BuNuh DiRi di KaLaNgan TenTara AS MeLoNjak

Washington-RoL--Tingkat bunuh diri tentara Amerika Serikat bertambah dalam tiga tahun terakhir bahkan mencapai tingkat tertinggi dalam 25 tahun terakhir, ungkap data yang diterbitkan militer, Kamis.

Petinggi militer mengaitkan peningkatan yang meresahkan tersebut dengan masalah perkawinan dan semakin panjangnya serta semakin banyaknya penugasan ke Irak maupun Afghanistan.

"Saya pikir itu adalah penanda adanya stres pada tentara," kata Kolonel Elsbeth Ritchie, konsultan psikiatrik militer, lalu mengatakan "keluarga-keluarga sudah letih".

Data yang diterbitkan militer tersebut memperlihatkan angka bunuh diri maupun percobaan bunuh diri melonjak pada tahun 2006 setelah merambat naik sejak AS berperang di Afghanistan dan Irak.

Menurut data tersebut, lebih dari dua ribu tentara mencoba bunuh diri atau melukai sendiri pada tahun 2006, sedangkan pada tahun 2002 jumlah kasus tersebut 375 kejadian.

Pada tahun 2006, terdapat 102 tentara aktif yang melakukan bunuh diri, jumlah tersebut hampir dua kali lipat dari kasus pada tahun 2001, ungkap data tersebut.

Angka tersebut menunjukkan bahwa jumlah bunuh diri bahkan semakin tinggi pada tahun 2007, dengan 89 kasus dipastikan bunuh diri dan 32 kematian lainnya masih menunggu penegasan sebagai bunuh diri.

Menurut Ritchie, sebagian besar kasus bunuh diri itu diakibatkan masalah dalam hubungan, dan hanya sebagian kecil yang berlatar masalah hukum, keuangan atau masalah kerja.

"Kalau orang membawa senjata yang sudah dikokang, seringkali bunuh diri terjadi tiba-tiba. Misalnya ada yang mendapat `email` dari pasangannya dengan kalimat `saya ingin cerai`, lalu dia menembak diri sendiri," katanya.

Laporan insiden bunuh diri itu mengisyaratkan bahwa orang tidak akan bunuh diri kalau sebab langsungnya adalah pertempuran, kata Ritchie.

""Tetapi, kerapnya penugasan telah membuat hubungan menjadi tegang, dan hubungan yang tegang serta perceraian sudah mutlak berhubungan dengan meningkatnya bunuh diri."

"Masalah lain adalah kelainan stres pasca-traumatik, kelainan stres pasca-traumatik secara sejarah serta penggunaan Narkoba.

Dari 102 tentara aktif pada 2006, 72 bunuh diri saat tidak bertugas ; 27 ditugaskan ke Irak; dan tiga di Afghanistan.

Kebanyakan yang bunuh diri adalah pria muda antara 18 dan 24 tahun, dan terdapat 11 tentara wanita yang bunuh diri sepanjang 2006.

"Itulah jumlah tertinggi bunuh diri tentara perempuan, setahu saya," afp/antara/pur

Sumber Republika Online

itulah harga mahal yang harus dibayar amerika serikat...

keimanan pada Allahlah yang menjadikan umat muslim sabar dan tetap bertahan dalam kesedihan sebagai salah satu ujian Allah.

kekufuran pada Allahlah yang menjadikan musuh-musuhNya tak tahan menahan rasa frustasi dan stress akibat fitnah dan demokrasi barbar yang mereka hembuskan atas islam dan umatnya.

O people! Rise up against the arrival of American troops to Pakistan

Friday, 01 February 2008 PRESS STATEMENT

The disclosure of increase in the number of American troops inside Pakistani territory by the senior American military officials is yet another proof of Musharraf treachery. Musharraf, who bowed down in front of America under the guise of “Pakistan comes first”, has severely damaged Pakistan within just six years. Musharraf had not just pushed Pakistan into artificial and self-created crisis of flour, electricity and gas but also seems ready for deployment of American troops inside Pakistan. This was revealed by American Centcom chief Admiral William J. Fallen by stating that “Pakistan army seems to be willing for a broad based relationship with American Army for dealing with insurgency in tribal areas and training of the FC (Frontier Constabulary) from American training centre.” The deployment of American troops under the guise of training of Pakistani troops will seriously jeopardize the security of Pakistan. Already, several reports have surfaced in the American press regarding the US’s intent of conducting Special Forces’ operation to steal or destroy Pakistani nuclear assets. Under such circumstances, what “national interest” is being served by inviting the biggest enemy’s troops inside the country? We call upon the Ummah to mobilise and stop Musharraf from allowing Americans to deploy troops within Pakistan. Moreover, the sincere elements in the armed forces should stop Musharraf from this treachery and provide ‘nusrah’ (support) required for the establishment of the Khilafah.


Naveed Butt
The Official Spokesman of Hizb ut-Tahrir in Pak

O people! Rise up against the arrival of American troops to Pakistan

Friday, 01 February 2008 PRESS STATEMENT

The disclosure of increase in the number of American troops inside Pakistani territory by the senior American military officials is yet another proof of Musharraf treachery. Musharraf, who bowed down in front of America under the guise of “Pakistan comes first”, has severely damaged Pakistan within just six years. Musharraf had not just pushed Pakistan into artificial and self-created crisis of flour, electricity and gas but also seems ready for deployment of American troops inside Pakistan. This was revealed by American Centcom chief Admiral William J. Fallen by stating that “Pakistan army seems to be willing for a broad based relationship with American Army for dealing with insurgency in tribal areas and training of the FC (Frontier Constabulary) from American training centre.” The deployment of American troops under the guise of training of Pakistani troops will seriously jeopardize the security of Pakistan. Already, several reports have surfaced in the American press regarding the US’s intent of conducting Special Forces’ operation to steal or destroy Pakistani nuclear assets. Under such circumstances, what “national interest” is being served by inviting the biggest enemy’s troops inside the country? We call upon the Ummah to mobilise and stop Musharraf from allowing Americans to deploy troops within Pakistan. Moreover, the sincere elements in the armed forces should stop Musharraf from this treachery and provide ‘nusrah’ (support) required for the establishment of the Khilafah.


Naveed Butt
The Official Spokesman of Hizb ut-Tahrir in Pak

ObAma DuKunG IsRael, ToLak Hak PenGunGsi PaLesTina

Kandidat Presiden AS dari Partai Demokratik Senator Barak Obama menyatakan dukungannya atas keberlangsungan negara Zionis Israel. Di sisi lain, ia meminta para pengungsi Palestina untuk melupakan keinginannya pulang ke tanah air mereka di Palestina.

Obama dalam wawancara dengan surat kabar Israel The Jerusalem Post edisi Selasa (29/1) mengatakan bahwa hak kembali bagi pengungsi Palestina bukan opsi dalam arti yang sesungguhnya. Ia juga menyatakan bahwa Palestina tidak bisa mewujudkan keinginan yang terpendam sekian lama untuk menjadi negara independen kecuali jika Israel benar-benar aman.

"Kita tidak bisa bergerak maju sampai ada keyakinan bahwa Palestina mampu menyediakan aparat keamanan yang bisa mencegah serangan-serangan terhadap wilayah Israel, " kata Obama seraya menegaskan bahwa Israel harus tetap menjadi negara "Yahudi."

Pernyataan Obama serupa dengan pernyataan Presiden George W. Bush dalam rangkaian kunjungannya ke Timur Tengah awal bulan Januari kemarin. Dalam tiap pernyataannya, Bush berulang kali mengatakan bahwa Israel "adalah kampung halaman bangsa Yahudi."

Ini bukan kali pertama Obama, termasuk rivalnya Hillary Clinton, melontarkan pernyataan yang berpihak pada Israel untuk merebut suara dari kalangan Yahudi AS yang jumlahnya sekitar 2 sampai 3 persen dari total jumlah pemilih. Pekan kemarin, Obama menyerukan Bush untuk tidak mengesahkan resolusi Dewan Keamanan PBB yang isinya mengecam blokade Israel terhadap 1, 6 juta warga sipil di Jalur Ghaza.

Obama juga mengkritik kampanye yang menjelek-jelekkan orang Yahudi dan ia membantah tuduhan bahwa ia memiliki latar belakang seorang Muslim. Menurutnya, tuduhan itu palsu. "Saya tidak pernah menganut agama Islam. Saya dibesarkan oleh seorang ibu yang menganut paham sekular dan saya adalah seorang Kristen yang aktif serta menjadi anggota jamaah agama Kristen, " tukas Obama.

Pada The Jerusalem Post Obama mengatakan bahwa ia membicarakan masalah ini secara pribadi dengan komunitas Yahudi, agar komunitas itu bisa mendengar langsung penjelasannya dan agar komunitas Yahudi tahu bahwa ada hubungan yang dalam dan komitmen yang kuat terhadap komunitas Yahudi. [eramuslim/iol]

RiNgAnKaN BeBan PaK HaRto, TunTaSkan KaSus PerDaTa

Di tengah upaya mengusut kasus perdata Soeharto, jend Bagaimana kasus perdatanya? Bagaimana tanggung jawab keluarga? Inna lillahi wainna ilaihi raaji’uun. Setelah menginap di Rumah Sakit Pusat Pertamina (RSPP) sejak 4 Januari 2008, untuk mendapat perawatan, akhirnya Allah menentukan takdirnya kepada mantan Presiden Soeharto. Jenderal besar yang pernah berkuasa eral besar ini meninggal.selama 32 tahun pada masa Orde Baru itu pun menghembuskan nafas terakhir pada Ahad (27/1/2008) pukul 13.13 WIB.

Ucapan bela sungkawa pun datang dari sejumlah pejabat negara, pemimpin negara asing, koleganya, tokoh yang berseberangan, para ulama, dan sejumlah pejabat dan tokoh di daerah. Sementara suasana lengang tampak di RSPP, tempat Soeharto dirawat. Bendera setengah tiang pun berkibar di depan Istana Negara, sejumlah instansi pemerintah dan swasta di sepanjang jalan utama ibukota. Presiden SBY mengumumkan hari berkabung nasional selama tujuh hari atas meninggalnya Pak Harto.

Di Bandung Gubernur Jabar Danny Setiawan mengintruksikan masyarakat Jabar untuk mendoakan Pak Harto. Sedangkan Gubernur Jawa Tengah Ali Mufiz meminta untuk mengibarkan bendera setengah tiang selama hari berkabung nasional, mulai hari Ahad sampai 2 Februari. Beberapa gubernur juga memberikan imbauan yang sama kepada warganya.

Pemakaman Soeharto diberlangsungkan Senin, (28/1) di Astana Giribangun, Karanganyar, Solo. Ia dimakamkan di samping makam istrinya Tien Soeharto.

Soeharto tutup usia pada umur 86 tahun. Ia lahir di Kemusuk Argo Mulyo 8 Juni 1921. Dilantik sebagai Presiden pada tanggal 27 Maret 1968, dan berkuasa hingga 32 tahun, sebelum akhirnya lengser pada 1998 oleh gelombang demonstrasi mahasiswa.

Soeharto menikah dengan Suhartini dan memiliki enam orang anak. Yaitu Sigit Harjodjudanto, Siti Hardijanti Rukmana (Tutut), Bambang Trihatmodjo, Siti Hediati Hariyadi (Titik), Hutomo Mandala Putra (Tommy), dan Siti Hutami Endang Adiningsih (Mamiek).

Baik Buruk

Jenderal besar itu kini telah tiada. Meski sebagian masyarakat telah memberikan maaf, namun tidak menghilangkan sisi gelap Pak Harto, baik terkait pidana (pelanggaran HAM) maupun perdata (korupsi dll). Amien menyatakan bahwa bangsa Indonesia harus belajar dari kesalahan Soeharto. Soeharto itu memiliki kebaikan dan kekurangan. “Yang baik ditiru yang jelek ya dibuang,” ujar Amien. Mantan ketua MPR ini mengatakan, kesalahan Soeharto di masa kepemimpinannya juga akibat situasi yang saat itu memungkinkannya untuk melakukan kesalahan. “Semua kalangan, baik akademisi, ilmuwan, ulama, dan partai tidak pernah ada yang membantah kesalahan Soeharto, saya kira ini kesalahan kolektif,” tandasnya.

Ismail Yusanto, Jubir HTI mengatakan sebagai muslim, tentu umat Islam berdoa untuk Pak Harto sesuai dengan yang diajarkan Rasulullah SAW. “Kita tentu hanya bisa berdoa sesuai yang diajarkan rasulullah. Allahumagh firlahu warhamu wa’afihi wa’fu ‘anhu,” ujarnya. Sewajarnya juga umat Islam juga mendoakan agar Pak harto mendapat Jannah (surga), segala amal kebaikannya diterima dan kesalahannya diampuni Allah.

Meninggalnya Pak Harto, tentu saja membuat kasus hukumnya yang menyangkut pidana atau terkait kejahatan kemanusiaan selesai. Menurut Ismail, itu sangat disayangkan, karena ia belum mendapat hukumannya di dunia. “Padahal itu salah satu jalan untuk meringankan bebannya di akhirat kelak,” ujarnya. Kini yang tersisa dari Pak Harto adalah kasus perdatanya. Kasus perdata inilah yang barangkali akan menjadi beban buat Pak Harto. “Itu akan menjadi bebannya di akhirat jika pihak keluarga yang ditinggal tidak menyelesaikan kasus ini,” ujar Ismail. [pd/www.suara-islam.com/28/01/2008]

How the Khilafah aided the Irish during the famine of 1845

In 1845, the onset of the Great Irish Famine resulted in over a million deaths. Ottoman Sultan Khaleefah Abdul-Majid I declared his intention to send 10,000 sterling to Irish farmers but Queen Victoria requested that the Sultan send only 1,000 sterling, because she had sent only 2,000 sterling herself. The Sultan sent the 1,000 sterling but also secretly sent 3 ships full of food. The English courts tried to block the ships, but the food arrived in Drogheda harbor and was left there by Ottoman Sailors. Due to this the Irish people, especially those in Drogheda, are friendly to the Turks.

(Note, in 1845, the 10,000 pounds dedicated to the Irish from the Sultan would be worth approximately 800,000 pounds today, that is $1,683,280 US Dollars.On the other hand, the Queen gave the equivilant of 160,000 pounds today or 336,656 US Dollars)

The Osmanli Traveller blog has copied to text a writeup by a Christian Priest who wrote about the Sultan of the time in his travelogue. His account mentions this incident briefly. What is interesting is that without knowing of the secret sending of the ships, the priest was already impressed with the character of the Sultan in his response to the Queen.

On the Character of Sultan Abdul-Majid Khan, by the Rev. Henry Christmas M.A. (Christian Priest) written in 1853: ‘One or two anecdotes will put his character in its true light. During the year of famine in Ireland, the Sultan heard of the distress existing in that unhappy country; he immediately conveyed to the British ambassador his desire to aid in its relief, and tendered for that purpose a large sum of money.

It was intimated to him that it was thought right to limit the sum subscribed by the Queen, and a larger amount could not therefore be received from his highness. He at once acquiesced in the propriety of his resolution, and with many expressions of benevolent sympathy, sent the greatest admissible subscription.It is well known that his own personal feeling dictated the noble reply of the divan to the threatening demands of Austria and Russia for the extradition of the Polish and Hungarian refugees.

"I am not ignorant," was his reply, "of the power of those empires, nor of the ulterior measures to which their intimations point; but I am compelled by my religion to observe the laws of hospitality; and I believe that the sense and good feeling of Europe will not allow my government to be drawn into a ruinous war, because I resolve strictly and solemnly to adhere to them."

This is the true spirit of Christianity, and there is more it in the Mohammedan Sultan of Turkey, than in any or all of the Christian princes of Eastern Europe.'

Reference: "The Sultan of Turkey, Abdul Medjid Khan: A Brief Memoir of His Life and Relign, with Notices of The Country, its Navy, & present Prospects" by the Rev. Henry Christmas, M.A., 1853

Also note, this generosity and compassion occurred during the time of the supposed ‘downfall' of the Ottoman empire according to Western history books, and Sultan Abdul Majid in himself is not counted as one of the greatest of Ottoman Sultans.

A simple examination of the events surrounding this engagement will open anyone's eyes to the high station of the character of Khaleefah's combined with their skillful ability to traverse political waters to achieve moral, Islamic ends. How many more secret missions remain yet to be uncovered?

InTeLiJeN AS BeRaMbiSi SaDap LaLu LinTas IntErnet DuNia

Intelijen Amerika Serikat (AS) ingin mengawasi seluruh trafik internet, baik di dalam maupun luar negeri. Hal ini terkuak dalam sebuah proposal yang diajukan oleh Mike McConnel, Direktur National Intelligence yang membawahi lembaga-lembaga intelijen AS.

Menurut McConnel, salah satu alasannya adalah karena serangan cyber ke bank-bank AS dianggap akan lebih berbahaya secara ekonomi daripada serangan yang dilancarkan teroris. Bahkan, dilansir dari p2pnet, McConnel mempercayai dampaknya akan lebih gawat dari tragedi 9/11.

Alhasil, pria yang juga penasehat keamanan Presiden George Bush ini pun mengatakan, perlu mengenyampingkan urusan privasi demi masalah keamanan. Proposal itu sendiri rencananya ditujukan untuk melengkapi draft peraturan US Cyber Security Policy.

Dilaporkan, kebijakan ini akan membuat intelijen mempunyai otoritas memeriksa konten semua e-mail, transfer file ataupun pencarian web di dunia maya. Meski demikian, McConnel mengakui bahwa pengajuan peraturan tersebut memang akan sulit disetujui oleh dewan legislatif, namun ia tetap bersikeras hal itu penting untuk dilakukan.

Pengawasan lalu lintas telekomunikasi oleh pemerintah AS bukanlah berita baru. Seorang pekerja operator seluler AT&T, Mark Klein, bahkan berujar bahwa lembaga keamanan nasional AS, National Security Agnecy (NSA) sebenarnya telah memiliki sistem yang bisa merekam semua trafik internet.

Klein berani mengatakan hal itu bukanlah tanpa dasar. Sebab, ia mengklaim bahwa dirinya lah yang juga menginstal sistem data switching, yang memungkinkan NSA mendapatkan rekaman trafik internet.

"Saya tahu, (data) apapun yang melintasi kabel itu seluruhnya akan terkopi. Kami berbicara bukan hanya dometik, tetapi juga trafik internasional," umbarnya.

Sebelumnya, berdasarkan peraturan baru Protect America Act 2007, NSA sekarang secara sah bisa mengawasi seluruh lalu lintas telepon yang berasal, melalui atau berakhir di AS tanpa harus menunggu perintah dari pengadilan.

Berdasarkan analisis telekomunikasi, setidaknya 35 persen lalu lintas telekomunikasi suara maupun non suara dunia mempunyai rute yang berpusat di AS. Berarti, hampir sepertiga lalu lintas telekomunikasi dunia bisa disadap Amerika Serikat.

The resurgence of Russia and its implications

Saturday, September 2007

There is a lesson to be learnt by Muslims and their quest to re-natural wealth, including oil and gas, were sold off to private and foreign companies for a pitiful amount of money. Yet today, under Vladimir Putin, Russia is now pursuing an aggressive nationalism and foreign policy and is once again beginning to fulfil its interests. This new foreign policy has brought Russia in to political conflict with the West, and has brought with it the possibility of a new cold war. The latest deterioration in the relationship began with an increase in bitterness between Russia and Britain. In January 2006, Russia accused [1] Britain of colluding with Russian NGO’s and spying in Russia. Though Britain denied this, this was interpreted by analysts as the start of the Russian program of reducing foreign influence in Russia and a more assertive posture by the Russian government, regardless if this case was true or not. In September 2006, Russia began to move [2] against the part British owned Shell Company and its oil and gas interests in Siberia, which were worth $20 billion. In what could be seen as a response to Russian pressure against British oil and gas interests, the murder case of Alexander Litvinenko began with the poisoning [3] of the former KGB spy in November 2006. This incident was used by Britain to increase international pressure on Russia, and to inform Russia of Britain’s political power in the world. On this issue Russia denied any responsibility, though separately it responded to this latest development by again attacking [4] British energy interests. As Alexander Litvinenko died and Britain increased media pressure on Russia, Russia by December 2006 had succeeded [5] in forcing Shell to hand over the controlling stake in the Sakhalin-2 scheme to Gazprom, the Russian energy company. As insults and accusations continued to be traded between these two nations over the Litvinenko murder, another rivalry was reignited. In January 2007, Vladimir Putin declared [6] open opposition to the plans of America to install parts of a missile defence shield in Poland and the Czech Republic. Though Russia has done this in the past, its newfound sense of power and confidence was openly displayed at a security summit held in Munich in February 2007. Putin openly and harshly [7] attacked America for its colonialism in the world and declared it as not only a threat to Russia but also to global security. By undertaking these actions Russia re-established itself as a player in the world. It began to engage with America on the issue of Kosovo’s independence [8], as it sought to defend Serbia with whom it has religious and ethnic ties. By striving to block Kosovo’s independence, Russia is seeking to preserve Serbia and hence its own influence in the region. When these Russian links to the Balkans are recognised, it becomes clear that the reason America and its NATO allies attacked Serbia in 1999 was to break Russia’s grip on the region by weakening her ally, and not to protect the Muslims of Kosovo as was claimed. These actions of America are a part of its ongoing plan to contain and eventually break Russia in to pieces so that it may vanquish its enemy forever and take its immense resources for itself. However Russia is using various styles to reassert its power. In May 2007, Russia for the first time in many years, flew [9] long-range bombers almost in to British airspace. This was a practice common in the Cold War, when Russia would test the defences of its opponents. Following this, in the next two months Russia managed to force the British oil firm BP to sell [10] its controlling stake in the giant Kovykta gas field to the Russian State-owned Gazprom, thus further increasing its grip on its own natural resources. Also in June 2007, Russia revealed the true nature of the American missile defence shield by offering [11] to help the America build and maintain the system. America was silent on this joint proposal by Russia, thus showing that the missile defence shield is indeed aimed also at Russia. The led Russia to announce [12] in July 2007 that it would end its participation in a key European weapons treaty. In early August there was a spate of tit for tat diplomat expulsions [13] between Russia and Britain as their relationship continued to worsen. All of this has resulted in Russia moving to expand its military might. In August 2007, Russia conducted [14] large-scale war games with China and the Central Asian states under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). These games were widely interpreted as a warning sent by both Russia and China to America and as a show of strength against the Americans. Putin also ordered the resumption [15] by Russian long-range bombers of patrols around the world, with the bombers being armed with nuclear missiles. These bombers will now resume the Soviet practice of flying in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. As a reminder of the Cold War, the Russian bombers also flew close to the US military base of Guam in the Pacific. The latest development is that Russia has announced [16] an increased defence budget of $200 billion to modernise its military forces. It is clear to see that Russia is once again in conflict with the West on a range of political and economic fronts. Upon analysis of the events up to date, it is apparent that this is not a new fight. Rather this is an old struggle with a new reality, with each nation having its actions dictated by its own interests. After the collapse of the Soviet Union Russia became weak because it lost a political system to guide it. For the next 16 years Russia was in turmoil until Vladimir Putin succeeded in restoring stability to Russia’s political landscape. Russia growing power and influence is directly related to the fact that under Putin, the power and authority of the central government has been increasing as decision-making has becoming more centralised. It has been further consolidated by a worldwide boom in oil and gas prices, which have helped to stabilise Russia’s economy and provide it with funds to modernise. Russia knows that to be heard politically in the world you need to have a strong military, and it is due to this it has been upgrading its armed forces. It is clear from even a brief study of the reality today that the hearts of the world nations are divided. Each follows their own interests, and uses the political tools, influence and natural resources at its disposal to achieve its objectives. As Russia was driving out British oil companies, it was inviting [17] the French oil company Total to work with it. Russia is using its natural resources to divide Western nations and to break their unity and resolve against it. The re-emergence of Russia as a world power is good news for the re-establishment of the imminent Khilafah. Though Russia is also a tyrant nation, which has shed much blood of innocent Muslims in Chechnya and other places, its rise will serve to break America’s grip on the world. Adding to this the rise of China, the world is moving away from a situation where America was reigning supreme to a multi-polar world where many powers serve to balance and limit each other. Previously the nations of the world could be directed by America in a certain direction, now they will be spilt between the various camps, with their interests also being split. This would mean that not only would any future Khilafah State be in a better position to negotiate, form alliances/treaties and play these states against each other but also that these states would have to divert their attention and resources away from the Khilafah and to each other. This is the reality of the world, where only interests dictate the actions of States. There is no such thing as permanent friends or enemies for a State. It is a myth that any future Khilafah State would be attacked by all the nations of the world as soon as it is re-established, by Allah (swt) leave. The nations of the world will be forced to recognise it as a legitimate State, if for nothing else but for the western nations to continue their business and trade, as well as exploring new opportunities in the Khilafah. Just as today Russia is projecting its profile via its immense resources to raise its political position in the world despite nations like America detesting it, so too will the Khilafah perform similar political manoeuvres to achieve its objectives. [1]. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4638136.stm [2]. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5315850.stm [3]. http://www.guardian.co.uk/russia/article/0,,1966009,00.html [4]. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6132116.stm [5]. http://www.guardian.co.uk/russia/article/0,,1970064,00.html [6]. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6286289.stm [7]. http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/02/10/news/web.0210.security.php?page=1 [8]. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6659705.stm [9]. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1769420.ece [10]. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6230556.stm [11]. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/5cf1212e-151f-11dc-b48a-000b5df10621.html [12]. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6898897.stm [13]. http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/07/26/ap3955795.html [14]. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/17/europe/EU-GEN-Russia-China-Maneuvers.php [15]. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6950986.stm [16]. http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/russia-in-250bn-plan-to-restore-its-military-might/2007/08/19/1187462082096.html [17]. http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/07/12/business/gazprom.php

Hizb ut-Tahrir moves to fill void left by Hamas in the West Bank

By Ilene R. Prusher | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

HEBRON, WEST BANK - A new fundamentalist player is emerging in Palestinian politics. The group sounds like Hamas – or even Al Qaeda – but doesn't support suicide bombings or secret militias. In recent months, it has shown it can put tens of thousands of supporters into the streets.

Founded in Jerusalem by a Palestinian-Jordanian judge more than 50 years ago – and once considered a quiet if quirky religious group with a utopian vision of returning to a time when the Muslim world was united – Hizb ut-Tahrir (the Party of Liberation) is now filling a hole left by Hamas in the West Bank.

"They've taken a decision to come out of the closet. The fact that they are out there competing for control of the political vacuum is a new phenomenon," says Ehud Ya'ari, one of the foremost Israeli commentators on Palestinian and Middle Eastern affairs. "There have been a series of rallies in West Bank cities, in which all of sudden they have flexed muscles to show how many people they can get on the street to a demonstration. They've been spending a lot on publishing literature on the caliphate."

He notes that since the group officially eschews violence, preferring instead to wait for some "coup de grace" in the form of a divinely ordained moment of international jihad, Israeli and Palestinian security services have not viewed them as a major threat. But, he quips, "they are not a vegetarian movement."

Active in 45 countries

Indeed, in many of the places where Hizb u-Tahrir is popular – the party says they're active in 45 countries – governments often see them as a feeder organization to more extreme groups.

In interviews here in the West Bank, its leaders and followers say they're winning the hearts and minds of millions with a purer idea: the reestablishment of one united Islamic rule under a caliphate, roughly translated as a successor to the prophet Mohammad.

Though its numbers are hard to measure – and the worldwide movement shuns polls and other Western democratic means – Hizb ut-Tahrir is emerging as a movement with formidable levels of popularity and an alluring ideology that is challenging the very bastions of Palestinian politics.

Hizb ut-Tahrir's influence has grown since Hamas, the Islamic Resistance Movement, took control of Gaza six months ago in a violent coup and split with the West Bank, run by the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority (PA). During that time, say analysts, Hamas has become less involved in West Bank life, with many of its leaders under arrest by Israel or PA forces.

And, from November's peace conference in Annapolis, Md., to President George Bush's visit here earlier this month, Hizb ut-Tahrir is growing more visible. It has rallied demonstrators to denounce the peace talks with the US and Israel. "There is no place for the illegal discussion of an Israeli-Palestinian process controlled by the United States," says Maher al-Jabari, a Hizb ut-Tahrir member authorized to speak to the press – itself a shift after years of a low-profile approach. "[Fatah leader] Mahmoud Abbas is a friend of Bush and his position is illegitimate. Abbas does not represent Palestine or the Palestinians," he says.

"We accept only Islam in politics and in vision. And we have a powerful secret: to keep out Western ideas and keep to a pure Islamic system," Professor Jabari, who teaches chemical engineering at a college here, explains in an interview in his sprawling, freshly furnished home here in Hebron, a conservative city where Hizb ut-Tahrir's support appears to be among the strongest in the West Bank.

www.csmonitor.com

Konspirasi Global di Balik Skandal BLBI

Guru Besar Fakultas Ekonomi UI, Sri Edi Swasosno, menungkapkan adanya kospirasi global pada kasus Bantuan Likuiditas Bank Indonesia. "Skandal BLBI adalah konspirasi global untuk merampok rakyat Indonesia dan menaklukkan bangsa ini secara teritorial, hingga akhirnya berbagai sumberdaya yang ada pada bangsa ini bisa dikuras. Ini kejahatan perbankan terbesar di dunia," ujarnya dalam peluncuran buku `Skandal BI: Ramai-Ramai Merampok Negara` di Jakarta, Selasa (22/1).

Sri Edi juga menyatakan kasus BLBI tidak hanya terjadi untuk saat ini, tapi hingga 2030 akan menyengsarakan rakyat. Hal ini dikarenakan pemerintah masih harus membayar bunga obligasi rekap sebanyak Rp 60 triliun per tahun.

Mantan Menteri Koordinator Ekonomi, Keuangan dan Industri (Menko Ekuin) Kwik Kian Gie menceritakan awalnya ketika bank-bank kolaps maka pemerintah oleh IMF dipaksa untuk memperkuat modal perbankan dengan memberikan kucuran dana melalui obligasi rekap.

"Bank BCA misalnya mendapatkan obligasi rekap sebesar Rp 60 triliun untuk menyehatkannya, setelah itu oleh IMF diminta untuk dijual, dan dijual dengan harga Rp 20 triliun, bagaimana ini, itung-itungan bisnisnya saya nggak nyampe," katanya.

Kwik Kian Gie mempertanyakan akan dibawa ke mana interpelasi Bantuan Likuiditas Bank Indonesia yang digagas beberapa anggota DPR RI. Kepada pers, berkali-kali Kwik Kian Gie melemparkan sejumlah pernyataan yang intinya mempertanyakan keseriusan pihak parlemen (melalui langkah interpelasinya) untuk mengurai benang kusut masalah BLBI yang sudah menjadi skandal nasional ini.

Sementara itu, Sri Edi Swasono pesimis pemerintah dan DPR mampu menyelesaikannya. [ihsan/ant/ki]