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
Thank you for filling me in on the poster.
Those who freely call the talk shows, in the west, are not wanting to do anything but spread hate for America.
I did not follow the Freeper's posts, so cannot judge him.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1758403/posts
US wants anti-missile radar in Japan
Herald Sun ^ | 26 December 2006
Posted on 12/25/2006 5:58:02 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
THE United States has asked to install anti-ballistic missile radars in Japan, following North Korea's nuclear weapons test in October and missile launches in July, a report said today.
US military troops and the US Department of Defense have lodged a request with Japan's Defense Agency to locate a radar in Japan aimed at counter-attacking inter-continental ballistic missiles, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported, without clarifying sources.
Japan's Defense Agency, following the US approach, is considering the plan, in light of Japan-US Security Treaty, which demands "providing security of Japan and keeping peace in the Far East'' as conditions for offering US troops facilities in Japan.
Japan was prompted to boost its missile defenses in cooperation with the United States in 1998 when North Korea sent a suspected long-range missile over its main island and into the Pacific.
North Korea's October 9 atom bomb test, in addition to its July 5 firing of seven missiles into the Sea of Japan (East Sea), also fueled the drive for the joint missile scheme.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
It's not who I am but what I write and what I post.
Since invariably, without exception if on subject, it has clear ANTI-Mullah sources and slant without any subtle prevarication, then this speaks for itself.
if what I write or post defends the Mullah regime in the slightest, or proffers their talking points even indirectly, or represents Islamic Iran as being "not so bad" then you begin to question the who. And the why.
If every action and position - including my opposing pro-Mullah regime activity by others - changes or is suddenly weak and unfocused, then question the who. And the why.
I am not being judged on what or who I CLAIM to be but by what I have presented and posted. Clearly, like Alan, ANTI-Islamic regime. No two ways or doubts about it.
Fair enough?
You'll notice that, despite the fact that I never gave you may name to put on your ping list, I rarely ever reply to you. Something about you just doesn't ring true to me.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1758306/posts
Iraqi President 'Unhappy' About Iranian Detentions
CNN ^ | December 25th 2006
Posted on 12/25/2006 9:01:38 AM PST by KantianBurke
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is "unhappy" that U.S. forces detained two Iranian officials during their recent visit to Iraq, a Talabani spokesman said Monday. "Two Iranian officials who came to Iraq at the invitation of President Talabani have been apprehended by U.S. troops, and the president is unhappy about it," the spokesman said. "The invitation took place during the visit of President Talabani to Tehran. It was done in the framework of an agreement to improve security in Iraq." The spokesman said the Iranians were arrested last week after arriving in Iraq in late November. He described the Iranians as "security officials" but gave no further details. No one was immediately available for comment at the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad. The U.S. military has not responded to requests for comment.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
IRAN STEPS UP TRAINING OF HAMAS
TEL AVIV [MENL] -- Iran has accelerated military training of Hamas.
Israeli officials said up to several hundred Hamas operatives have recently left the Gaza Strip for Iran. They said the operatives were undergoing several weeks of military training by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
"The Hamas terrorists enter [Egypt's] Sinai Peninsula and then make their way to Syria and then Iran," an official said. "We have been detecting an increase in the flow of Hamas operatives leaving for Iran over the last two months."
Hamas leaders have discussed expanding cooperation with Iran. In November, Palestinian Authority Interior Minister Said Siyam said Iran agreed to >bolster training and funding to security forces aligned with Hamas.
Islamic republic sentences 'at least 2,600 people every day,' 1 million a year
Iran: 600,000 jailed since start of year
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3343931,00.html
Islamic republic sentences 'at least 2,600 people every day,' 1 million
a year
Yaakov Lappin Published: 12.24.06, 15:05
Well over half a million Iranians have been imprisoned by their regime
since
the start of the year, Director-General of the Cultural and
Disciplinary
Committee of the Iranian Prisons Organization Mansour Moqareh-Abed told
Iranian newspaper Jomhouri Islami.
The interview was cited by the website of the National Council of
Resistance
of Iran (NCRI), an umbrella organization for Iranian opposition groups
in
exile.
According to the NCRI, Moraqeh-Abed added in the interview that "it is
not
possible to accommodate 'the cultural and disciplinary' needs of this
many
prisoners."
The NCRI noted that "everyday 2,600 people are sent to prison; thus, in
a year
the figure grows to 1 million," a figure described as an "unprecedented
world
record."
The NCRI added in its statement: "Obviously, the actual number of
detainees
in Iran is much higher than the official figure since it does not take
into
account various unofficial penitentiaries and prisons.
"In particular, the regime has stepped up suppression to an
unprecedented
level and street arrests have increased in order to combat the rising
number
of popular demonstrations and uprisings."
Calling for human rights organizations to take up the plight of Iranian
prisoners, the NCRI drew special attention to political prisoners
jailed for
their opposition to the Iranian regime.
'Help the NCRI'
In 2002, the offices of the NCRI were shut down in Washington DC, after
the
State Department said the organization was a front for the People's
Mujahedin
of Iran, a militant Iranian opposition group dedicated to toppling the
Iranian
government.
Since then, a number of politicians and analysts in the West have said
that
the NCRI should be made legal again, as it was a crucial representative
of
Iranian groups working to overthrow the government of Ayatollah
Khameini and
President Ahmadinejad.
On Saturday, a British member of the House of Lords, Lord Fraser,
called on
the British government to take the NCRI off the list of banned groups.
Fraser
was reported by the NCRI as saying that he had been threatened by what
appeared to be Iranian government agents, due to his support for the
NCRI.
NCRI President-Elect Maryam Rajavi said Saturday that she "welcomed the
adoption of a resolution by the UN Security Council against the
mullahs'
regime," saying it was "the first necessary step towards preventing the
ruling
religious fascism in Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb."
Congress clamps down on selling of cell phone records
http://www.suntimes.com/business/185525,CST-NWS-cell25.article
Congress clamps down on selling of cell phone records
December 25, 2006
BY FRANK MAIN Crime Reporter
A year ago, a Chicago Sun-Times story shocked lawmakers in Congress and
the Illinois General Assembly after the newspaper showed that anyone's
phone calling records were for sale on the Internet.
"Most consumers have been under the assumption that their information
is protected," said Jon Samuels, a spokesman for Rep. Jan Schakowsky
(D-Ill.). "It was shocking for consumers to see in the news how easy it is
for criminals to obtain their personal information."
This month, the Republican-controlled Senate passed legislation
allowing for prison sentences of up to 10 years for anyone obtaining an
individual's telephone records without permission -- a crime known as
pretexting. The House passed a similar bill earlier this year.
They may be at it again
Legislation requiring telephone companies to safeguard their customers'
records was scrapped. But Schakowsky and fellow Democrats, who now
control both chambers in Congress, will continue to push for such a bill in
2007, Samuels said.
Gov. Blagojevich, meanwhile, signed a law this year outlawing
pretexting for personal information.
Following the Sun-Times' stories on pretexting in January, phone
companies and state attorneys general across the country, including Illinois
Attorney General Lisa Madigan, sued information brokers for pretexting.
1st Source Information Specialists, a company the Sun-Times paid $110
to obtain a reporter's phone records, has been hit with a total of $2.13
million in court judgments in lawsuits brought by Cingular Wireless and
Sprint Nextel Corp., records show. Madigan has won a default order to
prevent 1st Source from obtaining phone records.
Privacy experts say most such companies stopped providing calling
records when Congress starting holding hearings earlier this year.
"They are starting up again," warned privacy expert Robert Douglas.
"They are still selling this stuff."
Hewlett-Packard scandal
The Senate bill was stalled this year until a major scandal surfaced
within Hewlett-Packard Co., the computer and printer giant.
In September, the company disclosed it hired investigators to uncover
the source of boardroom leaks and they secretly obtained the phone logs
of directors, employees and journalists.
California's attorney general sought felony indictments Wednesday
against former Hewlett-Packard Chairman Patricia Dunn and four others
involved in the spying scandal.
Once the H-P scandal broke, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.)
received a letter from House Republicans calling for prompt action on
the anti-pretexting bill in the Judiciary Committee. The bill passed
Dec. 8.
Also was used by FBI
The head of the Federal Trade Commission has hailed the legislation,
saying it makes pretexting a serious crime. But privacy experts said the
Senate could have gone further to penalize telephone companies that
fail to safeguard their records from pretexters.
Congressional hearings revealed that the FBI and other law enforcement
agencies -- which were worried that criminals could access their
agents' phone records illegally -- were obtaining phone records from the same
Internet brokers.
"Not only do Americans have to worry about whether Big Brother is
listening to our calls without a warrant, but they must also be concerned
that he is working with con artists to obtain our phone records,"
Schakowsky said in May.
fmain@suntimes.com
http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news/?fr=yalerts-keyword&c=&p=%22Syria%22&ei=utf-8
1. Olmert says he'd like to renew talks with Syria Open this result in new window
USA Today - Dec 25 12:22 PM
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday said he would like to renew peace talks with Syria, but insisted that Damascus first end its support of anti-Israel militant groups in the Palestinian areas and Lebanon.
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2. Fourth US senator in trip to Syria Open this result in new window
AFP via Yahoo! News - Dec 25 10:50 AM
The fourth US senator to visit Syria this month arrived in Damascus, where he was expected to hold meetings with senior officials.
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3. Israeli Goodwill To Syria And Palestinians Open this result in new window
CBS News - Dec 25 8:10 AM
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he'd like to renew peace talks with Syria, while his defense minister says he supports a Palestinian prisoner release without preconditions and has ordered the closing of West Bank checkpoints.
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4. Arab League Chief Says Syria Supports Mediation Effort in Lebanon Open this result in new window
Voice of America - Dec 25 3:21 PM
The head of the Arab League says he has won Syria's support for his efforts to mediate a solution to Lebanon's political crisis. Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa told reporters in Damascus that he is relieved after his meeting Thursday, with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad.
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5. Olmert Says He Wants to Renew Peace Talks with Syria Open this result in new window
Voice of America - Dec 25 2:51 PM
Israel says it would like to revive negotiations with neighboring Syria. But as Robert Berger reports from VOA's Jerusalem bureau, Israel is setting down some tough pre-conditions.
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6. U.S. Republican senator arrives in Syria for talks Open this result in new window
People's Daily - Dec 25 4:07 PM
U.S. Republican Senator Arlen Specter arrived in Syria on Monday for talks with Syrian leaders on bilateral relations and situations in Lebanon, Iraq and the Palestinian territories, according to the independent Syria-News website.
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7. Israel PM Insists Syria End Anti-Israel Militant Support Open this result in new window
Nasdaq - Dec 25 4:57 AM
JERUSALEM (AP)--Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday said he would like to renew peace talks with Syria, but insisted that Damascus first end its support of anti-Israel militant groups.
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8. Involve Syria in settling conflict Open this result in new window
Central Chronicle - Dec 25 9:41 AM
The US State Department has reminded the world that Syria was forced into international isolation for its ties with Iran and for supporting terrorism. But the Moscow visit of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad belies this statement.
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9. Olmert wants to talk to Syria Open this result in new window
News 24 South Africa - Dec 25 11:38 AM
PM Ehud Olmert says he will like to renew peace talks with Syria, but insisted that Damascus first end its support of anti-Israel militant groups.
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10. Olmert sets conditions for Syria talks Open this result in new window
Al Bawaba - Dec 25 8:30 AM
Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday said he would like to renew peace talks with Syria, but insisted that Damascus first end its support of anti-Israel groups in the Palestinian areas and Lebanon.
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That's your privilege and I have no quarrel with it. I am not trying to persuade you of anything so I'm not bothered. Probably would be if I were playing a role.
In any event, be well and be happy. And retain your doubts until you feel differently. Or not. I wish you well, regardless, as you have not harmed me or my anti-mullah cause.
All the best,
Egypt
Date: Mon 25 Dec 2006
From: Nati Elkin nati@poultrymed.com
Source: Website of the 4th International Conference on Avian
Influenza in Bamako, Mali, 6-8 Dec 2006 [edited]
http://www.avianinfluenzaconference4.org/fileadmin/user_upload/PDF_Uploads/presentations/Session_1.2/Egypt_MoHP_Presentation.pdf
[The following text is derived from an electronic presentation by Dr.
Nasr El Sayed, 1st Undersecretary, Ministry of Health and Population,
Arab Republic of Egypt.]
Recent and Foreseeable Developments in the Avian Influenza Epidemic:
Egypt; Examples of best practices noted in Egypt
South Korea
Date: Sun 24 Dec 2006
From: Mary Marshall tropical.forestry@btinternet.com
Source: The Korea Times [edited]
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200612/kt2006122419054668040.htm
Pigs, Chickens Culled As Bird Flu Spread
China
Date: Sun 24 Dec 2006
From: Dan Silver dgsilver@yahoo.com
China, Avian Influenza: Poultry Markets Closures; vaccinations
http://www.terrorism.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=72418
Armed Nigerian group says it will not be swayed by hostages' pleas
Posted by: mortiz on Dec 24 - 15:08
RealNews Items An armed separatist group in southern Nigeria which is holding four foreign oil workers hostage said that it will not be swayed by their pleas for release and indicted Italian oil firm Agip for allegedly attempting to pay a ransom. "We have kept these hostages for more than two weeks now. Do you imagine they have not pleaded with us on their own? Why should we be swayed because their appeal is now printed on the pages of an italian paper," a spokesman a for the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said in an email statement to AFP. Full Story
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L25229222.htm
Al Qaeda militant urges militants to keep up jihad
25 Dec 2006 13:52:02 GMT
Source: Reuters
Background
Afghan turmoil
More
DUBAI, Dec 25 (Reuters) - A man believed to be a top al Qaeda militant who escaped from a U.S. airbase in Afghanistan last year said in a statement that the tide had turned against the West but urged Muslims to keep up their holy war.
A Web site often used by Islamists posted the statement from a man identified as Abu Yahya al-Libi in which he said Muslims should remain vigilant and not give up force in favour of dialogue.
"There is no way to reach what is required but through jihad (holy struggle). Leaving jihad causes humiliation, weakness and suffering, but carrying it out and excelling in it is the way," he said in the statement which appeared on Monday.
continued
http://www.terrorism.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=72437&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
Three terrorists arrested, 11 kg RDX seized
Posted by: heminger on Dec 25 - 08:44
RealNews Items Three members of a lesser known terrorist group - International Sikh Youth Federation - were arrested on Sunday and a large number of arms and ammunition recovered from them, police said. A huge cache of explosives, arms and ammunition including 11 kg of RDX, 11 detonators, four hand grenades, 11 timer devices, two pistols with four magazines, 100 live cartridges, 10 meter of wire and one walkie-talkie set was recovered from the arrested persons of ISYF-rode group, Senior Superintendednt of Police, Jalandhar, Naunihal Singh said. Full Story
Yemen: Media says spy arrested, security denies
http://yementimes.com/article.shtml?i=1010&p=front&a=3
Media says spy arrested, security denies
Yemen Times Staff
SANA'A, Dec. 23 — A security source denied media allegations that
some
foreign investigation-linked secret agents, including those for
Israel, were arrested, according to the Army's September.net web site.
Noting that the information is baseless, the source requested mass
media verify such news via specialized and reliable parties before
publishing it.
The Yemeni Sons League web site, Raynews.net, reported Friday that
security apparatuses in Sana'a arrested numerous individuals of
various Arab nationalities on suspected links to foreign
investigations, including Israel and some Islamic nations.
Several official sources were contacted in an effort to verify the web
site report; however, they declined to comment, assuring that numerous
suspects are being investigated for acts believed to be against Yemeni
interests.
The league's report coincides with President Ali Abdullah Saleh's
warning last Wednesday about some political powers trying to ignite
sedition in Yemen.
Entering the country under the pretext of starting a business,
operating tourist tours or even working as mosque preachers, most such
individuals were arrested one by one, possessing detailed maps of
security-sensitive sites and investigation equipment.
The same source added that initial investigations revealed that some
suspects were involved in spying while some are agents for many
countries at the same time.
The number of suspects wasn't specified; however, the source said
approximately 40 detainees are being subjected to intense
investigations before being referred to judiciary.
Established in 2002 under U.S. instruction, the National Security
Apparatus is headed by Ali Al-Ansi, President Saleh's office manager
and Amar Mohammed Abdullah Saleh, the president's nephew.
Is Saudi Pressure behind a reported US arms embargo on Israel?
This is the full version of an abbreviated report sent earlier. If true, it also helps explain why Israel has refrained from responding to Palestinian missile strikes, despite repeated violations of the "truce," and why Israel is launching a peace initiative at this time: According to this report, the US is responding to Saudi pressure, because the US believes that Saudi Arabian support is a key factor to success in Iraq.
The arms embargo has not been reported elsewhere and has not been confirmed. A hypothesis based on the interest of the Saudis in the welfare of the Palestinians is questionable, and the role the Saudis might play in Iraq may be marginal.
U.S. BLOCKS ARMS, TECHNOLOGY TO ISRAEL
[MENL] -- The Bush administration has blocked arms and technology transfers to Israel.
Israeli and U.S. sources said the State Department has blocked the transfer of weapons and technology to the Jewish state over the last three months. The sources said the halt reflected deteriorating relations between the two countries since the end of the war in Lebanon in August 2006. "Nobody will say openly that there is a problem," a government source said. "But there is a serious problem that reflects the marginalization of Israel in U.S. strategy."
The unofficial suspension of U.S. arms deliveries began in late September, the sources said. They said the suspension halted the airlift of air-to-ground and other munitions conducted during and immediately after the Israeli war with Hizbullah. "Several weeks after the war, the U.S. supplies stopped," the source aid. "There was no real explanation."
The sources said the administration has held up a list of weapons requested by Israel in wake of the Lebanon war. They said the weapons and equipment -- including the Joint Direct Attack Munition, or JDAM -- were ment to replenish munitions and other stocks in preparation for a larger war that would include Syria in mid-2007. "The administration has not rejected any Israeli request," a U.S. official said. "Instead, the State Department and Defense Department have said that all requests must be examined."
The administration refusal to approve the Israeli requests has also hampered military cooperation between the two countries. In November, the Israel Air Force canceled plans to send delegations to the United States to examine air systems and munitions. A U.S. official said the White House was deeply disappointed by the Israeli failure to defeat Hizbullah. The official said the war undermined U.S. confidence in Israel's military and government. "The word in the White House was that Israel lost the war," the official said. "That alone led to a plummet in Israel's stock in the administration, particularly the Pentagon."
The U.S. refusals have also hampered Israeli defense programs. The sources said the State Department has prevented the transfer of data and technology, even from projects that included Israeli participation. In one case, State prevented Northrop Grumman from providing details ofits Skyguard laser weapon, which the company has sought to sell to Israel. The ban led to the suspension of Israeli negotiations to procure Skyguard, designed to intercept short-range rockets and missiles.
The sources said the halt in U.S. weapons exports to Israel was designed to assuage Saudi Arabia. They said Riyad has increasingly linked regional cooperation with Washington to pressure on Israel to halt attacks on Palestinian insurgency strongholds in the Gaza Strip. "The White House believes that Saudi help is vital for the United States in Iraq," a diplomatic source said. "There's nothing like stopping the weapons flow to Israel to show the Saudis that the United States means business."
http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news/?fr=yalerts-keyword&c=&p=plane+crash&ei=utf-8
1. Principal Dies in Mono County Plane Crash Open this result in new window
KTVN Reno - Dec 25 2:38 PM
The pilot killed in small plane crash in Mono County over the weekend has been identified as a 56-year-old principal from Schurz. The Mono County authorities say Joel Hodes was killed Saturday when his plane crashed in the Bodie Hills area outside Bridgeport.
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2. Sister of Marshall plane crash victim Open this result in new window
Louisville Courier-Journal - Dec 25 2:53 AM
The movie "We Are Marshall," about the 1970 plane crash that killed 42 members of the Marshall football program and the story of the resilience of those left behind, opened Friday. Sally Cottrell of Tucker, Ga., was left behind, too.
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3. Wreckage Removed From Plane Crash Open this result in new window
The Chattanoogan - Dec 25 9:09 AM
Wreckage was removed Sunday from a plane crash in North Hamilton County that took the lives of a Florida family of four. Pieces of the single-engine plane were taken to Atlanta as part of the investigation of the Friday night crash.
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4. Deadly Plane Crash Open this result in new window
WNCT Greenville - Dec 25 4:32 AM
Authorities say 58-year-old Dr. Ray Armistead of New Bern was flying the plane. His 54-year-old wife, Patricia, and their two daughters -- 27-year-old Lauren Armistead and 25-year-old Kristin Armistead -- also were killed in the crash.
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5. Plane crash investigation could take days Open this result in new window
News Interactive - Dec 24 7:40 PM
IT could take air safety investigators at least another two days before they learn what went wrong in a fatal plane crash in southwest Victoria yesterday.
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6. Probe begins into fatal plane crash Open this result in new window
ABC via Yahoo!7 News - Dec 24 1:21 PM
Air Safety Investigators will today begin their investigation into a fatal light plane crash in far south-western Victoria.
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7. Plane Crash Update Open this result in new window
WRCB Chattanooga - Dec 24 7:29 PM
New information about the plane crash that killed a family of four near Harrison, TN. Investigators say the pilot did not follow landing instructions provided by air traffic controllers. Friday night's crash killed a couple and their two teenage daughters.
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8. Plane Crash Investigation Open this result in new window
WMBB TV Panama City - Dec 24 4:19 PM
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. - The weather is hampering the investigation into a plane crash that killed five Panhandle residents.
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9. Plane Crash Victims Identified Open this result in new window
WDEF Chattanooga - Dec 24 7:51 AM
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA spent today at the scene of that fatal plane crash last night in the highway 58 area. Authorities held a news conference earlier this afternoon. read more
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10. PLANE CRASH Open this result in new window
Warrnambool Standard - Dec 25 4:12 PM
A PILOT is dead after his plane crashed shortly after take-off near the Nelson-Portland Road on Christmas Eve. A police media spokeswoman said the 59-year-male took off from an airstrip on private property about one kilometre east of Nelson.
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Iran criticizes hypocrisy of Security Council over Israeli WMDs
http://www.uruknet.info?p=29277
Iran criticizes hypocrisy of Security Council over Israeli WMDs
FARS News Agency
December 24, 2006
Iran denounced UN sanctions imposed on its nuclear program, accusing
the Security Council of double standards for ignoring Israel's recent
admission of its nuclear capabilities.
Speaking after the adoption of a Security Council resolution aimed at
pressuring Tehran to suspend its uranium enrichment program, Iran's UN
ambassador on Saturday called the sanctions illegal and accused Europe
and the United States of trying to prevent Iran from pursuing peaceful
nuclear technology.
"A nation is being punished for exercising its inalienable rights,''
Javad Zarif said in a speech after the vote, accusing the Council of
acting at the "behest of a dangerous regime with aggression and war crimes
as its signature brand of behavior,'' referring to Israel.
Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appeared to
abandon Israel's longstanding policy of ambiguity on nuclear weapons when
he listed Israel among countries that possess them.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry was equally strong in its reaction to the
council vote, declaring that the government will defy the resolution
and continue enriching uranium.
"Iran considers the new UN Security Council resolution ... an
extralegal act outside the frame of its responsibilities and against the UN
Charter,'' the statement said.
"The Iranian nation, relying on its national capabilities and within
the framework of its rights stipulated in the Nuclear Nonproliferation
Treaty, will continue its peaceful nuclear activities,'' it added.
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