[Quqnoos] Afghan security officials Monday in Kabul acknowledged a complete preparation maintaining security for the upcoming international conference
Kabul security organizations in collaboration with International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) have strict plans on hand to find the potential providing a better security for the Kabul International Conference which is due to July 20.
Urging the people to assist the police and other security organizations bringing sufficient security, deputy commander of Kabul police said, "Apart from all, the Kabul police urge people's partnership. All the achievements gained by the Kabul police are with a direct involvement of people.
"A security planning for the upcoming conference has begun and the Afghan National Army and police would use all capacity and capability to maintain a better security for the event," said commander of Kabul Corps 111 Gen. Qadamshah.
The Kabul Conference is a follow up of London Conference held in January where the international community renewed support to Afghan government and strengthening Afghan national security forces.
The remarks come as Taliban militants attacked the National Consultative Peace jirga on June 2 in Kabul, where some 1,600 people including tribal elders, lawmakers and government officials gathered to discuss and explore a permanent solution to Afghanistan's challenges.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/15/2010 00:00 ||
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[Maghrebia] The African Union (AU) is finalising a "model law" prohibiting all forms of ransom payments to terrorist groups, APS reported on Sunday (June 13th). The proposed legislation will be written in such as way as to enable member countries "to incorporate its provisions into national law", AU Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra said Sunday at the African Centre for Studies and Research on Terrorism (CAERT) in Algiers.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/15/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
The proposed legislation will be written in such as way as to enable member countries "to incorporate its provisions into national law",
Yes, feel free to copy the text and then simply add your mark. "Ransom payments" ....quite easy to define. "Terrorists".... not so much. Could be your uncle Lolo you're talking about.
[Iran Press TV Latest] Former Cuban President Fidel Castro's commentary comparing Israeli treatment of Palestinians to the Nazi extermination of Jews has infuriated the Tel Aviv regime.
Castro observed in one of his recent articles that the current treatment of Palestinians by the Tel Aviv regime was reminiscent of Israel sending Palestinian masses to the crematoria, where millions of Jews have been reported exterminated by German Nazis.
"It would seem that the Fuehrer's (Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's) swastika is today Israel's banner," he added, Reuters reported.
Israel claimed that Castro's views were cited by Cuba's diplomatic mission in Geneva amid debate in the United Nations Human Rights Council on Israeli action in the occupied territories.
"With these outrageous comments, Fidel Castro shames his old-time companions and the ideals he always pretended to serve. Che Guevara must be spinning in his grave," claimed Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor.
The ex-Cuban leader, who wrote the article after the recent deadly Israeli attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla aid convoy in international waters, had also condemned the assault.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/15/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
Because the Israelis, like the Nazis, lined up dissidents against the wall and executed them. No, wait.
Posted by: ed ||
06/15/2010 1:12 Comments ||
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#2
This is sad in a way---El Supremo reduced to parroting Euro "intellectuals".
#3
"With these outrageous comments, Fidel Castro shames his old-time companions and the ideals he always pretended to serve. Che Guevara must be spinning in his grave," claimed Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor.
UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - North Korea's UN ambassador warned Tuesday that his country would respond militarily to any UN Security Council condemnation over the sinking of a South Korean warship which Seoul blamed on Pyongyang.
"We don't want the Security Council to take measures provoking us," Sin Son Ho told reporters.
He warned that if the 15-member council took action against Pyongyang, "follow-up measures will be carried out by our military forces."
#5
North Korea and Iran - a "pas de deux"? Both jockeying for a strike and almost in step. Erie, but only one of them matters. Destination over origin takes precedent.
#7
I'm interpreting this News as meaning KIMMIE = DPRK will proceed forthwith wid FULL-SCALE ENERGY + WEAPS NUCPROG.
After all, KIMMIE > iff the DPRK is a SOVEREIGN/INDEPENDENT COUNTRY [read, NOT BEIJING
= "CHINA"], + ISRAEL + PAKISTAN CAN HAVE SIZABLE OR POTENT NUCLEAR ARSENALS, WHY NOT NORTH KOREA [Iran]???
#8
CHIN MIL FORUM POSTERS > remind that back in Year 1999-2000, SOUTH KOREA = SEOUL GOVT. said it would cost SK up to US$1.0TRILYUHN to revitalize NORTH KOREA upon any Reunification = new Inter-Korean merger, a sum which in Year 2010 is prob closer to US$2.0TRILYUHN iff not more.
POSTER = also argues that a RE-UNIFIED KOREA may prove to be a BIGGER PROB/HEADACHE, ESPEC FOR CHINA, THAN POST-1975 UNIFIED VIETNAM HAS BEEN [Sino-Viet War, post-9-11 new Pro-US/Western Rapprochement]???
D *** NG IT, DATS NOT HOW BEIJING LIKES ITS KIMCHEE!
The UN Security Council started discussion on Monday afternoon about the sinking of the South Korean Navy corvette Cheonan. The UNSC expects to hear South and North Korean views about the incident.
It's a non-story. Of course they'll hear both sides. Then they'll do nothing.
South Korea's investigation team led by Yoon Duk-yong, an honorary professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, will say that the North sank the warship in clear violation of the UN Charter and the armistice agreement that ended the Korean War in 1953 and show footage of the Navy salvaging a North Korean torpedo propulsion device discovered on the seabed near where the Cheonan sank.
Investigators will stress that all members of the international inquiry team from the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and Sweden agreed that chemical substances found in the propulsion shaft and the shipwreck were identical.
Earlier, the North asked Mexico, the current chair of the UNSC, for an opportunity to explain its position. According to a diplomatic source, the UNSC agreed to give the North a chance before it makes its decision.
Posted by: Steve White ||
06/15/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
ION WMF > WAR COMING? LARGE NUMBERS OF PLA TROOPS, MIL EQUIPMENT DEPLOYED TO READINESS LOADING STATIONS/DEPOTS.
[Kyodo: Korea] North Korea"s military reiterated a warning on Saturday that it will ""blow up"" the loudspeakers that Seoul has set up along the demilitarized border for psychological warfare amid heightened tensions following the sinking of a South Korean warship last March. The General Staff of North Korean Army, in a ""crucial declaration"" carried by the North"s official Korean Central News Agency, said Pyongyang will retaliate ""with an all-out military strike"" and turn Seoul into a ""sea of flames"" if South Korea resumes psychological warfare by using the border loudspeakers.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/15/2010 00:00 ||
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[Kyodo: Korea] North Korea has told China it will ""severely punish"" those responsible for the fatal shooting of three Chinese people in a border area last week, China"s Xinhua News Agency reported Thursday. The North"s border defense authorities said they will ""further investigate the incident and prevent such things from happening again,"" Xinhua said in a dispatch from Shenyang, quoting a statement issued by the Liaoning provincial government in northeastern China.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/15/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
Looks like they still kowtow to China in a big way.
#2
ION CINA WMF > SETTING UP A REGIONAL ECON TRADE ZONE [EEZ-SEZ] FOR DISPUTED OKINAWA + DAOYUS ISLANDS IS THE ONLY REALISTIC WAY FOR CHINA + NORTH EAST ASIA TO SETTLE CLAIMS OF SOVEREIGNTY, REDUCE REGIONAL GEOPOL TENSIONS SHORT OF ALL-OUT WAR. OKINAWA/RYUKYUS ISLANDS WERE AN INDEPENDENT [read, AUTONOMOUS] CHINESE PROTECTORATE/VASSAL STATE SINCE THE QING DYNASTY, + BASE OF THE OKINAWA/RYUKYUS TRENCH IS AN EXTENSION OF MAINLAND CHINA'S UNDERSEA SHELF UP TO 200 NAUTICAL MILES BEYOND THE MERIDIAN LINE WID JAPAN.
ARTIC > TRADEOFF OF MARITIME AREAS is fair exchange for China's histor loss or approxi 5.0MILYUHN SQUARE KILOMETERS SOVEREIGN TERRITORY to foreign states in modern times???
US President Barack Obama puts the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico on par with the September 11 terrorist incident, saying the oil leak "echoes 9/11."
Taking part in an interview with POLITICO, Obama said both tragic incidents exposed our vulnerabilities.
"In the same way that our view of our vulnerabilities and our foreign policy was shaped profoundly by 9/11," Obama added in an Oval Office interview, reported USA TODAY on Monday.
"I think this disaster is going to shape how we think about the environment and energy for many years to come."
Obama told POLITICO that he'll make a "bold" push for a new energy law to cut US dependence on fossil fuel and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"Now is the time for us to start making that transition and investing in a new way of doing business when it comes to energy," Obama boasted.
He also claimed that learning from the vast environmental disaster was among his "biggest leadership challenges." Obama, however, did not offer meaningful details on his new energy policy or what he has learned from the disaster.
BP has come under pressure to adopt measures to compensate victims for the loss its oil operation has inflicted on the people and environment of the disaster area.
Obama is on his way to the region for a fourth time to assess the disaster and make himself ready for his first Oval Office speech Tuesday night on the crisis.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/15/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
More Bull Shit by Barry.
Posted by: Dave UK ||
06/15/2010 0:21 Comments ||
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#2
Hopefully, Barry (being Barry) will compare midterm elections to Holocaust.
#4
Well, I'm sure this affected him more than 9/11.
Posted by: ed ||
06/15/2010 1:03 Comments ||
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#5
A deliberate act of war that kills 3,000 people. An engineering and management ****-up that kills 11. Yeah, I can see how he could get those confused.
#8
Lest we fergit, GUARDIAN.UK [old] > US MILITARY WARNS OIL OUTPUT MAY DIP CAUSING MASSIVE SHORTAGES BY 2015.
D *** NG IT, MORIARITY, ITS ONLY FIVE MORE YEARS, LETS KEEP THAT OIL A'GUSHIN', A"WASTIN', + A'SPREADIN' OUT OF DAT DAR GULF OF MAHICO JUST BECAUSE WE CAN!
#10
A leaking southern border and a economically dying California would have been much more appropriate analogies. I reckon he never thought of those. Mr. Soetoro will be quick to claim credit when BP stops the leak. We can all count on that. The real 'crisis' is all of that vacation time piling up and Michelle having to cope with so many white people in that stuffy old White House. Thankfully, there's still golf.
#14
He's been doing his best to fuc& things up by not suspending the Jones Act or whatever that is and to not do anything to keep the oil off our shores.
He's not getting as much out of it as he wanted, but he's going to try to milk this man-caused cow for what he can: A misguided energy policy.
#16
allafrica.com/stories/201003080432.html
Golf: Put Bazza's name down for the next year's tourney, travel economy only, extremely light, profiled or not, now that would be a disaster.
...(As an aside, the golf-course in '74 was 9 holes, the 'greens' were sand soaked in Diesel, to be smoothed over after putting for the next wallahs. Oh, and don't forget the semi- auto shot.gun and high velocity rifle if the animals think it's feeding time.
#17
He is so trying to make this his historic moment, his legacy, his leadership moment...it is all about him.
I read in our local paper this morning that the clean up effort along the Gulf coast is slow because:
1. OSHA requires all this protective garb and equipment for workers on the beach to clean up the tar balls.
2. We don't make anything anymore and most of the cleanup stuff comes from China or somewhere else--it is not readily available here. It is slow arriving.
Of course if this had all been taken care of 4 weeks ago it could all be there by now. If it was done 6 weeks ago...8 weeks ago...but you know don't let the real world get in the way.
9/11 was a group of covert ops years in the training. The Horizon was out in the open moving slower than a hurricane. He could figure out in less than 3 weeks how to bailout big business and Wall Street, but this is complicated.
#21
It seems likely to me that the tar balls are from another source. The brown oil, which seems to be partially emulsified through the use of dispersants, comes from the BP well.
Reminds me of the event a few years back when a tanker of molasses overturned on the highway. Everything was cordoned off until the guys in the moon suits could get their act together.
A nonprofit group says that up to 90 percent of young Philadelphians are ineligible for military service because of criminal records, obesity or lack of education.
Pennsylvania-based Mission: Readiness released its report Monday. It says 1 million Pennsylvanians are ineligible for the same reasons. The report says 145,000 Philadelphians ages 18 to 24 cannot meet the military's medical, moral and mental standards.
Mission: Readiness is made up of more than 150 retired generals and admirals. The group wants state and federal funding for pre-kindergarten programs that it says give children a solid foundation for academic and personal success.
Nationally, the Department of Defense estimates that 75 percent of young adults are disqualified from military service.
Posted by: Steve White ||
06/15/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
can't wait til they checkout Detroit... (sarc/off)
#7
Nationally, the Department of Defense estimates that 75 percent of young adults are disqualified from military service.
Precisely why a draft will not work and why the <25% are getting the job done, even if they cannot chamber a round on patrol!Either lead, follow, or get out of the way.
#8
A nonprofit group says that up to 90 percent of young Philadelphians are ineligible for military service because of criminal records, obesity or lack of education.
This survey was conducted at Lincoln Financial Field during an Eagles game.
Posted by: regular joe ||
06/15/2010 16:21 Comments ||
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#9
#7 Nationally, the Department of Defense estimates that 75 percent of young adults are disqualified from military service.
That still leaves a whopping 25% from which the volunteering 5% of the total population will evolve and proudly serve. Patriotism is not found in numbers, statistics, or cities, but in attitude. I salute the Spartans. I salute the 5%.
#10
A draft, and military service the old-fashioned way, would help solve all three of those deficiencies. But of course we can't even REALLY enforce discipline in the military any more.
#13
"But of course we can't even REALLY enforce discipline in the military any more."
Pray tell, why not? What is the parameters of "really" enforcing discipline? I imagine corporal punishment and such as the typical arguments. But there are plenty of other tricks in the books.
#2
U.C.I. is not an engineering school. It is part of the University of California system. Medical School, Law School, Liberal Arts and the whole "sheebang." Up to now it has been particularly helpful in catering to the needs of Jew and Israel-haters. Wonder what happened.
#3
@ #2 Sgt.D.T.
I think the muzzi student union finally painted themselves into a corner. Over several years they have been very violent and open about their radicalism on campus.
Finally the mealy mouth chickensh!t UCI Administration was forced to act.
The muzzies had crossed the line one too many times.
(surprise) [sarc]
Posted by: Mike Hunt ||
06/15/2010 12:57 Comments ||
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#4
I don't care for the term "muzzie", as it's overly broad and includes Muslims who are NOT jihadist dickweeds.
[Geo News] A delegation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement(MQM) met President Asif Ali Zardari at Bilawal House here Monday and discussed matters relating to sectarian killing, development in the province and implementations of decisions of Core Committee and KESC tariff.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat ul Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Interior Minister Rehman Malik were present on the occasion.
Federal Ministers Dr Farooq Sattar was leading the delegation which included Babar Khan Ghauri, provincial ministers, Dr Ahmed Saghir, Adil Siddiqui and Waseem Aftab. Talking to media after the meeting, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that President Asif Ali Zardari has said that he wants peace in the city at all cost. The President said that everybody wants peace in Karachi which is the economic hub of Pakistan.
Malik said that there was a consensus in the meeting that peace should be maintained at every cost in Karachi.
"President Zardari and myself had talked to MQM chief Altaf Hussain over the target killing in Karachi and we have decided to take severe action against the culprits", he maintained.
We want peace in Karachi and whosoever, is involved in target killings will be arrested and taken to task. There is "zero tolerance" for criminals and anti-social elements.
He said that the government was tightening the noose around culprits and warned them to refrain from killing innocent people. This is not a mere threat, he noted.
He said the government has finalised its strategy to deal with criminals and terrorists.
He also warned banned groups to refrain from organising rallies or resorting to open advertising. Their activities will be banned, even if they are operating under the garb of new names, he opined.
Giving details of his meeting with the Chief Minister Sindh this morning, Interior Minister said that a fact finding committee has been constituted under Inspector General Police to gather information about target killings.
He said that SHO of the area has been directed to compile data of all prominent religious figures in his area and hold meetings with them to maintain religious harmony. Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistani Dr Farooq Sattar said that both PPP and MQM will work together to identify anti-Pakistan elements who have resorted to sectarian and ethnic killings in Karachi.
He said that anti-social elements had created law and order situation in the city last month by resorting to ethnic killings. This time, they have prompted sectarian killing to disturb peace in Karachi and affect economic activities, he added.
He said that President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed concern over the new wave of target killings in the city and issued orders that nobody should be spared in the efforts to control this situation.
President Zardari has expressed concern over the killings of doctors and issued orders to go after the culprits to their dens and eliminate the target killing from its roots, he added. Farooq Sattar said that the President has assured MQM delegation of his full support in this regard and said he wants peace in Karachi at every cost.
He pointed out both the sides have resolved to continue to work together for beating terrorists who the common enemy and also resolve problems facing the public.
He said MQM delegation also discussed issues relating to federal budget, sales tax on services and NFC allocations.
We also conveyed our point of view on the recent rise in KESC tariff and suggested for providing relief to Karachiittes in the shape of subsidy.
He said the President has agreed to the proposal and said that a meeting in Islamabad with Prime Minister and Finance Minister will take the decision in this regard.
Responding to a question, Farooq Sattar said it was decided that the meeting of "core committee" will be held on regular basis and Governor and Chief Minister will sit in these meetings.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/15/2010 00:00 ||
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[Quqnoos] A study on Sunday claimed that Pakistan's ISI provides funding, training and sanctuary to the Taliban in Afghanistan
Calling the report by the London School of Economics (LSE) "baseless," the Pakistani military dismissed it.
The study by LSE, based on interviews with nine Taliban field commanders in Afghanistan between February and May of this year, claims their relationship goes far beyond what is currently believed.
"They say it gives sanctuary to both Taliban and Haqqani groups, and provides huge support in terms of training, funding, munitions, and supplies. In their words, this is 'as clear as the sun in the sky'," wrote author Matt Waldman, a fellow at Harvard University.
The study drew an angry reaction from the Pakistani military.
Most interviewees explained the ISI's involvement in terms of Pakistan's rivalry with India, and Waldman's report argues that resolving this is key to bringing Islamabad on board with efforts to defeat the insurgency.
"Without a change in Pakistani behavior it will be difficult if not impossible for international forces and the Afghan government to make progress against the insurgency," he concluded.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/15/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
Get the Stealth Bombers loaded up.
Posted by: Dave UK ||
06/15/2010 0:24 Comments ||
Top||
#2
ISRAELI/PAKISTANI DEFENCE FORUMS > DEBKA Artic > [US-led] AFGHAN WAR NEARS END WID PAKISTAN-AIDED TALIBAN VICTORY.
[Iran Press TV Latest] Pakistani civilian and military officials have denied alleged ties to the Taliban militants in neighboring Afghanistan despite growing reports on such links.
The denial contradicts a report published by the London School of Economics, which accused Pakistani intelligence of supporting the Taliban.
Pakistan's army spokesperson Major General Athar Abbas on Monday described the report as part of a "malicious" campaign against the country's security agencies.
The document also said Pakistani President, Asif Ali Zardari, visited senior Taliban prisoners earlier this year.
Zardari allegedly promised their release as well as help for militant operations.
Presidential spokeswoman Farahnaz Ispahani also said the accusations were false and baseless.
Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence has long been accused of supporting Taliban militants in Afghanistan.
Pakistani officials say they are outraged at the allegations in the report.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/15/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
The war in Afghanistan will end one of two ways: with the destruction and dismemberment of Pakistan, or with a NATO/ISAF withdrawal and a taliban victory. I choose door number 1.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
06/15/2010 21:44 Comments ||
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[Al Arabiya Latest] raq's new parliament has convened, more than three months after inconclusive national elections left the country in political limbo.
It's the first tangible sign of progress since the March 7 vote, but the sides remain divided over the formation of a new government. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is battling to keep his job after the rival Sunni-backed Iraqiya list won the most votes in the nationwide balloting.
Al-Maliki and his chief rival Ayad Allawi, who heads the Iraqiya, have entered the chamber as the session began on Monday and shook hands shortly before the national anthem signaled the opening of the parliament.
Lawmakers stood to take the oath of office in Arabic and Kurdish.
The speaker, Fouad Massoum, then adjourned the session, saying a president would be chosen at a later time because the parties needed more time to discuss the issue.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/15/2010 00:00 ||
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The office of the Basra governor has protested the extension of the US mission in the province on the pretext of protecting its sea borders.
"Iraqi forces are able to maintain the security of their territorial waters," the London-based newspaper Al Hayat quoted Abdulsattar al-Musawi as saying.
A US military statement cited US officer Gregory Roberts as saying that the mission of US forces was extended for another six months in order to protect Basra's water resources.
Musawi noted that the Iraqi government spent huge budget to prepare the Iraqi forces to protect the sea borders.
He also accused some Western countries of trying to undermine the ability of Iraqi forces in protecting their borders.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/15/2010 00:00 ||
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WASHINGTON -- The State Department is quietly forming a small army to protect diplomatic personnel in Iraq after U.S. military forces leave the country at the end of 2011, taking their firepower with them.
Department officials are asking the Pentagon to provide heavy military gear, including Black Hawk helicopters, and say they will also need substantial support from private contractors.
The shopping list demonstrates the department's reluctance to count on Iraq's army and police forces for security despite the billions of dollars the U.S. invested to equip and train them. And it shows that President Barack Obama is having a hard time keeping his pledge to reduce U.S. reliance on contractors, a practice that flourished under the Bush administration.
In an early April request to the Pentagon, Patrick Kennedy, the State Department's under secretary for management, is seeking 24 Black Hawks, 50 bomb-resistant vehicles, heavy cargo trucks, fuel trailers, and high-tech surveillance systems. Kennedy asks that the equipment, worth hundreds of millions of dollars, be transferred at "no cost" from military stocks.
Contractors will be needed to maintain the gear and provide other support to diplomatic staff, according to the State Department, a potential financial boon for companies such as the Houston-based KBR Inc. that still have a sizable presence in Iraq.
On Saturday, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Elbit Systems Ltd. recalled teams of engineers and flight instructors who were teaching the Turkish military how to use the Heron unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that had been supplied to Turkey as part of a $180 million deal signed in 2004.
GENEVA - Western nations rebuked Iran over its human rights record Tuesday after overcoming an attempt by Iran and its Muslim allies to block the statement from being read aloud in the U.N. Human Rights Council.
The United States and Norway pressured Iran to make good on its pledge to improve human rights in the country by crafting a statement that won the backing of all 27 European Union nations and more than two dozen other countries.
The statement, delivered by Norwegian Ambassador Bente Angell-Hansen, expressed concern over a "lack of progress in the protection of human rights in Iran," especially since the widespread arrests and bloody crackdowns against dissidents that followed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election on June 12, 2009.
Iran's shortcomings extend to "the violent suppression of dissent, detention and executions without due process of law, severe discrimination against women and minorities including people of Bah'ai faith, and restrictions of expression and religion," said the statement. It was agreed to by 56 nations, less than a third of all U.N. member nations.
"We cannot let this Human Rights Council session go by without marking the one-year anniversary of these events this month," they said.
Iranian Ambassador Hamid Baeidi Nejad had interrupted Angell-Hansen and used a procedural manoeuvr to quash the statement during a morning session.
Also protesting on behalf of Iran was the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Pakistani Ambassador Zamir Akram, speaking for the 56-nation organization, said it was unfair to single out one country in a discussion that was supposed to be about a landmark human rights conference in Vienna in 1993.
Rights groups also have complained that Iran hasn't allowed U.N. investigators to visit in recent years and isn't fulfilling its obligations under international treaties.
Washington's envoy to the council said the statement was initiated by her government and its release was timed to come after last week's adoption of new U.N. Security Council sanctions over Iran's nuclear program.
"In the end, the statement itself was a victory," Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe told reporters. She acknowledged, however, that she hadn't completely understood the procedural manoeuvring that had taken place in the chamber.
It was little over a year ago that the United States won a seat on the 47-member body whose purpose is to assess the rights records of U.N. member nations. Nations that are not members can still speak and sign onto statements.
The Bush administration had chosen to stand apart from the council largely because of its members' tendency to overlook their own shortcomings while harping on Israel's treatment of the Palestinians under occupation.
But with the election of President Barack Obama, the new administration decided it could change the council best by working within it.
"What I hope you will take away from this moment, first and foremost, is that U.S. leadership at the Human Rights Council matters," Donahoe told reporters, after Norway delivered the joint statement on Iran. "My second point is that this moment at the Human Rights Council is an important opportunity to honour the courage of the Iranian people."
Iran had appeared before the council last week as part of a regular review of its rights record. The government has accepted 123 recent recommendations made by other countries while rejecting 45 and reserving judgment on 20.
The head of Iran's delegation, Mohammad Javad Larijani, has rejected the U.S. criticism of his government's human rights record, saying it was mostly "ill-founded and without any substance."
#1
The United States and Norway pressured Iran to make good on its pledge to improve human rights in the country by crafting a statement that won the backing of all 27 European Union nations and more than two dozen other countries.
Ouch that really hurts. O.K., O.K., we give up. We'll stop our abuse of human rights. And we'll raise you. We will also stop stirring up terrorism in the mideast.
The hardline spiritual mentor of Iran's president has made a rare public call for producing the "special weapons" that are a monopoly of a few nations a veiled reference to nuclear arms. No need to even pretend innocence any more.
Posted by: ed ||
06/15/2010 08:06 ||
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#1
Meanwhile, Citizens, back in the BatCave [1960's "BATMAN" TV Show = ADAM WEST], DRUDGEREPORT > NASA WARNS SOLAR FLARES FROM "HUGE SPACE STORM" [superstorm]WILL CAUSE DEVASTATION [Global-Worldwide e.g. BRITAIN + NORTHERN EUROPE], as the Sun awakens from its "deep slumber" circa 2013???
IOW, 2012 > THE MILTERR CAMEL-KAZES GO NUKULAAR JUST IN TIME FOR NICHOLAS CAGE'S MOVIE
"KNOWING", + IRAN + NORTH KOREA, ETC???
Ditto GULF OIL GUSH???
Ditto US DEBT-AT-US$19.5 TRILYUHN-VS-US-GDP-AT-US$14.0TRILYUHN BY 2015???
[Al Arabiya Latest] European Union leaders will push ahead with plans for tighter sanctions against Iran on Thursday, including measures to stem investment in the oil and gas sector and Tehran's refining capability.
Will they do anything to prevent the gas pipeline from Iran to Pakistan?
European Union foreign ministers, who are responsible for agreeing an EU-wide position ahead of an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, signed off on a statement on Monday that goes substantially beyond the extra sanctions the United Nations agreed to impose on Iran last week, a draft shows.
The foreign ministers, meeting in Luxembourg, said the EU would seek to prohibit new investment as well as the transfers of technologies, equipment and services.
Iran has the world's second-largest reserves of natural gas and is OPEC's second largest oil exporter. Global energy majors have come under increased international pressure over their activities in the country.
"We need to adopt accompanying and supporting measures," to the U.N. sanctions, EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said after protracted ministerial talks.
However Ashton stressed that the sanctions are "not the end game" and that the EU continued with its twin-track approach with the offer of talks remaining firmly on the table.
Last Wednesday the U.N. Security Council slapped its fourth set of sanctions on Iran, authorizing high-seas inspections of vessels believed to be ferrying banned items to Iran and adding 40 entities to a list of people and groups subject to travel restrictions and financial sanctions.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/15/2010 00:00 ||
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Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has criticized the UN Security Council for its selective policies and ignoring the Israeli crimes in the Gaza Strip.
During a meeting with the speaker of the Turkish parliament, Mehmet Ali Sahin, on Monday, Mottaki expressed regret over the loss of life onboard the flagship of a Gaza-bound aid convoy attacked by Israeli forces.
The May 31 attack killed at least 20 activists
Nine, actually, but counting doesn't appear to be a Muslim strength
-- including at least 8 Turkish nationals -- and wounded dozens more in international waters.
"The Security Council does not act against Israel but instead passes a sanctions resolution against the Islamic Republic, disregarding 20 reports by the (International Atomic Energy) Agency about the non-diversion of Iran's nuclear activities," a Foreign Ministry statement quoted Mottaki.
But not disregarding the ones that talk about hidden labs, hidden refinement facilities, and hidden uranium of unknown refinement...
Mottaki, according to the statement, said the Security Council's "double standard" in failing to punish Israel over its deadly attack on the Freedom Flotilla -- a convoy of nine ships seeking to pierce the three-year Israeli blockage of the impoverished sliver -- has damaged the international standing of the UNSC.
The deadly attack triggered massive protests worldwide, but Israel defied international condemnation and boarded another aid ship days after the assault.
Tel Aviv has also rejected a UNSC call to allow an international team to conduct a probe into the attack.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/15/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
Looks like the evidence contained in every video of the situation has set in and the umbrage has become unsustainable.
I wonder how long it will be before the arabs and muslims figure it out.
#2
Again, PAKISTAN > repor has started its own indigens PRODUC OF PLUTONIUM NUCMATS.
READ, IRAN + MILTERRS in time [circa 2030] will eventually get THERMONUKE TECHS, not merely "Dirty Bomb" or Uranium-based.
SUB-READ, THERMO-NUKE MILITANCY + TERRORISM.
* SAME > IRAN SPEAKER LARIJANI PLANS TO REACH GAZA-ISRAEL BORDERS SATURDAY [06/19th]. Tehran repor has applied to CAIRO = EGYPT for visas for approxi 200 Iranian Lawmakers in delegation.
Russia's failure to deliver the S-300 defense systems to Iran will be to Moscow's own loss as Iran has already manufactured all military equipment banned by the West.
Chairman of Iran's parliamentary (Majlis) Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy Alaeddin Boroujerdi said Iran has developed all military equipment which has been banned under Western sanctions.
The remark was made in response to the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's statement about freezing the delivery of the S-300 missile defense systems.
"Iran's missile capability is reflective of the country's military abilities," Boroujerdi said.
Iran signed a contract with Russia in December 2005 to purchase at least five S-300 surface-to-air defense missile systems. However, Russia, under fierece pressure from Israel and the US, has repeatedly delayed the delivery of the sophisticated defense system.
Posted by: Fred ||
06/15/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
TOPIX > [Ahmadinejad Spiritual Mentor Mohammad Yazdi]IRAN CLERIC:IRAN SHOULD PRODUCE NUCLEAR ARMS ["SPECIAL WEAPONS" to deter enemies]. Muslims charged by QURAN/KORAN to take Any + All steps or measures necessary to prevent enemies from gaining absolute = overwhelming superiority.
and
*FREEREPUBLIC > IRAN "DEFINITELY" BUILDING NUCLEAR WEAPONS, even iff PCorrect WASH DC Politicos refuse to admit otherwise.
Ay Pee. Summary: France-based satellite provider Eutelsat may no longer broadcast al-Aqsa TV, the Hamas channel, because it was ruled too hateful. The satellite broadcasts to Europe, North Africa, and part of the Gulf. A second satellite broadcasts Al-Aqsa to the Middle East, and the station will still be available on the internet. Nonetheless, Al-Aqsa will lose most of its viewers and resultant fund-raising, according to the channel's head. This follows a ruling six years ago in France and the U.S. blocking al-Manar, the Hizb'allah channel.
Hamas is very active on the media front to sell its cause, with another television station in Lebanon, web sites, a radio station, a magazine and two newspapers, and has produced a film and various animated features.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
A nonprofit group says that up to 90 percent of young Philadelphians are ineligible for military service because of criminal records, obesity or lack of education.
