[SusanSazzios]

Osama in Srilanka, Osama supportesrs - the Sri Lankan Muslims

Srilankan government is running on American foreign aid. The Srilankan Muslimas are eating the American aid and burining the American Flag- Shame shame shame!!!!





Hundreds of Muslims representing several Muslim organizations yesterday staged a march from the Bambalapitiya Jumma mosque to Kollupitiya after Friday prayers to hand over a petition to the American Embassy calling on the US government to pressure Israel to stop air raids and missile attacks on Lebanon. However, police stopped the march at Kollupitiya before they could reach the American embassy. Here angry protestors are seen burning the Israeli and American national flags.


A large crowd of Muslims gathered on Galle Road after Jumma Prayers at the Bambalapitiya Mosque yesterday. They held placards, shouted anti-Israel, anti-American slogans and walked towards the American Embassy denouncing Israel’s relentless air raids on Lebanon .

[Tumarimmicdak]

If you want to talk about a country sucking up aid and spitting it back in America's face, try Israel.

[triardwonvada]

If you want to talk about a country sucking up aid and spitting it back in America's face, try Israel.

Hogwash.

[spapsinee]

The last thing Sri Lanka wants is the US to bomb them to hell and back, trust me.

[Assunkkensatt]

If you want to talk about a country sucking up aid and spitting it back in America's face, try Israel. Hogwash. I wish not a dime of my taxpayer money would go to Israel. Instead they get 3 billion a year. Allows them to maintain an unworkable, murderous occupation that's a menace to world peace...

[lipitrRrxX]

^ What do you recommend?

[crazuMovies]

If you want to talk about a country sucking up aid and spitting it back in America's face, try Israel.

Israel's current actions are completely in line with GWB / US policy (and seemingly the policy of the Saudis, as well): Break the link between Hezbollah / Syria / Iran.

That's why we're rushing more bombs to Israel even as I type:

Weapons

U.S. Speeds Up Bomb Delivery for the Israelis

NY TIMES
By DAVID S. CLOUD and HELENE COOPER
July 22, 2006

WASHINGTON, July 21 — The Bush administration is rushing a delivery of precision-guided bombs to Israel, which requested the expedited shipment last week after beginning its air campaign against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, American officials said Friday.

The decision to quickly ship the weapons to Israel was made with relatively little debate within the Bush administration, the officials said. Its disclosure threatens to anger Arab governments and others because of the appearance that the United States is actively aiding the Israeli bombing campaign in a way that could be compared to Iran’s efforts to arm and resupply Hezbollah.

The munitions that the United States is sending to Israel are part of a multimillion-dollar arms sale package approved last year that Israel is able to draw on as needed, the officials said. But Israel’s request for expedited delivery of the satellite and laser-guided bombs was described as unusual by some military officers, and as an indication that Israel still had a long list of targets in Lebanon to strike.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday that she would head to Israel on Sunday at the beginning of a round of Middle Eastern diplomacy. The original plan was to include a stop to Cairo in her travels, but she did not announce any stops in Arab capitals.

Instead, the meeting of Arab and European envoys planned for Cairo will take place in Italy, Western diplomats said. While Arab governments initially criticized Hezbollah for starting the fight with Israel in Lebanon, discontent is rising in Arab countries over the number of civilian casualties in Lebanon, and the governments have become wary of playing host to Ms. Rice until a cease-fire package is put together.

To hold the meetings in an Arab capital before a diplomatic solution is reached, said Martin S. Indyk, a former American ambassador to Israel, “would have identified the Arabs as the primary partner of the United States in this project at a time where Hezbollah is accusing the Arab leaders of providing cover for the continuation of Israel’s military operation.”

The decision to stay away from Arab countries for now is a markedly different strategy from the shuttle diplomacy that previous administrations used to mediate in the Middle East. “I have no interest in diplomacy for the sake of returning Lebanon and Israel to the status quo ante,” Ms. Rice said Friday. “I could have gotten on a plane and rushed over and started shuttling around, and it wouldn’t have been clear what I was shuttling to do.”

Before Ms. Rice heads to Israel on Sunday, she will join President Bush at the White House for discussions on the Middle East crisis with two Saudi envoys, Saud al-Faisal, the foreign minister, and Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the secretary general of the National Security Council.

The new American arms shipment to Israel has not been announced publicly, and the officials who described the administration’s decision to rush the munitions to Israel would discuss it only after being promised anonymity. The officials included employees of two government agencies, and one described the shipment as just one example of a broad array of armaments that the United States has long provided Israel.

One American official said the shipment should not be compared to the kind of an “emergency resupply” of dwindling Israeli stockpiles that was provided during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, when an American military airlift helped Israel recover from early Arab victories.

David Siegel, a spokesman for the Israeli Embassy in Washington, said: “We have been using precision-guided munitions in order to neutralize the military capabilities of Hezbollah and to minimize harm to civilians. As a rule, however, we do not comment on Israel’s defense acquisitions.”

Israel’s need for precision munitions is driven in part by its strategy in Lebanon, which includes destroying hardened underground bunkers where Hezbollah leaders are said to have taken refuge, as well as missile sites and other targets that would be hard to hit without laser and satellite-guided bombs.

Pentagon and military officials declined to describe in detail the size and contents of the shipment to Israel, and they would not say whether the munitions were being shipped by cargo aircraft or some other means. But an arms-sale package approved last year provides authority for Israel to purchase from the United States as many as 100 GBU-28’s, which are 5,000-pound laser-guided bombs intended to destroy concrete bunkers. The package also provides for selling satellite-guided munitions.

An announcement in 2005 that Israel was eligible to buy the “bunker buster” weapons described the GBU-28 as “a special weapon that was developed for penetrating hardened command centers located deep underground.” The document added, “The Israeli Air Force will use these GBU-28’s on their F-15 aircraft.”

American officials said that once a weapons purchase is approved, it is up to the buyer nation to set up a timetable. But one American official said normal procedures usually do not include rushing deliveries within days of a request.

That was done because Israel is a close ally in the midst of hostilities, the official said.

Although Israel had some precision guided bombs in its stockpile when the campaign in Lebanon began, the Israelis may not have taken delivery of all the weapons they were entitled to under the 2005 sale.

Israel said its air force had dropped 23 tons of explosives Wednesday night alone in Beirut, in an effort to penetrate what was believed to be a bunker used by senior Hezbollah officials.

A senior Israeli official said Friday that the attacks to date had degraded Hezbollah’s military strength by roughly half, but that the campaign could go on for two more weeks or longer. “We will stay heavily with the air campaign,” he said. “There’s no time limit. We will end when we achieve our goals.”

The Bush administration announced Thursday a military equipment sale to Saudi Arabia, worth more than $6 billion, a move that may in part have been aimed at deflecting inevitable Arab government anger at the decision to supply Israel with munitions in the event that effort became public.

On Friday, Bush administration officials laid out their plans for the diplomatic strategy that Ms. Rice will pursue. In Rome, the United States will try to hammer out a diplomatic package that will offer Lebanon incentives under the condition that a United Nations resolution, which calls for the disarming of Hezbollah, is implemented.

Diplomats will also try to figure out the details around an eventual international peacekeeping force, and which countries will contribute to it.
Germany and Russia have both indicated that they would be willing to contribute forces; Ms. Rice said the United States was unlikely to.

Implicit in the eventual diplomatic package is a cease-fire. But a senior American official said it remained unclear whether, under such a plan, Hezbollah would be asked to retreat from southern Lebanon and commit to a cease-fire, or whether American diplomats might depend on Israel’s continued bombardment to make Hezbollah’s acquiescence irrelevant.

Daniel Ayalon, Israel’s ambassador to Washington, said that Israel would not rule out an international force to police the borders of Lebanon and Syria and to patrol southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah has had a stronghold. But he said that Israel was first determined to take out Hezbollah’s command and control centers and weapons stockpiles.

Thom Shanker contributed reporting for this article.

Copyright 2006The New York Times Company

[erepsysoulptnw]

What do you recommend? For a start, an IMMEDIATE cease to all settlement(colony) building in the West Bank. Without that, who can believe that Israel wants a peaceful solution?
Period.

[jhkjurter]

Srilankan government is running on American foreign aid. The Srilankan Muslimas are eating the American aid and burining the American Flag

Canuck: It is wirednewyork policy that posters give credit to news organizations whose stories are used in postings -- partially to avoid copywright issues, partly to ascertain the worthiness of the information.

Links to said stories are always appreciated.

Burning the flag doesn't bother me all that much, whether it's here at home or in Sri Lanka.

After all, GWB himself has been known to deface Old Glory when it serves his purposes (and last I heard GWB also lives off American aid supplied by US taxpayers):



http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagbush.htm

[FailiaFelay]

For a start, an IMMEDIATE cease to all settlement(colony) building in the West Bank. Without that, who can believe that Israel wants a peaceful solution?

Well I can, for one. Who wants to live in a country with bombs going off all the time? The opposition seems implacable and won't give an inch.

That territory was taken in a war started by Israel's adversaries. Making that a precondition to peace talks is the same as saying that territory has to be given up no matter what, as a moral imperative. Maybe Colombia should get Panama back. And Mexico could use Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. When there's a dispute: to the victors belong the spoils.

Anyway, that's largely been done.

[Elaltergephah]

After all, GWB himself has been known to deface Old Glory when it serves his purposes (and last I heard GWB also lives off American aid supplied by US taxpayers)

Didn't know that^ about good old, patriotic W. As for the fact that we're paying his salary: does that apply to Dick Cheney too? I mean, I know it regularly does, but in his case, I think it's especially unjustified, considering the circumstances that surrounded his departure from corporate to political "work".

[maysubers]

Who wants to live in a country with bombs going off all the time? Exactly. So tough to be a Palestinian on the tiny percentage of land you've been herded on to, with missiles dropping all over you and helicopter gunships flying overhead.

The opposition seems implacable and won't give an inch. They are opposing the destruction of their homes and the killing of their families. The impossibility to make a livelihood under the occupation. No hope for a future, the denial of water resources. Families being blown up on the beach. It goes on and on. Israel is implacable.

Maybe Colombia should get Panama back. And Mexico could use Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. Different situations. A straw man, if you ask me, ablarc.

Anyway, that's largely been done. They have not stopped building more settlements, so I'm not sure what that means.

[jPNy2BP5]

What about the Israeli exodus from Gaza? Surely you can't forget the thousands who made that sacrifice in the name of peace. And who's blowing up families on the beach? (Don't respond to that if you're talking about missiles in Lebanon.) The Israelis see more than their fair share of violence on an almost regular basis, and then, it's by cowardly, suicidal terrorists that (obviously) don't give warning. I'm not saying that Israel is immune from chastising in this current situation, but at least they have the decency to warn civilians of impending chaos. Hezbollah and Palestinian terrorists don't.

[MiniBoy]

Israel wants peace. Palestine wants perfection. Perfection means "no Israel."

[CurtisTH]

That territory was taken in a war started by Israel's adversaries.

Anyway, that's largely been done.

They have not stopped building more settlements, so I'm not sure what that means.

In 1967, after the Six Day War, the Israeli government voted to return the land it captured to Syria (Golan Heights) and Egypt (Sinai). The response from the Arab countries was the Khartoum Resolution - no recognition, no peace, no negotiation with Israel.

In 1973 (Yom Kippur War), Egypt and Syria invaded Israel. Eventually, they were pushed back, Israel occupying Egyptian territory in Africa. In 1977, Anwar Sadat visited Israel, and in 1979 signed a peace treaty normalizing relations between Egypt and Israel. Israel returned the Sinai to Egypt. Two years later, Sadat was assassinated. The two countries have maintained normal diplomatic relations.

In 1994, Israel and Jordan normalized relations. Israel returned 300 sq km of land to Jordan. On the day the treaty was signed, Hezbollah launched a rocket attack from Lebanon.

In 1999, an offer was made to Syria to return the Golan Heights in exchange for peace and recognition. Syria refused.

The 1973 war had a psychological effect on the Israeli population that still exists today. No pluralistic society will vote to lessen its military stance while it is under threat. Over the last several decades, the PLO, Palestinian Authority, Hamas, and the Arab world have offered Israel no hook to hang a hat on.

[Vezazvqw]

Hey, isn't this thread supposed to be about Sri Lanka?

I've been to Sri Lanka. God-forsaken place.

Problem is its diversity.

Hindus, Buddhists, Moslems and even Christians. Everybody's a minority member, and they mostly hate each other.

After all these years.

[Asianunta]

We could use this thread to learn more about Sri Lanka.

To most Americans (myself included) very little is understood about that Island nation half-way around the world. For all we know Sri Lanka could be on the moon.

To set the stage, a comparison of some basic stats for Sri Lanka and the US -- or to make a more equal comparison our own state of New York, which has about the same population although twice the area (one very surprising stat is that Colombo, the largest city in Sri Lanka, has just over 2 Million people in the entire metro area compared to NYC's 18+ Million):

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka



AreaTotal: 65,610 km² / 25,332 sq mi
% Water: 1.3%Population2005 est.: 20,743,000
2001 census: 18,732,255
Per capita: $4300 (111st)


Density316/km² (35th)
818/sq mi
Largest City: ColomboPopulation: 647,100 ( 2001 census )
Density: 3,305/km²
Metro: 2,234,289 (Colombo metropolitan area)

New York


AreaTotal: 141,205 km² / 54,520 sq mi
% water: 13.3
PopulationTotal (2000): 18,976,457
Per capita: $23,389


Density155.18/km²
401.92/sq mi
Largest City: New York CityPopulation: 8,104,079 (2004)
Density: 10,316/km² (26,720/sq mi)
Metro: 18,709,802 (NYC metropolitan area)

[Keeriewof]

A link to the US government's own "CIA Factbook" for Sri Lanka


Ethnic groups (2001 census provisional data):
Sinhalese: 73.8%
Sri Lankan Moors: 7.2%
Indian Tamil: 4.6%
Sri Lankan Tamil: 3.9%
other: 0.5%
unspecified: 10%
Religions (2001 census provisional data):

Buddhist: 69.1%
Muslim: 7.6%
Hindu: 7.1%
Christian: 6.2%
unspecified: 10% Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs:
353,000 (both Tamils and non-Tamils displaced due to Tamil conflict)
450,000 (resulting from 2004 tsunami) (2005)

[Khcyhshq]

I need to respond, even as the conversation reverts to Sri Lanka. Some statements that have been made must not go uncontested. Because of its complexity this an issue that I find easier to debate orally. I usually try to avoid discussing it in this forum, where I generally come for friendly discourse as opposed to political debate on extremely divisive issues. (I'm trying to make friends here ) Having said all that, here goes, and don't flame me because I have loads of work to finish on this grey Sunday...

What about the Israeli exodus from Gaza? Surely you can't forget the thousands who made that sacrifice in the name of peace. A revision of what happened. Sacrifice? They were dragged out kicking and screaming! I saw it on my TV. Every bit as radical as the Arabs they hate so much, whose homes were bulldozed so that their colonies could be built.
The settlers are often the most radical of Israelis. They do not want peace- they are actively working to displace more Palestinians, and consider it their duty in service of a desert god who plays favorites.

And who's blowing up families on the beach? ISRAEL. Witness the nightmarish screams of little Huda, who emerged from the water to find her family blasted apart, and who might one day grow up to become a "terrorist".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WaCJn4hdjc

The Israelis see more than their fair share of violence on an almost regular basis, and then, it's by cowardly, suicidal terrorists that (obviously) don't give warning. The Palestinans live under violence every single day, manifestations of one of the most brutal and inescapable occupations that modern history has known. Those "cowardly, suicidal terrorists" are fighting a huge, well funded and extremely violent occupation force that will not let them live the normal lives on their own land to which every human being has a right.

I'm not saying that Israel is immune from chastising in this current situation, but at least they have the decency to warn civilians of impending chaos. Right before they demolish their villages and rain death upon them. Of course you can afford to warn someone when there isn't a damn thing they can do about your impending actions. Here come the bulldozers- get in front of one and we'll just roll your body into the dirt.

Israel wants peace. Palestine wants perfection. Perfection means "no Israel." A hideously false dichotomy. Truly exasperating! It's true that in Israel you will find people who desire real peace and understand the evil of the occupation, just as you will find extremists who want to leave the Palestinians with no food,water, or homes until the last one is swept out of the way for their "Eretz Yisrael". Similarly, Palestinian society is not a monolith. You will meet plenty of Palestinians who would be thrilled to be allowed to live their lives in peace, within their own borders, with Israel as neighbor. You will meet others who have known nothing but destruction all around them, have no hope for the future, and decide there is nothing left but hate and revenge. Most Palestinians have accepted the fact that Israel isn't going anywhere. Organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah haven't, and of course the violence of their actions speaks much louder than the millions of Palestinians whose voices are rarely heard in the West.

In 1967, after the Six Day War, ... Zippy, with all due respect, the dates you cite are accurate, but anyone can emphasize certain events (in a conflict that's lasted so many decades), ignoring the negative actions of one side while demonizing the other.
I don't think any of the parties involved are without sin, or have not committed atrocities. That includes Israel.
To fill in the offenses that happened between the dates you noted is impossible and futile, an eternal tit for tat.
I would just like us to try to be a little more objective. None of the events you highlighted justify the imprisonment of an entire people. I do not believe in collective punishment that spans generations, and I have seen too many of the details of the Israeli occupation to deny it's utter inhumanity. New "terrorists" are created every day, not by their mothers, but by the insane evils around them, and the fury that rages from the denial of a normal future, driving them to insane and desperate acts.

In most ways, Palestinians are, of course, no different than human beings everywhere. They want a decent, dignified, and secure life for themselves and their families. But, in the Occupied Territories, they are not living under the acceptable conditions that produce normal psyches.

No pluralistic society will vote to lessen its military stance while it is under threat. And no population, continuing to be held captive and brutalized like animals in a giant cage, can be expected to remain entirely compliant. That all resistance would, or could, be ceased, while the occupation persists in all of its aspects, is ridiculous to expect. Israelis may live under fear each day of something horrible happening to them, but for Palestinians it isn't just fear, it's reality. Each and every day is a horrible, demeaning, unfree existence. Decent education (or even just making it to school), proper nutrition, enough water, all are denied to them through the logistics of the occupation- while Israeli children attend excellent schools, eat plenty, and play in swimming pools on the other side of the Giant Fence. Did I mention my outrage that we give them billions to help make it all possible?
Each day, the grip gets tighter, the occupation machine kills more civilians, and each day we hear people criticize those damn Palestinians who just don't want peace. Horseshit.

[bestgenpower]

MidtownGuy, please simmer down. It's safe to say the Palestinians would have both peace and some kind of homeland if they weren't such extremists about getting exactly what they want, and not one bit less. You can't negotiate from intransigence, by definition; and the pseudo-negotiations consequently always break down. By contrast, Israel has always shown a willingness to haggle in both word and deed; that's the only way to agree on a price. And Israel is in a position to negotiate from strength; possession is nine tenths of the law.

The Palestinian leadership is unrealistic and stupid, and I think it has infected the Palstinian people with the same ailments.