Watchman Newsletter for August 11, 2008
EU under
pressure to shed light on expert panels
EU Observer
(August 11, 2008) - A transparency campaign
group has written to seven European commissioners to pressure them
to make good on a promise to reveal the names of the people who sit
on the expert groups that influence EU legislation in key areas.
ALTER-EU, made up of 160 organisations, on Friday (8 August) sent
letters to the commission president, vice-president, and
commissioners in charge of industry, energy, research, health and
environment to ask whether the commission intends to take the
name-publishing step "by the summer" as it promised earlier this
year. It said it is "deeply concerned about the lack of progress so
far on the issue of over-representation," referring to advisory
groups where business lobbyists outnumber NGOs and civil society
groups. The transparency group says that the only way to avoid
"privileged access for certain specific interests" is to establish
consistent membership criteria and called in the letters for an
"open and transparent process" for the selection of such expert
groups. It also asks commission president Jose Manuel Barroso what
he intends to do about those groups where it is already clear that
there is an over-representation of business interests. According to
the group, EU industry commissioner Guenter Verheugen is responsible
for 127 expert groups but only 19 of these include membership
details. As an example, it points to the expert group on
biotechnology which has 20 industry representatives, six academics
and no NGOs. Meanwhile, his research colleague Janez Potocnik
oversees 97 groups of which just 17 have their details listed while
energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs is in charge of 36 groups of
which three contain membership details. For health commissioner
Androulla Vassilou, the tally is 70 closed groups to eight public
groups while environment commissioner Stavros Dimas is said to
preside over 95 closed groups and only three open ones. The
commission promised earlier this year that the process of collecting
and publishing the names of members of the different groups shall be
completed by the summer. It also pointed out that experts from
national governments and agencies made up two-thirds of those in the
panels. more...
Georgia claims Russians have cut country in half
Associated Press
(August 11, 2008) - Russian tanks roared
deep into Georgia on Monday, launching a new western front in the
conflict, and Russian planes staged air raids that sent people screaming
and fleeing for cover in some towns. Russian forces for the first time
moved well outside the two restive, pro-Russian provinces claimed by
Georgia that lie at the heart of the dispute. An Associated Press
reporter saw Russian troops in control of government buildings in this
town just miles from the frontier and Russian troops were reported in
nearby Senaki. Georgia's president said his country had been sliced in
half with the capture of a critical highway crossroads near the central
city of Gori, and Russian warplanes launched new air raids across the
country. The Russian Defense Ministry, through news agencies, denied it
had captured Gori and also denied any intentions to advance on the
Georgian capital of Tbilisi. In New York, the United Nations Security
Council held an emergency session at Georgia's request, the fifth
meeting on the fighting in as many days. The western assault expanded
the days-old war beyond the central breakaway region of South Ossetia,
where a crackdown by Georgia last week drew a military response from
Russia. While most Georgian forces were still busy fighting there,
Russian troops opened the western attack by invading from a second
separatist province, Abkhazia, that occupies Georgia's coastal northwest
arm. Russian forces moved into Senaki, 20 miles inland from the Black
Sea, and seized police stations in Zugdidi, just outside the southern
fringe of Abkhazia. Abkhazian allies took control of the nearby village
of Kurga, according to witnesses and Georgian officials. The Georgian
president, Mikhail Saakashvili, told CNN late Monday that Russian forces
were cleansing Abkhazia of ethnic Georgians. "I directly accuse Russia
of ethnic cleansing," he said. At the U.N. on Friday, each side accused
the other of ethnic cleansing. By late Monday, Russian news agencies,
citing the Defense Ministry, said troops had left Senaki, 20 miles
inland from the Black Sea port of Poti, "after liquidating the danger,"
but did not give details. The new assault came despite a claim earlier
in the day by a top Russian general that Russia had no plans to enter
undisputed Georgian territory. Both provinces of South Ossetia and
Abkhazia have run their own affairs without international recognition
since fighting to split from Georgia in the early 1990, and both have
close ties with Moscow. When Georgia began its offensive to regain
control over South Ossetia, the Russian response was swift and
overpowering — thousands of troops and tanks poured in. Georgia had
pledged a cease-fire, but it rang hollow Monday. An AP reporter saw a
small group of Georgian fighters open fire on a column of Russian and
Ossetian military vehicles outside Tskhinvali, triggering a 30-minute
battle. The Russians later said all the Georgians were killed.
more... Ukraine says it reserves right to bar Russian ships from entering to their Crimean base Newsday (August 10, 2008) - Ukraine warned Russia on Sunday it could bar Russian navy ships from returning to their base in the Crimea because of their deployment to Georgia's coast. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said the deployment of a Russian naval squadron to Georgia's Black sea coast has the potential of drawing Ukraine into the conflict. "In order to prevent the circumstances in which Ukraine could be drawn into a military conflict ... Ukraine reserves the right to bar ships which may take part in these actions from returning to the Ukrainian territory until the conflict is solved," said the statement which was posted on the ministry's Web site. Both Ukraine and Georgia have sought to free themselves of Russia's influence, integrate into the West and join NATO. The statement reflected a strong Ukrainian support for Georgia and is certain to anger Moscow, further straining Russian-Ukrainian relations. Russia's deputy chief of General Staff Col.-Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn said Sunday he was aware of the statement, but added that the Russian government must analyze it before making comment. "It makes a third party involved, and it's quite unexpected," Nogovitsyn said said at a news conference. A 1997 agreement between Russia and Ukraine lets the Black Sea Fleet remain in Sevastopol through 2017, but Ukrainian officials have said they want it out after that. The issue adds to emotions over Crimea, which was part of the Russian Federation but ceded to Ukraine during the Soviet era and became part of the independent Ukraine when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.
Russia Deploys Ships, Expands Georgia Bombing Blitz
Fox News
(August 10, 2008) - Russia battled Georgian
forces on land and sea, reports said late Sunday, despite a Georgian
cease-fire offer and its claim to be withdrawing from South Ossetia, the
separatist Georgian province battered by days of intense fighting.
Russia claimed to have sunk a Georgian boat that was trying to attack
Russian vessels in the Black Sea, and Georgian officials said Russia
sent tanks from South Ossetia into Georgia proper, heading toward a
strategic city before being turned back. Russian planes on Sunday twice
bombed an area near the Georgian capital's airport, officials said. The
violence appeared to show gargantuan Russia's determination to subdue
diminutive, U.S.-backed Georgia, even at the risk of international
reproach. Russia fended off a wave of international calls to observe
Georgia's cease-fire, saying it must first be assured that Georgian
troops have indeed pulled back from South Ossetia. International envoys
were heading in to try to end the conflict before it spreads throughout
the Caucasus, a region plagued by ethnic tensions. But it was unclear
what inducements or pressure the envoys could bring to bear, or to what
extent either side was truly sensitive to world opinion. Georgian
President Mikhail Saakashvili said one of the Russian raids on the
airport area came a half hour before the arrival of the foreign
ministers of France and Finland — in the country to try to mediate.
Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman Temur Yakobashvili said Russian
tanks tried to cross from South Ossetia into the territory of Georgia
proper, but were turned back by Georgian forces. He said the tanks
apparently were trying to approach Gori, but did not fire on the city of
about 50,000 that sits on Georgia's only significant east-west highway.
Russia also sent naval vessels to patrol off Georgia's Black Sea coast,
but denied Sunday that the move was aimed at establishing a blockade.
The ITAR-Tass news agency quoted a Russian Defense Ministry spokesman as
saying that Georgian missile boats twice tried to attack Russian ships,
which fired back and sank one of the Georgian vessels. South Ossetia
broke away from Georgian control in 1992. Russia granted passports to
most of its residents and the region's separatist leaders sought to
absorb the region into Russia. Georgia, whose troops have been trained
by American soldiers, began an offensive to regain control over South
Ossetia overnight Friday, launching heavy rocket and artillery fire and
air strikes that pounded the regional capital Tskhinvali. Georgia says
it was responding to attacks by separatists. In response, Russia
launched massive artillery shelling and air attacks on Georgian troops.
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said more than 2,000
people had been killed in South Ossetia since Friday, most of them
Ossetians with Russian passports. The figures could not be independently
confirmed. The scope of Russia's military response has the Bush
administration deeply worried. "We have made it clear to the Russians
that if the disproportionate and dangerous escalation on the Russian
side continues, that this will have a significant long-term impact on
U.S.-Russian relations," U.S. deputy national security adviser Jim
Jeffrey told reporters. The U.S. military began flying 2,000 Georgian
troops home from Iraq after Georgia recalled them, even while calling
for a truce. "Georgia expresses its readiness to immediately start
negotiations with the Russian Federation on a cease-fire and termination
of hostilities," the Georgian Foreign Ministry said in a statement,
adding that it had notified Russia's envoy to Tbilisi. But Russia
insisted Georgian troops were continuing their attacks. Alexander
Darchiev, Russia's charge d'affairs in Washington, said Georgian
soldiers were "not withdrawing but regrouping, including heavy armor and
increased attacks on Tskhinvali." "Mass mobilization is still under
way," he told CNN's "Late Edition." President Bush sought to contain the
conflict in Georgia on Sunday as the White House warned that "Russian
aggression must not go unanswered." Bush, in Beijing for the Olympics,
has pressed for international mediation and reached out Sunday to French
President Nicolas Sarkozy, who heads the European Union. The two agreed
on the need for a cease-fire and a respect for Georgia's integrity, a
White House spokesman said. more...
'Hizbullah received advanced launchers'
The Jerusalem Post
(August 10, 2008) - The senior aide to
Syrian President Bashar Assad who was assassinated last weekend had been
in charge of supplying Hizbullah with advanced anti-aircraft weaponry,
the Sunday Times reported. According to the report, Brig.-Gen. Muhammad
Suleiman had provided the guerrilla group with advanced Syrian SA-8
anti-aircraft missiles, Middle Eastern sources told the paper. Such
missiles could potentially challenge the IAF reconnaissance flights
which are currently conducted unhindered over Lebanon. Last week,
Lebanon's new Cabinet unanimously approved a draft policy statement
which could secure Hizbullah's existence as an armed organization and
guarantee its right to "liberate or recover occupied lands." "The
Cabinet unanimously approved the draft," Information Minister Tarek
Mitri told reporters after the five-hour meeting at the presidential
palace in a Beirut suburb last Monday. Government sources in Jerusalem
said the decision would make the government in Beirut an accomplice to
any Hizbullah aggression and give Israel the right to hold it
responsible. During the Second Lebanon War, Israel came under
international pressure not to harm Lebanon's infrastructure because it
was Hizbullah, not the Lebanese government, that killed several IDF
soldiers and kidnapped reservists Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev in the
July 2006 cross border raid which sparked the conflict.
War in Georgia: The Israeli connection
YNet News
(August 10, 2008) - For past seven years,
Israeli companies have been helping Gerogian army to preparer for war
against Russia through arms deals, training of infantry units and
security advice. The fighting which broke out over the weekend between
Russia and Georgia has brought Israel's intensive involvement in the
region into the limelight. This involvement includes the sale of
advanced weapons to Georgia and the training of the Georgian army's
infantry forces. The Defense Ministry held a special meeting Sunday to
discuss the various arms deals held by Israelis in Georgia, but no
change in policy has been announced as of yet. "The subject is closely
monitored," said sources in the Defense Ministry. "We are not operating
in any way which may counter Israeli interests. We have turned down many
requests involving arms sales to Georgia; and the ones which have been
approves have been duly scrutinized. So far, we have placed no
limitations on the sale of protective measures." Israel began selling
arms to Georgia about seven years ago following an initiative by
Georgian citizens who immigrated to Israel and became businesspeople.
"They contacted defense industry officials and arms dealers and told
them that Georgia had relatively large budgets and could be interested
in purchasing Israeli weapons," says a source involved in arms exports.
The military cooperation between the countries developed swiftly. The
fact that Georgia's defense minister, Davit Kezerashvili, is a former
Israeli who is fluent in Hebrew contributed to this cooperation. "His
door was always open to the Israelis who came and offered his country
arms systems made in Israel," the source said. "Compared to countries in
Eastern Europe, the deals in this country were conducted fast, mainly
due to the defense minister's personal involvement." Israelis' activity
in Georgia and the deals they struck there were all authorized by the
Defense Ministry. Israel viewed Georgia as a friendly state to which
there is no reason not to sell arms systems similar to those Israel
exports to other countries in the world. As the tension between Russia
and Georgia grew, however, increasing voices were heard in Israel –
particularly in the Foreign Ministry – calling on the Defense Ministry
to be more selective in the approval of the deals with Georgia for fear
that they would anger Russia. "It was clear that too many unmistakable
Israeli systems in the possesion of the Georgian army would be like a
red cloth in the face of a raging bull as far as Russia is concerned,"
explained a source in the defense establishment. For inctance, the
Russians viewed the operation of the Elbit System's RPVs as a real
provocation. "It was clear that the Russians were angry," says a defense
establishment source, "and that the interception of three of these RPVs
in the past three months was an expression of this anger. Not everyone
in Israel understood the sensitive nerve Israel touched when it supplied
such an advanced arms system to a country whose relations with Russia
are highly tense." more...
Michael Savage vows to take Islam fight to Supreme Court
WorldNet Daily
(August 10, 2008) - Talk-radio host Michael
Savage has announced he will bring his recently dismissed copyright
infringement lawsuit against the Council on American-Islamic Relations
to the U.S. Supreme Court in hopes of making public the Islamic group's
sources of funding. Savage's suit – originally filed in San Francisco
district court – alleged CAIR illegally published singled-out quotes and
audio excerpts from his show regarding Islam, misappropriated his words
and used the clips for its own fundraising purposes, damaging the value
of his copyrighted material. CAIR last year waged a public campaign
using excerpted Savage remarks to urge advertisers to boycott his
top-rated program. CAIR stated its campaign successfully resulted in
Savage losing $1 million in advertising. Part of Savage's lawsuit
alleged CAIR received millions in foreign funding and that it may have
been wrongfully acting as a lobbyist or agent for a foreign government,
violating the Islamic group's nonprofit status. Savage also alleged CAIR
was engaged in racketeering, describing the group as a "mouthpiece of
international terror" that helped fund the 9/11 attacks, a contention
strongly denied by CAIR. But his lawsuit was tossed last month by San
Francisco District U.S. Judge Susan Illston, who argued it is legal to
use excerpts of a public broadcast for purposes of comment and
criticism. Illston, nominated to her position by President Bill Clinton,
wrote in her ruling that Savage could try to rewrite the racketeering
portion of his suit to better fit the specifics of his case. Savage's
attorney Daniel Horowitz told WND he is reworking the suit to directly
address Illston's "respectful" ruling. He said the new suit includes
over 200 pages of supporting documents, including 200 pages of
transcripts of the meeting in which CAIR was founded. In May 2007, CAIR
was identified by the government as an unindicted co-conspirator in a
case involving the Holy Land Foundation, a charity allegedly affiliated
with Hamas. Federal prosecutors in the case listed CAIR under the
category: “Individuals/entities who are and/or were members of the US
Muslim Brotherhood’s Palestine Committee and/or its organizations.” The
government also listed Omar Ahmad, CAIR's founder and chairman emeritus,
under the same category. CAIR is registered as a nonprofit organization
recognized as tax-exempt under IRS codes, which restrict "lobbying on
behalf of a foreign government." CAIR's website claims it receives no
foreign government support. But CAIR's headquarters near the U.S.
Capitol until recently was owned by the ruler of Dubai, United Arab
Emirates, and the ruler's foundation has pledged $50 million to
capitalize a long-term CAIR public-relations campaign. The UAE formally
recognized the Taliban, and Dubai reportedly acted as the transit point
for cash for the 9/11 hijackers. Two of the hijackers were from the
Emirates, and one served in the UAE military. Until 2005, the Al Maktoum
Foundation run by Dubai's ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid held the deed
to CAIR's headquarters just three blocks from the Capitol. The same
foundation reportedly has held telethons to raise money for families of
Palestinian "martyrs" during the intifada – or terrorist war – started
in September 2000 against Israel. It recently pledged a $50 million
endowment for CAIR. CAIR argues that any assertions it receives money
from foreign governments is "disinformation." "This is yet another
attempt to invent a controversy," the group said. "CAIR's operational
budget is funded by donations from American Muslims." CAIR, however, has
never publicly acknowledged $1 million controlling interest that the
ruler of Dubai's foundation took in its national headquarters just one
year after 9/11. The group also received $500,000 from Saudi Prince
Al-Waleed bin Talal, the sheik whose $10 million relief check after 9/11
was rejected by then-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani after he blamed U.S.
policy toward Israel for the attacks. "There is nothing criminal or
immoral about accepting donations from foreign nationals," CAIR
asserted. "The U.S. government, corporations and non-profit
organizations routinely receive money from foreign nationals." "Bin
Talal is not a member of the Saudi Arabian government," the group added
in a statement. "He is a private entrepreneur and international
investor." This may be a distinction without a difference, Savage's
lawyers argue, since bin Talal is a member of the Saudi ruling family.
"CAIR is proud to receive support of every individual," CAIR argued, "as
long as they are not an official of any foreign government and there are
no strings attached to the bequest." The UAE endowment to CAIR was
specifically earmarked for public relations efforts to repair the image
of Arabs and Muslims in America after public outrage doomed a Dubai bid
to run U.S. ports. Lawyers for Savage argue that CAIR may have used UAE
funds and other foreign support to attack the radio host. more...
Siniora: We must regain occupied land
YNet News
(August 9, 2008) - The Lebanese people have
fought hard to liberate their land and now must "regain the land that
has remained occupied," Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said
Friday, referring to areas currently under Israeli control. The Lebanese
leader made the remarks during a festive session where the new Lebanese
government sought the endorsement of parliament. This included clause 24
of the new government platform that maintains the right to liberate
occupied land, meaning that Hizbullah would be able to continue its
struggle against Israel. "We view the establishment of this government
as a new stage in the joint work of the Lebanese people on behalf of
their homeland and country, and for the sake of the future of Lebanon's
democratic regime," Siniora said. The Lebanese unity government approved
earlier this week a platform that grants Hizbullah the right to use all
means possible in order to liberate "occupied Lebanese land." The clause
was a source of disagreement between the rival camps in Lebanon, yet
Hizbullah's demands were ultimately full accepted. The proposal was
approved unanimously on Monday, despite the reservations expressed by
four ministers.
Syria turned down IAEA inspection request, diplomats say
Newsday
(August 9, 2008) - Syria has blocked a new
visit by International Atomic Energy Agency experts seeking to follow up
on intelligence that Damascus built a secret nuclear program built with
the help of North Korea, diplomats told The Associated Press on
Saturday. The diplomats also said Washington was circulating a note
among members of the IAEA board opposing a Syrian push for a seat on the
35-nation board. The board normally works by consensus and a seat held
by Damascus could thus hamper any investigation into its alleged nuclear
activities. Syria fears a massive atomic agency investigation similar to
the probe Iran has been subjected to more than five years. "Syria's
election to the board while under investigation for secretly ...
building an undeclared nuclear reactor not suited for peaceful purposes
would make a mockery" of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, said the
note, as read to the AP. Syria rejected the IAEA request for a visit
late last month, the diplomats said. The visit would have been a follow
up to an initial trip by IAEA inspectors in June. "The Syrians said that
a visit at this time was inopportune," said a senior diplomat, who, like
two others agreeing to discuss the issue, demanded anonymity because
their information was confidential. That appeared to leave open the
possibility of a later visit. But one of the other diplomats said
members of the Syrian mission to the IAEA were spreading the word among
other missions that further trips beyond the one in June were unlikely.
If so, that could cripple international efforts to probe U.S.
allegations that a site in a remote part of the Syrian desert, which
Israel destroyed last year, was a near-finished plutonium-producing
reactor built with North Korean help, and that Damascus continues to
hide linked facilities. IAEA experts came back June 25 from a four-day
visit, carrying environmental samples from the Al Kibar site hit by
Israel in September. Those are now being evaluated. But the results
might fall short of providing a conclusive results. A traditional method
at suspected nuclear sites — taking swipes in the search for radioactive
traces — was unlikely to have been of use at Al Kibar. That's because
none had been introduced into the alleged reactor before it was struck
by Israel, according to intelligence given to the agency by the U.S.,
Israel and a third country the diplomats declined to identify.
more...
Credit crisis triggers unprecedented response
The Washington Post
(August 8, 2008) - Since the credit crisis
erupted a year ago, the Bush administration has presided over one of the
broadest expansions of the government into private lending in U.S.
history, risking public money to prop up financial firms both large and
small. The administration has transformed federal agencies into dominant
players in such diverse realms as student lending and mortgage finance
while exposing itself to trillions of dollars in loans. The scope of
these commitments demonstrates the unprecedented nature of the challenge
facing the nation. Not since the Great Depression have so many debt
markets been in turmoil at the same time, financial historians say.
During the savings and loan crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s,
for example, the financial upheaval was largely contained to banks and
thrifts, though the real estate market also felt the impact. Now, the
contagion has rapidly spread from mortgages to bonds and exotic
securities, student and corporate lending, credit cards and home equity
loans, and residential and commercial real estate. The disruption has
buffeted investment and commercial banks, mortgage finance agencies, and
insurance firms of different stripes. "We have a banking crisis and an
agency crisis and a mortgage crisis and a coming credit card crisis.
We've never seen anything like that before. And it all seems to be
coming home to roost at the same time. That's never happened either,"
said Charles Geisst, professor of finance at Manhattan College. He said
the Great Depression was the last time financial markets were hammered
by such a variety of factors. "But we did not even have credit cards in
the 1930s; there were no such thing as student loans," he added. The
breadth and speed of events have sent federal officials scrambling to
plug leaks in the financial system. In the process, the government
has bound taxpayers to the fate of a wide variety of banks and borrowers
and could ultimately be responsible for losses in the tens of billions
of dollars or more, according to estimates by congressional reports and
interviews with regulators. But the government may also end up
paying nothing at all, largely because it received collateral in return
for backing much of these debts and could recoup some money if borrowers
stop making their interest payments. No one knows for sure because much
of the government's response involved novel programs designed to contain
an unpredictable crisis. As the credit crisis worsened, Treasury
Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr., a strong proponent of free markets and
the architect of much of the administration's response, began to push
initiatives that enlarged the government's involvement on Wall Street
and in the housing industry. "What I've said is that I'm playing the
hand that was dealt and that my responsibility is to protect the U.S.
economy and the American people," Paulson said in an interview. The pace
of these interventions accelerated as the credit crisis spread across
the capital markets. At first, the administration avoided programs that
exposed taxpayers to potentially large losses. The Federal Housing
Administration, for instance, offered struggling mortgage holders a
chance to refinance into low-cost loans backed by the government with
any losses borne by the agency's insurance fund. Last summer, Paulson
also pressed private mortgage lenders to form an alliance called Hope
Now to rework mortgages. The initiative did not require public funds,
except to set up a hotline, and it may have prevented lawmakers at that
time from pursuing more expensive initiatives, he said. Within months,
however, Paulson was directing more significant intrusions into the
markets. In March, he strongly endorsed the Fed leaders' decision to put
$29 billion in public money on the line to facilitate the takeover of
the crippled investment firm Bear Stearns by Wall Street bank J.P.
Morgan Chase. In April, Paulson helped the Department of Education set
up emergency programs to ensure students could get loans as private
lenders fled the business because of trouble in the credit markets.
Education officials ramped up their direct lending, which some analysts
say could reach $75 billion, and got new authority from Congress to buy
loans outright from lenders. Then, last month, Paulson pushed for new
authority to lend or invest in mortgage giants, Fannie Mae and Freddie
Mac, which the Congressional Budget Office said could impose a wide
range of costs to taxpayers, from nothing to more than $100 billion.
Along the way, the Fed was injecting money into the banking system,
including through several new, unusual programs. In negotiations over
the Bear Stearns rescue, the Fed agreed to back $30 billion worth of
risky mortgage assets but persuaded J.P. Morgan to absorb the first $1
billion of any losses. At the end of July, the portfolio was worth $29.1
billion, according to the central bank. Because the Fed can be patient
and sell the assets gradually over time, officials believe taxpayers
are highly unlikely to lose more than a couple billion dollars and
the central bank may ultimately make some money. more...
EU keeps ticking
without Lisbon treaty, report says
EU Observer
(August 8, 2008) - Europe continues to work
without the Lisbon treaty and the demise of the document would not be a
catastrophe for the bloc, an influential think tank has said. In an
assessment of Ireland's referendum rejection of the EU treaty published
on Thursday (7 August), the London-based Centre for European Reform
concludes that "Europe works fairly well in many areas with the current
treaties." It notes that the 27-nation bloc continues to achieve results
and "integrate" using intergovernmental bodies such as the European
Defence Agency and through new laws such as those on liberalising the
energy market in Europe or the Emissions Trading Scheme. But the paper
suggests that the EU would be "much better off" with the Lisbon Treaty -
already ratified by 23 member states - as it would clear up the
"dreadful arrangements" for managing EU foreign policy, currently a
mishmash of personalities and responsibilities. It would also allow
easier decision-making in the area of justice and home affairs and give
more power to national parliaments, writes Charles Grant, the author of
the report and director of CER. His assessment concludes that there are
three possible options ahead, with the treaty needing ratification by
all member states if it is to go into place. Under the third "most poisonous" scenario, Ireland
would hold a second referendum and vote No, leading to "internal
divisions," with countries such as Britain and central European states
likely to block any attempt to kick the country out of the EU. The paper
predicts that whatever eventually happens with the Lisbon Treaty, it is
likely to be the last attempt by the EU to adopt a "big, comprehensive"
treaty. Instead the bloc will probably opt for sectoral treaties in
areas such as energy or migration policy in future. more...
Third Aleutian Volcano Erupts Explosively
USGS
(August 8, 2008) - Kasatochi Volcano in
Alaska's Aleutian Islands erupted explosively Aug. 7, sending an ash
plume more than 35,000 feet into the air and forcing two biologists from
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to evacuate the island. "Kasatochi
went from a quiet volcano to an explosive eruption within 24 hours and
with very little warning," said USGS volcano scientist Marianne Guffanti.
"We are thankful our colleagues were able to get out before the eruption
began. They were rescued just in time by a local fishing boat."
Kasatochi is the third volcano to erupt in the Aleutian Islands in three
weeks. Okmok Volcano erupted unexpectedly and explosively on July 12,
followed by Cleveland Volcano, 100 miles away, on July 21. Both
volcanoes sent ash plumes skyrocketing and caused commercial airline
flights to be diverted or cancelled. Scientists relied on seismic
instruments on other volcano networks in the area to detect activity at
Kasatochi volcano. "Fortunately, the existing seismic networks on nearby
volcanoes picked up the activity at Kasatochi volcano," said Tom Murray,
scientist-in-charge of the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO). "They were
installed with funding from the Federal Aviation Administration to
reduce the hazard to aviation from volcanic ash. These networks were
crucial in recognizing that this volcano had entered the first stage of
a major eruption." "Our hope is to have monitoring equipment on all
volcanoes that pose the greatest threats to public safety," said
Guffanti. "Satellite imagery is useful to see the big picture of what is
happening and what is going into the atmosphere. But direct
instrumentation, such as placing seismic monitors around a volcano, will
help give an early warning and give people more time to plan for
hazardous events." Scientists are working around the clock to monitor
the volcanoes and keep the public and emergency responders informed.
Gaza
Terrorists Warn Truce May End in Three Weeks
Israel National News
(August 8, 2008) - The Popular Resistance
Committees (PRC) in Gaza warned Thursday that the temporary ceasefire
may end in three weeks, when the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins.
The month is frequently marked by an increase in terrorism. PRC official
Abu Mujahed charged that Israel is violating the agreement by not making
progress in freeing terrorists and prisoners or opening up the border at
Rafiah. He also said Israel must allow free movement at Gaza crossings.
Israeli security sources said they have relaxed examinations of goods
and merchandise passing through Gaza crossings as the temporary
ceasefire enters its eighth week, although one rocket was fired on
Israel this week. PRC terrorists allowed several journalists to film a
training exercise in which bombs were exploded and live fire was used in
a raid on a mock Israeli army base built on the grounds of former Jewish
communities that Israel destroyed three years ago. Abu Mujahed told
Reuters that "politicians will stop talking and military men will act"
if Israel does not show progress in freeing hundreds of Arab terrorists
and prisoners and allowing free movement of good at Gaza crossings. "The
Zionist occupation has not yet agreed to the demand to release our
prisoners, so our fighters are preparing for the next round in which we
will try to abduct more Israeli soldiers to swap them for our hero
prisoners," a PRC spokesman told Reuters. Abu Mujahed said that the PRC
and other terrorist groups had agreed to abide by the truce, which began
in mid-June, for 10 weeks, when Ramadan begins. He did not say whether
Hamas also was looking towards Ramadan as a possible date for renewal of
attacks on Israel. The ceasefire officially calls for a halt in
terrorist attacks and Israel counterterrorist actions in Gaza for
several months, when it may be extended to Judea and Samaria. Hamas has
demanded that Israel allow Egypt and the Palestinian Authority (PA) to
re-open the border at Rafiah, where the international boundary runs
through the city. Israel and Hamas differ on the conditions of the
ceasefire, Hamas claiming that the border must be re-opened before talks
can advance on freeing kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Israel has
said that the agreement calls for the border to be opened up after
Shalit is returned home.
Russia, Georgia Risk Larger War as Attacks Continue Into Morning
Fox News
(August 8, 2008) - Russia dispatched an
armored column into the breakaway enclave of South Ossetia on Friday
after Georgia, a staunch U.S. ally, launched a surprise offensive to
crush separatists. Witnesses said hundreds of civilians were killed.
Fighting reportedly raged well into the night with Georgia's interior
ministry saying early Saturday that warplanes attacked three Georgian
military bases and key facilities for shipping oil to the West. The
fighting, which devastated the capital of Tskhinvali, threatened to
ignite a wider war between Georgia and Russia, and escalate tensions
between Moscow and Washington. Georgia said it was forced to launch the
assault because of rebel attacks; the separatists alleged Georgia
violated a cease-fire. "I saw bodies lying on the streets, around ruined
buildings, in cars," said Lyudmila Ostayeva, 50, who had fled with her
family to Dzhava, a village near the border with Russia. "It's
impossible to count them now. There is hardly a single building left
undamaged." The fighting broke out as much of the world's attention was
focused on the start of the Olympic Games and many leaders, including
Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and President Bush, were in
Beijing. The timing suggested Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili may
have been counting on surprise to fulfill his longtime pledge to wrest
back control of South Ossetia — a key to his hold on power. The rebels
seek to unite with North Ossetia, which is part of Russia. Saakashvili
agreed the timing was not coincidental, but accused Russia of being the
aggressor. "Most decision makers have gone for the holidays," he told
CNN. "Brilliant moment to attack a small country." Seeking to prevent an
all-out war, diplomats issued a flurry of statements calling on both
sides to halt the fighting. The U.N. Security Council held two tense
emergency sessions 12 hours apart with both sides using the forum to
launch accusations. As the meeting recessed, officials promised a third
council session Saturday. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged
Russia to halt aircraft and missile attacks and withdraw combat forces
from Georgian territory. Rice said in a statement the United States
wants Russia to respect Georgian sovereignty and agree to international
mediation. The leader of South Ossetia's rebel government, Eduard
Kokoity, said about 1,400 people were killed in the onslaught, the
Interfax news agency reported. The toll could not be independently
confirmed. As night fell, there were conflicting claims as to who held
the battlefield advantage. Saakashvili said "Georgian military forces
completely control all the territory of South Ossetia" except for a
northern section adjacent to Russia. But Russian news agencies cited a
Russian military official as saying heavy fighting was under way on the
outskirts of the regional capital. It was unclear what might persuade
either side to stop shooting. Both claim the battle started after the
other side violated a cease-fire that had been declared just hours
earlier after a week of sporadic clashes. The United States was sending
in its top Caucasus envoy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew
Bryza, to try to end the bloodshed. It was the worst outbreak of
hostilities since the province won de facto independence in a war
against Georgia that ended in 1992. Russian troops went in as
peacekeepers but Georgia alleges they now back the separatists. "We are
facing Russian aggression," said Georgia's Security Council chief Kakha
Lomaya. "They have sent in their troops and weapons and they are bombing
our towns." Putin warned in the early stages of the conflict that the
Georgian attack would draw retaliation and the Defense Ministry pledged
to protect South Ossetians, most of whom have Russian citizenship.
Chairing a session of his Security Council in the Kremlin, Russian
President Dmitry Medvedev also vowed that Moscow will protect Russian
citizens. "In accordance with the constitution and federal law, I, as
president of Russia, am obliged to protect lives and dignity of Russian
citizens wherever they are located," Medvedev said. "We won't allow the
death of our compatriots go unpunished." On Friday, an AP reporter saw
tanks and other heavy weapons concentrating on the Russian side of the
border with South Ossetia — supporting the reports of an incursion. Some
villagers were fleeing into Russia. more...
'2 US aircraft carriers headed for Gulf'
The Jerusalem Post
(August 7, 2008) - Two additional United
States naval aircraft carriers are heading to the Gulf and the Red Sea,
according to the Kuwaiti newspaper Kuwait Times. Kuwait began finalizing
its "emergency war plan" on being told the vessels were bound for the
region. The US Navy would neither confirm nor deny that carriers were en
route. US Fifth Fleet Combined Maritime Command located in Bahrain said
it could not comment due to what a spokesman termed "force-protection
policy." While the Kuwaiti daily did not name the ships it believed were
heading for the Middle East, The Media Line's defense analyst said they
could be the USS Theodore Roosevelt and the USS Ronald Reagan. Within
the last month, the Roosevelt completed an exercise along the US east
coast focusing on communication among navies of different countries. It
has since been declared ready for operational duties. The Reagan,
currently with the Seventh Fleet, had just set sail from Japan. The
Seventh Fleet area of operation stretches from the East Coast of Africa
to the International Date Line. Meanwhile, the Arabic news agency Moheet
reported at the end of July that an unnamed American destroyer,
accompanied by two Israeli naval vessels traveled through the Suez Canal
from the Mediterranean. A week earlier, a US nuclear submarine
accompanied by a destroyer and a supply ship moved into the
Mediterranean, according to Moheet. Currently there are two US naval
battle groups operating in the Gulf: one is an aircraft carrier group,
led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, which carries some 65 fighter aircraft.
The other group is headed by the USS Peleliu which maintains a variety
of planes and strike helicopters. The ship movements coincide with the
latest downturn in relations between Washington and Teheran. The US and
Iran are at odds over Iran's nuclear program, which the Bush
administration claims is aimed at producing material for nuclear
weapons; however, Teheran argues it is only for power generation.
Kuwait, like other Arab countries in the Gulf, fears it will be caught
in the middle should the US decide to launch an air strike against Iran
if negotiations fail. The Kuwaitis are finalizing details of their
security, humanitarian and vital services, the newspaper reported. The
six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Kuwait, Saudi
Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Oman - lie just across the Gulf from
Iran. Generals in the Iranian military have repeatedly warned that
American interests in the region would be targeted if Iran is subjected
to any military strike by the US or its Western allies. Bahrain hosts
the US Fifth Fleet, while there is a sizeable American base in Qatar. It
is assumed the US also has military personnel in the other Gulf states,
The Media Line's defense analyst said. Iran is thought to have
intelligence operatives working in the GCC states, according to
Dubai-based military analysts. The standoff between the US and Iran has
left the Arab nations' political leaders in something of a bind, as they
were being used as pawns by Washington and Teheran, according to The
Media Line analyst. Iran has offered them economic and industrial
sweeteners, while the US is boosting their defense capabilities. US
President George W. Bush and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have
paid visits to the GCC states in a bid to win their support.
Sept launch for bid to crack secrets of universe
Reuters
(August 7, 2008) - The world's most
powerful particle accelerator, aimed at unlocking secrets of the
universe, will be launched on September 10, the European Organization
for Nuclear Research (CERN) said on Thursday. The Large Hadron Collider
(LHC), housed in an underground tunnel 27 kilometers (17 miles) in
circumference, will recreate conditions just after the Big Bang which
many scientists believe gave birth to the universe. It will seek to
collide two beams of particles at close to the speed of light. "The
first attempt to circulate a beam in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)
will be made on September 10," the Geneva-based CERN said in a
statement. The LHC will study a new frontier of physics, producing beams
with seven times more energy than any previous machine. But starting it
up is not as simple as flipping a switch. Each of its eight sectors must
be cooled to their operating temperature of minus 271 degrees Celsius
(minus 456 degrees Fahrenheit), colder than outer space. This phase is
reaching a successful conclusion but electrical testing must follow.
"We're finishing a marathon with a sprint," said LHC project leader Lyn
Evans. "It's been a long haul and we're all eager to get the LHC
research program underway." Scientists hope the experiment will help
explain fundamental questions such as how particles acquire mass. They
will also probe the mysterious dark matter of the universe and
investigate why there is more matter than antimatter. Some 10,000
scientists from around the world have worked on the complex 10 billion
Swiss franc ($9.5 billion) apparatus since construction began in 1994, a
spokesman said.
Energy ties deepen between Iran and Turkey
Gas And Oil
(August 7, 2008) - The United States has
maintained various sanctions against Iran since 1979, implemented in
aftermath of the seizure of the US embassy in Tehran. As relations
worsen between the US and Iran, Washington is seeking to have the United
Nations Security Council impose additional sanctions on Iran for its
nuclear enrichment activities, which Tehran insists are legal, entirely
peaceful, and intended for generating electricity. Among the sanctions
that most concern foreign energy companies and nations is the 1996
Iran-Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA), renewed in 2001, which provides for
punitive measures against entities that invest more than $20 mm (EUR 13
mm) annually in the Iranian oil and gas sectors. Many countries are
deeply ambivalent toward the US policy, none more so than Turkey, which
imports 90% of its energy needs. Now Ankara is pushing the limits by
increasing its natural gas purchases from Iran and considering possible
involvement in developing the world’s largest hydrocarbon reserves. On
July 29 Iranian Petroleum Minister Qolam Hosein Nozari said in Tehran
that Turkey and Iran were negotiating over Turkey being a transit
corridor for Iranian natural gas exports to Europe and that Iran would
provide increased amounts of natural gas to Turkey during the winter (Anadolu
Ajansi, June 30). According to Nozari, the pipeline, which would run
from Iran’s South Pars natural gas and oil fields to the border province
of Bazargan, was discussed during the OPEC summit held on June 22 in
Jeddah (Tehran Times, June 29). Even worse for administration officials
seeking to sustain and intensify the US sanctions regime, Nozari said,
“We have also spoken about the participation of Turkey in the
development of phases 14 and 23 of the South Pars field” (Hurriyet, June
30). The 3,745 sq-mile Persian Gulf South Pars-North Dome gas condensate
field, straddling Iranian and Qatari territorial waters, is the world’s
largest known gas field. Discovered by the National Iranian Oil Company
(NIOC) in 1990, Iran’s sector, known as South Pars, covers 1,428 sq
miles, with the site’s remaining 2,317 sq miles, North Dome, lying in
Qatari waters. South Pars-North Dome has estimated reserves of
approximately 51 tcm of natural gas and 50 bn barrels of condensate;
with in-place reserves equivalent to 360 bn barrels of oil. South
Pars-North Dome is the world’s biggest conventional hydrocarbon
accretion, dwarfing even Saudi Arabia’s 170 bn barrel Ghawar oil field
(Middle East Economic Survey, March 20, 2006). Phase 14, due to begin
production in 2014, is part of a $10 bn (EUR 6.5 bn) liquefied natural
gas (LNG) project, which already has foreign investors -- a partnership
of NIOC (50%), Anglo-Dutch firm Royal Dutch Shell (25%), and Spain’s
Repsol-YPF (25%). When operational, the project’s initial production
capacity will consist of two components, each capable of an annual
production of 8 mm tons of LNG. For Ankara, the choice of major natural
gas suppliers is difficult, Russia or Iran, while waiting for Azerbaijan
to ramp up production. Iran, which holds the world's second largest gas
reserves, currently provides over one-third of Turkey’s domestic demand,
while Turkey receives 63.7% of its imports from Gazprom with smaller
volumes coming from Azerbaijan. In 1996 Turkey signed a contract with
Iran for natural gas deliveries, which began in December 2001 via a
pipeline from Tabriz to Ankara. The South Caucasus pipeline, also known
as the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas pipeline, opened in December
2006 with an annual capacity of 8.8 bn cm and carries Azeri Caspian
natural gas to Turkey via Georgia. Energy imports from both nations are
critical to sustaining Turkish economic growth, even though Washington,
whose diplomatic relations are increasingly strained with Russia and
non-existent with Iran, is very unhappy about the situation. According
to Turkey’s Turkiye Istatistik Kurumu (Turkish Statistical Institute),
Turkey’s economic growth accelerated more than expected from January
through March, increasing to 6.6% from 3.4% in the fourth quarter of
2007 (www.tuik.gov.tr). The figure exceeded the market estimates by 35
to 40%, as the expected growth rate was around 4% (Milliyet, July 1). In
2007 Turkey's annual GDP growth rate was 4.5%. Rising energy costs,
however, are proving to be a significant drag on economic growth.
Earlier this year the Turkish government hiked electricity prices by
21%, and Ankara is preparing to raise natural gas prices in July by 9%
for residences and 11% for businesses (Radikal, July 1). In June,
Turkey’s Devlet Planlama Teskilati (State Planning Organization, or DPT)
prepared a comprehensive projection for Turkey’s economy from 2009
through 2011, which has been approved by the Cabinet and published in
the government’s official gazette, Resmi Gazete (http://rega.basbakanlik.gov.tr,
June 28). The plan includes measures to ensure energy supply security in
the long-term and gives top priority to decreasing the country’s
dependence on imported natural gas. At a time of record high oil prices,
when Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah said, "Consumer countries have to
adapt to the prices and the mechanisms of the market," Washington’s
efforts to compel its allies to respect its hard-line sanctions against
Tehran seem at best naïve, especially when the United States has no
alternative sources of energy to offer (Al-Siyassah, July 2). While
Washington’s threats of sanctions in June caused both Royal Dutch Shell
and Repsol-YPF to withdraw from the South Pars development, there is a
major difference between a multinational company and a sovereign
government bending to sanctions. For Turkey, displays of political
solidarity must take a back seat to financial considerations, as the
government is committed to economic growth to improve the lives of its
citizens. Ankara estimates that from Desert Storm in 1991 until the
March 2003 invasion of Iraq, it lost an estimated $80 bn in oil revenues
and increased energy costs as a result of supporting US and UN sanctions
and policies against Iraq. Washington can hardly expect Turkey to suffer
further financial losses for supporting its Middle East policies. With
no end to energy price increases in sight, Washington must acknowledge
the reality of Turkey’s pragmatic economic relations with its
energy-rich eastern neighbour, even if it does not agree with them.
Libya says
Mediterranean Union will divide Africa
EU Observer
(August 5, 2008) - Libya's leader Muammar
Gaddafi has reaffirmed his critical stance towards the Union for the
Mediterranean - the brainchild of French President Nicolas Sarkozy -
saying it will divide the 53-nation African Union. "We have good
relations with European countries, with the European Union, but I do not
accept integration into the Union for the Mediterranean," Colonel
Gaddafi said on Monday (4 July), AFP reports. Libya's head of state -
once isolated by the West - added he did not agree with "cutting up
Africa for hypothetical prospects with Europe" referring to a possible
split between north African countries and the rest of the African Union.
Muammar Gaddafi was the only leader who refused to attend the launch of
the Mediterranean union in Paris in July. Mr Sarkozy's plan brings
together 43 states - the 27-member EU as well as Algeria, Egypt,
Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, Syria,
Turkey, Israel, Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro,
Monaco and Mauritania. The aim is to boost ties between the EU and its
southern neighbours. At the moment, it is focussed on six specific
projects, including the cleaning up of Mediterranean pollution, the
development of maritime and land highways and the setting up of a joint
civil protection programme on prevention and response to disasters. But
Muammar Gaddafi, who came to power in 1969 and has become the Arab
world's longest serving leader, has labeled the participation of African
countries in the Mediterranean project a "violation" of resolutions by
the African Union. In addition, he has accused the EU of wanting to
dominate its southern partners, once under European colonial rule.
Strong quake hits China's Sichuan ahead of Games
Reuters
(August 5, 2008) - A strong earthquake
rocked the western Chinese provinces of Sichuan and Gansu on Tuesday,
killing one person and injuring 23 near the site of May's devastating
quake that killed at least 70,000 people. The Olympic torch was paraded
in the capital of Sichuan on Tuesday on its journey to Beijing, where
the Games open on Friday. The 6.0-magnitude quake was epicentered in
Sichuan's Qingchuan county, 1,253 km (778 miles) southwest of Beijing,
the U.S. Geological Survey said. Five people were seriously injured in
the tremor, which had toppled a bridge cutting off a national highway,
and cut roads to at least three villages, the official Xinhua news
agency said. Authorities had mobilized 200 paramilitary troops and
militia to conduct relief and rescue work, but they would have to enter
affected areas by foot, Xinhua said. The county's Communist Party
secretary was leading a team to the area and the scale of the damage was
still being investigated, the agency said. Qingchuan, badly hit by May's
7.9 magnitude earthquake, has suffered a number of strong aftershocks in
recent months. more...
5.5 magnitude earthquake hits Indian Ocean
Reuters
(August 5, 2008) - A 5.5 magnitude
earthquake struck the Indian Ocean, 176 miles north-northeast of India's
Andaman Islands at 6:08 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey
reported. The temblor had a depth of 24.2 miles, USGS said. No tsunami
warning had been issued.
Saudis to Christians: Get out!
WorldNet Daily
(August 4, 2008) - More than a dozen
Christians in Saudi Arabia who were accused by government officials of
worshipping in their homes have been ordered deported. According to a
report from International Christian Concern, the Christians will be
expelled tomorrow for their part in a home worship service in Taif in
April. The deportation conflicts with the message stated just weeks
earlier by Saudi King Abdullah, who called for interfaith dialogue and
held a summit in Spain with a representatives from several major
religions. "Deporting Christians for worshipping in their private homes
shows that King Abdullah's speech is mere rhetoric and his country is
deceiving the international community about their desire for change and
reconciliation," said Jeff King, the president of ICC. The report from
the Washington-based human rights group said 15 Christians will be
deported. Sixteen had been arrested April 25 when a dozen Saudi Arabian
police officers raided a home during a prayer meeting. "The first
officer to enter the house after breaking down the main gate pointed a
pistol at the Christians and ordered them to hand over their resident
permits and mobile phones," the report said. "The other 11 police
followed quickly and started searching the entire house. The confiscated
an electronic drum set, an offering box with 500 Saudi Riyal in it
($130), 20 Bibles, and a few Christian books." The worshippers initially
faced accusations of preaching and singing. "They later changed the
charge to holding a 'dance party' and collecting money to support
terrorism," the ICC said. "During the raid, the police mocked,
questioned and harassed the Christians for four hours," ICC said.. "Then
they took them to a police station where the head of the station
interrogated them. The head of the police then wrote down their
'statements' in Arabic and forced the Christians, who are immigrants and
not able to read or write Arabic, to sign the statements." They were
released three days later, and one Christian immediately left the
country. The others returned to their work but soon got letters ordered
their departures tomorrow, ICC said. "Three weeks ago, Saudi Arabia
hosted an interfaith conference in Madrid, Spain. During the conference
that took place from July 16-19, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia called
for reconciliation among various religions," ICC said. According to an
International Herald Tribune report, King Abdullah's meeting drew about
200 representatives of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Taoism
and other religions. The reporter noted that the meetings had to be held
outside of Saudi Arabia, because "the mere fact that rabbis would be
openly invited to the kingdom, a country where in principle Jews are not
permitted to visit, would have constituted a turning point."
Biometric ID bill comes under fire
The Jerusalem Post
(August 3, 2008) - The Association for
Civil Rights in Israel came out on Sunday in opposition to the
government bill that aims to establish a national biometric data bank
with the fingerprints and facial lines of all citizens and residents to
nearly eliminate the risk of counterfeit identity cards. The bill,
initiated by the Interior and Defense Ministries, was approved by the
cabinet earlier in the day. ACRI claimed that such a database would be
"a dangerous step" because of the sensitivity of such information, and
that there was no use of such a technology anywhere else among Western
democracies, even among those that issue chip-embedded "smart" identity
cards. Still, the Interior Security Ministry brushed off those concerns,
saying the step was necessary for the security of Israel's citizens.
"Any information in any database could potentially be dangerous," said
Udi Shalvy, a spokesman for the Interior Security Ministry. "But the
danger of not having the information outweighs the risks of what might
happen to it," he said. "This information will be protected by the
Interior Security Ministry unlike any other database," he added. But in
January of 2007, Vital Population Registry information was leaked and
posted on the Internet, prompting the Interior Ministry to demand an
investigation into the incident. The Jerusalem Post reported then, that
those data files, compiled by the Interior Ministry on all Israeli
citizens, contained personal information that could potentially be used
without authorization by Internet marketers and cyber-criminals. On top
of the potential financial harm poised to everyday citizens as a result
of that leak, the downloadable data also included particularly sensitive
information, such as the addresses of senior government and security
officials. The Interior Ministry, which was entrusted to protect that
information issued a statement at the time, saying it had passed the
data on to the political parties running for the Knesset in the last
election in accordance with the law, and only then did the information
show up in file sharing sites on-line. The current bill declares that
the production of fake passports and identity cards is a growing
phenomenon that increases illegal immigration and criminal and economic
crimes and poses a serious security risk. Ordinary identity cards and
passports, it says, are easy to counterfeit, and many groups are
interested in such fake documents. Each phony identity card or passport
sells for a few hundred to a few thousand shekels, while original cards
and passports sell for much more. The Interior Ministry said that in
2007, more than 155,000 Israeli identity cards were reported stolen,
lost or destroyed - more than during the previous year. Almost 59,000
residents asked twice for a new identity card to replace their old card
between 2003 and 2007, while almost 8,000 asked for a replacement three
times and 1,500 asked for a replacement four times during that period.
Biometric markers on the face and fingerprints can bring an end to this
risk, the government said, as these identification markers don't change
over time, except in a few rare cases.
Lebanese gov't: Hizbullah can use force to 'liberate' territory
The Jerusalem Post
(August 1, 2008) - In a display of
Hizbullah's extended involvement in conflicts throughout the Middle
East, Coalition Special Forces captured two members of the group during
a raid over the weekend in eastern Baghdad. According to the
Multinational Force Iraq, the raid targeted the home of an individual
suspected of serving as a member of a Hizbullah cell - called "Kata'ib
Hizbullah" or "Hizbullah Brigades" - suspected of making videos of
attacks on coalition forces. The videos are then used to raise funds and
resources for additional attacks against coalition and Iraqi forces.
According to media reports, the Hizbullah Brigades have been active for
over a year in Iraq and like Hizbullah in Lebanon, the group is trained
and financed by Iran, likely via the Hizbullah's Al Kuds force, which
was commanded by its chief operations officer Imad Mughniyeh who was
assassinated in Damascus in February. "The Hizbullah Brigades receive
support from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Command for financing,
weapons, training and guidance," the Multi-National Force in Iraq said
in a statement in response to a Jerusalem Post inquiry. "They have
claimed responsibility for attacks against coalition forces and Iraqi
Security Forces as early as late 2005." On videos that it has posted on
the Internet, the Hizbullah Brigades group uses a logo very similar to
the Lebanese Hizbullah flag, showing a raised arm holding a Kalashnikov
assault rifle, although coalition forces said they were not sure of the
nature of the relationship with the Lebanese Hizbullah. This is not the
first time that Hizbullah operatives have been captured in Iraq. In July
2007, coalition forces apprehended Ali Mussa Daqduq, a senior Hizbullah
leader and explosives expert, in Basra where he was reportedly training
forces and even participated in several deadly attacks against US
troops. Daqduq, a veteran of the Al-Kuds Force, was reportedly in Iraq
to train and evaluate the performance of anti-US Shi'ite militias. Also
Friday, Sheikh Nabil Kaouk, Hizbullah military commander in Southern
Lebanon, told the Daily Telegraph that the group was stronger today than
before the Second Lebanon War and was prepared for conflict with Israel.
"The resistance is now stronger than before and this keeps the option of
war awake," he told the paper. "If we were weak, Israel would not
hesitate to start another war... We are stronger than before and when
Hizbullah is strong, our strength stops Israel from starting a new
war... We don't seek war, but we must be ready." Israel has claimed that
since the war Hizbullah has tripled its missile arsenal and today has
more than 30,000 rockets, some of which are capable of reaching almost
anywhere within Israel and as far south as Dimona. Last week, Defense
Minister Ehud Barak met with United Nations Secretary-General Ban
Ki-Moon and warned him that Security Council Resolution 1701 had
collapsed and that UNIFIL was not effective in curbing Hizbullah's
military build-up. "To our disappointment we are witnessing that over
the past two years the number of missiles in Hizbullah's hands has
doubled and maybe even tripled," Barak told Ban. "The ranges of the
missiles have been extended and this is mainly due to close Syrian
assistance."
Official: Olmert to give Palestinians state before quitting
WorldNet Daily
(August 1, 2008) - Prime Minister
Ehud Olmert told the Palestinian Authority he intends to accelerate
negotiations the next few weeks to reach a deal on paper outlining a
Palestinian state before he steps down from office next month, a top PA
negotiator told WND. "Papers are very important. It puts limits on the
new prime minister. For example, the weak point of Israeli-Syrian
negotiations are papers signed by former prime ministers that now must
be abided during current negotiations," said the PA negotiator, speaking
to WND on condition of anonymity. "Olmert told us his goal is to reach
an agreement on paper," the negotiator said. He said the agreement will
likely encompass understandings regarding the transfer of much of the
West Bank to the Palestinians. He said he "hopes" the issue of Jerusalem
is broached but that it might not be mentioned on paper beyond a
declaration of agreement to negotiate further. Sending political
shockwaves through the country, Olmert yesterday announced he will
resign from office after his Kadima party holds internal elections next
month to choose a new leader. He said he is stepping down due to a
criminal investigation, described by police officials as "serious," in
which he is accused of corruption and financial improprieties. But
Olmert officials have been telling reporters here the prime minister
intends to continue negotiating with the PA as long as he remains in
office. One Olmert official told the Haaretz daily newspaper the prime
minister intends to "reach an agreement with the Palestinians during the
time he has left." "Any agreement he reaches with the Palestinians won't
be a personal agreement, and he will make sure that the (new) Kadima
leadership is briefed and on board," the official added. For his part,
PA President Mahmoud Abbas' announced he would negotiate with any
Israeli leader and that Olmert's departure shouldn't affect negotiations
started at last November's U.S.-backed Annapolis conference, which seek
to create a Palestinian state by January. Not everyone in Olmert's party
was happy with the continued talks. Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz,
considered a frontrunner for the Kadima leadership primary, said it
would be wrong to reach agreements with the Palestinians on the core
issues of the conflict while Olmert's government is teetering. "At this
time of change in the government, we must not reach agreements on the
core issues in negotiations with the Palestinians," Mofaz said.
"Anything that is decided now is very problematic, because it is
happening before the change in the government and against the background
of instability on the Palestinian side." Managing Global Security per German Foreign Minister Walter Steinmeier Constance Cumbey (July 29, 2008) - This was a telling speech given to the latest "Managing Global Insecurity" conference. It was delivered at the Berlin site of the MGI July 14-15 Conference co-held by the Brookings Institution and the Bertelsmann Foundation. It was given by German Foreign Minister Walter Steinmeier. As it says, they are now 'singing from the same sheet." Having read and listened so very many times to Javier Solana's launching speech delivered March 21, 2007 in Washington, D.C., I cannot help but notice the deep similarities to the speech given now by one of the constituent foreign ministries to Javier Solana's European wide one. You may read Solana's launching speech last year by clicking here. As a former political speech writer, I wonder who composed this one? As you can see from the context, they have BIG PLANS for 2009. Stay tuned! "Responsible Sovereignty in an Era of Transnational Threats", Rede von Bundesaußenminister Steinmeier anlässlich der Konferenz "Managing Global Insecurity" der Bertelsmann Stiftung, Berlin
| EU/UN / 4th Kingdom | Solana | NewWorldOrder |
Are feds stockpiling survival food?
WorldNet Daily
(July 25, 2008) - A Wall Street Journal
columnist has advised people to "start stockpiling food" and an ABC News
Report says "there are worrying signs appearing in the United States
where some … locals are beginning to hoard supplies." Now there's
concern that the U.S. government may be competing with consumers for
stocks of storable food. "We're told that the feds bought the entire
container of canned butter when it hit the California docks.
(Something's up!)," said officials at Best Prices Storable Foods in an
advisory to customers. Spokesman Bruce Hopkins told WND he also has had
trouble obtaining No. 10 cans of various products from one of the
world's larger suppliers of food stores, Oregon Freeze Dry. He said a
company official told him on the telephone when he discussed the status
of his order that it was because the government had purchased massive
quantities of products, leaving none for other customers. That, however,
was denied by Oregon Freeze Dry. In a website statement, the company
confirmed it cannot assure supplying some items to customers. "We regret
to inform you Oregon Freeze Dry cannot satisfy all Mountain House #10
can orders and we have removed #10 cans from our website temporarily,"
the company tells frustrated customers. "The reason for this is sales of
#10 cans have continued to increase. OFD is allocating as much
production capacity as possible to this market segment, but we must
maintain capacity for our other market segments as well." The company
statement continues, "We want to clarify inaccurate information we’ve
seen on the Internet. This situation is not due to sales to the
government domestically or in Iraq. We do sell products to this market,
but we also sell other market segments … The reason for this decision is
solely due to an unprecedented sales spike in #10 cans sales. "We expect
this situation to be necessary for several months although this isn’t a
guarantee. We will update this information as soon as we know more. We
apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your patience. We
sincerely hope you will continue to be Mountain House customers in the
future," the company statement said. But Hopkins wasn't backing away
from his concerns. "The government just came in and said they're buying
it. They did pay for it," he told WND about the summertime shipment of
long-term storage butter. "They took it and no one else could have it.
"We don't know why. The feds then went to freeze dried companies, and
bought most of their canned stock," he said. more...
Sarkozy: no Mideast peace without sharing Jerusalem
Arab News
(June 23, 2008) - French President Nicolas
Sarkozy said an agreement between Palestinians and Israelis is possible,
tomorrow, and that agreement would allow the two peoples to live
side-by-side in peace and security. During their meeting on diplomatic
affairs, Sarkozy stressed that the peace process between Israel and the
Palestinian Authority should progress. "Those who will make peace in the
end will be Israelis and Palestinians," the French president said. At
the start of a three-day visit to Israel, Sarkozy said it is important
for the Palestinians to establish a state of their own. Referring to the
settlements, Sarkozy said that it must be said loudly the decision to
build settlements in East Jerusalem is not good for Israel. "I believe
that the path to peace lies there before us, that the path to peace is
not blocked. I have come to bring my support and that of France and the
European Union, your partners in the negotiations." Meantime, Sarkozy
said according to the The Washington Post today that "there could be no
Mideast peace unless Israel drops its refusal to cede sovereignty over
parts of Jerusalem claimed by the Palestinians." This coincides with a
report of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) that said
that the total Palestinian refugeed is more than six million. According
to UN organization UNRWA, Palestinian registered refugees totaled to
4.56 million at end of 2007, of whom about 41.7% in Jordan, 9.9% in
Syria and 9.1% in Lebanon. About 1.5 million Palestinians refugee are
estimated to be non-registered refugees. |
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