Qanyare joined the pro-Ethiopian Camp Awalba warlord buu ahaa Maxamed Qanyare Oo Xalay Ku Hooyday Magaalada Baydhaba. July 24, 2006 Horn Afrik, Muqdisho , Somalia Maxamed Qanyare oo wata ilaa 8 gawaarida dagaalaka iyo 150 maleeshiyo ayaa deegaanka Waajid waxaa uga hor tagay xubno ka mid ah dowlada KMG ah ee Soomaliya oo ay ka mid yihiin xildibaan Balck iyo Maxamed Xuseen ***** Afaraale oo ay la socdeen maleeshiyo uu madaxweynaha Soomaaliya C.laahi Yuusuf Axmed u diray so galbinta Maxamed Qanyare Afrax. Inkastoo Qanyare uu gaaraya waqti danbe oo xalay ahayd ayaa misna lagu soo waramay in si weyn loogu soo dhaweeyay magaalada Baydhaba .iyadoo soo dhaweynta Qanyare ay ka duwaneyd sidii loo soo dhaweeyay xubnihii ay iskula jireen isbaheysigii bur buray ee gaaray magaalada Baydhaba. Warar hoose ayaa tilmaamaya in Madaxweynaha Soomaaliya C/laahi Yuusuf Axmed uu markii hore ka soo horjeeday laakiin markii dambe lagu guuleysatay in laga qanciyo,iyadoo saraakiil la socotay Maxamed Qanyare Afrax ay xaqiijiyeen in qaar ka mid ah gawaaridii looga soo tagay wadada ayna magaalada la galeen ilaa iyo 8 gaari iyadoo horay ay u ahaayeen ilaa 13 gaari. Waxaa lagu wadaaa in saacadaha soo socda Maxamed Qanyare Afrax uu la kulmo sedexda mas`uul ee uga sareysa dowlada KMG ah ee Soomaaliya.,warar soo baxayana waxa ay sheegayaan in mas`uliyiinta ugu sareysa Dowlada ay ka warqabeen imaashiyahsa Qanyare,waxaana jiray wadahadal qadka taleevonka oo dhex maray Madaxweynaha Soomaaliya C/laahi Yuuusf Axmed Iyo Maxamed Qanyare Afrax. Maxamed QanyareWasiirkii hore ee amaanka qaranka ayaa lagu waramay in iminka la dajiyay xarun si aad ugu dhaw hoyga gudoomiyaha baarlamaanka Soomaaliya Shjriid Xasan Shiikh Aadan. Ma jiran wax war ah oo ka soo baxay dhanka xubnaha dowlada eeku aadan sida ay u arkaan talaabada uu magaalada Baydhaba ku yimid Maxamed Qanyare Afrax.

Good thread Garaad And here what Warlord Riyaale is saying Riyaale “This is not the first time that I met Meles. We are always received warmly when we come to Ethiopia, because this is a brotherly country. This time we shared issues that concern our area. Although we are not recognized by Ethiopia we share security, border and many other things. So we talk about these and new developments in our area. We just correspond on that and we have good understanding when we come here… We always discuss about our destiny as one of our major issues… It's good. We have no better friend than Ethiopia… They always treat us as brothers(Ethoipians) , as young brothers. They help us better than any other country in the area… Ethiopians come to Berbera and send their goods through Berbera and bring their goods from Berbera. It is open for them… we have captured a lot of people that tried to infiltrate Ethiopia. They are now in our custody. They are members of the ONLF, About thirty. They have been trained in Eritrea. Luckily we have captured them. And they are now in court; because we don't accept anyone to attack our neighbours… We were united in 1960 but we have with drawn from that union. We will not go back to the union. This is their problem. They have to solve their problem, as we have solved our problem, We will call them(non-somalilanders). We know each other. We will tell them the truth. They cannot cheat us (non-somalilanders) as they cheat the other people…How can we help them? There are about 50 warlords. Everyone has his area. Who do we reconcile? To whom do we talk? We don't know…We don't know. They are terrorists. They want to destabilize our country, because we are practicing the rule of law in our country. They want to make our country the same as those in Mogadishu. They have been sent from Mogadishu, Al-Quaeda and all that, To certain extent, yes . We have captured the main organs operating in our country, While I was away from the country. Another four were captured while I was in the country… No, thank you for the interview. I would like to thank the Ethiopian people, the Ethiopian government. That's what I want say. “ Source

Garaad Red sea has valid reasons to support courts whether you like it or not Your concern over Indhacadde's involvement in the courts is reasonable as well, however courts earned the support of many Somali people and they deserve the credit for uniting Mogadishu for the first time in 16 years and opening vital sites like the International Airport and main port of Mogadishu

Garaad I am not surprised because this is not the first Ethiopia troops came to Buuhoodle Waxaa moodaa in Ethiopia wax ku ogtahay Buuhoodle waayo dee maba deyso Every Somali should condemn Ethiopian troops within Somalia, whether they are in Buuhoodle or Baydhabo its same thing

Excellent response, Thanks Garaad

Great article talo wanaagsan

UN Says 500,000 Forced To Leave Their Homes In Lebanon World Previous news :: Next news 03:15 PM, July 19th 2006 by Playfuls Team As many as half a million people have been forced to leave their homes to escape the conflict in Lebanon, according to the latest United Nations estimates. "This is open war. The numbers are changing by the hour and it is difficult to estimate the exact numbers of internally displaced people, but we estimate it is around 500,000," UN High Commissioner for Refugees spokesman Andrej Mahecic said Wednesday. The UNHCR said an emergency team of up to 11 people was due to arrive in the region at the weekend to carry out further assessments. A skeleton staff had been left in the conflict zone, the rest had been moved to safer parts of the country. A preliminary assessment of the situation in one area, the Shuf mountains, found that, of 60,000 displaced people, some 40,000 were living with relatives or friends. A further 20,000 were living in communal and public buildings. Al-Arabiya news channel was reporting that 50,000 Lebanese had fled the south of the country for Beirut since the attacks started, with thousands more gathering in the port city of Sidon. With stockpiles of relief supplies such as tents, plastic sheeting and blankets in neighbouring Syria and Jordan, UNHCR was well placed to respond to any immediate shelter needs, Mahecic said. The numbers do not take into account many thousands of foreign nationals. In many instances their countries' governments have launched evacuation programmes to take them out of Lebanon. Newspapers in Cairo said the Egyptian embassy would start evacuating from Wednesday 1,000 of its citizens who had travelled to Syria from Lebanon by bus on Tuesday. According to the French Foreign Ministry, some 20,000 French nationals, including 5,000 tourists, are currently in Lebanon, adding that some 300 French nationals and other foreigners were set to leave Beirut for Cyprus aboard the French frigate Jean de Vienne. Three other French ships were expected to pick up evacuees from the Lebanese capital by Sunday. French President Jacques Chirac on Wednesday demanded the opening of "humanitarian corridors" in strife-torn Lebanon. These corridors would permit the movement of refugees within Lebanon, as well as enable foreigners currently in the country to be evacuated to Cyprus, Chirac told journalists in Paris after a meeting of his cabinet on the Mideast crisis. A convoy of buses with 500 German nationals and their closest relatives left Beirut for Syria on Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry said in Berlin. They were among 3,000 who gathered at a conference hall in Lebanese capital which the German embassy arranged as an assembly point for people fleeing the Israeli bombardments. A foreign ministry spokesman said other arrangements were being made to evacuate those who did not find places on the buses. A first batch of 320 German evacuees returned home Tuesday on a flight from the Syrian capital of Damascus. They spoke of chaotic conditions at the border with Syria where they had to wait eight hours before continuing their journey by road to Damascus for their flight to Germany. The German Ambassador in Damascus Volkmar Wenzel told Deutsche- Presse Agentur "We have plans for 2,000 people. We will try to fly them out of Damascus or from other airports," Wenzel said. Volkmar said those who could not fly immediately out of Damascus would be accommodated, adding that the Syrian authorities had promised to help in getting German citizens across the borders. "We are using all possibilities, charter and military flights, to take them back home," Wenzel said. The German Government had charted several aircraft to pick up more evacuees from Syria, according to the foreign ministry. Around 2,000 German citizens have been trapped in Lebanon since Israel launched its military offensive. Meanwhile, dozens of Germans, Australians, Americans and Canadians gathered at Beirut's port area to await their evacuation from Lebanon. "There's panic. Everyone who has the opportunity wants to leave this hellhole," one of those waiting, Ali Sabeh, a German of Lebanese descent, said. "The Israelis are attacking everything that moves," Manal Rawade, of joint Lebanese and Canadian citizenship, said. A Canadian embassy employee said that all those of the some 40,000 Canadians who live in Lebanon wishing to leave would have left the country by Friday. Port authorities said that one US-registered ship had arrived to evacuate 750 US citizens and that they were expecting many more ships from other countries. The British Foreign Office said that by Wednesday morning, a British vessel had taken 200 British citizens to Cyprus. Britain's Ambassador to Cyprus Peter Millet rejected criticism that the evacuation was progressing too slowly. "We did not want to rush bringing out British citizens until we knew we could do it safely. We have got far more people in Lebanon than many other countries," he told Britain's BBC news network. The BBC reported that the remaining 5,000 British citizens in Lebanon would leave by sea in the coming days. The Illustrious aircraft carrier, which can carry more than 1,000 people, was preparing for a mass evacuation, the BBC said. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said that about 50 Irish citizens were still in Lebanon Wednesday. A further 100 Irish people had arrived in Dublin earlier Wednesday after being bused to Damascus the day before and flown home via Dubai. Beirut's international airport can no longer be used after the Israelis attacked it. The main road between Beirut and the Syrian border has also been bombed in many places. The UN Children's Fund UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed serious concern Wednesday about civilian casualties and new risks to health from escalating violence in Lebanon and Israel. They said they were aware of up to 30,000 people sheltering in public buildings around Beirut. Civilian deaths included dozens of children, with many more injured, a statement said. The movement of medical supplies and ambulances to the affected areas was difficult. Unobstructed access for humanitarian assistance was critical to stave off needless death and suffering, and the protection of civilians during conflict was an obligation under international humanitarian law, the statement said. A joint appeal for short-term funding is expected to be launched by the UN agencies in the coming days. © 2006 DPA

Global economy moves from West to East Eric Beauchesne CanWest News Service Wednesday, July 19, 2006 CREDIT: Getty Images Many investors choose to spread the geographical risk of their overall equity portfolio by investing roughly one-third in Canada, one-third in the U.S., and one-third internationally, in burgeoning economies such as China. OTTAWA - Globally, the engine of economic growth is shifting to the emerging economies of Asia from western industrial nations, a major Canadian bank says. At the same time, Canada is now being driven by the resource-rich West instead of the industrial heartland in Ontario, Scotiabank says in a sweeping economic report entitled Trading Places. Over the past decade, Asian economies, led by China and India, havebeen taking over the role as generators of global economic growth from the industrial world. Canada, as a supplier of natural resources, will benefit from the global shift, which has also resulted in a shift in the domestic economy. ''A seismic shift in the global economic landscape has occurred since the mid-1990s,'' it said. The report was issued Monday as China reported its economy this past spring had expanded by a steamy 11.3 per cent from a year earlier, news that is expected to put pressure on China to raise interest rates and revalue its currency further to slow growth. Asia, excluding Japan, now accounts for 30 per cent of world gross domestic product _up from just under 25 per cent a decade earlier _while the Group of Seven major industrial nations, including Canada, represent just 41 per cent, a shift of six percentage points from a decade ago, said bank chief economist Warren Jestin. That increase in the share of the global economy accounted for by emerging Asian nations is also reflected in an increase in their share of global trade to 23 per cent _up from 19 per cent 10 years ago. China is now the largest exporter of non-energy products to the U.S., and the second largest exporter overall, after Canada. Energy sales give Canada continued bragging rights as top overall supplier, Jestin noted. ''Commodity producers in Canada will continue to benefit from burgeoning demand from emerging nations as well as an increasing U.S. market reliance on imported energy,'' the report forecast. ''Markets for uranium, natural gas, copper, zinc, nickel and iron ore also are expected to remain buoyant.'' On balance, however, it predicted that growth in the G-7 nations will be ''tempered'' by slow population growth, aging populations, mature domestic markets, and intense competition from offshore producers. Also, there is little pent-up demand left for big-ticket purchases or housing in the G-7 nations, and creeping inflationary pressures are nudging interest rates higher, it said. Further, with the exception of Canada, budget deficits limit government pro-growth initiatives, and constrain pro-growth initiatives. ''In this environment, G-7 growth is poised to soften and will likely gravitate towards three per cent in North America and a percentage point lower in Europe and Japan through 2010,''it forecast. While Canada's natural resources sector, and on balance the country as a whole, has and will continue to do well, its manufacturing sector has been struggling to adjust to the strong dollar, higher energy costs, and increased competition from offshore producers, especially China and India. As a result, the share of Canadian exports that are commodities has already increased 6.5 points since the mid-1990s to 43 per cent, reducing the share of manufacturing exports to 57 per cent. And the squeeze on manufacturers, as well as Canada's tourism industry, will increase, the report suggested, forecasting the loonie will rise back up to the low-90-cent US range by the end of 2007. While the Canadian economy will likely grow by close to three per cent over the next two years, the growth will be far from balanced, it said. ''Economic leadership has rotated to Alberta, British Columbia, and other resource-rich regions, and will likely stay there through the remainder of the decade,'' it forecast. ''While Canada's new-found resource wealth will add to the buoyancy in other regions, the pace of activity in Ontario, Quebec and much of Atlantic Canada will tend to lag the national average.''

Massacre in South Lebanon

Beirut once a city of beauty and elegance Chris de Kretser July 19, 2006 12:00am Article from: Font size: + - Send this article: Print Email L EBANON was once the most stable and sophisticated country in the Arab world, and its capital, Beirut, was acknowledged as the Paris of the Middle East because of its beauty and quality of life. But the elegant, cosmopolitan city of boulevards and beaches descended into civil war in 1974 when the Palestinian resistance movement was forced out of Jordan by the late King Hussein. The Palestinians took up their fight against Israel from refugee camps on the outskirts of Beirut. Ever since, Lebanon has struggled to be an independent entity as guerilla movements, neighbouring states and terrorist organisations have consistently ignored its national government and used it as the base for waging war on Israel. The Lebanese have always been pragmatic. Descendants of Phoenician traders, they were neutral through the Middle East wars until Palestinians were driven there as a last refuge. Even the Lebanese constitution is one of compromise to accommodate its major ethnic groups, giving each an equal share of power. The Lebanese President must be a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister a Sunni Muslim, the Speaker of the Parliament a Shiite Muslim and the head of the army or security ministry, a Druze. The formula worked well until outside influences exploited it to bring about civil war, which ruined the country in the 1970s. The country survived after intervention by Syria and the Government soon became a proxy of the Baathist regime in Damascus. Syria's hand was implicit in all matters of state and security. T HAT was until a new regime, led by a strong leader, began to reassert Lebanon's independence. Under Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, Lebanon began to shed the yoke of Syria and bring about a new stability. The country regained its economic prosperity in the late 1990s, and had Lebanese rejoicing that the good times were back after decades of war and conflict. Enter the hand of Syria. In 2005, Hariri was assassinated in a car bombing in which, according to a United Nations commission of inquiry, Syria was implicated. Lebanon was again left vulnerable to exploitation. The Palestinian resistance based in Lebanon was a spent force after the civil war and an 18-month long Israeli occupation, and a new, fiercely religious movement reared its head in the south of the country. The Iranian-backed Hezbollah, or Party of God, cultivated the poor and downtrodden Shiites. It takes credit for the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon in 2002. Hezbollah is now a potent terrorist force. With Iranian backing, it presents the most dangerous threat the Jewish state has faced on its northern border. Witness the deadly rockets that have found their way into the heart of Haifa, Israel's third-largest city. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah also seems hell-bent on using what has become a favoured weapon in the terrorist group's arsenal, capturing Israeli military personnel. Nasrallah's ability to get the Israelis to deal in an extraordinary prisoner exchange in 2004 is probably behind Hezbollah's playing of the kidnap card. In that exchange, Israel released 30 Lebanese and 420 Palestinian prisoners for a colonel captured in 2001 and the remains of three soldiers killed in combat. It is no surprise that the latest Middle East crisis began with the capture of Israeli soldiers by the Palestinian Hamas group in the Gaza Strip. AND there is little doubt that Hezbollah leaders believe they can take advantage of a perceived weakness in the Israeli Government. The crippling of Ariel Sharon from a stroke has pushed successor Ehud Olmert to the forefront without a breathing space. Hezbollah would have thought twice before launching rockets into Haifa under the feared Sharon regime. Sharon, lying in a coma, has charges against him over the massacre by Lebanese militia of Palestinian civilians in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps after the 1982 Israeli foray into Lebanon.

Athens Muslims to get a mosque By Andrew Burroughs BBC News, Athens One Ottoman mosque in Athens is a museum of Greek folk art Plans for the first mosque in Athens since Turkish rule under the Ottoman empire have been given the go-ahead by the Greek parliament. Over recent years immigration has brought hundreds of thousands of Muslims to the Greek capital. But while freedom of worship is guaranteed by Greece's constitution as a member of the European Union, proposals for a new mosque have proved controversial in a country whose population is 96% Greek Orthodox. There are mosques dating from Ottoman times in the old part of Athens known as Plaka. The Fethiye or victory mosque dates back to 1458. But today these buildings are for tourists not for Muslim prayers. One is now a museum of Greek folk art. Athens is the only EU capital without a purpose-built place of worship for its Muslim population. We don't want another Kosovo here close to Athens Dr Athanasius Papagiorgiou The city's 200,000 or so Muslims have been meeting in disused basements and whatever space the community can find. Technically these buildings lack proper legal permission to function as places of worship, though the city authorities, aware of the problem, have allowed meetings to continue while a solution is sought. Demonstrations In the run-up to the Olympics, and under pressure to portray Greece as internationalist and conciliatory, the then socialist government chose a site for a Saudi-sponsored mosque and Islamic centre east of Athens to be visible from the international airport. That provoked demonstrations by nearby residents of the staunchly conservative town of Peannia. Today there's a small Greek Orthodox chapel on site, built to commemorate the protests which thwarted the mosque proposal. On special occasions a bell is rung, and on the hilltop a cross now defiantly looks towards the airport. "We are Orthodox Christians here," says Angelo Kouias, a Peannia resident, involved in the protests. "We believe that when you arrive at the frontier of Greece it would be better to see a church to symbolise our country rather than a mosque." "We don't want another Kosovo here close to Athens," says Dr Athanasius Papagiorgiou, a surgeon and president of the group which opposed the plan, the religiously conservative Association of St John. "Kosovo used to be a centre for the orthodox faith, and today it's nothing." Lost privilege Professor George Moustakis represents a different face of orthodoxy - a campaigner for interfaith understanding who joined a petition in favour of a mosque 17 years ago. "I've always opposed the connection of church and state here in Greece, which has meant the church took the decision about other denominations and other faiths and their buildings for worship," he says. The Muslims of Athens are Greek tax-payers and we have a right to pray in a respectful building Naim El Ghandour "Parliament has now voted and the church lost that privilege. So there is no problem about the mosque, the government supports it, so does the Orthodox Church." With the church veto gone and support from the current centre-right government, Naim El Ghandour - who in daily life imports high fashion fabric designs - is the man coordinating plans for a new mosque to be built in the north of Athens. "The Muslims of Athens are Greek tax-payers and we have a right to pray in a respectful building," he says "We're asking the government for financial help. We're not looking for foreign sponsors, this will be a Greek mosque for Greek Muslims." The saga of the Athens mosque finds echoes elsewhere in Europe. Spain has just witnessed the opening of its first new mosque since the 16th Century when the Spanish re-conquered the Iberian peninsular from the Moorish Islamic rulers who built the historic mosques and palaces of Andalusia. The new mosque in Granada opened for worship only after two decades of objections from the local authorities on planning grounds. And in Italy a mosque planned for seven years in Colle di Val d'Elsa in a picturesque corner of Tuscany has divided the local community. There the local authority supports the need for a mosque but there have been objections from residents. It is a scenario likely to be repeated around the EU as the need for immigrant labour draws into the community those of a different faith, who then naturally wish to take up their equal right to a place of worship.

Bush: Syria Should Get Hezbollah to Stop Doing This S*** Barbara Ferguson, Arab News WASHINGTON, 18 July 2006 — It wasn’t meant to be overheard, but yesterday a private luncheon conversation picked up by a microphone provided a rare window into both banter and substance: President George Bush cursing Hezbollah’s attacks against Israel. An open microphone at the Group of Eight summit during lunch in St. Petersburg captured every word as Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair candidly discussed global events. Unaware of the live feed, Bush said Syria should press Hezbollah to “stop doing this shit†and that his secretary of state may go to the Middle East soon. Blair eventually noticed the microphone was on and hastily switched it off, but not before the recording had reached news media. Much of the G-8 summit has been devoted to discussing the Middle East crisis centering on Lebanese Hezbollah attacks on Israel and Israeli bombings of Lebanon. “The irony is, what they really need to do is to get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit, and it’s over,†Bush was heard to say. Murhaf Jouejati, director of Mideast Studies at George Washington University, had more to say about the implications of Bush’s comment than on the profanity used. “What astonished me most is that President Bush wants Hezbollah to lay down its arms and stop attacking,†said Jouejati. “That statement is embedded in idiocy. If US diplomacy in the region has failed, it is because the US wants to be the judge, jury and executioner. The US is no longer an honest broker — if it ever was. It is a party to the conflict because of its complete support to Israel. It said Israel has the right to self-defense, but omits the other half that other states have the right to self-defense, too.†Also during the luncheon, Bush told Blair he was planning on sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice into the region. “Condi’s going to go pretty soon,†he said, but did not specify where. She was expected to go to the Middle East when a UN team returns later this week. Blair replied: “Right, that’s all that matters, it will take some time to get that together.†The two leaders also referred to an offer by Blair to help. Blair said Rice has “got to succeed†if she heads to the region. The recording also picked up Bush, apparently expected to make remarks, saying: “I’m just going to make it up. I’m not going to talk too damn long like the rest of them. Some of these guys talk too long.†Bush also expressed frustration yesterday at attempts to get UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to do more to end the conflict in Lebanon. Earlier in the day, Blair and Annan called for the deployment of an international force in southern Lebanon, in order to end the spiraling conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The president and Blair also seemed to express frustration about Annan, suggesting that Annan thinks that a cease-fire by itself will resolve the conflict. “What about Kofi Annan? I don’t like the sequence of it. His attitude is basically cease-fire and everything else happens,†said Bush. But Blair also cautioned that “the thing that is really difficult is you can’t stop this unless you get this international presence agreed,†an apparent reference to the G-8 leaders’ call for UN consideration of an international security force in Lebanon. And Bush said he wanted to tell “Kofi to get on the phone with (Syrian President Bashar) Assad and make something happen. We’re not blaming Israel and we’re not blaming the Lebanese government.â€

Continuing Governance Crisis in Somalia: The Bitter Fruit of the Somalis’ Faulty Approach to the Practice of Statecraft

Interview with Amb Abdillahi Said Osman June 22, 2006 Editors Note: Somalia is a nation of duality, markedly characterized with extreme highs and lows. Whereas the majority of its society is deprived of any chance for education, a handful of its urban community members have a world class education and diplomatic experiences. Ambassador Abdillahi Said Osman, often known as Abmassador Osman in the diplomatic community, is one of those highly educated and diplomatic personalities. WardheerNews is pleased to introduce to its esteemed readers Ambassador Osman and his distinguished career in diplomacy and world politics. Amb. Osman with Gamani Corea, formar secretary genaral of UNCTAD, Geneva. Ambassador Osman has held numerous impressive positions where he contributed to governance, conflict resolution and institutional capacity building in Africa. The latest office he held was the Assistant Secretary General of the OAU (Organization of African Unity), now called African Union (AU). In his tenure at the OAU, Mr. Osman has played an important role in helping establish the democratization process that is taking root in Africa today. Among some of the projects he directly supervised includes the setting up of the legal instruments for the establishment of the AU Peace and Security Council. Abdelkarim A. Hassan has conducted this interview with Osman for WardheerNews. WardheerNews (WDN): Ambassador Osman, can you briefly tell us about your background? Ambassador Osman: First I would like to thank WardheerNews for their tireless effort of bringing issues that are of interest to the Somali people wherever they may reside. For the consistency in providing quality news that keeps us informed about the current state of affairs and for providing a positive forum for exchange of ideas. "I was born in Berbera, I completed my primary and secondary education in Somali schools (Berbera and Amoud respectively) in1959 and after passing the GCE exam, I was granted a government scholarship to the UK for my higher education to study law. I pursued my studies at the University of Hull, Faculty of Law Yorks, England and was awarded a Law Degree LLB (Hons.) majoring in Public International Law and Mercantile/Corporate Law. I served as Secretary of the University Law Society and won the University Law Prize in my class. After passing the prescribed Bar exams, I was called to the English Bar and qualified as Barrister-at-Law 1963. I am a member of the Honorable Society of the Middle Temple and had my professional legal training at the Bean’s Chambers Temple, London under the supervision of Mr. Patrick Mayhew (QC) Northern Ireland, who became the Attorney General of U.K. and later Secretary for Ireland during the 80s. I also completed a graduate “Master’s Degree†at Long Island University (New York) during my tenure as UN Ambassador in New York. My thesis was on: “The Refugee Crisis in Africa and The Role of International Organizations." Having completed my education, I returned home and joined the Somali Public Service in April 1964 in fulfillment of my national obligation to apply my education in the service of my mother country. I had a very interesting and exciting professional career in the Somali Public Administration (1964-1990) during which I held a number of senior level positions including Ambassador/Permanent representative to the United Nations, New York (1984-1990); Ambassador/Permanent representative to the UN office, Geneva (1976-84); Chief State Counsel (Avvocato Generale dello Stato) (1970-1976) Permanent Secretary; Ministry of Justice (1968-70) Director, Legal Department (1965-68) Legal Counselor of the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, (1965); Secretary to the Prime Minister (1964). During my public service, I had the opportunity to Chair a number of legal and technical commissions particularly in the area of codification and legal integration. At the international level, I attended many conferences and meetings held in different parts of the world under the auspices of the UN, OAU, Non-Aligned Movement and League of Arab States. I was adviser to the Somali delegation at the Ministerial talks on the Ethiopian/Somali dispute held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 1988, and later in Mogadishu. Earlier in 1967, I was a member of the Somali delegation at the Arusha Summit on the Somali/Kenya relations. During my tenure as the Somali Ambassador to the United Nations in New York and Geneva I served several times as chairman of both the Arab and the African ambassadors at the United Nations. I was also elected the Vice President of the General assembly of the United Nations in 1984. In June 1991, I was elected OAU Assistant Secretary General by the African Summit held in Abuja, Nigeria, for a four year term and was later appointed OAU Senior Advisor till 1999. For the past five years I have been involved in a number of UN/AU assignments related to conflict resolution, legal and development issues. I have recently been appointed as Deputy Cluster Leader/ Consultant on Governance and Rule of Law for the UN/World Bank Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) on Somalia based in Nairobi. I am currently a Diplomat in Residence at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University and Advisor on Africa. WDN: How did you get interested in Law; and is there any role model in your early career or educational pursuit? Ambassador Osman: As a student in the Secondary School (Amoud), I was interested to read about court cases and admired the skill and performance of lawyers in book stories. In particular, I was inspired and impressed by the writings and speeches of the famous leader Mahatma Ghandi who was a Barrister-at-Law. However, it was Mr. Robert Shaw of New Zealand, former Attorney General of Somaliland Protectorate in the 50’s whom I consulted in choosing my professional career. Since I did well in the GCE exams, he advised me to take up law though he cautioned me of the difficulties and challenges of British legal education. I should, however, pay special tribute to my supervisor as a law student, Mr. Patrick Mayhew who was always a great supporter in fact,; my mentor and role model during the crucial period of my legal training at the Temple in London. What impressed me about him was that he was a professionally competent lawyer ,smart and well dressed and above all he had unique talent of advocacy and sense of persuasion in the presentation of his case at court proceedings. He was a dynamic, courteous and charming person who was highly respected and admired by his colleagues in the Bar Association. I will never forget the professional guidance, counseling and advice he consistently used to give me during my legal training in Chambers. Amb. Osman in session with former secretary general of OAU Salim and other OAU officials, Addis Ababa WDN: Ambassador Osman, you have a distinguished career in diplomacy. Africa is blessed with resources that could feed the world, yet it is lagging behind the rest of the world in every aspect of development. Some argue that the core problem facing Africa is due to lack of good leadership, good governance and conspicuous corruption. What are your thoughts on this topic? Ambassador Osman: I agree that Africa is lagging behind the rest of the world particularly in terms of socioeconomic development. Years of colonial oppression, civil wars, disease, and natural disasters etc. had significantly contributed to the African crisis. It appears that the shadow of the painful history of the past still lingers over the Continent. The major factor, however, is the lack of good governance, mismanagement of the economy, poverty and political instability caused by civil wars and internal conflicts. There are also external factors such as foreign interference, the heavy debt burden and the impact of the current inequitable international economic order. WDN: The heads of African states convene a yearly meeting, where often the same faces appear year after year for decades at a time. Was there any effort from the organization of the AU to strengthen democratization of the African States? Ambassador Osman: It is true that in the past there were African leaders who remained in office for many years, some for decades, few others even declared themselves “Presidents for Life†(e.g. Idi Amin, Jean Bukasa). After the establishment of the OAU in1963, autocrats who assumed power by Coup d'état or through fake elections ruled many African countries. With the end of the cold war however, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, African countries were left to resolve their own problems themselves without foreign interference and they adopted the concept of self-reliance, “African solution to African problems†as a guiding principle. In response to the challenges facing Africa after the cold war, and following pressure from the international donor community, African leaders endorsed two important resolutions, one on democratization and respect for the rule of law, and, the other, on the issue of unconstitutional change of government (or Coup d'état). In 1990 African heads of states and governments adopted a formal declaration by which they committed themselves to the respect for democratic principles, human rights and good governance and in 1996 African leaders denounced the change of government by unconstitutional means. During my tenure of office in the OAU, dramatic political changes were taking place in Africa as many countries were transitioning from dictatorship to democratic system of governance. Many countries adopted in their constitutions new provisions, which called for limiting the period of presidency to no more than two terms. The unconstitutional takeover of an elected government was considered illegal and denied legitimacy and recognition by the OAU. Regimes that defied this established rule were subject to threats of sanctions and isolation by member states. For example, in 1995 the military junta which toppled the legitimate government of Sierra Leone was condemned and denied recognition; similarly the A.U. rejected the recent attempt by a group of officers to install an unelected leader (the President’s son) for the Republic of Togo after the death of President Eyadema which was considered to be unconstitutional and subject to sanctions. This was a historic and bold development in Africa, which needs to be commended. With the wind of change blowing over the Continent, many African Heads of State, or the so-called “Big Men†lost power and were replaced by younger dynamic, democratically elected leaders. Most of the aged OAU founding fathers are gone and new faces have now emerged to lead Africa for a better future. Amb. Osman with Salim A. Salim, Addis Ababa WDN: One incident that has tainted the OAU in a most negative way was the vicious killing of the former president of Liberia William Tolbert who was the chairman of OAU at the time. Can you share with us about the incident and what position the OAU has taken to discourage such acts? Ambassador Osman: The murder of William Tolbert, the former President of Liberia and a great African Statesman, was a shock to Africa and the International Community at large. On April 12th 1980 an army master sergeant named Samuel Doe led a group of soldiers into President Tolbert’s Presidential Palace and assassinated him. President Tolbert was at the time holding the eminent office of Chairman of the OAU to which he was elected by the OAU Summit held in Monrovia in July 1979. I attended that Summit as a member of the Somali Delegation. The OAU expressed indignation and strongly condemned this heinous criminal act. This was the first time that an incumbent chairman of the OAU was killed while in office, but the tragic irony of the incident was that the killer, Samuel Doe and his regime was later recognized by the OAU and members of the Assembly of African Heads of State. This was a disgrace to the image of the African people in the eyes of the world. Drawing lessons from past experiences such as the murder of Mr. Tolbert, African leaders adopted specific provisions in order to prevent similar tragic incidents from happening again in the future. Article 4 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union sets out “respect for the sanctity of human life, condemnation of political assassinations and rejection of unconstitutional changes of government†as fundamental principles to be scrupulously observed by all member states of the African Union. WDN: The Organization of African Unity has adopted a new name calling itself the “African Union.†What was the purpose of such a change? Was there a change in ideological philosophy between the old and the new? Ambassador Osman: The reason of changing the name of the Organization to AU was not ideological but essentially institutional. The OAU, which was established in 1963, was outmoded and became irrelevant to the current realities of Africa and the contemporary world. The OAU was created at a time when many African countries were under racial and colonial domination and those, which attained their independence, were mainly preoccupied with the domestic problems of nation building. In the international front, the liberation of African countries under colonialism and apartheid were accorded top priority in the OAU Agenda. Since African states were concerned about the protection of their hard won independence, the principles of sovereignty and noninterference in domestic affairs of the state were given special emphasis in the OAU Charter. With the advent of the new millennium, Africa needed a new institution that would effectively address the current realities and challenges in the continent that should focus more on the needs and aspirations of African peoples for democratization, good governance, human rights, economic, integration, humanitarian, and environmental issues. In order to deal with these priority issues, a new Organization had to be established with a set of objectives and principles and a new political direction. This was indeed a major historical achievement. It was basically the pressing need for change, which led to the birth of the African Union. WDN: What are your thoughts on the future of Africa and the challenges facing the continent today such as the Aids epidemic, famine, civil wars, and corruption amid globalization and high technology era? Ambassador Osman: Despite the challenges of Civil War, AIDS pandemic, famine, etc. to which you referred, I am optimistic about the future of Africa. Africa is a huge continent of 54 independent states and represents a major segment of the world population. It is rich in mineral and other natural resources and abundant in skilled talented human resources. What Africa needs is good leadership and effective institutions. Leaders like Mbeki of South Africa and Obasanjo of Nigeria as well as others have already done a lot and to some extent contributed significantly to the cause of peace and socioeconomic development. Since its inauguration in Durban South Africa in 2002, I believe that the African Union has made good progress in establishing the appropriate institutions at continental level. A number of important bodies like the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) have been set up and are now functional. The Peer Review Mechanism on governance is also in place. The Pan African Parliament, which held its inaugural session in South Africa last month is an important institutional organ which can reinforce the work of the AU Commission in conflict resolution, democratization, human rights and economic integration in Africa. Of particular importance is the creation of Peace and Security Council which replaced the OAU Mechanism for Conflict Prevention Management and Resolution. The establishment of a secure and peaceful environment is the key to socioeconomic development. As a former Chairman of the African Union, President Chisano of Mozambique said, “the AU would make a valuable contribution to reversing the current mood of despair and marginalization and bring more self esteem and dignity to the people of Africa.†For me, it was an honor to have made some modest contributions to the institutionalization process leading to the adoption of the Protocol for the establishment of the AU Peace and Security Council. WDN: You had recently served as a consultant for the UN/World Bank Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) Project for Somalia. can you briefly discuss the mission of the JNA Project? Ambassador Osman: The objective of the JNA was to undertake an in-depth realistic assessment of the rehabilitation and transitional recovery needs to serve as a basis for the preparation of a Development Reconstruction Plan for the next five years. It is coordinated jointly by the UN and World Bank supported by the donors and carried out in cooperation with the Somali authorities. Assessments were conducted extensively throughout the whole country under six main Clusters including governance and the Rule of Law, macroeconomic policy, infrastructure, social services, productive sectors and environment. The assessment exercise has now been concluded and the Final Report is due to be submitted to the Somali Authorities for approval and validation in June/July 2006. Later in the year, it is expected that the JNA Report will be submitted to the International Pledging Conference in Rome, Italy. WDN: It was reported that some individuals voiced concern against the mission of the JNA as it related to Somaliland issues; could you share with us what was the concern and how it was addressed? Ambassador Osman: Before responding to your question, let me say that the JNA Assessment mission to Somaliland on 15th January 2006 was well received by the Somaliland authorities and it successfully achieved its main purpose. Contrary to unfounded rumors, there were no problems or setbacks and the work of the mission went on smoothly as planned. The JNA consultation workshop was held in Hargeisa as scheduled (15th-19th January 2006) in a congenial atmosphere at Mansoor Hotel with the full and active participation of the representatives of Somaliland authorities, civil society leaders, traditional elders, intellectuals, women organizations etc. The briefing/ consultative sessions of the workshop covered a wide range of issues under the main items of the JNA work plan including governance, safety and the rule of law; macroeconomic policy; infrastructure, social services, productive services, etc. The workshop was concluded with a positive note and adoption of recommendations, which would be reflected in the JNA Report. In reference to your specific question, I am informed that certain individuals reportedly voiced some concern against the JNA mission through the local media. However, since their concerns or complaints were not raised during the formal proceedings of the workshop, I need not comment on them. All that I can say is that the workshop participants were fully supportive and in favor of the of the JNA process which they strongly endorsed. Amb Osma with Somali faction leaders, during Somali national reconciliation conference, 1994 Addis Ababa. WDN: For the forty-six years that the Republic has been in existence (from 1960 to present), Somali had been more or less in turmoil. What can you tell us about the state of affairs in Somalia and how we can break the vicious cycle of clan polarization? Ambassador Osman: As you are aware, the Somali people suffered for so long from repressive policies of the past Somali regimes, which were the main causes of institutional disintegration and state failure in Somalia. The ensuing clan based civil war fueled by powerful warlords and their associates in the South further aggravated the situation and resulted in anarchy, devastation and humanitarian crisis of enormous proportions. How to move forward from such a cycle of violence and clan polarization? This is not an easy question. In my humble opinion the continued clan conflict is fuelled by the warlords, merchants and other interest groups particularly in the South. It would be difficult to successfully tackle this problem without the reestablishment of administration and the fundamental institutions of governance at the central and local levels. Democratization, human rights, rule of law and good leadership are essential requirements for promoting social harmony and understanding among various segments of society. Clan affiliation is in-built in the fabric of Somali custom and tradition and cannot be eliminated or uprooted but its negative and sometimes destructive manifestations could be addressed and perhaps successfully managed through awareness campaigns, debate and interaction with the involvement of various segments of civil society, community elders, religious leaders, youth and women. Promoting an action oriented program of dialogue and reconciliation conducted at grassroot, district, regional and national levels can also help bring the people together to establish a common front against the evils of clan based hatred, discord and division. WDN: In light of the recent political developments in Mogadishu and the South, coupled by what is called the contact group and its communiqué, what advice would you give to the TFG? Ambassador Osman: The establishment of the Contact Group (CG) on Somalia is a timely positive initiative on the part of the international community and should be supported. The ousting of the warlords by the Islamic Courts is also a significant development to be welcomed. The establishment of the CG and the ousting of the criminal warlords are both important events which could provide new opportunities for positive change in Somalia and contribute to the restoration of peace and stability in the country. I believe the TFG should now work on ways of consolidating its authority at the domestic level and develop and promote a strategy based on dialogue, reconciliation and consensus building mobilizing community elders across clan lines to reach out to all segments of society. At the Regional and international levels TFG should continue cooperation with the UN, AU, IGAD & LAS and urge these institutions and member states concerned to abide by their commitments under various Resolutions on Assistance to Somalia. WDN: What is your view of the role and contribution that the diaspora community can play in the reconciliation and nation building in Somalia? Ambassador Osman: Like other Diaspora communities Somalis in North America and elswhere should demonstrate a sense of commitment and solidarity in support of their great nation at this critical hour of need. They can play a pivotal role n peace building and reconciliation processes as well as render an advise and guidance in other areas of national concern. A year ago, a good friend of mine, Ismail Ali Ismail (Geeldoon) wrote a very interesting article under the title of "Warrlordism, oralism, and Murky waters of Somali History" In his well written and lucid presentation Ismail made a strong case for Somalis to make an effort to write their own history for the benefit of succeeding generation. This is pertinent and valid suggestion; well presented and forcefully argued and I commend Ismail for that. The article has been a wake up call for Somalis in the Diaspora and as well at home. But apart from the need to put on record our past experiences, I believe we could also do more for the motherland particularly in national institution building and reconstruction at this crucial period when the UN and the international community are actively engaged in a multi faceted program of peace building, economic recovery and reconstruction. I am very optimistic about the future of our beloved country and I am confident that durable peace and stability can be achieved thanks to the on going reconciliation efforts conducted under the auspices of the, Arab League ,.and with the support of the UN , AU and the international community My very best wishes for the success of this commendable initiative. WDN: Thank you Ambassador Osman: You are welcome

MMA, Everyone is familiar with warlord Indhacadde’s past, his harsh rule over shabelle, his public claim over the ownership of the Pasta factory and the farms in Shebelle, as a result indhacadde will only discredit and damage reputation of the courts Most Somali and the world will assume that the popular movement of the people of Mogadishu that led to free Mogadishu from the various secular warlords is hijacked by another ruthless warlord I believe only new, honest and youthful individuals with no background history in Somali political arena like Sheikh Shariif Ahmed can bring a positive change My advice to courts is to distance them selves from Indhacadde, and to force him to resign if he holds any position within the leadership of the courts, to save the credibility of the new movement Its for the benefit of the courts, if shariif publicly denounce warlord indhacadde and his actions in shabelle, shariif should request indhacadde to hand over the pasta factory and farms in shabelle

Great news, Courts are doing good job by opening the International airport/port, improving Mogadishu’s security etc The fact that Mogadishu is united for the first time in 16 years is a remarkable breakthrough. Courts deserve a credit for their excellent work Although, the executive leader of courts sheikh shariif Ahmed is honest man, however, MMA, your concern of warlord indhacadde’s awful involvement in courts is fair. I believe indhacadde is more of liability for the courts

Mogadishu International Airport Reopens After 11 Years Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu) NEWS July 14, 2006 Posted to the web July 14, 2006 Mogadishu An airplane crying Arab League delegates who arrived in Mogadishu this morning left Somalia using Mogadishu international airport for the first time in 11 years. The plane landed at 2:30pm local time after taking off from Esiley airfield in northern Mogadishu after Islamists and Arab delegates decided to use the international Airport in southern part of the capital to show that Mogadishu is under Islamists control after 11 years of warlord dominance. Hundreds of people including officers from the Islamists have gathered at the airport to participate the historic event by which Islamists achieved after 11 years. The Airport, as well as the main seaport have been closed for the feuds in Capital after the united nations left Somalia in 1995. Chairman of the Islamic Courts Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed has addressed briefly the people saying the International Airport is open from now on. "We are very happy to witness unforgettable moments like today, we tell everybody that Mogadishu international Airport is open for international planes". Sheik Sharif said. "This is what we have been looking forward after people's Islamic uprising in the capital which achieved to defeat warmongers, we tell the international community the capital is safe after years long", he added. The plane has taken off crying eleven Arab League delegates led by Abdalla MubaraK, Special Representative for Somalia and other fifteen delegate members from the Islamic Courts which will represent Islamists at the planed Khartoum Peace accord. "We are very much appreciated today we are taking off from Somalia International Airport which closed for a period of 11 years", Abdalla Mubarak said. Prof. Ibrahim hassan Adow led the Islamic Courts delegates who flew to Khartoum to participate a meeting which previously planed to be held on July 15th. Somalia Government is dragging foot on participating the meeting though Arab states are persuading to attend.

Mounties had mole in alleged terror cell Exclusive: Law prohibits publication of prominent member of Muslim community Jul. 13, 2006. 05:23 AM MICHELLE SHEPHARD STAFF REPORTER A well-known member of Toronto's Muslim community worked as a police agent to infiltrate an alleged terrorism cell that police say was planning attacks in Canada, the Toronto Star has learned. Although his identity is now known within the community and also to some of the 17 terrorism suspects arrested June 2, his name cannot be published due to Canadian laws. Sources say the man worked for the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service, and then became a paid RCMP agent once a criminal investigation was launched. It's an offence under the Witness Protection Program Act to disclose the name of an RCMP agent. While the names of sources in national security cases are often protected, this witness has agreed to testify in open court when his identity will be made public, sources say. His name has not been revealed during court proceedings now underway to determine if any of the 17 accused will be released on bail. A publication ban prevents the reporting of any evidence heard during the bail hearings. When contacted by the Star, the police agent said he did not want to talk about the case, saying that "justice should be served," and he looked forward to testifying in court. Last month the Star revealed the involvement of a second police agent in the case, who allegedly took part in the delivery of three tonnes of ammonium nitrate. Police claim seven of the suspects were involved in the alleged plot to use the fertilizer to create truck bombs destined for targets in southern Ontario. Since police were aware of the alleged purchase, they arranged for the switch of ammonium nitrate for a harmless substance before delivery, sources said. Twelve adults and five youths have been charged with belonging to what police call a "homegrown" terrorist cell. Most of the suspects are Canadians and under the age of 25. It's alleged that the group split earlier this year into two smaller sections. One group allegedly consisted of suspects who lived west of Toronto and were led by Zakaria Amara. Police have charged six of the adult suspects and one youth in the alleged plot to blow up targets in Toronto and elsewhere in the province. The other group was allegedly led by 21-year-old Scarborough resident Fahim Ahmed, who allegedly rented a car for two other suspects who were caught last August bringing guns and ammunition into Canada from the U.S. The involvement of hired agents in the case shows that undercover moles are now being used in terrorism cases in Canada — a common technique used in organized crimes investigations and increasingly in domestic security cases worldwide. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- `The investigative techniques aren't new. But the application for terrorism is.' Mike McDonnell, RCMP Assistant Commissioner -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The fact that the police agent who allegedly infiltrated the group worked for both CSIS and the RCMP seems to suggest a new level of co-operation between the two agencies that have been beset by turf wars in the past. With the agents' involvement also comes a series of legal questions, likely to be posed by defence lawyers representing the 17 suspects. What is the credibility of the agents? Why did they agree to work for police? How involved were they in the alleged planning of the attacks? "It's going to depend on the disclosure and what role the operative played," says Paul Copeland, an experienced Toronto criminal lawyer and police watchdog, who is representing one of the 17 accused. "The issue that could arise is the potential of entrapment. It's not appropriate for police to encourage a crime and then arrest those suspected of committing that crime." It's an issue that has confronted prosecutors in international cases that involved police agents or undercover officers. Australia's first terrorism trial ended in an acquittal last year after jurors heard that a police agent working for the country's spy service, and posing as a journalist, had offered 21-year-old terrorism suspect Zek Mallah $3,000 for a videotape of him uttering threats against government buildings. In acquitting him of the terrorism charges, the jury concluded that Mallah was not a terrorist, but a troubled orphan full of bravado. The involvement of an FBI informant in case of seven Miami men charged with terrorism offences two weeks ago has been criticized by some of the defence lawyers who argue that the agent had concocted part of the case. The men are accused of plotting to blow up Chicago's Sears Tower and federal buildings in five cities, and of having ties to Al Qaeda. Lawyer Nathan Clark told the New York Times that his client was "induced by the government," calling the case one of "entrapment." But the involvement of an undercover officer and informant in a New York case led to a conviction this May and was trumpeted as a milestone in the city's fight against terrorism. The trial of Shahawar Matin Siraj, convicted of plotting to blow up a subway station, revealed that an Egyptian-born police officer and undercover agent were instrumental in the case. RCMP Assistant Commissioner Mike McDonnell said yesterday that he could not speak specifically about the Toronto terrorism case but noted that the use of police informers was not unique in Canadian criminal law and have been used successfully in past organized crime cases. What makes the case unique is the fact that terrorism offences were introduced to Canada's criminal code in 2001, bringing the Mounties back into security, a field from which they had been ousted two decades earlier with the creation of CSIS. "The investigative techniques aren't new," McDonnell said in an interview. "But the application for terrorism is."

Terrorism & Security posted July 13, 2006 at 12:45 p.m. Is using informants in terror cases entrapment? Recent cases raise legal debate over 'preemptive' law enforcement vs. 'thought police.' By Tom Regan | csmonitor.com A well-know member of Toronto's Muslim community, whose name cannot be revealed under Canadian law, infiltrated an alleged terrorist cell that investigators say was planning to attack sites in Canada. The Toronto Star reports that sources say the man first worked for Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS), and "then became a paid RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] agent once a criminal investigation was launched." The Star says involvement by paid informers in such cases will likely raise legal questions. What is the credibility of the agents? Why did they agree to work for police? How involved were they in the alleged planning of the attacks? "It's going to depend on the disclosure and what role the operative played," says Paul Copeland, an experienced Toronto criminal lawyer and police watchdog, who is representing one of the 17 accused. "The issue that could arise is the potential of entrapment. It's not appropriate for police to encourage a crime and then arrest those suspected of committing that crime." The Star points out that Australia's first terrorist trial ended in acquittal for the accused last year when evidence showed that an undercover police informant had offered the accused $3000 to make a 'terrorist' video. The jury found that Zeky Mallah was not a terrorist, but a "troubled orphan full of bravado." Sign up to be notified daily: Find out more. Subscribe via RSS Feed: What is this? The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that more recently in the US, questions have arisen over the role played by an FBI informant. Defense attorneys have said they will show that the informant had concocted part of the plot that the seven Miami-area men are accused of planning. "It was the FBI that provided the boots, the cameras, the van and the warehouse for these individuals," said Roderick Vereen, who represents [stanley Grant Phanor]. [Naudimar Herrera]'s attorney Richard Houlihan said [defendant Narseal Batiste] might have invented the alleged conspiracy to scam Al Qaeda out of money. "It is a very, extremely weak case," Houlihan said. But New York Magazine reported in December 2004 that an undercover officer and a paid Muslim informant played key roles in the arrests of two men who wanted to blow up the Herald Square subway station in New York. One of the men in the case, Shahawar Matin Siraj, was convicted in May and now awaits sentencing. The Associated Press reported over the weekend that police authorities are acting quickly on cases, where those arrested were often only in the talking stages of planning a plot, and often hadn't done anything to bring it to fruition. "We don't wait until someone has lit the fuse (to) step in and prevent something from happening. That would be playing games with peoples' lives," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Friday as Assem Hammoud's arrest in Lebanon [for allegedly plotting to blow up tunnels in New York] was being announced. On the other hand, AP reports, some terrorism experts say the arrests of minor figures are carried out for other reasons. Joseph Cirincione, a national security analyst for the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, said he worried that the arrests of rather minor conspirators were being played up for political purposes. "This is starting to look like the president's version of rounding up the usual suspects," he said. "There is a pattern of dramatic announcements, followed by revelations that these plots weren't as serious as we all initially thought." Stratfor, the intelligence and security organization, writes that this approach of "rolling up" suspects before they actually do anything dangerous can be best described as the "broken windows" [subscription needed] approach to fighting terrorism. That is, there is a belief that if authorities come down hard on all "potential threats" before they become "imminent threats," terrorist attacks can be pre-empted and prevented, rather than merely prosecuted. Startfor writes that while some argue using this approach the government "looks foolish when it hypes the arrests of such suspects," it is a "prudent use of scarce law enforcement resources." For example, the government could have chosen to monitor the suspects in the "Miami Seven" case for years – waiting for an imminent threat to develop – before stepping in to make arrests. For example, it might be recalled that Narseal Batiste and his associates in the Miami case were believed to be trying to make contact with Al Qaeda for logistical support and training, but were subverted by an informant who contacted federal authorities. It would have been difficult for law enforcement to avoid following up on the tip; had it done so, the efforts to contact Al Qaeda likely would have continued and perhaps eventually would have succeeded. But long-term surveillance and monitoring also chews up quantities of man-hours and resources. Moreover, there is always a chance that the cell in question could somehow burn or fool the informant and manage to carry out an attack, despite being under surveillance by authorities. (This is obviously an outcome that no government law enforcement official would want to have to explain to the next "9/11 Commission.") But in a commentary in the Turkish online paper Zaman, Ronnie D. Lipschutz, a professor of politics at the University of California, Santa Cruz, argues that the above "broken windows" approach basically amounts to the same thing as the "thought police," as depicted in the movie "Minority Report" or as in the George Orwell novel "1984," where even thinking about committing a crime amounts to actually committing one. The end result of this kind of approach, Mr. Lipschutz argues, is that you may end up creating more terrorism, rather than less. Who amongst us has not thought, at one time or another, about violence or revenge, for real or imagined insults? How many among us have, perhaps merely out of idle curiosity, looked on the internet for information on bomb-making? And who has not discussed with friends and acquaintances what we might do under certain circumstances? Today, around the world, there are hundreds of millions of people who have the capacity for destructive acts, and a very much smaller number who will follow through. Short of arresting everyone in the first group, how can we tell them apart from the second? If the distinction is based on what people say to each other, whether on the phone, in person, or in e-mails, a great deal of surveillance is required. If the distinction rests on what people might be thinking, detection is even more difficult. Finally, arresting people for what they think or talk about might, in fact, drive more to the cause of jihadism. After all, if you risk arrest, interrogation and indefinite imprisonment for what you think and believe, why not go all the way? Finally, the BBC reported last week that many Arab and Muslims citizens in the US believe "they are being indiscriminately targeted" by an "over-zealous use of the law," especially powers enacted under the Patriot Act. The BBC highlights the case of Ben Kahla, who was acquitted on a charge of training to fight with the Taliban and firing weapons in Afghanistan, but is now being brought before a grand jury on two charges of perjury. After the not-guilty verdict, the prosecutor who had tried the original case also brought him in front of two other grand juries to ask him the same questions that he had in the trial. Mr. Kahla is asking that all charges be dropped. "This is not the America I know. Maybe this is what Jewish people felt with the Nazis and people in Russia experienced under Stalin," he said.

The making of a terror mole How a sharia activist infiltrated the 'Toronto 17' and helped authorities build a case against them SONYA FATAH and GREG MCARTHUR AND SCOTT ROBERTS From Friday's Globe and Mail TORONTO — One night in October, a group of young Muslims gathered at a Toronto banquet hall and tried to raise money for two men who had recently been convicted of gun smuggling and imprisoned. The event was supposed to help their cause — but it may end up being remembered as the night that Canada's first home-grown Islamist terror cell came crashing down. Among the men and women gathered in the room was an outsider named Mubin Shaikh, 30. He didn't attend the same Mississauga or Scarborough mosques as the supporters in the hall, and he didn't know many of the people in the room. But he had instructions: Get to know Fahim Ahmad, the young man believed by authorities to be behind the gun-smuggling operation and an emerging terrorist cell. The outsider approached Mr. Ahmad and told him about his training as a six-year member of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets. He told him about his survival skills and weapons training. He also told Mr. Ahmad that he believed firmly in jihad. By the end of the evening, Mr. Shaikh was in. That was 10 months ago, and since then, in media reports around the world, Mr. Ahmad has been identified as the ringleader of the so-called “Toronto 17,†the group of men and teenagers tied into an alleged plot to blow up three targets in Southern Ontario and storm Parliament Hill. This is the story of the 18th man, the civilian mole and devout Muslim paid by CSIS and the RCMP to infiltrate Mr. Ahmad's circle and thwart an alleged plot to blow up those targets. Over a series of discussions with The Globe and Mail, Mr. Shaikh detailed his motives for bringing down the alleged terrorist cell. Above all, violence in Canada in the name of Islam cannot be tolerated, said Mr. Shaikh, who says he has learned to juggle his fierce commitment to both Islam and the secular values of Canadian society. On one hand, he is an official at his west-end mosque, supports the jihads in Afghanistan and Iraq and was one of the most public supporters of the failed bid to introduce sharia law in Ontario, occasionally commenting on the debate on television. On the other, he is also a onetime member of the York South-Weston Liberal Riding Association, whose family keeps a sticker of the Canadian flag on their mailbox. “As a practising Muslim, the interests of the Muslim community are paramount,†Mr. Shaikh said. “And as a Canadian, the safety and security of my fellow citizens is also primary.†--------- Mr. Shaikh started his new job more than two years ago when his Ottawa friend, 27-year-old Momin Khawaja, was arrested by the RCMP and accused of taking part in a foiled United Kingdom bomb plot. Mr. Shaikh said he contacted the authorities because he thought he might be able to help in their investigation, and before long, he was put through the most rigorous of job interviews. There was a polygraph test and some strange fact-gathering assignments. He also said he sought permission from his imam to join ranks with Canada's spy service — permission that was granted. As far as he could tell, he was one of the few bearded and brown-skinned employees of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, but he says he never picked up any anti-Islamist sentiment. The agents' only concern was the welfare of Canada, he said. He soon became accustomed to the routine of being an agent: wearing a wire and flying to remote locations. One mission to Yemen to infiltrate a training camp, he said, ended unsuccessfully when authorities there didn't let him enter the country. Instead, Mr. Shaikh spent five days detained at the airport. Eventually, CSIS brought him back home. He financed his work by going to secret locations and receiving cash handoffs. Those payments increased when he inserted himself into Mr. Ahmad's circle — and so did the stakes. Only two months after the banquet hall meeting, Mr. Shaikh joined Mr. Ahmad and some other young men on a 160-kilometre road trip to a snow-covered forest in Ramara Township, population 15,000. For two weeks over the Christmas holidays, young men in military fatigues wandered around in the wilderness firing paintball guns and real guns and annoying the neighbours. One of those neighbours was a grey-haired recluse who doesn't own a phone. He was so annoyed that he left his trailer and travelled down the dirt road where the campers had parked their cars. He wrote down the licence plate numbers of the four cars blocking his road and filed the information with the rest of the scattered documents he keeps in his Dodge minivan. Six months later, a few days after the campers were arrested and accused of being terrorists, the hermit handed the licence plate numbers to a Globe reporter who went to see the training camp for himself. Almost all of the licence plates made sense. Three of them were registered to the family members of Zakaria Amara, Ahmad Ghany and Qayyum Abdul Jamal — all of whom have been taken into custody on the terrorism charges. But there was a fourth licence plate, attached to a blue minivan, that didn't fit. It was registered to Mr. Shaikh's younger brother, Abu Shaikh. ------ Even with his extensive training on how to be clandestine, Mubin Shaikh does not blend in well at Toronto's busiest intersection, the corner of Front and Bay Streets. His long beard, which ends just below his pectoral muscles, and his k urta, a flowing grey robe, are in stark contrast with the commuters in collared shirts who whiz by on their way to the GO Train. He stands on the corner describing his “surreal†predicament to a Globe reporter. Since the beginning of the investigation, he's had to repeatedly prove his loyalty to both his employer and his emir, Mr. Ahmad. One day during the investigation, he was driving Mr. Ahmad somewhere while being followed by undercover police officers. When Mr. Ahmad noted that they were being tailed, the agent weaved through lanes of traffic, trying to shake off the people who pay his salary, he said. He is also, he said, fearful of any reprisals that may stem from his co-operation in the case. Many people in the Muslim community suspect he was involved and the agent worries that a tiny fraction of them might take issue with him. But he's prepared to be scrutinized by all of his Canadian Muslim brothers and the defence lawyers of the accused, who will no doubt vigorously examine him about the $77,000 he says he's earned, and the $300,000 he's says he's owed. He acknowledged that his past isn't completely unblemished, and that he didn't completely embrace Islam until he was a young man after making trips to India, Pakistan and the Middle East. He is now a married father, and his wife, a Polish convert to Islam, is expecting another child. Some parts of his past, and his family's past, will surely be revealed in court if the cases make it to trial. Last year, his father was charged with sexual assault after a woman said she had been fondled by an Islamic chaplain who was supposed to be counselling her through a divorce. The outcome of that case is unknown to The Globe. When asked about the accusation against his father, whose name is Mohammad Shahied Shaikh, Mr. Shaikh said he didn't want to discuss it. The RCMP mole was also once a witness at a friend's second-degree murder trial and his testimony was the subject of an appeal. Mr. Shaikh was also once accused of assaulting his aunt and was charged criminally, Mr. Shaikh told The Globe. Those charges were dropped, Mr. Shaikh said, adding that his credibility will remain intact with people who truly know him. “Let the courts do their thing, and the evidence will come out there,†he said.

Muslim community reacts angrily SONYA FATAH From Friday's Globe and Mail Members of Toronto's diverse Muslim community reacted angrily to the identification of Mubin Shaikh as an RCMP and CSIS agent. “This is like the pot calling the kettle black,†said Tarek Fatah, communications director for the Canadian Muslim Congress. “He was the embodiment of extremism in the city. He was the exponent of sharia law in the city.†Indeed, Mr. Sheikh has been a chief proponent of sharia law, lobbying for using the Islamic legal code at the Al-Noor Mosque, where he ran the Al-Noor Arbitration Centre, the only such centre in Canada. “He was supporting some of the most extremist groups in Canada. Now, he's throwing up modern and Canadian values. “It brings into question whether he's trying to salvage his own problems with the authorities.†Mr. Fatah says that Mr. Shaikh's divisive views on the Muslim community hardly represent Canadian values. A different but equally damning view was expressed by Aly Hindy, the controversial imam of the Salahuddin Islamic Centre in Scarborough, attended by some of the 17 arrested youth. Imam Hindy sees CSIS as a vehicle for radicalizing young people by infiltrating youth Muslim communities. “The government and the people keep saying that we should not make our young people radical. CSIS is the one radicalizing the youth. I call him CSIS Shaikh.†Mr. Hindy learned about Mr. Shaikh's involvement as an agent in the terror case through members of the community, including parents of some of the accused. An angry Mr. Hindy retaliated by saying that Mubin Shaikh was planted to radicalize young people. “He was someone more knowledgeable about Islam. He has knowledge in Arabic. He has knowledge of the sharia. I saw this. “We once had an open house in Mississauga. He talked to the men. He brought a lot of books. He had a lot of knowledge.†Mr. Hindy says the young men were impressed by Mr. Shaikh. When news of Mr. Shaikh's involvement reached him, he had flashbacks of moments when he saw Mr. Shaikh making an effort with youth at his mosque. “I remember I was standing outside Salahuddin. And he was standing there, playing with a lot of young people. Some of those guys got arrested.†He recalls Mr. Shaikh attending high-level imam meetings, which he now believes were meant to source information. Mr. Hindy alleges that Mr. Shaikh once told Salahuddin community members that the reason he didn't attend the mosque there was out of fear of CSIS. But then, Mr. Hindy says, Mr. Shaikh started coming to the mosque. “This is not an informer,†he says angrily. “An informer is a good citizen who finds information and tells the law something is about to happen. This is dirty.â€

'Devout Muslim' informer helped in Toronto terrorism-related arrests Last Updated Thu, 13 Jul 2006 23:56:25 EDT CBC News Mubin Shaikh spoke exclusively to Linden McIntyre of CBC's The Fifth Estate. (CBC) A paid police informant who calls himself "an observant Muslim" infiltrated a group of men and youths arrested last month and charged with plotting to carry out bomb attacks and kidnappings around southern Ontario, CBC News has learned. Mubin Shaikh spoke exclusively to Linden McIntyre of CBC's The Fifth Estate. (CBC) The informant, who spoke exclusively to Linden McIntyre of CBC's The Fifth Estate, is 29-year-old Mubin Shaikh, a prominent member of Toronto's Indo-Canadian Muslim community. He was born in Canada to immigrant parents. Press reports say Shaikh will testify at the trials of the 12 men and five youths who have been charged in the case. They were arrested in early June. Bail hearings for the accused have been taking place in a court in Brampton, Ont., just west of Toronto. Police say members of the group bought large quantities of fertilizer to make explosives and planned a series of attacks in Ontario because they were angry about the plight of Muslims in other countries. Shaikh told CBC News that he had worked undercover for the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service and the police for more than two years, much of that time with the suspects in the alleged bomb plots. Shaikh, a former army cadet and Canadian Armed Forces reservist, describes the suspects as "fruitcakes...with the capacity to do some real damage." He said what he heard about the plans by the group was similar to what police and prosecutors have alleged, that there were plans to kidnap prominent Canadians and bomb such targets as the Toronto Stock Exchange and the CBC building in Toronto. He said he was moved to become an informer by concerns about the impact of the plot on all Canadians and particularly on the country's Muslim community. "My interests were about Islam and Muslims, even and above Canada," he said. Shaikh said he consulted the Qur'an and senior Muslim religious leaders before going undercover and becoming an informer. "God says in the Qur'an that we must value one life," he said, "I was guided, I had my licence." Shaikh has declined formal protection as a court witness after consulting a lawyer, saying he was working for the safety of Canadians and Muslims, not for the police. Defence lawyers for the 17 accused say the government's case has many flaws and questions are already being raised about the role of informers. "It's going to depend on the disclosure and what role the operative played," defence lawyer and legal activist Paul Copeland told the Toronto Star.

waxaanba islahaa somalida inta taageersan nidaamka islaamiga ayaa loogu qaatay shiikhyadii SOL maxey isku qabteen, ma warlords sida yusuf iyo indhacadde loo kala safanayaa? Horta, sakhar waad ku mahadsantahay nasheed, lakiin tageerada aad u haysid Abdulaahi yusuf ilama saxsana xoogsade maxaad topic ga u badashey? sakhar dad badan buu dhaamaa, in topic ga lagu eekaado ayaa habooneed inta fara la isku fiiqayo

Keynan22 First of course, I am speaking for my self and expressing my personal opinion as a concerned Somali, and of course I ma very subjective when it come to Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Israeli’s involvement Somali-Ethiopian war in 1977 over the occupied western Somalia region. Israel is enemy of Muslim ummah including Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, etc Israel is an ally of Somalia’s historical enemy Ethiopia I and huge majority of Somali people share the sentiment that Israel is enemy of all Muslims, go visit yourself Hergeysa, Burco, Laascaanood, Bosaaso, and Mogadisho and find out the views of Somali people regarding Isreal Second, of course as Muslim I have all and infinite sympathy for my Palestinian brothers, Third, all Muslims pray victory for their fellow Palestinian brothers over Israel in all mosques throughout the world during the Friday prayers, may Allah accept our du’a amiin we (non-wannabe)Somalis have our own battle which the outcome we value greater than what happens on another continent. Why you speaking for my fellow muslim somali brothers, I expect you to speak for yourself and stop hypocrisy You telling not to speak for my somali people, while you acting as spokesperson for somali people Please stick to what you preach Whats the use of consuming scarce resources provided by our earth on people like you, when your whole existance suffocates the great human mind and all great potential developments?? Nonsense, doesn’t make sense, I just have say to you “Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.†by the great philosopher Plato We debating here, so you don’t need to resort a personal attack Really some people in here need to learn how to debate Please discuss with acceptable behavior, the purpose of this forum is to share the diverse and the different opinions, don’t attack individual who don’t share your views because that’s not the way to debate issues, talk about ideas, issues at hand not individuals like soo maal, Somalia and Israel have a long history of hostility because Israeli’s major alliance with Somalia’s historical enemy Ethiopia Therefore, learn the history of Somalia and get your facts straight then you will some thing to contribute to this thread or can formulate a rational opinion regarding any Israeli involvement in Somali territories /////////////////////////////////////////// The EtAF was thus left alone at the time of increasing tensions with Somalia and the WSLF invasion. Reportedly, Mengistu’s regime initially contracted a number of Israelis to help support the US-made EtAF equipment. According to US and Israeli sources, a group of Israelis arrived in Ethiopia in early July 1977, and helped return a number of F-5As into working order. So it should have happened that on the morning of 16 July, two F-5As piloted by Israelis were on a "training combat air patrol near Harer" (citate from former USAF instructor who worked with Israelis in Ethiopia at the time), when a flight of four MiG-21MFs was detected nearby. The Israelis engaged immediately and the ensuing air combat was over before it really started. Two MiGs were shot down by Ethiopian fighters, and two others collided while trying to avoid an AIM-9B fired by F-5s. Ethiopian sources deny any kind of Israeli involvement, instead insisting that the EtAF did everything alone – even in face of increasing Soviet and Cuban presence. During the final months before the WSLF invasion, namely, the four EtAF fighter-units launched a crash programme to bring as many F-5As, F-5Es and F-86s into operational condition. Ethiopian F-5E-pilots flew dissimilar air combat training sorties against F-5As and F-86s, which simulated MiG-21s and MiG-17s, respectively, and were well-prepared to face their opponents in air combat. In the hands of Somali pilots the MiG-21MF proved no match for far better trained and more experienced Ethiopian and Israeli pilots. In fact, very early after the initial Somali attacks and invasion of O gaden the EtAF F-5s were operating offensivelly into the Somali airspace, flying "training sorties" even over the Hargheisa AB. It was during these "training sorties" that the Israeli pilots scored five confirmed kills against SAC MiG-21s, thus winning the air superiority battle of this war. (all artworks by Tom Cooper) Somali advances Map showing Somali advances in northern west somali and the counter-offensive by combined Cuban-Ethiopian forces under Gen. Petrov. (Map by Tom Cooper on basis of Encarta 2003) Column of Cuban-manned Ethiopian tanks seen near Jijiga, in March 1978. (via Tom Cooper) Source: (Ethiopian-Somalia Conflict) 1977-1978