News Roundup
News Roundup thanks to Insights Into Today's Middle East:
Round up of Today's International News
We need to listen to the man from special branch
A week after the Archbishop of Canterbury dared to float the idea that some role for Islamic arbitration could be recognised in British law, the anti-Muslim backlash grinds on. Never mind that Rowan Williams's proposal was hedged with qualifications, that elements of sharia already have legal status, that he used the existing practice of orthodox Jewish courts as a model, and insisted such an accommodation could not override equal legal rights for all, notably women.Jews suffering more violence than ever, report says
The number of violent attacks on Jewish people in the UK last year reached the highest level since records began in 1984, new figures showed today. But the Community Security Trust said the overall number of "antisemitic race hate incidents" – defined as malicious acts against the Jewish community – fell by 8% from the record level seen in 2006.
France Presses Nuclear Agency on Iran
President Nicolas Sarkozy and other senior French officials met here on Thursday with Mohamed ElBaradei, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in an effort to smooth over differences between France and the agency over Iran's nuclear program. France has taken a hard line against Iran, leading the way with the United States and Britain in pressing for new, tougher international sanctions against the country for flouting United Nations Security Council resolutions demanding that it stop making nuclear fuel.German Exports to Iran Fall 26 Percent
German exports to Iran have dropped nearly 26 percent in the past two years amid increasing concern over Tehran's nuclear ambitions, according to a new report from Germany's Economy Ministry. German exports fell from 4.3 billion euros in 2005 to 3.2 billion euros ($4.65 billion) in 2007, according to the report.EU Security Measure to Collect Foreigners' Fingerprints
The European Commission agreed to a plan to collect fingerprints and photographs from foreigners entering the EU, part of an effort to fortify the bloc's borders. Brussels said the steps are needed to guarantee the free movement of Europeans inside the Schengen no-borders area. The plan, which was presented on Wednesday, Feb. 13, could see EU funds used to develop surveillance equipment like cameras, sensors and pilot-less drones.German Chancellor Rejects Turkish View on Integration
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan called on his compatriots living in Germany not to give up their ethnicity. Chancellor Angela Merkel struck back by stressing the importance of integration. Merkel said she was pleased that Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan had pronounced himself in favor of integration. But she wondered if they were talking about the same thing.Danish Newspapers Republish Mohammed Cartoon
Many Danish newspapers and a Swedish paper reprinted caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed that prompted worldwide outrage among Muslims in 2005. The republication was to protest a plot to murder one of the cartoonists. Five major daily Danish newspapers, 10 smaller papers and a Swedish daily reprinted on Wednesday, Feb. 13, one of the 12 drawings of Mohammed that a Danish paper had published two years ago and which triggered global protests.Danish Ambassador Summoned to FM
Iran summoned the Danish ambassador to Tehran in protest over the reprinting of cartoons of the Prophet of Islam by leading Danish newspapers. The report said that during a meeting between Foreign Ministry officials and the Danish envoy, the Iranian side strongly condemned Wednesday's reprint, and demanded the Danish government take a "serious approach" to the case and prevent its recurrence.
Iran 'takes next step in nuclear programme'
Iran has taken a significant step forward in its nuclear programme by producing quantities of a gas crucial to the enrichment of uranium. United Nations diplomats have revealed that Iran appeared to have overcome technical difficulties and produced small quantities of the gas, which is key to the enrichment process. Enriched to 90 per cent, uranium can be used in a nuclear warhead.French Oil Giant Continues Business in Iran
The fourth most important oil company in the world's western countries, Total SA , said Wednesday it will continue doing business with Iran and Venezuela and highlighted its good relations with Caracas. Total's CEO Christophe de Margerie told press that despite geopolitical and political difficulties existing in the countries where they work, the enterprise finds reasonable solutions and leads its competitors in increased production, with net income last year of 12.2 billion Euros making it France's number one oil company.UNSC to Revise Draft Resolution on Iran
The UN Security Council will revise a draft resolution on new sanctions against Iran over its atomic program and call a vote after the International Atomic Energy Agency issues its report on Iran, Britain's UN envoy said on Wednesday. Washington had been pushing for a swift vote on the third sanctions resolution against Iran. But South Africa and other elected members of the UN Security Council have been pressing the five permanent council members […] to wait for a new progress report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Iran due next week.No Delay in IAEA's Report on Iran
The International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Mohamed ElBaradei will submit its long-awaited report on Iran's nuclear program to the Board of Governors on March 3rd, IAEA sources said. On Monday, diplomats maintained that the UN's report on Iran's nuclear activities could be delayed due to disagreements between atomic watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei and his technical staff.Iran Suggests Formation of New Mideast Parliament
Iran suggested on Tuesday that a new Parliament be formed to group much of the Middle East and Southern Asia, operating much like the 27-nation European Parliament does today. The announcement, the first of its kind by a senior Iranian official, was made by the country's Prosecutor-General Qorban-Ali Dorri Najafabadi. Speaking at a conference dubbed 'Building a Confident Future for Southwest Asia', Dorri Najafabadi also urged states situated next to the Persian Gulf to draw up a joint defense plan.Iran to Launch Oil Bourse Sunday
Iranian Oil Minister Gholam Hossein Nozari said the country's long-awaited Oil Bourse will be inaugurated Sunday. The inauguration ceremony will be attended by Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Davoud Danesh Jafari, who will appoint head of the Iranian Oil Bourse. Jafari earlier stated that the Oil Bourse will be located on the Persian Gulf island of Kish and the official trade currency will be the Iranian rial.Iran: India Part of Gas Project Deal
The Iranian oil minister made the remark in a press conference, where he was asked about the interest Beijing has been showing in the project, and the possible impact its cooperation may have on India's part in the venture, a press tv report said. "There is no reason to exclude India. China can be one of our next goals in expanding the project," he said. The Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, also known as the Peace Pipeline, is a proposed 2,775 kilometer gas pipeline to carry Iran's natural gas to Pakistan and India.Iranian Business with UAE Continues despite US Sanctions
Thousands of Iranian firms are still doing business in the country's top trading partner, the United Arab Emirates, despite a US drive to choke Tehran's economy over its nuclear program. Iranian businesses "have not had any problem with local banks because we are considered UAE companies" under local rules requiring at least 51 percent of a business to be owned by an Emirati national, said Nasser Hashempour, executive deputy president of the Dubai-based Iranian Business Council.Persian Gulf Banks Shield Iran from US Sanctions
Iran has reported assistance from Persian Gulf Arab states in shielding Tehran's banking system, which have been targeted by the United States. Iranian Central Bank Gov. Tahmasb Mazaheri said at least two Persian Gulf Cooperation Council states were assisting Iran's banking system to thwart US sanctions. In an address on Feb. 5, Mazaheri cited Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. In 2007, the Bush administration warned the UAE to stop helping Iran's banking and trade system.Iran Votes: A dash of discord mixed with competition
This week, as Iran celebrates the 29th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution that deposed the archaic one-man dictatorship, sustained for a quarter of century by Western powers professing democratic values, the world is once again reminded of the trans-Iran, ie, regional and global, dimensions of this revolution -- intuitively detected by French philosopher Michel Foucault, who observed first-hand the revolution's historical unfolding in 1978-1979.Government Supported by Hidden Imam
In a gathering to commemorate the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad blasted government critics and claimed that his administration is supported by the Hidden Imam. In his speech, Ahmadinejad accused his domestic critics of aiding foreign enemies, noting his administration's remarkable achievements in various fields since taking office in 2005, despite efforts by some "to destroy the administration from the very beginning." Sistani Journalist Facing Death
A court in the province of Sistan and Baluchistan convicted student journalist Yaghoub Mehrnahad to death. The verdict has shocked many in the region. On Monday, 22 Bahman, 1386 [February 11, 2008], the Amir Kabir New Bulletin reported, "a court in Sistan and Baluchistan has convicted Yaghoub Mehrnahad, journalist and chairman of the 'Youth Voice of Justice,' to death." According to this report, this Sistani journalist faced trial in Zahedan last month without a lawyer or visitation rights with his family and his death verdict was forwarded to his family last Thursday.Iran: Women's Activist Wins Human Rights Award
Parvin Ardalan, a leading Iranian women's rights activist, has won the Palme Award for her work and commitment to human rights. Ardalan is a founder and active member of the One Million Signatures Campaign, a movement that aims to promote equal rights for women in Iranian society. The prize is named for former Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme and is awarded annually for "outstanding achievements" by those who actively promote peace, equality, and security.
Gulf Arabs see Israel stopping Iran bomb
Gulf states believe Israel will destroy Iran's nuclear programme rather than allow it to acquire an atomic bomb, an adviser to the Kuwaiti government and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said on Tuesday. If Iran did build the bomb, said adviser Sami Alfaraj, then the Jewish state might be one of the countries -- along with the United States and Pakistan -- Gulf Arab nations would ask to provide a "nuclear umbrella" to guarantee their security.HRW urges Saudi king to spare woman convicted of 'witchcraft'
Human Rights Watch appealed to Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah on Thursday to spare the life of a woman who was condemned to death for "witchcraft". "King Abdullah should halt the execution of Fawza Falih and void her conviction for 'witchcraft,'" the New York-based HRW, adding it had delivered the appeal in a letter to the Saudi king.ISRAEL - PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY
Nasrallah says ready for open war with Israel
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said on Thursday the group was ready for "open war" with Israel after terrorist mastermind and the group's second-in-command, Imad Mughniyah, was killed by a bomb in Damascus late Tuesday. "Zionists, if you want this type of open war then let the whole world hear: let it be an open war," Nasrallah told the tens of thousands of mourners at Mughniyah's funeral.IDF bombs Gaza buildings used for launching rockets at Israel
The Israel Defense Forces Engineering Corps on Thursday bombed a number of abandoned buildings in the Gaza Strip that the army said were being used to launch rockets and mortar shells at Israel. Troops began the operation late Wednesday with wide searches near the Palestinian side of the Erez Crossing. The IDF is still combing the area to pinpoint and strike structures suspected to be used by militants to carry out attacks against Israel.Ballistic expert: Israel ignoring option of U.S. anti-rocket system
Dr. Nathan Farber is a ballistic expert who has been persistently trying, to no avail, to present to the Defense Ministry what he sees as a possibly imminent solution to Qassam fire from Gaza. Farber's suggestion is to deploy American artillery batteries called Phalanx around the Qassam-battered town of Sderot, to intercept the rockets fired by Palestinians.Hamas leader Zahar arrives in Cairo for talks on Gaza border
A leading member of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas entered Egypt from Gaza on Thursday to resume talks with the Egyptian government on arrangements at the border, a security source said. Mahmoud al-Zahar, a Gazan who was Palestinian foreign minister in a short-lived government led by Hamas, crossed with about four other Hamas officials and headed for the coastal town of El Arish, the capital of the Egyptian border province.Israeli Premier Warns of Iranian Threat
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced during his visit to Berlin on Tuesday, Feb. 12, that he believed Iran was continuing to work on acquiring a nuclear weapon. "Nothing that we know has changed our attitudes," Olmert told a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "We are certain the Iranians are engaged in serious clandestine operations to build an unconventional weapon," he said.
US-Iran talks on Iraq postponed: American embassy
Tehran has postponed a fourth round of talks between the United States and Iran on security issues facing Iraq that had been expected to take place in Baghdad this week, the US embassy said on Thursday. No reason was given for the delay, a US embassy official said. "We have been informed by the government of Iraq that Iran has again asked to postpone trilateral talks regarding security in Iraq," the official told AFP. "We have been saying for weeks that we are ready to sit down for talks. It is increasingly clear that Iran is not. We are interested in improving security in Iraq, which is why we have said we are ready to sit down."U.S. to Produce Data on Iran's Nuclear Program
The Bush administration has agreed to turn over to international inspectors intelligence data it has collected that it says proves Iran worked on developing a nuclear weapon until a little more than four years ago, according to American and foreign diplomats. The decision reverses the United States' longstanding refusal to share the data, citing the need to protect intelligence sources. The administration acted as the International Atomic Energy Agency is scheduled to issue a report as early as next week on Iran's past nuclear activities. Administration officials hope that the nuclear inspectors can now confront Iran with what the Americans believe is the strongest evidence that the Iranians had a nuclear program.Bush and Reformists
George W. Bush has announced his support for democrats and reformists from Beirut to Damascus and from Baghdad to Tehran. This simple and ordinary remark has apparently created trouble for reformists in Iran, as their conservative opponents have interpreted Bush's remarks as proof that reformists are beholden to the United States. As a result, in their own defense, reformists have begun to condemn Bush, accusing him of deliberately planning to undermine reforms in Iran through such remarks. Rice hopes U.N. resolution on Iran will pass soon
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Wednesday she hoped the United Nations would vote within weeks to slap more sanctions on Iran and she urged allies to be more aggressive in punishing Tehran. Foreign ministers from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, plus Germany, agreed last month on the draft of a new sanctions resolution against Iran over its nuclear program, which the West says is aimed at building an atomic bomb and Tehran says is for power generation.
IAEA to inspect Russian fuel storage at Bushehr on regular basis
The UN nuclear watchdog will inspect the facilities and conditions under which Russian nuclear fuel is being stored at Bushehr, southern Iran, on a permanent basis, a nuclear safety official said Thursday. "International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors have twice visited to check the conditions of fuel storage since deliveries started to the Bushehr nuclear power plant," Sergei Titov told journalists.Russia to double staff at Iran nuclear plant: RIA
Russia's state nuclear contractor said on Thursday it would double staff at Iran's first nuclear power station over the next year as Moscow prepares to start up the reactor at the plant, RIA news agency reported. Russia has already delivered nuclear fuel under a $1 billion contract to build the Bushehr plant, on the Gulf coast in southwest Iran, and Iranian officials say the reactor is likely to be started up in mid-2008.Russia could aim rockets at European missile shield
Russia may have to retarget some of its rockets at the missile defenses that the U.S. is planning to deploy in Central Europe, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. "Our experts believe the system threatens our national security," Putin said at his final annual news conference in the Kremlin. "If it appears, we will be forced to respond appropriately -- we will have to retarget part of our systems against those missiles."Putin says Europe, OSCE cannot dictate terms to Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that his country will not allow anyone to dictate terms to it, but that it will honor its international commitments in full. Putin, who is to step down as Russian president after the March 2 presidential elections, was referring to a recent row with the OSCE over monitors for the polls. He is currently holding his last annual news conference as head of state in the Kremlin.Putin says Russia backs U.S. peace efforts in Mideast
Russia backs Washington's moves to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. Speaking at his final annual news conference in the Kremlin, Putin said Russia broadly supports what President George W. Bush has been doing to broker peace agreements in the region, even though there are elements of U.S. policy in the Mideast that Moscow does not fully approve of.ASSASINATION OF IMAD MUGHNIYEH
Death of Hezbollah kingpin: A war awaits
Those who live by the sword must die by the sword. Imad Mughniyeh must have known the adage, and now he, like all of his alleged victims, has met a violent death, of all places, in Syria, where he was hiding because that was perceived to be the safest place for him. The 45-year-old Mughniyeh was said to be one of Hezbollah's top security strategists and high on America's list of wanted "terrorists".Rival gatherings raise tensions in Lebanon
Throngs of Lebanese were turning out Thursday for two opposing Beirut gatherings -- Shiite Muslim supporters of Hezbollah to bid farewell to its slain top commander, Imad Mughniyeh, and their pro-Western opponents at a central square to mark former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination in 2005. The two gatherings showcased Lebanon's divided soul but also increased fears of violence between the rival sides, prompting the authorities to deploy thousands of troops and set up blockades on major roads.A sea of people under rain mark Hariri murder
One million Lebanese participated in a huge demonstration Thursday in the martyr square in central Beirut to mark the third anniversary of the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, according to the organizers of this annual event. It was like a sea of people determined to express their outrage once again against the assassination of their beloved Prime minister. They all waived the Lebanese flags and posters.Hezbollah secretly smuggling weapons to S. Lebanon
Hezbollah foiled U.N. observers recently when it secretly restocked Katyusha rockets and anti-tank missiles in southern Lebanon, Israeli officials alleged. Military officials told Haaretz Sunday the lack of recent Hezbollah attacks on Israeli is a sign of the damage Israeli forces inflicted on the militants' military capacity during the 2006 conflict with the group.Supreme Leader of Iran Pays Tribute to Martyred Hezbollah Commander
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei in a message to Hezbollah Chief Seyed Hassan Nasrallah on Thursday expressed his condolences over the martyrdom of a top commander of the group, hailing him as a "great man whose life and death both awakened nations". "I offer my condolences on this great martyrdom to you, his family, the glorious Hezbollah youth and all Lebanese," Ayatollah Khamenei said in the message to Nasrallah after the killing of Imad Mughniyeh.FM Arrives in Lebanon to Attend Mughniyeh's Funeral
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki arrived in Lebanon on Thursday to attend the funeral procession of Imad Mughniyeh, a top commander of the Hezbollah group assassinated by the Israeli regime in a car bomb in Damascus Tuesday night. Mottaki is also conveying a message from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Hezbollah Secretary General Seyed Hassan Nasrallah.
Watch Pakistan, Afghanistan and Kosovo to name a few others.
Posted by: Stormwarning | February 17, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Debbie, you really are a must read (as I said last time I think). I'm linking to your stories on Ahmadinejad, the 'hidden Imam' and the Persian Gulf's protection from U.S. sanctions. I find this interesting as it fits in with recent actions by the Arab gulf to move the bold dominance of western nations another step up the ladder recently. With the Saudis dominating the Brit government in the trial of Prince Bandar and now the region aiding Iran to thumb its nose at the U.S. and continue its nuke program, we appear to be moving into a new phase, and it's a particularly concerning one.
Posted by: Aurora | February 17, 2008 at 04:58 AM