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abbyorisha   abbyorisha Abigail Ngulube's TIGblog
Abigail Ngulube's profile

15 - Year-Old Iraqi Would-Be Suicide Bomber Tells Her Story on Iraq TV
About this category: Peace & Conflict

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

'Who Strapped The Explosives Belt On You?' 'Umm Fatima'

Interviewer: "Ranya, how old are you?"

Ranya: "I'm 15 years old."

Interviewer: "How long have you been married?"

Ranya: "Nine months."

[...]

Interviewer: "How are you doing financially?"

Ranya: "Very well."

Interviewer: "Are your parents alive or dead?"

Ranya: "My mother is still alive."

Interviewer: "And your father?"

Ranya: "He was kidnapped."

Interviewer: "Who kidnapped him?"

Ranya: "We were told it was the militias in Abu Saida."

Interviewer: "After your father was kidnapped, who provided for the family? You said you have an older brother?"

Ranya: "Yes."

Interviewer: "What is your brother's role in the family?"

Ranya: "He used to provide for us, but then the police took him."

Interviewer: "Do you go to school?"

Ranya: "I dropped out in the fifth grade."

[...]

Interviewer: "You were married at the age of 14, against your will, as you said. You did not choose this man. How much older than you is your husband? Don't you know his age?"

Ranya: "He was born in 1985, and he is 23 years old."

Interviewer: "So he was 23 years old, and you were 14 years old."

Ranya: "So he is about 12 years older than me."

Interviewer: "What was your life like with your husband? In your spare time, you used to sit and chat. What would he talk to you about?"

[...]

Ranya: "He used to talk to me about... Not only about religion, but also..."

Interviewer: "Your husband is religious?"

Ranya: "Yes, he used to pray."

Interviewer: "Do you remember what the explosives belt looked like?"

Ranya: " I don't remember what it looked like. They took it away."

Interviewer: "Who strapped it on you?"

Ranya: "Umm Fatima."

Interviewer: "Who is this Umm Fatima?"

Ranya: "[My husband] Muhammad said: 'This is my cousin.'"


'After You Drank The Peach Juice And Ate The Bread, You Felt Dizzy?' 'Yes'

Interviewer: "His relatives? It was his cousins who strapped the belt around your waist?"

Ranya: "Yes."

Interviewer: "Did you know where you were going, and what you were going to do?"

Ranya: "No, I left the house with them."

Interviewer: "They were with you?"

Ranya: "Yes, one of them was."

Interviewer: "Where did they tell you to go?"

Ranya: "They didn't tell me. I was with her, then she stayed in the market to do the shopping, and I left."

Interviewer: "This strange thing that they strapped on your waist - you didn't know what it was?"

Ranya: "No, I didn't know."

Interviewer: "You didn't ask them why they were putting the belt on you?"

Ranya: "No, I didn't ask, but before she put it on me, she gave me a can of peach juice and some bread."

[...]

Interviewer: "After you drank the peach juice and ate the bread, you felt dizzy?"

Ranya: "Yes."

Interviewer: "When you were dizzy, could you still see clearly? Could you see people clearly?"

Ranya: "No, I saw double."

Interviewer: "Did your husband know you were putting on the belt?"

Ranya: "He was in the same house, but I don't know whether he knew." [...]

'They Said To Me: You Won't Blow Up'

Interviewer: "Ranya, were you aware of the outcome of your actions?"

Ranya: "No."

Interviewer: "Were you aware that as a suicide bomber, not a single piece of your body would remain intact, and that you would be killing innocent people? Could this Ranya, this little child who loves everybody, possibly kill 50 or 60 people? Could you imagine this happening because of your doings and the belt you wore?"

Ranya: "But they said to me: 'You won't blow up. So long as you don't play with it, you won't blow up.' When I saw the wires, I asked them. They said: 'It won't blow up. So long as you don't play with it, it won't blow up.'"

Interviewer: "But didn't you ask them what the belt was for?"

Ranya: "No." [...]

Interviewer: "Why did your family marry you off - was it for money or for another reason? You did not want to get married. Why did you they marry you off?"

Ranya: "My mother's financial situation was not good, and my cousin said she knew the guy."

Interviewer: "So your husband was a stranger. He is not related to you?"

Ranya: "No. I did not know him."

[...]

Interviewer: "Ranya, before you carried out the operation, and before Widad and Fatima strapped the explosives belt onto you, where was your husband?"

Ranya: "In the house."

Interviewer: "So when you put on the belt and went out, he was present?"

Ranya: "Yes." [...]


September 23, 2008 | 4:54 AM Comments  0 comments

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abbyorisha   abbyorisha Abigail Ngulube's TIGblog
Abigail Ngulube's profile

Political Leaders Agree on Power-Sharing Deal In Zimbabwe
About this category: Peace & Conflict

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ZIMBABWE AFRICAN NATIONAL UNION-PATRIOTIC FRONT (ZANU-PF) AND THE TWO MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC) FORMATIONS, ON RESOLVING THE CHALLENGES FACING ZIMBABWE

PREAMBLE


We, the Parties to this Agreement;

CONCERNED about the recent challenges that we have faced as a country and the multiple threats to the well-being of our people and, therefore, determined to resolve these permanently.

CONSIDERING our shared determination to uphold, defend and sustain Zimbabwe's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity, as a respected member of the international community, a nation where all citizens respect and, therefore, enjoy equal protection of the law and have equal opportunity to compete and prosper in all spheres of life.


ACKNOWLEDGING the sacrifices made by thousands of Zimbabwe's gallant sons and daughters in the fight against colonialism and racial discrimination and determined to accept, cherish and recognise the significance of the Liberation Struggle as the foundation of our sovereign independence, freedoms and human rights.

DEDICATING ourselves to putting an end to the polarisation, divisions, conflict and intolerance that has characterised Zimbabwean politics and society in recent times.

COMMITTING ourselves to putting our people and our country first by arresting the fall in living standards and reversing the decline of our economy.

EMPHASISING our shared commitment to re-orient our attitudes towards respect for the Constitution and all national laws, the rule of law, observance of Zimbabwe's national institutions, symbols and national events.

RESPECTING the rights of all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation to benefit from and participate in all national programmes and events freely without let or hindrance.

RECOGNISING, accepting and acknowledging that the values of justice, fairness, openness, tolerance, equality, non-discrimination and respect of all persons without regard to race, class, gender, ethnicity, language, religion, political opinion, place of origin or birth are the bedrock of our democracy and good governance.

DETERMINED to build a society free of violence, fear, intimidation, hatred, patronage, corruption and founded on justice, fairness, openness, transparency, dignity and equality.

RECOGNISING and accepting that the Land Question has been at the core of the contestation in Zimbabwe and acknowledging the centrality of issues relating to the rule of law, respect for human rights, democracy and governance.

COMMITTED to act in a manner that demonstrates loyalty to Zimbabwe, patriotism and commitment to Zimbabwe's national purpose, core values, interests and aspirations.

DETERMINED to act in a manner that demonstrates respect for the democratic values of justice, fairness, openness, tolerance, equality, respect of all persons and human rights.

SUBMITTING ourselves to the mandate of the Extraordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held in Dar-es-Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, on 29th March 2007 and endorsed in Lusaka on 12th April 2008 and in the AU Summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt from 30th June to 1 July 2008.

RECOGNISING the centrality and importance of African institutions in dealing with African problems, we agreed to seek solutions to our differences, challenges and problems through dialogue.

ACKNOWLEDGING that pursuant to the Dar-es-Salaam SADC resolution, the Parties negotiated and agreed on a draft Constitution, initialed by the Parties on 30 September 2007, and further agreed and co-sponsored the enactment of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Number 18 Act, amendments to the Electoral Act, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Act, Public Order and Security Act, Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and Broadcasting Services Act.

Relevant Links

Southern Africa
Legal and Judicial Affairs
Zimbabwe



APPRECIATING the historical obligation and need to reach a solution that will allow us to put Zimbabwe first and give the people a genuine chance of rebuilding and reconstructing their livelihoods.


September 16, 2008 | 4:35 AM Comments  1 comments

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abbyorisha   abbyorisha Abigail Ngulube's TIGblog
Abigail Ngulube's profile

The Coming War with Iran: 6 Days in Hell!!!!!
About this category: Peace & Conflict

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

"Six Days to War," which lays out the scenario likely to unfold if the U.S. and Iran go to war.

You'll find out why "Six Days to War" could happen sooner than you think — as many American assets are already "in position" for an attack.

The deadliness and unintended consequences of a U.S. attack against an increasingly militant Iran.

That attack could come sooner than you think.

As the Bush administration ratchets up the pressure, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs says the military option is still on the table and warns Iran that the U.S. can launch massive strikes using Navy and Air power.

The new American commander in the region, Gen. David Petraeus, has also told Congress that Iran is supporting Iraqi insurgents killing Americans. President Bush said in a White House address that Iran, along with al-Qaida, are "two of the greatest threats to America."

Looming war with Iran is based on sources including top Israeli intelligence officers, military and political leaders interviewed in Israel and Washington, D.C., and a key planning document — obtained exclusively by Newsmax — developed by the Iranian navy.

The Coming Nuclear Showdown with Iran. His "Six Days to War" report in Newsmax Magazine offers a scenario that represents one likely course a conflict with Iran might take, and explores:

1. Iran's arsenal, including ballistic missiles, Silkworm anti-ship missiles — and chemical weapons
facilities.
2. The first target of a U.S. strike
3. How Iran would launch its counterattack
4. America's military plan, Operation Clean Slate
5. Hezbollah's response to the war's outbreak — a rain of missiles on Israel
6. America's secret war power and technology
7. The "nightmare scenario" — what if Iran already has nuclear weapons?
8. How the U.S. would use its huge air superiority
9. Retired Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney's "Big George" scenario to disarm Iran
10. The war's shocking effect on oil supplies — and oil prices
11. The repercussions in Iraq
12. How American strikes could cripple the Iranian navy
13. The U.S. commando raids that target Iran's missiles
14. U.S. bunker busters' devastating effect on Iranian nuclear sites
15 The scenario's surprising end to hostilities
16. And much more.

Is President Bush doing the right thing?

September 15, 2008 | 4:20 AM Comments  0 comments

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hapanda   hapanda Henry Davids's TIGblog
Henry Davids's profile

Golden Browns speech
Related to country: Zimbabwe
About this category: Peace & Conflict


I think Golden Browns stance on helping Sudan and Zimbabwe come to peace is the right step. I do believe that the error in Zimbabwe deserves much more attention likewise the Sudanese.
It pains me when i hear of a mother in Sudan, who has gone to fetch water for her family and had to walk 10 miles just to get water with her baby on the back. She get back and only to find the husband the sons killed or taken by the labels, her daugters striped naked and raped.
Likewise the Zimbabwean error, were a father is given heavy and brutal shambocks by the police officers for trying to give out his views in a democratic Zimbabwean political and economical situation.
It suddens me so much, and my prayer is always to wish the best for the Zimbabwean people and Peace to Sudan.

September 26, 2007 | 10:03 AM Comments  0 comments

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Chipita   Chipita Kendy's TIGblog
Kendy's profile

LET'S CITE FOR MURDER THE POLICE AND SOLDIERS AND THEY THAT COMMAND THEM TO KILL;PRESIDENTS,POLICE CHIEFS AND ARMY COMMANDERS AND ANYONE WHO KILLS ANOTHER HUMAN BEING.
About this category: Peace & Conflict


I have been looking at what is happening in Iraq.Death is like part of life and,it seems the big powers have failed to control things.when i asked where likes the glory of war,i expected people to realize that there isn't even an inch of glory in war.Who would be there to tell of how best you defeated them when all your enemies have died?Show us how you fought by bringing in a living defeated warrior because we would value yo glory if there is nothing brought in as evidence to yo strength?And,it's mostly the innocent defenseless civilians who die in wars.Why should a soldier be given authority to kill when to kill is an offense? Does it mean all the learned people have failed to come up with a way of resolving conflicts other than through the use of military force?Have all our learned scientists failed to come up with non-killer weapons to prevent the loss of human life?Cant you killers realize that each and every human being come on earth with gifts and talents to contribute to the good of this earth? How then do you expect their gifts to be applied hen you kill them before they even contribute a thing to the good of this earth?
Isn't murder to kill such innocent people?The police in riot gear firing teargas cannisters on and shooting live ammunition on innocent souls is all glory to you?
Innocent people dying at the expense of protecting the president from real criticism by the people he/she rules (the case of Zimbabwe).Isn't that murder?
And yet the world gives a blind ye to that and,everything goes on as normally as every normal.Why should we leave murderers free to carry on with their murder programs?EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT TO LIFE AND THAT RIGHT SHOULD BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM BY ANYONE NO MATTER HOW HIGH THEY ARE IN AUTHORITY.
THEY ARE MURDERERS THAT KILL,BE IT IN WAR OR NY OTHER WAY.
LET'S PROMOTE LIFE.
HENRY

August 28, 2007 | 1:36 PM Comments  0 comments

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Matongo   Matongo Matongo Maumbi's TIGblog
Matongo Maumbi's profile

Dumb or Dumber - Stop the Hatred
About this category: Peace & Conflict



Two Arabs boarded a shuttle out of Washington for New York, one sat in the window seat the other in the middle seat. Just before take off a fat, little Jewish guy got on and took the aisle seat. He kicked off his shoes, riggled his toes and was settling in when Arab in the window seat said, "I think i'll go up and get a coke." (shuttle flights do not have cabin attendants, but you probably know that.)

"No problem," said the Jew. "I'll get it for you." while he was gone, the Arab picked up the Jew's shoe and spat in it. The Jew brought back the coke, when the other Arab said, " That looks good. Think i'll have one too."

Again, the Jew obligingly goes to fetch it, and while he is gone, the Arab picks up the other shoe and spits in it. The Jew returns with the coke, and they all sit back and enjoy ! the short flight. When the plane was landing, the Jew slipped his feet into his shoes and knew immediately what had happened.

"How long must this go on?" he asked. This enmity between our peoples.......this hatred...... your spitting in my shoes and me pissing in your coke?"

BE SMART
STAY BEAUTIFUL
AND NEVER STOP BELIEVING IN THE ALMIGHTY...

January 16, 2006 | 12:23 AM Comments  2 comments

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chrismudenda   chrismudenda Chris Mudenda's TIGblog
Chris Mudenda's profile

It’s getting ‘hotter’ in the Gulf
About this category: Peace & Conflict




Recent and constant build up of military presence in and around Iraq clearly draws the possibility of war much to reality. Even as the UN inspectors continue their search for traces of weapons of mass distraction and the like, I strongly believe that Saddam will soon come under attack.
Much debate on this Gulf situation has already been on a number of tabletops in an effort to justify bombing Iraq as a means of disarming Baghdad. Unfortunately few if not none have intensively talked about the poor and voiceless Iraq people who will be direct casualties of their fate. One thing I must state is that the US and its allies or UN per say will not harm Saddam as such. The man will just lose his job as a president. Infact he is already rich and has wealth all round the world. He will simply fly off Iraq as soon as the first attack is initiated. Poor Iraqis who cannot even afford a balanced diet and are probably struglying to earn a living will instead suffer the consequences.
A number of poor people are bound to have their lives disturbed even as the US and its allies may proclaim Victory at the end of it all. Every day conferences and workshops are being held in order to fetch for better means of alleviating poverty and sustaining poor people’s lives. What then will this reflect to the all the efforts that have been and are currently being put forward to ease life around the world? In as much as I may be suspicious about the whole Gulf situation I strongly believe that we can still draw up better means to tackling problems and conflicts such as the Israel Palestine and those seen in the Balkans. What I don’t like my self is the aspect of using guns and bombs whose bullets and targets respectively go astray in harming and killing innocent ones who are needy people in most cases. May be we should get the UN to design more rules that can instantly bring a leader of a nation to book if at all they go against any globally agreed treaty. This should be followed by stern measures like freezing their accounts and/or restricting their movements rather than resorting to brutal and life distracting means such as sanctions that hit most on the choice less poor.

January 23, 2003 | 6:21 AM Comments  0 comments

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