Though the Denver Post announced that we do not have to wait any longer. The Broncos are going to be wearing the alternative jerseys twice this season. (Our alternative's are the orange jerseys).

"I know some of our players are excited about wearing the orange jersey," said Joe Ellis, the Broncos' chief operating officer. "We think the fans will be excited to see it a couple times as well." We sure are excited to see them. 

This will be the first time every that many of our players will suit up in these jersey's. When most of our players have had one or two years of NFL experience that is obvious.

Broncos players will be wearing orange jerseys for home games Sept. 21 against New Orleans and Dec. 7 against Kansas City. Of course this doesn't excite Mike Shanahan but he kills the buzz of everything fun. Let's face it guys.

Until then I can't wait to see them.

The biggest news of the day came from the New York Islanders. GM Garth Snow made his final decision, and E.J. Hradek of ESPN.com was right. Scott Gordon will be the new head coach of the Islanders (Newsday).

As for why he was hired?

"For me, the bottom line was finding the right coach for our organization at this time," Snow said of the coach search. "It was a rigorous interview process, extremely thorough. I don't want any perception the other candidates weren't qualified or weren't good people because they were. I just found the candidate that's the right coach for our organization. Scott Gordon really stood out."

Snow continues:

"Any successful coach has to have great communication skills," Snow said. "I noticed from the first handshake that we were able to communicate whether we were talking about the technical part of the game or about how to build a consistent contending team. We had a lot of the same thought processes. I think he's going to do an outstanding job with our young players, and he will communicate well with veterans, too."

--

In just as big of news, four names were announced as the latest to be enshrined in the United States Hockey Hall of Fame (NHL.com).

They are Cammi Granato, Brett Hull, Brian Leetch and Mike Richter. The four will be officially inducted Oct. 10, 2008.

Cammi Granato is probably the most influential woman US hockey has ever seen. She played for Team USA for 15 years, and is the all-time leading scorer with 343 points (186 G - 157 A). She enters as the first woman to ever be inducted to the US Hockey Hall of Fame.

Hull, Leetch and Richter are players you've probably definitely heard of. Hull ended his career with 1,391 points and Leetch ended his with 1,028. Richter won 301 games in his 14-year career in the NHL with the New York Rangers.

--

As a point of interest, don't believe any of these rumors. On the subject of rumors, we want to apologize for starting one of our own.

In an attempt to get the news updates posted, I published yesterday's piece without reviewing it. In the post, I credited the OC Register in saying that Teemu Selanne will likely not be back in Anaheim. That is not the case. They said the opposite.

--

Me and Denver Post writer Adrian Dater disagree on the Joe Sakic front. I think he's going to retire, though I hope that is not the case.

Dater's latest piece explains why Sakic will be back. The biggest reason why?

He has heard from too many others who have had their feet in his skates, guys like Steve Yzerman and Claude Lemieux, guys who agonized about the right time to retire. The consensus from those former greats is: Play as long as you can. If you're not hurt and think you still can play, do it.

That makes sense to me. Dater also notes that Sakic is still referring to the team as 'we' and that he is in the midst of a hard workout regimen. All good signs.

--

A few days ago we reported that Tampa Bay is having success in ticket sales. The same is happening in Chicago (Chicago Tribune). Chris Kuc reports that there was a line of about 75 people waiting to buy tickets when they went on sale at 10 a.m.

The Hawks sold 57,000 single-game tickets Monday, and with their increasing season-ticket base have sold more than 500,000 tickets for the upcoming season, an increase of more than 300 percent from this time last year.

That is great to see. If hockey grows in big markets like Chicago, then the sport may have a chance at getting back in to the national spotlight and receiving the attention it deserves.

Interesting note: Kuc also reports that the Pens @ Blackhawks is already sold out. The 'Sidney Crosby Show' is going to sell out arenas everywhere now that the balanced schedule has taken effect.

--

Mats Sundin is still not sure, or at least he's not telling the media if he is, whether he will return to the NHL next season or retire (Sportsnet.ca).

"I never had a deadline," Sundin added. "I know there was talk about first of August, but I never said. I said sometime in August hopefully I’ll be able to make a decision. I won't make that until I really feel comfortable with making a good decision."

He continues:

"I haven’t even worried about any teams," Sundin insisted. "I'm just trying to bring my mind to a point where I can make a good decision whether or not I’m going to play hockey right now. That's my first decision and we’ll go from there after that."

Sportsnet caught up with him at a golf tournament in Sweden. Click on the link to watch a video of the interview.

Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver are surely hoping Sundin wants to swing his hockey stick around for another year or two rather than his golf clubs.

--

The Los Angeles Kings and their big market can rejoice in the fact that No. 2 overall pick Drew Doughty was signed to a three-year entry-level contract today (Kings.com).

Doughty scored 50 points in 58 games as a defenseman for the Guelph Storm in the OHL.

--

I wrote a few pieces about players leaving for the KHL in Russia and the implications it could have on the NHL. Now, we are beginning to see a few talented prospects leave to play overseas. The most recent of which is Steven Dixon (Patrick Williams).

Interesting comments came from another former AHL player, Geoff Platt, who has recently decided to play in Russia as well.

"I thought I achieved what I could in the AHL," Platt told Kramer. "Another season in the American League was too much. The AHL was getting stale. I needed a new challenge. I think whether I came back and scored 30 or 40 goals next year, it wouldn't have changed their mind toward me."

This continues to scare me. I, and NHL fans across the country and in Canada, need to hope that players will value playing against the toughest competition in the world over a bigger paycheck.

--

Thanks to Empty Netters for this. I just wanted to leave you with this video. It's hilarious and embarrassing at the same time.

Lets Go Jets.

--

We at Pittsburgh Puck Talk have some exciting news that we hopefully can officially announce by the end of this week. Please stay posted, we're very excited to let you in on what's happening.

Lets Go Pens.

~Chris @ Pittsburgh Puck Talk

*Thanks to Kuklas Korner for the majority of the news that passed by my eyes today.

Explain, Dems tell Clinton delegate

By Allison Sherry

"You are hereby directed to come in to the party Headquarters and explain your comments and why you should remain a national delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in light of these comments," the letter said.

Apparently another delegate was offended by alleged remarks made by MS. Millstone regarding Obama. Sasha is one smart woman- she got a lawyer involved! She knows when her rights are being infringed upon!. The author quotes Ms. Millstone

'Isn't there a right to free speech? Isn't this right in line with our time-honored tradition with the Dems?" she said. "These intimidation tactics have a chilling effect on people feeling comfortable speaking up."  

Good for her! And Kudos to the attorney for asking to see the rules that would allow the party to threaten her removal! This article is a must read! Two more delegates from Colorado are quoted in the article and both are- shall we say - less than thrilled with the intimidation tactics.

The author tells us "the matter has been dropped." Sasha Millstone I salute you for refusing to give in and for standing up for Democracy! Stay Strong! you are a true American Heroine!

After posting this I popped over to The Confluence and saw this article by Katiebird http://riverdaughter.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/delegate-intimidation-at-the-democratic-convention/

Katiebird directs us to yet another place where this is covered- http://www.thedenverchannel.com/call7investigators/17163668/detail.html

There is a bit more detail in the TV piece and some additional quotations from Ms Millstone. Katiebird also reminds us of Debra Bartoshevich a Wisconsin Hillary Delegate who lost her credentials. Thanks katiebird for the heads up to the Denver Channel piece. Nice to see that some journalists still try and get the truth out!

This passed me by yesterday, but I felt it was still important enough to note. Brayden Schenn and the Under-18 Team Canada squad beat the Czech Republic in another exhibition to prepare for the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament (NHL.com). Schenn scored two goals in the victory just days after teammate Taylor Hall netted a hat trick.

Team Canada will open tournament play Tuesday against Switzerland.

--

As noted in the news updates from the weekend, the New York Islanders have narrowed their coaching search down to three men. E.J. Hradek of ESPN.com wrote on his blog that he believes Scott Gordon will get the offer.

"Yeah, I know Gordon doesn't have any previous NHL head-coaching experience. He has spent the last five seasons working behind the bench in Providence. In that role, Gordon has been dealing with young players, trying to get them ready for the next step."

He continues:

"On Long Island, where Snow (wisely) seems committed to rebuilding with youth, Gordon would be a good fit. Plus, he wouldn't command a salary commensurate with previous NHL experience. That's important to a franchise that continues to lose money. Also, the Isles still have to pay recently departed coach Ted Nolan for one more year."

Makes sense. Although, who can ever tell how a coach will do with that kind of a transition. It worked for the Penguins and Michel Therrien, but he inherited a lot more talent than will the new Islander coach.

--

Faceoff-Factor tipped me off to the NHL's release of the entire pre-season schedule for the 2008-2009 season.

--

While passing by Jame Mirtle's blog I heard the coolest news in a long time. The Vancouver Canucks are giving fans the opportunity to design goaltender Curtis Sanford's mask. I have a feeling we are about to see a frenzy of posts in the hockey blogosphere with design ideas.

I'll do my best to update with new designs.

--

This one really got me fired up.

TBO.com's Erik Erlendsson ran a piece listing the 'Top 10 Hockey Cities'. However, he went on to say that the list actually has nothing to do with hockey.

"The criteria doesn’t have anything to do with hockey, it’s more about the city and what it has to offer, whether its nightlife, scenery or otherwise."

So then why is he calling it the 'Top 10 Hockey Cities'? This should be a piece in the entertainment section of a paper, and not be related to hockey what-so-ever. It's stupid, but please waste time reading it so you can feel my anger - most of which is because if it were a real top 10 Pittsburgh better be in it.

What's the top 10, you ask? Enjoy:

10. Toronto
9. Chicago
8. Philadelphia
7. Washington
6. Calgary
5. Boston
4. Nashville
3. Vancouver
2. Montreal
1. Detroit

Haha yea, Nashville is one of the top five hockey cities in the NHL. And lets throw Washington in there, because they are outnumbered by Pens fans every year when I go to the away games. And Chicago, who just realized they have a team.

I'm done.

--

Joe Sakic says he is close to deciding whether or not he will retire from the game of hockey (Denver Post).

"When I talked to Francois in June, we both understood that the team was going to go forward, regardless of what my decision was going to be, and that enabled me to take as much time as I could," Sakic said. "Right now, I know training camp's approaching rapidly. Summer's gone by pretty fast. I'm going to make my decision here pretty shortly."

He continues:

"It's just how I feel," he said. "At the end of the year, to be honest with you, I didn't know if I was going to come back. I needed that time to really think about my future. It was a tougher decision than I thought it was going to be at the end of the year. . . It's all about whether I feel I'm ready to go another year. That's the biggest thing for me: Am I prepared to do what it takes to be successful for another year. I know how much time you have to put in off the ice because playing hockey is the easy part."

It sounds like he is done. If that is the case it's a shame. The NHL will lose another one of its greats.

--

The OC Register reports that Teemu Selanne's run with the Anaheim Ducks is likely over.

With their salary-cap issues, the Ducks simply can’t sign Selanne right now. Handcuffing the Ducks further is a bizarre wrinkle in the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and its players union.

The piece notes that teams used to be able to offer bonuses to veterans, and if their expenses exceeded the salary cap the bonuses could be pushed over to the next season. This is no longer the case, and Selanne's asking price would undoubtedly push the Ducks over the cap.

--

The Nashville Predators, home to the fourth best hockey city in the NHL, signed first round selection Chet Pickard (Predators.com). The goaltender had 46 wins in the WHL last season, and has a career WHL record of 72-31-6.

--

Forbes released a listing of the 10 most lucrative sporting venues in the United States. Nine of the 10 listed are those that share hockey and basketball. The only one that isn't a split venue is Fenway Park, which came in at No. 10.

The list:

10. Fenway Park
9. Verizon Center (Washington Capitals)
8. Pepsi Center (Colorado Avalanche)
7. Wachovia Center (Philadelphia Flyers)
6. TD Banknorth Garden
5. United Center (Chicago Blackhawks)
4. American Airlines Center (Dallas Stars)
3. Air Canada Centre (Toronto Maple Leafs)
2. Madison Square Garden
1. Staples Center (LA Kings)

Today sure was a day for top 10s.

--

Finally, check out the newest link to our site: Hitting the Post. It is a Minnesota Wild blog and there's a lot of good stuff going on over there.

(Did you really expect me to use anything else for the headline?)

We finally reached Denver at around 11:30 a.m. MT. We spent about 20 minutes there, during which time the train was cleaned a bit and some supplies were restocked. We also got newspapers delivered, in this case the Rocky Mountain News.

I was a bit perplexed at first as to why we ended up with that paper instead of a different one, but I had completely forgotten it’s Saturday. USA Today doesn’t publish on weekends, of course. The Denver Post, the city’s flagship paper, doesn’t publish on Saturdays because of a joint operating agreement with the News (which doesn’t publish on Sundays.)

The News turned out to be just fine, in particular because of this piece on Democrats in Appalachia and whether Barack Obama can win their votes.

After we left Denver, we reached the most spectacular part of the trip by far. Over the almost two hours that followed, we climbed up through the Rocky Mountains towards the Continental Divide. I’ve taken photos of a lot of great urban panoramas, but what I saw today resounded just as much - and perhaps more.

Lunchtime came a few minutes after we started to climb. The choices were a hamburger, turkey burger, tuna sandwich, Caesar salad or open-faced turkey on a biscuit. I went with the turkey burger and it was just fine in terms of quality and size. I’m sure it was microwaved, but my standards really aren’t all that high.

After winding our way up the mountain and through a series of 15 short tunnels, we finally reached the big one. The 6.2-mile long Moffat Tunnel crosses the Continental Divide at an altitude of nearly 9,000 feet, and we were not allowed to move between cars while passing through it to keep out the diesel exhaust and coal dust.

I’ve been at high altitudes in Colorado a few times before, and I haven’t always dealt with them well. A number of years ago I visited Durango - in the southwestern part of the state near the “Four Corners” intersection with Utah, Arizona and New Mexico - with my family. We took a train up into the mountains and I fell asleep once we got near the top. I also remember being somewhat fatigued while walking around after getting off the train.

This time, I made sure to drink plenty of water, and since I was just sitting in the roomette the whole time I didn’t feel tired at all until very near the tunnel entrance. I suspect, though, that having been up since 5:45 a.m. also had something to do with that.

Then came the descent. Ten minutes or so after we left the tunnel, we stopped at the resort town of Fraser-Winter Park. Half an hour after that we reached Granby, and I got out to stretch and take a few pictures.

Soon after leaving Granby the tracks drew alongside the Colorado River - and lucky for me, it was on my side of the train. We spent the next 230 miles descending along the river towards Utah, passing every so often by fisherman or rafters or campsites.

(Quite a few of those rafters mooned the train, and no, I didn’t take any pictures of them. I’d heard about it before, so it didn’t really affect me. I did hear a few gasps and groans from elsewhere in the car, though.)

In addition to having the river nearby, the mountain faces looked quite different on the descent. Unlike the brown grass and dirt we saw going up, these hills were made of a burnt-orange rock and were covered with trees whose leaves were a much darker shade of green than before.

The rock reminded me of the clay at the French Open, such was its vibrancy. And looking at the crevasses and lines eroded in the canyon walls as we passed them, I bet you could crush it to bits just as the Parisians do with their famed terre battue.

Another big difference was that the descent took us between hills instead of over them. Because of this, we went through a series of spectacular canyons, such as this one:

Midway through the afternoon, I ran out of fresh podcasts to listen to for the first time on the trip. So I took a look outside, then dug through the music on my iPod to see if there was anything I wanted to listen to.

After a few seconds of scrolling, I picked Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring. It was a perfect match of sound and scene, even if the score was written in honor of a mountain range at the other end of the country from where I am now.

Which gives rise to another thought: we’ve traveled almost 1,300 miles since leaving Chicago. Tack on 764 miles from Washington to Chicago (and while we’re at it might as well throw in the 140 from Philadelphia to Washington) and that’s more than 2,200 miles since Tuesday morning.

So much of what I’ve seen this week are parts of the United States that I hadn’t seen before. Not just this part of the Rockies, but entire states I’d never set foot in: Indiana, Iowa and Nebraska.

It really is spectacular. I had a vague idea of what was coming, but it wasn’t close to this. The original thoughts behind this blog post came when we were stuck in a delay between Granby and Glenwood Springs, Colorado, waiting for the eastbound Zephyr to pass because there was a stretch of single track coming up.

As annoying as the wait was because of how far behind schedule we already are, a look out the window made it impossible to feel stressed. How could I be when I could almost reach out and touch a hairpin turn in the Colorado River, with a rust-red ridge and two big hills in the background?

Certainly not stressed enough to mind the complete lack of cell-phone signal. I’d managed to watch the Olympics in almost Dim Sum-sized portions earlier: a little bit of women’s soccer, some volleyball, fencing, swimming and rowing. But between Granby and Glenwood Springs - a stretch of almost four hours - there was nothing. And that was just fine.

Speaking of four-hour stretches, we’re still running behind schedule by almost that much time. I hope we can make some of it up tonight because I really don’t want to get into the Bay Area after the BART stops running. Unfortunately, that seems an ever greater possibility.

I leave you with another canyon photo, this one taken at 7:20 p.m. MT somewhere between Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction, Colorado.

Mr. Sternberg, tell us about your first book...

I published my first novel, Deadly Passage, at the age of 66 with a traditional publishing house and optioned it for film. Five years later, I independently self-published my second novel, Sakura's Stratagem, at a significant cost. Both books earned me a spot on the bestseller lists of both of Denver's daily newspapers.

Why did you turn to Outskirts Press for your third book?

Outskirts Press came into my life at exactly the right time. After years of trying to publish my third novel by conventional means, I finally learned
of Outskirts Press. Within three months, they had published No Laughing Matter, an amateur sleuth mystery that also made The Denver Post bestseller list and sold out at the landmark Tattered Cover Book Store, a Denver literary icon. No Laughing Matter also won the Harvey Award from the Colorado Authors’ League for best genre novel of 2007.

And your fourth book?

When they published my next novel, Neptune's Chariot, it became a bestseller, too.

Above James Rollins and James Patterson - pretty impressive! How was your publishing experience with Outskirts Press?

I'm indebted to my Author Rep at Outskirts for her friendly, prompt and professional assistance. The Outskirts Press cover artist shared my vision of the covers, and executed beautifully.

Any advice for fellow authors?

Outskirts Press will help you find your dream, especially if, like me, you hear the clock ticking and can't afford to play the waiting game.

Thank you, Irv. And congratulations on your success!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make your dreams come true, too! Start publishing today!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only remaining question is whether Singleton will make Aldo Svaldi write an article tomorrow about what a shrewd move it is.

UPDATE: Aldo Svaldi's article is here. Interestingly, Singleton says the biggest threat to newspapers isn't the Internet, but rather an "old-fashioned recession" that is hurting ad revenues.

The Leadville Trail 100 MTB race is one of a number of ultra distance mountain bike races. This race has gotten notoriety outside mtb circles when Floyd Landis rode it in 2007. This was Landis’s second race following his 2006 Tour win/strip and hip surgery. Lance had originally signed up for this race but had to pull out due to scheduling issues.

The out and back race starts in Leadville, Colorado following a mostly north/south route. Racer initially head west and north up and around Turquoise Lake, then south to a turnaround at Columbine Mine. The race returns on the same path until just west of Leadville where the return loop dips further south before coming into town.

The significant climbs include:

Mile 7, St. Kevin's - 2.2 miles, 800ft, 6.9% Grade
Mile 14, Powerline - 4.8 miles 1,200ft, 4.7% Grade
Mile 40, Columbine mine - 11 miles 3,300ft, 5.7% Grade ave.
The later 8.5 miles runs 7.1% Grade
Mile 80, Powerline - 2.7 miles, 1,550ft, 10.9% Grade
Mile 86, St, Kevin's - 2.7 miles, 900ft, 6.3% Grade

This year the race gets continued attention in that Lance Armstrong has signed up once more. The

race is scheduled for August 9^th so I think at this point there is a good chance Lance will show. As we all know Lance is no slouch. He has raced mtb, including at this years Miles of DisComfort 52 miler in Comfort, TX this January. Lance ended up DNF at mile 41 as a result of leg cramps. From what I’ve read, he lost his water bottles and may have dehydrated some. I don’t figure this will be a problem at Leadville. As with anything Lance attempts, he will come prepared.

He has run several marathons in his post Tour days finishing sub three hours in each.  Lance ran the Boston Marathon this April in just under 2:51. That is quite an impressive time considering he was training informally. I expect he will give the field a run for their money.

Will he be able to challenge 5 time winner Dave Weins though? Tune in next week.

Allez915

Race Information:

Leadville Trail 100 Official Site
Leadville Trail 100 MTB Race
Wiki of Leadville Trail 100 MTB
Google Earth Race Map

2008 Race Articles:

Denver Post
Velonews
Summit Daily News

2007 Race Reports:

Bicycling Magazine
Velonews
Trust But Verify
Cycling News

Yes, we would like Denver to shine and to showcase Colorado as the beautiful state that it is, so hey delegates, wake up, open your curtains and look West, I can guarantee you won't get that view in New York!  However, if you think you are going to have loads of time on your hands, then I suppose you should check out articles such as this one.  But what I would really recommend is checking out sites that are giving you the latest and greatest on events surrounding the DNC, the parties to be at, the concerts at Red Rocks, the general buzz that is going to be in the city...that's where you will get the best local flavor!

This leaves only our first round pick to be signed. He is Ryan Clady a LT of Boise State University. 

Royal will most likely be exclusively on Special Teams for now as a Kick Returner and Punt Returner. But the door is also open for him to play as the second WR.

So far the coaches seems very, very impressed with the way he has played in the mini camps. With Training Camp starting up now, we will hear more about his progress and if he has the right stuff to line up beside Brandon Marshall.

Royal's number was also changed. He was number three (which is against NFL policy for Wide Receivers). Now he is number 19. 

The Denver Post did add that it seems that Clady and the Broncos are very close to reaching an agreement, so watch out for that on the site. 

Sen. Barack Obama

Democrat Sen. Barack Obama's stunning assertion in a recent speech that the U.S. needs a "civilian national security force" that would be as powerful, strong and well-funded as the half-trillion dollar Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force is not included in published transcripts of his prepared remarks.

The lines are not included in a transcript of the prepared remarks published by the Denver Post and Wall Street Journal.

SOURCE

If you don't want to listen to the whole thing, please fast forward to 16:45 and listen to the civilian national security organization remarks:

The title of the article at the Denver Post is: Full transcript of Obama's prepared remarks

Well, obviously it is NOT a full transcript of Obama's remarks. Why?

Obama has said and done a lot of things that I disagree with....sometimes vehemently, but this one takes the cake. A civilian national security organization funded as well as our military? Has he completely lost his mind?

I would love to hear the explanation as to why the remark was left out of the transcripts.....I think it's pretty obvious that someone decided it was NOT the kind of thing most Americans would take kindly to.

Unfortunately for the Obama campaign the video on you tube obviously couldn't be scrubbed.

Thanks to Moo of Capital Hill for posting this.

It's too bad the indignation over the cartoon is not applied evenly. When Rolling Stone published a cartoon of John McCain in a Vietnam bamboo jail being tortured by other candidates a couple of months ago, no uproar could be heard. And though George Bush is portrayed as a mentally deficient simian (for the millionth unimaginative time), there is rarely talk of a pox of "tasteless" journalism.

It seems there is an organized effort among the influencers of the comedy class in American media to rule out of bounds any comedic portrayal of Barack Obama. See Bill Carter's New York Time's story: Want Obama in a punch line? First, find a joke.

Some of the group of slaves being helped by abolitionists raise their
hands after Dr. John Eibner of CSI International asked how many of
them had been beaten by their masters. (Tamara Banks, Special to The
Denver Post)

Led by the Arab/Dinka Peace Committee, they had walked south for
miles, and for days, on their journey to freedom. Many gave up. Those
who persevered waited under the tree for four days, and were now
nearing the end of their excruciating journey.

The grassroots group in Sudan invited CSI to join them in their
efforts to bring slaves back home.

"In 1995, we first encountered the reality of the slave raids in a
powerful way," said Dr. John Eibner, who heads the teams of two or
three CSI members who go into Sudan every month to deliver
humanitarian aid, medicine, sorghum, survival kits and assistance in
returning slaves to their families. "The NGO's [non-governmental
organizations] that were there had moved out, the Red Cross failed to
go in to help because the government of Sudan said no. So, the
international community allowed itself to be dictated to by the
government of Sudan that was responsible for the slave raiding."

Among those on this trip were Eibner, an American, and Gunnar
Wiebalck, a German, who have made a career of shining a bright light
on social injustice, including working on the abolishment of apartheid
in South Africa. "Because the rest of the world was not — and
still is not — dealing with this issue of slavery, which is a
crime against humanity according to international law, we thought we
should come back and help this local, grassroots mechanism for getting
enslaved women and children back," Eibner said.

"This abolitionist work fuels my passion to see each slave freed," she
added. "There are still tens of thousands in slavery. I will not
abandon them."

Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other
inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site.
Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by
someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will
take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards,
terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this
site. Please review the governing commentaries and discussions. You
are fully responsible for the content that you post.

"Love Marriage" tells the story of the way Sri Lankan politics affect
a family living in the United States. The story takes Yalini and her
family from suburban America to Toronto, where they are reunited with
an uncle who has left Sri Lanka after a life of militancy with the
Tamil Tigers. The book is about specific characters, not
representatives of a culture. Still, I had to do my homework to write
it, so I did become versed in some history. Add to that the fact that
my parents emigrated to the United States from Sri Lanka, and it makes
some sense for reading audiences, reporters and others to ask me
questions about the country.

Some people do, I'm sure. At readings around the country, I've met Sri
Lankans, immigrants and their children, who thank me for writing about
the conflict. But while I'm proud of my book, it certainly doesn't
represent the voices of all Sri Lankans. It's the story of one family.
Still, I know that some people at my readings may never hear much more
about Sri Lanka than what I say. All I can do is try to understand why
these questions are asked, be as reasonable and careful in my answers
as I can, clarify that I am a novelist and emphasize that I am only
one person answering -- while still being as complete and thorough as
possible.

As a novelist, I should be free to write about whatever I want,
without worrying about the political significance people will attach
to it. Indeed, writing fiction means that I have license to diverge
from historical facts. It shouldn't be my responsibility if some
readers have little knowledge of Sri Lanka beyond what they read in my
book or hear me say as a guest on a radio show. I also know, however,
that regardless of the caveats I put before what I say, my words may
carry the weight of an imagined community.

Orientalist, Historian, Political Scientist, Dr. Megalommatis, 51, is
the author of 12 books, dozens of scholarly articles, hundreds of
encyclopedia entries, and thousands of articles. He speaks, reads and
writes more than 15, modern and ancient, languages. He refuted Greek
nationalism, supported Martin Bernal�s Black Athena, and rejected the
Greco-Romano-centric version of History. He pleaded for the European
History by J. B. Duroselle, and defended the rights of the Turkish,
Pomak, Macedonian, Vlachian, Arvanitic, Latin Catholic, and Jewish
minorities of Greece. Born Christian Orthodox, he adhered to Islam
when 36, devoted to ideas of Muhyieldin Ibn al Arabi. Greek citizen
of Turkish origin, Prof. Megalommatis studied and/or worked in Turkey,
Greece, France, England, Belgium, Germany, Syria, Israel, Iraq, Iran,
Egypt and Russia, and carried out research trips throughout the Middle
East, Northeastern Africa and Central Asia. His career extended from
Research & Education, Journalism, Publications, Photography, and
Translation to Website Development, Human Rights Advocacy, Marketing,
Sales & Brokerage. He traveled in more than 80 countries in 5
continents. He defends the Right of Aramaeans, Oromos, Ogadenis,
Sidamas, Berbers, Afars, Anuak, Darfuris, Bejas, Balochs and Tibetans
to National Independence, demands international recognition for
Kosovo, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and Transnistria,
calls for National Unity in Somalia, and denounces Islamic Terrorism.

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The younger slaves, children like Ahkmed, were born into slavery. His
mother was killed by her master. Ahkmed has no idea where his father
is, no clue of his age. The reddish tint in his hair shows how
malnourished he is. His clothes were ripped and dirty, barely hanging
on him.

Another man said he'd been a slave for 15 years, and had seen at least
three slaves killed for trying to escape.

There are reports of tens of thousands of men, women and children
still enslaved in Darfur and Kordofan.

The grassroots group in Sudan invited CSI to join them in their
efforts to bring slaves back home.

Pastor Heidi McGinness, Denver-based director of outreach for CSI-USA,
has made the journey to Sudan many times. "I live to see family
reunions," McGuiness said. "Mothers, fathers reunited with sons and
daughters taken into slavery, thought dead but returned alive, is the
greatest joy one could observe.

And, let's face it. These victims are black. Politically, Darfur is in
bed with China, which is in bed with the United States. Slavery in
Sudan is a three-pronged issue: race, religion and politics.

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"Love Marriage" tells the story of the way Sri Lankan politics affect
a family living in the United States. The story takes Yalini and her
family from suburban America to Toronto, where they are reunited with
an uncle who has left Sri Lanka after a life of militancy with the
Tamil Tigers. The book is about specific characters, not
representatives of a culture. Still, I had to do my homework to write
it, so I did become versed in some history. Add to that the fact that
my parents emigrated to the United States from Sri Lanka, and it makes
some sense for reading audiences, reporters and others to ask me
questions about the country.

An island about 25 miles off the southern tip of India, Sri Lanka is a
complex place, with multiple ethnicities, religions, languages,
loyalties and histories. In July 1983, long-simmering tensions there
exploded into ethnic riots. An ambush of 13 soldiers from the
country's ethnic Sinhalese majority by militants from its Tamil
minority ushered in days of anti-Tamil violence in which the
Sinhalese-dominated government was obviously complicit. Voter lists
made it easy to find Tamil citizens, Tamil stores and homes were
destroyed, and thousands of Tamils were killed. In the aftermath, many
Tamils emigrated, finding refuge in Western countries, including
Australia, Britain and Canada. Today, in those Western countries, the
players in Sri Lankan politics are generally characterized as the
Tamil Tigers, a militant separatist group fighting for a Tamil
homeland in the northern and eastern parts of the island, and the
government, which has discriminated against Tamils for decades.

I first really tried to explain the situation last year, in a
graduate-level South Asian anthropology class at Columbia. I had
prepared to present a reading on a specific aspect of Sri Lankan
society, but the professor asked me to talk more generally about the
country instead. How would you explain it to undergraduates with no
knowledge? he asked.

Another opportunity to constructively engage in the path of Somalia�s
pacification, reunification and rehabilitation is offered to all
factions of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia thanks the
Yemenite initiative and the invitation of the wings of ARS to Sanaa
for deliberations and consultations. ARS has a brief history, but
encapsulates the longest and the most fervent hopes of the outright
majority of the Somalis as regards an augur and propitious, prosperous
and serene Somalia. It is only normal that not all the members of this
wide political range constellation see developments – and more
particularly the recently signed Djibouti Agreement – in the
absolutely same way. Even there is no need for this; a rich political
environment featuring a variety of opinions and approaches only
underscores Somalia�s opulent historical record and magnificent
contribution to African and Islamic History. But, within this context,
one must specify the limits of the Somali opposition�s political
landscape. These are fixed by the following points: The Limits of the
Somali Opposition�s Political Landscape Point 1. Majority decisions do
not eradicate the minority�s approach to an issue, in a true
democracy; they only compose with that tenant. This is true for every
democratic country, and we know very well how many times European and
American administrations (conventionally and at times erratically
considered as authentically democratic) acted overwhelmingly against
the opinion of the minority, being thus led to political impasse.
Somalia�s modern history shows that this is not an option in Somalia
either. Point 2. Minority has to respect the majority decision, and as
it happens allover the world, after the acceptance of the fact that an
opposite idea is accepted by the majority, the minority starts efforts
to limit the consequences of the decision, gradually modify it, and
ultimately advance their approach. Point 3. To effectively act in the
aforementioned way, the minority must stay �in�. If the political
institution (party, movement, organization or alliance) is finally
divided, the minority hands are certainly free but their political
impact is dramatically limited. Point 4. Procedures must be
transparent, member trust and mutual solidarity should be top
priority, and the right titles and authority of every ARS official and
representative should be clearly spelled out. A Plan for Somalia�s
Reconstruction, and Basics of Somali Foreign Policy The two factions
of ARS should consider their plan for Somalia�s liberation,
pacification, reunification and rehabilitation, while at the same time
they must detect, analyze and assess various foreign plans that go in
the opposite direction as theirs. An effort to shape a basic approach
to what the foreign policy of Somalia should be will also help ARS
members come closer, divide tasks, and identify targets for every one.
The positive consequence of the Djibouti Agreement is that by now ARS
is already an internationally accredited Somali political
organization, and this enables contacts of international character.
This consists in an excellent opportunity for any faction of ARS to
publicize their approach and gain support in view of the gigantic task
of Somalia�s pacification and reconstruction. Perception of Threats
Due to Somalia�s recent past, Somalia�s foreign policy must be first a
clear perception of existing threats and related intentions. Even if
the Abyssinian soldiers leave at the end of the specified period of
120 days, as stated in the Djibouti Agreement, this does not signify
that Abyssinia�s evil plans vanished and anti-Somali intentions
disappeared. In addition, it would be infantile to imagine that the
traditional colonial plans of England and the US, which are
responsible for Somalia�s long lasted Civil War, evaporated because of
the brave fight of the Shebab. Abyssinia certainly cannot afford to
continue fighting in Somalia; Abyssinia is not a big nation. It is an
appalling tyranny made out of a vertical ethno-religious divide
between the ruling Monophysitic Amhara and Tigray Abyssinians (who
total ca. 18% of the country�s population) and all the rest, the
tyrannized nations and oppressed religious minorities (82%). The thugs
sent to Somalia, impersonating soldiers of a supposed �national� army,
are in their quasi-totality Monophysitic Amhara and Tigray Abyssinians
(ca. 15 million people). They cannot afford to receive so many coffins
back home in Gonder or Mekele. This means that the colonial supporters
and allies of Abyssinia, the English and the pro-English part of the
American establishment (Jendayi Frazer being one of their typical
representatives) will have now an interest to terminate the Somalia
quagmire and save their ailing ally. It would be over-simplistic to
imagine that you will make them fail, by denying them the process and
fighting until an irreversible victory in the battlefield, which will
not come. In politics, synergy is the choice, whereas the waste of
one�s resources cannot possibly be an option. Certainly, Somalia owns
millions of brave young men who are ready to die for the liberation of
their country, but is it not a case of political immorality,
opportunism and irrelevance, if the Somali political leadership can
bring forth a political solution, but instead, they don�t proceed so,
and in this way they let the Somali Youth die? The lowest national
cost, the lowest degree of wasting resources, the greatest economy for
Somalia�s foremost wealth, namely the Somali Youth, must be option no
1 for all factions of the political establishment of ARS. In addition,
if the US – UK diplomacy and administrations want to give peace
a chance now, this does not mean that they imply they would accept
(let alone contribute to) the formation of a great, independent,
reunited, rehabilitated and prosperous Somalia. The patriotic forces
of Somalia will have to anticipate biases, machinations, and malignant
plotting in the process. However, denying to get engaged in the
process simply reveals political weakness, fear and simplistic
mindset; these are not qualifications allowing leaders to save their
countries. Certainly, no one has to be born as another Machiavelli or
Talleyrand but in this case, he/she should leave space to others who
better qualify for the job. Ion fact, there cannot be any doubt about
the US – UK persistence in a) preserving Abyssinia�s integrity,
b) minimizing the extent of China�s and Italy�s involvement in
Somalia, and c) eternalizing Somalia�s division – in peace.
Another threat is the US – UK willingness to use ARS in a way to
finally help TFG to survive, the Abyssinian army to leave Somalia, and
a shaky provisory government of national unity to be formed, until the
rich, US-based Somali Diaspora pumps money in the pre-electoral period
to help Sheikh Sharif … lose the elections. But again this does
not consist in a reason for fear; counter-measures exist at the
political level, and the world is full of influential administrations
and centers of power that would do their ingenious best to contribute
to the US – UK plan�s failure. All together! In fact, if we
assume that, following the use of conventional colonial trickeries (an
amalgamation of money, flatter and promises) made by US and UK, one
faction of the ARS may fall victim of the plot, we have to conclude
that there is more than one reason for the other faction to stay
united with the first in order to 1) minimize damages, 2) contain his
decisions� impact, and 3) better identify the true purposes (as per
point) of Somalia�s enemies. What better political tools can there be,
other than presence, attendance, consultation, deliberation,
negotiation and (in every point) mutual political compromise, to help
minimize the extent of any scheming? Old colonial trickery and
machinations In the development of political situations, there are
always points �offered� by the enemy. The US – UK diplomats knew
beforehand that, by supporting the signature of an agreement between
TFG and ARS in Djibouti, they give the Somali oposition a tool, a
weapon, a key, namely the aforementioned �success�, the status of the
internationally recognized interlocutor. This was a risk they took; to
limit its effect, they counted on two points: 1. Containing Sheikh
Sharif and Sharif Hassan Aden through personal contacts and beforehand
compromises (of the sort �I will do this, but you will not do that or
you will not speak with these guys�) and 2. Isolating and
marginalizing all those around Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys and Dr.
Zakaria Haji Abdi (as they expect them to react to Sheikh Sharif and
Sharif Hassan Aden, and get marginalized by themselves – tactics
called Prisoner�s Dilemma). How to Outmaneuver the Colonial, US
– UK plans and trickery The most cost-effective way to face a
great power (and/or a superpower) is not a frontal attack; it is the
introduction of new players into the game – per case. These
other factors that would be of greater help are those who are the
right enemies of Somalia�s enemies; here I don�t need to refer to
Abyssinia. Certainly, the concept of a balanced cooperation between
Eritrea and Somalia, and at the present stage between the Eritrean
administration and the Somali opposition is not bad in itself, but the
limits of help extended by Eritrea to the Somali opposition are
ostensible. Eritrea can ensure mere survival and daily fight against
the lawless Abyssinian invaders of Somalia. The Somali opposition
definitely needs more. In addition, Abyssinia may be a traditional
enemy of Somalia, but the equally starving and impoverished country
fails to be the top threat for Somalia. Somalia�s foremost enemies are
the following: UK, France and USA. However, one should not consider
the entire American establishment as enemy of Somalia; its pro-English
part is – only. Certainly, that part prevails in America (they
sided with England against Argentina in the Falklands War), but
America�s anti-English part is not weak whatsoever. All ARS factions
should therefore restrain from frontally attacking America; instead,
they should open some channels to the �other� part of the American
establishment; Obama seems to be one of them. Which country�s
influence in Somalia do UK and France want to eliminate? This is the
top question that leads to the key answer as regards the Somali
foreign policy. The answer is easy and obvious; it�s the country that
helped Somalia draft its constitution in the early 60s. That
constitution was not too bad after all; it could work, but efforts
were made against it, mostly by the English. Italy and Vatican It
sounds as an absurdity, but it is true indeed; nowadays, the country
that could help Somalia most is the old colonial power, Italy. Today�s
Italy is not Mussolini�s Italy. As genuinely anti-colonial country,
Italy recently returned a historical stele (�hawalti� in Tigrinya)
taken and transported to Rome in the 1930s from Aksum. Contrarily to
Italy�s present anti-colonial stance, a great number of Ancient
Egyptian obelisks still decorate squares in colonial France, England,
and America…. The real power behind Italy is Vatican and the
resources it controls in Europe, Northern America, and mostly Latin
America. Vatican is not necessarily a realm of innocent and benevolent
people, and they have had throughout History an incredible record of
intolerance against Jews, Eastern Christians (Orthodox, Monophysitic
{Tewahedo in Ge�ez} and Nestorian) and Muslims (not to mention the
butchery of the anti-Catholic Europeans during the Middle Ages, and
the slaughtering of Pre-Colombian Americans, the Mayas, the Aztecs and
the Incas at the times of the Discovery of America). However, post-
World War II Vatican has been an embattled institution, due to the
Freemasonic – Zionist aggression against them at all levels,
political, economic, cultural, academic, intellectual. In our world,
whereby the anti-Islamic hatred and hysteria of the Freemasonic
– Zionist establishment goes beyond imagination, Vatican and
Italy (and their associates in the US, other European countries and
Latin America) can be of valuable help and possible partners for
Muslims eager to find partners in a search for moral values, human
principles, and ethics. Part of the Italian establishment
(particularly circles close to Premier Berlusconi and Senator Giulio
Andreotti – shamefully and undeservedly slandered by English and
French Freemasonic mass media) would be very content to encounter some
Somali interlocutors and deal with them for the pacification and
reconstruction of Somalia. Italy and Vatican can mobilize unexpected
partners and contributors to Somalia�s re-unification, pacification
and rehabilitation. Turkey, Japan, Poland, Malaysia, Taiwan, Venezuela
Other players could involve Turkey (mostly the military establishment
– the Erdogan government is all full of Anglo-French puppets),
Japan, Poland (drastically anti-French), Malaysia, Taiwan, Venezuela,
Mexico, Argentina, and to lesser extent India, Iran, Brazil and
Ireland. Finally, I doubt whether Russia and China, establishments
accustomed to quantitative approaches (most erroneously for their own
interests), could ever be of help, as their perception of Africa
leaves intact the cornerstones of the Anglo-French colonialism. These
thoughts are simply describing the vast possibilities existing for all
factions of ARS to get engaged in the struggle for taking Somalia out
of the strife and the despair. Frontal �No� proved to fail in Somalia;
all Somalis know this – only too well. Now, it�s the time for
Nuanced �Yes�. I am sure the leaders and the members of ARS can see
this in the eyes of all their compatriots. They only thing they have
to do is just look at them. I republish here recent reports and news
selected from various Somali and Oromo portals. At the end, I add a
meaningful feature published by an astute Somali commentator, Mr.
Abdinasir Mohamed Guled, on some comments expressed by the American
ambassador as regards Abyssinia�s role in Somalia (supposedly
positive!). It shows very well that the US support for a sort of peace
in Somalia does not imply a change of attitude toward Abyssinia; for
the time being. However, through correct contacts and adequate
lobbying, it can change in the future; not a single Somali should view
the present US administration�s stance as permanent. A delegation from
Alliance for Reliberation of Somalia has arrived in Yemen capital,
San'a to take ARS�s meeting opened in Yemen
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?sid=6618&tirsan;=3 The delegates flew
from Djibouti and Asmara. The delegation from Djibouti is led by
Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmad [leader of the Alliance for Reliberation of
Somalia], but reports say he did not go directly to the venue of the
talks between the two rival sides. Yemeni officials say the
parliamentary Speaker of Yemen has called the two sides and asked them
to work together in pacifying Somalia and the implementation of the
peace deal which the government signed in Djibouti last month. A
positive outcome is expected to come out of the meeting as officials
at the meeting told Mareeg online. Reports say Yemen is hopeful that
lasting peace will be restored in Somalia. According to some reports,
there were preliminary talks through telephone presumably between
Yemen officials and two rival sides within the Somali opposition
alliance. Sheikh Hasan Dahir Aweys, who is opposed to the Djibouti
peace deal between the Somali government and the Alliance for
Reliberation of Somalia, has said the deal is against Somalia's
interests but he didn�t rebuff the involvement of the meeting. He has
said he will not attend the talks in Yemen, but promised to support
the outcome. Somali political analysts have expressed concern over the
refusal of Sheikh Aweys to attend the talks in Yemen. Alliance for the
Re-liberation Meeting begins in Djibouti http://hiiraan.com/news2/2008
/July/allinace_for_the_re_liberation_meeting_begins_in_djibouti.aspx
Mogadishu, Somalia (HOL) - The second Annual General Meeting of the
Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) has started in
Djibouti this morning although members of the group still in Eritrea
are not participating in the meeting. Suleiman Olad Roble who is a
member of the Communications Committee of the ARS told reporters that
over 100 members are participating in the meeting. Mr. Roble added
that the participants will discuss issues that include Islam and
politics, Somali civil society as well as other topics. Mr. Roble
added that the formal agenda of the meeting has been postponed for a
week in anticipation of the arrival of 48 other members the group who
will join the meeting. The 48 members expected to join the meeting are
headed by the chairman of the ARS are currently in Yemen to
participate in mediation talks between the two faction of the ARS. It
is also expected that member of the ARS in Eritrea will hold Annual
General Meeting in Asmara, Eritrea. The meeting is expected to begin
on July 3rd and will be chaired by Zakaria Haji Abdi. 2008 Hiiraan
Online Inc. Somali Opposition Factions to Hold Talks in Yemen By
Alisha Ryu, Nairobi http://www.ayyaantuu.com/Oromiyaa/NewsBlog/tabid/3
6/EntryID/2626/Default.aspx Somalia's opposition factions are expected
to soon hold face-to-face talks in Yemen. The opposition split over
the signing of a controversial peace agreement last month. The talks
follow recent comments by the principle Islamist signatory to the
agreement who said the opposition will unite against the government if
Ethiopian troops do not leave Somalia within four months. VOA
correspondent Alisha Ryu reports from our East Africa Bureau in
Nairobi. In a telephone interview from the Somalia opposition group's
base in Asmara, Eritrea, Islamist cleric Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys
tells VOA that representatives from his faction and allies of Sheik
Sharif Sheik Ahmed have received permission from the Yemeni government
to hold direct talks in Sana'a. Aweys, who is influential among some
clan and radical Islamist insurgents in Somalia, says he is not
planning to attend the meeting. But he says he is ready to support
whatever agreement is reached between the two sides. The Islamist
leader says the opposition Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia
(ARS) requested the meeting, because there are issues to discuss and
Somalis often resolve differences by talking. He says everyone is
expected to abide by what the majority decides. Aweys and other
hardliners in the alliance stayed away from U.N.-sponsored peace talks
in Djibouti that led to the June 9 signing of an agreement between the
more moderate Ahmed and the transitional federal government.
Opposition hardliners rejected the peace deal. It stipulates that
Ethiopian troops, who have backed the Somali transitional government
since late 2006, would withdraw within 120 days if a U.N.
stabilization force of sufficient strength is in place to replace
them. Hardliners argue the agreement should have called for Ethiopians
to withdraw immediately. They have threatened to remove Ahmed as
chairman of the ARS for participating in the peace process. U.S.-based
Horn of Africa observer and commentator Professor Michael Weinstein
says Ahmed has recently made comments that suggested he was eager to
prove to Somalis that the opposition alliance is intact and that a
clear timetable for an Ethiopian withdrawal has been set. "He said
that we are all on the same page in the ARS. We all want the
Ethiopians out. We will liberate by negotiations, but if that does not
work, we will rejoin the armed resistance and we are confident that if
we liberate by negotiations, the militant faction of the ARS will join
us. So it is all depending on 120 days, according to Sheik Sharif," he
said. Weinstein says Ahmed's comments may have helped soothe some of
the anger, allowing an opposition reconciliation meeting to take place
in Yemen. But he says Ahmed's words are deeply troubling for the
international community, which must now find a way to quickly deploy a
sizeable stabilization force in Somalia to keep the country from
plunging further into violence. Fighting between insurgents and
Ethiopian and government troops for the past 18 months has killed more
than 85-hundred people, displaced more than one million others, and
has left Somalia in the midst of what the United Nations says is the
biggest humanitarian crisis in the world. Another armed Somali group
which boycotted the talks in Djibouti, the Shabab, has not yet
commented on the peace deal. Its leaders have long maintained that the
Shabab, recently designated as a terrorist group by the United States
for having ties to al-Qaida, would continue fighting until all
Ethiopians left Somali soil. Somalia: US envoy describes Ethiopia's
role in Somalia "very positive" By: Abdinasir Mohamed Guled
http://www.mareeg.com/fidsan.php?sid=6601&tirsan;=3 US ambassador to
Ethiopia, Donald Yamamoto, says the United States recognizes
Ethiopia's contribution in various peacekeeping operations in the
region and other areas of conflict in Africa. "Ethiopia is right now,
I think, the second largest troops contributing country in
peacekeeping operations in Sub-Saharan Africa and probably has the
most disciplined and qualified troops," Yamamoto said. Ethiopia has
been playing a very positive role in regional peace and security,
Yamamoto said at a press briefing he gave on Tuesday [1 July] at the
US embassy. The US government is working closely with Ethiopia and
other countries with a view to helping enhance peace and security in
the Horn of Africa, he said. According to the ambassador, the US
government looks at the peace and security situation in the region
with due concern. Yamamoto said the mandate of the Transitional
Federal Government (TFG) in Somalia will expire and the Comprehensive
Peace Agreement (CPA) in Sudan will have to be fully implemented in
2009 and elections are to be held. "The year 2009 is going to be a
watershed, because we are going to have stability or instability or we
are going to have directions towards regional security or not," he
said. With regard to Somalia, the United States appreciates Ethiopia's
concerns. For Ethiopia, the issue in Somalia is particularly the
security issue just as was the stability issue. "If you don't have
stability in Somalia you never have stability in your borders." He
added. "On the other hand, it is also a regional issue, because we can
see the influx of foreign fighters and other extremists coming to
Somalia," he said. "And these are all concerns that affect not only
Ethiopia but also Kenya, Tanzania, Djibouti and all the people who
live in the region, he said. "So we need to work together with
Ethiopia and the neighbouring countries to carry out objectives on how
to enhance security," he said. The shaky transitional government
invited Ethiopian forces into the country to help it battle Islamic
insurgents. Somalia has been torn apart by years of violence between
the militias of rival clan warlords. The rights group said it had
scores of reports of killings by Ethiopian troops. In one case, "a
young child's throat was slit by Ethiopian soldiers in front of the
child's mother," the report says. Amnesty said about 6,000 civilians
had been reported killed and more than 600,000 had been forced to flee
their homes in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, last year. "The people
of Somalia are being killed, raped, and tortured. Looting is
widespread and entire neighborhoods are being destroyed," Michelle
Kagari, the Amnesty deputy director for Africa, said in a statement
from Nairobi that accompanied the report. The report quotes testimony
from 75 witnesses as well as scores of workers from nongovernmental
organizations. People are identified only by first name to protect
them from retaliation. In one testimony, Haboon, 56, said her
neighbor's 17-year-old daughter had been raped by Ethiopian troops.
The girl's brothers tried to defend their sister, but the soldiers
beat them and gouged their eyes out with a bayonet, Haboon was quoted
as telling Amnesty. "The testimony we received strongly suggests that
war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity have been committed by
all parties to the conflict in Somalia and no one is being held
accountable," Kagari said. Somalia has been mired in chaos since 1991,
when warlords overthrew the longtime dictator, Mohamed Siad Barre, and
then turned on each other. Last year, Islamist militants took control
of most of southern Somalia, including Mogadishu. Troops from
neighboring Ethiopia dewere ployed in December 2006 and ejected the
Islamists from the capital. Since then, Mogadishu has been caught up
in a guerrilla war between the government and its Ethiopian allies,
and the Islamist insurgents. Amnesty urged the United Nations, the
African Union and other groups to halt the violence. Note Picture:
Somali leaders have primarily to do one thing: look at the eyes of the
simple, average Somalis.

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