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Showing posts from May 20, 2012

Anonymous hackers to attack from 9 June

livemint.com Mumbai: Anonymous, an activist collective (it does not like to be called a group) known to hack the websites of governments and companies worldwide if it believes they impinge on Internet privacy or the freedom of speech, has planned attacks on Indian portals from 9 June to protest censorship of content in the country. An Anonymous hacker, who used the pseudonym <~BitMentor> to moderate an online conference of the collective on Friday, made the announcement and pasted a link containing a list of sites allegedly blocked by Reliance Communications Ltd without a court order. “Reliance is not going to be the only one, any and all who try to kill free speech and Internet freedom will have the same effect,” BitMentor said in the Web chat. Anonymous is a secretive Internet meme that originated in 2003, its members largely unknown to each other, to fight any move it deems is against free speech on the Internet. India’s government has in recent months attempted to

Suicide car bomber kills 19 in Iraq

The bombing in the town of Taji, about 12 miles (20 kilometers) north of the capital, is the third major attack in about a week in Iraq, and raises questions about the ability of the nation’s security forces to protect the country after US troops leave in just over a month. A police officer said the attacker struck the main gate of Al-Hout prison at 8:00 a.m. local time, when many employees and guards were on their way to work. Ten policemen were among the dead and the rest were civilians, he added. At least 22 people were wounded. Police officials said the death toll was raised after cleanup crews found more bodies while removing debris at the site. Two health officials in nearby hospitals confirmed the causality figures. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the prison attack, but suicide bombings generally are a hallmark of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. Guards and policemen fired

Syrian Massacre Kills 90, Activists Say

Syrian activists are saying that more than 90 people were killed, 25 of whom were children, in the worst massacre since the U.N. ceasefire began in March. Outside news agencies are not allowed in Syria, and the Syrian government-run SANA has been mum about the supposed attack, but activists are report news of the massacre and uploading raw video onto YouTube, showing bodies in the Houla area. The U.N. is working to confirm reports of the massacre, according to the AP. The Daily Mail reports that Syrian troops used tanks, mortars, and heavy machine guns to pound the areas around Houla, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Co-ordination Committees. Both of the rights groups initially stated that at least 50 people were killed in the Hom region, which is made up of many towns, according to The Daily Mail. Now, however, they estimate at least 88 are dead and 100 more wounded, making it the most deadly attack since UN Peacekeeper Kofi Annan declared a c

Moscow ruled out alternative to "strong hand" in Caucasus

The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi is approaching. The current social and criminogenic situation in the North Caucasus and breakaway Abkhazia is a clear danger to its holding. Despite many attempts, stable environment still cannot be established in the region for the last two decades and it clearly would be impossible to do this in the remaining time. Particular alarm in the Russian government circles was caused by the sixth attempt on life of the so-called "president" of Abkhazia Alexander Ankvab. They "complained" that local law enforcement officers missed a process of preparation and implementation of such large-scale military-operative operation where dozens of people, including well-known figures, were involved. The attack on Ankvab is investigated by quite a large group sent from Moscow consisting of representatives of different areas and directions of the intelligence service. Their first opinions and comments indicate that Moscow will try to fully use r

US radio correspondent, translator held in Ethiopia ‎

US radio correspondent, translator held in Ethiopia (AFP) – 9 hours ago   WASHINGTON — A Voice of America (VOA) correspondent and his translator were arrested Friday in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa while covering an anti-government protest, the US government-funded broadcaster said. VOA said on its website that Peter Heinlein and interpreter Simegineh Yekoye were held when trying to interview protesters from the Muslim minority who have been demonstrating against alleged government interference in their affairs. In a formal statement, VOA said it is "working to gather more information" about his status. "The safety and welfare of our reporters is our utmost concern," it said. "We have been in contact with State Department officials and will release details as soon as they are available," VOA said. "We urge Ethiopian authorities to allow Mr. Heinlein to carry out his journalistic responsibilities without interference," it

Chechnya: non- exonerated community

By Timur Utsayev, exclusively to VK The ancestors of the Vainakh people used to say that you should look into the past before searching for answers in the future. When Chechens bring up the tragic events they have had to live through, they always say that God never sends calamities without positive sides, that they should come to the correct conclusions and prevent future mistakes. On May10 Chechnya marked the National Day of Memory and Grief. Last year the Chechen government united all the tragic dates of Chechen history (because many of them coincided with Russian national festivals) and moved them to this date. From now on May 10 is the day when Chechens commemorate the events of Stalin's deportation, the victims of the two wars, the death of the first President of the republic and many other tragic events. Chechen public organizations suggested that this day would not only be a day of memory, but a day of repentance, and called for the victims of deportation and counter-

Maoist hideout busted in Chhattisgarh, arms seized

25 May 2012, 11:33 PM Maoist hideout busted in Chhattisgarh Manpur (Chhattisgarh): Police here have busted a Maoist hideout and seized a cache of illegal arms including crude rockets, capable of launching high-intensity attacks. The police also recovered several guns, bullets, cell phones and 14 calling cards of various networks. Investigations are on to ascertain the weapons’ manufacturer and the number of militants injured in the shootout. Speaking to mediapersons here, Ramnivas, the Additional Director General of Police, Chhattisgarh said, "The crude rocket is generally used for attacks. They are very effective, and if somebody is attacked, casualty will take place for sure." source http://post.jagran.com/maoist-hideout-busted-in-chhattisgarh-arms-seized-1337969010

Giving in to Naxals a big danger

The morale of Naxals has been bolstered when they succeeded in getting their associates freed by holding some VIPs hostage in Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Recently, they called for Bharat Bandh which partially affected the normal life in Jharkhand. The move spurred the enthusiasm and verve of the Naxals. It should not be considered as trivial matter. There may be ulterior motive behind it, as the Naxal menace has reached alarming proportions at the national level. It’s another matter that the Naxals are not active even in the one-fourth of the country. But the government’s lackadaisical attitude in curbing the menace may prove beneficial for the Naxals. Given the weak internal security and government’s halfhearted approach in checking red terrors, it does not seem that we can succeed in fending off security threat to the country in near future. Naxals are still engaged in loot, abduction, levying, setting up parallel courts, holding innocent people hostage and killing them. Their audaci

Maoism: Need to amend laws to overcome the menace

Anniversaries are generally moments of celebration and looking ahead. It is notable then that at the dinner marking the eight anniversary of the UPA, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke of his government's lack of success at surmounting the Naxal 'menace'. In some measure, the government's lack of success can be attributed to its inability to gain the confidence of the tribal population in these Naxal-affected areas. It hasn't been able to counter the stories of exploitation, alienation and neglect of the tribal population. The human mind thinks in terms of narratives, often their reaction to situations is based on stories of their own and those of others. The confidence of a large group tends to revolve around stories. The Naxals know this, and the Indian state appears to have forgotten the vital role that stories play in building confidence. In the vast forests of Dadakaranya, stretching from eastern Maharashtra to southern Chhattisgarh to western Odisha, t

Rising abduction cases give sleepless nights to cops

RANCHI: The sudden spurt in abduction in Simdega district has given sleepless night to police as the kidnapping is done by CPI (Maoist) and its two splinter groups - the People Liberation Front of India (PLFI) and the Pahari Cheeta. In the past few months, the rebels have abducted at least 20 people including an elderly school teacher for ransom. police sources said in the past two-three months, more than 20 cases of abduction came to light. Of them, around 10 were registered in different police stations. The school teacher saved his life by paying Rs 50,000 to the abductors. "Around 50% cases are not reported to police as family members fear threat to life of the victim," said a source. Simdega SP Prabhat Kumar confirmed that police were in a tight situation because of rise in number of abduction cases in the district. "All rebel groups operating in the district have adopted this as a means to generate money. The three main groups which are engaged in abduction are

Cop shot dead by communist rebels

Saturday, May 26, 2012 A POLICE officer was shot dead Thursday afternoon by suspected communist rebels in Barangay Umagos, Lagonglong town in Misamis Oriental, a top police official said. Killed was Police Officer 1 Al Tinampay, a resident of Lagonglong town and was assigned as intelligence operative at the Lagonglong Municipal Police Station. Senior Superintendent Graciano Mejares, Misamis Oriental Provincial Police director, told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that the victim was shot dead around 3:25 p.m. Thursday while conducting intelligence surveillance in Barangay Umagos. Mejares said the victim was shot by five suspected members of the Sparrow Unit of the New People’s Army (NPA). The attackers, who were reportedly armed with .45 caliber handguns, approached the victim and fired at him at close range. Tinampay succumbed to two gunshot wounds in the head. Authorities recovered some empty shells of .45 caliber at the crime scene. Mejares said they cannot determine yet the

Rebel attack on airport not true

Saturday, May 26, 2012 THE Misamis Oriental Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) cried foul over reports of a possible attack on the Laguindingan International Airport allegedly by the New People’s Army (NPA). Teddy Sabugaa, PPOC executive director, said the reports that came out in one radio station in the city have no basis, though he expressed apprehension on the report. “That is not true. Mura man hinuon og gipagsabong niini ang Provincial Government ug ang NPA,” Sabugaa said in a radio interview. Sabugaa’s statement came in reaction to reports that the NPA is planning to attack the Laguindingan International Airport. Because of this, the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office has reportedly put up a police base patrol in the area. However, Police Superintendent Ronnie Francis Cariaga clarified that the base patrol was established at the airport for “preventive measure only,” following the recent attack of the NPA at the construction site of the Internati

Uzbekistan: Rights Defender Threatened, Attacked

Uzbek authorities should ensure the security of the human rights activist Gulshan Karaeva, who was attacked and threatened after she publicly refused to become a government informant. (New York) - Uzbek authorities should ensure the security of the human rights activist Gulshan Karaeva, who was attacked and threatened after she publicly refused to become a government informant, Human Rights Watch said today. Karaeva, head of the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan (HRSU) branch in Kashkadarya, a region in southern Uzbekistan, published a letter on the internet on May 5, 2012, to report that she had refused a demand by Uzbekistan's National Security Services (SNB) to cooperate with the agency as an informant. Days later, she experienced a series of attacks and threats on the street. "Mob violence and acts of intimidation against rights defenders through apparent government proxies have become all too common in Uzbekistan," said Steve Swerdlow, Central Asia Researcher

Tajikistan & Uzbekistan: A Feud that is a Fly in Central Asia’s Ointment

May 23, 2012 - 11:26am, by Stephen Blank Persistent feuding between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan has troubling implications for the future of Afghanistan. Relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have been frosty for most of the post- Soviet era, but they have taken a particularly nasty turn lately. Uzbek leaders are now maintaining an economic blockade on Tajikistan, halting rail traffic and interrupting electricity supplies. The font of discord appears to be Tajikistan’s efforts to build the Rogun hydropower plant. Uzbek authorities fear Rogun would diminish the amount of water available for their country’s all important cotton sector, as well as weaken Tashkent’s political leverage in Central Asia. The three most influential powers operating in Central Asia – the United States, China and Russia -- are all keenly interested in easing Tajik-Uzbek tension. But they appear to have few instruments at their disposal to compel Tashkent to ease up on Dushanbe. From the US perspective

Security beefed up at German magazine after threat

BERLIN — German officials say they've taken security measures at a popular German magazine and for members of a small far-right party after a known terrorist called for them to be attacked in a video online. The video surfaced May 18 on YouTube following street clashes between an ultraconservative Muslim group and the far-right Pro NRW party in Bonn. The Salafist protesters were upset by Pro NRW signs showing unfavorable cartoons depicting Islam's Prophet Muhammad. In it, Bonn-born Yassin Chouka, who is believed to be with the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region, calls for Muslims to kill Pro NRW members. He also calls for the murder of Der Spiegel employees for printing pictures showing the cartoons. Security officials said Tuesday they worry the message could inspire lone-wolf attacks. Source http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501714_162-57438927/security-beefed-up-at-german-magazine-after-threat/

FARC leader lives at Chavez's brother's house: Priest

The FARC's top leader reportedly lives at the estate of the Venezuelan president's brother, reported local media. In an interview with RCN Radio, priest and Venezuelan journalist, Father Jose Palmar, said FARC leader Rodrigo Londoño, alias "Timoshenko," and two other members of the FARC secretariat frequently spend the night at the estate of Adam Chavez, brother of President Hugo Chavez and governor of the Venezuelan state of Barinas. "Part of the FARC Secretariat live in Venezuela," said Palmar who is a priest in the Venezuelan city of Maricaibo and often crosses the border. "That I can assure you," he added. Palmar is an open critic of the Chavez government and swears that the 19th, 41st and 59th fronts of the FARC operate with impunity in the Venezuelan state of Zuila. It is from here, he claims, that they organize raids in Colombia, such as the attack by the 59th Front Monday which killed 12 Colombian soldiers in the department of La Guaj

Venezuela makes 10 arrests for deadly Colombia raid

BOGOTA -- Venezuela on Friday said it had detained 10 people suspected of participating in a cross-border raid Monday that killed 12 Colombian soldiers and has fueled political tensions in both nations. The men are being turned over to Colombian authorities to verify if they have ties to guerrillas from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, Venezuelan Minister of Defense Henry Rangel said in a release. The FARC are accused of using Venezuela as a safe haven to stage attacks, including Monday’s deadly raid in northern Colombia, which also left four soldiers injured. Venezuela responded to the attack by sending an additional 3,000 troops to the border. From Zulia state, along Colombia’s border, Rangel said that any rebels crossing the border would be caught thanks to the “iron hand and the work” of the Venezuelan military. But the announcement is unlikely to appease critics who have accused Colombian President Juan Manuel Santo of being too soft on the FARC and to

Dublin conference on geopolitics highlights need for critical solidarity

[TamilNet, Friday, 25 May 2012, 23:40 GMT] Activists from Kurdistan, Colombia, Ireland and the island of Sri Lanka, talking about the role geopolitics played in determining peace-processes and conflict in various cases, informed a mixed audience of activists, academics and journalists of the nuances of their respective cases connecting it with larger trends at an event organized at Trinity College, Dublin on Thursday. The public meeting titled ‘The Local and the Global: The Geopolitics of Peace and Conflict’, focussing on conflicts in Colombia, Kurdistan, Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka, elaborated on how different alignments of global interests influenced political outcomes at local levels. The conclusion of the conference saw the unanimous passing of a resolution that opposed the criminalization of political organizations like the FARC, PKK, LTTE that fought for political and democratic demands of peoples. The conference also underlined the need for oppressed groups to have solida

Ten Villagers Reportedly Kidnapped by Suspected PKK Terrorists

25 May 2012 Friday 15:50 PKK terrorists have reportedly stormed a village and kidnapped ten people in Turkey's southeast, the village headman told the Anadolu Agency. Aziz Dogan said PKK terrorists raided on Tuesday night two houses in Bayirli village of the Lice town, kidnapping members from two families including a woman and a guest staying in one of the houses. Dogan said kidnapped villagers haven't been heard of since then. The PKK, is a terrorist organization which has since 1984 been fighting an armed struggle against the Turkish state for an independent state. PKK killed around 30,000 Turkish soldiers, policemen, village guards, teachers, engineers and other Turkish citizens in the past 28 years. The terrorist organization also kidnapped and tortured many Kurdish and Turkish people in the southern province of Turkey. PKK is listed as a terrorist organization internationally by a number of states and organizations, including the United States and the European U

Turkish PM Highlights Importance of Stance of Political Extension of Terrorist Organization

25 May 2012 Friday 15:57 Turkish prime minister Friday underlined importance of stance the terrorist organization and the political party which stood as the political extension of the terrorist organization on the recent suicide attack. Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the stance of the terrorist organization and its political extension on the recent suicide attack was so important. "We will continue to counter the terrorist organization in a more determined way," Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul. Erdogan's remarks came after a suicide attack killed one and wounded 18 others in the central province of Kayseri. "This is a suicide bomb attack, and unfortunately one police officer died and a person was seriously wounded in the attack," Erdogan said. Erdogan also said some people were slightly wounded in the attack, which was said to be staged by two people in a vehicle. Earlier in the day, a car bomb driven by two suspected suicide attackers explode

Bomb hidden inside flashlight explodes at Phoenix charity center

Source: NewsCore PHOENIX -- A device hidden inside a flashlight exploded at a Salvation Army Distribution Center in Phoenix. A worker at the facility pressed a button the flashlight on Thursday, causing it to explode and sparking an evacuation, KPHO reported. Two employees suffered minor injuries in the blast and a cordon was put up around the center. Sgt. Trent Crump said, "One of the workers pushed the button on the device and the device exploded." Earlier this month, two similar devices were found in open areas in Glendale. The bombs were hidden inside six-volt yellow flashlights, police said. Crump added, "We really feel like we have gotten very lucky on these devices and somebody not being seriously hurt." Police released several photos showing various items found in the same box as the flashlight. The items included some costume jewelry and several books. Source http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/18622170/bomb-hidden-inside-flashlight-explodes-at-phoe

Three injured in London pavement explosion

25 May 2012 A woman suffered serious burns and two others were injured when a pavement exploded under their feet in a freak accident in a London street, according to the Evening Standard. One of the women, aged 55, suffered 20 per cent burns in the blast in Edgware Road and was said to have suffered “life-changing” injuries. It happened at 5.45pm on May 24 on the corner of Edgware Road and Burwood Place, sparking panic as pedestrians ran for cover amid fears a bomb had exploded. Later it was reported that the explosion may have been caused by an electrical fault among cables running under the pavement. All three were taken to St Mary’s Hospital, where the 55-year-old was detained overnight. A 32-year-old was transferred to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital while a 20-year-old was discharged to attend a burns unit today. A spokeswoman for UK Power Networks said: “UK Power Networks was deeply concerned to hear about the injuries caused following an incident in Edgware Road… We

Sonia Gandhi to visit Guwahati today amid ULFA bandh

New Delhi: Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi will be visiting Guwahati on Saturday to attend the first anniversary celebration of the third consecutive term of the Congress government in the state. Meanwhile, ULFA hardliners have called for a 12-hour bandh in the state in protest against the visit. On Friday night, one person was killed in a bomb blast allegedly by anti-talk faction of ULFA in Tinsukia district. The bomb was planted in a roadside at Selabari area. The deceased has been identified as A Agarwal, a local businessman, police said. Sonia Gandhi is on a one-day visit to the state. Source http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sonia-to-visit-guwahati-today-amid-ulfa-bandh/261466-37-64.html

30 die in Mali-Burkina Faso ethnic border clash

OUAGADOUGOU: At least 30 people have been killed after clashes erupted between Dogon farmers and nomadic Fulani herders along the Mali-Burkina Faso border, Burkina authorities said. The fighting, which began on Tuesday, took place near Sari, a Malian town about 15 km (9 miles) from the border with Burkina Faso, Khalil Bara, governor of Burkina Faso’s northern region, said on state radio. Bara said the dispute originated from an agreement between the two west African nations, which allows Burkina herders to take their livestock to camps in Mali where there was available pasture land. During the rule of former Malian president Amadou Toumani Toure, Fulani herders were allowed into Mali through special corridors. However, Mali has descended into chaos since a March 22 military coup ousted Toure and left over half of the country occupied my Tuareg rebels and terrorists. “The Dogons, who have always opposed the opening of these corridors, taking advantage of the crisis in Mali, have d

Terrorists flee as AU, Somali troops seize rebel stronghold

MOGADISHU: African Union and Somali troops have captured the strategic town of Afgoye from al Qaeda-linked Shebab insurgents, who mostly fled in advance of the assault, an AU army spokesman said on Friday. “We have crossed the River Shabelle and we are now there in Afgoye, we hold the town,” spokesman Paddy Ankunda said. “We have been fighting since Tuesday to achieve this objective and we have achieved it now.” Columns of AU and Somali troops backed by tanks launched the long-awaited attack on Afgoye four days ago, marching northwest 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the capital Mogadishu to the town, an area crowded with displaced people. “The Shebab are fleeing the town, they are running away into the bush,” said Ankunda, adding that AU troops had also secured the roads leading from Afgoye, which controls a key route from southern Somalia to the capital. “There is some shooting here and there, but mostly it is calm... We control all the road junctions out of Afgoye,” he said. Mor

Weapons reported to be en route to Syria from Russia

The Irish Times - Saturday, May 26, 2012 A Russian cargo ship loaded with weapons is en route to Syria and due to arrive at a Syrian port this weekend, Al Arabiya television said in a report that Western diplomats in New York described yesterday as credible. Syria is one of Russia’s top weapons customers. The United States and European Union have suggested the UN Security Council should impose an arms embargo and other UN sanctions on Syria for its 14-month assault on a pro-democracy opposition determined to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. But Russia, with the support of fellow veto power China, has prevented the council from imposing any UN sanctions on Syria. “Al Arabiya have learned that a Russian cargo ship carrying a large amount of weapons plans to unload its cargo in the Syrian port of Tartus,” the broadcaster said. Source http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2012/0526/1224316732750.html

Suicide bombing in Turkey kills 3, wounds 18

* Police followed car for some 100km before blast ISTANBUL: Two militants set off a bomb inside their car by a police headquarters in the central Turkish province of Kayseri on Friday, killing themselves and one policeman and wounding 18 others, Turkey’s interior minister said. Kurdish separatists, Islamist militants - including al Qaeda - as well as groups on the far left and right have all carried out bomb attacks in Turkey, but there was no immediate claim of responsibility for Friday’s blast. Turkish Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin said security forces had followed the car from Goksun district in Kahramanmaras province to Pinarbasi - about 100 km -after it passed a checkpoint in the road without stopping. Police opened fire as it passed the police headquarters in the town of Pinarbasi and the bomb went off, Sahin said. Pinarbasi lies east of the city of Kayseri, which is about 325 km (200 miles) southeast of the capital Ankara. It was not immediately clear why police did

Four injured in Yangon bomb blast

Sat, 2012-05-26 04:15 The officials say a man suspected of carrying the bomb was among those wounded Sunday evening near the Aung Zeya bridge in northern Yangon. A three-year-old girl was also hurt. Though terrorism is rare in this junta-ruled nation, there have been several bombings since last year, including three in Yangon that killed nine people and wounded 170. Source http://arabnews.com/node/369566

Lebanese hostages released in Syria

AP - A group of Lebanese Shiites who were kidnapped in Syria were released in good health Friday, three days after Syrian rebels abducted the men as they returned from a religious pilgrimage, officials said. The kidnappings fueled fears that Lebanon is getting drawn into the bloody conflict in neighboring Syria. In the hours after Tuesday’s abductions, protests erupted in Beirut’s Shiite-dominated southern suburbs, where residents burned tires and blocked roads. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati confirmed the men were released, saying they were “in good health and on their way to Beirut.” The pilgrims were believed to have been returning from a pilgrimage to holy sites in Iran when they were abducted. The hostages were believed to be 11 Lebanese and one Syrian driver. Lebanese and Syrian officials have blamed Syrian rebels for the kidnappings. Sunnis form the backbone of the Syrian revolt, which has unleashed seething sectarian tensions. Syrian President Bashar Assad and

Activists use Eurovision contest to sing out for human rights

AFP - Rights activists in Azerbaijan are using the weekend's Eurovision Song Contest to draw attention to repression in the ex-Soviet state but fear a backlash once the music extravaganza ends. The opposition accuses the Aliyev dynasty that has ruled Azerbaijan almost since the fall of the Soviet Union of clamping down on dissent and public protests, and of jailing political opponents on trumped-up charges. Taking advantage of the unprecedented influx of foreign media to the capital Baku, activists are using tactics ranging from rallies to hunger strikes to draw attention to their cause. "For the first time in Europe, people have used Eurovision as a tool to try to resolve problems linked to human rights," leading Azerbaijani rights campaigner and youth protest organiser Rasul Jafarov told AFP. Wearing a T-shirt with the slogan "Sing for Democracy", Jafarov, 27, said he had asked one of the favourites, Sweden's Loreen, to talk about rights during he

Scottish independence: Alex Salmond’s pledge to sign up 1m voters

By ANDREW WHITAKER Published on Saturday 26 May 2012 ALEX Salmond yesterday launched a bid to get a million Scots to sign a declaration of support for independence from the UK. He told the start of the “Yes Scotland” referendum campaign that if the aim of getting the public to sign up was achieved, they would “win an independent Scotland”. • Actors Martin Compston, Alan Cumming and Brian Cox back ‘Yes’ campaign • Alex Salmond joined by Patrick Harvie of the Scottish Greens • Launch also hears from writer Liz Lochhead and trade unionist Tommy Brennan • Dougie Maclean performs Caledonia at event in Edinburgh The First Minister unveiled the “declaration of independence” at a celebrity-studded event in Edinburgh, where he was joined by Hollywood stars Brian Cox and Alan Cumming. The SNP leader said the campaign would be built “brick by brick” in the run-up to the referendum in autumn 2014, while organisers insisted the movement would be the “biggest community-based campaign i