Merkel in Moscow for Russian WWII victory celebration

Moscow - German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived Saturday evening in Moscow to participate in Russia's celebrations of the 65th anniversary of victory over Hitler's Germany.

Her airplane landed at the government airport Vnukovo, according to Itar-Tass agency.

Merkel will join Russian leaders and others on the viewing tribune on Sunday to watch the military parade cross Red Square with 10,000 soldiers and heavy Russian military equipment.

For the first time in 65 years, military units from the NATO powers France, Britain and the US are participating in the ceremony.

In an interview with Itar-Tass, Merkel said the invitation to the victory celebrations was a great honor. She said it was not something to be taken for granted, that a German leader would be allowed to participate in this event.

The gesture showed that Russia and Germany had learned from history and could live in peace and friendship, she said.

Five years ago, Gerhard Schroeder was the first German chancellor to be invited to the Red Square victory celebrations.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/322669,merkel-in-moscow-for-russian-wwii-victory-celebration.html.

At least eight killed in Russian mine explosions - Update

Moscow - At least eight people were killed late Saturday in twin coal mine explosions in the Kemerovo region of western Siberia, according to Itar-Tass agency.

Another 64 miners remained underground at the Raspadskaya company- operated mine, according to a source in the regional department for emergencies. Some of them had been in radio contact with officials outside.

The eight deaths and 20 injuries occurred in the first explosion, about 23:55 local time.

Up to 356 people were believed to have been working at the mine at the time of the accident, according to the Russian Emergencies Ministry, state agency Ria Novosti reported.

At least 282 miners were able to leave the mine after the explosions.

Twelve ministry rescue teams and rescue workers from nearby Novokuznetsk were trying to reach those stranded by the explosion.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin ordered officials to do everything they could in the rescue efforts.

The explosion destroyed three buildings above ground.

The Raspadskaya coal mine, opened in 1973,is the largest of its kind in Russia with 300 kilometers of shafts. It produces 8 million tonnes of coal a year for domestic needs as well as export to Ukraine and Asia.

In 2007, an accident in a nearby mine in Novokuznetsk claimed 110 lives, the worst mine accident in decades in Russia.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/322670,at-least-eight-killed-in-russian-mine-explosions--update.html.

First woman president of Costa Rica commits to environment

San Jose - Laura Chinchilla, Costa Rica's first female president, was inaugurated Saturday, promising transparency in governance and commitment to the environment.

She was sworn in by the leader of the legislative assembly, Luis Gerardo Villanueva, in the open air, before a crowd of 25,000.

The center-right politician Chinchilla, 51, of the ruling National Liberation Party, won the February 7 presidential election with over 46 per cent of the votes. Her closest rival, center-left Otton Solis, took 24 per cent.

The top finisher needed at least 40 per cent to avoid a runoff.

Experts have observed that in a runoff, Chinchilla would have likely struggled against a united opposition.

Drug-trafficking - a growing concern for the small Central American country of 4.5 million that does not have an army - and its associated violence are set to be the main worries for the incoming government.

A political scientist by training, Chinchilla started her political career in the 1990s. She held positions as vice minister and then minister of public security. Since 2002, she has been a member of the Legislative Assembly and was made vice president by outgoing President Oscar Arias in 2006.

She is married to Spanish businessman Jose Maria Rico, with whom she has one son.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/322672,first-woman-president-of-costa-rica-commits-to-environment.html.

Tea Party victory: Republican senator dropped by Utah conservatives

Washington- Utah Republicans Saturday dropped Senator Robert Bennett for the party's nomination for November elections, making him one of the first victims of the conservative Tea-Party movement.

According to media reports, Bennett, 76, who has served three terms - 18 years - in the Senate, still was popular among Utah Republican voters.

But his defeat came at the Republican state convention, giving yet another signal of the polarized political climate leading up to the November elections. Conservative Republicans objected to his working with a Democratic senator on health care issues, The Los Angeles Times reported.

In late April, a similar surge of right-wing sentiment forced Florida Governor Charlie Crist, a moderate Republican pilloried for hugging Democratic President Barack Obama, to declare as an independent for the US Senate as a political rival gained steam from the Tea Party movement.

Democrats are bracing for losses in November's congressional elections amid public dissatisfaction with the uncertain economy and Obama's health care reform.

Much of that discontent is channeled through the Tea Party movement, a nationwide grassroots organization with enough muscle to force moderate Republicans to the right on issues. The movement claims to be the legacy of the Boston Tea Party, a protest during the American Revolution against taxation without representation.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/322676,tea-party-victory-republican-senator-dropped-by-utah-conservatives.html.

Two-thirds of US Senate backs landmine ban

Washington - Sixty-eight Senators have drafted a letter to US President Barack Obama urging support for an international treaty banning landmines, according to a copy of the letter made public Saturday.

The number is one more than the 67 votes that would be needed to adopt such a treaty in the 100-member body, indicating a bipartisan effort rare in a Washington polarized by health care reform and financial stimulus.

A similar letter was being circulated in the lower House of Representatives to put added pressure on Obama for approval.

In the letters, legislators note the effectiveness of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty.

"In the 10 years since the Convention came into force, 158 nations have signed including the United Kingdom and other ISAF partners, as well as Iraq and Afghanistan which, like Colombia, are parties to the Convention and have suffered thousands of mine casualties," the Senators wrote.

"The Convention has led to a dramatic decline in the use, production, and export of anti-personnel mines."

The letter, circulated by Senators Patrick Leahy and George Voinovich, a Democrat and a Republican, was made public by the US Campaign to Ban Landmines.

In November, the White House said its policy was under review and for the time being, there were no plans to join the pact.

The United States, China and Russia are among a handful of countries that have refused to join the accord. The Bush administration maintained the mines were essential for national security.

The United States has not used or produced landmines in the 12 years since the treaty has existed but continues to keep stockpiles, which would be prohibited under the treaty. It is the only NATO member nation that has not joined the pact.

Landmines left over from wars are blamed for thousands of deaths and injuries in the last decade. The United States is the world's largest contributor to humanitarian landmine cleanup programs. Since 1993, the United States has given 1.3 billion dollars to landmine removal programs.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/322684,two-thirds-of-us-senate-backs-landmine-ban.html.

15 killed in Mogadishu clashes

At least 15 people have been killed and dozens more injured during fresh fighting between the Ahlu Sunna and al-Shabab fighters in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

The recent clashes started on Saturday night in the southern sector of the city, near the Bakara Market area.

The clashes came one week after two powerful explosions claimed the lives of around 50 people and left over 120 others injured in a mosque al-Shabab officials used for delivering speeches.

Both pro-Somali government forces and the al-Shabab fighters have been preparing for a possible confrontation over the control of Mogadishu in recent days.

Somalia has been grappling with years of deadly civil war since the 1991 ouster of Mohammad Siad Bare, the military leader, who headed the country's central government.

Nearly half of Somalia's 3.8 million people are in dire need of foreign food aid, as the country has lacked an effective government for the past 20 years.

Last month, a report by the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia linked the continuing civil strife in the Horn of Africa country to the transitional government's “weakness”.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=125907§ionid=351020501.

Assad: Israel no peace partner

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says no "viable peace" with Israel can be achieved in the Middle East since the regime does not seek peace.

Speaking in Turkey on the possible resumption of mediated talks with Israel, Assad told reporters at a joint conference with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul on Saturday, "As for peace, we spoke about peace; you may ask what peace we are referring to as there is no peace, no peace process or viable partner."

Turkey mediated four rounds of indirect talks between Israel and Syria in 2008. The talks stalled following Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip at the turn of 2009 which killed more than 1,400 Palestinians.

"Peace, as it appears, is not a demand of the Israelis, but we are committed to this mediation and Turkey's role, but we also emphasize the fact that Israel is not a partner, at least at the present stage, and I do not think they were a partner in the past either," Reuters quoted the Syrian leader as saying.

"Israel is not ready for mediation because it knows that a successful mediation will bring peace, and the Israeli side does not want peace," added Assad in Istanbul during his two-day visit to Turkey.

For his part, Gul said Damascus had expressed its readiness to resume the talks a number of times, but the proposal had not been reciprocated by Tel Aviv.

"To tell the truth we have not heard from Israel. Of course, it is their decision to make," the Turkish President said.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=125906§ionid=351020206.

5 members of terrorist groups executed

Tehran's Public Prosecutor Office says five people have been executed in the country over their involvement in bomb attacks and links to terrorist groups.

The convicts were hanged in Tehran's Evin prison early Sunday.

Three of them were arrested in 2006, and convicted for their involvement in a failed bomb plot in the capital Tehran.

The attack was organized by the anti-Iranian terrorist group known as PJAK, which is the Iranian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The three were also in possession of weapons and explosives in their houses.

Another was captured after planting a bomb near a military base in Tehran, and later confessed to being a member of the same terrorist group.

The last of the five was convicted for complicity in a deadly bombing in the city of Shiraz in 2008.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=125908§ionid=351020101.

7.2-magnitude quake rocks Indonesia

A 7.2-magnitude quake strikes the Indonesian province of Aceh, the local Meteorological and Geophysics agency says, issuing a local tsunami alert.

Aceh is located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra in western Indonesia.

Earlier in April, a 7.7 earthquake shook Sumatra, prompting a brief tsunami warning and sending residents rushing for higher ground.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=125885§ionid=3510212.

Lebanon wins Hummus battle with Israel

A Hummus competition between Israel and Lebanon has entered a new phase in the wake of Beirut's production of the largest plate to date of the Middle Eastern dip.

Around 300 Lebanese cooks joined hands to prepare a gigantic 10,452 kilogram dish of hummus, the size of Lebanon in square kilometers.

It weighs more than twice as much as the plate of hummus Israeli cooks had made back in January.

A Guinness World Records representative has confirmed the feat.

Lebanon has accused Israel of stealing traditional Arab dishes, including hummus, and marketing them as Israeli.

Hummus, a popular dish in the Middle East, which is eaten with bread or vegetables as a dip, is made from cooked, mashed chickpeas, blended with tahini (a paste of ground sesame seeds), olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=125884&sectionid=351020203.

Two soldiers killed in Turkey

In Turkey, two soldiers have been killed in two separate explosions near the country's border with Iraq where Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) militants operate.

The soldiers were killed when two improvised detonative devices went off in the southeastern provinces of Hakkari and Sirnak on Saturday, the Turkish military said, blaming the blasts on PKK militants.

With the start of spring and the warming of weather, separatist PKK militants have launched fresh attacks on Turkish forces.

On Friday, Kurdish militants attacked a military checkpoint in Hakkari, killing two soldiers.

Turkish soldiers retaliated by pursuing the militants across the border into Iraq and killing at least five of them.

Increased PKK attacks have fueled violence in the region, prompting the Turkish military to launch air incursions into northern Iraq, reports indicate.

"Operations in the region are continuing and it is believed that the losses of the terrorists are higher," AFP quoted a military statement by Turkey's army as saying.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=125881§ionid=351020204.

Erdogan, Lula to visit Iran together

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will visit Tehran together to hold talks on Iran's nuclear program.

Lula will arrive in Tehran to attend the Fourteenth Summit of the Group of 15 (G-15) on May 17, Mehr news agency reported.

Meanwhile Erdogan's visit to Iran comes as part of Ankara's efforts to resolve Tehran's nuclear issue through diplomatic means.

Brazil and Iran are members of G-15 which was established at the ninth Non-Aligned Movement Summit Meeting in Belgrade in 1989 with a common goal of enhanced growth and prosperity for its member states.

Some sources have told the Mehr news agency that the Turkish and Brazilian leaders will present Tehran a "joint proposal" on a nuclear fuel swap deal, which the UN has brokered.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman on Saturday voiced Tehran's readiness to continue talks on the proposed swap deal.

"Turkey and Brazil are among the countries that have proposed solutions and these solutions indicate that it is possible to reach a swap deal and arrive at mutual understanding," Ramin Mehmanparast said.

Under the proposed deal, Iran would send most of its low-enriched uranium abroad for further processing and conversion into fuel rods. The fuel would be used by the Tehran research reactor, which produces radiomedicines for cancer patients.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=125875§ionid=351020101.

Statement of the Leadership Council of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on the occasion of the commencement of Al-Faath Operations

Statement of the Leadership Council of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on the occasion of the commencement of Al-Faath Operations

Saturday, May 08, 2010

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Help from Allah and a speedy victory. So give the good news to the Believers.

After the inception of the legitimate Jihad of the people of Afghanistan against the invading coalition under the leader of America and the vast resistance sprawling on a period of nine years, the invading Americans and their blind coalition followers willy-nilly reached a point that the NATO foreign ministers in a recent gathering had to take a decision that they should withdraw their morale-sagging troops from Afghanistan.

The invaders may paint the disgraceful defeat of their forces at the hands of the Afghan Mujahideen as they like; it is up to their defeatist logic. But the ground realities in Afghanistan show that the retreat is a clear-cut defeat of the non-believing forces versus the forces of belief and Islamic faith.

While believing that with the help of Allah (SWT) and selfless support of the people of Afghanistan, all foreign invading forces will ultimately face defeat, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan meanwhile once again emphasizes on the unconditional and immediate withdrawal of all foreign invading forces from Afghanistan. To achieve this end, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers the armed Jihad the only mean to reach that destination. In order to expedite the momentum of the Jihadic activities, the Islamic Emirate announces this spring operation by the name of Al-Faath (victory) to be launched against Americans, NATO members and their surrogates.

Al-Faath is a prideful word in the history of the Muslims. It has been used in the Holy Quran to mean success, upper handiness and victory. A chapter out of 114 chapters of the Holy Quran is named Al–Faath. Muslims were favored with Al-Faath, victory on the ground of Al-Badar battle in the second lunar year of Hijara. In this battle, Muslims killed Abu Jahal, the leader of the non-believers.

The second Al-Faath came on the eighth years of Hijra. It was the victory of Mecca. This is considered the beginning of establishment of Islamic rule in the world. So, the Leadership Council of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan chose this name to be the name of this spring operations against the Americans and NATO forces. Like the Badar, the Conferarates battles and the Victory battle of Mecca, we hope these operations will be successful operations against the global invading forces, if Allah willing.

The Al-Faath operations will target the invading Americans, the NATO military personnel, foreign advisers, spies who pose as foreign diplomats, members of the Karzai stooge administrations and members of the cabinet, members of the parliament, personnel of the so-called ministry of defense, intelligence department, ministry of justice, ministry of internal affairs, contractors of foreign and domestic private security companies, contractors and personnel of military logistics and military constructions companies and all supporters of foreign invaders who are working for the strengthening of foreign domination.

The Al-Faath Jihadic operations will start in 10th May 2010 this year to include operations against the defeated foreigners and their surrogates all over the country. It will comprise of tactics of successful tips and runs operations, inter-cities operations, and laying siege to cities, blockade of roads of military centers, use of IED, assassination of government officials, detainment of foreign invaders and martyrdom-seeking operations as needs be.

1. Prior to the commencement of Al-Faath operation, we urge all military intelligence, judicial and administrative officials to part ways with the surrogate and moribund administration and instead, side with their own people against the invaders in order to force them pull out of the country. If police men or army soldiers surrender to Mujahideen, their work will be appreciated by Mujahideen via bestowing on them material incentives. Those who support the non-believers will be considered as one of them and will be punished for their betrayal.

2. Owners and workers of transportations and construction companies, who transport logistical goods for the foreigners or build their construction facilities, should put an end to these illegitimate activities. Otherwise, Mujahideen will deal with their personnel and technical equipments in the same manner as they deal with the foreign invading troops and their equipments. They will kill their personnel and destroy their equipments. This is because their activities help extend the occupation of the beloved country Afghanistan.

3. Those foreign investors, who make investment in Afghanistan to ensure American interests in Afghanistan and their benefits invariably end up in the pockets of the foreigners instead of the people, should avoid making such investment. Instead, they should make investments in sectors which benefit them and the people rather than the invaders. Nor they should bolster the foreigners. Mujahideen will destroy and wipe out every thing that is considered supporting the foreign invaders. Then none should have reason to complain.

4. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan assures the Muslim Mujahid people that the days of the liberation of the country from the brutal claws of the invaders are around the corner thanks to the help of Allah (SWT) and your unforgettable sacrifices. You are urged to join the ranks of Mujahideen in this historical and critical phase in order to pound, kill and obliterate the invading forces. You are urged to strengthen the lines of resistance with your persons.

5. The leadership of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan earnestly requests the honorable and brave Mujahideen to pay attention to the safety of life and property of people and make every effort to protect them during all operations including the operation Al-Faath. Pleasure of Allah (SWT) and prosperity of people should make your sole goal of Jihad. This is in order to ensure the sanctity of the sacred goals of Jihad.

6. Take people advice and views in all your activities; show strong determination, sagacious approach, comprehensive planning and utilize all successful experiences of the past. Concentrate your thought and efforts on Jihad and oversee that the Mujahideen are not involved in unnecessary activities. Bring momentum to the strongholds of Jihad with the none-believers so that an Islamic government can be established and seek help and strength from Allah (SWT) in your Jihadic and charity works.

Source: Theunjustmedia.
Link: http://theunjustmedia.com/Afghanistan/Statements/May10/Statement%20of%20the%20Leadership%20Council%20of%20the%20Islamic%20Emirate%20of%20Afghanistan%20on%20the%20occasion%20of%20the%20commencement%20of%20Al-Faath%20Operations.htm.

The Arabs, weak by choice

Hasan Afif El-Hasan

The history of the Arab League since its inception in 1944 suggests that the Arab regimes have long chosen to be weak and irrelevant, writes Hasan Afif El-Hasan

May 7, 2010

Nation states in the area from Morocco to Iraq, including the Arabian Peninsula, share a distinct culture and history and speak Arabic, albeit in hundreds of dialects. While Arab nationalism is "ingrained in the soul of Arab individuals based on the sentiments of a glorious past", Arab unity is today still needed to deal with the challenges of 21st-century orientalism.

The European colonialists divided the region, planted the state of Israel, drew borders and supported its ruling regimes after stripping them of their legitimacy in favor of tribal and local nationalism, and as a result the region remains the hostage of its imperialist past. Each state within the region has developed its own laws, culture and history, and each has developed its own interests, which in many cases are not shared by others.

The establishment of a strong union of these nations that could defend their interests against the big bullies of the world, similar to the European Union, cannot be taken seriously under the present regimes, whose policies cast doubt on their legitimacy. In fact, the history of the Arab League since its inception suggests that the Arab regimes have chosen to be weak and irrelevant.

In October 1944, delegations from Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Trans-Jordan passed what they called the "Alexandria Protocol", which provided the basis for the creation of the Arab League. Saudi Arabia joined the protocol in January 1945, and the League pact was signed in March.

The Arab League was established according to the wishes of Great Britain as a prerequisite for the admission of the Arab states to the United Nations. The number of League member states has now reached 22, with members being supposed to coordinate and collaborate to safeguard each other's independence and sovereignty.

Yet, whenever the League's members have been called upon to meet their obligations, they have failed individually and collectively to do so and have proven that they are high on rhetoric and low on action.

Attempts at union among Arab states have had short lives, but wars, violence and human-rights violations have become the trademark of the region. The 1958-1961 union between Egypt and Syria failed, and the 1958 union between Iraq and Jordan was aborted in the same year, when the Iraqi royal family and its supporters were massacred during the military coup led by Abdel-Karim Qassim.

Muammar Gaddafi proposed federation between Egypt, Libya and Syria in 1972, but this project was abandoned in 1977, and the 1990 merger of north and south Yemen is in trouble, with separatist sentiment in the south being strong.

Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war that has taken the lives of hundreds of thousands and will certainly lead to a divided Sudan, either into north and south or east and west. The West and Israel are actively involved on behalf of the separatists, and the Arab League has chosen to act as a spectator.

Even under occupation, the Palestinians are bitterly divided politically with Hamas governing the Palestinians in Gaza and Fatah only nominally governing the Palestinians in the West Bank. The Arab states have been accomplices in Palestinian infighting, supporting one faction or another.

The only successful union in the Arab world has been that between the United Arab Emirates, due to personal relationships among the families that control the UAE's six city-states and the feelings of insecurity that come from living next to more populous and more powerful neighboring states.

The Arab League has failed to live up to what its name implies. In the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, five members of the League decided to intervene militarily on behalf of the Palestinians, but they waited until more than 250,000 Palestinians had been uprooted and thousands massacred. Jewish armed units methodically dehumanized Palestinian non- combatant civilians, attacking their villages, demolishing their houses, carrying out mass ethnic-cleansing, and hunting down thousands.

While the Palestinian depopulation process was unfolding, the rhetoric employed by members of the Arab League reached new heights, which the Jews, both before and after the establishment of Israel, exploited to perpetuate the myth of a potential "second Holocaust" carried out by the Arabs.

Such rhetoric gave the Israelis an excuse to use their military power to occupy more Arab land and to remove the remaining inhabitants of the areas they had conquered by force. Israel was portrayed as a weak David attacked by an Arab Goliath, and Jews all over the world and their sympathizers came to the rescue, providing volunteers and material support.

Yet, facts on the ground always suggested something different from what the myths present. The nascent state of Israel with its half a million population had more manpower and arms than the total Arab military contingents that came to defend the Palestinians. Besides being outnumbered by their opponents, Arab League armies did not have the political will to fight, and they were fighting more against each other than against the Israeli military.

Personal animosity among the leaders of the Arab states made the military intervention futile. They surrendered Palestinian land through their incompetence and corruption, instigating mutual antagonism and promoting their leaders' agendas at the Palestinians' expense. The Trans-Jordan Arab Legion commander-in-chief John Bagot Glubb called the 1948 war "the phony war".

Nineteen years later, the Arab states surrendered the West Bank, Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, Sinai and the Golan Heights to Israel in the 1967 war. The Egyptians never intended to go to war in 1967 and moved their troops into Sinai to warn Israel not to attack Syria. Yet, Egypt's decision played into the hands of the Israelis, who were eager not to miss this unique opportunity to take over all of Palestine.

Israel therefore considered Egypt's action to be a declaration of war and responded with a surprise attack on 5 June, destroying most of the Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian forces. Egypt eventually signed a separate peace treaty with Israel, leaving the Palestinians and the Syrians to deal with the consequences of the 1967 war alone.

No Arab League state supported Libya in its confrontation with the US in 1986 when US planes bombed targets in the country killing at least 100 people. The Arab states again were passive spectators when Arafat was later holed up in his Ramallah compound, and perhaps killed, because he had outlived his usefulness to Israel. They were passive once again when the Israeli military attacked Lebanon and committed horrendous war crimes against the Lebanese and the Palestinians in 1978, 1982 and 2006, or when it destroyed Gaza in 2008-09 and murdered or injured thousands of Palestinians.

At the same time, Arab League members have fought bloody wars against each other in Yemen and Iraq. Following the 1962 military coup in Yemen, Egypt's military fought to prop up the republican regime in Yemen against the royalist insurgents, who were aided by Saudi Arabia, which did not recognize the Yemen Arab Republic until 1970.

Iraq, a member of the Arab League, invaded and annexed another member, Kuwait, in 1990, and Arab states asked the US to settle the dispute for them. A US-led coalition of 34 nations then fought Iraq and liberated Kuwait in 1991. Jordan and the PLO, both members of the Arab League, were treated by the Gulf states and Egypt as virtual pariahs for proposing an inter-Arab solution to the conflict.

The Arab League did not come to the defense of the Iraqi people in 2003 when a multinational force led by the US and the UK invaded Iraq, destroying the country's institutions, causing horrific bloodshed, displacing millions and creating ethnic, sectarian and religious conflict. The Arab Gulf states, members of the Arab League, provided bases and logistical support for the invading foreign armies, while Turkey, a NATO member, refused to provide such facilities.

The League's impotence and irrelevance in solving such region-wide conflicts and civil strife has stigmatized the Arabs, who have become the subject of international humor and disdain. During the 1982 Argentinean-British conflict over the Falkland Islands, the Argentinean junta leader was quoted as saying, "we are not an Arab state: we do not capitulate." The United States in turn has adopted European colonial policies and stereotypical views of the Arabs.

Today, the Arab League has chosen not to back up its policies to deal with Arab problems, and its members have chosen not to translate promises into deeds. The support the Palestinians receive from the Arab League comes only in the form of occasional rhetoric and the advice to accept Israeli- American dictates.

The Arab states have assumed the role of mediators, rather than defenders, of the Palestinians. And, despite their close relations with Washington, the moderate Arab regimes have no influence on US policy towards the Palestinians if they wish to intervene on their behalf. While the 2006 Arab League summit in Khartoum pledged to fund the Palestinian Authority, no money was provided because members yielded to an Israeli- and US-led campaign to deny aid to the Hamas-led government.

Saudi Arabia pledged $1 billion to rebuild Gaza, but, like other promises, this one has not been kept. League members pledged to break the Gaza siege, but instead they became partners with Israel. Egypt is currently building an Israeli-designed and US-financed steel wall along its 10km border with Gaza, which will complete the Strip's isolation in violation of the besieged Palestinians' rights under the Geneva Conventions.

Collectively, the Arab states have the potential to be politically, economically and militarily respected. They have the manpower, the natural resources, the strategic location, a sizable middle class, and they have the capital. But they choose instead to be weak and irrelevant. Ruling elites are entrenched and estranged from their peoples, and they have no respect for human rights, suppress dissent and weaken internal opposition.

Such elites have not allowed the opposition to act peacefully, to demonstrate, to call for change, or to rise up. Only grassroots Islamist movements now threaten these regimes. Some Islamist movements have followed ambitious strategies to seize power, while others seek cooperation and gradual change. This has been the case while the Arab ruling elites have created authoritarian regimes and chosen not to invest in the intellectual, human and material resources to build socio-economic infrastructure for their citizens.

Instead, they have chosen to create consumer, and not productive, societies by investing their countries' resources in the West rather than in their own people and creating jobs for the unemployed. The Arab regimes have chosen to be disunited with no common purpose, thus becoming powerless to support any decisions they make.

Regarding the Palestinian issue, the Arab regimes have chosen to submit to the US, Israel's main strategic ally and the defender of Israel's aggressions and its violations of Palestinian human rights and international law. The US does not hide its bias against the Palestinians. Instead, it labels Palestinians who refuse to succumb to occupation and humiliation "terrorists", and it calls the mass murder of Palestinians and the collective punishment Israel imposes on the Palestinian civilian population "self-defense".

The Arab League has often reintroduced its 2002 "land for peace" initiative, while threatening to take it off the table if Israel goes on ignoring it. Yet, the League does not have to withdraw the plan. Israel has already rejected it through its provocative rhetoric and bloody deeds, and as long as the Arabs choose to be weak they cannot do anything about it.

Source: Uruknet.
Link: http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=65785&s2=09.

The secret behind Iran's power

By Fatih Abdulsalam
Azzaman, May 6, 2010

Why is Iran seen as a fundamental power in the region stretching from Afghanistan to Lebanon and in between Iraq, its golden state?

There are some who think that Iran’s military maneuvers and revelations of new weapons, boats, frigates and missiles that can reach Israel and Europe are the source of this power.

People who entertain such opinions, I am sorry to say, are naïve. The U.S. and Europe have no fears of the display of Iranian armaments.

Strategy analysts and experts say Iranian weapons might be ineffective. The point is whether the weapons are operational and can be used.

The analysts believe if the U.S. attacks Iran, the first thing its forces will do is to render Iranian weapons systems ineffective.

Iran’s Western enemies will take the initiative and do not allow Iran to unleash its missiles and other weapons on their targets.

But still Iran is a powerful country. Iran’s strong muscles are not due to its weaponry.

Iran’s strength emanates from its diplomacy and the role it plays almost in all important files in the region. Arab states have almost no role to play here.

Therefore, it is so hard for Iran’s nemesis, the U.S., to embark on any negotiating or movements in the region without taking Tehran into account.

Tehran has proxies and agents throughout the region. They are the source of Iran’s power and not its weapons.

Source: Uruknet.
Link: http://www.uruknet.info/?fb=1&p=65750.

Meddling in Africa

Israel is forging ever-closer ties in the Arab hinterland in Africa, virtually unopposed

Saleh Al-Naami

May 7, 2010

All signs indicate that Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman remains keen on implementing his ministry's strategic priorities as set out from his first day in office, including pouncing on Africa. Lieberman's interest in Africa revives former prime minister Golda Meir's outlook in the 1950s and 1960s. She visited most non-Arab states on the continent. Israel's current intensified moves mainly target the Horn of Africa, which includes Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia.

While the Israeli Foreign Ministry is in theory in charge of Israel's policies in Africa, there is no doubt that the party that is playing the greater role is Mossad. It maintains active agents in many African capitals, as recently revealed by Haaretz newspaper. Assigning Mossad this task is directly connected to this organization's routine attempts to undermine the national security of Arab states in Africa and on the Red Sea.

Indeed, there is a direct relationship between recent efforts to nurture Israeli-Ethiopian ties and threats by the government of Addis Ababa to re-channel Nile waters to the disadvantage of Egypt and Sudan. According to Israeli sources, the relationship between Tel Aviv and Addis Ababa went to a new level when Tel Aviv showed dexterity in abandoning its former ally Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki for the sake of closer ties with the Ethiopian regime. Israel and Ethiopia have signed many arms deals and are involved in training programs whereby Israeli military units train Ethiopian forces.

Some make a connection between Tel Aviv's cooperation with Addis Ababa and Ethiopia's victories over Eritrea in battles that took place two years ago. Meanwhile, no one expects Israel or Ethiopia to reveal what may have been planned against Egypt behind the scenes. Lieberman once threatened to destroy Egypt's High Dam. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz insists that Egypt is an "enemy state" despite the 1978 Egypt- Israel Peace Treaty.

It is widely known that Israel uses its relations with states and political movements that are hostile to Arab countries to undermine Arab national security, and distract influential Arab states with secondary issues. This way, the role of these Arab states in the Arab-Israeli conflict is curtailed. In a recent and unprecedented admission, Shlomo Nakdimon, adviser to former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, stated that Israel had maneuvered since the 1950s to strengthen ties with the Kurds in northern Iraq in support of their separatist agenda to undermine the Iraqi regime and influence the priorities of Baghdad. For the same reasons, Israel drew closer to the Shah of Iran as well as the military leadership and secularists in Turkey because of their animosity towards the Arab world. Israel also built an alliance with the Maronites in Lebanon to target Palestinian resistance and Lebanese nationalist movements.

In his book Periphery Alliance, Nakdimon noted that the same reasoning was behind Israel's move to nurture ties with the separatist Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), whereby they supplied the movement with arms and training. It is also no secret that Tel Aviv encouraged Jewish lobby groups in the US to draft agendas for expatriate Coptic groups, which are then presented to the US Congress and the US administration, specifically to include claims of discrimination and oppression of Copts.

Regarding Ethiopia, there was a time when Eritrean President Afewerki had strong ties with Israel, which had convinced him to undermine the security of Yemen by occupying Yemeni islands in the Red Sea using superior weapons supplied by Israel. But since that time Tel Aviv has felt it more beneficial to nurture relations with Ethiopia -- Afewerki's arch nemesis -- and did not hesitate in cutting the Eritrean president off. In particular, Tel Aviv wants to sidetrack Egypt since it continues to be the major challenge for Israel's regional strategy, as stated by Israel's deputy prime minister and minister of strategic threats in Netanyahu's government, General Moshe Yalon, who previously served as chief of staff of the armed forces.

Israel's interest in the Horn of Africa is not limited to meddling in Egypt's national security by interfering with Cairo's quota of Nile waters, but also serves higher Israeli goals. The Horn of Africa overlooks the straits of Bab Al-Mandab, through which passes 20 per cent of Israel's foreign trade. The growing power of Al-Qaeda and other groups associated with it in the region, especially in Somalia, has encouraged Israel to establish a presence in the area. As a close ally of Israel, Ethiopia's interference in Somali affairs has facilitated Israel's job. There are indications that Israel has used Ethiopia's occupation of large areas in Somalia to give Mossad a foothold.

Zvi Bar expressed a widely held fear in Tel Aviv when expressing concern about the rise of Islam in Africa since it would lead to an anti-Israel atmosphere on the continent. Some analysts believe this is why Israel is redoubling its efforts in the region. When Israel approaches regimes that are in power struggles with Muslim opponents, they encourage them to rely on Israel's experience in confronting Islamic movements. Hence, Israel has exerted much effort in drawing closer to Nigeria, and signed an agreement to supply it with military equipment.

There is also a long list of Israeli interests in Africa that it wants to protect, including controlling oil mining on the continent, whereby Israeli companies -- under European cover -- are in charge of oil exploration in several African countries. Israel has taken great interest in Africa's oil reserves after UN reports confirmed them at more than 80 billion barrels. Israel also mines natural resources in African states, including uranium. In his book With the Power of Science, Israeli nuclear scientist Ariel Bakhrakh revealed that Israel had stolen uranium from African states under the pretense that its scientists were carrying out geological tests.

Third, Africa is a vast market for Israeli products, especially military products. Also, Israel monopolizes many industrial and economic sectors in a number of Africa states. For example, Israeli companies have a strong hold on food products in Ethiopia. Finally, producing and exporting diamonds is a major source of revenue for Israel, and these diamonds are mined in Africa.

Historically, Israel has used several tools to strengthen ties with African countries, at times by exporting technical know-how in agriculture and at others through military training, discreetly providing medical treatment for African rulers at Israeli hospitals, and hosting African students at Israeli universities. Israel has not hesitated to participate in military coups in some African states. As confirmed by Yossi Melman, an Israeli commentator on intelligence issues, it is certain that Mossad assisted in coups that took place in Uganda and Zanzibar.

What is remarkable is that Israel is moving freely on the African continent without any Arab reaction. Arab states are failing to utilize the many tools they possess to not only stop Israel's maneuvers, but more importantly to halt Tel Aviv's efforts to undermine Arab national security.

Source: Uruknet.
Link: http://www.uruknet.info/?fb=1&p=65762.

Spain closes 20 airports because of volcanic ash - Summary

Madrid/Hamburg - Twenty northern Spanish airports will remain closed Saturday at least until 8 pm (1800 GMT) because of the arrival of a volcanic ash cloud from Iceland, Infrastructure Minister Jose Blanco said.

Airports which had already been closed comprised Santiago de Compostela, La Coruna, Vigo, Asturias, Santander, Burgos, Valladolid, Salamanca, Leon, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Vitoria, Zaragoza, Pamplona, Llerida and La Rioja.

Ash was now drifting towards the north-eastern region of Catalonia, which would close the airports of Barcelona, Sabadell, Girona and Reus, Blanco said.

About 320 of the 648 scheduled flights were expected to be canceled at Barcelona airport, affecting 28,000 passengers.

More than 120 out of a total 190 flights had been canceled at other airports by midday, affecting 9,500 passengers.

The ministry was helping to organize alternative transport by rail, road or sea. The rail company Renfe was scheduling extra trains while the airline Iberia was hiring buses for its passengers.

The ash cloud arrived overnight and is also affecting part of Portugal, where more than 120 flights were canceled.

According to the Meteorological Institute in London, the ash cloud could linger over northern Spain through Sunday and spread eastwards towards the Mediterranean region and Italy.

On Friday, Iceland's Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management reported that volcano under the Eyjafjallajoekull glacier, 120 kilometers south-east of Reykjavik, was again spewing increased amounts of ash.

In the preceding days the volcano was "producing less lava and more volcanic ash," agency spokesman Agust Gunnar Gylfason said.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/322641,spain-closes-20-airports-because-of-volcanic-ash--summary.html.

Six paramilitary troopers killed in Maoist attack in central India

New Delhi - At least six paramilitary troopers were killed and 10 injured Saturday when Maoist rebels blew up their vehicle in India's central Chhattisgarh state, news reports said.

The incident took place in Bijapur district, about 284 kilometers south of the Chhattisgarh capital Raipur, IANS and PTI news agencies reported.

"The Maoists blew up a bullet-proof vehicle in the Koretal forested stretch. At least six CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) men were killed and a few injured," IANS quoted Chhattisgarh director general of police Vishwa Ranjan as saying.

The rebels had planted an improvised explosive device in the path of the vehicle, police said.

This is the first major attack by Maoist rebels in the state since they killed 76 security personnel in an ambush on April 6 in adjacent Dantewada district.

The mineral-rich, forested Bastar region stretches across both Bijapur and Dantewada districts and is a stronghold of the Maoist rebels.

"It appears that the security personnel ignored the instruction not to travel in any kind of vehicle in the Naxal-infested areas," Chhattisgarh Home Minister Nankiram Kanwar said.

Maoist rebels are often called Naxalites after the Naxalbari area in West Bengal state where the movement first emerged in the late 1960s.

The rebels are known to mine routes along which they expect security forced to travel.

Maoists are active in 200 of India's 626 districts, and virtually control 34, according to the federal Home Ministry.

The rebels claim they are fighting for the rights of the tribal people, the poor and the landless and operate in some of the country's poorest regions.

More than 1,300 people have been killed since January 2009 in violence linked to the Maoist insurgency, which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called the gravest internal security threat facing India.

Federal paramilitary forces and state police have launched an operation to weed out the rebels in eight states, including Chhattisgarh, since November 2009.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/322644,six-paramilitary-troopers-killed-in-maoist-attack-in-central-india.html.

Lithuania's gay pride parade sparks protest - Summary

Vilnius - The Baltic Pride gay parade took place in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius Saturday, with hundreds of participants facing off against thousands of anti-gay protesters.

A heavy police contingent backed up by strategic road closures kept the opposing parties on opposite banks of the River Neris.

The parade was given a last-minute go-ahead Friday, after an an earlier court-imposed ban.

Organizers said they hoped the parade would draw attention to intolerance of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals in staunchly Roman Catholic Lithuania.

The protesters claimed the parade glorified homosexuality at the expense of traditional family values.

"Lithuania is a democracy. We are not a barbaric country, but this sort of thing should be kept private," said a protester who gave his name as Domatas.

Around 3,000 protesters lined the banks of the river Neris and occupied an area around the landmark Reval hotel.

Most simply stood and watched, but a few chanted slogans including "Death to gays" and "Lithuania for Lithuanians" and expressed anger towards President Dalia Grybauskaite.

Trouble briefly threatened to flare when the protesters threw water bottles into police lines and set off a smoke bomb, but with riot police lining up for action the crowd calmed.

Vilnius county police chief Kestutis Lancinskas said 19 people had been arrested for public order offenses including carrying offensive weapons.

Two members of the Lithuanian parliament were among those detained. The MPs would be charged with attempting to incite a riot, Lancinskas told reporters.

A member of Germany's parliament, Volker Beck, who was among the marchers, told the German Press Agency dpa he was attending Baltic Pride in order to put pressure on the Lithuanian government.

"This is a signal to the Lithuanian government that we are in Europe and lesbian and gay people have equal rights. I would like it if German people would have the courage to do the same," Beck said.

"Gay and lesbian people don't ask for something special, just for the protection of their human rights," he added.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/322646,lithuanias-gay-pride-parade-sparks-protest--summary.html.

Putin lays war monument cornerstone, calls for honesty in history

Moscow - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Saturday praised the role of the former Soviet Union in defeating Nazi Germany in World War II and insisted on history being dealt with honestly.

In remarks at ceremonies laying the cornerstone for a new war monument in Moscow, Putin said Russia would continue to use its entire influence in the world to preserve the heritage of the Soviet army's great victory over Hitler's fascism.

"It is our general duty to preserve the historical truth and to protect the honor and dignity, the good names of the still living and the fallen heroes," Putin said at the ceremonies in Victory Park, according to the Interfax agency.

Those who aimed to try to use the victorious heritage of the Soviet Union for political intrigue against Russia would have no future, he said. He warned against misusing history to try to sow new divisions and hostility between the nations.

A number of Georgian opposition politicians attended Saturday's ceremonies, during which Putin also condemned as an act of "barbarity" the explosive attack on a war monument in the Georgian city of Kutaissi in December 2009.

The ceremonies came a day before Moscow was to host a huge May 9 victory day celebration and military parade on Red Square marking the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II.

A number of foreign leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, were due to attend Sunday's celebrations.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/322650,putin-lays-war-monument-cornerstone-calls-for-honesty-in-history.html.

Malaysia calls for Kingdom's help to foster Islamic finance

By Shahid Ali Khan

RIYADH - Saudi Arabia can be a strategy partner of Malaysia to promote international Islamic finance industry, said a high-ranking official of Malaysia bank currently visiting the Kingdom.

Mohamed Razif Abd Kadir, deputy governor, Bank Negara Malaysia said at a press conference Saturday that the dynamic nature of economic ties and historical relations between the two countries, Saudi Arabia could be a strategic partner for Malaysia in shaping the global Islamic finance industry.

A 50-member delegation led by Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah, financial ambassador of Malaysia International Islamic Financial Center (MIFC) is currently visiting Saudi Arabia.

MIFC is an initiative to promote Malaysia as an Islamic financial hub by global integration of economic linkages among organizations related with Islamic finance.

The MIFC delegation is comprised of representatives from Malaysia’s regulatory authorities, national investment agencies, Islamic banks, Islamic fund managers, Takaful operators and professions services firms and Shariah research institute.

The delegation is organizing road shows in Riyadh, Jeddah and Makkah seeking to establish contacts with Saudi businessmen and investors.

Kadir said about 60 percent of Sukuk in the world’s financial market originate from Malaysia. “In fact, Malaysia has a 60 percent of the Sukuk world’s market share,” he said.

Sukuk, a “legal instrument, deed, check” is the Arabic name for a financial certificate, but commonly refers to the Islamic equivalent of bond.

Kadir said during the visit MIFC members will hold talks with officials of Capital Market Authority (CMA) and Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA). “We will explore possibilities of establishing close links that can shape the global Islamic finance industry,” he said.

He said the countries in Asean Free Trade Area (AFTA) alone comprised of a population of 500 million people that offers huge potential for Islamic finance.

The awareness among the people in ASEAN-member countries namely Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar is increasing remarkably, he said.

“Saudis can join hands with Malaysia and other players in the region to tap this huge potential for Islamic finance,” he said.

Nik Mohamed Din Nik Musa of MIFC Promotions Unit said the level of interest for Islamic finance is rising among Saudis. He said more number of Saudi businessmen and investors started looking for Shariah compliant projects.

“During our current visit we want to establish contacts with more number of Saudi businessmen before entering into transaction dealings,” he said.

Dr. Nazrin Shah, MIFC Finance Ambassador said there has been a 30 percent growth in the corporate Sukuk that rose to SR32 billion in 2009 from SR24 billion in 2008.

“The annual compound rate of growth in Sukuk issues is 21 percent since 2001,” she said.

Source: Saudi Gazette.
Link: http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2010050271066.