Posted on 10/12/2005 1:01:59 AM PDT by DoctorZIn
Top News Story
Iran accused of training Iraqi bombers
Wed Oct 12, 2005 6:50 AM BST
LONDON (Reuters) - London has accused Iran of running training camps to teach militants how to carry out roadside bomb attacks on British troops in southern Iraq, according to newspaper reports on Wednesday.
The government believes Iran's Revolutionary Guard has taught Shi'ite militia members from Iraq how to make armour-piercing devices, the Daily Mirror reported, citing an unnamed defence source.
"There is evidence that there are teaching camps in Iran, Lebanon and maybe Syria," the source was quoted as saying. "It means up to 10 Iraqis at a time are being taught their trade before returning and teaching a further 50 similar minded people."
Eight British soldiers have been killed by roadside bombs since May.
The source told the Daily Mirror British soldiers in Iraq have for the first time found two similar unexploded roadside bombs and are checking them for forensic evidence.
A separate report in the Independent, said officials were searching for an "Iranian signature", while the Sun said the devices had advanced infra-red detonators.
A defence ministry spokesman in London said there would be no immediate comment on the reports.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said last week there was unproven evidence which linked Iran or its Lebanese Hizbollah allies to the sophisticated roadside bombs.
Blair said the accusations were not proven but worrying. He also said the bombs may have been an attempt by Iran to intimidate London over its tough stance in talks to limit Tehran's use of nuclear technology.
Iran and Hizbollah denied any links to the bombs.
The spat has fuelled tensions between Britain and Iran at a time when London and Washington are seeking U.N. action over Tehran's nuclear programme, which Washington says is a front for Iranian efforts to build nuclear weapons.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari, a Shi'ite Muslim, has denied that Shi'ite Iran was interfering in Iraq.
- Dow Jones Newswires reported that Iran signaled it may grant access to sites linked to possible work on nuclear weapons and other demands from the International Atomic Energy Agency.
- Reuters reported that Prime Minister Tony Blair said Iran needed to comply with the IAEA resolution and stop its support for terrorism. He added: I think they would make a great mistake if they thought the international community lacked the will to make sure that is done.
- Iran Press News reported that Hezbollah established a TV Channel for the United States and Europe.
- Iran Press News reported that Revolutionary Guard Kowsari, the Director of the office of the Armed Security Forces said: We know all of our various enemie's weak spots and we know just how to deal with them. Today we are equipped with people who are martyrdom-seekers, who can seriously damage these weak spots.
- Iran Press News reported that hundreds of West Alborz Coal miners and employees gathered to protest in Tehran.
- Iran Press News reported that the popular and diligent activist Kianoosh Sanjari has been temporarily released from prison.
- Iran Press News reported that Manouchehr Mot'taki, the foreign minister of the IRI will travel to China to discuss the relationship between China and the Islamic Republic.
- Iran Press News reported on the abusive and violent treatment of the disciplinary guards toward the youth of Iran.
- Yasser, Under Underground said "its a fact" that 30 years before Turkeys economy was about less than half of Irans economy but today Iran's is less than of half that of Turkey.
- Dan Darling, Regnum Crucis published Michael Ledeen's thoughts on Iran's so-called rogue elements in Iraq.
- Michael Ledeen, The National Review suggested we use a powerful weapon against the terror masters: fun.
- Reuters reported that Britain and France put new pressure on Iran on Tuesday.
- BBC News reported that the future of the UK's Trident missile deterrent could be affected if Iran develops nuclear weapons.
- Africasia reported that UN nuclear watchdog number two Olli Heinonen left for Iran, where he is "paying a visit to certain officials."
- The Los Angeles Times reported that while Colin L. Powell and his team faced off against administration and usually lost, Condi is winning.
- Hamid Ahadi, Rooz Online reported the Supreme Leader cautions the President and his Cabinet.
- Massoud Behnoud, Rooz Online discussed the problem of closed political societies.
- And finally, Arash Mottamed, Rooz Online described the recent crisis between the hard-liners in Tehran and Washington to a game of ping pong.
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Both rouge, terrorist instigating states, Iran & Syria, must have their dictatorships overthrown, and the sooner the better.
'Suspicious Deaths' of Birds Reported in Northwest Iran
Islamic Republic of Iran News Network Television (IRINN)
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
(Presenter) After a number of suspicious deaths of wild birds in Aras River, experts are asking if these deaths were caused by the spread of bird flu.
(Unidentified man speaking to a correspondent) Let me correct one thing first: so far, bird flu has not been confirmed. However, the deaths that we had a few days ago in Aras River created a particular sensitivity and we immediately set out to take samples and to send the samples to several diagnostic centers, including the Veterinary Organization's diagnostic center and the province's diagnostic center.
Initial and preliminary tests for flu have proved negative. However, since there is sensitivity on this issue, we are undertaking further tests and it is necessary for these further tests to be carried out at properly equipped centers of the Veterinary Organization. So we have sent the samples to the Veterinary Organization. And, God willing, the definite result on the samples will be known by the end of the week.
Also, today at the meeting of the flu committee of Maku (in West Azarbayjan Province), we met in the presence of the governor. In view of the deaths in Aras River, it was necessary to organize the required coordination for sensitizing the people of the region, for them to prevent contact with birds that have died or are ill. And it was decided that teams, with the cooperation of all the (government) offices throughout the town, would be formed to take steps in the region to collect and destroy them rapidly.
As for informing people, we have informed the people of the region in the form of leaflets that are being distributed in three formats by the Veterinary Organization. We have said in the leaflets that any kind of contact by people and especially children with sick birds should definitely be avoided. The Environmental Organization and the Veterinary Organization will also act to this end.
We stress once again that, until the final results are known, we have to maintain this state of alert in this area. (Video shows unidentified man speaking to a correspondent, boatmen fishing a few dead and sick birds out of the river, and a meeting of officials)
(Earlier in the same newscast, the Iranian Health Minister Kamran Baqeri-Lankarani said: "A few weeks ago, we established a state committee for combating this (bird flu) with our friends at the Agricultural Jihad Ministry and the Veterinary Organization. We are a member of the committee. The Veterinary Organization is undertaking the required follow-ups. They have taken numerous samples. So far, God be praised, we have not had samples that tested positive among our country's birds. You can ask them (the Veterinary Organization) for the details. In human terms, too, the number of people who have been affected by this disease has been less than 200 (worldwide). In the countries in our vicinity, there have been no instances of humans being affected. But this does not mean that we will be negligent. We are doing our work. Most of our work involves training, preparation, so that if, God forbid, something happens, we have the necessary preparedness to treat those affected. But this does not mean that we are facing a grave danger in our country. We have to be prepared. And we must not spread fear in the country.")
(Description of Source: Tehran Islamic Republic of Iran News Network Television (IRINN) in Persian -- State-run 24-hour news channel in Persian, Arabic and English; presenting up to the minute domestic and international news. It offers exclusive interviews on a variety of topics, as well as information on universities, labor, and economic developments from the capital and the provinces.)
A moral police asks an Iranian young lady to adjust her headscarf's position and observe Hijab. The government says we are an Islamic state and everyone must cover up, but the resistance of young girls is a big problem for them. An estimated 70% of Iran's population is under 30 years of age. Opportunities for the young are thin on the ground with unemployment as high as 28% for those under 30.
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