US blamed for spoiling French release

[Nambe]

AFP - AlJazeera

An influential cleric has lambasted US- led forces for conducting a damaging military raid that he says has harmed efforts to secure the release of two French journalists.

"The attack on Latifiya disrupted the process of their release," senior Iraqi cleric Shaikh Mahdi al-Sumaidi said on Sunday.

Experts have warned that increased military activity against resistance strongholds in the area could harm the chances of rescuing Radio France International's Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot of Le Figaro.

He also issued a religious decree calling on the hostage-takers to release the Frenchmen. ..

[Matilda]

1. Accidentally on purpose?

Bush is a spiteful person, IMO - he won't forget that the French
wouldn't follow him tamely into the Iraq fiasco.

[Radius]

2. Breaking news..

US blamed for famine in Africa, hurricane Francis, and genital herpes.

[leftchick]

3. with bush* in the WH...

I would not be surprised..

[Ohio rules]

4. Al-Jazeera?

They still preaching "ignorance is bliss" ?
Looks like you gave them the "scoop of the week" on the Bush orders rain clouds banned in the Sudan situation

[Nambe]

5. I have read the english version of Al-Jazeera for four years now.

IMO they are a reliable moderate source of news from a region where the US military and its subordinates have imposed a radical blackout. Why didn't AP or Reuters report a violent attack in the immediate area where the French nationals are being held? Al-Jazeera did not editorialize the effect of the attack on the hostage holders, it quoted a relatively moderate source.

Do you oppose the right of American citizens hearing the voices of the people we are liberating. One person's Paul Revere is rumsfeld's terrorist. We invaded a country living on the brink of civil war for years, held together by a heavy handed ruler we backed until he refused to comply with the Saudis' and OPEC. With no plan to secure peace in such an unstable environment, our troops and Iraqi civilians are suffering under a veil of secrecy. Again, you will find Al-Jazeera to be a moderate Arab source. A wide majority of it's articles are founded on reports from many agencies such as Agence France Press.

If you would like links to radical middle eastern sources, just ask.

[Swede]

6. Links please.

Thank you in advance.

[Nambe]

10. ME media links: No time to sort. If you need a translator, we have one.

http://english.ajeeb.com/
http://www.arabynet.com/
http://www.uruklink.net/
http://www.iraqdaily.com/
http://www.iran-daily.com/
http://www.payvand.com/news/
http://www.irna.ir/
http://www.daralhayat.com/
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/
http://www.timesofindia.com/today/pagehome.htm
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/
http://www.israelwire.com/
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/P/FrontPage/FrontPage&cid=1002116796299
http://www.jta.org/
http://www.elta.lt/
http://dawn.com/
http://www.jang-group.com/thenews/index.html
http://www.gulf-news.com/
http://www.dunyagazetesi.com.tr//Default.asp?
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/
http://www.foxnews.com/
http://www.arabia.com/
http://www.sana.org/
http://www.arab.net/

[LauraK]

14. Live and in person or digital?

[Radius]

7. AJ

is not pan arabic they are based in Qatar. They have an opinion and a spin just like everyone else. They speak for themselves.

Hit their arabic language site, go to the cartoon section and search for the arabic word for jews al Yahud. enjoy..

[Ohio rules]

9. I agree Radius

They speak for themselves.

Actually, I've been following Al Jazeera spin for a few years.
They have been "Kicked out of better countries and by better dictators" than these characters that inhabit Iraq now.

For an unbiased spin I've been reading blogs by journalists and common people (well, people who have a grasp on the english language and keyboard that is ) The "blogshpere" is the best source for news knowing peoples personal opinions are not held accountable to the "RATH OF SPONSERS" or editors who have to "sell sell sell" the newspaper.

I've read article by bloggers onlt to see the main media sources pick up what they have posted a day or so later !!

Al Jazeera speaks for themselves....only to the point where it may upset their sponser...and yes,
they do have a sponser.

Our ultimate goal is to set up a more proactive relationship with our audience, where the audience is not simply a visitor at the other end of the line. They are and they will always be an integral part of the news reporting and news making process.


Our team of dedicated journalists with their multi-national education and diversified backgrounds share a common set of attributes: objectivity, accuracy, and a passion for truth.


Truth will be the force that will drive us to raise thorny issues, to seize every opportunity for exclusive reporting, to take hold of unforgettable moments in history and to rekindle the willpower within every human being who strives for truth.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/5D7F956E-6B52-46D9-8D17-448856D01CDB.htm

I've read some bloggers comments about these "News Makers" ;) :)

[LauraK]

11. Most think Israel is the root of the ME problem.

Maybe you should take Al Jezeera more seriously.

[slojim240]

8. According to Falwell and Robertson you would be correct on the last two

Maybe even the first one too.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

13. Actually it's Hurricane FRANCEs...

Check FR, I'll bet dollars to donuts they've made the connection.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

12. Chicago Tribune article here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=806259&mesg_id=806259