>Bcc: contributors. in my opinion... The Cold War was invented by the West & forced on the Soviets, who never wanted it and couldn't afford it. The reason? To provide a plausible reason for world-wide U.S. interventionism in support of global capital growth. Islamic fundamentalism / terrorism is a similar project with an identical goal. It was, for example, the U.S. that engineered the Ayatollah's taking of power after the Shah, in preference to a progressive movement which would have taken over otherwise. Some interesting pieces below... peace, rkm ============================================================================ From: •••@••.••• Date: Sat, 6 Oct 2001 13:49:49 EDT Subject: How Carter and Brzezinski helped start the Afghan mess To: •••@••.••• In light of what's happened, I think it's important to give the following very wide currency. So start forwarding: Interview of Zbigniew Brzezinski Le Nouvel Observateur (France), Jan 15-21, 1998, p. 76* Q: The former director of the CIA, Robert Gates, stated in his memoirs ["From the Shadows"], that American intelligence services began to aid the Mujahadeen in Afghanistan 6 months before the Soviet intervention. In this period you were the national security adviser to President Carter. You therefore played a role in this affair. Is that correct? Brzezinski: Yes. According to the official version of history, CIA aid to the Mujahadeen began during 1980, that is to say, after the Soviet army invaded Afghanistan, 24 Dec 1979. But the reality, secretly guarded until now, is completely otherwise: Indeed, it was July 3, 1979 that President Carter signed the first directive for secret aid to the opponents of the pro-Soviet regime in Kabul. And that very day, I wrote a note to the president in which I explained to him that in my opinion this aid was going to induce a Soviet military intervention. Q: Despite this risk, you were an advocate of this covert action. But perhaps you yourself desired this Soviet entry into war and looked to provoke it? B: It isn't quite that. We didn't push the Russians to intervene, but we knowingly increased the probability that they would. Q: When the Soviets justified their intervention by asserting that they intended to fight against a secret involvement of the United States in Afghanistan, people didn't believe them. However, there was a basis of truth. You don't regret anything today? B: Regret what? That secret operation was an excellent idea. It had the effect of drawing the Russians into the Afghan trap and you want me to regret it? The day that the Soviets officially crossed the border, I wrote to President Carter: We now have the opportunity of giving to the USSR its Vietnam war. Indeed, for almost 10 years, Moscow had to carry on a war unsupportable by the government, a conflict that brought about the demoralization and finally the breakup of the Soviet empire. Q: And neither do you regret having supported the Islamic [intégrisme], having given arms and advice to future terrorists? B: What is most important to the history of the world? The Taliban or the collapse of the Soviet empire? Some stirred-up Moslems or the liberation of Central Europe and the end of the cold war? Q: Some stirred-up Moslems? But it has been said and repeated: Islamic fundamentalism represents a world menace today. B: Nonsense! It is said that the West had a global policy in regard to Islam. That is stupid. There isn't a global Islam. Look at Islam in a rational manner and without demagoguery or emotion. It is the leading religion of the world with 1.5 billion followers. But what is there in common among Saudi Arabian fundamentalism, moderate Morocco, Pakistan militarism, Egyptian pro-Western or Central Asian secularism? Nothing more than what unites the Christian countries. * There are at least two editions of this magazine; with the perhaps sole exception of the Library of Congress, the version sent to the United States is shorter than the French version, andthe Brzezinski interview was not included in the shorter version. The above has been translated from the French by Bill Blum Author, "Killing Hope: US Military and CIA Interventions Since World War II" and "Rogue State: A Guide to the World's Only Superpower" Portions of the books can be read at: http://members.aol.com/superogue/homepage.htm (with a link to Killing Hope) If anyone whose French is better than mine can translate the bracketed word, "intégrisme", I'd appreciate hearing from them <•••@••.•••> ============================================================================ [The beginning of the end of Internet activism?... - rkm] From: B. To: •••@••.••• Subject: RE Bill Weinberg Afghanistan Report Pt.2 Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2001 05:57:54 -0400 WORLD WAR III REPORT #. 2. Oct. 6, 2001 by Bill Weinberg ---<snip>--- WEB SITES SHUT DOWN BY "HOMELANDS SECURITY" On Sept. 29, Radio Free Eireann on New York's WBAI reported that IRARadio.com, the web site which archives all Radio Free Eireann broadcasts, has been taken down because the web service provider was threatened with seizure of assets if it continued to host "terrorist" radio programs. Travis E. Towle, founder and CEO of Cosmic Entertainment Company, which put up IRARadio.com, was told by their service provider, Hypervine, that they had been "strongly advised" to take the web site down. A Hypervine representative read Towle a statement that, under an Executive Order recently signed by President Bush, the newly-created Office of Homeland Security can seize all assets-"without any notice"-of any company found to "support terrorism." Hypervine is a subsidiary of the New York based Skynet. Cosmic Entertainment also hosts the web sites archiving two other WBAI radio programs, "Our Americas" hosted by Mario Murillo, and "Grandpa Al Lewis Live," featuring commentary by the actor and political activist who starred in "The Munsters" and "Car 54 Where Are You?" The "Grandpa Al Lewis Live" site has apparently also been taken down. Radio Free Eireann, which broadcasts Saturday afternoons at 1:30 on WBAI 99.5 FM, has covered the conflict in Northern Ireland for over twenty years. Guests have included Bernadette Sands, the sister of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands; Rauri O'Bradaigh, the President of Republican Sinn Fein; Sinn Fein chief negotiator Martin McGuinness; and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern. ============================================================================ Delivered-To: moderator for •••@••.••• From: "Brian Davey" <•••@••.•••> To: [long list] Subject: Saudi Arabia - not a rogue state Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2001 10:14:29 +0100 "Putting out a fire with gasoline" This is largely based on an article in Der Spiegel 40/2001 by Erich Follath. Just as there are different varieties of Christian belief, so are there different varieties of Islamic belief. In a number of Islamic countries, for example, particularly in Morocco and Jordan, as well as among a great many ordinary Muslims who are living as migrants in western countries, there is not felt to be a contradiction between Islam as a belief system and way of life, and the ideas of human rights and democracy. So, of course, it is a long way from being the case that all Muslims are potential suicide terrorists - however practically all Islamic suicide perpetrators are adherents of a particular trend in Islam called Wahhabism. This is true for Palestine, Kashmir, the Taliban and the terrorists who struck down western tourists in Egypt. The world centre for Wahhabism is not Afghanistan it is Saudi Arabia - the country with 25% of the world's oil reserves. Indeed Wahhabism is virtually the state religion there. Mohammed Ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1703 - 1793) lived very close to what is now the Saudi capital Riyadh. He preached a "back to the strict source" version of Islam - with no music apart from drumming, no decorative elements, draconian measures against alcohol consumption and any other modernising influences. It was his version of Islam that was taken up by the Saudi royal family when the current boundraries and regime of Saudi Arabia were agreed in a compromise with British colonialism in 1932. Today "our ally" Saudi Arabia recognises no political parties, no trade unions, no free press and women have far fewer rights than in Iran - for example they are not allowed to drive. The law is Sharia law - thieves have their hands amputated, there are public beheadings and whippings, while stoning is the punishment for marital infidelity. As in Afghanistan the practicing of other religions - including Christianity and Judaism is not permitted - and whoever tries to convert anyone to their religion is threatened with death penalty. Yet Saudi Arabia is no "rogue state". Why? In 1933 the Saudi royal family gave the first oil concession to the Standard Oil company for $250,000. But it was not until after World war Two that that the oil revenues started flowing big time. In 1945 the Americans were permitted for the first time to put their bases on Saudi soil, in Dharan. The oil revenues have enabled the Saudi royal family to keep their subjects sweet - for example by the provision of free schools and hospitals. However the luxiourous life style of the Saudi royal family has never gone down well with radical Wahhabi believers. So, in order to head off any challenges and possible assassination attempts, a good part of the oil revenues has gone into funding the world wide spread of the radical Wahhabi cause as well. When new Mosques and religious schools appeared in Usbekistan, in Pakistan, in Algeria, in Nigeria, the money mostly came from Riyadh......who had largely got it from oil sold at American gas stations.....by the oil barons who now head American politics, e.g. the Bush family and Dick Chaney of the Halliburton group. (It is well established that the Bush family and the bin Laden business empire, from which Osama bin Laden originally stemmed, have been connected. ) At least 12 of the 15 suicide attackers of the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon were Saudi citizens (there were no Afghanis nor Palestinians as far as is known). They all came from one region in Saudi Arabia, the one too from which Osama bin Laden came - the province of Asir where militant fundamentalists from Egypt have long had a presence. The Saudi secret service have largely left the fundamentalists there alone. In 1979 when the Soviets went into Afghanistan, young aristocrats from Saudi like Osama bin Laden were outraged and with the help of huge amounts of technical support, intelligence, weapons and from the CIA, flowing through the Pakistani intelligence services, the ISI, they develop a Holy War against the soviet army. When he returned to Saudi in 1990, proud and confident that the job had been well done, he was soon to be horrified to find huge numbers of American troops, and worse of all female troops, on Saudi soil to throw Saddam Hussein out of Kuweit. In his eyes the Saudi royal family had betrayed Wahhabism bringing these infidels into the Holy Land of Mecca and Medina, where the Messenger of God had first established a Holy Society and State. After agitating against the Saudi regime bin Laden was expelled from Saudi Arabia in 1994, taking refuge in the Sudan. In 1995 and 1996 attacks on Americans in Saudi Arabia claimed 24 victims. Investigators from the USA found officials in Riyadh less than helpful and information was withheld from them - but to appease their American oil customers Saudi judges had 4 people beheaded - after confessions. After the WTC attack the Saudi Royal family is not allowing FBI agents access to the Asir region. Meanwhile in Saud Arabia there is a power transfer taking place inside the Royal family. King Fahd is dying of cancer and power is being transferred to his brother Abdullah. Abdullah was opposed to the stationing of American troops during the Gulf war. He has being making his peace with Syria and Bagdhad and has even made a security agreement with Iran. Significantly Osama bin Laden has not attacked Abdullah in his denunciations of the Saudi Royal Family. With Pakistan, Saudi Arabia has been one of the few countries that has recognised the Taliban regime and there is a lot of support for Taliban fundamentalism in Saudi Arabia - as Wahhabism and Talibanism are closely related. However, the Saudi Royal Family is dependent on sales of oil to America - and is trapped on the horns of a dilemma. In 1979 when the Soviets went into Afghanistan there was actually an occupation of Mecca by outraged militants like Osama bin Laden. If America and Britain go into Afghanistan it is not unreasonable to assume that that kind of thing might happen again - indeed Osama bin Laden must dream of returning to his homeland as a conquering hero, to throw out the infidel, as well as those who have betrayed Islam to the Great Satan. He would not be without considerable support there - and who knows, in extremis, Abdullah migh move his way. In one possible scenario an enraged fundamentalist Saudi Arabia might then turn off the oil taps - perhaps, as things evolved, with the support of Iraq, Iran, Lybia. That would be one strategy to bring down the "Great Satan". Brian Davey - based largely on an article in Der Spiegel by Erich Follath. ============================================================================ Delivered-To: •••@••.••• From: magellan <•••@••.•••> To: •••@••.••• Date: Wed, 03 Oct 2001 20:40:40 -0300 Subject: US defense industry, Bush & Laden: all in the family Wall Street Journal New York September 27, 2001 Special Report: Aftermath of Terror Bin Laden Family Could Profit From a Jump In Defense Spending Due to Ties to U.S. Bank By DANIEL GOLDEN, JAMES BANDLER and MARCUSWALKER Staff Reporters of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL If the U.S. boosts defense spending in its quest to stop Osama bin Laden's alleged terrorist activities, there may be one unexpected beneficiary: Mr. bin Laden's family. Among its far-flung business interests, the well-heeled Saudi Arabian clan -- which says it is estranged from Osama -- is an investor in a fund established by Carlyle Group, a well-connected Washington merchant bank specializing in buyouts of defense and aerospace companies. Through this investment and its ties to Saudi royalty, the bin Laden family has become acquainted with some of the biggest names in the Republican Party. In recent years, former President Bush, ex-Secretary of State James Baker and ex-Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci have made the pilgrimage to the bin Laden family's headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Mr. Bush makes speeches on behalf of Carlyle Group and is senior adviser to its Asian Partners fund, while Mr. Baker is its senior counselor. Mr. Carlucci is the group'schairman. Osama is one of more than 50 children of Mohammed bin Laden, who built the family's $5 billion business, Saudi Binladin Group, largely with construction contracts from the Saudi government. Osama worked briefly in the business and is believed to have inherited as much as $50 million from his father in cash and stock, although he doesn't have access to the shares, a family spokesman says. Because his Saudi citizenship was revoked in 1994, Mr. bin Laden is ineligible to own assets in the kingdom, the spokesman added. The bin Laden family has long disavowed Osama, and has cooperated fully with several federal investigations into his activities. The family business, headed by Osama's half-brother Bakr, epitomizes the U.S.-Saudi alliance that the suspected terrorist often rails against. After the 1996 truck bombing in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, that killed 19 U.S. servicemen, Saudi Binladin Group built military barracks and airfields for U.S. troops. But the Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued subpoenas to banks used by the bin Laden family seeking records of family dealings, a person familiar with the matter said. This person said the subpoenas weren't an indication the FBI had found any suspicious behavior by the family. A family spokesman said he had no knowledge of the subpoenas but that the family welcomes them and has nothing to hide. People familiar with the family's finances say the bin Ladens do much of their banking with National Commercial Bank in Saudi Arabia and with the London branch of Deutsche Bank AG. They also use Citigroup Inc. and ABN Amro, the peoplesaid. "If there were ever any company closely connected to the U.S. and its presence in Saudi Arabia, it's the Saudi Binladin Group," says Charles Freeman, president of the Middle East Policy Council, a Washington nonprofit concern that receives tens of thousands of dollars a year from the bin Laden family. "They're the establishment that Osama's trying to overthrow." Mr. Freeman, who served as U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War, says he has spoken to two of Osama's brothers since hijacked airplanes rammed the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11. They told him, he says, that the FBI has been "remarkably sensitive, tactful and protective" of the family during the current crisis, recognizing its longstanding friendship with the U.S. A Carlyle executive said the bin Laden family committed $2 million through a London investment arm in 1995 in Carlyle Partners II Fund, which raised $1.3 billion overall. The fund has purchased several aerospace companies among 29 deals. So far, the family has received $1.3 million back in completed investments and should ultimately realize a 40% annualized rate of return, the Carlyle executive said. But a foreign financier with ties to the bin Laden family says the family's overall investment with Carlyle is considerably larger. He called the $2 million merely an initial contribution. "It's like plowing a field," this person said. "You seed it once. You plow it, and then you reseed it again." The Carlyle executive added that he would think twice before accepting any future investments by the bin Ladens. "The situation's changed now," he said. "I don't want to spend my life talking to reporters." A U.S. inquiry into bin Laden family business dealings could brush against some big names associated with the U.S. government. Former President Bush said through his chief of staff, Jean Becker, that he recalled only one meeting with the bin Laden family, which took place in November1998. Ms. Becker confirmed that there was a second meeting in January 2000, after being read the ex-president's subsequent thank-you note. "President Bush does not have a relationship with the bin Laden family," says Ms. Becker. "He's met themtwice." Mr. Baker visited the bin Laden family in both 1998 and 1999, according to people close to the family. In the second trip, he traveled on a family plane. Mr. Baker declined comment, as did Mr. Carlucci, a past chairman of Nortel Networks Corp., which has partnered with Saudi Binladin Group on telecommunications ventures. Former President Carter met with 10 of Osama's brothers early in 2000 on a fund-raising trip for the Carter Center in Atlanta. According to John Hardman, executive director of the center, the brothers told Mr. Carter that Osama was completely removed from the family. After Mr. Carter and his wife followed up with breakfast with Bakr bin Laden in New York in September 2000, the bin Laden family gave $200,000 to the center. "We don't have any reason to think there's a connection" between Osama and the rest of thefamily, Mr. Hardman says. During the past several years, the family's close ties to the Saudi royal family prompted executives and staff from closely held New York publisher Forbes Inc. to make two trips to the family headquarters, according to Forbes Chairman Caspar Weinberger, a former U.S. secretary of defense in the Reagan administration. "We would call on them to get their view of the country and what would be of interest to investors." Mr. Weinberger said no trips to Saudi Arabia were planned. "If we went," he said, "we may or may not call upon them. I don't think the sins of the son should be visited on the father or the brother and the cousins and the aunts." There is no indication President George W. Bush has met any of the bin Ladens, but he was indirectly linked to one of them two decades ago. His longtime friend James W. Bath, who met Mr. Bush when they were both pilots in the Air National Guard, acted as a Texas business representative for Osama's older brother, Salem bin Laden, from 1976 to 1988, when Salem died in a plane crash. Mr. Bath brought real-estate acquisitions and other deals to Salem bin Laden, an ebullient man who headed the family construction business. Mr. Bath generally received a 5% interest as his fee, and was sometimes listed as a trustee in related corporate documents. Mr. Bath acknowledged that during the same period he invested $50,000 in two funds controlled by Mr. Bush but said that stake was unrelated to his dealings with Mr. binLaden. Among the properties that Salem bin Laden bought on Mr. Bath's recommendation was the Houston Gulf Airport, a lightly used airfield in League City, Texas, 25 miles east of Houston. But Mr. bin Laden's hope that it would develop a major overflow airport for Houston never materialized, in part due to concern over wetlands. Ever since his death, his estate has sought to sell the airfield -- without success. Today, it is still on the market. -- ============================================================================ Richard K Moore Wexford, Ireland Citizens for a Democratic Renaissance email: •••@••.••• website & list archives: http://cyberjournal.org content-searchable archive: http://members.xoom.com/centrexnews/ "A Guidebook: How the world works and how we can change it" http://cyberjournal.org/cj/guide/ A community will evolve only when the people control their means of communication. -- Frantz Fanon Capitalism is the relentless accumulation of capital for the acquisition of profit. Capitalism is a carnivore. It cannot be made over into a herbivore without gutting it, i.e., abolishing it. - Warren Wagar, Professor of History, State University of New York at Binghamton Permission for non-commercial republishing hereby granted - BUT include and observe all restrictions, copyrights, credits, and notices - including this one. ============================================================================ .
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