New Trend Magazine (www.newtrendmag.org)

[Biggest Islamic web site in the U.S.]
P.O. Box 356, Kingsville, MD 21087.
Phone: 410-435-5000.

Disclaimer: Views expressed are not necessarily shared by editorial committee.
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Bush Administration Targets Kashmiri Freedom Struggle
Indigenous Organizations of Kashmiri Mujahidin Placed on Terrorist List
by Buut Shikan (Idol Breaker)

The U.S. - Indian - Israeli entente necessitates a united front against all armed Islamic resistance. The bombing of Afghanistan was vastly unpopular in Pakistan. General Musharraf had to find a way of NOT becoming the focus of anti-American dissent. The diversion of DANGER FROM INDIA came in handy. The Americans talked to India and Indian forces moved to the Kashmir and Pakistani frontier in large numbers, first in December 2001 [helped by an apparent gun fight at the Indian parliament] and then in even larger numbers in May 2002. Each time war seemed imminent.

The real purpose of the Indian military moves was to save General Musharraf from internal opposition [as we pinpointed at that very time]. Musharraf was saved, through numerous artillery exchanges between Indian and Pakistani border forces which created the semblance of reality.

India decided to use the situation to stop a major Kashmiri group's operations which had widespread support in Pakistan, known as Lashkar-e-Taiba. President Bush duly helped the Indians, labeled Lashkar-e-Taiba by name as a "terrorist" organization, and the very next day after his speech General Musharraf obliged. The Lashkar was banned and its leader in Pakistan, Hafiz Saeed arrested and imprisoned on vague charges which could not be substantiated.

That was 2002. In 2003 India and the Bush administration want to put an end to the armed Kashmiri uprising by labeling ALL the fighting groups as "terrorists." The White House has issued a new list of "terrorist" organizations in which both Hizb al-Mujahideen and al-Badr are included as terrorists. Hizb is influenced by the writings of Maulana Maudoodi while al-Badr is a Brailvi group. [Lashkar-e-Taiba was seen as "wahhabi."]

Though the Lashkar has scored the most successes against the Indian army, the Hizb is the largest group and has widespread support in Kashmir. Al-Badr too is very active. By declaring these groups as "terrorist," the Bush administration has struck a blow at Pakistan's (and Islam's) strategic interests in Kashmir. The "terrorism" label means the U.S. will help India to physically destroy the resistance movement IN TOTO by depriving it of all outside support, even if it is in the form of donations for medicines and clinics.

The blow is strategic. It implies that the Islamic movement must not be allowed to LIBERATE Kashmir. Pakistanis and Kashmiris will be allowed to TALK as much as they want with India (with U.S. blessing) but the MILITARY DEFEAT OF INDIA in Kashmir will not be permitted.

Musharraf's offer of talks with India, and now (May 5) the offer that Pakistan would be willing to accept NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT is related to Musharraf's participation in the American strategy for the subcontinent. For AMERICA, the problem with Pakistan's nukes is that they might fall into Islamic hands, thus posing a threat to Israel. If India can "persuade" Pakistan to relinquish its nukes (in return for some kind of autonomy for Kashmir after the Islamists have been killed), that would fit neatly into Israel's strategy.

The Bush strategy is largely governed by Israeli interests and plans.
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NEW U.S. MOVES: The Advantages of "Relocation"
Saudi Concerns and Human Rights Issue Addressed

The U.S. is announcing a slow military move out of Saud Arabia to QATAR (next door). A subtle but unmistakable media campaign has been launched to convince Muslims that this move is in response to Osama bin Laden's demand that the "infidels" not have military forces in the blessed land of Arabia.

The move to Qatar is an illusion of "withdrawal" taken right out of the Israeli book of political games. [The Israelis sometimes withdraw tanks from the center of a Palestinian town to its outskirts. The "re-location" is then publicized all over the world as indicative of Israel's desire for peace.]

The "withdrawal" indicates that Islamic fervor within "Saudi" Arabia is making life difficult for the Saudi royal family. The Saudis repeatedly told their people that Saudi bases were NOT used in the attack on Iraq. The Islamic pressure is quite strong.

However, the Americans think the Saudi public are idiots and the move will allow the rulers to claim that Osama's demand has been met.
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THE GUANTANAMO BAY SITUATION too has hurt American credibility in the area of human rights, especially among Islamic constituencies. Leaked reports indicate that Colin Powell has blamed Rumsfeld for the slow resolution of the situation. Hence a move is now afoot to release 15 to 22 prisoners (including children) so that the human rights organizations may get off America's back. This time the releases are being publicized BEFORE THEY HAVE TAKEN PLACE.
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2003-05-07 Wed 01:20ct