Journalist charged in Sudan: ’spying’ and ‘false reporting’

Journalist charged in Sudan: ’spying’ and ‘false reporting’

“Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune was charged in a Sudanese court Saturday with espionage and other crimes.”

Sudan charges Tribune ace with writing ‘false news’
Newspaper editor: Paul Salopek ‘is not a spy’

CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) — A Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune was charged in a Sudanese court Saturday with espionage and other crimes.

Paul Salopek, 44, was charged in a 40-minute hearing with espionage, passing information illegally and writing “false news,” the Tribune reported on its Web site. His driver and interpreter, both Chadian nationals, faced the same charges.

The three men were arrested August 6 by pro-government forces in the war-torn province of Darfur, the paper said. Salopek was working on a freelance assignment for National Geographic magazine during his arrest.

“He is not a spy,” said Ann Marie Lipinski, editor and senior vice president of the Tribune. “Our fervent hope is that the authorities in Sudan will recognize his innocence and quickly allow Paul to return home to his wife, Linda, and to his colleagues.”

Salopek was in Sudan writing an article on a sub-Saharan African region known as the Sahel, said Chris Johns, National Geographic’s editor in chief.

“He had no agenda other than to fairly and accurately report on the region,” Johns said.

Salopek has made telephone calls to National Geographic and Tribune editors, who have “worked through political and diplomatic channels in the U.S. and overseas to secure their release,” the paper said.

“We are deeply worried about Paul and his well-being, and appeal to the government of Sudan to return him safely home,” said Lipinski, who called the two-time Pulitzer winner “one of the most accomplished and admired journalists of our time.”

A judge in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state in western Sudan, granted a defense motion for a continuance, delaying the start of the trial until September 10.
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, who is in Africa on a two-week tour of several nations, is monitoring the situation and talking to the U.S. State Department, spokesman Robert Gibbs said from Kenya.

The Sudanese daily Al-Rai Al-Amm reported Saturday, before the hearing, that the trial would begin for an American in El Fasher on charges of entering the country without a visa. It did not identify the American or mention any espionage charges. Sudanese officials could not be reached for comment.

In 2001, Salopek won a Pulitzer for international reporting for his work covering Africa. In 1998, he won a Pulitzer for explanatory reporting for his coverage of the Human Genome Diversity Project.

Salopek was on staff at Washington, D.C.-based National Geographic from 1992 to 1995. He was born in Barstow, California, and raised in central Mexico, according to a magazine spokeswoman.

Salopek was on a scheduled leave of absence from the Tribune when he was detained.
Telephone and e-mail messages for the Sudanese Embassy in Washington were not returned Saturday.

How is the world supposed to know about different situations and crisis’ without reporters? Or is this the problem you face, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s? Is the truth that terrible? YOU BET IT IS.

If you would like to read the whole article even though that link will take you to CNN’s site, please go here. They never seem keep the story up for very long. I do not wish to deprive you of this news.

We must scream it from the rooftops. We must do all that we can. One thing you could do is go to Washington, DC and participate in the rally for Darfur, Sudan. It is going to held on September 9, 2006, and the other one is to be held on September 17, 2006 in NY City. Please go to Jay’s site for further information. You may also reach him here.

Please help these people in Darfur. It is almost to late, but not yet. By helping them, maybe we can free this reporter? Let us pray…

Technorati tags: Darfur, Sudan, journalist, arrested, brutal dictator and freedom.
Category: Freedom, Darfur, Sudan, Media and News.

NG Empowerment: Legislative Alert #06-18

The Issue: Homeland Defense and the National Guard – National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006

Action Required: Contact your Congressmen and Senators and Urge their support during Conference Negotiations.
_________________
Although USNORTHCOM is the combatant command with the ultimate responsibility for defending our homeland it is the National Guard, located in over 3000 communities across our country that will answer the call. The Guard’s unique Constitutional responsibility to respond quickly to natural disasters or terrorist attacks logically leads to the conclusion that the Guard deserves a seat at the table as Deputy Commander of USNORTHCOM, and in the Pentagon as a four-star Chief of NGB when decisions are being made concerning force structure and defense budgets. The Guard is the governor’s first choice for assistance to first responders.

The Senate passed an amendment to The National Defense Authorization Act (S.2766) that would incorporate features of the National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act (S.2658) that provides significant leverage for the National Guard to carry out their critical homeland security mission. Since the House of Representatives did not pass their version of this important legislation, it will now be resolved during conference negotiations.

While Congress is in recess during the month of August, you will have an opportunity to visit personally with your elected officials to voice your concerns. However, if a personal visit isn’t possible, we urge you to phone, fax, or email as soon as possible. It is imperative that we act NOW by doing the following:

Priority #1: Contact your Congressional representatives and urge him/her to recede to the Senate language of the National Defense and National Guard Enhancement Act of 2006 during conference negotiations. In addition, ask them to contact Reps Davis or Taylor to become a co-sponsor of HR.5200, the original House legislation.

Priority #2: Contact your two Senators and urge their continued support for the intent of the National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006 (S.2658) during conference negotiations with the House.

A list of sponsors to HR 5200 and S 2658 is attached. If your member is listed, be sure to thank them.

HR 5200 Cosponsors: 77 Total (44 Democrats, 32 Republicans, 1 Independent)

Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) Ford, H. (D-Tenn.) Osborne (R-Neb.), Alexander, R. (R-La.) Gerlach (R-Pa.) Otter (R-Idaho), Andrews, R. (D-N.J.) Gibbons, J. (R-Nev.) Oxley (R-Ohio), Bass (R-N.H.) Goode (R-Va.) Pastor (D-Ariz.), Bishop, R. (R-Utah) Gordon, B. (D-Tenn.) Porter (R-Nev.), Bishop, T. (D-N.Y.) Hayes (R-N.C.) Rahall (D-W.Va.), Blumenauer (D-Ore.) Herseth (D-S.D.) Rehberg (R-Mont.), Boswell (D-Iowa) Holden (D-Pa.) Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), Bradley (R-N.H.) Hooley (D-Ore.) Ruppersberger (D-Md.), Butterfield (D-N.C.) Jackson, J. (D-Ill.) Ryan, T. (D-Ohio), Calvert (R-Calif.) Jackson-Lee, S. (D-Texas) Sanders (I-Vt.), Cardin (D-Md.) Jefferson (D-La.) Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Case (D-Hawaii) Kelly (R-N.Y.) Shays (R-Conn.), Christensen (D-Virgin Is.) LaHood (R-Ill.) Simpson (R-Idaho), Clay (D-Mo.) Larsen, R. (D-Wash.) Smith, A. (D-Wash.), Cubin (R-Wyo.) Latham (R-Iowa) Souder (R-Ind.), Davis, D. (D-Ill.) Lewis, Jerry (R-Calif.) Strickland (D-Ohio), Davis, L. (D-Tenn.) LoBiondo (R-N.J.) Tanner (D-Tenn.), DeFazio (D-Ore.) Matheson (D-Utah) Taylor, G. (D-Miss.), Delahunt (D-Mass.) McDermott (D-Wash.) Terry (R-Neb.), Doyle (D-Pa.) McIntyre (D-N.C.) Tiberi (R-Ohio), Duncan (R-Tenn.) Meehan (D-Mass.) Udall, M. (D-Colo.), Emanuel (D-Ill.) Miller, C. (R-Mich.) Upton (R-Mich.), Emerson, J. (R-Mo.) Miller, B. (D-N.C.) Wilson, J. (R-S.C.), Etheridge (D-N.C.) Murtha (D-Pa.) Wu (D-Ore.), Evans, L. (D-Ill.) Myrick (R-N.C.)

S 2658 Cosponsors: 38 Total (25 Democrats, 12 Republicans, 1 Independent)

Akaka (D-Hawaii) Feinstein (D-Calif.) Murray (D-Wash.), Baucus, M. (D-Mont.) Grassley (R-Iowa) Nelson, Ben (D-Neb.), Bennett, R. (R-Utah) Gregg (R-N.H.) Pryor (D-Ark.), Biden (D-Del.) Harkin (D-Iowa) Reid, H. (D-Nev.), Boxer (D-Calif.) Hatch (R-Utah) Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), Burns, C. (R-Mont.) Inouye (D-Hawaii) Salazar, K. (D-Colo.), Cantwell (D-Wash.) Jeffords (I-Vt.) Smith, G. (R-Ore.), Carper (D-Del.) Johnson, Tim (D-S.D.) Snowe (R-Maine), Collins, S. (R-Maine) Landrieu (D-La.) Stabenow (D-Mich.), DeMint (R-S.C.) Lautenberg (D-N.J.) Stevens (R-Alaska), DeWine (R-Ohio) Leahy (D-Vt.), Sununu (R-N.H.), Dodd (D-Conn.) Menendez (D-N.J.) Wyden (D-Ore.), Durbin (D-Ill.), Mikulski (D-Md.)

By using the “Write to Congress” feature on the NGAUS web page www.ngaus.org you can email your elected officials immediately and send a pre written message or edit it as you desire for the issue described above. This is the quickest and most effective method of expressing your views to the President or members of Congress.

Also, contact your friends and family and urge them to “Write to Congress” as well.

For more in-depth information and background visit our web site at www.ngaus.org.

Please direct any questions concerning this issue to Scott Hommel, NGAUS Deputy Legislative Director at: 202-454-5307 or email: scott.hommel@ngaus.org.

Category: NGAUS.

Legislative Update 8/25/2006

Congress’ Returns to Unfinished Business.
When the House of Representatives and the Senate returns to work on September 5, members will have plenty of unfinished business to address. Though conferees have not been named on the House side for the Authorization bill, unofficially conference continues in earnest to complete work on a final compromise bill before the Oct. 6th targeted adjournment.

The Appropriations bill is also behind schedule with the Senate expected to resume debate on the Defense Appropriations bill before the measure moves on to conference.

Though Congress is expected to adjourn on or around the October 6th deadline, that does not mean that work will be completed. As it is an election season, both parties will be trying to score political points before the November election. And with polls suggesting a possible change in leadership in either chamber, work on critical legislation may be put on hold until after the election.

With the session in its final weeks, now is the time to take action! Your Member of Congress is at home in your district campaigning for the fall elections. Make a point to call or visit their local offices and urge support of National Guard issues. In the following section, NGAUS Alerts, you can find several of the top issues that NGAUS is working on Capitol Hill. Check it out and take action!

NGAUS Alerts.
NGAUS has issued several legislative alerts throughout the past several weeks in an effort to keep pressure on Congress to support Guard related issues.

Each legislative alert is posted on the NGAUS website (www.ngaus.org) and includes directions on actions that you can take as well as letters that you can email, mail, or fax to your member of Congress.

Alert # 06-18: National Defense Enhancement and National Guard Empowerment Act of 2006.
Within the Senate version of the Authorization bill, legislation is included that would elevate the Chief of the Guard Bureau to a four-star position, would designate the Deputy Commander at NORTHCOM a Guard member, and establishes Guard service as a joint service. These provisions were added as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill, which is currently in conference between the House and Senate. Contact your member of Congress and ask that this legislation be included in the final version of the Authorization Bill. It is imperative that the Guard have a seat at the table to impact decisions on behalf of the Army and Air National Guard.

Alert # 06-16: TRICARE.
The House version of the Authorization bill contains a measure that would enhance TRICARE access to all members of the National Guard. The provision would set a Guard members a premium cost-share of 28 percent while the Department of Defense would pay 72 percent of the premium regardless of duty status. Urge your Senator to support this language and keep it in the final bill.

Alert #06-13: Section 511 of the Defense Authorization Bill.
Another item included within H.R. 5122, the House version of the defense authorization bill, is a provision that would allow the President to federalize National Guard members during a “serious natural or man-made disaster, accident or catastrophe that occurs in the United States, its territories and possessions, or Puerto Rico,” without prior consultation with the governor.

This would allow the federal government to control National Guard members during times when governors will need those troops most, thereby negating the inherent line of authority from governor to adjutant general to individual Army and Air National Guard members. The National Guard Association of the United States is strongly opposed to Section 511 of H.R. 5122. Conference committee members should be made aware of the dangerous precedent set by section 511 of H.R. 5122 and be asked to oppose it.

Alert #06-12: Joint Cargo Aircraft.
The House version of the Authorization bill includes funding for the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) program while the Senate does not. NGAUS supports the House language that funds JCA.

As you know, the Army National Guard is scheduled to field the JCA to replace aging and lesser performing C-23 and C-26 aircraft. The National Guard Bureau is also promoting the JCA as a follow-on mission for Air National Guard wings that will lose aircraft as a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). When not deployed in support of the Global War on Terror or other contingencies, these aircraft will be available for state missions such as disaster response and homeland security needs. This system is critical for states and units around the country who have need for this capability. Write your member of Congress on this important issue.

NGAUS Task Forces.
NGAUS has established Task Forces as a mechanism to provide advice and expertise to the NGAUS legislative staff in development of legislative priorities based on the resolutions that are passed each year at the annual conference. Task Forces will be meeting at the 128th NGAUS General Conference in Albuquerque on Sunday, September 17 at 1300 hours. If you are interested in attending a task force meeting, let us know! NGAUS has eleven Task Forces and they are listed below:

Joint Task Forces.
Personnel/Benefits
Medical Task Force

Army Task Forces.
Fire Support Task Force
Combat Vehicle Task Force
Combat Support/Combat Service Support Task Force
Army Aviation Task Force
C4I Task Force
Engineer Task Force

Air Task Forces.
Airlift/Tanker/Rescue
Fighter Task Force
C4I Task Force

The Task Forces are comprised of Chairs and Vice Chairs and are expected to meet two times a year. NGAUS is seeking interested volunteers to serve on the Task Forces. If you are interested, contact the NGAUS legislative staff or contact the Task Force Chairs listed on our website.

“We Serve”

Providing NGAUS members with effective and knowledgeable representation on Capitol Hill.

Published by the NGAUS Legislative Staff:

Brig Gen (ret) Richard M. Green, Legislative Director
Scott Hommel, Deputy Director
Michele Traficante, Joint Programs
Chris DeBatt, Army Programs
Andy Vanlandingham, Air Programs
Bernie Phelps, Senior Legislative Analyst
Emily Breitbach, Legislative Analyst.

NGAUS Notes: Aug. 25, 2006

NGAUS General Conference Business Agenda Set for Albuquerque

Elected officials, cabinet-level secretaries, a service secretary and senior commanders headline the list of those speaking at the 128th NGAUS General Conference and Exhibition, Sept. 15 to 18, in Albuquerque, N.M.

Among those accepting speaking invitations are New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson.

All three will address the conference’s Third Business Session, Sept. 18.

Speakers in the First Business Session Sept. 16 include Gen. Ronald E. Keys, Air Force Air Command commander, and Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, National Guard Bureau chief.

The opening session will also feature New Mexico cultural presentations, the Roll Call of States and some special welcomes from local elected officials.

Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey and Gen. Duncan McNabb, Air Force Air Mobility Command commander, headline presentations in the Second Business Session Sept. 17.

The Army and Air separate sessions Sept. 18 are also attracting prominent speakers. They include Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, Army Guard director, Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, First U.S. Army commander, Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, Army Reserve chief, Gen. Bruce Carlson, Air Force Materiel Command commander, and Lt. Gen. Craig McKinley, Air Guard director.

Speakers are expected to reflect on this year’s conference theme:
National Guard: Pathway to America’s Defense.

A complete conference agenda is available at www.ngaus.org. As always, the agenda is subject to change, most notably from world and domestic events. Last year, the response to Hurricane Katrina dramatically altered the availability of several defense leaders.

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Health Policy Benefits Deployed Guardsmen and Civilians

Senior Defense Department officials said Aug. 23 that DoD civilians and contractors who are deployed overseas are to be included in military health protection measures as part of a new policy, “Deployment Health,” DoD Instruction 6490.03.

National Guard and Reserve members also are included in the new deployment health policy, said Ellen P. Embrey, deputy assistant secretary of defense for force health protection and readiness.

The policy leverages technological advances like electronic medical recordkeeping in the quest to improve the quality of military healthcare, added Dr. William J. Winkenwerder Jr., assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.

The new policy specifies mandatory post-deployment health reassessments across the services and updates health care policies for overseas deployments.

It also improves the capability of computerized records to keep track of localized health trends among deployed service members, defense civilians and contractors.

Use of pre- and post-deployment health assessments and the implementation of globally transmittable electronic health care records are making a major impact on preventing, identifying and treating health care problems for deployed service members, Dr. Winkenwerder said.

The new policy’s intent is to document the deployed reserve-component members’ health care information while they’re on active duty, Ms. Embrey said.

After they depart active-duty status, reserve-component members can work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to address post-deployment health care concerns, she said.

The VA provides health care for veterans of combat operations for up to two years following their deployment, according to Ms. Embrey.

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Real Estate Company Provides Opportunity for Military Spouses

International realty company RE/MAX announced the launch of a new program, “Operation RE/MAX” Aug. 14, which assists military spouses in developing careers in real estate.

RE/MAX personnel are examining the program’s needs and services, and explaining it at military installation’s career fairs around the country. The company’s vice president of training, LaVerne Bintner, said they began discussing the idea with the Department of Defense nearly a year ago.

“They have determined that offering career opportunities for spouses may help accomplish one of their highest priorities – retention of quality military personnel.”

Local real estate license training schools are handling license preparation for spouses participating in “Operation RE/MAX.” Spouses can take advanced sales training courses via the RE/MAX Satellite Network.

A recent American National Standards Institute survey indicated real estate as one of the top five careers suited for military spouses, due to its shorter educational and licensing period as well as high-income potential and portability. Other career paths recommended to military spouses include paralegal, nursing, dental assistant/technician, and teaching.

“RE/MAX is an ideal career field for military spouses because of our focus on technology, including the RE/MAX Satellite Network, our brand reputation and our extensive network of offices and agents around the world,” Mr. Bintner said.

Spouses who would like to more information should contact the Spouse Employment Office or Family Center at their military installation. They also can visit www.military.com/spouse or send inquiries to operationremax@remax.net.

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NGAUS Seeks Deputy Legislative Director

NGAUS is looking for a deputy director of legislative programs.

The candidate will be responsible for assisting legislative director in the daily operations and execution of legislative agenda.

Duties include direct lobbying, strategy development and implementation, conducting and overseeing administrative duties and assisting in staff management.

The successful candidate will have three to five years of legislative and/or political experience and a strong knowledge of the defense community.

The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in political science and government affairs.

Strong advocacy and communication skills are a must; experience in legislative campaign project development and the ability to supervise personnel and lobbying efforts are also required.

Closing Date: September 15, 2006.

Send cover letter and resume to:

National Guard Association of the United States
Legislative Director
One Massachusetts Ave, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001.

You can also send a resume and cover letter via e-mail to: Richard Green.

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This Week in Guard History

August 26, 1969: In Lia Khe, Vietnam, New Hampshire’s 3rd Battalion, 197th Artillery suffers its highest loss of life when a truck carrying soldiers is blown up by a landmine less than two weeks before the unit was scheduled to return home.

Five men, all Guardsmen from Manchester’s Battery A, are immediately killed. The shock wave to hit the city was devastating. These deaths brought to six the total number of Guard members from the battalion killed in action.

A bronze plaque now stands in front of the Manchester Armory to their memory.

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NGAUS History

“One cannot serve in the position of high responsibility in a national organization such as ours without learning a great deal.

“Certainly, I am no exception to that. Particularly in the area of legislation I have learned that one must have patience because the legislative process is a mill, which grinds slowly and the passage of a bill, no matter how worthy, takes a great deal of time.

“We look to the Congress for support in nearly every area of our program. By and large, general support for the Guard has been forthcoming and generous.

“I have learned that we cannot expect to get action on every request even though we may be convinced of the merits of the request.”

-Maj. Gen. James F. Cantwell, NGAUS president, August 1972

Technorati tag: NGAUS.
Category: NGAUS.