Nigerian Rebels Mull Over Truce Appeal From Obama

Rebels who have stepped up attacks on Nigeria's oil industry in the last month said on Sunday they were considering a ceasefire appeal by U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has launched five attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta since it resumed a campaign of violence in April, forcing Royal Dutch Shell to shut more than 164,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd).

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[bentenrai]

Well there you go, solving problems with words, instead of wasting American lives and taxpayer money on military action to persuade foreign countries.
If Bush could do that, we wouldn't be in a recession, over 4000 soldiers could still be alive, many more would still be alive with all their limbs, and McCain wouldn't have to mull over sticking for a new GI-Bill out of economic concern.
Neocons like to work hard and botch the job rather than work smart and effectively.

[creasybear]

Obama would succeed in a million places where Hillary would fail. She might mock him, call him a poet and stunner, but atimes, the right WORD would heal and fix alot of damages than a hundreds troops.
Obama remains a beacon. A true light of Change. Hillary can continue with her fear mongering. Talking tough about her plans to Obliterate the enemies of Isreal and her backers. And that leaves us with a deep question: What would she do when she wakes up to pick the phone in the middle of the night? Go to Code BLACK or make another Hiroshima?

[KarateKid]

Amazing things can happen when you talk with your enemies. As a Vietnam Vet, I am amazed that we now trade with the Vietnamese. We have found out that they are a peace loving people, respectful of others, and eager to embrace Americans. That only happened because we stopped bombing them and began a dialogue. So much for the Domino Theory, eh?

And the only time they went outside their borders aggressively was to expel Pol Pot and his band of genocidal lunatics from Cambodia.

It's time for you Neanderthals to stop being so scared and to stop grabbing your testicles like a false macho you are. Can anyone tell me the last time Iran attacked anyone? They fought a nine year war against Iraq all on Iranian soil.

[noamjunior]

Barak Obama running the race!
No one gwon stop him

[rikkirighteous]

So, who do terrorists want as President?

[GenXLiberal]

That's easy, any Republicon. Look at Bin Laden. Still walking. Republicons are americas greatest threat!!

[GoodwithWood]

McCain, the perfect recruiting tool.

[john85msy]

The man is trying and in the process he is getting spit on by the media, the RNC, McBush and an unlikely source his own family in the Democratic party.

[pacats]

Thanks for the McCain straight talk, the american people and the entire world are now aware that America initiated a war with Iraq for their oil. Granted, he has made an effort to back away from his initial statement, but the damage has been done, and a negative image of america is continued.

Obama seems to call on the hidden angels in people. If he is able to present to the world, a truly decent, christian ability to gain the hearts and minds of americans and people across this world, we could sincerely move from a destroy and conquer mindset to become the leading source of influence around the world. Force should always be the last option, not a first approach. Of course, it will mean that the large segment of people who honor the skills of a Hilter strategy would need to take a break from the legacy of a negative mindset towards people of color and the poor.

Transformative is the best way to describe the skills of Obama. Image not having a "crack the whip" approach towards working with other groups of people.

[donaldw6]

Glad this story's still up. I hadn't had a chance to look through it before. Here I've been stressing over more divisive remarks by Hillary. I wouldn't have been, but she's doing her damage in my old part of Appalachia. I needed to see this to remind me of how we can heal.

People the world over want to like America, but they've been so disappointed. There is an instinctive respect for Obama, especially outside the untrusting world of American politics. He still has integrity, and no other candidate is anywhere close to his league on that score. I think the world wants to work with us to solve problems, and I think they understand how big the problems really are. But how different it's going to be when we can start to work from a foundation of trust and respect. It's all anyone really asks.

I'm starting to feel a thrill going up my leg.

[NoSillyName]

WOW,

"The MEND command is seriously considering a temporary ceasefire appeal by Senator Barack Obama. Obama is someone we respect and hold in high esteem," the militant group said in an e-mailed statement."

May we please have a president who is held in High Esteem by even militant groups who are now considering ceasing their attacks on Nigerian oil facilities because of OB's request?

May we please have a president who could help us regain the respect of the World Community? Have we been punished enough?

Why isn't this story being reported in the MSM?

[john85msy]

Because the MEDIA does not want Obama in the W.H..

[heal57]

Double WOW! Thanks NoSilly. Obama is held in the highest esteem all over the world. He is truly decent, strong, yet caring. Oh to be proud to be an American again; won't that be great. We won't have to be disgusted any longer with the war criminals in the white house now. God Bless Obama.



Independents for Obama '08

[GrainOSand]

The right thing to say regarding the situation of turmoil is that I hope cooler heads prevail and the local people can reach accord on how best to serve the interest of all of the people of Nigeria in a way that is just and/or humane. It is said that "on full bellies they will not revolt". This is the problem of governing societies, how best to keep the belly of a diverse population of individual concerns full. Globalization should make it apparent to even those who never held a world interest/view that the world is smaller and we need to be concerned with the state of our sister nations as a consequence of a desire to do what's right followed by the need to protect our interest.

As for the Obama aspect of this story I am consistent and redundant when I retort

--Transformative!

[Grannysue]

Oh my just wait until the GOP and Hillary read about this, why imagine people talking to each other instead of "Obliteraiting" one another, well of course that will never work!

[estevancarlos]

From DIGG.com

Real story: Obama's international diplomacy skills may bring ceasefire to African region, and maintain oil production.

MSM headline: "African militants hold Obama in high esteem."

TV news talking point: "Do we really want a President who is respected by terrorists and militants?" [next to photo of Obama in traditional African clothing]

Clinton: "Obama is weak because he talks to our enemies, when I am strong because I threaten to obliterate them with nuclear bombs."

Voter: "I am voting for Clinton because I heard on the news that how Obama is closely aligned with African militants. Also I think Hillary is a fighter."

[brooklyncitizen]

Well the really sad part is that the Hillary supporters have been getting screwed right along with the rest of us....they aren't the wealthy of this nation, unlike Hillary. THey are also loosing homes, and jobs, and their kids have access to poor education and they are loosing loved ones in Iraq (thanks to her vote) ...they are however xenophobic. THere is no other explanation for their support.

As a woman I'd love to see a woman POTUS; but as a human being I'd love to see us stop killing innocent Iraquis and using torture as a policy and finally see the US make real contributions to world peace rather than furthering instability.

[vippy]

LOL Average voter IQ = 87 as someone mentioned here yesterday.

[dumboldfarmer]

What was that old saying - "Hold your friends close and your enemies even closer." That's what diplomacy does.

I know, of course that there are elements within our government that do not want or desire a peaceful world. They want money, and war make them money.

[atienne]

I AM afraid that the MSM will spin this in a negative way. This man is a man of diplomacy and even *I* have been inspired and have stood to support him. I have always been cynical when it comes to government but not this time! People say that people that support Obama drink Kool-Aid. Well, if that's what you want to believe, let me tell you the Kool-Aid never tasted better!

Seems to me that Obama supporters are the supporters with the least amount of hate and general nastiness. Having attended his rallies, I can tell you that it's a multi-cultural experience like I've never had! Now THAT is WAY sweeter than the bitter hate some of you Clinton supporters swallow down daily!

If you read or talk with people outside the states, even regular citizens, all I ever hear is praise for this man. It's pretty sad that it takes people outside of our country to recognize his great leadership.

[sanywhere]

i agree. some of my european friends are really hoping obama wins. there is a general feeling that he will restore reason to america. there is a fear and anger toward america right now and i think obama is the only candidate that can put us back to the place where we can be an example of how a country can act, be.

[SpinCycleRadio]

This does seem rather strange, the rebels say that they are inspired by Obama's call to offer a cease fire at leas a day before Obama actually makes such a call?

The only thing I can think of is that they listened to one of Obama's speech (or rather a translation of it) and interpreted it as a call to negotiate a settlement. Some credit for that may have also gone to the spin of the translator.

Still it occured when Hillary was making threats to 'oblitterate' Iran and to 'go at' OPEC countries.

It is pretty clear that Obama wants to lead the world through inspiration and example while Hillary wants to continue to have the US play the role of schoolyard bully.

[pacats]

Time zone difference in asia and africa. continents from the east.

[Stace]

Hi Spin!

Obama is WORLD WIDE!

You should visit his website and check out the blog posts (if you haven't done so already) - he has MANY ppl from across the world weighing in on him and this race. Folks from all across the world have posted there, this is no lie and they too are cheering for him to win. I've never seen anything like it - it's amazing the affect he has on ppl EVERYWHERE.

Clearly I'm so in the tank for him but I'm speaking truth

[rzan]

Here is the difference between Obama and Hillary. Obama effects peace with Nigerian rebers; Hillary threatens to obliterate Iran. The world is watching this compaign. If Hillary is given the nomination, we really are lost.

[sanywhere]

good for us that this is almost over.

[Bobleblah1]

You know, I can remember when this election made me and most of the world proud of America and our society, but after months of what Hillary and the Republicans have done and continue to do, it has soured many people to this nations capacity to think and make decisions removed from some sort of bigotry.
Its an embarrassment to think that a modern day Thomas Jefferson may be derailed by race baiting gossip about his former pastor. Can you even imagine the shame that many will feel when they finally grasp this?

Now I don't know how all of this will turn out, and I sure am sad about the fallout that will come after the
absolute mayhem that we are headed for during the convention, but if I had one wish it would have been for the nation to hold on to that feeling of hope that Sen Obama gave us all. killed.

Looks like that wont be possible
Thanks Hillary.............................Thanks for doing everything in your power to kill the dream of millions.

[new logic]

the Great Experiment that is America is balanced on the head of a pen....the whole world is watching

[sanywhere]

and it really can go either way right now.

[Bobleblah1]

For you more worldly folks out there, take a close look at this.
I can see all too well that this sort of thing will be happening all over the world if Obama becomes president.
World leaders will be laying down for President Obama. His influence will be unlike anything ever seen before out of an American President. His ability to position America in the most beneficial strategic positions oversees, will be made possible by the respect that he has, especially in Places like Africa which will be of GIGANTIC interest to any serious nation in the future. If America allows Fox News and the Clinton Bush duopoly to destroy this possibility,
then this nation will have suffered its most pivotal defeat.

I have looked at these candidates just as all of you have, I have weighed them against all criteria used to evaluate Leaders. For the life of me, I cant understand how anyone could look at these three candidates and not think Sen Obama is the most gifted and compelling. Has anyone noticed that this entire election is being run as a referendum on Sen Obama? Its as if covering the other two candidates doesn't even matter. Why is that? I'll tell you why, because McCain and Clinton dont matter. They are almost inconsequential when observed relative to Sen Obama. This is why the media covers him so intensely, for better or for worse. He is who the people want to see and hear about

[mhoiles]

Okay - the next step for you his rehab. "yes we can"

[pupbayer]

Great! A candidate who has been endorsed by militant rebels! Yeah, sure, I'll jump on his bandwagon. Geesh...this kind of thing breeds confidence with you people?

[pacats]

pupbayer says: Geesh.....this kind of thing breeds confidence with you people?.

Imagine how many americans were made to believe going to war in Iraq was a noble cause. Were you on the bandwagon for the Iraq war knowing its purpose was a lie, and yet, the war continues?
Most people have already jumbed off of that bandwagon, and are looking for credible solutions to how we address the wide range of conflicts across this country and in the world.

[sclucie]

You are arguing with a ceasefire? Senseless.

[new logic]

to the world We are the militant rebels

[PingMama]

It's not an endorsement, but rather a statement of respect for a world leader. Has it been that long since you've seen that kind of respect in the world?

[pupbayer]

You're right. Let me reword my message.

Great! A candidate who is respected by militant rebels! Yeah, sure, I'll jump on his bandwagon. Geesh...this kind of thing breeds confidence with you people?

[sanywhere]

if by "you people" you mean people who want peace in the world, prosperity for all, and more talking instead of killing then yes, it does. i guess you are for the candidate that is willing to stay in a country and let our service men get picked off one by one with not strategy to achieve peace. or, maybe for the candidate that is threatening to nuke countries to show our superiority. geesh yourself.

[sclucie]

Well, you might want to consider this. Nigeria is the fourth largest supplier of crude oil (.982 million barrels a day). A ceasefire sounds like a very good idea to me - and certainly in the best interests of this country. Only Canada, the Saudis and Mexico are higher.

[OrionGal]

They are willing to put down their guns and talk!

What a preposterous idea - good lawd have mercy on YOU.