From an Enterprise Strike Group News Release ARABIAN SEA, March 25, 2011 - U.S. naval forces disrupted a pirate attack on a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel, after it reported it had been attacked by pirates yesterday.
At about 10:30 a.m. local time yesterday, the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf responded to a distress call from the Falcon Trader II reporting that suspected pirates in a small skiff were trying to board the vessel. In a second report, the Falcon Trader II crew reported pirates aboard, and that all 20 crew members had locked themselves into a safe room, also known as a "citadel." The citadel is a secure room with food, water, communication and control over the vessel's steering and propulsion, officials explained. A SH-60F helicopter assigned to the "Dragonslayers" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 11 from the Enterprise and a SH-60B helicopter assigned to the "Vipers" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 48 from the Leyte Gulf were sent to investigate. The HS-11 helicopter fired warning shots to dissuade the pirates from continuing their attack. Two pirates were seen jumping off the Falcon Trader II's bow, and the pirates' skiff fled the area, pursued by the HS-11 helicopter. As the pirate's skiff tried to rendezvous with a larger vessel suspected to be acting as a "mother ship," the pirates shot at the helicopter with assault rifles. The helicopter and its crew were not harmed and returned to continue reconnaissance. "We could definitely see the muzzle flashes from their AK-47s, but we weren't hit," said Navy Lt. Joshua A. Overn, a pilot aboard the helicopter. "The antipiracy training we had received kicked in, and everyone conducted themselves with poise and professionalism." With no confirmation that all of the pirates had left the vessel, a Leyte Gulf crew member fluent in Tagalog remained in contact with the Falcon Trader II's Filipino crew and monitored the vessel overnight. After observing no suspicious activity, Leyte Gulf's "visit, board, search and seizure" team secured the vessel. After confirming no pirates remained aboard, they notified the crew that it was safe to come out of the citadel. "It says a great deal about the inherent flexibility and capability of the Enterprise Strike Group that we were able to conduct counterpiracy operations while simultaneously flying Operation Enduring Freedom missions and coordinating air defense of the region," said Navy Capt. Eugene Black, commanding officer of the Leyte Gulf. U.S. forces continue to monitor the suspected pirate mother ship, officials said. Pirates are known to keep hostages on mother ships to prevent counterpiracy forces from acting directly against them. "This is a great example of the teamwork inherent in a Carrier Strike Group," said Navy Rear Adm. Terry Kraft, commander of Enterprise Strike Group. "We were lucky to be on scene when the attack occurred, and everyone did their jobs well." | ||
| Related Sites: U.S. 5th Fleet/Naval Forces Central Command/Combined Maritime Forces | ||
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Saturday, March 26, 2011
Navy Disrupts Piracy Attempt in Arabian Sea
Marine Finds Way to Help Tsunami Victims
By Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Cindy Fisher Marine Corps Bases Japan CAMP COURTNEY, Japan, March 24, 2011 - Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Yamile Brito is proving the truth of former President John F. Kennedy's statement that "One person can make a difference, and everyone should try."
Reading news reports of the devastation in mainland Japan affected her deeply, Brito said, and she knew she needed to help. One article she saw hit her particularly hard, she added, as it detailed the experience of a Japanese man who had been in the water for four days and saw his wife die in the tsunami. "It made me feel horrible, terrible," she said, admitting she's come close to tears several times reading some of the articles and seeing the images of destruction. The news stories and photographs burned into her memory also created in her a strong desire to provide some kind of aid to those in need, she said. "Half the platoon left that weekend, and I was really frustrated, because I wanted to go with them," she said. "I kept thinking that there has to be something I can do." Brito told her fiance, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Cameron Perry, also with Headquarters Battalion, that she was disappointed at being on Okinawa and unable to help. "He suggested I do a canned food drive," said Brito, from New York City. Perry, of Natchitoches, La., said he got the idea for a food drive based on what people in New Orleans needed following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. While he wasn't in Louisiana for the hurricane, he said, he has clear memories of the devastation and the shortfalls that ensued. "I knew Katrina victims, and I knew what they needed when they were in shelters," he said. Brito said she had never coordinated a food drive or done anything like this before, but she jumped on the idea and brought in Perry and another friend, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Erin Hollingsworth, from New Virginia, Iowa, to help. By March 12, Brito had contacted the commissary for approval to place donation boxes at the store's entrance. Michael E. Shannon, the store administrator, said he gave the go-ahead and by the next day, donation boxes were in place requesting canned food for mainland victims. Shannon said he was surprised someone was willing to give time out of an already busy schedule to spearhead this effort, but that he admires Brito and the Marines helping her for what they are doing. Brito and Hollingsworth remind him of his daughter, who is about the same age, he added, and he found it heartening to see them start the effort to help others. He also was amazed by the generosity of the people in Camp Courtney's military community. "We were overwhelmed at the response of our customers," he said. More than 15 grocery carts of food and other items were donated by March 18, Shannon said. That's more than $4,000 worth of goods, and the donations are still coming in, he added. The response has been unbelievable, Brito said. In addition to canned food, people also have donated diapers, hygiene items, boxes of rice and other foods, she said. After the Kadena Air Base youth center announced March 15 it could no longer accept donations due to space issues, people also began donating blankets and other items, she added. Brito and her assistants have been collecting the donations from the commissary and boxing them up for shipment to the mainland. The operational tempo of Brito's unit has increased, as Marines are being sent to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts. And the canned food drive is consuming more of Brito's off-duty hours. But all the extra work is worth it for the peace of mind it has given her, she said. "I needed – for me – to be OK with not being there. I needed to do something," Brito said. She said she thinks others felt that way as well, as evidenced by the donations she has received. For some, she explained, "this is the only opportunity we have to make a difference. It could have been us but it wasn't, and there are thousands of people that will really appreciate the help." Brito said she hopes to continue the food drive throughout March and then reassess to see if there is still a need before continuing the food drive in April. | ||
| Related Sites: Marine Corps Bases Japan | ||
Friday, March 25, 2011
Amnesty International Warns Yemen
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 at 12:29 AM
Washington, D.C.: The Yemeni authorities must stop security forces from using unwarranted deadly force and heavy-handed tactics at a demonstration planned for tomorrow, Amnesty International has said.
“The government cannot just shoot its way out of this crisis,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “Whether in uniform or in plain clothes, security forces must be immediately stopped from using live ammunition on unarmed protesters. After the horrific killing of dozens of protesters last Friday, it is incredibly disturbing that Yemen’s leaders have given the security forces more powers through a new emergency law instead of reining them in.”
Protest organizers have announced that tomorrow’s demonstration, dubbed the “Friday of Departure,” will march to the presidential palace from the protest camp near Sana’a University. The protest is expected to be large after the coordinated attacks on demonstrators last Friday by snipers on rooftops and security forces on the ground, the death toll for which has reportedly risen to at least 52. At least 43 others have been killed in Yemen during weeks of demonstrations calling for an end to the 32-year rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, including when security forces used live ammunition on unarmed protesters.
Yesterday Yemen’s parliament passed an emergency law giving security forces extensive powers of detention without being bound by the Criminal Procedure Law, and imposing heavy restrictions on public assembly which could be used to ban demonstrations.
The emergency law has also given the authorities the power to suspend, seize and confiscate “all media… and means of expression.” Yesterday the Al Jazeera television office in Sana’a was closed by authorities. The office had earlier been ransacked. (Issued 0n :Thursday, March 24, 2011)
Human rights activists in Yemen have condemned the state of emergency as an attack on freedom of expression, while some Yemeni parliamentarians questioned whether the vote had taken place correctly.
“The emergency law appears to be a desperate attempt to reinforce mechanisms to stamp out dissent and shut out witnesses to human rights abuses,” said Luther. “The Yemeni government needs to uphold its people’s right to express genuine grievances and ensure justice for those killed unlawfully.” (Issued on :Thursday, March 24, 2011)
Amnesty International Warns Yemen Over Use of Deadly Force Ahead of Fresh Protests
Washington, D.C.: The Yemeni authorities must stop security forces from using unwarranted deadly force and heavy-handed tactics at a demonstration planned for tomorrow, Amnesty International has said.
“The government cannot just shoot its way out of this crisis,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “Whether in uniform or in plain clothes, security forces must be immediately stopped from using live ammunition on unarmed protesters. After the horrific killing of dozens of protesters last Friday, it is incredibly disturbing that Yemen’s leaders have given the security forces more powers through a new emergency law instead of reining them in.”
Protest organizers have announced that tomorrow’s demonstration, dubbed the “Friday of Departure,” will march to the presidential palace from the protest camp near Sana’a University. The protest is expected to be large after the coordinated attacks on demonstrators last Friday by snipers on rooftops and security forces on the ground, the death toll for which has reportedly risen to at least 52. At least 43 others have been killed in Yemen during weeks of demonstrations calling for an end to the 32-year rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, including when security forces used live ammunition on unarmed protesters.
Yesterday Yemen’s parliament passed an emergency law giving security forces extensive powers of detention without being bound by the Criminal Procedure Law, and imposing heavy restrictions on public assembly which could be used to ban demonstrations.
The emergency law has also given the authorities the power to suspend, seize and confiscate “all media… and means of expression.” Yesterday the Al Jazeera television office in Sana’a was closed by authorities. The office had earlier been ransacked. (Issued 0n :Thursday, March 24, 2011)
Human rights activists in Yemen have condemned the state of emergency as an attack on freedom of expression, while some Yemeni parliamentarians questioned whether the vote had taken place correctly.
“The emergency law appears to be a desperate attempt to reinforce mechanisms to stamp out dissent and shut out witnesses to human rights abuses,” said Luther. “The Yemeni government needs to uphold its people’s right to express genuine grievances and ensure justice for those killed unlawfully.” (Issued on :Thursday, March 24, 2011)
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Egyptian Women Protesters Forced to Take ‘Virginity
Egyptian Women Protesters Forced to Take ‘Virginity Tests,’ Says Amnesty International
Washington, D.C.: Amnesty International has today called on the Egyptian authorities to investigate serious allegations of torture, including forced ‘virginity tests’, inflicted by the army on women protesters arrested in Tahrir Square earlier this month.
After army officers violently cleared the square of protesters on March 9, at least 18 women were held in military detention. Amnesty International has been told by women protesters that they were beaten, given electric shocks, subjected to strip searches while being photographed by male soldiers, then forced to submit to ‘virginity checks’ and threatened with prostitution charges.
‘Virginity tests’ are a form of torture when they are forced or coerced.
"Forcing women to have ‘virginity tests’ is utterly unacceptable. Its purpose is to degrade women because they are women," said Amnesty International. "All members of the medical profession must refuse to take part in such so-called 'tests'."
Twenty-year-old Salwa Hosseini told Amnesty International that after she was arrested and taken to a military prison in Heikstep, she was made, with the other women, to take off all her clothes to be searched by a female prison guard, in a room with two open doors and a window. During the strip search, Hosseini said male soldiers were looking into the room and taking pictures of the naked women.
The women were then subjected to ‘virginity tests’ in a different room by a man in a white coat. They were threatened that “those not found to be virgins” would be charged with prostitution.
According to information received by Amnesty International, one woman who said she was a virgin but whose test supposedly proved otherwise was beaten and given electric shocks.
“Women and girls must be able to express their views on the future of Egypt and protest against the government without being detained, tortured, or subjected to profoundly degrading and discriminatory treatment,” said Amnesty International. “The army officers tried to further humiliate the women by allowing men to watch and photograph what was happening, with the implicit threat that the women could be at further risk of harm if the photographs were made public.”
Journalist Rasha Azeb was also detained in Tahrir Square and told Amnesty International that she was handcuffed, beaten and insulted.
Following their arrest, the 18 women were initially taken to a Cairo Museum annex where they were reportedly handcuffed, beaten with sticks and hoses, given electric shocks in the chest and legs, and called “prostitutes.”
Azeb could see and hear the other detained women being tortured by being given electric shocks throughout their detention at the museum. She was released several hours later with four other men who were also journalists, but 17 other women were transferred to the military prison in Heikstep
Testimonies of other women detained at the same time collected by the El Nadeem Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence are consistent with Azeb and Hosseini’s accounts of beatings, electrocution and ‘virginity tests’.
“The Egyptian authorities must halt the shocking and degrading treatment of women protesters. Women fully participated in bringing change in Egypt and should not be punished for their activism,” said Amnesty International. “All security and army forces must be clearly instructed that torture and other ill-treatment, including forced ‘virginity tests’, will no longer be tolerated, and will be fully investigated. Those found responsible for such acts must be brought to justice and the courageous women who denounced such abuses be protected from reprisals.”
All 17 women detained in the military prison were brought before a military court on March 11 and released on March 13. Several received one-year suspended prison sentences.
Hosseini was convicted of disorderly conduct, destroying private and public property, obstructing traffic and carrying weapons.
Amnesty International opposes the trial of civilians before military courts in Egypt, which have a track record of unfair trials and where the right to appeal is severely restricted. (Issued on ;Wednesday, March 23, 2011)
Amnesty International opposes the trial of civilians before military courts in Egypt, which have a track record of unfair trials and where the right to appeal is severely restricted. (Issued on ;Wednesday, March 23, 2011)
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Thursday, March 24, 2011
Founder's day celebrated at CMC & Hospital
Ludhiana :It was time of Pardah. Women used to prefer Burqa or Pardah. In that tough time.The Christian Medical College and Hospital was established in 1894 by a British Baptist missionary, Dr. Edith Brown, who saw the desperate need of medical and nursing care for. She wrote a new and glorious history of Ludhiana in the medical field. According to Wikipedia Dame Edith Mary Brown (24 March 1864 – 6 December 1956) was the founder of The Christian Medical College Ludhiana, the first medical training facility for woman in Asia.
Brown was born in Whitehaven on 24 March 1846.She graduated from Girton College, Cambridge, one of the first woman to be admitted to the Honours Degree Examination at the University of Cambridge in 1882. After graduating she studied medicine at Edinburgh and in Brussels, where she finally qualified as a doctor of medicine.Brown sailed from London on 17 October 1891 on the S.S. Oceana as a second class passenger.
She was appointed to the medical mission at Ludhiana in Punjab, where she organized a Christian medical training center for Indian woman. The school was officially recognized by the government in 1915.
Her motto was: "My work is for a King"
She retired as principal of the College in 1942.
Additional information added by Church History Fan
The Annual Founder’s Day celebrations of Christian Medical College, Ludhiana were held on March 24, 2011. This day is celebrated in the loving memory of CMC’s founder, Dame Edith Brown, who realized the need for training the nurses and doctors to serve the community. Her initiative over 100 years ago now stands as one of the premier medical institutions in India. Nearly 50 alumni from the reunion batches visited their alma mater, some of them decades after having left the portals of Christian Medical College!
There was a Continuing Medical Education programme in which eminent speakers from the reunion batches of 1961 and 1980 delivered scientific talks. Visiting alumni, alumni from the city and nearby towns and CMC faculty and students attended the scientific session with great interest. After the CME, the Alumni shared their experiences since graduation and also narrated anecdotes about their time spent in CMC many years ago.
Dr. Abraham G. Thomas, Director, CMC & Hospital and Dr. S. M. Bhatti, Principal, CMC welcomed the visiting alumni. Dr. Sybil Singh gave away the mementoes. The alumni also visited the hostels, college and hospital premises to relive old memories and to see the newer developments. The day culminated with a gala banquet hosted in the campus lawns along with a colorful cultural program. Compiled & presented by Shalu Arora & Rector Kathuria
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Musical Show to Raise Funds for Poor
The musical is exclusively directed by students and doctors from the college. With Felix Manoharan as the acting director and Jerin Kuruvila as the music director, the production is managed by Dr Sajin G Joseph. There are about 32 students in the show’s cast and the rest are involved in its production, designing, sounds, finance and publicity.
‘The Wicked’ is based on a novel by Gregory Maguire and is a prequel to the popular book ‘The Wizard of Oz’. It is the story of the witches of Oz- Elphaba and Glinda and it conveys the message that good always wins over evil.
“With a demanding script, dazzling stage settings, enchanting melodies and special effects, this highly innovative production is a must see for all” said Dr Albert, an intern with Christian Medical College while talking about the play.It's first show was a grand success on Tuesday March 22 and the show will be continued for three evenings at Guru Nanak Dev Bhavan; on 23rd and 24th March.also to inspire the love and charity.-Shalu Arora & Rector Kathuria
Crime Fighter Works With New Partner
By Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Houston F. White Jr.
Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow
MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif., March 22, 2011 - Crime fighting can be a dog-eat-dog world, but with his new four-legged partner by his side, Nadeem Seirafi, a Marine Corps Police Department working dog handler here, is ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.
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"My partner's never sick, he's never late, he doesn't talk back and he's always happy to see me," Seirafi said with a smile.
Before assuming responsibility for Kit Kat, the 32-year-old officer attended the Defense Department's Military Working Dog School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. "The school was fun, and I really learned a lot," Seirafi said. "Like most military schools, they put a lot of work on your plate, but I had a lot of fun learning a new skill set."
The 11-week course covered training and patrolling with a dog, searching buildings and detecting narcotics and explosives.
Seirafi's furry sidekick will have a tall task in front of him when it comes to living up to the standard his master already has set here. Seifari received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award nearly a year ago for reviving a 19-month-old toddler at the commissary. He also received the 2010 Security and Emergency Services Lifesaving Award from Maj. Gen. Anthony L. Jackson, commander of Marine Corps Installations West.
"I was humbled and a little embarrassed," Seirafi said. "I felt that I was just doing my job, and I wasn't used to being the center of attention in front of so many high-ranking people. The general thanked me for doing a good job and told me the Marine Corps was proud of me and to keep up the good work."
Seirafi expects great things from his collared co-worker.
"Kit Kat has come a long way since his training started, because he was really hyper when I first got him," he said. "He's a bit of a loner too, which I like, because he doesn't need all of your attention 100 percent of the time like most dogs.
"I think we'll be a good team because we both love to work," he continued. "We might even be the next Turner & Hooch."
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Mullen Says No-fly Zone 'Effectively in Place'
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, March 20, 2011 - Initial operations in Libya have been very effective, with French, British and U.S. air strikes crippling Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi's capabilities, the U.S. military's top-ranking officer said today.
"We've worked hard to plan this in a relatively short period of time," Mullen said. "I would say that the no-fly zone is effectively in place." Gadhafi's forces are stretched thin between the Libyan oil towns and major cities of Tripoli and Benghazi, Mullen said, noting that U.S. fighter jets have delivered major blows to forces in those towns and now are working to attack Gadhafi's supply lines. "We've got combat air patrols and aircraft over Benghazi, and we'll have them there on a 24/7 basis," the admiral explained. "[Gadhafi's forces haven't] flown any aircraft in the past two days. He's pretty well stretched now, and we will endeavor to sever his logistics support here in the next day or so. "We're in a situation now where what we do will depend to some degree on what he does," Mullen added. "We've focused mainly on his air defense capabilities and airfields, [but] this will allow us to get other capabilities where we can jam his communications and those kinds of things." Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, commander of U.S. Africa Command, is leading the coalition effort in Libya. Mullen said he expects Ham to hand command off to a coalition commander in the next few days, and that the United States will transition to more of a supporting role in an effort that will involve more nations, including Arab militaries. "As more and more capabilities from other countries start to show up, I think you'll see the U.S. move to more of a support role," the chairman said. "I'm very confident that there will be military capabilities from some Arab nations, that they are actually moving into theater now. "That's been the commitment on part of the political leadership in some Arab countries, and I expect that to happen militarily, as well," he added. Mullen also fielded questions on ABC's "This Week with Christiane Amanpour." With Arab states joining the coalition effort, Gadhafi is more isolated by the international community than ever before, Mullen said, noting United Nations sanctions and an arms embargo now emplaced on Libya. Although Gadhafi may be vulnerable, Mullen said, he stressed that the U.S. military objective is not to topple the regime. Rather, he said, it's to ensure the no-fly zone, protect Libyan civilians and support humanitarian assistance to flow into the country. "We're very focused on the limited objective [President Barack Obama] and the international community has given us in terms of providing the no-fly zone so [Gadhafi] cannot attack his own people, to avoid any kind of humanitarian massacre and to provide for the humanitarian support of the Libyan people," he explained. The international military effort so far has been very successful, he said. "From a military standpoint, certainly [Gadhafi's forces] have some capabilities, but they've not been very effective," Mullen said. "He still has, from what I see this morning, some surface-to-air capabilities where he could attack an aircraft, [but] we haven't see large scales of that after yesterday. "He clearly still has the capability to attack his own people," the chairman continued. "We're very focused on that, and trying to ensure his military forces don't do that." | ||
| Biographies: Navy Adm. Mike Mullen Related Sites: Special Report: Operation Odyssey Dawn Mullen: Attacks Make No-Fly Zone Possible |
Terrorism, Weapons Top Threat List: Gates
Mon, Mar 21, 2011 at 7:12 PM
By Cheryl Pellerin American Forces Press Service ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, March 21, 2011 - In a nation he spent much of his career studying and a city he last visited at the end of the Cold War, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates answered questions here today from Russian naval officers about the U.S. Defense Department, its problems and its future.
"The biggest threats we face are actually those where international cooperation is significantly required," Gates said. "The first is terrorism, ... and the other is the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, particularly proliferation in states that have threatened to destroy other states." Terrorism sent the United States into Afghanistan and into a difficult fight with al-Qaida, he added. Nuclear proliferation in Iran brought "all the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council -- the United States, Russia, China, Great Britain, France -- together to try and bring pressure to bear" on that nation, he said. "It is certainly my hope," the secretary added, "that none of us ever have to use military force to deal with these proliferation problems, but rather that we can persuade these countries ... to give up these weapons or weapons programs voluntarily." One of the biggest U.S. defense problems, Gates said, involves very expensive weapons systems ordered many years ago. Some have ended up costing much more than anticipated, and others "have proven not to be useful in the 21st century," he told the Russian officers. The secretary said he's made progress on the problem, saving American taxpayers $300 billion or more as a result. "But being able to be more selective about the weapons programs that we have," he said, "making them relevant to [tomorrow's] challenges and getting them delivered on time and as budgeted is a challenge that every military in the world faces in the 21st century." The world is not going to face the kinds of threats it experienced in the 20th century, the secretary said. "We will face a range of potential conflicts that slides along a spectrum of lethality," he explained. "We will confront nonstate actors that potentially have the capabilities of states, whether it's in the cyber area or in the case of Hezbollah, which has tens of thousands of rockets and missiles -- more than most governments in the world." Perhaps the biggest national security and strategic challenge, Gates told the group, is preparing militaries for diverse threats and security challenges under limited budgets and getting the maximum possible flexibility for using those capabilities technologically and in terms of training. Gates said the way weapons are procured is a major structural change needed in the U.S. military. Most services still buy their own weapons, he added, "but in fact a number of those capabilities can be shared among all of the services." "As we have learned to fight jointly and are structured jointly," he added, "we need to learn how to buy weapons jointly." The secretary cited remotely piloted vehicles as an example, noting that each service has its own program for buying them. "And we think we could save a lot of money if they went together in these programs," he said. In a discussion of training and education for U.S. service members, Gates acknowledged repeated rotations for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cut into full-spectrum training for the whole range of missions that each service is supposed to perform. Turning to U.S.-Russian cooperation, Gates said he would like to see more effort put into an exchange program for Russian and U.S. military officers and noncommissioned officers. "We would more than welcome exchanging students between our professional military training and education organizations and Russia's," Gates said. The effort would benefit both countries, he said, and he promised to raise the issue with Russian Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov during a meeting tomorrow. "It would do both of our militaries good to learn from one another and have the experience of spending time together," he added, noting that the U.S. military services "would be very interested in this at every level, not just the most-senior officers but mid-grade officers and even noncommissioned officers." | ||
| Biographies: Robert M. Gates Related Sites: Special Report: Travels With Gates State Department Background Note on Russia |
Monday, March 21, 2011
An Egyptian family exits
Coalition Takes Aim at Libyan Air Defenses
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 at 3:41 AM By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, March 19, 2011 - Coalition members fired 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Libya's integrated air and missile defense system today as a precursor to setting up a no-fly zone over the country, Pentagon officials said.
Navy Vice Adm. Wlliam E. Gortney, director of the Joint Staff, briefed reporters at the Pentagon on the launch of "Operation Odyssey Daw." "The goals of these initial operations are essentially twofold: first, to prevent further attacks by regime forces on Libyan citizens and opposition groups, especially around Benghazi, and second, to degrade the regime's capability to resist the no-fly zone we are implementing under that United Nations resolution," Gortney said shortly after the attacks were launched. Most of the targets were on or near the coast and around the Libyan capital of Tripoli, Gortney said. The coalition carefully picked the targets, he added, which either threatened coalition pilots or through use by the regime, posed a direct threat to the Libyan people of Libya. "I want to stress that this is just the first phase of what will likely be a multiphase military operation designed to enforce the United Nations resolution," the admiral said. The international community gave Gadhafi the opportunity to yesterday to pursue an immediate cease-fire, Obama noted. "But despite the hollow words of his government, he has ignored that opportunity," he said. "His attacks on his own people have continued. His forces have been on the move. And the danger faced by the people of Libya has grown." Obama stressed that the United States is one nation involved in a multinational operation. For now, Gortney told reporters, Operation Odyssey Dawn is under the command of Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, commander of U.S. Africa Command. Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III is the commander of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn aboard the command ship USS Mount Whitney. Locklear commands U.S. naval forces in Europe and Africa, as well as NATO Allied Joint Forces Command. "We anticipate the eventual transition of leadership to a coalition commander in the coming days," Gortney said. Still, even with the transition, the U.S. military will continue to provide support, communications and logistics to coalition forces. "Our mission now is to shape the battle space in such a way that our partners can take the lead in execution," he said. Forces will assess the results of the strikes in the coming hours, and that will shape operations for the future, Gortney said. This will take some time, he added, with Global Hawk unmanned aerial aircraft and national technical means providing the information needed. | ||
| Related Articles: Coalition Launches Operation Odyssey Dawn | ||
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Lahore will also remember Bhagat Singh
Bhagat Singh was known for his appreciation of martyrdom. His mentor as a young boy was Kartar Singh Sarabha. Singh is himself considered a martyr for acting to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, also considered a martyr. In the leaflet he threw in the Central Assembly on 9 April 1929, he stated that It is easy to kill individuals but you cannot kill the ideas. Great empires crumbled while the ideas survived.
This Announcement came from Diep Saeda. a known revolutionary in Pakistan. Programme devoted to S. Bhagat Singh will be held at
Shadman Market Chowk Lahore Pakistan on Wednesday, March 23 · 5:00pm - 6:00pm. Please teel your friends about this event. : Rector Kathuria |
Amnesty International Urges Morocco
Sat, Mar 19, 2011 at 12:17 AM
Amnesty International Urges Morocco
Not to Suppress Weekend Protests
Washington, D.C.:Friday, March 18, 2011 ; Amnesty International has called on the Moroccan authorities to allow mass peaceful demonstrations planned for this Sunday to go ahead peacefully, following a crackdown on similar protests last weekend.Not to Suppress Weekend Protests
Thousands are expected to take to the streets across the country on Sunday to demand political and human rights reform, but there are fears the authorities may resort to heavy-handed tactics to quell the protests.
Last Sunday, scores were injured and at least 120 were briefly detained when security forces used unjustified force to break up a protest in central Casablanca.
“The unnecessary acts of violence witnessed last weekend are a disturbing regression and make a mockery of the Moroccan King’s promise a few days earlier to undertake fundamental reform and uphold human rights,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “Moroccans must be allowed to peacefully protest without fear, rather than face attacks by security forces just for demanding their rights.”
Security forces kicked protesters and beat them with sticks as they dispersed a peaceful sit-in involving hundreds of people in Casablanca’s Mohamed V Square on March 13, and prevented other protesters from reaching it.
The violence came a few days after King Mohamed VI announced in a televised speech that the authorities were willing to undertake reforms and protect freedoms.
“The Moroccan authorities must uphold the right of protestors to express their views and demands in a peaceful manner and to instruct security forces not to resort to unjustified or unnecessary force to disperse demonstrations in line with Morocco’s international human rights obligations and the King’s promises,” Luther said.
A middle-aged married couple told Amnesty International security forces violently blocked them from reaching the square.
The husband said he was thrown to the ground, beaten with sticks and kicked by four security officers. His left shoulder was broken, while his wife said that she was also beaten by police officers after trying to help him.
“We wanted to protest peacefully; to offer a better future to our children and other children in Morocco, to call for social and economic reforms and to end corruption. We don’t understand the reaction of the authorities,” the husband told Amnesty International.
The protesters included members of various groups from across the political spectrum including the February 20 Movement, which was set up last month to call for political and human rights reform, as well as human rights defenders.
Among those seriously injured were Mohamed Sahiri, who was reportedly hit on the head and back, and Sai’d Chami, who sustained fractures to his backbone and left leg.
Amnesty International has also received information that some protesters treated in government-run hospitals were denied copies of medical reports detailing their injuries and the likely cause of them, potentially obstructing them from obtaining justice and reparation.
The security forces involved in the violent break-up of the demonstration were reported to belong to various law enforcement agencies in charge of maintaining public order, including the Moroccan Auxiliary Forces and the Mobile Intervention Unit.
These units have previously been used by the Moroccan authorities to break up peaceful demonstrations.
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.
The husband said he was thrown to the ground, beaten with sticks and kicked by four security officers. His left shoulder was broken, while his wife said that she was also beaten by police officers after trying to help him.
“We wanted to protest peacefully; to offer a better future to our children and other children in Morocco, to call for social and economic reforms and to end corruption. We don’t understand the reaction of the authorities,” the husband told Amnesty International.
The protesters included members of various groups from across the political spectrum including the February 20 Movement, which was set up last month to call for political and human rights reform, as well as human rights defenders.
Among those seriously injured were Mohamed Sahiri, who was reportedly hit on the head and back, and Sai’d Chami, who sustained fractures to his backbone and left leg.
Amnesty International has also received information that some protesters treated in government-run hospitals were denied copies of medical reports detailing their injuries and the likely cause of them, potentially obstructing them from obtaining justice and reparation.
The security forces involved in the violent break-up of the demonstration were reported to belong to various law enforcement agencies in charge of maintaining public order, including the Moroccan Auxiliary Forces and the Mobile Intervention Unit.
These units have previously been used by the Moroccan authorities to break up peaceful demonstrations.
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.
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