Blair reportedly was warned of U.K.’s extremist Muslims
London – A top government official warned Prime Minister Tony Blair more than a year before the transit bombings last month that Britain’s policy in Iraq and the rest of the Middle East was fueling extremism among British Muslims, a newspaper reported.
“British foreign policy and the perception of its negative effect on Muslims globally plays a significant role in creating a feeling of anger” especially among younger British Muslims, Michael Jay, the top civil servant in the Foreign Office, wrote in a May 2004 letter that was reported by London’s Observer newspaper. “This seems to be a key driver behind recruitment by extremist organizations.”
Blair has consistently denied a link between Britain’s participation in the U.S.-led war in Iraq and the July 7 bombings, which killed 52 people, along with the four presumed bombers, and injured 700 others on three London subways and a bus. Blair has said that the accused bombers – all young Muslim men, several of them British citizens – were motivated by a “perverse” interpretation of Islam and that similar attacks had been happening since long before the Iraq war began.
The Observer also quoted from a government “strategy document” attached to the letter that states: “Muslim resentment towards the West is worse than ever. This was previously focused on the U.S., but the war in Iraq has meant the U.K. is now seen in similar terms – both are now seen by many Muslims as ‘Crusader states.”‘
PALM SPRINGS, Calif.
Winds fan flames, force 100 evacuations
Erratic wind and high temperatures stoked a 2,300-acre wildfire in California on Sunday, leading to the voluntary evacuation of about 100 homes.
The fire was 5 percent contained, said Kathy Ungemach, spokeswoman for San Bernardino National Forest. No structures or homes were destroyed by flames and there were no injuries, she said.
The fire started late Friday in Blaisdell Canyon west of Palm Springs by hikers trying to light a campfire, officials said. On Saturday, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was ordered closed for the first time in at least 15 years. The tram transports passengers to two vantage points in the San Jacinto Mountains up to 8,000 feet above the high desert of the Coachella Valley.
LOS ANGELES
Cops: Nation of Islam leader ignored orders
A Nation of Islam leader suspected of assaulting a police officer disobeyed orders during a vigil for a shooting victim, according to a transcript of the incident.
When an officer asked minister Tony Muhammad to “back up” during Thursday’s vigil, Muhammad twice said, “Make me.”
The Los Angeles Police Department released the recording and transcript Saturday amid accusations that police beat up Muhammad, the Nation of Islam’s western regional director. Muhammad appeared at a news conference a day after the vigil with the left side of his face badly swollen. Police officials said Muhammad was “very belligerent and uncooperative.”
LINCOLN, Neb.
Man’s 14-year-old bride gives birth
A 14-year-old girl whose 22-year-old husband is charged with sexually assaulting a minor has given birth to their daughter, and the man said he plans to plead not guilty in the case.
The girl became pregnant when she was 13, and her mother gave permission in May for Matthew Koso to take her daughter to Kansas to marry.
Nebraska requires people to be at least 17 before they marry. But Kansas does not have a minimum age as long as both parents or guardians approve or the marriage is approved by a judge, said a spokesman for the Kansas attorney general. Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning has charged Koso with first-degree sexual assault, punishable by up to 50 years in prison.
MADRID, Spain
63 trampled by bulls at end of crowded run
A Pamplona-style running of the bulls in a Spanish town outside the capital Sunday left 63 people injured, two of them seriously, officials said.
The pair were taken from the town of San Sebastian de los Reyes to hospitals in Madrid to undergo urgent surgery, said a spokesman for the town’s emergency unit. The others were treated for cuts and bruises, he said.
During the crowded run, people were momentarily trapped in a pileup at the bullring’s entrance where the run ends. Some of the bulls then trampled over the mound of people to get into the ring, causing the large number of injuries.
CARACAS, Venezuela
Civil-rights leader offers Chavez support
The Rev. Jesse Jackson offered support for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday, saying that a call for his assassination by a U.S. religious broadcaster was a criminal act and that Washington and Venezuela should work out their differences through diplomacy.
The U.S. civil-rights leader condemned last week’s suggestion by Pat Robertson that American agents should “take out” the leftist Venezuelan leader.
