Just another reason not to mix the church and the state.

I would not be surprised if there were quite a few "missionaries" sprinkled across the globe that have CIA credentials.

Stranger things have happened.

Posted by Buck on March 1, 2006 03:56 PM Link to comment

NEWS ALERT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 28, 2006

Contact: Dave Racer, 651-340-1911

Peter Waldron, American businessman, arrested in Uganda on trumped up charges

Retaliation cited as motive for Waldron’s report on Ugandan riots

Family and friends call on Americans to help free Peter Waldron

(Peter Waldron’s profile is provided below.)

On February 21, 2006, police searched the home and property Waldron rented during the periods of time he lives in Kampala, Uganda. Waldron allowed the police to search, and they found nothing. Later, police came again and to Waldron’s astonishment, claimed to have found illegal weapons and ammunition in his garage. Waldron adamantly denies owning or storing guns of any kind.

Police arrested Waldron and charged him with illegal possession of firearms.

Later, a police spokesman alleged that Waldron is a terrorist, and that he conspired to create a Christian political party in Uganda. The charges stem from the publication of Waldron’s newsletter, The African Digest, published late in 2005. The entire document is available at http://www.daveracer.com/index1.htm. The digest contains a true story of Waldron’s view of riots that occurred in Kampala late in 2005. I encouraged Waldron to write the digest and, in fact, edited it for him.

I have known Peter Waldron for nearly 20 years, but only began working with him during the last six months of 2005. I visited him and his family in Tampa, Florida during September, and while there, we discussed four book projects. As well, we discussed his work in Uganda, his relationship with President and Mrs. Museveni, his work with the born again Christians in Uganda. Never in our conversations then or since did Waldron ever discuss any political plans whatsoever for Uganda beyond rewriting his book, Rebuilding the Walls, to apply to Ugandan life. He asked me to edit this project for him.

Peter Waldron has been arrested under false pretenses and charged with serious crimes because he exercised the rights of a journalist, to freely and factually describe the Kampala riots. No journalist anywhere in any country that purports to advocate constitutional, democratic government should have to be so treated.

It is essential that American media become engaged in this story, and that our diplomatic corps immediately bring Peter Waldron safely back home.

Dr. Peter E. Waldron’s Profile:

Dr. Peter E. Waldron, 59, first went to Africa in 1969 as a consultant to the East African Development Bank. He served as a liaison between the newly independent sovereign governments of sub-Sahara Africa and multi-national corporations in Europe, North America and Asia. Other foreign assignments have included Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.

Since 2002, Dr. Waldron has worked fulltime in Uganda in an effort to facilitate the delivery of anti-retroviral drugs to HIV/AIDS infected patients. He currently supervises a pilot study at three Kampala hospitals representing a software application (ARVIMS) that, when deployed, will be the premier patient and pharmaceutical information management system of its kind in the world.

While in Uganda, he has worked closely with the office of President Yoweri Museveni concerning HIV/AIDS and in discussions about the country’s political infrastructure. He has traveled extensively throughout the country and interacted with local leaders and citizens to such an extent as to gain an unfiltered understanding of their culture, worldview and mores.

Dr. Waldron is the president of Contact America Group, Inc., the business structure through which he conducts his international work. In addition, he has served as an advisor to several candidates for public office, including Congress and the Office of the President of the United States.

His has experience in TV, radio, magazine, and newspaper journalism, providing in-depth research on a variety of issues that were developed into special reports for The Washington Times in Washington, DC. These reports include, “The War against Women,” which addresses the treatment of women by different world religions; “The Energy Crisis Report,” an in depth study of the Alaska Natural Wildlife Refuge issue; “Making Men into Pillars of Society,” a study of the American Evangelical men's movement.

During the 1980s, Dr. Waldron hosted a national talk radio show heard in 300 cities and eight foreign countries. His national media appearances include Nightline, Charlie Rose, Crossfire, Maury Povich, and Sally Jesse Raphael. He has been a guest on scores of local radio, cable and TV broadcasts.

Dr. Waldron and his wife Pamela have been married for more than 26 years. They have five children, and own a home in Wyoming and Florida.

The Waldron’s founded the Rising Stars Education and Sports Foundation in Florida, a juvenile crime prevention program for at-risk children. The character-based curriculum focuses on literacy, offering a strong after-school program in some of the worst crime zones and poorest neighborhoods on Florida’s West Coast.

Dr. Waldron owns a small ranch in Wyoming, and a home in Tampa, Florida.

Posted by Michelle on March 1, 2006 08:57 PM Link to comment

Just read the recent posting. It is plainly absurd. The CIA never uses journalists or ministries as fronts.

Later news stories clarified the fact that Peter was not at the trial, that the newspaper had misidentified him. Ugandan journalism leaves much to be desired.

Why not link to the place where you can find the real story? At www.freepeterwaldron.com

Posted by Dave Racer on March 13, 2006 05:04 PM Link to comment

Dave, the commenter before you linked to the pro-Waldron site (which I was not aware of at time of posting)... I take it for what it's worth. I'd like to see a link to the more recent reporting that shows Waldron is not being held on trial. I hope you will note that this story is not confined to Ugandan reporting - that it was also carried by Reuters among others. Any credible news links clarifying Waldron's status will be appreciated.

Posted by smijer on March 13, 2006 05:43 PM Link to comment

This is not the first time things like that as happen in Africa, People are using the Church, the name of The Lord Jesus Christ as a goverup. Many people so called missionaries and another group of so called christians goes to Africans countries not to preach the word of God but to still, kill and distroy. look at this Stories: The set of The 700 Club, the daily TV talk show presided over by Pat Robertson.

The Liberian dictator and the American televangelist have emerged as one of the oddest couples of the year, a pairing some critics are calling a testament to the gospel of greed. And it's not the only such coupling for Robertson.

But first, the setting: The 700 Club is taped in a state-of-the-art studio in the palatial, cross-shaped headquarters of Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), nestled amid magnolias and crepe myrtles in suburban Virginia Beach, Va. The telecast reaches 1 million households with Robertson's trademark blend of faith healing, fundraising and fundamentalism.
Zaire: What Robertson didn't tell viewers was that he also owned a for-profit company, African Development Co., which, with Mobutu's blessing, was doing exploratory mining for diamonds in Zaire.

Also unreported-- until two pilots came forward with the story in 1997-- was the fact that Operation Blessing's tax-exempt cargo planes were used almost exclusively for Roberton's diamond-mining operation, not for humanitarian purposes. A subsequent investigation by Virginia authorities turned up evidence for charging Operation Blessing with violations of the state's charitable solicitation law. But the office of Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley, who had received a $35,000 campaign contribution from Robertson, declined to prosecute. Robertson reimbursed Operation Blessing for the use of the planes, and the charity agreed to tighten its financial controls

One of Pat Robertson's Latest Frauds

OFFICIALS MUM ON ROBERTSON DIAMOND MINE OPERATION PROBE

A yearlong investigation of televangelist Pat Robertson's activities in Africa is now over, but state officials are sitting on the final report pending a review by attorneys, reports the Virginian-Pilot newspaper. The probe focused on possible inappropriate activities involving Robertson's Operation Blessing outreach, and a private corporation he operated known as the African Development Co. Based in Zaire, the firm was established by Robertson during the rule of the late dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. The two men established close ties, and Mobutu wined and dined Robertson during one visit to the country; ADC also received vast forestry and mineral concessions, but the diamond mining operation eventually went bankrupt. Mobutu, after a quarter-century of iron fisted rule, died last year in exile from cancer. He left Zaire bankrupt and impoverished, and since 1994 had even been considered persona non grata in the United States.

In April, 1997 two pilots who worked for Operation Blessing charged that planes linked to Robertson and his ministry flew mostly to haul equipment for ADC's private diamond operation. Robert Hinkle, the chief pilot told reporter Bill Sizemore that of about 40 flights within Zaire during the half-year period he was there, "Only one or at most two" were related to the humanitarian mission of Operation Blessing. The rest were "mining-related."

"We got over there and we had 'Operation Blessing' painted on the tails of the airplanes, Hinkle told the Virginian-Pilot, "but we were doing no humanitarian relief at all. We were just supplying the miners and flying the dredges from Kinshasa out to Tdshikapa."

If so, that activity could jeopardize Operation Blessing's special tax exempt status. It also highlights Robertson's network of projects and corporations mixing religion, politics and private business.

The story in the Pilot prompted complaints by Virginia State Senator Janet Howell (D-Reston) and an investigation by the Virginia Office of Consumer Affairs. At issue is Operation Blessings charity exemption from the 4.5% retail sales tax, as well as a break from the 3% motor vehicle tax and the 2% aircraft sales tax.

Conflict of Interest?

Another aspect of the Robertson probe is the role of Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley, and Governor Jim Gilmore. Both men received campaign contributions from Robertson during the 1997 statewide elections; in addition, Robertson was a member of Gilmore's transition-advisory team. Earley received $35,000 from Mr. Robertson, and Gilmore $50,000. Contributions to the Gilmore campaign from other associates of Robertson also attracted public concern.

According to the Pilot newspaper, the Attorney General's office is keeping the report on Robertson and Operation blessing sealed, insisting that while the investigation is over the contents still remain as "working paper" which are shielded by attorney-client privileges. Sen. Howell, expressing irritation by the continued secrecy, said that the investigatory process has dragged on "long enough," and noted that the tax exemption status for Operation Blessing is up for renewal again next year. "We need to have the facts," Howell added.

Another official, State delegate Barnie K. Day said that the "working papers" seal being used by the Attorney General was a ploy widely employed in Virginia. "There's nothing that says you can't be open," said Day, adding that the present laws permit "officials (to) hide things if they want to, but people who want to be open can still do it." The Pilot added that Del. Day suggested that the Attorney General should make public the results of the Operation Blessing investigation "to avoid any suggestion of favoritism toward Robertson."

Unanswered Questions: Evangelism or Just Doing Business?

Robertson was President and sole stock holder of African Development Co. which was chartered in Bermuda (a center for offshore banking-corporate activity) in June, 1992. In the summer and early fall of 1994, Robertson began soliciting support for the Operation Blessing outreach in Africa on his Christian Broadcasting Network, and eventually dispatched six volunteer teams of medical personnel to treat refugees from Rwanda. Donations were asked from viewers in order to fund a "Flying Hospital" plane.

In August, 1996, the Operation Blessing ministry purchased three DeHaviland Caribou planes. The ministry retained ownership of two of the cargo transports, while a third was transferred to another Robertson corporation known as Africa Air. What happened next has prompted considerable speculation. A month after purchasing the airplanes, all three (painted with the Operation Blessing name) were flown to Zaire, and reportedly put up for sale. From September, 1994 until February, 1995, the three planes were allegedly then used mostly in in-country flights ferrying mining equipment and support materials used by African Development Corp. According to the chief pilot, only two flights were related to any humanitarian enterprise; they consisted of a medicine delivery, and retrieval of stranded missionaries.

In October, 1994, Operation Blessing purchased a Lockheed L-1011 and began outfitting that plane as its "flying hospital." But the two Caribou planes, unsold and still linked to Operation Blessing, reportedly continued working mostly on behalf of ADC.

What was going on during this time period with Robertson and Mobutu? The African strongman had been in charge since 1964 when, with the help of the Central Intelligence Agency, he emerged successfully in the civil war which had torn apart the nation, formerly Republic of the Congo. In 1971, Mobutu renamed the country Zaire, and turned it into a base of operations for efforts to fuel the civil war in neighboring Angola. He quickly developed a reputation for ruthlessness and megalomania, renaming himself Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku wa za Banga, "the all-powerful warrior who, because of his enduring and inflexible will to win, will go from conquest to conquest leaving fire in his wake." For twenty years, his domestic policy outraged human rights advocates, and by 1993 his shoddy record resulted in the withdrawal of economic assistance from France, Belgium and even the U.S. In 1994, the U.S. Department of State charged that Mobutu was behind massive violations of human rights including torture, murder, censorship and religious persecution.

During this time, Mobutu also systematically drained Zaire of its money and natural resources, embezzling up to $6 billion dollars which he transferred to accounts in Switzerland and Belgium. In one year alone according to the World Bank, $400 million-- a quarter of the nation's entire export revenues -- mysteriously vanished off the books of the government run mining conglomerate. Mobutu was even dubbed the "President of Kleptocracy" for his thieving and predatory manners.

That didn't stop Robertson, though, from either defending the dictator or seeking financial gain in Zaire. Robertson continually tried to portray Mobutu as a loyal US ally in the war against international communism. He also emerged as Mobutu's close friend, and probably his most valuable asset in a deceptive campaign to maintain his stature with some ruling circles in the United States. Robertson was wined-and-dined by Mobutu on the dictator's presidential yacht, and entertained at one of his lavish estates. Robertson received extensive lumber and mining concessions along the upper Zaire River. He also operated a 50,000 acre farm outside of the capital city, Kinshasa.

Even with this, African Development Corp. lost money and had to be shut down. Robertson nonetheless maintained close ties with Mobutu, orchestrating a public relations effort in the United States to rehabilitate the dictator's image and obtain a Visa permit. In 1996, as rebels under the command of Laurent Kabila were closing in on Mobutu's last strongholds, Robertson reportedly dispatched a personal representative "offering his assistance and cooperation," according to the Pilot.

Robertson: Mobutu Groupie, "Schmoozing With Dictators"

This latest probe into Robertson's blending of politics, evangelism and business should also call into the question the televangelist's newly found commitment to human rights, especially as an ardent spokesperson for the Freedom From Religious Persecution Act.

Robertson has been using his "700 Club" program to constantly hit what he terms "religious persecution of Christians," particularly in Islamic countries -- an obstacle to his goal of a vast, worldwide evangelism effort by the year 2000. And Robertson's Christian Coalition has been an adamant supporter of FFRPA on Capitol Hill as well.

But does his enthusiastic boosting of FFRPA translate into a general commitment for human rights? Critics say no, especially in light of Robertson's close relationship in Africa, Asia and elsewhere with despotic ruling elites and dictators like Mobutu Sese Seko. It seems that, at least in Zaire, the lure of diamonds outshone the prospect of supporting human rights and political democracy.

This is what has been going on for years they come with the bible and goes back with Gold and Diamons. That person has to be on Ugandian Justice until is proven inoncent.
Thank you

Posted by Pastor Freddie Nsapo on March 14, 2006 05:52 PM Link to comment

For some reason, this blog popped up on Google Alert today.

Three things: The CIA does not recruit pastors or journalists. Ugandan authorities dropped all charges against Peter Waldron, and he returned home to the USA. Even Reuters gets it wrong.

Posted by Dave Racer on March 31, 2006 05:39 PM Link to comment

Dave, please see the update note and the apologies to Mr. Waldron that I posted before. It appears likely that Mr. Waldon's arrest (and subsequent deportation) was appropriate.

Posted by smijer on April 1, 2006 12:57 PM Link to comment

oops. Make that *inappropriate*

Posted by smijer on April 1, 2006 12:57 PM Link to comment