stat

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

NewsBriefs, Bilingual English & French - Plus Farsi Links

http://www.iranpressnews.com/source/016338.htm


Iranians gather at Tehran U.N. offices to protest imminent execution of 3 women by the regime; guards attack protestors and brutally batter them.


Shahla Jahed , Fatemeh Haghighatpajooh, Nazanin Fatehi, Kobra Rahmanpour. (photos on site via above link).


A large number of civil and human rights activists gathered on Sunday, September 25th at 5 pm Tehran time, in front of the Tehran offices of the United Nations to protest the regime’s refusal to stop the execution of 4 women, Nazanin Fatehi, 18 years old, Kobra Rahmanpour, 25 years old, Fatemeh Haghighat-pajooh, 35 years old and Shahla Jahed, also 35.


The families of these women had requested an appointment to meet with the U.N. officials and had called for human rights and civil activists to also gather for a peaceful protest against the Islamic regime’s execution sentence for the 4 women.

Hours before the gathering of the protestors, the regime’s disciplinary guards that are now a permenant fixture in every street, in every city, town and village all across Iran, along with plain-clothes secret service agents had been increased and strategically deployed; they surrounded the nearby area streets in order to minimize attendance and intimidate people from joining up with the others who would have already been there.


Despite the presence of the disciplinary forces and plain-clothes agents, members of the families of the 4 women were able to enter UN and discuss the cases of their respective “prisoner” with the representatives of the United Nations.

They also succeeded in delivering a resolution to abolish the death sentences of each woman, requesting their immediate release and return to their families, considering the significant jail time each has already served, not to mention the monetary payment each individual has paid to the families of the so-called victims of their crimes.

This resolution was also promptly faxed to a large number of U.N. representative and rapporteurs in both New York and Geneva.

Outside on the street however, in the early moments, as the protestors gathered the agents and guards brutally attacked, beating the protestors; they arrested many, most of whom were women and girls, as well as several student leaders who had traveled from the city of Isfahan to take part in the protest.

They were taken to a precinct in northern Tehran, close to the U.N. offices. It is reported that the guards did manage to drive away hundreds more protestors who had been seen approaching.

As the crowds who managed to get past the guards and succeeded in joining up with the other protestors, plain-clothes agents pushed their way through the crowds that were present, threatening and menacing them with violence and bodily harm.

Protestors tried to ignore the agents by chanting slogans of condemnation of exeuctions of not only the 4 women but of the Islamic regime’s constant reign of terror and intimidation by execution in general. At this time, there is no further news of those who were arrested.


http://www.iranpressnews.com/source/016227.htm
Political prisoners lives in danger
Mullah Dorri-Najafabadi


Mullah Ghorban-Ali Dorri-Najafabadi, the Islamic Republic’s general attorney, describes the murders of the two young activists and political prisoners Akbar Mohammadi and Valiollah Fayz-Mehdavi, [who were tortured to death in the Islamic regimes’ prisons in late July and early September] as appropriate, goes on to specify: “Not only is this a warning, it should be absolutely construed as a threat [to all Iranians opposing the Islamic regime].

The attorney general has also stated very openly that he supported the murders of the Iranian opposition leaders and intellectuals in Iran who were brutally murdered throughout the ‘90’s, in what became known in Iran as the Chain Murders.

He said that the bloodbath slaughter of leader of the Pan-Iranianist movement, Darioush Forouhar and his wife Parvaneh – whose breasts were even sliced off – in their home, as well as the secret murders of journalists and writers like Mohammad Mokhtari and Mohammad-Jafar Pouyandeh, are not only justified but necessary.

Dorri-Najafabadi who mocks the legal process, and arrogantly describes the nature of the individual’s rights as ludicris, also asserts that the murder of the Islamic order’s opponents and dissidents, is necessary and an “act of grace”.


http://www.iranpressnews.com/source/016235.htm

Russia sells 5 more passenger planes to the Islamic Republic
Despite the repeated crashes of Russian-made planes in Iran, Russian media announced that the Islamic Republic intends to purchase yet another five passenger planes from Russia.

The regime-run news agency ISNA, quoting the Russian news agency, Interfax reported that authorities from Ilyushin Finance company reported that Russia will hand over five TU- 204 passenger airplanes to Iran Tour company.

The Russian Company officials announced that this contract valued at about $180 million is scheduled to be signed just before December 15th and the delivery time has been slated for early 2008. The same officials also announced that the Islamic Republic intends to lease two II-96 planes to test fly; should they have a positive impression of the plane’s performance they have announced that they would also purchase several of these models as well.

Several months ago the French newspaper Le Monde, in an incisive article against Russia’s double-dealings with Tehran’s regime wrote: "While Moscow says it is making an attempt to get the regime in Tehran to accept Russia's proposal for the enrichment of Uranium on Russian soil, Russian arms companies are involved in transaction and sales of arms to the Islamic regime. (Alan: pot calling the kettle black). France has opposed financial sanctions on Iran in the UN because about 28% of the loans to iran are by French banks!!)

On February 9th, the Director of the governmental agency for military and technical cooperation, Mikhail Dmitriev, confirmed that Russia had in fact delivered an anti-air defense system to the regime in Tehran. Dmitriev specified that there is no other contract however Russia is bound by its own guarantees and must satisfy its commitments.

Last December Russian media reported that Russia intends to deliver 49 Tor-M1 missiles priced at $700 million to the Islamic regime. Based on reports in Russian newspapers these missiles are slated to be delivered by Fall 2006.


http://www.iranpressnews.com/source/016256.htm

U.S. company prosecuted for export of sensitive products to Iran
According to the regime-run news agency, MEHR, a U.S. computer equipment production company was indicted by the U.S. attorney general’s office for exporting equipment to the Islamic Republic.


U.S. Attorney General announced: "Supermicro Computer, based in San Jose has been indicted for breaching security regulations, for exporting equipment that was specifically banned to export to Tehran’s regime.”

Officials from the office of the attorney general, Alberto Gonzales reported that in the years 2001 and 2002 Supermicro Computer exported 300 motherboards to a UAE company which then exported those directly to Iran which lead up to Supermicro Computer being fined $150,000; the company has agreed to pay the fine.

Supermicro computer confessed that in the years 2001 and 2002 approximately $27,600 worth of equipment was exported to Iran; for security purposes the U.S. department of commerce had banned such exports to countries such as Iran. The U.S. department of commerce also noted that in February 2004 with the new export control laws, Supermicro Computer was prohibited from further exports to Iran.

http://www.iranpressnews.com/source/016259.htm
Seven to be executed in the province of Sistan-Baluchistan

The human-rights-violating Islamic regime has once again issued the death sentences of seven residents of the province of Sistan-Baluchestan (south east Iran, bordering on Pakistan) . Also during the second week of September the Islamic regime publicly hung yet another individual in the town of Zabol, in that province.

On Wednesday September 20th, the regime-run news agency, IRNA, reported that during the police raid of a neighborhood in the town of Iranshahr, the guards also murdered one of the local residents.

In recent months, the Islamic regime has either publicly executed hundreds of activists and anti-regime opponents in villages, small towns and cities in this province or actively sought to kill them during local clashes.


The judiciary in Tehran has also issued the order of execution for a 40-year-old woman who due to the lack of any family or relations should be executed for giving the impression of being a “loose woman”. Her execution sentence was approved by the Islamic regime’s supreme court in Tehran.


http://www.iranpressnews.com/source/016274.htm
Mullah organizations actively financed the Lebanese Hezbollah
Shrine of Imam Reza


The regime-run news agency, ILNA reported: “Astan Ghods Razavi (a.k.a. AGR) paid out $40,000 [during July and August] to the Lebanese Hezbollah.

This amount was paid by check via the management of Astan Qods Razavi, to account number 33600 of the Melli Bank at the holy Mash’had branch. This transaction was organized and overseen by Ayatollah Vaez-Tabasi, representative of the Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Khamenei) in the province of Khorasan; Vaez-Tabasi who is also the ‘chief ’ of AGR, added this amount to the cash Add-0n from AGR employees who are "champions of righteous".

While lending their full support to those brave Lebanese resistance fighters of Hezbollah fighting the invaders of the Zionist regime, we all pray for the decisive victory of the global Islamic movement over international arrogance; we announce our total and eternal readiness for any necessary help and assistance.”

The office of public relations of AGR also announced: “Said account number remains open and anyone can make donations.”


Astan Ghods Razavi which is also the name for the Shrine of Imam Reza is the largest private firm in Iran which conveniently enjoys a non-profit status. This organization owns many varied and profiteering industrial conglomorates, that oversees everything from food groups to computer software companies, to tobacco, etc. AGR also heads up other small foundations such as the various holy shrines around Iran, starting with the Imam Reza shrine in the city of Mashhad.


http://www.iranpressnews.com/source/016334.htm (see photos on this link)
Inhumane Islamic regime hangs a teenage boy for crime committed as child

The regime-run news agency, MEHR, reported that the Islamic regime’s judiciary publicly hanged a teenage boy, only known as Vaheed, on Wednesday, September 20th, for a murder he had allegely committed as a child.

Vaheed had recently turned 18. The execution of another teenager, also identified as Sina, was suspended for two months.

Sina who also recently turned 18 was accused of murdering a relative when he was a child. Sina’s relatives, called for the temporary suspention of the exeuction while Sina literally stood with the noose around his neck.

Under the Islamic republic’s legal statute, boys above the age of fifteen are considered adults and could be convicted of capital crimes. Under increasing international pressure for violations of the children’s rights, the inhumane Islamic regime keeps convicted children in juvenile prisons and issues court verdicts only after they turn 18 so as to carry out sentences that would have be handed out if the defendants were adults.


http://www.iranpressnews.com/source/016283.htm
Regime’s own journalist/TV producer arrested

According to blogger and activist, Kianoosh Sanjari, reporting from Iran, Pourya Nejad-Veysi, journalist and segment producer for the Islamic Republic’s own television news reports has been arrested.

Nejad-Veysi was collared on August 22nd by secret police agents of the Ministry of Intelligence and Security of the Islamic regime’s branch in Islamshahr, a Tehran suburb.

The journalist and TV producer, was originally detained for 20 days in the NAJA detention center (the secret police bureau for combating social corruption) and was physically and psychologically tortured. Among other charges leveled against him, his interogators accused him of spying, but the journalist rejected those charges.

Branch one of the revolutionary court of Islamshahr has sentenced Nejad-Veysi with the high crime of “taking action against the security of the regime” and has sent him to Tehran’s infamous Evin prison to serve his term; he is being detained in the deplorable ward 350 of said prison.

The journalist is responsible for exposing some of the most horrifying crimes commited by the various Mullah factions and their mafia-like extortions. One of his famous exposes was about the distribution and sale of meat that was known to have been contaminated that originally aired on the Islamic regime’s channel 2; he also did reports on homeless women, combatting addiction in Iran, etc.

However this journalist has a long track record of working for and promoting the Islamic regime’s rule of law as well.


http://www.iranpressnews.com/source/016318.htm
Imprisonment and flogging for a political activist in province of Kurdistan

The organization for the defense of human rights in the province of Kurdistan reported that the high tribunal of the city of Saghez confirmed the prison sentence and flogging for their organization’s member and political activist, Loghmon Mehri.

This activist was charged with taking part in protests for the rights of women in front Tehran University in June of 2005. He was sentenced to 6 months in prison and 25 lashes; his case was sent to the court of appeals and confirmed by the Supreme Court recently. His was served with the order last week.

Mehri was also charged with taking part in civil protests during the summer of 2005 and for that the revolutionary court in his hometown of Saghez sentenced him to yet another 5 years in prison; that sentence is currently being evaluated by the court of appeals in the Kurdistan.

In addition he was recently threatened and harrassed by the secret police agents of the ministry of intelligence and security for his membership in the organization for the defense of human rights.


http://www.iranpressnews.com/source/016309.htm
Former secretary of Amir-Kabir University student association, Keyvan Ansari, arrested.

Abbas Hakim-zadeh, a member of the central committee of said university’s student association announcing the news, told the reporter from the regime-run news agency ILNA: “On Monday, September 17th, Ansari was arrested in front of his house; he was transported to the central committee offices of the student association and after the secret police agents tossed the offices of the central committee, they took several documents with them.

The nature of the arrest, the place of his detention and the charges against Ansari have not been announced and he has not, as of yet been permitted to contact his family; as such they too are worried and being kept in the dark.”


Français
http://www.iranpressnews.com/french/
samedi 23 septembre 2006


L'Iran frappera l'ennemi "comme la foudre" en cas d'attaque

TEHERAN – AFP- L'Iran frappera l'ennemi "comme la foudre" s'il est attaqué, a déclaré vendredi le vice-président Parviz Davoudi lors d'un discours prononcé à l'occasion d'un défilé des forces armées à Téhéran.

"Nous voulons la paix mais nous lançons une mise en garde, les puissances expansionnistes ne doivent pas penser à une agression contre l'Iran car nous pouvons défendre la patrie et l'islam", a déclaré M. Davoudi dont le pays est en crise avec l'Occident au sujet de son programme nucléaire.

"Nos lions sont si puissants qu'ils peuvent frapper comme la foudre l'ennemi et le détruire" en cas d'attaque, a-t-il ajouté en parlant des forces armées iraniennes.

Ce défile marque l'anniversaire du déclenchement de la guerre Irak-Iran en 1980, qui a duré huit ans et fait environ un million de morts de part et d'autres selon les estimations occidentales.

"Nos forces armes n'ont pas besoin d'armes atomiques pour montrer leur puissance, qui est basée sur notre croyance", a-t-il dit.

Il a ajouté que lors des récentes manoeuvres militaires, "les forces armées iraniennes ont montré leur puissance" en utilisant des armes et des moyens technologiques "qui étaient jusque-là le monopole des grandes puissances".
L'Iran a notamment affirmé avoir testé avec succès des missiles et des avions sophistiqués lors des récentes manoeuvres.

M. Davoudi a également fustigé les grandes puissances qui "osent dire qu'elles n'ont pas confiance dans notre programme nucléaire pacifique et parlent d'inquiétudes".

"Nous avons dit que l'arme atomique n'a pas de place dans notre doctrine de défense et notre guide suprême (l'ayatollah Ali Khamenei) a déclaré à plusieurs reprises que l'utilisation de l'arme atomique était haram (proscrit par l'islam)", a-t-il ajouté.

"L'utilisation de la technologie nucléaire à des fins pacifiques est notre droit absolu conformément au Traité de non prolifération (TNP) et nous agissons en conformité avec le TNP", a-t-il poursuivi.

Dans un entretien au magazine américain Time publié cette semaine, le président iranien Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a assuré qu'il ne craignait pas une attaque américaine pour détruire les installations nucléaires de son pays.
Pour Washington, un Iran doté de l'arme atomique reste une perspective inacceptable et les Etats-Unis ont toujours refusé d'exclure l'option militaire contre Téhéran.

Selon Time, des frappes américaines contre l'Iran, si elles devaient avoir lieu, pourraient viser jusqu'à 1.500 sites, nucléaires ou de missiles, et impliquer notamment des bombardiers B-52 et des missiles de croisière Tomahawk.
Le vice-président iranien a également demandé le départ des forces américaines d'Irak.

"La présence des Etats-Unis est source d'insécurité en Irak, les Etats-Unis doivent mettre fin à l'occupation car pour les peuples de la région la démocratie (américaine) est synonyme de massacre de leurs enfants", a-t-il poursuivi.


Réunion des diplomates des Six sur des sanctions contre l'Iran


NEW YORK – AFP- Les six grandes puissances engagées dans les discussions sur le dossier nucléaire iranien étaient réunies vendredi pour discuter des sanctions qui seraient éventuellement imposées à l'Iran s'il refusait de suspendre l'enrichissement de l'uranium, a-t-on appris auprès d'un haut responsable américain.

Le numéro trois du département d'Etat, Nicholas Burns, a précisé à des journalistes que ses discussions avec ses homologues de Grande-Bretagne, Chine, France, Allemagne et Russie porteraient sur la première série de sanctions progressives qui pourraient être imposées à l'Iran.

"Nous nous réunissons cet après-midi (...) pour discuter des sanctions qui pourraient figurer dans la première série de sanctions, si cela s'avérait nécessaire", a précisé M. Burns, secrétaire d'Etat adjoint aux Affaires politiques.

Le responsable américain a précisé avoir peu d'espoir de parvenir à un accord dès cette semaine sur une première série de mesures à l'encontre de l'Iran, alors que le diplomate en chef de l'Union Européenne, Javier Solana, doit rencontrer le chef des négociateurs iraniens, Ali Larijani, dans une capitale européenne.

"Soyons réalistes. Je pense que tant que nous n'aurons pas pris la décision que l'Iran a rejeté l'offre, on ne verra pas de décision sur des sanctions, mais les ministres nous ont demandé de nous rencontrer, et nous nous réunissons donc à 14H45" (18H45 GMT), a-t-il ajouté.

"Nous avons encore des divergences", a-t-il reconnu. "Je ne m'attends pas à ce que nous parvenions à un accord, mais nous allons discuter".

Le ministre russe des Affaires étrangères, Sergueï Lavrov, a affirmé jeudi soir à la tribune de l'ONU la nécessité de régler les problèmes de non prolifération nucléaire par la négociation, en laissant de côté "l'obsession des sanctions".
L'Iran figurera aussi à l'agenda du dîner des ministres des Affaires étrangères du G8 prévu vendredi, a poursuivi M. Burns. L'Italie et le Japon, qui ne font pas partie du groupe des Six mais ont d'importants intérêts économiques et commerciaux en Iran, participeront à ce dîner.

Les Etats-Unis poussent à l'adoption de sanctions contre l'Iran après que Téhéran a ignoré une demande du Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU de suspendre au 31 août ses activités d'enrichissement d'uranium avant toute négociation sur son programme nucléaire.

Téhéran affirme que ce programme est purement pacifique mais Washington et ses alliés le soupçonnent de vouloir se doter de l'arme nucléaire.

Des sanctions contre l'Iran pourraient viser balistique et nucléaire

NEW YORK - De premières sanctions internationales contre l'Iran en cas d'échec des discussions sur son programme nucléaire, pourraient viser les échanges et la coopération liés à ses activités nucléaires et ses programmes de missiles balistiques, a-t-on appris vendredi de source diplomatique à New York.

Ce sujet a été au centre d'une réunion de hauts diplomates des six puissances (Etats-Unis, Russie, Chine, France, Grande-Bretagne, Allemagne) engagées dans les discussions sur le dossier nucléaire iranien, en marge de l'Assemblée générale de l'ONU.

"Le coeur des sanctions toucherait tout ce qui est biens, services et personnes liés au balistique et au nucléaire", a déclaré à des journalistes une source proche des discussions.

Outre les livraisons d'équipements, cela pourrait aussi concerner les voyages de physiciens et scientifiques, ou le financement de programmes de recherche par exemple, a ajouté ce haut diplomate européen, sous couvert de l'anonymat.

Les Russes, souvent conciliants avec l'Iran, sont plus restrictifs que les Américains, qui plaident avec insistance depuis des mois pour des sanctions. Mais à l'issue de la réunion, "on a le sentiment qu'il y aura un accord" et "que l'on n'est pas dans une logique de confrontation USA-Russie", a-t-il estimé.

Moscou insiste notamment pour que ces sanctions soient "réversibles" en cas de changement d'attitude de Téhéran, et ne veut pas de sanctions ciblées contre des responsables du régime (interdiction de voyager, gel des avoirs à l'étranger) dans un premier train de mesures.

L'aide de la Russie à la construction de la centrale iranienne de Bouchehr ne serait pas remise en cause par ces sanctions, a précisé ce diplomate.
Ces premières sanctions, qui demanderaient une nouvelles résolution du Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU, seraient éventuellement imposées à l'Iran s'il refusait de suspendre l'enrichissement de l'uranium, une activité à finalité civile ou militaire.

Le groupe des six puissances a décidé mardi soir de donner une nouvelle chance à la négociation, en attendant le résultat d'une nouvelle rencontre entre le diplomate en chef de l'Union européenne, Javier Solana, et le principal négociateur iranien, Ali Larijani.

Téhéran a annoncé que M. Larijani rencontrerait M. Solana la semaine prochaine en Europe, sans donner de date ni de lieu précis.
Le numéro trois du département d'Etat américain, Nicholas Burns, avait indiqué avant l'ouverture de la réunion que ses discussions avec ses homologues porteraient sur la première série de sanctions progressives qui pourraient être imposées à l'Iran.

Le responsable américain avait toutefois précisé avoir peu d'espoir de parvenir à un accord avant de connaître le résultat de la prochaine rencontre Larijani-Solana.

Le ministre russe des Affaires étrangères, Sergueï Lavrov, a affirmé jeudi soir à la tribune de l'ONU la nécessité de régler les problèmes de prolifération nucléaire par la négociation, en laissant de côté "l'obsession des sanctions".
Les Etats-Unis poussent à l'adoption de sanctions contre l'Iran après que Téhéran a ignoré une demande du Conseil de sécurité de suspendre au 31 août ses activités d'enrichissement d'uranium avant toute négociation sur son programme nucléaire.

L'Iran affirme que ce programme est purement pacifique mais Washington et ses alliés le soupçonnent de vouloir se doter de l'arme nucléaire.


Moscou et Pékin discutent de sanctions contre l'Iran avec les Occidentaux
LE MONDE

Même si le haut représentant de l'Union européenne (UE) pour la politique étrangère, Javier Solana, s'apprête à renouer le dialogue avec Téhéran, les grandes puissances étudient la mise au point de sanctions qui pourraient frapper les programmes balistique et nucléaire de l'Iran. Malgré les démentis catégoriques de son président, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, ce pays est toujours soupçonné de chercher à mettre au point une bombe atomique.

Selon une source occidentale proche des discussions, le sujet a été évoqué, vendredi 22 septembre, lors d'une réunion qui rassemblait des diplomates de haut rang américain, français, britannique, allemand, russe et chinois.

Selon cette source, si la reprise du dialogue avec l'Iran, attendue aux alentours du 27 septembre, échoue, les cinq membres permanents du Conseil de sécurité (Etats-Unis, France, Russie, Royaume-Uni et Chine) et l'Allemagne devraient s'accorder "sans trop de problèmes" sur des sanctions ciblées.

"Le coeur du régime de sanctions toucherait au nucléaire et au balistique", affirme le diplomate, qui évoque une interdiction de financer ces programmes, un embargo sur les transferts de technologie, d'équipements, de services ou de personnels dans ces domaines et une interdiction de voyager à l'étranger pour les scientifiques iraniens.

Au cours de la réunion, qui se tenait en marge de l'Assemblée générale de l'ONU, "les Russes ont accepté de discuter des sanctions" et, toujours selon cette source, "la Chine ne s'y est pas opposée". Il n'a pas été possible, vendredi soir, de vérifier ces informations auprès des deux pays.

"A PETITS PAS"

Les Etats-Unis, représentés par le numéro trois du département d'Etat, Nicholas Burns, "ont demandé beaucoup plus" de sanctions, poursuit ce diplomate, et notamment une interdiction de voyager à l'étranger pour les dirigeants iraniens, dont les avoirs devraient aussi, selon Washington, être gelés. Aucun projet de résolution n'a toutefois été déposé.

Moscou aurait refusé d'aller aussi loin et exigé une dérogation aux sanctions pour tout ce qui touche à la centrale nucléaire de Bouchehr, construite par la Russie en Iran. Les sanctions "doivent être prises à petits pas et de façon réversible", affirme cette source, selon laquelle les divergences entre les six pays "portent davantage sur le rythme et l'étendue que sur le principe des sanctions".

Téhéran a ignoré les menaces de sanctions votées, le 31 juillet, par le Conseil de sécurité qui lui donnait un mois pour arrêter l'enrichissement d'uranium. Mais à l'initiative de Jacques Chirac, les grandes puissances ont accepté de relancer une dernière fois le dialogue en ne faisant plus de la suspension de l'enrichissement un préalable à toute négociation.

Selon le scénario français, les deux camps doivent commencer à discuter d'un ordre du jour des négociations qui s'ouvriraient ensuite par un double "geste de bonne volonté" : les Occidentaux accepteraient de mettre entre parenthèses leurs projets de sanctions, et l'Iran suspendrait ses activités suspectes.

En dépit des efforts insistants du chef de la diplomatie européenne, Javier Solana, le négociateur iranien chargé du dossier nucléaire, Ali Larijani, ne s'est pas rendu à New York, entre le 18 et le 23 septembre, pour entamer les discussions. Selon des diplomates, la rencontre pourrait avoir lieu en milieu de semaine en Europe, mais ni la date ni le lieu n'ont été fixés.

Les fuites concernant le débat sur les sanctions pourraient être destinées à faire pression sur l'Iran pour qu'il reprenne le dialogue. Selon des sources diplomatiques concordantes, les Etats-Unis ont donné aux Européens jusqu'au début du mois d'octobre pour obtenir des résultats, avant de déposer officiellement leurs demandes de sanctions au Conseil de sécurité.

lundi 25 septembre 2006
Iran: le chef du nucléaire iranien à Moscou pour discuter de la centrale de Bouchehr

MOSCOU (AFP) - Le chef de l'Organisation iranienne de l'énergie atomique, Gholamreza Aghazadeh, est arrivé lundi en fin de matinée à Moscou pour discuter de l'achèvement de la centrale nucléaire iranienne de Bouchehr, a indiqué à l'AFP la société russe Atomstroïexport chargée de la construction de la centrale.

Le responsable iranien doit discuter avec son homologue russe Sergueï Kirienko et le président d'Atomstroïexport Sergueï Chmatko de la date de démarrage de la centrale et de l'envoi du combustible nucléaire pour l'approvisionner, selon l'agence officielle iranienne Irna.

La rencontre est prévue à 16H00 locales (12H00 GMT).

"Au cours de cette visite, nous allons discuter des moyens de supprimer les obstacles existant à l'achèvement rapide de la centrale atomique et nous allons nous entendre sur la date de l'inauguration et de l'envoi du combustible", a dit un adjoint de M. Aghazadeh, Mohammad Saïdi.

"Bien que la Russie, à l'époque d'(Alexandre) Roumiantsev (ex-directeur de l'Agence fédérale russe de l'énergie atomique Rosatom, ndlr), ait donné à l'Iran un engagement écrit sur la date de l'envoi du combustible, il ne s'est pas concrétisé", a ajouté M. Saïdi.

La centrale, un projet de près d'un milliard de dollars, doit être achevée "en septembre 2007" et commencer à produire de l'énergie "en novembre 2007", avait indiqué la semaine dernière le porte-parole de l'Agence fédérale russe de l'énergie atomique (Rosatom), Sergueï Novikov.

Selon M. Novikov, "la Russie peut livrer du combustible nucléaire à l'Iran en mars prochain, six mois avant la date du lancement de la centrale en septembre".

Le projet de la centrale de Bouchehr a été lancé par l'ancien Shah d'Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi dans les années 70. La compagnie allemande Kraftwerk-Union, filiale de Siemens, avait été choisie pour sa construction, mais s'est retirée au moment de la révolution islamique de 1979.

Moscou a pris le relais en signant un contrat avec Téhéran en 1995 pour terminer la construction de la centrale.

La Russie a conclu avec l'Iran en 1995 un accord pour livrer la centrale nucléaire de Bouchehr (sud), mais le projet a pris du retard, notamment sous la pression des autorités américaines.

La Russie a notamment conclu avec l'Iran, sous la pression de Washington, un accord afin que le combustible nucléaire d'origine russe pour Bouchehr soit retourné en territoire russe une fois usagé, afin d'éviter des risques de détournement à des fins militaires.

Ehoud Olmert aurait rencontré un très haut responsable saoudien, selon un journal israélien

JERUSALEM (AP) - Le Premier ministre Ehoud Olmert aurait rencontré un haut responsable saoudien, et peut-être même le roi Abdallah lui-même il y a une dizaine de jours, rapporte lundi le quotidien israélien "Yediot Ahronot".
Le journal cite plusieurs responsables israéliens anonymes selon lesquels Olmert a rencontré le roi, tandis que d'autres rapportent qu'il a rencontré un haut responsable dans l'entourage du roi.

Dans un entretien publié sur le site Internet du "Yediot Ahronot" lundi, le Premier ministre israélien a affirmé qu'il n'avait pas rencontré le roi saoudien, mais n'a pas nié s'être entretenu avec un haut responsable du royaume.
"Je n'ai pas rencontré le roi saoudien et je n'ai rencontré personne qui puisse entraîné une agitation médiatique", a-t-il déclaré.

Parallèlement, un haut responsable saoudien s'exprimant sous couvert de l'anonymat a formellement démenti l'information du "Yediot Ahronot". "Il s'agit d'une invention née de leur imagination", a assuré ce responsable.
Israël et l'Arabie saoudite n'ont par de relations diplomatiques, mais le "Yediot Ahronot" a rapporté la semaine dernière que les deux pays entretiennent des contacts secrets depuis le mois de juillet pour parler du processus de paix avec les Palestiniens et du dossier iranien.

Ehoud Olmert aurait rencontré un très haut responsable saoudien, selon un journal israélien

JERUSALEM (AP) - Le Premier ministre Ehoud Olmert aurait rencontré un haut responsable saoudien, et peut-être même le roi Abdallah lui-même il y a une dizaine de jours, rapporte lundi le quotidien israélien "Yediot Ahronot".

Le journal cite plusieurs responsables israéliens anonymes selon lesquels Olmert a rencontré le roi, tandis que d'autres rapportent qu'il a rencontré un haut responsable dans l'entourage du roi.

Dans un entretien publié sur le site Internet du "Yediot Ahronot" lundi, le Premier ministre israélien a affirmé qu'il n'avait pas rencontré le roi saoudien, mais n'a pas nié s'être entretenu avec un haut responsable du royaume.
"Je n'ai pas rencontré le roi saoudien et je n'ai rencontré personne qui puisse entraîné une agitation médiatique", a-t-il déclaré.

Parallèlement, un haut responsable saoudien s'exprimant sous couvert de l'anonymat a formellement démenti l'information du "Yediot Ahronot". "Il s'agit d'une invention née de leur imagination", a assuré ce responsable.
Israël et l'Arabie saoudite n'ont par de relations diplomatiques, mais le "Yediot Ahronot" a rapporté la semaine dernière que les deux pays entretiennent des contacts secrets depuis le mois de juillet pour parler du processus de paix avec les Palestiniens et du dossier iranien.

Le président irakien se prononce pour une présence américaine à long terme en Irak

WASHINGTON - AFP- Le Président irakien, Jalal Talabani, s'est prononcé pour une présence militaire américaine à long terme en Irak, affirmant que son pays aurait besoin de la présence de bases américaines aériennes permanentes afin d'empêcher les "interférences étrangères".

"Je pense que nous aurons besoin des forces américaines pendant longtemps, même de deux bases militaires pour empêcher les interférences étrangères", a affirme Jalal Talabani au journal Washington Post. "Je ne demande pas d'avoir 100.000 soldats américains, 1O.000 et deux bases aériennes seront suffisants", a-t-il ajouté.

Le president a indiqué que les bases pourraient être installées au Kurdistan, région autonome du nord de l'Irak qui est auto-gouvernée depuis la guerre du Golfe de 1991.

Mais il a également suggéré que la population de confession sunnite serait favorable à une présence militaire américaine à long terme en Irak.

"Dans ceraine endroits, les sunnites veulent que les Américains restent", a-t-il dit. "Les sunnites pensent maintenant que le principal danger vient de l'Iran à l'heure actuelle".

Alors que le maintien d'un fort contingent militaire américain en Irak est impopulaire aux Etats-Unis, un haut responsable militaire américain, le général John Abizaid, avait affirmé la semaine dernière qu'il ne fallait pas compter sur une réduction de troupes --actuellement 147.000 hommes-- avant le printemps.

Le général Abizaid avait pourtant prédit il y a six mois une baisse de plusieurs milliers de soldats des effectifs américains en Irak. Mais, selon lui, l'explosion de violence et le retard dans la mise en place du gouvernement irakien ont obligé les Etats-Unis à repousser cette échéance.

Centrale Bouchehr: l'Iran peut finir lui-même la construction

MOSCOU - AFP- Un haut responsable du nucléaire iranien, Gholamreza Aghazadeh, en visite lundi à Moscou, a affirmé que son pays pouvait lui-même achever la construction de la centrale nucléaire de Bouchehr si les Russes n'étaient pas capables de le faire, selon les médias iraniens.

Le chef de l'Organisation iranienne de l'énergie atomique (OIEA) a eu un premier entretien à Moscou avec son homologue de l'Agence fédérale russe de l'Energie atomique (Rosatom), Sergueï Kirienko, au sujet de l'achèvement de la centrale nucléaire de Bouchehr (sud de l'Iran) construite par la société russe Atomstroïexport. Ils doivent reprendre leurs discussions mardi.

"Dans le cas où le constructeur russe est dans l'incapacité de finir le projet de Bouchehr, l'Iran est prêt à le finir lui-même", a dit M. Aghazadeh aux journalistes iraniens l'accompagnant et dont les propos ont été reproduits par l'agence semi-officielle iranienne Mehr.

"De notre point de vue, nous pouvons finir la centrale dans une période de six mois", a-t-il dit, démentant les informations sur un "accord avec la partie russe pour l'entrée en fonction de la centrale en novembre 2007".

La semaine dernière, le porte-parole de Rosatom, Sergueï Novikov, avait indiqué que la centrale, un projet de près d'un milliard de dollars, devrait être achevée "en septembre 2007" et commencer à produire de l'énergie "en novembre 2007".

"Nous pensons que cinq ou six mois suffisent pour finir le projet. Mais malgré les faiblesses de l'entrepreneur russe et vu que le projet a avancé à 90%, nous allons continuer de travailler avec eux", a dit M. Aghazadeh.

Selon lui, "l'entrepreneur russe est très faible et nous allons lors des réunions (à Moscou) insister sur ses difficultés". "Nous savions dès le départ qu'il était faible mais il n'y a pas d'autres entrepreneurs russes pour construire des centrales nucléaires et nous n'avions pas le choix".

Mohammad Saïdi, le vice-président de l'OIEA qui accompagne M. Aghazadeh, a indiqué que les deux parties devraient "décider demain (mardi) de la date définitive du démarrage de la centrale et de la livraison du combustible".

Selon M. Novikov, "la Russie peut livrer du combustible nucléaire à l'Iran en mars prochain, six mois avant la date du lancement de la centrale en septembre".

Interrogé sur la décision de donner à l'époque aux Russes la charge de finir la construction de la centrale commencée par les Allemands, M. Aghazadeh a dit: "Si j'avais été responsable à l'époque, je n'aurais pas pris une telle décision et j'aurais proposé la construction d'une nouvelle centrale".

Le projet de la centrale de Bouchehr a été lancé par l'ancien Shah d'Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi dans les années 1970. La compagnie allemande Kraftwerk-Union, filiale de Siemens, avait été choisie pour sa construction, mais s'est retirée au moment de la révolution islamique de 1979.

Moscou a pris le relais en signant un contrat avec Téhéran en 1995 pour terminer la construction de la centrale de Bouchehr (sud de l'Iran), mais le projet a pris du retard, notamment sous la pression des autorités américaines.

La Russie a notamment conclu avec l'Iran, sous la pression de Washington, un accord afin que le combustible nucléaire d'origine russe pour Bouchehr soit retourné en territoire russe une fois usagé, afin d'éviter des risques de détournement à des fins militaires.

Saturday, September 23, 2006

VICIOUS IRAN SUPPRESSION NEWS

Iranian students, who were asked recently to participate in a peaceful demonstration in Tehran, have sadly responded that the increasing violence with which the Islamic Regime has confronted any gatherings has become so vicious and intense that simply being in the street near a group of people invites arrest, torture and physical attack on the spot by Regime mercenaries from which the ranks of the Basiji have been filled.

Iran Watch: Activists Harassed, Rural Unrest and More
17 Sep 2006 In Association With Iran Press News

STUDENT ACTIVISTS SUSPENDED FROM TEHRAN UNIVERSITY (Farsi source)

In an unprecedented action, the selection committee of the Ministry of Education and Sciences prohibited the advancement of three student activists at Tehran University from the faculty of political science to higher academic ranking, reported the Student Committee of Human Rights Reporters.

Mohammad Sawber, Mohammad-Reza Hedayati and Samaneh Asad-Khani could not register, an act dependent upon the permission of the Ministry of Intelligence and Security.

A similar incident occurred last year, when political activist and high-ranking graduate student Paymon Aref was expelled from the university while finishing his thesis.

A complaint made to the Ministry of Education and Sciences by the widely detested president of Tehran University, Mullah Amid Zanjani, also denied the student his degree.Reacting to the forced retirement of some of the secular professors at Tehran University, student protests have once again intensified during recent weeks.

TWO ARRESTED IN THE PROVINCE OF ORUMIYEH FOR DISTRIBUTING LEAFLETS (Farsi source)

Two people have been arrested by government security agents in the town of Naghdeh for distributing leaflets announcing an anti-regime demonstration organized for Sept. 23.

One of the arrested, Eskandar Mirzaee, is a taxi driver in the city of Naghdeh. The other individual, Vahid, is a store owner.

The residents of Naghdeh say that, after the anti-regime demonstrations of recent months, the number of security forces in the area has increased. Political activists based in Azerbaijan have called for widespread demonstrations against the despotic Islamic regime to take place on Sept. 23.

ELEVEN STUDENT ACTIVISTS TO BE SUSPENDED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HAMADAN (Farsi source)


Advaar News, the news source of the Office of Fostering Unity* reported: "The disciplinary committee for the medical sciences faculty of the University of Hamadan issued heavy sentences against 11 student activists; some of these students will be suspended from attending university for at least one to two academic terms.

The university authorities dashed to issue these drastic verdicts." University authorities said that they felt severe disciplinary action had to be taken against students who protested against the dissolution and confiscation of property.

The Office of Fostering Unity, known in Farsi as Tahkim'eh Vahdat, is the largest student organization in Iran which has mainly been a university students' organization. It was formed to support the rule of Ruhollah Khomeini.

Tahkim'eh Vahdat became one of the most vocal critics of hardliners in Iran and promoted a pro-reformist stance, supporting Khatami. Since the failure of the so-called reformists, at present the organization works at promote secularism, though many of its governing members are "nationalist religionists," meaning that they believe in the separation of religion and state though they remain faithful Muslims.

RURAL RESIDENTS IN AMOL CLASH WITH GOVERNMENT DISCIPLINARY FORCES (Farsi source)

According to activists in Iran, tension between rural residents in the Awmol area and government disciplinary forces has intensified. Iran Press News received the following e-mail:

"The Islamic regime has forcefully usurped 50 hectares of land belonging to farmers from the village of Kamdarreh in order to build their Ayatollah Amelie University.

The brutal security forces have so far arrested more than 250 people from the village among them women and children. In order to suppress the locals, the guards have taken to lobbing tear gas at the locals, firing their rifles off randomly and beating people with their nightsticks.

In order to track down protestors, the guards have begun conducting house-to-house searches, kicking doors down, they enter without permission. They brutally attack and beat the residents of the houses and break everything in sight, including windows of the house, and mercilessly brutalize women.

They have cut off the water and electricity of the village.

All the residents have been arrested and sent to prison and every day the number of detainees increases. Not one man in sight... they've all been arrested or have fled to big cities or the nearby forests for fear of their lives.

Most of their houses have been totally destroyed, forcing them to go to stay with relatives in neighboring villages. Now all financial responsibilities of the family are left on the shoulders of the women.

All those around the world whose gaze has become fixed on the issues of Lebanon should also look at the story of Kamdarreh. They (the Islamic regime) have even bulldozed the land that was under cultivation by the local farmers."

ISLAMIC REGIME PREVENTS POLITICAL PRISONERS FROM MEETING WITH THEIR ATTORNEYS (Farsi source)

Rejaiishahr PrisonAccording to human rights activists in Iran, the Islamic Republic has begun to put pressure on political prisoners detained at Rajaiishahr Prison [in the Gowhardasht section of the Tehran suburb of Karaj] by preventing them from meeting with their attorneys.

Lawyers representing several political prisoners met with serious problems when attempting to meet with their clients in recent weeks. Several lawyers were prohibited from entering the prison. This preventative action was ordered by the judiciary and officials from the Office of Prisons.

At present, a large number of political prisoners are deprived of legal advice and are being held in Ward 209 of the Ministry of Intelligence and Security, as well as other prisons in Iran.

Human rights activists in Iran have condemned such restrictions on political prisoners and their lawyers. They have also called for the intervention of international human rights organizations to end such inhumane actions. According to global human rights covenants, legal representation is considered a basic right.

CLERIC SAYS AHMADINEJAD & NASRALLAH ARE IN TOUCH WITH THE 12TH IMAM (Farsi source)

According to Mullah Khaz-Ali, a member of Iran's Assembly of Experts, President Ahmadinejad and Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese branch of Hezbollah, are members of the Assembly of World Islamic Order which will soon be finalized by the Hidden Imam when he emerges from hiding.

Mullah Khaz-Ali, speaking at a meeting of the Hidden Imam exhibition, congratulated and embraced Ahmadinejad. "I kissed Ahmadinejad," he said, "because it was he who popularized our Hidden Imam in that land where those filthy jerks run their Great Satan government.

Yes, he and Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah steadfastly persevere for our Hidden Imam. They are in fact in direct contact with the Hidden Imam but they're being modest about it!

The reason for the delay in the emergence of the Ruler of All Time is the low level of intellect and culture in society; the foundations must be cultivated.

Stupid people, have some shame and come to your senses." The Assembly of Experts is the 86-cleric organ [no women & no non-clergy] that can select and, if need be, dismiss the Vali al-Faqih, the man who rules the Islamic Republic with limitless powers. At the moment the Vali al-Faqih is Ali Khamenei.

PROTESTING WORKERS BLOCK THE ROAD BETWEEN THE CITIES OF KASHAN & GHOM (Farsi source)

On Tuesday, Sept. 12, hundreds of velvet and silk textile workers gathered in front of the Kashan governor's office, demanding four month's worth of their unpaid salaries.

According to the regime-run news agency, ILNA, 400 to 500 morning shift workers gathered in front of the governor's office and then took to blocking the main road between Kashan and the city of Ghom.

One of the representatives of the protesting workers said that "despite frequent correspondence with the officials, the workers' continue to go unpaid and the general manager keeps telling us that he does not have the money to pay; he tells to go and protest all we want!"

The Labor representative added: "The factory faces the lack of raw materials and the management makes no attempt to resolve this problem either." The representative reported that the unit employs more than 700 people.

"The management," he said, "wouldn't mind seeing this factory meet with more difficulties and then dissolve."

Rezvon-nejad, the political and security deputy of the governor of Kashan, told the ILNA reporter that "the management and shareholders of the unit should be made to resolve the workers' problems; the workers are owed three to five months back pay."

According to the report, the workers' protest still continues and negotiations between the director of the Labor Department and the factory unit have been arranged.

THOSE WHO BREAK THEIR FASTS DURING RAMADAN WILL BE DEALT WITH SEVERELY (Farsi source)

Revolutionary Guard Morteza Talaie, known as the criminal captain of the government's disciplinary forces, threatened that "anyone breaking their fasts in public is forbidden and people who attempt to eat in public will be arrested and dealt with.

If someone cannot stick to their fast, they should not come out in public; we will not stand for anyone violating the observances of our month of Ramadan."

The most prominent event of this month is the fasting practiced by all observant Muslims. The term for fasting during Ramadan is sawn. Eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse are not allowed between dawn (fajr), and sunset (maghreb).

During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, sarcastic retorts, and gossip. People are meant to try to get along with each other better than they normally might.

All obscene and irreligious sights and sounds are to be avoided. Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm.

Fasting during Ramadan is not obligatory for several groups for whom it would be excessively problematic. Children before the onset of puberty are not required to fast, though some do. However, if puberty is delayed, fasting becomes obligatory for males and females after a certain age.

According to the Quran, if fasting would be dangerous to someone's health, such as a person with an illness or medical condition (this can include the elderly), that person is excused. For example, diabetics and women who are nursing or are pregnant are not usually expected to fast; but they are encouraged to feed a needy person instead.

According to the Hadith, observing the Ramadan fast is not allowed for menstruating women. Other individuals for whom it is usually considered acceptable not to fast are those in battle and travelers who intend to spend fewer than five days away from home.

If one's condition preventing fasting is only temporary, one is required to make up for the days missed after the month of Ramadan is over and before the next Ramadan arrives. If one's condition is permanent or present for an extended period of time, one may make up for the fast by feeding a needy person for every day missed.

If one who does not fit into one of the exempt categories breaks the fast out of forgetfulness, the fast is still valid. If, however, one intentionally breaks the fast, that individual must continue fasting for the remainder of the day but then make up for the entire day later.

If one breaks the fast through consensual sexual intercourse, the transgressor must make up for the day by fasting for sixty consecutive days.

SELECTED NEWS BRIEFS

Ahmadinejad crushes CFR hopes for a "grand bargain."

The New York Times reported that Ahmadinejad met with two dozen members of the Council on Foreign Relations, then ending the evening by asking whether they were simply shills for the Bush administration.

Kenneth R. Timmerman, FrontPageMagazine.com reported that while the CFR has consistently promoted a "grand bargain" with the regime in Tehran and ex-CFR staffer Susan Maloney at the State Department has vetoed funding of the Iranian opposition radio and TV broadcasts, and training for opposition groups inside Iran, on the grounds that it might offend the Tehran regime.

Clinton: The US should talk to Iran without conditions.

News 8 reported that former President Clinton said the U.S. should try talking to Iran about its nuclear weapons ambitions without imposing a lot of conditions.

Ahmadinejad: Iran willing to talk under the right conditions.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Iran is willing to discuss the suspension of nuclear enrichment under the right conditions.

Ahmadinejad tries to improve his image, but...

New Press reported that Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad seems to be enjoying the spotlight at this year's U.N. General Assembly, easing his way into the international arena and trying to improve his image amid the controversy over his nuclear program and remarks about Israel and the Holocaust.

The New York Sun reported that Columbia University invited the president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to give a speech today, but at the last moment the invitation was withdrawn.

CNN News reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he is surprised American politicians "are so sensitive and biased with regards to Israel." Asked if he believes Israel has no right to exist -- he responded, "I say that it is an occupying regime."

Major powers give Iran another deadline: October.

Swiss Info reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad signaled a willingness to negotiate as major powers said Tehran had until early October to agree to suspend its nuclear program.

Iran seeks Cuba and Venezuela as bases for subversive activities against the US?

Alan Note: If you have been feeling secure because Iran and the Al Qaeda are "too far away" to worry you, think again. If Cuba or Venezuela overcomes fears of an Iranian missile trail being traced back to them, they put the USA within easy range of the Iranin Shahab 3 missile and add nother 1,000 miles of range to the Shahab 5 that is almost operational.

DEBKAfile reported that on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Havana, intelligence experts from Iran, Cuba and Venezuela met to discuss on ways of translating their leaders' hostile rhetoric and slogans into effective war action against the United States.

Why the US is unlikely to use military action, but Iran is.
David Frum's Diary published 4 reasons why the US is unlikely to attack Iran arguing he US and Iran are heading toward a deal.

Avigdor Haselkorn, The American Thinker argued why after Israel's war with Hezb’allah an Iranian attack on Israel is now more likely than before.

BBC international poll: Washington's view that is prevailing.

BBC News reported that the BBC World Service opinion poll on Iran's nuclear intentions found that a significant majority, people in the 25 countries in which this opinion poll was carried out do not accept Iran's protestations that its nuclear activities are purely for civil purposes.

NPR reported that in Iran, journalists, reformers, and student activists feared the election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad might lead to repressive policies and restrictions. After a year of comparative calm, however, observers say that it now appears that their fears were justified.

Rooz Online reported that, despite an exponential increase in the size of the government budget and expenditure, the Islamic Republic could be in crisis unless they receive new funding.

Aaron, One Jerusalem published a roundup of the reports on the protest of Ahmadinejad at the UN. Videos.

Cox & Forkum published a cartoon: El Diablo.


Ahmadinejad tells big lies but is largely unchallenged by the media.

MSNBC and NBC News published an interview with Ahmadinejad in which he claimed that while the US “... speak of war so easily, as if it’s on their daily agenda. We never speak of war.”

Los Angeles Times reported that Iran's president told the United Nations that the organization had become a tool used by the world's powerful to oppress the weak, and call.

Chavez calls Bush "the devil."

Drudge Report published the full text of Venezuelan President Chavez remarks at the UN General Assembly. He said of President Bush: "the devil came here yesterday. Yesterday the devil came here. Right here." [crosses himself] "And it smells of sulfur still today."

US makes more concessions to Iran.

The Financial Times reported that Iran’s chief nuclear security official, Ali Larijani, is expected to resume talks with the European Union’s Javier Solana next week following a concession by the US to give the process more time before pursuing a UN sanctions resolution.

Iranians losing confidence in the regime's future?

Rooz Online reported that one year after Mr. Ahmadinejad’s hard-line government took the reigns of power no government bonds have been bought by the public.

Rooz Online reported that two months into the recent decree of the ‘supreme leader’ regarding privatizing of government business entities through relinquishing company stocks, official statistics indicate the plan is 94% behind schedule.

Australia considers sanctions on Iran.

The Age reported that Australia may consider financial sanctions against Iran even if the move does not have the backing of the United Nations.

The Washington Post reported that U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said that Iran was abusing the global financial system and putting its security at risk.

The House International Relations Committee passed Iran legislation.

US Congressman Steve King announced that the House International Relations Committee passed King’s legislation, H.Res. 942, which aims to inspire Iranians to return to their constitutional democracy. It now goes to the full House for consideration.


Xinhua reported an Iranian Boeing 707 aircraft carrying high ranking officials was forced to land in Turkish largest city of Istanbul.

Rooz Online reported that tens of thousands of workers at the Alborz carpet workshops in the northern town of Babolsar held a demonstration which led to clashes with law enforcement personnel. These workers have not been paid their monthly wages for some nine months.

Rooz Online reported that the Islamic Republic is grading student activists in an effort to ban them from Iranian universities.

Rooz Online reported that conservative newspapers in Iran this week published the new accusation of the Minister of Intelligence that America is targeting journalists for its goals.

The Times Online reported that Iran will put the exploration of 24 oil blocks out to international tender to make them more attractive to cautious foreign investors.

Michael Rubin, The Wall Street Journal examined the Islamic Republic's history of official contempt for diplomatic convention.

Amir Taheri, Gulf News reported that Al Qaeda is now seeking help from other terrorist organizations.

BBC News reported on Iran's growing regional influence.

The New York Sun reported that in what was billed as a clash at the United Nations between President Bush and President Ahmadinejad over Iran's nuclear ambitions is being at least partially upstaged by new calls for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs.

Paul Nowak, Townhall published a cartoon: Mahmoud Adolfinejad, Statesman.



Ahmadinejad attempts to rally the world against the US.

Vital Perspective published the full translated text of Ahmadinejad's UN speech. A few excerpts...

On the nuclear issue: "All our nuclear activities are transparent, peaceful and under the watchful eyes of IAEA inspectors."On the US and Britain: "They consider themselves the masters and rulers of the entire world."On human rights: "Should respect for the rights of human beings become the predominant objective, then injustice, ill temperament, aggression and war will fade away."He ended with: "Oh, Almighty God... upon humanity that thirsts for justice, the perfect human being promised to all by you, and make us among his followers and among those who strive for his return and his cause."


Bush speaks at the UN to the Iranian people.

The Times Online reported that President Bush used a UN address yesterday to appeal directly to the Iranian people over the head of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, saying: “You deserve an opportunity to determine your own future... The greatest obstacle to this future is that your rulers have chosen to deny you liberty."

David Frum, The National Review Online argued that the president's speech to the UN today was one of the most important of his presidency. It marks the final fizzling out of his Iran policy of the past three years.

On the sidelines of the UN...

The Times Online reported that Ahmadinejad stunned Kofi Annan during his trip to Tehran when he railed against Britain and the US. “Things have changed and they have to know it. They can scold us, they can shout at us, but they cannot damage us.”

CNN News reported that Iran's chief nuclear negotiator has not come to New York this week as expected, raising doubts about talks on Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Bolton said: "The discussions with Iran appear to have come to a stop."

Yahoo News reported that French President Jacques Chirac said he does not want to set a new deadline for Iran to suspend nuclear activities and appeared to soften an earlier proposal to drop talk of sanctions against Iran.

Bernard Lewis: The West is in a fight for its life.

Bernard Lewis, Real Clear Politics provided an historical perspective on the potential for freedom and liberty in the Middle East and concludes we either bring them freedom, or they will destroy us.

Ledeen on Republican appeasers.

Michael Ledeen, The Corner provided a short list of Republican appeasers of the terrorists and the Mullahs of Iran.

Sen. Voinovich on Ahmadinejad.

Reuters reported that Sen. George Voinovich said "Ahmadinejad -- I call him Ahmad-in-a-head -- I think he's a Hitler type of person," adding that "I don't believe that as long as he's there that we're ever going to solve Iraq."

Both the right and left frustrated by the Bush's and the media's handling of Ahmadinejad.

The New York Sun, in an editorial, argued why Ahmadinejad should be arrested while in the US.

The Village Voice reviewed the plight of women in Iran and asked will the media ask the Ahmadinejad about the stoning of women in his country.

Why we shouldn't worry about Iran's oil weapon.

Max Schulz, The National Review Online argued that as the Iranian nuclear crisis worsens, the mullahs in Tehran are trying to forestall American or Israeli military action by threatening to use the “oil weapon.” Don’t believe it.

Iran Focus reported that hundreds of Iranian women gathered outside the offices of the judiciary in Tehran in protest to the impending execution of a female prisoner and dozens of protesting women were arrested.

Radio Free Europe reported that Iran's largest reformist student group is expressing concern over yesterday's inspection of the main office of its alumni association where security agents took away all documents and computers.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Muslim religious leaders in the Gaza Strip warned Pope Benedict XVI that he must "accept" Islam if he wanted to live in peace.

Iran Focus reported that Iran’s consulate in the southern Iraqi city of Basra came under a mortar attack Tuesday morning.

Mr. Kaylan, The Wall Street Journal examined Wahhabi Colonialism, which he argued is the root of much of the evil in the Islamic World.

Michael Rubin, The Corner reported that while attending a speech in Cairo he observed the audience's applause to the demand that Egypt pursue nuclear power.

Cox & Forkum published a cartoon of Ahmadinejad: Security Breach

NEWSBRIEFS & COMMENTS

Philippine police said they have intercepted a 1,000-kilogram shipment of chemicals believed to be intended for bomb attacks by the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants. The shipment of ammonium nitrate was divided into 20 sacks and hidden in the hold of a ferry that docked in the southern port city of Zamboanga from the nearby island of Jolo, an Abu Sayyaf stronghold, police said.

Ammonium nitrate is a highly volatile chemical compound largely used in making fertilizer and is the main ingredient used by the Abu Sayyaf to produce powerful bombs, official said. 'We had received information that the chemicals will be used by the Abu Sayyaf for their terror attacks,' said port police chief Major Frank Clavencillas.

The seizure came as five Marines were wounded in a fresh clash with Abu Sayyaf gunmen near the town of Patikul on Jolo, where they are on the run from a massive military operation that began last month. Meanwhile, the military announced it also captured an Abu Sayyaf member identified as Yunus Anding, who was arrested last week in the island of Basilan, across the strait from this port city. Yunus took part in the kidnapping of three Americans and 17 Filipino tourists and resort workers in 2001, the military said.

Taliban: 500 Suicide Bombers Ready to Attack


ABC News In a rare interview, the Taliban's top military commander told ABC News he has 500 suicide bombers at his disposal and could launch them at any time. Speaking by satellite telephone from an undisclosed location, Mulla Dadullah Akhund told ABC News the suicide bombers will target Kabul, the capital, because it is the headquarters for U.S. and NATO forces.

"They attacked us. We didn't go to the U.S. to fight them. We are fighting for our religion and homeland," he said. Mulla Dadullah, who lost a leg in earlier fighting, said he also commanded 12,000 Taliban fighters, which he claimed were actively engaging U.S.-led forces in four southwestern Afghan provinces.

"We have no shortage of fighters," he said. "In fact, we have so many of them that it is difficult to accommodate and arm and equip them. Some of them have been waiting for a year or more for their turn to be sent to the battlefield," Mulla Dadullah contended. According to Mulla Dadullah, the Taliban would be launching new and bigger attacks in Afghan cities in spring next year.

Al-Qaida Joins Algerians Against France
Washington Post/AP

Al-Qaida has for the first time announced a union with an Algerian insurgent group that has designated France as an enemy, saying they will act together against French and American interests. Current and former French officials specializing in terrorism said Thursday that an al-Qaida alliance with the Salafist Group for Call and Combat, known by its French initials GSPC, was cause for concern.

"We take these threats very seriously," Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy said, adding in an interview on France-2 television that the threat to France was "high" and "permanent," and that "absolute vigilance" was required. Al-Qaida's No. 2, Ayman al-Zawahri, announced the "blessed union" in a video posted this week on the Internet to mark the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States. France's leader have repeatedly warned that the decision not to join the US-led war in Iraq would not shield the country from Islamic terrorism. French participation in the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon could give extremists another reason to strike.

Iraq al-Qaida: Pope, West Are Doomed MyWay/AP


An al-Qaeda-linked extremist group warned Pope Benedict XVI on Monday that he and the West were "doomed," as protesters returned to the streets across the Muslim world to demand more of an apology from the pontiff for his remarks about Islam and violence.

The Mujahedeen Shura Council, an umbrella organization of Sunni Arab extremist groups that includes al-Qaeda in Iraq, issued a statement on a Web forum vowing to continue its holy war against the West. The authenticity of the statement could not be independently verified.

The group said Muslims would be victorious and addressed the pope as "the worshipper of the cross" saying "you and the West are doomed as you can see from the defeat in Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya and elsewhere...

We will break up the cross, spill the liquor and impose head tax, then the only thing acceptable is a conversion (to Islam) or (killed by) the sword." Islam forbids drinking alcohol and requires non-Muslims to pay a head tax to safeguard their lives if conquered by Muslims. They are exempt if they convert to Islam.

Paintball Terrorists CBN News


Some call it a high-tech version of tag. Others say it's the modern day equivalent of hide-and-seek. Paintball has only been around since the 1980s, but more than 10 million people of all ages now play it worldwide. If you haven't played, it's pretty simple: players hunt their opponents, take aim, and splatter them with paint-filled "bullets." it all makes for a fun and competitive afternoon. It's also safe, thanks to the protective gear players are required to wear.

Paintball is one of the fastest growing sports in the US, with everyone from church groups to young Republicans getting together for fun-filled weekend outings. But some radical Islamists are using paintball for a far more sinister purpose: as a training ground for jihad.

"They're using paintball for paramilitary training," said Jeffrey Epstein, president of America's Truth Forum. America's Truth Forum is an anti-jihad organization.

Along with terrorism analyst Laura Mansfield, Epstein has been tracking what he calls a disturbing trend among Islamists. "They're tying paintball into a larger, more grand-scale mission...they're using it to network and bring other Muslims together for communication and to indoctrinate," Epstein explained.

Mansfield supplied CBN News with an al-Qaeda tape posted on a Muslim message board in the US. It begins with images of missiles taking out America, then moves on to a speech by Adam Gadahn, an American-born member of al-Qaeda. Next come scenes of two men playing paintball. But that's not all. The men also conduct mock suicide bombings, and practice explosives training.

Next Attack Imminent: Muslims Ordered to Leave the US New Media Journal/Hamid Mir, Dr. Paul L. Williams & David Dastych

Alan Note: An adult English Language course at a Southern California college had a strong continent of Iranian and other Moslem students among whom there were some University professors and Scientist from Iran as well as local residents (legal or illegal).

This semester starting in August, they all evaporated! Not one signed up for their ongoing classes except a couple of the women, who though they used to dress in Islamic traditional clothing for women, now appeared in totally Western attire without even a headscarf.

While the women were warned to dress this way not to focus attention to themselves and risk retaliation after the forthoming Al Qaeda attacks on the USA, the menfolk have apparently been sent to carry out activities to assist in the upcoming attacks.

If anyone finds this is a tip of an iceberg, rather than a localized South California abberation, please inform your local authorities.

Recently, Abu Dawood, one of the newly appointed commanders of the al Qaeda forces in Afghanistan issued some disturbing statements. Dawood stated: that final preparations have been made for the American Hiroshima, a major attack on the US; said that Muslims living in the United States should leave the country without further warning; indicating that the attack will be commandeered by Adnan el Shukrijumah ("Jaffer Tayyer" or "Jafer the Pilot"), a naturalized American citizen, who was raised in Brooklyn and educated in southern Florida;

that the al Qaeda operatives who will launch this attack are awaiting final orders, that they remain in place in cities throughout the country and that many are masquerading as Christians and have adopted Christian names;

that al Qaeda and the Taliban will also launch a major strike (known as the "Badar Operation") against the coalition forces in Afghanistan during the holy month of Ramadan;

and that the American people probably will be treated to a final audio message from Osama bin Laden which will be aired some time later.


Spotlight A Breakdown of Southern Thailand's Insurgent Groups Jamestown Foundation/Zachary Abuza

Thailand has faced an Islamist secessionist movement since 2001-2002 that has led to the deaths of more than 1,500 people. There have been nearly 400 successful bombings, many more attempted bombings and more than 400 arson attacks. Militants have assassinated more than 600 people.

Ten of the 33 districts in the deep south are "plagued by violence" according to the Thai Ministry of the Interior, and the number is increasing. Yet, little is actually known about the insurgents' structure and capacity.

To date, there has not been a single credible claim of responsibility, nor have the insurgents publicly stated their goals or political platform. Their unwillingness to disclose any details has worked to their advantage and left Thai intelligence in a quandary.

There are a number of insurgent groups working together, and unlike the insurgency in the 1960s to the early-1990s, when groups were sharply divided over their goals and ideology and proved absolutely incapable of working together, today's organizations share a common Islamist agenda and are demonstrating unprecedented coordination and cooperation.

No organization is trying to discredit another to build up its own power base.


Multi-Media Arab and Iranian Reaction to 9/11: Five Years Later MEMRI-TV

Since the attacks on September 11, 2001, The Middle East Media Research Institute has monitored, translated, and recorded what was said in the Arab and Iranian press about that day. Prominent journalists, members of academia, leading religious figures, and even Arab government officials helped shape conspiracies about what "really" happened.

A documentary film about the Arab and Iranian reaction to 9-11 incorporates footage from various TV and satellite stations in the Middle East. It was made with Interface Media Group and narrated by acclaimed actor Ron Silver.