India-EU News & Analysis

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 30 May 2011 15:58

- suggests he has not been around much. But then again, personal taste is also a factor... Still, Brussels? The most boring place in Europe... Been there only once and it was enough...

rsingh · Post by **rsingh** » 30 May 2011 18:55

Surya wrote:http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?271977

Ashok mehtas brussels diary

sometimes I wonder which world he is in when he calls Brussels the world's swankiest airport

How do I trust his other writings now

Spent last 18 years trying to discover Brussels. It is BOARING here. I really do not know what Indian tourists find here. Those mussel resto are OK.........but you get it everywhere like chai in India. There is no old and new part of city...that is complete bullshit. And that lion Mound (Mt St Jean) is NOT 30 km from Brussels. Brussels Airport closes in night and it an air-conditioned hangar at best. It was about to go for bankruptcy but Jet air saved it. I think this Ashok Mehta is making up stories just remind everybody that he is still in Brussels in case you forgot.

nithish · Post by **nithish** » 04 Jul 2011 01:06

India rejects clause on litigation

Despite a demand by the European Union (EU), India is unlikely to allow a clause in a proposed trade pact with the bloc that permits an overseas investor to sue a host country at an international dispute settlement agency.

EU wanted the inclusion of such a clause, known as an investor to state dispute settlement mechanism, in a draft investment chapter under the proposed trade and investment agreement, negotiations for which started in 2007. Mint has reviewed a copy of the draft.

India has rejected the EU’s demand on the contentious issue, as a result of which negotiations on the investment chapter of the pact have not moved forward, according to two persons outside the Indian government with knowledge of the development. They requested anonymity.

Commerce secretary Rahul Khullar declined to comment on the matter. “As a matter of principle, India does not negotiate through the media,” he said.

The controversial clause, if agreed upon, would allow European businesses investing in India to take international legal action against the government for damages over policies such as banning of dangerous chemicals, domestic health policies such as tobacco control legislation and measures to reduce prices of essential medicines.

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 04 Jul 2011 01:16

Was it not the Indian Army who liberated Belgium from Nazis?
Now 9W saves the airport after indians took care of the diamond biz.
We should never get tired in reminding them our benevolence and sacrifices to save them.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 22 Jul 2011 19:26

terror strike in oslo near Govt HQ.

Jaik · Post by **Jaik** » 22 Jul 2011 19:56

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14252515

there are a looooot of piglets in scandinavia... hope and pray that the casualty rate is low.

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 22 Jul 2011 20:00

Picture, not for the squeamish.
http://www.demotix.com/sites/default/fi ... 763014.jpg

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 22 Jul 2011 20:01

The Atlantic : Max Fisher : Al-Qaeda's problem with Norway
http://www.theatlantic.com/internationa ... ay/242352/

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 22 Jul 2011 20:07

Twitter tells us : "Norwegian prosecutors on Tuesday filed a terrorism charge against Mullah Krekar, founder of the Kurdish Islamist group Ansar al-Islam,"

uddu · Post by **uddu** » 22 Jul 2011 20:21

Norway. Arrested a person? Oh how sad. What happened to the Human rights of that person? He has the right to express himself. Until proven he is innocent and he must not be arrested. Norway must understand the persons grievances and let his views be applied in Norway like Sharia, like Separate nation carved out of Norway for peaceful people to live in , so that there is peace and prosperity in Norway. Else Norway is acting against the human rights of Ordinary minority Islamist. That's unethical and Irresponsible on part of Norway.

Sad. The spread of Pseudo secularism has led to the rise of fundamentalism that's targeting the real secular ethos and values. As long as Pseudo secularism exists allowing fundamentalism to flourish, these kinds of things will keep happening.

KrishG · Post by **KrishG** » 22 Jul 2011 20:26

A_Gupta wrote:Twitter tells us : "Norwegian prosecutors on Tuesday filed a terrorism charge against Mullah Krekar, founder of the Kurdish Islamist group Ansar al-Islam,"

The main reason could be Norway being a member of NATO. The Nordic countries generally do not have the same amount of security as other western countries and are easy-going people. So, compared to say UK or Germany, they are easier targets. As a result NATO and west in general get a strong message from the Islamists over their capacity to attack western targets in the west. And there is no shortage of piglets in Norway. This attack would most probably have been planned in TSP.

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 22 Jul 2011 21:35

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14254705

1739:

AFP report police say Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg had been due to attend a rally of his Labour Party's youth section on the island of Utoya where a gunman reportedly opened fire earlier.

Sushupti · Post by **Sushupti** » 22 Jul 2011 21:39

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 22 Jul 2011 21:39

http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/norge/1.7723132
Google translate

A person dressed as a police officer to have fired several shots at the Labour Youth League summer camp at Utøya. Vitner melder om at flere personer er skutt. Witnesses report that several people are shot.

County Secretary Telemark AUF, Adrian Pracon, told Varden that at least four people have been taken.

Ifølge ham er det trolig snakk om flere drepte. According to him it is probably a matter of several killed.

Situasjonen på Utøya er kaotisk. The situation on Utøya is chaotic.

Ifølge vitner skal en person utkledd som politi løsnet flere skudd. According to witnesses, a person dressed as police fired several shots.

– Jeg fikk akkurat en sms om at en jente er skutt i arma, men hun er ikke livstruende skadd, sier Hege Haukeland Liadal til NRK. - I just got a text message that a girl is shot in the fixture, but she is not life-threatening injuries, said Hege Haukeland Liadal to NRK. no. com.

Hun er varaordfører for Ap i Haugesund, og er i løpende kontakt med ungdommer på øya. She is deputy chairman of the Labour Party in Haugesund, and is in continuous contact with young people on the island.

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 22 Jul 2011 21:41

http://www.thejournal.ie/reports-of-sho ... 8-Jul2011/

FOLLOWING THIS AFTERNOON’S blast in central Oslo, the country’s Prime Minister has confirmed that a situation was developing on the island of Utøya, some 80 kilometres from the capital.

There have been unconfirmed reports that the Norwegian Labour youth camp has come under attack at Utøya, an island in Tyrifjorden in Hole municipality, TV2 reports.

Around 1,00 young Labour supporters gathered at Utøya last Wednesday for a five-day summer camp. Prime Minister Stoltenberg, Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and former Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland were due to make appearances over the course of the week, newsinenglish.no reports.

Norwegian journalist Ketil B Stensrud tweeted this afternoon that there had been unconfirmed ”reports of shots fired and people ‘swimming’ away in despair” at the location.

The Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that a situation was developing at Utøya, but did not give any details: ”There is a critical situation at Utøya, and several ongoing operations as we speak,” Stoltenberg said.

There have been unconfirmed reports that a man identifying himself as a police officer began shooting indiscriminately at people, VG Nett reports.

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 22 Jul 2011 21:41

4 dead at the youth camp shooting...

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 22 Jul 2011 21:43

Last week, a Norwegian prosecutor filed terror charges against an Iraqi-born cleric for threatening Norwegian politicians with death if he is deported from the Scandinavian country. The indictment centred on statements that Mullah Krekar — the founder of the Kurdish Islamist group Ansar al-Islam — made to various news media, including American network NBC

http://www.thespec.com/news/world/artic ... bomb-blast

PS: sounds very Pakistani in attitude - essentially Krekar was saying - I have a right to be a terrorist in Norway, and if you deport me I will kill you.

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 22 Jul 2011 21:44

Raw footage of second Oslo explosion (via @colinfreeze)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbCCR3YK ... e=youtu.be

Y I Patel · Post by **Y I Patel** » 22 Jul 2011 21:52

Newspapers over here in US have been reporting a significant shift in AQ strategy under Zawahiri. Since mainland US is so well protected, there was enormous frustration among AQ rank and file at OBL's insistence in going after US targets, even so called Tier 2 ones. Zawahiri is reported to have shifted focus to American interests abroad as well as American allies. This could be the opening salvo from AQ-Central.

The targeting corresponds to AQ doctrine - use of multiple explosions at high profile/symbolic value targets in Tier 1 cities (ie Capital city and/or Financial Capital). The only significant difference is the shift away from a Tier 1 country.

Sushupti · Post by **Sushupti** » 22 Jul 2011 21:54

RT @hilango: Prime Minister Stoltenberg: Has heard reports of shootings at Utøya, but situation is chaotic

Looks like 26/11 type attack.

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 22 Jul 2011 21:57

they're going for the soft targets... means they are on the run in the primary targets

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 22 Jul 2011 22:15

Twitter (re: Utoya)

RT @karinabraham: according to norwegian state channel nrk person arresten is tall, blond and of nordic apperance

KrishG · Post by **KrishG** » 22 Jul 2011 22:21

A_Gupta wrote:Raw footage of second Oslo explosion (via @colinfreeze)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbCCR3YK ... e=youtu.be

Video seems to be fake.

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 22 Jul 2011 22:24

Mention of Pakistanis in Norway and the possibility of them being involved has already been raised on BBC by a police officer Brian Paddock of the Metropolitan Police

... a large Pakistani population in Norway was also mentioned... Fingers crossed. Await the news biraders...

Since this misfortune has befallen the poor Norwegians, who are perhaps the most harmless and decent people in Europe (apart from being a little too good for their own good - cough, Sri Lanka cough), let us at least hope the perpetrators are our cousins across the border.

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 22 Jul 2011 22:44

NYTimes

While Norway has seen little political violence in recent years, the country is a member of NATO alliance and has a small fighting contingent in Afghanistan. It was one of several countries cited by Ayman al-Zawahri, the Al Qaeda leader, as potential targets for attack. In 2006, Norwegian newspapers reprinted Danish cartoons that angered Muslims by lampooning the Prophet Muhammad. Norway has also historically been a frequent participant in peacekeeping missions and a host for diplomatic talks, including the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinians. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by a committee of the Norwegian parliament.

A Norwegian security analyst, who asked not to be named, said the country has historically been seen as at low risk from terrorism, but cautioned that the nature of the explosion was still not known.

Nevertheless, Muslim leaders in Norway swiftly responded as speculation swirled around a possible attack. “This is our homeland, this is my homeland; I condemn these attacks and the Islamic Council of Norway condemns these attacks, whoever is behind them,” said Mehtab Afsar, Secretary General of Islamic Council of Norway.

A threat assessment released in March by the Norwegian police said that though support for extremist Islamic terrorism was not widespread, “activity in certain communities” meant that the threat level would be heightened in 2011. “Some extreme Islamists currently appear to be more globally oriented,” the report said, “and it is primarily this group who could present a direct threat to Norway in the year ahead.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/23/world ... 3oslo.html

Narad · Post by **Narad** » 22 Jul 2011 22:48

X-post from TISP dhaaga

Brain Paddick Former Deputy comminsioner of Oslo police pointed his finger of suspicion on the “reasonable amount of radicalised pakistani population in and around Oslo” behind the Nor-e-way Jihad. He was commenting on BBC, a short while ago.

Apparently armed groups of paki robbers have already been major takleef for Oslo police to deal with.

Also, many people are reported to be killed at the shootout incidence in Norway, as per Reuters.

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 22 Jul 2011 23:02

A group called "Helpers of the Global Jihad" have claimed responsibilty for the attacks, but their claim is unsubstantiated. Was reportedly posted to al-Shmukh, a leading jihadi forum. If you can read Arabic, please get in touch: [email protected].

http://www.vancouversun.com/Live+Update ... story.html

From the same source:

#
This was also posted to a web forum today:

Praise be to God Nasser slaves combined and humiliating the people of shirk and kufr companions, prayer and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets, his family and companions and after
The Almighty said: (then fight for God but do not cost yourself and rouse the believers may be that Allah keeps those who disbelieve and Allah is more powerful and in punishment) [women: 84]
Here have reached the countries of Europe is another message from the militants and further proof of the countries of Europe that the Mujahideen will not stand idly towards their war against Islam and Muslims.
Today has been targeting Norway to be a lesson and a lesson to the rest of Europe has already threatened us since the invasion of Stockholm more operations has asked European countries to withdraw their armies from the land of Afghanistan and stop its war against Islam and Muslims, and we repeat our warning again to the countries of Europe and tell them carried out the demands of the mujahideen, what you see is only the beginning and the next more.
The reasons for the targeting of Norway there are many of the most important of their participation in the occupation of Afghanistan and the abuse of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Praise God that enabled slaves to the combined .. and pray to God to save our brothers and our fighters everywhere.
Glory and praise God I bear witness that no god but You Astgrk and I repent to you.

Abu Suleiman Al-Nasser
Ansar al-Jihad of the world

translate.google.com
by Brad Frenette, Vancouver Sun 7/22/2011 6:03:34 PM 2:03 PM

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 22 Jul 2011 23:16

#
LATEST: This eye-witness was assisting police by evacuating youths in his boat. Apparently, he could count 20-30 people shot dead. Awful.
by ketilbstensrud via twitter 7/22/2011 6:18:47 PM 2:18 PM

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 22 Jul 2011 23:24

Correction: the person who tweeted this merely happened to come across it when the oslo blasts occurred

http://europenews.dk/en/node/41655

NORWAY: SOCIALIST LEFT PARTY TO VOTE ON MOTION CALLING FOR BOMBING ISRAEL IF IT ACTS AGAINST HAMAS IN GAZA

Tundra Tabloids 29 March 2011

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 22 Jul 2011 23:27

On sky news, actual number of dead could be very high, at govt building many people are reportedly under debris, on the Utoya island where shooting has taken place, several people are feared killed, Norway is in state of shock.

It is more than likely that there was more than 1 bomb.

so far no one has claimed responsility. But every where speculation is rife that this is work of al qaeda, only they have expertise of bombs of such large scale.

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 22 Jul 2011 23:33

On Mullah Krekar
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2 ... rekar_show

Allegedly traveling freely in violation of Norwegian asylum law, he helped create Ansar al-Islam, an Islamist group that enforced Taliban-style governance in Kurdish areas of Iraq prior to the U.S. invasion. After the invasion, Ansar al-Islam became part of the Salafist insurgent alliance known as Ansar al-Sunna.

Although Krekar played in important inspirational role in the insurgency, the Norwegians couldn't successfully mount a terrorism case against him. Extradition requests reportedly came from Jordan, Iraq, and the United States, but efforts to deport him ran aground on red tape and Norway's robust legal protections and benefits for refugees.

"He is a walking provocation and is making a mockery out of Norwegian respect for human rights," said Ola Flyum, a Norwegian journalist with whom I have worked, in an e-mail this morning. Flyum has investigated Krekar's story for years.

"He and his whole family are supported by the Norwegian government, but he continues to threaten people and central leaders," Flyum said. "The Norwegian government has for years tried to find a way out of this dilemma."

Indeed, Krekar showed little concern about losing his safe haven, running his mouth to the press at every opportunity.

In his autobiography, he wrote of meeting Osama bin Laden during the 1990s and called the al-Qaeda leader "a jewel in the crown of Islam."

In a 2003 interview with Dutch TV, he urged terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in Iraq. "Not just the officers, but also the civilians who help the Americans. If anyone so much as fetches them a glass of water, he can be killed," Krekar said.

But in the end, his words would be his downfall. Krekar was indicted last week for threatening death against Norwegian politicians should he be deported.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 22 Jul 2011 23:49

On sky news

1. A man has been arrested in connection with Utoya island shooting who is believed to be the killer after he was shot and wounded by the police, this man is blond, 1.9 mts long.

2. up to 30 people have been shot dead on Utoya island

3. This is being compared to Mumbai attack on all news channels (BBC/SKY/CNN)

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 23 Jul 2011 00:40

Inverse time order:
http://www.vancouversun.com/Live+Update ... story.html

#
Police press conference finished. Updates to come.
by ketilbstensrud via twitter 3:44 PM
#
I see rumors that the gunman is a local cop and recent convert to Islam. The police has CONFIRMED that this isn't the case. #oslo #utøya
by fwalloe via twitter 3:44 PM
#
Police pressr cont: ..that someone looking like the assailant may have been observed acting strangely just by the bomb scene."
by ketilbstensrud via twitter 3:44 PM
#
Police pressr: "We still believe that the bombings in Oslo are connected with the shootings at Utøya, and we've had reports suggesting..
by ketilbstensrud via twitter 3:43 PM
#
Police pressr: "As we said, we're still searching for people on Utøya, and we can't say anything about any youths in the water."
by ketilbstensrud via twitter 3:42 PM
#
Police pressr: "The assailant has NEVER been part of the police force, and has no relation to us. We can't say anything about nationality"
by ketilbstensrud via twitter 3:41 PM
#
Police confirms that the gunman wasn't one of them. #oslo #norway #utøya
by fwalloe via twitter 3:41 PM
#
Police pressr: "The assailant is being interrogated, and we can confirm that he was dressed as a policeman."
by ketilbstensrud via twitter 3:40 PM
#
New police pressr: "We can confirm that there are 10 killed at Utøya, and several injured. Search continues."
by ketilbstensrud via twitter 3:39 PM

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 23 Jul 2011 00:59

#
Police do not believe this was an act of international terrorism, according to www.nationen.no -- we're looking for confirmation on this report.
by Brad Frenette, Vancouver Sun 7/22/2011 8:02:52 PM 4:02 PM

http://www.vancouversun.com/Live+Update ... story.html

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Jul 2011 07:23

atleast 80 kids shot dead on the island per police. the camp was for 14-18 year olds.

habal · Post by **habal** » 23 Jul 2011 07:45

here is artical which has image of the suspect.
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/arti ... d=10080610

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 23 Jul 2011 09:16

any desi victims?

Ambar · Post by **Ambar** » 23 Jul 2011 09:36

It fractures my mind to even think about the barbarity some of these loonies display! 80 children dead! And for what ? Was he trying to make a political statement ? Was he a right winger who was fed up with the leftist labor party ? If so, how can killing innocent children/women/men help ? This is a wake up call for Europe to go back to their roots and rethink long and hard about the veil of pacifism that they've been hiding behind post WW2. Get rid of the velvet gloves and start throwing serious punches at fascists irrespective of the fact whether they are Islamists,leftist nihilists,anarchists or right wing nut jobs like this guy.

Ambar · Post by **Ambar** » 23 Jul 2011 09:53

STOCKHOLM—The 32-year-old suspected of massacring at least 80 young people at a summer camp and setting off a bomb in downtown Oslo that killed at least seven is a mystery to investigators: a right-winger with anti-Muslim views but no known links to hardcore extremists.

"He just came out of nowhere," a police official told The Associated Press.

Public broadcaster NRK and several other Norwegian media identified the suspected attacker as Anders Behring Breivik, a blond and blue-eyed Norwegian who expressed right-wing and anti-Muslim views on the Internet.

Norwegian news agency NTB said Breivik legally owned several firearms and belonged to a gun club. He ran an agricultural firm growing vegetables, an enterprise that could have helped him secure large amounts of fertilizer, a potential ingredient in bombs.

But he didn't belong to any known factions in Norway's small and splintered extreme right movement, and had no criminal record except for some minor offenses, the police official told AP.

"He hasn't been on our radar, which he would have been if was active in the neo-Nazi groups in Norway," he said. "But he still could be inspired by their ideology."

He spoke on condition of anonymity because those details had not been officially released by police. He declined to name the suspect.

Neo-Nazi groups carried out a series of murders and robberies in Scandinavia in the 1990s but have since kept a low profile.

"They
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have a lack of leadership. We have pretty much control of those groups," the police official said.

Breivik's registered address is at a four-story apartment building in western Oslo. A police car was parked outside the brick building early Saturday, with officers protecting the entrance.

National police chief Sveinung Sponheim told public broadcaster NRK that the gunman's Internet postings "suggest that he has some political traits directed toward the right, and anti-Muslim views, but whether that was a motivation for the actual act remains to be seen."

A Facebook page under Breivik's name was taken down late Friday. A Twitter account under his name had only one Tweet, on July 17, loosely citing English philosopher John Stuart Mill: "One person with a belief is equal to the force of 100,000 who have only interests."

Police where interrogating the man, first at the scene of the shooting, and later at a police station in Oslo.

"It's strange that he didn't kill himself, like the guys that have carried out school shootings," the police official told AP. "It's a good thing that he didn't because then we might get some answers pointing out his motivation."

He said the attacks appeared to be the work of a lone madman, without links to any international terrorist networks. The attack "is probably more Norway's Oklahoma City than it is Norway's World Trade Center," he said referring to the 1995 attack on a federal building in Oklahoma City by domestic terrorists.

Investigators said the Norwegian carried out both attacks—the blast at the prime minister's office in Oslo and the shooting spree at the left-wing Labor Party's youth camp—but didn't rule out that others were involved. But the police official said it wouldn't be impossible for one man to carry out the attacks on his own.

"He's obviously cold as ice. But to get close to the government is easy. The streets are open in that area," he said.

Now that this neo-nazi nut with "anti-muslim" sentiments killed 100 people, the islamo-fascists can do a "equal-equal" in their arguments and actions.

Ambar · Post by **Ambar** » 23 Jul 2011 10:00

Strange! There are conflicting reports about Anders Behring Breivik's political leanings. Some sources suggest he was actually a anti-nazi,libertarian (why am i not surprised! ty Alex Jones you idiot!) right-winger.