Second TWA Flight 847 Hijacker Smoked

News came over the weekend (via The Jawa Report) that a US missile strike took out TWA hijacker Mohammed Ali Hamadi. The US has had a $5 million reward for his capture:

June 13, 1985: Terrorists hijack TWA Flight 847, killing Navy Diver Robert Stethem and dumping his body onto the tarmac.

To bring these murderers to justice, the United States Government is offering a reward of up to $5 million. The money is available under a program to obtain information that helps punish those responsible for past international terrorist acts against U.S. persons or property and prevent future such acts. - RFJ

This is the terrorist that (our 'friends') the Germans had caught and refused to hand over to the US. Instead, when they decided to release him, they sent him back to a country that does not have an extradition treaty with the US.

Current and former American officials said they had pushed for two decades to gain custody of Hammadi and try him in a U.S. courtroom, but they ran into political and legal resistance from Germany. U.S. prosecutors originally sought Hammadi's extradition after he was arrested at the Frankfurt airport in 1987, but Germany denied the request and put him on trial locally instead.

Victoria Toensing, a former Justice Department official in the Reagan administration who oversaw efforts to extradite Hammadi in 1987, said German authorities threw obstacles in the way of U.S. prosecutors at that time and only reluctantly cooperated.

"They were not open at all," she recalled. "We knew he would be released early, way back then." - Washington Post
(Link to previous post)

Mohammed Ali Hamadi was one of four terrorists who hijacketed TWA flight 847. He is now the second of the group to have his life end in a violent explosion, the first being Imad Mugniyah who died in 2008. This leaves the following two TWA hijackers on the run:

First, there is TWA Flight 847 hijacker Hassan Izz-Al-Din.

Finally, there is TWA Flight 847 hijacker Ali Atwa.

He is currently wanted by the United States government for involvement in the June 14, 1985, skyjacking of TWA Flight 847. (He allegedly intended to help hijack the plane but was bumped from the flight. He was arrested but was then released by the Greek government as part of the deal to release the hostages. [Note: To get some Greek hostages released] He then re-joined the hijackers in Algiers onboard the hijacked airplane).This hijacking resulted in the death of United States Navy diver Robert Stethem. - Wikipedia

The planet will be much better off without these terrorists occupying it.

Two TWA Terrorists down, two to go. I have been following this issue since the beginning of 2006 (See 'TWA 847 Hijacking' tag). It is nice to see that progress is being made in removing this scum from the earth.

-------------------- --------------------

1 Terrorist Smoked - Three Of His Buddies Still Targets

Yes, that terrorist at the bottom of my sidebar was the one that was blown to pieces thanks to a car bomb in Damascus this week. He (Imad Mugniyah) was one of the four TWA Flight 847 hijackers. So while he has been found and eliminated, by somebody, three other ringleaders still remain on the loose. So whoever was behind this bombing, don't forget the following guys who are hanging out either in Syria or in Lebanon; Well within striking distance.

First up is TWA Flight 847 hijacker Mohammed Ali Hamadei. He is the one who executed US Navy diver Robert Stethem. He was released from prison by our German 'friends' and is currently living in Lebanon. The US has requested his extradition, which the Lebanese Government has ignored, just like the Germans did. This however does not stop them from asking the US for handouts of millions of dollars in aid, which the US seems inclined to give them without resolving this important open issue.

Then there is TWA Flight 847 hijacker Hassan Izz-Al-Din.

Finally, there is TWA Flight 847 hijacker Ali Atwa.

He is currently wanted by the United States government for involvement in the June 14, 1985, skyjacking of TWA Flight 847. (He allegedly intended to help hijack the plane but was bumped from the flight. He was arrested but was then released by the Greek government as part of the deal to release the hostages. [Note: To get some Greek hostages released] He then re-joined the hijackers in Algiers onboard the hijacked airplane).This hijacking resulted in the death of United States Navy diver Robert Stethem. - Wikipedia

Something tells me that these guys aren't having a good week and that's a good thing. Surely, this has proved as a good reminder that they remain wanted men and will remain wanted for the rest of their lives. hopefully they will see the inside of a jail cell soon or meet a similar fate as Imad Mugniyah. As bad as it sounds to wish the death of someone, the planet will be much better off without these terrorists occupying it.

Previous:
Lebanon Pleads for US Aid While Protecting TWA-847 Hijacker Hamadei - 23 May 07
Whose Side is Germany On? - 11 Jan 06

Lebanon Pleads for US Aid While Protecting TWA-847 Hijacker Hamadei

Lebanon all of a sudden realizes that it has a problem with militant Muslims hiding out in Palestinian refugee camps, so they have been busy shelling the camp where some are hiding.

They are shelling the camp with artillery because they are prohibited from actually entering the camps by some clearly idiotic law.

The result has been fierce fighting between the Lebanese army and Islamic terrorists who are now popping out of the woodwork. The press has been claiming that the poor Palestinian camps are full of veteran foreign fighters from the Iraq war inferring that the US is somehow to blame while ignoring the meddling and support from Syria for Muslim radicals. Then of course there is support from Hezbollah, which is part of the Government there and almost has complete control of the southern part of the country.

Fighting these terrorists is expensive, so Lebanon is asking the US for more military aid:

The United States said it was considering an urgent request from Lebanon for more US military aid to battle Islamist fighters and warned Syria against meddling in its neighbor's affairs.

State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack, said Lebanon's government had asked for additional funds as fighting intensified, but declined to name an amount or predict when a decision would be made on the request. - Newswire New Zealand

There is a quick way for Lebanon to collect at least $5 million. All they need to do is hand over wanted TWA Flight 847 hijacker Mohammed Ali Hamadei who is living in Lebanon.

June 13, 1985: Terrorists hijack TWA Flight 847, killing Navy Diver Robert Stethem and dumping his body onto the tarmac.

To bring these murderers to justice, the United States Government is offering a reward of up to $5 million. The money is available under a program to obtain information that helps punish those responsible for past international terrorist acts against U.S. persons or property and prevent future such acts. - RFJ

This is the terrorist that (our 'friends') the Germans had caught and refused to hand over to the US. Instead, when they decided to release him, they sent him back to a country that does not have an extradition treaty with the US.

Current and former American officials said they had pushed for two decades to gain custody of Hammadi and try him in a U.S. courtroom, but they ran into political and legal resistance from Germany. U.S. prosecutors originally sought Hammadi's extradition after he was arrested at the Frankfurt airport in 1987, but Germany denied the request and put him on trial locally instead.

Victoria Toensing, a former Justice Department official in the Reagan administration who oversaw efforts to extradite Hammadi in 1987, said German authorities threw obstacles in the way of U.S. prosecutors at that time and only reluctantly cooperated.

"They were not open at all," she recalled. "We knew he would be released early, way back then." - Washington Post

Somehow, Germany was able to get away with not handing over a captured terrorist. Most likely by playing the US for fools, which sadly is not a difficult thing to do. Lebanon, with its hat-in-hand, should not be let off so easy.

Anyway, look at its current situation, their handing over a hero of those who they are fighting against will demonstrate that they mean business. At any rate, since we are getting ready to assist Lebanon, now is the perfect time to get our hands on this one terrorist.

To do so, we need to tell the Lebanese Government that they will not see a dime of aid money until Hamadei is handed over to face American justice. Nobody is forcing Lebanon to take US Aid. However, if they do, they should do it on our terms. We should have at least this one precondition.

(If this were true Mohammed Ali Hamadei would be sitting in a jail cell)
Here is a letter explaining why it is important to get this terrorist:

Date: January 8, 2006 4:15:57 PM PST

To: president@whitehouse.gov

Cc: vicepresident@whitehouse.gov

Subject: ROBERT DEAN STETHEM

Mr. President, I would like to provide you with an explanation as to why Muhammed Ali Hammadi's recent release by Germany, and your Administration's lack of any attempt to prevent it, is so upsetting to our family and to Americans everywhere. I am not writing you out of grief or anger but out of a hope that his example will inspire you to follow act on your own words and the dictates of your conscious in this War on Terror.

Robert Dean Stethem was singled out, beaten beyond recognition and tortured in order to make him scream into a transmitter (so that the tower would send a fuel truck). Not a cry was heard to come from him, despite the brutal beating he endured. Instead he chose to remain silent and endure the beatings because he knew that the only way a rescue attempt could be conducted by U.S. forces was if the aircraft remained on the ground.

After Robert was beaten and tortured and bleeding from puncture wounds all over his body, he was placed next to a 16-year old Australian girl. As bad as Robert was beaten, he had the courage and strength to comfort and console her. He told her that, "She would be okay and that she would get out of here alive." When she tried to return the comfort, he said, "No, I don't think so. I am the only one in my group that is not married and some of the guys have children, too." Some time later, Robert was again taken up to the cockpit and tortured in order to get the fuel. But it didn't work, he would not give in to them.

One of the hijackers, Muhammed Ali Hammadi, was so enraged that he dragged Robert to the door, pulled a trigger and shot Robert in the head. Then he dumped Robert's body onto the tarmac.

While Robert was being dragged to the door, he knew that all he had to do in order to live was to cry into that transmitter, but he wouldn't do it. He would not give in to the demands of the terrorists. He would not allow the honor and dignity of America to be intimidated by the fear and pain that Hammadi and terrorists everywhere represent. Robert sacrificed his life in order to protect our liberty and defend our way of life.

You have rightly said, "Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done." You have truly said that "We are in a fight for our principles, and our first responsibility is to live by them." Robert lived by them. Robert also died by them. The motto of the USS SSTETHEM (DDG-63), named in Robert's honor, is "Steadfast and Courageous." I hope that his example, and the example of other heroes like him can inspire you to understand why allowing Germany to release Hammadi was a wrong. Justice was not done, Robert was not honored and Americans are not safer by allowing Hammadi to return to Lebanon and Hezbollah. You know this, we know this and the American people know this.

The Stethem family - NRO

Our Government owes it to US Navy Sailor Robert Stethem and his family to bring his killer to justice.

Part of the current problem in Lebanon is directly related to the failure of the US to put this terrorist behind bars. As recent news out of Lebanon indicates, Hamadei has been joined by many terrorists who are taking advantage of the safe-haven that Lebanon has provided.

The US does not give aid to Palestine because a terrorist organization, HAMAS, is in charge of the Government there. Before we continue to 'help' Lebanon, perhaps we should determine who exactly we are helping there.

Updated from this original Post:
Make Lebanon 'Aid' Conditional to Turnover of TWA-847 Hijacker Hamadei - 2 February 2007

U.S. mulls military funding plea from Lebanon - Reuters

US 'seeks justice' for hijacker - BBC

(aka "Mohammed Ali Hammadi")

Stockbrokers Caught Abusing Client's Money - Jan 2007

Here are some excerpts from the NASD January, 2007 Disciplinary Actions Report where stockbrokers were either taking liberties with their client's accounts without permission or borrowing/stealing their client's money.

The total amount of money misused/stolen from investors listed below is $1,178,307.25. (Some entries do not list the amount taken.)

Individuals Barred or Suspended

Mustapha Youssef Aljaroudi (CRD #3274506, Registered Representative, Miami, Florida) submitted an Offer of Settlement in which he was barred from association with any NASD member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the allegations, Aljaroudi consented to the described sanction and to the entry of findings that he engaged in a pattern of misconduct that included falsification of essential public customer information on a new account opening form and a sale of stock in a customer’s account without the customer’s knowledge, authorization or consent. The findings stated that Aljaroudi converted customer funds, in that he received a customer’s check from a clearing firm, endorsed the check without the customer’s knowledge, authorization or consent, and deposited the check into his personal bank account without repaying the customer or accounting for the funds. (NASD Case #2005001185301)

Kathy Lynn Gallagher (CRD #2189903, Associated Person, Pocatello, Idaho) submitted an Offer of Settlement in which she was barred from association with any NASD member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the allegations, Gallagher consented to the described sanction and to the entry of findings that she misused $218,558.00 of public customers’ funds intended to be invested on the customers’ behalf, and rather than depositing the funds into the customers’ accounts as instructed, Gallagher caused the funds to be deposited into a bank account she controlled without the customers’ knowledge, authorization or consent. The findings stated that Gallagher forged, or caused to be forged, a registered representative and public customers’ signatures on Investment Distribution Forms, causing funds to be wired from the customers’ accounts to accounts under her control without the customers’ knowledge or authorization to conceal her misuse of funds. The findings also stated that Gallagher falsified books and records, and forged documents and customers’ signatures in order to conceal her misuse. (NASD Case #2005000863701)

Elliott Matthew Glover (CRD #4476082, Registered Representative, New Castle, Delaware) submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which he was barred from association with any NASD member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Glover consented to the described sanction and to the entry of findings that he converted $119,000 of public customers’ funds by diverting proceeds from loans that customers had received from a bank. (NASD Case #2006004847801)

Jo Anne Jean Goulet (CRD #4768440, Associated Person, Ludlow, Massachusetts) submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which she was barred from association with any NASD member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Goulet consented to the described sanction and to the entry of findings that she withdrew a total of $116,000 from a public customer’s fixed annuity by systematically withdrawing amounts under $10,000 without the customer’s knowledge, authorization or consent. The findings stated that Goulet deposited the funds into her personal bank account, thereby converting the funds for her own use and benefit. The findings also stated that, as a result of the unauthorized liquidations, the customer incurred $6,500 in surrender fees and suffered adverse tax consequences. (NASD Case #2006004750801)

Kyle Jay Keesling (CRD #1911150, Registered Principal, Simpsonville, South Carolina) submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which he was barred from association with any NASD member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Keesling consented to the described sanction and to the entry of findings that he obtained $112,629.88 from public customers for investment purposes and converted these funds to his own use and benefit. The findings stated that, in an attempt to conceal his conversion of funds, Keesling provided some of the customers with falsified statements showing that their funds had been invested when they had not. (NASD Case #2006004831801)

George Ellis Brown McMahon III (CRD #3055065, Registered Representative, Waldorf, Maryland) was barred from association with any NASD member in any capacity. The sanction was based on findings that McMahon instructed a public customer to sign checks totaling $3,600 and make them payable to him for investment purpose. The findings stated that contrary to McMahon’s representation, he did not invest the funds for the customer’s benefit, but cashed the checks and misused the customer’s funds. The findings also stated that McMahon failed to respond to NASD requests for information. (NASD Case #2005003051001)

Christopher Lincoln O’Connell (CRD #2153507, Registered Representative, Topsfield, Massachusetts) submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which he was barred from association with any NASD member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, O’Connell consented to the described sanction and to the entry of findings that he received a $3,140.16 check from a public customer to purchase a disability insurance policy, deposited the check in his personal bank account and misappropriated the proceeds for his own use and benefit. (NASD Case #2006005048501)

Joseph Peter Orozco (CRD #1019164, Registered Representative, Burbank, California) submitted an Offer of Settlement in which he was barred from association with any NASD member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the allegations, Orozco consented to the described sanction and to the entry of findings that he received a $471,280.09 check from public customers to be invested, but instead, he retained possession of the check and falsely represented to the customers that it had been deposited and the securities had been purchased. The findings stated that Orozco submitted written reports to his member firm that stated that he had not received any customer correspondence, even though he had received letters from his customers inquiring about the status of their accounts. The findings also stated that Orozco made false statements to public customers regarding the check and the securities. The findings also included that Orozco failed to complete an NASD on-the-record interview and provide requested testimony. (NASD Case #C0220040045/E0220030808)

Brian L. Pauley (CRD #4253361, Registered Representative, Olmsted Falls, Ohio) submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which he was barred from association with any NASD member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Pauley consented to the described sanction and to the entry of findings that he withdrew $95,000 from a deceased public customer’s checking and savings accounts, transferred the funds to newly created bank accounts and moved $65,000 from the new accounts to an investment account in his name, thereby improperly using the customer’s funds. (NASD Case #2006004940901)

Michael Brent Peterson (CRD #4611211, Registered Representative, Oxford, Wisconsin) submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which he was barred from association with any NASD member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Peterson consented to the described sanction and to the entry of findings that he misappropriated a public customer’s funds by signing her name on documentation directing distribution of her fixed annuities without her knowledge and consent. The findings stated that Peterson deposited the customer’s distribution checks into her checking account at the bank where he was employed, and wrongfully used his authority as an officer of the bank to withdraw funds from her account and deposit them into his personal bank account at another bank, thereby converting the funds to his own use. The findings also stated that Peterson failed to respond to NASD requests for information. (NASD Case #2005003168601)

Scott Thomas Powers (CRD #2255877, Registered Representative, Danvers, Massachusetts) was barred from association with any NASD member in any capacity. The sanction was based on findings that Powers accepted $25,000 from a public customer for investment purposes and deposited the funds into a bank account, but failed to use the funds for the customer’s benefit. The findings also stated that Powers failed to respond to NASD requests for information. (NASD Case #2005002808001)

Peter Rhee (CRD #2964890, Registered Representative, Garfield, New Jersey) was barred from association with any NASD member in any capacity. The sanction was based on findings that Rhee effected transactions in public customers’ account without the customers’ authorization or consent. The findings also stated that Rhee failed to respond to NASD requests for information and documentation and failed to appear for an NASD on-the-record interview. (NASD Case #E9B2004049101)

Complaints Filed (NASD issued the following complaints. Issuance of a disciplinary complaint represents NASD’s initiation of a formal proceeding in which findings as to the allegations in the complaint have not been made, and does not represent a decision as to any of the allegations contained in the complaint. Because these complaints are unadjudicated, you may wish to contact the respondents before drawing any conclusions regarding the allegations in the complaint.)

Jose Hernandez (CRD #1976668, Registered Representative, Cary, Illinois) was named as a respondent in an NASD complaint alleging that he converted or misused $4,100 from a public customer that was intended for the purchase of securities, and used the funds for personal expenses and not for the customer’s benefit. The complaint alleges that Hernandez created false account statements that purportedly showed that the customer owned securities to conceal from the customer that the money was not used to purchase securities. The complaint also alleges that Hernandez failed to respond to NASD requests for information. (NASD Case #2005001945401)

Christopher David Solomon (CRD #4470012, Registered Representative, Treasure Island, Florida) was named as a respondent in an NASD complaint alleging that he engaged in an outside business activity and failed to provide written notice to his member firm. The complaint alleges that Solomon received $8,000 from a public customer for investment purposes, deposited the funds into a bank account he controlled but failed to transmit the funds from the bank account for the intended investment, thereby converting the customer’s funds. The complaint also alleges that Solomon provided the customer with a false account statement in order to convince him that the investment had been made when, in fact, there was no such investment. In addition, the complaint alleges that Solomon failed to respond to NASD requests for information. (NASD Case #2006005220901)

Richard Adam Thayer (CRD #4123272, Registered Representative, St. Clair Shores, Michigan) was named as a respondent in an NASD complaint alleging that he withdrew $2,000 from a public customer’s bank account without the customer’s knowledge or consent, and used the funds for his personal use or for some purpose other than the customer’s benefit. The complaint alleges that Thayer converted funds from other customers, without their knowledge or consent, to cover up his use of the first customer’s funds. The complaint further alleges that Thayer failed to respond to NASD requests for information. (NASD Case #2006005175401)

Now it is not just brokers who are helping themselves to your cash. The brokerage houses, while not 'stealing' your money, apparently are borrowing it without properly compensating their customers:

The phrase "cash sweep" may sound like a cleaning crew gathering loose change. But on Wall Street, the top brokerage firms are increasingly turning cash sweeps into gold.

The blue-chip securities firms are reaping bigger profits from a few simple changes to how investors' idle cash balances are treated. And most investors either don't notice or don't care that Wall Street's gains are coming at their expense as brokers turn around and reinvest the money for their own benefit at a higher rate.

• The Situation: Wall Street brokers are making more money from the cash sitting in customer accounts.

• The Context: Most customers barely notice they are receiving a low interest rate while the brokerage is making a profit reinvesting their money.

• Bottom Line: In the past year the trend has accelerated despite red flags from market regulators.

WSJ's Randall Smith discusses "cash sweeping," a growing trend despite red flags from market regulators.

Merrill Lynch & Co., which pioneered such tactics starting in 2000, is expected to report next week that its profits derived mainly from reinvesting customers' cash will top $2 billion for 2006, up from $1.3 billion two years ago.

Last year Morgan Stanley ramped up the same strategy of "sweeping" client cash to insured bank deposits, which pay rates as low as 1.25% on the smallest accounts. And the Smith Barney unit of Citigroup Inc. in September also began paying rates as low as 1.51% for cash in smaller accounts.

Smith Barney had considered such moves earlier, but hesitated because its former chief executive, Sallie Krawcheck, who led the firm between 2002 and 2004, raised questions about whether such "tiering" tactics could hurt customers, according to people at Citigroup. This year the firm decided it couldn't afford to pass up the profits and risk being left at a competitive disadvantage, other people said.

In a statement, Smith Barney said it shifted "to a relationship-based offering" that included "clear and abundant client disclosure." The firm said it offers rates "among the most competitive in the industry," and clients have "ample" alternatives.

Regulators at the New York Stock Exchange warned firms and investors in 2005 that such programs risked being instituted "without fully appropriate levels of disclosure or customer consent."

Bank deposits are more profitable for Wall Street because they can be reinvested at profits of roughly three to four times the fees on money funds.

But the bank deposits where the money is swept all pay less than 2% annually for the smallest accounts, far below current money fund rates of 4.72%, where Wall Street firms could put clients' idle cash. - WSJ.com

Read the whole story.

NASD Monthly Disciplinary Actions 2007

How Wall Street Sweeps' the Cash - WSJ.com

Make Lebanon 'Aid' Conditional to Turnover of TWA-847 Hijacker Hamadei

President Bush recently announced that the US will be giving Lebanon millions in aid money:

Over the last week, the Western-backed Lebanese government and Hezbollah protesters engaged in bloody clashes. Meanwhile, in Paris, France, an international donors' conference raised some $7.6 billion (€5.9 billion) to help rebuild Lebanon's economy, which was ravaged during last summer's 34-day war between Hezbollah and Israel.

"I am deeply disappointed by the recent violence and bloodshed on the streets of Lebanon," Bush said. "It is all the more troubling that the violence occurred while Lebanon's legitimate leaders and friends were gathered in Paris to help secure a peaceful and prosperous future for the country."

Bush said that total U.S. support to help bring peace and development to Lebanon will be roughly $1 billion (€770 million) in less than six months should Congress support his funding request. The United States pledged $230 million (€178 million) at a Lebanon pledging conference last August in Stockholm, Sweden. - IHT

I say that's a great idea! (Lets just forget that Lebanon is at the start of a 'civil war', much more so than Iraq. Which should mean that Congress will not want to get involved with Lebanon.) However, before we make the money transfer, there is at least one open issue that Lebanon needs to clean up first. That is extraditing terrorist and convicted TWA flight 847 hijacker Mohammed Ali Hamadei who is currently hiding in Lebanon.

There is no extradition treaty between Lebanon and the US. That's fine, but for a couple hundred million dollars, I bet that the Lebanese Government will find a way to make this happen, or see that something unfortunate happens to him, as this guy can only be a liability to the Government. Even worse, he is surely to be an asset to Hizbullah. And that is the last thing the Lebanese Government needs at the moment.

Just in case you don't know what this guy is wanted for, here is what the US would like to charge him with:

CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT AIRCRAFT PIRACY, TO COMMIT HOSTAGE TAKING, TO COMMIT AIR PIRACY RESULTING IN MURDER, TO INTERFERE WITH A FLIGHT CREW, TO PLACE A DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE ABOARD AN AIRCRAFT, TO HAVE EXPLOSIVE DEVICES ABOUT THE PERSON ON AN AIRCRAFT, AND TO ASSAULT PASSENGERS AND CREW; AIR PIRACY RESULTING IN MURDER; AIR PIRACY; HOSTAGE TAKING; INTERFERENCE WITH FLIGHT CREW; AND PLACING EXPLOSIVES ABOARD AIRCRAFT; PLACING DESTRUCTIVE DEVICES ABOARD AIRCRAFT; ASSAULT ABOARD AIRCRAFT WITH INTENT TO HIJACK WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON AND RESULTING IN SERIOUS BODILY INJURY; AIDING AND ABETTING - FBI

These charges stem from the hijacking of TWA 847 and the execution of US Navy diver Robert Stethem:

He was returning from an assignment in Nea Makri, Greece aboard TWA Flight 847 when it was hijacked by members of the Lebanese terrorist organization Hizbullah. They demanded the release of 435 Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

When their demands were not met, Stethem was singled out. The hijackers learned he was a member of the U.S. military. They beat and tortured him. Then, they shot him and dumped his body on the tarmac at the Beirut airport. - Wikipedia

This man deserves to be behind bars, in the United States. He was behind bars in Germany until the Germany Government stuck it to us and let him go, to a country they knew we could not extradite him from.

Current and former American officials said they had pushed for two decades to gain custody of Hammadi and try him in a U.S. courtroom, but they ran into political and legal resistance from Germany. U.S. prosecutors originally sought Hammadi's extradition after he was arrested at the Frankfurt airport in 1987, but Germany denied the request and put him on trial locally instead.

Victoria Toensing, a former Justice Department official in the Reagan administration who oversaw efforts to extradite Hammadi in 1987, said German authorities threw obstacles in the way of U.S. prosecutors at that time and only reluctantly cooperated.
"They were not open at all," she recalled. "We knew he would be released early, way back then." - Washington Post

Just because the Germans gave this guy a free pass does not mean that we should let Lebanon do the same. Since we are getting ready to assist Lebanon, now is the perfect time to get our hands on this one terrorist. To do so, we need to tell them that they will not see a dime of aid money until Hamadei is handed over.

As a bonus, the Lebanese Government could then collect on the (up to) $5 million that the US's Rewards for Justice Program is offering for him:

June 13, 1985: Terrorists hijack TWA Flight 847, killing Navy Diver Robert Stethem and dumping his body onto the tarmac.

To bring these murderers to justice, the United States Government is offering a reward of up to $5 million. The money is available under a program to obtain information that helps punish those responsible for past international terrorist acts against U.S. persons or property and prevent future such acts. - RFJ

Nobody is forcing Lebanon to take US Aid. However, if they do, they should be forced to do it on our terms. We should have at least this one precondition.

Here is a letter written by the brother of Robert Stethem to President Bush upon the release of his brother’s murder by the German authorities. I think the letter makes the point of why it is so important to get this guy.

Date: January 8, 2006 4:15:57 PM PST

To: president@whitehouse.gov

Cc: vicepresident@whitehouse.gov

Subject: ROBERT DEAN STETHEM

Mr. President, I would like to provide you with an explanation as to why Muhammed Ali Hammadi's recent release by Germany, and your Administration's lack of any attempt to prevent it, is so upsetting to our family and to Americans everywhere. I am not writing you out of grief or anger but out of a hope that his example will inspire you to follow act on your own words and the dictates of your conscious in this War on Terror.

Robert Dean Stethem was singled out, beaten beyond recognition and tortured in order to make him scream into a transmitter (so that the tower would send a fuel truck). Not a cry was heard to come from him, despite the brutal beating he endured. Instead he chose to remain silent and endure the beatings because he knew that the only way a rescue attempt could be conducted by U.S. forces was if the aircraft remained on the ground.

After Robert was beaten and tortured and bleeding from puncture wounds all over his body, he was placed next to a 16-year old Australian girl. As bad as Robert was beaten, he had the courage and strength to comfort and console her. He told her that, "She would be okay and that she would get out of here alive." When she tried to return the comfort, he said, "No, I don't think so. I am the only one in my group that is not married and some of the guys have children, too." Some time later, Robert was again taken up to the cockpit and tortured in order to get the fuel. But it didn't work, he would not give in to them.

One of the hijackers, Muhammed Ali Hammadi, was so enraged that he dragged Robert to the door, pulled a trigger and shot Robert in the head. Then he dumped Robert's body onto the tarmac.

While Robert was being dragged to the door, he knew that all he had to do in order to live was to cry into that transmitter, but he wouldn't do it. He would not give in to the demands of the terrorists. He would not allow the honor and dignity of America to be intimidated by the fear and pain that Hammadi and terrorists everywhere represent. Robert sacrificed his life in order to protect our liberty and defend our way of life.

You have rightly said, "Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done." You have truly said that "We are in a fight for our principles, and our first responsibility is to live by them." Robert lived by them. Robert also died by them. The motto of the USS SSTETHEM (DDG-63), named in Robert's honor, is "Steadfast and Courageous." I hope that his example, and the example of other heroes like him can inspire you to understand why allowing Germany to release Hammadi was a wrong. Justice was not done, Robert was not honored and Americans are not safer by allowing Hammadi to return to Lebanon and Hezbollah. You know this, we know this and the American people know this. The Stethem family - NRO

Mr. Hamadi was the triggerman. Our Government should not hand over hundreds of millions in aid until he has been turned over.

Bush condemns violence in Lebanon - International Herald Tribune
TWA Flight 847 - Wikipedia
MOHAMMED ALI HAMADEI - FBI Most Wanted Terrorist
Mohammed Ali Hammadi - Wikipedia
Whose Side is Germany On? - FFI

Whose Side is Germany On?

Germany is supposed to be our ally, but there seems to be nothing in their recent actions to prove that this is true. In fact, one can say that Germany is actively working against the US, on many fronts.

The main European powers (especially Old Europe) have long thought that the US is a too-powerful influence in the world and that there is no counterbalance to keep the power of the US in check since the Soviet Union fell apart.

Their actions might also be some sort of subconscious payback for Germany’s defeat by the US in WWII, and WWI for that matter. Or it can just be simple economics. Their economy sucks and ours does not.

Let’s look at some of the facts:

Afghanistan – Germany expected the US to take over the country as a response to the 9/11 attacks. As such, Germany supported the US and has even provided troops on the ground. While they are present in country, they are not doing a whole lot. Most of the foreign troops (other than the US) are all sitting around the Capital Kabul, protecting their national interests in the country. This is supposed to change this year with NATO making more of a presence outside the capital. However, there are major problems in making this a reality, DESPITE the all-important UN Security Council Mandate. The plan calls for 6,000 non-US NATO Troops. The UK has had a pretty hard time getting other NATO members to contribute troops to meet the total. Then there are the conditions that contributing nations are imposing:

Even in their peace-keeping role, each NATO country's forces have a list of what they will do and not do - national caveats - that has paralyzed NATO commanders in Kabul.

German troops in the north will allow no other NATO troops to fly in their helicopters.

Major European countries such as France, Spain and Germany have refused to take part in operations that could involve fighting the Taliban.

Thanks for nothing.

Recently it was reported that in four years time, Germany has managed to train a total of 200 police officers for the new Afghanistan Government. This is the result from the country that was to take the lead responsibility for training the country’s police force. That is a pitiful result for most any nation, let alone one of Germany’s stature.

How about the Germans? The Germans pledged to train the Afghanistan security forces, a task that started after the fall of the Taliban, well before we started handing over sovereignty to the Iraqis in June 2004. Since that time, the Americans have trained over 200,000 Iraqi security troops, with over 45,000 able to operate independently with American logistical support. They have taken charge of a number of military bases in their own country and hold their own territory against steadily-weakening insurgents. In comparison, the Germans have trained all of 200 police officers since December 2001 -- all of which disappeared in Kabul shortly after their release into the field. - Captain’s Quarters from a Scotsman story

Iraq – Germany officially united with France in 2003 to actively work to prevent the US from attacking Iraq. Did they ask Saddam to come clean to avoid being attacked? They did not. The Germans didn’t even go against the US because they were profiting from the Oil for Food money like the French and Russians were. They seem to have actually taken a ‘moral’ stand against the US.

Terrorists in Germany – Two terrorists in German custody have been convicted of being involved in the 9/11 attacks. Now the conviction of one has been overturned because the prosecution could not prove that he knew that his roommate was going to partake in the 9/11 attacks.

He did know that his roommate was a terrorist. After all they had both gone to terrorist school. He knew that Atta was in the US training for some sort of terrorist activity. Does it matter that he did not know the exact details of the plan? He probably did not. Even if he did, how much was he required to know? Did he need to know the flight number of the plane he was going to hijack? By Germany’s thinking, you are not guilty if you know that someone is planning to rob a bank and you do nothing provided that you don’t know the name of the bank they are planning to rob. This is an irresponsible government position.

The decision ended a years-long attempt by the federal prosecutors to prove his involvement in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Mzoudi was accused of training at an Al-Qaeda camp in Afghanistan and of handling money and paying bills on behalf of the terrorist cell in Hamburg that was responsible for the attacks in New York and Washington D.C. Mzoudi also once roomed in Hamburg with Mohammed Atta, the man considered the mastermind behind the attack.

Mzoudi's release set off a debate about whether the decision would influence the public prosecution's case against a fellow terror suspect and friend of his, Mounir El Motassadeq, who was the first person ever convicted in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The guilty verdict, however, was overturned in March 2004, because judges concluded he was also denied a fair trial because a key witness in U.S. jurisdiction was not allowed to testify.

So the Germans go and convict two terrorists and then acquit them. One of them was acquitted because the US would not give access to one of the top terrorists caught so that that person can testify that he was not part of the 9/11 attacks. What a load of bull. Why not bring in Osama Bin Laden to testify on your behalf. After all, the person was convicted meaning that there was evidence enough to prove he was a terrorist. Claiming that the US has killed/captured all the people who can prove that you are innocent and having a court let you go is not a way to fight terrorism. Nothing like letting terrorists walk free and claim that it’s the US’s fault. (Yet another reason to find another way to try these people outside of our criminal court system.) Just to prove how bogus this excuse is, look what happened when one was asked to testify against the other. Can you guess the result?

(AFP) - 15 June 2005 - HAMBURG, Germany - An acquitted terror suspect refused to testify on Wednesday at the retrial in Germany of a fellow Moroccan student accused of involvement in the planning of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

A lawyer for Abdelghani Mzoudi, whose not-guilty verdict was upheld in a federal court last week, said he would run the risk of being prosecuted again if he told the court what he knew about the defendant, Mounir El Motassadeq.

Both Mzoudi and Motassadeq, friends of three September 11 suicide hijackers who were based in the northern German port city of Hamburg, faced separate trials here for complicity in the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon which killed some 3,000 people.

In the end, Germany is letting two persons trained in terrorist activities go free.

Zacharias Moussaoui - The German Government has been on record that they have evidence against him, but so far have refused to share it on the grounds that the US Government will use it to convict him and then sentence him to death.

The US has so far refused to eliminate the death penalty as a possible sentence, so the German Government will instead sit back and take the side of the terrorist and not assist in his prosecution. This sort of activity is an example of how Germany fails to respect the laws of the US. Sure the death penalty has been banned in Europe, but this crime did not take place in Europe. Mr. Moussaoui came to the US under his own steam and in doing so volunteered to come under US jurisdiction and our laws. Germany then decided to try and prevent the US from pursuing justice under its own laws. Thankfully, after two years of Zacharias Moussaoui ‘terrorizing’ the court acting in his own defense, he finally plead guilty.

Mohammed Ali Hammadi - Convicted terrorist who was serving a life sentence for “murder, hijacking, hostage taking, and illegal importation of explosives” in Germany. He was a member of the team that hijacked the TWA flight in 1985. During the hijacking the terrorists brutally beat and killed Navy Diver Robert Stethem before tossing his body out of the plane onto the runway tarmac. The Germans recently decided that 19 years was enough time served for a life sentence and set him free.

I remember watching the event on TV and the images are clear in my mind to this day. It is something that I think about when traveling around the world. This man was not the type of criminal that should ever have seen another day of freedom. He was a terrorist and the Germans let him walk free like a commen criminal who has completed his jailtime.

Current and former American officials said they had pushed for two decades to gain custody of Hammadi and try him in a U.S. courtroom, but they ran into political and legal resistance from Germany. U.S. prosecutors originally sought Hammadi's extradition after he was arrested at the Frankfurt airport in 1987, but Germany denied the request and put him on trial locally instead.

Victoria Toensing, a former Justice Department official in the Reagan administration who oversaw efforts to extradite Hammadi in 1987, said German authorities threw obstacles in the way of U.S. prosecutors at that time and only reluctantly cooperated.

"They were not open at all," she recalled. "We knew he would be released early, way back then." - Washington Post

To get an idea of the type of animal this and the other TWA terrorists were, read the recent letter from the Stethem Family to President Bush.

Germany has a new Chancellor, Angela Merkel. One can hope that some new German leadership will clearly put Germany on our side. So far the signs don’t look good. Mrs. Merkel will be visiting the US and President Bush this week, and she intends to push the President to close the Gitmo Detention Camp.

Not exactly the best way to improve US German relations.

Update 18 February 06:

Thanks the the Atlantic Review for the link on their Carnival of US-German Relations.

The goal of the Carnival is to Promote Dialog Between Americans and Europeans on Transatlantic Issues. My post will promote dialog, but suspect that it will not be the right kind. No matter, there is a serious rift between the US and Europe and it will not go away with the end of the Bush Presidency. While the activity above it against the US, in the end I believe that it will probably hurt Germany more.

It is easy to find Americans that side with Europe. Are their any Germans who side with the US?

In addition to looking at the Atlantic Journal, read this post in the WSJ Opinion Journal titled "The German Chair, A tale of torture at the hands of an America-hating diplomat. " detailing a dinner experience with a "Senior German diplomat" in NY. It is a real eye-opener.

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Nato's Afghanistan troop dilemma - BBC
Army chiefs warn: 'We're not ready for Afghanistan' - Scotsman
Europe Botching Afghanistan Duties - Captain’s Quarters

Zacharias Moussaoui - Wikipedia
Mohammed Ali Hammadi - Wikipedia
TWA Flight 847 - Wikipedia
Hijacker Sought By U.S. Released - Washington Post
Vengeance Cometh - Macsmind

Lawyers Worry About 9/11 Convict's Future

US Rewards for Justice - $5 Million Reward for Robert Stethem’s murderers