MESSAGE
| DATE | 2015-11-26 |
| FROM | Ruben Safir
|
| SUBJECT | Re: [Hangout-NYLXS] [conspire] CIA chief Brennan hints new gov't
|
Germany is struggling to cope with a record influx of asylum-seekers,
and is expected to host many more than the official government forecast
of 800,000 this year, according to the latest figures.
Under the current German rules, asylum-seekers are entitled to free
shelter and some of the most generous government benefits in Europe.
????
also from the Telegraph today
On 11/26/2015 05:07 AM, Ruben Safir wrote:
>
>> Paris attacks: Is Belgium Europe's favourite gun shop?
>>
>> By Nils Duquet Flemish Peace Institute
>>
>> *
>> 19 November 2015
>> * From the section Europe
>>
>> Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Belgium has traditionally
>> had a strong arms industry
>>
>>
>> Paris attacks
>>
>> *
>> Brussels lockdown: How is city affected by terror threat?
>>
>> *
>> Fury over 'Paris was inevitable' claims
>>
>> *
>> Who were the Paris attackers?
>>
>> *
>> Paris attacks: The unanswered questions
>>
>>
>> Recent attacks in Europe indicate that perpetrators are increasingly
>> using firearms.
>>
>> While previously explosives were the weapon of choice - for instance
>> in the Madrid and London bombings in 2004 and 2005 - attackers seem to
>> have changed their tactics and found their way to the illegal gun market.
>>
>> In several recent attacks, including the attacks in Paris, there was a
>> connection between the guns used and Belgium.
>>
>> Is Belgium the dream destination for terrorists who want to get their
>> hands on illegal guns?
>>
>>
>> Hotspot
>>
>> Of course, Belgium - like other European countries - has a black
>> market for guns.
>>
>> Image copyright AFP Image caption A jihadist was charged over the
>> murder of four people at the Jewish Museum in Brussels in May 2014
>>
>> The presence of illegal weapons is closely connected to serious crime
>> and vice-versa. This means that there is a black market for firearms
>> in all major European cities.
>>
>> However, Belgium is an important player because of its geographical
>> location and history.
>>
>> For centuries the country has been a major producer and exporter of
>> firearms. Moreover, until 2006 it had quite liberal domestic gun
>> legislation, making the country a European hot spot for the arms
>> trade, including for people with bad intentions.
>>
>> Even though Belgian legislation is now stricter and more solid, the
>> country has retained this reputation.
>>
>>
>> Smuggling from Balkans
>>
>> It is not a coincidence that some of the people carrying out these
>> attacks have a personal history of criminal violence. Since the black
>> market in guns is closely linked to serious crime networks, previous
>> connections - based on trust - enable them to secretly acquire firearms.
>>
>> Image copyright Belgian police Image caption The gunman who attacked
>> the Jewish Museum in Brussels used a Kalashnikov
>>
>> Most of the firearms on the black market are handguns. A handgun is
>> the preferred type of firearm for most criminals since these are easy
>> to hide.
>>
>> However, in recent years, Belgian police have noticed an increase in
>> the possession and use of military-style weapons such as Kalashnikovs
>> among criminals.
>>
>> Depending on the type and condition of the weapon and how quickly one
>> wants to get it, prices on the Belgian black market are generally
>> between 1,000 and 2,000 euro (£700-£1,400).
>>
>> This increase of heavy firearms on the illegal market is mainly linked
>> to smuggling from the Balkans.
>>
>> After the Balkan wars of the 1990s, hundreds of thousands of military
>> weapons stayed in the hands of citizens.
>>
>> These weapons have found their way to Western Europe by being smuggled
>> in small quantities, for instance in the boots of cars. Once they
>> cross the EU's external borders, these weapons can easily be
>> transferred from one European country to another within the Schengen zone.
>>
>> Image copyright AFP Image caption Some weapons used in the Balkan wars
>> were put out of service, but many have remained in circulation
>>
>> To tackle this illegal market in firearms, we need an integrated
>> approach, not only in Belgium but certainly also at the European level.
>>
>> Such an approach would consist of three elements.
>>
>> Firstly, we need strong and harmonised legislative frameworks for
>> legal gun possession at the national level across the EU.
>>
>> The clearer the rules on legal possession, the more efficient the
>> fight against the illegal market.
>>
>> Secondly, we need more knowledge of the problem. This means better
>> data management at the national level and more efforts to exchange and
>> analyse these data at the European level.
>>
>> Thirdly, we need more operational strength on the ground and more
>> co-operation between national authorities, for example joint
>> investigative teams.
>>
>> */Nils Duquet is a researcher at the Flemish Peace Institute, based in
>> Brussels/*
>>
>>
>> Share this story About sharing
>>
>>
>
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