SYRIA: Syria wary of IDF Golan tank maneuvers

"The Syrian leadership has undertaken emergency preventive and deterrent measures, fearing that Israel will turn the military exercise in the Golan Heights to an attack against Syria," Damascus officials reportedly told the Qatari-based paper Al Wattan, Wednesday. Israel was holding wide scale tank maneuvers in the territory Tuesday. The paper quoted other Syrian officials as saying the IDF maneuvers were not in line with peace overtures Syria has been sending Israel over the past few months. "The risk of such drills lies in the fact that they take place near the ceasefire line with Syria and also because Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi came to supervise them personally," the officials said

...While touring the Golan Heights on Tuesday, Barak told reporters that it was "no coincidence" that the IDF was training in the Golan "with such intensity and on a grand scale." Barak added that Israel was watching closely to see whether weapons transferred from Hizbullah to Syria were "tipping the balance" of deterrence against Israel, saying that Israel was "making all the preparations necessary and will do whatever it takes," if and when the time to act arrives...(JPost).

Full Article: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218446190305&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

GCC/IRAN: GCC chides Iran over facilities on Gulf island

Oil-rich Arab monarchies in the Gulf chided Iran on Saturday for setting up facilities on an island claimed by the United Arab Emirates, two days after Abu Dhabi protested to Tehran over the move. Gulf Cooperation Council secretary general Abdurrahman al-Attiyah "strongly denounced Iran's opening of two administrative offices on Abu Musa island, which belongs to the UAE and is occupied by Iran," a GCC statement said...Attiyah renewed the GCC's support for the UAE's "full sovereignty" over Abu Musa as well as over Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb -- two other strategic Gulf islands controlled by Iran and claimed by Abu Dhabi. He also urged the Islamic republic to "respond to the UAE's sincere and repeated calls for resolving the issue through direct negotiations or recourse to the International Court of Justice," the statement said...(Alarabiya).

Full Article: http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2008/08/16/54942.html

IRAQ: Iraq: car bomb strikes Shiite pilgrims, killing 6

A car bomb targeting Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad killed six and wounded 11, Iraqi police and hospital officials said Saturday. The parked car exploded about 9 a.m. near minibuses assembled to pick up pilgrims in Baghdad's mainly Shiite district of Shaab, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to release the information...(JPost).

Full Article:  http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=SimpleSite/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1218710376527

PAKISTAN: Kayani to negotiate deal between Mush-PPP

The Pakistan People's Party-led coalition is likely to approach Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani to negotiate a deal between embattled President Pervez Musharraf and the four-party ruling alliance to end the political impasse in the country. The PPP believes that the political crisis in Pakistan will deepen if Musharraf does not resign within the next 72 hours or before the process of his impeachment begins in parliament next week, a senior party leader told the Daily Times newspaper. The PPP leader, however, said Musharraf was expected to quit within the next 72 hours...(Press Trust of India via NDTV).

Full Article: http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080061765

EGYPT: Iran Should Reassure West on Nuclear Issue

Iran should not present the Western nations justification for war on "a silver platter" in the conflict over its nuclear program the way Saddam Hussein of Iraq did, Egypt's presidential spokesman said Saturday. Speaking after a meeting between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Saudi King Abdallah in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, spokesman Suleiman Awwad defended Iran's right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes but said the Islamic Republic should give more assurances to the international community...(AP via Asharq Alawsat).

Full Article: http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=13748

TURKEY: US 'can no longer play Big Brother'

Turkish President Abdullah Gul says the Georgia conflict has proved that the US could no longer control the entire world from one centre. In an interview with The Guardian newspaper published on Saturday, President Gul said the conflict in Georgia indicated that Washington could no longer shape global politics on its own, and with other countries. "A new world order, if I can say it, should emerge" and the United States should begin sharing power in a new world order, he added..."There are big nations. There are huge populations. There is unbelievable economic development in some parts of the world" the president said. "So what we have to do is, instead of unilateral actions, act all together, make common decisions and have consultations with the world," Gul concluded...(Press TV).

Full Article: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=66761&sectionid=351020204

IRAN: Iran to launch its first satellite by next weekend - president

Iran will launch its first satellite in the nearest few days, the country's president said on Saturday. "The first satellite created by Iranian specialists will be orbited by an Iranian carrier rocket before the end of the next week," Iranian media quoted Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as saying. He added that economic sanctions imposed by the United States against the Islamic Republic had a "favorable effect on the country's scientific progress." According to Ahmadinejad, over 7,000 scientific inventions have been registered in Iran over the last few years...(RIA Novosti).

Full Article:  http://en.rian.ru/world/20080816/116082672.html

LEBANON/ISRAEL: Nasrallah: War led Israel to negotiate with Syria

Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah on Thursday claimed that "Israel's failure in the Second Lebanon War led it to change its policy, from waging war with Syria to negotiating with it." Speaking on Lebanese television in a special broadcast marking two years since the end of the Second Lebanon War, Nasrallah said that the outcome of the war "affected Israel and the entire region." Nasrallah said that in the war, Hizbullah succeeded in defeating the strongest army in the area, which was supported by the US. He also ridiculed Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who served as prime minister during the 2000 Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, claiming that Hizbullah forced Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon ahead of schedule. The Hizbullah leader went on to say that keeping the group's arsenal a "secret" was part of its battle against Israel and that his guerrillas wouldn't be frightened by Israeli threats to attack Lebanon...(JPost).

Full Article: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218710366333&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

IRAN/SYRIA: 30 Iranian companies in Damascus fair

Some 30 Iranian companies are participating in the 55th Damascus International Fair which opened in the Syrian capital, on Friday night. The Iranian companies active in such fields as construction affairs, silo construction, tractor manufacturing, household appliances, furniture, packaging machinery, foodstuff, road construction equipment, polyethylene products, plastic ware, auto, electricity equipment and so on are participating in the exhibition...(IRNA).

Full Article: http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0808163217151806.htm

SYRIA/LEBANON: Lebanon expects ties with Syria within 2 months

Lebanon's foreign minister said Saturday he expects diplomatic ties with Syria to be fully established and ambassadors to be exchanged within two months. Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh said the Cabinet will give its approval on the diplomatic ties Thursday. Later, it will issue a separate decree for an embassy in Syria, he said. Salloukh spoke in an interview with The Associated Press two days after the presidents of Lebanon and Syria agreed to establish full diplomatic ties for the first time since the two countries gained independence from France more than 60 years ago. The two countries also agreed to negotiate the demarcation of their border, a longtime demand of the Lebanese as they seek to normalize relations with their long dominant larger neighbor...(IHT).

Full Article: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/16/africa/ME-Lebanon-Syria.php

SAUDI ARABIA/PAKISTAN: Saudi intelligence chief in Pakistan amid Musharraf crisis: official

Saudi Arabia's intelligence chief, Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz, dashed to Pakistan for talks with the government over its plans to impeach President Musharraf, a senior official said Saturday. "Yes, Saudi intelligence chief Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz did visit Pakistan on Friday and met senior government officials," a senior coalition official told AFP requesting anonymity. "The main purpose of the visit was to find an amicable solution to the (Musharraf impeachment) issue and that no one should become a laughing stock," the official said. Asked what solution the coalition regarded as acceptable, the official said "Musharraf should step down" but that it was "really up to Musharraf" if his plans included exile to Saudi Arabia. "Saudi Arabia is a very strong ally of both Pakistan and the US and the visit was a sincere and friendly effort to interact with all and sundry to settle the issue," the official said. "The Saudis have very strong bonds of friendship with us. President Musharraf has also been very close to Riyadh during his rule," the official added...(AFP via DAWN).

Full Article: http://www.dawn.com/2008/08/16/rss.htm#22

IRAQ: Kurdish troops to withdraw from restive Iraq province

Iraq's Kurdish autonomous region has agreed to withdraw troops from a neighbouring Iraqi province and hand over security in the area to forces of the central government, a Kurdish official said. Kurdish officials have struck an agreement with the central government in Baghdad to withdraw the 4,000 Kurdish troops, known as Peshmerga, from restive Diyala province over the next 10 days, said Jaffar Mustafa, Kurdistan's Peshmerga minister...(Reuters).

Full Article: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LG732745.htm

IRAN: Iranians seek dismissal of official who befriends Israelis

...A statement signed by about 200 members of the 290-seat assembly called on President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to dismiss Esfandiar Rahim Mashai, the vice president for tourism, after he repeated on Sunday his earlier comment that "we are a friend of all people in the world, even Israelis and Americans." In his comments, Mashai, an ally of Ahmadinejad and one of his in-laws, specified "for a thousandth time" that his country was against Israel, not Jews..."We do not recognize a country called Israel, and so we cannot recognize a nation called Israel," the lawmakers said in their statement, according to Fars, the semiofficial Iranian news agency. "If Mr. Mashai does not have the political awareness that the Israeli people are the same people who have occupied the homes of millions of innocent and oppressed Palestinians and have created the army of the Zionist regime, he has no right to hold such a position," the statement added...(IHT).

Full Article: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/14/mideast/tehran.php

IRAQ: Sadr asks for a blood pledge of loyalty

Moktada al-Sadr, the Iraqi Shiite cleric, on Friday called on his followers to sign in blood a pledge of loyalty to the Shiite saint after whom he named the Mahdi army, and to affirm their commitment to ridding Iraq of U.S. troops...The pledge request also called on all Muslim believers "to work to liberate all the Islamic states in general, and Iraq especially, from the armies of darkness, by which I mean the occupation and colonization." Sadr recently announced that he would be dividing his movement into the Mahdi army and Momahidoun, an unarmed cultural and religious movement whose name means "those who pave the way."...Only a few hundred people turned up Friday at Sadrist offices in Sadr City and Najaf to sign the covenant, as millions of Shiites were already heading by foot, car and minibus to the Shiite holy city of Karbala to celebrate the birthday of Muhammad al-Mahdi, a ninth-century saint and the last of 12 imams revered by Shiites...(IHT).

Full Article: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/15/mideast/iraq.php

U.S./LIBYA: U.S.-Libya agreement on terror lawsuits paves way for new relations

Libya and the United States settled all outstanding lawsuits by U.S. victims of terrorism Thursday, clearing the way for the full restoration of diplomatic relations.There were 26 pending lawsuits filed by U.S. citizens against Libya for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, and other attacks, said a senior Libyan government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the details of the deal had not been publicly announced...The agreement will be followed by an upgrading of U.S. relations with Libya, including the opening of an embassy in Tripoli, the confirmation of a U.S. ambassador and a visit by the U.S. secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, before the end of the year. It will also allow direct U.S. aid. The deal also gives immunity to the Libyan government from any further terror-related lawsuits, the Libyan government official said...(IHT).

Full Article: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/14/africa/libya.php

KUWAIT/CHINA: Kuwait's invest in China oil refinery JV may rise to USD nine bln

Kuwaiti-Chinese refinery and petrochemical complex project in south China's Guangdong Province is now expected to cost USD 8-9 billion, making it the largest Sino-foreign joint venture here, said Saad Al-Shuwaib, CEO of state-run Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC)Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC)...(KUNA via Zawya).

Full Article: http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidKUN0008080815061302

TURKEY/IRAN: Gul: Ahmadinejad faced security 'threat'

Turkish President Abdullah Gul says his Iranian counterpart, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, faced a 'threat' during his two-day visit to Istanbul. In a televised press conference on Saturday, President Gul said tight security during Ahmadinejad's visit was prompted by intelligence of a threat to the Iranian president, AFP reported.  "The Istanbul police told me they had intelligence of a threat that they could not ignore and therefore they had tot take those measures," said the Turkish head of state. He, however, did not specify the nature of the threat...(Press TV).

Full Article: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=66760&sectionid=351020101

RUSSIA NEWS ROUNDUP

The Russia News Round Up was compiled by Louis Laverone, MEMG Vice President

RUSSIA – Turkey has not allowed U.S. Navy vessels passage to Georgia

Several officials in the American administration confirmed to the newsgroup "Maklatchi" that President Bush quickly assigned the U.S. Navy to transport humanitarian supplies to Georgia without consulting the Turkish government, without whose permission American naval vessels cannot travel through the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits. A senior administration representative remarked... "At this moment, we should check our responsibilities under (international) agreements, our bilateral relations with Turkey and other allies, our options within the bounds of maritime regulations, and which vessels can pass through and be used..." (RIA Novosti)

Full Article (Russian): http://www.rian.ru/osetia_news/20080815/150417691.html

RUSSIA TODAY EDITORIAL – Beyond South Ossetia – the New World Order

Georgia's (still) President Mikhail Saakashvili threw the dice and lost everything. His blind ambition to return South Ossetia to Tbilisi's control through force has resulted in an unmitigated defeat for Georgia's sovereignty. The world needs to take note and it signals things to come...The catalyst for all this was Kosovo... Washington and Brussels have unwittingly admitted that self-determination is more important than a state's sovereignty. Russia and Russians are following this lead. The post-Soviet space is poised for more change (of borders) and the West and its double-standards are the cause of this.... (Russia Today)

Full Article (English): http://www.russiatoday.com/employee/27

RUSSIA - Meeting with the President of South Ossetia Eduard Kokoity and President of Abkhazia Sergei Bagapsh (Transcript)

PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA DMITRY MEDVEDEV: Dear colleagues! A tragedy has claimed the lives of many people from the civilian population of South Ossetia and the Russian peacekeeping forces. I would like, dear colleagues, for you to first and foremost express our sincere condolences to all those who suffered and who have been affected by this barbaric aggression... I would like you to know and to convey to the people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia that the position of the Russian Federation will not change: we will support any decision taken by the peoples of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in accordance with the United Nations Charter, international conventions of 1966, and the Helsinki Act on security and cooperation in Europe. And we will not only support these decisions but will guarantee them in the Caucasus and in the world. (Office of the President of Russia)

Full Article (English): http://www.kremlin.ru/eng/text/speeches/2008/08/14/1708_type82912type82914_205321.shtml

RUSSIA – The War In Ossetia:

Moscow's attempts to meet Western condemnation of the war in Georgia are unsuccessful at the moment. Russian President Dimitri Medvedev was unable to assure German Chancellor Angela Merkel of the legality of the Russian troops in South Ossetia. Germany termed the army's movements excessive, and made it understood that the principle of Georgian territorial integrity is inviolable in the eyes of more than the United States.... At the Russian and German leaders' concluding press conference, it became apparent that Medvedev did not convince Merkel of Moscow's rights in the Caucasus. (ITAR-TASS)

Full Article (Russian): http://www.gazeta.ru/politics/2008/08/15_a_2812278.shtml

RUSSIA – Ministry of Defense Press Conference: "Understanding the Implications of Operations in South Ossetia"

Ministry of Defense Deputy Chief of Staff, General Anatoly Nogovitsyn, spoke to reporters today on the most recent casualty figures from South Ossetia, the future of the Russian peacekeeping mission, and expectations for the development of the situation. The video is approximately 45 minutes long, with 30 minutes of reporters' questions. Full transcript coming. (RIA Novosti)

Full Video (Russian): http://www.rian.ru/osetia_mm/20080813/150343760.html

RADIO FREE EUROPE SPECIAL FEATURE - Did Russia Plan Its War In Georgia?

Before the guns of August, there were the maneuvers of July. Less than one month before Russia's armed forces entered Georgia on August 8, they held massive military training exercises in the North Caucasus involving 8,000 servicemen and 700 pieces of military hardware. At center stage in those maneuvers -- which took place in the second half of July, not far from Georgia's border -- was Russia's 58th Army, the very unit that would later play a key role in the incursion. Military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer says the aim, from the start, was to overthrow Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and his pro-Western government. (RFE/RL)

Full Article: http://www.rferl.org/content/Did_Russia_Plan_Its_War_In_Georgia__/1191460.html

Article Submitted by Louis Laverone, MEMG Vice President

GEORGIA: Explosions in Georgian towns as Russian forces remain

Earlier claims that Russian troops had commenced a withdrawal from Gori were dismissed as at least five explosions were heard in the town. Journalists were forced to leave by a Russian soldier firing shots into the air. Troops are also thought to have returned to the strategically important port town of Poti. A Georgian spokesman said: "The Russian troops are destroying the city of Gori. They are mining the city. They are destroying everything in Poti port. They are destroying the newly built roads in western Georgia." (Daily Telegraph)

Full Article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/georgia/2557467/Explosions-in-Georgian-towns-as-Russian-force

Article Submitted by Louis Laverone, MEMG Vice President

RUSSIA: RIA Novosti on Air Force readiness

Air Force Commander Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin held a press conference where he told journalists about today's Russian Air Force and prospects for its development... General Zelin says by 2011, Russia's Mi-26 heavy airlift helicopters and Mi-24PN choppers will be upgraded. There are also long-term plans to acquire over 60 Mi-8MTV5, Mi-28N and Ka-52 helicopters. Between 2011 and 2015, over 100 units of new Mi-28N, Ka-52 and Mi-8 variants are expected to be purchased. New multirole fighters by Sukhoi and MiG will enter service, and tests of the fifth-generation fighter will be completed. The priority of Air Force's development, however, will be the improvement of the technology intensiveness of its units, which implies re-equipping with new and upgraded hardware, as well as maintaining and development of the infrastructure for daily life, combat training, and combat duty. (RIA Novosti)

Full Article (English): http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20080814/116049612.html

Article Submitted by Louis Laverone, MEMG Vice President

IRAQ: Iraq's Shia extremists 'trained in Iran by Hizbollah'

Iraq's Shia extremists are being trained in four locations inside Iran and are planning to return to assassinate officials in Baghdad, according to US military intelligence. A senior American officer said that captured militia fighters and other sources in Iraq had confirmed suspicions that members of Iran's elite Quds force and members of the Lebanese militia Hizbollah were training their fellow Shia Muslims from Iraq to create more so-called "special groups" of fighters...The training is also intended to equip the insurgents for the daily clashes with Iraqi and American forces...Iraq's intelligence service is preparing operations to determine where and when the special group fighters will enter the country and is to provide an assessment to Nouri al-Maliki, the prime minister, the US officer said...He acknowledged that disclosing the information was an attempt to put pressure on Iran to suspend the training and prevent the militia fighters from returning to Iraq...(Telegraph.co.uk).

Full Article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/2565758/Iraqs-Shia-extremists-trained-in-Iran-by-Hizbollah.html

Related Article:

• U.S.: Hezbollah training Iraqi militants in Iran (AP via Haaretz)

PAKISTAN: Pervez Musharraf stages last-ditch effort to stay in office as Pakistan president

President Pervez Musharraf has staged a last-ditch effort to stay in office by offering to remain as a "figurehead" without any power. However, the co-chairman of the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Asif Zardari, rejected the proposal saying that Mr Musharraf should resign or face impeachment. Talks were "at the end-game", according to a senior PPP government official, as Mr Musharraf sought assurances that if he does resign he will be granted immunity from prosecution and that he will receive high-status security. Asked if Mr Musharraf had decided to resign, he replied: "There are people who are advising him to avoid confrontation, but I don't think he has made up his mind."...Mr Zardari said that sooner or later Mr Musharraf would be leaving office, either by resignation or impeachment.,,(Telegraph.co.uk).

Full Article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/2564931/Pervez-Musharraf-stages-last-ditch-effort-to-stay-in-office-as-Pakistan-president.html

HAMAS/JORDAN: Hamas says ice begins to melt with Jordan

Officials from Hamas have met with a top Jordanian security official to try to patch up ties soured since 2006 by charges that the Islamist Palestinian groups was planning to carry out attacks in Jordan. Hamas's leader in the Gaza Strip Ismail Haniyeh said on Friday that the contacts, involving two Hamas officials and Jordan's intelligence chief, Mohammed al-Thahabi, could help reconcile Hamas with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's secular Fatah faction...(Reuters).

Full Article: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LF97670.htm

U.S. Dept of State: Libya Claims Settlement

Article submitted by Louis T. Laverone, MEMG Vice President

On August 14, 2008, the United States and Libya signed a comprehensive claims settlement agreement in Tripoli. The agreement is designed to provide rapid recovery of fair compensation for American nationals with terrorism-related claims against Libya. It will also address Libyan claims arising from previous U.S. military actions.

The agreement is being pursued on a purely humanitarian basis and does not constitute an admission of fault by either party. Rather, pursuant to the agreement an international Humanitarian Settlement Fund will be established in Libya to collect the necessary resources for the claims on both sides...

...The U.S. Congress has supported this initiative by passing the Libyan Claims Resolution Act, which was signed into law by the President on August 4. The law authorizes the Secretary of State to immunize the assets of the Humanitarian Settlement Fund so they will reach the intended recipients...(U.S. Dept of State).

Full Article: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/aug/108251.htm

IRAN/LEBANON: Hezbollah will Help Iran Fend Off Threats

Lebanon's freed prisoner Samir Qantar announced that in case of any threats against Iran, his fighters will not leave the Iranian nation alone and help defend the country..."We have learned the lesson of allegiance from the late Imam Khomeini School; drawing on this lesson we say that we will not leave the Iranian nation alone. This is a word pledged by any fighter for the cause of God," he added..."Under the auspicious guidance of the late Imam Khomeini, Lebanese resistance revived and now it has become an influential power in the region," Qantar said.
He further said that Iran's support for the Lebanese people contributed to their victories in 2000 and 2006 against the Israeli occupying regime. "The Lebanese nation will never forget the Islamic republic's helps and supports nor will it leave the Iranian nation alone in tough days," Qantar said...(Iran's Fars News Agency).

Full Article: http://english.farsnews.net/newstext.php?nn=8705240788

IRAN/TURKEY: Ahmadinejad in two-day visit to boost bilateral ties

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was due to arrive in Turkey on Thursday for a two-day visit to discuss bilateral ties a few days after major powers agreed to expand sanctions against Iran in protest at its nuclear programme. Ahmadinejad and his top-level Iranian delegation are due to meet Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul after an invitation was extended to the Iranian leader. Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki as well as energy minister Parviz Fattah, oil minister Gholam-Hossein Nozari and the head of Iran's cultural heritage and tourism body, Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei, are accompanying Ahmadinejad...Ahead of the visit, Israel expressed its displeasure at Ahmadinejad's visit to Turkey. Israel considers Turkey a close ally and is currently acting as mediator between Syria and Israel...(AKI).

Full Article: http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Politics/?id=1.0.2415714955

IRAN/IRAQ: Iran to open FTZ on border with Iraq

A senior Iranian official says Iran plans to set up a free trade zone on its border with Iraq and open an Iraqi trade office in Tehran. Mehdi Ghazanfari, head of Iran's Trade Development Organization, in a meeting with Iraqi Trade Minister Abdul Fallah al-Sudani on Thursday in Tehran offered the proposals, saying that Iranian companies are ready to participate in trade fairs in Iraqi cities. The trade between the two countries, which enjoy a 1,200-kilometer Border, has increased in recent years, growing from $1.5 billion in 2006 to $2.8 billion in 2007.It is expected to reach around $4 billion by the end of 2008...In another development, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Burham Saleh arrived in Tehran on Wednesday for a three-day visit...(Press TV).

Full Article: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=66600&sectionid=351020102

IRAN/KRG: Iran Resumes Bombing Kurdistan Region Border Areas

Iranian artillery resumed bombing Kurdistan region border areas today, a well-informed source from those areas told PUKmedia. The Iranian artillery pounded Aish and Saritanura areas close to Qandil Mountain. Meanwhile, three unidentified planes have been flying over Nawdasht, Razga, Dolakoga and Maradu areas since 7:00 am this morning up to now...(PUKMedia).

Full Article:  http://pukmedia.com/english/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5864&Itemid=52

YA LIBNAN: Nasrallah to speak on divine victory this evening

Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah will deliver a televised speech on the second anniversary of the July war with Israel 9:00 pm. He is expected to talk about the divine victory...(YA LIBNAN).

Featured in YA LIBNAN: Thursday News Briefs

Full Article: http://yalibnan.com/site/archives/2008/08/thursday_news_b_9.php

HAARETZ: Our friends in Georgia

Talking to official Israeli representatives in Georgia can be confusing. One moment they're bragging about their close ties with senior members of the local government...and the next they're emphasizing that Israel does not support either side...It can be said almost with certainty that Israel bet on the wrong horse here, and is trying to limit its damage which may turn out to be particularly serious as swiftly as possible.

...Israel wanted to play a central role in Georgia. Ostensibly, this was a perfect opportunity. A pro-Western government that controls a central oil transport junction, with senior officials who are Jewish and were even educated in Israel, and an army thirsty for Israeli weapons and knowledge. On top of all that, our American ally was also a senior partner in the Georgian project...

...Moscow does not recognize nuances. It is giving Israel a clear choice: Stand with Georgia, like the Bush administration, which condemned Russia and even flew Georgian soldiers home from Iraq, thus entering an open confrontation with the Kremlin or preserve far more important interests. As far as Israel is concerned, the choice is simple...Jerusalem knows one shouldn't mess with Putin, who is determined to show the world his unquestioned domination in the Caucasus...

...If the situation in Georgia worsens, anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli notes will begin slipping into Russian propaganda...The establishment repeatedly has been enticed to believe Israel can be a regional power, and has paid a painful price every time. Now, we may be able to thank Putin for quickly showing Israel the limits of its power and influence, and letting it escape with minimal damages...(HAARETZ).

Full Article: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1011720.html

LIBYA: “We’re Glad Georgia Has Had to Withdraw Its Forces from Iraq” // The son of the Libyan leader talks to Kommersant about events in Georgia

Gaddafi's Son:...First, Libya has always supported Russia; there are excellent relations between us. We consider Russia a great country...All Arabs are mad at Georgia because it sent its troops to Iraq and took part in the occupation of that Arab land. Therefore, now people in all the Arab countries are glad that Georgia has had to withdraw its forces from Iraq. We understand that it wouldn’t have happened without Russia. If it weren’t for Russia, Georgian forces would still be in Iraq...(Kommersant).

Full Article: http://www.kommersant.com/page.asp?id=1011127

IRAQ: U.S and Iraqi troops fail to ‘subdue’ Diyala

Despite repeated offensives and presence of tens of thousands of U.S. and Iraqi troops, the Province of Diyala still remains a major rebel stronghold in Iraq. The province of which Baaquba is the capital is a restive territory where Iraqi resistance groups and members of al-Qaeda organization have apparently dug in for a protracted and difficult fight...The Kurds have sent in their militias who have for long spread their control over three major districts in the province – Khaniqeen, Jalawla and Hamreen. There are Arab, Kurdish and Turkmen Shiites in the province, too...The recent dismissal of the province’s police chief Ghanim al-Quraishi has led to violent protests in several areas and chaos in provincial administration...The province is predominantly Arab Sunni Muslim...A row over the presence of Kurdish militias or peshmerga is feared to lead to an armed conflict...(Azzaman via Iraq Updates).

Full Article: http://www.iraqupdates.com/p_articles.php/article/35189

IRAQ: Iraqi forces in disagreement over Diyala

Kurdish forces are refusing Iraqi defence ministry orders to pull out of Kurdish-populated areas of Diyala province where they have been deployed for the past two years, their commander said on Wednesday. The 4,000 strong brigade will withdraw only when ordered to do so by the president of the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq, said Massoud Barzani, its commander General Nazel Kirkuki...Commanders have long regarded Diyala as Iraq's most dangerous province. Its volatile ethnic mix of Sunni Arabs, Shiite Arabs and Shiite Kurds has proved fertile ground for insurgents...Diyala province is just one of a number of areas where longstanding Kurdish claims have drawn opposition from their non-Kurdish neighbours...(Middle East Online via Iraq Updates).

Full Article: http://www.iraqupdates.com/p_articles.php/article/35187

LEBANON: Lebanon to Move Against Terrorists as Nation Observes Day of Mourning for Tripoli Blast Victims

Lebanon's Higher Defense Council is expected to meet later Thursday to take actions against terrorist attacks as the nation observes a day of mourning after a massive bombing in the northern city of Tripoli killed 14 people. Prime Minister Fouad Saniora has declared Thursday a day of mourning across the country in honor of those killed in the Tripoli tragedy which also wounded at least 40 others. The daily An Nahar said President Michel Suleiman will preside over the Higher Defense Council meeting upon arrival from Damascus later Thursday...According to information obtained by An Nahar, the Higher Defense Council is "bent on undertaking measures to confront this terrorist threat in an effort to beef up security and confront a possible scheme to shake security."...(Naharnet).

Full Article: http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&8FEDD5373D30C850C22574A5001CE305

LEBANON/U.S.: Washington Welcomes Syrian-Lebanese Ties But Cautions Damascus

The United States responded cautiously to an agreement Wednesday between Syria and Lebanon to launch full diplomatic relations and pushed for Damascus to stay out of Lebanese affairs. "We have long stood for the normalization of relations between Syria and Lebanon on the basis of equality and respect for Lebanese sovereignty," U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said..."Now, if the Syrians will go ahead and demarcate the border between Lebanon and Syria, and respect (Lebanon's) sovereignty in other ways, then this will have proved to be a very good step," she said...(Naharnet).

Full Article: http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&6699549AE1A6C035C22574A500206C9B

Related Article:

• March 14 for Patching Up Ties between Lebanon, Syria (Naharnet)

IRAN/P5+1: Iran, P5+1 to continue nuclear talks

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and his Russian, Chinese and German counterparts call for the continuation of nuclear talks...(Press TV).

Full Article: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=66565&sectionid=351020104

SYRIA/IRAQ: Syria, Iraq to enhance economic, oil ties

Syria and Iraq have signed a report on meetings of the bilateral, ministerial, economic committee which includes mechanisms to upgrade ties in economic, trade and investment domains, as well as increasing the commercial exchange volume...(Al-Sabaah via Iraq Updates).

Full Article: http://www.iraqupdates.com/p_articles.php/article/35161

TURKEY/IRAN: Pipelines closed, Turkey could turn to Iran

British Petroleum announced Tuesday that it has stopped pumping gas through Georgia, a move that may force Turkey to turn to Iran to meet its gas needs. The Turkish section of the Baku-Tiblisi-Ceyhan, or BTC, has been closed since an explosion that was claimed by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, which occurred before fighting broke in South Ossetia, costing Turkey $ 300,000 per day...If the conflict has still not died down enough for BP to turn the gas pumps in Baku back on, Turkey will need to make up for the lost supplies by turning to Iran. "The resulting gas needs will be met from Iran," the BOTAŞ source told Reuters. "There will not be any supply problems." BP also denied that the pipeline had been damaged in the fight between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia...(Turkish Daily News).

Full Article: http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=112495

IMF/SAUDI ARABIA: IMF urges Saudi to keep options open

The International Monetary Fund has recommended that Saudi Arabia consider alternative exchange regimes to its 22-year currency peg to the US dollar if inflation persists and the creation of a Gulf monetary union is delayed...(FT.com).

Full Article: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ad54adce-69d4-11dd-83e8-0000779fd18c.html

YA LIBNAN: Developments on Tripoli bombing

05:12 14 People were killed yesterday in the Tripoli explosion (9 were soldiers ) and 50 were wounded...

05:35 The Tripoli explosion was the most bloody since the assassination of Lebanon's former PM Rafik Hariri . It was the second explosion that targeted a passenger bus since the February 2007 explosion of Ain Alaq...

06:23 security sources told "As Safir": The bomb that exploded in Tripoli yesterday, weighed about 15 kilograms of TNT . in addition it included a large quantity of nails and small steel balls to target the largest possible number of citizens. The bomb was remotely activated...(YA LIBNAN).

Featured in YA LIBNAN: Thursday News Briefs

Full Article: http://yalibnan.com/site/archives/2008/08/thursday_news_b_9.php

LEBANON/U.S.: Al-Manar Draws U.S. Concerns in Indonesia

The U.S. government is concerned that Hizbullah's Al-Manar TV network is using an Indonesian satellite to broadcast to the Asia-Pacific region, an American Embassy spokesman said in Jakarta Thursday. Al-Manar has rented Indonesia's Palapa C2 satellite through operator PT Indosat on a contract due to expire in April 2011, according to Indosat spokeswoman Adita Irawati...(Naharnet).

Full Article: http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&5F62C176469D7500C22574A5002A265A

YEMEN: Yemeni police kill al-Qaeda figure

An al-Qaeda figure who organized terrorist attacks in Yemen has been shot dead in a gun battle with police in Yemen's Hadramawt province.  A Yemeni government official said Hamza al-Kaaiti who masterminded attacks including a mortar strike on the US Embassy in Sana'a in March was killed in a shootout with police, APTN reported...(Press TV).

Full Article:  http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=66570&sectionid=351020206

LEBANON/SYRIA: Lebanon president visits Syria in historic visit to improve ties

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Wednesday in a visit to improve bilateral ties that have thawed since the recent end of a political crisis in Lebanon. It was Suleiman's first visit to Syria since his election in May as part of a Qatari-mediated deal that defused a bitter political conflict between an anti-Syrian majority coalition and an alliance of groups backed by Damascus. It was also the first time a Lebanese leader has visited Damascus in over three years...(Haaretz).

Full Article: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1011272.html

IRAN/GEORGIA: Iranian Paper Analyzes Russia-Georgia War

...The editorial noted that the U.S., Europe, and the Zionist lobby had sacrificed their ally Georgia for fear of their own interests, and stated that this was a lesson for the group in Iran that thinks that closeness to the U.S., establishing relations with it, and relying on it are the key to solving Iran's problems. Further, the editorial stated, the Russian response...indicates Russia's aspiration to again be a world power and a strategic change in its policy, which up until now been tolerant, towards the policy of the American takeover of the Caucasus...(MEMRI IRANIAN MEDIA BLOG).

Full Article: http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/9143.htm

LEBANON: Tripoli Blast Kills 14, Wounds 35

A bomb ripped through a bus carrying civilians and members of the Lebanese military during Wednesday morning rush hour in the northern city of Tripoli, killing 14 people and wounding 35, security officials said. The officials said the dead included 9 off-duty soldiers. The bomb was planted on the side of a main street and went off as the bus passed by. The streets were filled with people heading to work, which contributed to the many casualties, the officials said. The blast raised suspicions that al-Qaida-inspired Islamic militants may have sought revenge on the military for its assault last year on the nearby Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr el-Bared, a one-time bastion of the Fatah Islam group...The blast also came hours before Lebanese President Michel Suleiman was to begin a visit to Syria to patch up stormy relations between the neighbors -- the first visit by a Lebanese president to Syria in three years...(Naharnet).

Full Article: http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&CFE785CD242276F5C22574A40026487B

IRAN: Ahmadinejad urges Majlis to aid econ plan

The Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has urged Parliament to help the government proceed with its economic development plan. “The goal of the development plan, which the government and Parliament agree on, is to protect the underprivileged members of society,” the President said in a meeting with the Parliament's special commission for the economic development plan...The plan has received mixed reviews with some experts criticizing the government for failing to tackle the country's economic woes and to achieve its goals of privatization, as set out in Article 44 of the Constitution...(Press TV).

Full Article: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=66511&sectionid=351020102

HAARETZ: U.S. thwarts Israeli preparations for strike on Iran nuclear sites

FEATURE ARTICLE

The American administration has rejected an Israeli request for military equipment and support that would improve Israel's ability to attack Iran's nuclear facilities. The Americans viewed the request, which was transmitted (and rejected) at the highest level, as a sign that Israel is in the advanced stages of preparations to attack Iran.

They therefore warned Israel against attacking, saying such a strike would undermine American interests. They also demanded that Israel give them prior notice if it nevertheless decided to strike Iran. As compensation for the requests it rejected, Washington offered to improve Israel's defenses against surface-to-surface missiles.

Israel responded by saying it reserves the right to take whatever action it deems necessary if diplomatic efforts to halt Iran's nuclearization fail...Now, Israel is awaiting the outcome of the latest talks between the West and Iran, as well as a formal announcement of the opening of an American interests section in Tehran. Israel views the latter as sure proof that Washington is not planning a military strike...(HAARETZ).

Full Article: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1010938.html

U.S. DEPT OF STATE: Treasury Designation of Iranian Entities for Proliferation Activities

Article Submitted by Louis T. Laverone, MEMG Vice President

Today [August 12, 2008] , the Department of the Treasury designated under Executive Order 13382 five Iranian entities of proliferation concern. Today’s designations, listed below, follow last week’s action by the European Union to tighten its sanctions against Iran for defying the international community’s calls to abandon its nuclear program.

• The Nuclear Research Center for Agriculture and Medicine (a/k/a Karaj Nuclear Research Center; part of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) research division)
• The Esfahan Nuclear Fuel Research and Production Center (part of AEOI nuclear procurement company; involved in enrichment-related activities)
• Jabbar Ibn Hayan (AEOI laboratory involved in fuel-cycle activities)
• Safety Equipment Procurement Company (Aerospace Industry Organization (AIO) front company involved in Iran’s ballistic missile program)
• Joza Industrial Company (AIO front company involved in Iran’s ballistic missile program)

These designations will add to our continuing actions to prevent Iranian entities of proliferation concern from accessing financial and commercial markets that could aid Iranian efforts to develop nuclear weapons and the missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads. As a result of our actions today, all property and interests in property of the designated persons that are in the U.S., that hereafter come within the U.S., or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of U.S. persons, are blocked and may not be transferred or otherwise dealt in...(U.S. Department of State).

Full Article: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/aug/108160.htm

Related Article:

• Treasury Expands Iran Sanctions (NY TIMES)

SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Nuclear Plan Gets Green Light

The Saudi Arabian cabinet has decided to approve the country’s agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the protocols and application of safeguards under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Saudi newspaper Arab News reported...While Saudi Arabia’s northern neighbor Iran has been accused of using its nuclear program to manufacture weapons grade uranium, which can be used to produce nuclear weapons, no such allegation has been raised against the Saudis, who also lack the missiles to launch a nuclear bomb...(The Media Line).

Full Article: http://themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=22392

LEBANON: Lebanese parliament approves Cabinet

The Lebanese parliament has overwhelmingly approved the national unity Cabinet after a five-day debate on a controversial government policy that upholds Hezbollah's right to keep its weapons. The vote was part of a deal reached in May by rival Lebanese factions in Qatar that ended an 18-month political stalemate, Lebanon's worst crisis since the end of the 1975-90 civil war...Tuesday's vote in the 128-member assembly passed 100-5 in favor of the Cabinet. Hezbollah and its opposition allies have veto power on major decisions in the unity government...(AP).

Full Article: http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=13708

IRAN: Iran builds new, smart sub

Iranian state radio is quoting the country's defense minister as saying Iran's military capabilities "increased remarkably" after the construction of a new submarine. General Mostafa Mohammadnajjar says the submarine is "smart,"unmanned and has radar-evading capabilities. Tuesday's report did not elaborate on its size and technical specifics, and did not say whether the submarine had been tested...(AP).

Full Article: