'Resistance Organising, Restrains Zargaqi'--Jordan Times/ New WMW

[Gloria]

Up now at http://www.zianet.com/insightanalytical
Tomorrow at Buzzflash.com


WORLD MEDIA WATCH FOR AUGUST 25, 2004

1//The Jordan Times, Jordan--‘RESISTANCE ORGANISING, RESTRAINS ZARGAWI’
(The resistance to US and foreign troops in Iraq is becoming unified and now controls 70 per cent of attacks, one of its leaders told AFP, adding that extremist Abu Mussab Al Zarqawi had been given an ultimatum for violating its ideology. “There is one leadership comprising Iraqis and other Arab nationals which heads 70 per cent of the operations being carried out in Iraq against the Americans and those who cooperate with them,” said the source, who had close ties to Al Qaeda leader Osama Ben Laden up until three years ago…The source said that the resistance recently decided that “most” of its operations will be carried out on “highways,” away from residential areas to avoid killing innocent civilians. “Most of the attacks will now take place on the highway that cuts Iraq from north to south,” he said. The resistance also uses more frequently “funnel-shaped bombs” which enables 90 per cent impact to reach its targets, “therefore limiting any collateral damage,” he said.)

2//The Guardian, UK--PAKISTAN BACKS KARZAI WITH TERROR RAIDS (These days Gen Musharraf's promises carry extra weight, following a six-week drive against al-Qaida in Pakistan. From the back-streets of Karachi to the tribal highlands, his security services have prosecuted an unrelenting campaign against Osama bin Laden's network… In the past week suspected hideouts have been bombed in the mountains and forests of South Waziristan, where militants are sheltering under the protection of tribesmen. There is also frequent speculation that Bin Laden or his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, are hiding in the same area…In response, al-Qaida has transformed its tactics. Having long considered Pakistan as a rear base, it has now turned its sights on the violent overthrow of the Pakistani state. In the past year suicide bombers have nearly succeeded in killing Gen Musharraf, an army commander, and Shaukat Aziz, due to be appointed prime minister this week. Last weekend the security services claimed they had foiled a plot to blow up the national convention centre, Gen Musharraf's house and the US embassy.)

3//The News International, Pakistan--JOINT PLAN TO ATTACK AFGHAN POLLING STATIONS (Five militant groups of Afghanistan, including Taliban, have adopted a joint strategy to disrupt the presidential elections scheduled for October 9 by attacking polling stations across the country. Maulvi Muhammad Ishaq Manzoor, Supreme Military Commander of Jamiat Jaishal Muslemeen (JJM), a newly formed outfit operating mainly in the southern and eastern Afghanistan, announced this decision on behalf of all the five groups.)

4//The Chosun Ilbo, South Korea--SEOUL TO COORDINATE DIFFERENCES AMONG PARTIES IN THE SIX-WAY TALKS (With North Korea's nuclear tension in a 22-month impasse, Seoul is seeking to take on a more active role to resolve the issue. A high-ranking Seoul official has set out for a round of calls to China, Japan, Russia and the United States members of the six-party forum, to coordinate differences amid large gaps in positions between Washington and Pyongyang…Two weeks ago Pyongyang ruled out attending working-level talks slated for later this month and went on to question the entire negotiating process, blaming Washington's hostile policy. Against this backdrop the South Korean government is moving quickly to break the deadlock. Seoul's Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Soo-hyuck embarked on a trip to China, Japan, the U.S. and Russia with a coordinated proposal in hand, which reflects both Washington and Pyongyang’s stance.)

5//The Independent, UK--UNREPENTANT BLAIR READY TO FACE DOWN PARTY REBELS (As the Prime Minister returns from his month-long summer break in Barbados, Italy and Greece, he is being urged by some advisers to "rebuild bridges" with the party by avoiding more controversial reforms in the run-up to the general election pencilled in for May. Those allies say the move would help to heal the wounds left by the Iraq war. "We have got to reach out to the party so that we go into the election as a united force," one said. But Mr Blair is expected to use his speech to Labour's annual conference next month to map out a strong "forward agenda" to show that the Government has not run out of steam. It will be based on the five-year plans for health, education, crime and transport published this summer, which will be followed by similar blueprints for other Whitehall departments this autumn.)

********************************************

(

[Nambe]

1. Hi Gloria

You and your staying power. It's good to see you.

[Gloria]

2. Thanks! I often wonder if it's worth the effort......

But then I dig up something interesting and it's worth it.....

I know you are a foreign news freak, too!!

[acmavm]

3. It's worth it. Thank you.

.