Almost a week after North Korea announced that they had successfully tested a nuclear weapon, analyses by Wesyern scientists indicate that Kim Il Jong, North Korea’s leader was not exactly telling the truth.
They have have conducted a nuclear tests but apparently, it failed. “”The betting is that this was an attempt at a nuclear test that failed,” Associated Press quoted a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the information. ”
“We don’t think they were trying to fake a nuclear test, but it may have been a nuclear fizzle an effort that failed,” the official added.
The Times of India has an interesting article by Chidanand Rajghatta “N-Test: a bang or a fizzle”:
WASHINGTON: Was it a bang or a fizzle? North Korea’s self-proclaimed nuclear test was a minor hiccup, seismically speaking, but it’s US analysts who are choking with theories about what really happened.
Some of them say North Korea might not have tested at all and may have pulled off a con, an assessment that might have gone into President Bush’s guarded remark that “We’re working to confirm North Korea’s claim. Nonetheless, such a claim itself constitutes a threat to international peace and security.”
Throughout Monday, the Bush administration did not resile from that position and did not officially confirm a test.
US scientists say the test, if it was conducted at all, was a sub-kiloton event, perhaps around 0.5 kilotons, the equivalent of 500 tons of TNT. One US official put the explosive yield as low as 0.2 kilotons.
Just to get a sense of scale, the atomic bomb ironically called ‘Little Boy’ that was dropped by the US on Hiroshima had a yield between 13 and 16 kilotons. ‘Fat Man’ dropped on Nagasaki was 21 Kilotons.
But a sub-kiloton yield does not automatically rule out a nuclear test.
Two of India’s five tests in 1998 were sub-kiloton events aimed at testing tactical nuclear warheads. Whether Pyongyong has the expertise to fashion tactical weapons, which are said to be more difficult to make, is a question US experts are not sure about.
For that matter, there is not a whole lot US experts are sure about, and they spent much of Monday bandying theories. They surmised three reasons why the North Korean test yield could be so small.
1. It was deliberately kept small because North Korea is not aflush with plutonium and wants to keep stock for weapons.
2. The test went wrong and only a part of the nuclear fuel was used up
3. It was no test at all; North Korea used conventional explosives to fool the world into believing it tested.
The last theory can be disproved if the US detects radioactivity in the vicinity of the test, a process that might take some time given the small yield and also North Korea’s inaccessibility.
Pyongyang also said immediately after the test that there was no radioactivity in the region – a sign that it was either a very well-conducted test or that they were setting the stage for the con.
But the United States also has a dubious record of exaggerating numbers or events or downsizing it depending on the administration’s agenda (as in the case of Iraq and Iran). American scientists to this day dispute Indian estimates of the yield from its thermonuclear test, and in fact, suggest it was a test gone dud.
According to some accounts, the North Koreans told the Chinese shortly before they tested that it would be a four kiloton event. Initial reports from Russia estimated the yield at between 5 and 15 kilotons. Neither number fitted US estimates.
But what North Korea may have failed to achieve seismically, it managed to do politically, convulsing the United States and its allies, and for a day at least, completely taking away the spotlight from the war on terror, Congressional follies, and school shootings.
Ma’m Ellen….hindi kaya kalburo lang ang pinaputok nitong pangkat ni Kim Jong Il? 😛
Ha!Ha!Ha!
Kaya lang, as The Times of India said, “But what North Korea may have failed to achieve seismically, it managed to do politically, convulsing the United States and its allies, and for a day at least, completely taking away the spotlight from the war on terror, Congressional follies, and school shootings.”
A Filipino military analyst I talked with said for all we know, the Bush deliberately pounced on the Nokor stroy to divert the public’s attention from his political problems.
Same thing with Gloria Arroyo, who wasted no time in condemning the nuke test. The next three days, she issued statement on North Korea saying the Philippines is “within striking distance”. Akala naman niya pagtiyagaan siya ni Kim Jong Il.Saling pusa talaga.
Nandiyan na yung they were preparing for evacuation. Ang OA naman.
But joking aside…Kim Jong Il and his band are smart-arse guys. they know that the current republican administration in Washington is under much pressure by the American citizenry for it’s foreign policies ..with the way it has handled Iraq and Afghanistan. And with the coming mid-term election next month, the democrats are hot-on-their tail. We all know that GWBush refuses to directly talk with NoKor about political and economic compromises. The tricky NoKor is making these noises now, because 1st, they MIGHT be thinking that GWBush would not move towards entering into another war while his hands are still full with Iraq and Afghanistan, 2nd the NoKors are sending a message to the democrats in case they get the majority on both Houses that giving special attention towards North Korea is inevitable. Kim and his band is making their calculated moves right now, they also know PRChina would try it’s best not to have any escalation in the NorthEastAsia crisis because any big conflict would ruin her grandest ambition of showcasing herself to the world in 2008 via the Olympic Games. South Korea and Japan would not move an inch without Uncle Sam’s nod. So maybe, Kim Jong Il got inspired by joe devinicia’s “win-win situation proposal”…hehehe 😉
Well, Ma’m Ellen…nilagay ko na iyong mga bansa na dapat ay involved talaga, like South Korea, Japan, China, the USofA…sali na rin Russia. Kaso nga lang itong si gloria, todo eksena, the problem is bistadong epal lang ang arrive ng lola…hehehe. Takaw eksena talaga…malosep!
If I were Nokor, I would test launch a nuke missile to Japan or America. If it fails, then good. If it works, then sorry for the Americans and Japs…but at least we know the nuke is successful.
I have my own personal theory of the Kim Kong II internal explosion, but this need to be confirmed by bogus Gloria alone. I finally figure out of what Gloria most capable beside lying, cheating and stealing. I’m confidence bogus Gloria is the renown authority on this type of hissing. I’d considered bogus Gloria highly recommended on the gas over matter, since bogus Gloria is the best among the best, an expert for sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong. It’s well known among his peers that Kim Kong II loves to eat Kimchi more share than the average Korean. He even carry it very well just above his waist to prove the point. Systematically, due to Kimchi’s chemical hot mixture, the small bang can be traced and caused by the intestinal gas passes through the anus, and as the result the sputtering sound. The poisonous or deadly air cause by gas explosion still need to be verified by the UN along with bogus Gloria. So, with bogus Gloria on top of this fizzling noise, rest assured it will be done in a manner satisfactory to all.
Furthermore, this is quite confidential and shouldn’t leave this blog or copied without written permission by Ms Ellen. Your full cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Here’s another scenario, how about Kimchi Kong II just bluffing and want to get international attention. Just like our own bogus Gloria, “kulang sa pansin.” So, the nuke is the sure way to get his name on the headline throughout. And kimchi did a good PR job, as we now know. He’s now the talk of the town. He even got my attention, that’s quite an accomplishment for a Korean. I still think he’s just faking and just want to intimidate the international communities in exchange for food on his starving people. Scam to deceive, if you will. Well my theory is as good as any. Who heck know!
npongco:
Why Japan and America? Such an horrible thought to wish on someone. I won’t even wish it to my worse enemy.
IF it is true that kin jong il did that just to gain leverage against the west and other superpowers, well, he just might think again!
Right now, Japan is determined to put sanctions, economically and otherwise. I believe it is about time Japan put its foot down and stop aiding kim’s regime by sending tons of rice and other aids for its people.
If he is just to gain attention, kasi nga pa-EPAL ang hayok, then he did get just that. Samantala gloria’s cries remain unnoticed.
JUST LIKE the pygmied gloria, kim is mad to the bones, and would do everything to catch attention. You see, his country is so poor, that without Japan and SoKor’s economic aid, it won’t survive.
If you give power to these crazy people posturing as ‘leaders’ of their countries, they’d keep the bulk and give the crumbs to their fellowmen. Both leaders want to live the good life, yet the citizenry goes starving.
Toney, I used Japan and America as examples because these two are the most vocal today and the best of friends. Nokor would most probably launch at these two for testing or real.
In case you haven’t noticed, there have been numerous abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korean agents in the last 20 years or so.
Megumi Yokota is one of them,
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oJL6_cu_Rg]
and as of now, she is stlll missing, unable to come back here, while 5 have been repatriated in exchange for tons of rice and millions in economic aid.
In other words, kim uses the abducted Japanese for his spies to learn the Language ans speak like a native, assimilate here among the locals, and/or perpetrate terrorism like bombings of airplanes using Japanese passports by agents of the North.
His son, his first-born, was caught using a different passport and entered Japan “to visit Disneyland” but was sent back on the first plane out. They gallivant and live the good life, yet the people are malnourished and act like automated robots praising “dear leader”…..
The last one reminds me of lapdogs who sing praises to high heavens and kiss gloria’s ass.
In the last five years or so, the Japanese govt. has stepped up talks to get all abducted Japanese back home….but kim holds the abducted ones to bargain for more Japanese aid. Para bang blackmailer/kidnapper….pinatutubos ang mga kinidnap by paying huge ransom….at the same time, pinakikinabangan niya doon.
Taipan:
Japan has started executing its warnings to the North Koreans. Their ferry has been refused entry to Japan complete with residents in the area protesting against the landing of Koreans on a visit with their relatives in Japan, a lot of whom can be in fact a pain in the ass.
I, myself, have been for the sanction long before this incident even just to force the North Koreans to send home those they have kidnapped, but gracious Koizumi insisted on negotiations rather than action even to the extent of conniving with South Korea to send tons and tons of rice for these ungrateful North Koreans.
You may try to write to Abe and share with him your thoughts. The more people to protest against this useless generosity to the Korean Bansot, the better resolve he will have to stand firm against this abusive midget.
BTW, the US has issued confirmation of radiation emitting from the area where the nuke test was done. Japanese meteorologists have confirmed that the tremors they monitored were not earthquake caused! I’d believe the experts more than the yajiuma (gossipmongers)!
Ellen, Spartan:
Sa totoo lang, wala namang pumansin kay Pandak. May pumalakpak mga usual tagapalakpak niya na palagi niyang kasama na hinahakot nila. Maski nga dito sa Japan, meron na iyang hakot na kinalap ng Philippine Embassy.
May isa ngang buwang dito na lider kuno ng mga Japayuki na nagbigay ng recognition kay Palparan. Malosep talaga! Nagsisipsip para malagay sa dyaryo!
Akala mo nga tunay na may ibubuga ang Pilipinas. Pagpapadala nga ng mga sundalong pilipino bilang peacekeepers, OFW deployment ang dating! Pumapapel ang ungas para unang-unang makinabang sa deployment for the extra dollars ang mga sundalong pilipino. Ang hindi niya iniisip ay hindi niya puedeng iasa ng iasa pati mga special suits na mamahalin para hindi mag-suffer ng radiation ang ipapadalang mga sundalo sa NoKor kung sakali.
Japan nga, defensive ang approach. Walang ipapadala sa NoKor kundi dito ang mga sundalo namin para pangalagaan ang Japan na hindi lahat iaasa sa nga kano dahil this time walang question na para sa defense ng bansa.
Bobo talaga. Basta nagdudunung-dunungan lang. Dekikado ang ginagawa ng ungas na iyan sa totoo lang! :-C
Why treat the US words as gospel truth? Even with the US confirmation, do you expect the world to believe them? The US was so embarrased by Nokor’s testing and boldness so the US has nothing to say except to spread such negative stories. The US has been long provoked and now a direct challenge to her…show to Nokor and the world that you have balls, Bush! Attack Nokor if you want…NOW! Stop all these bla-bla…
as usual, gloria exploits any issue that can be sensationalized para pagtakpan ang kapalpakan ng kanyang pekeng administrasyon at maibaling ang atensiyon ng taong bayan. lagi siyang walang pakundangan sa paglalagay ng bansa sa maaaring mangyaring panganib bunga ng kanyang walang direksyong pamamalakad maipakita lamang kay bush at ibang lider na kaya niyang panindigan ang kanyang mga dispalinghadong desisyon (para nga naman bumilib sa kanya).
ngayong biglang lamig ng isyu sa nuclear test ng north korea, pagsasampa naman ng kasong rebellion laban sa “mga famous destabilizers” (daw) ang pinapuputok at niluluto ng kampo ni gloria buhat sa kumpleto rekadong “fabricated evidences and deceptive information” putahe na kanilang tinitimplahang mabuti para maging malasa sa mapakla nang panlasa ng taong bayan.
siguro, hindi lang natunawan si kim, may kinaing panis o naimpatso, kaya nung sumabog akala ng mga nakarinig at nakaamoy, nag-test ng nuclear weapon.
Sira talaga ang ulo ni Kimchi (Kin Jong II) if that was just a dud! Eto naman si Gloria KSP (common characteristics of pandaks), dumakdak naman, kala mo kasali sya, e hindi naman. I-nuke nalang kaya si Gloria sa Malacanan para manahimik na ang Pilipinas?
Hindi pa tapos ang investigation on the nuke test. Japan is not eating all that Kim says, nor what Bush says. Nagtatalo nga ang mga kano at hapon ngayon tungkol doon sa seismic analysis ng mga meteorologists na hapon. Will keep you posted on this when I get the information from more reliable source.
I told you, nakikichika lang naman si Pandak. Over here, we cannot afford to be careless. Kaya kahit noong sinabi ng mga kano ng may missile na pinaputok si Kim, tiniyak muna ng aming self-defense force kung totoo. Itong si Pandakitak, pihado kakahol iyan na parang aso pero wala namang ibubuga.
Pero tama ka Chabeli, talagang itong si Kim umaalingasaw sa kimuchi. Pero ako gusto ko iyong kimuchi nila but not the one made in NoKor. Gusto ko iyong gawa sa Pusan, masarap!!!
Sira ang ulo. Nagpaputok, pero siguro ang ginamit pulbura para sa paggawa ng mga fireworks. Nakakayanig din iyan ng bundok sa totoo lang!
Pero how does one explain the earthquake that was felt in Japan(?) ba yon, after the supposedly nuke test?
…was that earthquake incidental lang, or something to do with the nuke test, as CNN reported it?
Good morning Ellen, good morning everyone…
The US have “confirmed” the NoKOR test blast, says BBC. According to officials, preliminary results of scientific tests appear to confirm that North Korea did carry out a nuclear test last Monday as Kim claimed but conclusion cannot be made untill a few more tests (by US or allied scientists)are done.
We had a big earthquake here this morning. Nakakayanig. Nagtakip na lang ako ng unan. Natatamad kasi akong tumayo.
That is what we call earthquake, Chabeli. The tremors after the reported blast of the nuke test was recorded by Japanese seismologists that to them are not caused by earthquake. I don’t know how they do it, but there must be a way to find out about the radiation even when the test was done underground.
I am not a scientist, but we surely know over here what it is to be exposed to radiation. I saw a lot of those victims of the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, for whom I have actually joined a lot many anti-war movements in Japan.
I surely do not want Japan to enter another war if it we can help it!
Coroner’s Inquest of Filipino Youth shot and killed by police officer issues verdict:
After a long, emotional coroner’s inquest into the death of Filipino teenager Jeffrey Reodica, who was fatally shot by an undercover police officer, the jury’s recommendations have left police questioning the suggestions and the father unsatisfied.
1. The four-member jury made seven recommendations in hopes of preventing future tragedies like the one that claimed Reodica’s life after he was shot by Det. Const. Dan Belanger three times in the back on May 21, 2004. Inquest juries cannot make findings of civil or criminal responsibility.
Key recommendations included:
* Requiring that plainclothes officers take all their use-of-force options (such as pepper spray and batons) with them when acting as a uniformed officer
* Reintroducing training in use of batons at police college
* A study to determine whether outfitting unmarked cars with sirens, cherry lights, a PA system and/or officers with police jackets or armbands would help identify plainclothes officers when required. Copyright torstar.com
————-
Now that the inquest was done with, there are more questions than answers that the Reodica’s family wanted resolved, and the family lawyer and lawyers for “Justice for Jeffrey” are planning to ask the Province Ombudsman to investigate the conduct of investigation done by the Special Investigation Unit ( a civilian body, empowered to investigate actions by police officers resulting in injuries of fatalities). The lawyer further said the family civil case of $5.4 million will continue, irregardless of the Inquest Jury Verdict. For details and related topics check the url below..
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1160776234158&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home
Anna, what’s BBC? It’s a British media. How’s British to the Americans? They are partners in crime. Need I say more? So we must not take their words easily.
Taipan, it’s not only Nokors who kidnap Japanese. Some Koreans were also kidnapped by the Japs. What do I mean? Many of the Japanese soldiers were actually Koreans who were prisoners forced to fight for Japan during the war. Isn’t this worse than kidnapping Japanese? Let’s be fair in our analysis and present the other side.
“Three United States aviation squadrons have arrived at Clark Air Base in Pampanga province to join Filipino counterparts in this year’s bilateral activity known as the Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex), due to start Monday, October 16.”
ARE THEY REALLY HERE FOR TRAINING EXERCISE?
Npongco,
You may not take their words easily and really, that’s your prerogative but to include me in your admoniton, sorry, I’m not a taker.
Firstly, I announced what the BBC said, no more no less.
To me the BBC is not necessarily politically inclined towards a particular political group. In that sense, I’d rather take BBC’s words rather than CNN or Fox.
Also, I must suggest that you do not make an encompassing statement that the Brits and Americans are partners in crime because for your information, the Brits in general loathe the Iraq war, if it’s the Iraq war you are referring to as the crime.
Secondly, while I do accept and hold the opinion along with many here that Blair and Bush were and are still partners in the invasion of Iraq, and that they led the troops to commit an “illegal” act does not mean that most Brits approved or that all Americans approved, therefore in that context, it is quite erroneous to make a global statement: and say that the Brits and the Americans are partners in crime.
For your information, this is the reason why Tony Blair is being kicked out of office – he even gave his farewell speech to the Labour Party convention a couple of weeks ago. He has lost the trust of the British people; he’s lost the local elections last May and there’s a revolt even in his own party.
Lastly, to include British broadcast media like BBC within the scope of “partnership in crime” is to close your eyes to the fact that there are British institutions which are apolitical.
The BBC, is state-owned and its management owes their loyalty to the people of Britain, the British taxpayers and NOT to Tony Blair NOR to the ruling Labour Party. Huge difference.
Anna, I don’t blame you for your last strong reaction. Politics and religions are two most sensitive and controversial topics. If there’s a way to refrain from discussing such, the better. But this is a free blog. Here we have a window of democracy. Even if there are heated debated that sometimes turn into bloody, we remain civil and intact has humans. Respect is what’s needed. You have your opinion and I have mine. Like Toney and your comadre whom I have clashed with, I welcome debate with you. And if you think I can back off from such a challenge, I’m sorry to disappoint you. CNN is still okay but not FOX. Whenever I watch FOX news, I’m tempted to scream “Fox You”. Many of these media (and that includes those in UK) are government propagandists just like Manila Standard and the likes in the Philippines. Media plays a bigger role these days. If not for media, the sex scandals in the Catholic Church wouldn’t have exposed to its maximum resulting in millions of dollars in court settlements that now make the church close to bankcruptcy. That’s the beauty of media. And if we have credible and honest journalists like Ellen, the more we are encouraged to support and share our contribution. On the other hand, media is also being used by some lobby groups and evil people. Look at this Alex Magno…and even this Max Soliven.
You said it, Anna. I remember stories of how BBC kept the hopes of a lot many people while Hitler rampaged Europe with propaganda.
I’m glad to know that at least, even now, it has not lost its credibility compared to the state controlled media in the Philippines, where the citizens do not know that they are supposed to be the bosses of the people they vote for to be their public servants.
Take note of the current UN resolution against Nokor to be voted by the Security Council. Russia and China raised some objections. The language in the resolution reflects a softening and mild stand by UN simply because Russia and China are Nokor’s backers. See this double standard again? Why was Iraq attacked so soon? Because at that time, there were no strong serious backers such as today. Besides, US made the first move even with strong opposition from the world community. I say the US and UK are partners in crime precisely for this reason. But like the ordinary Americans in the US, many British citizens are also protesting against Blair and UK’s foreign policy. The same sentiment is being felt in Canada where her PM Harper’s position is obviously in favor of Bush as well as Blair.
Yuko,
I agree – it was also through the BBC when Charles the Gaulle announced D Day to the French Resistance Movement, sort of a code to prepared them with the famous words “Les carrottes sont cuites.”
Also, in the former Soviet sphere of influence in the Eastern bloc, the BBC kept the Cezch resistance alive too. Many deplored it when the BBC had to close down a couple of years ago after decades in service there, well for economic reasons – with the fall of the Iron curtain, the British government sought to put the resources (taxpayers’ money) elsewhere.
Npongco,
I resent your using a phrase “don’t play dumb” on me and would appreciate it greatly if you cut down on the use of strong words against me as I have always tried to be civil with you.
Please be informed that I don’t care or relish reading your little, silly challenges and childish comments concerning Yuko but if you wish to address her, you are at liberty to do so; however don’t use me or address me when you wish to make your message known to her.
I neither have the inclination to join you in your petty, personal bickerings with Yuko nor the remotest interest in your endless whinings and whimperings where Yuko is concerned.
This is the last time I will tackle this subject with you. I suggest you do the same.
this petty, personal
As you have suggested, let’s stick to issues, because as we say in Japanese, “Bakabakashii” (Nakakaulol!”)
Anna,
Here’s a confirmation of your posting on the BBC report by Kyodo News:
Japan told U.S. detects radioactive material after N. Korea claim
TOKYO, Oct. 14 KYODO
The United States has told Japan it has detected radioactive elements in the atmosphere in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan following North Korea’s announcement it had conducted a nuclear test, Japanese government sources said Saturday.
But a Japanese government task force later said it confirmed no irregularities in radiation in its own examination across the nation.
Washington and Tokyo have yet to conclude that a nuclear test was actually carried out as North Korea claimed Monday.
The United States told Japan that radioactive materials were collected by U.S. reconnaissance aircraft dispatched from the U.S. Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, the sources said.
The Japanese task force, meanwhile, said it had no unusual results after measuring the amount of radiation in all the country’s 47 prefectures by Saturday morning.
Radioactive elements produced from nuclear tests were also not detected in dust that Self-Defense Forces aircraft collected Friday in the atmosphere over Japan, as well as in dust and precipitation gathered on or near the ground nationwide the same day.
==Kyodo
One thing good is that for the past week, we have had no rain. It’s Akibare or Clear Autumn Sky unlike when China did its nuke test in the desert and the dust was carried over to Japan by the clouds and fell like yellow rain.
Nevertheless, we cannot be too sure. Kailangan talaga ang ingat.
Just to let you know that we are very well aware of what our government is doing regarding this crisis:
Japan foreign minister welcomes U.N. resolution on N. Korea
TOKYO, Oct. 15 KYODO
Foreign Minister Taro Aso on Sunday welcomed the adoption of a U.N. Security Council resolution against North Korea over its claimed nuclear test, saying Japan is pleased to see a strongly worded statement issued promptly.
”That the U.N. Security Council adopted the resolution unanimously and included Chapter 7 is a major step forward,” Aso told reporters before making a television appearance Sunday morning.
”Japan strongly urges North Korea to implement this resolution in good faith and intends to exert utmost efforts, in cooperation with other countries, in steadily implementing the resolution,” Aso said in a statement issued earlier in the day.
The resolution unanimously adopted Saturday by the Security Council in New York expressed ”the gravest concern” over the proclaimed test and called for all U.N. members to impose wide-ranging economic and diplomatic sanctions.
”North Korea must seriously take to heart international concerns and take the necessary measures to resolve the issue,” Aso said in the statement, calling the claimed test ”simply unacceptable” and a ”grave threat to peace and security” affecting not only Japan but also the East Asian region and the world.
Aso also indicated to reporters that Japan will cooperate in inspections of cargo to and from North Korea to prevent illegal weapons trade. Attention is focused on how Japan will cooperate given the limitations imposed by its domestic laws.
Referring to this as a ”technical issue that will have to be considered hereon,” Aso said, ”As the resolution is calling for cargo inspection, it is natural to cooperate in this direction.”
Such inspections, as required under the resolution, are possible under domestic legislation when a situation in Japan’s vicinity poses a serious threat to the nation’s peace and security. The Japanese government has yet to declare the aftermath of the claimed nuclear test such a situation.
North Korea said it successfully conducted its first-ever underground nuclear test last Monday, sparking an international outcry.
==Kyodo
BTW, Anna, Minister Aso is a graduate of Oxford U, and a grandson of the first Post-WWII Prime Minister of Japan, so he is no idiot. Ibang-iba doon sa mga appointee ni Bansot.
Oops, mistake, Taro Aso is a graduate of the University of London, not Oxford U. His younger sister is married to a Japanese prince. So, he speaks pretty good English with British accent. His family name does not mean dog, however. Written in Japanese it means “hemp and life.” The PM’s family name is Abe, which written in Japanese means “double easy” or “double easy”!
Oops, this should read: The PM’s family name is Abe, which written in Japanese means “double easy” or “double safety”!
Mine is “Samurai’s well”!
BTW, Condie Rice is said to come to Japan, SoKor and China next week to talk on NoKor. No mention of the Bansot despite her praise releases!!! I bet you, the DFA head would be scrambling to try to ask Rice to go to Manila, too, if she can spare the time on order of the limelight grabber.
>Gitna ang Tsina sa mundo kaya dapat igalang ng husto.
ayan talaga ang gustong mangyari ng Estados Unidos at mga kaalyadong bansa nito lalo na ang Britanya!
Ang manguna ang Tsina sa East at nang sa gayon ay matuloy na ang pinakahihintay na “East versus West”.
At isapa, gusto ng US na mismong China ang “mag-contain” dito sa Korea. Para bang ala -‘outsourcing the UN in East Asia’ thru China.
“the philosophy of the ‘Bush Doctrine’ is in essence force. It advocates the United States should rule over the whole world with overwhelming force, military force in particular.”
—-Qian Qichen
>The language in the resolution reflects a softening and
>mild stand by UN simply because Russia and China are
>Nokor’s backers. See this double standard again? Why was
>Iraq attacked so soon? Because at that time, there were no
>strong serious backers such as today.
totoo ito!
Vic:
My condolence to the family of Jeffrey. I’ll discuss the issue and the petition we plan to send to the group in Canada. I’ll suggest submitting the petition likewise to the Canadian Embassy here to make the petition stronger. Kawawa naman.
Over here, tanggal ang pulis na iyan especially when the wounds suffered by the victim proved that he was not at all dangerous, and the police could have overcome him since they are many.
Iba talaga pag malakas ang Federation of Bar Associations. It’s one thing that seems to be lacking elsewhere—a crusading group of lawyers so that the police cannot abuse.
Alittle knowledge is a dangerous thing….
Indeed!
Some npungko says, “Taipan, it’s not only Nokors who kidnap Japanese. Some Koreans were also kidnapped by the Japs. What do I mean? Many of the Japanese soldiers were actually Koreans who were prisoners forced to fight for Japan during the war. Isn’t this worse than kidnapping Japanese? Let’s be fair in our analysis and present the other side.”xxxx
How true in the above post! Wawa ne, aru jos ku! IF you are talking about the last war, Koreans and Taiwanese were CONSCRIPTED by the army to join them in the war. Alam mo ba ang ibig sabihin nun?
YUNG ABDUCTION issues….it was done during peace time.
I have not been following the Jeffrey Reodica case closely. What I know is that it has mobilized the Filipino community in,is it Toronto? I hope they get justice. A life has already been lost. The least that could be done is for justice to prevail and the guilty ones punished.
Are the killers of Terry Lloyd getting away with his murder?
John Simpson, the veteran TV reporter who was himself hit by ‘friendly fire’, on the shooting of his ITN colleague by US troops
Published: 15 October 2006
It is highly unlikely that the US soldiers who killed the ITN correspondent Terry Lloyd and two members of his team during the invasion of Iraq in 2003 will be brought to justice.
Lloyd was injured in crossfire between Iraqi troops and American tanks outside Basra. He was picked up by a makeshift ambulance. As it drove away, the Americans fired on it and Lloyd was killed. His translator, Hussein Osman, and his cameraman, Fred Nerac, whose body has never been found, were also killed.
At last week’s inquest on Lloyd’s death, there was a verdict of unlawful killing. His daughter, Chelsey, said his death amounted to murder; his widow, Lynn, called it a war crime. The coroner will ask the Attorney-General to press charges.
Yet even if the British government were prepared to put pressure on the Bush administration, it would almost certainly come to nothing. American soldiers who kill civilians through carelessness or brutality in battle receive a remarkable degree of protection from the US authorities. There is little investigation, and a soldier can usually clear himself by saying he opened fire because he believed his life was in danger.
Recently, allegations that US soldiers have massacred Iraqi civilians have been taken more seriously, but there has been no action over civilian killings during the invasion itself.
Lloyd was an excellent and brave journalist who chose to work independently of the US and British forces in Iraq. Both the Pentagon and the Ministry of Defence wanted reporters to be “embedded” with their forces during the invasion. Embedded journalists were subject to censorship, and it was hard for them to get an independent view of what was going on.
The Pentagon and the MoD disapproved of the so-called unilaterals like Lloyd. By the time this atmosphere of disapproval has filtered down to the front-line soldiers, it can occasionally seem like a licence to kill.
Some days earlier, in northern Iraq, my television team and I were bombed by a US navy plane while we were with a group of US and Kurdish special forces. Eighteen people, all Kurds, died. One of those killed was my translator.
The plane was flying at a height of only 300 metres. The pilot must have seen that many of the 20 vehicles below were US Humvees, and that every vehicle carried the big orange markings which showed they were from the Coalition. Even so, he dropped a 1,000lb bomb on us.
Later, I had an off-the-record meeting with the pilot’s overall commander. He was apologetic. But it was clear that the pilot responsible had only been questioned once, and that he had not been disciplined.
I investigated the possibilities of taking legal action on behalf of the 18 people who had been killed. But the lawyer I consulted told me not to waste my time and money.
The two cases are very different. We were bombed by accident. Lloyd and his colleagues were killed deliberately. To have fired on them, and to have targeted an ambulance, were contraventions of the Geneva Convention.
But the response of the US authorities was the same in both incidents. They showed their armed forces that criminal brutality and criminal carelessness would not be punished.
Since the First World War, every war in which the Americans have fought has been marked by unnecessary civilian deaths and wholly avoidable “friendly fire” incidents. Now, it seems, there may be a new distinguishing feature of American wars: the killing of journalists.
John Simpson is the BBC’s world affairs editor. He is currently reporting on the trial of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad
© 2006 Independent News and Media Limited
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ITN reporter ‘killed by US troops’
Friday, 13 Oct 2006 14:38
British TV reporter Terry Lloyd was unlawfully killed by US soldiers in southern Iraq, an inquest has ruled today.
The 50-year-old ITN correspondent was shot dead in March 2003 as he reported on the US-led invasion of the country as part of the efforts to overthrow Saddam Hussein.
During the ten-day hearing in Oxford, it was claimed that Mr Lloyd had first been shot by Iraqi forces but had been able to get into a minibus which was to take him to hospital.
But the bus was said to have come under fire, along with two other vehicles, from American forces and the inquest ruled that it was a US bullet that had killed Mr Lloyd.
Lebanese translator Hussein Othman was also killed in the incident, while French cameraman Fred Nerac is presumed dead after not being seen since.
Cameraman Daniel Demoustier survived the attack and told the inquest how the vehicle he was travelling in with Mr Lloyd had come under fire and how he had looked around to see his colleague no longer in the seat next to him.
In delivering his ruling, Oxfordshire assistant deputy coroner Andrew Walker said that he would write to the director of public prosecutions in an effort to get those responsible for the shooting brought to justice.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Lloyd’s daughter Chelsey said that the unlawful killing ruling suggests that her father was murdered. She confirmed that the family would be seeking to have the US soldiers involved in the incident identified and punished.
In a statement read out on her behalf, Mr Lloyd’s widow Lyn, who is ill, said that the death of her husband was the result of a “despicable, deliberate, vengeful act”.
“US forces appear to have allowed their soldiers to behave like trigger-happy cowboys in an area where civilians were moving around,” she added.
David Mannion, the editor-in-chief of ITN, called his three dead colleagues “men of the highest calibre” and said that the world is “indeed a lesser place without them”.
The three men died near Shatt Al Basra bridge, Basra, on March 22nd 2003.
© 2004-2006 http://www.InTheNews.co.uk.
http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/news/defence/itn-reporter-killed-by-us-troops-$454590.htm
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Ellen & All:
ano ba pagkakaunawa nyo sa unilateral journalism
At least, Nelbar, in UK, journalists can still call Blair a lot of names without fear of being harrassed with lawsuits the way a civilian like Fatso acting like high and mighty does to journalists in the Philippines, especially when a lot of them can be intimidated and harrassed or lured to his web due to deprivation and poverty.
“Mahirap magpakadangal sa Pilipinas, Yuko, magugutom ka,” says a Filipino journalist I know who envies our freer press in Japan.
In the Philippines, even lawyers are harrassed and intimidated that is why a lot of them cannot have the nerve to be defiant, valiant and brave to defend the oppressed and deprived.
Tanong ko lang, ikaw kaya? Kung bata ka pa, you should learn from the examples of the likes of Ellen and her fellow valiant journalists who use their pens the way they should. Huwag mong sayangin ang kakayahan mo.
aren’t we heading to a wrong way? just because of cultural indifferences? of old things in the past? some here are trying to be civil and sympathetic while a few do not stop “pasaring” to others.
please remember that posters of this blog are always called “bayaran and inuuto” of the opposition and being thumped as destabilizers doing only “pagtatalak” by brilliant ushers of gloria and now that they are witnessing some do not go along well with others make them happy and the more they make “sulsol” in order to keep the flame of rumble going.
ellen, sorry for my uncalled for intervention. medyo naguguluhan na rin ako, but i still stick to what you have known me fighting for.
Ellen, here is a reprint of my posting regarding the Jeffrey Reodica’s Inquest in summary form. There are quite a lot of related topics that I can’t single out just one article to cover the case, but it is all in the Archives of our Dailies on-line thestar.com or globe and mail.
From the: http://truenorthandme.blogspot.com/
The Jeffrey Reodica Coroner’s Inquest Wrapped Up with the Issuance of Verdict and Recommendations to the Coroner of Remedial Rules that maybe needed to introduce and adapted into the Police Services Act to avoid the same Tragic Event that happened to the Youth in a Day of May 2004.
Background: According to the 47 witnesses heard during the Inquest, a summary of which are now being published by several Dailies, Jeffrey Reodica was shot and wounded by an officer and died three days later of his wounds. The events started, days before when a group of “white youths” walked by a group of Filipino youths playing basketball and one of the white boys took and walked away with the ‘basketball’ and some remarks were exchanged between the groups and the fight ensued. The next day a group of about twenty (20) Filipino Youths returned to the same school yard and waited for the same white boys to return. But seeing they were outnumbered the white boys fled and Jeffrey who was not with the original group at the schoolyard, but stopped at a friend’s house joined the chase. Emergency received numerous calls, including coming from the fleeing white boys. Two undercover drug officers, were the first on the scene and according to witnesses, passed by some of the participants and told them to drop their weapons and they complied. As they were approaching Jeffrey, according to their own testimony, they identified themselves and ordered the youth to drop the rock he was holding. Jeffrey complied. But as they were struggling to handcuff a 5′ 4″ youth, they said he was able to set free himself and swung at the officer with a knife in his left hand. That was when the officer fired three shots at the Back of the Young Jeffrey.
The SIU, (Special Investigation Unit, a civilian agency in charge of investigating actions of police officers resulting in injuries or fatalities), after their own investigation come to the conclusion that the officer was justified in his action. And the Police Officers of another jurisdiction invited to conduct a parallel investigation also concluded that the officers identified themselves. Jeffrey’s friend testified that the knife was owned by Jeffrey, but there was no prints on the knife. There were witnesses who testified that Jeffrey worn baseball batting gloves that day.
Among the key recommendations of the Jury are the fol:
1.A study to determine whether outfitting unmarked cars with sirens, cherry lights, a PA system and/or officers with police jackets or armbands would help identify plainclothes officers when required.
2. Re-introducing training in the use of the baton in Police College.
3. Requiring that all officers carry with them all use of force options including peppers spray, stun guns and baton when working as uniformed officers.
The lawyers for the officers contend that the recommendations even in place at the time would have not changed the outcome, while the family of the victim considers the whole exercise a waste of time, effort and taxpayers’ money because the Inquest did not address the conduct of the SIU investigation.
The Reodica’s family lawyer, and the Community Alliance for Social Justice, an umbrella organization founded in the wake of Jeffrey Death, are both considering asking the Provincial Ombudsman to investigate the conduct of investigation by the SIU.. Meanwhile the Family Lawyer said that the $5.4 million civil case filed against the Officers, the Police Sevices Board and the Chief of Police at the time, will continue. We are not seeing the end of this yet.
Caveat: The Coroner Inquest was called not to find any Criminal or Civil Liabilities, but to find out what actually happened leading to the tragic event and find the ways to avoid such event to ever happening again. This, we all hope so…
Also the officer who shot Jeffrey can no longer be charge for Criminal offense, under our process, but is subject to civil liabilities and may be subject to internal discipline under the Police Act. This the Reodica’s Family was already made to understand by their lawyers and all they wanted is a clear accountability and transparency that maybe the Ombudsman will be able to bring out, where the Coroner’s Inquest failed to satisfy.
For more details go the thestar.com and search for “jeffrey reodica’s inquest”.
Cutting the monotony or should I say silloquy, here’s a joke from my Chinese friend in SFO:
A true story from the Japanese Embassy in US
Prime Minister Mori was given some basic English conversation training
before he visits Washington and meets with President Bill Clinton.
The instructor told Mori:
” Prime Minister, when you shake hand with President Clinton, please say
‘how are you’.
Then Mr Clinton should say “I am fine, and you ?”
Now you should say ‘me too’.
Afterwards we translators will do all the work for you.”
It looks quite simple, but the truth is …
When Mori met Clinton, he mistakenly said : “Who Are You ?”.
Mr Clinton was a bit shocked but still managed to react with humor : “Well,
I am Hilary’s husband, ha ha…”
Then Mori replied confidently “Me too, ha ha ha..”
Then there was a long silent moment in the meeting room.
*****
Mori was a former Premier and Minister of Education several years back. He was forced to resign because of a scandal involving his Defense Minister, who was caught philandering, no money involved, just a case of immorality that caused him shame and his fall from grace.
>what’s BBC? It’s a British media.
>How’s British to the Americans?
Nagtataka ako dito bakit walang nagbabandera ng TV5Monde , NHK , TVE o DWTV? Maski ang CCTV
Isa ba itong pagsasalamin na tayo nga talaga ay mga “Pilipino”?
>Three United States aviation squadrons have arrived at
>Clark Air Base in Pampanga province to join Filipino
>counterparts
Noon pa talaga plano yan!
Istupido rin ang mga Amerikano at kumakagat sa propaganda na nanggagaling sa Hwaderi. Ang katakutan nila ay ang Israel.
Para lalong hindi mapansin ng mas nakakararaming publiko dito sa Pilipinas ang mga katulad ng aktibidad o pagsasaliksik na ginawa ng mga Koreano malapit sa syudad ng Kilju, mas makabubuti na magpa-concert sila dito ng mga MTV artist tulad ng U2 o kaya ay si Madonna.
* * *
MAGDADAGSAAN NA NAMAN ANG MGA BEBOT SA CLARK AB.
Alam mo npongco, ang mas kinakatakot ko ay itong mga vendor ng prostitution dyan sa palibot ng C.A.B.
Kapag hindi sila pinatulan ng mga Amerikano ay sisigaw ng rape!
At sa palagay mo saan kakampi itong si Raul Gonzalez?
Hurrah to the family of Terry Lloyd. Their determination is what is needed to bring this war to the war tribunal. God willing, justice will be done. Hindi naman Pilipinas ang korte ng UK or the ICJ! Wala namang inutil na Secretary of Justice doon tulad ni SiRaulo GungGonzales or the judges appointed by Pandak on recommendation of the Fatso.
BTW, I was able to get copies of the documentaries “Iraq for Sale” and “Uncovered-The Whole Truth About Iraq” Gosh, disgusting. Fortunately, a lot many Americans are now showing the same disgust against the mad man at the White House.
Golly, lahat na ba ng mga liders sa mundo puro inutil at corrupt. Hopefully, itong bagong PM namin ay hindi although frankly speaking I did not like his grandfather, and his father died broken hearted for getting involved in a recruitment scandal. Iyong granduncle magaling, si Eisaku Sato. Mukhang OK din ang aming Minister of Foreign Affairs. Titignan pa namin ang performance nila sa kasong ito ng NoKor kasama na iyong kaso ng abduction ng mga hapon na kinidnap nang bata pa sila.
You bet, Cory, iba iyong abduction sa conscription. Two words iyan na magkaiba ng kahulugan!
EU chief will urge Putin to prosecute murderers of Russian journalist —-Agence France Presse(Yahoo!® News)
Sunday October 15, 11:34 AM
LONDON (AFP) – The head of the European Commission has said he will urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to ensure that those who murdered a journalist are prosecuted, adding that Moscow’s “credibility” was at stake.
President Jose Manuel Barroso replied affirmatively when BBC television asked whether he would raise directly the matter of the murder of Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya when he meets Putin later this week.
“Yes, we want those who have assassinated Mrs. Politkovskaya — great fighter for freedom of expression — we want them to be brought to justice,” Barroso said.
“It’s a question of credibility of the Russian government … to show that they are able to bring to justice those who make those hideous crimes,” he said.
He prefaced his remarks with an assertion of the European Union’s growing clout.
“We have an interest in having good relations with Russia, but I believe Russia also has an interest in having good relations with the European Union,” he said.
He recalled that the EU, after the next wave of enlargement with the accession of Bulgaria and Romania, will be “half a billion people, the biggest trade bloc in the world. That’s why… let me tell you size matters.”
A week ago the Finnish presidency of the EU voiced its deep regret at the “heinous” murder of Politkovskaya and urged Moscow to bring the perpetrators to justice.
It called for a thorough investigation of the “heinous crime” and urged Russian authorities to bring those responsible to justice.
Politkovskaya won fame at home and abroad for her persistent and often harrowing reporting of atrocities by Russian forces and Chechen militias in Chechnya, as well as corruption within the armed forces.
Her journalism stood in stark contrast to the rest of the Russian media, which has largely ignored these politically explosive themes since Putin came to power in 2000.
Copyright © 2006 Yahoo! UK Limited. All rights reserved.
Germany re-enacts Battle of Jena
By Steve Rosenberg
BBC News, Jena
More than 1,000 people from across Europe have re-enacted one of Napoleon’s most famous victories near the German town of Jena.
Many participants saw the event, on the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Jena, as a symbol of European unity.
Knocking seven bells out of your opponents on a battlefield is an unusual way to do it.
But that is exactly what happened outside Jena where as many as 50,000 soldiers were killed or injured.
Standing in a field outside Jena it felt as if I had been transported back in time.
I watched Napoleon and his troops advancing on the Prussian army.
There was musket and cannon fire echoing around the valley and smoke everywhere.
‘Man of history’
Napoleon’s fans came here from 17 countries to take part in the spectacle.
The great French leader himself was played by an American, Mark Schneider.
“It’s the greatest honour to me to portray him,” he said, “because I find him to be a man of history and he did so much, to include the initial stages of the unification of Europe. That makes him a great man.”
It may seem strange with all the violence that went on in front of me but the French victory here is being portrayed by the organisers as an early step towards a united Europe, as Napoleon tried to take over the continent.
Unlike 200 years ago when 30,000 people died in the battle, there were no real casualties today.
Participants were not allowed to make contact with their swords or with their guns.
Each soldier was told in advance whether he was allowed to make it through to the end of the battle and survive or whether he had to fall off his horse and pretend to die to make sure that Napoleon won the re-run of the Battle of Jena.
His 1806 victories over the Prussian army at Jena and nearby Auerstedt kept Prussia out of the anti-Napoleonic coalition led by the UK, Austria and Russia until 1813.
Around 30,000 soldiers were killed in the real battle in 1806
The re-enactment was billed a “history lesson”
Update on this Nokor threat:
Japan, U.S., S. Korea foreign ministers to meet Thursday in Seoul
TOKYO, Oct. 16 KYODO
The foreign ministers of Japan, the United States and South Korea plan to meet Thursday in Seoul to discuss cooperation on the North Korean nuclear issue, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said Monday.
”It is needless to say that close cooperation is important,” Shiozaki said at a news conference. ”It has significance for the three countries to firmly cooperate and issue messages, particularly to North Korea, at this point of time.”
He said Japan intends to expedite considering what further steps it can take in terms of imposing additional sanctions on North Korea in line with a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for sanctions on the reclusive country.
”We hope to decide on our actions by considering the matter from various standpoints,” the Japanese government’s top spokesman said, adding Tokyo will exchange information with other countries in the process.
Separately, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in a meeting between the government and the ruling parties that Japan will ”study further response while taking into consideration the movements of the international community.”
Shiozaki said, ”The Japanese government has already announced additional sanctions. In response to the U.N. resolution which was unanimously approved, we will promptly look at what we have not yet done and make decisions (on further sanctions) quickly.”
Among the resolution’s contents in relation to which Japan has yet to impose sanctions on North Korea is the ban on exporting luxury goods to the country.
”I think we will be discussing matters such as what ‘luxury goods’ refers to,” Shiozaki said.
A Japanese government source said earlier Taro Aso of Japan, Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. secretary of state, and Ban Ki Moon, South Korea’s foreign affairs and trade minister, are expected to confirm their cooperation on dealing with the U.N. Security Council resolution.
The resolution also calls for unity in demanding that North Korea return to the six-way talks at an early date.
The planned meeting follows the Security Council’s adoption Saturday of the resolution calling for all U.N. members to impose wide-ranging economic and diplomatic sanctions on North Korea over the nuclear test it said it carried out Oct. 9.
In Seoul, Aso also plans to meet bilaterally with Ban, the U.N. secretary general-designate, to explain economic sanctions Japan has imposed on North Korea, the source said.
Aso is expected to tell Ban that Japan is studying the feasibility of providing logistical support for the United States if U.S. ships are to inspect the cargo of ships going to or from North Korea in line with the resolution, the source said.
To provide such support, Japan needs domestic procedures to define the current situation as a contingency that affects Japan’s security.
Aso plans to go to South Korea on Thursday and return home the following day.
He originally planned to visit South Korea on Oct. 26 and 27 but has decided to move the schedule forward in accordance with Rice’s schedule, the source said.
Rice will visit Japan on Wednesday and Thursday before visiting South Korea on Thursday and China on Friday, according to the U.S. State Department.
==Kyodo
Cory:
I just finished downloading the BBC documentary on Hiroshima. Have you seen it? I can send it to you once I have transferred them into DVDs. I’m planning to show it to Filipinos here one of these days.
I have actually a project of showing pictures worth seeing every last Sunday of the month. I have bought a screen and projector and I can run the DVDs from my computer.
If you need a copy, I can send you one. It will remind us of the horrors of wars and work hard to keep the peace that we now enjoy at least in Japan!!!