ATF STOPS PLOT TO KILL BARACK OBAMA

By MAGGIE HABERMAN

Suspect Daniel Cowart

Last updated: 9:21 pm
October 27, 2008
Posted: 4:50 pm
October 27, 2008

Two young neo-Nazi skinheads plotted to don white tuxes and top hats as they slaughtered Barack Obama - an attack they hoped would cap their killing of 88 black people around the country, including the beheading of 14, officials said today.

"They said that would be their last, final act - that they would attempt to kill Sen. Obama," said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent Jim Cavanaugh. "They didn't believe they would be able to do it, but that they would get killed trying."

Daniel Cowart, 20, and Paul Schlesselman, 18, "planned to drive their vehicle as fast as they could toward Obama, shooting at him from the windows," according a criminal complaint filed in Jackson, Tenn., federal court.

"Both individuals stated they would dress in all-white tuxedos and wear top hats during the assassination attempt," the court complaint says. "Both individuals further stated they knew they would and were willing to die during this attempt."

Officials said they were treating the threats seriously - but ABC News quoted an Obama aide as saying the Democratic nominee's Secret Service detail hadn't been given a heads-up about the alleged plot.

In the criminal complaint, the feds said the two skinheads met online about a month ago through a mutual friend and found they had a shared interest in neo-Nazism.

They started plotting to knock over a gun shop and attack a heavily black high school somewhere in Tennessee, though they apparently didn't name one.

They also traded diagrams and photos of what appeared to be a gun shop in Tennessee, the complaint said.

And in numbers significant in the skinhead world, they planned to shoot 88 black people and behead 14 of them.

The number "88" is equated with "HH," initials for "Heil Hitler." "H" is the eighth letter of the alphabet.

Fourteen signifies the number of words in the white supremacist credo, "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children."

"They seemed determined to do it," Cavanaugh, an ATF agent in charge of the bureau's Nashville office, told The Associated Press. "Even if they were just to try it, it would be a trail of tears around the South."

After the Tennessee slayings, the two junior skinheads planned to go on a national murder spree and conclude with Obama's assassination, according to Cavanaugh.

The plot started to unravel on Oct. 21, when the pair went to a house they planned to rob - but balked because they saw two cars and a dog. Instead, they went to a Wal-Mart, where they stocked up on food, nylon rope and ski masks that they planned to use in their killing spree, the complaint said.

Early the next day, Oct. 22, they covered Cowart's car with swastikas and the number 88 using window chalk, the complaint said - which apparently attracted attention, since the Crockett County Sheriff's Office busted them later that night.

The Obama campaign declined to comment.

Cowart, 20, of Bells, Tenn., and Schlesselman 18, of West Helena, Ark., are being held without bond.

Officials took three pistols, a sawed-off shotgun and a rifle off the two men when they were busted. They were allegedly preparing to bust into a gun store and steal more ammo for the spree.

They have been charged with possessing an unregistered firearm, conspiring to steal firearms from a licensed gun seller, and threatening a presidential candidate.

On his MySpace page, Cowart listed his favorite books as "Swastika," "Hitman," "The God Delusion," "God's Debris," "The Other Bible," and favorite movies ranging from "Hitman" to "Office Space."

New York Post
maggie.haberman@nypost.com

Bilisummaa Oromiyaa osoo hin taane, Itiyoopiyaa DimookiraasittIn amanaa jedha Leencoo Lataa

Tuesday, 10.28.2008, 12:18am

Jaal leencoo lataa yeroo dheeraaf nama qabsoo bilisummaa Oromoo keessa tureefi, akkasumas nama itti aanaa hayyu duree ABO tahee hojjetaa tureedha. Haa tahuu malee ummanni Oromoo garri caalaan J/Leencoo Lata nama mooraa qabsoo bilisummaa Oromoo keessatti dhokatee yaada adda kan amma ifatti baase labse kana qabatee dhooksaan akka qabsoon bilisummaa ummata Oromoo hindhannoon hin jjabaanneef fadhiidooyytu warra irratti dalagaa ture keessa hangafa jedhamee dubbata. Kana malees jaalli kun bara chartaraa WBO hiikkachiisuun mooraa wayyaaneetti galchee akka horiitti akka qalaman kan taasise keessaa nama tokko jedhamee dubbatama. Yeroo ilmaan Oromoo kumaatamaan mana hidhaa wayyaanee keessaa affeelamaaa turan, Waahilli Mallasaa kan Ture leencoo Lataa miseensaa ABO fi ministara barnoota kan turan J/ Ibsaa Guutamaa mana hidhaa wayyanee keesaa baasuun isaas ummta oromoo naasisuu daran jawwichi kun haariiroo cimtuu isaa fi wayyanee gidduu jirtu nama ofitti ragaa bahee tureedha. ..Gaafiif deebisaa raadiyoo amarsaa "Ginboot 7" waliin taasise kunooti...as tuqi dhageefadhu

Wayane Troops to Begin Somalia Withdrawal Nov. 21

By Jason McLure and Hamsa Omar

Oct. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Ethiopian soldiers will begin a phased withdrawal from neighboring Somalia next month following the signing of a cease-fire agreement between the Somali transitional government and a faction of the main opposition.

Ethiopian troops will start pulling out of the capital, Mogadishu, and the central town of Beledweyne on Nov. 21, according to a copy of yesterday's agreement e-mailed by United Nations Envoy Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah's office today. They will be replaced by peacekeepers from the African Union and militias loyal to Somalia's government and the opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation, or ARS, of Somalia.Full report

Bloomberg

60 Wayane soldiers killed in Somalia

Al-shabaab fighters

Al-Shabaab's representative says that they have destroyed two military vehicles and killed 60 Ethiopian soldiers in a military operation.

On Saturday, in a press conference, in south Mogadishu, Sheikh Mukhtar Abu Mansur said that in heavy fighting between al-Shabaab fighters and Ethiopian forces along the border of the Lower Shabelle region, 60 Ethiopian soldiers were killed.

Mansur also said fighting was still ongoing in the region and they expect to inflict damages to the enemy.

Meanwhile, Ethiopian forces have captured the two towns of Wajid and Hudur on Saturday. All communications were cut off after Ethiopian forces captured the cities and there is not any news of casualties in the cities so far, the PressTV correspondent reported.
PRESS TV

Somaliland transfers custody of Oromo man to Wayane Government

HARGEISA, Somalia Oct 22 (Garowe Online) - Authorities in Somalia's self-declared Republic of Somaliland transferred custody of an Oromo detainee over to the Ethiopian government, a rights worker told Garowe Online.

The Oromo man, named Mohamed Ahmed, went missing from the Somaliland capital of Hargeisa where he lived on October 15.

Saleban Ismail Bulale, director of local human rights organization Horn Watch, told Garowe Online that Mr. Ahmed's relatives contacted him about the missing man.

He indicated that Horn Watch investigated the matter and discovered that Mr. Ahmed was in the custody of Somaliland authorities, who did not formally charge him with a crime.

"They [authorities] refused to discuss the matter with us," Mr. Bulale said, while condemning the Somaliland administration for extraditing a civilian over to the Ethiopian government, where he could be tortured.

The Oromo people are an ethnic group in Ethiopia, some of whom have been fighting against Addis Ababa for self-determination of "Or

The Oromo people, an ethnic group that lives in Ethiopia in big numbers, have been fighting Addis Ababa for self-determination rights for their home region for decades.

In recent years, Somaliland authorities have been accused of extraditing ethnic Somalis whom Addis Ababa suspects are supporters of the Ogaden insurgency in eastern Ethiopia.

Somaliland officials did not respond to our inquiries for comment.

Source: Garowe Online

Abbabiya Abba Jobir Returns to Ethiopia; Leenco Lata & Dima Nego to follow soon?

By Argan Beekan

News of Abbabiya Abbaa Jobir's return to Ethiopia hit the Oromo Diaspora with a mixture of astonishment, surprise or as an expected event.

Abbabiya returned to Ethiopia following a peace negotiation/mediation in The Hague, The Netherlands, between the TPLF government of Ethiopia and some former OLF personalities (and some “Oromo elders”) between Sep. 19 -21, 2008. The mediation effort is said to be spearheaded by Prof. Ephraim Isaac.


The reader may recall that Prof. Ephraim Isaac is the leader of a panel of “elders” which convinced imprisoned former CUDP leaders to admit culpability and beg for forgiveness from the TPLF regime of Ethiopia in July 2007. The reader may also recall that CUDP split into four factions soon after the leaders’ release from prison following amnesty granted by Meles Zenawi. (Read more about Prof. Ephraim Isaac HERE)
It is confirmed that Obbo Lenco Lata and Obbo Dima Nego are among eleven others in attendance at the mediation meeting which, according to some reports, agreed to reconvene in Finfinne (Addis Ababa).Read more
Oromo Affairs

Advisers of shanee-qinijjit / Shanee Asmera/ and Shanee jijjiiramaa soon resume talks in Ethiopia

By Abera Oluma
Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) was founded early 1970s to liberate Oromia from the Abisinian colonizers. In the 40 years struggle for freedom, different factions have been twisted in the organization. The enemy has been fostering insiders using different systems, to eliminate OLF. But it was felled by the defence of actively bonded Oromoo nationalist and gallant fighters.

These obstacles reappeared by reorganizing themselves with modified strategy in relative to their previous actions in the year 2000. Their primary objective was to erode the struggle for liberation to self determination and change the direction by blunting the Oromo vision. They decided to mark a borderline against the genuine OLF leaders and members. Then they snatched the name OLF and secluded at the Asmara based cage.

Their new slogan is ‘democratization of Ethiopia’ which is completely contrary to the interest of Oromo people. They became part and parcel of coalition for Democracy and unity (CUD).

With the help of foreign governments they held Bargain conference in 2004 to make their interests official in front of their mediators. Then on the stage they pledged their denouncement of arm struggle and to start discussion with the dictatorial government of Ethiopia, for power share. Their step was not less than surrendering to Absinian government who colonized Oromia.

Fortunately, their trial couldn’t be accomplished due to Mr. Meles’ precondition requirements. So Shane Qinijit remained with uncertainty and handicapped messengers to sit-down for talk with Meles. As a result, they lagged behind their own dream of power sharing in election. As the result, Shane kinijit paused and became stagnant.

As the consequence of their tires’ flatness, Shanee Qinijjit has encountered internal division on its leadership into two classes two months ago.

The new faction branch named itself, “Jijirama”. The difference in between these two factions is the Jijjiiramaa members are from the same region but their policy is similar to the Shane Qinijjit’s. They are just to reform the Shane Qinijit’s program.

The current breakaway indicates that by the name of the OLF, the two factions are going to resume soon talks in Addis Ababa with a negotiating team drawn from Ethiopian elders.

The agreement was reached after an Ethiopian negotiating team led by Professor Efrem Yisahk held first round talks with the Shanee-Qinijjit and Jijjirama leaders in the Netherland.

During their first round talks which stayed 3 days from sep19-21, the negotiating team including Ethiopian Ambassador to Netherland and Pastor Daniel Gebreslase, has met and discussed with top leaders of Shanes’ including Lencho Leta, Abbaabiyya Abbaa-jabir and Dima Nego.

Mr Lencho lata is presented on this talk as representative of Shane-Qinijit led by Mr. Daud Ibsa and Mr. Dima Nago and Abbabiyyaa Abbaa-jobir are presented as representative of Shane-Qinijjit called itself Shanee jijjiiramaa led by defector of OPDO Kamal Galchu.

After the discussion, both Shanees’ leaders have agreed to hold second round talks at Addis Ababa in the near future.

The governments of Netherland, Norway and Germany have financially assisted for the success of the talks.

Professor Efrem Yisahk was one of the former amnesty committee who enabled a successful negotiation for the release of 38 opposition figures, including several CUD members and leaders.

As of the previous program of Oromo liberation (self determination) either of these groups will do nothing. The struggle for liberation requires pertain motivation and sacrifice.

As an individual, they have the right to go anywhere they like, including Ethiopia and share the brutal government’s policy.
But as of the OLF’s program they can’t find any recognition from Oromo people. Because morally and historically it will not be right to give-up the struggle and handover to the enemy in which our youths, men and women have been sacrificed.

The reckless group of power hunger can’t bring fundamental change for Oromia.
Even if they continue to pursue the genuine oromo people to find endorsement, their chance is very low. Despite of all the obstacles created by the enemy, OLF is implementing the well designed and accepted program with its fully committed members and supporters.
source:Mana Oromoo Swiss

Conflict between the Wardey and Oromo communities

Photo: Melvin Chibole/ActionAid

Pastoralists water their livestock in Mandera: Clan clashes in the region are adding to the plight of those displaced by recent flooding

NAIROBI, 17 October 2008 (IRIN) - At least two people have been killed and scores wounded amid fresh inter-clan fighting in the northeastern region of Mandera, a month after clashes there over water displaced hundreds.

"Fighting broke out on 16 October between members of the Garre and Murule clans over land that people displaced by flooding in Mandera town had settled on temporarily," Titus Mung'ou, a Kenya Red Cross Communications Officer, said.

At least 10,000 people have been displaced after heavy rains this week in the region and in parts of neighboring southern Somalia.

On 15 October a herdsman was killed in the neighboring district of Tana River, "in what is believed to be a recurrence of conflict between the Wardey and Oromo communities" in the region, said the KRCS. Full report
www.irinnews.org

Heavy fighting engulfs Mogadishu

Civilians have been caught in the crossfire in Mogadishu

Heavy fighting has left at least 20 people dead and dozens more injured in clashes across the Somali capital, Mogadishu, officials and witnesses say.

Islamist insurgents have been engaged in fierce battles with government troops and their Ethiopian allies, and both sides suffered casualties.

Five people were also reported killed when a mortar hit their house.

Correspondents say it is the fiercest fighting for several weeks and has engulfed three separate districts. Read more
BBC

Ani biyyaan yaadee Jaarsummaan manatti galaa

"Salphoo soqolatee, soqolaa gargaaru" jedha Oromoon

Gara Qabsoorraa gara araaraatti. Hoggonootiin ABO tan kaleessaa dirree qabsoo bilisummaa Oromoo kaayoo adda addaatiin jeeqaa turteefi qabsoo Oromoo qancarsan yeroo ammaa biyya gallee Oromoo walitti araarsina jedhu. Oromoon ofiif wal dura dhaabbattee walfixaa jira? Yoo walfixaa jira tahe eenyuutu walficcisiisaa jira? Bilisummaa barbaada moo araara barbaada? Haalli amma deemaa jiru kana Oromoon akkamitti laal? Dhageefachuuf as tuqi
www.bilisummaa.com

Oromos Ready to Lynch the Disreputable, Bribed Traitor Lencho Leta ...

Lencho Leta will certainly be lynched in the streets of Finfinnee (do not call the Oromo capital ´Addis Ababa´), if he dares return to occupied Oromia. This is what he deserves, most betrayed and angered Oromos admit.

Africa´s most shameful traitor is wanted by every Oromo patriot, and it is not a matter of oracle or divination to anticipate his premature end if he dares walk in the streets of the Oromo capital city Finfinnee that has been tyrannically and peremptorily re-baptized as Addis Ababa in a barbaric idiom that is not spoken but imposed by the invaders in Oromia.

The high treason of the Oromo pseudo-leader has triggered abysmal feelings of rightful revenge among all Oromos either in occupied Oromia or among the Diaspora. Read more

American Chronicle

The complexities of Oromo nationalist movement have come home to roost

Most unfortunately, however, just as collective amnesia was setting in during the mid 90s the difficult complex issues of the Oromo society began to raise their heads. One definite source of such difficulties involves the minority latent hopefuls who were not completely weaned of their Ethiopianist dreams. This group showed their true colour gradually but surely in the fullness of time. Bergen, the Asmara Group (now both factions) declarations of their commitment to democratize Ethiopia, AFD etc are but few examples. read more

Oromo Affairs

Shane Qinijit faction, elders to resume talks in Ethiopia

October 10, 2008 (ADDIS ABABA) — A breakaway faction of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) will resume soon talks in Addis Ababa with a negotiating team drawn from Ethiopian elders.

The agreement was reached after an Ethiopian negotiating team led by Professor Efrem Yisahk held first round talks with the OLF leaders in the Netherlands.

During their first round talks which stayed 3 days from sep19-21, the negotiating team including Ethiopian Ambassador to Netherland and Pastor Daniel Gebreslase, has met and discussed with OLF top leaders including Lencho Leta, Ababya Aba-jabir and Dima Nego.

After the discussion The OLF leaders have agreed to hold second round talks at home in the near future.

The governments of Netherland, Norway and Germany have helped financially for the success of the talks.

The move is hailed by politicians as a big step forward in bringing national reconciliation.

In July 2007, Ethiopia granted amnesty to 38 opposition figures, including several CUD members and leaders, convicted of inciting violence following disputed general elections were released after having been in detention since the elections of 2005

Professor Efrem Yisahk was one of the former amnesty committee who enabled a successful negotiation for the release of those opposition figures who were expecting at least life sentence for an alleged post-election violence that left scores dead.

Two months ago OLF branch in Asmara has encountered internal division on its leadership which divided it into two albeit.

The OLF National Council, in a press release issued on October 5, accused the splinter group of usurping the OLF leadership by "unconstitutional means."

The National Council also called for the unity of Oromo organisation and urged them to stand up against all actions to undermine the Oromo interests.

Established in1973, Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), fights for the liberation of the southern Oromo region, alleging government discriminates the Oromos, largest ethnic people of the nation.

source: Sudan Tribune

Related news: Shane Qinijit leaders coming to Addis

Somalia: Great number Wayane troops heading home

Somaliweyn

Reports from Luq district in Gedo region in southern Somalia confirms that a large number of Ethiopian troops crossed the Italian built bridge in Luq district heading towards the frontier town of Dolow district.

These Ethiopian troops were fully militarily equipped, and a member Luq district administration who was speaking to Somaliweyn radio, and willing his name not to be disclosed, said that he met with an officer from the

Ethiopian contingent shortly before crossing the bridge; and this is what he was told by the Ethiopian military officer.

“we are from long journey all the way from Hiran region coming down to Bakool region, and eventually in Gedo as you can see, but I am not intending to reveal our actual destination that is all I can tell you sir” said the Ethiopian officer.

“What I have seen was in fact amazing I saw large number of Ethiopian troops with their armored personnel carriers, and tanks crossing the old Italian built bridge, a battalion of the Ethiopian had a base in Luq and they used to come and go as they wish, and they are not dealt with the way they are dealt with when they are in some parts of the country such as Mogadishu, Baidoa, and Baladweyn here it is cool for them” said Farah Garad a resident in Luq district in Gedo region.

On the other hand Colonel Bare Hirale, the Colonel ousted from the strategic town of Kismayu is mobilizing his tribal militiamen in Dolow district which 75KM from Luq district in order to take control of Kismayu town once again.

Mohammed Omar Hussein
shiinetown@hotmail.com

Source: Somaliweyn Media Center

Investigating 'Africa's Guantanamo'

Salim Awadh is talking to me from inside a cell somewhere in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

There are seven other prisoners kept in the same small, dark room, he starts to tell me.

Kenya's government has long seen Somalia as a haven for terrorists

Then he suddenly stops speaking. I can hear frantic whispering in the background. Then he says it is safe to carry on.

"The conditions are really bad: we don't have enough food, we don't have enough access to medicine. The cell is wet," he says.

"We sleep on the floor rather than the sodden mattresses. One of the other prisoners was beaten so badly he's had his leg broken."

Salim is able to speak to me because he has bribed a guard and got access to a mobile phone.

For weeks I have been trying to find out information about him and other detainees in what has been called "Africa's Guantanamo". It is a story the governments involved do not want to talk about: The first mass rendition of terrorist suspects in Africa.

In January 2007, Ethiopian troops had taken control of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, ousting the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), an Islamist movement which had controlled much of southern Somalia for the previous six months.

They tried to force me to admit that my husband was a terrorist. They said I had to tell them the truth or they would strangle me Fatma Chande

Members of the UIC, militia fighters and civilians were all fleeing towards Kenya. Among them were Salim Awadh, a Kenyan, and his Tanzanian wife, Fatma Chande. Both of them were arrested as they crossed the border.

"I was kept in a cell with other women. Then the Kenyan anti-terrorist police questioned me - they asked me why we went to Somalia," Fatma says.full report