was to eliminate Sk. Hasina, Awami League (AL) President and current Prime Minister. Three attempts were made to assassinate her, one of which almost succeeded and left her with a permanent injury. Sk. Hasina is perceived as the last major symbol of Bangladesh's liberation, and a friend of India. Her life remains under constant threat.
The "North East India conspiracy" involved procuring ten truck loads of lethal arms, ammunition and explosives from China to be smuggled into India. It was by sheer accident that this consignment was detected by the Chittagong police on April 01, 2004, coming out of the Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Ltd. (CUFL) jetty, which was under the industries Ministry headed by Jamaat Amir Motiur Rehman Nizami, a prime accused in the war crimes.
The investigations in the Chittagong arms case or the "North East India conspiracy" case has so far revealed startling information. The actors involved, apart from the ULFA, whose Commander-in-Chief Paresh Barua, was an honoured guest of the BNP-Jamaat government, were senior officers of Bangladesh's intelligence agencies, Khaleda Zia's elder son Tareq Rehman, Minister of State for Home Lutfozzaman Babar, Home Secretary Omar Farooq, the ISI, the ISI influenced ARY media company based in Dubai, and apparently the Chinese intelligence, among others. It may be pertinent to recall that BNP Foreign Minister Morshed Khan had threatened at that time that "if India encircles Bangladesh, Bangladesh also encircles India". This observation needs no elaboration.
It is, however, intriguing why Khaleda Zia, Tareq Rehman and the BNP hierarchy allowed religious extremism and terrorism to grow. Enough evidence is available to prove that senior elements in the BNP including Khaleda Zia and Tareq encouraged and protected organizations like the Jamatul Mujahidin Bangladesh (JMB), the HUJI, the Lakshar-e-Toiba and others. Jehadi NGOs, from the Gulf and Middle East as well as Pakistan were allowed to freely fund these organizations, which number around 120 today. Banning them has not helped very much because they have entrenched supporters in the bureaucracy established by the BNP-JEI government.
It is curious why Khaleda Zia and her family, who are nowhere near religious conservatism or obscurantism in their personal lives would invite reactionary religious practices and offer their territory to terrorists. Under Khaleda Zia's stewardship Bangladesh was on the verge of being labeled a country sponsoring terrorism. Unfortunately, however, the BNP and Jamaat embedded their cadres so deep in the Bangladesh system, that the secular government led by the AL faced an uphill task. Their strength comes from outside also, some very quietly.
India's $1 billion aid package to Bangladesh was chastised for carrying exploitative interest rate. But when China's $800 million aid programme followed recently with higher interest rates and more stringent conditions, there was silence from the opposition.
Briefly, to conclude, it is for the people of Bangladesh to decide if they want to dig back deep into blind antagonism, or seek ways to show the country's culture, development, peace and stability and inclusivity. Blind hatred is a sure recipe for backwardness. History is replete with such examples.
The BNP mother and son duo, Khaleda Zia and Tareq ruled Bangladesh like a mafia kingdom – unprecedented corruption, extortion, use of terrorists, and political assassination. Under this cover the Jamaat proceeded to expand its own base, hoping to emerge as the dominant party by 2011-2012. The people saw through them and in the December 2008 elections supervised by international observers, they were almost wiped out.
But Begum Khaleda Zia does not appear to have learnt any lessons. This is not to say the Awami League led government has done everything right. But they have changed Bangladesh's international profile to a country determined to eradicate terrorism, concentrate on development, create positive relations with neighbours, and reach out to the world.
In contrast, the BNP's record as the main opposition party has been dismal and destructive. Boycotting parliament en masse, it has not made any contribution to this nation's debate. The party itself, is in disarray. The two sons of Khaleda Tareq and Arafat are embroiled in huge areas of corruption and money laundering. Some of the party's stalwarts like Moudud Ahmed have gone silent. Khaleda's primary campaign line is anti-India, accusing the Awami League of selling the country to India, and shouting about non-governance. The Jamaat media follows the same line.
Ranting against India, abusing India, projecting India as the "evil kingdom" is not going to help Begum Khaleda. She has to do better. But she is on the path to do worse. She has left no room for the BNP to return to power. The BNP has to be recreated from top down if it has to remain as a viable political party. The BNP must realize that India will always assist Bangladesh. It is as much in India's interest as it is in Bangladesh's and South Asia's.
(The author is an experienced analyst of South Asian region. He can be contacted at
Copyright © South Asia Analysis Group
All rights reserved. Permission is given to refer this on-line document for use in research papers and articles, provided the source and the author's name are acknowledged. Copies may not be duplicated for commercial purposes.

 


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[chottala.com] Crossfire killings necessary - Rab's former second man Bari told US envoy in 2006.



Crossfire killings necessary

Rab's former second man Bari told US envoy

Fazlul Bari

Chowdhury Fazlul Bari, former second-in-command of Rab, during a June 2005 conversation with US embassy officials had described extrajudicial killings in the name of "crossfire" by the force as a necessary, short-term expedient, according to a diplomatic dispatch.

An influential figure during the 2007-2008 tenure of military-backed caretaker regime, Bari also had stated that a "due process" was the elite force's objective.

The cable, marked secret and recently posted on whistleblower website WikiLeaks, was sent to Washington by the then US ambassador in Dhaka Patricia A Butenis on April 13, 2006.

The killings in the name of "crossfire" or "encounter" by Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) have generated concern and ire among local and international rights groups.

After their calls for an end to the trend fell on deaf ears, Amnesty International urged all countries in August this year to stop supplying arms to Bangladesh citing that those would be used by Rab and other law enforcement agencies to commit extrajudicial killings.

An August 23 AI report said since its inception in 2004, Rab has been implicated in the unlawful killing of at least 700 people including about 200 killed after the Awami League-led government assumed power.

Bari, the former additional director general of Rab, later became the counterintelligence director of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).

"I was there at the initial planning," Butenis quoted Bari as saying. The diplomat also identified him as "a forceful advocate" for Rab, citing a discussion on April 15, 2006 on the margins of the 2006 PASOC conference in Hawaii.

Bari "recounted the origins of the controversial anti-crime unit, disparaged the skills and integrity of police", and cited the interrogations of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) suspects to suggest that Bangladesh's zeal in arresting the August 17, 2005 bombers ironically triggered JMB's deadly campaign of terror in late 2005 as retaliation.

Though the original plan had been to have 44 percent military, 44 percent police, and 12 percent from the paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR, now Border Guard Bangladesh), police were reluctant to fill their slots, Bari told US officials.

Explaining the reluctance, he said police "earned more money on the outside" from bribes and other illicit activities, the cable said, adding, "Senior police officers, he claimed, preferred to sit in their offices."

"Military disdain for the police is not new, and police failings are often cited to justify the military's continuing dominance of Rab -- about 80 percent of its total force structure and virtually all of its senior officers except for the director general himself," Butenis wrote in the cable.

"The police, he agreed, operate like a giant pyramid scheme, where street personnel pass payoffs up to their bosses. Corruption, he added, was one reason police failed to capture JMB commander Sheikh [Shaikh] Abdur Rahman."

Bari further complained that "police remain unwilling to second able personnel, often providing instead the old and physically unfit. Police personnel lack basic skills, such as shooting, and have no training in special operations", the cable read.

Asked if there was one political sponsor of establishment of the Rab, "Bari said no, there were several," the cable said.

The then prime minister Khaleda Zia herself selected black uniform for Rab from six alternate designs, including the distinctive black Rab "doo-rag," it quoted Bari.

Identifying the JMB as a "home grown" military organisation, the former Rab second-man described JMB operatives as poor people who flunked out of madrasas. "Being poor, they could easily blend in as rickshaw pullers and hawkers and go anywhere to recruit for JMB."

Bari, who attended many of JMB leader Abdur Rahman's interrogations in his capacity at the DGFI, said law enforcement personnel quickly arrested 70 persons involved with the August 17 countrywide bomb explosions by the JMB.

The arrests "angered the JMB rank-and-file and generated internal pressure on Rahman to retaliate and demonstrate that JMB remained a viable entity. The result, Bari claimed, was the onset in October [in 2005 when a number of people including two judges were killed] of the deadly attacks on the judicial system".

Butenis found it as an "interesting twist" to suggest, as Bari did, that the deadly JMB attacks in late 2005 were an unplanned action triggered by Bangladesh government's zeal in rounding up August 17 bombers.

Along with downplaying JMB's religious credentials as failed madrasa students and describing JMB as home-grown, Bari is toeing the government line that JMB operatives were basically local yokels with little or no interest in "true" Islam, the cable adds.
 
 
Crossfire killings necessary
Daily Star Online - 1 day ago
The killings in the name of "crossfire" or "encounter" by Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) have generated concern and ire among local and international rights ...


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Re: [chottala.com] 'Saudi monarchy repressing women' ......



Mr. M. Jubair
 
The issue is the Right of the women in Saudi Arabia to drive cars,
not Saudi women replacing their Bangladeshi  chauffeus to drive
passenger motor vehicles. [ The current campaign by Saudi female
activists is highlighted by the phrase ""my right, my dignity",
and is aimed at ending the discrimination against the Saudi women
including the driving ban. ]
 
The is no valid reason to believe that given the Saudi Women the
proper rights, including the rights to drive cars will put any dent
on the employment opportunity of the Bangladeshi drivers.
The current affulence in the uppers echolon of   Saudi society
will persist for the foreseable future and employability in the
 menial job sector, including motor vehecle drivers will persist.
 
The Saudi establishment should also give more rights to foreign
workers, and not treat them as modern day  slaves under
the cover of "guest workers" .....taking advantage of their
poverty back home ....
 
Syed Aslam
 
 
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  •  
     


     
    On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 1:20 AM, Mohammed Jubair <mohammedjubair@hotmail.com> wrote:
     

    It's time for Saudi woman to learn how to drive.  On the other hand there are more than 20,000 bangladeshi who works as a their driver.
    I say,  go slow on the drive because 100,000 bangladeshi family members will have less food , quit school and more problem
     
    Mr. Aslam,
     
    Look at the interest of Hard working people of Bangladeshi in KSA.
     
    M. Jubair
     
     

    To: khabor@yahoogroups.com; notun_bangladesh@yahoogroups.com; chottala@yahoogroups.com; SonarBangladesh@yahoogroups.com
    From: Syed.Aslam3@gmail.com
    Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:15:23 -0400
    Subject: [chottala.com] 'Saudi monarchy repressing women'


     
    'Saudi monarchy repressing women'
    Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:38PM GMT
    Interview with Ali al-Ahmed, director of IGA
    Share 
     
    Watch the video at:
     
     
    In Saudi Arabia, dozens of female activists have launched a campaign called "my right, my dignity", aimed at ending the discrimination against the Saudi women including the driving ban.


    Meanwhile, a Saudi activist who has defied the kingdom's prohibition on women driving will be put on trial.

    Press TV has interviewed with Ali al-Ahmed, Director of IGA from New York, to share his opinion on this issue.

    Press TV: Speaking about the discriminations against Saudi women, what more can you tell us about that discrimination inside Saudi Arabia?

    Al-Ahmed: Well women in Saudi Arabia are still treated as the property of their male family members and they cannot decide. Many of the rights that women around the world and in region enjoy such as the right to have surgery, women in Saudi Arabia if she needs surgery or enters hospital she needs permission from their husband, father or son. The woman in that country cannot obviously drive, cannot decide where to go because the father or the guardian is in charge of that and decides even if she can get married or not.

    So you are talking about the status of women, the personal agency women is not there for Saudi women and the Saudi law forces them to be subject to their male family members. And in addition to that, this announcement about allowing women to vote in 2015 is really meant to try to stop the protest that is going to happen by women, to participate in elections as full members, and it is also trying to cover up the abuses of women in that country. Women in that country cannot even play sports. You see, in your country in Iran they are allowed to play sports and to have federations. In Saudi Arabia, women will go to jail if they drive or if they try to play any kind of sports or try to marry the person that they love. So this is the situation that continues to be very bad for them.

    Press TV: The things you are referring to about the kinds of discriminations that women inside Saudi Arabia are facing right now when you say they are not allowed to marry the person that they like, that they are viewed as a property for the male members of society, now is that something you think that is too much inherent in Saudi society to change? Or is it because you think that Saudi Arabia, up until now, has not been under enough scrutiny from the international community, maybe, or from international human rights organization to try and talk over or rather discuss a solution for the situation there for women?

    Al-Ahmed: Obviously, the international community has not brought any pressure on the Saudi monarchy to allow to give rights to women. Let's just look at Bill Clinton, the former president of the United States praising king Abdullah for his reforms. The same thing was authored by the State Department and the White House. For what reforms, I do not understand? They believe that the people of the region are ignorant or something. You have a situation for women that is the worst situation for women in the world.

    Around the world, in Muslim countries, women are able to convey themselves as personal, they have their personal agency. They are allowed to become drivers, to become ministers, to vote, to participate. In Saudi Arabia, that is not the case.

    So to praise this monarchy for something that is minute, really, this enhances and allows the monarchy to continue to discriminate against women and it prolongs the suffering of women in Saudi Arabia. So anyone, any Western leader or government who praises the Saudi monarchy for any steps on women rights or women rights in general, what they are doing, they are becoming partners to the abuse of the people in Saudi Arabia.

    Press TV: We are hearing now of the "my right", "my dignity" campaign launched by the women inside Saudi Arabia. Now do you think that the fundamental changes that you were speaking about to be enforced in Saudi Arabia can be possible and can happen under the current ruling monarchy in Saudi Arabia even if it is to save face for the international community or do you think that bringing about these fundamental changes requires very much more fundamental changes in the ruling system of Saudi Arabia?

    Al-Ahmed: Obviously, the situation of women in Saudi Arabia is a direct result of the shape and the characteristic of this regime. So that must change, political change must happen in order to allow women to participate fully and to become a normal member of society, unlike the situation that they are in, it is one of the most horrific situations for the women around the world.

    AHK/JR
     
    Related:

    The woman, identified only as Shema, was found guilty of driving in Jeddah in July. Women2drive, which campaigns for women to be allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, says she has already lodged an appeal. In recent months, scores of women have driven... Full Article at Rantburg

    1. Saudi Woman Faces Flogging For Driving
      One of the women, Najla Hariri, told Reuters: "They called me in for questioning on a charge of challenging the monarch on Sunday... I signed a pledge not to drive again, although my driving was a result of necessity not an act of defiance." In 1990,... Full Article at International Business Times
  • "We have many problems that need to be addressed immediately." In Washington, National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said it recognized the "significant contributions" women have been making in Saudi Arabia. The move, he continued, would give... Full Article at Manila Bulletin
    1.  

      1. Saudi Woman Sentenced To Lashes After Defying Driving Ban
        NPR 3 hours ago
         

      2. This comes less than 48-hours after King Abdullah's announcement that Saudi women would be able to participate in municipal elections and be appointed to the Shoura Council. Two other women from the driving campaign have also been summoned for... Full Article at NPR 





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