Saturday, September 13, 2008

SYRIA/RUSSIA: Syrian-Russian naval cooperation grows

Russia said Friday it was renovating a Syrian port for use by the Russian fleet, signaling an effort to establish a firmer foothold in the Mediterranean at a time of tensions with the United States over Georgia. Syria was Moscow's strongest Mideast ally during the Cold War...The Itar-Tass news agency reported a vessel from Russia's Black Sea fleet had begun restoring facilities at Syria's Mediterranean port of Tartus for use by the Russian military. The two countries' naval chiefs also met in Moscow on Friday and discussed "further strengthening mutual trust and mutual understanding between the two states' fleets," a Russian naval official, Igor Dygalo, told Itar-Tass...

...Assad made a visit to Moscow last month, and before the trip told the Russian business daily Kommersant that Syria was "ready to cooperate with Russia in any way," including discussing deploying missile defense systems on Syrian territory. Assad also said Syria was ready to help Moscow respond to the planned U.S. missile defense shield in Europe, although the Russians have not asked for such help, the newspaper said...(AP via Google).

Full Article: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hxvrVoqtDOTVFWTN8wnm8dPB43_gD935ATUO2

IRAN/U.S.: Iran slams U.S. sanctions on shipping line as 'unjustifiabe'

Iran on Friday condemned U.S. sanctions on the country's largest shipping line as "illegal and unjustifiable," insisting the company never engaged in any illicit activities such as the transfer of equipment for Tehran's missile and nuclear programs. In the Iranian government's first reaction to the sanctions, its UN mission accused the United States of targeting "the welfare of the Iranian nation" and exerting "undue pressure on thousands of shareholders" of the shipping company with baseless allegations. The U.S. on Wednesday ordered the freezing of any U.S. bank accounts or other financial assets belonging to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines...(Haaretz).

Full Article: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1020647.html

LEBANON: Report: Hizbullah Involved in Kidnapping of Britons in Iraq?

Fears for five Britons held hostage in Iraq for more than a year have grown after British officials concluded the men have come under the control of "hardliners" and hinted that Hizbullah might be involved in their kidnapping, the Daily Telegraph reported."The intermediaries are not bringing anything back from their contacts anymore and are blaming the real hardliners, who are now in control," a British official told the daily. The five men, a computer expert and his four-man security detail, were seized from the ministry of finance in Baghdad in May, 2007...(Naharnet).

Full Article: http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/getstory?openform&A0C6CC9039DB4DD0C22574C300188B52

HEADLINES 09.11.08-09.12.08

Pakistan's Military Chief Criticizes U.S.

Iran moving towards Russia

Livni hints at renewed conflict with Hezbollah

Iran told Hamas to take over PNA Presidency

Iran's Al-Quds Force to Coordinate with Hezbollah

Iraq Cancels Six No-Bid Oil Contracts

Taleban urges next Canadian PM to pull out of Afghanistan

Iran News Round Up (Sep. 13): IRGC website claims 9/11 is a Western conspiracy; Washington Institute report on IRGC Navy gains Iran headlines; Russia rules out sanctions; Supreme Leader endorses Ahmadinejad's economic initiative?

From the Office of Michael Rubin at AEI

[Thanks to Ali Alfoneh for his compilation; (E) signifies English link]

Diplomacy

Military and Security

Nuclear Issue

Politics

Religion, Culture, and Society

Economy

Trade

Photo of the Day

Friday, September 12, 2008

IRAQ: NATO ready to train Iraqi forces

The Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Sir John McColl on Friday expressed the organisation's readiness to train and rehabilitate Iraqi security forces. McColl made the commitment at a meeting with Iraq's National Security Adviser Muwafaq al-Rubaei, according to a statement released by the cabinet’s national media centre. “Al-Rubaei presented a detailed explanation on the security improvement in Iraq, calling on European countries to contribute in rebuilding Iraq through the participation of their companies in investment and reconstruction projects,” said the statement published by the Voices of Iraq news agency...(AKI).

Full Article: http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.2479521987

COUNTERRORISM BLOG: CIA Hammers Al Qaeda, Haqqani Network Inside Pakistan

The CIA has begun waging an aggressive offensive inside Pakistan's tribal areas to kill Al Qaeda and Taliban leadership, the New York Daily News reported today. The effort has picked up steam in recent weeks - which is obvious to anyone reading wire service reports of missile blasts from unmanned drones in the remote, mountainous badlands along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border...(COUNTERTERRORISM BLOG).

Full Article: http://counterterrorismblog.org/2008/09/cia_hammers_al_qaeda_haqqani_n.php

U.S./IRAN: US Imposes Sanctions on Iranian Shipping Company

Washington announced sanctions against Iran's main shipping company yesterday, broadening its efforts against Tehran's nuclear program...The US Treasury Department said the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), Iran's national maritime carrier, and the affiliates provided logistical support for Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics and that they lied about their activities. The department said it was banning any transactions between US citizens and IRISL and its affiliates and would try to freeze any assets the companies have under US jurisdiction...(Fars News Agency).

Full Article: http://english.farsnews.net/newstext.php?nn=8706210787

Related Article:

PAKISTAN: Kayani could be aware of Kabul attack: Report

Highest levels of Pakistan's security apparatus, including the army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, might have been aware of the plot to bomb the Indian embassy in Kabul in July this year, US intelligence and security officials believe, a media report has said. They also believe that the attack was aided by Pakistan's infamous intelligence agency, ISI. "It's very difficult to imagine he (Gen Kayani) was not aware," a senior American official told the New York Times.
American intelligence agencies were quoted as saying that senior Pakistani national security officials favour the use of militant groups to preserve Pakistan's influence in the region, as a hedge against India and Afghanistan. In fact, some analysts believe that ISI operatives did not mind when their role in the July bombing in Kabul became known, the paper added. "They didn't cover their tracks very well," a senior Defense Department official told the paper, "and I think the embassy bombing was the ISI drawing a line in the sand."...(Press Trust of India via NDTV).

Full Article: http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080065080

IRAN/RUSSIA: Russia bullying Iran?

Commenting on yet another Russian delay in the Bushehr project, Shahab News openly accuses Russia of bullying Iran and demanding payment of protection money channeled through the Bushehr nuclear power plant...(Iran News Round Up).

Article in Persian: http://www.shahabnews.com/vdch.6n-t23nqmftd2.html

U.S./PAKISTAN: Ten said killed in U.S. missile attack in Pakistan

ALERT

At least 10 people were killed on Friday in a U.S. drone missile attack in the northwestern Pakistani region of North Waziristan, a haven for al Qaeda and Taliban militants, a security official said. "Yes, missiles have been fired. We have reports that more than 10 people were killed," a security official said...(Reuters).

Full Article: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ISL285073.htm

Iran News Round Up (Sept. 12): embracing 9/11 revisionism; criticism of Ahmadinejad mounts; hijacked Iranian ship off Somalia smuggling weapons?

From the Office of Michael Rubin at AEI

[Thanks to Ali Alfoneh for his compilation; (E) signifies English link]

Diplomacy

Politics

  • Rowhani, former secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and current head of the Strategic Studies Center of the Expediency Council, criticizes the Ahmadinejad government's performance on all fronts:
    • "When a statesman says Israel must be annihilated, people deduce that there is a plan for annihilation of Israel. Since one of the ways of doing so is a military strike, which they deduce is being prepared...Therefore they get engaged in machinations against us...
    • [In domestic affairs], if people think there is no stability in political decision-making, it will ultimately lead to instability...It is important for the members of the public to experience economic stability...
    • [Discussing blackouts and natural gas shortages]: When the public gets the impression that there is no preparedness for cold months of the year, they conclude there is no planning at all in this country...How come we exported electricity a couple of years ago, but are experiencing energy blackouts now? This is all due to poor planning...This is the result of slogans of distributing the money among the people rather than making clever long term investments...
    • A government must not think of how to perform in the four years of its terms, but must think strategically...The mentality that Security Council Resolutions are nothing more than scraps of paper is such a dangerous mentality...Why don't we listen to our own experts?"
  • Seyyed Kamal Sajjadi, spokesman of the Front of the Followers of the Line of the Imam faction, attacks deputy representative of the Supreme Leader in the Revolutionary Guards, Mojtaba Zolnour's words that "continuity of the presidency of Mr. Ahmadinejad is expedient for the regime."
  • In the wake of the cold war between the Labor minister and the Director-General of the Central Bank, Labor Minister Jahromi publishes an open letter to Ahmadinejad demanding both his and Central Bank Director-General Mazaheri's dismissal.
  • Azad University dean Jasbi, who has earlier claimed interior minister Ali Kordan, had not earned any degree from his university, avoids answering more questions on Kordan's B.A. and Master's degrees.
  • Assembly of Experts, chaired by Rafsanjani, demands the president to attend to the Mashayee affair.
  • Former parliamentary speaker Haddad Adel whitewashes the Iran Freedom Movement and, contrary to official historiography of the Islamic Republic, stresses the religious foundations of the moderate Islamic movement.
  • Commenting the Palizdar affair, Rafsanjani says there are some people "who want to exclude the clergy" from power, and adds that such a thing is impossible in Iran.
  • Agah-Sazi reports split among radical supporters of Ahmadinejad. According to Agah-Sazi, Ansar Hezbollah vigilante organization's weekly, Hemmat [Hasteh-ha-ye Moghavemat-e Taktiki (Tactical Resistance Cells)], has criticized the Student Basij Organization for "total obedience to the Revolutionary Guards" and "abandoning thought by establishing a military, security and intelligence agency-controlled atmosphere."
    • According to Agah-Sazi's report, Hemmat weekly has gone through radical ideological metamorphoses during the seven issues it has published. The first issue declared support for the controversial vice president Esfandiar Rahim-Mashayee, whose background in intelligence was presented as proof of his loyalty to the regime and ideals of the Islamic Republic. The third issue of Hemmat departs from the original line, and accuses several centers of power formerly supporting Ahmadinejad of belonging to the Hojjatiyyeh secretive society - a religious group repressed by Grand Ayatollah Khomeini. According to Agah-Sazi, erratic ideological changes in Hemmat reflect a change of loyalty among radical student groups who used to support president Ahmadinejad.
    • In the same article, secretary of Justice-Seeking University Students, which has supported Abbas Palizdar's disclosure of economic corruption among high ranking clergy, attacked Ahmadinejad and accused the president of "instigating tensions at the Science and Technology University by supporting radical elements at the university."

Nuclear Issue

Religion, Culture, and Society

  • The Islamic Republic launches Imam Mahdi Television which "propagates Mahdaviat" [Mahdism, belief in the Mahdi as savior].
  • In a secret letter to Supreme Leader Khamenei, 44 high-ranking clergymen protest against Vice President Mashayee's expression of friendship with the people of Israel.
  • Ayatollah Alavi Gorgani slams the Ahmadinejad government's corrections to the suggested family reform legislation and claims that, according to Islamic jurisprudence, there is no need for permission from the first wife for a husband to get engaged in plural marriages.
  • Ayatollah Sobhani attacks birth control policies in the Islamic Republic and says it is contrary to the Quran to limit the number of believers.
  • Sobhani, in a separate speech, attacks the Pope.
  • Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi warns against spread of superstition propagated by foreigners. The Grand Ayatollah especially condemned self-mutilation in Shi'a passion displays.
    • In the longer version of the interview reported by Shi'a News, Makarem Shirazi says he knows from reliable sources that foreign embassies distribute machetes to Muslims in Mashhad to propagate self mutilation during the passion processions of the believers.
  • Flooding in Khuzestan, Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari, and Ilam kills 20.
  • Earthquake (6.1 on the Richter scale) shakes Hormozgan province, hits Qeshm island.

Trade

  • The Islamic Republic Shipping Organization holds an emergency meeting to solve the crisis sparked by the hijacking of an Iranian ship, Iran Diyanat, off the coast of Somalia. Stories here and here.
    • Abdol-Qader Mousa Yousouf, Puntland Minister of Shipping, says that Iranian authorities have agreed to pay $2 million ransom to free the crew.
    • Abdol-Qader Mousa says the ship was carrying arms to Eritrea. 
      • Iranian authorities deny.
    • Possibility that U.S. navy will rescue the hijacked ship.
    • Early Iranian reaction to crisis.
  • (E) Persian Gulf states start free-trade talks with Iran.
  • (E) Iran-Turkey continue energy talks.

Photo of the Day

  • Fire on Tehran-Qom road.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

HEADLINES 09.10.08

Iran to hold Presidential Elections on June 12, 2009; Ahmadinejad likely to win

Zawahri Blasts Hezbollah and Lebanon's Sunnis

Hezbollah Executed its own Senior official

Iran's Army and IRGC stage joint parade

Russia Supplying Arms to Hezbollah, VP Cheney

U.S./AFGHANISTAN: Top US advisor 'not convinced we're winning' in Afghanistan

US Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen has warned time was running out to defeat an intensifying insurgency in Afghanistan and said he was "not convinced we're winning" in the country. Mullen, the top military advisor to US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, said he has commissioned "a new, more comprehensive military strategy for the region that covers both sides of that border" between Afghanistan and Pakistan, an area the United States says is being used as an insurgent safe haven. He called the recent decision by US President George W. Bush to send 4,500 troops from Iraq to Afghanistan "a good and important start" even though it fell short of commanders' requests for three more brigades or about 10,000 troops.

...He called the recent decision by US President George W. Bush to send 4,500 troops from Iraq to Afghanistan "a good and important start" even though it fell short of commanders' requests for three more brigades or about 10,000 troops..."I'm not convinced we're winning it in Afghanistan. I am convinced we can," he said...(AFP via Yahoo).

Full Article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080911/wl_asia_afp/usafghanistanpakistanmilitary

PAKISTAN: Pakistan’s Military Chief Criticizes U.S. Over a Raid

In an unusually strong statement criticizing the United States for sending commandos into Pakistan to fight the Taliban and Al Agendas, the chief of the Pakistani Army said Wednesday that his forces would not tolerate such incursions and would defend the country’s sovereignty “at all costs.” “No external force is allowed to conduct operations inside Pakistan,” the military chief, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, said in what amounted to a direct rebuff to the United States by the Pakistanis, who are regarded by the Bush administration as an ally in the campaign against terrorism.

...General Kayani’s statement on Wednesday seemed to call into question the extent of his cooperation and that of Pakistan’s army...There was widespread criticism in the Pakistani press on Wednesday of Mr. Zardari’s performance at his first presidential news conference, during which he refused to condemn the raid by American Special Operations forces into Pakistan’s tribal areas on Sept. 3...

...In another jibe at the Americans, General Kayani said public support was necessary in finding a solution. He called the commando action “reckless.” The no-nonsense tone by General Kayani brought into the open the increasing mistrust between the Americans and the Pakistanis over how to handle the Taliban and Qaeda forces in Pakistan’s tribal areas...So far, there had been no response from Washington to the Pakistani protest, he said...(NY TIMES).

Full Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/11/world/asia/11pstan.html

IRAN'S PRESS TV REPORTS: Iran 'master of asymmetric naval warfare' [Washington Think Tank]

...The report by The Washington Institute for the Near East Policy authored by Fariborz Haghshenas, an expert on the Iranian military, says that in the two decades since the Iran-Iraq War, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy (IRGCN) has been transformed into a highly motivated, well-equipped, and well-financed force...The report says Iran, with such a strong navy force, is effectively holding the world's oil lifeline, the Strait of Hormuz. The study concludes that Iran is capable of taking preemptive action in response to a perceived threat of imminent attack...(Press TV).

Full Article: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=69078&sectionid=351020101

ISRAEL: Livni hints at renewed conflict if Hizbullah fails to disarm

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has warned of a new conflict with Lebanon if Hizbullah does not disarm...Hizbullah has retained its weapons and Israel routinely violates Lebanese airspace. The Jewish state also continues to occupy the Lebanese side of the border village of Ghajar and the Shebaa Farms, which Lebanon claims as its own. Israel and the UN, meanwhile, have said that the Farms are Syrian...

...In an interview Tuesday night with Al-Arabiyya television, Livni, who is seen as the most likely successor to scandal-plagued Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, said the Lebanese government and the international community were obligated to prevent Hizbullah from adding to its arsenal, and that if Syria wanted to make peace with the Jewish state, it had to stop arming the group...

..."I do not need to meet with the Syrians," Livni told Al-Arabiyya, adding that she did not know when the next round of indirect, Turkish-mediated peace negotiations would take place... When contacted by The Daily Star, Hizbullah officials said they "had no comment at this time" on Livni's remarks. The Israeli minister's comments came after Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said on Monday any Israeli attack on Lebanon depended on regional issues such as Iran's nuclear work and Israeli-Syrian peace talks...

...Also on Tuesday, Israel's Defense Ministry urged reserve generals working overseas to return to Israel due to the threat of abduction by Hizbullah, unidentified Israeli officials said. The warning was issued for reservists based mainly in Africa and follows a travel advisory in August cautioning Israelis that Hizbullah might carry out kidnapping operations...(The Daily Star).

Full Article:  http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=95912

BAHRAIN NEWS AGENCY: ISRAELI FIGHTERS VIOLATE LEBANONS AIRSPACE [on Tuesday]

...ACCORDING TO LEBANESE MEDIA REPORTS, THE ISRAELI FIGHTERS ENTERED THE AIRSPACE FROM THE SOUTH TO REACH DHAR AL BAIDER, FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE...(BNA).

Full Article: http://english.bna.bh/?ID=72588

IRAN/PNA: Kuwaiti Paper: Iran Told Hamas To Take Over PA Presidency

The Kuwaiti daily Al-Siyassa has reported that during a recent meeting in Damascus between top Syrian and Iranian officials and Hamas officials, Iran demanded that Hamas take over the Palestinian Authority presidency when current president Mahmoud Abbas completes his term in office in January 2009. The paper said that the move was to be in preparation for a Hamas takeover of the West Bank and also to prevent agreements with Israel. Also in the meeting, according to the report, Iran expressed disappointment at Hamas's increasing closeness to Jordan...(THE MEMRI BLOG).

Full Article: http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/9760.htm

IRAN/HEZBOLLAH: Iran's Al-Quds Forces To Coordinate Activities With Hizbullah

Lebanese sources have informed the reformsyria.org website that a secret delegation of the Iranian Al-Qods Forces arrived in Beirut last week for high-level meetings with the Hizbullah leadership, for the purpose of coordinating collective activities in Lebanon in light of Hizbullah's de facto take-over of Lebanon...The sources said that the Al-Qods Forces has proposed integrating some of their operational structure with Hizbullah's, under the command of Al-Qods chief commander Brig.-Gen. Faramaz Ghasem Suleimani, for operations in Lebanon and on Israel's border...(THE MEMRI BLOG).

Full Article: http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/9754.htm

IRAQ: Iraq Cancels Six No-Bid Oil Contracts

An Iraqi plan to award six no-bid contracts to Western oil companies, which came under sharp criticism from several United States senators this summer, has been withdrawn, participants in the negotiations said on Wednesday...

...While not particularly lucrative by industry standards, the contracts were valued for providing a foothold in Iraq at a time when oil companies are being shut out of energy-rich countries around the world. The companies will still be eligible to compete in open bidding in Iraq...

...Earlier this summer, a group of Democratic senators led by Charles E. Schumer of New York had appealed to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to block the deals, contending that they could undermine the efforts of Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites to reach agreement on a hydrocarbon law and a revenue-sharing agreement. This criticism was conveyed to Mr. Shahristani by the American Embassy in Baghdad in late June, and after that the deals were delayed...

...The State Department had responded that the contracts were an Iraqi affair, though American advisers had helped draft them. Meanwhile, the ministry has said it intends to proceed with new oil deals whether or not the Iraqi Parliament passes a hydrocarbon law.

Senator Schumer said Wednesday that he would propose an amendment to the defense appropriation bill in Congress that would specify that should Iraq sign any petroleum contracts before passing the law, profits from those deals would go to defray United States reconstruction spending in Iraq...(NY TIMES).

Full Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/11/world/middleeast/11iraq.html

NATO/BLACK SEA: NATO: Allied ships leaving Black Sea as planned

NATO said a group of four allied warships was leaving the Black Sea on Wednesday after exercises that coincided with Russia's recent conflict with Georgia and led Moscow to accuse the alliance of mounting a naval build-up. "The Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG 1) successfully completed its planned visit and is leaving the Black Sea today," NATO said in a statement...Russia last month criticized what it called "the build-up of NATO forces in the Black Sea area" and said its own fleet there had taken measures to monitor alliance activity. NATO war ships did not stay in the Black Sea for more than 21 days, in line with the terms of the 1936 Montreux Convention...(Today's Zaman).

Full Article: http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=152814

IRAN/GULF: Quake jolts Iran, sends tremors across Gulf

A strong earthquake rocked southern Iran on Wednesday, sending tremors across the Persian Gulf and shaking the skyscrapers of Dubai. Iranian state television reported that three persons were killed and 22 others were injured...(Today's Zaman).

Full Article: http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=152790

Iran News Round Up (Sep. 9-11): Impeachment over Mashayee affair? Presidential jockeying; bribery in UAE gas deal?

From the office of Michael Rubin at AEI

Politics

  • Agah-Sazi's satirical staff writer provides 40 arguments why the Iranian public should vote for Ahmadinejad: "1. Ahmadinejad will make Iran leader of the Arab world, and will mess up the entire Arab world...2. Second term of presidency for Ahmadinejad will make the Russians abduct him to utilize his nuclear genius (and Iran will get rid of him), etc...
  • In a surprisingly early and blunt announcement, Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Abdol-Karim Mousavi Ardebili urges his followers to vote for former president Mohammad Khatami in the June 2009 presidential election and says: "Mr. Ahmadinejad claims his services to the people of Iran are unique, but is it also what the people of Iran think?...There were many obstacles in the path of Mr. Khatami, but Mr. Khatami is a benevolent force and aiding the public...People should vote for Khatami regardless who else runs for presidency..."
    • Kargozaran technocratic faction general secretary says presence of both Khtatami and Karrubi would be catastrophic for the reform movement and detrimental for the cause of reforming the Islamic Republic.
    • Former president Mohammad Khatami in a vague reference to the Ahmadinejad administration says "an intellectual school of thought alien to the school of thought of Imam Khomeini is taking hold of power in the Islamic Republic."
    • Presidential candidate Mohammad-Reza Aref says he will withdraw his candidacy in case Khatami chooses to run for presidency.
    • Tehran parliamentarian Rouhollah Hosseinian says it is doubtful if all the principalist factions will support Ahmadinejad in the 2009 elections.
    • E'temad-e Melli's Qouchani, in an editorial vaguely attacking Khatami, says Mehdi Karrubi is "realization of the dreams of reformists, not their utopia." More here.
  • Agah-Sazi's analyst publishes an analysis of hypersensitivity of Ahmadinejad towards criticism.
  • Agah-Sazi publishes Radio Farda's analysis of announcement of the date for presidential elections in the Islamic Republic by former Revolutionarty Guards commander Ali-Reza Afshar. The fixed date is 22 of Khordad 1388, or June 22, 2009.
  • Ilam parliamentarian Ghanbari says the ears of Ahmadinejad are incapable of hearing criticism of vice president Mashayee.
    • Following Ahmadinejad's unresponsiveness to criticism against Mashayee, who is also head of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization, the Iranian parliament tries to detach the organization from the presidency.
    • As a result of Ahmadinejad's unresponsiveness to the Mashayee affair, the parliament has called upon Ahmadnejad to answer questions of the parliament in an open session. Specifically, the parliament has asked Ahmadinejad to answer what he thinks of "friendship with the people of Israel," "end of rule of one religion in the world," and "matters related to stirring up ethnic unrest and deeds detrimental to the national security of he Islamic Republic." According to Alef News Agency, this is the first time in the history of the Islamic Republic that a president comes so close to an impeachment (but a similar process led to declaration of political incompetence of President Bani-Sadr).
    • Mashayee defends his declaration of support to the people of Israel in the National Security Committee of the Iranian parliament.
    • Ahmadinejad's media advisor Javan-Fekr claims there will be no impeachment of the Iranian president in the Mashayee case.
  • Speaker of the parliament Larijani says impeachment of the education minister is not a sign of enmity between the parliament and the government.
  • Ali Akbar Javanfekr, media advisor to Ahmadinejad, says interior minister Kordan has hitherto failed to produce evidence authenticating his Ph.D. degree from Oxford University.
  • The Islamic Republic public prosecutor starts a case against Ali Nourizad, former staff wrier of Kayhan who, according to the Islamic Republic authorities has insulted sources of emulation. Nourizad has a profile similar to another Ahmadinejad supporter Palizdar who rebelled against the clergy.
  • Jannati, secretary of the Guardians Council begs the public to forgive his sins in the month of Ramadan and says he will correct past mistakes if any member of the public comes to his office and informs him of injustice done to him or her by the council. Jannati also for the first time in the thirty year history of the Guardian Council made a reference to specific injustice with regard to disqualification of candidates for various public offices and raising the theoretical possibility of injustice. But the secretary of the Guardian Council concluded that Iran is surrounded by enemies and constantly under attack forcing the council to take difficult decisions. Jannati ended his sermon by saying that the Imam of the Era is the only savior of mankind.
  • Political chameleon Behzad Nabavi, in a vague reference to the Ahmadinejad administration, says the Iranian public should not fall victim to a political movement destroying the very foundation of the Islamic Republic, but dissimulating similar to president Rajai.
  • Former parliamentarian Shahrbanou Amani asks what has become of all those people who dressed in the death shroud (as a symbol of their readiness for martyrdom) who foiled the Khatami presidency's attempt to normalize relationships with Egypt, now that Mashayee announces his friendship with the people of Israel.

Religion, Culture, and Society

Diplomacy

Economy

Trade

Military and Security

MEMG REMEMBERS 9-11

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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

EURASIANET.org: IRAN: TEHRAN MAKES A CAUTIOUS MOVE TOWARD MOSCOW

...Iran has made cautious moves in a pro-Moscow direction after staking out a decidedly neutral stance immediately following the outbreak of Georgian-Russian hostilities. The shift toward Russia became evident in late August, when President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tajikistan, and expressed support for the Kremlin's version of events...

...Iran stands to gain immediate benefits from closer ties with Moscow. As one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, Russia is in position to veto any attempt to expand economic sanctions against Iran made in connection with the ongoing dispute over Tehran's nuclear program. Closer relations would also facilitate Iran's purchase of sophisticated Russian military hardware, such as S-300 surface-to-air missiles...

...the two countries also face some large diplomatic stumbling blocks. Most importantly, the two countries' energy ambitions sharply diverge: Russia is intent on monopolizing Caspian Basin energy exports, while Iran would like to develop into an alternate route for energy being shipped from the Caspian Basin to Europe. Russia's incursion into Georgia served to heighten Iran's ambitions in this regard by casting security doubts upon existing routes connecting Azerbaijan and Turkey...

...Iranian website Tabnak, which is controlled by former commanders of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, perhaps best summarizes the Iranian stance. It calls on policy makers in Tehran to take "maximum care" and show "diligence" in pursuing closer ties to Russia.

"The possibility of Russia using 'the Iran card' in its relations with the West exists," the commentary said. "Georgia has no winning cards to offer us, but if Russia is to be supported tacitly, we must first ensure that it (Russia) would not sell us out to the West."...(Eurasianet.org).

Full Article: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav090908.shtml

Related Article:

TALEBAN/CANADA: Taliban urges next Canadian prime minister to pull troops out of Afghanistan

The Taliban say they know that an election campaign is underway in Canada and that's why they have stepped up attacks against Canadians in Afghanistan. Taliban spokesman Qari Muhammad Yussef said Tuesday the insurgent movement wants Canada's next prime minister to pull Canadian troops out of Afghanistan. "Yes, I know that the election is being held in Canada. That is why our attacks on Canadians are increased," Yussef said through a translator..."My suggestion for the next prime minister is to withdraw Canadians from Afghanistan," he said, adding Canada needs to stop following U.S. foreign policy...Liberal Leader Stephane Dion responded: "We will not be intimidated by the Taliban."...Dimitri Soudas, a spokesman for Harper, commented that "the Taliban are a vicious organization that kill innocent people and target Canadian soldiers." "All party leaders should put partisan politics aside and rally behind our troops and their mission. And Parliament has made a decision on this matter," Soudas said...(The Canadian Press).

Full Article: http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5g3Mfmz2k4JNMS25v9KllrIcx3UIw

IRAN: Foreign minister: Peace pipeline highly secured

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was quoted on Monday as saying that the so-called Peace Pipeline which transfers Iran's gas to Pakistan and India is highly secured, Rapporteur of Majlis Energy Commission Ali Dayyani said. Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki attended the Energy Commission of Majlis on Monday...Politically, transfer of Iran's gas to India and Pakistan is 'positive' and there is no security obstacle to this end, Mottaki was quoted as saying...(Ettela'at).

Full Article: http://www.ettelaat.com/index2.asp?code=endisplay&fname=/ettelaat/local/etb/data/2008/09/09-09/28.htm&title=Foreign%20minister:%20Peace%20pipeline%20highly%20secured

TURKEY'S HURRIYET: U.S. and Turkey split over Russia relations

The U.S. and Turkey differ in their approach to Russia as the Caucasus crisis signaled a change in the political landscape of the region as well as the world. In moves to counter Russia, Washington signed a missile defense deal with Poland, angering Moscow and sent humanitarian aid to Georgia delivered by modern warships. On the other hand Turkey feels free to pursue its own interests with Russia. An analyst told Turkish Daily News (TDN) that Turkey's reaction to war in the Caucasus showed the interests of Ankara and its key ally Washington are no longer the same. Turkey is among only a small number of Western nations who have declined to openly denounce Russia's acts or declare Russia the aggressor...(Hurriyet).

Full Article: http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/domestic/9864395.asp?scr=1

IRAQ: Iraqi army brigade pulls out from Kirkuk

Soldiers of the 2nd Contingent of Brigade 15 withdrew from the city of Kirkuk on Tuesday for military drills while the police department took charge of checkpoints the Brigade personnel left, the brigade commander, Abdullah Dalwi, said. "The soldiers of the 2nd Brigade, which belongs to the Iraqi army's 4th Division, withdrew from the city of Kirkuk to the Kiwan camp for drills and handed over the checkpoints to the Kirkuk Police Department. Now there is no single (Iraqi army) soldier inside Kirkuk," Dalwi told Aswat al-Iraq – Voices of Iraq – (VOI)...(Voices of Iraq via Iraq Updates).

Full Article: http://www.iraqupdates.com/p_articles.php/article/36252

ALERGIA: Al-Qaeda 'turncoat' reveals plans for suicide attacks

To mark the month of Ramadan, leader of the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Abdel Malik Droukedel, reportedly invited four or five terrorists in the west of the country to carry out suicide attacks...After he surrendered, he decided to collaborate with police, revealing that Droukedel intended to carry out the attacks during Ramadan on key commercial targets in the west of the country. The turncoat used to operate in the central regions of Algeria, under the command of Hudheifa Abu Yunes al-Asimi who originally came from the capital, Algiers. He clashed with the leader of the group because he did not want to involve civilians in any attacks. According to the turncoat, Droukedel reportedly decided to change his strategy and relieve the pressure from central Algeria, recently the target of Al-Qaeda suicide attacks, to the western region to meet new objectives...(AKI).

Full Article: http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.2471661572

LEBANON: Lebanon's unity talks set for Sept 16

Lebanon's president has urged rival political parties to open a national dialogue next week to promote reconciliation move in the country. "I invite those who signed the Doha Accord to come meet here in the presidential palace on September 16 to realize the agreement's principles," Michel Suleiman announced on Tuesday. Suleiman's call came a day after the signing of a reconciliation accord between Sunni and Shia rivals which is hoped to end violence in the northern city of Tripoli...(Press TV).

Full Article: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=68964&sectionid=351020203

TURKEY: Gov’t to launch action plan to take on terrorism

As part of Turkey's fight against terrorism, the government is set to push forward with a major development project intended to get Turkey's impoverished Southeast back on its feet with several incentives planned for businessmen who invest in the region. Following the government's recent announcement of its determination to complete the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), a major sustainable development project formulated decades ago, Turkey's top general paid his first visit to some of Turkey's southeastern provinces to meet with NGO representatives.Sources in Ankara said Chief of General Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ was getting prepared for next week's summit on the fight against Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorism...(Today's Zaman).

Full Article: http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=152718

PAKISTAN: Pakistan enters Zardari era [Karzai Present]

PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari was sworn in as the 12th president of Pakistan on Tuesday at a closely-guarded ceremony at the presidential palace in Islamabad...President Zardari received his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai at the internal gate of the Presidency who had especially come to attend the oath-taking ceremony. The two presidents had brief chat in the pink room on the fifth floor of the Presidency and afterward the visiting president reached the Banquet Hall to watch the ceremony...(The News International).

Full Article: http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=17139

ISRAEL/GEORGIA: Israel tells businessmen to stop visiting Georgia

Defense officials say the government has told all businessmen involved in military sales to Georgia to immediately cease visits to the Caucasus nation. The officials say the blanket directive was decided upon this week because Israel is concerned about damage to its relations with Russia. For the same reason, Israel decided to stop most weapons sales to Georgia even before the Russia-Georgia war last month. One of Israel's primary concerns is that Russia could sell Iran advanced weapons, including anti-aircraft missiles...(Haaretz).

Full Article:  http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1019843.html

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

HEADLINES 09.08.08-09.07.08

Iran to hold Presidential Elections on June 12, 2009; Ahmadinejad likely to win

Zawahri Blasts Hezbollah and Lebanon's Sunnis

Hezbollah Executed its own Senior official

Iran's Army and IRGC stage joint parade

Russia Supplying Arms to Hezbollah, VP Cheney

Pakistan's Zardari sweeps Presidential poll

Reports of Abbsi's arrest in Syria not yet verified- Najjar

Syria accused of platting return to power in Lebanon

Iraqi Forces Take Security Control of Anbar Province

Ahmadinejad: US Empire sinking

IRAN: Iran Nuclear Reactor Launch 'Irreversible' by February: Report

The start-up of the first reactor at Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant will be "irreversible" by February next year, a senior Russian nuclear official was quoted by ITAR-TASS news agency as saying Monday."Between December 2008 and February 2009 various technical measures will be carried out... that will make the physical start-up process of the first Bushehr reactor irreversible," the report quoted the head of the Russian company working on the facility, Atomstroiexport, as saying...(AFP via Asharq Alawsat).

Full Article: http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=13994

U.S./UAE: U.S. Plans $7 Billion Missile-Defense Sale to UAE

The Bush administration is planning to sell the United Arab Emirates an advanced U.S. missile defense system valued at up to $7 billion that could be used to defend against Iran, people who have attended briefings on the matter said on Monday. The Pentagon is set to notify the U.S. Congress of the proposed sale, which would be the first of the so-called Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, several people familiar with the matter said...Once notified of such a proposed arms sale by the administration, Congress has 30 days to review it but almost never blocks. In any case, deployment of the THAAD system is "at least months away" and could take more than a year, said a congressional staff member familiar with the matter.

...Kenneth Katzman, an expert on the Gulf at the Congressional Research Service, said the UAE has been eager for a "sophisticated antidote" to Iran's missile capabilities...

...The proposed $7 billion sale to UAE would include anti-missile interceptors, launchers, fire control and communications systems, the radar and training, among other things, a congressional staff member said. It was not immediately clear whether the UAE was also seeking the Patriot missile defense system...(Reuters via Asharq Alawsat).

Full Article: http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=14003

ISRAEL: Israel may abduct Ahmadinejad, Eichmann kidnapper hints

Former Mossad agent Rafi Eitan hinted in an interview with Germany's Der Spiegel magazine that Israel may abduct Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in order to bring him before the International Criminal Court in The Hague. "It could very well be that a leader such as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad suddenly finds himself before the International Criminal Court in The Hague," the Minister for Pensioners' Affairs told the German publication in an interview published Monday...(Haaretz).

Full Article: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1019496.html