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Italy Convicts 23 US CIA Agents for Rendition for Torture |
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The Arrogance or Incompetence of the US CIA agents was Astounding in their Illegal and Undemocratic Rendition, also in violation of Italy's Sovereignty. A case was easily built against the US CIA agents, since credit card receipts, cell phone call and Email records, and a plethora of other evidence, that indicated that the agents even often dropped their "cover", in bold and brazen actions, that is an embarrassment , and sure identifies them as Maxwell Smarts rather than James Bonds. None of the Agents will be surrendered by the US, But all the agents are in Peril if they travel to any EURO country, or ANY country that has an extradition treaty with Italy. Italian Court Convicts 23 Americans of Kidnapping Muslim Cleric Case is blow to anti-terrorism program known as extraordinary rendition Chicago Tribune;.By Maria de Cristofaro and Sebastian Rotella; November 5, 2009 ROME-- An Italian judge convicted 23 Americans on Wednesday of kidnapping an Egyptian cleric off the streets of Milan in 2003, a sweeping verdict against one of the CIA's most valued anti-terrorism tools -- the practice known as extraordinary rendition.The decision was a victory for Italian anti-terrorism prosecutors and police who spent six years building a massive case. The two-year trial exposed details of a secretive world and was the first anywhere to challenge the program under which the CIA abducted suspects and spirited them to third countries for interrogation.A clandestine team of U.S. and Italian operatives abducted Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr, also known as Abu Omar, a militant cleric suspected of recruiting fighters for Iraq and Afghanistan, and he was flown to Egypt, where he claims to have undergone months of torture and abuse.The case sparked international uproar, and the governments of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his predecessor tried repeatedly to scuttle the trial."I think it is very important for everyone that this trial was completed," said Armando Spataro, the lead prosecutor. He added: "The message of this important ruling -- to nations, governments, institutions, secret services, etc. -- is that we cannot use illegal instruments in our effort against terrorism. Our democracies, otherwise, would betray their principles."Judge Oscar Magi acquitted three other Americans, including the former CIA station chief in Italy, because of diplomatic immunity. He also set aside charges against five Italian intelligence officials, including the former chief and deputy chief of Italy's spy agency. But he convicted two other Italians.The trial was held in Milan, and the Americans were in absentia. Given that the U.S. government has declined to cooperate with the prosecution, it seemed unlikely that any would spend time in an Italian prison. However, the convicted Americans may be at risk if they travel to Europe.The judge issued an eight-year prison sentence for Robert Seldon Lady, the former CIA chief in Milan. Testimony indicated that Lady initially opposed abducting Nasr as unnecessary and dangerous but ultimately became the ground-level architect of the operation. The other U.S. operatives were given five-year sentences, and the Italians received three-year terms."The Milan court sent a powerful message: The CIA can't just abduct people off the streets," said Joanne Mariner, terrorism program director at Human Rights Watch. "It's illegal, unacceptable and unjustified."The Bush administration aggressively expanded a rendition program that was already in place. Human-rights advocates believe U.S. agents transported terrorism suspects to the custody of countries including Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Libya and Syria. The exact number of people is unknown.The Obama administration has cracked down on what it calls abusive tactics, but U.S. officials have said spy agencies will continue renditions, albeit with more oversight. On Wednesday, the CIA declined to comment, as it has throughout.Special correspondent de Cristofaro reported from Rome, and Rotella from Washington. Tribune Newspapers reporters Julian E. Barnes, Paul Richter and Greg Miller in Washington contributed to this report. www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-thur-nw-cia-renditionnov05,0,31329.story Read more: |
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San Diego "Little Italy" Adopts Adjoining Elementary School |
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While I applaud efforts to teach the Italian LANGUAGE, I have for 40 years been preaching that Italian American kids need to be taught about Italian and Italian American CULTURE (not merely Cuisine) !!!! "Little Italy" Merchants have adopted Washington Elementary school, (that was built in 1915, and one of the oldest elementary schools in the city, and at one time served largely Italian-American children who lived in the area), and have encouraged adding to the cirriculum, Italian dance, language, art and history instruction. Little Italy School Studies Italian Roots Nearby Merchants Help Support Washington Elementary Programs San Diego Union Tribune; By Maureen Magee; Thursday, November 5, 2009 Follow the sound of Italian folk music at Washington Elementary School and you'll find dozens of children practicing traditional Neapolitan dances. "Forward, two, three, four and back, two, three, four," the students chant as they concentrate on the movements and listen to the melodies of fiddles and accordions. "I've never danced like this before," said Leo Arellano, 9, as he shuffled through the "Balloindodici" dance. "But it's OK. I like it. This is how they dance in Italy." Italian dance, language, art and history instruction have recently been added to the curriculum at Washington. The school, located on the edge of Little Italy, has carved out a new relationship with the merchants and residents in and around the neighborhood ? many of whom attended school there themselves. "The people of Little Italy have deep personal and emotional connections with this school," said Principal Janie Wardlow, who just started her second year at the campus. "I really believe the school and community should be partners. It's also important for the students to know about another culture and, at the same time, to learn about their school's identity." As part of this new partnership, Washington students were recently invited into the shops and cafes that line India Street to trick-or-treat. Some members of the Little Italy Association bought tambourines for the dance students, who will perform at the neighborhood's annual tree-lighting ceremony in December. But the association's support isn't limited to Italian programs. It also sponsors the campus jog-a-thon, and some of its members volunteer on campus and tutor children. "Our community loves to support the Italian heritage and culture, but we also want to make sure the kids are taken care of," said Chris Gomez, district manager of the Little Italy Association. "This is one of the oldest elementary schools in the city, and we want to make sure it carries on and that it thrives." The original Washington campus was built in 1915, and at one time served largely Italian-American children who lived in the area. Today, about one-third of the 280 students live in the local 92101 ZIP code, about one-third of their parents work in the area, and nearly one-third attend through the San Diego Unified School District's Choice Program. About 10 percent of the students are homeless. The association is working with Washington to promote the school and recruit new students. Many fear that if enrollment drops, the district would close the campus to save money. "We want this school ? and the history behind it ? to live on," Gomez said. "The school is important to Little Italy and to San Diego." The school is reaching well beyond its neighborhood to enhance the Italian curriculum that supplements its regular comprehensive education. For example, Washington recently won a $6,000 grant from the Italian government to offer language classes to all students ? preschool through fifth grade. A special instructor will begin giving language lessons during and after school later this year. In addition, Washington has applied for a magnet grant so it can establish an international studies program. The school also hopes to become part of the rigorous International Baccalaureate program. "I started teaching here 26 years ago, when we had a lot of Italian students," fourth-grade teacher Leticia Harper said. "This is the first time I can remember us having a real emphasis on the history and culture. It's nice to give them that sense of their community." http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/05/school-studies-italian-roots-little-italy/ Read more: |
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Secure Payment Provider Trustwave Launches Live Call Center to Support EMEA |
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On-demand data security and Payment Card Industry compliance management solution provider Trustwave has opened a new compliance call center in Warsaw, Poland, which will initially focus on providing PCI Data Security Standard compliance support for current Trustwave customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Read more: |
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Medical Tourism Could Boost GB Economy - The Bahama Journal |
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Medical Tourism Could Boost GB EconomyThe Bahama JournalGrand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) Chairman Hannes Babak is aggressively pushing the idea of using medical tourism to help boost Grand ...and more » Read more: |
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