Julian Assange - Commonwealth Law Conference Glasgow

Judges withdraw from legal forum because Assange booked as speaker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubkB5myS9Eo Reporter (RT News): Senior judges have walked out of a legal conference in Glasgow after realising that whistleblower Julian Assange was booked to speak at the event.  They say it would have been inappropriate to engage with a fugitive from justice.  The WikiLeaks founder went on to speak via video link to the Commonwealth Law Conference, and suggested Scottish nationalists were right to be concerned about interference by intelligence agencies in last year's referendum campaign. Well, Assange has been holed up at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London since losing his legal challenge to an extradition request from Sweden in 2012. Peter Tatchell is a human rights campaigner, and he joins me live in the studio now. Now, Peter, how do you assess the judges' reaction to Assange's appearance at this conference? Peter Tatchell: I think the decision of those senior British judges to walk out was yet another example of the heavy handed over-reaction by the British state.  Julian Assange is, to many people, a hero.  He blew the whistle on very grave abuses of state power.  I think he performed an incredibly important public service.  These judges, according to a statement released, claim that he's a fugitive from justice.   Julian Assange - there are no charges against him.  The man is innocent until proven guilty and just because there are allegations against him, that does not mean that he forfeits his right to free speech. He was talking - not about his case - he was talking about the issue of lawyer-client confidentiality and the intrusion of state surveillance into that; a completely separate issue. Reporter (RT News): But he is a fugitive from justice, isn't he - I'm just going to read out what the note said.  They said he's a fugitive from justice and it would therefore not be appropriate for them to be addressed by him.  The moment he entered the Ecuadorian Embassy, surely he became a fugitive from justice?  Peter Tatchell: Well, even today,  the whole case against him is up in the air.  Right now the Swedish Supreme Court is considering whether to proceed with any charges or not.  So there are no charges and even whether there should be charges is a matter of legal dispute and contestation - and the other thing to remember, very importantly, is that when someone like Julian Assange seeks to speak before a conference about an issue unrelated to his case, surely, on the basis of the principle of free speech, he ought to be entitled to do so, and most of the judges at that conference agree that he should be able to speak.  It was a tiny minority that walked out.  They did not represent the majority of judges at that conference. Reporter (RT News): And what do you think of what Julian was saying at this conference that Scottish nationalists could have been monitored by surveillance agencies?  What was your opinion on that? Peter Tatchell: Well, given the incredible intrusions and abuses of state power that his WikiLeaks organisation has exposed in the past, I wouldn't be surprised.  I haven't got any evidence, but I wouldn't be surprised and, certainly, the campaign against Nicola Sturgeon (the leader of the SNP) - the leaking of that so-called claim that she wanted a Conservative victory - it smacks of a dirty tricks operation.  Who was behind it, we don't yet know, but there's something very fishy going on and, of course, it suits the interest of the British state which wants to keep Britain together and stop the Scottish people having their own choice to be independent.  It suits them to discredit her in the way this kind of leak did. Reporter (RT News): We've heard today that Assange has formally agreed to let Swedish prosecutors interview him at the Ecuadorian Embassy.  He's been saying this for a little while.  Is this a step forward? Peter Tatchell: Well, absolutely - and it's astonishing, astounding and disgraceful that the Swedish prosecutors did not take up his offer all those years ago when he first made it.  After all, Swedish prosecutors have gone to other countries to interview suspects subject to allegations, so why shouldn't they come to Britain?  Their refusal to do so, again, it smacks of some kind of wilful persecution of this man. Reporter (RT News): All right, Peter Tatchell, human rights campaigner, thank you very much. [video concludes]

Foreign Service Updates

US embassy in Kyrgyzstan denying reports re colour revolution 152 tons of "unknown cargo" on Ukrainian aeroplane cargo flew under "diplomatic pouch" mail diplomats can send mail without inspection by receiving country Press speculation: 1) small denominations cash to pay protesters "Maidan" in Bishkek. 2) espionage equipment US embassy says it's building materials for the new embassy building Report of US GAO: In 2008 US State Dept shipped 55 million pounds of cargo via diplomatic pouch Uh-oh! http://www.eng.24.kg/bigtiraj/175386-news24.html Vietnam antiques Joining UNESCO convention =  legal foundation to claim back antiques from other countries http://tuoitrenews.vn/lifestyle/27573/royal-rickshaw-comes-home-to-be-displayed-in-central-vietnam Kuwait National Security Apparatus chief talks with ambass of France + Australia (Warren Hauck) re co-op relations http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2436677&language=en Israel Iran spy {Belgian national}   sentenced to 7 years in Israeli court for espionage / Ali Mansouri Shin Bet alleges Mansouri setting up companies in Israel for Iran intel services to undermine Israeli / Western interests. caught with: photos of a top-secret installation, US Embassy & Ben-Gurion Airport, + review of  security Ben-Gurion airport http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Iranian-spy-sentenced-to-seven-years-after-being-found-guilt-of-espionage-398813 UAE x5 Gulf Cooperation Council nationals { security officials } in court accused of setting up site that mocks UAE leaders 'libellous images' also accusation of import of spy chips / prohibited audio analytical devices "The lawyer added that the defendant did not cause any damage in the relations between the UAE and the USA or China, where the items were imported from, and that he did not use UAE soil to store the devices because he was exporting them through ships directly to the Studies and Research Centre in his home country." https://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/five-gcc-nationals-court-mocking-leaders-095100296.html Hague Netherlands British Embassy fire in The Hague - 7.30am Tue Man held. No further info. http://www.euronews.com/2015/04/21/man-held-over-british-embassy-fire-in-the-hague/ Libya Bomb explodes near Spanish Embassy in Tripoli after ISIL attacks foreign nationals, oil fields & diplomatic posts also follows killing of Libya 30 Christians http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/04/21/407271/Tripoli-blast-hits-near-Spanish-Embassy Qatar plans $350bn in development projects over next 15 years announcement re Project Qatar 2015 to attract 50,000 http://www.tradearabia.com/news/CONS_280262.html 24th April - Turkish Embassy 25th April - 100 on hunger strike on Downing Street to commemorate Armenian Genocide http://www.armradio.am/en/2015/04/21/100-people-go-on-hunger-strike-on-downing-street-to-commemorate-the-armenian-genocide/ Lithuania going after Japan tourism Lithuanian paganism a draw card Japanese fast growing sector http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/tourism/?doc=105220' Singapore 300 Danish co. currently set up in Singapore / many in shipping 20% of the shipping register abt 200 vessels = Danish carriers competition leadership in maritime field, focus is on education & environment {green shipping} http://shippingwatch.com/carriers/article7641969.ece Singapore a significant port:  2nd largest port in world + junction for traffic in Southeast Asia will be expanded by 50% UAE has attracted maritime companies concentrated Dubai region Danish-based bunker firms have established business http://shippingwatch.com/carriers/article7641969.ece 'bunker' is bins or containers for storing fuel on-board ships  {I think} Denmark Singapore Martime Nov 2014 Denmark's 3rd largest bunker fuel /ship fuel supplier OW Bunker goes bankrupt discovered suspected fraud by senior employees in Singapore-based subsidiary co. owes 13 banks & cannot survive w/out new credit Singapore based Dynamic Oil Trading subsid. =  fraud by senior employees OW Bunker publicly listed 2014 est $150m trade loss Singapore Alleged fraud at:  Dynamic Oil Trading = biggest financial market scandal to hit Singapore in last decade http://www.bbc.com/news/business-29961566

VIDEO - 9/11

SEPTEMBER 11 conspiracy https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qfXPfHlg5C0 Ran into yet another online person that's absolutely convinced 9/11 is a false flag op, so I thought I'd check it out. What piqued my curiosity was mention of an upswing in put options (stock depreciation bets) on various related companies just prior to the event. Creeped out by all the questions raised the video. Strange how the authorities put out a list of people responsible ... but most of them turned out to be alive and well, working in the Middle East. Some of the information I didn't really understand.  Melting points of steel and the neat 10-second collapse of the buildings doesn't mean much to me.  It sounds like it could have been detonation ... but I'm clueless.  Not sure what to think.  Would probably have to watch and read a heap of this info to make up my mind. Don't know that I'll get the 9/11 bug to sustain that kind of interest. Been fun to watch ... in a spooky kind of way.

Australia Appoints Former GCHQ Director to Cybersecurity Review Panel

Former British radio spy joins cyber security review by The Mandarin 20.04.2015 Iain Lobban    The former chief of Britain’s GCHQ, Sir Iain Lobban, will help shape Australia’s response to cyber security threats. He joins BCA head Jennifer Westacott and others in providing advice to the government’s Cyber Security Review. The former head of British signals intelligence, Sir Iain Lobban (pictured), has been appointed to the Cyber Security Review’s independent panel of experts, the Australian government announced on Saturday. Lobban, who was director of the UK’s Government Communications Headquarters or GCHQ between 2008 and 2014, “will be extremely valuable to the review as we shape Australia’s strategy to better protect Australia’s networks from cyber attack”, said Prime Minister Tony Abbott in a statement:     “Australia faces real and growing cyber threats. By 2017 more than nine out of 10 Australians will be routinely online and Australian businesses and consumers benefit from the opportunities that an interconnected world delivers.     “Since I announced the government’s cyber security review late last year, the Australian Cyber Security Centre has responded to 164 incidents involving government agencies and helped businesses respond to 2981 incidents. There are many more incidents that businesses have managed themselves.” The Cyber Security Review aims to set out ideas on how the government, industry and academia can better work together to make Australia’s online systems and internet-connected networks more resilient against cyber attacks. Lobban joined GCHQ in 1983 and performed a range of jobs there before joining the board in 2001. That same year he was a participant in the British Cabinet Office’s Top Management Programme, a four week intensive programme for senior managers from the public and private sectors who are likely to reach the highest level within business and government. Other members of the panel include the CEO of the Business Council of Australia, Jennifer Westacott; Chief Security and Trust Officer at Cisco Systems in the United States, John Stewart; the Chief Information Security Officer at Telstra, Mike Burgess; and the Director of the International Cyber Policy Centre at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Tobias Feakin. So far, the review team has talked to over 140 large and small organisations across Australia and overseas. After a series of delays, the Cyber Security Review is now expected to be completed near its original goal of mid-2015. The review will: Ø     update the Government’s cyber security priorities; Ø     provide a view on the cyber threats and risks Australia faces; Ø     clarify the Government’s role in cyber security for Australia, including how this contributes to the protection of critical infrastructure; Ø     describe how Government and industry can best team up to defend ourselves jointly from those who want to harm us in cyber space; Ø     outline an improved approach on Australia’s engagement with international cyber security forums, to further Australia’s interests and cement our leadership on cyber security; and Ø      recommend practical initiatives to improve Australia’s cyber security, for Government consideration. http://www.themandarin.com.au/30763-former-british-spy-appointed-cyber-security-review-panel/?pgnc=1 LOOK-UPS Australian Strategic Policy Institute think tank established in 2001 still receives most of its funding from govt (but claims to be 'independent') purpose:  role of developing ideas on Australia's defence & strategic policy options & helping to inform the public Executive Director = former Deputy Secretary in Dept of Defence {prior to that:  Major General (Retd) Peter Abigail} {first Director was Hugh White, now Professor of Strategic Studies at Australian National University} [Wikipedia] PANEL Business Council of Australia ('BCA') - reps big business* Cisco Systems United States - multinational, sells networking equipment Telstra Australian Strategic Policy Institute - govt think tank former GCHQ:  Iain Lobban *BCA - 2009 - called for taxes to be increased on consumer goods but halved for corporations; wants to increase GST while dropping corporate tax.  Cisco hardware -  NSA backdoor firewalls have the ability to be compromised by the NSA. firmware implant for both the ASA and PIX devices called JETPLOW can be deployed on a firewall target with an exfiltration path to the NSA’s Remote Operations Centre note:  all US networking devices are required by law to have surveillance capabilities built-into them Cisco stated that it does not work with the US govt. https://www.certificationkits.com/cisco-asa-5500-series-compromised-by-nsa/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cisco_Systems NSA’s ANT Division Catalog of Exploits for Nearly Every Major Software/Hardware/Firmware 12/29/2013 SPIEGEL http://leaksource.info/2013/12/30/nsas-ant-division-catalog-of-exploits-for-nearly-every-major-software-hardware-firmware/ Getting a bit late for me.  Might have to come back to this tomorrow to read the 'NSA ANT Division Catalogue of Exploits ...' article. Don't know what to think of the panel.  Big business and the government are well represented.  The public doesn't seem to be represented, although unidentified 'organisations' have been consulted. The Business Council of Australia sound a nasty, self-interested lot.  LOL [ Rushed.  No time to adjust formatting ]

Sweden Update

Sweden Labour Minister Ylva Johansson seeks limit ability of employers to obtain criminal offences history checks ... over 220,000 sought in 2013  up from 40,000 sought in 2003 http://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/utdrag-ur-belastningsregistret-ska-bli-farre/ Feminist Initiative party leader, Sissela Nordling Blanco, forced to take a break. She has been sick with fatigue symptoms. [DN] LMAO .. Sweden has a 'boo' regulation!!! Woman who booed leader of Sweden Democrats Aug. 2014 fined http://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/dagsboter-for-burop-mot-akesson/ Sweden Justice System A moderate juror in Sundsvall district court found there should be capital punishment "for certain races" http://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/moderat-ville-ha-dodsstraff-for-vissa-raser/ Hacker Sweden Suspected hacking reported to police by Sweden Democrats' youth / unauthorised e-mail access http://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/sdu-ledningen-polisanmaler-misstankt-dataintrang/ {translations - *may be inaccurate} Looks like Sweden Democrats members expelled: > Martin Karlsson - Sapo confiscated his computer > Jessica Ohlson sources: 1) http://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/sdu-ledningen-polisanmaler-misstankt-dataintrang/ 2) http://www.friatider.se/tj-nstem-n-sparkas-av-sd-anklagas-f-r-l-ckor Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson red-green budget WIN:  unemployed & families w children LOSE:  families who have used the RUT deduction SDP 4 priority areas: schools, jobs, climate and increased welfare LOL ... but, wait, there's MORE BUDGETS  S + MP govt can now begin to govern country with own economic policy after forced to have Alliance's budget SD voted last fall deficit in public finances & growth in the coming years is weak Aim to balance budget in 2018 - a first. Euro area is Sweden's biggest export market, so budget balancing / economy depends Expect slow market. Moderates don't believe budget solves long-term welfare issues Others complain re raised taxes on labour, esp. youth Sweden Democrats report Jessica Ohlson leader of Youth League SDU re 'wrongdoing' criticised party for expelling or intending to expel others, I believe {translation} Ohlson signatory to an Aftonbladet article -  harshly critical of Sweden Democrats  expulsion of members {going by translation} Allegation of creation of an 'illegal registry' of party members, passed to third parties. Allegation that such 'illegal registry' = violation of confidentiality agreement + Personal Data Protection Act [COMMENT from Twitter user:  party claims infiltration from fascists. We will find out on the 27th ] Dagens Nyheter has a laundry list of all of Sweden Democrats disapproved of behaviour:  massive list, but it stretches back to 2009 Iron pipe scandal 2012 altercation b/w Sweden Dems. politicians + comedian footage made available by Expressen COMMENT The budget in Sweden is very confusing.  Sounds like they take it in turns over there to manage quarterly budgets or something like that.  Not sure.  Too lazy to check. Budget nearly sent me to sleep.  Not my thing. Looks like they're boo fascists in Sweden.  Apparently, you can't boo politicians over there while they're speaking ... but you may during intervals.  Otherwise, you get your ass hauled off and you cop a fine.  WTF?  Where's all that Swedish freedom? Sweden Democrats may have been hacked and, from what I've been told, 'infiltrated' by fascists as well.  Wow!  Lots of drama for the Sweden Democrats, including some kind of internal upheaval where members look to be getting expelled.  Stand by for more on 27 April, I guess. FAIR USE COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. The wild-card here was the court trial that was 'stopped' because of a 'moderate juror' opinion regarding capital punishment - for some.  Anyway, if they're referring to 'moderate', I wonder if it  has something to do with the Moderate party and if this is a layperson appointed by the political party - the Moderate party?  Weird system over there, so it's possible - and sure sounds like it.  Haven't checked further. No wonder Carl Bildt is so pro European Union; it's Sweden's biggest market.  It's always about the money.  LOL Expressen must be the go-to newspaper for burning political opponents and the like.

Foreign Service Updates

North Korea warns US envoy Mark Lippert of ‘bigger mishap’ than a knife attack if he continues insulting NorK NorK says Lippert has: "bad habit of rashly engaging in scheming chatter distorting the truth and instigating war" http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=262264 Iran Protest outside SaudiArabia embassy re Yemen invasion http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/04/18/406799/Iranians-slam-Saudi-war-on-Yemen China Journalist Gao Yu, a Chinese news veteran & critic of Communist Party / 7yr sentence leaking state secrets sentence denounced Fmr law professor says:  political party’s internal documents cannot be regarded as a ‘state secret. http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1324846-chinese-regime-sentences-senior-journalist-to-7-years-on-charges-of-leaking-state-secrets/ IRAQ Friday: Irbil - capital semi-autonomous Kurdistan region - car-bomb explodes outside US consulate & compound *common in Iraq, but rare in Ibril* http://www.dw.de/is-targets-us-consulate-in-irbil-suicide-attack/a-18390760 Ireland  / Venezuela Venezuela – Dublin solidarity rally at US Embassy 2pm Sunday http://www.anphoblacht.com/contents/24913  Canada Officials In Hungary To Seek Information On Roma Exodus From Miskolc 40-50 local Roma families emigrated http://hungarytoday.hu/cikk/canadian-officials-budapest-seek-information-roma-exodus-miskolc-44835 Ukraine Zaporizhstal CEO Rostyslav Shurma Ukraine 4th largest steel maker {Rinat Akhmetov} invested abt $120 million in production modernisation William H. "Chip" Laitinen Economic Officer, Office of US Ambassador to Ukraine, approves http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/261154.html India India appointments / Ambassadors to: > Egypt > Venezuela http://netindian.in/news/2015/04/17/00033396/sanjay-bhattacharyya-appointed-ambassador-egypt UK Ugandan High Commission in London worker sentenced to 6yrs prison /£4.8 million tobacco duty evasion http://en.starafrica.com/news/ugandan-jailed-in-uk-for-tax-evasion.html NZ New Snowden docs reveal NZ spies & America's top govt hackers cooked up plan to spy on China http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/snowden-documents-reveal-attempt-to-spy-on-china/ Op "Frostbite" NZ intel plan to spy on China GCSB worked with the NSA's hacker team - TAO 2013 doc = plan had verbal approval same month PM John Key was in China pledging NZ friendship China is NZ largest trading partner bilateral trade =  $20-billion pa Greens Russel Norman says spy revelations put that at risk Spying on Chinese diplomatic communications in NZ to curry favour with US govt  spy agencies = pointless & reckless "The fact that John Key must have personally approved this operation will add insult to injury ..."  "John Key is willing to subvert NZs broader international economic & political interests to please the US Government" http://www.odt.co.nz/source/nzme/339554/leaked-papers-show-plan-spy-china SouthAfrica President Jacob Zuma cancelled trip to Indonesia to deal with xenophobic violence Jan 2015: Soweto violence = 6 killed / looters rampaged South Africa violence sparked angry responses in other African nations http://en.prothom-alo.com/international/news/64223/Zuma-seeks-to-reassure-foreigners Canada Canadians rally nationwide against Bill C-51 anti-terrorist bill PM office picketed / protests scheduled aim to protect & maintain democratic freedoms NDP & Green party oppose the bill 3rd reading Mon, then law http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2015/04/18/22351896.html Pakistan Scholars of Islamic law attend dinner at  Saudi Embassy updates on Yemen Pakistan ready to lay down life to defend Saudi Arabia Pakistan SaudiArabia Yemen Sounds like they're wanting to wage religious war? Saudi Consul says support to Houthis considered attack on sovereignty of SaudiArabia Claims it is 'joint war' SA + Yemen vs rebels http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-37083-Troops-should-be-sent-for-protection-of-S-Arabia-whenever-necessary-Ulema India Shaken by Corporate Espionage Scandal, Defence Ministry issued a series of security alerts &  directives Yikes! Cell phone can be used as effective, unobtrusive, listening device for eavesdropping even when switched off http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Spy-Alert-Cellphones-Banned-at-South-Block-Meetings/2015/04/19/article2771047.ece Poland / FBI Poland’s ambassador to US sent letter of protest to FBI Director James Comey over alleged historical revisionism  FBI director Comey:  suggested that Poland shared responsibility for the Holocaust http://sptnkne.ws/eqT USA - Domestic FBI forensic overstated hair 'match' evidence in 95% of 268 trials prior 2000 14 of 32 executed or died prison Note:   pattern-based forensic techniques in question eg hair & bite-mark comparisons = 25% of 329 cases DNA-exoneration http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/fbi-overstated-forensic-hair-matches-in-nearly-all-criminal-trials-for-decades/2015/04/18/39c8d8c6-e515-11e4-b510-962fcfabc310_story.html COMMENT Odds and ends that caught my attention. Best is probably the New Zealand spying outed by Snowden documents. FBI 'overstated' evidence story is pretty shocking. Didn't realise you can 'uptalk' science.  Imagined science was sure thing.

IRAQ - Ezzat al-Douri Killing

Why It Doesn’t Matter if Iraq’s Ezzat al-Douri Was Killed (Video) Posted on Apr 18, 2015 By Juan Cole http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/why_it_doesnt_matter_if_iraqs_ezzat_al-douri_was_killed_video_20150418 SUMMARY Ezzat al-Douri = first high Baath Party official to turn to a religious group as a power base strategy common after 2003 US invasion Baath Party was founded by Christians & was militantly secular often persecuting religious groups & parties al-Douri = patron of Naqshbandi Sufi order in Mosul Sufism = mystical part Sunni tradition diff to Wahhabi-influenced Salafi al-Douri said to be behind “Men of the Naqshbandi” effective fighters against US + Shia in North Iraq Mosul Iraq Naqshbandis = one of groups that allied itself w. ISIL vs Shiite army ISIL stabbed Naqshbandis in the back Iraq Mosul ISIL Salafism offshoot screwed over new allies by arresting leading Naqshbandi figures & ex-Baathist ones USA method of eliminating heads of militant orgs has not worked on Taliban or in Iraq; partly b/c clan-led republics Iraq Taliban Leader elimination ineffective b/c when one leader is killed, his cousin just steps in Iraq Taliban Other reason eliminating leaders not effective: religion Religious charisma transferable (according to article) That Ezzat al-Douri may have been killed is not important He was old [& interchangeable {by sound of article}] Iraq by destroying the Baath govt of Iraq, Bush admin made vacuum of power & culture filld by religious forms of resistance Iraq Iraqi Sunnis were among more secular people in Middle East author says: desperation drove them to religious revolt. Really enjoyed this article. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Ba'ath Party The Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party political party founded in Syria Al-Ba'ath or Ba'ath meaning "renaissance" or "resurrection" ideology mixing Arab nationalist, pan-Arabism, Arab socialist and anti-imperialist interests. Ba'athism calls for unification of the Arab world into a single state. [Wikipedia]