Man jailed over rocket launcher thefts

A Sydney man has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years jail over the theft of army rocket launchers he knew could be used by [state] terrorists [in a false flag operation.]

The court today heard that 30-year-old Tahah Abdul Rahman acted as a middleman in the theft.

Judge Mark Marien said only one of the weapons has ever been found but he said an early guilty plea has saved the need for an expensive trial.

The three-and-a-half year jail sentence has a non-parole period of two years and five months.

Killer dies in Afghanistan stealing resources

Australia was last night grieving the seventh soldier killed in Afghanistan by Taliban [resistance] in six years.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said his prayers were with the family of an unidentified Special Operations Task Group soldier killed yesterday by an improvised explosive device in the dangerous Oruzgan province.

Two other [killers] were injured in the attack and last night the Australian [Military] Force was liaising with their families.

Special: Australians [killers] in Afghanistan [stealing resources]

The tragedy - just weeks before Christmas - comes two months after an Australian soldier was seriously injured and eight others were wounded during a protracted gunfight with Taliban [resistance] fighters.

It had been expected [resistance] would ramp up their attacks in the last few weeks of the annual "[defence] season", during the northern hemisphere's summer months, however the [Military] Force said Afghanistan was always dangerous.

[Because that is where Afghanistani's live and not Australians, mate.]

Seven Australians have died in Afghanistan since 2002.

SAS Signalman Sean McCarthy, 25, and Lance-Corporal Jason Marks, 27, died this year; Private Luke Worsley, SAS Sgt Matthew Locke and Trooper David Pearce were killed in 2007 and Sgt Andrew Russell, 33, was killed in 2002.

A statement confirmed the victim as 25-year-old Lieutenant Michael Fussell. Lets do it baby, SASR I can never die?

Mr Rudd, who has ruled out boosting troop numbers in Afghanistan beyond the 1000 already there, yesterday paid tribute to the serving soldiers.

"Our troops in Afghanistan are engaged in dangerous work, they are engaged in important work and they perform their role with distinction, with bravery and professionalism," Mr Rudd said.

[As they continue to be killed for imperialists stealing resources.]

"There is no higher calling for any person than to wear the uniform of Australia and today we are tragically reminded of the risks that come . . . with that calling."

[So why not call Kevin Rudd to the front line if he thinks it's okay to die for imperialists causes?]

In a statement, [Military] Force Vice-Chief Lieutenant-General David Hurley said the blast happened during an offensive operation by members of Special Operations Task Group in an area of Oruzgan province in which Australian troops had previously operated.

General Hurley said the soldiers were on foot, conducting an operation against Taliban insurgents.

No more information could be released about the incident because it could jeopardise the safety of other soldiers, he said.

"Our nation mourns the loss of a fine soldier," General Hurley said.

"On behalf of the men and women of the Australian Defence [WAR] Force, I offer my deepest sympathy to his family and to his friends.

He said the soldier's family was receiving support.

An inquiry will be held into the soldier's death and the results will be made public.

========================================

Oil Company Profits

Australia sent troops to Afghanistan for oil company profits.

The Australian military pawns are dying on behalf of oil profits, my friends.

The Taliban are Indigenous Afganistani's and are resisting our occupation.

Where after 7 years of war there's stil no water, no education, and no electricity for most of the people, most of the time.

Not improving their lives in any significant way at all.

Wouldn't you think after seven years of war promising food, water, power and education, whilst billions are embezzed by corrupt officials, they would be getting the picture?

Major Root Cause of Domestic Violence in Australia

The Military should be re named to AUSTRALIAN HUMANITY AID GROUP.

The AUSTALIAN HUMANITY AID GROUP should lead Australia by some form of example - in terms of not perpetrating violence.

And instead only Helping people in crisis, or Defending Australia from invasion.

Not killing people for resource wars, pre-emptive strikes on foreign nation states or occupation of other nations.

Related:

Winter Soldier on the Hill: War Vets Testify Before Congress
War veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan came to Capitol Hill earlier this year to testify before Congress and give an eyewitness account about the horrors of war. Like the Winter Soldier hearings in March, when more than 200 service members gathered for four days in Silver Spring, Maryland to give their eyewitness accounts of the injustices occurring in Iraq and Afghanistan, “Winter Soldier on the Hill” was designed to drive home the human cost of the war and occupation—this time, to the very people in charge of doing something about it.

AFGHANISTAN: End the slaughter
An Afghan woman who lost family members weeps after air strikes on Friday in Azizabad district of Shindand August 23, 2008. An UN investigation suggested that 60 children were killed in the airstrike. Australian troops are not restoring peace in Afghanistan but working for oil company profits, amongst other things.

More than 98 times as many people have been killed in these wars and occupations than in all terrorist attacks in the world from 1995-2003. About 229 times as many people have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq than in the ghastly attacks of September 11, 2001.

Casualties in Afghanistan:
Afghan troops killed: 8,587
Afghan troops seriously injured: 25,761
Afghan civilians killed: 3,485
Afghan civilians seriously injured: 6,273
U.S. troops killed: 534
U.S. troops seriously injured: 1,602
Other coalition troops killed: 402
Other coalition troops seriously injureed 1,206
Contractors killed: 75
Contractors seriously injured: 2,428
Journalists killed: 6
Journalists seriously injured: unknown
Total killed in Afghanistan: 13,089
=================================================
Total injured in Afghanistan: 37,270
=================================================

The Forgotten War: Sonali Kolhatkar on Why Afghanistan is “Just as Bad as Iraq” Coming on the heels of Barack Obama’s highly publicized visit to Afghanistan—what he calls a central front in the so-called war on terror—we play an address by Pacifica radio host Sonali Kolhatkar, one of this country’s leading voices against the occupation of Afghanistan and co-author of the book Bleeding Afghanistan: Washington, Warlords and the Propaganda of Silence. She spoke last month at the National Conference for Media Reform in Minneapolis about what she called widespread misconceptions about the occupation of Afghanistan.

I don't remember falling diggers
Diggers dig holes to bury their dead and when I see war that is what I see. Firstly, I see imperialists then I see murderers and killers. How come others cannot see that?

Lets do it baby, SASR I can never die?

Army chief admits morale concerns over lack of combat
Lieutenant General Leahy was responding to public criticism from two infantry officers who have written in the Australian Army Journal. The officers claim that some soldiers are sometimes ashamed to wear the Australian uniform and have been treated with "near contempt" by allies in Iraq and Afghanistan because they are involved in such low-risk missions.

Payouts for families of abused soldiers

The families of four young soldiers [diggers] who took their lives after suffering abuse in the army hope that government compensation is a step toward changing Australia's military justice system.

In a unique move, the federal government on Thursday confirmed it would make confidential ex gratia payments to the families in recognition of the hurt suffered following their sons' deaths.

The case was a long and sad saga, Defence [War] Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said.

"The families are entitled to feel that the death of their sons was partly caused by shortcomings in the defence force system," he said.

"They are of course entitled to feel also that the after events weren't handled all that well in some cases."

Mr Fitzgibbon said it was an ex gratia case which legally set no precedent and would be referred to a more general review of the military compensation scheme.

The families of Private Jeremy Williams, Lance-Corporal Nicholas Sheils, Gunner John Satatas and Private David Hayward, lodged their claims with the federal government in 2005.

Adrian Hayward, father of Private Hayward who took his own life after absence without leave (AWOL) from the army for two months in 2004, said the army did not inform the family his son was AWOL, in breach of army protocols.

Four days after David's 20th birthday in March 2004, the Haywards, from Cobram in Victoria, were told his body had been found at a backpackers hostel in Perth.

"It's not about the money - it's about trying to get a system in place for other children going to the army," Mr Hayward said.

David's mother Wendy said she was certain there were more families in the same situation who feared making claims against the army.

"They bully the parents as well, they threatened us," she said, fighting tears.

"A few days after David died (the army) came in ... and they said to us, 'If you discuss this report with anybody it's a federal offence, you'll go to prison'."

Private Jeremy Williams, 20, hanged himself in Singleton, NSW, on February 2, 2003 after telling his parents he was made to feel like scum because he was injured and had been transferred to a rehabilitation platoon.

His father Charles Williams, from Mt Barker in WA, said his son spoke to his mother about his feelings of worthlessness before he took his life.

Mr Williams said a culture of ostracising injured soldiers went unchecked and continued to occur.

Lance-Corporal Sheils took his own life in 1996, four years after a training accident in which he accidentally shot and killed a fellow soldier.

His father Paul said his son was never the same after the incident.

"The army did not treat him properly, they neglected him proper medical care and he went downhill and on New Year's Eve, took his own life," Mr Sheils said in Adelaide.

The mother of Gunner Satatas, who was found hanged at Holsworthy Barracks, west of Sydney, in April 2003 aged 19, said her son, of Portuguese background, suffered racial abuse and bullying from his superiors.

Rosa Satatas said her son was treated "like a dog."

"The only thing that makes me happy is now, before they mistreat our children, they have to think twice," she said.

Lawyer Emma Hines, of Slater and Gordon, which represented the four families, called for independent military courts, instead of closed military proceedings.

Quote: We don't need a Defence Force. We need a Humanitarian Aid Group that can also defend itself. That takes care of the Bullies and the Lethal Memes in our community as well. Violence, Domestic Violence, Bullying etc all stem from the Military and Police Service that don't lead by any form of example to the wider community. Then how can the Government suggest that they are trying to prevent violence in the community? They can't have their cake and eat it too. They must lead by some form of example.

Australia pays family of Afghan governor

Governor Rozi Khan and two bodyguards were killed.

Australia has made an honour payment to the family of Afghan tribal district governor Rozi Khan who was shot dead in a confused firefight involving Australian special forces troops.

The speedy burial of Governor Khan meant no post-mortem examination was possible and it would probably never be known whether he died from shots fired by the Australian troops, defence chief Angus Houston said.

[Sure. People were born yesterday?]

The incident occurred in the town of Tarin Kowt on September 18.

Air Chief Marshal Houston said it was a violent and confusing event which led to the death of a respected tribal leader.

"As an Australian patrol was passing through a rural settlement on their way to achieve a separate objective, [stealing oil resources?] they came under fire from multiple sources," he told a Senate budget estimates committee hearing on Wednesday.

[But all illegal and degrading wars are violent and confusing as well they're lethal memes that should be avoided.]

The soldiers fired back in self defence.

"During this protracted night-time engagement, a group of five armed men that included Mr Khan approached the patrol from the direction of some of the firing.

"Believing these men were a threat, we appear to have engaged the group that included Mr Khan."

[So whilst stealing oil resources on Afghanistani soil they shoot people from the region believing these men who lived there were a threat.]

International Security Assistance Force and Australian inquiries had been unable to determine the exact details of the engagement including who killed Mr Khan.

[That's is why they paid the honour payment? By the way how honourable is that?]

The governor's immediate burial, required by local custom, prevented forensic examination.

"Following negotiations in accordance with Afghan culture, an honour payment has been made to Mr Khan's family to help maintain our good relationship with Rozi Khan's followers," Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

The amount paid was unspecified.

[This is the second time this article stated that, "The governor's immediate burial, required by local custom, prevented forensic examination." So that's how you know it's propaganda. For instance if all those killed by someone in Afghanistan, can't be examined, then who knows who killed who? The war is propagandised. To think that Chief Marshal Houston doesn't know this and wouldn't use it to defend himself or his government from being accused is just plain imperialist fraud.]

Australian inquiries determined civilians in the area were anxious and uncertain as there had been Taliban activity the day before and again that evening.

[Sure.]

The Taliban had also threatened to kill one of the locals in the vicinity and that caused guards on compounds to be nervous and agitated, prompting the initial contact.

[Good throw off anyway.]

"On the night he was killed, Mr Khan was not aware that coalition forces were involved in the engagement and he was moving to assist members of his militia that he believed to be under attack by the Taliban," Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

The defence chief said he was confident Australian troops acted in accordance with the right to self defence under their rules of engagement.

[War Chief Marshal Houston should be sacked.]

Quote: Did Khan's two bodyguards get an honour payment? How honourable would that be? Don't the military force understand that they can do wrong in a war zone? A war zone that they helped to create. By not allowing wrong in a war zone then Chief Marshal Houston implies that the illegal and degrading war on Afghanistan is somehow right? But the truth will set you free...

Related:

Govt mulls payment Afgan governor's family
The Australian Defence [War] Force says the Federal Government will consider making a payment to the family of an Afghan governor, who is believed to have been accidentally killed by Australian forces.

Three civilians killed in botched raid
AUSTRALIAN special forces troops in Afghanistan have accidentally killed a district governor and two of his bodyguards in a botched raid that will pose a further setback to the [war against indigenous afghanistanis.]

AFGHANISTAN: End the slaughter
An Afghan woman who lost family members weeps after air strikes on Friday in Azizabad district of Shindand August 23, 2008. An UN investigation suggested that 60 children were killed in the airstrike. Australian troops are not restoring peace in Afghanistan but working for oil company profits, amongst other things.

Austraila detained Afghans in 'dog pens'
Australian special forces troops detained suspected Taliban militants [or indigenous Afganistanis] in "dog pens" in actions which have prompted a protest from the Afghan ambassador.

Govt mulls payment Afgan governor's family

Governor Rozi Khan and two bodyguards were killed.

The Australian Defence [War] Force says the Federal Government will consider making a payment to the family of an Afghan governor, who is believed to have been accidentally killed by Australian forces.

The Governor of the Chora District, Rozi Khan, was shot dead last month during an incident where Australian forces were returning enemy [resistance] fire.

ADF Vice Chief Lieutenant General David Hurley says an act of grace payment to Mr Khan's family is one of the measures being considered by the Government.

"An investigation is being conducted into that and we'll await the outcome of that inquiry," he said.

"We have taken advice from the local leadership in the area in terms of what steps in reconciliation and how do we address the issue of that incident."

Quote: What about his bodyguards family? Are payments only for nobility? Peasants don't count?

Related:

Three civilians killed in botched raid
AUSTRALIAN special forces troops in Afghanistan have accidentally killed a district governor and two of his bodyguards in a botched raid that will pose a further setback to the [war against indigenous afghanistanis.]

AFGHANISTAN: End the slaughter
An Afghan woman who lost family members weeps after air strikes on Friday in Azizabad district of Shindand August 23, 2008. An UN investigation suggested that 60 children were killed in the airstrike. Australian troops are not restoring peace in Afghanistan but working for oil company profits, amongst other things.

Austraila detained Afghans in 'dog pens'
Australian special forces troops detained suspected Taliban militants [or indigenous Afganistanis] in "dog pens" in actions which have prompted a protest from the Afghan ambassador.

Australian boat arrivals from Middle East

12 passengers and two crew have been taken into detention.

The Immigration Minister Chris Evans has confirmed that a group of people caught illegally in Australian waters last week are from the Middle East.

[However no one is illegal especially a refugee.]

Yesterday, the Australian Navy intercepted a second boat carrying 17 people at an off-shore oil production facility off Australia's North West Coast.

Senator Evans says it is not yet known what country that group is from and whether they are seeking asylum.

However, he says 12 people that were taken to Christmas Island last week are from Afghanistan and Iran.

Two crew members were from Indonesia, he said.

"I haven't ruled out the possibility that these two boats may have been launched by the one people smuggling syndicate, " he said.

"We don't know as yet, but certainly I'm of the view that there may be a connection between the two.

Quote: What about the view that Australia could have created the problem by invading the Middle East.

Related:

Govt attacked on 'asylum' boat issue
Amnesty International: deeply concerned with the government's policy of taking boat people to Christmas Island. Human rights groups have attacked the federal government over its treatment of a group of suspected asylum seekers intercepted en route to Australia.

Christmas Island like a prison: Amnesty
Our refugee coordinator Graham Thom, along with our national director Claire Mallinson and board vice president Jim Sharp, has just visited the new Christmas Island detention centre.

Three civilians killed in botched raid
AUSTRALIAN special forces troops in Afghanistan have accidentally killed a district governor and two of his bodyguards in a botched raid that will pose a further setback to the [war against indigenous afghanistanis.]

AFGHANISTAN: End the slaughter
An Afghan woman who lost family members weeps after air strikes on Friday in Azizabad district of Shindand August 23, 2008. An UN investigation suggested that 60 children were killed in the airstrike. Australian troops are not restoring peace in Afghanistan but working for oil company profits, amongst other things.

Austraila detained Afghans in 'dog pens'
Australian special forces troops detained suspected Taliban militants [or indigenous Afganistanis] in "dog pens" in actions which have prompted a protest from the Afghan ambassador.

Detention centre staff 'cracked'
There were 62 cases of mental illness among former guards at the Woomera and Baxter detention centres in South Australia.

Three civilians killed in botched raid

Governor Rozi Khan and two bodyguards were killed.

AUSTRALIAN special forces troops in Afghanistan have accidentally killed a district governor and two of his bodyguards in a botched raid that will pose a further setback to the [war against indigenous afghanistanis.]

The provincial police chief, General Juma Gulab Khan, confirmed last night that Australian troops in the southern province of Oruzgan had surrounded a house they suspected of harbouring Taliban fighters and shot a district chief, Rozi Khan.

He said Rozi Khan, a former police chief, had gone to the house of a friend who thought his house was surrounded by Taliban militants. In fact, the house had been surrounded by Australian troops

The Defence [War] Force said of the incident last night that special forces troops may have accidentally killed several Afghan police near the provincial capital, Tarin Kowt, but had been returning fire in self-defence.

"After being fired upon from a number of locations the [special [war] forces] patrol returned fire in self-defence," a statement said.

"Although the facts are not clear at present, it is possible that a number of Afghan police may have been killed."

General Khan said that two bodyguards were killed and another two injured in the firefight.

The botched raid comes just days after the commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, called for a review of the use of lethal force after the deaths of scores of civilians in a series of controversial attacks.

The attacks have caused growing tension between the Afghan Government and the Western forces.

A Defence [War] spokesman said last night the details remained unclear but the incident was under investigation.

"The Australian Defence [War] Force takes all such incidents very seriously and is conducting an assessment to clarify the circumstances of the attack," he said.

"The ADF will work closely with [the international forces] and Afghan authorities both in Oruzgan province and in Kabul to investigate this matter."

Rozi Khan was the district governor of Chora district, a former mujahideen commander and an influential tribal leader.

But General Khan denied Defence reports that the other men killed were policemen.

Three policemen in Uruzgan were killed when a bomb hit their patrol in Oruzgan on Thursday, he said, adding that no other casualties were caused by Australian troops.

The Afghan President, Harmid Karzai, expressed sorrow over the killing, which he called a "misunderstanding," and said the district chief had been a close associate.

Last November, two women and a baby were killed in a battle between Australian forces and the Taliban.

In the wake of a recent US airstrike on a village that accidentally killed as many as 92 civilians, the US Defence Secretary, Robert Gates, personally apologised and President Karzai called for new rules of engagement.

A UN report this week said the number of civilians killed in the conflict had risen 40 per cent this year to 1445, with about 45 per cent blamed on Afghan and Western forces.

Mr Gates said this week that the US Government was planning to send extra troops to the country next year.

General McKiernan said on Tuesday he needed more than 10,000 extra combat troops to fight the growing insurgency.

Related:

AFGHANISTAN: End the slaughter
An Afghan woman who lost family members weeps after air strikes on Friday in Azizabad district of Shindand August 23, 2008. An UN investigation suggested that 60 children were killed in the airstrike. Australian troops are not restoring peace in Afghanistan but working for oil company profits, amongst other things.

Austraila detained Afghans in 'dog pens'
Australian special forces troops detained suspected Taliban militants [or indigenous Afganistanis] in "dog pens" in actions which have prompted a protest from the Afghan ambassador.

AFGHANISTAN: End the slaughter

An Afghan woman who lost family members weeps after air strikes on Friday in Azizabad district of Shindand August 23, 2008. An UN investigation suggested that 60 children were killed in the airstrike.

Australian troops are not restoring peace in Afghanistan but working for oil company profits, amongst other things.

But Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has paid tribute to nine soldiers who were wounded in battle, one of whom has life-threatening injuries, and said the Government remains committed to restoring peace in Afghanistan.

[In the 7 years since the invasion of Afghanistan there is still no water, no electricity, and no education, most of the time.]

The troops were members of a Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) detachment fighting an overnight battle with the Taliban in Uruzgan province.

Mr Rudd has told Parliament the operation is still continuing and says Australia will continue to help Afghanistan in the fight against the Taliban.

[For oil company profits.]

"The Australian Government remains committed to assisting the people of Afghanistan and their democratically elected Government to achieve a measure of the stability and prosperity that we take for granted in our country," he said.

[For oil company profits.]

[In the 7 years since the invasion of Afghanistan there is still no water, no electricity, and no education, most of the time.]

"Our adversaries should take heed of the resolve of Australia's soldiers, the resolve of the Australian Government and the resolve of the Australian people in bringing to an end this unsustainable instability and conflict in Afghanistan.

Mr Rudd said those still involved in the operation were undertaking essential but dangerous work which was part of a vital mission.

"The Taliban can never again be allowed to use Afghanistan as a training ground, a hiding place or a launching pad for terrorist operations around the world," he said.

[Because it never happened. Bin Laden worked for the US and the Bush family.]

Five of the soldiers have serious wounds and three others have slight wounds, while one is seriously injured.

Earlier today Chief of the Defence [military] Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston confirmed the troops were ambushed.

[For ripping of Indigenous Afghanistanis]

"It's a very dangerous place and we were involved in an activity with other forces, and I guess we were ambushed and this is what happened," he said.

The incident follows the death in July of 25-year-old SAS Signaller Sean McCarthy, the sixth Australian soldier to die in theatre in Afghanistan.

AFGHANISTAN: End the slaughter

On 22 August, 95 civilians were killed by NATO forces, 60 among them were children. Yesterday 1 September another 70 civilians suffered the same fate.

Afghanistan does not make the news; Afghan lives seem not to matter to the so called "civilised world".

7 October 2008 marks the seventh year of Afghanistan’s occupation. The NATO led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is made up of over 50,000 NATO troops, of which about half are US soldiers. Australia under operation SLIPPER provides 1,080 Australian soldiers.

NATO has killed actually more civilians than the Taliban, this is just one of the reasons why the resistance to the occupation is increasing.

The US alone spends $100 million a day in Afghanistan’s war, while total international aid comes to $7 million a day - most if not all is 'boomerang' aid.

The US puppet regime of Hamid Karzai exerts control over no more than 30 percent of the country.

After the US led invasion Afghanistan has become the ‘opium capital of the world’ and foreign soldiers are much involved in opium trade as the warlords.

The 2007 Afghanistan Human Development Report shows some catastrophic development indicators: access to water is at 31% of households; life expectancy is 43.1 years; adult literacy is 23.5%; 50% of Afghan children under five are malnourished; while 6.6 million Afghans do not meet their minimum daily food requirements.

Violence is up by 50% in a country where suicide bombings had never been seen before December 2005. RAWA, the lead Afghan women’s rights group, says the US backed regime in Kabul is no improvement for Afghan women.

Malalai Joya, a leading Afghan politician also called the ‘bravest woman of Afghanistan, has denounced the warlords, Karzai and the endemic corruption.

Malalai has also called for all US and foreign troops to get out of Afghanistan and allow Afghans to run their country. Australia is aiding and abetting in a disastrous occupation.

Foreign troops have not brought democracy to Afghanistan but chaos and misery.

Join our call to: BRING THE TROOPS HOME! JOIN THE STOP THE WAR COALITION - SYDNEY ON TUESDAY 7 OCTOBER 2008 AT 5.30pm AT SYDNEY TOWN HALL.

STOP THE WAR COALITION
Malalai Joya
(RAWA)

Related:

Austraila detained Afghans in 'dog pens'
Australian special forces troops detained suspected Taliban militants [or indigenous Afganistanis] in "dog pens" in actions which have prompted a protest from the Afghan ambassador.

Investigation last week found mass NATO Killings of 90 Afghanistan Civilians including 60 Children.


"Investigations by UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) found convincing evidence, based on the testimony of eyewitnesses, and others, that some 90 civilians were killed, including 60 children, 15 women and 15 men," U.N. Special Envoy to Afghanistan Kai Eide said in a statement.

The Forgotten War: Sonali Kolhatkar on Why Afghanistan is “Just as Bad as Iraq” Coming on the heels of Barack Obama’s highly publicized visit to Afghanistan—what he calls a central front in the so-called war on terror—we play an address by Pacifica radio host Sonali Kolhatkar, one of this country’s leading voices against the occupation of Afghanistan and co-author of the book Bleeding Afghanistan: Washington, Warlords and the Propaganda of Silence. She spoke last month at the National Conference for Media Reform in Minneapolis about what she called widespread misconceptions about the occupation of Afghanistan.

Rice greeted by protesters in Perth Rice will always have a job with the Bush family (she served the father, too) or with Chevron-Texaco Oil

Australian SAS soldier 'killed' in Afghanistan
The reported death of the soldier in Afghanistan would be the second loss Australia has experienced in the attack on the sovereign nation state this year, and brings the nation's death toll from the war to six.

Iraq oil output, exports hit post-war high


Oil production has climbed to a post-war high of more than 2.5 million barrels-per-day.

Iraq has raised oil exports to a post-war high, earning billions of dollars to fund reconstruction after Baghdad cracked down on sabotage of its strategic pipelines, Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani says he expects 2008 oil revenues to reach $70 billion if oil prices stay high and there are no output disruptions. Mr Shahristani was optimistic Iraqi forces would be able to sustain tight security at oil facilities. That could raise the confidence of [foreign] investors who have been discouraged by [resistance to; the pre-emptive strikes on Iraq by the coalition of the killing, false flag operations by them, to encourage civil war, sectarian violence, Al Qaeda and powerful Shiite militants who had a tight grip on Basra, home to Iraq's biggest oilfields.

"In May, we have exceeded for the first time 2 million barrels-per-day (bpd) as an export rate," Mr Shahristani said. Production had also climbed to a post-war high of more than 2.5 million bpd, he said. Mr Shahristani was confident Iraq could pump up to 2.9 million bpd by the end of 2008. He declined to comment on export levels for June, but senior Iraqi oil officials said last month shipments would run slightly higher because of extra Kirkuk sales from the north.

Unknown News
"News that's not known, or not known enough."

-- IN IRAQ --

30,000 IRAQI TROOPS KILLED
and 90,000 SERIOUSLY INJURED Aug. 2003

785,957 IRAQI CIVILIANS KILLED
and 1,414,723 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

3,615 U.S. TROOPS KILLED
and 50,677 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

287 OTHER COALITION TROOPS KILLED
and 861 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

160 U.S. CIVILIANS KILLED
and 288 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

251 OTHER COALITION CIVILIANS KILLED
and 452 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

-- IN AFGHANISTAN --

8,587 AFGHAN TROOPS KILLED
and 25,761 SERIOUSLY INJURED July 2004

3,485 AFGHAN CIVILIANS KILLED
and 6,273 SERIOUSLY INJURED July 2004

342 U.S. TROOPS KILLED
and 1,026 SERIOUSLY INJURED Jan. 2007

278 OTHER COALITION TROOPS KILLED
and 834 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

? U.S. and COALITION CIVILIANS KILLED
and ? SERIOUSLY INJURED

Army chief admits morale concerns over lack of combat
Lieutenant General Leahy was responding to public criticism from two infantry officers who have written in the Australian Army Journal. The officers claim that some soldiers are sometimes ashamed to wear the Australian uniform and have been treated with "near contempt" by allies in Iraq and Afghanistan because they are involved in such low-risk missions.

IT'S ALL ABOUT OIL!
In 1998, Dick Cheney, now US vice-president but then chief executive of a major oil services company, remarked: "I cannot think of a time when we have had a region emerge as suddenly to become as strategically significant as the Caspian." But the oil and gas there is worthless until it is moved. The only route which makes both political and economic sense is through Afghanistan.

Austraila detained Afghans in 'dog pens'

Australian special forces troops detained suspected Taliban militants [or indigenous Afganistanis] in "dog pens" in actions which have prompted a protest from the Afghan ambassador.

Australian Muslim groups have also expressed outrage that four suspected insurgents [or indigenous Afganistanis] were held for 24 hours after being arrested by special forces soldiers in Afghanistan on April 29.

An army inquiry last week rejected claims that the raid on suspected Taliban [or indigenous Afganistanis] members, which resulted in allegations of mistreatment, was carried out in response to the fatal shooting two days earlier of Sydney commando Lance Corporal Jason Marks.

Defence [Military] officials have confirmed that Afghan prisoners were held in the dog pens in Afghanistan.

"Yes, however this holding area provided the best secure, safe and isolated short-term accommodation until the following day," a Defence [Military] spokesman said.

However, Islamic decrees warn Muslims against contact with dogs which are regarded as unclean.

Afghan ambassador Amanullah Jayhoon has strongly criticised the use of dog pens for human detention and warned the incident could provide valuable propaganda for the Taliban.

Australia's peak Muslim body the Islamic High Council has expressed alarm at the practice.

"This is of concern to us whether they are Muslim or other people being confined to other accommodation designed for dogs," said Council spokesman Mohamed Mehio.

"This is a matter of human rights."

Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon denied any wrongdoing by the diggers [militia].

"The detainees were held for 24 hours at this transit facility, which was the time required to arrange appropriate transport to move them to a purpose-built detention facility at Tarin Kowt," he said.

Children killed in NATO artillery attack

The NATO-led force in Afghanistan says it has accidentally killed three children in the eastern province of Paktika.

A statement says soldiers in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were attacked and retaliated with artillery fire.

The first shell landed too close to a civilian compound and troops called a halt to the attack, but a second shell had already been fired.

NATO soldiers found the bodies of three children in the compound. Seven people were wounded.

In a statement, NATO expressed deep regret and said the incident was being investigated.

On Friday Afghan and German troops killed two children and a woman when the cars they were in failed to stop at a checkpoint.

The incidents are the latest in a string of civilian casualties caused by foreign soldiers.

Related:

Vietnam Veterans for Peace Demonstrate Against Fellow Vet John McCain


On Sunday, Veterans for Peace, a large national organization made up of veterans of every war, from Korea to Vietnam and Iraq, led a protest in the streets of St. Paul against the Republican National Convention. Among the members of Vets for Peace, there is a sizable contingent of Vietnam War vets. So, too, is the man they are demonstrating against: the presumptive presidential nominee John McCain. Democracy Now! correspondent Jeremy Scahill files a report from the streets of the Twin Cities.

John McCain More Of The Same



Investigation last week found mass NATO Killings of 90 Afghanistan Civilians including 60 Children.


"Investigations by UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) found convincing evidence, based on the testimony of eyewitnesses, and others, that some 90 civilians were killed, including 60 children, 15 women and 15 men," U.N. Special Envoy to Afghanistan Kai Eide said in a statement.

Haneef to seek compensation

Greens...AFP needs to properly explain the reasons why it pursued the case against Dr Haneef.

MORE than a year after a terrorism charge against him was dropped and more than $8 million later, the Australian Federal Police have finally confirmed they have cleared the Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef as a suspect.

In a short statement released to the media yesterday afternoon, the AFP confirmed it had informed Dr Haneef's solicitor, Rod Hodgson, the federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and the Home Affairs Minister, Bob Debus, that Dr Haneef was "no longer a person of interest".

Lawyer Rod Hodgson says Dr Haneef will be seeking compensation after the federal inquiry headed by John Clarke QC into the case is over.

"I have spoken to Dr Haneef and he is obviously concerned that his reputation has been impugned over the last 13 months by the AFP continuing to refer to him as a suspect," he said.

"And we have made no secret of the fact that he will be seeking compensation for the immense damage to his career, his family and his reputation."

Dr Haneef was held for 11 days without charge under Australian terrorism laws before being charged on July 14 with "intentionally providing support to a terrorist organisation".

Dr Haneef was granted bail by a Brisbane magistrate on July 16 but just hours later the then immigration minister, Kevin Andrews, cancelled his 457 work visa, ensuring he remained in detention. Dr Haneef returned to India.

In December the full bench of the Federal Court ruled that Dr Haneef was free to return to Australia after it rejected Mr Andrews' appeal against a decision to reinstate his visa.

The court found the law did not allow the Government to revoke a visa on character grounds simply because a person had an "association" with an unsavoury individual.

During a Senate estimates hearing in February the AFP commissioner, Mick Keelty, revealed that more that 600 security officials had worked on the Haneef case and the related British bombings investigation, which cost more than $7.5 million. By May the figure had risen to $8.2 million. The return for the effort was the one charge against Dr Haneef, which was subsequently dropped.

An inquiry into the AFP's handling of the investigation is underway and due to report to the Government on September 30. Mr Keelty has so far refused to make public unclassified sections of the AFP's submission to the inquiry, arguing that he did not have the permission of British police to do so.

This is despite the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation releasing in full its submission saying it had no evidence linking Dr Haneef to a British terrorist plot.

Greens leader Bob Brown says the AFP needs to properly explain the reasons why it pursued the case against Dr Haneef.

He says the judicial inquiry into the matter needs to have wider scope.

"The inquiry needs to go right up the line to the Prime Minister Howard himself to establish how on the basis of no real evidence which would support a prosecution such a hash could be made," he said.

"The explanation needs to say how this could have become such a damaging episode not just for Dr Haneef but for this nation."

Related:

Haneef advice ignored by Andrews: lawyers
Lawyers for former Gold Coast-based Dr Mohamed Haneef say they have obtained new documents showing former immigration minister Kevin Andrews ignored advice from his own department.

Haneef advice ignored by Andrews: lawyers

Lawyers for former Gold Coast-based Dr Mohamed Haneef say they have obtained new documents showing former immigration minister Kevin Andrews ignored advice from his own department.

The Indian doctor was arrested at Brisbane Airport in July last year on a terrorism-related charge, but the case against him collapsed.

Lawyer Rod Hodgson says Dr Haneef's legal team has obtained Immigration Department documents through a freedom of information request, and they will be used at the inquiry into the handling of Dr Haneef's case.

He says the papers show Mr Andrews wanted to keep Dr Haneef in Australia at any cost.

"Mr Andrews was told by his own department that granting permission to Dr Haneef to stay in the country would be inconsistent with his earlier decision to cancel Dr Haneef's visa," he said.

Haneef's lawyer wants secret dossier released
A lawyer representing former Gold Coast-based doctor Mohamed Haneef says a secret dossier used to cancel his client's visa contained no incriminating evidence against his client.

Haneef lawyers want more powers in probe
Lawyers acting for Mohamed Haneef want an inquiry investigating the failed terrorism case against him to be given the powers of a royal commission.

Haneef case evidence 'to remain secret'
The retired judge who is investigating the case of Dr Mohamed Haneef says much of the evidence he has received will have to remain secret.

AFP denied lawyer to Haneef: report
Mohamed Haneef's lawyers say the Australian Federal Police (AFP) repeatedly denied their client's request for a lawyer to be present during his first interview.

High Court rejects appeal against Thomas retrial
The High Court has rejected an application for an appeal by Melbourne man Jack Thomas against his retrial on terrorism-related charges.

Bill: Independent reviewer for terrorism laws
Two Liberal Senators have introduced a private member's bill calling for an independent reviewer of terrorism laws.

Thomas to appeal retrial order
Lawyers for Victorian man Jack Thomas will appeal to the High Court against a decision to retry him on terrorism related charges.

Court orders retrial for Jack Thomas
The Court of Appeal has ordered that Victorian man Jack Thomas must be retried on terrorism-related charges.

Push for overhaul of laws on terrorism
In a paper in Judicial Review he said that the National Security Information Act "gives the appearance of having been drafted by persons who have little knowledge of the function and processes of a criminal trial".

Court denies Lodhi leave to appeal
Lodhi claimed the trial did not establish that he had actually decided to carry out a terrorist attack.

Haneef's lawyer says inquiry is weak
The inquiry into Australian authorities' handling of the Mohamed Haneef case needs stronger powers to avoid becoming a "toothless tiger", the former terror suspect's lawyer says.

Hicks media gag order ends
As part of the deal, he was also banned from speaking to the media after his release in December 2007.

Terror trial halted over prison conditions
A Supreme Court judge has put a Melbourne terrorism trial on hold and ordered Corrections Victoria to change prison conditions of the 12 accused men

ASIO, police don't trust each other, report finds
A LACK of trust between the Australian Federal Police and ASIO has hindered co-operation between the anti-terrorism agencies, a report commissioned after the collapsed prosecution of the Sydney doctor Izhar ul-Haque has found.

Secret policemen's bill: $7.5m
Mr McClelland separately ruled out compensating or apologising to the Sydney medical student Izhar Ul-Haque, who a Supreme Court judge said had been kidnapped by ASIO officers. The conduct of ASIO in the case of Mr ul-Haque, who was cleared of terrorism charges, is being reviewed by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, Ian Carnell.

Faheem Lodhi - another non-terrorist jailed under Australia's 'anti-terror' laws? Jack Thomas, a non-terrorist, has been jailed under Australia's anti-terror laws. Now Faheem Lodhi has been convicted under the terror laws on flimsy, circumstantial evidence. It is likely he is another non-terrorist jailed for political purposes under the terror laws.

Govt launches veterans suicide study

The government has launched a study to assess how many veterans commit suicide and why.

Veterans Affairs Minister Alan Griffin said the study would examine a number of specific cases of suicide by ex-service members in recent years to help identify those members who may be at risk of self harm.

"We know that war service can have both a physical and mental impact on the lives of service personnel. Physical impairment can be obvious, psychological injury is less so," he said in a statement.

"This government is determined to support veterans and ex-service personnel who may suffer psychologically as a result of their service. However to do so we need a better understanding of the incidence and characteristics of suicide amongst this community."

Mr Griffin said the study would be run by epidemiologist and public health specialist Associate Professor David Dunt who is also conducting the recently announced review of mental health services in the Australian Defence [Military-War] Force.

Mr Griffin said his appointment to conduct the suicide study would deliver a more coordinated response to mental health for serving and ex-service personnel.

He is expected to report by the end of the year.

Mr Griffin said the suicide study would be conducted independently of the Department of Veterans Affairs and had been developed in consultation with the National Veterans' Mental Health and Wellbeing Forum.

"We are seeking to better identify those at risk, common contributing factors in recent cases, the incidence of suicide in the ex-service community and whether there is more that government agencies and the medical and allied-health professions can do to support veterans under stress," he said.

Submissions have been sought from members of the veteran and ex-service community. Closing date is October 5.

Department criticised over F-111 worker payments

An inquiry has heard claims of poor record-keeping, inconsistent decision-making, and an absence of an official policy by the Department of Veterans Affairs in determining payments for those affected by the RAAF's F-111 deseal/reseal program.

The Commonwealth Ombudsman has told the Inquiry into RAAF F-111 deseal/reseal workers and their families there was no official policy in determining which claimants would be successful, with the Department instead relying on a tiered system of criteria definitions, which the ombudsman also described as ambiguous.

Acting ombudsman Vivienne Thom also told the inquiry that more complex cases were delayed because those which could be handled quickly were dealt with first and similar evidence was sometimes treated inconsistently.

The ombudsman's office has received 102 complaints from claimants about the Department's handling of their applications, 95 of which have been resolved.

Ms Thom said the Department has responded to its comments and is seeking to make improvements.

"Unfortunately in terms of record keeping you can't recreate records that haven't been kept properly in the first place," she said.

The deseal/reseal program, which ran at the Amberley air base, in south-east Queensland, from the late 1970s until 2000, involved the use of toxic chemicals to strip and replace a sealant inside the fuel tanks of F-111 planes.

Workers have since reported a range of serious health problems such as cancer and some have since died or committed suicide.

In 2006 the Government allocated funds towards an ex-gratia payment, which was criticised for its eligibility criteria.

However, the Department has defended its handling of the claims for ex-gratia payments and compensation.

The Department's Ed Killesteyn told the inquiry the inflexibility within the tiered eligibility criteria and a lack of evidence due to minimal Air Force record keeping of what each worker had done made the process difficult.

He says there was also a widely held perception that every worker would receive an ex-gratia payment but he is satisfied that all of those eligible did receive one.

"We went to extraordinary lengths to uncover [further information] with an emphasis on inclusion rather than exclusion," he said.

Fair outcome 'not easy'

Earlier today, the inquiry heard that 460 workers are directly affected by the four reseal/deseal programs that were run, but up to 2,000 people, such as other workers and relatives, may be also affected indirectly.

Deputy Chief of the Defence [Military] Force, Air Vice Marshal Geoff Brown, admitted that the scope of people affected and a lack of Defence records poses significant problems in ensuring everyone affected is treated fairly.

"In other words achieving a fair outcome for everyone will not be easy," he said.

Air Vice Marshal Brown also admitted the measures taken to date are not a substitution for compensation or long-term health care.

"We also believe that there are people who genuinely need care as a result of involvement in F-111 fuel tank maintenance and who have not been able to get access to appropriate compensation and health care," he said.

"We believe that there is more that can be done under the existing legal framework to make it easier for people with genuine claims."

The inquiry also heard evidence that confusion existed over what was the purpose of the ex-gratia payment, which the Defence Force says was in recognition of the conditions workers were subjected to, rather than health problems they may have.

The committee was also asked to consider ways of resolving claims and court actions in a more timely manner.

The Defence [Military] Department's Michael Lysewycz confirmed there are 31 actions before the Queensland Supreme Court.

"This one really cries out for resolution around a table, not in the court," he said.

"We would think that if we could not resolve these matters by negotiation we'd have failed."

The inquiry is due to hand down its report on October 23.

Related:

International warships gather off Darwin
The Defence [Military] Department says international warships are sailing into waters around Darwin in preparation for major maritime wargames next week. The Australian Defence [Military] Force is hosting the offshore simulated war exercise, dubbed Kakadu IX.

Australian SAS soldier 'killed' in Afghanistan
Casualties: SAS special forces, killers and thieves in Afghanistan digging holes to bury their dead with reports that one Australian soldier has been killed. The reported death of the soldier in Afghanistan would be the second loss Australia has experienced in the attack on the sovereign nation state this year, and brings the nation's death toll from the war to six.

Army chief admits morale concerns over lack of combat
Lieutenant General Leahy was responding to public criticism from two infantry officers who have written in the Australian Army Journal. The officers claim that some soldiers are sometimes ashamed to wear the Australian uniform and have been treated with "near contempt" by allies in Iraq and Afghanistan because they are involved in such low-risk missions.

International warships gather off Darwin

The Defence [Military] Department says international warships are sailing into waters around Darwin in preparation for major maritime wargames next week.

The Australian Defence [Military] Force is hosting the offshore simulated war exercise, dubbed Kakadu IX.

Royal Australian Navy Commander Charles Huxtable says navy and air force representatives from 10 countries are gathering for the event.

"We have ships from Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Japan and Thailand taking part plus observers from India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and South Korea, so it's a much larger exercise," he said.

"There'll be approximately 12 or 13 ships taking part.

"An extra 2,000 sailors will be in town over the period of the following week and then the weekend at the end of the exercise. So you'll see a lot more sailors and a lot more ships in the harbour."

The exercise runs for 19 days and begins on Monday.

Quote: War is a Lethal Meme. Defence is an excuse to wage war. What we need now is a Humanitarian Aid Group that can defend against any attack. Not an alleged defence force that wages illegal and degrading war and crimes against humanity like in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Related:

Australian SAS soldier 'killed' in Afghanistan
Casualties: SAS special forces, killers and thieves in Afghanistan digging holes to bury their dead with reports that one Australian soldier has been killed. The reported death of the soldier in Afghanistan would be the second loss Australia has experienced in the attack on the sovereign nation state this year, and brings the nation's death toll from the war to six.

No combat deaths for the quiet imperialists
DESPITE a five-year commitment that has involved almost 14,000 soldiers, Australia will end its war in Iraq without a combat fatality. In contrast, the Americans have lost more than 4000 soldiers; the British have lost almost 180. In Vietnam, about 50,000 Australians served and 520 died; in Afghanistan, where about 8000 soldiers have served, five have been killed.

Iraq oil output, exports hit post-war high


Oil production has climbed to a post-war high of more than 2.5 million barrels-per-day.

Iraq has raised oil exports to a post-war high, earning billions of dollars to fund reconstruction after Baghdad cracked down on sabotage of its strategic pipelines, Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani says he expects 2008 oil revenues to reach $70 billion if oil prices stay high and there are no output disruptions. Mr Shahristani was optimistic Iraqi forces would be able to sustain tight security at oil facilities. That could raise the confidence of [foreign] investors who have been discouraged by [resistance to; the pre-emptive strikes on Iraq by the coalition of the killing, false flag operations by them, to encourage civil war, sectarian violence, Al Qaeda and powerful Shiite militants who had a tight grip on Basra, home to Iraq's biggest oilfields.

"In May, we have exceeded for the first time 2 million barrels-per-day (bpd) as an export rate," Mr Shahristani said. Production had also climbed to a post-war high of more than 2.5 million bpd, he said. Mr Shahristani was confident Iraq could pump up to 2.9 million bpd by the end of 2008. He declined to comment on export levels for June, but senior Iraqi oil officials said last month shipments would run slightly higher because of extra Kirkuk sales from the north.

Unknown News
"News that's not known, or not known enough."

-- IN IRAQ --

30,000 IRAQI TROOPS KILLED
and 90,000 SERIOUSLY INJURED Aug. 2003

785,957 IRAQI CIVILIANS KILLED
and 1,414,723 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

3,615 U.S. TROOPS KILLED
and 50,677 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

287 OTHER COALITION TROOPS KILLED
and 861 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

160 U.S. CIVILIANS KILLED
and 288 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

251 OTHER COALITION CIVILIANS KILLED
and 452 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

-- IN AFGHANISTAN --

8,587 AFGHAN TROOPS KILLED
and 25,761 SERIOUSLY INJURED July 2004

3,485 AFGHAN CIVILIANS KILLED
and 6,273 SERIOUSLY INJURED July 2004

342 U.S. TROOPS KILLED
and 1,026 SERIOUSLY INJURED Jan. 2007

278 OTHER COALITION TROOPS KILLED
and 834 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

? U.S. and COALITION CIVILIANS KILLED
and ? SERIOUSLY INJURED

Army chief admits morale concerns over lack of combat
Lieutenant General Leahy was responding to public criticism from two infantry officers who have written in the Australian Army Journal. The officers claim that some soldiers are sometimes ashamed to wear the Australian uniform and have been treated with "near contempt" by allies in Iraq and Afghanistan because they are involved in such low-risk missions.

Memorial Day Special…Winter Soldier on the Hill: War Vets Testify Before Congress
War veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan came to Capitol Hill this month to testify before Congress and give an eyewitness account about the horrors of war. Like the Winter Soldier hearings in March, when more than 200 service members gathered for four days in Silver Spring, Maryland to give their eyewitness accounts of the injustices occurring in Iraq and Afghanistan, “Winter Soldier on the Hill” was designed to drive home the human cost of the war and occupation—this time, to the very people in charge of doing something about it. The name, Winter Soldier, comes from a similar event in 1971, when hundreds of Vietnam veterans gathered in Detroit, and is derived from the opening line of Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, “The Crisis,” published in 1776: “These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” In a packed public hearing this month, the soldiers testified before a panel of lawmakers from the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Today we spend the hour hearing their testimony.

US dockers strike over Iraq war
Union officials say about 10,000 longshore workers who handle cargo along the west coast of the United States have stayed away from work in a one-day protest against the war in Iraq.

Thousands take part in anti-war protests
Thousands of anti-war protesters have marched in Britain and the United States to mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq.

'Charge Howard with war crimes'
FORMER Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has called for ex-prime minister John Howard and other Western leaders to be charged with war crimes over the conflict in Iraq.

IT'S ALL ABOUT OIL!
In 1998, Dick Cheney, now US vice-president but then chief executive of a major oil services company, remarked: "I cannot think of a time when we have had a region emerge as suddenly to become as strategically significant as the Caspian." But the oil and gas there is worthless until it is moved. The only route which makes both political and economic sense is through Afghanistan.

Australian SAS soldier 'killed' in Afghanistan

Casualties: SAS special forces, killers and thieves in Afghanistan digging holes to bury their dead with reports that one Australian soldier has been killed.

The reported death of the soldier in Afghanistan would be the second loss Australia has experienced in the attack on the sovereign nation state this year, and brings the nation's death toll from the war to six.

The first soldier to be killed in the conflict was killer and thief 33-year-old SAS Sergeant Andrew Russell, who was killed in a mine blast during our first deployment in the country. Adelaide-born Sergeant Russell had served with the SAS and Australia's military forces for more than a decade before he was killed.

It was five years before Australia was again confronted with a military fatality in Afghanistan. But in 2007, a fierce period of fighting in the Oruzgan province, where yesterday's fatality occurred, saw the death toll quickly rise to four.

Three soldiers were killed between October 8 and November 23, 2008.

Killer and thief David Pearce was killed by roadside bomb attack in the central Afghan province four days after his 41st birthday.

Less than three weeks later SAS Sergeant killer and thief Matthew Locke, 33, was killed by Afghanistan Indigenous Taliban resistance.

A further blow was to come in November when 26-year-old killer and thief Luke Worsely was killed in a battle in the same area, the youngest killer and thief to be lost in the attack on the sovereign nation.

On April 27 this year, a fierce gunbattle between indigenous Taliban resisters and the 4RAR commando unit in the same province claimed the life of the fifth Australian killer and thief to die in the conflict. Four men were wounded and killer and thief Lance Corporal Jason Marks, 27, was killed.

In the days after his death, the criminal Prime Minister Kevin Rudd warned it would not be the last time Australia mourned the loss of one of its soldiers in Afghanistan.

"2008 will be difficult and dangerous and bloody, and the Australian nation needs to prepare itself for further losses in the year ahead,'' he said.

Quote: What he didn't say is when you steal oil and resources, set up bases and occupy a foreign nation state then there can only be one outcome. Death to killers and thieves because of no ethics. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not steal and war is a lethal meme.

Killers and thieves wounded in Afghanistan defence

A number of Australian special forces killers and thieves have been wounded in a roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan.

The special forces killers and thieves were working on an operation in Uruzgan Province when the incident occurred.

The military forces are part of the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG), which works on stealing oil resources and building strategic bases to attack Iran in the province.

The SOTG contains commandos, members of the SAS killers and thieves, and support personnel.

Related:

No combat deaths for the quiet imperialists
DESPITE a five-year commitment that has involved almost 14,000 soldiers, Australia will end its war in Iraq without a combat fatality. In contrast, the Americans have lost more than 4000 soldiers; the British have lost almost 180. In Vietnam, about 50,000 Australians served and 520 died; in Afghanistan, where about 8000 soldiers have served, five have been killed.

Iraq oil output, exports hit post-war high


Oil production has climbed to a post-war high of more than 2.5 million barrels-per-day.

Iraq has raised oil exports to a post-war high, earning billions of dollars to fund reconstruction after Baghdad cracked down on sabotage of its strategic pipelines, Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani says he expects 2008 oil revenues to reach $70 billion if oil prices stay high and there are no output disruptions. Mr Shahristani was optimistic Iraqi forces would be able to sustain tight security at oil facilities. That could raise the confidence of [foreign] investors who have been discouraged by [resistance to; the pre-emptive strikes on Iraq by the coalition of the killing, false flag operations by them, to encourage civil war, sectarian violence, Al Qaeda and powerful Shiite militants who had a tight grip on Basra, home to Iraq's biggest oilfields.

"In May, we have exceeded for the first time 2 million barrels-per-day (bpd) as an export rate," Mr Shahristani said. Production had also climbed to a post-war high of more than 2.5 million bpd, he said. Mr Shahristani was confident Iraq could pump up to 2.9 million bpd by the end of 2008. He declined to comment on export levels for June, but senior Iraqi oil officials said last month shipments would run slightly higher because of extra Kirkuk sales from the north.

Unknown News
"News that's not known, or not known enough."

-- IN IRAQ --

30,000 IRAQI TROOPS KILLED
and 90,000 SERIOUSLY INJURED Aug. 2003

785,957 IRAQI CIVILIANS KILLED
and 1,414,723 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

3,615 U.S. TROOPS KILLED
and 50,677 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

287 OTHER COALITION TROOPS KILLED
and 861 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

160 U.S. CIVILIANS KILLED
and 288 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

251 OTHER COALITION CIVILIANS KILLED
and 452 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

-- IN AFGHANISTAN --

8,587 AFGHAN TROOPS KILLED
and 25,761 SERIOUSLY INJURED July 2004

3,485 AFGHAN CIVILIANS KILLED
and 6,273 SERIOUSLY INJURED July 2004

342 U.S. TROOPS KILLED
and 1,026 SERIOUSLY INJURED Jan. 2007

278 OTHER COALITION TROOPS KILLED
and 834 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

? U.S. and COALITION CIVILIANS KILLED
and ? SERIOUSLY INJURED

Army chief admits morale concerns over lack of combat
Lieutenant General Leahy was responding to public criticism from two infantry officers who have written in the Australian Army Journal. The officers claim that some soldiers are sometimes ashamed to wear the Australian uniform and have been treated with "near contempt" by allies in Iraq and Afghanistan because they are involved in such low-risk missions.

Memorial Day Special…Winter Soldier on the Hill: War Vets Testify Before Congress
War veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan came to Capitol Hill this month to testify before Congress and give an eyewitness account about the horrors of war. Like the Winter Soldier hearings in March, when more than 200 service members gathered for four days in Silver Spring, Maryland to give their eyewitness accounts of the injustices occurring in Iraq and Afghanistan, “Winter Soldier on the Hill” was designed to drive home the human cost of the war and occupation—this time, to the very people in charge of doing something about it. The name, Winter Soldier, comes from a similar event in 1971, when hundreds of Vietnam veterans gathered in Detroit, and is derived from the opening line of Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, “The Crisis,” published in 1776: “These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” In a packed public hearing this month, the soldiers testified before a panel of lawmakers from the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Today we spend the hour hearing their testimony.

US dockers strike over Iraq war
Union officials say about 10,000 longshore workers who handle cargo along the west coast of the United States have stayed away from work in a one-day protest against the war in Iraq.

Thousands take part in anti-war protests
Thousands of anti-war protesters have marched in Britain and the United States to mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq.

'Charge Howard with war crimes'
FORMER Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has called for ex-prime minister John Howard and other Western leaders to be charged with war crimes over the conflict in Iraq.

IT'S ALL ABOUT OIL!
In 1998, Dick Cheney, now US vice-president but then chief executive of a major oil services company, remarked: "I cannot think of a time when we have had a region emerge as suddenly to become as strategically significant as the Caspian." But the oil and gas there is worthless until it is moved. The only route which makes both political and economic sense is through Afghanistan.

Howard accused of war crimes

A legal brief has been sent to the International Criminal Court (ICC) alleging former prime minister John Howard committed a war crime by sending troops to Iraq.

An alliance of peace activists, lawyers, academics and politicians is behind the brief, organised by the ICC Action group in Melbourne.

Organiser Glen Floyd says Mr Howard should be held accountable for sending troops to a war not sanctioned by the United Nations.

"We have produced a 52-page brief of evidence which states to the chief prosecutor of the criminal court that we allege John Howard's actions are war crimes under article 8 of the Rome Statute," he said.

Democrats Senator Lyn Allison says the legal brief sent to the ICC is justified.

Senator Allison, who is one of several eminent people supporting the move, says accountability is important.

"This action has been taken to hold those accountable for their action, so it's essentially our prime minister - he was the one at the time [who] was the executive of government, made the decision," she said.

'It wasn't put to the Parliament and as we all know, it turned out to be unjustified."

A similar brief has been sent by a group from the United Kingdom regarding former prime minister Tony Blair. The United States is not a signatory to the court.

Related:

No combat deaths for the quiet imperialists
If lethal memes, death and destruction are an achievement then we don't account for all those related deaths below. The illegal and degrading war and crimes against humanity committed on Iraq for their oil resources should now be dealt with as soon as possible. Those responsible or who collaberated should be committed to face the war criminal court - to account for those who were tortured, maimed or killed in that war on Iraq unnecessarily, because of the pre-emptive strike on that sovereign nation.

'Charge Howard with war crimes'
FORMER Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has called for ex-prime minister John Howard and other Western leaders to be charged with war crimes over the conflict in Iraq.

Prosecute War Criminal John Howard
To: International Criminal Court
We, the undersigned, called for the indictment and prosecution of John Winston Howard (currently Australian Prime Minister) for acts of terrorism and war crimes.

US dockers strike over Iraq war
Union officials say about 10,000 longshore workers who handle cargo along the west coast of the United States have stayed away from work in a one-day protest against the war in Iraq.

Unknown News
"News that's not known, or not known enough."

-- IN IRAQ --

30,000 IRAQI TROOPS KILLED
and 90,000 SERIOUSLY INJURED Aug. 2003

785,957 IRAQI CIVILIANS KILLED
and 1,414,723 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

3,615 U.S. TROOPS KILLED
and 50,677 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

287 OTHER COALITION TROOPS KILLED
and 861 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

160 U.S. CIVILIANS KILLED
and 288 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

251 OTHER COALITION CIVILIANS KILLED
and 452 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

-- IN AFGHANISTAN --

8,587 AFGHAN TROOPS KILLED
and 25,761 SERIOUSLY INJURED July 2004

3,485 AFGHAN CIVILIANS KILLED
and 6,273 SERIOUSLY INJURED July 2004

342 U.S. TROOPS KILLED
and 1,026 SERIOUSLY INJURED Jan. 2007

278 OTHER COALITION TROOPS KILLED
and 834 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

? U.S. and COALITION CIVILIANS KILLED
and ? SERIOUSLY INJURED

Thousands take part in anti-war protests
Thousands of anti-war protesters have marched in Britain and the United States to mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq.

Army chief admits morale concerns over lack of combat
Lieutenant General Leahy was responding to public criticism from two infantry officers who have written in the Australian Army Journal. The officers claim that some soldiers are sometimes ashamed to wear the Australian uniform and have been treated with "near contempt" by allies in Iraq and Afghanistan because they are involved in such low-risk missions.

IT'S ALL ABOUT OIL!
In 1998, Dick Cheney, now US vice-president but then chief executive of a major oil services company, remarked: "I cannot think of a time when we have had a region emerge as suddenly to become as strategically significant as the Caspian." But the oil and gas there is worthless until it is moved. The only route which makes both political and economic sense is through Afghanistan.

No combat deaths for the quiet imperialists

DESPITE a five-year commitment that has involved almost 14,000 soldiers, Australia will end its war in Iraq without a combat fatality.

In contrast, the Americans have lost more than 4000 soldiers; the British have lost almost 180. In Vietnam, about 50,000 Australians served and 520 died; in Afghanistan, where about 8000 soldiers have served, five have been killed.

This lack of fatalities in Iraq is, in part, a credit to the prowess of the military but it is primarily a result of the Government's decision to keep the soldiers away from harm. As an American official told a Washington Post journalist, Thomas Ricks, when describing the US-led coalition: "Except for the Brits, they weren't there to fight."

The most celebrated offensive Australian mission occurred before the war started, when SAS troops crossed into Iraq and - for the first time since Gallipoli - headed an invasion.

Inthe following days, for the first time since Vietnam, the Australian air force and a naval gunship were involved in bombing ground targets. On April 16, 2003, the SAS, assisted by commandos from the 4th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment and air support from fighter jets, captured the massive Al Asad air base west of Baghdad.

But by the following month, the SAS troops had returned home. In the Gulf around Kuwait, divers from the navy's mine clearance team had finished their job of defusing sea mines and unexploded ground munitions.

In the five years that followed, the Howard government deployed more troops but reduced the intensity of their mission.

In 2005, as the Iraqi insurgency worsened, about 450 soldiers were despatched to the southern province of Al Muthanna - one of the quietest regions in the country - to protect Japanese reconstruction workers and train Iraqi forces. The following year, the troops moved to the neighbouring Dhi Qar province to assume an overwatch role for Iraqi security forces. Across Iraq, the Australians have helped to train about 33,000 soldiers and police.

One of the most dangerous tasks has been performed by a security detachment of about 110 soldiers, which will stay in Baghdad to protect the Australian embassy. In January 2005, a bomb exploded near the embassy, killing two Iraqi civilians and injuring two Australians.

Neil James, the executive director of the Australia Defence Association, said the deployment had provided valuable battle experience and had led to improvements in training and equipment, including changes to body armour and the Bushmaster armoured vehicle and the development of a pre-deployment training program.

"The pre-deployment training has probably been some of the best given to a force leaving Australia," Mr James said.

"It is often overlooked how well the Australians have done, particularly in the early days in Dhi Qar protecting the Japanese engineers … They trained the local security forces and restored confidence - that they were not needed much is more a sign of success rather than a sign of failure."

Quote: If lethal memes, death and destruction are an achievement then we don't account for all those related deaths below. The illegal and degrading war and crimes against humanity committed on Iraq for their oil resources should now be dealt with as soon as possible. Those responsible or who collaberated should be committed to face the war criminal court - to account for those who were tortured, maimed or killed in that war on Iraq unnecessarily, because of the pre-emptive strike on that sovereign nation.

Related:

Iraq oil output, exports hit post-war high


Oil production has climbed to a post-war high of more than 2.5 million barrels-per-day.

Iraq has raised oil exports to a post-war high, earning billions of dollars to fund reconstruction after Baghdad cracked down on sabotage of its strategic pipelines, Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani says he expects 2008 oil revenues to reach $70 billion if oil prices stay high and there are no output disruptions. Mr Shahristani was optimistic Iraqi forces would be able to sustain tight security at oil facilities. That could raise the confidence of [foreign] investors who have been discouraged by [resistance to; the pre-emptive strikes on Iraq by the coalition of the killing, false flag operations by them, to encourage civil war, sectarian violence, Al Qaeda and powerful Shiite militants who had a tight grip on Basra, home to Iraq's biggest oilfields.

"In May, we have exceeded for the first time 2 million barrels-per-day (bpd) as an export rate," Mr Shahristani said. Production had also climbed to a post-war high of more than 2.5 million bpd, he said. Mr Shahristani was confident Iraq could pump up to 2.9 million bpd by the end of 2008. He declined to comment on export levels for June, but senior Iraqi oil officials said last month shipments would run slightly higher because of extra Kirkuk sales from the north.

Unknown News
"News that's not known, or not known enough."

-- IN IRAQ --

30,000 IRAQI TROOPS KILLED
and 90,000 SERIOUSLY INJURED Aug. 2003

785,957 IRAQI CIVILIANS KILLED
and 1,414,723 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

3,615 U.S. TROOPS KILLED
and 50,677 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

287 OTHER COALITION TROOPS KILLED
and 861 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

160 U.S. CIVILIANS KILLED
and 288 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

251 OTHER COALITION CIVILIANS KILLED
and 452 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

-- IN AFGHANISTAN --

8,587 AFGHAN TROOPS KILLED
and 25,761 SERIOUSLY INJURED July 2004

3,485 AFGHAN CIVILIANS KILLED
and 6,273 SERIOUSLY INJURED July 2004

342 U.S. TROOPS KILLED
and 1,026 SERIOUSLY INJURED Jan. 2007

278 OTHER COALITION TROOPS KILLED
and 834 SERIOUSLY INJURED June 2007

? U.S. and COALITION CIVILIANS KILLED
and ? SERIOUSLY INJURED

Army chief admits morale concerns over lack of combat
Lieutenant General Leahy was responding to public criticism from two infantry officers who have written in the Australian Army Journal. The officers claim that some soldiers are sometimes ashamed to wear the Australian uniform and have been treated with "near contempt" by allies in Iraq and Afghanistan because they are involved in such low-risk missions.

Memorial Day Special…Winter Soldier on the Hill: War Vets Testify Before Congress
War veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan came to Capitol Hill this month to testify before Congress and give an eyewitness account about the horrors of war. Like the Winter Soldier hearings in March, when more than 200 service members gathered for four days in Silver Spring, Maryland to give their eyewitness accounts of the injustices occurring in Iraq and Afghanistan, “Winter Soldier on the Hill” was designed to drive home the human cost of the war and occupation—this time, to the very people in charge of doing something about it. The name, Winter Soldier, comes from a similar event in 1971, when hundreds of Vietnam veterans gathered in Detroit, and is derived from the opening line of Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, “The Crisis,” published in 1776: “These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” In a packed public hearing this month, the soldiers testified before a panel of lawmakers from the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Today we spend the hour hearing their testimony.

US dockers strike over Iraq war
Union officials say about 10,000 longshore workers who handle cargo along the west coast of the United States have stayed away from work in a one-day protest against the war in Iraq.

Thousands take part in anti-war protests
Thousands of anti-war protesters have marched in Britain and the United States to mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq.

'Charge Howard with war crimes'
FORMER Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has called for ex-prime minister John Howard and other Western leaders to be charged with war crimes over the conflict in Iraq.

IT'S ALL ABOUT OIL!
In 1998, Dick Cheney, now US vice-president but then chief executive of a major oil services company, remarked: "I cannot think of a time when we have had a region emerge as suddenly to become as strategically significant as the Caspian." But the oil and gas there is worthless until it is moved. The only route which makes both political and economic sense is through Afghanistan.