10.20.2009
"Dear Professor Finkelstein,
When we first heard that former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert was coming to the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy, about 30 of us Palestinian activists (mainly students) RSVP’d.
We arrived at the event. They checked our names off and gave us pink wristbands to go in. But once you were in, no re-entry was allowed. So we stayed in the lobby and waited for other activists. We all gathered together and planned out what would be an internal disruption. We were to each stand up and say something to disrupt Olmert’s speech every 2 minutes or so. Some of us would also be holding a banner from the balcony, facing Olmert that said “Goldstone Report” to make him nervous during his speech. While we were doing this, of course a protest would also be held outside.........
Olmert comes in to speak, and after literally 10 seconds from the beginning of his speech, Ali Abunimah disrupts him, standing up and saying that a war criminal should not have freedom of expression, and also expressed his disappointment with his Alma Mater for inviting a murderer. He was escorted out by the police.........
I believe that Thursday was a huge success for us. Olmert didn’t get to speak. About 30 of us stood up and interrupted him throughout his speech. He was constantly getting disrupted. As one of our disrupters said, a war criminal should never be allowed to speak unless it’s in front of an international court. I’m proud of the Chicago activist community for having the courage to look Olmert in the eye and tell him exactly what we feel.
A friend in Gaza contacted me and told me they heard what we did, and that people in Gaza were so proud of us in Chicago. It made me proud of what we did, and it was a historical day I will never forget. But Olmert is still on a speaking tour across America. His next stop: San Francisco. I hope the activists there come out strong and refuse to let him speak as well. As one the students who disrupted said, “Justice will be served.”
Dr. Finkelstein, I wish you were there. But no worries, you were there with us in spirit.
Sincerely, your former student, "
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
As The Stomach Turns......Is Hamas Still Keen on Rehabilitating the Traitor in the Name of "Reconciliation?"
".....
وجدَّد المصري موقف "حماس" الداعي إلى أن توافق الورقة المصرية المقدَّمة للتوقيع ما تم التوافق بشأنه، وقال: "نحن مع المصالحة قلبًا وقالبًا، ومصر هي أكثر الأطراف معرفة بأن "حماس" معنية بالمصالحة وأنها قدَّمت ما يكفي من المرونة لتحريك عجلتها، لكن ما تريده "حماس" هو مطابقة الوثيقة بما تم التوافق بشأنه؛ لأن عباس يحاول التمسُّح بالديمقراطية، وهو الذي تواطأ عليها وشكَّل حكومة غير شرعية في رام الله لم يوافق عليها المجلس التشريعي، ورفض السماح للدكتور عزيز دويك بأن يزاول عمله، ومدَّد لنفسه خارج القانون، وهو لا يملك أية صفة شرعية للإقدام على أية خطوة سياسية إلا بعد التوافق؛ فنحن نريد أن نمنحه صفة شرعية بالتوافق ليمكنه مزاولة مهامه كرئيس للسلطة، أما بعيدًا عن الاتفاق فإن خطوة يقدم عليها لن تكون شرعية".
....."
وجدَّد المصري موقف "حماس" الداعي إلى أن توافق الورقة المصرية المقدَّمة للتوقيع ما تم التوافق بشأنه، وقال: "نحن مع المصالحة قلبًا وقالبًا، ومصر هي أكثر الأطراف معرفة بأن "حماس" معنية بالمصالحة وأنها قدَّمت ما يكفي من المرونة لتحريك عجلتها، لكن ما تريده "حماس" هو مطابقة الوثيقة بما تم التوافق بشأنه؛ لأن عباس يحاول التمسُّح بالديمقراطية، وهو الذي تواطأ عليها وشكَّل حكومة غير شرعية في رام الله لم يوافق عليها المجلس التشريعي، ورفض السماح للدكتور عزيز دويك بأن يزاول عمله، ومدَّد لنفسه خارج القانون، وهو لا يملك أية صفة شرعية للإقدام على أية خطوة سياسية إلا بعد التوافق؛ فنحن نريد أن نمنحه صفة شرعية بالتوافق ليمكنه مزاولة مهامه كرئيس للسلطة، أما بعيدًا عن الاتفاق فإن خطوة يقدم عليها لن تكون شرعية".
....."
A generation traumatized
Rami Almeghari writing from the occupied Gaza Strip, Live from Palestine, 21 October 2009
"Like many other children in the region, 10-year-old Hiba Hammad from the northern Gaza Strip witnessed atrocities by the Israeli army against the population of Gaza during its assault on the coastal strip last winter.
Hiba's smiled returned only after four months of intensive psychological therapy at the Gaza-based Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution.
"Thank God that Hiba returned back to normal after we almost lost hope of her recovering. Right after the war, Hiba kept silent, isolated, fearful of everything around her, especially strangers. But now she is getting much better as she scored 91 percent in the final exams of her school year. Moreover, she now smiles, socializes and even jokes, thank God," said Hiba's sister Ettaf, who lost her husband during the attacks.
Wearing a red dress, Hiba sat opposite to her therapist, Haniya Balousha, at the center. It was her first visit there since her treatment was completed four months ago. On that day, Hiba received gifts to celebrate the end of her treatment and her recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).......
According to Balousha, Hiba's case is quite similar to the situation of many children in Gaza during and after Israel's attacks. She explained that since the war came to an end in January, the center treated more than 350 children suffering from PTSD......
According to the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP), more than 60 percent of Palestinian children in Gaza suffer PTSD symptoms.
The GCMPHP's survey also shows that hundreds of children were exposed to white phosphorous fired by the Israeli army during the 22 days of attacks on Gaza.
Abdelaziz Thabet, who works with the GCMHP, said that exposure to white phosphorous has made the majority of children and parents in Gaza feel unsafe.
"The most common traumatic events still include hearing sonic booms from the jet fighters, hearing shelling of the area, witnessing mutilation on TV, deprivation from water or electricity......"
"Like many other children in the region, 10-year-old Hiba Hammad from the northern Gaza Strip witnessed atrocities by the Israeli army against the population of Gaza during its assault on the coastal strip last winter.
Hiba's smiled returned only after four months of intensive psychological therapy at the Gaza-based Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution.
"Thank God that Hiba returned back to normal after we almost lost hope of her recovering. Right after the war, Hiba kept silent, isolated, fearful of everything around her, especially strangers. But now she is getting much better as she scored 91 percent in the final exams of her school year. Moreover, she now smiles, socializes and even jokes, thank God," said Hiba's sister Ettaf, who lost her husband during the attacks.
Wearing a red dress, Hiba sat opposite to her therapist, Haniya Balousha, at the center. It was her first visit there since her treatment was completed four months ago. On that day, Hiba received gifts to celebrate the end of her treatment and her recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).......
According to Balousha, Hiba's case is quite similar to the situation of many children in Gaza during and after Israel's attacks. She explained that since the war came to an end in January, the center treated more than 350 children suffering from PTSD......
According to the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP), more than 60 percent of Palestinian children in Gaza suffer PTSD symptoms.
The GCMPHP's survey also shows that hundreds of children were exposed to white phosphorous fired by the Israeli army during the 22 days of attacks on Gaza.
Abdelaziz Thabet, who works with the GCMHP, said that exposure to white phosphorous has made the majority of children and parents in Gaza feel unsafe.
"The most common traumatic events still include hearing sonic booms from the jet fighters, hearing shelling of the area, witnessing mutilation on TV, deprivation from water or electricity......"
What to Do When Caught Red-Handed as a War Criminal? Change the Laws, of Course.
Israel Moves From Rejecting Goldstone's Report to Fighting It
Al-Manar
"Israel’s security Cabinet refused Tuesday to establish an independent committee to probe the findings of the Goldstone report and instead decided to form a unit to fight the report and the judicial and international repercussions it may have. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed various officials in the government ministries to examine the possibility of advancing an international initiative to change the laws of war....."
Al-Manar
"Israel’s security Cabinet refused Tuesday to establish an independent committee to probe the findings of the Goldstone report and instead decided to form a unit to fight the report and the judicial and international repercussions it may have. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed various officials in the government ministries to examine the possibility of advancing an international initiative to change the laws of war....."
Can International Law Forestall a Golanian Intifada
By Franklin Lamb - Beirut
Palestine Chronicle
".....
Some attendees at the large Damascus conclave, often huddling on the sidelines, discussed, analyzed and even advocated a Golan Intifada. They argued that the whole international community, except Israel, and the full corpus of international law, supported the immediate and complete return of the Syrian Golan Height's to the nearly 350,000 displaced Golan inhabitants, being those who make up 90% of the Golan's pre-1967 population from the 130 villages and 112 agricultural areas Israel destroyed as it occupied the Golan. These delegates explained to observers that Resistance in all its forms may be the most realistic path for the return of the Golan. They point to the success of the Hezbollah led National Lebanese Resistance in regaining most of Lebanon's Zionist occupied territory.
One Golani who studies in Damascus told this observer, "We don't expect help from Hezbollah. They have made clear to us they do not "do branches" in other countries despite requests for help around the region, but we have learned much from their experience and we will apply their logic and tactics."
"Syria is rising" another joined in, "we are strong psychologically, militarily and as a result of more democracy the past several years our people are united and we are motivated to seek the immediate return of our land, whatever it takes."
They argued that what Hezbollah did in Lebanon, and what Hamas is doing in Gaza, Syrian patriots can do in the Golan. They believe they would be joined by thousands of Palestinians and Lebanese that might well lead to an unprecedented violent eruption of the Middle East....."
Palestine Chronicle
".....
Some attendees at the large Damascus conclave, often huddling on the sidelines, discussed, analyzed and even advocated a Golan Intifada. They argued that the whole international community, except Israel, and the full corpus of international law, supported the immediate and complete return of the Syrian Golan Height's to the nearly 350,000 displaced Golan inhabitants, being those who make up 90% of the Golan's pre-1967 population from the 130 villages and 112 agricultural areas Israel destroyed as it occupied the Golan. These delegates explained to observers that Resistance in all its forms may be the most realistic path for the return of the Golan. They point to the success of the Hezbollah led National Lebanese Resistance in regaining most of Lebanon's Zionist occupied territory.
One Golani who studies in Damascus told this observer, "We don't expect help from Hezbollah. They have made clear to us they do not "do branches" in other countries despite requests for help around the region, but we have learned much from their experience and we will apply their logic and tactics."
"Syria is rising" another joined in, "we are strong psychologically, militarily and as a result of more democracy the past several years our people are united and we are motivated to seek the immediate return of our land, whatever it takes."
They argued that what Hezbollah did in Lebanon, and what Hamas is doing in Gaza, Syrian patriots can do in the Golan. They believe they would be joined by thousands of Palestinians and Lebanese that might well lead to an unprecedented violent eruption of the Middle East....."
War, Negation and Muslim Identity Revisited
By Ramzy Baroud
Palestine Chronicle
".....
It would be utterly unfair and largely inaccurate to equate the ‘Western’ misrepresentation of Islam and Muslims, with the latter’s misrepresentation of the West. The former approaches its caricatured depiction from a chest thumping, Fox News mentality of militarily powerful and economically stable countries. Its view of the other is largely hegemonic and its standard solution to bringing wars to an end is with military surges and the increasing of military assistance (with Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan being the current cases in point.)
Collective Muslim identity however is largely fragmented, between governments that only represent themselves, and peoples facing many forms of oppression: political tyranny at home, external repression (war, foreign interventions, etc), economic uncertainty (fuelled by inequality and compounded by unfiltered globalization), and extremism.
The so-called war on terror, for obvious reasons, cemented that fragmentation.....
In the meantime, Muslims, who insist on living in the shadow of the ‘West’ as unreserved aficionados or obsessed detractors must redefine their own discourses. As for the latter, they must not allow war alone, MTV consumer media culture, hegemonic globalization and racist remarks by a politician or a born again evangelical to taint their entire view of what are essentially unique, diverse and in many ways impressive civilizations that have done much good. Indeed, there is the like of Boykin, but there are millions of others who are peace-loving, ordinary people, some of whom are ardent advocates of human rights, anti-war campaigners, including the thousands who have repeatedly broken the siege on Gaza, and previous to that Iraq. Muslims too must quit caricaturing them, reducing them to enemies, juxtaposing Muslims’ essential righteousness with ‘Western’ essential depravity. Not only are such reductions inaccurate and self-defeating, they also break down possible alliances between the forces of good in this world, in a time when they are of essence. "
Palestine Chronicle
".....
It would be utterly unfair and largely inaccurate to equate the ‘Western’ misrepresentation of Islam and Muslims, with the latter’s misrepresentation of the West. The former approaches its caricatured depiction from a chest thumping, Fox News mentality of militarily powerful and economically stable countries. Its view of the other is largely hegemonic and its standard solution to bringing wars to an end is with military surges and the increasing of military assistance (with Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan being the current cases in point.)
Collective Muslim identity however is largely fragmented, between governments that only represent themselves, and peoples facing many forms of oppression: political tyranny at home, external repression (war, foreign interventions, etc), economic uncertainty (fuelled by inequality and compounded by unfiltered globalization), and extremism.
The so-called war on terror, for obvious reasons, cemented that fragmentation.....
In the meantime, Muslims, who insist on living in the shadow of the ‘West’ as unreserved aficionados or obsessed detractors must redefine their own discourses. As for the latter, they must not allow war alone, MTV consumer media culture, hegemonic globalization and racist remarks by a politician or a born again evangelical to taint their entire view of what are essentially unique, diverse and in many ways impressive civilizations that have done much good. Indeed, there is the like of Boykin, but there are millions of others who are peace-loving, ordinary people, some of whom are ardent advocates of human rights, anti-war campaigners, including the thousands who have repeatedly broken the siege on Gaza, and previous to that Iraq. Muslims too must quit caricaturing them, reducing them to enemies, juxtaposing Muslims’ essential righteousness with ‘Western’ essential depravity. Not only are such reductions inaccurate and self-defeating, they also break down possible alliances between the forces of good in this world, in a time when they are of essence. "
The Dark Side of the ‘Special Relationship’
Spy vs. spy, Israel vs. America
by Justin Raimondo, October 21, 2009
(Left: Jonathan Pollard)
"A silent battle has been raging right under our noses, a fierce underground struggle pitting the U.S. against one of its closest allies. For all its newsworthiness, the media has barely noticed the story – except when it surfaces, briefly, like a giant fin jutting above the waves. The aggressor in this war is the state of Israel, with the U.S., its sponsor and protector, playing defense. This is the dark side of the "special relationship" – a battle of spy vs. spy.
by Justin Raimondo, October 21, 2009
(Left: Jonathan Pollard)
"A silent battle has been raging right under our noses, a fierce underground struggle pitting the U.S. against one of its closest allies. For all its newsworthiness, the media has barely noticed the story – except when it surfaces, briefly, like a giant fin jutting above the waves. The aggressor in this war is the state of Israel, with the U.S., its sponsor and protector, playing defense. This is the dark side of the "special relationship" – a battle of spy vs. spy.
Convicted spy Jonathan Pollard – now serving a life sentence – stole secrets so vital that an attempt by the Israelis to get him pardoned was blocked by a massive protest from the intelligence and defense communities. Bill Clinton wanted to trade Pollard for Israeli concessions in the ongoing "peace process," and he was only prevented from doing so by a threat of mass resignations by the top leadership of the intelligence community.
The reason for their intransigence: among the material Pollard had been asked by his Israeli handlers to steal was the U.S. attack plan against the Soviet Union. According to Seymour Hersh, then-CIA director Bill Casey claimed Tel Aviv handed over the information to Moscow in exchange for relaxation of travel restrictions on Soviet Jews, who were then allowed to emigrate to Israel.......
The nature and extent of Israeli spying in the U.S. is not a subject you’ll see the "mainstream" media very often touch with so much as a 10-foot pole, but when it does the results can be ominously disturbing. I, for one, haven’t forgotten Carl Cameron’s four-part series on Israeli spying in the U.S., broadcast by Fox News in December 2001. According to Cameron, his sources in law enforcement told him the Israelis had been following the 9/11 hijackers and had foreknowledge of their plans but somehow neglected to tell us. And then there were those dancing Israelis, leaping for joy at the sight of the Twin Towers burning…
This is the dark side of the "special relationship," so dark that hardly anyone wants to acknowledge it, let alone consider its implications."
The three fallacies that have driven the war in Afghanistan
The case for escalating the war is based on premises that turn to dust on inspection
By Johann Hari
The Independent
"Is Barack Obama about to drive his Presidency into a bloody ditch strewn with corpses? The President is expected any day now to announce his decision about the future of the war in Afghanistan. He knows US and British troops have now been stationed in the hell-mouth of Helmand longer than the First and Second World Wars combined – yet the mutterings from the marble halls of Washington DC suggest he may order a troop escalation.
Obama has to decide now whether to side with the American people and the Afghan people calling for a rapid reduction in US force, or with a small military clique demanding a ramping-up of the conflict........
Argument One: We need to deprive al-Qa'ida of military bases in Afghanistan, or they will use them to plot attacks against us, and we will face 9/11 redux. In fact, virtually all the jihadi attacks against Western countries have been planned in those Western countries themselves, and required extremely limited technological capabilities or training. The 9/11 atrocities were planned in Hamburg and Florida by 19 Saudis.......In reality, there are almost no al-Qa'ida fighters in Afghanistan. That's not my view: it's that of General Jim Jones, the US National Security Advisor.....
Argument Two: By staying, we are significantly improving Afghan human rights, especially for women....The Taliban are indeed one of the vilest forces in the world, imprisoning women in their homes and torturing them for the "crimes" of showing their faces, expressing their sexuality, or being raped. They keep trying to murder my friend Malalai Joya for the "crime" of being elected to parliament on a platform of treating women like human beings not cattle.
But as she told me last month: "Your governments have replaced the fundamentalist rule of the Taliban with another fundamentalist regime of warlords." Outside Kabul, vicious Taliban who enforce sharia law have merely been replaced by vicious warlords who enforce sharia law. "The situation now is as catastrophic as it was under the Taliban for women," she said.........."
By Johann Hari
The Independent
"Is Barack Obama about to drive his Presidency into a bloody ditch strewn with corpses? The President is expected any day now to announce his decision about the future of the war in Afghanistan. He knows US and British troops have now been stationed in the hell-mouth of Helmand longer than the First and Second World Wars combined – yet the mutterings from the marble halls of Washington DC suggest he may order a troop escalation.
Obama has to decide now whether to side with the American people and the Afghan people calling for a rapid reduction in US force, or with a small military clique demanding a ramping-up of the conflict........
Argument One: We need to deprive al-Qa'ida of military bases in Afghanistan, or they will use them to plot attacks against us, and we will face 9/11 redux. In fact, virtually all the jihadi attacks against Western countries have been planned in those Western countries themselves, and required extremely limited technological capabilities or training. The 9/11 atrocities were planned in Hamburg and Florida by 19 Saudis.......In reality, there are almost no al-Qa'ida fighters in Afghanistan. That's not my view: it's that of General Jim Jones, the US National Security Advisor.....
Argument Two: By staying, we are significantly improving Afghan human rights, especially for women....The Taliban are indeed one of the vilest forces in the world, imprisoning women in their homes and torturing them for the "crimes" of showing their faces, expressing their sexuality, or being raped. They keep trying to murder my friend Malalai Joya for the "crime" of being elected to parliament on a platform of treating women like human beings not cattle.
But as she told me last month: "Your governments have replaced the fundamentalist rule of the Taliban with another fundamentalist regime of warlords." Outside Kabul, vicious Taliban who enforce sharia law have merely been replaced by vicious warlords who enforce sharia law. "The situation now is as catastrophic as it was under the Taliban for women," she said.........."
ZIONISM IDEOLOGICAL MOTIVATION: From " The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine" by Ilan Pappe
We know that already but it's always worth reminding..
"Eretz Israel,the name for Palestine in the Jewish religion,had been revered throughout the centuries by generations of Jews as a place for holy pilgrimage,never as a future secular state.Jewish tradition and religion clearly instruct Jews to await the coming of the Messiah as 'the end of times' before they can return to Eretz Israel as a sovereign people in Jewish theocracy,(this is why today several streams of Ultra-Orthodox Jews are either non or anti-Zionist).In other words,Zionism secularised and nationalised Judaism.To bring their project to fruition,the Zionist thinkers claimed the biblical territory and recreated,indeed reinvented,it as the cradle of their nationalist movement.As they saw it,Palestine was occupied by 'strangers' and had to be repossessed.'Strangers' here meant everyone not Jewish who had been living in Palestine since the Roman period.In fact for many Zionist Palestine was not even even an 'occupied' land when they first arrived there in 1882,but rather an 'empty' one:the native Palestinians who lived there were largely invisible to them or,if not were part of nature's hardship and as such were to be conquered and removed.Nothing,neither rocks nor Palestinians,was to stand in the way of the national 'redemption' of the land the Zionist movement coveted."
The ETHNIC CLEANSING of PALESTINE , Illan Pappe p.11
"Eretz Israel,the name for Palestine in the Jewish religion,had been revered throughout the centuries by generations of Jews as a place for holy pilgrimage,never as a future secular state.Jewish tradition and religion clearly instruct Jews to await the coming of the Messiah as 'the end of times' before they can return to Eretz Israel as a sovereign people in Jewish theocracy,(this is why today several streams of Ultra-Orthodox Jews are either non or anti-Zionist).In other words,Zionism secularised and nationalised Judaism.To bring their project to fruition,the Zionist thinkers claimed the biblical territory and recreated,indeed reinvented,it as the cradle of their nationalist movement.As they saw it,Palestine was occupied by 'strangers' and had to be repossessed.'Strangers' here meant everyone not Jewish who had been living in Palestine since the Roman period.In fact for many Zionist Palestine was not even even an 'occupied' land when they first arrived there in 1882,but rather an 'empty' one:the native Palestinians who lived there were largely invisible to them or,if not were part of nature's hardship and as such were to be conquered and removed.Nothing,neither rocks nor Palestinians,was to stand in the way of the national 'redemption' of the land the Zionist movement coveted."
The ETHNIC CLEANSING of PALESTINE , Illan Pappe p.11
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Future of Israel
"Support for a "one state" solution among Palestinians has been rising, mostly because of the failure to make any progress on the traditional "two state" solution.
A binational or "one state" solution would mean that there would be a single country between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, with Jewish and Arab citizens. In this context, there is no longer a focus on borders and national rights, but instead the focus is on human and democratic rights for all citizens. Most Israelis oppose this approach because they think it threatens the future of Israel as a Jewish State. However, at the same time, most Israelis also don't support withdrawing settlements and permitting a sovereign Palestinian state."
A binational or "one state" solution would mean that there would be a single country between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, with Jewish and Arab citizens. In this context, there is no longer a focus on borders and national rights, but instead the focus is on human and democratic rights for all citizens. Most Israelis oppose this approach because they think it threatens the future of Israel as a Jewish State. However, at the same time, most Israelis also don't support withdrawing settlements and permitting a sovereign Palestinian state."
ضغوط أميركية غيرت الورقة المصرية
COMMENT
This is an important article from Al-Jazeera, but I could not find an English version of it.
It basically says that the original reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah, mediated by Cairo and agreed to by Hamas, was changed due to American pressure on Cairo.
George Mitchell conveyed Washington's strong objection to the original 8-page agreement. He demanded that Cairo change some key terms in the agreement, including adding the condition of Hamas' acceptance of the terms of the Quartet (basically explicitly recognizing Israel, among other things). Mitchell told Egypt's Intelligence Chief, Suleiman and its Foreign Minister that Egypt should not accommodate Hamas, and instead demanded that Cairo should tighten the screws on Hamas to abandon armed resistance and to join the "peace process" for a settlement with Israel.
Abbas had complained to Mitchell that the original agreement was more to Hamas' liking and he (Abbas) protested that Mitchell should put pressure on Cairo.
Cairo, of course, gave in. The current document (complying with US demands) is 25 pages (instead of the original 8). Many new conditions were added, which were not agreed to by Hamas. Some items in the original agreement were deleted.
Now Cairo has presented this new, US-doctored document, as take-it-or-leave-it to Hamas. However, Cairo is threatening Hamas that it would tighten the screws further if Hamas refused to sign the new document.
"كشفت مصادر فلسطينية مقربة من دوائر صنع القرار في رام الله أن مصر عدلت مسودة ورقة المصالحة الفلسطينية أكثر من مرة بعد تهديدات أميركية بعرقلة جهودها إذا استجابت لمطالب حركة المقاومة الإسلامية (حماس) بعدم تضمين الورقة شروط اللجنة الرباعية، في وقت نفت فيه القاهرة هذه الأنباء وأكدت أنها لا تخضع لضغوط من أي جهة.
وذكرت المصادر الفلسطينية للجزيرة نت أن القاهرة غيرت الوثيقة الأخيرة التي سلمتها لحماس منتصف الشهر الماضي، بعدما قدم المبعوث الأميركي الخاص إلى الشرق الأوسط جورج ميتشل رسالة احتجاج من الخارجية الأميركية على الورقة المصرية.
وقالت المصادر إن القاهرة استجابت للطلب الأميركي واعتبرت –دون الرجوع لحماس والفصائل الأخرى- الورقة السابقة والمكونة من ثماني صفحات ملغاة، وأعدت ورقة تقارب 25 صفحة بها نقاط جديدة لم تطرح أو طرحت وتم رفضها من حماس وآخرين.
وبينت المصادر أن ميتشل أبلغ مدير المخابرات المصرية الوزير عمر سليمان أن الإدارة الأميركية ستعرقل أي جهد لا يدفع حماس للاعتراف والالتزام بشروط الرباعية وواشنطن، وذلك في لقاء جمعهما بالقاهرة في العاشر من أكتوبر/ تشرين الأول الجاري.
ونقلت المصادر عن ميتشل قوله لسليمان ولوزير الخارجية المصري أحمد أبو الغيط إن على القاهرة عدم مسايرة حماس وإنها بذلك تعطل الجهود الأميركية المبذولة من قبل الرئيس باراك أوباما لاستئناف المفاوضات.
وطلب ميتشل من القاهرة -بحسب المصادر ذاتها- أن تقدم على مزيد من الإجراءات التي من شأنها إجبار حماس على التخلي عن المقاومة المسلحة والانضمام لتحالف فلسطيني من أجل التسوية مع إسرائيل.
وقالت المصادر إن ميتشل استمع في رام الله من الرئيس الفلسطيني محمود عباس تحريضاً على القاهرة، معتبراً أن الورقة التي قدمتها مصر لحركة التحرير الوطني الفلسطيني (فتح) كلها شروط حماس ومجحفة ومذلة لحركته والسلطة الفلسطينية.
......"
This is an important article from Al-Jazeera, but I could not find an English version of it.
It basically says that the original reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah, mediated by Cairo and agreed to by Hamas, was changed due to American pressure on Cairo.
George Mitchell conveyed Washington's strong objection to the original 8-page agreement. He demanded that Cairo change some key terms in the agreement, including adding the condition of Hamas' acceptance of the terms of the Quartet (basically explicitly recognizing Israel, among other things). Mitchell told Egypt's Intelligence Chief, Suleiman and its Foreign Minister that Egypt should not accommodate Hamas, and instead demanded that Cairo should tighten the screws on Hamas to abandon armed resistance and to join the "peace process" for a settlement with Israel.
Abbas had complained to Mitchell that the original agreement was more to Hamas' liking and he (Abbas) protested that Mitchell should put pressure on Cairo.
Cairo, of course, gave in. The current document (complying with US demands) is 25 pages (instead of the original 8). Many new conditions were added, which were not agreed to by Hamas. Some items in the original agreement were deleted.
Now Cairo has presented this new, US-doctored document, as take-it-or-leave-it to Hamas. However, Cairo is threatening Hamas that it would tighten the screws further if Hamas refused to sign the new document.
"كشفت مصادر فلسطينية مقربة من دوائر صنع القرار في رام الله أن مصر عدلت مسودة ورقة المصالحة الفلسطينية أكثر من مرة بعد تهديدات أميركية بعرقلة جهودها إذا استجابت لمطالب حركة المقاومة الإسلامية (حماس) بعدم تضمين الورقة شروط اللجنة الرباعية، في وقت نفت فيه القاهرة هذه الأنباء وأكدت أنها لا تخضع لضغوط من أي جهة.
وذكرت المصادر الفلسطينية للجزيرة نت أن القاهرة غيرت الوثيقة الأخيرة التي سلمتها لحماس منتصف الشهر الماضي، بعدما قدم المبعوث الأميركي الخاص إلى الشرق الأوسط جورج ميتشل رسالة احتجاج من الخارجية الأميركية على الورقة المصرية.
وقالت المصادر إن القاهرة استجابت للطلب الأميركي واعتبرت –دون الرجوع لحماس والفصائل الأخرى- الورقة السابقة والمكونة من ثماني صفحات ملغاة، وأعدت ورقة تقارب 25 صفحة بها نقاط جديدة لم تطرح أو طرحت وتم رفضها من حماس وآخرين.
وبينت المصادر أن ميتشل أبلغ مدير المخابرات المصرية الوزير عمر سليمان أن الإدارة الأميركية ستعرقل أي جهد لا يدفع حماس للاعتراف والالتزام بشروط الرباعية وواشنطن، وذلك في لقاء جمعهما بالقاهرة في العاشر من أكتوبر/ تشرين الأول الجاري.
ونقلت المصادر عن ميتشل قوله لسليمان ولوزير الخارجية المصري أحمد أبو الغيط إن على القاهرة عدم مسايرة حماس وإنها بذلك تعطل الجهود الأميركية المبذولة من قبل الرئيس باراك أوباما لاستئناف المفاوضات.
وطلب ميتشل من القاهرة -بحسب المصادر ذاتها- أن تقدم على مزيد من الإجراءات التي من شأنها إجبار حماس على التخلي عن المقاومة المسلحة والانضمام لتحالف فلسطيني من أجل التسوية مع إسرائيل.
وقالت المصادر إن ميتشل استمع في رام الله من الرئيس الفلسطيني محمود عباس تحريضاً على القاهرة، معتبراً أن الورقة التي قدمتها مصر لحركة التحرير الوطني الفلسطيني (فتح) كلها شروط حماس ومجحفة ومذلة لحركته والسلطة الفلسطينية.
......"
Filling up Israel's jails to no avail
The imprisonment of Palestinian activists such as Mohammad Othman aims to curb dissent – but it seems to be backfiring
Seth Freedman
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 20 October 2009
"The plight of Palestinian activist Mohammad Othman has dominated the agendas of NGOs in the region ever since his detention in late September. However, while his case is at the forefront of their minds, Othman is just one of 11,000 Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli jails, 800 of whom are incarcerated under the terms of administrative detention – meaning that they are imprisoned indefinitely without any charges brought against them.
Seth Freedman
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 20 October 2009
"The plight of Palestinian activist Mohammad Othman has dominated the agendas of NGOs in the region ever since his detention in late September. However, while his case is at the forefront of their minds, Othman is just one of 11,000 Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli jails, 800 of whom are incarcerated under the terms of administrative detention – meaning that they are imprisoned indefinitely without any charges brought against them.
As things stand, Othman appears to be heading for the murky world of administrative detention, given the treatment handed out to him thus far by the military courts. Othman was arrested by soldiers at the Allenby Bridge crossing on 22 September as he tried to return home to the West Bank town of Jayyous following an advocacy trip to Norway. Despite a lack of evidence presented against him in court, judges in subsequent hearings have extended his remand, leading to his having spent almost a month in solitary confinement.........."
Farce in Kabul, Tragedy in Pakistan
Obama is Only Making It Worse
By TARIQ ALI
CounterPunch
".....While the farce plays out in Kabul, in neighbouring Pakistan the situation has become more deadly. The Zardari government (effectively run by the US Ambassador Anne W. Patterson) has ordered the Pakistan Army to wipe out the Taliban in South Waziristan near the Afghan border.
This, too, will fail. More innocents will die, more refugees will be created adding to the two million ‘internally displaced persons’ already living in camps. The result will be a bitter legacy, fuelling hatred and revenge attacks in the region and, ominously, creating further tensions inside the Pakistan Army.
Incapable of understanding that it is the Afghan war’s spill-over into Pakistan that has exacerbated the crisis in Pakistan, the Obama administration’s directives can only make it worse."
By TARIQ ALI
CounterPunch
".....While the farce plays out in Kabul, in neighbouring Pakistan the situation has become more deadly. The Zardari government (effectively run by the US Ambassador Anne W. Patterson) has ordered the Pakistan Army to wipe out the Taliban in South Waziristan near the Afghan border.
This, too, will fail. More innocents will die, more refugees will be created adding to the two million ‘internally displaced persons’ already living in camps. The result will be a bitter legacy, fuelling hatred and revenge attacks in the region and, ominously, creating further tensions inside the Pakistan Army.
Incapable of understanding that it is the Afghan war’s spill-over into Pakistan that has exacerbated the crisis in Pakistan, the Obama administration’s directives can only make it worse."
Al-Jazeera Video: Inside Story - Iran suicide bombing - 19 Oct 09
"'A savage and inhuman act' is how the Iranian military described Sunday's suicide bomb attack against its Revolutionary Guards in southern Iran.Just what's behind this escalation? With Iran quick to blame Britain and the US, how will this affect its relations with the West? Could this be another setback for diplomacy in the Iran nuclear impasse?"
Al-Jazeera Video: Locked in: Life in Gaza - 19 Oct 09 - Part 2
"Munzer al-Dayyeh is a 40-year-old mechanic living in Gaza. And while the effects of war and ongoing siege may be good for his business, he can't manage to secure medical treatment for his disabled children. An insight into an ordinary Gazan man struggling to make a living and to find a solution for his family in the difficulties of the Gaza Strip."
US Scientist Apprehended For Spying For Israel
"Israeli sources reported Monday that an American Scientist is believed to have transferred classified date to an Israeli intelligence officer. The Scientist worked for the Pentagon and the United States Space Agency (NASA).
The scientist, Stewart David Nozette, 52, conducted an experiment which led to the discovery of water on the south pole of the moon, Israeli Ynet News reported.
He also worked at the White House under the former president, George H. W. Bush in the period between 1989 and 1990. He was working with the National Space Council.
The Ynet added that Nozette had previously held a security clearance at the Department of Energy on atomic materials.
The charges against him include attempting to communicate and deliver information related to the United States internal defense to a person believed to be an Israeli intelligence officer.
The scientist was apprehended in Chevy Chase suburb in Washington. His first court appearance was Tuesday and he could be facing a life term.
Israel denied any relation with the scientist.
The US Justice Department said that Nozette held security clearances from 1989 until 2006, and that he had access to classified information and documents regarding the United States national defense. It added that an undercover FBI agent contacted Nozette in early September of this year, and claimed that he is an Israeli intelligence officer. He met with the undercover FBI and offered to answer any question in exchange for money.
The Ynet reported that Nozette and the undercover FBI agent exchanged envelops of money for information regarding US satellite technology. He also offered information regarding military satellites, nuclear weaponry, and advanced weapons systems."
The scientist, Stewart David Nozette, 52, conducted an experiment which led to the discovery of water on the south pole of the moon, Israeli Ynet News reported.
He also worked at the White House under the former president, George H. W. Bush in the period between 1989 and 1990. He was working with the National Space Council.
The Ynet added that Nozette had previously held a security clearance at the Department of Energy on atomic materials.
The charges against him include attempting to communicate and deliver information related to the United States internal defense to a person believed to be an Israeli intelligence officer.
The scientist was apprehended in Chevy Chase suburb in Washington. His first court appearance was Tuesday and he could be facing a life term.
Israel denied any relation with the scientist.
The US Justice Department said that Nozette held security clearances from 1989 until 2006, and that he had access to classified information and documents regarding the United States national defense. It added that an undercover FBI agent contacted Nozette in early September of this year, and claimed that he is an Israeli intelligence officer. He met with the undercover FBI and offered to answer any question in exchange for money.
The Ynet reported that Nozette and the undercover FBI agent exchanged envelops of money for information regarding US satellite technology. He also offered information regarding military satellites, nuclear weaponry, and advanced weapons systems."
Saudi-Iranian hostility hits boiling point
A GOOD PIECE
By M K Bhadrakumar
Asia Times
"Escalating tensions between Riyadh and Tehran may have played a role in Sunday's suicide strike that killed seven senior commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps as well as 42 other people in Iran's southeast. Riyadh is concerned that Iran's growing power will erode Saudi pre-eminence in the region, and the Saudis might have a vested interest in disrupting the United States-Iran nuclear talks.....
Saudi Arabia has two great worries over Iran. First, that Obama is pressing ahead with the normalization process with Tehran - a "thaw" was visible at the Geneva talks on October 1- and Tehran has begun responding to US overtures. The worst Saudi nightmare is coming true.
King Abdullah, who had refused to visit Damascus, landed there two weeks ago on a three-day visit in a desperate attempt to bring Syria into the Arab fold and to "isolate" Iran. Riyadh is worried that Iran's status as a regional power will get a massive boost if the normalization process with the US advances, and that can only be at the cost of Saudi Arabia's pre-eminence in the region. Riyadh helplessly watches a beeline of other Persian Gulf states reaching out to Tehran for accommodation.
In other words, Riyadh has a vested interest, which is no less than Israel's, to disrupt the US-Iran nuclear talks.....
Riyadh humbled in Yemen.....
Observers view this as a Saudi-Iranian proxy war. The large-scale Saudi assistance to the Sunni-dominated Sana'a government has not helped the latter to crush the Houthi fighters and Sana'a is now compelled to seek Tehran's good offices. It is a huge setback to Saudi prestige and the entire region is watching.
Iran's stature vastly enhances as it steps in as the peacemaker in the strategically vital country........ "
By M K Bhadrakumar
Asia Times
"Escalating tensions between Riyadh and Tehran may have played a role in Sunday's suicide strike that killed seven senior commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps as well as 42 other people in Iran's southeast. Riyadh is concerned that Iran's growing power will erode Saudi pre-eminence in the region, and the Saudis might have a vested interest in disrupting the United States-Iran nuclear talks.....
Saudi Arabia has two great worries over Iran. First, that Obama is pressing ahead with the normalization process with Tehran - a "thaw" was visible at the Geneva talks on October 1- and Tehran has begun responding to US overtures. The worst Saudi nightmare is coming true.
King Abdullah, who had refused to visit Damascus, landed there two weeks ago on a three-day visit in a desperate attempt to bring Syria into the Arab fold and to "isolate" Iran. Riyadh is worried that Iran's status as a regional power will get a massive boost if the normalization process with the US advances, and that can only be at the cost of Saudi Arabia's pre-eminence in the region. Riyadh helplessly watches a beeline of other Persian Gulf states reaching out to Tehran for accommodation.
In other words, Riyadh has a vested interest, which is no less than Israel's, to disrupt the US-Iran nuclear talks.....
Riyadh humbled in Yemen.....
Observers view this as a Saudi-Iranian proxy war. The large-scale Saudi assistance to the Sunni-dominated Sana'a government has not helped the latter to crush the Houthi fighters and Sana'a is now compelled to seek Tehran's good offices. It is a huge setback to Saudi prestige and the entire region is watching.
Iran's stature vastly enhances as it steps in as the peacemaker in the strategically vital country........ "
Jundallah versus the mullahtariat
Sunday's suicide bombing in Iran has set off a war: it's the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps against Pakistani Balochistan-based Jundallah and the massive drug trafficking network in the area. In terms of the turbulent, internal political equation in Iran, the show of force against a key element of the mullahtariat could not be more devastating.
By Pepe Escobar
Asia Times
"Fasten your seat belts; it's gonna be a bumpy ride. As a crucial subplot of the New Great Game in Eurasia, Balochistan - on both sides of the Iran-Pakistan border - promises turbulence aplenty. Welcome to United States General Stanley McChrystal's self-fulfillment prophecy - "Chaos-istan" in action..........
The IRGC - the key component of the dictatorship of the mullahtariat currently in power in Tehran - is seething, to say the least. It is one thing to repress student protests in Tehran; but how could they not see this coming, and how could they not prevent it, considering their allegedly good ground intelligence on Jundallah's support by the US, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia?......
But in terms of the turbulent, internal political equation in Iran, the symbolic meaning of the suicide bombing could not be more devastating.
It paints the IRGC - the key pillar of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's military dictatorship - as weak and incompetent, capable of beating up students in urban Tehran but incapable of controlling the country's porous borders. Full spectrum dominance types could not dream of a better outcome. "
Asia Times
"Fasten your seat belts; it's gonna be a bumpy ride. As a crucial subplot of the New Great Game in Eurasia, Balochistan - on both sides of the Iran-Pakistan border - promises turbulence aplenty. Welcome to United States General Stanley McChrystal's self-fulfillment prophecy - "Chaos-istan" in action..........
The IRGC - the key component of the dictatorship of the mullahtariat currently in power in Tehran - is seething, to say the least. It is one thing to repress student protests in Tehran; but how could they not see this coming, and how could they not prevent it, considering their allegedly good ground intelligence on Jundallah's support by the US, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia?......
But in terms of the turbulent, internal political equation in Iran, the symbolic meaning of the suicide bombing could not be more devastating.
It paints the IRGC - the key pillar of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's military dictatorship - as weak and incompetent, capable of beating up students in urban Tehran but incapable of controlling the country's porous borders. Full spectrum dominance types could not dream of a better outcome. "
RIGHTS-EGYPT: Invoking Religion Against Liberals
By Cam McGrath
(Left: Nawal El-Saadawi)
CAIRO, Oct 19 (IPS) - Self-appointed guardians of public morality are invoking an ancient instrument of Islamic jurisprudence against those whose ideas they deem immoral or heretical - or simply to gain fame.
"We are concerned about the huge rise in the number of hisba cases in recent years," says Gamal Eid, executive director of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI).
Hisba is a lawsuit filed by an individual who volunteers to defend society from anyone whose words or deeds he considers harmful to Islam. Introduced to Egypt in the eighth century, this obscure legal instrument empowers Muslims to hold their fellow citizens, and even the state, accountable for upholding religious virtue......
Another lawyer, Nabih El-Wahsh, filed a hisba lawsuit against feminist writer Nawal El-Saadawi after she founded a civil organisation to promote the separation of state and religion. He charged her with inciting contempt of Islam, and is seeking a jail sentence......
El-Saadawi has also been named in hisba cases that sought to have her books banned and citizenship revoked. Despite the barrage of attacks, she insists there is nothing personal behind them.
"These are mediocre lawyers...sensationalists who have exploited the situation of the increasing power of Islamic fundamentalism and the weakening of the government in the face of the powerful Muslim Brotherhood," she told IPS. "They don't just take me to court, they take everybody to court."
The problem, she says, is the government's complicity in the legal action against its most vocal critics........."
(Left: Nawal El-Saadawi)
CAIRO, Oct 19 (IPS) - Self-appointed guardians of public morality are invoking an ancient instrument of Islamic jurisprudence against those whose ideas they deem immoral or heretical - or simply to gain fame.
"We are concerned about the huge rise in the number of hisba cases in recent years," says Gamal Eid, executive director of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI).
Hisba is a lawsuit filed by an individual who volunteers to defend society from anyone whose words or deeds he considers harmful to Islam. Introduced to Egypt in the eighth century, this obscure legal instrument empowers Muslims to hold their fellow citizens, and even the state, accountable for upholding religious virtue......
Another lawyer, Nabih El-Wahsh, filed a hisba lawsuit against feminist writer Nawal El-Saadawi after she founded a civil organisation to promote the separation of state and religion. He charged her with inciting contempt of Islam, and is seeking a jail sentence......
El-Saadawi has also been named in hisba cases that sought to have her books banned and citizenship revoked. Despite the barrage of attacks, she insists there is nothing personal behind them.
"These are mediocre lawyers...sensationalists who have exploited the situation of the increasing power of Islamic fundamentalism and the weakening of the government in the face of the powerful Muslim Brotherhood," she told IPS. "They don't just take me to court, they take everybody to court."
The problem, she says, is the government's complicity in the legal action against its most vocal critics........."
We Don't Need Invitation; Ready or Not We Are Coming In!
Gates: US Can’t Wait for Legitimate Afghan Govt
Promises to Press NATO for Escalation During Slovakia Visit
(Cartoon by Steve Bell)
"President Barack Obama was reportedly hoping to wait until the massive fraud in August’s Afghan election gets sorted out to make his decision on how large a troop escalation to approve in Afghanistan, but that’s not going to prevent Defense Secretary Robert Gates from pressing his NATO counterparts to approve escalations of their own this week in Brataslava.
Promises to Press NATO for Escalation During Slovakia Visit
(Cartoon by Steve Bell)
"President Barack Obama was reportedly hoping to wait until the massive fraud in August’s Afghan election gets sorted out to make his decision on how large a troop escalation to approve in Afghanistan, but that’s not going to prevent Defense Secretary Robert Gates from pressing his NATO counterparts to approve escalations of their own this week in Brataslava.
And As the Stomach Turns...Pharaoh Threatens Hamas...Holding a Gun to Hamas' Head...You Have 24 Hours to Sign..or Else..Stay Tuned..Drama Building...
مصر تمهل حماس 24 ساعة للتوقيع وتهدد بكشف الطرف المعرقل
"الرياض- ذكرت تقارير إخبارية الثلاثاء بأن مصر أمهلت حركة حماس 24 ساعة تنتهى الثلاثاء لاتخاذ قرار أخير بشأن المصالحة الفلسطينية والموافقة بشكل نهائي على الورقة المصرية دون إبداء أية تحفظات ودون طلب مزيد من الوقت للتشاور بشأنها.
وأفادت صحيفة المدينة السعودية أن مصدرا مصريا رفيع قال لها: قلنا لحركة حماس إنه ليس أمامها سوى 24 ساعة تعلن خلالها موقفها من المصالحة وموافقتها على التوقيع بشكل نهائي على اتفاق المصالحة وعلى الموعد الذي تحدده مصر للتوقيع.
وحذر المصدر، الذي طلب عدم الكشف عن هويته، من أنه في حالة طلب التأجيل مجددا من قبل حماس فإن مصر سوف تكشف هوية الطرف المعرقل للمصالحة وسنقول للجميع إن حماس هي المسؤولة عن ذلك.
وقال المصدر: وضعناهم في الصورة جيدا ولن نقبل بمماطلة بعد اليوم.
وأضاف: كلما شعرنا بحدوث تقدم في مسار الحوار، نفاجأ بموقف غريب من حركة حماس حيث يثيرون قضايا عديدة ويربطونها بمستقبل الحوار وأنها لا توفر الأجواء المناسبة، ويطالبون مصر بأن تعمل على تغيير تلك الأجواء، وتساءل المصدر: هل يريدون منا أن نهيئ المنطقة كلها كي يأتون لتوقيع الاتفاق؟.
وتابع المصدر: لقد بذلنا جهودا لا يمكن لأحد أن يتخيلها.. كانت الاجتماعات تعقد ليلا ونهارا وكلما كان هناك خلاف تشكل لجان أشبه بخلايا النحل تقوم بالعمل على احتواء هذه الخلافات.. وحتى بعد أن كانت وفود الفصائل تغادر نقوم بتحليل ودراسة ما تم النقاش حوله ليلا ونهارا، فالحوار أخذ منا وقتا وجهدا كبيرا جدا والإخوة في الفصائل يعلمون ذلك، فهل يمكن بعد هذا الجهد أن نفشل فيما قمنا به؟ .. مصر لا تقبل بهذا النوع من التسويف والمماطلة .. مصر أكبر من أن يضعوها في هذا الموقف ونحن قادرون على التعامل مع هذه المواقف.
"
"الرياض- ذكرت تقارير إخبارية الثلاثاء بأن مصر أمهلت حركة حماس 24 ساعة تنتهى الثلاثاء لاتخاذ قرار أخير بشأن المصالحة الفلسطينية والموافقة بشكل نهائي على الورقة المصرية دون إبداء أية تحفظات ودون طلب مزيد من الوقت للتشاور بشأنها.
وأفادت صحيفة المدينة السعودية أن مصدرا مصريا رفيع قال لها: قلنا لحركة حماس إنه ليس أمامها سوى 24 ساعة تعلن خلالها موقفها من المصالحة وموافقتها على التوقيع بشكل نهائي على اتفاق المصالحة وعلى الموعد الذي تحدده مصر للتوقيع.
وحذر المصدر، الذي طلب عدم الكشف عن هويته، من أنه في حالة طلب التأجيل مجددا من قبل حماس فإن مصر سوف تكشف هوية الطرف المعرقل للمصالحة وسنقول للجميع إن حماس هي المسؤولة عن ذلك.
وقال المصدر: وضعناهم في الصورة جيدا ولن نقبل بمماطلة بعد اليوم.
وأضاف: كلما شعرنا بحدوث تقدم في مسار الحوار، نفاجأ بموقف غريب من حركة حماس حيث يثيرون قضايا عديدة ويربطونها بمستقبل الحوار وأنها لا توفر الأجواء المناسبة، ويطالبون مصر بأن تعمل على تغيير تلك الأجواء، وتساءل المصدر: هل يريدون منا أن نهيئ المنطقة كلها كي يأتون لتوقيع الاتفاق؟.
وتابع المصدر: لقد بذلنا جهودا لا يمكن لأحد أن يتخيلها.. كانت الاجتماعات تعقد ليلا ونهارا وكلما كان هناك خلاف تشكل لجان أشبه بخلايا النحل تقوم بالعمل على احتواء هذه الخلافات.. وحتى بعد أن كانت وفود الفصائل تغادر نقوم بتحليل ودراسة ما تم النقاش حوله ليلا ونهارا، فالحوار أخذ منا وقتا وجهدا كبيرا جدا والإخوة في الفصائل يعلمون ذلك، فهل يمكن بعد هذا الجهد أن نفشل فيما قمنا به؟ .. مصر لا تقبل بهذا النوع من التسويف والمماطلة .. مصر أكبر من أن يضعوها في هذا الموقف ونحن قادرون على التعامل مع هذه المواقف.
"
“If Israel Strikes Iran, US will Likely Join'
Al-Manar
"20/10/2009 The United States would find it difficult not to join an Israeli air strike in the event that Tel Aviv decides to strike Iran's nuclear facilities, a former top-ranking U.S. Air Force officer told participants at a conference this weekend organized by a Washington think tank.
Charles F. Wald, former deputy commander of United States European Command, said a military strike on Iran “could set back the Islamic Republic's alleged nuclear weapons program by several years”, but cautioned, "I don't think Israel can do it alone.".......
Also present at the conference was the former head of Israel's Military Intelligence, General (Ret.) Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash, who agreed that the U.S. Air Force could be far more effective than Israel in striking Iran's nuclear program: "The U.S. can destroy the nuclear capacity, and the war would not be long," he said.
He added, however, that Western intelligence may still not know about all of Iran's nuclear sites. "The Tehran regime doesn't seek suicide," Farkash said. "When they realize we mean business this time, they won't want to lose their regime.""
"20/10/2009 The United States would find it difficult not to join an Israeli air strike in the event that Tel Aviv decides to strike Iran's nuclear facilities, a former top-ranking U.S. Air Force officer told participants at a conference this weekend organized by a Washington think tank.
Charles F. Wald, former deputy commander of United States European Command, said a military strike on Iran “could set back the Islamic Republic's alleged nuclear weapons program by several years”, but cautioned, "I don't think Israel can do it alone.".......
Also present at the conference was the former head of Israel's Military Intelligence, General (Ret.) Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash, who agreed that the U.S. Air Force could be far more effective than Israel in striking Iran's nuclear program: "The U.S. can destroy the nuclear capacity, and the war would not be long," he said.
He added, however, that Western intelligence may still not know about all of Iran's nuclear sites. "The Tehran regime doesn't seek suicide," Farkash said. "When they realize we mean business this time, they won't want to lose their regime.""
مغالبة لا مصالحة
"مغالبة فلسطينية وليست مصالحة. أهم "إنجاز" لها أنها تنعى إلينا المقاومة وتجرم أهلها، وتسوق الجميع سوقا إلى طريق الندامة.
كان ذلك أول انطباع خرجت به حين قرأت نص الوثيقة المقترحة للمصالحة وتحقيق الوفاق الوطني الفلسطيني. وهي الوثيقة التي سارع قادة فتح إلى التوقيع عليها، لأسباب يطول شرحها بينها محاولة التغطية على فضيحة طلب تأجيل تقرير غولدستون الذي أدان جرائم إسرائيل في غزة. ثم اعتبروا أي نقد للوثيقة دعوة لاستمرار الخصام. ومن قادة الحركة -صائب عريقات وجبريل الرجوب تحديدا- من أعلن على شاشات التلفزيون أن التحفظ على الوثيقة يعد انحيازا إلى الأجندة الأميركية والإسرائيلية. هكذا مرة واحدة!
.......
التركيز على الانتخابات في الوثيقة لم يرد به التعبير عن إرادة الشعب الفلسطيني، بقدر ما أنه أريد به إقصاء حركة حماس بنفس الطريقة التي جاءت بها, بمعنى إخراجها بالانتخابات مثلما جاءت إلى السلطة بالانتخابات
......
في الوثيقة نص مقلق يجعل من مهام المخابرات العامة الفلسطينية "التعاون المشترك مع أجهزة الدول الصديقة المشابهة لمكافحة أية أعمال تهدد السلم والأمن المشترك"، والقلق نابع من أن هذا الكلام قد يبرر التعاون الأمني مع الاحتلال، الذي يعد صفحة سوداء ينبغي أن تطوى لا أن تبرر، خصوصا أن ذلك التعاون الموجه ضد المقاومة بالدرجة الأولى أصبح إحدى المهام المعترف بها من جانب حكومة رام الله، نبهنا إلى ذلك رئيس الموساد السابق أفرايم هليفي في مقالة نشرتها له صحيفة يديعوت أحرونوت (بتاريخ 25/5/2009) ذكر فيها أن إسرائيل تقوم بإجراء فحص أمني لجميع المنتسبين للأجهزة الأمنية الفلسطينية، التي يشرف على تدريبها الجنرال الأميركي كيت دايتون.
وقال: "إننا" بحاجة إلى سنتين على الأقل لإنشاء عشرة ألوية من قوات السلطة التي يعدها الجنرال دايتون، لتكون نموذجا للفلسطيني الجديد الذي تريده إسرائيل، ويصمم خصيصا للحفاظ على أمنها والتصدي لنشطاء حركة حماس. ثم أضاف أن إسرائيل تبذل جهدا كبيرا لتعزيز حكم رئيس السلطة الفلسطينية بتركيز خاص على الأجهزة الأمنية، التي هي الذراع التي تحمي نظامه. واللافت للنظر أن الجنرال هليفي حذر من الانسياق وراء رغبة أبو مازن في القضاء على حماس، قائلا إنه في هذه الحالة سيظل الرجل معتمدا على قوتين صناعيتين هما إسرائيل والولايات المتحدة، الأمر الذي قد يترتب عليه احتمال فوز حماس في أية انتخابات قادمة، ومن شأن ذلك أن يشكل تحديا خطيرا ومضاعفا أمام إسرائيل والولايات المتحدة.
وخلص من مقالته إلى ضرورة إجراء حوار حقيقي مع حماس، بدلا من صرف الجهد وتبديده في محاولة القضاء عليها، والجري وراء سراب تشكيل الفلسطيني الجديد، لكن من الواضح أن أبو مازن له رأي آخر، تبنته الوثيقة واعتبرته منطلقا للمصالحة ولذلك كانت فتح أول من رحب بها ووقع عليها.
"
كان ذلك أول انطباع خرجت به حين قرأت نص الوثيقة المقترحة للمصالحة وتحقيق الوفاق الوطني الفلسطيني. وهي الوثيقة التي سارع قادة فتح إلى التوقيع عليها، لأسباب يطول شرحها بينها محاولة التغطية على فضيحة طلب تأجيل تقرير غولدستون الذي أدان جرائم إسرائيل في غزة. ثم اعتبروا أي نقد للوثيقة دعوة لاستمرار الخصام. ومن قادة الحركة -صائب عريقات وجبريل الرجوب تحديدا- من أعلن على شاشات التلفزيون أن التحفظ على الوثيقة يعد انحيازا إلى الأجندة الأميركية والإسرائيلية. هكذا مرة واحدة!
.......
التركيز على الانتخابات في الوثيقة لم يرد به التعبير عن إرادة الشعب الفلسطيني، بقدر ما أنه أريد به إقصاء حركة حماس بنفس الطريقة التي جاءت بها, بمعنى إخراجها بالانتخابات مثلما جاءت إلى السلطة بالانتخابات
......
في الوثيقة نص مقلق يجعل من مهام المخابرات العامة الفلسطينية "التعاون المشترك مع أجهزة الدول الصديقة المشابهة لمكافحة أية أعمال تهدد السلم والأمن المشترك"، والقلق نابع من أن هذا الكلام قد يبرر التعاون الأمني مع الاحتلال، الذي يعد صفحة سوداء ينبغي أن تطوى لا أن تبرر، خصوصا أن ذلك التعاون الموجه ضد المقاومة بالدرجة الأولى أصبح إحدى المهام المعترف بها من جانب حكومة رام الله، نبهنا إلى ذلك رئيس الموساد السابق أفرايم هليفي في مقالة نشرتها له صحيفة يديعوت أحرونوت (بتاريخ 25/5/2009) ذكر فيها أن إسرائيل تقوم بإجراء فحص أمني لجميع المنتسبين للأجهزة الأمنية الفلسطينية، التي يشرف على تدريبها الجنرال الأميركي كيت دايتون.
وقال: "إننا" بحاجة إلى سنتين على الأقل لإنشاء عشرة ألوية من قوات السلطة التي يعدها الجنرال دايتون، لتكون نموذجا للفلسطيني الجديد الذي تريده إسرائيل، ويصمم خصيصا للحفاظ على أمنها والتصدي لنشطاء حركة حماس. ثم أضاف أن إسرائيل تبذل جهدا كبيرا لتعزيز حكم رئيس السلطة الفلسطينية بتركيز خاص على الأجهزة الأمنية، التي هي الذراع التي تحمي نظامه. واللافت للنظر أن الجنرال هليفي حذر من الانسياق وراء رغبة أبو مازن في القضاء على حماس، قائلا إنه في هذه الحالة سيظل الرجل معتمدا على قوتين صناعيتين هما إسرائيل والولايات المتحدة، الأمر الذي قد يترتب عليه احتمال فوز حماس في أية انتخابات قادمة، ومن شأن ذلك أن يشكل تحديا خطيرا ومضاعفا أمام إسرائيل والولايات المتحدة.
وخلص من مقالته إلى ضرورة إجراء حوار حقيقي مع حماس، بدلا من صرف الجهد وتبديده في محاولة القضاء عليها، والجري وراء سراب تشكيل الفلسطيني الجديد، لكن من الواضح أن أبو مازن له رأي آخر، تبنته الوثيقة واعتبرته منطلقا للمصالحة ولذلك كانت فتح أول من رحب بها ووقع عليها.
"
Monday, October 19, 2009
Iraqi blood for sale
ISTANBUL, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Iraq expects to sign the final contract with BP (BP.L) and China's CNPC to develop its largest oilfield within three weeks, the first major new oilfield deal since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, an Iraqi official said on Monday.
Iraq's cabinet approved the deal for the super-giant Rumaila oilfield last week [Comment: Is there a bigger joke than the Iraqi cabinet and it's so called sovereignty ? they have as much leverage over Iraq as I do over Botswana], one of several deals near completion that could nearly triple the country's oil output to around 7 million barrels per day (bpd).
The last step in finalising the deal before it is signed and takes effect was for Iraq and the two companies to agree on the exact current output from the field, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Israel spying devices found by UN
Israeli spying devices that were planted during the 2006 war with Hezbollah have been discovered in southern Lebanon, the UN has said.
UN peacekeepers discovered the buried devices when they were blown up by remote control by Israel on Sunday.
Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora accused Israel of blatantly violating the UN Security Council resolution that led to the end of fighting.
Israel has declined to comment directly on the matter.
Mr Siniora said an Israeli plane flying above peacekeepers and Lebanese troops investigating the blasts constituted further violation of the resolution.
CNN Poll: Will Afghanistan turn into another Vietnam?
CNN
"WASHINGTON (CNN) - A slight majority of Americans think that the war in Afghanistan is turning into another Vietnam, according to a new national poll which also indicates that nearly six in 10 oppose sending more U.S. troops to the conflict.
Fifty-two percent of people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Monday say the eight year long conflict has turned into a situation like the U.S. faced in the Vietnam War, with 46 percent disagreeing......"
"WASHINGTON (CNN) - A slight majority of Americans think that the war in Afghanistan is turning into another Vietnam, according to a new national poll which also indicates that nearly six in 10 oppose sending more U.S. troops to the conflict.
Fifty-two percent of people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Monday say the eight year long conflict has turned into a situation like the U.S. faced in the Vietnam War, with 46 percent disagreeing......"
My mission - and motivation
By Richard Goldstone
Jerusalem Post
"Five weeks after the release of the Report of the Fact Finding Mission on Gaza, there has been no attempt by any of its critics to come to grips with its substance. It has been fulsomely approved by those whose interests it is thought to serve and rejected by those of the opposite view. Those who attack it do so too often by making personal attacks on its authors' motives and those who approve it rely on its authors' reputations.
Israeli government spokesmen and those who support them have attacked it in the harshest terms and, in particular my participation, in a most personal and hurtful way. The time has now come for more sober reflection on what the report means and appropriate Israeli reactions to it.
I begin with my own motivation, as a Jew who has supported Israel and its people all my life, for having agreed to head the Gaza mission. Over the past 20 years, I have investigated serious violations of international law in my own country, South Africa, in the former Yugoslavia, in Rwanda and......"
مصر: البابا شنوده يبايع جمال مبارك للرئاسة ويؤكد أن البديل هو المجهول
"القاهرة ـ القدس العربي ـ من حسام أبوطالب ـ فجر البابا شنودة الثالث بطريرك الكنيسة الأرثوذكسية مفاجأة كبيرة حيث أعلن تأييده التام تولي جمال مبارك رئاسة مصر خلفاً لوالده حسني مبارك الذي يتولى مقاليد الحكم للعام الثامن والعشرين على التوالي.
وقد خرج شنوده والوهن على وجهه ينصح المعارضين لمبارك وابنه بأنه ليس في المكان أبدع مماكان وأن جمال هو الكفؤ لتولي مقاليد الأمور خلال المرحلة المقبلة ملقياً بعدد من الأسئلة على المواطنين الذين ينتمون لقوى المعارضة..هل هناك إسم آخر بوسعه أن يرأس مصر.
وقد جدد البابا بيعته لجمال الاثنين في حلقة من برنامج "مانشيت" على قناة أون تي في التي يمتلكها الملياردير القبطي نجيب ساويرس ويقدم البرنامج جابر القرموطي، وقال إن الديمقراطية تسمح لناس كثيرين أن يرشحوا أنفسهم، ولكن في مصر لا يمكن أن تكون الولاية العامة في غير يد الأغلبية، معلقا على ترشح قبطي لرئاسة الجمهورية، بأن هؤلاء الأقباط الذين يرشحون أنفسهم هل لهم الفوز في أن يكونوا مجرد نواب لدائرة هذا أمر مستحيل.
....."
وقد خرج شنوده والوهن على وجهه ينصح المعارضين لمبارك وابنه بأنه ليس في المكان أبدع مماكان وأن جمال هو الكفؤ لتولي مقاليد الأمور خلال المرحلة المقبلة ملقياً بعدد من الأسئلة على المواطنين الذين ينتمون لقوى المعارضة..هل هناك إسم آخر بوسعه أن يرأس مصر.
وقد جدد البابا بيعته لجمال الاثنين في حلقة من برنامج "مانشيت" على قناة أون تي في التي يمتلكها الملياردير القبطي نجيب ساويرس ويقدم البرنامج جابر القرموطي، وقال إن الديمقراطية تسمح لناس كثيرين أن يرشحوا أنفسهم، ولكن في مصر لا يمكن أن تكون الولاية العامة في غير يد الأغلبية، معلقا على ترشح قبطي لرئاسة الجمهورية، بأن هؤلاء الأقباط الذين يرشحون أنفسهم هل لهم الفوز في أن يكونوا مجرد نواب لدائرة هذا أمر مستحيل.
....."
The head of the Coptic Church in Egypt dropped a bombshell today when he announced that he supports the passing of power in Egypt to the son of the Pharaoh, Gamal Mubarak. He said that since a Copt does not have a chance of being elected president, Gamal is the one most qualified for the presidency!
This is going to generate a strong backlash against the Copts in Egypt and deepen the divide already in place. More sectarianism on the way.
The Great Military Strategists of the Arab World
The Hashemite King Inspecting Jordan's Strategic Production of Cookies!
Syrian President Planning the Liberation of the Golan Heights (courtesy of Angry Arab)
Zionism: an Anti-Semite's Dream?
A Tragically Bad and Unsustainable Idea
By JOHN V. WHITBECK
CounterPunch
In a commentary published in the Arab News (Jeddah) on October 17, the British journalist Neil Berry focuses on a reality which is rarely mentioned in polite society: that Zionism is, and has always been, an anti-Semite's dream come true, offering the hope that one's own country's Jews can be induced to leave and move elsewhere......
If Western politicians cared more about the welfare and happiness of individual Jewish human beings than they do about the money and ability to hurt them of a few wealthy and powerful Zionists, most of whom live comfortably and safely far from the Middle East, democracy, equal rights and freedom of choice, all principles to which Western states profess devotion, might actually come to the "Holy Land".
Politicians being what they are, civil society will have to take the lead in delegitimizing Zionism and pointing the way toward a better future for all concerned -- and, like it or not, everyone on this planet is concerned."
By JOHN V. WHITBECK
CounterPunch
In a commentary published in the Arab News (Jeddah) on October 17, the British journalist Neil Berry focuses on a reality which is rarely mentioned in polite society: that Zionism is, and has always been, an anti-Semite's dream come true, offering the hope that one's own country's Jews can be induced to leave and move elsewhere......
If Western politicians cared more about the welfare and happiness of individual Jewish human beings than they do about the money and ability to hurt them of a few wealthy and powerful Zionists, most of whom live comfortably and safely far from the Middle East, democracy, equal rights and freedom of choice, all principles to which Western states profess devotion, might actually come to the "Holy Land".
Politicians being what they are, civil society will have to take the lead in delegitimizing Zionism and pointing the way toward a better future for all concerned -- and, like it or not, everyone on this planet is concerned."
Six Senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commanders Killed in Suicide Bombing, Iran Blames U.S. and Pakistan
Democracy Now!
With Amy Goodman
"Iran’s president is accusing Pakistani agents of involvement in a suicide bombing in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan on Sunday that left at least 42 people dead and injured dozens more. According to state media, one or more suicide bombers targeted a group of Revolutionary Guards leaders who had arranged to meet tribal leaders in the Sunni region close to the Pakistani border. Some other Iranian officials are pointing the finger of blame at the United States. Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said “US action” contributed to the attack......
Speaking to Pepe Escobar, foreign correspondent for the Asia Times who has written extensively about the southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan province in Iran......."
With Amy Goodman
"Iran’s president is accusing Pakistani agents of involvement in a suicide bombing in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan on Sunday that left at least 42 people dead and injured dozens more. According to state media, one or more suicide bombers targeted a group of Revolutionary Guards leaders who had arranged to meet tribal leaders in the Sunni region close to the Pakistani border. Some other Iranian officials are pointing the finger of blame at the United States. Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said “US action” contributed to the attack......
Speaking to Pepe Escobar, foreign correspondent for the Asia Times who has written extensively about the southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan province in Iran......."
Al-Jazeera Video: Inside Story - The Goldstone report - 18 Oct 09
"Despite being heavily criticised by Israel, the Goldstone report on the Gaza war was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council this weekend. Can Palestinians or Israelis meet the recommendations of the report to the satisfaction of the UN or will the international community have to intervene? "
Al-Jazeera Video: Locked in: Life in Gaza - 19 Oct 09 - Part 1
"Munzer al-Dayyeh is a 40-year-old mechanic living in Gaza. And while the effects of war and ongoing siege may be good for his business, he can't manage to secure medical treatment for his disabled children. An insight into an ordinary Gazan man struggling to make a living and to find a solution for his family in the difficulties of the Gaza Strip. "
A Reality Check from the Brink of Extinction
By Chris Hedges
"We can join Bill McKibben on Oct. 24 in nationwide protests over rising carbon emissions. We can cut our consumption of fossil fuels. We can use less water. We can banish plastic bags. We can install compact fluorescent light bulbs. We can compost in our backyard. But unless we dismantle the corporate state, all those actions will be just as ineffective as the Ghost Dance shirts donned by native American warriors to protect themselves from the bullets of white soldiers at Wounded Knee.......
The reason the ecosystem is dying is not because we still have a dryer in our basement. It is because corporations look at everything, from human beings to the natural environment, as exploitable commodities. It is because consumption is the engine of corporate profits. We have allowed the corporate state to sell the environmental crisis as a matter of personal choice when actually there is a need for profound social and economic reform. We are left powerless.
Alexander Herzen, speaking a century ago to a group of Russian anarchists working to topple the czar, reminded his followers that they were not there to rescue the system.
“We think we are the doctors,” Herzen said. “We are the disease.”"
“We think we are the doctors,” Herzen said. “We are the disease.”"
Exciting News....As The Stomach Turns....In the Latest Episode....Hamas Confirms Plans to Join Fatah for Talks in Cairo...Stay Tuned for More Drama...
Al-Manar
"19/10/2009 Hamas politburo Chief Khaled Mashaal has confirmed that the Islamic resistance group will send a delegation to Cairo to take part in reconciliation negotiations with the rival Fatah movement.
In an interview with Palestine Note, Mashaal responded to the "start-and-stop, blurred comments" regarding Hamas' plans for negotiations.
Hamas has over recent weeks declared refusal to take part in talks with Fatah, after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas supported withdrawing a proposal to condemn Goldstone Commission's report on Israel's war in the Gaza Strip....."
"19/10/2009 Hamas politburo Chief Khaled Mashaal has confirmed that the Islamic resistance group will send a delegation to Cairo to take part in reconciliation negotiations with the rival Fatah movement.
In an interview with Palestine Note, Mashaal responded to the "start-and-stop, blurred comments" regarding Hamas' plans for negotiations.
Hamas has over recent weeks declared refusal to take part in talks with Fatah, after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas supported withdrawing a proposal to condemn Goldstone Commission's report on Israel's war in the Gaza Strip....."
Rethinking World War III
Our spooks stopped Bush from bombing Iran, but can they stop Obama?
by Justin Raimondo, October 19, 2009
"In 2007, just as the Bush administration was hyping the alleged "threat" from Iran’s ostensible nuclear ambitions – and facing renewed pressure from the Israel lobby to go after Tehran – the CIA issued a National Intelligence Estimate that punctured the War Party’s balloon. The NIE, which represents the considered opinion of all 16 U.S. intelligence agencies, averred that we knew with "high confidence" Iran had abandoned its nuclear weapons program in 2003 and not restarted it........
by Justin Raimondo, October 19, 2009
"In 2007, just as the Bush administration was hyping the alleged "threat" from Iran’s ostensible nuclear ambitions – and facing renewed pressure from the Israel lobby to go after Tehran – the CIA issued a National Intelligence Estimate that punctured the War Party’s balloon. The NIE, which represents the considered opinion of all 16 U.S. intelligence agencies, averred that we knew with "high confidence" Iran had abandoned its nuclear weapons program in 2003 and not restarted it........
The 2007 NIE delivered a body blow to the War Party from which it is only now beginning to recover. However, the fight to avert World War III – surely the result of an attack on Iran – is very far from over. The election of Barack Obama, and the vanquishing of the more explicit wing of the War Party, just means the battle will be fought on different terrain. Already Obama is facing challenges from within his own party, as well as the neocon Right, to prove his "toughness." Whether he chooses the proving ground of Afghanistan to establish his bona fides as commander in chief or opts to keep his powder dry until it’s time to go after Iran is a toss-up, at the moment. What we can count on, however, is that the groundwork for a confrontation with Iran has already been laid. "
US, UK behind attack on Guards, claims Iran
By Reza Derakhsi in Tehran
The Independent
"Iran's armed forces yesterday accused the United States and Britain of involvement in a suicide attack which killed five elite Revolutionary Guard leaders, the semi-official Iranian Fars News Agency reported. The military headquarters blamed the bombing on "terrorists" backed by "the Great Satan America and its ally Britain".
A statement added: "Not in the distant future we [Iran] will take revenge," Fars said. In Washington, a State Department spokesman, Ian Kelly, said the United States condemned what he called an "act of terrorism". Reports of alleged US involvement were "completely false," he said.
As well as the five senior Guard commanders killed, at least 26 other people were wounded in the attack in an area of south-eastern Iran that has been at the centre of a simmering Sunni insurgency. The official IRNA news agency said the dead included the deputy commander of the Guard's ground force, General Noor Ali Shooshtari, as well as a chief provincial Guard commander for the area, Rajab Ali Mohammadzadeh......"
The Independent
"Iran's armed forces yesterday accused the United States and Britain of involvement in a suicide attack which killed five elite Revolutionary Guard leaders, the semi-official Iranian Fars News Agency reported. The military headquarters blamed the bombing on "terrorists" backed by "the Great Satan America and its ally Britain".
A statement added: "Not in the distant future we [Iran] will take revenge," Fars said. In Washington, a State Department spokesman, Ian Kelly, said the United States condemned what he called an "act of terrorism". Reports of alleged US involvement were "completely false," he said.
As well as the five senior Guard commanders killed, at least 26 other people were wounded in the attack in an area of south-eastern Iran that has been at the centre of a simmering Sunni insurgency. The official IRNA news agency said the dead included the deputy commander of the Guard's ground force, General Noor Ali Shooshtari, as well as a chief provincial Guard commander for the area, Rajab Ali Mohammadzadeh......"
Obama's mettle is about to be tested
As the Middle East slides towards renewed conflict, the president has to revitalise US efforts for a peace – or face humiliation
Simon Tisdall
The Guardian, Monday 19 October 2009
"It's getting harder each day for the Obama administration to maintain the illusion of progress in Middle East peacemaking. The UN human rights council's vote to condemn January's Israeli assault on Gaza, furiously rejected by the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, at the weekend, was the latest blow to US efforts to kickstart negotiations on a two-state solution. Across the region, all the signs point not to reconciliation, but to renewed confrontation. As Washington talks about talks, the Arab world mutters ominously about the prospect of a third intifada......."
Simon Tisdall
The Guardian, Monday 19 October 2009
"It's getting harder each day for the Obama administration to maintain the illusion of progress in Middle East peacemaking. The UN human rights council's vote to condemn January's Israeli assault on Gaza, furiously rejected by the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, at the weekend, was the latest blow to US efforts to kickstart negotiations on a two-state solution. Across the region, all the signs point not to reconciliation, but to renewed confrontation. As Washington talks about talks, the Arab world mutters ominously about the prospect of a third intifada......."
Israel pulls textbook over 'ethnic cleansing' reference
ISRAEL'S Education Ministry has recalled all copies of a history textbook because of a passage alleging "ethnic cleansing" of Palestinians during the 1948 war, a newspaper reported.
Israel's Haaretz newspaper said the secondary school textbook was removed from shelves because it sought to present both Israeli and Arab perspectives on the departure of some 750,000 Palestinians during the fighting that erupted after the creation of the Jewish state.
The Palestinians have always said they were violently expelled by Jewish forces while Israel has maintained they were ordered to flee by invading Arab states or alarmed by inflammatory Arab radio reports.
The fate of the refugees and their descendants, who now number some 4.6 million and are scattered across the region, has been one of the most divisive issues in the decades-old Middle East conflict.
The textbook in question, for 11th and 12th graders, contained both versions of the events side-by-side, but according to Haaretz the ministry took issue with the Palestinian version. It quoted the passage in question as saying: "The Palestinians and the Arab countries contended that most of the refugees were civilians who were attacked and expelled from their homes by armed Jewish forces, which instituted a policy of ethnic cleansing".
Haaretz said the textbooks would be reissued after "corrections" are made.
The Australian
Israel's Haaretz newspaper said the secondary school textbook was removed from shelves because it sought to present both Israeli and Arab perspectives on the departure of some 750,000 Palestinians during the fighting that erupted after the creation of the Jewish state.
The Palestinians have always said they were violently expelled by Jewish forces while Israel has maintained they were ordered to flee by invading Arab states or alarmed by inflammatory Arab radio reports.
The fate of the refugees and their descendants, who now number some 4.6 million and are scattered across the region, has been one of the most divisive issues in the decades-old Middle East conflict.
The textbook in question, for 11th and 12th graders, contained both versions of the events side-by-side, but according to Haaretz the ministry took issue with the Palestinian version. It quoted the passage in question as saying: "The Palestinians and the Arab countries contended that most of the refugees were civilians who were attacked and expelled from their homes by armed Jewish forces, which instituted a policy of ethnic cleansing".
Haaretz said the textbooks would be reissued after "corrections" are made.
The Australian
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Al-Jazeera Video: Iran guard commanders targeted in co-ordinated attacks - 18 Oct 09
"At least 11 commanders of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps have been killed and dozens of others injured in a suicide attack near the nation's southeastern frontier with Pakistan.
The attack marks an escalation in hostilities between Iran's leadership and the Baluchis, one of the nation's many disgruntled ethnic and religious minorities.
Nazanine Moshiri has this report. "
War next door creates havoc in Pakistan
By ERIC MARGOLIS
Toronto Sun
"Pakistan, increasingly destabilized by the U.S.-led war in neighbouring Afghanistan, is getting closer to blowing apart.
Bombings and shootings have rocked this nation of 167 million, including a brazen attack on army HQ in Rawalpindi and a massive bombing of Peshawar's exotic Khyber Bazaar.
Pakistan's army is readying a major offensive against rebellious Pashtun tribes in South Waziristan. Meanwhile, the feeble, deeply unpopular U.S.-installed government in Islamabad faces an increasingly rancorous confrontation with the military.
Like the proverbial bull in the china shop, the Obama administration and U.S. Congress chose this explosive time to try to impose yet another layer of American control over Pakistan as Nobel Peace Prize winner Obama appears about to send thousands more U.S. troops to Afghanistan.
Tragically, U.S. policy in the Muslim world continues to be driven by imperial arrogance, profound ignorance, and special interest groups......
The possibility of a military coup against the discredited Zardari regime grows. But Pakistan is dependent on U.S. money, and fears India. Can its generals afford to break with patron Washington?"
Toronto Sun
"Pakistan, increasingly destabilized by the U.S.-led war in neighbouring Afghanistan, is getting closer to blowing apart.
Bombings and shootings have rocked this nation of 167 million, including a brazen attack on army HQ in Rawalpindi and a massive bombing of Peshawar's exotic Khyber Bazaar.
Pakistan's army is readying a major offensive against rebellious Pashtun tribes in South Waziristan. Meanwhile, the feeble, deeply unpopular U.S.-installed government in Islamabad faces an increasingly rancorous confrontation with the military.
Like the proverbial bull in the china shop, the Obama administration and U.S. Congress chose this explosive time to try to impose yet another layer of American control over Pakistan as Nobel Peace Prize winner Obama appears about to send thousands more U.S. troops to Afghanistan.
Tragically, U.S. policy in the Muslim world continues to be driven by imperial arrogance, profound ignorance, and special interest groups......
The possibility of a military coup against the discredited Zardari regime grows. But Pakistan is dependent on U.S. money, and fears India. Can its generals afford to break with patron Washington?"
Family who lost 29 members in Gaza war: We envy the dead
By Amira Hass
"Richard Goldstone visited the Gaza City neighborhood of Zaytoun in late June to tour the compound of the extended Samouni family, the subject of coverage here in recent weeks ("'I fed him like a baby bird,'" September 17; "Death in the Samouni compound," September 25). Twenty-nine members of the family, all of them civilians, were killed in the Israel Defense Force's winter assault - 21 during the shelling of a house where IDF soldiers had gathered some 100 members of the family a day earlier......
Salah Samouni, during the telephone conversation, said: "I asked [Richard] Goldstone to find out just one thing: Why did the army do this to us? Why did they take us out of the house one at a time, and the officer who spoke Hebrew with my father verified that we were all civilians - [so] why did they then shell us, kill us? This is what we want to know."
He feels that Goldstone, in his report, lent the victims a voice. He did not expound on his frustration upon learning that the debate on the report had been postponed, but sought a way to describe how he feels nine months after the fact. "We feel [we are] in an exile, even though we are in our homeland, on our land. We sit and envy the dead. They are the ones who are at rest." "
Nukes aside, the real problem with Iran
By Alastair Crooke
Conflicts Forum
Conflicts Forum
"The country is emerging as a regional power. Is the West ready for that?
It was pure drama: The leaders of the United States, Britain, and France stepped onto the stage at the Pittsburgh Group of 20 meeting last week to unveil Western intelligence that showed that Iran had a second nuclear fuel enrichment facility under construction, which Iran had declared to the International Atomic Energy Agency the preceding Monday.
The Western leaders gathered in Pittsburgh implied that their revelation was just as devastating for Iran as a credible player.
US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates subsequently pronounced Iran to be “boxed in” and “in a very bad spot now.” But anyone who listened to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s interview with Time magazine’s correspondent on the day of the presentation, and to subsequent Iranian statements, can gather that Iran, at least, does not see itself as boxed in.....
For the US to elevate the nuclear issue to an ultimatum, while ignoring the new strategic reality of a powerful Iran, is, as Ahmadinejad hinted, a course of action that Obama, in time to come, may regret. The Pittsburgh theatrics may prove to have been short-sighted."
The Western leaders gathered in Pittsburgh implied that their revelation was just as devastating for Iran as a credible player.
US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates subsequently pronounced Iran to be “boxed in” and “in a very bad spot now.” But anyone who listened to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s interview with Time magazine’s correspondent on the day of the presentation, and to subsequent Iranian statements, can gather that Iran, at least, does not see itself as boxed in.....
For the US to elevate the nuclear issue to an ultimatum, while ignoring the new strategic reality of a powerful Iran, is, as Ahmadinejad hinted, a course of action that Obama, in time to come, may regret. The Pittsburgh theatrics may prove to have been short-sighted."
Gaza Humanitarian Convoy Still Stuck In Egypt
"A Humanitarian aid convoy sent by different groups in several parts of Europe is still stuck in Bour Sa’id Egyptian port as the Egyptian Authorities are not allowing the convoy to enter Egypt on its way to the Rafah terminal.
Dozens of activities from France, Belgium, German and the Britain arrived in Egypt several days ago in order to be part of the ‘Miles of Smiles’ convoy.
Convoy organizers were holding talks with the Egyptian Authorities to ensure the aid makes it into Gaza.
Jamal Al Nunu, representative of the Arab-German Society said that the organizers were surprised when the Egyptian Authorities told them that they should move their aid convoy from Bour Sa’id to Al Arish port instead of Rafah port. Al Nunu said that the activists considered this decision as blackmail or an unrealistic condition made by the Egyptian Authorities to obstruct the aid from reaching Gaza.
He added that the humanitarian aid is loaded onto 60 trucks and that moving everything from Bour Sa’id to Al Arish requires weeks. The trucks are loaded with hundreds of power chairs, and minibuses for transporting students with special needs.
The aid convoy was organized by a ‘Partners for Peace and Development’ British foundation in cooperation with the International Committee to Break the Siege headed by the former Lebanese Prime Minister, Dr. Salim Al Huss."
Dozens of activities from France, Belgium, German and the Britain arrived in Egypt several days ago in order to be part of the ‘Miles of Smiles’ convoy.
Convoy organizers were holding talks with the Egyptian Authorities to ensure the aid makes it into Gaza.
Jamal Al Nunu, representative of the Arab-German Society said that the organizers were surprised when the Egyptian Authorities told them that they should move their aid convoy from Bour Sa’id to Al Arish port instead of Rafah port. Al Nunu said that the activists considered this decision as blackmail or an unrealistic condition made by the Egyptian Authorities to obstruct the aid from reaching Gaza.
He added that the humanitarian aid is loaded onto 60 trucks and that moving everything from Bour Sa’id to Al Arish requires weeks. The trucks are loaded with hundreds of power chairs, and minibuses for transporting students with special needs.
The aid convoy was organized by a ‘Partners for Peace and Development’ British foundation in cooperation with the International Committee to Break the Siege headed by the former Lebanese Prime Minister, Dr. Salim Al Huss."
Great News: The Pharaoh Seeks "the Best Interests of the Palestinian People."...Now I Feel So Much Better.
Egypt: “Reconciliation Document For Signing, Not For Negotiations”
"The Egyptian Foreign Ministry [headed by Break-Their-Legs-Abul-Gheit] stated that the Palestinian reconciliation document is ready for signing by Palestinians factions, and that it is not meant for further negotiations and rounds of talks.
Husam Zaki, spokesperson of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that there is no more for talks and further meetings, and that this document came as an outcome of consecutive rounds of talks.
‘The document is now ready for signing, each Palestinian faction needs to make a historic decision and sign it”, Zaki added, “This is for the best interests of the Palestinian people”.
Ayman Taha, one of the political leaders of Hamas movement, told the Ramattan news agency that Hamas delegates decided to delay their visit to Cairo as the Egyptian Intelligence Chief, Omar Suleiman, is not in Egypt, and that talks are ongoing to set another date."
"The Egyptian Foreign Ministry [headed by Break-Their-Legs-Abul-Gheit] stated that the Palestinian reconciliation document is ready for signing by Palestinians factions, and that it is not meant for further negotiations and rounds of talks.
Husam Zaki, spokesperson of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that there is no more for talks and further meetings, and that this document came as an outcome of consecutive rounds of talks.
‘The document is now ready for signing, each Palestinian faction needs to make a historic decision and sign it”, Zaki added, “This is for the best interests of the Palestinian people”.
Ayman Taha, one of the political leaders of Hamas movement, told the Ramattan news agency that Hamas delegates decided to delay their visit to Cairo as the Egyptian Intelligence Chief, Omar Suleiman, is not in Egypt, and that talks are ongoing to set another date."
U.S. Diplomatic Adviser's Troubling Role in Oil Politics
Analysis by Helena Cobban
"WASHINGTON, Oct 17 (IPS) - In 2003, U.S. diplomatist Peter Galbraith resigned at the end of a distinguished, 24-year government career. Over the years that followed, he worked as a contract-based adviser to leaders in Iraq's Kurdish community, while also arguing passionately in public media that Iraq's Kurds should be given maximum independence from Baghdad - including full control over any new sources of oil.
But in June 2004, more quietly, Galbraith also established a small, U.S.-registered company, Porcupine, that held a five percent stake in a newly exploited oilfield in Iraqi Kurdistan, a Norwegian daily revealed last Saturday......."
"WASHINGTON, Oct 17 (IPS) - In 2003, U.S. diplomatist Peter Galbraith resigned at the end of a distinguished, 24-year government career. Over the years that followed, he worked as a contract-based adviser to leaders in Iraq's Kurdish community, while also arguing passionately in public media that Iraq's Kurds should be given maximum independence from Baghdad - including full control over any new sources of oil.
But in June 2004, more quietly, Galbraith also established a small, U.S.-registered company, Porcupine, that held a five percent stake in a newly exploited oilfield in Iraqi Kurdistan, a Norwegian daily revealed last Saturday......."
Blair for President? 'Not necessarily a good idea,' says his former adviser
And polls throughout Europe – and 38,000 petition signatories – agree. Jane Merrick reports on the gathering momentum to stop the former PM
The Independent
".....Sir Stephen Wall – one of the key architects of the post of EU president – said a high-profile figure such as Mr Blair was "not necessarily a very good idea" and cast doubt on his ability to build consensus among EU leaders. A figure from a smaller state would send a "unifying signal", he added.
The surprise intervention came amid growing signs that a President Blair would not be welcomed by ordinary citizens of Europe, despite their leaders showing support.....
Research by The Independent on Sunday suggests a democratic discrepancy between voters and national leaders – who wield the votes for the new president. The findings are supported by a European-wide petition to stop Mr Blair taking the post, which comes with a string of perks. Nearly 38,000 people have signed the petition, yet he remains a favourite with bookmakers and with a growing number of EU leaders.
After the IoS asked readers' opinions last week, hundreds responded – and those saying No to Mr Blair outnumbered Yes by 20 to 1. His role in the Iraq war was the main complaint.....
Comments from readers and petitioners suggest that Mr Blair appears to have misjudged the public anger that still exists over Iraq. Last night sources close to the former prime minister claimed he remained focused on his job as Middle East envoy and was "really enjoying his new life"......."
The Independent
".....Sir Stephen Wall – one of the key architects of the post of EU president – said a high-profile figure such as Mr Blair was "not necessarily a very good idea" and cast doubt on his ability to build consensus among EU leaders. A figure from a smaller state would send a "unifying signal", he added.
The surprise intervention came amid growing signs that a President Blair would not be welcomed by ordinary citizens of Europe, despite their leaders showing support.....
Research by The Independent on Sunday suggests a democratic discrepancy between voters and national leaders – who wield the votes for the new president. The findings are supported by a European-wide petition to stop Mr Blair taking the post, which comes with a string of perks. Nearly 38,000 people have signed the petition, yet he remains a favourite with bookmakers and with a growing number of EU leaders.
After the IoS asked readers' opinions last week, hundreds responded – and those saying No to Mr Blair outnumbered Yes by 20 to 1. His role in the Iraq war was the main complaint.....
Comments from readers and petitioners suggest that Mr Blair appears to have misjudged the public anger that still exists over Iraq. Last night sources close to the former prime minister claimed he remained focused on his job as Middle East envoy and was "really enjoying his new life"......."
And As the Stomach Turns.....Hamas Delays Response to Inter-Palestinian Deal....Stay Tuned for This Riveting Soap!
Al-Manar
"18/10/2009 Hamas has delayed sending a delegation to Cairo to give its response to an Egyptian-proposed Palestinian reconciliation deal, a senior official in the resistance group said on Sunday. The Hamas delegation was to travel to Cairo on Sunday, but Ayman Taha said the trip has been delayed indefinitely.
"Hamas has postponed sending its delegation to Egypt because General Omar Suleiman is not in Cairo," he said, referring to the Egyptian intelligence chief who has been brokering efforts to reconcile Hamas with Fatah.
"Communication between Egypt and Hamas continues," Taha said, without specifying when the delegation would travel to Cairo.
Hamas has not said what its response will be to the Egyptian unity proposal.
Meanwhile, Abbas's approval rating has plunged according to a poll by the Jerusalem Media and Communications Centre (JMCC).
Palestinian confidence in Abbas has dropped to 12.1 percent compared to 17.8 percent in June, according to the poll.
Abbas's decision earlier this month to support postponing the consideration of a damning report on Israeli crimes in the Gaza war in the UN Human Rights Council sparked outrage across Palestinian society, especially from Hamas, which accused him of betraying the victims of the three-week onslaught at the turn of the year."
"18/10/2009 Hamas has delayed sending a delegation to Cairo to give its response to an Egyptian-proposed Palestinian reconciliation deal, a senior official in the resistance group said on Sunday. The Hamas delegation was to travel to Cairo on Sunday, but Ayman Taha said the trip has been delayed indefinitely.
"Hamas has postponed sending its delegation to Egypt because General Omar Suleiman is not in Cairo," he said, referring to the Egyptian intelligence chief who has been brokering efforts to reconcile Hamas with Fatah.
"Communication between Egypt and Hamas continues," Taha said, without specifying when the delegation would travel to Cairo.
Hamas has not said what its response will be to the Egyptian unity proposal.
Meanwhile, Abbas's approval rating has plunged according to a poll by the Jerusalem Media and Communications Centre (JMCC).
Palestinian confidence in Abbas has dropped to 12.1 percent compared to 17.8 percent in June, according to the poll.
Abbas's decision earlier this month to support postponing the consideration of a damning report on Israeli crimes in the Gaza war in the UN Human Rights Council sparked outrage across Palestinian society, especially from Hamas, which accused him of betraying the victims of the three-week onslaught at the turn of the year."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)