Al-Arabiya, Al-Jazeera ‘Support’ Attacks In Iraq: Rumsfeld (Islam On Line)

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2003-11/26/article02.shtml

WASHINGTON, November 26 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld claimed on Tuesday, November 25, that he has seen reports suggesting Arab television channels Al-Arabiya and Al-Jazeera have cooperated with Iraqi resistance fighters attacking U.S. troops.

Talking to reporters at the Pentagon, Rumsfeld said both of the Arab television stations have been in "close proximity" to attacks against U.S. occupation forces, sometimes before assaults had even occurred, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Scraps Of Information
Asked if U.S. troops in Baghdad had evidence one, or both, of the Arab channels had been cooperating with "insurgents", Rumsfeld replied: "The answer is yes, I've seen scraps of information over a sustained period of time that need to be looked at in a responsible, orderly way."

"I'm not in a position to make a final judgment on it," the defense secretary stressed.

"I opined, accurately, that from time-to-time, each of those stations have found themselves in close proximity to things that were happening to coalition forces, before the event happened, and during the event."

"How it happens is for time to tell, but it happens," Rumsfeld remarked.

Al-Arabiya and Al-Jazeera have been frequently criticized by the U.S. and British governments for "inciting violence" against "coalition" troops in Iraq.

On April 8, U.S. missiles hit the Baghdad offices of Al-Jazeera, killing and wounding two staff in what the Qatar-based Arabic news network said was a deliberate strike.

On Monday, November 24, the U.S.-handpicked Governing Council in Iraq banned the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya from working in Iraq, charging it with incitement to murder after it broadcast a Saddam Hussein tape calling for attacks on council members.

Iraqi police have also confiscated Al-Arabiya's satellite link at its western Baghdad's Mansur offices.
<snip>

Although Rummy's comments have been covered before, I felt this was worthy of LBN because of the source. If not, I apologize.

[SpiralHawk]

1. Faux News Supports War and Attacks

WASHINGTON, November 26 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld claimed on Tuesday, November 25, that he has seen reports suggesting that FAux News is owned by a right-wing zealot, and that the networks has cooperated with the Bush Family Evil Empire (BFEE) in deceiving Americans into believing that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.

"What a load of crap we get from Faux News," Rummy is reported to have commented."

Americans remain completely disinterested in the loss of their fundamental rights, surveys show. Instead, Americans would much rather know "What Gets Jacko Off." Media whores around the nation promised to do their utmost to satisfy the public.

[AP]

2. Fox CNN and GE (who actually make bombs, right) support invasion in US

what a stupid point for Rumsfield to make given the nature of the press in the US.

Not only does the American media assist the Republicans in propagandizing, they have a direct fiduciary interest in war.

[Racenut20]

3. New Iraq Constitution

Apparently they don't plan on allowing the section on free speech.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

5. Hey, lots of free speech here. You just have to check and see

what's free and what has been paid for by the oil companies.

[leftchick]

4. As with most other decisions the US has made in Iraq....

This one will not sit well at all with the Iraqis. They know that the crap station the US started for them is nothing but pure propaganda. To take away a lifeline of real information for them is doomed to failure and surely will anger the Iraqis. The Morans are in charge....

[psychopomp]

6. Kick for Hand of Doom watch

I guess they should "consider themselves warned?":scared:

[bobthedrummer]

7. He must be locked in to his "Message to the People of Iraq" speech

Transcript link.
http://www.dod.gov/transcripts/2003/tr20030430-secdef0138.html

[truthspeaker]

8. we embed, they embed

Oh, wait. We're the "good guys" and they're the "terrorists", so when we do it it's responsible journalism, but when they do it it's inciting violence.