Posted on 12/17/2006 4:03:30 PM PST by DAVEY CROCKETT
VEVAK learned its methodology from the Soviet KGB and many of the Islamist revolutionaries who supported Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini actually studied at Moscow's Patrice Lumumba Friendship University, the Oxford of terrorism. Documented Iranian alumni include the current Supreme Leader (the faqih) Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, under whose Velayat-e Faqih (Rule of the Islamic Jurisprudent) apparatus it has traditionally operated. Its current head is Cabinet Minister Hojatoleslam Gholam-Hussein Mohseni-Ezhei, a graduate of Qom's Haqqani School, noted for its extremist position advocating violence against enemies and strict clerical control of society and government. The Ministry is very well funded and its charge, like that of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (the Pasdaran) is to guard the revolutionary Islamic Iranian regime at all costs and under all contingencies.
From the KGB playbook, VEVAK learned the art of disinformation. It's not so difficult to learn: tell the truth 80% of the time and lie 20%. Depending on how well a VEVAK agent wants to cover his/her tracks, the ratio may go up to 90/10, but it never drops below the 80/20 mark as such would risk suspicion and possible detection. The regime in Teheran has gone to great lengths to place its agents in locations around the world. Many of these operatives have been educated in the West, including the U.K. and the United States. Iranian government agencies such as embassies, consulates, Islamic cultural centers, and airline offices regularly provide cover for the work of VEVAK agents who dress well and are clean shaven, and move comfortably within our society. In this country, because of the severance of diplomatic relations, the principal site of VEVAK activities begins at the offices of Iran's Permanent Mission to the UN in New York.
Teheran has worked diligently to place its operatives in important think tanks and government agencies in the West. Some of its personnel have been recruited while in prison through torture or more often through bribery, or a combination of both. Others are Islamist revolutionaries that have been set up to look like dissidents - often having been arrested and imprisoned, but released for “medical reasons”. The clue to detecting the fake “dissident” is to read carefully what he/she writes, and to ask why this vocal “dissident” was released from prison when other real dissidents have not been released, indeed have been grievously tortured and executed. Other agents have been placed in this country for over twenty-five years to slowly go through the system and rise to positions of academic prominence due to their knowledge of Farsi and Shia Islam or Islamist fundamentalism.
One of the usual tactics of VEVAK is to co-opt academia to its purposes. Using various forms of bribery, academics are bought to defend the Islamic Republic or slander its enemies. Another method is to assign bright students to train for academic posts as specialists in Iranian or Middle East affairs. Once established, such individuals are often consulted by our government as it tries to get a better idea of how it should deal with Iran. These academics then are in a position to skew the information, suggesting the utility of extended dialogue and negotiation, or the danger and futility of confronting a strong Iran or its proxies such as Hizballah (Hezbollah). These academics serve to shield the regime from an aggressive American or Western policy, and thereby buy more time for the regime to attain its goals, especially in regards to its nuclear weaponry and missile programs.
MOIS likes to use the media, especially electronic media, to its advantage. One of VEVAK's favorite tricks is setting up web sites that look like they are opposition sites but which are actually controlled by the regime. These sites often will be multilingual, including Farsi, German, Arabic French, and English. Some are crafted carefully and are very subtle in how they skew their information (e.g., Iran-Interlink, set up and run by Massoud Khodabandeh and his wife Ann Singleton from Leeds, England); others are less subtle, simply providing the regime's point of view on facts and events in the news (e.g., www.mujahedeen.com or www.mojahedin.ws). This latter group is aimed at the more gullible in our open society and unfortunately such a market exists. However, if one begins to do one's homework, asking careful questions, the material on these fake sites generally does not add up.
Let's examine a few examples of VEVAK's work in the United States. In late October, 2005, VEVAK sent three of its agents to Washington to stage a press event in which the principal Iranian resistance movement, the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MeK), was to be slandered. Veteran VEVAK agent Karim Haqi flew from Amsterdam to Canada where he was joined by VEVAK's Ottawa agents Amir-Hossein Kord Rostami and Mahin (Parvin-Mahrokh) Haji, and the three flew from Toronto to Washington. Fortunately the resistance had been tracking these three, informed the FBI of their presence in Washington, and when the three tried to hold a press conference, the resistance had people assigned to ask pointed questions of them so that they ended the interview prematurely and fled back to Canada.
Abolghasem Bayyenet is a member of the Iranian government. He serves as a trade expert for the Ministry of Commerce. But his background of study and service in the Foreign Ministry indicates that Bayyenet is more than just an economist or a suave and savvy businessman. In an article published in Global Politician on April 23, 2006, entitled “Is Regime Change Possible in Iran?”, Bayyenet leads his audience to think that he is a neutral observer, concerned lest the United States make an error in its assessment of Iran similar to the errors of intelligence and judgment that led to our 2003 invasion of Iraq, with its less than successful outcome. However, his carefully crafted bottom line is that the people of Iran are not going to support regime change and that hardliner President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad actually has achieved greater popularity than his predecessors because of his concern for the problems of the poor and his fight for economic and social justice. To the naive, Bayyenet makes Ahmadinejad sound positively saintly. Conveniently overlooked is the occurrence of over four thousand acts of protest, strikes, anti-regime rallies, riots, and even political assassinations by the people of Iran against the government in the year since Ahmadinejad assumed office. So too, the following facts are ignored: the sizeable flight of capital, the increase in unemployment, and the rising two-figure rate of inflation, all within this last year. Bayyenet is a regime apologist, and when one is familiar with the facts, his arguments ring very hollow. However, his English skills are excellent, and so the naОve might be beguiled by his commentary.
Mohsen Sazegara is VEVAK's “reformed revolutionary”. A student supporter of Khomeini before the 1979 revolution, Sazegara joined the “imam” on his return from exile and served in the government for a decade before supposedly growing disillusioned.
He formed several reformist newspapers but ran afoul of the hardliners in 2003 and was arrested and imprisoned by VEVAK. Following “hunger strikes”, Sazegara was released for health reasons and permitted to seek treatment abroad. Although critical of the government and particularly of Ahmadinejad and KhameneМ, Sazegara is yet more critical of opposition groups, leaving the impression that he favors internal regime change but sees no one to lead such a movement for the foreseeable future. His bottom line: no one is capable of doing what needs to be done, so we must bide our time. Very slick, but his shadow shows his likely remaining ties to the MOIS.
http://www.ocnus.net/artman/publish/article_27144.shtml
You'll all find this interesting:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/830309.html
Last update - 11:02 25/02/2007
Report: 3 Gulf states agree to IAF overflights en route to Iran
By Yoav Stern and Yossi Melman, Haaretz Correspondents
Three Arab states in the Persian Gulf would be willing to allow the Israel Air force to enter their airspace in order to reach Iran in case of an attack on its nuclear facilities, the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Siyasa reported on Sunday.
According to the report, a diplomat from one of the gulf states visiting Washington on Saturday said the three states, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, have told the United States that they would not object to Israel using their airspace, despite their fear of an Iranian response.
Al-Siyasa further reported that NATO leaders are urging Turkey to open its airspace for an Attack on Iran as well and to also open its airports and borders in case of a ground attack.
According to a British diplomat who spoke to an Al-Siyasa correspondent, Turkey will not repeat the mistake it made in 2003, when it refused to open its airspace to U.S. Air Force overflights en route to attacking Iraq.
British newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday that Israel is negotiating with the U.S. over permission for an "air corridor" over Iraq, should an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities become necessary.
Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh on Saturday denied the reports and said Israel has no such plans.
Cuba:
http://granma.co.cu/english/index.html
Latin and world news, links to papers:
http://www.allyoucanread.com/newspapers.asp?id=R4
http://www.allyoucanread.com/
http://eaglespeak.blogspot.com/2007/02/weapons-smugglers-caught-crossing.html
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Weapons smugglers caught crossing Tigris River
Reported here:
Baghdad Soldiers engaged gunmen attempting to smuggle weapons across the Tigris River by boat in a southeastern section of the Iraqi capital Feb. 23.
Members of 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, initially engaged two armed men on the west bank side of the Tigris River. The smugglers fled in their boat to the east side of the river, where they were joined by three other gunmen.
After an initial firefight, the five gunmen took cover in a bunker and a large shipping container along the river bank. They continued firing across the river at the troops. The Soldiers returned fire with small arms, and eventually used tank rounds to destroy the bunker and end the attack.
One more reason the Riverine Force is needed...
# posted by Eagle1 : 2/24/2007 04:57:00 PM
http://eaglespeak.blogspot.com/
"When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
Sir Winston Churchill
Gone missing: Homemade yellow submarine
Reported here:
A 3 1/2-ton yellow submarine has fallen off the radar. The 10-foot-long sub, built by a resident to patrol Monterey Bay during the 1940s and 1950s, was reported missing Feb. 15 from its Santa Cruz Mountains berth on Steinmaier Road by owner Carl Barker.
"It sounds bizarre," said Detective Kevin Coyne of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office. "All I know is ... there's no suspects."
Perhaps the neighbors thought it was lowering their property values?
Sub in photo is tourist boat from Hawaii. Imagine it yellow. And smaller.
UPDATE: 2/22/07 Found. Misunderstanding.
# posted by Eagle1 : 2/21/2007 05:34:00 PM Comments | Trackback
[photo at link, middle of page]
http://eaglespeak.blogspot.com/
http://www.icc-ccs.org/extra/display.php?yr=2007
IMB live piracy map 2007
http://www.counterterrorismtraining.gov/pubs/port.html
[a sample of the links:
Port Security
The 25% Challenge: Speeding Cross-Border Traffic in Southeastern Michigan
Journal of Homeland Security, April 19, 2006
This article describes how a public-private partnership met and exceeded then-Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge's goal to reduce cross-border transit times in Southeastern Michigan within 1 year.
Border and Transportation Security
Congressional Research Service, March 29, 2005
Border and transportation security are pivotal in protecting the American people from terrorists. This three-part series of reports uses analytical frameworks to better understand and explain complex problems in border and transportation security and to facilitate the consideration of alternative policies and practices.
*
The Complexity of the Challenge (PDF)
This report uses a series of graphical presentations to form one possible framework that might assist policymakers in understanding the complex nature of border and transportation security.
*
Selected Programs and Policies (PDF)
This report addresses selected programs and policies now in place that seek to attain higher levels of border transportation security.
*
Possible New Directions and Policy Options (PDF)
This report addresses possible new approaches and policy options that might be explored by Congress.
Border and Transportation Security: Overview of Congressional Issues (PDF)
Congressional Research Service, December 2004
This report discusses the roles and responsibilities of various federal agencies engaged in border and transportation security activities. It also defines terms and selected concepts used in border and transportation security debates.
Border Security: Inspections Practices, Policies, and Issues (PDF)
Congressional Research Service, May 26, 2004
This report examines the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's “one face at the border” approach, which unifies inspections operations at all U.S. borders. In particular, it examines three types of border inspections: immigration, customs, and animal and plant health. It also discusses trends at ports, modes of entry, budget issues, and staffing functions.
Border Security: Key Agencies and Their Missions (PDF)
Congressional Research Service, Updated May 9, 2005
This report is a primer on the key federal agencies charged with border security. Those agencies are the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), which patrols the border and conducts immigration, customs, and agricultural inspections; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which investigates immigration and customs violations in the interior of the country; the U.S. Coast Guard, which provides maritime and port security; and the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA), which is responsible for securing the nation's land, rail, and air transportation networks.
Border Security: New Policies and Increased Interagency Coordination Needed to Improve Visa Process (PDF)
U.S. General Accounting Office, July 2003
This Congressional testimony discusses the visa process and recommends ways to strengthen border security through information sharing and more clear policies and guidelines. The testimony also addresses visa revocation as an anti-terrorism tool.
Border Security: The Role of the U.S. Border Patrol (PDF)
Congressional Research Service, Updated May 10, 2005
This report considers recent and future issues that fall under the purview of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), such as drug smuggling, human smuggling, and human trafficking. It also covers efforts to combat these activities, including the new National Border Patrol Strategy, which emphasizes the interdiction of terrorists; the Arizona Border Control Initiative; U.S.-Canadian northern border cooperation; and civilian patrol groups. CBP staffing and training needs are also presented.
Border Security: US-VISIT Program Faces Strategic, Operational, and Technological Challenges at Land Ports of Entry (PDF)
Government Accountability Office, December 6, 2006
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program to collect, maintain, and share data on selected foreign nationals entering and exiting the United States at air, sea, and land points of entry. These data, including biometric identifiers such as digital fingerprints, are to be used to screen persons against watch lists, verify visitors' identities, and record arrival and departure. In this report, the Government Accountability Office analyzes efforts to implement US-VISIT entry and exit capabilities and DHS's efforts to define how US-VISIT fits with other emerging border security initiatives.
Coast Guard: Challenges During the Transition to the Department of Homeland Security (PDF)
U.S. General Accounting Office, April 2003
This testimony before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, outlines the challenges faced by the Coast Guard during its transition to the Department of Homeland Security. The U.S. General Accounting Office recommends developing a comprehensive strategy that addresses how the Coast Guard should balance and monitor resources in light of its new operating environment.
Coast Guard: Condition of Some Aids-to-Navigation and Domestic Icebreaking Vessels Has Declined; Effect on Mission Performance Appears Mixed (PDF)
Government Accountability Office, September 22, 2006
To facilitate the safety and efficiency of the marine transportation system, the Coast Guard's fleet of more than 200 vessels maintains aids-to-navigation (ATON), such as buoys and beacons, and conducts domestic icebreaking. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, many of these assets took on additional responsibilities for security patrols and other homeland security duties. Although some assets have been recently acquired, many others are reaching or have exceeded their design service lives, raising concerns about how well and for how much longer these older assets can carry out their missions. This document examines recent trends in the amount of time these assets have spent performing missions; the condition of these assets and how their condition affects mission performance; and the Coast Guard's actions to continue to achieve the missions of these assets.
http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php
Weekly Piracy Report
14-20 February 2007
The following is a summary of the daily reports broadcast by the IMB's Piracy Reporting Centre to ships in Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean Regions on the SafetyNET service of Inmarsat-C from 14 to 20 February 2007.
ALERT
Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh
Forty seven incidents have been reported since 28.01.2006. Pirates are targeting ships preparing to anchor. Ships are advised to take extra precautions.
The 2006 Annual IMB Report on Piracy and Armed Attacks against Ships is now published. Please see the end of this page to order.
Suspicious crafts
15.02.2007 0935 LT in position 13:27N - 043:02E, 15 miles NW of Al Mukha, Southern Red Sea.
A 40 metre yacht sighted two small fishing craft underway carrying five personnel each. One craft moved to a position 200m ahead of the yacht while the other swung around and approached from the starboard quarter. Anti piracy measures activated by yacht. Suspicious craft moved away upon seeing crew alertness. The craft could have been operating from a mother vessel.
Recently reported incidents
15.02.2007 0815 LT in position 12:05N – 080:10.7E, India.
Pirates in a fishing boat approached a tug towing a floating crane underway. Tug tried to take evasive manoeuvers but the pirates managed to board the unmanned floating crane from behind. Tug now proceeding to Chennai.
14.02.2007 0415 LT in position 22:16.2N - 091:43.7E, Chittagong Anchorage, Bangladesh.
Robbers boarded a bulk carrier and attempted to steal ship's stores and ropes. As the ropes were secured on winches with wires the attempt failed and they escaped empty handed. Two padlocks damaged.
Piracy prone areas and warnings
S E Asia and the Indian Sub Continent
* Bangladesh : Chittagong anchorage and approaches. The area is listed as very high risk.
* Indonesia : Belawan, Tanjong Priok (Jakarta) / generally in other areas.
* Malacca straits
* Singapore Straits
Africa and Red Sea
* Africa : Lagos (Nigeria) / generally other areas in Nigeria, Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania)
* Gulf of Aden / Red Sea : Numerous pirate attacks have been reported by ships and yachts in the Gulf of Aden. Some of the vessels were fired upon.
* Somalian waters : Eastern and North-eastern coasts are high-risk areas for attacks and hijackings. Ships not making scheduled calls to ports in Somalia should keep as far away as possible from the Somali coast, ideally, more than 75 nautical miles.
South and Central America and the Caribbean waters
* Brazil - Santos
* Peru – Callao
Highlights: Iran Press Reports 20 Feb Majles Session
Following text is from Keyhan, 2/21/2007, p 15, on the 20 February Majles session: "The Majles Specified the Financial Resources To Pay the Salaries and New Year Benefits of Employees, Retirees and Pensioners of the Government and the Social Security Organization," followed by the Jomhuri-ye Eslami column "On the Sidelines of the Majles"
Originally published on 2/21/2007 by OSC Report in Persian
Keyhan, 2/21/2007, p 15
The Majles Specified the Financial Resources To Pay the Salaries and New Year Benefits of Employees, Retirees and Pensioners of the Government and the Social Security Organization
The Warning of 31 Majles Representatives to the Minister of Education
The Pre-Agenda Speech of the Majles Representative From Bushehr
The Pre-Agenda Speech of the Majles Representative From Eqlid
The Pre-Agenda Speech of the Majles Representative From Bandar Abbas
The Pre-Agenda Speech of the Majles Representative From Miandoab
Jomhuri-ye Eslami, 2/21/2007, p 15
On the Sidelines of the Majles
Keyhan, 2/21/2007, p 15
The Majles Specified the Financial Resources To Pay the Salaries and New Year Benefits of Employees, Retirees and Pensioners of the Government and the Social Security Organization
News Desk -- Majles representatives approved terms and conditions of the amendment to the 1385 [ 2006-2007] budget bill to allow the administration to withdraw 33,000 billion rials in order to pay salaries and New Year benefits and other personnel costs. This fund will be provided out of the funds allocated for the development projects that have not been realized. According to the amendment and note A of the single article, in order to provide financial resources for executive agencies that want to pay salaries and New Year benefits of employees, retirees and pensioners of the Social Security Organization who receive less than 200,000 tumans per month, the administration is allowed to use these resources on condition that it complies with clause V and note 20 of the budget bill of 1385 and without increasing the total amount of the budget bill.
Majles representatives also approved two additional clauses to the amendment to the 1385 budget bill that allow the allocation of 25 billion rials to supervisory boards of the councils election. The administration was also allowed to interchange funds in order to meet funds required by the Ministry of Education that should be approved by the Management and Planning Organization.
At yesterday's open session, general terms of the amendment to the parliamentary election law were considered. After passing general terms of the bill, Majles representative began considering the bill in detail. Based on article 3 of this law and subsequent amendments that had been passed in 1378 [year ending on 20 March 2000], the phrase "within bounds of this law" was added. Based on this amendment, the Council of Guardians will have the full authority to supervise all stages of the election. According to the same amendment, article 4 of the parliamentary election law was changed as follows: Midterm elections in the constituencies without representatives will be held to coincide with one of the elections mentioned in Article 6 of the Constitution. In this connection, if the number of Majles representatives falls below four-fifths of the total number of members of parliament and more than one year of the term remains, and any election is not held in this period, a midterm election shall be held. Discussing other articles of this bill was deferred until the next session.
At yesterday's open session, Seyyed Fazlollah Musavi was elected as a member of the board supervising foreign trips of the government employees.
The Warning of 31 Majles Representatives to the Minister of Education
In a warning to the minister of education, 31 Majles representatives asked for an investigation into an examination of the life of the Prophet of Islam in which questions humiliating the Prophet had been posed to volunteers that were teachers in an on-the-job training course. After reading out this notice at the open session of the Majles, Hojjat-ol Elam Abutorabifard, who presided over the session, said the minister of education would attend the Majles in connection with the matter. A group of Majles representatives appeared among correspondents and expressed regret over this humiliating act and asked the president to make an investigation into the story and publish the persons that have been involve in it. They called for the prosecution of the persons who were behind the act.
In this connection, a group of Majles representatives talk of the impeachment of the minister of education.
Mahmud Farshidi, when he arrived in the Majles yesterday afternoon, told correspondents: "As far as I am concerned, I ask my pardon for the humiliation of the Great Prophet." He added: "If an obnoxious act has been done we must make an investigation to settle the problem essentially, not to provoke public opinion." The minister said the questions had been derived from a book on the Prophet's life that has been published by the Ministry of Culture.
The Pre-Agenda Speech of the Majles Representative From Bushehr
Stating that the Iranian nation does not favor belligerence, the Majles representative from Bushehr and Dayyer said that the Iranian nation only defends the achievements of the Islamic Revolution.
In his pre-agenda speech, Qeysar Salehi said that the camp of the world arrogance, while supported by 40 countries, could not achieve its goals in the eight-year war, though Iran experienced improper post-revolutionary conditions. He added: "Today, the army and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are the first military power in the region and this fact nips in the bud any desire for igniting wars and aggression against Iran."
The Majles representative from Dayyer, Kangan and Jam pointed out: "If a war breaks out against Iran, the waters of the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf will turn into the graveyard of enemies."
He also said that the Majles spends most of its time on legislation and this has prevented the Majles from fulfilling its supervisory role, which has allowed directors of executive agencies to evade accountability and consultation with Majles representatives.
Salehi added: "This inattention has been extended to the lower levels of the executive and has obstructed the full implementation of laws."
The Pre-Agenda Speech of the Majles Representative From Eqlid
The Majles representative from Eqlid said: "The Islamic Revolution will become a global phenomenon, whether America likes or not."
In his pre-agenda speech, Ahmad Nikfar said that America's dream to be the bully of the global village will never come true. He added: "The world arrogance led by America, by making false allegations, tries to frustrate the unity of Muslims and the growing influence of the Islamic Revolution on minds of the people of the world that seek freedom."
Pointing to attempts of America to frighten some states of the region of Iran's power and add fuel to the flames of disputes between Shiites and Sunnis, he added: "America hatches these plots in order to make up for the defeats it has suffered in Afghanistan and Iraq and to stabilize the illegitimate Zionist regime."
Elsewhere, he pointed to problems facing contract teachers and said: "Employing contract teachers is commonplace in emergency conditions, while some of these teachers in Eqlid county have instructed 24 to 44 hours per week for several years."
The Majles representative from Eqlid addressed the minister of education and said: "Either employ contract teachers as permanent employees or make payments to these teachers equal to payments to permanent teachers."
The Pre-Agenda Speech of the Majles Representative From Bandar Abbas
The Majles representative from Bandar Abbas said: "Changing the governor general of Hormozgan Province like an earthquake and unexpected incident damaged the body of management in this province."
Ali Dirbaz described his pre-agenda speech as a friendly chat with the president and said: "Mr Ahmadinezhad! God help you in serving society. Why did you remove the governor general of Hormozgan Province while we needed him?"
Stating that he strongly complains about this decision by the president, he said: "We regard this decision as contrary to your justice-mindedness policy and ask you to pay attention to demands of the people and Majles representatives from this province and reinstate Mr Sheikholeslami."
The Pre-Agenda Speech of the Majles Representative From Miandoab
The Majles representative from Miandoab said that all officials must try to pave the way for the implementation of Article 44 of the Constitution.
Jahanbakhsh Mohebbinia said that improper interpretations of Article 44 of the Constitution have raised broad problems and added: "Regarding recent statements of the leader of the Islamic Revolution, the country's economic progress is not satisfying and has not kept pace with scientific, political and cultural developments in post-revolutionary years."
Stating that the importance of Article 44 of the Constitution has not yet been understood, he said: "Backgrounds have not yet been attended to, and this article suffers from being interpreted in contradictory interpretations in practice."
He added: "If the projects approved under the Fourth Five-year Development Plan and the 20-Year Prospect Plan are not noted, these projects will go wrong."
This Majles representative also addressed members of the special committee for the implementation of Article 44 of the Constitution and said: "This committee must present reports in writing to the Majles and the people."
Jomhuri-ye Eslami, 2/21/2007, p 15
On the Sidelines of the Majles
In a written warning to the president, the minister of interior, and the minister of defense, a group of Majles representatives asked for stronger security arrangements in the east of the country, especially Sistan va Baluchestan Province.
Seyyed Mohammad Reza Mirtajoddini, the Majles representative from Tabriz, and Hoseyn Sobhaninia, the Majles representative from Neyshabur, gave a warning to the minister of foreign affairs on the need to protest against the Japanese government, which has decided to freeze assets of ten Iranian companies, and its hostile attitude toward that Iranian nuclear program.
Seyyed Mohammad Reza Mirtajoddini, the Majles representative from Tabriz, gave a warning to the minister of foreign affairs on the dividing measures of the Wahabi ulema [specialists in Islamic law and theology] and the fatwa [statement on a point of Islamic law] of a Saudi Arabian mufti that calls for the destruction of Shiites' holy shrines.
Asadollah Qarekhani, the Majles representative from Aliabad Katul, and Iraj Nadimi, the Majles representative from Lahijan, gave a warning to the minister of commerce and the minister of agricultural jihad and asked them to find a solution to the seasonal increase in prices and growing inflation, especially in the New Year holidays.
Mohammd Mehdi Mofateh, the rapporteur of the combined committee of the Majles, told lobby correspondents: "According to the decision made by the committee, the price of natural gas will be increased by 20 rials per cubic meter next year, and the income earned will be spent for the execution of gas transmission projects in rural areas."
Morteza Tamaddon, the Majles representative from Shahrekord and a member of the combined committee, reported on serious talks and different proposals on setting the price of gasoline in the combined committee. He told correspondents that according to calculations performed by the Ministry of Oil, increasing the price of gasoline to 120 tumans will boost the inflation rate by 1.55 percent.
In a letter to the president, sixty Majles representatives made an explanation about activities of the Orientology Institute of the Chicago University of America in Iran and criticized the Cultural Heritage Organization for its inactive attitude toward this institute. These Majles representatives asked the president to expel members of the institute from Iran and also remove supporters of this institute that have nested in the Cultural Heritage Organization.
In a statement, more than 200 Majles representative expressed their support for Payam-e Nur University and asked for an increase in the funds allocated annually to this university.
Kazem Jalali, the rapporteur of the Majles National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said the question posed by a group of Majles representatives about cultural activities of the British Council would be discussed by the committee.
PARAMETERS
US Army War College Quarterly
Winter 2006-07, Vol. XXXVI, No. 4
full document:
http://www.carlisle.army.mil/usawc/Parameters/06winter/muckian.pdf
Structural Vulnerabilities of Networked Insurgencies:
Adapting to the New Adversary
Ahmadinezhad Says Iran Must Not Show Weakness Over Nuclear Issue
Originally published on 2/23/2007 by Iranian Students News Agency (Internet Version-WWW) in Persian
President Ahmadinezhad has said: If we show weakness in front of the enemies, their expectations will increase, but if we stand against them, because of our resistance, they will retreat.
A correspondent of ISNA reports that, on the fourth day of his visit to Gilan Province and addressing the people of Fuman, the birthplace of Ayatollah Behjat, President Ahmadinezhad said: The enemies have become so insolent to the extent that they want us to fully abide by the laws that they themselves have not submitted to and do not implement at all.
He added: While the enemies are impudently bullying [us] and wish to undermine the rights of the people, the Iranian nation is standing against them. Here and there, there are some people who, instead of condemning the bullying enemies, condemn the [Iranian] nation for withstanding the enemies, and this is one the oddities of our time. Meanwhile they [enemies] consider themselves politicians, diplomats, educated, and so on.
The president said: The great nation of Iran is knowingly standing in front of bullying [powers] and will not retreat even one step. Regrettably, some people, instead of aligning themselves with the demands of the people, praise the enemies and are also proud of their action.
The president added: I wish to make a statement on your behalf; I advise them to return to the path of expediency, law, and friendship, because this strong and alert nation will defend its rights up to end.
Elsewhere in his speech, the president said: Our revolution was the loudest cry out for "enjoining good, prohibiting vice" in contemporary history. Today, it is our duty to struggle against colonialism, arrogance, and corrupt powers, and if we neglect carrying out our duties, they will advance to the extent of destroying the religious, cultural, and political foundations of other nations.
He noted: Those who, here and there, propagate the culture of compromise and compatibility are making mistakes. If some people assume that these individuals are genuine and believe in what they utter, then I must say that they are naive; because we remember the experience of the era prior to the victory of the Islamic revolution.
Prior to the revolution, the more concession we made to the Americans, the more they demanded. As regards the nuclear issue, you can notice their arrogant attitude. Four years ago, they said that they did not trust our nuclear activities. Then they told us that for the purpose of confidence-building, we must end our activities in Natanz. As soon as this was done, they took one step forward and told us, we must stop our activities in Esfahan, though the [site] in Esfahan, form the viewpoint of rules governing the IAEA, is not part of the [nuclear] fuel cycle and the rules do not apply. The work in that site is related to mining.
Later on, they said our research centers, which are affiliated to our universities and active in this respect, should be closed down. Then, they took another step forward, and told us we should not teach nuclear physics in our universities.
I want to tell you that, if we retreat one step, they take one forward, and if we resist, they will retreat.
Elsewhere in his speech, President Ahmadinezhad said: Any factor that diverts public attention from the development of the country must be removed as soon as possible.
Stating that with the coming to power of the 9th government, there were 3.5 million unemployed in the country, the president added: In order to reduce unemployment, we have to take many measures and in this connection we are going to provide young people of this county [Fuman] cheap credit worth 50 billion tomans [one toman equals 10 rials].
He went on: During the cabinet meeting last night, the government took good decisions for the development of Fuman.
It is noteworthy that, in a few minutes' time the president will be addressing the people of Rudbar.
: Tehran Iranian Students News Agency (Internet Version-WWW) in Persian -- university student press agency; produces politically moderate reporting with emphasis on student activities; promotes political awareness of seminary and university students; headed by 'Ali Yusefpur, managing director of conservative daily Siyasat-e Ruz; partially government-funded with a student editorial staff; licensed to the government-created University Jihad institution
Pundit: IDF North Exercise 'Urgent Need' Against Syria, Iran; Signals 'New Era'
Commentary by Moshe Ishon: "Opposite the Syrian Race"
Originally published on 2/23/2007 by Hatzofe in Hebrew
The IDF's exercise held in the north last week was aimed, among others, against the Iranian-assisted Syrian arming. Syria has lately been equipping itself with all types of weapons, particularly long-range missiles and rockets. Even the Syrian Navy, which has been neglected for years, is being reinforced. Hence the urgent need to direct attention toward the country's northern enemy. It therefore behooves us to commend the chief of staff's first move.
Upon assuming office, the new chief of staff promised to devote maximum attention to training. Indeed, already in his first steps in the General Staff Headquarters, he has begun to work in the right direction. It is to be hoped that this is the path he has set for himself, not only a one-time exercise.
Right now, the IDF needs not only a rearming but also the retraining of all its units, including the reserves, to prepare for tomorrow as warranted. Although the chief of staff stated with satisfaction at the close of the exercise that it is already possible to establish that the terrorists' strength is not the same as we knew it during the war a few months ago, it was partly crushed, this should nevertheless not lead to rash conclusions that the terrorists have ceased to constitute a threat to Israel.
In the next war, we will have to contend not only with the terrorists. The real enemies threatening us are the Syrians and the Iranians, which have been obtaining the most advanced weapons and are very close to possessing non-conventional arms with all their implications.
The opening was a good one and the exercise was impressive. Presumably, it signaled the launching of a "new era" in the army's life. This could be gleaned also from the look on the soldiers' faces toward the end of the maneuver. Yet one should remember that this is merely the start. The question is how things will be determined in the future. One of the key questions is: Will the IDF be given the necessary means, including the financial means, to renew the equipment, as a look-ahead toward tomorrow merits?
Lieutenant General Ashkenazi entered office armed with many programs, including the realignment of the regular and reserve forces. We can only hope that notwithstanding the defense minister, who not long ago headed the camp of those who favor constant IDF budget cuts, a reexamination of the security plans will be made to adjust them to the new reality, which requires a new security deployment so that we can contend with the risks at our doorstep.
As he assumed his new post, the chief of staff did well in pointing at the new road that the IDF should be put on in preparation for tomorrow. The exercise with which he debuted indicates as much.
Iraq: Al-Jazirah, Al-Arabiyah Report Reactions To Ammar al-Hakim's Arrest
Corrected version; correcting typo in graf 10
Originally published on 2/23/2007 by Iraq -- OSC Report in English
Dubai Al-Arabiyah Television in Arabic at 1600 GMT on 23 February carries a three-minute live telephone interview with Iraqi Minister of Education Khudayr al-Khuza'i, in Baghdad, to comment on the US forces' arrest of Ammar al-Hakim, son of Abd-al-Aziz al-Hakim, head of the Supreme Council for the Revolution in Iraq, SCIRI.
Al-Khuza'i begins by saying: "I believe that this is part of the floundering policy of the occupation forces because it lacks clear vision and acts indiscriminately, which does her more harm than good."
Doha Al-Jazirah Satellite Channel Television in Arabic at 1602 GMT on the same day carries a four-minute live telephone interview with Muhammad al-Dayini, member of the Iraqi Council of Representatives from the Iraqi Front for National Dialogue, in Baghdad.
Commenting on the arrest of Ammar al-Hakim, Al-Dayini says: "It is natural that any Iraqi official or the son of any Iraqi official is arrested because Iraq is under occupation. We were told that the US forces had issued arrest warrants against more than 141 persons, including parliamentarians and senior officials in the executive authority on charges of running death squads and stealing huge amounts of money that belong to the Iraqi people." He continues to say: "The US forces want to expose all those who committed crimes, murder, genocide, and those who stole from the Iraqi property."
He adds that the US forces this afternoon informed Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki of an arrest warrant against Ammar al-Hakim.
Commenting on the timing of the arrest, Al- Dayini says: "There were violations in the form of killing and genocide against the Iraqi people, and more than $ 86 billions were stolen from the Iraqi people's money. The United States was the one which allowed the killing and termination of the Iraqi people by criminal militias that received training by the Iranian intelligence." Al- Dayini notes that there is a link between Al-Hakim's arrest and his visit to Iran.
He adds: "The US forces were informed with this detailed intelligence [about Al-Hakim's movement] by parties from the Unified Iraqi Coalition [UIC], which includes patriotic Arabs who love Iraq and work in the interest of the Iraqi agenda and against the Iranian agenda."
At 1616 GMT, Al-Arabiyah TV carries the following "breaking news" screen caption: "Al-Arabiyah's correspondent: The US Forces Released Ammar Al-Hakim."
At 1635 GMT, Al-Arabiyah TV carries a second screen caption as follows: "Detention of Abd-al-Aziz al-Hakim's son: Minister of education confirms his release, and the SCIRI denies."
At 1705 GMT, Al-Arabiyah TV interviews over telephone SCIRI media official Shaykh Hamid al-Mu'alla al-Sa'idi, in Al-Najaf says that the "Multinational forces consider that this took place by mistake and that they will redress the situation."
He adds that, in spite of these statements, Ammar al-Hakim has not been released yet.
OSC/JN Bureau plans no further processing.
[it will be best if I do not comment on these___, but would love to know if they got the high rank from clinton...granny]
SDT 25.02.07: US generals ‘will quit’ if Bush orders Iran attack
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article1434540.ece
From The Sunday Times
February 25, 2007
US generals 'will quit' if Bush orders Iran attack
Michael Smith and Sarah Baxter, Washington
SOME of America's most senior military commanders are prepared to
resign if
the White House orders a military strike against Iran, according to
highly
placed defence and intelligence sources.
Tension in the Gulf region has raised fears that an attack on Iran is
becoming increasingly likely before President George Bush leaves
office.
The Sunday Times has learnt that up to five generals and admirals are
willing to resign rather than approve what they consider would be a
reckless attack.
"There are four or five generals and admirals we know of who would
resign
if Bush ordered an attack on Iran," a source with close ties to British
intelligence said. "There is simply no stomach for it in the Pentagon,
and
a lot of people question whether such an attack would be effective or
even
possible."
A British defence source confirmed that there were deep misgivings
inside
the Pentagon about a military strike. "All the generals are perfectly
clear
that they don't have the military capacity to take Iran on in any
meaningful fashion. Nobody wants to do it and it would be a matter of
conscience for them.
"There are enough people who feel this would be an error of judgment
too
far for there to be resignations."
A generals' revolt on such a scale would be unprecedented. "American
generals usually stay and fight until they get fired," said a Pentagon
source. Robert Gates, the defence secretary, has repeatedly warned
against
striking Iran and is believed to represent the view of his senior
commanders.
The threat of a wave of resignations coincided with a warning by
Vice-President Dick Cheney that all options, including military action,
remained on the table. He was responding to a comment by Tony Blair
that it
would not "be right to take military action against Iran".
Iran ignored a United Nations deadline to suspend its uranium
enrichment
programme last week. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad insisted that his
country "will not withdraw from its nuclear stances even one single
step".
The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran could soon
produce enough enriched uranium for two nuclear bombs a year, although
Tehran claims its programme is purely for civilian energy purposes.
Nicholas Burns, the top US negotiator, is to meet British, French,
German,
Chinese and Russian officials in London tomorrow to discuss additional
penalties against Iran. But UN diplomats cautioned that further
measures
would take weeks to agree and would be mild at best.
A second US navy aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS John C
Stennis arrived in the Gulf last week, doubling the US presence there.
Vice
Admiral Patrick Walsh, the commander of the US Fifth Fleet, warned:
"The US
will take military action if ships are attacked or if countries in the
region are targeted or US troops come under direct attack."
But General Peter Pace, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, said
recently there was "zero chance" of a war with Iran. He played down
claims
by US intelligence that the Iranian government was responsible for
supplying insurgents in Iraq, forcing Bush on the defensive.
Pace's view was backed up by British intelligence officials who said
the
extent of the Iranian government's involvement in activities inside
Iraq by
a small number of Revolutionary Guards was "far from clear".
Hillary Mann, the National Security Council's main Iran expert until
2004,
said Pace's repudiation of the administration's claims was a sign of
grave
discontent at the top.
"He is a very serious and a very loyal soldier," she said. "It is
extraordinary for him to have made these comments publicly, and it
suggests
there are serious problems between the White House, the National
Security
Council and the Pentagon."
Mann fears the administration is seeking to provoke Iran into a
reaction
that could be used as an excuse for an attack. A British official said
the
US navy was well aware of the risks of confrontation and was being
"seriously careful" in the Gulf.
The US air force is regarded as being more willing to attack Iran.
General
Michael Moseley, the head of the air force, cited Iran as the main
likely
target for American aircraft at a military conference earlier this
month.
According to a report in The New Yorker magazine, the Pentagon has
already
set up a working group to plan airstrikes on Iran. The panel initially
focused on destroying Iran's nuclear facilities and on regime change
but
has more recently been instructed to identify targets in Iran that may
be
involved in supplying or aiding militants in Iraq.
However, army chiefs fear an attack on Iran would backfire on American
troops in Iraq and lead to more terrorist attacks, a rise in oil prices
and
the threat of a regional war.
Britain is concerned that its own troops in Iraq might be drawn into
any
American conflict with Iran, regardless of whether the government takes
part in the attack.
One retired general who participated in the "generals' revolt" against
Donald Rumsfeld's handling of the Iraq war said he hoped his former
colleagues would resign in the event of an order to attack. "We don't
want
to take another initiative unless we've really thought through the
consequences of our strategy," he warned.
[every time I see this type of post, I think goody, they are so busy shouting that Blair pulled out, and miss the fact that he is sending the same number to Afghanistan.....granny]
Al-Quds al-Arabi Editorial: Blair Undermines the Coalition of the Willing
Editorial Claims Blair's Withdrawal Decision Undermines Coalition in Iraq
Editorial: "Blair Undermines the Coalition of the Willing"
Originally published on 2/23/2007 by Al-Quds al-Arabi (Internet Version-WWW) in Arabic
The American coalition in Iraq has begun to crack and draw close to total collapse following the decision of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the closest ally of the White House, to withdraw his country's forces from southern Iraq gradually, starting next month, based on a specific timetable.
This British decision underlines several things, which we will summarize in the following points:
1. Blair's decision to respond to internal pressure that has been calling on him in the past three years to withdraw the British forces is an explicit admission of defeat or admission that the war in Iraq cannot be won in the best circumstances. The British prime minister continued to resist withdrawing these forces and say that they will stay until they had accomplished their mission.
2. Blair has realized that southern Iraq was no longer a secure area for his forces as some of the Iraqi Shiite factions had begun to direct their fire at these forces and increasingly inflict losses on them. He also realized that the situation could become more dangerous if political efforts failed to find a solution to the Iranian nuclear program crisis and Washington or Tel Aviv resorted to a military option against Iran.
3. Blair wanted to make the decision to withdraw the forces several months before he left his position as prime minister. This would facilitate the task of his expected successor, Gordon Browne, and pull the winning withdrawal card from the hands of the British opposition.
4. A sort of a split has taken place in the special American-British relations. The British withdrawal step came at a time when the United States was increasing its forces in Iraq in implementation of Bush's new strategy.
The US Administration did not react angrily to Blair's unexpected decision, but would not be grateful to him because of its timing or results. The timing was bad by all measures, because it coincided with the American diplomatic and military pressures on Iran to curtail its influence in Iraq and abandon its nuclear ambitions.
As for the results, this decision could encourage other countries to follow Britain's footsteps.
If Britain, the closest ally of Washington in Iraq, had abandoned this alliance and decided to jump its sinking ship, it would be natural for many countries to view the British withdrawal decision as an encouragement to them to also withdraw their forces. This is what countries like Denmark and Lithuania have done and what other countries will do in the near future.
It is odd that Tony Blair was the main supporter of President Bush and his Middle Eastern policies, and had it not been for his support, the American president would not have obtained an open authorization for the war in Iraq and before that in Afghanistan. He is now hastening his isolation, and perhaps removal, by his gradual withdrawal from Iraq.
: London Al-Quds al-Arabi (Internet Version-WWW) in Arabic -- London-based independent Arab nationalist daily with an anti-US and anti-Saudi editorial line; generally pro-Palestinian, pro-Iraqi regime, tends to be sympathetic to Bin Ladin. URL: http://www.alquds.co.uk/
Islamic Army in Iraq Leader Orders Vengeance for Sabrin
Originally published on 2/23/2007 by Jihadist Websites -- OSC Summary in Arabic
Terrorism: Islamic Army in Iraq Leader Orders Vengeance for Sabrin
On 23 February, a jihadist website posted a statement issued by The Islamic Army in Iraq in which the group provided links to a new 17-minute and 32-second audio by the Amir of the group, in which he orders his mujahidin to avenge the alleged rape of the Iraqi woman Sabrin. According to the accompanying statement, the audio was produced and released by the Central Media Commission. The Islamic Army in Iraq had previously issued a written denunciation of the assault and called for the highest state of alert in fighting the "Magi" in the Iraqi government, filed as GMP20070220302004. OSC has also filed reports on similar statements by other jihad groups, the last of which was the audio message from Abu-Hamzah al-Muhajir, also known as Abu-Ayyub al-Masri, the leader of al-Qa'ida Organization in Iraq, which was filed as GMP20070222301002. For a copy of the audio, please contact Open Source Center VSD at 1-800-205-8615.
A translation of the audio message follows:
"[A voice announces:]
"In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
"Praise be to God, and prayers and peace be upon the messenger of God and upon his companions and his followers.
"The Central Media Commission presents to the entire Muslim nation, especially the mujahidin, a message from the Amir of The Islamic Army in Iraq, may God protect him, on the stance on the rape incident against Sabrin al-Janabi, read by one of the mujahidin.
"[The voice reading the message on behalf of the Amir of the Islamic Army begins:]
"In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
"Praise be to God, Lord of all creation. The outcome belongs to the righteous and aggression only upon the unjust. There is no god but God, the Lord of the first and the last; the Self-subsisting of heaven and earth, Who is the Sovereign of the Hereafter. No gain is possible except in His obedience, no honor can be achieved without humility before Him, and no wealth is worthwhile except in His mercy; He is the One with whose light guidance can be realized, and with whose approval there is life. And, prayers and peace be upon the prophet of the epic, and upon all of his family and companions.
"Following all the attempts of the enemies of Islam from to the Bani-Safyun [Safavids], who belong to the hateful Sasanide [old Persian dynasty] Militia, and the criminal [Ministry of] Interior forces to control Baghdad and expel the Sunnis in every dirty way, which cannot even occur to anyone who belongs to the human race, the Sulaghis and Safavid animals, belonging to the [Ministry of] Interior, and specifically the so-called the forces of the Public Order went on to rape the chaste women of the Sunnis. The media showed what happened to our sister Sabrin al-Janabi in the Hayy al-Amil area in Baghdad, aiming at humiliating the Sunnis through this, especially as they well know, may God kill them, the impact of these unforgivable acts on every Muslim, not only in Iraq, but in the entire Muslim world. A man can handle any difficulty except when the enemies gloat over one's misfortune. Today, Bani-Safyun [Safavids] are repeating the actions of "Bani-Qilqa'a" [a tribe in the Yathrib area] and the infidels of non-belief. Each person is attracted to his likes, just like the beetles get attracted to scorpions. One of them was the Jewish jeweler from Bani-Qilqa'a in the prophetic city of Madinah who molested a Muslim woman and the master of mankind, prayers and peace be upon him, and all his companions, may God be pleased with them, came to her support. This was because the messenger of God, prayers and peace be upon him, was very zealous. But God is even more zealous [about the honor of the believers] than him. The betrayal of the infidels continued, and the revenge of the men continued as well. When one of the infidels wanted to molest a Muslim woman, she called for the help of Al-Mu' tasim, and the call reached Al-Mu'tasim, the Abbasid caliph, who then prepared a sweeping army, which led to the battle of Amuriyyah, and the chaste woman was freed. The caliph and his heroic soldiers taught the infidels of unbelief and darkness the best lesson. Yes, the honors of the Muslims are very prized, and whoever molests any Muslim woman, in any part of the world, has fought God, His prophet, and all the Muslims. These are the laws. Oh Muslims, what happened in Andalusia, Palestine, Kosovo, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Chechnya, Afghanistan, and others is happening today in Baghdad. The countries, whose honor has been stepped on, and within whose lands the Persians and the Romans wander, are repeating the history of another Andalusia, and the Safavids and crosses [Crusaders] detest it.
"We have repeatedly assured the Muslims that Iraq is facing a dual occupation from the Americans and the Iranians, and that the worse of the two evils is the eradicating Iranian Magi Safavid occupation. [We also assured them] that the battle of Baghdad is one of the most significant battles of glory and honor, and is the crown of jihad in Iraq, and that the enemies of Islam from Bani-Safyun [Safavids] are preparing for it with a dirty Magi plan by the followers of Satan. The Almighty said, 'If any will follow the footsteps of Satan, he will (but) command what is shameful and wrong.' [Koranic verse; Al-Nur 24:21]. From the assault on Abir al-Janabi at the hands of the infidels to Sabrin al-Janabi at the hands of the Safavids and the Sulaghis, and what happened before these events and between them, [as] there were crimes that were never disclosed, all of these happen under the auspices of the criminal of this age, Al-Maliki, who celebrates the criminals, accuses the innocent and the truthful, and removes anyone who condemns evil acts. If you were a free man from the Majid lineage, you would not have violated the sanctities of the Muslims. Therefore, it is the duty of all the Muslims and all the mujahidin to avenge the honor of the Muslims, including vengeance for this Muslim woman.
"We are giving our directives to the heroes in the front lines, the lions of the Islamic Army [in Iraq's] leadership, and the personnel in the battlefields to observe the following:
"1. Form special brigades and call them "Al-Mu'tasim Brigades" to follow and pursue the criminals who attack the Muslims' honors and to exact revenge upon them wherever they are and wherever they may go. These brigades should be exclusively dedicated to this particular task.
"2. Concentrate the operations' efforts on the Safavid [Ministry of] Interior criminals, and particularly the so-called the order keeping forces.
"3. Call the order keeping forces "the ruined forces," because we feel they will be devastated by the will of God.
"4. Dedicate half of the sniping forces to target the ruined forces.
"5. Direct the painful and devastating strikes of "Victory I" and "Victory II" [possible operation code names] at the ruined forces according to the set plan.
"6. Rename all operations against Bani-Suhyun [Zionists, reference to the Coalition forces] and Bani-Safyun [Safavids] "Operation Revenge for Sabrin al-Janabi" for a period of one month.
"7. Cooperate and coordinate with all jihadist groups in Iraq to deter the ruined forces as well as the [Ministry of] Interior criminals.
"Oh honorable and glorious people, crush Bani-Suhyun [Zionists, reference to the Coalition forces] and grind Bani-Safyun [Safavids] and reap them like a harvest. The great honor can not be protected until blood is spilled. We direct our messages first to all of the mujahidin in Iraq that first and foremost it is imperative to seek cooperation and harmony, get together and coordinate with other groups to aid and uplift the aggrieved, concentrate all jihad efforts to strike with an iron fist, and avoid all types of conflicts that deplete the resources and delay the v i ctory. The mother of all battles is the battle of Baghdad, therefore, all mujahidin, people of encampment and all Sunni clans should stay firm and persevere in the face of the Safavids' occupation, as they stayed firm in the face of the American occupation and more. God will certainly aid His believing servants and the monotheist soldiers against the enemies of Islam and all of humanity. Victory is the perseverance of one hour. 'O you who believe! Endure and be more patient (than your enemy), and guard your territory by stationing army units permanently at the places from where the enemy can attack you, and fear Allah, so that you may be successful' [Koranic verse; Al Imran 3:200].
"Second: To all Muslim scholars, [you] should aid and support the Muslims in Iraq with good words and by providing religious fatwas [opinions]. God is going to question you scholars, what shall be your answer? '(And remember) when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) to make it (the news of the coming of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the religious knowledge) known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it, but they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gain! And indeed worst is that which they bought' [Koranic verse; Al Imran 3:187].
"Third: To decision makers the Islamic world, know that you are responsible and every one of you will be questioned about his or her responsibilities. The responsibility is sizable and everyone is accountable. You are coming one day in front of the Omnipotent Almighty, and He will question your accountability. Those of you who betrayed their responsibility will most certainly reap the resulting punishment, and will be disgraced in front of all creation. What would be your excuses?
"'Who does not live free on the face of the earth; better find a hole at its bottom for himself' [Poetry].
"Fourth: To the rich and wealthy Muslims, you should provide aid and support by giving money. The Exalted Almighty has loaned you this wealth and money. What shall you say? 'Who is he that will lend to Allah a goodly loan so that He may multiply it to him many times? And it is Allah that decreases or increases (your provisions), and unto Him you shall return' [Koranic verse; Al Imran 3:244]. When Muslims carry on living carelessly, while Muslim women are being ravished, say to those who have vision wherever they might be, what is your problem? Where is your responsibility? You have to respond and answer your God.
"Fifth: To the media and the intellectuals I say, uplift your brothers and sisters with the objective writings, urge them to fight against the enemies of God, show what is right, and do not falsify the truth.
"Sixth: To all proud people in the Islamic countries, you should undertake your religious duties by aiding and supporting the mujahidin in Iraq by providing them with all possible means, moral or material, sending money, speaking, demonstrating, denouncing, holding conferences and symposia. Do men still hold the commitments they claimed? Are the men of Iraq still the same? What is wrong with Egypt and Syria? Am I [REFERENCE to Iraq or Sabrin] not their sister and [are] the Arab &172 brothers? Where are the lions in the island of lions to aid and support me [Iraq]? Their forsaking of the honor is shameful.
"'Do not we have a free Yemen to provide us with shelter, no matter how far and distant?' [Poetry].
"Seventh: Our special message is for the heroes of Al-Janabi tribe, sons of Uqab, and to their brothers and cousins the gallant and zealot Al-Jabur tribe, to the brave Shummar, the Glorious Azzat, the blessed Juhaysh, the faithful Jumilat, the men of Bu'isah, and to all the elders, leaders, and men of the authentic Arab tribes, it is high time you allied yourselves with the mujahidin among your brothers and sons and l ou dly announced that blood for blood, and destruction for destruction against the Safavids, the Buwayhis, and the Sulaghis. It is high time you renounced the men and thugs of Al-Miliki in your tribes who violate the blood, honor, and property of the Sunnis. You must do everything you can to repel the criminal assassins in the disastrous forces and the Sulaghis. It is your time [to act]. Your daughter is calling on you. She said: 'I was afflicted by the enemies in the worst manner. How can the violation of honor be repaired? They were three Safvid dogs and one Magus devil' [Poetry].
"Eighth: To the family of sister Sabrin, may God help them, [I say] be patient and persist in inciting for revenge. 'Verily, along with every hardship is relief, Verily, along with every hardship is relief' [Koranic verse; Al-Sharh 8:5]. 'Say: "Do you wait for us (anything) except one of the two best things (martyrdom or victory); while we await for you either that Allah will afflict you with a punishment from Himself or at our hands. So wait, we too are waiting with you"' [Koranic verse; Al-Tawbah 129:52]. We repeat that we, in The Islamic Army in Iraq, members and leadership, have determined with the help of God Almighty to avenge and seek justice for every Muslim man and woman and especially for your daughter. The Safavids and Sulaghis will find no refuge in the Chicago gangs and the sons of the Black House [REFERENCE to the White House], the enemies of humanity [REFERENCE to the Americans], nor will they find help in the Magi of the time [REFERENCE to Shia]. We ask God to make their defeat greater, break their strength, expose their weakness, and prolong their misery. The mujahidin in Iraq are determined and certain that God's victory is coming. God Almighty said: 'Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) in this world's life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth. The Day when their excuses will be of no profit to wrong-doers (and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah). Theirs will be the curse, and theirs will be the evil abode' [Koranic verse; Ghafir 50:51].
"Oh God, destroy the enemies of religion and humanity, the Safavids and the Sulaghis. Oh God, scatter their crowds, divide them, destroy their state, and afflict them with defeat and failure. Oh God destroy America, the mother of all sins and the causer of all ruins. Oh God may you uproot it, shake its corners, and make it follow Ad and Thamud [Two perished nations mentioned in the Koran]. Oh God, we are your servants and the sons of your servants, our fate is in your hand, your judgment is certain, Your rule is just, we call on you with all of your noble names and sublime attributes to forgive our sins, cover our imperfections, defend our weaknesses, and mend our fracture. Oh God, support Islam and the Muslims, raise the banner of religion, and destroy your enemies. Oh God, bless our dead with your mercy, and accept them as martyrs with you. Oh Compassionate, Oh Merciful, elevate their status in paradise and compensate them with blessings on their families and offspring, oh Most Generous. Oh God, free our prisoners, and alleviate their pain, bestow peace upon them, and return them to their families safe and victorious, oh Almighty. Oh God bring our hearts together, harmonize our stances, unite our ranks, increase our strength, and make us victorious against our enemies and your enemies, oh only God, the Self-sufficient master, the Almighty, and Wise One. Oh God, be with the Sunnis in Iraq, and do not be against them. Be cunning for them and not against them. Give them and do not deprive them. Bless them and do not humiliate them. Make them first and do not put others before them, oh God, you hear all prayers. May prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon all of his family and co mpa nions.
"Commander of The Islamic Army in Iraq
"5 Safar 1428 [corresponding to 23 February 2007]"
Writer Says Most Women Oppressed in Saudi Arabia; Constitute 5 Percent of Workforce
Article by Nathir al-Majid: "In Saudi Arabia, Women Suffer More From Oppression"
Originally published on 2/14/2007 by Al-Quds al-Arabi (Internet Version-WWW) in Arabic
Saudi Arabia has signed four of the United Nation's seven major treaties regarding human rights. Among them is one treaty against all forms of discrimination against women, signed in September 2000. Still, Saudi Arabia registered general reserves on some points, such as those that go against Islamic law. Saudi Arabia has also signed other regional treaties in the same field, but the status of human rights, particularly women's rights, still suffers from several obstacles and difficulties. Saudi Arabia is the only country that still puts many restrictions on women's movements, prohibits them from driving, and does not allow them to leave the house without mihrim [a man who is not eligible to marry the woman, i.e. her father, brother, son, etc] or without written consent from her [male] guardian. At a time when reform was the main issue that spread relative optimism among the Saudi people, a decree prohibiting the participation of women in voting and standing for office in the most recent City Council elections of 2005 left men even more disappointed and disillusioned than women. This goes against the said treaty, which guarantees women voting rights in all elections and general referenda, and also does not contradict the Islamic law.
Due to the difficulties facing women's progress and development, a women's movement had to arise, actively demanding judicial amendments that would put an end to this obvious discrimination -- which leads to more male oppression in a society that puts an iron gate between the sexes -- and that would put an end to the causes of escalating social and psychological crises in Saudi society. This is particularly true in society when extremist and fanatic directions take over to preserve customs and traditions, which -- due to being old and deep rooted -- have turned into sacred indisputable ideas. In 1990, 45 women of the educated elite broke the law banning them from driving when they drove their cars to downtown Riyadh, where they were immediately arrested. This incident took place after the regional developments that resulted from Saddam Husayn's invasion of Kuwait and the call for foreign troops and forces to come to Saudi Arabia. That in turn led to feelings of freedom and openness, encouraging some Saudis to express their aspirations for more and wider general liberties. Although this feminist demonstration failed to achieve its goal in stopping this tyrannical ban, it still succeeded in initiating -- although incomplete and only for that time -- an open feminist challenge in this country. Since then, no serious attempts have been made in this respect, a fact that reveals the lack of any feminist will or willingness to change, or any demand that their wishes be implemented.
It seems that the existence of a serious feminist movement is still a faraway dream and rather wishful thinking. Women in our society are still very far removed from realizing their reality and changing it for the better. All that occupies their minds is for them to be part of a man's possessions, as one of his slaves, totally under his control, whether in the public or private domain. Most women just seek material possessions, a good standard of living and luxuries. You will find some of them always wearing the latest fashions, not missing a single one of them, which sometimes leads you to believe that their husbands own designer shops or that the women themselves are professional fashion experts. You will find them owning the latest mobile phones, which they hurry to buy as soon as they appear on the market. Some might also own the latest laptops, or go out with their chauffeurs driving the latest luxury car models, which their husbands gave them at their last birthday party!! Doesn't that make her a very happy wife?
At this point, many women believe that they have received their rights in full, and that their life is not lacking in anything. This proves that women actually miss any knowledge or consciousness about their rights within their families, or in society as a whole. Needless to say that this constitutes a real crisis, in which those women live and which threatens their very being and existence as human beings. They do not mind or object to being passive, socially and politically, and to being intellectually illiterate and culturally backward. Women still think according to a slave's mentality and are totally subjugated to man's authority, on the condition that he is a good provider, lavishing them with luxuries. Then nothing matters, even if all their rights, in the form of social and economic independence, their dignity, will and choice, are taken away from them. A slave's mentality is what gives the woman a grand house, a big kitchen, and the latest fashions. But all this must be within the limits of her golden cage or prison, with its wide cells. For example, she is not allowed to mingle with men, even within the limits permitted by Islamic law. This does not decrease her happiness. That is the limit of a slave's ambition. Is there anything better for a woman than being a sultan's slave?!
On the other hand, the really free woman is an independent entity, just like the man. She enjoys full freedom and liberty in all areas of her life. She is a culturally modern woman; intellectually mature; visibly present in all intellectual, literary, political, and social fields. She constitutes a major component of the job market, is active in the cultural arena, and plays an important role in the political decisionmaking process. She is not dependent on her father or her husband to provide for her. She is also no longer just an ignored figure in family decisions. She now holds the reins of the initiative, being equal to the man economically and socially. After being just a female creature, interwoven with problems, always threatened by divorce and thus homelessness, she has now become a free creature, making choices, contributing to production and consumption, exactly like the man. If -- God forbid -- her husband threatens her with divorce, she does not break down and feel lost, because today she has her own income, spending it on herself and contributing to the family income, along with her husband. In short, she is now a man's equal, and not simply a man's follower.
Women in our society have become more susceptible to political abuse and to male abuse. A social domain dominated by autocracy, suppression of freedom, political despotism, and authoritarianism, where popular participation and general liberties are non-existent, results in a reality dominated by violent male authoritarianism. A man who is brought up in such an environment will either attack or be attacked, will suppress others or be suppressed by them. So he will try to regain part of his lost male domination, by a show of force in the private domain -- that is, at home! Official male violence results in counter-violence by the unarmed man, who limits women's freedom on the pretext of protecting her. The more that reality experiences political oppression, the more that minorities and weak groups, such as women, are exposed to it and affected by it.
In such a society, security will be the first and foremost concern. That is why women will always be cornered in their special confinement, on the pretext of protecting them from the dangers and hazards surrounding them in society. Accordingly, they have to stay home or to move under a thick veil that covers their bodies, reflecting their slavery and subjugation to male authority and domination. This security concern is the result of a background of the political authorities' security obsession, which makes security the only magical solution for all problems and crises surrounding society and the state. The tighter the circle, the more the oppression. So women find themselves surrounded by a whole set of despotic circles, starting with the state; through to society with all its authoritarian customs and traditions, which primarily target women's status and freedom; and ending with the family, where men practice the worst kinds of authoritarianism.
I was talking to a friend of mine about the importance of women's presence in all fields of work, as they constitute half the society. He violently reprimanded me, saying: "What do women need beside living happily with their husbands and being well-provided for by him? They will be safe inside their homes, not outside, where dangers and hazards surround them everywhere, besides scandalous mingling with men, which is rejected by tradition and Islamic law." My friend continued: "I care about her [his wife], her well-being and her safety, to the extent that I installed a phone particularly for her, the number of which only her family and close friends know!! As for the home phone, she is not allowed to use it."
This is the background and some of the reasons that have made the issue of women's awakening a complicated issue and that have led to a dramatic reality, in the form of almost non-existent chances of development in areas such as education, law, politics, and every other field. As a result, women constitute only 5% of the total workforce, the job market being heavily dominated by men. This is in spite of the fact that the Work Law, approved in 2005, allows women to practice all kinds of jobs, on the condition that they suit their nature. This is a clear example of discrimination, as there are no limitations to the areas of work available to men. This also contradicts the said treaty, which guarantees the right of equal work opportunities, including applying the same standards of choice. This will maintain the ban on women's work in engineering and other areas, as was stated in a memorandum sent by an international Human Rights Watch committee to the Saudi Government.
The psychology of submission has become so deeply ingrained in women's reality to the extent that they have become used to it, even enjoying and defending it. In the shadow of that social reality, women have become creatures suffering from a continuous coma, unaware of their surroundings and rights, and unable to make the least positive change or development that would allow them to regain their role and dignity, which have been taken away from them.
Any feminist progress cannot take place without a genuine desire and real insistence on the part of the concerned women to crystallize it and achieve it, because real freedom is not given from above, but gained through continuous efforts.
: London Al-Quds al-Arabi (Internet Version-WWW) in Arabic -- London-based independent Arab nationalist daily with an anti-US and anti-Saudi editorial line; generally pro-Palestinian, pro-Iraqi regime, tends to be sympathetic to Bin Ladin. URL: http://www.alquds.co.uk/
Turkey PM denies anti-Shia tie-up
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D76ECBFA-FBB2-452F-804B-1CE4B32FD8CC.htm
Turkey PM denies anti-Shia tie-up
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's prime minister, has said that a series
of
meetings planned by Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's president, for leaders
of key Muslim Sunni states are not aimed at forging an alliance against
Shia Iran.
Pakistan will host a meeting of foreign ministers from seven Muslim
states in Islamabad on Sunday.
The ministers plan to discuss how to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict and bring peace to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Media reports in the Arab world suggested, however, that Musharraf was
aiming to establish up a Sunni alliance to confront the rising
influence
of Iran in the region.
Turkish denial
Erdogan told Al Jazeera in an interview recorded earlier on Saturday in
Istanbul: "This is not designed to isolate any country. It should not
be
taken from this (point of view)."
Musharraf has toured the Middle East and Asia recently to garner
support
for a Muslim initiative to stem the deepening conflicts that are
destabilising parts of the Islamic world.
The foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Jordan and
Saudi Arabia will gather in Islamabad to lay the groundwork for a
summit
of Muslim leaders at an unspecified date in the holy city of Mecca,
Saudi Arabia.
The Pakistani foreign minister said in a statement that the goal of the
summit is "a new initiative to address the grave situation in the
Middle
East, in particular the Palestinian issue, and for harmony in the
Islamic world".
Musharraf has visited Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey
and Iran in the last few weeks to seek common ground for his
initiative.
He did not invite Iran or Syria for the meeting in Islamabad on Sunday.
Erdogan said Iran and Syria will be invited in a later stage.
Pakistan denial
Tasnim Aslan, Pakistan's foreign ministry spokeswoman, also denied the
conference aims at forming a Sunni alliance.
Aslan told Al Jazeera: "It is not for Sunni countries, they are Islamic
countries."
Khursheed Kasuri, Pakistan's foreign minister, said earlier this month
that conflicts in the Muslim world were fostering Islamic extremism.
Musharraf said he was trying to gather countries who support "a
conciliatory approach instead of a confrontationist approach" to the
region's problems.
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/print?id=2901948
U.S. developing contingency plan to bomb Iran: report
Reuters
Feb 24, 2007 NEW YORK
Despite the Bush administration's insistence it has no plans to go to
war
with Iran, a Pentagon panel has been created to plan a bombing attack
that
could be implemented within 24 hours of getting the go-ahead from
President
George W. Bush, The New Yorker magazine reported in its latest issue.
The special planning group was established within the office of the
Joint
Chiefs of Staff in recent months, according to an unidentified former
U.S.
intelligence official cited in the article by investigative reporter
Seymour Hersh in the March 4 issue.
The panel initially focused on destroying Iran's nuclear facilities and
on
regime change but has more recently been directed to identify targets
in
Iran that may be involved in supplying or aiding militants in Iraq,
according to an Air Force adviser and a Pentagon consultant, who were
not
identified.
The consultant and a former senior intelligence official both said that
U.S. military and special-operations teams had crossed the border from
Iraq
into Iran in pursuit of Iranian operatives, according to the article.
In response to the report, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said: "The
United States is not planning to go to war with Iran. To suggest
anything
to the contrary is simply wrong, misleading and mischievous.
"The United States has been very clear with respect to its concerns
regarding specific Iranian government activities. The president has
repeatedly stated publicly that this country is going to work with
allies
in the region to address those concerns through diplomatic efforts,"
Whitman said.
Pentagon officials say they maintain contingency plans for literally
dozens
of potential conflicts around the world and that all plans are subject
to
regular and ongoing review.
The article, citing unnamed current and former U.S. officials, also
said
the Bush administration received intelligence from Israel that Iran had
developed an intercontinental missile capable of delivering several
small
warheads that could reach Europe. It added the validity of that
intelligence was still being debated.
The article also included an interview conducted in December with
Hezbollah
leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who said that while he had no interest
in
initiating another war with Israel, he was anticipating and preparing
for
another Israeli attack sometime this year.
Israel launched a cross-border offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon
last
July.
Nasrallah also said he was open to talks with Washington if such
discussions "can be useful and influential in determining American
policy
in the region," but they would be waste of time if the purpose was to
impose policy.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2007/February/middleeast_February410.xml§ion=middleeast&col=
Egypt takes pro-Sunni satellite TV off the air
(AFP)
25 February 2007
CAIRO - An Iraqi satellite television channel that has angered the US
and Iraqi governments for broadcasting anti-US and anti-Shiite news
reports has been taken off the air by the Egyptian government, the
press
reported on Sunday.
“The Iraqi Al Zawraa satellite channel on NileSat 101 was cut off
after
it repeatedly interfered with the transmission of several other
channels,†the state-owned Al Gomhuriyah newspaper reported.
It said several channels had been experiencing transmission problems
that were traced to Al Zawraa.
The channel was initially disconnected on Thursday and the problems
stopped immediately. Subsequent efforts to reconnect the channel
resulted in further interference.
US and Iraqi authorities have repeatedly asked for the channel, owned
by
Sunni Iraqi politician Mishan Al Juburi, to be taken off the air for
what they describe as broadcasts that “incite†violence.
Much of the channel’s news coverage is devoted to either insurgent
attacks against US forces, or alleged atrocities committed against
Iraq’s Sunnis by the Shiite-dominated security forces and death
squads.
The channel was shut down inside Iraq itself, but for the past eight
months has been broadcasting from the Egyptian NileSat satellite which
covers much of the region.
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