Month: November 2004

French Role in Côte d’Ivoire Questioned

UNITED NATIONS – France is coming under fire for its heavy-handed action in destroying virtually the entire air force of its former colony Côte d’Ivoire in retaliation for the killings of nine French soldiers and a U.S. aid worker last week. "We deeply regret the unfortunate incident," Ambassador Philippe Djangone-Bi of Côte d’Ivoire told reporters … Continue reading “French Role in Côte d’Ivoire Questioned”

Fallujah: US Declares War on Hospitals, Ambulances

In a series of actions over the weekend, the United States military and Iraqi government destroyed a civilian hospital in a massive air raid, captured the main hospital, and prohibited the use of ambulances in the besieged city of Fallujah. Saturday morning, witnesses in Fallujah reported that an overnight air strike by U.S. fighter crews … Continue reading “Fallujah: US Declares War on Hospitals, Ambulances”

Phantom Fury, Phantom Victory

With Monday’s launch of "Operation Phantom Fury" to regain control of the key insurgent-dominated Sunni city of Fallujah, the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush appears to be moving toward another "phantom victory" in its broader quest to achieve a stable, pro-Western Iraq. While experts here are united in the conviction that the 10,000-15,000 … Continue reading “Phantom Fury, Phantom Victory”

The Quagmire Deepens in Fallujah

The Bush administration has begun to strike Fallujah with 10,000-15,000 U.S. soldiers, starting with gunships indiscriminately raking the city with cannon fire. By the end of the first day, warplanes had carried out some two dozen sorties against the city, and four 500-pound bombs were dropped over Fallujah. The pageantry of the U.S. elections over … Continue reading “The Quagmire Deepens in Fallujah”

EU, US Pressure on Iran Could Backfire

TEHRAN – Diplomats might be optimistic about a breakthrough with Tehran over its nuclear program after weekend talks between Tehran and three European Union heavyweights, but realities are more complicated, since many Iranians say their country has a legitimate right to have full access to nuclear technology. The talks in Paris, between France, Germany, and … Continue reading “EU, US Pressure on Iran Could Backfire”

Legal Know-How Absent at Gitmo?

Four months after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that prisoners held at a special jail at Guantanamo Bay in the U.S. "war on terrorism" have the right to challenge their detention to an independent forum, the legal process appears far from fair, according to human rights groups. New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) last week … Continue reading “Legal Know-How Absent at Gitmo?”

Resistance Over Fallujah Builds in Baghdad

BAGHDAD – The anger building up in Baghdad over the imminent attack on Fallujah is a warning that U.S. forces could start more than they can handle. The sharp increase in attacks on U.S. and allied forces has been only the most violent form of rising hostility. But it is not an extremist few that … Continue reading “Resistance Over Fallujah Builds in Baghdad”

Palestinians Struggle to Find Leadership

RAMALLAH – The Palestinian leadership in Ramallah is struggling to organize itself in the absence of veteran leader Yasser Arafat. His duties have been divided between Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia and former prime minister Mahmoud Abbas. But the old leader may throw a wrench into a smooth succession by having named a chosen successor at … Continue reading “Palestinians Struggle to Find Leadership”

The Worst Is Yet to Come

Those "moral values" Republicans – you know, the ones who supposedly tipped the election in favor of the War Party – really are a hoot. Forget the Iraq war – killing tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians for no clear reason isn’t a moral question as far as these folks are concerned. What they’re really … Continue reading “The Worst Is Yet to Come”