Israel Archives [kokhaviv publications]

PA Security Forces Arrest 7 Iranians In Gaza Strip Raid

Alexander Becker — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 21:43:00 +0000

AP and Jpost.com staff, The Jerusalem Post

www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite? cid=1167467868941&pagename= JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Palestinian security forces arrested seven Iranian citizens during a raid Thursday night at the Islamic University, a Hamas stronghold in Gaza City, a security official said.

According to reports, another Iranian citizen committed suicide during the raid.

The raid came during a large-scale assault by Fatah-affiliated gunmen on the university, which followed a day of gunfights between Hamas and Fatah gunmen throughtout the Gaza Strip.

The new wave of street battles killed at least six people, one of them a security officer, wounded dozens, and effectively destroyed a three-day-old truce that brought a brief period of quiet to the volatile area.

The violence broke out in the central Gaza town of Bureij on Thursday afternoon after Hamas gunmen hijacked a convoy delivering supplies to the Fatah-allied security forces, security officials said.

Security reinforcements were seen flooding into the town.

Soon after, separate gun battles broke out in Gaza City and in northern Gaza outside a military intelligence post. Security officials said Hamas gunmen fired a rocket was fired at the post.

A Fatah member was kidnapped in northern Gaza during the clashes, security officials said.

Col. Burhan Hamad, the head of the Egyptian security team in Gaza that negotiated the truce, denounced the attack on the convoy as "unjustified" and angrily blamed Hamas. He appealed to the warring factions to stop the new clashes. The Islamic Jihad, in the role of peacemaker, called for convening an urgent meeting to discuss resumption of the truce.

Also in Gaza, unknown gunmen opened fire early Thursday at Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum as he drove with three bodyguards in his white sedan toward an impromptu checkpoint near Gaza City, Hamas said. There were no casualties. A Hamas announcement blamed "coup-seekers," meaning gunmen from the rival Fatah party.

Later Thursday, gunmen in a car shot at Islam Shahwan, a spokesman for a Hamas militia, Shahwan said, blaming the shooting on Fatah-affiliated security officers. One Hamas member was wounded, he said.

Other sporadic shooting attacks were reported Thursday, including one that wounded a Hamas member.

The early incidents didn't unravel the cease-fire, but on Thursday afternoon Hamas gunmen ambushed an official convoy guarded by the presidential guard and hijacked two trucks filled with tents, medical kits and toilets, security officials said. The attack sparked the new fighting.

"How can they attack the presidential guards like that when there is a cease-fire?" asked Wael Dahab, a presidential guard spokesman.

In the wake of the fighting, security officials reestablished roadblocks near Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's official residence in Gaza City. Masked security officers took up positions throughout the streets.

Masked Hamas gunmen also carjacked a police jeep near the United Nations headquarters in Gaza City, stealing the weapons of those in the vehicle, security officials said.

The truce was declared early Tuesday by leaders of Fatah and Hamas and was meant to bring an end to internal fighting that has left more than 60 Palestinians dead since early December, though it did not resolve the underlying animosity between the groups.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Shell Faces Dilemma Over Proposed Investment In Iran Gas Field

Alexander Becker — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 21:41:00 +0000

Reuters

www.gulfinthemedia.com/ index.php?id=282099 &news_type=Economy&lang=en

Royal Dutch Shell said yesterday it faces a dilemma over its proposed multibillion dollar investment in a gas field in Iran, which is under US pressure for its atomic work and alleged interference in Iraq.

The Anglo-Dutch company and Spain's Repsol have signed a preliminary deal to develop part of Iran's giant South Pars gasfield, despite Washington urging its allies not to invest in the country. Tehran values the deal at $ 10 billion.

Shell Chief Executive Jeroen van der Veer said politics would be taken into account when a final investment decision is taken in about a year.

"I would like to emphasise that we have here quite a dilemma. This is Iran. They are the number two in oil and gas reserves in the world," he told a conference call following Shell's fourth quarter results.

"But we have all the short-term political concerns."

There are strong commercial considerations. Shell and Repsol are both seeking access to big sources of oil and gas reserves after meeting limited success in finding new supplies in recent years.

Iran is one of the few major energy resource holders open to foreign investors. Saudi Arabia, home to the world's biggest oil reserves, keeps its oilfields closed to international firms.

If the United States gets its way, the ambitious project might not materialise.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Ruling In Anti-Israeli Terrorism Lawsuit In U.S.

Alexander Becker — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:37:00 +0000

The following is a major ruling in the Eastern District Court of New York in anti-Israeli terrorism case:

Contact: David White (202/607-0766) Michael Elsner (843/216-9250)

January 30, 2007

Israeli Terrorism Victims Win Major Victory In Landmark Arab Bank Case

Case Expected to Proceed to Trial After Judge Rejects Defendants' Motion to Dismiss

NEW YORK, January 30 - In a stunning victory for more than 1,600 survivors and family members of those killed by terrorism in Israel, U.S. District Judge Nina Gershon issued a major ruling that is expected to lead to a trial for their landmark civil action against Arab Bank.

Judge Gershon rejected the bulk of a defense motion to dismiss the case, ruling instead that suicide bombing attacks and other forms of violence directed against civilians in Israel violate customary international law, that "plaintiffs have successfully stated claims for genocide and crimes against humanity," and that plaintiffs have established a cause of action under the Alien Tort Claims Act and the Antiterrorism Act. She found that the plaintiffs had pled sufficient evidence that "Arab Bank's provision of banking services facilitated money laundering and also facilitated the payments from [a Saudi Arabian] Committee to the suicide bombers' beneficiaries," creating "an incentive for suicide bombings."

"This is a great victory for everyone - not just those of us who have had our loved ones savagely murdered in acts of terrorism, but for everyone who loves and wants peace," said Iris Almog Schwartz, an Israeli citizen who lost her mother, father, brother and two nephews in the suicide bombing of Restaurant Maxim in Haifa on October 4, 2003.

"Judge Gershon's ruling shows great wisdom in finding that the terrorists' campaign of mass murder of innocent civilians qualifies as genocide and crimes against humanity, and in holding the financiers of these atrocities accountable," Schwarz said. "We eagerly look forward to having our day in court."

"I am deeply grateful," Schwarz added," that the United States Courts remain a beacon to people of all nations who yearn for a world free from terror where justice prevails."

"This is a remarkable, precedent-setting ruling that makes clear that no matter where they are located, any organization or individual that aids and abets genocide and crimes against humanity cannot evade accountability in the U.S. Courts," said Ron Motley, lead counsel for the plaintiffs. "It not only means that our clients will have the opportunity to win justice; it also strikes a major blow against the financial networks that make terrorism possible."

The civil action, Almog, et al. v. Arab Bank, PLC, was brought in U.S. Court for the Eastern District of New York under two civil laws. The Alien Tort Claims Act of 1789 gives non-U.S. citizens access to the U.S. Courts to seek justice for violations of "the law of nations," such as genocide, crimes against humanity and terrorism, no matter where they occur. The Antiterrorism Act of 1990 gives U.S. citizens who have been injured or whose loved ones have been killed by acts of terrorism the right to seek justice from those who financed these atrocities.

In her ruling, Judge Gershon wrote that plaintiffs "adequately allege Arab Bank's knowledge that its assistance would facilitate the terrorist organizations in accomplishing the underlying violations of the law of nations and that its provision of banking and administrative services substantially assisted the perpetration of those violations. Arab Bank provided practical assistance to the organizations sponsoring the suicide bombings and helped them further their goal of encouraging bombers to serve as 'martyrs.'"

"[P]laintiffs have sufficiently alleged facts giving rise to Arab Bank's liability for aiding and abetting the violations of the law of nations alleged here," she concluded.

The plaintiffs in Almog and a companion case, Afriat-Kurtzer v. Arab Bank, either lost loved ones or were injured as a result of suicide bombings and other atrocities perpetrated by Hamas and other terrorist groups against Israel. They include 30 citizens of the United States, as well as citizens of Israel, Russia, France, Poland, Romania, Argentina, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Moldova and Afghanistan. With approximately 3,000 plaintiffs joining the case since the defendants' motion to dismiss was first filed, they now number 4,657.

Arab Bank is headquartered in Amman, Jordan, and is one of the largest financial institutions in the Middle East, with a global network of more than 400 branches and offices in 25 countries, including the United States. Arab Bank has 22 local branches throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The plaintiffs are represented by Motley Rice LLC, of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., and other leading international, finance and anti-terrorism attorneys in the United States, Israel and the United Kingdom.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Report: 3 Gulf States Agree To IAF Overflights En Route To Iran

Alexander Becker — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 21:26:00 +0000

Yoav Stern and Yossi Melman, Haaretz Correspondents

www.haaretz.com/hasen/ spages/830309.html

Three Arab states in the Persian Gulf would be willing to allow the Israel Air force to enter their airspace in order to reach Iran in case of an attack on its nuclear facilities, the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Siyasa reported on Sunday.

According to the report, a diplomat from one of the gulf states visiting Washington on Saturday said the three states, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, have told the United States that they would not object to Israel using their airspace, despite their fear of an Iranian response.

Al-Siyasa further reported that NATO leaders are urging Turkey to open its airspace for an Attack on Iran as well and to also open its airports and borders in case of a ground attack.

According to a British diplomat who spoke to an Al-Siyasa correspondent, Turkey will not repeat the mistake it made in 2003, when it refused to open its airspace to U.S. Air Force overflights en route to attacking Iraq.

British newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday that Israel is negotiating with the U.S. over permission for an "air corridor" over Iraq, should an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities become necessary.

Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh on Saturday denied the reports and said Israel has no such plans.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Egypt Rejects Conditions On Palestinian Government

Alexander Becker — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 21:23:00 +0000

Alaa Shahine

Reuters

www.alertnet.org/ thenews/newsdesk/ L25503367.htm

CAIRO, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Egypt rejected on Sunday imposing any conditions on the new Palestinian unity government and said it was up to the Palestinians to convince key international mediators to end the U.S.-led financial sanctions.

Jordan's King Abdullah has said there was common Arab ground that the unity government must adhere to the demands of the Quartet of Middle East mediators: recognise Israel, renounce violence and accept interim peace deals.

The king's remarks in an interview broadcast on Saturday cast doubts on the willingness of major Arab donors to sidestep a U.S.-led embargo of the Hamas-led government.

But Egyptian presidential spokesman Suuleiman Awad said: "There is always consultation between Egypt and Jordan but the Egyptian position is that ... we cannot set preconditions." He was speaking after talks in Cairo between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and King Abdullah.

"The policies that the new government will adopt is an internal Palestinian affair and Egypt has not and will not interfere to impose stances," he told a news conference.

Western diplomats have said the agreement this month in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, between Hamas and Abbas's Fatah group has widened the divisions in the Quartet -- the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia -- on how to deal with the new government.

The United States insists on maintaining the boycott, while some European countries and Russia favour a softer line. Awad said the onus was on the Palestinians to take their case to the world with a "united voice" to lift the sanctions, which have pushed the Palestinian Authority to the brink of financial collapse.

"Lifting the economic and political embargo will not happen by appeals ... It depends on the ability of the Palestinian side to put the interests of the Palestinians above those of the factions and to speak with a united voice," he said.

The letter from Abbas reappointing Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh as prime minister called on the government to respect old agreements signed with Israel by the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), which recognises the Jewish state.

Hamas officials have said they do not object to the PLO negotiating with Israel but that any deal would have to be approved by the Palestinian parliament, where the Islamist group maintains a majority.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Iranian DM: Ground Laid To Manufacture Integration Of Battle Space And Space Navigation Systems

Alexander Becker — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 21:21:00 +0000

Sanctions Help Iran's Air Industry Grow (Fars News Agency)

www.sokhangoo.net/en/ index.php?option= com_content& task=view&id=169

[Iranian government spokesman's website]

Defense Minister Brigadier General Mustafa Mohammad Najjar said that enemies' sanctions on his country have helped to the growth of Iran's aerospace and electronic industries.

Addressing the 6th conference of Iran's Aerospace Association here in Tehran on Saturday, Najjar stressed the significance of aerospace industry, and said, "At present, the aerospace industry has turned into a scene of competition in terms of science and technology."

"Enemies' sanction on Iran's aerospace and electronics industries made our experts more decisive to continue the path of progress and reach the peaks of glory and honor in these fields," he said, adding, "Following the stage of research and development, we have come to the stage of mass production to provide for the needs of our armed forces."

Najjar said some of Iran's products in these fields include manufacture of 'Iran-140' passenger plane, 'Azarakhsh' fighter, multipurpose and flying targets, 16 varieties of helicopters, flying boats, and various types of long and medium-range, anti-armor and Cruise missiles and torpedoes.

He said acquisition of the aerospace technology serves as a lever helping reduce enemies' power of threat, and is viewed as a source of national pride and a symbol of technological growth.

The General said that his ministry has laid the needed grounds for the manufacture of modern aerospace systems guiding movement of vessels, armors and helicopters, rapid and precise missile launching systems, integration of the battle space and space navigation systems.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Damascus Close To Multi-Million Dollar Deal To Buy Modern Anti-Tank Missiles From Russia

Alexander Becker — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 21:16:00 +0000

Amos Harel and Aluf Benn

Haaretz

www.haaretz.com/hasen/ spages/828930.html

Damascus is close to concluding a large deal with Russia to procure thousands of advanced anti-tank missiles for the Syrian army, according to information received in Israel recently. Such a development suggests that Israel's diplomatic efforts to block the sale have failed.

According to various estimates the deal is worth several hundred million dollars and involves several thousand advanced anti-tank missiles.

For years Syria secured anti-tank missiles from the Soviet Union and later from Russia. During the war in Lebanon last summer Israel found proof that Syria had transferred to Hezbollah advanced Russian-made anti-tank missiles from its arsenal.

Evidence of the existence of these advanced missiles, the Kornet AT-14 and Metis AT-13, came in the form of crates discovered in the villages of Ghandurya and Farun, close to the Saluki River. The shipment documents showed that they had been procured by the Syrian army and transferred to Hezbollah.

Until Israel was able to produce such evidence the authorities in Moscow refused to acknowledge that advanced Russian-made weapons were being transferred to Hezbollah.

But after the war, an Israeli delegation that included members of the National Security Council and the Foreign Ministry presented the evidence to senior Russian officials.

The Russians promised to reevaluate some of the planned arms deals with Syria to ensure that advanced weaponry would not make its way to terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah.

However, there are now concerns in Israel that Russia will not keep its promise and that the deal with Damascus for the anti-tank missiles is near being finalized.

Syria stepped up its efforts to convince Russia to make the sale following the lessons it reached from the war in Lebanon. The fact that Hezbollah succeeded in delaying an Israeli armored column at the battle near the Saluki River with accurate fire from anti-tank missiles was noted favorably in Arab armies.

In retrospect, and following an IDF study, the number of tanks that were actually damaged during fighting in the war did not exceed several dozen, and in some of them the damage suffered was very minimal. But missile types like the Kornet and the Metis proved their destructive abilities and in some cases even penetrated the armor of the Merkava Mark IV, which is considered to be the best protected tank in the world.

The IDF found it difficult to counter this threat, particularly since the weapons could be fired accurately from distances of five kilometers.

One of the lessons of the war for Syria was that it needed to improve areas in which it had a relative advantage against the IDF, like the anti-tank missile, and surface-to-surface missiles that can threaten Israel's home front.

In addition, Palestinian militant groups have intensified their efforts to smuggle anti-tank missiles from Sinai to the Gaza Strip.

Armor and infantry units in the IDF are now undergoing training in tactical maneuvers that will enable them to counter anti-tank missiles. In addition, there are efforts to upgrade the anti-tank missiles in Israel's arsenal.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

PFLP Spokesman Explains Refusal To Join New Coalition Government

Alexander Becker — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 21:14:00 +0000

www.maannews.net/ en/index.php?opr= ShowDetails&ID=19864

Gaza - Ma'an - The spokesman of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) has said that they appreciated the announcements of a number of factions, forces and personalities that proclaimed the necessity of the participation of the PFLP in the forthcoming coalition government.

The spokesman said in a statement for Ma'an that "the PFLP have declined to participate in the government for political reasons and their disagreement with the letter of assignment, which commanded the respect of the signed agreements between the Palestine Liberation Organisation and Israel. The agreements included official recognition of Israel and the cessation of resistance action, and maintained the roots of internal conflict between the presidency and the government and between the Fatah and Hamas movements. It constituted a fall in the national common program, as represented in the prisoners' document or the national accord document that got the unanimous and signed consent of all Palestinian social and political groups."

The 'Prisoners' Document' was drawn up by five Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. They were members of Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the PFLP and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP). The document advocates the setting up of a Palestinian state on the territories occupied after the 1967 war.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Bush: I'd Understand If Israel Chose To Attack Iran

Alexander Becker — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 22:09:00 +0000

Yossi Verter, Haaretz Correspondent

www.haaretz.com/ hasen/spages/ 789940.html

The United States lacks sufficient intelligence on Iran's nuclear facilities at this time, which prevents it from initiating a military strike against them, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has told European politicians and diplomats with whom she has recently met.

Rice mentioned three reasons why the United States is currently unable to carry out a military operation against Iran: the wish to solve the crisis through peaceful means; concern that a military strike will be ineffective - that it would fail to completely destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities; and the lack of precise intelligence on the targets' locations.

U.S. President George W. Bush and President Jacques Chirac of France met several weeks ago. Bush told his French counterpart that the possibility that Israel would carry out a strike against Iran's nuclear installations should not be ruled out.

Bush also said that if such an attack were to take place, he would understand it. According to European diplomats who later met with Rice, the secretary of state did not express the same willingness to show understanding for a possible Israeli strike against Iran.

Nonetheless, Rice did not discount the possibility that such an operation may take place.

In recent talks with their Israeli counterparts, French government officials estimated that Iran would reach the "point of no return" in its nuclear program by spring 2007, in approximately five months.

At that point, according to Israeli sources, Iran will be in a position to simultaneously operate approximately 3,000 centrifuges for enriching uranium.

Various estimates by international experts hold that Monday Iran is operating 340-600 such centrifuges.

In talks with Israeli sources several days ago, a French government official asserted that an Israeli military attack against Iran would be "a total disaster" in terms of its implications for the entire world.

According to the French official, such a strike would at best delay the completion of Iran's nuclear program by two years.

The attack would also result in Iran cancelling its membership in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, cause a great deal of agitation in the Arab world, lead to a rise in oil prices, and could result in a major Iranian military response that would not target Israel alone.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Inquiry Into Circumstances Of Use Of Cluster Munitions During Israeli-Lebanese Conflict

Alexander Becker — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 22:07:00 +0000

[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: Unfortunately, the IDF has been using made in USA cluster bombs instead of the Israeli made cluster bombs that have 0.2-1% duds.]

IDF Spokesperson Announcment

Maj. Gen. Ha'cohen appointed to inquire the circumstances of the use of cluster munitions during the Israeli-Lebanese conflict

Within the framework of a recent operational inquiry into the use of cluster munitions throughout the Israeli-Lebanese conflict, questions were raised regarding the full implementation of the orders of the IDF General Staff concerning the use of cluster munitions.

The results of the abovementioned operational inquiry were presented to the IDF Chief of Staff, who, after consultation with the Military Advocate General, has appointed Maj. Gen. Gershon Ha'cohen to lead an inquiry into the circumstances of the use of cluster munitions during the Israeli-Lebanese conflict, between July 12th 2006 and August 14th 2006.

Maj. Gen. Ha'cohen was ordered to look into the implementation of all orders and instructions regarding the use of cluster type munitions, in the course of the conflict.

Once concluded, the findings of the inquiry will be presented to the Chief of Staff and the Military Advocate General, who will decide on further necessary actions.

For the avoidance of doubt, it is important to clarify that the use of cluster munitions is not prohibited under customary international law; nor is the use of this particular kind of munitions prohibited by the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which May be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (CCW), to which Israel is party. This weapon is used by a number of states and is, as aforementioned, both lawful and legitimate. Clearly, as in the case of all arms, the use of cluster munitions must conform to the rules of warfare.

It should also be noted, that the findings of the operational inquiry show that prior to the firing of cluster munitions, safety warnings were given by the IDF to the civilian population, recommending them to leave certain areas. The findings also show that the firing of cluster munitions was directed only at legitimate military targets which had been identified as sites from which Katyusha rockets were being launched against Israel.

Following the conflict, Israel transferred maps to UNIFIL identifying areas suspected as consisting of duds, including those of cluster munitions. These maps assist UNIFIL and the Lebanese government in removing the cluster munitions duds, and significantly minimize the risk of unnecessary harm to the civilian population.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Syria Severely Denounces Assassination Of Pierre Gemayel

Alexander Becker — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 22:05:00 +0000

[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: A cynic would wonder why the official Syrian news agency wasn't able to prepare a longer notice in advance of the assassination.]

www.sana.org/ eng/21/2006/ 11/21/87908.htm

DAMASCUS, (SANA - Syrian news agency) - Syria strongly denounced on Tuesday the assassination of the Lebanese Minister of Industry Pierre Gemayel when his car was shot this afternoon near Beirut.

"This horrible crime is aimed at destabilizing solidity and civil security in Lebanon," an official media source said underlining: "Syria's keenness on Lebanon's security and the unity of his sons as well as keeping Lebanon's civil peace."

Sawsan

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Venezuelan Ambassador: Victory Of Resistance In Lebanon, Palestine And Iraq Is Victory For Venezuela

Alexander Becker — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 22:03:00 +0000

Damascus, (SANA-Syrian news agency)--Responsible of International Relations in Hizbullah Party Nawaf al-Mosawi has stressed that the Lebanese national resistance will not allow America's tools in the region to end the resistance.

"We are proud of our relations with Syria that is standing by the resistance and Lebanese people during the latest Israeli hostile aggression," Mosawi said yesterday in an address word at Basel Al-Assad University City in Victory Festival.

For his part, Venezuelan Ambassador in Damascus, Mrs. Deya'a al-Andari underlined that victory of the resistance in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq is a victory for Venezuela and for all liberal men in the world, pointing out to Syria's leadership and people role in achieving this victory.

For his part, Iranian First Charge d'affairs in Damascus Mr. Rokn Abadi highly evaluated Syria's leadership and people for their efforts during the Israeli aggression on Lebanon by offering all support and aid to Lebanon.

The festival attended by Regional Leadership member, Head of Regional People's Organizations Office Mrs. Shahnaz Fakhoush and several of Syrian students and Hizbollah students studying in Syria.

Nawal / Idelbi

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

The "New Middle East" Is A New Sykes Pico, Bilal Says

Alexander Becker — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 22:01:00 +0000

www.sana.org/ eng/21/2006/ 11/24/88443.htm

DAMASCUS, (SANA - Syrian news agency) - Minister of Information Mohsen Bilal said on Thursday the New Middle East project is a new Sykes Pico agreement in the region.

Sykes Pico Agreement was signed between the two governments of Britain and France in 1916 to share hegemony and control over the region.

Giving a lecture at al-Assad Library Dr. Bilal said "this project is aimed at seizing the wealth in the Arab world and forming the region characteristics and structure according to the US-Israeli pattern, including erasing the crucial principles of the Arab nation and canceling its history and civilization and even its geography in the great Israel's interests."

The minister noted that the colonial projects and schemes that aimed at remaping the New Middle East could not be faced but "through the comprehensive national unity and resistance" that have become the language of the time and its color.

"This is because resistance and the national unity work to restore the land and to expel the greed and invading occupiers. It is not because of love for violence and arms but due to love of our land and to protect our proud, dignity and sovereignty," he said.

Sawsan

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

General Says U.S. Building Up Abbas's Guard

Alexander Becker — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 21:58:00 +0000

Ari Rabinovitch, Reuters Jerusalem

www.defensenews.com/ story.php? F=2380174&C=mideast

The United States is building up Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's forces but is not preparing them to confront Hamas, the U.S. security coordinator between Israel and the Palestinians said.

In his first interview since taking up the post in March, Lt. Gen. Keith Dayton told the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth that Iran is helping arm and fund Hamas, and the United States wants to prevent "moderate forces" in the Palestinian territories from being eliminated.

"We are involved in building up the presidential guard, instructing it, assisting it to build itself up and giving them ideas. We are not training the forces to confront Hamas," Dayton said in the interview published on Nov. 24. The United States has sought to bolster Abbas since Hamas, which is considered a "terrorist" organization by the United States, Israel and the European Union, defeated the president's once dominant Fatah in January elections. "Hamas is receiving money and arms from Iran and possibly Syria, and we must make sure that the moderate forces will not be erased," Dayton said.

Hamas is building up its own forces and seeking control of the security establishment, raising prospects of an eventual showdown between the rival forces.

Abbas met Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas on Nov. 23 to discuss the possibility of forming a unity government, although talks bogged down earlier this week.

Border Crossings

Dayton said most of his efforts are focused on border crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel and Egypt.

"We have money to train the presidential guard to work the Karni crossing (between Gaza and Israel), and the aim is to open the crossings like last year with 400 trucks going into Israel every day," Dayton said.

Israel left Gaza last year after 38 years of occupation, but has frequently closed the border crossings after the abduction of a soldier on June 25 by militants including Hamas members.

Washington envisions the guard eventually taking control of all border crossings, including those in the West Bank. That could boost Abbas politically as trade revenues filter through.

The United States would also support letting about 1,000 members of the Badr Brigade, a Fatah-dominated force based in Jordan, into Palestinian territories to reinforce Abbas's guard.

"The decision would have to be made by the governments of Jordan, Israel and the Palestinians. But the idea is a logical one both militarily and politically," Dayton said.

U.S. plans call for expanding the force initially to around 4,700 members, up from 3,500 today. But Palestinian officials estimated the force could eventually grow to 10,000 members. The U.S. program includes funds for training the force.

Hamas has expanded its "Executive Force" to 6,000 members, which it said is only for improving security in Gaza. In a sign of Washington's commitment, the White House has asked Dayton to stay in the region for another year.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Iran: "May Stop Exporting Energy Within 20 Yrs"

Alexander Becker — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 21:56:00 +0000

Reuters

www.gulfinthemedia.com/ index.php?id=264115& news_type=Economy&lang=en

Iran will cease to be an energy exporter within two decades if it fails to resolve its energy problems, a senior Iranian official said on Friday.

"It is a reality that Iran's energy consumption is increasing. The first remedy is to use alternative fossil resource exploitation and to increase the efficiency of energy consumption," said Alireza Attar, Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs.

"If we don't find a solution to these issues within 15 to 20 years, we cannot be an energy exporter anymore. Therefore we should be able to exploit our fossil energy resources to create financial resources," he said.

Attar was addressing a panel at the two-day World Economic Forum in Istanbul. Tehran cites its growing electricity needs as a reason for its controversial nuclear programme.

The United States and its European allies suspect the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme is a cover for building a bomb and have drafted U.N. sanctions against Iran.

Attar reaffirmed Tehran's line that the nuclear programme is in full compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, of which he noted Iran is a founder member.

"We are planning to build 20,000 megawatts of nuclear energy capacity. That means we should build 20 nuclear houses (power plants)," he said.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Israelis slam Holocaust Claims Conference

Alexander Becker — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 21:55:00 +0000

Press Release

Government of Israel, Jewish Agency, Holocaust Survivors Organizations, Yad Vashem and Fund for the Welfare of Survivors present:

"Claims Conference does not reflect the status and centrality of the State of Israel".

In an unprecedented step, all the bodies have put together a "united Israeli front" and are signing a joint covenant (below)calling on the Claims Conference to change the way it allocates resources, transfer 60% of its activities to Israel, significantly increase Israeli representation in Claims Conference institutions and properly reflect the status and centrality of Israel among the Jewish People and the number of Jews and Holocaust survivors living in Israel.

The key to allocating resources and the composition of Claims Conference institutions were fixed in the 1950's and never updated. "We demand that the funds being allocated by the Claims Conference be divided according to the following key: 80% for humanitarian causes and assistance to the welfare of needy survivors and 20% to commemoration, education, research, documentation and strengthening the Jewish heritage," declare the participants. "We also demand transferring part of the activity of the Claims Conference from New York to Jerusalem".

"All the decisions come from America, it can't be that they dictate to Israel what Israel needs."

The Claims Conference was set up in 1951 in order to negotiate with the governments of Germany and Austria and to divide up the agreed payments among Holocaust survivors and heirs of Holocaust victims. The Claims Conference's activity base was set in New York and its first head was Nachum Goldmann, head of both the Jewish Agency and the World Jewish Congress. The Conference was made up of the 23 participating Jewish organizations -- the important bodies of Jewish communities around the world at the time. Since the establishment of the Claims Conference, its structure has hardly changed, whereas the Jewish map has altered significantly and Israel has become the center of the Jewish people and home for more than half of Holocaust survivors.

Leaders of Claims Conference participating groups based in Israel got together recently: Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Zeev Bielski; Minister for Pensioners and the minister responsible for the matter for the Government of Israel, Rafi Eitan; Chairman of the Center of Organizations of Holocaust Survivors, Noah Flug; the Chairman of Yad Vashem, Avner Shalev; and the Chairman of the Fund for the Welfare of Holocaust Survivors in Israel, Zeev Factor. During their meeting they decided for the first time to set up a united front in order to change the existing situation and bring about historic justice.

The signing of the covenant took place on Sunday, November 26th 2006, at 2:00pm, in the Ben Gurion Hall, Jewish Agency building, 48 King George St., Jerusalem. for further information contact: michael jankelowitz, liaison to foreign press jewish agency for israel www.jewishagency.org ---

Translation From The Hebrew Memorandum Of Understanding

November 2006

We the undersigned, the Government of Israel, institutions and organizations active in Israel in the matter of compensation, restitution of property, and the social welfare of survivors of the Holocaust in Israel, as well as in the realm of preserving the memory of the Holocaust, eternalizing the memory of the victims and the strengthening of Jewish heritage, and with regards to the above, are connected with the activities of the Claims Conference, hereby agree to the following principles:

To act, as far as possible, towards the restitution, to the owners, of Jewish property from the period of the Holocaust.

To act, as far as possible, towards the restitution of additional funds that will be earmarked for the compensation and social welfare of Holocaust survivors and towards the strengthening of the memory of the Holocaust and Jewish heritage.

To act towards the just and correct distribution of compensation funds and of unclaimed funds or property.

The funds distributed by the Claims Conference for the support of programs and activities, which are not included in direct payments to survivors, will be distributed according to the following key: 80% of the funds will be earmarked for humanitarian purposes of aid to needy Holocaust survivors and their social welfare. 20% of the funds will be earmarked for the purpose of memorializing the Holocaust, education, research and documentation of the Holocaust as well as strengthening Jewish heritage, all this towards the preservation of the correct and important balance between these two goals.

Acknowledging that the Jewish people has undergone many changes, demographic and other, over the past 50 years, and mainly the establishment and development of the State of Israel, the Israeli representation in the Claims Conference and its various committees must be substantially expanded to reflect the central role of the State of Israel within the Jewish people, and the number of Jews and Holocaust survivors who were absorbed in Israel and live in Israel today.

In light of the centrality of the State of Israel, as stated above, 60% of the funds mentioned in paragraph 4 above, will be allocated in Israel and the remainder will be distributed in the rest of the countries of the world.

To present a unified stance regarding all of the above topics at the Claims Conference and to create a framework for coordination that will ensure the realization of the above principles.

The Minister for Retirees Affairs
The Jewish Agency for Israel
The Chairman of the Central Organization of Holocaust Survivors
The Chairman of Yad V'Shem
The Chairman of the Fund for the Social Welfare of Holocaust Survivors in Israel

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Israel Won't Discuss Buying Skyguard/Nautilus Unless Pentagon Allows It To See New Performance Data

Alexander Becker — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 21:52:00 +0000

Israel waiting for answers on Skyguard

Yaakov Katz, The Jerusalem Post

www.jpost.com/servlet/ Satellite?cid=1162378487783 &pagename=JPost%2FJP Article%2FShowFull

Northrop Grumman, the US defense contractor that makes the Skyguard anti-missile laser system, was refused meetings with senior Defense Ministry officials this week, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

Skyguard, also known as Nautilus, is a laser cannon capable of intercepting short-range projectiles such as Kassam rockets. It was developed by the US Army in conjunction with the IDF. Israel, which invested $100 million in the project over the past decade, has suspended its participation following a similar decision by the US Army.

After the recent war in Lebanon, Defense Minister Amir Peretz appointed ministry Director-General Maj.-Gen. (res.) Gabi Ashkenazi to head a committee to choose an anti-missile defense system for purchase. According to ministry officials, the panel plans to issue its recommendation in the coming weeks.

Last week, Northrop Grumman asked to meet with officials from the Defense Ministry's Research and Development Authority about the suspended Skyguard project this week. One system has already been tested at the US Army's White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and according to Northrop Grumman, it could be deployed in Israel within six months.

According to Israeli defense officials, Northrop Grumman asked for a meeting but did not plan to present any new findings.

Northrop Grumman is waiting for Pentagon approval to present improvements made to the product to the Israeli defense establishment.

The main issue concerns the system's range. Israel was last told that the system only covers a three-kilometer area, meaning dozens of systems at a cost of billions of dollars would be needed to protect the entire northern border. The Defense Ministry is waiting to see if the company was successful in increasing the system's range to 10 km.

"There is no point meeting with them if they have nothing new to show us," said one defense official. "We told them that when they have something new to tell us we are ready to listen."

Northrop Grumman was unavailable for comment.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Treatment Of Badr Brigade In Gaza Not Expected To Impact Israel-Jordan Relations

Alexander Becker — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 21:50:00 +0000

Dr. Aaron Lerner

Reuters reports today that the 1,000-strong Badr Brigade of the Palestine Liberation Army is expected to be redeployed from Jordan to the Gaza Strip.

IMRA asked Mohammad Ben Hussein, a reporter on Middle Eastern Affairs at Jordan Times, if Israel-Jordan relations might be impacted if the Badr Brigade ends up suffering casualties in incidents involving the IDF.

Ben Hussein noted that the Badr Brigade is independent of the Jordanian Army and does not identify itself as being associated with Jordan. In addition, it is not expected that Jordanian security officials would be attached to the force.

He pointed out that during the course of Oslo many Palestinians bearing Jordanian citizenship joined various Palestinian security forces. When some of these Jordanian citizens were killed or wounded by Israeli forces the reaction of Jordan was no different than Jordan's reaction to incidents that did not involve Jordanian citizens.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Israel To Purchase Locally-Made System Against Kassams

Alexander Becker — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 21:49:00 +0000

Yaakov Katz, The Jerusalem Post

www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite? cid=1162378505803&pagename= JPost%2FJPArticle %2FShowFull

The defense establishment plans to make an official decision in the coming days to invest $300 million in an anti-Kassam and anti-Katyusha defense system under development by Rafael - Israel's Armament Development Authority, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

According to the plan, a combination of a laser and an anti-Kassam missile interceptor will be operational for deployment outside the Gaza Strip within a year and a half.

According to a high-ranking defense official involved in the decision-making process, despite heavy public and international pressure, a committee led by Defense Ministry Director-General Gabi Ashkenazi has decided not to invest in the Skyguard anti-missile laser system, developed and manufactured by US defense contractor Northrop Grumman.

Last week, representatives from the Israeli Air Force, the IDF Ground Forces and the Defense Ministry's Research and Development Authority (MAFAT) met to decide which branch of the military would receive the funding and be in charge of the new system. Despite fierce resistance by the Ground Forces Command, the IAF was given control of the project, including its development and integration into operational use.

"The IAF said that they need to be in control of everything that flies in the air," said one senior defense official who was present at the meeting. "The Ground Forces argued that if that is the case, then the IAF should also be responsible for shooting 155 mm artillery shells." The defense official pointed to the US Army's role in funding and developing the Skyguard anti-missile laser until two years ago. "This is an army issue since the troops on the ground are the ones who need the protection from the short-range rockets and mortars," the official said.

The scheme that the defense establishment plans to develop is based on two anti-missile systems under development by Rafael - one involving a solid laser that will have the ability to intercept Kassams in mid-air, in addition to a small and cheap anti-rocket missile with a kinetic warhead. According to defense officials, Northrop Grumman's system, which operates a chemical laser, is dangerous to the environment and can also malfunction in cloudy or rainy weather.

While the development of a short-range rocket defense system has picked up speed since the war in Lebanon, the Israeli defense establishment actually began expressing interest in such a system in the late nineties in conjunction with the US Army which was, at the time, funding the development of a chemical laser cannon - then called Nautilus and now called Skyguard.

According to Israeli defense officials, Israel was told that the development of the system would take two-three years and would cost $80 million. Now, eight years and $400 million ($100 million provided by Israel) later, the project is still incomplete.

The system also only covers an area of three kilometers according to Israeli defense officials, who said that the optimal system would have a range of at least 10 kilometers.

Northrop Grumman has claimed that Skyguard has been improved and that with a $150 million investment it could be operational within a year-and-a-half.

The Israeli MOD has, however, not been allowed to confirm the claims of improvements since the Pentagon has until now refused to allow Northrop Grumman to present the product to the Israeli defense establishment.

Earlier this week, the MOD refused to meet officials from Northrop Grumman claiming that until the company had new findings to present, there was no point in meeting.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Saudis To UK: Halt Inquiry Or We Cancel Eurofighters

Alexander Becker — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 21:46:00 +0000

Christopher Hope, Whitehall Editor

The Daily Telegraph (UK)

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ main.jhtml?xml=/news/ 2006/12/01/nsaudi01.xml

Saudi Arabia has given Britain 10 days to halt a fraud investigation into the country's arms trade - or lose a GBP10 billion Eurofighter contract.

The contract supports up to 50,000 British jobs and there are now fears that the deal may go to France.

The Saudi government is on the verge of cancelling the contract - an extension of one brokered by Margaret Thatcher 20 year ago - because of a Serious Fraud Office investigation into allegations of a slush fund for members of the Saudi royal family, according to authoritative sources.

Tony Blair has been told that the deal faces the axe in 10 days unless he intervenes to bring the two-year investigation to a close.

The Saudis are said to be "outraged" by the probe into the activities of companies linked to BAE Systems. The investigation concerns alleged illegal payments made to members of the Saudi royal family and their agents.

The country's advisers have made clear through diplomatic channels that unless the inquiry is closed, the kingdom's arms business will be taken elsewhere.

The Saudis are understood to have already opened negotiations with the French about buying 36 rival Rafale jets. The Daily Telegraph has learned that President Jacques Chirac has been to Saudi Arabia twice in recent months to offer full French co-operation on such a deal.

There has since been a series of meetings in Paris. Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, the Saudi national security council secretary general, visited the French president on Wednesday of last week.

Last Monday, an envoy from the Saudi government is understood to have gone to Paris to confirm details of a potential new deal.

At stake is the future of the Al-Yamamah arms deal, Britain's biggest ever overseas defence contract. It is said to have been worth GBP 40 billion to BAE Systems over the past 20 years.

Industry analysts estimate that the Government has benefited from a two per cent handling fee on that sum worth GBP 800 million.

In 2002 a law was brought in to forbid British companies from offering bribes to third parties to secure business.

Mr Blair is being pressured to ask the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, to speed up the SFO's investigation to avoid the loss of the Saudi contracts.

Another prominent Cabinet minister is also thought to have approached the Attorney General about the case.

Lord Goldsmith is understood to have been warned that the flow of vital intelligence from the Saudi Government to the British secret services could be impaired following a break between the two governments over the contracts, thereby endangering national security, particularly during the war on terrorism.

However, friends of Lord Goldsmith maintain that he still feels compromised by the way in which he was pressured in 2003 to change his advice to the Government about the legality of the Iraq war.

He is said to be determined to ensure that on this issue no political pressure will be brought to bear upon him in deciding whether or not to bring prosecutions against any BAE Systems executives.

The renewed pressure on the Attorney General comes as the Foreign Office has been trying to smooth relations with the Saudis, with the British ambassador in Riyadh meeting representatives of the Saudi royal family last week-end.

There were early signs last night that a peace deal could be brokered, with suggestions that the UK Government has assured the Saudis that the investigation will be wound up "within a few months".

The Government is refusing to be drawn on the affair. Neither the Ministry of Defence, the Attorney General's office, nor Downing Street would comment last night.

One Whitehall source said: "We are where we are. The SFO is doing its work. We are expecting nothing new in the next 48 hours."

BAE Systems denies that it has done anything wrong. A spokesman said: "We have always co-operated fully with the investigation. We are confident that we have done nothing wrong and we look forward to a swift conclusion."

The Conservatives declined to comment last night.

Norman Lamb, MP, the chief of staff to the Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell, said if anyone was leaning on the Attorney General that was "scandalous in the extreme". He added: "If you are going to pass anti-corruption legislation then you have to live with the consequences of it when the going gets tough.

"There cannot be any question of interference with a criminal investigation. The idea is abhorrent."

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

IDF Tanks To Be Fitted With Trophy Anti-Missile Systems

Alexander Becker — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 20:46:00 +0000

Amos Harel, Haaretz

www.haaretz.com/ hasen/spages/ 795790.html

The Israel Defense Forces will begin equipping its tanks with an advanced, active protection system capable of countering the latest anti-tank missiles.

The locally developed system, known by its export name as Trophy, will be installed on Merkava Mark IV tanks, partly in response to the experience of the recent war in Lebanon.

The new defense system creates a "canopy" that surrounds the tank, identifies the threat of the incoming anti-tank missile, and destroys that missile's warhead before it strikes.

The Rafael Armament Development Authority offered Trophy to the IDF several years ago, but the suggestion was turned down then due to other budgetary priorities.

The cost of installing the system on a single tank is estimated to be $200,000-$300,000, if a significant quantity is acquired.

While initially the system will be installed on tanks, the possibility is being considered of also using the Trophy system on armored personnel carriers (APCs).

The United States is also considering the use of the Trophy on its Stryker fighting vehicles.

During the recent war in Lebanon, Hezbollah's anti-tank missiles damaged dozens of IDF tanks; others were totally destroyed. The more sophisticated anti-tank missiles, such as the French Matis and the Russian Kornet, are capable of penetrating the armor of the Merkava Mark IV, which is considered to be the most heavily armored tank in the world.

There are some final touches left to be made on Trophy before it becomes fully operational.

Major General Benny Gantz, commander of the ground forces, confirmed the acquisition, but the matter still requires the approval of the General Staff.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Israel Policy Center: IDF Barring Withdrawal Protesters From Service Via Psychiatric Clause

Alexander Becker — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:45:00 +0000

IDF "using psychiatric clause to exempt settlers from draft".

Nadav Shragai, Haaretz

http://www.haaretz.com/ hasen/spages/ 796868.html

The Israel Policy Center filed an administrative petition at the Tel Aviv District Court yesterday against the Israel Defense Forces, demanding access to data regarding the number of teens not conscripted into the army because of their participation in anti-disengagement protests or the disturbances at the illegal outpost of Amona.

The center, which is affiliated with the right wing, says the IDF has ignored its requests for the data - despite its legal obligation to maintain freedom of information and to accede or reject such a request within 30 days.

The data is necessary, the center argues, for research it is undertaking on "very grave" findings suggesting that the army is making inappropriate use of the psychiatric clause "to prevent the conscription of completely healthy 'orange' youth." The reference to the color orange relates to its adoption by the anti-disengagement protesters.

In its petition, the center writes that the psychiatric clause, on whose basis the youth are not being drafted "is being backed by professional opinion" and there are suspicions that they are being stigmatized "on political grounds."

The center requested the following data from the IDF: How many of those not drafted were invited to a special interview? How many were invited to the military psychiatric service for an interview? How many had their medical profile lowered? The data was requested on the basis of male and female categorization, as well as place of residence (inside the Green Line or in the territories). The center also requested the number of teens living in the territories who were not drafted, for reasons of incompatibility, during the years 2001-2006.

Yesterday, the center published five examples of teens that were not drafted.

For example, "B.Y., Jerusalem induction center. Present in Amona, not arrested and did not clash with police. In the interview, he was asked whether he had any problems with Arabs, whether he would be willing to evacuate settlements and whether he would abide by the orders of rabbis. He had an interview with the head of the induction center, the military psychologist and a psychiatrist. The medical board ruled that his medical profile was 21 [the lowest and grounds for dismissal] and that he was incapable of being drafted for medical reasons."

The teen's family paid for a psychiatric evaluation by a senior psychiatrist at one of the hospitals, who determined there was nothing wrong with him. When the teen sought to appeal the medical committee's decision, he was issued an exemption from service.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Russia Confirms Delivery Of Advanced Mobile Air Defense System To Iran

Alexander Becker — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:43:00 +0000

Geostrategy-Direct, www.geostrategy-direct.com

MOSCOW - Russia has confirmed the export of an advanced air defense system to Iran after officials denied initial press reports of the shipment.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said his country's sale of the TOR-M1 mobile air defense system to Iran would not change the military balance in the Middle East.

"We are selling only a limited range of defensive weapons," Ivanov said. "The TOR-M1 air defense system, for example, has no influence on the balance of power in the region because it only has a range of up to 40 kilometers."

On Nov. 24, Russian news agencies quoted officials as reporting starting delivery of 29 TOR-M1 systems to Iran. On Nov. 27, the German weekly Der Spiegel quoted Ivanov as confirming the deliveries.

"Every country is allowed to deliver arms to another as long as it is not evading any sanctions in doing so," Ivanov said. "Deliveries of the Tor-M1 have begun," the Moscow-based Itar-Tass news agency quoted a Russian Defense Ministry official as saying on Nov. 24. "The first systems have already been delivered to Teheran."

Neither the Defense Ministry nor the manufacturer of the TOR, Almaz Antey, confirmed the initial report. The news agencies did not say how many systems have been sent to Iran.

"I can affirm with 100 percent certainty that nothing of the kind has happened." Nikolai Dimidyuk, delegation head of Russia's state-owned arms agency Rosoboronexport, said at the IndoDefense exhibition in Jakarta on Nov. 25.

TOR-M1 was developed for short- and medium-range detection and interception. The system was designed to down manned, unmanned aircraft and cruise missiles at a range of 12 kilometers. The system has a detection range of 40 kilometers. In 2005, Iran and Russia signed a $700-million agreement for the TOR-M1. Russian industry sources said the contract rose to $1.4 billion when Russia agreed to provide additional radars and other advanced equipment.

In early November, Moscow pledged to deliver the first TOR systems over the following weeks. Teheran had demanded the immediate delivery of the systems to protect its nuclear facilities from Israeli or U.S. air strikes.

Sources said that with the expanded TOR project, Iran has become Russia's No. 3 client, following China and India. In a separate development, the Interfax news agency reported that Russian Atomic Energy Agency Director Sergei Kiriyenko plans to visit Teheran on Dec. 11 to discuss additional cooperation.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Israel Suspends Missile Defense Deal With Venezuela Under Pressure From U.S.

Alexander Becker — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:42:00 +0000

Geostrategy-Direct, www.geostrategy-direct.com

TEL AVIV -- U.S. pressure has forced Israel to freeze military projects for Venezuela worth more than $50 million. Sources said the Bush administration has determined that Venezuela, particularly President Hugo Chavez, represents a threat to the United States.

"Venezuela has not been a friend to Israel and the United States, but until now it was buying our systems," an Israeli source said. "Now, we are going to have to review our defense relations with Venezuela."

One of the projects was the supply of the Israeli-origin Barak missile defense system.

Israel and Venezuela signed the Barak deal several years ago and a few systems were supplied, the source said. The state-owned Rafael, Israel Armament Development Authority provided a ground model of the Barak-1 sea-based missile defense system, with a range of about 10 kilometers.

"We want to complete this deal, but the [U.S.] administration is very much against this, saying the Barak provides Venezuela with a new capability," the source said.

Rafael had also been contracted to supply advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles to Venezuela, including the Python-4 and the Popeye. But the source said these orders have also been suspended.

The Israeli company has refused to confirm the suspension of its projects in Venezuela. In 2005, the Pentagon demanded that Israel withdraw its offer to upgrade F-16s for Venezuela.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Baker Wants Israel Excluded From Regional Conference

Alexander Becker — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 20:36:00 +0000

Insight Magazine Dec. 5-11, 2006

www.insightmag.com/ Media/MediaManager/ Baker_1.htm

The White House has been examining a proposal by James Baker to launch a Middle East peace effort without Israel.

The peace effort would begin with a U.S.-organized conference, dubbed Madrid-2, and contain such U.S. adversaries as Iran and Syria. Officials said Madrid-2 would be promoted as a forum to discuss Iraq's future, but actually focus on Arab demands for Israel to withdraw from territories captured in the 1967 war. They said Israel would not be invited to the conference.

"As Baker sees this, the conference would provide a unique opportunity for the United States to strike a deal without Jewish pressure," an official said. "This has become the most hottest proposal examined by the foreign policy people over the last month."

Officials said Mr. Baker's proposal, reflected in the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, has been supported by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns and National Intelligence Director John Negroponte. The most controversial element in the proposal, they said, was Mr. Baker's recommendation for the United States to woo Iran and Syria.

"Here is Syria, which is clearly putting pressure on the Lebanese democracy, is a supporter of terror, is both provisioning and supporting Hezbollah and facilitating Iran in its efforts to support Hezbollah, is supporting the activities of Hamas," National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley told a briefing last week. "This is not a Syria that is on an agenda to bring peace and stability to the region."

Officials said the Baker proposal to exclude Israel from a Middle East peace conference garnered support in the wake of Vice President Dick Cheney's visit to Saudi Arabia on Nov. 25. They said Mr. Cheney spent most of his meetings listening to Saudi warnings that Israel, rather than Iran, is the leading cause of instability in the Middle East.

"He [Cheney] didn't even get the opportunity to seriously discuss the purpose of his visit-that the Saudis help the Iraqi government and persuade the Sunnis to stop their attacks," another official familiar with Mr. Cheney's visit said. "Instead, the Saudis kept saying that they wanted a U.S. initiative to stop the Israelis' attack in Gaza and Cheney just agreed."

Under the Baker proposal, the Bush administration would arrange a Middle East conference that would discuss the future of Iraq and other Middle East issues. Officials said the conference would seek to win Arab support on Iraq in exchange for a U.S. pledge to renew efforts to press Israel to withdraw from the West Bank and Golan Heights.

"Baker sees his plan as containing something for everybody, except perhaps the Israelis," the official said. "The Syrians would get back the Golan, the Iranians would get U.S. recognition and the Saudis would regain their influence, particularly with the Palestinians."

Officials said Mr. Baker's influence within the administration and the Republican Party's leadership stems from support by the president's father as well as former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Throughout the current Bush administration, such senior officials as Mr. Hadley and Ms. Rice were said to have been consulting with Brent Scowcroft, the former president's national security advisor, regarded as close to Mr. Baker.

"Everybody has fallen in line," the official said. "Bush is not in the daily loop. He is shocked by the elections and he's hoping for a miracle on Iraq."

For his part, Mr. Bush has expressed unease in negotiating with Iran. At a Nov. 30 news conference in Amman, Jordan, the president cited Iran's interference in the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki.

"We respect their heritage, we respect their history, we respect their traditions," Mr. Bush said. "I just have a problem with a government that is isolating its people, denying its people benefits that could be had from engagement with the world."

Mr. Baker's recommendation to woo Iran and Syria has also received support from some in the conservative wing of the GOP. Over the last week, former and current Republican leaders in Congress-convinced of the need for a U.S. withdrawal before the 2008 presidential elections-have called for Iranian and Syrian participation in an effort to stabilize Iraq.

"I would look at an entirely new strategy," former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said. "We have clearly failed in the last three years to achieve the kind of outcome we want."

In contrast, Defense Department officials have warned against granting a role to Iran and Syria at Israel's expense. They said such a strategy would also end up undermining Arab allies of the United States such as Egypt, Jordan and Morocco.

"The regional strategy is a euphemism for throwing Free Iraq to the wolves in its neighborhood: Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia," said the Center for Security Policy, regarded as being close to the Pentagon. "If the Baker regional strategy is adopted, we will prove to all the world that it is better to be America's enemy than its friend. Jim Baker's hostility towards the Jews is a matter of record and has endeared him to Israel's foes in the region."

But Defense Secretary-designate Robert Gates, a former colleague of Mr. Baker on the Iraq Study Group, has expressed support for U.S. negotiations with Iran and Syria. In response to questions from the Senate Armed Services Committee, which begins confirmation hearings this week, Mr. Gates compared the two U.S. adversaries to the Soviet Union.

"Even in the worst days of the Cold War, the U.S. maintained a dialogue with the Soviet Union and China, and I believe those channels of communication helped us manage many potentially difficult situations," Mr. Gates said. "Our engagement with Syria need not be unilateral. It could, for instance, take the form of Syrian participation in a regional conference."

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis