Researchers: US Arms Used for War Crimes in Gaza

Researchers: Erin Galbraith and Curtis Harrison - Faculty Evaluators: Andy Merrifield, PhD, Cynthia Boaz, PhD, and David McCuan, PhD Sonoma State University

January 1, 2010

Israel's repeated firing of US-made white phosphorus shells over densely populated areas of Gaza during its recent military campaign was indiscriminate and is evidence of war crimes, Human Rights Watch said in a report released March 25, 2009.

The seventy-one-page report, "Rain of Fire: Israel's Unlawful Use of White Phosphorus in Gaza," provides witness accounts of the devastating effects that white phosphorus munitions had on civilians and civilian property in Gaza. Human Rights Watch researchers found spent shells, canister liners, and dozens of burnt felt wedges containing white phosphorus on city streets, apartment roofs, residential courtyards, and at a United Nations school in Gaza immediately after hostilities ended in January.

Militaries officially use white phosphorus to obscure their operations on the ground by creating thick smoke. It has also been used as an incendiary weapon, though such use constitutes a war crime. "In Gaza, the Israeli military didn't just use white phosphorus in open areas as a screen for its troops," said Fred Abrahams, senior emergencies researcher at Human Rights Watch and co-author of the report. "It fired white phosphorus repeatedly over densely populated areas, even when its troops weren't in the area and safer smoke shells were available. As a result, civilians needlessly suffered and died." The report documents a pattern or policy of white phosphorus use that Human Rights Watch says must have required the approval of senior military officers.


The devastating Israeli firepower, unleashed largely on Palestinian civilians in Gaza during the three-week attack starting December 27, 2008 was fueled by US-supplied weapons paid for with US tax dollars. Washington provided F-16 fighter planes, Apache helicopters, tactical missiles, and a wide array of munitions, including white phosphorus and DIME. The weapons required for the Israeli assault were decided upon in June 2008, and the transfer of 1,000 bunker-buster GPS-guided Small Diameter Guided Bomb Units 39 (GBU-39) were approved by Congress in September. The GBU 39 bombs were delivered to Israel in November (prior to any claims of Hamas cease fire violation) for use in the initial air raids on Gaza.

Researchers in Gaza found several weapon fragments after the attacks. One came from a 500lb (227kg) Mark-82 fin guided bomb, which had markings indicating parts were made by the US company Raytheon. They also found fragments of US-made white phosphorus artillery shells, marked M825 A1.

In the recent Gaza operations, Israeli forces frequently airburst white phosphorus in 155mm artillery shells in and near populated areas. Each airburst shell spreads 116 burning white phosphorus wedges in a radius extending up to 125 meters from the blast point. White phosphorus ignites and burns on contact with oxygen, and continues burning at up to 1500 degrees Fahrenheit (816 degrees Celsius) until nothing is left or the oxygen supply is cut. When white phosphorus comes into contact with skin it creates intense and persistent burns that continue to ignite.

On January 15, several white phosphorus shells fired by the Israeli military hit the headquarters of the UN Relief and Works Agency in Gaza City, destroying medicine, food and other basic aid. One fragment found at the scene had markings indicating it was made by the Pine Bluff Arsenal, based in Arkansas, in October 1991.

The UN Security Council, Amnesty International, International Red Cross, and voices of protest from around the world demanded a ceasefire. Yet, with shocking lack of regard, both houses of US Congress overwhelmingly endorsed resolutions to support a continuation of Israel's "self defense."

Four days after the carnage ensued, on December 31, the US Navy's Sealift Command hired ships to deliver another 3,000-odd tons of arms to Israel through Greece. This last shipment was halted mid-January due to Greek protest. The US has long been the largest arms supplier to Israel; under a current ten-year agreement negotiated by the Bush administration, the US will provide $30 billion in military aid to Israel. "As the major supplier of weapons to Israel, the USA has a particular obligation to stop any supply that contributes to gross violations of the laws of war and of human rights," said Malcolm Smart, Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa program director. "To a large extent, Israel's military offensive in Gaza was carried out with weapons, munitions and military equipment supplied by the USA and paid for with US taxpayers' money."

On the day the US Senate passed S.RES.10, "reaffirming the United States' strong support for Israel in its battle with Hamas" (January 8, 2009), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued a statement demanding to be allowed to assist those in need of medical attention because the Israeli military had blocked access to wounded Palestinians, a war crime under international law. Also that same day, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon issued a statement condemning the Israeli Defense Force for firing on a UN aid convoy delivering humanitarian goods to the desperate people of Gaza, another war crime, as well as the killing of two staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in a separate incident.

The next day, the House passed its own version of the resolution, H.RES.34, as UNRWA announced that it had had to halt its humanitarian efforts because of numerous incidents in which its staff, convoys, and installations had come under attack by Israeli forces.

The Senate resolution was reported by foreign media agencies. The Jerusalem Post had a story on it, as did Reuters. In the US, it was reported by the Jewish daily Forward and mentioned in alternative media sources by Stephen Zunes, Robert Naiman, and several others. It was first brought to my attention by Foreign Policy in Focus (http://www.fpif.org), and the text was available on the AIPAC website. But to my knowledge it was not reported in the mainstream media.

It's hardly a secret that the US has a "special relationship" with Israel, but the full extent of US support for Israeli crimes is a matter that is met with absolute silence by the mainstream media, and Congressional support for Israel's aggression and war crimes against the people of Gaza was no exception. When reported, the mainstream media employs euphemisms or parrots the official US government line, such as that settlements are an "obstacle to peace" rather than "illegal."

The US supports Israel financially, with upwards of $3 billion annually. This money is given with little to no oversight, but even if it is not used to directly fund Israel's illegal settlements and occupation, it allows Israel to free up other funds and divert them for that purpose.

The US supports Israel militarily. In its assault on Gaza, for instance, Israel employed US-made F-16 jets and Apache helicopter gunships. U.S-made bombs were dropped on Gaza during twenty-two days of violence, resulting in over 1,300 Palestinian deaths, nearly a third of whom were children, among other civilian victims.

The US also supports Israel diplomatically. For instance, the US delayed passage of a UN resolution calling for a cease-fire during the assault on Gaza, according to foreign diplomats.

President Obama has issued strong words in support of Palestinian statehood and against the Israeli settlements. It's up to the American people, though, to put pressure on the US government to ensure that the rhetoric is followed up with action, such as an end to such financial, military, and diplomatic support for Israeli crimes.

This is among the reasons why it's so important that stories like the US Congressional endorsement for Israel's "Operation Cast Lead" against Gaza be made known to the public.

Source: Uruknet.
Link: http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=61685&s2=02.

Obama has announced the partition of Pakistan - Webster Tarpley

RussiaToday
January 1, 2010

A former NATO officer claims US Special Forces have conducted secret raids inside Pakistan's border regions. The operations were conducted between 2003 and 2008, but only one was ever made public.

According to reports, troops were looking for high value targets among both the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. The one that became widely known in September 2008 was condemned as a provocation by the Pakistani government.

Ethnic groups from Pakistan’s Belugistan province where most of the raids occurred blame the government in Islamabad for allowing these things to happen, said RT LIVE investigative journalist Webster Tarpley.

He pointed out that "President Obama’s West point speech of December 2 is a thinly veiled declaration of war against Pakistan in the sense that it announces the intent of the US to promote the dismemberment, the partition of Pakistan along ethnic lines and in order to do that you have to create trouble on the ground."

"Ambassador Richard Holbrook, who is the US tsar for the region, was asked 'Do you have troops in Pakistan?’ and he said 'The US has intelligence personnel in Pakistan but not troops’. And I would ask – "What about the contractors, Mr Ambassador?" asked Tarpley.

Webster Tarpley disclosed information published in The Nation and Vanity Fair magazines about Blackwater Select and Total Intelligence Solutions having massive snatch and grab and even assassination operations run out of Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, under the command of the US Joint Special Operations Command and CIA.

The Taliban refused to take responsibility for some explosions in public places in Pakistan and blamed the CIA for destabilizing the situation in the country through terror.

"I guess from some points of view the golden age of Blackwater was perhaps not under Bush/ Cheney but it is now under Obama," Tarpley said, "and they are running wild in ways they trample the sovereignty of Pakistan as a country."

Source: Uruknet.
Link: http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=61713&s2=02.

Gaza Freedom Marchers issue the 'Cairo Declaration' to end Israeli Apartheid

International Solidarity Movement (ISM)

1 January 2010

Gaza Freedom Marchers approved today a declaration aimed at accelerating the global campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israeli Apartheid.

Roughly 1400 activists from 43 countries converged in Cairo on their way to Gaza to join with Palestinians marching to break Israel’s illegal siege. They were prevented from entering Gaza by the Egyptian authorities.

As a result, the Freedom Marchers remained in Cairo. They staged a series of nonviolent actions aimed at pressuring the international community to end the siege as one step in the larger struggle to secure justice for Palestinians throughout historic Palestine.

This declaration arose from those actions:
End Israeli Apartheid
Cairo Declaration
January 1, 2010

We, international delegates meeting in Cairo during the Gaza Freedom March 2009 in collective response to an initiative from the South African delegation, state:

In view of:

* Israel’s ongoing collective punishment of Palestinians through the illegal occupation and siege of Gaza;
* the illegal occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the continued construction of the illegal Apartheid Wall and settlements;
* the new Wall under construction by Egypt and the US which will tighten even further the siege of Gaza;
* the contempt for Palestinian democracy shown by Israel, the US, Canada, the EU and others after the Palestinian elections of 2006;
* the war crimes committed by Israel during the invasion of Gaza one year ago;
* the continuing discrimination and repression faced by Palestinians within Israel;
* and the continuing exile of millions of Palestinian refugees;
* all of which oppressive acts are based ultimately on the Zionist ideology which underpins Israel;
* in the knowledge that our own governments have given Israel direct economic, financial, military and diplomatic support and allowed it to behave with impunity;
* and mindful of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (2007)

We reaffirm our commitment to:

Palestinian Self-Determination
Ending the Occupation
Equal Rights for All within historic Palestine
The full Right of Return for Palestinian refugees

We therefore reaffirm our commitment to the United Palestinian call of July 2005 for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) to compel Israel to comply with international law.

To that end, we call for and wish to help initiate a global mass, democratic anti-apartheid movement to work in full consultation with Palestinian civil society to implement the Palestinian call for BDS.

Mindful of the many strong similarities between apartheid Israel and the former apartheid regime in South Africa, we propose:

1. An international speaking tour in the first 6 months of 2010 by Palestinian and South African trade unionists and civil society activists, to be joined by trade unionists and activists committed to this programme within the countries toured, to take mass education on BDS directly to the trade union membership and wider public internationally;
2. Participation in the Israeli Apartheid Week in March 2010;
3. A systematic unified approach to the boycott of Israeli products, involving consumers, workers and their unions in the retail, warehousing, and transportation sectors;
4. Developing the Academic, Cultural and Sports boycott;
5. Campaigns to encourage divestment of trade union and other pension funds from companies directly implicated in the Occupation and/or the Israeli military industries;
6. Legal actions targeting the external recruitment of soldiers to serve in the Israeli military, and the prosecution of Israeli government war criminals; coordination of Citizen’s Arrest Bureaux to identify, campaign and seek to prosecute Israeli war criminals; support for the Goldstone Report and the implementation of its recommendations;
7. Campaigns against charitable status of the Jewish National Fund (JNF).

We appeal to organisations and individuals committed to this declaration to sign the declaration and work with us to make it a reality.

Source: Uruknet.
Link: http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=61742&s2=03.

Saudi grand mufti denounces terrorism

Sheikh Abdul Aziz condemns terror attacks against innocent civilians, calls them ‘un-Islamic’.

RIYADH - Saudi Arabia's top religious authority on Friday denounced terror attacks as un-Islamic and condemned the killing of civilians, saying such attacks have nothing to do with the Muslim religion.

"Terrorism is criminal and spills the blood of innocents," said Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah al-Sheikh, the kingdom's senior most cleric.

"It attacks security, spreads terror among the people and creates problems for society ... Such acts are forbidden by Islamic law," he said in a statement reported on the official SPA news agency.

"It is necessary to fight against the attempts by some to attach terrorism to Islam and Muslims with the goal of distorting the religion and to assail its leadership role in the world," he added.

The statement was for a conference on international cooperation in fighting terrorism and its financing, to open Saturday in Riyadh.

Source: Middle East Online.
Link: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=37351.

Unearthing Ur riches in Iraq

Archaeologists believe buried antiquities of Ur could one day outshine those of ancient Egypt.

By Mehdi Lebouachera - TELL AL-MUQAYYAR

The buried antiquities of Ur, Biblical birthplace of Abraham and one of the cradles of civilization, could one day outshine those of ancient Egypt, archaeologists and workers on the site believe.

With Iraq ravaged by war and strife since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, Baghdad's struggling government has had greater priorities than funding large-scale digs at Ur, where only small teams have been working since 2005.

"When the (large-scale) excavations restart, tons of antiquities will see the light of day, filling entire museum wings," enthused Dhaif Moussin, who is in charge of protecting a site that has been prone to looting.

"This site will become perhaps more important than Giza," he added, referring to the plateau outside the Egyptian capital of Cairo where some of mankind's most treasured antiquities have been unearthed, including the Sphinx and several notable pyramids.

That may not be just an idle boast.

In the early 1900s, American archaeologist Charles Leonard Woolley made some stunning finds when he unearthed 16 tombs of Ur's elite.

Inside he found some of the greatest treasures of antiquity, including a golden dagger encrusted with lapis lazuli, an intricately carved golden statue of a ram caught in a thicket, a lyre decorated with a bull's head and the gold headdress of a Sumerian queen.

Those treasures have been compared to the riches from the tomb of the Egyptian boy-king, Tutankhamun, but they excite archaeologists even more because the graves at Ur are more than 1,000 years older.

Archaeologically, the most astonishing find of Ur has been a remarkably well-preserved stepped platform, or ziggurat, which dates back to the third millennium BC, when it was part of a temple complex that served as the administrative center of the Sumerian capital.

To date, hardly 20 percent of the site has been excavated, mainly by American and British archaeologists.

"Some archaeologists estimate it will take more than 30 years to dig out the entire city," said Moussin, surveying the site. Ur lies near a US air base just outside the southern city of Nasiriyah, a major battle ground of the American invasion.

"It is certain that much more material remains to be discovered," said Steve Tinney, professor of Assyriology at the University of Pennsylvania which, together with the British Museum, sponsored Woolley's excavations between 1922 and 1934.

Ur of the Chaldees, as it is mentioned in the Bible, was one of the great urban centers of the Sumerian civilization of southern Iraq and remained an important city until its conquest by Alexander the Great a few centuries before Christ.

It is thought to have reached its apogee under King Ur-Nammu, an accomplished warrior and founder of Sumer's third dynasty, who is believed to have lived between 2112 and 2095 BC.

During his rule, the Sumerian capital boasted paved roads, tree-lined avenues, schools, poets, scribes, and stunning works of art and architecture of the kind discovered by Woolley and his team.

The kingdom was governed by a real administration and code of laws. Sumerian script, called cuneiform, is the earliest known writing system in the world.

Tinney said he hoped for the discovery of texts that would shed light on the culture and polytheistic religion of the Sumerians.

"We do not have literature on Ur-Nammu and his successors, the Sumerians or their rituals," Tinney said.

The site would be unequaled in the world if it proves to be the birthplace of Abraham, revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, said Moussin.

Woolley wanted to prove that Abraham had lived in Ur, after discovering Abraham's name on a brick unearthed there.

But for all of its former glory, Ur is likely to remain buried under the site that is protected by a fragile barrier and some guards, lost in a country rocked by violence and more worried about rebuilding its present capital.

"Much remains to be done, and an endeavor must be authorized together with the central government if Iraq wants to benefit from its enormous potential as a Mecca of tourism," said Anna Prouse, an Italian diplomat in charge of a regional rebuilding team in the Iraqi province of Dhi Qar.

In addition to Ur, the province has 47 other sites "of great archaeological value," she added.

The provincial authorities do not have the budget to start titanic archaeological excavations because they are focusing on restoring electricity, sewerage systems, schools, roads, and drinking water for their war-ravaged population, Prouse said.

Source: Middle East Online.
Link: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=37340.

West Bank protest marks 5 years of "Apartheid wall"

Palestinian and international activists assembled on Friday in Bilin to mark the fifth year of struggle against the establishment of Israel's separation wall across the West Bank.

Thousands of Palestinians, accompanied by foreign civil and human rights activists, made it to the West Bank village that has been the scene of weekly protests against the Israeli apartheid wall over the past five years.

Israeli troops fired tear gas on the demonstrators causing white smoke that was evident in Press TV's footage on the demonstration.

Medics were treating a number of protesters as they were lying on the ground coughing and chocking.

Israeli soldiers often fire tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse civil gatherings in Bilin.

Eyewitnesses have also confirmed that at times live rounds, tear gas and stun grenades are used against the protesters who on many occasions have been seriously wounded or even killed by Israeli troops.

Bilin has become a symbol of opposition to what is commonly referred to as the apartheid wall.

The segregation barrier zigzags through the village's olive stand and cuts the villagers from hundreds of hectares of their land. The Palestinians in Bilin complain that 60 percent of their land has been sliced off and ruined as the result of the Israeli construction operations.

Israel has been pushing ahead with the erection of the separation wall, defying a 2007 ruling by the International Court of Justice which says the move violates the international law.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118995§ionid=351020202.

Hamas: Cairo wall cannot shake Gazans' will

Tue, 09 Feb 2010

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has scoffed at the blockade of the Gaza Strip, saying walls cannot force Palestinians to submit to external control.

"Gaza is surrounded on three sides; north, east, and south; to make it raise a white flag," Haniyeh said on Monday, insisting that Egypt's underground wall will fail to produce Cairo's desired effect. "The escalation of the blockade and the siege is aimed at toppling the (Hamas) government and bringing the Palestinians to their knees," he added.

The Gaza Strip has long been under siege by the Israelis, who have closed all Gaza crossings, preventing donated food and other basic needs into the area, which is home to some 1.5 million Palestinians.

The only border terminal not controlled by Tel Aviv is the southern Rafah crossing which is closed by the Egyptian government. Cairo also launches regular attacks on the Palestinians' cross-border tunnel network in the area, filling the "food and energy vessels" with gas and water.

Late last year, the Israeli daily Haaretz revealed Egypt was constructing a subterranean steel wall to stem the flow of goods into the coastal enclave.

Haniyeh said that his government is entering "its fourth year in the next few days, and no one can deny the accomplishments and successes it made in achievements in security, stability, preventing chaos and restoring the rights to the people through courts and the judiciary."

The Islamic Hamas movement came to power in Palestine following its sweeping victory in the 2006 general elections but faced pressure under Western diplomatic and economic sanctions.

In June 2007, Hamas had to limit it rule to the Gaza Strip after the rival Fatah party tried to dismantle the resistance movement's administration and forged its own government in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/118238.html.

Iran starts 20% uranium enrichment

Tue, 09 Feb 2010

Iran on Tuesday began enriching uranium to a level of 20 percent at its Natanz enrichment facility under the surveillance of inspectors from the UN nuclear watchdog.

The move comes after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad tasked the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) with enriching uranium to 20 percent in order to meet the demands of the country's cancer patients.

Iran has earlier informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it would start enriching uranium to 20 percent on Tuesday in the presence of the inspectors and observers from the agency.

Iran needs 120 kg (264 lb) of 20 percent-enriched uranium to fuel the Tehran research reactor, which produces medical isotopes for cancer patients and is soon to run out of fuel.

The Tehran research reactor, which produces 20 different kinds of radio-medicine for cancer patients, runs on 20 percent-enriched U-235.

The AEOI Director Ali-Akbar Salehi on Tuesday confirmed the beginning of uranium enrichment to 20 percent purity level at Natanz plant.

"The enrichment started on Tuesday in a separate cascade from the production line that enriches uranium in Natanz," Salehi told the Islamic Republic News Agency.

"We opened a new cascade, called S8, in Natanz which is more on a lab scale," he said.

The top nuclear official said that doors are still open for talks with Iran about nuclear fuel swap.

"The beginning of the enrichment is not tantamount to the end of interaction and negotiations on a UN-brokered proposal on fuel swap," he said.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is still ready to continue cooperation if the negotiation parties act wisely and end wasting time," Salehi underlined.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118235§ionid=351020104.

Pakistani ex-minister escapes assassination attempt

Tue, 09 Feb 2010

A senior Pakistani politician and former aide to ex-military ruler Pervez Musharraf has narrowly escaped an assassination attempt.

The attack however killed four people, including two guards, and wounded eight others in the city of Rawalpindi.

Awami Muslim League Chief and former Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed miraculously escaped during the attack by unidentified gunmen at Aiwan Chowk in Khayaban-e-Sir Syed on Monday evening.

According to sources, armed gunmen opened fire just ahead of a public meeting, which was to be addressed by Ahmed.

Ahmed suffered a minor injury in his leg, but three of his close aides were killed in the gun attack.

"Immediately after he (Ahmed) stepped out of the car, two motorcyclists rushed towards the vehicle and started firing indiscriminately. One of Rashid's guards pushed him to the ground, and the shots fired from two Kalashnikovs missed the politician and hit others around the car," an eyewitness was quoted as saying.

Heavy contingents of police were deployed and the whole area was cordoned off while a search operation was launched to hunt the assailants involved in the incident.

In an interview with a private television channel later, Ahmed said 'people sensing defeat' had tried to eliminate him before the by-polls.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani and President Asif Ali Zardari have also condemned the attack on the former minister and directed the concerned authorities to apprehend the perpetrators.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118239§ionid=351020401.

Pakistan calls on US to repatriate Aafia Siddiqui

Islamabad has appealed to Washington to repatriate the female Pakistani scientist convicted in a US court of attempting to murder US military interrogators and FBI agents.

Dr. Aafia Siddiqui was recently found guilty by a US jury of charges that she has vehemently denied to have committed. The main charge against her was using a US warrant officer's M-4 rifle while being interrogated in 2008 for an alleged possession of 'documents detailing a 'terrorist' plan.'

"Pakistan would provide her legal assistance as the case passes through subsequent stages in the judicial system, the US government may look at the possibility of her repatriation to Pakistan under the Prisoner Exchange Agreement," said Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari to the visiting US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke in Islamabad, a Press TV correspondent reported late Thursday.

Siddiqui vanished in Karachi, Pakistan with her three children on March 30, 2003. US officials allege that she was seized on July 17, 2008 by Afghan security forces in the Ghazni Province while in possession of documents, including formulas for explosives and chemical weapons.

Human rights groups allege that Siddiqui had been secretly held and tortured at the infamous US base in Bagram, north of Kabul, for five years prior to the alleged 2008 shooting.

In the final stages of her trial in the Manhattan Federal Court, Siddiqui's lawyer Linda Moreno also argued that "there is no physical evidence that an M-4 rifle was touched by Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, let alone fired."

Siddiqui's case has been very controversial since most of the evidence against her are circumstantial and based on US intelligence and military agents in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The harsh treatment of the US-educated scientist and her five-year secret detention and shooting has provoked an outrage in the Muslim world, especially her native country of Pakistan.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118991§ionid=351020401.

Two Israeli spies sentenced to death in Lebanon

A Lebanese court on Thursday sentenced two men to death on charges of espionage and involvement in the killing of senior members of Lebanese and Palestinian resistance groups.

A military tribunal convicted the former member of Lebanon's security force Mahmoud Qassem Rafeh, 63, of "collaboration and espionage on behalf of the Israeli enemy."

The retired police officer who was arrested in 2006 admitted last year to providing intelligence for Israeli spying agents over a 13-year period.

He was also charged with involvement in a 2006 car bomb attack in the southern coastal town of Sidon which killed brothers Mahmoud and Nidal Mazjoub of the Islamic Jihad movement.

The death sentence handed to Rafeh came as he awaits trial for the murder of Hezbollah officials Ali Hassan Dib in 1998 and Ali Hussein Saleh in 2003, as well as the 2002 murder of Jihad Jibril, the son of Ahmad Jibril, the leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command.

The other defendant, Palestinian Hussein Khattab, was convicted — in absentia — of being involved in the murders of members of Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad.

Under the Lebanese law, the convicts have the right to appeal while any death sentence needs the endorsement of both the prime minister and the president for implementation.

More than 70 people have been arrested on suspicions of links with Israeli intelligence services during a 2009 operation to track down and eradicate Tel Aviv's espionage rings in Lebanon.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118994§ionid=351020203.

Riyadh urges firm stance on Israeli war threats

Tue, 09 Feb 2010

Saudi Arabia has called on the international community to take a 'rigorous position' against Israel's saber-rattling against Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinians.

Riyadh "appeals to the international community on the need for a rigorous position about these (Israeli threats)," the cabinet said after its weekly meeting on Monday chaired by King Abdullah.

The Saudi cabinet also urged greater "efforts to end the continuous inhumane Israeli practices against the Palestinian people."

Some of the Saudi remarks were in response to Syrian complaints against Tel Aviv's saber-rattling. Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman earlier this month threatened Israel would defeat Damascus in any future conflict and topple President Bashar Assad's rule in Syria.

The hawkish foreign minister's remarks came after Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned that "the absence of an agreement with Syria could lead to armed conflict that could develop into all-out war."

On February 5, Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri appealed to the international community to be aware of daily Israeli threats and take measures to prevent a possible Israeli attack on his country.

The call came after Israeli cabinet minister Yossi Peled said that another confrontation with Lebanon's resistance movement Hezbollah was almost inevitable.

At a conference in Munich on Saturday, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon shook hands with Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal.

The move left Western media buzzing about a possible normalization of Arab-Israeli ties with Riyadh setting the lead among other Arab countries.

But Prince Turki, tipped to be the kingdom's next foreign minister, brushed away the speculations, stressing the handshake did not mean that the kingdom recognized Israel.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118233§ionid=351020205.

Canadian military chief charged with murder

Tue, 09 Feb 2010

A Canadian military base commander has been charged with the murder of two women and sexually assaulting two other women, according to police.

Colonel Russell Williams was arrested in Ottawa Sunday on suspicion of murder of 27-year-old Jessica Lloyd and 38-year-old corporal Marie Comeau.

The 46-year-old Williams also was charged on two counts of breaking and entering the homes of two other women, who were sexually assaulted last September.

"Due to similarities in those incidents, the police investigative team linked (last month's murder) to other crimes," Ontario Provincial Police said in a statement.

Williams, a 23-year military veteran, was appointed as the base commander of Canadian Forces Base Trenton in Trenton, Ontario last July.

Trenton is Canada's busiest Air Force base and is providing logistical support for Canada's missions in Haiti and Afghanistan as well as support for the Vancouver Winter Games.

The colonel was held in custody and will appear in court via video on February 18.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118232§ionid=351020701.

Iran holds 1st fully domestic laser exhibit

Tehran is hosting an exhibition of Laser Science and Technology Achievements to show the latest advances by Iranian scientists in the field.

The display, which includes high-tech laser instruments made by young Iranian researchers, is the first show of its kind in the country.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took part in the opening ceremony and visited the collection of domestic technologies.

The venue sponsored by Iran's National Center For Laser Science and Technology aimed to exhibit devices that are totally designed and manufactured in the country.

"Today we admit with pride that scientists and researchers of our country are in the vanguard of laser science," Mr. Ahmadinejad said during the opening ceremony of the exhibit.

According to Iran's laser center, the country started localizing the technology only three years ago, yet has managed to take considerable steps in it.

"The government and the president are supporting us. We are able to produce a wide range of lasers in demand within the country in medical and industrial fields," Jamshid Sabbaghzadeh, the head of Iran's National Laser Center told Press TV.

"Focused laser, a source of intense radiation of the visible, ultraviolet, or infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum is used to fragment kidney stones," he said.

"Optic fiber laser is commonly used in medicine and industries like welding. The laser radiation interaction with tissues can be effectively used for specialties of eye, skin, and cancer," said Sabbaghzadeh.

The name, Ali Javan rings a bell in the minds of those involved in the science of laser. The Iranian physicist was co-inventor of the gas laser along with William Bennett in 1960.

Javan also conducted the first telephone conversation ever to be transmitted by laser beam in 1960. Now almost 40 years later, laser telecommunication via fiber optics is commonplace and known to be the key technology used in today's Internet.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118164§ionid=3510208.

Iran Nuclear Move Angers West, and Russia

Mon, 08 Feb 2010

By Anoush Maleki

Officials from the United States, France and Russia said Monday serious measures should be taken against Iran after the country informed the UN nuclear agency of its plans to enrich uranium to 20 percent purity for a medical research reactor in Tehran.

The countries had hoped to keep a dormant proposal, backed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), alive and take the bulk of Iran's low enriched uranium for further refinement, turn it into special metal fuel rods, and then return it to the country during a lengthy process for a hefty price.

Iran made counterproposals to facilitate an agreement but the other side lacked flexibility and the Obama administration threatened that punishment would await the Tehran government should the deal fail to go through.

The Islamic Republic, which as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is entitled to enrichment — an important part of the nuclear fuel cycle in which the concentration of fissile uranium-235 atoms within uranium is increased to the required level — for civilian purposes, ignored the threats and said as a buyer, it should freely look for bargains and a potentially improved deal.

After months of delay, Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on Sunday decided to produce the 20 percent enriched uranium domestically while the negotiations remain open for the second part of the proposal — in which the nuclear material is formed into special metal rods for the research reactor.

On Monday, the country's envoy to the IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, informed the agency of the decision.

However, the move threw officials in the West into a frenzy and a barrage of criticism followed as Israel, which has miraculously managed to contain its warmongering since the conclusion of the 2008 Gaza invasion in early 2009, called for "a determined campaign of decisive and permanent sanctions against Iran."

Israel, which is widely believed to possess hundreds of nuclear weapons in the world's most volatile region, has for years threatened to militarily strike Iranian nuclear infrastructure under the allegation that Tehran poses an "existential threat" and the nation is governed by a regime which is hell-bent on starting a nuclear war.

The Obama administration has forced the regime to trim down its war rhetoric and follow in the footsteps of the White House, which promotes "diplomacy" with Tehran — a diplomacy which is backed by attractive incentives and harsh sanctions.

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, after meeting with his French counterpart on Monday, reacted to Iran's move and said new sanctions are the only choice left to deal with the country.

"We must still try and find a peaceful way to resolve this issue. The only path that is left to us at this point, it seems to me, is that pressure track but it will require all of the international community to work together," Gates said at a joint news conference with Herve Morin, who confirmed there is no choice but "to work on other measures," Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, Russia, which had remained unmoved by US pressures on Iran, seems to have jumped ship. An Influential lawmaker said the world must "immediately" inform Tehran that it is risking new sanctions if it did not accept the fuel swap deal.

Konstantin Kosachev, the chairman of the powerful Duma foreign affairs committee, told the Interfax news agency that Tehran should be sent "a fresh signal" that the world powers are "prepared to respond to this step with serious measures, up to toughening the economic sanctions."

"This signal must be loud and clear," insisted Mr. Kosachev, whose country has delayed the construction of Iran's first nuclear power plant in Bushehr for more than a decade.

Moscow enjoys close diplomatic and economic ties with Tehran. However, it has never hesitated to back Western initiatives against the Iranian government whenever its own interests require it to.

Dr. Hassan Beheshtipour, a senior Iran expert with knowledge on the country's nuclear capabilities, said the country can easily enrich uranium to 20 percent, as the newly installed centrifuges in the Natanz plant will quickly increase output.

But Iran does not possess the technology to manufacture the fuel assemblies. Therefore, there is a possibility that, as President Ahmadinejad has suggested, Iran will seek to negotiate for the second part of the original UN-backed fuel swap proposal, Dr. Beheshtipour said.

And that would effectively leave out Russia from a potential deal; thus the Russian reaction.

The riposte to Iran's announcement of its intention to exercise its nuclear rights is yet to sway China from promoting diplomacy and pushing for more negotiations with Tehran.

Beijing is a veto-wielding member of the United Nations Security Council and has close relations with Tehran. It has also deeply invested in Iran's energy sector.

Whether China will decide to punish the major oil exporter for seeking to develop its nuclear program is a question that the United States is holding its breath on. But Iran, nonetheless, will move forward with its plans.

Mr. Soltanieh, the Iranian nuclear envoy, told Press TV that he has asked the UN nuclear agency to dispatch its inspectors to Iran to oversee the process of the 20 percent enrichment work.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=118199§ionid=3510303.

Egypt to seal sea border with Gaza

Sun, 07 Feb 2010

Egypt is to close its sea border to the Gaza-bound supplies as it reinforces the restrictions against the passage of sustenance into the strip.

Cairo has ordered a port to be built at its maritime border with the Gaza Strip, a security official was quoted by AFP as saying. The security boats there would then "prevent all future attempts to smuggle Palestinian contraband," he added.

The surveillance multiplies the restrictions Cairo has placed along the terrestrial border at a time when the coastal sliver of 1.5-million population continues to suffer from an all-out Israeli-imposed blockade which has deprived it of its basic necessities for almost three years.

Egypt has kept shut the Rafah border crossing — the sliver's only border that bypasses Israel — claiming that the border post is an Egyptian-Israeli crossing and should not be used without Tel Aviv's permission.

The Egyptian government is additionally building a steel wall along the Gaza border to prevent the trafficking of any goods into the strip.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said late last month that "fortifications along our eastern border are a work of Egyptian sovereignty, and we refuse to enter into a debate with anyone [about them]."

Egypt has also banned all relief convoys from using its territory to enter Gaza after causing numerous complications for the high-profile Viva Palestina convoy, which had departed for the enclave headed by British Member of Parliament George Galloway.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/118129.html.

Israel unveils surveillance drone to reach Iran

The Israeli army says it has unveiled the world's largest unmanned surveillance drone which can fly for over 20 hours and reach Iran.

According to the army, the Israeli drone is physically larger than any other drone and can fly at higher altitudes.

"The Eitan can stay in the air for more than 20 hours; it can carry very large cargo and fly very far, much further than any other unmanned drone in Israel," said Air Force Lt. Col. A on Thursday.

"Only few aircraft in the world approach such capabilities," the Israeli officer went on to say.

The Israeli army further added that drone is also equipped with more advanced technological systems than its predecessors.

The drone was presented by the Israeli air force to local reporters at an army base in central Israel on Thursday.

The drone had already been tested on several occasions, including during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip.

According to Israeli military officials, a new Eitan squadron will be officially inaugurated next year.

The United States and Israel have repeatedly threatened to carry out a military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities.

Israel and its staunch ally, the United States, have been accusing the Islamic Republic of pursuing military applications under the guise of a civilian nuclear program, a claim vehemently rejected by Iran.

Iran, a signatory of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is entitled to pursue the technology for civilian purposes. It has also called for the elimination of all nuclear weapons, as well as their development and production.

It is widely believed that Tel Aviv possesses of over 200 nuclear warheads, although it has never formally acknowledged such arsenal. It has refused to sign the NPT, and it is not a member of the IAEA. Middle Eastern nations consider Israel's nuclear arms to be a major threat against them.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118980§ionid=351020202.

Cleric describes Iran march as 'magnificent'

A senior Iranian cleric on Friday described the Iranian nation's massive turnout in revolution rallies as a pledge of “allegiance” to the Islamic establishment.

“By their epic and magnificent turnout in the [22 Bahman] rallies, the nation declared that it is faithfully standing by the Islamic Republic,” Tehran's Interim Friday Prayers Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ahmad Khatami said, adding that no stratagem could disconnect the nation from the Islamic establishment.

He said the West and their allies should know that the Iranian nation regards the Islamic Republic as a divine establishment not a political one.

Ayatollah Khatami rejected the language of threat against Iran as “the most imprudent tool” to apply pressure on the country.

The West must admit the fact that Iran is an important player in the international political arena, whose power emanates from its people, he said.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118989§ionid=351020101.

UK official: We knew about Mossad assassination plot

Israel's Mossad had tipped off British intelligence that they were going to use fake British passports before the assassination of the Hamas commander, a new report says.

According to a report by the Daily Mail on Friday morning, the British intelligence agency the MI6 was notified before the assassination took place in Dubai last month.

The UK newspaper published the report several hours following a 20-minute meeting between the Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor and a senior British diplomat in London on Thursday.

The two officials discussed the British passports apparently used in the assassination of Mabhouh in Dubai.

A British security source quoted a Mossad agent as saying that "the British Government was told very, very briefly before the operation what was going to happen," the paper further added.

"There was no British involvement and they didn't know the name of the target. But they were told these people were traveling on UK passports," the Daily Mail quoted the British security source as saying.

On Thursday, Dubai Police chief Dahi Khalfan Tamim said he was 99-percent certain that the Mossad was behind the assassination.

Tamim said he would ask Interpol to issue an international arrest warrant against Mossad head Meir Dagan, and perhaps also against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu if it's proven that the Israeli intelligence agency was behind the assassination of Mabhouh.

Mabhouh, a senior commander in the armed wing of the Islamic movement, was killed in his hotel room on January 19 in Dubai by a hit squad of at least 11 people carrying forged European passports, according to the Dubai police.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118979§ionid=351020601.

Iran's science progress fastest in world: Canadian report

A Canadian firm evaluating the global output of science and technology says scientific advancements in Iran have grown 11 times faster than any other country in the world.

Science-Metrix — a Montreal-based company dedicated to the quantitative and qualitative evaluation and measurement of science, technology and innovation — has released its most recent report on "geopolitical shifts in knowledge creation" since 1980, Newscientist reported on Thursday.

In the report, Science-Metrix says the number of scientific publications listed in the Web of Science database shows that the standard growth in the Middle East, particularly in Iran and Turkey, is nearly four times faster than the world average.

“Iran is showing fastest worldwide growth in science,” said Eric Archambault, who authored the report.

"Asia is catching up even more rapidly than previously thought, Europe is holding its position more than most would expect, and the Middle East is a region to watch," he added.

According to Archambaut, while Iran's publications have somewhat emphasized on nuclear chemistry and particle physics, the country has also made significant progress in medical science and agriculture development.

Archambaut said Iran's technological advancements this year have been to an extent that they may even outshine those of China, whose prominence in world science is known to have been growing.

Despite more than thirty years of Western-imposed sanctions, Iran has made great strides in different sectors, including aerospace, nuclear science, medical development, as well as stem cell and cloning research.

Among the country's most recent accomplishments, which has garnered international acclaim, was the February 2 launch of Kavoshgar 3 (Explorer 3) satellite carrier into space with living organisms — a rat, two turtles and worms — onboard.

In January 2010, the country became the first Middle Eastern country to produce transgenic animals, such as sheep and goats that express foreign proteins in their milk and are, therefore, considered valuable sources of protein for human therapy.

Also Iran has become one of the few countries that have the technology and the means to clone farm animals, which could lead to advances in medical research, including using cloned animals to produce human antibodies against diseases.

A lamb named 'Royana', a kid named 'Hanna' and two calves named 'Bonyana' and 'Tamina' were the first animals successfully cloned in the country.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118977§ionid=3510208.

Biden wants US warheads with worldwide reach

US vice president Joe Biden says Washington should seek an "adaptive missile defense shield" and conventional warheads with global range.

Biden, who spoke at the National Defense University on Thursday, added that development of programs such as the planned anti-missile in Europe would allow the United States to decrease its nuclear weaponry.

"Capabilities like an adaptive missile defensive shield, conventional warheads with world-wide reach and others that are developing and being developed will enable us to reduce the role of nuclear weapons as other nuclear powers begin to draw down even further," the vice president said.

Biden was also making the case for the big jump in spending so that scientists can make certain the aging US nuclear stockpile remains ready for use, if needed, without test explosions.

The new administration budget allocates USD 7 billion for scientists and laboratories that maintain warhead readiness — an increase of about 13.5 percent and one of the largest in the next spending plan.

The 2011 budget also calls for spending an additional USD 5 billion on those projects over the next five years.

Biden comments come while US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev agreed in July to cut their respective number of nuclear warheads to between 1,500 and 1,675 under a new treaty.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118966§ionid=3510203.

IAEA confirms 20% uranium enrichment in Iran

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that Iran has produced its first batch of 20 percent enriched uranium at the Natanz enrichment plant.

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said in his first report on Iran that Iranian experts carried out the enrichment for producing nuclear fuel for the Tehran research reactor between February 9 and 11.

"Iran provided the agency with mass spectrometry results which indicate that enrichment levels of up to 19.8 percent (uranium) were obtained," the report says.

Iran announced on February 9 that it had started enriching uranium to the level of less than 20 percent to meet the country's fuel requirements for the reactor producing medical radioisotopes, after the potential suppliers failed to provide the fuel under a UN deal.

Two days later, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad formally declared that Iran had successfully produced the first stock of the 20-percent enriched uranium, a declaration which was met with cynicism in the West.

The report noted that Iran started enriching uranium to a higher level in the presence of IAEA inspectors.

"On February 10, when the agency inspectors arrived at the PFEP (Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant), they were informed that Iran had already begun to feed the UF6 (uranium hexafluoride) into one cascade the previous evening," Amano said in his report to the IAEA Board of Governors.

The report also verified the non-diversion of declared nuclear material in Iran.

"The information available to the agency is extensive… broadly consistent and credible in terms of the technical detail, the time frame in which the activities were conducted and the people, and organizations involved," the report said.

However, the IAEA called on Iran to further discuss and cooperate on alleged issues.

"Iran has not provided the necessary cooperation to permit the agency to confirm that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities," it added.

"Altogether this raises concerns about the possible existence in Iran of past or current undisclosed activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile," Amano said.

Iran has repeatedly denied it is working on sensitive nuclear materials and insists its uranium enrichment plants and other facilities are only geared toward civilian nuclear energy applications.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118942§ionid=351020104.

Leader says Iran will never seek atom bomb

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Friday that the country neither believes in atomic bombs nor is it seeking to develop such weapons.

The Leader said the continuation of allegations by the West that the country is pursuing military objectives in its civilian nuclear program signals that the propaganda campaign against Iran has failed.

Iran has announced many times, he said, that its fundamentals and religious principles consider weapons of mass destruction as "illegal and haraam" — meaning forbidden and prohibited according to Islamic rules.

The West accuses Iran, a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), of seeking a nuclear weapon. Tehran, however, rejects the allegation and says its program is aimed at the civilian applications of the technology.

Iran in no way believes in an atomic bomb, and it does not seek one, Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Leader made the remarks during the inauguration ceremony of Iran's first domestically-built destroyer.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118988§ionid=351020101.

European countries slam Israel over Dubai hit

Four European countries whose passports were implicated in a Hamas commander's killing in Dubai have piled up pressure on Israel.

Britain, Ireland, France and Germany on Thursday called in Israeli envoys for talks at their foreign ministries on the killing last month, widely suspected to be the work of the Israeli spy agency, Mossad, using false passports.

At the same time Interpol issued arrest notices for 11 suspects — six listed with British passports, three Irish, one French and one German — wanted by Dubai for the killing of Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in the emirate.

Dubai Police Chief Dahi Khalfan Tamim said Thursday that he was "99 percent, if not 100 percent certain that Mossad is behind the murder," the United Arab Emirates newspaper The National reported.

In Dublin, Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin announced "frank" talks with Israel's envoy — usually diplomatic code for angry exchanges — saying he regarded the use of false passports as "an extremely serious incident."

New information provided from Dubai authorities linked two other forged Irish passports to the killing, said the ministry.

A spokesman said that Ireland had heard reports that, in addition to the 11 names already identified, there might be up to eight others involved. It believed the two extra Irish passports are part of this new batch, AFP reported.

In Paris, a spokesman said the foreign ministry had "expressed France's deep concern about the malicious and fraudulent use" of a French passport in a meeting with Israeli charge d'affaires Sammy Ravel.

Germany, meanwhile, demanded an explanation from Israel over the killing, in a meeting between a top German foreign ministry diplomat and the Israeli charge d'affaires in Berlin.

Diplomatic tension has mounted over Mabhouh killing after Dubai's police chief revealed that 11 European passport holders were allegedly involved.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118963§ionid=351020202.

Moroccan tourist destination to ban alcohol

Rabat, Morocco (Earth Times) - The Moroccan city of Fes wants to become the first in the North African kingdom to ban alcohol entirely, the mayor said Friday. Local residents have been disturbed by the bars and discos frequented by tourists, Mayor Hamid Chabat said, proposing that Fes, a popular tourist destination, become "an alcohol-free city like Mecca or al-Qods (Jerusalem)."

The city council, which is dominated by the conservative nationalist Istiqlal party, already gave its backing to the ban on Thursday.

The authorities had received complaints from residents about rowdy behavior in bars and discotheques where Moroccans were served alcohol despite laws which prohibit Muslims from drinking.

The law allows Christians and Jews to consume alcohol, but in reality, alcoholic drinks are often available to Muslims as well.

The ban planned by the Fes authorities would affect foreign tourists as well as Moroccans.

The provincial prefect was, however, unlikely to allow the ban to go into effect, observers said.

Fes, one of Morocco's imperial cities, marked 12 centuries of its existence in 2008. The former capital is located at about 200 kilometers east of the current capital Rabat.

Report: US to rename Iraq conflict

Washington - A Defense Department memo reveals plans to dub the conflict in Iraq Operation New Dawn, broadcaster ABC reported Thursday night.

The memo from Defense Secretary Robert Gates to General David Petraeus, chief of the military's Central Command with responsibility for the Iraq conflict, says that the new name will take effect on September 1, "coinciding with the change of mission for US forces in Iraq." A Pentagon spokesman confirmed the contents of the memo, which was issued Wednesday.

The name reflects the upcoming withdrawal of US combat forces as agreed with the Iraqi government.

Since the 2003 invasion to topple Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, the US military has referred to the conflict as Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/310124,report-us-to-rename-iraq-conflict.html.

North Korea plans more firing practice near maritime border

Seoul - North Korea has declared several no-sail zones near the border with its southern neighbor ahead of renewed artillery exercises in the coming days, a government website reported Friday. Seoul's National Oceanographic Research Institute confirmed that it had received notification from Pyongyang of firing practice in six maritime zones to the east and west of the Korean Peninsula, for three days starting Saturday.

The exercises were planned in North Korean waters, close to the disputed border with South Korea, the Yonhap news agency reported.

In January, North Korean artillery fired hundreds of shells into the sea over a period of three days, raising tensions amid speculation that the stalled six-party talks on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program might resume.

In addition to the two Koreas, the talks also include the US, Japan, Russia and China.

The shells all fell on the North Korean side of the border, but Pyongyang drew international criticism for its behavior.

Tensions over the maritime border, which has never been recognized by North Korea, have been high since a naval skirmish in November left a North Korean patrol boat in flames. The Korean navies also clashed in 1999 and in 2002.

Pyongyang could be trying to strengthen its hand for the talks on nuclear disarmament or potential peace talks with South Korea, some analysts said according to the BBC.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/310132,north-korea-plans-more-firing-practice-near-maritime-border.html.

Malaysia defends caning of Muslim women

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia on Friday defended its decision to cane three Muslim women for having sex outside of marriage, saying that the punishment served as a reminder to Muslims to adhere to the requirements of the religion. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the whipping of three women on February 9 was legal and, therefore, should not be questioned by any parties.

"The caning punishment meted out by the sharia court is legal and how the international community looks at it, is up to them," Muhyiddin was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper.

"But I believe it is important that authorities make an effort to explain the procedure because it is far different from the impression many have.

"While the caning sentence meted out by civil courts can cause hurt and sometimes even death, caning according to sharia law ... is more to educate and remind Muslims to honour and abide by their religion," he said.

This was the country's first-ever case involving the flogging of women.

Two of the women where whipped six times, while the third was given four strokes of the cane.

In a report Friday in the New Straits Times daily, the three women gave an account of their ordeal, saying that at least 10 people witnessed the caning including religious and government officials.

The women, aged between 17 and 25, said they were fully clothed, and were checked by a doctor before and after the whipping which was administered by a female prison warden with a thin rattan cane.

The caning has sparked outrage from rights groups, who say that the act violates constitutional guarantees of equality and non-discrimination, as under the civil law, women are not caned.

Malaysia has a dual-track legal system with Islamic criminal and family laws, which are applicable only to Muslims, alongside civil laws.

Critics have also said that the move to impose whipping for Muslim women would undermine government efforts to portray the country as moderate.

The case has also sparked concerns that conservative and hardline Islamists are gaining influence over the justice system of this country where more than half of its 28-million population are Muslims.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/310135,malaysia-defends-caning-of-muslim-women.html.

Dutch government to discuss Afghan ultimatum

Amsterdam - The Dutch government is set Friday to debate a demand by the junior coalition party Labor to reject NATO's request to keep troops in Afghanistan for another year. An emergency debate on the subject in parliament Thursday fuelled speculation about a breakdown of the coalition government and the possibility of early elections.

On February 9, the government said NATO's Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen had formally requested Dutch forces to remain active in the southern Afghan province of Uruzghan until August 2011, in order to train local security staff.

The government has said it would take a decision before March 1.

The leading coalition party, the Christian Democrats, supports extending the military mission.

But Labor's leader and Deputy Prime Minister Wouter Bos Wednesday reiterated his party's opposition to any further Dutch troops - and demanded that position was recognized by the government by Friday, after the weekly cabinet meeting.

The Netherlands is due to withdraw its troops from Uruzghan by the end of 2010. It has some 1,880 troops in Afghanistan, 1,250 of them stationed in Uruzghan. The Dutch International Security Assistance Force mission, which started in 2006 and was extended in 2008, is due to end in August.

Twenty-one Dutch soldiers have died in Afghanistan since 2006.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/310142,dutch-government-to-discuss-afghan-ultimatum.html.

Kuwaiti envoy: Persian Gulf name, irreversible

The Kuwaiti envoy to Tehran says the historical and geographical name of the Persian Gulf is irreversible and no body reserves the right to deny Iranians their right.

"History is clear and the name of this sea has been Persian Gulf since the old days. The name of Persian Gulf has been written down on various geographical maps and no body can change it," Kuwaiti Ambassador to Tehran, Majdi Ahmad Ebrahim al-Zafiri told reporters in Bushehr, according to Mehr.

"The distortion of Persian Gulf's name was conducted by a particular Egyptian tribe with political intentions; therefore such a historical issue does not require sensitivity and the Persian Gulf remains Persian Gulf for good," the Kuwaiti official asserted.

Despite the existence of historical and geographical documents which with no trouble prove the authenticity of the Persian Gulf's name, some Arab states over the past years have spared no efforts to violate the international standards and distort the name of these waters to "Arabian Gulf."

Since Persian Gulf occupies a pivotal place in the Iranian history and culture, the false use of the name of the area has always provoked the Iranian government and people's anger.

The historical and geographical name of the Persian Gulf has been endorsed and clarified by the United Nations on many occasions and is in use by the UN, its member states, and all other international agencies worldwide. The last UN Directive confirming the name of the Persian Gulf was on August, 18th 1994.

The use of the distorted name of the Persian Gulf was also described to be 'faulty' by the Eighth United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names, Berlin, 27 August September 2002.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118976§ionid=351020105.

Parliament backs Iran Pres. decision over 20% enrichment

Mon, 08 Feb 2010

Iranian lawmakers have supported a decision by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to domestically enrich uranium to higher levels, saying it was an appropriate response to the growing Western pressure.

Ahead of the 31st anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, President Ahmadinejad ordered the country's nuclear agency to enrich uranium to 20 percent in order to meet the growing demand of Iranian cancer patients.

The Iranian president, who was speaking at the exhibition of Laser Science and Technology Achievements in Tehran on Sunday, said the country was still willing to negotiate a deal on fuel supply for the Tehran research reactor, which is slowly but steadily running out of fuel.

If the reactor's fuel completely dries up, there will be heavy consequences for thousands of Iranian patients, who desperately need post-surgery treatment with nuclear medicine.

On Monday, Iranian lawmaker Morteza Aghatehrani said the Tehran government will never fear, nor will it ever yield to Western pressure over its civilian nuclear plans.

"In about a year, the Westerners will see the [positive outcome] of the President's order," said Aghatehrani. "All they do is level threats against us. This should not terrify us and deter us from the peaceful procedure of our work."

Hamid Resayi, another senior lawmaker, said the presidential order to increase uranium enrichment was "the best possible response" to recent claims that Iran had backed down on its concerns over a Western-backed uranium exchange deal.

"There has recently been some rumors that the Iranian president has conceded to Western demands over the country's uranium enrichment," said Resayi in an interview with IRNA.

"Fortunately, the president has managed to put an end to these claims by issuing the order to begin uranium enrichment to a higher level," added Resayi.

His remarks were backed by Esmail Kowsari, a senior member of the Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee.

The West has no right to pressure Iran over its uranium enrichment, Kowsari said, adding that "we had warned them that if they refuse to abide by a legal framework in supplying our required, we will take the matter in our own hands."

"We need this fuel because there are a myriad of Iranian patients who need to receive radio-medicine and a wide range of treatments that can only be facilitated by the Tehran reactor," he noted.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118178§ionid=351020104.

Israel arrests Australian woman in West Bank

Mon, 08 Feb 2010

An Australian woman, who was arrested in the West Bank, is being held in an Israeli jail, says her attorney.

Twenty-two-year-old Bridgette Chappell's Israeli lawyer Omer Shatz told ABC on Monday that she was arrested in a pre-dawn raid on her home.

Shatz says Chappell's detention is part of a campaign by the Israeli regime to silence pro-Palestinian foreigners.

Chappell was active in the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) a pro-Palestinian organization committed to resisting Israel's occupation of the West Bank.

She was sharing an ISM apartment with two other activists, a Spanish woman and an American man, Ryan Olander. According to Shatz, about 12 soldiers broke down the door in the dead of night and burst in with M16 rifles.

The lawyer went on to say that Israel usually deports detained foreign activists within 24 hours by intimidating them into signing a paper stating that they are willing to leave immediately. Otherwise, they will face months of jail time. In order to avoid incarceration, most of the detainees sign the paper.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118171§ionid=351020202.

US soldier water-boards 4-year-old daughter

Mon, 08 Feb 2010

An American soldier whose unit has served in Iraq and Afghanistan wars admits to using brutal CIA torture techniques on his young daughter because she could not recite the alphabet.

Joshua Tabor has admitted to water-boarding his little girl, whose custody he won just a month ago, because he knew she was horrified of water.

The 27-year-old soldier was arrested after he turned up in a Kevlar military helmet, threatening to smash windows.

Police went to Tabor's home in neighboring Yelm, where his girlfriend told them about the alleged torture.

His terrified 4-year-old daughter bore bruises all over her back and scratch marks on her neck when she was found hiding in a closet, police said. When asked how she got her injuries, she replied: "Daddy did it," according to The Daily Telegraph.

The cruel father serves in the Lewis-McChord base in Tacoma, Washington, which is home to units that serve in the US war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Simulating a feeling of being drowned, water-boarding was used by the CIA interrogators to force terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay to come clean.

Former US President George W. Bush approved the controversial interrogation method along with several others, including sleep deprivation and hunger.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118169§ionid=3510203.

Iran opens production lines for modern drones

Mon, 08 Feb 2010

Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi has inaugurated two production lines for the manufacture of advanced unmanned aircraft to improve its defense capabilities.

"The two drones, named Raad and Nazir, are capable of carrying out surveillance, detection and even assaults with high precision," Vahidi said on Monday.

Vahidi also unveiled Iran's first domestically-built single-seat aircraft.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Iran's defense minister said the 175-kg double-engine plane, Faez, can be assembled within less than five minutes due to its light weight and attachable body.

"The plane has been successfully tested," he said and added that it would be mass-produced soon.

Iran on Sunday successfully tested the prototype of its first domestically-built stealth drone, called Sofreh Mahi.

"The drone, due to its physical attributes and the material used in its body, cannot be detected by any radar," Air Force Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, the force's coordination deputy, said.

The technological and military achievements come on occasion of the 31st anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in February 1979.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118168§ionid=3510208.

Al-Shabab impose curfew over stronghold

Sun, 07 Feb 2010

The Al-Shabab fighters have imposed an undeclared curfew in the southern Somali town of Merka after a number helicopters flew over their stronghold.

Somali opposition fighters ordered the closure of businesses and civil activities in the Lower Shabelle fishing town of Merka after five low-flying helicopters carried out an apparent reconnaissance operation over the coastal town.

The apparent two-hour scouting flights drove Al-Shabab to deploy anti-aircraft rocket launchers on high buildings tops in order to ward off possible attacks, a Press TV correspondent reported.

Recently, Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said that his government was ready to mount a fresh offensive against the Al-Shabab group, which has poured into the capital Mogadishu.

He confirmed the Somali troops' readiness to retake strategic towns in southern Somalia, including Baidoa, Kismayu and Merka, currently under the control of Al-Shabab and the rival Hizbul Islam fighters.

A large number of African Union troops have also reportedly approached Merka and Baraawe in the effort to crack down on the fighters.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/118098.html.

Al-Shabab retreating from Mogadishu, reports say

Mon, 08 Feb 2010

Al-Shabab fighters have reportedly vacated their strongholds in Mogadishu ahead of a government offensive.

According to sources, the group has been pulling out all its weapons and vehicles from its main stronghold ever since they heard the reports of an imminent government attack.

Other reports also suggested that other Al-Shabab strongholds, including the Daynile district, have witnessed large movements of military personnel and equipment.

It is unclear if this is a military tactic that Al-Shabab is employing.

In addition, five people were killed and dozens of others injured on Sunday in shelling that rocked parts of the Somali capital Mogadishu, medics and witnesses said.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/118144.html.

Erekat calls for alternative to two-state solution

Thu, 04 Feb 2010

Chief Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat says Palestinians should consider other alternatives to the two-state solution if the peace process with Israel does not move forward.

Palestinians should develop credible alternatives to the two-state solution, such as a one-state solution or a bi-national state and dissolve the Palestinian Authority, according to Erekat.

Erekat also called for a "campaign of non-violent resistance, such as prohibition of Palestinians working in settlements and boycott of Israeli products."

Another option that the Palestinians should consider, according to Erekat, is the re-evaluation of the Oslo Accord and "declaring them null and void, partially or completely, or applying them selectively in a manner consistent with Palestinian interests."

The prominent Palestinian figure also called for a united Palestinian message and position regarding peace talks with Israel.

Erekat went on to urge Palestinians to try to secure a UN Security Council resolution that would recognize the state of Palestine on its 1967 borders with East Jerusalem (Al-Quds) as its capital. He further called for a just solution to the Palestinian refugee issue based on UN Resolution 194.

The chief negotiator also called on Israel to implement a comprehensive settlement freeze, which would include East Jerusalem (Al-Quds), and reopen Palestinian institutions in the city.

"Israel also must remove settlement outposts established since March 2001, lift the siege and closure on the West Bank and Gaza Strip and halt raids, arrests and assassinations and all activities that may jeopardize building mutual trust and confidence," Saeb Erekat pointed out.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=117870§ionid=351020202.

Ahmadinejad urges campaign for regional security

Thu, 04 Feb 2010

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that Tehran and Islamabad should develop a joint campaign to promote regional security.

"Given the current situation, the regional countries — especially Iran and Pakistan — must devise a joint plan to provide security in the region," said Ahmadinejad.

The Iranian president made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Pakistani National Assembly Speaker Fahmida Mirza in Tehran.

"Radicalism is a threat to all countries in the region," Ahmadinejad said, calling for concerted cooperation between Tehran and Islamabad to settle such problems.

He added that Iran and Pakistan need to expand relations in all areas.

President Ahmadinejad said that certain countries are unhappy about "the brotherly ties between Tehran and Islamabad."

Mirza, for her part, said that her country considered expansion of its ties with Iran as "a necessity" for Pakistan.

She noted that Tehran and Islamabad have similar stances regarding many international issues. The Pakistani speaker said that her country has always supported Iran's civilian nuclear program.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=117866§ionid=351020101.

Dutch MP cries foul as court rejects his witnesses

Thu, 04 Feb 2010

The Dutch lawmaker and producer of the anti-Islamic 'Fitna' movie, Geert Wilders, claims he has been denied the right to a fair trial.

He made the remark after the Amsterdam District Court rejected most of his requested defense witnesses, saying that he could only call three witnesses out of the 18 he had sought.

He said that he was "angry and disappointed" with Wednesday's hearing, arguing that the ruling placed the right of the Europeans to speak what they wish about Islam in jeopardy.

"I know that I spoke the truth and didn't say anything punishable," he claimed, vowing to "fight like a lion."

“This court is not interested in the truth. This court doesn't want me to have a fair trial. I can't have any respect for this. This court would not be out of place in a dictatorship,” said the far-right politician in a statement, following the hearing.

Prosecutors had initially declined to charge Wilders, but an appeals court ordered prosecutors to put the MP on trial, insisting that politicians could not make "statements which create hate and grief."

Wilders is on trial for his provocative short documentary film, Fitna, which features passages from the Koran along with footages of terror attacks. The film's screening in the Netherlands in 2008 provoked Muslim sentiments and prompted massive protests across the world.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=117861§ionid=351020605.

Iraq to sue US, Britain over depleted uranium bombs

Mon, 01 Feb 2010

Iraq's Ministry for Human Rights will file a lawsuit against Britain and the US over their use of depleted uranium bombs in Iraq, an Iraqi minister says.

Iraq's Minister of Human Rights, Wijdan Mikhail Salim, told Assabah newspaper that the lawsuit will be launched based on reports from the Iraqi ministries of science and the environment.

According to the reports, during the first year of the US and British invasion of Iraq, both countries had repeatedly used bombs containing depleted uranium.

According to Iraqi military experts, the US and Britain bombed the country with nearly 2,000 tons of depleted uranium bombs during the early years of the Iraq war.

Atomic radiation has increased the number of babies born with defects in the southern provinces of Iraq.

Iraqi doctors say they' have been struggling to cope with the rise in the number of cancer cases —especially in cities subjected to heavy U-S and British bombardment.

The high rate of birth defects and cancer cases will move in the coming years to the central and northern provinces of Iraq since the radiation may penetrate the soil and water by air.

The ministry will seek compensation for the victims of these bombs.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=117557§ionid=351020201.

US hostile policy blamed for N. Korean nukes

North Korea says it will not abandon its nuclear weapons unless the United States ends its hostile policy in the troubled peninsula.

The official Korean Central News Agency said on Friday that Pyongyang will keep its nuclear arsenal unless the US changes its hostile policies.

"Unless (the US) terminates its hostile policy and nuclear threats towards our Republic, our abandonment of nuclear weapons will not happen even if the earth breaks," the declaration read.

It went on to add that the country will not give up its nuclear program in return for economic aid.

The declaration also emphasized that the country has developed atomic bombs for its own defense and not for economic favors.

This declaration comes after the communist country announced plans to launch live-fire exercises near its sea border with South Korea.

North Korean forces will open fire from four spots on the country's west coast and from two spots on its east coast.

The drills will take place from Saturday to Monday.

Pyongyang has declared the affected areas as no-sailing zones.

North Korea is under international pressure to return to the six-party talks on its nuclear disarmament.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118987§ionid=351020405.

Iran launches advanced Jamaran destroyer

Iran's Navy on Friday took the delivery of the first indigenously designed and developed guided missile destroyer Jamaran in the presence of the leader of the Islamic Revelation Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The Mowdge Class vessel has a displacement of around 14,000 tonnes and is equipped with modern radars and electronic warfare capabilities.

Jamaran, a multi-mission destroyer, can carry 120-140 personnel on board and is armed with a variety of anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles.

It has a top speed of up to 30 knots and has a helipad.

The vessel has also been equipped with torpedoes and modern naval cannons. The destroyer's launch marks a major technological leap for Iran's naval industries.

More ships in its class are under construction.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118982§ionid=351020101.

Secret CIA-Mossad meeting, preparation for new war?

Mon, 01 Feb 2010

A secret meeting between the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Leon Panetta and Israeli officials has reportedly centered on Iran's nuclear program.

In a secret flying visit to Israel on Thursday, the head of the CIA reportedly discussed Iran's nuclear issue in a sit-down with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Mossad Chief Meir Dagan.

The trip, which was originally scheduled to take place in May, follows a recent wave of developments in the Middle East that strongly imply preparations for a possible new military conflict in the region.

Israel has allegedly increased the scope of its undercover operations in the region, particularly against Lebanon, Iran, Syria and the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas.

The extent of this could be seen in recent remarks by Israeli cabinet minister Yossi Peled, in which the former army general explicitly said that another confrontation with Lebanon's resistance movement Hezbollah was almost inevitable.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri responded to the claims on Thursday, saying that Israel's threats against Hezbollah are perceived as threats against Lebanon.

"We consider the Israeli threats on Lebanon to be a threat to the Lebanese government as a whole, rather than to one particular person," said Hariri during a joint news conference with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, Hamas officials say they have concrete evidence that the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, staged the recent assassination of a senior Hamas commander, Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, in Dubai on January 20.

Their claims have been somewhat supported by Dubai Police Chief Dhahi Khalfan.

"It could be Mossad," AFP quoted police Chief Dhahi Khalfan as saying on Sunday.

To add to the controversy, sources in Turkey's ruling party told Russia's Mignews on Saturday that Israeli spy agents ran an advanced electronic monitoring station from the Ankara military headquarters to keep tabs on communication networks in Iran and Syria.

According to the sources who were speaking on condition of anonymity, the Signals Intelligence station was solely managed by Israeli intelligence personnel and had become off-limits for members of the Turkish government.

For years Israeli politicians have masterminded a wave of undercover operations and terror plots in numerous countries, including Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Switzerland, and the US.

However, much of Israel's espionage operations have lately been focused on the Tehran government, largely because of Iran's uranium enrichment activities, which Tel Aviv has been seeking to portray as a mortal threat.

Tel Aviv, which is reported to have an arsenal of 200 nuclear warheads itself, accuses Iran of developing nuclear weapons and routinely threatens to reduce the country's enrichment sites to rubble.

This is while Iran, unlike Israel, is a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has opened its enrichment facilities to UN inspection.

On Saturday, US presidential aid James Jones rejected prospects of an Israeli attack against Iran.

Although US officials normally deny having any plans to stage new war in the region, there have recently been strong hints to the contrary.

The New York Times reported Saturday that Washington will further increase its military presence in the Persian Gulf — allegedly to soup up its defense against possible Iranian missile attacks.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama has approved the deployment of new combat equipments, including advanced missile systems and special warships, to the region.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=117579§ionid=351020202.

Turkey's IHH Prepares To Break Gaza Siege With 20 Aid Ships

ANKARA, Feb 18 (Bernama)-- Turkey's Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) and the United Kingdom's Free Gaza Movement are preparing to send 20 ships in April to the Gaza strip through the Mediterranean Sea as part of a large aid campaign, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported, citing the Turkish media.

Along with Free Gaza Movement in the UK and IHH in Turkey, organizations from the United States, France, Germany, Italy and Malaysia are expected to join the campaign bys sending boats, the Turkish media reported.

The campaign that is expected to start on April 20 is named "last port is freedom".

Source: Bernama.
Link: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=476370.

Dubai police chief wants Mossad head arrested

The Dubai police chief wants the head of Mossad arrested if it's proven that the Israeli intelligence agency was behind the assassination of the senior Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh.

Interpol should issue a Red Notice for Meir Dagan if Mossad is proven to be behind the murder of Mabhuh, Dahi Khalfan Tamim said on Thursday.

According to Tamim, investigations have revealed that the Israeli spy agency Mossad was behind the murder of Mabhouh.

“It is 99 percent, if not 100 percent certain that Mossad is behind the murder," he told the UAE newspaper The National.

Tamim further pointed out that Dubai police can prove the European passports used by the suspected assassins were genuine.

Mabhouh, a senior commander in the armed wing of the Islamic movement, was killed in his hotel room on January 19 in Dubai by a hit squad of at least 11 people carrying forged European passports, according to the Dubai police.

Dubai police said the 11 suspects had European passports: one French, three Irish, six British, and one German. A French national, identified as Peter Elvinger allegedly acted as the logistical mastermind in the Dubai hit.

Interpol issued arrest warrants on Thursday for 11 suspects accused of killing the senior Hamas official in Dubai last month.

Dubai police are still searching for six more people who are believed to be part of the hit-squad.

The British, French, German and Irish governments have summoned Israel's ambassadors in relation to the alleged use of fake passports by the assassins.

Meanwhile, Britain has urged Israel to fully cooperate in the investigation. Germany has also demanded an explanation from Israel over the assassination.

Hamas political Bureau said Thursday that the Islamic Hamas movement has set up a committee to investigate the assassination of Mabhouh by Israel.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118973§ionid=351020205.

Hamas to give response to Mabhouh assassination

Hamas has said it will give a response to the assassination of its senior official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh widely believed at the hands of an Israeli hit-squad.

Hamas has set up a committee in order to investigate the assassination of al-Mabhouh by Israel, according to the member of Hamas political Bureau, Ezzat al-Rashq.

The Hamas member further expressed hope that the movement and the UAE would cooperate to bring the criminals to justice.

The European countries whose passports were used by the assassins should be held accountable, he also noted.

Mabhouh, a senior commander in the armed wing of the Islamic movement, was killed in his hotel room on January 19 in Dubai by a hit squad of at least 11 people carrying forged European passports, according to the Dubai police.

On Thursday, Interpol issued arrest warrants for the 11 suspects, 10 men and a woman, after Dubai Police Chief Dahi Khalfan Tamim called on Interpol to issue "a red notice against the head of Mossad… as a killer in case Mossad is proved to be behind the crime, which is likely now."

Tamim further said that investigations have revealed that the Israeli spy agency Mossad was behind the murder of Mabhouh.

“It is 99 percent, if not 100 percent certain that Mossad is behind the murder," he told the UAE newspaper The National.

According to Dubai police, the 11 suspects had European passports: one French, three Irish, six British, and one German. A French national, identified as Peter Elvinger allegedly acted as the logistical mastermind in the Dubai hit.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=118972§ionid=351020202.

American investors visit Algeria

2010-02-18

Representatives of 24 US companies arrived in Algeria on Wednesday (February 17th) for several days of business meetings aimed at boosting trade exchanges between the two countries, local press reported. With $20 billion in imports from Algeria, the US is the country's top customer, Tout sur l'Algerie quoted US Department of Commerce official Nicole Lamb-Hale as saying in Algiers. The visiting companies "want to develop investment, create jobs and transfer technology to Algeria", Lamb-Hale said, adding: "We want to diversify our relations outside the hydrocarbon sector." The US business leaders will also meet with Algeria's foreign affairs, finance and trade ministers during their visit.

Source: Magharebia.com
Link: http://magharebia.com/en_GB/articles/awi/newsbriefs/general/2010/02/18/newsbrief-03.