For Christ Sake - US recalls ambassador to Azerbaijan

[CatWoman]

I just remarked in another thread that I watched a movie tonight on Lifetime about human sex slavery.

This makes me sick to my stomach.

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department is recalling U.S. Ambassador Reno Harnish from Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani media is rife with speculation that Harnish is being recalled because of a burgeoning human smuggling scandal which came to the attention of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Moscow newspaper Trud newspaper reported on Thursday that FBI agents began interviews with embassy officials about the smuggling of Azerbaijani prostitutes into the United States and the issuing of visas.

As the investigation proceeded, Zarifa Dzhabieva, a former translator for the American embassy was found knifed to death in her own home. Whoever killed Dzhabieva ransacked her dwelling looking for something, even though none of the victim's valuables had been touched. Dzhabieva was under investigation for aiding and abetting the issuing of visas and forged documents to girls destined for the U.S. sex trade.

The head of the Public Relations Center for the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan Jonathan Henick said only, "The uncovering of the crime linked to the sale of Azerbaijani girls to the USA, and the punishment of the guilty parties merely shows the high level of American-Azerbaijani relations."

http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20060421-101527-7145r

[Jack Rabbit]

1. Harnish bio

From the State Department website.

My first reaction was that he might be another crooked Bush crony, but it looks like he's a career diplomat. Whether this is just a lack of oversite on his part or whether is actively involved, this is very disappointing.

[shraby]

2. Google Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce

you'll be surprised at who is on it.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. A bunch of pillars of national society

Our nation, that is.

I was half expecting somebody like Garry Kasparov (he was born in Baku), but nope.

[Monk06]

4. Yeah, it's about prostitutes not oil. >>>>>>>>>>>>

Azerbaijan forced the US to close its military base in the country.

Uzbekistan is threatening to do the same.

"Updated: 7:03 a.m. ET July 5, 2005

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - An alliance of Russia, China and central Asian nations called for the U.S. and coalition members in Afghanistan to set a date for withdrawing from member states, reflecting growing unease over America’s regional military presence.

Alliance members Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan both host U.S. bases whose troops are involved in Afghanistan.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, at a summit in the Kazakh capital, said in a declaration that a withdrawal date should be set in light of what it said was a decline of active fighting in Afghanistan."

The rationale from the US side is that the move "appears to reflect growing uneasiness with the U.S. presence and increasing concerns that the United States is encouraging the overthrow of Central Asia’s authoritarian governments."

This an odd statement when, as you say shraby, one takes a look at who's sitting on the board of directors of the USACC.


The United States - Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce (USACC)

HONORARY COUNCIL OF ADVISORS

James
Baker III

Lloyd
Bentsen

Zbigniew
Brzezinski

Henry
Kissinger

Brent
Scowcroft

John
Sununu


CO-CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD

James A. Baker, IV
Partner, Baker Botts, L.L.P.

Reza Vaziri
President, R.V. Investment Group


BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The business affairs of USACC are managed by its Board of Directors which is composed
of distinguished individuals with an interest in the U.S.-Azerbaijan relationship.

Tim Cejka
President, ExxonMobil Exploration Co.

Farhad Azima
Chairman & CEO, Aviation Leasing Group

Betty Blair
Editor, Azerbaijan International

Greg Saunders
Director, International Affairs, BP

Diana Sydney
Manager, International Government Relations for Chevron

Arne Holhjem
President, Caspian Region ConocoPhilips

Stanley Escudero
Consultant, Moncrief Oil International

Bill Ichord
Vice President, Unocal

Michael Griffin
Vice President, International Operations, Devon Energy

Gregory K. Williams
Strategic Security Manager, Coca Cola

Shapoor Ansari, MD

Serdar Canogullari
General Manager, Azercell Telecom



FORMER MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The following individuals of high distinction have previously served on the Advisory Council and the Board of Directors:

Dick Cheney
Vice President of the United States of America

Richard Armitage
Deputy Secretary of State

This ties in nicely with Rummy's new transitional war plan for countries outside of a theater of war.
In places where the US is denied bases, Rummy plans on turning US embassies into defacto military bases.

These embassies will be manned by US special forces who are in country permanently for the purpose of performing special ops on a moments notice. This is all in the name of defense of US diplomats against acts of terrorism.

No wonder the Uzbeks, Azerbajanis, Kazaks and Kyrgyzstanis want the US out of the 'Stans.
The Russians and Chinese are more than happy to oblige hence the formation of the SCO.

IF YOU THINK INVADING IRAN IS A FOOLS ERRAND, TRYING TO USE A HEAVY HAND IN THE 'STANS IS SHEAR STUPIDITY.

But no one every claimed BushCo was a brain trust. No wonder DUer's don't know whether to laugh or cry.