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Iran Nuclear Watch: IAEA Waives Decision on Aid for Iran’s Arak Nuclear Reactor
An aerial view of a heavy-water production plant, which went into operation despite U.N. demands that Iran roll back its nuclear program, in the central Iranian town of Arak, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006.
AP: IAEA board agrees to deny Iran nuke aid
The U.N. nuclear watchdog agency effectively agreed Wednesday to deny Iran technical help in building a plutonium-producing reactor but left room for Tehran to renew its request in two years, diplomats said.
A committee of the International Atomic Energy Agency forwarded a summary of three days of deliberations on 832 requests for technical aid to the full board, scheduled to meet Thursday.
That gathering was expected to waive a decision on Tehran’s request for aid for its Arak reactor. That, in effect, would deny IAEA money for Arak — at least for the next two years, after which new requests will be considered.
The two diplomats — from countries on opposing sides of the issue — had different interpretations of what the expected ruling would mean, reflecting the depth of the dispute. Both demanded anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the topic with the media.
A European diplomat said the tentative agreement effectively meant that Iran’s request was turned down. Another diplomat, from a developing nation, said it meant that the issue remained on the table because it could be revisited.
“It certainly is not denied,” he said.
The committee summary noted that “several members expressed the need for caution regarding technical cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran.” They “expressed particular concern” over Arak, saying they could not approve other Iranian projects if aid for the reactor were approved, said the summary of the closed meeting, obtained by The Associated Press.
Now, why would Iran need help with the Arak Heavy Water Reactor pray tell?
PLUTONIUM FOR NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Gregory L. Schulte, the chief U.S. representative to the IAEA, said his country had no choice but to oppose aid to Arak, given past calls by the board for the project to be stopped, “the widespread distrust of Iran’s nuclear program and the risk of plutonium (being) diverted from this reactor for use in a (nuclear) weapon.”
In the meantime, Iran realizing the vote to be lost does the next best thing: BLAME ISRAEL.
Iran, meanwhile, used the gathering to criticize Israel, expressing “deep concern as a result of the threat of armed attack against Iran’s nuclear facilities and installations.”
“Recently the Zionist regime has augmented the campaign and threat,” said a Nov. 13 letter from Iran’s IAEA representative, Ali Ashgar Soltanieh, obtained by the AP. The letter was attached to an IAEA document issued for the meeting saying Soltanieh had asked that his comments be circulated among delegates.
When the “POINT OF NO RETURN” is reached, Iran will not only have Israel but American bombs/missiles visiting Arak.
And Japan is aware of this and has pulled financing for any further Iranian projects – as had Switzerland (Credit Suisse Group and UBS AG, Switzerland’s biggest banks) earlier in the year.
Stay tuned…..
A general view of the heavy water plant in Arak around 320 kms south of Tehran in August 2006. The UN atomic agency was moving at a meeting that has opened to heed US and European calls to put off helping Iran build a nuclear reactor that could provide plutonium for nuclear weapons.
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Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia and China Say NO to United Nations Iran Sanction Resolution
The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.
Technorati Tags: Iran, Ahmadinejad
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Iran Watch: Iran Touts Weekend Summit with Iraq and Syria
Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, right, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, center, and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, during an official meeting in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006. A photo of Iran’s late leader Ayatollah Khomeini, hangs on the wall.
AP: Iran touts own Iraq summit ahead of U.S.
Iran on Wednesday touted its weekend summit with the Iraqi and Syrian presidents, moving to secure a larger role in the region just as President Bush prepares to head to the Mideast for meetings on reducing American involvement in Iraq.
The Iranian parliamentary speaker, Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, told the official Islamic Republic News Agency that Saturday’s summit in Tehran is designed to bring Iran,
Syria and Iraq closer together. “We hope the summit will boost relations between the three countries,” he said.Iranian analyst Ahmad Bakhshayesh said the government has more specific aims.
“Iran wants to increase its influence in Iraq,” said Bakhshayesh, a professor of political science at Allameh University in Tehran. “It also wants to support the government in Iraq so it can stand on its own feet after the United States has withdrawn its forces.”
The editorial writer in the conservative Kayhan newspaper went further, writing in Wednesday’s edition that the summit would “shake the U.S. president” as he faces strong disapproval of his war strategy.
Um NO…….
Victor Davis Hanson has it RIGHT with So Close, so Far: no, no, no….
But why would either Damascus or Teheran wish to talk? The answer is plain. The former wants to profess to cool it a bit in destabilizing Iraq in exchange for us turning a blind eye in Lebanon; the latter wants to act like stopping the sending of agents of our destruction into Iraq in exchange for cooling our rhetoric about their bomb. What we would be doing in essence by “dialoguing†is saying to both the democracies in Lebanon and Israel, “Sorry, but we have to find a way out of Iraq, and these fascists will promise to turn away from us if they can turn on you.â€
All this is dressed up with realist “maturity†and “concern†but it would be consistent with those who brought us Iran-Contra, aid to both Iran and Iraq in their war, stopping before Baghdad, hugs with the House of Saud that paid money to those who killed Americans, and on and on. If Syria and Iran can be assured of a truce, that we won’t destabilize them at home or stop their adventurism abroad, then they might let us save face in Iraq. That they would ever honor such a deal is absurd, that we would ever believe they would is worse than absurd.
For five long years many of us have praised this administration’s constancy and idealism, in removing the Taliban and Saddam, and then staying on to do the hard, the easily caricatured work of democratization. The liberal hawks have long bailed. The paleos have turned venomous in their criticism. Many of the neo-cons have sought escape by blaming the flawed occupation for ruining their supposedly perfect three-week take-down of Saddam. But there are millions of us still out there who, Jacksonian in spirit, close ranks and will support our troops wherever they are. But we simply cannot ask Americans to die in Anbar province while talking to the Iranians and Syrians who are doing their best through surrogates in killing them.
Indeed……
And the President should make THIS CRYSTAL CLEAR to Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Maliki when they meet in Jordan.
Stay tuned….
Technorati Tags: Iraq, Iran, Syria, VictorDavisHanson
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Lebanon Watch: Assassinated Lebanese Minister Pierre Gemayel to Be Buried Thursday
Lebanese mourners carry the coffin of Lebanon’s Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel past a poster of him in Bekfaya, Mount Lebanon, November 22, 2006.
Reuters: Leaders call Lebanese to slain minister’s funeral
Assassinated Lebanese minister Pierre Gemayel will be buried on Thursday and his allies have called for a large turnout to strengthen their hand in a political struggle with the Hezbollah-led opposition.
Gemayel, 34, was shot dead on Tuesday in the sixth killing of an anti-Syrian figure in less than two years.
The funeral is set to be an outpouring of anger at Damascus, which Gemayel’s supporters have blamed for the assassination.
Syria has condemned the killing and denied involvement.Leading members of the ruling majority have also blamed Damascus for Gemayel’s killing, seeing an attempt to derail plans for an international tribunal to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.
A U.N. inquiry into the killing has implicated Lebanese and Syrian security officials. Syria denies involvement. The government has asked for U.N. help to investigate the Gemayel killing.
“I call on everybody who loves Rafik al-Hariri, everybody who wants the truth, the international tribunal and an end to the assassinations … to come out with us tomorrow,” Hariri’s son, Saad, told the Future Television.
Rice falls on the coffin of assassinated Lebanese Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel (portrait) as it is carried through the Gemayels’ hometown Bikfaya, in the mountains northeast of Beirut. Lebanon was in turmoil as it began three days of mourning for Gemayel, gunned down in an attack that stoked fears the country may again be plunged into civil strife.
Will Lebanon break down into Civil War?
Perhaps and will Israel join the fray?
Possible, since the UNIFIL mission is a failure and Hezbollah continues to rearm. The Israel-Hezbollah 33 day War this summer was just a warm-up for a broader war that is on the brink of starting.
Stay tuned…….
Patricia Gemayel (C), wife of Lebanon’s Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel, reacts as his coffin passes in a street in Bekfaya, Mount Lebanon November 22, 2006.
Previous:
Global War on Terror Watch: Hezbollah and Syria Make a MOVE in Lebanon
Technorati Tags: Lebanon, PierreGemayel, Syria, Hezbollah, Israel
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Dutch Election Watch:Christian Democrats and Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende Claim Victory
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende celebrates the parliamentary elections results with his Democratic Party CDA at the Lucent Dance Theater in The Hague , Netherlands, Wednesday Nov 22, 2006. Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende’s center-right Christian Democrats had a clear lead Wednesday over the leftist Labor Party, early returns suggested _ but not enough for a majority in the next parliament.
AFP: Christian Democrats claim victory in Dutch elections
Christian Democrat Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende claimed victory in the Netherlands elections, saying that his party has again become the biggest group in parliament.
“We are the biggest party again … the effort of four years of struggle has been rewarded and that makes me proud,” Balkenende, whose speech was often interrupted by cheers of “four more years”, told his supporters.
Partial results on Wednesday showed the Christian Democrats holding 41 seats in the 150 seat parliament based on 83 percent of votes counted. This means Balkenende will probably be asked to head another a coalition government.
Their main rival, the Labour Party of leader Wouter Bos, had 33 seats.
But, what about the RIGHT parties?
The Christian Democrats current coalition partner, the right-wing liberal VVD known for its hardline Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk, garnered only 22 places, a loss of six.
While the Netherlands has made headlines around the world for its tough stance on immigration and integration, the election campaign was mainly fought over social welfare and economic issues.
Even the government’s proposed “burqa ban” and allegations of torture by Dutch troops in
Iraq that made headlines last week appeared to have had little impact.The perceived lack of integration by Muslims who account for 5.8 percent of the population has been much debated here since the 2002 rise of populist leader Pim Fortuyn — murdered by an animal rights activist who said he wanted to protect weaker members of society such as immigrants and Muslims — and the killing of filmmaker Theo van Gogh by a Muslim radical in 2004.
However, Dutch voters seem to have tired of the issue and the major parties appear to have reached a consensus on hardline policies to curb immigration and promote integration, making it almost a non-issue in the campaign.
Of the right-wing populist parties, the Freedom Party of outspoken Islam critic Geert Wilders, a former VVD MP, came out of nowhere to win nine seats according to the partial results.
Looks like the Muslim ASSIMILATION parties won BIG this election.
Now, will they ban the Burqa?
Some jewelers in Canada certainly wish Canada would.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende casts his vote for the general election in Capelle aan de IJssel. Balkenende claimed victory in the Netherlands elections, saying that his party has again become the biggest group in parliament.
Technorati Tags: Netherlands, ChristianDemocrats, JanPeterBalkenende
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Michael Ramirez on John McCain and Presidential Election 2008
Arrgh……………Flap is NOT with McCain……………..Guess who?Giuliani takes step toward White House bid
Giuliani moves nearer to White House run
In a nationwide Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,050 Republicans and 203 GOP-leaning independents, 24 percent backed Giuliani while 18 percent chose Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. McCain, at 17 percent, lags behind Rice, a declared non-candidate.
“If we assume Rice is not running and allocate her votes,” says pollster Scott Rasmussen, “Giuliani would top McCain 32 percent to 22 percent in the Nov. 4-7 study.”Among likely Republican voters polled in Michigan, McCain beat Giuliani 33 percent to 25. Rudy romped elsewhere in Strategic Vision’s Nov. 6 survey. Giuliani outran McCain by nine points in Georgia (33 percent to 24); 19 in Florida (46 percent to 27) and Washington state (42 percent to 23); 22 in New Jersey (47 percent to 25); and 23 points in Pennsylvania (47 percent to 24). Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., scored, at best, a distant third in these states.
A Clemson University poll of South Carolina Republicans and GOP-leaners revealed Giuliani’s enormous 68 percent net-favorable rating (78 percent favorable minus 10 percent unfavorable). McCain’s equivalent figure was 42 percent (65 favorable, less 23 percent unfavorable). These figures don’t surprise Rasmussen.
“Giuliani has the highest net-favorable ratings of any candidate on whom we’ve been polling,” he says. “Giuliani’s higher than McCain and higher than Hillary Clinton. He’s even higher than Bill Clinton.”
Technorati Tags: RudyGiuliani, JohnMcCain, MichaelRamirez
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Islam Watch: Canadian Jewel Heist Features Thieves in Burqas
Abdul Rasheed Khalid, owner of Zaibi Jewellers, in Brampton, poses with empty display cases. He was bound and hit several times during a robbery last Friday, the latest in a series of GTA jewellery store heists.
Toronto Star: Jewel heists target Asians
One recent robbery included a male thief disguised in a head-to-toe burqa
Abdul Rasheed Khalid was alone in his Brampton jewellery store filling the display cases with yellow gold rings and necklaces when two people, one wearing a head-to-toe black burqa, appeared outside his locked door.
“Salamu alaikum,” the 58-year-old store owner said after pushing the entry buzzer, believing them to be a Muslim couple. There was no reply, and seconds later the pair — both males — forced him at gunpoint to the back office where he was bound with duct tape and hit several times. Then his store was cleaned out.”Keep quiet, keep quiet, close your eyes,” they said, while emptying the red velvet trays into duffel bags carried by an accomplice. Khalid caught a glimpse of the crooks. He thinks they were Pakistani or Indian.
Now, we have demonstrated why the Dutch have attempted to outlaw the public wearing of the Burqa.
And the disaffected South Asian Youth gangs who have allegedly perpetrated these crimes?
Well, they know how to cover-up the Muslim Way………
Will Canada now pass an anti-Burqa law?
Not a chance……
Canada prides itself on its multi-culturalism and this might be offensive – even as they are robbed BLIND.
Stay tuned…..
Muslim women wearing veils out doing their shopping in Blackburn, England Friday Oct. 6, 2006. Britain’s former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw’s preference that devout Muslim women visiting his office remove their veils ignited a heated debate Friday about cultural isolation and tolerance in Britain. Straw is the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Blackburn.
Linked with Stop the ACLU.Â
Previous:
Islam Watch: Dutch Muslims Say Proposed Burqa Ban a Violation of Freedom of Religion
Islam Watch: Dutch Government Supports BAN on Burqa
Jack Straw MP Watch: Rushdie – “Veils – A Way to Take Power From Womenâ€
Jack Straw MP Watch: Veiled Threat?
Technorati Tags: Burqa, Canada, Holland, Dutch, Islam
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Day By Day by Chris Muir November 22, 2006
