US protecting terrorists?

[ufojoe]

If you ever go to the website and see a recent show that you missed, let me know and I
can send you the MP3s. My wife and I subscribe to the StreamLink which gives us
access to the MP3s for a the past month or so.

[klb55]

My user name will be ufojoe.

I did not like that guest last night. Noory let him babble on about sin.

Yes, that guest was terrible.

[bradentonian]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/04/05/protected.terrorists/index.html

U.S. protects Iranian opposition group in Iraq
POSTED: 11:43 p.m. EDT, April 5, 2007
Story Highlights
• State Department considers Mujahedeen-e-Khalq a terrorist group
• Group's camp in Iraq protected by coalition forces
• Mujahedeen-e-Khalq provides valuable intelligence on Iran
• Iraqi government demands group leave Iraqi soil

From Michael Ware
CNN

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- An Iranian opposition group based in Iraq, despite being considered terrorists by the United States, continues to receive protection from the American military in the face of Iraqi pressure to leave the country.

It's a paradox possible only because the United States considers the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, or MEK, a source of valuable intelligence on Iran.

Iranian officials tied the MEK to an explosion in February at a girls school in Zahedan, Iran. (Full story)

The group also is credited with helping expose Iran's secret nuclear program through spying on Tehran for decades. And the group is considered an ally to America because of its opposition to Tehran.

However, the U.S. State Department officially considers the MEK a terrorist organization -- meaning no American can deal with it; U.S. banks must freeze its assets; and any American giving support to its members is committing a crime.

The U.S. military, though, regularly escorts MEK supply runs between Baghdad and its base, Camp Ashraf.

"The trips for procurement of logistical needs also take place under the control and protection of the MPs," said Mojgan Parsaii, vice president of MEK and leader of Camp Ashraf.

That's because, according to U.S. documents, coalition forces regard MEK as protected people under the Geneva Conventions.

"The coalition remains deeply committed to the security and rights of the protected people of Ashraf," U.S. Maj. Gen. John D. Gardner wrote in March 2006.

The group also enjoys the protection of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

"The ICRC has made clear that the residents of Camp Ashraf must not be deported, expelled or repatriated," according to an ICRC letter.

Despite repeated requests, neither Iran's ambassador in Baghdad nor the U.S. military would comment on MEK, also known as Mojahedin Khalq Organization, or MKO.

But former U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said, "What we have here is a policy that described the people here from the MEK as a protected group, and one of our coalition partner countries is actually protecting them in the camp where they mostly are, but there is no change in our policy that the MEK, we still regard them as a terrorist organization."

When the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, Green Berets arrived at Camp Ashraf to find gardens and monuments there, along with more than 2,000 well-maintained tanks, armored personnel carriers, artillery, anti-aircraft guns and vehicles.

All 3,800 camp residents were questioned by Americans -- including, interestingly, a female tank battalion. No arrests were made, and the camp quickly surrendered under a cease-fire agreement -- an agreement that also guaranteed its safety.

"Everyone's entry to the camp and his departure are controlled by the U.S. military police force," Parsaii said.

The MEK denies it is a terrorist group. Both Iran and the Iraqi government, however, accuse the group of ongoing terrorist attacks, and the Shiite-dominated Iraqi government wants it out.

"We gave this organization a six-month deadline to leave Iraq, and we informed the Red Cross," said Shirwan al-Wa'eli, Iraq's national security minister. "And presumably, our friends the Americans will respect our decision and they will not stay on Iraqi land."

For now, however, the United States continues to protect MEK.

"There are counter-pressures, too," Khalilzad said. "There are people who say, 'No, they should be allowed to stay here.' And as you know, around the world there are people with different views toward them."

[ufojoe]

When it benefited us, we supported Saddam and bin Laden. Nothing new here.
When they're no use to us any more, we'll drop them like a hot potato.

When Russia occupies a country the foreigners that go to fight them are called freedom fighters, when America occupies a foreign country the resistance are labeled terrorists and insurgents.

And we wonder why no one trusts us.

[klb55]

When Russia occupies a country the foreigners that go to fight them are called freedom fighters, when America occupies a foreign country the resistance are labeled terrorists and insurgents.

And we wonder why no one trusts us.

I really wish I could address this issue and respond to Joe's post.  I wonder if the ban on political discussion is just domestic politics.  I assume that international relations and geopolitics are not to be discussed as well.  2 + 2 publishing (they publish poker books) has a good forum to debate politics. They also have a great math, science, and philosophy forum in which some vigorous religious debates take place.  Check it out for some great discussions.   

[JavaBuc]

Did you guy see the snl bit where Deniro was acting like a white house representative and running off the names of terrorists reported by local high school students?   That was hilarious.

[ufojoe]

Here's the Deniro bit...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=g6qf7pQxMrI

* * * * * * * * * *

Here's the Two Plus Two forums.

It's kind of dangerous for me to be around that since I haven't gambled
in 4 months. But it does look to have a decent amount of posters so it
might be worth it.

http://forumserver.t**CENSORED**lustwo.com/ubbthreads.php

[ufojoe]

I really wish I could address this issue and respond to Joe's post.  I wonder if the ban on political discussion is just domestic politics.  I assume that international relations and geopolitics are not to be discussed as well.  2 + 2 publishing (they publish poker books) has a good forum to debate politics. They also have a great math, science, and philosophy forum in which some vigorous religious debates take place.  Check it out for some great discussions.   

Kib, I just checked out the 2+2 boards and they are great!

Can't wait to post some of my paranormal things.

They discuss EVERYTHING on those boards and the debates are very well thought out.

Thanks for turning me onto that.

[klb55]

I really wish I could address this issue and respond to Joe's post. I wonder if the ban on political discussion is just domestic politics. I assume that international relations and geopolitics are not to be discussed as well. 2 + 2 publishing (they publish poker books) has a good forum to debate politics. They also have a great math, science, and philosophy forum in which some vigorous religious debates take place. Check it out for some great discussions.

Kib, I just checked out the 2+2 boards and they are great!

Can't wait to post some of my paranormal things.

They discuss EVERYTHING on those boards and the debates are very well thought out.

Thanks for turning me onto that.

No problem, Joe.  There are some very bright people that post in those forums.  People will vigorously challenge and discuss just about any topic.  Post the paranormal stuff in the SMP (science, math, and philosophy) forum.  Sometimes people can be very blunt and arrogant but there are some incredible exchanges and I'm certain you will enjoy your time there.  I'll pm you my username for that forum in case you want to pm me.  If you don't mind pm me your username so I can look for you in the 2+2 forums.  I'm very interested in paranormal activity.  Right now I'm listening coast to coast on WFLA's website. 

[ufojoe]

My user name will be ufojoe.

I did not like that guest last night. Noory let him babble on about sin.

[ufojoe]

Amazingly, some people are pissed off at the British Sailors for giving more than their name, rank and
serial number. Insanity.

http://movies.crooksandliars.com/AlanColmes-Amato-Derbyshire.mp3