Daily Report

US bombs Pakistan —again

Pakistan protested a June 11 US military strike that killed at least 11 soldiers as a "gross violation" of its sovereignty. The Foreign Ministry in Islamabad summoned US Ambassador Anne Patterson to denounce a "senseless use of air power against a Pakistani border post," Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani called the attack a "blatant and willful negation" of the sacrifices Pakistan has made in combating terrorism. Pakistan's military said in a statement that attack was "unprovoked and cowardly," adding, "The incident has hit at the very basis of cooperation and sacrifice with which Pakistani soldiers are supporting the coalition in the war against terror."

Iraq: arrests in killing of Sana TV reporter

A statement from the Iraq Freedom Congress, June 7:

IFC Members Find and Arrest the Killers of Dr. Mohammed Jassim, Sana TV Program Director

In coordination with IFC safety force and police, the leadership of Iraq Freedom Congress (Wasit Chapter 180 km south East of Baghdad) was able to arrest the two criminals who carried out the assassination of Dr. Mohammed Jassim on June 2, 2008.

Ulster's "Raytheon 6" cleared in Lebanon war protest action

There were jubilant scenes at a Belfast court June 11 as six Derry anti-war protesters were unanimously acquitted of destroying property belonging to multinational arms company Raytheon. The six, including 65-year-old author and journalist Eamonn McCann, were each cleared of causing criminal damage to the building and offices of Raytheon and an employee's car at an August 9, 2006 protest over Israel's bombardment of Lebanon.

Judicial Watch founder sues OPEC for price-fixing

Larry Klayman, founder of Judicial Watch, which filed more than a dozen lawsuits against the Clinton administration alleging cover-ups, brought suit in Miami district court against the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), accusing the cartel of price-fixing. "It's now quite obvious that what they're doing is intentional," Klayman told the New York Times. "What they're trying to do is bring Western economies to their knees. It's extremely clever."

Indonesia: Ahmadiyyah Muslims to challenge crackdown

The Ahmadiyyah Muslim community in Indonesia is planning to file a lawsuit against the government over a new decree banning activities by the sect, condemned as "deviant" by protesters. "We ask the silent majority of moderate Muslims in Indonesia to speak out because now we are being held hostage by a small group of hardliners who commit violence and who want to change the ideology of our state," said Siti Musdah Mulia of the National Alliance for Religious Freedom.

Turkey: conscientious objector on hunger strike

Turkish conscientious objector Mehmet Bal has started a hunger strike, claiming that he was subjected to violence and pressure following his arrest June 8. The Istanbul branch of Turkey's Human Rights Association and Antimilitarist Initiative said in a press release that Bal was beaten and denied water or use of the bathroom as he was kept waiting for hours the night of his arrest. The statement called for his immediate release, and that those responsible for his mistreatment be held responsible. (BIANet, June 11)

Iraqi labor protests privatization

A statement from the General Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq, via the Iraq Freedom Congress, June 7:

The Ministry of Industry and Minerals Privatizes Its Companies

Brothers and sisters in the working class: Amid chaos and lawlessness, surprisingly the Ministry of Industry and Minerals decides to privatize its affiliate companies. The ministry announced privatization of a number of corporations, including manufacturers of cement, pharmaceutical and petrochemicals companies, despite the fact that these enterprises are economically feasible and substantially profitable.

Somalia violence escalates; insurgents take war to Ethiopia

An estimated 100 people were killed and thousands fled their homes in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, in renewed fighting over the weekend following between Ethiopian troops and insurgents. Another 200 were wounded as the Bakara market, Somalia's largest open-air market, was hit by artillery fire. The fighting started when Ethiopian and Somali government forces moved into the restive Yaqshid and Wardigley districts.

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