Letters to the Editor, July 28, 2003

This is an outline of the wall Israelis is building to separate themselves from the Palestinians.

http://www.gush-shalom.org/thewall/index.html

This giant wall surrounds all the Palestinian's area. It might then be divided up into subsections. It has been said that there will be one way in, and one way out.

Mark Franklin

Palestinian Rights

Dear Editor,

I don't agree with the commonly accepted American and European political views that the so-called ''Roadmap for Peace" can lead to a real peace-solution in the Middle East with as a fundamental basis an economically and politically independent Palestinian State.

In the first place total disarmament is demanded of militant Palestinian organizations [whose resistance to the Israeli occupation army is legally justified according to article 1 of the Additional Protocol to the 4th Geneva Convention that states that every nation has the right of resistance against the army of the occupation-authorities, in contrarily to the suicide-attacks on Israeli civilians, which are strictly forbidden according to the 4th Geneva Convention, being attacks on civilians] in exchange for the Israeli dismantling of the so-called illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

This distinction between ''legal'' and ''illegal'' settlements, made by the Israeli government is a violation of the International Law [4th Geneva Convention] which prohibits the transfer of civilians of the occupying power to the occupied areas and also prohibits disowning of properties and land of so-called ''protected persons'' [people who live under an occupation] Therefore all settlements [also condemned in UN-Resolutions 446 and 452] in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal according to International Law.

But apart of the justice, done against the former Palestinian owners, the maintenance of the so-called ''legal''' settlements, which are being heavily protected by the Israeli government, de facto means the continuation of the control of Palestinian areas by the Israeli army, which excludes the development of a politically independent Palestinian State.

Only the dismantling of all settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, the total and unconditional withdrawal of the Israeli army [according to the in 1967 accepted UN-resolution 242] from the occupied territories and the acknowledgment of the right on return of the Palestinian refugees [according to the in 1948 accepted resolution 194] can lay the fundaments for real peace in the Middle-East.

Astrid Essed

astridessed@hotmail.com, Amsterdam [Z-O] The Netherlands

A Response to Juan Bertucci

By Rich Maurice

You pointed to three (primarily) instances of Powell's indiscretions-

"distortions he was "forced" to spit before UNSC?"

I assume you are referring to testimony before the UNSC on Iraq's WMD capabilities. This remains an open issue and until it is determined with evidence that Iraq had or did not have them, your accusation is highly speculative.

"Iran/Contra scam"

He was a public servant at the time. Was it improper for him to relay information from Iran that the hostages could be released in exchange for weapons? I think it was his duty. It wasn't Powell who decided to exchange weapons for hostages.

"alleged for the first time that Powell ordered the My lai massacre"

Let's apply just an ounce of critical thought to this article. The author is a "journalist". By definition the guy makes his living uncovering sensational stories. He has every reason to want to make Powell look bad. No one would print the story if he reported Calley (who was formally charged and convicted) actually was guilty. Then the guys informant turns out to be a self professed "liberal Democrat" who worked in the White House. Talk about a motive for taking out Powell! Democrats fear Powell more than they fear the reincarnation of Reagan (OK, that's a scary thought). Did it also not strike you as odd that the informant just happened to bring up Powell's alleged involvement after any collaborating witnesses had deceased?

Yes you also pointed out his alleged betrayal of the Kurds, his alleged masterminding of the 1991 Gulf war and his alleged gassing of the Kurds. They don't even warrant a response.

FYI. I consider myself a pretty good judge of character. I make eye contact. I watch body motions. I look for nervousness. I observe speech patterns. This is how I know it's time for my dog to take care of business.

A Response To Mrs. Buhtto's article

By Anwar Ul Haque

Dear Editor:

Benazir had sent a public "Happy Birth Day to her husband". Here are my comments about her happy birhtday.

We can understand Benazir's love for her Husband. However Asif was known as Mr. 10% for his massive corruption. Surray palce and his famous horses and the diet for those horses. Asif is no jail. He has spent last two years at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Islamabad occupying the one entire wing of private ward with facility of dish antenna, hot water bath facilities, computers and others.

His admission at PIMS has resulted in denial of medical services to many serious patients at this hospital. IF Asif cared for the real common man then he should have moved to the real Adiala Jail. When he was in Karachi he was spending time in AC suit built by Dr. Asim in Civil Hospital Karachi. Asif did repay Asim from national treasury. Benazir herself has taken massive kick back in Hubbco case and has broken the back of the poor people through enormou electricity bills. All the money goes directly in the foreign Zionists pockets.

As a matter of fact the current Government is that of PPP through proxy. Maliha Lodhi, a good friend of Benazir has become the ambassador to UK. Many key posts in the present Government are held by PPP. Nawaz sharif is simply too naive to understand all this.

Benazir held joint press conference with Yahuda Barak at University of Arkansas. This butcher of Palestinian Muslims was present at BBC to declare Muslims responsnible for attack on WTC before the actual attack on WTC!

Pakistani people do not regard Asif as mandellla. As a matter of fact they regard him one of the most corrupt person of the millennium and the world.

Although we share the pain and agony of Benazir for physical separation from Asif for long time, we can not buy all lies spoken by Benazir. We demand Pakistan Government to free Asif and allow him to live with his wife. Islam does not permit separation of wife from husband and there is no concept of jails in Islam. There could be only short detention for interrogation but no prison.

Prof. (Dr.) Anwar Ul Haque

Consulatant Pahtologist

Islamabad, Paksitan

Earth, a planet hungry for peace

The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers (Ran Cohen, pmc, 5/24/03).

The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers in the West Bank (Ran Cohen, pmc, 5/24/03).