Would Iran join forces with Hezb

LCCC NEWS BULLETIN
JUNE 9/2006

Below News From the Daily Star for 9/06/06
Americans kill Zarqawi with air strike
Iraqi Shiites celebrate news of Zarqawi's demise
Lebanese leaders agree to meet later - and to stop trading smears
Siniora rules out role for Israel in deciding who owns Shebaa Farms
Hizbullah ministers demand apology over parody
Draft electoral law reaches president's desk
Kheir lashes out at judiciary for not catching judges' murderers
Murr, Fatfat plan US visit to beef up security links
Hizbullah wants healthy ties between Lebanon, Syria
Hizbullah: nothing to say about Zarqawi
Annan sinks Syria's Shebaa argument
Siniora urges free trade at Istanbul forum
Lebanon's car market is back in gear
USJ dedicates seminars to memory of slain Kassir
Broummana High School students dispel Middle East stereotypes
Zarqawi's death opens a window of opportunity for wiser sorts on all sides
Below News From miscellaneous sources for 9/06/06
Lebanon leaders hold dialogue session-United Press International
Lebanon adjourns talks on Hezbollah arms-Middle East Online
How al-Zarqawi was tracked and killed -Daily Telegraph
Al-Zarqawi family reacts to the news at Al Jazeera
Iraq allies hail Zarqawi killing - BBC
Too extreme even for al-Qaeda at The London Times
A Power Vacuum in Iraq -The New York Times
How al-Zarqawi was tracked and killed -at Daily Telegraph (UK)
Analysis: betrayed by his fellow Sunnis? - at The London Times
Zarqawi's death won't stop al Qaida.Counterterrorism Blog
Would Iran join forces with Hezbollah to deter US strike?Kavkaz Center
Annan Letter to Saniora: Lebanese Sovereignty Over Shabaa -Naharnet
US intelligence weighing Hezbollah supporters' ability to morph-Houston Chronicle
Israel sends Iran a message via Hezbollah-Canadian Jewish News
SYRIA: Concern for Ahwazi refugees, UNHCR-Reuters
Turkey Asks Lebanon To Come Clean On Hariri Killing-Trading Markets
Lebanon Makes Progress in Combating Software Piracy-Naharnet
Syria: Journalist to serve sentence for insulting president-editorsweblog.org
Four arcs of crisis-Times of Malta
HM the King to head Syria today-Bahrain News Agency
The Presbyterian Church of the USA must be dismantled-IsraPundit
Lebanon: Discrimination against Palestinians must end -Amnesty International
Hezbollah's disarmament dilemma-International Herald Tribune

How al-Zarqawi was tracked and killed
08/06/2006)
The air strike that claimed the life of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was over in seconds, but was the result of a painstaking and tortuous intelligence operation. The most wanted man in Iraq, allegedly responsible for hundreds of deaths, had slipped through the fingers of the American military on a number of occasions in the past.
A covert military unit - known as Task Force 626 - was established with the sole aim of tracking the Jordanian down, but for years its efforts were frustrated. In February last year US forces gave chase to a pick-up truck which they believed to be transporting Zarqawi to a meeting in the town of Ramadi.
When they finally stopped the vehicle they arrested the terrorist leader's driver and bodyguard, and recovered his laptop, but Zarqawi was nowhere to be seen. The following May reports spread on Islamic websites that Zarqawi had been seriously wounded. US troops raided a hospital where it was rumoured he was being treated, but again they left empty handed.
Unable to uncover further intelligence on his whereabouts, the US placed a $25 million (£13 million) bounty on his head, hoping one of his confidantes could be induced to betray the Zarqawi. But it appears to have been a careless, rather than treacherous, supporter who compromised Zarqawi in the end.
According to American military sources, they were led to his hideout in a village north of Baghdad by Sheikh Abdul-Rahman, his spiritual adviser, whom they had been trailing. When it became clear that the two were staying in the same house, the decision was taken to strike. Two F-16 fighter jets were despatched, and at 2.15pm GMT on Wednesday two 500-pound bombs dropped through the roof of the hideaway. Major General William Caldwell told a press conference this afternoon that Zarqawi's death marked the end of a long and complex operation. "What everyone needs to understand is the strike last night did not occur in a 24-hour period," he said. "It truly was a very long, painstaking, deliberate exploitation of intelligence, information gathering, human sources, electronics, signal intelligence that was done over a period of time, many, many weeks."
There were six people - including a woman and a child - in the house when the bombs landed, according to the US, but only Zarqawi and Abdul-Rahman have so far been identified. Shortly after the strikes, 17 more raids were conducted on other suspected hideouts for Zarqawi associates in Baghdad. They produced a "treasure trove" of information, according to the Americans.

World Hails Zarqawi's Killing
British Prime Minister Tony Blair described the death of al-Qaida leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi as a blow to the terror network. "Today's announcement was very good news because a blow against al-Qaida in Iraq was a blow against al-Qaida everywhere," Blair told Cabinet members. The prime minister also praised U.S. and coalition troops for their work in Iraq and its new democratically elected government.
-- The death of al-Zarqawi is a huge boost for counterterrorism forces in that country, Australia's prime minister said Thursday.
"The reported death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is great news for the people of Iraq, the real victims of his murderous behavior," Prime Minister John Howard said in a statement.
"Not only does his death remove a cruel terrorist, but it's also a huge boost for anti-terrorist forces in Iraq," he added.
-- Pakistan, a key ally in U.S.-led "war on terror," described al-Zarqawi's death as a "significant" development.
"It is a significant development, if it is true," foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam told Agence France Presse.
"We are also watching the developments," she said in her brief initial reaction.
-- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization hailed the announcement that al-Zarqawi had been killed.
"He will not be missed," said NATO spokesman James Appathurai on the sidelines of a meeting of alliance defense ministers including U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in Brussels.
-- Japan, one of Washington's closest allies, hopes al-Zarqawi's death will help improve security in Iraq, a senior official said.
"I hope (his death) can help in improving the security in Iraq given that al-Zarqawi has been a symbolic presence for foreign terrorists in Iraq," Senior Vice Foreign Minister Katsutoshi Kaneda said, quoted by Kyodo News.
-- Afghanistan's government praised the U.S. attack that killed al-Zarqawi, saying it was good news for all Muslims.
"Al-Qaida is the biggest threat to the world. Al-Zarqawi's death is a huge victory in the war," Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Zahir Azimi said.
"This is good news for all Muslims and people of all religions. He was killing people of all faiths. I hope the situation in Iraq will improve now."(AP-AFP) Beirut, 08 Jun 06, 12:56

Bush Says Zarqawi's Death 'Severe Blow' to Qaida Network
President Bush said Thursday that the death of al-Qaida leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq is "a severe blow" to the al-Qaida terrorist network and a decisive victory in the U.S.-led war against terrorism.
"Now Zarqawi has met his end, and this violent man will never murder again," Bush said in the Rose Garden.
Al-Zarqawi was considered the most dangerous terror plotter and foreign fighter in Iraq, coordinating a loose coalition of militants numbering at least in the hundreds. Osama bin Laden called him the "emir," or prince, of al-Qaida in Iraq.
Al-Zarqawi's death is an encouraging sign for the administration's war in Iraq. The U.S. has not seen the elimination of such an iconic figure since former President Saddam Hussein was found in an underground bunker in late 2003.
"It's great, good news. ... This is a significant hit," said Sen. Joseph Biden (news, bio, voting record) of Delaware. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn, noted "a significant day in the formation of the government of Iraq."
The U.S. government was offering up to $25 million for information leading to al-Zarqawi's killing or capture, putting him on a par with Saddam, bin Laden and his top deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri.
It wasn't clear to American authorities who would succeed al-Zarqawi as the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq. A defense intelligence official noted that a number of al-Zarqawi's deputies have been taken out in recent months, which could cause chaos among the group's top tier. The official requested anonymity because events were still unfolding.
This official also said there could be retaliation in the United States or elsewhere in the world following al-Zarqawi's death, but cautioned there was no intelligence indicating such an attack was planned.
Bush learned of the killing Wednesday afternoon from national security adviser Stephen Hadley, who had received a phone call from Baghdad shortly before 4 p.m. EST.
In his statement Thursday morning, Bush said the terrorist's death means "the ideology of terror has lost one of its most visible and aggressive leaders." But he cautioned that the war on terror lives on.
"Zarqawi is dead, but the difficult and necessary mission in Iraq continues," Bush said. "We can expect the terrorists and insurgents to carry on without him. We can expect the sectarian violence to continue."
U.S. Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, told reporters there the development would not end the insurgency. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, in Brussels for a meeting of NATO defense ministers, discussed Zarqawi's death during a closed meeting.Al-Qaida in Iraq has taken responsibility for numerous mortar attacks, suicide bombings, beheadings and other violence against U.S. and Iraqi targets. Scores, including many ordinary Iraqis, have died.
Intelligence officials believe al-Zarqawi has cells or links to Muslim extremists worldwide, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Pakistan and Kuwait.(AP photo shows President Bush speaking about the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi) Beirut, 08 Jun 06, 16:32

Zarqawi, Most Wanted Terror Mastermind in Iraq, Killed in U.S. Air Raid
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the al-Qaida-linked militant who led a bloody campaign of suicide bombings, kidnappings and hostage beheadings in Iraq, has been killed in a U.S. air raid north of Baghdad, Iraq's prime minister said Thursday.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said al-Zarqawi was killed along with seven aides Wednesday evening in a house 50 kilometers northeast of Baghdad, in the volatile province of Diyala, just east of the provincial capital of Baqouba.
A statement from al-Qaida in Iraq posted on the Web has confirmed the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and vowed to continue its "holy war."
"Today, al-Zarqawi was eliminated," Al-Maliki told a news conference, drawing loud applause from reporters in the hall where he made the announcement, flanked by U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and U.S. Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq. He said the air strike was the result of intelligence reports provided to Iraqi security forces by residents in the area, and U.S. forces acted on the information. "Those who disrupt the course of life, like al-Zarqawi, will have a tragic end," he said. Khalilzad added "the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is a huge success for Iraq and the international war on terror." In Amman, a senior Jordanian official said "Zarqawi was killed in a joint operation involving the Jordanian intelligence, the U.S. intelligence and American special operations forces.""It was a land operation with air cover," he added.
According to the official, Jordanian-born Zarqawi was "presiding over a meeting of his terrorist group" at the time of the operation.
The militant, who is believed to have personally beheaded at least two American hostages, became Iraq's most wanted militant, as notorious as Osama bin Laden, to whom he swore allegiance in 2004. The United States put a US$25 million bounty on al-Zarqawi, the same as bin Laden. In the past year, he moved his campaign beyond Iraq's borders, claiming to have carried out a Nov. 9, 2005 triple suicide bombing against hotels in Amman that killed 60 people, as well as other attacks in Jordan and even a rocket attack from Lebanon into northern Israel. U.S. forces and their allies came close to capturing al-Zarqawi several times since his campaign began in mid-2003.
His closest brush may have come in late 2004. Deputy Interior Ministry Maj. Gen. Hussein Kamal said Iraqi security forces caught al-Zarqawi near the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah but then released him because they didn't realize who he was.
In May 2005, Web statements by his group said al-Zarqawi had been wounded in fighting with Americans and was being treated in a hospital abroad -- raising speculation over a successor among his lieutenants. But days later, a statement said al-Zarqawi was fine and had returned to Iraq. There was never any independent confirmation of the reports of his wounding.
U.S. forces believe they just missed capturing al-Zarqawi in a Feb. 20, 2005 raid in which troops closed in on his vehicle west of Baghdad near the Euphrates River. His driver and another associate were captured and al-Zarqawi's computer was seized along with pistols and ammunition. U.S. troops twice launched massive invasions of Fallujah, the stronghold used by al-Qaida in Iraq. An April 2004 offensive left the city still in insurgent hands, but the October 2004 assault wrested it from them. However, al-Zarqawi -- if he was in the city -- escaped.(AP) (Outside AP photo shows Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and inside photo shows U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad giving a thumbs up at a news conference) Beirut, 08 Jun 06, 11:22

U.S. Military Expects Egyptian-Born Militant to Succeed Zarqawi
The US military predicted Thursday that slain Al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi would be succeeded by an Egyptian-born lieutenant known as Abu al-Masri. "It would probably be Abu al-Masri if you had to pick someone who would be the person that would try to occupy the position that Zarqawi had," said US forces spokesman Major General William Caldwell. The military has been aware of Masri's movements for some time and believe he first came to Iraq in 2002.
"He may have helped establish the first al-Qaeda cell in the Baghdad area," said Caldwell, adding that he has been involved in making roadside bombs and originally trained in Afghanistan.
While Caldwell described the death of Zarqawi as "serious blow" to Al-Qaeda, he was quick to emphasize that the organization would probably continue its activities in Iraq.
"We must be careful not to be overly optimistic, as one man's life does not signal an end to an insurgency," he said, adding that Zarqawi had "likely predicted his capture for some time," and made preparations for a successor.
He told reporters to expect new attacks by Zarqawi's lieutenants in the near future in order to show that they still had a viable organization. Caldwell related a painstaking operation of tracking Zarqawi since December 2004 and particularly in the past six weeks, which involved tracking the movements of his associates to reach the leader himself.
"Now that we have got him, it allows us to go after the other targets we have been using to track his movements," the general said, adding that a "treasure trove" of intelligence documents related to the insurgency had been found in the house following the strike. The same night as the attack, another 17 operations against Al-Qaeda militants were carried out in and around the Baghdad area, said Caldwell. The general singled out the tracking of what he described as Zarqawi's spiritual advisor, Sheikh Abdel Rahman as being key to reaching the insurgent leader himself.
Zarqawi was identified on the spot as the wanted militant leader, but was still taken to a secure location where further identification was made through his tattoos and scars.
"They then did fingerprint identification and that came back at about 0330 this morning (2330 GMT Wednesday) positively identifying him as Zarqawi," said Caldwell, adding that they would have results from DNA testing in 48 hours.
Experts have put most of the insurgency raging through many parts of the country as not being under the command of Al-Qaeda or Zarqawi, yet Caldwell maintained the death of the militant leader would have an important effect.
"What this will affect is Zarqawi indiscriminately killed Iraqi civilians. He had no compunction at all about taking the life of innocent people on the streets. His whole intent was to incite violence between Shiite and Sunnis," Caldwell said.
He predicted that Iraqi security forces would be able to take more responsibility without a destabilizing element aiming to plunge the country into civil war.(AFP) Beirut, 08 Jun 06, 19:05

Dialogue Delayed Till June 29, Leaders Seal a 'Pact of Honor'
Lebanese leaders again put off any decision on the thorny issue of Hizbullah weapons after a four-hour meeting Thursday but agreed on a "pact of honor" aimed at defusing tensions between pro- and anti-Syrian factions.
The national dialogue conference will now reconvene on June 29 to discuss U.N. Security Council demands for disarmament of Hizbullah along with other armed factions in Lebanon, parliament speaker Nabih Berri told reporters.
Delegates from across the political spectrum had discussed a new defense strategy for Lebanon "but discussions were not complete ... given that some participants did not yet speak... so the session was adjourned," he said.
Berri said that the cross-party talks had agreed on the "pact of honor" after the broadcast of a caricature of Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah by anti-Syrian Christian television station LBCI sparked violent protests by the group's supporters.
At least three people were wounded and extensive damage caused to property during the disturbances in Beirut and other cities. Delegates vowed to respect each other, refrain from insults and avoid triggering further political and confessional tensions, Berri said.
Members of the anti-Syrian majority in parliament started to present a draft defense strategy that keeps decisions to "protect Lebanon" in the hands of the state and regular army.
Pro-Syrian groups, led by Hizbullah, have so far rejected U.N. Security Council demands to disarm and calls from within Lebanon to merge their fighters with the regular army.
The roundtable talks, which began earlier this year, follow a recent call by U.N. chief Kofi Annan for Lebanon and Syria to formally settle their frontier in the Shabaa Farms, a disputed Israeli-held border area that Hizbullah has vowed to free.
Captured by Israel from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war and now claimed by Lebanon, the Shabaa Farms continue to be the focus of armed clashes and are Hizbullah's main pretext for keeping its weaponry.
In seven rounds of talks since March 2, the conference has agreed on an international trial for the murderers of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the dismantling of the remaining Palestinian bases in Lebanon, and the normalization of relations and demarcation of the border with Syria. But the last three points have not been implemented as they require the cooperation of Damascus, which has rejected calls to define the border in the Shabaa Farms before Israel pulls out of the territory.(AFP)
Beirut, 08 Jun 06, 08:51

Annan Letter to Saniora: Lebanese Sovereignty Over Shabaa Needs Delineation Agreement
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan has sent a letter to Premier Fouad Saniora saying that in order to transfer the sovereignty of the disputed Shabaa Farms to Lebanon there should be a border delineation agreement between Lebanon and Syria.
An Nahar newspaper printed the letter on Thursday, the day that national dialogue talks resume between the country's top rival leaders. At a previous round, the participants agreed that Shabaa belongs to Lebanon.
Annan said that based on the decision at the reconciliation talks and statements by Syrian President Bashar Assad, Vice President Farouk Sharaa and Foreign Minister Walid Moallem, who have all said that Shabaa is Lebanese, "there appears to be a will" to reach an agreement on the issue. "An essential question in reaching such an agreement would be the determination of the precise geographic scope of the Shabaa farmlands. To that end, there should be an agreed delineation of the boundary in the region of the farms. Demarcation on the ground could follow as soon as circumstances would permit," the letter said.
The disputed territory lies in the mountainous border region between Lebanon, Syria and Israel. It was captured by the Jewish state when it seized the Golan Heights in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.
When the Israeli army pulled out of the South in 2000, U.N. cartographers determined that Shabaa was part of Syria. The U.N. therefore declared that Israel had fully withdrawn from Lebanon and it drew a border demarcation line known as the Blue Line.Annan made clear in his letter that the separation line does not impede any bilateral agreement between Lebanon and Syria that would alter the boundary. However, he stressed that Lebanon should continue to respect the Blue Line in keeping with a written pledge by President Emile Lahoud. Notwithstanding any steps that might be taken regarding the Shabaa farmlands, I would expect that, in line with the letter that President Emile Lahoud sent to me on 12 June, 2000, the Lebanese authorities will continue to accept and respect the Blue Line in its entirety," Annan said.
Lahoud, who backs Hizbullah in its confrontation with Israel, has said that the group should not surrender its weapons until the Arab-Israeli conflict is settled. Hizbullah, which is under internal and international pressure to hand over its arms, says it needs its arsenal to protect Lebanon in case of an Israeli aggression. Its most recent cross-border clash with Israel was 10 days ago.
The anti-Syrian parliamentary majority argues that once Shabaa is officially declared part of Lebanon, after an agreement with Syria, Israel would have formally withdrawn from all occupied Lebanese territory.
When this is accomplished, Hizbullah would no longer need its weapons and the resistance movement should be integrated into the army. The military would then have control over the entire country.
Hizbullah's weapons and a "defense strategy" to protect Lebanon are expected to be the focus of Thursday's reconciliation talks.In previous rounds, leaders agreed to send Saniora to Damascus to discuss the border delineation and establishing diplomatic relations with Damascus. However, Syria has so far refused to receive the premier. Last month, the Security Council passed Resolution 1680 that urges Syria to cooperate with Lebanon on both these issues.
"Under prevailing circumstances, the most direct and effective method of transferring sovereignty of the Shabaa farmlands from Syria to Lebanon would be for the Governments of Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic to conclude an agreement that reflects the consensus that appears to exist between your Governments," Annan said.
Beirut, 08 Jun 06, 09:51
U.S. Considering Extradition to Russia of Lebanese Militant Involved in Chechnya
Moscow and Washington are negotiating the extradition to Russia of a Lebanese citizen suspected of being a member of illegal armed groups in Chechnya, the Interfax news agency reported Wednesday.
It quoted Director of Russia's Federal Security Service Nuikolai Patrushev as saying that the arrest of Mohammed Kamal Elzahabi could be a good example of cooperation with the U.S. "The detention in the U.S. of a Lebanese citizen who was involved in armed hostilities in Chechnya as a member of a bandit group could serve as an example of [Russia's] successful interaction with American special services," Patrushev said speaking at the State Duma in Moscow."His handover to Russian authorities is being considered now," he said. But Patrushev reiterated criticism that the U.S. and other countries were using double standards in the fight against international terrorism by allowing wanted Chechen rebel leaders to move around freely.
"I cannot fail to say that the effectiveness of our cooperation with foreign partners is negatively affected by the policy of double standards of specific countries," he said. He lamented that a number of Chechen rebel leaders were allowed in the U.S. and other nations. Moscow has repeatedly criticized Washington for granting political asylum in 2004 to Ilyas Akhmadov, foreign minister in the rebel Chechen government. Britain has also come under fire for giving refuge to Chechen rebel envoy Akhmed Zakayev. Beirut, 07 Jun 06, 12:21

Terror Suspects Allegedly Wanted to Storm Canada's Legislature, Behead PM
Some of the 17 Muslim men accused of plotting terror bombings in Canada also planned to storm Parliament, take hostages and behead the prime minister and other leaders, according to accusations revealed by the lawyer for one of the suspects.
Authorities further allege that the suspect, Steven Vikash Chand, plotted to take over media outlets, including the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., his attorney said after a brief hearing Tuesday at the Ontario Court of Justice.
Specifics of the charges against the other suspects were not released, but Chand's lawyer, Gary Batasar, asked that the allegations against his client be read in court. He told The Associated Press later that others face similar accusations, but did not say who or how many. An eight-page document prepared by the prosecution summarizing the charges against all the suspects was not read in open court or distributed to the media, making it difficult to assess how sophisticated the alleged plot was or its progress. But the purported plot to take political leaders hostage and behead them if Muslim prisoners were not freed and Canada did not pull its 2,300 troops out of Afghanistan added a chilling dimension to a case that has led U.S. authorities to toughen security along the border and unsettled Canada's large Muslim community.
Other defense attorneys declined to discuss the detailed charges. "It's just generally speaking that the allegations are against my client as well as the other parties," Batasar said. "That's what all the parties are facing."
"The only reason I'm coming out and saying this is that my client is innocent of the charges; he protests his innocence and that's not being heard," Batasar added. Police say they expect more arrests, and intelligence officers are probing whether 12 adults and five juveniles arrested over the weekend had any ties to Islamic terror cells in the United States and five nations in Europe and Asia.
Chand, a 25-year-old restaurant worker from Toronto, was one of 15 suspects who made brief court appearances Tuesday. They were held behind a glass enclosure, brought in as groups of four or five, chained together in ankle shackles and handcuffs.
Chand, bearded with shoulder-length hair, blew a kiss to supporters as he was led away as formal bail hearings for him and the 14 others were postponed until at least Monday. "There's an allegation apparently that my client personally indicated that he wanted to behead the prime minister of Canada," said Batasar. "It's a very serious allegation. My client has said nothing about that." Speaking outside the courthouse, Batasar said the charges were based on fear-mongering government officials.
"It appears to me that whether you're in Ottawa or Toronto or Crawford, Texas, or Washington, D.C., what is wanting to be instilled in the public is fear," he said. He also suggested that Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who expressed happiness at the arrests, should "keep out of the case." In Ottawa, Harper appeared to take the alleged beheading threat in stride. "I can live with these threats as long as they're not from my caucus," he joked.
The Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton, a small city just west of Toronto, had said earlier that the suspects faced charges that included participating in a terrorist group, importing weapons and planning a bombing. The specific details were made public Tuesday. Lawyers and family members said they were being given too little information about the case, and charged that the suspects' rights were not being respected.
Rocco Galati, a lawyer for suspect Ahmad Mustafa Ghany, 21, told the judge that his client's constitutional rights had been violated because he was only able to interview him in the presence of an armed guard.
"The right to private counsel was afforded even at Nuremberg," Galati said.
Outside the court, Donald McLeod, a lawyer for Jahmaal James, 23, also complained of restricted access to his client, including only being allowed to speak to the accused through Plexiglas and not being allowed to have private discussions.
A U.S. law enforcement official said investigators were looking for connections between those detained in Canada and suspected Islamic militants held in the U.S., Britain, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Denmark and Sweden.
The U.S. Border Patrol, meanwhile, put agents on high alert along the 4,000-mile (6,400-kilometer) border and stepped up inspections of traffic from Canada.(AP) Beirut, 07 Jun 06, 11:08

Media Advisory
Canadian Security Expert to Testify in US Congress regarding Terror Threat
Attention News/Assignment Editors
Ottawa, Canada, Wednesday, 7 June, 2006 - David Harris, Senior Fellow for National Security with the Canadian Coalition for Democracies (CCD), will be testifying before the United States House of Representatives Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.
When: 8 June 2006 11:30 AM
Where: Committee of the Judiciary Room, 2141 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC
Who: David Harris, Senior Fellow for National Security, Canadian Coalition for Democracies.
About DAVID HARRIS:
David Harris is Senior Fellow for National Security for the Canadian Coalition for Democracies. Mr. Harris is a lawyer and Director of the International Terrorist Intelligence Program at INSIGNIS Strategic Research Inc. Prior to his role at INSIGNIS, he served as a former Chief of Strategic Planning of the Canadian Security and Intelligence Services (CSIS). As a regular commentator on issues of terrorism and national security, his analyses have received national and international attention. Mr. Harris has appeared on numerous Canadian television programs on CBC, CTV, and Global TV, and in many Canadian newspapers. Internationally, Harris appeared as a witness at US Congressional subcommittee hearings in Washington, DC. He was quoted in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and international news services. He also appeared on "Fox News", "America's Most Wanted", CBS "60 Minutes", NBC "Dateline", "Today Show", "The CBS News with Dan Rather", and CNN "Wolf Blitzer Reports".
Recent television and radio interviews with David Harris may be seen at:
http://canadiancoalition.com/media.shtml
For more information on the House of Representatives Judiciary Subcommittee:
http://judiciary.house.gov/schedule.aspx
Select "Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims", Select "June 8"
About the CANADIAN COALITION FOR DEMOCRACIES:
Founded in 2003, the Canadian Coalition for Democracies (CCD) is a non-partisan, multi-ethnic, multi-denominational organization of concerned Canadians dedicated to the protection and promotion of democracy at home and abroad.
For more information, please contact:
David Harris
Senior Fellow for National Security
Canadian Coalition for Democracies
Mobile: 613-447-2784
Alastair Gordon
President
Canadian Coalition for Democracies
Office: 416-963-8998

Parliamentary Review June 6, 2006
From: "JEWISH CANADA" <news@jewishcanada.ca> View Contact Details
Parliamentary Review
A Review of Canadian Parliamentary Proceedings of Interest to Canada’s Jewish Community
Published as a Community Service by B’nai Brith Canada
June 6, 2006
Background: Members of a B’nai Brith Canada delegation who were in Ottawa for a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and members of his Cabinet, were in attendance during question period when matters of national security were raised.
“Security of the Jewish community and of all Canadians is the number one issue of concern at present,” said Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President of B’nai Brith Canada and a member of the delegation to Ottawa. “Jewish communities world wide are all too often the first targets of global terrorism and therefore we are here to express to the Government our profound appreciation for its strong stance against terrorism and for its ongoing concerted efforts to enhance security protections for all Canadians.”
Other issues debated in the House included the vandalism of a mosque in Rexdale, Ontario – an act which B’nai Brith characterized as “deplorable” – and the plight of a young Iranian woman who stands to be executed for allegedly killing a man who attempted to rape her.
Human Rights
Hon. Roy Cullen (Etobicoke North, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, this past weekend a mosque in my riding, the International Muslims Organization, was a target of vandals. While this may have been just the reckless act of teenagers, it does raise the ugly spectre of hate in our community.
We must never allow this type of malicious and hateful act to become commonplace anywhere in our country. Hate breeds hate and leads to a cycle of violence which, as we have seen in other parts of the world, leads only to sadness and misery.
Canada is committed to the elimination of hatred and violence in all its forms and takes pride in the fact that our society is one that is based on peace, tolerance, compassion and understanding and the rule of law. No one in Canada is above the law.
As Canadians, we must all remain vigilant and united if we are to protect the values and morals which we hold so dear.
Public Safety
Hon. Bill Graham (Leader of the Opposition, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, some American media are seriously distorting the reality around last weekend's arrests in Toronto. CNN labeled one report “the enemy north of the border”. On the FOX news channel, the Prime Minister's network of choice in the past, our border was labelled a gateway for terrorists, all of which is affecting our ability to resolve key issues like the border and passports.
What specific actions has the Prime Minister taken, or directed our ambassador to take, to respond to these inaccurate and damaging media reports south of the border?
Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC): Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday, on balance we have actually been satisfied with coverage of these events in the United States, but the government does have concerns about specific media reports and the reactions of specific individuals in branches of the United States government.
I have spoken to my equivalent in the United States, the President. I know that our ministers have been in contact with cabinet ministers in the United States. I spoke last night to Ambassador Wilson about our embassy's ongoing efforts to make sure that we have full and accurate media reporting that genuinely reflects, I think, what most Americans understand, and that is our shared concern about the security of this continent.
Hon. Bill Graham (Leader of the Opposition, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, that is all very well, but members will recall that the former ambassador often took to the airwaves directly to defend Canada's interests and to respond directly to damaging inaccurate attacks. Unfortunately, American legislators have also joined the chorus of who blames Canada. One has said there is a large al-Qaeda presence in Canada. Another calls for a physical barrier along with the rapid implementation of the new U.S. passport law.
How does the Prime Minister intend to take these issues directly to American lawmakers? He must act before his visit in July because most American legislators will not be in Washington when he gets there. He must be careful to give an answer in the House which is more responsive than his answer yesterday about the Oilers, which seemed to have jinxed them in their game last night.
Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC): Mr. Speaker, Ambassador Wilson has been on the airwaves in the United States. Members of this government have been, unlike the previous government, in constant contact with their American counterparts, which is why our initiatives have been received so well by those in authority in the United States. It is why we are making progress on things like the passport issue.
I will predict it will not be difficult to exceed the Stanley Cup record of that party's government, which did not win a single Stanley Cup for Canada in 13 years.
Hon. Bill Graham (Leader of the Opposition, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, hockey aside, statements made by certain members of Congress are unacceptable. One member of Congress claimed that our immigration system is responsible for the presence of many members of al-Qaeda in this country. Canadians are justifiably proud of our immigration system, which is based on the values of acceptance and respect.
Since the government is so proud of being in with the Bush administration and has so much contact with it, as the Prime Minister said, how will he defend the values upon which our Canadian immigration system is based before the U.S. Congress?
Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC): Mr. Speaker, such statements were made out of ignorance and without correct information in both the United States and Canada.
I can tell the Leader of the Opposition that clearly, the United States is generally safer with this government's security policies than with those of the former government.
Foreign Affairs
Hon. Belinda Stronach (Newmarket—Aurora, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, earlier today I met with Nazanin Afshin-Jam, the Canadian champion of the cause to prevent the execution of an 18-year-old girl in Iran.
Ms. Afshin-Jam has brought world attention to this case of a young woman sentenced to execution after being convicted of killing a man who attempted to rape her and her 16-year-old niece. She was 17 at the time. Recent information indicates that the sentence has been commuted and a new trial has been ordered.
Would the minister confirm that he has received assurances from the Iranian embassy of a new trial? Would he update the House on any other developments?
Hon. Peter MacKay (Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her question and her recent interest in this case.
Canada takes these matters very seriously, as we have previously with the case of Mr. Jahanbegllo. We have made representations to the government of Iran. We have tried on many occasions to engage them about human rights abuses and human rights allegations.
We will continue to do so. We will continue to engage our international partners to relay these very serious concerns. This is of course an ongoing situation given the difficulties that we are having with diplomacy in Iran today.

al Jazeera's commentators: "Zarqawi's death won't stop al Qaida"
By Walid Phares
Reacting to the killing of Abu Mus'ab al Zarqawi in Iraq, pro-Jihadi commentators on al Jazeera rushed to assert that the "death of Zarqawi won't weaken al Qaida but will actually unify the organization." Abdelbari Atwan, the editor of al Quds al Arabi accused Jordanian and US intelligence of penetrating the inner circles of Zarqawi and were successful in getting to him." He added that the killing of Zarqawi was coordinated with the appointment of the ministers of defense and interior in Baghdad.
Projecting further terror, Atwan said the "Jihadists will increase their operations in Iraq. For the more the organization is repressed the more it will produce Jihadists." He stated that in any event, Zarqawi was isolated inside the organization and restrained to military operations." Other commentators also stated that the near future will show that al Qaida is a movement not a group of supporters to one man.
But Iraqi leaders, including the speaker of the Kurdish Parliament, responded on al Jazeera that "the Iraqi people has memorized the names of all those who were involved in Terror against civilians, and will continue the struggle"
(More analysis later)