Shades of things to come?

Yugoslav Internet Said To Be Shut Down By US Government

5-15-99

We have reliable information that the US Government ordered shut down of satellite feeds for lnternet customers in Yugoslavia, as a result of NATO air war against this country. This action might be taken as soon as later tonight or tomorrow (May 12 or 13, 1999). This is a flagrant violation of commercial contracts with Yugoslav ISPS, as well as an attack on freedom of the lnternet. A Web site in protest of these actions should be up shortly. We will supply you with the URL. In the meantime, please be so kind to inform as many people as possible about this tragic event for the Internet community in Yugoslavia and Europe.

BeoNET Belgrade, Yugoslavia

To: ewar-l@sonic.net From: Wes Thomas Here is direct confirmation from the Webmaster of the BeoNET site, responding to my request (for verification):

From: aca@beonet.yu [mailto:aca@beonet.yu] Sent: Thursday, May 13, 1999 4:06 AM

We got the information from people here who were contacted by Loral Orion (a US company providing satellite Internet links). They were informed by Loral Orion people that the links will have to be shut down by the order "from the US Government".

People at several ISPs here are quite upset because of possible breach of long-term contracts and, of course, eventual financial losses.

Yugoslavia would have 2 other terrestrial links and one other satellite link (if these existing ones would be shut down). But the total capacity would not exceed 4-5 mbps which is definitely too little for current Internet usage here. Therefore, we expect massive 'blackouts' to occur when traffic reaches its peaks.

How do we feel? Well, to put it bluntly, we somehow got used to air-raid sirens, bombings and threats of invasion, but I don't know how we're going to survive without the Internet. Apart from satellite-TV, this is the only window to the world we have and the only way to communicate with the outside world. If NATO (or the US) wants to cut us out completely in order to be able to do whatever they want here, this is probably the best way (and they started doing that by bombing TV stations and transmitters).

We feel this is not in the best interest of Internet users worldwide. Internet is supposed to be open and not regulated by Governments, especially for their own narrow political agendas. We sincerely hope the international Internet community will raise its voice in support for "Bread, Water and Bandwidth for Everyone", including people in Yugoslavia.

STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT, FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1999

(Internet access/Yugoslavia)

State Department Spokesman James Rubin briefed.

ALLEGATIONS OF CUTTING OFF INTERNET ACCESS TO YUGOSLAVIA ARE FALSE

Rubin denied that the United States plans to withhold Internet access from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

"There is no truth to allegations that we are attempting to cut off the flow of information to Serbia," the spokesman said. "Full and open access to the Internet can only help the Serbian people know the ugly truth about the atrocities and crimes against humanity being perpetrated in Kosovo by the Milosevic regime," Rubin said.

He said the people of Serbia should be encouraged to use the Internet to find objective information in order to "challenge the misinformation they are receiving from the Milosevic press."

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 16, 1999

Answers

"There is no truth to allegations that we are attempting to cut off the flow of information to Serbia,"

It's a shame that we have to read these kinds of statements so carefully...Is there a nation called "Serbia" on any map you have? What about the flow of information from "Serbia" or wherever?

Or... to and/or fromYugoslavia?

Or... to and/or from Kosovo?

Or perhaps the companies providing the service would actually attempt to cut off the flow. The government only requested< /i> it and won't actually do it.

Or perhaps: "I did not have sexual relations with that woman....Ms Lewinsky."

-- PNG (png@gol.com), May 16, 1999.

off

-- PNG (png@gol.com), May 16, 1999.

Yup PNG.

BTW, is Loral Orion the same Loral that gave our satellite and missile guidance technology to the Chinese?

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 16, 1999.

One of the NWO mouthpiece newspapers, the Los Angeles Times, has today (Sunday, 1999 May 16) in the "Opinion" section the lead (major front page) editorial/article supertitled "New World Order", titled "Redefining Sovereignty", subtitled "Is NATO's Balkan war a defense of legitimate rights or an invasion?"

The Klintonistas thought bombing the Serbs into submission would be a slam dunk, sending a message to the world. Thankfully, it hasn't been proven as easy as they thought it would be.

And, while the Klintonistas, the press, and the sheeple are preoccupied with Kosovo, the Chinese, North Koreans, and Russians are busily preparing their next steps -- QUITE POSSIBLY BEFORE 2000-01-01.
(REF: Art Bell re-broadcast last night -- see websites http://www.artbell.com and http://www.newsmax.com for links and articles)

-- A (A@AisA.com), May 16, 1999.