Not convinced until i go and find out for myself. I dont trust politicians at all. I just any monies will be spent the right way IA.

I really hope people who know what they are doing are in place for SL. The WB and IMF are not what i would call reliable and transparent organisations. Looks like more homes for Mr Riyalle in other countries!

Family memebers have just arrived in Makka. Me next year insha allah.

98. You smoke 20 a day,,,,

I can only commend the Iranians for becoming a power house in the ME. Lets face it they are the strongest in the ME and are now flexing their muscles while the Sunnis were sleeping and relying on the US for protection.

If US leaves Iraq we will arm Sunni militias, Saudis say · Fears of massacre prompt king's warning to Cheney · Iranian influence across region adds to concern Suzanne Goldenberg in Washington Thursday December 14, 2006 The Guardian King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia warned the US vice-president, Dick Cheney, that the kingdom would provide money and arms to Sunni militias in Iraq if America withdrew its troops from the country, it emerged yesterday. The conversation, during a visit by Mr Cheney to Riyadh last month, was the most serious indication to date of Saudi concerns about a possible massacre of the minority Sunni community in Iraq in the event of a withdrawal of US forces, as well as rising Iranian influence in Iraq, Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories. Saudi Arabia has been concerned for months about rising domestic pressure on George Bush to bring US troops home from Iraq, despite the administration's avowals that it has no plans for a troop withdrawal. Those fears were exacerbated by the Iraq Study Group's report, which recommends the withdrawal of combat forces in Iraq in early 2008 as well as the opening of diplomatic negotiations between the US and Syria and Iran. Since then Mr Bush has held consultations with the Pentagon and state department officials in what seems an attempt to show the White House's commitment to carrying out a broad-based review of its policy on Iraq. The White House said it would unveil its new strategy in January. Yesterday's New York Times reported that during the Riyadh meeting the king also expressed strong opposition to the recommendation that Washington open diplomatic talks with Iran, and called for a resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. King Abdullah said that Saudi Arabia would move quickly, but acknowledged that the intervention on behalf of Sunni tribal chiefs might help insurgent forces who have been fighting the Americans. Saudi officials and the White House both denied the report. "That's not Saudi government policy," the White House press secretary, Tony Snow, told reporters. "The Saudis have made it clear that they're committed to the same goals we are, which is a self-sustaining Iraq that can sustain, govern and defend itself, that will recognise and protect the rights of all, regardless of sect or religion," he said. "And furthermore, they share our concerns about the role the Iranians are playing in the region." In Baghdad the military spokesman, Major General William Caldwell, was also sceptical. "I don't think that came from the government of Saudi Arabia," he said. But Kenneth Pollack of the Brookings Institution told CNN that Saudi Arabia had strong motivation to take sides in a civil war. "They're terrified that civil war will spill over into Saudi Arabia. But they're also terrified that the Iranians, backing the various Shi'ite militias in Iraq, will come out the big winner in a civil war," he said. In addition, reports emerged last week that Saudi private citizens were funnelling money to Sunni militias in Iraq through charities or pilgrims. The warning to Mr Cheney was the most high-level indication of Saudi concerns. In October the Saudi ambassador to Washington, Prince Turki al-Faisal, said that "since America came into Iraq uninvited, it should not leave Iraq uninvited". The same message was delivered last month by Nawaf Obaid, a security adviser to the Saudi embassy, in the Washington Post. "One of the first consequences will be massive Saudi intervention to stop Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias from butchering Iraqi Sunnis," Mr Obaid wrote. "Options now include providing Sunni military leaders [primarily ex-Baathist members of the former Iraqi officer corps, who make up the backbone of the insurgency] with the same types of assistance - funding, arms and logistical support - that Iran has been giving to Shi'ite armed groups for years." Prince Turki sacked Mr Obaid a week later, and the official Saudi press agency said there was no truth to his remarks. Days later Prince Turki told his staff that he had resigned. There has been no official confirmation from Saudi authorities. source

EU Delegation Pushes Somalia Peace Talks By MOHAMED OLAD HASSAN, The Associated Press Dec 13, 2006 12:25 PM (12 hrs ago) Current rank: # 396 of 11,884 articles MOGADISHU, Somalia - A European Union delegation visiting Somalia's capital urged the country's increasingly powerful Islamic militia to resume peace talks with the government amid fears of war, an Islamic official said Wednesday. The five-member delegation, including the Italian envoy to Somalia, Mario Raffaelli, met Tuesday with top leaders of the Council of Islamic Courts. The delegation was expected to meet soon with members of the government in Baidoa, the only town the administration controls. A call to Raffaelli's Kenyan telephone rang unanswered Wednesday and the delegation did not speak to reporters. The growing tension in Somalia, which has not had an effective government since 1991, threatens to erupt into a regional war. Ibrahim Hassan Adow, the Islamic group's foreign affairs chief, said Wednesday that he told the EU delegates that "the worst-case scenario would continue to loom" unless troops from neighboring Ethiopia leave Somalia. His group had said Tuesday it would launch a major attack on Ethiopian troops if they don't withdraw within seven days. Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi dismissed the threat, saying it was "nothing new." Ethiopia supports the internationally recognized government and has acknowledged sending military advisers, although not a fighting force. But a confidential U.N. report obtained by the AP in October said up to 8,000 Ethiopian troops were in Somalia or along the border backing the government. Several peace initiatives between the Somali government and the Islamic council have failed to take hold, with both sides trading accusations over who is to blame for the deadlock. Somalia has been without an effective central government since warlords toppled dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991 and then turned on each other, carving much of the country into armed camps ruled by violence and clan law. The government was established two years ago with the support of the United Nations to serve as a transitional body to help Somalia emerge from anarchy. But the leadership, which includes some warlords linked to the violence of the past, has struggled to assert control. The Islamic council, meanwhile, has been steadily gaining ground since seizing the capital, Mogadishu, in June. The United States has accused the group of sheltering suspects in the 1998 al-Qaida bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, which it denies. The group's strict interpretation of Islam has drawn comparisons to the Taliban, although many Somalis credit the council with bringing a semblance of order to a country that has seen little more than anarchy for more than a decade. source

Ethiopia plays down Somali threat Ethiopia's prime minister has played down a seven-day deadline from powerful Islamists to withdraw his troops from Somalia or face a "major attack". Ethiopia has denied having any soldiers fighting in Somalia but admits sending hundreds of military trainers to help the weak transitional government. Meles Zenawi said such threats had been made before and he hoped for peace. There are fears of a regional conflict erupting in Somalia, which could include Ethiopian and Eritrean forces. The Islamists and government forces, allegedly backed by Ethiopia engaged in fierce clashes for two days last week. "They have committed aggression against Ethiopia for months now so we do not see any new thing here which requires any new response," Mr Meles told reporters. "We are trying to get this issue resolved peacefully. If it is not resolved peacefully it will be very unfortunate." Somalia's Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) has gained control of most of the south and centre of the country this year. The transitional government controls a small area around Baidoa. Islamist defence chief Sheikh Yusuf Mohamed Siad "Inda'ade" said on Tuesday that the international community should put pressure on Ethiopia to withdraw its troops or they would "be responsible for whatever happens in Somalia". A government spokesman dismissed the warning, and accused the Islamists of using Ethiopia as a scapegoat while flying in foreign fighters. Peacekeeper doubts A UN report last month accused both Ethiopia and Eritrea, among other countries, of breaking the arms embargo on Somalia. The UN Security Council then approved plans to send African peacekeepers to protect the government in Baidoa and amend an arms embargo, despite strong opposition from the UIC. On Monday, both sides said they were sending troops to Tiyeglow, on the main road from the Ethiopia border to Baidoa, following last week's clashes south-west of Baidoa. Correspondents say the military build-up makes it less likely that any peacekeepers will be deployed. Uganda, the only country which has publicly pledged to send troops, has said the situation is now too risky. The United States, Ethiopia and the Somali government all accuse the UIC of working with al-Qaeda - an accusation they deny. Some Islamists have talked about incorporating Somali-speaking parts of Ethiopia and Kenya into a "greater Somalia". bbc.co.uk

Bracing for war in East Africa By Garrett Jones, Los Angeles Times-Washington Post To most Americans, Somalia is the place where Black Hawk Down happened or the place with the pictures of the starving African children or, for some, the Biblical land of Punt. (Scholars quibble about locating Punt.) Americans tend to confuse African countries with one another except when US soldiers are dying there and the violence in Sudan, Uganda, Congo or Zimbabwe can seem indistinguishable. But the anarchy in Somalia, which straddles the strategic Horn of Africa, is in a class by itself. For more than 16 years, Somalia has existed without the pretence of a central government, surviving largely on foreign aid and remittances from its overseas diaspora. With the fading of the seasonal rains in December, the Somalis are preparing once again to inflict their intra-clan squabbling on their neighbours. Meanwhile, the neighbours are preparing a proxy war, and they plan to fight one another to the last Somali. Experts call Somalia a failed state. This is a sophism. Somalia was a failed state in 1990 under the last central government of Mohammad Siad Barre. Nowadays, one could call Somalia a space between countries. Or simply a feral nation. This is the place that perfected the practice of extorting cash from international aid organisations in return for allowing the aid groups the privilege of feeding other starving Somalis. When the United Nations tried to intervene and establish a central government in 1993 (an admittedly naive effort), the Somalis united just long enough to drive off the foreigners and resume their embrace of warlords and clans. Covert operations I was there in 1993, running covert operations in Mogadishu for the CIA when the UN effort was wrecked. President George H.W. Bush had sent the Marines into Somalia to feed the starving children and president Bill Clinton was attempting to install a Jeffersonian democracy in a medieval culture. The Clinton theory was that the UN would use its peacemaking powers to force the Somali factions into a political accord and then peace would break out. Unfortunately, nobody told the Somalis. They viewed the UN and the US as foreign invaders bent on Christianising their Muslim culture while destroying the power of the clans and warlords. After losing 17 elite troops to an African mob in a single night, Clinton lost all stomach for further "nation building" involving US casualties and the UN effort collapsed. After that, the world largely went back to ignoring the Somalis. Now the Somalis are poised to insist that the international community tune back in while they commit an auto-da-fe on CNN. Somali Islamists, modelling themselves on the Taliban, have taken control of most of the country, driving the warlords out of the cities and into the bush. The internationally recognised Somali interim government is surrounded in the provincial city of Baidoa, about 160 miles northwest of the capital. When the roads are dry enough to allow military operations, the Islamists will swiftly overwhelm the interim government unless outside help arrives at the last minute. The Islamists make no bones about their plans to install a fundamentalist government and to begin "rescuing" their brethren in neighbouring countries (read all of East Africa) from the oppressive rule of the "Christian Crusaders". Somalia's neighbours are bracing for a regional war, and the US State Department says 10 countries are taking sides in some fashion. Ethiopia, which has a restive Muslim south and a history of being a target for Somali brigandage whenever the Somalis pause in their intra-clan feuding, is sending troops to back up the interim government and oppose the Islamists. The Eritreans, led by an increasingly paranoid, sociopathic president, are the sworn blood enemies of the Ethiopians. Seeing a chance to weaken their bigger neighbour, they are flying in arms and instructors to the Islamists. Providing cash Across the Red Sea, the Wahhabi fundamentalists see the Christian Ethiopians embarking on a "crusade'' to crush Islam. In response, they are providing cash through Wahhabi charities to their Islamic comrades, frightening and infuriating Washington, DC. Kenya's kleptocratic government, overwhelmed by an influx of refugees, is wringing its hands while endless talks take place in Nairobi hotels between irrelevant Somali politicians and clueless UN diplomats in search of a peace plan. The Islamists want no part of the talks; they are winning. When the big, ugly regional war breaks out, the Islamists, with the help of Eritrean advisers, probably will hold their own. Now add in your odd Somali warlord, drug-crazed clan gunmen and the Somali history of atrocities and you have a real mess in the Horn of Africa. Fighting probably will spill into Kenya, and destitute refugees will surge across East Africa. Bottom line: It is likely by this time next year that the Horn of Africa will host its own little Taliban wannabe, more or less in control of Somalia and at war with its neighbours. Along the way, there will be a lot of dead people and suffering refugees. Although this is far away, and might not happen to anyone you know personally, it is going to become a concern of the US soon. Even our best efforts, however, will not stop a long, bloody conflict. Get ready for more pictures of starving African babies. Film at 11, death and suffering around the clock. Jones is a retired CIA case officer who has served in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. gn

Originally posted by Devilangle: i got one 4 them 96. ur teeth color is the same color as ur tea color. uff damn arabs You seam to have an obsession with Arabs and yellow teath :confused: Cant say i've ever paid attention to their teath

Wa iilbaxay hada, nobody cares where your from and what passport you carry. They wont even look at you. They are too busy talking loudly amongst eachother.

^^what are you talking about? We Somalis love to blame others for our problems. If we didnt mess up a strong country with huge potential we would be sipping mango juice on top our villas back home. A dose of reality is what we need!

^^sorry for the hijack!

[insert irrelevant comment by anti ICU proponents] Crunch time is fast approaching!

96: Saying hello to someone takes at least 2 minutes, you ask about them, their families, their health, etc

Somali Islamists give Ethiopia one-week deadline to withdraw troops MOGADISHU, Dec 13, 2006 (AFP) - Somalia's powerful Islamist movement has given neighboring Ethiopia a one-week deadline to withdraw its troops protecting the weak government or face major attacks. The declaration appeared to push the country even closer to a full-scale conflict that many believe could engulf the Horn of Africa and drew a swift warning from the government at its seat in Baidoa. "We are giving a deadline to the invading forces," said Yusuf Mohamed Siad, security chief for the Supreme Islamic Council of Somalia (SICS). "If Ethiopian forces inside our territory do not withdraw after a week, we will not hesitate to launch full-scale attacks on them," he told reporters at a news conference in the Islamist-held capital of Mogadishu. "From today on, all Ethiopians must start leaving Somalia, if they do not they will be responsible for the bloodshed that will follow," Siad said. Siad said Ethiopia had defied several calls to pull out out of the lawless country, where they are deployed to protect the weak transitional government from feared Islamist advances. "We have given the Ethiopians a long time to leave our country, but now that time is over and we have started a countdown to the deadline," he said. Islamist commanders said their fighters were headed to Beynulay area, about 25 kilometers (16 miles) east of Baidoa, ready to launch attacks after the deadline passes. "After Beynulay, we will be advancing towards Baidoa from the eastern front," Sheikh Mohamed Ibrahim Bilal, the Islamic commander in the region, told AFP. "Our goal is to take control of the whole region." Islamists said they were also targeting Tiyeeglow, about 150 kilometers (95 miles) north of Baidoa, effectively making it the fifth frontline after the towns of Dinsoor and Burahakaba in the south and Jawiil and Bandiradley in central Somalia. In Baidoa, about 250 kilometers (155 miles) north of Mogadishu, President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed held urgent talks on Tuesday with Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi and top military commanders, officials said. Afterward, Gedi warned the Islamists, some of whom are accused of Al-Qaeda ties, against "besieging and seizing control of Baidoa," saying such a move would have dire repercussions. "This ambition is daydream and they will never succeed," he told reporters. "We appeal to them stop this military expansion towards Baidoa, otherwise the government will take action against them and the consequences will be dreadful. "This is the last warning, we shall never hold our hands back like we have done before," Gedi said. "We are determined to take action. The Islamists have already declared holy war on Ethiopian forces inside Somalia and claim to have launched several low-level but deadly attacks. Ethiopia denies having thousands of combat troops in Somalia but acknowledges sending several hundred military advisers and trainers to assist the internationally backed but feeble Somali transitional government. Addis Ababa has accused the Islamists of attempting to destabilize mainly Christian Ethiopia, which has a large and potentially restive Muslim minority. Many believe war in Somalia could spread through the Horn of Africa, drawing in Ethiopia and its arch-foe Eritrea, which is accused of supporting the Islamists. In addition, the Islamists have warned that UN Security Council approval of the deployment of east African peacekeepers would plunge the country into deeper turmoil. Somalia has lacked an effective administration since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and the two-year-old government has failed to exert control across the nation of 10 million people. france24.com

Islamic courts threaten war The Islamic Courts Union has given Ethiopia a week to withdraw its troops from Somalia and says it will attack any that do not leave. "Starting today, if the Ethiopians don't leave our land within seven days, we will attack them," Sheikh Yusuf Mohamed Siad, the Islamic courts defence spokesman, said in Mogadishu on Tuesday. He was referring to the alleged thousands of troops that diplomats and other witnesses say have crossed over the border to protect the government of Abdullahi Yusuf, the Somali president, in Baidoa. Baidoa is the only remaining major Somali town under government control. The Islamic courts took control of Mogadishu and an area of southern Somalia in June, meaning that the government is flanked by opposition forces on three sides. Clashes Ethiopia says it has sent only several hundred military advisers into Somalia and that the Islamic courts are spoiling for war. At the weekend, there were two days of clashes between pro-government troops and Islamic courts fighters around Diinsoor, south of Baidoa. Forces from both sides were said by witnesses to be massing near the town of Tiyeglow, 140km northwest of Baidoa, on Tuesday in preparation for a possible clash. Mohammed Adow, Al Jazeera's Somalia correspondent, thinks that this time the Islamic courts will stick to the deadline, saying it is a culmination of rhetoric between the two sides. He says Ethiopia is "hell bent" on protecting the Somali government and has said it will defend any attack on government forces. AJE

Ethiopia deadline to quit Somalia Somalia's powerful Islamist group has given Ethiopian troops a week to leave the country or face a "major attack". Ethiopia has denied having any troops fighting in Somalia but admits sending hundreds of military trainers to help government forces. The Islamists and government forces, allegedly backed by Ethiopia engaged in fierce clashes on Friday and Saturday. There are fears of a regional conflict breaking out in Somalia, which could include Ethiopian and Eritrean forces. "Starting today, if the Ethiopians don't leave our land within seven days, we will attack them and force them to leave our country," said Islamist defence chief Sheikh Yusuf Mohamed Siad "Inda'ade". He also urged the international community to put pressure on Ethiopia to withdraw its troops or they would "be responsible for whatever happens in Somalia". A government spokesman dismissed the warning, and accused the Islamists of using Ethiopia as a scapegoat while flying in foreign fighters. Peacekeeper doubts A UN report last month accused both Ethiopia and Eritrea, among other countries, of breaking the arms embargo on Somalia. The Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) has taken control of much of southern Somalia, including the capital, Mogadishu, this year. The government only controls the territory around the town of Baidoa. Last week, the UN Security Council approved plans to send peacekeepers to protect the government in Baidoa and amend an arms embargo, despite strong opposition from the UIC. On Monday, both sides said they were sending troops to Tiyeglow, on the main road from the Ethiopia border to Baidoa, following last week's clashes south-west of Baidoa. "Our fighters, with large number of battle wagons, are now advancing on Tiyeglow," said UIC official Mohamed Ibrahim Bilaal. "We will go to all border towns in our country to deprive our enemy [Ethiopia] of a route to enter into our country." Government commander Mohamed Ali Gaboobe said they had sent some 700 troops to Tiyeglow on Sunday to prevent "Islamist expansion". Correspondents say the military build-up makes it less likely that any peacekeepers will be deployed. On Monday, Uganda, the only country which has publicly pledged to send troops, said the situation was now too risky. The US, Ethiopia and the Somali government all accuse the UIC of working with al-Qaeda - an accusation they deny. Some Islamists have talked about incorporating Somali-speaking parts of Ethiopia and Kenya into a "greater Somalia". bbc.co.uk

A famous quote by Comical Ali: "We have them surrounded and are slaughtering them wherever they are" American tanks and helicopters rumble in the background

^^I dont think so. Never was really into history at school. All they taught us was Romans, 1st and 2nd World Wars and Slavery as a token! But the Holocaust is something that is always shoved down your throught. this conference will at least make people think did it really happed as is said? Have the zionist used it to their advantage? Is the west on one big guilt trip? etc

Bashow, i was recently watching an Islamic Q&A and the Shiekh is probably one of the best at articulating and making people understand the answers he gives by refering to the relevant sources. I have learned alot by simply watching the hour long program twice a week. His name is Sheikh Mohammed Salah and is a graduate of Al Azhar University in Qaahira. One of the callers asked about his qualifications one day and he replied in kind. Mashallah, his father 'sacrificed' (in his own words) him for Islam. He started attending Al Azhar school at the age of 5 (if not earlier). This struck a chord with me. We are always thinking of the future of our lives, families (as you do) and hope for success in terms of the young ones gaining qualifications etc. Anyway, the sheikh encouraged the viewers to 'sacrifice' one child for the sake of Islam. The others can become doctors, engineers, acountants etc he says but at least one should be encouraged to take up deenul Islam. What you think ya Baashi?

I just like going to places off the beaten track. Shiraz has so much history and is a beautiful place. Its the place where the ruler of Dubai studied and is only an hour away. Too cold for now but maybe in the spring IA. My freind brought in some Irania cakes, very tasty indeed. Shiraz Will they accept the Somaliland passport? or shall i use the Somali one?

What is a Muslim and does Shia fit into that category?

Like i said, this is the fault of Somalis period.

^^maxa dacay?