Blackwater Loses a Job for the C.I.A.–>NYT

Blackwater Loses a Job for the C.I.A.

NewyorkTimes

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/12/us/politics/12blackwater.html

By MARK MAZZETTI

WASHINGTON — The Central Intelligence Agency has terminated a contract with the security company formerly called Blackwater Worldwide that allowed the company to load bombs on C.I.A. drones in Pakistan and Afghanistan, intelligence officials said Friday.

The contract gave employees with the company an operational role in one of the Central Intelligence Agency’s most significant covert programs, which has killed dozens of militants with Predator and Reaper drones. The company’s involvement highlighted the extent to which the C.I.A. had outsourced critical jobs to private companies since the 9/11 attacks.

The contract with the company, now called Xe Services, was canceled this year by Leon E. Panetta, the C.I.A. director, according to a C.I.A. spokesman. In August, The New York Times first revealed the existence of the contract, which was run by a division of the company called Blackwater Select, which handles classified contracts.

George Little, the C.I.A. spokesman, said that Mr. Panetta had ordered that the agency’s employees take over the jobs from Xe employees at the remote drone bases in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and that Mr. Panetta had also ordered a review of all contracts with the company.

“At this time, Blackwater is not involved in any C.I.A. operations other than in a security or support role,” Mr. Little said.

The disclosure about the terminated contract comes a day after The Times reported that Blackwater employees had joined C.I.A. operatives in secret “snatch and grab” operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Blackwater’s role in the raids grew out of contracts that the company had with the spy agency to provide security for the C.I.A. in Kabul and Baghdad.

The company had a dual role in the drone program, said current and former employees and intelligence officials. Contractors on the secret bases assembled and loaded Hellfire missiles and 500-pound laser-guided bombs onto drones, and they also provided security at the C.I.A. bases.

The C.I.A. did not allow contractors to select targets for the drone attacks or pull the trigger on the strikes. That work was done at the C.I.A.’s headquarters in Langley, Va.

But Blackwater’s direct role in the drone operations sometimes led to disputes between the contractors and C.I.A. employees, as the spy agency sometimes accused Blackwater employees of poor weapon assembly if the missile or bomb missed a target. In one instance last year, a 500-pound bomb dropped off a Predator before the drone had launched its payload, leading to a frenzied search along the Afghan-Pakistani border.

A company employee said the bomb was eventually found not far from the intended target.

5 Pakistanis still in Gitmo,Dr. Aafia still waiting for justice–>Hail Ya Nobel Peace Prize Committee

According to Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi , there are still 5 Pakistanis  in Guantanamo Bay prison which Nobel Peace Prize winner President of USA promised to close around a year ago but as he got the prize on the bases of pure expectations not achievement so you can understand what liability he holds.

There is still no good news for Dr. Aafia despite Governments drama of making some good efforts, it’s a real shame for USA system of justice, Pakistani system of justice and security, international community and the civil society of world that they are not able to provide justice to an innocent women and her children (2 of which are reported to be killed under USA custody).

HAIL YA NOBEL PEACE PRIZE COMMITTEE FOR MAKING MOCKERY OF THE CONCEPTS OF PEACE AND HUMANITY!

Do watch Yvonne Ridley address on Dr. Aafia Siddiqi case at the end of this post.

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Five Pakistanis still in Gitmo, Qureshi tells National Assembly
Daily Times
Source:http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\10\10\story_10-10-2009_pg7_36

ISLAMABAD:
Five Pakistanis are still imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told the National Assembly (NA) on Friday. In a written reply, the foreign minister told the House that the men are: Balochi Amar Ali, Khan Majid, Abu Rehman Abdul Rabbani, Rabbani Muhammad Ahmad Ghulam and Paracha Saifullah. Qureshi also told the House that the government was taking all possible measures for the repatriation of Dr Aafia Siddiqui from the US. The House was further told that total number of polio cases for the period from January 2007 to December 2008 is 117. Speaking on a point of order, PML-N MNA Faiz Muhammad Khan said funds allocated for the rehabilitation of earthquake affectees had been embezzled. He said the loans of the earthquake affectees were not written off and demanded an inquiry into the funds. The National assembly was informed that the government is concentrating on promotion of research in the agriculture sector with an objective to give boost to agricultural products. Parliamentary Secretary for Health Mehreen Razaq Bhutto said efforts have been made to control TB and 5,000 centres were working all over the country. Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour told the House Pakistan Railways had planned to dualise the railway track between Lodhran and Peshawar. He said work on Lodhran-Raiwind section would be completed by December.
tahir niaz

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Aafia case adjourned–> The News
Source:http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=203156
Wednesday, October 14, 2009

LAHORE

THE Lahore High Court has been informed that Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s case cannot be taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) without the consent of America and Afghanistan.

A deputy attorney general, appearing on behalf of the Interior Ministry, said this on Tuesday in reply to a petition, filed by Barrister Iqbal Jafferry, seeking the court’s directions for invoking jurisdiction of the ICJ for recovery of Dr Aafia from the US detention.

The petitioner’s lawyer insisted that there was no need to get the consent of the US or Afghanistan as there was a treaty which allowed Pakistan to move the ICJ on its own.

However, the court adjourned hearing till October 30 and asked the petitioner to file his written reply in this regard.

Dr Aafia was reportedly arrested from Karachi on March 30, 2003, from outside her house to be taken to Afghanistan.

Later, she was transported to the US, where she was being tried under terrorism charges for attempting to kill two American investigators.

Two of her American national children were still missing while one of her child had been handed over to her sister by the Interior Ministry.

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Video of Yvonne Ridley Speaking on Dr. Aafia Case

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Some Updates Related To Black Flag Week for 10 March 2008–>Emergency and Black Flag week mailing lists and blogs

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Events for 10th March. Please check out the upto date events at:

http://blackflagweek.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=22589890270
www.teeth.com.pk/blog
http://pakistanmartiallaw.blogspot.com/

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Karachi:
Complete BOYCOTT OF ALL THE COURTS.

Flag Hoistings:

3:00 pm >> Hotel Jabees, Saddar
Islamic Lawyers Movement (ILM)
People’s Resistance and all other friends are invited to join 5:00 pm >> Iqbal Haider’s House
D-25, Block 4, KDA 5, Clifton
Just after Abdullah Shah Ghazi’s Mazar, off 26th Street
Behind Designers.

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Lahore:
1. Black Flag will be hoisted 10:30 A.M.
2. Complete BOYCOTT OF ALL THE COURTS.
3. G.H. Meeting of L.H.C. 10:30 A.M.
4. Address of Mr. Aitzaz Ahsan (President SCBA ) 11:00 A.M.
5. Rally of LBA 11:30 A.M.6. Black Flag Rally at Liberty Roundabout – 5.00 -5.45 pm

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Islamabad:
Complete BOYCOTT OF ALL THE COURTS.

Car Rally with nearly 50 cars with black flags, taking a round of almost all of the busiest areas of Islamabad, honking all the way, starting from Suharwardy Road at Fire Brigade (4 pm), and going through Aabpara,then welcoming Ali Kurd’s arrival at the Rawalpindi International Airport at 5 15-5 30 pm and then going around Islamabad again. The rally will have a public address system to also address public at busy intersections.

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Courtesy: http://blackflagweek.blogspot.com/ UPDATE > 900pm > rallies, clashes IslamabadClashes, tear gas at rally to greet CJ in judges enclave
1000 + people showed up. The rally was led by Imran Khan and Justice (r) Tariq.
The Rally had participation from Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, Student Action Committee, Awami Jamhoori Itehad, Insani Haqooq Itehad and the lawyers community. Karachi15,000 people at rally at Karachi Press Club. Ends at Supreme Court Building (Karachi).
THIS IS THE LARGEST RALLY SO FAR IN THE MOVEMENT!
The rally was only possible by the untiring efforts of the People’s Resistance Group in Karachi ever since Nov 3rd.
The event had attendance from political parties, NGO’s, lawyers, traders, reform groups and the civil society.
Speeches were given by Fakhruddin Ibrahim, Rashid Rizvi and Munir Malik. LahoreRally from Neher Ghar to Justice Ramday’s House. The rally was led by Bushra Ahsan and swelled to over 1000 outside justice Ramday’s house. The police was so overwhelmed by the numbers that they did not stop the protesters from entering Justice Ramday’s house.Speeches were given by Aitzaz Ahsan and Justice Bhagwandas. The rally had participation from Concerned Citizens of Pakistan, Student Action Committee, lawyers, some political party workers and members of civil society.Aitzaz welcomes joint statement of Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari to reinstate all deposed judges within 30 days of Parliament. States that countdown will begin. Political parties will be supported from tomorrow. Focus should now be on Musharraf.

Some Updates Related To Black Flag Week–>Emergency mailing list and Black Flag week mailing list

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Today on March 9 2008 in front of the High Commission of Pakistan, London, the Pakistani community in the UK responded to the call of the Supreme Court Bar Association to show solidarity with the lawyers movement in Pakistan to restore judiciary and to ask Musharraf to step down immediately with Go Musharraf Go chanting. This is as mandated by the people of Pakistan based on the result of the recent elections.

There was also a clear demand for immediate release of the Chief Justice of Pakistan and others who are under house arrest and strong condemnation of violence used against the lawyers, civil society activists, students, political party members in Islamabad today who were trying to meet with the Chief Justice.
 
In the protest today, we had representation from the civil society including students, UK Lawyers Committee for Human Rights and Justice for Pakistan, Sibghat Kadri QC, political parties ie PPP, PML-N, PTI etc.

Based on the recent events today, we are very pleased to hear that a pact has been signed between the two mainstream parties to restore judicairy to the pre Nov 3rd state within 30 days and the London protest today shows how strongly the UK Pakistanis see this as a primary pillar for a democratic Pakistan.

Regs, 
 
Sibghat Kadri QC, Rabia Zia (UK PTI) 

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Dear Sarmad,

Please note that:

The Black Flag Hoisting at the residence of Mr. Iqbal Haider, Secretary General of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (D-25, Block 4, Clifton, just after Abdullah Shah Ghazi Mazar, Off. 26th Street, Karachi, Cell # 0300-8292888) will be held on Monday, the 10th of March 2008 at 05:00 pm. 

Regards.

Ejaz

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Black Flag Week

For up-to-date schedule, please visit: http://blackflagweek.blogspot.com/
Add Black Flag Week Feed to your blog
To use RSS feed:   http://blackflagweek.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss
To use ATOM feed:  http://blackflagweek.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Post Your Videos in Response to Aitzaz’s Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOzwt953sTU
Send your pics to: blackflagweek@gmail.com
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Islamabad:

Saturday, 8th March:
Gather at Mr. Books in F-6 Supermarket for an address by Aitzaz Ahsan to traders of the area and a subsequent march to Aabpara.
Please do not forget that March 8th is International Women’s Day, hence WAF and other organizations have organized a march at 5:30 pm at China Chowk to the Parliament House.

All day camp near Mr. Books, Super Market to distribute flyers for rally and and black flags.

Sunday, 9th March:
Massive rally led by Aitzaz Ahsan from his Islamabad residence (Street 16, F-6/3) at 4 pm to the CJ’s residence. Bring black flags and wet towels in a plastic bag. Swimming goggles are also recommended since we anticipate heavy teargas.

Camp Sunday till 4 pm near Mr. Books, Super Market to distribute flyers for rally and and black flags. Imran Khan will lead a rally from here to join Aitzaz Ahsan’s rally.
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Lahore:

Saturday, 8th March:
Car Rally to Advertise Black Flag Week: Cars will be divided in 3 groups to leave from 5 Zaman Park (Nehr Ghar) at 3 pm on separate routes (routes will be given on arrival).

Sunday, 9th March:
Car Rally to leave 5 Zaman Park (Nehr Ghar) at 3 pm for Justice Ramday’s

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Karachi:

Saturday, 8th March:
Flag hoisting:

*Women’s Action Forum (WAF), 11:30 am at Teen Talwar

*Jinnah Medical University (Medicare Hospital), 5 pm, Shaheed e Millat Road

*Iqbal Haider’s House, 6 pm, B-25, Block 4, KDA 5, Clifton (behind Designers on 26th Street)

Sunday, 9th March:
Protest with political parties at 3 pm at Karachi Press Club
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London:

Sunday, 9th March:
Protest in front of Pakistani High Commission in London 2 PM – 3 PM. Contact Taimur Rehman ( 07825160691) for details.

In Solidarity,
Samad
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Samad Khurram
Harvard College
394 Winthrop House Mail Center
Cambridge, MA 02138
E-Mail: skhurram@fas.harvard.edu
Cell(US): +1-(617)960-7289
Cell(PK): +92-300-5599085

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Letter from the daughter of CJ of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry

I hope our Selfish politicians like Benazir,Fazal-ur-Rahman(he is an insult to the word maulana) etc  can understand the purpose of sacrifice the honorable non-PCO judges of Pakistan are giving.

Atleast we the students of Pakistan are with them and InshaAllah the goal of supremacy of justice will be achieved and the philosophy of might is right will become a forgotten thought.

The following is the full text of a letter written by the daughter of Pakistan’s deposed chief justice, obtained by the Guardian after it was smuggled out of his home where he and his family are currently detained under house arrest :

“I am a proud child”

This letter is for all the Judges who refused to take oath under PCO and who happen to be my uncles as well. I had never thought that one day I will have to convey my message to you people like this, through this mode but we know things are not smooth as they had been and it is one of our testing times.

This might be one of the crucial times we are facing but we should be proud that Allah chose us to sacrifice for this country. Yes it is indeed a sacrifice which we have to bequeath, not for ourselves but for this country. Ever since I opened my eyes I have seen my father affiliated with judiciary and now it is like a part of our lives. Our life is like a tree and judiciary is one of its branch. We have grown up with this branch and we cannot let anybody slice it. If we will not protect it then who else?

We may not be allowed to attend our schools or universities, we may have got our mobile phones blocked, we may not be allowed to meet anyone or go out, we may be kept in our homes like prisoners, we might be treated like militants or terrorists but WE DONOT CARE, because it’s a time of sacrifice and we have to do it.

We are proud to have elders like you who have made us proud. You people have made our lives, not only for us but for our next generations as well. We will feel proud to tell our youngsters that our elders did not succumb to any kind of pressure no matter how hard things were around them. We will always walk with our heads high and our hearts filled with pride. Thank you so much for giving this immortal gift to us.
I hope all of you are in best of your health and would read this letter. Love you all.

Yours Pinky (Palwasha Iftikhar Chaudhry)