I.N. Daily Weekend Edition November

Vote with conscience, Canadian Election

2006

American Spy Court Judge Quits In Protest

Ø Explosion at Cincinnati Mosque

Ø Before you vote: Smear campaign against Liberal Candidate Omar Alghabra launched by right wing pro Zionist group

Ø Did Israel Lead the US into the War on Iraq?

Ø Before you vote: If you want to understand why Stephen Harper

Ø Before you vote: Oil: A new continental divide, CIBC predicts oil prices will create a gap in Canada's regional fortunes

Ø U.S. Operated Secret ‘Dark Prison’ in Kabul

Ø 4214 Killed People, 9200 arrested, and 45891 Wounded since the Beginning of Al-Aqsa uprising

Ø Iran, not an anti-Semitic state

Ø Christian peacemakers challenge Bush claim that Iraq war is being won

Ø Court: Dirani may demand compensation, but not receive it

Ø Challenging Canada's Position On Haiti May Land You In Jail

Ø Iraq: the beginning of the end

Ø Before you vote: The NDP should make a clear statement on the issue of Palestinian rights

Ø Before you vote: Muslim Voters Call on Leaders to Debate Civil Liberties and Foreign Policy

Ø Before you vote: CAIR-CAN Calls for Reinstatement of Safeguards on Security Powers

American Spy Court Judge Quits In Protest

Jurist Concerned Bush Order Tainted Work of Secret Panel

By Carol D. Leonnig and Dafna Linzer

Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, December 21, 2005; Page A01

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/20/AR2005122000685.html

A federal judge has resigned from the court that oversees government surveillance in intelligence cases in protest of President Bush's secret authorization of a domestic spying program, according to two sources.

U.S. District Judge James Robertson, one of 11 members of the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, sent a letter to Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. late Monday notifying him of his resignation without providing an explanation.

Explosion at Cincinnati Mosque

FBI and ATF Join Investigation of Two Minor Explosions at Ohio Mosque

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1428576

CINCINNATI Dec 21, 2005 — Two explosions caused minor exterior damage at a mosque complex about two hours after evening prayers, and federal agents joined the investigation.

No injuries were reported and police hadn't found any witnesses to the Tuesday night explosions at the Islamic Association of Cincinnati mosque, police Capt. Gene Hamann said.

The FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were involved in the case, joining Cincinnati and State Highway Patrol state investigators, FBI Special agent Mike Brooks said.

Before you vote:

Smear campaign against Liberal Candidate Omar Alghabra launched by right wing pro Zionist group

You can read the press release from the accusing group,

So called “Canadian Coalition For Democracies’, at: http://canadiancoalition.com/forum/messages/12071.shtml

More info: http://www.ymlp.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?montrealmuslimnews+6562

Omar Alghabra's website is at: http://www.omaralghabra.com/

Liberal candidate denies pro-Islamic remarks

Chris Clay Dec 20, 2005 - THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS

The Mississauga-Erindale federal Liberal candidate vehemently denies allegations he made pro-Islamic remarks during his victory speech at the nomination meeting earlier this month.

Omar Alghabra, 36, said the allegations were simply "not true" and were "false and inaccurate.

"I didn't say a thing about Muslims or Islam in my acceptance speech," said Alghabra, who took 488 of the 773 votes cast at the meeting Dec. 2.

"I don't agree with mixing politics and religion. Yes, I'm a Muslim, but I'm also a Liberal, a man and an engineer. The whole thing is untrue."

In a press release issued by the Canadian Coalition For Democracies yesterday, the organization alleges Alghabra said, "this is a victory for Islam. Islam won. Islamic power is extending into Canadian politics."

Erindale resident Sheref Elsabawy, who was at the meeting, said he was "shocked" to hear Alghabra make several pro-Islamic remarks.

Elsabawy, a 40-year-old senior network engineer and Coptic Christian who voted for Alghabra, said, "this was a big warning for us that we could be second class citizens (if Alghabra is elected). He has an agenda.

"I feel embarrassed to have endorsed Omar to the Coptic Christian community," said Elsabawy. "We don't support candidates because they're a Muslim or Christian."

Reached by phone in Ottawa, former Mississauga-Erindale MP Carolyn Parrish, who was at the meeting, said she didn't hear Alghabra make any religious or incendiary comments during his speech.

"I honestly can't say I heard Omar say that," said Parrish, adding she wished Charles Sousa had won the nomination.

"I don't think Omar made those comments and he's not the type of person to say something like that."

Alastair Gordon, president of the Canadian Coalition For Democracies, described his organization as a non-partisan, multi-ethnic body that supports a free and open democratic process locally and abroad.

He said religion should stay out of the secular world and that he would have been equally offended if similar remarks, which he admits to hearing second-hand from several sources, had come on behalf of any religion.

"In essence, the message was an expansionist, Islamic message," said Gordon. "If a Christian had said this, that it was a victory for Christianity and that Christians now had a voice in parliament, I would have gone ballistic."

Alghabra is running against Conservative candidate Bob Dechert, the NDP's Dr. Rupinder Brar and the Green Party's Adam Hunter in the Jan. 23 election.

LIBERAL CANDIDATE TARGET OF ETHNIC SMEAR CAMPAIGN

Group with strong Conservative ties launches unfounded attack against moderate candidate

December 20, 2005

MISSISSAUGA: The Liberal Party of Canada called on the Canadian Coalition for Democracies to apologize for issuing a blatantly false, politically-motivated news release targeting Mississauga-Erindale candidate Omar Alghabra.

The release, issued yesterday, alleges Mr. Alghabra said in his victory speech on December 1, 2005: This is a victory for Islam! Islam won! Islam Won! ... Islamic power is extending into Canadian politics.

Mr. Alghabra said:

I categorically deny making this statement, and anyone who says otherwise is lying. I challenge anyone to produce proof that I linked politics and religion.

Reporters who were present for the speech, including reporters for Rogers Television, said they did not hear the statements in question. A videotape copy of the news story, with his acceptance speech, bears that out. The videotape is available for those interested in viewing it.

The organization who issued the release is the Canadian Coalition for Democracies. The executive director is Naresh Raghubeer, a former executive assistant of former Conservative MPP, and Mississauga-Streetsville Conservative candidate, Raminder Gill. The groups board of directors include Michael Mostyn, the Conservative candidate in York Centre, and Georgeanne Burke, the Conservative Partys regional organizer in Toronto. Ms. Burke can be contacted at 416-816-3412, and her email address is georgeanneburke@conservative.ca.

My reputation has been tarnished, and I am demanding an immediate apology from this organization and from all those who have published this falsehood, said Mr. Alghabra.

One of those quoted in the groups original release is Victor Fouad. Mr. Fouad has been talking about this false issue on internet blogs for two weeks, and he is quoted as saying that he tried to contact the Prime Minister for his reaction to this allegation. What isnt quoted is his statement with respect to Muslim Canadians:

Attached is a proven plan to invade the democracy in Canada and to convert it to somewhat NAZI attitude by the MUSLIMS. Please do something before Mr. Martin sells it all to them. Sincerely, Victor Fouad. http://canadiancoalition.com/forum/messages/11980.shtml

Mr. Alghabra is a well-known voice of moderation in the Canadian Muslim community. The former president of the Canadian Arab Federation, Mr. Alghabra is also a former member of the Toronto Stars community editorial board and a board member for the Canadian International Peace Project, a multi-faith effort to promote peace and understanding in the Middle East. Board members of that group include the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Phil Fontaine, and Ontario Progressive Conservative leader John Tory.

This release does not withstand the most basic test of scrutiny, and legitimate news organizations have rejected this story quickly, said Mr. Alghabra, but the damage has been done on the internet and in blogs. I am seeking an immediate retraction to ensure smear campaigns such as this do not become the norm in Canadian politics.

-30-

FOR MOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Stephen Heckbert,, Ontario Liberal campaign headquarters, 416-921-2844 ext. 338

Did Israel Lead the US into the War on Iraq?
http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/publish/article_237.shtml

By Mitchell Plitnick, Director of Education and Policy, Jewish Voice for Peace; Joel Beinin, Professor of Middle East Studies at Stanford University; and Cecilie Surasky, Director of Communications, Jewish Voice for Peace

As the war on Iraq rages on with no end in sight, the scandals around its beginnings continue to proliferate. Because of these scandals, one question now being revisited is the role the state of Israel may have played in initiating the invasion of Iraq.

Israel's role is debated whenever American policy in the Middle East is discussed. This is inevitable, because Israel is America’s key ally in the region and because the Israel-Palestine conflict is the focal point of attention for virtually anyone who cares about the Mideast. Some critics of the war on Iraq maintain that the decision to go to war was made largely to advance Israeli interests. Others maintain that Israel had nothing to do with it. The evidence suggests, however, that neither of these views is accurate.

Before you vote:

If you want to understand why Stephen Harper

Montreal Muslim News (MMN) Comment

[If you want to understand why Stephen Harper wants a decentralized federal gov't with more autonomy for the provinces then read this

Once you read this article you will more fully understand why Stephen Harper wants a decentralized federal gov't with more autonomy for the provinces. He is an Alberta first man. Essentially what amounts to a Bloc Alberta. This is why he is so eager to openly discuss the idea of more funding and autonomy for Quebec, saying his government would allow the Quebec to play a greater international role in culture and language, because he wants more autonomy for his oil rich rpivince. A weaker central government, however, will benefit Alberta greatly, especially with a projected major surge in oil and gas prices next year but, as the article below demonstrates, but which will hurt the rest of the country. In short, Alberta would become a haven for money and workers fleeing the enfeebled economies of Ontario and Quebec and this will spell the end of a united Canada. Read on...]

Before you vote:

Oil: A new continental divide

CIBC predicts oil prices will create a gap in Canada's regional fortunes

By PATRICK BRETHOUR

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20051220/RENERGY20/TPBusiness/?query=cibc

CALGARY -- Welcome to the bowl-shaped economy, where the energy-rich provinces at either end of Canada zoom ahead of a sagging middle.

Projecting a major surge in oil and gas prices next year, CIBC World Markets Inc. is forecasting a yawning regional gap in economic growth in 2006, where there is a sharp divide between those provinces that have oil and gas sectors, and those that are merely victims of pricey crude. At one end of the country, Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan will all outpace national economic growth, as will Newfoundland to the east. Everywhere in between -- most definitively in Ontario -- economic expansion will buckle under the combined weight of high energy prices, rising interest rates and a soaring dollar.

U.S. Operated Secret ‘Dark Prison’ in Kabul

http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2005/12/19/afghan12319.htm

(New York, December 19, 2005) – Accounts from detainees at Guantánamo reveal that the United States as recently as last year operated a secret prison in Afghanistan where detainees were subjected to torture and other mistreatment, Human Rights Watch said today.

Eight detainees now held at Guantánamo described to their attorneys how they were held at a facility near Kabul at various times between 2002 and 2004. The detainees, who called the facility the “dark prison” or “prison of darkness,” said they were chained to walls, deprived of food and drinking water, and kept in total darkness with loud rap, heavy metal music, or other sounds blared for weeks at a time.

4214 Killed People, 9200 arrested, and 45891 Wounded since the Beginning of Al-Aqsa uprising

http://www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_new/english/details.asp?name=12549

GAZA, Palestine, December 20, 2005 (IPC)--The number of the killed people since the outbreak of Al-Aqsa uprising on 29-9-2000 and until 30 November 2005 have reached 4214 killed people, in addition to 82 people, were not recorded because of the Israeli procedures, whereas the number of wounded have reached 45891.

Iran, not an anti-Semitic state

Tehran, Dec 20, IRNA

http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0512207265152940.htm

An Iranian paper referred to the long history of Iranians' coexistence with their Jewish fellow countrymen on Tuesday stressing that Iran is not an anti-Semitic state and Zionism is by no means equal to Judaism.

"The Jews lived peacefully in Iran for over 25 centuries, both when it was a Zoroastrian majority country and after it became a Muslim majority country," said the English-language 'Tehran Times'.

The editorial further commented on the recent hue and cry made on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's anti-Zionist statements.

"A careful examination of history shows that the Jews have actually been safer in Iran than in Western countries," it added.

Christian peacemakers challenge Bush claim that Iraq war is being won

19/12/05

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_051219bushspeech.shtml

Christian peacemakers whose colleagues were recently abducted and who have maintained a continuous presence in Iraq since before the invasion, have challenged George W Bush's claim that the war on Iraq is being won.

The claim by the US president came yesterday (Sunday) in a Presidential address.

Speaking from the Oval Office -- where he launched the war nearly three years ago -- Bush attempted to address those who are calling for a U.S. pullout.

"Defeatism may have its partisan uses, but it is not justified by the facts," the president said. "For every scene of destruction in Iraq, there are more scenes of rebuilding and hope. For every life lost, there are countless more lives reclaimed. And for every terrorist working to stop freedom in Iraq, there are many more Iraqis and Americans working to defeat them."

Court: Dirani may demand compensation, but not receive it

By Zvi Harel

20 December 2005

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/660239.html

An Israeli court Tuesday upheld the right of a freed Lebanese militant commander to demand compensation for alleged torture and rape he endured in an Israeli prison, but barred him, as a resident of an enemy nation, from receiving any funds as a result.

The Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court turned down a state request to deny the senior Lebanese militant Mustafa Dirani, who was snatched by Israel and later released, the possibility of demanding compensation for torture he had undergone in Israeli prison.

Judge Amiram Binyamini, nevertheless, stated that if Dirani's claim for compensation is upheld by court, he would not be entitled to receive any money since he is a resident of a hostile state.

Challenging Canada's Position On Haiti May Land You In Jail

by Yves Engler*

http://www.montrealmuslimnews.net/yvesarrest.htm

Montreal December 20, 2005: An election is no time to discuss an issue that challenges the mainstream parties – in my experience you’ll get thrown in jail for four days if you do and be forbidden from communicating with most elected officials. Incredible? But true.

As someone who feels strongly that Canada helped overthrow a democratic government in Haiti and who believes our country continues to contribute to an ongoing human rights disaster in the hemisphere’s poorest nation I saw the federal election as an opportunity to hold our government accountable. Or at least debate the issue.

On a recent two-month tour of the country to promote our new book, "Canada in Haiti – Waging War on the Poor Majority," co-author Anthony Fenton and I found people shocked to learn Canada collaborated with the International Republican Institute and the U.S. National Endowment for Democracy to destabilize a government that was overwhelmingly popular with the majority of Haitians. When people read, see and hear what has happened they are deeply troubled that Canada’s role in Haiti mirrors the well documented U.S. record in Chile, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Iran and other countries.

Iraq: the beginning of the end

The state created by Britain after the First World war may be passing away

by Patrick Cockburn

Sunday, 11th December 2005,

http://comment.independent.co.uk/commentators/article332284.ece

Iraq is disintegrating as a united state. The election for the National Assembly this week may mark the point of no return. "A Bosnian solution to the Iraq crisis is now on the agenda," says Ghassan Attiyah, a veteran Iraqi commentator. The election is decisive because the Shia and Sunni Arabs and the Kurds - the three main Iraqi communities - show every sign of voting along ethnic and religious lines. Secular and nationalist groups looking for support beyond their own community have their backs to the wall.

The US and Britain have presented so many events in Iraq over the past two-and-a-half years as spurious turning points for the better that the critical importance of the election for the 275-member national assembly on Thursday is being underestimated outside Iraq. The old unitary Iraqi state created by Britain after the First World War may be passing away.

Before you vote:

The NDP should make a clear statement on the issue of Palestinian rights

Bruce Katz b.katz@sympatico.ca message to Alexa McDonough McdonA0@parl.gc.ca

Dear Ms. McDonough,

I have read your response to Mr. Saba's letter and I take this opportunity to praise your efforts to better inform your Parliamentary colleagues of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people as to statehood and a collective national life. I am pleased that you have denounced the Israeli Wall of Apartheid which has little to do with security and a great deal to do with gouging more territory away from the Palestinians in a strategic manner so as to render impossible a viable Palestinian state. I must inform you however of support for the principle of this abominable Wall by NDP leader, Jack Layton in a fairly recent address (to a predominantly Jewish audience if memory serves me correctly). I do not have the address before me though I did read it more than a month ago, and essentially Mr. Layton views the Wall as an acceptable 'security' measure for Israel. His statement has been forwarded to Arab and Muslim groups throughout the country with whom I am in contact by way of my position as co-president of Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU). Mr. Layton'S coments are all the more unfortunate given the fact that he esentially said the opposite to my dear friend and Palestinian brother, Rezeq Faraj, this past summer while Mr. Layton was visiting St-Jean, Québec. They had even discussed, in principle, Mr Layton addressing our group and other interested parties at an eventual benefit supper.

Needless to say, this has now been ruled out. Support for the Wall of Apartheid is unacceptable and we will not support any parties who have stated openly their support for the Israeli wall. As a Jew myself, I am disgusted by the brutality of the Israeli Occupation done, sadly and tragically, in the name of a deformed and politicized 'Judaism'. Jewish parents do not raise their children to destroy their neighbours. My parents taught me tolerance and compassion when I was knee-high to them. My suggestion to the NDP is to make a clear statement on the issue of Palestinian rights and the Right of Return of Palestinian refugees such as it is clearly set in the Fourth Geneva Convention for all refugees everywhere. One either stands for the Rule of Law, or one does not.

Yours truly,

Bruce Katz

Before you vote:

Muslim Voters Call on Leaders to Debate Civil Liberties and Foreign Policy

THE CANADIAN ISLAMIC CONGRESS, MEDIA COMMUNIQUE

DEC. 21, 2005

The Canadian Islamic Congress said today that party leaders must debate two important issues: the post-9/11 erosion of Canadian civil liberties, and Canada’s foreign policy in the Middle East.

Many Canadian Muslims -- feeling that a centrist political party is best for the country -- have traditionally supported the Liberals, as they did under both Trudeau and Chretien.

Many now believe, however, that current leader Paul Martin -- supported by a few influential Liberals -- has steered his party slowly but surely to the political right.

This is evident in the emergence of two very important and disturbing trends:

a) the steady compromise of Canadian civil liberties, as evidenced by our government's refusal to amend the Anti-Terrorism Law and the soon to be implemented no-fly list (making Canada the only country other than the U.S. whose citizens could be listed without any judicial oversight);

and

b) Canada's emulation of American foreign policy in key areas such as Afghanistan and Palestine. For example, Canada spends $600 million annually on its military operation in Afghanistan, but only $200 million on direct aid and support for Afghanis themselves. Canada also (for the first time) changed its voting at the UN to favour Israel, which has illegally occupied Palestinian lands for almost 40 years.

CONTACTS:

Dr. Mohamed Elmasry (519) 746-4107 (O) (519) 498-1350 (Cell) e-mail: np@canadianislamiccongress.com

Mrs. Wahida Valiante (905) 771-1023 e-mail: nvp@canadianislamiccongress.com

Before you vote:

CAIR-CAN Calls for Reinstatement of Safeguards on Security Powers

For immediate release

(Ottawa, Canada - 21/12/05) - The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN) is calling on the federal government to restore court-ordered warrants as a mandatory requirement before police can eavesdrop on the private conversations of Canadians.

"It is time for Prime Minister Paul Martin to uphold his promises to Canadian voters by restoring the privacy rights of all Canadians and reinstating the legal requirements that once protected Canadians against the abuse of police powers," says Riad Saloojee, CAIR-CAN's executive director.

Under the Anti-Terrorism Act, security officials are no longer required to obtain court-ordered warrants before eavesdropping on private conversations that either originate or terminate outside of Canada.

The Canadian Security Establishment, an intelligence agency that tracks communications, now only requires the approval of the Minister of Defence before intercepting international calls.

It was revealed in today's New York Times that an American surveillance program captured purely domestic communications, despite a White House requirement that one end of the conversation take place outside the United States.

See: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/news/news-security-eavesdropping-calls.html

In that story, telecommunications experts admitted the difficulty of ascertaining whether an individual was physically inside the U.S. when making a phone call or sending an e-mail.

"It is clear that the Canadian program of eavesdropping on international calls must be re-evaluated given the potential for abuse, lack of accountability, and now, lack of technical reliability," added Saloojee.

Saloojee called on the Prime Minister and all party leaders to make their positions on security issues affecting the rights of Canadians known before Election Day.

- END -

For more information, please contact Halima Mautbur at 613-254-9704 or 613-795-2012.

CAIR-CAN Council on American-Islamic Relations CANADA P.O. Box 13219, Ottawa, ONT, K2K 1X4

Tel: 1-866-524-0004 Fax: 613-254-9810 www.caircan.ca

Some Useful Links:

Alternative Perspective Media: www.apm-ram.org

What Really Happened http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/

Cost of America's War in Iraq http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/

We don't want charity, what we want is justice http://www.live8list.com/en/live8list.html

Stop Racial Profiling in Canada : www.Stopracialprofiling.ca

The Observatoire international sur le racisme et les discriminations http://www.criec.uqam.ca/observatoire/veille.htm

Institute for Historical Review http://www.ihr.org/