Algeria and the GIA

Hi, a quick question--I'm confused by Jacob Mundy's article on Algeria. It states a lot of facts but then does not summarize or review the implications, so I feel that I need to ask for clarification.

The article seems to state that Ahmed Ressam was linked with the GIA, that the GIA is sponsored by the Algerian Government (our new pals in the war against terror), and that the GIA tried to fly a plane into the Eiffel Tower. The implication is that we are supporting Ahmed Ressam's group, a group that tried to carry out a 9/11-style attack. Is this correct?

Also, what is the Algerian government doing supporting an Islamic group? I thought these Islamic groups were the government's enemy. Is the GIA like a company union? The face of Islam that is tolerable to the government? (The article said the GIA was "government-supported.")

So if the GIA works for the Algerian government, who is its enemy? Other Islamic groups? I'll buy that, but then why does it carry out terrorist attacks in France (and try to carry them out in the US)? Is France aligned with the bona fide insurgents, the hardline Islamic groups? Somehow I doubt it.

It may be that I am just missing something--I'm not feeling super sharp today--but if not, please help me with these questions or forward them to the author. You can print this letter or not, but what I'm mostly interested in are the answers (but I guess other readers might find them interesting as well).

--Dan Tenenbaum, Seattle

To answer your questions, by supporting the Algerian government, the US is not supporting Ahmed Ressam and the kind of Algerian terrorists who attempted to fly a plane into the Eiffel tower. Instead the US will be supporting an oppressive, antidemocratic regime.

Waiting to Inhale

I'm a high school student out of PA, and I highly enjoy your newspaper, as it is the only place I can find the whole story. Mainstream media is worthless, and I am frightened at the effect it has on American people. It's startling to think that it has always been this way. I wonder if you could email me a few good sites for unbiased, full story coverage of the world situation. Not just our "war" against poor Afghan people, but on things that go down from day to day. You seem to cite the British press a lot, that'd be helpful. What's the BBC's website? I caught the article where you listed several Middle Eastern sites, as well as a few British ones, but have not had the chance to check them out. I wonder if you'd be kind enough to give me any sites where you get your news that may have been left out. ETS! is a breath of fresh air when it comes to news, and I'd appreciate it if you could help me avoid suffocation.

Andrew Billman, via e-mail

MT replies: We ran a list of good sources in our November 7, 2001, issue (Vol. 6, No. 6). The British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) website can be found at news.bbc.co.uk. Another good place to start is at www.yahoo.com. From the main page, scroll down to "News & Media" and click on "Full Coverage." This gives you access to stories arranged by topics and/or countries from different sources around the world. If you want to find a specific newspaper, go to "News & Media" and click on "Newspapers."

Police Tactics

I read of tactics by SPD, which brought back memories of when I lived in Seattle.

I had the privilege of SPD protection at a homeless rally in the University District, where they had to enter a coffee house to show their intelligence. SPD did a good job at another rally of protecting Neo-Nazis and riding their horses over the violent "Peace Heathens."

The police in Atlanta, with the help of security guards at CNN, pushed antiwar protesters at a November 10 rally critical of CNN's non-coverage of the war. One was arrested for criminal trespass for not moving fast enough, though there were tourists in the same area. Two others got arrested for wearing scarves, under an anti-mask law passed to unmask the Klan.

It makes an old Vietnam veteran against the war feel the war is at home again.

Oceab in Atlanta, GA

ETS! encourages comments, feedback, tips, corrections, and info! Please keep them as concise as possible so we can print as many different voices as possible: ETS!, P.O. Box 85541, Seattle WA 98145, or e-mail ets@scn.org.