Kurds show war photo: Western world rubs hands in glee

Posted on January 24, 2012 by admin

Are you poor? Are you living in fear for not only your life but the collective life of your own people, your own race? Do you belong to an ethnic group prejudged as being terrorists? Are you right now hiding somewhere? Are you unwanted throughout the world, with no country ever to call your own? Most probably not. For then you would not be reading this article. So how can you understand the desperation that has driven the Kurds to release pictures of young Turkish men captured by them in recent skirmishes between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party and Turkey? During the Iraq-US War, foreign media repeatedly showed how white military personnel were being exhibited by the Iraqi regime. The Western media was aghast at the cruelty and the contravention of the Geneva War prisoners’ related Convention’s rules. But when Saddam Hussein’s mouth was opened like a cow’s mouth by a doctor ostensibly for dental examination and exhibited to the world, none really protested. The US media war-pundits kept smugly mum. The thought was — serves Saddam right. Now again the Western world has woken up to the tragedy that is happening in the Middle East. The UK Telegraph reports an indignant Turkish Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan, vowing revenge and impatience at the continuous slaughter of his soldiers. Like in so many conflicts before our times and in so many to come after we are dead and gone, it seems none understands that violence begets violence. And now that the wheel of fire is turning, there will be no help from anywhere. The fear is that now the US and the European media have more arsenal in their hands against the Kurds. Late last week, that world pacifist, President George Bush had again trumpeted his endless desire for peace and his intolerance for terrorists such as the vile Kurds. Now at last the Kurds in a moment of supreme confusion have released the videos of imprisoned Turks. The Kurds had earlier expressed their fears of being incessantly bombed in what little territory in northern-Iraq they consider their own. They fear economic destitution if oil-rich Kirkuk is forced away from them. If someone’s back is against the wall and the enemy is monstrous, what can one do? Of course, to give up all shame and play the last card in one’s hand. We have to remember that the weapons of the Kurds are primitive and insignificant compared to the weapons that Turkey has. Turkey’s weaponry includes her alliance with the US. What are few videos of twelve men compared to this? We can only wish and pray that the Kurds do not do anything rash in the future with their prisoners and treat them humanely. The western world is nurtured on hatred, let the Kurds love their enemies and shame professional Christians. VIA: The UK Telegraph Image: UK Telegraph

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US-Iraqi talks stalled over withdrawal timetable

Posted on January 23, 2012 by admin

Iraqi Prime minister Nuri al-Maliki has an unenvious job. He has to keep the Americans as well as his countrymen happy. Lately there have been increasing voices in the Iraqi parliament against any deal with the US to enable its forces to continue staying in Iraq after the UN mandate ends. That is why Maliki is hoping for a memorandum of understanding with the Americans rather than a deal. He need not have to take the MOU to the country’s parliament. Moreover for the first time the PM has asked for a clause about a timetable for ending US military presence in Iraq. This clearly points to the increasing dislike to continued US presence amongst Iraqis. Maliki had to make the demand to safeguard his political interests. The Americans are not clearly not happy. They do not want any timetables. Bush is clearly against any talk of withdrawal till the US is sure that Iraq is stable. But Maliki does keep making defiant statements from time to time for public consumption. Like he had said earlier, We have reached a deadlock because, when we started these talks, we found that the US demands hugely infringe on the sovereignty of Iraq, and this we can never accept. The Iraqi-US talks have run into rough weather over another issue too; the ‘Blackwater’ type security consultants. The Iraqis want them accountable to them. The Americans want them to be above the purview of the Iraqis. Because of these issues the talks are stalled for now. Source: Al Jazeera Image

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Iran signals dubious stance over nuclear power issue

Posted on January 23, 2012 by admin

The Iran nuclear issue is growing graver. Israel believes that Iran will have a nuclear bomb within a year and fears that it will be its target. The fears are not unfounded. Iranian president Ahmadinejad has openly said that he intends to destroy Israel. But the real worry is that events are fast precipitating to a war, even earlier than that, between the US and Iran. The catalyst might come from recent internal developments in Iran itself. There are indications of an internal power struggle in the country between its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and president Ahmadinejad. A few days ago, Khamenei’s protege Larijani resigned as negotiator with the west over the nuclear issue, citing interference from the Iranian president as the reason. Larijani was in favour of talking with the west to defuse the confrontation. Whereas, hardliner Ahmadinejad feels there is no need for negotiations. He wants to go ahead with the nuclear programme disregarding the US and co.’s objections. Initially, it seemed Larijani’s resignation and Jalili’s appointment in his place had Khamenei’s blessings. Saeed Jalili is close to Ahmadinejad. But the protest by 200 odd Majlis members against Larijani’s departure has added a new twist to the plot. They were joined by Akbar Ali Vilayati, who is foreign policy adviser to Khamenei. This faction in the country believes it should unobtrusively go on with its peaceful nuclear programme like Japan has done. If need arises in the future this peaceful programme can be quickly transformed to make a bomb. Larijani meanwhile had talks with Javier Solana, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, in Rome on Tuesday. He was acting as Khamenei’s personal representative on Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. This clearly reflects two minds and the background politics brewing up in Iran. Another problem is that the west will be talking with Jalili, who is from the hardline (Ahmadinejad) faction of Iran. The confused signals emanating from Iran bodes ill. There is little prospect of any peaceful outcome from talks between the west and Iran. The hawks in the US establishment will seize the opportunity for attacking Iran militarily. Image credit Telegraph

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Amnesty report: A mockery of Humanity

Posted on January 23, 2012 by admin

The big organizations, like Amnesty International, human rights commissions and above all UN, always talk about the widespread corruption and violence against humanity. Mind you, these things have not started happening recently, particularly in the Mideast. However, no substantial action has been taken so far besides making hue and cry or publishing reports either. How long will it take for them to do something worthwhile? Will they ever do that successfully? What say? Amnesty international reporting and reporting and reporting… and here comes another report wherein the human rights group has revealed the blatant and gross violation of fundamental rights of the Palestinian people by both the Fatah and Hamas as well as by Israel. Is it surprising or is it something that world is unaware of? However, the question is what action, if any, has been taken to avoid that in near future? And everyone knows the answer and the irony. And above all UN, whose pusillanimity has so far proved catastrophic, has failed to achieve or exert any of its power or influence, let aside the justice. The result is people world over in general and Mideast in particular are left at the mercy of the Islamic chauvinists who don’t give plucked hen to so called humanity and violated morality repeatedly whenever the fanatic whim overpowers them. So, is UN worth standing as an organization that was formed to protect humanity from suffering when it never acted other than a spectator – be it Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan and the list goes on and on and on? The stance was not different but again mockery when US and Israel patted Fatah and discarded Hamas totally. Who they really are to do that when Hamas was elected by the Palestinians in elections held last year? And the irony becomes even graver when most observers confirmed that the polls were fair and honest. Actions speak more than words. This is for those who makes hullabaloo and there remains firm need for the action but before US and Israel screw the whole Mideast. Action is what the whole world is waiting for, but they have to wait for little longer – how long is again a question. However, if these organizations are merely concerned to repot the whole mess, it won’t do any good to anyone and to rely on US-Israeli pretence to solve it is nothing more than the catastrophic misappropriation. AMNESTY REPORT Image credit

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Iran – A threat to America

Posted on January 22, 2012 by admin

Iran, Iraq and America have long been involved in a series of battles since the Gulf war and I suffice it to say that hegemonic American attitude and opportunism made the atmosphere hostile, along with the already existing animosity between these two countries. Apart from the Russian threat, which even today United States is wary of, threat from Iran and Iraq always lurked in the background, because it was they who sponsored terrorism in both these countries in the 1980’s and it is also well known that no one else was as aware of this threat facing the world except for the Americans, which is evident from the proofs they made-up to claim that Iraq was trumping up chemical and biological warfare programs, which though was brought to light by media as a hoax. Most of them would be well aware of the axis of evil statement of President George Bush, where he accused Iran, Iraq and North Korea to be terrorist countries. So, to put it briefly, President George W Bush has not said anything new. It would also not be wrong to point out that the US troops in America are out of control of the situation in Iraq following the civilian clash and Iran has become very easily the target and the cause of turmoil, to the US government. Now, how worse the situation is going to get in both these countries depends on how long will the troops be deployed in Iraq and also upon what the next President of the United States decides. Source: timesonline

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Will Ami Ayalon’s vision lead to peace someday in Palestine ?

Posted on January 22, 2012 by admin

His is a sane and matured voice in the Israeli government. He wants Israelis and Palestinians to live side-by-side and peacefully together. He advocates Israel withdraw to its pre-1967 positions and withdraw all the settlements from West Bank and Gaza. He is Ami Ayalon, minister without portfolio in the Olmert government, and number two in the Labour party. He is a retired admiral in the Israeli navy and ex-chief of the Shin Bet [Israeli secret service]. Why is he for talks with the Palestinians [including Hamas]? Because he says he has killed more Palestine fighters than Hamas has killed Israelis. Just because someone has killed Israelis in the past does not mean that we should not talk with them. He supports talking with Hamas too, provided they give up their violent ways. He is the co-author of a peace initiative called, “The People’s Voice”, which he started together with Palestinian professor Sari Nusseibeh. Reportedly a total of 253,000 Israelis and 161,000 Palestinians have joined the movement till date. Ayalon says that Palestinians have always responded well to any genuine Israeli peace proposal. He says Hamas is not a mere terror outfit; it is also a way of life and a religious movement. Hamas has charities, they have municipal organizations, and they have financial organizations. Palestinians only support Hamas’ violent ways when they feel insulted by the Israelis. If Israel offers an honest peace proposal to the Palestinians they will answer with peace and friendship. If Palestinians were to decide on peace Hamas would have to follow suit as it is rooted in the Palestine people. Though he feels there are unyielding hardline elements in Hamas, as a result this will lead to a break-up of the outfit. Regarding the forthcoming Fatah-Israel peace talks scheduled next month, Ayalon suggests Israel invite Hamas too, on the condition that it will be ready to accept whatever deal Fatah boss, Mahmoud Abbas, signs with Olmert. But it is highly unlikely that Hamas will agree to meekly go along with that, considering the hostility that exists between the two Palestinian factions. Jerusalem Post Image credit

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Satellite pictures confirm Israel hit Syrian reactor in last month’s raid

Posted on January 22, 2012 by admin

Now comes the confirmation of what the New York Times had said earlier, quoting US State government officials [off the record of course], that North Korea has been clandestinely supplying Syria with nuclear technology. Commercial satellite images, taken before the Israeli raid on Syria show an atomic power plant in the area in Syria which Israel bombed. Independent experts say the shape of the structures indicate that they are of North Korean make. In fact any intelligent observer of the world scene would have said that the secret Israeli mission last month was to bomb the Syrian reactor. There were a lot of tell tale giveaways. Israel generally announces loudly if it takes action against any Arab nation, perhaps to explain its position before the international community, to justify the action. But over the secret bombing on Syria last month there was a total clamp down. Why? Because it did not want to tell the world that Syria was building a nuclear plant with North Korean help. Why? Because the US wanted it to shut up about it. The US was close to getting the intransigent Kim Jong-il to come to the negotiating table under the six-nation talks umbrella. If Israel had made the sins of North Korea public, this would have vitiated the atmosphere of the talks. It might have made the sour, moody North Korean leader to leave the negotiations in a huff. Moreover the US government would have had to answer the US media and Congress. Both of them would have demanded why the Bush administration was smoking the peace-pipe with a regime which was dishing out nuclear technology to all and sundry. I mean it has helped Pakistan on the missile programme. In fact many say the Pakistani Ghazni and Ghori missiles are original North Korean missiles with a Pakistani paint work. Why did Syria keep quiet when Israeli planes hammered its North Korean gifted plants? For very obvious reasons. It does not want to make public the fact that it has nuclear ambitions. It does not want to get a scolding from other big world powers like Russia and China as the community of nuclear haves are getting worried by the increasing number of countries who want to go nuclear. They are having a torrid time dealing with Iran as such. Washington Post Image credit

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Europeans are wooing Syria: Iraqi oil, a big factor

Posted on January 21, 2012 by admin

Syria has suddenly become the centre of attention amongst the US and European nations. The IAEA team is now in the country to inspect the alleged damaged nuclear plant bombed by Israel. The US says the Syrians have cleared the site and rebuilt it, so one doubts if anything concrete will come out of the inspection. But the west has understood that Syria can do much nuclear mischief if it keeps co-operating with Iran and North Korea. Another important factor is that it has influence over Hamas in Gaza and the Hezbollah in Lebanon. So the Europeans have changed tactics. Now instead of treating Syria as a rogue, efforts are on to woo it. The belief is if Syria is drawn away from Iran, the latter country will be considerably weakened. What are the baits? Europe has offered big money and an end to the Hariri assassination probe. Syria in return will have to do as the west wants on Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah (in Lebanon). The French president Sarkozy has taken the initiative to woo Syria as part of his Middle East ambitions of bringing peace in the region. He wants Syria and Israel to get talking again. The Europeans have other reason to want Syria on its side. Gas and oil. Russian supply is steady but is giving Putin enormous clout. An alternative could be Iraqi oil to Europe through Turkey, Jordan and Syria. Syria could be appropriately rewarded for the transit facilities. With all this at stake it seems unlikely the IAEA will confirm Syria’s nuclear activities. That is if Syria reacts positively to the European flirting. Otherwise it is back to the harsh US line again. Source: LA Times Blogs Image

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US sanctions against Iran: A step ahead on crossroads

Posted on January 21, 2012 by admin

US government has imposed tough sanctions against Iranian military, a clear sign of escalation of hostilities between Washington and Tehran over the nuclear standoff. It is a very rare thing to see the Americans target a country’s military infrastructure with stringent sanctions. This may be a signal, on the part of the United States, to the international community that Iran is taking their patience to the limit and the time to take the matter into own hands has come. There is a growing feeling among the US and its allies that economic sanctions alone will not be able to force Iran to change its hard line stance on the nuclear issue. Any constructive military sanction would put a plug on Iran’s ability to acquire foreign funds and continue expertzing uranium enrichment in addition to the alleged role played by the Islamic Republic’s elite Revolutionary Guards in fomenting violence against coalition forces in Iraq and against Israel in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. Western economic analysts believe that if economic sanctions(already in place against Iran since 1979) were successful, Tehran would not have been able to install a uranium enrichment program on its own and directly purchasing nuclear fuel from abroad would have been much more cost-effective. Furthermore, it is a fact that economic sanctions affect the livelihood of innocent civilians rather than radical government strategies, as was in the case of the late Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. But there is a good scope of resolving the issue diplomatically too. For that to happen, the United States must work closely with Russia and China – Iran’s political and economic partners. Russia, recently, is angered by Washington’s continuous meddling into its own internal matters and indirectly supporting other former Soviet states’ efforts to join the EU (let us take the instances of the Ukraine and Georgia). To get Russia involved in the Iranian matter, the US must assure Moscow that its ‘regime change’ policy is not directed towards the Russians or other Moscow-leaning Caucasian or Baltic states. The recent positive developments regarding North Korea is another instance that proves boiling issues can be resolved through direct talks rather than reciprocal war threats. After North Korea successfully tested nuclear bomb, Washington realized the mistake of isolating a country, which makes it more determined to pursue its hostile goals. With the help of Russia and China, Pyongyang was persuaded to enter into negotiations and after many grueling efforts, there is every chance that the communist nation would give up its nuclear weapons. The US must engage Iran directly into any future talks and see if Tehran is honestly concerned about diffusing the matter diplomatically, if not, then there is always a Plan B. Image Link: Washington Post

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Israel’s plan to cut off power supply to Gaza kindles more agony

Posted on January 21, 2012 by admin

The metaphorical darkness is all over Gaza and the 1.5 million residents there are being plunged into deeper darkness still. The translation of the metaphorical into the real could begin in no time and apprehension is already running wild among the Gaza people. The threat by Israel to cut off power supplies to Gaza has driven the poor and hopeless people in the region to utter desperation. By cutting off fuel and electricity supplies to Gaza, over which it controls majority of control and thus is legally bound to sustain the region’s welfare, how much the Israeli authorities plan to help its own people is anybody’s guess. Instead the measure is calculated at driving the Palestinians into even more despair. At the moment the Palestinians in Gaza are heavily dependent on Israel for food aid and this reinforced clampdown on Gaza would multiply the woes of the Palestinians. Israel of course maintain that their act is to decimate the rocket attacks by the Palestinians on Israeli territories and has promised not to spark a humanitarian crisis in Gaza but that hardly sounds reassuring. The US-sponsored Annapolis peace conference on the Middle East crisis later this year is being built as the ultimate diplomatic negotiation that ushers in a blanket of peace and stability over the entire controversy. But the new threat by Israel has only helped to increase the pessimism hanging over the Annapolis peace conference. Several such peace efforts have gone to waste and most of the people in Gaza feel that this one too wouldn’t be any different. Image Source: BBC Source: Time

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