Russian Invasion of Georgian Republic The Perfect Illustration of Difference Between Presidential Candidates

From His Messiahship’s johnny-come-lately statement on his website:

“As I have said for many months, aggressive diplomatic action must be taken to reach a political resolution to this crisis, and to assure that Georgia’s sovereignty is protected.

Uh… when has he brought this up? Have I missed something of his rhetoric? Did the press, who fawns on his every flatulence, miss him fussing and worrying about Russia-Georgia? Anybody got anything on Obama talking about this region “for many months”???

Hang, I think the guy didn’t have a clue until his advisors filled him in after the fact, so he could compose his new “more Presidential” statement. He was too busy vacationing to have a clue.

mata, you didn’t miss it, he never said it. he probaly hopes he said it in the past and hopes that all the empty crap he has spewn has something about it in there. he can’t remember how many states there are and he remembers saying something he never said…what a great example of what the dims are putting out there.

Just a few thoughts of my own on what is happening in Georgia with the Russian invasion. All of this is open source or my deductions.

1. The Russian Army was ready en mass to attack into Georgia, suggesting the “Georgian aggression” was fabricated or at least not a surprise. The Russian Army was supposedly under-funded and ill-trained. Unless they are taking losses we are not seeing, this is obviously not the case.

2. Putin (he rules Russia , not his hand-picked “president”) ordered the attack to begin on the start of the Olympics. The world is distracted.

3. The Ukraine threatening to blockade Russian ships if they are used could widen the conflict.

4. Iran …… The Ace or a Joker?
a. Iran tested long ranged missiles in the Caspian a few weeks ago from floating platforms. My guess at the time was so they could launch them from cargo ships. I still hold to that. However, WHY would Russia allow Iran to hold these tests and detonate the missiles at apogee so close to Russian cities? Why, because Russia knew what Iran intended them for and/or provided assistance in creating them and with targeting.

b. Iran could use these missiles (say 3-5 ships with two nukes each) and park 1-2 off each coast and one in the Gulf of Mexico . These ships could then conduct a close-in EMP attack by detonating the nukes at high altitude. This would destroy the US power grid for years to come, rendering us unable to do much to stop Russia . We could track the attack to Iran , but any response would keep Russian hands clean and tie ours. The wild card is if Iran decides to attack Israel at the same time.

c. Iran also needs the international community’s attention diverted away from them right now so they can enrich more weapons grade or weapons capable uranium and delay sanctions.

d. The Georgian troops who were pulled out guarded the Iraq-Iran boarder at Basra . This now creates a temporary gap in the boarder for Iran to smuggle in EFP devices, bombs, equipment, and its fighters to Iraq .

5. Russia can “economically blockade” the EU concerning natural gas and oil. This, combined with renewed Russian AF bomber patrols near North Sea oil platforms (which could be easily attacked) may blackmail the EU into doing nothing until it is too late.

6. The BTC Oil Pipeline. Russia is not stopping in the “disputed” colonial territories. It is going for ALL of Georgia . Gaining the BTC pipeline intact will add to Russia ’s coffers (and resource control) and get rid of “pesky” democratically elected governments.

7. Democrats like Sen Levin were quick to backstab the Administration in their initial diplomatic attempts to scold Russia . Levin got about 80% of the AP story space on Yahoo while the President and VP shared the rest. The actions by the rest of the left will be telling. If the pattern holds, I expect more undercutting and backstabbing.

8. Where (besides Poland who remembers this stuff and is protesting Russia) are the “anti-war” protesters demanding Russia stop its true “war for oil” and war of aggression? Why is there a clear double standard? It should be noted that the Polish protesting in Warsaw are not in the same category as the US useful idiot “anti-war” protesters. The Poles are anti-Russian aggression. The US ones are “pro-anyone who is against the US” and are very pro-war in their silence and treatment of the true aggressors in the world.

9. What are other wild cards like Venezuela , North Korea , and Cuba doing? Their actions could indicate a wider collusion with Russia ’s seeming imperialistic path.

There is more, but the use of Iranian nukes on cargo ships and collusion between Russia and Iran worry me the most. This was TOO well planned and provisioned by Russia not to have been a staged attack followed by a full invasion.

I too see shades of 1930s Europe and Georgia is the Czech Republic . Putin is playing the part of Hitler. Will Europe again play Chamberlin?

League of Hot! Democrazies anyone?

NATO Intervention can take any of many diff deals.

A combat air patrol along with satelite intell for what’s left of Georgia’s rocket artillery target acquisition would prob give Russia a chance to consider their gains thus far:

1. Re absorption of Abkhazia and Ossetia.
2. Demonstrating effective war-fighting capability abroad for the first time since the collapse of the Collectivist Union.

A CAP (and don’t fall for the there is nothing NATO or America could do jazz) would also give Russia a chance to see what all she could lose. Her easy win military prestige wise could evaporate as fast as changing the G8 to G7.

Admitting Ukrania to NATO would signal a red line was crossed in Georgia. Russia is terrified of sweet hot democrazies along her near abroad Western frontier and this would cause pause in her drive to re estab the old collectivist union.

Elecronic Warfare by NATO could render the Red Army’s panzer strike force to communication via smoke signals.

All done from a distance.

On the PR front – NATO could commend a league of Hot! Democrazies to hound and confound Russia at every opportunity – essentially making Russia a self created pariah.

Crunk and disorderly – and hotly stacked with petrol rubles Russia AIN’T all that. Commonwealth’s GRU (military intell) report in Jan admitted Russia may have peaked:

“The management of the Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant had promised to supply six, rather than two, Su-34 bombers in late 2006. Moreover, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) remains only partially operational with 13 spacecraft. Right now, the Army can buy only six to seven, rather than ten, fighting vehicles because raw materials, components, fuel, heat and electricity are becoming increasingly more expensive.

Only 36% of strategic defense enterprises are solvent, while another 23% are tottering on the verge of bankruptcy.

Another problem has to do with human resources. Most skilled workers and scientists are nearing retirement age. At the same time, quite a few technical-college graduates are in no hurry to sign up with the defense industry because of low wages and insufficient career opportunities.

The lack of qualified personnel and up-to-date production equipment will inevitably impair product quality. In fact, India, Algeria and some other countries are beginning to file quality claims.

Since 1992, not a single state defense order has been fulfilled completely and on time. It would be naive to hope that the industry’s problems will be solved in a couple of years. Nor should we expect a major breakthrough this year. All we can do is work patiently, without deviating from the preset program.”

Also -trouble in Georgia was Strategically Forecast way back in January:

“The former pro-Western Soviet republic of Georgia, long a thorn in Moscow’s side, has two secessionist regions that rely on Russia for their economic and military
existence. Russia could easily absorb them outright and thus break the myth that
American protection in the Caucasus is sustainable.”

“Gazprom could swallow up Russian-British joint oil venture TNK-BP, destroying billions in U.K. investment in a heartbeat. Union with Belarus would return the Red Army to the European frontier and turn the security framework of Eurasia inside-out overnight.”

“When that happens, Russia will face a resurgent United States that commands alliances in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Russia must use the ongoing U.S. entanglement in the Middle East to redefine its immediate neighborhood or risk a developing geopolitic far less benign to Russian interests than Washington’s Cold War policy of containment.”

If hounded and confounded by all her ex Western Frontier ‘near abroads’ (that have all picked democracies as the way to go), a concerned and suddenly busy body NATO – Russia would have lots to consider

Sen. Obama would be better served on history if he constantly played Billy Joel’s song ‘We didn’t start the fire.’ But he wont because he already knows everything.

For a historical perspective of when the Roman Republic was weak in supporting an ally: http://annapuna.blogspot.com/2008/08/saguntum.html
Only started the Second Punic War.

MataHarley said:

Hang, I think the guy didn’t have a clue until his advisors filled him in after the fact, so he could compose his new “more Presidential” statement. He was too busy vacationing to have a clue.

300 foreign policy advisors and the “clueless one” believes this nation should follow his “leadership” of hope and change. Be very worried if this nation choose’s this man to be in charge of global decisions.

The United Nation’s Security Council is a joke along with their pathetic “peacekeeping” force. It’s time to give the entire UN a notice to find another piece of real estate to pander to foreign interest. The appeasement policies embraced by the left is simply not working.

Mike,

Here’s that “usual moral-equivalency crapola” from BHO:

“Over the last two days, Russia has escalated the crisis in Georgia through its clear and continued violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. On Friday, Aug. 8, Russian military forces invaded Georgia. I condemn Russia’s aggressive actions and reiterate my call for an immediate ceasefire. Russia must stop its bombing campaign, cease flights of Russian aircraft in Georgian airspace, and withdraw its ground forces from Georgia. Both sides should allow humanitarian assistance to reach civilians in need. Russia also must end its cyber war against Georgian government websites. Georgia’s territorial integrity must be respected.”

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12419.html

Once again, a complex and difficult international situation spun into a partisan issue.

ChrisG typed:

‘b. Iran could use these missiles (say 3-5 ships with two nukes each) and park 1-2 off each coast and one in the Gulf of Mexico . These ships could then conduct a close-in EMP attack by detonating the nukes at high altitude. This would destroy the US power grid for years to come, rendering us unable to do much to stop Russia . We could track the attack to Iran , but any response would keep Russian hands clean and tie ours. The wild card is if Iran decides to attack Israel at the same time.’

Whew.

I was so relieved to be able to boot up this morning. Not to mention eat a piece of toast.

Thought we was goners.

Of course the thought remains that while the Soviets have their own national interests which oddly enough don’t always reflect those of the US, one thing keeping Putin at the helm and his Russian oligarchs happy with that arrangement is a market for their product.

Somehow I don’t think the Russians want the world’s largest market to cease functioning quite yet.

There are still more super yachts to launch, Renoirs to collect and English football clubs to purchase.

What Dave Hussein Noble doesn’t realize is that when you get that 3 AM phone call you have to be right THE FIRST TIME!

Obama’s flip flop on this issue is like his flip flop on everything else. It results from a lack of core principles, no experience, flawed judgement and a desire to do whatever is viewed as politically advantageous.

MataHarley typed:

‘Hang, I think the guy didn’t have a clue until his advisors filled him in after the fact, so he could compose his new “more Presidential” statement. He was too busy vacationing to have a clue.’

I understand how eager we all are to have someone else as the ‘decider’ but Senator Obama is only a candidate and not yet in charge of foreign policy.

Mike typed:

What Dave Hussein Noble doesn’t realize is that when you get that 3 AM phone call you have to be right THE FIRST TIME!

That Hussein really plays to the rubes Mike. Well done.

The one thing McCain did which was interesting was underscore the importance of being logged onto Wikipedia when that 3:00 AM phone call rings.

Buzz,

The bottomline is that you engaged in empty rhetoric about “Russian talking points.” Caught with your pants down you respond by telling me to kiss your ass. Pull your pants up, Buzz, you look silly. Try backing up your rhetoric next time. Or don’t – empty rhetoric seems to be your strong suit.

All power to BHO for talking to a Russia expert. On this issue, I’d consult Condoleeza Rice in a heartbeat. Smart people talk to people who know what they’re talking about regardless of their idealogy. Yeah, and what a dumb idea to talk Saakishvili, huh? I sure hope he doesn’t pull that crap when he’s President.

Mikes’s America

“What Dave Hussein Noble doesn’t realize is that when you get that 3 AM phone call you have to be right THE FIRST TIME!”

Anarchists know full well the damage they intend to cause.

It’s like Obama inhaling. THAT’S THE POINT – with Obama to get high, and with the malicious trolls to cause whatever problems they can, like to get Obama elected because that will cause suffering and discontent nationally, which they can make use of to make more discontent and cause more trouble.

I knew of guys like Stoner and Gnoebles and WD-40 and Dougy back in the 60’s. They haven’t changed a bit. They are the same Leftist trouble makers now as they were then.

Doug said:

“Miss ‘mushroom cloud’ must have been waiting for the memo ‘Russia determined to strike the US’ before acting.”

Doug: That’s a low blow and beneath the veneer of civility that you usually try to convey.

But since you drew attention to the “memo” I’d like to remind everyone of this one:

National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States: The following is the text of an item from the Presidential Daily Brief received by President William J. Clinton on December 4, 1998. Redacted material is indicated in brackets.

SUBJECT: Bin Ladin Preparing to Hijack US Aircraft and Other Attacks

1. Reporting [-] suggests Bin Ladin and his allies are preparing for attacks in the US, including an aircraft hijacking to obtain the release of Shaykh ‘Umar ‘Abd al-Rahman, Ramzi Yousef, and Muhammad Sadiq ‘Awda. One source quoted a senior member of the Gama’at al-Islamiyya (IG) saying that, as of late October, the IG had completed planning for an operation in the US on behalf of Bin Ladin, but that the operation was on hold.A senior Bin Ladin operative from Saudi Arabia was to visit IG counterparts in the US soon thereafter to discuss options-perhaps including an aircraft hijacking.

IG leader Islambuli in late September was planning to hijack a US airliner during the “next couple of weeks” to free ‘Abd al-Rahman and the other prisoners, according to what may be a different source.
The same source late last month said that Bin Ladin might implement plans to hijack US aircraft before the beginning of Ramadan on 20 December and that two members of the operational team had evaded security checks during a recent trial run at an unidentified New York airport. [-]
2. Some members of the Bin Ladin network have received hijack training, according to various sources, but no group directly tied to Bin Ladin’s al-Qa’ida organization has ever carried out an aircraft hijacking.Bin Ladin could be weighing other types of operations against US aircraft.Accord-ing to [-] the IG in October obtained SA-7 missiles and intended to move them from Yemen into Saudi Arabia to shoot down an Egyptian plane or, if unsuccessful, a US military or civilian aircraft.

A [-] in October told us that unspecified “extremist elements” in Yemen had acquired SA-7s. [-]
3. [-] indicate the Bin Ladin organization or its allies are moving closer to implementing anti-US attacks at unspecified locations, but we do not know whether they are related to attacks on aircraft. A Bin Ladin associate in Sudan late last month told a colleague in Kandahar that he had shipped a group of containers to Afghanistan. Bin Ladin associates also talked about the movement of containers to Afghanistan before the East Africa bombings.

In other [-] Bin Ladin associates last month discussed picking up a package in Malaysia. One told his colleague in Malaysia that “they” were in the “ninth month [of pregnancy].”
An alleged Bin Ladin supporter in Yemen late last month remarked to his mother that he planned to work in “commerce” from abroad and said his impending “marriage,” which would take place soon, would be a “surprise.””Commerce” and “marriage” often are codewords for terrorist attacks. [-]

778 days passed between the time President Clinton recieved the above warning and the time he left office. HE DID NOTHING.

So, if you want to stir all that up again Doug, bring it on!

IT’S OBAMA’S FAULT

The Georgian president is on a timer. It’s now or never. It’s now to pacify separatists and take firm control of his troublesome territory before Russia has the ability to act with utter abandon. It’s act now when he might have at least some hope that his American ally might come to his aid. Now is probably his last chance to see America assist a struggling democracy against the grasping, anti-liberty Russian Bear. Once Obama gets into office, the world knows that the USA will likely not come to the assistance of any democratic nation striving to survive.

Once Obama gets into the White House, bad actors the world over understand that they will be on the rise. And Mikheil Saakashvili understands this and made his move accordingly.

Obama’s weakness has been the catalyst for this conflict.

…which, is a plausible enought assertion, though, as I said above (#20) Bush’s adoption of Clinton’s bastard child, Kosovo, certainly laid the groundwork. Of course, had Bush not done that, the very real weakness of a very possible Obama presidency could alone account for Russian boldness.

From ‘It’s Obamas Fault’

‘Once Obama gets into office, the world knows that the USA will likely not come to the assistance of any democratic nation striving to survive.’

Of course once Obama is inaugurated the Georgia/South Ossetia/Russian episode will be entirely concluded.

And the reason the Russians acted now was a direct consequence of Vladimir’s manipulation of his soul mate George W. Bush.

Another foreign policy triumph for the Bush administration.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nathan-gardels/brzezinski-russias-invasi_b_118029.html

“Of course once Obama is inaugurated the Georgia/South Ossetia/Russian episode will be entirely concluded.” — STONER

Of course it probably will be, but if it’s only a first step, which is highly likely and which the sentence you quoted [“‘Once Obama gets into office, the world knows that the USA will likely not come to the assistance of any democratic nation striving to survive.’”] made quite clear, oh dim of wit.

As to Bush’s contribution to it, I was also quite clear, and without the help of the socialist propagandists over at the HuffnPuffPest.

They continually pretend that Bush’s failures are “proof” that their guys would have been better choices. It’s one of their perpetual lies.

Tortured beyond belief yonason. Read your post I responded to once again.

Note the sentence (in red CAPS) ‘IT’S OBAMA’S FAULT’.

That is a lie.

Yet another failed foreign policy of the Bush administration but this one the fault of the Democratic presidential candidate months away from taking office. It isn’t the Senator’s fault George clearly was hoodwinked (along with Condi) these past eight years by Vladimir.

It’s definitely George’s fault.

And to suggest the interview with Zbigniew Brezezinski I linked with at the Huffington post is somehow the ‘help of socialist propagandists’ is pathetic. Even

“The Putin Bush spoke of then is obviously not the Putin today.” — Mata Harley

Careful, MA, I smell a “that’s not the O’Putin I knew” coming.

But, seriously, nice backgrounder.

And with Brzezinski on the job, no wonder O’Bummer can’t even sound like he knows what he’s doing when he parots the advice he gets.

“I think Obama’s crazy uncle is the one writing his foreign policy press statements.” — Mike’sAmerica

LOL I suppose his “good friend” John Edwards taught him how to “channel” the dead?

As to the appeasement, now they probably are salivating at the prospect of yet another chance to get it wrong in a big way.

Dit Wit threw this into the mix: “Notice that they chose not to carry out the [9/11 attacks] threat while Clinton was in office. On that score at least, he comes out ahead of Bush.”

Yeah, I guess they were too busy:

1993

Kidnappings of U.S. Citizens in Colombia, January 31, 1993: Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) terrorists kidnapped three U.S. missionaries.

World Trade Center Bombing, February 26, 1993: The World Trade Center in New York City was badly damaged when a car bomb planted by Islamic terrorists exploded in an underground garage. The bomb left 6 people dead and 1,000 injured. The men carrying out the attack were followers of Umar Abd al-Rahman, an Egyptian cleric who preached in the New York City area.

Attempted Assassination of President Bush by Iraqi Agents, April 14, 1993: The Iraqi intelligence service attempted to assassinate former U.S. President George Bush during a visit to Kuwait. In retaliation, the U.S. launched a cruise missile attack 2 months later on the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

1994

Hebron Massacre, February 25, 1994: Jewish right-wing extremist and U.S. citizen Baruch Goldstein machine-gunned Moslem worshippers at a mosque in West Bank town of Hebron, killing 29 and wounding about 150.

FARC Hostage-taking, September 23, 1994: FARC rebels kidnapped U.S. citizen Thomas Hargrove in Colombia.

Air France Hijacking, December 24, 1994: Members of the Armed Islamic Group seized an Air France Flight to Algeria. The four terrorists were killed during a rescue effort.

1995

Attack on U.S. Diplomats in Pakistan, March 8, 1995: Two unidentified gunmen killed two U.S. diplomats and wounded a third in Karachi, Pakistan.

Tokyo Subway Station Attack, March 20, 1995: Twelve persons were killed and 5,700 were injured in a Sarin nerve gas attack on a crowded subway station in the center of Tokyo, Japan. A similar attack occurred nearly simultaneously in the Yokohama subway system. The Aum Shinri-kyo cult was blamed for the attacks.

Bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City, April 19, 1995: Right-wing extremists Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols destroyed the Federal Building in Oklahoma City with a massive truck bomb that killed 166 and injured hundreds more in what was up to then the largest terrorist attack on American soil.

Kashmiri Hostage-taking, July 4, 1995: In India six foreigners, including two U.S. citizens, were taken hostage by Al-Faran, a Kashmiri separatist group. One non-U.S. hostage was later found beheaded.

Jerusalem Bus Attack, August 21, 1995: HAMAS claimed responsibility for the detonation of a bomb that killed 6 and injured over 100 persons, including several U.S. citizens.

Attack on U.S. Embassy in Moscow, September 13, 1995: A rocket-propelled grenade was fired through the window of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, ostensibly in retaliation for U.S. strikes on Serb positions in Bosnia.

Saudi Military Installation Attack, November 13, 1995: The Islamic Movement of Change planted a bomb in a Riyadh military compound that killed one U.S. citizen, several foreign national employees of the U.S. government, and over 40 others.

Egyptian Embassy Attack, November 19, 1995: A suicide bomber drove a vehicle into the Egyptian Embassy compound in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing at least 16 and injuring 60 persons. Three militant Islamic groups claimed responsibility.

1996

Papuan Hostage Abduction, January 8, 1996: In Indonesia, 200 Free Papua Movement (OPM) guerrillas abducted 26 individuals in the Lorenta nature preserve, Irian Jaya Province. Indonesian Special Forces members rescued the remaining nine hostages on May 15.

Kidnapping in Colombia, January 19, 1996: Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas kidnapped a US citizen and demanded a $1 million ransom. The hostage was released on May 22.

Tamil Tigers Attack, January 31, 1996: Members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rammed an explosives-laden truck into the Central Bank in the heart of downtown Colombo, Sri Lanka, killing 90 civilians and injuring more than 1,400 others, including 2 US citizens.

IRA Bombing, February 9, 1996: An Irish Republican Army (IRA) bomb detonated in London, killing 2 persons and wounding more than 100 others, including 2 U.S. citizens.

Athens Embassy Attack, February 15, 1996: Unidentified assailants fired a rocket at the U.S. Embassy compound in Athens, causing minor damage to three diplomatic vehicles and some surrounding buildings. Circumstances of the attack suggested it was an operation carried out by the 17 November group.

ELN Kidnapping, February 16, 1996: Six alleged National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas kidnapped a U.S. citizen in Colombia. After 9 months, the hostage was released.

HAMAS Bus Attack, February 26, 1996: In Jerusalem, a suicide bomber blew up a bus, killing 26 persons, including three U.S. citizens, and injuring some 80 persons, including three other US citizens.

Dizengoff Center Bombing, March 4, 1996: HAMAS and the Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) both claimed responsibility for a bombing outside of Tel Aviv’s largest shopping mall that killed 20 persons and injured 75 others, including 2 U.S. citizens.

West Bank Attack, May 13, 1996: Arab gunmen opened fire on a bus and a group of Yeshiva students near the Bet El settlement, killing a dual U.S./Israeli citizen and wounding three Israelis. No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but HAMAS was suspected.

AID Worker Abduction, May 31, 1996: A gang of former Contra guerrillas kidnapped a U.S. employee of the Agency for International Development (AID) who was assisting with election preparations in rural northern Nicaragua. She was released unharmed the next day after members of the international commission overseeing the preparations intervened.

Zekharya Attack, June 9, 1996: Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a car near Zekharya, killing a dual U.S./Israeli citizen and an Israeli. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) was suspected.

Manchester Truck Bombing, June 15, 1996: An IRA truck bomb detonated at a Manchester shopping center, wounding 206 persons, including two German tourists, and caused extensive property damage.

Khobar Towers Bombing, June 25, 1996: A fuel truck carrying a bomb exploded outside the US military’s Khobar Towers housing facility in Dhahran, killing 19 U.S. military personnel and wounding 515 persons, including 240 U.S. personnel. Several groups claimed responsibility for the attack.

ETA Bombing, July 20, 1996: A bomb exploded at Tarragona International Airport in Reus, Spain, wounding 35 persons, including British and Irish tourists. The Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) organization was suspected.

Bombing of Archbishop of Oran, August 1, 1996: A bomb exploded at the home of the French Archbishop of Oran, killing him and his chauffeur. The attack occurred after the Archbishop’s meeting with the French Foreign Minister. The Algerian Armed Islamic Group (GIA) is suspected.

Sudanese Rebel Kidnapping, August 17, 1996: Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) rebels kidnapped six missionaries in Mapourdit, including a U.S. citizen, an Italian, three Australians, and a Sudanese. The SPLA released the hostages 11 days later.

PUK Kidnapping, September 13, 1996: In Iraq, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) militants kidnapped four French workers for Pharmaciens Sans Frontieres, a Canadian United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) official, and two Iraqis.

Assassination of South Korean Consul, October 1, 1996: In Vladivostok, Russia, assailants attacked and killed a South Korean consul near his home. No one claimed responsibility, but South Korean authorities believed that the attack was carried out by professionals and that the assailants were North Koreans. North Korean officials denied the country’s involvement in the attack.

Red Cross Worker Kidnappings, November 1, 1996: In Sudan a breakaway group from the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) kidnapped three International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers, including a U.S. citizen, an Australian, and a Kenyan. On 9 December the rebels released the hostages in exchange for ICRC supplies and a health survey for their camp.

Paris Subway Explosion, December 3, 1996: A bomb exploded aboard a Paris subway train as it arrived at the Port Royal station, killing two French nationals, a Moroccan, and a Canadian, and injuring 86 persons. Among those injured were one U.S. citizen and a Canadian. No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but Algerian extremists are suspected.

Abduction of US. Citizen by FARC, December 11, 1996: Five armed men claiming to be members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) kidnapped and later killed a U.S. geologist at a methane gas exploration site in La Guajira Department.

Tupac Amaru Seizure of Diplomats, December 17, 1996: Twenty-three members of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) took several hundred people hostage at a party given at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence in Lima, Peru. Among the hostages were several US officials, foreign ambassadors and other diplomats, Peruvian Government officials, and Japanese businessmen. The group demanded the release of all MRTA members in prison and safe passage for them and the hostage takers. The terrorists released most of the hostages in December but held 81 Peruvians and Japanese citizens for several months.

1997

Egyptian Letter Bombs, January 2-13, 1997: A series of letter bombs with Alexandria, Egypt, postmarks were discovered at Al-Hayat newspaper bureaus in Washington, New York City, London, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Three similar devices, also postmarked in Egypt, were found at a prison facility in Leavenworth, Kansas. Bomb disposal experts defused all the devices, but one detonated at the Al-Hayat office in London, injuring two security guards and causing minor damage.

Tajik Hostage Abductions, February 4-17, 1997: Near Komsomolabad, Tajikistan, a paramilitary group led by Bakhrom Sodirov abducted four United Nations (UN) military observers. The victims included two Swiss, one Austrian, one Ukrainian, and their Tajik interpreter. The kidnappers demanded safe passage for their supporters from Afghanistan to Tajikistan. In four separate incidents occurring between Dushanbe and Garm, Bakhrom Sodirov and his group kidnapped two International Committee for the Red Cross members, four Russian journalists and their Tajik driver, four UNHCR members, and the Tajik Security Minister, Saidamir Zukhurov.

Venezuelan Abduction, February 14, 1997: Six armed Colombian guerrillas kidnapped a US oil engineer and his Venezuelan pilot in Apure, Venezuela. The kidnappers released the Venezuelan pilot on 22 February. According to authorities, the FARC is responsible for the kidnapping.

Empire State Building Sniper Attack, February 23, 1997: A Palestinian gunman opened fire on tourists at an observation deck atop the Empire State Building in New York City, killing a Danish national and wounding visitors from the United States, Argentina, Switzerland, and France before turning the gun on himself. A handwritten note carried by the gunman claimed this was a punishment attack against the “enemies of Palestine.”

ELN Kidnapping, February 24, 1997: National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas kidnapped a U.S. citizen employed by a Las Vegas gold corporation who was scouting a gold mining operation in Colombia. The ELN demanded a ransom of $2.5 million.

FARC Kidnapping, March 7, 1997: FARC guerrillas kidnapped a U.S. mining employee and his Colombian colleague who were searching for gold in Colombia. On November 16, the rebels released the two hostages after receiving a $50,000 ransom.

Hotel Nacional Bombing, July 12, 1997: A bomb exploded at the Hotel Nacional in Havana, injuring three persons and causing minor damage. A previously unknown group calling itself the Military Liberation Union claimed responsibility.

Israeli Shopping Mall Bombing, September 4, 1997: Three suicide bombers of HAMAS detonated bombs in the Ben Yehuda shopping mall in Jerusalem, killing eight persons, including the bombers, and wounding nearly 200 others. A dual U.S./Israeli citizen was among the dead, and 7 U.S. citizens were wounded.

OAS Abductions, October 23, 1997: In Colombia ELN rebels kidnapped two foreign members of the Organization of American States (OAS) and a Colombian human rights official at a roadblock. The ELN claimed that the kidnapping was intended “to show the international community that the elections in Colombia are a farce.”

Yemeni Kidnappings, October 30, 1997: Al-Sha’if tribesmen kidnapped a U.S. businessman near Sanaa. The tribesmen sought the release of two fellow tribesmen who were arrested on smuggling charges and several public works projects they claim the government promised them. They released the hostage on November 27.

Murder of U.S. Businessmen in Pakistan, November 12, 1997: Two unidentified gunmen shot to death four U.S. auditors from Union Texas Petroleum Corporation and their Pakistani driver after they drove away from the Sheraton Hotel in Karachi. The Islami Inqilabi Council, or Islamic Revolutionary Council, claimed responsibility in a call to the U.S. Consulate in Karachi. In a letter to Pakistani newspapers, the Aimal Khufia Action Committee also claimed responsibility.

Tourist Killings in Egypt, November 17, 1997: Al-Gama’at al-Islamiyya (IG) gunmen shot and killed 58 tourists and four Egyptians and wounded 26 others at the Hatshepsut Temple in the Valley of the Kings near Luxor. Thirty-four Swiss, eight Japanese, five Germans, four Britons, one French, one Colombian, a dual Bulgarian/British citizen, and four unidentified persons were among the dead. Twelve Swiss, two Japanese, two Germans, one French, and nine Egyptians were among the wounded.

1998

UN Observer Abductions, February 19, 1998: Armed supporters of late Georgian president Zviad Gamsakhurdia abducted four UN military observers from Sweden, Uruguay, and the Czech Republic.

FARC Abduction, March 21-23, 1998: FARC rebels kidnapped a US citizen in Sabaneta, Colombia. FARC members also killed three persons, wounded 14, and kidnapped at least 27 others at a roadblock near Bogota. Four U.S. citizens and one Italian were among those kidnapped, as well as the acting president of the National Electoral Council (CNE) and his wife.

Somali Hostage-takings, April 15, 1998: Somali militiamen abducted nine Red Cross and Red Crescent workers at an airstrip north of Mogadishu. The hostages included a U.S. citizen, a German, a Belgian, a French, a Norwegian, two Swiss, and one Somali. The gunmen were members of a sub-clan loyal to Ali Mahdi Mohammed, who controlled the northern section of the capital.

IRA Bombing, Banbridge, August 1, 1998: A 500-pound car bomb planted by the Real IRA exploded outside a shoe store in Banbridge, North Ireland, injuring 35 persons and damaging at least 200 homes.

U.S. Embassy Bombings in East Africa, August 7, 1998: A bomb exploded at the rear entrance of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, killing 12 U.S. citizens, 32 Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs), and 247 Kenyan citizens. Approximately 5,000 Kenyans, 6 U.S. citizens, and 13 FSNs were injured. The U.S. Embassy building sustained extensive structural damage. Almost simultaneously, a bomb detonated outside the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, killing 7 FSNs and 3 Tanzanian citizens, and injuring 1 U.S. citizen and 76 Tanzanians. The explosion caused major structural damage to the U.S. Embassy facility. The U.S. Government held Usama Bin Laden responsible.

IRA Bombing, Omagh, August 15, 1998: A 500-pound car bomb planted by the Real IRA exploded outside a local courthouse in the central shopping district of Omagh, Northern Ireland, killing 29 persons and injuring over 330.

Colombian Pipeline Bombing, October 18, 1998: A National Liberation Army (ELN) planted bomb exploded on the Ocensa pipeline in Antioquia Department, killing approximately 71 persons and injuring at least 100 others. The pipeline is jointly owned by the Colombia State Oil Company Ecopetrol and a consortium including U.S., French, British, and Canadian companies.

Armed Kidnapping in Colombia, November 15, 1998: Armed assailants followed a U.S. businessman and his family home in Cundinamarca Department and kidnapped his 11-year-old son after stealing money, jewelry, one automobile, and two cell phones. The kidnappers demanded $1 million in ransom. On January 21, 1999, the kidnappers released the boy.

1999

Angolan Aircraft Downing, January 2, 1999: A UN plane carrying one U.S. citizen, four Angolans, two Philippine nationals and one Namibian was shot down, according to a UN official. No deaths or injuries were reported. Angolan authorities blamed the attack on National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) rebels. UNITA officials denied shooting down the plane.

Ugandan Rebel Attack, February 14, 1999: A pipe bomb exploded inside a bar, killing five persons and injuring 35 others. One Ethiopian and four Ugandan nationals died in the blast, and one U.S. citizen working for USAID, two Swiss nationals, one Pakistani, one Ethiopian, and 27 Ugandans were injured. Ugandan authorities blamed the attack on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

Greek Embassy Seizure, February 16, 1999: Kurdish protesters stormed and occupied the Greek Embassy in Vienna, taking the Greek Ambassador and six other persons hostage. Several hours later the protesters released the hostages and left the Embassy. The attack followed the Turkish Government’s announcement of the successful capture of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan. Kurds also occupied Kenyan, Israeli, and other Greek diplomatic facilities in France, Holland, Switzerland, Britain, and Germany over the following days.

FARC Kidnappings, February 25, 1999: FARC kidnapped three U.S. citizens working for the Hawaii-based Pacific Cultural Conservancy International. On March 4, the bodies of the three victims were found in Venezuela.

Hutu Abductions, March 1, 1999: 150 armed Hutu rebels attacked three tourist camps in Uganda, killed four Ugandans, and abducted three U.S. citizens, six Britons, three New Zealanders, two Danish citizens, one Australian, and one Canadian national. Two of the U.S. citizens and six of the other hostages were subsequently killed by their abductors.

ELN Hostage-taking, March 23, 1999: Armed guerrillas kidnapped a U.S. citizen in Boyaca, Colombia. The National Liberation Army (ELN) claimed responsibility and demanded $400,000 ransom. On 20 July, ELN rebels released the hostage unharmed following a ransom payment of $48,000.

ELN Hostage-taking, May 30, 1999: In Cali, Colombia, armed ELN militants attacked a church in the neighborhood of Ciudad Jardin, kidnapping 160 persons, including six U.S. citizens and one French national. The rebels released approximately 80 persons, including three U.S. citizens, later that day.

Shell Platform Bombing, June 27, 1999: In Port Harcourt, Nigeria, armed youths stormed a Shell oil platform, kidnapping one U.S. citizen, one Nigerian national, and one Australian citizen, and causing undetermined damage. A group calling itself “Enough is Enough in the Niger River” claimed responsibility. Further seizures of oil facilities followed.

AFRC Kidnappings, August 4, 1999: An Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) faction kidnapped 33 UN representatives near Occra Hills, Sierra Leone. The hostages included one U.S. citizen, five British soldiers, one Canadian citizen, one representative from Ghana, one military officer from Russia, one officer from Kyrgystan, one officer from Zambia, one officer from Malaysia, a local Bishop, two UN officials, two local journalists, and 16 Sierra Leonean nationals.

Burmese Embassy Seizure, October 1, 1999: Burmese dissidents seized the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, taking 89 persons hostage, including one U.S. citizen.

PLA Kidnapping, December 23, 1999: Colombian People’s Liberation Army (PLA) forces kidnapped a U.S. citizen in an unsuccessful ransoming effort.

Indian Airlines Airbus Hijacking, December 24, 1999: Five militants hijacked a flight bound from Katmandu to New Delhi carrying 189 people. The plane and its passengers were released unharmed on December 31.

2000

Car bombing in Spain, January 27, 2000: Police officials reported unidentified individuals set fire to a Citroen car dealership in Iturreta, causing extensive damage to the building and destroying 12 vehicles. The attack bore the hallmark of the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA).

RUF Attacks on U.N. Mission Personnel, May 1, 2000: On 1 May in Makeni, Sierra Leone, Revolutionary United Front (RUF) militants kidnapped at least 20 members of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) and surrounded and opened fire on a UNAMSIL facility, according to press reports. The militants killed five UN soldiers in the attack. RUF militants kidnapped 300 UNAMSIL peacekeepers throughout the country, according to press reports. On 15 May in Foya, Liberia, the kidnappers released 139 hostages. On 28 May, on the Liberia and Sierra Leone border, armed militants released unharmed the last of the UN peacekeepers. In Freetown, according to press reports, armed militants ambushed two military vehicles carrying four journalists. A Spaniard and one U.S. citizen were killed in a May 25 car bombing in Freetown for which the RUF was probably responsible. Suspected RUF rebels also kidnapped 21 Indian UN peacekeepers in Freetown on June 6. Additional attacks by RUF on foreign personnel followed.

Diplomatic Assassination in Greece, June 8, 2000: In Athens, Greece, two unidentified gunmen killed British Defense Attaché Stephen Saunders in an ambush. The Revolutionary Organization 17 November claimed responsibility.

ELN Kidnapping, June 27, 2000: In Bogota, Colombia, ELN militants kidnapped a 5-year-old U.S. citizen and his Colombian mother, demanding an undisclosed ransom.

Kidnappings in Kyrgyzstan, August 12, 2000: In the Kara-Su Valley, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan took four U.S. citizens hostage. The Americans escaped on August 12.

Church Bombing in Tajikistan, October 1, 2000: Unidentified militants detonated two bombs in a Christian church in Dushanbe, killing seven persons and injuring 70 others. The church was founded by a Korean-born U.S. citizen, and most of those killed and wounded were Korean. No one claimed responsibility.

Helicopter Hijacking, October 12, 2000: In Sucumbios Province, Ecuador, a group of armed kidnappers led by former members of defunct Colombian terrorist organization the Popular Liberation Army (EPL), took hostage 10 employees of Spanish energy consortium REPSOL. Those kidnapped included five U.S. citizens, one Argentine, one Chilean, one New Zealander, and two French pilots who escaped four days later. On January 30, 2001, the kidnappers murdered American hostage Ronald Sander. The remaining hostages were released on February 23 following the payment of $13 million in ransom by the oil companies.

Attack on U.S.S. Cole, October 12, 2000: In Aden, Yemen, a small dingy carrying explosives rammed the destroyer U.S.S. Cole, killing 17 sailors and injuring 39 others. Supporters of Usama Bin Laden were suspected.

Manila Bombing, December 30, 2000: A bomb exploded in a plaza across the street from the U.S. Embassy in Manila, injuring nine persons. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front was likely responsible.

2001

Srinagar Airport Attack and Assassination Attempt, January 17, 2001: In India, six members of the Lashkar-e-Tayyba militant group were killed when they attempted to seize a local airport. Members of Hizbul Mujaheddin fired two rifle grenades at Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister for Jammu and Kashmir. Two persons were wounded in the unsuccessful assassination attempt.