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Threat Matrix: April 2007
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1793738/posts ^

Posted on 04/01/2007 6:46:34 PM PDT by nwctwx

:::FreeRepublic's Threat Matrix:::
Ahmadinejad Vows News Soon on Atomic Work
-Full Story-

Iran's president promised on Sunday Iranians would soon hear more news about the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, which the West believes is a covert effort to build atomic bombs despite Tehran's denials.

"The Iranian nation will soon hear fresh news about our country's nuclear transition," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying.

He did not give details about any announcements or when the news would be released but Ahmadinejad is due to hold a news conference on Tuesday.

Iran Accuses U.S. Planes of Violating its Airspace

Thread Forty-Seven
Click for Color Code Information
Threat Matrix HTML designed by: Ian Livingston


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: abdulmalekkenyatta; abumohammed; ahmadinejad; algeria; algiers; aljughaifi; babyformula; canada; christopherpaul; cyberterrorism; danielaljughaifi; danielmaldonadlo; elbaneh; germany; imanfaris; indonesia; iran; iraq; jaberelbaneh; lebanon; maldonado; mexico; morocco; nuclear; pakistan; paulkenyattalaws; philippines; sudan; syria; tamiltigers; threat; threatmatrix
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To: JohnathanRGalt; backhoe; All

ON THE NET...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0974670170/qid=1133393692/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/102-6558286-1611305

“War of the Web: Fighting the Online Jihad (Hardcover)”
by Jeremy Reynalds (Author)

#

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=alimasharli


1,281 posted on 04/25/2007 1:31:29 AM PDT by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1280 | View Replies]

To: JohnathanRGalt; backhoe; All

ON THE NET...

http://abuhamzaal-masri.blogspot.com/2007/04/click-for-page-to-order-book.html

http://abuhamzaal-masri.blogspot.com


1,282 posted on 04/25/2007 1:39:17 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: backhoe; nwctwx; All

Adding 1 link UPDATE:

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/016170.php

April 23, 2007
“Islamic intimidation in the West”

~

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/016063.php
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/016131.php

~

http://hotair.com/archives/2007/04/23/intimidation-islamist-attacks-across-the-west/

HOT AIR.com - VIDEO/blog (JIHAD WATCH.org with Robert Spencer):
“INTIMIDATION Islamist Attacks Across the West”

#

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=27980

“Beating Freedom of Speech”
By Robert Spencer
FrontPageMagazine.com | April 25, 2007


1,283 posted on 04/25/2007 2:21:36 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: All; JohnathanRGalt; backhoe

ON THE NET...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=globaljihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=jihad

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=internet
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=internetcafes
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=internetcafe

###

http://www.internet-haganah.com/haganah/internet.html

http://internet-haganah.com/harchives/006013.html

23 April 2007
“Internet Haganah Top... Nineteen list of Arabic salafist/jihadist sites 22 April 2007”

###

http://www.memri.org/jihad.html

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP155907

Special Dispatch Series - No. 1559
April 25, 2007 No.1559

“Iraqi Jihad Group Establishes New Political Framework Called ‘Hamas-Iraq’”

###

www.tajdeed.org.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=cf5497f16b0688ac865911d71aad9681&threadid=49843&goto=nextoldest

www.al-hesbah.org/v/showthread.php?t=118403
www.al-hesbah.org/v/showthread.php?t=117842


1,284 posted on 04/25/2007 2:32:43 AM PDT by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1283 | View Replies]

To: All

ON THE NET...

http://www.rewardsforjustice.net

http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/index.cfm?page=Wanted_Terrorist


1,285 posted on 04/25/2007 2:38:15 AM PDT by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1284 | View Replies]

To: All

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=germany

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=28015

“’Red Zora’ Trial in Germany”
By Stephen Brown
FrontPageMagazine.com | April 25, 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “In the end, like all Marxist “liberation” movements, the Red Zora did not liberate anyone. The perceived oppressive patriarchal and capitalist state they hated so much and wanted to lead to chaos, economic ruin and social destruction was very lenient and merciful to them. As it turned out, the only ones who really needed liberating were the Red Zora women themselves and not from capitalism but rather from their own personal anger, hatred, conceit and narcissism that led them to follow such a barbaric path.”


1,286 posted on 04/25/2007 2:44:36 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: Jet Jaguar; Godzilla; All

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=germany

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1822347/posts

Bomb threat forces Greek plane to land in Germany [11 Greek EU MPs were on board]
Reuters via Pak Daily Times ^ | April 24, 2007

Posted on 04/23/2007 5:21:20 PM PDT by jdm

BERLIN: An Olympic Airways plane made an emergency landing on Monday at Munich airport in Germany after a bomb threat was reported, a spokeswoman for the German air traffic control authority said.
“There was a bomb threat and so the plane landed in Munich at 1045 local time,” a spokeswoman for Deutsche Flugsicherung told Reuters.

The plane was flying from Athens to Brussels via Strasbourg. All 136 passengers, including 11 Greek EU MPs, have been safely evacuated, Greek state television reported.


1,287 posted on 04/25/2007 2:46:45 AM PDT by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1286 | View Replies]

To: Cindy

> Mr. Khadr, 20, the Toronto-born son of an al-Qaida financier, has been imprisoned at the American military prison at Guantanamo since the fall of 2002. He was 15 when American forces captured him following a battle against al-Qaida fighters in southern Afghanistan.
>
> He is alleged to have thrown a grenade that killed army medic Christopher Speer and to have converted landmines into roadside bombs to be used against U.S. troops.

What a pity Canada no longer has the death penalty. If found guilty, this scroat should hang.


1,288 posted on 04/25/2007 2:51:29 AM PDT by DieHard the Hunter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1256 | View Replies]

To: DieHard the Hunter

Yep.


1,289 posted on 04/25/2007 2:53:46 AM PDT by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1288 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar; SkyPilot; Marine Inspector; Border Enforcer; ButThreeLeftsDo; Godzilla; BurbankKarl; ...

http://www.airportbusiness.com/web/online/Top-News-Headlines/Fighter-Jets-Escort-Cargo-Plane-into-San-Bernardino-/1$11640

Wednesday, April 25, 2007
AirportBusiness.com |

“Fighter Jets Escort Cargo Plane into San Bernardino”
Andrew Silva
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “SAN BERNARDINO - U.S. fighter jets were scrambled to escort a Boeing 727 on Monday afternoon after the commercial aircraft failed to maintain proper communication, authorities said.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “”It was determined there was no threat to security,” said Norm Brewer, spokesman for the federal Transportation Security Administration.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The plane was on its way from Duluth, Minn., he said.

People who work at the airport wondered why fighter jets were buzzing overhead.

It was not clear why the white Boeing 727 with Associated Air Cargo painted on its side was on its way to San Bernardino.”


1,290 posted on 04/25/2007 3:00:24 AM PDT by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1287 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar; All

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_2491.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Wed Apr 25 2007 03:02:37 GMT-0700.

CENTRAL ASIA

April 24, 2007

This Public Announcement is routinely updated to remind American citizens of ongoing security concerns and the potential for terrorist acts in Central Asia. American citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This supersedes the Public Announcement for Central Asia of October 23, 2006, and expires on October 23, 2007.

The U.S. Government continues to receive information that terrorist groups in Central Asia may be planning attacks in the region, possibly against U.S. Government facilities, Americans or American interests. Elements and supporters of extremist groups present in Central Asia, including the Islamic Jihad Union (IJU), al-Qaida, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments in the past and have demonstrated the capability to conduct terrorist operations in the region. Previous terrorist attacks conducted in Central Asia have involved improvised explosive devices and suicide bombers and have targeted public areas, such as markets, local government facilities, and, in 2004, the U.S. and Israeli Embassies in Uzbekistan. In addition, hostage-takings and skirmishes have occurred near the Uzbek-Tajik-Kyrgyz border areas.

U.S. Embassy personnel in Central Asia continue to observe heightened security precautions at work, as well as in public places, such as markets and bazaars. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. As security is increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists and their sympathizers seek softer targets. These targets may include facilities where Americans and other foreigners congregate and visit, such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, hotels, schools, outdoor recreation events, resorts, beaches, maritime facilities, airports, and aircraft.

U.S. citizens in Central Asia are urged to register and update their contact information at the nearest U.S. Embassy or through the Department of State’s travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs .

For more country-specific security information, U.S. citizens planning to travel to or remain in Central Asia despite this Public Announcement should consult the Department of State’s country-specific Travel Warnings, Public Announcements, Consular Information Sheets, and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, available on the Department of State’s website at http://travel.state.gov .

Updated information on travel and security in Central Asia may also be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada or, from outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.


1,291 posted on 04/25/2007 3:03:48 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2198.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Wed Apr 25 2007 03:05:51 GMT-0700.

CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE

April 24, 2007

This revised Travel Warning for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa) provides an update on the country’s security situation. It further notes that the Department has lifted the Authorized Departure for non-emergency Embassy personnel and eligible family members due to security concerns last month. This Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for the Democratic Republic of the Congo issued March 27, 2007.

Although the Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Authorized Departure for non-emergency Embassy employees and eligible family members, authorized in March 2007 due to security concerns, has been lifted. Fighting which began on March 22-23 has ended, and businesses, schools, and the airport are again operating normally. Nonetheless, conditions within the DRC remain dangerous.

Travel in the eastern provinces, especially in rural areas, remains unsafe due to continued sporadic attacks by uncontrolled militias. Periodic fighting continues in the provinces of North and South Kivu, Ituri, and northern Katanga, and other areas of eastern Congo.

Though U.N. observer forces are deployed throughout the country, unofficial armed groups and active duty troops in parts of the country are known to pillage, carjack, steal vehicles, kill extra-judicially, rape, kidnap, and carry out military/paramilitary operations. Large numbers of former rebel and government soldiers to be decommissioned, as a result of the earlier peace process, remain a security concern. Travelers have been detained and questioned by poorly disciplined security forces at numerous military roadblocks throughout the country; and government-imposed curfews, not currently in effect, could be reinstated upon short notice if the security situation deteriorates.

Travelers to the DRC frequently experience difficulties at the airport and other ports of entry, such as temporary detention, passport confiscation and demands by immigration and security personnel for unofficial “special fees.” Visas are not available at ports of entry. All resident foreigners, including Americans, are required to register at the office of the Direction General de Migration (DGM) in the commune of their place of residence. Border closures of 24-48 hours duration can occur without much advance notice.

American citizens should avoid all public demonstrations and areas where crowds are gathered, exercise caution, and closely watch and listen for local and international news from reliable sources. Radio Okapi broadcasts in French on 103.5 FM at 0700, 0800, 1200 and 1800 as well as “flash” updates throughout the day. English-language news can be found on BBC at 92.7 FM. In times of emergency, the Belgian Embassy operates a French-language radio broadcast system at FM 98.8. Changes in security conditions may occasionally restrict the travel of U.S. Mission personnel.

U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in the DRC despite this Travel Warning are strongly urged to register with the Embassy in Kinshasa or through the State Department’s travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs; entrance to the Consular Section is on Avenue Dumi, opposite Ste. Anne residence. The Embassy’s 24-hour number is 243-81-225-5872; callers within DRC should dial 081 225-5872. All Embassy telephone numbers are cellular phones as landlines are unreliable. The Embassy website is http://kinshasa.usembassy.gov .

U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State’s most recent Consular Information Sheet for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, both located on the Department’s Internet website at http://travel.state.gov . Up-to-date information on safety and security is available toll free at 1-888-407-4747 from within North America, or at regular toll rates at 1-202-501-4444 for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).


1,292 posted on 04/25/2007 3:06:56 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: Jet Jaguar; Turk; a_Turk; Turk2; All

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200704241735/warning_of_terrorist_attacks_in_turkey

Posted at 5:35pm on 24 Apr 2007

“WARNING OF TERRORIST ATTACKS IN TURKEY”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is warning of a high threat of terrorist attacks in Turkey ahead of Anzac Day commemorations in Gallipoli on Tuesday.

It has re-issued its travel advisory to Turkey, saying there is a high risk to personal security and advising against non-essential travel to areas close to the Iraq border.
The advisory says there is a strong likelihood of further terrorist activity in tourist areas, including Istanbul and Ankara, following attacks in recent months.”


1,293 posted on 04/25/2007 3:10:44 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: All; Jet Jaguar; backhoe; piasa

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=somalia

http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20070424-115216-6208r.htm

“Somali rebels kill 74 workers in raid on oil field”
By Anita Powell
ASSOCIATED PRESS
April 25, 2007

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Ethnic Somali rebels in Ethiopia’s eastern Ogaden region stormed a Chinese-run oil field near the border with Somalia yesterday, killing 65 Ethiopians and nine Chinese workers in the dawn raid.

The Ogaden National Liberation Front, an ethnic Somali group created in the 1980s in the wake of Ethiopian communist leader Col. Mengistu Haile Mariam’s victory against Somalia, currently is reported fighting alongside Islamist insurgents in Somalia.

In yesterday’s attack, the front also kidnapped seven Chinese workers, said Bereket Simon, an adviser to the Ethiopian prime minister.
“This was a coldblooded killing,” Mr. Bereket said. “This was organized.””


1,294 posted on 04/25/2007 3:15:58 AM PDT by Cindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1293 | View Replies]

To: StillProud2BeFree; Velveeta; Calpernia; Oorang; penguino; All

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=smyrna
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=turkey

###

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07040123.htm

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net — E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

A letter to the Global Church from The Protestant Church of Smyrna

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

SMYRNA, TURKEY (ANS) — Smyrna is an ancient city (today known as Izmir in Turkey) that was founded at a very early period at a central and strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia.

It was the second city to receive a letter from the apostle John in the book of Revelation. Acts 19:10 suggests that the church there was founded during Paul’s third missionary journey. Due to the fact that the port city of Izmir houses the second largest population in Turkey today, the site of ancient Smyrna has been little excavated. Excepting the agora, theater, and sections of the Roman aqueduct, little remains of the ancient city.

But there is a protestant church in there that calls itself “The Protestant Church of Smyrna” and it has issued the following letter to the Global Church which was sent to ANS.

Here it is in its entirety:

Dear friends,

This past week has been filled with much sorrow. Many of you have heard by now of our devastating loss here in an event that took place in Malatya, a Turkish province 300 miles northeast of Antioch, the city where believers were first called Christians (Acts 11:26).

On Wednesday morning, April 18, 2007, 46 year old German missionary and father of three Tilman Geske prepared to go to his office, kissing his wife goodbye taking a moment to hug his son and give him the priceless memory, “Goodbye, son. I love you.”

Tilman rented an office space from Zirve Publishing where he was preparing notes for the new Turkish Study Bible. Zirve was also the location of the Malatya Evangelist Church office. A ministry of the church, Zirve prints and distributes Christian literature to Malatya and nearby cities in Eastern Turkey. In another area of town, 35 year old Pastor Necati Aydin, father of two, said goodbye to his wife, leaving for the office as well. They had a morning Bible Study and prayer meeting that some other believers in town would also be attending. Ugur Yuksel likewise made his way to the Bible study.

None of these three men knew that what awaited them at the Bible study was the ultimate testing and application of their faith, which would conclude with their entrance into glory to receive their crown of righteousness from Christ and honor from all the saints awaiting them in the Lord’s presence.

On the other side of town, ten young men all under 20 years old put into place final arrangements for their ultimate act of faith, living out their love for Allah and hatred of infidels who they felt undermined Islam.

On Resurrection Sunday, five of these men had been to a by-invitation-only evangelistic service that Pastor Necati and his men had arranged at a hotel conference room in the city. The men were known to the believers as “seekers.” No one knows what happened in the hearts of those men as they listened to the gospel. Were they touched by the Holy Spirit? Were they convicted of sin? Did they hear the gospel in their heart of hearts? Today we only have the beginning of their story.

These young men, one of whom is the son of a mayor in the Province of Malatya, are part of a tarikat, or a group of “faithful believers” in Islam. Tarikat membership is highly respected here; it’s like a fraternity membership. In fact, it is said that no one can get into public office without membership in a tarikat. These young men all lived in the same dorm, all preparing for university entrance exams.

The young men got guns, bread knives, ropes and towels ready for their final act of service to Allah. They knew there would be a lot of blood. They arrived in time for the Bible Study, around 10 o’clock.

They arrived, and apparently the Bible Study began. Reportedly, after Necati read a chapter from the Bible the assault began. The boys tied Ugur, Necati, and Tilman’s hands and feet to chairs and as they videoed their work on their cellphones, they tortured our brothers for almost three hours*

[Details of the torture—
* Tilman was stabbed 156 times, Necati 99 times and Ugur’s stabs were too numerous to count. They were disemboweled, and their intestines sliced up in front of their eyes. They were emasculated and watched as those body parts were destroyed. Fingers were chopped off, their noses and mouths and anuses were sliced open. Possibly the worst part was watching as their brothers were likewise tortured. Finally, their throats were sliced from ear to ear, heads practically decapitated.]

Neighbors in workplaces near the print house said later they had heard yelling, but assumed the owners were having a domestic argument so they did not respond.

Meanwhile, another believer Gokhan and his wife had a leisurely morning. He slept in till 10, ate a long breakfast and finally around 12:30 he and his wife arrived at the office. The door was locked from the inside, and his key would not work. He phoned and though it had connection on his end he did not hear the phone ringing inside. He called cell phones of his brothers and finally Ugur answered his phone. “We are not at the office. Go to the hotel meeting. We are there. We will come there,” he said cryptically. As Ugur spoke Gokhan heard in the telephone’s background weeping and a strange snarling sound.

He phoned the police, and the nearest officer arrived in about five minutes. He pounded on the door, “Police, open up!” Initially the officer thought it was a domestic disturbance. At that point they heard another snarl and a gurgling moan. The police understood that sound as human suffering, prepared the clip in his gun and tried over and over again to burst through the door. One of the frightened assailants unlocked the door for the policeman, who entered to find a grisly scene.

Tilman and Necati had been slaughtered, practically decapitated with their necks slit from ear to ear. Ugur’s throat was likewise slit and he was barely alive.

Three assailants in front of the policeman dropped their weapons.

Meanwhile Gokhan heard a sound of yelling in the street. Someone had fallen from their third story office. Running down, he found a man on the ground, whom he later recognized, named Emre Gunaydin. He had massive head trauma and, strangely, was snarling. He had tried to climb down the drainpipe to escape, and losing his balance had plummeted to the ground. It seems that he was the main leader of the attackers. Another assailant was found hiding on a lower balcony.

To untangle the web we need to back up six years. In April 2001, the National Security Council of Turkey (Milli Guvenlik Kurulu) began to consider evangelical Christians as a threat to national security, on equal footing as Al Quaida and PKK terrorism. Statements made in the press by political leaders, columnists and commentators have fueled a hatred against missionaries who they claim bribe young people to change their religion.

After that decision in 2001, attacks and threats on churches, pastors and Christians began. Bombings, physical attacks, verbal and written abuse are only some of the ways Christians are being targeted. Most significant is the use of media propaganda.

From December 2005, after having a long meeting regarding the Christian threat, the wife of Former Prime Minister Ecevit, historian Ilber Ortayli, Professor Hasan Unsal, Politician Ahmet Tan and writer/propogandist Aytunc Altindal, each in their own profession began a campaign to bring the public’s attention to the looming threat of Christians who sought to “buy their children’s souls”. Hidden cameras in churches have taken church service footage and used it sensationally to promote fear and antagonism toward Christianity.

In an official televised response from Ankara, the Interior Minister of Turkey smirked as he spoke of the attacks on our brothers. Amid public outrage and protests against the event and in favor of freedom of religion and freedom of thought, media and official comments ring with the same message, “We hope you have learned your lesson. We do not want Christians here.”

It appears that this was an organized attack initiated by an unknown adult tarikat leader. As in the Hrant Dink murder in January 2007, and a Catholic priest Andrea Santoro in February 2006, minors are being used to commit religious murders because public sympathy for youth is strong and they face lower penalties than an adult convicted of the same crime. Even the parents of these children are in favor of the acts. The mother of the 16 year old boy who killed the Catholic priest Andrea Santoro looked at the cameras as her son was going to prison and said, “He will serve time for Allah.”

The young men involved in the killing are currently in custody. Today news reported that they would be tried as terrorists, so their age would not affect the strict penalty. Assailant Emre Gunaydin is still in intensive care. The investigation centers around him and his contacts and they say will fall apart if he does not recover.

The Church in Turkey responded in a way that honored God as hundreds of believers and dozens of pastors flew in as fast as they could to stand by the small church of Malatya and encourage the believers, take care of legal issues, and represent Christians to the media.

When Susanne Tilman expressed her wish to bury her husband in Malatya, the Governor tried to stop it, and when he realized he could not stop it, a rumor was spread that “it is a sin to dig a grave for a Christian.” In the end, in an undertaking that should be remembered in Christian history forever, the men from the church in Adana (near Tarsus), grabbed shovels and dug a grave for their slain brother in an un-tended hundred year old Armenian graveyard.

Ugur was buried by his family in an Alevi Muslim ceremony in his hometown of Elazig, his believing fiancé watching from the shadows as his family and friends refused to accept in death the faith Ugur had so long professed and died for.

Necati’s funeral took place in his hometown of Izmir, the city where he came to faith. The darkness does not understand the light. Though the churches expressed their forgiveness for the event, Christians were not to be trusted. Before they would load the coffin onto the plane from Malatya, it went through two separate xray exams to make sure it was not loaded with explosives. This is not a usual procedure for Muslim coffins.

Necati’s funeral was a beautiful event. Like a glimpse of heaven, thousands of Turkish Christians and missionaries came to show their love for Christ, and their honor for this man chosen to die for Christ. Necati’s wife Shemsa told the world, “His death was full of meaning, because he died for Christ and he lived for Christ… Necati was a gift from God. I feel honored that he was in my life, I feel crowned with honor. I want to be worthy of that honor.”

Boldly the believers took their stand at Necati’s funeral, facing the risks of being seen publicly and likewise becoming targets. As expected, the anti-terror police attended and videotaped everyone attending the funeral for their future use. The service took place outside at Buca Baptist church, and he was buried in a small Christian graveyard in the outskirts of Izmir.

Two assistant Governors of Izmir were there solemnly watching the event from the front row. Dozens of news agencies were there documenting the events with live news and photographs. Who knows the impact the funeral had on those watching? This is the beginning of their story as well. Pray for them.

In an act that hit front pages in the largest newspapers in Turkey, Susanne Tilman in a television interview expressed her forgiveness. She did not want revenge, she told reporters. “Oh God, forgive them for they know not what they do,” she said, wholeheartedly agreeing with the words of Christ on Calvary (Luke 23:34).

In a country where blood-for-blood revenge is as normal as breathing, many many reports have come to the attention of the church of how this comment of Susanne Tilman has changed lives. One columnist wrote of her comment, “She said in one sentence what 1000 missionaries in 1000 years could never do.”

The missionaries in Malatya will most likely move out, as their families and children have become publicly identified as targets to the hostile city. The remaining 10 believers are in hiding. What will happen to this church, this light in the darkness? Most likely it will go underground. Pray for wisdom, that Turkish brothers from other cities will go to lead the leaderless church. Should we not be concerned for that great city of Malatya, a city that does not know what it is doing? (Jonah 4:11)

When our Pastor Fikret Bocek went with a brother to give a statement to the Security Directorate on Monday they were ushered into the Anti-Terror Department. On the wall was a huge chart covering the whole wall listing all the terrorist cells in Izmir, categorized. In one prominent column were listed all the evangelical churches in Izmir. The darkness does not understand the light. “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.” (Acts 17:6)

Please pray for the Church in Turkey. “Don’t pray against persecution, pray for perseverance,” urges Pastor Fikret Bocek.

The Church is better having lost our brothers; the fruit in our lives, the renewed faith, the burning desire to spread the gospel to quench more darkness in Malatya …all these are not to be regretted. Pray that we stand strong against external opposition and especially pray that we stand strong against internal struggles with sin, our true debilitating weakness.

This we know. Christ Jesus was there when our brothers were giving their lives for Him. He was there, like He was when Stephen was being stoned in the sight of Saul of Tarsus.

Someday the video of the deaths of our brothers may reveal more to us about the strength that we know Christ gave them to endure their last cross, about the peace the Spirit of God endowed them with to suffer for their beloved Savior. But we know He did not leave their side. We know their minds were full of Scripture strengthening them to endure, as darkness tried to subdue the un-subduable Light of the Gospel. We know, in whatever way they were able, with a look or a word, they encouraged one another to stand strong. We know they knew they would soon be with Christ.

We don’t know the details. We don’t know the kind of justice that will or will not be served on this earth.

But we pray— and urge you to pray— that someday at least one of those five boys will come to faith because of the testimony in death of Tilman Geske, who gave his life as a missionary to his beloved Turks, and the testimonies in death of Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel, the first martyrs for Christ out of the Turkish Church.

Reported by Darlene N. Bocek (24 April 2007)

Note from the church: Please pass this on to as many praying Christians as you can, in as many countries as you can. Please always keep the heading as “From the Protestant Church of Smyrna” with this contact information: izmirprotestan@gmail.com // http://www.izmirprotestan.org

Dan Wooding is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS). He was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. Wooding is the author of some 42 books, the latest of which is his autobiography, “From Tabloid to Truth”, which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, go to www.fromtabloidtotruth.com. danjuma1@aol.com.

** You may republish this story with proper attribution.


1,295 posted on 04/25/2007 3:21:00 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=turkmenistan

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07040117.htm

Monday, April 23, 2007

“Possible May trial for imprisoned Baptist leader in Turkmenistan”

By Jeremy Reynalds
Correspondent for ASSIST News Service


1,296 posted on 04/25/2007 3:33:56 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: Jeff Head; F15Eagle; jer33 3; All

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2007/s07040121.htm

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net — E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Mass Arrest of Chinese and American Christian Leaders in Xinjiang

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

MIDLAND, TX (ANS) — Aid Association (CAA) has told ANS that it has learned though “credible sources” that on April 19, 2007 in Akesu City, located in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, that about 30 major Chinese house church leaders were arrested when they met with four American Christians.

“Among the Americans are a senior pastor and an associate pastor of an American church,” said a CAA spokesperson. “Sources tell us that the four Americans arrived at Akesu airport on April 17 and started fellowship with the house church leaders on April 18 at a local church family house.”
The spokesperson said the latest news is that the four Americans are still being held in an undisclosed hotel for questioning. The translator for the Americans, Mr. Jinhong Li from Beijing, is also still being detained.

“On April 23, the Public Security Bureau (PSB) confiscated the luggage of the four Americans from the house of their host, a local church family,” said the CAA spokesperson

“Eight Chinese pastors were released on April 20 and at least 6 others have already received criminal detention papers for 30 days detention for being accused as ‘suspects involved in evil cult activities.’”

CAA says that the names of the accused are Pastor Xinglan Zhao, Pastor Xiurong Huang, Pastor Tianlu Yang, 41, Pastor Chaoyi Wang, 41, Pastor Cuiling Li, 48, and Pastor Sijun He.

The Chinese government may sentence the six accused pastors to 1-3 years re-education through labor because they were previously detained for one month for organizing house church activities a couple of years ago.

Eyewitnesses told CAA that at least two of the arrested were seen with bleeding noses and bruises on their faces because of torture in the interrogation site.

They are being held at A Ke Su City Detention Center.

CAA says that it has learned that the US Embassy is intervening in this case.

“We urge the Xinjiang authorities to abide with both the Chinese and international laws in respect of religious freedom.” said Rev. Bob Fu, president of CAA. “These Americans and Chinese Christians have done nothing wrong and the police who are engaging in torture against theses Christians are to be held legally and morally responsible for what they have done.”

For more information on China Aid Association, go to: www.ChinaAid.org.

Dan Wooding is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS). He was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. Wooding is the author of some 42 books, the latest of which is his autobiography, “From Tabloid to Truth”, which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, go to www.fromtabloidtotruth.com. danjuma1@aol.com.

** You may republish this story with proper attribution.


1,297 posted on 04/25/2007 3:36:06 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org


1,298 posted on 04/25/2007 3:36:59 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: All

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Wed Apr 25 2007 03:37:54 GMT-0700.

Worldwide Caution

April 10, 2007


1,299 posted on 04/25/2007 3:37:58 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: All; backhoe; piasa; jveritas

ON THE NET...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=prewardocs
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1823138/posts
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1sx7x_saddams-secrets


1,300 posted on 04/25/2007 3:42:58 AM PDT by Cindy
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