Vanunu's Opponents Turn Violent as Nuclear Whistleblower is Freed

[G_j]

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0421-03.htm

Published on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 by the Agence France Presse

Vanunu's Opponents Turn Violent as Nuclear Whistleblower is Freed


SHIKMA PRISON, Israel - Jubilant cries of "hero" were mingled with hate-filled threats of violence as Mordechai Vanunu walked to freedom after 18 years in prison for lifting the lid on Israel's nuclear program.

Leaping up on the bars of the prison gates, the 49-year-old nuclear whistleblower flashed the victory sign at the emotional crowds, drawing a rousing cheer from his supporters and a hail of foul-mouthed curses from his enemies.

..more..

[ConcernedCanuk]

1. I wonder if Vanunu will just "disappear" ?

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I mean how would anyone know?

From the article:

"Israeli officials confirmed Tuesday that Vanunu would be subjected to an unprecedented set of stringent security restrictions which would bar him from leaving the country, from approaching any port or airport or making contact with foreigners without prior authorization."

It's the last part, "making contact with foreigners"

I guess he can't have Internet access now can he?

A Vanunu blog could be VERY interesting.

And his phone, if he's allowed one, would have to be monitored/blocked.

I'm quite sure that Sharon would like to see him dead, and the only real protection that Vanunu has is his publicity.

But "accidents" happen, and Sharon already feels he can do what he wants when it comes to "protecting" Israel.

Even though Vanunu says he has no more secrets to tell, the fact that Israel is going to such extremes to keep him "incommunicado" indicates otherwise.

What IS Israel hiding? :shrug:

[0007]

5. ....this is an excellent account of Mordecai Vanunu

http://users.cyberone.com.au/myers/vanunu.html

Loaded with information, definitely a keeper. Book Mark It!!

[ConcernedCanuk]

6. Thanks, things disappear off the net these days, so it's "saved" to my HD

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And the author is kind enough to include the URL in the text!

Any hoo, here's a brief excerpt:

Looking back, I can say that the 1980s were a mean decade perverted in their lack of humanity. It would be too easy to say simply that I regret my role - though I am deeply sorry for the human suffering of the Iranians and Iraqis. I also regret that Israel continued to develop its capacity for nuclear destruction and that we were unable to bring about peace with the Palestinians.

But I do not regret that my experience allowed me to see firsthand how secret intelligence agencies increasingly dominate the

{p. 352} foreign policy of nations like the United States and Israel. Whereas once intelligence was supposed to inform leaders and guide them in making policy decisions, today covert intelligence operations and foreign policy are too often inseparable, one and the same. The tools of secret slush fund money, covert operations, and disinformation have been used on such a grand scale that they have changed the nature of the entire political process. A handful of people never elected by anyone are now able to manipulate politics.
____________________________________________________________________

That's the truth, and we may NEVER know who is pulling the strings behind our "puppets".

And the comments at the end of the article, about raising the world's consciousness to the fact that it is ISRAEL that has the nukes in the Middle East, and that the USA helped them get rid of their enemy in Iraq where there WERE no nukes.

I still fear for Vanunu

And our world.

[Voltaire99]

2. Brave man

It is the nature of repressive governments to crush men like Vanunu. But here he stands, unbroken: a moral light for Israelis of conscience.

Think Saddam dreamt of WMDs? UN weapons inspectors should be turning Israel upside down.

[Zhade]

7. Amen. Very well-said.

NT!

[dfong63]

3. a hero triumphs

[Stone_Spirits]

4. Nuclear Hero's 'Crime' Was Making Us Safe

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0421-06.htm

Nuclear Hero's 'Crime' Was Making Us Safe, by Daniel Ellsberg