Olympic Verdict Places British Residents Under Military Rule Indefinitely

Patrick Henningsen and Daisy Jones
Infowars.com
July 27, 2012

It’s official: an Englishman’s home is no longer his castle.

In a move that is hardly witnessed in wartime, let alone in peacetime, the UK’s military establishment has been given the green light to quarter residential homes without any permission or notice.

In the run-up to the 2012 Olympics in London, the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) has taken the unprecedented step of erecting surface-to-air missile batteries on top of multiple residential locations around East London.

A group of local council tenants from Leytonstone, East London, lost their high court battle to prevent the military missile encampment from being stationed on the roof of their tower block before and during the Olympics. The action to use their residential block as a military base was signed off by the British Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Home Secretary and Defence Secretary in ‘Defence of the Realm’.

Residents were then also refused permission and blocked from applying for an appeal via judicial review because the case falls under the guise of national security.

The Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond, was accused by the residents of the block of Breaching Article 8 and Article 1 of Protocol 1 of the European convention on Human Rights. These protect an individual’s right to a private life and peaceful enjoyment of their home.

At no point beforehand were any of the residents given consultation by the MOD. Moreover, the ruling against the residents has set a number of new legal precedents in favour of the military, including a ‘zero notice’ policy whereby the MOD has no obligation to inform or consult residents beforehand, nor do they have any legal obligation to offer any compensation if they choose to commandeer a private property to set-up a forward operating base.

David Enright, a human rights lawyer and Partner of Howe and Co. who represented the residents, explains the danger of this new ruling, “Let’s be clear. Whenever the government (or military) takes a power over the civilian population – they never give it back.”

Critics are pointing out that the both MOD and the government agencies had 7 years to prepare and plan their operations, but intentionally left it until only three months before the games before revealing their operation  – limiting the time to launch any legal challenge against them.

The residents of the Fred Wigg tower block were concerned, amongst many other issues, that surface-to-air missiles on their tower block could make them a terrorist target. The MOD rejected their claim by saying that missile deployment as part of the security measures for the Games was ‘legitimate and proportionate’. David Forsdick, who appeared in court on behalf of the MOD, said “The MOD, intelligence agencies and the Metropolitan Police do not consider there is any credible threat to the Fred Wigg tower from terrorism”.

It is somewhat ironic that the MOD, intelligence agencies and the Metropolitan Police do not consider there is any credible threat to the Fred Wigg Tower from terrorism. This was probably the case before they put missiles on the roof, but few would argue that this is still the case.

The Judge presiding over the case, Mr Justice Haddon-Cave, maintained that the MOD had no duty to consult with residents, nor would they responsible for their relocation or any compensation as a result of the domestic military operation.

Prior to the case hearing, it was also revealed that Judge Haddon-Cave who was appointed to the case, had clear links with MOD. He had worked for, maintained ties with and even lectured for the MOD. He declared his interests at the beginning of the trial but for reasons unknown, his conflict of interest was not contested.

In what has been described as patronising at its worst, Judge Haddon-Cave claimed that although the residents of Fred Wigg tower had expressed ‘shock, anxiety and worry’ over the prospect of missiles being stations on top of their building, they had been under ‘something of a misapprehension’ about the nature of the equipment to be deployed and the risks deployment would bring.

Judge Haddon-Cave justified the MOD’s brash move by claiming there was no need for the MOD to negotiate with residents, as there were ‘no other alternative site for missiles’. Residents and citizen advocates have since rubbished the Judge’s spurious claims pointing out that there are literally thousands of huge open spaces- parks, vacant office buildings, industrial waste land, car parks, construction sites, school playing fields, and ships on the Thames, all of which would suffice if indeed, ‘air defence’ was indeed the primary issue at play here. In addition to all these other options, there are also hundreds of secure government buildings all over London which could be available for use in military operations. Instead, the decision by the MOD to opt instead for residents’ homes as domestic military staging areas places residents firmly into the category of ‘human shield’.

Journalist Brian Whelan, 28, previously posted a video on Telegraph website showing the British Army leaving crates of missiles, rockets and other military equipment outside the entrance of his home, Lexington Tower in Bow – completely unguarded. The MOD responded to the report by insisting that they were ‘dummy missiles’ and no risk was incurred by residents. Whelan was then promptly evicted from his council home after his report went public.

The result of Whelan’s early eviction from his home in Bow, has been that residents in the Fred Wigg Tower in Leytonstone have been afraid to speak to the media regarding their plight for fear that they too might be made homeless for speaking out against the state’s power structure – a disturbing new trend which can only be described as institutional intimidation. This new reality was confirmed by Infowars.com reporters, who were met with a wall of silence when trying to gain comment from multiple residents this past weekend.

In addition to the MOD, British state-run television apparatus BBC has also taken over a number of council properties in East London for its media operations around the Olympic games, clashing with residents and even denying residents entry into their own homes in at least one instance. Demotix.com reported this week:

Following a request from BBC Security, police denied a family access to their tower block home overlooking the Olympic site in Stratford for well over an hour, before having to acknowledge they had no power to do so.

Colin, a resident in Lund Point on the Carpenters Estate in Stratford had invited a group viewing the estate in a tour organised by CARP (Carpenters Estate Against Regeneration) to come to his flat to see the high standard of accommodation in the 1966 tower block and the views across the estate.

The BBC have rented the vacant areas of the top five floors of the 22 story block as a base for their Olympic and Paralympic coverage. The group included a number of UK and foreign journalists, photographers and TV crews with an interest in the area.

This is the thick end of the wedge, where eminent domain and martial law automatically usurp any rights or redress a citizen would normally be entitled to, but can’t because national security has been invoked by the state.

Clearly, one can certainly deduce from these events that Britain is officially in a permanent state of war.

Against who?

That is the ever lingering question.

….

Tags: Domestic News, Domestic Spying, Police state

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US Military and Local Police Working Together on American Streets

Susanne Posel
Infowars.com
July 26, 2012

The US military is being used to protect civilian events, like the 2012 Democratic and Republican Party National Conventions in Tampa, Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina.

USNORTHCOM and Leon Panetta, US Secretary of Defense, has readily admitted that US armed forces will collaborate with local law enforcement “if called upon”.

In fact, more than 20,000 troops were brought home and readied for deployment within the US to assist in “civil unrest and crowd control”.

The US military will prop up the US Secret Service “for operational security reasons we do not discuss the numbers of military personnel and resources that are involved. Additionally, we do not share our operational plans,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Cdr. William G. Lewis.

The extent of use of military forces on civilian matters, as reported by mainstream media (MSM) have included the reallocation of hundreds of military police officers being trained to “assist local authorities” in investigation, crime scene and case building.

An estimate 500 military police and dogs will be used as “law enforcement battalions”. These soldiers, having served on tours in Afghanistan, will now be activated and based out of military bases across America to help local police forces.

National Guard has been witnessed in Virginia conducting “wellness checks” and patrolling residential neighborhoods as well as downtown city areas.

In Southern California, the TSA have been caught patrolling train stations and bus terminals.

The US Congress has given over $25 million in more funding to support unannounced TSA checkpoints.

According to one whistleblower : “We’re doing patrols in the parking lot with dogs, we’re even going as far out to the train station because the train station is connected to the airport here and we have guys walking around the train station, walking around the rental cars, we’re inspecting cars coming into the parking garage, I mean we’ve fully expanded – we’re no longer just at the gate and just at the security checkpoint.”

Military soldiers and TSA checkpoints are not the only tricks up the US government’s sleeve.

Researchers at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, led by Roland Brockers, have developed micro-aerial vehicles (MAVs) that utilize a camera pointed at the ground to navigate, choose landing destinations and identify people and targets.

Operators have only to command the MAVs to a location, beginning with the starting point, and the specialized GPS system will guide the micro-drone through mapped out sites, dimensions and landscapes.

Other military defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and LaserMotive have combined to preform drone testing with the use of wireless energy technology.

While the US government is facilitating the military on American streets and the TSA are beefing up their range with new checkpoints and areas of patrol, the national debate over gun control continues.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) are bringing attention to the anti-gun purveyors like New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg who are calling for immediate restriction of gun sales to average Americans.

Thomas Menino, Mayor of Boston and member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, commented: “The best way to honor the memory of those who senselessly lost their lives in Aurora is to make it harder for this to ever happen again. Our political leaders need to lead – and we demand they act now.”
NRA members are reporting, according to a new survey, that they are not only purchasing more guns because of recent events like the Batman shooting, but recognize that their purchases may put them on a terrorist watch list.

John Velleco, director of federal affairs for Gun Owners of America, acknowledges that gun control is a heated topic “in the wake of this horrible shooting” but that “more gun control could actually make situations worse by making it harder for law-abiding folks to own and carry guns, which means for lunatics that there are more unarmed, potential victims.”

Velleco admits that as of now, legislation is lacking in the gun control debate, however he recognizes that these anti-gun advocates are “kind of like vultures to take advantage of a situation to further an agenda that doesn’t get traction and that people don’t support.”

The NRA has political pull in swing states, which is being suggested by the MSM as a deterrent from Obama to support stricter gun laws; however Obama and Clinton have both publicly stated their support of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) being discussed by the UN in conference in New York until July 27th.

Susanne Posel’s post first appeared on her blog, Occupy Corporatism.

Tags: Domestic News, Police state

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UN Bureaucracy Just a Formality Before US Military Attack On Syria

Susanne Posel
Infowars.com
July 7, 2012

The Syrian National Council (SNC) has rejected the international plan for regime change in Syria because current Syrian President Bashar Assad would have the right to participate in the agreement.

At a conference in Geneva this past weekend, the UN brokered “deal” for the “creation of a transitional national unity government” made the illusion to executive powers given to Syria. Russian representatives asserted that Assad should be part of the interim administration. The ultimate transitional government would also oversee the drafting of a new Syrian Constitution and advise the electoral process.

The international community, headed by the UN has agreed to devise a scheme to remove Assad from the Syrian government and chose his successor by “mutual consent”. Several oppositional groups in Syria are vying for representatives that might replace Assad.

Bassma Kodmani, spokesperson for the SNC states that the agreement is not assertive enough and lacks clear mechanisms for the regime change. Kodmani claims that the use of the UN Security Council (UNSC) during the “transition” should not be led by Assad.

Kodmani, who was a participant in the recent Bilderberg meeting in Chantilly, Virginia, has been pushing for an armed attack on Syria.

Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State displayed optimism at Assad’s removal. Clinton assured the conference attendees that Assad and his inner circle would not be allowed to participate in the “transitional government”.

Clinton, who has blamed Russia for their involvement in the US and UN’s efforts to force Assad out of power, says they have finally joined the US in backing the regime change. “They have committed to trying,” she said. “But they also admitted that they may or may not have enough leverage to convince not just one man, but a family and a regime that their time is over.”

Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister remarked that Russian “will be only glad to support [a Syrian regime change].”

In Geneva, UN representative Kofi Annan’s six point peace plan was recommended once more for immediate implementation as facilitation for a cease-fire. Annan said that the plan could include members of the current Syrian regime theoretically. Annan said to the audience: “I think people who have blood on their hands are hopefully not the only people in Syria. I think the government will have to be formed through discussion, negotiations, and by mutual consent. And I will doubt that the Syrians — who have fought so hard for their independence, to be able to say how they’re governed and who governs them — will select people with blood on their hands to lead them.”

War with Syria has begun covertly . Turkey has mobilized large numbers of troops “including at least 15 long-range artillery pieces and tanks – moved to the Syrian frontier from the eastern city of Diyarbakir.”

Ron Paul has been forthcoming in saying that the “Pentagon indeed has finalized plans” to attack Syria. Paul explains that Syria poses no “national security concerns” to America “that require such a foolish escalation of violence in the Middle East. There should be no doubt that our security interests are best served by completely staying out of the internal strife now raging in Syria.”

CNN affirmed Paul’s assertion by reporting that the Pentagon has “finalized its assessment of what types of units would be needed, how many troops, and even the cost of certain potential operations.” An anonymous member of the Obama administration claims: “There is a sense that if the sectarian violence in Syria grows, it could be worse than what we saw in Iraq.”

Just as with the attack on Libya, the US armed forces will use a no-fly zone while simultaneously overseeing biological and chemical strategic sites. Central banking controlled nations like the US, Britain and France have discussed the war action against Syria. They have come together in training and “sharing of intelligence about what is happening in Syria with neighboring countries including Jordan, Turkey and Israel.”

Preparatory air strikes against Syria have been planned by the Obama administration. Both the US Navy and Air Force, participating in the no-fly zone with the British and French armed forces have “Their mission to knock out Assad’s central regime and military command centers so as to shake regime stability and restrict Syrian army and air force activity for subduing rebel action and wreaking violence on civilian populations.”

This use of UN military is without Congressional approval and an affront to the Constitutional guidelines of our American Republic. However, since Obama receives his military orders from the UN and NATO, he must feel justified in his unabashed use of our armed forces.

Susanne Posel’s post first appeared on her blog, Occupy Corporatism.

Tags: Foreign Affairs, Terrorism, War

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Military to strengthen ties with US

Beijing calls for proper resolution of US surveillance flights issue

Top Chinese military officials on Tuesday pledged to strengthen communication and cooperation with the United States, but also called for proper resolution of the issue of US surveillance flights near China.

Defense Minister Liang Guanglie and Deputy Chief of the General Staff Ma Xiaotian of the Chinese People's Liberation Army made the remarks during meetings with visiting Commander of US Pacific Command Samuel Locklear.

This visit comes one day before the largest-ever Rim of the Pacific naval exercises, scheduled from Wednesday to Aug 7 in Hawaii. It involves 22 nations, including the US, India and Australia, but not China, which was not invited to participate or observe.

China-US military ties have great potential as overall bilateral relations have been developed in a stable manner, Liang said, adding that establishing new, equal and mutually beneficial military relations is the inevitable need of both militaries and the common expectation from the international community.

China would like to boost military exchanges with the US and deepen cooperation in the fields of non-traditional security, said Ma. "This is in the best interest of both peoples, as well as the region and the whole world."

The two Chinese officers expressed concerns over the US strategic shift to the Asia-Pacific region and its frequent military surveillance close to China's coast. They urged the US to resolve related issues as soon as possible.

As a Pacific country, the US hopes to improve cooperation with all Asia-Pacific countries, including China, said Locklear, and he called for more dialogue and less misunderstanding.

Despite differences over some issues, China and the US share common interests in many fields, and the two militaries should enhance exchanges and cooperation to safeguard such interests and build a safe international environment, he said.

Closer ties between the US and its Asian allies are widely interpreted as a measure to contain China. Shortly after concluding the US joint drill with Japan and the Republic of Korea, Washington is scheduled to kick off the largest-ever Rim of the Pacific naval exercises with 21 other countries on Wednesday.

Russia, India, Mexico, the Philippines, New Zealand, Norway and Tonga are participating in the exercises for the first time, according to the Stars and Stripes, a Washington-based newspaper.

It is notable that China was not invited to participate or observe the exercises that involve most of the Asia-Pacific countries, analysts said.

"We had 14 countries participate in 2010. We've got 22 this year, so I think that's an indication of the interest that countries have in participating in it and the value they see in this kind of unique training opportunity," Charlie Brown, a spokesman for the US Navy's 3rd Fleet, was quoted as saying.

In 2006, the former head of US Pacific Command William Fallon invited the PLA to observe the exercise "Valiant Shield", said the newspaper.

Professor Li Daguang with the University of National Defense said the exercise echoes the recent statement from US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta that US naval power in the Pacific will increase and the US will enhance ties with its allies in the region.

The US carries on bilateral cooperation with China while at the same time continues building a strategic circle to contain China, Li told Beijing-based China News Service.

"I think everyone recognizes that (the maritime security environment) is where either we learn to live and work together, because we do have considerable shared interests, or this is where we get in each other's way and potentially start to stare each other down," Brad Glosserman, executive director of the Pacific Forum Center for Strategic and International Studies in Honolulu, told the Stars and Stripes.

Contact the writers at zhaoshengnan@chinadaily.com.cn and chengguangjin@chinadaily.com.cn

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Military Sources: British Commandos Operating In Syria, Assad Compound Under Siege

Reports suggest Western military intervention in full swing

Steve Watson
Prisonplanet.com
June 26, 2012

French, British and Turkish military sources have suggested that elite British soldiers have entered Northern Syria and are operating ten kilometers inside the country in what is thought to be the first offensive western intervention against the Assad regime.

“Our military sources estimate that the British military drive into Syria, if confirmed, is designed to establish the first safe zone along the Syrian-Turkish border, to be followed by more Western military incursions to establish additional zones of safe asylum in other parts of Syria.” reports the Israeli intelligence website Debkafile.

The site notes that sources have indicated that any such further coordinated action is to be determined based upon “Syrian, Russian and Iranian (+ Hizballah) responses to the initial stage of the operation.”

The same sources also indicate that Syrian government forces and the rebel opposition are fighting in two Damascus suburbs, Qudsaya and Hammah.

The sources have indicated that the attacks are targeted at the presidential palace of Bashar al-Assad and the compound of the presidential guard.

Reports of clashes and overnight shelling in the capital have been corroborated by the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Tuesday morning that Western military intervention in Syria would not be tolerated by Moscow, and that Russia would act decisively to prevent it.

Debkafile also notes that the perceived double offensive against Assad began just hours before the NATO “consultation” in Brussels on the shooting down of a Turkish warplane by Syria last Friday.

“The two-pronged operation – the reported British incursion and major clash at the front door of Assad’s presidential palace – would appear to be designed to widen the cracks in his regime and speed its final breakup.” the report states.

The website’s sources have proven accurate in the past.

Back in February reports emerged suggesting that British and Qatari troops were operating inside Syria, directing rebel ammunition deliveries and overseeing the battle for the strategic city of Homs.

Debkafile, reported that British troops are already in Syria leading armed groups, and that the MI6 has established four centers of operation in the city.

The British government denied that it was carrying out any clandestine operations within the country. “These reports are untrue. There are absolutely no British troops on Syrian territory at the moment,” an embassy official said at the time.

Earlier this month more reports emerged indicating that Britain was planning to set up refugee camps inside Syria under a humanitarian pretext, when in reality the operation was a cover for assisting armed rebels fighting against the government.

It also emerged this month that Emissaries from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) have held meetings with high level U.S. government officials in Washington. The CIA, MI6 and Mossad supported rebels consulted with Obama’s National Security Council and presented a shopping list of heavy weapons, including surface-to-air missiles.

Debkafile also reported that Barack Obama has told the US Navy and Air Force to prepare air strikes on Syria as part of a “no fly zone” that will be enforced with the aid of British and French military power.

“Their mission will be to knock out Assad’s central regime and military command centers so as to shake regime stability and restrict Syrian army and air force activity for subduing rebel action and wreaking violence on civilian populations,” the report reads.

If launched, US air strikes on Syria will be undertaken without Congressional approval, just as Obama green lighted the attack on Libya with a churlish disregard for the constitutional process. US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has repeatedly stated that Congressional authorization for a military assault on Syria will not be sought by the Obama administration, which considers NATO and the UN to be the supreme authority.

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US and Israel to hold largest ever joint military exercise

Times of Israel
June 25, 2012

Israel and the US are set to hold their largest ever joint military exercise in October, featuring thousands of soldiers and advanced anti-missile defense systems, and simulating simultaneous fire from Iran and Syria.

News of the drill comes amid ongoing violence in Syria, and with Israel and the US closely discussing the means to thwart Iran’s nuclear drive. The commander of the 3rd Air Force, Lt.-Gen.Craig A. Franklin, on a recent visit to Israel, established a planning committee with representatives of the IDF to coordinate the details of the exercise, the Maariv Hebrew daily reported Monday. Some 3,000 US soldiers are to participate, alongside thousands of Israeli troops.

The drill will simulate missiles being fired at Israel from Iran and Syria simultaneously, with potentially tens, if not hundreds, of rockets mid-air at the same time. Israel will test its upgraded Arrow 2 defense system, while the US will deploy the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System and PAC-3 Patriot air defense platforms.

According to Maariv, some military analysts have nicknamed the exercise a “dress rehearsal” for a potential military conflict, noting that it will send a clear message to Iran at a time during which the impact of international sanctions, or lack thereof, will be clearer.

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Tags: Foreign Affairs, Terrorism, War

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For London Olympics, Britain calls up the military

Henry Chu
latimes.com
June 25, 2012

To maintain security in the world’s latest hot spot, Britain is deploying spy planes, helicopters with snipers and the biggest warship in the Royal Navy’s fleet. Up to 13,500 ground troops will be backed by more than 20,000 private guards. State-of-the-art radar systems and a carpet of security cameras will provide 24-hour surveillance.

Luckily, the theater of operation is up close and personal.

Let the London Games begin.

The massive military mobilization, which critics contend is overkill, is a key component of the extraordinary security precautions the British government is taking to keep the 2012 Summer Olympics safe.

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Tags: big brother, technology, Terrorism

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