How bin Laden emailed without being detected by US
By MATT APUZZO and ADAM GOLDMAN, Associated Press Matt Apuzzo And Adam Goldman, Associated Press – 52 mins ago WASHINGTON
– Despite having no Internet access in his hideout, Osama bin Laden was a prolific email writer who built a painstaking system that kept him one step ahead of the U.S. government's best eavesdroppers.
His methods, described in new detail to The Associated Press by a counterterrorism official and a second person briefed on the U.S. investigation, served him well for years and frustrated Western efforts to trace him through cyberspace. The arrangement allowed bin Laden to stay in touch worldwide without leaving any digital fingerprints behind.
The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive intelligence analysis.
Bin Laden's system was built on discipline and trust. But it also left behind an extensive archive of email exchanges for the U.S. to scour. The trove of electronic records pulled out of his compound after he was killed last week is revealing thousands of messages and potentially hundreds of email addresses, the AP has learned.
Holed up in his walled compound in northeast Pakistan with no phone or Internet capabilities, bin Laden would type a message on his computer without an Internet connection, then save it using a thumb-sized flash drive. He then passed the flash drive to a trusted courier, who would head for a distant Internet cafe.
At that location, the courier would plug the memory drive into a computer, copy bin Laden's message into an email and send it. Reversing the process, the courier would copy any incoming email to the flash drive and return to the compound, where bin Laden would read his messages offline.
It was a slow, toilsome process. And it was so meticulous that even veteran intelligence officials have marveled at bin Laden's ability to maintain it for so long. The U.S. always suspected bin Laden was communicating through couriers but did not anticipate the breadth of his communications as revealed by the materials he left behind.
Navy SEALs hauled away roughly 100 flash memory drives after they killed bin Laden, and officials said they appear to archive the back-and-forth communication between bin Laden and his associates around the world.
Al-Qaida operatives are known to change email addresses, so it's unclear how many are still active since bin Laden's death. But the long list of electronic addresses and phone numbers in the emails is expected to touch off a flurry of national security letters and subpoenas to Internet service providers. The Justice Department is already coming off a year in which it significantly increased the number of national security letters, which allow the FBI to quickly demand information from companies and others without asking a judge to formally issue a subpoena.
Officials gave no indication that bin Laden was communicating with anyone inside the U.S., but terrorists have historically used U.S.-based Internet providers or free Internet-based email services.
The cache of electronic documents is so enormous that the government has enlisted Arabic speakers from around the intelligence community to pore over it. Officials have said the records revealed no new terror plot but showed bin Laden remained involved in al-Qaida's operations long after the U.S. had assumed he had passed control to his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri.
The files seized from bin Laden's compound not only have the potential to help the U.S. find other al-Qaida figures, they may also force terrorists to change their routines. That could make them more vulnerable to making mistakes and being discovered.
No grave for Osama bin Laden, just like Che Guevara four decades earlier.
Read more: Death of Osama bin Laden
William J. Burns Under Secretary for Political Affairs Treaty Room Washington,
DC April 21, 2011
Thank you for joining us today to celebrate the accomplishments of four human rights champions. This Administration, and particularly Secretary Clinton, have made advancing human rights one of our top national security priorities. The events unfolding across the Middle East and North Africa remind us of the universal aspirations of women and men across the globe to live in dignity, to find freedom and opportunity, and to shape their own destinies.
They remind us that stability is not a static phenomenon, that political systems and leaderships that fail to respond to the legitimate aspirations of their people become more brittle, not more stable. And they remind us of the enduring significance of fundamental human rights for American interests around the world, and for what we stand for as a people and as a country.
The leaders we honor today have shown by example how to uphold the basic freedoms that are under threat in so many parts the world. First, the “Damas de Blanco” or the “Ladies in White” of Cuba. Damas de Blanco distinguishes itself not only by the depth of its commitment to the release of political prisoners, but by the full measure of its bravery in defense of human rights in Cuba. The Damas helped create the conditions that led to the release of the political prisoners arrested during the “Black Spring” crackdown of 2003.
With much of the battle for human rights in Cuba forced underground, the Damas de Blanco kept marching. And they keep on providing a poignant weekly reminder of the day-to-day repression that Cubans face. We stand alongside the Damas de Blanco in calling for the release of all remaining political prisoners; we are pleased to have Julia Nunez with us today to accept the Human Rights Defenders Award on behalf of Damas de Blanco. In her remarks two weeks ago on the release of the 2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Secretary Clinton noted, “Here at the State Department, human rights is a priority 365 days a year.” State Department Civil Service and Foreign Service Officers as well as Foreign Service Nationals tirelessly work to support the freedoms we all cherish. Today, I am honored to highlight the work of colleagues who have made a real difference around the globe in promoting human rights issues.
Ambassador Steve Beecroft’s advocacy for human rights in Jordan, including for women and children, persons with disabilities, and ethnic and religious minorities, is a superb example of the determination and commitment of our colleagues in diplomatic missions around the world. As his nomination by the Bureau of Near East Affairs makes clear: “Ambassador Beecroft’s clear vision, brilliant strategy, and tireless advocacy have resulted in the country re-engaging across the board on a broad range of human rights issues, with progress on both individual cases and systemic reform. He saw opportunities for progress even when the environment seemed barren, and nurtured them patiently to fruition using personal diplomacy, public engagement, and targeted assistance programs for government and civil society. ” It is not only our Ambassadors who promote human rights.
We honor today two officers serving in two different parts of the world who have demonstrated integrity and innovation in their work to protect and defend universal freedoms of expression, assembly, association, and freedom of religion. They are Holly Lindquist Thomas of the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan and Christian Marchant of U.S. Embassy Hanoi. Holly has made a critical difference in the lives of individuals and their families in Uzbekistan. She made key contributions in persistent approaches to the Government of Uzbekistan that led to the release of businessman and opposition leader Sanjar Umarov. Holly’s surveys around the country, on the issue of child labor during the cotton harvest, provided first-hand information on the underlying causes of this phenomenon and the true conditions of children. In Vietnam, Christian has been a persuasive advocate for Vietnam’s beleaguered dissident community, serving as a conduit for imprisoned dissidents, their families and the outside world, and working to ensure that the bilateral Human Rights dialogue produces concrete results. In one case, literally on the courthouse steps, Christian’s intercession prevented a political activist from being beaten.
We congratulate all four of you. You richly deserve these awards. In recognizing your service, we also honor the human rights defenders and civil society activists who are doing hard work every day in every part of the world to turn the ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into reality.
Thank you.
Bay of Pigs vets get a salute from Congress
The House and Senate recognized the brave efforts of Bay of Pigs survivors who 50 years ago sought to bring democracy to communist Cuba.
BY LESLEY CLARK lclark@MiamiHerald.com WASHINGTON
-- Fifty years ago, a group of Cuban exiles who eagerly volunteered for a clandestine mission to topple Fidel Castro were left largely abandoned in Cuba when U.S. support for the mission evaporated.
The Bay of Pigs would go down as one of the United States’ biggest strategic blunders. More than 100 men were killed, including four U.S. pilots. And Castro remained at the helm – his brother, Raúl, succeeding him only five years ago.
But the survivors of Brigade 2506 have never lost their resolve, and on Wednesday, eight of the estimated 1,100 surviving members basked in a congressional salute that included a resolution put into the Senate Record and remarks from the floor of the House.
“Though the operation was not successful, the dedication and commitment that these brave individuals illustrated during the conflict was exceptional,’’ Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami, said from the House floor. “The men who fought courageously on that historic day came from many backgrounds, but all cared for the freedom and liberty of Cuba.”
The men were in their teens and 20s when they left to fight Castro. Their hearing has faded and they’re not as spry as the infantrymen, paratroopers and frogmen they once were. But they beamed as Ros-Lehtinen took them around the Capitol, introducing them as “proud patriots” to everyone — from Capitol police officers to her fellow members of Congress.
“These guys are ever at it, their fervor ever present,” Ros-Lehtinen said to a colleague in an elevator. “The flame of liberty is still burning bright.”
The veterans mark the anniversary of the invasion each and every April 17 and honor those who died. But they said it’s the first time they’ve been so celebrated in Congress.
“In 50 years we’ve not had anything like this," said Max Cruz, 73, as he sat at lunch listening to a series of senators and House members thank the veterans for their service. “This one is really special.’’
They heard from Cuban-American members of Congress, including Miami Republican Rep’s. Mario Diaz-Balart and David Rivera, and Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., as well as Florida Sen. Bill Nelson and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, who called them “an inspiration.”
“I’m leaving the Senate in two years,” Lieberman noted. “And I’ll tell you, I’d sure like to see Castro go before I leave.”
Sen. Marco Rubio, a Miami Republican who was born in the United States to Cuban parents a decade after the Bay of Pigs, credited the veterans for “keeping watch over this issue.’’
“Younger people, like myself, who have never known Cuba, have never visited there, feel aligned with that cause because they kept it alive,” Rubio said.
Amado Cantillo, trained as a frogman for the assault, said he never expected the CIA-trained, U.S.-led exile group to lose to Castro – though at one point the 1,500 men faced 60,000 members of Castro’s military.
“Unfortunately we all know what happened,” he said, referring to the U.S. decision not to order more air raids. “I always thought we were going to go back.”
With the Castros still firmly in power, some said they’re pessimistic about changes to Cuba but buoyed by the explosion of Cuban bloggers and activists taking on the government. Several said they remain confident they’ll see democracy in Cuba in their lifetime – or that of their children and grandchildren.
Orlando L Alfonso has sent you a news article.
Personal message: Hang They High And After Feed Them To The Great White Sharks.
Somali pirates capture supertanker, $150M of oil - Yahoo! News http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/piracy
President Obama Signs Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010
Tuesday, October 19th, 2010
On Friday, President Obama signed into law the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010. The signing of this bill gives the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Bob Papp, authorities to make changes and operate the Coast Guard to better serve the public.
“The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 provides us with authority to enhance the safety of U.S. ports and waterways, acquisition assistance to acquire state-of-the-art ships and aircraft to patrol America’s waters, and tools to promote individual readiness, including improvements to our family housing and child development centers,” said Adm. Papp in an ALCOAST on the subject adding, “I am particularly pleased with the modernization authority—it will allow us to finish our organizational realignment and enhance our ability to meet the high demand for our services.”
Finishing organizational realignment of the service means using the best processes to ensure Coast Guard men and women have the training, tools, and leadership necessary to safely and successfully fulfill our missions of maritime safety, security and stewardship.
Additional authorities granted within the Act validate the Coast Guard’s decision to take control of the process to replace aging cutters and aircraft, providing our men and women in uniform with state of the art platforms to conduct Coast Guard missions.
Finally, and significantly, the Act bolsters the Coast Guard’s authorities when it comes to combating smugglers of people and narcotics attempting to violate U.S. territorial waters.
“I could not be more pleased with this Authorization Act and want to thank the Administration and Congress for their support,” said Papp.
“The Act will help us remain always ready well into the future.” 
Cuban Gunboats built at Havana for the Cuban Navy.
"Cuban Gunboats"
Cuban exile Alberto Gutiérrez relentlessly denounces conditions in Cuba. I expressed surprise that no American academic or newsman had gone to Cuba to write a factual, authoritative report on conditions there. Alberto comments: "- I am sorry to say that the main objective of many academics who go to Cuba is have a chat with El Máximo Líder. Then they take a look around mainly in Havana and return claiming their "expertise" about education and health services there.
A report about racial discrimination, the suicide rate (one of the highest in the world), the daily life of a Cuban in comparison with the ruling elite, etc. is out of the question. Not many US universities are interested in those subjects. And the same goes for those enterprising journalists you mentioned. A Cuban professor from Florida International University will take some of her students to Havana for humanities classes. I requested a public clarification. I wondered in my note if the courses could be instead related to Inhumanities, considering the misery and oppression under Castro. So far my rather sarcastic note has been ignored".
RH: It is a sad situation, Those involved fear that were they to criticize Castro's Cuba, they would not be welcome again. Why does the Diario Las Américas not send someone to Cuba to write the report I suggested?
Cuba School Discipline
Randy Black described the discipline in Russian schools. Alberto Gutiérrez recalls his school days at the Academia Raymat, in Pinar del Río, many years ago: "There the students also stood when the teacher or any visitor entered the classroom. Those who misbehaved faced the stern principal, and were punished with a "correctivo", a detention after class doing lots of homework. The students were sent home with a note explaining the reason of the "correctivo". The note was expected back the next day after being duly acknowledged by a parent. The voice of the agriculture teacher was better than any sleeping pill. Consequently, I also learned to set my eyes as open as possible toward the teacher and released my mind into a world of clouds closer to the kingdom of Morpheus. It was not easy but to close one's eyes was unthinkable.
Then, at Mariel Naval Academy things didn't get any better. Reveille at 6 a.m. I was often hungry and sleepy. My classmates and I endured lots of hazing in the name of "discipline". After all, that was a military institution, and we were "gentlemen" midshipmen. Those concepts were also enforced when most midshipmen were cashiered after the revolutionary purge of 1959, and those few spared became merchant marine cadets. Spherical Trigonometry and Solid Geometry classes are the ordeals l remember most. The two subjects were taught by a highly qualified lieutenant commander who didn't realize that we lacked his brains. At least the ensign who taught Nautical Astronomy was more approachable.
In 1960, during the time I attended Havana University, I noticed there a definitive breakdown of discipline That year many professors were purged, having been denounced by other professors and their own students for alleged past sins and a lack of zeal for Castro. However, it was in the US where I finally realized that sometimes students were allowed to sleep in class.
Unfortunately, with the years discipline and respect for teachers in this country have declined to an alarming degree. A close relative of mine who has been an excellent teacher for many years finally is ready to quit ."At this point I don't know who are worse: the students or their parents", she told me recently, disillusioned with the outlook"
RH: The disgraceful episodes in American schools should have led to the imposition of more discipline, but that seems not to have happened. Remember the motto of William of Wyckham: "Manners make man".
Ships and shipbuilding
Alberto Gutierrez answers a question about ship building in Cuba: "Under Castro, today shipbuilding in Cuba is a shambles.
Shipbuilding reached its peak in Havana during the second half of the XVIII century with the launching of men-of-war such as "Santísima Trinidad", the flagship of the Franco-Spanish fleet at the battle of Trafalgar. Havana was a main shipyard of the Spanish Navy , taking advantage of the fine Cuban timber available in those days. Once, in San Lorenzo del Escorial, a member of my family sternly reminded a tour guide of the Cuban origin of the timber used in that palace/monastery, other Spanish palaces and in many sailing units of the Spanish Navy.
At the beginning of the last century, shipbuilding in Cuba was no longer important. In 1911 the small cruisers "Cuba "and "Patria" were launched in Philadelphia. Since then the Cuban navy relied on units leased from the US. A few gunboats with wooden hull were built in Havana. There were many Cuban-made schooners for commercial fishing, and the steamboats of "Compañía Naviera de Cuba"(the Cuban shipping company) were used for coastal trade. First the railroads, and finally the Carretera Central (the central highway )from Pinar del Río to Santiago de Cuba after 1931 led to the elimination of most maritime traffic between Cuban ports. During World War II four old Cuban cargo ships were torpedoed by German submarines. After the war, foreign shipping companies, mainly US, British , Norwegian and Spanish, controlled the maritime traffic from Cuba to other countries. The little publicized "floating railroad"( railroad wagons full of cargo on their own wheels were rolled on and off cargo ships), operated between Havana and South Florida from 1945 until Castro took over Cuba, receding the container concept . In 1948 the Cuban merchant marine established a regular service to several US ports. By the mid fifties, in spite of an incongruous collection of old ships , there were reasons to expect better days ahead: a dry dock was built in Havana for repairs, and six new freighters of small tonnage (four British and two Japanese) were ordered. After 1959 Castro was also keenly interested in developing a merchant fleet called "Lineas Mambisas de Navegación " . His first acquisition was the "Sierra Maestra"', an oddly designed freighter built in East Germany. Other cargo vessels were built in Poland and Spain. Between 1961 and 1965 the Cuban shipbuilding experienced a brief revival with the assembling of a modern fishing fleet in Havana . However, after the seventies, mismanagement and Castro's "grandiose " whims in Africa and elsewhere, sealed the fate of what seemed a promising future at sea. Some freighters were used to transport troops, and fishing boats carried weapons for the guerrillas in Venezuela and other countries. With the end of the Soviet subvention in the nineties the lack of maintenance, and even the unsanitary conditions and contamination aboard all those ships increased, causing the death of 37 seamen in assorted accidents. Today the grossly underpaid and understaffed Cuban merchant marine is a disarray of ships mostly "camouflaged" with foreign flags to avoid US economic sanctions and the obligations to foreign creditors. Just taking a look at the sad conditions of Paula Pier in Havana, anyone can see the current situation of shipbuilding in Cuba.
Ronald Hilton
Date: Monday, August 9, 2010, 1:17 PM
Dear Sr. Gutierrez, I really highly appreciate your prompt reply. Many thanks for your information. I will keep checking the Foro Naval for any additional information.
Wishing you and all Cuban seamen all the best and very best regards.
Faithfully, Nikolay Savov
Hello Webmaster, could you help me to find Sr. Miguel Antonio Gallego Boch. He was a teacher at the Naval Academy in Mariel. We are classmates at the Naval Academy in Varna, Bulgaria and we graduated in 1981.
Since 1982 he was a teacher in Mariel. I saw him for last time in 1982 in Cienfuegos where I was on board a Bulgarian merchant ship. Since that time I have no news from him. Please help me to establish contact with him and to survive a longtime friendship. My name is Nikolay Savov, email: nikisavov@gmail.com.
Many, many thanks in advance and very best regards from Varna,Bulgaria.
Nikolay Savov
The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer at a staggering rate.
Once upon a time, the United States had the largest and most prosperous middle class in the history of the world, but now that is changing at a blinding pace. So why are we witnessing such fundamental changes? Well, the globalism and "free trade" that our politicians republicans and democrats, and business leaders and bankers, insisted would be so good for us to have, had some rather nasty side effects.It turns out that they didn't tell us that the "global economy" would mean that middle class American workers would eventually have to directly compete for jobs with people on the other side of the world where there is no minimum wage and very few regulations.
The big global corporations have greatly benefited by exploiting third world labor pools over the last several decades, but middle class American workers have increasingly found things to be very tough.
There was a time when the United States criticized the Latin American Countries because they had only two classes--the poor and the rich; now the United States is becoming one of them. This is already creating havoc in this country.
“ The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public’s money”
Alexis De Tocqueville
Our Naval Forum is a place to honor our naval heritage, explore its unresolved debates, uncover new information, and respectfully stimulate an honest, thoughtful discussion between all of our members. Our visitors want to read both current and historical information about Naval and Maritime events in Cuba and sometimes they have a point of view, which they wish to respectfully express and discuss. We welcome that. By inviting comments and aggregating a balance of views all on one site, we hope to explore a wide range of thoughts.
The goal is a thoughtful, authoritative analysis about our current political situation and our naval history, with our visitors who are willing to respectfully state and defend their opinions and participants ready to offer additional commentary.
We do insist on the following:
The Webmaster moderate comments and will remove any that violate these standards, or anything else that is offered with what is deemed negative intent. The Webmaster only post content from our archives to give a voice to the past. The opinions of our visitors expressed here are their opinions and not necessarily those of the editors of the Circulo Naval.
We also hope for the following:
Comment thoughtfully. Be ready to support and defend your positions. When you can, cite your “authority” for stating a position. Be open to all counter-arguments, and do not be dismissive of honestly expressed opposite views. It is the debate and exchange that is most valuable.Out of the Shadows: "Bay of Pigs"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWQCBL5uJr4
In Honor of the Grandson of Ing. Orlando L.
Alfonso who died in combat in Afghanistan 
Going Through A Very Tough Time...
My Grandson (USMC Captain) Was KIA Two Weeks Ago In Afghanistan...
We Will Pull Through This With The Man Upstairs' Mercy...
Orlando L. Alfonso
LORD...
Make Me An Instrument Of Your Peace; Where There Is Hatred, Let Me Sow Love; Where There Is Injury Pardon; Where There Is Doubt, Faith; Where There Is Despair, Hope; Where There Is Darkness, Light; Where There Is Sadness, Joy...
Saint Francis Of Assisi.
Memorial Monument To the Americans and Cuban Pilots of the Liberation Air Force of the Assault Brigade 2506
The monument was built to honor and as a permanent tribute the ten Cuban pilots of the 2506 Brigade "Liberation Air Force", four American Central Intelligence Agency volunteer pilots and two aircraft technicians, members of the 2506 Brigade, who perished during the air strikes and landings of the ill-fated invasion of the Bay of Pigs, Cuba, on April 17, 1961.
Flight operations for the attack were coordinated by the Central Intelligence Agency and the Alabama Air National Guard. A total of seventeen B-26 fighter-bombers were used in training and designated for the eventual implementation of the planned air strikes. However, due to political considerations, last minute orders from the Kennedy Administration reduced the total flight operations to a minimal task force of eight, which compromised the operation and resulted in its failure.
The monument is a obelisk within a five-pointed star surrounded by a circle, all in a field of red. To the west are the five blue and white bands of the Cuban flag. Atop the bands is a restored B-26 fighter similar to the aircraft used by the Liberation Air Force pointing towards Cuba.
The Cuban Pilots Association joins the entire Cuban exile community in remembering those martyrs, who by falling in an honorable action, left a wake of glory under the Cuban sky.
Their memory will help ensure that the exiled Cuban community, as well as its American allies, achieves and preserves the freedom for Cuba that they sought through the sacrifice of their lives.
Date : April 17, 2010
For more information clik the following link"Monument to the Pilots of the Brigade 2506 Air Force
Naval and Pilots Officers of the Assault Brigade 2506.
Armando Rodriguez Alonso
CO Sub-Chaser Tejana
