Iran Assembling Arab Coalition Against Action Against Afghanistan

MSNBC Television | 9/30/2001 | Kevin Tibble

[rumrunner]

Kevin Tibble of MSNBC just reported inside of Eygpt that Iran is assembling an Arab coalition to oppose any United States actions against Afghanistan and the Taliban. Reportedly Mubarak has met with Iran and is signing off on such a position. The Arab coalition will contend that unless such action is under the auspices of the United Nations then it is illegitimate.

[father_elijah]

The Iranians are Persians not Arabs. They practice Shia Islam when the majority of the Arab world practices Sunni Islam. You can think of them as denominations that have historically enjoyed killing each other over who is the legitimate Prophet's heir.

[piasa]

Iranians are Persian... not nomadic tribes. Not arabs, who are basically nomadic tribes.

[Woodman]

If I remember correctly Persians and Egyptions are not considered arabic by the arabs.

[MississippiMan]

"You're either with us, or with the terrorists" quoted Dubya

That was exactly and precisely the right thing to say, if he's going to stand behind it. He must stand behind that tough statement or we'll be even more of a paper tiger than Clinton managed to turn us into during his squalorous tenure. Iran and Egypt have squarely and proudly positioned themselves on the terrorist side of the equation. What will Dubya do? Will he have the strength to do what must be done? I pray that he will but fear that he won't. We're going into this thing trying to engage in a politically correct war, for heaven's sake, and I think it's gonna cost us big time. I think he will eventually realize what must be done but I hope it isn't after a million Americans have been killed that he figures it out.

MM

[Movemout]

This article from Islamic Republic Newswire would tend to support your citation:

thr 087
Iran-Lebanon-Terrorism /POL/
 Iran-Lebanon call for finding roots of terrorism
Beirut, Sept 29, IRNA -- Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal
Kharrazi and Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri called for finding
the roots of terrorism here Saturday.
Kharrazi said that uprooting terrorism requires determined steps
and international cooperation, adding "one can not fight terrorism
with discrimination."
"Since the enemies of Moslem countries intend to force the
Zionist regime on the Middle East, they call the liberation movements
as terrorists while ignoring Israeli atrocities,'' he added.
Kharrazi said that any imprudent acts against terrorism will only
exasperate the problem.
He said that Moslem countries have immense capabilities and they
agree that Israel is a state that instigates terrorism in the region.
Hariri called for a clear definition of terrorism adding that
given that occupying others' territory fits this definition, struggle
for liberating occupied land can not be characterized as terrorism.
Hariri said that if the roots of the phenomenon of terrorism,
which is becoming ever more complex, is not tackled, ''we will be
defeated.''
He also referred to hidden hands taking advantage of the current
circumstances to pit islam against the west, but, ''the wise stances
taken by Moslems has prevented these situation from arising.''
Kharrazi, heading a high-ranking political delegation, was in
Syria earlier Saturday when he conferred with Al-Shara on regional and
international developments following the September 11 terrorism
attacks in the U.S.
He arrived in Beirut Saturday afternoon on the second leg of his
three-nation tour to Syrian, Lebanon and Egypt.
The Iranian minister's tour of regional countries is aimed at
further consolidating Islamic solidarity in the campaign against
terrorism and in support of Palestine's Intifada through exchange of
views with Islamic States.
NB/JB
End
::irna 22:23

[sargon]

Iran Assembling Arab Coalition Against Action Against Afghanistan Living Much Longer

[father_elijah]

When targeting Iran, it is important to remember to not only target Teheran but also the city of Qom. That would hurt them.

The art of war looks like a Jackson Pollock painting.

[TKEman]

I think these governments are going to stand by with their hands in their pants. I doubt governments will actively take the field against us. Some of the people? Well, that's another matter.....

[BurkeanCyclist]

Could you explain further?

Here's the CIA World Factbook's ethnic statistics for Iran:

Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%

[Movemout]

And another more recent article:

thr 066
Iran-Egypt-Terrorism /POL/
 Iran-Egypt highlight Islam in confronting terror
Cairo, Sept 30, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi and
his Egyptian counterpart Ahmad Maher on Saturday met and conferred on
regional and international issues, saying they hold similar views.
They also said the two countries' presidents recent phone
conversation was positive and stressed future consultations between
Cairo and Tehran on issues of mutual concern.
The two foreign ministers also said that they plan to meet on the
sidelines of the upcoming extraordinary foreign ministerial meeting
of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Doha.
Maher said his discussion with Iranian delegation on latest world
developments as "important and fruitful."
He said Iran and Egypt are two important Islamic countries and
their close cooperation can be an impetus for resolving outstanding
issues in the Muslim world while precipitating their active
articipation in international developments.
Kharrazi said Muslim nations should, have harmonious views and
united positions, and thwart the plots hatched by enemies of Islam to
promote dialogue of civilization as a way to resolve international
crisis at the current sensitive juncture.
On the recent terror attacks in the U.S., Maher said that Iran and
Egypt have common views on these acts and will strive to find a
solutions to the current crisis. He said that Egypt welcomes bilateral
cooperation with Iran in all areas.
Kharrazi said the world is witnessing new developments in the
aftermath of terror attack in the U.S. adding "the Muslim world is
sensitive to these developments and will strive to have its voice
heard in future decisions."
He said Iran and Egypt play an important role in the Muslim world
and believe that terrorism cannot be confronted superficially, but,
"its roots should be understood while it is tackled in an equitable
and just manner."
An international consensus is needed to find out the roots of
terrorism, the Iranian foreign minister underlined.
Earlier on Sunday, Kharrazi conferred with Egyptian President
Mohammed Hosni Mubarak on issues of mutual interests.
At the meeting, the two sides reviewed and exchanged views on
regional and international issues and underlined removal of double
standard criteria to deal with terrorism.
Elaborating the stance taken by Egypt in dealing with the
terrorist act in the U.S., Mubarak said the world of Islam are
concerned over the existing situation and all Islamic and Arabic
countries should try to prevent a much graver catastrophe, adding that
"the innocent people should not be killed."
Kharrazi is in Egypt on the last leg of a three-nation tour which
took him to Syria and Lebanon.
NB/AK
End
::irna 21:58

[Entropy Squared]

Iran Assembling Arab Coalition Against Action Against Afghanistan

Separating the wheat from the chaff.

[BurkeanCyclist]

"You're either with us, or with the terrorists" quoted Dubya

That was exactly and precisely the right thing to say, if he's going to stand behind it.

This is his "read my lips" moment.

[Cindy]

I wonder if the "intelligence sources" (CIA, FBI, Homeland Security) have been notified.

[The Raven]

You'd think they'd be anti-capitalist and not have any ads. But there are a few (CNN, Amazon)

[dr_who]

I wonder what Mubarak's motives are. Perhaps he feels like his grip on power is in danger because of Palestinean sympathizers in the Egypt. Dollar diplomacy sure isn't going to work anymore, looks like.

[piasa]

They're not seriously considering them as an integral part of a coalition against terrorism (any more than we are considering NATO to be- less so.) The objective is to keep them from swallowing Osam's bait and unifying under a single jihad to overthrow the moderates in their countries. The divisions between them must be maintained. And that is precisely what the US is doing by forming coalitions.

Except in this case we're using teeth behind the scenes. Letting the recalcitrant ones be a part of 'the coalition' is just giving the leadership of the more hostile governments political cover for their being forced to join with the rest. It's much better than making them tell their people 'the US made us do it,' which would only incite their public.

The administration has made it clear that the coalitions will change. That's another phrase for 'we expect people to shift allegiences' as their interests stasrt conflicting with ours.

[super175]

China is behind this.

[Entropy Squared]

The strategy is just to start. Divide and conquer. We'll start with Afgan and once some of our coalition does not like the results there, we will move on to Iraq. Ok to have them "with" us as long as possible. Won't end up that way.

Good call.