Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A>
http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
--- Begin Message --- -Caveat Lector-Dear Friends:
Please continue to contact your Thai Embassies about the plight of Bah Kaew Akha, Chiangrai, Thailand, to prevent their forced relocation.
Look at the pics of the village chaos at www.akha.org links on right with picture take you to a full page of pics.
While the story rages that we have listed below, we think there is high reason to investigate in Thailand all these organizations which have Akha children posed as orphans locked behind mission doors, far from family and friends, culture, language, all being made to toe the western evangelical line and maybe a few other things as well.
Matthew McDaniel
Rumblings Turn Into Heat.
Will The Evidence Be Forthcoming?
If There Is Evidence Will There Be A "White" Wash?
Dear Friends:
For years we have been protesting the removal of Akha children or any children from their families and villages in that conversions are pressured, children are removed from the environment of their culture and villages and in fact many times the "orphans" are not orphans at all.
While for years we have heard rumors that there was considerable financial rewards out the "back door" of missions, and special arranged marriages for kids, etc, we think there is still a lot that needs to be investigated.
In the Chiangrai area alone there are scores of "homes" that remove particularly young girls from the villages in the hundreds to remote locations that pose as mission compounds and orphanages. In addition to the fact that these organizations are not supervised by anyone accountable to the parents, there is also the problem that there are pressured conversions, condemnation of the culture, and the boys left in the villages now have no one left to marry. In a word, genocide.
Below is the tip of the suspected iceberg and we will wait and see what develops of this. Certainly the removal of Akha children from their homes and families is without precedent in scale in Thailand and the fat missionaries are making millions for their families, lives and compounds out of this process of skimming the compassion of donors, the money never going to help the Akha as it could in the village, to a much more useful per person ratio, as compared when it is used for the missionaries who run the orphanages and mission compounds.
We strongly oppose the removal of ANY children from their families or villages. All aid must be applied directly in villages to preserve those good ole family values, rather than breaking up families with coercion and duress at the hands of tragedy. Some missions, while getting these children for "free" even demand that the village converts in whole before "accepting" them. Gee, how generous.
How odd that the missions are silent on the human rights tragedy imposed by the Thai government as well. Are they in collusion?
Matthew McDaniel
Thailand
From The Nation: Thailand
PATTAYA ORPHANAGE: UK 'expose' rocks shelter
Published on Jan 27, 2003
British newspaper says head priest promised self-described paedophile benefactors access to young children
A weekly British tabloid has accused a top US priest who runs a Pattaya orphanage of being prepared to let wealthy paedophiles meet his vulnerable boys.
Father Ray Brennan, who has preached in Westminster Cathedral, counts celebrities among his supporters and has received more than £400,000 (Bt27.7 million) in UK National Lottery funds, was not available for comment on The People's charges yesterday. He left the Pattaya centre just before The Nation contacted the facility. Staff there said he had no mobile phone.
The People claimed its undercover investigation found that Father Brennan, 70, was "perfectly happy" to invite wealthy paedophiles to meet street children in his care, allow them to take the children out on picnics, discuss the best places in town to pick up young boys, and give advice on how to avoid arrest and the best way to export any kiddie videos they may have filmed.
The People said it launched a three-month investigation into Brennan after receiving a tip-off. Its investigators used the bogus identity of a wealthy lottery winner called Robert Merlin and his friend Kenneth Draper who wished to make a large donation to the orphanage.
"We corresponded with Brennan for months and told him we had regularly visited Pattaya as sex tourists interested in young boys," it said.
"We expected an instant brush-off But Brennan encouraged us to visit him to discuss our donation."
It said the results of the investigation would shock the famous and the worthy who have helped the priest for years. Brennan, an Irish-American who founded the orphanage 30 years ago, gets much of his cash from a UK-registered charity called Pattaya Orphanage Trust.
The trust got a National Lottery Community Fund handout in June 1999 of £228,823 and a further £189,068 in 2001.
Private contributors have included rock legend Phil Collins and several British MPs. Brennan flew to London two months ago to thank his British supporters from the pulpit of Westminster Cathedral.
Eighteen months ago Manchester United gave the priest 100 tickets for their game against the Thai national side during a Far East tour.
------------------
The following are excerpts of conversations between an undercover investigative reporter from The People newspaper and Father Ray Brennan. The newspaper said the priest's remarks indicate he condones paedophilic behaviour.
In a phone call the The People journalist said: "I am very nervous about this because I don't want to spend the rest of my life in a Thai jail."
Brennan replied: "Don't be nervous about anything."
Investigator: "Are you sure? I mean, they call me a paedophile in England, and I'm so frightened of getting arrested."
Brennan: "I think you are over-worried about that."
Investigator: "I know the age of consent in Thailand is 15 years, but I like them slightly younger."
Brennan: "Yeah?"
Investigator: "And you think I can find them, do you?"
Brennan: "Absolutely."
-----
The journalist then invited Brennan for a poolside lunch at his luxury hotel to discuss a donation to his church.
Investigator: "I was a bit apprehensive at first when we told you I have an unhealthy interest in boys, because I didn't want you to be upset."
Brennan: "It doesn't upset me."
Investigator: "I am shaking like a leaf, because a few years ago I got arrested out here, and it cost me a lot of money to get out of trouble."
Brennan: "That must have been a bad experience."
Investigator: "I thought it would be better to be honest with you from the outset."
Brennan: "I have been a priest here for a long time, so none of this is new to me."
Investigator: "Okay."
Brennan: "It won't be any problem taking the kids out. You can certainly do that."
Investigator: "But will they be supervised?"
Brennan: "We send teachers out with them, mostly to keep an eye on them and make sure where they are."
Investigator: "Even though I have told you I like young boys, you have no problem in letting me take them out?"
Brennan: "No, I have no problem with that. As I said to you, things are becoming a lot more difficult now with the police. They are especially watching the young kids now. As long as you don't do anything stupid you will be okay."
-----
The People claims Brennan had no qualms about giving advice on how to return to the UK with videos of children.
He reportedly said: "If you take any videos for yourself the best thing to do would be to send them home in the mail, because sometimes you get stopped at the airport, and as you know, the police can now access computers."
-----
He also allegedly discussed the risks of picking up boys in the street or trying to take them back to hotel rooms.
He said: "There are still places where it goes on, but you must be careful."
-----
The priest allegedly told The People about Pattaya's latest under-age sex haunt - a mall and amusement arcade called "Believe It or Not" where kids playing computer games are easy prey.
Brennan said: "It is on the third floor, but I would keep away from there, because you get cops dressed in ordinary clothes watching."
-----
The journalist sent an e-mail requesting introductions to children, to which Brennan replied: "I have the impression you want me to introduce sexual partners to you. I can't do that as such, but I don't need to.
"There is no need for introductions to young people, because Pattaya has a whole section of town with a big neon sign welcoming everyone to 'Boys Town'."
-----
When asked if the investigator could take children out with him on fishing trips and picnics, Brennan allegedly said: "You can take as many kids out as you like."
---------------
Reference
The Pattaya Orphanage was founded 30 years ago and provides shelter and education for 180 orphans, up to 100 street children, 220 deaf and blind children and 200 disabled youngsters, according to its website.
The website says that its Redemptorist Vocational School for the Disabled, set up in 1984, is recognised by the United Nations as one of the best in Asia.
The orphanage occupies 18 rai of land near the Elephant Farm on Country Club Road in Pattaya.
Allegations against Father Brennan are baseless and insulting
Published on Jan 28, 2003
I read with great shock and indignation your poorly researched front-page article about Father Ray Brennan, a man I have known for years, and the Pattaya Orphanage on January 27.
The article cited a report by a British tabloid, The People, that Father Brennan, founder and director of the famous Pattaya Orphanage, helped paedophiles get children in Pattaya.
I, for one, never believe anything I read in tabloids. The remarks about Father Brennan were all insinuations and misleading, based on exaggerations and misconceptions. In fact, towards the end of the article, it became clear that there was no evidence at all that Father Brennan actually did what The People insinuated. What you quoted from the tabloid showed Father Brennan wisely and skilfully handling rich and deranged people who come to him.
Dozens of people approach Father Brennan every year for a child. They are often unmarried couples, childless couples, single and childless adults. Many of them haven't the least idea about the needs of a child. Some of them are prepared to offer a lot of money to the orphanage or to the church in the hope that Father Brennan will overlook their lack of qualifications and bend the rules a bit. No priest or missionary would dare turn such prospective donors away by castigating them for their illness or backwardness and simply throw them out. Father Brennan carefully screens all applicants for adoption of a Thai child. Millionaires cannot walk into the orphanage, as The People insinuates, and order a child on a platter, to do all that they wish with it, for cash down.
Indeed, the transcripts of the conversation show that Father Brennan is quite understanding, skilled and experienced at stringing along rich and insane prospective donors with small talk about the weather and ambiguous statements.
Anyone in Pattaya could tell a paedophile the things attributed to Father Brennan, such as to go to Boyztown or the Walking Street at night, that the cops are tough on sexual deviants, to do nothing stupid, etc.
Like all good priests, Father Brennan's door is open to everyone. I can think of only one occasion in recent years when Father Brennan allowed local degenerates, from Belgium, to visit the orphanage - to celebrate their national holiday with the children. Everyone had fun. Even an unwitting (?) Belgian ambassador was present. But no one molested a child or took one away. Father Brennan was there to ensure that all went well.
Father Brennan has lived in Thailand more than 35 years. He is well-known and well-liked by everyone. He has saved many lives. He is indeed a national hero - and he will always be well respected and remembered. We need more men like him in this world.
In your haste to sell newspapers, you insulted a great man and a great institution.
Victor Kennedy
VIA INTERNET
Orphanage: Reports of link with molesters 'a lie'
Published on Jan 28, 2003
Staff at the Pattaya Orphanage yesterday rejected as "an absolute lie" allegations in a British tabloid that a US priest who founded the facility helped wealthy child molesters meet young boys in his care.
The orphanage said that Brennan, who also serves as director of the shelter, would hold a press conference today to respond to the charges.
The British weekly The People reported that Father Ray Brennan, 70, told its undercover reporters that "it won't be any problem" for them to meet and take out the boys.
The weekly said it conducted a three-month investigation into Brennan following a tip-off, and published on its website conversations between the priest and the reporters in which Brennan appears to condone paedophilia.
"It is an absolute lie," a Pattaya Orphanage staffer said.
The London-based Pattaya Orphanage Trust, which funds the centre that provides shelter to some 180 orphans, up to 100 street children and 420 disabled children, is "working on legal action against the paper", said the staffer, who requested anonymity.
"After 30 years of our working with children, people know how we work," she said, adding Brennan was at the orphanage but unavailable for comment.
A statement from the trust issued in Bangkok said that the allegations were being looked into "as a matter of urgency".
"To anyone who knows Father Ray and his work over the years on behalf of disadvantaged children in Thailand, such allegations would seem incomprehensible," the statement said.
Another statement would be issued when further information was to hand, it added.
Senator Wallop Tungananurak, chairman of the Senate's Committee on Women, Children and the Youth, said the panel would order an investigation into the allegations.
He added that in the past he had told several local children's rights organisations to be on the lookout for foreign aid workers who might actually be paedophiles seeking access to vulnerable young children.
Senator Montri Sintawichai urged the orphanage and the church to which Father Brennan was affiliated to check out whether there was any basis to the allegations.
He said the children under Father Brennan's care would know best what had happened inside the orphanage.
Lt-Colonel Sak-rapi Preawpanich of Pattaya Police Station said the police would also promptly investigate the issue and would take action if the allegations were true.
Meanwhile, Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suttitamrongsawat said he could confirm none of the children at the Pattaya Orphanage had been abused.
He said the orphanage was a respectable charity organisation that contributed many services to the community.
Sudarat Sereewat, director of Fight Against Child Exploitation, said she believed Father Brennan really cared about children and did not condone any forms of abuse against the children under his care.
The Nation, AFP
Matthew McDaniel
The Akha Heritage Foundation
Maesai, Chiangrai, 57130 Thailand
Donations by check or money order may be sent to:
The Akha Heritage Foundation
PO BOX 6073
Salem OR 97304 USA Inquire to donate while in Thailand
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now
| Yahoo! Groups Sponsor | |
|
|
Please let us stay on topic and be civil.
To unsubscribe please go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cia-drugs
-Home Page- www.cia-drugs.org
OM
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. <A HREF="">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply.
Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A>
http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om --- End Message ---
