Arafat and Vanunu: Two Prisoners of War

The death of Yasser Arafat overshadows the re-arrest of Mordechai Vanunu, and it was, as they say, no accident: Arafat had barely breathed his last gasp when 20 to 30 heavily armed Israeli police commandos stormed the Anglican cathedral of St. George in Jerusalem,...

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UN Report Slams Use of Torture to Beat Terror

UNITED NATIONS - No country can justify torture, the humiliation of prisoners, or violation of international conventions in the guise of fighting terrorism, says a UN report released here. The 19-page study, which is likely to go before the current session of the UN...

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Arafat’s Passing Poses Major Test for Bush

The death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat will test whether U.S. President George W. Bush intends to maintain his staunch support for Israel's right-wing government at the risk of further alienating the U.S.' European allies and Muslim public opinion. It will also...

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From Saving Lives to Taking Them

As the armor and artillery attack Fallujah, few observers of that conflict can doubt that the assault will cost hundreds if not thousands of civilian casualties. As the preparations mounted, public opinion was softened by an artillery bombardment of lies. The American...

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Pyrrhic Victory in Fallujah

BAGHDAD - A military victory for U.S. forces in Fallujah seems set to lead to a huge political loss for the U.S.-backed interim Iraqi government. Strong anti-government reactions have set in already as reports come in from Fallujah of bombed hospitals, high civilian...

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Bush Pick for Attorney General Bedevils Foes

Wednesday's appointment by U.S. President George W. Bush of his longtime friend, White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales, as the next attorney general puts Democrats and civil-rights activists in something of a quandary. Gonzales, who, if confirmed, will replace John...

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Rights Groups Condemn Iranian Crackdown

As Iran moves toward a diplomatic agreement with Britain, France, and Germany to freeze parts of its nuclear program, its right-wing security forces are cracking down hard against the country's besieged reformist movement, according to human rights groups here. About...

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The ‘Right’ to Remain Silent

In a world where "democracy" means anything the Empire wants it to mean, and is used as a tool of conquest, it stands to reason that Powers that Love Democracy meet any actual instances thereof (flawed as they may be) with unrelenting hostility. Conversely, any abuses...

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Groups Fear Canada Tilting to Israel

TORONTO - Fears are rising among groups that lobby for the Palestinian cause that Canada might be abandoning its traditional middle-of-the-road position on the Israeli-Palestine conflict. Ottawa could squander an opportunity to play a constructive role in resurrecting...

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