[Al Arabiya Latest] Afghanistan expressed regret on Thursday at the removal of the U.S. commander credited with reducing civilian casualties in the war against the Taliban but said it did not expect his replacement to change strategy.
U.S. President Barack Obama recalled General Stanley McChrystal, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, and replaced him on Wednesday with his boss, General David Petraeus, architect of the Iraq war turnaround.
McCrystal resigned after comments, mostly attributable to aides, appeared in a magazine article that criticised some of Obama's closest advisers. The article portrayed McChrystal as a daring soldier sometimes exasperated by politicians.
"We wish he hadn't gone, but this is America's internal issue," said General Zaher Azimi, a spokesman for the Afghan defence ministry.
"We expect him to follow McChrystal's assessment, which has reduced civilian casualties, brought down arrests and house searches and involved coordination on operations," he said.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/25/2010 00:00 ||
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[Quqnoos] The UN Security Council is considering removal of the names of Taliban leaders from the UN black list
Members of the UN Security Council say that decisions about removing the names will only be made when the Afghan government presents sufficient evidences to prove innocence of the blacklisted ones.
The UN Security Council members who are in Kabul to investigate Afghanistan's situation, called their Afghan visit important in a press conference in Kabul, and pledged their firm support for peace and stability in the country.
"During our contacts, we have arbitrated the UN Security Council's support and enduring commitment to the people of Afghanistan and its government in furthering peace, development and stability," said a member of the UN Security Council, Urtughal Ipkan.
Although, the Afghan government has demanded from the UN Security Council to remove the names of the Taliban leaders from its blacklist, the UN Sanctions Committee said they will soon finish investigating the list of the names.
"People who are to be delisted, have to renounce violence, have to lay down arms, break all links with Al-Qaeda and fully accept the Afghan constitution. For any delisting to happen, this requires the consensus of all security members of the UN Security Council. And it is evidently important to have exact information that this criteria has been fulfilled and in this instance, of course the information that can be provided by the Afghan government is of paramount importance," said Chairman of the Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council, Thomas Mayor Herting.
The Security Council members said the Afghan government has not handed over any list to them. Of the 500 names on the UN black list, 137 of them are Taliban leaders, including Mullah Omar, the Taliban leader and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the leader of the Islamic Party (Hezb-i-Islami).
Posted by: Fred ||
06/25/2010 00:00 ||
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[Asharq al-Aswat] In this Algerian town on a rocky outcrop sticking into the Mediterranean Sea, al Qaeda recruiters find work for idle hands.
Local officials say that Islamist insurgents, fighting a lingering conflict with Algeria's security forces, are targeting the town's small army of unemployed young men and persuading some of them to join their ranks.
If before in this long-running conflict people were motivated to join the insurgency mainly by ideology or religious fervor, now money is the biggest recruiting tool.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
06/25/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
Maybe instead of firing or laying off employees, they should execute them. Talk about job motivation...
[Al Arabiya Latest] The government extended 28-day detention without trial for terrorism suspects for six months on Thursday but said both coalition parties want to reduce that limit, which is fiercely opposed by civil libertarians.
"The government has today laid an order to renew the existing 28-day maximum period of pre-charge detention for a time-limited period of six months," Home Secretary Theresa May said in a statement.
The 28-day detention measure must be renewed annually or it expires.
"It is vital that we support the police and other agencies in their work to keep us safe from terrorism ... At the same time ... we are also committed to safeguarding the rights and liberties of the public," May said.
She said pre-charge detention would be included in a review of counter-terrorism legislation ordered by the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition. The review is due to report to parliament in the autumn.
"Both parties in the coalition are clear that the 28-day maximum period should be a temporary measure and one that we will be looking to reduce over time," May said.
Civil rights group Liberty urged the coalition to reduce the 28-day ceiling and called for the scrapping of "control orders," a type of house arrest which has formed a central plank of Britain's counter-terrorism measures in recent years.
"The coalition has bound itself together with the language of civil liberties. Now it must reduce the longest pre-charge detention period of any Western democracy," said Liberty Director Shami Chakrabarti.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/25/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
Control orders are a solid idea. One bonus is the people who come to visit get 'tagged and bagged' . The downside is the manpower needed to view , manage and process the intel
Im not too sure on the 28 day detention. Collection of evidence is usually built up over time , not just at point of arrest, and if we cant crack someone in 28 days , then its a poor show all round , besides , letting them go would yeild more intel than keeping them in
Shami Chakrabarti should just ask some 7/7 victims families about civil liberties , horrible little woman .
Posted by: Oscar ||
06/25/2010 8:35 Comments ||
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#2
Shami Chakrabarti should just ask some 7/7 victims families about civil liberties , horrible little woman .
It keeps he in employment because what else would she do!
Posted by: Bacon in the Mosque horror ||
06/25/2010 17:55 Comments ||
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Google Translate
Criminal gangs hijacked several heavy trucks and vehicles and blocked ten different roads in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon Wednesday, according to Mexican news reports.
The blocks were located in the Escobedo, San Nicoläs and Apodaca municipalities in metropolitan Monterrey. Monterrey was recently the scene of a major drug bust and other counternarcotics operations in those areas.
The criminal gang Los Zetas are the likely perpetrators. Two weeks ago Los Zetas managed to block 41 different locations during rush hour on e Thursday. The campaign was a reaction to the Mexican Army arrest of Monterrey Los Zetas boss Raul Luna Luna.
The blocked roads include Libramiento Noreste, Avenida Sendero and Las Pedreras.
Elements of the Mexican Army happened upon one blocked road, causing armed suspect to flee the site. Monterrey city officials are working to remove the vehicles.
One of the strategies city officials used was to place cranes in areas most vulnerable to blockage.
#2
Given that Los Zetas are primarily former police/army personnel - and dress up as such - even with a scorecard you can't tell the players. Eric Hobsbawms's "social banditry" at work here...who are the good guys and who are the bad guys...or are there any good guys?
#3
Wonder if the mexicans have got a version of The Animals - ' Down in Monterey'
The people came and listened
Some of them came and played
Others gave flowers away
Yes they did
Down in Monterey
Down in Monterey
Young gods smiled upon the crowd
Their music being born of love
Children danced night and day
Religion was being born
Down in Monterey
The Byrds and the Airplane
Did fly
Oh, Ravi Shankar's
Music made me cry
The Who exploded
Into violent light (yeah)
Hugh Masekelas music
Was black as night
The Grateful Dead
Blew everybody's mind
Jimi Hendrix, baby
Believe me
Set the world on fire, yeah!
His majesty
Prince Jones smiled as he
Moved among the crowd
Ten thousand electric guitars
Were groovin' real loud, yeah
If you wanna find the truth in life
Don't pass music by
And you know
I would not lie
No, I would not lie
No, I would not lie
Down in Monterey
Hu! huh-huh!
Alright!
Three days of understanding
Of moving with one another
Even the cops grooved with us
Do you believe me?
Yeah!
Down in Monterey
Down in Monterey, yeah
Down in Monterey
Down in Monterey, yeah
I think that maybe I'm dreamin'!
Monterey!
Monterey-yeah!
Posted by: Oscar ||
06/25/2010 5:26 Comments ||
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#4
Yes I know , 2 different cities ..
:)
Posted by: Oscar ||
06/25/2010 5:27 Comments ||
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#5
Controlling the roads is a function of the law. The gangs are literally replacing the government. Good idea making them rich with the drugs trade, guys.
#6
This is just another cycle of the Mexican story that mirrors literally the internal political drama of a hundred years ago. The names have changed, but the politics of power are the same. Up yet on the plate, another Columbus New Mexico, occupation of Vera Cruz, and a punitive expedition of the Gringo sideshow.
#7
The son of my former lab manager was just married in Monterrey a few months back. Lovely wedding from the pics I saw, and people who went said it was a great time and a good city. My how things fall.
Posted by: Steve White ||
06/25/2010 9:11 Comments ||
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#8
Well, what is the Mexican army waiting for? Go get 'em!
#11
You first Bulldog. Legalize drugs, esp cocaine, heroin and god knows what synthetics. To crate a safe environemnt for the kiddies, you can even have the school school nurse dispense the goodies and needles. Then let us know how the experiment turns out in 10 years.
Posted by: ed ||
06/25/2010 15:58 Comments ||
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#12
Controlling the roads is a function of the law. The gangs are literally replacing the government
[Kyodo: Korea] North Korea claims to have suffered $64.96 trillion in human and material damage from the United States over the 60-year period from September 1945, the North"s official Korean Central News Agency said Thursday. Of the total, $26.17 trillion relates to at least 5,060,770 civilians North Korea says were killed, wounded, or abducted by United States, and $13.73 trillion stemmed from economic sanctions, KCNA said in a report.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/25/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
If they had surrendered, instead of just doing the cease fire thing, maybe they'd be like our previous defeated enemies, Japan & Germany.
#3
ION MWF > "YELLOW SEA" MEANS WAR: THE BOTTOM LINE OF CHINA'S MILITARY DECREE BY SENIOR OFFICERS ON POST-CHEONAN PLA MILITARY INTERVENTION IN THE KOREAS. CHINA WILL NOT SEND IN PLA FORCES UNLESS THE DPRK ATTACKS THE US-ROK, OR THE DPRK IS ITSELF ATTACKED BY THE US-ROK. FOSTERING OF INTENSIVE SINO/CHINA-DPRK MILEXS, BILATERAL COOPERATION + MIL INTEGRATION, IS THE BEST WAY FOR BEIJING TO DETER REGIONAL WAR AND KEEP A WARY EYE ON NORTH KOREA.
IOW, DPRK = Kimmie won't be able anymore to do another "CHEONAN" = major incident widout de facto CHIN PLA CONSENT OR FORE-KNOWLEDGE.
* SAME > CHINA HAS NO FEAR OF DESTROYING THE "USS GEORGE WASHINGTON" US CARRIER: DURING THE THIRD TAIWAN CRISIS [late 1950's], CHINA BRAVELY FACED OFF AGZ SEVEN US FLEET CARRIERS AND 100 US NAVY WARSHIPS.
* SAME > PLA "SECOND ARTILLERY" + PLAAF WILL TARGET US NAVAL FLEETS FOR ATTACK IN THE SEA OF JAPAN + TAIWAN STRAIT.
* SAME > JAPAN EXTENDS ITS SDF "AIR DEFENSE IDENTIFICATION ZONE" [Japan F-15's] TO THE WEST SIDE OF YONAGUNI CLOSER TOWARDS TAIWAN AND MAINLAND CHINA.
Posted by: Steve White ||
06/25/2010 9:12 Comments ||
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#8
See other link at this site.
At dawn, June 25th, 1950, North Korea under the dictatorship of Kim Il-sung began an unbroken string of provocations against South Korea starting with the invasion of South Korea in a surprise attack.
#14
it sickens me, but i can easily imagine that 0bama would pay this in exchange for 'considerations' relating to the Norks continuing their nuke program.
Posted by: abu do you love ||
06/25/2010 19:44 Comments ||
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#15
Actually Just a misprint. Should be 64 dollars and 96 cents. Most of their yearly GDP.
#16
What? NK 5th Brigade killed all those Matabele in Zimbob-land, and he never paid you? Seriously, there's a reason you have grass soup and tree-bark entrees, now for once do the decent thing and FOAD.
#19
Wonder what the tab will be after we nuke the living sh$$ out of them the next time they get "rambunctious". As for China, they cannot afford to have the US hit ONE CITY of theirs with a nuke, and there's no way in he$$ they can prevent it. They know it, we know it.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
06/25/2010 23:54 Comments ||
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The Israeli intelligence agency Mossad has failed in an attempt to assassinate Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a Jordanian weekly says.
Informed sources in Turkey say that the Mossad plot has been foiled by the country's security forces, al-Manar quoted a report in the most recent edition of the Al-Majd weekly as saying.
There are also reports that Israel has been trying to incite violence inside Turkey by lending support to the militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Earlier in June, Sedat Laciner, the head of the International Strategic Research Organization -- a Turkish think tank -- said Mossad agents and Israeli military retirees had been sighted providing training to PKK militants in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Laciner said Tel Aviv does not have a positive perception of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party, which is led by Erdogan.
After an Israeli attack on a Gaza-bound flotilla that left nine Turkish citizens dead on May 31, Ankara drew up a roadmap to "completely" cut its ties with Israel.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul had earlier announced that a roadmap would be prepared on the issue of sanctions against Israel.
"The roadmap details a process through which Turkey will completely cut its ties with Israel" in several stages, Turkish daily Today's Zaman reported on June 17.
According to the roadmap, the first step would be that Turkey's ambassador to Tel Aviv, who had previously been recalled, would not be sent back unless Israel sends a member to a UN investigatory commission that aims to look into the Israeli attack on the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla.
The roadmap would also require all military training and cooperation with Israel to be halted and states that an internal Israeli inquiry into the attack would in no way be recognized by Turkey.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/25/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
Then PressTV.ir woke up from their nocturnal emission and had to write it down.
Posted by: ed ||
06/25/2010 1:23 Comments ||
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#2
I'm thinking if they really had targeted him, he would be pushing up the daisies already. Or nailed to the ceiling and walls with railroad spikes. Or something.
And when someone asks, Israel should answer, "Well, maybe he was a zombie."
#4
"...Mossad agents and Israeli military retirees had been sighted providing training to PKK militants in Iraqi Kurdistan."
It is possible that IDF retirees have been contracted by the Kurdistan Govt. to teach their own troops how to improve their response to terrorist attacks. If so, good for Kurdistan (and yes, IIUC, 'Kurdistan' is what the folks call it more and more often as opposed to the 'Kurdish provinces of Iraq' (and Erdogan really, really, really, hates that).
Posted by: lord garth ||
06/25/2010 12:17 Comments ||
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#5
I knew it! Eragon was kicked in the nuts by a Juice Horse! Missed his head by a couple inches he did.
Washington (CNSNews.com) Eight members of the House of Representatives have signed a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, urging her not to deport the son of the founder of the terrorist group Hamas. The son, Mosab Hassan Yousef, became a spy for the Israeli government in the late 1990s and reportedly stopped several terrorist attacks.
In 2009, the United States rejected Yousef's petition for asylum. Yousef, who converted from Islam to Christianity, would likely be in danger if forced to return to the West Bank, which is run by the Palestinian Authority and borders Israel, Jordan and the Dead Sea.
The letter, circulated by Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), tells Napolitano "to take in all the evidence" about the case.
#3
The reasons given by Homeland Security for his deportation order, if followed strictly, would be justification for deporting every member of military intelligence, the FBI's counter-terrorism sections, and the CIA worth a pinch of shit.
Somebody ought to lose their precious fucking government pensions over chickenshit crap like this.
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
06/25/2010 16:24 Comments ||
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#4
I don't wannt to get him in trouble but I guess he's already in trouble.
âI personally switched gods,â Yousef said during his remarks to the gathering. He later said he is frequently asked why he left Islam. His answer: âBecause the god of Islam doesnât like music, Jews, Christians or Muslims. The god of Islam is the biggest enemy of Muslims.â
#1
A Pakistani court is investigating a blasphemy charge against the 26 year old CEO of Facebook in which if convicted, can mean a death penalty for Zuckerberg. Rest assured, he won't be heading towards Pakistan for a vacation for the foreseeable future.
Zuckerberg is being charged under the Pakistani penal code Section 295-C, which goes on to say: "Use of derogatory remark etc, in respect of the Holy Prophet, whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation, or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable for fine."
#2
Is Zuckerman a billionaire yet? I wonder how many Paki islamic bigots can be knocked off for a billion $?
Posted by: ed ||
06/25/2010 16:03 Comments ||
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#3
Zuckermanberg
Posted by: ed ||
06/25/2010 16:04 Comments ||
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#4
Ever since Salman Rushdie, the West has needed to send a profound message to Islamic nations: NO death penalties against your citizens in our countries; and NO death penalties AT ALL against our citizens in our countries, or it is an act of war.
This is a sliding scale. On one end, if a foreign dictator flees his country to a western nation, he should be home free. You might charge him in international court, but you cannot send hitters to kill him. The reason is that being able to flee is the only thing keeping some dictators from insane genocides.
In the middle of the scale are people like Salman Rushdie and Hirsh Ali. Their being out of your hair is reward enough. A powerful message to Islam: anti-Islamic PR is not enough to kill somebody in the civilized world.
On the other end of the scale is somebody like Zuckerberg. The instant some Pakistani judge gives him a death sentence, that judge should have an international arrest warrant put out on him, and any international assets of that judge should be subject to automatic seizure.
#5
Well Achmed, if it's blasphemy you want, you've come to the right place.
Posted by: ed ||
06/25/2010 16:01 Comments ||
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#6
What would probably be best are some of the ancient, colorful Arabic curses. These could sometimes be almost things of beauty, such as "Mo' had emerods that hung like grapes", and "Many (male organs) were rested upon Mo's forehead."
Some could get complicated.
"Curse Mo's grandfather, and his father, from whose dog that SOB and his sister were given in incestuous birth, through that anus that was their mother and those other spewers of dung of her ancestors!"
[Dawn] Citing return of democracy, successful anti-militant operations and an expanding infrastructure network, a top United States expert on south Asia has said Pakistan is making vital strides in the face of numerous challenges and is not a failing state, as wrongly bracketted by a recent Foreign Policy Index.
"The Failed States Index is clearly only one side of the die. While sitting at a computer crunching numbers, even with expert input as the index apparently uses, the larger story is missed," Christine Fair, an eminent political scientist, contended on the Foreign Policy magazine website.
"Pakistan has its problems and enormous challenges lay ahead, but it is far from a failed or even failing state," wrote Dr. Fair, who is an assistant professor at the Georgetown University.
"Democracy has returned, after numerous bouts of military interventions and democritus interruptus," she noted. Fair also referred to the important shift that recently took place politically in Pakistan when President Zardari began relinquishing the sweeping presidential powers he inherited from Musharraf.
"In April 2010, Zardari signed the 18th Amendment which returned Pakistan to a parliamentary democracy more in line with its 1973 constitution, which remains the lodestone of democratic legitimacy in Pakistan. This is the first time in recent history when a president 'willingly' ceded power to a prime minister."
She contrasted the recent democratic advances with the fragile democratic situation besetting the country throughout the 1990s, when no democratically elected government served out its term.
"The election of 2008, despite a difficult start with voter registration and manipulation of electoral rules, was reasonably fair and peaceful, despite Taliban threats to disrupt the process. That election saw the peaceful and democratic transfer of power which brought President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani into office."
The expert on South Asia begins her argument emphasizing Pakistan's achievements with the country's military successes in the ongoing high-stakes fight against militancy.
"Pakistan has taken the challenge of defeating the Pakistani Taliban seriously, Pakistan's army and Frontier Corps are taking up the fight and appear to have their citizenry with them," she noted, while regretting that the massive Pakistani security effort does not get enough appreciation in the media.
"This is unfair. The Pakistan army and the Frontier Corps face a formidable foe," she added, while also pointing out limited resources available. The expert also wrote though Pakistan has a long way to go, it has made enormous investments in its internal security apparatus.
SHe said there is clear understanding about the need for competent police forces as well as an increasingly competent Frontier Corps as key elements in the "holding" phase after clearing militants of an area.
On the socio-economic front, Fair remarked that Pakistan also continues to make progress with decreasing fertility and expanding educational opportunities. Although state run institutions such as the public schools are not performing satisfactorily, affordable private schools are spreading throughout Pakistan, she noted. In terms of development, Fair drew attention to the fact that Pakistan continues to build its infrastructure.
"Pakistan is increasingly connected with improved roads. That said, Pakistan does face enormous electricity shortages due to Musharraf's failure to make a single investment in this sector during his ten year tenure."
In addition, "Pakistan also has made significant strides in securing its nuclear arsenal through the establishment of the National Command Authority and the Strategic Plans Directorate," the expert observed with respect to safety of Pakistan's nuclear program.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/25/2010 00:00 ||
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Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan
#2
Presumably the dog, er, canine associate is one of the experts who has input...
Posted by: M. Murcek ||
06/25/2010 8:16 Comments ||
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#3
And no, I'm not hinkin' that. The animal's honorific is Ms., so must be a femayle...
Posted by: M. Murcek ||
06/25/2010 8:18 Comments ||
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#4
Thinkin', not hinkin'. Keyboard is shot...
Posted by: M. Murcek ||
06/25/2010 8:19 Comments ||
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#5
I'm thinking Ms. Oppenheimer made the call. Has Pakistan been bombed out of existence? O.K., then it is still a failed state. Rantburg might need a "Failed State Meter"--just a suggestion. It would read zero in this case.
Namely because vast swathes are a no-go zone . Get them under control , and maybe , just maybe in 1000 years , Pakistan might make it to the 21st century
Zombies from Uni ?
Posted by: Oscar ||
06/25/2010 8:48 Comments ||
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#7
The Pakistan army and the Frontier Corps face a formidable foe...
[Dawn] Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Thursday said that terrorists were turning to Punjab, Potohar Region, Karachi and Sindh after failing in Swat and the Fata region.
While addressing the National Assembly session, Malik said that the peace and security condition in the country had improved during the last two-and-half years.
He claimed that three groups were involved in terror activities along with Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Malik said that in 90 per cent cases of terror attacks that happened, intelligence reports were provided to the provincial governments prior to the attacks.
Meanwhile talking to media at the Parliament House, the minister said that role of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan was important for sustainable peace and security of the region.
An agenda has been prepared for negotiation with the Indian home minister and detailed discussion with an open mind will be held on all the issues, he added.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/25/2010 00:00 ||
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Top|| File under: al-Qaeda in Pakistan
JERUSALEM Israel launched a spy satellite called Ofek 9' late Tuesday, Israel's Defense Ministry and officials said, increasing Israel's capacity to keep an eye on enemies like Iran.
The Defense Ministry issued a statement saying the satellite was launched late Tuesday from the Palmachim air force base on Israel's coast south of Tel Aviv. An hour later, after the satellite completed its first circuit, the ministry said it had achieved its proper orbit, describing it as a surveillance satellite with advanced technological capabilities.'
Defense officials said Ofek 9 is a spy satellite with a high resolution camera. It would join two other active spy satellites in the Ofek series already orbiting the earth. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because details were not made public, said the three satellites would give Israel considerable coverage of sensitive areas.
Addition of a new satellite gives Israel the capability of sending space-borne cameras over sensitive areas more frequently. One of Israel's main targets for spy photos is Iran, because of its nuclear program. Israel is also thought to be targeting Syria with its satellites.
Defense officials said that with each successive Israeli satellite, cameras are more advanced and offer higher resolution. They said the camera aboard Ofek 9 was made by Elbit, a leading Israeli high-tech optics firm. They said the camera could pick out missiles and launchers on the ground.
Isaac Ben-Israel, a former head of the Israeli space agency, told Israel Radio that the new satellite weighs about 650 pounds (300 kilograms), small in comparison to American spy satellites. He said it would take another two or three days before it could be determined if its camera was working properly. So far, he said, Israel has not had problems with cameras aboard its satellites.
Posted by: Steve White ||
06/25/2010 00:00 ||
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[Al Arabiya Latest] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu charged Wednesday that the real motivation behind plans to send blockade-busting ships toward Gaza is to allow free flow of weapons into the Palestinian territory.
Netanyahu spoke as preparations were under way to send several ships carrying aid and pro-Palestinian activists toward Gaza, setting up potential confrontations at sea.
Israel already has warned archenemy Iran to drop its plan to send a blockade-busting ship to Gaza. The Iranian ship is one of several that activists say will head for Gaza in the next few months. One is said to be heading for Gaza from Lebanon within days.
On Wednesday, Lebanon warned that it would hold Israel responsible for any further attacks on blockade-busting ships.
Netanyahu said his government is drawing up a list of weapons and items with military uses that will not be allowed into Gaza "so that we can permit all the rest."
He said the new list will be made public "in the coming days."
Posted by: Fred ||
06/25/2010 00:00 ||
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Top|| File under: Hamas
#1
IIRC ISRAEL NN > IRAN: IAF LANDS ON SAUDI BASE + US WARNS LEBANON NOT TO SEND GAZA AID CONVOY.
* DEBKA > MID WAR TENSIONS MOUNT OVER GAZA-BOUND "ENEMY SHIPS", HIZBALLAH PLEDGES REPRISAL.
and
* YNETNEWS > IRANIAN GAZA AID SHIP WON'T SAIL DUE TO "ISRAELI THREATS"[ Iran cancels all plans to send Gaza aid ships, at least for now.
IMO also read, IRAN WANTS TO SEE WHAT LEBANON DOES = LEBANON SHIPS GET FIRED UPON BY ISRAELI NAVY???
Separate Iranian ship heads to Gaza via Caspian Sea after Egypt denies Israel request to prevent vessels in Suez Canal.
One of the organizers of an Iranian aid flotilla that was to sail to Gaza in efforts to break Israel's naval blockade on the territory, announced Thursday that the event has been cancelled due to "Israeli threats."
A separate Iranian ship carrying 60 Iranian activists was being prepared to sail to Gaza via the Caspian Sea, according to Army Radio. This after the Lebanese media reported several days ago that Egypt has denied Israel's request to prevent Iranian ships from passing through the Suez Canal toward Egypt.
Meanwhile Thursday, the U.S. State Department issued a statement calling the aid flotillas to Gaza irresponsible.
"Mechanisms exist for the transfer of humanitarian assistance to Gaza by member states and groups that want to do so," the U.S. State Department said regarding Lebanese plans to ship aid to Gaza. "Direct delivery by sea is neither appropriate nor responsible, and certainly not effective, under the circumstances."
The Lebanese and Iranian efforts come after a tragic incident aboard a Turkish aid ship, part of an 8-ship Turkish flotilla, which was headed for Gaza on May 31. Israeli navy commandos, intent on preventing the ship from reaching Gaza's shore, boarded the ship, and were met by a violent mob wielding sticks and knives. The clash that ensued resulted in the deaths of nine Turkish activists.
SOFIA - Sanctions may not have closed the door for talks over Iran's nuclear programme, but the ball is now in Tehran's court to allay international fears, Brazil's foreign minister said here Wednesday.
During a two-day visit to Sofia, Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said he was aware that there were concerns expressed by the Vienna Group' the United States, France and Russia over a May 17 fuel swap deal between Iran, Brazil and Turkey.
I think now it is up to Iran to react to these,' he told journalists.
Iran's tripartite deal to exchange 1,200 kilogrammes (2,640 pounds) of its low-enriched uranium for higher grade fuel was cold-shouldered by world powers with the UN, EU and US slapping new sets of sanctions on Tehran.
My frank opinion is that sanctions do not help. But I am encouraged by the fact that Iran has had so far a rather flexible response,' Amorim added.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov meanwhile noted that it is most important at the moment not to take the decision by the UN Security Council for additional sanctions as closing the door for negotiations and talks with Iran.'
I hope the Iranian authorities will be ready to sit at the table for an open dialogue on all issues concerning their nuclear programme with the Vienna Group and the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) to find a solution to this situation,' he added.
I agree that maybe the sanctions do not close the door (to talks), I hope that this is the case. But I think that the rush to sanctions was a bit disappointing from our point of view,' Amorim said.
He appeared encouraged that French President Nicolas Sarkozy was willing to continue negotiations with Iran, based on the Brazil and Turkey proposal, and he praised the positive mood' in Iran's general response to that proposal.
I think this is a good development.'
Amorim added: We have felt especially on the part of one of the members of the so-called Vienna Group, the willingness and the desire to have a continued engagement by Turkey and Brazil.'
And if this is also the desire of Iran, which I think it is, but also of the other two (Vienna Group members) we will be more than glad to help,' he said.
Posted by: Steve White ||
06/25/2010 00:00 ||
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"...there were concerns expressed by the Vienna Group the United States, France and Russia over a May 17 fuel swap deal between Iran, Brazil and Turkey."
yeah that's because the May 17 fuel swap didn't make a shred of sense since neither Brazil nor Turkey have reprocessing ability.
Posted by: lord garth ||
06/25/2010 0:14 Comments ||
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#2
CHINESE MIL FORUM > {hamasiyah.net] IRAN'S NUCLEAR OPTIONS [Mideast-PersGulf] AGZ THE US EXPLAINED.
ARTIC > Realistically, in 2010 = 2010-2012 Period
* Only the IRANIAN AIR FORCE SU-24 "FENCER" can deliver a FIRST-GENERATION URANIUM BOMB. An IRAN URANIUM BOMB simil to WW2's HIROSHIMA + NAGASAKI NUCBOMBS will likely [barely] use up the entire load-carrying capacity of the aforesame SU-24 strike aircraft.
* AL-SHAHAAB + ITS EQUALS [MilTerr Groups]are likely NOT CAPABLE [yet] of handling let alone delivering same.
Read, WIDOUT BLOWING THEMSELVES UP FIRST.
* ISRAEL's MODERN AIR FORCES + LR BMS CAN DESTROY UP TO 75% OF TEHRAN.
Perhaps most importantly for IRAN, + ISRAEL, POTUS OBAMA IS DEEMED UNWILING OR UNLIKELY TO USE ANY PART OF AMER'S NUCLEAR ARSENEAL IN AN ISRAELI-IRAN WAR.
Read, US CONVENTIONAL = GROUND, SPECFORS + TACAIR FORCES.
[Iran Press TV Latest] Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) has rejected the latest UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against Tehran are baseless and unfair.
"The UN Security Council's latest resolution calls for restrictions on shipping industry as well as goods coming to and leaving Iran. But, the council's resolution is in violation of international law," Mohammad Hossein Dajmar told Press TV.
He said that sanctions are nothing new for the shipping company as it has been under various unilateral sanctions since 2008.
The IRISL chairman dismissed claims that the company is owned by the government.
He said the new sanctions will harm the interests of millions of shareholders.
On June 9, the UNSC passed a US-sponsored anti-Iran resolution that places restrictions on the country's shipping industry.
Two Non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, Turkey and Brazil, which voted against the resolution, had issued a joint nuclear fuel swap declaration with Iran on May 17, seeking to avert a US push for the anti-Iran sanctions over allegations that Tehran is pursuing a military nuclear program.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/25/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
Can someone help me find this international law book that has all these great laws the west keeps violating?
The Russian Consul General Ali Mitkhadovich Mustafabeyli says the much delayed Bushehr nuclear power plant will be on stream within the next two months.
Russia's consul general in Isfahan told reporters that the Russian government is not facing any problems for completing the Bushehr plant, Mehr News Agency reported.
"It will take two month or even less than that for the completion of the Bushehr nuclear plant," Mustafabeyli said.
He added that this is not merely the opinion of Russian officials as Iranian officials have also estimated that the plant will become operational within the same timeframe.
"The Bushehr plant is a serious matter and has no connection with trade cooperation between Tehran and Moscow," the diplomat added.
Western corporations launched the construction of the plant in the 1970s but abandoned their commitments and pulled out of the project following the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran.
Iran signed a deal with Russia in 1992 to finalize the construction of the nuclear power plant. Moscow has since postponed the launch of the Bushehr plant, which was initially planned to be completed in 1999.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/25/2010 00:00 ||
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Link ||
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#1
Don't those people understand nuclear power is dangerous? They have a lot of sun in Iraq. They should switch to solar power.
And, uh, windmills; plenty of hot air, too.
Posted by: Bobby ||
06/25/2010 6:47 Comments ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
[Kyodo: Korea] North Korea claims to have suffered $64.96 trillion in human and material damage from the United States over the 60-year period from September 1945, the North"s official Korean Central News Agency said Thursday. Of the total, $26.17 trillion relates to at least 5,060,770 civilians North Korea says were killed, wounded, or abducted by United States, and $13.73 trillion stemmed from economic sanctions, KCNA said in a report.
The Israeli intelligence agency Mossad has failed in an attempt to assassinate Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a Jordanian weekly says. 
SOFIA - Sanctions may not have closed the door for talks over Iran's nuclear programme, but the ball is now in Tehran's court to allay international fears, Brazil's foreign minister said here Wednesday.
