Funny how the Beeb give all the best lines to the UNmeisters. Malloch-Brown gets away with saying gets to say that “something very ugly was brewing” in Darfur. Meanwhile the Beeb registers that the UN is “extraordinarily concerned”. Not sure where that rates on the scale of things. I guess that they’re more than just concerned, or very concerned. Their concern is beyond all such ordinary concerns. It is indeed most high and moral concern beyond all usual bounds. But what is the point of all this layer upon layer of concern except to reassure us that there are good people working on this and we can rest easy just as long as we pay our UN dues and subscribe to its authority? That’s the solution: once the UN pros have absolute power all things will be ameliorated. Yeah, right.
And the trouble is that it’s not where the news is, either. As Pounce pointed out, there are really two bits of news that prompted this wonderful outpouring of concern
1)The President of Sudan says he will welcome foreign peacekeepers the way Hezbullah opened their arms to receive the Israelis.
2)His army will fire on any intrepid do-gooder who tries to interfere while he’s brewing things up.
As Pounce concludes:
“Meanwhile the BBC news brings me on the minute reports from Lebanon on how the French are sailing warships on the horizon and how they are ready to deploy 50 soldiers.
Yup breaking news alright…….”
Good comment. The tv images of the French ‘Task Force’ sailing into port in their 2 wee dingies really said it all. I bet hezbollah are sh*t scared…. not.
this cox & forkum cartoon says it all…
http://www.coxandforkum.com/archives/06.08.13.Disarmed-X.gif
The french were playing the dhimmi all along in the Israeli-Hezb’allah war. From day one they started screeching about “humanitarian crisis”, then their foreign minister started praising Iran, then they promised to send thousands of troops if only Israel would leave the poor muslim terrorists alone. And, of course, once Israel signed the ceasefire the french military option turned into 12 officers and 200 sappers. france , the first state of the new Eurabia.
When the Lebanese PM Hariri was blown up in that massive bomb attack, the UN, or let’s say Kofi, because it was probably his call, commissioned a German prosecutor to investigate the murder. He did a fine job and arrived with his report for a meeting with Kofi. The report was edited for a few hours at the time of the meeting and after the meeting and released soon afterwards to the media. Fellow-observers of UN guile may recall that the report was mistakenly released with the “show changes” feature of Word activated so that a before and after picture of the editing process was there for all to see.
The media latched onto the story and reported that the names of five or six Lebanese and Syrian security officials, who’d been implicated in the assassination, had been removed from the report. The prosecutor claimed that he, and not Anan, had removed the names, but it was clear from the time stamp of the edit that they’d been removed while he was with Kofi.
I found that out by downloading the pdf file of the document and laboriously going through the changes. The name of a Lebanese bank implicated in providing funds related to the assassination was also deleted. Then there was a gap of a minute or so before the next edit. I didn’t understand why until I’d gone through most of the document and found a second deletion of the name of the same bank – deleted a minute or so after the first deletion. Then I realised that somebody, almost certainly Kofi, had asked the prosecutor if there was another reference to the bank and then jumped ahead to find it and delete it. (Most of the time they went through the points in the document systematically and consecutively, but this was evidently important enough to scan ahead to find.)
There were edits that smoothed out language that was evidently not mother-tongue English and edits that turned language that was a little critical or personal into smooth legalese.
At the end of the edit it was still pretty much the same document but it had been sanitised for public consumption. And, of course, the guilty had the protective veil of the UN thrown over them.
Kofi is a master of smooth deceit. But even he must be exercising his mind a lot as to how hes going to justify yet more cuddling up to his Syrian friends in the current crisis.
I learned today that Kofi Anan in Hebrew means ‘cloud monkeys’. That’s the UN – about as useful as a bunch of monkeys grinning down at us from the clouds.
Is Kofi a Dictator or something?
Is it a Job for life?
The UNs reputation has been shattered since this bafoon took charge..why does’nt he step down????
The UN…just another waste of space like the BBC……
Anonymous wrote “The UN…just another waste of space like the BBC……”
Add the EU to that (ever growing) list, mate.
BBC News grows increasingly desperate for the “Divided Nations” to do “something”.
“But what is the point of all this layer upon layer of concern except to reassure us etc” – I think it’s more likely that the BBC wants to continually highlight the plight of the Sudan, and is using the words of the UN to do this. If a charity or aid organisation had been “extraordinarily concerned” the BBC would have quoted them instead.
The Sudan is one of those trendy painless issues that BBC employees and office workers imagine that everybody else cares about. It is like the Tibet issue. The villains are amorphous and blameless. The victims are anonymous. No-one in the West has an emotional stake in it. There is no possibility of anything concrete being done about the situation. The only military force acceptable to the Guardian-reading classes would be an pick-and-mix combination of Finnish and Spanish soldiers, because they are currently the two most fashionable ethnic nationalities.
What kind of people decide to become UN peacekeepers? Is the pay better? Are they drafted?
If Israel offered to send troops, I am sure Darfur would soar to the top of the news agenda.
The BBC could move Orla there – and I am sure she would blame Israel for the situation there too.
Dear god,
Sorry to disturb you,
But I feel that I should be heard loud and clear.
We all need a big reduction in amount of tears,
And all the people that you made in your image,
See them fighting in the street,
cause they cant make opinions meet,
About god,
I cant believe in you.
I just read a very interesting article about anti terrorist measures being taken in the UK and the sweeping of the web to find extreme views. They made mention of the fact that with modern technology they can now identify where a blogger’s post is sent from and cross match to come up with the poster’s real name and address which can then be fed into computer data banks to see if the poster has paid his TV licence.
Will ‘they’ stop the propaganda war that is going on between the Muslim mosque indoctrination via the smuggled recordings AND the Roman Catholic bias within the UK Government?
Don’t blame
Um…
Don’t blame God for it, Archduke. Blame man!
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has expressed deep concern over Saturday’s Israeli commando raid on Lebanon, which he called a truce violation.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5267736.stm
That must mean slightly less concern than extraordinary concern.
I wonder if Kofi is ever mildly concerned. No, that wouldn’t do. No doubt he sticks with concerned.
It’s all bluff and bullshit.
Orla Gurwin “bigs up” the French arrival of 50 engineers in uniform, ” a French warship of the coast” ( ze safest place to be mon ami) and a “helicopter gunship overhead” According to the BBC (who sub-consciously admit 200 is not a big number because they add) 200 came ashore to join the 200 ALREADY THERE. (as if you noticed) Lets see thats 400 about 200 less than at my old school. Assuming half will be asleep while the other half “work” thats 200 effective at any one time, ( which it won’t be, as we know ze French like wine with their field rations) its less tha a planeload of stressed holidaymakers.
Jerusalem Post comments on Frances “contribution”
That isn’t only a cynical breach of trust towards Israel, but also to a Lebanon which would be left to Hizbullah’s mercy. France evidently prefers not to jeopardize ties with Syria and Iran (the latter having been absurdly described by Paris lately as “a stabilizing force” in this region).
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage=2&cid=1154525906155&pa
gename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Hizbollah is handing out money from suitcases to returning Lebanese, a French patrol sees the commotion and investigates. ” Bonjour mon ami do you ave any Chardonnay?” “No dear sir, I have some rockets in the boot of the car, peace be upon you”
“Tout Allors! mon dieu you peasant, no wine, perhaps you have some home made cheese?” ” no, kind sir, but you have made your point, you look very fetching in your light blue helmet and I feel you could benefit if you bend over for a minute while I get my rocket out”
Cash handouts
Hezbollah has begun dispensing hand-outs of $12,000 in cash to families whose homes were destroyed by Israeli air strikes in southern Beirut.
The group said on Friday that it had compensated 120 families so far with the one-off cash payment, intended to help victims of the bombings rent a flat for a year and furnish it.
Hezbollah has not said where the funds are coming from to compensate people from an estimated 15,000 destroyed homes.
The scheme appears likely to cost at least $150 million.
The Lebanese government has yet to launch any similar scheme.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D51A0A0F-5B60-414B-A23B-F2C9CAB8079F.htm
As an Ex British Sapper (Military Engineer) Can I say that:
50 French Sappers = 5 British Sappers (In Battlefield effectiveness)
Most French military vehicles these days have 1 forward gear into battle and several reverse gears for running away!
With my cynical hat on, I’d say the French intention was to get the credit for the ceasefire, thus increasing their stock within Iran and Syria, while planning on bouncing the usual countries into providing the troops, e.g. us and the US. It would be another opportunity for the perfidious English and Yankee imperialists to get shot at.
Thankfully we called their bluff and they are faced with having to use their own troops or persuade someone else. If they use their own, they will get the blame either way: if they let Iranian arms through to Hizbollah (as they want to), they’ll get blamed by Israel and the sane countries in the West. If they try to stop it, they’ll get blamed by the loonies and shot at by the terrorists.
Let’s sit back and enjoy the French Government’s discomfort for a change.
French = Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys……
🙂
They would’nt even fight for their own country in WWII…….how can we expect them to have enough pride to stick up for anyone else…..
They are just another group, along with the BBC, wo are so scared of Muslims, that they are really just Poodles….French Poodles…..
Meanwhile, American, British and Afghanistani troops, lead the way, and show you hopw to deal with Islamic Terrorists…
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-13538535,00.html
Bryan wrote: “I learned today that Kofi Anan in Hebrew means ‘cloud monkeys’. ”
Are cloud monkeys related to moon bats?
I think we should be told!
A bit off topic I know, but the BBCs Reporters programme (Sun 10:30 – 11:00 News 24 channel), did an article on Israeli strategy in Gaza in light of Gilad Shalit’s ‘capture’ IN GAZA, fully 2 months after the world and his dog knows he was kidnapped in Israel. Unbe-f**king-lievable! >:(
I’m going OT too. Sorry.
But did I miss BBC radio/TV coverage of this recent failed terror plot to blow up German trains?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5263930.stm
I certainly don’t remember in-depth analysis of the aspects of German foreign policy which mean their commuters ‘deserve’ to be bombed.
Come to think of it, I can’t remember the last time we heard about German troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other troublespot in the world, Muslim or otherwise.
Funny that. Could it be that Islamic terrorists just want to hurt anyone who comes from a non-Muslim country? Perish the thought!!
Hat Tip: Cyrus at Christian Hate?
Minuet calling:
“the Roman Catholic bias within the UK Government?”
Huh? This government is the most unpopular with RCs since that of Elizabeth the First! Time and again they force through laws that undermine the family, the teachings of the various non-violent and certainly don’t approve of suicide bombing writers, and the ethos of the RC Church! Here in Scotland thanks to the likes of Section 28 and the latest wheeze to make teachers teach little kids that gay = as normal as non-gay, the RC Church are in uproar!
Fran,
Are cloud monkeys related to moon bats?
Yes, closely. Only difference is one jumps and the other flies.
Hexbollah giving $12,000 per family to the Lebanese, and some criticise them!!
Israel should be made to give US$1,000,000 per family…they caused the shit.
So Israel defends herself against invaders and THEY caused it? Go back to school and learn to read the newspapers….even the BBC admits that Israel were attacked first!
Ironic that Hezabollah issue dollars rather than dinars etc?
PS It begins to look as if the $100 bills that Hezbollah are chucking out to all and sundry might actually be forgeries…..! Further links follow!
http://freealabamastan.blogspot.com/2006/08/cash-bollah.html
One link to the possibly fake dollars story….
The BBC and half truths
Why can’t the BBC report the NEWS as it is and not how it thinks it should be;
Taken from the latest report from Darfur;
More than 2m Sudanese have fled their homes and tens of thousands have been killed in the three-year conflict.
How Turkey reports it;
An estimated 300,000 people have died and 2.4 million more fled their homes since the ethnic minority rebels rose up against the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum in early 2003.
http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=138311
South Africa;
Rebels and militias backed by Sudanese troops have reportedly killed some 300,000 people and displaced two million others in Darfur since 2003.
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=qw1155982140497A162
Sudan;
More than 200,000 people have been killed in the Darfur region since 2003, when ethnic tribes revolted against the government.
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article17163
Qatar;
The combined effect of war and famine has left up to 300,000 people dead and has displaced more than 2mn.
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=103282&version=1&template_id=37&parent_id=17
United Arab Emirates;
Several minor rebel groups have not yet signed the peace deal to end the conflict which has seen more than 200,000 people killed, according to UN estimates.
http://www.khaleejtimes.ae/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2006/August/theworld_August673.xml§ion=theworld&col=
All of the above bar Sloth Africa are Islamic countries, Countries that are berated for how they curtail freedom of speech . Yet it is they and not the BBC which reports the real death figure. Tens of thousands indeed. The only other news outlet which claims tens of thousands is this one;
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/38AF6C86-8477-4C30-86DA-80BD5B8F7AA9.htm
and where did the reporters who started that little venture come from?
“Don’t blame God for it, Archduke. Blame man!
Bryan | 20.08.06 – 5:07 am | ”
indeed. my apologies. sorry if i offended anyone.
but as an atheist, one does get sick to death of the media not taking on Islam and just saying to it
“isnt it a load of old cobblers, isnt it? i mean you really believe this crap?”
thats all.
“They would’nt even fight for their own country in WWII…….how can we expect them to have enough pride to stick up for anyone else…..”
errr.. lets not be factually incorrect here. the french put up rather a good fight during the Invasion of France:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_France
France: 90,000 killed, 200,000 wounded
90,000 killed in action isnt what i would call “giving up without a fight”.
of course, thats not to say that what followed , with Vichy France, wasnt reprehensible, or that the French political class gave up rather too easily – but you cant discount the resistance of the the French army.
“Let’s sit back and enjoy the French Government’s discomfort for a change.
Rob ”
i would agree with that.
in the immortal words of Admiral Akbar, of Star Wars fame
“its a trap”
the French have now landed themselves in a most unenviable situation, as expressed so succintly by one Bart Simpson
“damned it do, damned if you dont”
terror bombs in Paris by the end of the year i’d say.
What kind of people decide to become UN peacekeepers? Is the pay better? Are they drafted?
Ashley P.
Good questions all.
In fact, (’cause I been there, done that) this is how it works.
Countries send troops to meet UN commitments and the UN pays the country concerned very high payouts per individual soldier involved. These payouts are much higher than, say, Scandinavian country’s soldiers salaries – which are pretty damn good! (I am talking Cyprus UNFICYP 70s-80s here).
Now, some countries pass these salaries directly on to the soldiers concerned. This makes serving in UN causes very profitable for those directly involved.
BUT….
Some countries (I single out the UK here, ’cause I have personal experience) don’t do this. They pocket the money from the UN and continue to pay the soldiers their own miserable salaries (with appropriate overseas allowance, admittedly). There is no tax-free salary (as there was for the Scandinavians after 3 years in Cyprus) and no perks of any kind. It was just a routine assignment and you swapped your regimental beret for a blue one and got on with the job.
Not a lot of people know this.
The rest of the UN payment went into the Gubermint’s maw.
If you think the UK was bad, imagine how much the African countries mafias are making on UN duties!! Not to mention the child prostitute ‘comforts’.
Archduke,
the french put up rather a good fight during the Invasion of France
And so did the subsequent French Resistance. Brave souls, those.
Re God, no offence taken. I was just expressing a philosophy. I would also dearly love to see the Imams being taken down a peg or two by someone, for example, like Tim Sebastian with his tough, persistent, no-holds-barred questoning.
You want breaking news? Forget Israel,Lebanon, Darfur, or Bush. At 6am and again at 7am Radio 4 leads with a cricket story! Now this is really, really important. Just after the 7am one they then compounded their wonderful priority by delving into the nonsense for about 8 minutes.
Shouldn’t this be on Radio 5 which we paid a fortune to establish?
This site should pay more attention to al-beeb’s lack of accountablity and failure to ‘prioritize’.
It’s all a misunderstanding – Ball tampering is OK’d in the Koran and the ICC and other teams are going to have to accept it, or else!!!
Mohammed(pbuh etc) played cricket? No wonder there will be riots in the streets now!
And if it had been the English team….?
Let’s not forget that the cheating Pakistani team are all Muslims while only one of the English team is a Muslim.