Thursday, September 25, 2003
In his post entitled, "Political prisoners under tyranny? Stuff 'em: I want a drink" - Lib Dem MPs, Oliver Kamm takes the British Liberal Democrat Party to task over its cozying-up to a group of Castro Regime supporters known as the Cuba Solidarity Campaign. Seems two "Lib Dem" MP's will be featured at a "rum reception" hosted by the group. (My post here is an expansion of my comments on Kamm's blog.)
Kamm:
The MPs who disgrace themselves by their attendance at this event are admittedly hardly household names. Richard Allan is the party's spokesman on IT, and has his own blog. I count myself well-informed on the activities of the Liberal Democrats, yet I know nothing of Alistair Carmichael except that he sits for the northernmost constituency in the United Kingdom. His deepest thoughts on politics are currently confided on his web site. But these men represent a party that is already known - through its participation in the Stop the War Coalition, a front organisation for the Socialist Workers' Party - for its pragmatic alliances with totalitarian causes, and is hardly working assiduously to police the boundaries of democratic politics.
I am at least relieved to note that Allan is standing down as an MP at the next election. Whoever takes his place will have an easy act to follow.
The post itself is worth reading in full, as are the comments that follow.
Interestingly, one of the named MP's, the one with a blog, Richard Allan, MP for Sheffield Hallam, UK, stopped by the comments to defend himself (Again, worth reading in full, but this is the relevant bit for me here):
I find this fascinating...as though I've walked in on a private strategy conference of the Socialist International and got a glimpse of what they were really thinking. (Hence the name of the post, although this is no forgery.)
When I first read the above paragraph, I perhaps did so too quickly, and read it as merely stating that the point of attendance was "constructive engagement" and the hopes of bringing Cuba's future back more under the wing of the EU and America...together. Bad enough, I thought - cynically buttering up the dictator's supporters in order to be in tight with his successors, but a more careful reading showed how naive I was. The truth was worse. (Please don't laugh. I suppose the implication may have been more obvious to those with knowledge of British politics and an immeditate context to put the statements of a Liberal Democrat into, but I, lacking such a frame of reference must actually listen to what they say before I get the jist.)
In fact, sadly, what we have here is worse than simply coddling a dictatorship. It's coddling a dictatorship for the purpose of jabbing a stick in the eye of Uncle Sam. This viewpoint is straight out of the "EU as a counter-balance to the US" worldview. That is, now that the Cold War is over, what we really need is a new one to take its place. The Cold War didn't end, it's just moved West.
Rather sad, I'd say. Rather than moving forward and recognizing who it is that bears similar values and interests, and thus should be on the same "side" against those who don't, that is the "West" versus...well, everyone else...some would rather invent new battles - as though there weren't already enough presenting themselves without requiring those of our own creation. The battle of the West against Islamofascism, totalitarianism, lawlessness, extreme poverty - in short, all of the things either guiding or benighting the nations that people possessing true Liberal Democratic values should be standing together against, all of those things are out there in sufficient mass to be screaming out at us, begging us not to tear each other apart, are insufficient to keep the short-sighted and petty from inventing new and unnecessary battles.
The four decades plus of the Cold War required much of America, and of the West. So many of the dastardly deeds America is now blamed for came about as a result of this conflict, of damned if you do and damned if you don't, lesser of two evils, choices. Yes, in the conflict of fighting Communism, we used covert and overt action, we assassinated leaders and we propped up dictators.
Now that context is gone, and we should be moving on to new paradigms of conflict against our new, very real, foes. We can start dismantling some of the detritus left from that Cold War. The despotic regimes artificially propped up as a result of the conflict throughout the Middle East, the petty tyrants through Africa we treated with kid-gloves for fear of driving them into the other camp...they all stand vulnerable to our new weapons of Freedom, Democracy, Expression and Commerce.
BUT, well, back to Mr. Allan (Or is that the Right Honorable? Please forgive my provincialism.) and the Cuba Solidarity Campaign. What's sad, I mean what's really, really sad, is that so many people on the Left who would be the first in line to condemn the United States for these acts and refuse to place them into the context they belong, will now be first in line to prop up the dictators for the sake of sticking it to America, and doing so when there is absolutely no need for it.
Allan:
What the difference would be between an "independent" Cuba in the "EU sphere" and one in the US's "sphere" is obscure. It would appear that the implication is that "independent" here means working with the EU, as opposed, presumably, to a "dominated" Cuba working with the United States. A convenient and self-satisfying and self-serving fantasy distinction for Leftist EU politicians, I suppose.
(As an aside, it's always interesting to see the disdain (veiled here) some on the Left have for the Cuban-American community. Nothing so annoying and inconvenient as a group of people who know what it's like to live under the despot you're trying to climb into bed with and no longer live under circumstances such that they need fear speaking out.)
Now one can debate the utility of "constructive engagement" all day long, or what steps are possible or even necessary for regime change. But regime change should be the driving impetus behind any such engagement. (And I would keep the story of people like Natan Sharansky firmly in mind while deciding tactics. One of the themes that becomes clear in Sharansky's narrative is how important it was for the West to stand firmly against the Soviet Union, and maintain real pressure on the Soviet Regime to keep its promises and respect human rights. The West's stolidity had a real impact on he and his fellow dissident's moral and physical well-being.)
The idea that there should ever be a thought on the part of European politicians to go easy on a regime like Castro's for the sole purpose of petty competition with the United States is virtually pornographic in its baseness. Given the lesser of two evils, some on the Left will choose Castro over Uncle Sam, and that shouldn't be forgotten by any American desiring a realistic perspective on the purposes behind some otherwise seemingly unfathomable European diplomatic choices.
Incredible. The myopia of the Euro left with respect to Castro is nothing new, but this seems like a new low.
Kindly be made aware of the none action and the disregard of an active member of the Israel Knesset, Natan Sharansky who has not responded to my firsthand and reliable information to help Jonathan Pollard as my confirmation below.
Is it not therefore hypocritical, outrageous and deceitful that a most prominent Minister of the State of Israel does nought having stated words to the effect after most recently visiting Jonathan Pollard in USA Federal State Prison, Bunter: “That we must not anger America, but we must also enlist public opinion in Israel on behalf of Pollard."
However, it has been some 2 weeks now since Natan Sharansky visited Jonathan and some 3 weeks since I have made him aware of my plight that crossed with Jonathan's and my willingness to stand up for Jonathan. Alas and alax to my knowledge Natan Sharansky has made no attempt to enlist public opinion to help Jonathan nor indeed challenged me.
John Sherman, Dorset , England.
----- Original Message -----
From: Johnny
To: sar_r@pmo.gov.il
Cc: golovera@netvision.net.il
Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2004 9:52 AM
Subject: Jonathan Pollard- Please respond
20thth February 2004
Dear Natan Sharansky, MK
I would be surprised if you are not aware of my endeavours to approach you regarding helping Jonathan Pollard, but it’s possible.
I therefore most respectfully inform you, that prior to you visiting Jonathan in Bunter Federal Prison, USA, I spoke with your office several times. As requested I faxed 8-pages of information/outline/copy facsimiles regarding my endeavours to help Jonathan via such as his claimed wife, Esther Pollard, his Jerusalem lawyer, Larry Dub, others and enclosed quotes from Gabrielle’s Goldwater website of last November/December stating words to the effect: “Why, why has John Sherman not been called upon to help Jonathan Pollard as he has proof to help Jonathan to be set free, etc…
Whatismore, on your return from visiting Jonathan I phoned your office yet again and spoke with your adviser Ms Vera Golovinsky. She informed that she had no knowledge of my contact to your office and indeed had not seen copy of my facsimiles 3rd February 2004 to you. She corroborated that you had publicly proclaimed words to the effect that all should gather/rally to help Jonathan.
As Ms Vera Golovinsky requested, I emailed copy of all my facsimiles to your office direct to her given email address golovera@netvision.net.il on 13th February 2004. Alas, I have not had response nor indeed acknowledgment from Ms Vera Golovinsky as I have twice politely requested.
It appears that your office without explanation is ignoring me.
May I ask one question of you Sir? You announced after visiting Jonathan words to the effect: “We should be careful not to anger America”: why? I remind you, Israel settled with America for the indiscretions of Jonathan Pollard by passing them the Libyan defence wireless codes--not to be cut off of all military and monetary aid--that Mossad had acquired due to my direct participation in 1985/6. Which enabled the USA Sixth Fleet to pick up the gauntlet for the Free World to curb terrorism in March 1986 to cross Gadaffi’s self-imposed ‘Line of Death’ in the Gulf Sitre: to raid Tripoli and Benghazi (codenamed ‘Operation Prairie Fire’) without loss of neither man or craft. I have papers/proof tucked away in a safe in London to establish such.
I therefore wonder, why you ignore me? Indeed when I have given you the contact number of my Member of Parliament, Sir John Butterfill who if it comes to shove would lean my way as he did visit both the American and Israeli Ambassadors to the UK on my and Jonathan’s behalf, I have correspondence to this effect from the House of Commons to confirm such. Alas, Sir John was given the cold shoulder and stonewalled by both Ambassadors. Just as it appears you are doing to me.
I feel having first learnt of Jonathan’s traumas in 19998, from his website, I have now come to the end of the road in trying to help Jonathan gain his freedom.
Therefore, be it on your head that Jonathan remains and rots in jail if you do not call upon me.
Shabbat Shalom
John Sherman.
cc: Ms Vera Golovinsky
-----
Further:
While browsing the Jonathan Pollard websit a couple of weekends ago my attention was drawn to an article in The Jewish Week by James D. Besser "Pardon Me" concerning Jonathan Pollard and the conflict within the Jewish Community for the responsibility for Pollard’s release from prison. I’m a London born Jew now retired and living on England’s South Coast. I therefore would like to make you and your readers aware of the deal that has been done for Jonathan Pollard's indiscretions: between the USA and the State of Israel.
In the nineteen-eighties when I was involved in the fringe commodity business, having given up successfully trading as a London manufacturer and importer-exporter of fashioned-jeans, I was invited to the Israeli Embassy in London 9th August 1985 to meet Alon because of my known West German contact (AB) who worked for the international conglomerate ‘S’ - who hold many country/states secrets - in Munich.. AB had been the overseer of the newly installed Nigerian embassy wireless system that connected some 30 Nigerian Embassies abroad and the Libyan wireless system that controlled the lethal Libyan missile defence system on the shores of Tripoli.
The meeting in the Israeli embassy in London led me, at Mossad's behest, to Munich 19th October 1985 to recruit my West German contact (AB) by him declaring his commercial willingness to help Israel by obtaining copy of his West German passport, which he agreed to and in turn I delivered to Alon in the West London Hilton on my return from Munich.
At Mossad behest, I flew again to Munich via Dússeldorf the last day in February 1986 on BA 748C and LH 958C to meet my German contact (AB) to escort him over the nearby German-Austrian border to meet with Mossad agents in Salzburg the night of Ist and the morning of 2nd February 1986 when the Libyan wireless codes where handed over to Mossad agents, one being Alon. Consequently the US naval raid on Libya (the Pentagon codename 'Operation Prairie Fire) was enabled 24th March 1986 when navy-jets from the aircraft-carries USS Saratoga, Coral Sea and America of US Sixth Fleet crossed Gadiffi’s self-imposed ‘Line of Death’ in the Gulf of Sidra to curb terrorism without loss to the Fleet. Alas the raid was swept under the carpet to appease the Arab World and the long-arm of the USA was thus allowed to be buried/forgotten.
My reason for disclosing the above is that on the 1st January 1987 in the Tel Aviv Hilton a ranking Mossad officer (MP), Alon's controller personally gave me to understand that Israel was obliged to trade the Libya wireless codes for Jonathan Pollard spying on America. Therefore, there is surely no need for further conflict to 'square the circle' within the Jewish communities for the release of Jonathan Pollard from prison as the deal for his indiscretions has been done between the USA and the State of Israel in 1985/6.
Name, address and supportive documents supplied on request.
J SHERMAN
Along with your request to hear something nice from me I recieved the news that the Rabbi responed to the letter bellow and wishes to meet with my new-found friend in New York in the next couple of days! The Rabbi is mentioned on: www.jonathanpollard.org Just type his name into the Search Box and you may start to understand my past plight to save another. Please read the enclosed letter below.
PS: You know my views and plans.
**********************************************
A Letter to a Rabbi
March 31, 2003
Dear Rabbi Weiss
The last words I heard you speak while in your presence, were said on October 24, 1993 under the Chuppa of my dearest friends Pesach and Liz Weinstein…… They were a plea for all of us gathered for such a wonderfully happy occasion to pray with you for the release of Jonathan Pollard. Before that day, and since that day, I have over the years, written to Jewish leaders, USA government leaders, Israeli leaders, attended rallies, and heard panels in which you participated discuss the very sad incomprehensible fact that Mr. Pollard despite all apparent efforts to free him remains imprisoned. I am ashamed to say, that my efforts, were sporadic over the years, limited to those times when I was reminded in one way or another, that while I enjoyed freedom, there was a fellow-Jew whose life was being drained day by day by an imprisonment, that is as obscene in it’s length as it’s severity. And so it went, Rabbi, checking the website, writing letters; trying to make sense of the intricate, convoluted reports of betrayals, broken promises, conspiracies…..This past November, quite by chance I made the acquaintance and developed a friendship with a gentleman from England, John Sherman. I was guided by him to understanding more fully and have a clearer cognizance, of the events and facts of the case.. He too has been for many years an ardent supporter, of and is profoundly and passionately devoted to seeing Jonathan free. He at one time found himself in a situation similar to Johathan’s, in that he was approached by Israeli agents to facilitate some connections for them. Because of and through John's European and Israel-based relationships, he has become privy to and made aware of startling facts of the case. He has shared this with both Jonathan’s lawyers and Esther Pollard. Although they have thanked him for his input and effort, which they don’t challenge they have yet to act upon or further investigate the details. Although it is difficult and most uncomfortable to contemplate, we have a growing concern that the Pollards are possibly being misled/misguided. The information has never been permitted to come to light,and could possibly be the “ammunition” as it were to the beginning of actually getting Jonathan released .
Though the facts have been documented, and confirmed, going through regular channels has been frustrating and quite disappointing to say the least, even though what John presents, has never been challenged, or invalidated. Quite the opposite, he has been told at times that he “knows altogether too much” and has been threatened. The specific facts and details, though, are his to tell, not mine as he has suffered much without help or understanding.
John holds in the highest respect and regard, your efforts in Mr. Pollard’s behalf as well as the other issues relative to Khal Israel in which you labor. He has too, the greatest admiration for the straightforward way you approach difficult and untenable situations. We are both very sensitive to the huge amount of both correspondence you receive, and of the innumerable requests of those who would ask to speak to you directly. We can only imagine the difficult and enormous pressure you face daily just in determining who you can speak to directly, and who will be referred to other channels for help and guidance. But, at the same time, we feel so strongly, that it is your ear that should hear these facts. Your opinion, assessment and analysis of them, how to use them most efficiently for Jonathan’s benefit, would be so very valuable and appreciated. The validity and veracity of what he will convey , will prove to be not only genuine ,but without question. Any documents you would request in that regard will be furnished to you.
(2)
His one and only motivation to contact you in particular is his firm and deep belief that the information once passed on to you, will at long last be in the hands of one who has the clarity of thought, and the means and ability to carry it to the next step to free Jonathan……. Pesach is approaching, soon we will remember as if we had been there…. Mitzriam…None of us, though, suffer the particularly hideous Mitzriam of Johathan Pollard…What a blessing it would be to find Mr. Pollard next year, at a seder table in Jerusalem… What we ask is a small corner of your time to perhaps bring that happy event to reality..
Most Sincerely
Deborah Schiffman. N.Y.
— ‘Sense of Gravity’ —
Two years ago, give or take a couple of years,The President of the United States called for Hollywood to help in the fight against Terrorism. Major film executives met in both Beverly Hill and New York only to announce they needed film scripts with a ‘sense of gravity’ as the President had realised. And they needed to consult the boys and girls working over on Madison Avenue.
In other words: keep flogging the scripts writers. Everyone one but Hollywood knows, if it were not for the ingenuity and the hard work of scriptwriters, whom Hollywood treat with contempt, there would be no Movie Industry or indeed an American Way or Dream.
It is my contention having done more to fight Terrorism as my 1985 UK Published book 'Forbidden Yesterday'and film script of the same title) than but a few, that Hollywood has no historical prospective of the a message that the President wishes to reflect to the hungry information seeking public both sides of the Atlantic.
My British interpretation of a ‘sense of gravity’ is having ones feet on the ground. But what has having a ‘sense of gravity’ to do with knowing about the adverse effects of past cover-ups and sweeping the truth under the carpet to appease some in high places and certain Sovereign States? Another cover-up? Is it not therefore tantamount to treason for the few to remain silent?
It is not generally know that Libya and an American company during the existing UN embargo period completed the largest civil engineering project since the Panama Canal. A man-made river network (some 4000 kilometres long from Kufrah to Sitre where Gadiffi was born) stemming from an ice age reservoir under Libya’s Sahara Desert. The underground reservoir is located on practically the same latitude as the Aswan Dam just below the Tropic of Cancer which is reported to be affecting the foundations of Egypt’s Achilles heel: the Aswan Dam.
Ironically, the Gulf of Sitre was where Terrorism was first militarily curbed in 1986. The mighty American Sixth Fleet bombed Libya and nearly killed Gadaffi. It is known to but a few, that thanks to me, the American Battle Fleet had the secret Libyan wireless codes and crossed Gadaffi’s self imposed ‘Line of Death’ {Pentagon’s code name: ‘Operation Prairie Fire)’ safe in the knowledge that the Libyan defence system had been disabled.
How did, and why did America acquire the secret Libyan wireless codes? Again, It is known to but a few that Israeli agents, thanks to me, infiltrated a certain West German conglomerate that installed the Libyan wireless network and were obliged to trade them to the US for Jonathan Pollard, an American working in the Pentagon, spying for MOSSAD.
Yes, it needs a ‘sense of gravity’ to reveal the truth and why the anti terrorist action by the USS carries ‘Saratoga’, ‘Coral Sea’ and ‘America’ in 1986 was not heralded from the top of the World Trade Centre to prevent further Terrorism. At least I did not remain silent like some that held and hold high office and as Libya is doing until after the Lockerbie Appeal this coming February, I published a book and wrote a movie. Alas Hollywood cannot believe the unbelievable.
It is my further contention that if the truth had not been swept under the carpet in 198, the US raid on Libya and 1988 Lockerbie disaster, the World Trade Centre would still be displaying its tall towers to the World and the ‘Eleventh’ would not have happened. Be made aware: I lived in London during the Nazi bombing and served with the 1ST Battalion The Queen’s Royal Regiment during the Korean War and knocked on flap-doors of tents and holes in wall when trading in the Middle East just prior to the first Gulf War. Therefore having both a sense of gravity and historical prospect. So listen up Hollywood and the U S of A the scripts are out there. You just need the ‘sense of gravity’ and the historical rhetoric to recognise them as the President so realises.
“God bless American, as without you we would be merge humans without any rights.â€