Angelina Jolie Cradles Her Kiddies

Peacock was typical of the rebels. He was driven by anger. He said Ethiopian soldiers hanged his mother, raped his sister and beat his father. “I know, it’s hard to believe,” he said. “But it’s true.”

He had the hunch of a broken man and a voice that seemed far too tired for his 28 years. “It’s not that I like living in the bush,” he said. “But I have nowhere else to go.”

The armed resistance began in 1994, after the Ogaden National Liberation Front, then a political organization, broached the idea of splitting off from Ethiopia. The central government responded by imprisoning Ogadeni leaders, and according to academics and human rights groups, assassinating others. The Ogaden is part of the Somali National Regional State, one of nine ethnic-based states within Ethiopia’s unusual ethnic-based federal system. On paper, all states have the right to secede, if they follow the proper procedures. But it seemed that the government feared that if the Somalis broke away, so too would the Oromos, the Afar and many other ethnic groups pining for a country of their own.

The Ethiopian government calls the Ogaden rebels terrorists and says they are armed and trained by Eritrea, Ethiopia’s neighbor and bitter enemy. One of the reasons Ethiopia decided to invade Somalia was to prevent the rebels from using it as a base.

The government blames them for a string of recent bombings and assassinations and says they often single out rival clan members. Ethiopian officials have been pressuring the State Department to add the Ogaden National Liberation Front to its list of designated foreign terrorist organizations. Until recently, American officials refused, saying the rebels had not threatened civilians or American interests.

“But after the oil field attack in April,” said one American official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, “we are reassessing that.”

American policy toward Ethiopia seems to be in flux. Administration officials are trying to increase the amount of nonhumanitarian aid to Ethiopia to $481 million next year, from $284 million this year. But key Democrats in Congress, including Mr. Payne, are questioning this, saying that because of Ethiopia’s human rights record, it is time to stop writing the country a blank check.

In April, European Commission officials began investigating Ethiopia for war crimes in connection to hundreds of Somali civilians killed by Ethiopian troops during heavy fighting in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital.

Women Are Suffering the Most

In the Ogaden, it is not clear how many people are dying. The vast area is essentially a no-go zone for most human rights workers and journalists and where the Ethiopian military, by its own admission, is waging an intense counterinsurgency campaign.

The violence has been particularly acute against women, villagers said, and many have recently fled.

Asma, 19, who now lives in neighboring Somaliland, said she was stuck in an underground cell for more than six months last year, raped and tortured. “They beat me on the feet and breasts,” she said. She was freed only after her father paid the soldiers ransom, she said, though she did not know how much.

Ambaro, 25, now living in Addis Ababa, said she was gang-raped by five Ethiopian soldiers in January near the town of Fik. She said troops came to her village every night to pluck another young woman.

“I’m in pain now, all over my body,” she said. “ I’m worried that I’ll become crazy because of what happened.”

Many Ogaden villagers said that when they tried to bring up abuses with clan chiefs or local authorities, they were told it was better to keep quiet.

The rebels said thats was precisely why they attacked the Chinese oil field: to get publicity for their cause and the plight of their region (and to discourage foreign companies from exploiting local resources). According to them, they strike freely in the Ogaden all the time, ambushing military convoys and raiding police stations.

Mr. Mohammed, the government spokesman, denied that, saying the rebels “will not confront Ethiopian military forces because they are not well trained.”

Expert or not, they are determined. They march for hours powered by a few handfuls of rice. They travel extremely light, carrying only their guns, two clips of bullets, a grenade and a tarp. They brag about how many Ethiopians they have killed, and every piece of their camouflage, they say, is pulled off dead soldiers. They joke about slaughtering Ethiopian troops the same way they slaughter goats.

Their morale seems high, especially for men who sleep in the dirt every night. Their throats are constantly dry, but they like to sing.

“A camel is delivering a baby today and the milk of the camel is coming,” goes one campfire song. “Who is the owner of this land?”

In Ethiopia, Fear and Cries of Army Brutality
By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN
Published: June 18, 2007

http://www.nytimes.com/

773 Lynn Campbell | 06/18/2007 at 12:11 pm
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I’m conflicted about Robin Givens. On one hand, she got a raw deal during her marriage to Mike Tyson and has been vocal about Brad’s good qualities after he hooked up with Angelina. But a few weeks ago, she was on Showbiz Tonight promoting her book, and true to form, ST capitalized on the domestic abuse and an apparent sexual attack from Tyson. While these revelations aren’t surprising, I do wonder whether her disclosure now will help anything.

I’m all for her gaining closure, but why seek out public sympathy? In general, the public never owns up to their getting stuff wrong, so why even try to garner a mea culpa?

Ah! Angelina with her two cute little dolls!!!!!!!!!Great post #755.Brad & Angelina Forever!!!!!!!!!

774 RANT | 06/18/2007 at 12:12 pm

========= ITAWU. Ted C predicted JLo and Marc Anthony won’t last more than 6 months, Madonna and her husband won’t last a year. but look at this couple , getting stronger as year go by. TC was like a kid throwing tantrum after rejected at OC13 LA premiere.

779 piper, with a low | 06/18/2007 at 12:24 pm

I never watch Showbiz Tonight so thanks for the update about her appearance. I just thought it was very nice what she said about Brad. The man goes all out for the woman in his life and loves to nurture her. Now he has four children he can nurture as well.

ITA about no one really knowing anything. I would think that Brad’s inner circle is tight for years and woe to anyone caught with loose lips (Kristin Hahn). Angelina’s inner circle would seem to be pretty tight as well and very small.

I remember reading bits of articles when she was living overseas and some of the townspeople interviewed for an article said that they only saw her when she was in town. They said she was lovely, cordial and led a quiet life. That was the closest that any reporter would get in regards to information on Angelina. The tabs here had to resort to digging in the attic cobwebs with Jenny Shizu and made it seem like it was current news.

I don’t think Jennifer Aniston fans live on earth if they can still believe Brad will go back to big chin. Dreaming of him

Dreaming of him

Dreaming of him

Dreaming of him

Dreaming of him

712 lylian | 06/18/2007 at 9:15 am

For African girl, I think it is time for you to DUMP Georgie. I bet that boy breaks out in hives when ever he hears the “C” word:-)

18 June 2007
GEORGE LAPS UP SAUCY SARAH
Stripper mummy’s fling with Clooney
By Ryan Parry
A STRIPPER from Yorkshire has told of her four-month fling with George Clooney.

+++++++++++++++

Porgie, Porgie, Porgie. Always with the high class call girls, soft porn stars, strippers and underwear models.

AG…RUN, GIRL, RUN!!! I’ll give up my Firecrotch aspirations to save you from the lifetime of hurt and misery that loving Porgie is bringing you…let alone the humiliation…

a Shout out to ALEX……..Thanks for post the Jessica Vozel’s article.

HERE’S WHEN SHE WILL BE ON THE EARLY SHOW ON CBS

Friday, 6/22: Angelina Jolie on new movie, “A Mighty Heart”

are there any pictures of shiloh where her mouth isn’t agape? Why won’t her lips shut?

This has probably already been posted but here is a great article in Newsweek about Angelina and AMH.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19263097/site/newsweek/page/0/

African Girl, my heart goes out to you. To love a man who is a louse and a cad and who doesn’t appreciate what he has at home is a pain no one should have to endure. Girl if you want some of my girls and I will give him a beat down he will never forget. I am certain there are others here who will join me.

If he isn’t lusting after Brad, he is sleeping with the strippers and high price whores. He is too far gone to be saved. Save yourself. If he comes back, please remember to disinfect him. Peace. :)