01.19.10
Posted in army at 11:30 pm by Les
RAF experts eavesdropped on radio traffic in Afghanistan — and heard Taliban fighters speaking in Brummie and Yorkshire accents.
The voices were detected during top secret spy-in-the-sky surveillance missions over lawless Helmand province.
The revelation proves that growing numbers of British-born Muslims are moving to Afghanistan to fight along side the Taliban.
The conversations were overheard and recorded recently by RAF radio operator linguists on board Nimrod planes in the region, it was revealed yesterday.
The Taliban spoke mainly in Afghan Persian or Pashto — but occasionally lapsed into their home language.
Senior RAF sources said that at those points they spoke in “plain English” with distinctive “Bradford and West Bromwich accents”.
A source said: “The mission specialists could easily jam the Taliban transmissions — but the RAF believes listening in to their plans is much more productive.
“It was quite startling to hear English being spoken with clear Bradford and West Brom accents.
“They reverted to English when they couldn’t remember the Afghan Persian or Pashto — the two local languages — for certain words.”
Three specially-converted Nimrods normally based at RAF Waddington, Lincs, with 51 Squadron, are being used as radio snoopers.
The unit is manned by hand-picked specialists who speak numerous languages and fly in the planes at more than 40,000ft.
They are also trained to operate the highly sensitive electronic surveillance kit, known as “The Package”.
The Nimrods can not only detect and record radio messages, but often listen in to other conversations too.
General Sir Antony Walker, former deputy chief of the defence staff, said: “We seem to have confirmation that fanatical jihadists from Britain are working on the frontline of the war in Afghanistan.
“Eavesdropping seldom has a good image.
“But let’s hope the perseverance and dedication of our listeners-in-the-sky continues to save the lives of our men and women.”
The Ministry of Defence said in a statement: “The Nimrod R1 operated by No 51 Squadron has a highly sophisticated and sensitive suite of systems used for reconnaissance and gathering electronic intelligence.
“However, due to operational security, we are unable to discuss its operations.”
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01.18.10
Posted in Life at 11:05 am by Les
JOHOR BARU: Unlike previous Valentine’s Days when couples would get themselves hitched in mass weddings, many Chinese are avoiding marriage this coming Year of the Tiger.
Most Chinese couples believe that Valentine’s Day, which coincides with the first day of the lunar new year on Feb 14, will not be a good date for marriage as it represents anger, argument and conflict.
Johor Baru Tiong Hua Association manager Eric Ku said it would usually have 30 couples registered to be married in a mass wedding three weeks before Valentine’s Day on other years but time, it only had 12 couples.
“Last year, 40 couples were married in our mass wedding.
“We are only targeting 20 couples this year and it will be a small ceremony due to the dwindling number and the Chinese New Year celebrations,” he told The Star here yesterday.
Ku said most Chinese believed that marrying on Feb 14 this year would doom the union due to the Tiger taking over from the Ox in the zodiac.
“Some also believe that it is not good Feng Shui to be married on that day,” he said, adding that the association would instead organise a mass wedding on Oct 10 this year to take advantage of the auspicious date of 10-10-10.
“According to the lunar calendar, other months besides February are good for marriage.
“We expect at least 50 couples to be involved in the October ceremony,” he said.
Tan Clan Association assistant registrar Angelyn Tan Lian said it had no plan to hold a mass wedding for Valentine’s Day.
“Some 10 couples would usually register their marriage through our association every Valentine’s Day.
“However, there has been no enquiries this year,” she said, adding that the year seemed bleak for marriage and represented a stark contrast to the association’s mass wedding last year, when 99 couples were married on Sept 9.
“Valentine’s Day may be a day for lovers but this year, it seems not to be for weddings,” she said.
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01.13.10
Posted in Uncategorized at 10:17 am by Les
Tony Blair vowed to stand by the US over Iraq in a series of secret notes, spin doctor Alastair Campbell said yesterday.
The former Prime Minister’s personal letters of support were sent to President George Bush as early as 2002, he told the Iraq Inquiry.
The invasion came in March 2003. In the letters, Mr Blair pledged Britain would stand by the US on military action if diplomacy failed to disarm Saddam Hussein of suspected weapons of mass destruction.
Mr Campbell said: “The Prime Minister wrote quite a lot of notes to the President.”
He dismissed earlier evidence Mr Blair was Bush’s “poodle” and agreed to regime change no matter what.
But Mr Campbell admitted to deep disappointment at the bloody aftermath.
He said: “The Americans didn’t have the plan we thought they did. It was a very difficult period.”
The revelation is an embarrassment to the then-Chancellor, who has long tried to distance himself from the war.
Mr Campbell said: “I would say certainly Gordon Brown would have been one of the key ministers he spoke to regularly.”
Asked whether Mr Blair consulted Mr Brown on the crucial decision to invade, he replied: “Absolutely, yes.”
Mr Brown kept quiet at the time of the Iraq war and its aftermath.
And when he became PM, he appointed two anti-war ministers – Lord Malloch-Brown and John Denham.
Mr Campbell, the first government “Big Fish” to come before Sir John Chilcott’s London panel, delivered evidence in a five-hour session.
He said John Prescott, then deputy PM, was also in the inner circle.
And he defended the war, saying: “Britain should be really proud of the role played in changing Iraq from what it was to what it is now.”
He insisted Mr Blair acted with “real integrity” dealing with the “most difficult decision of his premiership”.
Mr Blair will testify within three weeks.
Mr Brown will not give evidence until after the election.
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01.09.10
Posted in army at 1:59 pm by Les
British military medics have saved the lives of two young Afghan girls from Helmand province who were seriously injured by a Taliban improvised explosive device (IED).
While playing near their home in Musa Qaleh, in the north of Helmand province, Kamila, aged three, and Wasila, aged six, were seriously injured by an IED which had earlier been laid by insurgents.
Kamila took the brunt of the explosion and suffered severe head injuries; while Wasila had shrapnel wounds to her stomach, causing liver damage.
Kamila’s father took the children to Musa Qaleh district centre, knowing that coalition troops based there would help.
Their injuries were so severe that a British Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) was mobilised, and the girls were flown in a British Chinook helicopter to the military multi-national hospital at Kandahar Airfield.
MERTs are launched for coalition, local national and suspected insurgent casualties with the requests being prioritised according to medical urgency.
Lieutenant Andrew Jelinek, from the Household Cavalry Battle Group, operates in Musa Qaleh, the area where the girls were injured. He said:
“IEDs laid by insurgents take a terrible toll on innocent civilians. They have had a deadly effect on British and coalition forces but it is the ordinary Afghan people that are hit the hardest.
“Unfortunately, children are the frequent victims of Taliban IEDs and, sadly, the story of Kamila and Wasila is far from unique.
“Back home we think we worry about our kids’ safety when they go out to play but here it’s on a different scale.
“The dangers the local kids face here when they are out playing are life and death.
“The Taliban just don’t give a stuff about them. They plant these bombs knowing kids might set them off but they just don’t care. If they did they wouldn’t do it.”
Doctor Sam Kao, the Canadian attending physician at Kandahar who has seen several tours in Afghanistan, added:
“Before Kamila arrived, we had a young boy with similar injuries who died, so we were all very nervous about her chances of recovery.
“After initial treatment, the signs were not good, as she could not move her left side and was unable to express emotion.
“Although there were to be further complications, Kamila is now interacting with the people around her and even smiling. We consider Kamila our miracle child. She was such a morale-booster, because we see so many kids that do not make it.”
During their recovery at Kandahar the girls went out to the flight line and waved at the helicopters taxiing past, getting very excited when the crews waved back.
With the onset of winter, the girls were presented with new coats and shoes and, for a while, they refused to take them off, wearing them everywhere.
The British neurosurgeon who cared for Kamila commented:
“The majority of people I have treated on each deployment are children under 15 years, and the most common injuries have been as a result of IEDs.
“It is great when it works out, as in this case. It makes it all worthwhile. It takes the whole team to make it work: fantastic ICU [Intensive Care Unit] support, nursing staff and physiotherapists, especially as the hospital is not scaled for humanitarian medical aid.”
Kamila’s father stayed close throughout the girls’ treatment. Through an interpreter he reported that he was very happy with the care that they had received. However, he did have some concerns about what might happen upon their return. He said it would be dangerous, as the Taliban may ask him where they have been.
Kamila and her family will continue to receive medical support from the Forward Operating Base closest to their home.
The girls enjoyed a flight back to Musa Qaleh district centre on board a British Chinook that was returning on routine tasking.
As the helicopter flew away from the hospital, the medical staff were clearly moved by the loss of their young charges, but grateful that the girls’ recovery allowed them to go home.
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12.18.09
Posted in army at 12:44 pm by Les
A teenage British soldier sent a poignant Christmas message home before he was killed in a suicide attack in Afghanistan, it has emerged.
Rifleman James Brown, 18, was hailed as a hero alongside Lance Corporal David Kirkness, 24, after the pair died preventing mass carnage in a crowded marketplace.
In a batch of festive messages sent back to families from troops on the frontline, Rfn Brown, from Orpington, Kent, said: “Merry Christmas to my family, dad, Steph, Sam and Ellie, also to my dog Smuttsy.
“Have a good one. Also Merry Christmas to my friends who I am with right now. Merry Christmas.”
The pair, both of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, were blown up while manning a vehicle checkpoint just outside Sangin in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, on Tuesday.
Rfn Brown only joined the Army this year, and had arrived with B Company of 3 Rifles less than a fortnight ago.
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, commanding officer of 3 Rifles Battle Group, said: “He had been with the battalion for a desperately short time but was showing the promising signs of a soldier with a bright future.”
Rfn Brown’s family said in a statement: “You were a true hero and will be dearly missed. We all love you so much.
“You died a hero, living your dream, and you will always be in our thoughts. Your actions will always speak louder than words ever could.”
Two suicide bombers on a motorbike drove into the checkpoint and detonated their devices, killing the UK servicemen and two Afghan soldiers working with them. The Ministry of Defence said it was thought the bombers were trying to get into Sangin’s bazaar to launch an attack.
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12.11.09
Posted in army at 9:45 pm by Les
Homeless ex-servicemen and women in central London are to receive a helping hand this Christmas thanks to generous staff at MOD HQ.
Civilians and Service personnel brought in food, drink and other gifts to create hampers after a Corporal and Senior Aircraftwoman (SAC) in the Chief of the Air Staff’s office realised how close Main Building was to the Veterans Aid drop-in centre in Victoria.
SAC Donna Adamson and Cpl Andrena McElhinney sent a general e-mail around the building in November and were overwhelmed by the response.
SAC Adamson said “I expected we’d get enough contributions for a few boxes that we’d store under our desks, but so much came in that we had to look for a store room. In the end we had enough for 57 bags.
“The gifts are all high quality and each box, which contains about £20 worth of biscuits, drinks, chocolates, tinned food and non-perishables, will I’m sure brighten up the Christmases of many Service veterans who are residents at the drop-in centre.
“They have served their country in the past. It’s not for us to judge the circumstances they have found themselves in; we just wanted to give something back to former colleagues. I’d like to thank all those who contributed.”
Veterans Aid is a charity that offers homeless, or about to become homeless, veterans accommodation, food, cash and advice. In addition to the drop-in centre in Buckingham Palace Road in Victoria, the charity has a hostel in the East End.
Veterans Aid came into being in October 2007, but the history of helping homeless ex-Service personnel in the capital dates back to the 1930s when a canteen and recreation room for destitute ex-servicemen was opened at Belvedere Road, Lambeth, South London.
Additional accommodation was obtained, a hostel opened and a night shelter established in co-operation with other societies and, in 1933, the title ‘Embankment Fellowship Centre’ was adopted.
In March 1969 the name was changed to ‘Ex-Service Fellowship Centre’, the cypher ‘EFC’ being retained. During the year 2005/06 the charity provided nearly 20,000 nights of shelter.
Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Timo Anderson, said “It was a great idea of Donna’s and she and Andrena organised the collection of the presents. I congratulate them.
“Their efforts will undoubtedly make a difference and their efforts are ensuring it becomes a regular MOD Main Building Christmas event.”
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12.09.09
Posted in army at 10:31 am by Les
A MAN who marched at a Remembrance Day parade with an impossible array of medals was named last night as carpenter Roger Day, 61.
Neighbours said the keen amateur actor was once thrown out of his local pub in a row over an SAS badge he was wearing.
Mr Day denied he was a conman and said the 17 medals – including top bravery awards – were ‘pukka’.
But medals expert Martin Harrison said: ‘He would be world-famous and some sort of Rambo character – if he had been awarded them all.’ A drive to identify the mystery medal man was launched after he was pictured marching alongside brave servicemen at the November 11 parade in Bedworth, Warwickshire. Mr Day was tracked down to his home in Earl Shilton, near Hinckley, Leicestershire, where it emerged that he is a regular churchgoer who sings in the choir.
He and his wife Maxine, who neighbours said was ‘considerably younger’, wrote and sang a duet welcoming troops back from Afghanistan at a ceremony last month.
Calls For National Cemetery To Honour The Fallen
Mr Day, who wore a beige SAS beret at the parade, insisted his medals were genuine, but said the Official Secrets Act stopped him giving details. He said: ’They’re all proper, pukka campaign medals. Medals I won in conflicts while I was serving with the British forces. All I can say is South Atlantic the Gulf, Kuwait and one or two other stations.’ The medals included the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross – the highest bravery awards after the Victoria Cross – campaign awards from Korea and the Falklands, medals for both officers and other ranks and foreign decorations.
Mr Harrison, a squadron leader with the RAF Volunteer Reserve and liaison officer at the Bedworth Armistice Day Parade committee, said: ‘It is a ridiculous, ludicrous combination of medals which is unheard of.’ Mr Day also denied being confronted at the parade and admitting he was a fake. He said: ‘I saw it out to its bitter end and then went drinking with some ex-SAS buddies.’ But it emerged last night that he was once thrown out of his local pub after being accused of pretending to be an SAS hero.
One regular at The Plough said: ‘One of the lads who was a soldier pulled him up on it because no one from the regiment would ever wear an official pin badge in a non-military capacity.
’He started getting very jittery and aggressive and started threatening to prove his SAS skills. At this point I grabbed him and asked him to leave.
’He was very scared and looked like he was about to cry, saying, “Sorry, sorry, I won’t do it again” and whimpering. He left with his tail between his legs.’ Graham Gittings, vicar at the local church, where Mr Day was married three years ago, said: ‘I do not think he is pretending. There are pictures of him in the armed forces in his home and he has given talks to church groups about war and peace.’ Hinckley Ex-Servicemen’s Club has launched an investigation. Secretary Paul Savage said: ‘If he has been wearing medals he is not entitled to he will be facing a £1,000 fine and he will be thrown out of the club.
’Most members consider it disgusting for someone to wear medals that do not belong to them. It makes a mockery of everything.’ More News Briefs:
Marines Launch Their First Post-Surge Operation
‘I Saw Them Fight, I Saw Them Fall’ – Dispatches From Helmand
Prince Of Wales To Honour Returning Soldiers, Mercian Regiment From Afghanistan
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11.29.09
Posted in My Life at 3:48 pm by Les
Hi
A great song by X Factor Finalists
http://koyli.com/lesliexfactor.html
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11.13.09
Posted in Life at 12:42 pm by Les
KUANTAN: The caning sentence imposed on part-time model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno still has not been carried out following syubahah (doubt) in the implementation.
Pahang Religious Affairs Committee Chairman Datuk Mohamad Sahfri Ab Aziz said they must be careful when carrying out the punishment, especially on female offenders.
“In our 52 years of independence, we have not had a female caner,” he said replying to a supplementary question from Syed Mohammed Tuan Lonnik (PASBeserah) regarding the obstacle to carrying out the sentence on Kartika at the 12th Pahang state assembly, here Friday.
Mohamad Sahfri said, however, a similar punishment had been carried out for the same offence on an Indonesian man, whereby he received six strokes of the cane at the Penor Prison, here Satirday.
He said Pahang was among the states that provided for the fine, prison and caning sentences for the offence of consuming alcohol.
Kartika, 32, was fined RM5,000 and sentenced to be caned six times by the Kuantan Syariah High Court on July 20 after she confessed to violating Islamic laws by drinking beer in a hotel lobby in Cherating on July 11 last year.
Replying to Syed Mohammed’s original question that the caning sentence did not follow the Islamic law, Mohamad Sahfri said it complied with regulations approved by the Pahang state assembly and jurisdiction allocated by the Federal Constitution through the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) 1965.
He said that although the Islamic laws fixed between 40 to 80 canings for alcohol consumption, which is recognised as a hudud offence, the Syariah Court had no jurisdiction to impose hudud sentences. –
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11.10.09
Posted in orang Asli at 10:59 am by Les
Penampang: ORANG Asli from Peninsular Malaysia turned up for the Upko meeting at the Sabah Cultural Centre for the first time, Saturday.
Dressed in their distinctive traditional headgear, five Upko division chiefs of Tapah, Gopeng, Parit, Tanjung Malim and Kampar from Perak, led by Suki Mee, Tanjung Malim division chief, were among the delegates.
Suki said they were here to bring the aspirations of their people through the party of their choice.
He said they would be taking part in the party convention today (Sunday).
According to him, they applied to join Upko in 2001 and were only granted approval early this year.
“We’ve been looking for a platform for our struggle. We feel that our voice and our difficulties have not been viewed seriously,” he said.
He said Upko’s focus on defending the indigenous people in Malaysia was the key reason for the Orang Asli being attracted to Upko.
The Orang Asli, according to Upko President, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, were accepted into the party since they were also of the Pasokmomogun groups despite most of them being in peninsula.
“We also took into consideration the socio-economic achievement of the Orang Asli who are still lagging behind even though they receive assistance from the Orang Asli Affairs Department,” he said.
Of the 150,000 Orang Asli in the peninsula he said not many are in possession of land titles.
In fact, where land matters are concerned, the problems faced by the Orang Asli are almost similar to the Pasokmomogun communities in Sabah.
“In this respect, Upko cannot promise anything to our Orang Asli brothers and sisters from the peninsula.
“What we have is only a political party that has only its voice É but we will strive to find solutions to the various communal issues,” he assured.
He also said Upko formed its divisions in Perak, Selangor and Johor at the insistence and persistent request from people there. Initially, Upko started as only clubs in Semarang, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia and in Kuala Lumpur.
But when the club in Semarang became non-active, the club in Kuala Lumpur decided to form an Upko Division in Shah Alam, Selangor.
“Early this year, upon requests from the Orang Asli in Perak, the party’s Supreme Council made the decision to approve their application to join us É this after several series of briefings were held in Perak,” he said.
Dompok said the party is acutely aware of the implications that might arise from Upko’s decision to accept the Orang Asli into the party.
Nevertheless, he stressed that as a party, Upko could only voice the Orang Asli’s aspirations, complaints and feelings in the various forums and opportunities organised by the party and would bring the matters up to the higher ups.
He said just like other Upko leaders, the Orang Asli must also be ready to share the responsibility in the party’s struggle.
Just as the Kadazandusun in Sabah and Dayak in Sarawak have already formed their respective chambers of commerce, he said the Orang Asli are also in the process of setting up their own entity.
Upko supported this endeavour, as this is the party’s aspiration for the Pasokmomogun communities.
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