US ; Armitage going to South Asia

[DuctapeFatwa]

Washington: US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage will travel to South Asia and the Near East from Nov 4 to 12.



The news of Armitage's visit to the subcontinent had been earlier reported in the South Asian press, and while the State Department did not provide an itinerary, it is reported he will be in Pakistan Nov 7.





He is expected to discuss a wide range of issues with officials in both India and Pakistan, including bilateral relations, regional issues, the global war on terrorism, supporting Iraq's reconstruction and transition to democracy.



Coming just two days after the Nov 2 US presidential elections, the visit would reassure countries on the continuity of relations regardless of which administration rules the White House.


http://www.keralanext.com/news/?id=61392

[starroute]

1. Somehow that does *not* give me a warm, cozy feeling

When Armitage starts talking to the Pakistanis, bad things happen.

[Norquist Nemesis]

3. Maybe he's just saying goodbye! n/t

[Minstrel Boy]

2. When's the poppy harvest?

Just asking.

I'm sure Deputy Secretary Armitage knows.

For instance here's Khun Sa, Vice Chairman of the Thailand Revolutionary Council, writing to the US Justice Department on June 28, 1987, regarding some problems his country had faced re drug eradication:

During the period (1965 - 1975) CIA Chief in Laos, Theodore Shackly, was in the drug business, having contacts with the Opium Warlord Lor Sing Han and his followers. Santo Trafficano acted as his buying and transporting agent while Richard Armitage handled the financial section with the Banks in Australia. Even after the Vietnam War ended, when Richard Armitage was being posted to the US Embassy in Thailand, his dealings in the drug business continued as before. He was then acting as the US government official concerning with the drug problems in Southeast Asia. After 1979, Richard Armitage resigned from the US Embassy's posting and set up the "Far East Trading Company" as a front for his continuation in the drug trade and to bribe CIA agents in Laos and around the world. Soon after, Daniel Arnold was made to handle the drug business as well as the transportation of arms sales. Jerry Daniels then took over the drug trade from Richard Armitage. For over 10 years, Armitage supported his men in Laos and Thailand with the profits from his drug trade and most of the cash were deposited with the Banks in Australia which was to be used in buying his way for quicker promotions to higher positions.

Within the month of July, 1980, Thailand's english newspaper "Bangkok Post" included a news report that CIA agents were using Australia as a transit-base for their drug business and the banks in Australia for depositing, transferring the large sum of money involved.
http://www.wethepeople.la/sa.htm