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October 9, 2014
Open Thread 2014-23
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Yes, Fete … thanks very much. It sounds like the Novorossians are rising once again. Hope they finish the job – drive the neo-nazis out of Novorossya – this time.
I’d missed this completely … “The CIA Owns Everyone Of Any Significance In The Major Media” … it sounds like dog bites man, but it’s more …
The former editor of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, which is one of Germany’s largest newspapers, was secretly on the payroll of the CIA and German secret service, spinning the news in a way that was positive for the United States and bad for its opponents.
“I ended up publishing articles under my own name written by agents of the CIA and other intelligence services, especially the German secret service.”
No surprise to anyone who’s been paying attention, but an eye-opener for the believer in denial. And it’s catching on despite predictable CIA efforts …
“No German mainstream journalist is allowed to report about [my] book. Otherwise he or she will be sacked. So we have a bestseller now that no German journalist is allowed to write or talk about.”
… apparently it’s #7 on the bestsellers list in Germany.
Russian Spring
10/17/2014-19:53
Summary from fronts by combatant Prokhorov
About settlement Bakhmutka – Ukrainians do not learn, again go for a breach to rescue the besieged outposts.
Debal`tsevo and Maloorlovka – a couple of hours ago was such blasting – the Earth shook.
About Donetsk – Ukrainians entirely withdraw 79th airmobile brigade from settlement Peski.
Russian Spring
10/17/2014-18:28
Situation in Donetsk from combatant Yan:
Since afternoon clashes intensified in area of the airport. The nazis blow from heavy artillery at the city districts.
On 15:20 clashes reported on territory of the airport and abutting foliage.
On 16:00 fierce clashes resumed in area Grabovo and Nikishino involving weapons of all kinds.
On 16:15 fierce fights reported under Yelenovka and in area of the airport (involving tanks).
Russian Spring
10/17/2014-11:59
Commentary: On October 16, President of Ukraine Poroshenko signed a law “About exceptional practice of local self governance of individual areas within Donttsk and Lugansk regions”. In the foundation of the law, for three years, some areas of Donbass are endowed by additional authority, and by exceptional economic status.
Particularly, local administration appoints judges and prosecutors, establishes local militia, is permitted to use Russian language.
The exceptional economic status assumes a State funded program to resurrect industry, infrastructure and housing, to create new jobs.
Commenting the enacting of the law, Prime-Minister of Donetsk Republic Aleksander Zhakharchenko asserted that Donetsk Republic is “sovereign state, independence of which was voted by its citizens”. Therefore, laws of Ukraine have no effect over Donetsk Republic.
“Kiev is still under illusion that they govern us. In fact, this is not the case… There are no ‘some areas of Donbass’; there is Donetsk Republic, which intends to return all occupied territories of the former Donetsk region of Ukraine” – concluded the Prime-Minister.
Posted by: Fete | Oct 18 2014 5:22 utc | 102
Russian Spring
10/18/2014-23:50
Commander of detachment “Somaly” Givi and commander of a platoon Serzh described an attempt by Ukrainian forces to attack by tanks, and how the attack ended.
At high speed, 70-80 km/h, 5 tanks and 3 APCs entered the territory of airport and opened chaotic fire in all directions: at foliage, at the city, at combatants’ positions and their own too.
Fire of combatants destroyed 2 units, one damaged drove away in plumes of smoke, the rest spent ammunition and whirled back.
Russian Spring
10/18/2014-18:26
Summary from fronts by combatant Prokhorov
Hours passed since a lobby to hell was opened in Donetsk. Ukrainians struck an industrial district by tactical missiles “Tochka-U”. Their artillery and “Uragans” (salvo rocket system) blow at residential districts. Tank attack is in the airport.
In retaliation, Ukrainians are being hit near Avdeevka, Mar`inka-Krasnogorovka and Peski.
In addition, Ukrainians were struck by “Grads” (less powerful than “Uragans”) near Volnovakha.
Russian Spring
10/18/2014-14:01
Summary from fronts by combatant Prokhorov
Ukrainians poised for the 4th mobilization. Losses have been so bad that reserves do not make up for the lost. Specifically, those of 30 and older are being called up, because they are able to do at least something.
…
Ukrainians pull some units from Donetsk. The reason is not only the monstrous losses but also mass desertion among personnel. For example some companies 93rd mechanized are staffed by less than 50%.
Several thousands are being prosecuted. But detaining a deserted in Ukraine is “catch me if you can”. Many have moved to Russia or Europe, or “vegetable gardens” of grandma in remote settlement high in mountains (steppes, woods). The enlistment offices are real mess. Registration cards are kept casually, often notices come to died or left few years ago.
Besides, there is a standard “fee” to forget (materials would not be sent to Ministry of Internal Affairs for prosecution) .
Posted by: Fete | Oct 19 2014 4:43 utc | 103
really @ 104 —
Surprise, surprise. Just as we start to get bogged down again/further in Iraq and it’s blowback, here comes an attempt to revive the whole shibboleth of Iraqi “WMD.” “We neo-cons were right after all, so do what we want now!” Right on cue for Halloween, the undead. Is that Chaney and Rumsfeld we see wandering by? Accompanied by Judith Miller and the editorial staff at the NYT, how festive!
fete at 103 —
Very interesting info. on the mobilization, tx again.
Posted by: rufus magister | Oct 19 2014 17:12 utc | 105
If there’s not much exposure, I’ll try to post this on the next open thread, and will consider this one a formatting test.
I wrote an userscript to hide commenters on every MoA blog post. Blocked commenters persist across pages using the browser localStorage feature. The thing is pretty straight forward and the code clearly has no spyware. Tested on Firefox, Opera and Chrome. Use a browser extension to manage userscripts (Greasemonkey or Tampermonkey).
http://pastebin.com/cD77ft9G
1- A permanent button on every blog post.
2- View globally blocked and check/uncheck all on the current page.
3- Effect on the page.
Posted by: citizen x | Oct 19 2014 20:04 utc | 107
Will Serbia Turn To The East? The Real Significance of Putin’s Visit
Thursday’s agreements signed between Putin and Nikolic were also notable. Among the most important surrounds a Russian governmental organization in Niš, in southern Serbia. An agreement was signed to grant full legal immunity to employees of the organization.
The Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center in Niš has been under increased scrutiny from the minority pro-western liberals, and representatives of the US embassy have urged a thorough investigation. The accusations are that the Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center, also called the Emergency Situations Center, is operating today as an FSB hub, with the ultimate aim of establishing a Russian military base. This has been denied by Serbian authorities. There is a growing memetic movement calling for Russian military bases in southern Serbia. Niš is 80 miles from US Camp Bondsteel, in the US occupied South Serbian region of Kosovo.
Putin also, during the visit, reiterated his unwavering position on the necessary end to the occupation of Kosovo, and its lawful return to Serbia.
All South-stream proposals have the pipeline traveling through, or next to, Niš … The completion of the pipeline is a critical piece for Russian access to European markets, as well as a counter-measure against the US created instability in Ukraine, where presently between 65% and 70% of Russian gas to Europe travels through.
On the issue of South-stream, Putin also underlined the importance of the project during today’s visit. He said:“The South-stream cannot be realized unilaterally. Like in Love, there is a need for two sides. We cannot build the pipeline worth several billions on our own. Similar discussion was led for Nordstream, so now everybody is satisfied. The problems with South-stream are political, and they are damaging the economy. We do not want to have an energy crisis this winter. It certainly will not be our fault.”
We do not believe Serena died in car accident: Family
Family members of Press TV’s American-Lebanese correspondent, Serena Shim, say they do not believe their daughter died in a normal accident in Turkey.
Serena’s family made the remarks during a visit by the news network’s Beirut Bureau team in Lebanon.
On Friday, Shim, an American citizen of Lebanese origin, told Press TV that the Turkish intelligence agency had accused her of spying probably due to some of the stories she had covered about Turkey’s stance on the ISIL terrorists in Kobani and its surroundings, adding that she feared being arrested.
Her car collided with a heavy vehicle upon return from a report scene in Suruç, a rural district of Şanlıurfa province of Turkey.
The identity and the whereabouts of the truck driver remain unknown.
Shim said she was among the few journalists who had obtained stories about Takfiri militants’ infiltration into Syria through the Turkish border, adding she had gained access to images showing militants crossing the border in trucks belonging to the World Food Organization and other NGOs.
Another American citizen/journalist killed by Israel/ISIS/the Turks? No problem. They’re all ‘our allies’. It’s open season on anyone, including Americans, for ‘our allies’.
Palestinian Child Killed by Israeli Settler
An Israeli settler ran over 2 Palestinian girls with a car in the West Bank.
Five year-old Enas Khalil died after an Israeli settler hit the Palestinian girl with his car in the town of Sinjil, near Ramallah Sunday. According to eyewitnesses, the settler fled the scene after the incident.
Bahaa Badr, a 13 year old boy was shot in the chest and killed Thursday by Israeli forces also near Ramallah city. Laila Ghanam, governor of Ramallah said that the killing of the boy was a “stain on a silent world” and an example of Israel’s crimes against children.
The degeneration of Western society is speeding up. Soon it will be unstoppable … again. As in ‘never again’.
german intel agency saying ukraine was responsible for the downing of mh17… came out today in the german newspaper de speigel..here is rt’s story on it..
Posted by: james | Oct 20 2014 3:52 utc | 110
i read that assbackwards! here is the story in de spiegels english version..
Posted by: james | Oct 20 2014 3:59 utc | 111
Nothing ‘new’ here, but it’s good to read it all in one place ..
Libya: From Africa’s Richest State Under Gaddafi, To Failed State After NATO Intervention
In 2011, the West’s objective was clearly not to help the Libyan people, who already had the highest standard of living in Africa, but to oust Gaddafi, install a puppet regime, and gain control of Libya’s natural resources.
NATO’s military intervention may have been a resounding success for America’s military elite and oil companies but for the ordinary Libyan, the military campaign may indeed go down in history as one of the greatest failures of the 21st century.
Took a CIA man of direct African descent – a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, to completeley destroy Libya. With help from his European friends.
The degeneration of Western society is speeding up. Soon it will be unstoppable … again. As in ‘never again’.
Russian Spring
10/18/2014-01:49
“Eight civilians, citizen of Donetsk Republic, and 2 combatants died during Sunday October 19 due to continuing bombardments.
The bombardments carried on entire day. The worst is in Donets airport and settlement Nikishino.”
Russian Spring
10/18/2014-01:36
Combatant Prokhorov informs of continuing battle at Bakhmutka (Bakhmutka is a small river, also a north-west highway from Lugansk; nearby settlement is Smeloye)
19:26 (Moscow time) Ukrainian units participating in unblocking outposts near Bakhmutka are 95th airmobile, 24th mechanized, 8th of commando regiment and 24th of battalion “Aidar”.
They advanced with clashes – the Cossacks dodged short-range engagement. Currently, 31st outpost is unblocked. The Ukrainians saturate the highway by troops, which are under constant shelling though, yet the Ukrainians press along the highway.
The Cossacks were forced to retreat, but they are not dispersed.
21:09 The outposts 32 and 28 are surrounded again (actually, these were not unblocked – the Ukrainians were repelled). The Cossack’s artillery works upon Ukrainians near Smeloye, Lotikovo and all along Bakhmutka (small river) (this is the artillery siege rather than tactical).
22:10 The Ukrainians are mowed by “Grads”; the Cossacks receive reinforcement from Lugansk.
Russian Spring
10/18/2014-00:50
Situation overview from 1st Inter-Brigade of South-East:
…
Lugansk. A large combatants’ attack on city Schast`ye was reported. Ukrainians complain on the night artillery strike from settlement Veselaya Gora (Merry Mount). In overall, the situation here turns better for combatants: severing dislocated here punitive troops with forming a caldron becomes a possibility…
In area of Smeloye and Khorosheye more than 100 nazis are blocked…
Thus, the Lugansk direction heats up. Finally, active military operations by combatants are reported from area of Schast`ye.
Posted by: Fete | Oct 20 2014 4:18 utc | 113
“…In addition to these calamities, more than 45 municipalities have imposed curfews on Syrian nationals, a move widely seen as a racist practice and one also in violation of international humanitarian law and the 1951 Convention. HRW comments that the curfews”contribute to a climate of discriminatory and retaliatory practices against” the refugees. Curfew violators are reportedly given a warning or, in some cases, are “taken to the municipality for questioning” where they may be detained for hours.
The reports have fueled anger among lawyers in Damascus, at the Lawyers Syndicate across from the Cham Palace Hotel, where seminars have discussed the legal problems facing Syrian refugees in Lebanon. In addition, the Faculty of Law at Damascus University is considering setting up a legal defense team to help Syrians in Lebanon challenge arbitrary and discriminatory. University is considering setting up a legal defense team to help Syrians in Lebanon challenge arbitrary and discriminatory applications of Lebanese laws.
“Syria helped them (the Lebanese) many times during their 15-year civil war and during the 2006 July war!” commented a teacher a a government primary school visited by this observer last week. “We gave them everything they needed. Our government buildings social services, free medical care, free education, schools, hygienic conditions, peace and quiet, food and sometimes cash stipends What about us? Is this the Lebanese way of saying ‘thanks’ to the people of Syria?”…
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Avoidable-Humanitarian-Cri-by-Franklin-Lamb-Border-Security_Curfew_Humanitarian-Crisis_Refugees-141019-933.html
Britain’s UKIP Win another Sign of EU Rebellion
“…The political earthquake rumbles on in Europe with the latest election victory of Britain’s far-right and fervently eurosceptic UK Independence Party But it would be a mistake to paint the rise of Britain’s UKIP as just a rightwing nationalistic fashion. What the rise of the party portends is a widespread disaffection among the European citizenry towards the increasingly autocratic European Union.
The EU is no longer seen as a progressive project promoting social development, but rather as a juggernaut to railroad through the elite interests of finance capital…
$66,000,000 wasted in 24 hours. Just an average interventionist war tab for a day.
No wonder the USA is crumbling in on itself in every aspect, socially, financially (for 99% of us) and infrastructure wise. Absolutely boggles the mind. The exceptional nation they say. I guess the USA is exceptional at destroying itself. The USG needs to get a grip and/or seek some psycho-therapy.
Russian Spring
10/21/2014-00:31
Situation overview from 1st Inter-Brigade of South-East:
Donetsk – yesterday’s evening was marked by fierce bombardment from “Grad” at district Kievskiy (at least 7 times the punitive troops fired from their positions in Avdeevka, Opitnoye and Artemovsk) and district Kuybishevskiy by phosphorus ammo (at least 5 time from settlement Peski). In the morning, Ukrainian artillery delivered a series of strikes at the airport and the railway station; then again by tactical missiles “Tochka-U” (at district Voroshilov). Then from Peski, a group of nazis enforced by 22 units of armored hardware stormed the airport (the punitive troops were fairly pummeled, most of the hardware was damaged or destroyed; the attakers had to retreat). Clashes and shelling of the airport are incessant.
Debal`tsevo – local clashes and artillery duels continue. Periodical attacks by groups of combatants on fortified nazi’s positions “deep” in caldron are reported.
Nikishino – embittered fights, artillery strikes do not cease.
Prognoses surfaced of possible break through by Ukrainians aiming to encircle Donetsk (in direction of Makeyevka with severing a highway to Krasniy Luch) being planned for Friday.
Lugansk – clashes in area of settlement Smeloye continue. A massive attack on a combatants’ outpost was reported successfully repelled.
Information on development of yesterday’s situation in Schast`ye is contradictory (either the storm on the Lugansk electric power plant was repelled – according to Council on National Security, or there was not such storm – according to combatants; as a guess – the attempt of storm existed, but its potential was insufficient, either side returned to original positions retaining status-quo)
Posted by: Fete | Oct 21 2014 4:18 utc | 119
Thanks again, Fete. There seems to be a complete blackout on the building Ukrainian offensive and on Russia’s abandonment of the Novoroossyans.
Even here at MoA, if it weren’t for your yeomanly work in the comments section.
I guess some sort of deal has been cut between the Russians and the Germans, over the heads of those poor folks who live in East Ukraine, and mums the word.
The morning in Donetsk
Overnight the shelling of residential areas of Donetsk went on. There are still no reports from the City Council in regard to yesterday’s casualties. The number of people wounded by fragments of broken glass as a result of the exceptionally powerful blast of a plant after it was hit with a ballistic missile, is extremely big. A serious problem arose caused by the total absence of window panes in entire districts in cold weather conditions. It is no use closing window apertures in one separate apartment, when the neighbouring apartments will be left to freeze.
The Nazis are absolutely obviously trying to organize a new massive exodus of civilians from the city, paralyzing its life and blocking the roads with escaping people.
The peaceful plan had been definitely rendered abortive, however politicians keep on pretending that the recent events are just annoying meaningless incidents. At that Russia is placed in the most vulnerable position, as only Russia has placed the signature of an official figure under the Minsk agreement, thus, according to the opinion of the West, it bears the responsibility for the implementation of this agreement. What kind of responsibility can the retired politician Kuchma or attesting witnesses Zakharchenko and Plotnitskiy, who had not been informed about their positions even, bear?
The Wonga Payday Lending Experiment – Financial Terrorism
“…Wonga, which has been termed a “payday lender”, has written off the debts of 330,000 borrowers this month who were more than 30 days in arrears. The value of that comes down to an eye goggling £220m. Additionally, 45,000 customers in arrears will not be chased up for interest owing. The company is in retreat in the face of its own practices which have managed to lure individuals into the debt cycle in the name of innovative “business models”.
Perhaps it is only fitting that it should have a new chairman by the name of Andy Haste, whose surname does not augur well for the company’s practices…”
What more can one add. Some of the most disadvantaged people were technically on the hook for £220,000,000? Thank goodness they let go of that rediculous predatory receivable. It makes you wonder how much payday lenders received over the years from their medieval “lending” practices. Did they take first borns as payment too? Geez…