* Al Qaeda statement: “Congratulations to the Nation of Islam; and Sheikh of Mujahideen Osama Abi Abdullah [Osama bin Laden -- TG], and our Prince Mullah Mohamad Omar, and to Sheikh Al-Zawaheri [bin Laden’s deputy -- TG], and to Fallujah, Al-Qa’im, Hadithah and Karabala. Congratulations to our people in Palestine and the whole Islamic nation for the prophesized and awaited destruction of the infidel’s head, America is at hand. This is showing the sign of their downfall. Every day disasters get closer to them.”
* Senior Kuwaiti Official writing in the newspaper Al-Siyassa: “Katrina is a Wind of Torment and Evil from Allah sent to this American Empire.”
CONTENTS
1. Al Qaeda celebrates Hurricane Katrina
2. Iranian bloggers hail Katrina as “Allah’s soldier”
3. Hebrew University will accept students affected by Hurricane Katrina
4. Ariel Sharon: “It’s our duty to assist the American people”
5. AP omit Israel from international Katrina aid lists
6. “Zarqawi says Katrina ‘beginning of the end’ for US” (AFP, Sept. 4, 2005)
7. “Katrina is a Wind of Torment and Evil from Allah sent to this American Empire” (Al Qaeda statement)
8. “Katrina price tag put at $100 billion” (UPI, Sept. 3, 2005)
9. “Israel sending relief aid, volunteers to U.S.” (Ha’aretz, Sept. 5, 2005)
10. “Saddam lawyer rejects trial date as too early” (Reuters, Sept. 3, 2005)
11. “Saddam’s Daughter Plans Defense Strategy” (AP, Sept. 3, 2005)
AL QAEDA CELEBRATES HURRICANE KATRINA
In recent days, Al Qaeda, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and a high-ranking Kuwaiti official, Muhammad Yousef Al-Mlaifi, have all celebrated the devastation inflicted upon the people and property of the American gulf coast by Hurricane Katrina.
An Al Qaeda statement congratulated “the whole Islamic nation for the prophesized and awaited destruction of the infidel’s head, America is at hand.”
(Katrina is believed to be one of the worst natural disasters in American history. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said yesterday that 10,000 people may have died as a result of the disaster. Robbery and rape have also marked its aftermath. Today, estimates of the economic losses of the hurricane ballooned up to $150 billion.)
ZARQAWI AND KUWAIT OFFICIAL ALSO APPLAUD KATRINA
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the terrorist responsible for planning many of the suicide bombings in Iraq, and who has a 25 million dollar bounty on his head, hailed Hurricane Katrina as the “start of the collapse” of the United States.
In Kuwait, a long-standing ally of the US, a high-ranking Kuwaiti official, Muhammad Yousef Al-Mlaifi, director of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Endowment’s research center, wrote “The Terrorist Katrina is one of the Soldiers of Allah...”
Less anyone need reminding, many US soldiers gave their lives to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein in 1991.
IRANIAN BLOGGERS HAIL KATRINA AS “ALLAH’S SOLDIER”
Agence France Presse (AFP) also reports that many Islamist bloggers have welcomed the destruction wrought by the hurricane. One Islamist reportedly said “Katrina, a soldier sent by God to fight on our side... the soldier Katrina joins us to fight against America.”
ISRAELI EXPERT DIVERS IN NEW ORLEANS TO HELP LOOK FOR BODIES
While UN aid workers and NGOS so eager to help elsewhere, such as Medecins Sans Frontieres, were noticeable by their absence in days following Katrina, a number of foreign allies of the United States, including Israel, were quick to offer assistance to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. The first shipment of supplies is due to leave Israel today after the Bush administration said the Israeli offer was one it would find very helpful.
The Israeli army has assembled a team of expert personnel including search and rescue teams, medical staff, psychologists and experts in identifying bodies to assist America. Israeli volunteer divers have also headed to New Orleans to help look for bodies.
HEBREW UNIVERSITY WILL ACCEPT STUDENTS AFFECTED BY HURRICANE
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem announced yesterday that it will accept students from Tulane University (in New Orleans). Tulane has said that it will be closing for the fall semester. Students from New Orleans will be accepted into the H.U. International School for a year and will be housed in the Mount Scopus dormitories in Jerusalem.
Four other Israeli Universities have also offered to welcome students from the areas affected by the natural disaster. Medical students unable to attend Tulane have been offered places at the Tel Aviv University Medical school.
ARIEL SHARON: “IT IS OUR DUTY TO ASSIST THE AMERICAN PEOPLE”
At the beginning of Sunday’s cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sent condolences to the American people. He said, “the US has stood by us during difficult times and it is our duty to assist it in the areas in which we can help. I want to reiterate my condolences and my sharing in the grief there. We will do everything in our power to render assistance in the difficult situation in which so many US citizens find themselves.”
AP OMIT ISRAEL FROM INTERNATIONAL AID DONOR LISTS
The Associated Press, in their international aid list to Hurricane Katrina does not mentioned Israel. A Reuters’ overview (www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L0472355.htm) does mention the health and defense officials Israel sent to help the aid relief.
Initially relying on the list compiled by AP, CNN did not mention Israel when it first compiled a list of international aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Subsequently CNN have added Israel’s contribution.
SADDAM TRIAL TO BEGIN OCTOBER 19, 2005
While some in Kuwait are celebrating Hurricane Katrina, a date has been set for the trial of Saddam Hussein. On October 19, 2005, Saddam will face charges for the murder of at least 143 Shiite Muslims in the northern Iraqi town of Dujail in 1982.
The Iraqi government is considering waiving further proceedings (for the gassings of Kurds and so on) if Saddam Hussein is found guilty of these murders. If convicted, the former Iraqi president could face execution.
I attach seven articles below.
-- Tom Gross
ZARQAWI: KATRINA “BEGINNING OF THE END” FOR US
Zarqawi says Katrina ‘beginning of the end’ for US
Agence France Presse (AFP)
September 4, 2005
The group headed by Iraq’s most wanted man Abu Musab al-Zarqawi hailed in an Internet statement what it said was the “start of the collapse” of the United States after the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.
“Congratulations to the Islamic nation, to our sheikh Osama abu Abdullah (Osama bin Laden) and to sheikh Ayman Zawahiri (bin Laden’s deputy) for the destruction of America, which is at the forefront of evil. It is the start of its collapse.”
The statement, whose authenticity could not be confirmed, was referring to the hurricane that has devastated New Orleans and left thousands feared dead.
AL QAEDA CONGRATULATES MUSLIM NATION ON HURRICANE KATRINA
Al-Qaeda Congratulates the Muslim Nation on what has befallen America
By Ubaidah Al-Saif
Translated by JUS
September 5, 2005
Statement issued by Al-Qaeda In The Land Of The Two Rivers (The Islamist term for Iraq -- TG)
Rajab 28th 1426 (The Islamic date corresponding with September 3, 2005 -- TG)
With a shattered New Orleans all but emptied out, an unprecedented refugee crisis unfolding across the United States, American governors and emergency officials are in a state of chaos. No one knows at this juncture how many people exactly were killed by Hurricane Katrina, but it is thought to be in the thousands, with some succumbing to death while waiting to be rescued due to a shortage of emergency services. But bodies are everywhere: hidden in attics, floating in the devastated city, crumpled in wheelchairs, abandoned on highways.
Since the American catastrophe began unfolding, journalists of all types and persuasions have been framing the disaster in terms of blowback from condition of war that the US is now embroiled in. None however have openly rejoiced louder than Al-Qaeda in the Land of the Two Rivers, who released a statement yesterday congratulating the Muslim Ummah on the hardship that has befallen America.
Al-Qaeda Congratulates The Muslim Nation On What Has Befallen The Cross Worshippers
In The Name Of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Praise be to Allah, who caused every action to have a reaction, hence, He crushed the aggressors and destroyed them into scattered pieces. Peace and prayer be upon our prophet, who raised the Islamic banner with the sword and made the truth (about Islam) abundantly clear with Jihad. Peace be upon his family and companions who were the possessors of knowledge and wisdom.
“If there were a Qur’an with which mountains were moved or the earth were cloven asunder or the dead were made to speak (this would be the one!) But truly the Command is with Allah in things! Do not the Believers know that had Allah (so) willed He could have guided all mankind (to the Right)? But the Unbelievers never will disaster cease to seize them for their (ill) deeds or to settle close to their homes until the Promise of Allah come to pass for verily Allah will not fail in His promise” 13:31
Congratulation to the Nation of Islam; and Sheikh of Mujahideen Osama Abi Abdullah, and our Prince Mullah Mohamad Omar, and to Sheikh Al-Zawaheri, and to Fallujah, Al-Qa’im, Hadithah and Karabala. Congratulation to our people in Palestine and the whole Islamic nation for the prophesised and awaited destruction of the infidel’s head, America is at hand. This is showing the sign of their downfall. Every day disasters get closer to them.
{Now such were their houses,-in utter ruin,-because they practiced wrong-doing. Verily in this is a sign for people of knowledge.} 27:52
{....We did them no wrong, but they were used to doing wrong to themselves.} 16:118
Not long ago the USA was able to target and assault any one they like, starve who ever they wished to starve and kill who every they chose to kill. Now it turns to their door steps; they are short of supplies and fuel. This is Allah’s sorties targeting the Americans. This is the result of the prayers of the innocent who have been unjustly treated by the infidels.
{“So We opened the gates of heaven with water pouring forth”} 54:11
{“And We caused the earth to gush forth with springs so the waters met (and rose) to the extent decreed”} 54:12
Nation of the beloved Mohamad (SAW), it is Allah’s prayers we seek and your Dua’a. The victory is on the horizon. Allah’s fury has been unleashed on the nation of evil, tyranny and oppression. Their death tolls are in the thousands, and their losses are in the billions. You should pray victory and perform the Dua’a for the Allah’s support of the Mujahideen.
{“Say: “Can you expect for us (any fate) other than one of two glorious things (martyrdom or victory)? But we can expect for you either that Allah will send His punishment from Himself or by our hands. So wait (expectant); we too will wait with you.”} 113:52
If the Muslims on this earth fall short of the support of their faith then, Allah will counter the infidels. This is a wake up call to the Tyrant Arab regimes, the sorties of Allah in revenge through tidal waves, deluge, hurricanes and the Mujahideen is overtaking His enemies everywhere.
{... and none can know the forces of the Lord, except He, and this is no other than a reminder to mankind.} 74:31
{Say: O my people! Do whatever you can: I will do (my part): soon will you know who is it whose end will be (best) in the Hereafter: Certain it is that the wrong-doers will not prosper.} 06:135
O’ Allah, destroy the head of the Infidels, America,
O’ Allah, don’t leave one of them.
O’ Allah, punish them by our hand and yours,
O’ Allah, send them the Surge, Hurricanes and tidal waves,
O’ Allah, free our brothers and sisters in the jails of the crusaders and the apostates,
O’ Allah, give victory to the Mujahideen everywhere.
O’ Allah, protect our Mujahideen leaders Sheikh Osama, Mullah Omar and Shiekh Al- Zawahiri,
O’ Allah, bring harm to whoever wants to harm them,
O’ Allah, Author of the Koran, and the guider of clouds, grant us victory and defeat them
O’ Allah, Author of the Koran, and the guider of clouds, grant us victory and defeat them
O’ Allah, Author of the Koran, and the guider of clouds, grant us victory and defeat them.
{“These are some of the stories of communities which We relate unto thee: of them some are standing and some have been mown down” (by the sickle of time).}11:100
{“It was not We that wronged them: they wronged their own souls: the deities other than Allah whom they invoked profited them no whit when there issued the decree of thy Lord: nor did they add aught (to their lot) but perdition!”} 11:101
{“Such is the chastisement of thy Lord when He chastises communities in the midst of their wrong: grievous indeed and severe is His chastisement.”} 11:102
Allahu Akbar...Allahu Akbar... Glory is to Allah, His Prophet and Believers.
“KATRINA IS A WIND OF TORMENT AND EVIL FROM ALLAH”
Senior Kuwaiti Official: “Katrina is a Wind of Torment and Evil from Allah Sent to This American Empire”
MEMRI Dispatch - Kuwait
September 1, 2005
In reaction to Hurricane Katrina and the destruction in its wake, a high-ranking Kuwaiti official, Muhammad Yousef Al-Mlaifi, who is director of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Endowment’s research center, published an article titled “The Terrorist Katrina is One of the Soldiers of Allah, But Not an Adherent of Al-Qaeda.” (1) The article appeared August 31, 2005 in the Kuwaiti daily Al-Siyassa.
The following are excerpts from his article from Al-Siyassa (Kuwait), August 31, 2005:
“The Terrorist Katrina is One of the Soldiers of Allah...”
“... As I watched the horrible sights of this wondrous storm, I was reminded of the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah [in the compilations] of Al-Bukhari and Abu Daoud. The Hadith says: ‘The wind is of the wind of Allah, it comes from mercy or for the sake of torment. When you see it, do not curse it, [but rather] ask Allah for the good that is in it, and ask Allah for shelter from its evil.’ Afterwards, I was [also] reminded of the words of the Prophet Muhammad: ‘Do not curse the wind, as it is the fruit of Allah’s planning. He who curses something that should not be cursed the curse will come back to him.’
“When the satellite channels reported on the scope of the terrifying destruction in America [caused by] this wind, I was reminded of the words of [Prophet Muhammad]: ‘The wind sends torment to one group of people, and sends mercy to others.’ I do not think and only Allah [really] knows that this wind, which completely wiped out American cities in these days, is a wind of mercy and blessing. It is almost certain that this is a wind of torment and evil that Allah has sent to this American empire. Out of my absolute belief in the truth of the words of the Prophet Muhammad, this wind is the fruit of the planning [of Allah], as is stated in the text of the Hadith of the Prophet.
“But I began to ask myself: Doesn’t this country [the U.S.] claim to aspire to establish justice, freedom, and equality amongst the people? Isn’t this country claiming that everything it did in Afghanistan and Iraq was for truth and justice? How can it be that these American claims are untrue, when we see how good prevails in the streets of Afghanistan, and how it became an oasis of security with America’s entrance there? How can these American claims in the matter of Iraq be untrue, when we see that Iraq has become the most tranquil and secure country in the world?”
“But how strange it is that after all the tremendous American achievements for the sake of humanity, these mighty winds come and evilly rip [America’s] cities to shreds? Have the storms have joined the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization?
“The Disaster Will Keep Striking the Unbelievers for What They Have Done”
“How sad I am for America. Here it is, poor thing, trying with all its might to lower oil prices which have reached heights unprecedented in all history. Along with America’s phenomenal efforts to lower the price of oil in order to salvage its declining economy and its currency that is still falling due to the ‘smart’ policy America is implementing in the world comes this storm, the fruit of Allah’s planning, so that [the price of] a barrel of oil will increase further still. By Allah, this is not schadenfreude.
“Oh honored gentlemen, I began to read about these winds, and I was surprised to discover that the American websites that are translated [into Arabic] are talking about the fact that that the storm Katrina is the fifth equatorial storm to strike Florida this year... and that a large part of the U.S. is subject every year to many storms that extract [a price of] dead, and completely destroy property. I said, Allah be praised, until when will these successive catastrophes strike them?
“But before I went to sleep, I opened the Koran and began to read in Surat Al-R’ad [‘The Thunder’ chapter], and stopped at these words [of Allah]: ‘The disaster will keep striking the unbelievers for what they have done, or it will strike areas close to their territory, until the promise of Allah comes to pass, for, verily, Allah will not fail in His promise.’ [Koran 13:31].”
HURRICANE KATRINA TO COST $100 BILLION
Katrina price tag put at $100 billion
United Press International
September 3, 2005
The first estimate of economic losses from Hurricane Katrina has been put at $100 billion.
The new figures suggest that Hurricane Katrina will cost the insurance industry more than any other natural disaster on record, the New York Times said Saturday.
In making its estimate, Risk Management Solutions in Newark, Calif., said that private insurance probably would cover less than a quarter of that, with federal money and charitable contributions possibly handling the rest.
Company forecasters said that insured losses would range from $20 billion to $35 billion.
But there is far more that commercial insurers likely will not absorb, such as damage to roads, highways, utilities and public buildings, as well as the cost of government relief efforts. There is also the huge cost of not doing business, which the firm estimated at $100 million a day.
Katrina’s price tag is expected to pass Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which cost $21 billion in 2004 dollars.
ISRAEL SENDING RELIEF AID, VOLUNTEERS TO US
Israel sending relief aid, volunteers to U.S.
Ha’aretz
September 5, 2005
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/621184.html
The Bush administration has accepted Israel’s offers of assistance to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, with a first shipment of supplies expected to be sent on Tuesday.
Israel will send a search and rescue team, military rations and other emergency supplies to the United States to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, officials said Monday.
In the first stage, Israel is to deliver IDF-type “battle ration” field meals, preserved food, water, tents, generators, baby formula, diapers and bedding.
At the same time, a team of 25 volunteer medical, search-and-rescue and mental health workers will leave for Louisiana on Tuesday. The non-governmental aid is being organized by the “Israeli Flying Aid” group.
“Israel was one of the first nations to offer relief aid, if not the first,” said Israeli Ambassador to Washington Danny Ayalon, citing letters from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to President George Bush and the secretaries of state, defense, and homeland security.
“Even if it will be modest aid, even if it will be symbolic aid, it is still very important.
The flag at the Israeli embassy in Washington will be lowered to half-mast in memory of the victims of the disaster in line with flags throughout the United States, Ayalon said.
Israeli diplomats are working on an emergency footing. “We will continue to be in contact with the administration and with the [Jewish] communities in the field,” he told Israel Radio.
Apart from extending aid to Jewish evacuees from New Orleans, “We were happy to locate three missing Israelis yesterday,” he said. “To our sorrow, we still know of two [Israelis] missing in the Houston area.”
A delegation of defense and health experts accompanying the first shipment of supplies will be headed by the director-general of the Health Ministry and the chief of the IDF Medical Corps, said Health Minister Danny Naveh.
“We are organizing this morning in order to respond to all the needs that the Americans request,” said Health Minister Danny Naveh. “We are well-schooled in this matter, having sent relief aid to disaster-stricken countries around the world. In this case, with our greatest friend, we will certainly do everything in our power, with everything we can.”
“We know that when we have been in distress in the past, in wars and other difficult periords, the United States stood at our side. At a time when the U.S. is undergoing so terrible a disaster, it is the most natural, human thing for us to stand up and do what we can with our modest powers, the little that we have, in order to help.”
SADDAM LAWYER REJECTS TRIAL DATE AS TOO EARLY
Saddam lawyer rejects trial date as too early
By Mohammed Ramahi
Reuters
September 3, 2005
Saddam Hussein’s chief attorney dismissed statements from the Iraqi government that the former president’s trial would begin on October 19 as “invalid” and said on Saturday he needed “years” just to read the evidence.
“The defense team has not been informed about the decision and has not signed it. It is invalid,” Khalil Dulaimi told Reuters, adding that in any case he did not recognize the legitimacy of the Special Tribunal set up to try Saddam and his aides.
He also complained that there was not enough time to study all the documents related to the trial: “It will take years to study the 36 tonnes of files.”
It seems unlikely the lawyer’s protest will be heeded. Saddam and several aides will go on trial on October 19, an Iraqi government source said on Friday.
The process, for the killing of dozens of Shi’ite villagers at Dujail in 1982, will therefore be starting just a few days after a referendum on a new constitution that the U.S.-backed authorities intend to bury the legacy of his dictatorship.
The source, who is not attached to the Special Tribunal actually trying the deposed president and his aides for crimes against humanity, forecast a quick trial and execution.
“After what he did, how can we not execute him?” he said.
On Thursday, Iraq hanged its first three criminals since Saddam was overthrown in 2003 and officials in the Shi’ite-led government have made clear they want a death sentence for a man they blame for the deaths of many thousands.
The trial may stir passions among some minority Sunni Arabs, who dominated Iraq under Saddam and before. In some demonstrations this past week against the new constitution, his face reappeared in public, on placards and posters.
Saddam followers also play a role in the violence against U.S. troops and forces loyal to the Shi’ite-led government.
For that reason, the timing of the trial has been sensitive; judicial officials indicated last month that the Dujail hearings would be ready to start by the beginning of October, so the choice of Wednesday October 19 appears politically driven to avoid it clashing with the referendum campaign.
The timing of any conviction and sentencing, and indeed execution, may be similarly affected by a parliamentary election due in December. Officials say the trial will not run into years or anything like the time former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic has been before the international court at The Hague.
Weeks rather than months, was a forecast by one official involved in the process. He also said recently it was possible that Saddam might be executed if convicted only of the killings at Dujail, so that further trials for mass murder against Kurds and Shi’ites and other offences might never take place.
The Iraqi government, reflecting a popular mood, seems keen on dispatching the former leader quickly, hence the choice of the relatively small Dujail case to begin the process.
Prosecutors have said Saddam’s direct responsibility for the deaths may be easier to prove. The case involves the deaths of possibly more than 140 men from the village, north of Baghdad, where Saddam survived an assassination attempt in 1982.
The trial, which officials have said will probably largely be televised, will be held in a specially prepared building inside the fortified Green Zone government compound which was once Saddam’s presidential palace complex on the Tigris.
SADDAM’S DAUGHTER PLANS DEFENSE STRATEGY
Saddam’s Daughter Plans Defense Strategy
By Jamal Halaby
The Associated Press
September 3, 2005
Saddam Hussein’s daughter has devised a strategy for the defense of Iraq’s ousted leader, including a media campaign and hiring of a new team of international lawyers, for the expected start of her father’s trial next month, she said Saturday.
Raghad Saddam Hussein said in a statement that the “future work plan” for the next six weeks was drafted after three days of consultations in Amman with unnamed legal consultants from Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan and Lebanon.
Her announcement came a day after an Iraqi official in Baghdad said authorities have set Oct. 19 as the start date for Saddam’s trial, which will follow a referendum on the new constitution.
But a Western diplomat in Iraq has discounted the report as “posturing” without providing further details.
Saddam is to face the first of perhaps a dozen trials before the Iraqi Special Tribunal next month. In July, the tribunal accused Saddam and three others in the 1982 massacre of about 150 Shiites in the town of Dujail north of Baghdad, killings allegedly carried out in retaliation for a failed assassination attempt against Saddam.
The daughter’s statement said a new “legal committee of international lawyers” will be formed to replace a squabbling assemblage of more than 1,500 Arab and Western attorneys fired last month amid accusations the group was harmful to Saddam because of conflicting legal advice and bickering among its members.
Saddam’s family has retained only Iraqi lawyer Khalil Dulaimi, who has met Saddam at least once since the legal team was fired Aug. 8.
The new team will assist Dulaimi and “prepare the necessary legal defense when the trial takes place,” according to Saddam’s daughter’s written statement made available to The Associated Press.
It said Dulaimi will also pick some Iraqi lawyers to help him in “preparing a legal defense in accordance with the laws of Iraq.”
Saddam will be “briefed on their names in order to give his approval,” it added. It did not name the lawyers nor say when they will be hired. At least two sources close to Saddam’s daughter declined comment.
Last month, Abdel Haq Alani, a Britain-based lawyer working as Raghad Saddam Hussein’s legal consultant, said Saddam’s family had approached a Queen’s Council barrister — the grouping of Britain’s top lawyers — to “instruct in the preparation of the defense and to assist Mr. Dulaimi in leading the defense.”
Alani was not immediately available for comment Saturday.
Other steps in Raghad Saddam Hussein’s defense strategy include “establishing a political and media affairs committee to keep the Arab and international public opinion well informed on developments in the case and to keep in touch with Arab organizations abroad, as well as with civil society organizations all over the world,” the statement said without elaborating.
It said Saddam’s family will “seek to find financial resources to support the defense efforts and to cover the expenses” of volunteers, including administrative and legal assistants to the defense team.