CIA Halts Harsh Al-Qaida Interrogation Tactics
The CIA (news - web sites) has suspended the use of extraordinary interrogation techniques approved by the White House pending a review by Justice Department (news - web sites) and other administration lawyers, intelligence officials said.

Arafat Refuses To Concede Powers
Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat does not intend to give up any of his prerogatives, Rouhi Fatouh, Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, announced Thursday.

"Arafat will not relinquish anything, because he is the head of the three branches, and we have a Basic Law that defines the authorities of the president," Fatouh said in response to Egypt's demand that Arafat cede control over PA security forces.

Clinton Administration Twice Asserted Links Between Saddam, Al Qaeda...
The Clinton administration talked about firm evidence linking Saddam Hussein's regime to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network years before President Bush made the same statements.

The issue arose again this month after the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States reported there was no "collaborative relationship" between the old Iraqi regime and bin Laden.

NY TIMES: Doc Shows Iraq Sought Al Qaeda's Help Against Saudis...
Contacts between Iraqi intelligence agents and Osama bin Laden when he was in Sudan in the mid-1990's were part of a broad effort by Baghdad to work with organizations opposing the Saudi ruling family, according to a newly disclosed document obtained by the Americans in Iraq.

American officials described the document as an internal report by the Iraqi intelligence service detailing efforts to seek cooperation with several Saudi opposition groups, including Mr. bin Laden's organization, before Al Qaeda had become a full-fledged terrorist organization. He was based in Sudan from 1992 to 1996, when that country forced him to leave and he took refuge in Afghanistan.

Portuguese PM Has Overwhelming Support For Top EU Job: Ahern
27/06/2004 Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso has won "overwhelming support" from other European Union leaders to become president of the European Commission and will be formally proposed for the job when they meet on June 29, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said on Sunday.

EU Hails Transfer Of Power In Iraq  
28/06/2004 The European Commission on Monday hailed the transfer of power from the US-led coalition to the interim government in Iraq, calling it "a first step" toward democracy and highlighting the "many challenges" ahead for Baghdad.

U.S. Hands Over Untrained Security Force To Iraq
WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The United States will hand over a largely-untrained Iraqi military and security force to the new interim government in Baghdad.

The U.S. Defense Department has produced its last report of the coalition reconstruction effort in Iraq, which details progress in the deployment and training of Iraqi military and security forces. The Pentagon report showed that a lion's share of police and military remain untrained.

Comments
Well, the U.S. and the coalition have turned over power to the Iraqi government.  Actually, it would have been my wish that they'd turned it over months ago but I don't know what they know.  

For you who still believe that we needed more of a reason to topple Saddam than just because he refused to cooperate,  more evidence surrounding the connection between Iraq and Al-Qaida has been found in government files.  Apparently the Clinton Administration said they had firm evidence years ago.

It really doesn't matter to me, you'd have to be extremely naive or just flat ignore the truth to not except the fact that every Arab country has been in bed with Al-Qaida and the terrorism going on in Israel.  But frankly, this is war, and the only one smart enough to realize it is Israel.  They were heavily criticized by the world for taking a proactive stand and destroying an Iraqi nuclear reactor in the early 1980s and don't be surprised if they do it again very soon but this time in Iran.  When this happens, many nations will rise up and demand sanctions against Israel, but inside they will be breathing a sigh of relief.  

Another matter that just drives me crazy are the rights we are providing to these so-called prisoners of war we have amassed at Gitmo.  On top of that, the CIA is halting all " extraordinary interrogation techniques" on Al-Qaida prisoners. I credit this change of methods to the bleeding hearts of the world that can't handle the truth.  They just haven't figured out that the information we gleam from these "extraordinary interrogation techniques" save lives not only on the battlefield but also here at home. I'm sorry, but it's time we realize that a mere scrap of information could mean the difference between life and death for thousands.  How many more 9/11s will have to take place on American soil before we wake up? 

Apparently, Yasser Arafat refuses to let go of the stranglehold he has on the "power" he wields over his people. Even though the Arab League has the same goal as Arafat (to destroy Israel), I think they have finally figured out that this can only be accomplished through an establishment of a Palestinian state.  They absolutely don't want peace with Israel and one day soon will prove it.  Look for Yasser Arafat to be forced out quietly.

Pastor Malone