NationStates Jolt Archive

An Al Jazeera journalist has been prevented from leaving Egypt and has been summoned to appear in court there after having prepared a report on the brutality of the Egyptian police.

Let's just hope she doesn't get to experience it first hand now. :(

Full (short) article here (http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/7ED2A670-2F45-4031-ABDB-A9FBC6C3CA11.htm).

I was searching for this on the BBC website. Couldn't find it, but I came across this - a perfect example of Egyptian police brutality, and the fucked up justice system in Egypt.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6249027.stm


'Torture' victim jailed in Egypt

An Egyptian man filmed being sexually assaulted in jail by police officers, has himself been imprisoned on a charge related to the same incident.

Imad Kabir was jailed for three months for "resisting authority", a sentence that has shocked his defence lawyers.

Last year, Mr Kabir was seen in widely circulated footage writhing in agony as he was being sodomised with a stick.

I was searching for this on the BBC website. Couldn't find it, but I came across this - a perfect example of Egyptian police brutality, and the fucked up justice system in Egypt.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6249027.stm

That's just scary. :eek:

I was searching for this on the BBC website. Couldn't find it

The BBC now has this article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6260285.stm) on it.

Arab states are becoming increasingly afraid of al-Jazeera. Its a growing influence in Arab societies that is telling people that they don't need to put up with all the brutal kleptocratic shit from their governments, and unlike the foreign news networks they can't be dismissed as a naive Western attempt at infiltration. Countries like Egypt are shaking in their boots. I wish this reporter all the luck in the world in getting out of this mess.

The BBC now has this article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6260285.stm) on it.
"Fabricating videos of police torturing suspects"?

Clearly they've never watched Crimewatch, or they'd be familiar with reconstructions...

Arab states are becoming increasingly afraid of al-Jazeera. Its a growing influence in Arab societies that is telling people that they don't need to put up with all the brutal kleptocratic shit from their governments, and unlike the foreign news networks they can't be dismissed as a naive Western attempt at infiltration. Countries like Egypt are shaking in their boots. I wish this reporter all the luck in the world in getting out of this mess.

As do I. Hopefully, now that the story had been publicised, everyone will be watching very closely to see what happens to her.

As for Al Jazeera informing people in the Arab world about their governments' actions, I hope they keep up the good work. Apparently Al Jazeera is banned in Bahrain (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/middle_east/1980191.stm) for alleged "pro-Israel bias". Seems at least Middle East government has chosen to clamp down on them completely. (Al Jazeera is also banned from Iraq, I think.)

Arab states are becoming increasingly afraid of al-Jazeera. Its a growing influence in Arab societies that is telling people that they don't need to put up with all the brutal kleptocratic shit from their governments, and unlike the foreign news networks they can't be dismissed as a naive Western attempt at infiltration. Countries like Egypt are shaking in their boots. I wish this reporter all the luck in the world in getting out of this mess.

Aye. I'm starting to wonder if maybe we can accord Al-Jazeera with the same level of respect CNN and the BBC get around the world.

...

You know, being a liberal-biased news network out to destroy America. :p

Aye. I'm starting to wonder if maybe we can accord Al-Jazeera with the same level of respect CNN and the BBC get around the world.

...

You know, being a liberal-biased news network out to destroy America. :p
If they think CNN is liberal, what do the neo-cons think Al-Jazeera is? :eek:

If they think CNN is liberal, what do the neo-cons think Al-Jazeera is? :eek:

Al-Qaeda.

Most Americans start jumping to conclusions as soon as they hear the 'al'.

Al-Qaeda.

Most Americans start jumping to conclusions as soon as they hear the 'al'.
What does that mean, though? Is it just a prefix? Is it an article, like "The"? Or what?

Aye. I'm starting to wonder if maybe we can accord Al-Jazeera with the same level of respect CNN and the BBC get around the world.


On that subject (and others raised in this thread), the BBC has this rather interesting report (dated last November):


Al-Jazeera's impact and popularity pressured several state-run television stations to update output to compete. Several Arab governments were forced to lift, if only partially, media controls.

Analysts believe al-Jazeera is responsible for politically educating ordinary Arabs and for raising awareness and political knowledge of both Arab and world affairs. It is also credited with raising the expectations of the masses from their governments.

[...]

However, its reporting has made it unpopular with Arab and Western governments.

Al-Jazeera was banned from reporting in Iraq in August 2004, and its bureau has not been allowed to reopen since.

[...]

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has accused the channel of a lack of balance and of attacking the image of the US "day after day after day".

Meanwhile, Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi, the late leader of the al-Qaeda in Iraq, reportedly posted an internet message accusing al-Jazeera of being a "mouthpiece for the Americans".

[...]

Al-Jazeera bureaus have also come under US fire literally - first in 2001 during the Afghanistan campaign, it is claimed deliberately, and then during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, causing the death of a reporter.

[...]

The station is still under boycott in some Gulf states.

Full article here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6106424.stm).

It's always struck me as faintly amusing (and saddening, too) that it's been accused simultaneously of anti-American and pro-American bias. Just goes to show that presenting everyone's viewpoint makes you unpopular with those in power.

What does that mean, though? Is it just a prefix? Is it an article, like "The"? Or what?

I don't speak Arabic but I think it does mean "the", yes.

And now Somalia has banned Al Jazeera too (http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/news/world/20070115-somalia-update.html).

It's getting out of control really. Censoring is one thing, imprisoning and torturing is something else.

If they think CNN is liberal, what do the neo-cons think Al-Jazeera is? :eek:

Like Osama bin Laden, except not worth training.

And now Somalia has banned Al Jazeera too (http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/news/world/20070115-somalia-update.html).so far we got Egypt, Iraq and Somalia.

so far we got Egypt, Iraq and Somalia.

And Bahrain.

And I don't think Al Jazeera is very popular with the Saudi government either.

And... she's been released:

"Egypt frees Al Jazeera journalist" (http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D1BCDE23-CD44-41DC-A88A-8350541A809C.htm)

Egypt is still a lot better and saner than most other Middle Eastern countries.

Doesn't mean allegations of torture there shouldn't be investigated, though.

Doesn't mean allegations of torture there shouldn't be investigated, though.

I agree.

Nice to know our aid money is being put to good use.

Nice to know our aid money is being put to good use.

Intrerestingly, it seems that in 2003 Egypt was the second largest recipient of US aid (behind Israel). For what reason I don't know. (Source. (http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0412/p07s01-wome.html) No, I'm not in the habit of quoting the Christian Science Monitor; it was simply the first available article with stats.)

Intrerestingly, it seems that in 2003 Egypt was the second largest recipient of US aid (behind Israel). For what reason I don't know. (Source. (http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0412/p07s01-wome.html) No, I'm not in the habit of quoting the Christian Science Monitor; it was simply the first available article with stats.)

It's been that way for decades.

Intrerestingly, it seems that in 2003 Egypt was the second largest recipient of US aid (behind Israel). For what reason I don't know. (Source. (http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0412/p07s01-wome.html) No, I'm not in the habit of quoting the Christian Science Monitor; it was simply the first available article with stats.)
I believe most of that aid to Israel was military aid - weapons, etc. Yep, it counts as aid. Can't remember where I heard that, and I really should be asleep now, so I'll let y'all know in the morning (afternoon).

Nice to know our aid money is being put to good use.

Bad as Mubarak may be, we need him, though. He's far better than the possible alternatives.

It's been that way for decades.

Well, I've learnt something then. I didn't know the US and Egyptian governments were that close.

Well, I've learnt something then. I didn't know the US and Egyptian governments were that close.

I think we do it as an incentive to keep Israel and Egypt from fighting. I don't know, though.

Also, both Egypt and Israel were 2 of the 5 first nations designated as "major non-NATO allies" in 1989.

I think we do it as an incentive to keep Israel and Egypt from fighting. I don't know, though.

Actually Egypt was getting aid long before She signed a peace treaty and accords with Israel. The Egyptians are just willing to get past the 1940's propaganda pushed by the germans when they were trying to get the arab nations to revolt against the British that the Jewish people were bad. Instead the Egyptians decided to see if they could learn from history......like back before the crusades when Muslim, Jew and christian lived together in peace in the middle east.

Maybe that does not sit well with all you people who seem to think that everything is a big Republican/Israeli conspiracy theory for world/middle east/oil dominancy is something that is hard to swallow. But there are arabs out there who would rather follow the mohamaden teachings of tolerance rather then later writings by other leaders of killing of "infidels". But hey I am sure you will dismiss this as nothing but a BS post.

Maybe that does not sit well with all you people who seem to think that everything is a big Republican/Israeli conspiracy theory for world/middle east/oil dominancy is something that is hard to swallow. But there are arabs out there who would rather follow the mohamaden teachings of tolerance rather then later writings by other leaders of killing of "infidels". But hey I am sure you will dismiss this as nothing but a BS post.

Out of curiosity, whom are you refering to?

*snip*

It didn't receive such large quantities of aid until after the Camp David Accords, though.

Out of curiosity, whom are you refering to?

Me, I think.

Bad as Mubarak may be, we need him, though. He's far better than the possible alternatives.

Ah, the TINA factor (There Is No Alternative).

But what this does is the general populace gets increasingly radicalised egged on by radical clerics saying "see, I told you so...he is America's puppet" and gets mileage. The tinpot general / strongman then say "LOOK AT ALL THOSE BEARDS...help me keep them in control...gimme money...gimme weapons...keep me on power...or else...LOOK AT ALL THOSE BEARDS..."...

This vicious cycle goes on with the loser being the US and the general populace. Not just in Egypt, this is exactly what happens in Pakistan too.

Ah, the TINA factor (There Is No Alternative).

But what this does is the general populace gets increasingly radicalised egged on by radical clerics saying "see, I told you so...he is America's puppet" and gets mileage. The tinpot general / strongman then say "LOOK AT ALL THOSE BEARDS...help me keep them in control...gimme money...gimme weapons...keep me on power...or else...LOOK AT ALL THOSE BEARDS..."...

This vicious cycle goes on with the loser being the US and the general populace. Not just in Egypt, this is exactly what happens in Pakistan too.

I guess I never thought of that.

Me, I think.

Nope I was refering to all those people who seem to always blame the Republicans( read Bush) or Israel for all the troubles in the middle east and in the same sentence say those poor poor arab people. WHile I am not a huge fan of Bush.....nor of the last idiot we had in office..... whose wife should not be allowed to run as as she really ran things. I aimed that at all the people who can not pass up anythread with out pointing a finger at one of two people/countries. I think more people need to think outside the box and instead of relying on news agencies for their stance on something read the base facts for themselves and form their own opinions......which seems to becomeing more rare with each passing day in this world.

Not meant for anyone on this thread in particular.....and if you take offense......stop and wonder.....could it be me? or am I just looking for an argument? By that I mean who ever takes offense.

Bad as Mubarak may be, we need him, though. He's far better than the possible alternatives.thats is the reasoning we use to keep the House of saud in power... isnt it?

Well, I've learnt something then. I didn't know the US and Egyptian governments were that close.we are ase close as we used to be with Pinochet, Batista, Pahlevi, Marcos, Somoza, etc..

we are ase close as we used to be with Pinochet, Batista, Pahlevi, Marcos, Somoza, etc..

Yes, all men we later backstabbed and tossed away. We haven't done the same with Mubarak.

What does that mean, though? Is it just a prefix? Is it an article, like "The"? Or what?

To say it is an article would simplify its role in the Arabic language. While it always forms an article, whether it is definate or indefinate, and how it is used prepositionally (of the Mosque, at the Mosque, to the Mosque, in the Mosque, etc.) are all contained within the structure of the following word.

That, and it actually sounds quite similar to the Arabic voiced pause (the equivilant of 'um' or 'uh'), so it generally just gets scattered all over the place anyway. For example, the famous Arab battle trill probably started off as some kind of sentence before eventually being corrupted into a rapid string of 'l's.

Yes, all men (Pinochet, Batista, Pahlevi, Marcos, Somoza,) we later backstabbed and tossed away. We haven't done the same with Mubarak.we did not backstab them..

maybe we "backstabed" Saddam.. and even for that one there is no hard evidence.

we did not backstab them..

If you believe that, you REALLY need to learn some history.

If you believe that, you REALLY need to learn some history.like I said.. the closest one to a "backstab" was on Saddam.. but its very diffucult to prove.

like I said.. the closest one to a "backstab" was on Saddam.. but its very diffucult to prove.

So arms embargoes, economic sanctions, strong pressure to resign, indirect aid to insurgents and terrorists, and pressure to release said terrorists from jail or exile don't count as "backstabbing?"

So arms embargoes, economic sanctions, strong pressure to resign, indirect aid to insurgents and terrorists, and pressure to release said terrorists from jail or exile don't count as "backstabbing?"someone's terrorist is someonelse's freedom figther.

What amounts to be terrorist for Carter.. is a Freedom Figther for Reagan.

someone's terrorist is someonelse's freedom figther.

What amounts to be terrorist for Carter.. is a Freedom Figther for Reagan.

Very true.

But to my mind, a terrorist is a terrorist, regardless of ideology or motive.

Just a note here:

Israel's most popular satelite provider dropped the BBC to make room for al-Jazeera.

Just a note here:

Israel's most popular satelite provider dropped the BBC to make room for al-Jazeera.WOW.. and they kept CNN?