From msnbc.com:
"NBC: U.S. airstrikes target suspected Al-Qaeda operations in Somalia

WASHINGTON - A U.S. helicopter gunship conducted a strike against two suspected al-Qaida operatives in southern Somalia, but it was not known whether the mission was successful, CBS News reported on Monday.

The U.S. Air Force helicopter, operated by the Special Operations Command, flew from its base in Djibouti to the southern tip of Somalia, where the al-Qaida suspects were believed to have fled from the capital, Mogadishu, the network reported.

A Pentagon spokesman said he had no information on the report. U.S. officials say that the United States received assurances from both the Ethiopian and Somalian governments in the last two weeks that should they obtain intelligence concerning the whereabouts of the three al-Qaida operatives they would pass it on to the United States.

The operatives are believed to be responsible for the 1998 bombings in Kenya and Tanzania as well as the 2002 attacks on Israeli tourists in Kenya and the attempted downing of an Israeli aircraft the same day."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16531987/

This may be why they're creating an Africa command. Oh my.

:-)

That's me. :-)

The Horn of Africa, at whose core Somalia lies, is newly oil-rich. It is also just miles across the Red Sea from Saudi Arabia and Yemen, overlooking the daily passage of large numbers of oil tankers and warships through that waterway. The United States has a huge military base in neighboring Djibouti that is being enlarged substantially and will become the headquarters of a new U.S. military command being created specifically for Africa. As evidence of the area's importance, Gen. John Abizaid, the military commander of the region, visited Ethiopia recently to discuss Somalia, while Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Horn countries a few months ago in search of oil and trade agreements.

http://www.alternet.org/story/46424/

Though if this is al-Qaeda, I have no real problem with that. They are the ones who attacked us on 9/11. But my final approval depends upon confirmation of this actually being al-Qaeda camps and not another fuck-up.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Somalia

"Minerals, including uranium and likely deposits of petroleum and natural gas, are found throughout the country, but have not been exploited commercially. Petroleum exploration efforts, at one time under way, have ceased due to insecurity and instability."

says natural gas but no known oil. https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/so.html

Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

because of the instability in the country, so I would suppose they do have at least some oil.

When funds are sent to countries to fix damage, government types know to create momentary companies to take advantage.

More blood for oil.

Why is the United States particularly interested and persistent about having a prominent military presence in this region? How does the United States intend to accomplish this? To what end? To answer these and other questions, we need to look back at US strategy for Somalia beginning in the mid-80s, where its inconsistent and incoherent policies based on military might have led to disastrous failures.

Beginning in the 1970s, 70 percent of oil production and 50 percent of refinery capacity was in the hands of six corporations. Five of these were U.S.-owned; the other two were jointly owned by British Petroleum and British-Dutch Royal. American Corporations and politicians dominated and controlled most of the oil markets in the world (For example, former Secretary of State John Foster Dulles and his brother who was the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) were partners in the Wall Street law firm of Sullivan and Cromwell, major attorneys for Standard Oil of New Jersey, which was ranked in terms of assets as the largest US Corporation) and contributed to the divisions that ensued in the Middle East and brought with it, an aggressive and prominent US presence in the area. US Foreign Policy was influenced by powerful individuals and their own personal whims.

The Hunt for Black Gold

United States flawed policy of “sticking with the likely winner” thinking provided General Siad Barre, the then President of Somalia and those who were fighting against him, with arms worth over 3.4 million dollars in June 1988, contributing to the devastating ethnic/tribal conflicts that ensued, in which Somalis were pitted against each other while the US pursued its hidden agendas-to control and secure Middle East oil reserves.

On 20 February 1990, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Chief of the United States Central Command, testifying before the United States Congress said:

" Middle East oil is the West's lifeblood. It fuels us today, and being 77% of the free world's proven oil reserves, is going to fuel us when the rest of the world runs dry."

The “humanitarian intervention” by 30,000 US troops ordered by Bush Sr. in Somalia had little to do with the purported famine relief for starving Somalis. It had a lot to do with the fact that four major US oil companies, led by Bush's friends at Conoco of Houston, Texas, Amoco (now BP), Chevron, and Phillips, all held huge oil-exploration concessions in Somalia. The deals had been made with the former "pro-Washington" tyrannical and corrupt regime of Mohamed Siad Barre. Across the Red Sea, in Yemen, another US firm Hunt Oil Co, was also pumping 200,000 barrels a day.

The United States wanted absolute and total control of Somalia and did not want others in Somalia whose activities it could not control. The United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM) established by the UN Security in April of 1992, aimed at averting the chaos in Somalia and assist in the delivery of humanitarian relief to the people of Somalia was vetoed by the United States and Washington got the United Nations to allow for the US military intervention in Somali (dubbed Operation Restore Hope), which turned out to be a disaster that forced the UN to establish another mission UNOSOM II to help with the humanitarian disaster that followed the US' abrupt withdrawal from Somalia in 1993.

Operation Restore Hope-To Provide Famine Relief

In the early 1990s the United States of America , in preparation for the first Iraqi war had already established a military base in Saudi Arabia and decided to abandon the military base it had established in Berbera , Somalia . The US also decided to abandon the regime of Siad Barre. But the US did not leave empty-handed, it armed and supported various clan factions who following the US ' departure would overthrow Siad Barre and plunge Somalia into a state of anarchy, lawlessness and chaos.

General Colin Powell is said to have said, “ NO OTHER NATION on earth has the power we possess. More important, no other nation on earth has the trusted power that we possess”, meaning the US as the sole superpower could do anything it wanted, anywhere in the world. Another American, General Frank Libutti said that US troops involved in the “humanitarian intervention” Somalia had standing orders to “Shoot if you feel threatened-Respond with full force” . US forces were not inhibited from taking any action that they deemed necessary to protect US oil interests in Somalia and in the region.

Armed with these standing orders, US soldiers, in a matter of five months, had killed over 10000 innocent Somalis, not including the 100 that were gunned down with helicopter fire in a single engagement. These and other facts are detailed in the 1995 Foreign Policy Report # 68 produced by Charles Williams and acknowledged by officials of the Central Intelligence Agency ( CIA ).

United States' indifference to acceptable international norms and standards of behavior, its total disregard for the cultures and traditions of others, and its mindless unilateralism in Somalia resulted in:

Untold destruction in parts of Somalia which prior to the intervention enjoyed relative peace, stability and security.
The deaths of innocent Somali civilians and exacerbated the famine and spread of diseases.
The deaths of NGO workers, 18 rangers and 34 US soldiers and when the body of a US serviceman was dragged through the streets of Mogadishu , the US was forced to withdraw from Somalia devastated and defeated.

Hollywood's Fiction vs Reality

Hollywood's portrayal of the Vietnam war with characters such as “Rambo” are supposed to depict American soldiers as militarily superior, with exaggerated show of American strength and power, showing 1 Am erican fighting against 10,000 enemies etc. etc. are deliberately deceptive and designed to fool the viewers and present American soldiers as being larger than life. The Hollywood versions of the events in Somalia are equally deceptive. In “Black Hawk Down”, the United States intervention in Somalia is painted as a humanitarian effort, that the US was there to feed the starving Somali, but one failed because the Somali people were just too plain stupid and belligerent to resist looking a gift horse in the mouth and were instead biting the hand that was feeding them. According to the movie, the Americans were forced to leave Somalia , not defeated and disgraced, but as heroes. This is yet another example of American psychological deception and the role CIA /Hollywood played in disseminating false and exaggerated propaganda.

15 Years Later

Even though it has been 15 years since the debacle in Somalia in 1991, the events are still fresh in our memories. In a span of 15 years, a newly born child can complete middle school and be preparing for high school. It is time enough to learn a lesson or two, but it is still recent history.

15 years ago, in Operation Restore Hope, the pretext was “humanitarian intervention”, today the pretext for intervening in Somali's internal affairs is “fighting terrorism”. The deceptive campaign is already in full force. The recent unwarranted attacks and unsubstantiated accusations against Eritrea are part of the groundwork that is being laid for future aggression and intervention in Somalia .

Appearing before a joint hearing of the House Africa, and International Terrorism and Nonproliferation subcommittees on 29 June 2006, Assistant Secretary Jendayi FraserHouse of Representatives International Relations Committee:

“…I don't want to say the Saudi government is supporting any particular (Islamic) court but I do know that there is money coming in from Saudi Arabia…There is money coming in from Yemen and arms from Eritrea and other places (into Somalia)…"

Eritrea is once again the scapegoat for the unjustifiable intervention in Somalia.

Terrorist, a Convenient pretext for Unwarranted Intervention

Despite credible reports concerning Ethiopia 's incursions into Somalia with several hundred troops and in violation of Somalia 's sovereignty and territorial integrity using the pretext “preventing Somalia from becoming a safe haven for terrorist”, there are some that are trying to justify intervention in Somalia once again. Today, “terrorism” is the convenient pretext for interfering in the affairs of the sovereign state. State rights, sovereignty and territorial integrity are suppressed in the pretext of the fight against terrorism. The United States is trying to undermine the credibility and integrity of the Islamic Court Union (ICU) in Somalia by trying to link its members with known terrorist organizations, to justify another US intervention in Somalia.

Solution

As it was forecast in early as in 1991 the military intervention in Somalia was neither warranted nor justified and that it could only bring destruction and could serve no useful purpose. Today, 15 year later, history is repeating itself. For the last 15 years, Somalia was plunged into a civil war and it became a nation without a government. The internal strife in Somalia has been a source of great concern for many in the international community. It is only certain quarters such as the Woyane regime in Ethiopia that seem to benefit from the unfortunate plight of the Somali people.

The Government of Eritrea's policy towards Somalia in the last 15 years has been consistent and correct. The Government of Eritrea position is clear:

Understanding that the balkanization of Somalia and the infringement on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia is detrimental to the well being of the Somali people in particular and threatens the peace, stability and security of the entire Horn region, calls on all international forces and especially the Somali people to work towards achieving national reconciliation.

Calls on all forces to refrain from using the internal strife in Somalia to advance their own interests, to stop using the many clans and groups in Somalia in proxy wars, and to stop using the Somali people as instruments to advance their own agendas in the region.

Countries such as Ethiopia that have historical problems with Somalia should refrain from taking advantage of the current unrest and troubled situation to further their own objectives. They ought to realize the long term regional ramifications of their actions and develop a better perspective on the issues at hand.

The solution for Somalia's problems will have to come from the Somali people and all others who want to assist the Somali people, such as Intergovernmental Agency for Development (IGAD) or the African Union (AU), have to provide an environment for the creation of a stable, unified and secure Somalia, and should refrain from putting undue and unwarranted pressure on the Somali people to advance other interests. This is the position and policy of the Government of Eritrea for Somalia.

Operation Restore Hope is a glaring example of what can go wrong when there is inadequate knowledge of a country's complex politics. When the information is bad, analysis and policy are likely to be flawed as well and will inevitably lead to a repeat of the debacle of the early nineties. There can be no better teachers than time and history.

http://kabobfest.blogspot.com/2006/07/ethiopia-enters-somalia-conflict.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limburg_tanker_bombing

Existing oil assets> future potential oil assets

If it really is about oil, which I don't think it is. I think it's about giving Bush something other to talk about Weds. night than Iraq.

:hide:

http://www.gasandoil.com/goc/news/nta53713.htm

Somalia welcomes oil interest

22-08-05 Somalia's fledgling government welcomes approaches by firms keen to hunt for oil or gas on its territory but has yet to open any such discussions, President Abdullahi Yusuf said.
Somalia's oil and gas potential attracted attention from Western major oil producers before the country collapsed in chaos in 1991, and diplomats say Asian firms have shown recent interest amid efforts to stabilise the Horn of Africa country. Somalia lies across the Gulf of Aden from the Arabian peninsula and next to Ethiopia's Ogaden region, which has proven reserves of natural gas.

Yusuf, trying to build an effective central government following his election by lawmakers at peace talks last year, told: "Any company that is interested in the natural resources of Somalia can come (to talk) to the government, no matter from which country."
"After all, we will look after our interest. Let them compete, and the best company will win," he said during a visit to Nairobi en route to Saudi Arabia to discuss possible aid for Somalia.

Somalia has no proven oil reserves and only 200 bn cf of proven natural gas reserves, according to the US Energy Information Administration. However, companies including Total, Amoco, Chevron and Conoco and Phillips, which have since merged into ConocoPhillips, held exploration concessions in northern Somalia in the 1980s.
The firms declared force majeure following the collapse of the central government in 1991. Force majeure is a clause in a contract exempting the parties from their obligations under the agreement as a result of conditions beyond their control.

Former government officials said they were negotiating energy deals with about 12 foreign companies in the late 1980s, but the contacts ended when the overthrow of former dictator Mohammed Siad Barre in 1991 triggered a civil war. Hundreds of thousands of Somalis have died from famine, disease and violence since then.
Analysts say the war has left a complex legal legacy. Some of the old exploration concessions were in a part of northern Somalia that is now within the territory of Somaliland, which declared independence from the rest of Somalia in 1991.

Somaliland, which is not recognised internationally, is also seeking to develop its energy sector but must try to avoid conflict with the earlier accords signed by the internationally recognised pre-war Somali government based in Mogadishu.
Asked whether he was in a position to decide what to do with the previous oil exploration agreements, Yusuf replied that he needed more information before he could address the issue:
"I never read these contracts," he said. "I don't know if they are contracts previously agreed with the late Somali government or not. I have to see documents. If these companies have documents, they have to show us."

Some diplomats have said that now Somalia may become more politically stable, government officials from energy-hungry China have been talking to Yusuf about the possibility of helping develop the country's energy sector.
Yusuf denied this.
"It's not true," he said. "Nobody talked to us and asked us about oil in Somalia."

Asked to comment on China's relationship with Somalia, the foreign ministry said in July: "The Chinese side is willing to take an active part in Somalia's economic reconstruction and explore the possibilities of all kinds of cooperation with the Somali side."

Source: engineeringnews.co.za

Can we at least agree on that?

No. :evilgrin:

Fatalities 257
Injuries ~4000

Figures for Somalia are of course pretty much non-existant.

:evilfrown:

it's all so horrifying, and I feel so completely helpless...and guilty

I've learned to hate Russians
All through my whole life
If another war starts
It's them we must fight
To hate them and fear them
To run and to hide
And accept it all bravely
With God on my side.

http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/withgod.html

As Voltaire implored at the end of Candide (Optimism), we must cultivate our garden.

I have hope yet that the story is not one of oil/terror but of people/redemption...and I opine that the above did too.

Why does W need all the credit? Answer: Iraq is a debacle and so he needs a distraction.

:hide:

:eyes:

But of course, if it is al-Qaeda, it'll be worth it. Of course, they could have fucked up with such a gunship.

in a few days... After the hysterical headlines are finished.

so that we can know what the populace is being fed. ;-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djibouti

AC-130 gunship. It's basically a flying tank. They may have killed three top al-Qaeda members. They've done this after hunting these people for year because of the Kenya & Tanzania embassy bombings.

No hunting license is required in africa to shoot any game.

Send in cheney to show them the ugly ass of white supremacy,
on the offensive around the planet against islam,
liberals, gays, women, disabled people, drug users and democrats.

Not exactly pinpoint. Navy is sailing towards Mogadishu...

They would have been better off using fighter jets w/laser guided munitions...

"They would have been better off using fighter jets w/laser guided munitions...


These things are computer aimed and deadly, deadly, deadly accurate...probably more surgical than a bomb....

But is still a close-air support aircraft, and would logically fly lower than a fighter jet, which at subsonic speeds is quieter and quicker (?). So if you're trying to kill a few people better that they don't hear you coming...

it can both find and kill targets. Most likely made it a simpler mission with fewer moving parts to go wrong.

to use one on 9-11 to follow Flight 77. Then the same C130 was the first to spot the crater from Flight 93.

Although eyewitnesses saw it flying with/guiding 77 as if to mask two planes from radar.

Just what can an “electronic warfare” EC-130H do?

* “Jamming” and manipulating of radar signals.
* Broadcast signals or “blackout” most communication devices (radio bands, TV, and military bands thus, disrupt commercial military radio systems).
* Disrupt Command and control, navigation aids and air traffic control.
* Electromechanical “jamming” could disable cell phone and other digital transmissions.
* Drone control.

Information researched from Gobalsecurity.org

The presence of an electronic warfare EC-130H would explain many particularities of the Pentagon Attack:

* Why radar operators were confused despite explicit warnings.
* Why some telecommunications were reported inoperative.
* Phone calls allegedly made from the airliner (done from the EC-130).
* “Jam” SAM’s radar from potentially locking on to aircraft.
* The EC-130H could hide an aircraft by “jamming” the radar.
* Airborne “command and control” for the operation.
* Remote control a drone with the DC-130 variant.

Then a helicopter flew behind the Pentagon and "blew up".

but it's possible that the C-130 was simply the aircraft closest to the area at time....IOW chosen by happenstance and not by mission....

claims that he was on a return flight from delivery cargo to the Caribbean and going back to MN. He took off from Andrews AFB at 9:30AM. The only problem with his story is that the military had already gone to Treatcon Delta but 9:26 AM and all commercial air traffic was stopped before that. There is no good reason in the world for anyone to be taking off from Andrews on a 'routine' flight at 9:30 AM, especially since Andrews AFB couldn't even get it together to launch fighter jets until after 10:00 AM.

If they didn't fuck it up, hopefully they got a couple of those bastards who attacked the embassies.

this might be legitimate.

How sad that we can't trust our Govt.

during that shock and awe bullshit

the news keeps talking about someone "responsible" for the embassy bombings--BUT WE INDICTED BIN LADEN ON NOVEMBER 4 1998 FOR ORDERING THE ATTACKS. so who the hell are we going after?

let me guess. their initials are O.I.L.

hope there were no people living around there. i'd say our accuracy SUCKS.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16531987/
A U.S. helicopter gunship conducted a strike against two suspected al-Qaida operatives in southern Somalia, but it was not known whether the mission was successful, CBS News reported on Monday.

The U.S. Air Force helicopter, operated by the Special Operations Command, flew from its base in Djibouti to the southern tip of Somalia, where the al-Qaida suspects were believed to have fled from the capital, Mogadishu, the network reported.

A Pentagon spokesman said he had no information on the report.U.S. officials say that the United States received assurances from both the Ethiopian and Somalian governments in the last two weeks that should they obtain intelligence concerning the whereabouts of the three al-Qaida operatives they would pass it on to the United States.

The operatives are believed to be responsible for the 1998 bombings in Kenya and Tanzania as well as the 2002 attacks on Israeli tourists in Kenya and the attempted downing of an Israeli aircraft the same day. The Ethiopian military swept into Somalia last month and removed the Islamic government that had harbored al Qaeda operatives. US officials emphasized to the governments what a high priority the whereabouts of these operatives have been to the United States

:hi:

Equatorial Guinean funds
In July 2004, the US Senate published an investigation into Riggs Bank, into which most of Equatorial Guinea's oil revenues were paid until recently. This showed that accounts based at the embassy to the United States of Equatorial Guinea were allowed to make large withdrawals without properly notifying federal authorities. At least $35 million were siphoned off by long-time dictator of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, his family and senior officials of his regime. The same Teodoro Obiang Nguema bought, on November 2006, a $ 35 million house in Malibu, CA

Simon Kareri, the Riggs employee in charge of the Equatorial Guinea and other accounts, stands accused of money-laundering in separate charges. As the account manager, it is alleged that he established a fake holding company in his wife's name, and diverted funds into this account.

In the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing in July, 2004, Mr. Kareri, under advisement from legal counsel, refused to answer any questions of the panel by invoking his 5th Amendment Rights.

In that hearing, the President of Riggs Bank was asked why the bank would willingly enter into a business arrangement with the dictator of Equatorial Guinea, a man who willingly exercises his hold over his people with demonstrations of murder and torture on state-run television. In a copy of correspondence to President Mbasogo, the letter, "thanked the president for his establishment of several bank accounts, and encouraged a working relationship to help establish and secure the stable reign of his country..."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riggs_Bank#Equatorial_Guinean_funds

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=125&topic_id=9558#11993


Threads on Equatorial Guinea

Thatcher: Spain 'secretly backed coup by sending warships'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=780346
Thatcher case twist as list of alleged coup backers vanishes
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=779708
Mark Thatcher: The money trail
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=780222
Financiers conspired to overthrow oil-flush African government
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=771532
Scorpions say have more info on Equatorial Guinea coup
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=781763
Exiled leader in Spain denies any link to coup attempt
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=780228
Bank with close ties to Bush administration engulfed in scandal
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=775366
NEW details of Thatcher coup plot: London Evening Standard
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=777970
Margaret Thatcher's Son Released on Coup Plot Charges (Update2)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=775803
Mark Thatcher held over coup plot
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=775009

BBC News: Thatcher charged
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=775499
'Petroleum lures dogs of war to Africa'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=775315
Terrorist Stocks?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=775943
Du Toit admits meeting Thatcher
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=775274
SEC probes Marathon Oil payments in Equitorial Guinea (and HQ burns down)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=728495
WaPo: Allbritton Loses Riggs Bank (front page, day 3)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=691609

E Guinea 'coup plot' verdict due + update/result
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1023049
I feel like a corpse in a river, says Mark Thatcher as he faces court...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1020857
Thatcher to face coup questions
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1018687
Phone links Thatcher to alleged plot
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1008002
There was no coup plot, says Du Toit
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=997545
Thatcher to ask Britain to help halt extradition
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1005084
Thatcher charged over coup plot
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1001670
Thatcher to be tried in absentia
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=994305
Britain knew in advance of Equatorial Guinea coup plot: report
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=987556
Tories Demand Answers on 'Coup Plot'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=991361
Mandelson faces questioning over 'link' to coup plot
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=975777
Legal Woes Cut Into Bottom Line at Riggs
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=974861
Mugabe flies to Equatorial Guinea (coup plot latest)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=964525
Despots, Deposits & Directors - Riggs Bank
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=924033
SABC asks to broadcast Thatcher court case
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=926588
Spain calls on EU to warn Equatorial Guinea - Riggs Bank
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=916444
Raids 'break up' £20m theft gang
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=906579
Thatcher coup plot: Mandelson, CIA & State Department named
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=900168
Archer 'link to coup plot'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=899574
Britain accused of failing to investigate Africa coup
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=901850
Pentagon link to Guinea coup plot
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=867591

This needs it's own thread....:)

Just asking.

Plus this is more about the politics of the Horn/East Africa/Middle East than about West African oil. I understand your speculation, but it is just that speculation and there is not even a base to stand on!

Yes, it needs its own thread.

http://www.alternet.org/story/46424/

:banghead:

With these developments, the Bush administration, undeterred by the horrors and setbacks in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon, has opened another battlefront in this volatile quarter of the Muslim world. As with Iraq, it casts this illegal war as a way to curtail terrorism, but its real goal appears to be to obtain a direct foothold in a highly strategic area of the world through a client regime. The results could destabilize the whole region.

The Horn of Africa, at whose core Somalia lies, is newly oil-rich. It is also just miles across the Red Sea from Saudi Arabia and Yemen, overlooking the daily passage of large numbers of oil tankers and warships through that waterway. The United States has a huge military base in neighboring Djibouti that is being enlarged substantially and will become the headquarters of a new U.S. military command being created specifically for Africa. As evidence of the area's importance, Gen. John Abizaid, the military commander of the region, visited Ethiopia recently to discuss Somalia, while Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Horn countries a few months ago in search of oil and trade agreements.

The current series of events began with the rise of the Islamic Courts more than a year ago. The Islamists avoided large-scale violence in defeating the warlords, who had held sway in Somalia ever since they drove out U.N. peacekeepers by killing eighteen American soldiers in 1993, by rallying people to their side through establishing law and order. Washington was wary, fearing their possible support for terrorists. While they have denied any such intentions, some Islamists do have terrorist ties, but these have been vastly overstated in the West.

story.

BushI sent our guys to Somalia the first time. Is there some reason BushII is sending our troops there again? Wth is going on?

but I guess they needed us for the air strikes. We can only hope they didn't mistake a school this time.

We were just doing air support, and then we were just doing tactical support, and then our guys were on the ground and in trouble? That's what I remember.

If they just stand there, they are well disciplined Al-Queda.

It is widely known that there are radical Islamists and al-qaeda in Somalia. A hit and run attack with good intel is what the "war on terror" should be all about. BUT 48 hours before the "surge" announcement??

hmmm

Why wait until now?

and all. I wanna believe that it is related to the timing. But who knows for sure besides KKKarl Rove?

maybe we waited to give them the green light??

it was announced a new Africa command was going to be formed. I'm sorry but this is all just a little off in timing.

If it was the cell behind the embassy bombings they deserved what they got.

but I will be cautious because we've fucked up and hit schools in Afghanistan. Applause may be too soon.

"Yesterday, I authorized an operation on an al-Qaeda hideout in Somalia. This action was successful and targeted several al-Qaeda leaders. Tonight I will lay out my plan to confront al-Qaeda in Iraq. We cannot afford to fail in Iraq, the consequences of such a defeat would be felt in the region for years. That's why I have listened to commanders on the ground, and will send more troops in a massive surge to secure Baghdad."

by saying he won't send missiles at a tent and a camel?

That is essentially what Bush is doing. At least Clinton had proven to have pretty good judgment and showed that with some congressional support he was able to gather a coalition to build an effort to build stability (at least in Kosovo and Bosnia) in the aftermath of a victory. Bush has shown that he has no ability to do that. Instead he has shown how to lose two wars, both after quick initial "victories". In the case of fighting terrorism he was attacked by repukes for "wagging the dog", so of course no progress was made at all (and of course there is no real "victory" in a fight against religious extremism.

These areas will eventually turn to lawlessness and chaos, with warlords raping and looting the people. Eventually and inevitably Taliban-like elements will regain power...

the Ethiopian attack has AL-Qaeda on the run and more at risk at being betrayed. I am sure there are plenty of Somalia war lords willing to betray Al-Qaeda to get on America's good side.

Fatalities 257
Injuries ~4000

I believe 9 were Americans.

I have heard that the Nairobi embassy was one of the most beautiful embassies we have, very open air, and a base for US aid to Kenya.

I'm not saying this was "Al Qaida" merely that it happened and is being used as a justification, and that the majority of the casualties were not Americans, but Africans.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_U.S._embassy_bombings

Per CNN.

BE AFRAID! Those starving people who've been bombed continuously for 20 yrs are about to nuke New York! And they'll get Billings MT next! Then Peoria!

bump

Horrors.....:scared:

Instead of doing something about it, they just start a whole new war.

That's so stupid, it's bound to fail utterly.

This is imperialism gone mad. Would someone on this planet please stop these people.

Thomas Barnett and the core and the gap!

I can't take much more of this. Let's wait to see how many innocents were slaughtered by Bush.

We got a brand new shiny surge going down in Africa! It's Surge-Mania! :crazy:

we wouldn't have to fight them here. If they're in Iraq AND Somalia at the same time, doesn't that mean they could be in Iraq and HERE at the same time? I'm so confused!!! :sarcasm:

I know some people here don't believe we should be doing anything like this (just look at some of the responses in this thread) but I for one hope the planners of the Embassy bombings got waxed in this raid. I can't imagine the sick logic that leads anyone to oppose killing terrorists. In fact, I wouldn't even listen to such bullshit. People that extreme are as bad as the extremists who support the phony war in Iraq.

Anyway, looks like we have at least a little good news on the foreign policy front. Maybe we can get back to fighting the real war on al Qaeda.

He needs some examples.

Demonization serves geopolitical and economic objectives. Likewise, the campaign against "Islamic terrorism" (which is supported covertly by US intelligence) supports the conquest of oil wealth. The term "Islamo-fascism," serves to degrade the policies, institutions, values and social fabric of Muslim countries, while also upholding the tenets of "Western democracy" and the "free market" as the only alternative for these countries.

The US led war in the broader Middle East Central Asian region consists in gaining control over more than sixty percent of the world's reserves of oil and natural gas. The Anglo-American oil giants also seek to gain control over oil and gas pipeline routes out of the region. (See table and maps below).

Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Yemen, Libya, Nigeria, Algeria, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, possess between 66.2 and 75.9 percent of total oil reserves, depending on the source and methodology of the estimate. (See table below).

http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=CHO20070104&articleId=4347

al Qaida is a fabrication of the Western intelligence agencies. A Psy-Op

replacing the will of the peple for the will of US interests. Actually it's meant that to most of the planet since the imperialists arrived in the 19th century.

while i hope we can keep any casualties in the civilian population to an extreme minimum, i think actions in africa are a good thing.
the african people have been suffering under brutal leadership for along time now.

really its the first step to a broader ability to help africans(with food and medicine), whether Chimpy knows or wants it.

:)

And they just happened to be responsible for the '98 bombings...What a coincidence!

Boy that Dubya can get lucky, can't he?

Harrowing harrowing stuff.

:eyes: